Life is Beautiful When You Don't Look Down (ch5)

[Perfect Soldier]

Disclaimer~ I don?t own Inuyasha or any related characters.

Dialogue~ ?Meep meep meep.?

Thoughts~ Are in italics.

Author?s note~ It?s been a long time coming believe me and I?m back and ready for action. Thanks everyone for hanging in there with me. I know it?s been tough but I?m really trying to commit myself again to getting my work done. I?m so sorry, and thank you.

Nirvana

Do You Love Me

Oh
Pick me, Pick me yea
Live alone, lone single
Atleast, atleast yea
Everyone is hollow
Pick me, pick me yea
Everyone is waiting
Pick me pick me yea
You can be the baby
hey
dive
dive
dive
dive in me
dive
dive
dive
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
Kiss this, kiss that yea
Live alone, lone single
Atleast, atleast yea
You could be my hero
Pick me, pick me yea
Everyone is waiting
Hit me, hit me yea
I'm real good at hitting
hey
dive
dive
dive
dive in me
dive
dive
dive
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
dive
dive
dive
dive in me
dive
dive
dive
dive in me
dive
dive
dive
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
dive in me
Chapter 5

?This is?? Sango?s voice seemed to falter as she took a look around the apartment. It?s rather small with dirty laundry whisked about the floor, dishes overflowing from the sink, and unkempt furniture. It was a strange and unusual place for her to be. She wouldn?t call herself an upscale girl but then again, perhaps she?d just been oblivious for all these years.

Miroku smiled at Sango?s reaction to the place. ?You don?t have to say it Sango-- the place is I dump, I know.?

Good job!!! Just step on his heart why don?t you. ?No! That?s not what I meant at all. It?s really great, cozy. I wish that I could??

?Enough.?

Though Miroku?s voice sounded deep and serious he still had an awkward little smile on his face. ?You didn?t offend me. Don?t lie to lie to yourself or to me. I accept the way things are. I don?t need to feel better.?

?Miroku.? Her eyes were still glued to him. He had his little moments that made her question everything she knew. One moment he?s the carefree idiot and another a serious deep thinker.

?So what you like to eat? I can make Ramen or Ramen. Your choice.?

Ignoring her previous thought about the split personality pervert she smiled and replied, ?I think I?ll take the Ramen in that case.?

?Ah! Fabulous choice. You?ll be glad you did. Take a seat in the kitchen while I cook some up.?

Nodding, she sat down and let the mood and atmosphere sink in a little.

Having an understanding for what was probably running through her head he decided to not press at all and focus on cooking up the Ramen. He hummed gladly as he went to work.

?This place.?

?Huh?? Miroku stopped working for a moment and looked over at her.

?It?s not so bad. It?s kind of comforting.?

?Care to elaborate for me here while I cook??

?It?s not like my house. It doesn?t feel so phony. Here it?s like what you see is what you get. My house is?? her voice quieted as she worked up the strength to continue.

Miroku could see sense the anguish in her voice and was afraid to even venture for her to keep going. ?Is everything???

?It?s big and empty, Miroku!? Her hands gripped the tabletop firmly as she let go of her buried emotions. ?It?s nothing but a dwelling full of pain and emptiness. No one is ever there, even if father or Kohaku is there. They really aren?t.?

Struggling to find his voice Miroku had to take a deep breath for a moment. ?I see.?

?I hate it. I hate being alone like that. Everyone says they?ll help but they never do. They just ignore me and tell me it?s a phase. Tell me it?s not, Miroku. Tell me it?s not just a phase!?

Sango?s distress was apparent. Miroku knew what had to be done he only hopped Sango would listen to him.

?Sango,? he said quietly. ?I won?t abandon you. I can listen to you.? He walked over to her and draped his arms tightly over her. ?I won?t ignore you.?

?Tell me,? she said, a small tear sliding down the side of her now pale face. ?Why do you bother to even help me? What could it ever matter to you??

?Because I am alone too.?

This is the real Miroku talking now. No more disguises no more lies. This is him.

?What do you mean??

His grip tightened as his voice rasped, ?I?m alone too. I know how it feels. My parents died when I was a child. Mushin tried, but he didn?t know how to be a parent to me.?

?I?m sorry,? she whispered.

?For what??

?I didn?t mean to bring up so much pain for you. I know how that feels. I hate the pain.?

It?ll be okay. I promise I?ll make it better, Sango. ?Do you hate pain so much so that you wanted to escape it ultimately??

?Sometimes.? Her throat felt dry and thought it would close up on her soon.

?You?ll never escape it that way. If you do die then it won. Face it, who ever wants to be the loser??

She choked over her own voice and the realization of what he?d just said. ?I?? She couldn?t speak anymore and the tears flooded out, her liquid sadness spilling over the table.

He stroked her hair calmly as she continued to cry. They didn?t need to say anything. What could be said? Miroku wanted only to comfort her, and Sango only sought a loving embrace, just a little attention thrown her way that wasn?t all negative.

The way Miroku?s arms felt around her only had made Sango want to cry more. Miroku had done everything for her. All he wanted was to see her happy.

What did he want though? At the end of the day what was it that he would ask for over anything else in the world. She really didn?t know. Really, she didn?t know all that much about him yet. Besides the fact at he felt a lot like her, alone in the world, searching for something. How was it the two were so alike and so very different?

Miroku had pondered that question himself many times late at night when he couldn?t sleep and school would be fast approaching. He?d tell himself that he didn?t know and that?s what gave him a purpose. The actual search of what it was he wanted.

He knew though. Inside we all know what it is that we want. Desire is a human emotion that all people feel.

I want to mean something, he thought as his embrace tightened over the sobbing girl. I want value and this girl sees value in me. Maybe I?m worth more than just a pretty face.

?Sango?? his voice questioned uneasily.

Her voice cracked as she tried to speak. ?Yeah??

?I think I burnt the Ramen.?

It was a true statement as the smell rose up in the air. How long had they been like that? Just holding each other. Must have been a long time, too long. Lunch was ruined.

?S-sorry,? she said uneasily. ?I was just feeling so upset.?

?You?re more important than Ramen, you know. Don?t worry so much.? He had reluctantly enough let go of the girl and tended to the job of salvaging their meal. As he was doing so he had a smile fixated on his face and that had relieved Sango.

He can be so carefree about a lot of things. I?m glad he?s not mad at me.

?There you go!? He put on the table a very steaming hot plate of Ramen for the two them to share.

The puffy red face Sango had had before was replaced now be a clearer looking resolve and warm smile. ?It looks great.?

?Well, cooking isn?t exactly the strong suit I?m known for, but I do what I can.?

?I think you do fine at it.? She started getting at the noodles with her chopsticks.

You probably won?t think that way after you try it first. Most people would say that there?s no conceivable way to screw up cooking Ramen, but Miroku was good at the inconceivable.

She took a bite and her face remained neutral as she took several more bites of the noodle dish.

?Oh, wow, so you can actually eat it. I?m really relieved.?

?Yeah well, my dad could never cook very well so eating poorly made foods doesn?t bother me.? There was an awkward silence as it hit Sango that what she just said. ?Not that you can?t cook. I mean, it?s Ramen!?

He chuckled as he took another bite of it as well. Yeah, just Ramen. If only life were a bowl of Ramen. How much simpler things could be?

?Miroku?? she asked rather suddenly.

?Hmmm?? He looked over at her, a Ramen noodle dangling form his mouth.

?Can I ask why you?re going out of your way to help me like this? It?s above and beyond the call of any friend?? she just trailed off after that, hoping Miroku got the picture.

Should have figured this would come up eventually, damn. What do I say to her? He opened his mouth and closed it again. He didn?t know.

?Wrong question?? she dared to venture.

?Your nature is so calm and relieving. I find myself always happy and excited around you, even when you?re sad. I feel like I?m the only one who can ever dry your tears.?

That had jumbled up Sango?s feelings considerably. He really feels that way about me? I can?t even believe it.

Miroku knew he had taken a bold step but he?d keep treading further. ?When I?m with you I feel special and needed. Do you need me like the way I need you, Sango??

?I don?t??

He reached across the table and pressed his finger delicately across her lips. ?Tell me the truth and don?t hold back.?

She struggled to draw in a breath as Miroku?s close presence left her and he drew back into his seat. ?You?re the only one who listens and ever seems to care. No one ever seems to just care??

The young boyish features in Miroku?s face softened as he looked across the table. Sitting there was just a delicate figure, one that seemed as though you could always look but never touch; the finest line possible.

Carefully, he got up from his chair and walked over to her. If Sango noticed she didn?t seem to care, for she was in her own head.

His hand gently glided across her face bringing her back to reality. The feeling of the caress was making Sango feel rather flush.

?Let?s go into the main room or something. Or are you still hungry??

She just shook her head; words were miles away at the moment as her hand went up to touch her face.

?Okay.? He hoisted her up from the chair and led her back into the room with the entryway. There was a beaten up couch the two of them could sit on. He led her over there and let her sink into it.

?It?s nice,? she smiled up at him.

Heh, you're always giving the compliments, Sango. ?Well, it?s something.? He sat down a relatively safe distance next to her.

?I like it though, really. I could just drown in it.? She closed her eyes and let herself lean back into Miroku?s lap.

The sudden close content made Miroku blush mildly, and he quickly hid his face from view of Sango. After all, he was a ladies man; he didn?t blush and swoon over girls like this ever.

She reached her hand up to his face and gave him a modest and concerned smile. ?What?s up??

He smiled back, wanting to be reassuring. ?Nothing.?

?That?s good. After everything you?ve done for me I?d hate to be a burden to you now.?

?You?re not a burden,? he sighed. ?You really shouldn?t think like that.?

?It?s true though. I?m no good to anyone.?

There she goes again? ?Who ever told you that??

?No one ever needed to tell me!? she got defensive. ?If I were worth anything then someone would pay attention to me, love me.?

Instinctively Miroku wrapped his arms tightly under Sango. His warm breath bristled her neck as he spoke. ?Sometimes people forget how to love, and you have to give them a chance. Just like you gave me.?

?I-I guess??

He kissed the top of her head and smiled. ?Just relax now. I?ll take care of you.?

?Yeah.? She exhaled and closed her eyes, letting herself relax. I know you will.

Miroku?s fingers twitched as he fought with his inner conscious over the situation. ?Must. Not. Grope.? He let out a gasp as Sango unconsciously moved her head against his lap.

Lord, you?re far too cruel?

Taking in a ragged breath he let himself relax and sink into the sofa. Luckily for him Sango had stopped moving and expansion did not take place, though his cheeks were plenty red.

Putting his head down he kissed the top of Sango?s head and smiled. ?Don?t expect me to be on my best behavior next time.?

With that his own eyes shut and his mind was brought into a comfortable state of unconsciousness. Sleeping was good for that, always. When you?re asleep reality can?t haunt you and the nightmares are never real, not like life.

The hours passed quietly and neither of the two stirred. They both were in a deep state of relaxation that their bodies craved so desperately. It would only last for so long though, and Miroku was the first to awake.

A crisp and cool feeling ran through his spine making him shiver. It had gotten a lot cooler in the room. His hands felt cold and heavy, not having much feeling in them. ?Sango,? he rasped. ?Are you awake??

The mop of hair resting on his lap made a soft noise of discontent. ?No.?

?Heh, well you may want to wake up some time soon.? He took a quick glance at the wall clock. ?It?s already 5:00pm. Shouldn?t you get going??

She groaned. ?Damn, you?re serious??

?Yeah.?

Seething under her breath she reluctantly hoisted up her head and smoothed out her hair. Her petite fingers ran over her face in attempts to revitalize herself.

Miroku grinned at this. ?Still sleepy, huh??

Yawning she replied, ?Always.? Standing up she walked over to the door and slipped her shoes back on. ?I?d like to stay longer, but I?m afraid there?s some doom to be had at home that I must go and face.?

?I understand. Let me go with you then.? He sat up and motioned for the door.

Sango just looked deliberately at him for a moment. ?Well, if you really insist you can walk me home.?

?Good, because it wasn?t an offer.? He grabbed her by the arm and whisked her out the door.

?Wasn?t going on? Did I just let him whisk me away again? It?s funny; I always thought I was okay on my own. Am I?

?Zoning out again??

?Huh?? She was quickly stirred from her thoughts. ?I?m sorry, but you surprised me back there.?

Even though Sango hadn?t intended it to be, that was a big ego boost to Miroku. ?I?m full of surprises, Sango. Stick around me a little more, and I?ll show you all sorts of things.? He winked in his usual mischievous and perverted way.

On the inside Sango felt flush and on fire, but she refused to give Miroku the satisfaction. ?How can you be so perverted at times and sincere others??

He shrugged, not giving it much thought. ?Just one of those many talents of mine, babe.?

Her eyebrow twitched as she felt a hand move across her ass. ?Remove it before I break it. I?m not ?your? babe, as you say.?

?Oh? And here I thought you liked me after everything we?ve gone through.?

She knew she was beat, but she pressed forward. ?I was vulnerable and am thankful for your help. Nothing more.?

Heh, I shouldn?t have expected much more from her, but we?ll see if we can?t change the circumstances later on. He complied and reluctantly moved his hand. ?Whatever you say.?

?Good,? she huffed.

Temptation lingered to say something more to her, but he decided against it. I already said enough. I?ll just let her stew in everything for a while.

They thusly walked briskly beside one another, both of them not uttering a single sound or sentence to the other. The day could easily be called argues, and it wasn?t even over yet. Sango still had her family to face when she got home. While Miroku was going to be busy trying to smooth things out with Mushin when he?d receive the call that he hadn?t shown up at school and was in extreme jeopardy there.

Not much to look forward to at all?

And as soon as the walk had begun it had ended. It took Sango only a second to register that she was already home. Wow, that was fast. Home already?joy

?That your place then?? Miroku had taken the hint after he didn?t hear Sango shuffling alongside him.

?Yes.?

?That?s too bad. I had hoped you lived farther.?

?Heh. You wish, pervert.?

The evil grin of his grew. ?Yes.?

Her hand had a twinge in the urge to hit him but that face he made was just too damn cute for her to hit?for now. ?All good things must come to an end, I suppose.?

?Shame. You were such a good thing too.?

?Okay? Well, thanks for everything, but I don?t want to hear any more cheap lines. I?m going.? She didn?t even send him a second glance and turned around.

No!

Quickly his hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Shocked, Sango looked back at him. ?What are you???

?I?m sorry,? he said quickly and evenly, ?but-? and his lips plunged softly over hers. ?That?s payback for taking care of you today.?

The pleasantness of Miroku?s kiss overpowered Sango?s fierce range and before she could react and hit him the little pervert had run off. Calling a long ?thankyouuuuuu,? as he ran.

?That guy,? she sighed. ?H-how did I ever meet such a weirdo?? She of course didn?t want to admit to herself how alive she felt that day or how completely amazing a little kiss made her.

End of chapter

What did you guys think? ^^' it's not as long as my usual chapters, but I hope you liked it.

[Roa_Aoife]

Yay! Another update! This was a great chapter, but don't stop now. Hurry up and wirte another. And if you think this is too demanding, well, that's what you get for writing a great story. :razz:

[luved_by_bishie_duelistch]

YAY! ^_^ that were awesome! me loved it! the lil kiss were soooo cute!!! and all the blushies! *pauses* sorry. is sugar hyper. post more soon? please?