Everyone was once again sitting out from of Kaede's when Inuyasha sniffed the air with a confused look on his face.
"They're coming," he said, "But I smell blood and…something else. Something's different."
No sooner had he said that then a form emerged from the woods, cradling something in its arms.
"Sango-chan!" Kagome cried, running up to assess the damage done to her friend. She immediately noticed the red stain on the lower front of her torn yukata, and the blood dripping down her legs as Toshihiko carried her.
As for him, the young man had a blank expression, and walked staring straight ahead to Kaede's temple. He didn't even glance at Kagome when she came over, and continued walking right past her.
Inuyasha and Shippo parted to make way for him, and Kaede stood in the doorway of the room where Miroku had died, waiting for them.
"Bring her inside and close the door," she ordered.
It was several hours before Kaede exited the room where Sango lay, and addressed the others.
"She will live," Kaede began, and was immediately interrupted by Inuyasha.
"That's what you said about Miroku, too, you old hag!"
Kaede glared at him, but decided to ignore his comment and continue. "But the child she once carried is no more."
Kagome gasped, Shippo started to cry, and even Inuyasha was speechless.
Kaede watched them all react, and struggled with the idea of whether or not she should tell them the rest. Finally, she decided to continue, since they were the closest thing Sango had to family.
"There is one more thing. There was permanent damage done to her in that battle…she will never be able to bear another child."
"It doesn't matter," said a familiar voice from behind Kaede. Everyone looked up to see Toshihiko standing there, looking a mixture of somber and angry.
"First, I left her with the burden of my child. Then, I couldn't protect her until it was already too late. The death of our child is my fault. If Sango still wants me when she recovers, I will spend the rest of my life devoted to her."
With that, the young man looked down at the coverings on his right hand, and seemed to get lost in his own thoughts.
"Um…how did you stop that demon?" Kagome asked, breaking him from his reverie. The way he had spoken just then had been so familiar.
"I remembered," he said, not looking up. "I saw Sango get hurt trying to protect me, and it was like déjà vu. There were so many times before when that same thing happened. Something inside me changed, and I could remember everything."
Shippo went over to stand a little closer and asked, "Did the Kazaana come back?"
"That's how he defeated the demon," Inuyasha piped in, first. "I knew there was a difference between this guy and the way he was before. He has the Kazaana now."
The boy in the grubby shirt and ripped jeans looked up to face his friends, and for the first time since he'd been there, he let a tiny smile touch his lips.
"I missed you all."
Sango opened her eyes to see him sleeping next to her. She reached out to touch him, just to make sure he was real. He stirred.
"Sango?" he said, sitting up, "You're awake?"
"Yes," she whispered hoarsely. "You're all right? What happened to the demon?"
"I defeated it while you were unconscious."
She opened her mouth to ask more questions, but he shushed her. "Later. You need to sleep if you're going to get well."
She nodded and began to turn over, but then said, "The baby is gone."
"Yes."
"Miroku would have been upset. He always wanted a child more than anything. Half of it was because of the curse, but I think the other half was that he just loved children. He would have been a wonderful father."
"Sango…" he turned her face towards him. "I don't need a child to complete my life anymore. All I need is you, and to defeat Naraku!"
The fire in his eyes. The strength in his voice. Sango's eyes widened.
"Houshi-sama?" she whispered.
He drew her into a tight embrace and said into her ear, his voice husky with emotion. "Say my name. Please."
Not sure exactly what he was getting at, she said tentatively, "Toshihiko?"
He smiled into the crook of her neck, his breath hot on her skin. "No. Say my name."
Understanding finally dawned on her, and with all the strength she could muster, the taijiya squeezed him like she would never let go and cried…
"Miroku!"
THE ENDSo thanks for reading! I hope it ended well enough for everyone. I didn't want to torture any poor Miroku fans, since I'm one myself! As much as I love angst, I love Sango and Miroku being together even more.
