What's In A Name?
Sango closed her eyes, satisfied. There was Kohaku beside her, sleeping peacefully. They had finally defeated Naraku, and Kohaku confessed to Sango that he had gotten his memories back a while before, but he couldn't tell her if he wanted to kill Naraku.
Kagome was back in her time with Inuyasha, taking care of some personal matter, so Miroku and Sango were camping out at the well. Sango at up after sleeping for a few hours, and looked at Miroku, who was meditating by the campfire.
"Houshi-sama?" Sango could have sworn Miroku cringed when she called him. "Yes, Sango?" Sango crawled out of the sleeping bag Kagome lent her, and walked over to Miroku. "Can't you sleep?" Miroku opened his eyes and turned to face Sango. "Not really. I've been thinking about what I'm going to do now that we've defeated Naraku."
Sango blushed. "Well, if that proposal offer still stands, I was thinking we could spend some time rebuilding the Tajiiya Village." Miroku grasped Sango's hands tenderly and beamed at her. "Of course it does. And I think that's a wonderful idea." Sango smiled lightly and began, "Oh, and Houshi-sama-" Miroku's smile faltered and he let go of Sango's hands.
"Goodnight, Sango." Sango frowned, puzzled, as Miroku pulled the covers over his body. What had she said?
Miroku sighed heavily, muffling it with the covers so Sango couldn't hear. Sango didn't know how much she hurt him. Didn't she love him enough to use his name? Or had she just accepted his proposal out of pity? No, that wasn't like Sango. Miroku looked up as the object of his thoughts was suddenly sitting before him.
He got out of the sleeping bag to hear what Sango had to say. "Houshi- uh, well… what's wrong?" Miroku just looked at her. "It's nothing." Before he could turn away again, Sango found the courage in her to wrap her arms around Miroku. Miroku was shocked at first, but then he returned the embrace.
She whispered into his chest, "I'm sorry for whatever I did. I don't want to lose you." Miroku ended the embrace and looked intently at Sango. "Tell me how you feel about me." Sango's face turned a deep scarlet, and she stuttered out, "Well, I- I like you of course."
Miroku sighed in defeat. "That's all I needed to hear." The tears welled up in Sango's eyes, and her heart forced her to say the only thing she could say to make him believe her. "I love you," and as an afterthought she added, "Miroku." Miroku smiled so hard, his jaw ached. Then he tilted Sango's chin up and kissed her.
Sango squeaked at this unexpected gesture. When he broke the kiss, Sango noticed how bright his eyes were sparkling. Without warning, after a long moment of silence, he blurted out, "Say that again!" Sango cocked her head and forced herself to say, "Miroku?"
Miroku yelled, "YES!" and hugged Sango tightly. Sango managed to lift her head onto Miroku's shoulder. "Housh- Miroku?" Miroku mumbled a, "Hmm?" Sango smiled. "How do you feel about me?" Miroku pulled away and beamed. "I love you with all my heart. You're the most beautiful woman on the planet. Does that satisfy you, my dear?" Sango giggled happily. "Yes, it does… Miroku."