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].
Inuyasha: Sengoku o Togi Zoushi © Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, YOMIURI TV Sunrise 2000. Territories apply.
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Anata no Tame Ni By Shohoku no Miko
Chapter Five:
Of Miroku: Smeared Reality
Furueru yubi de Yume wo kasaneru Iki mo dekizuni kuzureteku Tashi kana koto Futashi kasugite Nani o shinji reba kimi ni aeru? Shiroku kieteku Ano hi no shiruetto...
With a trembling finger, I gather up the dreams... Without even breathing on them, they're crumbling. Even the certain things Are too unreliable If I believe in something, can I be with you again? It's whitely vanishing, The silhouette of that day...
Glaring Dream, Mad Soldiers
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Drops of midsummer rain were slowly being absorbed by his black trench coat. His combat boots and black slacks that matched his coat, contrary to what others believe that those of his kind did not know how to dress up fashionably, was now covered with splashes of water from the sidewalk as he ran across the city, wishing and praying that his speed would do something good for him this time -- other than what he was known for anyway, both literally and figuratively.
He abruptly came to a halt as he reached the doors of his destination. He inwardly sighed in relief. At least, now he was sure he'd find her in the establishment.
He wondered if most people knew about this place. It was not obvious what their dealings here were, uncharacteristic in the least. The building was a far cry from what was going on inside... Why can't the government prohibit such acts...?
He pressed the elevator button and waited. Five, ten seconds after, he looked up and saw that the elevator was far from going down to the ground floor. So he dashed to the stairs, taking two steps at a time. However high and far his destination may be, he'll do anything... Anything just to see Sango, to stop her, to talk and settle everything with her, and maybe... To convince her to believe him and trust in him...
... Even if he himself told her that he never trusted anybody...
'Please let me reach her in time...'
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
"Long time no see, Kagayami. How are you...?" Kagura reached out her hand to touch Naraku's cheek as she smiled at him.
"I didn't expect you, Kagura." There was a hint of anger in Naraku's voice. "I thought you HATED me..." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Won't you even let me in? Where have your manners gone, huh?" She retorted as she withdrew her hand and fixed the strap of her bag.
"... Fine..." Naraku stepped aside and let Kagura in the house.
"Still the same, I see. Still dark and gloomy and --"
"What do you want, huh? I have somewhere to go in ten minutes." He stated, obviously irritated. After almost two years, Kagura comes barging in and asks him how he's been faring?
"Chill, Naraku. I came here to say sorry..." Kagura sat down on the couch, her right hand covering her face as she cried. "I'm... I'm so sorry, Naraku..."
"Sorry for what, bitch?"
"... For everything..."
"For everything...?"
Kagura shifted as she felt another weight on the couch, noticing that Naraku was now sitting beside her. "I'm sorry... For not understanding you... For accusing you and spreading those things about you... About being the Probus Marshal of the fraternity..."
"... Well, they still believed me..." He grinned at her evilly. "No one believed you..."
Kagura wiped the tears with her handkerchief. "I know... Who would believe me anyway, even if I did tell the truth...? I was known as the flirt, the slut, the dirtiest girl in school..." She trailed off as she looked away.
Naraku placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey... We all know you're not..."
"We?"
"We! I mean, you, me, my Aniki, the fraternity... We all knew you weren't... I was actually the one who spread all those lies about you..."
"You did?" Kagura exclaimed rather angrily, her hands fisting her dress.
"Y-Yes. I did that because I wanted you back on our group... I was hoping that you'd come back to us... But I was wrong... I should be the one apologizing, you know..." He confessed, feeling the spider that he traced on the flesh using a Swiss knife below his left thumb, a symbol of membership in his brother's fraternity. "I'm sorry I did that... I just wanted you back..."
"... Does that mean that Miss goody-two shoes Takarai was also a member of your group who left you?" She asked, purposely stressing 'Takarai' as if she hated it and was disgusted with the word... Or person...
"No, no..." Naraku shook his head. "Sango... She dumped me... Me of all people!" His voice rose as he gripped his jacket. "That bitch! So as a consequence, I placed a picture on her locker door... Did you see that? It was devastating!" Naraku laughed. "Now look at her -- miserable, helpless... Everyone in school thinks she's a total slut. Pretty soon she'll come back to me, begging to be loved..." He smiled menacingly.
Kagura smiled the same smile Naraku had on his face. "Still sneaky and mischievous, I see."
"I prefer to be called devious, dear Kagura..." He reached out to touch her hair.
Kagura evaded his hand, stood up and fixed her bag then looked at her watch. "Oh, dear, look at the time! I got your precious ten minutes!" She walked towards the door and slipped on her flip-flops. "I'm sorry I bothered you, Naraku... I just intended to say sorry..."
Naraku also went to wear his shoes. "I better be going too... And it's okay... I hope you're not mad at me anymore..."
"I'm no longer mad, Naraku... Thank you." She smiled and went out of the house.
"Wait!" Naraku called out as he opened the door and stepped out, locking the door in the process. "Does this mean you're back in our fraternity?"
Kagura slightly wavered in her posture but regained her composure at once. "I don't know, Naraku... I did this because my parents decided that we move to Kyushu after graduation..."
"Oh..." There was a slight disappointment in his voice. "... I see..."
"But it's not yet final, Naraku. I'll inform you when the time comes..." She smiled at him as she turned to leave. "I better be going, then."
"Yeah.. Take care... And I hope you could join us again..."
"I certainly wish so..." She retorted as she waved goodbye to him and saw him turn into the alley beside their residence. She walked to cross the street and turned another corner before her face broke into an evil grin. "Devious, ey? I'll show you who's devious..." She brought out the mini recorder from her bag and pressed the button to stop the recording. "No, make that conspiring... Conniving... Scheming... Diabolical... Get a taste of your own medicine, jerk..."
"What'll you wear for the Baccalaureate Breakfast tomorrow, Sango-chan?" Kagome asked as she twiddled with the telephone cord.
"Kagome-chan, everyone is required to wear clothes that of a tea party... Summer dress for girls and polo shirt and slacks or khakis for boys... Didn't you listen to Mr. Nakajima?" Sango answered from the other end of the line.
"Well... I knew that... I was just wondering what you'd wear..." She answered as she scribbled on the notepad beside the phone. "I mean, I still don't have anything to wear..."
"Want to borrow some of my clothes?" Sango's voice came from the other end of the line, almost drowned out by the noisy game Kohaku was playing.
"Nah... I'll make something later..." She retorted as she finished scribbling on the paper and looked at her design. "Look, I hafta go... I hafta buy some fabric and thread for my dress tomorrow..."
"Can you finish that in time?"
"Yeah I could... Only if Souta or Shippou doesn't bother me. Well, gotta go. Ja ne!"
"Ja!" She heard Sango drop the call and she instantly sprang to her feet. "Souta! Shippou!" She called out.
Two little boys came running down the stairs as she grabbed her wallet from the table.
"Hai, nee-chan?"
"Hai, Kagome-chan?"
"I'm going to buy something at the mall, okay? Can I trust you to take care of the house? If you're good I'll buy you some cake..." She bent down to see their faces.
"Okay!" They both exclaimed.
"Good! Now I'm going to bring the keys..." She held up the keys and showed the bundle to them. "... And I'll lock the door, so nobody can get in, understood? And Shippou, don't open the door unless it's your brother..." The two boys nodded. "Be good, okay?" She ruffled the hair of the two boys and went out of the house.
Kagome walked down the street and turned, the mall coming into view. She entered the mall and took the escalator to the second floor where she purchased five yards of printed fabric and a roll of thread that matched her cloth. She walked back to go to the bakeshop when she unexpectedly saw Kagura sitting alone in a booth. "Kagura-chan!" [a/n: Why did I feel uncomfortable writing that?] Kagome called as she walked into the bakeshop.
"Hey..." Kagura responded as she smiled at her.
"Can I sit here? Do you have anyone with you?" Kagome asked.
"Sure, sure." Kagura nodded as she sipped her strawberry tea. "No, it's just me... Why are you here in the mall alone?"
"Oh... I dropped by a shop at the end of the floor to buy some fabric for my dress tomorrow and I was just about to go home. I went here to buy my younger brother and his friend some cake..." She answered. "What about you?"
"Me? Oh, I'm just eating before I go home... I was actually about to go home. How about let's go together?" She offered. "And I've got something to tell you too..."
"Okay! But let's buy first some cake to take home..."
Miroku fixed his polo shirt as he looked at his reflection. A light green short-sleeved polo shirt and khaki pants... 'Man do I look like my father whenever we attend luncheons and tea parties...' He mentally mused as he combed his black hair. It wasn't really the most comfortable attire, but it was required. It will only be for around three hours...
"Miroku, the chauffeur is waiting already!" His mother's voice came from the intercom.
"Just a sec..." He responded as he grabbed his handkerchief and sprayed some cologne on his body before dashing out of his room. "I'll be going now, mom." He called out from the door as he slid his shoes on. He heard a faint 'take care' from the kitchen as he went out the door and rode on the car.
The chauffeur drove out of the garage and into the quiet streets of their subdivision. He wondered why there was a need for some Baccalaureate Breakfast when in fact almost everyone in their batch was going to the same junior high school...
"Miroku-sama, do we need to stop by Sango-sama's house to pick her up?" The chauffeur suddenly asked as the white gates of the Takarai mansion came into view.
"... No, Hachi-san. Let's get to school..." He responded as he looked at the mansion through the tinted window as their car drove past the house. How he wished everything were back to normal...
Sango watched the black van stop in front of their gates for a while and drive past their house from her room's balcony. By that time she knew that Miroku would come pick her up like he always used to, but apparently, he didn't. 'I guess I have to head to school alone...' She went downstairs and headed to the dining room and partially hid her body using the huge chair. "Chichiue, can someone drive me to school?"
"Of course, dear." Takarai Inutaishou responded. "Myouga-san already fixed the vehicle." [a/n: Can Inutaishou really say that? Is the world coming to an end? hides]
"Which one?" She asked rather shyly as she fiddled with the ribbon of her hat.
"The silver one." He replied as he set down his coffee and newspaper. And as if on cue, her mother came in, bringing in the blueberry pie and placing it down on the dining table.
"Sango let me see your dress, dear." Her mother asked her as she reluctantly complied, stepping out of the chair's range and into their vision. "You look lovely, Sango!"
"I must say you do look like your mother, Sango." Her father complimented her. [a/n: Aaaah! The world is INDEED coming to an end! dodges pigs falling from the sky]
"Hahaue! Chichiue!" She retorted, blushing and looking down. She then noticed the time. "I'll be going now..." She kissed her parents and ran out of the dining room and into the hall.
Before heading out she checked herself out on the huge mirror that served as the wall -- a white three-fourth's button-up dress with purple plums printed on it with a partially low neckline and whose sleeves were tight and tied on some parts of her upper arm and billowed out on the end. Her white sandals had straps that went up and were twined on her legs, white hand gloves on and a hat with a violet ribbon and laces to match. Her now medium-length layered hair was held back in a loose ponytail by a lilac ribbon and a white twisted and beaded necklace graced her neck. She held the white tote bag on her right as she heaved a sigh. She was dainty, all right.
'But still the flirt in the eyes of all...' She said as an afterthought. "Well, this is the last day of elementary. Good luck..." She whispered as she walked out of their house and into the silver CRV.
The school quadrangle was amazingly transformed into a lovely venue for a special and formal party care of the Student Council. The buffet table was situated on the right side while the tables lined with peach and white table cloth were orderly arranged to give everyone space to move freely. Flower arrangements and elegant cloths hanging from one arrangement to another, effectively serving its purpose of a barrier, surrounded the perimeter of the quadrangle. A butterfly garden was set up on the far left of the venue while a small fountain graced the barren receiving and registration area together with a gallery of pictures of their batch. The whole batch was busy chattering with one another as the orchestra on the stage played soft and melodic instrumentals while the feast was going on. The breakfast was almost over and everyone was gaily talking about anything of his or her interest.
And if Fate played its game that day all of those involved must have known, for on one table sat Higurashi Kagome, Takarai Sango, Shintaku Kagura, Eiri Miroku, Takeda Kuranosuke, Kagayami Naraku, Ohkubo Koharu and two boys who belonged in Class B together with Takeda but were friends of Naraku -- Manten and Hiten.
Sango shifted uncomfortably as Naraku's gaze always landed on her. Kuranosuke and his classmates have been talking of something else she did not hear but kept on glancing at her. Koharu was busy clinging to the arm of the person sitting to her right who was incidentally Miroku. Miroku on the other hand was shooting daggers at every person around the table, especially on her and on Naraku. She was also unfortunately sandwiched between Kagura and Kagome who chattered animatedly about anything and everything girly.
"I think I need to go to the powder room. Kagome-chan, would you like to come with me?" Kagura asked as she stood up and grabbed her bag.
"Uh... No, I think I'll pass this time, Kagura-chan. Sango-chan will have no one to talk to..." Kagome replied as she looked at Sango, then back at Kagura.
"No, no! It's okay! You go with Kagura-san, I'll be fine here..." Sango smiled back.
"Oh that's fine with me, Sango-san. Besides, I'll only be gone for a while..." Kagura walked away from the table and towards the school building, where the comfort room was located.
Once out of the prying public's eye, she sneaked into the back of the stage. Seeing that the one in charge of the Sound System was gone, she inserted a cassette tape on the player as she carefully adjusted the volume. The orchestra stopped playing for a while, which gave her the perfect opening as she pressed 'play' on the device. Seconds later, she could hear a voice talking.
"What do you want, huh? I have somewhere to go in ten minutes." A male voice, irritated and gruff-sounding boomed from the now very loud speakers.
The others stopped chattering as they heard a voice speak.
"What's that?"
"Maybe it's the surprise..."
"Oh..."
The other teenagers listened on, thinking it was the surprise that the teachers prepared.
"Chill, Naraku. I came here to say sorry..." A female voice came after. Then the voice became soft. "I'm... I'm so sorry, Naraku..."
"Sorry for what, bitch?"
The whole batch, together with the teachers, gasped upon hearing the words uttered by whom they could now recognize was Naraku.
Naraku, on the other hand, was shocked when he heard his voice from the speakers. He recognized his voice, all right, but the female voice was too soft and was being drowned out by the droning of the others.
"... For everything..." The female voice came again.
"For everything...?" The male voice, that of Naraku's, questioned.
"I'm sorry... For not understanding you... For accusing you and spreading those things about you... About being the Probus Marshal of the fraternity..."
A collective gasp was once again heard from everyone. So the rumors were true! Kagayami Naraku IS a fraternity leader! Almost everyone looked at Naraku.
Naraku on the other hand was visibly shaking with vexation. Who could have done this...? "But that's before!" He reasoned.
"... Well, they still believed me..." His voice came. "No one believed you..."
"I know... Who would believe me anyway, even if I did tell the truth...? I was known as the flirt, the slut, the dirtiest girl in school..."
Now that the female voice said that, everyone's eyes turned to Sango, who was obviously trying her best not to run and cry while she was listening. Why did she suddenly get a feeling that everyone thought she was the girl? Ah, because of the word flirt...
"Hey... We all know you're not..."
Naraku could now recognize what conversation that was. He stood up abruptly, all eyes suddenly aware of his actions. He searched for the person who he knew was the one who did this...
"We?"
"We! I mean, you, me, my Aniki, the fraternity... We all knew you weren't... I was actually the one who spread all those lies about you..."
Miroku and Sango suddenly looked at Naraku, their stares almost boring holes through his body. 'Why that bitch...' He thought, as he stayed glued to the spot.
"You did?" The female voice was angry.
"Y-Yes. I did that because I wanted you back on our group... I was hoping that you'd come back to us... But I was wrong... I should be the one apologizing, you know... I'm sorry I did that... I just wanted you back..."
Miroku's gaze was then averted to Sango and she at the same time looked back at him. Miroku could see something in her eyes... Hurt... Pain... Agony... He quickly realized that the rumors that he believed in were actually false and libelous. 'What have I done...?' He asked himself as a tear escaped Sango's eye.
"... Does that mean that Miss goody-two shoes Takarai was also a member of your group who left you?"
"No, no... Sango... She dumped me... Me of all people!" Naraku's voice was almost scary, shouting and gruff-sounding. "That bitch! So as a consequence, I placed a picture on her locker door... Did you see that? It was devastating!" There was a laugh. "Now look at her -- miserable, helpless... Everyone in school thinks she's a total slut. Pretty soon she'll come back to me, begging to be loved..."
Now all the speculations of Sango being a fraternity member died out. And all the rumors about her being a flirt were proven to be just rumors and not true.
Miroku's fists balled as he fought the urge to hit Naraku. He looked over at Sango who was now crying in the arms of Kagome. 'I'm such a fool... Fool...' He thought.
"Still sneaky and mischievous, I see."
"I prefer to be called devious, dear Kagura..." Naraku's voice was the only sound heard throughout the grounds and then, a clicking sound.
Upon hearing the recorded conversation three things registered in the minds of the other teenagers:
First, Kagura was never a flirt like she was called since fifth grade. She was a former member of Naraku's group but eventually left the group, which led for Naraku to spread rumors about her.
Second, Sango was not a member of the fraternity and was never really a flirt. It wasn't really her fault that she didn't like Naraku. Her dumping of Naraku led to him spread rumors about her being a flirt.
And last but not the least, Naraku was the root of all evil... And even if he denied it, he still is a fraternity member.
Naraku walked briskly away from the table as he searched for Kagura. "Kagura! You bitch!" He shouted as he looked for her.
Naraku was then thrown into the ground as a fist hit his jaw. "You jerk!" Miroku shouted as he pinned him on the ground and continuously punched Naraku on the face, releasing his anger and frustration. "It IS you all along!!!" He punched him more. "I lost my best friend because of you!!!"
"Miroku, stop it!" Sango shouted, the tears she had kept for so long now freely falling from her eyes, her breathing slightly ragged.
The teachers pried Miroku away from the fallen and beaten Naraku as the latter had been held tightly and orally reprimanded.
Kagura showed up seconds after, holding the tape on her right hand and smiling smugly. "Serves you right, Naraku."
He looked up as his name was mentioned. "You... You betrayed me, Kagura! You good-for-nothing bitch!"
"Oh? And what'll you do now, spread rumors and call me a bitch? A slut? A flirt? Not anymore, Naraku!" Kagura retorted, her eyes glistening with the tears she held back.
The teachers pulled Naraku towards the clinic, all the while the teachers giving him a hefty amount of sermon.
Miroku was forced to sit down on his chair as Koharu handed him a glass of water. Now at least, everything was cleared up. All he needed to do was to apologize...
Kagura furiously wiped her eyes and smiled at what she accomplished. It was time someone stood up against him.
Kagome was congratulating Kagura on her successful plan and bravery to stand up against Naraku. She couldn't have done it better...
In between them sat Sango, still crying and heaving, her asthma starting to take over. She glanced at Kagura and gave her a small smile. "Thank you... Kagura..." Were the last words she uttered before she blacked out.
"Sango-chan!!!" Kagome and Kagura gasped out, earning the attention of the others.
Seeing and hearing this, Miroku roughly pushed his chair backwards, stood and moved towards Sango. "Sango!" He took her hand and felt for her pulse, and found a weak one. 'Good...' He thought inwardly as he picked her up and brought her to the infirmary.
Kagura followed Miroku with her gaze. 'Men are easily manipulated by women...' She smiled at her thoughts, relinquishing the events that transpired earlier on. Her plan went just as she wanted it to go...
It felt really good. Even if he was raised to be always quiet, smart, in control of his emotions and never be violent, the feeling of his knuckles connecting with Naraku's face, jaw and nose made his spirits very happy. Of course, he didn't really question as to why he felt like that.
He had never felt so succesful in his entire life. He actually punched Naraku for doing those things to Sango. And just punishment was given to the freak when his honors were withdrawn and he was deprived of the chance of marching down the aisle with them. The freak's mother immediately told the school that she was really sorry for whatever her son did to other students, and promised to not let it happen again. From what he heard, the Kagayamis were to move out of Osaka after graduation anyway, so it was now safe for Kagura and Sango.
Sango... She fainted after the incident, and that was something he least expected to happen. She looked really pale and thin these past few weeks. And there were wounds -- both fresh and healing -- on her forearms. Could she have been attempting to kill herself?
Come to think of it, the other day when she fainted in the class, Kagura told the whole class that Sango was accidentally cut on her wrist as she played with an open cutter. That might have been a suicidal attempt...
But even so, why would she do that? In all the seven years the two of them had been the best of friends, Sango rarely showed any sign of weakness. The first time they met, she was crying because of the string that snapped and hit her. The next time he saw her cry was when an overspeeding car almost hit her as she crossed the street after their parents' common friend was married. After that, she never cried... Not until recently, anyway.
But still, she was a strong person. How could she have crumbled that easily?
He shifted his body on the bed to lie on his side. Incidentally, a picture of him and Sango erect on his bedside table met his gaze. He reached out for the picture and stared at it for a while before a scene replayed on his mind.
"Is it true?"
"What?"
"Is it true what they say about you?"
"D-Don't tell me... You believe them...?"
"What do I know?"
"Miroku... Please... Let's just... go home now..."
"... Is it true, Sango? That you had... sex... the other day with... Naraku?"
A pregnant pause.
"It's true then... Bye then..."
He had never felt so stupid in his entire life. He felt so shallow... So unreasonable... So close-minded... He didn't even try listening to her side! He just walked away!
Realization dawned upon him as his gaze lingered on Sango's smile. He was her source of strength. Sango never cried ever since the wedding incident because he told her that he'd never leave her. And to prove that, he always looked after her, and rarely left her alone. She would become worried about things but with just an encouraging word, a pat on the shoulder, a gentle squeeze on her arm that he made, and even only a slight smile... She would have renewed confidence and finish everything with a smile, and he would always be thanked and hugged fiercely after. He was Sango's source of strength, all along...
... And just when she needed him the most, he walked out on her.
He placed the picture back on the table as he mentally cursed himself for not noticing it at once. 'Kami-sama, I'm so sorry for not noticing at once... Please keep her safe even if I'm not able to look out for her anymore...' He said his prayer and turned to sleep. Maybe tomorrow, things will work out... Tomorrows were always brighter than yesterdays...
All the students, faculty members, parents and other guests applauded right after Sango finished delivering her valedictory address. Mr. Nakajima himself was surprised that she had exquisitely woven her hardships these past few weeks indirectly without even crushing the original thought of her piece. Sango couldn't help but smile through glossy eyes as everyone present, including his stoic Aniki and always-undeterred second brother stood up to celebrate her speech.
Kagura was crying beside a beaming but teary-eyed Kagome, who both knew of what she had been through, and admired how she could bravely stand and speak in front of the student body after they all turned their backs on her.
Kagura was especially touched when Sango mentioned her in her speech. She, according to Sango, was the strongest girl she had ever known, and that she greatly influenced her at the moment to stand before everyone. Although she knew, deep inside, that she once despised Sango for being Little Miss Perfect, she didn't care. She saw her in the same situation as she was, and Sango was the one to blame for the sudden burst of determination she got in her systems to finally put Naraku in his rightful place. Well... Sango, and Kanna... Either way, they helped each other in more ways than one.
She was taken out of her musings when a pair of arms encircled her shoulders. She looked up and saw Sango, toga and all, hugging her, crying with her as she mumbled the words she said earlier on.
"Thank you, Kagura..."
Kagura smiled at her and Sango smiled back, when Kagome engulfed them both in a fierce hug. They both knew that if it weren't for Kagome, they wouldn't have also endured the trials in their life.
Kohaku smiled as he clapped, proud that he was given a very strong and smart sister for a sibling. He was even more thankful because she greeted him a Happy Birthday. He tried to absorb everything his sister said in her speech, but his mind was too young... but someday, he'll understand... And when that day comes, he'll have his sister to explain everything to him...
Inuyasha was surprised that Sango made such a beautiful speech. Heck, in the worst sense, he didn't even know she was that smart to begin with! He intensified his clap, even if his palms were already red due to too much force. But still, there were a lot of parts that seemed pretty vague to him...
Sesshomaru, on the other hand, side glanced at his brother. The baka was clapping too much, and he wondered why their parents didn't reprimand him for forgetting his etiquette. Oh well, maybe they were used to it...
Though in the back of his mind, he was wondering. While he listened to his half-sister's speech, there was a certain point that she kind of messed up. He wondered if the adults noticed it, but he was a very keen observant and listener. He knew that there was an undertone -- something beneath the words she said. She was vaguely describing events that seemed like she had experienced. Experiences that he thought were kind of bitter and horrid especially at her young age. And to tell the truth, he never knew that such things happened to her. As he listened to her speech, that was when it dawned upon him. It came to him that there were indications that he missed -- locking up in her room, refusing to eat, playing a requiem with her Himiko, the awfully looking wounds that she had on her wrists... If she did went through such pain, why didn't she even ask for anyone's help? HIS help?! It wasn't like he never cared for her. He may be indifferent most of the time, but he was just being quiet... and reserved... Oh, if he only knew sooner, he would have beaten the crap out of the person, or persons, who did those to her...
Miroku wanted to run to his best friend as he smiled at the recognition she was receiving. She deserved it. More than anyone else. He was the witness as to how she dealt with everything, how she succumbed to her suicidal tendencies, and how she pulled herself through with the help of Kagura and Kagome...
Shintaku Kagura. AND Higurashi Kagome. Them, not Eiri Miroku.
... Not HIM.
His conscience never seized to silently berate himself. He was a stupid, gullible person who believed in silly rumors about the person he knew HE was most familiar with. He left her in the middle of the dark with no one to turn to and nowhere to go. Maybe someone up there loved her so much that the blessing approached her, and she didn't need to look far because Kagura was there all along.
Kagura... She may be the one who gave him a letter. She HAS to be. He had once worked with Kagura in their English project, and he remembered that she really liked scribbling and doing letterings for everyone to use. Her hands also had its own magic, as she was adept in poetry and sketching... And the Anemone... That was a give away, honestly. But it slipped out of his mind... Flowers of the Wind... Kagura was always associated with the wind, for she was kind of creepy for having a huge fan on her bag and feathers decorating her head... And sometimes when she got really pissed off, she'd shout and the wind suddenly picks up...
But then again that might be his imagination alone, doing tricks on him...
Kagura... he was wrong, so wrong to judge her at once, and right now he knew the importance of communication and verification. He was wrong to believe the rumors about her, and very wrong to leave his best friend to handle a situation as such.
But they made it... they both made it out of the rain, out of the problems and the gossips and the ridicule everyone gave them.
Miroku was now confused at where his feelings where heading. Yes, he was more than happy to have Sango's name cleared before they all left the Elementary School and the just punishment Naraku suffered because of the truth. But then, he was feeling jealous... Envious that it was Kagura and Kagome who helped her. Jealous because he was never mentioned in her speech, when he always thought that he was the closest person to her... Invidious of the fact that HE felt that he was set aside, because Sango chose Kagome and Kagura over him.
He silently cursed. These very uncomfortable feeling he was having, it was mainly because of him, too. Ah, how could he have not seen the consequences of the actions he took?
The Graduation Rites were through, and everyone was leaving the auditorium. Miroku was about to go to his parents, who were waiting for him in the car, when a woman intercepted him.
"Miroku-kun! Congratulations on your Graduation and on the awards you received..." Sango's mother hugged him.
"Aunt O-ren, thank you..." He smiled and hugged back. If Aunt O-ren were still here, then that would mean...
"Hahaue!" Sango ran to her mother, the sound of brass hitting brass nearing him, and reaching Miroku's ears. He was then released from her embrace as she turned to her running daughter.
"Dear, don't run! I'd still be here, you know!" She half-joked, half- reprimanded.
Sango's smile slightly wavered when she saw whom her mother was hugging. 'Miroku...' She thought. 'Oh, probably congratulating him...' She thought as she again beamed at her mother. "Hahaue..."
"Sango-chan, did you invite Miroku to Kohaku's party? You know very well that your father and Kohaku would look for him." Her mother reminded her.
"Uh..." Sango froze. She purposely ignored him the other day at the shrine. But chances are, Aunt Kasumi had told him already...
"SANGO-CHAN!!!"
Sango turned at the direction of the voice and saw Kagome waving at her, gesturing at the camera on her hands. Kagura was standing beside her, already busy fixing her hair as she smiled back at her. "Hahaue, Kagome- chan and Kagura-chan are calling me... Please wait for me in the car instead..." She hurriedly said as she ran towards the other two, waiting for her on the stage. At least, she escaped that awkward situation...
"Dear, you do know you're invited to Kohaku's party, right? I'm expecting to see you there." Sango's mother told Miroku, who already knew that Sango purposely escaped the chance of speaking with him.
"Uh, Aunt O-ren, I think I can't --" Miroku started, but was cut off by his Aunt.
"Oh no I won't take no for an answer. If you're worrying about your skateboarding session with Inuyasha and his friends, then I assure you. They're in the party, too. I asked Inuyasha to make them come. Didn't he mention it to you?"
Oh. He wasn't informed. All along, his mother and Inuyasha must have thought that Sango will be the one to invite him to the party. At first he was confused, but now it was clear. Sango didn't inform him because she never really spoke to him since that day he left her alone. Honestly, he didn't want to come. With all the possibilities that he'd encounter Sango and that she'd ignore him anyway, he didn't want to. But his mother probably already planned everything out, and Inuyasha and Kohaku were also expecting him. He was now being forced to go there.
He was trapped.
....tsuzuku...
Author's Rant:
Not exactly good, I know. But honestly, I think its the most essential part as of presstime. Ooh, the best part yet is coming up!!!
Kudos to the people who constantly reviewed and gave me newfound strength to write on. I wasn't really losing inspiration, but I was kind of feeling depressed again these days... Argh, stupid Wizard... shudders
As I always (and ALWAYS) say, I'm really sorry for everything that went wrong with this chapter. It was kind of hot these past few days that I wasn't really in a perfect condition to write and proofread and revise... Damn it all... I can't concentrate!!! sees a picture of Joross on TV Joooooooooorrrrooooooooooss!!!!!!!! glomps TV Su-te-ki!!!!!! major nosebleed
Thank you for sticking with my humble story - er, fiction - er, life - er... whatever! sweat drop
Review!
... Please? o
Ja, mata ne!!!!
Shohoku no Miko©
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].
Inuyasha: Sengoku o Togi Zoushi © Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, YOMIURI TV Sunrise 2000. Territories apply.
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Anata no Tame Ni By Shohoku no Miko
Chapter Five:
Of Miroku: Smeared Reality
Furueru yubi de Yume wo kasaneru Iki mo dekizuni kuzureteku Tashi kana koto Futashi kasugite Nani o shinji reba kimi ni aeru? Shiroku kieteku Ano hi no shiruetto...
With a trembling finger, I gather up the dreams... Without even breathing on them, they're crumbling. Even the certain things Are too unreliable If I believe in something, can I be with you again? It's whitely vanishing, The silhouette of that day...
Glaring Dream, Mad Soldiers
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Drops of midsummer rain were slowly being absorbed by his black trench coat. His combat boots and black slacks that matched his coat, contrary to what others believe that those of his kind did not know how to dress up fashionably, was now covered with splashes of water from the sidewalk as he ran across the city, wishing and praying that his speed would do something good for him this time -- other than what he was known for anyway, both literally and figuratively.
He abruptly came to a halt as he reached the doors of his destination. He inwardly sighed in relief. At least, now he was sure he'd find her in the establishment.
He wondered if most people knew about this place. It was not obvious what their dealings here were, uncharacteristic in the least. The building was a far cry from what was going on inside... Why can't the government prohibit such acts...?
He pressed the elevator button and waited. Five, ten seconds after, he looked up and saw that the elevator was far from going down to the ground floor. So he dashed to the stairs, taking two steps at a time. However high and far his destination may be, he'll do anything... Anything just to see Sango, to stop her, to talk and settle everything with her, and maybe... To convince her to believe him and trust in him...
... Even if he himself told her that he never trusted anybody...
'Please let me reach her in time...'
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
"Long time no see, Kagayami. How are you...?" Kagura reached out her hand to touch Naraku's cheek as she smiled at him.
"I didn't expect you, Kagura." There was a hint of anger in Naraku's voice. "I thought you HATED me..." He said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Won't you even let me in? Where have your manners gone, huh?" She retorted as she withdrew her hand and fixed the strap of her bag.
"... Fine..." Naraku stepped aside and let Kagura in the house.
"Still the same, I see. Still dark and gloomy and --"
"What do you want, huh? I have somewhere to go in ten minutes." He stated, obviously irritated. After almost two years, Kagura comes barging in and asks him how he's been faring?
"Chill, Naraku. I came here to say sorry..." Kagura sat down on the couch, her right hand covering her face as she cried. "I'm... I'm so sorry, Naraku..."
"Sorry for what, bitch?"
"... For everything..."
"For everything...?"
Kagura shifted as she felt another weight on the couch, noticing that Naraku was now sitting beside her. "I'm sorry... For not understanding you... For accusing you and spreading those things about you... About being the Probus Marshal of the fraternity..."
"... Well, they still believed me..." He grinned at her evilly. "No one believed you..."
Kagura wiped the tears with her handkerchief. "I know... Who would believe me anyway, even if I did tell the truth...? I was known as the flirt, the slut, the dirtiest girl in school..." She trailed off as she looked away.
Naraku placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey... We all know you're not..."
"We?"
"We! I mean, you, me, my Aniki, the fraternity... We all knew you weren't... I was actually the one who spread all those lies about you..."
"You did?" Kagura exclaimed rather angrily, her hands fisting her dress.
"Y-Yes. I did that because I wanted you back on our group... I was hoping that you'd come back to us... But I was wrong... I should be the one apologizing, you know..." He confessed, feeling the spider that he traced on the flesh using a Swiss knife below his left thumb, a symbol of membership in his brother's fraternity. "I'm sorry I did that... I just wanted you back..."
"... Does that mean that Miss goody-two shoes Takarai was also a member of your group who left you?" She asked, purposely stressing 'Takarai' as if she hated it and was disgusted with the word... Or person...
"No, no..." Naraku shook his head. "Sango... She dumped me... Me of all people!" His voice rose as he gripped his jacket. "That bitch! So as a consequence, I placed a picture on her locker door... Did you see that? It was devastating!" Naraku laughed. "Now look at her -- miserable, helpless... Everyone in school thinks she's a total slut. Pretty soon she'll come back to me, begging to be loved..." He smiled menacingly.
Kagura smiled the same smile Naraku had on his face. "Still sneaky and mischievous, I see."
"I prefer to be called devious, dear Kagura..." He reached out to touch her hair.
Kagura evaded his hand, stood up and fixed her bag then looked at her watch. "Oh, dear, look at the time! I got your precious ten minutes!" She walked towards the door and slipped on her flip-flops. "I'm sorry I bothered you, Naraku... I just intended to say sorry..."
Naraku also went to wear his shoes. "I better be going too... And it's okay... I hope you're not mad at me anymore..."
"I'm no longer mad, Naraku... Thank you." She smiled and went out of the house.
"Wait!" Naraku called out as he opened the door and stepped out, locking the door in the process. "Does this mean you're back in our fraternity?"
Kagura slightly wavered in her posture but regained her composure at once. "I don't know, Naraku... I did this because my parents decided that we move to Kyushu after graduation..."
"Oh..." There was a slight disappointment in his voice. "... I see..."
"But it's not yet final, Naraku. I'll inform you when the time comes..." She smiled at him as she turned to leave. "I better be going, then."
"Yeah.. Take care... And I hope you could join us again..."
"I certainly wish so..." She retorted as she waved goodbye to him and saw him turn into the alley beside their residence. She walked to cross the street and turned another corner before her face broke into an evil grin. "Devious, ey? I'll show you who's devious..." She brought out the mini recorder from her bag and pressed the button to stop the recording. "No, make that conspiring... Conniving... Scheming... Diabolical... Get a taste of your own medicine, jerk..."
"What'll you wear for the Baccalaureate Breakfast tomorrow, Sango-chan?" Kagome asked as she twiddled with the telephone cord.
"Kagome-chan, everyone is required to wear clothes that of a tea party... Summer dress for girls and polo shirt and slacks or khakis for boys... Didn't you listen to Mr. Nakajima?" Sango answered from the other end of the line.
"Well... I knew that... I was just wondering what you'd wear..." She answered as she scribbled on the notepad beside the phone. "I mean, I still don't have anything to wear..."
"Want to borrow some of my clothes?" Sango's voice came from the other end of the line, almost drowned out by the noisy game Kohaku was playing.
"Nah... I'll make something later..." She retorted as she finished scribbling on the paper and looked at her design. "Look, I hafta go... I hafta buy some fabric and thread for my dress tomorrow..."
"Can you finish that in time?"
"Yeah I could... Only if Souta or Shippou doesn't bother me. Well, gotta go. Ja ne!"
"Ja!" She heard Sango drop the call and she instantly sprang to her feet. "Souta! Shippou!" She called out.
Two little boys came running down the stairs as she grabbed her wallet from the table.
"Hai, nee-chan?"
"Hai, Kagome-chan?"
"I'm going to buy something at the mall, okay? Can I trust you to take care of the house? If you're good I'll buy you some cake..." She bent down to see their faces.
"Okay!" They both exclaimed.
"Good! Now I'm going to bring the keys..." She held up the keys and showed the bundle to them. "... And I'll lock the door, so nobody can get in, understood? And Shippou, don't open the door unless it's your brother..." The two boys nodded. "Be good, okay?" She ruffled the hair of the two boys and went out of the house.
Kagome walked down the street and turned, the mall coming into view. She entered the mall and took the escalator to the second floor where she purchased five yards of printed fabric and a roll of thread that matched her cloth. She walked back to go to the bakeshop when she unexpectedly saw Kagura sitting alone in a booth. "Kagura-chan!" [a/n: Why did I feel uncomfortable writing that?] Kagome called as she walked into the bakeshop.
"Hey..." Kagura responded as she smiled at her.
"Can I sit here? Do you have anyone with you?" Kagome asked.
"Sure, sure." Kagura nodded as she sipped her strawberry tea. "No, it's just me... Why are you here in the mall alone?"
"Oh... I dropped by a shop at the end of the floor to buy some fabric for my dress tomorrow and I was just about to go home. I went here to buy my younger brother and his friend some cake..." She answered. "What about you?"
"Me? Oh, I'm just eating before I go home... I was actually about to go home. How about let's go together?" She offered. "And I've got something to tell you too..."
"Okay! But let's buy first some cake to take home..."
Miroku fixed his polo shirt as he looked at his reflection. A light green short-sleeved polo shirt and khaki pants... 'Man do I look like my father whenever we attend luncheons and tea parties...' He mentally mused as he combed his black hair. It wasn't really the most comfortable attire, but it was required. It will only be for around three hours...
"Miroku, the chauffeur is waiting already!" His mother's voice came from the intercom.
"Just a sec..." He responded as he grabbed his handkerchief and sprayed some cologne on his body before dashing out of his room. "I'll be going now, mom." He called out from the door as he slid his shoes on. He heard a faint 'take care' from the kitchen as he went out the door and rode on the car.
The chauffeur drove out of the garage and into the quiet streets of their subdivision. He wondered why there was a need for some Baccalaureate Breakfast when in fact almost everyone in their batch was going to the same junior high school...
"Miroku-sama, do we need to stop by Sango-sama's house to pick her up?" The chauffeur suddenly asked as the white gates of the Takarai mansion came into view.
"... No, Hachi-san. Let's get to school..." He responded as he looked at the mansion through the tinted window as their car drove past the house. How he wished everything were back to normal...
Sango watched the black van stop in front of their gates for a while and drive past their house from her room's balcony. By that time she knew that Miroku would come pick her up like he always used to, but apparently, he didn't. 'I guess I have to head to school alone...' She went downstairs and headed to the dining room and partially hid her body using the huge chair. "Chichiue, can someone drive me to school?"
"Of course, dear." Takarai Inutaishou responded. "Myouga-san already fixed the vehicle." [a/n: Can Inutaishou really say that? Is the world coming to an end? hides]
"Which one?" She asked rather shyly as she fiddled with the ribbon of her hat.
"The silver one." He replied as he set down his coffee and newspaper. And as if on cue, her mother came in, bringing in the blueberry pie and placing it down on the dining table.
"Sango let me see your dress, dear." Her mother asked her as she reluctantly complied, stepping out of the chair's range and into their vision. "You look lovely, Sango!"
"I must say you do look like your mother, Sango." Her father complimented her. [a/n: Aaaah! The world is INDEED coming to an end! dodges pigs falling from the sky]
"Hahaue! Chichiue!" She retorted, blushing and looking down. She then noticed the time. "I'll be going now..." She kissed her parents and ran out of the dining room and into the hall.
Before heading out she checked herself out on the huge mirror that served as the wall -- a white three-fourth's button-up dress with purple plums printed on it with a partially low neckline and whose sleeves were tight and tied on some parts of her upper arm and billowed out on the end. Her white sandals had straps that went up and were twined on her legs, white hand gloves on and a hat with a violet ribbon and laces to match. Her now medium-length layered hair was held back in a loose ponytail by a lilac ribbon and a white twisted and beaded necklace graced her neck. She held the white tote bag on her right as she heaved a sigh. She was dainty, all right.
'But still the flirt in the eyes of all...' She said as an afterthought. "Well, this is the last day of elementary. Good luck..." She whispered as she walked out of their house and into the silver CRV.
The school quadrangle was amazingly transformed into a lovely venue for a special and formal party care of the Student Council. The buffet table was situated on the right side while the tables lined with peach and white table cloth were orderly arranged to give everyone space to move freely. Flower arrangements and elegant cloths hanging from one arrangement to another, effectively serving its purpose of a barrier, surrounded the perimeter of the quadrangle. A butterfly garden was set up on the far left of the venue while a small fountain graced the barren receiving and registration area together with a gallery of pictures of their batch. The whole batch was busy chattering with one another as the orchestra on the stage played soft and melodic instrumentals while the feast was going on. The breakfast was almost over and everyone was gaily talking about anything of his or her interest.
And if Fate played its game that day all of those involved must have known, for on one table sat Higurashi Kagome, Takarai Sango, Shintaku Kagura, Eiri Miroku, Takeda Kuranosuke, Kagayami Naraku, Ohkubo Koharu and two boys who belonged in Class B together with Takeda but were friends of Naraku -- Manten and Hiten.
Sango shifted uncomfortably as Naraku's gaze always landed on her. Kuranosuke and his classmates have been talking of something else she did not hear but kept on glancing at her. Koharu was busy clinging to the arm of the person sitting to her right who was incidentally Miroku. Miroku on the other hand was shooting daggers at every person around the table, especially on her and on Naraku. She was also unfortunately sandwiched between Kagura and Kagome who chattered animatedly about anything and everything girly.
"I think I need to go to the powder room. Kagome-chan, would you like to come with me?" Kagura asked as she stood up and grabbed her bag.
"Uh... No, I think I'll pass this time, Kagura-chan. Sango-chan will have no one to talk to..." Kagome replied as she looked at Sango, then back at Kagura.
"No, no! It's okay! You go with Kagura-san, I'll be fine here..." Sango smiled back.
"Oh that's fine with me, Sango-san. Besides, I'll only be gone for a while..." Kagura walked away from the table and towards the school building, where the comfort room was located.
Once out of the prying public's eye, she sneaked into the back of the stage. Seeing that the one in charge of the Sound System was gone, she inserted a cassette tape on the player as she carefully adjusted the volume. The orchestra stopped playing for a while, which gave her the perfect opening as she pressed 'play' on the device. Seconds later, she could hear a voice talking.
"What do you want, huh? I have somewhere to go in ten minutes." A male voice, irritated and gruff-sounding boomed from the now very loud speakers.
The others stopped chattering as they heard a voice speak.
"What's that?"
"Maybe it's the surprise..."
"Oh..."
The other teenagers listened on, thinking it was the surprise that the teachers prepared.
"Chill, Naraku. I came here to say sorry..." A female voice came after. Then the voice became soft. "I'm... I'm so sorry, Naraku..."
"Sorry for what, bitch?"
The whole batch, together with the teachers, gasped upon hearing the words uttered by whom they could now recognize was Naraku.
Naraku, on the other hand, was shocked when he heard his voice from the speakers. He recognized his voice, all right, but the female voice was too soft and was being drowned out by the droning of the others.
"... For everything..." The female voice came again.
"For everything...?" The male voice, that of Naraku's, questioned.
"I'm sorry... For not understanding you... For accusing you and spreading those things about you... About being the Probus Marshal of the fraternity..."
A collective gasp was once again heard from everyone. So the rumors were true! Kagayami Naraku IS a fraternity leader! Almost everyone looked at Naraku.
Naraku on the other hand was visibly shaking with vexation. Who could have done this...? "But that's before!" He reasoned.
"... Well, they still believed me..." His voice came. "No one believed you..."
"I know... Who would believe me anyway, even if I did tell the truth...? I was known as the flirt, the slut, the dirtiest girl in school..."
Now that the female voice said that, everyone's eyes turned to Sango, who was obviously trying her best not to run and cry while she was listening. Why did she suddenly get a feeling that everyone thought she was the girl? Ah, because of the word flirt...
"Hey... We all know you're not..."
Naraku could now recognize what conversation that was. He stood up abruptly, all eyes suddenly aware of his actions. He searched for the person who he knew was the one who did this...
"We?"
"We! I mean, you, me, my Aniki, the fraternity... We all knew you weren't... I was actually the one who spread all those lies about you..."
Miroku and Sango suddenly looked at Naraku, their stares almost boring holes through his body. 'Why that bitch...' He thought, as he stayed glued to the spot.
"You did?" The female voice was angry.
"Y-Yes. I did that because I wanted you back on our group... I was hoping that you'd come back to us... But I was wrong... I should be the one apologizing, you know... I'm sorry I did that... I just wanted you back..."
Miroku's gaze was then averted to Sango and she at the same time looked back at him. Miroku could see something in her eyes... Hurt... Pain... Agony... He quickly realized that the rumors that he believed in were actually false and libelous. 'What have I done...?' He asked himself as a tear escaped Sango's eye.
"... Does that mean that Miss goody-two shoes Takarai was also a member of your group who left you?"
"No, no... Sango... She dumped me... Me of all people!" Naraku's voice was almost scary, shouting and gruff-sounding. "That bitch! So as a consequence, I placed a picture on her locker door... Did you see that? It was devastating!" There was a laugh. "Now look at her -- miserable, helpless... Everyone in school thinks she's a total slut. Pretty soon she'll come back to me, begging to be loved..."
Now all the speculations of Sango being a fraternity member died out. And all the rumors about her being a flirt were proven to be just rumors and not true.
Miroku's fists balled as he fought the urge to hit Naraku. He looked over at Sango who was now crying in the arms of Kagome. 'I'm such a fool... Fool...' He thought.
"Still sneaky and mischievous, I see."
"I prefer to be called devious, dear Kagura..." Naraku's voice was the only sound heard throughout the grounds and then, a clicking sound.
Upon hearing the recorded conversation three things registered in the minds of the other teenagers:
First, Kagura was never a flirt like she was called since fifth grade. She was a former member of Naraku's group but eventually left the group, which led for Naraku to spread rumors about her.
Second, Sango was not a member of the fraternity and was never really a flirt. It wasn't really her fault that she didn't like Naraku. Her dumping of Naraku led to him spread rumors about her being a flirt.
And last but not the least, Naraku was the root of all evil... And even if he denied it, he still is a fraternity member.
Naraku walked briskly away from the table as he searched for Kagura. "Kagura! You bitch!" He shouted as he looked for her.
Naraku was then thrown into the ground as a fist hit his jaw. "You jerk!" Miroku shouted as he pinned him on the ground and continuously punched Naraku on the face, releasing his anger and frustration. "It IS you all along!!!" He punched him more. "I lost my best friend because of you!!!"
"Miroku, stop it!" Sango shouted, the tears she had kept for so long now freely falling from her eyes, her breathing slightly ragged.
The teachers pried Miroku away from the fallen and beaten Naraku as the latter had been held tightly and orally reprimanded.
Kagura showed up seconds after, holding the tape on her right hand and smiling smugly. "Serves you right, Naraku."
He looked up as his name was mentioned. "You... You betrayed me, Kagura! You good-for-nothing bitch!"
"Oh? And what'll you do now, spread rumors and call me a bitch? A slut? A flirt? Not anymore, Naraku!" Kagura retorted, her eyes glistening with the tears she held back.
The teachers pulled Naraku towards the clinic, all the while the teachers giving him a hefty amount of sermon.
Miroku was forced to sit down on his chair as Koharu handed him a glass of water. Now at least, everything was cleared up. All he needed to do was to apologize...
Kagura furiously wiped her eyes and smiled at what she accomplished. It was time someone stood up against him.
Kagome was congratulating Kagura on her successful plan and bravery to stand up against Naraku. She couldn't have done it better...
In between them sat Sango, still crying and heaving, her asthma starting to take over. She glanced at Kagura and gave her a small smile. "Thank you... Kagura..." Were the last words she uttered before she blacked out.
"Sango-chan!!!" Kagome and Kagura gasped out, earning the attention of the others.
Seeing and hearing this, Miroku roughly pushed his chair backwards, stood and moved towards Sango. "Sango!" He took her hand and felt for her pulse, and found a weak one. 'Good...' He thought inwardly as he picked her up and brought her to the infirmary.
Kagura followed Miroku with her gaze. 'Men are easily manipulated by women...' She smiled at her thoughts, relinquishing the events that transpired earlier on. Her plan went just as she wanted it to go...
It felt really good. Even if he was raised to be always quiet, smart, in control of his emotions and never be violent, the feeling of his knuckles connecting with Naraku's face, jaw and nose made his spirits very happy. Of course, he didn't really question as to why he felt like that.
He had never felt so succesful in his entire life. He actually punched Naraku for doing those things to Sango. And just punishment was given to the freak when his honors were withdrawn and he was deprived of the chance of marching down the aisle with them. The freak's mother immediately told the school that she was really sorry for whatever her son did to other students, and promised to not let it happen again. From what he heard, the Kagayamis were to move out of Osaka after graduation anyway, so it was now safe for Kagura and Sango.
Sango... She fainted after the incident, and that was something he least expected to happen. She looked really pale and thin these past few weeks. And there were wounds -- both fresh and healing -- on her forearms. Could she have been attempting to kill herself?
Come to think of it, the other day when she fainted in the class, Kagura told the whole class that Sango was accidentally cut on her wrist as she played with an open cutter. That might have been a suicidal attempt...
But even so, why would she do that? In all the seven years the two of them had been the best of friends, Sango rarely showed any sign of weakness. The first time they met, she was crying because of the string that snapped and hit her. The next time he saw her cry was when an overspeeding car almost hit her as she crossed the street after their parents' common friend was married. After that, she never cried... Not until recently, anyway.
But still, she was a strong person. How could she have crumbled that easily?
He shifted his body on the bed to lie on his side. Incidentally, a picture of him and Sango erect on his bedside table met his gaze. He reached out for the picture and stared at it for a while before a scene replayed on his mind.
"Is it true?"
"What?"
"Is it true what they say about you?"
"D-Don't tell me... You believe them...?"
"What do I know?"
"Miroku... Please... Let's just... go home now..."
"... Is it true, Sango? That you had... sex... the other day with... Naraku?"
A pregnant pause.
"It's true then... Bye then..."
He had never felt so stupid in his entire life. He felt so shallow... So unreasonable... So close-minded... He didn't even try listening to her side! He just walked away!
Realization dawned upon him as his gaze lingered on Sango's smile. He was her source of strength. Sango never cried ever since the wedding incident because he told her that he'd never leave her. And to prove that, he always looked after her, and rarely left her alone. She would become worried about things but with just an encouraging word, a pat on the shoulder, a gentle squeeze on her arm that he made, and even only a slight smile... She would have renewed confidence and finish everything with a smile, and he would always be thanked and hugged fiercely after. He was Sango's source of strength, all along...
... And just when she needed him the most, he walked out on her.
He placed the picture back on the table as he mentally cursed himself for not noticing it at once. 'Kami-sama, I'm so sorry for not noticing at once... Please keep her safe even if I'm not able to look out for her anymore...' He said his prayer and turned to sleep. Maybe tomorrow, things will work out... Tomorrows were always brighter than yesterdays...
All the students, faculty members, parents and other guests applauded right after Sango finished delivering her valedictory address. Mr. Nakajima himself was surprised that she had exquisitely woven her hardships these past few weeks indirectly without even crushing the original thought of her piece. Sango couldn't help but smile through glossy eyes as everyone present, including his stoic Aniki and always-undeterred second brother stood up to celebrate her speech.
Kagura was crying beside a beaming but teary-eyed Kagome, who both knew of what she had been through, and admired how she could bravely stand and speak in front of the student body after they all turned their backs on her.
Kagura was especially touched when Sango mentioned her in her speech. She, according to Sango, was the strongest girl she had ever known, and that she greatly influenced her at the moment to stand before everyone. Although she knew, deep inside, that she once despised Sango for being Little Miss Perfect, she didn't care. She saw her in the same situation as she was, and Sango was the one to blame for the sudden burst of determination she got in her systems to finally put Naraku in his rightful place. Well... Sango, and Kanna... Either way, they helped each other in more ways than one.
She was taken out of her musings when a pair of arms encircled her shoulders. She looked up and saw Sango, toga and all, hugging her, crying with her as she mumbled the words she said earlier on.
"Thank you, Kagura..."
Kagura smiled at her and Sango smiled back, when Kagome engulfed them both in a fierce hug. They both knew that if it weren't for Kagome, they wouldn't have also endured the trials in their life.
Kohaku smiled as he clapped, proud that he was given a very strong and smart sister for a sibling. He was even more thankful because she greeted him a Happy Birthday. He tried to absorb everything his sister said in her speech, but his mind was too young... but someday, he'll understand... And when that day comes, he'll have his sister to explain everything to him...
Inuyasha was surprised that Sango made such a beautiful speech. Heck, in the worst sense, he didn't even know she was that smart to begin with! He intensified his clap, even if his palms were already red due to too much force. But still, there were a lot of parts that seemed pretty vague to him...
Sesshomaru, on the other hand, side glanced at his brother. The baka was clapping too much, and he wondered why their parents didn't reprimand him for forgetting his etiquette. Oh well, maybe they were used to it...
Though in the back of his mind, he was wondering. While he listened to his half-sister's speech, there was a certain point that she kind of messed up. He wondered if the adults noticed it, but he was a very keen observant and listener. He knew that there was an undertone -- something beneath the words she said. She was vaguely describing events that seemed like she had experienced. Experiences that he thought were kind of bitter and horrid especially at her young age. And to tell the truth, he never knew that such things happened to her. As he listened to her speech, that was when it dawned upon him. It came to him that there were indications that he missed -- locking up in her room, refusing to eat, playing a requiem with her Himiko, the awfully looking wounds that she had on her wrists... If she did went through such pain, why didn't she even ask for anyone's help? HIS help?! It wasn't like he never cared for her. He may be indifferent most of the time, but he was just being quiet... and reserved... Oh, if he only knew sooner, he would have beaten the crap out of the person, or persons, who did those to her...
Miroku wanted to run to his best friend as he smiled at the recognition she was receiving. She deserved it. More than anyone else. He was the witness as to how she dealt with everything, how she succumbed to her suicidal tendencies, and how she pulled herself through with the help of Kagura and Kagome...
Shintaku Kagura. AND Higurashi Kagome. Them, not Eiri Miroku.
... Not HIM.
His conscience never seized to silently berate himself. He was a stupid, gullible person who believed in silly rumors about the person he knew HE was most familiar with. He left her in the middle of the dark with no one to turn to and nowhere to go. Maybe someone up there loved her so much that the blessing approached her, and she didn't need to look far because Kagura was there all along.
Kagura... She may be the one who gave him a letter. She HAS to be. He had once worked with Kagura in their English project, and he remembered that she really liked scribbling and doing letterings for everyone to use. Her hands also had its own magic, as she was adept in poetry and sketching... And the Anemone... That was a give away, honestly. But it slipped out of his mind... Flowers of the Wind... Kagura was always associated with the wind, for she was kind of creepy for having a huge fan on her bag and feathers decorating her head... And sometimes when she got really pissed off, she'd shout and the wind suddenly picks up...
But then again that might be his imagination alone, doing tricks on him...
Kagura... he was wrong, so wrong to judge her at once, and right now he knew the importance of communication and verification. He was wrong to believe the rumors about her, and very wrong to leave his best friend to handle a situation as such.
But they made it... they both made it out of the rain, out of the problems and the gossips and the ridicule everyone gave them.
Miroku was now confused at where his feelings where heading. Yes, he was more than happy to have Sango's name cleared before they all left the Elementary School and the just punishment Naraku suffered because of the truth. But then, he was feeling jealous... Envious that it was Kagura and Kagome who helped her. Jealous because he was never mentioned in her speech, when he always thought that he was the closest person to her... Invidious of the fact that HE felt that he was set aside, because Sango chose Kagome and Kagura over him.
He silently cursed. These very uncomfortable feeling he was having, it was mainly because of him, too. Ah, how could he have not seen the consequences of the actions he took?
The Graduation Rites were through, and everyone was leaving the auditorium. Miroku was about to go to his parents, who were waiting for him in the car, when a woman intercepted him.
"Miroku-kun! Congratulations on your Graduation and on the awards you received..." Sango's mother hugged him.
"Aunt O-ren, thank you..." He smiled and hugged back. If Aunt O-ren were still here, then that would mean...
"Hahaue!" Sango ran to her mother, the sound of brass hitting brass nearing him, and reaching Miroku's ears. He was then released from her embrace as she turned to her running daughter.
"Dear, don't run! I'd still be here, you know!" She half-joked, half- reprimanded.
Sango's smile slightly wavered when she saw whom her mother was hugging. 'Miroku...' She thought. 'Oh, probably congratulating him...' She thought as she again beamed at her mother. "Hahaue..."
"Sango-chan, did you invite Miroku to Kohaku's party? You know very well that your father and Kohaku would look for him." Her mother reminded her.
"Uh..." Sango froze. She purposely ignored him the other day at the shrine. But chances are, Aunt Kasumi had told him already...
"SANGO-CHAN!!!"
Sango turned at the direction of the voice and saw Kagome waving at her, gesturing at the camera on her hands. Kagura was standing beside her, already busy fixing her hair as she smiled back at her. "Hahaue, Kagome- chan and Kagura-chan are calling me... Please wait for me in the car instead..." She hurriedly said as she ran towards the other two, waiting for her on the stage. At least, she escaped that awkward situation...
"Dear, you do know you're invited to Kohaku's party, right? I'm expecting to see you there." Sango's mother told Miroku, who already knew that Sango purposely escaped the chance of speaking with him.
"Uh, Aunt O-ren, I think I can't --" Miroku started, but was cut off by his Aunt.
"Oh no I won't take no for an answer. If you're worrying about your skateboarding session with Inuyasha and his friends, then I assure you. They're in the party, too. I asked Inuyasha to make them come. Didn't he mention it to you?"
Oh. He wasn't informed. All along, his mother and Inuyasha must have thought that Sango will be the one to invite him to the party. At first he was confused, but now it was clear. Sango didn't inform him because she never really spoke to him since that day he left her alone. Honestly, he didn't want to come. With all the possibilities that he'd encounter Sango and that she'd ignore him anyway, he didn't want to. But his mother probably already planned everything out, and Inuyasha and Kohaku were also expecting him. He was now being forced to go there.
He was trapped.
....tsuzuku...
Author's Rant:
Not exactly good, I know. But honestly, I think its the most essential part as of presstime. Ooh, the best part yet is coming up!!!
Kudos to the people who constantly reviewed and gave me newfound strength to write on. I wasn't really losing inspiration, but I was kind of feeling depressed again these days... Argh, stupid Wizard... shudders
As I always (and ALWAYS) say, I'm really sorry for everything that went wrong with this chapter. It was kind of hot these past few days that I wasn't really in a perfect condition to write and proofread and revise... Damn it all... I can't concentrate!!! sees a picture of Joross on TV Joooooooooorrrrooooooooooss!!!!!!!! glomps TV Su-te-ki!!!!!! major nosebleed
Thank you for sticking with my humble story - er, fiction - er, life - er... whatever! sweat drop
Review!
... Please? o
Ja, mata ne!!!!
Shohoku no Miko©