InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Settle the Score ❯ Heaven Tonight ( Chapter 12 )

Author rantings :

I think that Inuyasha's sudden humor in the last chapter wasn't OOC. I guess I'm trying to walk untreaded paths, but sometimes that leads to strange situations.

Sango's past was inspired a bit by an article about one of the first women allowed to university here (100 dunno what years ago), and I thought Sango's situation could have been similar.

Anyway, this chapter is lighter, and I think I can say I got it angst-free! :) I guess this is the lightest chapter I've written till now. Sit back and enjoy!

Disclaimer : Not mine. Never was. Blah.

Special thanks to :
Merith for her fantastic help with this chapter. She gave me a (very) helping hand at the end of part one, also offered some general advise, and, also very important, did the editing. This chapter would likely read very differently without her.

Chapter 12

Trying to find the heart you hide
Trying to find the heart you hide in vain

Heaven Tonight

Kagome sat at the fire, eating the last bites of her evening meal. They had again wandered without making many transit stops, just a short pause during noon.

The atmosphere had been uneasy after Inuyasha's outburst. Although she had sat him a few times, he had kept insulting her. When they had stopped, Inuyasha had isolated himself by being closed off, and hadn't eaten with them, spending his time up in a tree instead. She had tried to talk him out of his seclusion, but Miroku had convinced her to leave him alone, explaining that the hanyou had obviously woken up with the wrong foot on the wrong branch. Sitting sagely on the monk's shoulder, Shippou had nodded approvingly.

She hadn't understood where they got such wisdom, but had decided to believe them. When they continued, Inuyasha had again taken the lead. All in all, it had been an usual day with the only exception being that they had stopped well before sundown. Of course, no one had complained, everyone being glad for the extra rest.

Kagome wondered if their period of grace was related with Inuyasha's behavior. She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to it, she had tried to ask both Shippou and Miroku, and both had more or less evaded her questions again. They were being much to secretive for her liking.

She sighed, patting Kirara who was sitting on her shoulder. At least, like she had been planning, she didn't question Inuyasha about his past anymore, though no thanks to herself. The hanyou hadn't spoken much with her after she tried to explain the importance of good address. Maybe she had carried things too far, but after Inuyasha's behavior it was she who was supposed to be insulted, not him. To tell the truth, his indifference had stung more than his insults.

Kagome saw Inuyasha talking with Shippou, their earlier aloofness seemingly forgotten. 'At least these two seem to have reconciled. I wonder how that happened, today of all days.' Inuyasha had been easy to provoke. Nonetheless, the two seemed to be getting along, and she couldn't help but feel a bit excluded. At least Kirara was a small comfort, although she wasn't the most talkative companion.

Kagome looked at the other group. Miroku sat next to Sango, leaving some space between them. The monk kept staring into the fire, throwing side-glances at Inuyasha and the sun, which was finally vanishing behind the horizon. Was it her imagination, or was the monk nervous? He had his staff placed on his knees, sitting as always, so maybe it was just herself who was nervous.

Kagome got up, and walked over to the youkai huntress. The girls had talked in the morning, better said, she had complained about Inuyasha's obstinacy, at least until the hanyou insulted her. It had been really strange, even Sango hadn't been able to make anything out of it. The guys had reappeared after half an hour in rather good spirits, but not losing any comment.

"Hi, Sango," Kagome greeted her. The girl had been awfully quiet too. "Enjoying the rest?"

"Yes, Kagome," Sango answered. "It doesn't happen too often to get some peace without Inuyasha nagging around."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Inuyasha cut in, diverting his attention from the fox child. "If I didn't drive us on, we would be lying around the whole fucking day."

"What a disaster," Sango sneered.

"Glad you see it that way," the hanyou retaliated, turning back to Shippou.

"Everything okay?" Kagome asked the youkai huntress. "You've been kinda silent."

"Hai. I've just been thinking," Sango explained.

"What about?" Kagome asked.

Miroku cheered inwardly. ´Yeah, what about? Go, Kagome!´

"Nothing important," Sango answered. "This and that, it's really not worth mentioning."

Sango fell quiet again. Kagome eyed the girl, contemplating if she should dig further. Maybe she just wanted to relax? When she thought of it, everyone had been quiet today. Didn't they want to talk with her?

´She looks kinda depressed,´ Miroku thought, watching Sango. ´She's either angry at me or thinking of Kohaku.´ He cursed inwardly. He didn't want her thinking of her brother when he wanted to spend a nice evening with her. Would just be his damn luck if Sango had a bad day. Getting another evening from Inuyasha would be difficult, so being optimistic he decided that she was angry at him. That did also mean she was thinking about him, right?

´Inuyasha could be leaving finally,´ he thought, eyeing the setting sun. The light was already fading away... He looked around, making some final checks. The fire was burning fine, and the wood he had gathered should be enough to keep it alive; he didn't want the fire to go out too soon.

The blanket he had borrowed from Kagome was already spread out in front of him. It should be big enough for him and Sango. ´Either way,´ he added in his thoughts with an optimistic grin. The sake was there too, as were ... Where were the cups?

Having a small panic attack, he managed not to show it and calmly search for the cups instead. Hadn't he placed them next to the jug? Trying not to attract attention, he searched his clothes. After a few anxious seconds he finally found them in another pocket, remembering he had put them there in the afternoon. She was driving him crazy, did she know that?

He watched Inuyasha talking with Shippou, wishing them to leave. When the hanyou turned around, Miroku gave him an impatient look. ´Get going already!´ The hanyou grinned at him instead. Now he was being mocked! He fingered with his prayer beads, signaling a warning to the hanyou.

Inuyasha just picked up Shippou, feigning to caress him. The hanyou's grin widened while he ruffled the child's hair. Shippou didn't seem to understand that he was being used as a living shield, judging from the confused look. ´Damn you!´ Miroku cursed silently. Not that he was really thinking of sucking up the bastard, but Inuyasha was supposed to be at least a bit scared into complying. It looked like he was enjoying every second of it.

He scowled back at the hanyou, not knowing what else to do without attracting attention. It figured that Inuyasha wouldn't let out the perfect chance to tease him. ´Damn him.´

The hanyou finally stood up, much to Miroku's relief, and walked over to Kagome. The girl looked disconnected. "Kagome, you want to come with us?" Inuyasha's voice snapped her out of her reverie. She turned to the side, seeing Inuyasha standing there with Shippou.

"Huh?" she asked dumbfounded.

Not able to suppress a smile, the hanyou continued, "Training. You were interested yesterday."

"Training?" she asked, her brain finally kicking in. "Sure, why not?"

Miroku watched her stand up, Kirara still on her shoulder, and leave with the two demons. ´Perfect!´ Everything was working fine. Now it all depended on him.

"Looks like it is the two of us now," he said to Sango.

"That's right," she told him with a suspecting undertone. "What a coincidence."

"Yes," Miroku answered smiling, she seemed to be having a sarcastic day. He didn't wonder that she smelled the rat, to tell the truth he would have been disappointed if she hadn't. He stood up and seated himself cross-legged on one end of the blanket. "You know, I want to apologize."

"What for?" Sango asked surprised, she didn't remember anything the monk would want to apologize for.

Miroku took a deep breath, bracing himself. "For flirting with other women right under your nose. I should have noticed sooner."

"It's okay, Houshi-sama," Sango said. "It's not like I'm ..."

"And also for touching you when you obviously didn't like it," Miroku interrupted her, rubbing the back of his head. He chose not to comment on the Houshi-sama, for now. "You have to excuse, but you are very tempting," he told her with a rueful smile.

Sango stared at the monk. Had he just - sort of - apologized for groping her?

Miroku watched the girl, she seemed too taken aback to answer, so he took out the jug, placing it in the middle of the blanket, and continued, "As compensation, I would be honored if you shared some sake with me." He took out the two cups, offering one to her with an expecting look.

Sango eyed him critically. She got up and took a seat in front of Miroku, facing him. Accepting the cup, she answered, "If you want to fill me up...."

Miroku waved with his hand. "No, of course not. It's a compensation, remember?"

He filled her cup with the cloudy liquid, then handed her the jug to fill his own. They both held their respective cups towards each other, then downed their content. Miroku refilled her cup and placed it before her, then Sango followed his example.

"See, no filling up," Miroku reassured.

Sango watched the monk. She wouldn't have thought him able arranging something like this. What unsettled her a bit was that it seemed that at least Inuyasha was inaugurated by Miroku, and she didn't think it bode well when these two were plotting something, especially if their plan contained sake.

"Hmmm. I'll believe you," Sango finally answered. "For now," she added when she saw the grin on Miroku's face.

Miroku led his own cup to his lips, taking a sip. "Drink as much or as little as you want," he told her. Grinning, he continued, "Though I won't stop you, if you are overdoing it."

"Better take care of yourself," Sango challenged, also taking a sip. "I know my limits."

"Boundaries are there to be crossed," Miroku said, looking her in the eye. "Sometimes."

"Really?" Sango asked.

"Yes," he answered, inching forward a bit.

"Was that what Inuyasha was doing today?" Sango asked, pretending not to notice the monk's approach.

"Inuyasha?" Miroku asked, being stopped by the girl's question. "Oh, you mean in the morning... Osuwari and that."

"Yes. What was going on?" Sango asked, seriously interested.

"Hmmm," Miroku thought out loud. "You would have to promise not to tell anybody," he continued with a teasing undertone.

"Come on, don't be so secretive," Sango demanded. "You just want to make fun of me."

"Promise," Miroku said again. "If Inuyasha knew I'm telling you, he'd probably rip my guts out." The hanyou had demanded that he and Shippou didn't tell anybody about his outburst. Miroku had actually found it funny that Inuyasha was trying to be secretive again, but at least his excuse was valid. If Kagome found out, he'd probably be in for a lot of trouble. Miroku assumed that Inuyasha also wanted to keep the spell range secret.

"Okay, I promise not to tell anybody," Sango finally agreed.

"Hmmm," Miroku hummed again, downing the rest of the liquid in his cup. While Sango refilled it, he wondered if he should tell her. If she told Kagome, the hanyou would be in serious trouble... "If Kagome asks, you know that from Shippou."

Sango laughed out, playfully hitting him against the arm. "What are you wringing a promise out of me when you don't even expect it to be kept?"

Miroku grinned at her. "Just a joke." After he thought about it, Inuyasha had helped him, even if he had taken his time, so it wouldn't be justified to send the hanyou to his doom. "If Kagome hears that, Inuyasha will be in for a lot of trouble. And then I will be in for a lot of trouble... You understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Yes, he'd disembowel you and feed you to the crows, we already talked about that. Now spill it already," Sango pressed.

"It's good to know you are concerned." Miroku held his stomach, demonstrating that he really liked his guts where they were. He took a sip for their health, finding it funny how Sango was growing impatient meanwhile. "Okay," he began, "Inuyasha was behaving really strange today."

"Reeeally?" Sango asked mockingly.

"Now comes the interesting part," Miroku continued, "he was outside of Kagome's range, and that humored him that much he was laughing like a maniac."

"He was what?" Sango asked.

Not knowing if she was referring to Inuyasha's behavior or Kagome's spell, he continued to explain, "He already had the laughing fit before he started to shout back at Kagome."

"Inuyasha having a laughing fit?" Sango asked disbelievingly. Not once in their time together had she seen the hanyou exhilarated, except maybe after winning a fight, but that was more pride than joy.

"You should have seen him. He wasn't able to get a hold of himself, " Miroku recalled.

"What was he laughing about?" Sango asked, wanting to know what was able to humor the stern hanyou.

"Nothing really important, only a small joke of Shippou," Miroku answered. "I don't know, but somehow I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something wrong with him. Especially when he started making fun of Kagome in his condition."

He continued telling her that Inuyasha had insulted Kagome because he had been outside of Kagome's spell range. "In the end he was even holding his stomach. I asked him what was wrong with him, but he didn't say anything that would have made sense."

"Really strange..." Sango trailed off, taking a sip of her cup, noticing that she emptied it again. "So the spell has a range." She had wondered once if the spell was triggered by Kagome's voice or her miko power. The girl hadn't been able to answer her question, telling her that Kaede had put the spell on Inuyasha. ´Looks like I have my answer.´

"So he was exploiting being outside of her range without her knowledge. I wouldn't have thought that he would have that much fun with such a situation... Kagome was really upset for a while," Sango told the monk. "He was really overdoing it today."

"Indeed," Miroku agreed. Agreeing with a woman was always a good idea. The trick was holding back enough to not let her notice, what was quite tricky with the youkai huntress. "I would have betted everything that he wouldn't help packing today. Some manners wouldn't hurt him for sure."

"Inuyasha and manners. That's a contradiction in itself." Sango laughed. "I think it wouldn't even fit him."

"I guess it would be a unique experience," Miroku added. "Although the outcome might be something like Sesshoumaru." Imitating the voice of the elder brother, he quoted, "You may die now. instead of," switching to Inuyasha's voice, "I'll kill you now, fucking bastard!"

"I guess being polite and having manners isn't the same, especially for him..." Sango laughed. "Sometimes, I wonder how Kagome puts up with his temper."

Miroku held his cup up. "To the forgiving female heart," he told her with a smile.

´If I think of all the times he groped me,´ she thought, ´I don't know why I'm putting up with him.´ She looked at him, seeing him smiling innocently at her. "We are sure too lenient towards you lot," she told Miroku, also taking her cup.

They both downed the content of their cups. After Sango had refilled his cup, Miroku took up the sake jug and refilled hers. Earning a accusing look, he defended himself, "Don't drink so fast..."

"You're having your fourth already," Sango shot back.

"Are you counting mine too?" Miroku asked, inching closer again.

Sango grinned back. "Know your foe," she teased, drinking from the newly filled cup.

"I'm really affronted," Miroku said, putting a hand on her thigh. "After all we've been through together?"

Sango rolled with her eyes. "I thought you wanted to apologize for groping, Houshi-sama?"

Miroku removed his hand, although not immediately. He sighed, "Just Miroku."

"Where are your manners then, Miroku?" she asked him teasingly.

"Hey, that is mean!" Miroku complained. "I'm not Inuyasha."

"So you think you have better manners?"

"I wasn't the one lying face first on the ground today," Miroku reminded, taking another sip. "And if I remember right, you haven't hit me with your boomerang lately," he added, grinning over the whole face.

"Lapse of judgment on my part," Sango muttered. But he was right, she couldn't complain about this last week. She looked at Miroku, seeing him sitting there with his confident smile. It always made her knees feel weak. She'd be damned if she'd let him know.

"Really?" Miroku asked, grinning even wider. "Come on, a small compliment would really make my day."

"I guess you've really been behaving lately," Sango admitted.

"Thank you, Sango," Miroku said, taking her hands between his. "Out of your mouth this is the sweetest compliments of all."

Sango didn't know if she could take that at face value. Deciding to let her hands between his for once, she relaxed a bit. She hoped he wasn't just sweet-talking, but this afternoon it seemed to her as if could really meant it. ´Maybe it is the sake?´

"Don't you think you are plastering on?" Sango asked, giving the monk an inquiring look.

"Not a bit," Miroku answered. "I'd be lying if I said that I've ever met someone like you."

Sango looked down. "Thank you." Looking up again, she saw Miroku staring at her almost anxiously. "The same goes for you. I've never met someone like you before," she admitted reluctantly, seeing a happy smile growing on his face.

"So I'm also important to you?" Miroku asked, averting his eyes for the first time. Why was his damned heart beating so fast? Releasing her hands, he picked up a log and threw it into the fire. ´She must hear it beating.´ Picking up another log, he noticed that his hands had begun to sweat. Why was he acting so out of control? This had never happened with one of the other girls.

A short silence ensued after Miroku's question. Sango shifted around uncomfortable. What was she supposed to answer? It almost looked like he was nervous, although he could be playing it. ´What should I answer?´ She saw him looking up again, and this time it was really anxious. "Yes, you are important to me. You, Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippou, you've become a second family to me."

Miroku worked hard to keep his composure. ´It could be worse,´ he told himself. ´She could have declined. She's just shy.´ It didn't mean that something more couldn't develop. ´Goddamn sake,´ he thought, ´I'm not even thinking straight.´ He gave the jug an accusing look. What to do now? Leave it be? ´No guts, no glory,´ he thought, straightening himself.

"Could you, theoretically, be interested in more than a makeshift family?" he asked with a serious voice. She really had to be trying to drive him crazy. "More than only companionship?"

Sango thought she owed the priest an answer. "I ... don't know," she finally told him. "I don't know if I can move on as long as Naraku is out there."

Miroku sighed, giving his right hand an angered stare. ´Naraku again.´ Had the damned bastard to interfere in every detail of his life? His makeshift father, Mushin, had once joked that he had been able to say Naraku right after he got the names of his parents. Not enough that he had lost everything resembling a childhood, his father, that he had to run around with a seal over his hand, no, that seemed to be not enough.

"Naraku," he whispered. Sango looked at him, not used to the hatred in his voice. "I've had enough," he continued, "of having my life dictated by him." He picked up another log, throwing it into the fire with such force that it sent a myriad of sparks flying.

He took in a calming breath. "Sorry," he apologized, not wanting to scare her away.

"No, it's okay," Sango hastened to say. She looked at Miroku, suddenly seeing him in a different light. She had thought that he was living uncommitted, judging from his careless manner and the wandering life he was leading. "I didn't know that you think your life dictated."

Miroku chuckled. "Well, I'm trying my best to retain my independence. But I can't deny that my whole live is one big unsuccessful hunt after a phantom." He gave his hand another stare. How much time did he have left? A year? More, less? "Ever since my father died, I've always been two steps behind Naraku. It's frustrating to see him escaping all the time."

Sango looked uncomfortable, she pitied the monk. She was hunting after Naraku too, but at least not all her life with a death curse hanging over her head. "We will get him," she tried to encourage him.

"Of course," Miroku answered with a smile.

Sango had the impression of a mask falling back in place. How much did it really trouble him? "When I think of it, you also lost your family to Naraku." She saw him scratching his head. "Not only this, but also your childhood."

"It's not important," Miroku assured. "When we finish off Naraku, my time will have been worth it. I am used to it."

Sango chuckled. She saw Miroku's inquiring look and explained herself, "You know, that reminds me of myself. I'm also used to living extraordinary." She felt comfortable talking with him about that part of her past, they had had similar experiences and she thought that he could understand her. Although Miroku hadn't had much of a choice, they had both chosen a life out of the ordinary. "I was growing up very unusually."

"Really?" Miroku asked surprised. He had always thought that Sango had had a nice childhood, with a family, a younger brother, a nice village to live in. Thinking of how devastated she had been after she had lost her home had only fortified this idea. When his own father had died, he hadn't been sad for long. He hadn't gotten to know his father well, who had often been away, hunting after Naraku. "I always thought that you had a normal childhood?"

Sango laughed, shaking her head. "Normal for a boy, maybe. It tells enough that I have been the only girl being trained in my generation," she explained. "Usually only boys were trained as youkai hunters, there have only been a few exceptions during the centuries."

Miroku revised what she told him. When he thought back to when they had met Sango, he remembered being surprised that a woman would be a youkai hunter, but with time and the repeated demonstration of her superb abilities he had gotten used to it and not questioned her competence. It was funny, how fast he had considered Sango being a youkai hunter normal. "So the other trainees had been only boys? Why were you allowed to take part?"

"I won a bet with my father," Sango told him. She wondered why she didn't feel sad at the moment, after all the topic was very close to the tragic happenings of her village. Instead she was feeling relaxed and also a bit proud, now that she remembered the bet again.

Miroku looked at her when the girl didn't answer for a while, but found that she didn't look uncomfortable, more like she was only spacing out. "Really?" he asked to bring her back to reality. He also hadn't given up his resolve to make progress with Sango that evening. As weird the comparison might sound, he wouldn't lose Sango to Naraku.

"Yes," she continued, "I wanted to join under all conditions, so I talked my father into letting me attend for a week. It soon became obvious that I was really talented, but still the teachers were against my accedence. So I made a bet with my father, if I defeated the strongest boy of my own age, he would force the teachers into accepting me."

Miroku nodded, understanding that she had had to fight for her acceptance. "I guess this bet also served to disprove the arguments of the teachers."

"Exactly," Sango agreed. She liked that she didn't have to explain every detail. "So, after a week I had to fight the most talented boy. We were struggling for quite a while, but in the end I surprised him by using a technique, we had only recently learned, left-sided."

Miroku nodded approvingly. "Not bad after only a week." Most people favored one hand, usually the right, so pulling that stunt after only a week was a very good performance.

"Actually, I've never had problems doing something left-handed," Sango explained. "For example, I can write with my left hand as well as with my right." As usually, she was a bit nervous explaining her gift, but also proud. Wondering why she had never told her friends, she waited how the monk would react.

"Wow, you're ambidextrous," Miroku marveled. On a side-thought, he wondered if that would bring any improvement to having sex with her. Not that he hadn't thought her hands skillful, but now he was definitely interested. "I guess that's a pretty rare ability?"

"Yes, definitely," Sango agreed. She was glad that Miroku hadn't stared at her, although she hadn't calculated with it. Sometimes people had looked at her as if she was a rare animal, and although she hadn't exactly felt insulted by the curious stares, she had never liked it. A long time ago, she had had an argument with her mother, who had bragged to her friends about how skilled she was. She didn't like being talked about as if she wasn't present. "This skill has helped me often, although I think I would have become a good youkai hunter even without it. Sometimes people tried to talk me down, saying that all I know was only this trick."

"I wouldn't call it a trick, but an increase to your ability. You'll have to give me a demonstration," Miroku told her. He took up his cup, downing the content. ´Just family?´ Even if they were, he was definitely the closest to her, she talked with him about her personal experiences and not with the others.

He definitely needed another cup. Holding it to Sango, he waited until she refilled it. He noticed she poured him the sake in a single flush without spilling a drop, without even spending a second thought on it. ´Skillful indeed.´ Pretending to change his sitting position, he inched closer.

"Where is the sake from?" Sango asked, pretending not to notice Miroku's approach.

"I acquired it during our journey," Miroku answered her.

"Did you steal it from Madoka?" she asked the monk with a teasing undertone.

Miroku made a face. "No, actually I already owned it back then." He had to smile at the memory of Madoka's home. "I nearly broke it during the fight with the tengu."

"You were fighting with the sake jug hidden?" Sango laughed. That's why he had seemed so cautious, it had caught her eye back then.

"Yes, I was carrying it with me for quite some time," Miroku told her truthfully.

"Did you already have the sake in the mining village?"

"Yes," Miroku told her at least half of the truth. "I also had it with me in the mining village." No need telling her he had stolen the jug there.

Sango laughed. "You were running around with the sake jug the whole time? Even sleeping with it?"

Miroku nodded at her question. "Yes. What's so funny about it?"

"Like an alcoholic." Sango laughed even harder when she saw Miroku making a face. "Meet Miroku, the drunkard monk. Always having his sake jug with him, no evil can stand against these two."

"That's the thanks you get for being nice..."

"Oh, I am thankful. Haha," she continued to laugh, "I haven't heard something that funny for a long time."

"Hmph," Miroku played offended.

"Come on, don't be upset," Sango laughed, patting him on the leg. "That was really sweet of you."

"Thanks..." Miroku trailed off. Somehow, her laughter took the effect of her words away. ´I'm no drunkard!´ He thought of it as quite an accomplishment, with a stepfather like his.

"Why didn't you share the bottle sooner?" Sango asked, still teasing.

Miroku had to think of a way out. He didn't want to tell her that it was Inuyasha who had been holding him back. ´How would that look like?´ Then he came up with the perfect excuse. Making his most anxious face, he stuttered, "I, um, I was too ... nervous."

Sango looked at Miroku disbelievingly. "Too ... nervous?" She couldn't believe that the lecherous monk would be too shy to share a sake jug with her... to share a romantic evening with her. ´Romantic?´

Miroku watched her face soften, her humored expression being replaced by a surprised, affected one. Her startled look told him that the moment had come. ´Now.´ He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips, wrapping an arm around her, to both support her and keep her near him. He felt her body stiffen; she didn't push him away, but she didn't respond either.

When she didn't react for a while, he broke the kiss and searched her face for rejection. His hold tightened, seeing the mix of feelings playing upon her face. Rejection wasn't one of those. She averted her eyes, not meeting his. He thought to see a blush spreading on her cheeks, if the lights of the fire weren't playing tricks with his eyes. "Sango?"

When he got no answer, he moved his hand up her back to the nape of her neck, and turned her head around to face him. He kissed her again, more passionately. Her lack of resistance reassured him, she was at least not pushing him away. He sighed softly against her mouth, urging her to respond. With a slight whimper her resistance finally melted, and she gave in. Their tongues touched, and he couldn't hold back a deep-throated sigh.

She hesitantly put a hand on the sleeve and placed her other against his chest. She fisted her hand in the fabric of his robe, pulling slightly. The small gesture made him crazy. ´I want her. Now.´ Without breaking the kiss, Miroku drew her to her knees, uncrossing her feet, and leaned forward, laying Sango down while supporting her back. She groaned, tightening her hold on his arm. Reflexively she moved her other hand to the back of his neck, to support herself.

Miroku moved the arm from behind her back after he laid her down, placing it on Sango's chest. He started massaging her breast, the fabric of her kimono being a thin layer between his hand and her; he would have to remove it. Suddenly, he felt her hand on his wrist, stopping him. He broke the kiss, again, looking at her. She turned her head, so he could see her face only from the side. "Don't, Miroku," he heard her say, almost sad. No, not sad, nervous.

Miroku's face fell. For a moment, he had believed that she had accepted him. "I'm sorry," he muttered. He removed his hand, placing it on the ground for support. He pushed himself up, not knowing what to do, or even think.

He was stopped by a hand on his neck; Sango was pulling against him. "We could-" she trailed off, going silent, still not facing him. After some long moments, she finally turned her head towards him. Looking him in the eye with earnest, she began anew, "We could continue ... at a slower pace."

Miroku didn't know if he had ever felt that relieved in his life. "How could I object your wish, beautiful lady?" he asked, the grin back on his face. He let himself being dragged down. This time, he found no resistance and didn't need to wait for Sango to respond.

Inuyasha looked at Kagome out of the corner of his eye. She had sat down against a tree while he trained with Shippou. Kirara had left them earlier, maybe to hunt, he didn't know. They were no longer in the deep forest, so the trees were standing with quite some distance between them. Tomorrow they would leave the forest behind, progressing into more open areas. He had chosen this place because it had enough trees to serve as a good training ground, but was also open enough to be able to move freely.

Kagome was watching them, although she didn't seem too interested to him. Shippou was trying double as hard nonetheless. "Oi, brat, watch your balance!" The fox was a quick learner, although the kid still needed practice, of course. He wondered if youkai possibly were natural talents, humans needed an awful lot of training compared to youkai.

"Is it okay that way, Inuyasha?" Shippou snapped him out of his musings. Inuyasha watched the child slash at the tree again, and thought Shippou had finally gotten the feel of it. From now on it would only get better by being put in practice, not by training with inanimate trees. "Yes, you're doing fine." He saw Shippou turn to Kagome, pride on the little one's face. Inuyasha couldn't help but feel a bit proud himself.

"Kagome, did you hear?" Shippou called. "I'm doing fine" He swiped through the air, obviously trying to look intimidating.

"Yes, Shippou!" Kagome answered, wanting to sound encouraging. "You are fantastic."

"And how would you know that?" Inuyasha muttered to himself. Well, a bit encouragement wouldn't hurt, but he didn't want his pupil to become cocky. Kagome couldn't have heard his comment, and Shippou seemed to have over-heard it too. The kid did another swipe, trying again to look tough.

"The light has almost completely vanished, I can hardly see you two anymore," Kagome stated, after she had watched Shippou for some time. She stood up and stretched herself, bending her backbone. She yawned while she tried to loosen her stiffened muscles, covering her mouth with a hand. "I guess I'll head back now," she brought out finally.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Inuyasha interjected.

She paused, turning in his direction. He watched Kagome, judging from her expression, the parts seemed to be falling in place in her mind. "Why not, exactly?" she asked, sounding like she had already guessed the answer.

"I don't think you want to barge in on Miroku and Sango," Inuyasha explained.

"You lured me away," Kagome half asked, half stated.

Inuyasha looked for Shippou, who was suddenly very interested in slashing trees again. 'Coward.' It didn't look like he would get help from his partner in crime. "I asked if you wanted to watch training this time. It was you who was interested, anyway."

Kagome crossed her arms and glared at the hanyou. "So, what is Miroku trying while I watch you train?"

"I have no idea," Inuyasha lied. "Miroku just said that he wanted some time with Sango." He hadn't noticed Kagome ever using drugs of any kind - for which he was glad - so he guessed she wouldn't be happy knowing that Miroku's time with Sango involved a sake jug. He looked in Shippou's direction again, seeing that the child's attention was still fixed on his tree. He decided to make sure that the brat stuck to his story and wouldn't discredit him later. "Oi, Shippou, did Miroku say something to you?"

Shippou turned around with a remarkably clueless expression and shook his head. "Nope," he answered, and reverted his attention to the tree.

"He didn't tell me something particular either," Inuyasha continued. "I guess he only wants to spend some time with Sango. Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, that's not it," Kagome defended herself. She looked from one demon to the other. She had the feeling that they were keeping something from her. "I don't like being mislead. You could have told me."

"In front of Sango?"

"No, but later," Kagome clarified.

"Well, I just told you. Satisfied?"

Kagome sighed. Inuyasha was playing stupid again, at least she was finally able to notice that. She guessed that he wanted to hide that he was at fault this time. "If you told me sooner, I could have brought some books with me and learned a bit." Learning by flashlight wasn't easy, but better than nothing. She had grown used to it when the decision between the past and her future had become harder.

"Fine, I'll tell you next time," Inuyasha gave in. "You don't have to make a big deal out of it."

'I even learn in the dark because of him, and he acts as if I'm the one being narrow-minded!' Deciding that she would have to stay longer, Kagome sat down against the tree again. "You think it's a good idea to leave Miroku alone with Sango?" she asked, wanting to change the topic. Being a bit tired, she didn't want to debate with Inuyasha that evening; she didn't have the nerve for it, especially after their quarrel in the morning. 'No need to have something like that right now.'

"You think we shouldn't have?" Shippou asked, suddenly back from his tree.

"Well, it's not the first time they are alone," Kagome thought out loud. "It's just that we have rarely left them to themselves in the evening, and never for long."

"You know Miroku wouldn't force himself on Sango," Inuyasha reasoned. "And I doubt he could."

Kagome had to agree with him. Although Miroku was a lecher, he was always polite. If you ignored the groping. She imagined what they were doing right now. The monk had thought of something special for sure. A campfire, the vanishing sunset, Miroku's bold manner. She wished that Inuyasha could only be half as romantic as Miroku. "I bet they are kissing right now," she giggled.

"As long he isn't getting her pregnant," Inuyasha snorted.

Kagome thought about that. A campfire, the vanishing sunset, Miroku's bold manner. 'Inuyasha's not wrong! Sango!'

Hearing the quickening of her heartbeat in the silence that had ensued, Inuyasha thought that he might have been too blunt. Even if Miroku likely wouldn't decline a chance to sire his much wanted heir, he didn't think that the monk could coax Sango into something she didn't agree on. "Hey, calm down! The girl's old enough to know what she's doing," he tried to reassure Kagome, becoming uncomfortable with the subject. In the end it was Sango's decision, who he thought able of making it, even under the influence of some alcohol.

But a look at Kagome's face told him that she likely didn't think so - good that she didn't know about the sake. At least it seemed he had managed to calm her down, judging from her heartbeat. Slower and steady, not on the edge, demanding action. "It's their decision anyway," he continued, folding his arms in front of him. He didn't like to meddle in other people's affairs as long they didn't concern him, just as he didn't like other people butting in on his business.

Even if Sango got pregnant, it wouldn't kill her, especially considering backup from the advanced medicine of Kagome's time. Counting in Sango's loss of family, it wasn't too farfetched to assume she would like to start her own. Anyway, the toddler would be their responsibility and not his problem. He feared that Sango and maybe also Miroku wouldn't be able to assist him further in his hunt for Naraku, but it wasn't like he could or wanted to force them apart; he didn't want to stand in the way of their happiness. 'Well, let's hope the two wait a bit.'

Kagome shook her head. "It's too important a decision to leave it just to her. Especially with Miroku. Do you think she could bear being left with a child, or losing a son to the curse?"

"I'll kill Naraku," Inuyasha growled, causing Kagome to look at him, startled. She hadn't meant it that way, she was just worried about Sango. He was quiet for a while, before he continued in a normal tone, "Don't ever doubt that." He turned around and went back to Shippou, who had escaped to the tree again.

Kagome only nodded, understanding that this was a delicate subject for Inuyasha. 'Looks like the discussion is over for him...' For the first time, she was really contemplating what would happen if Miroku and Sango got together. Would they consider having a child? Measuring with her own standards, they would be early, but it wasn't out of the ordinary in this time. 'This is too weird,' she thought. 'Just this morning Sango and me were tattling about Miroku, and now she'll maybe decide to have a child.'

She watched Inuyasha and Shippou absentmindedly as they were discussing something. 'Sango and I have never talked about having children...' Would Sango like to have a child already? If not, would that be a problem for Miroku? 'He always made it clear that he wants to have an heir.' Would he agree to wait? Or would Sango not decline anyway?

Or was she exaggerating? Maybe she was just worrying without reason, because Inuyasha had taken her by surprise with his side-comment. It might as well be that they were only talking, or likely Sango slapped him because he was groping her. But what could she do now? She could hardly go check on them. She blushed, trying to banish the thought of a naked pair. If she really barged in, what would she do? Sango would be angry, or at least embarrassed. Miroku too - although, maybe not embarrassed. And it wasn't as if she wanted to keep them apart. The two would make a good pair.

'If he had told me from the beginning, this wouldn't have happened,' she thought, glaring at the back of Inuyasha. She wondered how he always managed to complicate things, even when he was not talking...

'I could bring them condoms from my time.' The thought suddenly sprung into her mind, and she thought that this was a good solution for the case Miroku and Sango got together. She would have to keep her family from noticing them, she didn't want them to get the wrong impression about her and Inuyasha.

"Kagome?" she heard her mother ask.

"Hmm?" Kagome hummed, picking up her math books. With these, she finally had everything she wanted to take with her. She turned around to stuff them into her rucksack. Her mother stood there, with a bento box in one hand. Kagome froze at the sight. She had obviously failed to notice her mother wanting to pack the box into her rucksack.

"Kagome, what do you need these for exactly?" her mother asked, holding two condom packs in the other hand.

Kagome blushed just from the thought of it. She didn't think she would be able to live through the embarrassment. She bristled and shook herself slightly, trying to get the thought out of her head. But the one that followed wasn't better; how would she explain Miroku and Sango? 'See Miroku, now you have to put ... Aargh!' She cried out mentally. She also would have to buy them somewhere. She didn't know if she could put them on the counter without a guilty conscience. The excuse she needed them for someone else sounded really lame.

On the other hand, would she ever really needed them for herself? Would she ever get that far with Inuyasha? 'Will he ever just kiss me?' She imagined Inuyasha with the gentle face he almost never wore. He could be nice, as seldom as this happened. Humming lightly, she pictured him without his ever-present haori. Holding her in his arms, close to his chest. He was smiling at her gently, only noticeable to her in the dimmed light.

Kagome sighed wistfully. She was about to continue her daydream, when she noticed Inuyasha looking at her. She felt as if he was reading her thoughts, and blushed even deeper. She averted her eyes, playing with her fingers. If earth ever decided to swallow her, this would be a great moment.

Inuyasha looked at the girl. He had watched her, wondering if there was something wrong with her. Just as she had been calming down and he was about to revert his attention to Shippou, her heartbeat had suddenly flared again. But instead of talking to him, or complaining, or yelling, she had just dropped her gaze. Well, he had enough of being yelled at for today anyway. 'Weird girl...' Deciding that he couldn't figure her out, he turned back to the fox child.

"Shippou, you ready for something new?" Inuyasha asked. "I don't think hacking at trees will help you much further."

Shippou's eyes were gleaming with a mix of excitement and wariness. "Something new?"

Inuyasha nodded. "It's time to train with a moving target."

Shippou looked surprised, not completely understanding what the hanyou meant. "Moving target? What a moving target?"

Inuyasha grinned. "Me, of course," he answered, pointing at himself with his thumb.

Shippou stared at the hanyou, thinking about what he had just heard. He couldn't help but remember his nightmare about Inuyasha attacking him. 'No!' he thought, banishing the memory. 'I won't let a stupid nightmare distract me!' Until now Inuyasha had been serious about training him, so there was no reason for distrust. "Are you sure we won't get hurt?"

"I'll just play target. And you hurting me?" Inuyasha laughed out. "Don't worry bout that!"

Shippou contemplated if he should return the insult. "Better watch out!" he said, flexing his claws. "I won't hold back."

"He," Inuyasha made a curt laugher. The fox could be hilarious. He really had to refrain from laughing, considering the sight of the little fur-ball trying to look intimidating. Well, some fighting spirit wouldn't hurt the little coward. He ducked a bit, getting into fighting position. "Come on then."

That's all folks.

The title-song is by HIM. I sometimes listened to his album while writing this, and I found this song the most fitting for this chapter.