Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
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Chapter FiveO
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(Back in the Sengoku Jidai)
"They're still not back yet?" Sango asked plaintively as she watched Inuyasha perch himself onto the fence in his usual spot.
"Keh. They're being stubborn," Inuyasha answered. He huffed and turned his attention toward a small bug crawling along the ground, ignoring Sango once again. She frowned, becoming rather sick of Inuyasha's boring company. She wished for Kagome and Miroku's speedy return.
"So, they are coming back soon though, right?" Sango asked with hope.
"How am I supposed to know? Stop asking me all these questions!"
Sango glared at Inuyasha, who glared right back with equal intensity. Now it was Sango's turn to look away, grumbling about her bad luck. Inuyasha snorted, unimpressed by Sango's anger.
Inuyasha glanced at her with one open eye. His other eye shot open when he remembered something—
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, I told Miroku you died. It was pretty funny. You should have been there!" Inuyasha guffawed.
"What! Why'd you do that?" Sango yelled suddenly.
"Give it a rest, would you? It was only a joke…the amazing thing is, that stupid guy believed it!" Inuyasha laughed at his cleverness.
"Inuyasha! Would you just—ugh…OSUWARI!" Sango shouted aimlessly.
Inuyasha's ears tweaked, but nothing else happened.
"Wench. It doesn't work for you, remember?" Inuyasha taunted. He enjoyed having power over others, and seeing as Kagome wasn't around to make him 'sit' whenever he pissed her off, this power was virtually limitless.
"Dammit. Fine have it your way," Sango mumbled.
"What do you mean, 'have it my way?' It's always my way!" Inuyasha smirked.
Sango shoved him off the fence and walked off. So, maybe Inuyasha didn't possess this 'limitless power' after all.
He topped off his perch and collided with the uninviting dirt. With some strain, he called after her, "YOU BITCH!"
OO
Miroku sat by a lonely window in Souta's bedroom, bathed in pale moonlight. He exhaled, fixing his faraway gaze on the stars above.
I wonder if Sango is looking at the same sky right now…
Miroku pulled a small velvet-covered box from deep within his robes and stared at it, half-expecting it to laugh in his face for even thinking Sango could ever love him.
It was a wonder that Kagome's mother had agreed to pay for the ring. That woman was too kind. Miroku raised the lid off the box containing the engagement ring and peered inside, briefly gaping at the small jewel's beauty as it shimmered in the moonlight. It held a beauty even more rare than the stars above.
But nothing compares to Sango…Miroku prayed that she would accept this, as well as his hidden feelings for her. He glanced outside once more.
The stars aren't as bright in this world.
OO
"Good morning, Miroku-sama!" Kagome said cheerfully, watching the older man trudge down the stairs. She giggled, earning a questioning look from Miroku. Kagome pointed to his head, indicating there was something wrong. He drearily looked around for a mirror and discovered how disheveled his hair was. Miroku reached a hand up to flatten the mess and make himself look more presentable, but to no avail.
"It's alright, Miroku-san. You look fine," Kagome's mother said with a smile.
Miroku turned on the old charm. "I'm glad you think so, Higurashi-san. But I must say I'm nothing when standing next to you."
Kagome's mother blinked at him before turning to the stove again, giggling and muttering incoherently while stirring the eggs a bit more brutally. Kagome smacked her head on the kitchen table.
"Miroku-sama, are you forgetting who that is?" Kagome said in a raspy whisper. Miroku simply beamed at her.
"But she is very good looking. I guess that's where you got it from, huh?"
Kagome smacked his arm, threatening him to cease the flirting unless he wanted Sango to find out. That shut Miroku up in no time at all.
Once breakfast was served, Kagome struck up a conversation with Miroku. They were currently discussing what to do with their time today. Miroku had made it obvious that he wanted to go back home today, so their time was limited.
Finally Souta suggested the arcade, receiving an enthusiastic response from Kagome.
Miroku however… "A what?"
Kagome reached for her glass of water and went into a huge rant describing what kind of things they had in an 'arcade'. Miroku nodded, briefly connecting games to Shippou. He missed the others more than he originally thought, it seemed. With the exception of Inuyasha, of course.
OO
A bit later, Kagome, Miroku and Souta were out the door on their way to the arcade. Kagome was very lucky that the group hadn't run into any of Kagome's hyperactive friends. She definitely didn't want them to get ideas about Miroku, after all. Miroku may be taken, but that never stopped him from flirting. It would be a disaster!
Kagome noticed Miroku was no longer with her and promptly tripped over a crack in the sidewalk.
Now what? She thought, looking behind her. She caught Miroku advancing towards a scantily dressed woman. Souta followed closely behind, curious as to what Miroku was staring at. Kagome rolled her eyes and hurried over to the monk before he did something stupid like always.
After a few harsh words and a smack on the forehead, the group was back on their original path to the arcade. But Kagome had to lay the guilt on Miroku nice and thick.
"So how do you plan on giving that ring to Sango-chan?" She asked. Miroku sighed, remembering how much he thought of Sango last night and then his traitorous actions today. "I can make note cards, if you want," Kagome offered.
Miroku looked absolutely appalled at the idea. "Kagome-sama! Do you honestly think that I, the master of words and charm, would need note cards?" He said in mock disgust, placing a hand over his heart.
Kagome grinned at him. Souta gave Miroku a look before saying "Well you sounded a bit funny right there. I think you should take nee-chan up on her offer."
Miroku glanced down at him, frowning. Souta smirked and looked forward again.
OO
Kagome, Miroku and Souta came upon the arcade and stepped in. There was a small chime from within the dark room sounding their arrival.
Miroku squinted. "It's so dark in here!" He exclaimed. Souta immediately ran off with his money to convert it to tokens as fast as possible. Kagome followed him, rolling her eyes at his eagerness. She motioned for Miroku to follow, which he naturally did.
Eventually, a good portion of their money was changed into tokens, much to the amazement of Miroku. He was presently raving about how astounding it was.
"But really! To magically change money into these gold coins? It's just fascinating!" Miroku said, holding up a token and examining it.
"It isn't magic, Miroku-sama. The tokens are already inside of this thing," Kagome said, pounding on the back of the machine. Souta, who paid little attention to the conversation, immediately dragged Miroku off for a round of air hockey.
After many brutal defeats and wicked retaliation, Miroku gave up. Air hockey was not for him. He strode over to Kagome, who was stationed at a pinball machine. Miroku was about to tap her on the shoulder when he heard her humming something. It was a slow tune, but fairly pretty.
"What are you humming, Kagome-sama?" Miroku questioned, watching the metal ball bounce around inside of the machine. Kagome answered, never taking her eyes off the game.
"It's a song they always play at weddings!" She replied. Miroku's eyes grew wide and he laughed nervously.
"Oh. I see," There was a pregnant pause. "Are you planning something?" He said suspiciously.
Kagome cheered as she gained more points on the pinball machine. She turned to Miroku. "Why of course I'm planning something!" She said. Kagome fed the machine another token and she was off again.
Miroku continued to stare at her, but Kagome's attention was clearly on the game. He gave up and went in search of Souta.
Thank goodness my eyes adjusted to the dark now. He thought for a moment before walking away.
OO
After the arcade came dinner. Kagome paid for the three of them, since Miroku's money wasn't exactly current with the times and Souta hadn't received an allowance in over a month due to skipping out on chores to play soccer.
Kagome was chatting merrily; absolutely positive that Miroku was paying attention, as he was nodding after every sentence she spoke. Little did she know, he heard nothing. Miroku was too busy daydreaming of Sango, a bad habit of his.
Finally something was brought to Miroku's attention.
"You miss your time, don't you?" Kagome asked sympathetically. Miroku nodded.
"Don't get me wrong, this time is wonderful Kagome-sama… but—"
Kagome interrupted. "It's alright, I understand. We'll go back tonight, okay?" Miroku never looked happier.
OO
Everyone gathered around the well, either saying their goodbyes or preparing to jump in and return to the sengoku era. Miroku was bristling with anticipation and couldn't have gripped Kagome's hand any tighter. She was already squirming in pain.
"Miroku-sama!" Kagome cried, shaking her hand loose. He blinked at her and looked down at her reddened hand.
"I'm sorry! Does it need to bandaged?" Miroku asked with frantic worry. Kagome shook her head and grabbed onto Miroku's sleeve.
"This will be easier," She said, referring to Miroku's non-aggressive sleeve. Miroku looked away, an embarrassed smirk on his face.
"Okay here we go! And this time pay attention," Kagome ordered. "One, two… three!" And they threw themselves down the well and into the sparkling blue glow.
Merely seconds later, the two friends appeared on the other side of the well, the sound of Shippou's whining greeting them. Miroku smiled happily and climbed up the well, helping Kagome along as well.
The two reached the top to find a brilliant orange sunset and their friends not too far away.
"Kagome! Miroku!" Shippou shouted, seeing his head emerge from the well. Inuyasha and Sango's heads snapped up. Shippou took off, bounding towards the two and leapt onto Miroku's chest for a hug.
This is where my heart belongs, Miroku thought.
Sango came into view, smiling at him from a distance.
And this is where my love belongs too.
Miroku smiled back.
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A/N: I ADORE the scene in the beginning with Inuyasha and Sango. Watching those two argue is so amusing! I like it much better than when Inuyasha and Kagome fight, cuz that just gets boring. Heehee.
Miroku was awfully mushy this chapter. Oh well, we love him that way anyway!
So anyway, there's going to be one more chapter to this, titled 'Epilogue'. Clever, huh? It'll be pretty short but it will tie up a few loose ends. And then after that there will be a sequel called 'Kekkonshiki no Shiawase'. Both of those things should be posted very soon. And then I can finally get this story out of the way! Yay!
Please review, out of the kindness in your hearts!