finally i finished this chapter! i know ths is getting repetative so i'll try and get to my original story line. im thinking it'll be about three more chapters. please review and tell your friends to read! loves you all 3

Chapter 10

Confessions and Loneliness

Kagome POV

"You seem tired today Lord Miroku," Sango commented blandly as we continued on our way.

"Do I?" Miroku said distantly. Honestly why can't he buck up and tell her that he was up all night worrying about her. He's so hopeless. I know! Maybe all he needs a little push! And now that
Sango has affection she's sure to respond!

"Yeah Miroku you don't seem like you're feeling very well. Did you have another dream?" I asked as inocently as possible.

"No, not in particular." The liar shrugged.

"Did you sleep well last night at all?" I tried again.

"Yes thank you." He's lying through his teeth!

"That's not true Miroku," Shippo piped in from his seat in my bike's basket. "You sat watch the whole night almost."

"I-uh-well that's-"

"Were you worried about something?" Sango asked, her pretty brown eyes sparkling. I ushered Inuyasha forward even though I would really like to hear his response I figured Miroku might want a little alone time with Sango.

"Oi! Wench what are you-" I cut Inuyasha's complaints with a cutting motion across my throat and a jab behind me with my thumb. He densely didn't get it but kept walking anyway. Shippo peered over my shoulder curiously but I placed him in the basket of my bike quickly.

"Just wait," I whispered to him. I could hear the vague mumblings of Miroku and Sango talking but I couldn't make out what they said. Inuyasha could but I could tell he was trying to ignore whatever they were saying.

Miroku's POV

Once Kagome, and possibly but probably not Shippo, were out of ear shot I glanced down at Sango who looked expectant for an answer.

"To be truly honest, I'm worried about you." a small blush crept into her cheeks, just like it always did before this whole alternate plot line started.

"You shouldn't loose sleep over someone like me," she said, her voice little more than a whisper. I had to strain my senses to hear her properly.

"Sango... I've always worried about you. And I always will. You're the only one I could even think of loosing sleep over anymore." The words flew from my lips before I could think about the concequences of what I was saying.

Sango stared at me wide eyed. He entire face flooded with fifty shades of red. "I-I-I-" she stuttered.

"Hey Miroku, I think we found another one!" Shippo yelled from ahead. I was so busy watching Sango I had not noticed that the others had stopped. A girl sat in the center of the road, rocking back and forth gently. I ran to catch up.

"Why are you here?" the girl whispered, "Why do people like you keep showing up?"

"We want to help you," Kagome started in.

"I don't need your help... I can make it alone... that's what I am... alone... forever." She stood, and brushed off her kimono. Something jingled in a leather pouch she carried on her waist and it didn't sound like money.

"My lovely lady... do you by chance have a small red jewel in that money sack of yours?" I hit her with my most dashing smile.

"Maybe..." she eyed me wearily, "What if I do?"

"If you do, we would be prepared to buy it from you, no matter the cost." I nod solemnly.

"It is that important to you?" she had tears gathering in her eyes. She reached for the pouch, but something to her right caught my eye. I could have sworn I saw somethig move in the shadows. "Um... sir monk?" the girl held out the shard. I took it carefully, muttering a quick thank you, al the while keeping one eye on the shadows.

"Miroku?" Sango cam up to me, the shard flew to her as I knew it would. Down she went, straight into my waiting arms. There, the shadows moved again, I was sure of it.

"Kagome, watch her," I placed Sango on the ground gently before going over to the moving shadows. I heard Kagome call after me but I didn't stop. I inspected the area closely. The shadows made a break. This was no odinary occureance.

I hurried after the darkness, hoping I could get a few answers. I didn't see the rock wall looming ahead of me. I caught the darkness, but the wrong kind. Damn.