Welcome to the next chapter! Hope you like this one! I changed my mind about adding 'a lot of chapters at once' so don't hurt me! cowers anywayz, onto the story!
Oh and if you didn't kno... when i type in this font it means she's either thinking or dreaming so the beginning is her deraming and...well hopefully you get the point. cough sry I took up so much time. read on!
Chapter 2
Understanding
Sango landed in an unknown world; flowers swayed gently and many trees covered the landscape. Turning, she found a lake spread out as far as she could see. Suddenly, an unknown weight was felt on her back and she was surprised to find her Hiraikotsu strapped there. Kilala appeared beside her in her full demon form, proud and regal. Sango climbed onto her back and let Kilala lead her to another part of her dream.
Kilala disappeared suddenly and Sango fell hard, landing on hard soil. The trees around her began to twist into mutant like forms and Sango struggled to her feet. Reaching back to grab Hiraikotsu, she was surprised when it vanished as well. Falling once again, she rubbed her ankle as the sky clouded over and everything was thrown into utter darkness.
Sango staggered to her feet, eyeing her surroundings warily – or what was left of them. The vast darkness that had entombed the trees stretched and seemed to have a life of its own.
Reaching out her hands, she stumbled forward, groping blindly for something to take a hold of. She was becoming frustrated and she knew all too well that when one became frustrated, one made mistakes.
Her fingers brushed cloth and she bit back a yelp as a hand grabbed hers. The darkness pulled away and Sango gasped. A man stood before her, his clothing that of a demon slayer. He had an axe strapped to his waist and was gawking at Sango.
"F-father?" whispered Sango, appalled.
"Sango! My dear child, it is you!" cried the man, pulling Sango into a tight hug. Sango's eyes were wide but she felt tears fill them none the less. Hugging her father back, she cried into his chest.
"My dear, what are you doing here?" asked her father as he looked at her. Sango wiped away her tears and stepped back, smiling.
"I think this is a dream but so far it is a good dream," laughed Sango. Her laughter stopped when she saw the look on her father's face. "What is it father?"
"This is the World of Souls. You've tripped over it in your sleep and now you're at risk of dieing here," said her father. Sango felt her tears return and shook her head.
"Father, before I wake, I need to ask you something," murmured Sango. "I have fallen in love but it is not with the man you wished me to marry."
"Another man has captured your heart, my dear?" laughed her father. Sango felt a blush creep onto her face and looked down. "Now, now. Who is this man that has your heart in his hands?"
"He…he is a monk, father," muttered Sango, embarrassed.
"A monk? My, my, he must be a very intimidating monk to capture your interests my dear. How old is he, where is his village and is he a good fighter?" he asked.
"He is coming upon his twentieth year, he has no village, and he is an excellent fighter due to the curse of an awful demon," answered Sango, becoming more confident.
Her father raised an eyebrow at his age but nodded. "He sounds very nice, daughter. But have you even met the man I promised you to?"
"Well…uh…not exactly. I've been busy trying to avenge you and the village, and I've had no time to travel to his Kingdom–"
"Then go to the Kingdom when you wake. I wish for you to meet with the man I have promised you too before giving you permission to marry another," Sango's blush deepened and he burst out laughing. "Don't tell me you've never imagined marrying this young monk?"
"Well…let's not get into that," murmured Sango. Her father continued to laugh and her blush continued to deepen.
"Oh, child you do know how to make your old man laugh," Wiping tears from his eyes he looked at her seriously, "but I want you to promise me you'll go take a look at the Prince before you chose. Spend a few days with him and see how you like him."
"But how do I contact you again?" asked Sango. Her father was slowly beginning to fade and she was becoming frantic.
"Just think about me before you go to sleep and I shall hear your call, child. Remember, the Prince lives in the Northern Lands. Farewell, Sango." He faded all together and Sango's eyes snapped open.
Sitting up, she rubber her head. Her conversation with her father was still clear in her mind and she sighed. It was still dark out; the shadows played across the water. Crawling over to the edge, she dipped her hands in to drink and dropped the water back in the river when she saw a reflection. Whirling, she came face to face with the one person she didn't want to see at that moment.
Miroku was sitting beside the Hiraikotsu, watching her with a slight smile. Sango tried to move backwards and felt her hand slide. Falling backwards, she felt a hand grab hers just as her hair dipped into the water. Looking up into Miroku's eyes, she felt the conflict of emotions rip through her again; constant anger mixed with love.
"Thank you," managed Sango, crawling back over to the Hiraikotsu and Kilala. Kilala was watching her with curiosity and was trying to settle back to sleep. "What are you doing here?"
"I knew you were here. Kagome wanted to leave in such a hurry and then came to our camp soon after so I put two and two together," Raising an eyebrow, he inquired, "You were either having a pleasant dream about someone or remembered something of great importance."
"How long had you been watching me?!" exclaimed Sango, a blush creeping onto her face. He had been watching her sleep.
"I left right after Kagome came back to our camp. So about," Looking up at the moon, he counted on his fingers, "four hours."
"Four hours!? Why would you watch me for four hours!?" shouted Sango.
"Keep your voice down. You looked so peaceful; I couldn't bring myself to wake you. And besides," A mischievous look came into his eyes, "you could have been dreaming about me."
Sango was furious. He had been there for four hours. Four hours she had been asleep talking about the Prince she was betrothed to and the man she loved; Miroku. She looked down, thinking about her fathers' words. She needed to go alone, that much was certain.
"Something is troubling you. Would you like to talk about it?" asked Miroku, sitting down beside her.
Sango was about to shake her head but thought different. Kagome had said she should tell Miroku, but wouldn't hinting at be almost the same? Looking up, she took a deep breath to tell him what she meant but the words never came. Instead, she was surprised to feel his lips pressed against hers. She closed her eyes and kissed him back.
When they finally parted, Sango was breathless. Miroku wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head against his chest, relaxing against him.
"Did that help cease your troubles?" asked Miroku, still slightly breathless.
Sango let out a short laugh. "No, it didn't. I was going to tell you something…but now," Sango trailed off as she buried her head in his chest, feeling tears well up. No matter what the Prince was like, no one would be able to recapture her heart like Miroku had.
"Can you still tell me?" whispered Miroku.
Sango let out a shuddering sigh and nodded. Looking up into his eyes she was surprised that the conflict of emotions had cleared. All that was there was love. Love for this lecherous monk that had stolen her heart long ago.
"I'm betrothed to another," she said in a rush. She felt Miroku stiffen and forced herself to continue to stare into his eyes. They had shifted though. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
"But," stuttered Miroku. Sango knew she had hurt him and almost couldn't stand it.
"I have to leave at first light to the Northern Kingdoms to meet him. It was my fathers last wish before he died," looking away, she felt him tighten his grip on her arms.
"But Sango you must know by now that I love you," whispered Miroku fiercely. Sango's eyes widened and she looked up at him.
"You…you do?" asked Sango. Miroku nodded and pulled her into another deep kiss.
After they parted once more, Sango was depressed. Her father wanted her to meet the Prince but now she knew that Miroku loved her; and her him. Shaking her head, she put her hands to her temple.
"I need to sleep," she said suddenly. Miroku looked at her questionably but she shook her head.
"All right. Will I be able to see you before you leave?" asked Miroku, standing. He pulled Sango up with him, holding tight to her hands.
"I hope so. Come see me just before first light. Not a minute later, monk," said Sango. She kissed him goodnight and then put her head on the grass. Smiling, she thought of her father before she fell asleep again.
