Nights in White Satin
Chapter Twelve: Promise to You
Written by Sleepwalking Chicken
Written on: September 26, 2004

Author's notes: I'm sure you've all noticed how this is really focusing on an Inuyasha and Kagome story. At first there was going to be Sango and Miroku fluff, too. But the only reason there isn't is one simple thing. I forgot. I'm so amazing.

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Kagome glanced up at the mountain. They'd reached the Northern tip of the mountain, with only several instances of difficulty involving youkai and places to sleep. Though the youkai of the island were wild, they were no match for Inuyasha. Shippou had worried for nothing.

But despite that, Kagome couldn't help but have a bad feeling as they drew closer and closer to the mountains. There were several mountains, and over the course of their journeying, they had heard rumors. Many rumors. Stuff like 'no one has ever returned alive' or 'there are guardians on the mountain.' They were all rumors, and so there was no way to tell if they were true or not. But despite that, the team was growing more and more cautious as the days passed.

A remarkable change had occurred between the youkai and the miko, their companions noticed. It was subtle, as usual, but enough for their friends to notice the change between them. The way they would constantly make eye contact with one another, or how Inuyasha had started drifting back to walk alongside Kagome instead of the front, scoping out the area (He claimed he could do it just as well from behind). There was also the way their hands would brush together, never making complete contact, but just the fact the two allowed it to happen. The youkai would often tilt his head to the side and smile lightly at Kagome, who would return it brightly.

Shippou also noticed how their scents had changed. It was almost unnoticeable, he had told Sango one night while the others were getting ready to sleep. "Inuyasha's scent is lighter, I guess," the kitsune said with a furrow of his brows, "I can't describe it. It's indescribable…" Shippou had sighed and taken a deep inhale of the two's scents. "And Kagome smells different, too!"

For the life of him, the little kit could not discover the reasons behind the changed scents.

But it soon fell from Sango's mind and she thought no more of it, and it slipped to the back of Shippou's' mind, as well.

But what startled Sango the most was that she would go to sleep next to Kagome and when she awoke, Kagome would be on the other side of her. It made Sango wonder what the girl did at night. Her questions were answered one night a few eves ago.

Sango had awoken when a twig snapped and she kept completely still, having trained herself to do so whenever there was potential danger. Instead, she heard the hush whispers of her two friends:

"Go back to sleep, wench," came the youkai's gruff, slightly agitated voice. Sango didn't miss the small amount of warmth that was hidden in the youkai's voice.

"But I can't sleep," she heard the girl insist.

"I can't keep doing this," she heard the youkai growl and a thud as he, as Sango assumed, emerged from his tree branches. "I'm spoiling you, wench."

She heard Kagome's giggle and dared to crack open an eye. She watched as Inuyasha scooped her up, as well as her girl's sleeping bag and ascended back up into the comfort of the foliage.

"Thank you, Inuyasha," the demon exterminator heard Kagome murmur.

"Feh."

It had certainly answered the question of Kagome's multiple areas of sleeping. The girl had never mentioned it to the miko, though she had hinted that she was aware of the two's relationship. An idiot with eyes could see that something had transpired between the couple and they were aware of the other's feelings.

If she hadn't been friends with the youkai and the girl, she wouldn't have caught their displays of affection. But it was obvious to her, after spending so much time with the disgruntled Inuyasha, that he cared so deeply for the miko.

"How do we know what mountain to take?" Kagome asked the group, her eyes focusing more on Inuyasha then anyone else. The youkai pursed his lips and said nothing. Miroku glanced at the miko who had asked the question and smiled.

"I am sure that someone in one of these villages will know. Kaede did say it was the northern most island," Miroku said calmly. "But she also said that not everyone can see it. Thus, calling it enchanted. Some people we ask may not be aware of the mountain we seek. When we ask, we will ask for the Northern most island."

The group nodded their agreement and set out along their way.

They walked for a little while and Sango noticed the way that Kagome drifted closer and closer to Inuyasha. It was quite sweet of her, though Sango had seen it happen several times before in the past. It was just the girl's way of staying close to the person she cared about. What made her heart warm and a smile grace her lips was when the youkai met her halfway and allowed the girl to grab his hand and walk with it tucked into her pale appendage.

"It's rather sweet, isn't it?" Miroku asked softly. Sango looked up in surprise at the monk, who she had not seen walk next to her.

Sango's gaze returned to her two friends, who continued to walk on in silence, and nodded her head. "Yes, they are very cute."

"Hm," the monk agreed, they continued to walk silently, the only sound among the two being the clanging of Miroku's staff as the rings bounced off one another.

Even though Naraku was destroyed, the taijiya couldn't help but be hesitant of the monk. She had promised to bare his child after the defeat of Naraku… but now that he was gone, nothing serious had happened between the couple yet. True, they'd had quite a bit of alone time while the youkai and miko spent more and more time alone together, but Sango still had one thought plaguing her mind that prevented her from meeting the monk's advances.

Kohaku.

She didn't want to do anything until she was positive that Kohaku was dead or alive. The last time she'd seen him, Naraku had returned his memory. The pain that Sango had seen in his eyes had haunted her for weeks afterwards. But, she was unaware of her brother's state of condition due to the fact it was not Kagome who removed Kohaku's jewel shard.

Sango bit her lip and silently fretted over her brother once again. What if he was out there cold and alone, wondering where everyone was?

But she had an obligation. She'd promised Kagome and Inuyasha that she would help them in Inuyasha's hunt to regain his heritage. But as the days wore on, she grew more and more worried for her lost sibling.

Miroku watched the emotions dance across Sango's face like leaves caught in a fall's wind. Her maroon eyes glowed with sadness as she recalled whatever it was she was thinking. The monk had seen the look many times after the death of Naraku. He'd noticed and said nothing. He hadn't wanted to upset her.

It was these looks that prevented him from doing what Sango had allowed him to do. He was free of his curse; his right hand felt light and free. It was a beautiful feeling to have his right hand bare and facing outwards without the fear of sucking in anything.

The Kazana was gone and he was free of his curse. But, there was something still plaguing the taijiya he now walked beside. The monk's dark blue eyes watched her silently.

"Is there a reason you keep looking at me?" Sango asked lightly, not turning her gaze to look at the much taller monk beside her.

"I was just being captivated by your beauty," Miroku said with a small smile when he saw the girl begin to blush and a coy smile to grace her lips again.

"Stop it," she murmured, trying to cover her blushing cheeks and her embarrassment.

The monk tilted his head to the side and smiled lightly at her. "Sango…"

Sango gently shook her head and smiled lightly at her. "I'm sorry… it's just… my thoughts have been elsewhere lately." She seemed genuinely sorry and the monk nodded his head.

"All in good time, Sango," he said lightly.

"Houshi-Sama." Her voice reached his ears and he inwardly cringed at the name.

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"Sango-Chan?" Sango broke from her thoughts and looked up from the bowl of food she was currently eating from. They were very close to the village, but had decided to take a rest for the night. North of their campsite was the last village of the island. It was as far north as it could get. Tomorrow they would ask the priest, for he most likely would have the ability to see the mountain, where to go from their.

"Hm?" Sango asked Kagome. The girl looked at her curiously.

"Do you want to go take a bath with me?" Sango smiled faintly. They had camped near a river and now the girl was itching for a bath. Wherever there was water, it seemed, Kagome would want to go bathe in it.

Her eyes glanced at the youkai who sat next to Miroku, who was watching Kagome out of the corner of his eye as the two talked. Her smiled widened. "No thank you, Kagome. I don't feel too well tonight. I think I'll just go to bed after this."

"Hai." Kagome nodded sympathetically. "Feel better, Sango-Chan."

The girl stood and retrieved her things before disappearing behind the foliage of the trees.

Sango turned her attention to the monk and smiled slyly. Inuyasha was gone.

It was to be expected. The two had seemed to be magnetically attracted to hot springs and other forms of water lately. She supposed it was the only place they could really be alone. Sango accepted it and continued to eat her food.

"What is it that makes you feel unwell?" His voice was soft and Sango glanced up at him.

"Nothing, I just wanted an excuse for them to be alone," Sango said lightly and glanced at the sleeping kitsune who snoozed against Kirara's soft belly.

"Ah." The monk continued eating, his eyes lowered to the blazing fire that separated them. The glowing embers flamed in his eyes and he let out an offhanded sigh. Sango glanced at him but he didn't lift his eyes to meet her gaze.

Sango's maroon eyes lowered to the fire as well, watching the flames lick the night sky, casting bright, flickering shadows across the trees that surrounded their campsite. Her senses were tuned to anything that could prove a threat.

The only sounds around the camp were the chopsticks in Miroku's hand scraping against the bowl that held his food, Kirara's soft mews of comfort, and the wind slowly blowing through the trees.

'I wonder if Kohaku is okay…?' Sango let out a small sigh. That was the way her thoughts always strayed to. Her brother, lost somewhere or perhaps dead? What if he was dying this very moment and wondering where she was?

She felt her heart squeeze, as it often did when she thought of her sweet brother, and closed her eyes tightly, trying to force the thoughts away.

"Your aura is troubled," the monk's soothing thoughts hit her and she glanced up at Miroku, who was looking at her calmly. He pulled his chopsticks into his mouth and chewed his food thoughtfully. "It keeps flickering with stressed energy, its life force twisting around towards your heart charka."

Sango watched the flames lick and shimmer in his dark depths and felt a small blush rise across her cheeks. Miroku calmly placed his bowl down and folded his hands in his lap, leaning forward.

"Something has been bothering you for a long time and I plan to learn what that may be, Sango," Miroku said lightly, a frown on his lips.

Sango lowered her eyes and her blush seemed to consume her face. "Houshi-Sama." She didn't see the monk cringe at the formal name.

"Miroku…"

"What?" Sango glanced up to look at him. He smiled lightly and stood up, walking over to her before sitting down. Sango gave him a warning look but said nothing. "My name is Miroku, Sango, and I believe that we've long since stepped past the time where I should be referred to as a houshi, don't you think?"

Sango licked her lips lightly and her maroon eyes met his dark blue ones. She smiled softly and nodded. "Hai…" Her voice caught in her throat. "Miroku…" It felt so wonderful to finally speak the name. She'd heard Shippou, Inuyasha, and Kagome all call him Miroku, but she herself had never done so. She smiled brightly. "Miroku." She felt free.

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The travelers reached the village the next day and were greeted happily by the villagers. Over the course of their travels, it became evident that youkai would not be accepted, and Inuyasha, Shippou, and Kirara stayed back, watching as the three humans approached the shrine centered in the middle of the village.

A priest greeted them happily when he learned that two of the travelers possessed spiritual powers.

Miroku calmly sipped the tea the man served them and got straight to business. "We're in search of the island north of here."

The priest didn't seem fazed by this comment and poured tea for Sango and Kagome. "Aye, many have been."

Kagome blinked and smiled lightly. "Do you know how to get here from here?"

"Of course. I have guided many to the island; none have returned." If Kagome wasn't so shocked she would have added the 'bum bum buuuum' silently. But, her shock outweighed her stupidity and she stared at the old priest with a terrified expression on her face.

"What do you mean none have returned?" Sango asked in shock.

"The waters are very fair up there," the priest said calmly, "But not once you get to the enchanted island. And yes, I am aware that there is a holy mountain up there. Once they get there, it is prohibited that more than one person can step on its summit. One person must go alone, and when they do, they are slain by the four guardians that guard the ancient mountain."

Miroku nodded thoughtfully. "So only one person is allowed?"

"Yes," the priest said remorsefully. "I no longer guide, I cannot weigh the deaths of so many on my weary old shoulders any longer."

"Can you, perhaps, tell us how to get to the enchanted mountain?" Miroku asked lightly.

The priest nodded softly. "Yes, I can, I suppose. But if you die, I am not to blame for it. Do not return in hopes of revenge."

"We shall harbor no such feelings, for our friend shall prevail; he is powerful indeed and his wish is pure."

"I shall pray for you and your companions, Houshi-Sama."

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Inuyasha opened his eyes slowly when he heard the footsteps of his companions approaching him. Miroku seemed calm but the two girls seemed stressed and were silently fretting. The youkai snorted and hopped from his tree, landing softly next to Shippou, who had been showing a trick to the amused fire cat.

The three humans approached them and Miroku smiled. "We leave in the morning. The priest has promised us a boat."

The youkai nodded his head and glanced up at the darkening sky. "Shouldn't you be finding an inn to stay in for the night?" he asked.

Sango shook her head. "We decided that before we leave, we should stay together as a group."

"And explain the situation," Kagome added lightly, only a small sliver of worry laced in her voice.

The youkai nodded and they set up their camp.

Once everything was done and accounted for, Miroku dutifully explained what the priest had told them. The youkai listened thoughtfully and frowned deeply as the knowledge hit him.

That explained why Kagome had been so quiet and scared looking. She was worried, and he could understand why. But he wouldn't lose. He had a mission and he planned on winning. If he could beat Naraku he could surely beat four wimpy guardians, couldn't he?

When he voiced these opinions, the others agreed with smiles on their lips. But the underlying fact still remained, the unspoken truth:

They'd beaten Naraku together.

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'Tomorrow… I can become normal…'

Kagome awoke from her dreamless slumber and blinked her blue eyes open. Her blurry focus prevented her from looking around and all she could see was the dark colors of the night embracing the land around her. The embers of their long-since-dead fire glowed faintly as it slowly blew out. The wind whipped small bits of ash away from the pit and the popping of wood had long since been silenced.

As her eyes adjusted to the lack of light, she found that the sky was enveloped in blissful darkness, yet dots of beautiful light decorated the inky darkness. Stars shot across the sky and fell beyond the horizon. 'Shooting stars…' she mused.

"You should be asleep, wench." Despite the harsh nickname, his voice was gentle and caring. She turned her head to see the once-hanyou looking at her, the stars above and the tender moonlight casting across his golden orbs, their sparkling depths staring at her.

"Sorry, I just woke up… I don't know why," Kagome said lightly. 'I heard that voice again…'

The youkai blinked and looked at her for a long moment before smiling lightly and tilting his head up towards the sky as stars fell across it.

"I guess even this time gets meteor showers," Kagome mused lightly as she crawled from her sleeping bag to sit next to the hanyou. He glanced at her, curiosity in his eyes but she gently shook her head, not wanting to explain what a 'meteor' was.

They sat in silence for a long time before Kagome glanced at him. "Inuyasha, why do you have to go?"

"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha asked lightly as he looked at her.

"Go to the mountain! Why do you need to leave? Can't you just stay?" she pleaded as she grabbed his hands, cupping them in her pale hands.

"I have to become a hanyou again…"

"Why? You could be killed!" she said with small tears in her eyes. "I love you just the way you are!" she protested, one small trail of tears falling down her cheek. "I don't want to lose you!"

He shook his head. "I'm doing this for everyone, Kagome. But I'm especially doing this for me. Last new moon made me realize how important my heritage was to me."

His eyes softened. "And… as a hanyou, I can die of age… I'll still outlive you… but…"

He clenched his eyes shut and squeezed her hands. "I won't have to live so long without you," he whispered painfully.

"Inuyasha…" More tears fell down her cheeks as she hugged him tightly. "I just… don't want to lose you."

"This is my promise to you, Kagome." His voice came to her ears and she clenched his hand as he lifted them to her lips and lightly kissed her knuckles. His smoldering eyes gazed at her and she blinked her tears away, clearing her vision again. "This is my promise to you as man… as a youkai. I promise, Kagome, that I will return to you… I will never leave you alone. I will be with you forever."

Her heart clenched and she started to bawl. There was nothing that the youkai could do but gently hold her.

He had to do this. He had come this far; he couldn't turn back now. He knew that Kagome would love him no matter what, and for that he was grateful. But, he had to become what he once was. His hanyou heritage might be disgraceful, but it was his heritage.

He just wished that Kagome would stop crying.