OoO CCTI: Chapter 3: Awakening OoO
"Inuyasha? We're about ready to eat, aren't you going to come and join us?" Sango asked from her position on the forest floor as she looked up into the Sacred God Tree, absently stroking Kilala's soft feline fur.
"Keh," was the only response she got, however, as Inuyasha continued to keep his eyes closed. He doubted Sango could see him anyway; he was too far up in the tree.
She sighed and looked skyward, noticing the sun was going to set in about an hour, and decided to leave him be and head back to camp.
He'd been like this for just over three days now, ever since Kagome had gone back home, anyway. He'd come back to the hut only once, and she and Miroku hadn't even been there to inquire what had happened. He hadn't eaten, or bathed since she left, and Sango was beginning to wonder if he even slept.
Before she breeched the tree border going into the forest, Sango turned around and quietly said, "You know, Inuyasha, despite everything you said and did, I'm sure Kagome needs you now more than ever. You really hurt her, and need to stop being such an idiot and apologize before it's too late." Sango turned once more and left the half demon to his not-so-pleasant thoughts.
Upon making it back to Kaede's hut, Sango noticed that Shippo had disappeared yet again. He'd been doing that a lot lately, now that Kagome was gone.
I wonder where the little kit goes when he's not with us. She vaguely wondered as she glanced around. The only one who was visible to her was Miroku, who was seated against a little tree to the left of Kaede's hut, eyes closed as the slight fire cast unusual light markings on his face.
Kilala jumped off Sango's shoulder before walking calmly into the hut, curling up in a far corner to continue her catnap.
Miroku, hearing Sango's soft footsteps, cracked an eye open and saw that she had an all too familiar scowl printed on her face.
So, Inuyasha still isn't going to move from the Sacred God Tree.
Resisting the urge to hit something in frustration, as that would be a very Inuyasha-like thing to do at the moment, Miroku waited until Sango sat down on the other side of the fire before opening both his eyes and beginning to talk. "I take it he won't be joining us tonight either, my dear Sango?"
Her cheeks tinted slightly red at how easily he could call her such intimate names. She turned to him and met his amused gaze squarely and said as evenly as she could, "No, he's not. Ever since Kagome left, he hasn't moved from that damn tree. I'm beginning to worry about him."
No kidding; I can sense it from here. Miroku thought as he kept gazing at her. Hmm, I guess she needs another distraction.
His mind made up, Miroku grabbed his staff, got up, walked over to where Sango was busy with her thoughts, and sat down next to her. He noticed the way she kept her eyes averted and had her hands folded tightly on her lap, very much aware of his intimidating proximity of her. Allowing the slightest of smirks to graze his features, Miroku draped his right arm casually over Sango, never allowing the hand attached to it to stray anywhere than her shoulder.
Startled, Sango turned to him in confusion, blushing again as she saw that he was smiling so damn charmingly at her.
"Lovely Sango, please, do not fret. I know the fight this time was a little more, err, brutal than normal, but these things have a way of working themselves out, you'll see."
"M-Miroku…" was all Sango could mumble as she gazed into his enchanting midnight blue eyes, surprised that he was trying to comfort her and not feel her up. Yes, he normally was sensitive and kind, but he also usually had some alternative motive.
Not wanting to pass up the seemingly too perfect moment, Sango released the breath she hadn't even known she'd been holding and leaned into him, thoroughly surprising the pervert, and said, "I know, but I can't shake this feeling that something's wrong. It's like a bad splinter stuck in your finger; you know it has to come out, but there's next to nothing you can do about it, and it hurts like hell."
"I'm scared, Miroku," Sango continued, "I don't like this. We're all split up and torn apart. Kagome's in her world, Inuyasha's being more distant than usual, Shippo running off and doing whatever, and us, all alone, with no one but Kaede, trying to be the glue that keeps us all connected. We're all in very vulnerable positions right now, now that we're all alone and apart. It all just…doesn't bode well with me, I guess."
Miroku absentmindedly tightened his grip on Sango's shoulder as he said, " I see. Sango, I know exactly how you feel, and have not been blind to recent events. Inuyasha hasn't moved from that tree, yet he's in a demon infested forest and hasn't been attacked once? Also, this village usually gets attacked at least twice a week, but since Kagome's gone, we haven't had a single encounter yet. Don't get me wrong, the break is rather nice, but it's too weird and unnerving, and should be looked into."
Suddenly, he chuckled. "And I can tell you're upset and worried about everything, and have a good reason to feel so, but fear not, Sango," he suddenly declared, "for I shall protect you." He wasn't trying to be funny, for his face was serious, and he said it such ferocity that all Sango could do was believe him.
Miroku took her silence as understanding, and laid his head atop hers, sighing slightly as he breathed in her scent. I may not be a demon or half, but does she smell great…
Sango, by this time, was finding it very hard not to explode from both her inner turmoil and rioting emotions.
He's being so sweet! Not that he usually isn't, but this time, it's actually sincere. And he hasn't even attempted to grope me once since the conversation started. I could get used to this… She thought happily.
She bent her head so she could look up into his eyes, but found that he was already gazing at her, and Sango's last pleasant thought was, Maybe he's finally changed before her back suddenly straightened as she caught sight of his hand.
No, he's not! She desperately thought.
Seeing it move lower, though he didn't know she'd already seen, she inwardly groaned.
Yes, he is.
Feeling like crying as Kagome had been ready to when she left three days ago, Sango angrily got up, grabbed her Hiraikotsu - which was leaning conveniently against the hut - and began beating Miroku till he was black and blue and within an inch of his life.
"I HATE YOU!"
SMACK!
"YOU JERK!"
BAM!
"HENTAI!"
FWOMP!
"Sango! Please, for the love of all that's holy, STOP!"
CRACK!
Standing up, Sango cast one last look at Miroku before dashing into Kaede's hut, where the said woman had witnessed the whole exchange.
"When will ye ever learn, Miroku?" She mumbled as she got up to go and console the fuming demon exterminator.
Pulling himself up and out of the miniscule crater Sango had so thoughtfully put him in, Miroku sighed in despair. It wasn't every day you got to get beaten by such a rare beauty like Sango, especially when that rare beauty was the one you were deeply in love with.
Glancing quickly at the hut that she had run in and feeling just a little bit lower than dirt, Miroku stood up and walked briskly into Inuyasha's Forest, seeking the company of a certain silver haired half demon.
Sango watched him go, both grateful and upset that he'd left, for she feared that if he'd stayed, she'd killed him. And yet, she wanted him near. He was another person she greatly depended upon, though not many knew. And hadn't she just got done telling him that she was wary about everyone being split up?
"Will ye be all right, Sango?" Kaede asked, thoroughly shaking Sango's train of thought to the more current situation.
"Oh. Yes, Lady Kaede. Thank you for asking." Sango replied as she took a seat next to her, not knowing what else to say. Though she loved the older woman dearly, Sango really didn't know that much about her, and vise versa. The silence stretched and stretched, though it wasn't totally uncomfortable.
After a few more moments, bluntly, Sango asked, "Kaede? May I ask you something?"
Casting Sango a sideways glance with her one good eye, Kaede nodded.
"Do you think he has any feelings for me?" Sango asked, staring at her hands again, not daring to make any eye contact.
Without skipping a beat, Kaede quickly replied, "Oh course he does, child. Why? Do ye doubt him?" All the while feigning innocence.
Sango looked at her with incredulity, eyes wide and obviously shocked. "Do I doubt him? DO I DOUBT HIM?! Of course I doubt him! He's a skirt-chaser, a lecher, a pervert, and a player! He constantly flirts with any appealing face, and feels anything with breasts and a nice ass up to his heart's content!"
Blushing a little, Sango apologized for her rude language before continuing, "And to boot, he leads me on. He turns around after doing something sweet and kind by doing something stupid to hurt me, causing pain, and I'm sick and tired of it!"
Kaede was almost scared. Sango's aura was so fired up, she could actually feel the fury, anger, and even hate emanating from her being. "Young love…" She muttered under her breath before saying, "Sango? Have ye ever taken into consideration that there may actually be a reason he's doing what he is doing?"
Sango hesitated. "O-Of course I have."
"And?" Kaede pressured.
"I've thought about it, but I can't really say I know exactly why he acts as he does." Unwilling to outwardly, verbally speculate, Sango asked, "Do you know?" Hope shining in her eyes now, Sango looked at Kaede expectantly.
"Aye, I believe I do." Taking a deep breath, Kaede began.
"'Tis common knowledge that Miroku is cursed with a void in his right hand, a Wind Tunnel, if you will, placed upon his grandfather by the evil Naraku. Unable to defeat Naraku, Miroku's grandfather had no other option but to bear a son, Miroku's father, before he got sucked up into his cursed hand. Miroku's father, too, was cursed with a void. Bearing a son himself, Miroku's father also met the same fate as his, leaving no other successor but Miroku to carry on the deed of destroying Naraku and ridding his family name of the curse. Before he met you, Sango, he wasn't as notorious a flirt as he is now. To ward off women, Miroku used the most frontal and boldest approach he could think of: groping and asking them to bear him a child. Though I believe he someday wants a mate and offspring, he does not want to jeopardize their lives with the task that he must carry out. Along with that, should he not rid the world of Naraku, his children shall bear the same curse he has suffered and worried about his whole life. If the curse is to die, I'm positive he'd want it to die with him and not his children.
"Think about it, Sango," Kaede continued, "What noble parent - or husband, for that matter - would want to put a family through that? Especially if he dies before getting rid of Naraku, he would then pile on the major responsibility of tracking and killing him to his offspring. So you see, 'tis actually good, this flirting and groping. For your own safety, he is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for everyone's well being. To save you and possible future selves emotional and physical pain."
Sango stared at Kaede as she finished her long explanation, understanding and guilt mixed in with relief flowing through her eyes.
Oh Miroku, she thought, Could she be right? Is this why you do it? To protect those you love and care about?
"Thank you, Lady Kaede. I think I'm going to see him now." That being said, Sango jumped up and ran out of the hut, into the forest, eager to see Miroku.
All Kaede could do was smile as she watched the young woman go, wishing her the best of luck as she noticed that the sun had now completely set.
MEANWHILE...
Calmly walking to where he knew Inuyasha would be, Miroku stopped about half way there to gather his thoughts.
Sango. He sighed. Why did it have to be my ancestor to mess with Naraku?! Why did it have to be my ancestor to get cursed with this -! He vehemently thought as he glared at his right hand, adorned with prayer beads and purple cloth. Absently, he wondered what would happen if his arm was cut off; would he then be rid of his curse, or would it simply reappear somewhere else on his body?
Who knows when, or even if, I'll kill Naraku? What if it's when I'm an old man, and am unable to then produce an heir? What if Sango isn't around by then to be with me? Shaking his head as he shuddered at the thought, Miroku began walking very slowly again, still thinking. Don't think about something you don't have a chance at. Sango deserves someone who can devote himself completely to her, without distraction. Someone better than me. Just let it go.
Miroku was surprised to see he was already in the little clearing that held the Sacred God Tree. Slightly shaking his head, Miroku walked to the tree and looked up. Though he couldn't see anything with the quickly dimming natural light of the sun, he was certain his ill-mannered friend was still up there, brooding.
Putting on his usual cheerful, happy charm, Miroku called up, "Hey! Inuyaaaaaasha, we made your favorite meeeeeaaaaal!" As though he were bribing a little kid, Miroku continued in his most appealing voice, "Now, why don't you come on down and get it before it gets cold, hmm?"
Silence.
"Inuyasha?" He questioned before he was hit by a decent sized "twig" that conveniently enough was aimed perfectly for his head.
"OWW! Now was that really necessary?!" Rubbing yet another bump on his head, Miroku got up off the ground, as the force behind the "twig" was pretty strong. Strong enough to knock him down.
He decided to try a different approach. "Is that Kikyo I see?!" He exclaimed in an over excited voice, pointing in a random direction and shielding his eyes.
Nothing.
"AHHHHH! IT'S NARAKU! HE'S COMING RIGHT FOR US!" Miroku screamed shrilly, almost girlishly, as he ducked and cringed overdramatically.
Still nothing.
"Would you just get your half demon butt down here now?" Miroku demanded, as he was getting greatly frustrated and growing tired of these games. He looked up and angrily scowled again, knowing Inuyasha could see him.
"I'm not leaving or shutting up until you come down here, Inuyasha." He threatened.
Still, there was nothing.
Thinking of an annoying song Kagome had taught Shippo just recently, Miroku grinned evilly and began, "I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves - everybody's nerves, everybody's nerves - I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves, and this is how it goes..." Starting on the second verse, Miroku's voice become an octave higher and much, much louder.
"I know a song that gets on EVERYBODY'S nerves - everybody's NERVES, everybody's nerves - I know a song that gets on EVERYBODY'S nerves, and THIS IS HOW IT-!"
"Would you just go away?! What is it with you people today?!"
Miroku smiled in triumph. Finally! A reaction!
"Now now, Inuyasha," Miroku chastised while wagging his finger. "All I want to do is have a nice, manly talk between two grown ups. No use getting testy."
"Keh," was all Inuyasha muttered in great annoyance as he jumped down to where he was only a few feet above Miroku, sill in the tree.
"Ah ah ahh… all the way down, please." Miroku tisked, shaking his finger in a scolding manner.
Oh, he is loving this. Inuyasha thought as he grimaced in disgust and even more annoyance. His eye ticked in anger, and it took all his reserve to not knock some more sense into the monk.
Begrudgingly, Inuyasha complied, jumping the rest of the way down, knowing that Miroku would stick to his word and never leave him alone until he talked. And boy, was that song annoying! Landing gracefully on his feet and turning around to glare at his "friend," he found Miroku was looking way too smug for his liking. Walking past him, Inuyasha walked back up to the Sacred God Tree and leaned against the rough bark, crossing his arms and glaring hatefully at the younger man in front of him. He waited impatiently for him to talk about whatever it is he wanted to talk about.
Miroku's smile quickly turned into a satisfied smirk as he traipsed over to Inuyasha and patted him lightly on the shoulder, Inuyasha staring daggers at every part of Miroku's body, willing him to just drop dead.
"There, now was that so hard?" Miroku teasingly questioned, chuckling.
"Grr…cut the shit, Miroku. What do you want?" Inuyasha snapped as he swatted the hand away, boring his eyes into Miroku's amused deep blue ones.
Switching from lackadaisical and carefree to dead serious so fast, Inuyasha had to do a double take, Miroku said, "Alright. You need to tell me why you were such a jerk to Kagome earlier this week. It's affecting everybody and it needs to stop; it's gone on long enough."
Well, that was rather blunt and to the point.
"Keh! I wasn't a jerk; she was just looking for a fight!" He heatedly answered.
"Ahem. Now that I have your attention…" Miroku continued calmly.
Too calmly, Inuyasha thought, slightly bracing himself.
"…How can you say that?!" Miroku finished, yelling, as he promptly whacked Inuyasha over the head with his ever-present gold staff.
Damn! I knew it! Inuyasha thought, clutching his throbbing head.
"What the hell, Miroku?!" Inuyasha demanded angrily as he collected himself and forced the reflexive tears from his eyes.
Ignoring him, Miroku sat down at the base of the Sacred God Tree, motioning for Inuyasha to do the same.
Making a mental note to beat the dumb monk till he was within an inch of death, Inuyasha grudgingly did so.
"So Inuyasha, you're putting the blame on Kagome for your fight?"
"I don't know," was Inuyasha's smart reply.
Miroku mentally sighed and counted to ten before saying, "You know it isn't her fault. It's yours. Now, are you going to tell me why you were being stupid, or do I have to force it out of you?"
"Keh. As if you could…" Inuyasha muttered under his breath, just low enough so Miroku couldn't hear him. "And goes to show how wonderful your memory is, lech! Have you forgotten that she sat me?!"
Ha! Now what, smart ass? Inuyasha thought smugly.
"That was an accident. She apologized. You, however, continued to provoke her, so I ask again. Why were you being a complete and total jerk?"
"It's because…I care very deeply for her, ok?!"
Thoroughly surprised, for that was not the answer Miroku was expecting, Miroku turned to Inuyasha and was about to question why he was so suddenly able to open up when he yelped in surprise, nearly jumping ten feet in the air in shock.
He…he's human!
Miroku quickly glanced at the sky and saw that the sun had set, leaving only a dark orange hue just above the horizon and no moon in sight.
Night had just begun.
So that's why he's suddenly so talkative! He thought with a sly grin. Looks like it'll be easier to get the truth out of him than I thought!
Trying to calm his still racing heart from the unexpected surprise, Miroku said, "Well, I already knew that. I just wanted to know why you kept making her angry, even after she'd given you a truly sincere apology."
Inuyasha took a deep breath and looked skyward. "At first, it was only because…I…I liked the way she looks when she's angry. Her face flushed with anger, attitude full of passion, and a fiery spirit…" He broke off, reminiscing.
"And?" Miroku pushed, now very curious and intrigued. No one but Kagome had ever seen Inuyasha become so able to express his feelings, and Miroku had never seen this side of Inuyasha before. And he must say, he was just fascinated!
"When she went into Kaede's hut, I really did feel like an idiot, but I guess my ego wanted to prove me wrong, so I followed and called her a shard detector. She was so angry and upset, I knew I was going to have to apologize soon. But when she brought Kikyo into the picture, I just…snapped. It's not like we haven't fought about shit like this before, but it was different; neither one of us held anything back, or sugar-coated our feelings. The fight just continued to escalate and escalate until…" Inuyasha broke off again as his voice cracked with emotion.
Miroku was now getting a little worried. It took a lot for Inuyasha to be close to tears.
"What happened, Inuyasha? What did you do?" He'd had a feeling that this particular fight had been different from ones they'd had in the past, but nothing could prepare him for what Inuyasha said next.
"…I…I almost…I almost hit her, Miroku."
He gasped. So this is why Kagome left in such a hurry!
Unaware of Miroku's shock, Inuyasha plowed ahead. "I was upset that my bitch wasn't obeying me, telling me she was leaving, that my demon side must have surfaced and without my consent, was about to…to subdue her! Luckily, I was able to stop myself. She was so scared, and knowing that I caused the fear to jump into her like that… Damnit! I'm supposed to be her protector, and all I ever do is treat her like shit!" Clenching his hands now in disgust, Inuyasha went on, looking at his companion.
"Do you see now, Miroku? Why I can't go to her? She said right before she left that she forgave me for almost smacking her, and even apologized for what she'd said. Grr, it should have been me who apologized, not her! And yet, I still had the gall to go after her! The fight you and the others heard was only the beginning; it was worse at the well!" Inuyasha raged violently as he pounded the earth before him, leaving two enormous holes in the ground.
Even in his human form, he's still the toughest guy I know. Miroku thought, slightly gulping and grateful that he wasn't on the receiving end of his blows.
He returned his gaze to Inuyasha, who by this time had stood up and began pacing, angrily snorting and grunting.
Getting up himself, Miroku placed a comforting hand on Inuyasha's shoulder, temporarily stopping him. Clearing his throat, Miroku began, "Inuyasha, what you did was very stupid, but in your case, very understandable."
Suddenly, Sango's pretty face flashed before Miroku's eyes, and he thought about how on many occasions, he too, had made her mad just see her mad. Simply because he could.
Kind of like what Inuyasha had done to Kagome. Miroku thought, though theirfights never turned out this bad, mind you.
Shaking his head, Miroku continued, "I may not know what happened at the well, but Kagome needs some time to herself right now. I'm sure that she's told her mother everything by now, and has had plenty of time to think everything through. She did say she'd be back, right?"
Seeing Inuyasha nod slightly, he forged on. "Good. Now, I'm no expert when it comes to women…"
At this, Inuyasha gave a sarcastic snort.
"…but," Miroku continued, clearly ignoring his friend, "I'd give her about four more days to herself. She's been gone for about three, and four more will make a week. By then, hopefully, I'm sure you both will have calmed down enough and be ready to face one another to sort this all out. Does that make sense to you, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha hesitated. What do I do? Sango tells me to go to her, Miroku tell me to wait. Which is the correct one?!
After debating a bit and looking at Miroku's eagerly waiting face, Inuyasha decided.
"Yeah, I just wish I could've stopped myself in the first damn place." Abruptly, he added, "I'm heading back to Kaede's place, you coming?"
"Umm…in awhile." Miroku said as he watched Inuyasha stalk away, black hair and dark eyes almost imperceptible in the night.
Before he exited the clearing, however, Inuyasha turned around and said, "Thank you, Miroku. You're only other person besides Kagome that I can talk to." He disappeared and melted into the dark forest.
Miroku, once again, sat down at the base of the Sacred God Tree to resume his earlier thinking, but before he could even begin contemplating his thoughts, Sango suddenly appeared from behind the line of trees, running to where he was.
Slightly startled, Miroku called, "What are you doing out here at night, Sango? Is everything ok?"
Ignoring his question, Sango slowed down to a jaunt and quietly walked over to him. Instead of talking to him, though, she simply plopped down and sat beside him, the two of them almost touching.
He glanced at her quizzically and repeated his question. Now what?
Turning to face him, Sango replied, "I came looking for you. I see you had better luck with Inuyasha than I did; I met him just before I got here. He seemed…more at ease than he has been for the past few days, and I have to say, I was kind of startled when he was human. Did you know it was a moonless night? I didn't. What did you two talk about?"
Damn, I'm rambling…
Miroku then proceeded to explain everything that had been exchanged between him and Inuyasha, though it didn't escape his notice that she'd said she'd come looking for him specifically.
After he finished his long-winded speech, Miroku then asked, "So, I assume you had a specific reason to come looking for me?" He could barely see it in the total darkness, but he was positive she was blushing a deep red.
She's beautiful… He then frowned at his thoughts. Hmm…looks like this moonless night is affecting everyone.
Noticing his frown, Sango asked, "What's the matter, Miroku?"
Immediately putting on a boyish, innocent, and cheerful smile, Miroku threw his arm around her shoulders and said, "Oh, just thinking about something I can never have, Sango my dear!"
How easily he falls into his other self, Sango crudely thought. Well, at least now I know why.
"Now please," came Miroku's melodious voice, interrupting her thoughts, "don't prance around my question again, Sango. Why were you looking for me?" He asked as he put his unoccupied hand under her chin, tilting her head upwards. He was being as intimidating as possible, and in Sango's opinion, succeeding.
She hardened her determination and glared back at his adorable smile. "That's not going to work on me anymore, Miroku. I know why you do this, so you can stop the act right now. I came here to talk to you."
She was hard pressed not to laugh at his stunned expression and obvious shock as he pulled away from her sharply.
She knows?! No, she can't! But she did, and he knew it.
Taking his reaction as proof that she'd hit home, Sango smiled to herself.
Time to give you what you've been giving me, Miroku! Sango thought almost maniacally as she suddenly hurled herself at him, pinning his arms and legs with her own, causing her to press maybe a bit more than she would've liked to his finely chiseled chest.
Her face only just out of reach from his own, Miroku was thoroughly shocked, and boy, did it show! He didn't struggle, just gazed up at her with wide eyes, his mouth forming a perfect "o" of surprise.
This time, Sango allowed herself a victorious round of laughter, her smooth voice seeming to wake him out of his temporary shock, though he still didn't struggle. How many nights had he dreamed of having her on top of him, willing and beautiful?
Collecting herself, and letting the fact that she was on top of him settle in, Sango blushed profusely as she leaned down till their noses were almost touching, feeling him turn to ice beneath her. Veering off to the right, she whispered in his ear, "No more pretending, Miroku."
He couldn't believe it. It was just too good to be true! The woman he loved more than life itself was straddling him, had him bound, and was whispering almost seductively in his ear, blushing.
It was the world's largest turn-on for the world's largest pervert.
This would be the best feeling in the world right now if I knew it wasn't going to last! He dismally thought.
Deciding to try the only option he had, Miroku suddenly bucked his hips in a suggestive manner. Her eyes snapped to his and were captivated, mesmerized. Hearing her gasp and taking it as encouragement, he said as seductively as he could without his voice cracking, "Jeez Sango! If I'd known you wanted this," He bucked up again, "then I would've married you and had children by now!" Sango gasped again in shock and absently loosened her grip on his hands.
Miroku smiled deviously. Just what I was hoping you'd do!
Taking the only possible chance he had at turning the tables in his favor, Miroku jerked up, sat, and barreled Sango over, with him now on top and laying in between her legs with her kimono bunched around her thighs. He made quick work of pinning her hands above her head and covering her slim, sculpted legs beneath his own powerful ones, chest to chest.
Unlike him, however, Sango struggled as hard as she could. This is not how it was supposed to work out! She desperately thought.
After a few more minutes of struggling, she knew she had no chance of getting out of this easily misinterpreted position and ceased, relaxing and waiting for him to say something. Surprisingly, she wasn't worried that he might abuse his current position.
He cleared his throat after a while as he calmed down his racing heart and breathing, his face flushed. What am I doing?! What was she doing?! What am I going to do?
"Miroku?" He looked down at Sango. "No more pretending." She repeated her earlier statement, almost pleading it to him.
He, of course, knew exactly what she was talking about, but decided to play dumb. "Why, whatever do you mean, Sango?" He pulled his best cute/confused look to add extra effect.
She ignored the beating of her heart, the rapid race of her pulse, and the feeling of his strong hands holding her within their vice-like grip. Sango only continued staring up at him, waiting, clearly not backing down, and clearly not letting his tricks get to her.
Seeing this, Miroku immediately lost the look and leaned down, adding pressure to certain assets of Sango, and, gazing into her eyes, said, "If you can figure it out, then you already know the reason, thus, giving you no motive for doing this, Sango." Sango shifted nervously under him, and Miroku had to suppress a groan as he found the thought of her writhing beneath him in pleasure pleasing.
"I…I wanted to hear it from you." She replied.
"Well, you have, so now what?"
Sango looked up at him, and before she could stop it from happening, and not quite sure she wanted to, leaned up and timidly kissed him, arms still pinned above her head. Without thinking, Miroku responded, letting Sango's hands free so he could rub his thumb across her cheek before raking his fingers through her soft, ebony hair, letting them rest there.
Fire caught without any further provocation.
Growing bold at his immediate response, Sango gently licked his bottom lip, begging him to let her in, taking her arms and lacing them encouragingly around his neck now that she was free. Only too eager to respond, Miroku allowed her entrance, at the same time, delving his own tongue into her own orifice, letting her essence flow into him, and him, to her. Hearts racing and breathing labored, they panted against one another, not wanting to stop for anything, even breath.
Moving one hand behind her slender neck, Miroku gently lifted, allowing her head to loll back and their lips to separate. Opening his eyes and praying to every god he'd ever heard of that this wasn't some torturous dream again, Miroku moved his head down slightly to trace her jaw with butterfly kisses, working his way down to her neck. Licking her pulse point, he was pleased when it jumped, then doubled, and he began suckling at the point, hearing her ragged breathing as she gently messaged his scalp and moaned when he latched onto her.
Leaving her pulse after a while, Miroku pulled away for only a fraction of a second to admire the love mark he'd left before moving farther down still to her collar bone, nuzzling the opening of her kimono open just enough, tracing it in the same fashion he had her jaw. After a few more seconds of this, he knew he had to stop before things went too far. Moving back up to her lips, Miroku placed one final, passion filled kiss there before pulling away. Sango moaned in disappointment, but kept her hands framed around his face, having him hover only centimeters away from her own.
For a moment, they stayed just like that, gazing into each other's love filled eyes, and thinking about what had just transpired between them.
Surprisingly, neither one was scared, or uncertain. The only thing that mattered right at this moment was each other, and to hell with everything else on the planet at the moment!
Deciding to break the silence, Sango asked, "Miroku? You do…you do care about me, right?"
Giving her his best heart stopping smile, Miroku replied, "No."
Sango felt her heart plummet to the bottom of her stomach, and wished immediately that she could die.
Miroku's smile only widened at her response. He hadn't finished. "I love you, Sango, and love is so much better than caring about, don't you agree?"
Sango let out a choked gasp as tears sprang reflexively to her eyes. "You…you JERK!"
Miroku blanched; his face was right next to hers, and was he finding out first hand that she had a pair of lungs on her!
"Don't you ever, ever, do that again!"
Miroku smiled. "I'm sorry. But I do love you."
Sango smiled back and simply said, "I love you too."
Miroku's heart felt as though it were about to explode, he was so happy! The next thought to cross his mind was not a happy one, though. How long will I have her before I'm sucked up into my own personal hell?
Sango, noticing the change, quickly said, "Miroku, I'm here for you, so don't even think about trying to get rid of me, because I'm not leaving!"
Miroku just continued gazing at her, a deadpan expression plastered to his face. Suddenly, he laughed. "Now, my dear Sango. Why would I want to try to get rid of you? Now that I finally have you, I'm never letting you go!"
To prove his point, he filled in the remaining space and kissed her again. He could feel her smile against his lips as gathered her up in his arms and embraced her.
"WOO! GO MIROKU!" Shouted an all too familiar voice from above.
Quickly pulling away, both he and Sango looked over to find none other than Inuyasha, standing there, smirking down at them. Looking like two over ripe tomatoes, they didn't move from their current position, only continued gawking, obviously unable to produce any words.
Inuyasha began walking away, but not before saying, "I was worried when you two didn't come back, so I took it upon myself to come see what was holding you up." He suddenly laughed coldly. "But please, don't get up, carry on!" And with that, he disappeared as abruptly as he'd come.
Unaware to Sango and Miroku, however, were Inuyasha feelings when he'd seen the two lip locked. Amusement, anger, regret, jealousy… Four of the many feelings flowing through him as he'd turned and left, cursing every god he could think of, for he couldn't help thinking: If he wasn't as stubborn and had expressed his feelings sooner, would he have been like that with Kagome? Now, he felt as though he'd never know.
Miroku returned his gaze to Sango's once he was sure Inuyasha truly had departed, completely at a loss for words.
Then, suddenly, he gathered Sango's hands up in his own and pinned them above her head once again.
Sango looked up at him, wondering what he had planned.
Without warning, he suddenly gave her his most devious, I'm-About-To-Do-Something-I'm-Not-Supposed-To smile, and before she knew what'd happened, he buried his face in her breasts over her kimono.
I've always wanted to do that!
Taken by surprise, Sango wildly bucked and twisted trying to throw him off.
He pulled out when he was satisfied and just laughed, kissed her cheek quickly, and jumped up, running as fast as he could back to camp.
Laying there for just a moment, shocked he'd just done that, she too, jumped up and raced to kill the notorious lecher.
OoO
So... hopefully an extra long chapter and a sincere sorry is good enough an apology? I know this is a week late, but wedding planning sucks up more time that you'd think it would! Please review, and check out my other stories; they're better than they look and I love good or bad criticism, as long as it's constructive!
Keruseyu32691