InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Minoue ❯ True Intent ( Chapter 43 )

Disclaimers: I do not own InuYasha or any of the manga/anime characters. They belong to the wonderful genius Rumiko Takahashi. Any original characters do belong to me.

 

AN: Thank you very much to inufan625 for acting as my beta once again. An additional thank you goes to Knittingknots for her help as well. I greatly appreciate the time they've taken to help make me a better writer and this a better story.

 

Thank you very much for the reviews. I read each and every one of them, and greatly appreciate those of you that took the time to leave one.

 

The official results are in for the Feudal Association December 2008 term!

Minoue - First Place in the Best AU/AR Fiction category, Second Place in the Best Romance (Alt Pairing) category, and Second Place in the Best Drama Fiction category

View to a Chill was Second Place in the Best Oneshot Category

Where the Wind Blows was Second Place in the Best Humorous Fiction Category

 

Thanks again to everyone who nominated or voted for any of my fics! If you are interested in participating in the process next term, you can join now at groups.yahoo.com/group/FeudalAssociation.

 

 

Minoue

 

Chapter 43: True Intent

 

Sango's heart was pounding as she ran down the hall. There was a cluster of students happily chattering as they walked in her direction, so she ducked into the ladies' toilet before they spotted her. She ran into a stall, slammed the door shut, and bolted it. She wiped the tears from her cheeks as she replayed the scene in her mind.

 

There was Miroku, the man that she had come to realize she had fallen in love with, sitting at his desk plain as day while two of the girls from the class fawned over him. Sango repeated the scene in her mind again. Come to think of it, he had looked a bit shocked and angry - and that was before he realized she was in the doorway. His chair had been pushed as far backwards as it would go before the wall stopped him, and he was gripping the arms so tightly his knuckles were white. In addition, the door had not been locked. Wouldn't he have told them to secure it if he planned on doing anything with them there in his office? She was considering all of these things when she heard the bathroom door swing open. Not ready to face anyone or answer any questions, she backed into the corner. She was in the last stall, so the only way they would be able to see her was if they came all of the way to the wall and looked under the door.

 

“This is all your fault, you stupid slut!” one of the girls who had come in said to the other. “You're the one who said we didn't need to study - we didn't need to do any work. All we had to do was wait until the last day and offer to fuck him for a passing grade! Now look what happened! We're both going to fail! I would have studied harder if I knew I actually had to pass the fucking test! I told you I was against this whole idea anyway!”

 

“Don't blame me! You believed those rumors just as much as I did! Besides, he's fucking hot! It was worth trying. On top of that, did you see the look on that Satou girl's face when she saw us? If nothing else, it was worth it to send her out of there screaming! I bet she went running home to mama, crying about how he cheated on her. If he's not fucking her, he'll need someone new. I'm willing to take another shot at him. I bet she fucked her way to an `A' in the class, don't you?”

 

Sango heard the other of the pair sigh heavily. “She'd pass that course with flying colors whether she was fucking him or not. You've heard her answers in class - she's smart. I'm going back to apologize and to see if he will at least give me an incomplete and allow me to do the extra credit work. That exhibit is still going on, and the semester isn't officially over until the end of the week, so I might even be able to complete it before then. You do what you want, but I need to pass that class. At least I didn't blow off the rest of the assignments we were given like you did.”

 

One girl left the toilet, and after muttering curses to herself, the second one soon followed. Breathing a sigh of relief that they were gone, Sango cautiously slid back the bolt on the door of the stall. Peeking out and confirming that she was indeed alone, she heaved her bag over her shoulder and decided to go back in search of Miroku.

 

She didn't have to go far. One of the two girls had tears streaming down her cheeks as she bowed and groveled in the hall, begging for his forgiveness and for him to allow her to do the real extra credit work. Sango moved into a recess in the passageway and waited until they seemed to reach some sort of agreement, and the student went on her way. She stepped out into the corridor and was almost plowed down by Miroku, who was obviously in a hurry. His attaché and shakujou hit the floor, the staff rolling away with a clatter, while his briefcase burst open and sent papers flying.

 

His eyes sprang wide open when he realized who he'd nearly run over. “Sango! I mean Satou! I'm so sorry. I'm afraid I was in a hurry and did not see you.”

 

“It was my fault, Sensei. Let me help you,” Sango responded as she started gathering papers that were scattered across the floor and retrieved the ancient shakujou from where it had come to rest against the wall. “Can I help you take these back to your office?” she asked.

 

Miroku was looking at his briefcase, which had split and appeared beyond repair. Placing as many papers in it as he dared, he held it shut and nodded. “Yes, thank you.” Juggling the case so that it was tucked under his arm, he pulled his keys out of his pocket and went back towards his office. He unlocked the door and held it open for Sango to pass through and then closed it behind them.

 

“Miroku,” “Sango,” they each said at the same time.

 

“I'm sorry,” Miroku said as he set the briefcase on his desk and then took the stack of papers Sango had.

 

“For what?” she asked as she leaned the staff back against the wall where it stood before.

 

“For… well, what you saw. I'm sorry it occurred, and I'm sorry you witnessed it. I was on my way to your apartment to beg your forgiveness. I didn't want that… well, I never wanted anything like that to happen,” he answered.

 

“I know.” Sango sat down in the chair in front of his desk and looked at the floor.

 

“Huh?” Miroku was expecting her to be furious with him even if he hadn't asked the two girls to halfway strip in his office.

 

“I was already thinking that you didn't look very pleased about the situation when those same two girls came into the bathroom. I heard them talking. The one that was in the hall begging your forgiveness didn't really want to do it - the other girl talked her into it,” Sango informed him. She hadn't actually seen them, but she assumed the girl speaking to him in the corridor was the one who said she was going to ask for the chance to do the extra-credit work.

 

“That makes me feel somewhat better,” he commented.

 

Sango looked at him, puzzled.

 

“I was afraid I was going completely soft. She apologized and asked - well, actually begged - to at least have until Friday to hand in the extra credit assignment. I agreed to let her do it. I was determined to flunk them both, but I allowed her to change my mind. I really do not enjoy failing students, though I am not happy about the position she put me in, either.” Miroku fell silent and began to pull everything out of the ruined attaché.

 

“Oh, Miroku, I'm so sorry - I destroyed your briefcase when I ran into you,” Sango apologized in earnest. “I didn't mean to crash into you like that. I'll buy you another one.”

 

“It's okay, Sango. I have another one, but I've had a hard time letting this one go. It has been on the verge of coming apart for a long time. The inevitable finally happened is all,” Miroku said as he finished putting things in order. “By the way, was there a particular reason you came by this afternoon? Or were you merely trying to create some excitement for me?”

 

Sango actually chuckled. “I'd say the excitement was already in the works when I got here, but yes, I did have something to tell you. Kagura called. Kagome's grandfather called Sesshomaru around lunchtime. Kikyou was there this morning asking questions about the wedding. She knows when their wedding is supposed to be held so they are certain that Naraku has taken the bait. A week from Monday we will finally be able to confront the monster.”

 

“Are you certain you're ready for this - that you really want to do this?” Miroku asked her.

 

“I have to agree with Kagura - I'm ready for everything to be over with. No matter what happens, I'm ready for this to end. She wants her sister back, and I want my brother back. Plus, I have you to help me - and Kagome and InuYasha. I've just got to survive finals first,” she responded.

 

Miroku couldn't help but to grin. “I'd say you survived mine just fine.”

 

It was Sango's turn to look wide-eyed. “You mean you've graded them already?”

 

“I have some of them completed but not all. And you'll have to wait like everyone else for the results - though I might be persuaded to tell you once the semester is officially over if you'll go out with me.”

 

“Okay.” Sango turned and fled, but this time she couldn't stop the broad smile that was crossing her face. She got to the door and abruptly stopped and turned around. “I forgot to ask, when?”

 

“To be safe, we should wait until the grades have been sent out. I don't want there to be any sense of impropriety,” Miroku said softly.

 

Sango nodded. “I can handle another week or two going out with InuYasha and Kagome. Besides, with Naraku running around, I feel like there's safety in numbers - you know what I mean?”

 

Miroku's eyes met hers. “Yes, there is comfort in being surrounded by your friends when such a fiend is looking for you. You will be careful, won't you?”

 

Sango nodded. “You know I don't live far from here, and then Kirara goes with me just about everywhere else. I may go to the dojo though to blow off some steam. It seems like all I've been doing it studying, and my head is going to explode if I look at another book tonight.”

 

“Oh! That reminds me. Call Kagome, will you? She was going to check a couple of places you might be if you didn't go straight home. She'll be worried if she doesn't hear from either of us. She has the children's class this afternoon, so she had to go on to the dojo. I let InuYasha know last week that I would need today and tonight to grade papers and to study for my own final that I have to take tomorrow,” he told her. “Will you be okay? I can drive you if you want me to.”

 

She shook her head. “I know you have a lot to do, and it's just a short walk to my apartment. Besides, Kirara has gotten in the habit of waiting in the trees at the edge of campus to walk me home. She'll be worried if I don't show up. I'll be all right, and I'll call Kagome on her cell and let her know what's going on. I might go home and crash for awhile instead of going to throw that huge boomerang around. Now that the adrenaline has worn off, I'm suddenly very tired.” Sango leaned against the door frame, her arms crossed in front of her.

 

“Go home and get some rest. I think I'll go to my apartment to finish grading papers so I don't have any more interruptions like the last one.” Miroku looked sadly at his ruined briefcase as he gathered up the completed exams and found another folio to put them in. He knew it was only a matter of time, but the monks had given the attaché case to him when he was awarded the teaching position.

 

“Will I see you at the dojo later this week?” she asked fairly softly from her spot in the doorway.

 

Miroku nodded in confirmation. “Once I get these finals finished, average grades, and hand them in, I'll be back on schedule there. I'll be there by Saturday at the latest.”

 

“I'll see you later this week, then,” Sango said before she turned to go.

 

“Later,” Miroku answered as he gathered up everything he needed to take home with him. He couldn't help but to smile as he watched her lovely backside until she turned the corner in the hall.

 

A smile tugged at the corners of Sango's mouth as she walked across campus toward the grove of trees where Kirara had taken up waiting for her. Miroku had finally asked her out on an actual date - or at least once the grades were in the mail and on their way they would have one. As much as she enjoyed the outings with InuYasha and Kagome (for she still refused to consider them “double-dates” as long as he was her teacher), she did want to go out with just him. Would they still have anything to talk about when it was just the two of them? Would they find things they enjoyed doing together without the other couple to consider? She shook her head and realized she was probably worrying about nothing. Sango couldn't help but to think about those times when he took her home, and she invited him in, and all they did was talk. She found him fascinating, and he seemed honestly interested in her. However, she stopped when she felt the hairs raise on the back off her neck. There was a prickly feeling that something wasn't right that she couldn't ignore.

 

“Meoooooorrrr.” Kirara had suddenly darted to her from the trees and wove around her legs. Her hair was standing on end, signalling that something wasn't as it should be.

 

“Kirara,” Sango said softly as she leaned over to pet her, taking the opportunity to glance around her before she scooped the cat up into her arms. “Something's not right, is it? Is someone following me?”

 

“Merrr,” the two-tailed feline answered as she looked in the direction of the stalker.

 

There was a bench in the open nearby, so Sango carried Kirara to it and sat down, keeping the cat on her lap while she set her bag and purse next to her. Still warily keeping an eye on her surroundings, she reached into her purse and pulled out her phone. She sighed in relief when she heard, “Hello?”

 

“Does that offer for a ride still stand?” Sango spoke softly into her phone.

 

“What's the matter? Where are you?” Miroku asked. He had stopped to talk to a couple of colleagues and had just made it to his car.

 

“I think I'm being followed, and Kirara confirmed it,” she said with worry. “I don't want to lead anyone to where I live. Would you mind…” her voice trailed away as she saw a figure begin to approach her. “I'm at the edge of the campus where the park and trees are that are on my way home. And there's someone coming towards me.”

 

“I'll be right there. Stay out in the open, and remember that Kirara can help protect you if she has to.” Miroku attached his Bluetooth to his ear. “Keep your phone open. I've got my earpiece on so I can talk to you and hear you while I'm driving.”

 

“All right. There's a woman coming towards me. I'll see what she wants.” Sango set her phone in her lap, keeping her connection with Miroku open.

 

“Satou Sango?” the lady asked as she closed the distance between them.

 

Kirara stood on Sango's lap, arched her back and hissed.

 

“What an interesting cat,” the woman commented.

 

“Who are you and what do you want? Why are you following me?” Sango asked in a tone that made it clear she was annoyed.

 

“My name is Kimura Yori, and I am with Shukan Shincho magazine. Perhaps you are familiar with our weekly publication?” the stranger offered with a slight bow.

 

“I'm busy trying to earn my degree. Why would I be interested in a gossip rag that lost a libel lawsuit?” Sango snapped back. “And you still haven't told me why you are following me.”

 

Miroku couldn't help but to chuckle as he listened over the phone connection.

 

The reporter straightened her back and produced a small recorder before peppering her with questions, “I'd like to get your thoughts on the upcoming Nishimori wedding. What do you think of Mr. Nishimori? How about his lovely bride? When will it be held? Is it true that there's such a rush because she's pregnant? Have you ever participated as a miko maiden before? Will special security be in place? What do you have to say?”

 

“Careful, Sango,” Miroku said softly as he sped towards her.

 

Sango narrowed her eyes, which would have been a warning to anyone the least bit observant. “I have nothing to say. Contact the family if you wish for comments on the wedding.”

 

“My paper is willing to pay a nice sum for the information,” the woman offered.

 

“I'm not interested,” Sango insisted. “Please leave me alone.”

 

“I won't leave without a statement,” the tabloid writer persisted, waving the recorder in her face.

 

Kirara hissed again and jumped from Sango's lap, batting the device from the reporter's hand. It hit the sidewalk and shattered into a dozen pieces.

 

“It looks like you'll have to,” Sango commented as Miroku pulled up. She quickly gathered her things. “Come on, Kirara. Our ride is here.”

 

Miroku leaned across the seat to open the door for her. Kirara jumped in while Sango threw her bag over the seat and then climbed in.

 

The angry reporter kicked what was left of her recorder as they sped away.

 

Sango leaned back in the seat and with a heavy sigh, buckled herself in. “Thanks, Miroku. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come. I don't want anyone following me home. Is this the way it's going to be?”

 

“No problem, my dear Sango. However, if you don't mind, I'm not taking you straight to your apartment, just in case there's anyone else trying to follow. And you'd better call Kagura or Sesshomaru and let them know what happened. Apparently, he has a way to deal with reporters like that,” Miroku suggested.

 

“So where are we going?” Sango asked.

 

“Home,” he answered.

 

“I thought you said—”

 

Miroku interrupted her, “Not your home, mine. I hope you don't mind, but under the circumstances, I thought it might be best. Or maybe we should go to the dojo. InuYasha and Kagome will both be there, and we wouldn't be leading anyone to either your place or mine. I'm sure InuYasha wouldn't mind if I grade papers up at the house, and you could hang out and watch television until you felt safe going home. What do you think?”

 

He stopped for a red light and glanced over to see that she looked unusually pale. “Sango?”

 

She turned her head and when her eyes met his, they were full of worry. “How did that reporter find me?”

 

 

To be continued…

 

 

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InuYasha Fanfiction Guild News

 

The first round of nominations for the InuYasha Fanfiction Guild for the Fourth Quarter of 2008 (October - December) is over and seconding will begin on January 25th. Thank you very much to landofthekwt, psyco_chick32, madmiko, knittingknots, caitriona695, and kingmasonite for the following nominations:

Minoue for Best In Character (InuYasha), Best AU/AR, Best Inu/Kag Romance, and Best Mir/San Romance

Red is the Color... for Best Oneshot and Best Canon

Cranes, Change, and Winter Surprises for Best Inu/Kag Romance

View to a Chill for Best Comedy

First Rites for Best Short Short

Where the Wind Blows for Best Comedy

Good luck to everyone this quarter!