Chapter 14: For Granted

"Ow!" Alice yelled in pain as she hopped on one foot.

A thorn had found its way through her thin shoe and was lodged painfully in her foot.

"Are you alright?" Miroku asked while looking back at Alice.

"What does it look like?" Alice snapped back painfully.

"Here, let me help you get that thorn out of your foot," Miroku replied calmly as he bent down and held Alice's foot with the thorn imbedded in it.

Alice blushed a bit before stifling back a yelp of pain as Miroku tugged the thorn out of her foot. She couldn't help noticing though that Sango had walked away from the group and was glaring in her direction and sighed.

When Miroku was down Alice thanked him and everyone went on with their journey. As they ran through the forest Alice couldn't help but think of reasons why Sango would act that way towards her.

Maybe she was just frustrated that I was holding the group back or she expected a little more from me. Alice sighed so much for a happy journey. Just then Alice noticed a small bridge ahead of them and she felt awe and excitement build up inside her.

"Wow, what a beautiful river!" She exclaimed as she slowed down and came to a halt.

Everyone looked back at Alice with amusement shinning in their eyes as Miroku replied with a chuckle, "It is isn't it? Since we're here why don't we take a little rest?"

Alice nodded eagerly as she stared into the clear depths of the water as Kagome and everyone else settled down on the bridge.

"Hey Sango, is there any special trick to using the Hiraikotsu?" Kagome asked trying to start a conversation among the group.

"Uh yeah," Sango replied while turning to Kagome.

"As expected, the Hiraikotsu is quite large and not easy to use," Miroku put in.

The Hirakotsu must be the weapon that Sango uses to fight huh? I wish I could learn how to use it Alice thought envying Sango for a moment.

"I guess you needed a lot of practice to learn how to use it huh?" Alice asked as Sango nodded yes.

Alice sighed, "Well there goes me trying to learn how to use a weapon like that, I don't think I'd last through such training."

"You're a little small to be using such a weapon but if you'd like I could teach you step by step how to use it," Miroku offered kindly, "I'm sure with both Sango and I teaching, you should get the technique down in no time."

Alice's eyes lit up in interest and excitement before Sango replied flatly, "Sure, fine."

At this Alice immediately pushed away all her previous feelings and told Miroku, "Thanks for the offer but I don't think I really need the training."

Sango still had an angry look on her face as Miroku replied, "Okay, but if you do need any help with anything you know where to find me."

Alice sighed as she saw that Miroku's kind tone did nothing to help with Sango's emotions as they continued on towards the village.

Just then it hit Alice. Could Sango be jealous that Miroku is giving me a lot of attention? But why would she be jealous, he's just trying to help out. Alice shook her head clear of the thoughts while following after the others.

As the group continued on, Alice stared in awe at the mountains beginning to form in the forest and soon saw the entrance to the village.

"Finally, we've made it to Tsuzumi Village," Shippo said happily.

"Yeah," Alice replied looking up at the towering mountains in front of her.

Just then a demon roared, causing Alice to jump in surprise and look towards the roar's direction. What she saw made her immediately draw her sword.

A man was being chased by a skeletal bird demon and was headed their way.

"Help!" the man yelled towards them.

"Get behind me, quick!" Sango instructed as she raised her Hiraikotsu.

The man did what Sango said with no hesitation and after seeing the man was safe, Sango threw her Hiraikotsu which easily killed the demon in one hit.

"Good hit Sango," Kagome praised as Sango caught the Hiraikotsu and put it behind her back where it was before.

"Thank you so much," the man said while bowing towards Sango, "This area has become so dangerous lately and when I was shopping for the upcoming festival I found myself being chased by that demon. I didn't know if I was going to survive."

"Well then you're lucky you ran into us," Inuyasha replied as the man nodded.

"Yeah, I'm glad you're okay," Shippo put in.

"Thank you so much for helping me," the man repeated before looking over at everyone and continuing on, "You look as if you're in the middle of a journey, but if you'd like you can stay at my place for the night. It's the least I can do for saving me."

"Oh you don't have to do that," Alice replied modestly before Miroku cut in saying to her, "It would be rude to say no to his offer."

"I know but I'd like to get a little more ground covered than this Miroku," Alice told him stubbornly.

"I wouldn't mind sleeping in a real bed tonight," Kagome said nicely.

"Kagome, you too?" Alice replied before sighing and continuing, "Okay I guess we can stay here for the night."

"Great, then if you'd come with me I'll take you to my house," the man said as he guided everyone to his house.

Once there, the man turned around and said, "Well here we are, it's not much but you're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like. The rest of the highway is blocked anyway."

"You mean the highway that goes to the castle?" Alice asked worriedly.

"Yes, with all of the heavy rainfall that has occurred the land has weakened and a landslide blocked the highway. So no one can use the highway until it's fixed," the man explained.

"That's unfortunate," Kagome said in disappointment while Miroku added sarcastically, "What luck we have."

Alice noticed though that Miroku was smiling as Shippo, who'd also noticed this, pointed out, "You look pretty happy though Miroku."

"Not at all, why would I be?" Miroku replied before turning to the old man and continuing, "Anyway, are there any girls my age in this village?"

Well this doesn't surprise me Alice thought as the man replied confusedly, "What?"

"Now I get it," Inuyasha said as he looked towards Miroku. Alice sighed as she saw Sango walk towards the exit of the house.

"Hey Sango, where are you going?" Alice asked as Sango stopped in her tracks.

Without looking back at anyone Sango replied, "If we're going to be staying here for a while then I'm going to see if anyone knows anything about the castle." And with that, Sango left the house.

"Is she a Demon Slayer? She does have a Demon Slayer's weapon," the man asked after Sango left.

"Yes, she is," Miroku replied.

"I see. It's uncommon to see a Demon Slayer now and days" the old man said, "Since that incident we don't see many around here, or anywhere, anymore."

"Demon Slayer? What's that?" Alice asked curiously.

"It's a specially trained person who goes after demons," Miroku explained.

"She used to live in the Demon Slayer Village," Kagome added.

"I see" Alice said while nodding her head.

"Yeah, but don't talk about it in front of Sango," Kagome told her.

"Why?" Alice asked before remembering what Kagome said earlier and adding more seriously, "What did you mean by she used to live there anyway?"

Kagome sighed and Alice's heart was stabbed with pity as she saw her brown eyes, usually so warm and welcoming, become sad as she responded, "You see, a while ago the village was completely annihilated through Naraku's trickery and deception."

Alice felt her heart grow heavy with sadness as she asked almost timidly, "Wha… What happened to Sango's family?"

"Well," Kagome replied before looking towards Miroku and nodding for him to finish.

Miroku's face became twisted with anger and sadness as he explained, "The only ones that survived the attack were Sango and her little brother, who was later taken by Naraku."

Alice's eyes opened wide in astonishment as she heard the news and looked down at the ground in shock.

"Damn Naraku!" Inuyasha growled.

Alice let her snow white bangs cover her face as she replied sadly, "I didn't realize…"

Everyone sighed and sat down in silence, waiting for Sango to return.

What a horrible person I am! Alice rebuked herself I should've thought more about Sango, especially when I saw the pain in her eyes after being with Miroku. Alice bit her cheek and waited with the others patiently for Sango.

It was about sunset when she returned, and when she did everyone got up as she greeted, "I'm back!"

"Welcome back," Miroku replied happily before asking, "So, did you find anything out?"

"No, surprisingly not many people in this village know anything about the castle," Sango replied in disappointment.

Miroku sighed while saying, "Well we can't use the highway and it is getting late, so we might as well take it easy."

"Exactly," the owner of the house, Densuke said before continuing on, "Your beds are ready, why don't you call it a day and try to get some rest."

"Thank you so much, and I think I'll take you up on that offer," Alice replied with a yawn, "Good night everyone, don't stay up too late."

Alice then crawled into bed but before she shut her eyes she grabbed the necklace Kakuju gave her and prayed. Please let this work and after that she closed her eyes and fell to sleep.

The next morning was pretty peaceful to Alice's eyes.

She woke up had a small breakfast and after everyone finished Miroku said, 'How about we take the day off today?"

Alice, as well as everyone else in the room, stared at Miroku questioningly before replying, "Sure, that would be nice, but why may I ask?"

"I think it's because he found a pretty girl in the village," Shippo said mischievously.

Alice sighed while thinking that Shippo's assumption was most likely right.

"No, it's such a beautiful day out and since the highway is blocked we might as well enjoy it," Miroku answered with a slight frown.

"Huh," Sango replied disbelievingly.

"No guys I… Well…" Miroku struggled but failed to explain.

"Ha, you guessed right," Inuyasha said not very surprised at the answer at all.

Miroku cleared his throat before he continued, "So who do you guys want to travel with today?"

"I think I'll go for a walk, it is a nice day out," Kagome replied while looking towards Inuyasha and asking, "Would you like to join me Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha nodded and the two left the house as Sango and Shippo stood up and said, "We're going shopping, see you two later."

"Well I guess it's just you and me then," Miroku said as he helped Alice up, "What do you want to do today?"

"How about we go for a walk?" Alice offered.

"Sounds great," Miroku replied as the two walked out of the house together.

As they headed towards a path along the mountain, Alice stretched and said happily, "It's so nice out! The mountain breeze is so fresh and there's not a gray cloud in sight."

Miroku smiled and replied, "Indeed it is."

"Yeah," Alice agreed as they climbed up the mountain trail.

When they reached a curve in the path Alice's eyes widened as she ran to the edge and stared in awe at the sight.

"Wow… I can see the whole world from here," She said happily.

Miroku laughed and answered, "I know, it's very inspiring. Is this your first time on a mountain this big?"

Alice nodded as Miroku continued, "So you're from Kagome's era right?"

Alice turned around and nodded while saying, "Yep, why? Do you want to ask me something about it?"

"No, I was just confirming what Kagome told us back then. Though I can't possibly imagine what it would be like to travel through time," Miroku answered.

"Oh it's not that bad," Alice replied while shrugging her shoulders.

"I remember a time when I missed my home and had no one to go to," Miroku added.

At this, Alice felt her light happiness give way to pity for the monk. "Aw Miroku, that's terrible."

"Don't be sad. But if you want to cry, you can cry on my shoulder," Miroku replied as he walked up to Alice and hugged her with one arm.

Alice immediately blushed and turned to look up at Miroku.

So he planned all of this huh? What a guy… Alice thought with a sigh as she said, "Miroku, I'm fine really."

"And you're a little too close for comfort," she finished as she lifted Miroku's arm and backed up a little.

"That was unexpected, I was just doing it for you," Miroku replied sadly.

"Like I said, I'm fine," Alice sighed as they continued on the trail.

It wasn't until sunset that they reached the lookout point of the mountain and immediately Alice ran forward and took in the sight.

"It's so pretty!" she exclaimed. Miroku nodded, amusement glowing in his purple eyes as he watched Alice marvel at the view.

After a few minutes, Miroku convinced Alice to come back down with him to Densuke's house before the others worried too much about them. Alice reluctantly agreed and followed Miroku down the slope.

As the evening sky began to envelope the sky Miroku spoke up and said, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but why were you so amazed over that sunset? Surely they occur in your time as well."

Alice looked at Miroku and smiled before replying, "Of course we have sunsets in my time as well it's just," Alice trailed off as she looked up at the stars before continuing, "Sunsets are beautiful and you never see the same one twice. This beauty is something that a lot of people in my world and maybe this world takes for granted. The sun rises and sets, it's really precious and inspiring. I guess I just want to take in everything I see and do because one day I might leave this world and all of its precious gifts."

Alice looked over to see Miroku staring at her with awe in his eyes and blushed saying, "What? Did I say something weird?"

Miroku shook his head before smiling back at her. "No it's just I've never thought of it that way. You're quite wise for someone so young."

At this Alice blushed even more but luck was on her side as she saw the Densuke's house and ran to it calling out, "Finally were back! Come on Miroku!"

Alice heard Miroku chuckle before she heard the jangling of his staff as he ran after Alice. Alice smiled as she raced through the dark forest towards the light of the house.


So Sango's past is revealed! It's not a pretty story but the truth is like that sometimes and that's why we should do as Alice said in the story and not take things for granted.

While I was writing this chapter one of my dear friends lost someone important to them from the disaster in Japan and it took both of us until that moment to realize all of the things we took for granted in out lives as well. Things like sunrises, sunsets, having breakfast, living in a home and many more. So after you read this chapter please sit back and think about all that has been given to you and don't take these everyday things for granted because one day you might just find yourself without.

Please read and review~