A/N: Here's the next chapter. Inuyasha will reflect on how he feels about Sango as a friend and comrade for now and Miroku gets slightly suspicious. Heh heh. Read & Enjoy, folks.
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The air was crisp and cool. It wouldn't belong until the first snowfall makes its appearance in the streets of Toyko and Kagome was waiting happily for it. Hikaru? He can take it or leave it; it depends on what mood he's in. Right now, he was annoyed being dragged around on a leash. Why couldn't he go where he wanted to go? He snorted and sent Kagome a sour look.
"Don't look at me like that, mister; remember the last time I let you off the leash? It took me two hours to find you!" Kagome frowned, remembering the levels of hysteria, fear, and when she found Hikaru unharmed, rage. Hikaru can be so stubborn.
Hikaru hastened his pace to keep up with his mistress and tugged the hem of her black leather jacket with his jaws to get her attention. Kagome looked down, but before she could ask, Hikaru sped off, making Kagome yelp in surprise when she felt the leash strain under her grip. Hikaru barked.
"Kagome!"
Kagome looked ahead and saw Hojo at the intersection, waiting for the light at the other side of the crosswalk to turn green. Hikaru went nuts. He lunged to get across the road, but Kagome pulled the leash back with all of her strength.
"Hikaru! We have to wait!"
Thank God for small favors; the light turned green before the leash slipped from her fingers. Hikaru met Hojo halfway on the crosswalk. Hojo stroked his head and back as the walked back to Kagome, then scratched behind his ears. When Hojo stopped moving his hand, Hikaru bobbed his head up and down, wanting more. Spoiled dog...
"That's all for now, goldeneye," Hojo said. "Let me talk to Kagome."
Kagome waited a moment before Hojo reached her. He gave the leash back to Kagome, grinning sheepishly. "Hope I didn't cause choas."
"No, it's ok; Hikaru just got excited to see you." Kagome protested, ruffling Hikaru's head. He groaned and moved away from her.
Since Kagome came back to school, Hojo had volunteered to tutor her in Geometry. He's been stopping by her hourse, or her stopping by his for a tutoring session. To put it bluntly, Hojo saved her life. Kagome's grades have soared to a B average and thanks to that, she now has more free time to kill, and now that her grades are up, Hojo and Kagome spent more time hanging out instead of studying for a change.
"So, what are we doing today?"
"I thought we'd go to this resteraunt, but before you ask; Hikaru's allowed."
"Ok...but I'm paying. You paid last time, remember?"
"Mmm...no. I can't seem to recall."
Kagome playfully hit him on the shoulder. "Oh, stop trying to trick me. I'm paying and that's final!"
Hojo smiled. "Whatever you say, Kagome."
"Hojo! I mean it!"
Their argument trailed in the distance until the got to the resteraunt. Kagome thought it would be a typical, average indoor resteraunt, but it wasn't. It was outdoors and it was the most beautiful display she's ever seen. The tables, complete with correctly placed silverware, were arranged in the backyard, a lush garden of red, white, pink roses surrounding them. A band was playing popular melodies in the front; 'Mischiveous Kiss' was playing.
"Hojo...this is wonderful--and expensive!" Kagome quickly added. Hojo whistled innocently.
"Hojo! Don't tell me you paid already!"
"The reservations? Yes."
"I'm paying you back after this."
"Kagome--"
"Hojo--"
"Woof!" Are we gonna order or what!
The waitress sweatdropped at the sight of the couple and the huge dog arguing, not noticing her waiting to place them in their seats. Oy vey...I always get the hard ones.
Chapter III: Reflections in the Moonlight and Preparing to Depart
He couldn't argue with this decision, as much as he wanted to. He knew he needed to put the past aside and start over; forget everybody he's grown close to. (even though he wouldn't admit it) But Inuyasha didn't know it would be so hard. It made him feel so bothered that he couldn't fall asleep.
He wanted to argue. He wanted to scream. He wanted to kill somebody--maybe Koga if he was lucky.
Inuyasha could only wallow in his frustration.
The moonlight filtered the room in spadoric slants, one particularly splashing on Sango's sleeping face. This was the first time he seen Sango slept peacefully. Usually her face is as tense as her stiff body. Inuyasha remembered waking up to the faint sounds of whimpers, groans, and the faint smell of tears. He wanted to help, but would she let him help her? He knew Sango was fiercely independant and did not expect help from others.
She could fight demons, but can she face her own demons? Inuyasha used to think when he caught Sango in the progress of a nightmare.
Mentally he vowed he would do everything he could to bring that bastard down and save Sango's brother, rid of Miroku's curse, and avenge Kikyou's death. Those were his promises and he fufilled them.
Sango shifted under the covers and pulled the fire-rat coat up to her chin, which brought a trace of a smile to Inuyasha's lips. Sango is a fierce warrior in the battlefield, but underneath her armor she is a timid woman who expeiences fear, anxiety, and sadness like every other warrior.
Inuyasha repected everything about her. Never once she made him angry, cursed at him, or betrayed him...brought him to the ground, bringing undescribable pain, headaches, body aches, bruises...Inuyasha shook his head.
He remembered what Miroku told him long time ago about what Sango said of Inuyasha...
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha opened an eye and looked over to the monk. "What?" He asked annoyed.
"I know you feel angry at yourself for what happened, but--"
"Don't start with me, monk." He threatened, "I don't want to hear it." Inuyasha closed his eye and leaned back on the wall. Miroku sighed in defeat.
A pause lingered in the air.
"Sango said she'd stay." Miroku said suddenly, making Inuyasha open both eyes in curiousity.
"Sango told me whether you become a human or a demon, she'd stay by your side no matter the consenquence. This just goes to show you how much she cares about you. We are willing to do the same."
Inuyasha was both surprised and confused. He didn't know whether to be thankful or worried. He's thankful that she'd be willing to stay with him, but if did change into his demon form, that would put Sango's life in danger; that's what worries him.
Sango is his friend and fellow comrade in battle; he seldom worried about her because she knew how to take care of herself and focus in the fray.
--
"Inuyasha!" Sango sprinted down the hill, ready to hurl her Hirakotsu at Sesshoumaru and help Inuyasha. Inuyasha saw this, and got worried. She may be a great fighter, but Sesshoumaru could seriously hurt her.
"Stay back!" He yelled, making Sango stop in her tracks before Sesshoumaru could take offense.
--
Inuyasha thought he was done for when Jankotsu hurled his multiplyinh sword at him. He was out of breath and at the end of his line. Then Hirakotsu inferfered Jankotsu's assault, tangling his sword before it ended Inuyasha's life.
"Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha looked up in the air and saw Sango and Kirara in the air. Sango got off of Kirara the second the fire-cat landed. " Inuysaha, are you allright?" she asked, worried.
"Yeah, yeah." His eyes averted to Jankotsu, who was quite angry that Sango interefered.
Jankostu glared. "Wench! How dare you interfere with my Inuyasha and my fun!" He pulled his sword back, untangling Hirakotsu in the process, and hurled it at Sango. Sango moved away just in time, but got a gash in her arm. Inuyasha saw this and charged at Jankotsu, punching him square in the face.
"I had enough of your psychobabble!"
--
"Sango! Open your eyes! Sango!" Inuyasha briefly saw her unconscious face through the web-like sheild, that blocked Inuyasha from her. His hands burned from touching the substance.
--
Huh, why am I thinking about this now? Inuyasha thought. Was it because this may be the last time he will get to see her? Inuyasha's fingers curled in fists. This is exactly why he needs to forget and leave them, especially before the new moon. His human emotions will overpower him if he doesn't.
It's better this way, but I will miss you, Sango.
Miroku was the first to wake up. On instinct, his eyes flew to Sango and upon doing so, his brows furrowed in confusion at the sight of the coat of the fire-rat draped over Sango, who's holding the coat as if she couldn't live without it. Miroku's eyes averted to the half-demon not too far away from Sango; he's still asleep.
Miroku couldn't place why Inuyasha would give it to her--or maybe Sango asked for it; maybe she's sad because since she is to be married to Miroku and that they would be moving back to her village, she'll miss Inuyasha and all the other people she has grown close to. I should've known Sango would feel this way. Miroku thought as glanced from Inuyasha to Sango. Inuyasha played a major role in her life. He helped her bring Kohaku back; they suffered the same tragedy.
Miroku stood up from his seating place, walking quietly over to his bride-to-be, and knelt beside said girl. She was smiling, which made Miroku pleased that she experienced no nightmares since Naraku's death.
He brushed a stray strand of silk-like hair from Sango's face. Miroku felt as if he was the luckiest man alive. He was so nervous that Sango would reject him, but she didn't, and that alone assured Miroku that Sango loved him.
"I love you."
Miroku got up and walked out of the hut, unaware of the gleaming amber eyes that witnessed his heart-felt confession.
Sango woke up later, feeling refreshed thanks to Inuyasha. Not once did she had any nightmares. For a moment she thought it was Inuyasha's coat that soothed her to sleep. If it did, it must protect more than physically.
Sango got up from her mat and fixed the covers. When she was done, she walked outside with the fire-rat coat in tow. I wonder where Inuyasha went to? Sango thought as she looked around for the half-demon. Then she heard someone approaching her from behind. She turned around, expecting to see Inuyasha in one of his morining moods, but instead she saw Miroku. "Good morning, Sango."
Sango smiled and nodded in response. He looked happy today, more than usual; she was glad that she was able to make hiom happy.
"Sleep well?" He asked.
"Yes; thank you." Sango paused and looked down at the coat in her arms. "Have you seen Inuyasha?"
Miroku sighed wearily. "Yes. He took off. He threatened me as well as Shippou if we tried to follow him."
"What could be wrong with him?" Sango asked more to herself than to Miroku, still staring at Inuyasha's coat.
I did it only for you Sango, so you won't hurt anymore.
Sango's grip on the coat tightened. Why does his words haunt her? It feels as if the words were tugging her heartstrings. This was confusing to Sango. Sure, she cared about the half-demon; she even vowed to stay be his side no matter what. Instinct took over curiosity. Sango would keep that promise.
"Miroku, I'm going to take a walk. I'll be back soon." Sango slipped her arms in the coat and fastened it around her waist, so she could hoist Hirakotsu over her shoulder more easily.
Miroku opened his mouth to protest, but stopped himself. I'll tell her later. "Ok, Sango. Please, be careful."
Sango nodded, walking torwards the trail to the shady woods. Sango crept along the trail, pushing at overgrown branches. The foilage has thickened since the last thime she'd roam these woods, or at least it seemed that way. But Sango didn't feel quite comfortable with the near dead leaves barely hanging on its perch, or the moan and groans of the branches as the wind attacked it, or the feeling that someone's behind her ready to strike...Sango reached up and grabbed the handle. She stopped to listen; she heard nothing except for the groaning of the trees and the farway cries of crows. She turned from side to side , and looked up and down the trail. Nothing.
Calm down, Sango, of course it's safe.
An out-of-place sound reverbrated; the shaking of the leaves. Sango swiftly turned just in time to see a grotesque-looking demon shoot from the trees, lunging at her.
"Hirakotsu!" Sango hurled it at the demon, and severed one of it's arms. It quickly regenerated. Sango recieved her weapon and readied to hurl it again. Then the ground rumbled slightly, then an appendage of the demon shot up from the ground and pierced Sango in the shoulder. Blood seeped through the fabric of Inuyasha's coat. Sango sunk to the ground, dropping her weapon in the progress, applying pressure to her wound.
The demon chuckled darkly. "At last..I shall have my revenge against the demon slayers. I shall relish in killing the last one."
At least he hasn't found about Kohaku. Sango thought weakly. She felt her vision blurring. No, I have to stay awake...I can't die; not now...
The demon outstretched his arm and picked up Sango, hoisting her over his shoulder. He took off in the air, laughing to himself. The last thing Sango saw before she blacked out was red; Inuyasha's coat.
Inuyasha...help me..
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A/N: Dun dun dun! Will Inuyasha save her? shifty eyes or not? Guess you'll have to wait...but can you wait two days? don't kill me I promise the nest chapter will be EXTRA-long. That'll give you something to look forward to.
Have a nice day :)