InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Destined ❯ Inuyasha's Return ( Chapter 3 )

In the morning, Kaede and Shippo relieved Sango and Miroku. This gave them the chance to eat and take a nice bath. Kaede offered her hut for them to sleep for a little while in peace but Sango felt restless. After Miroku drifted off, Sango decided to go and talk with Kaede. Returning to the well site, Sango found Rin and Shippo playing while Kaede's deft hands bundled herbs for drying.

 

“Sango! I didn't expect to see ye. I thought you'd be resting after the long night.”

 

Sango took a seat beside the aged miko.

 

“I really wanted to talk with you alone.”

 

Kaede looked at Sango's somewhat worried face. Sitting her basket aside, Kaede gave Sango her full attention.

 

“What is it, child? Has something happened?”

 

Sango saw the concern on Kaede's face and she broke out into a smile.

 

“No, No, nothing like that. It's just…well, Miroku has asked me to marry him and I agreed.”

 

Kaede smiled, as the demon slayer blushed crimson in front of her. She had always hoped that Sango and Miroku saw the love that they had for one another. She was thrilled they were going to marry.

 

“Well, Sango, that's blessed news! So what is the problem?”

Sango looked down as if the ground suddenly attracted her interest. “You know I have no family, save Kohaku, and neither does Miroku. Quite honestly, I don't know how to handle all of this. Just living with Father, we focused on Slayer business. I really wasn't sure if I'd ever marry.”

 

Kaede reached over and patted Sango's hand. “I'll be glad to help you prepare. Are you really in a hurry?”

 

Sango returned her gaze to Kaede, gratitude shining in her eyes.

 

“I want to wait until Kagome comes back. Then I want to return to the Slayer village. I just feel like it's something I need to do before I marry.”

 

Kaede sighed heavily. “I understand you wanting to wait for Kagome but you really have to consider she may not return to this time. Her purpose was bound with the Shikon Jewel. Once the jewel is no more, it is possible that Kagome may no longer be able to return to this place.”

 

Sango shook her head. The thought had crossed her mind more than once but she couldn't imagine life without the passionate miko by her side. Kagome had become her best friend, her sister. Sango imagined marrying Miroku with Kagome by her side. Sango could even see her and Kagome raising their children together.

 

“She has to come back. She's my friend.”

 

Kaede held Sango's hand. “We all love her but we also have to be prepared.”

 

Sango rubbed her free hand across her eyes, trying to prevent the tears stinging her eyes from falling.

 

“I know. I'm just not ready to lose hope just yet.”

 

Kaede nodded and changed the subject to Sango and Miroku's pending nuptials. After much discussion with Kaede, Sango decided on the Shinto ceremony with a Buddhist blessing. Kaede knew of several merchants that could procure the things needed for the ceremony and Sango would purchase some things as she traveled to the Slayer village. Finally, with most of the details settled, Sango gave a jaw-cracking yawn. Kaede tsked and sent Sango to the hut to sleep. Seeing that Miroku was still asleep, Sango settled in quietly on her futon. Her mind wandered back to thoughts of Kagome. Saying a prayer to the kamis, Sango quickly fell asleep.

 

ooOOoo

 

The second day remained uneventful as everyone took their turns standing watch. Sango and Miroku found themselves once again serving the overnight watch. This time the evening went more comfortably. Sango told Miroku the discussion she had with Kaede about the wedding plans. He was thrilled about including Mushin in the ceremony. Mushin had been the closest thing he had to a father and Miroku was very fond of the old monk.

 

Miroku was still concerned about Sango accepting what could possibly happen with Kagome. Sango wasn't aware that Kaede had come to him to discuss that part of their conversation. He was hesitating to bring it up because Sango hadn't mentioned it and Miroku didn't want her to feel Kaede violated her confidence. Instead, Kaede was concerned that if worse came to worse; it was a real possibility that Sango would not handle it very well. Miroku had to admit, he agreed.

 

Sango and Kagome had become very close over the trials they all experienced with Naraku. Miroku knew that Sango regarded Kagome as a sister and he knew that she would be devastated it the miko did not return. After several hours passed and the morning loomed, Miroku knew he could not continue to avoid the topic.

 

Sango lay on a pallet, dozing. Miroku thought she was gorgeous in the dim firelight. Watching her sleep, he felt desire stir inside of him. He had always found her attractive but until now, Miroku knew he wouldn't have violated her purity. During their quest, Miroku had always thought of Sango as a precious flower. He had always seen her beauty and knew she would be a treasure to whoever was lucky to capture her heart. Now, knowing she was soon to be his, Miroku felt a familiar manly stir. Shaking his head to dislodge the sudden, illicit thoughts, Miroku focused on the task at hand.

 

“Sango.”

 

Sango woke with a start.

 

“What's wrong? Did something happen?”

 

Miroku smiled to reassure her. “Not at all. I just had something I wanted to discuss with you before everyone returned.”

 

Sleepily, Sango rubbed her eyes and sat up. “Ok. What's on your mind?”

 

Miroku sat next to her on the pallet, pleased when Sango leaned against him without provocation. Miroku stroked her hair, enjoying the close moment.

 

“ Have you thought about what would we do if Inuyasha and Kagome didn't return?”

 

Miroku felt Sango sigh against him. She spoke so softly he had to strain to hear her.

 

“I try not to. They are both my friends. They have become a part of my family. I can't imagine my life, our lives without them.”

 

Miroku continued to push the issue. “But it's possible, my love.”

 

Sango sighed again, this time in exasperation. “Don't you think I know that? I would miss them. I would cry for them but eventually, I'd have to move on. I would never stop hoping that maybe one day, they would return.”

 

Miroku leaned over and kissed Sango's forehead. Resting his head on top of hers, He continued to hold her as the sun rose on the third day.

 

ooOOoo

 

The morning of the third day was beautiful. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and in the distance; Sango could here the sounds of children playing. As Sango soaked in the heated water of the hot springs, she couldn't shake a feeling of nervous anticipation. She tried to focus on the sounds of nature but Sango could not relax. Frustrated, she ended her bath and went in search of food.

 

Returning to the village, Sango found Miroku talking with several of the male villagers. Curious and puzzled, she continued on to Kaede's hut. After dressing in a fresh kimono and tying her still damp hair back, Sango sighed with relief at the sight of rice, miso soup and grilled fish. As she settled down with her bowl, Miroku entered the hut.

 

“Good morning, dearest.”

 

Sango blushed at the endearment. Suddenly feeling shy, she returned the greeting.

 

“Good morning. Have you eaten?”

 

Miroku took a look at Sango's bowl. “No. I had to discuss something with the villagers and I didn't realize I hadn't eaten until I saw your food.”

 

He reached to prepare his food but Sango stopped him.

 

“I'll do it. After all aren't I soon to be your wife?”

 

Smiling, Miroku took in Sango's form as she prepared his food.

 

“You are. Indeed, you are.”

 

OoOOoo

 

 

 

After breakfast, Sango and Miroku returned to the well site. Sango had confessed to Miroku about her feelings of nervousness. Miroku had to admit he was feeling anxious also. He had thought it was maybe because of the commitment he and Sango had made to each other. In an effort to take both of their minds of their nerves, he decided to let her know about his conversation with the villagers

 

“I know you saw me earlier talking with several men from the village.”

 

Sango nodded. She had been curious but hadn't wanted to ask.

 

“Well, you know once we are married, we'll need a hut of our own. I spoke with the men about helping me build us a place to live so it can be ready when we marry.”

 

Sango stopped walking. Staring at Miroku, she could feel the blush burning her face. Suddenly the whole thing seemed real.

 

“A hut of our own?”

 

Miroku took her hands. “Is something wrong?”

 

Sango shook her head. “No. It's just I hadn't thought that far ahead to you and I…and our living situation. I know we need our own hut, it's just that…”

 

Miroku gave a lecherous smirk as he rubbed his hand gently across Sango's cheek. He was thrilled when she leaned into his gentle touch.

 

“We'll be alone, just you and I. You have nothing to fear, my love.”

 

Sango's eyes became sharp. “It's not that I'm afraid. It's just a new situation for me.”

 

Miroku continued to smile at his bride to be. Pulling Sango close, he noted how well her body fit against his. He felt her stiffen then relax in his embrace. Brushing her bangs out of her eyes, Miroku couldn't help but be lost for a moment in her dark eyes. In a soft, sultry voice, Miroku sought to calm her.

 

“Didn't I tell you that our lives together was going to be a whole series of firsts?”

 

Sango smiled. “Of course I remember. It still will take some getting used to.”

 

Sango felt her heart leap at the twinkle in Miroku's midnight blue eyes. At his words, her heart melted.

 

“We'll have our whole lives ahead to get used to things.”

 

ooOOoo

 

Kaede smiled as she saw Sango and Miroku approach, hand in hand. It thrilled her to see them so obviously in love and it also gave something pleasant to think about while waiting to know Inuyasha and Kagome's fates.

 

“Why are ye back? I thought ye would get some rest.”

 

Sango took a seat next to Kaede. “I've been feeling restless all morning. Like something is going to happen.”

 

Kaede looked at Miroku, who also repeated Sango's feelings. Kaede had also been feeling nervous since she had arisen that morning. She couldn't help but wonder if the feelings portend something major on the horizon?

 

As the afternoon continued to move on, Miroku could feel the lack of sleep taking a toll. Kaede had gone back to the village to attend to a delivery, leaving him and Sango alone. Sango dozed against Miroku and Miroku was fighting not to join her.

 

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. Sango instantly woke up and she and Miroku both jumped to their feet. They watched as out of the clear blue sky, a pillar of light appeared and the bone eater's well return. Inuyasha came out of the well…alone. He made eye contact with Sango and Miroku and began to walk away.

 

Sango tentively stepped forward. “Inuyasha. Kagome…”

 

Inuyasha simply looked. “Kagome is safe.” He continued to walk and disappeared in the woods. Sango turned to Miroku.

 

“You have to talk to him. Make sure he's ok.”

 

Miroku looked at the back of his retreating friend. “ I will. Right now, I think he just needs to be alone. He'll come back to the village when he's ready to be with us.”

 

Miroku was worried. He had never seen Inuyasha look so dejected. He would get to the bottom of this as soon as the hanyou was willing to open up to him.