A-N: PLEASE don't beat me for taking so long to update! I can only apologize and offer you this chapter as a token of my love and appreciation. Enjoy!
MELLY
P.S. Just a quick revision of the side characters.
Mr.Genru- Sango and Miroku's landlord.
Naitou- Miroku's new co-worker.
Shigure-(Kudos to those who knew that I borrwed his name fromFruits Basket) Miroku's cousin.
P.P.S. You may all thank adultswim for playing new eps. New eps inspire me. And ya'll watch for episode 118. You're gonna love it!
Love Thy Neighbor - Chapter 3
-DAY 3, TUESDAY-
Sango had never been tortured before, but living with Miroku must be a fairly accurate depiction of that lifestyle. Mr. Genru had phoned Sango early that morning to assure her that everything was going quite well at her apartment. If only the same could be said for Miroku's apartment. All night long Sango had been haunted by dreams that involved Miroku, herself, and far too much bodily contact. The after effect left Sango struggling against sweat-soaked sheets.
The one thing Sango had to look forward to today was no school. When they had announced a faculty day, she had sighed in relief. The first thing she planned to do was check on her apartment. Her mind made up, Sango climbed out of bed, and got dressed. After pulling her hair up into a high ponytail, Sango cracked her door open. She didn't need to be caught in any small, confining spaces with Miroku. She was still dumbstruck from his kiss last night. As quietly as possible, Sango made her way to the front door. Just before she was about to congratulate herself on a successful escape, a hand clapped down onto her shoulder.
" Sneaking out? Tsk tsk Sango."
" I'm not sneaking. I was, uh, just trying not to disturb you. Thought you might still be sleeping." Yes, that sounded plausible.
" You're not a very good liar."
Sango clenched her back teeth together. ' Stay clam Sango. He's just trying to get a rise out of you.' She yanked the door open, turned around, and gave him a cold glare. " While I appreciate your generosity for letting me stay here," she shoved his hand off of her shoulder, " where I go and what I do are none of your concerns, so you can keep your nose in your own business. I hope you have a nice day." YES! She'd done it! She'd given him a piece of her mind, and it had felt great! Turning on her heel, Sango made her way to the elevators. Once the door opened, she took one last look at Miroku. He was still standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a smug look on his face. Before Sango could tell him where to stick it, her shoe caught on the threshold of the elevator and she fell face first inside of it. Yes, she had managed to put Miroku in his place, and then he watched her make a complete fool of herself.
With a chuckle, Miroku shut the door. He didn't know what it was about Sango, but she brought out the evil side of him. The side that thrived on teasing girls. Perhaps it was her fiery temper, but everytime they were near each other they always ended up fighting. And even though they mixed about as well as oil and water, he couldn't stop thinking about her. It wasn't unusual for Miroku to be obsessed over one girl, but this time it was different. Sango was different. She didn't succumb to his flirting. She was untouchable, uncontrollable, a challenge. And if there was one thing Miroku loved, it's a challenge. But that seemed wrong. After many years of womanizing, it seemed like his conscience was trying to speak to him. Well, that was certainly a new development. Was Sango more than just another conquest?
These thoughts were beginning to make Miroku's stomach churn, so he grabbed his keys and headed to his car. Sango was seriously beginning to interfere with his everyday life. Hopefully no one at work would notice. After starting his ignition, he took one last look up at the building and saw Sango yelling at someone on one of the walkways. Poor bastard.
Upon arriving at work, Miroku was greeted by an interesting sight. No one was out in the front part of the office. The secretary (gosh, why couldn't he remember her name?) was always out here, even if she wasn't working. But all was silent. With a shrug, Miroku set his stuff down on his desk and went to get a glass of water. He didn't see Naitou anywhere either. Strange... Had the boss scheduled an off day? No, no reason to. He went back to his desk and blinked. Hadn't he left several case files here last night? Now he was getting slightly annoyed. It was one thing to hide from him, but to touch his stuff was unexcusable. Miroku scooted his chair back and headed for the main office. He rapped sharply on the door and waited. After twenty seconds of silence, he swung the door open.
At first he thought the noise had come from gun being fired. But once the cloud of confetti cleared, he saw his co-workers all grinning at him.
" CONGRATULATIONS MIROKU!"
" I uh...huh?"
Mr. Fuki walked around the desk and clapped Miroku on the back hard enough to knock his glasses down his nose.
" Miroku my boy, you've done some fine work here. And we like to reward people like that! So congratulations! You've been promoted!"
Stunned was an understatement. After four long years it had happened. He was getting some recognition. And boy did it feel good!
" Uh, thank you sir!" Miroku shook the older mans hand. They all jumped slightly when Naitou opened a bottle of champagne and the cork bounced off the wall. Miss Secretary came over and draped her arms around Miroku.
" Congratulations Miroku!"
" Er, thank you." Why did this woman have to wear chokingly large amounts of perfume? After disentangling himself from her, Miroku shook the hands of Mr. Hakurei Sr. and Mr. Hakurei Jr. The father and son team had never seemed to have much use for Miroku, but they were being pleasant enough today. He had never wanted to be rude, but the two had always reminded him of small mountains. He accepted a glass of champagne from Naitou (who seemed to be even more wired than normal) and sipped it slowly. Miroku wanted to celebrate, he really did! But he wanted it to be a private party. For two. With Sango. Why was he thinking these things! He must have needed a break. Yeah, that's it. A little break.
As if reading his mind, Mr Fuji came up behind him and clapped him again, causing his glasses to slide back down. " My boy, we deem it necessary that you take the rest of the week off! We're gonna need some time to finish your new office. So relax, and we'll see you next Monday, Mr. Buradoshi." The old man grinned at him. They were partners now.
" Thank you very much sir. Well, I guess I'll see you all next Monday." Miroku practically bounded from the office. He felt like dancing, or singing, or grabbing someone and telling them his great news. On the way home, Miroku didn't run into a single red light or traffic jam. Man, today really was his day! He glanced out the window and saw a billboard depicting a family playing on the beach. The beach huh? He hadn't been there in several years. It sounded like the perfect place to relax. And the girls in bikinis... Yes, this was DEFINITELY his day.
The morning argument with the construction company had left Sango drained. She'd walked into her apartment o find them all slacking. They weren't anywhere near done! And now, she sat on Miroku's couch, bored and mad. It was too hot outside to do anything except swim, and of course they had picked today to drain and clean the residents pool. Just as Sango was contemplating taking a nice long soak in the tub, there was a knock on the door. She walked over and pulled it open to reveal a smiling Mr. Genru.
" Sango, I'm sorry about the workmen. I'll make sure that they step up the work. But, I promise, it'll be completely finished by Sunday!"
" Thank you Mr. Genru. And you don't have to apologize." The old man worried about her. He was sweet and kinda like a Grandfather to her. A meddling Grandfather who obviously liked to play match maker.
" You look a little peaked. Maybe you should rest."
" Oh, I'm fine. Just a little bored. There's not all that much to do here, what with it being nearly a hundred degrees outside."
" Well, you could always go down to the beach. There's a nice one less than a mile from here."
One that, truth be told, Sango had visited quite often. It was great place to relax for a while. And on this kind of day, it sounded perfect.
" You know, I think I will go to the beach. Thank you for suggesting it sir!" Sango closed the door and went to pack a beach bag. She could relax, go swimming, and maybe get some sort of a tan on her pale skin. Plus, the beach would be Miroku-free! This was sounding better and better!
Mr. Genru felt bad for manipulating Sango. After getting that phone call from Miroku (the one in which he had told him he was going to the beach and could he please make sure his answering machine was on), he knew that it would be a perfect opportunity to try and get the two near each other. Even though they seemed not to like each other, he saw right through it. They were made for each other, and as their friend, it was his duty to make sure that they were happy.
Heaven. Pure Heaven. The sun on his face, the sound of waves breaking on the shore, and ladies in the tiniest bathing suits he'd ever seen. Yep, this beach was Heaven. After being here only ten minutes, Miroku already felt better. The beach was a tranquil place where you could forget everything, even if it was only for a while. But there was one thing Miroku couldn't forget. The feel of Sango's lips. If the beach was Heaven, kissing Sango had been his personal Nirvana. Sure he had kissed dozens of girls before, but this time it was different. And he was craving more. But why Sango? That was the part that boggled him. And to make matters worse, she was suddenly the only woman he found attractive. He must have been going senile. While in the midst of pondering all of this, he absentmindedly watched a young woman lay her towel out on the beach 20 yards away from him. He felt a zing of interest. Yes! Finally! The old Miroku was trying to break through! He watched the girl pull off the sundress she was wearing. Her bathing suit was fairly modest compared to some of the other girls, but Miroku found it fa more appealing. While the others flaunted everything, this one covered, hid things, let his imagination roam freely.
The girl took her wide brimmed hat off and shook out her long, dark hair. This girl looked awfully familiar.. She grabbed a tube of sunscreen from her bag and began applying it liberally. Miroku was enjoying this. So, when he saw her struggle to get it on her back, he knew that it was his civil duty to help the poor damsel in distress.
" Excuse me miss. Would you like some help with that?"
" Oh, thank you so mu-!"
Miroku stared down into Sango's face. Karma was such a bitch at times. This was cruel. VERY cruel.
" Miroku! What are you doing here!" Sango hastily pulled her towel around herself.
" Ummm...beach combing?" Brilliant response Miroku. But he was so transfixed by Sango's legs that his motor skills were waning. She followed the path of his eyes and covered herself, her face now a bright scarlet shade.
" Did you follow me, you pervert!"
" What? I, no! I was here first! Perhaps you followed me! Hoping to sneak a peek Sango?" Heh, perfect response. That remark left Sango sputtering.
" I.. I came here to relax!"
" As did I."
" Well... you... you can just go away!"
Miroku smirked. Sango was absolutely adorable when she was flustered. " So, I take it, you don't want my help with your sunscreen?"
" I'd rather burn!"
Miroku was fairly certain that it wasn't the heat that was causing his body to heat up. " All right. Then you can sit here and burn. I'm going back to my towel." He had made it halfway back when Sango called out to him.
" Fine! You can help me."
Miroku walked back, a satisfied grin on his face. Sango wanted to slap it off. People were staring though, so she layed her blanket back down and turned her back to Miroku. When she felt the cold lotion slide across her back she gasped slightly.
" Too cold?"
" Um, uh, y-yeah." Sango cursed her hormones. Why did Miroku have this effect on her? When she felt him blow on her back all of her nerve endings went off. "Um, what are you doing?"
" Warming it up." She didn't have to look to know that he was grinning. She could hear it in his tone. "There, all done." Sango didn't want to admit her disappointment at that fact.
" T-thanks Miroku." She turned and smiled at him. Her heart skipped when he smiled back. No came the awkward silence. She wished he'd say something. His smile was wreaking havoc on her restraint system. He stood up and she opened her mouth to say something. Before she could ask where he was going, he leaned over, scooped her up and headed for the water.
" H-HEY! What're you doing!" She gulped slightly. She was slung over his shoulder and had a delicious view of his backside. Sango squeezed her eyes shut. " Put me down!"
" Ok." Miroku relinquished his hold on her and dropped her right in the water. He laughed when she came up sputtering.
" You jerk! You asked for it!" Sango shoved his head under, and was going to hold him there, but he managed to break free. She looked around for him, but he was still underwater. All of a sudden, she was lifted from the water and found herself sitting on his shoulders. Attempting to balance herself, Sango grabbed for his head.
" Ow! That's my eye!"
" S-sorry!" Sango let go and they both ended up falling into the water. They surfaced a moment later, laughing and pushing wet hair out of their eyes. Miroku had never heard her laugh before, and the effect was similar to a punch in the gut. All of the noise from the beach was lost to his ears, and all he could register was the sound of her laugh. It was like a spell, drawing him in. He placed his hand on her cheek and it effectively shut her up.
"...M-Miroku?" He watched her throat as she swallowed. His eyes travelled back up to hers and he leaned in. Sango's eyes fluttered shut when she felt his lips brush hers. If he didn't kiss her, she wondered if the longing in her body could kill her. She wet her lips and stoop on her tiptoes. Just before there lips met, a young child bumped into them. Sango was thrown back onto her rear. She blinked several times and looked up to see Miroku with a slightly confused look on his face. She was about to willingly kiss him. MIROKU! The worlds biggest womanizer. Sango had never felt more embarrassed. She scrambled back to her stuff and hastily gathered it all up. She saw Miroku making his way over to her. She couldn't face him just yet. As quickly as she could, she made her way to her car. She drove away so quickly that she left a small dust trail.
Miroku grabbed the last of things and watched Sango peel out of the parking lot. What had he been thinking? That was the problem. He HADN'T been thinking at all. Well, at least not with his brain. With a sigh, he made his way to his car and threw his stuff into the backseat. His lucky day had taken a turn for the worst. He just hoped that when the morning came, Sango was still willing to speak to him. Because now he was more convinced than ever that she wasn't just some conquest. He wanted her in the worst way, and nothing was going to stop him from getting her.
A-N DEUCE
Ooo la la that took far too long to write! Did you like it? Was it satisfactory? Did it suck more than Miroku's windtunnel ( which he doesn't have in this story FYI)? Tell me! Review!