INUYASHA NOT MINE!

Chapter 15: There goes my happiness

Sitting by the front porch swing was something Sango and Miroku loved to do whenever they had nothing to do on Saturdays. They had just finished lunch when the two friends decided to sit outside for some quiet reflection; but obviously Miroku loved to make jokes or simply tell Sango his dating stories. Sango just loved to listen to Miroku's voice as it often soothed her; but there were just so many things on her mind to actually enjoy her best friend's company at the moment.

"You can be so boring to talk to sometimes, Sango," Miroku complained. He had been telling her about his last night's worst date. Sango only laughed a little. He was expecting she would laugh out loud, snicker, or even make fun at him. But no, he received a laugh that meant she was only half listening to him. "Lately you've been an alien to me. What happened to ya?"

Sango eyed him from the corner of her eyes. "Just too many things on my mind."

Miroku rolled his eyes. "Cheer up, girl. I think these 'too many things' on your mind involves a certain silver-haired boy. Am I right with my assessment?"

Sango knew perfectly well whom he was talking about. "Who? I don't think I know any person with that description," she said with nonchalance. She would never admit Inuyasha caused her dark mood these past two weeks.

Miroku snorted. "I knew it. You're on a denial stage. It's Inuyasha, isn't it? I'm right, am I not?"

"Inuyasha? Who's that? Oh him! I forgot about him actually," she lied through her teeth. She could never forget about him; not when she replayed his kiss on her mind every night before she drifted off to sleep. "I don't even remember his face."

"Whatever, Sango." Miroku laughed. He saw the way Sango perked up when she heard Inuyasha's name mentioned. He knew a person in-love because he knew the feeling perfectly well. After all, Miroku was always in love. "You love him, don't you?" he poked Sango on her side. "My best friend's in love. In love. In love. In love!" he hummed out, teasing Sango. He sensed she was getting agitated. He teased her further. "Ooh. Sango and Inuyasha sitting on a tree. K-I-S-S-I-NG!" Miroku hooted, knowing all too well Sango was soon to explode from annoyance.

Sango's eyes narrowed. She hated being teased. "Sango and Miroku sitting on a swing. K-I-C-K-I-N-G!" she hissed in sarcasm. "That's what I would do to ya if ya don't stop your childish nonsense," she added a threat. Miroku only laughed, further making Sango fume in anger.

He wrapped an arm around Sango, pulling her more to him. "You know, Lady Sango, you should try to be in touch with your femininity more. Flirt a little. Show a little cleavage. Pucker up your lips more. Maybe, just maybe, Inuyasha would confess his feelings for you."

Sango glared at him. She found herself disliking the direction the conversation was heading. Miroku simply knew how to irk her by revealing her truths within. For that, she was more annoyed at him. "Confess his feelings? I highly doubt him. And," she gave him an austere expression. "Not because you've dated hundreds of women made you an expert on them!"

"And not because you're a woman made you an expert on one as well," Miroku retorted, knowing too well Sango would not be able to reply to it.

Sango was unable to think of a comeback. Miroku was right on his assessment. Instead, she pinched him for lack of a sarcastic retort or a derogatory insult. Miroku squirmed at the slight pain. He hated it when his best friend diverted to her violent self.

"This is what I mean. You're a beautiful woman yet you get very scary and beastly. It's no wonder why not many guys approach you. Now I'm beginning to oppose my first judgment that Inuyasha likes you at all." The comment finally put Sango's irritation level to the boiling point. Miroku received the deadliest glare. He cowered a bit, nervously anticipating the hard hit courtesy of Sango. He sensed she started to raise her hand, pausing a moment to think which better way to show him her displeasure. It was a good thing his sight caught a welcoming presence. "Hey! Dog-boy's here!" he exclaimed, using the nickname (the one Kohaku referred to when they discussed about Kirara) he fondly called the guy.

Instantly, Sango jerked her head towards the direction where Miroku was staring. She couldn't help but smile as she saw Inuyasha's car by the driveway.

"Don't call him that!" she hit him playfully on the chest, eyes focused on the figure stepping out of the car.

Inuyasha finally came for a visit. Her heart somersaulted.

OOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOO

A pang of jealousy shot through him as he caught sight of Sango and Miroku sitting together. Miroku had his arms around Sango, while she seemed comfortable within his embrace albeit the deadly passionate look she was giving Miroku. The whole scene screamed nothing but intimacy. Inuyasha clenched his fist. He noticed Miroku gesturing to his direction, as if alerting Sango to look his way. She did; and she smiled. This prompted Inuyasha to get out of his car despite his earlier hesitation.

He waited for another week to go see her. It had been already two weeks since they last saw each other. The two weeks were brutal for him. He desired to be around Sango's presence, whether she offered friendship or more than that. But Inuyasha knew he had to stay away from her. He would soon be a married man. He shouldn't start to develop a relationship with Sango, or any other woman for that matter, even though it would only be friendship. Yet, Inuyasha knew the longer he stayed away from Sango, the deeper he fell in love with her. He mentally shook his head, and his self as well to get out of such dangerous and foolish thoughts. He waved a hand at both Sango and Miroku.

Sango stood up from the swing the moment Inuyasha approached. She faintly heard a small chuckle escape from Miroku's lips. She was aware of what was going through Miroku's mind at the moment. He also stood up behind Sango, ready to make silly side comments if the situation ever became awkward.

"Am I interrupting?" Inuyasha said.

"No. Oh, no. Heck, no. Miroku and I were just passing time." Sango could only hope she didn't sound all too jumpy and excited. Seeing Inuyasha for the first time in two weeks somewhat lifted up her spirits. "Would you like to come in for something to drink or eat?" she eagerly offered. God, she missed seeing him.

Inuyasha shook his head. "I can't stay long. I just wanted to ask you something personal and business at the same time. My mother requires some flower arrangement on her upcoming party. I thought about you. I'm hoping you'd take up the offer."

Sango hid the disappointment in her facial expression. It was only evident in her eyes. She thought he came by to visit her, not employ her services. "Sure. When's the party?"

"Next month. I'm also here to invite you as a guest. You too, man," he turned to Miroku.

"Oh, don't worry about me," Miroku shook his head. He figured Inuyasha was just inviting him for the sake of not being impolite.

"You can be her escort," Inuyasha answered in a rather rushed tone. "I'll send both your invitations when everything is finalized." He turned to Sango. "Also, here's the address to where the party is going to be held, which is my mom and dad's house. My mom asked if you could start discussing and planning this Monday?"

Sango took the small piece of paper he was handing her. He seemed to rush his statements, as if he was itching to leave. "That would be fine. What time would your mother prefer for me to get at this location?" she asked, turning her voice into a business tone.

"During lunchtime would be fine."

Sango only nodded. The brightness in her spirit began to diminish. Why was Inuyasha treating her as if a stranger?

"Well, I should get going. Thanks, Sango, for accepting. I'll see you two around at the party," he said, bidding his goodbye. Within minutes he was back in his car and was gone. He was in a hurry - in a hurry to get away from Sango's powerful charisma. He also wanted to get away from the jealousy forming in him as he watched the intimate proximity between Miroku and Sango. Up until the very moment, Inuyasha wasn't sure what was Miroku's real relationship to Sango. She claimed he was her very best friend. She even referred to Miroku as her soul mate. Inuyasha didn't know where Miroku stood in Sango's life. Frankly, as much as it pained him to say, he would rather prefer if Sango ended up with Miroku. At least that way, Sango would not feel any pain and heartache. Inuyasha, though he knew little about the other man, was aware Miroku held Sango's feelings with delicate hands. He would not let Sango suffer in any other way. That was all Inuyasha could wish for the woman he felt he fell in love with.

He drove away with heaviness in his chest.

OOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOO

Sango finally showed the pained look on her face. Miroku understood it so he decided not to ask. He simply patted Sango on the back.

"Don't worry, Lady Sango. Things would be alright in the very end."

Sango looked at him, able to control the tears threatening to fall. She didn't want to cry over someone who didn't reciprocate the same feelings she had. "Why would I be worried? I've got another client interested in my services. From the looks of it, this would make good money," she said in a composed manner.

Miroku sighed out loud. His best friend was good at hiding her feelings from him. In fact she was too good that Miroku made sure to read between the lines to understand her. He was able to find away how to read Sango's feelings when in hiding. He mastered how to read her. "You're right. You're not worried. You're just hurt at the moment because you feel like he had just brushed you aside. He simply showed up to tell you he needed your services and then left without even a romantic word for you."

Sango frowned at him. "And your point is?" she was still in denial of her true feelings. After all, this was all too new for her.

Miroku shook his head, giving up. There was no use forcing Sango to reveal her true emotions. "I'm going home. Call me if you decided to confess how you truly feel. Because, I think, if you ever reveal what's inside your heart, you'd become less cranky and gloomy," he said walking away from her. He was frustrated at Sango for keeping everything inside her.

She watched him go and turned to his house's direction. As much as she wanted to share everything to Miroku, Sango was still not ready. Especially now that she realized Inuyasha didn't even share the same feelings she had for him.

Then why did he kiss her that night?

Was that simply done out-of-instinct? Surely it wasn't how Inuyasha said his goodbyes. So why did he kiss her?

Sango fought the urge to cry out of frustration, hurt and confusion.

Yet, she still felt hope.

Hope that maybe he could one day reciprocate the same feelings she had for him.

Hope that maybe things would turn out just as she dreamed of it.

Sango stomped inside the house. She hated acting like a sick love-forlorn woman she was becoming.

A/N: okie, okie. Very quick chappie. This was what I managed to write over the LOOONG 15-hour drive from Toronto to Chicago (w/c should really take more or less 10 hrs)… but we got stuck in traffic, construction detours and all the delays that could happen in a trip. I was not a happy camper! So, sorry for some lame writing here.

Hope you guys find this chapter okay though and would still continue to leave a review for this very tired and sad (I wished to stay in Chicago w/my cousin for a few more days…) author.

THANKS TO ALL WHO LEFT A REVIEW! IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME.