FOUR Confessions of a Taijiya

"Houshi-sama...I...I..." Aya blushed as she stuttered muttering a phrase which seemed more like separate words. The black haired beauty was now in front of the bedazzled monk, who still can't believe the fortunate predicament he was in. A beautiful girl, in front of him, begging to be touched, he thought. He put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them gently. "I...I wanted to thank you for all your help, houshi-sama. I'm glad all of these are now over." She hinted a subtle smile, which the monk acknowledged immediately.

"Miss Aya, it's no problem at all. I'm sorry if I can't bring back Kenji or the rest of the villagers. I'm afraid it was already too late for them. But don't worry; I've erected shrines for all of them. If the villagers would present them with offerings each month, your village will be protected." said by a casual Miroku, who tried hard enough not to stimulate the grief caused by Aya's fallen friend.

"It's okay. Kenji would've liked it this way, that the village is once again back to normal. I just...miss him though..." as she began sobbing again. She held on to Miroku, who was ready to accept the grieving lady in his arms. Sango glared at the monk. He was taking advantage of the situation again, she thought. If it weren't just for Aya grieving, she would've pummeled Miroku to the ground right about now. The monk rubbed Aya's back, comforting her as she wept softly on Miroku's chest. "Don't worry Miss Aya, everything will be fine. No one can replace Kenji, I know. It's very hard for you." Somehow, Sango was surprised at his words. For once, he was really talking some sense. "You'll be lonely...so...I'm right here, ready to make you happy. Please bear my child, Miss Aya." Sango had to take it all back. It was the same old Miroku. Enough was enough. She had enough of all his sweet-talking and his embraces with Aya. She went outside the house, obviously enraged (and jealous). Miroku noticed this and quickly released Aya and followed the taijiya.

"Sango, wait! Where are you going?" Miroku yelled.

"Where there's no perverted monk like you!" Sango retorted. She was walking fast, trying to shake off the pursuing Miroku from her back. She was definitely jealous at that point.

"I hate that monk! He's so...so...darn I just hate him!" Sango thought walking briskly towards the shade of a nearby tree. Miroku was just fast enough to keep up with her, and soon was walking side by side with her.

"What's wrong Sango-chan?" Miroku asked.

Sango just stared at him, not a sweet one, but a glaring one, which made the monk even more persistent. She was obviously trying to escape from him. But he wouldn't allow it. He reached out for Sango's left arm and yanked her gently into his proximity. "Sango, what's the matter with you? Are you angry at me?"

"If I was angry at you I would've driven my hiraikotsu on your head." She replied blankly.

"Then what's wrong if you're not angry?"

"Nothing. Why don't you just go back and comfort that girl. I'm sure she misses your embrace right now." She answered in sarcasm.

Miroku's eyes widened. "Oh, so it's all about Aya. Why, are you....jealous?"

Sango found herself frozen in her place, blushing, at the mercy of the sweet-talking houshi. He had hit the mark. She was indeed jealous. She was so irritated at the monk, who seemingly had the talent for mind-reading. Why did he have to know, she asked herself? She sighed deeply.

"What are you talking about?" Sango shrugged. "I...I'm not jealous! Why should I be? I mean of course I am...no I'm not!"

Miroku was chuckling softly under his breath at the dilemma Sango was trying to fend off. She was blushing furiously, and that somehow brought her inner beauty on the surface. He smiled at the blushing taijiya.

"I thought so."

Sango was just so embarrassed at that instant that she wanted to run away. Hide somewhere dark, where no one could see her blush, where Miroku couldn't see her blush. She backed away slowly from Miroku, but the monk was too witty for her, and maintained hold of her arm. As she tried to pull away, she tripped over a gnarled root, falling on her back, pulling Miroku with her. She was on the ground. Miroku lay on top of her.

"My, my...look what you got us in..."Miroku smiled.

Sango couldn't believe it at all. She was really now at the mercy of the perverted houshi. She wanted to escape. She had the ability to slide under the unsuspecting monk, but someone in her mind told her to stay. She looked nervously at Miroku, who was still smiling at her. She didn't know he could be so charming in that position, atop her.

"Sango-chan...you really should know by now who I really want to be with..." Miroku calmly spoke. He slowly closed his eyes as he stooped lower towards Sango's face. She felt her heart beating a thousand times faster. Somehow, instincts told her to just close her eyes and wait for his lips to touch hers...

I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was Miroku's face getting closer to mine. What?!? What was he doing? And before I could've said anything else, my body knew what to do. My right hand gave a forceful slap onto Miroku's cheek. It hit him with such force that he stumbled on the floor, beside me. I gasped for air, certainly that was the most exhilarating dream I've ever had, though I didn't expect it to continue when I wake up. I was obviously still blushing, from the dream and from the obvious attempt of Miroku in...whatever he was trying to do to me. But I swear though that he was trying...to kiss me.

Miroku was still sore from my painful slap, rubbing his hand over the newly imprinted hand mark I gave him moments ago. He was as usual smiling at me with the bloated cheek of his, which made me smile a bit. Even though what he just tried to do was certainly due to his perverted head again. Although somehow, somewhere, in my inner consciousness, I wanted to let Miroku kiss me. Badly.

This reminds me, it's been three days since we left that ooh God-forsaken village. I can't stand being in that village. I don't know, maybe the old hag was just so darn irritating...okay I'll admit it, I just can't stand seeing Miroku together with Aya. I feel robbed. No I think it's not the term to use in my circumstance. After all, I am but a traveling companion of houshi-sama. But heck, doesn't he see me? He should've noticed me by now. Well, so Aya's a bit...prettier than me, but then he just can't fall for every woman he meets. Somehow, I feel that it's all unfair. He doesn't even...hold my hand, well except for that time with Aya, but then he doesn't seem to do it intentionally when it comes to me. I just can't figure him out.

I glanced at him, apparently he was busying in other things right now. He acts like a kid, if I would say. He's playing with his staff again. What's so wonderful about that staff anyway? I'll never understand monks carrying those. They're monks; they should be fighting with their bare hands. I can hear Inuyasha and Kagome rumbling in the other room again. I am stuck with a bunch of childish people. At least I folly in watching them. Although I noticed myself I was immersing myself in watching Miroku longer than everyone else. He had this mysterious aura all around him, which attracts my attention. Not to mention that he was also charming. He glanced at me as if he had heard my thoughts and smiled at me. See? That's what I meant when I said he was charming. Every time he does that, my cheeks never fail me in blushing, just like what I'm doing right now.

I stood up and walked outside. The weather was a bit cooler than the usual and it was sunny, perfect for a morning stroll in the woods. I just wished Miroku would invite me to, although I doubt that he will. He had other things in mind...girls, girls, more girls. As if I'm not a girl! Sheesh! He's really pathetic. I just can't seem to figure out what do they have that I don't. I really feel...sad...when he has his eyes to other women. Maybe I'm jealous, no, I am jealous. Ooh, why did I have to fall for this monk anyway? There were a lot of other men who had asked my hand before, but no one I liked. Of all men, why did it have to be him?

I left Miroku and went outside the village, towards the well where Kagome magically pops out. I smiled at the thought of her. She had already known a long time ago I had a liking towards the monk. She was just the most intuitive person I've ever met in my life. She makes ways for Miroku and I to be together. I'm just thankful for that girl. Even though Miroku doesn't reciprocate back what I give him, it's enough for me just staring at him from up close. After all, only in my dreams would I ever expect Miroku to kiss me and hug me (sigh). I really thought for a moment he finally did. Sometimes I think, I should've thrown the hirakotsu at the real Miroku. At least the doppelganger had some sense of sensitivity. He did know what I had been longing for. Unlike some bastard who only knew how to flatter me...and grope my behind.

Groping, actually I have no grudge against it. I would gladly surrender myself to him. I wanted him to touch me with his smooth hands, caress me in every gentle way. But I was raised up by my mother, who was very strict when it came to men...and love. She always told me that men had to court me first before anything else. I wanted Miroku to court me first, and then he can have his way with me. Yes, he can grope me 24/7. I'll admit, I kinda like the way he touches me there... (giggles) Of course we had to be a formal couple first before he does that. I wanted to let him know that his charm over women or his chest of flattering words aren't enough to make any woman fall for him. He had to prove he loves the woman. Because I believe in a long-term relationship. And it can only happen when we both love each other. Although by the look of things, he isn't the man I wanted him to be. He rushes things, he gropes women whenever he fancies, he's just a total flop if my mother's standards where implemented. I don't know though, I am falling deeper into liking him every day, every time he smiles at me, every time he says sweet words to my ear. I was willing to throw away all that was ideal for me in a man. I just...want him so bad.

The sweet aroma of the morning breeze was just captivating. It reminded me of him. He smelled good, even after we fought youkai. Maybe it's one of those things that make him very irresistible. Just the thought of him makes me blush. Sometimes though, when I see him flirting with other women makes me think, why did I ever like this man?

He was...like me, were both...alone...in this world. I think it all started with this single thought. He had lost his father by the curse that was now threatening to do the same to him as it did to his forefathers. I had lost everything, the entire village, everyone, my father...Kohaku...I feel even though he's still...alive...just seeing his soul being used by Naraku makes me think that I've already lost him too. Miroku and I were both afflicted by that scoundrel, and we are both fighting similar causes. We were both orphaned by the same monster. We had both lost everything dear to us. All we had...was...each other...

Seriously...I've never thought I would like him the way I do now. I thought it was just...a fling...like every once in a while a girl meets a young, charming man and as time passes by that infatuation fades away as another man comes along... But it seemed different for him. I do not know. One thing is for sure though, there aren't many men like Miroku in this world. Whenever I talk to him, he always tries hard to be as happy as possible, even though I see only depression and deep thoughts in his eyes. He wasn't only physically able, he was also mentally strong. He is...cute (giggle) I have to say, yet somehow I was also attracted to his inner charisma, his overwhelming charm...his unpredictability...that makes me...makes me...melt every time our eyes meet, every time our hands touch. He's just everything the man I want. Of course, he had some work to do on his...other darker traits.

Like being a complete pervert! When will he ever learn not to touch me in my behind or peep when I'm taking a bath? Slapping him just don't seem enough to imply to him about not being a jerk. I worry though that at the rate he's doing all these sorts of lechery, I would've slapped him dead even before the hole in his hand swallows him. Well...I like him so much that I can bear with him. If he were some other guy, I would've killed him a long time ago...but he's Miroku...and...I...like...him...very much.

Our journey had been very long and treacherous. Wandering all over Japan for the shards had been our life for the past half-year. It's been...that long...that we had been together. We have known each other so well...so well that as each day passed, my affections for him grew stronger. It was only now that I realized...I was falling...for him...and...I can't seem to...stop...falling...even more...If only he knew...even from a long time ago...he had already carved his place...in my heart...

The wind was blowing my hair...which I let loose just a while ago. I've always wanted them this way, rather than tie them up. It's because Miroku seems to have liked my hair this way too. I'll do just about anything to get his attention you know (although my butt seems more than enough to attract him...).

The sun had completed its awakening, already high above the light blue hue of the sky. I stretched my arms a bit, as they were sore handling my hiraikotsu. Sometimes, I amaze even myself, wondering how I myself can throw such a humongous weapon with ease. Miroku seems to have noted that too. That's why even if it's such a hassle, I still would want to throw the hirakotsu as many times as possible. I had to impress him.

I have to do more work at cooking though. Every man desires of a woman who can cook well. I'm sure he'll start noticing me once I whip up some exotic meal that he'll never forget. Oh, then he'll approach me, hold my hand and say how wonderful my cooking was. Then he'll plead to me to cook more...and then he'll praise me again. He'll say he's so lucky to have met me...and then...and then...his face would come closer...and closer...

I should learn to stop daydreaming. He'll catch me just staring at him again. It's just so embarrassing. Oh my...I'm blushing again...good thing he's not here, or else, or else...

"You're all red Sango-chan. Are you okay? Perhaps you have a fever or something?"

...I'm dead. He's...here?!? But...I...I didn't even notice him creeping behind me! Shame on you Sango, you were just too busy fantasizing! Good thing I was not talking to myself aloud...I shudder at the thought of him hearing everything...I'll just die if he did.

Okay. Breathe. Relax. It's just...Miroku. I can do it. No need to panic. I'm gonna be all right. I'll just turn around slowly, and then I'll speak casually, as if he were somebody else. Yes...it'll work out.

I managed to will myself to turn back. I had to knock my habit of freezing in place whenever he surprises me. It's just...not me. I cleared my throat, lest I want to choke on my words, which will make him even more intrigued. There, I'm ready to...I just felt his hand straying again on my butt. Ooh, someday you'll pay for this, houshi-sama. Be thankful...I like you...a lot.

I slapped him...this time on the other cheek. As usual, he was smiling again while rubbing his throbbing cheek. He kinda looked funny though. It was the first time I've seen a person with handprints on both cheeks. I helped myself to a small serving of laughter as he looked at me with a puzzled expression. For once, he looked more adorable than Kirara.