Miroku and the Magical Coco Beans
Chapter 7 – Learning to Trust
After helping Kagome to calm down and then fix her appearance a bit, Sango and Ayame returned solemnly to the ballroom.
"I feel really overwhelmed every time I think about it," Sango said after a few minutes of silence. "The more I think about Kagome's condition the more confused I get and the more I want to just tell myself it isn't true, that it couldn't possibly be true."
"I actually don't find it too hard to wrap my mind around," Ayame said, "perhaps having one in the family helps. As a child I grew up just simply accepting that fire witches. I guess you don't have that advantage, always believing they were legends."
"You're probably right," Sango agreed. "It's just so….I don't know how to explain it."
"Explain what?" Kouga inquired causing both Ayame and Sango to start.
"Kouga!" Sango scolded. "You have the worst habit of just butting into a conversation. You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Yes I'm aware my handsome face is prone to causing heart fluttering among young ladies," Kouga replied arrogantly.
"Not quite what I was implying," Sango muttered but it was too late, Kouga wasn't paying any attention to his cousin anymore. His attention was fully captured by Ayame's beauty.
"And whom might this be," Kouga asked elegantly raising an eyebrow.
"Princess Ayame," Sango growled trying to warn him not to attempt to flirt with Ayame but Kouga was too dense to catch her non-too-subtle hint.
"It seems I'm going to steal another of your friends from you Sango," Kouga grinned wolfishly.
"Why might that be?" Ayame asked innocently knowing full well Kouga was implying he was going to borrow her to dance with.
Kouga looked slightly startled at that, "I simply meant that I was going to steal you for this dance."
Sango simply winced at Kouga misfortune, and bowed her head telekinetically begging Ayame to go easy on him; after all it wasn't his fault he wasn't born the smartest tool in the shed.
"But you never asked me to be your dance partner," Ayame said sweetly.
It was clear from the look Kouga gave her he was confused by her antics. "Is this a new form of being coy?" he asked baffled. "I'm aware young maidens are in the frequent habit of being coy in order to ensnare a young man's attention, but I must confess to never being a victim to this cruelty."
"So I'm simply a young maiden am I?" Ayame inquired looking down the perfect image of a shy woman. Sango upon seeing this however knew Ayame was simply leading Kouga down a trail that would only lead to his misfortune.
Kouga thinking Ayame was trying to get him to complement her immediately brightened! Of course! How could he have been so stupid? He had forgotten to complement them on how lovely they looked this evening! "Of course not," he said warmly. "You're a very beautiful young maiden."
Sango put her hand to her head in absolute mental agony. Could he possibly have said anything worse? Looking at the murderous way Ayame was looking at him Sango's guess was no. Oh dear poor stupid Kouga, Sango thought, you're most certainly in for it now.
"Is that all you arrogant pigs are able to see?" Ayame demanded dropping the shy maiden act instantly. "My beauty?" Kouga immediately recoiled from her sudden temper change and took a step back. No woman other than Sango had ever been annoyed at him!
"Honestly, answer me!" Ayame commanded. "Is beauty the only thing that matters to you? If I were less beautiful would you still be trying to flirt with me? No, wait a second I already know the answer to that one, and it's a no."
"Akane," Kouga said trying to placate the angry woman before him. Snickering Sango thought, Ayame in a temper is more intimidating than any fire witch ever could be. She'd have to tell Kagome that next time she saw her.
"Ayame," she spat out. "My named is Ayame!" Whirling around angrily Ayame attempted to smile and said to Sango, "I'm sorry for loosing my temper with your cousin Sango but he is just about the most infuriating male specimen I have had the misfortune to encounter so far. Plus I really should be going anyway."
"I'll see you tomorrow evening I hope?" Sango asked suddenly. If Kouga dissuaded Ayame from returning the next evening she would strangle him!
"Of course," Ayame said pointedly ignoring Kouga and curtsying only to Sango. "Good evening."
"Well I must say that is the most ill tempered woman I've had the misfortune of meeting," Kouga said rubbing the back of his head as he and Sango watched Ayame climb the staircase.
"It's about time if you ask me," Sango replied lightly turning to him "You've been just begging to be brought down a notch or two for quite some time now."
"What's that supposed to mean Sango?" Kouga growled.
"Absolutely nothing except what you want it to mean," Sango said sweetly. "All I was saying is that It's about time you've realized not every woman is going to fall at your feet whether you like her or not. I've wanted to tell you that for quite a while but I haven't been speaking until just recently. Now if you will excuse me I just saw someone whom I need to speak with."
Quickly escaping Kouga's presence Sango made a beeline to where Miroku had just re-entered the ball room. He however was alone with Kagome no where in sight.
"Where's Kagome?" Sango asked concerned. "Is she ok?"
"She's fine," Miroku said softly. "She simply said she felt exhausted after all the crying and wished to go to bed early."
"Oh ok," Sango said. "And Inuyasha?"
"He went to escort her back to her bedroom, he won't be returning."
"Oh," Sango said. "Are you going to turn in early as well?"
"I didn't realize that was an option, I thought you were going to make me suffer through the whole night," Miroku grinned.
"Well I'm sure you've probably suffered enough humiliation this evening, how about I allow you to leave after dinner," Sango said thoughtfully.
"Why after dinner?" Miroku asked.
"Because I want you to suffer through the dinning before I let you retire, you'll see what women have to put up with while eating," Sango smiled evilly. "Plus eating as delicately as an accomplished woman should is something I'm dying to see."
Miroku simply groaned and bowed his head, there were no words that could possibly describe his dread.
"Oh now, now Miroku," Sango replied maliciously taking great delight in Miroku's trouble. "Dinner should be served shortly, there's no need to look so distressed."
Just then the golden bell was rung by a servant signalling the guests should take their seats because dinner would be served shortly. Miroku chuckled at his misfortune, looking at Sango he winked, "I suppose I should just get it over with shouldn't I?"
"We'll see how cocky you are after supper," Sango grinned back.
"At least you'll be by my side while I make a fool out of myself," Miroku sighed dramatically. "Oh the things I do for your company Sango."
"You're doing this just to spend time with me?" Sango asked as she moved towards the head of the table.
"Partly," Miroku admitted. "Am I allowed to sit next to you?"
"I guess," Sango sighed. "But it's only because I want to see your degradation."
"That's fine with me," Miroku said. "I really never tire of talking to you."
"And why might that be?" Sango asked as she smoothed her skirt down and gracefully sat in her chair at her father's side.
"Because," Miroku paused as he attempted in vain to copy Sango. As he tried to smooth his skirt beneath him he lost his balance however and ended up flopping into his chair like a goose. "Oh dear that's not quite as easy as it looks."
"No it really isn't," Sango smiled. "So now you were saying?"
"Saying?" Miroku asked confused. "Me?"
"Yes," Sango sighed rolling her eyes. "You mentioned something about never tiring of talking with me?"
"Oh, yes I did didn't I?" Miroku laughed. "I've got a bit of a bad memory when it comes to stuff like that. I do enjoy talking with you though, there are very few women I've had the opportunity to converse with in an intelligent manner. Most of the time women flock around me giggling like ninnies and hardly let me get a word in edgewise."
"And you're telling me you don't like that?" Sango asked raising one eyebrow in disbelief.
"Most of the time no," Miroku said. "But every once in a while the attention is kind of nice."
"Most women are actually very intelligent, each in their own way, but most have learned to hide that intelligence because they've learned that men don't like smart women."
"I do," Miroku replied so simply Sango looked sharply at him. Miroku however was now sitting looking at his salad grimly.
"Is there something the matter with your salad?" Sango asked.
"Oh nothing," Miroku smiled weakly. "At home I never ate salad, that's all."
"And why might that be?" Sango asked.
"I've never really developed a taste for it I guess," Miroku replied. "I've always viewed it as more of a rabbit food."
"So I'm a rabbit am I?" Sango asked loftily.
"I never said that," Miroku said.
"I like salad," Sango said. "I'm not a rabbit?"
"How can you like it though?" Miroku asked. "All salad is, is lettuce and vegetables! It's not even filling! I know Kagome likes salad but I've never been able to understand why?"
"Most women like salad I guess," Sango said, "must be a cultural thing. Don't give me that look Miroku, you have to eat it. It'll look weird if you don't all the women in my country eat salad, it keeps weight off."
"You mean this is the reason women like salad?" Miroku demanded suddenly. "They like it because it helps them starve themselves?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Sango scolded passing him the dressing. "Now eat you're starting to draw attention."
Miroku reluctantly poured the dressing on and took a resentful mouthful. "The dressing helps some what."
"It's a vinaigrette," Sango said.
"Why aren't you forced to eat this," Miroku demanded eyeing her empty plate. No servant had served her.
"Miroku I mean Mira, I haven't eaten more than a few mouthfuls of food at suppertime since Kohaku disappeared. That's part of the competition," Sango sighed.
"I don't suppose you'll actually somehow miraculously forget to not eat if I charm you with my intelligent and witty conversation, will you?" Miroku asked hopefully.
"No," Sango said dryly taking a sip. "I don't know where you get this idea that you're going to win this competition. I've told you that I won't let you win."
"Perhaps because I've already gotten farther than anyone else," Miroku said lightly and then lowered his voice. "But then again it might be because I believe you're not as happy with your life as you pretend to be."
"What are you talking about now?" Sango said. "Everyone is perfectly aware that I'm in morning and they all certainly know by now that I'm not happy. So where you're getting this idea I'm pretending to be happy I have no idea. Oh and it was sheer fluke by the way you managing to get me to talk."
"Sango I would hope by now you realized I'm not as stupid as most people take me to be," Miroku replied taking another bite of the odious dish in front of him. "From the second I saw you I realized what was going on. You pretend not to want to get married because you're content not having one, I've seen the truth."
"And pray do tell," Sango said, "what this 'truth' is exactly."
"That you're ready to move on, that you're no longer overwhelmed by the grief you once felt for your brother, that you're ready to put the past behind you and begin to live your life again. You don't have the vaguest idea of what comes next however and it makes you afraid," Miroku explained putting his fork down and gently pushing his plate away. "It scares you so much you're sitting in the prison of unhappiness you've built for yourself even though the prison door is wide open."
"Very poetic," Sango replied, "but forgive me if you're words don't compel me to break down and reveal my innermost secrets to you. I particularly liked the prison metaphor, very unique. However I do believe you've drawn the wrong conclusions about me, I don't fear marriage and I certainly am not over my brother."
"Sango you fear the unknown just like everyone else," Miroku murmured. "I simply hope to be the one who can enlighten you to the fact that there is nothing to fear in loving men other than your brother."
"Don't try that nonsense on me," Sango snapped her patience beginning to wear very thin. "That sort of crap may have worked on other women whose bed you were trying to charm your way into but it won't work on me. Don't even try to tell me you would have tried to win my heart if by doing so you also won yourself a crown, a country and a nice royal treasury."
"Would it really make that much of a difference to your opinion of me if I told you no?" Miroku inquired solemnly.
"Of course not," Sango said not noticing how Miroku's previously unwavering smile wavered. "Because I would know you would be lying."
"If you believe me to the man I claim to be," Miroku said softly. "You would notice that I already have those three things already. So therefore I can quite honestly say that it wasn't those things which lured me here. However if you had included your beauty and reputation for being a fiery-tempered woman then yes perhaps I would not have denied the charges."
Just then a servant came and took Miroku's salad away to replace it with a bread soup which was a good thing because Sango had no idea what to say to that.
"Why do you people insist on eating so many dishes at supper time," Miroku complained. "I ask you what's wrong with a simple stew or a nice steaming bowl of hot vegetable soup."
"We have food like that on regular evenings," Sango said patiently very relieved for the change of subject. "Tonight however is a ball and my parents hope to impress everyone with their most sumptuous meals."
"If you ask me," Miroku said taking a spoonful of the bread soup. "This menu doesn't impress me, I would much rather have something simple, straightforward and hot!"
Sango giggled at the funny expression Miroku made swallowing the soup.
"I change my opinion," Miroku said scooping another mouthful after a moments pause. "This is amazing! It's so full of flavour, I've never tasted soup this amazing," Miroku exclaimed.
"This soup is amazing," Kouga too proclaimed suddenly and soon everyone seemed to be murmuring their approval. Sango looked around confused, she had never heard everyone at the table exclaiming how good a dish was before, never!
"Sango," Miroku said not even thinking about what he was doing. "You simply have to try this soup, it's unbelievably good!"
"No thank you," she said coldly. So that was his plan, she had almost actually fallen for it too! Just exactly how stupid and gullible was she?
"Suit yourself," Miroku said with enough nonchalance Sango realized he hadn't actually planned this. He was far to absorbed in the soup to even notice he had tried to trick her.
"Now what's this?" Kouga suddenly exclaimed picking something off his spoon. After wiping the object off with his napkin it was soon discovered to be a tiny golden ring.
"Oh my," a lady sitting next to Kouga exclaimed. "It's beautiful, I've never seen a ring so dainty. May I try it on?"
Soon the ring was being passed from lady to lady each attempting to slip the tiny ring onto their fingers. It fit none however until it came to Sango who upon trying it on found it fit perfectly.
"Is it yours cousin?" Kouga asked "Did someone steal it. I bet they did, bring the cook before me immediately so that I may question him!"
"Kouga," Sango protested but it was too late the unfortunate cook was already being sent for. "Kouga!"
"Yes cousin?" Kouga asked. "What is it?"
"The ring may fit me but it isn't mine," Sango explained. "I've never seen it before in my life." This was a lie however though, she had seen the identical ring on the finger of a very close friend that evening, a friend with fiery red hair who didn't wished to draw attention to herself.
"Nevertheless," Kouga said. "I would still like to know how such a ring found its way into my soup. Speaking of which will you return it to me?"
"Of course," Sango said fearfully slipping the ring off her finger and passing it down to Kouga.
The cook was suddenly brought out from the kitchen and Sango sighed in relief when she saw that it wasn't Ayame.
"Are you the cook who made this soup?" Kouga demanded.
"Yes sire," the cook replied nervously wringing his hat in his trembling hands. "It was I who made the soup."
"That is not true," Kouga said. "For it was quite different and a much better soup than you have ever cooked."
Then the cook said, "I must confess sire; I did not cook the soup; the Many-furred Creature did."
"Then let her be brought before me," said Kouga and when the Many-furred Creature came covered head to foot in soot and concealed beneath her large animal cloak, Kouga who didn't remember her from the night before asked her who she was.
"I am a poor child without father or mother," was her reply.
Then he asked her, "What do you do in this palace?"
"'I am of no use except to have boots thrown at my head," Ayame replied evenly much to the cook's embarrassment.
"How did you get the ring which was I found in my soup?" he asked.
"I know nothing at all about the ring," she answered and no one except Sango noticed the slight waver in her voice. After further questioning Kouga could find out nothing, and was obliged to send her away.
"If you ask me," Miroku said slowly while everyone was still talking about what still happened. "Many–furred-creature should be making supper every evening, she is an amazing cook and worth her weight in gold!"
Sango looked suspiciously over at him, thankful he hadn't recognized it to be Ayame, he might have blown her cover unintentionally and Sango was positive if he had done so Ayame would never have forgiven her. Contrary to Miroku's opinion the rest of the nobles at the table were commenting on the "creature" who had been allowed to cook their meal.
"It's unsanitary," one noblewoman hissed.
"Disgusting," another agreed.
"Her voice however," Miroku said suddenly and then looked sharply at Sango. "I know I've heard her voice before."
Sango almost gasped in surprise at the suddenness of the comment, and just barely in the nick of time managed to stop herself from looking guilty.
"Hmm," Miroku said observing Sango's unusual behaviour out of the corner and quite curious of where it would lead decided to press the issue a bit further. "Oh dear that's going to bug me all evening, now where have I heard that voice before?"
"That soup really does smell amazing," Sango suddenly said saying the first thing that came into her head surprising not only Miroku but herself as well. Oh shoot, Sango thought as she realized what she had just said. Damn, damn damn damn damn damn DAMN! Oh what was she supposed to say now? Did she eat the soup and take another step forward to her marriage to the perverted Miroku or did she let Miroku continue his train of thought to realize that Ayame was the Many-furred-creature? I'm such an idiot, she mentally groaned. Oh well there's no where he'll pass my mother's test no harm in sacrificing a little bit of dignity to save a friend.
Miroku blinked once, then twice and then slowly pushed his soup bowl forward, "would you like to take up my previous offer to sample it?"
"I simply must try something that everyone's proclaimed is that amazing," Sango said slowly but clearly enough to grab everyone's attention. "Plus I'm absolutely starving after all that horse ride earlier. I haven't eaten since yesterday."
"By all means then," Kouga clapped. "Let another bowl of bread soup be brought forward for the Princess Sango."
The king and queen suddenly whirled around at Kouga's proclamation and a hushed murmur fell over everyone present. Sango was actually going to eat some of the bread soup! Before Sango could blink a bowl was placed before her and a silver spoon laid out on a napkin next to it.
Tentatively Sango reached forward and picked up the spoon very conscious of the fact that every pair of eyes in the room were focused on her. She could still back out, say that suddenly she was no longer hungry and wished to be excused, however she dipped the spoon while she did so mechanically bringing it to her lips where she paused. Is this what she wanted? If she did this there were only two trials between her and the marriage altar. He had already managed to get her to eat and speak what if he managed on passing her mother's test? He would never be able to do that, Sango resolved, it was practically impossible even she didn't think she would pass. And with that she placed the spoon in her mouth and tasted the savoury soup Ayame had made. It was incredible, absolutely unbelievably good.
As she took the now empty spoon from her mouth cheers erupted everywhere, men clapped each other heartily on their backs, women broke down into tears and the king and queen had identical expressions of shock written all over their faces.
Looking around nervously Sango attempted a brave smile and then looked to Miroku who no one realized was actually Miroku. His face was solemn though as he placed his hand over hers and leaned forward so that he could whisper in her ear, "you didn't need to do that Sango."
"What do you mean?" Sango asked confused. "I didn't do anything."
"Yes you did," Miroku said closing his eyes as if in pain, "you tried to deceive me so that I wouldn't reveal our mutual "friend's" secret. I wish you hadn't, I hate nothing more than people trying to deceive me."
As Miroku spoke those words, the realization of what she had done dawned upon Sango. She had just sacrificed one of her last life-lines for nothing!
"Someone go fetch Prince Miroku so that we can celebrate!" Kouga called happily.
"I should go," Miroku said rising unnoticed by the rest of the guests who were to busy celebrating to care. "Unless you wish it to be discovered I'm currently cross-dressing," he added smiling teasingly.
"No," Sango said softly. "You may go."
"My thanks Sango," Miroku said attempting another clumsy curtsy. "I will see you shortly."
"Yes," she echoed unable to forget the immense look of sadness that had crossed his face when he had spoken of her attempt to deceive him. Why had she done that?
Sango looked over at her mother and father to see their reactions. Her father was beaming at her, proud beyond words that she was finally speaking and eating again. Her mother however was looking slightly suspicious and decidedly unhappy with the way things were turning out.
Noticing her daughter's gaze her mother indicated with her hand she wished to speak with her. With a sigh, Sango hastily finished the soup before her, after all no sense in letting perfectly good soup go to waste. Wiping her mouth with her napkin Sango rose gracefully and walked over to her mother's side.
"Sango darling," her mother said warmly. "I'm so happy to see you eating once more."
"As am I daughter," her father said happily standing up so that he could embrace her in a bear hug.
"Please sit with us while we wait for Prince Miroku to join us," her mother said indicating to a vacant seat.
As Sango obliged her mother and sat her father eagerly inquired, "so does this mean daughter you love Prince Miroku? Is this why you've let him pass the first two tests so quickly?"
"No," Sango said quite firmly. "Quite the opposite however Prince Miroku is the last man I would wish to marry, he is too much of a womanizer to make a suitable husband and far to much frivolous to make a good king. I myself am astounded he has made it far when I had no intention of letting him do so."
Her father looked nervously at his wife and then back to Sango, "Sango darling I know you may not want to marry him, but if Prince Miroku has as much success with the tasks your mother and I have prepared then you will have to marry him. I have given my word as king and I certainly can not go back on it."
"I am aware of that," Sango said softly. "I have confidence that he will never be able to pass mother's test let alone whatever your test might be father."
"No man who does not love you will be able to pass my test darling," her mother assured her with a quite cat like confidence. "If he is truly the womanizer you say he is then you need not worry. The test will take some time to prepare, four days minimum, so I am sorry to say you must tolerate his company until then."
"Four days!" Sango exclaimed. "Does the spell really take that long?"
"Yes," he mother sighed. "I will need you for the last two days for it to be successful too, so make sure you have no plans."
"And he has an entire day to decide correct?" Sango asked.
"Yes," her father nodded. "And remember that if you do decide to change your mind you can say you take him to be your husband at any time."
"I know," Sango said almost beginning to feel sorry for Miroku. Her mother could be cruel to those whom she did not like and it was obvious that she did not think that Miroku was the ideal son-in-law. Now that she thought about it her mother's trail was almost Herculean it was as if she didn't want Sango to get married. But before Sango could pursue that disturbing train of thought Miroku arrived dressed ever inch the prince of a foreign country. Sango had thought he had looked good in fighting clothes but he looked absolutely handsome in the royal blue outfit he was clothed in. He also appeared to be carrying a elaborately carved box.
Sango noticed that his eyes immediately went to where she had been sitting and when he discovered she was no longer there her looked around probably afraid she had run off to her room again. Kouga crossed the room before Sango could grab Miroku's attention, and heartily clapped him on the back.
"Everyone," he said raising his voice above the excited conversations. "I am honoured to introduce Prince Miroku."
Everyone began to clap and there were a few cheers, but Miroku took no notice of all the attention and asked where Sango was to which Kouga pointed in her direction. Rising to her feet Sango formally walked towards Miroku. He bowed, she curtsied each finding it very hard to pretend they hadn't already been speaking all evening.
"I'm delighted to hear you ate some of your supper Princess Sango," Miroku said civilly but Sango was still able to trace un underlying note of sadness to his voice.
Sango simply nodded and Miroku continued passing her the box, "please allow me then to present you with this gift. I had hoped to entice you to eat with this delicacy from my native land but since I see you have regained your appetite I am assured you will enjoy this sweet on your own time."
Sango tilted her head slightly, so he had come with a plan had he? To bad she had spoiled it. Curious as to what was inside Sango opened the box to reveal a multitude of small brown squares. She looked up at Miroku confused, she had never seen food like this before.
"Prince Miroku," she said. "Thank you very much for this present. I'm sure I will greatly enjoy the…" Sango trailed off expectantly.
"My apologies," Miroku said laughing. "Forgive me for not telling you what it is called. The delicacy before you is known as chocolate."
"Chocolate," Sango said slowly stumbling over the unfamiliar word. "My thanks for the chocolate Prince Miroku, I'm sure it will be delicious."
"Please Prince Miroku to have a private moment with my cousin to catch up," Kouga said believing himself to be overly generous. And much to everyone's disappointment shooed the two "love-birds" into the garden.
"Oh good lord," Sango groaned. "Now everyone's going to think I'm in love with you."
"You will be once you taste that," Miroku said indicating to the box Sango was still holding in her hands.
"No really its ok," Sango said one hundred percent sure that there was no way she was putting one of those brown squares in her mouth. Nothing that tasted good was brown! "I'm quite full from the soup."
"Sango," Miroku said patiently. "Now that you're eating again there is simply no founded excuse for you not to try the chocolate."
"No really Miroku I'm quite fully," Sango said trying to refuse in the politest way possible.
"One square of chocolate isn't very filling believe me," Miroku insisted. "At least try one."
"No really I'm fine," Sango said slightly more firmly.
Miroku sighed, and gently took the box from her. "It's ok Sango I understand you might be afraid of the unknown."
Sango opened her mouth to say that she had every right to be afraid of eating something she had never tried before when suddenly she realized the chocolate had a slightly more symbolic meaning than she had believed. "I already said I don't fear the unknown," she said haughtily. "So don't try and trick me."
"You tried to trick me," Miroku protested. "Now Sango I think you're just being hypocritical."
"I am not being hypocritical," Sango said angrily. "I'm simply saying that I don't fear the unknown."
"I say you do."
"I am not!"
"Then prove it too me by eating this chocolate," Miroku challenged plucking a square from out of the box and waving it in front of her nose.
"Fine!" Sango snapped snatching the chocolate from him. "I will!" Eyeing the chocolate uneasily Sango brought it to her lips and opened her mouth to take a bite but found her hand unable to move any closer. It smelled weird and it was brown, there was no possible way something that looked like that could taste like the bread soup.
"Here," Miroku said gently taking the chocolate from her unresisting grip. "I'll help you."
"How can you help me?" Sango said. "Other than putting the thing in my mouth and forcefully helping me chew there's no way I'm going to be able to eat this."
"We'll see," Miroku said. "Are you willing to trust me?"
"I suppose," Sango said suspiciously.
"Alright then wait here," Miroku said and walked quickly back into the hall only to emerge seconds later with something in his fist. "Ok let's go sit somewhere."
"Why," Sango asked still suspicious. "And what do you have in your hand?"
"You'll see," Miroku smiled gently. "Will you close your eyes now?"
"Close me eyes?" Sango echoed confused.
"Yes, close your eyes," Miroku said.
"I thought you said you wanted me to go sit down I can't do that if my eyes are closed, I'll fall or walk into a rose bush or something."
"I promise you won't," Miroku assured her. "Trust me."
Sango looked for the first time in her life longingly back at the ballroom then at Miroku who was still smiling reassuringly at her. Groaning inwardly Sango nervously bit her lower lip and ever so slowly closed her eyes.
"Now you have to promise not to open your eyes until I say so ok?" Miroku said.
"Ok," Sango said and there was a moment where she couldn't hear Miroku and was afraid he had left her then next second however she felt him gently take her hand. Once he was sure she wasn't going to slap him for touching her "inappropriately" he took her full arm and placed in on top of his so that he could steer her.
"Now walk with me," he said gently.
"Miroku," Sango growled. "If you lead me into any rose bushes and I ruin this dress I hope you know that I'll never forgive you."
"If I were you I would kill me," Miroku said teasingly.
"Hmmm that is always an alternative option I suppose," Sango said feeling a smile grace her lips. And either at that moment Miroku had almost walked into something or her smile had surprised him because he suddenly took in a very deep breath, something she wouldn't have noticed if her eyes had been open.
Finally they reached a bench because suddenly she felt Miroku lowering her onto something cold and hard.
"Sango will you humour me and tell me what this is without opening your eyes?" Miroku asked to which Sango nodded and she immediately felt something placed in her hands. Very slowly wondering just what exactly Miroku was doing Sango let her hands roam over the object the top of it felt very soft and seemed to have flower petals she moved her hands down slightly anticipating the thorns and sure enough there they were.
"Is it a rose?" Sango asked tentatively.
"Yes," Miroku said. "Can you tell me what color it is?"
"Not without opening my eyes I can't?" Sango laughed at the ridiculousness of the request.
"You can use senses other than your eyes to determine things," Miroku said slowly.
"Other senses?" Sango echoed feeling more an more confused. You couldn't tell color by touching it, you couldn't taste it and you couldn't hear color and you certainly couldn't smell colour. Or could you? Bringing the flower to her nose Sango inhaled deeply and promptly declared it a red rose.
"See," Miroku said happily. "You can! Now try this?"
The rose was gently plucked out of her hands and replaced with something very different.
"It's definitely a fabric," Sango said to herself. "It feels heavy like a mixture of silk and velvet."
"Very good," Miroku said happy his little experiment was working. "Don't worry I won't make you tell me what colour it is."
"Good," Sango said. "What next?"
"Open your mouth?" Miroku commanded gently.
Sango obliged realizing that she must look very stupid right about then. "I feel like a baby bird waiting to be fed," Sango muttered.
"Open please," Miroku said with a laugh and the next thing Sango knew there was something in her mouth. "Let it sit on your tongue a second before telling me what it is."
"A strawberry," Sango replied confidently.
"Open again?"
And so it continued for a small chunk of cheese, a piece of an apple and an orange slice.
"Ready," Sango said swallowing the remaining piece of orange and opening her mouth again wondering what fruit would come next.
This time something foreign was placed on her tongue where it immediately began to melt and Sango's taste buds were soon overcome with a very new and different taste. It was sweet and yet creamy, rich but not so much so she felt overwhelmed, it was delicious and she new it had to be the treat Miroku had called chocolate. Obviously her face must have registered her shock because Miroku suddenly burst out laughing.
"It's delicious!" Sango exclaimed opening her eyes. "I've never tasted anything like it before in my life."
"Would you like another piece?" Miroku asked opening the box and this time Sango looked at the tiny squares with new eyes.
"Yes please," Sango said enthusiastically.
"See I told you that you'd like it," Miroku teased.
"I can't believe I almost didn't try it," Sango said taking another piece.
"Fear of the unknown," Miroku said thoughtfully popping one into his own mouth. "It can be a very difficult thing to over come, but I've discovered that it tends to hold us back from the most amazing things life has to offer. To conquer it alone can be a hard thing to do, most of the time all we need is a little help but sadly helping hands are few and far between."
"I take it you once feared something?" Sango asked curiously.
"Yes," Miroku sighed and then opened his mouth as if to continue but then slowly closed it and smiled. "That's a story for another time however, it's to depressing and I wouldn't want your first memory of chocolate to be polluted by it tends to leave a foul taste in the mouth. Would you like to head back now"
Sango looked curiously at him, was it perhaps possible there was more depth to this playboy than met the eye? Why did he smile so much? Was it to cover the pain? Those were all questions Sango resolved to ask at another time.
"Yes," Sango said rising and taking his offered arm. "People will just be beginning to gossip."
"Wouldn't it have been best to return before they started to gossip?" Miroku asked confused.
"No trying chocolate was much more fun," Sango said looking up at the stars then smiling. "Plus a little gossip is good for those old biddies, heavens only knows they have nothing interesting in their own lives to talk about."
Miroku laughed plucking the flower he had picked for her off the bench. "Don't forget your flower; it will only serve to make their gossip all the more interesting."
"Tomorrow when we go horse back riding you'll have to tell me all about chocolate promise?" Sango asked taking the rose from him.
"Promise."
Author's Note:
Hi everyone hope you enjoy, and if so please review it would really make my day. I've been going through a bit of a rough patch lately and I need as much cheering up as possible. Love you all for giving a productive outlet for my creativity. :)