Miroku and the Magical Coco Beans -written by Shamanic Destiny
Chapter 6 – Secrets and Scorched Sleeves
Disclaimer: I don't own either Inuyasha or the fairytales
"Miroku, just what the hell do you think you're doing?" an angry voice demanded.
Miroku whirled around giving his best imitation of a surprised lady. "Excuse me?" he asked in the most feminine voice he could manage. "Pardon me? You must be mistaken my good sir, I am Princess Mira. I don't know this Miroku you speak of."
"Cut the crap, Miroku," Inuyasha growled, grabbing Miroku's arm and dragging him to a secluded corner of the ball room. "Now that we're alone tell me exactly what you're doing wearing that…that…monstrosity."
Looking down at the frilly and extremely lacy pink dress he was wearing, Miroku sighed. "I lost a dare. That's all."
"That's all?" Inuyasha asked eyebrow twitching. "You do realize that if the princess catches you dressed like that there is no possible hope of winning her hand, right?"
"If the lovely lady Sango catches me wearing anything but this," Miroku said softly. "I'd have no chance at winning her hand."
"You mean…" Inuyasha trailed off meaningfully.
"Yes, Princess Sango was the one who dared me," Miroku hissed blushing. "If you blow my cover though, I'm dead. It looks suspicious the two of us standing here all alone, so if you want to talk you'll have to dance with me."
Inuyasha was so appalled by the idea he didn't react fast enough and the next thing he knew Miroku had dragged him out onto the dance floor. Realizing he'd look like an idiot if he ran off, Inuyasha grumbled a curse on all of Miroku's family. Reluctantly Inuyasha placed his hand on Miroku's waist, wishing the floor would just swallow him up when Miroku fluttered his fan in a flirtatious manner.
"I'm going to kill you, Miroku," Inuyasha grumbled. "Master or not."
"Oh now, now, Inuyasha no need to get hostile. Plus, we both know you could never do such a thing so there's no point saying so," Miroku teased in the same feminine voice that made Inuyasha's sensitive ears feel like exploding.
"Does Kagome know you're dressed like this?" Inuyasha sighed, changing the subject as he twirled Miroku around.
"Why, of course," Miroku giggled, making Inuyasha suddenly feel nauseous. Miroku really should have practiced how real women acted with Kagome if he was going to try and pass as one, Inuyasha mentally groaned. The poor guy was quite delusional if he thought all women went around acting the way he was right now.
"Kagome was the one who helped me to do my make-up and she did my hair as well," Miroku smiled.
Inuyasha's shoulders drooped; he could only pray that the dance would end soon. The humiliation was threatening to kill him.
"What exactly are you wearing on your head?" Inuyasha asked.
"It's a wig," Miroku whispered proudly. "Sango loaned it to me. It suits me doesn't it?"
Inuyasha snorted. "It would look much better on an actual woman," he said.
"Be nice Inuyasha," Miroku pouted. "Just because your hair is long enough to be a woman's don't begrudge me my wig."
"You are most definitely the biggest idiot I know," Inuyasha groaned.
"Oh dear, the song is nearly over," Miroku said making Inuyasha want to leap for joy. "Now, who will I dance with?"
"I have no idea," Inuyasha replied. "All I know is it won't be me."
Just as the dance ended and Miroku curtsied to Inuyasha, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around hoping that it might be someone who would ask him to dance, however he was even more delighted to discover Sango standing there.
Miroku felt his jaw drop slightly at how beautiful Sango looked. She was wearing an emerald green dress with a square neckline and a full skirt that swished with every step she took. The emerald necklace that hung from her graceful neck probably could have fed an entire village for a year.
"You look lovely Mira," Sango smiled for the sake of those people watching their conversation. "It's been a long time since I've seen you, come talk with me."
"Sango," Miroku curtsied glad to have an excuse to call her simply by her first name. "You look lovely this evening."
"Why, thank you Mira," Sango smiled. "So do you."
"So, as you can see I haven't backed out of your dare," Miroku sighed.
"I do see that you told your friend Inuyasha however," Sango said tapping her velvet slipper.
"I didn't tell him, I swear," Miroku protested. "He knew the second he saw me."
"Hmmmm," Sango said pursing her lips together and raising an eyebrow.
"He did! I really do swear," Miroku said.
Sango smiled and said lightly, "I guessed as much. Remind me to compliment Kagome tonight, she did an amazing job. She made you look like a semi-beautiful woman."
"Yes," Miroku admitted. "If it weren't for Kagome there would have been no hope of passing me off as a princess."
"Well, I guess we'll have to see if anyone falls for your little trick," Sango said startling when Kouga appeared beside her and asked, "what little trick?"
"Oh, nothing Kouga," Sango choked. "Please may I introduce you to my friend, Princess Mira."
"Princess Mira," Kouga said warmly taking Miroku's hand and bringing it to his lips. "May I be bold and say that you look very lovely tonight." Looking at Miroku, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "do I know you from somewhere? You look vaguely familiar."
"You must be mi-" Miroku began in his girlish voice but Sango cut him off hurriedly.
"You probably remember her from when she visited ten years ago," Sango said patting Kouga heavily on the shoulder.
"You're probably right," Kouga nodded, looking Miroku up and down.
"Well, if you two will excuse me," Miroku said curtsying not liking the way Kouga was looking at him. "I really must go introduce myself to more people."
"Not so fast Mira," Kouga said grabbing his wrist. "I came over here with the intention of asking you to dance. Please, wait a bit longer before you disappear."
Miroku gulped and was about to say he really didn't feel like dancing but Sango nudged him and said "I'm sure Mira would love to dance with you Kouga, wouldn't you Mira."
"Of course," Miroku smiled as he placed his hand gently on Kouga's arm thoroughly annoyed at Sango for cornering him into dancing with Kouga. "I would love to."
"So," Kouga said as the dance began. "How do you like our country?"
"I like it very much," Miroku replied trying to sound shy. "It's been a long time since I last visited and I must say things have changed quite a bit."
"That they have. You're extremely muscular for a woman," Kouga said after feeling Miroku's muscles under the puffy sleeves of the dress.
"Why, thank you," Miroku said trying not to panic. "I really do try hard to stay fit."
"You're very much like Sango then," Kouga commented. "Her father and I could never keep her away from the training hall."
"Why would you try to do that!" Miroku asked.
"Her mother never believed it was proper for a princess to wield a sword," Kouga explained. "So, we all tried to keep her away from the training but my cousin's headstrong, almost too much for her own good. I assume you've heard about the competition."
"The one for Sango's hand?" Miroku asked, trying desperately to look innocent, as he fluttered his eyelashes at Kouga.
"Yes, it was only yesterday that she began talking again," Kouga said. "It's a pity you missed such a happy time. Speaking of that though, I've yet to see Miroku." Luckily Kouga was too busy scanning the room to notice his partner tense.
"I'm sorry," Miroku said deciding to play the ignorant clueless damsel he would ask who Miroku was then try and steer the conversation in a new direction. "Who is Miroku?"
"He's the newest suitor," Kouga explained, still busily looking for Miroku.
"What's he like?" Miroku asked his curiosity getting the better of him.
"I'll admit his methods of getting Sango to talk were a little unorthodox, but I personally like him. I haven't had the chance to talk with him much, but I think he's got the best chance out of anyone. Shame he hasn't showed up or I'd introduce him to you, I wonder where he is?"
Recognizing the end of the dance was imminent Miroku said, "Thank you, very much for dancing with me Kouga."
"It was nothing at all," Kouga said winking, causing Miroku to feel nauseous. "I'm always willing to dance with a pretty woman."
Bowing, Kouga took Miroku's hand gracefully and placed a kiss upon it. "Farewell Princess Mira. Enjoy the rest of the evening."
"I will," Miroku said, forcing himself to smile. "Thank you." Then slowly he turned and began to walk slowly back over to Sango.
"How'd that go?" she asked innocently.
"Absolutely horrible," Miroku shuddered. "If anyone else asks me to dance I believe I will reply that I'm not feeling very well."
"I saw he kissed your hand," Sango smiled.
"I know he did," Miroku admitted. And then threw his hand to his forehead dramatically, "the memory will haunt my nightmares for decades to come."
"Oh, come on," Sango rolled her eyes. "He's not that horrible.
"You try dancing with him while he's looking you up and down like a piece of lovely meat," Miroku muttered, as a servant offered them each a glass of wine.
Just then Sango caught a glimpse of fiery haired figure beginning to descend the staircase. Turning, she smiled as Ayame hesitantly made her way down the staircase capturing everyone's attention as their eyes fell captive to the beauty beyond compare. Her dress was exquisite; wherever the light hit the dress would glitter as if it was made of starlight. She had taken the time to braid strings of pearls through her glorious hair and many were debating which was more gorgeous, the woman or the dress she wore. Self conscious, Ayame looked nervously around the room until her gaze fell on Sango and Sango noticed her shoulders relaxed slightly. Smiling, Ayame made a beeline straight to Sango's side.
"Now, that you've experienced how horrible it feels being leered at," Sango murmured to Miroku, as she took a sip of the lovely fruit wine, she watched Ayame approach, "perhaps you might consider closing your mouth. If it stays open much longer you might find it full of bugs. They have a nasty habit of flying into things left wide open."
Jolted out of his reverie, Miroku hastily shut his mouth. Sango was right, now that he knew what women went through he really must make an effort not to stare so.
"Good evening, your majesty," Ayame said executing a flawless curtsy that left even Sango feeling a tad jealous. A feeling which she quickly rejected a moment later, she had no reason to feel jealous of Ayame. Now that she thought about it however, Sango realized it must not only have been men that Ayame struggled with but with women also.
Oddly enough, once he had gotten over the initial shock of Ayame's beauty, Miroku found he had very little attraction towards the beautiful redhead and even stranger still found himself compelled not to ask her to bear his children.
"Good evening Ayame," Sango replied. "Please allow me to introduce you to Princess Mira."
Ayame raised her eyebrow at that. "Is this some sort of test?" she asked, looking Miroku up and down. "Because that most certainly is not a girl."
Sango and Miroku both winced at her bluntness, Miroku looked to Sango to see how she would respond. "You're right," Sango whispered after a moment. "I shouldn't have tried to fool you."
"I'm dressed this way because I was dared to," Miroku blurted out and then quickly snapped his mouth shut when Sango glared at him. "Believe me; I would not be wearing this dress if that was not the case."
"You're the one who dared him, I presume?" Ayame asked Sango her interested piqued.
"Who else," Sango teased. "This way I get to see him humiliated, have him understand the horrors we women face on a daily basis and I have the most convenient excuse not to dance with him."
"Why did you dare him in the first place?" Ayame asked.
"Simply because I discovered a long time ago that gambling with dares is much more interesting, compared to money," Miroku answered.
"Very interesting, I'll admit, I agree with you," Ayame said.
"Well, if you ladies will excuse me," Miroku said giving them both a wobbly curtsy. "I would like to go speak with my sister. She looks lonely."
"Oh, Lady Kagome?" Sango asked, looking over at the girl who did indeed look uncertain of what to do. "Invite her to come speak with Ayame and myself, I do believe she'll find the subject very interesting."
"As her majesty requests," Miroku said nodding.
"I've told you I dislike that title immensely, especially when it comes out of your mouth," Sango glared.
"I know," Miroku smiled. "I do it just to annoy you. You look so pretty when you get angry." With a jovial wave, Miroku walked off leaving both Sango and Ayame feeling slightly unnerved.
"I take it that's Miroku," Ayame asked, "your newest suitor?"
"Yes," Sango sighed. "I have no idea what to make of him. He has the habit of saying the most unsettling things every time we seem to talk."
"I don't know what to make of him either, apart from the fact he obviously likes to play with your mind," Ayame said, watching him speak with the black haired woman Sango had called Kagome.
"So, this Kagome girl is his sister?" Ayame asked.
"Yes, I have a feeling she'll be in the same boat as us. She doesn't look like some pretty wallflower to me, whatever curse she claims she's under," Sango said.
"Good evening," Kagome said happily as she neared the two women.
"Hello Kagome," Sango replied civilly. "How are you enjoying the ball?"
"Oh, I'm having the time of my life! I just love balls don't you they're so…exciting and happy!" Kagome replied perkily.
"You actually like this torture?" Ayame asked disgusted, shooting Sango a look that clearly said what she thought of this girl.
"Kagome allow me to introduce you to my friend Ayame," Sango said watching her closely, everyone made mistakes but something about Kagome wasn't sitting right with her.
"Oh, hello Ayame," Kagome said curtsying and smiling a smile bright enough to blind. "I just love your dress, wherever did you get something that gorgeous?"
"Oh this," Ayame said fingering her dress. "My father had it made for my last birthday."
"Well, tell him it's absolutely stunning," Kagome replied.
"Ayame and I noticed you weren't dancing," Sango commented.
"Oh," Kagome exclaimed flustered at the change of subject. "Well, you see I don't typically dance because of my curse; I bruise at the littlest thing."
"Cut the act Kagome," Sango said with a sigh. "I know you're not half the ditz you're pretending to be."
"Whatever are you talking about?" Kagome asked fluttering her fan.
"You don't need to pretend to be all perky with Ayame and I," Sango said. "I know you're a smart, intelligent, young women whom if I'm correct doesn't like to be pushed around. You brought me down a few notches last night, something that hasn't happened in a while. You don't have to act dumb with us."
Kagome's eyes blinked once warily, then her smile faded to a small natural grin. Closing her eyes she let out a sigh and opened her eyes which now held a mischievous spark.
"Sorry, I needed to test you," Kagome said slowly. "I hope you understand."
"Perfectly," Sango grinned.
"I needed to double check that Miroku wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life," Kagome sighed. "After last night I need to double check that he's risking his life for a girl that deserves him."
"Why does it matter to you," Ayame asked smiling at the transformation. Already, she was feeling something close to kinship to this raven haired girl.
"Because…" Kagome paused. "I know I can't make him change his mind, he's perfectly set on winning your hand. I just needed to know for myself that you're something more than just some spoiled princess."
"And did I pass?" Sango asked.
"I haven't quite decided if you're worth him dying for," Kagome said slowly. "But I think I've defiantly decided that you're not just a spoiled princess."
"Well, that's a small relief," Sango laughed. "If you actually thought that I was spoiled I wouldn't have been able to tell something."
"Tell me what?" Kagome asked.
"About my idea," Sango smiled and then lowered her voice. "I'm working on assembling a group of women who share the same goal."
"And this goal is…" Kagome prompted intrigued. Ayame said nothing but it was clear from the look in her eyes she was listening to every syllable.
"Equality and peace," Sango said. "I want to start showing the world that women aren't as weak as we're made out to be. I want to create a group of women who can fight, ride horses, and protect our land."
"You've had a lot of time to think about this, haven't you?" Ayame asked.
"More than enough," Sango replied with a smirk.
"You're parents will actually allow this?" Kagome asked surprised.
"Well they won't be queen and king much longer. Soon they'll realize that they're growing too old to rule and so they'll be forced to hand it over to me, whether I'm married or not," Sango replied bluntly.
"Kagome have you had any formal training?" Sango asked.
"Nothing formal," Kagome answered honestly. "I taught myself how to shoot a bow and arrow though. I'm pretty decent when it comes to hitting what I want."
"You'll have to show me some time," Sango said. "And how about you Ayame?"
"I'm skilled at horseback riding," Ayame said thoughtfully. "I can throw a dagger with precision and I can use an axe but that's about it. Oh I guess I should mention that my reflexes are pretty good too, better than most men I know."
"Hmmm," Sango said thoughtfully. "It looks like the three of us will make a perfect training team. Kagome could teach the trainees how to shoot a bow and arrow, Ayame you could teach the trainees how to ride the horses and I could teach them sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat and strategy."
"Aren't you forgetting something that just a touch crucial?" Ayame asked.
"What?" Sango demanded. "I've thought it all through, I need three nobles to teach the other girls that we'll recruit. So far you three are the only ones I've found whose heads aren't filled with dresses and getting married."
"Not that," Ayame said. "It concerns Kagome. If her brother dies, correct me Kagome if I'm wrong, but I don't think she will want to stay here any longer."
"She's right," Kagome conceded when Sango looked reproachfully at her. "I'd be too upset to remain here. And even if I did decide to remain I would be far to distraught."
"Damn," Sango swore vehemently causing both Ayame and Kagome to raise their eyebrows. "I forgot about him. Kagome are you sure there's no way to convince him to back out?"
"Positive, for some reason Miroku refuses to listen to reason," Kagome sighed when Sango made no comment, Kagome slowly asked in a wavering voice hardly above a whisper. "How likely are his chances of winning?"
"Slim to none," Sango answered firmly but as gently as she could. "I won't give you false hope Kagome, if Miroku stays in this competition he will die. I refuse to marry anyone."
Squeezing her eyes shut, Kagome bit her bottom lip and Sango and Ayame could both clearly see tears struggling to burst free. Taking a deep shuddering breath, Kagome opened her eyes and nodded. Turning her head away she murmured, "I understand."
Sango's stomach clenched at the sight of Kagome's tears. Is this what every other family member of the men who had tried to win her hand had gone through? It had never occurred to Sango how much it must hurt to see a loved one make a mistake that could only result in their death.
"I'm sorry Kagome," Sango started to say but Kagome cut her off.
"There's no need to apologize," she said in a voice that still trembled slightly. "I really didn't mean to ask because I knew I would get emotional. Miroku knew the risks, we all did. I..," she faltered and the tears began to fall down her cheeks. "I just don't know what I'm going to do with myself once he's gone. He's been more than a brother to me, he's the first person who ever accepted me and didn't make me feel like a burden."
Sango meant to say something but Ayame, startlingly enough, was the first to respond to the girl's distress. Ayame went to hug her but before she even touched Kagome she recoiled gasping in pain. Ayame looked from the tips of her singed sleeve to Kagome's horrified eyes. Their eyes locked for a moment until Kagome took a startled step back shaking her head in disbelief and then turned around and fled.
A hushed murmur of excitement rose from the crowd, each nosy noble wondering what could have upset the lovely maiden. Like birds of prey, the women flocked over to Ayame and Sango, insisting on knowing the reason for Kagome's hasty departure.
Unsure herself what had happened, Sango looked to Ayame expectantly.
Ayame looked slightly flustered at all the attention but she managed to reply, "I believe she ran away because of the pain and because she didn't wish everyone to see the bruises. You see momentarily I forgot about her curse and I hugged her, almost instantly I could see the bruises forming on her pale delicate arms. I would well advise everyone never to touch her because she speaks the truth concerning her curse."
"Oh my!" the ladies gasped, excitedly fanning themselves with their fans. "How absolutely dreadful!"
"I agree," another said. "I never believed the rumours she was cursed but now with such solid evidence I must concede that she really is."
"But your sleeve my dear," one observant beady-eyed lady exclaimed. "It's been burned!"
"Oh this," Ayame said, as both she and Sango inwardly cursing the lady's sharp eyes. "I burned it by accident earlier this evening. I was reaching across the table to grab an apple and I forgot how long my sleeves were and it accidentally caught fire on a candle."
"Oh, how horrible," the lady said.
"Most assuredly," Sango said evenly not quite liking how she was being ignored. "Now, if you will excuse us, I believe we should go comfort our friend."
"Of course," the ladies sighed, depressed that their source of information was disappearing. "My lady, Princess," they all curtsied as Sango and Ayame slowly began to walk away.
"What was that about," Sango hissed once they were out of earshot. "I didn't see any-"
"Shhh," Ayame hissed looking around at all the people. "We need to go somewhere more private, too many people could overhear here."
"Good point," Sango said. "Let's go to the gardens, everyone else will be inside."
"What about Miroku?" Ayame asked. "Kagome said he had gone out there."
"Exactly, you heard her say herself how close the two of them are. Chances are where Miroku is we'll find Kagome."
Out of the corner of her eye, Ayame saw a flash of long white hair. Whirling around, she saw an angry looking man walk hurriedly out of the room. "Who's he?" she asked Sango.
"Oh, that's…..I can't remember his name it's foreign. All I know about him is he's Miroku and Kagome's bodyguard."
"Hmm," Ayame said thoughtfully. "Well, I agree with you. Let's go find Miroku.'
"So, what exactly happened and don't give me lies about her actually being cursed," Sango said.
"I can't say she's not cursed," Ayame said slowly causing Sango to look sharply at her. "I can only say she's not cursed the way she's been claiming. And if my assumptions are correct she has a very good reason for not wanting people to touch her."
"And what exactly are these assumptions?" Sango asked, not liking how Ayame was being so elusive.
"I think," Ayame paused thoughtfully. "We've just met the first fire witch in a hundred or so years."
Sango was so startled she just froze. She turned to Ayame, who realizing her shock had decided to stop walking in case anything happened, not that she expected Sango to faint, but things did tend to happen with life altering news.
"Fire witch?" Sango whispered. "You think Kagome is a fire witch!"
Slowly, Ayame held up her singed sleeve and pulled it back so Sango could see the burn that was now visible. "I didn't even touch her," she said slowly.
"But a fire witch!" Sango squeaked. "I thought those were only legends!"
"No, actually my great-great-grandmother was one; it's because of her that I have this red hair. That raises other issues that aren't clear though, like how Kagome has raven black hair when every other fire witch had red hair. She also doesn't have a sister who's an ice witch."
"She did," Sango said, slowly piecing things together. "She had a twin, she told me so last night!"
"Oh, so she does have a twin sister," Ayame said thoughtfully. "Well, that answers one mystery. But where is she? Most twins stick together, they help balance each other, so legends say."
"Legends never say what happens what happens though when one witch dies," Sango replied slowly. "Kagome's sister died a while back and that's why she was traveling with her brother."
"Oh dear," Ayame said sadly. "That's what she must have meant when she said everyone else treated her like a burden. Without her sister around her powers must have been out of control."
"Poor Kagome," Sango said. "I really hope we find her before she does anything drastic."
"I think, it's a little late for that," Ayame observed looking into the distance.
"Why, what happened?" Sango demanded.
"I do believe Kagome just lit one of your rose bushes on fire," Ayame said, struggling not to laugh at the irony.
"Not the pink ones, damn it!" Sango screeched, dashing towards the fire even though she was wearing heels.
"You have an affinity for the pink ones?" Ayame asked wryly. "I've always preferred the red."
"You know what Ayame?" Sango panted silently cursing her corset. "I think, you're honesty is beginning to grow on me."
"Odd," Ayame smiled. "I was just thinking the same thing about your temper."
"Let me go Inuyasha!" they heard Kagome cry. "I need to find Miroku and warn him!"
"Shhh," Ayame whispered, stopping and hiding behind a rosebush near the one that Kagome had lit on fire but now had mysterious stopped burning. Crouching down next to Ayame, Sango nodded in agreement.
"Calm down, you're hysterical!" Inuyasha commanded
"I am not hysterical!" Kagome argued. Ayame and Sango looked at each other each thinking the exact same thing: she's hysterical.
"Why did you run out of there?" Inuyasha asked insistently. "What happened!"
"They know," Kagome said beginning to cry. "They both know!"
"Who?" Inuyasha asked.
"Sango and Ayame," Kagome choked out, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks. "Ayame tried to hug me and I hurt her. I saw the look in Ayame's eyes, she recognized me for what I am."
"Shit," Inuyasha swore, "Look, don't cry Kagome…I really hate it when women cry, you know that! We'll go find Miroku and tell him what happened. Ok? It'll be ok. I'm sure Miroku can invent something up."
"Like what!" Kagome cried passionately whirling around. "How exactly is he supposed to explain what happened? By now everyone probably knows what I am, they'll be crying 'Burn the witch!' and then you and Miroku will be in danger because- because," unable to speak past her tears she threw herself against Inuyasha and began to sob noisily.
They both watched in amazement and shock as Inuyasha looked down at her, clearly startled but other than that experiencing no physical pain. He gulped nervously and then looking around shifty-eyed, then tentatively wrapped his arms around her and began to stroke her hair.
Once Kagome's bout of crying had finished, she whispered in a voice so tiny, "thank you."
"Feeling slightly better?" Inuyasha asked.
"Much better," Kagome said attempting to smile. "We should go find Miroku and tell him we need to leave."
"Alright," Inuyasha said stepping back. "Let's go." And in silence they walked off Ayame and Sango looking at each other in shock.
"It's rather rude where I come from to watch someone without them knowing you're there," a voice said from behind them causing the two women to jump up and whirl around in embarrassment. One of Sango's heels however was stuck in the soft dirt so when she went to jump up she let out a sound that sounded something like a squawk.
Before she hit the dirt however a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her and when she opened her eyes she found herself nose-to-nose with Miroku and his gorgeous eyes. Her heart did a strange sort of flip-flop before she collected herself. "Thank you, Miroku," she replied civilly.
"I thought, you'd be above snooping," Miroku said smiling in a way that most people would think was teasing but somehow Sango knew it was disappointment.
"We weren't really snooping," Sango argued after all it wasn't their fault Kagome had decided to have an emotional breakdown in the gardens where anyone could overhear what she had to say.
Miroku simply raised an eyebrow and Sango sighed. "Alright, we were wrong. I'll admit it."
"So, you know now," Miroku said calmly. "What are you going to do? You've only got a few minutes before Inuyasha will find me. I hope you can make a decision you can stick with in that time."
"I have no intention of telling anyone else if that's what you mean," Ayame said. "I admire Kagome even though I've only met her for a brief amount of time, I wouldn't want to hurt her."
"And you, Sango?' Miroku asked. "Can you honestly say you won't tell anyone knowing that if you did I would be gone?"
"You would leave?" Sango asked incredulously. "Kagome said there was nothing she could do that would convince you to leave."
"I don't think she realizes I won't abandon her for you," Miroku said slowly. "It would break my heart to do so, but I know I would help her escape."
"You care deeply for her, don't you," Sango said.
"My life changed when I found her unconscious and broken hearted on the side of the road," Miroku said. "We just grew closer and closer after that. I can hear Inuyasha approaching, I need to know what you intend to do."
"I think," Sango replied slowly, "I think, I'll keep Kagome's secret, this contest for my hand is between just you and I. There's no need to bring your sister into it."
Miroku breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you," Miroku murmured. "I'm glad I get to stay here a while longer."
Me too, Sango thought as she watched Inuyasha and Kagome walk around the corner. My life seems to be much more interesting when you're around.
Author's note: Well there's chapter 6 everyone, love you all for sticking with the story even when my update schedule is toooootally out of whack. I'm hoping you all enjoyed Miroku's ordeal in the pink dress. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!