Wow, I took me a while but it seems I'm finally on my way out with this fic
- .... sobs hahahaha! I almost forgot to post this chapter up!
Hahaha! I was gonna skip to chapter 12! Jijiji...
Strength of the Heart
Something soft was under his cheek; he felt the light pressure of his face over what apparently was a futon. It was stuffy though, he felt like he had been in one position too long and was beginning to feel hot. Where was he though? The last thing he remembered was looking at Sango's worried face. His mind began to recall now. Everything that had happened who knows how long ago.
Sleep leaving him, his other senses began to sharpen, he noticed the rain was no longer pattering rhythmically over the roof; it was reasonably cooler than it had been when he passed out, but opening his eyes blinking away his grogginess he noticed it was still dark.
However he hadn't woken up on his own, Sango's worried voice had been in his dream seconds before he woke to find he hadn't been dreaming at all. It was accompanied by the loud voices of Inu-Yasha and Kagome sounding almost as frightened. Shino saw the blurry silhouettes of these people scuffle into the small room and tried to make out the individual voices of his friends to make sense of their urgent whispers.
"Set him down there Inu-Yasha."
Kagome.
"Do you think he'll be ok?"
Sango.
"He'll be fine, listen there isn't much you can do for him with those injured hands of yours, so go tend to yourself first. He ain't going anywhere."
Inu-Yasha.
"Oh Sango-chan! Your hands!"
"It's nothing Kagome. Inu-Yasha is he still bleeding?"
"A bit. And were you listening to anything at all I said?"
"Sango-chan I know you're worried about him, but Inu-Yasha is right."
"But I --"
"You're useless to him Sango. Go get yourself bandaged; I'll keep watch over him if it makes you feel better."
Apparently nobody had noticed Shino was up and listening, his eyes having adjusted to the lack of light he distinguished three figures kneeling around a futon beside his own. Inu-Yasha was closest to him with his back turned waiting for an answer.
"Come on Sango-chan, I'll help you with your hands and you'll be back here in no time."
There was another pause then finally he heard a small "Un."
He watched the shadow of Kagome head to the door and stop, waiting for Sango. She hesitated by the futon looking down to its occupant, and then got up slowly heading for Kagome. Sliding the shoji door gently he hear their footsteps disappear down the hall. Then turned back to face Inu- Yasha's back, hearing him give an angry sigh.
"Dumb ass bouzu."
"Let's go to Inu-Yasha's room so we don't wake up Shippou." Suggested Kagome as they walked down the hall.
Her friend barely nodded as they made their way to the room, looking blankly at the floor. Kagome gave an unsure smile.
"He'll be ok Sango; it was enough that you brought him all the way back here. Don't worry."
Again all she did was nod. Kagome gave a small sigh as they entered the small room. Of course Sango had all the reason in the world to worry. Both Inu-Yasha and she had been horrified when she had come back panting half covered in blood and with Miroku over her back. The make- shift bandage he had over his back was where Sango's kimono had been torn off unceremoniously. His black gi was draped loosely over his back and his purple cloth draped clumsily over his half bare shoulders.
On Inu-Yasha's petition 'What the fuck happened?!' Sango had somewhat explained what went on in their absence, no details of course, just the necessary things. Kagome gathered the healing supplies which she was convinced the group used way too much and waited as Sango changed back into her normal pink yukata and went to sit down in front of Kagome.
"Oh my... Sango what happened to you?" asked Kagome gripping one of her hands
"The parasite tried to take me up as a host." She explained.
"But I thought you said you got rid of it."
"I did."
"Oh..."
Not much else was said after that, the impatient worried look on Sango's face kept Kagome from talking. She had been in this situation many times before just as Sango had and knew no words could comfort or explain what had just happened. So not a big fan of silence she tried finishing up as soon as possible knowing everyone was waiting for her.
With a small butterfly she finished wrapping Sango's bandages careful to leave her fingers unexposed knowing she would want to tend to Miroku.
"Finished."
Sango looked up at her friend giving her a grateful nod and the best smile she could express under such stressful emotions.
"Arigatou Kagome-chan... you don't know how much ---"
"Sango-chan, what would be the point of being your friend if I can't look out for you?"
Sango nodded and gave her best friend a quick hug.
"Daijoubu." Comforted Kagome
Shinosuke from his position did nothing for quite a while. The next noise he heard was the sound of the shoji sliding open again, he didn't have to look up to know who was there.
"Inu-Yasha, will you help me with the futon in my room." Came Kagome's voice
"What about it?" he asked
"Sango would like to sleep here, and I don't want to be alone at night." She answered
Silence and then a worried "Eh?!"
More silence "You dirty minded beast! Would you just come on!" she said in an urgent whisper
Shinosuke felt the light current of air from Inu-Yasha lifting himself rapidly from the floor murmuring a small 'Feh.' hearing the faint rustle of his haori followed by various footstep and the barely audible whisper of Kagome's voice scolding Inu-Yasha,
"Really Inu-Yasha how clueless are you?"
He heard the rustle of the sliding shoji once again but never herd it seal against the wall.
"Nani?" came Kagome's voice
"What's wrong with your chest?"
After Inu-Yasha's harsh question there was silence for a while before he pulled down her yukata just enough for them to see the red gash in her chest. He exploded. From the sound of it more than angry.
"Dammit Sango, how could you do something as reckless as carry him back here with an injury like that?! Fuck it I don't know which one of you is more of a moron now! He's supposed to be the stupid one!"
"Inu-Yasha!" came Kagome's voice again.
"He's not helpless Sango, and he's probably been in situations a lot more screwed up than this, did you think of that? Did you think at all?!"
"What the hell was I supposed to do? Leave him there unconscious and bleeding to death? And who do you think you are anyway?! You're one to talk about being reckless."
"Guys..." interrupted Kagome nervously
"Do you think Miroku would have let you come running back across the entire fucking town in your condition for his sake?!"
"Yamete! Stop it! I'm sick of it! Let me?! It's not up to him or you or anyone else to decide about anything I do. When will everyone understand I'm not a porcelain doll that has to be protected and locked away. How come he can protect me at stake of his own life and I have to be the one to worry and suffer for him afterwards? It can't ever be the other way around can it?"
"You're not helpless, he knows that. But when you make it your purpose to protect someone you love it's not easy to see them hurt, you're a woman, you wouldn't understand."
Shinosuke could only imagine what Sango's face looked like right now. Inu- Yasha had made a mistake with that comment and he knew it.
"I... wouldn't understand?..." she began obviously trying very hard to control the vibrating rage that emitted from her every word.
"And I suppose I can't protect him because I'm a woman then ne?" came her voice, no longer raging and loud but low and cold "So I couldn't possibly understand what it's like to love a person so much you would be willing to give everything for them."
The tension in the room felt terrible, it even made his stomach lurch when no one seemed to have the courage to say anything to Sango.
"You know what, you're right Inu-Yasha." She began her voice dripping with sarcasm "Because of him I know only the heavy weight of guilt over my spirit when I see him laying over the futon because of me. I've memorized the awful sensation of dread and worry every time we're in a battle. And now I know what it feels like to be 'saved'."
Silence rang in the room. He would have gotten up at that very moment just to end the horrible atmosphere as he could imagine his best friend and everyone else in there trying to decide what to do. Up to some point, the hanyou was right. As a man you 'had' to protect your woman, it was your purpose. Almost like a necessity. But, he had never thought about the woman's part in all of this, and taking in Sango' words, she was right. It was actually she that came out worse.
"A person can only be so strong."
Sango's small voice rang in their ears as silence embedded them again. Before heavy footsteps made their way over to where she was standing.
"I know...." He was surprised that it was Inu-Yasha who spoke next "Try packing it on double knowing you failed to do what you practically live for." Said Inu-Yasha
Everyone in the room turned to look at the hanyou. If he knew them well enough he could imagine the serious look on half youkai much like his tone of voice, the unsure eyes of Kagome over him and Sango looking up to him with a mix of uncertainty and understanding.
"I guess you should tend to him now... but at least take one of those stick- on bandages Kagome has."
The former courage was gone from his voice and it now sounded like he had become embarrassed by something. Shinosuke didn't blame him, if he were in his situation; he probably wouldn't have been able to say half the things he said in the first place. Inu-Yasha didn't wait for anyone to respond as he quickly exited the room, the girls were left in intrigue and only Kagome could go to clear up what had just happened, probably being as it was she that was the most interested.
"Will you be ok Sango-chan?"
Sango looked up to Kagome's anxious face and gave her a knowing smile nodding lightly.
"Go see him." Said Sango to her already blushing friend
Hesitating a bit Kagome pushed herself out of the small room "I'll be right back with your bandage. And if you need anything we'll be right there ne?"
"Arigatou Kagome-chan."
Shinosuke heard the shoji slid shut for what seemed the hundredth time that night followed by disappearing footsteps and finally a long sigh from Sango.
The next thing he felt was the whisper of air as Sango kneeled down where Inu-Yasha had just been. She set, whatever it was she had in her hands beside her legs. He heard her shuffling unknown articles in her hands and the next thing he saw was the bright orange glow of a candle. He shut his eyes watching her turn towards him, not knowing why he didn't want her to know he was awake. She was probably just checking to see if her actions had woken him up.
He heard a small mew he recognized as Kirara when Kagome came back with the bandage.
"Arigatou Kagome."
"Don't worry about it. And, if you can try to get some sleep ne?"
"Un. Oyasumi nasai."
"Oyasumi Sango-chan."
Sure she was gone Sango gave out a sigh and placed the candle closer to Miroku's futon. She took the large bandage Kagome had delivered and shook off her yukata to her waist. With a damp towel she cleaned around the injury and holding her breath put a painful ointment over it Kagome had also brought for her. It stung, but this way it would heal quicker and not risk infection. She bandaged her chest shortly after and satisfied with her work slipped on her yukata again. Smiling she wondered what the monk would think if he knew she had been topless a few inches from him.
Shino very tense finally opened his eyes again to see she had clothes back on and gave a sigh of relief. It wasn't as if he didn't like what he saw but... pushing aside weird thoughts he looked over at the man across from him.
He was back side up just like him. With Sango intermediate he could only see from his head to his upper back. About at the height of his clavicles there was blood smeared all over his back, and even in the dim flicker of the golden candle he looked dreadfully pale, clammy and with an occasional bead of sweat sliding down his face.
No wonder Sango was so worried, he didn't look good at all. And to think of what Inu-Yasha had said made him feel more astonished. 'He's probably been through worse things.'
Meanwhile he noticed Sango had been rummaging through a health kit, sorting out bandages, some sort of ointment, some towels and something that made him sprout goose bumps. Now everybody had assured him he was a brave man, being a youkai exterminator and what not, but the sight of that needle and the thin portion of thread made his stomach jump.
He heard Kirara mew once again watching his master take a small towel and submerge it in a small bucket of water. The feline youkai watched as Sango gently moved the cloth across his back soaking up both drying and fresh blood. Shinosuke watched with certain curiosity as the small nekko stood from her position beside her master and walked gracefully over to the monk's face. She looked sideways at him as if analyzing what he had done to end up like this. Squatting down she inched her way towards him and nudged him gently on the chin.
"Kirara." Warned Sango rinsing the towel in the bucket.
The youkai turned at her name to find her master looking down at her in warning. But seeing the curious almost humane expression her pet was giving her she couldn't help but give a small smile.
"He's good at it ne?" she whispered to the nekko
Passing the soaked towel over him again her smile tightened "Making you worry." She finished
Kirara blinked up at her owner and gave a soft mew. When Sango didn't stop her work, her pet looked back at Miroku and set her head over small paws, staring at him from two inches away.
Sango knew Shinosuke was up, she had felt him when Inu-Yasha and Kagome had left the room. And just now when she had pulled of her yukata. He was so tense it almost made her laugh. He had probably been up since they barged in here with Miroku. Getting back to what she had to do the smile on her face disappeared.
She swore to herself she would never be a healer, she had trouble not sympathizing with the injured. Most of the time she imagined how they must feel and that kept her from doing anything to help them. Her mother would always tell her that it wasn't her that was suffering, but the patient, and her job was not to sympathize but to heal. She never could. Not even with Miroku who never so much as twitched in pain no matter what she was doing to him. His pain would always be hers, even the one he hid.
After his back was relatively clean she took the ointment carefully dabbing a bit of disinfectant on the small wounds first. There had to be at least ten of them. The scrapes and the other wounds only needed a bit of cleaning.
Finishing up the superficial cuts, she reluctantly put down the peachy red stained towel. Knowing what she had to do next she gave a quick sigh. The idea didn't get her to jump for joy. Her father used to tell her she was the best at mending; she hated it. Human skin was hard and every time you punctured through it besides feeling the hard puncture you also hear the way the skin popped making way for the expanding needle.
She felt Shinosuke tense behind her once again when she collected the needle and took out the old thread still in the eye. He had been falling asleep a while ago, but she knew how much he hated needles. Funny as he had faced dozens of creatures with natural weapons so much more frightening that a simple sharp piece of metal or hard wood.
Leaning in over the melting candle she inserted the slender piece of thread through the barely visible hole. Once done she took an approximate measure and cut the thread. She bent over him hesitating, looking over to his face with the needle inches away from his skin. She had healed Miroku dozens of times, if not more, she added sourly. While doing this she had seen he had had some of his own needlework done. The most noticeable scar on his left calf, and though the scar was quite long you could see from it that the person who had done it was also very skilled at what they did, she wondered if Moushin had been responsible for that. Not knowing why she doubted it.
With all this present in her mind, it was the first time she did this to him. Her tired shoulders dropped slightly reminding her that she still had injuries of her own. Giving a secret sigh she set her hands over his back hopefully ready to begin.
Six pages is my limit, if not I would have continued... am I realy that good at cliffies? evil smirk
New chapters almost here!! .
Strength of the Heart
Something soft was under his cheek; he felt the light pressure of his face over what apparently was a futon. It was stuffy though, he felt like he had been in one position too long and was beginning to feel hot. Where was he though? The last thing he remembered was looking at Sango's worried face. His mind began to recall now. Everything that had happened who knows how long ago.
Sleep leaving him, his other senses began to sharpen, he noticed the rain was no longer pattering rhythmically over the roof; it was reasonably cooler than it had been when he passed out, but opening his eyes blinking away his grogginess he noticed it was still dark.
However he hadn't woken up on his own, Sango's worried voice had been in his dream seconds before he woke to find he hadn't been dreaming at all. It was accompanied by the loud voices of Inu-Yasha and Kagome sounding almost as frightened. Shino saw the blurry silhouettes of these people scuffle into the small room and tried to make out the individual voices of his friends to make sense of their urgent whispers.
"Set him down there Inu-Yasha."
Kagome.
"Do you think he'll be ok?"
Sango.
"He'll be fine, listen there isn't much you can do for him with those injured hands of yours, so go tend to yourself first. He ain't going anywhere."
Inu-Yasha.
"Oh Sango-chan! Your hands!"
"It's nothing Kagome. Inu-Yasha is he still bleeding?"
"A bit. And were you listening to anything at all I said?"
"Sango-chan I know you're worried about him, but Inu-Yasha is right."
"But I --"
"You're useless to him Sango. Go get yourself bandaged; I'll keep watch over him if it makes you feel better."
Apparently nobody had noticed Shino was up and listening, his eyes having adjusted to the lack of light he distinguished three figures kneeling around a futon beside his own. Inu-Yasha was closest to him with his back turned waiting for an answer.
"Come on Sango-chan, I'll help you with your hands and you'll be back here in no time."
There was another pause then finally he heard a small "Un."
He watched the shadow of Kagome head to the door and stop, waiting for Sango. She hesitated by the futon looking down to its occupant, and then got up slowly heading for Kagome. Sliding the shoji door gently he hear their footsteps disappear down the hall. Then turned back to face Inu- Yasha's back, hearing him give an angry sigh.
"Dumb ass bouzu."
"Let's go to Inu-Yasha's room so we don't wake up Shippou." Suggested Kagome as they walked down the hall.
Her friend barely nodded as they made their way to the room, looking blankly at the floor. Kagome gave an unsure smile.
"He'll be ok Sango; it was enough that you brought him all the way back here. Don't worry."
Again all she did was nod. Kagome gave a small sigh as they entered the small room. Of course Sango had all the reason in the world to worry. Both Inu-Yasha and she had been horrified when she had come back panting half covered in blood and with Miroku over her back. The make- shift bandage he had over his back was where Sango's kimono had been torn off unceremoniously. His black gi was draped loosely over his back and his purple cloth draped clumsily over his half bare shoulders.
On Inu-Yasha's petition 'What the fuck happened?!' Sango had somewhat explained what went on in their absence, no details of course, just the necessary things. Kagome gathered the healing supplies which she was convinced the group used way too much and waited as Sango changed back into her normal pink yukata and went to sit down in front of Kagome.
"Oh my... Sango what happened to you?" asked Kagome gripping one of her hands
"The parasite tried to take me up as a host." She explained.
"But I thought you said you got rid of it."
"I did."
"Oh..."
Not much else was said after that, the impatient worried look on Sango's face kept Kagome from talking. She had been in this situation many times before just as Sango had and knew no words could comfort or explain what had just happened. So not a big fan of silence she tried finishing up as soon as possible knowing everyone was waiting for her.
With a small butterfly she finished wrapping Sango's bandages careful to leave her fingers unexposed knowing she would want to tend to Miroku.
"Finished."
Sango looked up at her friend giving her a grateful nod and the best smile she could express under such stressful emotions.
"Arigatou Kagome-chan... you don't know how much ---"
"Sango-chan, what would be the point of being your friend if I can't look out for you?"
Sango nodded and gave her best friend a quick hug.
"Daijoubu." Comforted Kagome
Shinosuke from his position did nothing for quite a while. The next noise he heard was the sound of the shoji sliding open again, he didn't have to look up to know who was there.
"Inu-Yasha, will you help me with the futon in my room." Came Kagome's voice
"What about it?" he asked
"Sango would like to sleep here, and I don't want to be alone at night." She answered
Silence and then a worried "Eh?!"
More silence "You dirty minded beast! Would you just come on!" she said in an urgent whisper
Shinosuke felt the light current of air from Inu-Yasha lifting himself rapidly from the floor murmuring a small 'Feh.' hearing the faint rustle of his haori followed by various footstep and the barely audible whisper of Kagome's voice scolding Inu-Yasha,
"Really Inu-Yasha how clueless are you?"
He heard the rustle of the sliding shoji once again but never herd it seal against the wall.
"Nani?" came Kagome's voice
"What's wrong with your chest?"
After Inu-Yasha's harsh question there was silence for a while before he pulled down her yukata just enough for them to see the red gash in her chest. He exploded. From the sound of it more than angry.
"Dammit Sango, how could you do something as reckless as carry him back here with an injury like that?! Fuck it I don't know which one of you is more of a moron now! He's supposed to be the stupid one!"
"Inu-Yasha!" came Kagome's voice again.
"He's not helpless Sango, and he's probably been in situations a lot more screwed up than this, did you think of that? Did you think at all?!"
"What the hell was I supposed to do? Leave him there unconscious and bleeding to death? And who do you think you are anyway?! You're one to talk about being reckless."
"Guys..." interrupted Kagome nervously
"Do you think Miroku would have let you come running back across the entire fucking town in your condition for his sake?!"
"Yamete! Stop it! I'm sick of it! Let me?! It's not up to him or you or anyone else to decide about anything I do. When will everyone understand I'm not a porcelain doll that has to be protected and locked away. How come he can protect me at stake of his own life and I have to be the one to worry and suffer for him afterwards? It can't ever be the other way around can it?"
"You're not helpless, he knows that. But when you make it your purpose to protect someone you love it's not easy to see them hurt, you're a woman, you wouldn't understand."
Shinosuke could only imagine what Sango's face looked like right now. Inu- Yasha had made a mistake with that comment and he knew it.
"I... wouldn't understand?..." she began obviously trying very hard to control the vibrating rage that emitted from her every word.
"And I suppose I can't protect him because I'm a woman then ne?" came her voice, no longer raging and loud but low and cold "So I couldn't possibly understand what it's like to love a person so much you would be willing to give everything for them."
The tension in the room felt terrible, it even made his stomach lurch when no one seemed to have the courage to say anything to Sango.
"You know what, you're right Inu-Yasha." She began her voice dripping with sarcasm "Because of him I know only the heavy weight of guilt over my spirit when I see him laying over the futon because of me. I've memorized the awful sensation of dread and worry every time we're in a battle. And now I know what it feels like to be 'saved'."
Silence rang in the room. He would have gotten up at that very moment just to end the horrible atmosphere as he could imagine his best friend and everyone else in there trying to decide what to do. Up to some point, the hanyou was right. As a man you 'had' to protect your woman, it was your purpose. Almost like a necessity. But, he had never thought about the woman's part in all of this, and taking in Sango' words, she was right. It was actually she that came out worse.
"A person can only be so strong."
Sango's small voice rang in their ears as silence embedded them again. Before heavy footsteps made their way over to where she was standing.
"I know...." He was surprised that it was Inu-Yasha who spoke next "Try packing it on double knowing you failed to do what you practically live for." Said Inu-Yasha
Everyone in the room turned to look at the hanyou. If he knew them well enough he could imagine the serious look on half youkai much like his tone of voice, the unsure eyes of Kagome over him and Sango looking up to him with a mix of uncertainty and understanding.
"I guess you should tend to him now... but at least take one of those stick- on bandages Kagome has."
The former courage was gone from his voice and it now sounded like he had become embarrassed by something. Shinosuke didn't blame him, if he were in his situation; he probably wouldn't have been able to say half the things he said in the first place. Inu-Yasha didn't wait for anyone to respond as he quickly exited the room, the girls were left in intrigue and only Kagome could go to clear up what had just happened, probably being as it was she that was the most interested.
"Will you be ok Sango-chan?"
Sango looked up to Kagome's anxious face and gave her a knowing smile nodding lightly.
"Go see him." Said Sango to her already blushing friend
Hesitating a bit Kagome pushed herself out of the small room "I'll be right back with your bandage. And if you need anything we'll be right there ne?"
"Arigatou Kagome-chan."
Shinosuke heard the shoji slid shut for what seemed the hundredth time that night followed by disappearing footsteps and finally a long sigh from Sango.
The next thing he felt was the whisper of air as Sango kneeled down where Inu-Yasha had just been. She set, whatever it was she had in her hands beside her legs. He heard her shuffling unknown articles in her hands and the next thing he saw was the bright orange glow of a candle. He shut his eyes watching her turn towards him, not knowing why he didn't want her to know he was awake. She was probably just checking to see if her actions had woken him up.
He heard a small mew he recognized as Kirara when Kagome came back with the bandage.
"Arigatou Kagome."
"Don't worry about it. And, if you can try to get some sleep ne?"
"Un. Oyasumi nasai."
"Oyasumi Sango-chan."
Sure she was gone Sango gave out a sigh and placed the candle closer to Miroku's futon. She took the large bandage Kagome had delivered and shook off her yukata to her waist. With a damp towel she cleaned around the injury and holding her breath put a painful ointment over it Kagome had also brought for her. It stung, but this way it would heal quicker and not risk infection. She bandaged her chest shortly after and satisfied with her work slipped on her yukata again. Smiling she wondered what the monk would think if he knew she had been topless a few inches from him.
Shino very tense finally opened his eyes again to see she had clothes back on and gave a sigh of relief. It wasn't as if he didn't like what he saw but... pushing aside weird thoughts he looked over at the man across from him.
He was back side up just like him. With Sango intermediate he could only see from his head to his upper back. About at the height of his clavicles there was blood smeared all over his back, and even in the dim flicker of the golden candle he looked dreadfully pale, clammy and with an occasional bead of sweat sliding down his face.
No wonder Sango was so worried, he didn't look good at all. And to think of what Inu-Yasha had said made him feel more astonished. 'He's probably been through worse things.'
Meanwhile he noticed Sango had been rummaging through a health kit, sorting out bandages, some sort of ointment, some towels and something that made him sprout goose bumps. Now everybody had assured him he was a brave man, being a youkai exterminator and what not, but the sight of that needle and the thin portion of thread made his stomach jump.
He heard Kirara mew once again watching his master take a small towel and submerge it in a small bucket of water. The feline youkai watched as Sango gently moved the cloth across his back soaking up both drying and fresh blood. Shinosuke watched with certain curiosity as the small nekko stood from her position beside her master and walked gracefully over to the monk's face. She looked sideways at him as if analyzing what he had done to end up like this. Squatting down she inched her way towards him and nudged him gently on the chin.
"Kirara." Warned Sango rinsing the towel in the bucket.
The youkai turned at her name to find her master looking down at her in warning. But seeing the curious almost humane expression her pet was giving her she couldn't help but give a small smile.
"He's good at it ne?" she whispered to the nekko
Passing the soaked towel over him again her smile tightened "Making you worry." She finished
Kirara blinked up at her owner and gave a soft mew. When Sango didn't stop her work, her pet looked back at Miroku and set her head over small paws, staring at him from two inches away.
Sango knew Shinosuke was up, she had felt him when Inu-Yasha and Kagome had left the room. And just now when she had pulled of her yukata. He was so tense it almost made her laugh. He had probably been up since they barged in here with Miroku. Getting back to what she had to do the smile on her face disappeared.
She swore to herself she would never be a healer, she had trouble not sympathizing with the injured. Most of the time she imagined how they must feel and that kept her from doing anything to help them. Her mother would always tell her that it wasn't her that was suffering, but the patient, and her job was not to sympathize but to heal. She never could. Not even with Miroku who never so much as twitched in pain no matter what she was doing to him. His pain would always be hers, even the one he hid.
After his back was relatively clean she took the ointment carefully dabbing a bit of disinfectant on the small wounds first. There had to be at least ten of them. The scrapes and the other wounds only needed a bit of cleaning.
Finishing up the superficial cuts, she reluctantly put down the peachy red stained towel. Knowing what she had to do next she gave a quick sigh. The idea didn't get her to jump for joy. Her father used to tell her she was the best at mending; she hated it. Human skin was hard and every time you punctured through it besides feeling the hard puncture you also hear the way the skin popped making way for the expanding needle.
She felt Shinosuke tense behind her once again when she collected the needle and took out the old thread still in the eye. He had been falling asleep a while ago, but she knew how much he hated needles. Funny as he had faced dozens of creatures with natural weapons so much more frightening that a simple sharp piece of metal or hard wood.
Leaning in over the melting candle she inserted the slender piece of thread through the barely visible hole. Once done she took an approximate measure and cut the thread. She bent over him hesitating, looking over to his face with the needle inches away from his skin. She had healed Miroku dozens of times, if not more, she added sourly. While doing this she had seen he had had some of his own needlework done. The most noticeable scar on his left calf, and though the scar was quite long you could see from it that the person who had done it was also very skilled at what they did, she wondered if Moushin had been responsible for that. Not knowing why she doubted it.
With all this present in her mind, it was the first time she did this to him. Her tired shoulders dropped slightly reminding her that she still had injuries of her own. Giving a secret sigh she set her hands over his back hopefully ready to begin.
Six pages is my limit, if not I would have continued... am I realy that good at cliffies? evil smirk
New chapters almost here!! .