InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Incomplete ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Langus 
A chapter of fan service to all you Miroku and Sango fans :)
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 11.26.2006 | Updated On: 01.17.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 1.3K | Status: Completed
A chapter of fan service to all you Miroku and Sango fans :)
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Romance / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 11.26.2006 | Updated On: 01.17.2010 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 1.3K | Status: Completed
On the outskirts of Kaede's village a small, run-down hut stood lonely and forgotten. With its windows shut against the daylight and its doorway darkened, it showed no signs of habitation but for the tiny wisps of smoke that slipped out the chimney hole carved into its roof.
The interior of the humble abode was stiflingly hot courtesy of the roaring fire in the cooking pit at its center. The heat cast off by the orange flames was enough to make sweat dribble from every pore, yet in spite of that the monk lying unconscious atop the floor shivered violently. Her face wrought with lines of worry, the demon slayer knelt at his side and replaced the damp cloth resting across his forehead with a fresh one.
"Oh Miroku..."
The lamentation slipped from her lips in a pained whisper and she frowned at the way his lungs wheezed with each laboured breath. Using delicate strokes she wiped away the beads of sweat that'd collected along the flushed skin of his face and neck. He'd saved them all. After Inuyasha had succumbed to Kikyou's arrow he'd selflessly used his wind tunnel to dispose of Naraku's incarnations. This was the end result.
A sudden pained groan from Miroku had her brows knitting together and she frowned at the grimace contorting his features. He was trying so hard to fight the poison ravaging his body. Fight harder Miroku. Just a little longer.
In desperate need of something to distract her mind from the looming inevitability of his fate, she gathered up the bucket of used water and made her way toward the well. Her feet dragged sullenly along the dirt path and her pace was slow as her mind slipped back to those last fateful moments before he fell.
The interior of the humble abode was stiflingly hot courtesy of the roaring fire in the cooking pit at its center. The heat cast off by the orange flames was enough to make sweat dribble from every pore, yet in spite of that the monk lying unconscious atop the floor shivered violently. Her face wrought with lines of worry, the demon slayer knelt at his side and replaced the damp cloth resting across his forehead with a fresh one.
"Oh Miroku..."
The lamentation slipped from her lips in a pained whisper and she frowned at the way his lungs wheezed with each laboured breath. Using delicate strokes she wiped away the beads of sweat that'd collected along the flushed skin of his face and neck. He'd saved them all. After Inuyasha had succumbed to Kikyou's arrow he'd selflessly used his wind tunnel to dispose of Naraku's incarnations. This was the end result.
A sudden pained groan from Miroku had her brows knitting together and she frowned at the grimace contorting his features. He was trying so hard to fight the poison ravaging his body. Fight harder Miroku. Just a little longer.
In desperate need of something to distract her mind from the looming inevitability of his fate, she gathered up the bucket of used water and made her way toward the well. Her feet dragged sullenly along the dirt path and her pace was slow as her mind slipped back to those last fateful moments before he fell.
oOo
There were so many Saimyoushou. Clumped together in a swarm they resembled a dark, impenetrable wall and the buzz of their beating wings was nearly deafening. She knew they lacked the strength to defeat Naraku's incarnations without Inuyasha's help. There was only one way they could make it out of their current predicament alive and the knowing gleam in Miroku's eyes told her he knew the answer as well. Selfish though it might have been, that didn't stop her from begging him to reconsider.
"Miroku! Don't use your wind tunnel! The Saimyoushou... There's just too many of them! If you suck them all in you'll-"
Her words trailed off but her finger lifted to point meaningfully at the swarm. Words alone were not enough. Her heart dropped into her stomach when she saw the committed gleam in his dark, narrowed eyes and the determined set of his jaw. The monk extended his cursed hand and began to slowly un-wrap the prayer beads that kept his power under control.
Her hand moved of its own accord to settle over his. He glanced over at her and she shook her head in one last silent plea. Don't do this. You don't have to do this. His response was a reassuring smile and as her hand fell away the last bead slipped out of place.
"This is the only way. If I don't use my wind tunnel now we'll all be dead. I won't let you die Sango, not when I can save you!"
With those valiant words he'd released the vortex of wind from his hand, sucking up everything around them. Naraku waited until nearly all of his incarnations were devoured before disappearing out of sight with Kohaku tagging close behind. It was only once he was certain they were out of danger that the monk closed his wind tunnel and allowed his body to succumb to the poison.
He'd swayed only once before collapsing at her feet.
"Miroku! Don't use your wind tunnel! The Saimyoushou... There's just too many of them! If you suck them all in you'll-"
Her words trailed off but her finger lifted to point meaningfully at the swarm. Words alone were not enough. Her heart dropped into her stomach when she saw the committed gleam in his dark, narrowed eyes and the determined set of his jaw. The monk extended his cursed hand and began to slowly un-wrap the prayer beads that kept his power under control.
Her hand moved of its own accord to settle over his. He glanced over at her and she shook her head in one last silent plea. Don't do this. You don't have to do this. His response was a reassuring smile and as her hand fell away the last bead slipped out of place.
"This is the only way. If I don't use my wind tunnel now we'll all be dead. I won't let you die Sango, not when I can save you!"
With those valiant words he'd released the vortex of wind from his hand, sucking up everything around them. Naraku waited until nearly all of his incarnations were devoured before disappearing out of sight with Kohaku tagging close behind. It was only once he was certain they were out of danger that the monk closed his wind tunnel and allowed his body to succumb to the poison.
He'd swayed only once before collapsing at her feet.
oOo
"Damn you Miroku, you fool!" Sango seethed as she wiped the scalding tears from her cheeks. "If you die I'll never forgive you!"
With an angry jerk of her hands she tossed the used water from the bucket onto the ground and began to haul a fresh load up from the murky depths of the well. She was in the midst of transferring the water into her bucket when Shippo appeared in front of her. Surprised by his sudden appearance she jumped and the water sloshed sloppily down the side of the well.
"Oh Shippo, it's just you!"
It'd been nearly a week since the attack and yet she still jumped with even the slightest provocation. After a quick mental shake to ease her nerves, she began to lower handfuls of algae coated rope back into the well with trembling hands.
"How's Miroku?" the little fox demon asked curiously as he peered with large, questioning eyes over her shoulder towards the hut. Sango shook her head and turned to follow his gaze.
"Not so good. The poison is too strong and there's so much of it. He's having a hard time fighting it on his own."
Shippo's face fell at the news and his shoulders drooped around his ears. He felt responsible for everything that'd happened. If he'd been braver and fought some of the reincarnations himself, maybe then Miroku wouldn't have had to resort to using his wind tunnel.
Seeing the forlorn look in the kit's eyes Sango picked him up and held him in her arms, comforting him the way she knew Kagome would have. "I know you feel responsible Shippo, but this isn't your fault. We all underestimated Naraku's strength. Besides," she continued as she placed him back down on the ground, "I'm counting on you to help me take care of the others."
Shippo blinked up at her stunned. For a moment there it'd almost felt like he was talking to Kagome. Sango wasn't usually the type to give pep talks or console him in a soothing voice. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe Miroku's situation was more serious than she let on. Even so, he offered her a smile when she handed him a bucket of water to carry and inwardly beamed at the thought of being needed.
"Where's Inuyasha?" Sango asked casually as they slowly made their way along the dusty path leading back to the hut. Shippo's face screwed up in thought for a moment before he nodded towards the village.
"I think he's speaking with Kaede. He's trying to figure out how to become half demon again. He wants to rescue Kagome but he knows he can't unless he gets his demon powers back."
Sango nodded thoughtfully and glanced towards the old miko's hut. She felt sorry for the hanyou. He blamed himself for Kagome getting hurt more than anything. Knowing that Sesshomaru had taken her had to be eating him alive. The Lord of the Western Lands had proven, on many occasions, to be completely unpredictable. There was no way to know what kind of scheme he was planning this time. If anyone could get her back though, it was Inuyasha. He'd do whatever it took to find her and bring her home.
With one last look at the old miko's hut Sango pushed aside the bamboo flap covering the door to their one room hut. Setting the fresh bucket of water on the floor, she knelt down at Miroku's side and rested the back of her hand against his cheek.
"Damn, he's burning up. Shippo, there's a small satchel over there by the fire. I need you to boil what's inside into a tea. It should help bring down this fever if we can get him to drink some of it."
The kit nodded and immediately set to work tipping the bucket of well water into a large pot over the fire. Meanwhile, Sango used a fresh cloth to wipe the perspiration from Miroku's face and chest. Her eyes went down to the knot that tied his kimono together and she pondered whether to remove it or not.
Taking it off completely would help cool his body down, but then he'd also be naked. She gulped loudly and tried to wipe away the blush that rose to her cheeks with the back of her hand. While she wasn't opposed to seeing the monk naked, she'd always imagined it happening under more romantic circumstances.
Her hands dropped to the knot holding his ensemble together and hesitated. Compromising with herself, she decided to only remove the top part of his kimono and leave the bottom tied as it was. Moving quickly, she undid the knot on the front of the monk's robes, pulled his body against her chest and removed the layers of damp cloth from his torso. The skin underneath was sickly pale and beading with sweat as well. Using a fresh cloth, she cleaned him with tender strokes and tried not to dwell on the scorching touch of his skin against her own.
"S-Sango?" His voice came out sounding dry, cracked and barely intelligible against her shoulder. With a strangled gasp she held him at arms length and studied his fever glazed eyes.
"Miroku!" A relieved smile broke out instantly across her face and grateful tears glistened in her dark eyes. It was the first time he'd awoken since collapsing nearly a week earlier.
He tried to return the smile but instead doubled over in her arms as a painful cough ripped through his chest. She offered him a sip of water and he took it gratefully. After a couple of hasty sips he was satiated enough to rest in her embrace with a weary sigh. Clearing his throat he pulled back his head back just far enough so he could look up into her troubled eyes. "I'm sorry," he apologized with every measure of sincerity.
"For what? You don't have anything to apologize for!"
"Yes, I do. I've made you worry Sango."
She gasped and turned away from him to hide her face. She didn't need to admit to anything though. He could tell from the lines on her face and the circles beneath her eyes that she'd been caring for him day and night since their run in with Naraku. Her dedication touched his heart and made him wish he had the strength to hold her in his arms. When she turned back to him there were tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You can't die on me too Miroku! You're all I have left," she admitted broken-heartedly, her voice falling to a whisper. The monk reached out to comfort her but his body was still weak and he collapsed unconscious into her outstretched arms.
"Miroku?! Please don't die! I promise if you get through this I'll let you grope me all you want! Just please... please don't go."
The monk regained consciousness in her arms a few moments later. Uttering a soft groan, he managed to open his eyes just enough to gaze up at her. Lifting a hand, he weakly brushed the tears from her cheeks and attempted a smile. "Is that a promise?" he quipped in a croaking whisper.
Sango glared at him as she eased his body down onto the floor. Even half dead he was still a filthy lecher. She had to admit though, there was something endearing about his perverted ways. He just wouldn't be the same if he wasn't constantly hounding after her.
Shippo appeared at her side with a cup of freshly brewed tea in his hands. He handed it to her and she accepted it from him with a nod of thanks. It was a bit of a struggle but she somehow managed to get the monk to drink some of it down before he passed out again.
"There," she said as she set the cup back down on the floor. "Now all we can do is wait though the night to see if the fever breaks."
The kit nodded in agreement and took up residence on the floor next to the demon slayer. He watched patiently as their friend drifted off into a deep, drug-induced sleep and concentrated on the sounds of his slow, even breaths. After several moments he shifted positions and rested his chin atop his hand. It was going to be a long night.
With an angry jerk of her hands she tossed the used water from the bucket onto the ground and began to haul a fresh load up from the murky depths of the well. She was in the midst of transferring the water into her bucket when Shippo appeared in front of her. Surprised by his sudden appearance she jumped and the water sloshed sloppily down the side of the well.
"Oh Shippo, it's just you!"
It'd been nearly a week since the attack and yet she still jumped with even the slightest provocation. After a quick mental shake to ease her nerves, she began to lower handfuls of algae coated rope back into the well with trembling hands.
"How's Miroku?" the little fox demon asked curiously as he peered with large, questioning eyes over her shoulder towards the hut. Sango shook her head and turned to follow his gaze.
"Not so good. The poison is too strong and there's so much of it. He's having a hard time fighting it on his own."
Shippo's face fell at the news and his shoulders drooped around his ears. He felt responsible for everything that'd happened. If he'd been braver and fought some of the reincarnations himself, maybe then Miroku wouldn't have had to resort to using his wind tunnel.
Seeing the forlorn look in the kit's eyes Sango picked him up and held him in her arms, comforting him the way she knew Kagome would have. "I know you feel responsible Shippo, but this isn't your fault. We all underestimated Naraku's strength. Besides," she continued as she placed him back down on the ground, "I'm counting on you to help me take care of the others."
Shippo blinked up at her stunned. For a moment there it'd almost felt like he was talking to Kagome. Sango wasn't usually the type to give pep talks or console him in a soothing voice. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe Miroku's situation was more serious than she let on. Even so, he offered her a smile when she handed him a bucket of water to carry and inwardly beamed at the thought of being needed.
"Where's Inuyasha?" Sango asked casually as they slowly made their way along the dusty path leading back to the hut. Shippo's face screwed up in thought for a moment before he nodded towards the village.
"I think he's speaking with Kaede. He's trying to figure out how to become half demon again. He wants to rescue Kagome but he knows he can't unless he gets his demon powers back."
Sango nodded thoughtfully and glanced towards the old miko's hut. She felt sorry for the hanyou. He blamed himself for Kagome getting hurt more than anything. Knowing that Sesshomaru had taken her had to be eating him alive. The Lord of the Western Lands had proven, on many occasions, to be completely unpredictable. There was no way to know what kind of scheme he was planning this time. If anyone could get her back though, it was Inuyasha. He'd do whatever it took to find her and bring her home.
With one last look at the old miko's hut Sango pushed aside the bamboo flap covering the door to their one room hut. Setting the fresh bucket of water on the floor, she knelt down at Miroku's side and rested the back of her hand against his cheek.
"Damn, he's burning up. Shippo, there's a small satchel over there by the fire. I need you to boil what's inside into a tea. It should help bring down this fever if we can get him to drink some of it."
The kit nodded and immediately set to work tipping the bucket of well water into a large pot over the fire. Meanwhile, Sango used a fresh cloth to wipe the perspiration from Miroku's face and chest. Her eyes went down to the knot that tied his kimono together and she pondered whether to remove it or not.
Taking it off completely would help cool his body down, but then he'd also be naked. She gulped loudly and tried to wipe away the blush that rose to her cheeks with the back of her hand. While she wasn't opposed to seeing the monk naked, she'd always imagined it happening under more romantic circumstances.
Her hands dropped to the knot holding his ensemble together and hesitated. Compromising with herself, she decided to only remove the top part of his kimono and leave the bottom tied as it was. Moving quickly, she undid the knot on the front of the monk's robes, pulled his body against her chest and removed the layers of damp cloth from his torso. The skin underneath was sickly pale and beading with sweat as well. Using a fresh cloth, she cleaned him with tender strokes and tried not to dwell on the scorching touch of his skin against her own.
"S-Sango?" His voice came out sounding dry, cracked and barely intelligible against her shoulder. With a strangled gasp she held him at arms length and studied his fever glazed eyes.
"Miroku!" A relieved smile broke out instantly across her face and grateful tears glistened in her dark eyes. It was the first time he'd awoken since collapsing nearly a week earlier.
He tried to return the smile but instead doubled over in her arms as a painful cough ripped through his chest. She offered him a sip of water and he took it gratefully. After a couple of hasty sips he was satiated enough to rest in her embrace with a weary sigh. Clearing his throat he pulled back his head back just far enough so he could look up into her troubled eyes. "I'm sorry," he apologized with every measure of sincerity.
"For what? You don't have anything to apologize for!"
"Yes, I do. I've made you worry Sango."
She gasped and turned away from him to hide her face. She didn't need to admit to anything though. He could tell from the lines on her face and the circles beneath her eyes that she'd been caring for him day and night since their run in with Naraku. Her dedication touched his heart and made him wish he had the strength to hold her in his arms. When she turned back to him there were tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You can't die on me too Miroku! You're all I have left," she admitted broken-heartedly, her voice falling to a whisper. The monk reached out to comfort her but his body was still weak and he collapsed unconscious into her outstretched arms.
"Miroku?! Please don't die! I promise if you get through this I'll let you grope me all you want! Just please... please don't go."
The monk regained consciousness in her arms a few moments later. Uttering a soft groan, he managed to open his eyes just enough to gaze up at her. Lifting a hand, he weakly brushed the tears from her cheeks and attempted a smile. "Is that a promise?" he quipped in a croaking whisper.
Sango glared at him as she eased his body down onto the floor. Even half dead he was still a filthy lecher. She had to admit though, there was something endearing about his perverted ways. He just wouldn't be the same if he wasn't constantly hounding after her.
Shippo appeared at her side with a cup of freshly brewed tea in his hands. He handed it to her and she accepted it from him with a nod of thanks. It was a bit of a struggle but she somehow managed to get the monk to drink some of it down before he passed out again.
"There," she said as she set the cup back down on the floor. "Now all we can do is wait though the night to see if the fever breaks."
The kit nodded in agreement and took up residence on the floor next to the demon slayer. He watched patiently as their friend drifted off into a deep, drug-induced sleep and concentrated on the sounds of his slow, even breaths. After several moments he shifted positions and rested his chin atop his hand. It was going to be a long night.
oOo
Inuyasha tapped his foot endlessly and fidgeted as Kaede bound the wound on his chest. Once she was done he was up in an instant pacing back and forth across the wooden floor of her hut.
"Sit down Inuyasha before ye put a hole in my floor," the old woman commanded, gesturing towards the seats around the fire.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing while Sesshomaru has Kagome and is doing Kami knows what to her!" he cried out in frustration before dropping heavily to the floor. Holding onto his feet to keep from fidgeting, he grumbled angry curses under his breath and cast sullen looks in her direction.
"I am sure Sesshomaru has no intention of killing Kagome. If that were the case he wouldn't have resurrected her with Tenseiga," the old miko pointed out logically.
Inuyasha considered her words as he stared pensively into the fire. That's right! Sesshomaru used Tenseiga to bring Kagome back to life! But why? What's he planning that he needs her alive? And why didn't he kill me when he had the chance? He had a perfect opportunity to take me out and he didn't. What's going on?
"I need to become half-demon again," he determined in a quiet voice. "I can't rescue Kagome like this." He stared down at his human body in disgust and the aging miko couldn't help but laugh.
"Inuyasha, ye make out like being human is such a horrible fate! For the rest of us who do not have your demon powers, life is not as horrible as ye might think."
Inuyasha let out an impatient 'keh' and moodily turned his back to her. With his arms crossed in front of his chest and his foot tapping relentlessly on the floor he brooded in stormy silence. I gotta find a way to become half-demon again and fast! I can't leave Kagome to Sesshomaru's mercy. There's no telling what he might do to her!
Kaede was silent for many minutes before clearing her throat and voicing her thoughts. "I wish I could give ye the answers ye seek Inuyasha. The arrow which struck ye was a purifying arrow - Kikyou's purifying arrow. Your demon powers may return on their own after a time, but they may also be sealed permanently. Ye may have to accept that ye are human now and learn to adapt."
The former hanyou slammed his fists into the floor and glared at the old priestess. "No! I will not adapt you old hag! I will become half demon again! There has to be a way! Use that brain of yours and think about it some more."
The old woman sighed inwardly. For someone who was many many years her senior, Inuyasha still had much to learn about manners and etiquette.
"Well there may be one way," she began tentatively. The boy's ears perked up and he shuffled closer looking attentive. "Ye were purified once before were ye not?"
Inuyasha nodded readily. "Yeah, the barrier at Mount Hakurei purified my demon half temporarily when I was fighting the Band of Seven."
Kaede nodded and massaged her chin in thought. "When did your powers return?"
His hand drifted to rest atop the hilt of Tetsusaiga as he remembered what it'd been like trying to fight Bankotsu without its power. If his demonic strength hadn't returned when it did...
"The barrier... When the spiritual barrier around Mount Hakurei disappeared. That's when my powers came back."
The old miko stirred the small pot cooking between them over the fire and ladled a spoonful of soup into two bowls. She set one in front of Inuyasha, but he was too riveted to their conversation to give it more than a passing glance.
"I think perhaps ye may be able to use a shard of the sacred jewel to encourage your demon half to re-emerge," she explained thoughtfully. Casting a serious glance at the boy she spoke sternly, "There is no guarantee that it would work. And even if it did work, we cannot know what will happen. The shard might end up turning ye into a full demon which will serve no one's interests."
Inuyasha nodded distractedly as he thought the scenario over. If he became a full demon he would achieve his greatest desire, but might end up hurting Kagome if and when he found her. But without demon powers there was no way he could go up against Sesshomaru in a battle and win. Quickly making up his mind he stood and made for the door.
"Where are ye going Inuyasha?" Kaede demanded incredulous.
"Where do you think?" he replied in a biting tone. "I'm gonna go find a jewel shard so I can rescue Kagome."
With that he exited the tiny hut, leaving the door to swing shut behind him. Kaede sighed from her spot by the fire and silently prayed that he was following the right course of action. If he used the jewel shard and became a full demon there was no telling what might happen.
"Sit down Inuyasha before ye put a hole in my floor," the old woman commanded, gesturing towards the seats around the fire.
"I can't just sit here and do nothing while Sesshomaru has Kagome and is doing Kami knows what to her!" he cried out in frustration before dropping heavily to the floor. Holding onto his feet to keep from fidgeting, he grumbled angry curses under his breath and cast sullen looks in her direction.
"I am sure Sesshomaru has no intention of killing Kagome. If that were the case he wouldn't have resurrected her with Tenseiga," the old miko pointed out logically.
Inuyasha considered her words as he stared pensively into the fire. That's right! Sesshomaru used Tenseiga to bring Kagome back to life! But why? What's he planning that he needs her alive? And why didn't he kill me when he had the chance? He had a perfect opportunity to take me out and he didn't. What's going on?
"I need to become half-demon again," he determined in a quiet voice. "I can't rescue Kagome like this." He stared down at his human body in disgust and the aging miko couldn't help but laugh.
"Inuyasha, ye make out like being human is such a horrible fate! For the rest of us who do not have your demon powers, life is not as horrible as ye might think."
Inuyasha let out an impatient 'keh' and moodily turned his back to her. With his arms crossed in front of his chest and his foot tapping relentlessly on the floor he brooded in stormy silence. I gotta find a way to become half-demon again and fast! I can't leave Kagome to Sesshomaru's mercy. There's no telling what he might do to her!
Kaede was silent for many minutes before clearing her throat and voicing her thoughts. "I wish I could give ye the answers ye seek Inuyasha. The arrow which struck ye was a purifying arrow - Kikyou's purifying arrow. Your demon powers may return on their own after a time, but they may also be sealed permanently. Ye may have to accept that ye are human now and learn to adapt."
The former hanyou slammed his fists into the floor and glared at the old priestess. "No! I will not adapt you old hag! I will become half demon again! There has to be a way! Use that brain of yours and think about it some more."
The old woman sighed inwardly. For someone who was many many years her senior, Inuyasha still had much to learn about manners and etiquette.
"Well there may be one way," she began tentatively. The boy's ears perked up and he shuffled closer looking attentive. "Ye were purified once before were ye not?"
Inuyasha nodded readily. "Yeah, the barrier at Mount Hakurei purified my demon half temporarily when I was fighting the Band of Seven."
Kaede nodded and massaged her chin in thought. "When did your powers return?"
His hand drifted to rest atop the hilt of Tetsusaiga as he remembered what it'd been like trying to fight Bankotsu without its power. If his demonic strength hadn't returned when it did...
"The barrier... When the spiritual barrier around Mount Hakurei disappeared. That's when my powers came back."
The old miko stirred the small pot cooking between them over the fire and ladled a spoonful of soup into two bowls. She set one in front of Inuyasha, but he was too riveted to their conversation to give it more than a passing glance.
"I think perhaps ye may be able to use a shard of the sacred jewel to encourage your demon half to re-emerge," she explained thoughtfully. Casting a serious glance at the boy she spoke sternly, "There is no guarantee that it would work. And even if it did work, we cannot know what will happen. The shard might end up turning ye into a full demon which will serve no one's interests."
Inuyasha nodded distractedly as he thought the scenario over. If he became a full demon he would achieve his greatest desire, but might end up hurting Kagome if and when he found her. But without demon powers there was no way he could go up against Sesshomaru in a battle and win. Quickly making up his mind he stood and made for the door.
"Where are ye going Inuyasha?" Kaede demanded incredulous.
"Where do you think?" he replied in a biting tone. "I'm gonna go find a jewel shard so I can rescue Kagome."
With that he exited the tiny hut, leaving the door to swing shut behind him. Kaede sighed from her spot by the fire and silently prayed that he was following the right course of action. If he used the jewel shard and became a full demon there was no telling what might happen.
oOo
Miroku stirred in his sleep and opened his eyes slowly. The pain in his body had finally begun to subside. With a sigh of relief he relaxed and allowed himself to awaken fully. He soon became aware of a weight upon his chest and looked down to see Sango lying across him immersed in sleep. Resting his hand against her back he smiled and rested his head back down atop the soft comfort of his pillow. After everything she'd been through over the past few days, he didn't have the heart to wake her now. The least he could do was let her catch up on her sleep. Besides, he rather enjoyed the feeling of her warm body next to his.
Sango's warmth was thankfully blocking most of the cool morning air, but with the flush of his fever gone goose bumps quickly covered his arms and chest. He was suppressing a shiver when Shippo emerged from a far corner of the room dragging a large blanket behind him. The kit unfolded it and began to walk around the pair, pulling on the corners to shield them from the cold. The monk smiled fondly at the small fox demon who sleepily smiled back.
"Thank you Shippo," he whispered gratefully.
"No problem! I'm glad you're feeling better Miroku!"
"Me too."
Wrapping his other arm around Sango's body he held her tight to his chest. If it weren't for her he never would have survived Naraku's poison. She hadn't just cared for his body. During the worst of the fevers, images of her smiling face had often flashed before his eyes and given him the strength he needed to keep fighting.
Experiencing such a close call with death made him realize what was important in life. He loved Sango more than anything else in his world, and after all of the care she'd given him he could only hope that she felt the same. Dipping his head, he tenderly kissed the top of hers. Within moments he had drifted off into a peaceful sleep, still wearing the slightest hint of a smile on his lips.
Sango's eyes cracked open as the cool morning air hit her face. She didn't move but listened patiently to the sounds of Miroku's heart. Thankfully his heartbeat sounded healthy and strong once more. Sighing with relief she allowed herself to drift back to sleep, only vaguely aware that Miroku's arms were now hugging her tightly to him. Smiling, she buried herself further beneath the covers and enjoyed her last few carefree moments with the monk.
Once he was awake he would be back to his regular lecherous self and their moment would be over. When he was asleep though, like this, being with him was actually rather enjoyable. He wasn't trying to grope at her or proposition other women, it was just the two of them, together, finally able to enjoy each other's company.
If only he could be like this all the time, the demon slayer wished silently before falling back into a peaceful sleep. Lecher or not, she loved him. He had come too close to dying this time and she swore to herself that she would never let it happen again.
The darkness of unconsciousness swept in once more to cloud her thoughts in a dreamy haze and she drifted off listening to the steady rhythm of Miroku's heart.
Author's Note: Thank you everyone for the support. Sorry for the delay in getting this posted. I was out of the country for the bit and got bogged down with other commitments. I hope you enjoy this revised chapter. Stay tuned for the next one! All reviews are welcome and encouraged :)
- Langus
Sango's warmth was thankfully blocking most of the cool morning air, but with the flush of his fever gone goose bumps quickly covered his arms and chest. He was suppressing a shiver when Shippo emerged from a far corner of the room dragging a large blanket behind him. The kit unfolded it and began to walk around the pair, pulling on the corners to shield them from the cold. The monk smiled fondly at the small fox demon who sleepily smiled back.
"Thank you Shippo," he whispered gratefully.
"No problem! I'm glad you're feeling better Miroku!"
"Me too."
Wrapping his other arm around Sango's body he held her tight to his chest. If it weren't for her he never would have survived Naraku's poison. She hadn't just cared for his body. During the worst of the fevers, images of her smiling face had often flashed before his eyes and given him the strength he needed to keep fighting.
Experiencing such a close call with death made him realize what was important in life. He loved Sango more than anything else in his world, and after all of the care she'd given him he could only hope that she felt the same. Dipping his head, he tenderly kissed the top of hers. Within moments he had drifted off into a peaceful sleep, still wearing the slightest hint of a smile on his lips.
Sango's eyes cracked open as the cool morning air hit her face. She didn't move but listened patiently to the sounds of Miroku's heart. Thankfully his heartbeat sounded healthy and strong once more. Sighing with relief she allowed herself to drift back to sleep, only vaguely aware that Miroku's arms were now hugging her tightly to him. Smiling, she buried herself further beneath the covers and enjoyed her last few carefree moments with the monk.
Once he was awake he would be back to his regular lecherous self and their moment would be over. When he was asleep though, like this, being with him was actually rather enjoyable. He wasn't trying to grope at her or proposition other women, it was just the two of them, together, finally able to enjoy each other's company.
If only he could be like this all the time, the demon slayer wished silently before falling back into a peaceful sleep. Lecher or not, she loved him. He had come too close to dying this time and she swore to herself that she would never let it happen again.
The darkness of unconsciousness swept in once more to cloud her thoughts in a dreamy haze and she drifted off listening to the steady rhythm of Miroku's heart.
Author's Note: Thank you everyone for the support. Sorry for the delay in getting this posted. I was out of the country for the bit and got bogged down with other commitments. I hope you enjoy this revised chapter. Stay tuned for the next one! All reviews are welcome and encouraged :)
- Langus