Dark Night Saga: Book II
Dreams and Nightmares: Helpless
by Sango-sama

Disclaimer: Nope...I still don't own Inu-Yasha...or Miroku...or Kouga...or Naraku...or Musuo...
::wipes drool from her face quickly:: Where I was I? Anyways...I have very little money so it
won't do you any good anyways.

Spoiler warning: Pretty much the same as the other story...but this portion will cover up
through Chapter 213...which includes the whole Musuo scenario. Once again, I will be covering
any important plot points, so it's not necessary to go through and read it all.

Other warnings: This chapter is the reason for the "R" rating. The situation is the reason,
although I want some feedback before I enhance the description.

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After getting fairly detailed instructions from Myouga, we parted and headed off in different
directions--Miroku, Kirara and I to the East and InuYasha, Kagome, Shippou, and Myouga to
the West.

Miroku and I have travelled from village to village on Kirara's large form, seeking clues of the
locations of the missing shards.

We have divided the task of speaking with the villagers between ourselves; the village children
would gather around Kirara to see her two tails and hang off of her tall form.


I approach a group of men to ask. "Excuse me, have any of you heard tell of any powerful
demon attacking the nearby villages."

One of the men staggers towards me. "What does a pretty girl like you care for demon
power, huh?"

"Yeah," pipes up another, a drunken blush quite evident on his face, "we can show you all the
power you want."

The other two men took advangtage of my momentary confusion and get behind me, grasping
at my arms.

In appauled horror, I shriek, "get away from me!" I continue my struggle, managing to free one
of my arms, but knocking Hiraikotsu out of my reach in the process.

Miroku and Kirara are off in other parts of the village, so I'll have to handle this myself.
I know I can defend myself against youkai attacks, but I really hate to harm fellow humans,
let alone to kill one. I try knocking them back with my fists, but as soon as I knock
one down another comes at me.

I grow tired, my arms wearily protesting their constant use.

Two of the men restrained my arms against a wall. I struggled to break free of their hold and
get to Hiraikotsu.

One of the men roughly knocks my head and back into the wall. Groaning, I squeeze my eyes
shut tight to block out the pain.

Mustering the last of my strength, I manage to shout, "Help! Someone please!" before another
man clamped a hand over my mouth. The other man began to remove my outer yukata.

I have never before felt so helpless, not even when I couldn't save my father or Kohaku. I was
at least in control of myself.

Angrily, I tried to bite the hand at my mouth and call for help again.

But it wasn't necessary.

CLANG! Ka-CLANG!

Two of the men lay sprawled on the ground, large bumps growing from their heads.

The rings of the shajaku clink as the bottom of the staff hits against the ground.

The other two men release me and turned to him, as I allow myself to slink, doll-like
to the ground. I leaned against the hard wall of the house and shut my eyes, trying
vainly to mask my tears.

"Kirara....show these men your teeth."

I heard the men who attacked me run away, terrified by the sound her deep feline growl.

Miroku kneels down and gathers me up into his arms, one hand resting on my back while
the other smooths down my hair. "It's alright, Sango." His gentle words are a comfort, as
I release a fit of sobs and heavy tears onto his strong shoulder. "Everything is alright now."

Kirara tranforms back to her smaller size and nuzzles at my side.

Pulling back out of Miroku's arms, I dry my eyes on my sleeves. "Thank you, Miroku. I. . .
I . . ."

"Why didn't you call out earlier?" I can see the concerning shining in his eyes.

"I thought I could handle it . . . I thought I didn't need . . . "

He turns his head away, but not before I can see the pain in his eyes.

"I would have been there right away, you know."

Feeling almost a little guilty, I look to the ground, twisting the fabric of my skirt between my
fingers nervously.

Looking back at me, he gently tilts my head up so that my eyes meet his. "You don't always
have to be strong, Sango." His eyes search mine intently.

"M . . . Miroku?" It takes all that I have not to gasp.

"I would have protected you. All you had to do was ask." Gently, he places his hand behind
my head and pulls my forehead to his lips. "I still will . . . " he murmurs, his lips still brushing
against my forehead.

I can only gaze back at him, words failing me.

Slowly, he stands up, offering his hand to help me up.

My heart never really stood a chance.

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Rants and insane mumblings:

1) I really debated doing this chapter. Some of the ideas I've had for this story trace into the
"R" rating, so the change was going to happen sooner or later. I'm really trying to build a new
status quo for Sango and Miroku's relationship before I really delve into other characters, mostly
because much of their interaction.

2) Personally, I think this chapter stemmed from watching too much Fushigi Yuugi.

3) I don't know if I like the name for this chapter...if anyone has a better suggestion, please
let me know!

A Schnee! Production
by Sango-sama