Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha so don't sue.

Author's Note: Well, this certainly did take awhile to get off the ground, but I believe it's worth it. It's worth it in that the first version of this chapter was like a very bad soap opera and nothing happened. This way, things make more sense and the story gets moving again.

Thank you all so much for your patience with me. I can't say I have a good excuse, except that I had one of the WORST cases of writer's block in the whole history of the condition. Thanks again!!

Chapter 8, Wind Tunnel

The night seemed never ending. Silence pounded in his deaf ears, consuming, devouring. He kept telling himself that he needed sleep, that he needed the strength it would provide tomorrow, but the more he told himself this, the less he believed it. What was sleep to a dead man, after all?

Miroku jerked awake. It was morning, he could tell by the thin streaks of light that slipped through the shoji. In a profound state of mind, Miroku hugged his knees to his chest and gazed off into the shadows that still lingered in one corner of his room. He was going to die. Just like Kyoden, he was going to be defeated by that monster, by that-- Naraku. As he thought the name, Miroku let his eyes fall to his hand, where his curse was nestled.

Last night, Miroku had talked with Tomomi's grandfather, Domeki for hours about the curse. Domeki's words still haunted Miroku: 'You must never take off those prayer beads, for when you do, everything around you will be taken within it, never to be seen again in this world.' Together, he and Miroku had named the curse Kazaana, the wind void.

They had also talked about finding a way to rid Miroku of the curse that would lead to his slow demise. Domeki had no knowledge in this area, all the curses he had ever cured had been far simpler than this one. He suggested to Miroku that he visit a powerful miko who lived in the northland. Yet the youkai-riddled northland was one of the last places on earth that Miroku wanted to travel into.

The door slid open, and Miroku was ripped from his thoughts. He smiled shakily as Tomomi entered the room and took a seat nearby. She was dressed simply, but Miroku still had to struggle to ignore how nicely her clothes fit around her curvy figure. "Ohayo gozaimasu," Tomomi muttered in greeting.

"Ohayo," Miroku answered.

"O-jii-sama said that you're leaving," Tomomi said somewhat awkwardly.

"Domeki-sama told the truth."

"Then," started Tomomi, looking up at him, "are you leaving without Sango-chan?"

Miroku sighed. This was a question he had been asking himself all night. It was true that he had promised to help Sango avenge her family, but could he bring himself to take her into the heart of the dangerous northland? He was in serious conflict with himself over the issue. "I think that I should."

"Why!?" Tomomi asked, bewildered.

"Because" Miroku said in a hushed voice, "Sango's already been through enough pain. I don't want to cause her any more."

Tomomi snorted at this. "Leaving her behind isn't going to lessen Sango-chan's pain. I of all people should know that."

Just then, there was a noise outside. Tomomi looked around at the door and gave a small sigh. "Looks like Sango-chan is up." She looked back at Miroku and started to her feet. "I should go get her some tea." She walked over to the door and paused a minute in the doorway. "You know how royalty can be in the morning," she added as an after thought before disappearing into the hall.

Miroku frowned at Tomomi's last comment. She was too smart, he decided. It was all right, though, since he was leaving anyway. Miroku dragged himself out of his futon, rolled it up, and changed into an extra set of houshi robes that Scarlet had provided. He snorted as he secured the violet sash; if he kept going through robes like this, he was going to have to ask Domeki for some new sets.

Miroku heard the door open behind him. "Ah, Tomomi-san--" He turned, and found himself looking into the angry chocolate-colored eyes of Sango. "Sango!" he said, jumping a bit in surprise.

"Where are you going, houshi-sama?" Sango asked. Miroku noticed she was also wearing a fresh robe.

Miroku looked away. "So, Tomomi-san told you."

"Tomomi didn't have to tell me anything." She frowned and paced across the room to stand in front of him. Her eyes were like two spears of ice as they tore through him. "You think I'm pretty stupid don't you?"

"Sango"

"Stop!" Sango thundered. Miroku stopped. They stood in silence for a few minutes, and then Sango dropped her face to the ground. In a quieter voice she said, "You promised you would help me to avenge my family."

"I know I-" Miroku started apologetically.

"Don't-!" Her eyes lifted again, and her face was flushed with anger. "Don't apologize. The last thing I want to hear right now is an apology from you."

Somehow, Miroku felt like Sango was a three-year-old lecturing him. "Sango, you're being irrational. I know what I said, but I can't stick to that promise. Things have changed."

Sango's eyebrows lowered and her face grew fierce. "Then you're a liar," she said in a low, dangerous voice. "You're a dirty, pig-headed liar."

"I-"

"You gave me your word," she continued, unfazed.

"Sango-"

"No, I won't-"

"LISTEN TO ME!" Miroku roared.

The princess staggered in surprise, her eyebrows rocketing up past her hairline. It was the first time in her life that anyone of a lower class had used that tone of voice with her. In fact, it was the first time anyone had dared talk to her that way. Her cheeks flushed, but she was silenced, for the moment.

Miroku sighed exasperatedly and ran a hand through his hair. He took deep breaths as he tried to calm his raging temper. It wasn't often that he lost it, especially with a woman. "Sango," he said evenly. The princess would not look at him. "Sango." His voice was more commanding now, and slowly, the girl raised her eyes to his.

Miroku cupped his lips and blew out a thing stream of air, trying to keep his cool. Then, he whispered, "There's a curse on my hand, Sango." The princess's face remained blank, but he could see guilt seeping into her eyes. "The only way I can hope to rid myself of it is to travel to the northland and look for a miko. Otherwise I'll-" He stopped himself, shook his head, and turned his back to her. "I have to go, Sango, and I have to go alone."

He jumped as he felt a cool palm slip into his. He spun around and met Sango's intense gaze. "Why alone?" she muttered. A little smile darted across her lips. "After all, I was the one who did this to you."

The self-appointed houshi looked down and saw that Sango was holding the hand with the Kazaana hidden inside. He shook his head in protest, but Sango silenced him by grabbing the prayer beads on his hand.

"Show it to me," she said. "Show me what I've done."

"I think that's a bad idea, Sango," Miroku said in warning.

"Please," she breathed humbly. Without protest from Miroku, Sango took his hand into her two small ones and slipped the prayer beads off. The purple cloth gathered there parted, and the two royal teens looked down in awe.

A moment later, a small black hole emerged in the center of Miroku's palm. A tiny, twister-like wraith rose from the blackness. Sango gave a little cry of surprise as she felt the vortex's pull, and she quickly wrapped the prayer beads back around Miroku's hand, sealing the Kazaana once again.

When Miroku summoned the strength, he looked over at Sango. He gasped when he saw the guilt in her eyes. "Sango," he murmured, touching her shoulder. The princess shied away. "Sango, this is not your fault."

"Of course it is," she sniffled. "Everything is my fault. It's my fault my family is dead, and that Kyoden died trying to protect me. It's my fault I wasn't strong enough to fight the shadows. It's my fault that you're here, and it's my fault that you have that- that- thing on your hand."

"No!" Miroku said forcibly, quickly swiping a tear from her cheek. "I came with you of my own accord. I fought that youkai because I wanted to."

Sango straightened her back, trying to force down her tears bravely. "But you said-"

"I know what I said!" Miroku shouted. He hit himself on the forehead before continuing. "I said a terrible thing." He shook his head and added, "It was wrong of me to do that to you. I'm sorry. The reason I fought that youkai was because I- I wanted to- no, because I needed to. It's my own damn fault that this happened."

They stood in silence for a long time after that. Then, Sango said, "Can I still come with you?"

Miroku sighed and answered, "It's going to be dangerous."

"Ha!" Sango shrugged her shoulders and smiled. Miroku saw that all signs of her previous tears were gone. "I laugh at danger." She placed her hands on her hips and stuck out her chest. "Besides, we might find some leads on where that youkai has gotten off to. It's about time I exact some revenge on him." She tossed her mahogany hair over her shoulder and strutted out of the room.

Miroku watched her go in bewildered amazement. Then, he turned away and began to pack.

--

By late morning, they were packed and ready to go. Tomomi and Domeki met them at the front gate to bid their good byes. Tomomi and Sango embraced before Tomomi gave them extra provisions. With a wave and a wink to Miroku, Tomomi turned and headed back to the house. Domeki nodded respectfully to Sango, "Return to us soon, my hime."

"I plan to," Sango said, before turning away to wait for Miroku outside the gate.

Domeki looked over at Miroku as the prince gazed after Sango. He chuckled softly before saying in a serious voice, "Miroku-san."

Miroku turned to the old monk.

"Bring our hime back to us." Domeki reached into his gi, withdrew something, and pressed it into Miroku's palm. Miroku looked down to see a small jeweled bracelet. "A powerful charm," Domeki explained. "Hime-sama won't wear it if I give it to her, but maybe she'll wear it if it comes from you."

Miroku nodded gratefully. "You've done so much for us, and I am undeserving. If there is any way I can repay you-"

"Just take care of Sango," Domeki whispered. He leaned in close, and with gray eyes pleading, said, "Don't let her be consumed by her want for revenge, Miroku-san." Then, the old man turned and vanished into the house, leaving a very puzzled Miroku standing at the gate.

- Ichimu