Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha don't belong to me so don't sue! .

A Lady Knight's Tale 2

Miroku opened his eyes weakly. And blinked.

"Oh no!" He moaned weakly, as he tried sitting up. "I groped a man!"

Sango glared at him, even more angry this time. "What....?!" This fool dared grope her...and then call her a man? She was going to let him have it! The girl raised her hand for another slap. She was already sorry that she saved this loser.

But the young man was already standing up, and was looking at her curiously.

"I'm so sorry I...er, groped you back there.." he said as he extended a hand "I didn't know you were a man." he apologized sheepishly.

"But I'm not--" Sango frowned and looked at her reflection mirrored on the water's edge. She had her chest bound, her hair tied, no jewelry whatsoever, and carried a large boomerang and a sword. No wonder he mistook her for a man. But what a lech he was!

"I'm Captain Miroku of the Imperial Guard." he said "I owe you my life, Sir--"

Sango blinked as she heard his name, Miroku? This was Captain Miroku of the Imperial Guard?! she thought, not believing her luck. So this was him...? Not exactly what she had in mind, but, she was so happy to have found him that she was willing to forgive the groping incident. But heck...he'd better not try that again.

"Sango." she said curtly. If she had to be a man to get into the knighthood. So be it.

"So who's the new guy?" a brown-haired knight asked as he stood up when Miroku entered the barracks. Miroku, she later learned, was well-respected among his peers, despite his age, but wasn't the biggest fan of formalities, and let his knights address him informally.

"This is Sir Sango." he said, introducing her to the others. "He saved my life. I don't know how to repay him, actually, so I invited him to join us."

The other knights eyed her a bit curiously. It was difficult to become a knight...so becoming one just because you were invited caused the others to look at Sango with poorly disguised skepticism. To them, the youth looked a bit weak, even effeminate.

"Ohoho! We are forever indebted to you for saving Lord Miroku's life kind Sir." a large, red-bearded knight said kindly. "But can you fight?"

Sango stiffened and looked around. "I challenge any one of you to fight me. Should I fail...I will leave and not bother you again." she said clearly.

"Sir Sango...this isn't necessary." Miroku interjected, "I have control over who gets in. It isn't anyone's call but mine." he said

"But I want to do this." Sango told him with conviction. "It has to be done."

"Have it your way. Even I am curious." Miroku said, looking at the young man. "Any takers?" he asked aloud

"I'll do it." a voice said. It was a tall, black-haired young knight. He tapped his falchion on the ground lightly. "I challenge you, Sango." he said

The knights could not recall a battle as swift as this one. It was over in a matter of minutes, and not one of them was left unimpressed by Sango's technique.

Even her challenger bowed. "I believe we have a new comrade." he said as he shook her hand.

....

Sango sighed. And that was how it started. The events eventually lead to the two of them becoming close friends, without him noticing that she was a girl. She, on the other hand, denied her feelings for him as mere admiration. It worked out just fine. The campaign against Naraku had led to him discovering her gender, then they became lovers. Sango was his fiancee until she ran away because of a misunderstanding.

It was all her fault. Now because of her selfishness, her handsome knight was fighting for his life.

Kagome looked up when Sango finally entered. "He's much better now." she said. Even Prince Inuyasha was here, no doubt, keeping Kagome company. The two of them looked at Sango quietly. She winced inwardly.

"I thank both of you for your help. This is all my fault, I guess." the lady knight said in monotone.

Kagome stood up and patted her friend's shoulder. "I'm sure everything will be fine." she said. Inuyasha nodded in agreement. "Miroku'll live. He's a tough little bastard."

Kagome smiled at her friend as she and Inuyasha exited. It was almost midnight and they had duties to attend to in the morning.

Sango sat down beside Miroku's inert form and ruffled his unruly bangs. "Hey." she whispered. "I...I'm so sorry, Miroku." She moved in closer and looked at his handsome face, the long dark lashes quivering tremulously. Sango smiled bitterly "Don't.....don't leave me." she sobbed as she wiped away her tears. It felt good to cry.

Miroku stood up weakly. Now, where was he? Ah yes. The tournament. Lady Sango..... But where was he now? The young man looked around. The surrounding area was just white...so bright that the glare hurt his eyes somewhat. Was he dead? Miroku slumped his shoulders disappointedly. Now he would never see her again. He started walking, might as well get moving, he thought.

Then a dense fog seemed to descend on the place. Miroku stopped in his tracks. Two figures were approaching him, as they drew closer Miroku knitted his brow in concentration. It was as though he knew these people, or at least met them before.

"Sir Miroku! How nice to see you again!" The woman took Miroku's hands in a welcoming gesture. "Well...not really!" she corrected herself promptly upon realizing that she shouldn't be glad that he was here.

"Dear, Miroku probably doesn't know where he is right now, does he?" The man smiled warmly. "Young sir, you're here a bit too early." he chuckled. "How are your parents?" the man asked.

Then Miroku realized who they were.

"Count Tajiya and his Countess Lady Shan" Miroku bowed. They were family friends of his parents and were the Count and Countess of the neighboring estate. But the two of them had died years ago. "Pleased to meet you again. Am I dead?"

The Countess smiled "Not one to mince with words, I see." She sat down on a nearby boulder and looked at her husband.

"You aren't yet." Count Tajiya said. "Although you did come quite close. You are going back shortly, but something concerns us."

"Sango..." Lady Shan said almost wistfully.

"Sango?" Miroku repeated in a puzzled voice.

"She's our daughter." The Count said sadly, "she and Kohaku were kidnapped and raised away from us. We tried to have them found but to no avail...finding them only now that we are both gone."

Lady Shan looked like she wanted to cry. Count Tajiya looked at Miroku squarely in the eye. "Take care of them, Miroku. You shall have our eternal gratitude. Make sure she finds her place."

Then it was all bright again. The two figures retreated into the mist until they disappeared.

Miroku opened his eyes slowly, wincing a bit as he tried to move. It felt as though every muscle in his body was numb. He leaned against the bedpost slightly, when he noticed a girl slumped over by his side, silky brown hair spread over his chest. Sango, his Sango. Miroku smiled as he patted her head.

"Sango." he whispered.

Sango frowned as she heard her name. Not another dream. But she looked up anyway. No...

"Miroku!" she flung herself into his arms and sobbed with abandon. "I-- I thought..." Sango could hardly believe that he was finally back, back with her.

"Hush..." Miroku hugged her tightly. "We're okay, aren't we?" he whispered.

"Hey--" Inuyasha and Kagome went to check on Miroku. They opened the door and saw the Captain. He quietly turned around and closed it again. "Whaddya know?" he grinned to Kagome. "They're back."

Author's Note: waaaaah! I just want to apologize for updating after a million years! Oh my goodness! Special thanks to the people who reviewed and bugged me to continue...until I just gave in. Last chapter coming up next! Ja ne.