Beautiful Soul
By: SlayerSango23
Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters, once again.
Review Responses:
San-Kumi: It's ok that you weren't able to review the chapter before last. I understand. Now, don't let it happen again! J/K, of course. I appreciate you taking the time to read it before school in the morning. I hope you enjoy this one, as well, and I hope that you continue to read and let me know what you think. :)
Ethuiliel: Thank you. Here is your update. I hope you enjoy.
pUrple cRUsh: Thank you for the compliment on the chappie, as well as its title. I liked the idea, as well. How will the date end up, huh? Hm, you're asking me! Oh yeah, I guess I AM writing it... You'll have to see... ;)
hieiluva: I'm really glad you're loving it, and I hope you continue to read and respond to what you read. I am a major SanMir shipper, so you will see a lot of that from me, but I will not limit myself to simply them. They are my kick right now, though, so ya gotta get while the getting's good. And I agree, it is very nice to see a Miroku/Sango fic now and again (more than now and again) ;)
tinemelk: Yeah, I wasn't sure about having the date be so soon, considering she just met him, but I decided in favor of it. As for Sango enjoying the date, we both know that the two characters have incredible chemistry, and I want to show that. Of course, Sango is a rather cautious and shy person, so you have to give her some time to warm up to people. Furthermore, a major focus of this story is friendship, so I plan to delve into that aspect a lot.
songokiana: Thank you, and I am doing my best to get updates a.s.a.p. But of course, I do not sacrifice quality for speed, so bear with me. I like my chapters to be as 'perfect' as I can make them. Oh, I know I am far from perfect, but I strive for it... ;)
Demon Exterminator Barbie: Thank you! I can't wait for the date either! I get ideas for stories, and those ideas may be midway through the story, and sometimes I am so impatient to build up to those super-awesome, fun ideas that I get, but I try to do my best to make the entire thing as good as I can. Sometimes I have to wait awhile for my real fun to start...
Keyo-Red Angel of Hope: Yes, Miroku is indeed a fox, baby! I worried about the 'desperation' factor, but what I am going for here is this: Miroku is still Miroku, hence he is very flirtatious and enjoys spending time with the ladies. But, this version of Miroku, being in the situation he is, has basically
grown bored of little insignificant flings and wants something more...solid, which I will go into further as this progresses. He sees something in Sango, thinking there is more to her than the other girls he's dated.
Chapter Four: The Day Of...
A/N: This is something of a transition chapter, but it's also meant for building character relationship. Hope you enjoy, and please review!
Sango awoke early the next morning. Today was Friday, and she actually had the day off! Of course, she had plenty of things to do, even before the 'date' that evening. She had the usual task of taking Kohaku to school (or rather, to the bus stop due to her wonderful vehicle's incapacity), and on top of that she had to go to the grocery store, pick up her car from the shop, and run some other errands.
This silly little date was really going to throw off her whole schedule...
Although, it wasn't like she'd really had plans this evening...
There was no denying her day would be a busy one, but Sango refused to complain about it. Actually, her mood had been oddly good this morning. It was Kohaku who'd pointed that out.
She hadn't told him about the 'date,' but he'd realized that something was going on. So far, he'd caught her 'spacing out' several times, as well as smiling a bit more than usual. She hadn't realized she was doing it, and she fervently denied it, suggesting Kohaku was imagining things.
But was he? Of course, he was! Even if she was in a good mood, it must be the fact that it was her day off, or possibly the weather... There was no way she was in a good mood because she had a date tonight!
It all came rushing back to her.
Oh God! I have a date tonight! I haven't been on one in so long... And it's with a man I barely know! A near-complete stranger, handsome, charming...and a complete lecher!
I don't think I'm ready for this... Sitting across from Kohaku at the kitchen table, Sango sighed into her palm.
Kohaku must think I'm bipolar...
As Sango anguished, Kohaku finished off his entire breakfast quickly, as a growing boy is inclined to do, then grabbed his backpack.
"I'll walk you to the bus stop, Kohaku." she said, having at the moment shaken herself from her thoughts.
Brother and sister walked together toward the bus stop. After several moments of awkward silence, Sango made a feeble attempt at conversation.
"So, Kohaku, the car will be done today... You won't have to take the bus anymore."
"Cool."
"So, Ane-ue, there's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"
I knew he wasn't going to leave it alone.
"Huh? Why do you say that?" She feigned innocence once more.
"Oh, you just seem...different today..."
"I do?"
"Yeah. So, spill it."
Kohaku, you're so direct, aren't you?
"Really, Kohaku! You're getting to be as bad as Kagome!"
But she sighed in defeat. "Ok, ok, not that this has anything to do with me acting... 'different' as you say, but I sort of...have a...date...tonight."
Kohaku stopped dead in his tracks, quite obviously a little caught off-guard.
"A date?" he nearly shouted.
"Yeah." She nodded casually, still not quite believing the word had left her mouth.
"You're going on a date?"
"Yes!"
"With a guy?"
"Yeah, a guy! What did you think?"
"I dunno, you just don't usually go on dates..." He looked concerned, perhaps pondering the status of her mental health?
"That's true, but it's not really a date..." she stated, looking away. Nice retort, Sango...
"Either it is or it isn't."
"Well, I guess it is, but it's not because I want to go out with him!"
"Then, why are you?" he asked skeptically.
"...to get him off my back!" she said, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Kohaku blinked.
"Don't look at me like that! I kinda got pushed into it, but it's no big deal. He asked me out and said that if I went out with him once he'd leave me alone, so I decided to just go and get it over with."
A blank stare from Kohaku.
"Who is this guy?"
"Uh, just a customer whose been into the café a few times."
"...Hey, wait! It isn't that one guy you and Kagome were talking about, is it? That guy who grabbed your butt?"
"..."
Taking her lack of response as a yes, "You're kidding me! You're gonna go out with him?"
"I told you why I am."
Kohaku didn't seem satisfied, but he digressed. "Hm, so, where are you two going?"
"Dinner."
"Where?"
"Luciano's."
"Wow, too rich for my blood..."
"Of course! You don't have a job!"
"Oh yeah, this was the guy who gave you the huge tip...that you didn't take, right?" he said, mumbling the last part.
"Yeah, that would be him."
"Well, look on the bright side, you get a free meal...and you could probably get whatever you wanted."
"Glad you approve, Kohaku." was her sarcastic reply. She rolled her eyes.
"Bring me something back?"
"I don't think it's really a 'doggy-bag' kinda place, Kohaku, but I'll see what I can do."
Upon reaching their destination, Kohaku waved and headed up to the bus which had just arrived.
Before getting on, Sango called to him. "I'll pick you up after school, Kohaku!"
"Ok, see ya, Ane-ue! You're off the hook for now!" He waved back.
What does he mean 'I'm off the hook for now'?
Sango shook her head in mild amusement, then headed back to the apartment.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miroku had been up since the crack of dawn. Having energy to burn, he'd gotten in a workout and had already put in a few hours at the office. It was now approaching noon. Content with accomplishing a few things, he decided he would deal with some other matters.
"Good afternoon, Luciano's, how may I help you?" came the man's voice on the phone.
"Yes, hello, I'd like to make reservations for two tonight." Miroku casually leaned back in his chair, grinning, and feeling rather pleased with himself.
"Smoking or non, sir?"
"Non, please."
"Very good, sir, and your name?"
"Houshi."
"Houshi? Sir, pardon me, but you wouldn't happen to be–?"
Miroku gave a small laugh. "Yes, that would be me." He was used to receiving a shocked reaction upon giving out his name. And after doing so, he always received the best possible treatment. He supposed that being a billionaire had its benefits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sango was nearly finished with her errands. She'd gotten her car back, and had been exceedingly relieved about that. She'd done the grocery shopping and paid some bills, and she now had one last stop before she headed back home for awhile.
Sango pulled into the parking lot of the small gym where she trained and worked, known as Okami.
She headed inside. Being a workday, only several people were there, working out on various machines, lifting weights, or hitting the bag.
She headed into the office to find Koga, the owner, reading a fitness magazine.
"Hey, Koga. How's it going?"
"Heya, Sango. Come to work out?"
"No, not today. I'm kinda busy today. I just came to check my schedule."
Koga fumbled with some papers, which were scattered about in his extremely unorganized office until he found a schedule.
"Tomorrow morning ya got Kagura at 9:30, and tomorrow evening at 6:00 aerobics class...have about five people signed up."
"Hm, that's better than usual."
"Yeah, but that fruity guy is gonna be there..." he grumbled.
"Fruity guy? ...Oh! You mean Jakotsu?"
"Yeah, that's him. I'm staying the hell away from him. The other day he told me I looked hot in my spandex shorts."
Sango had to stifle a giggle. She wasn't quite sure which she found funniest: Koga's spandex shorts, the fact that a man told him he looked hot in them, or how much it freaked him out?
"Aw, poor thing. I'll protect you." Sango said, teasingly.
Koga gave a growl in response, then decided to change the subject.
"So, how's my Kagome doing?" he asked, giving a wolfish grin.
Sango gave an awkward laugh. "Uh, she's doing fine." This guy doesn't give up. He knows she's going out with Inuyasha, yet he insists upon referring to her as 'his Kagome'.
"Is she still going out with that mongrel?"
"If you are referring to Inuyasha, then yes she is."
"Hmph! Hey, you're Kagome's friend...have ya told her she needs to leave that whining whelp and go out with a REAL man?"
"Uh, guess it slipped my mind..." Sango turned her head and rolled her eyes.
"Oh. ...So anyway, speaking of the mutt, where's he been lately? Afraid I'll whip him again?"
"Inuyasha's been working a lot lately. I really don't think it's that he's afraid of you, Koga."
"Well, you tell him that I'll be waitin' for him..."
"I'll do that, Koga."
"So, got time for a quick sparring match?" Koga clapped his hands together.
"Well, I really–"
"Come on, Sango! I need to get a good workout in! You can spar in what ya got on."
Sango looked down at her loose-fitting khaki pants and t-shirt.
"Oh, all right. I could use a workout, too, I guess. Just a quick one, though."
Sango pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex. She hadn't meant to stay so long at the gym, but she had a weakness for a good sparring match, and Koga always gave her a run for her money. Not too many people around could hold their own with her when it came to martial arts, but Koga was certainly a challenge. The two of them were pretty evenly matched, so the winner fluctuated from day to day. Today, she'd been the victor, and she chalked it up to the extra surge of adrenaline she'd been feeling all day.
She headed up to her apartment, certainly sweatier than she'd left, resigned to the fact that she'd need another shower today. As she neared her door, she heard the phone ring.
The door decided to be difficult, so she struggled with it a bit. She was able to get it open in time, though, and caught the phone before it stopped ringing. Picking up the phone, Sango noticed that the number looked to be an unfamiliar cell phone.
"Hello!" she answered, flopping down on the couch.
"Hi, do you know who this is?" came the suave voice on the other end.
Oh no! I knew I should have given him the wrong number...
Still, she was feeling playful. Perhaps he brought it out in her. "How many guesses do I get?"
"Three."
"Hm, is it...Koga?" she rattled off her friend/boss' name for fun.
"No, try again."
"That hot guy I met at the grocery store?" She had met no such hot guy, and she had no idea why she was taunting him like this. She generally wasn't comfortable enough to joke around like this with people she'd only known for a few days.
Her male caller frowned on the other end. Who are those guys? "No, sorry." he said, his tone almost...jealous?
But he decided to be a good sport and play a little, too. "I don't know who those guys are, but I do know they could never show you the time I'm going to show you..."
Sango kicked off her shoes and laid down on the couch. She held the phone in one hand and absentmindedly curled a strand of hair around her finger. Hm, pretty confident, aren't we?
"Try again. Come on, you can get it!" the male caller urged.
"Ok, are you...oh, umm, hmm...the lecher?"
"Ding, ding, ding, what do we have for her? ...But I do resent that, Sango."
Sango shook her head. "I thought we exchanged numbers for emergency purposes only..."
"I never said in case of emergency. I said, in case we 'needed' to call one another."
"And you 'needed' to call me?"
"Yes. I needed to call you because I was tired of working."
"Oh, I see." she gave a slight laugh.
"Is it a problem that I called you?"
"Uh...no, I...guess not." she responded, then burst into a fit of giggling.
"Uh, Sango...?"
"Aw, are you hungry, baby?" she cooed.
"Well, a little, honey..." Miroku responded devilishly.
"Not you, stupid! I was talking to my cat." She blushed slightly, having not meant to sweet-talk Kirara while on the phone with him.
"Oh."
"...She's nuzzling me for attention, and it tickled."
Lucky cat... "I see. And what kind of cat do you have, Sango?"
"She's a neko, a very rare breed. Her name's Kirara."
"Hm, I've been thinking about getting a cat or dog. I don't have any animals as of right now."
"Oh, well you should. I would recommend a cat, personally. But then again, I am biased."
She propped the phone between her chin and shoulder as she pulled milk out of the refrigerator for Kirara. Kirara rubbed against her leg in show of appreciation.
"I will consider that, Sango. Thank you for the input."
"No problem."
"I made reservations for us, so we are all set for tonight."
Upon hearing the word reservations Sango thought about what she would wear. She wasn't really sure. She went into her bedroom and glanced at the clothes hanging in the closet, skimming through her outfits.
"Ok, that's good. Uh, Miroku...?"
"Yes?"
"What kind of dress code does this place have? I've never been there."
"Ah, well, Sango you would look lovely in anything."
"That's nice of you to say, but that wasn't the question. I don't want to be underdressed or anything..."
"Oh, there's no need for you to worry about being...underdressed, Sango..." he stated suggestively.
"Oh, you're just hopeless!"
But she didn't feel nearly as angry about his comment as may have come across.
"I know. I'm sorry, Sango. Forgive me?"
"I...guess so... Now, are you going to answer the question?"
"Well, what are you wearing now?"
Sango was caught off-guard, and she began to blush madly.
"I...I'm not telling you what I'm wearing!" she shouted, clenching her fists.
Damn. That's no fun, Sango...
"Well, I just thought I could tell you whether or not you might want to change for dinner, since you are so concerned about how to dress at this restaurant."
Mmm, yeah right... "Oh never mind! I'm not really concerned about it anyway."
I'll just ask Kagome. I never should have brought it up... She mentally kicked herself for it.
Miroku sighed in defeat, realizing she wasn't going to play his little game.
"Well, I shall be off then. I look forward to seeing you tonight." he said, smiling.
Sango couldn't help but smile herself. She wasn't quite sure how to respond, though.
If she said something like 'me too,' then he would surely take it the wrong way...
On the other hand, if she made some snippy comment she would feel like a horrible person. Not to mention, there wouldn't be a whole lot of truth in it. She had actually come to hate the idea less and less as the day progressed.
Now, were she to say nothing...
"I'll see you tonight, then. Take care." Ok, that was neutral...
Such ended the conversation.
After hanging up, Sango curled her feet underneath her and hugged Kirara close.
Hmm... I suppose, perv or not, it's kind of flattering that he shows interest in me...
She shook her head, more so in amusement than aggravation, and she set off to finish the day's tasks, the smile remaining.
End of Chapter
Okami translates to 'wolf' in Japanese
Neko is basically a demon firecat (playing off Kirara being a demon cat in the show, so I used the name as her breed in the story)