As Promised here's a really long chapter... at least compared to my other chapters. xD! Please R&R! and.... yep

Just a heads up: My next update may be a while coming. School is almost over and i've got a bajillion things to do, then i start work. So bare with me please!

I loves you all!

On with the show!

Chapter 7 Fear and Devotion

Miroku POV

For three days straight, Sango never stopped crying. I guess when sadness is your only emotion you can't stop because everything linked to sadness makes you cry… and everything is sad. Eating ramen is even sad. Honestly if I didn't love her so much and realize the severity if the situation, she would be so annoying!

As it were Inuyasha and Koga were both at the end of their ropes, and Kagome wasn't too far behind.

"If you don't like it the GO AWAY!" Inuyasha yelled, barring his teeth.

"Hey, I'm only thinking of killing Naraku when I'm helping here. If the demon slayer is unable to fight, as she currently is, Naraku going to kill you all. And I'm not about to let anything happen to Kagome." Koga and Inuyasha were locked in a glaring contest.

"Why can't we all just get along?" Sango sobbed, burying her face in the back of my robes.

"Sango it's alright," I soothed, turning around and pulling her to my chest.

"NO its not!" she wailed, pounding her fists pathetically.

"I'm surrounded by idiots…" Shippo sighed, Kagome nodded her agreement. Suddenly a blood curdling scream echoed through the forest.

"Come on girly…" men's voices, probably around three of them, "We just want to have a little fun." A woman screamed again.

I hate bastards like this "Leave the girl alone." I order, hiding the tearful Sango behind me. The men glared at me through sake thick eyes. Before I could do anything Koga and Inuyasha punched them square in the noses. They fell to the ground unconscious.

"You okay?" Koga asked annoyed. The girl hid her face and screamed again. She scooted backwards, fear emanating from her. "Right…" Koga walked up to her, she pressed herself against a tree, screaming all the while. "Where'd ya' get that necklace?" he asked, grabbing hold of the leather cord around the girl's neck. The girl began to pray. I notice the small red crystal on the cord… a shard…

"Do we really want to give Sango that one?" I ask, "She's already screwed up being incapacitated by sadness, does she really need fear?"

"I knew it!" Sango wailed, "You don't want to help me!"

"Hmmmm screaming and crying or just crying?" Inuyasha glared at me, "a shard is a shard." With that he snapped the cord and tossed it to me. The girl stopped screaming and looked around in confusion. Before I could catch the damn thing it dissipated through Sango's kimono, the leather cord, falling useless to the ground.

Sango began to seize again, only less violent this time. Her breath came raggedly from her lips once it ended. I was scared to see how this shard affected her… hopefully, it would be better than the last.

When she finally opened her eyes, they widened to the size of Kirara's dinner bowl. She quickly scooted herself from her place on my lap. "You…" she pointed an accusing finger at Inuyasha and Koga. They backed up slightly as she reached for her Boomerang. She began spinning it above her head. "Die Demon!" she let go. The boomerang cutting through the air. Caught off guard Koga and Inuyasha barley managed to dodge.

"Never figured Sango was actually afraid of Demons." Shippo shivered in Kagome's arms.

"Better reaction than crying." Kagome said.

"For you maybe!" Inuyasha yelled. He and Koga continued to dodge the flying boomerang.

This may do more harm to me than it's worth but I rush forward anyway. I take a hold of Sango, one arm wrapped around her waist, pinning one arm to her side; the other grabbing her hand. She panted slightly, her voice shrill as she cried out against my assault. "Let me go! Keep away from me." She slumped in defeat. Her eyes glazed with unshed tears, as she looked silently at my face.

"Never seen anyone react to fear like that." Koga panted.

"Guess that means she remembers how to fight." Inuyasha gasped

"How to… fight?" Sango seemed confused

"Your training on how to be a demon slayer." I pressed, just maybe it would work.

"I've had training on how to fight?" Her breathing was slightly ragged as she fought back her fear. "That was all instinct. I just reacted… what?" Damn it, she's got no clue.

"I'll take that as a no," Koga groaned

"Sango?" Kagome tested, "What do you remember?"

Sango wrinkled her nose in concentration. "I remember him… but he wasn't a half breed, he was vicious and I was… tied to a pole with these vines" she pointed to Inuyasha. The only time I remember Sango being around when Inuyasha went full demon was at the castle of Princess Kaguya. Makes sense, we were all scared. "Then I remember my dad watching me kills my first demon, but it wouldn't die… and I remember Naraku… he's saying something about… someone close to me dying soon… I can't remember who though." She turned toward me. Her eyes betrayed her fright. "I still don't remember you." She whispered, almost apologetically, "I feel like I should but… I can't."

"Don't push yourself too hard." I whisper into her hair, it smells of lilac soap. I do so desperately wish for her to remember… hopefully to remember happiness when she does remember me.

She began to shake in my grasp. "Let me go now please," she finally squeaked, her fear replacing her sadness. Or maybe her sadness was increasing her fear, either way; I had to let her go before she caused me bodily harm.

Regretfully I unwound my arms from around her. "Sango… you need to stay calm… okay?" She nodded slowly, taking a deep breath.

"So… do you remember me?" Kagome asked, shyly. This was weird because Sango and Kagome were really great friends before this incident. Maybe it was awkward to be around Sango for Kagome too, Buddha knows how hard and awkward this has been for me. I tried to help her remember me; I only succeeded in making her cry harder as I made her feel stupid and useless. I felt like such an ass, even more than I had felt before.

***flashback***

Kagome and Inuyasha had gone in search of dinner. I sat alone with Sango, keeping a considerable distance as not to startle her.

"So… your name is… Miroku right?" Sango asked, the fire casting odd shadows across her concentration skewed face. Her tears had momentarily subsided.

"Yes…" I answer after a moment. It almost broke my heart how she had no idea who I was… what I was to her.

"We're… friends?" Pain shot through my heart at her remarks, so much it made me want to cry like a child. I held back.

"Sort of," I gave a small chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. A useless attempt, Sango's constant sadness showed no change, she only raised an eye brow at me in confusion and tears began to form in her eyes again. "We… were… are" I corrected, "Engaged to be married once we destroy Naraku." I finally stammer out.

She tilted her head to the side, much like Kirara does when questioning something. It was rather cute. "Really?" I nod, cursing silently as a blush crept up my neck and settled itself on my cheeks. Luckily, Sango didn't seem to notice. "Do you love me?" her question nearly stopped my heart.

"Why… why would you ask that?" I stutter, finding it very hard to breathe.

"Well, if you don't love me then why are we engaged?" her bluntness sent barbs through me, she was much better at reasoning without memories and emotions.

"Of course I love you." I whisper after a while, "Even if I don't deserve you."

She crawled closer, her hair catching the fire light so it sparkled. It was a mesmerizing sight. "Did I love you?"

"I-I think so." I manage to say, her face was mere inches from mine. Despite what the others thought of me, this was a very uncomfortable position for me to be in. "You n-never told me out right but y-you did agree to marry me so I suspect you had such feelings for me." I try to push her back a little but she wouldn't budge.

"Why can't I remember?" she looked at me expectantly. I had no answer.

"Why are you asking so many questions?" I shot back, trying to hide how flustered I was by clearing my throat.

"Because… because…" she sat back, puzzling over the question, "I guess because I've got no idea what else to do." She said after a moment. Her tears spilled from her eyes silently. It was amazing how one woman could have so many tears in her, you'd think she'd run out eventually.

***End of Flashback***

Why am I such an ass?

"Why would she remember you, idiot!" Inuyasha yelled from his perch in a tree. "Since when is Sango ever afraid of you?" He stuck his tongue out. Bad move.

"SIT BOY!" Kagome cried. Inuyasha's face was instantly pile driven into the ground. Sango gave a small squeak and ran behind me.

"Since now" Koga couldn't help but laugh. I must admit it was kind of comical to see the great and fearless Sango we all knew hide behind me because of a loud noise or Inuyasha getting sat.

"Now young lady," I walked up to the girl who had the shard, "Where did you find that necklace?" I gave her my most charming smile. She blushed and twisted a piece of her hair around her finger shyly.

"My brother brought it to me, he brought one to my sister as well" she giggled. Two in one day? Thank you great Buddha!

"May I speak to her about it, those gems are very important to my friends and me," I gesture behind me, where Sango is clutching her Hiraikotsu for dear life, her eyes screaming 'come near me and die.' The girl nodded and took my hand before leading the way. Normally I would have been a little pleased at the girl's forwardness but right now it only made me feel like an even bigger ass. I wonder if when Sango remembers me she'll kill me slowly or quickly for being this big of an ass. Probably slowly knowing her.

"This is my sister Kyoko; I'm Kimiko by the way." Her fingers slowly slipped from mine, much to my relief. The girl she gestured to was a few years older than her, but looked almost the same as her sister. She was working diligently over a cook fire. "What are you doing?" Kimiko asked, taking the ladle Kyoko held.

"Making dinner" Kyoko responded as if it were obvious.

"It's only ten minutes after lunch. Dinner isn't for hours yet." Kimiko cried exasperated.

"But it's my job, I must be sure it is finished on time. What would happen if I failed in my few tasks?" Kyoko seemed very distressed. Her obsession with her tasks was rather unnerving. This is definitely the work of a heart shard. Obsession? No… it's more like devotion. "Is he staying for dinner?" Kyoko said, noticing me for the first time, "If so I'd better make more,"

"Will you be joining us for dinner Lord Monk?" Kimiko batted her long eyelashes at me. I swallow once before giving my answer.

"Although it would please me greatly, I've only come to inquire about those necklaces." The minute I devote myself to only one woman all the others come running to my arms. Does my suffering bring the gods joy or something?

"Oh…right." Kimiko looked heart-broken as she walked slowly to her sister. With a flick of her wrist the snatched the leather band from Kyoko's neck. Kyoko gave a weak protest but sat back as the shard's influence faded. With a slight glare Kimiko shoved the shard into my hands. "Take it and go then." She hissed. Women, I'll never fully understand them.

With a curt nod I leave, the precious shard clasped in my hand. I run all the way back to wear Sango and the others stayed behind. Sango sat, her arms wrapped around her knees as she rocked back and forth slightly. It was a rather pathetic sight. The shard twitched slightly in my hand as I drew near to her.

"Got another," I smiled, this one was sure to be better than the last. I let the shard fall from my fingers. It immediately flew over to Sango, who gave it a despairing fear-filled glare before it drove itself into her flesh. Her eyes flashed red for a fraction of a moment before she crumpled fully into the seizure that always came.

The seizure wasn't as brief as the last. I suppose the seizures vary in length depending on how many memories are associated with the emotion contained. Finally she was still once more. Please Buddha let her remember me! I begged inwardly.

It was a full hour before she finally opened her beautiful copper colored eyes. Slowly the life behind them was returning. She sat up and looked around. It seemed as if this shard had no reaction at all before she grasped her weapon. With a flick of her wrist she began to spin it above her head.

"Sango? What are you doing?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow to try to hide the fact that he was cowering slightly in the tree above.

"I remember… I remember how to fight." She said slowly. With a loud crash Hiraikotsu was thrust into the ground, her body made a graceful arch as it flew over the weapon. One foot landing soundlessly against the trunk of the tree. She shot out again, her hands catching her as she headed to the ground. She stood on her hands for a moment before flipping back to her feet. It was a very well executed maneuver. I couldn't help but stare. She suddenly fell forward catching herself on her hands again, but this time she began to fervently do push-ups from the ground. Each time she pushed off her arms she was flung almost to her feet. She really was stronger than she looked.

"What are you doing?" Koga asked, stepping out from behind the tree.

"Training." She said simply, "I've lost tone, that's unacceptable. I've got to be at the peak of performance of all times."

"Okay… obsessive much?" Inuyasha groaned.

"Devotion," I smiled, now this was more like it. Shippo hopped onto Sango's head, startling her from her training. With a yelp she fell flat on her perfect face. "But it seems fear is still overly strong."

"At least she stopped crying," Koga sighed. Everyone nodded their agreement. Not a good idea.

"Sorry I'm such a burden to you all." Sango sniffed tears welling up in her eyes.

"You're not a burden," Kagome sighed, glaring at Koga for starting this onslaught of tears.

"Sango, all of us, we're your friends. We all care about you. You could never be a burden. We owe you our lives, in one way or another. This is just us repaying you for that." Hopefully my words sound as soothing as they do in my mind. Sango sniffed and dried her eyes. It worked, sweet success.

"Do you remember anything else?" Kagome pressed.

"I remember why I'm traveling with you all." She said after a moment's thought, "well, all of you except…" she cast a despairing glance my way. She still doesn't remember me. She shook her head quickly, her hair slapping her across that beautiful face of hers. She huffed, annoyed. "So… when are we returning to search for Naraku?"

"She's back!" Shippo cried.

True, she was back, at least part of her. Oh Sango… what you do to me…