Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters

'Thought'

"Speech"

Chapter Two: A Big Loss

Inuyasha woke up and looked at his clock, it was 9 a.m. He lifted the sheets of his bed and went to the bathroom. He stopped when he saw Miroku on the floor meditating. "Miroku what the hell are you doing," Inuyasha asked. Miroku didn't respond he just sat there concentrating.

"Hey Miroku, MIROKUUUU."

"Inuyasha you don't have to yell I was just meditating," Miroku said.

"Why the hell do you do that anyway?"

"There are two reasons, one it calms me down and let's me concentrate on the task at hand, two I was brought up in a monastery."

"So you're saying you're a monk."

"Yes in a way, but not a full-fledged monk."

"Well hopefully your training is enough to beat Sango." With that Inuyasha went to take his shower.

Last night in the girls room Sango was lying on her bed reading a book when Kagome came back from taking a shower. "Hey Sango aren't you going to do anything to prepare for tomorrow," Kagome said.

"Ha are you kidding Miroku new here he's probably going to call it off tomorrow," Sango said.

"I'm not so sure Sango he seemed pretty determined, but that's not all he seemed to have an intelligent atmosphere around him."

"Your just trying to scare me please this will be a piece of cake."

"You shouldn't act so cocky Sango you're starting to sound like your boyfriend Kuranosuke, who knows he could beat you."

"He won't I've made a perfect plan and I don't act like my boyfriend, you're just jealous that I have a boyfriend."

"Oh please Sango wasn't he the snotty nose kid who you hated all the way until high school."

"So I saw that Kuranosuke was really a great guy, now can we talk about more important things."

"Like what?"

"Like listening to my plan in defeating Miroku." "First I'll weaken him physically by doing some running then we'll get some martial arts in order, by then he would give up but just in case I'll set up the most difficult problems in math and science then add in some difficult literature."

"Sounds like a good plan Sango but there's something I need to tell you."

"Like what."

"You remember the tale of the tortuous and the hare."

"Yah, so what."

"Well as you know the tortuous challenged the hare to a race." "Hare laughed saying that by the time he made to the finish line that he'd be waiting for him." "The hare accepted the challenge just to see the look on the tortuous face." "When the race began the hare zoomed out into the horizon." "About finishing half of the track he stops to take a quit nape since the tortuous would be here in any time soon." "The hare soon fell asleep while the tortuous passed him by." "When the hare woke up he still thought the tortuous was still behind so he ran as fast as his legs would let him, when he made it to the end he found that the tortuous had crossed the finish line, so he lost."

"And the point of this is Kagome?"

"The point is never underestimate your opponent Sango if you do you'll end up like the hare."

"Whatever Kagome I'm going to bed see yah in the morning."

With a sigh Kagome went to her bed and fell asleep.

Everybody was up in about in the student hang out. Students, teacher who didn't have classes almost everybody was there. Sango and Kagome had made it there fifteen minutes to twelve while Miroku and Inuyasha still hadn't made it. "He probably chickened out," Sango said.

"I don't think I would Sango," Miroku walking up to his opponent. "So what will we be doing anyway?"

"I'm glad you asked we'll start off with some physical activity," Sango said

"What type?" Miroku asked. Sango gaped at Miroku for his random comment. A few people in the back snickered.

"You pervert we're going to be running." "It's a 2.6 Km buddy if you can't deal with that then...."

"That's fine I'll go change then," Miroku said carrying a big bag fill with stuff. Sango went to the girl's bathroom to change. After a few minutes Sango came out wearing tight black pants with running shoes and a pink top. Then Miroku came out and all the girls stared at Miroku dreamily. He was wearing a pair of running shoes, navy blue track pants, a white muscle shirt and he let his hair down.

Kagome was with Inuyasha, she thought Miroku looked appealing but she kept her eyes on the person next to her. Sango was staring at Miroku; she herself couldn't believe that he looked so, so handsome. "Sango hello, Sango,"

Sango shook her head and turned away blushing slightly that she'd been caught staring at Miroku. 'I have a boyfriend for crying out loud.' "Sango."

Sango turned her head to the person who was calling her. She smiled seeing who it was. "Kuranosuke," Sango said as she hugged him and gave him a kiss.

"I just came to give good luck, although you don't need do you." Miroku looked at Kuranosuke and he didn't like this guy for some reason. 'Miroku stop glaring at him.' 'I'm not glaring at him why would.' 'Because you're jealous.' 'WHAT are you crazy why would I be jealous?' 'Who am I talking to anyway?' 'Yourself dumbass.' Miroku shook his head a bit he could believe he was mentally talking to himself.

"We I'll see you later Sango I have a test to do." With one last kiss Kuranosuke hurried off to his class.

"Stupid pretty boy," Miroku murmured.

"Did you say something Miroku," Sango asked.

"Heh heh no nothing at all." Sango gave him suspicious look but waved it off.

"Follow me to the field."

When they got there Sango explained everything to Miroku, there were pylons that would direct them throughout the course. Two people with timers were ready to record there time. Sango was doing her routine stretching, since she was a kid she went jogging with her father, she kept that same tradition every time she would run every morning if she could. She looked over at Miroku who had finished his stretching and was doing some sort of breathing technique. 'He's just trying to keep me of track with the task at hand.'

Inuyasha stepped up to the two runners. "You guys ready, set, and GO!" With a mad dash both ran off following the guiding pylons. Sango and Miroku were neck in neck, neither one slowing down.

"Well I'll be seeing you later," Sango said. With that she sped off leaving Miroku behind. Miroku stayed at the same speed. Sango looked back noticing Miroku was nowhere in site. Then a small cramp started to develop, seems as though Sango didn't do a certain stretch to help with cramps. She was able to hold it off for awhile soon it became so painful she had to stop. Sango panted harshly she hadn't realized she'd been running really hard.

Miroku was coming around the bend when he saw Sango on her hands and knees gasping for breath. "Sango are you alright," Miroku asked.

"I'm fine, go ahead I'll catch up," Sango said.

"You look like you're in pain; if you want I can help."

"I have a cramp, but it's no big deal really."

"I can make it stop."

"You can," Sango over joyed. "I mean you can," she said using her not over joyed voice.

"Yes if you'll let me."

"Ok then do what you have to do," Sango said standing up. Miroku walked behind her and clapped his hand together, then started rubbing them creating friction which heated his hands.

"Where's the cramp Sango?" She pointed to the area around her diaphragm. Miroku slowly embraced her.

"Hey I thought you were going to help my cramp."

"I am just stay still." He positioned his hands in the area she pointed to, and then started massaging the area. In the beginning Sango could still feel the cramp, but soon after the soothing sensation of Miroku's massage. It was taking its toll on her. She could feel his breath on her neck which made her shiver. 'Hopefully he didn't feel that.' She was about to lean in to his touch when he stopped.

"So is that better," Miroku asked.

"Yes thank you Miroku, now let's finish this race," Sango said going for another head start." Miroku chuckled then followed after her.

They were in a dead heat, neck in neck, both pushing there body to keep on going. Sango wasn't about to lose to Miroku and the same went for Miroku. Back at the field Inuyasha was on the bleachers looking out for any signs of Sango or Miroku. Then he spotted the two.

"Hey I see them and Miroku's leading," Inuyasha yelled to the crowd. Everybody cheered for Miroku.

Back with Miroku and Sango, she was falling behind she couldn't lose to him. She then heard cheering; she thought it was for her so she gained speed to get just ahead of Miroku. When she got closer to hear them they were all cheering for Miroku. Sango couldn't understand why him.

Seeing the race was nearing an end Miroku used what was left of his reserves and sprinted to the finish line. Once both of them made it they collapsed on the ground panting. "Wow that was a run," Miroku cheerfully.

"So what are our times anyway," Sango asked.

"Sango record was 8:25:23; she beat her record with 8:20:05." Everybody cheered at Sango for beating her record, but the cheer wasn't really and ecstatic one. "Miroku time is 8:18:39." Everybody did a loud cheer that could be heard in the busy city streets.

She lost, Sango could believe she lost. 'Arrgh, I'll beat him in the next challenge this time I'll win.'

"So Sango what's the next challenge," Miroku asked.

"We'll be fighting in the dojo in a martial arts battle."

"Sounds fun." With that everybody headed to the gym were the fight was being held.

The center gymnasium was set up like a dojo. Students crowded around the waiting to see fight between Miroku and Sango. The door to the right opened; Sango walked in first then Miroku. Both walked to the dojo and took there places. "Miroku in this battle we'll be using weapons ok," Sango said. She was a master at martial arts, her father taught her how to fight with and without a weapon. She beat champions and even masters, so defeating Miroku would be easy right.

A student brought out the weapons rack, which was filled with various types of weapons used in martial arts. "You pick first Sango ladies before gentlemen," Miroku said.

"Why thank you Miroku," Sango said. "Now let's see which one do I want, ah ha this is it." Sango pulled out a wooden Katana her favourite weapon (A/N: What were you expecting for her to use a real sword on Miroku please, and what about her boomerang hmm?). "Now it's your turn Miroku you choose."

Miroku looked at the verity of weapons then his eyes set on a familiar one. "Here it is just like the one used back where I lived." Miroku pull out a boa staff, he twirled it around with great skill.

Everyone looked in awe except Sango; she thought he was just showing off. "Hey are we going to fight or what," Sango yelled to get Miroku's attention.

"Why of course lady Sango."

(A/N: Place your bets now, who will win Miroku or Sango, find out in the next..., just kidding you would think I'd leave the best part for another chapter. I've done enough talking back on with the fic).

Both fighters got into there stances getting ready to attack or defend. A referee at the side told them that who ever lands outside the dojo loses, who ever falls unconscious loses, who ever gives up loses and if a fighter causes great harm to opponent will automatically loses.

"Now begin," the referee yelled.

Sango got her katana ready and charged forward. Miroku stayed in his defensive stance ready to block Sango's attack. Sango arched her blade and swung down hard on Miroku's staff.

He blocked the attack with little difficulty. He pushed Sango back and leapt away when she swung again. Sango leapt back to her first position and got ready to attack again. The entire gym was quiet except for the clanging of the two weapons hitting each other with every blow. Everyone watched in awe at their skill.

'Darn all he's been doing is standing there defending himself and he hasn't attacked yet, what's he up to.' 'I have to bring him into a situation where he has no choice but to attack.' Sango ran directly at Miroku, but he was one step ahead of her. While Sango was trying to think of how to beat him Miroku had snuck off behind her. Bring his around her body Miroku constricted her.

Sango strained to get free, but Miroku's grip was firm. She stopped squirming then elbowed him in the stomach, ouch! Miroku gasped and let go of her, this gave Sango a great opportunity to push Miroku out of the dojo.

She swung her blade at him; Miroku blocked the attack just in time.

It's been half an hour and the two combatants were panting and sweating, neither one giving up, looking for an opportunity to beat the other. Sango had enough she was going to finish this skirmish now. She ran forward then jumped high into the air. Arching her katana she swung down with all her might striking Miroku's block. The impact cracked Miroku's staff.

Pushing her back Miroku went into attack mode. It seems that he was defending himself until he wore out his opponent. He charged at Sango hitting her hands with his staff and flung her katana out of her hand. He then hit her on both of her legs leaving her immobile for a second or two, then he pushed her right off the dojo mat.

Sango fell on her butt stunned at what just happened. Her katana which had been flipped into the air was caught by Miroku. Everybody cheered loudly for his awesome victory.

"Miroku is the winner," the ref announced.

As the challenges went by Sango kept on losing and losing until she gave up. "Well Sango it seems I have beaten you in every challenge you've thrown at me and I've beaten everyone of them."

"Yah you did but you don't have to rub it in," Sango said sulking at her defeat.

"But hey you were a tough opponent."

"You were to Miroku; you got to tell me how you did those moves in are fight."

"Does this mean we're friends now?"

"Yah were friends now."

Ah looks like things turn out great for Miroku. Well this is the second chapter and there are many more to come. This is only the first challenge Miroku has to face; the next one will be even tougher. Well review and you will see what his next challenge is, take a guess if you like.