Chapter Three
A soft ray of sunlight slipped soundlessly through Miroku's small hut window and shone upon Sango's peacefully sleeping figure being loyally protected by Miroku, who during the entire night remained partially awake in case an enemy was to attack the village. This being the case, the soft ray of light was enough to rouse Miroku from his half-sleep. He rubbed his pale lavender eyes, eliminating the goop that formed where his eyelids had been shut. Moments later his eyes adjusted to the bright morning light, as he fondly glanced at the sleeping Tajii-Ya who he had yet to declare as his own. Her pale, sweet face glowed a heavenly shade of light yellow. A content smile lay tantalizingly on her pink, and perfect lips. Hmm.when will I tell her? I know that the moment when I confess my love, my adoration matters not. Her heart has always been reserved for me. I'm the single cause of her numerous defenses, but the only one who can diminish them. How long can I keep pretending? He debated while he gazed at Sango's sweet and innocent face. " I'll let you sleep, my sleeping beauty." He lovingly said to the sleeping Taji-ya as he rose from his initial sitting position and silently walked out of the hut. Miroku stood momentarily in the doorframe and saw Inuyasha's great mane of white hair glimmer in the sun as Inuyasha rose from Kikyo's grave atop the hill.
The morning dew still covered the grass as Inuyasha rose from Kikyo's gravestone; he had been there all night, in remorse for a part of him that was lost when he wished for Kikyo's happiness. In remorse, that he could not save her. His golden eyes looked to the peerless blue sky above him, and he began to walk down the stairs, as his memory drew back to days of old when Kikyo had not yet pinned him to the Goshikinbu tree and they would often talk. Why did it have to end this way! Why couldn't' I have saved her! His thoughts cried from inside his head. He could not help but glance back to Kikyo's gravesite, I don't understand it! Why did she have to die? Inuyasha asked himself yet again. Still choosing to deny the obvious, Kikyo wanted peace; ultimately that's what she desired. Yet, while she was 'alive' she felt that the only way to move on was to destroy the source of her unhappiness, Inuyasha. But, Inuyasha had yet to realize this. Miroku observed him slowly walk down the steps that led to the temple. His mood was a somber as a grieving parent who had lost a child from some chronic illness. It's so unfair; because Inuyasha cannot forget the past, and look to the future he mourns constantly slowly breaking the will of the one who loves him. Sango's correct this suicide must cease! Miroku mourned in his thoughts, still staring at the despondent Inuyasha. "Inuyasha!" Miroku called out, grabbing the attention of the Hamouru, who, with remarkable agility leapt to Miroku's side. "What, Miroku?" Inuyasha demanded, with a certain edge to his voice. Miroku casually walked to the Goshikinbu tree, and sat down near its base. He glared at Inuyasha with his lavender eyes radiating a dangerous glow, and said,
"We need to have a man to man talk Inuyasha!" Inuyasha abruptly turned his head and barked,
"Feh, what about like I need any advice from a lech like you!" Miroku impatiently sighed and effortlessly tripped Inuyasha, thereby forcing him to sit down. Inuyasha's face contorted as he snapped relentlessly as Miroku, yelling,
"What did you do that for you lech! Just because I don't want to take advice from a clueless lech like you doesn't mean that you have to kill me!" Miroku moaned silently and calmly asked,
"Why are you being so cruel to Kagome all of a sudden?" Inuyasha's resistance barrier fell as he looked questioningly with his golden eyes at the suddenly inquisitive monk.
"Huh?" he said softly, his mouth open slightly from Miroku's question. Miroku side-glanced at Inuyasha harshly and suddenly, in a calm anger said,
" You know what I'm talking about Inuyasha! You haven't spoken to Kagome since the Shikon jewel was completed. Now more than ever she thinks she's only a 'shard-detector', and if you don't make a move soon she'll be gone forever! Out of your life before you know what's missing! Don't you understand?" Inuyasha's golden eyes attained a look of sadness and regret, as he glanced at his feet.
" I know I've been cruel Miroku. You don't have to spell it out." Inuyasha said above a whisper. The breeze blew gently through the treetops, and rustled the leaves creating a calm and settling music. It was now Miroku's turn to be surprised as Inuyasha admitted what he did wrong.
" But I can't endanger Kagome. It seems like every woman I've ever loved has died because of me! The villagers killed my mother, because I was a hanyou. Kikyo died because she let her guard down, and let me through. I can't endanger Kagome anymore than I already have." He continued, while Miroku nodded his head in understanding.
"So what your saying is, you are driving Kagome away for her own safety, but Inuyasha your hurting her so much. She's loved you for so long, the least you could to is talk to her." Miroku pleaded on Kagome's behalf. Inuyasha groaned vexingly as he stood up, and glared icily at Miroku. His eyes grew cold and cruel. His long white hair blew at this side in the suddenly cold wind, which reflected his mood. He icily retorted,
"What do you know about loosing a woman you once loved Miroku?" he demanded, the wind picking up. Miroku's lavender eyes hardened as well as he stood directly in front of Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, you are gravely mistaken." Miroku coldly began, as he looked Inuyasha in the eyes, holding a stern stare,
" I never knew my mother, it was my own wind tunnel that killed her! My father died in front of my very eyes! And you say I have not lost. Feh. You know nothing of loss. At least you have a brother who, while he doesn't exactly respect you, does internally care for you! I have no family!" Miroku finished, and callously stalked by Inuyasha, not failing to bump him with his shoulder. Inuyasha watched Miroku walk off, dumbfounded.
Miroku's right, I'm being selfish and cruel. But I have my reasons.
As Miroku walked away from Inuyasha, he felt warm droplets of water drip soundlessly from his eyes at the thoughts of his lost family that even the death of scum like Naraku cannot bring back. While he sought comfort, he could not let Sango see his tears. He was always the brave one, the one who gave the advice; he could not let Sango see him like this. The sky cracked open and let forth cold and harsh rain, thunder rumbled, and Miroku still walked subconsciously in the storms around him. He walked in Inuyasha's selfish cruelty, in Sango's sadness, and in Kagome's grief. Slowly he felt his own grief creep up. His regret for not being able to save his family, not that he could've done anything about it. Two hours passed, he was devoid of his robes, and was clothed in his leggings and a small muscle shirt, since he had given them to Sango and grew cold; he felt the wood on his Shajaku grow soft. But he still kept walking on, unaware of the rain that pounded on his head, or the splinters that pierced sharply into his skin. He walked even when he felt his bones grow icy and cold, and finally stopped as he took refuge in the cave which housed Onigumo at least fifty years ago.
Sango awoke to a rain filled morning, which symbolized the feeling of gloom that had hung around the group since the Shikon Jewels completion. Her brown eyes looked swiftly around the hut, hoping to find Miroku watching over her like he always had before. But he was gone!
Where could Miroku be in this rain? She pondered, sitting her muscular body up, and holding herself up with her formidable arms.
"I'll go and find him!" Sango declared, as she stood from her sitting position and limped to the door. Wincing ever slightly from he sprained ligament, but found it more important to seek out Miroku, than back off from pain
I can take this. Sango grumbled, pretending to ignore the pain coursing relentlessly through her body as she labored on her two feet towards the door. She continued to walk, step by step, taking it slowly and carefully. Sango took extra precautions and found a medium sized branch in the hut, using it for a walking stick for support and she hobbled slowly out of the hut.
Meanwhile, Kagome, though it was true she had stopped crying, wept deep in the depths of her soul. Her grief was unimaginable. Sango regrettably noticed this when she began to hobble near the doorframe in search of Miroku. When Sango peeked within the hut, she could tell the by the red that lay inconspicuously around Kagome's brown eyes, an intense obviousness of her telltale grief. Deep within, Sango wished to comfort Kagome, but in the end knew it was Inuyasha who could redeem her spirit of these sorrows.
Inuyasha better wise up soon! Sango declared to herself, as the rain dropped unceasingly on her raven hair as she trudged, and limped through the muddy ground. Sango, being under the illusion she was walking as quietly as a dormouse, did not see Kagome's head peek outside of the door frame, to discover Sango's limping form. Overwhelmed with sisterly concern she called out,
"Sango, What happened?" Sango, being caught completely unaware, collapsed into the muddy ground below, and managed to cause her already swollen ankle more tedious pain.
"OWWWWWWW!" Sango exclaimed as she felt intense bursts of pain shoot through her already injured ligament.
"OMG!" Kagome exclaimed as she ran towards the fallen Sango,
"Are you alright?" Kagome asked while grabbing firmly onto Sango's arm and pulling her up from the muddy ground below. Sango grunted as she was pulled from the ground, and limped along Kagome's side. It was not very often that Kagome could keep an even pace with Sango, not including speed walking, but due to Sango's injury Kagome walked faster and assisted the injured Taji-ya to the near by hut.
After Sango was safely in Kagome's warm hut, she saw Kagome dig endlessly through her school bag for two cups of Ramen Noodles that would suffice as their breakfast.
"Here they are!" Kagome exclaimed, signaling she had completed the excavation of her pack, as she pulled out two cups of Ramen and poured their rameny contents into the quickly heating pan. The ramen was left to boil while Kagome attended to other numerous matters around the hut. Sango watched Kagome, and saw the pain she was concealing underneath her veil of ease.
'What should I say? What can I say? It's so unfortunate. I should just ask her what she's planning to do..yes.that's what I'll do!' Sango thought while she observed Kagome's sadness.
"Kagome?" Sango asked while clearing her throat. Kagome abruptly turned her head Sango's direction, and out of concern for Sango sat down beside her and asked,
"Is anything wrong Sango?" Sango warily shook her head and signaled Kagome to sit down and relax.
"Kagome, What are you going to do now that the jewel? Are you going to go back to your own era forever?" Kagome looked ponderingly at the ceiling with her brown eyes, carefully considering Sango's question.
"I think I will," Kagome said with a certain sadness in her voice," I really wish I didn't have too, but seeing as I'm no longer needed.Why not?" she added with greater regret. Sango nodded understanding Kagome's train of thought.
'I would feel unneeded too if I were in her shoes.' Sango shook her head and asked, choking back a sob,
"When are you leaving? Will it be anytime soon?" Kagome looked longingly in the direction of the well, and nodded, a smile forming on her lips,
" I will, being here makes me feel unwanted the sooner I leave the happier I'll be in the end. I'm sorry Sango, but I feel it's the right thing to do. I mean it was like Inuyasha said those many moons ago.
'Go back to your own time!' He was right I do have to go back or I'll screw up the future more than I already have." In each word Kagome grew more confident and a true smile graced her lips as she whispered,
"I'm going home.for good." Sango, intern smiled, as she saw the joyous grin spread happily across Kagome's face, which no longer bore shadows of pain.
A soft ray of sunlight slipped soundlessly through Miroku's small hut window and shone upon Sango's peacefully sleeping figure being loyally protected by Miroku, who during the entire night remained partially awake in case an enemy was to attack the village. This being the case, the soft ray of light was enough to rouse Miroku from his half-sleep. He rubbed his pale lavender eyes, eliminating the goop that formed where his eyelids had been shut. Moments later his eyes adjusted to the bright morning light, as he fondly glanced at the sleeping Tajii-Ya who he had yet to declare as his own. Her pale, sweet face glowed a heavenly shade of light yellow. A content smile lay tantalizingly on her pink, and perfect lips. Hmm.when will I tell her? I know that the moment when I confess my love, my adoration matters not. Her heart has always been reserved for me. I'm the single cause of her numerous defenses, but the only one who can diminish them. How long can I keep pretending? He debated while he gazed at Sango's sweet and innocent face. " I'll let you sleep, my sleeping beauty." He lovingly said to the sleeping Taji-ya as he rose from his initial sitting position and silently walked out of the hut. Miroku stood momentarily in the doorframe and saw Inuyasha's great mane of white hair glimmer in the sun as Inuyasha rose from Kikyo's grave atop the hill.
The morning dew still covered the grass as Inuyasha rose from Kikyo's gravestone; he had been there all night, in remorse for a part of him that was lost when he wished for Kikyo's happiness. In remorse, that he could not save her. His golden eyes looked to the peerless blue sky above him, and he began to walk down the stairs, as his memory drew back to days of old when Kikyo had not yet pinned him to the Goshikinbu tree and they would often talk. Why did it have to end this way! Why couldn't' I have saved her! His thoughts cried from inside his head. He could not help but glance back to Kikyo's gravesite, I don't understand it! Why did she have to die? Inuyasha asked himself yet again. Still choosing to deny the obvious, Kikyo wanted peace; ultimately that's what she desired. Yet, while she was 'alive' she felt that the only way to move on was to destroy the source of her unhappiness, Inuyasha. But, Inuyasha had yet to realize this. Miroku observed him slowly walk down the steps that led to the temple. His mood was a somber as a grieving parent who had lost a child from some chronic illness. It's so unfair; because Inuyasha cannot forget the past, and look to the future he mourns constantly slowly breaking the will of the one who loves him. Sango's correct this suicide must cease! Miroku mourned in his thoughts, still staring at the despondent Inuyasha. "Inuyasha!" Miroku called out, grabbing the attention of the Hamouru, who, with remarkable agility leapt to Miroku's side. "What, Miroku?" Inuyasha demanded, with a certain edge to his voice. Miroku casually walked to the Goshikinbu tree, and sat down near its base. He glared at Inuyasha with his lavender eyes radiating a dangerous glow, and said,
"We need to have a man to man talk Inuyasha!" Inuyasha abruptly turned his head and barked,
"Feh, what about like I need any advice from a lech like you!" Miroku impatiently sighed and effortlessly tripped Inuyasha, thereby forcing him to sit down. Inuyasha's face contorted as he snapped relentlessly as Miroku, yelling,
"What did you do that for you lech! Just because I don't want to take advice from a clueless lech like you doesn't mean that you have to kill me!" Miroku moaned silently and calmly asked,
"Why are you being so cruel to Kagome all of a sudden?" Inuyasha's resistance barrier fell as he looked questioningly with his golden eyes at the suddenly inquisitive monk.
"Huh?" he said softly, his mouth open slightly from Miroku's question. Miroku side-glanced at Inuyasha harshly and suddenly, in a calm anger said,
" You know what I'm talking about Inuyasha! You haven't spoken to Kagome since the Shikon jewel was completed. Now more than ever she thinks she's only a 'shard-detector', and if you don't make a move soon she'll be gone forever! Out of your life before you know what's missing! Don't you understand?" Inuyasha's golden eyes attained a look of sadness and regret, as he glanced at his feet.
" I know I've been cruel Miroku. You don't have to spell it out." Inuyasha said above a whisper. The breeze blew gently through the treetops, and rustled the leaves creating a calm and settling music. It was now Miroku's turn to be surprised as Inuyasha admitted what he did wrong.
" But I can't endanger Kagome. It seems like every woman I've ever loved has died because of me! The villagers killed my mother, because I was a hanyou. Kikyo died because she let her guard down, and let me through. I can't endanger Kagome anymore than I already have." He continued, while Miroku nodded his head in understanding.
"So what your saying is, you are driving Kagome away for her own safety, but Inuyasha your hurting her so much. She's loved you for so long, the least you could to is talk to her." Miroku pleaded on Kagome's behalf. Inuyasha groaned vexingly as he stood up, and glared icily at Miroku. His eyes grew cold and cruel. His long white hair blew at this side in the suddenly cold wind, which reflected his mood. He icily retorted,
"What do you know about loosing a woman you once loved Miroku?" he demanded, the wind picking up. Miroku's lavender eyes hardened as well as he stood directly in front of Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha, you are gravely mistaken." Miroku coldly began, as he looked Inuyasha in the eyes, holding a stern stare,
" I never knew my mother, it was my own wind tunnel that killed her! My father died in front of my very eyes! And you say I have not lost. Feh. You know nothing of loss. At least you have a brother who, while he doesn't exactly respect you, does internally care for you! I have no family!" Miroku finished, and callously stalked by Inuyasha, not failing to bump him with his shoulder. Inuyasha watched Miroku walk off, dumbfounded.
Miroku's right, I'm being selfish and cruel. But I have my reasons.
As Miroku walked away from Inuyasha, he felt warm droplets of water drip soundlessly from his eyes at the thoughts of his lost family that even the death of scum like Naraku cannot bring back. While he sought comfort, he could not let Sango see his tears. He was always the brave one, the one who gave the advice; he could not let Sango see him like this. The sky cracked open and let forth cold and harsh rain, thunder rumbled, and Miroku still walked subconsciously in the storms around him. He walked in Inuyasha's selfish cruelty, in Sango's sadness, and in Kagome's grief. Slowly he felt his own grief creep up. His regret for not being able to save his family, not that he could've done anything about it. Two hours passed, he was devoid of his robes, and was clothed in his leggings and a small muscle shirt, since he had given them to Sango and grew cold; he felt the wood on his Shajaku grow soft. But he still kept walking on, unaware of the rain that pounded on his head, or the splinters that pierced sharply into his skin. He walked even when he felt his bones grow icy and cold, and finally stopped as he took refuge in the cave which housed Onigumo at least fifty years ago.
Sango awoke to a rain filled morning, which symbolized the feeling of gloom that had hung around the group since the Shikon Jewels completion. Her brown eyes looked swiftly around the hut, hoping to find Miroku watching over her like he always had before. But he was gone!
Where could Miroku be in this rain? She pondered, sitting her muscular body up, and holding herself up with her formidable arms.
"I'll go and find him!" Sango declared, as she stood from her sitting position and limped to the door. Wincing ever slightly from he sprained ligament, but found it more important to seek out Miroku, than back off from pain
I can take this. Sango grumbled, pretending to ignore the pain coursing relentlessly through her body as she labored on her two feet towards the door. She continued to walk, step by step, taking it slowly and carefully. Sango took extra precautions and found a medium sized branch in the hut, using it for a walking stick for support and she hobbled slowly out of the hut.
Meanwhile, Kagome, though it was true she had stopped crying, wept deep in the depths of her soul. Her grief was unimaginable. Sango regrettably noticed this when she began to hobble near the doorframe in search of Miroku. When Sango peeked within the hut, she could tell the by the red that lay inconspicuously around Kagome's brown eyes, an intense obviousness of her telltale grief. Deep within, Sango wished to comfort Kagome, but in the end knew it was Inuyasha who could redeem her spirit of these sorrows.
Inuyasha better wise up soon! Sango declared to herself, as the rain dropped unceasingly on her raven hair as she trudged, and limped through the muddy ground. Sango, being under the illusion she was walking as quietly as a dormouse, did not see Kagome's head peek outside of the door frame, to discover Sango's limping form. Overwhelmed with sisterly concern she called out,
"Sango, What happened?" Sango, being caught completely unaware, collapsed into the muddy ground below, and managed to cause her already swollen ankle more tedious pain.
"OWWWWWWW!" Sango exclaimed as she felt intense bursts of pain shoot through her already injured ligament.
"OMG!" Kagome exclaimed as she ran towards the fallen Sango,
"Are you alright?" Kagome asked while grabbing firmly onto Sango's arm and pulling her up from the muddy ground below. Sango grunted as she was pulled from the ground, and limped along Kagome's side. It was not very often that Kagome could keep an even pace with Sango, not including speed walking, but due to Sango's injury Kagome walked faster and assisted the injured Taji-ya to the near by hut.
After Sango was safely in Kagome's warm hut, she saw Kagome dig endlessly through her school bag for two cups of Ramen Noodles that would suffice as their breakfast.
"Here they are!" Kagome exclaimed, signaling she had completed the excavation of her pack, as she pulled out two cups of Ramen and poured their rameny contents into the quickly heating pan. The ramen was left to boil while Kagome attended to other numerous matters around the hut. Sango watched Kagome, and saw the pain she was concealing underneath her veil of ease.
'What should I say? What can I say? It's so unfortunate. I should just ask her what she's planning to do..yes.that's what I'll do!' Sango thought while she observed Kagome's sadness.
"Kagome?" Sango asked while clearing her throat. Kagome abruptly turned her head Sango's direction, and out of concern for Sango sat down beside her and asked,
"Is anything wrong Sango?" Sango warily shook her head and signaled Kagome to sit down and relax.
"Kagome, What are you going to do now that the jewel? Are you going to go back to your own era forever?" Kagome looked ponderingly at the ceiling with her brown eyes, carefully considering Sango's question.
"I think I will," Kagome said with a certain sadness in her voice," I really wish I didn't have too, but seeing as I'm no longer needed.Why not?" she added with greater regret. Sango nodded understanding Kagome's train of thought.
'I would feel unneeded too if I were in her shoes.' Sango shook her head and asked, choking back a sob,
"When are you leaving? Will it be anytime soon?" Kagome looked longingly in the direction of the well, and nodded, a smile forming on her lips,
" I will, being here makes me feel unwanted the sooner I leave the happier I'll be in the end. I'm sorry Sango, but I feel it's the right thing to do. I mean it was like Inuyasha said those many moons ago.
'Go back to your own time!' He was right I do have to go back or I'll screw up the future more than I already have." In each word Kagome grew more confident and a true smile graced her lips as she whispered,
"I'm going home.for good." Sango, intern smiled, as she saw the joyous grin spread happily across Kagome's face, which no longer bore shadows of pain.