It was unfortunate, but Toshihiko seemed to be avoiding Sango.

While the Inuyasha gang plotted and planned on how they were supposed to try and get Miroku's soul into Toshihiko's body, the boy from the future paced uncomfortably and averted his eyes from everyone.

Especially the pregnant demon slayer.

Sango was hurt at first, but then realized she shouldn't have been so rash as to speak to him like he was actually Miroku. She only hoped that when they figured out how to reunite his soul with his body, he would remember everything up until their night together, and his death.

The group had gone back to Kaede's temple to get her assessment on Toshihiko, and sure enough she had sensed no soul in him. Kagome did some readings of her own, with Kaede's help, and got the same results.

Now it was just a matter of time before the Priestesses figured out how to undo what Miroku had done.

Toshihiko had finally calmed down and was sitting outside on the steps when Sango approached him. She quietly sat down next to him, but he knew she was there. Still, he just kept staring straight out into the woods beyond the temple.

"Toshihiko, was it?" Sango finally said. Her voice was soft and gentle, and completely devoid of the madness that had almost claimed her.

The boy finally turned to look at her, and Sango felt a surge of pain. She would just have to get used to the fact that this strange boy with Miroku's eyes wasn't exactly Miroku.

At least not yet.

"Yes, that's right," he finally said. "And you're Sango, right?"

Sango nodded, pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "I wanted to apologize about before," she said, blushing a bit. "I wasn't really myself, plus I thought you were someone else."

Toshihiko nodded. "I know, you thought I was your husband."

Sango looked startled, "Well, he wasn't my husband. Not yet, anyway. But I do love him, and you look exactly like him. I've been missing him very much these past few months."

Toshihiko nodded in understanding. "Don't worry about it. Let's just start over." He put his right hand out to her. "Friends?"

Sango stared at his hand for a moment. The palm was whole, and uncovered by any glove or magical bonding. She took his hand in hers and said, "Friends."

Toshihiko smiled at her, and Sango felt that jolt of pain again. She tried to ignore it.

"You know," the boy said, "I've been doing a lot of thinking. Everyone seems so intent on turning me into this Miroku guy, no one has even asked me if it's what I want. Isn't it up to me at all?"

Sango was speechless for a moment. What was he talking about? Why wouldn't he want his soul back?

Finally, she said, "Of course it's up to you. But…a life without a soul can't possibly be a good one. In this time, our time, if someone is without a soul they are simply dead. In your time, or at least in your situation, there seems to be some exception to that rule. Or, who knows, Miroku's spell might have been the catalyst giving generations the ability to live normal lives. Either way, could you truly say you feel like a whole person now? Knowing what you know, would you go back to your time and forget about us and what could have been?"

"And what about you?" Toshihiko countered. "Perhaps you're just trying to convince me to go through with this out of desperation. You've lost the father of your baby, but suddenly a guy shows up who looks just like him, and you get a second chance. Well, you know what? I'm not him. You are a stranger to me. I didn't even know your name until a few hours ago. I've never held you, never kissed you, and I've certainly never given you a child!"

He stood up quickly and started walking towards the woods, leaving Sango in shock. She couldn't understand why he had suddenly gotten so angry with her. She only wanted what was best for him!

Didn't see?

"Where are you going!" Sango yelled after him, tears flowing freely from her eyes.

Toshihiko did not look back.

He couldn't stand to see how he'd hurt the woman of his dreams.


Sango waited up all night for him. Maybe it was instinct, maybe it was paranoia…either way, she couldn't sleep while he was out there alone.

Sometime just before dawn, Toshihiko snuck back into the temple. Sango heard footsteps and knew it was him. After all, he had the same footfalls as Miroku.

She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. Then she felt a presence standing above her, looking down on her for several minutes. She kept her breathing deep and even, so that he would never know she was aware of him watching her.

She was curious as to why he was watching her sleep, of course, but assumed it had to do with the fact he had a lot on his mind. She was just relieved he came back at all. He knew where the well was, and could have easily been back in his own time, sans soul and never to return.

Sango suddenly heard and felt Toshihiko lean down, closer to her body. In an almost dream-like voice, barely above a whisper, she heard him say, "We made this."

Then he stood up, and left for his own room.