Chapter 20: Boys Don't Cry…But Girls Sure Do
Today was Miroku's lucky day. Apparently, his 'reward' for helping Kagome with her Inuyasha problem was becoming her anchor for the remainder of the school day. It was mostly to teach Inuyasha to be a bit more appreciative, but Miroku really didn't mind having such an attractive girl hanging on him. Of course, the sword proved double-edged, for at lunch both Miroku and Kagome were receiving glares colder than the arctic from Sango. This didn't escape the notice of either.
"Yo Sango, can I talk to you for a minute?" Kagome asked; as to give her an explanation without alerting Inuyasha. Once the two were out of earshot, Kagome opened her mouth to explain but Sango beat her to it.
"You're acting awful cuddly with Miroku today. What's the deal?" Sango asked, not being given enough motivation to get all riled up just yet.
"We're just trying to piss off Inuyasha."
"Why?" Kagome filled in Sango on everything Inuyasha had said earlier in the day and how Miroku had gotten him back for her. "Really? He knocked his fang loose?"
"Yeah." Kagome confirmed. "He must've been pretty angry."
"Kagome, Miroku isn't that nice to everybody. Don't you think it's just a little odd?" Sango questioned uneasily.
Kagome rolled her eyes and smiled at her friend's insecurity. "What, you think he's actually attracted to me?" she asked sarcastically.
"Yes! You know how Miroku works. At first he's just being friendly but before you know it you're falling for him and then he strikes! And in no time I'm dumped and left in the mud!" Sango explained frantically. "All you're doing is provoking him!" Kagome broke out in hysterical laughter. "What are you laughing at? This isn't funny!" Sango hissed.
"Actually, it really is for the following reasons. One: you're jealous and two: you're all insecure because of what happened with Eri. He loves you! Don't be so wary. Like I'd fall for Miroku." Kagome finished in a mumble as she returned to the table.
While Sango and Kagome were having their girl talk, Inuyasha saw his chance to get a word in edgeways with Miroku. "What the hell do you think you're doing punk?" Inuyasha ground out.
"What's the matter Inuyasha?" Miroku asked slyly, seeing an opportunity to provoke Inuyasha further. "You sound angry."
"Damn right I'm angry! Who the hell do you think you are? One girl not enough for you?" Inuyasha growled in a dangerously low voice. Miroku just shrugged.
"What can I say? The girls love me! They just can't get enough of me. It's not my fault I'm a chick magnet." Miroku said pompously.
"Look pal, you should be grateful I'm not ripping your throat out right hear and now! Just stay away from my Kagome if you want to live to see another sunset." Inuyasha warned. Miroku chuckled.
"From the looks of it, I'd say she's not your Kagome anymore."
"You bastard!" Inuyasha yelled as he flexed his claws. Miroku was just begging to get his ass kicked, but luckily for him, the girls were returning at just that moment. Inuyasha lost his threatening demeanor and went back to sulking. Kagome rest her head on Miroku's shoulder and, much too both Inuyasha's and Sango's annoyance Miroku put his arm around her waist.
"You know." Eri, who was already aware of 'the plan', commented. "People are going to start talking about you two."
"Well, maybe they're right to talk." Miroku smirked. This encouraged thought among the whole group. "I hope Sango doesn't think I'm serious."
"Is he serious? He better not be serious. How dare he say that right in front of me!" Sango asked herself indignantly.
"He almost sounds serious. I wonder if he knows Sango is suspicious." Kagome wondered silently.
"Bastard! How dare he impose on Kagome! His ass is grass!" Three guesses on whom that was. And the first two don't count.
"Miroku and Kagome sure are acting friendly towards each other. I wonder what for?" Who's left? The bell signaling the end of the period rang, so all got up and went to their respective classes.
After school, Sango and Miroku were making their way home. There was very little conversation, due to Sango's silence. Miroku began to wonder. "Sango, you haven't said a single word since we left school. Is something on your mind?"
"Why did you take me back?" Sango asked sullenly.
"What?" Miroku laughed, thinking he misheard.
"Why did you take me back?" she repeated.
"I never let you go babe." Miroku said.
"You know what I'm talking about though." Sango stated.
"Are you serious?"
"Miroku Houshi, answer me this instant!" Sango yelled. Miroku knew she wasn't in the mood to screw around. She only used his full name when she was really upset.
"I love you. I want to be with you Sango. Why else would I have?" Miroku explained.
"If you love me, you wouldn't be coming on to Kagome. Why Miroku? Is one girl not enough for you? Do you suddenly need someone on the side for when the other isn't in the mood?" Sango asked in a cracking voice, tears beginning to well up in her big, brown eyes.
Miroku gave her a quizzical glance. "What on earth are you talking about Sango? I desire no one but you!" he declared.
"Today you seemed quite interested in Kagome." Sango pointed out.
"Oh that? Kagome told me she'd explain the whole thing." Miroku told her.
"She did. I trust Kagome, but you are a different matter altogether. Why did you stand up for Kagome?" Sango continued to accuse and interrogate, choking back the tears that threatened to start falling any minute.
"Why wouldn't I? I've known her since the day she moved here. She's lived next door to me for 5 years. She's my best friend! How could I just stand idly by and let Inuyasha crush her spirit like that?" Miroku asked.
"You knocked his fang out! You've never been the violent type before." Sango reminded him.
"When Kagome told you what he said to her, didn't you want to kill him yourself?" Miroku countered.
"No." Sango stated plainly. Miroku was silent for a moment.
"If you hadn't known I had already given him a sucker punch and a talking to, would you have?"
"Maybe, if I hadn't known he was just caught up in his own insecurities!" Sango admitted.
"I knew that too, but he called my best friend a 'dirty, two-timing whore'!" Miroku shouted back. He had done a very good job of keeping a level head but was beginning to lose patience in his girlfriends trust, rather her lack of trust in him. Sango responded as if she hadn't heard Miroku's last addition to the argument.
"First Eri, now Kagome. What do you find wrong with me Miroku? Am I not attractive enough? Do you need some kind of nymphomaniac to keep you satisfied? What do you want from me?" Sango screamed; letting the tears she could no longer hold back stream down her face. Miroku wiped away her tears, letting his anger melt away. He had never dealt with two crying girls in one day.
"Look, Sango," Miroku began softly, "I'm sorry I gave you the impression that I didn't think you were good enough, but I never wanted any girl but you. I never cheated on you and I swear on the Buddha's Holy Scriptures that I never will. The ruse Kagome and I had planned was only for today, and I never thought Eri was seriously attracted to me. I will never even glance at another girl again if that's what it takes for you to trust me. I know I don't have the best track record, but I've loved you since the first day I met you. If I lose you I doubt I will ever love anyone else. Just tell me what I have to do for you to trust me and it will be done."
Sango smiled through her tears and wiped them away. "Just don't act interested in other girls. I know that most of the time when you flirt you don't mean anything by it, but I've never really been considered the most beautiful girl around, not even by my boyfriends. For some reason I can't help but compare myself to prettier girls. Like Eri and Kagome."
"Well I wouldn't really call you beautiful myself." Miroku said in response. Sango was taken aback and somewhat offended. Until Miroku added; "Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe how lovely you are." Sango smiled her lovely smile.
"I love you." Sango said before throwing her arms around Miroku's neck and kissed him roughly. "You shouldn't ever need to worry about losing me again." she added through their locked lips.