As the wolves slipped back into the forest to follow their leader, Inuyasha seethed. Sango knew he was hot-tempered, but this was exasperating even for him. Kouga had clearly been trying to get a rise out of him the entire time, and he fell for the performance completely. Still, there was something to be said for being as confident and honest about one's feeling as Kouga was. At least Kagome knew exactly how he felt about her.
"He sure is confident for someone that's running away," Sango observed, hoping the reminder would calm things down.
"Sheesh, Inuyasha, don't get so angry," Kagome told the hanyou. She clearly meant to calm the situation, but Inuyasha had other ideas.
"When was I angry?" he demanded.
Thankfully, Kagome had enough sense not to get caught in an argument this time. She simply sighed and said, "You're exhausting."
At this all the anger went out of Inuyasha at once. Sango had never seen him so deflated so quickly before. Kagome's words had cut him to the heart, and she did not appear to realize it. She noticed the vacant look on the hanyou's face, inquiring in worried tones what was the matter. "Don't listen to what Kouga-kun said," she added, leaning close to rest a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"He's worried about what you said, Kagome," the monk told her. "He thinks you're tired of being with him."
Since Inuyasha was no in condition to tell her, and probably would not do so even if he could, Sango supposed it was better for Miroku to make it clear. At least that meant there was a chance Kagome could clarify things for him, instead of merely leaving him to wonder if she might seriously be tired of him or considering Kouga as a replacement.
Sango knew she was frowning when the monk made his way over to where she was standing, but she couldn't help it. She was just too frustrated. Why couldn't those two just be honest with each other? They wouldn't have to spend nearly so much time arguing with each other or tending to hurt feelings if they would just be a little more willing to communicate…
It seemed all too clear to her, but she had a sinking feeling it would be a long time before they were comfortable enough with each other for that. Turning her attention to Miroku, she asked, "Well?"
He shrugged. "Inuyasha is the same as always. He's probably always going to try Kagome's patience."
Considering his personality, that was pretty much a given. Though Sango knew better than to share that particular opinion out loud where it might be overheard by sensitive hanyou ears. "About Kouga."
"Well," he decided, "it's obvious how he feels about Kagome."
"I didn't mean that. I meant that he plans to hunt down Naraku." They had no idea if Naraku was even nearby, much less when they might next encounter him or another of his offspring. Inuyasha was in no condition to take Naraku on, what with the Tessaiga now being too heavy for him, but what about Kouga?
He thought about it for a while. "You think he can do it?"
Sango waited for an interjection from Inuyasha, but it never came. He must be really upset by what Kagome had said, after all.
"I don't know," she told Miroku. "But if he's nearby, we'll need to be careful."
The monk murmured an agreement, no doubt contemplating the possibility that he might soon face off against his lifelong enemy again. Sango couldn't stop thinking about it, either. They'd had a few days of reprieve now, but they all knew Naraku was still out there looking for them. He might be waiting around the next bend, or more of his offspring might be killing the inhabitants of a village down the road. It only made sense to be ready.
Thus decided, she told Miroku, "Please keep an eye on the others for me."
He looked mildly confused. "And what do you plan to do?"
"I'm going to put on my armor," she told him, "in case something bad is waiting up ahead."
She had no wish to be caught unprepared again, the way she had the night Kanna appeared. To her relief, Miroku seemed to be entirely serious. But the act slipped away almost as soon as she had her back turned. "And you'd like me to help you?"
Rolling her eyes, she shot back, "It wasn't an invitation!"