“Kukukuku” echoed in the darkness around them. 

Miroku looked one way and then the other, unsure where the laughter was coming from.  He took a step closer to Sango and quietly began to remove a coil of beads from his arm. 

“Where is he?” Sango breathed, readying her boomerang.

“I don’t know,” the monk replied.

Something large and white came at them.  They readied for battle but it was too late.  Two bodies hit the ground and knew no more.

^.~

Blinding light scalded his eyelids and his body felt like it was on fire.  Something cold and wet dribbled on his lips.  He sputtered and opened his eyes, coming face to face with a young woman who had dark skin.  She smiled at him and he smiled back, attempting to get up.  She took his arm and helped him sit as he took in his surroundings.  He was on a white sandy beach with a roaring ocean pummeling the shore.  Tall, lush, green trees stood nearby making a thick jungle.  Mountains rose high and jagged inland.  His eyes paused on the figure in black laying near him.  A young man attended to her.  “Will she be all right?” he asked the one beside him.

She smiled and blinked at him in confusion.

“My friend, will she be…?” he began again, but he could see no understanding in her eyes.  “You don’t speak Japanese, do you?”

The woman only smiled at him and tried to get him to his feet.

Miroku winced as the hot sand burned his toes.  His helper didn’t seem to notice the heat under her own bare soles.  He took a nervous glance at Sango.  “What about my friend?  I can’t leave her.”  He made a gesture towards his unconscious companion.

The young woman looked at him with interest.  She made a gesture to indicate Sango and tapped Miroku’s chest.  She brought her hands together and looked expectantly up at him.

“Yes!  Yes, she’s my companion.  I can’t leave her.”

The young woman smiled and called out in a strange language to her male companion attending Sango.  The male wore only a few leaves and swatches of grass in modest places.  Miroku stared at him in wonder as he lifted Sango and carried her effortlessly away.  The young woman pulled the monk to follow.

The village was a good distance away from the ocean.  They traveled through thick, steaming jungles to reach a small collection of grass huts.  Laughing, smiling, sun browned bodied children greeted the party.  They chattered at Miroku in a language he did not understand.

The small group stopped before a large hut.  Miroku stole a worried glance at Sango and was relieved to see that her eyes were open.  She was staring up at the one who carried her with a strange look on her face.

An older man who held an air of authority and wisdom stepped out of the hut.  He gave the monk and the demon slayer an appraising look.  He poked at the beads on Miroku’s right hand and looked deeply into his eyes.  He smiled and moved on to Sango.

The older man stepped back and gave them a few words that could have been a welcome.  A few men took Miroku’s arm, pulling him away to a hut.  He looked back to see Sango pulled off in another direction by a group of women.

He was washed and dressed in a style similar to the other men.  He would not allow them to touch his right arm, but the rest of his garments were pulled away and discarded.  It would have been rude to refuse.  He quietly allowed them to unbind his hair and add flowers tucked behind his left ear.  Necklaces of shell, nuts and leaves were placed around his neck and ankles.  His fundoshi was replaced with a loose grass skirt.  He felt naked and exposed, but he was dressed in the same fashion as the other men.  They didn’t seem to be disturbed at their lack of clothing.

The sun was setting as he was led back out into the village gathering place.  Villagers greeted him and had him sit beside them before a roasting fire, next to a young woman.

The woman kept giving him strange looks.  She was paler than the other women and it took him a few moments to realize why.  “Sango?”

She frowned at him and attempted to cover her chest with her arms.  She wore nothing but several necklaces of flowers.  Her head was crowned with flowers.  A large flower was tucked behind her left ear.  Bracelets and anklets of leaves matched her long skirt of plant fibers.  She blushed a bit under his gaze.  “I know what you’re thinking… stop it.”

Miroku stared at her in awe.  “I don’t even know what I’m thinking.”

They were offered fruits and nuts, fish and pork.  Miroku ate, not wanting to offend his hosts.  Sango only picked at her food, watching the other women dance to drums and chant.

Miroku noticed the man beside him was trying to get his attention.  “Kai,” he said, indicating himself.

“Miroku,” the monk responded.

Kai smiled.  He pointed to a young woman beside him.  “Pua.”

“Pua?” Miroku looked at her.  She was the one who had helped him to the village. 

Kai pointed to a flower.  “Pua.”

“I see… her name means flower.  What about Kai?”

Kai stared at Miroku for a moment.  He made his hand roll and wave.

Miroku looked confused.

Kai dipped his hand in water and made the gesture again.

“Water?  Ocean!” Miroku exclaimed in delight.  Perhaps if he worked hard enough they would be able to find a way to close the language barrier and find a way home.

“Umi?” Kai echoed, making choking motions.

“No!  Umi is ocean…” Miroku duplicated the gesture Kai had made earlier, complete with water.

“Umi…” Kai said, repeating the ocean gesture.

“What are you doing?” Sango’s warm breath touched Mrioku’s ear.  He shivered.

“Trying to talk.  I’ve figured out three words so far.”

Kai gestured at Sango.  “Wahine ma’le?”  He indicated himself and then Pua.  “Wahine ma’le Kai.”  He indicated Miroku “Wahine ma’le Miloku?” and pointed to Sango.

Miroku nodded.

“What did he say?” Sango asked.

“I think he wanted to know if we are friends.”

The older man stepped forward and spoke to the village.  The village smiled and gave Miroku and Sango excited glances.  Finally they were pulled to their feet and led to a hut. 

^.~

Miroku looked around inside, using faint torchlight to see.  “Well… I guess they found a use for my robe,” he said, touching the makeshift bed.  It was covered with flowers.  He smiled at the show of hospitality.  “Do you want the bed and I’ll take the floor?” he chuckled.

“Miroku, this isn’t funny.”

“I never said it was, Sango… I just…” he stared at her for a long moment.  “It’s late.  We should get some sleep.  I’ll try and learn all I can tomorrow.”

“Miroku… are you going to take first watch?” she asked quietly, sitting on the flower strewn robe.

“This place… feels safe.  I don’t think we’ll need a night watch.” 

  She lay down and watched as he sat near the doorway.  “Then why are you sitting there?”

“Habit…” he said quietly.  He absently scratched at old scars on his side. 

“There’s room on this robe for you…” she offered softly.

He blinked and looked at her with a soft gleam in his eyes, apparent in the flickering firelight.  Slowly he crawled across the floor and collapsed beside her.  The flowers were strong and intoxicating in scent.  “You really don’t mind?” he breathed.

“No…” she said quietly.

He smiled and lay on his side, facing her.  “Good.”  He closed his eyes and listened to her breathing for a long time.  “Sango… does it bother you that other women want to be with me?”

“What?” she breathed.  “Are you insane?  Why would I be…?”

“It does bother you, doesn’t it?” 

“No…”

He took deep breaths to steady his heart.  “It does.  I know it does and I’m sorry.  I’ve tried to ignore them… for your sake.”

“Why?”

He opened his eyes and stared at her.  “Because I know… how you feel.”

“You don’t know how I feel…”

He rolled over and in an instant his lips were against hers.  He tasted her for a moment before resting his head on her shoulder, breathing in the scent of her hair.  “Why don’t you believe me?  Why can’t you believe me?”

“Maybe because your hand is on my breast,” she responded.

He absently rubbed at her breast beneath the collection of flowers and shell.  Her nipple grew hard under his touch. 

“Miroku…” she breathed.

He kissed her again, mindlessly allowing his lips to explore her face, neck and chest.  He suckled at her breast, his tongue tasting her warm skin.  He didn’t want to overwhelm her.  He eased up so she could escape if she wanted to.  He was surprised to feel a warm, soft arm wrap around his neck, pulling his face closer.  He smiled and slowly eased his hand down her body.  Fingers found their way into her grass skirt and encountered hot, wet folds.  She gasped beneath him and her back arched as her legs opened wider for him.  His fingers slid and explored in fascination as her body writhed beneath his.  For a moment he forgot what his lips were doing. 

“Miroku…” she moaned again, breaking him out of his daze.

He looked down at her.  “Am I hurting you?” he breathed. 

“No… just… stop teasing me…”

He smiled and kissed her lips.  His fingers pushed in deep and he was surprised as she cried out beneath him.  “I’m sorry…” he whispered, pulling out his fingers. 

“Don’t stop…”

He stared at her in the dim light of the torch.  Could this be what he wanted more than anything in the world?  There was no question what he wanted.  But did she want the same?  Did she really understand what it meant to him?  He reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. 

She opened her eyes and stared up at him in confusion.  “What is it?”  Her eyes grew dull as she thought on something.  “You don’t want me… I’m not woman enough for you…”

“Don’t be stupid…” he chuckled.  “Of course I want you.”

“Then what?”

“I… I’m honored.”  He smiled at her and kissed her lips. 

“Honored?” she echoed.

“That you’ve chosen me…” 

She stared up at him with a raised eyebrow.  “I didn’t choose you.”

He propped his chin up on his wrists and silently regarded her. 

“I didn’t!” she said defensively.  “You started it with all your touches and…”

“Sango… I need to be sure that you want this too.  The last thing I’d want is for you to hate me because I forced you.”

She sat up and smacked him on the shoulder.  “You can’t force me to do anything I don’t want to do.”

“Even if it means sharing my life with me?” he breathed.

“W…What?”

“My life.  Sharing it… what’s left of it.  I want it to be with you.”

“You aren’t going to die.  We’ll defeat Naraku.”

“And if we don’t, I don’t want to regret living without you.”

“Shut up,” she hissed.

He stared at her for a long moment.  Slowly he leaned close and kissed her lips.  She quivered beneath his lips as he pulled his body on top of hers.  Her legs opened for him and he found his pelvis pressed against hers with only some grass and leaves in the way.  “Stop me if you don’t want this…” he breathed, reaching down between them to move aside their skirts. 

Her breath grew ragged as he touched her wet, inviting folds.  He stroked his manhood, making sure it was as hard as it could be… not that there was any danger of going limp.  He slowly pressed the tip against her and gave a small gasp as he felt tight heat around him.  “What’s wrong?” she breathed.

“Nothing,” he moaned.  “It feels…”  He managed to slide himself into her, using little strokes.  “Like heaven.”

She smiled at him and kissed his throat.  “Your first time?”

“Yes… and yours?”

“Of course.”

He gave her a faint smile and slowly started to move his hips in a primal rhythm. 

She wrapped her arms around his back, squeezing him with her legs. 

“I heard… first time hurts for a woman…” he grunted between thrusts.  He could feel his endurance already weakening. 

“Your fingers…” she responded. 

“My fingers…?”

“Shut up… and just feel this with me…” she groaned.

He stared at her, fighting back his own urges.  “Are you taking pleasure from this?”

She didn’t respond.  Her eyes closed and she gave a small grunt as her body writhed beneath his. 

The look on her face made his body lose control.  He pushed against her wildly, wanting to be one with her.  He felt himself release and he collapsed in a breathless tangle of arms and legs.  “You OK?” he panted.

She nodded. 

He gave a few gentle pushes into her, taking delight at how easily he could move within her.  She moaned and began to writhe again as he felt himself lose the last of his erection.  “Sango…” he breathed, wrapping his arms around her.  “My wife… Sango…”

She opened her eyes and looked at him, but he was already drifting off to sleep, satiated and happy.

^.~

“Your wife should be laying down…” Kai said critically.

Miroku turned to see Sango, heavy with child, tottering towards a collection of women mending fishnets.  “I tell her that but she never listens to me,” he answered. 

“When Pua had her child she wouldn’t even leave the bed.”

Miroku stared at the women, laughing and talking.  “Sango… is different.  She’s a fighter.”

“I’ll say… the way she hunts… It’s not very womanly, and yet she’s woman.  Her belly is evidence of that.”

^.~

Miroku stared down at the squalling bundle in his arms.  “He’s beautiful.”

Sango stared up at him with exhaustion etched on her face.  “A boy?” she muttered.

“Yes,” Miroku responded, sitting beside her as the village women worked.  He passed the newborn to the baby’s mother.  The little one quieted as he nursed for the first time.  Miroku watched in awe.

“It’s bad luck…” one of the women muttered.  “This is woman’s work.”

“I promised her I would never leave her side.”

The women shook their heads and left to finish off the ritual cleansing to appease the gods.

“Maybe you should go,” Sango said softly.  “We don’t want bad luck.”

“I’ll go sit under a waterfall for a few days.  It’s well worth it to be able to hold my child.  Please, Sango, don’t make me go.”

She gave a soft sigh and relaxed as best she could. 

^.~ 

“Kohaku, Kagome… Wait for me!” he called after them as he climbed the ridge behind them.

“Come on dad!” the boy called down, helping his little sister navigate the volcanic rock.  “You’ll miss it!”

“Don’t go too far!” Sango called out behind them.  “Watch out for loose rocks!”

Miroku turned back to look at his wife, heavy with their third child.  He smiled and waved at her before continuing his climb.

“Daddy!” Kagome cried, looking back at him.  “It’s fantastic!”

“Kagome…” he paused.  Something didn’t feel right.  He looked down at his right hand.  It hurt.  “Kohaku, Kagome… come back down… go to mama…”

“But dad…” whined the boy.

“Just DO it,” Miroku commanded.  He watched as his children passed him, sliding down the extinct crater wall.  He climbed down behind them, careful to keep a good distance between them and himself. 

They ran to their mother, complaining.  Miroku passed by his family and walked out a distance away.

“Miroku… what are you doing?” Sango asked, moving towards him.

“Don’t come near me.  Use that rosary I gave you…”  He stopped and stared at her.  “I love you…” he said quietly. 

“Why are you… your hand?” she stared at him, panic suddenly filling her eyes.

He nodded.  “I knew it would happen someday.  I’m sorry.”  He cringed slightly and held his right hand.  “Don’t let the children see…”

“Miroku you can’t… you can’t leave me!” Sango cried. 

Miroku felt as if his whole body was being torn apart.  He stared at his family, knowing he would never see them again.  “I love you… I love you!”  Pain ripped through him and he heard someone scream.  It could have been his own, he couldn’t tell.  The last thing he saw before he lost sight was Sango running towards him.  “Don’t!”

^.~

Miroku opened his eyes, wondering if he was dead.  Where was he? 

“Miroku-sama?” a female voice touched his ears. 

Miroku followed the voice with his eyes to its owner.  “Kagome-sama?” 

Kagome smiled down at him.  “You had a nasty fall… You and Sango are lucky Inuyasha found you.”

Miroku tried to take in his surroundings.  He was in a small hut, lying on a pallet of straw.  Sango was nearby, sleeping.  Inuyasha sat with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face that held a hint of concern.  A small kitsune clung to Miroku’s arm.  Kagome tied up the remaining bandages she had been using on him.

“How long have I been gone?” Miroku asked.

Kagome gave him a confused look.  “We found you and Sango in a clearing.  You’ve been unconscious for three days…”

“Three days?  Only three days?” Miroku asked, looking around. 

“How long did you think it was?” Kagome asked quietly.

“Five years… I lived and… died.”  He stared at Kagome, begging for her to understand.  His eyes flickered on Sango’s unconscious form.

“Where were you?” Kagome asked.

“Heaven…” Miroku replied, slowly crawling to Sango’s body.  “I was in heaven…”  He delicately touched her cheek. 

She moaned softly and stirred.  Her eyes fought off the lethargy as she looked at the man above her.  “Miroku…” she breathed.  “Am I dreaming?”

“No… It’s me.”

“You aren’t dead…”

“Well, isn’t that obvious?” Inuyasha growled.  “He’s talking to you, isn’t he?”

Sango looked at the dog demon in surprise and then Kagome.  “I’m… back.”

Miroku stared at her thoughtfully for a moment.  “What do you remember?”

Sango frowned a moment.  “I remember Kohaku and Kagome… and the little one, Miroku…” 

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow as Kagome looked puzzled.

Miroku smiled.  “Yes!  And what else?”

“You left me… alone…”

Miroku sat back and stared at her.  “I didn’t want to.”

“It was your hand.”

“Wait a sec…” Kagome interrupted.  “I don’t understand.”

“I came to when my hand took me… in that other place.  I died and woke up here.”  He turned to look down at Sango.  “And you?”

She nodded.  “In childbirth…”

“I’m sorry…” Miroku said quietly.  He lightly touched her hand. 

She smiled at him. 

“You both had the same dream… and died to come back here…” Kagome said quietly.

“It was more than a dream.  It was a life filled with people who spoke a different language… had a different way of life,” Miroku said, his eyes filling with passion.  “And I had what I always wanted…”

 “What’s that, Miroku-sama?” Kagome asked.

His eyes caught on Sango’s and held them.  Finally he chuckled and looked away.  “Forgive me…” he crawled back to his pallet of straw.  “It’s been a long day.”

He could hear Kagome questioning Sango as he lay with his eyes closed.  “Five years?  How many children?” 

“Three…” 

“Where they perfect?”

“Yes…”

Miroku smiled into the blanket upon him.  He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. 

^.~

Miroku sat on a log, staring off at nothing in particular.  He was waiting for the rest of the group to finish their lunch.  The log moved and he knew without looking who was beside him. 

“What are you thinking about?” Sango asked.

“Kohaku, Kagome… the little one I never got to meet.”

“It was a boy.  I named him Miroku.”

Miroku nodded and frowned slightly.  “Do I really only have five more years before I…?”

“We’ll defeat Naraku…”

“And if we don’t?” Miroku asked, turning to stare at her. 

“You won’t die without an heir.”

“How do you know?” he asked quietly. 

“You won’t,” she said, standing and staring out at the landscape. 

“Sango…” he began.

She turned around to give him a sorrowful look.  “I won’t let you die without an heir.  Trust me.”

He nodded.  “I do… wahine ma’le.”

She reached out to touch his cheek tenderly before moving away, giving him a small smile.

He stared off in the distance.  It didn’t look so dark anymore.

--End

author's ramble: "Wahine Ma'le" is "wife" in Hawaiian.

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