Chapter Four: In The Line Of Battle
The sun rose that morning in an eerie sort of way. Miroku stood out the door still thinking about what he had heard last night. He now knew that he would have to do everything he could to protect Sango. He also knew he had to keep it to himself because if anyone else found out, that would be the end of all of them, for he felt a very strong presence. Though he was hesitant to think that even he couldn't handle it. His thoughts consumed him so much he didn't even hear anyone calling him.
"Miroku? Miroku!" He snapped out of his temporary trance only to see Sango snapping her fingers in her face. "Hey come on my father's asked us to do a few chores. I thought you could help me ok?"
"Uh yeah sure Sango." Miroku got up from his stationary spot just to go assist his true love to ensure her safety.
"How's your head?" She felt around the back of his head while he got dressed. He inhaled sharply as she found the spot Koto had struck him on the day before. "Still sore huh? I'll go get something to bring down the swelling."
"I'm fine Sango, I assure you it's just a bump. Nothing serious. Now how about those chores hmm?"
The two traveled outside deep into the woods just as her father had instructed. He requested that they gather lumber for the few families who didn't have a place to call home. Miroku, being the kind person he was, agreed to help build them a quaint hut. Though not out of the kindness of his heart did he come up with this idea. Mostly just to minimize the town's suspicions of his…well…suspicions.
The forest was beautiful at these early hours. Nature had just began to awaken and very few animals scurried across the still damp earth. The sun shined beautifully behind the emerald green trees and a river could be heard not far away. A group of trees barely stood as if a fire had been present not too long ago. Or perhaps even a demon. Either way, not much life was evident during these morning hours. Thus making a more peaceful, even romantic feel to the whole adventure.
"Sango what time is it?" Miroku glanced around becoming aware of what he had to work with in case gods forbid something did attack.
"Well, judging but the sun…I'd say about five thirty, almost six. Why?" She curiously looked over at him.
"No reason. I just didn't keep track is all." The rings of his Shakujou jingled, being about the only sound in the forest. This made him nervous. Sango paid no mind as she worked hard chopping down trees with her boomerang.
"Hey Sango don't you think that we should be a little quieter?" Once again he stopped.
"You're so paranoid what could possibly happ-" "Look out!" She heard her monk yell as he dove to push her out of the way. Nine, no ten arrows flew by barely missing Sango, as she was most likely their target.
"A-are you ok?" Sango lied on her back with Miroku on top, making her feel quite uncomfortable until she noticed blood dripping onto her kimono. "Miroku…you're hurt." Miroku glanced over to see an arrow lodged deep into his shoulder. "I can't even feel it. Don't worry let's just get you back. We can finish this tomorrow alright?" She nodded as he helped her up to make their way back to the village. It wasn't even lunchtime and already there was trouble. Miroku knew what he heard was not made up at all. Sango was really in danger and he needed to do all in his power to protect her. Five more arrows flew by, but Miroku successfully ducked and pulled Sango out of their way. They all stopped once they reached the perimeter of the forest.
"Phew, too much adventure for one day if you as me." Miroku walked faster still trying to keep his high spirits.
"Yeah it was. We should just stay home today."
The two entered the hut just as Inuyasha and Kagome were waking up. Inuyasha snapped awake immediately as soon as he smelt blood. Kagome too noticed the urgency on Miroku's face as the two walked in.
"Oh my gosh what happened?" Kagome ran across the room to help Miroku with his newly acquired injury.
"Here sit down we need to get this out." She ran back and forth gathering up her medical supplies that she had luckily brought along.
"How'd this happen Miroku?" Inuyasha too walked over gripping Miroku's arm firmly so Kagome could continue. Miroku winced as he felt his skin burn when Inuyasha held it.
"I'll take it out okay Miroku?" Sango stepped up seeing the pained look in his eyes. He nodded as she began to count. "On three okay?" Miroku braced himself. "One…" Inuyasha had no expression as he held and listened to Sango count. "Two…" "I'm ready…" Kagome announced. "Three!" She ripped the arrow as fast as possible and watched Miroku flinch, but nothing more. "There…Kagome hand me the needle and string and Inuyasha, please go boil some water. And Miroku…just sit tight, we'll get you fixed up in no time. He nodded as sweat beaded across his face and blood streamed down his arm. He immediately brought his hand up to grip his wound to stop the bleeding.
"You okay Miroku?" Kagome walked back over with the things Sango had requested.
"Yes. A little dizzy is all."
"Here you can lay down. I'll go get Sango. She just went to get some bandages from Koto."
"Koto?" He sat up after hearing the name. "I don't trust him with her, I'll be right back." Miroku dashed out of the room over to Koto's so he could make sure she was all right. "Miroku you can't go! Miroku!" He paid no mind to her pleading voice as he ran to Koto's room. "I'm Coming Sango."
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Sango ran into Koto's room where her father had told her the bandages were located. This took her no time at all seeing as it was just down the hall. Koto sat by his bed as if he were waiting for her. She thought nothing of it and continued her search.
"Koto I need bandages quick!" She dashed back and forth in his room looking for what she desired.
"What for? Are you hurt?" He backed up to burrow near his bed. He quietly opened the drawer behind him.
"We were attacked in the forest and Miroku got hurt. Where are they Koto?" From the drawer he removed a short, silver dagger, unsuspecting to Sango. She was bent over hastily pulling things from a random cabinet. Koto stood behind her, knife held high, aimed to kill. He came down upon her.
"Sango!" Miroku ran clumsily into where he suspected Sango to be. Koto quickly hid the knife from his view and sneakily placed it back where it was. "Sango you're alright."
"Of course I am Miroku. And what are you doing here? You're hurt and you need your rest."
"I uh…wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I already told you, what Koto did was an accident."
"Yeah Miroku I'm sorry. What I did was wrong. No do as Sango said and go rest." Koto annoyingly said.
Miroku glared at him as they walked out of the room. Koto cursed under his breath as the two ran off. As they walked back down the hallway, Miroku began to feel faint from the loss of blood and over exertion. Sango supported him more until they made it back to their room.
"There you are Miroku." Kagome rushed back over to him. "Where did you go that was so important?"
"Never mind that Kagome, let's just get him stitched up alright?" Sango laid Miroku down and removed his robes from the top half of his body, revealing his well-formed chest that was also heavily beaded in sweat.
"Now just lay still." Sango dipped the string and needle in the hot water in attempts to sterilize it. "It's gonna sting."
"I think the arrow was worse Sango." She worked carefully stitching his wound up, one loop at a time. After fifteen minutes, the wound was closed and bandaged up so he could finally rest. He fell asleep soon after, and still it wasn't even noon. So in turn, Kagome and Inuyasha agreed to go out and gather the wood they had left behind, being very careful of any tricks their new foe had to offer.
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Miroku woke up later that evening when the sun had just began to set and all the vibrant colors disappeared along with it. Things seemed like they had quieted down though. He had no intentions of falling asleep for so long and hoped that nothing happened while he was out. He got up carefully and dressed himself properly before searching for his missing companions. As he walked, he once again placed his almost useless arm into his robe.
'This is quite pathetic of me.' He thought to himself. 'What kind of idiot goes and gets himself injured like this. I must be nothing to Sango as I am now.'
He walked down the dark halls further and began to hear people speaking not too far away. It was soon that he discovered that the voice he heard belonged to his beloved Sango. He rushed into the room where he heard her and found everyone he had been looking for. Eating of course. They must have been treated to a meal for rebuilding the villagers' homes.
"Miroku!" Sango gladly got up from where she was sitting to greet her husband to be. "You are feeling better I see. Or is it that you needed me?"
"I am fine Sango. I just woke up and had no idea where you had run off to."
"Would you like to join us to eat Miroku?" Sango's father rose and greeted the young monk. "After all you did save my daughter's life. I am truly grateful."
"Yeah what would we do without you?" Koto said almost sarcastically.
"Thank you all, but I'm not very hungry. If you don't mind though I would love to join you." Miroku graciously bowed and continued to sit.
"Here Miroku you can sit next to me right here." Sango pulled him over back to her seat between Inuyasha and Kagome.
"Think you got enough sleep Miroku?" Kagome asked politely.
"I think I did, but to tell you the truth I didn't even mean to fall asleep on you guys like that."
"Well that's what happens when a human has an arrow lodged in their shoulder." Inuyasha mocking said.
"You're probably right Inuyasha." Miroku gingerly rubbed his still throbbing wound.
The night went by pretty peacefully as everyone sat around and talked by the dinner table. Miroku could only sit and be wary of things that may or may not come that night. He thought at times though whether or not he should let Inuyasha know of is suspicions. It could be useful in the current state he was in, but he still wasn't sure. With how Inuyasha acted sometimes, he may let it go too far.
"Miroku? Miroku?" He snapped out of his slight meditation to hear Sango calling his name. Everyone else, except Inuyasha and Kagome, looked at him in spite.
"Miroku do you want to go back to our room? It's getting kind of late and I'm sure you must be tired. Everyone else certainly is."
"Yeah sure. We can go back if you want to." Miroku stood up, letting the slight dizziness pass, and continued to walk back with the rest of the group. The room was dark, and Miroku's covers were messed up just as he left them. Sango brought him over to his bed and laid him down, smoothing the covers after he snuggled into them.
"Sango I'm not sure if I'm really that tired. I just woke up an hour ago. So here, you lay here and I'll watch over you…alright?" Sango nodded and switched places with him so that she lay comfortably under the covers of his futon. He kissed her goodnight and proceeded to lean against the wall behind her. Inuyasha did the same as he too laid Kagome into her bed. Miroku closed his eyes in attempt to get some rest, and Inuyasha gladly let sleep overwhelm him. The day had been hard for them all and all Miroku could do was sit and wait for morning to come around. He drifted off not too long after. He woke up again when he felt a hot breath against his ear and something sharp against his neck.
"Not one word…"