Nodding, he dragged his gaze over her, "I do believe you are, lovely Sango."
Her eyes narrowed, she was aching so bad she suggested, "You know, we can call this dinner off and…"
He shook his head, "How would that look to the class?"
Knowing he was right, she attempted to pull her mind and body back to the task. With a knowing grin, he said, "Besides, anticipation will make it better."
Being certain that with his flirtatious ways he'd never turn down such an open offer, her eyes widened as she watched him. Seeing her bafflement, he started to approach her but she warned, "Huh-uh. Remember what you wanted Miroku… anticipation." he leaned forward and asked, "Willing to wreck that now?"
He backed off but shrugged, "I didn't want to rush you, or make you mad. That's all."
Sango gathered her purse, trying to be nonchalant as she said, "Confused, yes. Angry… no."
They said little as they got into the car and she was quiet on the drive over, still aching as she remembered his kiss while trying to fight a heightening arousal at his nearness.
She finally said, "I am extremely drawn to you, but I just got out of a relationship that lasted over two years. I don't want this to a rebound thing, okay?"
Stunned that she'd admit this to him, he nodded before asking, "Serious relationship?"
After a thought-provoking moment of silence, she sighed, "I thought it was more serious than he did. I pushed and he withdrew and I didn't stop and it all fell apart. It's for the better because I can't see spending my life with him."
Realizing the extent of this phantom man's emotions, Miroku's eyes widened, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," she nodded firmly. "Quite sure."
Anxiety rolled through him but he forced himself to ask, "You didn't come onto me to make sure, did you?"
"No. I was afraid you'd think that. I just didn't expect to be so attracted to someone so different. The fact that I've barely thought of him since laying eyes on you is all the proof I need."
Swallowing hard, he nodded, "Thanks for telling me that."
"Are you anticipating again?" She smirked.
He laughed, "I never stopped."
After she'd parked at the little diner where the group met, he pulled her to him, "That's great. By the way, it's still your move."
His lips closed over hers in a teasing kiss that amplified the ache all over again. Her skin was sensitized with need by the time he released her.
Drawing in a deep breath, she growled, "Oh, you just wait. You'll pay for that."
"Is that a promise?"
She laughed as she swung out of her car but jumped when she spotted Kagome with her jaw hanging open. Having obviously seen them kiss, her friend's knowing look as she wagged a finger in the air made Miroku's eyes dart to Sango.
Her eyebrow cocked as she tried to hide her blushing smile, "Miroku, this is Kagome. Ask her anything about anyone because she lives on a shrine and knows everything about everybody in this town."
Kagome brazenly nodded, owning up to her friend's description while grinning at him, "I saw the sparks between you two the first day. Nothing passes by me."
Sango cleared her throat and asked her, "You didn't say anything…?"
Kagome laughed as her hand waved through the air, "I didn't need to. Just watch how the room goes quiet when you two enter."
Sango groaned as Miroku rolled his eyes, "You are a drama queen, Kagome."
With a careless shrug and confident smile, she said, "Fine. See for yourself."
As Kagome had stated, the room became hushed when they entered as all eyes flew to them.
"I cannot believe you guys. You're worse gossips than she is," Sango hissed. Finally sensei broke the laughter when he spoke up with a grin, "I had a feeling about you two. Why'd you think I invited him?"
Everyone's attention swung his way. He shrugged, "What? I know most of you better than your own family."
Sango sank into a chair, blushing as she ordered a drink while everyone else spoke at once. Miroku didn't deny the attraction but wouldn't give up details. Instead, sensing her distress at the attention, he worked at changing the subject. The group finally took his lead and fell into a discussion about items on the news.
Their food arrived, shifting everyone's focus to satisfying hunger. When Miroku offered her a bite off his fork, the lust was obvious in his eyes as her lips closed over it. By that point, no one paid them much attention being too busy eating. His hand settled under her napkin, rubbing her inner thigh under the table and wreaking havoc with her ability to breathe evenly.
When she tried to push his hand away, he refused to move it but offered a sly grin instead. Hiding her discomfort, she picked up her fresh beer but hesitated when his hand slid up her thigh. She shot him a wide-eyed look, seeing him shake in silent laughter. Gritting her teeth and wondering if this was his idea of anticipatory action, she quickly washed her bite of food down.
Determined to wipe that smirk off his face she leaned into him and whispered, "Ever gotten blown in a crowded parking lot?"
His jaw stopped in mid-chew as a shocked look flew over his face. Even though she tried to contain it, her laughter burst out as he playfully dug an elbow into her ribs. Directly after finishing their meal, several students said their goodbyes. When Kagome, Sensei, and the two of them were all that was left, Kagome sighed, "InuYasha's on his way home so I have to run. See you in a couple days."
After the round of goodbyes, sensei turned to Sango and Miroku, "I didn't want to discuss this with anyone but the two of you. I had a bit of bad news when I spoke to my mother today. It's cancer and it has progressed."
Sango's eyes widened. Her uncle quickly pulled his hand up to signal he wasn't finished, "I have a proposal but it comes with strings attached."
They waited as he took a moment to gather his thoughts. He finally said, "Miroku, I want you to take over my school. I'm willing to sign it over to you but on the condition that Sango becomes your partner. I know this is sudden but it's taken me years to create that school and I'm not willing to trust it to just anyone. Sango can teach if you have other contractual obligations and vice versa."
Stunned, both stared at him. He answered their questions but shrugged over many of them, offering, "I have to go by what my mother tells me which is vague. I do know I can't run this school and take care of her in Ohio."
"You don't need to answer right away. Talk it over and let me know by the end of the week. Please don't discuss this with anyone else for the time being, okay?"he pleaded.
Both nodded once again, rising to hug him as he stood to leave. Since their appetites had fled, Miroku and Sango headed back to her house. On the way, the discussion centered around the sensei's crises.
Once inside her home, Miroku pulled her into his arms which broke her ability to hold her tears at bay. He squeezed her to him, fighting his own emotional battle. Raw from the news, she shook her head when he asked where she wanted him to sleep and said, "Stay with me?I mean, just to sleep?"
He silently nodded, knowing she needed contact and comfort. They curled up in her bed, trying to focus on a movie, but the news weighed too heavy on both. She finally sat up and asked him what he thought about the offer. He positioned himself against her headboard, pulled her to him, and nodded, "I'm willing. I mean I'm new here and it will be a challenge but I'm up for it. Of course, you're practically a teacher and know how to handle classes and instruction, so that's a plus."
Sango looked up at him and shyly said, "I know this may sound horrible but…I'm kind of looking forward to it."
"So am I," he admitted, relieving a great many of her fears.
She sank into him, needing a sense of security she instinctively knew he could offer. He gladly surrendered it, cuddling her to him and taking as well as giving the tenderness and security in which she craved. They fell asleep in a tight embrace.
