Sango sighed and rested her chin on her arms, holding her knees close to her chest.  The taijiya glanced across the fire to the sleeping Sesshomaru.  It hadn't been even a day since the demon had come to them, but his wounds were already healing.  Sango prayed that his wounds would be healed soon; keeping Miroku's body too long could prove to be difficult.  Crow demons had already begun to circle over the group, waiting for them to drop their guard so they could have the monks' body for their own.

            Inu Yasha was sulking high among the tree branches, petulant as ever for allowing his brother to join his group.  Though, deep down, he didn't mind, but he didn't want to admit that just yet.

            Kagome, Kimi and Shippo had already turned down for the night, and Kirara was nearly asleep on Sango's shoulders.  However, sleep was evading the taijiya.  Her thoughts kept drifting back to Miroku.  Even though she knew he would be back among their party soon, she felt so wretched.  Her heart ached, and the woman just wanted to cry.  Why do I feel like this?  Sango pressed a hand to her heart, and hugged her knees even tighter.  She felt so cold and alone, even though she was surrounded by her friends, and the fire before her was steady and strong.  Her heart ached, but the reason why was not something she wished to dwell on.  He won't let anyone become close to him.  Why should I be any different?  With a choked sob, the woman buried her face in her knees and slowly drifted off to sleep.

~*~

            The morning sun stretched its golden fingers out to the sleepy world beneath it, waking its inhabitants with it warmth as it rose in the purple-blue sky.  Sango blinked against the offending light, trying to get her eyes accustomed to the sun's rays.  As the woman sat up, she realized that she was the only one awake.  No, the spot where Sesshomaru had been the previous night was vacant.  Sango shakily rose to her feet, biting her lower lip in worry.  He…he wouldn't have left, not without helping them.  They had helped him, so he should return the favor…right?  The taijiya took a deep breath and glanced around.  There was no sign of the yokai…or Miroku's body!  Sango's heart thumped audibly in her chest as she ran to the spot that the monk's body had been resting.  His staff was gone as well.  Did that mean…

            Sango shook her head, it did not do well to get ones hopes up at a time like this.  But, why else would the body be gone?  Surely those crow demons were not strong enough to carry a full grown man's weight, even within their flock.  Distantly, the woman heard the sound of jangling, metal upon metal, colliding constantly with little force, creating that distinct sound.  It was coming from the stream.

            Sango ran as fast as she could towards that sound, hope growing stronger with every footfall.  The woman rushed past the tress, and came to a stop at the edge of the river.  There, sitting on a boulder in the middle of the water, was Miroku.  The monk had been turned around, but when he heard a person approaching, twisted to see who it was.  Their eyes met, and Sango's breath caught in her constricting throat.  Then, without warning, the taijiya dashed to that rock, not caring that she was getting wet.  Miroku jumped down, and Sango threw her arms around the man's neck with such force that he was pushed against the mass of rock behind him.

            "Miroku…" the woman sobbed, her tears wetting the monk's robes.

            Miroku was speechless.  Here, in his arms, was the very woman he had been in love with since he had met.  Only in his wildest dreams was this to happen.  But it was real, Miroku reminded himself.  The monk wrapped his arms around Sango's shaking shoulders, and leaned down.

            "Say it again…"the man whispered in her ear.

            "Miroku," Sango repeated, looking up at the monk's face, tears clouding her vision.

            The man above her smiled.  It wasn't a false smile, like the one he constantly wore to mask his real feelings.  It was a genuine smile.  Miroku pulled the woman in his arms closer, resting his chin on the top of her head as she continues to cry into the hollow of the monk's neck.

            "I…I was s-so scared that…that y-you weren't…that S-Sesshomaru wasn't going t-to…I'd never s-see you again…"

            Sango didn't know what was happening to her.  Never before had she shown such emotion.  Never before had she cried as much as she was now.  Never before had she willingly been in this man's embrace.  Sango knew that this was love…but would the man she had such feelings for allow her to become close?  Or would her fear of total rejection become a reality?

            "Miroku…I-I…I love…you," the taijiya whispered into his skin.

            Miroku stiffened slightly, then pulled Sango away from his warm embrace.  The monk held the woman by the shoulders, so he could look at her, but Sango's face was down.  Miroku lifted her chin with his right hand.

            "I love you too, Sango."

            That was all the woman needed to fall back into Miroku's arms and bring her lips to his.  They stayed that way for a long time, not returning to camp until they heard Kagome cry for the missing taijiya.  The two returned, much to everyone's delight, and they soon were set off again to find the jewel shards and the ever-elusive Naraku.  They parted ways with Kimi, promising visits in the far future.

            Miroku watched his friends in front of him as they walked.  So what if he only had a little while left to live?  He had renewed strength now that he had the love of Sango.  He knew she would stay with him, as would their friends, until Naraku was beaten.  They would find the yokai before time ran out.  No one need know that he was destined to die before his next birthday.  Sango didn't need to know. 

            On a cliff high above the now carefree band, a certain demon stood, watching the group.  His long silver hair blew in the breeze, and a small smile played on his lips.  Goodbye for now, brother…

            Dude, the ending totally sucked, ne?  And this last chappie was really short.  But at least I finally finished it.  Maybe I'll write a sequel?  Dunno, it took me sooooo long to finish this.  I think it would've been better if I hadn't lost interest.  *sigh* C'est la vie.  Well, I'm off for now!  Prospects of a sequel: depend on the interest (and if I can think of a good plot)!