Disclaimer; I do not claim, or own Inuyasha or any of the characters. But give it time and I will. ) Haha, I wish.
A/N; For the most part, I am extremely happy you all enjoyed the first chapter. Despite the fact that Miroku's character is totally different than in the anime/manga. I just thought it would be a good change, or at least a unique character. We shall see how it continues on.
Oh! And thank you for those who reviewed. I didn't think I'd get any, even with my begs. xD
Rating; T for Teens.
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x; What Challenges Await us;
Soft; Luscious; Beautiful. Miroku's eyes gazed up and down the body of the beautiful, alluring woman in front of him. With the sway of her hips so womanly, so wholly feminine, it's driving him to a place of pure temptation. His eyes won't fix themselves off her alluring figure. The way she walks, so gentle, it's almost inviting. She looks so fragile. But, Miroku knows that's the last thing she is. For a delicate woman, she sure packs a hard punch.
It makes him wonder, how can some fragile, small woman end up saving his life? Or even have this rebellious streak that she has. In this world, women have a place in life. And that place is under the arm of a man. They do as men request; they give their heart, their soul, and themselves over to the man for him to take charge. They are followers. Nothing more. No woman has the right to have a say in anything, unless she has a generous husband who is completely devoted to his wife. But when does such a case ever happen?
As the two travelers exit the forest, Miroku's eyes look around at the tiny homes that rest on the edge of the forest. Small, little cottages. Looking back towards her and then back at the small homes, Miroku frowns in disgust. Such an alluring, rebellious woman lives in such homes like these?
Miroku is not what anyone would call poor. He has money. Lots of it. And really, he is well known everywhere he goes. He has many acquaintances all around. But none he would expect to be . . . here. His home is a large one. He is rarely ever at home, but when he is, he has the comfort of his over-sized castle and servants to tend to his every needs. Even though he may be in complete control and sometimes a hard man to deal with, his servants love him. They are all completely loyal and devoted to the monk.
But here, in this place . . . to what Miroku is used to, this place is small and seems like a place where poor, revolting people would live. Looking around at all the men working hard for the farm work and all the woman working hard by hanging up clothes and boiling water outside, Miroku can see why this woman has her opinion that she can be rebellious and not listen to a word he says. It seems where she comes from that both men and women have an equal amount of work needed to be done.
Men and woman with equal rights . . . pathetic. Miroku mentally thought to himself before returning his attention to the woman who now stopped walking and turned to him with an annoyed glance.
"Is something wrong?" Her arms folded lightly across her chest and Miroku looked down at her with the same calm expression as if her snapping words didn't affect him in the least bit; which they didn't.
Miroku groaned silently to himself realizing she saw the disgusted look he was giving her home. But how can she be surprised? This place . . . it is unfitting.
"No. But I see why you dare to disrespect me now." He answered casually, continuing to look around at all the hard working cottagers. The thing that surprised him most was that they seem to be happy. They don't seem to have any sort of problem with all this hard work or knowing that men and women do the same work. Shouldn't they feel somewhat inferior to that?
"Why I dare to disrespect you? Who do you think you are spitting out such nonsense to me?" Her brows snapped together, enraged. But even with her look of displeasure, Miroku couldn't help but continue to notice the sexy, fragile and tender woman behind this disrespectful, rebellious chit. He knew she was there. Somewhere in there was a true woman who, deep down, knows her place in life, and she will one day sought out that destiny and do what she was meant to do and appease him for one night.
Just one night, please. He pleaded in his mind. But he quickly shook the thought aside and turned his attention back towards her comment. "Who am I? That, little lady, is what you do not know about me. I am a powerful man. People of all sorts know me and respect me. People of all sorts also listen to me and would not dare to defy my wishes. That is who I am. Learn that because sooner or later I will not tolerate such disrespectful behavior. You may have saved my life and I may be grateful, but know this, that does not make you legible to do as you wish. You are merely a woman. Learn your place in life."
"My God! How dare you! I do know my place in life, monk. I think you are merely confused because women can do as much as a man can do. We do not need to be ordered around. And I will not take your bossiness. You will not treat me like one of your mistresses or anyone who is under your control. I will be treated with the respect I deserve."
"You will be treated as women were meant to be treated." He replied back, taking a simple step foreword that was meant to be threatening; warning her that he has the last say in everything. But Sango didn't care. He will not treat her with such manners. He will treat her how she expects to be treated and until then she will treat him with what he deserves.
"Women were meant to be treated with equal respect. Learn that, monk. You are nothing of importance to me. You may have a noble and powerful title, but I do not care. To me you are nothing more than a cottager. Not even that! Do you understand what I am saying? To me, your title is as important as women being inferior."
Male Amusement. Instead of seeing the anger she was expecting, she saw amusement. The corner of his mouth lifted forming a smirk. Once again her words just amused him like she is some entertainment.
"Go to hell!" She snapped towards him and turned around, walking away from him. "I've changed my mind. I don't want a reward. I never wanted one anyways. So go back to your fancy home and I will go to my simple one. Hopefully you and I never meet again."
Miroku watched as she walked away from him, but this time he didn't bother to stop her. What good would it do? She would be more rebellious than ever and fight him at everything. And instead of being angry at her disrespectful comment, he was amused by it. No one has ever dared to defend their selves against him like that. No one. He is superior to most people. Rich, powerful, dangerously attractive. Not even some of the strongest of men would say anything to him. Because they know of the consequences. If anything, Miroku absolutely hates being defied. So, if anyone else would have dared say that to him, he knows that he would have made them pay somehow. Whether it was from suffering in a dungeon for the rest of their worthless life or from becoming one of his new servants. Who knows?
But this woman . . . she has nerve. And a lot of it. Deep down, she knows of some of the consequences that could have occurred. But she didn't care. She has strong opinions and she was going to defend them, at the cost of anything. And even though she dared to defy him, Miroku finds the challenge she is giving him amusing and almost welcoming.
Now that she has intrigued him as much as she has, Miroku knows he can't let he go. No way no how. She is the first woman he was willing to give anything just to have her sleep with him for one night. Something about her just makes his whole body tense when he sees her. But what is it about her? Maybe her hypnotic eyes, or the way she sways her hips so seductively when she walks, as if inviting him to come to her. He doesn't know. But he does intend to find out.
He may not know what love really is. He doesn't even know why such a word exists. Love? Please! Love is just a game. A useless ploy. In this world, there is no such thing as love. Who is there to love? Maybe the feminine body. But that is not actually love. That is more like lust. Craving for the female beauty. Men are too powerful to fall in love. All that matters is their title. Why such a word even exists, Miroku will never know.
But, one thing is certain: he lusts for this woman. She has attracted him to her like no other woman has. And he has been around quite a bit to know. And because of that, Miroku has no choice but to go with his body's need, and take that woman for one night. She won't be willing. And he can't fully "make her" just fall into his arms for the night and then toss her aside. She would not accept that. From what he's known of her, he has this odd feeling if he did that she would somehow, some way haunt him for the rest of his life.
The thought of that made him slightly laugh. A small, amusing laugh. It is settled then. She will comply with him one way or another. Miroku will make sure of that. She has not seen the last of him. Not just yet.
"Excuse me, sir?" A small voice was heard behind Miroku and smoothly he turned around to see who would address as such. But, what he saw he did not expect. A little boy. He could not exactly pinpoint his age, but that did not matter anyways.
"Yes?" Miroku stared down at the boy with a cold gaze. It was not meant to be insulting wise, it's just that Miroku always has a harsh look to him and it's something that cannot be helped. The boy didn't even seem to notice the harsh gaze. Seems to happen around here a lot. Miroku grumbled to himself.
"Where did my sister go? I saw her with you not to long ago and I needed to speak with her."
"Your sister?" Miroku repeated. This news made his harsh features soften up before looking down at the boy with a devious smile. "That woman I was with, you are sure she is your sister?"
The boy stood in place, confused at the odd question. "Yes, I do know who my sister is."
"Hm," Miroku slightly narrowed his eyes. It seems that woman is not the only one with a rude personality. Not only her, but this young boy dares to use rude sarcasm when talking to him. We know who you get that from, young boy. He shakes his head of his thoughts.
"I do not know where she went. But, I think you can help me with something."
"Help you?" Miroku saw the boy's eyes darken. Not from anger or some mixed emotions. He was curious. A look of curiosity was shown and Miroku knew that he could easily win this boy over into helping him out.
"Your sister, what is her name? I had a talk with her but I rudely forgot to ask."
"Oh, Sango. She may not have given it if you asked anyways." The boy laughed out loud, placing his hand behind his neck.
"Sango.." Miroku repeated her name out loud. Her name was a beautiful one. It fit her well.
"Does she have any other family members here—" Miroku trailed off. It seems lately when he talks to people he has been forgetting to ask for names.
But the boy got the hint, thank God. "You can call me Kohaku. And yes, we live with our father."
"Would you mind taking me to him?"
"Sure. Follow me." Kohaku slightly nodded and brushed past Miroku, leading him past small cottages. Miroku's eyes wondered around the area and still he was disgusted that such beauty was stuck living here in this small, unfit living environment. And hopefully in just a short while he will have that fixed.
She intrigues him like no other. She came to him when she was needed. And even though she has a defiant and rebellious streak, Miroku is allured to her. She is far more interesting than the dull, noble women he has taken to bed. She may be different than they are and may not fit in with the noble women, but this woman he finds compelling—Sango—he will have her. And this will be claimed as her "reward."
Her beauty will not be wasted. He has never loved anyone and even now, he does not love her. But he does lust for her and that's all that matters. He does not expect her love in return. But, he does want her to surrender herself to him like all the other women do so easily. But unlike them, she is a challenge and will continue to be one.
Maybe that is why he is attracted to her. Miroku loves a challenge. And this challenge she dares to give him will be somewhat fun. In all his years of living, this is the moment of truth. His toughest challenge yet. And it's from a female. But the challenge is welcoming.
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Sango turned her head around slightly to make sure this damned monk was not following her, and to her surprise he wasn't. It's about time he got the hint. She whispered softly in her mind. All she did was save his life. That's all. He was about to be killed by bandits and that wasn't fair because he did not do anything to deserve that.
But now, she is starting to have second thoughts about that…
"Such an arrogant fool." She mumbles out loud in a loud scoff. She wishes she never saved him. She should have left him to die. If she had known that he would rant about how noble and powerful he is and that she needs to give him the respect he should get from all women, Sango may have just left him to die for real.
Would you really have? A voice asked inside her mind. She knew she would have still saved him. She was born with pride and dignity. Just because she does not like someone does not mean she would not wish death upon them.
She was born to be better than that.
"Something wrong, Sango?"
Sango turned her head to the side to face one of her elder friends from the cottage. He was such a gentle, kind man. But he was old. Far too old to be working as much as he does.
"No, I am fine, thank you. What have I told you about over-working yourself?" She asked him, concerned for his health. This gentle, kind, friendly man was always working. He did the most work in this village. But he was so old and always looked so tired. Sango does not understand how he can keep up with it.
"Young Sango, I am still alive and fit. I will not slack because of my age."
"Your age is not what concerns me. It is your health. You do not look well. Please do not overwork yourself like you do. I do not know what I would do if I lost you. You have been there for me through everything, whenever I have needed you. I would hate to see you go. Please, take care, Haji." Sango gave him a bow of respect; but also love.
She loved that man to death. If there was a problem, he was there, despite his age. He was always there. Always. And she would never forget him for it.
"I will, young Sango. And you take care as well. You are growing so beautiful. Do not let anything trouble that precious face of yours."
"Thank you," She let out a slight laugh. "I will try not to."
He turned around and started raking the ground, about to plan more potatoes. How such an old man can still be up and fit to work, Sango will never know. He pushes himself to hard and she fears one day it will be his downfall.
But, she continued her walk. She decided to forget all about Miroku and go home and start cooking. She was late as it was because of her little delay from earlier. But she's sure her father won't be to upset.
When she got home, no one was outside, so she figured he was inside doing some sort of work in the house. Not only does Haji overwork, but so does her father. For the past few years Sango has taken some of her father's responsibilities into her own hands so he would not have to work as hard. She always worries about everyone's conditions and tries to help out as much as possible.
But when she opened the door, she did not like what was there to greet her.
"You!" She spit out, gasping to see Miroku sitting at the table with her father.
"Sango, come here." Her father directed her over this way and all of a sudden, Sango had a strange feeling burst inside of her. A feeling of uneasiness. "Miroku has a great proposal for us!"
"Oh really? And what sort of proposal?" Sango asked, uncaring. If it has anything to do with that monk, she could careless about it.
"I can't hold in my excitement!" Her father burst out and Sango stood by him at the table, giving him a look of curiosity. He stared at her silently for a second, not a peep coming out from him. But Sango was not fooled. He was overjoyed and he could barely hold it in. And it didn't take him long before he finally blurted out the words she despised hearing.
"You are to wed Miroku." His smiled gleamed with a look of pure happiness and Sango became enraged by the sudden proposal.
"I am WHAT!" She jumped back, away from him with a look of betrayal slashed across her soft features.
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A/N; Chapter two! Woo! Yeaaah, anyways, change of plot. I was going to have them both be unwilling to be married. But I think I will make Sango the only unwilling one. I mean she has every right to be unwilling. But I changed it to where it was Miroku's idea. Like, I was going to make it her father's idea for some sort of "reward" so he wouldn't live in a poor home when his daughter would now be wealthy. But I thought this way worked more for Miroku's personality. Well, at least the fake personality I gave him. We shall see what happens next.
Ok, reviews, who likes them? I do. xD So please review. I know it's sad I have to ask people too, like the loser I am, but I'll get over it. Haha. xD Reviews inspire me. Anyways, hope you enjoyed.
And you too, Sango. So don't disown me. xD