Oh, don't kill me, okay? I know I haven't updated in well over two months, but you'll forgive, right? Right? (sighs) anyway, the characters belong to Rumiko but I created the plot-

Rumiko: You stole my story…

T,T Yeah, I have 'Secret Window' on the brain, anyway…onto the fic!

Forever an Illusion

Chapter 13: Secrets Revealed

Jaken had his right cheek pressed nicely against the window of the book store, snoring loudly. Apparently, he had been sitting in the same place since he found out that Sango and Miroku would be arriving there... sometime during the day. However, Jaken had successfully managed to fall into a deep slumber, causing many customers to point and stare at his odd looking, sleeping form. It was only until one of the giant glass doors slammed him right in the face (yes, he was foolish enough to stand right behind a door) did Jaken abruptly awaken, and slink away from the entrance.

"So, Kahaku, any idea whatcha need?" Sango smiled down at him, offering Kohaku a glance at the reading list.

He rummaged in his pockets for his chocolate bar, and peeled the wrappings down. Kohaku stared at it, then at Sango, and spoke so that she could barely hear him, "Hey, Sango? Can I have a minute with Mr. Sherbert?"

Sango blinked, stealing a glance at Miroku and nodded. "Of course, my dear brother! I'm going to ask the customer service where I can find these."

Kohaku stood there, shifting from one foot to the other, until his sister was far out of hearing reach. He then turned to Miroku, who was the first to speak.

"What's troubling you, Kohaku?" He asked, placing a hand on the boy's right shoulder.

Kohaku flushed, feeling a drop of sweat trickle down the side of his face, "What makes you think something's bothering me, sir?"

"Well," Miroku said, rather calmly, "your expression has a great deal to do with it, but then again, I could be mistaken." He offered Kohaku a seat which was conveniently located against a nearby book shelf.

The boy took it, but slowly. "Well, I wanted to talk to you about my sister." Kohaku gazed up into Miroku's wonderfully violet eyes. "You really love her, right?"

Such a question caused Miroku to step back a foot. "Of course I love her. Sango is an amazing woman…" Suddenly Miroku began to take note of each and every book in his surroundings, and a feeling of immense guilt twisted and turned within his stomach.

Kohaku realized the short pause at the end of Miroku's answer and continued, "You wouldn't ever hurt Sango, would you, sir? My sister means a lot to me, and I don't want her to encounter anymore unneeded pain." He cast his gaze down towards the rug underneath his feet. "Sango doesn't need anymore of that..."

This feeling was beginning to grow. "Of course, Kohaku, I would never harm Sango."

"Good…" Kohaku quickly looked up, 'because I like you, sir! You're much better than some of Sango's other boyfriends!" He then leapt to his feet, and gave Miroku a quick hug, which Miroku responded to as a father embraces his son.

"Hey, you want my chocolate bar? I wasn't really going to eat it." Kohaku laughed, "in fact, I was going to give it to Shippou, but he made such a big fuss earlier." Taking Miroku's hand, the chocolate bar was rested into Miroku's palm.

Miroku clasped it. "Thanks, Kohaku."

"No problem!" Kohaku looked around for his sister, until he spotted her at one of the 'newly arrived' tables in the center of the store. "Hey, Sango! What are you looking at?"

Miroku and his kid companion met Sango at her side. Across from her, however, was a green imp. Miroku could've sworn that he had met him before. But, Priest couldn't quite place his finger on it.

"…My lady, these are our newly arrived novels! Perhaps you'll find a book of your liking here." The thing grinned, slipping a copy of Miroku's literary work between the piles of ordinary ones.

"Don't I know you?" Miroku questioned, circling around the toad-like creature, like a shark determining whether to attack its prey. He noticed how the demon got a bit flustered, and suspiciously went to hide his face behind one of the books.

"N-no, I believe you do not! I'm only but a simple worker, working in a bookstore…"

"Yes, but I really do think I have met you before."

Jaken fled with a poor excuse that he was in desperate need of using the facilities and managed to knock over half the table in the process.

"Strange thing, isn't he?" Sango sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her left ear. "Maybe there are some of your books in this pile, Kohaku." And the three bent down on their knees to clean the 'employee's' mess up.

"He certainly looked funny." Kohaku grinned, shoving the books back onto the table. "Sango! Look at this!" Kohaku handed the book to his sister. The cover immediately caught Sango's attention. Across the front, in bold, gold letters, read "Forever an Illusion" followed by a picture which made all of Sango's blood rush to her cheeks, to the point where her blush surpassed red and went all the way to purple. Two lovers were sprawled across what looked like a desk-or maybe-a table…. Whatever it was, it looked like the two were surrounded by books, and the only clothing either of them had was themselves, and a deep purple blanket. Sango was so mezmoried by the cover, that she did not even realize who had written the story, and quickly flipped it open.

Cover now visible, Miroku's eyes widened. His heart had surely stopped beating; at least, that's how he felt. For one brief moment, he thought of snatching the book away from Sango, but thought that that would only lead to double curiosity, and at that moment, he actually thought of-

"MIROKU!" He could feel the harsh sensation of her hand being slapped across the side of his face. But how Miroku once longed to caress Sango's bottom, how he had to fight the overpowering urge, and now…he finally was able to. A burning red cheek and a slap mark was a small price to pay for such odd, perverted pleasure.

"What...what were you thinking?" Sango gasped angrily, wanting to smack him over the head with something heavy. "My brother's right here! You...you pervert!"

"Sango, you're all red…" Kohaku said, surprised.

But Miroku wasn't paying attention to the ramblings of Sango. All he could think about was how in the world had that book been published? Surely Inuyasha would not have betrayed him like that? He needed to call somebody, but the thought of leaving Sango alone with that book was too much to bear, and far too risky. No, it was not Inuyasha; he'd have to believe that.

"Sister, you're eyes are bulging!"

That little comment was enough to snap Miroku back into reality. He dared to look over at Sango. This resulted in a terror Miroku had regained once he focused and realized that Sango had, for a second time, picked up the book. And now, she was horribly engrossed within it.

"Sango, you're mouth is gaping!"

Miroku glared at Kohaku, who automatically went silent.

"Sango?" he spoke, causing her to do nothing but continue reading.

Finally, Miroku just closed the book on her. Sango finally noticed the author's name typed beautifully at the bottom of the cover.

She trailed her finger over it. "Miroku…Sherbert…" Sango said, as if she were in some sort of a trance.

Miroku threw the book on the floor and held Sango to him in a tight embrace. "Sango, let's keep looking for Kohaku's books, shall we?"

He could feel Sango's arms go limp underneath him. She stared into his chest for a bit, before responding. "You had a book published?"

Miroku could see the fluid movement of her lips, but as far as words go, she was barely audible. "Sango, I have something to tell you…"

Nothing. He could hear nothing.

"I'm not who you think I am." Miroku stuttered, resting his chin on her head. "I'm…I am…" He paused collecting his thoughts, "remember when we first met, and you dropped your books in the hall," A nod, and Miroku continued, "You said that Miroku Priest was a womanizer, if you will, and I had agreed."

"…"

"But, when you asked me my name, Sango, I wasn't being truthful to you." He took a deep breath, "Sango-my love-I am Miroku Priest."

She stared up at him with blank eyes. "What?"

Miroku could feel his eyes moisten, "Oh, Sango. I can't lie to you anymore. I write romance novels for a living, I was raised by a drunken old man who got me interested in the female body! However, when I had a serious case of writers block, it was my idea-no, Inuyasha's idea- our idea, to go to school, meet a pretty lady and pretend to fall in love with her. Based on how the relationship went, I would publish a book based off of my own experiences and get enough money to 'buy a simple package of ramen' so that-"

Sango cut him off in mid sentence, "So…you used me?"

Okay, now he was dying, "No, Sango! You don't understand! I-"

She broke free of his loving hold, "You used me to make a profit!" Sango screamed, causing shoppers to look up and stare.

This was all making sense, she finally comprehended everything.

"That book, that I found on your coffee table, that was yours…and…and whenever I used to call you Sherbert, it was always a delayed reaction on your part!" Sango felt the hot tears dripping slowly from her brown eyes. "We…we did things together!"

Miroku took a step towards her, "Sango!"

"Don't come near me, you letch!" She took hold of Kohaku's hand and was about to lead him towards the exit, "I told you everything about me! About Kohaku, about father, everything! I trusted you with my feelings, and here you are, recording it for the entire world to read!"

"I lov-"

She was now crying hysterics, which caused Miroku's very heart to break in two. "Don't you dare tell me you love me! YOU'RE LYING!"

Kohaku was released by Sango. "You said you wouldn't hurt her!" Kohaku raged. "You promised me just minutes ago!"

Miroku honestly didn't know what to think, what to say…

"You're not even worth slapping!" Kohaku roared, meeting Sango at the exit and stomping off into the busy streets. They ran away, just ran away and left him there. Miroku was getting looks that shot venom into his very soul. He felt empty, as he just stood in the center of the book store, staring at the glass door.

He was numb.

As all this went on, Jaken chuckled pleasingly to himself, and snuck out the door.

TBC

Next chapter is the last chapter…I think…I might have an epilogue. Oh, I just realized…this is chapter 13…how…fitting. R and R!