Omachidoosama, minna-san.. watashi ga warui
Arigato gozaimasu, Kino Reikoushi and Miyumi
~~~ Unexpected Delays ~~~
Tiny paws pranced unheeded into the cave where Kirara knew her mistress to be. As expected, she found Miroku curled around Sango. Purring softly, she joined the humans in their nest of blankets. The extra warmth of the monk's was an added bonus. One that she decided she liked, and hoped stayed.
Eventually, the sun found the right angle to catch both humans across the eyes, pulling them from their dreams. Sango was surprised to find Kirara snuggled against her, and scanned the cave for their three companions. She found no evidence that miko, hanyou, or kitsune had returned.
Behind her Miroku stirred. A faint blush surfaced along with memories of why he was sharing the blanket. Her hand traveled down to rest on her abdomen, the movement waking the neko youkai. She watched Kirara's petite form stretch and yawn. It made her want to stretch, too. So, she did. What did it matter if she woke the monk?
Just before she felt the hand, she remembered that the monk was a hentai. She had the slight advantage of knowing it was coming, so instead of turning and smacking him a slow smile spread across her face. Meeting Kirara's gaze in warning that she was going to do something, Sango jumped to her feet. The neko youkai had gracefully leapt out of the way when she pulled the blanket with her. This left Miroku exposed to the cool cave air. Her smile nearly split into a grin as she watched his eyes grow wide staring up at her.
Gathering up the blanket, she turned and gracefully collected her clothing. Maybe Kagome and Inuyasha had decided to camp outside the cave. She ignored Miroku's sounds of complaint as she dressed in her youkai slaying outfit. In truth, she was not sure if he was upset about being exposed to the cold, or because she was covering her body. Knowing the lecherous male, it was the second. Well, he could complain after the ceremony Kagome would perform as soon as Sango could find her.
Hiraikotsu comfortingly settled on her back again, Sango stepped out of the cave to search for her missing companions. From the lack of their presence, they were to remain missing. Her gaze traveled over the area, but the mated pair and kitsune kit were not in sight. Frowning, she turned to go back in the cave. A soft mew drew her attention downward where Kirara was rubbing against her leg. The neko youkai was insistently tugging her away from the entrance. Curious, the taijiya let her faithful neko lead her where she willed. When they stopped, it was on the edge of the clearing around the cave, and in the direction of Kaede's village. Understanding the message made Sango sigh. She would have to travel back to the well without the miko's company. It also meant putting her other plans on hold.
As she turned to collect the few supplies left in the cave, she found Miroku standing halfway between herself and the entrance, Kagome's pack securely over his shoulders. He had finished breaking camp while she was learning where their companions had disappeared to. Giving her a lop sided grin, he closed the distance between them and gave her a quick hug.
"It will be fine, koibito. Let us get started, ne?"
She smiled and nodded. He was right, and she had no need to worry. Lecherous as the monk was, she could trust him to keep his word. Belatedly, she realized that the rings on his staff never made a sound as he approached her. When he stepped away from her and started toward the village, they were softly clinking. It just proved that when he wanted, he could be stealthy. Her gaze rested on his back and she found herself disappointed that his robes were not made to show off the wonderful body hidden underneath them. A blush flamed across her cheeks. Traveling with Kagome and her short not-really-a-kimono was influencing her thoughts in indecent ways.
Sango was so wrapped up in her thoughts she jumped when the monk's voice traveled back to her, "If you wish, Sango, we could ask Kirara-chan to carry us."
"Kirara," she blinked. "Oh! Kirara, would you mind?"
Rubbing against her leg, the neko youkai mewled and looked up at her mistress. Sango only need ask, she was willing to take them to the village. They would all be hungry before too long, why not let her cover a larger distance before they had to stop? Because he would be tucked close behind her. She wasn't sure if she could handle it, really. If she was honest with herself she would admit this would really be no different from any time before. After Kagome made them a socially accepted couple their flights on Kirara would be different, but this one was just like all those before it. Of course, that would not actually be being honest with herself. How could this flight be like the others after what they had done? Yet, she had nothing to fear, did she? Much more thinking and her head would start to hurt. It only happened when she was thinking about him.
Kirara made the decision easier for her mistress by transforming with a soft growl. She nudged her head between Sango's legs and lifted, helping the taijiya slide back to her shoulders. Miroku laughed and stepped up, placing his hands on either of the girl's hips after shifting Hiraikotsu out of the way. Before she could smack him and shout he had Sango slid over Kirara's shoulders and leapt on behind her.
Once in the air, she snapped out of her daze and glared at the back of the neko youkai's head. She had not expected her to do that, though she was grateful. They would reach the village much faster, and she could wait there for Kagome. All would be well, right? The little moths beating at the walls of her stomach were nothing to be concerned about. If only something would come along and distract her.
Movement to her right caught her attention. It could have just been a tree branch with darker leaves throwing off her perception; they were flying after all. She caught another glimpse of it and was instantly thankful Kirara was flying low. With a yell, she jumped off the neko youkai and swung her bone boomerang around. Hiraikotsu spun through the air, cutting off small branches from trees before returning to the taijiya. She caught it, balancing perfectly as the force knocked her back. Her eyes scanned the foliage for any sign of what she had seen. The birds and insects were silent, leaving the sound of her rushing blood too loud in her ears. She had wanted a distraction, but she wanted one she could see and fight.
There! A ray of sunlight glinted off what she assumed to be an eye.
"Hiraikotsu!"
The bone boomerang was airborne and ripping through the trees again. This time an enraged yell answered her battle cry. Out of the shadows slithered a youkai too big to have been hiding in them. Six legs and four arms framed its serpentine body. Acid dripped from the tip of its forked tounge and acid teeth, sending a chill up Sango's spine. Its head tilted at an odd angle, revealing three crimson eyes that contrasted the deep indigo and cobalt of everything else on it. The eyes appeared to focus on her and a stronger chill ran up from her heels to her neck as the youkai hissed, raising spikes that ran the length of its body. She lifted her mask over her nose and mouth, readying herself for a decent fight.
She could see her trusty Hiraikotsu laying just the other side of the youkai. The weapon had left an open gash on the indigo back that was now seeping blood of some equally dark color. Her hand was on the hilt of her sword, freeing it from its sheath when the large youkai made the first move. Kirara was there, Miroku still on her back, and growling at the youkai as she body slammed it. The thing hissed back, its spines raising again, but it had been thrown off course and Sango now had her sword out. She ran under the youkai's belly, slicing cleanly through a leg that happened to get in her way.
As howls of pain and rage echoed above her, the taijiya thrust her sword up and forward. At the edge of her vision she caught waving arms, as though her opponent was unable to reach her. Well, that was the downfall of its body design. She finished the swing of her sword and prepared to take off another leg. Her mistake was coming too far forward, and she only realized it when one of the clawed hands grabbed her thigh.
Sango did not cry out in pain, nor did she shriek in surprise. Her mind was battle hazed, and her only thought was to remove the offending appendage. Soon only three indigo arms flailed at her, the forth still holding onto her as she fell with a soft thud to the ground. Rolling to her feet, she removed the claws from her leg and dodged the dripping acid. Another hiss sounded above her and she looked up in time to see the cobalt fangs aimed her way. She couldn't ask for a better position.
Her eyes narrowed and she dropped into a better stance. Her mind silently calculated the distance and her arms obeyed its command. The youkai's forked tongue tickled her cheek just as she separated its head from the rest of its body. She nimbly jumped out of its path and scanned the area for any other threats. A familiar cry sounded above her, followed by the howl of wind rushing into a vacuum. The taijiya spun around in time to see the last of the youkai vanish into Miroku's void. It's jaw was still snapping open and shut, like the separation of it from its body was only a minor inconvenience.
When the rosary beads were firmly wrapped around his hand again, the monk steered Kirara to Sango with a nudge of his knee. He had a hunch she had been so ready to fight because of his actions. Now he was concerned about her leg. The neko youkai returned to her smaller form and bounded over to her mistress before he was aware they had even touched down. Sango had sunk to the ground and Kirara was licking the small wounds on her thigh. They did not seem too bad.
"Sango?"
"Hai, Houshi-sama?"
She was definitely upset at him again. He frowned, "May I tend your wounds?"
"They are small. I'm fine."
"You should clean them. An infection would not be good."
A glare as dark as the pool of blood left by the youkai was sent his way. Miroku shivered at its cold intensity. What had happened to the insecure female he had comforted the night before? If he had not been so focused on making sure Sango was okay, he would have wanted to meditate on the question of how fast women could shift emotions.
"I am fine, Miroku," her cool voice hissed.
Despite the tone, he relaxed. At least she was using his name. "Sango," he softly pleaded. "Let me help? At least wash them."
"Kirara is doing that. I will bathe when we reach the hot spring by the village." She left no room for and argument.
Miroku sighed and nodded. Her mind was set, he would only make things worse trying to persuade her to change it. His stomach protested its emptiness and the thought of food came to mind. Perhaps she would not let him care for her wounds, but after exerting so much energy in a fight, the breakfastless morning must have made her hungry, too.
"Would you like to eat something?"
She brushed prettily when her stomach made a loud enough statement that denying her hunger was futile. "Hai," she sighed softly.
"Good," the monk grunted before shrugging off Kagome's pack. There wasn't really time to hunt anything, and he hoped there was still noodles left. As he searched for food, Sango started the fire and concentrated on not thinking about a certain monk minus his robes. Did Kagome have to deal with similar thoughts about Inuyasha? Her cheeks flamed when another unbidden image formed in her mind. She swatted it away. How could something like that have come from wondering about Kagome and Inuyasha? It was totally unrelated! Best not to ask.
The fire was heating water by the time the monk found the noodles. "How do girls find anything in such bags?"
There was no reply, though Sango did pull the cups from his hands. She added the water and they sat in silence while they waited. Miroku kept shifting his position. When Sango handed him his cup of ramen, ready to eat, he almost cried out her name. He had more control than that. He was a trained houshi.
"Sango," he began. "I want to ask you something."
"Hai?"
"Do you have regrets? Did I hurt you?"
Absently rubbing the claw marks that had stopped bleeding, the taijiya blinked at him. "Did you what?"
"Did I hurt you? You have been avoiding me, and you seemed to welcome that fight."
"I did welcome it." Her eyes fell to the noodles uneaten in her hand. "I wanted to fight. I.. I'm confused, houshi-sama."
Miroku sighed and set his cup down, edging closer to Sango. He reached out and took her noodles, setting them on the ground as well. She didn't expect it when his arms encircled her and pulled her tight against his chest.
"Sango," he whispered in her ear. "I love you. Please, talk to me."
"Miroku," she sighed, relaxing against him. There were no more words exchanged, but after a while she turned in his arms and reached for both cups of noodles. He took his from her and they ate together.
The monk came to realize, as he swallowed more ramen, that this was what she really needed. Sango was not the type of person that liked to talk. He should have learned that by now. How often did she talk of her past? He knew practically nothing about her family, and he resolved to save Kohaku. With her entire village murdered by Naraku and her little brother under his control, he had never asked about her past because of the pain he could see in her eyes. He would do anything to see a real smile on her face.
After their meal Kirara transformed and carried them to the village. Kaede had welcomed them, adding more water and ingredients to the pot over her fire. She wisely stayed silent while observing the odd behavior of monk and taijiya. All stomachs happily filled, Sango stood and motioned for her neko.
"Let's go wash up, Kirara."
"Sango," Miroku called. He sounded apprehensive.
"Miroku?"
"May I.. That is, you may need help with your wounds still."
She could only stare at him. What did he want? There had to be some hidden meaning to his words, but Kirara's head pushing her toward the door distracted her. The feline soon switched to pushing at Miroku, like she wanted them to go together.
Why fight it? They probably should talk. She smiled lightly and caught his eye. With a small nod, she let him know it was okay to follow before she turned and walked out of the hut. She heard the mat fall over the opening and resisted the urge to make sure the monk was following her.
It was well past dark, but that did not bother either of the two as they walked into the trees. They had a decent walk to the hot springs, and silence hung on their shoulders just as it had on their flight to Kaede's. When they were at the water's edge, each turned to the other and wondered who would talk first. Sango was actually the first to look away. She gave herself the excuse of looking for Kirara. Not surprisingly, she was not around and must have stayed with the elderly miko.
"Koibito, tell me what is bothering you."
Sango took her usual course of action and said nothing. It's what she was used to. She would rather sit on a hillside alone to sort out her thoughts and feelings than vocalize them. Miroku seemed to have figured this out and again pulled her to his chest. He gently turned her so that she was staring at the trees instead of the curve of his neck. She wouldn't admit which view she liked better. However, the feel of him at her back, holding her and making her feel whole was wonderful. She sighed, leaning back into his embrace. She could almost forget her troubles when he held her like this.
Miroku smiled, pulling her down with him until she was sitting in his lap. He scooted them backward until his back was against a rock. After a bit of wiggling both were comfortable and happy with their positions. Miroku had let his head fall forward to rest his chin over her shoulder and Sango had let hers fall back to lean against his cheek. His heat and presence embraced her, her scent and warmth engulfed him. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep.
~~~
I know.. mistakes abound. Lemon-esque version up at MediaMiner and AdultFanFiction by tonight. Storm too close to chance two more uploads.
Arigato gozaimasu, Kino Reikoushi and Miyumi
~~~ Unexpected Delays ~~~
Tiny paws pranced unheeded into the cave where Kirara knew her mistress to be. As expected, she found Miroku curled around Sango. Purring softly, she joined the humans in their nest of blankets. The extra warmth of the monk's was an added bonus. One that she decided she liked, and hoped stayed.
Eventually, the sun found the right angle to catch both humans across the eyes, pulling them from their dreams. Sango was surprised to find Kirara snuggled against her, and scanned the cave for their three companions. She found no evidence that miko, hanyou, or kitsune had returned.
Behind her Miroku stirred. A faint blush surfaced along with memories of why he was sharing the blanket. Her hand traveled down to rest on her abdomen, the movement waking the neko youkai. She watched Kirara's petite form stretch and yawn. It made her want to stretch, too. So, she did. What did it matter if she woke the monk?
Just before she felt the hand, she remembered that the monk was a hentai. She had the slight advantage of knowing it was coming, so instead of turning and smacking him a slow smile spread across her face. Meeting Kirara's gaze in warning that she was going to do something, Sango jumped to her feet. The neko youkai had gracefully leapt out of the way when she pulled the blanket with her. This left Miroku exposed to the cool cave air. Her smile nearly split into a grin as she watched his eyes grow wide staring up at her.
Gathering up the blanket, she turned and gracefully collected her clothing. Maybe Kagome and Inuyasha had decided to camp outside the cave. She ignored Miroku's sounds of complaint as she dressed in her youkai slaying outfit. In truth, she was not sure if he was upset about being exposed to the cold, or because she was covering her body. Knowing the lecherous male, it was the second. Well, he could complain after the ceremony Kagome would perform as soon as Sango could find her.
Hiraikotsu comfortingly settled on her back again, Sango stepped out of the cave to search for her missing companions. From the lack of their presence, they were to remain missing. Her gaze traveled over the area, but the mated pair and kitsune kit were not in sight. Frowning, she turned to go back in the cave. A soft mew drew her attention downward where Kirara was rubbing against her leg. The neko youkai was insistently tugging her away from the entrance. Curious, the taijiya let her faithful neko lead her where she willed. When they stopped, it was on the edge of the clearing around the cave, and in the direction of Kaede's village. Understanding the message made Sango sigh. She would have to travel back to the well without the miko's company. It also meant putting her other plans on hold.
As she turned to collect the few supplies left in the cave, she found Miroku standing halfway between herself and the entrance, Kagome's pack securely over his shoulders. He had finished breaking camp while she was learning where their companions had disappeared to. Giving her a lop sided grin, he closed the distance between them and gave her a quick hug.
"It will be fine, koibito. Let us get started, ne?"
She smiled and nodded. He was right, and she had no need to worry. Lecherous as the monk was, she could trust him to keep his word. Belatedly, she realized that the rings on his staff never made a sound as he approached her. When he stepped away from her and started toward the village, they were softly clinking. It just proved that when he wanted, he could be stealthy. Her gaze rested on his back and she found herself disappointed that his robes were not made to show off the wonderful body hidden underneath them. A blush flamed across her cheeks. Traveling with Kagome and her short not-really-a-kimono was influencing her thoughts in indecent ways.
Sango was so wrapped up in her thoughts she jumped when the monk's voice traveled back to her, "If you wish, Sango, we could ask Kirara-chan to carry us."
"Kirara," she blinked. "Oh! Kirara, would you mind?"
Rubbing against her leg, the neko youkai mewled and looked up at her mistress. Sango only need ask, she was willing to take them to the village. They would all be hungry before too long, why not let her cover a larger distance before they had to stop? Because he would be tucked close behind her. She wasn't sure if she could handle it, really. If she was honest with herself she would admit this would really be no different from any time before. After Kagome made them a socially accepted couple their flights on Kirara would be different, but this one was just like all those before it. Of course, that would not actually be being honest with herself. How could this flight be like the others after what they had done? Yet, she had nothing to fear, did she? Much more thinking and her head would start to hurt. It only happened when she was thinking about him.
Kirara made the decision easier for her mistress by transforming with a soft growl. She nudged her head between Sango's legs and lifted, helping the taijiya slide back to her shoulders. Miroku laughed and stepped up, placing his hands on either of the girl's hips after shifting Hiraikotsu out of the way. Before she could smack him and shout he had Sango slid over Kirara's shoulders and leapt on behind her.
Once in the air, she snapped out of her daze and glared at the back of the neko youkai's head. She had not expected her to do that, though she was grateful. They would reach the village much faster, and she could wait there for Kagome. All would be well, right? The little moths beating at the walls of her stomach were nothing to be concerned about. If only something would come along and distract her.
Movement to her right caught her attention. It could have just been a tree branch with darker leaves throwing off her perception; they were flying after all. She caught another glimpse of it and was instantly thankful Kirara was flying low. With a yell, she jumped off the neko youkai and swung her bone boomerang around. Hiraikotsu spun through the air, cutting off small branches from trees before returning to the taijiya. She caught it, balancing perfectly as the force knocked her back. Her eyes scanned the foliage for any sign of what she had seen. The birds and insects were silent, leaving the sound of her rushing blood too loud in her ears. She had wanted a distraction, but she wanted one she could see and fight.
There! A ray of sunlight glinted off what she assumed to be an eye.
"Hiraikotsu!"
The bone boomerang was airborne and ripping through the trees again. This time an enraged yell answered her battle cry. Out of the shadows slithered a youkai too big to have been hiding in them. Six legs and four arms framed its serpentine body. Acid dripped from the tip of its forked tounge and acid teeth, sending a chill up Sango's spine. Its head tilted at an odd angle, revealing three crimson eyes that contrasted the deep indigo and cobalt of everything else on it. The eyes appeared to focus on her and a stronger chill ran up from her heels to her neck as the youkai hissed, raising spikes that ran the length of its body. She lifted her mask over her nose and mouth, readying herself for a decent fight.
She could see her trusty Hiraikotsu laying just the other side of the youkai. The weapon had left an open gash on the indigo back that was now seeping blood of some equally dark color. Her hand was on the hilt of her sword, freeing it from its sheath when the large youkai made the first move. Kirara was there, Miroku still on her back, and growling at the youkai as she body slammed it. The thing hissed back, its spines raising again, but it had been thrown off course and Sango now had her sword out. She ran under the youkai's belly, slicing cleanly through a leg that happened to get in her way.
As howls of pain and rage echoed above her, the taijiya thrust her sword up and forward. At the edge of her vision she caught waving arms, as though her opponent was unable to reach her. Well, that was the downfall of its body design. She finished the swing of her sword and prepared to take off another leg. Her mistake was coming too far forward, and she only realized it when one of the clawed hands grabbed her thigh.
Sango did not cry out in pain, nor did she shriek in surprise. Her mind was battle hazed, and her only thought was to remove the offending appendage. Soon only three indigo arms flailed at her, the forth still holding onto her as she fell with a soft thud to the ground. Rolling to her feet, she removed the claws from her leg and dodged the dripping acid. Another hiss sounded above her and she looked up in time to see the cobalt fangs aimed her way. She couldn't ask for a better position.
Her eyes narrowed and she dropped into a better stance. Her mind silently calculated the distance and her arms obeyed its command. The youkai's forked tongue tickled her cheek just as she separated its head from the rest of its body. She nimbly jumped out of its path and scanned the area for any other threats. A familiar cry sounded above her, followed by the howl of wind rushing into a vacuum. The taijiya spun around in time to see the last of the youkai vanish into Miroku's void. It's jaw was still snapping open and shut, like the separation of it from its body was only a minor inconvenience.
When the rosary beads were firmly wrapped around his hand again, the monk steered Kirara to Sango with a nudge of his knee. He had a hunch she had been so ready to fight because of his actions. Now he was concerned about her leg. The neko youkai returned to her smaller form and bounded over to her mistress before he was aware they had even touched down. Sango had sunk to the ground and Kirara was licking the small wounds on her thigh. They did not seem too bad.
"Sango?"
"Hai, Houshi-sama?"
She was definitely upset at him again. He frowned, "May I tend your wounds?"
"They are small. I'm fine."
"You should clean them. An infection would not be good."
A glare as dark as the pool of blood left by the youkai was sent his way. Miroku shivered at its cold intensity. What had happened to the insecure female he had comforted the night before? If he had not been so focused on making sure Sango was okay, he would have wanted to meditate on the question of how fast women could shift emotions.
"I am fine, Miroku," her cool voice hissed.
Despite the tone, he relaxed. At least she was using his name. "Sango," he softly pleaded. "Let me help? At least wash them."
"Kirara is doing that. I will bathe when we reach the hot spring by the village." She left no room for and argument.
Miroku sighed and nodded. Her mind was set, he would only make things worse trying to persuade her to change it. His stomach protested its emptiness and the thought of food came to mind. Perhaps she would not let him care for her wounds, but after exerting so much energy in a fight, the breakfastless morning must have made her hungry, too.
"Would you like to eat something?"
She brushed prettily when her stomach made a loud enough statement that denying her hunger was futile. "Hai," she sighed softly.
"Good," the monk grunted before shrugging off Kagome's pack. There wasn't really time to hunt anything, and he hoped there was still noodles left. As he searched for food, Sango started the fire and concentrated on not thinking about a certain monk minus his robes. Did Kagome have to deal with similar thoughts about Inuyasha? Her cheeks flamed when another unbidden image formed in her mind. She swatted it away. How could something like that have come from wondering about Kagome and Inuyasha? It was totally unrelated! Best not to ask.
The fire was heating water by the time the monk found the noodles. "How do girls find anything in such bags?"
There was no reply, though Sango did pull the cups from his hands. She added the water and they sat in silence while they waited. Miroku kept shifting his position. When Sango handed him his cup of ramen, ready to eat, he almost cried out her name. He had more control than that. He was a trained houshi.
"Sango," he began. "I want to ask you something."
"Hai?"
"Do you have regrets? Did I hurt you?"
Absently rubbing the claw marks that had stopped bleeding, the taijiya blinked at him. "Did you what?"
"Did I hurt you? You have been avoiding me, and you seemed to welcome that fight."
"I did welcome it." Her eyes fell to the noodles uneaten in her hand. "I wanted to fight. I.. I'm confused, houshi-sama."
Miroku sighed and set his cup down, edging closer to Sango. He reached out and took her noodles, setting them on the ground as well. She didn't expect it when his arms encircled her and pulled her tight against his chest.
"Sango," he whispered in her ear. "I love you. Please, talk to me."
"Miroku," she sighed, relaxing against him. There were no more words exchanged, but after a while she turned in his arms and reached for both cups of noodles. He took his from her and they ate together.
The monk came to realize, as he swallowed more ramen, that this was what she really needed. Sango was not the type of person that liked to talk. He should have learned that by now. How often did she talk of her past? He knew practically nothing about her family, and he resolved to save Kohaku. With her entire village murdered by Naraku and her little brother under his control, he had never asked about her past because of the pain he could see in her eyes. He would do anything to see a real smile on her face.
After their meal Kirara transformed and carried them to the village. Kaede had welcomed them, adding more water and ingredients to the pot over her fire. She wisely stayed silent while observing the odd behavior of monk and taijiya. All stomachs happily filled, Sango stood and motioned for her neko.
"Let's go wash up, Kirara."
"Sango," Miroku called. He sounded apprehensive.
"Miroku?"
"May I.. That is, you may need help with your wounds still."
She could only stare at him. What did he want? There had to be some hidden meaning to his words, but Kirara's head pushing her toward the door distracted her. The feline soon switched to pushing at Miroku, like she wanted them to go together.
Why fight it? They probably should talk. She smiled lightly and caught his eye. With a small nod, she let him know it was okay to follow before she turned and walked out of the hut. She heard the mat fall over the opening and resisted the urge to make sure the monk was following her.
It was well past dark, but that did not bother either of the two as they walked into the trees. They had a decent walk to the hot springs, and silence hung on their shoulders just as it had on their flight to Kaede's. When they were at the water's edge, each turned to the other and wondered who would talk first. Sango was actually the first to look away. She gave herself the excuse of looking for Kirara. Not surprisingly, she was not around and must have stayed with the elderly miko.
"Koibito, tell me what is bothering you."
Sango took her usual course of action and said nothing. It's what she was used to. She would rather sit on a hillside alone to sort out her thoughts and feelings than vocalize them. Miroku seemed to have figured this out and again pulled her to his chest. He gently turned her so that she was staring at the trees instead of the curve of his neck. She wouldn't admit which view she liked better. However, the feel of him at her back, holding her and making her feel whole was wonderful. She sighed, leaning back into his embrace. She could almost forget her troubles when he held her like this.
Miroku smiled, pulling her down with him until she was sitting in his lap. He scooted them backward until his back was against a rock. After a bit of wiggling both were comfortable and happy with their positions. Miroku had let his head fall forward to rest his chin over her shoulder and Sango had let hers fall back to lean against his cheek. His heat and presence embraced her, her scent and warmth engulfed him. It didn't take long for them to fall asleep.
~~~
I know.. mistakes abound. Lemon-esque version up at MediaMiner and AdultFanFiction by tonight. Storm too close to chance two more uploads.
