Whenever the group set off on a new journey, Miroku was typically happy to bring up the rear. This normally had the double advantages of letting him keep an eye on the rest of the group and their surroundings, and letting him innocently and incidentally ogle Kagome and Sango as circumstance allowed. Sometimes Shippou joined him, but more often this was also a solitary position. He rather liked it that way.
Today, though no exception to his general rule, was different. As they made their way along the path that led down from the mountains, Sango held back and fell in alongside him. Kirara was perched on her shoulder, the same way Shippou often clung to Miroku's.
He was careful not to comment on any of this, lest he scare her off by appearing too interested, but he was rather pleased to have company. In truth, he had not expected the easy companionship of Toutousai's mountain valley to continue once they were back on the road. It had been a pleasant way to spend the time, but nothing serious. A small step, rather than a powerful change. But if Sango was choosing to spend her day walking beside him, he wasn't going to complain.
In fact, he even vowed to behave himself… at least for now.
She was walking so close that it would have been no problem at all to reach over, slip his hand past the hiraikotsu, and caress her bottom. Exercising great restraint—which would go utterly, lamentably unappreciated by the group in general and by Sango in particular—he kept his hands to himself.