Sweet Tooth – Part One: A Pleasant Meeting
Important Notes: Happy birthday to Sara, to whom
this fic is dedicated. After all, it is based
on her love for her dentist, and she helped me develop the basic outline, which
I've changed since that half-hour of extreme boredom while we waited for
someone to get to church. ^.^ Happy 14th Ozzy!
Also, I am changing The
Question to 'Will you marry me?' instead of 'Will you bear my child?' It's
just because this is an Alternate Universe fic and it
suits this era much better than the usual, and would probably register much the
same reaction... You'll get my intentions in time. =D
Disclaimer: Yes... I own Inuyasha.
I also have found a way to convert bishounen
characters into real, live humans. Welcome to the world in which I day dream, because
these things could never be true in real life.
Yes Sara, I know what
you're thinking. And yes, you and everyone else are merely figments of
my imagination. -.-'
---
Moving is by far one of
the worst experiences of one's life. It's an exhausting process, demanding much
time and many headaches. Add the fact you're in a city that you haven't visited
for well on twenty years, and then life gets really hectic.
Miroku was sleeping off the stress of
that exact situation when the doorbell rang.
Ding-Dong.
"Nnng..."
He rolled over in an attempt to get away from the offending noise.
Ding-Dong. Ding-Dong!
DING-DONG!!!
He groaned, rolling over
again, and promptly fell off of the bed.
"Ah, crap!" he
grumbled, fighting off the constraining blankets that had mummified him in his
sleep. "Who's waking me up and this damn hour?!"
The clock read 11:37 a.m.
Ah, the joys of moving...
Muttering profanities and
other related complaints, Miroku heaved himself to
his feet with the aid of his mattress. He tossed his covers back onto the bed,
pointedly ignoring the fact that it was now torn. He was more concerned with
finding out whom exactly had dared to interrupt him at this unholy hour.
Looking through the peek-hole in his front door, all woes were quickly
discarded.
Arranging his features
into a self-confident grin, he pulled the door open with a flourish...
...And was promptly bowled
over by a young woman several years younger than he.
Promptness: Virtue or
vice?
"Uh... Hi?"
"Miroku-sama!
It's me, Meiwaku Koharu!
Remember? You took me on that wonderful dinner a few years ago! I'm friends
with the apartment manager, and when she mentioned that you were the new
resident, I knew it had to be you! The name and the description fit
perfectly!"
Koharu? Meiwaku
Koharu? Oh yeah... Chuckling, Miroku
chose to hug her back before pushing her away slightly in order to see her
properly.
"How pleasant to see
you again, Koharu-san. You're looking quite
lovely."
She giggled.
"Still the same Miroku-sama, I see! But you know, I'm different! I'm
twenty-one now! I'm not a minor anymore, and I can drink! Isn't it
great? We can be together!"
Ah, yes. That was why he
had avoided socializing with her again. She had been quite younger than him at
that time, being seventeen, while he had been twenty-three. Major lawsuit
material there, especially since she had enthusiastically agreed to marry him
someday... Something along the lines of seducing a minor, though he had quite
pulled back when he found out her true age. Sexual harassment accusations due
to his wandering hand were one thing, but that was a bit far. He did overstep
boundaries sometimes, but that was a bit too far.
"So, I believe you
have a reason for visiting? Or did you just wish to grace me with your joyous
presence?" Joyous? Did he say joyous? What he had meant to say was
'overly perky'. Well, too bad, so sad. Maybe later...
Another giggle.
"Actually, I was
hoping that I could show you around town, y'know?
After all, you are new to the city! We'd might have to stop by my work
later on, but it'd be fun! What d'you say? Please?"
she pleaded, batting her eyes cutely.
Sighing in defeat, Miroku nodded.
"If you insist. Just
let me go get changed."
"Okay!"
*
"So, Koharu-san, where exactly are you taking me?" Miroku asked, shifting uncomfortably in the cramped
Volkswagen Beetle Koharu drove. It had a feel about
it that suggested it had only been recently and hastily cleaned out. Evidence
of such were the piles of junk he had seen heaped in her trunk when she threw
in a bag of papers and such. And the smell? Unmentionable flavors were
indiscreetly being covered by an open bottled candle in the cup-holder. From
what Miroku could make out on the faded label, it was
named Victorian Christmas. Such a perfect scent for early June...
"Well, I was thinking
that we could grab lunch at a burger joint I go to a lot, then maybe stop by my
work so I can drop off a few things and talk to a few people. After that, I'll
give you a tour of the town- y'know, everything
someone in Tokyo oughta know!" Koharu explained cheerfully, swerving through traffic with
stomach-turning abandon.
"Sounds good," Miroku muttered, mouthing a silent prayer. 'Burger
joint? And her driving? It's at times like these that I wonder if God has been
replaced with cruel twists of fate...'
*
Half an hour, a full meal,
and a roller coaster ride through the surface streets of
All in all, it was a nice
change from that hellhole Koharu called a vehicle.
"You work... In a
dentist's office?" Miroku managed, the scent of
herbs and the sight of a steady, neat waiting room calming his stomach
considerably.
"Uh-huh! I'm actually
just an intern, but it's still pretty good work. I make enough, and my family
in
"Who?"
"Sango.
She's the dentist who owns this practice."
"I see. Then it may
be best that I wait here, at least until your receptionist gets back." She
glanced at the desk, then shook her head.
"Again? Really, Tsuyu is always wandering off. Anyway, I'll be back
soon!" Flashing a smile and a wink, Koharu
bustled off. Or maybe she skipped? Honestly, with that girl, you could never
tell.
Shrugging, Miroku strolled over to the coffee table, shuffling through
the magazines there. Economics? Boring... National Geographic? No... Health?
Still no... Finally, his gaze landed on that day's newspaper. Flipping through
the sections, his eyes finally landed on the perfect topics.
Sports.
Feeling strangely
self-satisfied, he yanked out his choice from the rest, settling down in a less
than adequately cushioned chair. Even so, that was no matter. He had sports.
Quickly immersing himself in an article about American football, Miroku's mind didn't even register the bell on the door
ringing as someone entered the office. He remained peacefully unaware that he
was not, in fact, the only person in the room, until a voice, accompanied by a
polite tap on his shoulder, interrupted his concentration.
"Excuse me, sir, but
have you been helped yet?" A bit startled, Miroku
turned to look at the intruder, only to have his jaw drop.
She was beautiful, a work
of natural art, no doubt the product of some holy muse. Her dark hair, a few
shades short of ebony, fell past her waist in a low ponytail. Her self-assured
eyes had a magenta tint in their mocha depths, accentuated by a similarly
shaded eyeshadow. And that body- Well, it was
no secret that this young lady gave thought to keeping in shape.
It took a few seconds for
him to realize that he'd been staring. Mentally shaking himself, he cleared his
throat slightly.
"Pardon me?" he
managed, throwing in a slight grin. The girl raised an eyebrow, but returned
the smile as politely as she was able.
"Have you been helped
yet? It seems Tsuyu has disappeared for the
moment."
"Oh, no. You see, I'm
just waiting for someone." The smile turned into a frown.
"Do you mind if I ask
whom? After all, there are no appointments scheduled for another half-hour. I
should know, as I'm usually the one telling them that they need to brush and
floss more often."
"Eh? You're the
dentist here?"
"Hmm? Oh yes. I'm Dr.
Chikara Sango. This is my
practice." Senses finally returning, Miroku rose
to his feet, depositing the newspaper behind him.
"Somei
Miroku," he replied, extending a hand, which she
shook politely enough.
"Nice to meet you, Somei-san. Now, will you answer my previous question?"
Sango asked, prying his hand off of hers with a
skeptical look when he showed no sign of releasing her.
"Ah, you see, I'm new
to the area, and my old friend Koharu is showing me
around the city. We stopped here so that she could do some paperwork, I
believe." Without warning, the young dentist's face went cold.
"Sir, I believe you
should leave then."
"Pardon?"
"This is not a
lounge, and unless you're here to do business, you have to go. My office isn't
a rest stop. So, unless you're planning to make an appointment, you will get
off of this property, sidewalk and doorway included, before I throw you
out."
Well, that was certainly
unexpected. Business, huh? He could easily counter that, and at his own benefit,
too.
"Dearest Dr. Chikara, I believe you missed my previous words. After all,
I did just move into this city, and therefore have chosen out neither doctor
nor dentist. Maybe you would be interested in filling in one of those
spots?" he suggested. Once again, that polite, businesslike smile
returned.
"Of course! Here,
please come over to the counter..." He gladly followed, admiring certain
elements of the scenery as he did so. "Now, you have insurance,
right?" Sango continued, logging onto the
computer, tossing the note that had been stuck to it off to the side.
"Of course."
"Good... You'll need
to bring that information and your dental records next time you come... Hmmm.
For an appointment, what day of the week would you prefer?" the dentist
asked, glancing up at Miroku from the computer
screen. He grinned at her.
"Any day is
fine."
"Mmm...
I see. Then how's next Thursday at 2:45? Or is that too early?"
"It's a date!" Sango raised an eyebrow at him.
Well, wasn't he a bit confident...
"Great. And your phone
number?" Miroku paused, trying to recall his new
number.
"I believe that
it's... Three, five, two, sixty-four, sixty-four. Feel free to call me anytime
that you want."
Sango chose to ignore that last part.
"That's all then.
We'll get the rest of your information next time you're here." A flash of
movement caught Sango's eye as Koharu
entered the room. The girl froze as soon as she saw Sango,
a look that said, 'Oh shit,' written across her face. "Oh, hello Koharu-san. Your friend, Somei-sama,
just made an appointment." The look relaxed into a cheerful smile as she
made her way over.
"Oh that's great!
Glad to hear it. We always love a new client, especially when we know them.
Anyway, I'm finished with those papers. You ready to go take a tour of the
city?"
If she was driving? No...
But it wasn't like he had much of an option.
"I guess so. It was
nice doing business with you, Sango-sama," Miroku said with a wink, causing the dentist's polite
façade to become very forced. Even so, she extended a hand once more.
"I agree. See you on
Thursday then?"
"Definitely!" Miroku replied, his hand slipping past hers to land on her
chest area, making no motion to move it. Sango went
red, and her fists and jaws clenched.
"Excuse me, Somei-sama, but we make it a policy here not to fraternize
with the clients," she hissed, enunciating her point by landing a slap
across his face. Koharu sighed.
"Sorry about that...
He's a bit of an idiot sometimes."
"So I noticed,"
the dentist huffed, turning and stalking farther into the office as Koharu dragged Miroku out of the
door.
Smiling, he rubbed the
mark the slap had left on his cheek.
'I think I’m in
love...'
---
Aamalie: Well, that turned out lamer than I expected, but
it's still okay. Hope you enjoyed! And happy birthday once again, Sara...
Maela: Be happy. We spent good time on this fic, as well as good money on your other present.
But then again, we read that...
Taena: Several times, both your copy and others. Anyway,
please leave a review people! ^.^