(Sango and Miroku are now sitting on one of the bidges that go over the small streams. Sango is randomly picking up pebbles and tossing them into the stream while Miroku just rests his head on his hand and stares at the sky. He looks at Sango, then to their hands, which are still handcuffed together.)
Miroku: How long do you think we've been stuck like this?
Sango: I'm not sure.. ((All I want is to get unattached from you! argh!))
(Miroku sighs again.)
Sango: ...
(Sango turns her head to look at Miroku.)
Sango: ((Maybe I've been too harsh on him... I mean, he doesn't seem to mind being with me. Myself on the other hand... I've been trying my hardest trying to get away from him.))
Miroku: Sango...
Sango: Huh?
Miroku: Why don't we just give this up and work together to get this off us. I know how much you want to, so why not?
(Sango looks a bit surprised by this, but nods anyway.)
Sango: ...Okay. ((I guess this time is okay. Its better than just sitting around.))
(They both get up and look around.)
Miroku: Where do we start?
Sango: Hrm.. Wait. I'll get Kirara.
(Sango whistles loudly, and about a minute later, Kirara comes prancing to them. Sango smiles happily.)
Sango: Kirara.. Can you help us find the key to unlock this?
(Kirara mews and runs ahead of them. Sango and Miroku quickly follow her.)
Sango: See, I knew Kirara could help us... eh?
(They both stop and look down at Kirara who is batting her paw at a fish in the stream.)
Sango: Kirara! Thats not the key!
Miroku: ...
(Miroku ponders a bit to himself, then grabs the fish out of the water.)
Sango: What are you doing?
Miroku: Maybe she did find the key..
(Miroku sets the flopping fish down on the ground in front of Kirara. Kirara starts nibbling on it. The fish coughs up some water, and along with the key. Sango and Miroku both smile. Miroku reaches for the key when the fish starts flopping around again, smacking the key back into the water.)
Miroku: Oops...
Sango: Don't just sit there! Help me get it!
(Both Sango and Miroku jump into the stream; its only knee deep. Kirara burps quietly and continues nibbling on the fish. Sango sees the key, floating in the stream. She runs as fast as she can, trying to get it, all the while, dragging Miroku with her.)
Sango: ((That key will be mine if its the last thing I do!))
Miroku: eheh...
(She continues running until she suddenly falls into a ditch in the stream and goes under the water, dragging Miroku down too. About ten seconds later, Sango is able to climb out of the ditch and is back on her feet, chasing the key. They pass by Kagome and Inu-Yasha, who are in font of one of the village huts. Inu-Yasha has his sword resting on his shoulder. He raises an eyebrow at the two.)
Inu-Yasha: And I thought Sango hated Miroku.
Kagome: Who knew?
(They both continue walking as if nothing had happened. Sango finally grabs ahold of the key and stops, gasping for air.)
Sango: Finally! Miroku! I finally... got..
(She turns back to see Miroku's face in the water. She quickly helps him up.)
Miroku: Thanks...
Sango: I'm sorry.
Miroku: Its alright.. did you get the key?
(Sango holds the key up so the both of them can see it.)
Sango: Right here.
(Miroku takes the key and unlocks the handcuffs. Sango rubs her wrists, so delighted that she is now free. Miroku sits down on the side of the stream and sets the handcuffs next to him. Sango jumps out of the stream and trys to get herself dry. She looks down at Miroku, who seems a little .. well.. not excited. Sango's face saddens a little and she sits down next to him.)
Sango: Whats wrong?
Miroku: Its nothing.
Sango: ...
(Sango turns her head away from Miroku, not knowing what to say.)
Miroku: Hey. I have a plan.
(Sango turns back to face Miroku again)
Sango: What?
(Miroku whispers something to Sango.)
(Meanwhile...)
Inu-Yasha: HEY! Those are mine!
Shippou: You've had too many! I want some!
(Inu-Yasha is trying to get his chips back from Shippou. Kagome has a sweatdrop on the side of her head.)
Kagome: You guys! I can always get some more.
Inu-Yasha: Give it back you little...
Shippou: Aaaahhh!
Kagome: Don't make me say it, Inu-Yasha!
(Inu-Yasha stops for a second to look at Kagome.)
Inu-Yasha: What?! You can't...
(Inu-Yasha quickly grabs Shippou by the tail and takes his chips back. He then tosses Shippou at Kagome. Shippou lands in Kagome's arms.)
Kagome: ...
(Miroku trys to get Kagome's attention by quietly saying her name. Kagome turns around and then walks over to him.)
Kagome: Miroku?
Miroku: Can you do me a favor?
Kagome: What might that be?
Miroku: Here..
(He gives her a little jacket, Shippou size.)
Miroku: Give this to Shippou, and tell him thanks.
Kagome: Alright. But what about.. huh?
(Miroku and Sango run away. Kagome looks confused, but goes back to the others anyway.)
Kagome: Shippou!
Shippou: Yes, Kagome??
Kagome: Here, this is for you. Its a gift from Miroku.
(Shippou takes the shirt and looks at it oddly, but puts it on.)
Shippou: Hey, it fits perfectly!
(Inu-Yasha's nose twitches. He turns to look at Shippou with his new shirt.)
Inu-Yasha: If you want to attract cats, go do it someplace else!
Shippou: What?
(Shippou looks utterly confused right now. Kagome shrugs and follows Inu-Yasha. A minute later, Sango and Miroku walk over to Shippou.)
Shippou: Um.. Hiyas. Thanks for the shirt.
Miroku: You're welcome. But.. there is something you must know about that shirt.
Shippou: What?
(Sango takes turns around, holding Kirara.)
Shippou: Kirara?
(Kirara's eyes open widely as she sniffs about the air. Her attention is drawn to Shippou's new shirt. Shippou starts to back away a little. Kirara then jumps from Sango's arms and tackles Shippou to the ground, trying to eat Shippou's new shirt. Sango and Miroku start laughing at them both.)
Shippou: Gaaahh!
Sango: That shirt is made of catnip.
Shippou: CATNIP?!
Miroku: Its a thank-you gift. heh.
(Miroku and Sango show Shippou that their hands are no longer cuffed together.)
Sango: We'll be going now.
Miroku: Have a nice day.
(They both walk off, laughing to themselves. Shippou is squirming around on the ground, trying to get the catnip shirt off himself.)
Shippou: Itchy.. itchy.. itchy...
(Later that afternoon... Inu-Yasha, Kagome, Sango and Miroku are having a little picnic in the field, under a big tree. Inu-Yasha takes a pork bun and gobbles it down in one bite.)
Kagome: So you two finally got those handcuffs off I see.
Sango: Uh huh.
Kagome: But.. whatever happened to Shippou?
Sango: Tell you the truth.. I don't know.
Inu-Yasha: Hn?
(They all look in one direction to see Shippou with a half-eaten shirt, staggering over to them.)
Shippou: Must.. get away.. from Kirara..
(He collapses in front of Kagome. Kirara suddenly pounces on Shippou, eating away more of the catnip. Inu-Yasha raises an eyebrow at them.)
Inu-Yasha: And he claimed there was nothing between the two of them?
(Kirara mews happily as she makes herself comfortable on Shippou's back.)


(End.) o.O;