Sleepy eyelids lifted, his sight revealing the woman beside him, cradled comfortably in the blankets. Her brown hair was spread over her delicately framed body. She had a look of peace on her face. Under it all, the slightest hint of a smile. He let out a sigh. She was perfect. The man let a smile cross his face as he slipped out of the bed. It was a good time, and he knew he'd not disturb her slumber.
I'll let her sleep a while, he thought. She needs it. And so he left the room, stepping into a hallway, and into another kitchen like area. As normal, he sat down cross-legged. It's almost time, he continued in thought, I'm so nervous... I know she must be at least twice that. Ah, but what a wonderful woman she is...
His stare into dreamland ended abruptly, with the quick call of his name. "Miroku, quit your daydreaming. We got work to do." Inuyasha complained. Miroku glanced over to the hanyou sitting at the opposite end of the table. He sighed ruefully towards him. "Always out to kill a man's dreams, aren't you Inuyasha..." he said flatly to the hanyou. Inuyasha stood up, sending a dangerous glare towards Miroku. Miroku only smirked. He knew his relationship with Inuyasha as any. He wouldn't harm him. His smirk was accompanied with a light chuckle.
"My apologies, Inuyasha. Please, sit back down." Miroku had a way of persuading like no other, and effortless for a fight, Inuyasha sat. Inuyasha crossed his arms in his traditional way, closing his eyes. "I can tell we're close, Miroku. We should really go and get that shard..."
Miroku eyed him. "Who, exactly?" Inuyasha blinked, "You and me. Kagome can come if she wants, and Sango," he paused, "Sango... can stay here. Safe."
Miroku once more eyed the hanyou. "Inuyasha, you know I much dislike the idea of leaving Sango here. Alone none the less. I think I'd rather stay here."
Inuyasha looked upon the houshi with a slight glare. "I can't do this alone! Kagome's not that much of a help. If you haven't noticed yet, I do the primary battles!"
Miroku stood up, stepping over to the corner of the room, picking up his staff, which made a light jingle. "Inuyasha, I do believe you just asked for my help. I need a few moments to think it through, and not to mention get a nice breakfast for my darling. I'll return before long." Miroku then took a step outside, but paused, peeking his head back in. "And I do believe that Kagome-chan just heard that comment." With a smirk, he stepped out again. Inuyasha paused, then sighed, saying nothing.
Miroku walked into the busy street with a bit of a smirk left on his face. That Inuyasha, he pondered, he knows he loves Kagome-chan, but just won't say it. Ah, well. I suppose it'll be revealed someday... With a smile, he stepped up to a vendor child in the street, standing by a large wagon of items. The little girl looked up at him.
"Oh, good morning, Houshi-sama. Can I help you?"

Miroku kneeled down, his eyes focused on the young child. "Yes, indeed. I'd like two Fuji apples, and an orange, please." The little girl nodded, stepping to the other side of the cart, where she climbed up on a stool, reaching across the other fruits to get the apples. The tucked them between her forearm and her chest before reaching for the orange. It seemed like as soon as she had grabbed onto the fruit, she started wobbling falling backwards. Before she knew, Miroku had grabbed her, placing his hand under her back. Expecting to hit the ground, the child opened her previously clenched eyes one at a time, seeing the smiling houshi.
"Be careful now. I'm sure the last thing your mother wants is you falling and breaking an arm." Miroku helped her stand back up as she climbed down from her stool, handing him the three fruits in a small basket. It was cheaply made, as he could see, but he shrugged it off, handing the young girl a small pouch from the pocket in his sleeve. "That should cover it. Have a nice day now." he said calmly, stepping back towards the inn.
Miroku looked up into the sky with a slight smile. It really wouldn't be long. He started reflecting back on his memories, broadening his smile.
Once more, he was quickly called back from his dream world, this time, to the shriek of a woman. It was instinct that turned him back around, spying for the source. More loud noises came from another building, the one he stood just ahead of. The houshi stepped forward, and into the building, noting now that it was a bar like place. He looked around, seeing a man holding one of the tenders by her arm. She seemed to be uncomfortable, having the man pull her in like he did. Miroku sighed, stepping over, changing his tone of voice to a certain cold one.
"Excuse me, but I must insist that you release this woman. Immediately." he said daringly. The man, who was obviously drunk from the way he smelled, looked up at the newcomer with narrowed eyes. He didn't let go. Miroku brought up his staff, smacking it down hard onto the man's wrist. With a yelp, he let go, pulling his hand close to him. Miroku glared at him. "That is no way to treat a woman, understood? Now be nice, and don't let me catch you again committing this act." He turned to leave. The man would remember the houshi.
One of the bartenders tired stopping him for a quick thanks, but Miroku held up his hand to his chest, in a prayer, the sign for a goodbye. The bartender nodded, watching the houshi leave. Miroku sighed. It seemed rude, but he had a good reason... he wanted to get back to the inn. To his Sango.

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Back at the inn, Sango opened her eyes. She gave a slight moan of protest to the sun, taking in a deep breath. Sango placed her arm to the side, expecting to find a nice, soft Miroku there. She opened her eyes when she felt the spot was cold. With a slight grunt, she sat up, stretching. "Houshi-sama..." She stood up, with a little bit of effort, and walked herself over to the mirror that sat neatly on top of a dresser in the room they had rented. Sango's eyes stopped on her stomach. She smiled softly at it. The belly was quite large, obviously, it would be soon. Suddenly, she paused, looking down at it. With a soft giggle, she put her hands on her stomach, almost cradling it, in a way. "Good morning to you too, baby."
Sango then reached down, grabbing a hairbrush from the table, taking it to her nightly locks. It was a quick job, getting it back into its normal low ponytail. She looked about then, nodding when she laid eyes on her civilian outfit. Sango stepped over to it, placing her hand on the stomach part of the clothing. A few stitches had been made in the side as temporary extenders. The stitches were uneven on the first part of one, but then straightened as it went on.
Miroku had done it. Sango giggled, changing into the clothes. With a light sigh, she stepped out of the room, into the hallway, and down to the kitchen.

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