Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine; they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. The following story is for entertainment and not profit.

Chapter 15: But what of 'the boy'?

It didn't take long for the creeping chill of the night to set in and have them talking of a warm fire and hot food. As Kagome and Shippo got the fire going, Sango and Inu Yasha filled Miroku in on what had happened to him.

"And your bother?" He asked, turning to Sango.

Her eyes dimmed and shifted to towards the depression in the grass where Kohaku's body still lay. Miroku pushed himself to his feet and reached down to offer Sango his hand. Looking up at him, she blinked back the hot tears that still burned at the edge of her eyes. Taking his offered hand firmly, she let him lead her back to her fallen brother's side. "I would like to recite a sutra to help his spirit find peace, if you will allow it."

A sad smile pulled at her lips, "I would like that very much. Thank you."

Kagome left Shippo to watch the water she had set to boil. Compared to when she had first met him, he was more mature and seemed to love it when she would entrust him with small tasks around camp. Unrolling her sleeping bag, Kagome tensed as she caught the movement of something just outside the circle of light cast by the fire. She took a step towards it cautiously. Naosu's sleeping figure lay still in the flickering light, had it been her that had moved? Watching for any other signs of movement, Kagome continued towards the unconscious female until she was close enough to touch her.

"She is fine. Leave her."

Kagome pulled back the hand she had been reaching out with to check on the other girl as she searched the darkness beyond for the source of the voice. Squinting into the dimness she finally locked onto a pair of cold golden orbs. "Oh, Sesshomaru-sama. We had thought you had left." Smiling reassuringly into the darkness, Kagome waited for a response but after an awkward pause she realized he wasn't going to. "If you are staying with us tonight," she continued, "then I can leave her here for you to watch over." Again she paused, hoping for a reply. Sesshomaru's eyes held her gaze and let the silence stretch on. "I will bring a blanket to make her more comfortable and help keep her warm."

"She does not need such things, but if you desire." He would allow it if it would mean his half-brother's woman would leave him in peace. He allowed his eyes to slide away from her and back across the field.

Turning sharply to head back to her pack and retrieve her spare blanket Kagome huffed to herself and mumbled "Must run in the family. Annoying Inus."

Miroku watched as the first rays of light burst over the horizon bring with them a new day. He had sat up most of the night holding his beloved Sango, her grief heavy shoulders pressed against him. He had not hesitated to acquiesce to her request to be held and 'just know that someone was there.' For perhaps the first time in his lecherous life his only desire was to comfort the beautiful woman in his arms. Even after her shoulders has ceased shaking with silent sobs and she had slipped into much needed sleep he had continued to hold her contemplating just how lucky he was to have been given a second chance.

His thoughts were interrupted as a slow moving demonic presence caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stir. A quick glance down at the woman tucked against him confirmed that she too was stirring. Miroku turned as Sango continued to wake, to see who or what was approaching and found himself unsure how to react when he saw the enigmatic demon Lord standing only feet behind them.

"He is important to you?" Sesshomaru asked, locking eyes with Sango to make it clear whom he was addressing.

"Who do you mean, my Lord?" She replied, letting her gaze shift uncomfortably from the imposing youki to the monk at her side.

"The dead boy."

Sango bit her lip as a wave of anger rose within her at the bluntness of his statement. Miroku could sense that she was struggling to hold herself in check and that the situation needed to be defused, quickly. "Perhaps it would be best if the Lord would skip to his point."

Sesshomaru eyed the monk weighing his words against the enticement of the woman's rising anger. Reluctantly he had to admit that the monk was probably correct, and took a moment to remind himself of the far more important reason that had brought him to approach the grieving woman. "She is an ineffective warrior while affected by such emotions. They will stop."

Miroku's eyes widened as Sesshomaru unsheathed Tenseiga and strode passed them. Sango lifted her head to watch the demon lord as he stood over her brother. Before she could find the courage to form the question a blade of light pierced not only the lifeless body, but the air over it. On hands and knees and shaking with anticipation Sango crawled forward. Fresh tears filled her eyes as she noticed the subtle rise and fall of her brother's chest. Sesshomaru moved off as the monk rushed to join his woman; he had no wish to be so close to such an emotional reunion. Besides there were other matters that he needed to see to.

"Why haven't we left yet?!"

"Because Inu Yasha," Kagome responded calmly, "we are letting Sango and Kohaku have some time to catch up."

"How much 'catching up' can they have to do? He's dead." There were times when he just didn't get humans.

"Are you sure about that?"

It seemed like a stupid question, but something in her tone made him stop and turn to look across the field. The boy, whose dead body Sango had been weeping over was now sitting and talking, definitely alive.

"How the hell?

"We have your brother to thank for that blessing." Miroku answered.

"He would never." Inu Yasha spun around searching for the taiyouki. "What's the bastar up to."

Kagome sighed in frustration. Why couldn't the two of them just get along for once? "You'll have to wait and ask him yourself when he returns."

"Feh. Fine. What's for lunch then?"