A/N: Hi all! Another day, another update. Here we go!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, so all you lawyers can go home…

Tempting Fate

Chapter 9: Guilty Conscience

Sango felt an oddly unsettling mixture of relief and panic as she arrived back at the village she currently called 'home'. On one hand, it would be relaxing to get back into the more ordinary, routine activities that were a part of village life.

On the other hand, having a wildly jealous hanyou nearby did absolutely nothing for her nervous system.

Sango thought back upon the events of the last few weeks. She had been surprised (and most pleasantly so) to find that Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship had strengthened while she had been trapped under Naraku's control. In fact, the young hanyou had been showing all the signs of a protective mate, even to the point of forcing his 'mate' away in times of danger. She recognised these signs from her lessons in youkai history – it was vital to understand your opponent before you could fight it. However, she doubted that Kagome had even the faintest idea of what significance Inuyasha's behaviour held. She probably just thought he was being 'sweet'.

Sango loved the girl as a dear sister…but gods, a more naïve person surely never existed!

The demon exterminator continued pondering the situation while making her way on foot to Kaede's hut, where the other members of their rather unusual group were most likely to be found. After the day's discoveries, she needed to see a friendly, familiar face. She only hoped that Inuyasha would not be among those to greet her. If she were confronted with his mercurial temper, she would be forced to divulge her new information – and she didn't want to have to knock him out for the sake of her own safety! He would go beserk, she was sure of it.

With these thoughts fresh in her mind, Sango felt a little more certain of the wisdom of hiding Kagome's actions from him. Unknown to her, her face was set in grim determination as she strode towards her destination. He could hate her all he liked later on, but she would not be the bearer of such bad news.

She grimaced. Now if only her conscience would leave her alone!

***

Miroku wasn't sure what it was, but something about Sango had been a little…off since that morning. When she had returned from her aerial jaunt of a few hours' duration she had seemed a little more preoccupied than usual, but he had put it down to a sour mood (if there was one thing he understood, it was the ferocity of a moody woman!) and had decided to leave well enough alone for the moment. He had gotten more than his fair share of head injuries while mock-fighting with Kohaku – whoever said sword vs. shakujou was a fair fight?! – and had no wish to add to the list care of Hiraikotsu, a weapon with which he was most painfully familiar.

However, when this dark concentration failed to lift after some time had passed, the houshi began to be concerned. A few furtive inspections (from a reasonably safe distance) showed no visible injuries – so she was unhurt. That worry gone from his mind, Miroku spent the afternoon speculating on what Sango's problem could possibly be.

Hours later he was no closer to a solution and was starting to get seriously annoyed at his inability to figure it out. He would simply have to hope that Sango's ire was not directed at him. Otherwise he wouldn't be able to guarantee his own safety when he got up the nerve to ask her what was wrong.

"Kagome-sama sometimes calls this 'biting the bullet'," he mused thoughtfully. "Of course, if I knew what a 'bullet' was, that would make much more sense!"

***

"Hush! Not so loud, they'll hear!"

"Are you sure about this?"

"Of course! Hurry up, she's coming –"

"Oh, fine. But this was your idea!"

"Hold it still!"

"I'm trying – it's stronger than it looks, you know!"

***

Sango couldn't help but sigh when she felt someone take a seat beside her. Kaede was preparing the evening meal, and it was too big to be one of the boys. Inuyasha was still unaccounted for, which left only –

"Miroku."

He shifted beside her, acutely aware that he was within easy striking distance. "Ano – did you find anything interesting while you were out this morning?" he asked guilelessly. The houshi frowned at the effect a simple question had on her. 'She flinched! The fearless Sango actually flinched!'

Sango's mind was racing madly to find a way out of this most inconvenient situation. Generally Miroku was quite trustworthy, but he might not be willing to keep such important news from his hanyou friend. 'But it's such potentially damaging news!' she thought frantically. 'No, I mustn't tell him! He'll tell Inuyasha, and then all hell will break loose!' Sango fell back upon the tried and true method of confusing males.

"Well, if you don't know, then I'm certainly not going to tell you!" she snapped at him. 'There, let him figure that one out…'

Miroku was dumbstruck. Dumbfounded, even. 'Who did what to who?' he wondered dazedly. 'Did I miss something here?' He usually only heard that kind of thing from the village wives when their husbands had goofed badly…he fought the grin that threatened to emerge at that thought. 'We're fighting like a married couple!' He shook his head to clear it. 'Focus, baka, focus!' He glanced over at her, noting that she was trying to look anywhere but at him.

Inspiration struck.

'She's trying to con me! Conning a con artist, my dear? Tsk, tsk. Two can play at that game.' He let out a loud sigh. "Well, I guess you found out, ne?" He suppressed a smirk at the shocked look Sango shot at him. "I swear, I was going to tell you…eventually. But seeing as how you seem to know everything, I don't see the need to drag it all up again." He got to his feet, keeping a straight face the whole time. He could practically feel the confusion emanating from Sango behind him. But he had only managed to take a few steps before he found himself flat on the ground with a mouthful of grass. 'She hits as hard as ever…'

"Miroku! You had better explain what you meant by all that, or I'll knock you out so hard you won't wake up for days!"

Unnoticed by either of the combatants, a mysteriously red-faced Kohaku and Shippo came racing around the corner of the hut, stopping short at the sight that met them.

Miroku grinned evilly into the dirt. 'Just a little more…ah! I know.' He got to his feet, dusting himself off resignedly. Then he smirked. "Well, if you don't know, then I'm certainly not going to tell you!"

"Wha-? Ooh, you – you HOUSHI!" She leapt at him in a fury, crash-tackling him to the floor. Once she had pinned him to the ground using her own weight, leaving him completely unable to move, she growled down at him, "Confession time, Miroku – what were you talking about?" He stared up at her, all traces of laughter gone from his face.

"Only if you tell me first."

Her eyes widened and she hung her head, defeated. "Fine." Reluctantly she told him what she had seen. When she had finished, he frowned up at her.

"And you weren't going to tell me about this?"

"No! Inuyasha mustn't find out about –" He cut her off by clamping one hand over her mouth.

"I agree."

"Mmf – mph?"

"Yes, I actually do agree. As upset as he is right now, the effect would be disastrous in the extreme." He paused. "Sango?" Miroku said, moving his hand to rest against her cheek. "It's my turn to explain now, so…" She looked at him questioningly. "The secret is…I love you." Before she had a chance to respond, he leaned up and kissed her gently.

"BY ALL THAT'S HOLY!" a startled voice rang out from the hut. The two broke apart, looking around to see what was the matter. "Shoo! Get out of here, you miserable creature!" Miroku watched in shock as a rather familiar chicken came flying out of the hut, propelled by a vigorously waving broom. Shippo inexplicably began rolling on the ground with laughter, while Kohaku just looked…scared? Kaede came storming outside, aiming her broom at the helplessly giggling kitsune. "A chicken! In my herb cupboard! Shippo, you incorrigible beast!" Shippo yelped and took off running, Kohaku not far behind him.

The pair began laughing at the ridiculous sight, while Kaede 'humphed' and went back inside to salvage her precious herbs. 'It's about time Kohaku started acting his own age,' Miroku thought in satisfaction. Then… 'Wait a minute…'

"They caught it, then let it go?! Argh!" He sat up, disgusted. "If two mere children can catch one lousy chicken and I can't, what does that say about me?!"

Sango just laughed harder.

A/N: The Chicken Strikes Back….mwha ha ha ha.

Not many reviewer replies, as my e-mail server is being a stupid head…but I'll do what I can.

KawaiiChica – No worries about not reviewing before…it's all good. I'm just impressed you read the whole thing! Oh yes, more Kagome/Kouga interaction is planned for the next chapter…should be interesting.

Darkinuyasha – Sorry I haven't read your story yet. I will get to it, I promise. More to the point, what did you think of the chapter?

Lady Tiger Lily – more chicken goodness, just for you! LOL. And yes, an insane Inu does spell trouble t-r-o-u-b-l-e for Kouga.

Aamalie – Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. That sucks. But thanks for the review! Sorry, no Kouga/Kagura…have you read 'Venganza' by Thunk? Awesome Kouga/Kagura story. And her Sess/Sango fic is fantastic.

Mvdiva – Speaking of sleep deprivation…I have to go to bed sometime instead of reading all these awesome fics!

CometsChaos – Thanks for the compliment! Hope you keep reading.

Ashley (aka InuMad) – ack, no! Heart attacks are bad, don't have one! And as I plan to update, well, nearly every day, then it would be a good idea to stop having them every time I update!

Miztikal-Dragon – want the pairings, read the first chapter A/N. It's all there in black and white.

A/N: Well, that's all I've got for now. I have job interview tomorrow, and I'm a nervous wreck! Wish me luck!

One quick note – for a great LONG fic (I/Kag, of course) check out 'Bond of Blood' by the MOUSE (it's on my favourites list). Awesome, awesome story, needs reviews. Go. Read. Enjoy.