A Touch of Love

Sango looked around the village for any sign of friends and smiled when she saw how happy everyone at the festival was. After all Naraku had been defeated and the shikon no tama is whole again, it was not surprising that they would organize a festival in their honor. Sango finally spotted Miroku by the main bonfire obviously getting "familiar" with some girls from some of the neighboring villages.

"Hoshi-sama, have you seen Kagome or Inuyasha?"

Miroku attention immediately swerved towards the sound of Sango's voice. "Excuse me, ladies, I'll be right back to talk about our future together." Miroku said giving them his most charming smile.

Sango shook her head, "Hoshi, when will you ever learn to keep away from unsuspecting women?"

Miroku gave Sango his most outraged look, "Sango, I am simply doing my duty as a man of the cloth to educate and look out for these beautiful women. You do know that I will always look out for you as well?"

Sango quickly intercepted Miroku's hand before it made contact with her rear end. "Houshi, I appreciate the offer, but with our history together, I would be better off watching out for myself. You still haven't told me if you have seen Kagome or Inuyasha."

Miroku quickly scanned the crowd, it did not him surprise that Inuyasha was not here. But for Kagome to be absent when the festival was thrown in her honor, it was most unlike her. "I think we better get Inuyasha and ask him to help us look. After all he can sniff her out which would be quicker than the two of us looking around for her."

Sango stiffened when she felt Miroku's hand made contact with her rear, she screamed "HENTAI" and delivered a resounding smack to Miroku's face.

Inuyasha went to the Goshinboku after smelling Kagome's scent lingering there. He scowled when she was not anywhere in the village or the bone eater's well. It was so like her just to wander off wherever she wants without telling anyone. . Even though they had gotten rid of Naraku there are still youkai prowling about hoping to get their hands on the shikon no tama. "Stupid wench, hasn't she learn a thing through all this?" With the night descended, the only way to find her was by her scent.

Inuyasha took a deep breath trying to find her scent, when a scent hit his nose. It was a scent he thought that he would no longer be able to smell in this life. "Kikyo….?" He whispered.

Sango and Miroku walked towards the Goshinboku knowing it was Inuyasha's and Kagome's favorite place to be alone. Miroku glanced at the exterminator walking beside him and thought. 'She is really beautiful, kind hearted and loving. She will make a good mother, but how do I get her to believe that my intentions to her are honorable?'

Sango sensed that Miroku was unusually deep in thought and wondered if he was alright. "Hoshi- sama, are you alright? Is something bothering you?"

Miroku raised his head to look at the exterminator who is now facing him and slowly raise a hand to touch her cheek. "Have I ever told you that you are a wonderful as well as beautiful woman, Sango?" with no trace of his usual charm.

Sango's eyes widen as she saw Miroku's hand come up and prepared to give him the usual slap. But she was shocked when he softly touched her cheek and felt her cheeks heat up upon hearing those words. 'He must have had too much sake at the village. Or maybe I am in a dream' Sango thought starting to panic. She grabbed the wrist of the hand that was touching her face and lowered her eyes.

Her shock must have been clearly registered on her face for Miroku drew his hand away, took her hand instead and grasped her chin with his other hand making her look up at him. "Sango, I was afraid to tell you how I feel because of the curse, but I …" At that moment, Miroku found that his voice was caught in throat and no matter how he tried he cannot get the words out. So he did the only thing he could to tell her how much she means to him, he slowly leaned down towards Sango and gently touched his lips to hers.

When his lips touched hers, Sango's eyes widen in surprise but then closed on their own. Sango opened her eyes when she felt Miroku's lips left hers. All she could do was look into his eyes and knew what the houshi was trying to tell her. Stepping back away from her, Miroku smiled at her stunned expression, "Come let's go get Inuyasha so we could find Kagome and head back." Sango nodded and followed the houshi towards the god tree.