Beautiful Soul
By: SlayerSango23
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Inuyasha :sigh: I also don't own any rights to the Armani line. Finally, if Luciano's actually exists, I am ignorant to that, so as a precaution, I will mention that it does not belong to me. I simply borrowed an Italian name.
A/N: I recently decided that I should respond to my reviewers, seeing how I appreciate them so much and crave their opinions... So, here ya go. I plan to start responding to each and every one of you. Of course, forgive me if I miss once in awhile. Oh, and just to make sure, I will clarify... Stuff in italics is what the characters are thinking. I mention it because I use that often.
Stardust03: I'm really glad you love it, and I plan to keep it going. I will do my best to update a.s.a.p. I think I am going to get a schedule going and try to update once a week or something, if at all possible. It will most likely be on Saturday nights.
Keyo-Red Angel of Hope: Glad you think it looks good and worth reading. I've accomplished something then! Thanks on the characterization compliment. And yes, I plan to bring Inu and Sesshy's relationship into it at some point. I can't possibly not do that! I haven't thought a whole lot about how it's going to work, but I have some ideas. I especially plan to deal with the fact that Sesshomaru is a famous, powerful billionaire living in a penthouse, while Inuyasha is working at a diner and living in a shabby apartment. Could it be by choice? ;)
Koga's wolf babe: Thank you! Glad you like it. Yes, I plan to continue and finish, as I plan to with each story I start. Problem is, I keep getting ideas... I will try to be more timely about it, though. In the meantime, check out some of my other stories if you get the chance. :)
MeiNyoko: I am really glad you enjoyed it so much, and I am so flattered that you are 'craving' it! What a wonderful thing to say:waves hi to weird brother: ;)
Demon Exterminator Barbie: Yes, I couldn't resist putting in what Sesshomaru's name means...it is just too good and too appropriate. I want this alternate world Sesshomaru to be similarly powerful, dangerous...only more in a businesslike way. Thanks for the compliment! And your pen name rocks!
Tinemelk: Yeah, Kohaku has to be protective of his sister. They are close. Glad you liked it. You will see more of Kohaku's um quirkiness as the story continues.
Songokiana: Thank you. Yes, I am trying to keep my Miroku pretty close to Rumiko's. Of course, this is an AU, so he may seem OOC at times. Specifically, his life is much different considering his status, and if he seems a little desperate acting at times, it is simply because he is lonely and wants to have someone who cares and likes him for him as opposed to liking him for his money.
pUrple cRUsh: Thank you. I will try to update as often and regularly as I can.
Shadowhawk360: Thank you. I plan to do more. :)
San-Kumi: Thanks. I will be doing more and have done two chapters since your last review :hint hint, so hope to hear from you again! ;)
spirtually-lunar: Glad you loved it. Please keep reading and reviewing. :)
Eevee-shadows: Thank you so much! I try. I hope to see more reviews from you. ;)
yumi43093: I will keep writing. Keep reading for me? I hope you enjoy what is going to happen...
Sukuri 99: Glad you think it's cute. At your command...there is more. ;)
Princess of stars: Ok, maybe not 'soon' but there are some updates for ya. I hope you keep reading,
and I hope you continue to enjoy.
Robstarlovertotheend: Since you asked so nicely...I updated. Enjoy, and please R&R again. :)
punk of the pryo: Thank you for the compliment, as well as the 'hugs, snaps, and cookies'
half-breed389: More is granted to you. Hope you enjoy, and thanks!
Chapter Three: Stalker In Armani?
Miroku finished reading through a last document then signed the bottom. His day had been a typical one, mostly comprised of executive meetings, signing papers, and the general crap that the big-shots were stuck with.
Finally content with what he'd accomplished today, he reclined back in his chair. His hand was beginning to cramp up, so he vigorously shook it...
I really have to stop signing everything the old-fashioned way...
He then noticed his watch and glanced at the time.
"1:30 already!" Damn, Sango will be getting off soon! He quickly rose and grabbed his briefcase.
I'll make it there before she gets off, so long as...
"Leaving so early, sir!"
Miroku sighed but turned and flashed a smile. "Yes, Koharu, I am. I was here early."
Koharu was one of the office assistants at Miroku's company, and no need to mince words, she had quite the crush on him. He didn't find her unattractive, but unfortunately for Miroku, she wasn't his type. They had nothing in common, and when he was being completely honest with himself, she annoyed the hell out of him. The latter was probably the strongest argument for him not dating her, either that or the fact that she was a bit younger than him.
"Oh." she muttered, a completely dejected look upon her face.
"But don't worry, Koharu. I'll be in tomorrow morning!" He gave another mock smile, then began to leave once again.
"Sir, wait!"
He turned, even more slowly this time. "Yes?"
"Is there anything you'd like me to do for you?"
Yes! Let me leave... "No, Koharu, I've finished everything I'd intended to today."
"Oh, well it doesn't have to be something from the office..."
Ok, is it just me or is she being a tiny bit too obvious here? Oh well, I'll hear her out...
"What other duties might there be that you could do?" He was trying to resist his natural inclination to flirt; he didn't want this girl any more on his back than she already was. He was failing rather miserably, though.
"Well, for instance, I could cook dinner for you. I don't know how often you have a home-cooked meal... Or I could do your laundry for you, or..."
Now all of a sudden she is my wife... 1:45...
"Koharu, I really appreciate the offer, but that's not your job. Now, good afternoon." he stated bluntly.
And with that, he left. Koharu was looking after him, her facial expression a mixture of hurt and longing.
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Miroku had survived the gauntlet. Being in charge had its ups and downs, certainly. One of those downs was that it was damn near impossible to get out of that place! Whenever he attempted to leave he would be bombarded by employees who had questions, concerns, ideas, or simply wanted to chit-chat. It generally didn't bother him. He was a people-person, after all, very friendly and social, but it was tiresome when he had other places to be...
Like today, for instance, he'd very much wanted to visit his new favorite restaurant, or more specifically, his new favorite waitress...
He hailed a cab and headed to Higurashi's. Miroku leaned against the worn backseat and tugged at the collar of his dress shirt. Higurashi's didn't have an Armani-only dress code, but if he were to go home and change, he would run the risk of missing Sango.
I suppose I'll have to be uncomfortable for awhile longer. He picked off a piece of lint and smoothed out his suit.Though he enjoyed looking well, he was generally not so particular. For some reason, though, he felt the need to look just right.
A sigh escaped his lips. What's wrong with me anyway? Why am I getting so worked up over this woman? I mean, granted she's beautiful, but I've known plenty of beautiful girls... Sango has gotten me so...distracted...and I just met her! Maybe I've simply been working too hard...
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"Sango, you awake?" Kagome nudged her friend, who was leaning against the counter, obviously somewhere in the deepest recesses of space...
"Oh, uh yeah, Kagome. I'm just a little tired, that's all..."
"You looked like you were deep in thought, Sango-chan."
"No, not really. It's just slow, and like I said, I'm tired, so I guess my mind just started to wander."
"Whatcha thinking about?" Kagome nudged again.
"Kagome, would you stop doing that?"
"Oh, sorry ...You know, he might still come by before you get off..."
"Huh? Who?"
"You know who..." Kagome responded suggestively.
Sango gaped, her facial expression a mixture of horror and fury.
Still, a familiar pink tint had colored her cheeks. "I'm not worried about that!" she protested, fists clenched.
"You're not? I thought maybe you were expecting him to come see you, you know, since he asked when you worked and all."
"I was expecting no such thing! In fact, I'm glad he hasn't come! I don't need some kind of crazy, lecherous stalker. And if he were here right now, I would tell him just that!"
"Yeah? Well, here's your chance..." Kagome motioned toward the window.
"What!"
"Crazy, lecherous...rather sexy stalker wearing...an Armani suit, it looks like..." Kagome continued.
As if on cue, Miroku had just walked in the door. Kagome had caught sight of him through the window before he walked in.
Upon entering, he glanced over at Kagome, who was leaning against the counter and smiling. She gave him a quick wave, and he waved back.
Sango, on the other hand, had quickly ducked into the kitchen before he came in. She hoped he hadn't seen her through the window.
Even if he had seen me, there's no way he could have heard that comment. Oh, why do I care if he heard it! Still, her heart had nearly stopped when she'd seen him walking toward that door.
She sighed. Maybe I'll just hide out in here, get Kagome to tell him I went home sick or something...Yeah, that'll work!
Miroku sat down at the nearest table and glanced at his watch, then picked up a menu. Kagome approached him and gave him a friendly, yet rather devious, smile.
"Hi, how are you this afternoon?" Kagome asked.
"Just fine, thank you, and yourself?" Miroku responded in his typical pleasant manner.
"Just fine. Do you need a few moments?"
"Yes, thank you." But before she could leave... "...So, is Sango here?"
"Um...let me...check...be right back!" Was her flustered response, and she rushed off, leaving behind a slightly bewildered Miroku.
I had thought that was a simple question...
Kagome entered the kitchen, only to find Sango trying to bribe Inuyasha into letting her wash dishes while he served. She placed a hand upon the hem of her skirt and shook her head in amusement.
"No way in hell, Sango! As much as I hate doing dishes, I hate serving people even more! So, go do your job!"
Sango grumbled.
I could have told her Inuyasha would never go for that...
"What are you afraid of, Sango?" Kagome inquired, as she approached her.
"Afraid! I'm not afraid!"
"Well then, go on out there. He's asking about you. I don't want to lie to him." Kagome stated, with wicked sweetness, and gave Sango a wink.
Sango glared daggers at her for a moment, then indignantly picked up her order booklet and stormed out.
Inuyasha glanced at Kagome, bewildered.
Miroku looked up from his menu to find Sango standing over him.
He couldn't help but smile. It was as if his stress and tension had suddenly vanished upon simply seeing her face.
Sango smiled in return, in spite of herself. It wasn't really so bad seeing him again, after all.
"Good afternoon, Sango." He locked eyes with her, still smiling. I wonder if she knows that she just made my day...
"Uh, good afternoon..." Why does he look at me like that? It's making me a little uncomfortable...
"I...enjoyed the coffee so much yesterday that I thought I would come back and try something to eat..." Smooth Miroku, very smooth. Why am I justifying coming here, anyway?
"Oh. Well, I'm sure Kagome will be pleased. She made it yesterday." Right, you're just here for the food... What is this guy really after! And why does he have to look so damn good in that suit!
Meanwhile Kagome was peering out from behind the kitchen door, Inuyasha looking over her shoulder.
"The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife..." Kagome commented, more to herself than Inuyasha.
"Tension? What the hell are you babbling about now?" he whispered.
"Sango and Miroku..."
"Uh..."
"Nevermind."
"Hey, that guy looks kinda familiar for some reason..." Inuyasha commented, as he gave a spot behind his ear a scratch.
"I thought so, too! Look at the way he's dressed. He apparently has money. I wonder who he is..."
"Dunno. Who cares?"
"Aren't you even the slightest bit curious, Inuyasha?"
"Not really."
"Well, I am!"
"Is that so?" Inuyasha commented suspiciously, getting in her face slightly.
Kagome neglected the door momentarily to focus on him, and it swung shut on them.
"Come on, Inuyasha! Don't go getting jealous. I meant that I'm curious because he's quite obviously interested in my best friend... I gotta look out for her."
"I think you're just being a busybody." Inuyasha grumbled.
"Busybody! I am not!" She shouted, while giving his ear a good yank.
"Ow, Kagome! What the hell! Let go!"
"Uh, yes, please give Kagome my compliments." Miroku casually remarked.
"I will. Um, have you decided yet?"
"Hm, what would you suggest?"
Sango thought for a moment, avoiding any eye contact.
"Well, I really like the pasta here..." she finally responded.
"Then I shall trust your judgment. Pasta sounds great. I'll have that."
"Anything to drink?" Sango asked distantly, as she scribbled onto her order pad.
"How about some iced tea?"
"All right, sir. That'll be right out to you." She turned to walk away.
"Uh, wait, Sango..."
Sango hesitated, then turned.
"Was there something else you needed, sir?"
She is being so formal, and almost...cold... Have I done something?
I have to keep him at arm's length... I don't want to be leading him on...
"Well, actually I do need something else..."
Sango felt almost afraid to ask, due to the intensity in his gaze.
Why did he have to look at her like that?
"...I need for you to call me by my name, please."
"Uh...ok."
Miroku gave her a kind smile. "I'd really prefer that you used my name. I simply can't stand being called 'sir'."
"All right then."
"Thank you. And I must ask you, Sango...it is all right if I call you that, isn't it?"
"Uh, yes it's all right."
"Well, Sango, have I done something wrong? You are avoiding eye contact with me, being extremely formal, and–"
"Well, I barely know you." she bluntly responded.
"I realize that, but it seems like it is something more than that. Do I make you uncomfortable?"
Yes, you make me very uncomfortable... I wonder why, though. He may be a bit lecherous, but I don't feel like he's a bad person...
"No, I am not uncomfortable at all." She put on a smile for his sake, and for the sake of stopping his questioning...
"Good because I know I didn't make the best impression, and I'd hate to think that I'd caused you to have any negative feelings toward me."
"Look, Miroku...there's no need to worry about it. I don't harbor any grudge against you for what you did..." Even if I did, why should you care?
"Well, that is a relief."
She began to walk away again.
Miroku thought of what Rin had said. Just go for it... "Sango?"
She sighed. Oh no, oh no, oh no...what does he want! What is he after!
"Yes?" she calmly asked, having collected herself.
"I was wondering...seeing how we are both fond of pasta, would you be interested in having dinner with me at the new Italian restaurant in town?"
He's asking me out! Oh no! What should I do!
Sango felt the heat rising to her cheeks, and she suddenly felt a little weak in the knees.
She hoped she wasn't going to completely collapse.
No! No is my answer. Obviously! I don't have the time to date...nor do I want to, and especially not a lecher like him! No matter how nice he seems, at times, or how attractive he is... The answer is still NO!
"Sorry, I can't. I appreciate the offer." She started to walk away, but she was never able to get very far, for one reason or another.
"I see. You must have a boyfriend. And why wouldn't you?"
"Uh, well..." Just lie to him and say you have a boyfriend...it'll be easier that way.
"Or is it that you find me too forward, or perhaps dislike me for some other reason?"
"Look, Miroku, you seem to be a nice guy..." When you aren't grabbing my ass... "But I can't go out with you. I don't have the time to date. I work two jobs and take care of my younger brother on my own...I just don't have the room in my life for anything else." She looked down as she spoke.
"I'm not asking you for a serious commitment. I was just asking you to dinner, in order to get to know you better. I'm a busy man, myself, but I need to eat, just as you do. I just thought it would be nice if we ate together."
It was almost as if he was going out of his way to make it sound like he couldn't care less, but something in his voice...sounded like her words had somehow hurt him... Is he lonely?
He probably thinks that I am making excuses... But why am I worrying about it anyway? It's not as though I'm gonna break his heart. He probably goes around asking girls out all the time! He just met me yesterday after all...
"I'm sorry, but...I just don't think that would be a good idea." she said, finally looking him in the eye. She was doing her best to be firm, but she felt bad. He seemed to be sincere, and she didn't like hurting people.
Miroku's shoulders slumped, slightly, but still noticeably.
She said no... I can't really blame her, though. I did grope her the first time I met her, and we just met yesterday. She doesn't trust me... Or maybe she is afraid of something...?
Miroku didn't feel like giving up on this, but still, she made him feel like a leper, like some kinda creepy stalker...
He usually wasn't so pushy about it, though. Generally, if a girl said no, he just left it at that. He never really lost sleep over it. But then again, girls didn't usually turn him down...
Somehow, though, he really disliked the idea of never having a chance with this girl, so he decided to try once more.
"Sango, how about I make a deal with you?"
"Huh? A deal?"
"Yeah. Here's the deal. Go out with me one time, and if you don't have a good time, I promise to leave you alone. You'd never have to see me again, unless fate should choose to smile upon me and by chance I saw you in public somewhere."
Sango looked down, pondering the thought. How bad could it be...?
Kagome, having heard all of this quickly grabbed her friend and pulled her aside, out of earshot of Miroku.
"Sango, why don't you give him a chance?" she whispered.
"Kagome, I only met this guy yesterday, and he groped me! Who knows what he might try if I actually went out on a date with him!"
"Well, you are trained to deal with that! And besides, there are precautions you can take... You could drive yourself, meet in a public place, and such..."
"In my piece of junk? I'd be lucky to get there..." She smirked.
"You can borrow mine! Besides, he's nice and attractive, and he promised to leave you alone if you went out with him once and didn't enjoy it."
Kagome practically has stars in her eyes. I don't know how she could get so excited over the prospect of ME having a date...
Sango sighed. "All right, all right." She grumbled. "But if he tries to act all perverted, and I have to beat the crap out of him, I am blaming you!"
Kagome giggled and clasped her hands together in glee.
Sango returned to Miroku's table. She hesitated for a moment, and it took several times for her to get the words out, but she finally did. "...Ok, you have a deal."
"Hey, great. How does tomorrow sound?"
"Uh, yeah tomorrow is good. I am off tomorrow."
"What time would you like for me to pick you up?"
"Actually...how about I just meet you there?"
Miroku grinned. "Sango, are you afraid to be alone in a vehicle with me? Or perhaps you are afraid to allow me to know where you live..."
"No, of course I'm not afraid!" she protested vehemently.
"Well, then why not let me pick you up?"
"Hey, don't press your luck, buddy."
Miroku laughed. "All right, all right. Well then, how about meeting me at Luciano's at 7 tomorrow night? I'll make the reservations for us."
"Ok."
"Perhaps we should exchange numbers in case one of us needs to call the other for some reason?"
This almost feels like a business deal... Sango smiled, amused at the thought.
"Well, I suppose it could come in handy..."
"Glad we're agreed. May I borrow that?" He motioned to her order booklet.
"Uh, sure." She handed it to him, and he proceeded to write down several numbers.
"Home phone, cell phone."
"Ok. Thanks." She jotted hers down, as well. "Now that that's settled, I'll go put in for your lunch."
"Hurry back."
Blushing slightly, Sango headed off toward the kitchen, and Kagome caught up with her. The young girl couldn't seem to stop smiling.
"What?"
"Nothing..." she almost sang.
"Are you happy now? I'm going on a date..."
"Yes, very. So, the new Italian place, huh? I've been wanting to try that place, but it's kinda expensive, so I've been waiting till Inuyasha or I had a little more money."
"I could bring you some leftovers." Sango chuckled.
"Oh, that's all right, Sango-chan."
"Come to think of it, that is a pretty expensive place, isn't it?"
"Yeah..."
Sango suddenly had a thought. "Wait a second, what if he's not paying? I can't afford that place!"
"Sango, you're just being silly. He's going to pay for it. He asked you out, didn't he?"
"Well, yeah but, I don't like to assume that. And I have been left with the bill before..."
"Sango, come on. I don't think he's going to leave you with the bill. It's not like he's at a loss for money, and he seems to really like you... Wait, someone left you with the bill?"
"Nevermind that, Kagome. You're probably right. I'm sure he won't. ...I don't know if I like this being paid for thing either though..."
"You're hopeless, Sango. I know how independent you are, but it's ok for a guy to take you out and buy dinner once in awhile."
"I guess so."
"So, what are you going to wear?"
"Uh, I don't know. I haven't really gotten that far, yet."
"Well, let me know if you want to borrow anything!"
"Ok, thanks Kagome." I can't believe I let her talk me into this! What have I gotten myself into?
End of Chapter
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! I hope Miroku didn't seem too desperate. He is basically lonely and is getting tired of girls going after him for the wrong reasons... Please review!