Save the few paragraphs I scribbled down last week while working on Day Six, this entire was conceived in a hotel in Boston Friday night. Before I started writing, I'd gone to an Alanis Morissette concert, and, wow, was it amazing! I absolutely love her lyrics; they really get me inspired to write. ((smiles)) Of course, there are quite a few out there that do so, too, so, with that…
…thanks to SanMirLover, Veglma, medlii, moonyme, HotPink89, Lily the Frog Princess, Brickwall847, Gimp, psquare, Aria-wolfstar, and YamiTai for reviewing and reading, as well as those who haven't reviewed. Honestly, you guys get me pumped. I love you all! ((huggles)) I also enjoyed reading your opinions on the ending of S+T; a lot of you have some great ideas… I don't want to name names, but I'm sure you'll know who you are. I still have a few curve balls left to throw, though, so keep an eye out. Alright, with that said, let me shut up and let you read.
Day Seven
There's something about Inu-Yasha.
I really can't put my finger on what… Sango mused as the guard that preoccupied her thoughts led her to secret room in the arena. Sure, Inu-Yasha was strong and reliable, as well as one of the few men on the guard that actually took his job seriously. However, there was still that something, that strange air that hung about him, that somehow intimidated the princess, made her feel less secure than she would have otherwise.
…but it's there.
Of course, that wasn't to say that she didn't trust him. He'd been on the force for a little less than two years, and, ever since she'd been formally introduced to him by Kagome, Inu-Yasha had been a close friend of Sango's. Despite his aggressive and tetchy nature, he was kind and always willing to help. Just as he was helping her now.
"Inu-Yasha…" Sango whispered. She couldn't speak loudly now; if one of the many knights that lined the narrow passageway recognized her voice, she would be whisked back to the castle and be unable to help Miroku. That was also the reason why she wore a hooded cloak over her dress—after all, she only had one chance to help her lover, and she knew that she couldn't lose it because she'd made as small a slip-up as that.
"Hn?" Inu-Yasha grunted in response to his name.
"I… I can't thank you enough for taking me here," Sango said, trying to twist her mouth into a grateful smile. "You don't know how much this means to me."
Inu-Yasha crossed his arms and grunted. "Yeah, yeah, I know, you've told me enough times already. Besides…" He trailed off, a short pause ensuing, before he said, "It's the least I could do."
"Pardon?"
Another silence grew between them, though this one was briefer than the first. "You were the one who brought me and Kagome together," Inu-Yasha said quietly, his face deadly serious. "I can't forget that. So now, helping to bring you and Miroku back together… it's the least I can do… you know, to pay you back…"
Sango smiled, nodding. What he'd said made sense, after all; it was true that Sango had persuaded her father to tolerate the marriage of Inu-Yasha and Kagome, just as true as it was that, had she not stood up for their love, the two wouldn't have tied the knot at all. However, there was something that didn't seem right about his words, something… strange. "Inu-Yasha," Sango said once she had figured out what was bothering her, "You do know that, no matter what door Miroku picks tonight, there's no way that we'll end up together like you said… right?"
The guard stood still for a moment, his strangely-colored white hair prickling, before he continued to walk down the passageway at a much faster rate. "Of course I knew that Sango," he said almost mockingly as he crossed his arms. "You think I'm stupid?"
The princess looked down, mumbling, "N… no…" That intimidating presence she'd deliberated about before was showing itself again. It vanished soon enough, however, for Inu-Yasha turned away and said, "Whatever. Just… just forget I said anything, okay?" The guard glanced back in time to see Sango eye him suspiciously. Trying to evade her dubious gaze, Inu-Yasha said, "So, you're that desperate to save him, huh?" When Sango didn't respond, he added, "Miroku, I mean."
Sango shook her head. "No, I knew who you were referring to. It's just that…" She said nothing, even though, this time, she knew what was troubling her. Inu-Yasha had confused "helping" Miroku with "saving" him. Sango only intended to do the former. After all, wasn't it true that, if Miroku chose the door concealing the tiger, he'd be ripped limb for limb, thus defeating the whole purpose of trying to help him in the first place? Last Sango had looked, dying at the paws of a bloodthirsty animal didn't quite qualify as being "saved".
However, couldn't one also say that, if he opened the other door, he technically wouldn't be saved either? His life would have been spared, sure, but his relationship with Sango… it would suffer. Tomorrow, Sango would be wed, wed to a man that threatened a fate worse than death should she even look at any other member of the male gender again. And, if Miroku was bound to another woman, attempting to pursue a romantic relationship with Sango would only serve to get him into deeper trouble. Perhaps, if that was the case, King Ouji wouldn't even let him have a "system" that could very well save his life and, instead, kill him on the spot. Sango didn't want that.
But, at the same time, she couldn't bear the thought of directing him to the door that hid the tiger. She could only imagine the carnage that would unfold; all of the blood that would spring from his wounds as the on-lookers in the stands screamed at the sight, the bloodied carcass of her lover lying on the floor of the arena, smeared with gore and the saliva from the hungry beast pawing at it, making his death all the more painful… Sango felt her hands move to her eyes, trying to cover them and to stop herself from seeing the terrible mental image she had created. If I let him pick that door, he'll die… and it will be all my fault…
But the other door. The one that concealed the lady… she could picture that scenario clearly, too; a beautiful woman dashing toward Miroku with a big smile on her face and the guard, being the womanizer that he was, running toward her at an even quicker pace. How they would embrace and be bound forever by a priest's blessings and a kiss from him to her of love and recovered life. How they would walk up the stands, her in his arms, him temporarily forgetting the fact that his bride was not Sango, not the woman he truly wanted to be with… and how Sango would look at them! How the crowd would cheer, and how she would scream and clench her fists. How the audience would reach out to the new couple with groping hands, wanting to grab their attention and wish them well face to face, and how Sango, the raving, hysterical princess, would tear her hair out in both woe and jealousy that the woman cradled in Miroku's arms would never be her!
There was no way Sango could lead him to that door.
But the tiger! The corpse! The screaming! The crying!
She couldn't let him die.
But she couldn't let him live, either.
Not with her being happy.
No. Either way "the system" went, Sango would wind up upset and Miroku-less in the end. And that, Sango realized, was just what her father had intended. That was why he had made the guard go through this whole process in the first place. No matter what happened, he would be disposed of, and his daughter would end up married to Naraku. And with this revelation, Sango gnashed her teeth, fingernails digging into her palms, and cursed her father. Damn him… damn him to hell!
"Yo, Sango! We're here!"
Inu-Yasha's voice shook Sango from her mental condemnation of her father, and the princess looked up, brown eyes winking open and shut. In front of her were two burly guards covered in heavy armor and excessive body hair, whom looked down at Inu-Yasha and Sango like two birds might a hamlet in a valley. "What's your business?" grunted the slightly taller one.
"Yeah," said the other in a voice distinctly similar to the first's. "No one's allowed in here without a good reason."
Inu-Yasha jerked his thumb in Sango's direction. "She's a family friend of the lady in 'the system'," he lied. "Wants to wish her well." The royal female nodded, playing along, and drew the hood of her cloak more tightly around her head just in case.
Both of the beefy guards turned toward one another, nodded, and stepped to the side, allowing Inu-Yasha and Sango to pass. Keeping her head low, Sango walked by them, and, once she was certain that the two men had looked away, removed her hood and got her bearings. She was standing in the middle of a dark cavern that extended quite a ways ahead until it reached a door that led outside. To one side of her were two square openings, obviously the rooms the lady and the tiger were held in. This is it, Sango thought, breathing heavily in anticipation, I'm here. All I have to do is find out which door holds which thing and get out of here. Then, I just have to decide…
"You gonna stand there all day?" Inu-Yasha asked irritably. "Just look inside the rooms and let's high-tail it out of here!"
Sango winced at his words—there was that dour something again—and, not wishing to anger him more, peeked inside the room closest to her. Inside was a cage that filled nearly the entire space, its front pressed against the door before it. In it, a huge orange shadow stalked back and forth, growling slightly as it went. Sango just had to gasp. Kami-sama! That… thing is enormous! It would, without a doubt, be able to easily overtake Miroku should he pick its door; one swipe of its massive paws should be enough to subdue him, and another would completely mangle the poor man's body… the girl turned away from the beast; she didn't even want to think about that. The important thing, though, is that I now know that this room holds the tiger, which means that the other must house the lady. I just need to make my decision and relay what I know to Miroku, and this whole ordeal will be over. With this thought, the princess began to walk toward the exit she had seen earlier, but no sooner had she started moving was she was stopped by a voice that made her blood run cold.
"SANGO-SAMAAAAAA!"
Sango's eyes widened as the high-pitched cry entered her ears. She bristled, knowing immediately who it belonged to. But the identity of its owner wasn't what had surprised her; it was what that person was doing in the secret room in the stone arena. It can't be her… it just can't be…
"Koharu-chan." Sango stated the girl's name impassively, barely able for force those four, horrible syllables out of her throat. She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see her lady-in-waiting charge toward her, the snow white dress she wore brushing the ground with every step she took. Perched on Koharu's head was a lacy veil sprinkled with diamonds and pearls, and her gloved hands clutched a bouquet of white flowers… flowers that only brides were allowed to hold…
The waiting maid's clothing was enough to confirm Sango's greatest fear, though Koharu's joy-ridden voice solidified it even more. "Hey, Sango-sama, guess what? I was chosen as the lady in Miroku's 'system'! Can you believe it? We're going to be married and live happily ever after! Isn't that great!"
Sango didn't even bother to correct her servant by saying that she wouldn't necessarily wed Miroku, as the guard could select the tiger's door and be mauled to death instead. She just stood there, mouth agape, staring at the younger woman, who trembled excitedly. "Well?" Koharu asked, expectant. "Isn't that wonderful?"
No… Sango thought, even more distraught now. No it isn't! If he picks your door, you'll be wed to Miroku; MY Miroku! You can't! You just… can't! Despite her distressed thoughts, Sango managed to smile amiably and say, "I… I… yes… I… am happy for you… Koharu-chan…"
Koharu positively beamed. "I knew you would be!" After a second, the younger woman's face grew softer, and she said, "Hey, Sango-sama?"
"Yes?"
The lady-in-waiting smiled serenely, like a mother would to a child, or a nurse would to a patient… or a handsome knight would to a princess. "Remember what I said a few days ago? That I wanted to find my special someone?"
Though it took a moment's reminiscence, Sango did recall what the servant girl had said to Miroku the day she had met the guard; "I know I might be young, but, nonetheless, I can't wait to get married and spend my life with my special someone!" "Y… yeah…" said the princess, uncertain where Koharu was going with this.
Koharu wrapped her arms around herself, smiling subtly as she stroked her bare shoulders. "I… I really do think that Miroku is my special someone. He's just been so nice to me, so gentle… no man has ever treated me that kindly before and… and it makes me feel warm inside."
Sango felt as though an invisible person had crept up behind her and tightened her corset, forcing the air in her lungs to come out sharply. At this moment, Koharu, her immature, annoying attendant, looked… beautiful. As she finished her speech, still caressing her skin, the girl looked lovelier than Sango herself did at her best. It's all clear to me now, the princess thought, feeling herself get uglier and uglier with each passing second. She loves him. And she's so open about it, too. I… I could never be that way. I could never admit anything like that to myself or anyone else. That's what makes her so lovely. That's why…
… she deserves Miroku more than I do.
Sango hastily brushed a newly-formed tear from her eye and said, "I… I know what you mean, Koharu. Thank you for telling me that."
Koharu smiled once more, this time stupidly, and she immediately lost any beauty she had acquired in the past minute. "You're welcome, Sango-sama!" Blinking, she added, "Oh, and, by the way, what are you doing here to begin with?"
It took a lot of effort on Sango's part to keep herself from groaning. That voice… She knew that Koharu had spoken loudly enough to catch the two burly guards' attention, and that, if she didn't make her escape quick, they'd go after her. "I… I need to go now, Koharu-chan!" Sango said as she made a break for the doorway at the end of the hall. Once she was on its other side, the princess stood pressed silently against an adjacent wall in thought, considering the new piece of information she'd acquired upon seeing her servant in the wedding gown. If I send Miroku to her door, he'll be married to Koharu. But, despite the fact that she loves him, it's obvious that he finds her annoying. That means that no joy can come out of their marriage, so I guess I can be somewhat happy about that…
Think again! A second voice—Kami-sama's, perhaps?—piped up. Remember what Miroku said about the girl a few days ago?
Sango flashed back to that time, remembering that he had pointedly stated Koharu's more irritating qualities before walking the princess back to the throne room… yes, she did remember his words; "…she means well… It's apparent that she tries her hardest to please everyone around her, and that she views you as a role model… she's a cute girl, Koharu. As strange as she may be, she'll make someone very happy someday."
Sango's eyes widened.
"…she'll make someone very happy someday."
You've got to be kidding me. He might actually be happy wed to that woman?
Images similar to the ones that had played inside her head before showed themselves again. Images of Miroku pulling open a door and revealing Koharu, smiling goofily yet prettily at the object of her affection. Images of Miroku holding the servant's hand as they made their way toward the priest called down to the arena from the stands. Images of Miroku kissing her in a lip-lock that would bind them together as man and wife for all eternity. Images of the guard hoisting Koharu up and carrying her out of the arena. Images of Miroku—her sweet, considerate, beloved Miroku—glancing over his shoulder once before leaving the stadium in Sango's direction, his always-honest eyes meeting her horrified ones. Images of him shrugging his shoulders as he broke his gaze from hers in a movement that clearly stated that he'd found a more suitable woman to bear his children as he strode out of the arena—and out of her life—forever.
There is no way in hell I'm letting that happen, Sango thought, her blood boiling. I won't let her have him. Even if she does deserve him more than I do. I don't care anymore. I stopped caring once he was taken away from me. I just don't care… The princess fumed silently, and her face took on a look characteristic to her father when he was enraged. Despite the fact that barely five minutes before she'd loathed the man, there was no denying the fact that she was his daughter. He had raised her, passed on some of his habits and quirks to her. One of these so-called quirks was a white-hot temper that, while normally hidden under a kind, sugar-sweet mask, could appear at anytime.
It had appeared just now.
And, suddenly, Sango found herself caring, despite her better judgment, more about the decision she was forcing herself to make more than anything now.
And with this came one thought;
I hate Koharu.
I hate her because she's annoying.
I hate her because she's about to take Miroku away from me.
And I hate her… because she loves him.
I can't let him pick her door.
I can't give her the satisfaction of snatching him away from my grasp.
But, at the same time…
I can't kill him, just like that.
It's unthinkable.
But isn't it also unthinkable to give him to her?
Sango couldn't think of a good answer to that.
Well, ISN'T IT?
"Keh. It took you long enough to get out of that room, Sango."
The princess turned at the voice and, in doing so, met with a pair of sharp amber eyes. "Inu-Yasha?" Sango asked confusedly, taking a step back so that she could see the guard more clearly. "You waited out here for me?"
"No shit I did," he said, crossing his arms for the umpteenth time that day. "I'm here to escort you to your stand in the arena."
"Oh," the girl said, nodding, "Okay, then. Um… shall we go?"
Inu-Yasha snorted, said "Whatever," and stalked down the hallway, his white hair hovering behind his head like a fluffy yet menacing cloud. Sango went after him immediately like a dog in hot pursuit of its owner, attempting to ignore his previous harshness and to instead be grateful that she had as good a friend as him.
"Oi, Sango?"
Sango looked up and saw that the snowy-haired guard was standing near a doorway, obviously one that opened out to the grounds surrounding the arena. Though he leaned against a nearby wall with a bored look on his face, his ocher eyes blinked expectantly at her, waiting for her to acknowledge his being there. "Um… yes?"
"Just…" The man growled slightly and took a deep breath. "Before you get out there and make your decision… I just want you to know… Miroku's always been a really good friend of mine." Once these words had been spoken, the rest came surprisingly easily, and he said them almost as though they'd been rehearsed. "Ever since I met him at the military academy four years ago, we've been together a lot. He's helped me through more tight spots than I can count. I owe a whole lot to him. But now, to see him in this situation, where he could wind up dead…" The guard trailed off and placed his hand on his forehead, ruffling his already-askew bangs. "Look, I just want what's best for him, okay? I… I don't want as close a friend as him to die."
Inu-Yasha slumped suddenly, as though a huge weight had just been lifted from his shoulders, and his outstretched arm dropped back to his side. His face took on a serene, sincere look, extremely similar to the one Miroku always wore when he was talking about something he felt strongly about. And, in that moment, any negative thoughts of him—of his intimidating presence, or his high-and-mightiness, or even that strange something that had worried her so much—left Sango's mind, only to be replaced by a sudden respect for him. I never knew Inu-Yasha cared so much for Miroku, Sango mused, looking at the white-haired man in a new light. It's…it's…
…now I feel horrible! What am I supposed to do now?
After another moment's silence, Inu-Yasha ushered the girl outside, murmuring something about how Miroku's "system" was in a half an hour. However, Sango heard none of it, what with this new factoid she'd just obtained. If I don't send Miroku to the tiger and make Inu-Yasha happy, then Miroku's going to end up marrying Koharu, and that would make me unhappy. And directing him to the tiger would make Inu-Yasha and Koharu and everyone else close to him sad, but… but at least he wouldn't belong to any other woman! Oh, what am I to do?
"Hey, Sango, you alive?" For the second time that day, Inu-Yasha's voice brought the princess back down to earth. Shaking her head, she said, "Uh… yeah. Why?"
Jerking his thumb over his shoulder, Inu-Yasha pointed to a door behind him, one that Sango identified as the entrance to the royal family's booth in the arena. "We're here."
Sango nodded, and she murmured a thank you, even though she wasn't really concentrating on anything at the moment except the decision she needed to make, the decision that would determine Miroku's future. She started to make her way toward the door, but was stopped by Inu-Yasha's voice yet again. "Oh, and Sango?"
The princess managed to stop her thought process long enough to hear what he had to say. "Yes?"
Locking tawny eyes with brown, the guard said, "You have thirty minutes. Make the right choice." And, in a flurry of white hair, Inu-Yasha left the girl's side, his daunting presence surrounding him once more.
The only thing that stopped Sango from continuing to mull over her predicament was the trumpet that sounded a half an hour later, signaling the start of Miroku's "system". Looking around, Sango saw that the arena's stands were overflowing with spectators, squashed together in the stone seats as close as they could be, a few of the more overcrowded rows spilling out into the many walkways running down the structure. Some people were even seated on the arena's outer wall, peering into the building from overhead. No matter where anyone sat, however, all had come to the amphitheater for one reason; to see the fate that would befall the man that had loved the princess.
The double doors on one side of the circular "stage" swung open, and staggering out from its dark depths came the purple-eyed guard. Upon seeing him, the entire crowd gasped, the movement making a ripple in the rows of people. Despite the dirt and grime that covered him, he was easily one of the most attractive young men in the kingdom. Girls in the stands swooned at his looks and then gasped yet again, realizing that, by the end of the night, he could be dead. A few people sitting close to Sango's booth turned around to look at her, eyes scanning her fair face and determining whether or not the princess really was worthy of a youth as handsome as the one in the arena. Sango took all of the looks and the sudden commotion in silently, for she, after thirty minutes of careful deliberation, had made her decision concerning her lover's fate and wanted to hold on to it so she wouldn't have the opportunity to change her mind.
The doors Miroku had come out of slammed shut, leaving two more in front of him, shut tightly, and similar in appearance in every way. Behind one, a tiger crouched in its cage, anticipating a potential meal just beyond the door. Behind the other stood Koharu, arranging the folds of her gown nervously, trying to look her best should Miroku pick her door. The trumpet blew again, telling Miroku to make his decision now. However, he didn't just yet.
With a clink of the shackles that clamped down on his arms and legs, Miroku turned around and, making eye contact with the king, bowed in his direction. King Ouji, who, as far as Sango could tell, was not affected by the sudden action, remained still, his face stony. Though he was looking down at his daughter's lover, watching his every move, he did not see him turn to Sango.
He did not see Sango look straight into his violet orbs.
And he, nor anyone else in the arena save a single woman, did not see Miroku raise an eyebrow posing a silent question that Sango knew he would ask; Do you know which door holds the lady and which the tiger?
The princess removed her gaze from his for just a moment to nod. Her head declined only a very small amount, a movement that could barely be considered a nod by most. However, Miroku had understood her motion. And, now, he had another question, asked through another quirk of his brow; which door should I pick?
Inside, Sango trembled. She knew from the start that he would ask her this. And she was able to interpret his vague inquiry with a sweep of her intelligent brown eyes over his dirt-encrusted visage just as easily as he was able to read her next movement.
Once more, Sango looked away from Miroku, and, barely managing to keep herself from shaking, turned her head to the right, looking down at the floor beneath her.
And, again, Miroku knew what she was trying to say.
She wanted him to pick the door on the right.
Satisfied with her response, the guard turned and made his way to the doors. Sango followed him with her eyes, a small tear trickling out of the corner of one. She immediately wiped it away. I've made my decision; there's no more feeling sad about it anymore.
She watched as her lover reached the two doors, and, without a moment's hesitation, swung the one on the right open in one clean motion…
…just as a clock in a nearby village struck twelve o'clock midnight, the noise drowning out the cries of the crowd as they watched a figure come out of the door…
END CHAPTER! Hah! The cliffie! Honestly, some of you MUST have seen this coming—THE CLIFFHANGER OF DOOOOOOOOM! ((laughs evilly))
Twenty minutes later…
So, ya think you know which door Sango led Miroku to? Think you have an idea of whether King Ouji's going to have to hire a janitor or a priest for the events following Miroku's selection? I'd love to know! But the answer will remain a mystery for a few days… find it out in the exciting (I hope) conclusion of Sango and the Tiger! (Wow, conclusion… only one chapter to go… ((stares into distance)) ) And, as always, please review! See ya! ((waves))