Deceitful Eyes

The Golden Ostrich

* * *

As the night wore on, Sango continued slipping into a bottomless delirium. Images of her family wandered towards her through the darkness; all those faces she thought to be dead. She ran towards them, her feet splashing through puddles of blood, but her desire to finally be with them again pushed her onwards. Kohaku was at the lead, his arms outstretched and a smile dancing on his face. She rushed forward and he grasped her hands, laughing as she burst into tears of joy. His hold tightened until she was sure her bones would break, and she asked him what he was doing. When she looked up though, it was into Nurako's face rather than her brother's. She screamed in terror but could not escape his grip.

"Sango, calm down!" said Miroku, clasping her hands. "It's just me, Miroku...I'm here for you." She slowly opened her eyes.

"Please help me," she said quietly.

Miroku wrapped his arms around her shaking body and gently stroked her face until he had coaxed her back into slumber.

"What did that bastard do to you?" he whispered, watching a tear sliding down her cheek. He brushed it away and softly kissed her face.

* * *

Dawn spilled into the meadow, pale and gloomy with a hint of rain in the air. The travelers were up early and ate breakfast silently, glancing over at Sango where she lay in a tormented sleep.

She had not woken since her plea for help to Miroku and it was obvious that the sickness was overtaking her entire body. She shivered continuously and her delirious cries still rang out at times, although she was mostly silent now.

"I hope there's a town around here somewhere," said Miroku, stooping to gather Sango up in his arms. "I don't know how much longer she'll be able to hold out without some help."

"Don't talk like that," said Kagome. "I'm sure we'll find someplace..."

They smothered the remainder of the fire and set off again, following the stream in hopes of finding a village located along it.

* * *

"When will you take care of Miroku?"

"Very shortly..."

* * *

Noontime arrived without any sign of life other than the occasional bird overhead or a school of fish in the stream. They stopped quickly near an outcrop of rocks for a bite of lunch and to discuss their current situation.

"If we can't find a village soon, I'm not sure what we'll be able to do," said Miroku quietly.

"People settle near water more often than not...we're bound to stumble across something," InuYasha reasoned.

"She's getting worse," murmured Kagome, placing her hand on Sango's forehead. "The fever isn't relenting at all...we should try to break it, or at least lower it a bit."

"You know how?" asked InuYasha.

"Not really...some people say you can sweat it out by piling blankets on the ill, but I've also heard that can be fatal."

"Not what we need then," said InuYasha. "Dip her in the stream...that's nice and cold."

"It might be worth a shot," mused Kagome. "Any ideas Miroku?"

He winced and closed his eyes. "Dammit, I'm getting a headache. I wish I could remember some of the herbal remedies I learned when I was younger...I'm sure there was something for a fever in my lessons somewhere."

Kagome shook her head. "We just have to keep moving for now I guess...say, are you alright, Miroku?" His head was bowed forward and his body trembled despite the warm sunlight.

"Oh shit, don't tell me this is contagious," groaned InuYasha. "Hey monk, we can't afford for you to get sick too."

Miroku's head snapped up and Kagome shrieked at the sight of his eyes gleaming purple.

"Dammit!" yelled InuYasha, drawing the Tetsusaiga. "He'll open up that stupid windtunnel if he gets the chance." The monk grasped his staff in one hand and swung at InuYasha. The hanyou dodged the blow nimbly and leapt over Miroku.

"Get out of here, Kagome!" said InuYasha, narrowly avoiding another swipe.

"But-"

"Just go!" he shouted, jumping over Miroku's head again. The latter swerved and swung again, catching InuYasha in the stomach and knocking the wind from him. He turned and began to pull the beads off his hand, spreading his fingers to open the windtunnel.

"InuYasha!" yelled Kagome, notching an arrow to her bow. Miroku heard he call and turned, directing the palm of his hand towards her instead.

"DON'T TOUCH HER!" InuYasha jumped to his feet, swinging the Tetsusaiga. The flat of the blade smashed against Miroku's head, throwing the monk ten feet into the air. There was a tremendous splash as his unconscious body landed haphazardly in the stream.

InuYasha leapt in after him, looping his arm around his waist and hauling him above the surface. Miroku's head flopped backwards and his eyes opened dazedly...the purple glow had disappeared.

"You all right, monk?" asked InuYasha gruffly, dragging him onto the shore. Miroku coughed and shook his head, flinging beads of water from his hair.

"Yeah," he said weakly, glancing down at his hand. "Did I...?"

"No."

"Okay," he said, returning the beads. Kagome walked over and placed her hand against his forehead.

"He has the fever," she said. "What do we do?"

InuYasha ran his hands down his face. "How the hell should I know? I guess I'll have to carry both of them."

"Just leave me here," said Miroku. "Take Sango; I'll be fine."

"Don't be ridiculous!" said Kagome. "InuYasha can carry both of you."

"I'll just slow you down. Get her help."

"Shut up, Miroku. We're not leaving anyone behind," InuYasha growled. He turned to Kagome and said, "I'm going to scout ahead quickly...can you stay here and watch over them? I'll be back in about twenty minutes."

Kagome nodded. "Be careful," she said and kissed him quickly on the cheek. InuYasha turned crimson and bounded away, muttering about clingy girls.

"Can you stand, Miroku?" Kagome asked. "You should rest in the shade so you don't overheat." Miroku pushed himself up on his staff and wobbled over to the tree where Sango lay.

"Guess we're both in pretty bad shape now," he said, running his fingers through her tousled hair. Darkness began to seep into his eyes as he fell into unconsciousness once again.

* * *

"Another failure," said Kikyo. "That only leaves Kagome...how many damage could she possibly do?"

"She may be the strongest among them," mused Nurako. "After all, it was she who pierced my old body with an arrow."

Kikyo nodded. "Your insect says that InuYasha has left his companions to see what lies ahead. Perhaps you'd like to finish him off now in case Kagome does not...love is a very strong bond and she may not be able to harm him."

Nurako gazed ahead for several moments before responding. "Sango was able to inflict wounds on Miroku...although it's been proven that her spirit can be broken. Perhaps you're right." He stood and walked towards the door. "Watch over the castle while I'm gone."

Kikyo nodded. "Of course."

* * *

Author's Note: Okay, two more chapters coming after this...I'll post them shortly...please review!