A/N: Arigato gozaimasu minna-san for supporting my fic! I'm really sorry for the late update, but a big shout-out goes to all those who emailed me for the uncut version of chapter 7! Anyway, here's the link to my newly built website, it has some screenshots of S&M goodness (I made those ^_^) and a little love shrine for them. Chapter 7 (uncut) in also in the miscellaneous fics archive so if you want to check it all out, here's the link: http://www.angelfire.com/anime5/reverie_archive
Not all the links are working yet so bear with me, but I swear Crucify My Love and the love shrine is up and working! ^_^ Anyway, please, please review this chapter. If you let it reach 130 and up, a special M&S chapter in the next installment. Thank you all.
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When the first rays of dawn appeared, Sango left Miroku's side, moving away from his sheltering embrace.
It was the hardest thing she has ever done, she wanted to do nothing more than stay in his arms until he wakes up and realizes the magic they had shared last night. But it wasn't meant to be... she couldn't trap Miroku into a marriage with an unfeminine taijiya just because she gave him her virginity.
"Onegai Kami-sama, give me strength..." whispered Sango hoarsely as she stood up. She carefully folded his robes, looked around the room's expanse as if looking for any tell-tale evidence of the night they shared and then donned on her own clothes. / Nothing's here anymore... only the broken pieces of my heart... / thought Sango wistfully.
The monk would most likely assume Inusyasha undressed him and then tossed him on the futon. She stared at the slumbering form of Miroku, her heart wrenching at the sight of a beautiful smile on his face.
"Sayonara... I may never see you again after this..." murmured Sango as she quietly left his chamber. There was only one thing left to do...
***
"Ohayo Sango-hime..." greeted Kyo as he came upon Sango who was just going out of her room, dressed in her usual clothes. Sango faced the Prince slowly, her eyes a little red.
"Sango-hime! What's wrong? Did you cry? What happened?" asked Kyo in alarm, immediately latching onto Sango's elbow, as if to assist the girl. His green eyes searched Sango's pale face anxiously. He led Sango outside and into the immaculately tended garden, unaware that Kirara was just behind them and that Sango was holding a bag filled with her clothes.
Sango attempted to smile but her lips winded up curving into a sad line. She gripped her bag of clothes tightly and said, "I'm leaving Kyo-san."
"WHAT? You can't leave! You're-- you're.... you're going to marry me right? My kiss, our kiss, made our engagement official. That's what your father wanted right?" exclaimed Kyo, looking teary-eyed and aghast.
Sango flinched, Kyo's words driving deeply into her heart more than she revealed. She looked away from Kyo's stricken face and murmured, "It's different now!"
Kyo suddenly gripped Sango's shoulders as he leaned down to look at her face. It was excruciating torture to see the face of someone you never meant to hurt. The knowledge that you're hurting someone who's only loving you... and that you're hurting him because you just can't love him back... If only hearts can be taught whom to love!
"Why? Is it-- me?" asked Kyo painfully.
Sango shook her head. She was helpless to stop tears from falling down. She cried mostly in sadness, an unbearable sadness for not being able to return Kyo's love. And she cried for herself. "No... it's me. You deserve someone who can love you the way you deserve to be loved and-- I can't give you that..." answered Sango as she finally met Kyo's pain-filled gaze for the first time.
"But-- I love you Sango. I loved you before and I loved you the first time I ever saw you," said Kyo.
"I'm sorry Kyo," said Sango as she looked into his eyes, asking for a measure of understanding.
Kyo looked away from Sango's direct gaze. "He doesn't love you," said Kyo shortly as he averted his gaze. He knew exactly what he was talking about. From the very first time he saw Sango with the monk, he instinctively knew that there were undercurrents of feelings between the pair and the only difference was that Sango was more obvious about hers.
"I know," whispered Sango. She gripped her bag tighter as she met Kyo's gaze once more. "That's why I'm leaving," she said. She moved away from Kyo as she looked up the clear blue sky, the wind lifting her heavy dark hair. She gave a deep sigh and faced Kyo with a poignant smile on her face. "Goodbye,"
said Sango as she turned and walked away.
"Sango-hime!" called Kyo as he ran after the girl.
Sango looked back and saw Kyo holding out a glittering necklace with a crucifix. It was the necklace Kagome had given her and the one that Kyo took when they met the first time. She gave a little laugh and said, "Tell Kagome-chan that I'm turning the necklace over to you. I'm now carrying my own cross," and Sango lightly touched her heart.
Sango looked down and said, "Come Kirara." And the cat youkai transformed and Sango deftly climbed up her back. The cat demon gave a mellow roar and flew up, Sango at her back, never looking back at the castle where she left her heart behind.
"Sango-hime!" called out Kyou.
Kyou clenched his fist around the necklace. "If you come back, I'll still marry you..."
*****
When Miroku woke up, aside from the pounding headache splitting his skull and the awful cottony taste in his tongue, he felt absolutely-- GREAT. His skin felt warm and supple, he felt relaxed and energized for the first time in years and for some strange reason he felt absolutely euphoric.
He stretched languidly and realized that his hair was no longer in a ponytail. "Weird," he remarked aloud and noticed several bite marks on his chest and scratches on his arms. "What the hell?" he gasped.
/ It can't be Inuyasha right? He wouldn't dare bite me-- scratch me blind all right but-- or is it some clumsy servant or maybe--- /
He jumped up from the very messy futon and stared in silence at the rumpled sheets.
"This is just a dream..".
"-- but it feels-- so real..."
"Just a dream huh?" asked Miroku, a slow smile spreading across his face as he asked the silent room.
He smiled wider, a genuine smile of surprise and delight as he took a deep breath, savoring the lingering scent of lilies and rain.
******
Miroku looked all over the castle, searching for Kagome and Inuyasha. He knew that Sango would most likely be avoiding him right now so it was probably better not to face the dragon. He felt a happy grin spreading across his face, Sango is now his. No two ways about it. She made the choice and now, all he has to do is fight for his life and then he'd make Sango his bride.
/ Hah! She chose me over that wimpy Kyo! / thought Miroku in glee. As he walked, he caught a glimpse of Kagome's dark hair beside Inuyasha's fair head behind some shrubs in the palace garden.
"Inuyasha! Kagome-sama!" called out Miroku as he hopped down from the wooden boards and walked over to the pair. He scowled when he realized that Kyo was with the pair. He felt doubt suddenly grip his heart when everyone looked at him, with gazes so dark ranging from sorrow to anger to sympathy. As he came closer, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Kagome covered her face, as if unable to say it without facing Miroku. Inuyasha looked away, uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to say something but obviously decided against doing it. Kyo's hand was shaking as he gazed wrathfully at the man who cost him the woman he loved. The crucifix sank deeply into the skin of his palm and he felt himself calming a little at the slight pain.
From behind her hands, Kagome said, her voice muffled, "Sango-chan left."
Miroku felt the world below his feet fall. He thought he staggered but he wasn't really sure. "What?"
Kyo stalked forward, giving no mercy to the obviously shocked man. He drew his fist back as if to punch the monk. Inuyasha was already getting up to stop the Prince but Miroku only looked at Kyo numbly, his blue-violet eyes reflecting confusion and numbness.
Kyo dropped his hand and let the necklace dangle from his fist. He waved the necklace in front of Miroku whose eyes followed the silvery glitter. Unconsciously, Miroku held out his hand, knowing it was Sango's necklace.
"This is for you. I already bear my own cross," said Kyo painfully as he touched his heart. He took one last look at Miroku before turning and walking away. He stopped and said over his shoulder. "Make her happy," before stalking away.
Numb, Miroku looked at the glittering necklace. The sight of the man on the cross brought him a sense of pain and yet at the same time, the strength to endure. He took a deep breath and tucked the necklace in his hidden robe pocket along with his ofuda. The weight of it was slight but it was comforting.
"What are you going to do Bouzo?" asked Inuyasha gruffly, his clawed hands deep in the sleeves of his gi as if the hanyou was stopping the impulse to place a supporting hand on the monk's shoulder.
Miroku didn't answer, he only furrowed his brow, as if deep in thought.
Kagome went to stand beside him, wiping her tears away. "Sango-chan thought that you didn't love her."
Miroku's expression changed, from one of numbness to deep concentration to incredulity. "That female idiot! I can't believe she'd do this! Running away! Hah!" exclaimed Miroku, as he burst into action.
"Miroku-sama! Where are you going?" called out Kagome, hope dawning in her eyes.
Miroku stopped, already in the middle of thinking of calling for Hachi. He gave a little smile. "I don't want to bear this burden... I'd rather fight for my future with Sango than sacrifice my love in the face of death," answered Miroku, looking strong and determined.
Kagome squealed in glee and surprise. Inuyasha looked impressed.
"What's going on?" asked Shippou as he strolled out. "I can't find Kirara anywhere! What's going on?"
Kagome took the fox-cub in her arms, her eyes shining, her humor restored as stars glittered in her eyes, anime-style. "Something great," said Kagome as she watched Miroku's raccoon servant appear out of nowhere and transform into a flying vehicle and Miroku nimbly climb up.
TBC
***
Crucify My love
An Inuyasha fanfiction by Jo-chan
Part 8- Whispered Goodbyes