Sango drove them to a local coffee shop, and once they entered and found a booth, he asked, "Can I rely on you to be my assistant in class?"

After ordering, she nodded. "What can I do to help you?"

"Well, I'm new here, and a stranger to the students. You're familiar with them so I need your help getting to know them. Both fighting related and personal. What can you tell me about them?"

As Sango shared her knowledge, he studied her face. She blushed as heat jumped into his eyes, wondering what he was thinking. The ponytail she wore for practice accentuated her angular face and high cheekbones, making her dark eyes stand out. To see if he'd been listening, she asked, "What did you think of Kagome?"

"Which one is that?" he asked, smiling as the waitress delivered their drinks.

She laughed and repeated, "She walked me to my car. She's also my best friend."

"Oh, yeah. She's pretty good, but she needs to pay closer attention. It seems like she's always distracted," Miroku answered.

Nodding, Sango said, "Her fiancé travels a lot. They're crazy close. Why did Sensei choose me?"

Miroku took the time to sip his coffee. "Because you have the best focus and learn the fastest. But, he said you have a knee-jerk reaction response which you proved when I moved today."

Wincing, she admitted, "I was nervous."

"You'll be more nervous when your opponent is real versus partnered. I have a few ideas that will help, though."

"Like what?" she asked.

He studied her for a moment before saying, "I'd have to show you. I can't really explain it."

Sango narrowed her eyes. Was he flirting again? It was hard to tell, the man was smooth.

Hearing her cell chime, she excused herself and read the text.

Sango, I may be gone longer than anticipated.

Take care of Miroku for me. Make him feel welcome, he's a good guy.

Well, damn. If her sensei, who was also her uncle could vouch for Miroku then who was she to argue? Besides, she'd fantasized enough about him over the last few days. She was also tired of being considered uptight and distant, things she'd heard other women whispering when they thought she couldn't hear. Maybe it was time to do something about that?

Returning to the table, she asked, "So, where are you staying?"

When he named a hotel, she asked, "You haven't found a place yet?"

"No," he replied. "I haven't had time, I came here on short notice as a favor to your uncle."

Sango gritted her teeth, then bit the bullet. "I've got plenty of room at my house. Why don't you just stay with me?"

His eyebrows shot up, "You really don't even know me and you're…"

Refusing to be deterred, she said, "I trust sensei's judgment." She waved her cell phone. "He says you're a good guy. If he trusts you to teach his class, I trust you around me."

"I don't know what to say other than thank you." Miroku was both surprised and touched.

Sango laughed, fighting off her nervousness. "I'd enjoy the company, and I can pick your brain on better fighting technique."

They finished their coffees before she spoke again.

"Let's go pick up your car before we stop at the hotel and then you can follow me home. They're both nearby, actually within walking distance, but I don't want your car to be ticketed."

He readily agreed but insisted on paying for their drinks. When he thanked her again on the drive back to the dojo, she smiled as she plotted her next move. She dropped him off at his car, then followed him to the hotel. Finally she led the way to her small home.

When they arrived and entered, she groaned, "I forgot to ask, are you allergic to cats?"

He was about to answer, when the reason for her question made an appearance. A beautiful cream and black two tailed neko youkai strolled around the corner and leapt casually into Sango's arms. Her ruby eyes studied him meticulously, and he was very aware of her transformative properties. If he proved a threat to her mistress, this cat would end him.

"No, I'm not allergic," he said, his voice holding both nerves and excitement. "I've never seen a neko up close before."

Sango grinned. "This is Kilala. My dad gave her to me when I was six. Isn't she amazing?"

Miroku nodded. "She is, indeed."

He gave a small dip of his head to the feline. "Kilala, it is an honor to meet you."

The neko, having decided that he was harmless, preened. Then, she jumped from Sango's arms to his.

He scrambled to catch her. Wow, she's fast!

"Well, you are quite the handful," Miroku said, feeling the solid weight of her.

Kilala mewed, and they both laughed. Sango took her pet back and pointed him to the guest bedroom.

"You can put your things there," she told him. "The other bedroom on this side is my brother Kohaku's, when he comes home from college."

Miroku did not ask where she slept. He saw another hallway on the other side of the living room and surmised her space lay beyond.

"Thanks," he said, lugging his bags to the bright, airy room. "This is great."

Sango turned to the thermostat on the wall of the foyer. "It sure is hot in here."

Fiddling with it a bit, she huffed. "I think it's dead."

Miroku came out of the bedroom and took a look, then went to the main unit in the utility room.

"Here ya go, the system just needed to be reset," he said, "it probably tripped trying to keep up with this heat."

"Wow, thank you so much!" Sango smiled. "I'd have never figured that out."

As cool air poured into the house, she moaned with relief, "Miroku, you just wait! I am definitely going to repay you for this." Turning, she found him behind her. His inquiring gaze ran over her body as she blushed, realizing what she'd said.

He smirked. "So, are you going to leave me hanging or tell me about these… ways."

Her blush deepened, but she asked, "How's dinner tomorrow sound, since I can use the oven now without roasting us alive?"

"That sounds excellent. What's for dessert?" His husky tone made her eyes widen.

Sango swallowed hard, but managed a casual shrug. "What'd you have in mind?"