Sango had mixed feelings about being left alone with Miroku. On the one hand, she'd had more than enough of Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship issues in the last couple of days, and she was glad they were apparently going to finally work things out in private. On the other hand, they'd left her alone with Miroku.
Who was quite obviously watching her. He smiled a little and at least had the decency to look contrite when he realized he was caught. "I can go ask Kagome for more pain pills, if you need them," he offered.
"I'm fine, thank you," she told him. It was true, mostly. If she continued to take it easy, the worst of the pain was likely behind her. From here on out, her recovery should go smoothly.
And besides, he probably was looking for an excuse to spy on their friends as much as he was trying to be genuinely helpful. She didn't have to help him with that.
Still, it was sort of nice for someone to notice that she was injured at all, and to offer help. Inuyasha and Kagome could get so wrapped up in their own problems that they didn't notice what was going on with the rest of the group—that was just what had been going on the last couple of days, in fact. That must have been really awkward for Shippou back when it was just the three of them, she realized. Miroku, too, after he joined them.
The monk had seemed such a natural part of the group when she joined them that she hadn't really stopped to think about it until now. Maybe that was why he seemed to be looking out for her lately. Maybe it wasn't anything weird or nefarious after all. Maybe she really could try to get some sleep without worrying about what he might do. But did she want to take that risk?
It took her a while to realize why she was so nervous. He always seemed to behave himself when she was injured, but he had seen her practicing with the hiraikotsu yesterday, and would have guessed she was on the mend. If there's any pattern to his behavior toward me at all, it's that he doesn't try anything stupid until he knows I'm well again, she thought. Right?
It sounded stupid even in her own head. The man was an obvious flirt and womanizer, and undoubtedly a pervert as well. Someone like that wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of a woman's vulnerability. Which of course circled her thoughts right back around to what he'd said back at the village where they left Koharu: it's just something I ask every woman I meet.
Maybe the problem was he didn't think of her as a woman.
She had to pause there. Since when was that a problem? It certainly wasn't as if she wanted him to be interested in her!
Clearly she had reached her breaking point. She had pushed too hard, with too little rest, and now her wits were completely addled.
"I'm going to sleep," she said, feeling somewhat ridiculous at the proclamation. She waited, half expecting the monk to make some sort of suggestive comment, but the only response came from Shippou and Kirara, both of whom were eager to join her.
Still, as she ruffled her hand through Kirara's fur, she couldn't help but make a request: "Make sure the monk doesn't try anything inappropriate while I'm asleep."