Author's Note: I come bearing gifts just days before my eighteenth birthday. Enjoy.
Thanks to my reviewers:
Aamalie- Thank you for reviewing for such a slore as myself. I'm a horrible authoress.
miroku-lover22- Thanks for the review!
Lily the Frog Princess- Ha, I haven't read or seen a version of Midsummer's Night's Dream but I suppose it is a lot like Romeo and Juliet. Thank you so much for reviewing!
Soli-chan- My dear, dear Soli-chan. Look what I have done. I've gone and waited forever. What has happened to us? I mean, honestly! Where have we all gone? And whatever happened to the story you mentioned in your last review. I do hope to see it sometime in the near future. Thank you the review!
Super Sheba- I felt as if the story was moving too fast but I'm glad you don't! Thank you so much!
xunrequietedlovex- Wow, thank you ever so much for your review. I'm glad I made you feel that way. I hope the suckiness of this chapter doe not uninspire you.
ninalee-chan- Hahaha…no problem. I live to please. Except that I stayed clear of this fic for well over a year so I can't really say that, now can I? Thank you for reviewing!
Neko-Yuff16- Hope you enjoy! Thanks!
Saccharine-Ish- Thanks for the review!
Hikari of Hearts- I don't think this story really has a set time period, but I guess if people want to imagine it in Shakespearean times they can. Anyway, I hope you enjoy what is yet to come. Thanks!
Demon Exterminator Barbie-Hehe, that attempt was wonderful, no matter what you think. Thanks for reviewing!
Ignorant Wisdom- Of course I'm going to finish it! In time…Thank you!
silent fairy- I don't think I have directly quoted anything from Shakespeare except for the phrase "By and by I come" from Romeo and Juliet which is really a minor phrase that could be commonly used. Otherwise, the words are my own! Thank you!
Aki-Enjeru- Sorry for keeping you waiting! Thanks for the review!
FallenAngelSurei- Thank you so much for reviewing!
Personification of Fluff- Wow. I feel important because you, PoF reviewed MY story. I mean, it's YOU! I don't even know what I meant it has been so long but thanks for pointing it out. Thank you for reviewing!
lilsanoku105-Indeed she is. Thanks!
Sango's Counterpart-Thank you for believing in me. I have come back, and hopefully I can find inspiration. Thank you so much for reviewing!
A Poet's Muse
By Kikanemi
"Miroku," Sango murmured, her breathing matching his, heavy and true. "Miroku?"
Miroku gulped quietly, "I love and loathe a monster."
He sat up then and ran to the outside, slamming the door in his wake. Sango flinched and fought to catch her breath, which she had been holding as she watched Lady Savanna loom ever closer to the face of her love. Her fingers trembled as she held them close to her chest, feeling shaken and weak.
She wanted to cry out. She wanted to run after him and hold him. The look of sheer terror on his face made her want to shelter him in the hollow of her arms. She wanted to be his ivory tower, his homecoming and the reason of his forth bringing. She could not stand to be just anything, she could only be everything.
Sango felt a light touch on her shoulder and knew instantly that it would be Kirara, shyly coming to her aid. Yet, the only relief Sango needed was that of which only her own mind could provide. She needed to reassure herself confidently that everything was right.
"Leave me…"
"Sango?" Kirara questioned but saw tears and knew to give her space, "Yes, Sango."
She bowed out of the room, hearing small whimpers escape her strong friend as she shut the wooden door behind her. Kirara left her to her chamber of sorrow and vowed to never let her heart feel such pain.
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Some time later, as the sun streaked farther into the sky, Sango was not alone in the chambers but kept her feelings wrapped safely inside. She and Kagome were cleaning the maid's quarters, not bothering with friendly banter today.
When they came to the last dirty corner of the room, Kagome threw her rag down, wiped her sleeve across her face, and stretched. "We are just about done. What shall we do with the rest of our day?"
Sango shrugged, scrubbing furiously at a spot on the floor, concentrating hard.
"Nothing, then? I suppose we could just-"
"Excuse me," both turned to find Kirara fidgeting awkwardly in the doorway. "I have a message. It is from Savanna."
Kagome stuck her tongue out. She would rather have nothing to do with the witch. Sango absentmindedly began scrubbing anew but was much less interested with her work than this new message
"She-she would like it delivered. To him. As soon as possible."
Kagome shook her head and stood, walking towards Kirara, "Him? Who is him?"
Kirara bit her lip, "Lord Miroku. She wished for you to deliver this to him personally, Sango."
Sango's cheeks burned for a moment. "Me?"
Kagome dusted her hands on her full skirt, helped Sango to her feet, and pushed her lightly towards Kirara. "Sango, stop questioning the girl, take the letter and deliver it as ordered. Lord Miroku must be waiting."
Sango nodded and retrieved the letter from Kirara before slipping it into the pocket of her apron. She had been called forth by destiny once again.
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It had been some time since Sango had last set foot in the hustle of the town center. It was much busier and cluttered than her memory recalled. Venders called out, advertising their product aggressively. Drunks were already lining the streets, singing boisterously and swaying to the song of their neighbor. Others gathered to speak of news. She felt so out of touch with reality just watching the townspeople. Sango felt like a prisoner of society, locked away from the normality she once lived and loved.
The address scrawled on the envelope was slightly familiar to Sango, as if she had once walked this same path in a dream. It felt as if her feet knew where to go, like she was being called home. Perhaps the idea wasn't so farfetched, for she felt most at home with her writer, her love, Miroku. Even though her heart felt separated from him now more than ever…he was losing faith in her and her feelings.
Sango shook her head and forged on, putting the letter away once again. She would not think of what despicable deeds were spoken of in Savanna's words to Miroku. No doubt every filthy thing she had ever learned drowned the pages of the letter. Sango shuddered and tossed the thoughts away.
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Inuyasha, meanwhile, was heading home in quite a hurry. Atop his shoulder sat a watermelon that he had purchased on the far side of town. The weight of the fruit was beginning to become a burden on his aching muscles and in return he began to rush through the streets, weaving in and out of the congested traffic.
He had promised a treat to Miroku after seeing his friend so down. He had barged in to his flat, as usual, but found Miroku lying as still as a gravestone on his bed. His friend's eyes were void of any feeling, any emotion that usually glazed over his character. It seemed his essence was lost for the moment. He could not believe that the poet who had been born only days ago had already withered. He would not have it. But more importantly, his brother would not have it.
Here Inuyasha was, bending over and aching all for the charity of his friend. He better be thanked in numerous ways. Women, wine, and pages, many pages to satisfy his devil of a brother.
Across the way a jester of some sorts caught Inuyasha's eye. Still minding his step, he began watching his act, seeing him flip to impress the crowd gathering before him. Before long, he was also sucked into the performance and unconsciously dodged the crowd. Unfortunately his instincts were clouded over and his judgement faltered. Walking as briskly as he was, Inuyasha could not avoid a woman who stepped directly into his walking path. Instead, he stopped short, watching as his cargo fell forth from his arms. Time slowed. The watermelon lurched forward and onto the awaiting head of the girl. The momentum sent her to her bottom, and the watermelon cracked, leaving her soaked.
Few laughed, those who were not taught better manners. Some just stared. Inuyasha, on the other hand, gawked. After only a moment he rushed forth, offering his hand out to her. She gratefully took it and stood, slapping away some of the goo from her appearance.
"I am sorry, truly sorry. There must be some way I could repent for such a thing." Eyeing her, Inuyasha found a hazy familiarity in the girl. She had a distinct beauty that he had seen before. She had a face that was not easily forgotten. He had a feeling such a thing would do Miroku good, she could be his treat he had promised. "Say, I live only a few streets from here. Allow me to invite you into my home to clean up, it is the least I could do."
Sango felt the heavy weight of the words from Savanna in her pocket and felt guilty for being diverted so easily. She decided, though, that seeing Miroku in such a state would not help her in her predicament.
"I suppose it would not hurt. But only for a few moments, I'm very busy and I-"
Inuyasha chuckled, "I am not asking for a commitment from you. Not even a supper. Just a haven for a short while."
"Thank you, kind sir." Sango curtseyed slightly and followed Inuyasha deeper into the town, ignoring the eyes stuck to her form.
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Halting outside of Miroku's apartment, Inuyasha gently touched Sango's arm, stopping her. "Would you be so kind and wait out here for a moment? I am not so sure my home is in a state to be seen by a guest."
Sango nodded, watching Inuyasha retreat into what she thought was his house.
Once inside, Inuyasha ran to the bed, nudging Miroku roughly. "Up, my boy, up!" he rubbed his hands together, looking greedy all the while, "Do I have something to save your soul!"
Miroku grumbled. He did not want to put forth the effort of even seeing what Inuyasha could be babbling about.
"It is a woman, her name is…" Inuyasha thought a moment. She had introduced herself once as a maid and she had given her name unwillingly, but it seemed his memory had left him. "Ah yes, Senga."
Miroku's eyes widened and he sat up quickly, "Sango?"
Inuyasha smacked his head quickly, "Oh right, it was Sango, how could I have forgotten so easily? Wait a moment! How do you know her?"
Miroku pulled his hands through his hair roughly, noting that his appearance must be poorer than that of a beggar dog hunting the streets. Rushing about he began to straighten papers on his desk, rubble on the floor, and the sheets of his bedding.
"I am guessing this may be an important meeting."
Miroku thought for a moment. He shouldn't care so. But Sango, the women who reminded him of his ladylove was here, perhaps with news that would make or break his heart. Perchance she was here for another unknown reason. Either way, Miroku would not deny her entry and he would allow himself to discover how he felt no matter how complicated it may be. For he, Miroku, had discovered something earlier in the day as Savanna leaned over him. Sango, the beautiful maid whose bottom was that of a goddess, was his escape. She was his savior and knight. She could deny it all she like but her presence had spared him from disgrace that afternoon.
"Inuyasha, allow her to come in. Please."
Breathing slowly, he let himself slowly calm down. He would not be flustered in front of her.
Inuyasha pushed her through the door, waved his farewell, and left bounding away. Miroku took one look and stayed silent. Seconds later he started to chuckle, and soon he was doubled over laughing. Sango's face turned the color of a rose. She had not expected to see him and cursed Inuyasha for fooling her this way.
"I suppose this is funny to you." Sango stated, trying not to tremble from embarrassment.
Miroku could only nod through his laughter, tears falling freely down his cheeks. "Quite."
Sango began feeling defensive and crossed her arms, pouting slightly. He had done enough damage to her pride, the least he could do was quiet down and let her suffer in peace.
Whipping away some tears Miroku stepped forward, tenderly taking hold of Sango's wrist before leading her to a chair. After fetching some cloth and a stool, Miroku positioned himself in front of her and assigned himself to the task of having Sango clean.
Sango's heart had stopped the moment he touched her.
"I suppose it was unfair of me to laugh. I apologize." Miroku concentrated hard on her face, watching the trail his cloth provided over her skin. Sango gulped and averted her eyes elsewhere. The room fell silent and all movement ceased. His hands fell away from her.
"Sango, I would like to thank you."
Sango felt her stomach fall for she had wanted him to continue in contact with her. "For what, may I ask?"
"For this afternoon. You…saved me. My feelings have changed."
Sango wasn't sure whether or not she should be happy but the way his eyes ravaged her silhouette she believed it could only be good from henceforth.
"Without you I could not have realized that Savanna and I were wrong. We would not have worked. One minute she is scalding and the next she is ice. I cannot win with her."
Sango's mind raced. Where was this conversation going? Leaning forward, Miroku affectionately wiped aside some stray hair from Sango's face and his hand stopped there, tracing the contour of her cheek. Her breath hitched. Could this be?
"I cannot win with anyone. But I see myself liking you. We have a future ahead, I see it as clear as a spring's day."
Sango's hope soared. His hand dropped and he took one of hers into his own. Then, he did the most unlikely thing. He began to shake it, wholeheartedly. Gasping, Sango looked him straight in his midnight eyes. He smiled.
"Friends…?"