Miroku settled himself just behind Hachi's head as the tanuki prepared to take off. Inuyasha and Kagome had chosen a spot near Hachi's tail, and Miroku meant to give them some space. Sango took her cue from him and joined him at the front.
It wasn't possible to put much distance between them and the rest of the group when they were all riding on Hachi's back like this, despite the fact that his flying form was much larger than his usual one, so it would have to do. And, at least for the beginning of their journey, it served quite nicely.
But eventually conversation circled around to the inevitable:
"I do wonder how those two managed to patch things up," Sango mused.
As if there were any real question. They both knew their companions well enough to guess what had happened, even if they had not been there to witness it themselves. Still, if she wanted him to say it, he would oblige. "Most likely Kagome gave in and forgave Inuyasha."
"Forgave him for what, two-timing her with Kikyou?" Her expression turned very sour. She was clearly not a woman to tolerate infidelities. "Getting ridiculously jealous over Kouga? Kagome sure can put up with a lot."
"Consider it this way," he suggested. "Inuyasha does tend to brood over things, doesn't he? Perhaps Kagome just felt it would be best not to pressure him." The truth would come out the next time those two fought. If Kagome had not truly forgiven him, she would let him—and everyone else—know it.
Sango glanced over her shoulder, saying, "He's usually so hot-headed, though…"
Miroku followed her gaze and immediately regretted it. Inuyasha was watching them and realized right away that they were talking about him and Kagome.
"What are you two looking at?" the hanyou demanded.
Perhaps, Miroku thought as he turned back to the front, it was a bit underhanded to speak about him like this when he's right there.
But only a bit.