Considering the dire situation they had just emerged from, Miroku felt it best to be prepared for anything. It seemed most unlikely that Inuyasha would take the time he needed to recover from his injuries, though perhaps those injuries might force the issue. What seemed more likely was the prospect of chasing after Sesshoumaru or diving right back into the hunt for jewel shards in order to distract himself from what had happened.
Either way, Miroku couldn't really blame him. He'd had a major shock. Whatever his reaction, Miroku was prepared to be understanding.
However, he was not prepared when morning arrived and Inuyasha announced, "I'm gonna go track down that good-for-nothing swordsmith."
"Toutousai?"
"I can't use Tessaiga like this," he pointed out. "There's gotta be another way."
Miroku glanced toward Sango and Kagome, but they looked as surprised as he felt.
Kagome ventured, "But Toutousai-sama already said there was no way to make the sword lighter."
Toutousai had also said that the only way forward was for Inuyasha to become strong enough to wield the new Tessaiga, but Miroku refrained from pointing that out. If this was what it took to get Inuyasha back to himself, Miroku could keep quiet for a bit.
Besides, he had some pleasant memories of time spent in the mountains around Toutousai's place from before. He didn't particularly mind the idea of another few days of rest and relaxation away from their enemies' reach… assuming Sesshoumaru didn't come looking for them again, anyway.
"Yeah, well," Inuyasha began, countering Kagome's point with his usual eloquence. "I think he's full of it, and I'm gonna make him tell me the secret."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Miroku asked, earning himself a glare. He had known Inuyasha wouldn't like it even before he asked, but he couldn't stop himself from asking. "He may simply rebuff you again."
The hanyou's words were brave, but his face betrayed him: he was afraid. Of himself. "Yeah, well, after what just happened, I think he might change his mind."
The other members of the group shared another look.
"Knock that off!" Inuyasha snapped. There was no real malice in it, Miroku knew, he was just acting out. "I gotta do this, that's all."
And maybe that was true. Maybe there was something deeper. Miroku and the others would probably never find out, except maybe Kagome. And, considering what had so recently happened, maybe not even her.
"We had best get ready, then, if we're leaving soon," Miroku began.
But Inuyasha was not having it. "No, you all wait here. I'll be faster on my own."
"Inuyasha…" Even Kagome's sad interjection was not enough to move him from his chosen course.
"I'm going, and that's that,"the hanyou declared.
Beside Miroku, Sango's face was a mask of concern. She, he had a feeling, was wondering the same thing he was: was it really a good idea to let Inuyasha go off on his own right now?
Yet what hope did any of them have of stopping him? His gaze slid toward Kagome, but she showed no inclination to use her subduing spell. Without that power, they had little choice but to watch Inuyasha depart on his new quest. And hope.
Miroku didn't like it. Despite his fierce demeanor, Inuyasha was most likely very fragile right now. There was no telling what might happen to him out there alone, or whether he could recover from it without his friends. And yet, in some way, Miroku did understand. Inuyasha had taken human lives. It made sense that he would want to put some distance between himself and his human friends until he was certain he had reestablished control.
Good luck, my friend, Miroku thought, I hope you find the answers you seek.