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My Love

Her body was no longer entirely solid. Even as Modoriko had phased so peacefully into the mist, Sango felt herself doing the same with every moment she lingered. Her delicate-looking hand, once covered in the hard-earned callouses of a slayers life, was once again pale, new, and perfect as only a non-combatants hand could be. Sango stared, transfixed by that right hand that had unerringly guided her Hiraikotsu to fell so many foes, transfixed as it became ethereal and transparent as it stretched, longingly, towards her family.

"I love you, Father – Kohaku…" she murmured, and somehow, even her voice seemed to lack substance in this place. A surge of overwhelming love flowed through her, and she closed her eyes. A gentle, serene smile tugged at her lips; warmth surged through her, and Sango knew her decision. "And we will always be together…"

And with that, Sango stepped off that otherworldly expanse, and everything around her faded away as she plummeted through the gentle mists…

- PULSE -

Miroku paused, eyes widening as everything seemed to pause for a moment. He choked on a heart-broken sob, then frowned as he felt a shimmering of power gathering beneath his hands…

Gathering upon – or perhaps within – the body of his felled love.

"What – is going on?" It was Kagome who spoke, clutching her heart as she, too, apparently felt the strange pulsing sensation. The flow of her own heart-wrenching tears seemed to be put on pause as she looked with astonishment at Sango's hands…

Miroku's violet eyes rounded even further as a bright, pink-shimmering hue seemed to trickle from the jewel clutched in Sango's cold hands. "I – I don't know –" he whispered, almost fearfully as that strange glow trickled over his Sango.

- PULSE -

Her fingers seemed to clench a little tighter over that half of the jewel, and Miroku gasped in shock.

Was he going crazy?

If he were, he prayed to all the gods that ever existed that he could stay that way…

The power of the jewel seemed to envelop her, concentrating over her grievous wounds, seeming to mend and heal at internal and external physical injuries.

He lunged back to her side, shamelessly dropping himself protectively over her, as if to prevent any outside force from interfering with this unprecedented magic. Frantically, earnestly, he grabbed those cold hands, and there was undeniably heated fervor in his rushed whisper. "Sango? Sango!"

For an unbearable moment, all was still – and he no longer wondered if he had lost his mind; he was certain of it.

- PULSE -

Her brow furrowed, and very, very subtly, her jaw clenched. Once again, her fingers clutched over that jewel, and all at once Miroku recognized that expression: Sango was fighting.

"Even when she thought all was lost, she fought. Even when she knew all was lost, she fought. That was what Naraku never could have guessed, never could have understood: he could not break her, no matter what he did."

Kikyo's admiring words echoed back to him, and once again tears flowed freely down his cheeks, splashing down against her waxen-looking face. "Fight, Sango!" he whispered, crushing her hands within his own as, once again, the signs of her life seemed to slip away. "Fight, god-damnit!"

- PULSE -

"Miroku –" It was Inuyasha who spoke, hesitantly touching the monks shoulder, as if to pull him back, but the human viciously thrashed the hanyou's hand off of him.

"Just follow the sound of my voice, Sango – fight!"

"Miroku –" They didn't believe it was happening, but he did.

He did. He believed in her strength. He believed in her spirit. He believed in her. "Fight, Sango!"

A gentle pulse throbbed beneath his hands, and once again, her grip tightened. The jewel seemed to brighten and shimmer, casting a life-like flush upon her pale cheeks.

- PULSE -

Kikyo paused, clutching her heart as she felt a powerful ebb and flow coming from the Shikon jewel half. But, she felt no worry – no misgivings over the use of its power. There was nothing malevolent, nothing selfish or dark about it.

The miko's head dipped, and had anyone been there, they may have been surprised to see the gentle, knowing smile that graced her lips.

"Until our next meeting, taijiya?" she murmured, and with that, the priestess calmly continued on her way.

- PULSE -

"A warriors spirit. A spirit so strong that she would challenge destiny. A spirit so strong that ever will she fight it."

Miroku paused, hot tears still stinging his eyes as he peered down at Sango. "Sango –"

She coughed.

He wept, collapsing exhaustedly over the gasping woman. With one hand still clutched possessively over hers, he used the other to eagerly stroke her face, helping the warmth to return to her flushing cheeks.

Slowly – at great length – her eyes fluttered open, and never before had those chocolate brown eyes looked so lovely to him. "S – Sango?" His heart both broke and rejoiced, screamed and wept as that beautiful gaze flickered to him.

She smiled.

He stared at her, frozen, unsure of what to do – afraid to move, for fear of waking from this unbelievable, astonishing dream – this answer to all his hopes and dreams. And there they stayed, frozen, lost in each other's eyes for what seemed like forever, deaf and blind to their companion's shocked words, uncaring to the rest of the outside world. All that mattered – all that had ever mattered – was right there, right in front of him.

His Sango.

Finally, it was Sango who broke their trance, a weak chuckle escaping her as she disentangled a hand to raise to his cheek. It was no longer cold and lifeless – there was warmth in that hand, there was life within it. "Don't look… so surprised," she laughed. "I told you… if ever there were a way…"

Tears of inexplicable joy slid from Miroku's cheeks; gently – very carefully, he lifted her into his arms, enveloping her in a protective, loving, passionate embrace that he hoped he would never have to relinquish. Even so, he couldn't hold back a child-like giggle at the teasing chiding in her tone. He buried his face in her hair, breathing in and just drinking in her scent – basking her aura – reveling in all that he had been sure was lost to him. He knew, in that moment, that he never would let her go – and neither would he take her for granted.

Not ever.

"And I'll never doubt you again – never again, my love…"

Sango merely smiled and lost herself in his embrace. And, in that moment, all was perfect in the world.

End

Well, this one was a long time in coming – and I'm sorry about that! But, I got to reading your reviews again (they make me all warm and fuzzy inside), and I got guilted into finally getting this out for you guys. Just because I appreciate you all so much!

And, I'd appreciate your further reviews!