A/N: How's it goin minna?? Good I hope! Well…if any of you cared, I'm going to the mall tomorrow to reserve my VERY own DVD copy of The Lord of the Rings! I'm really excited cus when it comes out I'll be all, "I have one reserved!" yay! Anyway, while my computer was regaining its composure (getting fixed up) I was thinking about my fic and all that I've done with it so far when it hit me. I didn't have very much on Sango and Miroku! Gah!! That could be a problem, so this will be a Miroku/Sango chapter!
Disclaimer: Don't own it…I could work on that tho…hm…::smiles evily::
Chapter 5: A work of art
Sango stepped from the carriage and put a closed hand to her chest and tilted her head to the sky. Such a hot day.. She thought, turning around. She walked up the stairs to the front door and knocked softly.
"Ah, Miss Takashi, you've arrived." Said an all too familiar butler who answered the door. He moved to the side as Sango walked inside.
"Hello Jin." Sango said as he closed the door. "Am I late?"
"No, Miss Higurashi has only just sat down, I will lead you to her." Jin said as he turned to his right and walked to a pair of doors. Grabbing the handles and turning them, the great doors swung open slowly and revealed the Higurashi living room.
Sango had been there so many times before, but it seemed to her that every time she came over that they had changed the furniture arrangement or the furniture itself. Only the paintings on the wall never changed, a portrait of Kagome in her finest dress, a portrait of Souta in his best suit, a portrait only of Mrs. Higurashi's head and shoulders, and a picture of all three of them, Mrs. Higurashi in the middle and sitting in a chair, hands upon her lap with Souta on her left and Kagome on her right. Each of them had a hand placed on her shoulder. None of them were smiling.
Walking inside she saw Mrs. Higurashi sitting at a small, round table with two furnished chairs placed on either side. Two beautiful cups of tea set on saucers and a rather large teapot sat in the middle of it all.
"Miss Higurashi, Miss Takashi has arrived." Jin said, bowing with one gloved hand placed on his stomach and the other at his side.
Miss Higurashi? Sango thought, blinking. She's just widowed! That doesn't mean she loses her title…does it?
"Oh, hello Sango." Mrs. Higurashi said, setting her teacup down on the saucer. "Please sit down."
"Thank you." Sango said as she walked over to the empty furnished chair. It was white with a sky blue pattern sewn into it. They looked like cherry blossoms. Sitting down, she found that the chair wasn't stiff and uncomfortable as she thought it would be, but it was very soft and nice. She sat up straight and placed her hands in her lap looking attentively at Mrs. Higurashi.
"Now, do you know the reason I called you here?" Mrs. Higurashi said, turning in her seat and facing Sango.
She always was one to get straight to business… "No I do not Miss Higurashi," Sango said. "May I ask why?"
"I was wondering if you would watch Souta for me today while I go and run some errands." Mrs. Higurashi said, sitting a little closer to the edge of her seat. "I know how well Souta gets along with little Kohaku…and Kagome is away..so..can you do it?"
"Yes, I am free today." Sango said smiling. Her little brother Kohaku was crazy about Souta. They were a year apart but they got along like old chums.
"Oh dear!" Mrs. Higurashi cried, looking down at Sango's empty teacup.
Sango blinked, a little confused. "Are you late for something Miss Higurashi?"
"Where are my manners." She scolded, picking up the teapot and pouring Sango a cup of lemon tea. "Would you like some honey dear?"
"Oh yes please." Sango said smiling brightly. Her smile faltered as Mrs. Higurashi picked up a very small pouring cup and tilted it ever so slowly over her cup of tea. As soon as one drop of honey spilled itself into the light tea, the pouring cup was set straight and placed down on the table as if it were never moved.
Sango cleared her throat quietly and picked up the cup. As she sipped her tea gingerly, the living room doors opened once again and Mrs. Higurashi and Sango looked toward the door.
"Mr. Takashi is also here Miss Higurashi." Jin said as he stepped out of the way.
Sango blinked in confusion. Why would Father be here? She thought.
"I thought you said you would return to me in five minutes."
Sango started. Kohaku! "Oh Kohaku! I'm so sorry! I completely forgot about you! Miss Higurashi and I were having tea and I just lost track of time."
Kohaku stood in the doorway, his hands in the pockets of his dark brown pants, the matching jacket setting softly on his shoulders. A sly smirk was set on his face and the light freckles on his nose made the girls his age whisper and giggle behind their fans in adoration. A high ponytail sat at the back of his head, his shoulder length hair restrained by a strip of leather tied into a bow.
I must remind Father to get Kohaku a haircut. Sango thought as she remembered how the younger girls would secretly follow her little brother around like a pack of hungry wolves stalking a lone rabbit.
Kohaku was unbelievably popular with women of all ages. He used his charm and good looks to get what he wanted. That made him extremely dangerous when it came to getting revenge on Sango.
"Why, hello Kohaku!" Mrs. Higurashi exclaimed and beckoned for him to enter.
He walked nimbly down the small steps and to Mrs. Higurashi's side where he bowed slowly, for effect. Sango narrowed her eyes as Mrs. Higurashi gushed over how well taught Kohaku was.
"Oh and look at your hair!" Mrs. Higurashi gushed as Kohaku straightened. As if he was asked to do so,(which he wasn't but Kohaku just knows) Kohaku raised a hand and undid the leather band. Mrs. Higurashi's eyes shone with astonishment as his raven locks softly billowed from atop his head to sit softly upon his shoulders and back. To add to the effect, he tossed his head a little as his hair fell, and spread his lips in the cutest grin he could muster.
"Showoff…" Sango muttered, shaking her head.
Mrs. Higurashi exploded into conversation at once. "Oh my gosh! Oh dear! How on Earth did you…but it must have taken you…it's so cute! I could never get Souta to…but maybe I could make him…you must take good care of your hair Kohaku! Just look at how long and soft it is!" She cried as she yanked Kohaku closer and began fingering his hair like it was a new fur coat at a store.
Kohaku smiled sweetly. "Sango helps me take care of it." He said as he saw Sango give him one of her many death glares.
Mrs. Higurashi turned and blinked at Sango with wide eyes, causing her to change her venomous look to the one of complete confusion.
"Oh dear!" Mrs. Higurashi cried. "You must tell me how you help your brother with his hair! I'm going to have Souta grow his out just like little Kohaku here!"
Sango cringed a little. "Well I-
"Mama!" Souta cried, bursting into the living room. He was about to whine about something when he saw Kohaku spin around at the sound of his voice. Souta's eyes widened as Kohaku's hair spun slowly after him, and he fell silent.
"Souta! You know better than to do that!" Mrs. Higurashi scolded. "Where is Jin, why didn't he let you in, and why didn't you come in quietly?!"
Souta continued to be silent. It wasn't like he had never seen Kohaku's hair down, heck; he took it down all the time, but he had seen the look on his mother's face. He had seen that look before. It had been Kagome that had to pay the price the last time their mother had that look. That look never meant anything good.
"Why are you looking at Kohaku like that Mother?" Souta said quietly. If she wouldn't tell him, he could figure it out.
Mrs. Higurashi looked as though she was going to correct him for speaking out of turn, but she felt that he should know, and that it would begin right then and there.
"You don't have any say in the matter Souta," Mrs. Higurashi said as she lifted her head up high and straightened her shoulders. She carefully placed her hands in her lap. "I have decided that you will grow your hair out like Kohaku."
Souta's heart skipped a beat. You have got to be kidding!! "But Mama! I like my hair the way it is!" He cried.
"Must I repeat myself?" Mrs. Higurashi said, sniffing daintily and frowning. "You have no say in this."
Souta looked down at the ground angrily and bawled his hands into fists at his sides. Sango felt sorry for poor Souta. She was really going to feel bad if Kohaku were to get his hair cut and Mrs. Higurashi wouldn't really have a reason for Souta to grow his out anymore. She knew she would continue to have Souta grow his out anyway, and probably pressure her to have Kohaku grow his out too, so that Souta wouldn't have to go through it alone.
Mrs. Higurashi lifted some of Kohaku's silken hair and ran her fingers through it. "Why wouldn't you want hair like Kohaku's Souta?"
"Because!" The little boy cried, a hint of tears stinging his eyes. "I don't want to have long hair like Kohaku's! The girls chase him around all the time because they like his hair! I don't want girls to chase me around! I like my hair like it is!"
"Do not raise your voice at me young man! There is nothing wrong with having long hair like your best friend's! Why, look at Mr. Sesshoumaru! He is a very successful man and his hair reaches to…to…well it is very long!" Mrs. Higurashi said, and looked at Sango for help.
Sango gulped. She didn't want to add to poor Souta's distress, but Mrs. Higurashi was more dangerous. "You know Souta," She said, lifting a finger and tilting her head to the side slightly. "Miroku-sama's hair isn't quite as long as Kohaku's, but his is long also! He keeps his pulled back in a small ponytail! It is very stylish, and the girls do not chase him!" They run away as soon as they catch his scent in the wind. She thought ruefully.
"I don't care!" Souta cried, indignant. "They're both freaks! Boys should not have long hair like girls do! Kohaku can have his hair long because he uses it for a good reason!" Both Souta and Kohaku sweatdropped at this, Kohaku used his hair mostly to woo the young women in the candy shops who would give him handfuls because of how he looked and acted. Kohaku would always share with Souta, which was nice, but Souta never thought of having his own hair to manipulate women with. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But it was too late now to back out of his tantrum; it would give his mother too much satisfaction to see him give in.
Kohaku felt sorry for Souta. If it hadn't been for him trying to get Miss Higurashi to gush over him, Souta wouldn't be in this mess right now.
"It's ok Souta," Kohaku said, stepping forward and placing a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "I'll help you grow your hair out. It's not so bad; I'll even keep the girls off of you. I'll make them chase me instead."
Souta brightened up a little at this. If Kohaku was helping him out, his mother wouldn't feel like she won anything! He nodded. "Alright."
Mrs. Higurashi smiled to herself. Suddenly she turned to Sango, as the girl let out a silent sigh of relief. "You were saying?"
Sango stared at her for a second, and then started. "Oh, well I-
Mrs. Higurashi put up a hand. "Nevermind, we shall get to it when Souta's hair gets a little longer than it is now, alright?"
"Come on Souta, let's go and wait for Sango in the carriage." Kohaku said, pulling the leather strap from his pocket and lifting it toward his head.
"Alright. Good-bye Mother!" Souta said, and ran to his mother and kissed her on the cheek. "I shall see you later!"
"Good-bye Souta." Mrs. Higurashi said.
Sango quickly sipped the last drop of her tea and stood up. "Well, I shall be leaving now, I will be taking the boys to the park for the day." She said, picking up her things.
"Alright. When you return I believe Kagome should be at home, if you and Kohaku would like to stay for dinner." Mrs. Higurashi said, standing up and picking up her things also.
"I shall have to talk to Father." Sango said as she tied her bonnet and slipped on her gloves. She walked to the door and it immediately opened.
* * *
As soon as they arrived at the park the boys took off running toward the empty field.
"Do not go out and cause mischief!" Sango warned.
"Do not worry sister," Kohaku yelled back. "We shall behave like gentleman!"
"Gentleman my foot." Sango mumbled as she gestured for the driver to leave. She looked around at the park. It was a nice sunny day, not really that hot, but it would be most uncomfortable if one were to sit out in the sun for hours. "Ah, perfect!" She said as she spotted a giant maple tree with thick branches and big leaves. There was such a large amount of shade under it that one's whole family could fit under it with room to spare. She adjusted the easel and paints in her arms and quickly made way for the tree.
"Wait Kohaku!" Souta cried as his friend took off toward their favorite spot. "Do you think that we should be helping your sister with her things? It would be rude of us to have her carry all of that stuff over to that tree, if that is where she is headed." He pointed to the maple tree that he saw Sango eyeing with satisfaction.
"Hm. I suppose you are correct my friend." Kohaku said and turned around. The boys sped off toward Sango, who had already made it half way to the tree.
"Do not worry Miss Sango." Souta said quietly while he took her easel from her. "Kohaku and I shall care of your things while you find a place to sit."
"Yeah. We just thought it would be gentlemanly of us to do it for you." Kohaku added while taking her paints.
"Well thank you very much boys." Sango said as she readjusted her wardrobe. "I have found a spot to sit already so it will not take us long to get there."
"Under that large tree there." Souta said, and started off toward it.
Kohaku offered Sango his arm and she took it. What is going on with these two.. Sango thought warily. This was a new side to the boys she rarely, if ever, had seen.
The three walked their way up the small hill to their destination and Sango breathed in the small breeze that made its way through and ruffled her skirts slightly.
"Here you go Miss Sango." Souta said as he set her easel down and opened the legs allowing it to stand on its own.
"Where do you suppose that bench came from?" Kohaku said once Sango had settled down and began opening her pouch of paints.
"Possibly from people who have been here before to do numerous things Kohaku." Sango answered, picking up a brush and lifting it up so she could peer at the tip.
Kohaku gave her a dreamy look and batted his eyelashes. "You suppose people have been up here kissing?" He said in a high, squeaky voice.
"Ewww! I would NEVER do that!" Souta cried with a disgusted look.
"You know it's not so bad Souta my friend." Kohaku said, giving him a look of triumph.
Sango dropped her brush and stared wide eyed at her brother.
Kohaku stared back.
Souta looked from Sango to Kohaku and from Kohaku to Sango.
The siblings continued to stare without blinking at each other and soon Souta began to look frazzled.
Kohaku gave Sango a wink and smirked. "You know I wouldn't do that sis, girls are disgusting. Well maybe except you, Miss Higurashi and Kagome."
Souta's face turned up in disgust again. "No way! Kagome is disgusting! You shouldn't talk about her like that Kohaku."
"Oh off with the both of you! You are no better than that Inuyasha, Kohaku!" Sango cried, throwing her arms up into the air with an exasperated look. "Go off and play! I am settled in now! I will call for you when it is time to leave."
"Goodbye Miss Sango!" Souta cried as they ran off.
"Yeah, and watch out for bees, I hear they sting mean ol' big sisters!" Kohaku cried with a large grin on his face.
"Ruffians." Sango muttered under her breath. She dipped her paintbrush into the gray paint and began painting the fountain that stood in the middle of the park. She could see it clearly from this spot and it was the first thing she saw, so it would be obvious for her to paint it.
Sango loved to paint. It gave her time to concentrate on something more than how she should be acting at that point and time and what was lady-like and what wasn't. It set her mind at ease and made her calm. There really wasn't anything more that she loved to do than paint.
Right now she felt as though nothing could go wrong.
*Meanwhile~~~~~~*
Miroku walked the stone path into the park alone but with a smile on his face. The day was beautiful and great for walking out in the open. He decided that fact after Inuyasha kicked him out of Sesshoumaru's place for "being a lech in front of the maids" as he had put it. A coy smile crept to his face as he remembered how flustered and embarrassed both him and Miss Kagome had been when they had walked into the dining room to find him fondling one of the maid's bottoms. It was innocent but Inuyasha had gotten upset and kicked him out.
"Will you get your lecherous ass out of here before Sesshoumaru catches you?!" He stopped at that thought and smirked. "Not that I care or anything, but it's your ass on the line, not mine."
"Do you think you will be able to get off easily since he is your friend Inuyasha?" Kagome piped up from behind him.
Inuyasha's smirk faltered as the realization came to him. "For once you make one to believe that you have a brain!"
Kagome scowled at him and was about to say something when he whirled around and grabbed Miroku by the back of his shirt and drug him to the front door, where he proceeded to toss him and his coat, hat, and jacket onto the street.
"AND STAY OUT UNTIL YOU LEARN SOME FUCKING MANNERS OR SOMETHING!" Inuyasha barked before quickly slamming the door.
"My he has a temper on him." Miroku thought out loud while tapping his chin.
He wasn't thinking as to where he was going, he just let his feet carry him until he came upon the hill that held the large maple tree at the top. Miroku stopped and began to ponder if he should make the trek up there.
"I may be able to find a beautiful lady sitting up there all alone, or I may be able to spot one from afar! You can see the entire park from up there!" He said to himself before taking off at a brisk walk to reach the summit of the hill.
When he reached the top to his surprise there sat a woman! She had her back to him and it looked as though she were painting a portrait of the fountain. It was very good from what he could see, although he wasn't very good at spotting beautiful art, but the art of women, not what was his specialty. He looked upon her back, which was exposed, very uncommon for day dress, but who was he to judge? The dress she wore was of the deepest sapphire, with the usual three-flounces of the skirt, but with bows tied to each large dip. Her hair was held up in a ponytail with the ends curled in also the usual ringlet. The end of the ponytail was swept over her shoulder, exposing the deep V cut shape in the back of the dress, her pale skin contrasting perfectly with the sapphire of the dress.
She took his breath away. He decided to make his move. Taking a step forward, he reached a hand to the woman's shoulder.
Sango was about to do the finishing touches on her painting when she felt a presence behind her. Fear immediately came over her as she felt something, a hand, come toward her. Goosebumps flittered all over her exposed skin and Sango grew more afraid. Thinking quickly, she picked up a tube of red paint that was opened and whirled around, squeezing it with all of her might. The red paint splattered from the tube and onto the man behind her.
Miroku swallowed and was about to say something when the woman jumped up from his grasp, spun around and sprayed something at him. Suddenly he was blind.
"Ah! I cannot see! What has happened to me?!" He cried, his hands immediately going to his face. All he could see was red. "I should have listened to Inuyasha! If I am ever able to see again, I will never put my hands on a woman's bottom unless she will permit me to!"
Sango blinked. "Inuyasha? You know Inuyasha?" She said, confusion evident in her voice. She picked up her handkerchief and tore the man's hands from his eyes and quickly wiped away the red paint from his eyes.
"Thank you." He said quietly and opened his eyes.
Immediately Sango wished she hadn't wiped the paint away. As the smirk grew on his face to a grin, she felt her hand reaching for the black paint tube. Maybe this time he would get the point and leave.
"Well well, isn't it Miss Sango Takada." He said smoothly.
Sango glowered. "It is Takashi." She said with a hint of a growl.
He raised his hands in defense. "I apologize Miss Ta-ka-shi." He said slowly with a bow.
Sango tossed him her handkerchief and sat down on the bench while quickly turning her back to him. "Get your face cleaned up, don't you know that it is rude to speak to a lady in such face?"
He smirked curtly and wiped away at the paint covering his face. "Once again I apologize for my incompetence."
Sango hmphed.
"May I sit?"
Sango stood up and moved her easel, then stood by it and crossed her arms. She looked away from him.
Miroku sat down on the bench, continuing to attack the red paint. "You know that people who see us in this position would believe that we were a couple, and that we were fighting?"
Sango blanched at this. With a barely audible "I suppose you're right" she grudgingly sat next to him. Immediately his arm shot out and went around her shoulders. She turned her head and glared at him, but he could not see, or knew that it was coming because he was once again finding that getting the small blotch of paint off of his forehead was very important and the handkerchief was covering his eyes.
"Do not think that because I am sitting here with you that I owe you anything." Sango stated with a deadly glare.
"Now that we are this close, one would possibly come to believe that we are a couple, but getting very snuggly." He said as he removed the handkerchief from his face and turned to her, eyes twinkling.
Sango narrowed her eyes and raised her hands to push him away when a group of people came from the other side of the hill. They were in direct eyeshot of the other group, and it would be the talk of the town if she were to be caught pushing a gentleman away from her, but she also risked the factor of one thinking that she and Miroku were a couple and to spread that around. If her father were to find out, things would get very dangerous around the Takashi household.
She tried to think quickly and her mind raced for something to do, when Miroku shot up from his seat and offered her his hand, as if he were just escorting her home.
"May I escort you to your carriage Miss Takashi?" He said, making sure it was loud enough for the other group to hear.
Sango hesitated for a moment before realizing his plan, and for once gladly took his hand as he helped her up. "Thank you." She said, and reached for her gloves and bonnet. Miroku nimbly picked up her easel and shoved her paints into their sack. She slipped on her gloves and bonnet and turned to him, showing him that she was ready to leave.
Oh dear, where will he be taking me…Sango thought angrily as he offered her his arm. She took it hesitantly and was jolted forward a little when he began walking in the completely different direction that they were facing.
Surprisingly and to Sango's dismay, the group didn't even notice the two the entire time. She had been worrying for nothing.
"It figures that something like this would happen to me!" She muttered under her breath.
"Oh surely I am not that bad." Miroku said with a glint in his eye.
"I don't know where you are taking me, but I am not going. Let us turn around right now and go back. Kohaku and Souta could be there waiting for me, they could be ready to go home." Sango said.
"Not until you answer my question Miss Takashi." He said and suddenly stopped. He set her things down and picked up her hands, holding them in his. "In fact, we are not moving from this spot until you answer it. Am I so bad as to the point where you despise the look of me?"
"What do you think you are doing?!" Sango cried, trying to snatch her hands from his grip, but they didn't budge. She glared at him and suddenly got an idea. "Stop it! You're hurting me!"
He frowned a little. "Oh dear, surely you wouldn't have to pursue the route of lying to me just to get away.." He said.
"Let go of me! I do not have to waste my time here with you! I must be getting back to Kohaku and Souta."
"Not until you tell me. I want to know what you think of me Sango." He said, an almost pleading look in his eyes.
Sango looked away momentarily before fixing her features into a genuine scowl and then staring back into his eyes. He faltered a bit but she saw that he was going to hold his ground.
"I do not try to be the way I am Sango," He said, letting one of her hands go and cupping her cheek. "Sometimes it just happens. I know you do not like me on a personal level, but do you think you could learn?"
Sango's resolve melted when she saw the hurt in his eyes. She looked away at the ground. "I do not hate you, but I do not like you." She said quietly.
He turned her face toward his and Sango's eyebrows furrowed at the deeper hurt she saw within those endless orbs.
"What have I done to you to make you feel this way Miss Takada?" He asked, his voice lowering to a heated whisper as his face slowly crept closer to hers. "I would like to know what it is…so that I may make amends, for it would be such a tragedy to my already weak heart for such a beautiful woman as you to be so angry with me…"
"You…you just.." Sango stuttered, a sudden blush creeping up on her cheeks. He had his way with words, Sango had to give him that.
The faces of the two were so close to each other now that in only seconds their lips would meet in a heated kiss. Sango closed her eyes as her head turned to the side, as her lips became mere inches from his.
This was it! This was really happening to him! He was going to kiss Sango! It was something he had wanted to do for so long, and under the circumstances, it had taken him quite a while to get this far, his heart beat quickly in his chest as he saw her lips purse and her eyes close as the moment was coming so quickly. He shut his eyes and went forward, his lips becoming tingly in anticipation.
Sango's eyes shot open. Takada? Thinking quickly, she reached down for her easel and snatched her painting from it. Raising her hand high into the air, she slammed it down onto Miroku's head, the momentum knocking him to the ground.
"I do not know who this Takada is you keep speaking of, but it is not me!" She cried, picking up her gloves that had been so hastily dropped to the ground.
Miroku kissed sweet earth as the wooden end of the painting hit him square on the head. The wind was knocked out of him and it made his head swim. What have I done wrong?! His mind screamed.
Sango quickly put on her gloves and tightened her bonnet before turning and storming off. Suddenly she stopped and turned around. Putting on her most convincing glare, she was ready for the comedic scene that lay before her. Miroku was sprawled out on the ground with her painting, now with a hole in it, resting on his shoulders. He looked a little dazed as he turned his head slowly to look at her.
"And by the way, my name is Takashi."
A/N: Well, that kinda took me a while to finish! Sorry it took me so long to update, but we're moving into a new place and everything is kinda hectic, so I kinda just plastered this on as quickly as I could, I'm not really sure if it's as good as the other chapters, but I don't know when I'll be able to update again. It might take us awhile to get settled down and stuff in the new place and all, you know?? Thanks to all who reviewed the other chapter, but I will not be able to write responses to chapter 4 because of my limited time. Seriously, I've got like ten minutes before I need to get into bed; we're getting the U-Haul rigged up tomorrow! Lol. So, I promise that when I can I will have those responses up and the next chapter, maybe if you're lucky, two! What did you think of the Kohaku thing? It was just something that popped up into my head and I thought it would be kinda cute. I'm pretty sure that it was short hair that was popular back then, but who knows!
On another note: I kinda broke some rules of etiquette in this chapter, some of you may have noticed how Sango and Miroku were speaking with each other, but I guess if nobody was around to notice, they couldn't get in trouble right? I'm not really sure if Sango's acts of violence would have gone well with some people either, but I though it would fit so I put it there. Actually I think this chapter is pretty crappy, I reallyl didn't get down what I wanted to, but it's what you guys say about it is what really counts, ne? So please tell me what you think! R&R! Until next time my faithful (and possibly not so faithful) readers, ja ne! ^.^