To Play
Chapter 3: "Reaction"
By Yioujuin
~~~~~~~~~~
Inuyasha and the gang had been making great progress in their journey ever since the weather had finally cooled back to normal. Sango, however, was failing miserably at her attempts to react differently to the houshi. Every time he had groped her as usual, she couldn't help but bash him into the ground. The whole situation seemed rather hopeless.
By mid-afternoon, a large trading village came into view. Inuyasha was about to lead them past it when suddenly, Kagome grabbed the hem of his clothes and pulled him aside.
"Nani, Kagome?! What did I do now?"
Kagome shook her head. "No, no, it's not that." She glanced furtively around before continuing. "...It's Sango."
"Eh? What about her?"
Kagome stole a glance behind her and clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "It looks like the time in the forest wasn't enough."
"...Hn?"
"So let's take a break at this village."
"EH?! Another break?!"
Kagome turned back to Sango and Miroku, who had been looking on cluelessly. "Hey guys!" she called cheerfully. "We're going to spend the night at this village. Sango, Miroku--could you two find us a place to stay? Shippou--come with us."
* * *
As they passed through the busy market stalls, Sango noticed quite a few village girls pointing and giggling in their direction. She followed their gazes... leading to Miroku, as she suspected. She sighed. He was certainly a good-looking guy-- a dashing figure even in his large robes, not to mention tall and charming...
"It's too bad..." Sango heard a passing girl murmur plaintively to her friend.
The youkai exterminator paused. Too... bad? Too bad what? That he's with me? Or...
Another girl passed by from the opposite direction, shyly looking over the houshi. Miroku appeared not to notice.
Ahh... She understood now. Too bad that he's a monk, right? But only because you think he keeps that vow of celibacy... Sango thought dryly.
But getting down to business... Sango sighed and pulled out a small pouch of money.
Miroku looked over at her curiously. "Sango. What are you doing?"
"Seeing if we have enough for the inn."
"The inn?" a slight frown covered his face, but was quickly replaced by an innocent smile. "What's wrong? Don't you trust me?"
Sango looked at him passively. "Hn. If you've figured it out, then let me pay for some proper lodging."
Miroku, feigning hurt, sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Ahh... As you wish..."
But just as Sango was about to head for the village inn, a man's voice called out, "Houshi-sama!"
They turned around. A man with all the appearances of a servant ran up to the pair, slightly out of breath. Remembering his manners, he paused to bow in greeting, then spoke hurriedly. "Houshi-sama! You are a houshi, correct? My master has been searching for one for weeks now. He thinks there is an evil spirit haunting his house. Please, will you come back with me to help us?"
Miroku smiled reassuringly at the man. "Be at peace. It is my duty, as a servant of Buddha, to help those in need."
Sango stared disbelievingly. No way... He didn't even have to search one out this time.
Nonchalantly, Miroku glanced at the taiji-ya out of the corner of his eye, continued, "Of course, you need not bother to repay me in any way--"
"N-nonsense! It would be shameful if we did not reward you. How many are travelling with you? My master is generous. Certainly, all of you will be fed and sheltered for tonight!"
The houshi bowed. "Thank you very much."
* * *
The haunting spirit turned out to be another rat youkai, which Miroku, true to his word, promptly disposed of. As Kagome munched on another pickled vegetable, she decided that if nothing else, the households pests of her time and this one were not so different. But anyway, at least this time, they could rest the night with a perfectly clean conscience.
Well… almost.
The young, freckled maid gasped at his question and giggled uncontrollably. "Oh, houshi-sama! You musn't joke like that..."
Miroku laughed with her, still holding the hand he had been palm-reading. "But really? Would you?"
Sango sighed. He'll never quit, will he...? She set down her bowl and chopsticks, finished save for a few grains of rice. "I'm finished," she announced evenly, standing up to leave.
Kagome looked up. "Already? ...Okay. Remember, your room is the one closest to the garden."
Sango nodded silently and left.
As soon as she was gone, Kagome gave Miroku a dirty look. The servant girl, suddenly remembering her duties, hastily took Sango's empty bowl and exited the room. Miroku sweatdropped.
"N-nani, Kagome-sama?"
Kagome stared at him for a moment, shook her head, and then resumed her meal. "...If you can't tell, then never mind..."
Miroku blinked at the suddenly cold aura about her and scooted over to Inuyasha. "...What is she talking about?"
Inuyasha huffed. "Keh! How should I know? But if I had to guess... It probably has something to do with Sango."
"...Ah..."
* * *
Sango lingered in the garden, allowing the wind to tousle her hair again. It was a pleasant sensation, the cool night breeze. She looked up at the full moon and took the moment to consider her thoughts. Hm... She wasn't particularly angry with the houshi. In fact, she had grown wearily accustomed to his flirting with other women, although it still grated on her nerves somewhat. That was why, after all, she had wanted to get away-- to cool off. She sighed. And tomorrow, everything will go back to normal, as usual. Even chasing after Naraku, it's like there's some sort of rut...
"Sango."
Of course. It was him. He always had a knack for appearing at these kind of times.
Sango simply looked back at him in acknowledgement. He smiled. "You're not angry with me, are you?"
She looked away and sighed again. "...Of course not. Why do you ask?"
"..." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Miroku sit on a nearby rock. Suddenly, he chuckled. "Forgive me, Sango... but... you're not very good at lying."
Sango finally whirled around to face him, fist raised. "I told you, I'm not angry!" she insisted, thoroughly irritated. "You're just trying to stir me up!"
Her fist started to come down... but another hand caught hers in mid-air.
...Eh...?
Miroku held her wrist and looked from it to her thoughtfully, but only for a brief second before he smiled and said, "Aa. I guess I am, Sango. Forgive me again."
Sango slowly let her wrist slip out of his grasp and looked at the ground. Even if it was just for a moment, it seemed like... He seemed...
But his voice broke in, interrupting her thoughts. Miroku stood up and stretched slowly, as if to alleviate the tension in the atmosphere. "...Well, I guess I let myself get carried away by my habit with women again. But..." his deep blue eyes flashed with that familiar playfulness again. "I can make it up to you."
...Here we go again. Is he testing me? Or just teasing? No matter how hard she stared at him, she couldn't figure it out. Perhaps he expected her to get angry and slap him. Or maybe he wanted her to take the bait and ask him to clarify. But part of her was itching to know...
She decided to take the chance. "...How?" she asked dubiously.
Was it just her imagination, or did a flicker of surprise cross Miroku's eyes, if only for an instant? Perhaps he hadn't really believed she would bother to ask. Whatever it was, his face immediately resumed its usual calm as he smiled serenely. "Well, since you ask... Why don't you sleep in my room tonight?"
Wha...?! The nerve...! Sango clenched her fist to clobber him, but...
Suddenly, it struck her: Even if she beat him silly, he would still have the upper hand on her. He could read her like a book, while she couldn't figure him out at all. She glanced at his smiling eyes. Yep. He was expecting the blow.
Okay, then... I wonder what would happen if... Sango swallowed a smile.
Now was her chance.
Fighting her inhibitions, and with as much control as possible, she finally lowered her fist and smiled. "Sure... houshi-sama."
There was a part of her that screamed, "What are you doing?", but she ignored that voice and waited.
...There was an awkward silence.
Miroku's eyes flew open. The smile faltered from his face as he blinked several times in succession. "...Wh-what...?"
With a wicked sort of satisfaction, Sango looked him innocently in the eyes. "Is there a problem? I said, ' Sure.' "
The houshi only stared, unable to speak. Clearly, he did not anticipate such a reaction. And in his surprise, he didn't bother to disguise his own.
Staring at his face, Sango decided it was worth the humiliation she would have to suffer later once he came to his senses and decided to remind her of her words. But for now, she had him. Careful to keep her face straght, she relished his expression of uncertainty-- so much so that she decided not to get serious with him just yet. For once, he can't figure me out! Let him savor his own medicine, for now...
She spoke pleasantly. "...I'm going to get my things. I'll be back, okay?" And without waiting for a reply, Sango turned and walked away.
* * *
...Of course, although she had said 'sure', she didn't plan on going through with it. Although the houshi was a lecher, and regardless of how he felt about her, Sango knew that Miroku would never actually try to sleep with her. So when I come back, she thought, he'll have to confess that he was only kidding, and then he'll have to be serious with me.
But after she left, she couldn't see Miroku staring wonderingly after her into the darkness. She didn't see him shift his gaze to the ground, brow furrowed in thought. Unfortunately, she didn't see how, after a few moments, his face lit up with dawning realization.
Then... She didn't see how a sly smile crossed his features as he retreated back to his room. You're pretty clever, Sango... he mused fondly.
...But don't think you've got me just yet.