Disclaimer: As much as I'd like to own the characters they all belong to Rumiko Takahashi, not me.

A/N: Leave me reviews, please! Thanks a bunch if you do! X3

A Gap Across Time

XII: Wholly Unintentional

Sango was still at the clearing where she last saw Miroku and the snake demon fall down onto; a day had already gone by and she couldn't find the will to force herself to leave. Not just yet. She wanted confirmation that the monk was still alive somewhere - she wanted proof. She had searched the underbrush for any signs of an injured Miroku, but not dead, and yet she came up with nothing. The only thing he possessed that was with her was his trusty staff. It was found lying in a bed full of grass underneath a tall weeping willow tree that seemed as if it were hovering over it; protecting it.

"Meeeoooowww." Sango could feel herself being nudged in the side; she could tell that Kirara was agitated and wanted to leave. After all, a forest was never safe when it was dark out, and especially when a person was all alone.

"It's all right, Kirara," Sango turned to the small creature beside her and smiled, "we'll wait just a little longer. If he doesn't show up, then we'll go to Kaede's place for the time being on our own."

Even as she said this, she couldn't shake off the dreadful feeling that was overtaking her. At the time when she saw Miroku falling with the demon she noticed that the youkai was smirking the whole time. She'd screamed out Miroku's name then, but it wasn't going to change anything. The air rushing by her hair and face, the angered growl from Kirara, the desperate scream from Miroku for help, it all came sinking in more vividly than before. Sango shuddered at the remembrance and tried to shrug it off by clutching the monk's staff closer to herself.

Just a little longer. We'll just wait a bit longer . . .

-----

Dammit, I can't get rid of this smell! I didn't think the solution would be so strong in its scent, its unreal! Inuyasha scrubbed at his arms and legs furiously until they became a bright red. If he'd scrubbed any harder his skin would start to sting in the ministrations of the hot water. An array of assorted shampoos and soaps were lined up by the edge of the bath for the leisure of Inuyasha's own dispense. He had already sampled most of them and none worked - it started to worry him that the scent wasn't going to go away for a very long time. I can't go smelling like lemon inside the palace! If it bothers my nose, then it'll be worse for the youkai that have a better sense of smell than I, which, of course, I highly doubt.

"Inuyasha, are you almost done in there?" Shippou called from behind the screened door. He could feel the heat of the bath's steam seeping through the ricer paper covering the door's panels. "Aizuna and Katari have been diligently waiting for an hour now . . ."

"Ask them to wait a little longer because it's much harder than you think to get rid of this citrus smell!" Inuyasha hollered back none too happily.

Geez, what a selfish brat. Shippou scratched the back of his head with one hand. Out loud, he muttered, "it was his own fault that he smells the way he does now. Who'd of thought he'd run away from counselors trying to school him."

A chuckle from behind Shippou made him turn around at lightning speed. The tall tree youkai known as, Saiai, was standing before him with a huge grin on his face. "This new Lord of ours is a very interesting fellow," he said to Shippou. "I've heard all about the little adventure that took place this morning in the palace. You must have gotten quite a jog this morning, didn't you?"

Panicking, Shippou automatically replied, "I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! I didn't mean to run back and forth across the halls like that! I must have distracted the guards from doing their duty, and--"

"That's quite enough. You needn't apologize for what was not your wrongdoing in the first place." Saiai ushered for the fox child to stand up straight. Shippou could see that he then shifted his gaze towards the screened door for the bathing area. A clear sign told the little youkai that Saiai was thinking about something while he was looking at the rice-papered door. "Do you think Aizuna and Katari have waited long enough?" Unsure of how to reply to that question, Shippou meekly nodded. "You're such a cheeky lad; it'd be a nice thing if you were to play with Lady Rin during the day."

"Lady Rin?" Shippou asked, ears perking up at the sound of the name. His suppressive nature was quickly forgotten, for it was replaced with one that was much more keen on acting out. "Who's that?"

"She's the child our Lord has taken in under his wing some time ago." Shippou actually gawked at the counselor like he had gone insane. "Believe me, it is quite true, what I am telling you now. If it would not trouble you too much, perhaps a time and place can be scheduled for her to meet you in person one of these days. I am sure that she would be most grateful to play with someone else her own age."

"If it's all right with everyone," Shippou scratched at a side of one of his cheeks gingerly, "then I would be honored to meet Lady Rin."

Saiai smiled. Shippou smiled back. It was in this moment in time that Inuyasha decided to step out of the bath to catch the two staring at one another. Like a father chiding his son (in a rather harsh way), Inuyasha demanded, "you pipsqueak, why are you just standing there smiling at him? Is he that fascinating to look at?"

Color coming to his cheeks, Shippou replied, "we were talking about something that has nothing to do with you, so you can just butt out of our space."

Inuyasha sighed and rubbed a towel through his long, damp hair. He could still smell the lingering scent of the lemon, and it was bothering his own nose a great deal. Shippou stiffened when the hanyou walked closer towards him; it was obvious that he was also repulsed by the pungent smell as well. Saiai, on the other hand, was standing there calmly beside them like the smell of the lemon did nothing to harm his delicate nostrils. It only made Inuyasha and Shippou wonder why he was sniffing the air so much, too, when Inuyasha had walked up to them.

"Do you like this smell?" Inuyasha asked.

"It's a wonderful scent. We tree youkai love the smell of citrus over many other types of fruit and vegetable fragrances." Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow at him and scoffed. "I see it is not in your favor for me to say such a thing, but I am simply telling you the truth, Lord Inuyasha."

"If you say so." Shippou was about to say something, but Inuyasha knew what was coming so he beat him to it. "And before you start yapping, pipsqueak, I know that Aizuna and Katari are waiting for me to continue our little lesson. Just let me get dressed and I'll be down there shortly, got it?"

"Well then, I shall take my leave of you, my Lord."

"Sure, whatever."

Such arrogance . . . There is still much to be learned. Saiai took one last glance at the now arguing duo before stepping behind the screened door, and pushing it shut firmly. His fears were now confirmed - Tsume was right about one thing when they were talking in private to one another - perhaps it was a little too foolish on his part to think that Inuyasha could be truly merged in with their lifestyle in such a short amount of time. Yet, there was no turning back on this because the Lord of the North was coming to visit them soon due to some issues having not been resolved amongst the two Lords . . . Will Lord Inuyasha be ready when the time comes? If Lord Sesshoumaru were here . . . Would he have postponed the date of the meeting if he were to know of it? After all, there's something lying about that needs to be concealed . . .

-----

It have long risen over the horizon, and Sango knew that the sun was already reaching its midday perch atop the hills. She'd told herself and her little cat companion that they'd wait a little longer, but as it turned out, she stayed in that clearing far more longer than she had anticipated. They waited all through the night, and it was now the next day in the early summit of the afternoon. Much to Kirara's protest to leave while it was still dark, Sango had declined to do so and with hope in her saddened eyes, tried to believe that Miroku would show up from a nearby bush, claiming that he was unharmed and the demon having been slain. However, this was only wishful thinking on her part - nothing more.

"Sorry to have worried you so much last night, Kirara." The cat demon meowed in understanding. "I said we'd leave . . . Yet, I couldn't force my feet to move." I only wanted to see you, Miroku. "I kept thinking that he'd pop out from behind one of the bushes and surprise us, you know?" Kirara meowed again. "Well, it can't be helped . . ."

Kaede's village came into view by the time the sun was really high in the sky. Almost out of desperate need for comfort, Sango rushed headlong into the village in the hopes of finding Kaede standing by one of the huts. Standing by a hut she was, and Sango wasted no time in approaching her, though she was breathless and sweating when she stopped in front of her.

"What is it, Sango?" Kaede asked of her. "You look as if you've seen something ghastly."

"You could say that," Sango said in between breaths, "however, I need to discuss something with you." Kaede could see the urgency in the girl's brown-colored eyes when she stared into them. "Miroku is . . . No, I believe Miroku has been captured by a demon." The old woman's eyes widened at the mention of that, and she did not hesitate to usher Sango inside the hut they were standing in front of. "We were going to head to this village to tell you something, but when we were taking off after a much needed break, a snake demon lunged at us from below and snatched Miroku away. The only thing I have that belongs to him is his staff." Sango presented it to Kaede.

"A snake demon, you say? What did he look like?" Kaede took the offered staff and sensed something wholly unintentional about it. It pulsed with the aura of a demon's. She looked at the demon exterminator to see if she'd sensed anything as well, but nothing appeared to be amiss of her expression. Alas, it shall be better that she does not know of this just yet. Kaede put the staff back down when she could no longer stand the evil within it.

"It's hard to say, Kaede, because I didn't really see the demon at all . . . now that I think about it." Sango shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "I wish I could be of more help to you."

"It is all right, Sango, don't force yourself." Kaede then remembered something that was left undone. "About Inuyasha, has he decided to come to me to tell me of the hooded figures he claims have sealed up the well?" The girl shook her head. "Ignorant, is he not?"

"This may all sound quite strange, but before Inuyasha had the time to come see you he was approached by Sesshoumaru's so-called counselors, and they had asked for his cooperation. It appears that the absence of Sesshoumaru had caused some sort of disarrangement within his palace, or so the counselors stated." Kirara hopped into her Master's lap, momentarily dispelling the conversation. "Excuse me, sorry for the abrupt pause, but as I was saying, Inuyasha was asked to go watch the palace for Sesshoumaru while he was missing. However, Shippou was asked to go with him to watch him while he was there."

"That was a wise idea," Kaede conceded. "Inuyasha would not know anyone there other than Shippou."

"Well," Sango was itching to say Miroku, but instead, she said, "we were concerned that no one would be there to keep Inuyasha in check if the need arises. I would have gone along myself, but they prohibited any human from entering the palace grounds so that was a total loss."

"Since you seem to be weary of traveling and are low on provisions, why not stay here for a while?" Kaede asked. Sango looked rather hesitant at the idea and the old priestess knew of the reason. "Miroku will not come out and about like you hope he will; it will take some time before you are ready to begin searching once more - your body has been stressed out enough for the time being. Have you not noticed that your hands have been shaking?"

Sango looked down at her hands. "N-no, I haven't." They were indeed shaking, and Sango didn't even realize how tired she was until Kaede mentioned about it. It appeared that she was running on pure adrenaline alone, suffice to say, it wasn't going to help her any longer because she was simply too worn down and needed rest. "I haven't slept at all ever since Miroku disappeared yesterday . . ."

"You poor child. You go on and lie down on that bed yonder there, and I will cook up some medicinal broth for you when you awake."

"Thank you. You are too kind to me." Sango weakly smiled and walked towards the comforting looking bed. Without a second thought she lowered herself onto it and was soon fast asleep.

Kaede left the hut and went outside where some of the other villagers had gathered; they were whispering to one another, but soon stopped when the old woman approached them. One female villager had a weary look on her face - Kaede noticed this so she turned to her in question and asked, "is there something the matter, Anki?"

Anki grabbed at the hem of her worn down kimono before replying, "that girl that has come to our village, she carried with her a large boomerang. Some of us were wondering if she was a demon exterminator that has come from the far west - they were well known for slaying foes twice their strength."

"What of it?" Kaede wasn't in the mood for idle chatter; there was too much on her mind for her to bother with such silly matters. "She may be a exterminator born from the east, but she does not work for others simply for money. As of right now, she is in a state of rest so I suggest none of you bother her while she sleeps."

"But, Kaede," Anki stepped forward, "why not ask her to eliminate the demons that have been plaguing these parts of our land? Most of the villagers are afraid to grow crops out on the hilltops where a demon may likely attack them. Don't turn a blind eye to our problems." A few of the other villagers behind her murmured to one another. "An increase in demons cannot be due to coincidence; something is going to happen."

"You are right, but I do not have the supposition of asking her to do such a thing when she is in peril."

"What do you mean?" Anki asked.

"A friend of hers has gone missing. She is in no position to do anything other than to recuperate for the time being. While she is here I want none of you," Kaede glanced at each villager in turn, "to ask of her to slay any demons."

"Understood," Anki replied. "We apologize for being so inconsiderate."

By the time Sango woke up it was well into the early evening because she noticed that there was a lit lantern placed beside the futon she was sleeping on. Kirara was still curled up beside her even as she sat up to stretched her arms to relax her cramped muscles. Outside, she could hear a loud banging sound that sounded like metal was being struck against metal; trying her best not to stir Kirara from her sleep she slowly crept out of the futon and stood up. From the small slit by the hut's cloth draped door she could make out two people dueling one another.

I wonder what they could be fighting about? Yet, I hear no screaming or anything of the sort; are they merely sparring against one another?

Peeking her head outside she noticed that the two individuals she saw fighting were indeed sparring just like she had assumed. They ceased any action though, when Sango stepped out fully into plain sight - everyone who looked at her seemed a bit miffed, but she did not know of the reason for their annoyance. The woman known as Anki was the one who decided to approach her while the others watched.

"How are you feeling?" she asked of Sango.

"I'm feeling much better, thank you." Sango wasn't sure that she wanted to converse with this woman, because from the way she was staring at her and the way her posture was situated, she was almost certain that this woman did not like her. "Um, did you need something . . .?"

"You could say that," she said.

"Would I be of any help?" Sango asked. She didn't know what she was getting herself into, but whatever it was, she was sure that it couldn't be anything too bad since these people did appear to be harmless villagers. They lived with Kaede no less.

"The village chief had spoken earlier, so you needn't worry about doing anything."

"When you say village chief, do you mean Kaede?" Anki nodded. "I see."

"By the way, my name is Anki. What's yours?"

"Sango. And the cat sleeping inside the hut is Kirara."

"All right, Sango, come with me. Kaede has been waiting for you inside the hut right over there," Anki pointed to it with a finger, "so simply follow along this side of the village and you'll get there in no time."

"Thank you."

Sango had a mind to wake Kirara up, but she decided against it and took off for the largest hut in the village by herself. Upon entry she was surprised to see that there were so few things stored inside when on the outside, the hut looked considerably large. Kaede was sitting on a cushion with her feet tucked underneath her as she stared up at Sango; with a gesture of a hand, she motioned for the girl to have a seat in front of her.

"Are the villagers preparing for something?" Sango asked, as soon as she was seated.

"In all cases, they are trying to prepare a group of villagers who will slay the demons on the hillsides of this village. There are crops we are growing up there, and no one is to tread foot on the soil until the demons are exterminated." Kaede let out a long sigh. "I am sure you have already met her, but several months ago, Anki lost her husband to a ferocious demon while he was busy harvesting the vegetables from the hillside. Ever since then she has tried in vain to search for a exterminator from the far east to help eliminate the demons who pose as a threat."

"Exterminator from the far east . . ." Sango stilled at the prospect, ". . . can she mean my village?"

"Yes."

"But we are no more . . ."

"She knew you were from that clan of exterminators as soon as she saw you. It is not a wonder, for it is because of the clothing that you are wearing."

"If it will cause problems, I can change to my usual attire that I normally wear if you wish," Sango made note to say. "And about the demons on the hillside, it will not bother me if they want my assistance; I wouldn't want someone losing a loved one or a close friend. While I am here I might as well make myself useful."

"Are you truly certain you want to do that?"

"Yes, I am."

"I have not the power to stop you, so do as you wish." It seems that she has made the decision to help them of her own accord.

Sango nodded.

To Be Continued!