Jackie: I know, long time, no update. Fear not! I always finish my fics.

…………………..

Chapter 29;

Rootousi was up early, playing with the children. Miroku was staring at Sango through his bangs so he would not be noticed. Of course… Everyone noticed. Kagome leaned over to Sango and asked, "What's with Miroku? Did you say something to him?"

"Not a word," Sango answered, "He just started acting this way for no reason. He's giving me the creeps."

"Yeah, me too," Kagome whispered, "My butt was mere inches from his hand yesterday and he didn't try to grope me even once."

Sango stood up and walked over to Miroku. She sat down in front of him and he pretended to just notice she was there. He lifted his head, smiled, and said, "Why, good morning, Sango! How wonderful to start the day waking up to your beautiful face."

Sango blushed and stammered for a moment, "I… um… well… You know full well you've been up for an hour."

Miroku sighed, "Ah, caught me staring then?"

"Well," Sango said, "Yes."

"Forgive me," He sighed, "I just can't help it. You're so beautiful."

At least the members of the Inuyasha group were staring with rapt attention. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and stared off into the distance. Miyoiki tried to dodge the awkwardness of the situation by joining Rootousi in play with the children.

"Miroku…" Sango said softly.

"Sango," Miroku sighed back at her, beginning to open his arms to her.

"Are you sick or something?" She asked and placed a hand on his forehead.

Miroku sweat dropped and clinched his fists, shoving his arms back folded in place. He turned his head roughly away from her and said, "I'm fine. Can't a guy be sincere around here?"

"You?" Inuyasha blurted in, "The thieving, lying, lecherous monk?"

"Inuyasha!" Kagome shrieked.

Miroku sighed and said, "I'm going for a walk. Don't bother waiting for me. I'll catch up."

"But Miroku," Sango started.

He paid no mind. He simply disappeared into the forest. Rootousi stopped in his tracks and sighed, "Sexual tension is good in the heat of battle, but this kind of stupidity is going to slow us down."

"Agreed," Sesshomaru said, "Sango, is it? You will wait here and reconcile with the Monk. Do not follow us until this issue is resolved."

"Hey!" Kagome yelled, "You can't just ORDER her to do something like that!"

"Yeah!" Inuyasha roared, "Who do you think you-"

"He's right," Sango said softly, staring down at her hands, "It's slowing us down. Go ahead, we'll catch up."

"At least one of your allies has sense, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru mocked, as he started to walk away.

The party minus Sango and Miroku left. He had been acting so strangely over the past days. He was stumbling about, humming to himself. It was like he was drunk or… Sango pressed the thought down before it completely formed. She was no fool. Sango tracked Miroku through the forest. She found him by a small stream.

"I knew you'd follow me," Miroku said.

Sango glared at the back of his head.

"Just like I know you're glaring at me now," He said with a laugh, "And getting ready to sm-"

SMACK!

"Far be it from me to disappoint you!" Sango barked and started to storm off.

Miroku seemed to simply appear before her. She had never seen him move so fast, just as she had never seen that intense look in his eyes. He smiled warmly down at her and said, "Can you possibly understand how deeply I care for you?"

"Just like a sister I suppose," Sango growled, "I'm in no mood for your-"

"Not like a sister," He corrected, "Like the woman I truly want to bare my children."

"You lech-!" Sango started and swung at him, only to have her hand caught mid-flight.

Miroku gazed at her for a moment. Sango was shivering uncontrollably. Did she dare to believe the sincerity in his eyes? How many times had he used a look similar to this one just to get close enough to cop a feel? She struggled to keep the look of anger on her face.

Miroku brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed them gently. He closed his eyes and whispered, "Sango. My Sango. How I love you."

Sango was stunned. She just stood there numbly. At first she questioned the reality of the situation. Had she been bumped on the head? Maybe this was a dream, or delusion, or…

Miroku wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her to him. For once, his hand did not migrate down. It remained looped around her waist, holding her gently yet firmly against him. He pressed their other hands between them, lacing their fingers over his heart. Sango felt his heart beat racing. Just as she thought it couldn't get any more surreal she felt him tremble. He's frightened?

She might be in his arms, but he could feel her muscles still tense and unyielding. Now that she knew she had his love, was she having second thoughts about what she said at the river? Miroku had faced countless demons and the minions of Naraku. He had seen the gates of hell, and battled human foes that seemed more deadly than demons. Yet, nothing had terrified him more than this moment; this moment where his heart lay open and ready for the taking.

"You're shaking," Sango said weakly.

Then she began to tremble. Miroku understood.

"I was afraid you would reject me," He said softly, "But you're just as scared as I am."

"You say things like this all the time," Sango said bitterly, "Just to get your hands on any woman stupid enough to believe it. Why should I believe you are sincere?"

"You have no good reason," Miroku admitted, "Then I shall prove it. Every day of what is left of my life."

With that he released her and turned toward the path. He smiled his light-hearted smile and said, "Come, we must catch up."

Sango blinked but couldn't help smiling back at that goofy smile of his.

"Agreed," Sango said and they ran down the path together.

…………………………..

Kagura may have thought her ideas were private but she was born of Naraku's flesh. They shared a bond that she could not possibly understand. He could hear her thoughts, feel her despair, and even experience her small glimmers of hope.

Naraku could crush almost any opponent at any time, but there was something so dreadfully dull about it. He liked a complete victory. He didn't just want to win by brute force; he wanted to crush his opponents right down to their very souls. Kagura was no exception. She dared, after being gifted with such strength from his flesh, to defy him. She would be a sweet victory. He would be able to feel the exact moment when her heart breaks.

He smiled and made his way to her room. There she was sleeping. Her pillow was wet with tears. He grabbed her by the neck and lifted her from the bed. First surprised dawned in hers eyes then pure unbridled fear. Delicious. Naraku thought as he flung her carelessly across the room.

"I thought I might go ahead and kill you," Naraku said, "But even that would waste my time. You are no threat to me. You are less than worthless."

Just then Kagura felt her heart beating in her chest. Naraku smiled as her hands went to her sternum. He turned and said, "Now get out of my sight. I can not stand to be around such incompetence."

Kagura did not hesitate. She flew from her window and disappeared into the night sky. She looked back at the castle disappearing behind her and laughed. She didn't care what his reasons were. She was free.

Naraku smiled and whispered, "Enjoy yourself. Find that dashing demon with the emerald eyes you keep fantasizing about. Your freedom will be short-lived, and when it is over I will crush you all… Completely. Welcome to my empire of broken hearts."

Something mournful stirred within him and he crushed it down. It was Onigumu's treacherous heart, the first broken heart that Naraku began to build his empire on. Countless thousands had been added since then, and eventually he would cripple the spirit of the entire world.

………………….

Jackie: See ya next time!