Sango was roused from her dreamless doze by the gentle beating of some kind of drum. She massaged her temples and waited for her eyes to adjust in the silver moonlight. As her senses returned to her in a wave of shock, she realized it wasn't a drum at all. But instead the beating of a heart.
"L-lord Monk---" the slayer felt as though she couldn't keep her head on correctly.
"Ssshhh!" The young man pressed a hand over her mouth, pulling her to him with his other arm. His ocean blue eyes had an eerie glow, and stood out among the shadows.
It was then that the young woman heard the crunching of twigs and leaves. The sound was drawing closer, and seemed to be coming from underneath large callused feet. Her whole body tensed and she was glad for the nearness of her friend. She was a professional demon exterminator, and she'd never failed in a job. For her, fear was a forgotten emotion. So why was she terrified?
The large distorted shadows of three youkai passed over the heads of the teens, and then vanished into the foliage. Miroku waited until the noise of their searching had vanished completely, before removing his hand.
"You didn't have to do that…You practically gagged me.." Sango's annoyance was feigned, and she only hoped he couldn't see through it.
"Please excuse my behavior. I was nervous."
The muscles in her throat tightened. He wasn't usually so serious, and it bothered her immensely. It seemed that not to long ago he'd been his normal optimistic self. "Houshi-sama…" His formal title escaped her lips in a concerned sigh. She looked up into his face and tried to make him return the gaze.
After a moment, Miroku smiled down at her in his ever-confident way. His face and clothes were smeared with dirt. His raven black hair tangled. Silver beams of moonlight fell down on him through the treetops, illuminating his eyes. "It' s nothing, don't worry. I didn't want them to find us. We'll have to stay here a little while longer, just to make sure we don't lead them to the others. How are you feeling? You weren't asleep very long."
"I'm okay…" She whispered none-to-surely and looked at the ground.
He gently lifted her chin with his thumb so he could study her eyes. But she pushed his hand away.
"I'm fine...Please don't look at me like that.."
Miroku cocked his head to the side, "Like what?" He reached for her hand. She tried to pull away again, but a pain sharp as a knife flew up her spine and made her fall over. "Sango!" the young monk helped her sit up.
"Like that! With pity! I hate it! L-let go of m-me!"
Tossing and turning madly, she choked on the words rumbling from her lips. His hold on her wrists only tightened, and she winced.
"Sango …please don't be that way…I want to help. Tell me what's wrong. Why did you run?" He whispered, concern evident on his face. Softly, slowly, he ran the back of his hand over her cheek, down her neck and arm. He clasped her hand and ran his fingers over her knuckles.
His touch made her shutter. She wanted to tell him what was wrong. To fall into his embrace and stay with him forever. Happy and safe. She didn't want Naraku, Kagura, or any one else to exist . Just her and Miroku… in a world all their own. But then… she thought of Kohaku. The scene form the nightmare came back, and she shut her eyes against it.
The young woman couldn't help but gasp when he let go of her, and instead picked up her broken leg. She whimpered as he ran his hands along her calves, feeling the abrasion. He snapped the bone back in place with his bare hands, causing her to cry out. Then he ripped off part of one of his sleeves and tied a stick to her leg with the tattered cloth.
"It should heal soon… But no battles for a while. When we get back I'll make you some tea to soothe the ache." Miroku smiled, but it was forced. Sango didn't want that smile… she wanted the real thing.
It wasn't fair. Why did he have to be so wonderful? Why did his gentle face dare her to lie to him? It didn't make sense. She'd never felt that way about anyone before… She never thought she could. It was plain that she was afraid of ever loving anyone again. Because those that she'd once felt so deeply for…were gone.
Again her eyes clouded with the tears she wouldn't let fall, and the young woman clasped a hand to her chest in an attempt to soothe her heartbeat.
The moonlight illuminated the entire forest now that the clouds had passed. It reflected off the rosary wrapped around his wrist. The seal for his kazana…the curse of Naraku. Would he ever be free of it? Would he ever live a normal life? Was it possible for Naraku to truly be defeated?
DISCLAIMER: Inuyash is not mine it is the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I know this so please dont sue me!
AUTHORS NOTE:
I have two reviews! yeeeeeeeeeeeeeek it makes me so happy!
A gigantic, hyper, super, thank you to Kathy Ryan and Caramelpopcorn ! You guys are the absoulte coolest!
Neither of yu seemed to fond of the Prolouge, but it was meant to be a scary dream...And it was meant to be horrid! So that makes me really happy!
Thank you sooo much for you reviews!
You made me cry
Inuyasha-- Baka! (pokeball jiggles)
