Beautiful Soul
By: SlayerSango23
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters.
Chapter Seven: Getting the Scoop
The next morning Sango was down at Okami spotting one of her clients, Kagura.
Kagura was a young, dark haired woman of average height, slightly older than Sango. She was strong-willed and independent, much like Sango, but there was a harsh bitterness to her that Sango did not possess. Still, Sango could, and had on several occasions, imagined herself slipping into the same sort of mind-set that seemed to drive Kagura in this world.
Perhaps, if it wasn't for Kohaku...
"Good, Kagura. One more set."
Kagura continued pumping the bar up and down, a few droplets of sweat revealing themselves on her creased forehead. Her thin arms momentarily struggled with the last few repetitions, but she pushed herself to finish. Her training had paid off, for she was becoming nearly as toned and muscular as her lean, sculpted trainer.
After finishing, Kagura sat up on the bench, and Sango handed her a towel.
"So, working on any hot stories?" Sango asked, as Kagura dabbed at her forehead.
"Oh, a few."
The sound of the door opening caught the women's attention, and Inuyasha strolled in with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. No doubt he was here because he knew Koga wouldn't be today.
"Hey Inuyasha, don't forget to sign up for that salsa class next week!" Sango couldn't resist shouting across the room.
Inuyasha gave her a 'go to hell' look, but softened. "Shut up, Sango. I don't wanna hear your mouth today!" He flashed her a smirk then headed to the men's locker room.
Sango laughed. She and Inuyasha often tormented each other, much like a brother and sister would.
"Inuyasha? Did you just say Inuyasha?" Kagura asked.
"Uh, yeah," Sango answered, slightly puzzled. She couldn't for the life of her understand why a journalist such as Kagura would have interest in Inuyasha.
But apparently, he wasn't the one she was interested in...
"He has an older brother, doesn't he?" Kagura's mahogany eyes were fixated upon Sango, anxiously awaiting her response.
Ok, this is different... Sango didn't generally see excitement on Kagura's face.
"Um, yes, I believe he does. But he doesn't like to talk about him." Sango responded.
Kagura nodded. The look in her eyes was almost...scheming...
Doesn't like to talk about him, huh? Well, we'll just have to see about that...
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Hachi Tanuki arrived at Miroku's office door and lightly rapped on it.
The stout man was one of Miroku's tech support guys and a longtime friend of his. He'd always had a great admiration for Miroku, even idolized him, but their friendship was more complex than that.
Hachi had always been secretly jealous of, and even resentful, toward his more outgoing, successful, and attractive companion.
"Come in," Miroku called from inside.
Hachi peered in from behind the door, hesitantly.
"Ah, Hachi, my friend! Come in!"
"All the way now..." he beckoned, deeming that Hachi was taking too long to enter the room.
He's sure in an awfully good mood today... Hachi thought.
"You sent for me, sir?"
Though they'd been friends long before Miroku had been his boss, Hachi had always addressed Miroku in the most formal and honorable of ways.
"Yes, have lunch with me, my friend. It's on me."
Hachi scratched his head. "Uh, not to look a gift horse in the mouth, sir, but why are you treating me to lunch?"
"Can't I buy lunch for an old friend without getting the third degree?" Miroku asked, in good humor. He felt as though nothing could dampen his spirits today.
"Uh, I guess so." Hachi decided he shouldn't argue. Miroku was speaking his language after all.
Shortly afterward, they sat in a Chinese restaurant downtown.
Hachi was quickly downing some lo mein, but Miroku only picked at his food.
Hachi noticed and temporarily stopped eating to voice what he'd been thinking. "You seem different today, sir, if I may say."
"I do, eh?" Miroku grinned, thinking to himself.
"Yeah, you've been in a better mood than usual. I take it business is going well?"
"Yes, business is fine, my friend."
Hachi just looked at him, wishing he would stop beating around the bush and spit it out. He suspected that Miroku had some reason for inviting him today.
A few minutes later, Miroku chose to grant that wish. "Well, as I can see you are curious, I will let you in on the reason for my especially good mood today."
Hachi waited intently.
"I met someone." Miroku said, beaming as though he'd just won the lottery.
Not that he needed to, of course...
It seemed a mystery to Hachi. This couldn't possibly be a big deal to Miroku. It never had been before...
"Oh, is that all?" Hachi remarked, unimpressed. Master Miroku always gets girls...why is he feeling the need to tell me about his newest one?
"She isn't just another woman, Hachi," Miroku defended.
Hachi was far from convinced, but he decided to hear him out. "So, who is it this time, and what's so special about her?" he asked, not even attempting to sound genuinely interested.
But Miroku didn't care. He could ramble about her all day whether someone was listening or not. "Her name is Sango. She's...beautiful, fun, witty, kind-hearted, strong..." He envisioned her as he described her.
"Nice body?" Hachi chimed in.
"Watch it, my friend. You're talking about my potential girlfriend," he warned.
Girlfriend?
"But yes, fabulous body!" Miroku continued.
Of course she has a great body... Master Miroku only goes out with hot women...
"So, you're thinking about a relationship with this girl?"
Miroku grinned. "Thinking about it... Yes, I would definitely say I'm thinking about it. We had our first date last night, and I'd say it went really well. So, my friend, I would say that is entirely possible."
"So then..." Hachi leaned in, suddenly showing some interest. "So then, you and she..."
Seeing where it was going, Miroku closed the gap between them threateningly.
"Hachi, I'm warning you!" He then picked up his chopsticks and reverted attention to his food. "She's not that type of girl..."
Miroku was clearly irritated, but Hachi wasn't sure whether it was because she 'wasn't that type of girl' or because he'd suggested that she was.
"So, you didn't sleep with her then?" he foolishly pressed.
Miroku made eye contact once more. "Of course not. Do you honestly think that is all I want from a woman?"
There was an almost dangerous edge to his voice, as if he were daring Hachi to answer affirmatively.
Should I think otherwise? Hachi knew his friend, all too well, and if he had one weakness it was women...
It surprised Hachi, though, that Miroku would act so upset over him suggesting such a thing.
He's probably just frustrated because he finally came across a woman who wasn't ready to jump into bed with him...
He decided to play it safe though, "Uh, no...of course not, Master Miroku," he finally answered.
Miroku seemed appeased, and smiled, as if to convey to Hachi that he'd answered wisely.
Hachi decided to ask a more neutral question. "So, where did you meet her?"
"I met her at this little café in the downtown area called Higurashi's. She's a waitress there."
Hachi nodded.
They sat there a little while longer, finishing their food, and idly chatting.
Miroku did most of the chatting.
Upon finishing, he suggested that they go to a nearby gym to work out, and he rose from his seat.
"Aren't you supposed to wait 30 minutes?" Hachi protested, but quickly followed his boss.
Miroku shook his head in mild amusement at Hachi's feeble excuse.
"That's swimming, and it's not even true anyway. Come on."
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Inuyasha moved from machine to machine in the gym, rather speedily. He never did anything slow or halfway.
Kagura had finished her workout and donned the professional dress she generally wore to her office, black dress pants and a silk dress shirt.
She noticed Inuyasha working out and made her way over to him.
"Inuyasha, isn't it?" She leaned down, invading more space than he would have liked.
Rather irked by the interruption, he looked up, his amber eyes meeting a pair of rather ominous ones.
"Who wants to know?"
"My name is Kagura Nikutaika. I'll make this brief. I'm a journalist, and I'm interested in doing an article on your brother Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha got up from the bench he'd been seated at and turned his back on her. He picked up a set of dumbbells. "Do what you want. If it has to do with him, then I don't care in the least."
"I see, but I was hoping you could give me some information."
"Why the hell would I want to do that?" Inuyasha retorted, still avoiding looking at her.
"It would get me off your back, for one. Besides, as you said, you don't care about him. At least tell me where I might find him..."
He stopped lifting and turned to look at her. Her eyes possessed a determined intensity.
Inuyasha had no desire to be further pestered by this woman, and he didn't doubt she would deliver on her subtle threat. So, with an exasperated sigh, he gave in. "Last I heard he lived in the condo on the corner of west Main and Green. Now, leave me the hell alone woman!"
"Thank you, Inuyasha. I'm glad you saw things my way," she curtly replied, then was gone.
Inuyasha humphed. He hadn't seen anything 'her' way. He was simply apathetic to his brother being hounded by a rabid journalist out for a story.
Serves him right anyway...
But he hated to even be reminded that the same blood ran through Sesshomaru and his veins. He knew he'd be in a lousy mood the rest of the day.
End of Chapter
A/N: I apologize for the delay, and I know this is a rather short chapter and not my best... It's sort of a transition chapter. Hope you all like it anyway! Now, please review!
Review Responses:
hieiluva: Glad you liked it. Plot twists, oh quite possibly... ;)
The Lonely Bird: Thanks for the cookie, and sorry it took so long. I had an interview and all kinds of fun crap. Anyway, I will try and be more speedy about it, and I will definitely keep working on it, so hope to hear more from ya!
alchemistgirl09: Thank you! Hope you think this one is, too!
Demon Exterminator Barbie: Aw gee...glad it brightens your day! Hope this chapter does, too.
Akeryou: Thank you very much. :) I will certainly try and keep up the good work. I am not super thrilled about this chapter. I hope you like it better than I do. Oh, and it is authoress ;)
songokiana: Thank you. I know that wasn't too soon, but here you are. :)
Lao Who Mai: I'm glad you are loving it, and yes I am trying to fit in a ton of characters...then trying to deal with them and their relationships... It's a challenge, but I am enjoying it. And yes, I am sure trying my best to capture Sango's personality and her dilemmas. Yeah, he better not break her heart, right! What if she breaks his, though? Ooo... Anyway, you're welcome for adding Sesshomaru and Rin. How could I not! Yes, they will be in it more, as you can probably tell from this chapter... So, have no fear. :)
tinemelk: Thanks. Yes, Miroku is just biding his time...he doesn't want to scare her off right away, which is why he didn't try and kiss her. He was doing his utmost to be a gentleman until he gets in good with her... ;) But, you may read about some kissing in the future...
Demonic Angelz: Glad you loved it. Tell me what you think of this one, too, please!
Keyo-Red Angel of Hope: I was very flattered by your review. Thank you so much for the thoughts and for reading! I hope you continue to enjoy, and I will do my best to continue to improve:)
xramenxsnarferx: Thank you. I confess that I didn't write more 'right that instant' as you demanded of me, but here it is now...better late than never, right? Hope you enjoyed.
darkfallenangel666: Thank you. I intend to write more. Hope to hear from you again.
Inu Tachi Lover: I'm glad. And I will try and update sooner in the future. I got rather bogged down with things...
x Fade x to x Black x: Thank you. I intend to continue!