Chapter 10 (Restored Hope)
The cool air of the early morning greeted him as he awoke. Sunrise was still a bit off. He looked around their camp. All his friends were still sound asleep. Slowly he got up and walked over to where Mayumi slept. He looked up and could just make out her form in the moonlight. He smiled and headed to the road nearby.
As he disappeared into the small patch of forest that separated their camp from the road, she opened her eyes. She lay there a moment just staring into the direction he had gone. 'He meditates every morning and he's still such a pervert.' She sighed and quietly got up. 'Its best if I talk to him now about Mayumi. Later everyone will be up and I won't be able to without getting looks.' She put on her sandals and quietly followed after him.
She soon reached the road but he was nowhere to be seen. 'He was headed in this direction wasn't he?' She looked around trying to find any trace of him when she heard something. It was low but it was definitely a voice. She followed the edge of the road in the direction they had come. After of few feet she stopped. She got close enough to recognize it was his voice. 'He must be behind one of those trees. But it sounds like he's, praying?' She moved forward and hid behind a tree. She waited to hear him but nothing came. After a moment she felt ashamed of spying on him and decide to leave. 'What was I thinking. I should allow him to meditate in peace. Even if doesn't help him much. I'll just talk to him later.' As she turned around to leave she stepped on a twig. The sound that it made froze her.
"Who's there?"
She was startled by how loud his voice sounded in the morning silence. She looked around the tree she was behind and saw him looking at her.
"Sango?" He moved towards her.
"Yes, its me. I…I'm sorry if I interrupted you. I'll just leave now." She began to turn around when he spoke up again.
"Wait." He closed the gap between them and was now in front of her.
"Did you come looking for me?" He looked at her seriously.
"NO! I…I mean I wanted to talk to you about something. But it can wait. I don't want to bother…" She looked at him nervously.
"Sango I want you to know that you'll never be a bother to me. And I'll always have time to speak with you. So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?" He smiled.
"It's about Mayumi." He remained quiet. "I was talking to her and it seems that she might actually be able to care for herself. So she might win our little wager."
"She will. But we have time to convince her to take a new family. And for that I thank you."
"Thank me?" She looked a bit surprised.
"It was your idea that got her to come with us. I was truly at a lost of what to do. So I thank you." He smiled
"It was nothing. I... I used to do same thing with Kohaku when I wanted him to do something…. But I usually won." Her voice trailed off.
'Kohaku…' The sadness that appeared on her face pained him. As she lowered her head, silence fell upon them. 'Naraku. Life might forgive you for what you have done to my family. But know that you'll never find it for what you have done to her. In the end you'll pay dearly for her pain!' Unable to bare the silence anymore he took a step towards her. She noticed and looked up at him. He wasn't surprise to see those beautiful brown eyes full of unshed tears. They looked at each other in silence. He started to raise his hand when he stopped. He had wanted to comfort her with his touch. But what he saw in her eyes had stopped him. He could see her need, her desire, but overall her fear. 'Why would you fear me so?' After a moment he decided to comfort her the only other way he knew. He moved to her right side and looked into the distance. The first rays of the new day started to fill the sky. As the sun awoke from it's sleep, he spoke.
"Sango look. Sunrise… the beginning of a new day. A day that we've managed to see despite our foes wishes. A day closer to the moment when we'll obtain what we most desire. Isn't it a beautiful day?"
She had been looking at the sunrise. But now she turned to him. Like she had wanted, he continued to look at the sunrise. As the sun's rays illuminated his face, her unshed tears ran down her cheeks. 'Arigato, Houshi-sama. Whenever I feel hope slipping thru my hands, your always there.' They watched the sunrise in silence.
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The group made there way down the road. Inuyasha smiled contently as he led them. He just couldn't believe it. If they kept this pace up they would make up what they lost the day before. 'This is great. The sooner we get Kagome home the sooner we can start looking for Naraku again.' He turned to look at his friends. Behind him Mayumi and Shippou walked side by side. Apparently he was explaining their past and quest. A little behind them Kagome and Sango held their own little conversation. Miroku, like he often did, brought up the rear. Inuyasha returned his attention back to the road ahead. Looking up he noticed that it would soon be noon. 'Just great! Just when we were making good time they're going to want a break. Why must humans be so weak?'
To his surprise noon came and passed without one complain. After a while Inuyasha started to feel weird. He had become so accustomed to having Kagome nag him about taking breaks. 'They should be tired. So why aren't they asking for a break?' He stopped and turned around. The girls were now walking in a small group. Kagome was trying to describe the future to Mayumi but showed to weariness. In fact they were still keeping the same pace he had set since morning. They noticed Inuyasha had stopped and looked at him.
"Is something wrong Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.
"What's wrong? Aren't you tired?"
"Inuyasha if you want to take a break just say so. Girls lets take a break and let our friend rest a bit."
Miroku answered him as he made is way to the front of the group. As he passed the stunned hanyou he laughed inwardly.
"WHAT? I don't need a break! I can walk all day!" Inuyasha yelled after him.
But Miroku ignored him as he walked off the road to find a spot to rest. The rest of the group soon followed him.
"There is no shame in getting tired Inuyasha. I was getting a bit tired myself."
Kagome said cheerfully as she passed him. He closed his eyes and balled up his fists. He was about to yell at her that he wasn't tired when he opened his eyes. Looking around he realized that he was the only one left on the road.
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Sango sat under the shade peacefully watching the young monk. He was playing with Shippou and Mayumi while the rest of them took a break. They threw around a small ball, which Kagome had brought, to each other. She couldn't imagine what could be so fun in what they were doing. But they seemed to be enjoying themselves. And to tell the truth she found herself enjoying it as well.
"Try to catch this one Miroku!"
Shippou's voice was cheerful as he pulled back his arm to throw. He intended to throw the ball as hard as he possibly could. 'Hah! Hope it hits that bouzo right on the head.' Inuyasha thought from his resting spot. Everyone's attention was on Shippou as he brought his arm forward. But at the critical point in his arc he lost his grasp of the ball. As the ball took to the air it was obvious to everyone that I wouldn't reach Miroku. Halfway it simply dropped and started to roll toward him.
"If you intended for me not to catch it, you succeeded." Miroku said playfully as he kneeled.
"Ah! That's not fair it slipped out of my hand. Let me try it again." Shippou pouted.
"Sure you can. But you'll have to wait. It's Mayumi's turn to throw it."
As he picked up the ball he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Kirara, who had been watching from the side, was rushing straight at him. Before he could react Kirara had jumped straight into him, throwing him off balance. He landed hard on his back. Sango who had seen the whole thing was trying to hold back her laughter. As for the rest of them they held nothing back as they laughed. After getting over his initial shock he looked at the small cat on his chest. Somehow it had managed to steal the ball from him because it now held it between its paws. Miroku started to laughed as Kirara bit down on its small pray.
Just as Sango was getting her laughter under control, Shippou had decided to join Kirara and jumped on top of Miroku. A new wave of laughter came over her as Miroku, who had managed to kneel was thrown back down. As Shippou playfully tried to take the ball away from Kirara, Kagome had moved to sit near her.
"How cute! I got to get a picture of this." Squealed the young Miko by her side.
Sango didn't notice the flash that came from her right side. She had been to busy wiping her tears away.
"I can't wait to show these pictures to my mom. She's going to love them!"
She held her camera at the ready just in case another 'cute' scene was to occur. Sango for her part hadn't noticed that Kagome had come over to sit near her. She was attentively looking at the young monk before her.
Miroku had managed to take the possession of the ball. He threw the ball to Mayumi, despite the fox and cat that were on his chest trying to get it. Mayumi up to this point had been on her knees laughing. As she saw the ball rolled pass her she looked up. Kirara was coming straight at her.
"Mayumi get the ball and run!" Miroku voice was full of cheer.
Mayumi following his orders soon ran after the ball with Kirara hot on her trail. As their play continued Sango's thoughts turned to the young monk. 'I've never seen this side of him.' She smiled warmly as she continued to look at them playing. She had known the monk for some time now. And despite his perverted ways, she had come to care for him deeply. In what way did she care for him? That was the dilemma that she had. 'I wonder if this is what he would be like with our kids.' Her eyes widen when she realized the thought that had gone thru her mind. 'I meant HIS kids! Because it can't be our… I just don't like him that way. It was just a mistake! I mean for that to happen I would have to…' She began to blush as images of what they needed to do to have children flooded her mind. 'Oh Kami! I'm starting to think like that pervert!' Her blush deepened when she noticed that he was looking at her with his patented smile. 'Did he hear my thoughts?' Her mouth fell open when he winked at her, as if answering her question. Before she could react a flash of light blinded her. She nearly fell backwards at the surprise of it. As she rubbed her eyes, she heard laughter.
"I'm so sorry Sango-chan I didn't mean to blind you. I just wanted to take a picture of you."
Kagome continued to laugh. As her sight returned she noticed that Miroku was coming towards her. 'Oh no!' She quickly lowered her head and pretended to still be blinded.
"Sango are you ok?" His voice was full of laughter.
"Ah? I'm ok. Nothing's wrong." She continued to rub her eyes.
"Are you sure? Before Kagome-sama blinded you, you were looking a bit red to me." He smiled playfully.
"Hey I didn't mean it. I just wanted to get a picture of her." Kagome tried defended herself
"It's nothing really. It's just a bit hot today. You can go back and play." She continued to avoid looking at him.
"Really? You can feel the heat even under this cool shade?" He teased her.
The embarrassment she felt only grew as she heard her best friend's laughter. She tried desperately to find a way out of the situation. But before she could think of anything, things got worse.
"Kagome-sama are those the pictures you took? May I see them?" He noticed Sango's picture on her lap.
"What? Oh yeah! Here you can see them." She said proudly.
But before he could get them Sango made her move. In an instance she had jumped on top of her best friend and grabbed the pictures. At the sight of them sprawled on the ground everyone else started to laugh.
"Seems like Sango's wants to play too." Inuyasha laughed.
"Are you both ok?"
Miroku tried to control is laughter as he offered is hand to them. Ignoring everyone Sango got up and hid the pictures in her kimono.
"Now I really want to see those pictures."
Miroku laughed harder. She pretended not to hear him and helped Kagome up. Her friend looked up at her, stunned at her sudden behavior. As Kagome looked up at her she started to feel guilty. Sango's embarrassment was all over her face.
"I'm so sorry Sango-chan." Kagome tried to apologize.
"Sango please don't get mad. You don't see me mad about you guys laughing at me earlier do you?"
Miroku had his hands on his knees as he tried to get control over his laughter. Sango turned to look at him ready to tell him that it wasn't the same thing when Shippou jumped on his back. Miroku went down face first into the grass just in front of Sango.
"Miroku come play with us again!" Shippou sat on top of the poor monk.
Everyone started to laugh once more at the misfortune of the young monk. After a bit more laughter and taunting, Inuyasha finally decided that they had rested long enough. Soon the group was on the road again.
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As they continued on their way, the girls talked about the pictures. Miroku walked behind them rubbing his bruised forehead.
"You like them Mayumi-chan?"
Kagome asked the small girl that walked by her side. Mayumi looked at the picture she held. It showed Miroku and Kagome standing by each other smiling.
"Their amazing." She simply said and continued to look at the picture.
"I just wish I had more." Kagome looked at the six pictures in her hands.
"Why don't you take more then? Or does that box not let you take many?" Mayumi pointed to Kagome's backpack.
"Its not the camera. I just forget to take them." She smiled at the small girl.
"Oh." Mayumi smiled and returned the picture.
"Well it looks like you saw them all. Let me put them…"
"Kagome-sama if you two are done can I look at the newer ones?" Miroku broke in.
"Oh sure! Here you go." Kagome handed him two pictures. As he looked at them he noticed that the picture he wanted to look at was missing.
"Are these all of them?" He asked.
"Well there is one more but you'll have to ask Sango-chan for that one." Kagome smiled.
"Don't bother asking for it Houshi-sama."
Sango who had been walking quietly next to Mayumi spoke up. Miroku sighed and returned his attention to the two pictures in his hands. Mayumi noticed that Kagome was laughing quietly. She turned to look at Miroku. He was looking down at the pictures seriously. After a moment he sensed that someone was looking at him and looked up. He saw her looking at him and smiled.
"Is something wrong?" He questioned.
"Oh. Nothing I was just… wondering if you liked the pictures." She smiled back at him.
"Their beautiful. I specially like this one."
He held out a picture to her. She stopped and reached for it. The picture that he handed to her was the one where Kirara was chasing her. In it she was smiling happily as she ran.
"This one?" She felt her cheeks start to heat up.
"Yes. It captured your beautiful smile perfectly."
They began to walk side by side. In front of them both Kagome and Sango smiled at each other. They had heard what he had said.
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As the sun disappeared behind the tree, the group stopped to set camp for the night. The site that Inuyasha had picked out was near a stream not far from the road.
"This is a good spot. Lets get started. It's your turn to get something to eat Miroku. So get on it."
Inuyasha ordered him. Not waiting for him, Sango went off to get the firewood since it was her turn tonight.
"Guess we are eating fish tonight then. Are you ready Mayumi?" He turned to look at her.
"Yes Miroku-chan!" She said eagerly.
"I'm starting to like how that sounds. Maybe I can get Kagome-sama to start calling me that." He teased Kagome, who was just a few feet away.
"In your dreams Miroku-sama." The young miko replied with a smile.
"Then it will be tonight."
Miroku winked at her before heading to the stream. Mayumi followed him closely.
"Since I'm getting the water I might as well help you too. If not we might not eat."
Inuyasha leaped in front of them. He easily reached the stream first and got the water he needed.
"Well that's done now to get some fish." He walked into the water and tried to catch the fish with his bear hands.
"I think we will try more upstream if you don't mind."
Miroku walked a bit upstream before stopping. From where he stood he could still see Inuyasha. 'It looks like he already got one. I wonder if she knows how to fish. I'll have to ask her to go first or she might just copy what I do.' He turned to Mayumi and smiled.
"I think this spot will do. Now how should we go about getting some fish?"
"Well I just need to find…"
She looked around her surrounding. Before he could ask what it was she needed, she ran to a nearby tree. She picked up a stick that was on the ground. She held it up and seemed to study it. After she had decided it was the one she wanted she kneeled. Un-strapping the bag she carried on her back she took out the tantō. With it she began to sharpen the end of the stick she had found. Miroku quietly watched. At first he hadn't been sure what she was doing. Not until he saw her start sharpening the stick did he realize what she intended to do. 'So that's how you were taught.' He smiled at her as she walked back to him.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yes. Can I leave my things here with you? I don't want them to get wet." She looked up at him.
"Of course."
He took the bag and walked with her to the edge of the stream. As he watched she tucked her kimono up past her knees. Leaving her sandals by the edge she walked into the shallow stream. He could see the fish, the few that there were, scramble out of her way. She stopped a few feet away from the edge of the stream. She stood still with her weapon just inches away from the surface of the water. As he watched in admiration, the fish slowly began to come closer to her feet. She could see them clearly but they were still a bit to far from her to strike. After a moment the fish were within her zone. Some of them had even bumped into her feet. Selecting one she made her move. In a single motion she had pierced and raised a good size fish out of the water. She turned her head to look at the young monk.
"That was amazing." He smiled at her.
"Arigato. But can you do me one more favor?" She smiled happily at him
"Anything for the amazing young lady."
"I can toss it to the ground but it'll get dirty. Could you catch it?"
"Of course! I was starting to feel a bit useless." He lowered the bag and his staff.
"Here it comes."
Without disturbing the water she flung the fish at him. He almost dropped it but managed to catch it just before it hit the ground. He laid it on top of a large rock that was nearby.
"Miroku-chan? How many should I get?" She shyly asked.
He looks down the stream and can see that Inuyasha had already caught three fish. 'He really hates getting wet so he'llprobably stop after catching one for each of us.' He returned his attention back to Mayumi.
"Its ok I think Inuyasha will catch enough for us. And besides the water must be cold. You can come out if you want." He walked over to where he could see her clearly.
"The water isn't too cold. And I was hoping to help out more. Could I catch at least one more for Kirara?" She looked at him pleadingly.
"Well… why don't you catch until your content. I'll just stand here and catch. Ok?" He laughed when she suddenly changed the look on her face.
"Ok!" She smiled happily.
Miroku had allowed her to continue expecting her to catch maybe two more before she'd stop. But to his surprise she didn't stop until catching one for each one of them. As she made her way back to land, she noticed the look of disappointment on his face.
"Miroku-chan did I do something wrong?" She didn't try to hide how worried she was.
"No. Actually you've done everything right." He gave her a small smile.
"Then why are you so sad?" She stepped into her sandals.
"Because you just won our little wager." He walked over to her and ruffled her hair.
"Really?" She started to smile then stopped.
"Hey why such a sad face?" He looked at her
"Aren't you mad at me?" She looked seriously at him.
"Don't be silly. Why would I be mad at you for being so independent? I'm just a bit disappointed in myself for misjudging you. Would you forgive me?" He kneeled in front of her.
"What? If anything I should be thanking you and Sango-chan for giving me chance. Any other adult would have just treated me like a child and taken me back to the family I ran way from." As she looked into his eyes, she couldn't help but remember her father.
"I see. Well in that case lets just agree to be thankful for meeting. What do you say?" He smiled at her and stood up.
"Ok. Miroku-chan." Before she knew it she was hugging him. After a moment he returned her hug.
"Lets get this food back to camp. I'm sure the gang will be glad to know that they'll be full tonight thanks to you."
He let her go and started to grab the fish, which he had neatly put on top of a rock. As he reached for the last one a sharp pain ran thru his right hand. The pain was so sudden and strong that he fell to his knees. He clenched his teeth as the pain intensified. Holding his right hand close to his chest he tried to get control over himself.
"Miroku-chan?"
She had been fixing her kimono when she saw him fall to his knees. She ran to his side. As she reached him, she noticed that all the blood had left his face.
"Miroku-chan, what is wrong? Are you ok?"
Her heart started to beat fast as she tried to figure out what was wrong with him. He wasn't answering her and she could see tears coming from his closed eyes. 'Oh no what should I do? Inuyasha!' She turned and found that Inuyasha was no longer there. 'What should I do? What should I do? Should I go get them and leave him here?' She looked around frantically hoping to see one of his friends nearby.
He heard her call his name. He had felt her hand on his back as she asked him if he was ok. He had his eyes close but could sense her fear and desperation. 'No Mayumi please don't stay near me.' He tried to tell her but nothing came out. 'Miroku you must get control over yourself. If this is the end you can't take her with you! You hear me! Get control over yourself!' Using all his strength he managed to relax enough to look at her.
"Mayumi. Would you please take… the food back to the camp? I need… sometime alone." He smiled faintly.
"Miroku-chan! What's wrong?"
The relief she had felt when she heard his voice faded at his request. Tears slowly started to make their way down her face. 'Please don't shed tears for me.' He caressed her face with his left hand.
"Nothing is wrong. I… just need sometime alone. Please take the food back to camp. I'll catch up to you… soon. Please." He implored her.
"Ok. I will and I'll get help too." She moved her cheek against his hand.
"No!" She flinched. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell. It's just that they can't help me. I'll be ok just go and if they ask tell them I went off to meditate."
He closed his eyes as a bolt of pain came from his right hand. When he opened his eyes he saw that her tears were flowing freely.
"What is wrong? Please tell me."
She pleaded as she held his hand in between hers. 'We've just meet and she's crying because of my pain.' He looked into her blue eyes and found the strength to stand up.
"See it's really nothing. I just felt a sharp pain in my arm. It's already fading. Please pick up the fish and head to camp. I'll wait here for the pain to fade away."
He smiled faintly at her. He could see that she didn't quite believe him. But he also saw relief in her eyes.
"I'll go. But promise me you'll be ok." She wiped her tears away.
"I promise. Now go please and don't tell them about this."
She looked at him a moment longer before starting to pick up the fish. Before leaving she turned to look at him once more. He smiled at her and motion for her to go on. Half way to camp she stopped. Now that she could think clearly she remembered what Shippou had told her earlier. 'Was Shippou telling the truth? Is he really cursed to die?' She ran the rest of the way trying to shake the feeling that she would never see him again.
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He kneeled in a small open space in the woods. He could still hear the stream he had left behind. He had tried to move deeper into the woods. But his body wouldn't respond. It was taking all his strength and concentration to lessen the pain. His right arms felt like it were on fire. The beads around his right arms felt tight against his skin. 'Has my time truly run out?' As if in response to his question a jolt of pain came from this right hand. He clenched his teeth to muffle his cry. As the pain subsided a bit he opened his eyes and looked at his right hand. His eyes widen as he noticed blood around his fisted hand. The cloth used to cover his curse was cutting into his skin as it was being pulled into his palm. 'I've known that this day would come… I've prepared for it and accepted my fate. So why? … I'm not supposed to be scared of my fate. So why?' Tears ran down his cheeks.
He could no longer feel the rest of his body. 'Father lend me your strength.' Another jolt of pain rushed up is arm. He screamed but nothing came out. He began to sway side to side as darkness threatened to take him. 'I'm trying hard to control this but I can't. I need you father.' He looked up at the night sky. The tears in his eyes overflowed and fell to the ground. A strong jolt of pain rushed up is arm and into his heart. He fell forwards. Using his left arm he pushed himself back up. 'I'm so exhausted. I can't hold it back much longer. I just can't hold on…' Wind began to flow into his palm despite is closed hand. As he looked at his cursed hand, he saw that the prayer beads had started to crack. 'I've failed. My time has finally run out.' He slowly stood up. 'Naraku you might of defeated my bloodline. But you're day will come!' He closed his left hand around the beads on his right arm. 'You might of won but I won't let you have the pleasure of torturing me any longer!' He closed his eyes and began to unwind the prayer beads.
A distant voice called out his name. His tired mind mistook it, as a phantom of his broken will. As he started to pull the beads off his cursed hand, he heard it again. It sounded closer and familiar. He opened his tired eyes and turned in the direction it had come. His eyes widened in terror. A transformed Kirara was running towards him. On her back she carried…
"Mayumi?"
He wrapped the beads back on. A wave of pain radiated out of his cursed hand in protest. He fell as his knees gave out. 'No! This can't be happening.' He turned around to face her. He was welcome with her embrace. Warmth radiated into his body from her. 'Was I truly this cold?' He looked down at her. She was crying.
"Mayumi you must leave. I can't…" He was cut off.
"You promised! You promised!" She pounded on his chest.
His mind tried desperately to figure out what she meant. 'I promised? What is she talking about?' The pain was starting to come in constant waves. The Kazaana wanted to be unleashed.
"Mayumi I don't know what you're talking about. But you must leave now. It isn't safe for you." He tried to push her away but lacked the strength.
"But you promised!" She looked up at him. The pain and fear he saw in her eyes made him forget about his own.
"Mayumi you don't understand. You need to…"
"Please, please don't leave me too!" She cried into his chest.
He looked at the top of her head. 'Too?' He turned up to the stars and screamed as a jolt of pain shot thru his entire body. The force of the Kazaana had reached beyond his control. The wind around his cursed hand began to pull at its surrounding. As he looked down at it he saw her kimono being pulled by the Kazaana. 'NO! Please not this!' He looked up at the heavens. 'Whatever god exist please don't allow this to happen! She is only a child! Please don't let her die here with me!' The pain intensified. You must never allow the Kazaana to hurt the innocent. Remember that always my son. 'Father?' His father's voice came to him. He opened his eyes and looked at the girl that clung to him. 'Mayumi. I won't let it take you. I promise you that.' The Kazaana pushed against the weakening prayer beads. But unlike before it was meet with enormous resistance. The strength and will that it had weaken before was now following thru Miroku's body with a new purpose. Using his restored strength and will he began to force the Kazaana under submission. The pain that resulted was beyond anything he had experienced so far. But he welcomed it.
As time passed the pain subsided. It was over for now. 'Looks like I'll live a bit longer.' He looked at the girl in his lap. She still had her arms around him but she was asleep. 'My little savior has cried herself to sleep.' He ran his left hand thru her hair and smiled.
"I don't know how I'll ever repay you for this. If it weren't for you I would have been… I can't believe I lost hope. I was about to give in when you arrived. I thought that when my day came I would fight until the bitter end. I guess I thought wrong." He whispered to her.
He felt something tug at his robes. He turned and looked down. There stood Kirara in her small form.
"Kirara, you didn't leave?"
The small cat purred at his caress. Slowly he picked her up and laid her in Mayumi's lap.
"I'm a bit disappointed in you Kirara. You should of never of brought her here. But I thank you. I owe you my life as well. So if there is anything you want just let me know ok?" He continued to pet her softly.
He looked up and stared at the stars. They had never seen so beautiful to him. 'I came close to never seeing them again.' He heard footsteps heading towards them.
"Houshi-sama?" Sango stood a few feet away in front of him.
He stared at her not knowing what to do. 'Did Mayumi tell her?' The last thing he wanted was to give Sango something else to worry about.
"Houshi-sama? Are you done meditating?" She walked towards him.
Her question answered his. 'Thank you for keeping everything to yourself.' He softly kissed the top of Mayumi's head. Sango stopped and looked at them.
"What is Mayumi…?" She started to question him.
"She fell asleep waiting for me to finish meditating." He smiled at her.
"Oh… Kirara you too?"
She looked at the small cat that seemed to be sleeping. At the sound of her voice, Kirara stood up and walked over to her. Sango kneeled down and picked her up.
"I guess not. Well, I just came to let you know that your food is getting cold. If you don't hurry Inuyasha might eat it." She smiled at him.
"I see… thank you Sango." He tried to get up but found that he was still exhausted.
"Maybe you should wake Mayumi. She hasn't eaten either." She moved closer to them.
"I don't want to wake her yet. Will you help me stand?"
"I… I guess I can."
She moved to his side and grabbed his left arm. Using her help he stood up holding Mayumi in his arms. Sango looked at the way he held her in his arms. 'Mayumi looks so comfortable in his arms. Kagome-chan would love to take of picture of this.' She smiled unaware that he was looking at her. She still hadn't let go of his arm. 'She's going to blush the second she realizes that she still holding on to me.' He laughed mentally. 'I bet we look like a couple.' A moment later Sango blushed and pulled away from him. He laughed softly.
"Sango, are you ok?" Sango had never seen more beautiful to him.
"Yes. I … I just… Lets get back. Kagome-chan might be worried."
She started to walk away. Miroku stood there awhile longer before following her. On their way to camp Mayumi woke up but remained quiet. She decided to enjoy being in his arms a bit longer. Once at camp both Miroku and Mayumi ate. To the rest of the group it had been just another uneventful day.
Author's note: First off I would like to thank all those that took time to review my story. I really appreciate it! As you might of noticed this update took longer than expected. But I hope that you guys found the wait worth it. By the way I don't have a preview for the next chapter on my site. But I have decide to treat all the readers that have not yet seen the AMV from this story, by having it available for direct download. I'll have the link on my site for two weeks. So go check it out! For those that have seen it I'll post a preview of the next chapter very soon. Until next time!