Another Time by Leloi “My son… you have failed your line.”  Miroku’s eyes went wide, staring at the young man before him.  His robes indicated that he was a monk, like Miroku.  Grey eyes seemed to glow from beneath a careless mop of black hair.  “Father…” Miroku whispered, staring at the man. Miroku’s father nodded his head.  “My son… your time grows near.  Soon you will be taken as I was… as my father was.” “But… we’re close.  I’ve been close to Naraku so many times…”  Miroku shook his head, unwilling to believe his time would come so soon.  “I’m YOUNGER than you were when you were taken.  There must be some mistake.” “I was younger than my father.  You will be younger than I.” “When?  How much more time do I have, father?” The other monk gently wrapped his arms around Miroku from behind, holding him close.  “By this time next year.  And, my son, I know you still need an heir.”  “I can succeed…”  Miroku whispered. “You would take that gamble with our legacy?”  The other monk’s words were full of pain.  “I know whom your heart yearns for.  She won’t betray our line.” “I can’t ask her.  If she said no…” “My child… you don’t have that luxury.  If Naraku still lives by the end of the year, you WILL die.”  The other monk gently laid a hand on Miroku’s shoulder.  A small smile touched his lips.  “I missed seeing you grow.  You look so much like your mother.”  “Did you love her?” “With all my heart.”  ^.~ Miroku opened his eyes.  Staring dully at the ground before him, he stretched his fingers and his lower back from the position they had kept during his meditation.  That had been the first time he saw his father so clearly since his childhood when the man still lived.  It never occurred to him just how young his father had been. “There you are.  Dinner is ready.  Are you hungry, Houshi-sama?” The monk glanced up at Sango, stretching his legs a bit.  “Not really.” Sango blushed softly under his gaze and took a step back.  “I didn’t mean to interrupt your meditation.” “I was done.”  His eyes continued to stare at her. Nervously she looked away, but made no move to leave.  Almost as an afterthought she sat down.  “How do you… meditate?” Miroku finally looked away, shaking his head.  “I don’t know exactly… I just clear my mind and let myself drift.” “It sounds… relaxing.”  Sango tried to smile. “Sometimes I get visions… of the future.”  The monk frowned.  “Did you… see something?”  Sango turned to look at him, studying his every move. “Sango… I don’t have much time left in this world.” The demon hunter shook her head and looked away.  “Nonsense, Houshi-sama.  We’ll defeat Naraku and you’ll be free to live a long, healthy life.” “And if we don’t…”  His eyes studied his right hand.  “If we don’t defeat Naraku by this time next year… I won’t be there.” “You can’t know that.  How can you know that?”  Sango’s voice sounded desperate.  His eyes flickered back to hers.  “Sango… I’m going to die.  I don’t want to.  There’s so much I haven’t seen in this world… so much I haven’t experienced.  But I’m CURSED.”  Her eyes fell to the ground, unwilling to meet his.  “What can we do?” “Besides destroy Naraku?  Nothing.”  Miroku replied, rubbing the back of his hand.  Suddenly he let out a short chuckle.  “I don’t even have an heir…”  His voice gave out as his throat closed suddenly.  Tears cascaded down his cheeks.  “I’ve failed my family.”  His fingers hastily wiped away his tears, trying to regain composure.  Feeling something warm on his shoulder, he looked up.  Sango was hugging him.  Timidly she moved around to hug him completely.  “You won’t fail them.  You have friends who will make sure of that.  We’ll take care of Naraku.” Taking a shuddering breath, his hands slid around her waist.  “Don’t hit me.”  His arms locked and he hugged her close.  Her body was, as always, warm and comforting to him.  In his life he had had the opportunity to touch more women than he should, but Sango’s was by far the most comforting… even though she hit him.  “We’ll take care of Naraku… I promise.”  Her arms pulled him against her shoulder.  “Don’t cry.” “What good have I done?  Naraku is still alive… and I have nothing to show for this life.  My family line is gone with me.  It will be as if we never existed.  It’s what Naraku intended… for all of us to die.”   Miroku wiped his eyes on her shoulder, feeling foolish at his tears.  “I need to try… try for an heir.  It’s my duty.” Sango’s body froze a moment.  “You mean up until now you haven’t been trying?” Miroku sat up a bit to look into her face.  “Not really.  You’ve seen my success.” Sango dropped her eyes and blushed.  Quickly he leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers.  His hands caught both of hers before he pulled away to look at her again.  “Don’t slap me.” “I… wasn’t…”  Her eyes looked confused. His lips touched hers again, this time holding them there longer.  His hands released hers and slid up her arms to her shoulders.  For a long time he held her against him as his lips and tongue sought to consume her.  Almost regretfully he finally pulled away, resting his hands in his lap.  “I’ve been wanting to do that to you for a long time now.” “Me?  But I thought…” “Sango… I know I don’t deserve you.  But when I’m with you… I feel so alive.  These past few years I’ve mostly thought about my destiny.  Will I or won’t I follow in my father’s footsteps?  And since I’ve met you… I hope I don’t.” “Houshi-sama…” “I don’t want to push you into anything.”  Miroku continued to stare down at his hands.  “I don’t have much time… and I don’t want to be a be a burden.  I can’t ask you to give up your life for me.” “Miroku… I… don’t know what to say.” The monk looked up into her eyes, surprised.  Quickly he covered over his reaction by looking away.  “You don’t have say anything, Sango.  I wish my life could have been different… but then I never would have known any of you.  I think my curse was worth it to find you… and the others.  I’m just sorry it has to end so soon.” “Do you still want a child?”  Sango’s words were soft as her hand gently touched his. Miroku’s eyes returned to her.  “As long as my death is not in vain… As long as someone carries on… Whether it be of my blood… or someone I trust… I’ll be content.” Sango nodded.  “I promise.” The monk smiled and reached out to pull her into his arms.  “I’m sorry, Sango.  You deserve to be loved by a better man.  All I have to offer you is my heart.” The demon slayer snuggled against his chest.  Casually her hand reached into her kimono to pull out a small rosary.  “You gave this to me once…” His hand closed on hers.  “Keep it always.” Nodding, she rested her head on his shoulder.  “Always.” A sad look crossed his face and he stared down at her in concern.  “I want you to get married… after I’m gone and Naraku is destroyed.” Pained eyes stared up at him.  “Married?  You want me to marry…?” His fingertips brushed at her cheek.  “I want you to live the life I can’t share with you.” Tears filled her eyes as her arms wrapped around his neck, drawing his lips to hers.  For a long moment she held him before leaning back.  Slowly she pulled his body on top of hers. “The others will see…”  Miroku breathed, gently kissing her throat as he arranged himself on top of her. “I don’t care.”  Sango whispered as her hands fumbled with his robe. Glancing down at her questing hands he raised an eyebrow.  “What do you want me to do, Sango?” “Just this once… please, houshi-sama?”   “I don’t want to burden you… with a child, Sango.”  His lips took her throat again as his fingers lightly touched her hands. “Don’t worry about it.”  Managing to untie his robe, her hands explored his bare skin.  “You want this, don’t you?” Miroku’s eyes stared into hers, troubled.  Slowly he shook his head.  “Monks aren’t supposed to do this for pleasure…” Sango’s hands reached up to touch his face.  “Can you… be a man instead of a monk?” “I’m always a man.”  Leaning forward, he pressed his lips against hers.  Feeling his naked chest against her silk kimono made him feel giddy… and yet he stopped himself.  “Why, Sango?” “If I am to be married… I want at least once to be...” “No… I want you to marry someone you love.  I want you to be happy.”  His fingertips traced the outline of her cheek.  “Do I have to beg you, Miroku?” Slowly he closed his eyes and shook his head.  Never had she used his name so freely.  There was always the distance she kept between them.  Now that was broken.  “If it’s what you want.” Her hands tugged at her own kimono, opening it for him as her legs rubbed against his.  Finally the kimono parted, revealing her pale skin. One fingertip lightly traced a scar.  “So many scars…” “No one ever said being a demon slayer was easy.” “I wish… I could protect you.”  His eyes gazed into hers.  “So you wouldn’t be hurt.” “You can’t protect me.  All you can do is be with me now.”  “Sango…” “If you give me a child, I will carry it and cherish it.  I will raise it to honor his father, whether you are at my side… or in the next world.  I have no regrets for wanting to be with you, Houshi-sama.  None at all.” His lips consumed hers as his body rubbed against her skin.  “I want to be with you too… Buddha help me, I do.  I want…”  But Sango seemed distracted from his whispers.  Her eyes were focused over his shoulder so he turned to look.  The others stood there, staring down at them.  Kagome’s face held a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.  Trying to cover her reaction with a look down at the ground, she scooped up Shippou who lingered at her ankles.  “Come on, Shippou.” Inuyasha had his arms crossed over his chest as he stared down at the two with almost annoyance.  His glance back at Kagome showed the envy he felt… the envy he tried to hide. Shippou only looked confused.  “What is he doing to her?”  His voice was small and young as Kagome carried him away. Inuyasha watched Kagome go before looking back at the two on the ground.  “In case you haven’t heard… dinner is ready.” Miroku made no move to get up from where he lay on top of Sango.  His robes covered them both protectively.  “I heard, thank you.” “Houshi… can’t you do that when we’re asleep or away or something?”  Inuyasha stared down at the monk and the demon slayer.  “Must you be out in the open?  You can’t even watch your back.”  A part of the hanyou’s voice was filled with concern.  If Miroku didn’t know any better, he would guess that Inuyasha was worried about them.  But… this was Inuyasha… and he could never show his true feelings.  “At least don’t do it someplace where Kagome can see it!”  Spinning on one foot, the dog demon stomped away. Miroku stared back down at Sango.  “Another time then?” Sango nodded and squirmed a bit, trying to get out from under him. The houshi sat up and began to readjust his robes as he watched her sit up to do the same with her own robes.  Quickly his body leaned in as he kissed her.  “I love you.”  Sitting back, he rewrapped himself. Sango stared back at him in stunned silence.  “You love me?” Satisfied that he was dressed, he sat and waited for her to finish.  “With all my heart.” A blush crossed her cheeks as she closed her kimono and stood to wrap it.  “I wondered about that…” “I…”  His words stalled as he tried to find the right ones.  “That’s not something I ever want you to doubt or be uncertain of.” Kneeling before him, her hands took his.  “And I don’t want you to doubt… I want my first time to be with you, Miroku.  If I can’t give you a child… I can at least return your love.” His name on her lips again made him feel excited.  His lips touched hers, at first a bit chastely and then filled with more and more passion.  Finally he broke off the kiss and embraced her.  “You already make me feel loved.  Your jealousies… your blushes when I’m near… I’ve noticed.  And I feel loved.”  Sango leaned her head against his chest.  “The others are waiting for us.” “I know.”  His arms tightened around her.  “I know…” --End Back to the Gallery