Sun rising into the air, the group walked in a deafening silence, no one daring to approach the fuming demon exterminator leading the way down the path.
Kagome stared knowingly at the target of her friend's rage, a red hand print on his cheek as he walked silently. Miroku was once again caught in the act of flirting with a village maid, and it was shocking enough considering he and Sango were to be married.
The incident happened after Sango was being looked upon by the young lord while they sat in his chambers, and after many anxious glances, the lord took her hands and asked her to bear his children. Miroku swelled with anger at this and stormed out of the room having not heard Sango deny the Lord's wish. Soon after, Sango went after Miroku and caught him in an embrace with a maid.
Kagome shook her head, her eyes turning up to the hillside as Keade's village was forming in the distance. She wished the two would just make up already, it was awkward enough for her having to deal with Inuyasha's sulking but now her other two friends were not speaking. Letting out a sigh, closed her eyes, formulating a plan in her mind.
As they neared Kaede's village, Kagome glided alongside Inuyasha, taking his arm in her hands. He stared down at her questioningly having not expected this outcome after the fight the two of them ended up in earlier. After a moment of silence, his muscles released, his arm hanging comfortably in her grasp.
Sango strode to Kaede's hut, quickly masking her frustration as she stepped over the threshold.
"Oh," the old woman said, glancing up slowly."You have returned". She said softly as Sango sunk into the seat beside the woman as the others entered behind her.
Kagome closed her eyes slowly as she stepped beneath the screen, her knees buckling against each other as she stumbled forward.
Inuyasha's hands insticntively went to catch her as she fell forward, Kaede and Sangos hands outreaching to assist. Rolling the unconcious girl in his arms, Inuyasha knelt down, staring at her with a panickstricken face.
Opening her eyes weakly, she stared up at the half demon, her hands pawing his collar slowly as she met his gaze.
"What happened Kagome"? Inuyasha asked sharply as she straightened in his arms. Placing a hand on her cheek, he stroked it comfortingly as she stared around.
"I- I do not know". She whispered, her eyes trailing around the room as she held her hand to her temple. "I felt faint".
"Ye should rest child". Kaede whispered tenderly as Inuyasha nodded, scooping Kagome up in his arms. Carrying her quickly to the mat in the middle of the room, he stared down at her with furrowed brows. Placing her gently to the mat, his hand glided over her forehead as Kagome stared to the door.
Miroku stood in the doorway, his eyes softened with concern, as the hand print of his cheek began to fade back to his skin color. Kagome's eyes shifted to Sango, as the demon exterminator stared at her silently.
Shippo hopped past Miroku's legs, landing beside Kagome as Kaede spoke. "Let the girl rest. I am sure ye all could do the same." She said, glancing around at the faces of the group.
Sango nodded slowly, rising to her feet as she stared away from Kagome. "I am going to go fetch some herbs." She whispered, floating to the door, stopping before Miroku as he stared down at her silently.
The two paused, staring at one another for a moment as the room fell silent. After a long moment, Miroku stepped to the side, his head turning away as Sango glided over the threshold.
Kagome leaned back against Inuyasha's knee as her eyes fell shut.
"I will attend to the fire." Shippo said, jumping up as Kirara followed.
Sango hurried through the village, heading in the direction of the forest as she kept her eyes trained to the ground. Her feet crunched on clumps of dirt as she rushed into the treeline, unaware of the eyes following her.
Stepping over the roots of the trees, she walked swiftly, her hands swinging at her sides. After walking for a few moments, she stopped in the center of a small clearing, her hair falling from it's tie, trickling down her shoulder.
Kneeling down in the clearing, her hand outstretched, taking a small collection of plants into her fingers. Gathering the herbs on her lap, she sat in silence, her mind turning over the events of the previous hours.
She and Miroku had not spoken since the incident occured the night before, she was utterly annoyed by his actions. To think that after all they'd been through, he would assume that she would go off with the lord after promising to bear his children. He did not understand that she cared for him more than anyone else, but his stubborness to prove otherwise was draining.
The image of Miroku embracing the girl flashed behind her eyes as Sango paused. Closing her eyes, she shook her head vigorously as she wound the plant into her fist. He was determined to destroy her heart, that had to be the reason. Squeezing the collection of herbs against her chest, she fought off the urge to cry.
Rising swiftly to her feet, she turned, hurrying back through the trees to the village. Kagome was her main focus now, if she was ill, Sango would tend to her and forget the monk. Breaking into a jog, she ran between the trees as the village came back into view.
As she left the safety of the trees, she caught a glimpse of Miroku standing at the doorway to Kaede's hut. He had not moved since she'd left, and his eyes were cast to the trees. Could he have been thinking of her? It couldn't be. He was probably waiting for the next village girl to come striding by.
Walking slowly out onto the street, she turned her eyes down as neared him, refusing to meet his gaze.
As night fell upon the village, the group sat silent in the small hut. As they ate from the small wooden bowls, Miroku sent nervous glances in the direction of Sango. Her eyes had not shifted to him throughout the entire meal, he questioned whether she was thinking of him at all.
Kaede stared around the room, catching Miroku in the act of staring at Sango. Turning to the demon slayer, she watched as the girl remained with eyes averted. Shaking her head, she turned to Inuyasha. "Will ye continue on without Kagome"? She said as Inuyasha looked to her sharply.
"Are you mad?" He half snapped as he stared at the old miko. "Kagome is the only one whom can see the shards, it would be pointless."
Kaede nodded, turning to Miroku. "Priest, will you and lady Sango continue on"?
Everyone paused as the eyes of the room turned to Miroku.
Taking in a quick breath, he looked to Sango for a moment before looking back to Kaede. "I am sure Kagome will be well by morning." He muttered as Sango looked up.
As the room fell back into eating their meals, Sango rose to her feet, her hair shielding her eyes. "I am going to go for a walk". She whispered as the tiny demon cat jumped to her side. Passing through the door, Sango stepped into the dark streets as Miroku followed her with his eyes.
After her departure, Inuyasha looked up at the monk whom seemed saddened. "You should go speak to her. No point in dragging this out further", He said suddenly as he met Miroku's eyes.
Nodding slowly, Miroku strode out the door with his hands clenched into a loose fist. Stepping out into the street, his eyes scanned the scenery finally spotting the forest path in the distance. Heading into the trees, his eyes narrowed as he searched the darkness.
Climbing carefully over unturned roots and rocks, his hands pawed the air in front of him. Finally breaking through the underbrush, he came upon the river, a pile of clothes gathered on a rock near the water. Feeling his heart leap into his throat, he darted behind a tree, squeezing his eyes shut.
The sound of water dropping lingered in the air as a figure appeared in the center of the river. Long hair trickling over her face, she stepped onto the bank, her pale skin shining in the moonlight. Attempting to slow his breathing, Miroku clenched the bark as a pair of brown eyes turned in his direction.
"I know you are there", Came a soft voice as his skin pricked.
Taking a long breath, he stepped around the tree, his eyes on the dirt as Sango stood before him.
Quickly pulling the robe over her chest, she secured the tie as the monk continued to stare away. Glancing over him cautiously, she ran her fingers through her hair as his eyes turned up to her.
"I appologize". He whispered as she watched silently. "I just wanted to speak with you." He said as she remained silent, taking her silence as a note to continue, he spoke again. "I do these things because I cannot grasp how much I truly care for you. And the thought of another man touching you infurriates me". He pleaded his case as she slowly glided forward, her hands touching tentatively to his waist. Surprised by her actions, Miroku stared down at her curiously.
"Now you understand". She whispered, catching his eye for a moment before stepping to the side. As she moved past his shoulder, Miroku's hand shot out, catching her wrist in his fingers.
Turning to face him slowly, their eyes matched for a moment as Miroku drew her forward, standing her before him.
