A/N: I can't help myself but make another author's note (yes I am breaking the mood! Muahahah) Okay this is by far, the longest chapter hitting over 2000 words (which is quite a lot for my stories) and yes, it's sorta…drama-filled, soap-opera shit, but I think you guys will like, or hate, or whatever. Read away. And yeah, I updated twice today because I am so tired of trigonometry homework -.- Anyways I'm glad this story is such a success :) You guys brighten my day (and give me excuses to procrastinate lol)

Someone Out There
Chapter Twenty Three: Slowing Down

It was a sunny afternoon in April. Spring was in full bloom as it flourished it's beauty on the blossoms of many trees. There was no signs of rain today and the sky was bluer than blue. Miroku parked his car and walked into the elementary school building. He was dressed in a white polo-style t-shirt that was striped blue and white. He wore jeans that were loose but fitted his legs well. His brown shoes clicked as he walked through the hallway. Windows and doors were opened letting in sunshine and warm breezes. The school was peacefully quiet as the staff roamed around, setting up for the day.

Miroku dropped down the supplies he was going to use today and headed to the staff room for some coffee. The secretary he met the first day was also there. She was sitting down at a couch near the window reading the morning paper. "Good Morning," greeted Miroku. She looked up briefly, nodded and focused her attention back to her news.

Miroku carried the cup out into his classroom. He had to teach the kids "names of fruits" today. He was okay with teaching students about literary devices and how to write a strong, concise thesis statements…but teaching 5 year olds simple words such as fruits seem like a tremendous task. He set out posters he drew last night. There was a big of a banana, another round orange poster and a few other fruits he drew and colored with markers. His back was still a bit sore from sprawling over the floor, working on the posters.

He put on a little bit of music and bustled around the room. He got out mats for the kids to sit on, picked out a book to read and looked over some of the art work the kids did yesterday. There were pictures of families and their dogs, rainbows, and one picture of a kid holding hands with his mom. Miroku recognized that it was Tommy's picture.

Tommy was 5 years old, or close to it. Sango must've had him 5 years ago…the precise time that she left. Miroku sat down and started calculating. There could've been a chance that Sango had him right after she left. But it seemed more plausible to him that she must've been pregnant during the time she left. Could that be the reason why she left without saying anything?

Before he could further on work out the kinks, kids were bouncing in and picking up books to look at for their "silent reading" time. Miroku quickly stood up and greeted the parents warmly. He was getting use to interacting with kids and talking to the parents, letting them know their kids were in good hands. It was the teaching part that worried him a bit. The kids continued to call him Midori but he didn't mind. In a way he felt it was a cute affectionate nickname reserved only for the kindergartners. But to be honest, he wouldn't mind Sango calling him that either.

I wonder where she is, he thought glancing to the doorway. He climbed on a chair to a high cupboard near the door to get some crayons out for the kids. They were located on the highest shelf so he had to strain a bit to reach them. Sango entered the classroom at that exact time and involuntarily cast her eyes upon the bit of flesh and boxers peaking out from his reaching-position. She voluntarily continued looking. Miroku glanced down and see Sango, who instantly looked away hoping he didn't catch her looking.

"Sango!" he exclaimed. "I was waiting for you." Sango eyed at him, "Me?"

"Who else?" he asked as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"So why were you waiting?" Sango knew why but she wanted to make sure.

"To catch up and stuff," replied Miroku casually. He missed talking to her. Who wouldn't miss talking to a life long friend they haven't seen in years?

"Meet me at the park after school," said Miroku, "I'll be there at 3:10."

"Wait, what about Tommy?" protested Sango. It's not that she didn't want to go, but her son mattered a lot to her too.

"He can play in the park," said Miroku. He knew Sango would be coming up with all sorts of reason to squirm her way out of this. He had every knot tied, every loop-hole accounted for. He was meeting Sango and talking with her if it was the last thing he'll ever do!

"But he has homework," argued Sango. Miroku looked at her dumbly, "What homework? They're in kindergarten for goodness sake! And plus, I didn't assign any, and I'm the teacher." He grinned. "Alright then," she said, giving in. She fussed over Tommy's jacket, made sure he had his lunch and then waved good bye.

… … … … …

Miroku hummed as he drove to the park. In 5 minutes or less he'd be with Sango. She'll warm up to seeing him and they'll start talking like old friends again. He parked his car in an absolute blissful mood and jogged over to the bench where Sango was sitting. She was watching Tommy playing on the monkey bars. "Be careful, you'll get blisters on your hand!" she warned with a good-natured fuss.

"He's just a kid, let him live a little," he smiled as he sat down. Sango blew her bangs and leaned back on the bench. "Hey Miroku," she said quietly. He grinned but she didn't look at him. "Sango, why won't you look at me?" he asked frowning a little. She was acting so distant from him. "What are you talking about?" she asked denying.

"Why did you leave?" asked Miroku. He couldn't keep it in anymore. It's been bottled up for 5 years. Five! That's a long time to keep something inside, and once you have a chance to release it…well you go for it. Sango bit her lip and stood up and walked to the swings. She sat down pushing herself a little bit so she swayed. Her ponytail swished lightly and her brown hair looked golden in the late-afternoon sun.

Miroku walked to the swings, not taking his eyes off her the whole time. In his eyes, his best friend was beautiful. Not only outside, but moreover on the inside as well. She laughed through everything, even like an idiot some times. She wasn't patient but had enough for her friends anyways. She loved others even though others didn't love in return. She did random nice things, even though no one gave her recognition. Sango was a beautiful human being, a friend that he took for granted all these years.

Was she the same Sango he knew? thought Miroku. Times change and due to circumstances, people change. Change causes people to change. What about Sango?

Miroku pushed her so she swung higher. She moved her legs straight forward, then bend back so she can move in rhythm with the swing. She laughed, and for the first time in a long time, she felt childishly happy. She kicked her feet up as if she could almost touch the sky. Miroku got tired and stopped pushing her and sat in the little edge of the box in front of her.

Sango swung for few more minutes before coming slowly to a stop. She's radiant, thought Miroku as he looked at her. The sun was shining behind her, giving her this aura, or halo around her. Sango looked at Miroku and asked, "So how have you been since I left?" She was curious of what happened to her friend as well.

"Well I continued college, got a degree, came out job hunting, worked at McDonalds for a few week then got a job at a high school." said Miroku. He stood up and walked on the thin edge of the wooden box surrounding the swing set. He lift his hands to balance himself as he walked across like an acrobat on a high wire at the circus. "How's Kagome?" asked Sango politely.

Miroku stopped and turned to walk towards Sango, who was sitting idly on the swing. "We broke up about 2 weeks following your leave." Sango raised her eyebrows, a bit surprised. "But I thought…" He shook his head and smiled, "Nah, to be completely honest, it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would when she dumped me."

Sango dropped open her mouth. "Wait…SHE dumped YOU? Ha! That must be a first!" cried Sango with a smile in her voice. Miroku laughed along knowingly. "Guess she wasn't true love, huh?" he joked. Sango smiled friendly, "Hey Miroku, true love will wait for you if it is 'true.'" she said, using her fingers to quote 'true.' Miroku thought for a moment then came to a conclusion.

"Did you wait?"

Sango looked confused, "Me? Waiting? I'm not with anyone right now if that's what you're asking." she frowned.

"No, no, I meant…are you going to wait for me?" Miroku said, trying to clarify. He stood right in front of Sango and leaned slightly towards her to look her in the eye. His hands were holding the two side chains of the swing. Sango blushed and looked away. "Always had a way with words didn't ya?" she teased, trying to avoid the question.

Miroku tilted his head and smiled slightly, still waiting. Sango looked at him and looked away smiling. "Miroku, stop teasing."

Miroku stood and leaned on the pole, "Why did you leave Sango?" he asked sadly. "Do you have any idea how that made me feel?"

Sango fell silent. She looked around to see Tommy if he was okay alone. He was playing with some other boy on the slides. Miroku started again, "I'm not completely clueless you know." Sango quickly looked up, "Sandy told you?" she gasped sharply. He drew his eyebrows together, "No, he said if I wanted to know I should get it from you."

Sango leaned back slightly relieved. "However," he said again, pausing slightly, "He did tell me you loved me the day I found out you left." Sango's eyes widened a bit, loss for words to say. Well, now it was out in the open. The truth she tried so hard to hide yet was so boldly written in her heart and on her forehead. "Sango…" he murmured, grabbing her hands. Sango froze.

"What?" she croaked. She didn't know what to say. This was the very few times she was lost for words and her min wrapped into another dimension. This was what she's been dreaming about every day since she had a crush on him. This was also the dream she'd been running away from, pushing, hiding every day since she left him.

"I have not stopped thinking about you since the day you left," he said firmly looking at her square in the eye. "It's normal to miss a friend," she said weakly. "No, not just a friend," he chided gently. Sango smiled, "I know, I know, 'frister'-" Miroku shook his head and tightened his hold on her hand. "I don't want to be fristers anymore."

Sango's heart pounded as she looked at his certain eyes. She frowned, pretending to misinterpret his words. "So you don't even want to be friends?" she said slowly. Miroku laughed gently, "You're not going to make this easy are you?"

Sango called out, "Tommy! C'mon, it's time to go home." Ignoring her son's whines, she turned her focus back to Miroku with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, it's getting late." Miroku nodded knowingly but still held onto her hands. The sun was starting to set as it was still early spring. Everywhere was golden-orange. Sango's brown hair fluttered slightly in the wind. Both their profiles softened at the glow, making them look a few years younger. He leaned in, in hopes of capturing her in a kiss. Sango stopped moving as his lips were at a breath's away distance.

She instinctively moved away. Miroku backed off, grinning apologetically. "Miroku …" said Sango. "Yes?" he looked willingly. "You're moving too fast." she said. Miroku shoved his hands in his pocket and replied in a unwavering tone, "I'll slow down for you."

Sango bit her lip. "That's not a good idea Miroku," she said softly. "Why?" he asked, confused.

She paused for what seem like an hour before answering. "Because I'm married."