A/N: Wow! I haven't updated in so long, I feel so guilty! But I've just caught a slightly annoying cold...it likes to tweak my voice so I sound deep and squeaky. ¬_ ¬ Anyways...for all you lovely reviewers, I've written this chapter out! Finally, if I might say so myself! Hope it's what you guys expected! ^_^

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To Be A Commoner

Chapter 10

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Sango stood dazed in front of the door. Thoughts were running through her mind at a rapid pace, each one sparking a million different questions, all seeming harder to answer than the one before. What does he mean? What does he even know about me?! How can he tell if I love him or not! I was just...surprised and shocked, that's all... She was snapped from her train of thought when a maid came up begging to talk to her.

"Yes?" She said in a half daze.

"Well, forgive me ma'am, but I've kept Kirara for so long! I didn't want to give back such a cute little cat like her." The maid said slowly, trying hard not to look flustered. Sango took in the small basket the maid probably kept Kirara in and nodded.

"Please don't call me ma'am, just Sango will do, I'm not really that high and mighty am I?" The maid still stood tensely, not even a glimmer of a smile brushed her pink lips. "Don't worry, take care of her as long as you want until I leave and then when I come back I'll bring her with me and you can take care of her again." Sango replied, trying to keep her voice light and happy. She gestured for the over ecstatic maid to leave. She'd been so busy with the ball and her own serious problems that it hadn't occurred to her that her familiar cat companion hadn't shown up. "Is there anything else I forgot about?" She muttered to herself, walking towards her room a little distracted.

Metal clinking together brought Sango out of her trance, she looked up to see two guards running towards her. Of course..."Finally, we found you!" One said before he stopped and panted for breath.

"Searched all over!" The other one said in quick succession. "But you had already disappeared."

"Oh..." Sango answered. That's right, I was running away from them and turned a corner to find Ms. Higurashi requesting me to the ballroom... Suddenly the incident in the ballroom flared in her mind, she automatically relived the events that followed afterwards. Tears threatened to start falling again as she unwillingly revisited her feelings, the hurt, the pain, the...

A strong arm gripped hers and gave a gentle tug towards her room. Sango decided not to struggle, what was the use? It was two heavy-set men against one frail girl. They wouldn't stand a chance against her. She smiled as the thought flickered through her mind, the first happy thought of the day.

"Don't try anything like that again, at least tell us where you're going next time." One of the guards warned and opened the door for her.

"Okay." Sango replied without bothering to thank the guards, she made her way to her bed and sat down heavily. She barely acknowledged when the door was closed softly behind her. Miroku's last words echoed in her mind. Were her words that harsh...but she'd been down this road. Her words had been harsh. But his words had been harsh too...what he said about her, what he thought... Sango didn't seem to notice as a warm tear slid down her cheek and another, and another, and another until she was sobbing uncontrollably for the second time that day. "I'm so pathetic!" She muttered to herself, wiping away the tears as fast as she could, as if that would help make them go away. "It's a boy! A simple commoner! I don't even know for real if he's from some high and mighty kingdom!" Her hiccups died down to soft sniffs, she let her sore arms drop down beside her, too tired to move but content to stare at the velvet carpet. She sighed exhaustedly, the silence was a comfortable welcome now that she had calmed down and began to relax.

The ornate wooden clock ticked slowly away, the only noise in the otherwise silent room. She was vaguely aware of the maid that came in to hang up her new dress since she had soiled her own. She must've looked a sight walking back down the halls with messy hair and stained dress. But she didn't really care anymore...nothing in this world seemed important, they were just...there, for no apparent reason... The only thing that mattered, the only thing that was important...had been... inadvertently taken away from her. She sighed in disgust. Inadvertently? Who was she kidding? She knew what was going to happen, she knew what she was in for, what she would have to pay, and yet, she still did it, did it with attitude and enough sincerity to make her words hurt.

And it probably hurt like hell the way he had avoided her, the way his face had ... looked like... Sango didn't blame him, no...she blamed herself. After all, it was she who had yelled at him, but what was done was done, and she couldn't go back and change history, now she desperately wished she hadn't gulled Kagome into going to the village, that way she would've never met Miroku.

She sighed dejectedly and fell back onto the bed, arms spread out to her sides. She gazed up at the blank ceiling and blinked slowly, she never realized how amusing the ceiling was...there was a small crack in the left corner, barely an inch or so, a bump was close to the middle of the ceiling, a slight tan stain she had never noticed before, was right above her. It felt so good staring at the ceiling, she was too tired to think, to tired to do anything but watch the simple white plaster above her.

Soon, the darkness rimmed the edges of her vision and slowly she closed her eyes, welcoming in the comfort of sleep.

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Miroku stared deadpanned at the oval mirror before him. The bags under his eyes had intensified, looking as if he had lacked a few days rest. He looked tired, exhausted. He sighed at his reflection and shifted his gaze to the window beside it. It opened up to the garden outside, Ms. Higurashi probably liked roses... He glared at them with as much resent as he could muster, as if it was their fault that Sango had said those things. Then he sighed with much withdrawal. What could he have done to make her say those things? Wasn't he true to his word? He never lied to her before. Never lied knowingly that is.

Miroku rolled his eyes in an attempt to brush off those words. He was a pretty big player with girls and he was mighty proud to say so too, but he had never hurt so much from a reject before, in fact, he had never gotten rejected. Now he knew how those guys felt in the streets, with dirty, ragged clothes and dirt-caked expressions. They probably got dumped too.

But why would it hurt this much, did she...Sango...did he really love her? Was that how it felt? True, he felt nice and warm when he saw a pretty little girl, but with Sango it was different. He felt...that he should protect her, the need to keep her from danger and to care for her. All these confusing emotions swirled in his head until he couldn't make heads or tails of what he was thinking.

He gripped his staff tightly and stood up in aggravation. He was thinking in circles, it was better to leave her alone, she probably hated him now anyways. He furrowed his eyebrows and walked a few steps before stopping. He wanted to see her again, only if it was a measly second...but should he risk it? Deciding he had nothing more to lose, he walked out of his room without another thought and down the corridor.

The velvet-covered stairs seemed to go by too fast as he slowly made his way up. He bit his lip in frustration. Sango's room was the fourth one down, on the left. He'd always fancied how well he could memorize a place when he'd only spent a few days in it, but right now, he wished he didn't know where her room was. Rather it being a maze than some simple hallway.

The closer he got to her room, the more he felt uneasy, butterflies were practically gnawing at his insides and if he opened up his mouth right now, he wouldn't be surprised if a few flew out. It was a first to feel nervous, but nervous about a girl? That was something entirely new for him. He'd never been nervous about a girl before, and why should Sango be any different?

A little voice in his head nagged at him, unwilling to let him go. Of course Sango's different! It seemed to shout, resounding uncomfortably in his mind. You love her! It added. Miroku glowered at the floor and purposely hit his head. "Stupid voices..." He muttered. Now he was sounding paranoid.

The door was barely two feet away, but he couldn't bring himself to reach it. What if something goes wrong? What will I do? Do I really want to do this... Miroku bit his lip absently and wrung his hands together.

His palms were sweaty.

But why would they be? His hands never got sweaty... Did Sango really mean all that to him? That if she was in any trouble he would go to the far corners of the world just to save her?! He blinked simultaneously and took in a deep breath. His thoughts were jumbled, that was it. His nerves must be on edge at the moment. Must be Marie, somehow she always found a way to annoy him to no end. But he couldn't keep that thought out of his mind. Go to the far corners of the world...just for her? He rubbed his chin in an incredulous fashion and 'hmm-ed', what was getting into him, she was a girl, like all the others on the planet. He snorted in disbelief and shook his head slowly, what has humanity come to? You leave for a moment and then return and you find nothing the same! How interesting...

He was nervous. No doubt about it.

He was skirting the problem...purposely.

It annoyed him and fascinated him. A girl, just like any other, had done this to him, of no real intention at all. She had done it without knowing she had! Astonishing yet strange...Miroku never really thought he would truly fall in love, he felt about the same for every pretty girl he had come across, but somehow he had been caught so suddenly in such a simple trap that he hadn't been ready for it.

He sighed dramatically and shook it off. Might as well get this over with... He walked towards the door at an even pace and knocked on the door softly. He waited a few seconds then knocked again.

Silence.

Did she leave? Miroku didn't want her gone, he didn't just go through all that trouble just to have her disappear at the last moment. He knocked louder this time, when silence greeted him, he opened the door roughly. Immediately he regretted his actions, Sango was only sleeping. He sighed and looked to the side, why couldn't he do anything right?

Relief spread across his features and he smiled ruefully. At least she wasn't gone.

He turned to gaze at her, noticing that her chest rose and fell as she took in each breath. She was beautiful. Prettier than any girl he had ever met. He walked over to the side of her bed although he knew he was taking a big risk. He kneeled down beside her face and gently brushed off her silky black hair. Sango frowned but settled back to sleep, clutching at the soft covers beneath her. Miroku smirked, she looked like an angel when she was asleep, nothing like her fierce self when awake. He looked back at her and pulled back in surprise.

Sango's large brown orbs stared back, her mind not yet up to speed.

Miroku ran his tongue over his lips uneasily. Trying to put as much distance between them without catching her attention. He looked at her as recognition and something akin to disbelief crossed her face.

"Miroku?" She voiced softly as if she didn't quite believe she was seeing him. "What are you doing here?" She raised herself so that she was almost sitting, she stared uncertainly at him.

"Sorry for disturbing you." Miroku said in a stiff, quiet tone. He stood up and glanced briefly at her before walking towards the door.

"Wait!" Sango voiced before she could stop herself. "I...want to...speak with you...if that's alright." She said awkwardly.

Miroku looked back to see her staring down at the fabric clutched in her hands. She seemed almost sincere and regretful that...no...maybe he was only imagining it. She just wanted to speak with him...

"Yes...ma'am?" He said, his voice cracking. He winced visibly, keeping his eyes averted from her.

"We're on first name terms after all, so just call me Sango, never really got used to all that 'ma'am' and 'your ladyship' sort of thing."

An uncomfortable silence settled around the couple, each in their own thoughts, trying hard to dig up something to fill the uneasy stillness.

"Wh-what have you been up to...lately?" Sango offered after a while, glancing hesitantly at Miroku then back at the velvet covers.

"Nothing much...just got done packing, carriage is coming early tomorrow, so I'll be gone by then."

"Couldn't get a carriage to come today?"

"No, they were all reserved for the ball."

"Oh, I see."

"Yea..."

The silence settled back down making Miroku shift uncomfortably and Sango tighten her grip around the comforter.

Miroku sighed as if getting ready to say something important then stopped and closed his mouth.

"You know..." Sango began with forced buoyancy. "I don't really blame you for anything..."

Miroku looked up in surprise, his mouth slightly parted.

"After all...I was the one who said those horrible words, I...didn't really mean it." Sango blinked back tears and wrung the blanket in her hands. "I just n-needed someone to yell at, the ball wasn't my idea, the wedding wasn't my idea...I guess it was all too much for one little girl, huh?" She looked up and smiled remorsefully. "Never was ready for such a big step."

Miroku shifted his gaze to the floor. "Don't blame yourself, the wedding was partially my idea to begin with, I don't blame you and you shouldn't blame yourself."

"But all those horrible wor-"

"Don't worry about it. I know, it was too much stress to handle at one time." Miroku raised his gaze to meet Sango's. "Anyways, with all the bustle of activity going on around here, I never really got a chance to introduce myself...did I?" He grinned at her for a moment, but it disappeared in an exhausted sigh.

"No, you didn't, so you owe me one!" Sango replied, encouraged by his faint smile.

"Oh I do, do I?" Miroku raised an amused eyebrow and a hint of a smile pulled at his mouth.

"Yea, so let's start with some introductions." Sango reached out a hand and grinned warmly. "I'm Sango, who are you?"

Miroku shook his head in disbelief but took her hand and shook it. "Miroku."

"Pleased to meet you. Where you from?" Sango inquired, trying hard to mask her awe, it felt surprisingly good to have his firm and warm hand gripping hers.

"Western lands." He replied nonchalantly.

"Western lands, huh...interesting." Sango nodded. "What do you do there?"

"Hm...nothing that would interest you." Miroku said with a teasing smile and quickly turned his gaze to the windows so Sango wouldn't see it, but she had already caught it.

"Oh really! Try me." Sango said with a defiant look in her eyes. "It can't be that dull if you turned up here in the north. It's a pretty fair trek from here to there you know."

Miroku raised his eyebrows and looked inquiringly at Sango. He shrugged casually. "If you must know, I was the right-hand man for the younger prince of the Western lands and also his best friend." He said it as if talking about the weather, nothing to extravagant or unusual.

Sango blinked in astonishment. "Really?! I've never met royalty before!"

"Royalty? Now you're exaggerating." Miroku said offhandedly, but gave Sango a smile.

"Now...for the big question. How did you get here of all places? As a commoner no less!" Sango asked, true curiosity laced her words.

"Hey don't I get a chance to ask questions?"

"Hey, you owe me."

"You really want to know then?" Miroku sat down on the bed, looking at his staff just for the sake of looking at it. "Well then...are you in for a long story?"

"Long story? You're sounding as if this was a novel." Sango replied sarcastically, but scooted closer towards him.

"Hm...a novel of sorts I guess." Miroku concurred, he glanced at Sango and seemingly satisfied with her attentiveness, started his story. "It started last year, just about when winter was settling in, I remember it as if it was only yesterday..."

"Oh cut the dramatics!" Sango interrupted.

"But it's what makes the story a story!" Miroku said in an obviously faked innocent voice. "Without it, it'd be just some other pointle-"

"Ok, ok, get on with it."

"Right." Miroku took in a deep breath and started again. "Like I said, before I was so rudely interrupted," Sango elbowed him roughly for that, making Miroku laugh good-humouredly. "It started last year, around winter time, just when the weather was turning cold..."

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A/N: Ok...I think the "focusing-too-much-on-Sango-and-Miroku" phase is over, hopefully there will be more Inu and Kag! And thanks for all those nice reviews, I'm truly grateful!

Replies!

Lioness kea: I wish I could make the Sango/Miroku thing clearer, but I guess your right, I reread the last chapter and I was so disappointed! I couldn't understand why Sango would do that... very strange... ^^;;

DemonMiko: Sorry for the delay! School's been so terrible lately...three big projects and countless tests! I'm surprised I even made it through! But hopefully this was the next chapter you were looking for!

Moonlight-Miko: Lol, ok, ok I'm writing more! ^_^

Burning-Yami-Rain: *gushes* thank you!!

Ho-Chi-Mihn-City: Yes I know! I really want more Kag/Inu in here, but I didn't want to leave Sango/Miroku alone! So...see the conflicting emotions? Lol, more Kag/Inu to come!

VicFan: Thx!

koari: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. ^^

Skittles1: Lol, thx!! I'm glad you liked it! I guess not updating in a long time gets surprising... ^^;;

The-Real-Rosie-Gamgee: Wow, scary review! Lol, but at least I updated!

demon angle: I'll try my best to update! But knowing me... ^^;;

Angel81: Thanks!

taijyasango: LOL!

hanyou punk chick: I love that pairing and I can't believe I've been focusing on Miroku and Sango these last few chapters. But more is to come...eventually!

shi-shi777: Yes, this is a inu/kag story! Unless I get an unusual kink to go and make it a inu/kikyo or maybe an inu/sango! Lol, but that would NEVER happen! In another fic perhaps, but not in this one! Nope, never! So be relieved! (Hm...I sound like a preacher now XD...)

jdls: Thx for your review! And sorry the sango/miroku thing was a little more than confusing in the last chapter, you might be able to get this one. Hopefully it's cleared up? ^^;; Thx, I thought it a nice idea too.

***A/N: Er, yes, another note! Something you can skip or read, up to you! One thing that has been bothering me is that I keep calling Sango and Kagome 'highnesses' when they're really just high-class ladies, but nobody has brought that up! And to clear some things, Inuyasha isn't a hanyou...and there's some sort of twist in there that I haven't gotten straightened out quite yet... Well, enough about my problems! *whispers: review! review!* ^^;;...*gack* I'm so pathetic sometimes.