A/N: Hello every one. I know it's been a while, and I do apologize. I finally have seen an arthritis specialist, and am awaiting more test results on Monday. I also have a job interview on Monday, which I am happy about. If I got this job, I wouldn't have to worry so much about losing my parents insurance (as I would get benefits) or putting 50 miles a day on my car.
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, or its respective characters. Rumiko Takahashi is the genius behind it, and am not making any monetary gain from this story.
I also do not own the song Over the Hills and Far Away. Nightwish is the wonderful group that does.
Over the Hills and Far Away
Lynn-Minmay
A young couple walked through a quite forest, fingers intertwined gently. The birds sang a beautiful ballad to accompany the two on their peaceful journey. Love shone in their eyes as they stole glances at one another, contented smiles playing at their lips. The walk would have been pure bliss, if they didn't have to keep looking over their shoulders for other folk. While their love was true, it was tinged with caution. Always hesitant, tentative. It was rare that they would see each other, living miles apart. Rarer still was the time they would be able to express their love and affection.
The man gazed down at his lady's left hand cradled in his right. Her milky skin was pale, and yet he could see a thin band on her finger that was paler still. The love they shared was a secret, having to be hidden from everyone. She didn't love her husband the way she loved the man next to her. Her hand tightened around his, hanging onto him for dear life, praying that one day they wouldn't have to hide.
She knew it was wrong, but she was thankful that war had taken her husband from home and onto the battlefield. It was also wrong to wish that just this once he wouldn't return, but she did.
"I don't love him." She whispered as tears threatened to fall down her porcelain cheeks. "Not as I love you, Miroku. Why was I meant to marry him and not you?"
"There is naught we can do, Sango. Fate has dealt us an unjust hand, one we must play out to our best ability." Miroku's strong, regal voice came flitting to her ears. The tenderness it held made her tears come much like a heavy rain.
Miroku slid his hand out from hers and wiped the tears away from her eyes. The time they shared was more precious than gold, and yet it was always tainted with sadness. A chilled wind blew through the bare trees, causing them both to shiver against the cold. Miroku looked to the sky, watching as slow clouds moved in. It was going to snow.
"Dearest, I must leave now if I am to beat the storm and make it back 'fore nightfall." He whispered, "If I am gone to long…"
"I know, I know." Sango said, dejectedly shaking her head. "If even we are suspected, it would spell disaster. Just please, tell me that you love me. I need to hear it."
"I love you, my dearest Sango." He replied, cupping her face in his hand. "You are everything to me."
He kissed her once, tenderly upon the lips, and was off. She watched him as he fled from the woods. Sango knew his destination from the stables, knew every detail of the road on which he must travel to reach his home. Tear cascaded from her soft brown eyes, obscuring her last visions of him.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
He rode hard down the beaten path he knew well. His horse was one of the finest stock, the finely toned muscles pushing it one faster. The light had begun to wane some time ago, but that didn't stop him. It wasn't far now, and he'd be home. Home, a small house out of which he worked as a weaponsmithy. A home that was empty, that begged to have a woman's touch. Up ahead he could clearly make out the lanterns burning out front of the local tavern and inn. Miroku slowed his horse to a steady trot, setting on the road to his home. He led his steed into the small stable, then made his way indoors.
Lighting a candle he noticed something was amiss. The door to his bedroom was slightly ajar. He moved quietly to the room, pushing the door open. Miroku peered inside with the candle to light his way. On his bed lay the wooden box that should have held his revolver, but it was nowhere in sight. He started towards it when he heard a knock upon his front door. Making his way to the door, candle held aloft to allow him a proper view. Setting the candle down on a small table, he opened the door to find the sheriff and several other officers.
"Miroku, please step outside and come with us." The sheriff said, motioning to him.
"I… I don't understand." Miroku stammered, wondering what this was about. "Did someone inform you my pistol was missing?"
"It's been found already. The bank was robbed; the tellers scared to death." The sheriff replied harshly, "Now are you going to come quietly?"
"I didn't do it!" Miroku shouted, taking a small step back. "I couldn't have!"
Two officers came forward, grabbing him and binding his hands with a rough length of rope. Miroku didn't try to fight them, knowing it was hopeless. They trudged down the snow-covered road, heading for the jailhouse. The guard tipped his hat to the sheriff as he came in. Unlocking the cell door, the guard sneered at Miroku. The young man was sure he caught something about him getting what he deserved.
They came for him one winter's night.
Arrested, he was bound.
They said there'd been a robbery,
His pistol had been found.
They marched him to the station house,
He waited for the dawn.
And as they led him to the dock,
He knew that he'd been wronged.
"You stand accused of robbery,"
He heard the bailiff say.
He knew without an alibi,
Tomorrow's light would mourn his freedom.
Over the hills and far away,
For ten long years he'll count the days.
Over the mountains and the seas,
A prisoner's life for him there'll be.
Miroku sat on the hard cot in his cell, as the night grew darker. The sound of the door slamming shut and being locked replaying over and over in his mind. He never heard one of the townsman enter and ask the guard to have a word with him. Miroku looked up as the cell was opened and the innkeeper stepped in.
"Miroku, you're going to be sentenced as guilty if you don't speak up. I know you weren't in town this night, I saw you riding in this evening." The innkeeper said in hushed tones. "Why not tell them where you were?"
"I cannot, InuYasha." His sullen voice replied, hot tears of anger forming. "I will not trade my freedom for hers. You are a good man, but I will accept this false judgement if it means she is safe."
He knew that it would cost him dear,
But yet he dare not say.
Where he had been that fateful night,
A secret it must stay.
He had to fight back tears of rage.
His heart beat like a drum.
For with the wife of his best friend,
He spent his final night of freedom.
Over the hills and far away,
He swears he will return one day.
Far from the mountains and the seas,
Back in her arms again he'll be.
Over the hills and far away.
Over the hills and,
Over the hills and,
Over the hills and far away.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
News soon reached over the hills, and far away. Sango's heart ached deeply as she sat in the parlor with her female friends. One made a comment about Miroku being her husband's best friend, and how frightening it must be for Sango.
"Yes, frightening." She whispered, "I must be leaving, do forgive me."
Her hurried and unladylike footsteps brought her quickly to her home, where she found a messenger awaiting her. He held out a telegraph, stating that her husband had been killed in the line of duty. She cried. The messenger gave her a sympathetic look, figuring that she was distraught over the loss of her husband. The messenger didn't know her tears weren't for him, but for the man she loved who was sitting in a jail. Her wish had come true, only to be stained with loss.
Sango moved inside quickly, picking up her quill and a piece of parchment. She began the letter by informing Miroku of her husband's death, but had to stop to keep her tears from causing the ink to run. It would be a long while, but she told him she would wait. She would always love him.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
The evening sun was sinking low over the hills, the light dimming in his cell as the remains of his supper was taken away and replaced by a letter. Picking it up, he recognized the handwriting. His beloved Sango has written him. Miroku cried, reading her letter. Would cry with every letter that he received, knowing that he didn't deserve her unconditional love. With the tears, the letters gave him hope. He knew, one day, that he would be free and would see Sango again. He longed for those days.
Each night within his prison cell,
he looks out through the bars.
He reads the letters that she wrote.
One day he'll know the taste of freedom.
Over the hills and far away,
She prays he will return one day.
As sure as the rivers reach the seas,
Back in his arms again she'll be.
Over the hills and far away,
he swears he will return one day.
Far from the mountains and the seas,
Back in her arms again he'll be.
Over the hills and far away,
She prays he will return one day.
As sure as the rivers reach the sea,
Back in her arms is where he'll be.
Over the hills,
Over the hills and far away.
Over the hills,
Over the hills and far away.