The Other Side

Dedicated to Kip as a very, very late birthday present.

—

“We’re in.”

“Seriously?” his companion asked. “That was fast.”

“Are you complaining about my efficiency? I thought you wanted in. If you would like though, I can put the security back up and start all over again. However, there’s no guarantee that no one would notice a second hack, Sango.” He quirked an eyebrow at the young woman as she tucked a stray lock of hair beneath her beanie and adjusted her oversized vest.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Miroku,” she chided. “We don’t take unnecessary risks, remember?”

“And robbing a bank is a necessity?”

Her brown eyes rolled heavenwards, but he caught the amused glint that lingered there regardless. “Come on. Time is wasting!” With a final grin his way, Sango tied a black bandana over the lower half of her face and opened the skylight window of the bank. When no alarm went off, thanks to Miroku’s assistance, she dropped the nylon rope she’d tied off into the building and disappeared a moment later. Miroku typed a few last commands on his laptop before closing it and following her down.

She was waiting.

He could see she was anticipating this—her first big heist! Just under two months ago, she’d been hitting corner mini-markets and liquor stores. Now, with Miroku’s computer skills to back her up, she was diving headfirst into what she believed was a world of glamour and good times.

“You were right,” she whispered, giving his cheek a kiss through both of their makeshift masks. “Not a single guard on post and crap security.”

“Old bank,” he said with a shrug, glancing around.

“Let’s take the registers first,” Sango suggested. “You deactivated the locks on those, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Mind if I do the honors then?” Sango asked cheerfully, vaulting over the reception counter. Miroku smiled at her as he went around the long way.

“Mind if I watch?”

She rolled her eyes at him as he wrapped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Breaking into a bank and you still can’t keep your hands to yourself. It figures.”

He made an noise that Sango took for amusement just as she set to opening the register. With a click, the panel opened, sliding open to reveal the cash inside, and—

“Stop right there!”

Sango did stop, completely caught off guard. And then, slowly, her eyes lifted. They were completely surrounded; officers with guns withdrawn were there wherever she turned. However, that wasn’t the worst part.

The worst part was when Miroku’s hands lifted from her waist to grasp her wrists.

The worst part was when he pulled her numb arms back and behind her.

The worst part was when the cold metal of Miroku’s handcuffs met the skin between her gloves and her sleeves.

The worst part was when Miroku began to recite her Miranda rights from memory.

The worst part was when she knew she’d been betrayed.

And he hated himself for it, even though he shouldn’t have.

—

Aamalie: Now, Kippy, you're probably in shock, seeing as how this is nothing along the lines of what you asked for. But, hey. It's your birthday present. Surprises are a must.

As for the rest of you... Well, you're probably going to want to kill me. Too bad, I don't really think I'm going to extend this. I like it as is.

Tell me what you thought!