Responses to reviewers---

Icygirl2- Yes, he is a complex character. I love writing his point of view- he's so interesting! You just have to look past the pervert to see the beauty inside. LOL. Now I'm going poetic.

Hanyou 2 Youkai- Slow it down? I'll try, but I have to finish it you know! You like Wheel of Time too? Who's your favorite character? Mine is Lanfear. She rocks!

Lord of Swords and Waffles- Girlfriend for the monk? I don't think I will be putting one in this story. I don't know who it would be. I'm not going to make it a Miroku/Kagome story…so finding a love interest for him may be difficult. Of course, I may be writing a sequel to 'Unfinished Business'. But it will be about Miroku. I thought I'd give him a girl then!

Miko-of-Jades- Yes, he is a selfless guy isn't he? That's true love!

Ladie shinomori- I'll call you shinomori! Sango did say his name…finally! I'm thinking she'll continue to say it now. I don't know how much longer this fic will take…but I will try REALLY hard to finish it before May 30 (when I leave). Thanks for the review!

Miroku's Priestess- 'keep smiling' is from that episode where Sesshoumaru goes to the tree demon and finds out about the sword. I don't really remember the name or the number- but its right after 'That unforgettable face', the episode in which Sango tries to kill Kohaku. Sango's sitting beside Miroku, and he says this to her.

Ayameasakura, youkosangohiei- Thank you for reviewing! Your words sure encourage me!

I've decided to scrap the Disclaimer. We all know I do not own Inuyasha.

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The sharp, bitter smell of the ointment made Inuyasha's nose burn. Rubbing a hand across it vigorously, he tried to dispel the odor. Of course, it only got worse, seeing as the foul medicine was on his hand.

"Why don't you sit still for a moment? It won't sting so bad if you stop moving!"

Oh yes, the sting too. Inuyasha glared at Kagome. How very nice of her to remind him of that, right when he had managed to forget it. "What?" The girl had the nerve to look innocent!

Growling, Inuyasha lowered his hand. There was simply no point in being mad at a person who refused to acknowledge that she had done anything to make you so.

They were sitting on the porch, with Shippou curled up in the space between them. Inuyasha had actually come out here to get some peace, and to think about that strange night when he had decided to talk to Sango. But all hopes of peace and quiet and time to reflect had been banished when Kagome joined him along with the kitsune.

Darn demon. He thought, examining the wound on his hand. It was strong. But not THAT strong. How could I have let it take a piece out of me? His brow furrowed in puzzlement. What I remember before feeling those teeth was seeing Sango fly through the air, and land in a heap somewhere. Did I scream? I think I did. Only it wasn't for the teeth. It was for…

"Inuyasha?"

Blinking, the hanyou turned to look at Kagome. "Huh?"

"Are you worried about something?"

"Keh. What makes you think I'm worried?"

Kagome shrugged. "I don't know. You just…look it."

"Keh." That was all he was going to give her. A rather pathetic revenge for the ointment.

Kagome simply stared at him, a familiar look in her eyes. It was a look that seemed to beg him to open up to her, to tell her all the thoughts running through his silver-haired head. Underneath that plea, Inuyasha could read another. An emotion that still made him knot up in confusion inside. Love. She loved him. It was so obvious.

He hated these silences when they were alone. It always felt as though she were waiting for him to say something, to say that he felt for her what she felt for him. Do I? I'm not sure. I'm not sure at all…For one thing; I can't stop thinking about Kikyou when I'm with her. I don't need that. I don't need to love again. I can't bear the pain all over again. Unbidden, the memory of brown eyes filled with sorrow rose in his mind, and along with it, the hurt he had felt. Sango's eyes. So beautiful…

"Is Miroku asleep?"

"Um, no, Miroku's gone out for a walk." He replied, only half paying attention to her.

"That's strange. So has Sango." Kagome looked confused for a moment, and then abruptly, a mischievous grin bloomed on her face. "Or maybe that's not so strange."

That certainly made him snap back into focus.

"Sango's gone too? How long has she been gone? What did she look like when she left?" His voice sounded far too smooth to his own ears.

Kagome looked at the hanyou in surprise. "Why are you so bothered Inuyasha?"

"Bothered? Me? Are you crazy? I couldn't care less what those two lovebirds want to do! They can be making Miroku's baby for all I care!" He said quickly. A slight, very slight flexing of his claws indicated that he would care if that last were true though.

Kagome blushed bright pink at his statement. "I, I, I don't think Sango chan would really, allow Miroku to…to…do that!"

"Keh. You never know."

Silence.

A few minutes later Kagome dozed off in her place.

Hours had passed when Inuyasha saw a misshapen figure walking towards them, followed by something bigger. When it came closer, he was able to make out that it was Miroku, carrying a woman. His breath caught in his throat when he realized that the woman was Sango. The bigger figure following them was Kirara, who was holding the monk's staff between her teeth.

Inuyasha bounded down to them, his nose twitching for the scent of blood. He couldn't make out any. Sango wasn't hurt. Then why was Miroku carrying her?

"What happened? Where were you two?"

Miroku halted. Inuyasha was shocked to see tear stains on his face, and on his robe as well. Miroku had been crying?

"We went for a walk Inuyasha."

His voice sounded strange as well. Weary. Resigned.

"A walk? And what happened on that walk that made you carry her back?"

"She twisted her ankle."

"Really?" he didn't believe that for one second. "And her twisting her ankle made you cry?"

All the weariness in Miroku's eyes disappeared as if it had never been, replaced by burning anger. "Inuyasha…" he snarled. The hanyou took a step back, alarmed at the change in the monk's usual calm composure. Then he stiffened resolutely. He was not going to be frightened off just because Miroku was a little irritated.

Miroku's snarl remained in place, and he clutched Sango to himself more tightly, as though afraid that Inuyasha would try to pull her away from him. Inuyasha was shocked to find himself considering pulling her away. Why would I want to?

Suddenly, Sango whimpered in her sleep. "Sorry…Miroku.". Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise. She had said the houshi's name?

The change those words wrought in Miroku was even more startling. The anger faded from his eyes, and instead of gripping her as though afraid the hanyou would rip her away, he held her more tenderly. He looked down at her face and sighed. All his weariness seemed to return, and it looked as though it had been doubled during its absence.

"I'm sorry Inuyasha." He said tiredly. "I think I really need sleep. Would you please step aside?"

Inuyasha could see that the monk was dead tired. Carrying Sango had probably drained him. Wordlessly, he held his arms out, indicating that Miroku let him carry the slayer.

Anger and possessiveness blazed in Miroku's eyes again for a brief moment, then, as suddenly as before, his mood changed. He chuckled softly, and shook his head. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. Then, slowly, ever so slowly, he placed her gently in the hanyou's outstretched arms. As slowly, he drew his hands away. He considered Sango's face for a moment, and bit his lower lip, as though afraid he was going to cry again. Then he turned to Kirara, and clutched his staff. Kirara let go immediately.

For a long moment, he remained with his back to the hanyou. When he turned back, his face was as calm as it had ever been. His violet eyes locked onto Inuyasha's golden ones.

"Take care of her Inuyasha."

Inuyasha nodded slightly, then turned away and walked past the sleeping Kagome to the girls' room. Laying Sango down gently on her pallet, he stood for a moment, considering her. It was amazing how vulnerable she could look asleep, and at the same time, how peaceful. He surprised himself by smoothing her bangs from her forehead. It seemed to him that Miroku had been trying to say something more to him in those words, but what had it been?

Miroku watched the hanyou walk slowly off with his precious burden. He wondered why Inuyasha hadn't asked him why exactly he was carrying Sango when Kirara had been with them. Miroku didn't think he could have explained it to him anyway.

I just wanted to be with her a little longer. To see her as mine for a little while more. By putting her on Kirara, the journey would have been much quicker. I don't think I wanted it to get over. Thank Kami he didn't ask.

He threw back his head and looked at the moon. Well, now it is over. And I've handed her to him, literally. A grin crossed his face, but disappeared in an instant once the realization hit him. She is no longer mine.

He was surprised when he felt Kirara nuzzle his shoulder. She understood what had happened obviously. He patted her gently on the head and she purred contentedly.

"Go back to your mistress Kirara. You should sleep too." Yawning, Miroku walked past a now snoring Kagome to the door of him room. Kirara looked pointedly at Kagome and Shippou, indicating that he wake them up and send them inside. Miroku shook his head. "Let them be Kirara."

He slid open the door, but instead of walking in, he turned around. The door the girls' room was open. Inuyasha was bending over Sango, pushing strands of her from her face. The gentleness and tenderness in his fingers was astonishing. And in his eyes, was an expression of confusion, battling with content. That was the strangest thing the Houshi had ever seen on Inuyasha's face.

Closing his eyes, he turned back and walked into his room, and slid the door shut. Watching her would do no good now. She was no longer his. All he could do was make sure that no one hurt her. And he would make sure that Inuyasha never did that. Deep inside, the hanyou cared for her. Cared very much. As much as it pained Miroku, he knew he had to do it. He had to make Inuyasha realize that he was in love with the tajiya.

It's probably not as well written as the others, and may be a little fast, but I like this chapter a lot. It's here that Miroku actually gives her to Inuyasha, in a manner of speaking. I didn't steal anything from Wheel of Time here (at least, I don't think I did!)

Like it? Hate it?

Review please! Thank you!