Er-hem! What is this? Another chapter! Yes, yes, indeed it is! Of course, I feel horrid for putting this story off so long, and in hopes of making up for it, here is another chapter! I hope you enjoy it!

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Forgotten

Chapter Nine: Healing in More Ways Than One

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"Houshi-sama?" There's no response to her faint call, and Sango is growing worried. She has let him sleep for quite some time now, but at the moment she needs him awake so he can tell her exactly what's wrong. "Houshi-sama…" Gently, she places her hand on his good-shoulder and shakes him carefully; still no response in the least. "…You…You better not be faking…" Again only silence meets her statement. Truly worried now, she shakes him harder, her heart racing in suppressed panic. "H-houshi!" At long last a faint groan sounds out, followed by a sharp intake of pained breath. Hazy violet eyes flutter open halfway to gaze wearily at her.

"…Hmmm…L-lady Sango?" He seems rather disoriented, and his voice is much too soft for her liking. Trying to be optimistic, however, the demon slayer offers a gentle smile. For a brief not-so-delirious moment the injured priest has the notion that he's gazing at an angel…

"How are you feeling?" Sango questions gently, taking a moment to brush his bangs out of his eyes. The faintest of smiles flickers on his pale lips.

"…Truthfully…I have…felt…b-better…" She can't help but smirk at his faint mutter. At least he hasn't lost his sense of humor.

"Well…don't worry, Houshi-sama…Inuyasha will be here any second with the miko, and…" Miroku's eyes flutter shut as her voice trails off. Worried, Sango fumbles for his hand and wraps her trembling fingers around his own, which are much too cold. Biting down on her lip, she shuts her own eyes and shakes her head in distress. "You…you baka…why'd you have to go and get hurt?" His only reaction is the softest of smirks as he somehow manages to give her hand a slight squeeze. Sango sighs and opens her eyes wearily. "…Stupid Houshi," she grumbles, finally taking a moment to look up. At first she sees nothing important, just the regular scenery; but then comes a faint flash of red and silver. "…Inuyasha?" Instantly she sits up straighter, careful not to move too much in fear of hurting Miroku. "Inuyasha!" The hanyou growls lowly, a sound she can hear even from far away. A few moments later he lands just a foot or two from her with a soft grumble. A black feather falls from his hair and he watches it drift to the ground with distain.

"Keh! Finally. A stupid bird demon decided it wanted t' play. Had t' dispose of it first…" As he speaks Sango watches in awe as a pretty young teen carefully slides down off his back. On her shoulder sits Shippo, who looks rather worried. The girl must be this Kagome she's heard so much about… Inuyasha glances back down at Sango, his eyes sliding to gaze worriedly at Miroku. "…How's he doin'?" She merely drops her gaze in reply.

"…Don't worry…he'll be okay." Startled, Sango jerks her head up to find herself gazing into the deep brown eyes of the young miko. Kagome smiles warmly, her very presence familiar and soothing, leaving the demon exterminator with no choice but to trust her.

"…Kagome…chan." The young miko gives a faint start at the sound of her name used in such a friendly manner. She's not offended, however…for it feels…right. Sango offers a very faint smile. "Thank you." Kagome beams almost bashfully before adverting her attention to the medical box lying next to her.

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"Hey." Kagome blinks and glances up as Inuyasha takes a seat next to her. Offering a faint smile she scoots over a bit to give him room. "You shouldn't be out here," he growls, crossing his legs then his arms as he settles down. "It's too cold." Kagome smirks faintly and leans over a bit, her eyes locked onto the night sky. The nights are so clear here…so much prettier then in her time where the pollution blocks the stars.

"If I didn't know any better…" The hanyou peeks over his shoulder at her, his eyes narrowed. "…I'd say you were worried." Instantly he scoffs, turning his attention back to the sky as well.

"Keh. Not likely." Kagome sighs softly, her shoulders slumping slightly.

"Oh. Well…it's not like I care that you're not…or anything like that…" She tries her best to sound indifferent, and she manages to pull it off rather well. Deep down, however, she's rather hurt by his terse reply.

"…You did good." She blinks, looking up in surprise. Inuyasha cocks a brow and smirks faintly. "Today…you did good. The stupid monk's doin' better already." The young miko smiles softly, her cheeks flushing. It hadn't taken long to treat and bandage the hideous wound and after she gave him a few medications used for treating such an injury, his health had indeed improved…but that hasn't stopped her from worrying. A low growl catches her attention, and as she turns towards the sound, something's draped casually over her shoulders. Kagome stares at the red fabric shielding her from the chilly air. Trembling fingers wrap themselves around a sleeve of the haori as she sits still in mild shock.

"…Inu…yasha…" He merely growls softly and shifts a bit uncomfortably. Unable to help herself, Kagome smiles softly and leans over, coming to rest her head on his shoulder. "Thank you." He only stiffens for a moment before relaxing, letting out a soft sigh. Neither one seems to notice that they've both gained a little color to their cheeks.

"…You're welcome…"

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Sango shifts a bit, trying to get comfortable, before she sits up completely. It's not that her bed isn't inviting or anything, but the mere fact that she can't stop from worrying is making her rather uneasy. With a sigh she leans back, resting her head against the wall. Kirara lies curled up in her lap, fast asleep. A few feet away Miroku also lies still, long lost to the depths of unconsciousness. Sango gazes down at him almost sadly, her gaze flickering from his cursed right hand to his bandaged shoulder. Shivering suddenly, the cold winter air finally setting in, she gives a faint sniff. Wrapping her blanket tighter around her own shoulders, she looks back at the priest once more. Suddenly her emotions come to a boiling point, overthrowing her rationality. Carefully she crawls over and gently shakes Miroku awake. It takes a few tries, but then violet eyes flutter open sleepily. Those confused orbs quickly grow concerned.

"…L-lady Sango?" She offers a sad smile and sits down, pulling the blanket even tighter. Miroku struggles to sit up, but Sango shakes her head. Reluctantly he lies back down. "What…what is…the matter?" He's still a bit sluggish, his words slightly slurred in pain and exhaustion. Her cheeks flushed, Sango adverts her gaze.

"…I'm…cold," she mutters almost shyly, trying her best not to shiver. Miroku cocks a brow, curious as to why she felt she needed to wake him up in order to announce such a statement. A faint idea flickers through his mind, but he ignores it, for she can't possibly want to do what he faintly wishes for her to do. "…May I…" He blinks, almost sitting up again. She grumbles at him, and he lets out a sigh, lying back down once more. For a moment she hesitates, but then she blushes deeply and shifts in her seat. "…May I lie…next to you? With you?" He stares at her, his eyes wide. Instantly she blushes deeper and turns her gaze away. "I mean, it is rather cold, and if we were to lay next to each other we would be warmer then…ummm…"

"Lady Sango, I would be most honored." She pauses, turning to look back down at him in surprise. He offers a soft smile, his eyes tired but welcoming. Biting down on her lip, Sango hesitates once more.

"…H-honestly?" He nods. Finally relenting, she smiles faintly and moves to sit besides him. Unwrapping her blanket, she uses it to cover them both. Pulling the edge up to her shoulders she lies down, pressing herself against him bashfully. Miroku smiles softly and rolls over to face her. She glances up at his wounded shoulder, which he avoids laying on. Suddenly she smirks and snuggles into him. He tenses up slightly, startled, before he gives his own smirk and drapes his injured arm sluggishly over her waist. Blushing faintly, Sango rests her head on his chest and sighs softly. "…Try not to be a Hentai…at least for tonight." He laughs softly and nods in agreement.

"Very well, Lady Sango, I shall not…at least for tonight." They share a soft smile, finally content and warm. Within minutes they're both asleep…

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"It's snowing!" Kagome chirps cheerfully, holding out a hand to catch some of the tiny ice crystals. The snowstorm had come seemingly out of nowhere, the dark fluffy clouds hiding the stars. "This is great! It's so pretty!" Inuyasha glances at her, raising a brow inquisitively.

"Why are you gettin' so excited, wench? All it is…is cold and wet." Kagome merely rolls her eyes. Crossing her arms, she turns to face him, her breath leaving in a misty cloud as she sighs.

"Why wouldn't I get excited? Snow is great! Didn't you ever play in it when you were…little…" Her words trail off at the slightly hurt yet confused look the hanyou's giving her.

"Uhh…no? Why would you play in the snow?" Kagome drops her hands to her sides, her gaze reproachful. Of course Inuyasha didn't play in the snow. He never had a reason to…or anyone one to play with.

"You play in the snow…because it's fun!" Standing up the young miko stretches her fingers towards the skies and takes a step forward, letting the large fluffy white flakes fall upon her in a thin blanket. "You build forts and have snowball fights! And build snowmen and…make snow angels!" Inuyasha stares at her from his spot by the tree. He cocks his head slightly, gazing at her with curious pools of gold.

"…Snow…angels?" She pauses, pulling down her hands as she turns to face him. Smiling softly she nods.

"Hai. Snow angels! When the snow gets deep enough I'll show you!" He smirks faintly and turns his gaze to the skies. The snow flutters down from the deep blue heavens, twirling and spinning, the moon's faint glow illuminating their mystical dance.

"Keh…whatever." Kagome grins. As harsh as his words may seem, the tone underneath them had been agreeable. Turning her attention back to the cloudy skies, the young miko stretches her fingers towards the heavens, enjoying the cold sting of snowflakes melting upon her skin. A soft crunching noise catches her attention and a second later Inuyasha comes to stand at her side, his golden gaze locked onto the deep snowy skies as well. Kagome smiles, and out of the corner of her eye, she catches a faint smirk from the hanyou. "…Snow angels…" His soft whisper tugs at her heart. Leaning over, she steps behind him and drapes her arms around his shoulders. Resting her chin upon his shoulder she closes her eyes, enjoying his warmth. A faint rumble of contentment meets her ears, and she smiles softly in agreement.

"Hai…snow angels…"

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Oh my goodness, I love this chapter for some odd reason! I truly enjoyed writing it! -giggles and dips down in a bow- Thank you for reading, my lovely readers! I hope to see you all soon in the next chapter! Until next time- je ne!