Inuyasha was waiting at Sango and Kagome's place with Shippo. They had finished fighting and Inuyasha was tired of babysitting duty. He was zoning off into space when he felt a slight vibration in his left pocket. He was tempted to ignore the buzz but he figured he had nothing better to do she checked who it was, 'Miroku? What does he want with me?'
He answered, "What is it Houshi?"
"I thought I told you not to call me that." He sounded pissed
"Feh. What do you want, I don't know where Sango is." He answered any questions before they came up
"I wasn't calling for Sango, I wanted to ask you a question. Actually, I wanted some advice. Do you want to meet somewhere…let's say the gym." Miroku needed some male companionship after spending the whole day with his stalker and especially after his lunch run in with Takeda.
"I have nothing better to do, but we have to find someone to look after Shippo." Inuyasha made special frustration noises at the end of that sentence.
"Yeah. Um, well I am sure Sango or Kagome can take care of him, whoever comes home first."
As Miroku finished this sentence, Kagome walked into the room followed by Sango and Kuranosuke.
"A lot of people just got here Miroku. I am on my way." Inuyasha hung up, grabbed his gym bag, a coat, and kissed Kagome on the cheek on the way out.
"Where was he going?" Sango asked, "He was in a rush."
"Tell me about it." Kuranosuke and Kagome said in unison.
……………………………………..
"So what did you want to see me for, it better not be for a free training session!" Inuyasha huffed
"No, I don't need training tips from YOU Inuyasha" Miroku flexed and showed off his muscles.
"Get over it Miroku, I was that big when I was in junior high, that is nothing to be proud about." Inuyasha huffed
"Listen I didn't come here to make you feel bad about your muscles or lack there of. I came to talk about something else…you can't tell anyone though. Not even Kagome."
"Let me guess it has something to do with Sango?" Inuyasha picked up a dumbbell and began some reps.
"Do you remember that night me and her went to my friend's birthday party?"
Inuyasha had a blank expression
"It was about a week ago Inuyasha." Miroku tried to jog some memories.
"Sure, keep going I'll remember later."
Miroku sweat dropped he had nothing to worry about, Inuyasha wouldn't remember the conversation even if he wanted to.
"Anyway, it was Sango and I and a few of my friends, and…"
Inuyasha interrupted, "I don't need the whole details of the night just tell me what you had to tell me."
"Will you let me finish!" Miroku hit Inuyasha on the head.
"What the hell was that for?" Inuyasha rubbed the back of his head
……………………………………………….
"How have you been Kuranosuke? Busy I bet. Tell me everything you have been up to." Kagome settled in with a cup of hot tea
"Well I have been taking care of some potential mergers and other things like that. The real running of the magazine belongs to my assistant Mia. She is an amazing woman, well not as amazing as Sango but pretty close." Kuranosuke gushed over his secretary
"Oh." Kagome said
"Well Sango said you had you had something important to tell me, or actually Inuyasha and me."
"Yes, I have been planning to take a few days off and I was wondering if you and Inuyasha would like to join me." Kuranosuke smiled
"Just you? What about Sango?" Kagome had a blonde moment
"I am coming too Kagome." Sango chimed in
"Oh! Wow how nice! Sure, we would love to go! Wait where are we going?" Kagome asked
"To visit the boys, Sota and Kohaku." Sango's smile widened when she thought about her and her brother together again.
"What! Really!" Kagome was obviously happy too.
"Yeah we leave next week! We get to stay in a resort." Sango added
"Me and Sango planned it out today at work." Kuranosuke added
"You can come right?" Sango double-checked
"Of course, this just made my day!" Kagome smiled and thought about how Inuyasha would take it.
"I'll go call the boys." Kagome got up from her couch in a hurry
Sango and Kuranosuke looked at her leave and when Kagome was out of sight Kuranosuke turned took the opportunity for alone time.
He moved in closer to Sango, "I want you to close your eyes." He smiled
"Why?" Sango was part scared, part excited and part charmed by his smile. She began to think about Kuranosuke and her. He was an attractive man. His smile was infectious and though his cheesy jokes could clear a room, it was un-doubtly his ability to make everyone feel comfortable that made them stay. She looked at his brown eyes and dark hair, she almost found herself comparing him and Miroku, but before she could get very far Kuranosuke added, "I want to give you something."
"What is it Kuranosuke? Could it be the thing you forgot to give me during lunch?" She smiled back. For the first time she felt actual chemistry between them. There was an atmosphere in that moment, they were close, it was cold outside, and they were alone for the most part. Kuranosuke would fit the archetypal good guy image, he was compassionate, sweet, attractive, and rich. He was the prince charming of the century next to Royalty. For the first time Sango could understand how he was the most wanted Bachelor, and he was sitting close to her asking her to close her eyes.
She did as she was told and waited for a noise of some sort. She wanted to figure out what he was giving her. She was sure it was something special. She heard a crunching noise, like paper.
Kuranosuke took her hand, he unclenched her fist and opened her hand up. She could feel something being slipped between her fingers "Kuranosuke what is it?"
"Okay Sango open your eyes" she could tell he was smiling by the tone of his voice.
Sango opened one eye in a wink and then opened the other. She started at the photo in her hand. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at a picture of four youthful people standing together. Two of the women were pregnant and their husbands stood tall and proud. Sango immediately knew who these people were. One of the women was her mother, she had long hair, and side swept bangs. She wore a white dress and it was obvious she was pregnant. The other was Kuranosuke's mother. Sango's eyes moved to her father, he looked so young and happy, as did Takeda Sr.
"Where did you get this?" Sango asked
"It was in my father's office. Since he passed, I have been going through some of his files and I found this photo among some papers. Our mothers were pregnant with us, isn't that crazy!" The both looked at the photograph. Long before Sango's father worked for the Takeda family, he was an officer. Sango's mother and Takeda's mother had been long time friends and were thrilled when their husbands hit it off.
"Kuranosuke can I keep this?" Sango made sure before making any assumptions
"Of course you can. I am sure I will come across some more photos."
"Thank you so much Kuranosuke, this means more to me than you know." Sango smiled sincerely reached over to hug Kuranosuke. He pulled her in close, they both wrapped their arms around each other with firm embrace. Sango pulled back and kissed Kuranosuke on the cheek, much to his delight.
"Am I interrupting?" Kagome's giddy voice broke in
……………………………………………….
Suggestively Raised Eyebrows
"So your telling me you and Sango ???" Inuyasha suggestively raised his eyebrows
"NO! Not at all, we just kissed a little…she kissed me and I…"
"Miroku it's hard for me to believe that you didn't . I mean it's YOU and she was drunk and if you did and she didn't remember doing it then I have to beat you up now."
"Don't get all protective, I SWEAR WE DIDN'T ! I did not and will not take advantage of her." As an afterthought Miroku added, "Unless she wanted to , then who am I to object."
"So then what is the problem. If she doesn't remember then there is nothing to worry about."
"But she came on to me, doesn't that mean something? Doesn't that mean she likes me?"
"You know when people get drunk they sort of become there true selves, so maybe she is a lecher like you. There is nothing else to it."
"But I want to tell her about it, I think if she knows what happened then…." Miroku didn't complete his thought
"Then what?" Inuyasha asked
"I don't know. I just think she should know about that night, and about how I didn't take advantage of her. Then maybe she would trust me."
"I guess. Just don't make trouble unless it's important. I don't like when one of the girls is all moody…makes my life worse." Inuyasha wiped his brow and motioned for Miroku to spot him on some weights.
………………………………
Miroku decided to tell Sango over some dinner. He invited her to join him as soon as she got off work.
Sango was going to tell Miroku about her trip with Kuranosuke she had been putting it off due to their dislike of each other, she didn't want to stress about it. Unfortunately, she couldn't put it off any longer since the trip was tomorrow.
They met for noodles. Sango arrived first and put in their orders. She was pretty sure about what Miroku would want. She also put in an order of Jasmine tea. Sitting by the window, she looked out and waited for him to come by. Miroku had been running late because he ran into his stalker on the way there. She had the worst timing and he was starting to grow tired of getting to know her.
She had stopped him on the street and wouldn't let the conversation end.
"Where are you going?" She asked
"To meet my friend Inuyasha for dinner," He was afraid of what she would think if she knew it was Sango he was meeting.
"Oh, well I'm not doing anything, do you mind if I join? I would like to meet some of your other friends."
"Normally I wouldn't mind but he was feeling kind of upset about some stuff and I don't think he is in the mood for company." He still was the best liar in the city, though he wasn't sure if he should be to proud of that.
"I could at least walk with you." She threw out another suggestion
"It's okay, I wouldn't want to impose besides it's a long way and I don't want you to walk back in the dark, some other time I promise."
"Yeah, sure." She looked down and remembered her deal with Naraku. Regardless of what Miroku said, she was going to make sure of where he was going.
Miroku walked away and waved goodbye over his shoulder. He turned the corner to in the opposite direction to the restaurant and doubled back, just to make sure she was gone.
…..
Sango had almost gone through a whole kettle of tea before Miroku walked in. Need less to say she was annoyed at his tardiness.
"I am so sorry Sango." Miroku took the seat across from her.
"Don't worry Miroku, by the way… I ordered for you hope you don't mind cold noodles."
"Ugh, are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine. Well I better go I have to pack." She was ready to just come out and tell Miroku.
"Pack?" Miroku asked as he poured himself some tea
"Yeah, I am going on vacation"
"Really? Where are you going?"
"To visit my brother."
"Just you?"
Here was the clincher, "With Kuranosuke."
"Kuranosuke? Really, a pre honeymoon?" Miroku joked
Sango shot a death glare
"I see you are not in the joking mood."
"I just don't like waiting when I have other things to do."
"So it is just you and Kuranosuke?"
"And Kagome and Inuyasha."
"Let me guess, he is paying for it?" Miroku was sorry but he felt that Sango's moodiness was a bit over the top.
"No, we are all putting in our money for this trip. Not that it's your business."
"No Sango it's not."
There was an awkward silence. Sango got up and began to get her things together.
"Sango don't leave. I need to talk to you."
She looked him in the eye and settled back into her seat. She couldn't resist his charms, he smiled at her in his certain way, the way she couldn't help but say yes to.
"So what do you want to talk to me about?" She sat down and watched Miroku pick at his plate.
"Do you remember that night when you went out with me? We went to my friend's birthday party…" He started but quickly stopped talking, Miroku couldn't believe his eyes. She had found him. His stalker was down the street and headed in his direction…he wasn't sure if she had really seen him but he wasn't going to take a chance
"Yeah Miroku I remember why?" Sango noticed Miroku's posture change, he seemed stressed all of the sudden. "Are you okay?"
Miroku quickly got up grabbed Sango's hand and rushed out the back exit of the restaurant.
"Have you lost your MIND!" Sango shouted as Miroku looked around the side of the restaurant all the while holding Sango's hand tightly.
"SHH!"
She raised a brow
"What are you doing?" Sango whispered
Miroku looked over at Sango and noticed how fiercely she was blushing. She waited for an answer.
"She found me!" Miroku said in a hushed exclamation.
"Who?" Sango prepared, it was probably an angry woman come to slap Miroku.
"This woman, she is totally obsessed with me." Miroku look around the corner
"Really. What do you do to her?" Sango would have put her hands on her hips at this point but Miroku was still holding her hand.
"Nothing." Nothing I want to tell you about. Miroku finished that thought in his head.
"Women don't just get angry for nothing." Sango noted
"This one does."
Miroku let go of Sango's hand and peeked into the restaurant through the window, making sure not to stick out too much.
"Is she gone?" Sango was even more annoyed than ever, it was cold outside and she still had to pack.
"Yeah, but we better stay back here for a while." Miroku wanted to make sure the coast was clear.
"Okay. Can you at least tell me what you wanted to tell me."
Miroku sat down on the cement and leaned against the building, he motioned for Sango to join him. As she sat down, he was tempted to leave his hand on the floor, just for a quick touch. He then remembered that he wanted Sango to trust him and that would mean no more groping…at least for now.
"So where were we?" Sango asked
"Oh, the party. Well, you got really drunk that night, I mean REALLY drunk and…"
"I wasn't that drunk Miroku." Sango protested
"Oh, yeah you were! You passed out on my couch."
"Yes, and I remember that you took care of me."
"Right, well before you passed out you did some stuff that…that made me think…"
"What did I do?" Sango raised an eyebrow, "Did I break something? If I did I am so sorry, I'll replace it." Sango seemed so sincere Miroku laughed a little.
"No, you… you came on to me."
Sango began too laugh hysterically.
"What!"
"Why are you laughing? Is it that hard to believe?" Miroku's pride had taken another hit.
"Well, I mean I was drunk and usually when people get drunk they get a little promiscuous, I am more embarrassed than anything." Sango's laughter subsided and she began to blush at the thought of it. "What did I do? Kagome would always make fun of me when I would get drunk and flirt. I am a terrible flirt."
"No, you were a good flirt." Miroku said, "And you know I can be flirtatious from time to time."
"That is an understatement." Sango huffed
"Whatever, what I mean to say is that…."
Sango's phone began to ring. She checked who it was.
Kuranosuke couldn't believe his luck. The day before his trip there was a major falling out emergency with all the mergers he was trying to make.
Mia walked into his office in a flush and told him the situation. Kuranosuke tried to get her to solve it on her own, but alas, this was a job for the actual CEO of the company. It would take at least a week worth of meetings to get it on the right track again, time that was supposed to be made with Sango. He had planned so many romantic things for them to do, massage and spa, candlelit dinner by the ocean, plays to see and not to mention a room to share. He had arranged all of it and now he would have to cancel.
"I am so sorry Mr. Takeda, I feel like this is all my fault." Mia sighed
"Don't say that, it is no ones fault. We just have to really work on setting some meetings and fixing this. I just regret that I won't be able to go on my trip with Sango."
Mia winced at that.
Kuranosuke walked toward her and placed his hands on her shoulder, "Don't feel bad, you and I are a good team and we can make this work."
Mia wanted to pause that moment and remember it forever, it was not only the compliment it was his touch that made it all worthwhile.
"Right sir."
"Just let me call my fiancé and tell her." Kuranosuke couldn't help but refer to Sango that way, even though she had still not said yes.
Sango answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sango, I have some terrible news." Kuranosuke began
"What's wrong, is every one okay?"
"Yeah, but there is some urgent business I have to take care of, it seems like the mergers are no where close to being finished."
"Oh. So I guess we won't be going on our trip?" Sango thought about how she would tell Kohaku, he was really looking forward to seeing everyone.
"I wont be going, but you can Kagome and Inuyasha are more than welcome to go without me. You can bring another friend in my place if you want, I don't mind." Kuranosuke said.
" Are you sure, I was really looking forward to all of us going." Sango said, Miroku winced at this part.
"I know, I will make it up to you I promise. Have fun without me, and call me when you get there….Sango"
"Yes"
"I love you." He had to say it, if he couldn't whisper it softy in her ear over a candlelit dinner that he would at least say it on the phone.
"Oh Kuranosuke." Sango didn't know what to say.
"Bye."
"Bye."
Miroku waited for her to get off the phone. It was his lucky day, seemed Kuranosuke wouldn't be going on that trip after all.
"So" He said.
"He can't go." Sango said
"Oh. Are you sad." It was a dumb question
Sango looked at Miroku, "What do you think?"
"I tell you what, I will go in his place. That way you are not the third wheel with Kagome and Inuyasha." Miroku suggested.
"Oh no, I don't think that would be right. Its bad enough that Kuranosuke and you cant stand each other and I still talk to you both. I don't think he would like that I brought you along on a trip."
"I will pay my own way, just think of it as a coincidence." Miroku smiled
'Oh no', Sango thought, it was that smile, the one she couldn't help but say yes to.
"Fine."
"Great well it looks like I have some packing to do." Mirkou got up and dusted off his pants.
"Didn't you want to finish what you had to tell me?" Sango remembered
"I'll tell you later." Miroku said. 'I get the feeling I will have plenty of chances to tell you.'
------------------------------------------------------------Done
Kay another chapter down now it's time to let me know what you think…or if you are still reading.
3-Nina