Elementals
By: Vampire-Elf
A/N: (I don't like saying stuff before chapters, but I'm making an exception because this chapter will seem... weird, compared to my others. I'm writing a little differently, not really going into much detail, making things much simpler... And once the part involving Inuyasha and Kagome is done, their conversation will be like 'this', to serve as background. The only things I'll really describe will involve Miroku and Sango.... Just thought I'd mention that...)
Hi
Everything can rest on a single moment, one infinitely small instant in time. So many things can happen in a second; a word can be spoken that could change the world. It's like the flickering of a flame, one second rising up above it all in its golden glory, the next falling back down into the ashes. An eternity in a single moment isn't so hard to find, a new revelation in the course of a blink of an eye. It was dark, as it had been for a long time before, and suddenly it was light, brightness seeped into the area. A dull orange glow blossomed in the black of the night, creating a small sphere of refuge in the otherwise inhospitable darkness. A few embers smoldered on a pile of brittle logs and dried leaves, casting a dim radiance that illuminated the faces of five weary travelers, leaning into the meager fire for a scrap of warmth as though it had a magnetic pull on their trembling bodies. Red luminescence reflected off of their glossy tresses like halos, adding to the mystic feel that had ruled the evening thus far.
"So... isn't this better than sitting at your desk 'studying' for 'tests'?!"
"Inuyasha, do you always have to give Kagome-sama a hard time for deciding to take the path of knowledge instead of that of blunt wit and brute strength?" Miroku's eyes darted away from the hanyou, who had chosen to abstain from physical violence and had settled on making a rather rude gesture instead, and flitted around the group, settling on Sango. A small smirk graced her usually-hardened face, a healthy sanguine color rested on her full cheeks.
"Miroku-sama, Inuyasha. Can we please go one night without fighting over something? I agree with you... it's nice... though I do have a test next week, but..."
"Kagome-chan, don't worry so much. You'll do fine—you always do." Miroku nodded in affirmation of Sango's words, causing her to flash a rare smile his way. He smiled back, though she'd already turned her eyes back to her friend, the houishi all but forgotten.
"Yeah... I guess you're right... so how do you think Kaede-baachan is doing? She was looking rather pale when we left..."
"Keh. The hag's fine. It's the middle of winter, everyone's pale. Illness has nothing to do with it."
"Really?"
"Yeah, idiot! That old woman ain't gonna die anytime soon, so a little cold don't mean nothin'?!"
"Idiot?! You're the idiot, idiot! It's a cold in the middle of winter!"
"It's nothing some of that syrup stuff from your time won't heal!"
Miroku turned his gaze from the quickly-heating argument, back towards Sango, who had also started the process of turning away, tuning it all out. These arguments were routine, as predictable and traceable as the phases of the moon.
'Oh, yeah....'
' "Oh, yeah......"! Keh. Idiot!'
Sango's mahogany eyes rolled in annoyance, knowing all-too-well what could happen next, were this argument to develop much more.
'Don't mock me! Do you know how immature that is?'
'"Don't mock me! Do you know how immature that is?"'
Miroku observed Sango, who was in turn observing the squabbling couple seated beside her. She didn't notice the attentions of the man sitting across from her, who was scrutinizing her as fixedly as she was Inuyasha and Kagome. He noticed every twitch of her facial muscles, contorting her expression into a mirthful mask of joy and annoyance, a strange combination to be sure. The crimson glow of the fire tinted the edges of her irises, causing her to seem a magenta-eyed thing of the night. The creamy color of her skin was seemingly dyed as well, simply building upon her exotic beauty. Miroku found himself feeling fortunate that he was sitting across from this exquisite creature and not beside her, knowing all too well that his hands wouldn't be anywhere near controllable were he any closer to her.
'Inuyasha, do you just WANT me to say it? Because I will. Say it. Si—
'You realize that when you say that I'll be thrown face-first into the fire...?'
Yet Miroku couldn't make himself let it go; he felt compelled to do something, anything, if it would convey how he felt, how beautiful she looked in the glow of the firelight.
'You don't think you can trick me that easily, you- huh?? Oh... Sorry, Inuyasha...'
'Sorry?! What the hell are you apologizing for?! You think you can just threaten to mutilate me and then sorry will make it all go away?!'
But suddenly he realized the object of his affections had stopped watching the show a long time ago, and had turned to watching him instead. Though, as he tried to catch her eye, she quickly blushed and turned her head, so Miroku could do nothing but sigh in exasperation and turn once more to face those beside him.
'Well, that means a lot coming from the one who STARTED this whole thing. YOU should be apologizing to ME.'
'Keh. You wish, stupid girl.'
But Miroku quickly turned back, bored already with the unfolding soap opera. He noticed Sango had gotten over her embarrassment and was turning back towards him, and so he nodded his head in the couple's direction before lightly rolling his eyes. The faint giggle that escaped her lips made him smile contentedly; a twin grin was present on Sango's face, barely visible, drowned in the deepening shadows that masked her brilliance.
'Stupid?! That word was what got us into this stupid thing in the first place!!! I AM NOT STUPID!!!'
'The word was idiot.'
Slightly more daring now that the mask of night was on her face, meaning her expression was unreadable, Miroku changed his smile so he was now smiling at her, just her. The antics of the other two had nothing to do with it. As Sango leaned in closer to the fire, he could see the rose hue of a blush paint her already-warm cheeks.
'Oww! What'd you hit me for?!'
'Because I can't say "it" to you! You've been rude all evening, not even considering how I feel. Do you realize my self esteem could be driven down to NOTHING with all of your criticism...? Do you even care...?'
Slowly, Sango worked up the daring to smile back, the corners of her lips bending upward in an unmistakable gesture. But Miroku had barely seen it when the mutable embers of the fire decided it was time for a change again, catching some more leaves and roaring up high in a flaming orange blaze, nearly singing the robes of all who were present. For a moment they were hidden from each other, though the fire quickly subsided.
'Now... Kagome... don't cry... I-
'Well what do you want me to do, Inuyasha?! Laugh? Oh, ha ha, this is so VERY funny!'
Miroku, in a daze, couldn't think to pull his gaze away from Sango, though to his credit her eyes wouldn't leave the depths of his either. They were just sitting there.... eyes locked... grinning dazedly... all alone in their own world...
'Kagome... I'm sorry, I...'
'Huh? Inuyasha...'
Slowly, though from what motivation Miroku couldn't be sure, he lifted his left hand to his lips, then lowering the appendage slightly and flattening out his palm, he sent a breath across his hand, away from him and across the fire, his eyes never leaving Sango. She looked startled for a moment, puzzled, but quickly recovered and held out her trembling hand, keeping it in front of her for the shortest of instants before pulling it absently to her cheek, rubbing her fingers against the permanent blush.
'I'm sorry, too, Inuyasha... But- oh! We've just been ignoring Miroku-sama and Sango-chan...'
'Oi, bozo!'
Slowly, then, she brought her hand down to her lips, before breathing across it as the monk had done, watching as he held out his hand and caught the warmth...
"Sango-chan!"
"Nani, Kagome-chan...?"
"Are you alright...? You seemed... Oh, but anyway, I meant to apologize for both of us, Inuyasha and I. We didn't mean to ignore you two like this..."
"Oh, it's nothing, Kagome-chan, really."
"Yes, but... Still, we're sorry."
"Keh, speak for yourself. I don't think we should have to apologize; it was only five minutes."
A/N: Alright, this chapter, like I said, is extremely weird. Just humor the poor girl, experimenting with different writing styles. shrugs But whatever, that's me. If you guys like it, you do, and if you don't like it, you don't... I'm just the humble authoress. Oh, and by the way, does anyone know what they were doing? It makes all the difference between whether this chapter had any fluff or not. Just... think... If necessary do what they did. Put your hand to your lips. Now lower it so it's about level with your chin. Now breathe or blow or whatever. Figure it out yet? XD Whatever, most of you probably already knew.... But anyway, thanks for all of the nice reviews. I feel so loved. (Which is why this chapter will have review responses.) Anyway, the last installment of this set of one-shots will come soon, if I finish my reading for school. (Which starts in one day short of a week, noooooo) You guys have been great, and I really appreciate all the love. Sorry this one took so long- it was easy to write, but my laptop was taken away for a week, which meant no story, since it was only on the laptop. AND my boyfriend's back from Europe, so I'm compelled to shower him with love and affection. AND I had boot camp for my evil high school from hell, since they felt compelled to whip us into shape. So yeah. You take the good and the bad.
Reviewer Responses:
SuicidalSlayer: Uh... thanks, I guess. You didn't have to read too deeply to get that "Sango's cheeks reddened at the insinuation" means she blushed... well, at least I don't think you do...
Joanna2: (glomps) !!! Thank you!! Your review was just so nice... I hope this chapter hasn't made you lose faith in me... XD I'm better than Scribe Figaro... O.o I dunno about that... But I'm happy to take the compliment! You like pocky? B/c you've earned either pocky or candy, whichever you want. But no cookies... -.- (hoards them) They're minnnne... XD Can you tell I'm hyper. I seriously apologize. I'd just re-write your response, but sadly enough I'm so hyper I can't think of a better way to say it. XD
Drake220: Thank ya! I could picture her doing that, too. It is a very Sango-ish thing to do... I'm not sure about this chapter being in-character all that much, but I was talking to the person I beta for and I got the impression that she would kill me if I didn't do 5 chapters... and since I'm trying to go a step up on fluffiness or romantic-ness or whatever you would call it, I had to postpone the inevitable kiss since I don't feel like writing a lime and changing the rating. So sorry. (gasps) But did I just say all that out loud?! Looks like you get a sneak peek, then. Again, please excuse my hyperness.
Aamalie: (pokes) You didn't review, but I'm just putting this here because I know you read it. I loved the ending to ST. Two down one to go... But this last fic will be the hardest... XD Welcome back and a happy belated birthday to you. (Though I already wished you a happy b-day) ((tosses pocky)) My present to you. You still don't have the men in white coats chasing after me, do you? XD