Sango sat on the porch outside the tea room staring longingly at the moon. Her heart was heavy, and her eyes threatened to flood with tears if she dare allowed them to. She sighed heavily as she wrapped her arms around her legs hugging them tightly to her chest. She blinked wearily as the room behind her erupted with sounds of laughter and cheering. The soft pings of a samimasen echoed down the hall, it was a joyous occasion.
Though she was not all joyful.
She closed her eyes tightly imagining she was on Kirara's back flying through the clouds. The wind blowing through her hair as they flew high above the mountains and rivers below. Her face was red and hot but not because of the sun. It was a different force that caused her face to brighten. It was the firm hands resting on her hips, the strong rough hands of the gentle monk sitting behind her. She looked over his shoulder to him. His smile glittering brightly, his soft eyes staring deeply into hers as the wind blew his bangs from his face, revealing his defined features.
Sango opened her eyes slowly staring out at the empty courtyard. Alas.. All a distant memory floating in the back of her mind.
She breathed heavily taking in the smell of sake and flowers. Her body felt weak and numb, and goose bumps ran up the length of her arms. She was completely on the edge of tears and she felt as if she would burst into sobs at any given moment. It took everything inside of her not to break down.
She laid her head against her arms as she closed her eyes tightly. Over her shoulder she could hear the loud laughter coming through the thin paper screen. Everyone seemed to be in such a good mood. The announcement of her engagement sent the room into roaring cheers. She should be happy..Though she wasn't. She couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness as she sat in the room full of merchants and rich lords. She couldn't help but feel completely alone.
Though it was at these moments that she felt the most alone, as she sat alone outside of the parties on the porch.
As she dwelled in the land of memories, her life passed on by. She was a soon to be bride, and she was to be married to a handsome young lord from her childhood. And yet... Her heart still felt far away. Her mind still wandered into the distant lands. Her body still ached for battle.
It hardly seemed as if the battle with Naraku was a year ago.. It seemed like only a few months. It felt as if she were still traveling with her friends.. With Miroku, the wise, lecherous priest. Kagome, the happy, caring, fun loving girl from the future. The stubborn Inuyasha and the playful Shippo.. She missed them all so much. She missed traveling with them, and falling asleep next to them. She missed taking baths with Kagome and gossiping at lengths about Miroku and Inuyasha. She missed walking alongside Miroku, talking to him about random things... She missed it all.
She sighed heavily as she lifted her head, staring out into the small pond in the center of the courtyard.
Rising slowly to her feet, she moved to sit beside the pond. She knelt down on the soft grass staring at the large koi swimming in the waters. She touched down softly on the surface of the water watching aimlessly as the koi moved to suck on the tip of her finger. Such peaceful creatures they were.She glanced up at the moon as a thought crossed her mind. She wondered perhaps if the others were thinking about her too.. If they too felt alone and distant from the world around them... As she sat in thought, the silence of the courtyard engulfed her.
Kagome stared out the window lazily as the teacher mumbled on and on. She sighed heavily as her hair fell over her eyes, feeling exhausted from the lack of sleep she'd had. She jumped slightly as Yuna placed her hand on her elbow shaking her slightly. She turned, staring at her friend as she slid over a tiny piece of paper folded in half. She glanced down at the paper casually as she opened it up and looked up at Yuna for a minute before scratching something down on the paper.
She turned in her chair laying her head on her arm as she stared back out the window. It was a sunny day, almost like one of the days she spent in the feudal era. It was strange to be back in her own time. To be going to school everyday rather than going to visit Inuyasha and the others. And it was difficult to fall back into her daily routine now that everything was over. It was strange to wake up each morning and dress for school expecting Inuyasha to appear at her window barking at her to hurry up. "Inuyasha". She found herself muttering as she stared aimlessly at the top of a building.
She jumped as the bell echoed loudly through the room as everyone leapt to their feet. She dragged herself slowly from her chair as she packed her things into her back pack. She glanced up as her friends waved to her from the door, their faces eager to the days end. She smiled weakly as she raised her hand to wave back at them.
Kagome let out a long sigh as she walked from the classroom into the hall. She frowned slightly hearing her name being called from some far off place. She turned, staring at Hojo as he jogged down the hall over to her.
"Hey Kagome". He said brightly as he stopped in front of her.
"Hello Hojo". She muttered as she clenched the strap of her backpack.
"I was wondering if I could walk you home..If you don't mind". He said with wide grin.
"Sure". Kagome said as she turned walking alongside Hojo. They passed quickly through the front doors as curious eyes followed. As they moved onto the street, Kagome remained silent.
She turned, glancing up at the buildings as she walked. She felt very empty for some reason. She was never really one to dwell on things but for some reason, today she couldn't stop thinking about her friends from the feudal era.
She wondered to herself what Inuyasha was doing. Was he sitting alone in some tree in a forest? Was he sitting beside the well thinking to himself? And what about Shippo? Was he happy to be staying with Keade? Was he growing and learning new things everyday? She thought to herself about Sango and Miroku. She wondered if they made up from the last time she saw them. The group had departed on such an awkward note.. That was because Sango had caught Miroku kissing another girl. She probably hasn't forgotten or forgiven him.
She shook her head knowingly as she imagined Miroku appearing at Sango's doorstep begging for her forgiveness. And knowing Sango she would probably have Miroku on the ground groveling before she forgave him. Though she knew that Sango would eventually give in, because it was almost impossible for her to ever hate Miroku.. No matter how hard she tried.
Kagome sighed as she stopped at the foot of the stairs leading to her house. "See you later Hojo". She muttered waving good bye as she walked up the stairs to her home.
She said hello to her family as she swiftly sprinted up the stairs into her room where she collapsed on the bed. She breathed heavily as she closed her eyes laying her head on the pillow. Her mind drifting. Her body relaxed soon after and she quickly fell asleep.
Inuyasha sat upon the branch of the tree overlooking the well. He sighed heavily as he stared down into the emptiness far below. Normally he would come to find Kagome heaving herself clumsily from the well onto the grass. To which he'd kneel down and help her to her feet as she smiled brightly. But that was a while ago. She was in her own time now, and he had to accept it. Its not as if he missed her, but he was so used to her presence that her not being here was strange.
He rose slightly staring down at the well, a strange scent filling his nostrils. He leapt off onto the grass, landing gracefully on all fours. He moved slowly over to the well staring deep into the darkness far below, his ears twitching.
He had a growing need to leap down into the well and hope that just maybe, he would be transferred to Kagome's time. So that he can see her one last time. He turned staring over his shoulder cautiously as he clenched the edge of the well.
He jumped up from the ground falling slowly into the bottom of the well disappearing into the darkness in a flash of purple light.
Miroku panted heavily as he lifted his arm wiping the sweat from his forehead. It was a humid day, and the sun was out in full force. He glanced up through half open eyes as a cloud remained planted beside the sun.
He blinked for a moment, thinking he'd seen a cat like shadow move across the sky. After the moment passed, he sighed, shaking his head as he sat back against the roof clenching the hammer in his hand. It was just his imagination. Nothing more.
He stared down blankly at the courtyard below. It was so lonely here, at this temple. His only companion was the raccoon demon Hachi, though he spent most of his time cleaning or cooking. There was no one for Miroku to talk to in these moments of silence and solitude. As he would sit alone somewhere and dwell in his thoughts and memories.
He shook his head vigorously. He was such a fool.. He would've had a companion yet he blew it. He destroyed her trust and broke her heart. The thing that he said he would never do no matter what. He took advantage of her feelings and he did not deserve to even let her face cross his mind.
And yet.. That was all he could think about. Her smile, her voice, her presence. Everything about her kept his heart tied to her. He could not allow himself to forget her.. No matter how hard he tried.
Though he'd been with many women in his life, no other woman was like her. No other woman compared to her. No other woman made him feel like this. No other woman filled his every thought and kept such a strong hold on his heart and soul, despite her absence. He was a fool to let her leave. And nothing he could say would bring her back.
Her will was strong as any man, and she never forgot anything. She would never let him live his mistakes down no matter how much he begged and pleaded.
He closed his eyes tightly feeling tears burning on his lashes. He lost her.. And it was all his fault. He clenched his fists tightly as a slow breeze crept through the temple, it shook the leaves and blew dust from the ground into the air. Miroku lifted his head opening his eyes slowly at he stared out into the scenery. He saw in a distant tree, two birds perched on a branch rubbing their beaks against one another.
He sighed deeply knowing now what he needed to do.. He needed Sango to hear his feelings, even if she would not listen, he har to tell her. He rose quickly to his feet moving to the opposite end of the roof to the ladder. He could no longer just sit here and wait for his opportunity. He needed to reach out and grab it with his own two hands.