Healing the Moon

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Chapter Two

A soft sigh passed her lips as she carefully changed the bandages of the human male, Miroku. Shippo stood on the bed beside her, holding a bowl for the old linens. "Midori-mama, why isn't Miroku waking up yet?"

"Even in this state of rest, Miroku-san's holy powers are being focused on keeping his cursed hand sealed. It is making it very difficult for his body to heal itself," the woman replied as she settled her right palm over the large wound in his right shoulder. Her hand began to glow softly, and she let it remain there for a few moments before pulling it away once more.

The wound had healed a bit more and Midori smiled. She had exhausted herself healing the three's wounds to the point that they would no longer bleed. Sango and Inuyasha were healing nicely, but Miroku hadn't even awoken yet. "I do not wish to exhaust my powers to the point that I did before, Shippo-chan, but I'm afraid if the houshi does not awaken soon..." She broke off and stiffened when she felt a hand firmly grip her right butt-cheek.

"Ah, to be in Nirvana and behold such beauty," came a suave male voice that she hadn't heard before.

Glaring down at the monk, Midori swiftly took his wrist into her hand and tightened her grip until he hissed in pain. "You will learn, Monk, to keep your hands to yourself. Am I understood?"

"Yes, milady. Perfectly," Miroku whimpered. The new pain in his wrist, coupled with his sore body was nearly too much to handle.

"Good," she released his wrist and swiftly finished wrapping his severe wounds. As she walked away, she looked at Shippo. "Dispose of the dirty linens, then wrap Miroku-san's wrist, please."

"Okay," Shippo said. Looking at Miroku, the kit smirked. "You'd better listen to Midori-mama. And don't move around too much. I'll be back in a few minutes to splint your wrist."

~*~*~*~*~

"Midori-san, what happened to Houshi-sama's wrist?" Sango asked as she carefully sipped the broth that the healer had brought her.

"The houshi was taught a lesson in appropriate conduct towards a woman, Sango-san. Nothing more," Midori replied, smirking slightly.

Kagome, who sat on the other side of Sango's bed, looked at her. "He grabbed your ass, didn't he?"

"He did, Kagome-san. His wrist is a result of his lesson." When she saw the cautious looks on their faces, she smiled. "Do not worry. His wrist is merely bruised. I did not hurt him more than necessary to get my lesson across." She sipped her tea before looking at Kagome. "Is Inuyasha-san feeling better?"

After that first encounter with the hanyou, Midori had decided that Kagome would be the better choice to deal with him. Her instincts had proven true in this sense, as the guards that she'd posted outside the hanyou's room hadn't had anymore complaints about him.

"He's doing a lot better. His wounds are pretty much healed. But he's started talking about getting back on the road. I think he's going to try to make us leave soon," the young miko replied softly.

"He is welcome to try, but he will not get far. Besides, Sango-san and Miroku-san are still healing. I'm not sure what he would gain by making you leave."

"Inuyasha tends to ignore the fact that we're human," Sango said softly. "I don't think he does it on purpose. It's just that he's not used to traveling with humans."

Midori nodded, and looked up as Shippo slid open the door to the room. "Inuyasha wants to know when we can leave," he said, pouting slightly.

The three women looked at each other and started laughing. Standing from her seat, Midori set her cup down on the tray that she'd brought in. "I'll return to pick up the tray after I'm finished with my rounds. And I will talk with Inuyasha-san while I am out. Please continue to rest, Sango-san." She left the room, Shippo walking quickly beside her.

Kagome grinned as she looked at her adopted sister. "Do you think she'll be able to convince him?"

"I believe that Midori-san could convince Inuyasha and Sesshomaru to stop fighting, if she put her mind to it," Sango replied. "She is a skilled healer, and I have never met a woman who was in charge of her clan. It is strange."

"I suppose so. I guess I'm still not accustomed to this era. I still think that women should be equal to men, and that isn't how the world works yet."

Sango nodded. "Let's just hope that Midori-san is able to convince Inuyasha that Houshi-sama and I still need more rest."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oi, wench! It's about time you showed up!"

Midori breathed deeply as she attempted to calm her ire towards the crass hanyou. Placing a hand on Keigo's forearm to prevent him from drawing his sword in her defense, she stepped into the room. "Shippo-chan said that you wished to speak to me?"

"You're damn right I do! Why the hell won't your guards let me gather my pack so we can leave?" Inuyasha snapped as he stood.

The healer wouldn't admit it, but she was impressed with the boy's ability to remain on his feet, especially with how wounded he'd been just a week before. "Sango-san and Miroku-san are still incredibly injured, Inuyasha-san. As it is, Miroku-san has just awoken today. Their bodies still need time to heal."

"Feh. And how long is that gonna take?"

"With my aide, they should be able to travel again within two weeks, perhaps three."

"That's to fucking long! We'll never make any progress then!"

"My decision on this is final, Inuyasha-san. My guards will remain outside your room to ensure that you do not attempt to take your companions away from here. They need time and rest, not travel. At this point in time, even if your companions were well enough to travel, they would only be a hinderance. The houshi cannot even stand yet, and Sango-san - while her progress is impressive - cannot move around for very long without tiring. If you began travel now, your companions would only end up injuring themselves further. It is entirely possible that they might die."

Huffing, the hanyou sat down on the bed and crossed his arms over his chest, pouting. "Fine. You've made your point. I'll let the weak humans rest for two more weeks. But that's it! After that we're leaving!"

"Depending on the progress of your companions," Midori said, smiling. "After all, I would hate to have to seal you into your room."

White puppy ears pinned back against Inuyasha's head as he looked at her. "You aren't a miko," he said.

"No, Inuyasha-san, I am not. However, I am a skilled healer, and the last of my clan. Barriers and seals are childs-play to one such as myself." Turning, she smiled serenely. "Now, get some rest. I will have one of my apprentices bring you your meal."

~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Well, that's it for chapter two. I'm going to try to have updates every Wednesday.

Also, a note about Midori's home. The area that they're currently in is the Healing Ward, which consists of a large room that is used for emergency care, and several smaller, private rooms used for individuals once they're well enough to be moved from emergency care.

Bai-bai