-What if: Miroku had a rosary?-
After a long hiatus… I'm finally kinda sure I won't mix the 2 story plots together… hopefully. Well hope this chapter was worth the wait. And no Missunderstood isn't completed… I just needed a little break from that story. :)
Thanks to :
Medlii
Witchesgirl
Brightstarinthenight : lol yah there are more chapters :)
-Chapter 3
The group of ex-shard hunters slowly made there way to the next village. They followed the trail that seemed to go on forever, after all it started back at Kaede's hut! The path twisted and turned, not showing any signs of coming to an end. Kagome was still sleeping, listening to Sango talk in her sleep for the whole night really didn't work out for her. No matter how much she wanted to know what Sango dreams of, she can't. It was simply too late at night.
Kagome groaned. One of the many signs that she was about to wake up.
"About time…"
Inuyasha stopped walking, causing everyone else in the group to stop too. They watched as he gently lay Kagome on the grass, careful not to let her head hit any rocks. Miroku and Sango watched in amazement, since when did he treat anything – anyone so gentle? You could be lucky if he just thrown you down, or dropped you like a sack of potatoes!
Kagome's eye slowly fluttered open, her eye were wandering around, taking in the scenery surounding them, it all looked the same. As if they were still at camp. Dirt, trees, rocks,grass…and more trees. Nothing like modern Japan, where all the trees were cut and the ground was a hard cement.
So maybe she wasn't back in her own era, so she couldn't recognize where they were by looking at the signs that usually stood at the corner of every street, Kagome thought of herself as someone who was more special than most people, she could travel to the Feudal Era and watch history happening through her very own eyes! Not like any of her friends, who can only see the illustrated pictures in books, she saw them…live. Inuyasha turned to look at her, she was thinking…about something. And it was making her happy. He knew this because of the grin that was slowly spreading itslef over her face.
The group kept walking after Kagome stood up, they were walking in silence. No arguments, talking or even whispering. It was all silent. Everyone was simply following Inuyasha and Kagome, who were at the front of the line. For everyone was in their own little world, daydreaming.
Miroku especially. The simple ring of prayer beads around his neck could kill him at any moment, should Sango say the word. The hated word. So maybe he was considered a hentai, but it wasn't all his fault right? It wasn't that he wanted to grope, but maybe because he was addicted to it?
Sango, she was thinking about Kikyou's words. 'Remove the necklace.' Sango was constantly fighting battles of her own in her mind. Mainly one about a certain monk and necklace. The only thing that was keeping her back from taking the beads off was the fact that Miroku would never learn. He can't stop being perverted.
The taijiya can't always be beside him to give him the all so familiar slap and cold shoulder all the time. But with a simple word, she could punish the monk from afar. Most people would think, just for that you would risk his life? But Sango also considered that thought as well. She can't let him die. She won't.
Kagome was in her own little happy land when suddenly the tingling sensation filled her body, warning her once more about the approaching danger. It was just a single demon, there were no more shards..remember? She was about to turned to Inuyasha to tell him, but apparently he already knew. The hanyou was already fighting the demon. Guess she was a little too deep in her thoughts?
The group watched as Inuyasha took the demon down with the wind scar.
"Feh, Demons…so weak."
That night, they rested in the finest house of the village, thanks to Miroku that is. Again he pulled the infamous, there is an ominous cloud floating over your house, trick. Inuyasha claimed that the monk was corrupt. Miroku fought back and said he wasn't dense. The girls listened, even they didn't know who's side to take. Could he be corrupted and smart? Both at the same time?
In the morning, they all left and thanked the owner of the house. For the meal and the shelter. Miroku made off with the valueables again. Which they traded at the next village for food. Lots of it. There really wasn't a lot to do anymore, occasionally someone would say, "Why don't we try to find more shards…oh wait, nevermind. Something they had the 5 of them had done for so long was now not needed anymore.
The jewel was gone but it was just a habit of saying the phrase. Everyone was getting lazy, but not Sango. Today she went out on her own to try and find some demons to kill. She had to keep in shape incase some really strong demon that wasn't killed yet decided to attack.
Swinging her hiraikotsu, Sango took down a number of trees and stood still as her boomerang spun back to her, trees collapsing with loud crashes in the distance. She had just cleared an area with one sweep. Guess she wasn't as far behind as she had originally thought. Numerous birds that once lived in the trees all flew out and into the sky. The birds looked so much smaller from where Sango was standing. But they were slowly getting bigger, the black blotched they were creating in the sky becamw bigger as they grouped together.
So when another small group of them merged together to form an actual bird demon, Sango was not surprised. There had to be at least one demon in that small area.
"How dare you destroy my home?"
Sango yawned. Why must demons be so talkative? Something needed to happen, so she sat down.
"Continue."
The bird gave her a puzzled look. Wasn't she scared of its incredible size? Was she not even the bit fazed at the fact that it could eat her in one bite or even kill her with one swipe of its mighty claws?
"How dare you mock me. You shall pay."
The big wings of the demon opened up and with a great swoop, the youkai was in the air, ready to strike. Sango didn't slack anymore. She knew the thing wasn't much of a threat but with demons you could never tell. Sango held her hiraikotsu in front of her, ready for any sudden attacks.
The big bird was flying directly over her now, casting a dark shadow over a rather large portion of the land she was standing on.
"Why couldn't there be shade like this before?"
Turning at a sharp angle, the demon started coming down at a really sharp angle, its claws out-stretched in front. Sango swung her boomarang back and was about to throw it forward, but the bird was coming in at a much too fast pace, the boomerang would just miss. Birds were supposed to be agile, especially in the air.
Deciding on a quick dodge, Sango ran fast and far, to the other side of the field. The bird, almost catching its prey stopped. It almost crashed into the ground. Thinking that the only reason Sango didn't move was because she was frozen in fear as was so many other opponents. But Sango was no ordinary opponent. The youkai flew up into the air hissing, angry that it had missed during the first swoop. As soon as it was flying over the girl again, it came down, repeating what had happened just a few moments ago.
"You will not escape this time." The bird flew on, gaining speed as the angle of which it flew became steeper.
"Same trick can't fool me twice."
Sango wound back and threw the hiraikotsu forward as quickly as she could. If her boomerang could reach the demon before it got to its maximum speed…
BANG
Amazingly, it was the bone weapon that went 'BANG'. The demon had dodged it, the weapon simply went past and into one of the trees behind it. But that little inturruption did cause the giant bird to stop and fly higher again, to gain altitude.
Now Sango was worried. What started out as a simple errand to try and maintain what skills she had had turned into … well something that didn't happen very often.
"How did it…dodge the hiraikotsu? I was sure I got it…"
The said weapon was now lodged into one of the trees that didn't get cut down earlier. The youkai noticed, unfortunately, the look of worry and slight fear that passed over the taijiya's face. It reconized these 2 emotions well.
"What are you going to do now you demon slayer? You have no weapon. I avenge you now, all those demons killed by you!"
The talons of the bird glowed unnaturally bright in the morning sunlight. Sango backed up, but didn't trip over. She just kept shuffling back as the bird took aim once more.
"Shuffle all you like you pahtetic human. It will make no difference."
Sango frowned, this demon might have some truth in it but…It didn't count on Sango's katana that was still attached to her waist. She fingered the hilt of her her sword, this was her last chance. There was no way the smaller hidden blades slipped into the armour of her wrists were going to help any. They were, as hidden weapons should be, much too small.
One last cry and the bird demon was spiraling down at incredible speeds again. Sango watched it, coming closer, arrogance glinting in its eyes. If it was anything Sango really hated arrogance.
"You Stupid Bird!"
She jumped high into the air and preformed one of the harder katas she knew using a katana. It involved many turns and jumps, Ending with a plunge deep into the enemies' chest. And Sango did just that. Pulling off the kata with perfection as she had done so many times before, Sango spun one last time in the air and landed behind the demon. With the amazing speed she had trained so hard to achieve, Sango plunged the sword into the bird's back and pushed until it went all the way through the body.
The demon didn't stand a chance, rarely any demons did after Sango was through with them. Naraku being an exception of course.
"Weren't so tough in the end huh."
Sango went to retrieve her hiraikotsu, swinging it onto her back, she walked the rest of the way to where the others were still sitting around, eating their share of takoyaki. They all looked up upon Sango's arrival and Miroku even shifted over so she could have a seat…beside him. Not wanting to be rude, she sat down and ignored the wink Kagome sent her way.
"So where've you been Sango?" Inuyasha asked, as innocently as possible. He didn't want her taking his question the wrong way, as in prynig into her private life.
"Umm.. like I told you…on a walk."
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. He was about to speak again, pointing out that she smelled of demon blood and her katana was also covered in it, but Miroku cut in.
"Well. Glad you're back."
Sango looked at him and tried to hold back her blush, he was genuinely happy! Before she could utter a simple thanks though…
"HENTAI!"
BAM
Sango swung her hand out ready to have it connect onto something, like a certain houshi's face. But it again met air.
"Oh yeah…Keep forgeting."
Miroku was ignored as the rest of the group wandered off. Only Shippo came back to stay with him.
"Thanks for staying Shippo…Didn't know you cared so much."
"Oh, I don't. I really think you deserved that for copping another feel. It's just, without you, we're gonna have to sleep outside again and I don't want that."
Miroku sighed. Was that really all he was good for?
"Well won't you help me up then so we can get along and catch up to the rest of the group?"
"Me. Lift you? I wish I could!"
And then Shippo bounded off, he didn't want to be left alone. Miroku sighed and got up. Anyone could tell that he was really hurt by those few words the kitsune said to him.
"Without you we would have to sleep outside…"
"Maybe…maybe it's time I took off…I mean Naraku's dead…"
Miroku winced, that last one really took a blow to his ribs. Were they broken? Maybe he could just stay with one of the villagers…maybe one of them would have a daughter…? It's not like he couldgo anywher in this condition anyways.
It hurt to know that Sango wasn't going to come back to tend to his wounds, she was probably still fuming somewhere.
Walking over, back into the takoyaki hut, Miroku went over to one of the tables and signaled for one of the waitresses to come over.
"May I speak to.. the owner of this place?"
" yes sir."
She turned around and walked swiftly over to a thick set of yellow curtains where she disapeared for only a few seconds before coming back with another lady no older than herself. 20 tops. The waitress led the woman to Miroku and explained that he wanted to talk to her.
"Yes, how many I help you?"
"Well…I was travelling with a group of friends when I fell behind and…got left behind," the woman made a face at the last part, " would you happen to have any extra space for me to rest in tonight? I understand if you don't…"
"Oh, of course we do! And those friends of yours! My, they need to learn a thing or two about courtesy!"
Miroku smiled, oh if only she knew… The monk ended up staying inside the takoyaki place for quite sometime, he didn't want to leave and walk outside. Let the others worry a little about him. It was the least they could do for breaking his ribs. Walking outside had a high chance of Inuyasha catching his scent in the wind. The grilling of the takoyaki was a great cover-up to his scent.
Later that day, he ended up sleeping in one of the back rooms. He received a futon from one of the waitresses and held back against his own lecherous ways. She was young but…maybe it just wasn't the same as touching Sango.
He did however get his wounds dressed by some other girl. He winced every so often but nonetheless still quite happy tht a girl dressed it and not some other man. Miroku slept soundly that night, wondering if the others were worried about him. Maybe they didn't notice he was gone or better yet…didn't care that he was gone.
(( Inu-Gang))
Sango stayed up late that night, hoping Miroku would find them. She had urged Inuyasha to stop, wait for Miroku to catch up with them. And when they finally stopped and waited, Miroku never did showed up. They spent the rest of the day waiting for him even though Inuyasha was very against the idea.
Inuyasha did go back a few times though, but he came back empty-handed. He couldn't pick up his scent anywhere, meaning…he left that village? Miroku wasn't like that though, he wasn't one to ditch his friends without leaving a warning first? Shippo had said something about Miroku needing help to get up.
Did she hurt him when she used the rosary?
"What if that…oh no…oh no no no. I refuse to admit that."
Had Kikyo's prediction come true? Was…was that the one slam that did him in? Maybe the villagers found the dead body and buried it so that they wouldn't scare off any travellers. And the dirt…! The soil had covered up his scent! That why Inuyasha couldn't find him? Sango was in full blown panic now, thinking she had just killed someone.
"I should really go back to the village in the morning. Yes…that's what I'll do. I'll wake up a little earlier so that Inuyasha won't have to come searching for me. No sense in going now…Everyone there is probably asleep…"
(( Miroku ))
Miroku frowned. He was laying down on a cold, hard floor. Major contrast to what he had fallen asleep in the day before. The nice and warm blankets from Kagome's time and the naturally soft futon that the mayor lent them. It looked like he was sleeping in a storage room.
A girl rushed in and opened a shelf revealing spices one would use for cooking. That confirmed Miroku's thought. He was sleeping in a storage room. It was dark last night when he fell asleep. He couldn't tell what room he was in. But then again…beggars can't be choosers. He walked slowly at first out and into the backyard of the house. There was a small spring in the back and he needed it. Surely they wouldn't mind.
After the nice relaxing soak, Miroku walked back into the house where he inquired the manager about anyone asking to see him. She shook her head, no. Miroku thanked her and apologized for taking up someof her time. She was a busy woman. So no one had come to look for him?
Miroku was a little more than sad now. Did they really go on without him? He could just as well stay in this takoyaki hut forever. He had to move on…but with these ribs… He poked at one to see if they've healed any. Wincing as soon as he touched it, Miroku knew he shouldn't do that again until he had someone professional tell him it was ok.
(( Sango ))
Sango had woken up a little earlier than Kagome. Inuyasha was always up first. She told him quickly that she was just going for a walk in the forest. But even Inuyasha knew better. The direction she was headed in was the village. Not to the forest which was already surrounding them. Inuyasha smirked. He was just too good for this.
But he let her go anyways. If she didn't do anything now, Kagome would be dragging him back there eventually. Sango trekked down the dusty path that would take her back to the village. It wasn't that far away. 15 minute walk? Kirara was asleep and she didn't want to wake her friend up. She could make it on her own, more convincing that way too.
The village soon appeared in her line of vision, there were already people milling around. Kids were out in the fields playing with a makeshift ball while the adults and older teenagers wee helping them with various chores. Sango walked on, she passed the takoyaki stand they all ate at yesterday, Miroku's body imprint was still there. Sango smiled slighly at the bitter memories…she really shouldn't have said 'it'.
Sango was getting more and more worried just from looking around. There was no monk in this area. Not that she could see anyways. There was no flash of the familiar purple/navy blue robe that was Miroku. Or the prayer beads coiled around his right arm. Despite the fact that Naraku was gone, he couldn't shake the feeling that he still had the kazanna and so, he kept the beads on.
Walking into random houses, she apologized for intruding. Strangers don't normally just walk into other people's homes. Except this stranger…she had to find someone.
(( Miroku ))
Miroku…he was sulking in the corner and when asked what was wrong, he snapped at the poor girls who meerly wanted to know what was troubling him. Miroku was pretty angry right now. (If it wasn't obvious enough) The friends that he had travelled with, fought off demons with, ate with and well slept around, the ones he trusted, Had just walked off without him. Now that their major foe was defeated, and it didn't even imvolve them one bit, the group was slowly going to fall apart.
One of the major reasons why he was so relecutant at the beginning to join Inuyasha and Kagome. He had in mind something like this would happen in the end. Miroku got up just to walk over to another wall to lean on. It was way to hot for a morning and the only cool places were aginst walls. He sighed as he felt the coldness of the sunbaked mud penetrate through his monk's robes.
"If only I could take these damn robes off!"
He certainly wouldn't of minded, stripping down to his shorts…But Sango sure would've. Imagine getting caught by Sango, walking around in nothing but shorts… Miroku flinched.
"Ouch."
"Oh is something wrong?"
A new girl just happened to walk into the room when he said that. Obviously, she hadn't been snapped at yet.
"Nothing..Nothing."
She nodded and walked out of the room again, carrying what she came for. Well at least there were some people in this world who stayed on task and are not easily sidetracked. Miroku sighed, slouching back into his original position against the wall. Wondering how the others were doing. Miroku was just thinking about what to do for the …remainder of his life when he heard Sango's voice enter through the curtain of the storage room.
"Has a um.. a certain monk passed by here?"
Miroku got up to his feet, he was about to walk out and surprise Sango when the girl answered.
"No…there hasn't been any monks stopping here actually..sorry."
Miroku held back. She was the one who had just walked in when he said ouch. Why would she say that there wasn't…? Was there something he should know about that he didn't? Were they trying to keep him here or something? He made sure Sango was gone before he stepped out to casually greet the girl.
"Excuse me, was anyone looking for me this morning? I was uh…expecting someone."
"Oh…Oh my. There was a monk here. I-I'm so sorry! Yes, there has been someone looking for you… There was a girl and…Oh I am so sorry! You see I have short term memory and…I'm sorry…"
She walked away quickly avoiding Miroku's eyes. Miroku looked at her. Was she just lying to him…or was she really having problems with her memory? Miroku shook his head and walked out of the takoyaki place that had served as his shelter for the past night. Miroku walked quickly hoping to catch up to Sango.
"If I were a demon slayer looking for a monk…where would I be…?"
Miroku peered into random houses and other little restaurants. When he didn't find Sango in any of them Miroku just went and sat back down in front of the takoyaki restaurant. She had to pass by here at some point didn't she? Or maybe his robes will catch her eye. Not many people wore them.
(( Sango ))
"I've been everywhere! How many places could a monk hide? Oh no…What if…. He went on to another village because he thought we would leave him forever?"
Sango was walking faster now. She was almost sure Miroku had left for a different village. There was no other explaination. Maybe she should go back to wake Kilala up and…and they'd go off to find him. Yeah, with Kilala's sense of smell, it should be easier. And Inuyasha wasn't going to help.
Sango had her head bent down, her eyes were cast to the ground. And then… She walked right past the takoyaki hut. She didn't pay any attention to the noises behind her or around her. Her one focuse was to get back to camp to get Kilala…then to find that houshi. Sango didn't even notice when a purple/navy blue clad figure called out to her. She just continued down the dirt path that would take her back to the remainder of her friends.
(( Miroku ))
"Sango! Hey! Sango!"
Miroku expected something along the lines of tears of joy and a big hug, but she just kept walking. Was she ignoring him? Miroku got up and followed her, she was most probably heading back to camp. Sango wasn't carrying her bone boomerang around with her, it was most obviously somewhere else. As he started to run to catch up to her, miroku began having second thoughts.
"She's ignoring me for a reason…"
He lightly placed one hand on her shoulder. When she didn't turn around he called to her softly, he didn't want to scare her.
"Sango? Sango…Come on…I know you can hear me…"
Sango was acutely aware of the voice talking to her, it was that of a certain monk that had drove her the the brink of insanity. Looking for him and not finding him wasn't enough. She had to start imagining about him being behind her too.
"Look. Could you pleawse stop talking? I'm trying to think here."
Miroku took a step back. Did those words really come from Sango's mouth?
"Well someone had to tell the stupid imaginary…wait a second what if he wasn't imaginary…" Sango took a chance and turned around as sure as the sun would rise again the next day, Miroku was still stadning there.
"M-Miroku…?"
He gave her a long stare. Not able to make out if this sincerity was just an apology in desguise for the remark telling him to shut up.
"Is it really you?"
"Well…"
Sango went up and poked him. Her hand didn't go through… that had to mean Something.
"Miroku… ! Miroku! Where've you been!"
"This is more like it…" Miroku was trying to think up something heroic to say… things like, oh I was fighting off demons, or well this HUGE storm suddenly came out of nowhere and I got caught in it… but instead..
"I've been inside the takoyaki hut, slept in the storage room last night…"
"Well," he thought to himself, "I deserve some form of pity don't I?"
"Oh Miroku! I'm so sorry!"
Sango's eyes were flooded with tears and with a forward step, she wrapped her arms around Miroku and thus…the water works started.
"There, there Sango. Nothing to cry about really. I'm ok."
At that Sango hugged him even tighter. Miroku gasped, in pain. She was showing her emotions…but at a price. Miroku's ribs were being crushed by the pressure fo the hug. He had to do something. Gently he eased the crying girl off of him. Not an easy thing to do.
"Sango…Sango. Look at me."
She felt a little weird after Miroku unwound her arms. Miroku opened his mouth to say something, but the words couldn't leave his mouth. How could he say this?
'Yesterday went you used the rosary on me, the fall broke some of my ribs.'
It just wasn't that easy. Miroku wanted to say that he was injured without Sango feeling like it was all her fault. Well…it kinda was but… At the moment that would only make this situation worse.
Noticing that Miroku had just cut himself off, Sango motioned for him to continue. Did she do something wrong?
"Go on…whatever you have to say…I can take it."
"No…well you see…I um..well when you…" Miroku scratched the back of his head. He was trying to buy time for himself so he can think this through. The last thing he wanted was for Sango run away from him crying. What would the others think he did to her if she arrived, tears still flowing freely from her eyes? He could imagine all the death threats he'd receive.
"Just…just say it."
"You know…uhh..well..About yesterday…when you uh…used the rosary?"
Sango nodded in reply. She had a feeling she knew what was going to come out from his mouth next…
"Something along the lines of… 'Well…it hurt a lot so I think it's better off that I venture alone and never see you or the others again. Goodbye.' "
"I …I kinda broke my ribs-"
"Y-You…you Broke your ribs!"
"I…I uhh..yeah."
"Miroku…Miroku…I am so sorry"
Sango began crying again only this time she didn't hug him. She just stood there, trying to wipe all the tears off her face.
"Sango…aww..don't cry again…I'm ok! See? I already said…Sango..please stop…"
"Its…its all my fault!"
"Sango, you re-acted purely on instinct. I forgive you! Please stop crying! …I'm the one who should be in tears!"
" …you're right."
Miroku was surprised… "I am!"
Sango giggled, "Yup. You're right."
"I am aren't I?"
"Yeah!"
"I've never been right before…now I know what Kagome-chan and Inuyasha feel like…I know what you feel like too when you're right about something."
Sango laughed out loud, she forgot about the tears she had been shedding just a few seconds ago. Her eyes were now filled with tears…from laughing too hard. Overly happy from knowing now that Miroku wasn't going to leave them. Sango forgot the topic they were on back at the beginning of this conversation.
"Now…back to …what were we talking about?" Miroku was sure it was somewhat important but the topic just couldn't come to mind.
"I don't rememebr either…"
Both of them had already walked over to the nearest tree to sit down in its shade. A moment of silence had passed before Sango decided to speak.
"Hey Miroku…Close your eyes."
"Huh? Why?"
"Just…close them!"
"heh…all right.." Miroku smiled a smile that suggested things…
"Oh and take that smile off."
Miroku did what he was told and in place of the smile he put a pout. He felt Sango's arms go around his shoulders, enveloping him into a hug. He smiled. Her body felt so warm! Then the next thing he heard was the rattling of the kotodama rosary.
"Is she.."
"There all done! You can open your eyes now!"
Miroku looked down and his guesses were right. The damned rosary was gone. It was now dangling from Sango's left hand.
"Sango…you took it off?"
"Yeah! Didn't you want it off?"
"Well…I don't know…I thought it lokoed really fashionable on me."
Oh course, he was being sarcastic. Actually Miroku was really happy to have the stupid thing off him. It meant that Sango now trusted him more…right? What kind of expression would Inuyasha make if he told him that Sango had taken the rosary off?
Sango rolled her eyes at him, "Well…I could always put it back on for you…."
"No, no…it's ok."
She smiled and put the rosary into her yukata, Miroku looked at her.
"You…you mean you aren't just going to throw it away?
"Well… I might need back up sometime in the near future you know…" Sango grinned evilly. Miroku gulped.
"Let's hope you don't, oh yeah…and Sango?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Miroku leaned in for a kiss, and Sango accepted. Afterwards it was silent for a few more minutes, both of them enjoying the sunset in the distance. Searching for Miroku had taken away all morning and most of the afternoon. The two of them had been talking for a while..
"So Sango.. are you hungry?" Miroku pulled a box of takoyaki out from his robes. He was saving them for the perfect moment.
"Sure.."
It was nice… not being afraid of being slammed down into the dirt at the call of a word. Miroku smiled… Maybe just once.. as a celebration sort of thing…afterall the day wouldn't be complete without it. He even got to kiss Sango!
"It feels so good to be rosary-less again! I feel like such a free man!"
((grope))
"HENTAI! YOU'RE NOT THAT FREE!"
SLAP- The End.
And that's all for This What if story. I hope you liked it! Plz R&R, leave a comment. I need ideas for another What if story: ) your comment would help a lot.
- Mirokusgurl69