Kohaku laughed, grinning at the monk, whom was now between both siblings. Reacting quickly, the kusarikama was flung for Miroku, whom parried with his staff, and knocked it aside. Following up on the maneuver, Miroku swung his staff back around, bringing it in a full arc over his head, aimed to connect with the side of Kohaku's head.

The boy crumpled before the staff could even connect.

Miroku blinked a moment, confusion marring his features, as he knelt down, and nudged the boy. No movement. Using his free hand, the monk pushed Kohaku on his side, glancing at his back. As he figured, there was a hole found, where the shikon shard keeping him alive used to be.

So, it wasn't Naraku… it was Kagura. The boy's already dead. Miroku mused a moment, disgusted at how horrible the demon and his incarnations were, with such blatant disrespect for human life. He sighed, and slowly rose to his feet.

The motion ended no sooner than it began, as something hard slammed Miroku in the side of the head. If his skull hadn't hardened from a long time of abuse inflicted upon it, the blow might have knocked Miroku out. Instead, it just sent him sprawling for the ground, staff gripped, rubbing the side of his head, and turning slowly to look. His look of confusion now was mixed with one of pain.

Sango stood over by where her brother's body lay, supported by her hiraikotsu. The katana rested on the ground next to her as she knelt. The look of pain on her features made Miroku temporarily forget his own, and approached her cautiously, setting her staff down.

"Sango? Are you alright?" The question that came from his mouth was rather rhetorical, as he could clearly see the blood run down her, starting between her shoulder blades. The girl made no attempt to look at Miroku, perhaps due to the fact that it was a struggle to even stay conscious.

"You… killed Kohaku…" She sobbed through clenched teeth, tightly closing her eyes.

The monk sighed, and set his staff down, sliding his arm around the taijya's shoulders. "He was already dead."

Hiraikotsu clattered to the forest floor, having been pushed away by Sango. The energy spent on that motion, plus the attack on the monk, used up whatever she had left, and ended up slumping against him, weight resting fully on him. Miroku hugged her tighter, eyes narrowed at a point only he could see. The woman against him, he heard, wasn't breathing normally.

"Sango… let me take you back to the village… Kaede-sama can help with your wounds…"

"Leave me here, Houshi-sama.. I can't leave my brother.."

"But you…" The houshi found himself unable to continue, the pain in his heart increasing. He was going to lose the one he had proposed to, before they could start a family. He was going to lose the one he loved, because she had a kind heart, easy manipulated by evil. The tight grip he had on her was only released when he felt something gentle brush against his lips. Blinking, he relaxed, to see it was Sango's fingertips.

"Gomen-nasai, Houshi-sama…" She smiled weakly at him, pulling her hand back. "I guess I'm rather foolish…"

"Sango, you are far from foolish." Miroku gave her a half smile of his own as he pulled her closer, bringing her across his lap, setting her head on his chest. He would end up getting her blood on his robes, but it didn't matter. "You are strong, beautiful…" And you will not die here alone.

The screams in the background, from Kaede's village, seemed to answer his own thoughts, and he tensed. Sango sighed heavily, slumping against him, eyes half closed while her breathing became labored. No words needed to be exchanged, they both knew the whole ordeal had been a trap.

"Go, Houshi-sama… you can still fight…"

"I am not leaving you here, Sango." Miroku spoke fiercely, cutting her off before she could resume, embracing her tighter to him. "I am recalling the words once said similar to me. I would rather die than abandon you."

"I will be fine. I can't leave Kohaku.. Keep the jewel from Naraku, and maybe… maybe we'll meet again.." An odd cryptic tone had replaced her voice, the small smile on her features set in as her distant brown eyes met his saddened violet ones.

"Sango…"

"I love you, Miroku."

Miroku's throat went dry, his heart ceasing to beat within his chest for a moment. He stared as the girl leaned against him once more, and closed her eyes. The phrase just uttered from the girl replayed in his mind as he watched her breathing slow, her body slowly fell limp, and then…

"Sango!" He yelled out, shaking her roughly. Please don't fall asleep…. Please… open your eyes. "Sango.." His voice choked back a sob, as he leaned his head against hers. I waited so long to hear her call me by my name… and now.. I'll never hear it again..

The screams from the village behind him made him open his eyes, now glazed over with tears he refused to let fall. Part of him didn't care, part of him just wanted to stay here with his woman. His eyes traveled to her katana, nearby, the thought of taking it in his hands. It would be the quickest way to join her.

No… if we can win… perhaps… Miroku kissed the still girl gently on the forehead, moving to set her down next to her brother. Hesitantly, he let her go, and rose to his feet, staff clenched in his hand. He lowered his head, closed his eyes a moment, issuing a sigh.

"Either way, Sango… I will be with you again… before the sun comes up."