Chapter One: Unexpected News

A long day bestowed the Inu gang, with demon battles spreading throughout the day. Thus succeeding in tiring out our dependable heroes. It was closing in on night time as the group walked down yet another path they were sure they must have been on a few dozen times before. Though with no energy left they didn't know if it were real or if their minds were playing a trick on them.

"That was the twelfth demon today…where are they all coming from?" Kagome questioned no one in particular as she otherwise worked on cleaning up Inuyasha's miscellaneous cuts and scrapes…as did Sango with Miroku as he took the most beating.

"Hold still Miroku!" Sango was growing impatient as Miroku squirmed trying to reach his staff. Though proved unsuccessful as Sango pulled him back, causing a yelp to escape as she tugged on his sprained wrist.

"That wasn't necessary."

"You should have listened to me."

"Hey um guys I don't mean to interrupt your little battle, but where are we planning to stay the night?" The young fox asked noticing the sun was slowly disappearing behind the nearest mountain. Any traveler along the path could easily spot the stunning colors the sun reflected against the clouds above.

"Miroku could pull one of his I-feel-an-evil-presence-looming stunt." Inuyasha so boldly stated.

"It isn't a stunt I'll have you know…it's a uh…well thought out plan to umm…get us shelter for the night. From the brisk cold winter weather…I do hear that the locals are calling for some snow later this week." He smiled in satisfaction.

"It's a stunt," Sango finally stated.

"Well what ever it is Shippou is right. We should get some shelter soon before this weather does get to us." Kagome said as she packed up her unusually heavy backpack. Then the group continued to travel once more as quickly as possible to the closest village.

:::::::::::::::

"Excuse me sir. Would you be so kind as to let us stay the night in your lovely home as we are very weary from battle. We promise not to be any burden and will leave first thing tomorrow morning." Miroku said trying to prove Inuyasha wrong about his pulling-a-stunt theory.

"It's no problem. How many of you are there? I will ask my eldest daughter to prepare you a meal and tend to your wounds."

"Your kindness is greatly appreciated sir. There are five of us and we promise not to be any trouble at all."

"It is no trouble at all. We very rarely get visitors."

"Thank you once again." He bowed in respect but not before smirking at Inuyasha who had been angered by his defeat.

:::::::::::::::

Kagome and Sango got their own rooms as did Miroku, Inuyasha and Shippou. The man's eldest daughter visited Inuyasha and Miroku first as she was told they suffered the most injuries.

"Here let me tend to you wounds young monk. It seems you have had a trying day have you not?" The young girl spoke softly but her voice sounded so pure and innocent to those who were able to listen. Being the wealthiest family in the small village, she dressed in a pale violet kimono with cherry blossom flowers running along the side as with a matching ribbon in her hair. Clearly made of silk. It was nothing to hide that she was indeed very beautiful in anyone's eyes.

"Yes it has been hard but I managed with the help of my friends here." He watched her work carefully on his wrist. She may have been gentle looking, but her touch wasn't always. He breathed in sharply as she tied up his thought to be sprained wrist.

"Oh did I hurt you? I'm sorry. I have the hands of a doctor and I am afraid they aren't as gentle as they look. Does this hurt?" She poked and prodded in several places along his wrist and he agreed to the pain of each one. "I'm afraid it's broken then. I will need to get more supplies so I will return shortly. Just sit tight."

"No problem." She got up slowly and walked out the door with much grace. Miroku sighed and Inuyasha looked very puzzled as Miroku just sat.

"What's your deal?" Inuyasha came closer to study the look in the monk's eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't even hit on that girl once! You must be in bad shape."

"No Inuyasha I assure you I am fine."

"Then why didn't you ask her to bear you child or whatever."

"Inuyasha I'm sure you know of my relationship with Sango. I'm just trying to be trustworthy towards her, as I know that after Naraku is defeated she agreed to marry and bear my child. Why would I want to betray her? I apologize I don't mean to be so abrupt. But does that answer your question?"

"Uh…yeah." Inuyasha was speechless. He never expected that Miroku could be trusted in such a way. Sango was truly lucky to have him. He just wished he could provide the same thing for Kagome one day. There was clearly more to Miroku then he ever tried to learn about. He decided that they should talk sometime.

"I'm back sir monk." The young girl walked back in with a few more medical supplies then she had left with. "I will leave you two to rest after I have finished. Um sir demon, will you be needing anything?"

"No I'm fine. I heal much faster than you humans." He said as calmly as possible. He hated having people help him all the time.

"Alright then. Then sir monk your wrist will be all I need to tend to tonight. Then I must help you lady friends in the next room."

"Sounds reasonable to me." Miroku sat as quietly as possible as the young girl worked to bandage up his broken wrist. His assistance was needed every once in a while to hold the piece of wood in place that was mean to be used as a splint. He sat watching her carefully as she worked with no flaws in her movements.

"There all finished. You mustn't use it for at least three weeks so you may properly heal. I will bring in some medicine shortly that will help with the pain and allow you to sleep easier. Would you like a cloth to support it?"

"No I think I will manage, but thank you for you care and kindness. May I ask what your name is?"

"You may call me Sakura. It was the same as my grandmother."

"Very suiting. And you may call me Miroku. My friend over there is Inuyasha."

"Thank you sir monk." She bowed respectively and walked out the door down to where the girls were.

"I'm truly impressed monk. Not one single move made." Inuyasha smirked and observed Miroku gingerly rubbing his newly bandaged wrist. "She better have fixed you up good, we need to move out tomorrow. Start searching again for that final shard you know?"

"Yeah I do…I'm just going to wait a bit before sleeping, maybe she'll bring that medicine she promised."

"Yeah sure just don't stay up too long." With that Inuyasha leaned up against the wall and shut his eyes in attempt to sleep.

:::::::::::::::

Kagome and Sango were all ready to seep when the young girl made her rounds to their room.

"How are you two? Do you need anything?" She kindly asked.

"I think we're fine. The boys got the brunt of the battles. But thank you for the meals and everything." Sango smiled sweetly.

"It's no problem really. Oh and here, if you could bring this to the young monk for his wrist as I promised."

"Sure." Sango thought for a moment." Um miss…"

"Yes ma'am?"

"The monk…He didn't by any chance ask you any questions regarding you bearing him a child or anything did he?"

"No why would he…that would be silly considering I just met him."

"Oh ok…" She sat puzzled.

"He was actually very quiet the whole time. All he did was ask my name."

"Okay. Well thank you for everything."

"Sure." The young girl began to walk away, but not before noticing Sango's pink and black uniform folded neatly on the floor. "Hmm that's funny. A few people came in a couple days ago dressed like that. Demon hunters am I right?"

Sango, shocked at the girl's words, turned immediately and began to ask questions. "Demon hunters? But there are none left of my kind. What did they look like? Where did they come from? How long were they here? Were any of them hurt?"

"I-I'm not sure…my father was with them not my self. I only met them once before I had to leave to tend to a sick family. I am truly sorry it must not have been my place to ask. You should talk with my father in the morning. Until then you should get some rest and give the young monk his medicine alright?" She smiled and walked out the door.

"Sango why don't you give that to Miroku and we'll worry about this tomorrow okay?"

"Alright Kagome. I'll be right back."

Sango walked into Miroku's room only to find he fad fallen asleep on the opposite wall of Inuyasha and Shippou. His left hand was lying on the floor as if it had no use anymore. She was curious though why it was bandaged again. Maybe it was worse than she originally thought it to be.

"Hey…Miroku…" She whispered slightly enough to make Inuyasha's ears twitch and for Miroku to open his eyes.

"Hey Sango. Is something the matter?" His voice sounded like he hadn't had any sleep in days.

"No, I just came in to give you the medicine the young girl said she promised you. Look's like pain medicine. Was you wrist broken?" She questioned as she opened the bottle and poured it into a small cup for him to drink.

"I'm afraid so. It's no big deal though, we can still continue bright and early tomorrow morning."

"Sure Miroku." She handed him the cup and watched him drink down the rancid smelling mixture.

"Goodnight Miroku." She kissed him on the cheek and began to walk out the door.

"What was that for?" He placed his hand on his cheek.

"For not trying anything funny with that girl."

"Oh…I see…well your welcome." He began to lie back down once more before she spoke.

"Miroku I think my family is still alive. Or some of them at least." Her voice was quiet and solemn.

"What?" He asked kind of shocked.

"I don't know who survived or how they did it, but we're going to investigate it some more tomorrow okay?" She said still faced towards the door.

"Sure Sango…Good night." Sango left to go back with Kagome and Miroku settled down as he felt the medicine kick in and sleep quickly overcame him.

Inuyasha peeked open his eyes and snorted, "Keh…humans…."