About one month later...

Kagome sighed. The day had been a long one. Fortunately InuYasha was in her last class.

"So Kagome," he asked in the middle of the class, "are you seeing anybody?" Kagome smiled.

In the month that she had known InuYasha she had developed a crush on him. The slightest touch from him sent brilliant shock waves of pleasure into her body. She also had the feeling that he liked her too. They had talked in class and also if they saw each other outside of class, which she made sure they did quite often. Kagome knew he was having a party tonight and was planning on going alone, but, hopefully now she didn't have to.

"Not unless it's you," she smiled mischievously and winked. He chuckled.

"Fine. Would you escort me to my own party?" She nodded. "Alright, it's settled then. You know when and where?" She nodded again. "Great."

()()()()()()()()() ... & &

When the bell rang, Kagome hurried to get ready for the party. Sango, on the other hand, decided to go to a restaurant just off campus.

As she walked across the short green grass she read 'The Silence of the Lambs.' She was so engrossed in the book that she didn't even notice a pit where the campus committee was planning on planting a tree. Just as she stepped over the hole someone pulled her aside.

"Excuse me! I'm trying to read!" She said looking up in annoyance.

"Sango," Miroku said, "It would do you a lot of good to watch where you are going." Sango stared for a second, but then remembered her manners and looked down. Then she saw the hole that she had almost stepped into. If she had she would have twisted her ankle, at the least.

"Thank you Professor." Miroku smiled casually.

"It is not class time Sango. Call me Miroku."

"Not meaning to be irreverent, but I think I'll stick to Professor," Sango said carefully, then added in her mind, "For now." Miroku shrugged.

Sango walked into the restaurant and sat at a table to do her homework. Miroku stood beside her. She looked up at him.

"Something wrong Professor?"

"No. I was just wondering if I could ask you some questions." He said. Sango studied his face. What could it hurt?

"Alright." Miroku sat beside her. It was silent for a few seconds. It was a comfortable silence, considering the feelings involved.

"Why do you wear those glasses without lenses?" Miroku asked finally. Sango touched the side of the frames unconsciously. She had gotten so accustomed to wearing them that they were practically a part of her.

"Well," she started carefully, "they belonged to someone... very special to me." She paused. "My sister Koharu passed away a year ago. She... drowned. She used to always wear them and they're all of her I have left." Miroku frowned and his eyebrows drew together.

"I'm sorry. I-" Sango smiled.

"Don't worry about it. Live not in the past, but for the future! Now do I get to ask you a question? An answer for an answer?" Miroku smiled.

"Sure. Ask away." Sango thought hard for a suitable question. Finally, she found one. She looked at him directly.

"What is your Raison D'etre?" Miroku looked puzzled.

"I don't quite follow you," he admitted. She smiled. He didn't know everything.

"Your reason for living." Miroku chuckled.

"I'd trust you to ask a question like that. You really are about the brightest girl I've ever met." Sango blushed. "My reason for living, hmm? I think it would be to observe and help people." He paused. "I mean, that's what I do." Sango raised an eyebrow at him and he smiled. "What?"

"That sounds rather ascetic." Miroku laughed.

"I didn't really mean all I do. I do have fun."

"Oh, I have no doubt about that. The way you teach proves it." They sat in silence for a little bit, homework totally forgotten. It was Miroku who broke the silence.

"So, question two," He said. "What is your favourite book?" He stared at her as she looked at the ceiling thoughtfully.

"I can't choose, " she said plainly. " I have so many." Of course.

"Well pick one."

"'Passage' by Connie Willis, I guess. It's very interesting. Her wording is perfect and the concept is very intriguing. What's after life and near-death-experiences being an S.O.S is a really imaginative way of thinking," Sango said all in one breath. She took a few deep breaths and continued.

"When I read it's like the characters come alive and I know them. Joanna Lander reminded me of myself and, when she died, I was really rather upset. The book really..." She shrugged, at a loss for words.

Miroku watched as the enlightened look slipped off Sango's face and knew she was different. Something rare. Not just a girl, but someone apart. Intelligence, strength, independence and a pretty face all rolled into one remarkable female. A whistle of appreciation escaped him. Sango turned her face towards him. He cleared his throat.

"I should read it sometime." She smiled enthusiastically.

"I'll borrow it to you," she replied," I own it and about five-hundred other books. But right now it's your turn. When you were a kid, what was your dream occupation? What did you want to be more than anything?" Sango watched him intently. He looked her strait in the eyes.

"A university professor." There was no hint of a jest in his expression or his tone. They sat like that until Miroku stood up. "I have one last question for you now Sango." She stood up and picked up her stuff.

"Okay."

"Would you come to a party with me? It's in dorm forty-seven tonight." She stared and he stared back. Had he just asked her out? Yes, he had. The air seemed to have turned muggy and Sango felt her face grow warm. But he was a teacher. Oh, cruel fate!

"Um," she whispered. He continued to look at her. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." Rejected. What a let down. He had thought she had liked him. All the signs had been there.

"Oh," Miroku turned, "I'll see you on Monday then." As he started to walk away, Sango grabbed his arm.

"Uh. I mean sure, but isn't there a rule or something?" Miroku turned back to her, smiling. So he had thought right.

"Don't worry about it." He went out the door. "Come on. It's probably already started." They walked together through the breezy court-yard. The sky was steadily getting darker, a sign that it was around six in the evening. The wind toyed with the fallen leaves, making them swirl up in a whirlwind of brilliant reds, subtle oranges, bright yellows, and a little brown. On instinct, Miroku reached for Sango's hand and was a bit surprised that she let him take it without hesitation. She smiled at him. He returned her smile, feeling the slightest bit of deja vu. Something about being with Sango, holding her hand like this, and walking through the autumn beauty, seemed familiar and right. He shrugged off the feeling and looked ahead.

They stopped, only to drop off Sango's books, then they went to the party.