"I'm hungry too, but I haven't seen anything aside from those berries. And they weren't ripe yet."
Frowning, he continues walking by her side. "I know. I suppose we should--"
Suddenly, she interrupts him by placing her hand on his arm. "Houshi-sama, look. Peaches!"
Smiling, he watches her eyes light up as she runs towards the massive peach tree's trunk before following her.
Upon reaching the tree's base, she carefully eyes over the peaches, searching one by one for the ripest peach among the peaches within reach.
Unwrapping her short blue shawl and setting it upon the ground, she reaches up to grab a choice peach, bringing back down to her nose to inhale its fresh, juicy scent. Slowly, she brings it up to her lips, chomping into its sweet flesh and savoring the tangy flavor. Sighing contentedly, she leans against the tree and takes another bite.
Miroku smirks, before leaning over to wipe a stray trail of peach juice that trails off the side of Sango's lip with the brush of his thumb. "I suppose this means we have found dinner."
Blushing brightly, Sango stares back at him, the tiniest hint of shock in her eyes; gradually, she manages to murmur, "Mmmm."
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Black Widow
Of Peach scented Memories and Dreams
Sango-sama
Alright. I'm considering it quite lucky that I even got a chance to write this because I was taking an extended break from studying physics and molecular biology. So, if you want to be updated on when I post new chapters and do not have member services, please post your e-mail address with a review or e-mail me at KSSladen@aol.com, and write something like fanfiction request in the subject heading, or it will be deleted.
I have, on several occasions, considered having this story become at least lime scented. However, I know the citrus system does offend some people. The next chapter will depend on what kind of responses I get to this chapter. The problem being that there are not too many Sango-Miroku fics out there, so it's hard to get a good survey of you readers and your sensibilities. Honestly, I don't write completely for myself, so I like it if others are happy with the outcome. If there is one way or the other that you'd rather see, please let me know. I will listen! ^_^
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The cave is almost literally a simple little a hole in the wall of rock. The entrance is barely large enough to crawl through, but the inside quickly opens into a room large enough to stand and just barely wide enough to accommodate two people comfortably. The Houshi and the Taiji-ya recline against the walls, facing each other.
"I'm glad we saw these peaches. I haven't had one in a few years."
The crooked grin returns to the Houshi's face. "And why is that? You certainly seemed to enjoy them."
Sango finds the blush returning to her face with a vengeance, before she gathers her bearings and raises an eyebrow at him, with and almost certainly feigned irritation. "I used to have them all the time when I was little. My mother would take Kohaku and I out to the trees at the base of the mountain, and we would gather lots of them for the whole village. When we were done, she would pick a bunch of the peach blossoms and stick them into my hair and hers." Smiling in remembrance, she continues. "No matter what, her hair would smell of the peach blossoms for weeks and weeks after. She would always give me a hug when she tucked me in at night and I could smell them."
Cautiously, Miroku asks, "What happened to her? I know about the rest of your family."
Sango quickly grows silent and draws her knees up to her chin. Large tears form up in the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall.
Miroku's eyes grow wide. A belated act of comfort, he seats himself beside her and sets his hand lightly upon her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I didn't..."
"It's alright," Sango sniffs audibly, brushing the hand away. "About five years ago, she was killed saving a new warrior when the village warriors went out to fight a giant centipede youkai. The group had killed a large youkai, but apparently it had a child. It rushed towards the group. The new warrior didn't move; he must have been very afraid. My mother pushed him out of the way, putting herself right in the centipede's path...and...she--"
The hand reappears on her shoulder. Sango's tear-filled eyes look up to match his.
"It's alright. I understand." His voice soothing and low, just as calming as the arms that envelope her, gently rubbing across her upper back to quiet the tears. "At least you have some happy memories of her." His voice cracks slightly, its tone belying an underlying sadness.
Miroku's eyes grew serious and dark, as they focus off into the darkened corner of the cave. "My mother died in giving me life...it was too hard for her because of the curse. She couldn't bear the force of the Kaze-ana."
Cautiously, and with ever growing hesitation, Sango moves her hand onto his onto his. Looking down at their joined hands, and then at Sango, he continues. "Before he died, he would tell me how beautiful she was. I knew he had loved her dearly. But I also know that I don't have that luxury...at least not until the curse is removed."
"Eh?"
"I couldn't ask any woman I truly care for to harm herself for me. I'd never forgive myself."
Blushing, Sango moves away from him, wordlessly. An unclear emotion shines in her eyes until she speaks again. "I...I'm going to wash my face. I'll be right back."
Nodding silently, he watches her walk away. When she is out of earshot he softly murmurs, "That's why I never asked you." Chuckling, he adds, "At least, not seriously."
He turns his attention morosely to the wrap covering his right hand. "We have to beat Naraku."
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Light reflects off of the water of the small stream in a faintly ethereal glow.
Sango reaches her hands down into the water and brings the cold water up to her forehead, letting it spill down the front of her face and neck.
Bringing her hands down a second time, she watches her eyes slowly become translucent. Her legs seemingly fail her again, and she topples down onto her knees, dark bangs hanging in front of her eyes, her hair shimmering in the pale moonlight.
A translucent woman dressed in a black yukata appears over the water's surface. "Go to him." she bids. "Now. Do not fail to do as I have asked."
Lifting her head to her master, Sango's eyes glow an unnatural white. "Hai, Okanka-sama."
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Silently, Sango re-enters the cave, her eyes back to their natural color. She goes back and sits beside the Houshi.
"We should probably get some sleep."
Sango silently nods an affirmative, trying unsuccessfully to make herself comfortable on the solid rock ground.
"You could rest your head on my shoulder. I promise not to try anything."
Her eyebrow raises in disbelief, but Sango moves to accept his offer anyway, her head presses against his upper chest.
An arms snakes across her back, not moving up or down, but merely stabilizing her against his body. His chin rests atop her head.
A malicious grin spreads over Sango's lips. "Arrigato, Houshi-sama."
