Chapter Three: Regretful Mix-up.

Everyone awoke quiet happy that morning, even Inuyasha who usually got no sleep. The sun shined brightly behind the trees and there was at least five inches of snow on the ground. (KG: just like here in MD!) Not enough to stop them from traveling, but enough to slow them down a bit. Shippou was running around playing tag with Kilala and Kagome worked to pack her things before it was time to go. Miroku was outside looking for the best way up the mountain seeing as some of the previous paths may have been blocked off. Sango and Inuyasha were both preparing their weapons, figuring that there was no way they wouldn't encounter some kind of demon. It's better to be safe than sorry. Sango also had things on her mind though, other than the journey. She thought Miroku was better than last night, but she couldn't be sure. Her hopes were soon confirmed.

"Sango! Come take a look at this." Miroku popped his head in and took her hand, guiding her outside. He held her hand as he helped her walk through the snow. She stumbled a bit, but Miroku was there to catch her. After a few minutes of walking Sango gasped at the sight. In front of her there was a beautiful valley filled with pearly white snow rolling over the hills. A small forest was at the bottom with animals scurrying in and out. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, indicating there wasn't going to be anymore snow for a while. "It's beautiful!"

"I know isn't it?" She nodded her head, as she couldn't take her eyes off of it. "Now come on let's go inside before we get too cold." She followed behind as they made their way back, seeing everyone waiting and ready to go.

"You guys ready?" Kagome asked.

"You bet!" Sango finished.

The group was off. Miroku found a good path that wasn't blocked on the way up. But it was somewhat longer then the rest too. He remembered a journey he had once taken up there long ago, back when he was looking for a cure to get rid of his curse. Inuyasha looked around making sure no demons were close, and Sango just enjoyed the scenery. As did Kagome. Miroku walked peacefully with his staff in his right hand, and he had left hand tucked in his robe as a sort of support. He hung to the back in case any demons did come he wouldn't be the one fighting. Kagome was in the middle though just in case she needed protection. He always thought of others before himself. It seemed it had always been that way. His mind was in a totally different place and he paid no attention to what was going on around him. His mind snapped back as he heard a scream from the two girls.

"Get off of me!" Kagome shrieked, as two men held her tight. Sango was having problems herself as three held her hands behind her back and the other her feet. Their attackers all had dark clothing on with masks to hide their face, making them all the more intimidating.

"I'm coming Sango!" He ran as quickly as he could, not noticing how far he had fallen behind. He couldn't let anything happen to her. They had just made up so nothing was going to stop him from protecting her. He was almost in front of her before he heard her.

"Miroku look out!" He was too late. A sharp pain went through him as one of the men kicked the back of his legs causing him to fall to his knees…losing his staff at the same time. Before he could get back up, he had his hands bound behind him as two other men approached him.

"You let her go!" Miroku shouted.

"Shut up you filthy man." His face stung as one of them punched him. His head swam in a flash of dizziness "Who allowed you onto our property? And with a demon no less!" Miroku promptly looked over at Inuyasha who had fallen victim to a spell they had placed upon him. He stood there frozen while a female chanted.

"Let him go!" Sango shouted. "We didn't do anything wrong!" Sango squirmed in their tight hold. She to received the same treatment as Miroku.

"Don't you touch her!" The man holding his wrist pulled harder as Miroku tried to lunge at the one who had slapped Sango. "I said quiet!" The man who seemed to be in charge angrily walked over to Miroku, snow flying off of his feet. "I gave you no right to speak did I?" He raised his fist and hit Miroku over the head, causing him to slump in unconsciousness.

"Miroku!" Sango shouted trying to reach him, make him open his eyes, anything.

"You want the same thing to happen to you sweet thing?" The man stood right in front of her now, leaning down to her height. He removed his mask causing Sango's eyes to widen in surprise.

"K-Koto?"

"What did you say?" He seemed angry.

"Koto is that you?" He looked at her for a moment, moving the snow off her hair and face. His eyes too widened as he realized what a mistake he had made.

"Lady Sango!" He immediately motioned for all of the others to release them. "Let them all go now!"

Sango looked at him for a second, before she saw Miroku hit the cold, snow filled ground. "Miroku." She said to herself running to his side. She lifted him up trying to shake him out of his sleep. Luckily for her his eyes began to open. "Oh thank gods." He winced holding his wrist, but then looking at her. "You're alright," He said to her. "Sorry I couldn't protect you Sango."

'It's not your fault Miroku." She noticed Kagome run over to Inuyasha who still stood completely still. Miroku noticed the same. He then got up the best he could, but stumbled once as his legs collapsed, still in a little pain. "You need help?" She asked holding his arm.

"No I'm ok." He got up again successfully this time and shakily walked over to Inuyasha. He put his hands together and began to chant something Sango had never heard. Before they knew it Inuyasha sprung out of his paralysis, lunging at the first guy he saw.

"Inuyasha matte!" Sango shouted and all three of them looked at her and stopped. "I uh…know these guys. She saw one of them try to help Miroku up, as he had fallen back into the snow. He angrily brushed them off and made his way to Sango.

"Who are they Sango?" He stood in front of her breathing heavily, but ready to protect her at all cost.

"We are the demon exterminators." Koto had embarrassingly said. "We apologize for the mix up Lady Sango. We meant no harm to your friends, but we had no idea who you were at the time. We thought you as intruders."

"Then my father has far to go in your training." She spitefully said as the group continued up the mountain. "Kilala!" She shouted. The cat-demon promptly walked up to her and transformed. Miroku thankfully got on as he felt a headache building. Sango got on as well. Inuyasha snorted as he walked by the disgraceful group and Kagome too turned her head up at them.

"See what you did now Koto, she's mad at us. Now we're really gonna be in trouble when she tells her father."

"She has every right to be angry at us Samara."

Samara and Koto were the two in charge, though they probably wouldn't be after Sango was through with them. Koto was a strong looking man with black hair and brown eyes, kind of like Sango. The features on his face were very distinctive. Explaining why Sango recognized him right off hand, or just because she had a crush on him when they were younger. Either way he was in trouble. Samara too was strong looking for a woman. Unlike Sango, or everyone else in the village for that matter, she had white hair and blazing blue eyes. They actually looked a lot like Miroku's. Only right now his were filled with pain and anger all at the same time.

"Lady Sango matte!" Koto ran over to where Kilala was. "Let us at least guide you the rest of the way. It's not too much farther and it's the least we can do."

"You got that right!" Inuyasha snorted. Now holding the tired Kagome on his back. Miroku too slumped against Sango head still dizzy, but wide-awake none-the-less.

"Fine. Go ahead and do as you want. I'd like to speak with my father when we get there."

"As you wish Lady Sango." He bowed and commanded his team forward.

By the time they got to the newly set up village, the sun had begun to set, as the path was longer than expected. Kagome was fast asleep, but everyone else was just set on resting once they got there.

"We're here. Your father is in that building over there." He pointed to a large building. Everyone coldly glanced at the group as they walked by. No one save Miroku noticed. Sango was too angry and Inuyasha was focusing on getting Kagome comfortable. As they entered the building, Sango saw her father talking with a young man. She stood in the doorway and stared at him until he noticed her and rushed to her side.

"Sango!" he came up and hugged her. She stood frozen for a moment. Then tears welled up in her eyes and she hugged him right back.

Inuyasha walked past them and sat Kagome against the wall then helped Miroku get off Kilala. He too slumped against the wall not caring about being proper. Inuyasha then sat against the wall himself waiting for Sango's reunion to be over. Normally he would be happy for her, but after their little mishap he was reluctant to welcome them in with open arms.

"Father what happened? How are you alive? I saw your graves." Miroku was now listening.

"Never mind that Sango dear, all that matters is that you're here now." He became suspicious, but decided to let it go for now. Sango was finally happy so his suspicions would have to wait.

"Come sit down. Shinto, find a room for our guests, they look like they need their rest."

"Yes sir." The young man who he had been speaking to earlier directed the group to follow them. "Right this way." Inuyasha helped Miroku up and then picked up Kagome on his back and followed the boy. He led them into a beautiful room that had enough room so they could all stay together. The young man bowed before letting them rest. "Food will be sent up shortly."

"Arigato." Miroku said and dismissed the boy. He took Kagome from Inuyasha, seeing he was just as tired as her, and laid her down on the futon that was spread across the floor. He covered her up and went to lay in his own.

"Excuse me sir." A girl peeked her head inside. "I thought you all might want something to sleep in seeing as your clothes are all wet."

"Yes, thank you." He took the many pairs of clothes and handed two over to Inuyasha, who placed one next to Kagome if she wanted to change. Miroku carefully changed himself and laid down on the futon closest to the door. He undid the bandages on his wrist since they were soaking wet and laid them next to him. After putting his staff down, (KG: can someone tell me what it's called in Jap? I just don't know how to spell it) he got comfortable under the covers and placed his swollen wrist across his stomach, careful not to hurt it further. He figured he'd ask Sango to put new bandages on. He closed his eyes and easily fell into a deep sleep with Sango being the last thing on his mind.

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

"Father I really think I should get back to my friends. They didn't seem well when they left."

"Yes, I understand. And I will surely speak with Koto and Samara later tonight. Please use anything you want to heal the monk and the others."

"Father his name is Miroku. And…I…agreed to marry him. I love him. So please treat him nice to make up for what happened. He was kind of hurt after our little mishap so I don't think he completely trusts you yet."

"I can understand how he feels. He has no right to trust us." Sango smiled happily at him before she left.

"Sango…I'm glad you found somebody. It makes me happy to see you happy."

"Thank you." She then left to go see the others. She lazily walked in only to find everyone was fast asleep. Each of them was respectively in their own futon. Even Inuyasha decided to sleep in one tonight. Different for him, but she couldn't blame him none the less. It had indeed been a hard and brutal day. Hopefully tomorrow things will clear up and above all, Miroku will be feeling better. His wounds weren't too serious, so they should be healed by the morning.

"It'll all get better I just know it. She took her futon and scooted it next to Miroku so she could peacefully sleep beside him. She got comfortable and finally laid down to rest, rubbing a sore spot on her cheek.

"It was just an accident. That's all it was."

As she drifted into sleep, Two people stood watch outside their door talking quietly to each other. Miroku could hear every word of it, as sleep would not come in such a place as this. Things were not right and he knew it. His only problem would be that if he tried to tell Sango, she would never believe him.

"Good job. Now that they're here we can continue with our plans." The first voice spoke.

"Then it'll begin shortly then?"

"Yes. Soon enough there will be no demon exterminators' left to speak of. Not one.

"And the girl?"

"Of course...she's the only one left."

"Good…"