Chapter 7: Revealed Ally
Inuyasha and Kagome had returned not to long after their relaxing walk. As they entered the hut Kagome smiled as they both noticed Sango sleeping in Miroku's arms.
"His wound is still bleeding…" Inuyasha pointed out.
"That's okay, I'm sure Sango will be more than happy to fix it for him." Kagome pulled Inuyasha away from the sleeping couple and directed him to a nearby wall so they too could get some shuteye. Inuyasha held her tight and they too fell asleep in a peaceful slumber.
Night soon fell and all was quiet except for the periodic chirping of crickets. Miroku bolted up in his sleep for reasons unknown. Sango still clung to his waist and he carefully laid her onto the futon so he could inspect what was going on. He walked over to Inuyasha's sleeping form and without and hesitation woke him up to get his help.
"Inuyasha…Inuyasha wake up." He nudged his companion's shoulder careful not to wake Kagome. She promptly rolled over in her sleep making it easier to get Inuyasha's attention.
"Inu…ya-" He couldn't move any further before the sleeping Inuyasha bolted up pinning Miroku to the wall with his sword placed against his neck.
"Inuyasha it's…just me." Miroku cringed trying not to cry out as Inuyasha held his shoulder tight.
"Oh Kami…I'm sorry Miroku." Inuyasha released his friend and shook the sleep from his eyes. "I didn't know it was you. I'm not used to people waking me in the middle of the night you know?"
"Yeah sure…"Miroku sunk down to the ground holding his shoulder."
"I didn't mean to hurt you…gomen. What was it that you needed?" Inuyasha helped the monk from the floor and brushed him off. Amazingly the girls hadn't stirred one bit.
"I um…" he began, "I sensed someone outside. You told me not to do this by myself remember?"
"Right…let's go." He ran outside along with Miroku to find none other then Samara standing in a clearing outside the door. The moon shined beautifully illuminating on a small lake nearby. And contrasting with the deep midnight sky.
"Oh its only you." Miroku stated boldly as the silver-haired woman stared back with no words to offer.
"What do you want?" Inuyasha yelled to her.
"I have come to warn you all. Especially you monk."
"Warn me? About what?" Miroku put down his guard, slightly trusting the woman.
"Do not talk from a distance my friend for more people will hear than you wish. May I join you in your quaint residence?"
"Yeah sure come on in." Inuyasha said, still a little hesitant. He figured it was better for them all to be together.
As they walked Miroku promptly woke Sango, as did Inuyasha with Kagome. Sango began to tend to Miroku's wound and Kagome sat next to Inuyasha, still partially awake. Miroku could barely stay awake as Samara began. The only thing that kept him up was the pressure he felt Sango place on his no longer stitched wound.
"What is it you want to tell us Samara?" Sango politely asked.
"I'm sure you all are fully aware of what is going on around here. Sango here is targeted my more than one person in this godforsaken village."
"And you're different how?" Miroku started
"A few months ago when we were attacked by Naraku's men. I believe you were there Sango." She glanced over to Sango who was still holding Miroku's wound. He seemed uncomfortable in her grasp. "Everyone from our village was killed except you Sango. I don't know how it happened, but you were very fortunate."
"So are you a demon slayer or not?" Kagome said a little confused.
"I am…and so is Koto." Her voice was so soft for a warrior and Sango felt relaxed as she told her story. "Fortunately for us, we fled from the group a while back to tend to friends who we had heard were injured in battle. Koto and I were very close so he happily went with me. When we returned we found everyone had been slaughtered so we, in turn, fled."
"I see." Sango said. "Then what happened. And why is everyone alive now?"
"They aren't." Sango gasped. Her hopes were shattered and she realized in fully that Miroku was right from the beginning. "Not too long before you all came, a man approached Koto and I. He said he could bring things back to normal. But there was a cost. We had to kill you Sango."
"And you agreed?" Inuyasha burst in.
"Sort of. At fist I was indifferent about you Sango. I never knew you well enough and always though you to be suck up because you were our leader's daughter. So as long as my life went back to normal it didn't matter whether or not you lived. But when I actually met you…I realized how pure-hearted and caring you were to your companions. I changed my mind, but never told our master. Koto on the other hand couldn't care less."
"That doesn't surprise me." Miroku scoffed.
"Yes. That's when I learned that Koto was indeed in love with you Sango."
"In love!" Miroku gasped
"Yes. And since he was so close to our new master, he was offered your heart rather than your life. I on the other hand decided to go against my master's orders and inform you instead. I've been watching you since this whole thing has started."
Things started to make sense for the group as they listened to the girl speak. Sango also made realizations of her own. None of the people she met were real. They were all made up characters to play a part in these peoples mind.
"I must leave for now. I don't want anyone to get suspicious of my whereabouts. Monk I will return tomorrow with medicine for your wound and more information. Until then…I wish you all best of luck. Be careful and keep an eye open for anything they have planned." Samara got up and began to walk out.
"Thank you Samara." Sango went over and hugged the young girl. She was so relieved to hear the complete story. Now they could work with the information they had and beat this master Samara was in control of.
"I'll be back soon lady Sango. Don't worry I'll do my best to ensure all of your safety."
After Samara had gone everyone promptly went to bed in hopes to get as much sleep as possible before her return in the morning. Things had stayed quiet the rest of the night. Everyone just figured they had Samara to thank for that.
As the morning sun came up around six that morning, everyone promptly woke up waiting for Samara's return. All except for Miroku that is. He in turn was sleeping to get all the rest he could before any big fight they were soon to encounter. Little did he know, Samara was coming with a solution to some of their worries. She came not too long later to finish all she had to say and do.
"I have returned my friends, but I cannot stay long for my master is expecting me later. I have brought something very powerful for the monk and the answers to any questions you may have."
"I have one." Kagome said. "When we came on the mountain, why did Koto stop attacking when he found it was Sango?"
"You all coming to us happened absolutely by mistake. We thought finding you would be a lot harder, but you coming was the best thing for us and the worst thing for you. Koto and I had not yet the power to get rid of you, so we had to bring you back here and then decide what to do. If a plan ever does come to my knowledge I'll surly let you know a head of time." Samara smiled as she concluded. She was both happy and relieved all at the same time that she could help out her friends. The guilt she felt before could finally be relieved.
"Thank you so much Samara." Sango put a hand onto her shoulder.
"Now before I must leave I have something for the monk. It will be his decision whether or not he wishes to use this powerful medicine." She handed Sango a small bottle of a light blue liquid.
"Why wouldn't he want to use it?" Inuyasha took the small bottle from Sango and inspected its contents. He opened the bottle and smelled the liquid, but closed it up immediately, as the smell seemed to burn his nose. "What is this?"
"It is a very powerful medicine to heal flesh wounds. The arrow your friend was shot with had a very power poison that prolonged its healing process. At this rate, his shoulder will be hurting him for at least another month to come."
"WHAT?" Everyone shouted in unison.
"I should have told you earlier, but I'm afraid I was prevented from coming to talk to you all. Your attempts to heal him were useless and I regret not coming to you earlier." Her head seemed to hang down at her unfortunate news.
"So what does it do?" Sango asked frightfully.
"I can't explain to you the scientific principles of its healing, but I have seen it used on people before. The process begins by reopening the alleged wound and pouring all of the mixture inside. Then the wound must be promptly stitched to form the shape in which it must heal. Otherwise bad scaring will occur. The catch is that for twenty-four hours the user will be in great pain as the mixture rapidly heals the wound. After it is over all that will be left is a dull ache, but the wound will be perfectly healed. I recommend you do use it because I fear that an attack will be in motion sooner than later. I also recommend that everyone be in perfect health because our forces are strong. You never know when or where they will come."
Everyone was left dumbstruck. Especially Sango. She wanted Miroku to be better so he could protect her all he wanted, but she hesitated to cause him anymore pain. She was torn and had no idea what to do. Everyone else was quite as well. Samara stood patiently waiting for their decision.
"I don't want him to do-." Sango began to make her decision.
"I'll do it." Everyone was shocked to turn and find their friend standing behind them. He looked as though he were in great pain as he held his wound. "Sango I'm tired of being weak and I want to be ready. If this means I need to be in pain for one more day rather than one month…I'll do it. For you, for our friends, and for your life." He knew what he had to do. To save Sango and keep her safe…he would do anything.
"I recommend to do it soon." Samara continued.
"Thanks Samara I think we can handle it from here." Sango walked over to her new friend.
"If you need anything I will be by tonight to check on how the monk is doing. Hopefully by then I will have something to ease his pain so he can sleep peacefully the night. Once again…good luck my friends." Samara bowed to the group and headed back out the door to return to her 'master.'
"Well Miroku?" Inuyasha started, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I'm positive. Let's just get it over with so we don't waste tomorrow away too all right? " Miroku smiled. Sango could only stare into his deep blue eyes and wonder…how…how could he always be so happy. All her life she had a family and friends. But all his life he had no family and spent all his time finding a cure for his cursed right hand. How was he always happier than she was?
The group was finally prepared after not too long at all. All Miroku wore was cotton white pants. His chest was bare and his wound stood out with the crimson red dripping down his pale white skin. The wound was much larger then expected and none of them could believe that this could have gone on for another month to come. Sango laid him down on the only futon in the room and covered him up with a blanket from his waist down.
"Are you ready Miroku?" Sango asked placing her hand on his forehead, brushing away a few stray hairs as he looked up with somewhat fearful eyes.
"More ready than I'll ever be." He heaved a great sigh and placed his hand onto his stomach ready for whatever Sango had to do.
"Then I'll begin…"