He sits down beside her. She doesn't move away, nor does she look at him.

"Sango," he says, thinking about what he wants to ask. He is not sure how to ask, so he proceeds with caution.
"Is it alright if I...?"

She glances at him briefly, then turns back to stare into the fire. Her reply is quiet. "Just don't try anything."

Despite the slight warning tone, he accepts her answer and shifts closer to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. After a few moments in silence, he speaks again, his own voice growing soft and calm. "I need to talk to you about something."

This time she turns and looks directly at him. "About the marriage?" she asks. He notices the apprehension in her eyes.

"Yes."

To his surpise, she stands up, brushing his arm away. She walks over to the other side of the fire, her back facing him. A deep intake of breath can be heard, then she speaks, not looking at him.

"I'm sorry, Houshi-sama."

He is unsure of what to say to this, so he doesn't say anything, hoping she will continue. She does.

"I can't be a wife, Houshi-sama," she says nervously. "I was never taught the duties of a wife. My mother died shortly after Kohaku was born, and I spent most of my childhood years taking care of him. I couldn't talk to my father about those things."

He stands up and approaches her. He knows where this is going, but before he can say anything, she continues on.

"After we defeat Naraku, I would understand if you wanted to go your own way," she says. Her voice lowers to a whisper. "You would not need someone to bear your child, and I'm sure you are more used to keeping with your own company rather than to stay with others."

He places his hands on her shoulders and turns her to face him, although her gaze still lingers on the ground. "Sango." He puts a finger under her chin to make her look up at him. "I want you to bear my child, but not for the reason that you think. I want to raise a family with you, no one else. And you are wrong about what I plan to do after Naraku has been destroyed."

Her eyes widen and she opens her mouth to say something, perhaps to contradict what he is saying, but he effectively silences her by putting a finger on her lips. "I would prefer to stay with you no matter what. I don't care what you can and cannot do, as long as you are with me. That's all I want."

Overcome with emotion, she throws her arms around his neck and hugs him. He returns the embrace, kissing the top of her head and holding her close.

Although the Kazaana in his right hand has not yet been destroyed, time is meaningless at this moment.

This drabble is based on Sango's insecurities about their future, and Miroku's final decision.