"She's still upstairs. She's still kinda upset about...well, you know. She's not sleeping, really, but she is depressed. Maybe I should go get her." Kagome got up, leaving Shippo to clean the plates borrowed from Kagome's mother. Miroku listened as Kagome opened Sango's screen doors. There was a bit of soft talking, then Sango said loudly 'Leave me alone!' Finally, there was more soft talking, then Sango followed Kagome down the stairs. "Forgive me for shouting, Kagome," she said, and Miroku tried not to stare as Sango took her place at the small wooden table. Shadows were under her eyes, as though she had not slept for a long time. Her hair was now limp and the strands hung down over her eyes and ears, and was tangled over her anguished pale face. Never had Miroku seen Sango so downhearted.
In the morning light that enters the windows, Sango almost looked dead. Now Miroku finally knew the look of a grieving woman, especially a woman he particularly cared for. Kagome prepared some late tea and bread for Sango, and went to check on something. Even Kagome's eyes had a tightness about them, and her lips were pursed in a straight line. It was as though Kagome was giving the others a warning about speaking to Sango about Robin.
Inuyasha and Shippo stayed still as Kagome opened the door to invite Kaede and the servants inside. Sango took a sip of her tea, and it was the first time she had eaten or drunk since the death of her puppy. She still had Kirara, who nuzzled against her affectionately. The skin under Sango's eyes was more bruised than Miroku had thought, but she seemed more cautious about Naraku now, and finally answered someone when they spoke to her.
"How are you feeling, Sango?" Kagome asked softly, placing a hand on Sango's low ponytail. Sango sighed, her eyes closing tiredly. "Empty," she replied. "I feel so..distressed. I've never seen anything like it before. I have to be strong, but I...it was horrible!" She ran up to her room, leaving the rest of her breakfast. Kagome sighed, shaking her head.
"Forget it, Kagome. Sango will never forget about Robin that easily," Inuyasha said, staring as the servants bustled about. "Just let her forget on her own. She'll find something to preoccupy herself."
Two days passed after that incident. Inuyasha had been right. Now Sango smiled, and combed her tangled hair. She brushed it away from her face, and her brown eyes were sparkling again. Her face looked so much more relaxed, and she had gotten so much rest. Sango is lovely once more, Miroku thought to himself, smiling as she sat beside him.
The servants arrived that afternoon. One man in a clean, white tunic and brown trousers jumped down from Eri, who looked well fed and fully recovered from the snake bite from before. He carried a box made of oak wood, and he smiled politely as he approached Kaede and the group. Inuyasha and the others turned to face him. Miroku could not hear what he was saying, but he obviously asked for Sango, for she came forward. He strained to hear, and the wind blew some of the words toward him:
"Lord Kuranosuke sends his greetings..." Miroku took a step forward, but Inuyasha held his shoulder, reminding him to be calm. He relaxed his shoulders, and let the words come to him. "...sorrow for...puppy's incident...and he hopes your friend will accept this...find her house comfortable," the man continued, holding out the box for Sango to take. "This is your home too...the servants will help prepare...will be held soon...farewell." Sango gave a friendly wave as the man rode back on Eri towards the castle. Miroku stared down at the box, but no note was attached to the package. "Kuranosuke usually writes a note for me," Sango wondered aloud. "He's probably busy with his other servants. I'd better open it."
Miroku took a step forward. "Wait, Sango. Don't let Kuranosuke take your hand just yet." Sango looked up, her eyes fixed on his. Inuyasha spoke suddenly, his voice somewhat stern. "Miroku," he said in an annoyed tone, "Kuranosuke already has taken Sango's hand. The man on the horse said the wedding will be held soon. You're already this close to keeping your promise to Sango. Don't tell us you're gonna get jealous again! You might as well get used to the idea. Kuranosuke wants Sango to be happy."
Miroku stammered, his heart pounding. He was nearly immobile. With all that Kuranosuke had done, he was shocked that he was sending more gifts to Sango. Inuyasha was right; he had kept his jealousy to himself for so long, but why did it have to start up again now? Why, right when he was so close to making Sango finally appreciate him?
Sango opened the box slowly, and pulled out another bracelet, this one of a shinier silver. The bracelet was thinner than the other, and had her name engraved on both sides this time. "Put it on, Sango!" Kagome said, completely forgetting about Miroku. Sango slipped the cuff onto her left wrist, for her right wrist was already occupied with Kuranosuke's first bracelet. The bracelet clinked and shimmered in the light. Miroku felt completely miserable again. Everyone except him thought that something extraordinary had happened. Right when the others were obsessed with defeating Naraku, they turn around and become happy again!
Miroku forced himself to be realistic, but he knew it was no use. He loved Sango totally, without any second thoughts. He wanted her as his own, and when he thought about how he had acted in the beginning, he realized how much like Kuranosuke he had become. He, too, was obsessed with Sango, and waited so long for her to see his true self. Miroku began to feel somewhat sorry for Kuranosuke, whereas he was also burning with jealousy. He didn't know how to feel anymore! Miroku accepted defeat with his head high, and knew that the wedding would happen. If it wouldn't, Kohaku would never be free and both Kuranosuke and Sango's lives would be ruined.
Everyone else would die trying to defeat Naraku and his incarnations, which would keep being born on the stolen land. He wouldn't let everyone down, he just couldn't. He resented the fact that Kuranosuke had tried to buy Sango's heart in the beginning, but now Miroku knew that he was just like Miroku: trying to get Sango's attention, trying to steal a glance from her, trying to make her smile at him and him alone. Miroku thought that his promise was a mistake, but it was all obvious now. The promise, the day he said he'd never date anyone else, made him closer to Sango instead of farther apart. And that was the most beautiful thing Miroku could ask for. He had his chance with Sango, and now he had to give Kuranosuke his chance.
He would let Kuranosuke try to marry Sango, but in his heart, he still wanted her for his own. He would kill Naraku, and the wedding wouldn't have to be held. Kuranosuke may be able to take Sango's hand in marriage, but her heart would always be Miroku's.
