A/N:Wow, this chapter was loooooonnnnnng...Just a warning, it'll be a while till I update again. :
Dark Mistress of the Night: Haha, I'm just happy that I managed to escape your 'Update Now!' pokes. :P
faintscent: Thanks a lot for the advice. I decided to try it out and I really hope it works out. I appreciate your suggestions. Thanks a bunch. :
funarahi: Yeeaahhh, she's 21. Sorry...hehehe. Had to make her legal, but young. Oh well.
Thanks to everyone for their reviews! I really have to start focusing on Inu/Kag moments though... but they're coming! I promise! Also, there may be a few typos. I'm probably just too lazy to correct them. Heh.
Chapter 18 - Day Off
After Sango and Miroku returned from the beach, Sango decided to call Kagome and explain her absence. However, the process of explaining what had happened was very difficult...
"You two were on the beach?" Kagome's voice repeated excitedly.
"Yes, but we didn't do anythi–" Sango tried explaining.
"But you two were on the beach. Together?" Kagome cut in again, an eager smile across her lips.
"Kagome, it meant nothing. We just had breakfast–"
"Breakfast? Together?"
"Well, we do live with each other, Kagome." Sango stated sternly.
"Right. Right." Kagome replied, still with the thought that the breakfast and beach symbolized something more. The two were silent.
"So did you kiss him?" Kagome asked all of a sudden. Sango nearly dropped the phone with shock. An instant playback came into her mind as to what happened during their angst.
"No!" Sango exclaimed. She bit her lip and stood up nervously. "Almost...I don't know!" she muttered. Kagome's shriek made her remove the phone from her ear.
"So you did!" Kagome exclaimed.
"No we didn't! Kagome, honestly. What do you think of me?" Sango fought. Kagome's giggle was heard from the receiver.
"Sango, almost means nothing. Things are always meant to be answered with a 'yes' or a 'no'. You said almost, which means that something must've happened and impacted some significance onto you." Kagome said confidently. Sango rolled her eyes.
"Like how I almost want rip his head off every single time he gropes me?" Sango said wryly.
"Actually, that could've been answered with a 'yes', but since you said almost that means that part of you finds enjoyment to his wandering hands!" Kagome resumed her giggling. Sango rolled her eyes.
"Anyways..." Sango said boldly, thirsting to change the subject. "So what did you do this morning?"
"Not much." Kagome said nonchalantly. "Talked to Souta for a bit and then went out for breakfast."
"Souta's in town?" Sango asked.
"Oh no, he's still back home. I went with Inuyasha." Kagome corrected.
"So I'm guessing things are okay now with you two?"
"I wouldn't count on it." Kagome said sarcastically. "But I've decided to take you and Miroku's advice and try to make this thing work out. I've got to make the best of it, right?"
"Right. And plus, you two only have to be married for a year and a half. At that point, it won't be so suspicious when you two get a divorce." Sango explained.
"The pain of publicity." Kagome groaned. Sango smirked.
"So what time should do you want me to stop by there?" Sango asked.
"I think we've got it covered so far. I haven't had the urge to chop off his hair yet." Kagome yawned. Sango raised an eyebrow. If she had asked Kagome two days ago this same question, her presence would be a must. Now, however, it was as if Kagome had been living there forever. It amazed Sango how just one night at the hotel minimized Kagome's temper.
"Are you sure?" Sango asked for reassurance.
"Yes, yes. And plus, I think you'd love to spend some time alone with you-know-who." Kagome teased.
"Oh no. She's found out my secret. What am I to do?" Sango said emotionless. Kagome laughed at her sarcasm.
"I'll call if anything gets intolerable."
"Alright. Take care then, Kagome. Bye." Sango said as she hung up the phone. She sighed to herself as she walked into the living room. There Miroku sat on the large couch with the tiny remote control. He still wore his dark purple trunks with a white towel hanging over his bare shoulder.
"Leaving?" he asked as he looked up from the television screen. She was still dressed in her beach fit as well. Sango shook her head.
"Apparently they've resisted on killing each other so far, so she doesn't really need my guidance." she said tiredly. Taking a seat on the couch next to him, she looked at the screen.
"So today is ours to waste?" Miroku asked charmingly. Sango gave him an odd look, but shrugged.
"Not unless Inuyasha doesn't call for you." she kept her eyes on the television screen, resisting the urge to look at Miroku. Eye-to-eye moments had happened one too many times already.
"Inuyasha never calls." Miroku said as he stood up. "So I take it that today is a day off." he smiled down at Sango.
"Speak for yourself. I have paperwork to go through. Thousands of calls to arrange. Meetings to attend." Sango folded her arms across her chest as she sat on the couch.
"Come on, Sango. This morning was just a little piece of broken agenda. Wasn't that fun alone?" Miroku persuaded. Sango looked away and tapped her foot on the carpet. Her silence was enough of an answer. "So wouldn't taking a day off be completely off the schedule? Meaning, an entire day of relaxation and enjoyment?"
Sango's eyes drifted from Miroku to her briefcase. Miroku. Briefcase. Miroku. Briefcase. If she went with Miroku she would have a day full of irresponsibility and carelessness. It had been a while since she had an unplanned day. If Sango went for her briefcase, she'd go back to the regular paperwork and constant nagging for photo shoots, radio shows, and live interviews. Then again, going with her briefcase would be what everyone would expect of her. It was completely normal of her to choose work over fun. For Sango, work was her fun.
"Well?" Miroku's voice cut into her thoughts. Sango looked at him and sighed.
"Don't you have work to do as well? What about reserving the city's areas for filming?" Sango asked, hoping to find a weak spot. She really did want to go out and break away from the never-ending chains of business, but she couldn't. It just...wasn't Sango.
"That? Oh, pfff!" Miroku casually flicked his hand in the air. "All my needed areas are reserved. You didn't really think I would start filming without reserving, did you?"
"Well, you don't have an assistant–" Sango began to explain.
"As I've heard before." Miroku interrupted with a mutter. Sango ignored it.
"–And you haven't exactly come off as the most organized director." she finished.
"And I suppose that you're more organized than me?" Miroku grinned. Sango looked at him with disbelief. What was he saying? Of course she was more organized than him! At least if she had an office she wouldn't treat it as if it were her secondary home!
"Of course I'm more organized that you! I get my work done A.S.A.P." Sango fought as she stood up, her hands on her sides.
"Sure. I bet you have tons of left-over papers to sign. Several producers to speak with. Thousands and thousands of meetings to arrange." Miroku said carelessly as he began walking towards the bathroom to take a shower. He watched Sango from the corners of his eyes, a small smile upon his lips. Sango stood with her mouth agape. Did he really think she was that irresponsible? That was the last thing anybody ever thought about her!
"For your information, I've finished all of my work. I have no meetings until next week and Kagome's schedule has already been written. I have absolutely nothing left to accomplish and you know why? Because I've finished everything already!" Sango said proudly. She stubbornly looked away, thinking she had just told-off Miroku.
Miroku chuckled behind Sango. She turned around, completely confused. Didn't she just tell him off? Last time Sango checked, she had been the one that was victorious!
"What?" she asked irritatingly.
"I guess that means that we have a day off after all. Wouldn't you say so?" he gave her a grin. Oh that grin, she thought to herself. He wasn't grinning out of happiness. He was grinning because he had just caught her. Wonderful, Sango. Just wonderful...
"You're infuriating." was all she simply said.
"I'll take that as a yes." Miroku said triumphantly. Sango rolled her eyes and walked passed him. As he turned around, he saw that she had gone ahead of him and into the bathroom. Before he could say anything in objection, Sango slammed the door shut. "Ladies first!" he called out and sat back down on the couch. What a perfect day to redeem himself worthy towards Sango.
"Done." Kagome said happily as she placed the phone onto the kitchen counter. Inuyasha had been waiting to use the phone since they had arrived from breakfast. Kagome had said she needed to make a couple of short calls. However, the word 'short' was an understatement.
"Finally, wench! Took you long enough." Inuyasha said grumpily as he snatched the phone off of the counter. He began to dial numbers.
"Well excuse me. I was talking to Sango about her glorious morning. And then I called my brother–" Kagome replied, she stopped her explaining as Inuyasha mocked her talking with his hands. He joined his four fingers together as they banged again his thumb.
"Damnit! Miroku's not answering his phone. Now what am I supposed to do all day?" Inuyasha exclaimed to himself, as if Kagome was not there. She glared at him.
"So I called my brother and today is his first school dance! It was so cute. I could hear my mom in the background telling him to keep on his bow tie, but he continued to object. It was adorable." Kagome continued. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Thank you for telling me such useless knowledge." Inuyasha said sarcastically as he made his way to his bedroom. Kagome stood up akimbo and sighed with disbelief.
"Hey! When I talk about myself, fine. You can be all rude and careless. But if I talk about my mom or brother, you better be listening." she threatened. Inuyasha turned around and raised his brow.
"What difference does it make?" he asked roughly.
"The difference is that they're my family! If you had any respectful nerve in that thick head of yours, then use it when others are talking about people that they care for." Kagome exclaimed. "I didn't say anything rude about your whole Kikyo ordeal. Despite that fact that she's just as rude and nasty as you are." she added with a mutter.
Inuyasha stood, speechless. He had forgotten he had told her about that. Even though it had only happened a few hours ago, it still amazed him that he had told Kagome. She stood there, her brown eyes burning into his violet ones.
"Feh. Whatever." he finally said and walked into his room. Kagome sighed with grief. Oh yeah. That was unexpected.
What was with him? What he schizophrenic or something? It seemed like every time she had an encounter with Inuyasha, he would become two people. That, going without, talking about his demonic side. Even then, he still acted the same. Arrogant, rude, and obnoxious. Then, at the least expected moment he would become this compassionate character she had never known of. That only happened on rare occasions though.
Giving another sigh, Kagome plopped herself onto the large maroon couch and turned on the television. To her luck, a celebrity gossip show was playing. Ever since the incident Kagome didn't feel all too comfortable with shows like these anymore. They were so fake and only used for entertainment, not facts.
"Speak of the devil." Kagome muttered as a familiar face came onto the screen.
Kikyo sat across the host. A smile appeared on her face as she sat. Kagome rolled her eyes as it was the same, dull smile she had plastered on when her and Inuyasha were on her show.
"Would you mind answering us the question that is on everyone's mind?" the host asked, as if Kikyo's answer actually mattered.
"You mean to say that all of the questions already thrown at me were not from the curiosity of viewers?" Kikyo replied jokingly. There was mild laughter in the audience.
"What is the relationship between you and director Naraku Toshio?" the host asked. Kagome's eyes widened. She instantly sat up on the couch and raised the volume.
She had remembered Inuyasha and Kikyo's conversation. They had brought up Naraku at some point. Something about him knowing about Inuyasha's demonic blood.
"Relationship? Between Naraku and I?" Kikyo repeated. She chuckled a little. "That has been a question asked for quite sometime now."
"Yes, there have been rumors of sightings of you two around the city together. Mind telling us exactly where you two stand?"
"We are merely close friends." Kikyo answered nonchalantly. "With occasional benefits, of course."
"Close friends with benefits? Would not that mean that you two are a pair?" the host instigated.
"I suppose you can say that. However, nothing is certified at the moment." Kikyo smirked, but hid it behind a smile.
"Well now you've heard it everyone! Kikyo and Naraku are a pair!" the host exclaimed as the audience clapped. "After the break we shall hear our musical guest Kouga perform a song from his self-titled album!"
Kagome switched the T.V. off and sighed.
"I knew they'd come out sooner or later." Inuyasha's voice was heard behind her. Kagome turned around and nearly fell off the couch. Inuyasha stood right behind the furniture with a soda in his hand.
"So you heard?" Kagome asked, a bit hesitant.
"Well the T.V. was on a loud volume and my door was open. You do the math." Inuyasha replied mockingly. Kagome shrugged. She'd let that one pass for today.
"Why did you turn it off? Aren't you in love with that Koogu guy?" Inuyasha questioned, slightly teasing. He walked around the couch and stopped towards the giant window. He took a sip of his soda while looking down at the city.
"We've dated," Kagome began, not concerning his mispronunciation. "but only due to the pressure of the media. Feelings were never mutual."
"Oh really?" Inuyasha said with disbelief. He smirked. "Weren't you two like the most adored couple or something? They even had a nickname for you two,"
"The 'Double-K'." Inuyasha and Kagome said simultaneously. Kagome gave a small smile. Inuyasha rolled his eyes with disgust at the cheesy nickname.
"Well, well, well, looks like I've caught you, Inuyasha." Kagome said teasingly as she stood up from the couch. Inuyasha's eyes drifted from the city to her. He raised a brow.
"Caught what?" he asked defensively.
"You do pay attention to certain tabloids." Kagome stated, treating the discovery goldenly.
Inuyasha just stammered his words. Sure, he hated those Gossip shows, but he still watched them. So what if that was hypocritical! Life was boring when having just Miroku as company.
"Whatever. Don't act as if you've just found a cure for AIDS or anything." Inuyasha brushed her off with a careless shrug. Finishing whatever was left of his soda, he crushed the can with his hand and walked towards the kitchen.
Kagome just giggled to herself.
"You're right about shows like that though. They're not always true." Kagome gave in as she laid her back on the long couch. "Kouga and me, pff! There wasn't anything there. He was always so territorial."
"And you're telling me this," Inuyasha said slowly, with no interest at all. "...because?"
"Hey! I'm bored out of my mind and you're not doing anything about it. Might as well try and do something fun." Kagome fought in her defense as she sat up. Inuyasha grabbed a bag of chips and sat on one of the chairs near the kitchen.
"Telling me your life story is considered fun?" he answered wryly. "Gee, Higurashi. It's a wonder what you're like at parties." he added sarcastically.
"Obviously I must be one hell of a party animal if I ended up getting drunk and married in one night, right?" Kagome marked, knowing the perfect words to silence Inuyasha. She resumed laying down on the couch with her hands behind her head. Inuyasha just smirked.
"Seems like you enjoy it." he said while tossing chips in his mouth. "Since you keep bringing it up."
"Don't be so confident." Kagome rolled her eyes. "As I said before, I had a complete different idea as to what it would've been like when I get married."
Kagome waited for a rude comment. He was silent. Shrugging, she continued to speak.
"I envisioned a traditional American wedding. A beautiful white dress with a long tail. Large bouquet of the loveliest flowers. It doesn't matter what color they'd be, just as long as they were all vibrant. I'd want it to be an outdoor wedding. With the sun cascading down on everyone. Shimmering on my white dress. Souta would've looked adorable as the ring bearer." Kagome fell into her thoughts of her ideal wedding. Inuyasha paused eating chips as he listened to her vision.
"Sango would've been my maid of honor. She would wear a very soft lavender dress while all of my other bride's maids wear a creme color. The isle I'd walk down would've been flourished with flower petals. My family all sitting down in one area." Kagome sighed at the imaginary wedding. She had hoped for so much, but received so less...
"What about cameras?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome was a bit shocked at his question. He was actually listening?
"What about them?" Kagome shrugged.
"If it was an outdoor wedding, then they're bound to surround the area. Taking pictures of every little object. Kind of kills the moment, don't you think?" Sure, Inuyasha made a point. Kagome thought about it for a second.
"I think by the time I'm ready to have my own wedding, I'll be ready to face any kind of publicity." Kagome decided. "It wouldn't really matter since I'm with the one I love, right?"
Kagome sat up from the couch and looked at Inuyasha. She smiled sweetly. Inuyasha took a moment to look at her. A few seconds later, he resumed munching down on his bag of chips.
"You're so corny, Higurashi." Inuyasha said in between bites. Kagome shook her head as she laughed at herself. "So what would your reception be like?"
Kagome's heart lifted. It seemed that Inuyasha was enjoying this conversation. He had willingly asked more about the topic. Her smile broadened.
"Well, I'd want it to be some place where the air is warm. Not too warm to make everyone all sweaty, but not too breezy that they'd be cold and uncomfortable." Kagome stated clearly. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"As if any wedding wants to have sweaty or shivering guests." he stated dumbly. Kagome ignored his comment.
"It'd be in a giant transparent tent. One that keeps all of the bugs out. There would be a dance floor in the middle with all of the tables surrounding it. A DJ would be in the corner and next to it would be the long table in which me, my husband, and all of our court would sit." Kagome placed her elbow on the rim of the couch. She rested her head on her hand.
"We'd have caterers serve our food. Music. Dancing. A toast. And finally, we'd end the night by exiting in a limo to our romantic get-away honeymoon." She sighed at the dream.
"That's it?" Inuyasha asked, a bit disappointed. Kagome raised her head. "I thought you'd be more creative with your wedding."
"What am I missing?"
"A surprise."
Kagome raised her eyebrow.
"A surprise?" Kagome repeated. Inuyasha nodded his head as he folded the bag of chips.
"You know, a little token to you from your husband or something. From your friends, family." Inuyasha explained. Kagome thought about it. That would be nice...
"That is a nice thought." she nodded her head. "What gave you that idea?"
"Was planning one for Kikyo." Inuyasha said carelessly. Kagome's eyes widened and suddenly she felt very guilty for talking about weddings.
"Sorry for bringing it up." Kagome said apologetically.
"You didn't." Inuyasha said nonchalantly, but still bold enough to be precise that it was not her fault. "Just proves that she wasn't the one to deserve a surprise."
Kagome decided to remain silent. Just in case she replied with something totally offensive.
"How did you two manage to keep the engagement under wraps for so long anyhow? All I knew was that you two were dating." Kagome asked. She knew that perhaps this was a nosy question, but it still was a part of her curiosity.
"When people really want something to be a secret, they keep it a secret." Inuyasha said simply. "Like how I'm a half-demon."
Kagome nodded with understanding.
"So what's this with you and family?" Inuyasha asked, completely changing the subject. Kagome looked at him a bit confused.
"My family?" she repeated. Inuyasha nodded his head. "Well, I love them?" she answered, wondering if that was the answer he was looking for. Inuyasha smirked.
"Well that so much is evident." he mocked. "I'm asking why. What makes them so important to you?"
Now that was a weird question, Kagome thought. What would give her a reason not to love her family?
"I just do." she shrugged. "They're there for me non-stop. Make me happy. Support me. Lots of things. Don't you feel that way about your family?"
The two were silent for a moment. Kagome wanted to smack herself on the forehead. There she went on again. Bringing up tough questions that were obviously not intended to be answered. On the other hand, all of these silent moments made Kagome realize just how much she didn't know about Inuyasha.
"I couldn't care less for my pathetic excuse for a family." Inuyasha finally answered, surprising Kagome.
"What?" Kagome asked in disbelief. How could someone be so careless for their family?
"Dad walked out when I was 6. Mom died a few months before my 16th birthday." Inuyasha explained. Kagome found it odd that he spoke so freely about situations with such angst.
"Do you have any siblings?"
"A brother. Older. Still alive," Inuyasha replied, his voice getting a bit deeper. "Unfortunately."
"I love my brother, even if he is the younger one. What makes yours so different?" Kagome wondered.
"He's the biggest bastard out of all my family." Inuyasha said deeply. Kagome winced at the sincerity in his voice. "I haven't talked to him since my mother passed away. Besides, it's not like he's anticipating a family reunion or anything. So why bother?"
"How do you know that he doesn't want to see you?" Kagome asked, trying to find the optimism in the conversation. Inuyasha eyed her as if she hadn't heard a word he had said.
"I know Sesshoumaru. He doesn't give a damn about me, and the feeling is mutual. We fight. We yell. We curse. Nothing's changed." Inuyasha stated boldly.
"That's how all siblings are!" Kagome exclaimed. She found Inuyasha's point of view a bit childish. It seemed that Inuyasha held more of a grudge toward his brother than a real reason to hate him. "It's like me and Souta. Sure he can be the biggest pain, but I still love him."
Inuyasha just rolled his eyes. She always brought up how much she loved Souta. It was sickening.
"Look, you don't have to take my advice, but I highly recommend that you at least make some contact with your brother. See what's new and confirm this suspected tension between you two." Kagome said as she stood up and walked towards the kitchen. "It's worth a shot."
"Keh. Whatever." he shrugged.
Kagome sighed. He seemed to not even consider her advice. Big surprise on that one though. It took him long enough to just listen to her. She wondered how long it would take for him to take advice.
As Kagome walked into the kitchen, she looked at the filming schedule taped on the refrigerator. They hadn't even completed half of the movie yet.
"Looks like we'll be filming tomorrow," Kagome said as she looked at the dates. She frowned as her eyes scanned the paper. "and it'll continue every day after that."
"We haven't even gone through half of the movie yet, and I'm already tired of it." Kagome groaned as she took a seat in the kitchen across from Inuyasha. He smirked as she whined.
"Such an amateur." he shook his head. Kagome scrunched her face with dismay.
"Hey! My acting is doing very well. Ask Miroku yourself, he said so." Kagome fought in her defense.
"You're doing alright. 'Very well' is an overstatement." he insulted. Kagome stuck out her tongue at Inuyasha, but smiled.
'Not much of a compliment...' Kagome thought to herself. 'but then again, it wasn't much of an insult either...'
"You smile too much." Inuyasha broke her thoughts. She stared at him oddly.
"What's wrong with smiling?"
"Nothing. You just do it a lot." Inuyasha said doubtfully, he looked watched as Kagome raised an eyebrow.
"Is there something wrong with smiling? Or would you prefer me walking around like this?" Kagome puffed out her lips like a fish and created a puffy frown. Her eyes were crossed and her cheeks were puffed out. She placed her fingers behind her ears to extend them. Inuyasha watched before him as the woman that was thought to be his 'wife' transformed into what looked like a monkey!
Inuyasha curled his lips as he tried to stifle his laughter. Kagome kept on the goofy face and began to move her head from left to right.
Suddenly, Inuyasha's lips uncurled and his chuckles were loud and open. Kagome undid her face and watched as Inuyasha laughed. His smile was broad and charming. For the few moments of his laughter, Kagome felt at a daze by his reaction.
She liked it when Inuyasha smiled. Even if he was expressing several sounds of laughter. He never really laughed out of enjoyment. Smirks were the only thing she heard out of him. When he laughed it was. . . warming.
"Alas, I have finally gotten a smile out of you. A real one." Kagome said proudly as Inuyasha stopped laughing.
"What's the difference?"
"Well, usually if you ever smile it's only for pictures and interviews. This one was real because I made you laugh." Kagome grinned. Inuyasha shook his head as he tried to hide a small smile from remembering the face Kagome made.
"That was pretty funny." Inuyasha gave in. He stood up from the chair. "One hell of an ugly face."
Kagome's smile faded instantly. Did he just call her ugly? Ouch, that was a bit below the waist...
As he walked towards the couch, Inuyasha looked back at Kagome. Her smile was gone. Suddenly he felt a like a total ass for that last comment. If he could remember anything from Miroku's 'talks' about women, it was the rule to never call a woman ugly (even if she was). And it was even a worse pain to feel if you called an attractive woman ugly.
He sighed as he walked back behind her. Inuyasha placed a hand on her shoulder gently.
"Don't worry about it, Kagome. That face was ugly." he tried to console. "But on your normal days when you're not making yourself look like a goof ball, you're not as hideous."
The side of Kagome's lip rose into a crooked grin. She saw his efforts on consoling others and, though they weren't extremely effective, they were still. . .lifting.
"And plus, you're a cute one." he said while lightly patting her cheek in a friendly matter. Before Kagome could react, he turned his back and sat down on the couch and flipped on the T.V. "Glad I got drunk and hitched to someone like you rather than some old hag with four teeth."
Kagome giggled to herself. Inuyasha was being oddly sweet today. And though they weren't the sweetest of words, they still managed to make her spirit come alive once again.
'Thanks Inuyasha...' Kagome thought as she looked back at the couch. She smiled at the back of Inuyasha's head. 'I'm glad to be married with you also.'
"Where are we?" Sango whispered hoarsely as she clung onto Miroku's arm. He lead her into a dark building that smelt of smoke and coffee beans. She squinted as a violet light made its way into the room.
"A stripper's night club." Miroku replied as he kept on walking. Sango's face scrunched up with disgust. She used her free hand to smack him painfully on the chest. He stopped and chuckled. Miroku turned towards Sango and gently covered her hand on his arm. "I'm kidding. It's a surprise."
"But where?" Sango asked. Miroku gave her a sweet grin and continued walking. Her grasp on the arm of his black blazer tightened as she moved closer to him. "Is it safe?"
"Sango, my dear. Have no worries." Miroku consoled as he continued to walk. "It's perfectly safe here. I come here all of the time to relax."
Sango just continued to let her eyes wander as they tried to make out where Miroku was taking her. Miroku smiled at her reaction to the unfamiliar area. He found her naivete to be highly charming. It also showed him a different side to her. A side that obviously hadn't had time to look beyond business. Finally, Miroku stopped as he turned to face Sango once again. Behind him was door frame covered by long beads in exchange for a door.
"And now, Sango. Allow me to present to you Café Combination!" Miroku said proudly as he brought his arm out to unveil what was behind the beads. Sango's eyes widened at the room.
It was a dim room that smelt of stronger coffee beans than the outer building. It was a sweet, captivating scent that made Sango's nose tingle. In the front of the room there was a large stage. More than half of the light that shone in the area was pointed towards the stage. A man dressed in black sat down while playing his guitar behind a microphone. Sango observed the audience. There were small tables for two and large separate couches around the room.
"Shall we go in?" Miroku asked as he held out his arm. Sango gazed at him with a confused expression upon her face. Then, taking a look back into the room, she hesitantly accepted his arm as they walked into the café.
"So what is this?" She whispered as he lead her deeper into the room.
"It's an underground performing arts communion." Miroku explained. "I like to come here after long days of shooting. It loosens up stress and irritation."
Leading her onto a table in front of the stage, he pulled out one of the small black chairs and gestured for Sango to take a seat. She nodded her head in thanks and sat down. Miroku took a seat across from her and within a few seconds a waitress came by to take their orders.
"Hey Houshi! Long time no see." A young girl says as she holds a notepad and a piece of paper. She wears a black apron over a white blouse.
"Ah, hello Rin. Yes, it has been a while. I've just started filming a new movie." Miroku explained as he spoke casually to the young girl.
"Oh that's fantastic!" Rin exclaimed happily. "I'm sure it'll be wonderful just like all of your other films."
"Let's just hope so." Miroku chuckled at her compliment. He looked over at Sango, who seemed to have an expression of distaste on her face. "Rin, this is Sango. Sango, this is Rin."
"Hey there! Is this your first time here at Combination? I don't think I've seen you around before." Rin said with a sweet smile. Sango couldn't help but return with a grin. She hoped that this girl wasn't a victim of Miroku's wandering hands. She seemed so innocent.
"Yes, this is my first time here. I had no idea they had an underground café in the city." Sango replied.
"You'll love it here! Especially if Mr. Houshi's around." Rin smiled. "He's pretty legendary in these parts."
"I'm sure he is." Sango said wryly. She shot a look at Miroku that made him laugh nervously.
"So what will it be today?" Rin finally asked. Sango stammered her words. She completely forgot to look over the menu. Looking over the many types of drinks, Sango felt a bit pressured for she didn't want to keep the young girl waiting. She also forgot to bring her money so expensive was not a part of her interest.
"The usual, Rin. And Sango?" Miroku replied as he handed Rin his menu. Sango bit her lip as she tried to decide what to order.
"Er...I'll have..." she stalled.
"I'll just put you down for the same." Rin casually interrupted. Usually, that wouldn't been found rude, but in Sango's case it was lifesaving. "You'll enjoy it. Trust me." the girl winked.
Turning around to walk away, Rin paused and looked towards Miroku.
"I'm looking forward to another piece of your dazzling work." she smiled cheerfully and walked away. Miroku grinned as he watched the waitress disappear behind the counter to make their drinks.
Sango looked at him with disgust in her eyes.
"Don't tell me." she stopped him before he could speak. "She's the remedy to your stress."
"Who? Rin?" Miroku asked in amazement. "Surely you are mistaken. Rin is still an adolescent. I would not sink to such low levels."
"Could've fooled me." Sango muttered under her breath. Miroku sighed, but then slowly smiled. Sango folded her hands on the table as she turned her head to watch the guitar player on the stage.
"Dear Sango," Miroku said softly as he placed a hand on hers. Sango snapped her head forward to face him with surprise. "Have you forgotten that you alone are the remedy to my feared solitary?"
Sango's cheeks turned an instant shade of pink. She did not remove her hand from underneath the director's. Her mind screamed for her to take back her hand, but another part made her stay. She feared the other part that overpowered her mind. She feared her heart.
Before she could speak, the lights dimmed. Miroku removed his hand and looked around the room. Sango began to feel worried. What was happening?
"Excuse me, Sango." Miroku said calmly as he stood up from his chair and began to leave. Before she could object, he was gone and lost in the darkness of the room. Sango fell back into her seat and bit her lip.
He had just left her! What a jerk! What an selfless moron to leave her there! It was one thing to bring her to an area that she was completely unaware of. And it was another to leave her! Sango began to tap her finger excessively on the table. She was nervous – a feeling that was not normal for the Taijiya woman.
She felt vulnerable. Moments ago she was allowing a man whom she had found extremely intolerable caress her hand. She also allowed him to lead her in such a place where she had never heard of. She had let her guard down and now it was time for her to pay the consequences.
"Hey there." a familiar perky voice interrupted Sango's thoughts. Rin placed two coffee mugs onto the table. "Where's Mr. Houshi?"
"I have absolutely no idea." Sango said with worry as she looked around. Much to her disappointment, it was difficult seeing much of anything with the darkness. Everyone looked like similar dark black shadows. "You just missed him though. He left just a few minutes ago."
Sango felt Rin sit down in the Miroku's chair. She heard the girl sigh with excitement.
"Fantastic!" Rin exclaimed as she clapped her hands together. "I came just at the right time."
"For what?" Sango asked curiously. When her question was left unanswered, Sango figured that it must've been unheard due to the groups of chatter occurring in the background. She shrugged while taking a sip of her coffe and decided not to repeat herself.
"So how long have you and Mr. Houshi been dating?" the innocent girl's voice came in. Sango nearly choked on her drink at the question.
"Dating?" Sango managed to say in between coughs. A light began to shine in the room and Sango's vision returned. She looked across from her and saw that Rin was still smiling as always. The waitress handed her a napkin.
"You two are seeing each other, correct?" Rin said hesitantly. Sango just murmured from behind her napkin as she wiped the coffee off of her chin. "I'm sorry if I assumed anything. It's just that Mr. Houshi has never been accompanied with a woman here at the café. Or by anyone, for that matter."
"I find that hard to believe." Sango said sarcastically. Rin just grinned.
"Believe it, Ms. Sango. Even the elder workers here at Café Combination have said so." the young girl nodded her head. "Each day that Mr. Houshi has arrived here, he's chosen to come by himself. That is, until today."
Sango looked down at her coffee mug. She stared at the liquid as if it were the most interesting thing in the room. In truth, she wanted to hide the blush that appeared on her cheeks. She continued to look down at her beverage.
Was the young waitress telling her the truth? It seemed innocent enough. However, it was difficult to accept that the director whose hands were always in the wrong place seemed to have a place of personal solitude. And now, he was sharing it with her.
The room became silent, and Rin vigorously began to tap Sango's palm. She looked up from her coffee mug and at the smiling girl.
"It's time!" Rin whispered excitedly. Sango placed on a crooked smile. Time? Time for what? Sango groaned silently. She hoped this wouldn't be one of those places where people hugged after ever performance. Oh please make it not be that.
The violet lighting returned and it focused on the stage. Sango's eyes widened at the revealed performer. Miroku.
He held a guitar at hand as he sat down on a black stool. Sango placed down her mug as she began to listen intently as he strummed his fingers on the strings of the instrument
"I apologize for the short length of this performance," Miroku said as he licked his lips. A small grin appeared on his lips. "Unfortunately, I'm on curfew."
The audience chuckled. Sango heard a group of girls in the corner sigh with admiration. She merely rolled her eyes.
"I'm starting to fashion an idea in my head
where I would impress you
with every single word I said."
Sango watched as the lyrics slid out of Miroku's lips. His eyes were closed and he rotated his head with the music. She tapped her foot on the floor as the rhythm began to flow through her.
"Would come out insightful or brave or smooth or charming
and you'd want to call me.
I would be there every time you'd need me."
Miroku opened his eyes during his pause. As expected, he held the gazes of the audience in the palm of his hands. All, but one. He looked over at Sango. Her eyes were closed. A quick grin appeared on his lips as he noticed her tapping her foot.
She was listening.
"I'd be there every time...
But for now I'll look so longingly
waiting..."
Sango found herself being captured within his voice. His words began to flow through her mind as the sun does in the morning. She didn't want it to end. His voice was full of inspiration and sincerity. It made Sango feel like a whole different person. The person she always wanted to be. The person she was meant to be.
"For you to want me,
for you to need me,
for you to notice me."