Miroku blinked, his violet eyes slowly opening. He looked around him, not remembering where he was. It was still dark, and he could just barely make out the forms of Inuyasha and Kagome nearby. The fire had burned down to glowing coals and embers. His eyes fell on the motionless figure of Sango, curled into a ball against him, shoulders covered partially by his open robes.

He lay himself back down beside her, pulling her close and admiring her beauty and grace, even as she slept. Gods, how he loved her. His whole body ached for her: her hugs, her kisses, and her love. He'd never loved anyone before…not like this. He wanted her so bad, and to not be able to have her completely until this damn curse was gone was torture. The longing in his heart was horrible…it was so unbearable that it actually hurt.

"Naraku, you'll pay for this…" Miroku thought darkly. "You'll pay for keeping me away from my Sango." Miroku lightly kissed Sango's forehead and wrapped his arms protectively around her slender figure. He kissed her eyelids, causing them to flutter and the young woman to sigh. He looked on sorrowfully, a single tear escaping from the dark depths of his lavender eyes. It rolled down his cheek, dropping lightly onto Sango's face. Another one fell, then another and another…

Sango, feeling the tears of her lover, awoke. She gazed up, seeing a weeping Miroku. She knew why he cried, she always knew…

She wrapped her arms around Miroku, holding and comforting him. He laid his head on her shoulder, drawing in a shuddering breath. They remained that way, in each other's arms, until sleep overcame them.