Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any nursery rhymes.

The Mother Goose Escapades

No. 20

Hush a bye baby, on the tree top,

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock;

When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,

and down will fall baby, cradle and all.

It had been on Miroku's mind a lot lately, but especially since yesterday. Every time a battle with Naraku took place, he was reminded of the curse upon him, and the urgency he needed to defeat Naraku. The image of a baby rose to his mind also...there was always that alternative. But she was there also, and then it always turned to...

Miroku focused back on the card game at hand. He was playing with Shippou; the little rascal was beating him soundly. Of course, if he were paying more attention it might help but he couldn't really help it. He was watching Sango out of the corner of his eye. This last fight had been particularly bad for her, with Kohaku being there. She had been depressed ever since, although she tried to hide it.

He became alarmed when she stood up, and walked over to Kagome. After the brief conversation, she left on Kirara, and Miroku felt concern grow within himself. Moments after she left, Shippou beat him once and for all, giving him a cheeky grin. He rubbed the young kitsune's head, then stood up and stretched. Shippou scampered off to color, and Miroku made his way over to Kagome.

"Where did Sango go?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Kagome looked up at him, studying his face for a moment.

"She just said she needed to go somewhere. Her village, I assumed." The answer was less than satisfactory. Still, the monk only nodded, turning and walking away, ending up on the outskirts of their little camp. He missed the knowing look on Kagome's face, and the sharp gaze of the hanyou. Looking out over the forest, he closed his eyes. As always, the unwanted, but deeply desirable image rose to his mind's eye.

There he is, sitting next to a perfect house, looking with love and pride at his wife. She is heavy with child, and tending to a young boy, his son. She feels his gaze on her, and looking up, winks at him. The little boy laughs, and runs off while his mama is distracted. He climbs the nearest tree, and she laughingly calls him down. Miroku gets up, and walks over. After embracing Sango, he approaches the tree when he feels the strange tug on his hand. Panicked, he backs up, tells his family to run. Sango's eyes widen, and panic-stricken, begs her son to come down. The boy refuses, and Miroku runs away, but it is too late. The wind comes, and he is being sucked in. Sango screams as the wind shakes all the trees, and her little son clutches tight, crying in fear as he watches his daddy. Then the tree breaks, the branches snap, and everything falls down. Sango watches as she loses her husband and her son in one huge disaster. Sobbing, she clutches her round belly.

Miroku opened his eyes, deeply disturbed. This had been the dream that haunted his sleep lately. The monk sighed. If he didn't have a son, the curse ended with him, allowing Naraku to win. But if he did ask Sango, and she complied, if Naraku was never defeated, then that was surely a probable outcome. Miroku knew he never wanted to put that already fragile woman through more pain.

She had been gone an awful long time. Inuyasha was starting to get impatient, snapping at Kagome. The miko was arguing with him about being more sensitive, and Miroku shook his head. He starting walking away, letting his feet guide him. Perhaps they would lead him to what he needed to do. He was just settling into a comfortable pace when Kirara appeared in front of him, the vision of Sango on her back. The demon exterminator had her eyes closed, and as the wind blew her hair, the sun crowned her. Miroku had never seen a lovelier angel.

When Kirara landed, Sango opened her eyes. After a moment the serene pain in her face changed into confusion. Deciding to leave things as they were, Miroku opened his mouth.

"Hello, Sango," he said, his voice sounding oddly strained.

"Miroku?" She asked, her confusing evident. "What are you doing...here...? Where is everyone?"

"They're just back a little ways, waiting for you to return. Inuyasha is getting a bit restless. Kagome is trying to keep him at ease." Miroku pointed behind him, and watched as Sango looked past him. After a moment, she looked back at him.

"And you?"

"Looking for you." It was the honest truth, he decided. He had thought of her often enough, imagined things as they could be, and even though it scared him, he wanted to have her by his side forever. Cautiously, he took a step towards her. When she remained motionless, he quickly walked the rest of the way and offered her his hand. Her brow furrowed, but she took it. He noted her body tense up as he helped her off of Kirara's back. Almost with regret he let go, keeping his hands to himself. She looked at him, uncertainty etched across her face.

"Why?"

"I was worried for you. Since yesterday you have not been...yourself." He watched her carefully as she closed her eyes. Her face twitched, as though she needed to say something, but she remained silent. Miroku took a step closer to her. She opened her eyes and looked at him, questions in her face. Gambling, Miroku reached out his hand, then caressed her face. He smiled faintly when Sango leaned into it. A thought known only to her caused her bite her lip.

"I'm sorry to have worried you," she whispered. "I don't want to worry you."

"You shouldn't have to suffer alone." Unable to resist and dying to comfort her, Miroku leaned in and placed a feather touch kiss upon her lips. Immediately afterwards, he held her close to him, feeling the warmth of her body and the beat of her heart against her chest. It was at that moment that he knew all he wanted was her. To have her near him, be it before or after they defeated Naraku, be it filled with dangers or none at all. Miroku felt an obscure gratitude towards the dark hanyou who had placed the curse on his grandfather. For, without Naraku, there would have been no Sango.

"I'm ready to go back." The words were breathed into his ear, and he smiled. His greatest fear still loomed over him, but he wanted Sango. They fit together so well, and so much had happened to the both of them. Together they turned, walking back with the demon exterminator still cradled in the monk's arms. Still, old habits die hard, and Miroku found his hands sliding down Sango's wonderfully fit body.

The feeling of being watched stopped him, and Miroku looked down to see a disapproving firecat casting a stern look at him. Miroku almost chuckled, but held it in. Now was not the time. Nor was it the time for groping. He looked down at the broken woman he was holding, and he realized he wanted nothing more than to be the one to mend her. As she was slowly doing for him. A small sacrifice was all that was required, and he was willing to make it. If she let him. He found himself relaxing, with her in his arms. A strange feeling. A nice feeling.

Author's Notes: So, a little Miroku and Sango fluff, I suppose. Like it? I was noticing how serious these seem to have gotten lately, believe me, there should funnier ones in the future! Enjoy!