Chapter Four:

Her head hurt…

It hurt like hell!

Sango groaned lightly, feeling her heartbeats thumping loudly in her brain. All of a sudden it all came pouring into her head! The monk, his cursed hand, him pushing her, her falling and then blacking out. Sango gasped, jolting up from her futon to stare blankly at the silver haired youth, who looked at her quizzically, he was the nearest one to her. Without hesitation, she launched herself at him and gripped his collar tight, shaking him like mad.

"Inuyasha! Where is he? Where is Houshi-sama?" she cried, shaking him with all her might.

"Whoa!" dizzied, the hanyou snarled and pulled her hands off him, careful not to hurt her, "Quit it! Damn Sango, you almost tore my head off!" he argued, feeling his dizzied head with a small dog-like whine.

Sango stared and felt her heart pound harder on her brain, "Inuyasha, please, tell me, where is he?"

"Miroku's fine!" he groaned, dizziness wearing off, "He's outside with Kagome." He rubbed his head.

Sango was just about to get up when the hanyou pinned her down, "Uh- Hey!"

"Shut it! You've got yourself hurt, you need to rest." He argued angrily and sat back, releasing her.

"But- Houshi-sama-! The wind tunnel, it- ?"

"It's alright Sango." The hanyou spoke again, less angry but still serious, "When I got there I managed to restrain it and he sealed it up again, he went crazy when he remembered that he pushed you into the well, he didn't mean to knock you out, he was just scared." he paused, "I take that back, he wasn't scared, he was tyrannized! You should've seen the look on his face!" the hanyou shuddered, uneasy.

The huntress felt her head, sensing that there was now a bandage wrapped tightly around her temple, she paused and looked at the hanyou, "Scared- ?"

Inuyasha sighed, "Yeah, he went crazy when he didn't see you after he managed to close the seal again, he almost lost it when he thought he sucked you in; when Shippou told us you fell into the well Miroku remembered that he pushed you and almost fainted… come to think of it, he did faint!" the youth shrugged, "You really gave us a scare, Sango. Especially Miroku, he's been literally beating himself for that."

"I want to see him." She spoke, worried for his welfare.

The hanyou shook his head, "I don't think you should, he's talking to Kagome now, I think it'll be better if you two don't see each other for a while."

"What?" the huntress breathed, "What are you saying? I cant stay locked up in here! Houshi-sama needs me!" she argued.

The silver haired youth stared at her in surprise for a few seconds before a chuckle escaped his throat, "You wanna see him that badly?" he smirked.

Sango blushed, but ignored the look he was giving her, "I just want to make sure he's alright." She replied.

"Fine, wait here then, I'll go see if we can talk him into coming." He replied as he stood up, brushed his red hakama and walked out with an assuring smile.

Sango watched him till he was gone, she looked at her hands, laying there lazily in her lap, her eyes hurt, tears forming in the back of her eyes, they stung, she wanted to let them out but in the same time she didn't, she fisted them tight, her fists pressed against her temple as she tried to regain her self control, but it was just so hard to do so. She had hurt him! All she wanted was to comfort him, but instead she had hurt him! Not only does he think her care and feelings towards him are fake, but he actually punished himself for something he had no control over!

'And he is already injured! Kagome-chan had better had tried to stop him!' she told herself, assuring that she will punish the school girl if it does turn out that she let the monk hurt himself without stopping him.

Inuyasha returned, soon followed by the mentioned school girl, "We're back." The hanyou announced.

"Oh Sango-chan! Are you alright? How do you feel? Want me to get you anything? Does anything hurt?" Kagome went on, not giving the huntress the chance to even reply.

Sango grew irritated so she blocked her friends ranting mouth with her hand, "I'm fine!" she rolled her eyes in irritation before drawing back her hand, sure that her friend understood, "Where is Houshi-sama?" she asked the hanyou.

Inuyasha shook his head, "He said that: He can not dare show his face to you after what he had done… whatever that meant." He shrugged.

Sango frowned and tried to push herself out of bed.

"Sango-chan! You shouldn't leave bed, we don't know how serious your injuries are!" the raven haired girl reasoned.

"Well if he wont come and see me than I'll go and see him myself!" she snapped and pushed her way out.

Inuyasha stared, "Keh! Why are you girls so goddamn stubborn?" he complained.

Kagome sighed and looked at him softly, "Is it our fault we care?"

The hanyou flinched, blushed, pouted, Keh!'ed and then looked away, not answering.

Outside:

Sango looked around, she had been so persistent in finding the monk that she had forgotten to wear thicker clothes. Walking around in nothing but a light night yukata, she shivered with the cold breeze and shook her head, determined to find her man. The huntress placed herself responsible for his pain, he cared for her, she knew he did, but it never came as obvious to her as it is now, it was clearly love, not just care, the young man loved her, but his perverted attitude was probably the only way he could show her his affection. 'And all this time I though he was just some sick, twisted leech!' she scolded herself and stopped at a tree to catch her breath, her heart beating louder in her head.

There was the softest touch over her shoulders, when she looked over her shoulder she saw something purple and a hand in a purple-black glove with crystal-blue beads surrounding it, the smoothness of the yellow-golden ring on the middle finger shined ever so beautifully under the sunlight, but the woman had no interest in jewelry so she followed the beads up the bandaged forearm, the bandaged-yet-bleeding shoulder and finally the neck and face.

She did not remember him looking so pale before, his skin had turned ashen, even the snow looked more colorful than he was, she held back her tears and bit her lower lip, gazing into those miserable violet eyes, she wanted so cry for his sake, to pour out her heart to him, but the smile that curved on his pale lips made her reconsider her feelings; she had known him for so long, he had always smiled to her when she felt like crying, he had always comforted her when she needed comfort, he was always there flirting in a poor attempt to make her laugh, it was just- him! Her soft, sweet, dopy and perverted monk! The same pervert that made her laugh, the same gentlemen that made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

He was standing right next to her… welting like a rose before her very sight.

"Trying to catch your death of cold, my dear Sango? I advice that you don't, catching a cold is pretty easy, even if you don't have a net to catch it, but once you do catch one, the feeling isn't very pleasurable, not to mention it's very annoying and not easy to get rid of!" He chuckled, teasing while making sure she was warm under his purple robe.

She loved his laugh, it always carried that friendly, warm familiar-ness in it, it made her feel- at home. She tugged at the robe for it smelled so much like him, she smiled at him and turned to face him.

He quirked a brow, looking curious and confused, he was still wearing the black robes as well as the black, sleeveless shirt, torso and arm all bandaged up, she remembered that he had not changed them for two days, the needed to be replaced with anew.

"Houshi-sama," he said softly, now reaching out, she held his cursed hand, careful not to hurt it, "How do you feel? Do any of your injuries hurt?" she asked.

He smiled warmly again and shook his head, his fine hand reached to touched the bandages around her head, "What about you? I didn't hurt you back there, did I?" he asked, a slight sign of fear made it to his voice.

Sango searched his face, he looked tired, so frightened and yet so calm, his eyes said more things that his lips would, words of worry and fright, words she could not obtain, she smiled and gently pulled his cursed hand on her cheek.

Instantly, the monk gasped and pulled back his hand, wincing with the sudden jolt, he held his cursed hand with his fine one and breathed heavily, not daring to look at her, sweat began building on his temple, the smile twitching away.

Sango blinked, startled and confused; he was scared? Scared of touching her? Why? He always groped her butt with that hand, what's so different now? She knot her brows, only then did it hit her, and it hit her hard! She had been holding his cursed hand, the same hand that sucked everything into nothingness, he was scared of his hand? Scared that it would suck her in?

He was scared of himself?

Tears stung the back of her eyes again and she collected her courage, now stepping closer she took his hand again, he stared at her, startled and a bit uneasy, she smiled and for his surprise, kissed the palm of his cursed hand. He stared at her, stunned and confused, but then blinked when she turned to look at him, her eyes looked ever so beautiful, passionate and clear, so warm and friendly, welcoming him into an embrace he froze, registering that she was indeed hugging him, her hands pressing on his shoulder blades, he fisted his cursed hand tight, ignoring how much it hurt and closed his eyes, now his fisted cursed hand and flat fine hand rested on her shoulder blades as well, returning the embrace, he nuzzled her head, taking in that comforting feeling.

Sango nuzzled him, burying her head in his warm chest, she closed her eyes and smiled, wanting to imprint that feeling in her heart so she will remember it always. His shoulders stiffened and she felt his touch harden, she opened her eyes briefly and felt slight wetness over her shoulder; startled, Sango held in the gasp when she looked into the monks face, his pale, weary eyes trickling with silent tears, rolling over his cheeks, gently tapping her shoulder as he fought to keep his breath leveled, he was barely sweating as well, his face all flushed up and hot, she frowned and touched his temple, he was warm all over!

"Houshi-sama?" she called, concerned.

"Sango, I… I'm so-so sorry… I- " he weakly breathed before his eyelids closed, his body went limb as he suddenly fainted, his weight resting on her.

"Houshi-sama!" Gasping, Sango held him up, feeling his body leaning over her, he weren't as heavy as her boomerang, but still she couldn't carry him either since he had more bulk than her weapon, she blinked and slowly knelt down, letting him rest against the tree, she cupped his cheek and gently hit it, wanting to wake him up, "Houshi-sama? Wake up, Houshi-sama!"

He just sat there, back leaning against the tree, his ashen skin and tears staining his cheeks, his forelock scattered across his temple, bangs of black hair were stuck with sweat on his skin, his pale lips parted in loss of breath as heat began rising, almost burning his skin, brows knot and sweat building up.

Sango bit her lower lip and fought a sob, she breathed for a minute before pulling the purple robe off herself, wrapping it over the monk for more warmth, she brushed away the tears before she hesitantly and gently pressed her lips against his own in a long, passionate kiss, she then slowly pulled back, caressing his face, brushing his bangs from his temple, praying that he will be alright, "Don't worry, Houshi-sama, you'll be just fine!" she forced a smile and stood up, now running back to the hut to get her friends aid.

Everything swam in water… everything was blurry and hot, muggy in a way, too. Violet eyes stared tiredly into the never ending blurry void he was in, a void in black and purple. He shot his eyes wider, feeling his head beating loudly in his head, it beat so hard it hurt, almost as if threatening to implode his head right off his shoulders. Miroku gasped, crying to himself in need of self control, he was frightened, terrified even, he did not want to be in there! He never wanted to be in there! When the hell did he get there? How? Why? Where are his friends? Where was the woman he loved?

"Miroku!" a familiar voice echoed in the emptiness of his world, so he blinked, tears filling his eyes as fright clutched his soul, "Worry not, my child, it is safe." The voice continued, it was so gentle and soft.

The young monk leveled his rapid breathing and looked around, recognizing the voice, "M- mother?" he called, uncertain.

"My child, my poor little boy." The voice continued as the figure of a woman came into the picture, raven black hair and a soft, loving face appeared, "I've missed you so much." She cooed, now drifting towards him.

The youth blinked, the woman drifted like a ghost, he shook his head and cried, "No! you cant be her! Where the hell am I?"

"Don't you know?" another familiar voice replied, "You've failed to defeat our enemy, my son, you are now trapped in the void, just like us."

"Father?" the monk gasped, his violet eyes met the old monk who dressed in his traveling clothes, "But- how? I didn't- I mean when did- ?"

"It matters not, my son, we are doomed to live the rest of our life in this forsaken world, surrounded by nothing and surviving on nothing." The woman spoke.

"What do you mean?" the monk asked, fright clutching his should even tighter, "There- is no way out?"

She shook her head, "Silly child, if there were to be a path to the real world, would you not think we would have looked for it?" she replied, smiled and reached out her arms, "Oh For how long I have missed you! Come here my dear and give your old mother a hug!" she cooed.

The young monk hesitated, feeling uneasy as she approached, he moved his hand to lash her away, but found it heavy and painful, but when he looked, it was all gone! His arm, the cursed hand, from fingertip to shoulder socket was all gone! Blood was darkly inking his robes, soaked and dripping with his own blood, the odor of his blood spreading all around, even filling his senses! He screamed, terrified of the sight, he then turned to the figures of his parents that slowly transformed into beasts he once fought, monsters he had sucked into his void! They were there! Waiting to kill him off for sucking them into his hell hole!

Miroku screamed, violet eyes turned to tiny dots as he gasped for breath, heat burning his neck and pain stung his eyes, he blinked a few times before registering that it was all a dream! He was dreaming! It wasn't a dream, it was a nightmare! He corrected. Blinking a few more times he stared at a hazy silver and red figure before him before another pink and green figure scooted closer, they sounded like the hanyou and huntress, but his vision was still swimming, he couldn't hear what they were saying nor could he acknowledge their words, he felt dizzied and tired, he closed his eyes and felt gentle hands hold his shoulders, helping him lay back, he breathed and tried to relax, soon falling back into dreamland.

"What do you think, Kaede-oba-chan?" Kagome spoke while her warrior friend tucked the sick, injured monk back in bed, "Do you have anything to cure him?"

The old woman nodded, thinking, she had just arrived a short while ago and she was just informed of the monk's condition, she looked at him and sighed, "The medicine he needs right now is something I cant obtain." She told.

"What do you mean?" the hanyou frowned.

"I mean that I can not cure him with medicine, what he needs is intense care, I'm sure Kagome-chan and Sango-chan can do it, I will prepare some drinks for him, though, they will help him heal faster." She said as she got up and brushed her garments, stepping towards the stove to prepare the medicine.

"How will that help?" the dog youth growled, irritated before clamping his hands over his nose, "Urk!" he groaned and quickly ran out, his sensitive dog nose smelling the strong smell of medicine only made his stomach turn.

Kagome sighed and fought a chuckle, her dog friend can be so comical sometimes, she then turned to her warrior friend who had her complete attention devoted to the monk, "Sango-chan?"

"Hn?" the huntress replied, not turning to face her fined, Kirara worriedly nuzzled her side, wanting to get her attention, but even the cat-demon failed to do so.

"I'm sure Miroku-sama would be alright, you don't have to worry." She soothed, but seeing that her friend did not hear a word she sigh she sighed and shook her head, Kagome walked up to her and picked up the ice pack that had melted, "I'll go re-fill it." She told and walked out.

Kaede watched the scene and sighed, the huntress looked so worried, she feared that any change in the warrior's health could affect the monk's healing, she had to keep them both contented to get healed faster. Shippou did not like the tension so he teased Kirara and they went outside to play. Sango stroked the short black bangs of the sleeping monk, watching his lips as he mumbled unheard words to himself, she bit her lower lip and looked at his now topless form. She and her future friend, Kagome, had already changed the bandages, the monk was too much into his fever to feel the pain of the antiseptics against his injuries which made nursing them easier, but still it worried them.

Miroku groan and blinked, still his vision was swimming, he squeezed his eyes tight before trying to move his hands, but then he realized his fine hand felt numb, he can move it but he cant feel it, while on the other hand, his cursed hand, or his whole right side for that matter ached like hell itself! He felt his shoulder socket burn and the muscles felt so stiff, his forearm and wrist ached as well, he felt a hand in his own; the only thing that made it bearable was the most tender feeling that stroked his head, he fluttered his eyelashes and looked tiredly at the pink and green blur before him, he knot his brows, trying to make out what the thing was.

"Houshi-sama?" the soft, familiar voice cooed ever so gently, the words were like gentle music to his ears.

With a tiny smile, he recognized the voice, it made his heart flutter, "Sango- ?" he called, breathless.

Fingers pressed over his lips as she shushed him, "It's alright, I'm here, you'll be alright." She told and he felt her lips print over his temple.

"What- happened?" he managed to ask, his thumb brushed over her hand.

"You blacked out on me." She told, "God, Houshi-sama you scared me back there, don't you dare do that to me again!" she softly scolded.

He chuckled, "Sorry, didn't mean it." He tried to focus, seeing little detail in his vision, "I'm tired."

"I know you are, you've been out for a whole day, you need all the nourishments you can get." She told.

The monk blinked again and felt the cold ice-pack clamp over his temple, he shivered a bit until it became bearable, he fluttered his eyes open again and stared, a white-green object lingered next to his woman.

"Ohayou, Miroku-sama." Kagome's voice chirped, "How are you feeling now?" she cooed.

"Better I guess." He breathed, tired, "I'm dearly sorry, I seem to be constantly causing you trouble." He mumbled.

Kagome shook her head, "That's alright, what matters is that you're alright, Miroku-sama." She smiled, "So? Hungry? Thirsty? Something?"

"Not really." He breathed, blurry violet eyes stared at the ceiling, "I just want to sleep."

"Alright, but first, here, drink this." Kagome told, accepting the mug from the old priestess.

Sango helped the monk sit up before taking the mug, "It may not taste good, but I'm sure it'll work better."

"The worse it tastes the better it works." The monk chuckled, now rising his numb arm to touch the mug, he took a sip and shook his head, the taste way beyond horrible! He drew in a breath and forced himself to drink it.

Sango sat back and watched him swallow it, she knew from the look on his face that it was awful, she felt worried. Watching him hand her back the now empty mug, she took it and placed it aside, watching him in concern as he tried to collect his breath, "Houshi-sama?"

"I'm fine." He replied, rubbing his head, but then he looked at her, eyes still blurry, "Sango-chan, how's your head?" he asked.

The huntress felt the small lump on the side of her head, she already removed the bandages, the small bruise was almost gone so there was no need to bandage it, "It's fine, Houshi-sama, you needn't worry." She told, smiling, "Now I think you should after yourself better, you look so pale." She commented, brushing back a bang of his black hair.

"As long as you're alright." He spared a small chuckle, "I could sleep for a week!" he trailed away, mumbling, "What would I do now for a nice, hot up of green tea." He felt the soreness of his head and squeezed his eyes tight.

"I can make some if you want." Sango told, her fingers trailing down his cheek.

He turned to look at her and blinked again, "Would you?"

"Sure." She smiled and got up to prepare the hot drink.

Miroku grinned and tried to concentrate on her retreating form, he loved how she swung her butt when she walked, but his eyes began to hurt so he closed them, he shifted in his seat and rubbed his head again, "Um, where is Inuyasha?"

"Hn? Oh he ran away when he smelled the medicine Kaede-oba-chan made." Kagome replied, shrugging.

"I Did Not!" a familiar cry accrued from the roof atop them.

Sango walked back with the drink, "Inuyasha, just because you cant stand the smell doesn't mean you have to run away from it." She reasoned.

"You try smelling that crap-load of trash with a nose like mine and tell me what you think!" he hollered, angry.

Kagome shook her head, "He's incorrigible."

"Whiny if you ask me." Sango shook her head, now handing the mug to the monk, "Here you go, Houshi-sama."

"Thank yo-Ouch!" he yelped, when he tried to lift his hand he realized that he lifted the wrong arm and ended up jolting himself.

Sango gasped, she managed to hold the mug before the monk did so she prevented it from spilling the hot drink right in his lap! "Houshi-sama?"

"Ah- clumsy me…" he chuckled, nervous, "Guess I'm out of practice, my fingers feel dull." He told, flexing his fingers, "I can move them, but I cant feel them."

"It's the antiseptic's doing, it dulls all your senses so it wont hurt while we nurse the deep injuries." Kagome explained, "It should wear off in an hour or so, but when it does your shoulder would hurt more because all your senses would be back on full alert."

The monk blinked, dreading if that was a good thing.

"Anyway," Sango spoke, "Houshi-sama, how do you feel?"

"Alright I guess." He replied, now feeling his sore shoulder.

"Need anything?" Kagome chirped.

Miroku shook his head, "No thank you, Kagome-sama, I'm perfectly fine now." He smiled.

Sango offered him the mug again and he accepted it, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure." He nodded, looked at the hot drink, blew a little to cool it down and then took a sip.

The next two days passed quick, and Miroku got better, he was able to move his arm a little more and was able to leave the hut. Sango and Kagome were worried but let him do what he wanted as long as it didn't make his injuries worse. Inuyasha acted as if he didn't care while Shippou tried to keep things cheerful. Miroku spent most of his time outside, quietly meditating. The third day was different, the monk was able to move his arm with better ease, so Kagome removed the bandages to inspect the wound, clearly the shoulder's wound has closed up, but still needed bandaging, all what was left is to let it heal completely.

"How long would it take?" Miroku asked, trying to ignore how close Sango was, wrapping the bandages around his chest and arm, she was close enough to smell it was driving him crazy.

"Kagome-chan said it would need a week or two for it to heal and not need bandaging." The huntress replied, busy fixing her eyes on the roll in her hands, now slowly and carefully wrapping the bandage around the injured shoulder, she wanted the bandages tight but not too tight, just tight enough to keep it from getting dirty or such.

Miroku closed his eyes and looked away, injured or not, Sango would beat him up if he groped her now, but she looked so heavenly, that caring look in her eyes, that tiny cute little smile on her lips, those lips, oh for how much he'd like to try and kiss her.

"Houshi-sama?" she called him, yet still finishing the bandage, "You look nervous, is something wrong?" she now looked at him.

Skip a heartbeat, Miroku twitched a grin and then tilted his head, not thinking, "You look cute when you're not angry." He told, blinked once before he bit his tongue and looked away, expecting a blow against his poor skull.

All he got was a small giggle, she pecked his cheek and stood up, "I'll go get you something to eat." She chirped and walked out.

Miroku blinked and felt his cheek, thinking if he was ether imagining or did Sango really just kissed him?

Outside, the sun was up and bright…

Things were going to the best…

A/N: Sorry for taking so long, ppl, it's just that the server/proxy mistakenly blocked off and I weren't able to get in to actually be able to update, I'll try to work on the next chapter a little faster, just hang in there, okay?