Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or its characters. I do own, however, the original characters: Alden, Cora, and Setsuko. Using my original characters in your own stories is not permitted, unless with my consent. Thank you.

Chapter 7

Realization of Envy

A solid, earthy crust lied above, but that spirit was determined to ascend higher until it reached its destination above. Its wings outspread, it soared through the air and struck the rock above like a disastrous drill, pummeling and slashing its way upward. No boulders seemed to pose a dead-end; that spirit broke through the rocky wall as if it was made of a soft wood, but it conspicuously struggled sporadically. It toiled and toiled, its red eyes opening once more, as it continued on in that seemingly endless ascension.

Alden's eyes slowly opened; he awakened gradually and almost peacefully, compared to his reactions to his other nightmares. He was caught in a morning daze, rubbing his eyes, shaking off his dreams. Cora already had gotten up before him, as usual, and had left her notebook lying on the floor with a pen beside it. She had awakened early, and gone to the hot springs to bathe and relax alone, with Kilala as her bodyguard. She didn't bother to do it yesterday, so she decided that in the morning would be nice for once. Alden did not worry about her, though the notebook did rouse him; he wondered what she had written. Was she the one that was hiding in the bushes last night, watching Sango and him? Curiosity got the best of him, so he got up, and scooped Cora's notebook off the floor. He turned to the newest entry, reading the words to himself slowly due to the atrocious spelling.

"I trained yesterday trying to get to my new powers. I don't know what they are yet, but I hope they are useful. There is a shard in my arm, and it shines brightly when I concentrate. Maybe it gives me my power. I woke up last night, and Alden wasn't there. I think he might of went to lake to see Sango again. They must like each other. But I wonder if they want the others to know? Is it a secret? If it is, I know! I figured it out too all by myself!"

Alden stopped reading it; Cora wasn't the one who was spying on them last night. But now the question was, who was it then? The answer came to him quickly.

"Miroku," he said aloud. "That perverted monk."

Cora had asked Kagome to wait for her for breakfast. Everyone was gathered in the abode, awaiting her arrival to begin eating. Inuyasha was becoming irritated, Kagome telling him to quit whining. Alden readied himself for breakfast, rising and dressing himself. He wondered how he was going to approach the others about Sango, but did not stress or worry about it just yet.

"I'm going to talk to Sango first," he decided. "Then, we'll tell everyone and see their reactions."

He felt slightly elated, approaching the new day with a steady vigor. Exiting the abode, he took a breath and walked over to the adjacent abode. Upon entering, he noticed everyone was already gathered in the midst of the room, conspicuously waiting for something impatiently.

"What's everyone waiting for?" he asked, sitting down next to Kagome.

"For your sister," Kagome told him. "Do you know if she's coming yet?"

"No. Where is she?"

"She went to take a dip in the hot springs."

"Oh. But why are we waiting?"

"She asked me to wait for her so that we can all eat breakfast together."

"She doesn't like to miss anything, the brat."

"Oh, come on, Alden. You know you love her."

As Kagome's words sunk into his mind, Alden turned to Sango as a reaction. He responded almost unconsciously.

"Yes, I do."

Sango blushed, but no one took note of it. Except Miroku. He had suffered through a terrible night; now very irritable, testy, and enervated. He still had not figured out what he was feeling inside of him, as its confusing dregs still burned in his mind and churned in his heart.

At this time, Cora abruptly entered the abode, with a bright demeanor about her. She obviously felt very invigorated due to the springs, and her cheerfulness brought a smile to Kagome's face. Alden felt uncomfortable however; would she reveal him and Sango now?

"Hey, everyone!" she greeted gleefully. "You waiting just for me?"

"Of course!" Kagome said.

"Feh," Inuyasha snorted.

"Of course we waited for her. She asked Kagome to," Alden thought, looking at Cora with an impassive disposition.

"Well, let's eat then!" Cora said, sitting down next to Kagome.

A wave of relief rushed through Alden then, and he relaxed. She didn't expose them. Perhaps she wasn't such an annoying little brat.

Kaede brought in a variety of cooked vegetables that served as a tasty early meal. Cora did not go near them, however, only snacking on Kagome's snacks from her backpack. There was not many left though, since she had not been back to her time in a while. No one had dared to approach the well; they still believed it presented some sort of danger in its distorted state. Myoga still mused about this, coming up with theories and ideas in order to attempt to fix the well, but they all proved to be futile. He decided now to instead, mull over Alden's new nightmare.

"Master Alden," he spoke up. "Did you happen to have a nightmare last night?"

"I did," Alden said. "But, it wasn't that bad this time. That shadowy demon kept flying up, high in that darkness, when it found itself at a dead end. There appeared to be rock blocking its path above, so it began to smash the rocks and proceed upward, and that's all that happened."

"So nothing horrific in nature."

"Nope. Not this time."

"Interesting."

Myoga pondered about the hellish tale that Alden had told him thus far from his dreams. What was it that was causing him to have these ominous nightmares? Outlandish theories struck him often, but he dismissed them. He hadn't an answer that seemed valid enough to him.

Kaede broke the ephemeral silence.

"Kagome, I shall be gone for a few days to attend to an ailed child," she said to Kagome. "I have mixed an herbal remedy that I hope will aid her."

"She's ill?" Kagome asked.

"Aye. It seems almost terminally. Many cures have been sought, mixed, and administered to her, but nonetheless, she still is very ill."

"How sad....."

"Aye. So, today I shall be leaving to go to her in a nearby village. I will leave ye to aid Cora in her training to discover her powers, Kagome."

"I'll do my best to help Cora. I hope everything will be okay for the sick girl."

"Aye. I pray for her."

After breakfast, Kaede left the village on a horse, carrying with her the herbal medicine that perhaps might cure the girl that was terribly ill. Kagome told Cora that she was to keep trying to summon her powers and invoke her inner abilities so that she would hopefully soon discover what they truly were. Thus, the day proceeded with Cora and Kagome doing just that, the others leaving them alone in the abode to concentrate and have silence. During this time, Alden got to speak to Sango alone. She sat atop of the apex of a hill, looking at the clear, cloudless sky. Alden clambered up the steep hill, and sat next to Sango.

"Hey, Sango," he said. "How are you?"

"I'm well, Alden," she said to him. "How is your sister fairing?"

"I don't know. But.....whatever. I'm leaving them alone. I'm sure they're progressing."

He turned to kiss her on the lips unexpectedly; so hastily did he do it that she did not blush. They looked into each other's eyes passionately, both entranced once again. After, their lips met again, both this time, it was simultaneously. Sango leaned her head on Alden's shoulder.

"You're not blushing anymore," he said.

"No. I feel more comfortable now."

"I'm glad. But the others still don't know about us."

"Do they have to?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Of course they do. Why keep it a secret?"

"Well, okay....."

Shippo saw what was transpiring between Sango and Alden from a distance; they were unaware of the innocent eyes that scrutinized them so closely with curiosity.

"What are they doing over there?" Shippo wondered aloud.

Miroku turned in reaction to Shippo's comment. He noticed Sango and Alden on the hill, sitting together. His subdued, dormant emotions erupted once again, befuddling and disturbing him. What was he feeling? He had to resolve it; devise a way to relieve himself of such tormenting, storming emotions. But how? He first had to decipher the cause. Was it Alden and Sango? Whenever he laid eyes upon them together, his emotions went entirely haywire. These conflicting feelings had to be stopped. So what if it was Alden and Sango, he knew they loved each other. But could he accept it? Was he feeling envy? His thoughts became frantic and scattered upon his realization.

"Am I jealous?" he asked himself. "Am I envious of Alden's relationship with Sango? Do I love Sango, more than just for lust, and feel contempt for Alden?"

Shippo was still watching them, and then turned toward Miroku.

"Hey, Miroku, what are they doing over there?" he asked.

Shippo's voice caused him to be thrown out of his stream of consciousness. He knelt down to meet Shippo's eyes.

"Um, I'll tell you when you're older, Shippo," he said. "But.....best leave them alone."

Miroku walked away, once again becoming lost in his thoughts.

"Hey, wait for me!" Shippo cried after him.

Sango and Alden continued to sit together. They talked about their pasts, although Alden tried to avoid Sango's painful memories of her family, and especially her brother, Kohaku. Alden told her about his family back in his present, how they went to school, and of course, about his nightmares.

Inuyasha sat Indian style against the abode, but then turned his attention to the approaching Miroku. He noticed the monk's concerned disposition.

"What's up, monk?" he asked, bored although restless.

"Hm?" Miroku wondered dreamily. "Um. Nothing. Nothing, Inuyasha....."

"Feh. Whatever....."

Miroku entered the abode where Kagome and Cora dwelled. He remained entranced by his thoughts unfortunately; engulfed entirely and helplessly. Cora and Kagome were startled by his arrival.

"Um, Miroku? What are you doing here?" Kagome asked.

Cora's concentration was broken.

"Yeah, I'm trying to focus here," she said.

"Oh, um.....I'm sorry. Pardon me. Just checking to see how you've been fairing, Cora."

"Well, okay so far. The light has been shining, but that's it. Nothing unusual yet."

Outside, Inuyasha glanced off into the distance. He discerned Sango and Alden, relaxing with each other on the lush hill. Shippo approached Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha," he said. "What are they doing over there?"

"Hm. I don't know," Inuyasha told him. "I'm going to go see."

Inuyasha stood up and began meandering off the path, in the direction of the hills.

"Hey, wait for me!" Shippo yelled after him.

Inuyasha turned around and faced him abruptly.

"You stay here, runt," he said.

"Hey! Stop calling me that!"

"Listen. Wait here."

Shippo stayed put reluctantly, despite his vexing persistence. Inuyasha got closer to the two, traversing the grassy hills. They did not see him approach from behind; they were too enraptured in their talk and each other, and Inuyasha had a particularly careful step. He lay himself down behind a knoll, listening to them talk in a small green depression. They remained completely unaware of his presence.

"You didn't grow close to any girls in your era, Alden?" Sango asked him.

"No, not particularly. I did, but it never lasted long."

"Oh, I see."

"You are the most beautiful, by far."

"Alden.....I love you. I feel so safe when you're around now. And comfortable. Like I'm at peace. You make me happy."

Alden smiled and kissed her again.

"So do you."

Inuyasha stood up abruptly from behind the knoll and climbed up their hill. Once atop, he loomed over them.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" he said.

"Inuyasha? Is something the matter?" Alden asked, startled. "Has Cora figured out her so-called 'powers'?"

"No, not yet. But since when have you two been.....so close.....?"

"Since yesterday, Inuyasha."

"Huh? How come you didn't tell anyone?"

"Well, now you know. You can tell the others."

"Feh. Like it's that important."

"To us it is, but if you don't want to bother the others, then we'll tell them later."

"Feh."

Inuyasha started back for the village, bewildered by what he just saw. A strange jealousy sprung forth in him, but not one to stir and cause him grief. He turned back again quickly, glancing at them together, the couple looking into each other's eyes. He suddenly remembered how he used to look at Kikyo that way, and how he held her close to him. Inuyasha turned away again, hastening his pace, meandering down the hills, and back to the village.

Miroku exited the abode, leaving Kagome and Cora alone once again to give them quiet. He still walked unusually, open eyes of a somnambulist, insides of one in poignant pain. He had realized that he did indeed love Sango, and could not bear to see her with Alden. Profoundly distressed, he knew nothing could be done, however; he allowed them to be together, but could not accept it. The conflicting emotions kept tugging at him; he felt he could do nothing.

The day continued slowly, until dinner eventually came. Kagome was made aware of Sango and Alden's new open relationship, and she felt happy for them. She smiled, Cora telling her how she knew all along. Inuyasha was now apathetic of the situation; he initially felt a small jealousy for the relationship they shared, but banished it soon after. Shippo and Kilala frolicked around the fire, until the dinner cooked. They all ate together, Sango and Alden embracing. Miroku tried to take control of what was destroying him internally, but the more he persisted and dwelled on it, the more tumultuous it became. He almost winced from it.

"Hey, look what I can do now!" Cora said, grabbing everyone's attention.

Her arm glowed, revealing the shard from within. A strong light burst forth, everyone shielding their eyes. Cora made the light dim, and it slowly faded completely.

"She can do it at will now," Kagome said. "Pretty good, huh?"

"Impressive," Miroku said, trying to hide his discomfort. "But has she discovered her powers yet?"

"No, nothing yet."

"Perhaps it is just a jewel shard then that is embedded in her arm, and nothing else."

"But Kaede said that the light it gives off is pure," Cora said. "She said that I do have abilities, but that I haven't found them just yet."

Everyone discussed it for a while, but eventually concluded that Cora should just wait and see what would occur. They conversed some more about other things, and then headed off to bed.

Sango and Alden kissed and embraced, finally parting for the day. They both fell asleep in their separate, comfortable abodes, serenity allowing them to slumber soundly.

Miroku was being tortured by the poignancy inside of him, he realized, and he knew it would never cease unless something was done. His nobleness and selflessness could only carry him so far, but now he was in perpetual pain.

"I have to do something," he told himself. "Eventually, I will do something."

With that final thought, he drifted off calmly and easily.