Splintered Coral – Part Eight

Important: No... I'm not dead. Yet. Though, I do believe my teachers- primarily my English and Geography teachers- are plotting to kill me. As is everyone else I know. Then, there's the fact that I've been depressed over a guy. BAD Aamalie... I deserve to be prodded with sharpened chopsticks for that... But, I'd rather get cookies instead! ^.^; *v-sign* Eh... Lets just say I got lost in Chocospace, okay?

Disclaimer: Let's see... "Own Inuyasha"... Yeah... That's the one thing on my checklist that I haven't checked off yet... That and "World Takeover"... And "Get Snapple to ask me out"... And- Oh, never mind...

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Ansho regarded Sango with cool detachment, fully aware of the fact they were almost mirror images of each other. At the moment, both were barefoot and dressed in identical white sleeping yukatas. The only differences between the two of them were the styles of their hair and the way they held themselves. Sango had taken her still damp bun down, letting the serene breeze coax it dry as she looked across the courtyard, deep in thought. She, Ansho, on the other hand, had her hair up in its favored high ponytail, and her arms were crossed as she leaned against one of the many pillars that supported the roof of the veranda. Finally, Sango tucked a stray lock behind her ear, turning to look at her somewhat surly companion.

"You wanted to talk."

"Yes." Sango sighed at her curt tone, glancing around to see if there were any spectators.

"Very well. What do you want to talk about?"

"Houshi-sama," Ansho replied, shifting her weight from one foot to the other casually. Sango stiffened a bit, unaware that her own hands had clenched into fists.

"What about him?" she bit out, trying to banish the annoyance from her tone. Just what was her beloved counterpart up to now?

"I want you to stop flirting with him."

"What?!" Sango choked out, her face growing increasingly pink by the second, "I have not been flirting with him!" Ansho's face grew sour.

"Oh, quiet down before someone comes out to see what's going on. You're making a racket. And yes, you have been flirting with him! What else would you call the scandalous way you were draping yourself all over him!?"

"Draping? I was doing no such thing! And even if I was, what do you call what you were doing earlier today?" Sango hissed, unable to quell the sudden rage that had built up inside of her. Who did Ansho think she was?! Telling her what to do like she was- Sango couldn't, no, wouldn't stand it!

Besides, her accusations were absolutely ridiculous anyway one could look at it. Her? Flirt with Miroku? Ha! It would never happen... Would it? No, of course not.

"Hmph. I was merely insuring that that sukebe houshi wouldn't go and run off the moment we got into this town. I believe I made that fairly obvious at the time," Ansho said, her lips curving spitefully. "Unlike you, I have no need to bring myself harm in order to control a man. Face it, you're nothing but a naïve, sentimental child without me. I'm the fighter here. I'm the one who has to live with all of the pain. And you? You go around spouting foolish stories and acting like one of those girls that are always begging Houshi-sama for a palm-reading."

The blood in Sango's face drained in a rush, her eyes prickling with the threat of hovering tears. The utter nerve of it all! She was quickly growing tired of this pointless tirade. It was all Sango could do to withhold the urge to tell Ansho exactly what she was thinking of her at the moment, but that didn't keep her from responding.

"Fine then. Think what you will," she said, averting her eyes to glare across the empty courtyard. "But I'll tell you this. Just because it appears that many of our memories are, for some reason, different, it does not mean we do not share quite a few of them. There are some things no spell can change, both emotionally and physically." Sango cast a glance at her companion, before turning and walking away, calling over her shoulder softly, with just a hint of malice, "And you don't have to worry from now on. I don't plan on telling him we what are both too afraid to yet admit."

Ansho snorted. 'I don't know what she's talking about. There's nothing I'm afraid to admit, thank you very much!' Convincing herself that there was nothing wrong with the world, she slid to the ground to relish in the silence the coming of night accompanied, which was broken only by the sound of a shoji opening and slamming shut moments later. Ansho chose to ignore it.

*

The light played on the metallic orb as he rolled it absentmindedly between his hands, much like the smirk did upon his lips. This was progressing with greater results than had been expected. And to think- he, Naraku, had merely sent Kagura to negotiate with that water demon whim! If he continued to play it right, Sango (both of them) and that ever-annoying monk would both be out of his way. It was almost worth the jewel shard he had lost.

Almost.

He took a last, amused glance at the image within the mirror held before him. The more "feminine" Sango had just stormed off, leaving the more "violent" Sango to glare off into nowhere. Ah, how amusing. It was so similar to the games that Inuyasha, Kikyou, and her reincarnation seemed to play with each other. Chuckling darkly, he waved Kanna out of his presence. A few minutes later, Kagura barged in, appearing none-too-happy to be there.

"You called?" she snapped, her sarcasm voiced with something similar to pride. Her defiant posture faltered briefly as Naraku turned his gaze to his palm; something she considered one of the worst things he could do. As she looked on, knowing she could do nothing to stop it, the veins on the hanyou's wrist enlarged, and a lump took form in the upheld hand. Soon, it was the perfect image of a beating heart.

Her heart.

"Kagura... You should be ashamed of yourself. Once again, you've run back to me with nothing to show for it. When will you learn?"

She scoffed.

"I brought that useless bauble that you wanted. I don't see how tha- Agh!" She broke off, her breath growing ragged as she collapsed into a heap. The pain soon subsided, and the wind witch drew the strength to glare up at the being who so easily ensnared her in his tricks. The malicious laugh that he gave merely proceeded to fuel her seething hate.

"Fool. Look at you, unable to even stand your ground. Kagura, never again seek to contradict your maker, for I could kill you in an instant. Do you understand?"

"Nng..." she growled, but forced herself to give a curt nod when he began to apply pressure onto her stolen organ once more.

"Good. Now then, sit up and listen well. There are things that I require you to do."

Reluctantly, she complied, a single word echoing through the recesses of her mind as Naraku began to speak once more.

'Bastard...'

*

Paying no mind to what her mind knew were traditions, Sango let the door slide shut with a clatter as she forced it closed. Taking a shuddering breath, she leaned heavily against the shoji, closing her eyes as she tried to recompose herself. She was unaware of the fact that she was not alone.

"Sango? Is there something the matter?" She looked up sharply, surprised. Much to her astonishment, Miroku stood nearby, his well-muscled chest more bare than not. Sango could feel her face heating up drastically as she realized that she had walked in on him while he had been dressing. If she had stormed in just a few seconds earlier---?!

Why was it that the tatami mat beneath her feet suddenly seemed so very interesting?

"Sango?" Miroku repeated slightly, having adjusted his clothing, moving closer.

"Wh... What are y-you doing in... here?" Sango stuttered as she bowed her head, letting her hair mask her discomfiture. The houshi shrugged.

"This was the only room that was available. And, yes, I've already moved my futon to the other side of the room," he said, adding a little sigh at the end. She nodded her acknowledgement.

"That's fine, I guess," Sango murmured, peeking up at him shyly, striving to discard the image that had burned itself into her mind. After all, it was a rare event to catch Miroku in any, even partial, state of undress. "I, uh... Think I'll go to bed early tonight..."

"Oh." He paused thoughtfully. "You don't want anything to eat beforehand?" Biting her lip lightly, Sango shook her head in the negative as she pushed herself away from the shoji.

"No, I had had some rice and tea earlier," she lied. "Good night, Houshi-sama." He nodded, moving aside when she slipped past him. It was only when she peeped over her shoulder that she realized he had been tailing her. "Houshi-sama, what do you think you're doing?"

He grinned mischievously.

"My dear Sango! I merely believed that you meant what you said as an offer. Was I mistaken?" he teased softly, with just a hint of seriousness. She pursed her lips, trying to decide on a worthy retort, when the lone bedding on the other side of the room caught her eye. The strange feeling that unexpectedly washed over her, coupled with the tempting notion of defying Ansho, had her speaking her next words before she was fully aware of what she was saying.

"Well, that's not what I meant. However, if you were to make sure that those hands of yours kept to themselves..." Sango inhaled deeply, "then you would be welcome to move back over here."

Silence then made its presence known. That is, until Miroku laughed warmly, causing Sango to scowl indignantly.

"Well, if you're going to be like that about it, then-"

"Sango."

"What?!" He seemed unperturbed by her irritated countenance. Damn it.

"I'll be right back!"

"Hmph." Pretending that her initial impulse to watch him stroll over to his own futon was nonexistent, Sango slid into her own, praying to whichever deity who would listen that she wouldn't regret this. If he groped her, she would have to live up to her promise and let Ansho "punish" him. If that happened, where would her blackmail-worthy advantage go?

Ah, oh well. She'd have herself to blame, curse it all.

Half a moment later, Miroku had positioned his mat near hers and blown out all but two of the candles that lit the room, leaving them on for when Ansho returned. Sango watched him move around for a short time, until she let herself drift off into slumber.

"Sango?" Miroku said as he settled down. He received no reply. Frowning a bit, he leaned closer, catching sight of her sleeping face. "Ah, never mind." Lying down on his side, facing the young woman, he let himself muse himself to sleep. 'You know... She never did answer my question...' was his last thought before he was lost to the world for the night.

*

Several hours later, Ansho's slim silhouette entered the dark room, the tapering candles having burnt themselves out. Her jaw set as she saw how close Miroku and Sango were to one another, and a small sound of discontent escaped her throat. Fuming, she realized that she would get little rest before they set out on their search again.

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Aamalie: Yeah... The wonderful things jealous will make you do. The green-eyed-monster is a deadly disease. I know it from experience! ^-^; Rawr... Eh, oh well. *sighs* I'm losing reviewers... I just counted up my total for last chapter, and its lower than normal. *sniffles* I suppose I'm unloved...

Well, cookies and candy and such to everyone who DID review! ^.~

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Review Responses

Wakadori Ramen- I think you should be yelling at me to not get distracted and to stop procrastinating, rather then telling me not to get grounded... Don't you agree? ^_^

Zero27- *ponders* You know... I wonder. Is it considered hypocritical if you hate football, up until you get to watch your crush playing it? And then, suddenly, you almost resemble a cheerleader because you're yelling yourself hoarse? ^^; Hope not. =P

Ghoul King- I SHALL resist temptation... I SHALL resist temptation... *pauses and notices a plug in an outlet* Hmmm... I wonder what would happen if I did this...? *pulls the plug, effectively turning off said screen* ^.^ *innocence*

SaRaToNi- Me? Stop reading? Ha! If you weren't my friend, I'd call you an imbecile for such an uncouth suggestion, thou uncultured swine! *blinks* Me? What? I didn't say anything... *switches her horns for her halo*

KuteandKrazy23- Well, you have the personalities/names right. As for why Sango snapped at Miroku when she got out of the bath... Well, there are certain things about the normal Sango that can never be changed, no matter how she's broken up. ^_^;

Corisu Li- Right! I updated... Finally... ¬¬; It took me a LONG while, I know... *sighs* But at least I cranked it out. And now, I REALLY want your next chapter... Whilst I work on the next one for this fic... Or maybe I'll write ST. I miss that fic. O.O; Yeah... Stupid, unofficial hiatus...

LiL psYchO- Ugh... Sweet Tooth... Unofficial hiatus, meaning I'll update when I get my schedule back onto the "reasonable" status... But, maybe I'll incorporate some "falling" in that fic, ne?

Queen of All Chipmunks- XD The day I fear your chipmunks is the day that Miroku you own Miroku. My plushie army could beat up your chipmunks any day. ^-^; So there! Miroku AND Sesshy are MY bishies!!! Paws off! =P

Queenizzay- *sighs* Yesh, I luffle you, but that dudn't mean I've gots to share! ^_^ But here, you can have a Miroku plushie and a Sango plushie instead. ^___^;

Amber Eyez- Weapons are fun... I need to make some new ones myself... @.@ And I hope your grades came out okay! Fortunately, mine did.

Chibi Dark Rose- Aww! Miroku-cookies? Too cute too eat! *pokes* The recipe ish in demand!

IronRaven- You make such flattering and pretty reviews... ^.^ Careful, I might glomp you and never let go! But don't degrade your fics so much! They kick major ass!

Kassatsu- Well, I'm glad that you decided to review! It does mean a lot! As does the flattery. ^.~

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Quick Poll:

Who do you think Miroku should, if the situation arises, go for if he has to choose between the two Sangos?

A) Ansho! She kicks butt- literally...

B) Sango! She's sweet... And actually flirts, etc.

C) Are you kidding? There needs to be a happy ending where Sango goes back to normal, they profess their love, and all that good stuff!

D) ...As if you would actually take this poll into consideration in the long run? You have this all planned out and just want to give your reviewers some sense that they actually have a say, don't you? *suspicious glare*

^.^ Gomen. Couldn't resist. Lonnie's review made me do it!

Anyway, I'll try and have the next chapter out sooner... Just gimme more reviews!!! @.@ Else, I may take 'til... April... *dark music plays in background*

Ja ne!