Three

March 4, 1998

'Unhh... what is that noise?' A very tired Miroku thought to himself as he was awoken from his slumber. An obnoxious, high-pitched ringing had filled his ears and caused him to wake up from the fisr good nights sleep he was having in a long time. It took him more than a few moments to figure out what it was. It was his cell phone. He always had it on vibrate, but tonight something possessed him to putting the ringer on full volume. He looked at the clock and saw that it was only five in the morning. He was aggravated, more than anything, that someone would be dumb enough to call him at this hour. He reached into the pocket of the jeans he was still wearing and pulled out his phone. The caller ID read 'Kagome'. "What could she possibly want at this hour?" He groaned. Deciding to answer it, he flipped his phone up and put it to his ear. Before he even got a chance to greet her, a hysterical voice came from the other end.

"Miroku, get up now!" Kagome screamed. Her voice was enough to snap him out of his tired daze.

Sitting up at full attention, heart racing at light speed because of the surprise he just received, Miroku suddenly became worried. "What, what happened? What's wrong?" He asked so feverishly that it sounded like one long word.

"You need to get down to the hospital!" Miroku could hear lots of commotion in the background. He could hear car horns, and Inuyasha screaming.

"Is Inuyasha okay?" Miroku asked, curious as to what the series of noises behind him were.

"Yeah, Inuyasha is just pissed because we are stuck in traffic. We took a wrong turn." She answered, calming down. Miroku could hear Inuyasha scream and curse as loud as he possibly could at the cars around him, followed by a humilated sigh from Kagome.

"Traffic? Where are you, what's going on?"

"Sango went into labor about a half hour ago! Kuronosuke told me to tell everyone to rush over there now!"

Miroku honestly felt as if he was going to drop his phone when he heard that. He wasn't expecting anyone to tell him until after it happened, and he especially wasn't expecting it all to happen so soon. After the little episode he had with Sango earlier that day, he was unsure if he even wanted to go. He didn't know if he could even face her. Just the idea of his ex-girlfriend giving birth to his brother's child was much more than he could take. Even though he had nine months to allow it to sink in, he was just realizing that it never did.

"Miroku?" Kagome asked from the other end of the line. He had forgotten that he was mid-conversation.

Snapping back to his harsh reality, he answered her, "yeah, I'll be there in a few." Hanging up without so much as a goodbye, Miroku placed his phone back in his pocket. He could feel his heart in his chest, and his throat was throbbing. He wasn't sure if he was still stunned by Kagome's yelling, or something else entirely. He had hurt Sango very bad today, of this he was well aware. If anything, he wanted to show her that he still cared about her as a member of the family. Regardless of the heartless things he may have told her. "I need to get out of here, anyway."

...

"It's about damn time." Inuyasha hissed as he saw Miroku enter through the hospital doors, trying to avoid an outgoing patient in the process. Miroku was used to 'warm' greetings like this, so he didn't respond.

"Uh, so where are they?" Miroku asked, looking around.

"They just brought Sango into that room back there." Kagome said, turning around and pointing to a door at the far end of the hallway that was left slightly open. Miroku suddenly felt a large lump form in his throat. He couldn't even remember why he was here. He was sure that Sango didn't want to see him after he made her so upset. This didn't even phase him until it all came down to seeing her again, and in such a vulnerable state. He had half a mind to turn around and go home that instant.

Which he probably would have done if his brother hadn't come charging out of the room in the back.

"You're here!" Kuronosuke cheered. He ran towards the group and embraced his brother on contact. Miroku was surprised, to say the least. The Kurososuke he grew up with was always calm, and NEVER hugged him. Excitement for a chance at parenthood could be the only explanation. "I can't believe this. I'm going to be a daddy." He sang happily, his voice breaking. It was obvious that he was starting to tear up, but Miroku couldn't see because his brother never let him go.

"Yeah. Congrats." Miroku said, forcing a smile. His brother had backed away and was wiping some escaped tears away on his sleeve. The over-dramatic 'daddy' act was nauseating.

"Can we go in and see her?" Kagome asked, breaking up the moment.

Kuronosuke's mood suddenly switched. He seemed sad and nervous all at once. "I suppose," he began. Hie eyes turned back to the room that he had left open," but she's in a lot of pain. We shouldn't crowd her when we get in."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Kuronosuke lead them down the hall into the room where Sango was. The room itself was quite large. There was another bed in it, but it was currently vacant, so Sango had all the privacy she wanted. The mood suddenly switched. There was just something about being in a hospital, no matter what the occasion, that made all of them feel uneasy. Sango was laying down, asleep, on the bed. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun and she wasn't wearing any makeup. Something very unusual for her. Kuronosuke slowly approached his wife. The other three stayed behind almost in the doorway. "Sango, sweetheart, everyone is here."

Sango wearily opened her eyes. She reached her hand up and gently cupped her husband's cheek. "Kuro...nosuke..." She whispered out. She sounded so tired and weak. Everyone was so surprised. Sango had always been cheerful and strong and beautiful. It was almost scary to see this side of her. Kuronosuke backed away from the bed and made a motion for someone to come over.

Kagome decided to take the floor. With a deep breath, she walked over and knelt beside Sango. She stroked her fingers through her damp bangs and gave her a warm smile.

"It's like she's on her death bed, or something." Inuyasha growled in a hushed tone to Miroku, who was standing right beside him. Miroku only nodded. He stood there and watched as Kagome talked to Sango. He couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but they were both smiling.

Suddenly, Sango rose and gripped her belly. She was trembling and yelling in agony. Tears began to fall down her face as she writhed back and forth in pain. Kuronosuke hurried out to the hall and yelled for any assistance he could get. Inuyasha and Miroku jumped out of the way as a young female nurse rushed in. She instructed Sango to roll on her side. It was difficult considering her size and the amount of pain she was in, but she managed to do it on her own. The nurse began what appeared like massaging, and prodding her with her stethoscope. The others didn't understand, nor did they question.

After a few minutes of doing this, she asked Sango to roll back over. "You're almost there. May be able to start pushing within the hour."

"What was that?" Sango asked, completely out of breath.

"You were just having a bad contraction. Call me again if they start to get closer together." The nurse said smiling. Sango forced a small, pained smile in return, then watched as the young, attractive woman left the room. Miroku stood by in the corner. Sango still hadn't even noticed that he was here. Maybe it was a blessing.

While she jumped right back into the conversation with Kagome, Miroku decided to slip out for a bit before he was noticed. Inuyasha watched as his friend slowly inched toward the door. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked, making Miroku jump.

"I have to go to the bathroom." He answered coldly without turning back. Miroku made his way down the hall, hands in his jean pockets and head thrown back in aggrivation. He made his way toward the main entrance and sat on a small wooden bench just outside the door. He rested his elbows on his knees and threw his face into his open palms, letting out a huge sigh.

The March air blew swiftly, chilling his bare arms. 'Damn, I forgot a jacket.' He thought as he hugged himself, searching for some warmth. It wasn't a good night to be wearing just a slim fitting grey T-shirt, but that's all he usually wore. 'I need a smoke.' He rummaged through his pockets in search for his cigarettes and silver lighter. He found the lighter, but no cigarettes. They fell out of his pocket while he was rushing over, and he failed to notice. "Just my luck, I suppose." He groaned. Placing his head back into his hands, he sat and closed his eyes for what felt like years.

...

"Miroku?" A voice asked nervously. Miroku was startled, and looked up to see young Kohaku standing before him. He was wearing his green striped pajamas and heavy winter jacket.

"Kohaku," Miroku began, happy to see a familiar face, "I didn't know you were here."

"Yeah," Kohaku chuckled, "I don't want to be in that room with Sango, so I've just been wandering around." Kohaku smiled. Another gust of wind came by and caused Kohaku to shiver. He wasn't yet physically able to bear such cold weather on his own.

"You should go inside. You don't want to get sick." Miroku informed, turning his head away from the boy.

"Says the guy not wearing a jacket." Kohaku quipped, rolling his eyes. It was all in good fun. Miroku had nothing but respect for Kohaku. Even though he was a young boy, he was still brave and caring for those around him. A quality that left Miroku a long time ago, that he longed to get back. "Listen..." the boy began, pausing for a brief moment, "I don't know what happened between you and my sister, but-"

"What do you mean?" Miroku cut him off angrily.

"Sango never cries, Miroku. It would take something pretty big to make her upset." Kohaku snapped, recalling what happened the day before. He knew that he had done something. By this point, Miroku had lowered his head, glaring angrily at the ground. It was the only way he could think of to avoid eye contact. "You mean so much to her. You guys are family now, and she cares for you like a brother." Kohaku finished on a rather somber note.

For some reason, this caused Miroku to look at the boy. He was somehow intrigued by this. "She said that?"

Kohaku nodded. "In fact, while we were leaving the first thing she said was to call you."

"M-me?"

"Mhmm."

There was nothing but silence. Miroku continued to look at Kohaku, who gave him the reassuring smile that he was telling the truth. It was just so hard to believe that Sango forgave him after the way he spoke to her. That just proved that she was a far bigger person than him. The moment was put to a halt when a very out of breath Inuyasha came sprinting out to them. "There you are! Come on, you idiots! Sango has already started pushing!" He screamed, catching the attention of the other people that were loitering around outside.

"Oh!" Miroku and Kohaku exclaimed in unison. Miroku shot one final glance at the boy, who nodded for him to go in and witness the birth. Miroku smiled and nodded back. He ran after Inuyasha, who was already half way back.

Miroku slowly entered the room. His ears were filled with the sounds of panic and screaming. Kagome was standing against the wall in the far corner, for fear of getting in the way. Inuyasha was sitting in a chair beside her. he looked over to where Sango was. He couldn't see her at all. Doctors and nurses had her surrounded, and Kuronosuke was beside her, coaching her and holding her hand. Miroku walked over toward the front. He was out of the way, but in an area where he could see everything.

It was probably the most gruesome thing he'd ever laid eyes on. Blood and screaming and agony. That's all he was able to make out of this supposedly beautiful miracle. He watched as Sango painfully opened one eye, and fixed it on him. She didn't say a word. Miroku forced a small smile. He wasn't sure what it meant, but girls seemed to like when he smiled at them. She didn't retaliate, for another push was required from her. Kuronosuke nuzzled his face into his wife's beautiful and damp chestnut hair. He whispered something against her head, then planted a kiss there.

Sango's attention was back on her husband. "I love you, too." she spoke.

"Hmm..." Miroku groaned at the words. But why should he have even cared?

"Okay Sango, just one more push and he'll be out." The doctor informed.

"He?" Kagome asked from behind them. She seemed to be very excited.

"Yep, a baby boy." The doctor said smiling, then focused his smile on Sango. She was so happy that she almost forgot completely about the pain she was in.

'Miyatsu.' Miroku thought to himself. Something about that made him so happy that he almost giggled.

Sango screamed as loud as her lungs would allow as she forced one final push. Suddenly, the pain stopped. All she could hear was the piercing cry of a baby.

...

"Darling, he's the most beautiful baby in the entire world." Kuronosuke said. He had scooched himself into the small hospital bed with his wife, who was holding and swaddling the new-born in her arms. He pat her head softly and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Sango could only nod. If she spoke, she's surely start bawling in joy. She looked at the chubby infant that lay sleeping in her arms. he was completely bald, with rosy cheeks, and the cutest little pouty lips. She listened to him coo and stir in his sleep.

"Hopefully he'll be lucky and have a great head of hair like his daddy and uncle Roku." Kuronosuke joked as he gently poked the palm of his sons hand, trying to see if he would grasp onto his finger. Miroku couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Oh, Sango. He's amazing." Kagome cooed from the other side of the room. Her eyes were filling up as well. Inuyasha looked at her and smiled. He wondered if Kagome and him would have kids that cute some day. The tender moment was interrupted when an obnoxious cell phone ring came from a coat pocket that was laid out on the other empty bed.

Kuronosuke groaned as he got up to retrieve the phone. He answered it. Knowing that the conversation would be long, he stepped out of the room. Kagome yawned and stretched. It was around 8:30 in the morning, and she had barely slept. "Well, I'm tired. I'll come visit you later tonight, Sango." Kagome said. She kissed her friend on the forehead and gave the same favor to her baby. Inuyasha waved goodbye and said goodbye to Miyatsu in a pathetic baby voice. With that, the two walked out.

Kohaku had fallen asleep in the cair in the room, and he was covered in Sango's jacket as a make-shift blanket. Miroku and Sango might as well have been alone. The silence was agonizing. They didn't know what to say. Miroku decided to be the brave one and make the first move. He slowly approached the bed, almost acting like he was entering a bears den.

Sango let out a small gasp when she saw Miroku come toward her. She thought that he was going to hurt her. Even though he never had in the past, he had changed quite a lot. She was more than shocked when he reached a gentle hand out to her and asked, "can I hold him?"

She thought for a second that he was going to do something sinister. Like shake the baby or 'accidently' drop him. But she saw the pure gentleness in his eyes as they locked in hers. Without any further hesitation, she carefully handed her son to him. Miroku sat on the bed beside Sango. So close, that he could actually smell the after birth. He didn't say anything. He was too busy falling in love with his new nephew.

"He's beautiful Sango," Miroku sighed as he gently bounced the baby in his arms and watched as he wiggled sweetly around. He turned up to Sango, his violet eyes shining, "I really mean it."

The new mother smiled. "Thank you."

After another moment of silence, the artist spoke up again. "...and, I'm sorry. I never should have told you that I don't care about you." He pleaded. Sango was surprised to hear this coming from him. He had never been like this before.

"It's okay Miroku. I guess I was just afraid." She admit, turning away.

"Afraid?" He asked confused.

Sango had caught herself blushing at this. She didn't know why, but she didn't want to face him. "Just thinking about you not wanting to be around me anymore, was the most painful thing anyone could ever imagine." her words were cracking as they came out of her mouth.

Miroku honestly couldn't believe what he was hearing. He didn't realize that he had become such an important part of her life, even after everything he'd done to her. His heart was suddenly racing. He could actually feel it in his throat. He didn't understand why this was happening. What was he feeling?

Kuronosuke's entrance into the room stopped his mind from asking things. He looked serious, and very upset. "Miroku, step outside." He oredered sternly. Normally, Miroku wouldn't pay any mid to his brothers orders. but today, he didn't seem like he was in any mood to joke around. He wondered if Kohaku had slipped and told him that he made Sango upset. Whatever it was, he was going to handle it. He gave Miyatsu back to Sango and followed his brother's lead outside.

"What is it?" He asked. He was upset that Kuronosuke always picked the worst moments to interrup him.

"I need a favor from you, brother." He said, almost begging. He grabbed his brother's hands and stared deeply into his eyes. Miroku knew that it was serious. "I need you to take care of my family."

...

Chapter 3 is done.
I hope you like.
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Is it sad that while I was writing this, I was also watching InuYasha in the background?
I hope not .