I sprinted through the trees, my eyes on the flickering figure of Kohaku ahead of me. The wind swept past my face so quickly, it made the pore of my skin burn.
My feet ached as they slammed against the ground. My hand reached out ahead of me, my fingers extended as far as my body would allow. I watched with widened eyes as Kohaku stopped, his back facing me.
I slowed behind him, my eyes on his tear stained face.
"Kohaku". I whispered, nearing him steadily.
His body tensed as his hands clenched in tight fists. "No Aneue", He hissed at me as his brown eyes flashed in my direction. "Don't follow me".
"Kohaku", I said again, this time I heard the desperation in my tone.
I watched as he shook his head, his eyes shutting smoothly. "I cannot. I shouldn't even be here". He whispered disappearing into the trees before I could say anything else. I froze, my entire body trembling beneath my armor. I stared at the spot ahead of me, where my little brother stood just a moment before.
My eyes shifted toward my hand, watching the muscles tense, each finger folding back one at a time.
I don't know how long I stood there, eyes never leaving the spot in the grass.
My knees began quivering, and I collapsed heavily.
Lowering my head into my hands, I let the waves of anguish wash over me, leaving my skin cold as ice.
I didn't move for what could have been hours, tears streamed from my eyes in waves down my cheeks. Memories of my brother flashed with every breath. I waited, listening to the cautious sound of footsteps behind me.
A moment later, a pair of strong, firm arms wrapped tightly around my shoulders. I felt a sleek nose pressing against the back of my head as warm breath trickled up my neck. I shakily placed my hand on the blue prayer beads, my fingers wrapping around his wrist. I felt his chest rise and fall against my back as we sat in silence. As my eyes were about to fall shut, his soft voice echoed in my ears.
"It'll be alright Sango''. Miroku whispered to me, his arms tightening as he spoke.
I listened to his words, detecting the comfort and concern in them. Turning my head, I leaned myself against his chest.
It was unconscious and subtle, yet meant so much. He allowed me a few moments in his arms before speaking again. "We better get going". He whispered into my hair as I shook my head.
"You go ahead". I whispered, my voice so much colder, it seemed foreign to me.
I felt him shaking his head disapprovingly as his arm clenched my shoulder. "Come on". He whispered smoothly as his hand snaked under my leg, squeezing my thigh.
I remained motionless as he lifted me fluidly into his arms, resting me against his chest. My mind screamed in protest yet my body melted against him. I watched the ground disappear beneath me as he rose to his feet.
Leaning my head against his shoulder, I stared absentmindedly at the bow in his robes. "This isn't necessary".
I saw him smile above me, his chin brushing against my forehead. "I know. I just thought I'd try". He shrugged as he moved carefully over the fallen, white tree trunks. "I just had seen Inuyasha doing it so many times with Kagome. I was jealous. I wanted to do the same. This was the perfect opportunity". He said as his head turned down toward me.
I looked down, a long sigh trailing out my mouth. He was trying to distract me, so that I would not think of my brother and break down again. I appreciated it. I didn't need to cry anymore tonight, one bawl fest was enough. I looked back at him, only now aware of the callused hands on my back and legs. "Miroku your arm"! I said, startling him slightly as he nearly tripped.
"What"? He said looking down at me as he stopped
"Your arm! It isn't fully healed yet". I said feeling panic rise rapidly in me. No doubt my weight would only cause him more pain in his already fragile condition.
He laughed slightly, his eyes flashing. "It is actually much better than you would think. If you only knew the things you do to me". He whispered as I blushed.
"Don't be stupid. Put me down, I'm not going to have you be further hurt by being chivalrous." I said glaring him down as fiercely as I could despite the blush on my cheeks. I waited as he opened his mouth. Prepared to argue, I folded my arms stubbornly. I watched as he relented, his body folding downward as he lowered me to the ground. Once on a solid surface, I shook my head. "You're so difficult sometimes". I muttered under my breath as I looked away from him. "And all this nonsense of what I do to you". I hissed through my teeth at the grass. My eyes widened as the words echoed in my ears. Looking up timidly, I met Miroku's lingering gaze. Biting my lip, I blinked away the blush crawling up my neck to my cheeks.
"Do you want to see"? He whispered suddenly as I jumped at the sound of his voice.
"What"? I said nervously as he smirked.
"Do you want to see what you do to me"? He said loudly as he stepped toward me, closing the small space between us. I watched as his hand reached out, clenching tightly around my wrist.
