Whoa, thank you for reviews everyone...yeah without further delay here is your chapter 3!
Sango tried to breathe, she wanted to pause the moment, she blinked, held her eyes closed as Kuranosuke said it again.
"Be my wife Sango, I promise to make you the happiest woman, as you will have made me the happiest man." He was still on his knee, clasping her hand and holding a ring that Sango had not bothered to look at.
"Oh Kuranosuke," Sango pulled him up off his knee and look at him eye to eye, "How can I say yes, we haven't even dated. There is no doubt that I love you, but I don't know if it is the same way a wife loves a husband. I would be cheating you if I said yes."
He sighed but smiled, "I don't know any other way to tell you this, but Sango I already know in my heart the kind of woman you are, you are beautiful in and out and I don't have any farther to look to find a wife because you are the one I want to spend my life with."
Sango hugged Kuranosuke, she wrapped her arms around him and he pulled her close.
"Kuranosuke, we have had such a history, but only one of friendship. I don't know…"
They pulled away; he looked at her again and kissed her hand. He slipped the engagement ring on her finger, Sango watched.
"Don't say no…. but don't say yes if you don't feel it. I just wanted you to see, see and feel how right this is."
She smiled, "Okay Kuranosuke, but I can't wear this ring. You should save it."
"I want you to hold on to it, really hold on to it until you are ready to tell me your answer, is that a promise?" He kissed her hand again, she blushed.
"I promise."
Miroku pushed a way through the crowd and gazed out the window. He saw Kuranosuke kiss her hand, saw the ring slide on her finger, and saw her smile.
'I was too late, she said yes.' He thought
Suddenly the room was sticky and hot. He got dizzy, he had to sit down. He stumbled to a table and clenched his chest as he sunk into a chair, it was like a punch. He felt as though someone was squeezing his heart.
'This is a mistake; I know that this is all a big mistake.' He wanted to run outside and break them apart. But what would he say? He couldn't say he loved her, he never loved a woman, he never knew his mother or any female family member. He never had a serious relationship or a relationship at all. He couldn't say anything, he just knew that he wanted to leave for fear his heart would have a hand in the matter.
He rushed toward Hachi, along the way taking shots of left over liquor and Champagne on the tables. People were dancing, singing, cheering but all Miroku wanted was to be as far away as possible and get incredibly drunk while doing it.
He grabbed his coat; the shots were coming into effect. His dizziness was replaced with a warm feeling in his throat. After a 5 minute explanation Hachi let him go, and he once again had to fight his way passed the people.
As he was darting out of the room a hand pulled him back. He looked back to find Kagome staring at him.
"Hey, where are you going to fast?" She smiled
"I…can't be here anymore Kagome." He pulled his arm away.
Kagome followed, "Well aren't you at least going to wish me a Happy New Year, or better yet Sango?" She got in front of him.
"She is marrying Kuranosuke, Kagome I don't think that it will matter to her if I say anything." He spoke without thought.
"What are you talking about?" Kagome looked confused and looked closer at Miroku. He had a light sweat on him he looked odd, as though he was sick. "Are you drunk?"
"Happy New Year Kagome," Miroku turned and nearly sprinted away.
Kagome was lost, she didn't know what had just happened but she wanted to find Sango.
Kuranosuke led Sango back inside towards the party. They were locked arm in arm. Once inside, though, Sango excused herself, hoping no one saw what had happened outside she looked for Miroku.
She wondered squeezing around people and heading towards the swinging doors labeled "employees only". Making her way in she spotted the man she thought was in charge, "Excuse me, there was a bus boy here by the name of Miroku, where has he gone?"
Hachi looked at her, "Are you Sango?"
"Excuse me?" She was confused
"Miroku just told me about you, he left a moment ago. I think he was going back home or out to another party I don't know exactly." Hachi said
Sango looked down, he hadn't even said goodbye.
Miroku stepped outside and trudged through the snow. He looked back up to the balcony where he had seen Sango and Kuranosuke. Walking steadily he didn't see the man he bumped into.
"Hey watch it!" The man shouted as he fumbled to hold on to his large camera.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there." Miroku said
"Well you could have cost me a fortune, your lucky my film didn't pop out." The man said as he turned and moved away.
'What was that about?' Miroku thought.
He hailed a cab, took it to a bar and made a vow to get so plastered he wouldn't remember the night at all.
"Kagome just breathe, I don't know what you are saying." Sango said.
"YOU ARE ENGAGED? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" Kagome lost her composer.
"Huh? No…how do you know?" She asked
"Is that a yes or a no?" Inuyasha asked
"Well to be perfectly honest I don't know about that myself. I haven't given Kuranosuke an answer yet." She tried to explain.
"So you are still in the middle of being proposed to?" Kagome asked
"I guess."
"Is that why you have this on?" Inuyasha grabbed Sango's hand and held it for everyone to see.
Kagome's jaw dropped, "I think we have our answer here."
"No, I just haven't taken it off because that would be rude, but the minute I get home I plan to put it away." She said in defense.
"You might need help with that, it looks like one heavy piece of rock there." Inuyasha joked.
Kagome looked closer at the ring, "A three stoned engagement ring with a platinum band front encrusted with small carrot diamonds, Harry Winston." She said proud of her self and her knowledge.
Sango gulped.
"Sounds expensive." Inuyasha said
"I bet, geez you must weigh another ten pounds wearing that." Kagome laughed.
"This is not funny!" Sango hushed, "I am in a serious dilemma here. I don't know what to tell Kuranosuke."
Her two friends asked at the same time two different questions.
"You mean you're not saying no?" Inuyasha asked
"You mean you're not saying yes?" Kagome asked.
"Ugh, I don't know."
"How did you find out about this anyway, I thought that no one saw us?" Sango asked
"Miroku told me." Kagome said
"Shit." Sango hardly cussed but this was a good time.
"What does that mean?" Kagome asked
"Nothing."
Kikyo was alone, sitting at a table sipping her drink.
She wanted to run away, she regretted so much, and the new year only made her reflect further on what she had done in her life, how she had gotten herself mixed in with such a man as Naraku.
Kuranosuke sat next to her.
"You look like you have just been to a funeral." He said
"No, I am just thinking." She responded and looked over towards Kuranosuke.
"I see, well then do you mind if I take a guess at what you are thinking about?"
"Go for it Kuranosuke." Kikyo smiled halfheartedly
"You are thinking about your life, what it has become and what you have been doing with it." Kuranosuke said.
Kikyo looked at him, "Isn't that what everyone thinks about on New Years?"
"I suppose you are right, but I want to give you one little piece of advice Kikyo, don't let things go for another year if you are not happy with them. Sometimes it takes a lot to change our present direction, but in doing so we can provide for a better future." He smiled and toasted to that.
'He is talking about Naraku' Kikyo thought.
Kikyo looked at him, "Do you think that people can ever right their wrongs, make up for mistakes?"
"You never know if you don't try." Kuranosuke said as he finished his glass in a gulp.
Naraku walked up to the two. His very presence poisoned the air, and Kuranosuke only acknowledged him with a nod.
"I am out of drink." Kuranosuke didn't want to be around Naraku, he walk away and looked one more time at Kikyo, he remembered her before Naraku, she was happy, kind not much different from Kagome or Sango, but it was one night with Naraku that made her turn into a calculating cold woman. Kuranosuke was often amazed how Sango was able to put up with Naraku for so many years without losing her soul, well with out losing all of it because what Naraku had done to Sango had made her into a stronger person but also left her angry.
Life was hectic in those days, looking back on it he would have done many different things much like Kikyo he had some mistakes and regrets but hopefully with tonight and the start a of new life with Sango (so he hoped) those days would end. He was disturbed by the fact that Miroku was even here at all, but even more disturbed by the fact that he and Sango knew one another.
'I don't want her to see him anymore; he is just as bad as Naraku. I have to tell her what happened before Miroku spills out anymore lies. I wonder if he tried to touch her, if so he would regret it, regret the day he met her and what he has done to me.' Kuranosuke thought, getting more and more upset by the second.
"Congratulations Mr. Takeda, and happy new year," Mia touched his shoulder softly.
"Oh…Miss Mia, I hadn't even seen you there. I owe you a New Years hug," He turned around and wrapped the petite secretary in his arms.
She was more than delighted, she had a confession of her own to make. She was so in love with Kuranosuke. Yet, she couldn't speak up, maybe it was the strong hold that Kuranosuke had her in, though she wanted to tell him since there first business trip together she was unable to say anything at all.
He had charmed her long before they had taken a trip; he was always considerate when he would stop by the different office she worked at. He even offered to buy her lunch when she complained that she had forgotten her wallet one day. He was always polite; he stood up when a woman entered the room, pulled out chairs, opened doors. He was a perfect gentleman, and when they did go on the business trips together she felt happier than she ever had before.
"Thank you sir," She closed her eyes and sunk in the moment, his strong arms around her, her head buried in his chest, the smell of his cologne…everything.
"Why are you thanking me Miss Mia? I should thank you, with out you my business would be nothing. I wish you only but the best this year, and I look forward to our next trip, maybe we can fit in a little leisure this time." He laughed.
"I do too sir." She said as he let her go.
"For the last time call me Kuranosuke." He smiled
Under her breath she spoke, "I love you Kuranosuke".
He walked away never the wiser.
Hours Later
The clean up crew was doing their job, as the last guests left. All in limos all safely on their rides home, all accept Kuranosuke, Sango, Kagome, Inuyasha and Shippo.
It was 4:30 in the morning, Shippo slept on a table somewhere, Inuyasha was inebriated and was becoming very affectionate with Kagome who kept on whispering 'when we get home' in his ears. Sango had become incredibly drowsy, and waited for Kuranosuke to finish calling back his driver. The sleepy group set forth into the limo and sat slouching and quiet.
Sango, with Shippo in her lap, leaned on Kuranosuke's shoulder and dozed in and out of sleep. He looked down at her right hand, the ring was bright and so was the future he knew he would spend with her.
No one woke up until 2:00 in the afternoon. Everyone but Sango was sleeping off hangovers, even Shippo who at his age found out he was a light weight.
She put on her running clothes, ear muffs with a handy radio in them, and laced her shoes. She was out for a run to clear her mind. Quietly she left her apartment and moved outside to run along a few blocks.
Absent mindedly she left on the ring which had gotten snug. She set off on a good pace, the jog picked up. Then all of the sudden as she continued she spotted someone running behind her.
She didn't want to break stride so she keep her eyes forward, she then felt as though she was being watched or chased. She started to run faster. She noted that more and more people were beginning to look in her direction. She pulled her ear muff/headphones off.
"Sango! Sango! How long had you and Mr. Takeda been dating?"
"Sango! Look here, look here!"
"Hey, when is the wedding set?"
Questions were being shouted at her. She ran to the nearest building, turning and dodging she ran into and through the glass revolving doors, stumbling back she got her first real glimpse of the paparazzi that were following her.
Ten or more men with cameras were taking pictures of her, she noticed a video camera, and she was being blinded by all the flash bulbs. Covering her face with her scarf she moved into the building scooting to where the lobby was. People noticed the attention and began to look at her and point.
"Hey aren't you that girl engaged to Kuranosuke Takeda?" A teenage girl asked putting down the tabloid she had in her hand.
Sango grabbed it, she saw the front cover and was mortified.
"Wealthy, desired…taken! Cities most wanted man to marry after New Years proposal…read more inside…"
Sango looked at the pictures, her and Kuranosuke, hugging, the ring slid on her finger, her kiss on the hand
"You are the luckiest woman ever, he is so HOT!" The girl said, "can I like be invited to the wedding?"
Sango was nauseated. She was going to throw up but she was afraid that might lead the paparazzi to think she was pregnant (you never know).
There was no way out and from the looks of it the only thing keeping her from being permanently blinded were the doormen holding back the growing crowd.
"Can I borrow your phone?" She asked the girl
"Sure!" She handed it to Sango.
Sango was in the security office, Kuranosuke was on the way to save her. She sat in a chair of the hotel she had run into. Her head was sunk, this was a nightmare. She was sure no one saw them, she had to set this right and tell everyone what a lie it all was. She had taken off the ring, and hid it in a small pocket.
"Again Miss Sango we are so sorry for what happened today." A manager from the hotel said.
"If it wasn't for you and the doormen I would be dead, I am sure they would have sold my dead body pictures to the other tabloid scum suckers." She was obviously frustrated by the situation.
"Mr. Takeda is here to see you now," the Manager said.
Kuranosuke came in, he had dark sun glasses on with a nice suit jacket yet his worried expression was his most noticeable accessory.
"Was she hurt, what happened why didn't anyone help her?" He came in asking questions.
Sango felt like a kid being picked up from school. She looked down at her legs, she hadn't even noticed the cut, a slight scratch. She dabbed at the blood, all this was too intense.
"I'm fine Kuranosuke. Just a little confused at the whole situation." Sango got up.
"Oh, Sango you scared me. Why were people chasing you?"
She held up the tabloid. Kuranosuke grabbed it and looked over the entire front page, he even looked to the inside story.
He finally spoke, "I see. Can we please be alone?"
The manager left.
"Kuranosuke, tell me you are going to take care of this!"
He lifted his sunglasses, and looked Sango in the eyes.
"I will but Sango I don't know what exactly to do." He said hesitant
"What do you mean? This is slander, none of this is true."
"Well they are saying we are engaged, but that is not entirely wrong. The pictures tell a different story. We might not even have a good case against them."
"Kuranosuke, I think you are enjoying this." Sango said angrily.
Miroku woke up, alone. He was sick, and in need of water. He definitely had too much to drink last night. He remembered being turned down by almost every girl, and by the time he found one who wanted to go home with him he was too drunk to do anything.
He scratched his head, walked to the kitchen sink, turned on the faucet and put his head under it gulping as much water as possible. He wanted breakfast, but in the afternoon not many places offered pancakes. He put on a cap and some clothes that were not as wrinkled as the others, and headed to the nearest diner.
As he walked into the place he noticed one thing, everyone was reading the same tabloid. Still groggy he took one off the table next to him and looked over the cover.
"So it wasn't a nightmare after all?"
Sango and Kuranosuke took the back way out of the hotel. Sango was taken home in a limo again, yet this time she was relieved. Kuranosuke had somehow convinced her to let the press go uncorrected, at least for the time being. She was to work from home this week while Kuranosuke took care of legally and physically protecting her from the crazy press frenzy. She felt completely help less she had gone from a single, ordinary writer to an instant celebrity.
Thank you again for the reviews. PLZ continue to drop me one because it speeds me up…motivation is fun!…..Laters