disclaimer: see chapter 13

XII. Nightmare

In her unconscious state, Sango was having a nightmare. She dreamed that she had gone through with her plan, and Naraku kept his end of the deal. Kohaku came back to her, yet she was not happy. The price that she had paid was too heavy.

Houshi-sama…She stared in horror at her hands, which were covered in his blood. How could she! She killed someone she loved, just like Kohaku once did.

She was turning into a monster. Then she went after Kagome and Shippo, wanting to, but unable to stop. She fought against the urge to spill their blood. It was as if something, or someone was controlling her. Naraku.

No! She screamed, but no sound came. I can't, won't, do this. Stop it, Naraku! I won't listen.

She wanted to wake up, but couldn't. Then she heard the screams of her friends dying at her hands. She dropped to her knees and covered her ears, trying desperately to block out the sounds. Tears of desperation flooded her eyes.

She looked up saw a glowing form coming towards her. She wiped the tears away, squinted and saw that it was Miroku surrounded by a white glow.

Sango, come back to us. It's okay to be afraid. We'll try our best to make everything all right again and we'll get Kohaku back. I will personally make sure of it.

Houshi-sama, she ran towards the figure and embraced it. I'm sorry, She sobbed.

Suddenly, the scene shifted. Instead of hugging the figure of Miroku, she was hugging her little brother. He was the innocent little boy that he once was. Sango was so overjoyed. Kohaku, you came back to me!

Kohaku joined their group and together, and they defeated Naraku. Miroku's comforting words echoed in her mind and gave her hope that everything will be all right.

Sango opened her eyes and saw a ceiling. It was dark; the only light was the light of the wane moon. She was disoriented, so she looked around and took in her surroundings. She concluded that it was nighttime in a hut.

She looked to her left and almost screamed if she had the energy. Miroku was lying beside her, close. At least they weren't sharing the same blanket. He was sleeping on his side, facing her. His hand was draped gently on the part of the blanket that was over her stomach.

Her first instinct was to smack him, but his face seemed so calm and innocent. And he looked almost handsome.

"Sango…" He muttered in his sleep and his hand that was on her stomach twitched.

Sango was freaked out and slowly shifted away from him while watching his hand warily. She winced and let out a tiny squeak as pain shot up from her shoulder.

"You're awake." Sango was startled by Miroku's voice. She turned towards him and saw that he was smiling.

"What does it look like?" Sango snapped, a bit annoyed about the fact that he was sleeping next to her.

"I'm glad you're okay," he sighed softly. Sango was surprise to see that he looked relieved.

"I, I was worried. I was afraid that…" Miroku trailed off and avoided Sango's gaze.

She suddenly felt guilty that she was annoyed with him when he was so worried about her.

"I'm sorry," she said softly.

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't protect you like I said I would."

Sango remembered. She remembered that Kohaku wounded her and that she fell against Miroku.

"You should've listened to me and stayed away," Sango whispered. But her tone wasn't angry.

"I couldn't let you fight alone," Miroku looked into her eyes.

Sango looked away. All of this was her fault. She wanted to make a deal with Naraku, and almost got Miroku killed twice. It was her own fault that she was injured.

She turned her head to face Miroku again.

"I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?" Miroku nodded.

"Thank you, Houshi-sama."

They went back to sleep with smiles on their faces. And Sango didn't even mind that Miroku's hand was on her stomach.

yay, fluffiness!!! almost done...sniff...

still looking for plot ideas for Naraku/Kag's mom story...also, i need suggestions for a first name for Mrs. Higurashi since i'm not too good at thinking up Japanese (or japanese-sounding) names