Chapter 3

Disclaimer:

You know I've been thinking…yes I know OMG! But seriously…what is the point of all of these disclaimer things…? Is it so the authors can sound like total suck-ups? Sometimes I wonder…its like "Read my story please! I promise it will get better! Oh woe is me! Please Review!"…and stuff like that. Is it really necessary?

"No!" Miroku gasped, sitting up. He opened his eyes. Sango's concerned features swam into view. Miroku nearly collapsed with relief. It was only a dream. Sango yelped as Miroku pulled her into an embrace. She sat there rigidly, not sure how to react until Miroku's hand came in contact with her behind. She pushed him away and stood up. Miroku looked around himself for the first time since he had regained consciousness. They were surrounded by trees; thick, dense trees, through which slowly flowed a river.

"Miroku I can't believe you! Why do you…," Sango paused, "Miroku?" The monk's face blanched. "Are you alright?" Sango asked hesitantly. Her companion finally seemed to come to, but his face was still drained of its color.

"It's nothing…" he remarked, trying to sound casual. Sango raised an eyebrow. Miroku stood up.

"We should find our way out of this place." He said with a glance around at the surrounding trees. Sango followed him through the trees.

Miroku hurried them upstream. The river would lead them out of this place. They stepped out into a small clearing. Miroku stopped. Every hair on the back of his neck stood rigid. A deep cynical laughter echoed in the stillness. He wasn't imagining it because Sango drew her sword beside him. Suddenly, something from his dream aroused Miroku. He turned to Sango and barely had enough time to dodge. The blade whistled by his ear. Sango pointed her sword at him, eyes glazed. Behind her, a shape materialized out of the darkness. Miroku stiffened. Naraku's form stood there, calm and menacing.

"Naraku! Let her go!" shouted Miroku, loosening the prayer beads on his right hand. Naraku laughed.

"So monk, you would sacrifice this girl for a chance at revenge." Miroku knew that his threat was useless. Sango stood between him and his enemy. There was no way he could get to Naraku without harming Sango. Before he had time to further debate his situation, Sango leapt at him. Miroku dodged to the side and jumped out of the way of Sango's slashing blade. Miroku dodged again and went after Naraku. Naraku just stood there, chuckling.

"Are you sure you want to do this monk? After all, if you ever succeed in killing me, you will kill her as well."

Miroku stopped. Now what? There had to be some way around this! Maybe he was dreaming again. Come on! Wake up! He heard panting behind him and tuned to see Sango barring down upon him again. In a desperate move, Miroku dropped down and knocked Sango off her feet. The sword flew a few feet and stood quivering in the ground.

"Oh, so this is how you play?" Naraku chuckled, "Very well,"

Miroku rolled Sango over on her back. She was still conscious, but the dull tinted look had gone from her eyes. A surge of panic rose up in Miroku's chest.

"Sango, get away from here! Run! NOW!"

He felt Naraku take control of his body. He struggled, but slowly, he stood and walked over to where Sango's sword stood. His hand reached out and grasped the hilt. With a sharp tug, he pulled it free. He turned to see Sango. She sat there where she had fallen.

"Sango! Run!" Miroku managed to gasp.

"I won't leave you!" Sango cried.

"You don't have a choice," came Naraku's voice. Sango glared defiantly up at him as invisible bonds wrapped around her ankles and wrists. Miroku willed his feet to stop walking forward, or his hands to drop the sword. His advance was not ceased or slowed. He wasn't strong enough. He wasn't strong enough to protect the woman he loved! Then something that Naraku had said filtered in through all the chaos. Miroku knew what he had to do. He knew he could not save himself, but at least he might be able to save Sango. The sword shook in his hands. His feet took him around to Sango's back. She kneeled there, still starring daggers at Naraku as Miroku's hands lifted the sword above his head. Sweat ran down his face. He knew he wasn't strong enough, but maybe…the sword came down.

Disclaimer:

Hmmmm…now doesn't this sound familiar…? (Bitter sarcasm is not all it's cracked up to be…) So, now….in my new role as "suck-up" since that's what people seem to expect from this site…umm….a list of 100 reasons why you should review…1. You would do anything to shut me up…2. No one really cares any ways… 3. You could feel sorry for me…(funny)…4. …..sigh…ok, make that the..3 and a half reasons why you should review. I think I'll just stick to the fic.