Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this bit of indulgence… especially for the one who'll need approval. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

This oneshot was posted on April 27, 2009.

The Special

Sango was still tying on her apron when Shippo used his broom handle to poke the calendar that hung beside the register. "Look there; it's almost time to change out The Special, already. Hey, Miroku!" he called. "What are you planning to do for next month?"

Shippo looked expectantly at the young man, who rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I have been playing with something new. Well, it's more of a variation on a classic, I suppose… hmm…"

"A new one, huh?" Inuyasha remarked. "You'll have to get approval on it. I think Sesshoumaru will be back later this week, so you can run it by him."

Sango looked from hanyou to human to youkai and back again, frankly confused. "What's The Special?" she blurted.

Inuyasha strolled over and tapped the appropriate key on the cash register with the tip of his claw. "Right here."

"I know how to ring it up; I just don't know what it is," Sango retorted. "What makes The Special so special?"

"Miroku does," Inuyasha replied, smirking.

"Uh-huh," she returned skeptically.

Miroku placed a hand over his heart and gazed at her imploringly. "I'm not just another pretty face, Sango. I have skills."

She rolled her eyes and turned away, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'gigolo' under her breath. Shippo just grinned, but Inuyasha came to his friend's defense. "It's more like a skill, but yeah… Miroku's actually good for something around here."

"I can't believe you've never seen him do The Special!" Shippo chimed in. "Maybe he should do a demonstration?"

Sango narrowed her eyes suspiciously as three expectant faces turned her way, unsure what to make of their sudden eagerness. "It's a cup of coffee. What could he possibly do to a cup of coffee that warrants charging an extra…" She glanced up at the menu board and did a quick calculation before finishing, "…eighty-nine cents?"

"Oh, ye of little faith," Miroku chided. "Come here, and I will give you a taste of The Special… no extra charge." Pulling one of their 'here'—as opposed to 'to go'—cups from the shelves that lined the wall behind his station, he set to work steaming a fresh pitcher of milk. "Don't be shy now! Gather 'round! There's plenty for everyone!"

"Me, too?" Shippo wheedled.

"Sure, why not," Inuyasha replied, reaching for a couple more of the large, white ceramic cups. Glancing at the clock, he noted, "It won't pick up again until after fifth period, so we might as well have a little break."

"You know the class schedule?" Sango asked, somewhat surprised.

"I've worked around here for quite some time, so yeah, I know the routine." Giving his ears a playful flicker, he added, "It also helps that I can hear the bells."

"Oh… right," she mumbled.

Meanwhile, Miroku poured coffee into the wide bowl of Sango's coffee cup, stopping near the halfway point and adding a liberal squirt of chocolate syrup. "That should do it," he declared, giving it a quick stir. "Now, come here so you can watch." When she hung back reluctantly, he lifted pitcher and cup. "My hands are otherwise occupied, and I promise not to bite," he coaxed.

"I can see just fine from here."

"My dear Sango," he said with just a hint of frustration. "I took you for a braver woman."

Her chin lifted at the perceived challenge, and she held his gaze as she stepped closer. "I'll watch you, but you watch yourself," she warned.

"Yes, ma'am," Miroku acquiesced. Once he was satisfied she could see, he tilted the coffee cup and, with a magician's flourish, began to pour the foamed milk. As he moved the silver pitcher back and forth, the thin stream of froth created ripples of coffee and cream that fanned out as the cup was filled to its brim. Beaming, Miroku placed the latte on the counter in front of Sango. "This is called a rosette."

On the surface of the beverage, the pattern of light and dark made a pattern that did indeed resemble a flower. She stared in open amazement before blurting, "How did you do that?"

The guys all chuckled, and Miroku gave his pitcher a little wiggle. "It's all in the wrist," he said glibly.

"I didn't even know you could do that to coffee," Sango continued, impressed in spite of herself.

"It's called 'latte art'," Shippo quickly explained. "Pretty cool, huh?"

"Yeah, actually," she murmured. "It is."

"All the uppity-schmuck coffee shops are doing it, so of course, Founder's does, too. We're a Classy Place," Inuyasha said with added emphasis. "Sesshoumaru wouldn't have it any other way."

"The Special changes every month," Shippo continued. "Customers really like watching Miroku do his thing, so they crowd around him… kinda like you're doing, now."

Sango blinked at the kitsune, then glanced quickly up at Miroku, who smiled indulgently. "Well… I suppose that's… umm… understandable," she replied slowly. Gazing thoughtfully into her coffee cup, she finally asked, "So, what else can you do?"

Miroku's eyes took on an unsettling gleam, and his voice smoothed into richer tones. "Why, Sango," he purred. "I would love to show you just what I can… oof!"

Miroku grimaced and withdrew the hand that had been steadily creeping along the countertop towards Sango. Turning slightly, he accepted the coffee cup Inuyasha had rammed into his midsection. "A little less hands-on in your demonstration," the hanyou sternly suggested. "Why don't you show us the new pattern you're thinking about for next month?"

"Ah… yes, I could use the practice," Miroku conceded. He half-filled Inuyasha's cup with coffee and angled his milk pitcher, ready to pour. Clearing his throat gently, he caught Sango's gaze and asked, "Do you like swans?" Interest and curiosity glimmered in her dark eyes, and as she nodded and edged closer, Miroku rose to the occasion.

End Note: This oneshot began in response to the Live Journal community iyissekiwa's theme for Week 74—Ripple. Time got away from me, so I missed the drabbling deadline. Since I no longer had to worry about keeping to the 250-word limit, I threw caution to the wind. 974 words.