Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any other such characters. Yeah.

Hey all. Well, I got 4 reviews. Can't complain- but I won't continue unless I get 5 reviews for this next chapter. So review or loose this story. Got it? Thanks! ^_^

Sara1664: SHO! NEVER TOO MANY HORSES! my fellow horse rider! so, what kind of horse riding to u do? western? english? games? Xcountry? dressage? eventing? show jumping? barrels? pole bending? sorry, my bad. anywho. thankies for the review!

Schizophrenic Pyromaniac: Hey, buddy 'ol pal! i have a msg from Sango to u:

-Um, you are welcome for you are welcome! *snuggles heart-eyed Miroku* I am happy at the moment- which is a big deal for me! *hands u a plushie of herself with a signed card in Japanese* ~Sango

Yeah. made up conversation between me and Sango! *huggles her* the medication isnt working. my bad!

Tsuna: yeah. welcome. i am glad i made u feel special and what not. u are very special. u rock! *hands u a cookie* enjoy and read on!

Lil-strange-person: awesome name!!! ^_^ u are hooked? ehhh-xcellannnntt... muhahaha!! yet another person! next victim plz! sorry about that!!! nice to know somebody appreciates my story- i feel so special when ppl like u write me and say they like what i work so hard on!

CD: Lil-strange-person

*A Slave To One's Fears*

*Chapter 5*

Coming from me, you'd have never thought

That I could rebel...

Well I have.

And I do.

And I will.

And I'm not giving up until you're dead on the ground.

*Miroku's POV*

I was riding swiftly back to Chani. I wanted to spend every minute of my day with her- she was so special to me. I didn't like to put it this way, but she was my favorite slave. But I didn't really consider her a slave- and I didn't really consider her to be just another girl to touch. She was unique... she had been hurt before, and I was determined to never force her into another situation like that again.

I walked up to the clearing by the stream where I had left her, and stopped in my tracks. She was dozing peacefully in a patch of mottled sunlight. She was delicately laid on the soft, fuzzy moss that grew beside the water's edge. Her hands were closed loosely and up by her ears; her elbows were near her sides. Chani wore nothing but a white, securely wrapped chest cloth (it was all bunched up) and a loose white underskirt. The underskirt was plain, and consisted of a large piece of white material tied on her left hip. She looked so peaceful and warm, I didn't dare wake her. Laying her folded clothes gently down beside her, I began to prepare the meal.

5 minutes after I arrived, Chani shifted, then sat up. She jumped when she saw me. After all, she hadn't been aware I had been in her presence. Blushing lightly in the cutest way I have ever seen, she walked over to me. I couldn't help but notice the way her hips swung gently from side to side, the white skirt's enormous slit up the side opening and closing with each step. The knot was placed precariously low on her hip, showing off a tight stomach and an over-all fit body. I tried not to will the knot to slip off completely. I resisted the urge to grab her and undo it myself.

*Sango's POV*

I awoke to the smell of noodles cooking. Waking with a start, I shifted my body and stretched. Then I realized Miroku was in the clearing. I couldn't BELIEVE he had seen me sleeping... but had done nothing. Something my other master would have never done. A warm feeling crept over my cheeks. Standing, I felt coolness return to my face and I walked towards him. His eyes widened suddenly, and I couldn't help but wonder why. He puzzled me.

I whispered a thank you to him, then went off to change. Pulling the clean clothes on, I went back to him and studied him as he began to make some kind of noodle soup, with meat and various herbs in it. It smelled heavenly. He had a sleeveless shirt on, open all the way down to his belt. It was tucked in to the cloth belt, which went over his pants. He had on sandals and seemed completely at ease in his attire. He handed me a bowl of the stuff, I sniffed and took a sip. Smiling at the wonderful taste, I raised my bowl shyly to him and drank some more. He smiled. Something within me stirred- something completely unknown. I pondered over my meal on what it was. Perhaps... no... I was utterly confused. What was the warm feeling that had just washed over me when he lightened his face with a smile? A smile just for me?

He scooted closer, and the warm liquid sensation washed over my body, this time my stomach. I felt nervous as he slowly put his arm around me. I willed my breathing to be slow, calm- I wasn't afraid of him, was I? He put his empty bowl down and pointed, leaning his face right by mine. My breath was no longer under my control- and I was more confused then ever. It caught somewhere between my chest and throat. I looked where he was pointing: a small, colorful bird had landed upon a blossoming branch. It began to sing a song, lighting the world around us. Miroku gave my shoulders a squeeze at my happy gasp at the bird's beautifully simple melody. To my utter surprise, my body reacted without a command. I leaned into him, and before I knew it, my head was on his shoulders. He settled back against a tree, his arm still about my shoulders. I, in shock, put my hand on his chest to steady myself- and found his hand on mine, holding it against him. I felt his heartbeat beneath my palm, and slowed my breathing in calm. My eyes flicked upwards, I found him looking at me. His eyes caressed my skin, looking me over. It was then I realized I was pressed against him, held there by my own willing weight. My lower stomach alighted in fire. I gasped inwardly.

*Miroku's POV*

All I did was scoot closer and point out a bird, and the next thing I know I'm holding her. I couldn't breathe- her hand was touching my bare skin... From the moment her hand touched my chest, flames furled around my heart. I couldn't breathe for fear my quickened breath would give my feelings away. Wait- what feelings? I... liked... my newest 'slave'? True, I felt a connection, but this? I would never be prepared for this. How could I be falling so quickly in such a short time? How?

I looked her over, looking at every gentle curve of her body. The body that Naraku had taken, had beaten, had raped... Could I hold her like this and be fair to her? Be fair to my promise to never touch her? I knew I couldn't... so I stood. Chani looked up at me, confused. I realized she had never experienced something like this, had never felt a man touch her just for the sake of being able to hold her. Just for the knowledge that for a few brief moments of heaven, he had held the one he cared for. I turned away in an attempt to keep my sanity and to keep myself from clinging to her. I had fallen so fast, it was barely even logical.

I felt a gentle, soft hand upon my shoulder. It left as Chani walked in front of me. She whispered just three words.

"What is this?" I looked down. She put her finger under my chin and lifted it. I saw her lean forward.

She kissed me. My instincts went wild.

I wrapped my arms around her, believing, hoping she wanted this. I felt no resistance... but I realized she was doing this because she was TRAINED. A trained slave, doing her job to pleasure her master. She was slipping away, I could feel her draining herself of energy. I broke away and pushed her as lightly as I could.

"SANGO! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS DO THIS? YOU ACT LIKE I WANT TO TAKE YOU! I DO NOT! I DO NOT!" I took a breath. "I do not own you. If I ever kiss you or touch you, hit me. Hard. Be mad at me, run away. If you don't want it, don't have it." Chani nodded, tears welling. I must have pushed her harder then I wanted to. I looked at the ground, embarrassed at my outburst. She spoke quietly.

"I am so sorry... I don't know why I do that. I'm so used to this being the way things are. But you know what, Miroku? I have never kissed a man before. Never. Never through my own will. Until now." I nearly choked. What? She had kissed me- because she wanted to? "I don't know why I did that. I'm sorry- I never meant to put my head on you or kiss you or anything at all. I'm so confused! Help me- what is this?" I realized something: she was completely and utterly lost. She had no idea what 'liking' someone meant.

"Well, Sango. It appears that your body rather took advantage of you and of the moment. Do you know what courting is?" She shook her head, then spoke up.

"Well, once there was this girl, a slave of Naraku, who fell in love with a local villager- they met each other at night. But Naraku found out, and did away with both of them." She looked at me, silently asking if this was right.

"That's horrible. But that's not courting. That's becoming a lover- and I pray you never get mixed up in that. Anyway, courting is official. It involves two who are perhaps interested in each other visiting. Traditionally, the man involved goes and seeks out the female at her house or residence, and spends time with her. The idea is for him to eventually propose and marry her. Sometimes, it's more just seeing one another then preparing to marry. Sort of... testing the ground. A fine example would be Inuyasha and Kagome- they won't admit it if you put a dagger to their throats, but they are completely in it for each other. Rin, in turn, is courting Sesshomaru- but they're willing to admit it. See?" Sango let out an 'oooh' and nodded.

"I see. But what are WE doing?" The hardest question yet. I shrugged.

"I don't know. I guess we just lapsed there for a second. Both of us are unaccustomed to having another so close. Maybe we just filled in the silence." Sango smiled.

"Yeah. That must be it..." We both fell into silence, sitting down on the bank and finishing what was left of the soup.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*General POV*

"Message for Lord Miroku-sama!" A message boy tore into the yard atop a panting chestnut horse. Handing a scroll and a large package to Sango, he tore off. Miroku, who was working with a young steel gray demon filly, yelled out to Sango.

"Oi, Chani, read me the message if it's not too personal!" Sango blushed. She couldn't read... Now that she looked, the slashes across the paper seemed to mix together. That, and the package was huge, bigger then her.

"Uh, that's ok, I'll just let you read it..." Miroku stopped. It must be personal... The message read:

~Lord Miroku:

Thank you for training my colt. Much appreciated. Here is your payment- it is very valuable, I assure you.

Now Miroku was just confused. This wasn't personal at all- just a letter about payment. Turning to Chani, he cocked his head.

"Sango, how is this letter personal? You could have just read it-"

"No. I couldn't have. I- I can't read." Miroku stared and all the people stopped working.

"Can't read? Why didn't you tell me?" Sango shrugged.

"You never asked... Can the rest of those indentured to you read?" Everyone in the courtyard nodded, even down to Shippou. "It's just- Naraku said that slaves were born stupid and didn't deserve to be taught anything. I can't read or write or anything at all." Miroku shook his head.

"Another way for Naraku to suppress his slaves. I'll teach you to read and write, Chani. You need to know how to live in my world." Sango gasped and clasped her hands, thoroughly excited.

"Really? Will you? That is so kind of you!" She dropped to the ground and thanked him, slave style. Miroku cleared his throat.

"No problem... now get up. None of that. If you also wish, I could teach you a trade- what do you want to be?" Sango shrugged as she got up. She'd never given such thoughts a notion. "Why don't you open that package? I'm dying to see what the old Lord gave me." Sango nodded and picked up the package. As soon as she picked it up, she felt the wonderful weight balance throughout her arms. She took off the packaging material, and gasped. A giant boomerang lay inside, complete with the traditional ties and wrappings. A long, black length of material lay across it for securing it to something. Sango reverently lay it down on the ground upon it's package, her small, strong hands traveling along it's bone surface. Miroku cried out.

"That bastard gave me a taji-ya weapon! A TAJI-YA WEAPON! What does he think I do for a living, kill demons?" Sango continued to travel the weapon with her eyes and fingertips.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. Miroku stopped his ranting. A broad smile covered his face.

"You like it, Chani?" She nodded, then looked up at him. "Have it. Are you a taji-ya?"

"A demon exterminator? Certainly not. Did you just tell me I can HAVE it?" At his nod and smile, she laughed and hugged the huge weapon. Her hands touched a piece of paper and she drew it out from the material beneath it. Confused, she handed the paper to Miroku. It had slashes on it. Miroku grinned upon reading it.

"Sango, time for your first writing lesson. Memorize how to draw this- it says 'Hiraikotsu'. That is the name of the boomerang." He handed the paper back. Sango traced her fingers over the beautiful lettering, then copied them into the dust.

"Hiraikotsu... boomerang bone..." Miroku dropped down beside her.

"Hai, that is how you spell Hiraikotsu. And yes, that is what it means." He wrote 'boomerang bone' in the dust beside her 'Hiraikotsu'. Smiling at her, he took her hands and pulled her up. Picking up Hiraikotsu, he positioned it against her back. Sango wavered, then stood tall as she felt her weight blend with the weapon's.

"I think... I think I want to be a taji-ya. Can you train me?" Miroku frowned.

"I can certainly try- at the very least, I can teach you how to use your newfound love here. Grab it like this..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Two hours of training later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome shook her head. She'd never figure out how the girl Sango had learnt so quickly. Already, she was throwing harder, faster, farther then Miroku- he was nothing to spit at.

"Hiraikotsu!" Sango triumphantly yelled as she thrust the boomerang across one of the pastures. It whirled, too fast to follow, down the field and back, where she caught it gracefully, her shoulders rotating as the inertia of the boomerang shoved her back. She didn't move her feet however, she kept her ground and surprised all by releasing the boomerang right back, three times over. She caught it and spun it out again with stunning rapidity, never losing time or power. She stopped, panting a bit, but exhilarated from the successful throws. Miroku applauded, and Kagome gave her a hug. Chani spoke, breathless.

"How- was- that?" She gasped. "It-felt- great!" Miroku swept her into a twirling hug, Hiraikotsu and all.

"You were stunning! I am AFRAID of you now! You're a natural, you'll make a great taji-ya... just leave Shippou, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and Kouga alone and I'll teach you more!" Kagome and Sango laughed. The boys had been quite scared when they heard Sango wanted to kill them... but not really. She had joked that when she was good enough, she would whip them into shape. Kagome, Rin, and Miroku and had hugged her until she choked. Stiffening, Chani perked up and spoke in a dead serious voice.

"A demon approaches." Indeed, Sesshomaru and Rin walked into sight. The original threesome laughed at Sango's newfound abilities. After showing off her skills to the pair, they all decided to turn in for the night. Sango and Miroku stayed up, Sango taking care of a slightly dirty Hiraikotsu, Miroku content to just watch her.

She's so graceful- and she's starting to fit in. I'm so happy for her, but I'm also sad. I want to be with her, but I can't. What happened earlier today is going to haunt me, I just know it. I need to tell her... or else, I'll go crazy! Lost in his thoughts, Miroku looked over at Chani. They were the only ones in the room: everyone else had cleared out mysteriously. Chani lay sleeping, Hiraikotsu was wrapped up and propped in a corner. Her tempting chest rose and fell with every breath and her body was curled. Miroku wanted so bad to just go over to her and spoon up behind her, feel her body next to his. He longed for her touch- for her to kiss him again. To kiss him for real this time. Shuffling over to her, he stroked her face of it's few stray hairs. The soft strands entwined his fingers. Chani's eyes fluttered open, and Miroku found himself staring at her, hand on her face. She sat up, her low-tied pony tail shifting across her back. Miroku couldn't stand it.

"Sango?"

"Mmm?"

"May I- may I undo your hair? Please?" She nodded, her eyes sleepy. Moving behind her, he undid the tie at the end of her long, brown hair. It fell down her back, shimmering in the firelight. He ran his hands through it, feeling the silky softness between his fingers. Sango sighed. Miroku leaned forward and whispered into her ear.

"Chani? Do you remember what I said? I mean, about how you should hit me, anything, if I do something you don't want?" At her nod, he took a daring breath and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to sit in his lap. He kept his arms around her waist, waiting for her to whirl and smack him cross-eyed. To his utter amazement, she crossed her own arms and took his hands in hers. She put her back on his shoulder and squirmed as he nuzzled into her hair. She moaned quietly as he tightened his arms around her and brought her body closer to his. Breathing in her wonderful lavender scent, he had to bite his lip to keep from kissing her neck and face until she was senseless with... anything. He looked her in the eyes. Her beautiful dark brown eyes searched his, calm with sleepiness. She put her nose against his cheek, then removed it. She shyly placed a small kiss on his jaw and dropped off to sleep in his arms.

^*sniffs* SO CUTE!!!! fluff, fluff, fluff!!! how did u like that, eh?

enter Hiraikotsu!!! ya!

could somebody tell me if that's how u spell 'demon exterminator'? (aka do u spell it 'taji-ya'? i lost my dictionary!)

~FluffyLemonn

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