What Sango Wants – Part Fifteen: A Couple of Love Struck Morons

Aamalie: I know. Evil cliffie. I won't talk 'til the end. You don't give a damn about what I have to say until you know the end. Indulge yourselves.

Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, volume 30 of the manga would be translated already, and all of the manga readers would be squealing about how freaking long it took for Miroku to propose to Sango, and how freaking evil Rumiko is for not giving them enough fluff. As that has not happened yet, no, I do NOT own Inuyasha. -.-;

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It seemed as though the sound of her heart was the only sound in the entire world. Though she knew she was the only one who could hear it, the rhythm seemed to reverberate through her entire being, encompassing her mind, body, and soul. Yet, Sango kept her senses detached from all else but the dumbfounded monk caught before her, her grip on his robes steady. All time centered in on him. All else faded into a messy watercolor of colors and sounds. Everything that made up her world depended on his next words. It was they that could- would- make, or break, her heart.

Miroku, for his part, was in a jumble.

'What did she just ask me? Kami-sama, is she even allowed to ask me that?! I must be hearing things. That's it, right? ...RIGHT?! Okay, so, it's wrong. But what am I going to say? I mean, I can't actually... But she'd be so... I can't... Though I do... But she...'

All the while, Sango had watched his face go through a series of stages, accompanied by his disheveled thoughts. Added together, the sum of the story seemed very bleak indeed. Slowly, she let her clutch on his clothing loosen, and the tears that occasionally streaked her face were bordering on steady. Sango let her gaze falter as hope slid from her in silent streams. Miroku, who had been blatantly gaping at the taijiya as he tried to work out what he was going to say, noticed as her hand dropped to her lap to clasp with the other, her head bowing to accommodate the tears.

"Sango..." he began, still trying to find suitable terms for what he wanted to say.

"You don't, do you?" Sango choked out, trying in vain to stop her tears. All in all, she cared more deeply for him than she would ever admit. Though she had suspected it, hoped against it, this seeming proof that he did not return her feelings truly hurt. It was a hurt like being stabbed in the back by someone you trusted deeply, and that had happened to her before, both literally and in a metaphoric sense.

It wrought uncharacteristic self-pity upon her in a soul-wrenching avalanche.

Miroku stared at Sango for a long time, confused. He hadn't even said anything yet. Yes, it was understandable that the time he was taking to answer was distressing, but still, she couldn't expect him to unleash his emotions in an idiotic babble like some love-struck moron... Could she? Suddenly, a second helping of the Hiraikotsu-copies and Tetsusaiga arrived on his plate as he realized Sango's reasoning. Suppressing the temptation to laugh, he reached forward and pulled the taijiya into an embrace. She stifled a gasp, twisting her head to look at him with puffy eyes.

"Houshi-sama?" she whispered, confused. Miroku smiled, wiping a tear from her already stained cheeks.

"It's a bit difficult to get my thoughts in order when you're making assumptions based on what I mean when they're highly unorganized. You see, Sango, I prefer to picture myself a quick-thinking sort of person with a touch of the ability to predict reactions, and I hope others see me as the same. For some reason, though, this talent somewhat eludes me when I'm around you... Especially when you manage to catch me off-guard."

"Houshi-sama?" Sango's tears had slowed to a halt, and the despair was fading into doubtful hope. She resembled a child who had been dreaming of something for a long time, and she felt she was finally getting her wish granted. Even so, she was wary of the possible, illusionary, heartaches that waited to pounce around every corner.

For a very rare occasion, she was wearing her soul on her sleeve, her emotions presented clear to him. It was daring leap of faith.

Like hell was he going to let her fall now.

"Sango, based on previous conversations, you are quite aware of my position in life," he stated. The youkai exterminator merely nodded apprehensively, comprehending from his expression that he wasn't quite done yet. "As such, you should also be aware that I am a notorious liar, and if you were to look past my facades of reasoning, you'd see that I have, in fact, fallen in love in love with a certain, beautiful young woman. Do you know who that woman is, Sango?"

"Tell me," she whispered, her expression filled with withheld joy. Miroku smiled as he leaned his forehead against hers, and spoke a single word.

"You."

Unceasing elation rushed through Sango as her arms flew up around Miroku in a hug, a peal of happy laughter bursting from her. Chuckling, Miroku returned her embrace, and they remained like that for a long moment.

"Thank you..." Sango murmured into his shoulder, surprising him. He pulled back a little to look at her face, but still kept his arms around her.

"For what?" he inquired. Sango shook her head slightly at herself as she linked her hands behind his neck, emboldened by the providential outcome of the situation she had shied away from for months.

"For being honest to me."

'As if I could lie?' Miroku thought, proving his point in the most efficient manner possible. Sango let out a small giggle.

"I suppose you're right. But, Houshi-sa...ma..." she trailed, looking suddenly confused.

"What is it?" The taijiya's mouth quirked into a grin.

"Well... I was just remembering that you were in my head for a period of time, and I don't know why I'm still..."

Miroku blinked.

"Still what?"

"...Calling you that... Houshi-sama... Miroku..." she said, voice dropping as she did so. He stared at her for a long time before grinning himself.

"About time," he said, drawing her close and kissing her once more.

They sat together in each other's arms for the rest of the night, conversing peacefully until they fell into sleep.

*

"Awww! They look so cute together! We shouldn't wake them... After all, it seems the deserve it, if they finally got together."

Inuyasha snorted- although quietly.

"Feh. He probably just pulled a move on her in his sleep."

"She is hugging him back though," Shippou observed as he jumped onto the hanyou's head, peering at the sleeping couple. Miroku, leaning back against a tree, Sango held close in his arms. Her head was on his shoulder, and there were no signs of slap-marks anywhere. Kirara, who had been sleeping near the two, raised her head, seeing the group watching from their hiding spot. She gave a small mew, getting up and rubbing her head against her mistress's shin. After a moment, Sango cracked open an eye, looking down at the small youkai.

"What is it Kirara?"

The neko mewed, receiving a pat on the head as the taijiya carefully detached herself from Miroku, looking around. Her eyes passed over the staring group, and she started, pushing the sleeping monk away from her in sudden embarrassment. Well, there goes the part about sleeping.

"It- I- What- WHEN DID YOU ALL GET BACK?!" she finally said, blushing profusely. Kagome giggled.

"Umm... About ten minutes ago."

"So, finally getting somewhere with the women, eh bouzo?" Inuyasha snickered. Miroku, gave him a dry, sleepy look.

"Kagome-sama, if you fail to subdue him now, I may have to resort to extreme measures."

Kagome smiled.

Inuyasha backed away, shaking his head.

"Ka- Kagome, you don't have to..."

"Inuyasha... Osuwari!"

The sound of face meeting dirt sent several nearby birds flying.

"Thank you, Kagome-sama," Miroku said, glancing around. "Hn? Where'd Sango go?"

"Huh? She was just here..." Kagome said, looking around as well.

"Inuyasha probably scared her off!" Shippou said, jumping on said hanyou's head, who emanated several unintelligible sounds in protest. They were bluntly ignored... Miroku thought for a moment, then nodded, rising.

"I believe I know where she left to. I'll be back in a while. Perhaps you three could start in on breakfast, instead of following us, ne?"

"Umm... Of course! Why would we follow you?" Kagome replied, laughing nervously as Miroku walked away through the trees, choosing not to answer that question. The miko immediately plopped down on the ground, sighing. "No fair! Now we won't know what's going on!"

"Feh. As long as they don't waste the day going a-" he cut himself off at Kagome's look, quickly looking for less dangerous words, "Going all cute... We have shit to do!" Kagome sighed, leaning her head against Inuyasha's shoulder.

"Inuyasha... You're helpless."

*

Sango sat by the stream, lost in thought. She jumped slightly when someone sat down beside her.

"Oh! Miroku, I didn't hear you coming..."

"Ah. So busy with your own thoughts you couldn't hear mine, eh?"

"I suppose..." she trailed off, forehead wrinkling in a concentrated frown. "Miroku... Think something."

"What?"

"Just do it."

'Uh... I love you?'

She continued to frown.

’Sango? Is something wrong?'

No reply.

"Sango, what is it?"

"I... I can't hear your thoughts anymore! What happened?"

"You can't?"

"No!"

"Odd..."

"That's all? Odd?!"

"Yes."

"But... But-"

"Sango," Miroku said, slipping his arm around her and bring her closer, "Does it really matter?" She blushed slightly.

"No... But I do want to know!"

"Some questions are never meant to be answers. Let's not push this one. After all, it did do some good while it lasted, did it not?"

"It did," she admitting, sighing. He laughed, shaking his head.

"Sango, I love you," he whispered, and kissed her softly, happily, lovingly.

Theirs was a love that would last the tests of life.

After all, that's love for you.

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The End

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Aamalie: Wow... Took me long enough. Now that I'm done, I feel like crying. My precious fic is over... But I'm already starting in on a new one. In fact, here's the summary! I posted it right after I updated this, so check it out!

Title: Splintered Coral

Summary: Sango gets split into two different bodies with a different personality for each- Shy village girl and bold taijiya. What's a houshi to do?

Rating: PG-13

Coupling: Mir/San

Taena: Basically Miroku gets to deal with two Sango's instead of one. One's the feminine side of her, the other's the kick-butt Sango we all know her to be... It'll be fun. ^.^' Read it.

Maela: We love all of you readers, even the ones that don't review... *GLARE* We'll probably be revising some of the earlier chapters, since we sorta reread them and cringed... -.-' But anyway, here are the review responses! Thank you EVERYONE who ever read this story, especially the first 17 people who reviewed the first chapter who gave us the original confidence in continuing, and even more so to the ones who stuck by us the whole, long way through! Hope you ALL read our new fic!

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Zero27: Yes... Well, it did. Big surprise... I am sorta addicted to that fic for some reason. -.-; Probably because all of your fics are MirSan!!! ^______^ Which means you rawk, of course! =D *mutters* I still can’t believe I didn’t see your update... Gagh. What stupidity. Make sure you read my new story! O.O’

Sango-to-miroku: Yes, and until that day- 20+ manga volumes away and 6+ years after- I’ll sit here and daydream about what COULD happen if they’d just admit their damned feelings. Care to join the club? Only admission fee is that you read my new fic!

Lily Among the Thorns-89: Here’s your update. Sorry it took so long... Procrastination. Read my new fic... Pweeeeeeeeeze?

Ghoul King: *sits for a long moment, considering. After a while, she grabs her Digital Sledgehammer and beats Corwin repeatedly over the head* YOU DARE SUGGEST A SEQUEL!?!?!??!?! EVIL!!! Sequels are eeeeevil... Which is why I haven’t written ‘The Set-Up’ yet... ^^’ But yeah. It WOULD make an interesting marriage. If only I was that cruel... READ MY NEW FICCIE!

Naanaami: LoL... I had to add seconds... ^.^’ You’ll read my new fanfic, right? ^.^’

Vampire-Elf: Hee... Well, here’s the last one. It’s sad that it’s over... I hope I get as many reviews for Splintered Coral... Probably won’t though. *sigh*

Autophage: *glomp* CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM! I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU! *cough* Ummm, now that THAT’S out of system... XD I usually write how I talk, and I use random Japanese often. (My friends will confirm it for you) Even so, when typing up my new story, I’ll keep your advice in mind. And I have a beta now, so hopefully my errors will drop. D’you mind if I beg you to keep reading my fanfics? *puppy dog eyes*

S@n-Ch@n: Ummm... Miroku’s pretty dense. Why would he cautious with his thoughts, as he obviously doesn’t use caution when dealing with women... -.-‘ You’ll read my new ficcie, riiiiiiiiight? ^.^

The-Real-Rose-Gamgee: Heh... I take my time for updates. But I update at least once every calendar week. Sorry this one took so long. I was procrastinating. Shame on me, eh? Read my new fic! Splintered Coral! Yay! ^^

Corisu Li: Hopefully it will work. Until then, I’m just gonna go watch this video... Don’t see how, what with subtitles and all, but oh well. At least I’ll have some idea about who these Kenshin characters you always talk about are. Hee... The advantages of lending out Inu manga- Peeps return the favor! Anime... *drool* Even if it isn’t Inu. =D

Inu-Shounen: It was a topsy-turvy chapter. Not my best, but then I’ve been down about the prospect of actually finishing this fic, but at least it’s out! =D And InuObsessed says you deserve a cookie for having this fic on your favorite’s list, so here’s a cookie! *hands over a huge cookie jar*

Shikon: FYI: Cliffies are the work of me. ‘The Set-Up’ is the sequel to Time Together, not this story (just so you don’t get confuzzled, if that’s what you thought), and they met up with them... But KiRaRa never left... *glares at all the peeps who spell it ‘Kilala’*

Lancer272spoot: *Law of all writers*: Reviewers are NEVER wasting time. They are the reason for writing... =D Well... Not the reviewers... Just the reviews. *innocent lights beam down* (jk!) Long live the oversized weapons! So long as you read my new fanfic, that is.

InuObsessed: The cookie(s) are given! =D Have one yourself! *hands over an overflowing cookie jar* You'll read my new fanfic now, riiiiiiiiight? *crafty wink*

Amber Eyez: I got a B-.... I’m screwed. >.<’ Just read my new ficcie... -.-'

BC: Ummm.. Okay. Confuzzled now. O.O'

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AND NOW THAT THIS FIC IS OVER, REVIEW AND MOVE ON TO READING...

Splintered Coral!

And also check out my oneshot...

Leaves of Time!

 

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