"I'm sorry I startled you". Miroku said softly, the words flowing effortlessly over his lips like a river.

My fingers released as I stared into his deep violet eyes. I felt sweat beginning to collect on the back of my neck beneath my hair. My heart raced a thousand miles a minute and I was sure he could feel it.

If he had, he made no mention of it. Just simply continued staring at me silently.

I saw something flash in his eyes, but as soon as I noticed it, it was gone. He hand was slowly releasing my wrist, yet it seemed as if he were unwilling to let go. I shook the thought off. That couldn't possibly be the case.

I tried to break my gaze with his perfect eyes, for every time I looked to his pupils I felt a surge of energy pass through me. It felt as if I were being struck by lightning.

Finally I succeeded, staring down at my hands as I curled them on my lap.

"Why are you out here"? He whispered, his voice was dreamy and unnatural more than any human's voice could be.

I clenched my mouth shut, not wanting to respond to him. I didn't want to say one word. I knew as soon as I spoke to him, everything I was feeling would be released in an incoherent rant.

He studied my face quietly, the action was beginning to make me conscious of my body's twitches and quakes.

It felt as if my whole body were shaking. My hands trembled furiously on my lap, as did my eyelids. I felt the edge of my lip quivering, apparently holding my tongue was doing more harm than good. He had to have seen this. I could not escape his intuitive gaze.

"Sango". He said snapping me from my outer body scrutinizing. His hand reached out to touch my cheek and I felt myself jerking my head away. My mind had not said to have such a reaction, yet my body did.

I was fearful of his touch, for I knew what it did to me. I didn't want the mind spinning sensation or the sweat to gather on my palms as his fingers moved over my skin. I didn't want to feel the secret enjoyment that was associated with a simple touch on my body. I didn't want to feel any of that from him.

Miroku noticed my recoil and my eyes flashed up to see his reaction.

For a moment I saw a glimmer of something I didn't expect. Hurt. It disappeared not a second later.

He let out a long sigh that seemed to radiate from inside his core. "Sango," He said locking my gaze. "Is this because of earlier"?

I felt a sharp hole being ripped in my chest. Dammit, why did he have to do that?

I bit down on my lip shaking my head.

"You're lying". He said barely audible as the corners of his mouth dropped. "Sango.. Sango.. Sango". He said shaking his head like a father would when his child did something foolish.

I frowned. As soon as he spoke my name I felt the air escape my lungs. Every inch of my skin tingled as the letters of my name rolled off his silver tongue.

"I don't know what was going through your mind.. But I had no interest in that girl". He said, the corners of his lips rising smoothly.

"It seemed like you did". I hissed a little colder than I intended. My eyes turned back to his, again I saw a flash of hurt cross his eyes.

"I did. Didn't I"? He said, his eyes finally breaking contact after so long.

I closed my eyes tightly, slowly opening them as a salty tear crawled down my cheek.

"Sango I apologize. It was never my intention to make you feel that way." He met my eyes weakly.

Something in his gaze was different before. It seemed as if he were struggling with something inside. I couldn't grasp what that could be.

I jumped as he leaned forward, his arm curling around my waist as his fingers extended toward something behind me.

Instantly my guards were up, expecting the grope that would surely follow.

I watched as his hand came back around, in his fingers was the lily I'd been admiring a few moments ago.

He held it before his eyes, his brows lowering as a smile broke his beautiful features.

"This flower". He muttered, his lips pursed together. He held it out toward me, looking at me as if I should know what the guesture meant. "It is not any different from the others, they're all white, perfect. And yet.." He whispered, his eyes flicking over my shoulder.

I frowned, turning to see what had caught his eyes.

I hadn't noticed it before, but the flower in his hand glowed brighter than any other. It made the rest look almost grey in contrast. I looked back toward Miroku slowly meeting his gaze.

"And yet this one flower glimmers brighter than the rest. Calls you to it with it's shine."

I frowned. He was making no sense. He was talking in riddles, like always. I felt a crease appear in my forehead as I tried to figure out just what he was saying.

Miroku's laughter caught me off guard, I stared at his gleaming smile. "Go back to bed dear Sango". he whispered placing the flower in my hand, his fingers lingering on my palm.

The feeling of his hand on mine caused my heart to leap into my throat. I wanted to ask what he had meant yet the organ in my throat kept me silent. I watched wide eyed as his hand glided away, his fingers tracing lines along my cheek. I felt my nerves scream, not out of pain, rather the opposite. It felt so good. Too good. I closed my eyes enjoying the sensation secretly. I blinked as his hand left my skin leaving it cold and bare. I watched him glide smoothly to his feet floating away like a purple and black clad ghost.