Fallen From the Heavens
By: SlayerSango23
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, nor do I own Cher or her song, "Strong Enough". Great song, btw.
Chapter Five: The Kindness of Strangers
Sango sat at her laptop, still sporting her bedtime attire, attempting to write. But it simply wasn't coming. She turned toward her window and rested her cheek in her hand. The morning rays lightly filtered in through her slightly tilted blinds. She forced her fingers back to their home upon the keyboard. She fingered the keys impatiently, but her mind commanded them; thus, they were also tied. Sango wasn't working outside of the apartment today. And it was early, far too early for writer's block. But then again, her best work wasn't always product of an early hour. She rose from her chair and made her way to her cd player. Sango thumbed through her perfectly aligned, alphabetized collection and pulled out a mixed cd she'd made for the car. She popped it into the laptop and brought it up, hearing the familiar intro of Cher's "Strong Enough". She was feeling the need for empowerment.
Oddly, she thought of Miroku. I wonder if he's up... I'm sure he is.
She glanced over at the phone beside her. It wouldn't hurt to take a break, and Miroku had said that he got up early. After a few more moments of deliberation she picked up the phone and dialed his number.
She'd finally trusted him enough to give her phone number. But he hadn't pestered her for it. It had been more of a mutual decision, seeming the next course of action. At first she'd felt strange about calling, but she'd finally made the move. It had taken her nearly an hour the first time to get up the nerve to dial his number, but she'd done it.
She had an easier time calling now, but they didn't talk on the phone insanely often, so she was somewhat surprised to realize that she'd dialed his number almost habitually. He answered after a couple of rings, not a hint of drowsiness in his voice. She wondered if he ever suffered a sleepless night as she did.
"Hey, what are you doing?" she asked.
"Well, good morning, Sango. I am reading."
"What are you reading? Not one of my books?"
"Of course not, Sango. I've read them all. All that have been published, that is."
He actually took the time to read all of my books...
"Oh. I didn't know you'd read all of them..." She hesitated a moment before asking what he'd thought, cringing slightly upon finishing the question.
"They were good." He leaned back in his chair, saving his page and lying the book down gently.
"The truth," Sango demanded.
"That is the truth," he said, taken aback slightly that she could think he'd lie to her.
"Well, you could go into more detail..."
"Would you like me to critique them?"
"Um, well I suppose if you'd like. I could always use input."
"Alright, Sango."
"So, you never told me what you're reading..."
"A Midsummer Night's Dream," he answered.
She smiled. Miroku could enjoy so many different genres of books. His thirst for knowledge and love of a good book easily rivaled her own. Sometimes he reminded her of a child, always so eager for knowledge and experience, yet at the same time he seemed so wise beyond his years... He was a walking contradiction, the wide-eyed innocent and the experienced sage, simultaneously.
"Well, don't write those reviews immediately after reading Shakespeare, ok? That's a pretty tough act to follow," she finally commented.
He grinned on the other end. "When I am through with you, you'll make him look like an amateur!"
Sango rolled her eyes.
"That's a little ambitious, Miroku, especially considering you're newer to the writing business than I am." A smirk played upon her lips.
He gave a good-natured laugh. She loved his laugh. It, like his voice, almost seemed to have some mystical quality about it. It drew her in.
"Perhaps it is ambitious, but we must aim high." He toyed with a pen on the desk he sat at, twirling it between his fingers. "Now, what about you? What are you doing this morning? I'll wager you're procrastinating."
"Gee, what gave you that idea?" she quipped.
"Intuition, my dear."
Sango rolled her eyes once more.
"Oh, yes that's right. I have some suggestions for you, to advance your career."
"You do?" Sango perked up.
"Yes. First of all, I think we need to promote your books more, so I've been making some contacts and getting tips where I can."
"You have?" Sango was incredulous. She couldn't believe he was going to so much trouble for her. She wasn't even paying him for his services. Not that she could...
"Miroku... Thank you."
"It was nothing, Sango. Now, the next time we see one another I'll give you a list of what I've compiled, information, contacts, and such. Oh, another thing...how would you feel about going to a writing conference?"
"Hm. It's been awhile since I've been to one. I suppose I'd be up for it, if I could afford it."
She took note of a moment of silence before he spoke.
"Are you having financial difficulties, Sango?" he finally asked, a concerned edge to his tone.
Sango hesitated. She had a certain amount of pride, of course, so she wasn't thrilled about admitting such things to anyone, but it would be especially difficult to say it to him. Still, he seemed to be her closest friend right now, and certainly very supportive...
"I'm managing," she finally mumbled. She hoped he wouldn't press any further. She didn't want to discuss it with him right now.
"You know, if there is any way I could help–"
"I don't need any help! I'm handling my own affairs," she snapped.
"Sango, I'm sure you are perfectly capable of handling things. I wasn't suggesting that you couldn't."
She cursed under her breath. A sigh immediately followed. "I'm sorry. I know that you only want to help, but you have already done more than enough. You've been great about trying to help with my writing, and I really do appreciate it." She twirled her ponytail around a finger. "I'm...a little short on cash, but I've been working more hours at the bookstore, and I'm working on getting a roommate to share rent with. That will help a lot."
"And how is that endeavor going?"
"Um..." She winced simply thinking about it. "Well, it's...going."
He bit down on his lip, thoughtfully, then casually commented that he was in the market for a place himself.
Sango suddenly had the wildest idea. She couldn't help that it'd entered her mind, but she was immediately disgusted with herself. Ugh, have I completely lost my mind?
And she dismissed the thought, opting for a simple 'oh?' Still, she wondered what it would be like...
"Yes. I've been staying in a hotel since I've been in town."
She didn't envy him living at a hotel. It was not her idea of a comfortable living arrangement. She had always felt so out of place in them, herself. Not to mention, sanitation was often questionable. Some might think her rigid, but Sango was simply a girl who had her standards, like anyone else.
"A hotel? The entire time?"
He couldn't help but chuckle at how it seemed to horrify her. "It's not as bad as it may sound to you, Sango. It's been quite comfortable, and I'm not demanding."
That was an understatement. The man was practically a saint, and she couldn't understand why his apparent perfection wasn't more annoying to her. She supposed she was simply too fascinated to be annoyed. But she had the strange desire to find out how deep the perfection ran.
"So, about that writing conference? There is one in Chicago in two weeks. We could drive there," he idly changed the subject.
"What does it cost?"
"100 apiece."
"Oh, I better not. I don't have much of a budget lately..."
"I'll take care of it."
"No," she vehemently protested. "That's out of the question!"
"It's not a problem. You want to do all in your power to improve your writing, don't you?"
"Well, yes, but...that is my responsibility, not yours. Why are you doing all this anyway?"
"Because I wish to help you excel."
"Why do you care? What could you possibly have to gain?"
"Sango, is it so hard to believe that someone would desire to help you out without having ulterior motives?"
Yes... "No...but you barely know me!"
"See, that is one thing I don't understand about this world, all these limitations placed upon kindness and compassion. There even seems to be a time-span for becoming acquainted with a person or a degree of intimacy required before we are expected to show true concern for them. Now, why can't we all just care for one another equally? Sadly, it doesn't seem to be human nature..."
"You've summed it up. It's not in our natures to be so completely selfless," she responded, rather regretting the reality of it herself, "That's not the way the world is."
She felt odd having this conversation. Miroku was a grown man. That fact had never escaped her for an instant... Still, sometimes she felt as though she had to help him to grasp hold of a reality he so determinedly seemed to deny. It was at such times she could see the child in him, and she felt strangely compelled to protect him or something... But other times, she felt like he knew and understood a great deal more than he was making her privy to, a great deal more than she herself did. And she was envious of the answers he seemed to be hiding, the answers that allowed him a peace and a patience that far outweighed her own, or any person's she'd ever known.
Miroku had been silent. Sango wondered what he was thinking about.
"You're very altruistic... I admire that about you, but I don't really need your kindness and compassion..."
"Never toss away kindness or compassion that someone is willing to give, Sango. They are precious gifts."
She became silent in thought.
She is so proud and so unwilling to allow anyone to do anything for her. She seems resigned to being alone in this world and getting by completely on her own...
"Won't you go with me, Sango? You might enjoy it," he coaxed cheerfully.
She pursed her lips. "You're so stubborn."
"Persistent," he corrected.
"Yes, whatever. Same thing."
"I could say the same of you..."
She opened her mouth to protest but decided it useless.
"Fine, Miroku. I'll go with you."
End of Chapter
A/N: Let me just say, I have reason for portraying Miroku the way I am. But that doesn't mean he is always going to act this way... MUCH more interaction to come, and it's going to pick up. I promise. Please review!
Review Responses:
mysterious advisor: Thank you. Yeah, he's wearing her down. But Sango's no push-over, so it should be an interesting ride! ;)
Demon Exterminator Barbie: Yes, challenges are always good, and the challenge I am meaning is not the little road trip to the conference. Though, I plan to have fun with it. ;) Hope you enjoyed, and please review!
Tera McCaslin: Aw, thank you so much! Glad you see my story as "important"! Ooo, Ren Festival! Hope it was fun. I was actually talking to someone about one in Bristol, WI today. I'm thinking about going. Anyway, glad I didn't disappoint. The excerpt was so much easier than writing 15 chapters, as well, and I think just as efficient. Them talking and beginning to become friends is important, but it doesn't have to be a long drawn out process. Surprised that Miroku isn't a perv...yes, I am exploring something a little different. Although, that is not to say that everything about Miroku has been revealed... Hope to hear from you, and I hope you enjoyed!
tinemelk: Glad you are enjoying! You can guess the challenge, eh? Ok, what is it? Wait, sh, don't give anything away! ;) I hope you liked this, and please review.
Miroku120: Thank you so much! I for some reason LOVE doing AU Inuyasha fics. I guess it kinda brings the fantasy to reality a little bit. ;)
drake220: I am just creeping you out so much! Lol. I'm sorry... Anyway, you aint seen nothin yet! Glad you are liking it, and sorry for being so slow to update. Forgive?
animearlinefreak: Thank you. Here is the update, and sorry it took so long! Review, please and thank you?
foxychild: Thank you, and sure I would be happy to give you advice! I'll do my best anyway. Yeah, it's hard to juggle school and other things...
Sailor-Helios: Thank you. I am glad that you liked it. Aw, thanks for the heartstrings comment, lol. ;) And yes, I didn't want her to trust immediately because that isn't always a wise choice, and I wanted to portray Sango as a girl who has her head on straight and is a bit guarded. Glad you loved the fluff. I'm big into fluff myself, so I have to add it when I can. :) Yep, just have to wait and see what the challenge will be...actually, more than one challenge to come. Hope you keep on reading and reviewing! Thanks a bunch!