Sango had spent a few days working from home, trying to make sense of the outside world and the strange days that had come to occupy her week. She had tried to leave home but to no avail, she was hounded by photographers trying to get a glimpse at the woman who tabloids claimed was Kuranosuke's fiancé. She wondered when everyone suddenly found her friend Kuranosuke's life so interesting.
She turned on the television and flipped through some channels. She was shocked by what she saw.
"More news about the desirable Kuranosuke Takeda and his fiancé. Women all around protested to fact he was engaged!" The host of a celebrity stalker show said.
"I couldn't believe it! I fell in love with him after reading his story in the magazines and then all the sudden the most eligible bachelor is in LOVE!" A woman on the street said in a clip.
"She wasn't alone! People everywhere want to know who this woman is, and just how long the relationship has gone on!" The host said
They then clipped to a shot of Sango trying to jog, a picture of her from an office party she took with Kuranosuke, and an interview with someone from her building.
"Sango is a very smart woman and it comes as no surprise that she and Mr.Takeda are romantically linked. I am sure they have been off and on!" The first floor receptionist said as she smiled for the cameras.
Sango had a sick feeling in her stomach. All of this was a lie! She hadn't even accepted Kuranosukes proposal, the tabloid just ran the pictures in false context!
She looked over to her side table and grabbed the tabloid that started it all. She looked over the cover again. It was all taken in the wrong way! Now the whole city was a buzz.
She wanted to throw her remote at the receptionist who was on TV, the woman just wanted the media attention it was obvious.
'I am having cabin fever!' She thought as she gave Kirara a rub behind the ears.
She picked up her cell and called Kuranosuke.
"Hello?" He answered
"Kuranosuke?" Sango sounded frantic
"Sango, how are you doing?" He sounded timid of her response.
"I am starting to think that the longer we don't correct the press about our relationship the worse this is all going to end up. I just saw something on TV that was a complete lie! I am stuck here and every time I want to leave the apartment I am hounded by someone trying to take pictures of me!" She confessed
"Calm down Sango my dear. Do you want me to come over?"
"I don't know; if you do that it will just add fuel to the fire don't you think? I want to go back to the office; I can't work from home anymore. I just want to disappear. Why can't we just tell them what really happened that night?" She pleaded
"Do you want me to be humiliated?" He mumbled, "I mean, just let this blow over for a few weeks. After a while no one will remember. I am coming over besides I am working on getting your privacy back and I have a gift for you, I think if you had some company it would help."
Sango sighed. "If you think that is our best option then I will try and stick it out. I will be waiting, I am sure that someone will let you in."
"Okay then, do you want anything? Other than freedom. Something to eat maybe, or a smoothie or something, huh huh huh?" He tried to lighten the mood.
"All of the above please."
"Okay then, I will see you in 30. Bye Sango, and just breathe."
"Bye".
She hung up.
A few minutes later she heard the door bell ring. She was afraid to see who it was; she had already gotten a ding dong photographer. She walked over to the door, Kirara in toe, and looked through the peep hole at the familiar face that greeted her.
"Hey Sango Takeda? It is Miroku Houshi, you know that other guy at the party."
Sango flung open the door and pulled him in. Then slammed it shut.
"Whoa!" Miroku was taken by the speed of it all.
Sango looked out the peephole to see if anyone else was out there.
She sighed in relief and looked at her visitor.
"Sango? Are you okay?" Miroku asked
Sango was happy to see someone other than Kagome and Inuyasha and Shippo. She smiled and hugged Miroku much to his surprise.
He relaxed into it and hugged her back, "Hey Sango, are you feeling okay?" he asked again.
Sango, for some reason that eluded her, felt in that embrace so much comfort she was close to tears.
"I am so mad at you, but right now I am so happy to see you." She admitted
"Well I am mad at you too. But the hug makes up for ignoring me, and not telling me you were engaged!" Miroku vented
Sango immediately let go and moved back from Miroku. "So you heard?" she asked.
"Yes, I came to congratulate you and tell you something." Miroku got serious in his tone.
"Miroku, listen it is not what you think. That night was very confusing; you can't turn it on me. I heard my fair share of things about you. But, I wanted to wait for your explanation or at least give you a chance to explain why you and Kuranosuke dislike each other. I want to know why you didn't tell me about who you really were."
"But you haven't answered my calls; I have seen you more on television this past week than in person. You never told me you worked for Takeda, let alone that you were his potential fiancé, you even denied that you were dating him. Imagine my surprise when I found out you where engage on the very night you denied your whole relationship!"
"Well imagine my surprise when you turned out to be an heir to a fortune! And not only that, but an enemy to one of my best friends! Miroku or should I say Houshi, you have no right to come in here and start pointing fingers at me for not telling you that Kuranosuke is my boss, that we are close friends!"
"Your right Sango, I should have asked that the moment we met and I should have introduced my self properly. Hello Sango, I am a filthy rich heir who decided not to live completely off my dead father's money and instead wanted to live a normal life, by the way you wouldn't happen to know another rich man by the name of Kuranosuke Takeda who I cant stand and who equally hates me for not bending over backwards to give my family business to him on a silver platter so that him and his fathers pockets can get fatter and fatter!" Miroku ranted.
"Miroku, I really don't need the sarcasm right now. That doesn't explain at all why you lied to me for so long. At least I gave you some implication that I was working for Kuranosuke."
"You have somewhat of a point there Sango. Maybe I should have told you that I was wealthy because that seems to be your type!"
"You should speak. At least I have a type! Unlike you I don't go for anything that has a pulse and two legs."
"Wow, what a pair, a gold digger and a lecher. And for your information legs are optional." Miroku said before moved closer to Sango.
"Very funny, you are such a jack ass, what kind of pair to you think we make? You don't even know me Miroku, and from this argument I can tell that you never did." Sango went for the heart on that one.
Their eyes met, the argument had stirred up emotions not only emotions left over from a week ago but ones that had been building up since their friendship had begun. Miroku took a risk as he stared into Sango's brown eyes. He gently put his hand to her face, cupping her cheek. Sango had wanted him to touch her, though she would never admit it. She closed her eyes when their skin met. He wanted to kiss her; it was a burning need that had been fueled by all he had learned about her engagement. It made him jealous, but he wouldn't admit it. They were there in a frozen moment where one move, one kiss could change everything. He moved closer, her head tilted up it was more than mutual it was desire and it was cut short when the answering machine clicked on.
"Hello? My dear Sango why haven't you answered your phone? I just wanted to know what flavor you wanted on that smoothie they ran out Cranberry Sensation so I guess I will surprise you. Anyway, I should be there in a few minutes." Kuranosukes voice turned sincere, "I am sorry to put you through all of this hell, I don't mean the smoothie, I mean everything. But my feelings are still the same I meant it when I said I loved you, I am in love with you and always have been. I know this is a strange thing to say to an answering machine, I think I am rambling now. Uhh, anyway, I want to talk about us, when I get to your apartment. Bye"
Sango was mortified. Timing, as Kagome said, was everything and that couldn't have happened at a worse time. Miroku sighed angrily as he moved away. Sango's head hung low, her bangs covered her eyes as her hair cascaded over her shoulders.
"He is coming over here?" Miroku asked
"Yes, Miroku please let me explain one thing though. It is not what you think. I am not engaged to Kuranosuke." She held up her hand to show her a ring less finger.
"But he is in love with you and they whole city thinks you are, and" He picked up Sango's issue of the tabloid and held it in front of her, "how can I believe you when I have proof here, and I saw it with my own eyes?"
"I…can't explain it all to you right now but…"
Miroku had been waiting for something more than a delay in explanation, frustrated he said left, he walked out of the apartment in a hurry.
He had not wanted to see Kuranosuke he did however want to believe Sango. As he walked down the street he flashed back to that moment they almost kissed, he was beginning to feel that Sango and He were more that friends or at least that something deeper lay inside.
Sango was very confused after what had happened just a moment ago. She leaned against the door and waited as if Miroku would come back.
She wanted him to come back, she couldn't take it anymore she was exploding with questions, and even more with a yearning to see Miroku. She got all giddy, which was a first in a long time.
A knock came at the door it was Kuranosuke.
Sango opened the door, and let him in. He handed her the smoothie, she smiled and took a few long sips from the straw. He walked around the apartment, looking around. Sango took a break from her sipping and said thank you. Kuranosuke smiled, "Least I can do."
Kuranosuke sat down on the couch, Kirara jumped into his lap, and he patted the seat next to him asking Sango to join him, she walked over and sat next to him.
"I had been meaning to ask you where you got such an adorable little cat as Kirara here." He said.
"I don't think you will like the answer Kuranosuke." Sango confessed taking another sip.
"Ah let me guess…Houshi."
She nodded.
"I had also been meaning to ask how you met such a deplorable man as Houshi." Kuranosuke said as he continued to caress Kirara.
"I don't think you will like the answer to that either." Sango tried to joke.
"I am sure that I won't." He said
"I met him on a blind date. Kagome set me up, but I think it was really some kind of bargain between Inuyasha and Miroku. They both work together at the grocery store and Miroku tells me that he covered for Inuyasha, all he wanted in return was a date with me." Sango explained.
"I see, typical Houshi. Can I ask you something else? Something personal?" He said.
"I think I know what it is, the answer is yes. He tried to touch me…actually he did touch me but I hit him a couple times." Sango laughed, looking back that night it was quite comical.
"That's my girl." Kuranosuke laughed along.
They were both quiet. They sat there for a few moments.
"I think I know your next question Sango." Kuranosuke said
"You do?" Sango played along this time.
"You want to know what happened, between Houshi and me." He said looking out the window.
"Yes I do. I have gotten a hint but not the full story." She said
"A hint? From who?"
"Miroku was here just before you came. We had an argument, it was about you."
"I see, is that why you didn't answer the phone?"
"I guess."
Kuranosuke sighed, "Houshi and I used to be good friends. He was part of the new University friends that I, Kikyo and Naraku made. We got along pretty well, we went out to bars and it never failed that he would have a new girl every night. It didn't bother me much I even asked him for advice… I was trying to get over you." He laughed a little, "Anyway, I had finally met a girl. Her name was Karina, she was an exchange student and we were dating. One night I saw them together, but that was just the start."
Sango listened she wasn't too surprised by what she heard.
"He told me that she came on to him, I believed him for the most part and our friendship was pretty much intact. It was our sophomore year and Miroku's father was killed in a fire. The cause was unknown and we all grieved for him. It was also unfortunate that his father had died because our parents were working out a joining of the two companies. The merger was left unsettled. My father and I waited a few months before we pushed the subject. Yet, we were surprised to find out that Miroku was not going to take over the family's business. It was being run by a drunk named Mushin who wanted to stop the merger all together. Of course my father was upset by this. The joining of the two companies was supposed to make the economy stronger as well as shut out any corrupt media; there were a lot of scandals in the government at that time as well as a recession. We wanted to join the Kazzana Publishing Company and Takeda Media in order to help, not only that but Kazzana Publishing was suffering and was near bankruptcy, our company was stretching out to help a friend. Yet, Mushin had thought the merger would mean the end for the company. We pleaded for Miroku to take over, and help us. He refused saying that he was unable to handle running the business alone; he would rather squander the fortune on women and alcohol. Father was betrayed, and our favors were thrown back in our face." Kuranosuke looked upset.
"I see some bad business got in the way." Sango said.
"That and I saw him and Karina together again, he had lied to me about her, and they must have had an affair while she and I were dating."
"Oh." Sango looked at Kuranosuke, he smiled.
"I tried to contact him again, put the past behind us and try the merger again. Houshi was no where to be found, and I heard from people he had wasted most of his inheritance and was living here in the city. Needless to say the merger didn't work again, Mushin started some rant about how we had set fire to the Houshi Estate and we wanted to absorb the company all together."
"At the party though you called him a billionaire, I thought you said he spent his inheritance?"
"Well recently Kazzana had been expanding their market and had started work in funding production companies. It seems to have been very profitable." Kuranosuke explained.
"I see." Sango thought about it for a moment. She knew Miroku was a bit of a liar, a lecher but somehow something didn't fit. She knew Miroku wouldn't do all that to Kuranosuke. He didn't seem to have it in him to steal Kuranosuke's girlfriend and spend money on alcohol that was a Naraku type of move.
"I know that he seems very charming, but Sango that is his façade. Like I said before he is not to be trusted, he is probably just after a night with you." Kuranosuke said.
Sango was offended by this comment; she got up and walked around the room. "I don't know Kuranosuke. He can't be as bad as you think; there must be some kind of explanation for what happened."
"Sango, that is one of your best qualities, you want to see the best of people. I just don't want to see you let your guard down, I would rather you never see him again but I know that is ultimately your choice." Kuranosuke said.
'Your right Kuranosuke that is my choice. I want to believe that I am more than just a one night stand in the works. I want to find out the truth, I know Miroku wouldn't do all that.' She thought.
Kuranosuke reached out to Sango who was leaning on the kitchen counter top. He stood in front of her and reached into his pockets.
"I said I got a gift for you and here it is."
"No more gifts Kuranosuke, I don't want you to…" She was cut short when she saw the gift. The folded papers in Kuranosuke's hands were a relief, 'thank god no more jewelry'.
"This is a solid defense against any harassment; any paparazzi who take pictures of you in a 100 foot perimeter will be sued. It is a kind of photography restraining order; the only exception is if you are paid to have your picture taken, you know if they are of your own will." He explained.
Sango was delighted! She had some part of her life back; she jumped up and hugged Kuranosuke, "Thank You!"
"No problem. I knew you would be happy. Now as your boss I can have you back in the office where you belong." He joked.
"Ah, so that is the real reason you got that thing!" Sango punched Kuranosuke in the arm.
"Am I that transparent?" He said rubbing his arm.
"Yes, yes you are. And do you know what else you are?" Sango asked
"No what?" He asked curiously raising an eyebrow
"You are a wonderful friend. Thank you Kuranosuke." She walked toward the couch and switched on the TV.
Kuranosuke stood there sighed and mumbled to himself, "Just a friend".
Kagome, Inuyasha and Shippo returned from dinner to find Sango home alone. She told them about her regained freedom and about Miroku's visit.
"So are you going to see him and explain?" Kagome asked.
"It is kind of late don't you think?" Sango asked, besides she was already in her pajamas.
"I don't know I kind of miss the lecher I need a little more testosterone in this chick fest here." Inuyasha said
"So you saw both Kuranosuke and Miroku in one day. Wow, you must be tired." Kagome said.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Sango said
"Nothing just that you are in a love triangle..." Kagome said with out hesitation
"A what? Kagome you are officially insane. Kuranosuke and I are friends and Miroku and I are friends and as far as I see it I am caught in the middle of some college feud."
"Sango YOU are officially the thickest headed woman! Kuranosuke proposed to you, he is in love with you and Miroku, well we have all seen the way you two are."
Shippo nodded, and Inuyasha yawned.
"And what does that mean?" She asked buckling in for another one of Kagome's little talks.
"It means that when you two are around one another you are oblivious to the rest of the world. You two always whisper to each other, laugh and well play some sadistic game of touch and slap." Kagome said, "It is a typical crush, it is obvious to everyone that Miroku likes you, you know..LIKES YOU." She raised her eyebrows as she said this.
"What are you two nuts talking about? Miroku does that to every girl." Inuyasha said
Shippo knocked Inuyasha in the head, "You are an oaf!"
"What did you say you little…." Inuyasha began to chase him around.
"See Kagome, Inuyasha agrees with me."
"You are going to trust the opinion of a man who beats up little kids?" Kagome pointed out
"I think that you are getting the wrong idea about Miroku and Me."
"And I think you are too comfortable being alone, you are afraid to fall in love or be in a relationship after what happened last time." Kagome turned serious, "Sango how long do you plan to be alone, you can't go on being single you deserve to be happy."
"Who said that being single means being unhappy? I can be happy without a boyfriend!" She protested
"Sure, but don't tell me you don't get lonely sometimes? I mean you must want some physical affection from the opposite sex?" She stressed the point.
"I am human you know. I just don't want to mess around with those two particular men. It is too complicated. Why can't a regular, non famous, non lecher, non wealthy man come and sweep me off my feet? I that too much to ask?" She joked
"Apparently yes and most women would love to be in your situation. You should be thankful." Kagome said
"Yes Kagome I am, thank the gods!" Sango walked to her room, a cookie shoved in her mouth.
She woke up in the middle of the night, looked at the empty pillow next to her. Sango was lonely, she did want to have some physical and emotional affection but she wasn't ready to get caught up in the mess that those two men offered. She sat up and looked at her cell phone. 'One missed call, from Miroku.' She read.
She called him, hoping he was awake. "Hello?" He asked
"Miroku, did I wake you?"
"No, I was up already." He yawned
"Oh" She sighed, "I want to talk do you want to meet me somewhere?" She asked afraid of the response.
"Sure Sango, I would like that too."
Woo another one down! Review please! Thank you for the support.
Oh, and I lost my dear internet for a while….ahhhh! That explains the delay, my classes started up again so I will try super hard to keep these chaps a comin'……