Loving Thru the Trials of Love
Hey guys! Well, my loyal reviewer and online friend, Suaru, officially earned herself a song-fic! Lightning Assassin's reviews have informed me that she read his story and apparently liked it too! So, my darling Suaru, what pairing from this story would you like a song-fic to? Also, give me a list of three songs to choose from...and the type of fic you want, (romance, comedy, drama, etc...) and I will write it right away for you! I promise!
Ok then! We have arrived at the Sango/Miroku cure chapter! Woot on the highest! A good portion of this chapter was written while listening to 'Frozen' by Madonna. Now, strictly speaking, I am NOT a Madonna fan...but this song really seemed to connect with Miroku and Sango in this chapter. In fact, I think it connects so well that you all ought to listen to it later on in the chapter...if you can that is...if not...I think I can provide the proper means for you...(is seem cackling evilly) I haven't added too many songs into these chapters like in my last story have I? Well! Here you guys go!
Hear's a good question: How do you guys feel about Kotaro turning on Oyu? Yay or Nay? I thought it was a cool plot twist...but no one told me what they thought...so I am kind of in the dark over here...thoughts? Anyone?
Disclaimer: I don't own anything...but the chapter is dedicated to my friend Ty...who is the sweetest freshman that I have ever met...he owns the first two seasons of Inuyasha on dvd...and is letting me borrow them to watch at my leisure! I love you Ty! (In a brotherly sort of way!)
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Return to Yourself, Return to Me too...
Sango sighed as she rolled over on the grass and awoke from her much needed nap. Her eyes became downcast as she saw how much work had been done while she was sleeping. A large portion of the rubble had been cleared away, and her friends were working on another part of the village.
Sango stood up and stretched, smiling to herself a little at the memory of Miroku looking out for her. She had seen Koharu's jealous face, and it had pleased her only further. She could still win back Miroku, and that thought made Sango happier.
As she walked towards her friends, the former demon slayer took careful note of the number of villagers there were; she would offer to take as many in for the winter as she could. It wouldn't be much, but at least there was something that she could do...
"Sango, dear, how are ye feeling? Better I hope..." Lady Kaede asked as the young demoness approached. Sango smiled warmly at her.
"I am feeling much better...I regret not helping everyone clear all of this away though..." she admitted. Kagome smiled at her friend as she stood from the ground and brushed herself off.
"I'm going to head back home to get my first-aid kit; some of the villagers still need tending to. I'll be back soon ok? Don't work too hard..." she said. Sango smiled at her in return and nodded.
"Fine...tell everyone hello for me all right?" she said as Kagome passed. She nodded as she made a dash for the well, wanting to return as soon as possible.
"Something's different about her lately...she seems so...edgy..." Hekele said as she watched her friend leave. Kaede couldn't help but nod.
"Perhaps...it has to do with the fallen as well...many things are amiss because of that evil woman..." she stated. Deciding to take a break, Hekele sat down next to the old woman, and was soon followed by everyone else, including Inuyasha, now that Kagome had left.
"The wench has been acting stupid ever since we came across that crystal bitch..." he muttered. Sango narrowed her eyes at him.
"Inuyasha, I will not presume to know what happened between you two, but I'm sure it does not warrant your current attitude," she stated thinly, not liking to hear him speak so ill of ehr closest friend.
Inuyasha scowled, "You weren't there Sango...you didn't see her..." Miroku sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Then enlighten us Inuyasha; what transpired between Kagome and yourself that would thrust you into this seeming hatred?" It was then that Sango was well aware of everyone's eyes on Inuyasha, and so assumed that they too knew nothing of the necessary details.
Inuyasha took a deep breath and sighed. He really ought to tell them...they deserved to know why he was being an ass to one of their closest friends...
Flashback:
"You're lying Inuyasha! I wouldn't do that! I wouldn't kill someone like that! Why are you telling me this?" she yelled. Inuyasha's lips parted slightly in hurt and shock. He had been completely frank with her, and she didn't believe him.
"I'm not lying Kagome...and I'm not mad...I just need for you to know this so we can figure out what's going on..." he tried, approaching her once more.
Kagome only took another step away from him and stared at him accusingly. There was an undeniable fury in her eyes, as well as a deep pool of hurt. Inuyasha didn't like seeing those emotions in Kagome; she was suppose to be light-hearted and happy. He was angry at himself for upsetting her so much...but he needed her to understand...they needed to know what was happening...
"Stop lying Inuyasha! Shut-up and go away!" she yelled. Inuyasha swore that part of his heart cracked when she said those words. Her eyes were just burning into him as though trying to scorch his heart. And they even appeared a bit red...
"Kagome-"
"GO AWAY!" Inuyasha froze . Her eyes were red. They were flickering slightly, but they were most definitely a bright red instead of her usual dark brown. But...how...
"NOW!" Inuyasha sighed in defeat, and hurt.
"Stop acting like a two year old and listen to me Kagome! Look at your eyes! Their red! You aren't acting like yourself either!" he yelled back in his frustration. Kagome growled low in her throat, and even for a human, it was pretty threatening.
"JUST SHUT-UP AND LEAVE ME ALONE YOU STUPID HANYOU!"
End of Flashback:
Everyone's eyes were wide. Had Kagome truly said those words? To Inuyasha of all people? The said hanyou was staring at the ground, away from his friends, not sure if they would believe him. Sesshoumaru, being the only person present to know what had triggered the argument, shook his head.
"Inuyasha, you knew that she had been acting strange, that her temper had been flaring unreasonably, and yet you did not exercise patience when she grew angry with you?" he asked. Inuyasha shot him a glare.
"It's not like I didn't try, but the wench went too far!"
"Inuyasha, I would refrain from using the term 'wench' when referring to Kagome; she's nothing of the sort, and I'm certain that you do not mean it anyhow. Despite your touch exterior, you felt hurt and betrayed by her words, and so retaliated in the most childish manner. Now, explain to us what started the argument," Miroku asked him.
Inuyasha growled, "It started back when we fought the crystal woman. Kagome was acting very competitive, and not in a good way either. She almost hurt herself and when I tried to help, she all but bit my head off. Then, when we were actually fighting the thing, she just suddenly went on a rampage. It was like she was unconscious, but still moving. There was so much screaming...she ripped that chick to shreds...and didn't even seem to realize that she was doing it. Then she blacked out completely...and I brought her back here...I swear...I was scared of her...But I knew that something was up...because Kagome wouldn't do that...that's not her at all...and she didn't seem to remember any of it. When I finally told her what happened, so that she would know and so that we could try to figure this whole thing out...we had that fight..."
Once more, everyone's eyes had widened. Kaede's face held one of extreme conviction, for she knew now more than ever that the fallen was indeed behind the tragic separation of her beloved 'children'.
"That despicable creature...Inuyasha, ye must realize that it is indeed not our dear Kagome who does such evils...it is the fallen...ye must make up with her if ye are ever going to beat this wretched...Oyu woman..." she stated firmly. Inuyasha said nothing, but only looked at the ground.
Sango looked at Kaede with a sense of realization in her eyes. Could...could Miroku be under such a spell as well? Could that be why he seemed not to remember ever loving her? Sango's mind raced; could there still be a chance for her? Could the spell be reversed?
She hoped so...
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"Kohaku-kun, how much longer do you think it'll take to get there...I'm beginning to get one of those bad feelings..." Kanna said as she raced through the fields with Kohaku; Rin and Shippo were on their backs.
Kohaku shook his head, "I have no idea...maybe another hour or so...definitely no longer...and I know what you mean about that feeling...something bad's going to happen..." Rin bit her lip.
"Do you think that the fallen will show up again? Rin never saw her...but she makes Rin afraid..." she admitted. Kohaku gave one of the girl's legs a little squeeze of support.
"I'm not sure Rin...but we can take her...don't worry..." he comforted. Kanna gave him an approving smile as the group pressed on further. Something felt amiss in the air, and even Shippo seemed to notice; he kept looking around constantly, as if he thought that something would jump out at them and attack. Kanna wouldn't say anything, but she felt the same way.
What was happening?
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"Koga? How are you doing?" Sango asked as she sat next to the wolf demon. He was sitting on a rock by the river looking gloomy. Sango could understand why; she had heard about Kachie leaving after all. She knew that wolves were pack animals, and needed to be with a group or else they'd get lonely quickly. She herself was feeling the same way, what with Miroku's behavior as of late. She wanted to talk to someone, and Koga seemed like the perfect person to talk to at the moment.
After a moment or so, it seemed that Koga had reached a similar conclusion, for he looked at her and graced her with a response.
"I assume that you've heard about Kachie...departing for a while..." he said. Sango nodded.
"Yes...the children mentioned it...I'm sorry that we couldn't prevent it..." she offered. Koga sighed.
"Yea...me too...I'm worried about her...you weren't there when her parents came to get her...awful creatures...I honestly can't believe she was raised by them...violent too...If they seemed less likely to hurt her...I probably wouldn't worry so much..." he replied. Sango curled her knees up to her chest and sighed.
"It seems we all have been having unfixable problems as of late..." she admitted. Koga looked at her for a moment and shook his head.
"There is no problem that is unfixable; we just don't know how to fix it yet. I'll get Kachie back, Inuyasha and Kagome will patch things up, Hekele'll stop having nightmares, and you'll break whatever spell is on Miroku. We just don't know how to yet..." he explained.
Sango smiled a bit, "So...you think Miroku is under a spell? Ever since I heard Lady Kaede speak of the one that is undoubtedly upon Kagome and Inuyasha, I couldn't help but hope that the same went for Miroku...but I'm not so certain...this is Miroku we're talking about..."
Koga shook his head, "Don't doubt him Sango...it's what the fallen wants...I think she wants us all to split up in the end...sort like what Naraku wanted when he tested our feelings for one another in those dimensions...Except, she couldn't do it on her own, she couldn't make us leave each other, so she had to cast spells in order to separate us. She had to make Miroku love Koharu because he loves you too much to think of anyone else. Just like she had to make Kachie's parents steal her away in the future, because she knew there were too many factors involved there for me to simply whisk her away to safety. Like she also had to make Inuyasha and Kagome hate each other...because no matter their petty fights, they always still love each other and would never allow harm to come to the other as long as they were near..."
Sango laid her head on her knees, "And what of Hekele and Sesshoumaru? The only noticeable thing wrong with them are Hekele's nightmares and Sesshoumaru's inability to comfort her..." Koga shrugged.
"Something big will happen to them too...I'm sure of it. The opportunity just hasn't come yet for the fallen to effectively push them apart probably. But never mind them for now...you need to worry about Miroku, and getting him back to normal...frankly, Koharu gives me the creeps...she's way to clingy..."
Sango smiled a bit at this, knowing that he was right, "Yes...she always was clingy...thank you very much Koga...I don't know how, but you've made me feel better...I owe you."
Koga gave her a look, "I'm sorry, I take up-front payment only, IOU's are entirely unreliable..." Sango laughed at him and punched him in the arm playfully.
"You've spent way too much time in the other era..." she said, still laughing. Koga grinned.
"Yea...but I made you laugh, and you really looked like you needed it..."
Sango offered him a fake glare and stood up to leave, "You saying that I'm ugly? Make me mad again and I'll be forced to push you into the river and freeze you there!" With that, she walked away, being sure to hide a grateful smile at his offered advice and words.
Koga himself smiled as well. Don't worry Sango, you'll get the lecher back...though why you would want him in the first place will forever elude all of us...
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"Kotaro? Love? This one would like to share something with you..." Oyu called from her perch on her bed. Kotaro obediently entered the room a moment later, a small look of curiosity on his mostly void face. Oyu smiled softly at him as she showed off her bowl of water. In it was an image of Sango, smiling. Kotaro tried to hide surprised eyes as he gazed next at Oyu.
"She smiles?" he asked, referring to all of the torment that her heart had been going through, and her steady and regretful downfall into despair. Oyu smiled at him even more brightly.
"It shall be the fool's last smile, for certain. This one is happy to note that the spell has reached it greatest potency with her. She soon shall fall prey to it's greatest manifestation..." she revealed. Kotaro couldn't help the startled expression upon his face.
"Ariel...what do you mean by 'it's greatest manifestation'?" he asked, internally concerned. Oyu shot him a disdainful look.
"Please, love; do not call this one by that wretched name...this one's name is Oyu now...and as for this one's words...the spell first wears down at the souls of those it tortures, and then creates a situation in which ends up breaking what's left. In this case...dear Sango's emotions will be toyed with to an extent that she will wish to stop feeling all together...and then the spell shall grant that desire, by killing her. This one is pleased that the potency has already reached it's fullest..." she explained lazily. She turned away from Kotaro to look longingly into her bowl of water, which revealed the current location of Miroku to her, and smiled.
"It shall only take but a few more hours, this one assumes...certainly no longer..."
Kotaro averted his eyes, deep in thought, "I'll leave you to your show my lady...there are things that I've yet to attend to..." Oyu pouted at his words but nodded. She rose from her bed and gave him a soft kiss.
"Be not long dearest...this one wishes for you to witness Sango's death as well...this one should like to see you smile as you used to..." she said, smiling at him mysteriously. Kotaro managed a small smile in return, and Oyu accepted it as good enough.
Kotaro left her then, and proceeded rather quickly once he had left her earshot. He had to stop this. He had to save this woman, Sango, from her fate. He could not let all his work be for nothing. He knew, more than Oyu certainly did, that he had two lives to save. The only thing that stopped Miroku from joining Sango in the after life in the future was the support of his friends. But with the spell working to separate them, and with the guilt that Miroku would undoubtedly feel when the spell over him was broken, he may not be able to stand it...
Also, how would Kotaro ever look Kohaku in the eye, even on a battle field, if he let his sister die again?
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Darkness was beginning to fall when Kagome returned to the Feudal Era. With her she had an entire back pack full of bandages, medicine, and even a few packages of ramen that she'd leave for Inuyasha. Not that he deserved her forgiveness or anything, but she was beginning to get tired of being angry at him.
She followed her nose into a hut that had recently been designated as a sort of hospital. There she found Kaede, Sango, Hekele, and Kagura tending to some of the more seriously injured. Kagome couldn't help but laugh at the annoyed look quickly creeping upon Kagura's face. She never did have the greatest patience in the world, but she was visibly trying not to strangle one particular father who seemed to be giving her a hard time about the way she was bandaging his son's wound; even though she was doing a perfectly fine job.
Kagome quickly rescued her from her mental dilemma, "Here Kagura, how about you get these sorted out and to where they're needed; I'll finish up here..." Kagura gave her a grateful look and took Kagome's pack, sifting through it for some antibiotic that Hekele had just asked for.
"So Kagome, what news hails from your era?" Sango asked, strangely cheerful. Kagome looked at Hekele and Kaede, who only shrugged.
"Well," she began, "Mom's going to come by after work to help out here; she's really upset about what happened...and Grandpa's already called a lawyer about getting Kachie back; they're going to meet the day after tomorrow. Oh, and I'm sorry to say it Hekele, but school starts back up tomorrow..." Hekele groaned and hit her head on the wall.
"I forgot all about school...ever since that damn wave hit we've been off the hook..." she muttered. Sango smiled sympathetically at her.
"Oh well...you knew you had to go back sooner or later, right?" she joked. Hekele growled lightly as she made her way over to the next patient.
"So? I hate school...if I could quit school, live here, and not cause a legal problem in the process, I would, hands down..." she said. Sango laughed a bit.
"It can't be that bad..."
"Hey!" Everyone turned to the door and saw Inuyasha. He spared Kagome a small glance before speaking once more.
"Have any of you seen Miroku? He's supposed to be helping out here, but we don't know where the idiot is..." he said.
Sango cocked her head to the side, "You can't smell him?"
Inuyasha shook his head, "He must be somewhere downwind...but we last saw...Koharu...on the other end of the village...but her scent is strangely odd to pick up, so..." Sango looked thoughtful.
"I see...well, if that's the case, then I'll look for him for you."
Inuyasha looked at her hesitantly for a moment, "Are you sure Sango?" Sango smiled a bit and grabbed her boomerang.
"I'm sure...As long as Koharu isn't near, I'll be fine, and if she happens to be there, I'll have a legitimate cause to tell her off for keeping Miroku from where he's needed...besides, I miss having reasons to hit him with this..." she said, motioning to Hiraikotsu. Inuyasha hesitated once more, but stepped aside to let her out. As she made her way downwind towards the forest, He sighed.
"I hope that wasn't a mistake..." he admitted. Kagome bit her lip.
"Sango's tough...she can handle herself...even if Miroku's under an evil love spell..." she said. This caused Inuyasha to look at her for a moment, as if thinking, and then he gave a rather gruff 'keh' and left the hut. Despite the fact that Inuyasha believe in what Kaede had said to him, he couldn't quite forgive Kagome yet, but he was finding it harder and harder to be upset with her. Maybe soon...maybe soon he'd have the courage to talk to her about it again. He did still love her after all...
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Sango sighed as she quietly brushed through the forest in search of Miroku. The likelihood of him trying to get out of working was great, but then again, so was the fact that he could be spending time with Koharu. She didn't want to think about that though...
"Where is that damn lech anyway?" she asked aloud, but to herself. She walked on a few more steps when something stopped her.
"Miroku-sama...why have you brought me here?" Sango froze. It was Koharu.
Sango knew that she shouldn't spy, she knew that she should just walk right on out there and scold Miroku for leaving the work to their friends while he went off with her...but she couldn't help it. She just happened to have a good visual, and since she had circled downwind in hopes of catching his scent, she had also unconsciously covered her own. So she just stayed put, as if unable to move.
"I brought you here because I needed to speak to you of something..." Miroku said lightly. Koharu giggled, and Sango had the distinct and very violent urge to rip the girl's tongue out.
"Miroku-sama...you're so mysterious...tell me what it is you wish to tell me!" she pleaded. Sango internally growled.
Yes Miroku...why have you brought her in the middle of the woods without telling anyone? I swear...if your hands do anything improper I'm gonna...
"My dearest, how impatient you are...I should like the chance to surprise you!" he toyed. Sango had to suppress a real growl then, for he had moved closer to the girl and was holding her hands softly in his own; like he had held hers so many times before...
Koharu then smiled and laid her head on his chest. Miroku wrapped his arms around her tightly and lightly kissed her head. Sango had to avert her eyes at this. Not only was it something that she was not suppose to see, but she didn't want to see it either...
"I wish to ask you something of great importance..." Miroku said softly. Koharu nodded.
"I'm listening Miroku-sama..." she answered. Miroku smiled.
"I...want you to know how much I love you...how much you mean to me..." he began.
Koharu smiled innocently up at him, "I love you too Miroku-sama...very much..."
Miroku smiled a bit more and kissed her cheek this time, "I...was hoping..."
"Yes?" Sango's heart clenched when she heard this. She knew what was coming, and had to shut her eyes, despite the fact that she was already looking away. The pain inside was welling up too fast to keep in check.
"...that you would join me...and be my wife...Please marry me Koharu..."
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"Sango? Miroku! Anybody!" Kohaku yelled as he ran into the decimated village. Kanna was a little ways behind him with Shippo on her back, and Rin was starting to get heavy on his.
In less than a moment, Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, Hekele, Kagome, and Kagura were running towards them urgently. Kohaku could see them coming. It was then and only then that he stopped running. Rin slumped off his back quickly and supported the tired boy to keep him from falling over. Kanna reached him almost in the same instant that the rest of their friends did. Shippo dived at Kagome, happy to see her, and Rin hugged Hekele and Sesshoumaru as soon as Kagura and Inuyasha had Kohaku and Kanna situated in sitting positions on the ground.
"What happened to you guys? We thought you were at the village..." Hekele asked Rin, concerned. Kohaku was breathing heavily, but answered before she could.
"Kotaro...this guy named Kotaro came to see us...he knew we were there...he's with the fallen..." At this everyone's eyes widened. They remembered Kotaro.
"Did he hurt you kids? I swear, when I get my hands on him and his bitch, I'll-" Inuyasha was but off by Kanna.
"He...came to talk...he didn't even come near us...he told us about the spells...how to save Miroku and Sango..." she said.
Kohaku's breathing had returned closer to normal, "He didn't smell of lies either...he freely exposed his scent to us when asked...he told us that he wanted to help Sango and Miroku break the spell..." He held up the vial of antidote.
"I found this a few days ago, and he told us that it's the antidote, and that he had left it there for us the night that Koharu came...he said that we just have to give it to Miroku and he'll return to normal...and give a little to Koharu...she's under a spell too..." he finished.
By this time, Kaede had approached the group, as her old age had prevented her from doing any fast. She took the vial from Kohaku gently and opened it. She stared at it long and hard, "It is most definitely a potion...and appears by it's aura to in fact be an antidote...ye say he claimed to have given it to ye...why?"
The group's senses were assailed by a familiar scent, and the children turned almost expectantly to where Kotaro appeared out of a swirl of wind. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha snarled at him and stepped in front of the group protectively. They stared at Kotaro, who only returned the stares while raising his hands where they could be seen.
"You haven't got much time. She had something up her sleeve that I didn't know about; it'll kill them. Do you hear me? Kill them! The spell has reached it's potency within Sango, and I can't say what'll happen, but if you don't get that potion into Miroku soon, and him to her, the spell will kill her, and his guilt will kill him!" he said exasperated, not waiting to be addressed or spoken to. Inuyasha growled low in his throat.
"Why should we believe you! What if this stupid thing'll make things worse?" he asked accusingly. Kotaro looked him dead in the eye.
"I'd stake my life on it, but I've already promised that Kohaku could end it instead. He deserves to be the one to kill me anyway. I can't help you any more than this, but take what I offer."
"Damn it! Why can't you do more! If you're so remorseful then kill the bitch!" Koga yelled, having approached as Kotaro had made his entrance. Kotaro looked at him firmly.
"I can promise you that Kachie is safe as of now, Koga, and still in the country. Does that help? I can't kill Oyu; not if I so desired."
Kohaku stared at Kotaro for a long time, and Kotaro felt his stare and turned his gaze toward the demon boy. Kohaku spoke, void of emotion, "What's her name?"
Kotaro nodded in understanding, "Her true name is Ariel, unless she lies to me worse than before." With that, Kotaro used what little magic he possessed to bend the wind once more to his whim and vanished into the air once more.
"Good luck, and god speed," he said, seconds after his body had vanished. Everyone looked at Kohaku in confusion except for Kanna, who translated for the group.
"He told us that no fallen angel had ever had the name of Oyu, and that when he discovered her real name that he'd tell us...I guess it's Ariel..." she said.
Kohaku looked at the group with alarm, "Can't you feel it in the air! Something's happening! We need to get this to Miroku and Koharu quickly...It's all we've got, and the four of us have felt this weird energy all day!" Kanna, Rin, and Shippo nodded to confirm this.
It was at that precise moment that the group felt a huge void in the air. No wind rustled the trees, no chirping sounded with the birds, nothing...just emptiness...
Hekele picked up Rin, "Ok, Some of us need to take care of these kids; they're too tired to go anywhere else. The rest of us find Miroku, fast...I don't like this stillness..." I don't want to say it out loud...but it feels sort of like a heart stopped...Sango...please be safe...
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Sango swore she had just been stabbed through the chest at Miroku's words; through her heart. Her soul felt cold suddenly, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"Of course Miroku-sama! Of course I'll marry you, I love you too much to say no!" was Koharu's reply.
Sango clutched her heart; it felt like someone had just twisted a double edged sword in her chest. She gasped painfully as the tears in her eyes flooded her vision. It was just a spell wasn't it? It wasn't really Miroku saying these things...right?
Then why did her heart feel as though it had just been ripped from her chest...literally?
Sango did the only thing that she could think of; she ran.
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"Koharu...I'm so happy that you-"
"Miroku! You big damn idiot! Don't move a fuckin' muscle!" Inuyasha yelled at the top of his lungs as soon as the monk had come into sight. Miroku sighed dejectedly. It was simply too good to last wasn't it? He just couldn't have a peaceful moment with his love it seemed...even when he tried to propose...
"Inuyasha, what is the meaning of your interruption? And your foul language as well! Young ears are listening!" he reasoned slyly. Inuyasha didn't waste time in grabbing the demon by his collar and pulling him into a standing position mere inches from his own face.
"We've been lookin' all over for your sorry ass..." he muttered, before shoving the vial he had obtained from Kohaku into Miroku's mouth. After Miroku had involuntarily swallowed most of it, Inuyasha pulled it back, being sure to save some for Koharu. Miroku coughed violently at the disgusting liquid as Koga and Sesshoumaru came up, having heard Inuyasha's unseemly yell and knowing that he had found Miroku.
"You make sure you don't cough up any of your medicine, you hear?" Koga said, whacking Miroku over the head and receiving a very satisfying yell in return.
Koharu jumped up angrily, "What are you doing to my Miroku-sama? How dare you-"
Sesshoumaru irritatedly stole the vial from Inuyasha and shoved it into Koharu's mouth before she could close it, "And be sure to swallow wench; you've caused us a lot of trouble..."
Miroku suddenly glowed a light blue for a second, but then was normal. He wore a very confused face, "What...in seven hells happened? And what's that putrid taste in my mouth?"
Inuyasha growled, "It's Enlightenment; now what just happened here?"
Miroku looked completely lost for a moment, but then his face gained a look of complete horror as the memories of the past few weeks invaded his mind. He remembered everything; Sango, Koharu, him kissing Koharu, and worse, proposing to Koharu...and then he remembered feeling something odd in the air...almost like a heart stopped...and then he smelled tears...
His eyes widened in morbid realization, "I've got to get to Sango! Thanks Inuyasha!"
Koga looked at Sesshoumaru as Inuyasha yelled threats about showing more gratitude and sighed, "Are we invisible, or do people just not care about our contributions?"
Sesshoumaru looked down at him, "For once, keep your thoughts to yourself...and shut the hell up..."
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You only see what your eyes want to see;
How can life be what you want it to be?
You're frozen,
When your heart's not open...
Sango ran until she couldn't run any longer. The pain in her heart was killing her. When she stopped and took her hand away from where her heart was, she saw blood. Her eyes welled up with fresh tears...and it wasn't because of the physical pain either.
She dropped to her knees and sighed, hopeless. She managed a small smile though.
"I suppose I'll die of a broken heart after all..."
You're so consumed with how much you get;
You waste your time with hate and regret.
You're broken,
When your heart's not open...
Miroku ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He couldn't believe that he was once again chasing Sango through the woods because of his idiocy. Both times now had he been under a sort of spell when it happened, and both times had he hurt Sango so badly that she had fled from him. Why was he always hurting her like this? Could he do nothing right? So what if it was a spell! He should still know better than to fall for things such as that! He loved her too much to be that gullible...and yet he still was, six months later...
Mmmmmm...
If I could melt your heart
Sango closed her eyes and waved her arms about her slowly, bringing forth her power. It was only fitting that she freeze wasn't it? After all, that's what had happened to her heart twice now...it had been frozen...why not her body too?
Mmmmmm...
We'd never be apart
Miroku felt her aura growing. He had to be near her...he had to fix this...damn if he wasn't the biggest fool in the world! If she died on him...he didn't know what he'd do. He could smell her blood now, and prayed to whatever deity existed that she'd be ok...
Mmmmmm...
Give yourself to me
Mmmmmm...
You...are...the key...
Sango closed her eyes as her aura began wrapping itself around her body. It was freezing cold; but that didn't matter; she had it coming. She was a fool. She should have known better...
Ice crystals began to form on her body, but still did she not flinch. She was perfectly content with sitting there in her misery. She truly no longer cared.
Now there's no point in placing the blame,
And you should know I'd suffer the same.
If I lose you,
My heart will be broken...
Miroku's breath was cut short by what he saw. It was like deja vu; Sango was being frozen...but instead of only her soul freezing...all of her was. He ran to her side and tried to shake her, but she did not stir. His hands began to freeze, but he didn't move from her side. She was dying, dying right before his eyes; just like she had when they were facing Naraku...
"Sango-chan..." his voice was broken up, eyes welling with tears most men would find offensive and weak. He could care less; the love of his life was giving up on him, again, and to an extent, he knew it was his fault.
She couldn't even hear him...but he needed her to, he refused to have her death on his hands again, not when he loved her so much and then failed to protect her for what seemed like the thousandth time...
Love is a bird;
She needs to fly.
Let all the hurt inside of you die.
You're frozen,
When your heart's not open...
Sango felt something. She felt...warmth. Who dared to give her warmth? All she wanted was to be cold, so cold that no one could hurt her. She felt pressure on her lips, soft pressure...almost desperate...who...who could be kissing her? Who, if not Miroku, could love her?
She felt herself being shifted, she felt more comfortable, but she still didn't understand...what was happening?
Mmmmmm...
If I could melt your heart
Miroku could feel her ice forming on him as well. He gently kissed her lips and pull her into his lap carefully, not wanting to cause her pain.
"We died together once...do you remember? I'd do it again one thousand times over...if only I'd be dying with you...just so you'd know how much I love you..." he softly cooed. He felt himself freezing with her, and all thoughts to save himself erased themselves from his mind. He only cared for her, and if he couldn't get it right on earth, then maybe in the afterlife he'd manage to be there when she needed him.
He kissed her forehead once more when her heartbeat no longer reached his ears. He allowed his tears to fall freely, uncaring for anyone but her. He placed his hand over hers and held it to her unbeating heart in pure remorse. He had failed her...
Mmmmmm...
We'd never be apart
Sango fell into nothingness. She had felt that warmth...but then the darkness had won. She felt cold, and then felt nothing at all. Only darkness met her.
'We died together once...do you remember? I'd do it again one thousand times over...if only I'd be dying with you...just so you'd know how much I love you...'
Sango heard it...heard Miroku's voice in the darkness. She felt his desperation...did he want her to live? Did he care about her? Love her? Had he truly said it once more?
She wanted to know; she wanted to wake up and look him in the eye and ask him if he truly meant it, that he'd die for her just to show her that he loved her.
Could he...could he be with her frozen body now? Was that what she had felt before she had died? Him holding her? But if that was the case...if he was too close...he'd...
No! I don't want you to die! I...I want you to be happy! I want us to be happy! I won't let you die here with me; it's not right! You are not meant to suffer like this!
She couldn't get out. She struggled against the darkness, which began to form long arms that wrapped around her body, pulling her deeper. She kept struggling though; she had to get to Miroku, had to stop herself...she needed him to live...she'd never be able to face herself, even in the afterlife, if she allowed him to die this way, for her distrusting self.
But there was no light, and so Sango could not escape her own prison. She needed something to follow, something to guide her, pull her back so that she could save him...
'Only you Sango...in the end, no spell can change that...no matter how long before some lucky duck saves me from it...in the end of everything...only you my love...'
She saw a light, her chance, and she took it.
Mmmmmm...
Give yourself to me
Miroku stroked her hand lovingly as he spoke the last words he knew he'd ever say, and he spoke them to her, knowing that it was too late but needing her to hear them anyhow.
"Only you Sango...in the end, no spell can change that...no matter how long before some lucky duck saves me from it...in the end of everything...only you my love..." Once more had he failed her, only to spill out his deepest feelings for her while holding her limp form. He couldn't take it any longer. He closed his eyes, excepting his fate. He could feel his body freeze at a more rapid pace, and yet the cold pain meant nothing to him. He held her tightly to his chest as a semi-frozen tear rolled off his face and onto her cheek.
Suddenly something pulsed. Miroku almost didn't feel it at first, but the second time it got stronger, sending off a wave of warmth in all directions. Miroku cautiously opened his eyes a bit to look at Sango, who appeared not to have changed. Then a third time did he feel the pulse, stronger still. His half frozen eyes widened as he realized that he was feeling the pulse from his hand...from Sango's heart...
The ice began to crack, Miroku could hear it, but he never looked away from Sango. His eyes only widened further as the pulse began to get stronger, and faster. It wasn't just her heart either...it was her entire body that gave off the energy. The ice glowed suddenly and shot out in all directions away from the pair, releasing them entirely. Miroku only gazed at Sango hopefully as both of their forms began to glow with a radiant light. It was like a swirling flame of both light blue and yellow that surrounded them entirely.
The 'flaming' swirl of energy suddenly decreased in size. It floated, in front of Miroku, and he outstretched his hand to take it. It was a crystal, the size of the former Shikon no Tama, and it was filled with the flaming swirl of his and Sango's energy. He was entranced by it, but was even more entranced when the girl in his arms began to stir.
"Miroku! Sango!"
"Are you guys ok!" He heard the calls and yelling of their comrades, no doubt concerned and attracted to the odd energy. But he paid them no mind as Sango finally opened her eyes and gazed into his own.
Mmmmmm...
You...are...the key...
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"Damn it all to hell! How did this one's spell fail?" Oyu screamed within her chambers. Kotaro gave a huge sigh of relief at the sound, despite it's enraged owner. Sango and Miroku had lived. Thank god...
"Kotaro! This one requires your presence!" He closed his eyes and hoped that he had not been discovered. He walked into the room slowly, and was met with a very angry gaze.
"Kotaro, love...you've had your nose in more spell books than this one, explain how the spell could have failed; the two are still alive, and completely free of it's bindings!" she asked, trying to remain calm. Kotaro wasn't fooled though; Ariel, or Oyu, seemed close to hyperventilation due to her anger.
"I cannot say my love, those idiots must just have been able to break through it in a time of need...it is possible, but highly difficult...their spirits must be more powerful in this time of magic and power..." he tried. Hey, he would have bought it, and as long as Oyu didn't truly suspect him of foul play, she would too...
Oyu took a deep breath, "This one sees...no matter." Kotaro could have fallen over at her sudden change in attitude, but he resisted the urge.
"What has my lady got up her sleeve that she is no longer bothered by this?" he asked cautiously, greatly concerned.
Oyu managed a small smile, "Another part of the spell is close to peaking...it may even happen within the day...apparently, the spell itself does not like being undone...and this time, what with the likelihood of it happening in the other era, the magical air won't be a factor...But Kotaro, this one finds it difficult to believe that, even with two spells cast upon him, Miroku was able to break the spell. For certain, he may have the spiritual power, even as a demon, to break the one upon him and Sango, but with the added spell that this one cast upon him and Koharu, it should easily have been impossible..."
Cornered, Kotaro did the only thing he knew may work, flattery, "My dearest...in a pinch such as this, love can conquer all...as mine would undoubtedly do should anything happen to you...but you are correct that it must have been difficult...Would you expect nothing less than a challenge from these infidels? Would revenge be as sweet if it were easy?" As he spoke, he took her hand in his and kissed it lovingly. It seemed to work, for Oyu turned from him back to her 'mirror' of water.
"As true as that is love, this one hopes that it will be a simple defeat that comes next, for this one's mood would delight if it were."
Kotaro dared to glace towards her magical water, "And who shall be unfortunate enough to suffer this defeat my love?"
Oyu smiled as she watched Kagome and Hekele go into the future through the well, and away from her vision, "Hekele and Sesshoumaru..."
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Me- Wow...that was faster than usual!
Kachie- Yup! Yay! Now get to work on your Tokyo Mew Mew story before I beat you ass!
Me- (sighs) back to work already. Ok, free song-fic to the first reviewer to guess what the orb that came from Miroku and Sango is/is for...so review! Hurry!