As morning began to creep over the mountains, Miroku thought it best that he retire himself and Sango the bed. Gliding his hand over her bosom, he touched his fingers to her neck lightly, whispering softly in her ear. His eyes moved over her pursed lips as her breath tickled his neck with every rise and fall of her chest. Staring down at her sleeping face, he took a long and calming breath, pushing thoughts of perversion to the back of his mind.
He had many a time fantasised about intimate moments with Sango and the process of cocieving his heir with her. Though these thoughts were highly inappropriate now that she was a married woman.
Sliding his hand beneath her thighs, he lifted her against his chest as her arm slumped over his shoulder.
Walking slowly to the door, he stepped beneath the screen staring over the faces of his sleeping friends. They had not woke or changed their positions since he'd left them a few hours ago.
Moving silently over to Sango's futon, he placed his tennyo on the mattress as her hair spread out over her shoulders and face. Sitting beside her, he stared down on her sleeping form as Kirara curled up in the excess of his robes.
As his eyes trailed around the room, he caught a glimpse of something in the light of the dying fire. Moving over to the object, he took it carefully in his fingertips, holding it before his eyes. Leaning back beside Sango, his eyes moved over the golden hair ornament clenched between his fingers.
It was made to look like a branch of a cherry blossom tree, with many golden flowers hanging off a gold chain. It was quite expensive. Looking down at Sango, he felt his heart sink.
As much as he loved her, he could never give her the extravagant life that Takeda could. After all, he was a penny less monk living in a crumbling temple in the courtyside. He had nothing to offer her. Takeda on the other hand, was a fine rich lord. He was kind and loving and cared for Sango just as much as he did. He could give her everything that any woman would give her arm for. But would Sango really enjoy that? He imagined not.
Sango was similar to he, she enjoyed simple things like swimming in a pond or lying on the grass. Miroku might not have been able to give her finely sewn kimonos or expensive hair ornaments, but he could definetly give her happiness. Beneath his lechery Miroku knew her would be a great father and husband, as his father had been one. As a child, Miroku fancied himself to be that way when he was older.
But would he ever get to show Sango that side of him? He couldn't now. He had wasted precious time with Sango because of his lechery. And now he wanted nothing more than to be the upright monk that his father was. Though he had inherited his father's heart as well as the wind tunnel, Miroku was still cursed to be a letcher. And now, after finding the woman whom he could spend the rest of his life with, his lechery drove her away.
Closing his fist around the hair piece, he placed it carefully against Sango's pillow as he looked around the room. Looking up to the screen to Kaede's room, he watched as the old woman appeared before him.
The others woke soon after, Inuyasha was first, his ears twitching and nose scrunching as he yawned loudly. Kagome was next, her arms extending in the air from her prone position as her hair lay crumpled in a ball against her shoulder. Jumping up, she rubbed her eyes as she looked at Miroku.
"Did you sleep at all"? she said sleepishly as Miroku shook his head.
Glancing to Sango, Kagome knew instantly the reason Miroku could not sleep. Pushing away her blanket, she moved to her feet stretching her arms broadly through the air. As she stared out the window, she caught sight of a horse drawn carriage and many men nearing the small hut.
Inuyasha had seen this also, and glanced to Miroku silently with ears folded back on his head.
The group sat back as the carriage grew nearer the sound of stomping houghs echoing in the morning air. Rising slowly to her feet, Keade moved steadily to the door to greet the men as Sango awoke.
Sliding into a sitting position, her arm brushed against the hair piece as she looked to her friends. A few moments later, the screen flew back as Takeda rushed into the room. Falling before her on the ground, he clenched Sango's hands tightly as he smiled widely.
Miroku watched silently as Takeda embraced Sango, his heart cleched in his chest as he watched the exchange before him.
"My dear Sango". Takeda whispered into her hair as his arms wrapped around her shoulders. "I was so frightened, I am glad to see you well". He said as he drew back, kissing her lips lightly.
Miroku's anger was beginning to build as Takeda squeezed Sango's hands, showering her with kisses. Looking into Sango's eyes, he saw the same expression he'd seen the night before. She was not taking full enjoyment in kissing Takeda, could she have been thinking of him? Shaking his head, he watched as Takeda stepped back, his hands clenching Kagome's as he smiled widely.
"Priestess, I thank you. You have brought life back into my beautiful Sango, I can already begin to see signs of her former self returning".
Kagome nodded blushing slightly as she glanced away from Takeda. "It was nothing". She said modestly asTakeda released her hands, dropping to the seat beside Sango.
Keade entered the room slowly, her eyes moving over the group as she sat down beside Kagome. The room fell silent as Takeda turned to Sango, his eyes dancing up and down her frame.
"Why are you dressed in such a way? Surely as a wife of a lord you cannot wear such rags"? he said in a bitter voice as Miroku's eyes flared with fury.
"I think she is beautiful, if she is to be the wife of a lord she does not have to dress any better than her people. They will love her more if they believe she is like them". Miroku hissed as Takeda's eyes turned to him sharply.
"That is very well monk, but this is not the temple, she must present herself in a different way than ordinary women." Takeda said, eyes narrowing before he looked back at Sango. "Surely my love, you are feeling well enough to return with me home"? He said holding her hands gently in his own.
Sango's mouth opened as the eyes of the room burned into hers. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes as a soft cough escaped her lips. "I believe I still may need to heal longer". She whispered as Takeda examined her with furrowed brows. "I do not quite feel well enough to make the journey home just yet".. She said, eyes darting to Miroku for a second before looking back to Takeda.
Nodding slowly, Takeda looked deeply into her eyes. "I see.. Well surely you will join me in the inn tonight"? He said smiling kindly as Inuyasha and the others flinched at Miroku's darkened expression. "I have missed nights with you, and long to hold you close".
Suddenly jumping to his feet, Miroku clenched his fists as he moved hurriedly to the door. Throwing back the screen, he strode out into the street as his skin burned from scalp to to heel.
Moving quickly into the shade of the trees, he passed curious eyes of Takeda's men as well as villagers. Taking a seat upon a large rock, he folded his arms roughly as his eyes fell shut.
Breathing heavily through flared nostrils, Miroku attempted to calm himself. The thought of another man in bed with Sango was driving him near madness. His foot began to tap irritably as he told himself things to ease his mind. Surely Sango would not climb into bed with another man just after they parted? She loved him!. Had he missed judged her feelings toward him? That could not be.. Sango loved him didn't she?
Slowing his breathing, he opened his eyes to see Kagome walking timidly toward him. Easing his voice as much as he could, he opened his mouth."Lady Kagome". He said as the corner of his lip quivered slightly.
Nodding slowly, she sat beside him staring at her feet. The two sat in silence as their minds spun in their skulls, each trying to think of something to say.
Takeda left Keade's hut an hour later, taking up residence in the small inn on the far side of the village.
Sitting silently on her futon, Sango stared at the ground as Kirara laid her head against her hand. Looking up slowly, she watched as Inuyasha sat back with arms folded over his chest. Letting a long sigh trail out her lips, she closed her eyes as well.
She was now more conflicted than ever..Should she leave with Takeda? After all he'd done so much for her.. But there was Miroku also. In the short time together, Sango had gotten the Miroku she'd always longed for. A loyal, non lecherous and loving Miroku.. Could she really bring herself to leave after all they had been through?
Her eyes began to brim with tears as she shook her head lightly. Wiping away a rouge tear, she looked up to Kagome as she entered the room. "Where is Miroku"? She asked softly, feeling her voice crack with fear and anxiety.
"He went for a walk". Kagome said smiling softly as she sat beside her. "You should rest."
Sango shook her head as she made a move to leave. "No I must speak with Miroku."
Closing her hand around her friend's wrist, Kagome forced Sango to sit. "You can speak with him later, you mustn't stress yourself, you're still sick".
Sighing in defeat, Sango looked at Kagome with half shut eyes."Alright". She whispered gingerly. Laying back on the futon, her eyes fell shut as her heart rate slowed, her mind finally falling silent.
Looking to Inuyasha, Kagome smiled brightly as she stood up. Sitting down on his lap, she smirked to herself as Inuyasha tensed, his face brightening. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned against his neck as she closed her eyes.
The day passed by quickly, Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo choosing to spend it outside of Keade's hut as to not bother Sango. Remaining beside the demon slayer, Keade sat with her needlework resting on her lap.
Staring silently down at the young girl, Kaede watched as Sango rose, yawning behind her hand. Clenching a bowl of water in her wrinkled hands, she held it out to her as Sango nodded politely. She watched as Sango drunk from the bowl, her eyes falling shut.
Lowering the bowl onto her lap, she looked around. "Miroku has not returned"?
"He came back a few hours ago, looked upon you for a moment. He seemed saddened.." Keade said slowly as Sango's eyes laced with tears.
Meeting the old woman's gaze, she spoke shakily. "Will you tell him to meet me beside the river later tonight"? Sango said as the miko nodded. Gliding to her feet, Sango raised her hands, trying her hair back into a ponytail as she stared at the floor. Passing beneath the screen, she stepped out into the mid day light.. .
