A/N-Thanks for reading and reviewing, and a special thanks to the old readers who are still reading this story even after months of nothing.
Disclaimer: This is a fanfic, nothing is owned by me.
Chapter 2
"Miroku…Miroku!" Sango shouted upon seeing his still form sprawled on the ground. She ran over to him or hobbled actually, as her ankle was throbbing too much for her to run properly. She knelt down on the ground next to him and turned him over.
His eyes were closed but his expression almost seemed to be one of tranquility. There was a dark stain on the front of his robes. Her eyes widened at the sight of blood on her hand when she touched his chest. She started to shake him, only half-aware that it wouldn't do much good if he really…
No. He would be okay. He had to be. Who else would care for her the way he did? She heard Shippou and Kagome's voices but they sounded distant in the background.
"Miroku," she gasped, shaking his shoulder. She pressed her hand to his chest, putting pressure on his wound.
"Sango."
She paused at the sound of the voice, it was weak but she would know it anywhere. Her heart felt as if it had jumped to her throat.
Miroku's hand covered hers, as he looked up at her, his eyes warm with some their usual light. She tried to speak and ask him if he was all right and reprimand him for scaring her, but her mouth felt dry and the words stuck in her throat. Her vision started to blur and she felt herself falling backwards. Miroku's worried face was the last thing she saw.
"I wonder what's wrong with her."
"Eh, she'll be fine, but she won't like you guys messing with her. A couple of injuries aren't a big deal."
"It is too a big deal, Inuyasha!"
"Maybe to someone like you who cries when she scrapes her knee but not to someone tough like Sango."
"I do not cry because of something like that."
"Can you two—"
"Yeah right. You're a crybaby but no one's blaming you for being to—"
"You had better not finish that sentence, Inu--"
"Are you two going to fight all day? This is supposed to be for those who are still ill. If so, maybe you should take it outside," Shippou said.
"Thank you, Shippou," Miroku, who had barely got a word in edge-wise, said
"Sorry you guys," Kagome said. She glared at Inuyasha who at least looked a little sheepish.
Miroku stared down at Sango's sleeping form. She didn't appear to have any injuries other than her twisted ankle and a few cuts and bruises, which he was grateful for, but he was worried that she hadn't woken up yet. He figured that she was probably just exhausted. He couldn't blame her, he was exhausted too. He wanted to lie down next to her and sleep for hours.
Everything they had done was catching up to him. After much time spent chasing after Naraku and searching for jewel shards and undergoing many hardships, they finally did it. They defeated Naraku. Instead of feeling overjoyed, he just felt numb. He was relieved of course, but all that energy he had put towards Naraku was gone and it left a very big space in him.
His wind tunnel was gone but his hand was still covered. To be stuck with something so long, so long that it went back even before him, and to have it suddenly gone was a strange feeling. It was his curse and his crutch. He focused solely on that, it gave him a sort of purpose, but that way of life had ended. Now what?
Miroku sensed that Kagome and especially Inuyasha were feeling similar. They weren't quite their usual selves, their bickering aside. It had started with them and now that it was done, where did it leave them. Kagome had a whole life waiting for her elsewhere. But what would become of the rest of their little group? Would they scatter over time until they grew apart?
He was a bit envious of Shippou in a way. Shippou was young. He would recover from this quicker than any of them. While he had gone through a lot for someone so young, he still could start fresh. He didn't have any of the extra burdens the rest of them carried.
Miroku had been doing a lot of thinking while he sat beside Sango, caring for her and waiting for her. She was the one light he could look to give him something to move forwards to. But, before he could go to her, completely, he had to look in himself. There were things he had to do.
He just hoped that Sango would understand. Deep down, he knew she would. She wasn't that different from him.
ooo
Nearly another day passed before Sango finally awoke. Miroku was half-asleep himself when he felt Sango stirring beside him. He jumped, his eyes sweeping over the room and getting his bearings.
"My head," she moaned, rubbing her temple and sat up slowly.
"Sango, you're awake. How do you feel?" he exclaimed, pressing his hand to her forehead. "You don't have a fever. Where else does it hurt?"
"Slow down, Miroku. How long have I been out?" she asked.
"About two days."
"Well, I feel all right, it's probably just exhaustion. How's Kohaku?" Sango asked, looking around for him.
"Still recovering, but don't worry too much Sango, he'll be fine. He's a strong kid."
"Has he woken up yet?" Her eyes filled with worry when she saw his sleeping form not to far from her own.
"No," Miroku answered cautiously. He didn't want to tell Sango how often Kohaku had tossed and turned in his sleep, crying out the names of people from his past and calling for his sister.
Sango crawled over to Kohaku and stared down at him, mournfully. He was pale and didn't look very restful but his breathing was still and he was silent for now. Miroku didn't want Sango to worry herself sick in her weakened state. She picked a cloth and dipped it into a nearby bowl of water, wrung it out and patted it against his forehead.
Miroku left the room silently. He was going to have a hot bath. His body felt stiff and sore. He couldn't imagine how sore Sango must but knowing her, she would push it to the side and press on.
When Miroku returned a while later, Kagome and Shippou were surrounding Sango, expressing their concerns. Sango was brushing off their worried comments, assuring them that she was fine. She was still sitting with Kohaku who looked more restful now than he had so far.
"Where have you been?" Inuyasha asked from the corner where he sat, holding a cup of ramen.
"In the bath," Miroku replied.
"I don't need more rest, Kagome. I feel fine now. I'd just appreciate if you could help me to the bath," Sango said in a slow even tone, which was an indicator that she was becoming impatient.
Kagome glance at Inuyasha and Miroku who both just shrugged. "Okay, Sango." She lifted Sango's arm around her shoulders and held her waist, then they made their way out of the room.
Miroku took some of what was left of the food. He ate slowly, not feeling very hungry. Inuyasha slurped the last of his soup noisily and Shippou colored in the book that Kagome had brought him.
"You look awful," Inuyasha remarked casually to Miroku.
"Thank you, Inuyasha. It's a good thing you're not being blunt or my feelings might be hurt. I'm afraid we can't all have your glowing skin," he retorted.
"I just meant you should get some real sleep or something. Sango's awake now. It doesn't matter to me but don't you care about that kind of thing. You have dark circles under your eyes and--"
"Okay, I get it. I don't look like my usual handsome self. I didn't know that you paid attention to those sort of details. Does my face interest you that much?" Miroku asked.
"Feh. I was just thinking, maybe that's why Sango didn't even look at you. She's come to her senses now."
"Oh, very clever, Inuyasha. At least when my looks aren't up to par, I have intelligence to back me up," he shot back.
"What are you--"
"My goodness, Sango's in a bad mood you guys," Kagome said as she entered the room. She sighed and flopped down on the floor. "So you'd all better watch out."
"Is that why you're not with her?" Shippou said, looking up from his coloring book.
"I offered to keep her company but she said she wanted to be alone," Kagome said.
They were all silent for awhile, lost in their own thoughts. Collectively, they still had a tired, solemn energy. They were all wondering the same thing.
"Are you going to finish your food or not, Miroku?" Inuyasha demanded
"You can have it if you want," he said, handing it to him and standing up. "I'm going to check on Sango."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Kagome said.
"I'm willing to take the risk," he told her
He took his time, not exactly in a hurry to converse with a grouchy Sango. The bathhouse was empty when he crept in quietly. Sango had her back to him and was pouring water over her head.
Clearing his head throat, he took a step back so he wouldn't be too close should Sango be overcome by a fit of rage suddenly. "Sango, can--"
"Miroku!" Sango exclaimed, looking at him over shoulder with a mix of surprise and irritation. "What are you doing? This is hardly the place to--"
"No, Sango. I'm not here for that sort of thing. As hard as it is to believe, I'm not always feeling amorous."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Then what do you want?"
"Are you really all right? I know you don't like everyone fussing over you but you shouldn't treat your health lightly."
"I'm not. I feel fine, really." She slid deeper into the water and turned away from him. "You came in here to tell me that?"
"Well, no, I also wanted to talk to you alone and didn't know when I would get the chance," he said slowly, thinking about what and how he wanted to say.
"Talk to me about what?"
"Do-do you feel any different now" he asked carefully.
"Different how?"
"Different than before. Before Naraku was gone."
"Yeah, I suppose. Why wouldn't I? Don't you?"
"I do but it's just that, I feel like I should be feeling happy or just better but I don't really feel anything. If everything, I put all my energy towards my whole life is gone and done, then what happens? Do you feel that way at all?" he asked, unsure of how to explain himself clearly.
She didn't answer right away. "I'm very happy that bastard is dead. I'm thrilled, in fact."
"Don't get me wrong, I'm glad too. I think I just need some time to figure myself out…That's why I'll be leaving soon. I'm going back to the temple, to Mushin-sama."
"What?" Sango whirled around to face him. "You're leaving?"
"Yes but only for a little while. I'm not leaving right away, of course, but soon," he said.
"Oh." She turned her back to him slowly.
"You understand, right Sango?" he asked.
"Yeah…sure. Do whatever you need to do," she said quickly.
"Are you sure you're okay with it?"
"Yes. Go deal with your own problems. I certainly can't help you, I have my own," she replied shortly.
Miroku was a little taken back. Was she upset by decision? He didn't think she would be. Her tone was rather chilly and left him feeling a bit more hurt than he cared to admit. He turned to leave but stopped when he heard her call after him.
"Wait Miroku!" There was a splash of water as she rose quickly, crossing an arm over her chest. She seemed to be arguing with herself mentally. Finally, looking as though she had lost, she said, "Your hand, how is it?"
"My hand?" He automatically enclosed his right hand. "My hand's never been better." He wasn't sure about the rest of him though. "I'll be fine. Don't worry. Just focus on Kohaku and yourself," he said knowingly, giving her a reassuring smile before leaving her alone.
ooo
Kohaku did regain consciousness in the next few days. It was still difficult for him a while longer though but Miroku could see the visible relief on Sango's face. They were all feeling relieved and more hopeful as Kohaku made his recovery.
Kagome helped a lot by bringing medicines from her own time, which seemed to increase his recovery in ways that even herbal medicines could not. Between them all, they knew a few good ones. Whatever helped, they were glad for it.
Over the next few days, Kohaku was fully conscious. He was very quiet and did not say much even to Sango, who obviously wanted to talk with him but she had sense enough not to push him yet. There was a vacant feeling surrounding Kohaku that would take a long while to dissipate, after everything that he had gone through.
Miroku also noticed a peculiar behavior in Sango. She seemed to have recovered from their final battle but her skin lacked its normal healthy color and she did not have much of an appetite anymore. At first, he chalked it up to worry over brother but she did not improve when Kohaku did. Anytime he tried to ask her about it, she brushed them off saying she was fine. Since he didn't notice any other symptoms, he let it go.
Finally, when the time felt right to Miroku, he decided it was time to make his trek back to the home of his youth. He felt that Sango and Kohaku would be fine especially with everyone looking out for them. When he felt some peace with his life and clarity, he would come back a better person for them.
A/N-Not the most exciting chapter but there you have it, it's moving along. Ch.3 ought to be up in the next few days after I finish finals. Thanks for reading and feel free to drop a line.
