Rating: PG13
Genre: Angst—one of these days I'll try something new…like fluff…maybe
Pairings: Inu/Kag and Mir/San both implied
Word Count: 3594

Summary: Miroku seems out of it to the Inu-tachi. What's wrong with him? Will he be able to recover before Naraku comes after them one last time?

The Family Curse

Whispering, "Do you think he's ill?"

The whispers were constant distractions.

"I don't know. He hasn't tried to grope anyone more than two or three times this past week, and I think those were more accidental then intentional."

"He doesn't look sick…"

Concerned, they were worried about him, but there was nothing they could do to stop the inevitable.

"True, but he's been distant. What else could it be but an illness?"

Kagome was right after a fashion, but he could not risk telling his friends the true reason behind his distant demeanor. He did not want them to worry. Not yet, maybe not until it was too late. There was only one thing that could cure him of his curse, but fate had not smiled kindly on him lately.

"He's awfully quiet. Why is he just sitting there?" It was Sango who questioned his attitude. While he was grateful for her concern, his heart despaired that she chose now to show it. He could not act on her good attentions when there was naught to be done to ward off his destiny.

"I don't know. Do you think he can hear us?"

Shippou… His lips twitched. If only they knew how aware he was of all that went on around him. Anything was a welcome distraction. Still, they did try, whispering behind their hands. Their attempts to conceal were as conspicuous as standing in front of him with their hands poised for a slap. The two women and kitsune were unaware however that he could still see them through his barely cracked eyelids though he appeared to be deep in mediation.

"Nah, he hasn't moved a muscle since we made camp. I even sat next to him, and he didn't twitch that cursed lecherous hand of his. Something has to be wrong."

"Will you stop your whining? There's nothing wrong with Miroku. He probably just got hit on the head one to many times. Pathetic, weak human." Inuyasha's voice cut through the conversation effectively nipping it in the bud.

Relief swept through his body. He did not want to think of the consequences should one of them grow bold enough to demand answers to his or her questions. Speculation was the lesser of two evils. At least now they were leaving to take their daily bath and towing the kitsune with them. It would give him a few more moments to collect himself and keep the pain at bay.

Grimace. His face felt stiff from the mental battle he fought to keep his youthful face from showing the full depth of pain radiating from his hand. The void was growing larger, stretching, aching, eating away at his skin. His end was near, but he would eek out a few days more. He had to.

"Yo, monk!" Inuyasha poked Miroku in the shoulder. "Is anyone there?" he asked, a slight tinge of worry creeping into his voice.

"Don't do that," demanded the perturbed tones of the Houshi-sama.

"Then stop worrying everyone and pay attention to Sango and Kagome. They're feeling neglected and taking it out on me!" retorted the hanyou covering up his apprehension with false bravado.

Miroku gently, but firmly pushed Inuyasha's poking finger away from his chest recalling how Kagome had sat Inuyasha more forcefully than usual the last two days. Even Sango had been prone to argue with the hanyou. Only Shippou had been able to restrain their ire.

"Meditation is good for the soul," commented Miroku attempting to cover-up the brief silence. "It centers my mind and refines my control of holy energy during battle. It is a fitting tactic with Naraku nearby."

Inuyasha looked oddly at the monk. Something just wasn't right…

Fehing, he turned and jumped into the nearest tree. "Just don't go worrying Sango and Kagome anymore. They whine enough as it is without you adding to their worries."

Miroku smiled at the gruff tone. He hoped that one day soon Kagome and Inuyasha would finally come to an understanding. It did not take long in their company to determine how one felt towards the other.

Turning his thoughts to another young lady in their small group, Miroku nearly sighed. He had so hoped she would be willing to bear his children once their quests were finished. Sango was fighting for revenge over the decimation of her village and the terrible deeds Naraku forced Kohaku to commit over the last four years.

He, himself was fighting for revenge of a sort, trying to eradicate the curse with the death of the very person who sentenced each male of his line to a short life. It was that self-same curse that was determined to show its full force soon. He had to contain the growth. He had to last a few days more. Surely Naraku would attack their group soon, and he would have a chance to live his years with the demon slayer by his side. It was his only hope.

Returning his focus to the containment spell blocking the force of the wind tunnel from sucking up everything in sight, he gathered his energy close together and began layering it around his hand, strengthening the spell inherent in the prayer beads. He was almost done with what he could do today, but it would not last long. It needed to be strengthened every four hours now when only a week ago it needed renewal every twelve. Calculating, he figured he had two more days, at most three to find and defeat Naraku. He had to try, but trying meant concentrating which caused the ladies to worry.

He would try harder after they finished bathing. He would try to be the normal lecherous Houshi-sama they respected and loved. He would dispel their anxiety. He would ignore the pain.

--l--l--l--l--l--l--

Things had to change. Miroku drifted further and further back from the group, his face pale and sweat dripping down his neck despite the cool breeze coming from the lake they traveled next to. He would be lucky to survive the night.

Sango glanced over her shoulder at the lagging monk, before turning to walk back down the trail with Kirara perched on her shoulder. Kagome sent her an understanding glance before starting an argument with Inuyasha to keep both him and Shippou distracted. Sango smiled, and picked up her pace, glad that Kagome understood. It was time she got some answers.

"Miroku!" she called causing him to startle. She watched as he dazedly brought his focus back to the present and away from whatever had occupied his mind the past day and a half. He had almost seemed to return to normal after she finished her bath, joking with everyone and even stroking her backside. She had slapped him naturally, but on the inside, she was a puddle on the forest floor, limp with relief. But it had not lasted.

"Yes sweet Sango?" said the man standing in front of her. While his words were suggestive, his voice lacked that extra tone, the sultriness and playfulness she had once been entirely to familiar with. She was worried.

"What's wrong Miroku? You haven't been acting like yourself lately!"

Miroku frowned. He really did not want to tell her that his death was nigh. He would prefer to sneak off into a quiet glade and free the kazaana to do it's will. So instead, he decided to fib a little. "I did not mean to cause worry, but I have been stretching my senses, hoping to detect Naraku's or one of his incarnation's auras close by."

It was true after a fashion. He had been searching for the evil hanyou although most of his attention was now diverted to stretching out the little life he had left. Maybe he should just tell her… No, he would not do that to her.

Sango watched as Miroku's eyes glazed over again. Frustrated, she reached over and grasped his shoulders. Roughly shaking him, she did not fear a lecherous hand slipping where it was not proper. He was apparently no longer interested in her. "Snap out of it Miroku! You're not telling us the whole truth. You haven't from the very beginning. Even Inuyasha is beginning to worry about you!"

Miroku's teeth chattered with the force of Sango's shaking. Wrenching himself away from the taijiya, he stumbled backwards a few steps. "Sango, I can't explain it, but you must believe me when I say I am doing what's best!"

Sango's eyes narrowed as she glared threateningly at the monk. She would get her answers if it was the last thing he or she did. She cared to much even though she could not confess her feelings to anyone but herself.

Miroku gulped as Sango took a menacing step forward. Throwing up his hands in defense, he made sure to point the wind void away from the advancing onna. "Now Sango, you need to calm down. I'm sure you don't want to hurt me…"

His voice trailed off as Sango's eyes flashed with ire. "Don't tell me what to do Miroku. I've waited long enough—"

Shouting cut off Sango's tirade as both swiveled to face the trail Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippou had disappeared along. The stench of death drifted to their noses causing them to gag. Underlying even the stench of rotting corpses was the unmistakable smell of miasma. Naraku had finally shown himself.

Exchanging glances, Miroku nodded and stood guard in front of Sango as she stripped out of her kimono and pulled on her demon slayer's armor. Settling her mask over her mouth, she shouldered Hiraikotsu while Kirara transformed. Tapping Miroku's shoulder to signal her readiness, they both scrambled on top of the fire cat. Kirara sprang into the air, and followed the wind and sounds of mayhem to the on-going battle.

--l--l--l--l--l--l--

Wiping his forehead with a tattered sleeve, Miroku surveyed the battle field. It was littered with dead corpses thanks to the handiwork of Kagura's Dance of Death. That she had been defeated was thanks in part to Kagome's erratic aim and Inuyasha's sword skills. While the wind youkai had thought she was negligently diverting the miko's arrow while her full attention was spent dodging Inuyasha, she had really blown it to lie on target thus causing her own demise. It had given them one less opponent to fight.

Now, there was only Naraku left to defeat and a hundred score of demons on the side. There was only so much the Inu-tachi could take before exhaustion eroded their will to fight. Already, they were gravely wounded. Inuyasha fought head-on with Naraku, using his kaze no kizu to wear away at the tentacles that reached for the last few missing jewel shards hanging around Kagome's neck. Those that escaped were effectively handled by Shippou's fox fire. Sango guarded Inuyasha's flank using her giant boomerang to wipe out wave after wave of youkai while Miroku and Kirara protected Sango from those who escaped her assault.

It was difficult to keep up the pace of attack and retreat. It was especially hard for Kagome as her arrows dwindled and Sango fought against the grief of knowing her brother was among the dead. He had been one of the puppets Kagura so blithely played with.

Swinging his staff again, letting the rings chink against each other in dissonant joy, he obliterated another youkai. This battle had to end soon. The containment spell was threatening to break at any moment without his concentration fully upon it. No amount of saimyoushou would be able to prevent it from wreaking havoc on the battle field because he would be gone soon with it.

A scream pierced the air as Naraku finally captured Kagome's flailing limbs and brought her to him. Menacing laughter filled the clearing as he tore the vial of jewel shards from around her neck. Tossing the woman to his youkai minions, he opened up the vial. Inuyasha screamed in outrage and raced to save Kagome, not caring that Naraku now had a complete Shikon no Tama resting in his hands.

As everyone else watched in horror, Miroku made a split second decision and grabbed Sango around the waist, turning her to face him. Pressing his lips against her surprised mouth, he reveled in the bittersweet agony of a first and last kiss as tears streamed down his face. With one last grope, and a well placed scroll, he dashed head long at Naraku as the hanyou's body began to glow with a purple light, the jewel shining with an evil aura.

Laughter still echoing in the clearing, Miroku wordlessly screamed with all his pent-up frustration, anger, and pain as he ripped the prayer beads from his hand. Wind whipped through the air, sucking in everything within a twenty foot radius. Kirara dashed in and grasped Sango in her jaws while Shippou clung to her back before jumping out of range of the deadly gale.

Time stood still as everyone watched Naraku fight against the pull of the wind tunnel he had cursed Miroku's family with for three generations. He finally had the jewel. He was finally making his wish, and the monk was ruining everything! Howling in anger, Naraku's body was absorbed into the void of Miroku's hand.

Slowly, Miroku turned his body and hand to face the remaining horde, sucking them up into oblivion. Screams rent the air as the wind howled in chaotic glee. The clearing free of foes at last, Miroku's face contorted in pain as droplets of blood soared from his wounds through the air into the void and water streamed from his eyes. Agony poured through every vein as the flesh was pulled from his bones. Regret colored his mind as he played over and over again the memory of a single taste of Sango's lips. Acceptance cleared his thoughts as the wind pulled him through the void into oblivion.

Silence settled over the battlefield as the Inu-tachi crept closer to the crater that marked Miroku's last stand. None could believe that their friend and enemy were both gone. To so abruptly have everything they had been fighting for and against for the past four years just disappear was anticlimactic. They weren't even given a chance to save him nor to defeat Naraku once and for all. He had never told them.

Quiet weeping broke the silence as Sango fell to her knees beside the lip of the crater. Kagome leaned against Inuyasha for support. There was nothing left of him. Nothing. Kirara nudged her mistress under the arm in comfort while Shippou stared dumbstruck over the fire neko's head. None of them could fully comprehend that Miroku was gone forever.

"Miroku," whispered Sango into the warm, comforting fur of her constant companion. She would miss him. He was yet another man she had cared for and had been unable to protect. She failed to protect Kohaku and ultimately she failed Miroku as well. She should have known all along what was wrong, but she had not guessed in time. Now, it was to late to change anything. Even the Shikon no Tama was destroyed.

A choked gasp escaped her throat. Turning wide eyes to Kagome, Sango gulped. "Kagome, we don't have the jewel anymore," she whispered.

Kagome wondered why in the world the taijiya was worried about the jewel when their friend and comrade had just died. Frowning, she fought to understand what Sango was not saying. Light dawning above her, her face paled as she collapsed heavily against Inuyasha's side. Turning her head to look into the gold eyes of the hanyou, she asked, "Do you think the well will let me go back home without the Shikon no Tama?"

Inuyasha keh'ed in puzzlement. Taking a little longer to mull the facts over, he finally saw what both women had been quick to pick up. His heart skipped a beat as it was torn between two desires. He wished he could always protect Kagome and make her happy. To do that, he would gladly send her back to her time. He had done it before. However, he also wanted to be selfish and keep her by his side as his mate. He cared deeply for her, and should the well refuse passage, he would provide for her as he had done for years.

"Don't worry about it," he growled trying to allay her fears. Seeing a flash of anger dancing in her eyes, he quickly chose a different tactic and a more honest one. "Don't worry, Kagome. If the well doesn't work, I'll still be here to watch over you, and Kaede would be happy to take you in as the daughter she never had. She already has for the most part. Besides, someone needs to take care of the runt!" Inuyasha glared at Shippou, hoping the kitsune would pick up on his tactic. Giving Kagome something else to dwell on rather then the fact she may never see her family again was the wisest choice for the moment.

Kagome remained oblivious to the silent exchange between males. She felt warm with relief at Inuyasha's unexpected assurances, but turning her mind to her family, a new worry surfaced. i 'What if the well let's me through, but not back to you?' /i It was a question she could not voice but would have to consider before attempting to travel through the well. Without the jewel shards, she had been denied passage. Who was to say passage would be refused yet again? It would be a question best left to ponder later.

The five remaining companions remained vigilant through the hours, waiting for the sun to set on a selfless wish. Miroku had desired to save the small family he became part of a little over three years ago and so gave up his life to eradicate their mutual enemy and a constant threat to peace. He would be remembered.

--l--l--l--l--l--l--

Sango looked over the edge of the crater where her friend vanished into a void. It was a year since the demise of Naraku and the disappearance of the Shikon no Tama. Some things had changed, though most were subtle. The lands flourished in peace as the driving force behind youkai greed and gluttony was eradicated from this plane. It had been almost too long since the shattering of the sacred jewel. Most could barely recall a time before youkai rampaged across the lands without care. Peace was a welcome relief.

Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippou settled down with Kaede to take care of the village and to protect the surrounding lands. Since peace settled, Kagome was actually starting to learn how to control and call upon her miko abilities at will. Something that would have been of great benefit many years past if a certain hanyou hadn't driven them to exhaustion to keep hunting for jewel shards. It was funny almost. Inuyasha and Shippou got along marvelously now that their verbal volley of insults resulted in play rather than spite. It made her wonder just how long it had really been thus, but it was something neither would ever admit to easily. They, especially Inuyasha, had reputations to maintain.

Shaking her head, Sango slowly pulled out a worn scroll from her belt. She had found it that first night after Miroku sacrificed his life. It had been wedged behind her katana sheath and the fabric of her armor. She could only conclude he had placed it there when he kissed her. Touching a single finger tip against her lips, she marveled that she could still remember the texture of his skin and the warmth of his breath. It had been a long year.

Many times she had pulled out the scroll, and many times she had put it away. It was time now to see what Miroku had to say. Unfurling the tattered edges, her eyes drifted over the elegant script.

Sango,

I know I should have informed everyone that the end was near for me, but I could not bring myself to cause undue worry to any of you. The void has chosen now to end its existence, and I am glad to let my curse end with me. If we had been able to defeat Naraku, I would have asked you to be the bearer of my children. I hope you would have said yes.

Instead, I believe it was my fate to protect a young miko, guide a brash hanyou to wisdom, initiate a kitsune into the finer things of life, and fall in love with a taijiya. I hope you are in good health when you read this. Do not despair. You have a strong spirit inside of you. You will be able to rebuild your village one day and find a man worthy of withstanding your strong right hand. Just a word of advice first, you might wish to refrain from slapping your husband and crying hentai on your wedding night every time he touches you. Tell the others, I am sorry for deceiving them. I am with my ancestors now and eagerly wait to see old friends in the far distant future.

Miroku

Tears dripped from Sango's eyes as a smile flitted across her lips. Yes, she would rebuild her heritage, for herself, for Kohaku, for Chichi-ue, and for Miroku.

Author's Note: This piece was inspired by the LiveJournal Iyficchallenge theme Fate/Destiny. So…how was my characterization? Did I do alright? I always seem to struggle a little with Sango…