Beautiful Soul
By: SlayerSango23
AN: I unfortunately do not own any of the Inuyasha characters, despite how much I'd like to. I am merely borrowing them from the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi in order to have some fun and hopefully entertain you people. This story was sort of inspired by 'Pretty Woman,' but it is going to be quite different. The most obvious distinction is that Sango will not be a hooker. Also, the theme of this does not deal with a wealthy man rescuing a poor girl and making all her dreams come true. :) It's been awhile since I've seen 'Pretty Woman,' so I don't even remember how much that is a factor in the movie, but I just wanted to make that clear. Oh yeah, and I don't own the song, 'Beautiful Soul,' by Jesse McCartney.
Sango's alarm clock blared beside her bed, a chorus of 'Beautiful Soul' ringing in her ears as she fumbled for the snooze button. Her head ached, probably from disturbed sleep due to nightmares, and she could tell it was going to be 'one of those days.'
"Six o'clock already," she grumbled. "I just want to stay in bed today...oh, but I can't...I have to work."
Her actions belied her words, though, and she pulled a pillow over her head instead. Moments later her younger brother Kohaku came into her room.
"Make it stop." She mumbled from underneath the pillow. Kohaku obeyed the command but then began shaking her.
"Time to get up, Ane-ue." Her cat, Kirara had also joined in on the fun and was now in the bed nuzzling her master's chin.
Sango gave in to the adorable feline and stroked her fur. "Oh, all right. If I must."
She smiled up at Kohaku. "Since when did you become such a morning person, little brother?"
"I'm not, really, but who can sleep with that thing blasting in here. Besides, I have school and you have work..."
"Aren't I supposed to be the responsible one?" She had finally pushed herself into a sitting position. She smiled and reached out to muss Kohaku's already disheveled hair.
"You are responsible, Ane-ue. You're working to provide for us...you even quit school so that you could take care of me. So you have trouble getting up some mornings, big deal."
"Thanks. I had a rough night last night..." she replied with downcast eyes.
"I understand. I have those sometimes, too." She gave him a sympathetic look, then attempted at cheerful.
"Well, I guess we'd better get going, huh? What would you like for breakfast?"
"My usual." He gave her a wink and headed to his room to get dressed.
"Bacon and eggs it is." She patted Kirara once more, then headed into their bad excuse for a kitchen. In all actuality, it should have been called a closet.
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Miroku's royal blue eyes fluttered open, needing no alarm clock. It was his day off, which only occurred once in a blue moon, and he had fully intended to sleep in. Nevertheless, it seemed he was so used to getting up at the crack of dawn that he did so, regardless of what time he went to bed or whether or not he had any commitments for the day. He checked the clock by his bedside, which read 6:30, and decided to try and sleep a bit longer.
After tossing and turning for a good 15 minutes, he decided he might as well get up. He tossed off his silk sheets and headed for the kitchen to make a cup of coffee. Somewhere down the line he had started liking the stuff, or perhaps 'needing' the stuff, thus developing something of an addiction to it. He groaned when he realized he was completely out. But being the cheerful and positive man that he was, it was hardly enough to dampen his spirits. He actually had a day off, and nothing was going to spoil that! He simply had to figure out what he was going to do with himself all day.
"Well, I might as well go for a run first of all and get the blood flowing."
Miroku ran several miles every morning before work, another ritual of his, which he didn't plan to break, day off or no. He was quite the 'health buff,' and it certainly showed.
He headed back to his room, slipped out of his sweat-pants and into a navy blue jogging suit. He grabbed his keys, cell phone, pager, a wad of bills, and his pocket comb, sticking them in random pockets in the suit, and headed out.
He decided to mix up the routine a bit this morning and not take his usual route. He was tired of being stuck in one portion of the city day after day.
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"Ohhh no, I am running way behind! Crap, crap, piece of crap!" Sango complained, to no one in particular.
She had been reduced to literally 'running' to work, due to some automotive problems. Fortunately, she was extremely fast.
Most days she would take Kohaku to his high school, since he was only a freshman and not yet able to drive (not that they could afford another vehicle if he was), then drive to work.
She worked at a small, family-owned café, Higurashi's, near the business district of Chicago, IL. Her best friend's grandfather and mother owned it. She was certain that had been the reason she'd gotten the job. Kagome had probably begged them to give it to her.
Normally, she would have hated the idea of being offered a job solely based upon 'knowing someone,' but this had been right after her parents died, and she knew that she had to have a job in order to provide for Kohaku. She couldn't stand the thought of him being taken away by the state. So, at the age of 18 she left college and began working full-time at Higurashi's. She and Kohaku moved into an apartment complex nearby that was very small but clean. Despite their humble existence, though, Sango still found it difficult to make ends meet, so she'd taken a second job as a personal trainer at a gym nearby. She had several regular clients, who she worked with several times a week. This had been going on for a year now.
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Miroku had been running for about 45 minutes. He'd taken a spin through the park, a quick one considering there weren't any pretty young woman for him to flirt with, and was now headed down a sidewalk along a series of small shops and restaurants. He decided it might be about time to get that cup of coffee.
Just then, he was nearly barreled over by someone, passing him in a heated run.
And I thought I was fast...
Then the 'blur,' that had nearly plowed into him but had sidestepped at the last moment and only brushed against him, spoke. She had long dark-brown hair pulled into a ponytail, wore jeans, a light green tee, and tennis shoes. She threw a quick glance over her shoulder at him and mumbled a few apologetic words, then she went into a café.
For some reason, he was stunned. He'd stopped running and was now simply standing there gazing at where she had last been, like a fool. Wow, what a beauty!
He was grinning now, as he recalled getting an excellent view of her backside, which he was quite impressed with. He decided it was definitely time for a break. He looked up at the building she'd entered.
He'd never been to the place before, Higurashi's. He was quite well-versed on the city, but he'd never heard of this café. Perhaps it was new. Then again, he didn't generally come down this way. It was of no matter, though. If that was where she was, then that was where he'd go.
It's been entirely too long since I've been out with a woman...
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"Sango, you're out of breath!" Her best friend Kagome commented with concern as she stumbled into the kitchen of Higurashi's.
"Thank you, Kagome-chan, for stating the obvious." She managed to get out despite her shortness of breath.
"Ha-ha. So, what, did you run all the way here?"
"Yes." She was beginning to catch her breath now.
"Why?"
"Well, my car broke down, had to put Kohaku on the city bus, wanted to wait for him to get on to make sure no low-lives jumped him..."
"Aw, Sango-chan. And you still made it on time. Here, sit down for a minute. You know, Gramps wouldn't have minded if you were a little late. Those were extenuating circumstances, you know."
"Well, I don't like to be late." She decided to take a seat for a second.
"You're such a wonderful worker."
"Yeah, I know." She grinned at her friend. "Besides, I can't tell you what it's meant to Kohaku and me that Grandpa (he always told everyone to call him 'Grandpa') gave me a job."
"Oh, Sango-chan, think nothing of it! And I know for a fact that you've never disappointed him.
He depends upon you working here just as much as you depend upon it."
Sango smiled, as Kagome picked up a plate of eggs to take out to a customer.
"Oh, Sango, there you are!" Grandpa Higurashi called to her as he exited a storage room. "Would you like to see this antique teapot I discovered?"
Sango grinned and shook her head. Grandpa Higurashi was a sucker for antiques.
"Did you get it off e-bay?"
"Certainly not! It's a priceless heirloom that has been in my family for generations! It came from 15th century England!"
"So, how did your family get it?"
"It was a gift to my great, great, great— (a half-dozen greats later) grandfather..."
"Well, that IS great, Grandpa." Sango remarked with a twinge of sarcasm and smiled. "I should probably get to work now...paying customers waiting, you know.." Sango breathed a sigh of relief. She loved the old guy, but he could go on for hours... She waved and said hi to Inuyasha, their dishwasher and Kagome's boyfriend, and grabbed her order book. She was about to head out of the kitchen when Kagome returned and took her by the arm.
"Hey, Sango. Look out there..."
"What am I looking at?" She shrugged and looked through the window of the swinging kitchen door. "And why don't I just go out there and look?"
"Because. Does that guy look familiar to you?"
"Which guy?"
"That one." She pointed toward a young man with raven black hair which was pulled into a short ponytail. He was sitting at a table looking at a menu but would occasionally look up and gaze around.
"Umm, well now that you mention it...yeah, he does."
"Oh, good because I know I have seen him somewhere and I can't put my finger on it...you know how those kinds of things drive me crazy!"
"Yeah, me too." She then whispered so as not to let Inuyasha overhear. He had the hearing of a bloodhound.
"You know, Kagome...you're going to make Inuyasha jealous..." She taunted. Kagome was always taunting her and she rarely got the chance to give her a taste of her own medicine.
"Oh please, Sango-chan. It's not like that! It's just one of those things where you recognize a face but can't place a name. So, you know him?"
"Uh, well not technically. I just sort of bumped into him a minute ago. Actually, I almost flat-out knocked him over when I was rushing to get here."
"Oh."
They both looked through the window again.
"He seems to be looking for someone..."
"Must be meeting someone." Sango stated, but with almost a 'jealous' undertone. Of course he's meeting someone. There's no way a guy that good-looking is single...that's the way it always is... But why do I even care! I don't even know this guy, and I don't have the time to date anyway, nor do I want to...
"Maybe he's looking for you!" Kagome nudged her friend, playfully, being only half serious.
"Oh, please! Why would he be looking for me?"
"Think about it...guy sees a beautiful girl who...ahem...nearly knocks him off his feet, so he says to himself, 'I have to find that girl...I must know her name!'" Kagome chanted dramatically, taking on a more masculine voice for the guy's thoughts, not knowing she had just about hit the nail on the head.
Sango gave Kagome a slight push. "Very funny!" She rolled her eyes.
"What the hell are you two doing over there!" Inuyasha yelled from over at his post.
"Oh, nothing sweetie, nevermind!" Kagome waved at him.
"Keh! Women!"
"Hey, what about us women!" Kagome began storming toward Inuyasha, and Sango figured that was her chance to escape.
"Ok, you two play nice. I'm going to get to work now." She started to open the door.
"Ok, Sango-chan, go make his day!" Kagome gave a sickeningly sweet smile and Sango rolled her eyes again.
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Sango headed toward the mystery man who she'd nearly 'taken out' only 15 minutes earlier. The heat began rising in her cheeks, thinking about the conversation she and Kagome had just had. But she pushed that away and began wondering if Kagome and Inuyasha were killing each other in there, or breaking things...hopefully not...
The man looked up as soon as she approached, and their eyes met. He almost looked as if he'd made some great discovery, or won the lottery or something. What in the world was with this guy?
She also recognized that he had the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen. They stared at each other for several moments, most likely appearing to be complete idiots, but the café was relatively empty at the time, so not many would have noticed.
Then he smiled. He had an amazing smile, as well.
"Well, hello." Ah, so she works here... He thought, noticing the Higurashi's t-shirt.
"Um, hi." She shyly responded, her cheeks reddening once again.
"So, uh, is the service here as quick as you are?" He grinned, not able to help himself.
"Oh, uh, yeah about that...I'm sorry I nearly knocked you over. I was in a hurry, but that was really no excuse. It was rude of me."
"Think nothing of it. I've never been nearly trampled by such a beautiful waitress before."
Sango rolled her eyes. Oh, a smoothie, huh?
"So, your name is Sango then?" He noticed the nametag on her shirt. "I'm Miroku, nice to meet you."
He held out his hand and she shook it. "Nice to meet you, too."
It was not a typical handshake, though, for neither of them seemed to be making a move to let go right away. Sango blushed, realizing she was basically holding hands with a guy she'd just met. She didn't know why she couldn't seem to let go. It felt nice, though. It had been awhile since she'd held hands with someone.
Just as Sango had begun to snap out of it, Miroku spoke. "What happened to your hand?"
He had noticed the band-aid on the back of her hand. He genuinely looked concerned.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just cut it when I broke some glass..." She attempted to pry her hand away, but he held it firmly.
"Uh, can I have it back now?" She sarcastically asked, but she was still blushing.
"In a second." He then proceeded to bring her hand to his lips.
Sango's heart sped up as he placed a gentle kiss upon her hand near the band-aid, never breaking eye-contact. The sensation nearly caused her to shiver all over, but she kept it in.
He then released her hand, as she stood there, looking somewhat shocked. She managed to retain her composure, though.
"Um, so are you ready to order then, sir? Or are you waiting for someone..." She looked around, expecting to see his beautiful girlfriend walking in any minute.
"It's Miroku, my dear Sango, and no I'm not waiting for anyone. I'm ready." He smiled at her.
She didn't know why that brought her some relief, but it did. She smiled back.
"What will it be?"
"Just a cup of coffee, decaf, with cream and sugar. Thanks."
"Right away." She headed to the kitchen, as Miroku stared after her, once again noticing his favorite part of her anatomy.
"And you to go..." He mumbled as she walked off. He then turned his attention to reading a newspaper that had been on the table.
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Sango went behind the counter and began fixing Miroku's coffee, as Kagome came out of the kitchen, slightly flustered.
"Is everything all right, Kagome-chan?"
"Yeah. Inuyasha's just being a jerk again."
"What happened?"
"Oh, he brought up Koga again."
"Koga? Oh yeah, that guy who always comes in and hits on you."
"Yeah, that's the one. I try to tell him I don't have any feelings for Koga, but he just doesn't believe it."
"How did that come up anyway?"
"Oh, I don't know. Inuyasha just has a talent for turning any conversation into an argument about me and Koga."
"Yeah, he certainly is the jealous type..."
"You can say that again! But anyway, enough of that..." Kagome glanced over to where Miroku was sitting, reading a paper. "Sooo...what happened?"
"What do you mean 'what happened'?"
"Just what I said..."
"I'll tell you what happened..."
"Yeah?" Kagome leaned in, as Sango whispered.
"He ordered coffee..." She smirked.
Kagome folded her arms. "Ha-ha. That wasn't quite what I was looking for?"
"Well, what do you want to know?"
"Did you find out his name...is he single...was there any chemistry?"
"Why do you care about this?"
"Because I want you to be happy."
"Kagome, to answer your questions...yes, I found out his first name, and it's Miroku. Is he single? Well, I don't know. All I know is that he wasn't meeting anyone here today. Was there chemistry...well...let's skip that question...and as for me being happy... I am happy so long as Kohaku is well taken care of and we are able to keep our apartment and eat everyday."
"Oh, Sango..."
"And you know I don't have time to date. I work all the time, and then I have Kohaku..."
"Kohaku is nearly grown up now."
"I still want to spend time with him."
"Yes, but...hey! Why did you skip the chemistry question!"
"Uh.." Sango blushed slightly. "Because...it's a dumb question."
"Why? Wait, did something happen!"
"No...nothing! I need to take him his coffee now."
Kagome watched her best friend walk away, with a smug look on her face, but then it softened.
She's hiding something... I guess I am being kinda nosy, but she is my best friend, and I am determined to see her happy! I've seen the look in her eye when she catches Inuyasha and me being affectionate. She's lonely. I just know it. She has her little brother, and I know she loves him very much, but is that enough...? I know Sango is a very strong, independent woman, but even those types can be vulnerable at times, can't they?
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"Ah, at long last." Miroku smiled.
"Sorry for the wait."
"No problem. I was beginning to wonder, though. I used to hate coffee, but I started drinking it to keep me awake at work, and it kinda grew on me." She nodded. He took the coffee and tasted it. "Very good."
"Thank you. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Ah, so many ways I could respond to such a question... He thought but decided against it.
"No, I'm fine, thank you. But would you like to sit with me and chat?"
"Uh, well I'm working, so I really can't."
"I understand." He said, almost pouting. Sango stifled a giggle. She thought he looked kind of cute when he acted like a child.
"Well, I'll be back to check on you."
"Hurry back." He gave a playboy-ish grin.
She then turned to walk away but stopped dead in her tracks when she felt a hand slide across her butt.
She whirled around and slapped him hard across the face. "Pervert!"
Miroku was clearly taken aback. He put a hand to his cheek and stared up at her, then grinned sheepishly.
She immediately realized what she had done. She'd struck a customer! She knew she should have restrained herself, but it seemed like her hand flew almost instinctually.
Oh no! What if Grandpa Higurashi fires me for this! What if this guy presses charges!"
Her mind was reeling, and she suddenly began fervently apologizing.
"I am SO sorry! That was completely out of line...please forgive me... would you like your coffee to be free..."
"Sango, stop. It's ok, really. It is I who should be apologizing to you. I am the one who was out of line...it's just...hard to restrain myself around such beauty.." And he smiled. She felt the blush again, despite the situation.
Is he for real?
She breathed a sigh. "Well, shall we call it even then?"
"Yes, no hard feelings."
Kagome had seen the entire thing and approached Sango once she left Miroku's table.
"Sango, did he just grope you!" She asked, wide-eyed.
"Uh, yeah, it felt that way."
"You sure did slap him pretty hard."
"Yeah..." She shook her head. "Did your grandpa see?"
"No, he was in the back. Don't worry, Sango-chan. That guy had it coming. Even Gramps would say so."
"Still...you won't tell him, will you?"
"No, of course not. Do you think he is going to complain about it?"
"No, I don't think so. He actually ended up apologizing to me."
"That's good. He must have a thing for you..." Kagome nudged her friend.
"Uh, who knows?" She gave a nervous laugh.
Just then the girls heard a ringing and saw Miroku pick up his phone. After a few moments he hung up and waved toward Sango.
"He beckons..." Sango rolled her eyes and walked over to him.
"Sango, could I have my check, please? I hate to cut this short, but I have to be going."
"Sure." She made sure to be out of grabbing range before turning around by backpedaling a few steps, then headed off to get his check. Miroku grinned at her cute antics.
A moment later she brought back the check, for $1.50 and walked over to Kagome again.
Miroku reached in a pocket and pulled out a wad of bills. Hmm, I grabbed hundred dollar bills. Oh well.
When Sango noticed he'd placed a bill inside the booklet with the check she returned.
"I don't need any change. It has been a most pleasurable morning! I hope to see you again very soon."
He then rose. She realized he was about a head taller than her. He was so close that the slightest move forward on either person's part would have resulted in a pressing of flesh. He then took one of her hands in both of his, as if he were about to ask her something very important... and then...
"Do you work tomorrow?"
"Uh, yes, I do."
"What time?"
"7:30-3."
"Hm, ok. Well then, until next time." And with that, he turned and walked out.
With pink cheeks, Sango picked up the book on the table and looked inside. On the check he'd written, 'Once again, I'm very sorry. I hope you'll forgive me. Have a nice day, beautiful!'
And in the other pocket was...a hundred dollar bill!
What the...! I have to catch him! He gave me the wrong bill!
Sango called over to a very confused Kagome, "I'll be right back!"
She then dashed out of the café and looked around for him. She saw him jogging down the street a bit ahead of her, and she sprinted to catch up. She didn't have much difficulty doing so. When she reached him she put a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to face her.
"Oh, hi again! Did you miss me already?"
Sango rolled her eyes. "I just wanted to give this back to you. You left me the wrong bill. And I don't know too many people who can afford to waste this much money on a cup of coffee."
Miroku simply looked at her, then at the bill in her outstretched hand.
"No, that was what I intended to leave."
"Take a closer look, would you? This is a hundred dollar bill!" Why is he looking at me like I'm stupid?
"Hm, let me see." He took the bill and held it up. "Why, you're right...good old Mr. Franklin, right there. It is very admirable that you would return this to me. You are a very honest person, Sango. It makes me like you even more..." She blushed at this. "But it is for you."
"You must be joking!"
"No, I'm entirely serious. After the dollar fifty, it's all yours."
The man who I slapped is leaving me a $98.50 tip! "I can't accept this."
"Please, you must. I want you to have it."
"No, I won't! Take it back!" She pushed the bill toward him.
"I don't need it."
"I'm sure you could use it! Besides, where do you get off leaving me this much money! Why are you doing this?"
"Because...I think you are a wonderful waitress and...well...I felt bad about groping you back there."
She stared at him for a moment. "Well, you're forgiven, but please take this back."
"I don't have any smaller bills on me."
"If you'll come back, I'll break it for you."
Miroku sighed but finally gave in.
"All right. I must say, you are quite a lady."
She blushed for about the billionth time that day, and they walked back to the café side by side.
"And you will be receiving a tip." He looked at her and smiled. She met his gaze and smiled back.
AN: Ok, this was a super long chapter! That is, at least for me it was. Please let me know what you think! Let me know if you like it, what you liked, what could be improved, suggestions, if I should continue, etc...but please no flames. :) Thanx bunches for reading!
Ane-ue sister, in Japanese
Chan Friendly title for a girl/small child, in Japanese
Though this is an English story, I enjoy mixing in the Japanese titles here and there. I love when Kohaku calls Sango Ane-ue and when Kagome and Sango refer to each other as -chan.