|
|
Insomnia Chapter 6
These characters do not belong to me.
Insomnia
Chapter 6
By moonsilver
Kirara pushed her face into Sango’s. A hand reached out and rubbed the cat’s head. A purr was heard by Sango’s ears and she smiled. She didn’t know what was wrong with her lately, but this was the second night in a row she hadn’t been able to fall asleep. She laughed silently to herself. Maybe I need a bedtime story.
Sighing, she did what she had done last night. She got up and went to the woods for a walk.
***
Miroku watched her go. He wasn’t asleep either. Maybe she’d like some company, he thought after she didn’t return for a few minutes.
No, she wouldn’t, a voice in his head said.
Well, then maybe she’d like some protection. Miroku ignored the voice when it said, “Protection from what?”
He walked into the forest and looked around for Sango.
***
Sango heard someone walking up to her. “Inu-Yasha?” she whispered.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you two usually meet out here at night when we’re all asleep?” Miroku whispered.
Sango rolled her eyes. “No. We just talked a little last night when I couldn’t sleep. What are you doing out here?”
“Same as you. I can’t sleep.” Miroku leaned on his staff. “You and Inu-Yasha talked?”
Sango’s eyes gleamed. Maybe now would be a good time... “Yes. He said you talked with him a few nights ago as well.” Was it her imagination or did Miroku’s eyes widen a bit? “He also said that you like me the way Inu-Yasha likes Kagome.” Now the houshi’s eyes did widen. “Is it true?” she said gently.
Miroku looked back toward the camp. “Isn’t it strange how Inu-Yasha never notices how much Kagome looks after him? The secret glances that are only not noticed by Inu-Yasha.”
Sango tilted her head. “Or how Kagome never notices that he protects her? I think that he’s afraid to let her go down the well because she might run into something and need him.”
Miroku nodded. “So we understand. We try to nudge them toward each other even though they might never notice it. They’ll never come together on their own if we don’t help.”
Sango agreed with him. “They need to be more open with each other.” She looked toward the camp. “I think I could sleep now.” Miroku nodded and they walked back to camp.
***
Miroku awoke about an hour before everyone else. He went to Inu-Yasha’s tree and softly called the hanyou’s name. His ears twitched but nothing else moved. “I wondered if you would like to take a walk.” Miroku asked. Silence. “I had thought to do something nice for Sango, but I can do the same for Kagome if you don’t want to do it.”
Inu-Yasha moved to appear in front of the monk. “What is it?” he said.
Miroku grinned. “You see, we are in the same position.” He turned and walked the hanyou out of the camp. “You and I don’t want to say anything to the ladies, but they know and we know that they know.”
“They know what?” Inu-Yasha asked.
Miroku raised an eyebrow. “I had a conversation with Sango last night that I’d like to tell you about...”
***
Sango opened her eyes first. She gave herself a few moments to wake up and then surveyed the land. Her eyes glued to a small bouquet of flowers tied with a piece of fabric. She blinked. They were still there. She frowned.
“Sango?” Kagome’s voice drifted over. Sango sat up and looked at her. Kagome looked puzzled. “What are these?” Kagome pointed to the flowers.
“I don’t know,” Sango admitted. “They look like flowers, but who would give them to us?”
Kagome’s eyes drifted to the tree where Inu-Yasha had settled into the night before at the same time Sango’s eyes dove to where she had last seen Miroku. Their eyes met.
Kagome nudged Shippo awake. “Shippo?” He yawned and looked at Kagome. She pointed to the flowers. “Sniff those, please? Can you tell who picked them?”
Shippo sniffed at the stems. He frowned. “It smells like Inu-Yasha.”
“Mine, too?” Sango asked.
The kitsune hopped over and sniffed delicately. “Miroku?” he asked. The girls looked at each other and smiled. Sango picked up the flowers and smelled them just the same as Kagome did.
The men came back talking about a youkai they had seen an hour ago and why weren’t they up yet? Neither Miroku or Inu-Yasha looked or spoke of the flowers. Kagome and Sango got up, fixed breakfast, packed up, and were ready in a half hour.
Kagome grinned as Inu-Yasha turned his back to her and started out in a direction. She skipped up to him. He turned around, a cloudy expression on his face. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she said sweetly.
While she was doing that, Sango walked to Miroku and slipped her hand in his. “Thank you,” she said quietly in his ear and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Blushing, she moved away and went to walk beside Kagome.
Inu-Yasha and Miroku nodded to each other. They had succeeded.
************************************
The End