Disclaimer: Don't own nothing. Phooey.

Chapter 11 Ten Years Ago: Heart Broken

Ten years ago.

"Hmm" Sango woke up, a little groggy, but feeling more refreshed than she can remember ever being. She was in Miroku's arms; him being very protective of her with both arms wrapped around her waist. They were in the woods, surrounded by pink cherry blossoms, fluttering around them as she sighed happily.

She couldn't remember the last time she woke up so... good. She couldn't really describe the feeling she was right then. Only that she felt better than she had in so long, her mind not cluttered with thoughts of guilt for her village or whether or not she would live to see the next day. She felt so safe in his arms, so sheltered. 'Why did we wait so long?' was the only thought in her mind, as she would have liked to have woken up every day like this while the searching for the jewel shards.

She turned her head as she felt Miroku stir in his sleep, about to wake up. She took one last look at his almost sleeping figure, committing his serene look to memory.

"Mmm." Miroku said with his eyes still closed. He pulled her closer to him, breathing in the sweet smell her hair. He knew, right there and then, that he wanted to wake up every day like this until he died. He slowly opened his eyes, his heart skipping a beat as he stared into her eyes.

" 'Morning." He said, his voice a little shaky. He had always dreamed of waking up like this, ever since he first met Sango. And now that his dream had come true, he wasn't sure how to approach this. What if, after all that, she still didn't want to stay with him. He didn't think he could handle it if she did that to him. All these thoughts were gone when she pressed her lips to him, embracing him a warm kiss. He quickly replied back, opening her mouth to let his tongue slip in.

"Miroku." She breathed, coming for air after a few minutes. His heart did a back flip at the sound of his name on her lips, savoring the taste of her on his mouth.

"I'd like to wake up to that every day for the rest of my life." Miroku said, after they parted their lips, practically reading Sango's mind.

"Me too." Sango had a small, happy smile on her face, her eyes twinkling. Miroku couldn't believe how beautiful she looked right then. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen that look on her face.

They just laid in each other's arms for what seemed like forever, enjoying the peace that both of them felt. Cherry blossoms were scattered all around them, and the scent they gave off was making Miroku feel a little light- headed. But it was a good type of feeling. Although, nothing could intoxicate Miroku more than the smell of Sango, especially when she was in his arms.

"Miroku," Sango started, and Miroku's heart did a little back flip when she said his name again. "What was that poem you read to me last night?"

"Did you like it?" Miroku asked, delighted that he did something to please his Sango.

"Mmm. Yes, very much." Sango said, as she snuggled closer into Miroku's arms.

"I forget the name of it, but it's called a sonnet. Kagome told me it was created a long time ago in her time, so I guess it won't be created for another hundred years or so. When I read it, all I could think about was you, and how much I loved you."

"Oh, Miroku." Sango was so touched. No one had ever showed her as much feeling as Miroku had. No one had ever made her feel like she was special, like she was the most important thing in their life. "I love you too."

Miroku was so happy. The one person he loved more than any one in the world loved him back, and it was almost too much for him to handle. They put their lips together in some more heated kisses, each caught up in the moment.

After they both had run out of breath (again). Sango rested her eyes against Miroku. She was suddenly all tired from all the making out they had done already, and putting that with the events that had happened last night, she was surprised she wasn't knocked out cold.

'A sonnet, eh?' Sango thought happily, feeling herself get closer and closer to dreamland. 'How pretty...'

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"Can I ask you something?" Sango asked softly, lying next to her lover.

It had been four days since the had professed there love for each other. Miroku and Sango had spent all their time together, while Kagome still laid in her silent coma. The question that Sango had had been bugging her for along time now, and she decided she should just blurt it out now, and hopefully he wouldn't get mad at her for butting in on his business. But, now that they were sort of a couple, didn't that give her the right to ask questions that concerns her almost-boyfriend? She didn't know.

"Sure." Miroku said, nuzzling her neck.

Sango giggled, but quickly stopped it. She had to ask her question.

"Why.do you still have your hand covered?" She stroked his gloved hand as she asked, her voice serious, yet still very seductive, as Miroku thought, almost missing her question. But when he heard her say the words 'hand' and 'covered' he snapped back to attention.

He was silent for a moment, and Sango began to wonder if she said something that had offended him. But he didn't seem angry, and Sango waited patiently for his answer.

"I... can't do it."

Sango was taken back. She searched his eyes, confused. "What?"

"I can't do it." Miroku said again, slowly. He sighed, as he avoided her eyes. "I just can't."

"What do you mean?" Sango asked, concerned for Miroku. He seemed so ashamed about not being able to look, it made Sango heart hurt as she looked at his face.

"What if I look ...and it's not gone?"

"You mean...your air rip?"

"Yeah. What if, after all that sacrifice I made, WE made, it's still there?" His eyes reached hers, and she saw all the despair that she had so selfishly missed. He looked so scared, more scared then she had ever seen in him before.

Sango took her hand, and entwined her fingers with Miroku's covered one. She smiled a sad smile at him, as she spoke softly in his ear. "Everything will be okay. It has to be gone, there's no way it could still be there." She stared at him, his lovely violet eyes holding all the worried he seemed to be having. "I'll do it for you."

Miroku still looked worried, but shook his head signaling to go ahead. He turned his head the other way, his stomach churning as he felt the prayer beads that had been covering his hand for years unravel and fall to the floor. His hand was facing down, in case his air rip was still there, and he felt her delicate fingers glide the glove off his hand. He waited to her the sound of the floor being sucked up into his kazaana.

It never came.

"Miroku." Sango whispered. "Look."

Miroku turned his head to see a smiling Sango, his hand in hers as it faced up.

"It's gone."

Miroku looked at his hand. A small white circle, place directly in the middle of his palm, was all that was left of the curse that had been placed on him ever since he was born. It stayed there, probably forever, reminding him of what could have happened if he hadn't met Kagome, Inuyasha, Shippo, or even Sango. He couldn't even think of what he would have been like if he had never met Sango. Actually, he couldn't think of anything, because at that moment Sango jumped into his arm and covered his mouth in a hot kiss.

"I love you. And don't you forget it."

Miroku smiled into the kiss. "Don't worry. I won't."

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A beautiful young woman walked through the woods at the same time Sango and Miroku were expressing their love. One thing was on her mind.

The Shikon Jewel

Rumors have spread like wildfire, saying that the jewel had finally been completed and reformed after it shattered from the reincarnated priestesses. And it didn't take long for her to hear the rumors, and head as quickly as she could to the source of where the jewel was being held.

Shera wasn't stupid. She knew it was only time before the priestess either destroyed the jewel, or used it herself. She only had a small amount of time to get it, and hopefully that dog demon would be there to do her bidding.

Her eyes flashed bright green as she smiled at the thought of him being there. 'Yes, the famous Inuyasha will do quite nicely.'

Two men riding horses came into Shera's view in the distance. 'Perfect. This is just what I need.' She thought wickedly.

The men came up to her. "A fair lady like yourself should not be traveling alone. Would you like a ride to the next village?" The older one asked her, staring at her a little two friendly.

She didn't answer his question. Instead, she looked at the car they where carrying behind them.

"What are you taking?" She asked in a feminine, sweet voice.

He looked at her strangely. "Uh, this is just some supplies we're taking to the next village. They were the target of a savage demon attack, and are in desperate need of food, clothing, and other goods. Our village scraped together the last bit of items we had to help them. There entire survival is counting on this shipment"

Shera tried to hide her disgust. "How sweet of you." She choked out.

The younger man was beginning to grow impatient. "Look, either get on or get out of the way. This village needs us more than you do." He scowled at her.

Shera just looked straight into his eyes, her bright green ones flashing. "Do you mind if I take these to help me on my travels?" Her voice was totally fake, but it didn't matter, as long as she kept eye contact. A small smile played on her lips as he got a dreamy look on his face.

"Of course." He said, hoping off her horse. He handed the reins to his horse over to her, still staring straight ahead.

The older man looked at him with a look of confused horror on his face. "What are you doing! We have to get to the village!" He looked to where his younger partner was staring at, and saw the young girl.

"This is taking to long. Good-bye." She said, taking out a star chip she had hidden in her kimono. With a single flick of the wrist, she sent it flying, slicing him directly in the throat. He fell off his horse, dead. The young boy didn't even through the old man a look. He just kept staring at Shera.

She didn't cast him another look. She took the horse, along with the cart, and continued on the road where she was traveling. "Stay." Was the only thing she said to him, as she quickly went on her way.

'To easy.' Shera thought, kicking her legs to make the horse go faster. 'I like them easy.'

Shera was a demon that possessed the power to control minds, making them do whatever she wanted them to do. Since she was only half demon, she was only able to control the minds of human man, and that wasn't good it she wanted to take control of the all lands.

'I'll do whatever it takes to get them.' She thought, her eyes boring into the goal she held in front of her.

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Miroku walked through the woods, trying to find some firewood to cook breakfast with. He and Sango didn't eat dinner last night, so there was no need to collect any wood for the fire. They were too busy with other things to worry about a fire.

'Hehe.' Miroku thought joyfully, recalling the events of last night in his head. It was fun.

Now that his air rip was no longer an issue, he and Sango would finally be able to grow old together without anything getting in their way. After, of course, they have many, MANY children.

Humming to himself, Miroku happily collected the firewood. He had left Sango asleep to rest, knowing she wouldn't be waking up anytime soon after last nights festivities. He wanted to do something nice for her for once, and this didn't seem like such a bad idea.

A loud noise in front of him interrupted him from his thoughts, and he looked up to see what was coming.

A big horse stopped in front of him, and he looked up to see a beautiful young woman staring back at him.

"Do you know where the house of the priestess is?" She said in a rather cold voice.

Miroku narrowed his eyes. He was sensing an evil presence, but he couldn't tell if it was coming from this mysterious girl or not. Nonetheless, he still didn't trust her. It was too soon after the jewel to be completed that all these new people started showing up, asking for the priestess, and Miroku wasn't about to lead anyone to Kagome.

"Why would a fair lady like yourself need the assistance of a priestess?" Miroku asked, his eyes never leaving her face.

Shera never wavered in her stance. She knew he was hiding something. She could tell. Well, two could play that game.

"My village is in need of assistance. We were attacked by demons, and many people are injured. Please take me to her."

Now Miroku knew she was lying. No demon had made an attack like that since Naraku was defeated. At least, not one that destroyed a whole village that was nearby.

"Whatever you need, I am sure I can be of service. I have been trained in all things that a priestess has."

Shera was beginning to lose patience. But she told herself to calm down. She was actually pretty intrigued by this man. Her beauty didn't seem to be affecting him like it did to so many other human men. Either he was in love, or he was gay.

She studied him more. He didn't seem gay to him, so the only answer left was that he was in love with another girl. And if there was on thing Shera enjoyed more than watching other people suffer, was watching them suffer form a broken heart.

'This will be fun.' She thought evilly. She liked a challenge. Not that there were any.

"Actually," She started, staring into his eyes, her eyes flashing again. "I'm really looking for the Shikon Jewel, so I can increase my own power and hopefully become the strongest demon in the world."

Miroku's mind was racing. 'She wants the jewel!' One part of his said. But something is his head was saying that that wasn't important right now.

'Do what I say...' It kept saying over and over again. 'You can't resist...'

Miroku felt himself somehow lose conscious, but while he was awake. His body was still standing, but his mind was slowing shutting down. The last thing he saw before totally blacking out was the beautiful woman get down from her horse, a small, wicked smile on her face.

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Sango couldn't believe what she was seeing. Miroku. In the woods. With a beautiful girl. Alone.

'Don't overreact.' She told herself. 'I'm sure it's nothing. He loves you, remember?' Somehow, she didn't sound so sure anymore.

She had woken up earlier that morning to find that Miroku had gone to fetch some wood, according to Kaede. She had gone after him, getting worried after him being gone so long. She never expected the sight that was in front of her.

"Miroku!" She almost screamed, trying to make her voice sound as calm as possible. She came out of the clearing, and stood directly in front of Miroku and the girl who was standing dangerously to close to him. "What are you doing?"

Miroku had a weird, glazed look over him, one Sango had never seen before. She saw the woman whisper something into Miroku's ear, and Sango's aura flared with anger.

"Who's she?" Sango didn't try to holdback the anger in her voice now. She wanted to know why he was here in the woods with her, and she wanted to know NOW.

The woman stepped up. "Miroku!" Shera said calling the monk by the name she heard the angry woman in front of her call him. She hoped all that acting she did was going to finally pay off with this. "Who's she? I thought you told me you loved me?!"

Sango felt her heart break, as she wore a pained look of disbelief and hurt on her face. "Miroku?" Her voice questioned. It was no longer loud, but more soft that held hidden tears in it.

Miroku's eyes held a weird look in them, like he wasn't really looking at her. "Sorry Sango." He said in a blank, expressionless voice.

"What?" Sango said, not believing what she was hearing. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall with his next words.

"I love her, not you." He pointed to the pretty young girl beside him, who was smiling proudly, all trances of distress gone.

"Miroku." Sango took a step closer to him, only to have him step backwards.

"I told you! It's over!" He screamed, his voice suddenly turning angry. Sango never heard him us that tone of voice, especially not to her.

"But....You said you loved me." Sango said, her mind still not registering what he was telling her.

Miroku gave a dry laugh. "I loved your body." He spat out. "But now that I had it, I'm tired of it. Sorry Sango. You were good for a while, but I think it's time I moved to bigger and better things."

Her heart tore in two when she heard those words come form his mouth. She could hear it tear, it was so quiet in those woods, and the woman next to him seemed to be waiting for her answer.

"Fine." Sango said in a cold, emotionless voice, trying to hold back her real feelings from coming out. "I won't be here to mess up your life. Good- bye, Houshi-sama." She said 'Houshi-sama like it was so type of disease. She turned around, and ran through back through the woods, to the village, her only thought was getting out of there as fast a she could.

And all the while, cherry blossoms flew around her.

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Present Time

Inuyasha ran through the forest, following the scent of his son. He came across a small clearing, with Haru and Sango's daughter there. Haru's head snapped up when Inuyasha entered.

"Dad." Haru hissed, trying not to wake up the sleeping Sonnet. "I don't know what to do! She just fell asleep!" His eyes held fear that only a nine year-old would have in this type of situation. Inuyasha almost laughed.

"Well, then, why don't we take her back? She can rest in one of the rooms."

Haru nodded his head, and tied to untangle himself from Sonnet's tight grip. 'She's this strong when she's sleeping?' He wondered in disbelief. Inuyasha shook his head, and came over to help. It was still a few minutes before they completely got her off Haru. All the while she made little whimpering noises that made Haru's heart break, because he could tell she was having a nightmare. Somehow, he wanted to make all her bad dreams away.

Inuyasha lifted Sonnet in his arms, careful not to wake her, and carried her back to the castle.

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Miroku ran back to the room, trying to find Sango. He saw her clutching her side, breathing hard as she held onto the nightstand beside her bed for support.

"Sango!" He rushed over to her, taking into his arms and setting her down onto the futon. "Don't move. You're still too weak."

Beads of sweat were on her face as her breathing slowed a little. "Is Sonnet okay?"

Miroku held her close to him, never getting tired of the way she felt. "Inuyasha went after her. Don't worry, he won't let anything happen to her."

Sango gave a relived sigh, because Sonnet was going to be okay and she didn't have to worry as much anymore, and because she was finally able to rest. She sighed and closed her eyes, to tired to do anything.

Miroku just held her, afraid of letting go of her again. 'I don't want to lose you again.'

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sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!

Boy did that take a long time to update, and when I do, it's really short! I really haven't had anytime to write. It wasn't finals or anything, though. Since I'm still in middle school, we don't have finals, we have end- of-the-year projects that my teachers feel that all need to be done in the exact same week. It's been pretty hectic. Again, sorry!

Okay, for all you who might be thinking 'why didn't Miroku know Sonnet was his daughter if a sonnet hadn't really been invented yet and Sango really is the only person who knows what it is (besides Kagome). The answer is: I don't know!! Just lay off! Nothing has to be perfect! ^_^

Thank you sooooo much for reviewing! Love you all!

Next Chapter:

One for Ten Years Ago Flashback, and then we can finally get on with the story! YEAH!