Netsuai

Bunkai Futatsu:

Himashi

"Inuyasha, SIT BOY!" With a loud bang, Inuyasha hit the ground, paralyzed. Kagome Higurashi gracefully stepped over him with ease, leaving him face down in the dirt, grumbling and moaning. This is how they usually ended their 'discussions'. Watching the argument from behind the action were Miroku and Sango riding on Kirara's back.

"I can't believe those two." Sango said to Miroku who walked along the left side of Kirara.

"I agree," he replied. "Very uncivilized. If Kagome has another one of her tests in a few days, Inuyasha should allow her to go back to her era."

"It's not like we couldn't use a rest," said Shippo who had hopped up onto Miroku's shoulder. He added with a childish grin, "I'd let her go back anytime as long as she brings back some of those yummy treats from her time."

Miroku reached up with his hand and rubbed Shippo's head vigorously. Laughing, he said, "You always are a sucker for candy, aren't you Shippo?"

A childish squeak of discomfort was heard from Shippo as he recoiled from Miroku. While Miroku laughed, Shippo slipped off his shoulder and bound after Kagome.

"He tends to be quite amusing, doesn't he, Sango?" he chuckled.

Sango just smiled at him, shaking her head. Her eyes snapped open when she felt a sudden loss of weight on her right side. She reached into her robe to find one of her pouches missing. "Hold up Kirara, I dropped something." Coming to a halt, Sango bent over to see if she could find her pocket.

Mean while, Miroku recovered from his amusement. He looked over at Sango, only to have his favorite view available. Being Miroku, he did what any lecherous monk would do.

A loud slap could be heard as it echoed throughout the entire valley. Miroku stood with his hands now in his sleeves, with a red hand mark clearly visible on his face. "Hmmf. Come on Kirara, let's catch up with Kagome." Glaring at the road ahead, Sango dismounted Kirara, and stormed off. Kirara stood for a moment, watching Miroku tentatively.

Opening his eyes, he stared right back at her. A deep rumbled growl came from the large cats' throat. "What? Can't I have a little enjoyment?" The rumbled deepened, then came out as an ear piercing hiss. Taking a step back, he replied, "Ok, ok. I'll leave her be." Kirara started away. Under his breath he muttered, "for the time being." Kirara spun her head around with her ears flat. The rumble had returned with louder volume. With a sigh he started off again in bliss, rubbing the red mark Sango had given him.

I can't believe him! Kagome argued in her mind. The wind blew fervently through the air, cooling her face after her argument with Inuyasha. I have missed weeks of school, with hardly anytime to see my family. She stopped her pacing and sighed aloud as the emotions fell in. Its not like I like to leave him. I feel safer knowing Inuyasha is watching over me. Another sigh escaped her lips. I cant lie any more. Her thoughts were disturbed when she heard someone call her name.

"Hi Kagome." It was Sango. Hmm, looks like she had another incident with Miroku. Kagome giggled to herself.

"Hey Sango. You look a little irritated," Kagome smiled. "Miroku again?" Sango just lifted her head with a dreary expression. But somehow, her eyes told a different story. Kagome could tell she enjoyed his attention.

"I'm not even going there." Sango replied as her gaze fell to the ground with a sparkle in her eyes with a smile that she hoped Kagome didn't see. She glanced over her shoulder to see how the guys were doing. Shippo sat on his back legs, watching Miroku struggle to get Inuyasha on his feet. Sango couldn't help but smile and she didn't even know why. Why? Was all she could think of. Why? Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Sango came back to reality to see Kagome smiling at her. She felt her face grow hot and turned away quickly, trying to avoid Kagome's knowing-eyes. "Umm, shouldn't we get moving? I'm---I'm sure they can catch up easily." Sango said, hoping to avoid the subject she knew Kagome would bring up.

"Sure Sango, it doesn't matter to me." Kagome replied, still smiling at her friend. As they turned to leave Kagome thought, why can't she admit it? It's obvious…to me at least. I'm not as thick head as Inuyasha and Miroku. After a pause she thought, maybe I should ask her. I just hope she won't get mad at me. Kagome lifted her eyes that had been focused on the ground, and looked at Sango. She could tell she was thinking the same thing.

"Sango," Kagome said, breaking the silence. "I hope you won't get mad, but "Here I go…"What do you think of Miroku?" Sango suddenly stopped. Oh no. Kagome thought gravely. I knew I shouldn't have.

To Kagome surprise, her voice never rose, just seemed to be solemn, and depressed. "What do you think?" she asked bitterly. "I thought you of all people already knew." Her eyes lifted to her. The typical Asian brown that filled those eyes were now unpredictable. She moved over to a nearby, over turned log and sat down. Kagome looked over to were Inuyasha and Miroku to see them still struggling. Convinced that they would be there for a while, she sat down with Sango.

"Umm, well, I just thought I would ask." Kagome replied, a little shaken. I better get it out now or never. So she pushed on. "Are you going to answer or would you rather not? I don't blame you." Kagome asked in a gentle tone.

Looking down at the ground by her feet she answered saying, "I love him." Her hair covered her eyes, hiding the expression that she didn't want shown. "In my village, I saw many men watch me, lust after me, but never anything else. I lost the two men that were closest to me already." Kagome suddenly remembered the horrible past of Sango's life. That's right, her father and brother! Sango continued. "I wondered every day what it would be liked to be held and cherished. I thought I would never know." Sango let out a quiet laugh; "At first I hated him. But then I came to realize; he is the only man who really cared for my well being and who I was inside," she looked up at Kagome. "He cared for me as a person. Not like an object." A pained smile crept across her face. "I know he goes after every woman he sees, but I don't care because I see how he looks at me. Those special moments, when all seems lost, when I fall into a pit… he's always the one who pulls me out."

Kagome didn't know how to react. She had never seen this side of her before. Sango got to feet and straightened. She let out coughed to clear her throat. "Sango," Kagome voiced. "I'm sorry I brought this up. I shouldn't have said anything." She looked up at Sango to see her smiling at her.

"Thank you Kagome," she said, "It feels good to let it out." Looking over her shoulder, Sango said, "they're coming." She started to walk, but when Kagome started to get up to follow her, she raised her hand to stop her from pursuing. "I would rather walk on alone for a while," she said. Then turning she added smiling, "just to clear my head." Facing forward again, she carried on.

Was that a real smile Sango? Kagome thought as she watched Sango slowly walk away from her.

"What are you doing down there?" came Inuyasha's irritated voice. Kagome opened her eyes and looked up to see him staring down at her with his hand reached out to help her up. She grasped his hand and he hoisted her up.

"Thank you." Kagome said. Her voice distant as her mind was in thought. I doubt that I helped her. I probably just opened up old wounds.

"Well?" came his annoyed voice again.

"What!" Kagome shot back angrily. She was taken aback as she realized the tone she used. Noticing Inuyasha and Miroku's expressions, she quickly apologized to them and started to walk.

"Umm, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked in a timid tone.

"What is it Inuyasha?" Kagome said, watching how she said it.

"Before you blew up at me," he said, regained his cockiness, "I asked why Sango is walking on her own." Thinking if she should tell him, he added, "I'd like you to answer it." She looked at him sharply.

Thinking it best not to, she simply said, "I'm not going back to my era." Picking up the pace again, she left him to wonder her change of mind. Because, she told no one unparticular, I can't leave Sango like this. I made a mess of her emotions now I need to help her. Besides, she added, I cant leave her when she might have a nervous break down with only these two emotionally challenged guys to talk to.

"WHAT!" he yelled. "After that argument we had, and then you make me crack my head on the ground, it was all for no reason!" he said, catching up to her.

"Now you're getting it." Kagome smiled at him. It's so easy to mess him up. She giggled to her self. She suddenly stopped. Where is Miroku? Kagome repeated the question to Inuyasha.

"He went to talk to Sango." He said inattentively.

Oh no! Not now Miroku! Kagome thought as she started to run. Not now! She ran around the corner, ignoring Inuyasha's ignorant comments. But her mind was soon at ease when she saw them.

Inuyasha caught up with her quickly. "What the hell do you think you're doing running of-" Kagome put her hand on his mouth, trying to get him to shut up.

"Look," she said pointing at Miroku and Sango. "Let's leave them." Inuyasha looked to see where Kagome was looking. There sat Miroku and Sango, watching the sun set. Maybe it will be a quite night for once. Looking back at the pair, he watched Miroku carefully. He didn't trust him. Not alone with Sango anyway.

Kagome went to leave when Inuyasha grabbed her arm. "But it'll be night soon, we cant just leave them there." He said. But not in his usual cocky tone.

Kagome turned and smiled at him. "Don't worry, we won't go far. We'll just camp on the other side of the turn." It's nice to see another side of him. She thought.

"But Kagome," he argued, "are you sure it's safe to leave her alone with him?" Inuyasha said, point at them.

Kagome glanced over his shoulder, smiling when she saw them. Looking back at him, she said, "I'm sure they'll be ok." She smile broadened. "Besides, we won't be too far away." Turning on her heels, she left Sango and Miroku alone, dragging Inuyasha behind her.

Why? Sango thought to herself. Why do I have to love him? The same question that burned into her mind over and over. My first love will never love me in the way I want. Not when he lusts after every pretty face he sees. She stared over the rice fields, the sun reflected in the waters. Why? She buried her face in her knees. WHY! She felt her face grow hot in frustration. Sighing, she lifted her head up again as a breeze blew by, cooling her face. I'm lost on this world I made for myself. Not being able to look at the setting sun any longer, she rested her head on her knees, breathing in the dusk's air, relaxing her tense muscles. I witnessed the death of my father and my little brother. I face a foe I can not destroy. Every time I'm alone, I fall into this pit of despair. She lifted her head with regaining hope. But every time I fall into this pit, Sango turned around to see Miroku standing behind her, he always saves me from myself. She couldn't help but smile at him.

"May I join you?" he inquired. Sango solemnly nodded. I have to let my emotions cower away for now.

Her gaze fell back to the rice fields. Who am I kidding? This time will end like it always does. He will turn down the wrong path. I guess I enjoy slapping him. She said smiling. I enjoy his attention. Once she hid her smile, she dared to look at him. Slowly, she turned to see him. By now, he had taken a seat beside her, farther away than she had hoped. With nothing to loose, she said, "You can sit closer."

Even though he tried to hide his bliss, he moved closer, as they gazed toward the setting sun. "Sango," he said. "You look so beautiful in the sun, and even without it." Idiot! He said to himself. That sounds horrible! She looked up at him with an expression he couldn't justify. Crap. I'm not getting anywhere with this. Sighing, he looked forward again. He sat, listening to her breathing. He looked over at her to see her eyes closed. His eyes fell away from her face, down her back, to her posterior. It seemed to glow in the sun's setting raise. He looked back at Sango to make sure her eyes were closed. Smiling he reached out with his hand to the familiar surface.

Sango's eyes flung open and grew wide. Her muscles tensed again and her hands tightened. She turned around and slapped him in his lascivious, smug face. Glaring at him she said, "why do you do that? Every time you do that, you always get slapped. Are you masochist or something?"

Miroku just looked at her with a mischievous grin. "Why Sango, are you a sadist?" his grin faded as she shot up off the ground and stormed off. He quickly got to his feet, trying to get her to stop.

Sango tried to leave him behind. Kinky little bastard. She thought to herself. Sometimes he goes too far. I enjoy his attention and all, but that was wrong. She could hear him catching up to her, calling her name. Finally she spun around and confronted him. "What?" she answered his irritating calls.

Miroku slowed his pace as he approached her, careful to keep and arms length away from her. "I apologize, Sango. That was inappropriate." He said, bowing slightly. He regained his posture and smiled saying, "I can't resist your feminine charm for long, you know." Sango just rolled her eyes and carried on.

"I'm going to sleep now, Miroku. Good night."

"Sango." Miroku whined after her. "Come on… Sango!" he called after her but got no response in return. Knowing that she would not speak to him for the rest of the night, he couldn't help but smile from the past events. "Ahh, good night my love. I will dream about you." Sango apparently heard him and managed the time to throw a rock at him. The darkness impaired his sight and the small rock hit him squarely in the temple. "Ouch." He stated out of impulse. "Thank you, my love, for letting me know you are thinking of me." He called after her. He could hear her exasperated sigh as she had finally given up. Hmmm, Miroku thought to him self. Calling Sango this will definitely get her attention, but in the mean time, I'll get slapped more often. After judging the consequences, he shrugged and walked on. This kind of attention, I can live with. Miroku started to walk off in the direction of the fire in the middle of the camp. He smiled at himself, thinking of the good slaps to come.

Author Note:

I really should have put this in the first chapter, but owell. I was asked if the "Kikyou" thing was necessary. and yes it was. to be honest, i never planned on "publishing" my little story anywhere. my sister (jc500) said i should, so i did. i was too lazy to change it, and i wrote it to explain what had happened before. (to be honest, i never saw Inuyahsa from the very beginning, so i made up my own beginning. so...TA-DAH!...here I am. hope you like my story, and read on.

Allyson