Chapter Eight: Rumors and Reputation

Sango walked out of class and eagerly walked to homeroom. She threw her books inside it and hurried to the lunchroom. She was hoping that she could get a seat next to Miroku before Bankotsu would try and talk to her. She pushed the door to the cafateria open and sat down at a empty table. She placed her bag on her lap and looked around. Miroku finally walked in but was held up when three girl's started talking to him. Sango watched as they exaggerated their laughter and flirtatiously touched his arm. Miroku pulled back and waved politely before walking away. He caught sight of Sango and sat down next to her. She smiled at him and looked around, hoping Bankotsu wasn't there yet. Miroku took out a book and opened it to a new chapter.

"You really like to read don't you?" Sango asked.

"Yes, it helps me to get involved in another world so I can relax."

"I'm sure its a relief to forget about all the girl's hm?"

"Most of the girl's anyway. I don't know what they find so fascinating about me," Miroku said.

"Your looks, personality, who knows," Sango joked with a smile.

"Maybe, I am quite the charmer," Miroku grinned.

"Hey Sango! Where you been?" A voice suddenly called.

"Oh Bankotsu, hi."

"Come on, I want you to sit with me."

"No thanks Bankotsu, I'm going to stay with Miroku."

"He's just reading a book, he'll be fine," Bankotsu said while pulling her up.

"Hey, she said she wants to sit here. Leave her alone," Miroku said.

"Chill out Miroku, I got this one. Besides, you said you don't want her remember?"

"Changed my mind, leave her alone," Miroku said hotly.

"Let go of me Bankotsu," Sango said pulling away.

"Is there a problem?" A teacher asked.

"No, he was just leaving," Sango said.

Bankotsu glared at her and walked away. She rubbed her arm where he had gripped and sat back down. He was way too confident in himself. Miroku looked at her worried. Inuyasha and Kagome walked over a second later and sat down, unaware of what had just happened. Sango remained quiet and looked down at her bag. Bankotsu's force and hostility had reminded her of someone. Her father. The way Bankotsu grabbed her sent chills through her, recalling every moment that had ever happened. Sango suddenly excused herself and walked out of the cafateria. She headed down an empty hall and went into the girl's restroom. She stared at herself in the mirror and could see small tears. She brushed them away and sighed. Sango walked out again and leaned against the wall. Why was she feeling so guilty about leaving the one who she hated the most? Sango lowered to the floor and sat down. She touched her neckbone, wondering if she could still feel the pain. Sango stopped crying and sat on the floor motionless. Her head was lowered as she stared at her hands in her lap, not noticing Miroku walking out of the lunchroom. He looked around and saw Sango sitting on the floor. He pushed his hands into his pockets and walked over to her. He stood in from of her leaning to one side. She looked up at him and then back down.

"You alright?" Miroku asked.

"I'm fine."

"Your always fine aren't you?" Miroku joked. "Come on, tell me."

"I just remembered my dad, that's all. Its nothing serious."

"Your dad huh? Yeah...my dad died awhile back."

"I'm sorry," Sango said solemnly.

"Its okay."

Sango again looked down at her hands and sighed. Miroku kneeled down in front of her and smiled. He held out his hand to her and motioned his head towards the lunchroom. Sango gazed at him and then took his hand. She stood up and walked back in with him. Kagome looked up as the two walked in and nudged Inuyasha excited. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. Kagome glared at him and smiled at Sango.

"There she is, the slut," a girl whispered.

"Poor Bankotsu, he says she was having sex with another boy on their week anniversary."

"I didn't even know they were going out."

"The poor thing, he's heartbroken."

"Ugh, she isn't even pretty."

Sango walked past the talking girl's with her hands clenched tightly in her pockets. It seems Bankotsu hadn't wasted anytime making up excuses that replaced Sango rejecting him. She didn't care as long as she didn't have to hear about it but unfortuneatly she had. Sango walked out of the school past another group of girl's and heard them throwing insults at her. Well her year had been good while it lasted, the remainder of the time would probably suck miserably. Sango quickly walked back to the Higurashi home without Kagome and entered about 20 minutes later. She said hello to Mrs. Higurashi and then hurried up to her room. She shut the door louder than she had intended and locked it. Sango flung her bag on her bed and then changed into a pair of baggy jeans and a white muscle shirt. She lay on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. Luckily, she knew how to ignore teenage pressure. She had gotten used to it. Sango sat up and started on the remainder of her homework.

Kagome stood outside her house when her hands on her backpack straps while kicking a rock on the ground a bit. Inuyasha had his hands in his pockets and was staring out in the distance at nothing. No words were exchanged between the two. They knew. Kagome couldn't find the right things to say about it. She couldn't think. How could this have happened? Inuyasha scratched his head and looked at Kagome's expressionless face. She never had that look. It was new. He didn't know how to comfort her the way she needed to be comforted. They had never been in this situation before. The only one that felt remotely the way Sango did was...Miroku. Kagome glanced up as if expecting to see him running towards them along the sidewalk. But no one came. Kagome's hands were shaking furiously. Inuyasha suddenly reached for one and squeezed it in his. Kagome looked at him surprised but he was still staring in the same direction calmly. Kagome didn't have to hear him say it. She knew what he was thinking. Finally she began to walk to the front door and was pulled around. Inuyasha hugged her tightly before walking away. Kagome stared after him for a minute and then turned to go back inside. She went to Sango's room and knocked on the door. Silence. She didn't hear any signs of movement inside. She turned the knob but it was locked.

"Sango? Can I come in?" Kagome asked.

Sango walked out of her closet while pulling on a jacket and looked outside. She unlocked the door and opened it. Kagome smiled and walked in. Sango shut the door and then sat down on her bed. Kagome cleared her throat awkwardly and stared at Sango for a moment. Her friend merely watched rain clouds forming outside blankly. Kagome couldn't tell what she was feeling at the moment. Was she worried? Sad? Angry?

"Sango...I guess you know what people are saying at school..."

"Doesn't matter," Sango said a little coldly.

"I...I mean, don't let it bother you. They don't know anything about you," Kagome said.

"I know. I've been there, I can handle it. Don't worry, okay?" Sango said.

"Oh, alright," Kagome said.

Alright here goes chapter eight I hope you liked it. So I would like 4 reviews but I'll take 3.