Chapter Fifteen: A Hopeful Cure

Rain came down in sheets as Inuyasha's fist hammered on the mansion door. No one answered at first, but after another try a soft far away voice came from within the home.

"I'm coming I'm coming…" An older voice shouted. Sakura peeked behind her father as he opened the door. She could only gasp as she saw her friend in Inuyasha's arms.

"Young master!" She pulled the group of travelers in from the pouring rain and motioned then into the same room they had stayed before. Still as beautiful as ever. Miroku sighed as Inuyasha let him to his feet and then to his bottom. Colors danced across the room as a single candle illuminated the room and Miroku looked into Inuyasha's eyes.

"Thanks Inuyasha, But you owe me…an explanation later." Miroku's voice softened as he leaned against the wall and closed his tired eyes. And what eyes he had. Adventures made them mature more than even he realized. The young man's eyes turned into that of an experienced warrior. Deep sapphire blue with flecks of gray blended within. One couldn't help, but be ensnared with their luscious beauty.

"What is going on Inuyasha?" Sango placed her hand on the half demon's shoulder.

"I don't think Samara is what she seemed…" He began, "I'm almost positive that she poisoned Miroku after he was stabbed by Hatsumaru."

Everyone stared in disbelief and despondency, some more confused than others.

"And I believe that Hatsumaru is still very much alive and inside Samara."

Miroku's eyes shot open. Again there they were. He stood up suddenly standing right before his friend…his companion.

"But he can't be…I felt him leave Koto's body and then I…you…didn't you kill him?" His voice seemed to shake in fear. Was his spell not enough?

"My wind scar hit him…" He said with a guilty voice.

"And you didn't check to see if he was still alive?" The young miko shouted, batting him across the head.

"I'm sorry alright?" He looked down in shame. "I'm so sorry Miroku…"

"Don't blame yourself Inuyasha. We all make mistakes. I should've made my spell stronger…I should've done something." Miroku sat back down and let his head fall as he imagined the scene once again in his head

"Miroku you were passed out!" Sango stood up suddenly in front of the young man, eyes wet with tears.

"Umm…excuse me…" The gentlest of voices caught their attention and brought silence throughout the room. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I thought the young master might like some medical attention."

'Young master?' Sango picked up the young girl's reference to her beloved.

"It would be greatly appreciated…" Miroku stated from the darkened wall.

She smiled and handed Sango a pair of soft cotton pants for Miroku to change into instead of his soaking robes.

"And I'll dry them for you."

Miroku sat down on the given mat as soon as he had made himself comfortable in his new attire. Though he blushed as his chest was exposed with the contrast of the pure white bandages. A small spot of crimson could be seen right above the strap of his pants.

"How's your wrist Miroku?" Sakura kneeled down.

"It's better than before, though it hasn't been my biggest concern at the moment." He said absently rubbing his stomach to relieve the dull ache that lied beneath the bandages.

"Well it's been a little over two weeks since I last…since we last saw you…" She said looking at her father as he stood in the doorway. She gazed back at Miroku. "Unless of course you strained it somehow."

Miroku's mouth opened…then shut as he held out his hand for her to inspect. She took it carefully and unwrapped the soaked bandages.

"You should've taken better care of yourself Miroku."

He smiled as she finally called him by his name. Though not quite as nice as when Sango ceased to call him Houshi.

"That's what I told him…" Sango blurted. Miroku smiled then breathed in sharply as she placed pressure on the healing bone.

"I think you should leave this on for a little longer just to be safe" She finished wrapping the bandages and gazed down at the mans toned stomach.

"So what is this poison you spoke of?"

"It drastically delays healing." Sango summarized pointing to where he was stabbed. "According to his previous 'doctor' it won't heal properly for another month."

Everyone else nodded and Sakura could only stare in shock.

"Well…I may have something to counteract it so to speak."

"I think at this point we…he is willing to do anything." Sango corrected herself as she looked over at her tired monk.

"Well let me go get my supplies and I'll be right back." Sakura got up and walked by Miroku only to feel a slight tug on her kimono.

"Thank you." Miroku said, "Thank you for all that you've done."

She smiled and continued out of the room. Her father followed suit

"You alright monk?" Inuyasha asked folding his arms.

"I'm okay Inuyasha, I just want to go... you know...home."

"I think we all do." Kagome admitted.

Sakura took no time at all and came in soon after their brief conversation had concluded. She held a small vile that seemed to shine with a scarlet glow with the appearance that it had been used before. Sango seemed nervous, but only had the desire to protect her monk.

"So this is safe?" She asked.

"As long as he relaxes he should be just fine. No fighting, but you can walk around for short periods of time." She said directing her answer towards Miroku.

Miroku leaned back on his elbows, "Sounds reasonable to me."

"Good, then I'll get started…"

Sakura sat a few select objects down next to Miroku and asked him to hold the vile so it wouldn't spill. She picked up a bowl and a few bandages and sat them down for a moment before she asked for Miroku to return the small container. She took the liquid and poured its contents into the bowl, carefully dipping the bandages into the mixture. She removed the excess from each one before she laid the bandage in and across Miroku's newfound wound. He winced slightly as the opening was stretched, but the pain subsided quickly as his body began to relax.

"What…what is this?"

"It's a healing herb and a muscle relaxer."

"I'll say." He said falling back completely onto the mat.

"Hopefully you can get some rest now. So just sleep and we'll work on it more tomorrow. We don't want to over dose you now do we?" She smiled and moved to retrieve everyone's dried clothes.

No one understood her humor

Sango slid down by Miroku's side and smiled contently as his eyes began to grow heavy.

"I don't want to…sleep…yet."

"Shh… you deserve the sleep. You need it Miroku."

He smirked and raised his hand up to touch her angelic face.

"You're so beautiful… you know that."

"Miroku…" She blushed a beautiful rose and grasped his hand that was placed on her cheek.

"Sleep now…"

He couldn't help, but obey her commands and fell into a deep slumber; his lips still parted slightly as he breathed in and out.

"Good night my love."