Authoress' Notes: GAH! I hate editing... it's a pain... Anyways...
Family Ties: Part 17
The temple was surprisingly still for the amount of people occupying it. Inuyasha was restless to get moving again, but finally, thanks to Kagome's suggestions, he agreed to spend one more night away from the jewel-shard hunt. He was on the roof, on the section of the temple, away from waterfall; keeping watch for any danger. Kagome and Shippou were sound asleep in Kagome's sleeping bag. Sango had disappeared some time ago and Moushin was treating Michi's injuries.
Miroku was carrying the sleeping Tanaya back to her mother. He could smell the herbs and burnt incense and could see Michi already unconscious on the ground, with fresh bandages on her feet. He knelt by the sleeping woman and placed Tanaya next to her. Instinctively, Michi pulled Tanaya closer to her and Miroku covered both of them with a blanket.
He straightened up and looked at his mentor, "How bad were her legs?"
"They could've been worse, but traveling so hard certainly didn't help." Moushin shook his head disapprovingly. "Found a lot of stones in there; dirt too. You both know better; should have kept them cleaner."
Miroku folded his arms over his chest, "We didn't have a lot of options on the road."
"You should have taken them to Kyoto." Moushin walked out of the room, with Miroku following behind them. "A temple in the woods is no place for a woman and her child."
"You can argue this as much as you want to, but it doesn't change the fact that Michi hates Kyoto. She prefers the country."
"No one asks what I prefer."
"Try being sober once and while; we might take you more seriously." Miroku offered.
"That child's going to be trouble. She's just like you." Moushin grumbled as he moved out onto the porch overlooking the waterfall.
"So I hear." Miroku sighed. "Look, if you could put up with me than you can withstand Tanaya. Besides, Michi will keep Tanaya in line. She shouldn't give you too many headaches."
Moushin snorted, "I need a drink."
"You need another drink like I need this hole in my hand. (AN: Thanks to Tyric Stinnet, my brother, for this line!)" Miroku rubbed his right wrist and looked out over the water. "What's that?" The clouds obscured the moon and stars and he couldn't make out the shape near the water due to the lack of light.
Moushin choose to ignore the joke at his expense. "That's Sango. She offered to go get water for me."
Miroku whacked the old man over the head. "Don't you have any shame? Asking a woman to fetch you water in the middle of the night?!? It's ludicrous, even though Sango can take care of herself..."
" Don't lecture your teacher." Moushin used Miroku's own staff against him, thumping the younger man on the head. "She asked if she could help with anything. You should have asked before she did. Honestly, you'd think I didn't teach you any proper..." Moushin trailed off realizing that Miroku had lowered himself from the porch and was walking towards Sango. "What you think you're doing?"
"I'm fetching your water. Go get another drink." Miroku answered without looking behind him.
Moushin shook his head and walked back into the temple.
Sango hefted the last bucket of water onto the bank and wiped the sweat from her brow. It was so dark out tonight that it made gathering water an actual challenge.
" Sango are you alright?" Miroku called out to her as he moved down the hill.
"Yes, Houshi-sama, I am fine." She squinted trying to see him better. " Be careful, you're close to the bank."
"I know. I've already been down in the water today. You shouldn't have done this."
"I didn't mind. Besides, Moushin probably isn't used to gathering water for more than one person, Tanaya's probably never done it and Michi's injured. I'm glad to help." Sango started up the bank, but slipped on the rocks. She flailed her arms as she tried to regain her balance, but started to fall backwards despite her efforts.
Miroku caught her hands and jerked her towards him as she pitched forward. She slammed into his chest and they both crashed on the ground.
Sango struggled to get up, uncomfortable being on top of the monk, especially in her demon exterminator uniform; it's snug fit was too tempting for his wandering hands. Miroku still had a hold of her hands; she couldn't push herself up off of him. "Houshi-sama, my hands, please." She finally managed to request.
"Of course, I'm sorry." Miroku released his grip on her hands and let Sango stand to her feet.
She looked down at the monk and extended her hand to him. "I'm sorry, I got you all wet again."
Miroku let her help him stand, than he looked down at his robes, "That's alright. Here, I'll help you carry this water back." He noticed that there were four buckets of water. "May I ask; how were you going to carry four buckets of water?"
"Make two trips." Sango smiled and lifted the two buckets closest to her. Miroku lifted the other to buckets and they started up the hill. " Why did you come down to the water?"
"To help you." He answered simply, before adding. "I felt guilty about you fetching water, when I should be doing it."
" Liar." Sango accused.
Miroku chuckled, "All right, I was hoping to be tackled by you and I got my wish. Thank you very much."
Sango blushed despite herself. "You are awful."
"Yes, I know." Miroku set the water buckets down near the porch of the temple. "We can leave these here." He paced over to the temple steps and sat down heavily. He looked at Sango; the light from the temple cast an eerie glow on her features. He patted the step he was sitting on, "Come sit down for a moment?"
Sango realized what a bad idea this probably was, since he hadn't groped her in days and this was a perfect opportunity.
"No ill intentions on my part I promise." He smiled encouragingly.
Sango, now slightly less wary, sat down next to Miroku. She turned her head to look at him and noted his more serious expression. "Is something wrong, Houshi-sama?"
He nodded but didn't speak. He looked up at the moon as it shinned through a hole in the clouds. He clenched and unclenched his right hand and continued to look away from her.
Sango reached towards him and pulled his right hand into both of hers. She rested the palm of it against the palm of her left hands and laid her right hand over his fingers. "It's alright. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
Miroku's eyes were wide, his expression clearly showing his shock at Sango's actions. Her hands were much smaller than his, but he could feel the calluses on her fingers and the strength. He smiled softly, enjoying the tender contact. He cleared his throat and gained her attention.
" Sango, I do need to speak to you."
Her eyes reflected the light from the temple as she stared directly into his eyes. "I'm listening."
" While I was dreaming, I saw you. You warned me to stay away from the river." He drew his hand away from hers and clasped his own together.
"I remember that, I was having the same dream." Sango scuffed her foot on the step. "Michi told me that what I was seeing was the Bardo."
"I think she was right. Sango, how did you see that world? Tell me whatever you can remember."
" There isn't much to remember. It was dead and what wasn't dead was dying. It was so dark; I think any light that was there was coming from the other side of the river. It felt so threatening there. I was frightened, and all I wanted to do was escape." Sango pulled her arms around her chest, shuddering at the memory. "What did you see there that gave you so much comfort?"
Miroku furrowed his eyebrows. "Sango, to me that world was comfort. It was like a resting place. There was nothing but light." He paused before continuing quietly. "Do you know why people cross the river?"
" Michi told us that it was because people don't see any light there." Sango shook her head. "Houshi-sama, don't worry for me. I will not die soon. I must defeat Naraku, before I can even dream of rest."
Miroku had turned away from her. His eyes were now focused on the sky again. He wore a very pensive expression and seemed that he was no longer involved in their conversation.
Sango sighed softly and stood to her feet. "Goodnight, Houshi-sama." She had reached the top step, when his normally calm voice called out almost desperately to her.
" Don't live for him." He hadn't turned his face away from the sky, though he'd stood to his feet.
" What?" Sango questioned.
Miroku turned and ascended the steps so quickly that Sango jumped. "Don't live for Naraku, Sango. Don't let him be the reason for your life."
"How can you say that?" Disgust and anger flashed in Sango's eyes.
"I seek Naraku for the life I will attain after he is defeated. He is only a step-stone in my path." Miroku rested his hands on Sango's shoulders. "But, I fear, Sango that defeating him is the last thing you plan to do in this life."
Sango dropped her head, trying to avoid looking at Miroku. She clamped her eyes closed and locked her jaw trying to keep any emotion from slipping out.
"Look at me." He coaxed, but she remained focused on the ground. " Please, Sango, look at me."
She finally lifted her face to look him in the eye and tears began coursing down her face immediately. "Why would it concern you?" She managed through her tight throat.
"You are my friend. I want you to live and to be happy."
"I can take care of myself." Sango roughly wiped the tears from her left cheek and would have down the same to the other, but Miroku stopped her.
He brushed the back of his right hand over her right cheek, but maintained the distance between them. "Don't give up on me, Sango."
She choked down another sob and tried to pull away from him, but his left hand held fast on her shoulder.
He moved closer to her, and wiped the last remnant of her tears away with his thumb. "Don't give up."
They stood there still as Sango regained her composure and Miroku decided what action to take. The sound of their breathing was drowned out by a gust of wind. A lock of Miroku's hair came out of the tie and lay across his forehead.
Tentatively, Sango reached up and tucked the wayward lock back into place. He smiled at the gesture and she smiled back. She moved his hand away from her face, than leaned closer to him wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug.
Miroku enclosed her in his arms, pulling her as close as he could. He could feel her bury her face into his robes, but she wasn't crying. He felt her lift her head up, but her grip on him didn't waver.
Her maroon/brown eyes met his, as her cheeks turned bright pink. "I'm sorry, Houshi-sama. I just..."
"Shh. I don't mind at all. Why would I?" He gave a perverted smirk, hoping to make her smile or at least roll her eyes. When she kept her eyes locked with his, he could feel the familiar attraction between their bodies. He leaned his forehead against hers trying to think about anything but those lips of hers.
She tried to lift her head to kiss him, but he moved away ever so slightly.
He couldn't take advantage of her in this state; she was still upset. It would be best to embarrass her, get clobbered and try another day. "I told you, if you wanted me to kiss you then you'd have to ask." He closed his eyes awaiting the coming blow.
She swallowed and let out a puff air before licking her lips. She swallowed again, finding it slightly hard to breath with him that close. "Miroku," She whispered as his eyes flew open in shock at the use of his name and the sound of her voice. She managed to push the words out of her currently uncooperative mouth. "I want you to kiss me."
Miroku was looking into those open, trusting eyes of hers. He moved his left arm, disentangling it from her body and being careful not to do anything that she might take offence to. He cradled the side of her face with his left hand and lowered his face to hers. He stopped just above her lips and told her, "You have to promise me you won't give up."
" Give me a reason not to."
He pressed his lips to hers. It wasn't a passionate, fiery kiss; it was soft and chaste, a promise of love and hope for the future. He pulled away from her lips and kissed her forehead. "We need to get our rest. We're going to start traveling again tomorrow."
Sango nodded and walked towards the door. "Aren't you coming?"
"Not just yet, I need to think. Goodnight, Sango. Pleasant dreams." He bid her turning around to face the forest.
" Goodnight, Miroku." Her footsteps were undetectable as she entered the temple.
He drew in a deep breath of the forest air, trying to memorize the moment that had just occurred.