Chapter 4: Reminiscing Part 1

Why did I have to open that letter? Why couldn't I just predict who it was from and avoid these feelings? What did Moutoumaru want? Why is he writing to me, asking for forgiveness after all he's done to me?

Pain, bewilderment, and worst of all, loneliness was slowly seeping into my heart. I missed Moutoumaru. As much as I hated to admit it, I missed him. I missed how I felt when I had him. I missed how for those three years I thought he belonged to only me, I felt wanted. Not that I was, according to him.

I walked up to my room, unlocked the door, went inside, and sagged down the closed door. When I felt myself touch the ground, I began to think.

Why is he doing this to me? Why can't he just leave me alone? I looked at the roses. They were the most beautiful deep, dark red. I didn't have the heart to throw them out, so I went to the kitchen and grabbed a vase to put them in.

Winter was fast approaching. The air was continuously dropping degree by degree every day. Kagome and Inuyasha's wedding would soon be here. I was, at first, jealous because my friends were so deeply in love.

Then, as time went on, I became overjoyed for them because they had found a love that most spend their whole lives trying to find. Their love ran so deep, it ran through time. They found a love that transcended time. Even in our previous life, Inuyasha and Kagome were in love.

I, on the other hand, fell in love also. It was with a beautiful man, a monk to be precise. I was a demon slayer and was called in to rid a small village of rat demons. I was asked to work alongside the handsome monk and together we would vanquish the demons, and be on our way. I didn't expect to fall so deep…

"Forgive us, slayer. We didn't mean to call you in on such short notice. Our village has been trying to locate you, but you have been quite elusive. Are you sure you have time to spare?" the village leader asked me. He was a short, balding man, and came only to my waist.

"Of course. And don't apologize. I have been quite fast. Now, I hear that your village is being attacked nightly by rat demons, correct?" I responded. The village leader nodded.

"Yes, our village was attacked a few nights ago by rat demons. We've tried everything to rid ourselves of them, but they seem to just spring right back a few nights later. Then we heard of you and your people, the demon slayers. We sent out men to track down your village, but we soon caught wind of your people's unfortunate demise."

"Yes, my family was killed about a week ago by a huge spider demon. I left because I couldn't bear the thought of living in the same village my people died in,"

The elder hung his head in sympathy and apologized for treading on such a sensitive subject. I nodded solemnly and thanked him for his pity. "Now, I also heard I was supposed to be working with a… monk, I believe?" I continued.

"Yes, a young monk. He is an excellent exorcist, and was sent to us by another village not far from here. Come, and I'll show you to your room.

I followed the village leader to a big inn-like room. He stepped aside and introduced me to my temporary comrade.

He was certainly handsome. He had the deepest black hair I'd ever seen. It looked like he took the night sky, plucked all the stars out, and used it as his hair. His eyes were so deep a blue, that they looked violet almost. He was wearing a dark violet robe over a black bodysuit. I notice a golden staff next to his bedroll. I also noticed that he had a glove that was covered by beads on his right hand.

"Kind monk, this is to be your new comrade. She is a demon slayer, and a very skilled one. We hope that you and she will be able to rid our village of those pesky rats. We offer our greatest gratitude." With that said, the village leader left.

"So, you're a demon slayer? You're very beautiful. Tell me, what is your name?" My head turned quickly to find myself face to face with the handsome monk. I hadn't even heard him get up. I gulped at our closeness.

"My n-name's Sango. Yes, I'm a demon slayer. And I assume you're a monk?" I stammered, blushing at the approving glance he gave my body before focusing on my face.

"Yes, I'm Miroku. Tell me Sango, have you always been this beautiful?" I blushed even more at his forwardness. Before I could even answer, I felt a distinct shape on my backside. My face reddened with embarrassment. I rounded and slapped him across his cheek before he had time to move away.

"Pervert! Who the fuck do you think you are! How dare you grope my ass, you bastard!

Do you not have any consideration!" I screamed. Despite the red, blazing handprint on his face, he let out a deep chuckle. I instantly stopped my raving to glare suspiciously at the monk. He seemed happy that I slapped him.

He lifted his head to look at me through those dark eyes. Eyes that seem to be laughing at me, despite the stinging print on his face. He gingerly walked over to where I stood and took my hands in both of his.

"W-what are you doing?" I squeaked nervously. My heart was pounding in my chest. I almost felt bad for slapping him.

"My dearest Sango, will you do me the honor of bearing me a child?" (I couldn't resist!)

My face colored up again. I yanked my hands away and slapped him again, this time on the other cheek. I knew I slapped him hard, because my hand was burning. I ignored the pain and stalked out of the room into the dusk air.

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The sun was setting, leaving a hint of the afternoon breeze in the air. I found an old bench and sat down as I thought about the monk's hand. I felt something round and hard when he groped me. I guessed them as the beads that encased his glove. Probably prayer beads, seeing as he was a monk.

I snorted at my last thought. Some monk. What kind of monk goes around groping women? Although his gestures made me extremely uncomfortable, I grinned despite myself. I had to admit that I felt somewhat… flattered. No one had touched me like that before.

I remained silent as I felt him sit down gently next to me. I looked to the sky. Small points of light were beginning to emerge. The night wasn't far off. All the monk and I had to do was wait.

I scowled as I heard him speak.

"Lady Sango. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do what I did." He said.

I didn't respond. He sighed.

"Please, Lady Sango. Forgive me. I acted utterly barbaric. I should have known from the first moment I saw you that you deserve to be treated with respect."

I looked at him. He looked utterly disgusted with himself. His eyes seemed to speak words as they bore into mine. I don't know how I knew, but I could tell that he was truly sorry.

"Please Lady Sango, could we start over?" he asked. I studied his face. He did seem really apologetic. I nodded.

"Okay. So, where are you from?" I replied. He was about to answer when we heard a huge crash sounding off in one of the neighboring buildings surrounding ours. Debris flew everywhere as screams of young children filled the air.

"Hold that thought." He said hopping off of the bench and bolting toward the cause of the explosion. I took off right behind him.

I soon caught sight of the rat demons. There seemed to be thousands of them swarming everywhere and they were about the size of a small Chihuahua. They were vile, ugly beast with midnight black fur that was scruffy looking and matted. Their eyes were blood red and beady and probably would've frozen a regular human in its tracks.

"We have come!" The seemingly largest rat spoke in a harsh, raspy tone. The other rats squeaked and hissed in agreement.

"What business do you have with attacking this village? These people have built their homes on open fields and not in the forest, so they haven't trespassed on your home territory." I responded. The rat demon leader hissed in response.

"We have no reason. We simply wish to have a little fun." I noticed that Miroku had grown strangely quiet since the demons had arrived. He seemed to be studying the way the demons moved.

"Now, enough! Tonight, we will feast on the flesh of these wretched humans! Attack!" At that word, the rat demons charged into the village leaping onto the smaller residents.

"Hirakotsu!" I yelled as I tossed it into the air. Hirakotsu is my giant bone boomerang.

It's made from the bones of slain demons. It's my favorite weapon and is my most experienced tool.

Hirakotsu hit a considerable amount of rats and I winced as their sharp voices screamed in agony as they were torn apart a burst into black dust. I repeated my attack and glanced at Miroku.

He hadn't moved from the spot he was in since we arrived at the site of the rats. His brow was creased in concentration. I grew angry and annoyed. Not only was he not helping, but I noticed something strange.

When ever I destroyed a rat, two more would appear in its place. They were multiplying. Miroku wasn't helping by sitting on his ass.

"Miroku! What the hell are you thinking! Help me! These rats are—"

"Multiplying. I know." He interrupted. I finished off another rat and stared at him.

"Have you lost your mind! Why are you sitting there making such an obvious observation?" I paused to fling a rat off of my arm. I wondered why Miroku wasn't helping. Suddenly he rose from where he was sitting.

"Sango. Stand behind me. I'm going to try something." He murmured. I glared at him.

"What! What do you mean stand behind you'! You're not helping Miroku!" I shouted back, outraged. But there was something odd going on. The rats seemed to have a ghostly aura about them. Like they didn't really exist, although their attacks were real enough.

"Just trust me. I won't hurt you. I think I know why the rats are multiplying." He stated calmly while turning to stab a few rats with his staff that were trying to sneak up on him.

I didn't know what he was playing at, but I decided to let him try his… plan. I moved aside and behind Miroku, sidestepping his beaded hand that was reaching out for my rear. I glared at him and he grinned. Then he turned back to the rats with a look of sheer disgust and determination.

"WIND TUNNEL!" he yelled I turned my head to look at Miroku, but before I could ask him what he was doing, I felt a vacuum like suction around me. I felt like I was being pulled forward, toward Miroku. I twisted around to resist, and that's when I saw it.

There was a hole in Miroku's hand. A hole about the size of a chicken egg. It was black, swirling with purple energy, and was sucking everything in its path into it. In, pure horror, I looked to Miroku.

Miroku seemed so determined. His hair had fallen a little from the tiny ponytail he had it in when I first saw him. His eyes seemed to glisten with concentration, and I could tell that it took a lot of physical control to wield that hole, to keep it from turning back at him.

"Miroku…?" I whispered. I was really afraid that that hole would turn on me.

I looked out onto the battle field. My eyes widened at what I saw.

The largest rat, the leader, was being lifted off of the ground by this… wind tunnel. It was screaming in anguish at such a high pitched voice, I had to fight not to cover my ears. As it was sucked into the hole, I noticed all the other rats seemed to vanish. I was confused and bewildered.

Miroku dropped to his knees after the large rat had been sucked down. I ran to his side and helped him stand as he leaned heavily on me, exhausted.

"Miroku?" I questioned cautiously. I didn't want to admit it, but he had me worried. He seemed extremely tired and looked like he was about to drop any minute. I sighed inwardly in relief when he looked up at me and gave me a weary smile.

"Don't worry, Lady Sango," he said in a breezy but exhausted tone, "I just need to rest. No need for concern."

I was about to scoff and tell him off about how I wasn't the least bit worried about him, when he suddenly dropped. All the concern I had tried to push to the back of my mind came rushing back.

"Miroku!" I rushed forward and caught him before he hit the ground. I grunted as I took him halfway on my back and dragged/walked him back to the room we both shared.

Damn him,' I cursed mentally, what the hell is that hole in his hand? Could it have something to do with those beads I saw earlier?'

Questions raced through my mind at a million miles an hour. I had to find the answers to my questions and fast.

We made it back to the room, just barely standing. Miroku had seemingly gotten heavier on the way. He had better be on his ass with gratitude for me carrying him back to the room. If he wasn't, I planned to knock him on it.