Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this journey... especially for the one who is willing to fight. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 12: Dashed
Miroku searched for something to say, but Sango saved him the trouble. "You're leaving?"
"Yes."
"You're leaving me?"
Damn, but this woman has courage. He loved that about her. So much. Holding her gaze, he whispered, "Yes."
"I won't let you," she announced grimly.
"This is not something you can stop," he said as gently as he could. "I am Sesshoumaru-sama's vassal, and my duty is now to him."
"Then... I'll kill him!"
And the woman behind the warrior makes herself heard. In spite of himself, Miroku smiled. "There has been enough tragedy, Sango."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "You don't think I can?"
Skirting the loaded question, he said, "I know that it would be better for you to live... even if it is without me."
"I'll talk to him, and if he won't listen, I'll challenge him!" she said fiercely.
"Sango... no," he begged in a soft voice.
Tears shone dully in her eyes, and her voice cracked. "Let me fight for you! It's my right!"
Guilt made her tone desperate. Not you, too. With a groan, Miroku pulled her into his arms. Do not blame yourself for my death; I managed that all on my own.
She stood stiff and unyielding against him. "Let me fight to stay by your side!" she begged hoarsely.
"Sesshoumaru-sama is not our enemy," he reasoned, rubbing up and down her rigid spine, willing her to bend before she broke. "If it were not for him, I would not be here with you now."
"He's my enemy," she mumbled against his shoulder, punctuating her declaration with a sniffle. "I would kill him to keep you."
She means it. Fierce and fearless, his Sango would face down any foe... and triumph. Keeping his tone light, he inquired. "You do realize that as Sesshoumaru's devoted servant, it falls to me to put a stop to your plan?"
"I thought you were devoted to me... to us?"
Miroku's arms tightened. "With all my heart."
"But you've had a change of heart?" she demanded bitterly.
"Not in the least," he murmured against her temple. "Sango, promise me you will not attack Sesshoumaru-sama."
A taut silence roared in his ears, but finally, his precious warrior relented and sagged against him with a sob. Stroking her hair, he let her cry, stoically weathering her tears with dry eyes fixed on the moon. I could hate him for this. It would be so easy to curse Sesshoumaru-sama for his 'gift' of life, but I am weary of curses. Though he felt selfish for wanting it, he longed for an end. How much more must I endure?
But enduring was part of living, so the monk locked away his own pain and focused on Sango's. Hands wandered without going astray. Kisses were stolen without raising an alarm. Words of comfort were whispered with no strings attached. And he hated every moment because Sango deserved more.
When she'd calmed enough to speak, she pleaded, "Tell him you won't go."
"I must."
"Why?"
He sighed heavily. "Sango, I was dead."
There was no arguing with finality. Everything came back to his end and the beginning Sesshoumaru had wrested for him.
"I'll go with you," she offered.
"I do not believe Sesshoumaru-sama would permit it," he explained, snuffing out the dim hope flickering in her eyes.
"Then... I'll wait."
Her promise cut him to the quick, for he could not respond in kind. "It would be best to let me go. That is the way things would have been."
"But it's not how they are," she retorted.
There was no arguing with that, either.
End Note: This installment was written for the Live Journal community iy no kakera, where I hold a claim on Sesshoumaru & Miroku. I'm slowly working my way through two different prompt tables. This particular chapter owes some of its inspiration to Set #1, Theme #93, Shine Dully. 600 words. Posted on July 29, 2010.
