Disclaimer: me own nothing.
Very short chapter! Sorry.
Chapter 13: Miroku's Perspective
"Just do questions four, nine and thirteen for the tonight's work. Your math's actually getting better, Kohaku," Miroku noted to his 'summer' student. He had been tutoring Kohaku ever since the boy was confined at home.
Kohaku smiled. He really hated Math but was glad to hear he was improving. He picked up Kirara, who was curled by his feet. "Are you hungry, Kirara?" he asked as he brushed the fur of the kitten. Kirara meowed.
Miroku eyed the boy and his cat. He knew of the cat's existence but never really got the chance to inquire where the animal came from. He had a hunch though. "Did Inuyasha give Kirara to Sango?"
"Nope. He gave it to me," Kohaku shook his head in response. "I gave her the name Kirara… and you love it, right Kirara?" he hugged the cat gently.
Miroku tapped his chin with a finger. "The way to a woman's heart is to give a kitten to his kid brother. Very smart, that Inuyasha," he amusingly stated. Kohaku eyed him strangely. Miroku cleared his throat. "Anyway, was Kirara Inuyasha's pet before?" he asked, getting more and more curious about Inuyasha's growing closeness with Sango and her brother. Miroku had been very these past couple of months, going to some trip out of town or some random late-night dates to know what was happening to his best friend's romantic life.
"Inuyasha said he's just a dog-person. So when he found Kirara, he decided to give it to me."
"Ah, always the noble man, that dog boy" he commented with a snort, but not in amusement neither in sarcasm. He only had two to three conversations with the man to actually have a well-established impression on Inuyasha. Sango did not talk about him as well. "Do you like Inuyasha?" he asked Kohaku.
The boy seemed perplexed at the question, or rather the series of questions pertaining to his sister's friend. Kohaku was still too innocent to read between the lines of Miroku's question. "Well, I like him. He brings donuts. He gave me Kirara. He drove ane-ue to the flower farm last week."
The last statement really caught Miroku's full attention. There was a tinge of jealousy forming in his guts. Sango had always depended on Miroku for her monthly visits to the flower farm. "He did, didn't he?" he mused more to himself than to the boy in front of him. "I see that he's becoming closer and closer to Sango," he stated out loud his thought.
"Is that wrong?" Kohaku asked, misinterpreting Miroku's last couple of statements. Before, he was only used to seeing one man around in the house. It was just Miroku; and he was the only man Sango spent time with. The appearance of Inuyasha actually lessened Miroku's visits. That was the first time Kohaku realized. "Don't you like Inuyasha?"
Miroku was a little surprised at the question. He was sure he never acted in a way to make Kohaku think he disliked Inuyasha. He didn't know the guy too well to actually say he liked or disliked him. "Inuyasha's a good man. I'm just being overprotective of your sister."
"Like how she's overprotective when you have a new girlfriend?" Kohaku asked.
Miroku smiled at his 'matured' innocence. Kohaku was just like any normal twelve-year old kid who possessed hints of knowledge about childish romances and such. "No, that's different. Sango's being protective of the women, not of me," he snickered. His face though turned serious. He was aware of the kindness Inuyasha had shown to Sango and to Kohaku; but he was not sure whether to trust the man. There was nothing wrong with being a little worried for a dear friend. Miroku hoped he was worrying over nothing; and that Sango would never get hurt.
His attention was diverted when Sango arrived. She was home early, something that indicated she was not in feeling well.
"Good afternoon, my fair lady," Miroku greeted her with his usual cheerful demeanour.
Sango only grumbled a low "hello." She walked around the room in a slightly agitated manner. Even the bright smile Miroku flashed for her did not lighten the mood. Jakotsu's words still stuck in her mind even after a week had passed. Worst of it all, she had not seen or heard from Inuyasha as well. The doubts and confusion forming inside Sango was building up and would soon burst.
Then her mind wandered to the night Inuyasha kissed her. It was still magical in all the sense of the gesture. Goosebumps still formed on her arms, and her whole body tingled at the mere thought of his lips. His eyes were still an image of beauty for her.
Is this what falling in love is all about?
Sango was so caught up in thinking about Inuyasha she didn't hear what poor Miroku was telling her about. She only snapped back to the world when Miroku began shaking her shoulder. "What?" she snapped before realizing it. "Sorry," she mumbled an apology.
"That's all right. Are you okay though? Ms. Kaede told me you haven't been yourself these past few days."
Sango looked at the clear worried expression on her best friend's face. She shook her head. "No. I'm just not feeling well. My head's just pounding like crazy." She demonstrated her explanation by rubbing her forehead. It was partly a lie. She was only having a headache for thinking too much. Sango walked to Kohaku's side and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "I think I'll just take a short nap just to ease the tension in my-," she started to walk out of the living room but Miroku blocked her way. "Miroku, can you pretty please get out of the way?" she asked though gritted teeth. She was not in the mood to accommodate Miroku's playful antics.
"Nah-uh, Lady Sango. Not until you tell me what's wrong," he held up his right hand in front of her. Sango folded her arms on her chest. She quirked up a brow and pursed her lips. Miroku knew her too well. "Is this about Inuyasha?"
Sango didn't even blink at the question. Miroku really knew her too well! She noticed Kohaku standing up slowly with Kirara in his arms. The boy knew when it was time for some adult conversation wherein he was not needed. He meekly excused himself with a reason he wanted to watch some TV. Miroku let him pass while still barricading Sango from the doorway. Sango threw her hands in the air. She would at least explain some things to her best friend; but not all of it. She was still not sure about many of these things her self.
"You're partly correct with your assumption," she said, turning away from him. She plopped down on a reclining seat. "I'm confused about him."
"Confused? Like, you're not sure if he's a friend or more-than-a friend?"
Sango eyed him. Miroku had always been the wise one; though at time lack the capacity to show it because of his 'player', as he liked to refer to himself, attitudes. "He's always visiting here, popping in and out of the shop at odd hours, bringing treats to Kohaku. He's always nice to me. Why? Why would he do that?"
Miroku smiled genuinely. "Maybe because he's a good man who appreciates a good woman such as yourself?"
Expect him to point out such absurd yet logical reasoning! "By 'appreciates'," she demonstrated in air quotes. "Does that mean wanting to be my friend? Just my friend?" she tried to phrase her question to address with a subtle displeasure.
"Maybe, maybe not. He also maybe gauging on your behaviour toward him as well. Inuyasha seemed the type of person to jump in at certain situations. The thinking process comes in simultaneously. So, he may be trying to be a little forward in approaching you, but does it in a very subtle way."
Sango grasped the meaning of the statement like hanging at the end of a cliff. She was confused but on the other hand was able to interpret some meaning behind Miroku's words. Miroku grabbed a chair and placed it before her and then sat down.
"How would you feel if you find out his only intention is friendship?" his was of serious tone.
She refused to look him straight in the eye. "Then I'll be glad 'cause he's one good friend. Did you know he drove me to the flower farm last week while my regular driver was off to some island with some woman I haven't even met?" She gave Miroku a stern look, finally able to divert the subject to him.
Miroku gave her a sheepish smile. "You've met Meryl before. She teaches Geography."
"So, now you're into teachers? I thought you don't wanna date women in your profession?" Sango asked, glad the subject of Inuyasha was finally over.
Miroku scratched his head. Sango always knew how to turn things around in her favour. A minute ago, Miroku was the one doing the grilling. "Well, eh… heh, heh! She's, um, really nice, and pretty, and hot," he whistled, losing his usual eloquent way of speaking. "But you're changing the subject here, Sango." Miroku suddenly burst out laughing. "I never anticipated this day would come, when I am the one giving you advices about love and relationships; and you're the one confused and doubting," he explained, then proceeded to pat Sango on the back. "Don't fret, Sango. Things will brighten up if you wait patiently." He bid his goodbye. "I have to go now."
"Big date with Meryl?"
"Well, um, not really. Meryl and I kinda parted ways," he scratched his head while smiling sheepishly.
"Why am I not surprised, Miroku?"
Miroku shrugged. "Hey, you have a problem to think about," he reminded her, just so he wouldn't be subjected to Sango's lectures. "Figure out your feelings before you scold me. Bye," he dashed out from the room, not waiting for what Sango had to say. Sango tended to become a bit violent on him.
Sango half-smiled at the retreating figure of Miroku. He had always been there for her: giving her advices during tough times while cheering her up at the same time. She was just lucky to have a friend like him. She stood up from where she sat and walked to the window overlooking her garden. For a florist and a flower-loving person, her garden was bare. Not a single stem of flower could be seen; only unwanted weeds. She had neglected her garden for the most part.
Her thoughts once more wandered back to Inuyasha. No matter how she tried to divert her mind from him, she always seemed to go back and think of him. He owned her heart and mind.
A/N: sorry for the short chapter. But hey! Miroku's here… I like the monk so I actually enjoyed writing this chappie…this chapter though is a real filler…I know, I know. I said no more of those. I have a reason…but I can't disclose it for now.
(by 'real' FILLER, I mean, was that this scene was never really in the movie. All that happened was a product of my screwed up mind… ch 11 & 12 were part of the movie plot but I only changed the perspective… hope you all get my drift)
thank you all for giving this fic over 100 reviews. I never once expected it. I thought I'd get about 2 or 3 reviews per chapter.
QT (Inuyasha's following his brother's advice in a different way – not necessarily the wrong way. hope you'll stick to this fic to see how he resolves everything. Wink, wink) EdxWinry (I have what it takes to be a writer? –bows head down on the floor- thank you so much, thank you, thank you, thank you) Inspartan (just a simple comment is all I need. Telling me this fic is one of your faves makes me want to keep writing this fic) Shezel (you should tell Inu to follow his heart. The guy just wont listen. Heh. He thinks he's doing the RIGHT thing, eh?)
Diverse-thinker (update queen? Wow, I like that. When I was writing my RK fic, I was updating like crazy. Unfortunately, hardly anyone reviews my fic –cries- anyway, I love the way Jakotsu told Sango the real deal about love. Our heroine wasn't thinking straight at the moment while riding cloud nine) Sango Fan (I agree with everything you said. The reality of love is that it's not a fairytale). dudei'mlikesobus (haha…Jakotsu was a meany, eh?)
KuroKitsune (But the real question is…does Inu love Sango that much? If he does, why cant he be honest to himself and Kagome? What if Inu just wanted to play the field once more? Hmm…just a thought here, eh? Wink, wink.) Lord of swords and waffles (as I've said in my review on your wonderful fic…kidnap Inu for me and I'll abduct Sango for you…) Peacemaker (there's a lot in store for our heroine…but all problems and heartaches have resolutions.) demonrader33 (thank you for the appreciation.)