While We Are Waiting
Sango sat beside Miroku in silent contempt as they watched the place where the bone-eaters well once stood. It had been three days since Kagome and the well disappeared, and Shippo had been sitting in the spot without rest, waiting anxiously for the well – and Kagome – to return. Sango had insisted he go back to Kaede's village and rest, with the promise that she and Miroku would take his place for a while.
So they sat in the dried grass before the spot where the well once was, watching the golden grass fade to brown as the sun dipped lazily behind the trees. A comfortable silence had fallen between them. Since Naraku's defeat and Kagome's disappearance, they had not spoken once. It was as though they had fallen into a period of mourning, despite InuYasha's assurance that Kagome was safe in her own time. They had yet to accept that they would never see their dear friend again. And though neither would admit it, they were both slightly troubled with the uncertain future waiting for them. With Naraku gone for good, it was as if the fighting spirit they once possessed had left them and was replaced with a sense of peace and uninterrupted tranquility. This was not a feeling to which they were accustomed. Before Naraku's death, they were constantly on their guard, constantly ready to rush into battle. They were never able to truly rest. They could breathe easy, and that would take some getting used to.
As the field began to darken with the milky twilight, Miroku turned to Sango, who was resting her chin in her hand and staring at the space where the well once was with a troubled look.
"Sango," he began, breaking the silence. She lifted her head, almost surprised at the sound of his voice and looked to him, waiting for him to continue. "What I said before we entered our final battle with Naraku; I meant it."
Sango held his gaze steadily. She was tired. Exhausted, really. She was not yet accustomed to the sudden peace that had fallen over them. A part of her was still expecting Naraku to appear again, out of nowhere, like he always did, and her anxiety was keeping her awake. Miroku's confession did not come as a surprise to her. She had certainly been hoping that he would bring the subject up again so they could discuss their promised marriage. "I know," she said, placing her hand flat on the grass beside him. He covered her hand with his own gently. A soft smile crossed her face at his touch. "And I too meant it when I agreed to bear your children."
"Ten or twenty of them?" Miroku reminded her of the promise she had made what felt like centuries ago.
She nodded, her eyes remaining serious. "I do not go back on my word. I said I wanted to share my life with you, and I meant that too."
Miroku raised her hand gently off the ground, intertwining their fingers together. "I am very happy to hear that, Sango."
Sango paused. So much had changed in their lives so fast, and, somehow, the thought of being happy and carefree with the monk while InuYasha has lost Kagome and Kikyo flooded her with guilt. He would be alone, watching them be happy, watching them raise a family. Even after Naraku's death, he still somehow managed to bring unfairness into their lives.
He took notice of her concern and squeezed her hand lightly. "What troubles you?"
She returned her gaze to the place where the well once was. "Everything has changed so quickly. It's hard to accept the thought of a peaceful life after all we have been through as a team. And now that one of our team members is gone…"
"Say no more, I understand." Miroku set her hand back on the ground gently, keeping it covered with his own. "I've been wondering what will be become of InuYasha as well."
"I feel a little guilty," she confessed. "You're still here and Kagome is gone. It just doesn't seem right."
"I have to agree with that," Miroku looked up at the first twinkling of stars in the fading sky. "But InuYasha himself said that she is safe in her own time. Her job here with us was done, and she had to return. It may take a while, but he'll accept that. We all have a new life to adjust to."
"Yes," Sango agreed. She knew InuYasha was somewhere nearby, in the trees, watching the spot where the well once was just as intently as Shippo had been. "Do you believe she's going to return?"
"I can't say." He frowned slightly. "But I certainly hope so."
"I suppose that's all we can do."
"In the meantime, though," he leaned back and let out a sigh of content, "I would like to settle down in this village. With you."
Sango watched him steadily. His days of lechery were long behind him. He had grown so much since the day they first met. He had become more serious, and he had proven on many occasions that he was completely willing to lay his life down for her. She scooted herself closer to him and lay her head carefully on his shoulder. "Yes. I would like that too."
He took her gently that night. Carefully, in the hut Kaede had offered to them, he undressed her and allowed his own robes to fall to the wooden floor. He took her carefully and slowly, making sure she was as comfortable as possible. He held her close to him as she gripped his shoulders and arched her back from the pain of being entered for the first time. He stilled himself for her and waited for her to become comfortable with him. He kissed her lips and her cheeks and her neck as he moved her gently with him. He took her hand and squeezed it gently. He relished the soft moans that escaped from her glossy lips when her pain began to subside. He took her gently that night, and when they had finished he held her in his arms as she slept peacefully against his chest.
Tranquility settled over him as he lay awake, admiring the way the moonlight shone across her gentle features. This would be their life, he thought. Able to love each other the way they had longed to as they were forced to fight and set their strong feelings aside. Finally at peace, finally able to relax and rest with the woman he longed to be with, Miroku closed his eyes and fell into sleep, perhaps to share a dream with Sango.
/I'm back, and with InuYasha this time! I've become totally obsessed and I've been dying to write ever since I watched the final act. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter!