Chapter 4

Disclaimer:

This shall be my best work…or my only work…so far…I have issues with finishing things. This shall be my finest…complete work. (triumphant laughter). I would just like to say thanx to all those who reviewed…all two of you…I appreciate it...and I'm not a suck-up. I am truly grateful to those of you who would take the time out of your obviously busy schedule to make a certain fic author feel appreciated. Here's to you.

Sango gasped. She looked up at Naraku. The demon's face was paler that usual and the smirk had disappeared. A small trickle of blood glistened at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were wide with shock and his mouth moved as if he was going to say something, but the words never came. Naraku collapsed in a motionless heap on the ground. Sango turned just in time to see Miroku fall to his knees. His hand, white knuckled, still grasping the hilt of the sword that he had driven into his chest.

"Miroku!" Sango cried, as the monk collapsed. Sango's bonds disappeared. "Why?" she asked as she crawled over to her companion.

Miroku managed a smile. His breath came in soft gasps. "It…was the…only way…" Sango kneeled over him, tears springing unbidden to her eyes.

"Why did you have to? Miroku, why? I don't understand!" Miroku's eyelids closed for a moment. Out of the corner of her blurry vision, she saw Miroku's hand come up behind her.

'Miroku! Don't do this! Not now!' Sango thought, but to her surprise, the hand went to her face instead. With his thumb, Miroku gently wiped away a large tear as it rolled down Sango's cheek. Sango put her hands over his hand and cradled it against her face. Miroku looked softly into her eyes.

"Sango…promise me something." he whispered.

"Anything,"

"Promise me that, no matter what happens, you'll never lose that smile,"

Sango managed a small smile. "Of course," she said, "but you'll always be with me to make sure of that." Miroku tried to smile.

"Sango, promise me," he urged.

"I promise," she said, her voice choked with sobs. "Miroku, don't leave me," Miroku closed his eyes.

"Sango…I love you," he whispered. Tears streamed down Sango's face. She squeezed Miroku's hand.

"I love you too," she whispered. Miroku smiled.

"I'm glad," he said softly. His hand went limp in Sango's grasp.

Disclaimer:

And I'll just leave you with that. Sorry, happy endings aren't my style. Rant, rave, flame, do as you must, just don't do drugs! Peace!

Unourapickle