More To Life

Chapter 15 - Clean Up

Author's Note:

Okay I think this is the last time I'm gonna put up a disclaimer. You all know by now that I don't own Inuyasha.

When Sango and Miroku returned to the house Kagome was up and sitting next to Inuyasha on the sofa with her head leaning gently against his shoulder. "Kagome!" Sango exclaimed. "You really shouldn't be up!"

"I said the same thing," Inuyasha grumbled but there was no mistaking the fond look he gave Kagome. "But she insisted that she was well enough to plan everything out with us. I think the only reason she's up is because she hates feeling left out."

Kagome smacked Inuyasha lightly, "that is not true! Well actually the last bit is but I'm up because I need to be involved and we're going to have to put our heads together for this plan and we'll need all the ideas we can get. " Turning to Miroku she said, "I called Kouga and asked if we could meet with him."

"Oh," Miroku replied. "And what did he say?"

"He said to meet him at the Fallen Angel in an hour," Kagome replied ignoring Inuyasha's grumbling. "But I told him we'd meet him there later on tonight."

"Why?" Miroku asked confused.

"Is it just me!" Kagome exclaimed throwing her hands up in the air. "Or did anybody else remember that Sango's apartment was trashed? And that we need to help her fix it?"

"Oh!" Sango exclaimed. "My apartment! I completely forgot!"

"So did I," Miroku said guiltily.

""What?" Inuyasha exclaimed absolutely clueless. "Sango's apartment was broken into!"

"INUYASHA!" Kagome exclaimed. "Sango already told us that this morning!"

"Well I had a little much on my mind this morning wench, or did you forget all about Miroku?" Inuyasha retorted.

"Inuyasha," Kagome said flames dancing menacingly in her eyes. And Inuyasha realized too late that he had called Kagome the "w" word again. "SIT!" Inuyasha yelled as he plummeted once again into Miroku's carpet.

"Awwwww damn it woman why do you always have to do that! Do have any idea of how much that HURTS!" Inuyasha growled clutching his head.

"Ooooooh," Kagome squealed in indignation. "You insensitive jerk! My name is Kagome, why don't you start using it and maybe I won't say the word 'sit' so much!"

"Ahhhhhh," Inuyasha yelled as he plummeted downwards for the second time.

"Oh I'm sorry did I use the word 'sit'? Oh my I did use the words 'sit'! Oops I forgot about how when I say the word 'sit' you get hurt. Ok Inuyasha I promise to stop staying the word 'sit'," Kagome said purposely faking innocence and stupidity.

Inuyasha said something but the carpet muffled what ever obscenities he was saying.

Miroku and Sango winced each time the "s" word was uttered.

"Kagome is definitely not in a good mood today," Sango murmured.

"It's the blood loss, it triggers excess hormone production. I pity Inuyasha though I would have thought by now he would have learned to stay away from Kagome after she's given blood," Miroku whispered back.

"Ahem!" Sango said clearing her voice deciding to rescue Inuyasha from a concussion.

"Kagome you must be famished, do you want some pancakes?"

"What?" Kagome exclaimed mid-argument with Inuyasha.

"Do you want something to eat?" Sango repeated.

"Oh yes that would be wonderful, thank you Sango," Kagome said. "Here I'll come help."

"Sure," Sango said. She personally agreed with Inuyasha that Kagome should still be lying down but if she left Kagome in the same room with Inuyasha any longer they might kill each other.

After Sango had made Kagome a plate of pancakes, she said washing her hands, "Well I think I'm going to go take a shower."

"Oh!" Kagome said, her mouth full, indicating with Sango with a wave of her hand not to go. Chewing furiously to finish the mouthful of pancake, Kagome swallowed and said, "why not wait until after we clean your apartment. I don't think Miroku will have very many shampoo products and you'll only get dirty again cleaning your apartment. So wait because you'll want to take a shower before we go to the Fallen Angel, you can take one at my place and then we can get you all dressed up for tonight."

"Excuse me?" Sango asked confused. "I thought we were just going to talk to some vampire named Kouga. Why do I need to get dressed up?"

"Well not exactly dressed up," Kagome said explaining. "More like 'glamed' up. The Fallen Angel is a club that's mostly only for vampires. If we went there only to talk to Kouga we'd look suspicious, we need to dress for the occasion. Not to mention it would be fun to go partying tonight."

"Wha-What!" stuttered Sango. "You mean like go dancing?"

"Well yeah!"

"But I- I-," Sango said still stuttering and beginning to blush. She looked warily over at Inuyasha and Miroku who were deep in conversation across the room and went over to Kagome and whispered in her ear embarrassed, "but Kagome I- I- don't know how to dance."

"What!" exclaimed both Miroku and Inuyasha simultaneously. "You don't know how to dance!"

"Damn," Sango swore; she had forgotten about Miroku and Inuyasha's super vampire senses.

"Are you serious Sango!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Yeah," Sango said blushing even more.

"Well that's okay Sango, I can teach you when you come over today after we clean your apartment," Kagome said patting her on the shoulder. Then clearing her throat loudly Kagome said, "so come on lets all get over to Sango's apartment." Then much to Sango, Inuyasha and Miroku's amazement she began shovelling food into her mouth so fast her fork was a blur. Sango was surprised she didn't choke.

"Now that," Miroku said with awe, "is a skill I would love to perfect…"

"No kidding," Inuyasha agreed.

"Okay, DONE!" Kagome proclaimed happily clapping her hands together (A/N: you know how I mean) Jumping to her feet Kagome grabbed Sango's hand and before she could protest had dragged her out of the house and sat her down in the car, which left Inuyasha and Miroku just staring at the place where Sango had been standing only seconds before blinking.

"What just happened exactly?" Miroku asked confused.

"I think Kagome's gone into hyper mode," Inuyasha said.

"Are you sure that was even Kagome?" Miroku asked still blinking in confusion. "I was next to positive that was a tornado…"

"Come ON you guys!" Kagome shouted from the backseat of Miroku's car.

"No definitely Kagome," Inuyasha said.

"We better get out there like she wants," Miroku replied finally managing to top blinking. "Who knows what will happen if we don't."

"Yeah," Inuyasha said. "But first can I get a pair of pants and a shirt?"

"Sure, come on," Miroku said motioning Inuyasha to follow him. "I need to change too."

Twenty minutes later now at Sango's Apartment

The four of them stood in the doorway looking into Sango's apartment with slightly dazed expressions. "Sango…" Kagome said after a few moments. "I didn't realize it was this bad!"

"Yeah," Sango replied. "I don't remember it being this bad either."

"Where in the world do we start," Inuyasha said.

"I know," Miroku agreed.

"Well," Kagome said, "Sango where do you think we should start?"

"The bedroom I think," Sango answered. "I recall the mattress being flipped off the bed so I'll need some help with putting that back on……Miroku if you'll help me with that I be able to handle my room. Kagome can you straighten the living room up, and Inuyasha could you take care of the kitchen?"

"Sure," Kagome responded cheerfully.

"Yeah sure," Inuyasha muttered. "Where the broom and scooper, it looks as if there's a lot of broken plates and glasses."

"They should be in the cupboard under the sink," Sango replied. "If you guys have any questions about where something goes just ask me, okay?" Seeing them all nod Sango grabbed Miroku and hauled him off to her bedroom to help her. Suddenly Sango noticed Miroku with a huge grin plastered on his face and looked around to see what was of so much interest to him that he couldn't take his eyes off. "Miroku!" Sango yelled angrily blushing furiously when she saw the drawer where she kept all her bras and underwear lying out in the open, Sango hastened to cover it up by shoving it into its proper compartment. Whiling around she snapped, "there's no need to look so disappointed. Did you honestly think I was going to let you gape at my underclothes all day!"

"You know Sango," Miroku said, "I never would have imagined that you wore thongs…"

"What!" Sango spluttered furiously. "PERVERT!" she cried hitting him repeatedly. Ignoring Miroku who was now rubbing a very red cheek Sango turned away and muttered, "just forget it. Get out of my room, I'll fix it by myself." Walking over to the upturned mattress Sango bent down and picked the heavy object up, her muscles –strong as they were- protested greatly at the weight.

Grasping the mattress tighter she thought of Miroku's perverted-ness and when the rush of adrenaline came Sango miraculously managed to put the mattress back on the bed.

Panting Sango leaned back up against the wall and closed her eyes. Why did it make her so mad when she thought of how Miroku would grope any semi-attractive female under the sun? Sighing she opened her eyes and noticing all the clothes lying around bent down onto her hands and knees and began picking up all her shirts. Standing up after she had picked up the few shirts she possessed, only about 15 which compared drastically to the vast wardrobe she had possessed before the fire had burnt everything. Recalling the nice clothes she had owned before….Sango let loose another sigh.

Hanging each one up Sango couldn't help but feel ashamed; she really had nothing that was suitable for a club! Hanging the last shirt Sango remembered with relief how Kagome had offered to help her get ready. Kagome would help her look…presentable. Dropping back down she began to pick up her pants and fold them placing each on the bed and when she was done folding them along with the two skirts she possessed, she placed them carefully in their drawers and started to make her bed complete with the pillows that had previously been on it. Sango looked around for the last pillow she owned, when suddenly it was shoved in her face. Taking the pillow from Miroku, Sango placed it on the bed.

"Sorry Sango," he said helplessly rubbing the back of his head. "I know you get mad but I just can't help it."

"Whatever you hentai," Sango muttered. "I'm going to clean my bathroom now so you can go help Inuyasha or Kagome."

Half an hour later when her bathroom and room were tidied to her satisfaction Sango returned to the small living room where everyone was sitting around talking on the couch. Looking at the bareness of the room, Sango was painfully aware of how very few things she had left. The robbers had taken all of the paintings, leaving the glaring white walls, all the various nick-nacks, the TV, the VCR. Looking at the kitchen Sango was sad to see they had also taken her coffee machine, her microwave, and various other small things. Anything else that the robbers hadn't been able to take, like the dishes, they had smashed. Closing her eyes in defeat, Sango refused to cry, it was a close battle but she won in the end. They were only things after all, she could easily replace them.

When she was sure she wasn't break down she opened her eyes again and sighed. How was she ever going to be able to afford to replace everything? Renting this apartment alone was draining what little money her parents had left her.

"Sango?" Kagome asked tentatively putting a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Sango looked up she hadn't even noticed that Kagome had gotten up and come over to her. "Yeah," she said pressing her lips together and nodding her head, "I'm fine. It's just so hard. Its hard to believe how much they took from me; a clean sweep." Walking over to the couch Sango collapsed tiredly, "I'm just feeling very lost right now. I don't know what to do." Looking up at Kagome, Sango went on, "You see I don't have enough money really to be able to replace everything that was stolen. This apartment alone is draining all my money, plus there's food and well I already had to re-purchase almost everything after the fire……" she trailed off not knowing what else to say.

"Well that solution's an easy one," Kagome said. "You can come live with me."

"Kagome, there's no room at your place for Sango at your place," Inuyasha said. "Even you have to admit your apartments a bit too small even for you."

"Well what are you suggesting then," Kagome snapped back. "There's no way I'm gonna leave Sango to the streets!"

"That's not what I was suggesting," Inuyasha replied, "She can stay with me, I've got my own place and she can stay in the attic. There's a bed up there, and more room than she'll have in your place."

"Just wait a second there!" Miroku interjected angrily. "If anything Sango's staying with me. I have my own house! She can have her own bedroom! Sango doesn't want a dusty attic!"

"But Sango wouldn't want to stay with either of you. I'm a girl, she'll want to stay with another female not a guy! Plus we can make it work! I can get a… a futon, or what ever you call it!"

"There is no way Sango would want to stay at either of your places, "Inuyasha argued. "Why would she want to stay with a pervert or in a way too small apartment!"

"Sango's going to stay with me!" Miroku said once again. "I have more room than both of you put together!"

"No she's not!" Kagome and Inuyasha said simultaneously. "You'd drive her insane in a week! For heavens sake you too she needs a female roommate!"

Sango just stood there looking slightly bewildered, she had never expected this in her wildest dreams! She had never had anyone friends or family that would have argued over who was going to get to live with her!

"Let's ask Sango!" Kagome said angrily to Inuyasha. Instantly much to Sango embarrassment all three of them turned to her and said, 'well Sango who do you want to live with!"

"I, uhhhhh," Sango said thinking furiously. She had to accept one of there offers, but whose? Kagome was right, living with a girl would have been her preference. But Inuyasha had a point, Kagome's place really was too small for two people. But she didn't really want to live with Inuyasha either; what with his weird mood-swings and anger-management issues. If she had been basing her decisions on just those two points she would have chosen Miroku's place but they had a point Miroku was a pervert. Did she really want to live with someone she wasn't able to trust not to go through her underwear drawer when she wasn't there? But she could always just lock her door and plus Miroku's place was pretty nice...

"I was sort of think," Sango began, "that if I'm going to be Miroku's….. 'pet' it might be a good idea to live at his place. Not that I don't want to live with either of you, I just think Miroku's place makes the most logical sense at the moment. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I see what you're saying," Kagome said nodding her head slowly. "And you're right it does make sense. I just hate the idea of you be subjected to Miroku's pervertedness!"

"You're right Sango, living with Miroku probably is the smartest choice, even if he is a pervert. If you have any problems with him though feel free to call me or Kagome anytime…" Inuyasha said

"Oh don't worry about that," Sango said waving her hand to the side and looked over at Miroku who gulped when she went on. "I can take care of him just fine."

"I don't doubt that," Inuyasha muttered.

"So we'll help you pack up and then we can all start getting ready to go out tonight!" Kagome squealed her eyes going starry in anticipation.

"What!" yelled Inuyasha his eye twitching. "You mean I just set all this crap up only to put it all away!"

"Only if you don't mind Inuyasha honey," Kagome replied sweetly.

That last statement set all three sets of eyes twitching.

"Did you just-" Miroku started

"Call him-" Sango continued.

"Inuyasha HONEY!" Inuyasha repeated his voice a little higher than normal.

Kagome blinked once and then said, "oh dear did I really just call you Inuyasha honey?"

All three heads nodded slowly. "Oh sorry Inuyasha, it won't happen again."

Sango sighed heavily and shook her head, "just a sec I'll go grab my suitcase and some boxes," and then vanished back into her bedroom. She emerged a few seconds later lugging behind her a wheelie suitcase and two large cardboard boxes.

"Okay so practically everything but the couch, the bed, any of the tables, and any other furniture, you won't pack. They came with the apartment. Everything else can go in the boxes. Well now that I don't have too much left you might be able to fit it all in only one box. I'll be in my room packing my clothes."

"I'll come with you Sango, I'll need to see what you have clothing and jewellery wise before we go out tonight," Kagome said following Sango into her room.

An hour or two later

"We're finally almost done!" Kagome said with a happy sigh taking yet another glow in the dark star off Sango's bedroom ceiling. (A/N: I did that in my room, use glow-in-the-dark stars ALL over the ceiling. It looks pretty cool like you're sleeping outside and looking up at the stars.) She was perched on top of Inuyasha's shoulders. Sango was now standing up on a chair, she had at one time been on top of Miroku's shoulders but he had kept groping her butt so she had finally knocked him senseless and demanded he put her down.

"Why the hell, did you put all these stupid stars on your ceiling in the first place Sango," Inuyasha grumbled.

"I always do it," Sango replied tossing another of the tiny plastic stars in a box at her feet. "A small comfort, my room back home was like this. So I do this every time I get a new apartment and its small bother for the comfort it brings me."

"I think it's pretty cool," Kagome replied and then suddenly her face lit up. "Oh look this is the last star, Inuyasha!"

"About time," Inuyasha grumbled.

"Just give me one second and then we can all go sit- Ahhhhhhhhh" Kagome screamed as she fell to the ground as gravity forced Inuyasha to the floor. "Uhh," she groaned wincing and putting a hand to her head as she lifted her head and found herself looking directly into Inuyasha's amber eyes. "Inuyasha! I uhhh"

Sango smiled her eyes shinning merrily. She didn't get why they both just didn't admit they cared for each other, it was so obvious!

"Kagome…" Inuyasha said starting to blush. "Do you mind getting off of me?"

"Oh my!" Kagome exclaimed and sat up instantly. "Are you alright, I didn't mean to utter the "S" word. It was completely unintentional! Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine," Inuyasha said forgetting to be mad. "Are you okay?"

"I- I'm fine," Kagome stuttered. "Thank you for breaking my fall."

"I didn't do it intentionally!" Inuyasha exclaimed hurriedly. "You just sort of fell on top of me, I couldn't help it."

They both whirled around when they heard Sango and Miroku start to laugh.

"Well you two, I think you should save it for the wedding night…don't you Sango?" Miroku asked climbing off his chair. "After all I'm quite sure Sango is with me when I say I don't particularly don't want to be there while you do."

"WHAT!" Inuyasha and Kagome yelled. They then looked at each other when they realized they had both said the same thing and turned beet red and looked hurriedly away afraid to meet each other's gaze.

"We're not getting married!" Inuyasha spluttered.

"We don't even like each other!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Yeah! What she said!"

"Of course not!" Miroku said mockingly. "What could I possibly be thinking?"

Sango was still laughing and shaking her head started to climb down of her chair when suddenly the chair tipped backwards sending Sango flying. But before she could hit the floor she felt warm arms wrap around her. (A/N: one guess who...) and break her fall.

Opening her eyes Sango found herself staring directly into Miroku's face. He slowly opened his eyes and flashed her a smile. "Ha! I guess the saying that good things come in twos is true."

"Oh my gosh!" Sango heard Kagome say. "Sango are you okay?"

"I- I'm fine," Sango managed to say not managing to break her gaze away from Miroku's. Why was her heart suddenly beating so fast? It must have been from the adrenaline that was realized when she fell. Finally managing to regain her breath Sango sat up shaking herself mentally.

She looked down at Miroku whose lip was now pouting, and he said, "what's this? No kiss for the man who just gallantly sacrificed himself to save your life?"

That got a laugh out of Sango, and she shook her head, "sorry Miroku, no kiss today but I will say thank- you PERVERT!" and she smacked him as an all too familiar hand found its way to her rear. Jumping to her feet Sango huffed and grabbing the box with her glow-in-the-dark stars stomped out of the room, leaving Miroku sitting on the floor rubbing his red cheek with a glazed look in his eyes.

Kagome just shook her head and walk out of the room after Sango.

"Idiot," Inuyasha muttered. "Will you never learn?"

"Nope," Miroku said happily. "A red cheek is worth the feel of Sango's wonderful rear under my palm any day."

"Please spare me the details," Inuyasha said rolling his eyes and walking towards the living room he suddenly stopped when he heard Sango and Kagome talking.

"Well," Kagome said. "You really don't have anything fit to go clubbing. I'd loan you some of mine, but where would the fun be in that. I say we go SHOPPING!"

Inuyasha gave a loud gasp at the same time as Miroku. Looking at each other in horror, they both started to yell. They both dashed furiously to the door of Sango's apartment, both hoping to be able to escape from the fate worse than torture Kagome had planned for that after noon. Unfortunately for them though Kagome managed to grab them both by the scruff of their shirts before they escaped and dragged them both back into the apartment.

"Noooooooooooooooooooo," Inuyasha wailed raising his hand to beg at Kagome's feet. "Kagome you can't do this to us. We haven't done anything to deserve THIS!"

"Please Kagome, you just can't," Miroku said getting down on his knees with Inuyasha and clasping his hands in a silent beg. "Please let us go!"

"Oh no, no, no, no," Kagome tisked. "You're coming to the mall with us. We need someone to haul around all the bags."

"Wait a second Kagome?" Sango said her eyebrows shooting up. "Bags?"

"Oh this is going to be so much fun!" Kagome squealed and oblivious to both Miroku and Inuyasha's begging walked out the door taking Sango had and pulling her along with her. "Inuyasha! Miroku!" she called over her should. "Please be kind enough to get Sango's stuff."

Miroku and Inuyasha looked at each other both sets of eyes containing the exact same amount of despair.

"Do you figure, we might be able to escape after a few hours at least?" Miroku asked getting to his feet and picking up Sango suitcase.

"I doubt it," Inuyasha said hopelessly getting to his feet as well and picking up Sango's box. "I think we're gonna be there all day long pal."

Both hung their heads in defeat and shuffled out the door both muttering about fashion obsessed females.

To be continued….

Author's Note:

Oh boy was that ever LONG! Wowsie it was almost 8 pages. Well I hoped you liked. If so please review, I haven't been getting many lately and its made me sad, so please please please review if you read this chapter.