Authors note: Ever notice how the simplest things seem to open up the most complicated can of worms?

A Simple Touch

Chapter One

Unexpected Kindness

Sango, who had been sleeping peacefully exhausted from a long day of hiking and killing demons, was awakened by a loud exasperated sight and the rustle of bedding. She opened her eyes and glanced at her only remaining companion, Miroku. They had temporarily split their group up in the hope to catch two Shikon jewels moving in opposite directions. It was the only reason she hadn't pumbled the monk for his stupidity earlier that day. When she wasn't looking he'd run ahead and gotten them into a whole mess of trouble.

*Flash back*

Miroku stepped forward, ready to suck this newest demon into his Kazzana and be done with him. In one last desperate attempt to save his own skin the demon spin quickly about to flee, it's tail sending Miroku in a nearby tree. Hard.

*End of Flashback*

"Bakemo…" Sango muttered under her breath. She'd told him again and again to take it easy for the rest of the day, but no. Men and their stup pride. Not only had he insisted on chasing after the jewel until after their normal stopping time but he'd gathered way to much firewood as well!

"ahrg!"

"Baka, baka, baka Sango chanted softly lifting herself from her own bedding and trading softly over to his. On the sound of her approach his struggled movement stilled and he shifted into a more casual sitting position. "Why hello Sango-chan," he said in his cool, slightly lecherous tone, "Couldn't sleep?"

Sango glared down at him with her arms crossed over her chest. "Not with you shifting and groaning all night long. You're back still hurts doesn't it?" she asked.

Miroku fell silent for a few moments, contemplating the days events most likely. At last he looked up to her with a tick lecherous grin and just shrugged, wincing as he did so.

"Oh for the love of Kamie!" She said rolling her eyes, and positioning herself at his side. "Lye on your stomach Housie-sama," she ordered gently. When he raised an eyebrow in response she had to laugh. "You question my intentions?"

He shock his head. "I was simply wondering what you were going to do."

Sango, slightly impatient with him and lack of sleep turned him on his stomach manually, not that he complained. "My father used to have many back problems while battling demons. My mother used a special type of massage to help, and as time went on he needed it more often, so she taught me." Without further hesitation she reached forward and splayed her fingers over her back, using a very gentle pressure to ease away the knots. Behind all the frustration she really did worry about him… After a few moments Miroku sighed contently and although she was happy to help her friend she felt compelled to warn, "Touch me just once Houshi-sama…"

His hand came up in the most solemn form of truce. "In swear I'll behave Sango. I swear it." She did hesitate a moment, wondering if he really meant it but his next statement convinced her. With a stress releasing sigh he murmured, "You're really good at this Sango…" She couldn't help but grin in an impish fashion as she continued to move her fingers over his back. Have some sort of leverage on the Monk could be very useful, perhaps her massaging skills could be the key.

She continued on for a few minutes more until he began to shift under her hands. She was about to question him, when the moonlight made his face visible. His eyes were closed… and his breathing had become very regular… he was asleep.

She smiled contently. However annoying and lecherous he was during the day he looked so cute… almost helpless when he slept. She manually shifted him again, this time on his back. She hoped his own weight pressure on his back would help ease out any problems during the night.

She paused for a moment before getting up just to admire his serene features. He really was quite handsome when he wasn't… being his usual self… Even then, he was still kind of cute to watch. She'd known him long enough to see that he wasn't all lecher. Admittedly he was… A deep blushed spread itself over Sango's cheekbones. She must really need the sleep if that was the train of thought her mind was headed towards.

"Sleep well Housie-sama…" she whispered as she was getting up to leave… but something stopped her. She looked down to realize the in his sleep? Miroku had latched onto her wrist. "Housie-sama?" she asked questioningly. Maybe he wasn't asleep after all. Damn that pervert! She leaned down towards his face with a narrowed gaze, to examine his expression more closely.

"Ah!" she cried as his other arm came firmly about her waist, pulling her to him. "Housie-sama!" she hissed ready to make sure he wasn't able to get up for the next few days, jewel shard or no jewel shard, when she noticed something… he wasn't grinning like he usually did in these situation… there wasn't even a hint of a smile. …He almost looked…sad… With a frustrated sigh she collapsed onto his chest. 'Fine Miroku," she thought, 'If you really need a human blanket… I'm just to tired to argue…'

With some effort she managed to the bedding up around them both, still unable to get out of Miroku's grip, and unable to wake him, she snuggled herself comfortably against his chest. She inhaled deeply catching a good amount of deep forest pine and a trace of sandalwood that she'd always associated with him. She had just enough time to mentally smack herself for possibly enjoying this a little to much, before sleep claimed her. She didn't resist it's alluring call, Miroku may be lecherous, but he didn't take advantage. And besides nothing could happen sleeping one night innocently away in such a fashion… or so she thought…

Authors Note: Well that was the first chapter. Last really calm one for a bit. After this things get really complicated… ^_^