Bitter Winds

Disclaimer: “I don’t own Inuyasha, I’m just steal . . . ah . . . “ borrowing a bit from those who can afford it, and boy am I in debt!” ” *grins* ( I don’t own that quote either.) *rolls eyes*

‘. . .’ = thoughts
“. . .”= speech
(. . .) = translation

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As Miroku, Sango and Kirara came down the path out of the woods and saw the village in the distance they didn’t hear anything. No noise of people working, no children playing and the surrounding forest was just as silent.

“Do you think we have come too late?”

“Let’s not assume anything too hastily, Sango. I’d like to think I’ll have a warm bed this evening.”

Sango’s eye twitched at his suggestive tone.

“You don’t mean . . . You don’t expect a young woman . . . I won’t allow it!”

“Will you be warming my bed this evening?”

“NO!”

“Then there is nothing for you to object to.”

Miroku could almost swear he heard Sango growl as she turned and stomped off ahead of him.

‘I am wearing her down. One of these days my lovely Sango, one of these days.’

When they came into the village, they didn’t see anyone around although they could see smoke from the cooking fires it was still unbearably quiet. Not one person came to greet them, not even to find out who they were, or why they were there.

“Not only do I sense an evil presence the very atmosphere is oppressive!”

They went to the first hut and tapped and Miroku called out to any occupant that might be within. An elderly voice spoke out to them in hushed tones.

“Go away. This village is damned. Leave, while you still can.”

“We are here to help.”

“Go before it’s too late!”

“Your village came to us for help.”

“Impossible, no one has left the village alive.”

“Whether or not you sent for us, you need help, and we can give it to you.”

“If you insist on ending your young life, the youkai lays in wait for any who dare venture into tieldields surrounding the village. Now that the demon has let you in it will not let you out of its grasp.”

“That is yet to be seen, thank you for your time.”

With the un-pleasantries taken care of, Sango and Miroku spoke in whispers as the trio began to work their way out and around the outskirts of the village.

“Houshi(Monk), this whole thing feels wrong.”

“Hai, it stinks of Naraku.”

“Do you think it’s a trap?”

“Whether it is a trap or he is manipulating us for some other purpose, of that I am not sure.
One thing is certain these people have lost hope, if we can help we must.”

The strange hush that surrounded the area caused every noise that was made by them to sound ten times louder than normal. The jingle of the monk’s staff as he moved, he very quickly adjusted so that it made no noise, their footfalls through the dormant fields, their breath which came out of their mouths as puffs of vapor in the cold crisp air. They moved slowly with as much stealth as possible carefully scanning the area around them.

It all happened so fast, the noise of a swiftly moving demon, that was already too close for comfort. Sango hurled Hiraikatsu and the youkai dodged the weapon as it struck out at Miroku, who stayed barely out of reach by falling into a dive roll and was immediately on his feet again with sutra in hand.

“Houshi, be careful, it’s incredibly fast. There has to be a jewel fragment involved snake youkai usually hibernate. It should be too cold to move at all!”

Sango and Kirara circled around it placing the snake demon in-between them and Miroku. It watched the trio carefully dividing its attention. Sango began to swing her boomerang from side to side in front of herself trying to keep the demon’s attention on her. The monk, slowly and quietly, moved in closer behind the youkai.

The snake suddenly struck out. Sango, thinking quickly, hurled Hiraikotsu. The demon quickly and easily caught it in it’s mouth and dropped it just as quickly leaving holes you could see through, showing where the fangs had been. Kirara swiftly retrieved the boomerang, kicking the snake in the head as she did, temporarily distracting the youkrom rom Sango.

Miroku was close enough now he thought he might be able to attack. He was also close enough that if the demon sensed him he wouldn’t be able to move fast enough to dodge an attack. It was going to be harder to take down now that both he and Sango were only armed for close combat.

Something alerted the youkai to his presence and it swung its head around quickly spitting venom in the monk’s direction as he threw sutras covering the snakes heat pits just an instant later. Most of the venom caught Miroku in the face, burning everything it touched including his eyes. The monk grimaced through the pain keeping his wits about him.

The monk focused his other senses and could feel the snakes shadow move across him shielding him from the warmth of the sun. Miroku jabbed strait up with his staff and felt it connect with flesh, striking the demon in the jaw. Then he swept it around horizontally slashing the youkai crosswise where the head connected to the body.

Sango taking advantage of the distraction, released her sword from its sheath and it flashed like quicksilver as it flew through the air, sinking deeply into the monsters head. Kirara pounced on the demon to keep it from thrashing around in its death throws. Sango was there and instant later pulling the sword out, and in the same movement severing its head from its body.
The oppression that surrounded the whole area lifted.

“Kirara, stay here and guard the remains.”

Sango didn’t waist any time reaching Miroku, she practically dragged him with her to the closest source of washe she could find, a small stream that ran around the village, and unceremoniously dunked his head under water. Miroku came up coughing and sputtering. Sango gave him no time to complain.

“Keep dunking your face till the burning stops.”

Miroku dumbly nodded his head and did as he was told. Sango went back to the youkai remains and began searching for a shard certain one was there to be found. She found it almost as soon as she started looking. The shard was imbedded in the crest of the snake demons head. Sango then went back to the monk.

“Are you feeling any better?”

“I still cannot see, Sango.”

“Your vison should clear by morning, if it doesn’t Kaede should have something to help, it shouldn’t be permanent.”

“Then shall we find out what kind of hospitality the village has to offer.”

As Sango led Miroku back to the village, his hand gradually slipped from her shoulder to her elbow. When this went seemingly unnoticed, he slipped his hand up the inside of her arm and started brushing against her breast. Sango back fisted his face and turned back to see the monk sitting on his ass holding his face mumbling.

“But Sango, how else am I to appreciate your beauty?”

“Kirara would you mind?”

The large fire cat seemed to reply an affirmative and Sango grabbed Miroku by the back of his robe and chucked him over the back of Kirara like a sack of potatoes.

“Thank you, Kirara.”

The vge wge was overjoyed that the demon that had been plaguing them had been defeated.
The villagers commented on how it felt like a wave washing over them. It was as if shackles had been removed, their burden was lifted. They had very meager resources, but those who could pulled toge, to, to have a feast. A feast celebrating their freedom and honoring their rescuers.

The village elder offered Miroku and Sango his hut for the night.

“Please let us honor you in tsmalsmall thing.”

“Thank you. Your kindness shall not go unrewarded.”

Sango reluctantly agreed, she was still feeling uneasy, and was worried about how Kagome and Inuyasha were doing. Sango’s sleep was fitful and full of tossing and turning, which in turn kept Miroku awake.

“Sango.”

The monk’s soft-spoken voice woke her instantly.

“What is it Houshi?”

“What troubles you so that it has fallowed you to your dreams?”

“If Naraku had this trap planed for us he is getting sloppy, or we were not his true target.”

“I see, you are worried about Kagome then. Would you feel better if we left now?”

“Yes Houshi, you don’t mind do you?”

“I am not sleeping well myself and the bed is not as warm as I would like. I might as well be sleeping on the forest floor.”

Sango’s eye thed hed at the deflated tone he gave with his statement, knowing full well what he meant by it.

They gathered their few things and Sango led the monk out of the hut being wary of his wandering hand as they left the village his hand “accidently” dropped to her posterior and got a good feel. The slap she gave his face echoed through the forest.

Miroku let out a sigh “Ah. It was worth the pain.”

Sango’s eye twitched yet again.

“Kirara.”

The diminutive little cat anticipated her request and instantly transformed. She lowered herself as Sango helped Miroku find his seat. Sango got on, they swiftly headed for the prearranged meeting spot. When they arrived there was no sign of their comrades.

“There not here, we need to find them now!”

“Sango, I know you are worried about them, but we all need rest, we won’t do them any good in our current state. If they are not here in the morning, we will look for them then.”

“You are right Houshi. It will have to wait till morning.”

She slipped off Kirara and then helped the monk. Miroku heard the despair in her voice, and when she helped him off he left his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to him. At first Sango started to pull away, but then she gave in and let him hold her and comfort her if only for a moment. The moment seemed to end all too soon for Miroku as she pulled away from his embrace.

“Thaou, ou, Houshi.”

She then rolled out their sleeping mats and made sure things were ready for a swift departure in the morning. Kirara kept her ears alert while she rested protecting Sango and Miroku while they got their much needed sleep.

Morning came and with it Miroku’s sight began improving. They were just getting ready to leave. Inuyasha with Kagome wrapped in a blanket, and with her a snug little Shippo, came flying into the broken camp. Sango let out a sigh of relief.

“How went it with you, Inuyasha?”

“It was easy Monk.”

“Was it maybe too easy?”

Miroku let those words sink in before continuing.

“We know that Naraku sent Sango and myself into a trap.”

“What could Naraku hope to gain by sending such weak demons?”

“I’m not sure Shippo but . . . ”

Kagome’s mind started churning as she thought of the implications.

“He wanted to separate us, distract us long enough for something bigger. Knowing Naraku he will want to cause us as much pain as possible. He will want us to be there to see it.”

“The village!”

They all came to the same conclusion at the same time. They all swiftly took off heading toward the village at their fastest pace. Hoping they would get there before it was too late.

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Ok now that this is noger ger a one shot I need a new story title and a new summary any suggestions?

Thank you to my friends OrlendoBloom and yaoiyaoiyeah who took the time to read and review.

\,,/_ (I love y’all)


Marieka signing off for now EXCELSIOR!

AMBER EYES - And when God looked back with pain, His eyes, moist and wise, were the color of amber. And crowned upon his head was a silver lion’s mane. - Ralph D. Helfer