Here's the long-awaited chapter! Thanks for the paitience. Eww...just as I was starting to write this, my mom came in the kitchen and got some pizza. I was supposed to start on cleaning up my room today, but I didn't. Now I'm punished. Fun. Wish me luck. Hope ya'll all enjoy this!
There was an uproar in the kitchen when Kagome tentatively opened the dinning room door. When the staff looked up from their work to see who was entering the, all at once they rushed to her side yelling in anger and relief, some of the women tearing up. She knew this would happen. Ever since she had first arrived on the ship Kagome had been the innocent baby to all those working beside her. She had worked here longer than everyone else with Sango coming in close second. The hugs and tears and occasional curse words were almost more than she could take but Kagome was so overwhelmed with their compassion towards her.
"What happened to you?" asked Miyoko, a server. At this, tons of questions came pouring in on Kagome's whereabouts and her odd actions at the Moonlit Dance. Kagome stood there before the waiting crowd trying to figure out a good lie when Sango squeezed out from between two heavyset women and, grabbing Kagome's sleeve, pulled her toward their room.
"Sorry everyone," she apologized while hurrying up the stairs, pushing Kagome before her," but I think that Kagome needs a nice nap. She'll explain everything later, I'm sure."
There were shouts of disapproval, but no one chased them up the stair way. Once the two women were inside the room, Sango slammed the door, locking the latch, and took a deep breath, back on the door, eyes closed.
"Sango," Kagome started with a sympathetic look, "Thank you so much. And I'm so sorry for causing you any trouble," but her young friend silenced her with a hand over the mouth.
Sango sat next to Kagome on the bed and said, "Kagome, it's okay. I'm just glad you're fine now. And I'm sure you have a terrific story and I am just dying to hear it, but not before I tell you mine."
Kagome faced her companion with a furrowed brow,"What do you mean? What happened to you?"
Sango frowned as she begun to unravel her tale:
"Excuse me?" Sango knocked on the door again. "Could you please help me sir?" She waited in the hallway, crossing her arms over her chest in order to rub the goosebumps off. She was scared, and felt as if her mind was falling at the seams.
I must find Kagome! Where can she be?
A man, all too familiar, answered the door.
"Ah," he chuckled at the sight of Sango standing in his doorway,"I see you came back for more?"
Sango's jaw went slack.
It's that man! That pervert of a man-Miroku-who tried to put the moves on me! The moves on my butt, really.
Her face brimmed over with anger at the memory. "It's you! I can't believe it! This is just..." Then Sango remembered why she was here in the first place. "Okay. I don't have time for playing around," she pointed a finger in his face to emphasize her message. "I just want to know if you have seen a girl about 18 years old; raven hair, distressed face, goes by the name Kagome." Despite who she was talking to, Sango was still eager to hear that Kagome was alright. Even if the news came from this disgrace of a man, she just wanted to know that Kagome was in no danger. She remembered her freak-out at the dance and understood completely why she had overreacted at such an extremity, but also knew she was not in a right state of mind. Sango was scared for Kagome's life.
Miroku must have seen the look of hope in her eyes because his face softened before he regretfully answered,"No. I'm sorry I haven't."
Sango's eyes welled over with loss of hope and her muscles felt weak, as if she hadn't used them in months.
No. No. Where are you Kagome? I've been looking for over an hour for you, but I can't find you anywhere. Are you okay? Are you alive?
A hand wrapped around Sango's arm with a firm, yet gentle grasp. Wiping the tears on her shirt, Sango looked up at the man standing before her; compassionate eyes breaking the barricade that held back her tears. Wet warmth cascaded down her cheeks in a torrent.
Before she could react, she found her body gently being led inside the room-his left hand on the small of her back, his right still around her arm- onto a soft, velvet armchair. Aware of the suddenness of the situation and the fact she barely knew this man, Sango felt uncomfortable.
The sound of clinking glasses brought her eyes up to Miroku, whose back was turned to her, facing an 18th century styled desk: dark Peruvian Rosewood with curved feet. Everything, Sango noticed, inside her was 18th century styled. Kyoto liked the look of that type of furniture so he strived to make every suite in that same style, where the colors where dark and rich, making anyone who stayed in the room feel regal.
Miroku turned around with a soft smile and one glass in each hand.
"White wine" he explained, handing over a glass before settling himself down in the cushioned chair opposite of her. Sango stared at the glass for a moment before deciding that a little buzz won't hurt and daintily sipped at the crystal edge. Miroku followed suite, his eyes leaving hers not once. He positioned his elbows on each of the armrests, intertwined his fingers, and set his chin atop his knuckles after placing his glass on a circular side table to the left of him.
Knowledgeable eyes bore patiently into Sango's awaiting an explanation. Such an intense stare forced her to look away.
"I'm...," Sango cleared the nerves out of her voice before starting again." I'm sorry. I should not have broken down in such a manner. " She bowed her head in shame.
When Sango looked back up to Miroku she saw a soft smile graced his lips. He began to speak, never once allowing his eyes to leave hers,"You have obviously been through some pain. You are more than welcome to talk it through if you will feel better. I would like to help in any way possible. But if you are uncomfortable talking to a complete stranger, I wouldn't blame you." He continued to stare her down, but not in a hostile way. Sango didn't feel as if she was being backed into a corner. Many times when dealing with another person who is more assertive than herself, Sango felt as if, though they present more than one option, they only give her one choice. The choice they want her to make. But with Miroku, though he's plenty assertive, she knew that he just wanted to help and left her to make the decision that's most comfortable for herself.
With this knowledge she relaxed into the chair with a gratuitous smile. "Thank you so much for your hospitality. I would, if it wouldn't inconvenience you, like to talk. I think-no I hope-it will help."
He smiled, a simple invitation for her explanation. Sango returned it and began talking of Kagome, what had happened in the hotel room years before, and how she feared for her companion's sanity.
"I just don't know what she could do at such a vulnerable moment as now. She was never the same." Sango referred to the incident.
Miroku spoke up, "You truly care for her. A real friend." Sango looked up with a sad smile; an unspoken "Yes".
He poured himself some more wine then paused, staring past the crystal, recalling a memory he had forgotten. "Did you say her hair was black?"
Sango looked at him in confusement, but answered with a yes.
Miroku nodded, then said, "Well, I had not made much of it at the time, but I recall seeing InuYasha pulling a girl into his bedroom earlier. She had black hair, perhaps it was your friend."
Sango's jaw went slack.
"What? That jerk kidnapped her? I've got to go help her." Fists clenched, she rose from her chair with every intention of knocking the demon to the bottom of the ocean.
A voice stopped her mid-stride, "Do not worry. Your friend will be okay."
Sango looked down at Miroku in utter disbelief, "How can she be okay? InuYasha will most likely make matters worse. By the time she leaves his room she's going to have to be submitted into an insane asylum.
Chuckling lightly, Miroku spoke up with amusement in his voice, "I realize InuYasha seems like a jerk, and he can be one, but he's not evil. He is quite sensitive toward women in need, and by the looks of your friend, I think he's the best one to help her right now."
Sango, back arched in defiant rage, asked, "How can that be? He treats everyone like crap with no regard to anyone but himself. How could he possibly help her?"
Miroku looked out the small window next to his bed, eyes roving over the now black night sky. A few stars were scattered across. When he spoke up his voice was gentle.
"Your friend, Kagome, seemed to be in a lot of emotional pain. InuYasha is no stranger to pain. He has a tough exterior that allows him to shield himself from any more of it, but in all reality, he is very kind and gentle. He just doesn't show his "true form". When drastic occurrences happen, though, quite like this one, he will allow a part of his softer side to shine; to push past his rocky surface and heal those in need. It may be hard to believe, but it is true. He will cause her no harm, not while she is in such a vulnerable state."
Miroku sipped his wine and seemed to look out at the night sky, but was looking much deeper. His mind's eye was staring at something Sango was not a part of so she could not place. Allowing him time to ponder, she sat and waited patiently.
Miroku seems wise. I wonder what kinds of pain he has experienced. The way he speaks is as if he himself has experienced what Kagome is going through.
His eyes met back with Sango's and he smiled softly; a smile that spoke many words, all unidentified. Sango felt herself wanting to find out what they were.
"Thank you very much. Your guidance has helped me tremendously. I am trusting you on the matter of InuYasha, but" she leaned in with narrowed eyes and tightened lips, "if I find out that Kagome was harmed in any manner, I will rip InuYasha apart, and then I 'm coming for you." She straightened up and, with her message clearly stated, journeyed to the door, but before she disappeared behind the closed door she heard Miroku chuckle and say, "Spoken as a true friend. Kagome is very lucky, but she is about to be even luckier."
Hehe. Hope it was okay. I went to New York City for a class trip. TOTALLY FRICKEN' ROCKED! YEAHHHHHHH! GO NEW YORK! Do any of ya'll live in New York? Been to New York? When you write my reviews(PLEASE WRITE ME REVIEWS)telling me how good or how bad I am, tell me if you've gone. Time Square was so totally awsome. Possibly my favorite. Possibly.