Konnichiwa, minna!!! I know, I know, I haven't updated in ages...but I have an excuse!! My parents wouldn't let me go on until all my summer homework was done so I had to do it...but I'm done now so I can post this new chapter!! Don't you love me?? -sweatdrop- Guess not...

Disclaimer: No I don't own Inuyasha. It all belongs to Rumiko Takahashi-dono.

Claimer: I forgot to do this before: I own Kyoko and the spell cast on Kagome (we find out about the spell in a later chapter.)

And now, on with the show!!! Errr...chapter.

---The Tajiya Village---

Kirara landed in the tajiya village and Sango and Miroku dismounted. They paused at the graves to pay their respects with some flowers Sango had picked up on the way and a prayer each. Then they continued on, headed for the shed where the tajiya supplies were kept. They walked side by side in companionable silence. The peace, however was broken when Miroku's hand inched toward Sango's butt, finally getting a grope. Sango's eyes widened. "Eek!" SLAP! They walked in silence again, except this time Miroku's face was decorated with a bright red handprint and Sango refused to look at him.

They reached the shed and Sango stepped in, pausing for a moment, letting the familiarity wash over her, and continued in. Miroku followed her and stopped beside her. Sango scanned the array of items for the materials they needed. She spotted the rhinoceros demon horns and walked over, Miroku right behind her. She picked up two horns, one big and one small, and stared at them for a moment. It brought back memories.

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Kohaku threw his kusarigama (A/N: A kusarigama is the chain thingy with the sword at the end that Kohaku uses, the one that he throws.) at a clay pot sitting on a wooden pole again. It hit the mark, smashing the pot but not leaving even a scratch on the pole. His skills were definitely improving. Sango smiled, proud of her younger brother's achievements. The gates opened and their father and a number of tajiya filed in, holding the carcass of a rhinoceros demon. Kohaku's eyes widened. "Wow! It's huge! Do you exterminate demons that big all the time?"

Sango smiled, "Not all the time, but yes, often we do."

Kohaku was quiet for a moment.

"You're not afraid, are you?" she teased.

"No!" he protested, "Not at all!"

Sango sat down next to him and put her arm around his shoulders. "You'll make a fine tajiya."

"You really think so?"

"Yes." She gave him a comforting smile.

"Sango-chan! Kohaku-chan! Come help!" their father called.

The two jumped up and ran over to where the group of tired tajiya were skinning the demon. Kohaku's nose wrinkled at the sight of the bloody corpse. "Sango, teach Kohaku how to cut off the horns," her father ordered. She nodded and led her brother to the head of the demon.

"OK," she said, demonstrating on the larger horn, "take the sword and place it right where the horn meets the body. Make sure it's in the right place and just slice down. It's pretty easy. See?" She sliced down and the horn came tumbling off. Kohaku placed his sword on the smaller horn and did the same. It wasn't as clean cut as Sango's, but it was close enough. Sango smiled at her brother. "Good job!" He grinned.

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Sango looked at the bottom of the smaller horn to find that it wasn't really clean cut. "Oh Kohaku..." Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes and trailed down her cheek. She wiped them away hastily and turned to give them to Miroku. He accepted them with a worried look, but said nothing, merely standing behind her, holding them patiently. Her eyes searched for the other ingredient: centipede demon skin. There weren't too many skins so it was easy to find. She walked over and picked it up, heaving slightly with the effort. It was heavier than she had expected.

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Sango walked slowly, tired from the battle, as she helped heave a centipede demon back to the village. Her shoulders were beginning to ache as she carried the demon above her head. The village was in sight; the gate wasn't too far. She urged her body to continue forward just a little further. Finally, they reached the center of the village and people hurried out to help. She gladly put the demon as did everyone else who was helping her carry it. She spotted her younger brother in the crowd. Her father's voice carried over the din, "Kohaku-chan! Go help your sister!"

He made his way to her side, looking a little uneasy. She laughed, "Kohaku-chan, there's nothing to worry about. We need to help skin it." He balked slightly. "It's not as bad as you think, I promise."

He nodded and followed her to grab a knife. They set to work, cutting into the flesh and pulling off the skin. It was taken off in pieces; they were in charge of the tail along with some other tajiya. She showed him how to cut it. Kohaku turned greener and greener as they cut further and further into the demon. Finally, the skin was off and he took one look at the insides of the demon and ran for the woods. Sango ran after him and found him hunched over a bush, emptying the contents of his stomach. She rubbed his back until he felt a bit better. He stood up straight and looked at her in dismay. "I'm sorry."

Sango smiled, "I know what you're thinking. Don't worry about it, though. You'll get used to seeing things like that and soon it won't bother you as much. I felt just like you when I started."

"Really?"

She nodded and smiled at him lovingly. He rewarded her with his own weak smile.

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Sango felt the tears return and she willed them to disappear. Once again, she wiped her eyes on her sleeve and stood up straight, walking out the shed without a word.

Miroku watched her with sad eyes. #Coming here must bring back painful memories...Poor Sango.# He walked after her, easily catching up, and glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. She looked alright, but he knew inside she wasn't. "Sango."

She turned, "Yes?"

"Let's take it easy on the way back. Kaede told me the village Inuyasha and Kagome are headed to is a week's walk to the east, and we are about six days' walk to the southeast, which means we could probably meet up with Inuyasha and Kagome at this point."

Sango nodded, "Alright. How long would the journey be?"

Miroku paused for a moment in thought, "I think about three days."

Sango nodded again, "Alright."

Miroku smiled at her and mounted Kirara right behind her.

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They flew on until it began to get slightly dark. They landed near a hot spring and after lighting a warm fire, Sango left to relax in the hot springs. Miroku remained by the fire, stoking it every now and then. He gripped his staff tighter and tighter as the moments wore on. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He pulled himself forward, ignoring the feeble protests of his mind. He reached the bushes that obscured the view of the spring and peeked through its many holes. Sango was currently completely underwater. Her head suddenly broke the peaceful surface of the water, spraying water droplets all around. Her back was to him, but even that much skin was good enough for him. He grinned perversely and drank in her luscious curves and soft skin. #She would make a beautiful wife...# he thought dreamily before catching himself. #Wait! Wife?# He smiled to himself. #Guess I should have seen it coming... I've fallen in love with her. That's why she's the only one I get true pleasure from touching. She's so beautiful.# So lost in his thoughts, he smiled dreamily and didn't notice that Sango had turned around and seen him.

Sango stood up out of the water and closed her eyes, peacefully taking in the quiet around her. It was broken, however, by a slight rustle behind her. She turned around, expecting it to be Miroku, and picked up a rock. She flung it in the direction where the rustle came from and was rewarded with a dull 'Thud'. No one moved, though. She wondered if she knocked him out. #Hmph. It would serve him right for spying on me.# She moved closer and saw through the crack between two bushes that Miroku was staring straight at her with a dreamy, far-off look in his eyes. She doubted he was really seeing her at all, but just in case she screamed and threw another rock, hitting his forehand square on. She dove back in the water before he awoke from his reverie. Too late. He had seen her. He grinned dreamily and fell back, eyes going all swirly.

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The next day, they set off after a good night's sleep. Sango sat in front, refusing to speak to Miroku, while the monk sat quietly behind her with a large bump on his head. He ran his hand over it occasionally, wincing when he rubbed it too hard. They traveled all day, not stopping once, until night began to fall. They landed near a small forest and started a fire as twilight began to dwindle. Miroku sighed audibly and spoke up, shattering the silence between them. "Sango, I'm sorry...about yesterday."

Sango stared at him. "Are you feeling alright, monk?"

Miroku looked hurt. "Of course I am. Is it that weird that I'm apologizing for my actions?"

"Well, yes, it is!"

He sighed again, "I really am sorry, Sango."

She narrowed her eyes at him for a minute before relaxing. "I forgive you. But if you do it again, I promise I won't forgive you."

He sighed in relief. "Why don't we sleep early tonight? That way we can get an early start tomorrow."

Sango nodded. "Alright. Good night, then."

"Good night, Sango."

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The next morning, Miroku blinked awake in the bright sunlight. He sat up and looked around, finding Sango gone. For a moment, he panicked, but she quashed his fears by appearing out of the forest with some water. She poured it over the fire, killing the flames, and straightened up again. Miroku stood up and yawned. "Good morning, Sango."

"Good morning, Houshi-sama." He winced at the formality.

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They mounted Kirara and began the day's journey. It was a windy day, and the warm sun was obscured by dark clouds. They didn't stop, however. It grew darker and darker until the grey sky began to turn black as night fell. They landed and built another fire. The clouds mostly dispersed, leaving them with a clear night, but the chilly wind wouldn't leave. The two huddled up close to the fire. Finally Miroku stated, with a slight shiver, that it was time to sleep.

Sango and Miroku leaned against separate trees, Sango shivering. He hugged her knees to her chest in an attempt to keep warm, but it didn't help that much. As the night wore on, she fell into a light sleep, cuddling close to Kirara. Miroku opened one eye and observed Sango shivering for a moment. He stood up and closed the distance between them, picking Sango up and carrying her over to where he was previously sleeping. He sat down again, leaning against the tree, and set Sango down between his legs. He rested her head against his chest and opened his thicker outer robe. After wrapping it securely around them both, he placed his arms loosely around her waist and closed his eyes. "You'll probably slap me to oblivion when you wake up, but at least you're not cold anymore," he murmured to her slumbering form.

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The early morning rays awakened Sango. She snuggled closer to what was so warm and smiled. #Wait,# she thought, #warm? Wasn't I freezing last night?# She opened her eyes to find herself wrapped in Miroku's outer monk. She smiled to herself. #Thank you, Houshi-sama.# She sat up and looked around, finding herself against the tree Miroku was sleeping at last night. She frowned slightly. How did she get here? Oh, right. Miroku. She smiled wider. Sango stood up and pulled off the robe. She spotted Miroku and walked over. She handed him his robe, saying, "Thank you, Miroku." She blushed pink and smiled at him. He smiled back, his eyes widening as he realized what she had called him. #No, thank YOU Sango.#

After Sango had completely woken up, Miroku stood up and dusted off his robes. The fire had died by this time, leaving only a few glowing red embers that were quickly dimming. "Sango." She looked up at the sound of her name. "We should get going."

She nodded, "You're right, Houshi-sama. Kirara."

The small neko meowed and disappeared in a whirl of flames to be replaced by its larger form.

They mounted her again, Miroku holding on to Sango in order to stay on. She was confused for a while; him holding her like that felt familiar, but she couldn't recall him ever holding her like that. She shrugged inwardly, putting the thought away.

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By midday, they had stopped for lunch.

"Houshi-sama?" she asked timidly.

He looked up, "Yes?"

"Last night...how did I end up where you were sleeping with your robe around me?"

"You looked like you were cold so I took off my robe and put it on you," he smiled innocently.

"But how did I end up where I was?"

"I picked you up and carried you there."

She narrowed her eyes, "Where did you sleep?"

He smiled and, for once, not a trace of perverseness was visible, "Same place."

She turned a bright pink. "W-What?!" she sputtered.

He shrugged nonchalantly, "It was for body warmth."

Her blush brightened and she looked away to hide it. For some reason, her mind chose that particular moment to remind her of her dream.

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#She was sitting there, next to Miroku, shivering. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "You'll probably slap me to oblivion when you wake up, but at least you're not cold anymore." He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a wonderful feeling of warmth, and brought his lips down to kiss her...# That was when she had woken up.

Sango blushed again. #What if I wasn't dreaming? What if it was real?#

Miroku used his good hand to tilt her face to meet his and turned his cheek. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "You can slap me," he said.

She blinked, "What?"

"I told you, 'You'll probably slap me to oblivion when you wake up, but at least you're not cold anymore.'"

Sango's eyes widened in recognition. "Houshi-sama...what exactly did you do last night?" she asked slowly.

He paused, clearly not expecting that to be her answer. "I saw that you were shivering, so I picked you up and carried you over to where I was sleeping-"

"Show me," she interrupted.

He sighed and went over to pick her up, bridal style, just like the night before. "I carried you over to where I was sleeping and sat you down like this." He placed her on the ground and leaned against the tree, legs apart. "I pulled you onto my lap like this, put your head like this, covered you in my robe, and fell asleep. When I woke up, I pulled off my robe, put it back around you, and got up."

All the while, Sango was blushing like crazy. She looked at Miroku in wonder. "Houshi-sama..."

He gave her a weak smile and braced himself for the inevitable 'SLAP!', but it never came. He looked at her in confusion. "Thank you...Miroku..."

The monk grinned in delight. #That's the second time in 2 days.#

Sango got back on Kirara, motioning for Miroku to follow. "We should go." He nodded. As Kirara flew off, she looked ahead, immersed in hopeful thoughts. #Maybe...jut maybe, he likes me. I wish he loved me...#

Miroku was also deep in thought. Why didn't she slap me? Maybe she likes me after all...as...more than a friend.

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Yay! All done!! I'll try to update WAAAAAY more often, at least until school starts. I'm TRYING to finish this before school starts (Sept 9) but I'm not sure if I will... And no this won't be a 4-chapter story; this IS the 4th chapter and we haven't even encountered the spell yet... hehe

OK, I know I sound really bratty and greedy right now...but I have to say I was hoping for a bit more feedback on this story...I love everybody who's reviewed already, don't get me wrong, but I was hoping for a bit more...I guess I shouldn't complain too much 'cause this is only the 4th chapter...hehe you all probably think I'm like some sort of brat...blushes I'm not really...at least I don't think I am...

Reccommendation: Definitely take the time to check out sol-li, who has like a million awesome stories up already!!!!

DrewsAngel – Awww, you're too sweet!!! Hope you really really love this chapter too!!

LadySword04 – You're waaaay too kind, you know that? I know, the only way he can touch her is when he carries her, especially since he has to hold on to her legs that coincidentally aren't covered by her short skirt...-winkwink- Thanks! Hope this chapter was good, too. -hugs and waves-

TaintedInuShemeeko – Hehe thanks! It's great to hear from you!! Seriously, don't worry about it!! Take all the time you need!! Besides, in the meantime, you're writing new chapters!!! Yay!!! I prayed and voila! a new chapter came along!! hehe (meaning the new one from A Darkness Inside)

M pilot – Awww thanks!! But you've only read the 1st chapter!!! Hehe

Time's mortal enemy – Awww thanks! That's alright. I'm not sure I see what you mean by jumping you explain and then I'll try and improve it?? I know, I couldn't believe you found it through Garret Jax! God knows how he thinks my story's good...hehe By the way, I love your name, it's so cool!!!

Anonymous – Thanks for reviewing!!! I'm glad you found it interesting!!

MoonGirl19 – Thanks! This isn't exactly what happens next...but it IS Miroku and Sango's situation hehe

Inuyashalvr19 – Hahaha wow thanks! I don't really see what's so great about it...but I'm not complaining if you can!!!