Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this bit of dialogue… especially for the interested party. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

A Debt of Gratitude: With thanks to mine beta, Fenikkusuken, who never complains when I flood her inbox.

This oneshot was posted on June 15, 2009.

The Same Boat

"Say, Inuyasha… why does Miroku work here?" Sango asked casually.

The hanyou answered with equal nonchalance. "Why do you think he works here?"

She considered for a moment, then admitted, "I thought he worked here because he didn't have any other options."

"No… that's why I work here." Sango opened and closed her mouth several times, certain she'd offended her boss, but he peeked at her out of the corner of his eye and smirked. "Oi… I like my job. You're too serious sometimes, Sango."

"Well, some people aren't serious enough," she huffed. "I suppose that means the real reason he works here is because he can flirt with women."

Inuyasha snorted. "I'm pretty sure he could do that anywhere there are women—no coffee required. Why don't you ask Miroku why he works here?"

"He'd take it the wrong way and think I'm interested."

"You sound interested to me," Inuyasha teased. She wrinkled her nose, and he turned the question back around. "Why do you work here, Sango?"

"Huh?"

"Why'd you take the job when I offered it?"

"Well… I needed the money."

"And this can't be Miroku's reason because…?"

Her shrug was more of a fidget. "I did ask him why, and he just said, 'Why not?'"

"Sounds like him," Inuyasha grinned. "You know, you pretty much took this job on a whim; maybe he did, too?"

"It wasn't a whim for me; I knew I'd need a job—something close to campus with flexible hours," she said defensively. "I just hadn't found an opening yet."

"You getting by okay?" he asked solicitously.

"I manage," she said, waving off his concern. "You give me plenty of hours, which helps tremendously since, in a way, I'm working for two."

The hanyou's ears snapped to attention and he gave her midsection a sharp look. "Not a chance," he declared flatly.

Noticing his scrutiny, Sango propped her hand on her hip and arched a brow. "Don't be ridiculous; I'm talking about my little brother."

"You're supporting a kid brother?"

"Yes," she replied stiffly.

"I thought you lived in the dorms," he gently pried.

"I do," Sango confirmed. "He's staying with relatives at the moment."

"Not your folks?" the hanyou asked, mildly surprised.

She looked away. "They're… not around anymore."

Inuyasha sighed, and his tone softened. "You too, huh? What is it with my brother and orphans?" She met his gaze with startled eyes and found sympathy and understanding there; her look of wary interest kept him talking. "It's kind of a joke around here; Sesshoumaru attracts them. I lost my parents back when I was little; Miroku's an orphan, too… not that he's lacking family. Shippo's been on his own since he was a twerp. It's something we all have in common; I had no idea you were in the same boat. How long ago?"

"Last fall," she said in a tight voice.

"Well… damn. No wonder…" he muttered with a frown. "Sango, if you need anything—anything at all—you speak up."

Her grateful smile wobbled a little, and Inuyasha's widening eyes and drooping ears telegraphed his dismay so clearly that Sango giggled instead. "Don't worry; I'm not the weepy sort… and thanks."

"Keh." They worked side by side for a few minutes, until something occurred to Inuyasha and he stopped, propping an elbow on the counter. "Say, Sango, I know you think dialogue is a dangerous thing, but don't you worry. This little chat hasn't given me the wrong idea about you, and I hope you haven't gotten the wrong idea about me."

Sango folded her arms and tartly protested, "This is totally different, and you know it!"

"In what way?" Inuyasha countered. "You're curious about him, but you refuse to talk to him. He's been giving you space, yet you're avoiding him like the plague."

"He's been a little less invasive than usual," she allowed.

"I've never seen the guy not touch a woman more than he doesn't touch you."

"I'd prefer to keep it that way."

"I don't blame you," Inuyasha sighed. "But he's making an effort to be friendly."

"And you want me to reciprocate?"

"Yeah… I guess I do."

"Why?"

He tugged at an ear and scowled thoughtfully for a several moments, but he finally answered, "Even people as independent as you need people they can depend on. And… since we are all in the same boat… it'd be nice if you two would stop rocking it."

End Note: I didn't write this for any contests; it just needed to be. 742 words.