I knelt down in front of him, my face level with his broad chest. It took me a moment to regain myself after being caught in the intensity of his eyes. I took a deep breath, finally gathering all my thoughts into an acceptable sentence. He beat me to the punch.
"What were you thinking"? He said, his eyes never wavering.
"Me?!" I half snapped. "You're the one jumping off Kirara to save me! What if you died!?''I said feeling my eyes burning. I squeezed my eyes shut. As I opened them, I met his stern gaze. "If that was some kind of repentance, you better think better next time"!
"What"? He stammered dumbly.
"You know what"! I said, my head inching toward his. "You knew I was angry with you and you thought if you saved me I would forgive you"!
His eyes narrowed as he leaned forward."You're wrong. That thought never crossed my mind". He said, his eyes smoldering as he glared down at me.
My heart twittered wildly as I stared into those perfect eyes. After a few deep breaths, I spoke. "Then why"? I said softly, tears collecting in my eyes.
He looked at me as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world. "It's like I said before. I don't know what I would have done if anything happened to you".
The words rang out in me with the same intensity as the first time he said them. Of course I thought he was delirious from the fall, yet this time.. He meant it.
His good hand reached out, touching to my cheek in the most tender way. Even still, lightning struck. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the sensation travel through my body.
"Don't you understand that"? He whispered softly as his hand floated away.
I looked up, my eyes blinking away the tears as familiar footsteps approached. I quickly darted from my place in front of Miroku, sitting smoothly on a rock beside him.
Kagome, Inuyasha and Shippo walked forward, eyebrows raised. No doubt questioning what kind of conversation they had been interrupting.
I quickly blinked, looking at Kagome. "Um Kagome, have you ever done this"? I said eyeing the pile of sticks in Inuyasha's arms.
"Well.." She said, her face brightening. "I can't say I am a professional doctor, but being in this time, I've surely had alot of practice".
"I can do it". I said, feeling Miroku's eyes turn to me. "I've done it a few times back in my.. village". I added as a sharp pain ripped at my chest. Even after so long, it hurt to think of my family. I shook my head as Inuyasha approached, dropping a few sticks in front of me and using the rest to arrange a fire.
Kagome came toward us, her eyes curious as he handed me several rolls of gauze.
I was no professional either, yet I think I was fairly good at it. I glanced up at Miroku's placid face. I pray I wouldn't cause more harm than good.
I lifted the edge of his sleeve, cringing as I saw the scarred skin. Closing my eyes, I drew his arm to my lap, my hand resting on the top of his hand. I glanced to Kagome who was watching silently a few feet away. Taking in a deep breath I went over the steps on how to do this.
I knew you had to snap the shattered bones back into place so that the arm grows back straight. As I thought of it, my hands began shaking uncontrollably. Miroku was watching me silently, which made me even more nervous. I tried to move my hand further up his arm, my other hand resting on his wrist. "Get it over with." Miroku muttered softly as he smiled comfortingly. Though he smiled so warmly, it didn't make me any more willing to cause him further pain.
"God dammit"! Inuyasha said gruffly as he hurried forward, his hand clenching on Miroku's arm, jerking down forcefully.
My heart stopped as Miroku's head tilted back, a loud growl like scream escaping his lips.
"Inuyasha"! Kagome shrieked as she stared at Miroku's pain ridden face.
I reached out, quickly snatching up his good hand, squeezing it comfortingly.
"What"?! Inuyasha said, spinning around. "It has to be done!"
I patted Miroku's hand as his head turned back to me, his forehead thudding against mine. "It's okay". I whispered shakily patting his cheek as he smiled.
"Yeah". He muttered gingerly, a dark glare shooting at Inuyasha. "Though I prefer your soft hands to his".
I smiled weakly, my eyes meeting his. "I am sorry I wasn't strong." I whispered watching something flash in his eyes. I could tell he was prepared to argue but I quickly turned away. Clenching several cotton balls in my hand, I dipped them in some alcohol Kagome had, looking at Miroku quietly. I pressed the moist ball to the cut, watching him wince.
As I wiped away the dried blood, I could feel Miroku's eyes on mine.
I glanced away to Kagome and Inuyasha who were arguing a good distance away. Turning back to Miroku, I whispered. "I wish you wouldn't do this." I said watching his brows furrow together.
"What do you mean"?
"Hurt yourself. For me". I added softly. "It isn't right". I unrolled some gauze holding it to his skin with my thumb as I would the remainder around his arm.
"Of course it's right''. He argued, his voice rising in pitch yet not loud enough for the others to hear. "I cannot very well let someone I care for be harmed."
My stomach began quivering with butterflies as I examined the last part of his statement. "I know. I know you would do the same for Kagome". I said meeting his eyes slowly.
He smirked, his eyes glimmering. "I mean, of course I would not let anything truly bad happen to her." He said his smile mischievous as ever. "Yet I'm not going to die for her. That place is reserved for Inuyasha".
I tied the bandage tightly, my hands fumbling around a cloth sling. It was so hard to concentrate when he talked like this. I wrapped one end of the sling around his arm carefully, before reaching to secure the rest around his neck. I leaned foward, my head hovering by his as I tied the end around the back of his neck. Our eyes met as I leaned back slightly, our lips heart-stoppingly close.
"Just don't be stupid". I smirked as he shook his head.
"Only for you my dear". He whispered as I leaned backward.
Shaking my head, I turned away, breathing steadily. My hand touched to my chest trying to slow my rapid heart. Dammit. Why did I have to feel this way? Glancing back at him, I couldn't help but smile.