Disclaimer: Just go see chapter one, would you?
A/N: Sorry it took me awhile. Finals are a real mitch. I have a new record for days without sleep. Regardless, here is the next chapter, and I hope all you nice people who read/review enjoy it. Also, the Air Rip is the black hole in Miroku's hand. The japanese term is Kazaana, which I have seen translated as both Air Rip and Wind Tunnel. (For anyone who was confused)
Warning: some angst and FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF!
Chapter Seven
They had traveled far and hard across the Western Lands during the rest of the day. Sango had a wicked headache, but no other ill effects from her run in with Sesshoumaru. Miroku was not so lucky. He was cut up and had lost a good bit of blood. The only good thing was that he seemed to have acquired some youkai healing traits and was recovering rapidly.
Physically at least.
The monk rode on Kirara's back to avoid aggravating his wounds. He seemed not to be focused on his surroundings at all, green eyes staring unfocused into the distance. His tail was subdued, and his ears drooped. The others watched him with varying degrees of concern. He just wasn't acting like himself.
Sango kept a watch on him out of the corner of her eye. She had been surprised and a little flattered to hear of his reaction to her injury. Shippo had started to mention something else, but Inuyasha had silenced him, grabbing up the kit and threatening to let him be squashed if Kagome 'sat' him. Then he'd taken the youngster for a 'man-to-man' talk. Sango had no idea what that was all about – and neither did Kagome. They could only guess it had something to do with what Miroku had said in the canine tongue they did not understand.
She flicked her eyes at the monk again. He had been so pale when told of what he'd done. Sango guessed that up until now, this whole kitsune thing had not really bothered him overmuch. Compared to the certain death his Kazaana promised, it must have seemed quite mild. But the instance of going into youkai rage had shocked and perhaps frightened him.
The demon slayer frowned slightly to herself. What had been done to her village, herself and her family was horrific and painful. Yet it had only occurred recently. She wondered uneasily what it must have been like for Miroku to grow up, losing his father to the curse, and knowing that eventually it must take his life as well. Unless he somehow defeated Naraku, of course. She had the oddest vision of Miroku at the same age as Kohaku, and shivered at the comparison.
Kagome dropped back to walk beside her, eyes dark with worry.
"He's taking this really hard," the future girl murmured. Sango nodded. "I wish there was some way to calm him down or relax him or something to make him feel better."
Sango missed a step as a sudden thought came to her at Kagome's words.
"Do you think you can get Miroku and I some time alone tonight?" she blurted softly. The look Kagome gave her was shocked, and the demon slayer blushed furiously. "Not like that! I was thinking..." she murmured her plan to the other girl, who smiled and nodded.
"I'll get Inuyasha and Shippo to agree," the girl said confidently. "I'll take care of them, so you can take care of him."
Sango blushed again, and then scowled at herself irritably. Why was she thinking like that? She was getting as bad as Miroku himself!
~
Miroku sat staring dully into the fire, resting against the large Kirara's side. His wounds ached slightly, but that was of little concern to him. After all, there was no time when the Wind Tunnel did not hurt him, at least slightly.
He had been overcome with a demon rage.
He had attacked Sesshoumaru like a mindless animal.
He could not even remember what he had said or done.
The monk clenched his fists so tightly his claws drew blood from his palms. What was going to happen to him? Would he eventually be like Inuyasha, where he would lose himself so entirely that he would slaughter innocents and not even recognize his own friends?
The idea terrified him more than he would ever admit to anyone.
Miroku barely noticed when Inuyasha, Shippo and Kagome left the camp to fish for dinner. But he could not help but notice when someone sat down beside him, so close that her left leg touched his right one. His head snapped up in shock to stare into Sango's warm eyes.
"S-Sango?" he asked, confused. She was sitting so close she was touching him. Of her own free will. For an instant he wondered if some shape shifting youkai had taken her form.
"Keep your hands where I can see them, Houshi-sama," she said, dispelling his doubts that it was really her. The demon slayer smiled a little uncertainly. "But we did have a deal, didn't we? And you haven't groped me today."
Miroku had almost forgotten their deal until she reminded him. He felt his ears perk up in surprise. His tail didn't wait for his mind to sort things out – it was already draping itself across her lap. He immediately reached out with one hand to reclaim it – and was shocked to feel her hand on his own. Sango's eyes were amused, and a little...shy?
"Leave it Miroku-san," she told him. His heart skipped a beat. Had she just called him by name? Then her slender but strong hands began to run through his fur, and that pleasant spine tingling, stomach-knotting sensation swept over him. His eyes slid half closed of their own accord. He struggled to maintain his dignity, but it was very difficult with her fingers playing through his fur like that.
"You – don't have to, Sango-san," he managed to say. How could he let her near him when he might potentially hurt her in the future? In response her fingers kneaded deeper into the flesh and fur of his tail, making that embarrassing half purr, half growl sound begin to rumble in his chest.
"I keep my deals, Miroku-san." She had called him by name again. Maybe he was dreaming? "And to be honest, I rather like your tail." Okay, he HAD to be dreaming. The monk managed to open his eyes and looked at her in confusion. She had the most charming pink blush on her face and her eyes were locked on his tail. "I know – this isn't like me. But I – we need you to be whole to complete this quest." His eyes started to slide closed again. Didn't she have any idea what she was DOING to him?
"Should stay away," he murmured with difficulty. "Might hurt you." The longer she worked on his tail the more relaxed and simultaneously aroused he was becoming. It was making his mind a bit hazy.
"Is that why you've been so upset?" Sango asked. He gave a slow nod. "You don't need to worry about that."
"How can you know?" Miroku was unconsciously leaning closer to her, almost shoulder to shoulder. "I don't remember what I did. Inuyasha – "
"Inuyasha is a half demon. His rages are the result of his body being too weak too cope with the demon blood within him." She glanced at him and blushed even redder. It was getting hard – er, difficult to ignore the physical evidence of what this was doing to him. "You're a human becoming a demon. There's no overlap. And full youkai only go into those rages for specific reasons and still remember the people they don't wish to harm. That's why you attacked Sesshoumaru and not Inuyasha or Kagome."
"I – did not know." He licked his lips. This was becoming the sweetest torture he'd ever endured. His growl/purr was rumbling his whole chest now. He wanted to take her right there. He wanted to not move and let her continue.
"Now you do." And Miroku was astonished to feel her hand on his face. His eyes snapped open, and he smelled something – some herb.
"Sango - ?" He felt suddenly so tired. Her face swam before him, looking wry and apologetic.
"You won't get better if you don't sleep, Miroku-san." She'd drugged him! He felt a stab of hurt. Had this only been an excuse to get close enough to knock him out? Then the hurt faded away into shock as she leaned forward and kissed him, oh so hesitantly and gently, on his lips. "You'll be fine. I'll watch over you."
Stunned, he slumped back against Kirara's side as the drug began to take full effect. What had just happened?
A/N: Sorry it took me awhile. Finals are a real mitch. I have a new record for days without sleep. Regardless, here is the next chapter, and I hope all you nice people who read/review enjoy it. Also, the Air Rip is the black hole in Miroku's hand. The japanese term is Kazaana, which I have seen translated as both Air Rip and Wind Tunnel. (For anyone who was confused)
Warning: some angst and FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF!
Chapter Seven
They had traveled far and hard across the Western Lands during the rest of the day. Sango had a wicked headache, but no other ill effects from her run in with Sesshoumaru. Miroku was not so lucky. He was cut up and had lost a good bit of blood. The only good thing was that he seemed to have acquired some youkai healing traits and was recovering rapidly.
Physically at least.
The monk rode on Kirara's back to avoid aggravating his wounds. He seemed not to be focused on his surroundings at all, green eyes staring unfocused into the distance. His tail was subdued, and his ears drooped. The others watched him with varying degrees of concern. He just wasn't acting like himself.
Sango kept a watch on him out of the corner of her eye. She had been surprised and a little flattered to hear of his reaction to her injury. Shippo had started to mention something else, but Inuyasha had silenced him, grabbing up the kit and threatening to let him be squashed if Kagome 'sat' him. Then he'd taken the youngster for a 'man-to-man' talk. Sango had no idea what that was all about – and neither did Kagome. They could only guess it had something to do with what Miroku had said in the canine tongue they did not understand.
She flicked her eyes at the monk again. He had been so pale when told of what he'd done. Sango guessed that up until now, this whole kitsune thing had not really bothered him overmuch. Compared to the certain death his Kazaana promised, it must have seemed quite mild. But the instance of going into youkai rage had shocked and perhaps frightened him.
The demon slayer frowned slightly to herself. What had been done to her village, herself and her family was horrific and painful. Yet it had only occurred recently. She wondered uneasily what it must have been like for Miroku to grow up, losing his father to the curse, and knowing that eventually it must take his life as well. Unless he somehow defeated Naraku, of course. She had the oddest vision of Miroku at the same age as Kohaku, and shivered at the comparison.
Kagome dropped back to walk beside her, eyes dark with worry.
"He's taking this really hard," the future girl murmured. Sango nodded. "I wish there was some way to calm him down or relax him or something to make him feel better."
Sango missed a step as a sudden thought came to her at Kagome's words.
"Do you think you can get Miroku and I some time alone tonight?" she blurted softly. The look Kagome gave her was shocked, and the demon slayer blushed furiously. "Not like that! I was thinking..." she murmured her plan to the other girl, who smiled and nodded.
"I'll get Inuyasha and Shippo to agree," the girl said confidently. "I'll take care of them, so you can take care of him."
Sango blushed again, and then scowled at herself irritably. Why was she thinking like that? She was getting as bad as Miroku himself!
~
Miroku sat staring dully into the fire, resting against the large Kirara's side. His wounds ached slightly, but that was of little concern to him. After all, there was no time when the Wind Tunnel did not hurt him, at least slightly.
He had been overcome with a demon rage.
He had attacked Sesshoumaru like a mindless animal.
He could not even remember what he had said or done.
The monk clenched his fists so tightly his claws drew blood from his palms. What was going to happen to him? Would he eventually be like Inuyasha, where he would lose himself so entirely that he would slaughter innocents and not even recognize his own friends?
The idea terrified him more than he would ever admit to anyone.
Miroku barely noticed when Inuyasha, Shippo and Kagome left the camp to fish for dinner. But he could not help but notice when someone sat down beside him, so close that her left leg touched his right one. His head snapped up in shock to stare into Sango's warm eyes.
"S-Sango?" he asked, confused. She was sitting so close she was touching him. Of her own free will. For an instant he wondered if some shape shifting youkai had taken her form.
"Keep your hands where I can see them, Houshi-sama," she said, dispelling his doubts that it was really her. The demon slayer smiled a little uncertainly. "But we did have a deal, didn't we? And you haven't groped me today."
Miroku had almost forgotten their deal until she reminded him. He felt his ears perk up in surprise. His tail didn't wait for his mind to sort things out – it was already draping itself across her lap. He immediately reached out with one hand to reclaim it – and was shocked to feel her hand on his own. Sango's eyes were amused, and a little...shy?
"Leave it Miroku-san," she told him. His heart skipped a beat. Had she just called him by name? Then her slender but strong hands began to run through his fur, and that pleasant spine tingling, stomach-knotting sensation swept over him. His eyes slid half closed of their own accord. He struggled to maintain his dignity, but it was very difficult with her fingers playing through his fur like that.
"You – don't have to, Sango-san," he managed to say. How could he let her near him when he might potentially hurt her in the future? In response her fingers kneaded deeper into the flesh and fur of his tail, making that embarrassing half purr, half growl sound begin to rumble in his chest.
"I keep my deals, Miroku-san." She had called him by name again. Maybe he was dreaming? "And to be honest, I rather like your tail." Okay, he HAD to be dreaming. The monk managed to open his eyes and looked at her in confusion. She had the most charming pink blush on her face and her eyes were locked on his tail. "I know – this isn't like me. But I – we need you to be whole to complete this quest." His eyes started to slide closed again. Didn't she have any idea what she was DOING to him?
"Should stay away," he murmured with difficulty. "Might hurt you." The longer she worked on his tail the more relaxed and simultaneously aroused he was becoming. It was making his mind a bit hazy.
"Is that why you've been so upset?" Sango asked. He gave a slow nod. "You don't need to worry about that."
"How can you know?" Miroku was unconsciously leaning closer to her, almost shoulder to shoulder. "I don't remember what I did. Inuyasha – "
"Inuyasha is a half demon. His rages are the result of his body being too weak too cope with the demon blood within him." She glanced at him and blushed even redder. It was getting hard – er, difficult to ignore the physical evidence of what this was doing to him. "You're a human becoming a demon. There's no overlap. And full youkai only go into those rages for specific reasons and still remember the people they don't wish to harm. That's why you attacked Sesshoumaru and not Inuyasha or Kagome."
"I – did not know." He licked his lips. This was becoming the sweetest torture he'd ever endured. His growl/purr was rumbling his whole chest now. He wanted to take her right there. He wanted to not move and let her continue.
"Now you do." And Miroku was astonished to feel her hand on his face. His eyes snapped open, and he smelled something – some herb.
"Sango - ?" He felt suddenly so tired. Her face swam before him, looking wry and apologetic.
"You won't get better if you don't sleep, Miroku-san." She'd drugged him! He felt a stab of hurt. Had this only been an excuse to get close enough to knock him out? Then the hurt faded away into shock as she leaned forward and kissed him, oh so hesitantly and gently, on his lips. "You'll be fine. I'll watch over you."
Stunned, he slumped back against Kirara's side as the drug began to take full effect. What had just happened?