Authoress' Notes: Ah, the Epilogue...
If you want a real treat... read my review from: Jaid Skywalker.... Outtakes... She wrote outtakes from the final chapter... go read them you seriously won't be disappointed.
Family Ties: Epilogue
" Houshi-sama, slow down; we'll be there shortly." Sango complained in response to the reckless pace she and the monk had been traveling at since dawn.
Miroku sighed softly and chuckled softly. "I'm sorry, Sango. I'm just anxious to see if all three of them are still alive after the long winter."
"I'm sure they're all fine." Sango gave a reassuring smile. "You received a letter from Michi less-then a week ago."
"A week is a frightfully long time when it comes to Michi and Moushin."
"They don't get a long?" Sango questioned.
Miroku rubbed his forehead. "They get along...sometimes. Only when they aren't getting along things tends to become dangerous."
"I'm sure Michi would have..." Sango trailed off and pointed north. " There's the peak of the temple."
" That's comforting. At least, we know they haven't brunt it down."
"They fight that badly?"
"It's not that they don't like each other. It's just that they are both very stubborn and set in their ways." Miroku sighed again, before settling into stride with Sango. He had planned to visit Michi, Tanaya, and Moushin on his own, but Sango had insisted on coming with him She told him that she'd only worry about him getting into trouble if he went on his own.
A small voice broke through Miroku's thoughts.
"But if I jump to my other foot, I'll fall!" Tanaya cried out.
"This is an exercise in balance; you won't fall." Moushin argued.
A resounding crash echoed through forest, before a loud cry sounded from Tanaya. "Ow! I told you I'd fall!"
The little girl might have continued complaining and rubbing her head, but she caught sight of something that made her forget the painful lesson. "MIKO!! MIKO!!" She raced across the yard and into Miroku's arms.
" Hello little Angel. How are you?" Miroku asked as he hugged her tightly.
"My head hurts from falling down." She stuck on her bottom lip and looked sad.
Miroku kissed her head and adjusted his grip on her. "How's that?"
" Better. Miko, I missed you so much! It was so boring here after the snow."
"I'm sorry you were bored. How are your lessons?" He set her on the ground and smoothed back her hair.
" She's too stubborn to learn, just like her mother." Moushin grumbled.
" Sango! I'm happy to see you too!" Tanaya rushed over to greet Sango. "Where's Shippou? Oh hello, Kirara." She petted the fire-cat happily.
Sango set down the bag she'd been carrying on her back. "He had to stay with Kagome and Inuyasha, but wanted me to wish you well and I think he put something sweet in the bag for you."
" Really?!?" Tanaya excited began looking though the bag of treasures.
Miroku shook his head at Tanaya, before regarded Moushin. "Where is Michi? I figured she'd come as soon she heard Tanaya yelling."
Moushin snorted, "She's talking toToshihiro."
"And who may I ask is, Toshihiro?" Miroku's eyebrow shot up curious.
"Some hunter, that is more interested in hunting Michi, than anything living in these woods." Moushin huffed. "To think I save his life and when he finally returns to repay me all he wants to do is impress Michi."
"I see." Miroku started walking around the temple. "I'll be right back."
Miroku stopped short at the side of the temple and peered around the corner. He could see Michi talking to, whom he would assume was, Toshihiro. Her fingers were absently-mindedly playing with the scarf draped over her shoulders as she spoke to the man.
Apparently, Toshihiro was getting ready to leave, since he was standing near a horse. It wasn't entirely out of place for a hunter to have a horse and there was a bow on the saddle, but that horse was very well breed and the man had armor. This man was no ordinary hunter.
Miroku couldn't hear the conversation clearly; he could only pick out a word here and there. Toshihiro's voice was deep but calm and he seemed to be very respectful of the woman standing in front of him. Michi's voice was so quiet and soft that it seemed like she was being shy.
It looked as if she was motioning for him to leave. Toshihiro leaned close to Michi and wrapped the scarf over her head, before kissing her gently.
Miroku's eyebrows arched high at the sight he was seeing and nearly snorted at the clearly heard term of 'Princess.'
Michi waved goodbye and watched until Toshihiro was over the hill. She folded her hands and sighed contentedly, before turning around and pumping her fist and exclaiming a quiet, "Yes!"
" Really?" Miroku questioned.
Michi jumped, but quickly spit out, "Oh Love, you weren't supposed to see that." She desperately tried to distract him from her unladylike celebration.
" Really? So I should of closed my eyes, Princess?" He teased.
"You are awful." Michi complained, lowering the scarf from her head and hugging him. "But I missed you, anyway. How are you?"
" Still breathing."
"I would hope so, else you're a very animated corpse." Michi smiled. "How are your friends?"
" Doing well. Now on that subject: who is this, Toshihiro? No common hunter has armor or a horse like that." Miroku prodded.
Michi smiled softly, "Toshihiro, is a hunter, but he used to be samurai. He wants to live the rest of his life without shedding human blood."
"His Lord just allowed him to leave his service?" Miroku looked doubtful.
" Toshihiro nearly died saving the Lord and the Lord promised Toshihiro anything he wanted. Toshihiro chose freedom. He's good with a bow, so a hunter is a good profession for him. He lives in the village. Moushin saved his life a year ago..."
"I heard. What does he want with you?"
Michi rubbed her hand over her heart. "Ouch. That was cruel. I think he wants to marry me."
" He'll have to get by me first. And I didn't mean anything by that comment I was only trying to figure out his intentions."
"I know you didn't. You know, Tanaya's very fond of him."
Miroku stretched lazily. "And Moushin?"
"He's still not talking to me." She stated matter-of-factly.
" Why?"
"I don't know, I think it may have something to do with the sake bottles I broke."
Miroku rolled his eyes and offered her his arm. "Come on, Sango's here and she brought a lot of nice things from Kagome."
Michi put her arm on Miroku, but didn't move. She brought her right hand to his and squeezed the back of it. Her eyes were bright as she smiled and brought her right hand to his face. "I'm having visions again. I saw a little boy that looked like you. I think he was yours, but I can't be sure."
"The future is uncertain." Miroku tapped her nose and the two started walking again. "Although, maybe if you tweaked that vision a bit I could convince Sango..."
Michi whapped Miroku in the back of the head, "You're awful. I tell you I can see visions again and you want to use me to con your way into her bed!"
Miroku made a shuddering sound and complained, "You make it sound so dirty."
" Because it is."
"And your intentions for Toshihiro are innocent?" Miroku smirked.
"We aren't talking about me." Michi snickered. "I should show Sango my favorite poem."
"No." Miroku argued. "Don't and pretend you did."
"But it sounds so much like you." Michi laughed.
" Michi..."
Now that truly is the end... but I promised someone that I would put in the poem that Michi and Miroku were talking about:
"This inn
on the road to Iwanoune
is a cold place to sleep...
Oh monk,
Would you please lend me your robes?
The monk's reply:
Those who have given up the world
wear only a single layer
of moss-rough cloth,
yet not to offer it would be heartless.
Let us sleep together, than."
- Ono No Komachi from Jane Hirshfield's translations in The Ink Dark Moon
And the poem, by the way, was written in the 1st century... And the book is really awesome I've read it many times.