Set during the episode "Only You, Sango," which I incidentally watched tonight, a little piece on the thoughts of Miroku and Sango during that episode.
Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha!
Part One: Sango
Lord Takeda asked me to marry him...yet I cannot accept. I just told him I had to finish my search for my brother first before ever being ready to settle down, but...that's just not it. And Miroku is being his usual flirting self, I can't believe it! Or maybe I can. Maybe he doesn't feel for me, after all. Then again, I don't even know what I feel, myself.
What is it I want? Am I tempted to accept Lord Takeda's offer? No, not really. I'm not the type to settle down, adventure calls me and I follow, and Lord Takeda is too settled into his ways for that. It's not as if he doesn't love me, which makes it all the more difficult to turn him down.
Maybe...maybe I wish for Miroku to ask me not to accept his offer? That lecherous monk? Nah...surely it isn't that. Or is it? Do I feel attracted to him? Yes. Do I have feelings for him? Possibly. Is that why I get so jealous when he flirts with other women?
Lord Takeda is really trying everything in his power to convince me to stay with him, and I must admit, I admire his ideals,
he is someone who believes the world is lacking something, and he strives to provide it for his people so they can live
happily. He isn't one who is easily deterred.
It's deep in the night, and I'm startled to see Miroku sitting out here on the porch. A lump forms in my throat...so far he hasn't done anything. Maybe he isn't going to come to be my knight, after all. Maybe it was all my stupid fantasies. I suppress the tears as he smiles gently, that smile I've come to love, the rare smile when he drops his mask and lets his emotions show. He covers up immediately, but in that instant I can see joy and sorrow both. He approaches, and I feel myself walking towards him.
But instead of embracing me, or sweeping me away, all he does is lean in and whisper. Those four words that set me off.
I nearly lost it, right then and there, and a single tear makes its way down my cheek. Luckily, he doesn't see, but that
doesn't change the facts. He does care, and he's giving up. He's giving up because he thinks its the best thing for me.
And for a moment, I get angry. Angry at him for presuming to know what's best for me. Angry at the demons that shattered both our lives and forced this constant struggle upon us.
I turn around, staring at his back as he leaves, when the shout echoes in the night. "The demon's coming!"
I leap in front of Inu-Yasha, my Hiraikotsu drawn and ready. This demon's going down. I'm mad, and it just volunteered itself for stress relief.
As I finish it with a last blow from my Hiraikotsu, I stand and wait for it to return to my hand. I catch it and turn around,
grinning at the rest of my friends. Their shocked gazes tell me something is wrong, and I turn around.
The demon's back up, and it's coming for me. I'm too close to dodge, too close to block. I close my eyes and wait for death.
It never comes. I feel myself lifted into two strong arms, and then we are sailing through the air. I open my eyes to see
my rescuer - it's Miroku. He's bleeding badly, but still, his worried gaze tells me all he needs to know.
He does care. And maybe, maybe I have a chance, after all.
We are on the road again. I said my goodbyes to Lord Takeda, and he let me go. I rejoin my friends, and Kagome hands me an umbrella, winking and nodding at Miroku, who's walking in the rain without his hat. I walk up to him, and he turns to look at me for a moment. That's all it takes. His eyes tell me everything I need to know.
Then he speaks, and for the first time in a while, I feel truly happy. This is where I belong. And eventually, I'll tell him what I feel for him. I feel a hand rubbing my behind, but instead of getting angry, I'm glad. It means he still considers me attractive. It also means he hasn't given up on me.
And, to be honest, I like him better this way than when he was ready to give up on me. So, I put on a show and slap him, and skip forwards, quietly laughing to myself.