Note: I want to say a BIG thankyou to my reviewer Starflower-Gem, who successfully cured my writer's block! Thanks for your idea!
And thankyou to everyone else: ) of course.
Chapter 12: Wonderland
"Is she okay?" Shippo asked, tugging at Sango's sleeve. They were outside Kagome's hospital room, and it had been a long night. After staggering through the door, covered in demon blood, Kagome had been airlifted to hospital. She was now fast asleep, leaving Sango and Shippo waiting outside.
"Yes, Shippo...!" Sango said, exasperated.
"So she's not gonna die?"
Sango banged her head against the window.
"So what's wrong with her?" Shippo asked again.
"I told you! She had to escape from a lady called Kagura. So now, she's very tired and if we went home-"
"No! I want to stay with Kagome-chan!"
Sango smacked herself again.
"Sango-chan?" A voice said over Sango's shoulder. Sango's breath caught in her throat. She knew that voice well. Surely not...
"H-hi, Miroku!" Sango squeaked, mentally hitting herself. Stupid, stupid Sango!
Miroku frowned. "Why are you in hospital? Were you badly injured?"
"No! I'm just waiting someone! Actually...I'm waiting for Kagome. We're really good friends."
"Kagome's here? Is she okay?"
"Yeah, just exhausted. How's Inuyasha?" Sango asked.
"Ah. Well." Miroku sighed. "I'm trying to steal some medicine. He can't come to hospital. He'd get locked up, because he's half-demon-"
Sango's mouth felt open. Had Miroku just admitted Inuyasha's blood?
Miroku hit himself. "Shit-god-damn-fuck-"He hit himself again. "Sango-"
Sango continued, unaware of Miroku's cursing. "He's half-demon...his demon blood would show up on the blood tests."
"Sango!" Miroku seized Sango's hands. "Please-don't-report-Inuyasha-please-don't, he'll-get-locked-up-and-I-shouldn't-have-said-that-"
"Miroku!" Sango yelled. "I'm not gonna report him, I kinda suspected anyway."
Miroku leaned against the window. "Thank god. Why did you suspect?"
"Well, the ears..." Sango said. "And the silver hair." And, Kagome and Myoga telling me...
"I see." Miroku said. "Well, do you want to get a coffee? You look exhausted."
"Well, actually," Sango said, looking round for Shippo. "I'm with someone..."
She caught sight of Shippo hiding behind the door. The fox demon winked, then mouthed: "Go with Miroku!" Shippo grinned and winked again. Sango glared at him.
"Yes, coffee would be great." She said, sending a glare towards Shippo.
Sango sipped her coffee. "Thanks, Miroku." She said. "I'm feeling much better."
"You're welcome, Sango-chan. Have you been at the hospital all night?"
Sango nodded. "I had to stay with Kagome. She's just tired, though. She'll go home tomorrow."
"I'm glad they escaped." Miroku said. "Inuyasha hasn't told me much, but this Kagura seemed quite a powerful demon."
"Yeah. Apparently she was controlling the spider-demons with a fan, and that requires a lot of demonic energy. Unless she was being controlled by a stronger demon. In which case...what?" Sango said, noticing Miroku staring at her. "Miroku? What?"
Miroku smiled, but said nothing.
"What?" Sango said. Did I say too much?
Finally, Miroku shrugged. "Sango-chan, can I ask you a question?"
Sango nodded. "Okay..."
"You're a very intelligent girl. You're also young, and I assume you've just left school. So why, for someone of your age and intellect, are you working as a personal assistant in a sword-making company?"
Sango hesitated. "I..."
"I mean, before I promoted you, you were in the cleaning department...it's not a normal career choice."
Sango shrugged. "I'm not a normal girl?"
Miroku was about to press for an answer, when he was distracted by a pretty waitress brushing past with a tray of coffee. Fuming, Sango saw where his eyes were looking. 'Hentai.' And kicked him.
Miroku rubbed his leg. "That hurt, Sango-chan. Can I ask you one more question?"
"I suppose so..."
"Will you bear my child?"
SLAP.
"Sorry, Sango!"
"I thought you were serious!"
"I was!"
Sango glared. "I'm going back to the hospital!"
Miroku frowned. "I apologise, Sango! But why go back to the hospital? Kagome will still be sleeping."
Sango nodded. "She was really worn out." She paused. "To be honest, she's been working really hard lately." Trying to keep Myoga happy. Looking after that Shikon Jewel. "She needs a break..."
Miroku suddenly grinned widely. "Sango! Have you heard about that new amusement park, called Wonderland?"
Sango shrugged. "Oh yeah, that one..."
"They have the tallest rollercoaster in the world!" Miroku said. "And a free-fall ride, and loads of other rides..."
"Yeah...Wonderland..." Sango said distractedly. "It must be really expensive..."
"They have fireworks in the evening!"
Sango raised her eyebrows. "...And your point is...?"
"Going to Wonderland would be a great day out for Inuyasha and Kagome! I mean, they've just been kidnapped...they need a break from work! So why don't we go?"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, what do you think?"
Sango smiled slowly. "Well, okay! Yeah, I think we all need a break! Let's go!"
"Is tomorrow okay?" Miroku asked.
"Perfect!" Sango said.
Sango sighed. "Yes, Shippo."
"Will you take me to that new adventure park?"
"Yes, Shippo...""Actually," Sango said. "Can I invite someone else? A little boy."
Miroku practically jumped out his seat. "Sango, do you have a son?"
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO!" Sango said frantically. "He's an adopted son!"
"I see." Miroku said, looking slightly relieved. "I just hope Inuyasha doesn't decide the company is more important. He hasn't enjoyed himself for ages. In fact, ever since Kikyo died, he's buried himself in his work. He might refuse to come to Wonderland..."
"Then don't tell him!" Sango said. "We'll keep it a secret. Tomorrow, you drive Inuyasha to Wonderland. Tell him it's a business meeting. And I'll drive Kagome there! We'll meet outside!"
Miroku nodded. "Yeah, great idea! Well done, Sango!"
Sango beamed.
"So what's your little boy's name?"
"Shi-"Sango cut herself off. Shippo used to live with Miroku and Inuyasha. If Shippo came to Wonderland, he would have to disguise himself.
"Shippo brought me here? But how did he know I worked for FBI?"
"I transformed to a flea and saw your microphone and your FBI cell phone." Shippo answered sleepily from the corner.
"And what were you doing sneaking around as a flea?"
"Inuyasha and Miroku order me to check every new employee we get."
"So you reported us?"
"No, I thought it would be useful to keep it a secret. Ever since my Mom and Dad went away to stay in heaven, I've been living in the secret top floor. But now I want somewhere else to live, so I decided to wait for the opportunity to bribe you into letting me stay with you two. And now Kagome-chan has agreed."
"His name is Shika." Sango said.
"Wonderland?" Kagome said, as Sango drove through the enormous gates of the famous amusement park. "We're going to Wonderland? Wow! How exciting!"
"WONDERLAND!" Shippo squealed. "YAY!"
Sango parked the car and turned to Shippo and Kagome. "Okay, Shippo, quickly transform. Kagome, from now on, Shippo's name is Shika. You mustn't call him Shippo."
"Why?" Kagome said.
"We're meeting Miroku and Inuyasha." Sango said. "Now Shippo, come here."
Sango took a small bottle of perfume out her bag, and before Shippo could protest, she sprayed it all over him.
"Sango-chan! I don't wanna smell like a GIRL!" Shippo whined.
"It's to hide your scent." Sango said. "Okay, Kagome, Shika, let's go!"
Shippo's tail and ears were invisible. His hair was darkened slightly, and he was slightly shorter than normal. Sango nodded, satisfied.
"Hi, Miroku!" Sango called.
"Sango!" Miroku said. "Our plan succeeded! I've dragged Inuyasha here!"
"I'm too busy for this." Inuyasha said. "Fuck you, Miroku."
"Oh, come on, Inuyasha." Kagome said, smiling. "It will be fun! And since Miroku's paying..."
"I am?" Miroku said.
"Thanks, Miroku!" Sango said cheerfully.
"Let's go iiiiiiiiiin!" Shippo whined. He grabbed Kagome and Sango's hands. "Pay, Miroku! I want to go in!"
"Let's go on that fast rollercoaster!" Shippo said.
"Noooo way, I've only just had breakfast." Kagome said. "Let's go on that slow ride."
Inuyasha cracked a grin. "Surely, you're not scared of rollercoasters?"
Kagome blushed. "No! I just think...it would be too scary for Shika!"
"Sango and Miroku can look after Shika." Inuyasha said, still grinning. "Let's go on the fast ride!"
Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's arm. "The slow ride looks so much better..."
Shippo smiled evilly. "Go on, Kagome! If you get scared, you can hold Inuyasha's hand-"
"This is a really bad idea..." Kagome said weakly, as Inuyasha led her to the fast roller coaster.
Sango, Miroku and Shippo smirked.
"So much for Inuyasha saying 'I'm too busy for this'." Miroku said.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIII!!!!" Kagome screamed. She was sitting in one carriage next to Inuyasha. The roller coaster was going faster and faster. It plunged downwards, and spiralled in all different directions.
Kagome squeezed her eyes shut. She leaned sideways onto something solid and grabbed onto it. The automatic camera on the rollercoaster flashed once, and took a picture of each carriage. Finally the ride slowed to a stop, and Kagome was thrown back in her seat.
"That was great!" Inuyasha said. "Kagome, what's wrong with your seat? And you're cutting off my circulation."
"Huh?" Kagome said, realising she had slid along to carriage onto Inuyasha's seat – and was sitting right next to him, clutching his arm. She climbed off the ride shakily, and leaned against a fence.
"I knew that was a bad idea..." Kagome whispered. 'Was I holding his arm when the camera went off?'
"Kagome and Inuyasha just got off!" Shippo yelled.
"Really? Hey, Miroku, there's an automatic camera on that ride! Let's see Kagome and Inuyasha's picture!" Sango squealed, dragging Miroku towards the photo kiosk.
Sango searched the rows of pictures, eventually spotting Inuyasha and Kagome's carriage. "Hey, there it is!" Miroku and Shippo glanced over her shoulder. All three fell silent.
"Oh...my...god..." Sango, Miroku and Shippo said.
The picture was taken near the end of the ride. Kagome was clutching Inuyasha's hand, with his arm around her shoulder. She had her eyes shut and her head against Inuyasha's chest, and she looked terrified. Inuyasha looked unafraid.
"They look like a couple..." Miroku said. Sango whacked him.
"Buy it." Shippo ordered. "You have to buy it."
"Okay, Shika." Miroku said, still feeling shocked. "Are you sure that's Inuyasha?"
Miroku handed the photo to Sango. "Don't show it to them, yet." He whispered. "We'll keep it for now."
They walked back outside to meet Kagome and Inuyasha. Kagome was leaning against the fence, and her face was slowly returning to its normal colour.
"Where do you wanna go now?" Sango asked. "We could get something to eat."
"I'm not feeling like it..." Kagome moaned.
"The photo kiosk is just there." Inuyasha said. "Let's check our picture."
Sango and Miroku looked at each other frantically. "Um, the camera...ran out of battery!" Miroku said hurriedly. Sango sighed.
"It's not working. We just checked."
Kagome and Inuyasha nodded suspiciously. "Right..."
Kagome jumped off the ride. "I'm getting used to this! That was fun! Now where's Miroku and Sango?"
Inuyasha smirked over her shoulder. "They're still on the ride. And you screamed when it went through the tunnel."
"So? It shocked me!"
"Aww, Kagome's scared of the dark..."
"I said SHOCKED not SCARED, do you have a hearing problem? Ah..." Kagome tweaked one adorable doggy ear. "Don't answer that."
"Don't say that so loud! Those people are staring at us!"
"Uh...sorry Inuyasha!"
One of the staff walked up to Inuyasha, armed with a clipboard and a communicator. "Excuse me, sir," The man said to Inuyasha. "Are those ears real?"
Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other. "No, fake."
The man raised his eyebrows. "Really?" He raised his eyebrows, and poked one dog ear. "Holy shit, you're a demon! HELP! Someone call security!"
Inuyasha hesitated, and then gave the most intelligent answer: "Uh..."
The staff member pressed a button on his communicator, then turned to Inuyasha. "Stay there, demon!"
Inuyasha tugged Kagome's arm. "Run!"
"But Miroku and Sango are...oh, whatever." Kagome said. She pushed between the crowds, trying to follow Inuyasha's silver hair. The man was hot on her heels. Inuyasha grabbed her hand and swung her round, shoving her behind a burger stand.
Kagome crouched down beside Inuyasha, feeling her heart thump against her chest. She held her breath. The man ran past the burger bar, and stopped. He searched the crowd. After a while, he spoke into his communicator and gave up.
Kagome breathed out in relief. "He's gone."
"Yeah, he's probably gone and told FBI." Inuyasha said bitterly. He stood up and helped Kagome to her feet.
Kagome looked sympathetic. "Let's find the others."
As she walked back through the crowds with Inuyasha, she quickly took out her FBI phone. "Myoga – this is Agent Kagome. If anyone reports Inuyasha, ignore it."
"Wow, that ride was great!" Sango said.
"Let's go again!" Shippo said, tugging on Sango's hand. "You agree, don't you, Miroku?"
Miroku smiled at the kitsune. "We'll find Kagome and Inuyasha first...where did they go?"
Sango scanned the area. "There they are!"
"Hi, guys." Kagome said. She was still slightly out of breath. "We got side-tracked..."
"Side-tracked?" Miroku said, raising his eyebrows suggestively. "How did you get side-tracked?"
Sango smacked him. "I hope you aren't thinking hentai thoughts!"
Kagome went bright red. "No! Someone saw Inuyasha's ears and started chasing us!"
Sango nodded, and Miroku looked slightly disappointed.
"Oh yeah." Sango said. "You should wear a hat, Inuyasha. Your demon blood is kinda obvious."
Inuyasha fell silent. Miroku shifted his feet uncomfortably.
Sango shrugged. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Miroku and Kagome..." Inuyasha growled. "You told this wench about my demon-"
"I'm truly sorry!" Miroku looked apologetic. "It slipped out. Forgive me!"
Inuyasha glared fiercely.
"Oh, come on." Kagome said impatiently. "Sango is trustworthy."
Inuyasha shrugged. "Miroku...I'll forgive you on one condition." He said solemnly.
"What?"
"That we go on that free-falling ride!"
Kagome, Miroku and Sango fell over. "If you want..." Miroku said weakly.
Sango glanced round frantically. "Hey, guys...there's something wrong." She said urgently.
Kagome gasped. "Oh, crap crap crap! We're missing someone!"
Miroku nodded. "Where's Shika?"
Shippo was nowhere to be seen. Kagome tried to look through the crowds of children and adults, but there was no sign of the fox-demon. He had vanished.
"Damn, fuck, shit..." Miroku cursed. "Okay, keep calm. We'll split up into pairs. I'll search that way," He pointed in one direction. "And Kagome and Inuyasha, you search that way." He pointed in the other direction.
"What?" Sango said, as Miroku took her arm. "Can't I go with Kagome?"
Kagome watched, amused, as Miroku led Sango through the crowds.
From behind a burger stand, Shippo cackled to himself.
"Part one: Complete. Sango and Miroku are together, and alone."
The fox-demon laughed. "Sango-chan will be happy! She will thank me in the end!"
He never considered the other pair: Kagome and Inuyasha.
Okay, I was planning to put some fluff in this chapter...but it got too long. Next chapter, maybe.
Review, it won't hurt...tell me if it does! See you in the next chapter!
Ja ne! (I think this means 'goodbye' in Japanese...I think:S)
Mansee