Feudal Diaries:

Guard

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Summary- As the night goes on, Miroku and Sango stand watch while Inuyasha recovers. Part 2 of a short story series.

The only thing that could be heard that night was the sound of the crickets chirping softly in the grass. The sky was dark and shrouded in clouds, leaving little to no light... not there was much, to begin with, anyway, due to the new moon. As the night went on silently, Miroku, Sango, and Kirara all sat outside the old barn, watching the forest intently.

They were lucky they managed to find this place so that Inuyasha could recover from the demonic venom in his veins... but even so, they were still tense. They knew that the enemy would be upon them, soon. They had to stay vigilant, lest they become prey themselves.

Just then, Sango's mouth opened in a jaw-cracking yawn, but she quickly stopped herself and shook her head to stay awake. Miroku noticed this, however, as he glanced over at the demon slayer, who rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"Sorry," she said. "We've been up for a while, haven't we?"

"...You should rest, Sango," Miroku answered. "Don't force yourself to stay awake. If the enemy comes, I'll wake you."

"I'm fine, Miroku," Sango replied. "I can manage."

"...If you're certain," Miroku nodded, respectfully.

There was what felt like a long silence between the two...when suddenly, Sango spoke up.

"Hey, Miroku?"

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking, lately... do you think that we take Inuyasha for granted?"

Miroku's eyes went wide as he glanced over at Sango, whose eyes were cast to the ground while Kirara sat by her side, mewling worriedly as she tilted her head.

"It's not just something that came up, suddenly," Sango said. "I've actually been thinking about it for a while. I sometimes feel like we only saw Inuyasha as our strongest instead of our friend and ally... and..." She heaved a small sigh. "The more I think about it... the more ashamed that I feel. I think the only one who appreciates him out of all of us is Kagome." She then looked over at Miroku, who stared at her in concern. "Don't you think so?"

Miroku furrowed his brow, thinking long and hard about what kind of answer he could give before finally heaving a sigh, himself.

"I won't lie," he said. "There were often times that Inuyasha has gotten us out of a few near-fatal scrapes... even more so than my Wind Tunnel could." He looked down at his right hand as if to emphasize that statement. "I often feel that I take him for granted, as well."

"...I see," Sango replied. "I thought as much."

"But right now, Inuyasha's life hangs in the balance," Miroku said. "Kagome is doing all she can to treat him... and so, we must be do our best to protect our friend until he recovers."

"I just hope we make it out alive, ourselves," Sango said. "You know how he tends to get upset whenever we put our lives at stake for him."

"He'll understand, I'm sure," Miroku assured. "Besides, it's probably best if he's out of commission for right now. I'd hate for him to come rushing out in his current state. Not only would it be harmful to him, but it would upset Kagome, too."

Sango nodded her head... but then, she gasped as she felt a chill go down her spine while Kirara growled, her fur bristling before she transformed. Instantly, she and Miroku both got to their feet at a moment's notice, brandishing their respective weapons. At that moment, Kagome came outside as well, armed with her bow and arrows.

"They're coming," she whispered. "Get ready!"

As soon as she said this... multiple glowing red eyes flashed in the shadows of the woods, followed by low, unearthly growls and hisses. Soon, it was revealed to be the covey of demon snakes... the biggest of which heading the group as it glared at the group.

"Give us the Sacred Jewel shards...!" the leader hissed.

"And let us devour the half-demon...!" added another.

"You'll have to go through us, first," Miroku said with a glare while Sango held the Hiraikotsu while Kirara stood by her side, snarling and baring her fangs. Kagome notched an arrow into her bow and took steady aim.

The serpents lunged, and there was a streak of pure light as Kagome's arrow flew through the air... the signal that Miroku, Sango, and Kirara were waiting for to attack.

SUSPENSE!

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