Chapter Eight: The Pains and Pleasures of Being Well
Miroku just lay there ready for Sango to begin. The wound had a small layer in which it began to heal so Sango began by cutting it open with a small knife Samara had left with them. Miroku winced slightly but let it pass as she finished quickly.
"Inuyasha can I have the bottle please?" Sango held her hand out while her eyes focused on the matter at hand.
"Yeah sure…here." He handed her the bottle and backed away sitting not too far from Miroku's head. Kagome sat on the other side of her friend just in case he needed a hand to hold. Miroku looked back and forth smiling at both of them.
"Here we go." Sango gently poured the mixture into the wound wondering where it all went. It burned on contact and Miroku squirmed slightly and this new discomfort. He tried his best not to let any drip out because he needed this to work.
"You alright Miroku?" Inuyasha worriedly asked seeing the distress on Miroku's face.
"I'm…alright Inuyasha…thank you." He smiled once more at his worried friend.
"Kagome can you hand me the needle and string. And Inuyasha can you go boil some water…quickly?" Sango gently asked for favors here and there, regretful that they hadn't done all this earlier. But it would be okay…everything would be okay. She stared down into Miroku's eyes and held his hand waiting for everyone to get back.
"It's not that bad Sango…" Miroku said to relieve her worries.
"I'm not done yet Miroku…" She said regretfully.
"Oh…" His hopes faltered as he saw Kagome and Inuyasha run back in.
Sango continued stitching up the wound and watched Miroku's face as he had closed his eyes through the whole procedure. Kagome sat in worry knowing that the initial feeling wasn't all that was going to come. Inuyasha knew the same as Miroku relaxed when Sango cut the string of the final stitch.
"There all done…" Sango concluded. "I guess it wasn't that bad was…" She was cut of as Miroku began to breathe heavily and sweat beaded on his forehead and chest.
"Miroku are you okay?" Sango moved closer grasping his hand.
"Yeah…I'll…I'll be okay…Don't worry Sango…" He placed his bandaged hand onto her cheek.
"Just lie still and this'll pass before you know it." Sango put his arm so it rested on his stomach and directed for Kagome and Inuyasha to come outside with her. The group walked outside in the early daylight. Kagome began the conversation seeing as no one knew what to say.
"Sango do you think this was the best idea? He seems ten times worse than before."
"I know Kagome, but this is what he wanted. Inuyasha can you keep watch outside so we don't get any unsuspecting visitors?"
"Yeah sure Sango…" Inuyasha agreed.
"Kagome just help me keep him company alright?"
"Okay…"
Sango and Kagome walked back in to find Miroku desperately holding his wound. Sango rushed to his side and pulled his arm away and held it in her hand.
"Miroku stop you'll tear your stitching and we'll have to start all over."
"No…" He gasped out.
"Well then stop." She held his hand and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "It'll be gone before you know it so try and get some sleep."
"I…can't…it hurts too much." Pain filled his dark blue eyes as he stared at Sango.
"Then just try and sit tight and Samara will come with something to relieve the pain you are feeling."
"Okay…but Sango…please don't leave me."
"I won't Miroku…I'll stay right here…and Kagome is here too."
"Sango! Koto…its Koto. He's coming." Inuyasha burst into the room somewhat out of breath.
"What? Does he have anyone with him?" She jumped up from her seat and stood in front of Inuyasha. Kagome switched roles and held Miroku's hand instead.
"He looks like he's not up to anything so just act normal…and whatever you do don't mention Samara."
"Right…" She went back to sitting with Miroku and Inuyasha sat against the wall with his tetsuaiga in hand.
"Sango? Sango are you in here?" Koto walked in the quaint hut to see Miroku on the floor and everyone slightly gathered around. Miroku tried his best to keep it together, but was failing miserably.
"Is the monk okay?" He asked kneeling down by his head. Miroku glared knives prompting the demon slayer to back away.
"His wound is infected…he's in a lot of pain and should not be bothered." Sango said spitefully.
"Are you mad at me or something Sango? What did I do?"
"Nothing at all Koto, we're just kind of busy."
"Oh well can I help? Want me to take a look as his wound…I used to be a doctors assistant you know." Koto laid his hand on the wound ready to remove the bandages when Miroku cried out on his hand's contact. He kept pulling at the bandages before Sango jumped in.
"No stop you're hurting him! Koto just leave please!" Sango pushed him back. A little harder then she intended.
"Sure… I get it. You care more about that monk and you won't even talk to me. I understand… I understand just fine." Koto seemed angry now.
"Why don't you just leave buddy…" Inuyasha stood behind the rogue slayer. He glared at him finally giving him the hint to leave.
"Fine...I'm gone…" Koto went to leave, but before he did turned and gave Miroku a menacing glare as if to say, 'it's not over yet.' This made Miroku nervous and turn to Sango. As Koto left Miroku let out what he felt in a long moan of pain.
"You did good Miroku…he suspected nothing more." Kagome said as she wiped his forehead.
"Yeah, b-but I think…it made everything w-worse. He's angry now S-Sango, and… I don't think he's going to let it stop there." Miroku said, voice shaking.
"It's alright Miroku I got you covered. He won't lay a finger on you or Sango while I'm around." Inuyasha scooted up so his friend could turn to see his face.
"Thank you Inuyasha." He reached a hand out and placed it onto Inuyasha's red fabric covered leg. For that was all he could reach.
"Yeah…sure Miroku…" Inuyasha turned away, face red trying not to show his softer side.
The day went by agonizingly slow and Miroku's condition only seemed to worsen. A cry from the monk could be heard periodically and Kagome and Sango both had to hold his wrists so that he didn't peel away the bandages. Sango tried to be as gentle as possible seeing as se held his broken wrist. She hoped that would be healed soon as well. She knew though that there was nothing Samara could do about that...and was partly very thankful. It tore her up inside to see him in this much pain. But she hoped it to be over soon as the sun was beginning to set and Samara had promised to return.
"Sango's he's passed out." She hadn't even noticed his squirming had stopped. She let his arm go and stood up to go get some more water.
"This is stupid…why would someone invent something so agonizing?" Inuyasha spat.
"It was used during the warring times when soldiers needed to heal quickly for the next day's battle." Samara peeked her head in hearing Inuyasha's spiteful remark.
"Good your finally back." Sango walked back in with a bowl of cool water. "This hasn't been easy for him. It'll be done soon right?"
"Yes. My hopes are that after he has this antidote I have prepared, the pain will be manageable."
"It was somewhat manageable, that is until he passed out just now…" Sango's face saddened.
"He past out just now? Like a few minutes ago?" Samara seemed shocked at her last statement.
"Yeah why?" Sango was curious now as to what the girl had to say.
"Everyone I've ever given this to before passed out in the first few hours of use. I don't understand how he tolerated it this long. He must really be very strong." She smiled at the sleeping monk and kneeled down next to him. Everyone was now somewhat circled around Miroku.
"He is…" Sango wiped his forehead and placed a kiss onto his cheek.
"San-go…" Miroku said barely audible.
"It's okay Miroku I'm right here. And Samara is too. She's going to help ease the pain you are feeling."
He smiled, then began to cough violently. Sango's face turned to that of one with worry. "What's happening Samara?"
"He's reached the most lethal part of the effects…kuso…" She cursed. "I had hoped to get here before he reached this stage. Quick can someone rinse out the bottle that contained the antidote and get me some water? I need to do this quick." Kagome did as she had asked ad got the bottle. Inuyasha came back with fresh water. Miroku cried out in pain and Sango immediately went to his side.
"Sango…" He choked out.
"Shh…it's okay. Samara is working on the antidote now." He shook his head and turned it to the side, eyes scrunching up, and teeth gritted.
"It'll all be over soon." She held his hand close. To the side of her she could see Samara mixing many ingredients into one. As she poured the mixture into the bottle, it disgusted everyone to see the glob of green slowly fall to the bottom. She closed her eyes and waved her hand over the mixture, quietly canting a few words. As she finished, right before their eyes, the mixture turned a beautiful shade of violet that matched Miroku's robe perfectly.
"Now…Lady Sango just hand me that needle over there and I will inject it into him." Sango did as she was asked and handed the girl what she wanted. She gently pinched a piece of skin on Miroku's shoulder and stuck the needle into him until his skin reached the base. She carefully injected the antidote, making sure no air bubbles were present. Sango stared for a moment, expecting the effects to fall in immediately, but was disappointed when they didn't. Samara pulled out the needle and sat in wait. Miroku's body seemed to relieve itself of tension as the needle was removed from his body.
"Miroku?" Sango called to him, but there was no answer in return. She seemed to panic before she felt Samara's hand on his arm.
"It's alright Sango he's just asleep. It's expected. He was so strong for you. I can tell he really is in love with you." Samara smiled at her friend.
"Ko-koto…" Miroku shakily said to the two girls.
"Miroku…are you okay?" Sango questioned.
"I don't know, but she needs to know…about Koto." This caused Samara to glare into Sango's eyes waiting for an answer.
"He came by here earlier and tried to interfere with your treatment. We didn't tell him anything though, he just believed Miroku's wound got infected. He's angry at us now because I told him to leave Miroku alone."
"Oh dear." Was all she said, "I don't like it when Koto is angry. I have to go now. I'll come by tomorrow some time to tell you what is going on. Stay safe all of you. Especially you Miroku. He's angry now so watch your back. Try and be back on your feet by at least noon tomorrow." Miroku nodded at her request and continued to close his eyes.
"Bye Samara…and thank you." Sango bowed in respect to her new friend.
"Yeah thanks…" Inuyasha added.
Samara continued out and Sango went back down by Miroku's side.
"How do you feel Miroku?" Sango looked into his pain-filled eyes.
"It's getting…a little better…I'm sure I'll feel hardly anything by morning. He smiled to reassure her.
"Good…then sleep…I'll wake you up tomorrow." She kissed his forehead and pulled the covers back up to his waist. Everyone went to bed earlier that night, in hopes to wake early the next morning to be prepared for what ever came. Sango gently laid by Miroku's side and Kagome eased into Inuyasha's lap. They all went to sleep that night hoping things would be normal again by morning…so they could finally face their enemy…and end their nightmare