Random Acts of Love- Chapter 2: "Laughing Through My Tears"
By Matoko Shizaki
Standard disclaimers apply. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you do it I will seriously kick your ass. Thank you.
Notes: My fried and I were RPGing Sango and Miroku (I have the weird habit of trying to RP guys… don't ask…). We just so happened to stumble along a wonderful plot that reminded and inspired me to go with an old fan fic idea. Here it is!!!
@~@~@~@~@
Several weeks had passed since Sango's confessions of love to Miroku. He couldn't have led a happier life at this point. With few jewel shard to go, the team was taking a break. Taking full advantage of his time off, Miroku decided to take a walk through the woods.
Leaves of the forest were turning from their customary emerald green to a crispy scarlet. Such changes were soothing to Miroku as he walked on. He had so missed the cherry blossoms' fall but knew that autumn became winter and winter gave way to spring. He was so busy admiring the landscape that he didn't even notice the edge of the cliff…
Dust and rock engulfed him as he rolled down, smashing into several trees in the process. In agony, he cried out before hitting the soft ground of the canyon with a sickening crack.
Miroku opened his eyes, looking up at the sky that loomed over him. The pain was so great that he didn't darn move. By the feel of it, he had broken a few ribs in his fall. Suddenly, a gust caught his attention. Without his help, his cursed twitched back and forth, surging with energy. 'Oh no! It can't be… Buddha, I can't die now.' his mind cried. Most gusts burst forth and suddenly Miroku felt his entire body shake. 'No… not now…" But it was too late for his pleas. As he felt his energy drain from him, he looked up at the sky once more. With all the strength he could gather, he muttered something to himself. Something only the sky and the land around him would hear.
"I love you Sango."
And with those words, his world was engulfed in darkness and all was quiet except for the sounds of the wind.
@~@~@~@~@
"Damn monk… always have to find him…" Inu-Yasha mumbled as he trudged along. Once again, he became the one to 'volunteer' to find Miroku and call him in for lunch. Inu-Yasha's growling stomach bothered him to no end but if he came back without Miroku, he wouldn't get anything to eat. His best bet was to find the monk… and find him fast.
While lost in his thoughts, Inu-Yasha continued on. He didn't see the cliff and nearly tumbled over the edge if it hadn't been for his fast reflexes. Now he lay on the ground, panting in shock. "What the hell!?!? Is everything out to get me today?!"
That's when he noticed the shining staff in the ravine. Miroku's staff no doubt. "Great time to take a nap monk!" Inu-Yasha called down. When there was no reply, Inu-Yasha became impatient and leapt down yelling all the way.
"You know, I can't have lunch if you don't--" He stopped when he noticed that the monk was nowhere to be seen. There was a crater where the staff and a torn sandal were… but no monk.
Now Inu-Yasha was getting nervous. "Miroku!" he called again. He turned around to face the dangerous slope he had narrowly escaped and gasped. Clinging to the branch of a thorn bush was a torn scrap of Miroku's indigo robes, stained with blood. Inu-Yasha grasped the tuft tightly and called out again.
He turned back to the crate and looked in it. There was more then just the sandal and the staff. Right in the dead center was the cloth that Miroku usually had around his cursed hand. "No… it can't be…" Inu-Yasha muttered, shaking his head from side to side. Without a minute to lose, he scaled the slope again and took off towards the village.
@~@~@~@~@
Dust flew from the porch as Sango swept, helping Kagome give the old hut the cleaning it badly needed. She coughed and propped the broom up against the house before sighing. 'Where is that monk?' Sango wondered to herself. A smile creased her face and she suddenly wished his return to be swifter. Her thoughts were scrambled when something dropped from the roof of the hut onto the porch.
She jumped back with a yelp, flattening against the wall of the hut. Standing before her was Inu-Yasha, a grim expression on his face. "Where's Kagome? I need you guys to come with me?"
"Why Inu-Yasha? What's happened?" Sango asked. Shippo, who came out of the hut, clung to Sango's skirt.
"Yeah! You seem really jumpy." the kitsune pup exclaimed.
Inu-Yasha didn't reply, only handed Sango something that had been clenched in his fist. Sango opened her hand and looked at it. With a gasp, she realized what it was. "Buddha…" she muttered. Suddenly, she looked up at Inu-Yasha. "Where did you find this?!" S
The half demon winced slightly at the sharp, staccato tone of her words. "Over in the ravine." he replied quickly.
Sango tucked the scrap stained in blood into her sash and pushed past Inu-Yasha. "I'll meet you there." she told him. Immediately, Shippo jumped off so not to be carried away. Before the hanyou could protest, Sango took off down the path and into the woods.
"Inu-Yasha? What's the matter?" Kagome asked, emerging from the hut. Shippo looked up at her.
"Whatever it was, it really bothered Sango." Shippo stated.
Kagome looked at Inu-Yasha, searching his face for answers. "It's Miroku…" Inu-Yasha muttered.
"What about him?" Kagome asked.
"I think his time may have come sooner then he expected." Before Kagome could gasp out her reply, she was pulled onto Inu-Yasha's back. "C'mon, we need to catch up to Sango. She already headed to the ravine."
"Wait for me!!" Shippo squealed, joining Kagome on Inu-Yasha back.
"What do I look like to you?! A freaking pony!?!?!?!" he cried.
@~@~@~@~@
Sandals slapped at the forest ground, stirring up leaves that had already fallen. Noting the sudden drop, Sango knew she was at the ravine. Slowing down, she regarded the cliff. Carefully, she grabbed onto a branch and began to scramble down the slope. Rocks and dust kicked up into her face but she kept going, sliding more then walking anymore. With a jump, she was off the slope and landed in the soft earth of the crater making a huge dent with her feet.
"Miroku?! Where are you?" Sango cried as she cupped her hands around her mouth to project her voice. A few birds scattered from the trees, but there was no reply.
'He must be injured. This is part of his robe…' Sango thought as she held the scrap up to her eyes again. She hated to think what could have happened to the monk she cared about more then life itself.
"Miroku!!!!!" she screamed. Tears stirred at the edge of her eyes, threatening to spill out. She forced them back and walked a few more steps to the crater. With great ease, she stumbled into the crater. The staff, sandal, and ripped cloth were still there.
Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered the curse. "No… please… no…" she whispered. Feeling her body void of the strength to stand, she collapsed to her hands and knees. "Miroku…" This time she didn't fight the tears and sobbed freely.
@~@~@~@~@
Soft ground swallowed up Inu-Yasha's feet as he jumped into the ravine, letting his unwanted passengers off. Kagome immediately ran over to the crater, to find Sango sobbing uncontrollably on her hands and knees.
"Sango!" Kagome cried, joining her in the crater. The girl wrapped her arm around her friends shoulders as Sango clutched the scrap of bloodstained cloth to her chest even tighter.
"Kagome… he's dead. Miroku is dead!" the demon exterminator sobbed.
"No, he can't be. He's just fine." Kagome said, trying to reassure the girl. Suddenly, her tears told her that the reassurance was just for Sango but herself as well. Soon both girls were crying.
Shippo sniffed and wiped his nose on the back of his hand. "He can't be dead… can he Inu-Yasha?" The kitsune looked up at his half demon friend who nodded.
"I'm afraid so Shippo…"
@~@~@~@~@
The acorn rolled idly across the porch as Shippo fooled around with it. He occasionally looked up at Kagome and Sango who were playing with some of the village children, but was more concerned with how Sango looked.
She hadn't been eating or sleeping very well ever since Miroku's untimely death four days ago. The young woman was still in mourning but kept active and tried her best to appear cheerful. Kagome had told her spending time would take her mind off of things. Still, Shippo couldn't help but worry.
Miroku's death had taken a toll on all of them. The night after they discovered his death, Shippo had caught Inu-Yasha near tears as he watched the moon. Kagome and Sango cried most of the night, reminiscing about the good times they had all had. Shipp didn't was to be there when it happened so he followed Inu-Yasha. Miroku's very name made him sad. 'Why couldn't it have been me?' Shippo wondered.
@~@~@~@~@
"You remind me of my little brother, Kohaku." Sango exclaimed as she lifted one of the younger village children into her arms. The little boy grinned, show that he had just lost his two from teeth.
"Really onee-chan?"
Sango nodded. "Yeah. You look a lot like him too." The demon exterminator's attention was diverted to a small girl who tugged on her skirt. She sat down the little boy and bent down.
"Yes Rei?" she asked with a cheery façade.
The little girl blushed and produced a bouquet of dandelions from behind her back. "I got these for you onee-chan. I thought you needed some cheering up."
Sango took the flowers in her hands and stood up, burying her face in them. "They smell beautiful! Thank you…"
@~@~@~@~@
A child's scream caught Kagome's attention and she quickly turned to see if Sango knew what was wrong. The demon exterminator was no where in sight and Kagome figured she had gone inside.
There was a group of children gather in a circle, several of the younger children sobbing and screaming. Kagome made her way over to them. "What's wrong?" she asked Rei. The little girl sniffed.
"It's onee-chan!"
The little boy Sango had been with was in the center of the circle. "Someone, help!" he cried, struggling to pick up a heavy weigh. Kagome rushed over to see what was the mater.
Lying in the middle, next to the boy, was Sango. She was unconscious, her black hair draped over her face. "Make way!" Kagome ordered. The kids backed away as Kagome helped Sango up, pulling the demon exterminator's arm across her shoulder for support.
"Sango…" she muttered brushing the hair from her friend's face. Forgetting her worry, she looked up. "Shippo! Get Inu-Yasha to help me. Sango's fainted!"
Shippo jumped up from the porch, nodded, and darted into the hut frantically screaming the hanyou's name. Inu-Yasha emerged moments later with Lady Kaede and together, the three of them helped Sango into the house.
@~@~@~@~@
Water spilled over Sango's face and she opened her eyes to noticed that Lady Kaede was sitting over her, dabbing a wet cloth to her forehead. "Lady… Kaede…" Sango muttered.
The old woman smiled and removed the cloth from Sango's forehead, dropping it back into the wooden bowl at her side that was filled with water. "Ah! Awake I see. How do ye feel?"
Before Sango, could reply, her stomach did with a sharp rumble. She couldn't help but chuckle. "A little hungry I guess."
Lady Kaede turned away, to the fire where something was boiling over the flames. "You've been taking poor care of yourself Sango. Not good for someone in such a weak condition."
"What do you mean Lady Kaede?" Sango asked, pulling herself up into a sitting position.
"Drink this." the old woman ordered as she thrust a cup into Sango's face. She sniffed it. 'Probably an herbal remedy.' she thought. Without a second thought, she downed it and handed back the cup.
"Now I have something to ask ye. Your relationship with Miroku-sama changed greatly since a few weeks ago. His death has taken such a terrible toll on ye especially. Why is that?" The old woman's eyes glinted knowingly when Sango didn't reply.
"Tell me child," She leaned closer to Sango. "Did ye and Miroku-sama sleep with each other that night when ye camped out in the woods?"
Sango bit her lip, trying to delay her answer. But it was no use. The old woman saw right through her. "Yes Lady Kaede." Sango replied shyly.
"Then that would explain it." Kaede exclaimed, turning away.
"Explain what?" Sango asked.
"Sango, I am going to tell ye something that may upset ye but ye mustn't do anything irrational." Sango nodded and braced herself. "Ye are with child."
Her words hit Sango full force, so much that she couldn't speak for a moment. When she found her tongue, she managed to stammer out, "W-With… ch-child? Do you mean I'm p-pregnant?!" Lady Kaede nodded, a signal that caused Sango to begin crying again.
The old woman frowned, wanting to comfort her companion but suddenly the sobs were broken with laughter. She looked up, watching as Sango continued to cry, but laugh the entire time.
Carefully, Sango placed a hand to her stomach. "It's his child. The child he wanted so badly. I'm finally going to bear Miroku a child…" Sango muttered. She wiped away her tears as Kaede put an arm around her shoulders.
"All shall be well child."
"I know… that's not what worries me." Sango said, wiping away her tears.
"Then what is?" Kaede asked.
Sango smiled but looked down at her already growing stomach. "Miroku will never get to see his child."
By Matoko Shizaki
Standard disclaimers apply. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you do it I will seriously kick your ass. Thank you.
Notes: My fried and I were RPGing Sango and Miroku (I have the weird habit of trying to RP guys… don't ask…). We just so happened to stumble along a wonderful plot that reminded and inspired me to go with an old fan fic idea. Here it is!!!
@~@~@~@~@
Several weeks had passed since Sango's confessions of love to Miroku. He couldn't have led a happier life at this point. With few jewel shard to go, the team was taking a break. Taking full advantage of his time off, Miroku decided to take a walk through the woods.
Leaves of the forest were turning from their customary emerald green to a crispy scarlet. Such changes were soothing to Miroku as he walked on. He had so missed the cherry blossoms' fall but knew that autumn became winter and winter gave way to spring. He was so busy admiring the landscape that he didn't even notice the edge of the cliff…
Dust and rock engulfed him as he rolled down, smashing into several trees in the process. In agony, he cried out before hitting the soft ground of the canyon with a sickening crack.
Miroku opened his eyes, looking up at the sky that loomed over him. The pain was so great that he didn't darn move. By the feel of it, he had broken a few ribs in his fall. Suddenly, a gust caught his attention. Without his help, his cursed twitched back and forth, surging with energy. 'Oh no! It can't be… Buddha, I can't die now.' his mind cried. Most gusts burst forth and suddenly Miroku felt his entire body shake. 'No… not now…" But it was too late for his pleas. As he felt his energy drain from him, he looked up at the sky once more. With all the strength he could gather, he muttered something to himself. Something only the sky and the land around him would hear.
"I love you Sango."
And with those words, his world was engulfed in darkness and all was quiet except for the sounds of the wind.
@~@~@~@~@
"Damn monk… always have to find him…" Inu-Yasha mumbled as he trudged along. Once again, he became the one to 'volunteer' to find Miroku and call him in for lunch. Inu-Yasha's growling stomach bothered him to no end but if he came back without Miroku, he wouldn't get anything to eat. His best bet was to find the monk… and find him fast.
While lost in his thoughts, Inu-Yasha continued on. He didn't see the cliff and nearly tumbled over the edge if it hadn't been for his fast reflexes. Now he lay on the ground, panting in shock. "What the hell!?!? Is everything out to get me today?!"
That's when he noticed the shining staff in the ravine. Miroku's staff no doubt. "Great time to take a nap monk!" Inu-Yasha called down. When there was no reply, Inu-Yasha became impatient and leapt down yelling all the way.
"You know, I can't have lunch if you don't--" He stopped when he noticed that the monk was nowhere to be seen. There was a crater where the staff and a torn sandal were… but no monk.
Now Inu-Yasha was getting nervous. "Miroku!" he called again. He turned around to face the dangerous slope he had narrowly escaped and gasped. Clinging to the branch of a thorn bush was a torn scrap of Miroku's indigo robes, stained with blood. Inu-Yasha grasped the tuft tightly and called out again.
He turned back to the crate and looked in it. There was more then just the sandal and the staff. Right in the dead center was the cloth that Miroku usually had around his cursed hand. "No… it can't be…" Inu-Yasha muttered, shaking his head from side to side. Without a minute to lose, he scaled the slope again and took off towards the village.
@~@~@~@~@
Dust flew from the porch as Sango swept, helping Kagome give the old hut the cleaning it badly needed. She coughed and propped the broom up against the house before sighing. 'Where is that monk?' Sango wondered to herself. A smile creased her face and she suddenly wished his return to be swifter. Her thoughts were scrambled when something dropped from the roof of the hut onto the porch.
She jumped back with a yelp, flattening against the wall of the hut. Standing before her was Inu-Yasha, a grim expression on his face. "Where's Kagome? I need you guys to come with me?"
"Why Inu-Yasha? What's happened?" Sango asked. Shippo, who came out of the hut, clung to Sango's skirt.
"Yeah! You seem really jumpy." the kitsune pup exclaimed.
Inu-Yasha didn't reply, only handed Sango something that had been clenched in his fist. Sango opened her hand and looked at it. With a gasp, she realized what it was. "Buddha…" she muttered. Suddenly, she looked up at Inu-Yasha. "Where did you find this?!" S
The half demon winced slightly at the sharp, staccato tone of her words. "Over in the ravine." he replied quickly.
Sango tucked the scrap stained in blood into her sash and pushed past Inu-Yasha. "I'll meet you there." she told him. Immediately, Shippo jumped off so not to be carried away. Before the hanyou could protest, Sango took off down the path and into the woods.
"Inu-Yasha? What's the matter?" Kagome asked, emerging from the hut. Shippo looked up at her.
"Whatever it was, it really bothered Sango." Shippo stated.
Kagome looked at Inu-Yasha, searching his face for answers. "It's Miroku…" Inu-Yasha muttered.
"What about him?" Kagome asked.
"I think his time may have come sooner then he expected." Before Kagome could gasp out her reply, she was pulled onto Inu-Yasha's back. "C'mon, we need to catch up to Sango. She already headed to the ravine."
"Wait for me!!" Shippo squealed, joining Kagome on Inu-Yasha back.
"What do I look like to you?! A freaking pony!?!?!?!" he cried.
@~@~@~@~@
Sandals slapped at the forest ground, stirring up leaves that had already fallen. Noting the sudden drop, Sango knew she was at the ravine. Slowing down, she regarded the cliff. Carefully, she grabbed onto a branch and began to scramble down the slope. Rocks and dust kicked up into her face but she kept going, sliding more then walking anymore. With a jump, she was off the slope and landed in the soft earth of the crater making a huge dent with her feet.
"Miroku?! Where are you?" Sango cried as she cupped her hands around her mouth to project her voice. A few birds scattered from the trees, but there was no reply.
'He must be injured. This is part of his robe…' Sango thought as she held the scrap up to her eyes again. She hated to think what could have happened to the monk she cared about more then life itself.
"Miroku!!!!!" she screamed. Tears stirred at the edge of her eyes, threatening to spill out. She forced them back and walked a few more steps to the crater. With great ease, she stumbled into the crater. The staff, sandal, and ripped cloth were still there.
Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered the curse. "No… please… no…" she whispered. Feeling her body void of the strength to stand, she collapsed to her hands and knees. "Miroku…" This time she didn't fight the tears and sobbed freely.
@~@~@~@~@
Soft ground swallowed up Inu-Yasha's feet as he jumped into the ravine, letting his unwanted passengers off. Kagome immediately ran over to the crater, to find Sango sobbing uncontrollably on her hands and knees.
"Sango!" Kagome cried, joining her in the crater. The girl wrapped her arm around her friends shoulders as Sango clutched the scrap of bloodstained cloth to her chest even tighter.
"Kagome… he's dead. Miroku is dead!" the demon exterminator sobbed.
"No, he can't be. He's just fine." Kagome said, trying to reassure the girl. Suddenly, her tears told her that the reassurance was just for Sango but herself as well. Soon both girls were crying.
Shippo sniffed and wiped his nose on the back of his hand. "He can't be dead… can he Inu-Yasha?" The kitsune looked up at his half demon friend who nodded.
"I'm afraid so Shippo…"
@~@~@~@~@
The acorn rolled idly across the porch as Shippo fooled around with it. He occasionally looked up at Kagome and Sango who were playing with some of the village children, but was more concerned with how Sango looked.
She hadn't been eating or sleeping very well ever since Miroku's untimely death four days ago. The young woman was still in mourning but kept active and tried her best to appear cheerful. Kagome had told her spending time would take her mind off of things. Still, Shippo couldn't help but worry.
Miroku's death had taken a toll on all of them. The night after they discovered his death, Shippo had caught Inu-Yasha near tears as he watched the moon. Kagome and Sango cried most of the night, reminiscing about the good times they had all had. Shipp didn't was to be there when it happened so he followed Inu-Yasha. Miroku's very name made him sad. 'Why couldn't it have been me?' Shippo wondered.
@~@~@~@~@
"You remind me of my little brother, Kohaku." Sango exclaimed as she lifted one of the younger village children into her arms. The little boy grinned, show that he had just lost his two from teeth.
"Really onee-chan?"
Sango nodded. "Yeah. You look a lot like him too." The demon exterminator's attention was diverted to a small girl who tugged on her skirt. She sat down the little boy and bent down.
"Yes Rei?" she asked with a cheery façade.
The little girl blushed and produced a bouquet of dandelions from behind her back. "I got these for you onee-chan. I thought you needed some cheering up."
Sango took the flowers in her hands and stood up, burying her face in them. "They smell beautiful! Thank you…"
@~@~@~@~@
A child's scream caught Kagome's attention and she quickly turned to see if Sango knew what was wrong. The demon exterminator was no where in sight and Kagome figured she had gone inside.
There was a group of children gather in a circle, several of the younger children sobbing and screaming. Kagome made her way over to them. "What's wrong?" she asked Rei. The little girl sniffed.
"It's onee-chan!"
The little boy Sango had been with was in the center of the circle. "Someone, help!" he cried, struggling to pick up a heavy weigh. Kagome rushed over to see what was the mater.
Lying in the middle, next to the boy, was Sango. She was unconscious, her black hair draped over her face. "Make way!" Kagome ordered. The kids backed away as Kagome helped Sango up, pulling the demon exterminator's arm across her shoulder for support.
"Sango…" she muttered brushing the hair from her friend's face. Forgetting her worry, she looked up. "Shippo! Get Inu-Yasha to help me. Sango's fainted!"
Shippo jumped up from the porch, nodded, and darted into the hut frantically screaming the hanyou's name. Inu-Yasha emerged moments later with Lady Kaede and together, the three of them helped Sango into the house.
@~@~@~@~@
Water spilled over Sango's face and she opened her eyes to noticed that Lady Kaede was sitting over her, dabbing a wet cloth to her forehead. "Lady… Kaede…" Sango muttered.
The old woman smiled and removed the cloth from Sango's forehead, dropping it back into the wooden bowl at her side that was filled with water. "Ah! Awake I see. How do ye feel?"
Before Sango, could reply, her stomach did with a sharp rumble. She couldn't help but chuckle. "A little hungry I guess."
Lady Kaede turned away, to the fire where something was boiling over the flames. "You've been taking poor care of yourself Sango. Not good for someone in such a weak condition."
"What do you mean Lady Kaede?" Sango asked, pulling herself up into a sitting position.
"Drink this." the old woman ordered as she thrust a cup into Sango's face. She sniffed it. 'Probably an herbal remedy.' she thought. Without a second thought, she downed it and handed back the cup.
"Now I have something to ask ye. Your relationship with Miroku-sama changed greatly since a few weeks ago. His death has taken such a terrible toll on ye especially. Why is that?" The old woman's eyes glinted knowingly when Sango didn't reply.
"Tell me child," She leaned closer to Sango. "Did ye and Miroku-sama sleep with each other that night when ye camped out in the woods?"
Sango bit her lip, trying to delay her answer. But it was no use. The old woman saw right through her. "Yes Lady Kaede." Sango replied shyly.
"Then that would explain it." Kaede exclaimed, turning away.
"Explain what?" Sango asked.
"Sango, I am going to tell ye something that may upset ye but ye mustn't do anything irrational." Sango nodded and braced herself. "Ye are with child."
Her words hit Sango full force, so much that she couldn't speak for a moment. When she found her tongue, she managed to stammer out, "W-With… ch-child? Do you mean I'm p-pregnant?!" Lady Kaede nodded, a signal that caused Sango to begin crying again.
The old woman frowned, wanting to comfort her companion but suddenly the sobs were broken with laughter. She looked up, watching as Sango continued to cry, but laugh the entire time.
Carefully, Sango placed a hand to her stomach. "It's his child. The child he wanted so badly. I'm finally going to bear Miroku a child…" Sango muttered. She wiped away her tears as Kaede put an arm around her shoulders.
"All shall be well child."
"I know… that's not what worries me." Sango said, wiping away her tears.
"Then what is?" Kaede asked.
Sango smiled but looked down at her already growing stomach. "Miroku will never get to see his child."