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Along Came a Serpent pt. III
“Sango …”
‘Who is that …?’
“Sango.”
‘Why do you keep calling to me?’
“Sango, are you awake?”
Startled at the close voice, my eyes shot open with a gasp. When my vision focused I stared up at the small kitsune that was looking guiltily down at me. The shouji door was open, letting in the rays of the late afternoon sun. Hoisting myself up by my elbows, I resisted the urge to yawn and turned my attention back to Shippo, “I’m sorry, must have dozed off there. Is something wrong?”
He fidgeted slightly under my gaze, “Not really, um. I was kinda wondering if I could play with your kitty. Please?”
Kirara poked her head out from behind the boy, her tails wagging in merriment. “Sure thing. Have fun you two.”
“Aw thanks, Miss Sango! Come on, Kirara!”
The two trotted playfully out onto the deck and down the hallway, while I followed closely behind. I smiled to myself, continuing to the front of our home as Shippo and Kirara met up with Kohaku in the garden. The streets were nearly empty, common for this time of day. Many of the women and daughters were inside helping to prepare supper for their families, while the men of the households took time to relax in their living space. The only commotion would have to be at the fortress gate, where a small group was waiting to welcome whatever visitor was on the other side.
“Alright, men! Ichi – ni – heave!!”
The weighty logs of the gate dug out from under the earth as four brawny villagers pulled at the ropes to open it. A lone figure stood in its absence, nearly invisible against the mountains’ shadows and amber sky. He stepped forwards, chimes of godliness driving away any evil that might hear it. Black and purple robes floated about him, while his cheery expression betrayed the hours of tedious walking.
Father had now walked to stand by my side once more, placing a hand on my shoulder, “It seems the monk has arrived. To find our village in one day, this group of travelers must be very skilled.”
I barely acknowledged his comment, merely giving him a simple “Mm-hm” while nodding my head. I could do no more, for I was captivated. This man – this houshi, I’d seen him before … somewhere. His smile, that expression, they were all so familiar. The dull ache that began to form in my mind was overpowered by my quickening heartbeat, the butterflies that were racing around inside of me.
The monk was guided in our direction, both him and chichi-ue bowing to one another as a greeting. “Tell me,” he started, “Is this the village of demon slayers that I have been seeking?”
“You are correct, houshi-sama. We have been expecting you. Earlier this morning your companions arrived and explained the whole situation. You will find them back at our home, where you are welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“You are too kind. In return I will gladly perform any needed exorcisms. I am much obliged.”
“Yes, on that matter …” Chichi-ue pressed lightly on my back, causing me to take a timid step forward to stand between the two of them. “My daughter, Sango, we believe has been possessed during a recent attack on the village.”
Flustered, my eyes left the ground to look up at the monk. It was maddening, not knowing how I had seen him before. Those eyes, they looked as if I had gazed into them for many a’ moons. Perhaps time had frozen, or perhaps the two of us were just taking an extremely long time in examining each other. He seemed equally as puzzled as I did, his dark eyebrows creasing in the strain of remembrance. His violet-tinted eyes seemed to burrow into my soul, searching for something just as I was.
“Ahem.”
Startled at chichi-ue loudly cleared his throat, the two of us seemed to snap out of whatever trance we were in and looked away from each other. The monk turned back to him, his expression now serious, “She is indeed possessed. There is a faint demonic aura present, but not enough for a modern human to take note of. I suspect that it is a dormant spirit. She will not show any major symptoms of possession until the oni decides to make others aware of its existence.”
“I see. So how long will it take to rid her of the youkai completely?”
“Only time will tell that,” the houshi responded. “It all depends on the strength of the possessor. As of this moment, that information remains unknown.”
“It appears that you might be staying for a while then. Please do your best to cure my daughter. We are most grateful to your services. Do tell us your name.”
“I go by the name Miroku,” he replied, his expression faltering slightly from serious to pride.
“Ah, a holy name to suit a holy man,” My father gave a little chuckle of amusement. “Please, for now let us rest. We can talk more about your mission back at our home.” Chichi-ue turned to leave, gesturing with his hand for us to follow him. Miroku glanced over to me when I didn’t move.
Hesitantly I shook my head at his silent question, and called over to my father, “I’ve rested long enough today. I’m going to take a walk, please start supper without me.” Without receiving a reply, I spun on my heels and quietly walked off in the opposite direction.
-*-
I was unaware if the sun had set outside or not. The candle dishes set up by the village burned in every corner, banishing the darkness as the light bounced off of glistening stalactites and stalagmites. I sat, silent, and gazed in adoration at the stone-cast woman who shone as bright as a celestial maiden. The essence of this frozen priestess seemed to sooth my troublesome thoughts. Ever since I was a little girl I would come to Midoriko’s cave, for within its walls I would find peace of mind. Even now, these sudden emotions that came flooding in with the mention of that monk – it seemed that the miko was taking on the role of my guardian angel.
“Midoriko-sama, help me understand.”
I was certain that I had never come across the travelers while on a mission. Father had said I hadn’t left the village before it was attacked, and there I woke as well. Then there was that dream … whatever it was, anyway. I couldn’t remember it. All that refused to part with me was that houshi’s face. Was it a premonition? Were the gods trying to warn me about some foreboding crisis? It didn’t make any sense. Far be it for me to think of a monk as a lurking danger. Even so, there was something I needed to remember. That dream was a puzzle, and the key piece to figuring it out lies with the houshi.
Sandaled footsteps were heard from behind me, causing me to leisurely turn my head to see whom the approaching visitor was. The chimes of his shakujo were an immediate giveaway. I stood, debating whether or not to sneak past him and leave. I looked back at Midoriko, and something inside me told me to stay.
Wordlessly, Miroku made his way down the cavern. He stopped an arm’s reach from me, before raising his hand below his chin and began to pray. Throughout the few minutes of silence I struggled to draw conclusions. To speak, to move, to leave, to look at him – all seemed impossible to do.
“My comrades have informed me of the story of this priestess. It is truly unfortunate that such a pure maiden should meet a demise so unbefitting. I at least wanted to see her tomb and pay my respects to the woman who still battles for innocence within the shikon no tama.” His words were smooth and unhurried, his voice calming yet unnerving me at the same time.
It was maddening. I needed to know. If I suppressed myself any longer I would surely craze.
“Who are you?”
Miroku seemed to smile, though I refused to meet his gaze. We both stared up at the magnificent priestess, wishing she would settle the quarrel that was eating away at me from the inside, and perhaps him as well. “I am nothing more then a monk …” he paused, his silky tone never faltering. “Though it appears we share the same desire.”
At this I finally looked over to him, catching the gasp before it escaped my throat. He continued to gaze upon the miko as he spoke, “The moment you were presented to me a sense of familiarity accompanied you. My immediate thought was that you were a woman I met one time or another while journeying, but never once in my travels have I come across a taijiya.” Finally his navy eyes came to rest on my own, causing my breath to hitch. “It troubles me to feel so at home with a woman I can’t remember.”
My mind struggled for words, completely flabbergasted, “My … my thoughts exactly.”
Miroku set his shakujo against a large stalagmite, before turning towards me. With every footstep my heartbeat seemed to get louder and louder. Calmly he took my hands in his, examining the white cloth hiding my palm. His right hand, clothed in a purple glove, reached up to tuck a stray hair behind my ear. His hand remained there to linger against my cheek, the material rough like his calloused fingers. On impulse I mimicked him, my cold fingers warming to the softness of the side of his lean face.
“How do I know you …?” I questioned silently to the air, almost unaware that I had said it. His eyes were mesmerizing, filled with something I barely understood but returned with as much affection. He seemed helpless to give me an answer, knowing nothing more then I did. He stared at me with the same intensity, reflecting the longing, wonder, and need. There was a void in my heart, and it suddenly scream that he was the cure to filling it.
Mindless in the spell of his eyes, I couldn’t stop myself from leaning towards him, my feet arching up slightly to rise to his level. He did not disappoint, craning his neck down as he stepped closer as well. Eyes closed, our lips hesitantly brushed against each other for a brief moment. This fleeting touch occurred twice more, before we finally met in a chaste kiss. My breath caught, knowing this was the first time I had kissed a man yet it felt like I had done it many times before, with him.
When he arms circled around my waist my own found their way around his neck, eager to keep in contact with him. It wasn’t long before our kiss became more passionate, more demanding. Miroku lightly grazed his teeth against my bottom lip, gently encouraging me to open up to him. Though fully flustered, my lips willingly parted to greet his roaming tongue. It was all so foreign but recognizable at the same time. It scared and both excited me. After a decent amount of time the houshi broke free of our kiss, barely stopping to catch his breath as his made a trail of kisses across my jaw to my ear.
It was beginning to feel hard to stand, my knees suddenly shaky. Leaning back slightly, my back suddenly came to rest against the cave wall. Now finding at least this little support I pressed against the monk, finding Miroku’s small ponytail very amusing while I twirled it around between my fingers. He had traveled down to my neck now, lightly pushing down the side of my yukata to reveal my shoulder.
The sudden cold air made me gasp, “Houshi-sama!”
Both of us stilled immediately, images coursing through our heads. It seemed as if I had called him that many, many times in the past. Our eyes looked upon each other again, navy meeting cinnamon, and we both understood that we were on the brink of something. Once more our lips crashed together in a fierce exchange of emotion, desperate to learn the truth about each other.
The candles continued to flicker as words gave way to touch. From above, the guardian Midoriko watched over us with eyes of understanding.
-*-
((Conveniently placed plot divider ninja ))
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“Ahhh, what’s takin’ that damn bouzo so long?” InuYasha grumbled from his lying position on the fence. The miko Kagome was by his side, rolling her eyes at the irritated hanyou.
“Miroku’s a very religious man. He probably wants to offer his prayers to Midoriko respectfully. That and the fact she’s beautiful and he’s probably …” Kagome stilled her voice when she saw houshi-sama and I nearing, side by side. “Huh … now I’m a bit curious.” She was having a hard time pushing down the regret for not spying on the two of us.
InuYasha, on the other hand, took one sniff and didn’t bother to hide his look of disgust, “********’ lecher.”
“InuYasha will you quit it with the attitude already? Jeesh, you can be such a jerk at times!” Kagome nearly hissed at him, defending the houshi who was still out of hearing distance.
“Keh! At least I’m not the one bleeding my way into the hearts of women just to get into their beds,” InuYasha retorted, his grimacing expression never faltering as he crossed his arms. “You think he’s so humble. If you knew what I know you’d change your mind about the bouzo houshi in a blink of an eye.”
“How can you say that? Miroku may be a pervert but he wouldn’t do something like that.”
It was InuYasha who rolled his eyes this time, “Believe what you want. But I ain’t letting him get away with it this time.”
By the time we had reached the fence the hanyou had already hopped off it, standing unnervingly still as he leered his golden eyes at us, “I thought you knew better, houshi.”
“I beg your pardon?” Miroku stilled his feet a fair distance from his other companions, willing me to stand by him.
“Making little attempts here and there to get some village girl to fall for you. It bugged me but I always thought you were decent enough to leave it at that.”
My heartbeat began to thud loudly. What on earth was he talking about? My eyes went back and forth between InuYasha and houshi-sama. InuYasha looked repulsed, Miroku was unreadable, his mouth drawing into a thin line. The hanyou couldn’t possibly know what we did. Did we appear disheveled? Did he smell it? Or maybe he was coming to assumptions. In any case, it was increasingly hard to understand what this conversation was about.
“Tell me, houshi,” InuYasha began, his lips curling into an insincere smile. “I wonder what a taijiya woman would do if she found out that the man she just slept with is a common skirt-chasing flirt?”
I stopped breathing. I paled at the half demon’s words, denial trying to cover up the blow to my heart. My frail eyes gazed up at houshi-sama, desperate to hear him call the hanyou a liar. He refused to meet me, merely staring intently forward.
“I can’t wait to see what’ll happen when you try to leave. She could, and I hope she will, kick your sorry a**.” InuYasha finally concluded, adding a heartless little cackle at the end. Kagome seemed to be in such a state of shock that the word ‘sit’ didn’t even come to mind.
“I’m not.”
“Eh?” InuYasha lazily questioned, opening one of his eyes to peer back at the houshi.
“I’m not going to leave her,” Miroku stated once more, his eyes determined. Dropping his staff he turned and cupped my hands in his own, eyes locking. “Sango …” he said loud enough so InuYasha could hear from where he was, “Only a few hours we have spent together … and yet it feels like I’ve known you for years. After meeting you … I never want you to leave my sight. Please, come journey with us – stay by my side.”
I felt a tear threaten to escape my eye and tried my best to blink it away. I nodded, swallowing as I fought for speech, “H-hai …”
InuYasha was speechless, watching as the houshi held me in a soft embrace, one hand stroking lightly at my hair. He looked truly perplexed about his comrade’s decision, bringing back a clawed hand to scratch at the silver locks behind his head. Of course he was aware of my strength, seeing as it was my profession, but at the moment he couldn’t retaliate in any way possible.
Kagome patted his back rather roughly, giving him a disappointed and threatening look, “InuYasha, after that rude accusation I think you owe both Miroku and Sango an apology.”
“…”
“Well?”
“Keh!”
“OSUWARI!”
thud
To me the arguing couple was at the back of my mind, next to the sound of Miroku’s heartbeat against my ear. Had I jumped too hastily into that? When I had said yes, I had completely forgotten about my obligations to the village. Even so, what would Kohaku and chichi-ue think? My hand loosely gripped at the houshi’s keso, the small action causing his arms to constrict me slightly tighter. I couldn’t ask him to stay and forget about his journey. But could I leave my home and everyone I cared about? A sinking feeling was beginning to form in my gut as the decision wavered in my mind.
To choose houshi-sama … or my family …
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*looks at her* Nah, it's fine, I was just asking. And I'm with Miroku-kun too - I wanted to know what happens next as much as he does ^ ^ 
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