Chapter 4- A Picnic and a Proposal
"Hey, Kagome. How about me and you go out for a little picnic today?" Inuyasha asked to divert her attention away from the subject of Miroku.
"What about Sango? Can she some too?" Kagome asked. She had also noticed that Miroku looked uncomfortable when he was near Sango.
"No. I was thinking more along the lines of just the two of us." He said hoping that she could see what he was aiming at.
"You mean you want to spend time with me and only me?" Kagome was astounded. This was amazing! Maybe they could finally get together; maybe he would finally be her boyfriend after all this time.
"Yes, that's what I said. Just you and me, together."
"Wow ok, sure when do you want to leave?"
"Uh, whenever you are ready." Inuyasha replied. All of a sudden he got a sudden rush of guilt. Had he really treated Kagome so bad that she had to act this excited to spend one afternoon with him?
"Well I'm ready now. What are we going to bring? Or should I prepare something real quick?" Kagome asked.
"Could you? Make something really fast?" Inuyasha asked back. He hadn't really thought about details. It was the first thing that popped into his head so he said it.
"Yeah, sure. It will be just a minute" Kagome replied as she hurried off into the kitchen to make their picnic. "Inuyasha? Would you mind going and telling Sango and Miroku that we are heading out?" She added.
"Sure" Inuyasha yelled back as he went off into Sango's room to tell her. "Hey, uh, Sango? ME and Kagome are heading out on a picnic, ok?"
"Yeah, sure fine with me. I have been thinking lately that you too should do something like that. And after all, I did catch you watching her sleep one night, and you always stare at her and how you always let her ride on your beck when there is always plenty of room on Kirara." Sango said matter-of-factly. "I was wondering when you would make your move"
"Oh, you, uh, noticed?" Inuyasha said trying not to blush although it would be pretty hard to not see it on his skin that was as pale as paper, his white hair not helping at all. And with that he slipped out of her room only to be caught by Miroku.
"Inuyasha? Are you - Blushing?" Miroku asked with a teasing voice since he had just caught Inuyasha leaving Sango's room. "Now what could possibly make you blush Inuyasha?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." Inuyasha muttered.
"I was meditating and sensed that you wanted to talk to me?" Miroku asked.
"Yes. Yes as a matter of fact I do." Inuyasha said as he pushed Miroku back into the room from which he had came from, and into a wall. "Are you still going to go through with it?" Inuyasha asked in a hushed voice.
"Yes, I am. And I would much appreciate it if you would let go of me." Miroku said as calmly as he would have been talking about the weather. "And I don't see how it is any of your business any way." He added quite stiffly. Inuyasha let go of him but moved his head in closer and lowered his voice until it was barely audible yet still had all the coldness and firmness in it as ice.
"I happen to care a lot about Kagome too. And I know whatever you do to yourself will not only hurt Sango but Kagome as well. For if you haven't noticed they happen to be very close and losing you would make Sango lose any hope that she has now of recovering. Seeing Sango not recovering and going into depression over you would practically kill Kagome after all she has done for Sango. It would also affect me."
"Wow. I thought that you were so self centered and busy thinking about Kikyo to see what is going on or rather would go on around you." Miroku said not caring enough to keep his voice down.
"Why you little-" Inuyasha said, deciding that if he couldn't express himself through words that he would make sure Miroku knew what he meant physically.
"Ok, Inuyasha all set to -" Kagome was saying until she came across the two young men sprawled across the floor. "Inuyasha! Sit!"
SMACK!
Inuyasha's face connected with the floor. Miroku took this opportunity to attack him where he knew it would hurt Inuyasha the most- his ears. Miroku got on top of Inuyasha and started to pull his ears back "helping" him get his face out of the floor.
"Miroku!" Kagome yelled since she couldn't do anything to Miroku like she could Inuyasha she had to try and gently pry his hands off of Inuyasha's ears. "You guys! Stop Fighting! Right now! I don't know what you guys are fighting about but I will soon."
Neither of them seemed to have made done anything to make it stop so Kagome decided she needed to step in. She knew that they wouldn't hurt her so then they would probably stop. And she was right as soon as Miroku felt Kagome's small hands go around his chest he immediately let got of Inuyasha's ears. Now this just happened to be the exact moment when Kagome decided to pull. They flew into the air and since Miroku was taller he went up and hit his head on the wall before rolling over as he cam down to land on top of Kagome. Now Sango isn't deaf, only paralyzed. She wheeled out of her room to see Inuyasha fuming yet standing. And Miroku kind of knocked out, on top of Kagome!
"What? What just happened? Why is Miroku on top of Kagome?" Sango asked, wanted to know what the commotion was that made her get up. "And - Inuyasha? Why are you so mad?"
"Why? Why!" Inuyasha fumed, "I'll tell you why! I had just got done talking to you and then I went to tell him-" here he pointed an accusing finger at Miroku "about Kagome and me, going on our picnic! Then he started going off and he said- and he said" Inuyasha just growled, being too mad for words and not wanting to tell of the monk's plan.
"Okay." she replied while trying to comprehend what the hanyou was saying. Then there was an awkward silence as Miroku regained consciousness. He suddenly realized where he was, whom he was on, and where his hands were, he quickly got up before Kagome would wake up and realized these things too.
"So, ah, I see you are up Sango" Miroku commented as if he hadn't just got up from being on top of Kagome, and instead actually in the conversation. "Please, pardon us, we did not mean to wake you."
"Oh, no, I was already awake. In fact, Inuyasha had just got done telling me about the picnic before he went on to tell you." Sango replied as she watched Kagome awaken and get up.
"Huh? I heard my name? Oh good everyone is here. Inuyasha, I was thinking, maybe Sango and Miroku could come with us?" She said gesturing at the other two.
"No! I will not go with that monk!" Inuyasha declared, Kagome gasped, as did Sango.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome said as she slapped him.
He wasn't expecting that to happen. Inuyasha didn't know where that had come from. He usually was pretty straightforward, but he at least knew when to keep his mouth shut!
Kagome, on the other hand, was just as equally, if not more shocked, than Inuyasha. She had never actually physically hurt him. Sure, she said 'sit' and he face smashed into the floor, but that was only to keep him in line and from stealing the shards from her. Kagome had never expected him to be hurt by her own hand!
"Oh my gosh! Inuyasha, I am so sorry! I don't know what came over me. I am so very sorry, I didn't mean it!" Kagome pleaded with him while trying to hold back the sobs that were arising in her throat, and the tears that began to sting her eyes. "In-In-Inuyasha. I am. so sorry" she said in between sobs.
"Awww, Kagome." Inuyasha said softly. It always tore him up to see some one cry, especially Kagome. "It's okay, it's okay. I deserved it, no matter the situation, I should have not said that." Inuyasha seemed to be reassuring and soothing Kagome a lot these days. And every time he saw once again how much he had really meant to Kagome.
Miroku and Sango just looked on. It brought back some memories for the demon slayer, watching the two at her feet. Just like when she got jealous of Miroku's antics. Things were different now. It surprised her when she felt an arm slide around her shoulders. The monk had been watching her and reminiscing the same things she had. This was the first sign of any type of emotion (or affection) he had shown her since her fall. It made Sango so happy. Now, if he would only continues down this path..
Without even realizing it, the monk had his arm around the demon huntress's shoulders. He didn't mind, although it almost was as if he was about to lead her on, since the seventy-two hours was almost up. No, I won't go any farther than this. No more emotion towards her until my time comes. She can't know how hard this is. And showing affection would only make it worse. I'll have to find some time to slip away from Inuyasha's ever-watchful eye, to do it. I can feel it; I'm already regaining my feelings towards her. If I keep putting this off I won't be able to do it. Yet I must for her own good. I don't want to hurt any one by staying here, but would I seriously hurt them more by not staying? Miroku thought as he and Sango watched the new couple.
They all ended up going on the picnic, against the males' wishes. Inuyasha sat up in the tree that was closest to the meadow, bordering the forest. While Miroku stop on the other side of the clearing, leaving the two girls in the middle. Since Inuyasha was in the tree he appointed himself lookout over everyone, especially Miroku. He could sense that he was going to do it today, probably even at the picnic.
"Ahh, I'm fed up with this. I gotta tell Sango what hens gonna do." Inuyasha said to himself as he jumped out of the tree. Now, Miroku had also appointed him a look out, yet it was only to watch Inuyasha. As soon as he saw Inuyasha jump out of the tree he started to hurry over so that he wouldn't let anything slip out.
"Hey, Sango!" Inuyasha said as he approached them slowly, he still didn't know what he was going to say. "I gotta tell you something!"
As soon as he said it Kagome knew that the hanyou had become impatient and was going to tell her something he shouldn't. Her eyebrows knitted together, as she tried to quickly come up with a plan to stop him when .
"Sango- it's Miroku- he's gonna-" Inuyasha couldn't get anymore out for someone had come up behind him and put their hand over his mouth. Luckily for Inuyasha, too bad for Miroku, he had his canines and bite into the monk's hand with such a force that his hand started to bleed!
"Inuyasha! What was that for?" Miroku asked as he took his hand that was gushing with blood away from Inuyasha's mouth.
"What do you mean 'what was that for'?" Inuyasha demanded, if he remembered correctly, it was his mouth that had been covered.
"You were going to tell her!"
"So! You should have told her, not Kagome!" Inuyasha protested.
"I have a right to tell who I want, what I want, when I want to!" Miroku said angrily back.
"That's it you guys, I have had it!" Kagome interjected. "You guys must know something I don't because I'm sure Miroku knows that Inuyasha blurted to Sango that he doesn't love her anymore. So what is it?"
Oh no! So she really knows, not just suspects, but they came right out and told her! Miroku thought, now he really needed to think fast. Seeing how running away did some help he settled on turning and running into the forest. That was something no one was expecting, they all kind of just sat there for a moment taking everything in.
"Where's he going?" Sango asked shakily. Inuyasha smacked his head.
"Oh no!"
"What? What Inuyasha? What do you know that you haven't told us yet? Kagome asked him.
"Well. It probably doesn't make a difference now.He's probably off doing it." Inuyasha hesitated.
"What is it Inuyasha?!" both girls demanded of him
"He said he was going to suck himself into his air void." Inuyasha said. Then all of a sudden, as soon as the words were out of Inuyasha's mouth, Sango leaped up and started running off into the part of the forest where she thought he had ran. Kagome and Inuyasha were so stunned that they didn't know what to do. Sango didn't know what she was doing, she thought that she was paralyzed and couldn't move her legs, but apparently she could. And since she could she just kept running, in hopes of finding Miroku before it was too late. It felt good to Sango to finally be able to use her legs, although they were stiff from not having been used for about a month.
After running for a while deep into the forest, she came to the hot spring and stopped to catch her breath. As she looked around, deciding which way to go, she spotted some one down the river a bit. Sango started to quietly walk up to whoever it was and see if maybe they had seen the monk run through here. The closer she got to the person, the more they looked like some one she recognized. When she got within about a hundred yards she could tell that it was definitely a guy, and at about 100 feet it she realized who it was! It was Miroku! He too must to have stopped to catch his breath or this was where he decided to do it. How could she have been so nearsighted? She watched him intently, trying to see when the best moment would be to allow her presence to be known to him.
Argh! Should I still go through with this? I don't want to, but I don't know why I don't want to. Is it because I have forgiven myself and my love for Sango rekindled? Oh! What should I do? This isn't something to decide lightly, but I have to do it soon because I can't go back to camp like this. If I do then everyone will bombard me with questions and suggestions.
"Oh my god! Why is this so hard to choose? Maybe I should just stick with my plan." Miroku wondered out loud, not realized Sango was behind him until she shouted out "No! I still love you! Don't blame this on yourself! I hope you didn't think of this because of the accident." She started out loud and ended quietly.
"God damn it! Sango what are you doing here? How'd you get out this far with out anyone? Are you cured?" Miroku asked.
"Huh? Oh well, yeah, I guess I am considering I just ran all the way over here."
"Oh" Miroku replied, it was obvious is she had come this far. "Did- did you get up and walk because of me? Because Inuyasha said that I was gonna suck my self?"
"Well, uh, ya," Sango replied, trying to hide her crimson cheeks.
"So, because of me, you got better?" Miroku ventured.
"Yeah, I guess so..." Sango said quietly. As these words left her lips, Miroku cupped her face with his hands.
"Do you love me? Is that why you ran here?" Miroku asked her in a soft whisper, into her ear. His words tickled her neck; she let out a small giggle and answered him.
"Yes, yes I do. Do you love me? Is that why you didn't suck yourself up?" Sango asked him in the same tantalizing way. He liked her game.
"Yes." He said before kissing her tenderly on the lips. The sensation that Sango felt was like any other, she was scared, excited and giddy all at the same time. Miroku could tell, for he felt it too. He didn't even know what he was doing, but he liked it whatever it was.
Meanwhile back in the meadow..
"Wow, I guess she's all better." Inuyasha commented as Sango took off running.
"Yes, and I am glad. It was about time she got up." Kagome replied to him as she turned to face Inuyasha, yet she couldn't. Kagome was wondering what if that had happened to her. What would Inuyasha do? The only was to find out was to ask.
Inuyasha had been admiring Kagome's beautiful face, while she seemed deep in thought; he always wondered what went on in that girl's head. Then she got a sort of troubled look on her face preceding a serious, determined one. Then she turned to face him and asked him one of the most unusual yet meaningful one (probably of his life). "Inuyasha? What would you do if that- what happened to Sango- happened to me?" She asked with a quavering voice. Inuyasha's facial expressions changed so many times in the next minute. The second it was out a flash of horror went over his face replaced my one of great sadness, then one as if he was either thinking, or greatly confused. He just stood there; staring off into space, think about what would he do? Gosh, I would be so sad if that happened to Kagome. But wait, no it wouldn't happen; I protect her to greatly for anything of that to happen.
After a couple minutes he delivered his response.
"It wouldn't happen Kagome, I wouldn't let it. I protect you too greatly for anything or that sort to happen." He declared.
"Oh. Inuyasha! But what if it did? Just think." Kagome pleaded, this wasn't what she had expected him to say.
"Can I think about is some more? Like have more time?" Inuyasha asked, this was a delicate situation.
"Sure," She answered quietly.
"Kagome, you now I care and awful lot about you. It's just that I don't know how I'd react, like what I would do. I don't think or hope I would do any thing like what Miroku did. That's what I'm thinking about."
"So you aren't questioning your love for me? You do love me then?" Kagome asked with hope rising in her voice. Inuyasha hesitated. Did he? He wasn't sure; he had thought that he had loved Kikyo but look how it turned out with her.
"No- I mean yes- I mean, oh, Kagome" Inuyasha said. "I don't know, I thought I loved Kikyo, but now see what has happened between us." Inuyasha didn't want to break Kagome's heart, although it looked as if he did when he said no, Then that little glimmer of her last shred of hope and faith that he saw in her eyes when he said yes, was so similar to Kikyo's that he didn't know.
"Oh, ok. Take all the time you need. I understand." Kagome said while trying to suppress the sobs that had begun to arise in her throat. Suddenly Inuyasha pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Come on now, stop your crying. You know I hate to see you cry." Inuyasha whispered into her ear. Then as quickly as it had begun their moment ended when they saw Miroku and Sango walk through the clearing, hand in hand. Inuyasha pulled out of the hug but kept his arms around Kagome's waist.
"So I see you didn't suck yourself up after all." Inuyasha commented lamely when they drew nearer. "I knew it all along."
"No you didn't. And besides, how could I leave my girl here all alone?" Miroku asked the group rhetorically. "After all this I could never leave her side again."
"That is if we don't break up." Sango said quietly.
"We won't break up ever."
"How do you know-"
"Are you saying what I think you are saying" Inuyasha asked as a smirk crawled across Miroku's face.
"Depends on what you think that I am saying." Miroku replied as he bent down on one knee. "Sango, will bear my child?" Sango's hand flew and hit Miroku's face, out of habit and instinct.
"Oh Miroku!" Sango said. " I am so sorry that was out of instinct. But, are you serious?"
"No, I just wanted to lighten the mood. But it was leading up to this question." He said as he was rubbing his face trying to make the red hand mark go away. "Sango, seriously, will you marry me?"
Sango started crying, she didn't know what to say, she was speechless. This was a strange experience for everyone, no one could remember ever seeing the demon huntress crying!
"Uh, Sango, do you think you could, kind of hurry up with your decision here? My knee is killing me." Miroku asked.
"Oh, yes, yes I will!" Sango replied as she bent down to help him up and when he was up standing she gave him a kiss to show her commitment.
"Oh my gosh Sango!" Kagome squealed. "Now we get to plan a wedding!" She said she linked arms with Sango and walked off they left the meadow and headed towards the hut leaving the boys behind.
"So, what were you and Kagome doing while we were gone?" Miroku asked Inuyasha slyly. Inuyasha got a pained look on his face.
"She asked what I would do if what happened to Sango, happened to her." Inuyasha replied slowly. "Well?"
"You're asking me what you would do?" Miroku said slightly confused.
"Well, yeah, what do you think I should say to her?"
"Tell her how you really, truly feel! You are such and idiot! Did she ask you if you loved her?' Miroku asked.
"Yes" Inuyasha said quietly, he had to have known this was coming. "But I told her no then yes then that I didn't know."
"Inuyasha, how dumb can you be? That's the totally wrong thin to say!" Miroku said rudely as if Inuyasha had the sense of a two year old.
"Well, then if you are so smart what would you have said?" Inuyasha challenged.
"I would have told her that a question of that sort would require a long time and thought and stuff and drag it out." Miroku replied simply
"Oh now you would, would you?" Inuyasha asked him, not really believing this would work. "How do you know that would work?"
"Hey, I'm the one with a fiancée" Miroku bragged.
That night Inuyasha had a dream. What if it had happened to Kagome? Inuyasha wondered as he drifted off to sleep. With that last he slipped into the world of dreams. A/N: KK how is it going so far? The next chapter will probably be the shortest. its only about the dream he has and his reactions to it..
"Hey, Kagome. How about me and you go out for a little picnic today?" Inuyasha asked to divert her attention away from the subject of Miroku.
"What about Sango? Can she some too?" Kagome asked. She had also noticed that Miroku looked uncomfortable when he was near Sango.
"No. I was thinking more along the lines of just the two of us." He said hoping that she could see what he was aiming at.
"You mean you want to spend time with me and only me?" Kagome was astounded. This was amazing! Maybe they could finally get together; maybe he would finally be her boyfriend after all this time.
"Yes, that's what I said. Just you and me, together."
"Wow ok, sure when do you want to leave?"
"Uh, whenever you are ready." Inuyasha replied. All of a sudden he got a sudden rush of guilt. Had he really treated Kagome so bad that she had to act this excited to spend one afternoon with him?
"Well I'm ready now. What are we going to bring? Or should I prepare something real quick?" Kagome asked.
"Could you? Make something really fast?" Inuyasha asked back. He hadn't really thought about details. It was the first thing that popped into his head so he said it.
"Yeah, sure. It will be just a minute" Kagome replied as she hurried off into the kitchen to make their picnic. "Inuyasha? Would you mind going and telling Sango and Miroku that we are heading out?" She added.
"Sure" Inuyasha yelled back as he went off into Sango's room to tell her. "Hey, uh, Sango? ME and Kagome are heading out on a picnic, ok?"
"Yeah, sure fine with me. I have been thinking lately that you too should do something like that. And after all, I did catch you watching her sleep one night, and you always stare at her and how you always let her ride on your beck when there is always plenty of room on Kirara." Sango said matter-of-factly. "I was wondering when you would make your move"
"Oh, you, uh, noticed?" Inuyasha said trying not to blush although it would be pretty hard to not see it on his skin that was as pale as paper, his white hair not helping at all. And with that he slipped out of her room only to be caught by Miroku.
"Inuyasha? Are you - Blushing?" Miroku asked with a teasing voice since he had just caught Inuyasha leaving Sango's room. "Now what could possibly make you blush Inuyasha?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." Inuyasha muttered.
"I was meditating and sensed that you wanted to talk to me?" Miroku asked.
"Yes. Yes as a matter of fact I do." Inuyasha said as he pushed Miroku back into the room from which he had came from, and into a wall. "Are you still going to go through with it?" Inuyasha asked in a hushed voice.
"Yes, I am. And I would much appreciate it if you would let go of me." Miroku said as calmly as he would have been talking about the weather. "And I don't see how it is any of your business any way." He added quite stiffly. Inuyasha let go of him but moved his head in closer and lowered his voice until it was barely audible yet still had all the coldness and firmness in it as ice.
"I happen to care a lot about Kagome too. And I know whatever you do to yourself will not only hurt Sango but Kagome as well. For if you haven't noticed they happen to be very close and losing you would make Sango lose any hope that she has now of recovering. Seeing Sango not recovering and going into depression over you would practically kill Kagome after all she has done for Sango. It would also affect me."
"Wow. I thought that you were so self centered and busy thinking about Kikyo to see what is going on or rather would go on around you." Miroku said not caring enough to keep his voice down.
"Why you little-" Inuyasha said, deciding that if he couldn't express himself through words that he would make sure Miroku knew what he meant physically.
"Ok, Inuyasha all set to -" Kagome was saying until she came across the two young men sprawled across the floor. "Inuyasha! Sit!"
SMACK!
Inuyasha's face connected with the floor. Miroku took this opportunity to attack him where he knew it would hurt Inuyasha the most- his ears. Miroku got on top of Inuyasha and started to pull his ears back "helping" him get his face out of the floor.
"Miroku!" Kagome yelled since she couldn't do anything to Miroku like she could Inuyasha she had to try and gently pry his hands off of Inuyasha's ears. "You guys! Stop Fighting! Right now! I don't know what you guys are fighting about but I will soon."
Neither of them seemed to have made done anything to make it stop so Kagome decided she needed to step in. She knew that they wouldn't hurt her so then they would probably stop. And she was right as soon as Miroku felt Kagome's small hands go around his chest he immediately let got of Inuyasha's ears. Now this just happened to be the exact moment when Kagome decided to pull. They flew into the air and since Miroku was taller he went up and hit his head on the wall before rolling over as he cam down to land on top of Kagome. Now Sango isn't deaf, only paralyzed. She wheeled out of her room to see Inuyasha fuming yet standing. And Miroku kind of knocked out, on top of Kagome!
"What? What just happened? Why is Miroku on top of Kagome?" Sango asked, wanted to know what the commotion was that made her get up. "And - Inuyasha? Why are you so mad?"
"Why? Why!" Inuyasha fumed, "I'll tell you why! I had just got done talking to you and then I went to tell him-" here he pointed an accusing finger at Miroku "about Kagome and me, going on our picnic! Then he started going off and he said- and he said" Inuyasha just growled, being too mad for words and not wanting to tell of the monk's plan.
"Okay." she replied while trying to comprehend what the hanyou was saying. Then there was an awkward silence as Miroku regained consciousness. He suddenly realized where he was, whom he was on, and where his hands were, he quickly got up before Kagome would wake up and realized these things too.
"So, ah, I see you are up Sango" Miroku commented as if he hadn't just got up from being on top of Kagome, and instead actually in the conversation. "Please, pardon us, we did not mean to wake you."
"Oh, no, I was already awake. In fact, Inuyasha had just got done telling me about the picnic before he went on to tell you." Sango replied as she watched Kagome awaken and get up.
"Huh? I heard my name? Oh good everyone is here. Inuyasha, I was thinking, maybe Sango and Miroku could come with us?" She said gesturing at the other two.
"No! I will not go with that monk!" Inuyasha declared, Kagome gasped, as did Sango.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome said as she slapped him.
He wasn't expecting that to happen. Inuyasha didn't know where that had come from. He usually was pretty straightforward, but he at least knew when to keep his mouth shut!
Kagome, on the other hand, was just as equally, if not more shocked, than Inuyasha. She had never actually physically hurt him. Sure, she said 'sit' and he face smashed into the floor, but that was only to keep him in line and from stealing the shards from her. Kagome had never expected him to be hurt by her own hand!
"Oh my gosh! Inuyasha, I am so sorry! I don't know what came over me. I am so very sorry, I didn't mean it!" Kagome pleaded with him while trying to hold back the sobs that were arising in her throat, and the tears that began to sting her eyes. "In-In-Inuyasha. I am. so sorry" she said in between sobs.
"Awww, Kagome." Inuyasha said softly. It always tore him up to see some one cry, especially Kagome. "It's okay, it's okay. I deserved it, no matter the situation, I should have not said that." Inuyasha seemed to be reassuring and soothing Kagome a lot these days. And every time he saw once again how much he had really meant to Kagome.
Miroku and Sango just looked on. It brought back some memories for the demon slayer, watching the two at her feet. Just like when she got jealous of Miroku's antics. Things were different now. It surprised her when she felt an arm slide around her shoulders. The monk had been watching her and reminiscing the same things she had. This was the first sign of any type of emotion (or affection) he had shown her since her fall. It made Sango so happy. Now, if he would only continues down this path..
Without even realizing it, the monk had his arm around the demon huntress's shoulders. He didn't mind, although it almost was as if he was about to lead her on, since the seventy-two hours was almost up. No, I won't go any farther than this. No more emotion towards her until my time comes. She can't know how hard this is. And showing affection would only make it worse. I'll have to find some time to slip away from Inuyasha's ever-watchful eye, to do it. I can feel it; I'm already regaining my feelings towards her. If I keep putting this off I won't be able to do it. Yet I must for her own good. I don't want to hurt any one by staying here, but would I seriously hurt them more by not staying? Miroku thought as he and Sango watched the new couple.
They all ended up going on the picnic, against the males' wishes. Inuyasha sat up in the tree that was closest to the meadow, bordering the forest. While Miroku stop on the other side of the clearing, leaving the two girls in the middle. Since Inuyasha was in the tree he appointed himself lookout over everyone, especially Miroku. He could sense that he was going to do it today, probably even at the picnic.
"Ahh, I'm fed up with this. I gotta tell Sango what hens gonna do." Inuyasha said to himself as he jumped out of the tree. Now, Miroku had also appointed him a look out, yet it was only to watch Inuyasha. As soon as he saw Inuyasha jump out of the tree he started to hurry over so that he wouldn't let anything slip out.
"Hey, Sango!" Inuyasha said as he approached them slowly, he still didn't know what he was going to say. "I gotta tell you something!"
As soon as he said it Kagome knew that the hanyou had become impatient and was going to tell her something he shouldn't. Her eyebrows knitted together, as she tried to quickly come up with a plan to stop him when .
"Sango- it's Miroku- he's gonna-" Inuyasha couldn't get anymore out for someone had come up behind him and put their hand over his mouth. Luckily for Inuyasha, too bad for Miroku, he had his canines and bite into the monk's hand with such a force that his hand started to bleed!
"Inuyasha! What was that for?" Miroku asked as he took his hand that was gushing with blood away from Inuyasha's mouth.
"What do you mean 'what was that for'?" Inuyasha demanded, if he remembered correctly, it was his mouth that had been covered.
"You were going to tell her!"
"So! You should have told her, not Kagome!" Inuyasha protested.
"I have a right to tell who I want, what I want, when I want to!" Miroku said angrily back.
"That's it you guys, I have had it!" Kagome interjected. "You guys must know something I don't because I'm sure Miroku knows that Inuyasha blurted to Sango that he doesn't love her anymore. So what is it?"
Oh no! So she really knows, not just suspects, but they came right out and told her! Miroku thought, now he really needed to think fast. Seeing how running away did some help he settled on turning and running into the forest. That was something no one was expecting, they all kind of just sat there for a moment taking everything in.
"Where's he going?" Sango asked shakily. Inuyasha smacked his head.
"Oh no!"
"What? What Inuyasha? What do you know that you haven't told us yet? Kagome asked him.
"Well. It probably doesn't make a difference now.He's probably off doing it." Inuyasha hesitated.
"What is it Inuyasha?!" both girls demanded of him
"He said he was going to suck himself into his air void." Inuyasha said. Then all of a sudden, as soon as the words were out of Inuyasha's mouth, Sango leaped up and started running off into the part of the forest where she thought he had ran. Kagome and Inuyasha were so stunned that they didn't know what to do. Sango didn't know what she was doing, she thought that she was paralyzed and couldn't move her legs, but apparently she could. And since she could she just kept running, in hopes of finding Miroku before it was too late. It felt good to Sango to finally be able to use her legs, although they were stiff from not having been used for about a month.
After running for a while deep into the forest, she came to the hot spring and stopped to catch her breath. As she looked around, deciding which way to go, she spotted some one down the river a bit. Sango started to quietly walk up to whoever it was and see if maybe they had seen the monk run through here. The closer she got to the person, the more they looked like some one she recognized. When she got within about a hundred yards she could tell that it was definitely a guy, and at about 100 feet it she realized who it was! It was Miroku! He too must to have stopped to catch his breath or this was where he decided to do it. How could she have been so nearsighted? She watched him intently, trying to see when the best moment would be to allow her presence to be known to him.
Argh! Should I still go through with this? I don't want to, but I don't know why I don't want to. Is it because I have forgiven myself and my love for Sango rekindled? Oh! What should I do? This isn't something to decide lightly, but I have to do it soon because I can't go back to camp like this. If I do then everyone will bombard me with questions and suggestions.
"Oh my god! Why is this so hard to choose? Maybe I should just stick with my plan." Miroku wondered out loud, not realized Sango was behind him until she shouted out "No! I still love you! Don't blame this on yourself! I hope you didn't think of this because of the accident." She started out loud and ended quietly.
"God damn it! Sango what are you doing here? How'd you get out this far with out anyone? Are you cured?" Miroku asked.
"Huh? Oh well, yeah, I guess I am considering I just ran all the way over here."
"Oh" Miroku replied, it was obvious is she had come this far. "Did- did you get up and walk because of me? Because Inuyasha said that I was gonna suck my self?"
"Well, uh, ya," Sango replied, trying to hide her crimson cheeks.
"So, because of me, you got better?" Miroku ventured.
"Yeah, I guess so..." Sango said quietly. As these words left her lips, Miroku cupped her face with his hands.
"Do you love me? Is that why you ran here?" Miroku asked her in a soft whisper, into her ear. His words tickled her neck; she let out a small giggle and answered him.
"Yes, yes I do. Do you love me? Is that why you didn't suck yourself up?" Sango asked him in the same tantalizing way. He liked her game.
"Yes." He said before kissing her tenderly on the lips. The sensation that Sango felt was like any other, she was scared, excited and giddy all at the same time. Miroku could tell, for he felt it too. He didn't even know what he was doing, but he liked it whatever it was.
Meanwhile back in the meadow..
"Wow, I guess she's all better." Inuyasha commented as Sango took off running.
"Yes, and I am glad. It was about time she got up." Kagome replied to him as she turned to face Inuyasha, yet she couldn't. Kagome was wondering what if that had happened to her. What would Inuyasha do? The only was to find out was to ask.
Inuyasha had been admiring Kagome's beautiful face, while she seemed deep in thought; he always wondered what went on in that girl's head. Then she got a sort of troubled look on her face preceding a serious, determined one. Then she turned to face him and asked him one of the most unusual yet meaningful one (probably of his life). "Inuyasha? What would you do if that- what happened to Sango- happened to me?" She asked with a quavering voice. Inuyasha's facial expressions changed so many times in the next minute. The second it was out a flash of horror went over his face replaced my one of great sadness, then one as if he was either thinking, or greatly confused. He just stood there; staring off into space, think about what would he do? Gosh, I would be so sad if that happened to Kagome. But wait, no it wouldn't happen; I protect her to greatly for anything of that to happen.
After a couple minutes he delivered his response.
"It wouldn't happen Kagome, I wouldn't let it. I protect you too greatly for anything or that sort to happen." He declared.
"Oh. Inuyasha! But what if it did? Just think." Kagome pleaded, this wasn't what she had expected him to say.
"Can I think about is some more? Like have more time?" Inuyasha asked, this was a delicate situation.
"Sure," She answered quietly.
"Kagome, you now I care and awful lot about you. It's just that I don't know how I'd react, like what I would do. I don't think or hope I would do any thing like what Miroku did. That's what I'm thinking about."
"So you aren't questioning your love for me? You do love me then?" Kagome asked with hope rising in her voice. Inuyasha hesitated. Did he? He wasn't sure; he had thought that he had loved Kikyo but look how it turned out with her.
"No- I mean yes- I mean, oh, Kagome" Inuyasha said. "I don't know, I thought I loved Kikyo, but now see what has happened between us." Inuyasha didn't want to break Kagome's heart, although it looked as if he did when he said no, Then that little glimmer of her last shred of hope and faith that he saw in her eyes when he said yes, was so similar to Kikyo's that he didn't know.
"Oh, ok. Take all the time you need. I understand." Kagome said while trying to suppress the sobs that had begun to arise in her throat. Suddenly Inuyasha pulled her into a warm embrace.
"Come on now, stop your crying. You know I hate to see you cry." Inuyasha whispered into her ear. Then as quickly as it had begun their moment ended when they saw Miroku and Sango walk through the clearing, hand in hand. Inuyasha pulled out of the hug but kept his arms around Kagome's waist.
"So I see you didn't suck yourself up after all." Inuyasha commented lamely when they drew nearer. "I knew it all along."
"No you didn't. And besides, how could I leave my girl here all alone?" Miroku asked the group rhetorically. "After all this I could never leave her side again."
"That is if we don't break up." Sango said quietly.
"We won't break up ever."
"How do you know-"
"Are you saying what I think you are saying" Inuyasha asked as a smirk crawled across Miroku's face.
"Depends on what you think that I am saying." Miroku replied as he bent down on one knee. "Sango, will bear my child?" Sango's hand flew and hit Miroku's face, out of habit and instinct.
"Oh Miroku!" Sango said. " I am so sorry that was out of instinct. But, are you serious?"
"No, I just wanted to lighten the mood. But it was leading up to this question." He said as he was rubbing his face trying to make the red hand mark go away. "Sango, seriously, will you marry me?"
Sango started crying, she didn't know what to say, she was speechless. This was a strange experience for everyone, no one could remember ever seeing the demon huntress crying!
"Uh, Sango, do you think you could, kind of hurry up with your decision here? My knee is killing me." Miroku asked.
"Oh, yes, yes I will!" Sango replied as she bent down to help him up and when he was up standing she gave him a kiss to show her commitment.
"Oh my gosh Sango!" Kagome squealed. "Now we get to plan a wedding!" She said she linked arms with Sango and walked off they left the meadow and headed towards the hut leaving the boys behind.
"So, what were you and Kagome doing while we were gone?" Miroku asked Inuyasha slyly. Inuyasha got a pained look on his face.
"She asked what I would do if what happened to Sango, happened to her." Inuyasha replied slowly. "Well?"
"You're asking me what you would do?" Miroku said slightly confused.
"Well, yeah, what do you think I should say to her?"
"Tell her how you really, truly feel! You are such and idiot! Did she ask you if you loved her?' Miroku asked.
"Yes" Inuyasha said quietly, he had to have known this was coming. "But I told her no then yes then that I didn't know."
"Inuyasha, how dumb can you be? That's the totally wrong thin to say!" Miroku said rudely as if Inuyasha had the sense of a two year old.
"Well, then if you are so smart what would you have said?" Inuyasha challenged.
"I would have told her that a question of that sort would require a long time and thought and stuff and drag it out." Miroku replied simply
"Oh now you would, would you?" Inuyasha asked him, not really believing this would work. "How do you know that would work?"
"Hey, I'm the one with a fiancée" Miroku bragged.
That night Inuyasha had a dream. What if it had happened to Kagome? Inuyasha wondered as he drifted off to sleep. With that last he slipped into the world of dreams. A/N: KK how is it going so far? The next chapter will probably be the shortest. its only about the dream he has and his reactions to it..