He didn't approve of her decision. She could tell by his voice and his mannerisms. His mouth was in a grim straight line. He was splashing his hands through clear river water in stiff, staccato movements. "He.. But-" He started and restarted his statement for the umpteenth time.

She stares at her reflection, full of sorrow and regret. Not much different than the hanyou somewhere who was washing his hands for the sixth time. She never thought a tajiya and a hanyou could be kindred spirits. Now she knew.

He splashes the cool water onto his face in hopes that it will bring him clarity or a way to articulate himself. He just sees her between drops of water, the same stone look on her face. He searches for words but can only say her name. "Sango."

She shifts and shakes her head slightly. "Miroku. I want to stay with Inuyasha." She avoids his gaze. Sango has seen it before, he thinks he knows what's best and what she needs.

He lives without guilt. He will never understand.

He sighs, his mouth turning into a grimace. "Sango, the next time Inuyasha transforms he could turn his claws against us." He lets the fact hang in the air for a moment. Sango feels the same ache in her stomach and flutter in her chest whether she imagines hanyou Inuyasha or full demon Inuyasha.

"We've been through so much because of Kohaku and I... And he stood behind us like it was natural! So I want to stand behind him." He says nothing for a moment. He can see the slight longing in her eyes as she looks around. They were both warriors, there was a code between them that few really understood.

He splashes his hands and looks to her. "Yes." Is all he says before standing. She stands with him and listens to the frantic splashing some distance away. He wasn't agreeing to stay with Inuyasha but to stay with her. Half of her was glad and the other half lamented that.

He will never understand. He doesn't know what darkness is. She hopes he never does.