Chapter 41

Summer time was passing, rapidly, to give way to a horrifically cold fall. The crisp and dry trees had already shed their colorful leaves. The wind held a freezing tinge that whipped at the villager's ankles as they scurried along their way. They were the ones busy this time while Miroku, Sango, and Shippo were the ones who could lay back and relax for once. And, boy, did it feel great!

"Miroku. Miroku, stop it!" The slayer demanded, a giggle rising through her throat as she shoved the monk away by the shoulder to turn back to her work. She dunked the solid green skirt into the cold water, scrubbing the ends of the soft fabric together to force out the splotches of brown dirt. It was odd, not having to scrub out the dark blood that stained itself over her clothing. The whole absence of all the demons at all was odd.

"I wonder why there haven't been any demons arou- hey! Miroku! Quit it!" Sango shoved him away once more as she felt that cursed hand of his creep the side of her black and pink slayer's suit to tickle her playfully. She slapped his hands away to smile softly and return to her work without another word.

"Quit what? I don't know what you're talking about." He claimed, wrapping an arm around her waist and pushing himself onto her back to push her over. When she tumbled flat onto the ground, the Houshi tackled her, hovering over her to dip his head in and peck a few kisses over her nose and forehead.

"Mirokuuuu!" She groaned, wiggling effortlessly under him, a strong grip on her skirt as the rushing river struggled to drag it away for it's own use. The cold water bit at her fingers but she held it as she writhed childishly and playfully.

"Do you remember that promise you made me?" He questioned daringly. His hands inched down her sides, pushing a silver nail through her personal bubble as he pushed her another step out of her comfort zone. But wasn't that just one thing she loved about the many qualities of the monk?

"Yes. Now get off me!" She claimed, wriggling crazily, one wet hand on his shoulder to brace herself and keep a comfortable arm length distance between them.

"Hm. You do? I remember...I remember you promising me that when it was all over, you'd come live with me."

"Yes, I did."

"And you said you would bear my children." His hands crept lower as his legs pinned against Sango's to keep her down. He poked her sides playfully and lowered his face for a kiss when the slayer suddenly spoke with a playful tone.

"Watch it, monk. Naraku isn't dead YET." She stated, swatting Miroku's hands away with her own free hand, still hanging onto that green skirt for dear life. It may just come in handy later on if the slayer's childish screams didn't attract some curious company first.

"We haven't seen him in awhile. He's as good as dead. C'mon." Miroku pleaded jokingly, his hands moving back to take Sango by the waist and muffle her words by a rough kiss with his mouth covering hers to stop her words. The slayer sank into it almost directly after. Any kiss given by him was enough to melt her insides. It shut her up right on the spot until he pulled his lips away to offer a triumphit smile, as if he really accomplished something.

"You pervert." Where her only accusing words as she flung the soaking wet kimono skirt over the monk's head. The slapping sound it made as it connected with his face pulled a harsh laugh from her throat. Quickly, Sango wiggled away as the cold water dripped down Miroku's face. She slid over the dew covered grass as the monk shook the wet cloth from his head, running his hands through his wet and messy brown tresses before he jumped straight up to take off towards Sango.

"No! Stop! Miroku, stop it!" She pleaded, a short cry escaping her throat as she dragged her unprepared legs up and across the green grass. Weaving between bare trees, the monk right behind her, the two of them shed happy laughs that were never shared in battle.

Whizzing past confused villagers, Miroku didn't even spare a glance towards the other village women. His mischievous blue eyes stayed locked on the swishing mane of mahogany hair that trailed behind the slayer. Running, running after her like a cheetah chasing a panicked antelope. His sense of time and everything was stripped from him by the wind as he sprinted, Sango glancing back at him from time to time. Ongoing for what seemed like miles until Miroku nearly toppled over her.

It took a moment to realize she had stopped running and he had nearly smacked right into her. The blank look over her face, those glazed, wide eyes staring out into the forest simply confused Miroku until he rose his eyes to the sight.

A slow figure tumbled through the dense forest, it's white yukata and red hakamas were the only colors that peeked through the protection of the crowded trees. A low, empty whistle slipped through the air, stinging the two's ears. Instantly, even before the few white creatures slithered through the air after the dark figure, they knew who it was and what particular woman still walked the earth.

"Miroku! Sango! I just...I...Phew!" The young fox youkai couldn't even finish his breathless sentence as he bounded up behind the two lovers. Shippo flung himself onto Miroku's shoulder to poke his head in between theirs and finished his rushed words. "I caught a whiff of Kikyou's scent. I think she's here!"

"So we've noticed..." The monk whispered as a pair of brown, teal, and blue eyes trailed after the lone miko they had distrusted so long ago. It was a wonder how she was so able to obtain Inuyasha's love and trust time and time again. None of them understood it or liked it in the least.

"What do you think she's doing here?" Sango wondered aloud, their eyes slowly trailing after the white tips of the soul collector's whisping tails. Each one of them daring for her to step foot near them, near Inuyasha or Kagome. Not when things seemed like they were finally coming together.

"I don't know...But I'm not getting a good feeling about it." Miroku answered as all three of them stared towards the eerie scene of the deceased priestess even after she had been swallowed up by the pitch blackness of the forest beyond their sight.

..:---.-..-.-.----:..

Okay, okay. So this update wasn't that fast...okay...don't rub it in. I've just been really busy.

Alrighty! Taking in Avenger's advice and up goes a Miroku and Sango part. It was weak, yes, I know. I had to come up with something right on the spot and it sucked. WHATEVER!

I've been in a rut lately so...blah. It's up, enjoy it, tell me how much you enjoyed it. Please. Really. Lemme know you loved it if you did. I did get a slightly bad review. Ick. But it doesn't bother me other than that tiny 'ick' uttered when I read it.

And, just to show that person, I shall work my little arse off to get this story up, great, and running. Luffly story. Yes, I'll make it so. They even think I can do better and I'll work off that. Kay? Happy? You guys are gonna get the whole novel treatment!

And this has to be the longest disclaimer I have ever made. Heh...coolio.

How about a nice shout out? ...Hmm...Lemme see. Heeeeeey, Tenseiga-Chan! I know you're out there. You gotta be! -pokeh-. Stop ignoring me! And you too, Avy! I know you gotta be out there too! You guys didn't blow me off, completely, did you?

No? Kay. Cool. And I just wanted to say thanks to all my sweet reviewers! It really makes my day when I get a great review for the story I worked so hard for. Tears, sweat, and blood all for you. Yes, you, Antilove006, Big City, -x-miya-x-, IvyLady, T.T.rox, Kagome077, Inushomaruluvrs(my short and sweeties!), iceprincess421 (my constant reviewer whom I love with all my heart and more!), Raelin-chan (Just plain out in every way, always making my day), and little-miss-inu (who completely made my day today!).

I love you all and my next chapter will be up soon! Thanks!