Hey, everyone! It's a chappie this time! Yay! Let us dance in celebration!
^-^
^-^
Oh, excitement! Everything is starting to happen! And I need to let you guys know. . . I have changed some very minor things in chapters 5, 8, 9, and 10. To make things less confusing for future readers. They are too small to notice, so I wouldn't go looking for them. And also, let's pretend Sesshoumaru has never called Kagome by her first name, okay? I know it's confusing, but work with me, here. It seems like everytime I write a new chapter, some minor detail changes. . . but, hey, change is good. ^_~
Sango and Miroku fans: I hope I did you justice with this chapter.
Love ya, Honey Bee
Chapter 11
Becoming Closer
"Hey, Sango."
It was Monday, and lunch time. Kagome sat down in the booth at the same restaurant she and Miroku had been in that Friday. She looked across the table at Sango, a knowing look on her face. Sango's expression became uncomfortable, and she looked away. Clearing her throat, she said, "I hope you don't hate me, Kagome. I *really* hope Miroku doesn't, either."
"Gods, no, I could never hate you, Sango. Miroku doesn't, either. What you decided was what you think is best for yourself. Miroku can't make you do anything you don't want to."
"Thanks, Kagome. I just. . . couldn't say yes. I don't know - It's not that I don't love him. . . I do. A lot. I -"
"Sango, please! It's okay! You're not ready yet, don't feel guilty!"
"I'm sorry! It's just that, I can't look at him, anymore. Or you. I know it hurt him. . . and now things are awkward. I just wish he had never asked me. I want things to be back the way they were before. I want to be with him again."
"Then you should go to him."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Then I'll. . . " tears began to fill Sango's eyes, and her voice cracked. "Because, I might change my mind. . . "
Sango sniffled, and without thinking, Kagome got up and moved to the other table to sit beside her friend. She put an arm around her and Sango leaned her head on Kagome's shoulder.
"Kagome, I just feel so. . . I don't know. Everything's all mixed up inside. I want to be with him, but my head is telling me that a commitment isn't what I need right now." Sango wiped her eyes, then straightened back up. "I will. . . feel ashamed when I see him again. Can you tell me something, Kagome? And be honest?"
"Yes, anything."
"How hurt was he? I know you know. . . you're his best friend."
Kagome looked down, remembering how Miroku had been last Friday. He'd just been broken up, and sad. . . almost insecure. "Miroku was. . . not okay. He was quiet, and kept staring ahead all the time. I think when you said no he thought you didn't love him at all."
"That doesn't make any sense. I told him I do. I explained."
"Yes, but. . . he's doubting your love. He thinks you're amazing, and if I know Miroku, he's wondering what a girl like you is doing with a guy like him. He feels. . . insecure. And when you turned him down, he may have taken it that you're not sure if it's him you want to stay with."
"But, he is the one I want to stay with -"
"Then why did you say no?"
Sango sat back and stared at Kagome, her eyebrows drawn together. "Why couldn't you tell InuYasha you love him?"
Kagome's expression changed to stubbornness, and she looked back at Sango with the same stare. "That has nothing to do with this."
"It's because a voice inside is telling you that you just can't."
"I didn't come here to talk about InuYasha. Can we please change the topic?"
Sango's expression relaxed, and she nodded. Kagome was angry because, well, Sango was right, about the voice. But she didn't want it to be so for Sango and Miroku. She couldn't see them anywhere else but together. They just weren't right without each other. Then, Kagome had a thought.
"I remember," she began, " that day when InuYasha started work with us. Miroku came in after his last delivery, sweaty and tired, but happy. The first person he went to was you, and he picked you up in his arms, and swung you around, and you were both giggling, and laughing. . . and I remember thinking this, exactly: 'Those two are going to be together forever.' And I know I have to be right. Because when he picked you up like that, it was just perfect, like a movie, and I became so jealous that he had found something so wonderful with you. Here I am, having all my guy problems, and there you two are, perfect for each other, and that is just the way things should be. Sango and Miroku. . . Miroku and Sango."
Sango had looked into Kagome's eyes the entire time she had said this, but now she looked down. "I believe you, Kagome. I know you're right. But. . . marriage -"
"So what? You don't have to go all out. You're committed to him enough as it is without a ring. If you were married, it would just make your bond tighter. You would never lose each other over something petty, because you would just remember why it is you love each other. . . why it is that you're married. You could get a little apartment, and a puppy. And you could wake up to him every morning, Sango. And then, you could have coffee and breakfast, and someone to talk to for the rest of your life. Personally, and truthfully, I think you are crazy for turning down his proposal. He needs you. . . he's changed since he's met you. He's been doing crazy things that I've never seen him do before, like buying flowers when there's no special occasion, and writing love letters, buying three thousand, six hundred dollar rings. . . You don't have to have kids right away, or buy a house, or any of that major stuff. You don't even have to have some huge wedding. You can still take it slow and get married. It's what he's ready for because he can't see where you guys can go from here. He's tired of just taking you home and coming back to the apartment after a night out. He really just wants to go home with you, and not leave you. From a friend to a friend, and this is just a suggestion, I think you should rethink your decision. You may be passing up a once-in-a-lifetime happiness, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life. I don't want to see that happen to you. Because once you both move on from this, you'll move on, and you may never be able to go back again."
Sango was quiet for a moment. "So you think I should marry him."
"Yes, I do. Very much."
Sango lightly slammed her fists on the table. "Damn, you, Kagome!" she said angrily. "I was supposed to have this all figured out! But you have to go and make me realize this. . . that I should marry him. I'm just afraid our love will die out after a while. I don't want to end up fighting with him over stupid bills or other women. . . "
"Your love won't 'die out.' He'll make sure of that. Please go back to him, Sango."
Sango looked at Kagome, knowing how right her friend was. "All right. I'll see him." And then she added, a little breathlessly, " I'll. . . I'll marry him." She smiled a little.
Kagome sighed with relief and hugged her friend fiercely.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next day, Tuesday.
Kagome found Sesshoumaru at a little table on the street corner at the expensive street-side restaurant. He looked at her, then looked at his watch. "You're late, Miss Higurashi. . . again."
"Yeah, I know! I'm sorry! There was just a hold-up. " Kagome settled in at the table and a waiter came over. After she ordered a water, Sesshoumaru got down to business. "Have you thought about the movie deal?"
Kagome's excitement returned, and she smiled fully, looking down. "Yeah." Then, she looked up, straight into Sesshoumaru's eyes, and said, "I wanna do it."
Sesshoumaru's face showed a mild surprise, and he then looked at her sidelong, and replied, "You're sure?"
"I'm absolutely sure."
"All right. It's a lot to get into, what with the novel being published at the same time."
"I don't care. This is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I'm going to take full advantage of it. I can hardly wait to get started."
Sesshoumaru sat and looked at her for a moment, his chin resting on curled fingers. "You are a very ambitious young woman, Kagome."
Kagome smiled slightly at the remark. He seemed to be opening up to her, if only a little bit. "Thank you, " she said in reply. Then she realized something. "Wait. . . "
"Yes?"
"That was. . . that was the first time you've ever called me by my name. Kagome."
"Was it?" "Mm-hm." Kagome smiled teasingly. "Are we on the verge of friendship, *Sesshoumaru*?"
Though his expression hadn't changed, his features looked lighter, somehow, and his eyes laughed a little. "Possibly," he murmured.
Kagome stared at a pigeon on the ground. He waddled around, picking up food here and there, looking around, happy and content with his own little existence. One day, she thought, I will feel like that little pigeon. Happy and content.
"Kagome? The pigeons interest you?"
Kagome didn't look up, but she smiled. "A little. They're awfully cute."
"Terribly," he said with a slightly humorous tone.
'Yes,' Kagome thought, 'he is opening up.' So she decided finally to discuss InuYasha with him.
"You were right," she said.
"About what?"
"InuYasha. My making the right decision."
"What convinced you?"
Kagome told him about Thursday night, after he had dropped her off. She even left in InuYasha's little "insinuation" about her.
"The baka," Sesshoumaru muttered.
Then, out of nowhere, came: "Daddy! Daddy!"
To Kagome's ultimate surprise, a little girl, about six or seven, ran to Sesshoumaru, and jumped so she could hang her arms around his neck.
"Whoa!" Sesshoumaru exclaimed as his body was nearly yanked off the chair when the little girl landed back on the ground. "Rin-chan, where did you come from? You should be in school!"
Daddy? Rin-chan? School?
The little girl giggled. "We're going to the museum!"
"Oh," Sesshoumaru said, looking back at a small group of children and an older woman who was waiting with them. They were all stopped, waiting on Rin. "I see," Sesshoumaru continued. "Maybe you had better go catch back up with them, ne?"
"Okay! Bye, Daddy! I love you!"
"Goodbye Rin!" Sesshoumaru turned and gave a friendly wave to the teacher, and she smiled and waved back.
When he turned his attention back to Kagome, his cheeks flushed at his sudden show of emotion. Kagome stared at him. "Daddy?" she asked, amused and surprised.
"Yes," he said, his smile only disappearing slightly. "That was my daughter Rin."
"She's beautiful," Kagome said, turning to watch the group of school kids saunter and skip off to the museum.
"She is." Sesshoumaru said quietly. But his eyes were not on Rin. . . they were on Kagome.
"You're divorced." she said suddenly. "You don't wear a ring."
Sesshoumaru looked at her and nodded. "That is true."
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Kagome exclaimed. "That is none of my business!"
"Au contraire. I know your business with InuYasha. It seems only fair that you know mine."
"Hmm. I guess you're right."
"I am always right."
At this Kagome laughed, but when Sesshoumaru did not even join her with a smirk, she subsided 'Okay, Kagome, he is not joking. How embarrassing.'
"What would you like to know about me?" he asked her seriously.
"I guess. . . well, I'm curious at who her mother is."
"Oto Kikyou."
"Oto. . . wait, isn't that-"
"The phony woman in the red dress that you met at the Benefit? Yes, that's her. She left me for the man she was standing next to."
"Your Assistant Editor? Wow. . . that must be pretty awkward."
"Yes, well, I try to ignore it as much as I can."
"You can only endure it for so long."
Sesshoumaru was quiet and said nothing in return. He just leaned back in his chair with an almost smug, ghost of a smile, his legs crossed comfortably.
Kagome then noticed how the sun shone on his silver hair. . . his golden eyes were fixed on her calmly, and that ghost of a smile was there on his lips. He was nearly breathtaking. Suddenly, Kagome felt ordinary compared to him. Ordinary, unnoticeable, and completely unremarkable.
Even though there was a shaky feeling she got now that she'd noticed this, and those butterflies that had now taken over her stomach, Kagome knew that she would never have a chance with him. He would go home, and not think about her again until he needed to; strictly for business. She was just a client to him. . . and a girl who had made the mistake of sleeping with his half-brother.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Miroku decided to go back to the apartment for lunch, since Kagome would be eating with Sesshoumaru. He remembered some leftovers in the fridge.
He got inside and shut the door, and set his keys and wallet down on the counter. He took his hat off and ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. It was so hot outside.
He started to get out his food, whistling a little to himself as he did so.
Then there was a knock at the door.
"Coming!" He walked over and opened the door. His jaw dropped slightly.
"S-Sango?" He realized he was gawking, so he averted his eyes.
"Hey," she said in a tiny voice. She dropped her eyes, as well.
There was a stretch of silence, and then they both spoke at the same time.
"Would you like to-"
"Can I come in-"
They both laughed a little, and Miroku leaned on the doorframe, feeling slightly better. "Why don't you come in, eh?"
Sango smiled and nodded.
She walked in, and they sat on the couch. Sango started. "I've been thinking. And you can thank Kagome. Because we had a talk, and I've decided that I do want to marry you-" Before she could get the rest of her sentence out, she found herself being grabbed up into Miroku's arms. Surprise took her for a moment, then she smiled and hugged him back.
"You know you don't have to do this because you feel bad," Miroku said softly into her ear.
"I want to do this." she whispered back.
"I love you, Sango."
"I love you, too."
Miroku kissed her then, and he could feel some of his old self coming back. He could also feel a new kind of happiness seeping into his heart, making it flutter as if he were kissing her for the first time. And with that feeling, their kiss grew deeper, and Sango wrapped her arms around his neck. Then Miroku realized there was something he needed to do.
Trying not to break their kiss, he quickly got up off the couch, pulling Sango with him. Then he picked her up and swung her around a couple times, and Sango yelled out in surprise, then laughed, her pretty eyes crinkling with a bright smile. Miroku set her down gently, and wrapped his arms around her again, and kissed her once more, both of them trying to recover from laughter. They broke the kiss for a moment, and rested their foreheads together, smiling.
Miroku then took her hand, and walked over to the kitchen counter. He took from it's surface a ring box. He opened the ring box, took out the perfect little ring, and slipped it on Sango's finger. "I'm going to make you very happy," Miroku promised her.
"I already am," Sango replied. "Not that I couldn't take any more. . . "
"Really? I'm about to explode, I'm so happy!" Fits of laughter came over them again, and Sango kissed his lips quickly.
"Let's go tell everybody!"
"The first person we see!" Miroku said. Sango agreed, and Miroku grabbed his things with lightening speed and they bolted out the door.
The first person they saw was an old woman and her husband, and, holding hands, Miroku and Sango both exclaimed, "We're getting married!!"
Startled, the old couple blinked and watched the young couple continue to zoom down the hallway to the elevator together. They then looked at each other, remembering when they too had been that young couple. They both smiled slightly, then went in their apartment and shut the door.
Oh, excitement! Everything is starting to happen! And I need to let you guys know. . . I have changed some very minor things in chapters 5, 8, 9, and 10. To make things less confusing for future readers. They are too small to notice, so I wouldn't go looking for them. And also, let's pretend Sesshoumaru has never called Kagome by her first name, okay? I know it's confusing, but work with me, here. It seems like everytime I write a new chapter, some minor detail changes. . . but, hey, change is good. ^_~
Sango and Miroku fans: I hope I did you justice with this chapter.
Love ya, Honey Bee
Chapter 11
Becoming Closer
"Hey, Sango."
It was Monday, and lunch time. Kagome sat down in the booth at the same restaurant she and Miroku had been in that Friday. She looked across the table at Sango, a knowing look on her face. Sango's expression became uncomfortable, and she looked away. Clearing her throat, she said, "I hope you don't hate me, Kagome. I *really* hope Miroku doesn't, either."
"Gods, no, I could never hate you, Sango. Miroku doesn't, either. What you decided was what you think is best for yourself. Miroku can't make you do anything you don't want to."
"Thanks, Kagome. I just. . . couldn't say yes. I don't know - It's not that I don't love him. . . I do. A lot. I -"
"Sango, please! It's okay! You're not ready yet, don't feel guilty!"
"I'm sorry! It's just that, I can't look at him, anymore. Or you. I know it hurt him. . . and now things are awkward. I just wish he had never asked me. I want things to be back the way they were before. I want to be with him again."
"Then you should go to him."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Then I'll. . . " tears began to fill Sango's eyes, and her voice cracked. "Because, I might change my mind. . . "
Sango sniffled, and without thinking, Kagome got up and moved to the other table to sit beside her friend. She put an arm around her and Sango leaned her head on Kagome's shoulder.
"Kagome, I just feel so. . . I don't know. Everything's all mixed up inside. I want to be with him, but my head is telling me that a commitment isn't what I need right now." Sango wiped her eyes, then straightened back up. "I will. . . feel ashamed when I see him again. Can you tell me something, Kagome? And be honest?"
"Yes, anything."
"How hurt was he? I know you know. . . you're his best friend."
Kagome looked down, remembering how Miroku had been last Friday. He'd just been broken up, and sad. . . almost insecure. "Miroku was. . . not okay. He was quiet, and kept staring ahead all the time. I think when you said no he thought you didn't love him at all."
"That doesn't make any sense. I told him I do. I explained."
"Yes, but. . . he's doubting your love. He thinks you're amazing, and if I know Miroku, he's wondering what a girl like you is doing with a guy like him. He feels. . . insecure. And when you turned him down, he may have taken it that you're not sure if it's him you want to stay with."
"But, he is the one I want to stay with -"
"Then why did you say no?"
Sango sat back and stared at Kagome, her eyebrows drawn together. "Why couldn't you tell InuYasha you love him?"
Kagome's expression changed to stubbornness, and she looked back at Sango with the same stare. "That has nothing to do with this."
"It's because a voice inside is telling you that you just can't."
"I didn't come here to talk about InuYasha. Can we please change the topic?"
Sango's expression relaxed, and she nodded. Kagome was angry because, well, Sango was right, about the voice. But she didn't want it to be so for Sango and Miroku. She couldn't see them anywhere else but together. They just weren't right without each other. Then, Kagome had a thought.
"I remember," she began, " that day when InuYasha started work with us. Miroku came in after his last delivery, sweaty and tired, but happy. The first person he went to was you, and he picked you up in his arms, and swung you around, and you were both giggling, and laughing. . . and I remember thinking this, exactly: 'Those two are going to be together forever.' And I know I have to be right. Because when he picked you up like that, it was just perfect, like a movie, and I became so jealous that he had found something so wonderful with you. Here I am, having all my guy problems, and there you two are, perfect for each other, and that is just the way things should be. Sango and Miroku. . . Miroku and Sango."
Sango had looked into Kagome's eyes the entire time she had said this, but now she looked down. "I believe you, Kagome. I know you're right. But. . . marriage -"
"So what? You don't have to go all out. You're committed to him enough as it is without a ring. If you were married, it would just make your bond tighter. You would never lose each other over something petty, because you would just remember why it is you love each other. . . why it is that you're married. You could get a little apartment, and a puppy. And you could wake up to him every morning, Sango. And then, you could have coffee and breakfast, and someone to talk to for the rest of your life. Personally, and truthfully, I think you are crazy for turning down his proposal. He needs you. . . he's changed since he's met you. He's been doing crazy things that I've never seen him do before, like buying flowers when there's no special occasion, and writing love letters, buying three thousand, six hundred dollar rings. . . You don't have to have kids right away, or buy a house, or any of that major stuff. You don't even have to have some huge wedding. You can still take it slow and get married. It's what he's ready for because he can't see where you guys can go from here. He's tired of just taking you home and coming back to the apartment after a night out. He really just wants to go home with you, and not leave you. From a friend to a friend, and this is just a suggestion, I think you should rethink your decision. You may be passing up a once-in-a-lifetime happiness, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life. I don't want to see that happen to you. Because once you both move on from this, you'll move on, and you may never be able to go back again."
Sango was quiet for a moment. "So you think I should marry him."
"Yes, I do. Very much."
Sango lightly slammed her fists on the table. "Damn, you, Kagome!" she said angrily. "I was supposed to have this all figured out! But you have to go and make me realize this. . . that I should marry him. I'm just afraid our love will die out after a while. I don't want to end up fighting with him over stupid bills or other women. . . "
"Your love won't 'die out.' He'll make sure of that. Please go back to him, Sango."
Sango looked at Kagome, knowing how right her friend was. "All right. I'll see him." And then she added, a little breathlessly, " I'll. . . I'll marry him." She smiled a little.
Kagome sighed with relief and hugged her friend fiercely.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next day, Tuesday.
Kagome found Sesshoumaru at a little table on the street corner at the expensive street-side restaurant. He looked at her, then looked at his watch. "You're late, Miss Higurashi. . . again."
"Yeah, I know! I'm sorry! There was just a hold-up. " Kagome settled in at the table and a waiter came over. After she ordered a water, Sesshoumaru got down to business. "Have you thought about the movie deal?"
Kagome's excitement returned, and she smiled fully, looking down. "Yeah." Then, she looked up, straight into Sesshoumaru's eyes, and said, "I wanna do it."
Sesshoumaru's face showed a mild surprise, and he then looked at her sidelong, and replied, "You're sure?"
"I'm absolutely sure."
"All right. It's a lot to get into, what with the novel being published at the same time."
"I don't care. This is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I'm going to take full advantage of it. I can hardly wait to get started."
Sesshoumaru sat and looked at her for a moment, his chin resting on curled fingers. "You are a very ambitious young woman, Kagome."
Kagome smiled slightly at the remark. He seemed to be opening up to her, if only a little bit. "Thank you, " she said in reply. Then she realized something. "Wait. . . "
"Yes?"
"That was. . . that was the first time you've ever called me by my name. Kagome."
"Was it?" "Mm-hm." Kagome smiled teasingly. "Are we on the verge of friendship, *Sesshoumaru*?"
Though his expression hadn't changed, his features looked lighter, somehow, and his eyes laughed a little. "Possibly," he murmured.
Kagome stared at a pigeon on the ground. He waddled around, picking up food here and there, looking around, happy and content with his own little existence. One day, she thought, I will feel like that little pigeon. Happy and content.
"Kagome? The pigeons interest you?"
Kagome didn't look up, but she smiled. "A little. They're awfully cute."
"Terribly," he said with a slightly humorous tone.
'Yes,' Kagome thought, 'he is opening up.' So she decided finally to discuss InuYasha with him.
"You were right," she said.
"About what?"
"InuYasha. My making the right decision."
"What convinced you?"
Kagome told him about Thursday night, after he had dropped her off. She even left in InuYasha's little "insinuation" about her.
"The baka," Sesshoumaru muttered.
Then, out of nowhere, came: "Daddy! Daddy!"
To Kagome's ultimate surprise, a little girl, about six or seven, ran to Sesshoumaru, and jumped so she could hang her arms around his neck.
"Whoa!" Sesshoumaru exclaimed as his body was nearly yanked off the chair when the little girl landed back on the ground. "Rin-chan, where did you come from? You should be in school!"
Daddy? Rin-chan? School?
The little girl giggled. "We're going to the museum!"
"Oh," Sesshoumaru said, looking back at a small group of children and an older woman who was waiting with them. They were all stopped, waiting on Rin. "I see," Sesshoumaru continued. "Maybe you had better go catch back up with them, ne?"
"Okay! Bye, Daddy! I love you!"
"Goodbye Rin!" Sesshoumaru turned and gave a friendly wave to the teacher, and she smiled and waved back.
When he turned his attention back to Kagome, his cheeks flushed at his sudden show of emotion. Kagome stared at him. "Daddy?" she asked, amused and surprised.
"Yes," he said, his smile only disappearing slightly. "That was my daughter Rin."
"She's beautiful," Kagome said, turning to watch the group of school kids saunter and skip off to the museum.
"She is." Sesshoumaru said quietly. But his eyes were not on Rin. . . they were on Kagome.
"You're divorced." she said suddenly. "You don't wear a ring."
Sesshoumaru looked at her and nodded. "That is true."
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Kagome exclaimed. "That is none of my business!"
"Au contraire. I know your business with InuYasha. It seems only fair that you know mine."
"Hmm. I guess you're right."
"I am always right."
At this Kagome laughed, but when Sesshoumaru did not even join her with a smirk, she subsided 'Okay, Kagome, he is not joking. How embarrassing.'
"What would you like to know about me?" he asked her seriously.
"I guess. . . well, I'm curious at who her mother is."
"Oto Kikyou."
"Oto. . . wait, isn't that-"
"The phony woman in the red dress that you met at the Benefit? Yes, that's her. She left me for the man she was standing next to."
"Your Assistant Editor? Wow. . . that must be pretty awkward."
"Yes, well, I try to ignore it as much as I can."
"You can only endure it for so long."
Sesshoumaru was quiet and said nothing in return. He just leaned back in his chair with an almost smug, ghost of a smile, his legs crossed comfortably.
Kagome then noticed how the sun shone on his silver hair. . . his golden eyes were fixed on her calmly, and that ghost of a smile was there on his lips. He was nearly breathtaking. Suddenly, Kagome felt ordinary compared to him. Ordinary, unnoticeable, and completely unremarkable.
Even though there was a shaky feeling she got now that she'd noticed this, and those butterflies that had now taken over her stomach, Kagome knew that she would never have a chance with him. He would go home, and not think about her again until he needed to; strictly for business. She was just a client to him. . . and a girl who had made the mistake of sleeping with his half-brother.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Miroku decided to go back to the apartment for lunch, since Kagome would be eating with Sesshoumaru. He remembered some leftovers in the fridge.
He got inside and shut the door, and set his keys and wallet down on the counter. He took his hat off and ran his fingers through his sweaty hair. It was so hot outside.
He started to get out his food, whistling a little to himself as he did so.
Then there was a knock at the door.
"Coming!" He walked over and opened the door. His jaw dropped slightly.
"S-Sango?" He realized he was gawking, so he averted his eyes.
"Hey," she said in a tiny voice. She dropped her eyes, as well.
There was a stretch of silence, and then they both spoke at the same time.
"Would you like to-"
"Can I come in-"
They both laughed a little, and Miroku leaned on the doorframe, feeling slightly better. "Why don't you come in, eh?"
Sango smiled and nodded.
She walked in, and they sat on the couch. Sango started. "I've been thinking. And you can thank Kagome. Because we had a talk, and I've decided that I do want to marry you-" Before she could get the rest of her sentence out, she found herself being grabbed up into Miroku's arms. Surprise took her for a moment, then she smiled and hugged him back.
"You know you don't have to do this because you feel bad," Miroku said softly into her ear.
"I want to do this." she whispered back.
"I love you, Sango."
"I love you, too."
Miroku kissed her then, and he could feel some of his old self coming back. He could also feel a new kind of happiness seeping into his heart, making it flutter as if he were kissing her for the first time. And with that feeling, their kiss grew deeper, and Sango wrapped her arms around his neck. Then Miroku realized there was something he needed to do.
Trying not to break their kiss, he quickly got up off the couch, pulling Sango with him. Then he picked her up and swung her around a couple times, and Sango yelled out in surprise, then laughed, her pretty eyes crinkling with a bright smile. Miroku set her down gently, and wrapped his arms around her again, and kissed her once more, both of them trying to recover from laughter. They broke the kiss for a moment, and rested their foreheads together, smiling.
Miroku then took her hand, and walked over to the kitchen counter. He took from it's surface a ring box. He opened the ring box, took out the perfect little ring, and slipped it on Sango's finger. "I'm going to make you very happy," Miroku promised her.
"I already am," Sango replied. "Not that I couldn't take any more. . . "
"Really? I'm about to explode, I'm so happy!" Fits of laughter came over them again, and Sango kissed his lips quickly.
"Let's go tell everybody!"
"The first person we see!" Miroku said. Sango agreed, and Miroku grabbed his things with lightening speed and they bolted out the door.
The first person they saw was an old woman and her husband, and, holding hands, Miroku and Sango both exclaimed, "We're getting married!!"
Startled, the old couple blinked and watched the young couple continue to zoom down the hallway to the elevator together. They then looked at each other, remembering when they too had been that young couple. They both smiled slightly, then went in their apartment and shut the door.