Miroku And The Magical Coco Beans

Chapter 4 – Dangerous Dancing

Discalimer:I don't own Inuyasha or any fairytales used!

Previously:

"Announcing her highness the Princess Sango," a page called from the door.

Miroku's eyes remained glued on the princess as she stepped off the staircase to go greet her parents. She was gorgeous, she was elegant, she was everything he had ever dreamed of.

She was…Robin.

Now:

"Robin," Miroku breathed.

"What?" Kagome asked raising one eyebrow. "Did you just say something?"

"I- I-" Miroku murmured finding no words would come out of his mouth.

"Now what have you no plans on doing?" Kagome whispered never taking her eyes off the princess.

"Not winning the princess's hand," Miroku said dreamily. The princess was his beloved Robin! Princess Sango was the woman he had met earlier, she must have been using a different name and he had stupidly thought it was her real one!

Once the princess was settled in her seat conversation resumed and Miroku was passed a plate of meat which he passed on to Kagome.

"Aren't you going to eat anything?" Kagome asked helping herself to a generous portion and then passing it on.

"I have lost my appetite in presence of such beauty," Miroku replied feverentely. "Lady Kagome have you ever seen such a vision of loveliness?"

"Are you feeling alright Miroku?" Kagome asked concerned. "You sound as if you have a fever and I'd feel your forehead but then you really would be burning up."

"Love is the only sickness I suffer from Kagome," Miroku said dreamily.

"Oh snap out of it you dolt," Kagome snapped. "She's beautiful I'll grant her that but there's no reason to go all gaga at her!"

Effectively rebuked Miroku turned to Kagome and smiled. "Now, now, Kagome, no need to be jealous there's enough of me to go around."

"Don't be idiotic," Kagome glared at him. "There is no way I'm interested in you that way. Plus I'm supposed to be your sister, remember?"

"Oh yes," Miroku sighed. "I forgot; I apologize."

"What's he done now?" Inuyasha asked sliding in beside Miroku.

"Just being perverted as usual," Kagome replied.

"Should've guessed," Inuyasha sighed shaking his head.

"So did you find out what it was that bothering you?" Kagome asked. "You were gone even longer than Miroku."

"Really?" Inuyasha asked grabbing a piece of bread and slathering it with butter. "Where'd you go?"

"Oh just out for a ride," Miroku replied deciding to keep his encounter with Rob – no Sango – to himself for the moment.

"Oh," Kagome said and didn't press for any more details. "So you still haven't answered my question. Did you find something?"

"Not yet," Inuyasha growled. "What ever it is doesn't want to be found. I don't think it's living in the castle but it's been visiting quite frequently and I want to know what it is."

"Couldn't you just follow the magical residue?" Kagome asked. "That's what Kikyo used to do."

"I tried but what ever it is has been covering its tracks pretty damn good," Inuyasha answered.

"Well as I was telling Miroku, I talked with their majesties after the two of you left and told them about Miroku's intention of winning the princess's hand. They planned this ball for the introduction and they'll make the announcement after supper."

"Ok," Inuyasha said. "So we should develop a plan on how to get this princess to talk. Any ideas?"

"Watch out for the dance your majesty," Shippo said coming up behind them and startling the three of them. "If you're not careful you'll end up nursing broken toes tomorrow morning."

"Shippo!" Kagome exclaimed. "Where did you come from?"

"Oh I was just in the kitchen's helping Ayame," Shippo shrugged. "That's boring though."

"So you must know all kinds of tips," Kagome said shooting meaningful glances at Miroku and Inuyasha.

"Oh yeah I know tons," the little kid boasted.

"So tell us already squirt," Inuyasha barked.

"Maybe I shouldn't tell after all," the little kid said as menacingly as he could squinting at Inuyasha. "You're not being very nice at all."

"I'll show you 'nice' if you don't tell us," Inuyasha threatened shaking his fist.

Clearly terrified Shippo squeaked, "maybe I'd be better off in the kitchens after all!" and then dashed off.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome said rounding on the genie. "What was that?"

"What! It's not my fault the kid's a chicken!"

"He was a valuable source of information and you scared him off!" Kagome accused.

Bored of their argument already Miroku looked over at the princess who sat with a large plate in front of her, pushing the majority of it around with her fork opposed to in her mouth.

Kagome had said that the princess Sango refused to speak, yet Robin had been close to abusive with her words and he found it hard to believe the two women were one in the same! Could the same woman sitting at the head of the table looking so submissive really be the fiery-tempered woman who had slapped him?

So who had Sango reminded him of? He had been positive he had met a male version of her so who could it have been? The boy had claimed to be a normal peasant so how could he be related to Sango who was a princess. It was impossible….unless…unless….

The boy had said something about traveling back to Handania…on a ship. Handania had been in the other direction from Tristania which would mean that it could quite possibly be located on the ocean. Travelling a few days on boat would be preferable for any noble than travelling for months over land. And if said noble wanted to reach home quickly he would defiantly want to take a boat, and if home happened to only be a kingdom away from a kingdom with a port…

"Kagome," Miroku said urgently. "Were there any bad storms in this area recently?"

"Yeah," Kagome said momentarily pausing the argument between her and Inuyasha. "I think I heard about some bad storms over in Handania. There were quite a few merchants who lost a bunch of money because of their ships getting lost if I'm not mistaken; why?"

"Nothing," Miroku muttered. "Just trying to think something through."

So if there had been bad storms it would have been entirely possible that the boat the prince had been travelling on had been sunk or lost…

Smiling Miroku began to eat heartily. Things were going well so far, if only Lady Luck would stay on his side for a while longer!

"So did you hear how the count and countess of Lamorine were robbed by the infamous Robin Hood this afternoon?" asked the man sitting across from them.

"No I didn't," Miroku replied. "Who is this Robin Hood I keep hearing of?"

"You don't know?" the man asked incredulously.

Miroku, Inuyasha and Kagome shook their heads.

"Sorry," Kagome apologised. "We're travellers."

"Robin Hood is only the most infamous bandit in all of Tristania! He lives in Sherwood Forest and robs only robs from the rich. We then suspect, though the peasants refuse to confirm, that he then gives all the loot to the poor! Can you believe it! Of all the gall! Giving our wealth to those grubby little farmers!"

"Hmmm," Miroku replied noncommittally.

He ate the rest of his meal in silence contemplating how he would approach the princess. Finally after what seemed like an eternity the king rose from his seat and made a motion for silence.

"My dearest friends and guests please lend me your ears for a few minutes. Last night as many of you have heard through rumours, the prince and princess of Beltaine arrived. The Prince of Beltaine had now informed us of his intent to win the princess's hand, yet he knows little of what the actual contest entails." Turning to Miroku the king bowed and went on, "please rise and meet my daughter the lovely Princess Sango."

Obliging the king Miroku rose and strode over to where his majesty stood noticing the princess craning her neck to get a better view of her suitor. As he bowed deeply before the king Miroku heard the shuffle of skirts and knew instinctively the princess had risen at her father's request.

"Oh well," Miroku thought. "Even if she does kill me dancing the look of surprise on her face when I kiss her hand will be enough for me."

"Sango this is Prince Miroku," the king said as way of introduction. Taking that as his cue Miroku slowly rose from his bow and then turned to the princess and gently took her hand and brought it to his lips all the while keeping eye contact.

The princess stood frozen her eyes filled with fear. When he let her hand go Miroku grinned. She looked so beautiful startled, he would have to make a point of startling her more often!

XOXOXOX

She couldn't move.

She wanted to run. She wanted to escape from the danger, yet her limbs refused move. It was as if the second their eyes had met her spinal cord had been paralyzed from the neck down.

'Run!' her common sense screamed. 'Escape! If he tells your father what you've been up to you'll be shackled to the pervert till the day you die!'

It seemed as if his eyes could see right into her deepest darkest thoughts. She hadn't noticed that afternoon but his eyes were a startling colour of violet.

Somehow as he let go of her hand she was miraculously able to take a step back and regain some control over her motor skills. She took a deep breath to steady herself and then executed a slightly wobbly curtsy.

'Damn!' she thought angrily. 'Why does he always manage to unsettle me!'

Once more she forced herself to take a deep breath, a very challenging thing in such a tight dress, when he winked at her and flashed a grin.

She vaguely registered her father explain the rules of the competition though she and everyone else in the room knew his speech inside and out, well maybe with the exception of the prince and his companions.

He would have one week to make her speak and eat and then if he succeeded he would move onto the second level. If he did not however he would forfeit his life.

Just thinking about it made her blood boil. Her father was so stupid! He was weak! Her mother had come up with this stupid plan and as always he had done as she wished. He was the king and yet he continued to allow young and old men alike to win her hand even though he knew she would never allow herself to be married. He was sending men to their deaths and yet he showed no signs of relenting!

She had debated loosing just because she was so sick of all the killing but when she had opened herself to speak she found she just couldn't! She had cried at every single man's execution yet she was unable to sentence herself to a life of marriage.

As her father finished his speech Miroku nodded and turned to her. He offered his arm which she took and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. The music began, a slow waltz, and the prince turned to her and gently placed his other hand on her waist.

Remembering the incident that afternoon she glared at him, warning him that if he tried anything she would have no qualms about smacking him.

"Don't glare so at me Sango," Miroku teased. "You have me quivering in my boots!"

She continued glaring, she wanted to scare him!

"You'll get wrinkles when you're older," Miroku warned.

Sango rolled her eyes and looked away. He was a good dancer and she was glad. It was the good dancers that were always hurt the most, and right now she really wanted to hurt him. Because they knew all the steps she was able to anticipate where their feet would be and stomp on them with all her force without needing to fear stomping on air.

As they went into a twirl Sango went to stomp his foot but he neatly side stepped and took advantage of her shock to sent her into a perfect twirl and then bring her back even closer than she had been before.

"Ah ah ah," he whispered in her ear. "Now, now, none of that. I don't plan on nursing broken toes tomorrow."

He paused a moment and then said, "if you're afraid I'm going to spoil your secret you need not worry. I have no intention of telling anyone."

Sango snorted, if he wasn't planning on using it as blackmail then why would he bring it up.

"Don't worry I won't blackmail you either," Miroku promised causing Sango to look sharply at him. Was he a mind reader?

"I also don't plan on telling your father we already spoke," Miroku went on airily looking up. "I plan on winning your hand fair and square. I won't have you being bitter on our wedding."

Once again Sango couldn't help but snort. Of all her suitors he was the last one who had any hope of winning. It was a matter of pride now; she couldn't lose to an idiotic pervert like him. All she had to do was not speak to him for a week or eat anything.

"I was talking with a man at supper about your….friend Robin," Miroku commented. "If that is what all the nobles are like no wonder Robin is into shall we say charity work?"

Sango raised an eyebrow and gave him a looking to indicate curiosity.

"You see I arrived here last night in the middle of that thunderstorm to seek shelter for my sister who is currently sitting over there by the man in white hair," Miroku said pointing at Kagome who was busy arguing over something with Inuyasha. Sango turned her head to look and nodded. "That's Kagome, I think you'd like each other if you got to know one another. The man sitting next to her is her body guard Inuyasha. he can be a little grumpy at times but is a pretty decent guy."

Sango glared suspiciously at Miroku wondering just what he was trying to do.

"Hmm," Miroku said thoughtfully looking at her. "You don't look very happy with me right now. I really wish we could have a conversation like this afternoon, it's a little tedious carrying on a conversation all by yourself."

'I bet,' Sango thought and looked longingly at her father wondering how much longer he was going to keep her here. This was the longest time she had been forced to dance with someone, normally by the second stanza the suitor was forced to sit down because of foot pain.

She vainly attempted to step on Miroku's foot again but once again he evaded her attack and continued on talking as if nothing had happened.

"I guess I'll have to get you to talk first…" Miroku said. "Then I can worry about getting you to eat."

'Ha,' Sango thought smugly. 'No one's made me talk yet. And if you think I would actually want to talk to a pervert like you, you've got another thing coming.'

"You really do have a beautiful voice Sango," Miroku sighed. "I'm still kicking myself over the fact I didn't recognise your voice earlier. Let me tell you, I was surprised when I discovered that the princess's hand I was trying to win was none other than the lovely maiden's I had met this very afternoon."

Sango was confused. He hadn't known she was the princess this afternoon? Even though he was trying to win her hand?

"You look very lovely in that dress. It's not often you see a perfectly toned princess, most princesses I've met all just watch their weight to be skinny. You on the other hand exercise which is commendable."

Sango suddenly wished very desperately she could cover herself up; it seemed that the pervert was looking right through her clothes!

Just as she was getting angry she felt an unfamiliar sensation on her rear. It took her a moment to figure out what it was and when she realised she screamed.

"Pervert!" she yelled furiously slapping him with all the force she could muster and then gasped in shock as her hands flew to her mouth.

Everyone else gasped too. Then cheers erupted from every single person in the room except for Miroku, Sango, the king and queen, Inuyasha and Kagome.

Sango took a shuddering breath and shakily stepped away from Miroku as if he had morphed into some kind of monster.

A split second later she was running down the corridors. Dashing up to her room she slammed the door shut and flung herself on her bed. She refused to let herself cry but she badly wanted to. Right now she wanted nothing more than to have a good long cry.

"I hate him!" she cried passionately throwing her pillow across the room at the door where it thudded and then fell to the ground. "I hate him!"

Shoulders sagging she wrapped her arms slowly around her knees and drew them up to her chest. She felt so violated, so used, so….dirty.

Being a princess, no one had dared grope her before. Miroku had tried that afternoon but she had caught him before he had actually succeeded. But now after being…fondled like some serving wench she felt so disgusted. How could any girl actually allow someone to touch her in that manner!

Shaking her head fiercely Sango cried once more, "I hate him!" and then vowed that she wouldn't touch food until the contest was over. She would rather starve than eat anything that monster concocted.

'I will never succumb to my father's wishes,' Sango said softly but as feverentely as a prayer.

XOXOXOXOX

For once brief moment Miroku had felt Sango's lovely rear. The next second she had screamed 'pervert' and slapped him breaking her vow of silence. And the next thing her new the people around him were cheering and Sango was looking at him as if he had just condemned her to death. He saw her run and nearly dashed after her but everyone was now swarming around him blocking him from pursuing her. He nearly fell forward when one man thumped him heartily on the back.

"Brilliant," the man said. "Absolutely brilliant!"

"Uh, thanks," Miroku said uncertainly.

"I've seen every single bloke try and get her to talk but no one every thought of that!" the man hollered with gusto. Leading him away from the mob and to the king and queen the man introduced himself as Kouga, the princess's cousin.

"Aunt," Kouga said bowing to the queen. "Uncle," he bowed to the king. "Glad I made it back in time to finally see Sango talk! Sorry I missed supper though."

"A pleasure as always Kouga," the king relied respectfully and then turned to Miroku. "Though I can't admit to being pleased at seeing my daughter groped, I must say I've never seen something so successful. If she hadn't talked I probably would have had you executed but I'm too thrilled right now to bother!"

"Heh heh heh," Miroku laughed weakly and rubbed the back of his head embarrassed at all the praise. He actually hadn't even intended on groping her, it just sort of happened.

The queen meanwhile just looked down disapprovingly from her throne and offered no praise, nor did she seem pleased at her daughter's first words.

"Thank you your majesty," Miroku said.

"Well I'm going to head off to the kitchens and see if I can get something to eat," Kouga said. "Miroku I'd like to talk with you."

"Certainly," Miroku replied bowing respectfully to their majesties and then following Kouga to the kitchens.

"So you're the princess's cousin?" Miroku asked.

"Yeah," Kouga said throwing the doors to the kitchen open and striding in, "and the general of their majesties army."

As Miroku looked around the kitchen he was surprised after such a large meal to find the place sparkling clean.

"Hello," Kouga called out. "Is anyone here?"

"I am," a strange form murmured and Kouga and Miroku gasped in shock to realise what they had taken to be a pile of furs as actually a girl. What she was wearing however was the most bizarre cloak either of them had seen. It seemed to be made up of a thousand different types of skin with no repetition in pattern.

"Who are you?" Kouga demanded.

"I am a poor child without a mother or father," the girl replied.

"What do you do in the palace?" Kouga asked.

"I am of no use except to have boots thrown at my head," the girl replied bowing her head.

"What is your name," Miroku inquired.

"My true name is Ayame," the girl replied. "But most call me Many-furred-creature."

"Well then Many-furred-creature," Kouga said. "I missed supper and I was wondering if there was anything left."

"I don't believe so but I could make you something if you would like," the creature replied.

"I would like that," Kouga bowed. "I'll wait here and watch if that's alright."

"Of course," the creature bowed.

"I think I'm going to return to my room," Miroku said. "I will talk with you soon Kouga."

"Congratulations Miroku," Kouga replied patting him on the shoulder. "I hardly know you but I think you have the best shot of actually getting through to Sango. Good luck."

"Thank you," Miroku bowed and exited the kitchen.

SLAP

Miroku raised a hand to his actually burned cheek and looked up to see Kagome glowering.

"I cannot believe you would stoop so low Miroku," Kagome growled.

"What are you angry about?" Inuyasha demanded appearing behind her. "It worked didn't it? He got the wench to speak!"

"Only because he had the audacity to feel her up in public I might add," Kagome snapped. "Do you have any idea of how embarrassed she must be feeling right now!

"But it worked," Inuyasha protested. "Who cares how he did it as long as she talked?"

"I care you insensitive jerk!" Kagome cried and then stormed off muttering. "Men they're all the same. No wonder she doesn't want to get married!"

"What's she so upset about?" Inuyasha asked watching her storm out of the festivities.

"Not quite sure," Miroku murmured confused, as he rubbed his cheek. "I'm still trying to decide which slap hurt more."

"Probably Sango's," Inuyasha said wandering out into the hall with Miroku.

"Yeah, my cheek was still numb so when Kagome slapped me so it didn't hurt as much," Miroku agreed.

XOXOXOX

"Can I come in?" an unfamiliar voice asked from outside Sango's room.

"Go away," Sango called sullenly.

"Please?" the voice asked.

"Fine," Sango said and watched as a girl her age came through the door. She was defiantly pretty with gorgeous eyes and long black hair.

"Hi," the girl said timidly. "I know we haven't met before but I wondered if we could talk."

"It doesn't matter to me," Sango replied moving over on the bed so the girl would have room to sit as well.

"Hi, I'm Kagome," the girl said sitting down. "As much as I hate to admit it, I'm Miroku's sister."

"You're related to that pervert?" Sango demanded harshly debating throwing the girl out.

"Unfortunately yes," the girl sighed. "I just came up here to apologise for my brother's audacity."

"I'm not sure if I can accept your apology," Sango murmured. "But I can forgive you for being related to him."

The girl named Kagome smiled, "thank you. I know it probably means nothing to you, but I slapped my brother for the first time ever."

"I hope he feels pain right now," Sango grinned grimly.

"Oh don't worry," Kagome laughed. "He will definitely be hurting in the morning."

"Serves the pervert right," Sango choked.

"He may be a bit perverted but he's a good guy Sango," Kagome said softly. "And I'm not just saying that because he's my brother and I don't want him killed."

"You know, the two of you look nothing alike," Sango observed.

"Yeah, we get that a lot," Kagome sighed. "My sister and I however are a completely different story. We we're so alike my own mother had troubles differenciating between the two of us."

"You have a twin sister?" Sango asked curiously.

"Not anymore," Kagome sighed heavily. "She died a while ago."

"I'm very sorry for your loss," Sango said looking out the window. "My brother and I looked a lot alike too. We weren't twins though; he was two years younger than me."

"You must have been very close," Kagome concluded.

"Yes," Sango said getting up to go sit in her window seat. "I pray every night that he'll return. I would do anything to bring him back."

"Would your brother ever want you to be unhappy though?" Kagome asked rising to her feet.

"I would be unhappy if married to someone I didn't love," Sango replied sadly not taking her eyes off the horizon.

"How do you learn to love if you never open up your heart?" Kagome asked softly as she opened the door.

She was gone when Sango whirled around in surprise.

To be continued…

Author's Note: well huh? huh? What did you think? Anyone recognise Ayame's fairytale? It was my all time favourite as a kid. Always wished they would 'Dinsey-ise' it. Well I'm pretty excited I head off for a 12 day cruise down to Italy, Rome, Greece and Turkey! How totally awesome is THAT! Well please review and show your appreciation! Oh and I'm still looking for a beta reader! Please e-mail me if interested!