Here is the next chapter...please enjoy.

She stared at him from behind as he made his way past her room, her eyes glistening with dew of sorrow. He had ignored her again, distancing himself. Why did he despise her so? They had once been good friends, hadn't they?

I'm so foolish

Sango could feel herself gulp and look down at her stilled hands. How hysterical she was. She always tried to hope that it would change. She desired the game to end and the charade to stop. She wanted him to open to her, to tell her his thoughts, even if he didn't care for her, as she did for him.

"Miroku…" She murmured, closing her damp eyes. She gasped back a sob, shaking slightly as another gust of cool air passed through her. She could feel her body shiver, but ignored it as she leaned against the wall of the dojo, forgetting her warm futon inside.

"W-why?" she gasped, quietly to herself. "Why must you push me away?" She could see her breath as she murmured the shallow words. She grasped her chest, trying to silence her aching heart. It was pounding too loudly; he might hear it. She gulped down another sob, trying desperately to be the strong demon slayer she was portrayed as, trying to suppress the emotions she could never reveal.

Miroku glanced around, noticing that she hadn't followed him. He sighed, shaking his head slightly, almost tiredly. Baka, Sango, follow your own advice.

He couldn't help but glance at his hand at the mention of her name. The pain came then, as it always did. His chest burned, burned horribly. It was as if he were burning himself inside out. It pained him to suppress himself in front of her. He wanted to love her, for her to love him. It would be easier, however, for them both to ignore one another. Why couldn't he hate her? Why couldn't he just leave her? He growled to himself, trying to ignore the answer. He knew; he just couldn't face it. He had to ignore it.

He started walking, thinking that she had fallen and needed assistance. Maybe her wounds were still healing from the last battle. The idea was almost humorous to him to see Sango helpless. She was strong, almost invincible. Her name again, the pain.

He groaned slightly, feeling an odd sting shoot through his hand, as he retraced his steps. He gritted his teeth, trying to suppress his pained shriek, feeling the hand flex its fingers, spasmodically, his palm aching terribly. It was odd, that his cursed hand act up now. He hadn't used it in so long. He growled, feeling the sting surge through his body now. As soon as the pain came, it went however. Miroku gulped, thinking of one explanation, however he shook the idea from his mind, cradling it and gently stroking his cursed palm with his digits. Please Buddha, a while longer.

He came around the corner and gulped, hearing his name precipitate from her lips. He saw her, there the invincible woman. She stood there in the cool breeze, sobs racking her body, the wind tearing at her hair. He gulped, unable to move, as he heard her whisper the words. Had he really caused her so much pain? Could he really wound the impenetrable Sango?

He heard her cry for him and watched her as she clutched her chest, her breathing shallow and quick. Miroku could feel his mouth begin to open subconsciously as she asked the trivial questions into the night sky. His mind protested in anguish, as his throat rasped, trying to reply to the words.

I can't ignore her.

Sango shook her head, and bitterly laughed, trying to ignore the chilled feeling deep inside her. She wiped her mahogany eyes with her sleeve, sniffing slightly.

If only you could understand Miroku, if only…

She turned around, still adjusting herself. Miroku gulped and begged himself to run. His body couldn't however. It wouldn't run any longer. Sango looked up at him and gasped, her eyes widening, as she covered her mouth. NO! Sango shook her head in disbelief. More tears could be seen in her eyes and muffled sobs could be heard from under her palms.

Miroku looked as shocked as she. His lavender eyes had grown significantly larger and his body had stiffened in a paralyzed state. He looked like he was trying to say something, but it only came out as a coarse apology.

Sango closed her eyes, begging herself to wake up from this horrific nightmare. He was staring at her. She had done it, shattered whatever chance she had of Miroku's trust. Why had she been so careless? She gulped, unable to think. She thought frantically of what to say. Then unable to find an escape, she ran. Her body moved forward, trying to maneuver its way around him. She covered her face from him, trying hysterically to avoid his gaze.

Miroku gulped, watching her grow weary. Sobs began wracking her body once again and then she panicked, unable to leave her words. He watched her run toward him, her hands trying to conceal her face. She almost ran past him, until Miroku moved in front of her, his body ignoring his better judgment.

I will save you.

Sango gasped, feeling Miroku extend his arms in front of her and capture her in an embrace. She shook, unable to think or understand his reasoning. He'd never been this close to her before. She closed her eyes, relishing his strong arms around her body. He was warm, as she had imagined. Unable to speak, she shoved her face into his robes, trying to muffle her confused sobs. Even in his arms, all she could do was cry. She wasn't exactly sure why however.

Miroku shut his eyes, tightly, at the feeling of her weep frantically into his chest. He had done this to her…he had ruined the woman of his affections. He had wounded her and now he was going to hurt her more. He had opened to her. Her small frame shook within his arms, trying to choke back her tears. He cursed himself for his stupidity.

"Sango…" Miroku murmured, resting his head atop hers. "I'm so sorry, sorry for everything."

I am, but only human…as are you.

She was surprised at first by his bold move. She had thought he would grope her by now. He hadn't however, instead he murmured apologies her, resting his head atop hers. She wasn't sure why he was so emotional about it. He had never seen him like this.

She cried into him for hours, murmuring his name over and over again through the sobs. She felt pathetic, almost like a jaded child. She could feel his arms tighten around her, holding her into him comforting her. He was warm and smelled of freshly cut grass. She loved that smell. She loved everything about him.

His breath lightly fanned her forehead, calming her slightly. Her tears began to slow and her breathing regained itself. After all, she had only wanted him to hold her in the first place.

He started to stroke her back, lightly, trying to assuage her. She could feel herself shutter under his gentle touch. Her body loved the attention and she quickly forgot her tears.

He was angry at himself for this. He hated himself. He had wounded her and now he was going to wound her again. He wouldn't kill her.

I can't be responsible for you...

He chuckled to himself. She could feel his chest vibrate as he talked. She tried to find what was so humorous about the situation and confused again, she escaped into his damp robes.

"It's ironic." He murmured, slowly in a drawl, his hands still stroking her lower back. "I've only wanted to keep you safe, Sango, and yet," his voice lowered and began to rasp. "I was hurting you." He sniggered to himself in bitter resentment.

Sango could feel a small smile reach her lips. She quickly buried her face in Miroku's robes, in taking his intoxicating scent. He did care.

He still wasn't sure of what he was doing. He had told himself time and time again to stop when he was ahead. However he didn't want to hurt her any further than he already had.

I've created a hell for both of us…

I'm so happy with how this turned out. I hope you are too, please REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!