I'm Sorry

Theme: #1- Look Over Here

AN: I was originally working on that Kohaku story I promised, but after the occurrences of the most recent chapter, I just couldn't bring myself to write it T-T. So, spoiler warning for chapter 448.

Disclaimer: I don't own Miroku or Sango. Rumiko Takahashi does. And if things keep going like they are, she'd better look out... grabs a spork

"Sango... I'm sorry..."

It wasn't supposed to be like this. That much Sango knew. As he lay there, barely clinging to life, she couldn't help but feel that this was all her fault. From what he had said, though, no else could really blame her for feeling that way.

That day had been challenging enough as it was. Naraku and Mouryoumaru's fight had seemed to be most of the stress they were going to have to deal with. And Sango had felt her share of worries when Kikyo had appeared with Kohaku. The last thing she could allow was for her brother's life to be taken even if he said he was willing. She had already lost him once. She couldn't let go of this chance no matter what it meant.

However, she had not realized what those feelings could do. Naraku's heart was finally in the open. Kouga had already tried to attack, but Midoriko seemed to have other plans for him. One of them was going to have to step forward if they hoped to finish their nemesis. She had not expected him to be the one to do so.

Miroku opened the Kazaana, much like every other time he had tried to stop Naraku. He didn't seem to care about the fact that most of the jewel was still inside him. And, for once, he didn't seem to care that Naraku's shouki was entering his body. He usually stopped the moment any poison was unleashed at him. For some reason, though, he didn't this time. Sango had yelled at him to stop, but he refused.

Although she had been standing with Kohaku, the first signs of crimson were unbearably clear to her. The poison was working fast. Still, he would not cease. She had pleaded with him, begged him to close the hell-hole. Her cries seemed to fall on deaf ears. Or maybe it was because so much blood was seeping out of them.

The baby was nearing the void, however. The Fuyouheki was lost within it, and with that came more blood. Shippo had grabbed onto his robes, but Miroku did not seem to heed their attempts to stop with. Even with all the shouki he had taken in and blood he had lost, he would not close the Kazaana.

It was Inuyasha that finally leapt up and stopped him by force. It was the only way left to end it. The monk was too weak to even stand by that point. Seeing his opportunity, Naraku fled, going to plan whatever evils he was going to unleash upon them next. Enough damage seemed to be done already.

Sango had rushed over the moment the winds had stopped. The scene was even more grim up close. Miroku was deadly pale, barely any color even kissing his normally bright face. It had been replaced with blood, and for as much as there was covering him, it still tricked out of his nose and from his eyes. All she could manage to do was mutter how awful it was. She couldn't image how much pain he was going through. The sight alone was killing her.

It was then that he spoke, his voice barely coming out as a hoarse whisper. "Sango..." He managed to open his eyes partly, and sadness somehow managed to cross his already pained face.

"I'm sorry..."

Tears were already forming in her eyes. She was at a complete loss for words. Was he really saying that...?

Before she could get much further, Kikyo had appeared. The shouki wounds were deep, but she said she could purify them in three days. No questions were asked; they let her go ahead. Sango would have done anything to keep him from dying.

And there they sat. Kikyo quietly worked at his wounds, not seeming to mind whatever pain she was taking on in the process. Kohaku had remained quiet through the whole ordeal. Sango wasn't sure what he thought or what she should tell him. Besides, with Miroku laying in front of her unconscious, she really wasn't sure there was much she could say.

"I'm sorry..."

She knew that was what he had said to her. The words seemed to be eating at her heart. Miroku's complete lack of regard for himself had been for her. There was no other answer. They had all known that Naraku had to be defeated before the jewel was completed, otherwise Kohaku would once again depart from this world. He had been trying to save her brother.

Sango knew the thought of losing Kohaku was her greatest fear. She knew her main goal was to make sure he got out of this alive. And there Miroku had always been, supporting her through the times when it was hard to still believe in her younger sibling. He always found some way to ease her pain. This time, he had tried to put an end to it completely.

However, she did not know how sacrificing his own life would stop her pain. True, it would mean that her brother was once again free to be hers again, but another pain would come to replace it were that to happen. As much as she loved Kohaku, she also loved Miroku. As noble and selfless as his gesture had seemed, she didn't understand why losing him would make her feel any better. Miroku had been her rock through so many hard times, and if he had died she would once again be left to wallow in her own misery. She knew that was something she could not endure, Kohaku or not.

So she waited, tears slowly streaming down her face. Kikyo had been healing him for quite a while, but there was still a long way to go. And although she knew that he would be fine once the treatment was over, something in the miko's eyes didn't look right. Sango could feel a foreboding sense in her stomach. She didn't know what it meant, but it felt like all would not be right even after her houshi was completely cured. Until then, all she could do was wait with Kohaku to find out whatever this was. So she waited.

AN: Well, that sure made me feel better! About as better as Takahashi will feel when/if I spork her! The next one is more happy, I promise. I just need to get out of this depression and write it. And it's the Kohaku one I was talking about.

By the way, for those of you who may not have noticed, this is a collection of one-shots. None of these will be related most likely. Just wanted to make that clear.