Unexpected Emotions

Disclaimers: I do not own Inu-Yasha, if I did I could afford a car.

Eh... this is one of the first times I've done something like this, putting my writing stuff in a place where other people I don't know will see it.. *blinks* When you read this please put into consideration that my friend, who was supposed to review and edit it for me, ran off last night to a party and came home in no condition to read anything let alone manage unlocking our front door.

Chapter One - Unexpected Emotion


Miroku had been the one to find her.

He remembered that sickening moment with clarity, running into the woods after hearing her terrified screams, finding her crumpled form lying by the well that led back to her time.

He had been the second one to see Kagome's face. The first one to see the jagged claw marks along her left cheek had already vanished into the woods.

The hanyou had gone too far this time.

Miroku carried the unconscious girl back to Kaede, worry turning his normally cheerful features solemn. The miko had worked for weeks, using her knowledge of herb lore and healing magic to repair the damage to Kagome's face, yet the group knew the emotional wounds would take longer in healing.

The hanyou appeared once, shame etched in his every movement, guilt darkening normally bright amber eyes. Miroku threw him out without a second thought. Rather then the normal display of temper Inu-Yasha slunk back into the forest, hiding from everyone.

Miroku managed to keep his temper under control, long enough to keep Sango from leaping onto Kirara's back to hunt down the hanyou. He knew Kagome wouldn't want them to kill her attacker. No matter how he hurt her.

Kaede forced herbal teas on Kagome, keeping her asleep for weeks as her wounds began healing. Sango kept guard by the door, her fingers idly stroking the small cat demon in her lap. Shippo wailed long into the night before collapsing into a deep slumber, murmuring Kagome's name even in his sleep.

Miroku and Kaede remained by the young girl's side through the weeks that passed, for the physical wounds were well on their way. The emotional wounds were still fresh and bleeding, causing nightmares that awoke Kagome in screams.

Nightmares that had yet to stop.

It had been months since that day, months that left Kagome's face fully healed with only four white lines marring the skin of her cheek. Four white lines that were etched into her very soul. Months of her waking in screams, months of Miroku stroking her hair long into the night with her head pillowed in his lap, months of Inu-Yasha shadowing their every step.

The hanyou never gave up. After Kagome first awoke he made an appearance, apologizing over and over as he cradled one of Kagome's hands between his own. The cold silence that followed his tearful words told the hanyou that everything had changed. Kagome looked at him once, her tone was clipped as she accepted his apology, as she forgave him for striking her.

After Inu-Yasha left for the forest again Kagome withdrew from them all. Her once cheerful and laughing face had transformed into a mask-like emotionlessness.

Miroku watched this all, never leaving her side as her wounds closed and faded, as she withdrew further and further into herself. He stayed by her side at nights, waiting for the nightmares to begin, as they always did. He soothed her back into sleep when she jerked awake, a scream strangled in her throat.

Miroku even kept Sango from trying to hunt down Inu-Yasha repeatedly. Although the temptation to let the demon hunter teach the hanyou a lesson was highly tempting at times, especially when he caught Kagome caressing the new scars on her face with unconscious revulsion.

Even now, as they continued their quest for the shards, the hanyou tailed them. Every now and then he would appear in their camp, telling them of some rumor on the Shikon shards before vanishing into the darkness. His eyes would always avoid looking at Kagome's face, Miroku knew the hanyou could hear the coldness in his tone when they talked. A coldness that appeared after their private confrontation over Kagome's wounds.

Yet time continued to pass, months blended into one another as their travels took them to many lands. Kagome's stout refusal to return to her time until the jewel was complete worried the group, yet they understood that it would worry Kagome's family more if she appeared injured while having to return to the quest. So they stayed quiet, supporting Kagome without words.

It was around this time that Miroku discovered his feelings for Kagome. The latest news from the hanyou sent them far into the western lands, the jewel was nearing completion and Sango's urge to hunt for Naraku and save her brother wiped away all other thoughts and emotions. Electing to camp in the woods rather then risk the stares Kagome's scars received in a village the group settled for the night near some hot springs.

After the fire was built and a pot of some animal Sango killed was cooking, Kagome told them she was going to take a bath and vanished into the deepening gloom. Miroku leaned against a tree, his staff across his lap as he gazed blankly into the dancing flames before him. Sango's voice shook the hazy thoughts from his mind.

her voice was clear in the evening air.
Yes Sango?
Go to her.

Miroku blinked and looked at the young woman sitting across the fire. This was quite possibly the last thing he ever expected Sango of all people to say to him, let alone right now.

he began, unable to say much else.

I see how you look at Kagome, her voice was no steadier, but she continued on despite the blush dancing across her cheeks. I believe that the only thing left for Kagome to heal is her belief that everyone looks on her as marred.

The two companions stared blindly into the fire before meeting each other's eyes, Sango smiled gently and shook her head sadly.

It makes more sense when I think of you two together anyway. Kagome needs someone now, someone who cares about her as she is, not as a reincarnation of a former love or a shard detector. the bitter tone in her voice betrayed just how deep her anger towards the hanyou went.

Miroku sighed and rose to his feet, the rings on his staff making comforting chiming noises with each movement. His gaze was warm as he smiled at Sango, bowing down to place his hand on her shoulder for a moment before vanishing into the woods in search of Kagome.

Sango watched him go, her fingers tracing patterns in Kirara's fur, a smile lurking on her lips. Her words as he left lingered in the air between them.

Besides, I've seen how Kagome looks at you...

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Tell me what you think.... I appreciate all reviews, advice, and will cry at any flames.