Miroku couldn't believe the woman had shared the car ride with them. She was squeezed between Kagome and himself in the lumpy back seat, while Inuyasha road in the front with the driver. The hanyou would peek back at the three and lift his upper lip. The monk felt horrible. He felt himself lean forward as his hands claimed his face.
He'd never felt so lousy. Sango had made it clear to him that it was not going to progress beyond their friendship, yet he felt like he had violated a sacred oath. Miroku may have been a liar, a thief, and a con man, but he was not heartless. He'd always considered himself sensitive to other's emotions. He'd always considered himself loyal to a fault, and while he may have enjoyed many women in his life, since he'd acknowledged his feelings for Sango to himself…
He rubbed his face. He didn't even really have the desire to be with anyone but her. Of course he was committed. It was no out loud promise. No written or spoken oath. But Miroku had lived by those feelings—even if Sango didn't. He'd never violated his commitment.
He felt a light touch on his shoulder and turned to see the light-haired woman looking in his eyes. Poor woman, she did seem very kind hearted. He grinned softly—it was completely forced—and sat back up. He tapped her hand to let her know he was fine, then turned to stare out the window. He didn't wish to look at her. He'd used her to help deal with his grief. It showed an utter lack of self control and she certainly didn't deserve this. He was disgusted.
The woman lowered her head and clasped her hands together over her bag of bought items. "It's Susanne, just so you know."
The man with the ponytail looked back at her and this time his expression was genuine—not a smile, but genuine none-the-less. He covered his mouth as he pulled at his dark sweatpants and cleared his throat. She felt her own face pull away from his. She didn't want to talk to him anymore.
"I'm so very appalled I didn't know it before. Miroku." His voice was still smooth, but it lacked the put-on quality he had after he'd first met her.
The girl beside them had turned to look at the two, Sue could make out the action from her peripheral sight. It was too small of a space.
Kagome decided it was time to speak up. "So, where are you going?"
"Huh?" The woman looked up to her, a bit startled at the direct attention from the girl who had found her making out in a bathroom stall with a stranger.
The black-haired girl allowed her face to express a softer attitude. The woman beside her seemed gun-shy. She picked at her cuticles.
"Where can we drop you off?"
The green eyes narrowed in thought, but it only took a moment for Sue to answer. "Uh…I'm staying at a hotel just outside of the city."
From the front seat a slight grumble could be heard from the cab driver—clearly he'd rather not make the trip.
The woman seemed to notice and allowed herself to glower. "Buddy, I'm from Vegas. Don't try to pull that crap with me."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Las Vegas?"
Sue turned back to her with a slightly weary look. "Yeah…" English again. "I live there now—well on the outskirts. Originally from a small town outside of Cumberland, Maryland. Know it?"
Kagome smiled sheepishly and shook her head. "I know Baltimore…"
The woman nodded quickly, as if she were used to that response. "Yeah most people in Maryland don't even know the town I am from." She huffed, blowing some of the honey brown hair from her face. "I lived in New York a while too."
"What are ya doin' hear in Japan, then?" It was the odd silver-white haired man at the front of the cab who asked. Sue turned to him and saw that he had turned around to watch her response. She guessed he didn't get carsick easily.
"Uh. Well I actually come to Japan often. Usually for business—this time for pleasure." She didn't miss the slight quirk of an eyebrow from the man beside her.
Kagome seemed thrilled. "What's New York like?" She was nearly bouncing in the seat.
The new addition to the group laughed slightly. "Very dirty. Some of the worst attitudes from people I have ever had the misfortune to experience." She smiled at the younger woman. "Vegas is also sort of dirty—but the attitude is fabulous. I think it's because it's a giant playground for adults."
Kagome seemed enthralled. Inuyasha, having no clue what the woman in the center of the back seat was really talking about, had turned back to the front. Miroku remained with his cheek against the cool glass. Sue was glad the tension seemed to have ebbed for now.
She took it upon herself to continue the trend. "I really would like to go to Santa Fe and San Francisco soon. Never been that far west."
There was a giggle from beside her and Kagome chimed in. "Me either." The two laughed together and Miroku watched as Inuyasha shook his head and crossed his arms from the front seat.
Miroku was about to ask about the woman's job. He really shouldn't leave the conversing entirely up to Kagome, he owed Susanne better than that. He had turned slightly to put her into his view out of politeness, when he heard something odd from Inuyasha up front.
"Ah fuck!" He fumbled for his sword but came up with nothing at his hip—not even the sheath. In an instant he's changed tactics, but it was too late. The boy had held up his claws to the passenger's side window, making them obvious to anyone who'd wish to know and managed to get out "iron" before Miroku heard the giant pop.
He saw before he felt it. In one moment there was silver hair in front of his eyes, then it was pushed into his face, through the seat. He vaguely wondered where the seat had in fact gone before feeling it in his lap with Inuyasha's weight and momentum cutting into his thighs and stomach. His friend's arms shot out, catching himself as best he could on the barrier between the front and back windows on both sides. Luckily, the metal held and the monk did not black out from pain that would have surely come if Inuyasha had not had such quick reflexes. The glass beside his face exploded in many small flying pieces. He closed his eyes against this, but felt several hit into his neck and shoulder. He didn't know how many were in his left cheek, but he was sure it wasn't a simple few.
Beside him he heard Kagome cry out and a distinct thump from Susanne. She was very quiet.
It was all over in a matter of seconds. When Miroku opened his eyes, he realized the car was facing in the opposite direction it had been only fifteen seconds prior. Inuyasha and his seat were in his lap, but no weight was on him anymore. His friend's hands clenched tightly to the metal of the car on either side of him with blood dripping down. He must have cut them on the glass he broke.
Miroku shook his head slowly and felt a twinge in his neck, but turned it to look to his right anyway. Kagome was against her window—thank Buddha it hadn't also broken—and looked winded but not hurt. The girl beside he was slumped forward. Her forehead leaned against the shoulder of Inuyasha's seat and blood was quickly pouring down the gray fabric. Miroku stretched out his hand and meant to lean her back to take a better look at her head, but Kagome interrupted him.
"No don't!" She was dazed but firm. "Her neck might be injured. Inuyasha, don't move either. We need to keep her still."
The cab driver pulled himself from his steering wheel and looked around. His glasses were broken, but other than that he looked fine. "Everyone alright?"
Kagome took charge—Miroku was grateful. "We think the American hit her head, she might have something wrong with her neck also. Can you get out and call for help?" She teetered and leaned against her window again. "I also hit my head and I am bit dizzy. Inuyasha don't move."
The cab driver hurried out of his car and Kagome slumped more against her door. Miroku peered over to her—still more concerned with his long-time friend's health than the woman between them.
"Kagome, are you alright?"
She nodded. "I think I might have a slight concussion. How're your legs?"
He shifted them as best he could in the small space. "They are fine, but my neck aches a bit."
She nodded and breathed out through pursed lips. "Don't move it around too much. Okay?"
"Alright." It was then Miroku realized Inuyasha was still frozen in place—which was good—but hadn't said a word—which was bad. "Inuyasha?"
A low growling answer came from just in front of him. "I'm alright…just let me cool it."
The monk's eyes flicked to the hand that still held the hanyou up and glanced over the wrists. There were two fading jagged streaks along it. The dog hadn't taken his father's fang with him to the mall, and he was barely maintaining control of himself now. Miroku hoped beyond reason that his friend would manage it. The worst thing would be for his youkai to unleash now.
Miroku situated himself and began to pray.