Author's Rant:
Hello people! I'm back with another fic that might for some odd reason; change your perspective of Sango and Miroku. I just hope that the same support that readers gave my other fic, 'Teach Me How to Love' can also be given to this, or much more.
This fic is actually inspired by Tackey and Tsubasa's "Sayonara wa Ashita no Tame Ni" and Hamasaki Ayumi's "Dearest" and "No More Words." The Inuyasha Soundtrack I downloaded was useful, inspiring and to some extent, became my meditation music [the WIND Soundtrack, I mean].
Could anyone pound me or bop my head really hard? You see, I'm still having a very hard time differentiating dreams from reality, and I hope the number of reviews on my stats IS true...
Ah, it IS true! I always thought ff.net kind of screws up sometimes, but nonetheless, I liked what I saw! *sweat drops*
Vilja - thanks for the review! And yes, there's something to the violin's drop... Just wait... ^_^ Oh and yeah, they'll grow up... Eventually...
Mrryl - I have always been hearing Japanese people in NHK mention 'desu' in the news, so I was kind of under the impression that it is the Japanese equivalent of the linking verbs. But still, I am not YET studying the language, and I'll be taking up the subject as my elective this coming year (I'm going to college... Finally!) so I'm not sure... But don't worry I'll stop using unnecessary Nihon words. As for AU... This is my first M/S AU fic, so I didn't really expect this much feedback... Arigatou! ^_~;
Moosey-pie - you reviewed again! That's so thoughtful of you... Well, I do believe Sango-chan is not a klutz, but that's the point. You'll see why... Thanks for reviewing!
Coral - Devil's Trill... VERY fulfilling... I just hope I COULD play the violin, I could only play the piano... In fact I'm really fond of the violin that I repeat Malice Mizer's songs in my player just because I really admire how Mana played it... If you don't know Malice Mizer, I suggest you listen to it, you'll like the violin parts. (Though Camui Gackt went on his own already...) Oh well, pointless, right? Thank you for reviewing!
It's Me again - yeah! I got you! Formerly 'me', ne? Mwahahahaha. Soooo cute... The angsty partS (notice the S capitalized) are coming soon! Thanks for reading AND reviewing! ^-^
Inuyasha1991 *aka Ray* - I really try my best to update as soon as possible... But thanks for always being on the lookout for this! ^-^
April May - (formerly 'unlike any other', right?) I'm glad you noticed that I was trying to develop the characters there. I almost thought nobody understood, I mean, I was always dubbed by my friends as the 'vague' one so there... Thanks for noticing and reviewing! And yes! I AM inspired! Let's just say that when terrible things happen to you... Geh. That's supposed to be my secret! Thanks again!
SM Together - yeah, OOC but sweet. But there's always a reason for everything... Hope you like this one! Arigatou gozaimashita!
Neoshipper - Wai! You liked it! And I envy you for having a chance to play the violin! If you want you should listen to Mana and how he plays... Agh! Pointless me, ignore, ignore. You noticed the string popped? Do you know what that means? It's a big omen... For Sango and Miroku, in the least. Was I vague again? Hmmmm... Thanks for reviewing!
Katani Masaya - you mean you were reading my other fic? As in 'Teach Me How To Love?' I never really thought people read AND anticipated it... Awww, don't put yourself down. We must be optimistic... And because you put yourself down too much, I'll pray that inspiration finally finds you! *hint-hint* Listen to music, it helps... A lot for me, I'd say. Add some television dialogues, a lot of personal emotions too... Thanks for reviewing!
Aamalie - hey, I really didn't know! Promise! Anyways, the future begins... Mwahahahaha. Genki does mean energetic or full of vigor... A bit of work needed? Whoa... I always thought I never satisfied anyone... Thank you! Merci Beaucoup! ^-^
Misakichi1 - Kawaii desu! You like mushy things? Oh... I'm kind of confused now on what to do... Angsty or mushy? But anyways, there'll be mush AND angst once in a while. Thanks for reading and hope you like this one!
Mrryl - you reviewed again! Sango-chan, such a brat... Only for now... You'll see why. And hopefully everything clears up when all the introductory/beginning snippets are pieced together and that's around... Who knows when? I myself am not sure where this is leading... (Not entirely, though) Thanks again!
Waizu Yoru Ame Otome - Tiring? Maybe... But nonetheless fulfilling, ne? You know, with all the details about playing the violin that you people tell me, it just intensifies my desire to learn how to play it! But sadly, taking violin lessons here is costly and I'm afraid my folks can't afford that... Thank you for your continuing support on this meager story I can offer to you all!
Demon Exterminator Barbie – sweet? Of course he's sweet! ^-~; Hope you like this one! Thanks for reviewing!
And to all those who read but didn't have a chance to review (IF there were those people...) thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from all of you soon!!! Hontou ni arigatou gozaimashita! 0=P
Inuyasha: Sengoku o Togi Zoushi © Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, YOMIURI TV Sunrise 2000. Territories apply.
And yes, this is AU. Do take note that they are still in their elementary days, so more or less 12 to fourteen years old. You might be confused.
Chapter Rating: PG
Anata no Tame Ni
By Shohoku no Miko
Chapter Two:
Of Sango: Refrainment
Ima wa mada hi mo tokenai
Mune no oku no garasu saiku
Shinjiteru anata dake wo
Kanjiteru rifurain
~ Ichibyo no Refrain, Otoha~
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
A hand painstakingly held the ends of her white dress, slowly lifting it above her. Then she felt the hand grab her legs and pull it up, with her knees almost level with her slightly elevated torso.
She fought back the tears that threatened to fall from her auburn eyes. Her gaze slowly blurred as she craned her neck to glance at what was happening, trying her best to refrain from shouting out loud.
All the while, she could hear her voice echo through the recesses of her head, shouting... Calling... Beckoning for the only person she knew could make her feel safe and secure, but in turn scar her like no one else...
She no longer restrained herself from saying anything as the name escaped her lips in a voice barely above a whisper; almost a whimper of pain...
"Miroku..."
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
"You want to... hang out... with me sometime?" A black-haired boy who sat beside Sango's desk asked rather shyly. "You know... Eat ice cream, go to the mall... The usual stuff..."
Sango, her elbows on the desk and her chin on her hands, side glanced at the boy beside her. "Takeda-kun... I'll think about it. You see, I'm kind of busy these days..."
"Oh, that's okay! Anytime you're available." He retorted. "W-w-well, I-I gotta go. Later!" Kuranosuke stood up and ran out of the classroom.
The moment Kuranosuke left the room, Sango slumped on her desk. Ever since the school declared that everyone in their batch was going to graduate, her break time and lunch time was always spent talking with different guys she knew and didn't recognize who approached her either in her classroom or on their floor. She can't even have a decent lunch without them bothering her! And every time she opened her locker, letters would be falling from it, along with chocolates and roses that she knew by heart ever since she was young. Sure, she always loved it when all the attention is turned to her, but she was starting to get annoyed at all the attention they were giving her!
"Poor Sango-chan..." A hand smoothed her dark locks as another person occupied the seat Takeda sat on earlier. "Have you eaten?" The person placed a chocolate slice and a can of cherry coke in front of her.
Recognizing the voice, she smiled faintly. "Kagome-chan... I thought someone saw me again..." She sat up, opened the wrappings of the bread and smiled. "Thank you..."
"Sure... Hey, wasn't that Takeda Kuranosuke of class B who sat here a while ago?" She asked as she brought out a choco slice and a can of green tea to eat with her friend. "I heard he's been crushing on you ever since kindergarten."
"Kagome-chan, that's stupid. We all know that those emotions are childish and are mere infatuation."
"But Sango-chan, he did! He did like you ever since!"
"Who liked Sango ever since?" A male voice asked as another chair was pulled towards Sango's desk. "Hi Kagome-chan, Sango. Mind if I join you?"
"Miroku! I thought you had to sign up in the junior high's basketball varsity?" Sango asked, drinking from her coke.
"Yeah, I did. I was first in line that's why I finished early." Miroku answered, taking the can of coke from Sango's hands and drinking from it.
"Ah, okay..." Sango offered her bread to Miroku, which he gladly bit onto. "Did they recruit you?"
Miroku chewed on the bread and swallowed. "The try-outs will be held tomorrow at the junior high's gym. It's a Tuesday tomorrow, so you better come... Ah, there's a chocolate stain on your collar." He reached out and wiped at the dirt. "Heh, you are such a baby."
"Am not!" She retorted.
He sighed. "Sango, what would you be without me to look out for you?"
"I'll be better off without you, jerk!"
"Ah, you hurt my feelings... I was merely concerned..." Miroku feigned hurt.
"Yeah, you sure do a good job... for grating at my nerves every other time..." Sango retorted.
"I was just making you laugh!"
"Which makes me rather pissed off, right..."
"I don't want to hurt you. You're my bestest friend!" Miroku flashed his infamous puppy eyes at her.
"... Oh..."
"I love you Sango-chan!"
"... Whatever..."
"Don't you love me anymore...?"
"Stop that, Miroku."
"Don't you...?"
"..."
"... San-go-chang?"
"... Feh. Hai, hai! I loooooooooooove you!... Satisfied?"
"More than before, Sango-chan!"
Kagome watched at the exchange of the two. No wonder even the teachers in their school took them as a couple. Almost all instances presented, the two of them were there for each other. They'd arrive in school together. Miroku would even wait for her after school and walk her home. And Sango would always be at the front row seat whenever Miroku played for the school...
And they shamelessly tell each other "I love you" in front of anyone!
It was really surprising when Mr. Matsumoto told almost all he knew that the two weren't romantically involved.
And then, all those secret admirers came out and became not-so-secret to bold admirers.
... And from the looks of it, Sango doesn't like all the attention.
"Kagome-chan? Are you okay?" Sango asked.
"H-h-huh?" Kagome asked.
"We were asking you if you'd like to come by later in Sango's house to hang out." Miroku repeated.
"Sure! That's fine with me." Kagome answered.
"That's great! At least we have someone else to hang out with other than Inuyasha..." Miroku snatched the rest of the bread from Sango and threw it in his mouth.
Sango scowled. "Hey! That was mine!"
"It was delicious!"
"But it was still mine!"
"Don't worry I'll just buy you another one!"
"Kagome-chan made that!" Sango crossed her arms over her chest. "You're such a pig!"
"Your best PIG, Sango-chan." He grabbed the cherry coke and downed its contents and stood up to run to his seat. "Thanks for the splendid snack, Sango-chan! I love you for that!"
"Ooooh, Miroku!!!" Sango shouted as she slammed her hand on the desk and chased him around the room, going around the desks and constantly shouting "Sorry" to all their classmates that they bumped into.
"I'm too fast for you Sango!!!" Miroku shouted while laughing at her. So absorbed were the two that they didn't notice their Homeroom teacher, Mr. Nakajima enter the room.
"Ehem."
The two stopped and glanced at the teacher that stood at the door.
"I suppose you two are too big to even play tag here in the classroom. If you want to continue then you may do so, provided you go down in the track and do at least thirty laps." Mr. Nakajima joked.
"We're sorry!" They both bowed.
The class settled down on their seats and after the usual scolding about running-around-when-in-fact-they-shouldn't-for-they-are-teenagers, they started practicing accepting their diplomas and bowing.
*******
"I-I-I'm really sorry Kagayami-kun... I-I-I-I r-r-eally am not interested..." Sango hesitantly dropped the statement she didn't want to say to her sometimes pesky and annoying suitors. She didn't even ask for all of them in the first place!
A tall, skinny boy with wavy locks stood glued to the spot upon hearing her words. "S-Sango-san... Why?" He can't help but ask. Girls were practically flocking over him!
...Well, save for the foolish girls swooning over that good-for-nothing guy by the name of Eiri Miroku.
But still, what is it that she was looking for? He wasn't ugly, his hair was always neatly tied behind him, he was really rich and popular, he was faring well in school too...
... Though he was a certified ex-gangster.
But he changed! For Pete's sake, he changed his ways and left his gang for Sango! He stopped smoking, stopped reading all those pornographic magazines, even left all those piercing without anything on it just so it could heal. No one can ever compare to what he did for her!
And now here she was, the paragon of womanhood, the image of kindness, Monalisa reincarnated, the angel in disguise... The perfect girl... Dumping him, of all people?
"Naraku-san, I-I'm really sorry, I just..." She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Darn, why is it so difficult to make him see that it just can't be?
"Ah, it's that Eiri guy, ne, Sango? That filthy, stupid, perverted, irrational freak-of-a-best friend you have?" He shot back, unable to control his emotions when the glint of the silver chain bracelet around her wrist caught his gaze; the name "Miroku" gleamed at him, as if taunting him.
"NO!" Her head shot up defensively. She wasn't romantically involved with him, heck, he was just a friend! Okay, make that her BEST friend! Best friends do not lead to what he was thinking!
... Or do they?
Mentally shaking her head, she snapped. "Don't you DARE talk about Miroku like that! You don't know him like I do, so you definitely have NO RIGHT to speak ill of him! And if I hear anymore false things about him coming from you I swear I'll tell the principal of the things you did!" She slapped him. "You malicious, self-centered beast!"
And with that, she stomped off and headed downstairs, where Miroku met her halfway the stairs leading to the rooftop. She wouldn't want to have Miroku late for his varsity try-outs only because of her...
"Hey, you're all red." Miroku handed her her things and they went down to the ground floor.
"This is nothing to be worried about. I'm just..."
"... Pissed off by Naraku. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. He's the most persistent, ne?" Miroku smiled at her as he finished her sentence.
Sango smiled as she glanced at him. "Yeah... But not anymore..."
"You mean you dumped him?"
"What do you want me to do? Lead him on? I know I probably hurt his feelings, but I had no choice..."
"Don't you find him...attractive enough?" He asked testily. Maybe he could squeeze out a bit from her regarding her preferences... 'For future reference...' [a/n: . Yeah right.]
"Well... I have nothing against him, but... I don't know... He's good-looking, smart, not bad, really... But I can't force myself to like him. And if I lead him on, he'll just be assuming that I like him but in the end he'd just be better off... I mean, you should know that I had to choose the lesser evil..."
"But I thought I heard him shouting at you... And you were shouting at him too... Did he do anything to you? If he did then I'm going to..." Miroku clenched his fist and punched a nearby locker door, distorting the steel.
"Hey, hey. Calm down. He didn't do anything..." Sango reassured.
'Though he did say bad things about you...' She wanted to add, but decided against it. She wouldn't want to subject her best friend into trouble...
Miroku snaked his arm around her shoulders and squeezed it. "Just tell me if he does something bad to you... Or anyone for that particular reason. I'll make them pay."
"Thanks, Miro-chan..." She lay her head on his shoulder.
*******
From the rooftop, Kagayami Naraku leaned on the railing as he watched the two 'best of friends' walking, with Sango leaning into Miroku and his arm draped around her. Judging from their personalities, they weren't like the best friends they convince other people with.
But even if they were romantically involved or not, it didn't matter.
"I'm not going to harm your precious Eiri... I'll just do harm on you..." Naraku grinned. *insert Naraku's signature 'Kukuku' here*
*******
Miroku and Sango came to school a bit early, with Miroku practically dragging a sleeping Sango in the sidewalk. He has to get there early, the results of the try-outs were to be posted this morning before classes start!
As the two entered the hallway after changing their shoes, a crowd formed in front of the always ignored bulletin board caught Miroku's eye.
"There it is Sango!" Miroku dragged her towards the crowd.
"H-H-Heyyyy... Careful..." Sango said groggily, yawning.
Miroku's eyes desperately tried to peek at the small piece of paper that beheld the names of the qualified students for the junior high varsity team. And sure enough, his name was on top of the list.
"Sango! I'm in! I'm in! I'm a member of the varsity!" Miroku shook the sleeping-while-standing Sango.
"Wha--" Sango shook her head, then slurred. "What're you saying?"
"I'm a part of the varsity team!"
"Ah, really? Congratulations, Miroku..." She smiled then slept again.
Miroku almost pouted in exasperation. "The least you could do is be enthusiastic enough... Oh well!" He removed Sango's backpack and his, held it on his left arm then carried Sango on his back as he climbed to their classroom. As he reached the door he went in he placed her on her seat beside the window, then took his seat in front.
Outside, Naraku watched as Miroku carried a sleeping Sango and placed her gently on her seat. "Hmm, best of friends? I think not..." Then he walked into the same classroom, clenching his fists as the sight of a distorted locker door greeted him.
*******
What was wrong with everyone? Sango mentally wondered as she walked towards her locker alone. Miroku had a briefing with the senior members of the team, together with the incoming members. So she had to go to her lockers alone. They'd just meet at the school gates after their meetings.
But that doesn't explain the odd looks given to her by the students.
She stopped at her locker and fit in the key and swung it open, only to be met by a sight that made her eyes widen.
A girl passed by her as she stared at the picture pinned on her locker door. The girl peeked at the picture. "Oh my gawd... Sango, is that you?" The girl said loudly, pointing at the picture. And almost everyone flocked towards Sango.
Kagome noticed the commotion and at once went to check on it. There she saw Sango standing in the midst of all the students.
"Sango-chan!" Kagome called. The students around her turned their heads at her direction and in an instant the crowd disseminated.
But Sango stayed glued on her spot, staring at her open locker. "Sango-chan, what's up?"
Sango remained silent as she stared at a picture of a naked teenager with her head perfectly placed on it, as if it was hers. The body was covered by red spray paint that spelled the one word that changed her life forever.
Flirt.
*******
"Adjourned." She said rather lifelessly as she wrapped up the short meeting the Student Council had. Her co-workers silently piled out of the office as she sank down against the wall under the white board.
Outside, she could hear their snickers as they scurried about in the corridors.
She felt her tears sting and brim her eyes as she bravely held back the tears. Mr. Matsumoto was still there, with his back on hers while he closed his file case.
Everyone thought she was a real flirt. She knew, she knew they all believed whoever spreaded that lie! She could hear their whispers about her, gossiping how she gave all her suitors hope that she'd say yes and date with them. She even heard one say that she had sex on the rooftop on the other day with a boy who belonged in their section but whose identity was unknown. Practically everyone was backstabbing her!
She cannot cry. Not now, when everyone was just waiting for her tears to fall. She cannot give in to their wants. If she cried, she'd be the loser...
"Takarai, you okay?" Her adviser kneeled beside her as he noticed her crouched and close to tears.
She was snapped out of reverie when the voice called her. She blinked back her tears and nodded silently, then moved her head up to give him a smile. "Yes... Sir... Just... Tired..."
"You better go home now and rest. I'm sure Eiri is waiting for you downstairs to take you home. I'll be going now..." He patted her head and stood up and walked out of the room.
A single thought registered in her mind as her Council Adviser told her to go home. 'Miroku...'
Miroku is waiting for her downstairs. Miroku, her best friend. Her BEST FRIEND. Miroku will believe her. If everyone else turned their backs on her, then definitely Miroku was not one of them.
She hastily stood and grabbed her things, locked the SC room and dashed down the stairs, ignoring the stares of the few students who were still in school.
'I don't care what they say... As long as I have Miroku, I'm not affected. I won't cry.' She smiled slightly at the thought of Miroku greeting her warmly as she dashed out of school and onto the gates.
She could make out a tall form on the gate as she picked up her speed. 'Miroku...' She smiled.
She purposely went beyond him and stopped in front of him. "Sorry!" She genkily greeted.
She was surprised to see Miroku with his head bowed down, his bangs covering his warm purple orbs.
"Is it true?" His voice was so soft that she barely heard it.
"What?"
Miroku's head snapped up. "Is it true what they say about you?" He answered, this time much louder.
Sango saw something flicker in his eyes as he looked at her, his face dark. "D-Don't tell me... You believe them...?"
"What do I know?"
"Miroku... Please... Let's just... go home now..." She took his hand and began walking when she felt him withdraw his hand.
"... Is it true, Sango? That you had..." He trailed off as he looked away.
Sango couldn't find her strength to turn and look at him.
"... sex... the other day with... Naraku?" He continued.
NO! Her mind screamed. NO I DIDN'T!!! But she can't find her strength to even utter a sound of disapproval.
A long silence ensued.
"It's true then..." She heard Miroku whisper as he walked past her. "Bye then..."
"Mi-Miroku..." She choked as she saw him walk home ahead of her without even looking back. The tears she once held back began rolling down her cheeks without her permission.
Miroku... He was the only person who knew her inside and out, and yet this? Doesn't he even know that she chose not to cry over the matter because she knew by heart that he would believe her? Doesn't he realize that she clung to him for support?
Doesn't he know that she refrained herself from following her instincts of fighting, screaming and whining all because she knew that as long as he stayed by her, and even if the world turned against her, everything will be all right for her?
Apparently, he doesn't. And he walked away just like that.
"Miroku..." She squeaked as her tears cascaded down her cheeks.
She just lost her best friend.
*******
Author's Rant:
I'm a bad miko, right? Right. I made them fight and fall apart. Oh well, that's life, never fair but always beautiful, don't you all agree?
I wasn't planning on making them fight at once here, but I figured that it'll be dragging if I didn't make them fight yet. And besides, I'm not yet even getting to the plot, and I'm not yet even going uphill yet! [too many 'yet's, ne?]
So as always, reviews are more than welcome and my apologies going out to all of you for the many errors. I do try my best to give justice to everyone.
Another thing. I'm not quite sure as to how schooling in Japan goes. I mean, I know there's the Kindergarten, Elementary (how many grades were that?), Junior High for a year and High School for three years... But not really sure about it, so I wanted to ask now so the ages won't be incorrect. You see, if I follow our country's education sytem, as early as 16 you could go to college. But since I'd like to base on Japan's system... Can someone lend a hand, then? Your help will be much appreciated.
As for the translation of the stanza I used earlier:
There's glass art in my heart,
That remains untangled
I only believe in you,
The refrainment I feel...
~Ichibyo no Refrain, Otoha~
Taken from Get Backers Soundtrack (1st Ending Theme)
Ja, mata ne!!!
~Shohoku no Miko~©