Sango lay awake in under the darkness of the night sky. Miroku lay beside her, apparently sleeping soundly. Sango smiled ruefully as she watched his limber form rise and fall with every breath. She took in the serenity of his sleeping face, the dark shade of his deep brunette bangs that covered his boyish features. Sango's eyes lingered on his still figure, and she carefully tucked a stray piece of hair that obscured his face behind his ear. She looked on with loving eyes and sighed inwardly.

'Miroku…' she spoke his name in her mind. She frowned sadly, and rose from her position beside him. She made her way out of the encampment, carefully stepping around the motionless bodies of her other companions. Sango glanced back once more to Miroku's sleeping face, heaved a great sigh of regret, turned on her heel, and walked on.

When she was out of sight, Miroku opened his violet eyes. He sat up straight and peered through the thick darkness after the retreating woman with a remorseful look on his face.

"Sango…." He whispered through the night. No reply came.

Morning came, bringing with it the soft glow of the warm sun, and the sweet smell of cherry blossoms and lilacs carried on the spring breeze. Miroku woke from his sleep to find that Sango was still gone. He looked around him, inspecting his surroundings for any sign of the demon slayer.

"Oi! Bouzu!" Another man's voice boomed behind Miroku. He turned and saw a man of about the same stature walking towards him.

"Inuyasha," Miroku grumbled in a less than friendly manner. Miroku rose to his feet and quirked an eyebrow in Inuyasha's direction.

"Where's Sango. I haven't seen her yet today, and Kagome can't find her either. You didn't chase her away again with your womanizing, did you, monk?" Inuyasha asked harshly.

"Most certainly not, Inuyasha. I haven't spoken to Sango since supper last night." Miroku retorted. He did not mention the sad look in Sango's eyes the previous night, the gentle caress of her hand against his cheek…or the fact that she left….

"Well, why are you just sitting there? Aren't you the least bit worried about her?"

"She's a strong woman, Inuyasha, I'm sure that she's fine. Now, Inuyasha, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find somewhere to bathe before we leave. I'll be back soon." Miroku said. What he neglected to mention was the fact that he truly was worried. It was unlike Sango to leave without saying a word. And that look on her face last night as she watched over him….that sorrowful look would forever be engraved in his memories…

He walked through the woods, frequently stopping, straining his ears to hear what he thought might have been the shuffle of Sango's sandals on the leaves and grass, or perhaps the music of her melodic voice floating on the air.

No sign came….

In a wave of despair, he settled himself at the base of an enormous cherry tree and buried his face in his hands.

"Sango, it was my fault that you left, isn't it?" He asked the non-existent woman. "I'm so sorry, Sango. It's probably because I grope you every time you come near me…." Miroku shook his head in self-disgust. "I am nothing but a lecherous monk…"

The breeze rustled his hair and cherry blossoms swirled around him. He raised his violet eyes to the sky.

"Sango, wherever you are, if you can here me….I want you to know that I…." He talked to the clouds above him. "…I want you to know that I…I love you…." His last words were quiet, and nervous.

"….W-what did you say?" uttered a silky voice from the shade of the neighboring trees.

Miroku whirled around in shock only to be confronted with an equally surprised Sango. Her honey eyes were wide with astonishment and a pink blush warmed her cheeks.

"Sango-san!" Miroku gasped. He took a step backward and tripped over a tree root, falling back onto the hard earth. "Ouch…"

Sango advanced on the monk and kneeled down beside his sprawled out figure. "Houshi-sama….is what you said true?" the young woman asked with hope-filled almond eyes.

Miroku blushed five shades of red. "Well, I…umm….you are a very attractive woman….and I…." He stammered, sitting up straight and rubbing the back of his neck. Sango giggled at his loss of composure. "…Yes, Sango….yes, I do…."

"Houshi-sama…" Sango whispered. Miroku winced at the formal title.

'Can't she just call me 'Miroku'? It would sound so wonderful rolling off those lips, those beautiful lips….' Miroku thought to himself.

"Y-yes, Sango-san?" Miroku asked nervously. Sango's warm hand covered his as she stared deep into his indigo orbs.

"I….I love you, Miroku….." Sango said. Miroku's eyes widened in disbelief. His hand enclosed around hers and a smile graced his handsome face.

"I've waited so long to tell you, Sango. I was so afraid that you didn't feel the same…" Miroku whispered, embracing the young woman. Sango rested her head on his chest, breathing in the scent of Miroku's robes: the sent of sandalwood and the outdoors.

"I always have, and I always will." Sango assured him. She brought a trembling hand up to trace the contours of Miroku's face. Her slender fingertips lingered on his pale lips, right where she knew that she wanted her lips to be.

Miroku noticed the longing in Sango's honey eyes. He smiled sweetly, tilting her chin up. He locked her gaze and bent his face down to kiss her. Their lips met and it was the sweetest sensation that either had ever felt. Surges of emotion coursed through their bodies, and their embrace grew tighter. Sango gently parted her lips and Miroku's tongue entered her mouth. She moaned quietly as his tongue danced over the velvet lining of her mouth, teasing her tongue. Hesitantly, Miroku broke the heated kiss, leaving both of them breathless.

Miroku pulled back just enough to fully see the Demon Slayer's face. Her skin was as pale as the moon, glistening in the sunlight, yet her cheeks were stained with a bright pink hue. Sango's eyes were glistening, their honey-brown depths holding so much happiness, so much love. She was a vision from a dream.

The young man once again pulled Sango close to him. He stroked her cheeks gently with a whimsical grin on his face. Sango sighed contentedly. Moments passed slowly like hours before either spoke.

"Sango?" Miroku said quietly, his face resting against her long, ebony hair.

"Yes, Miroku?"

"Why did you leave last night? I was so worried…"

"Gomen for worrying you, Miroku. I just….needed a bit of time to think….." Sango said softly, sadly. "About you…."

"Me?"

"Yes…about how to tell you how I feel…." Sango chuckled.

"Oh…" Miroku sighed with the satisfaction that it wasn't his groping that drove her away, like Inuyasha had suggested. Miroku wrapped an arm around Sango's waist. Sango smiled.

'Inuyasha' Miroku suddenly snapped out of his reverie. Inuyasha would be furious with him for taking so damn long…not only that but he still hadn't bathed.

"We should get back now, Sango. Inuyasha and Kagome are waiting." Miroku suggested.

"Yes, I suppose so…" Sango heaved a regretful sigh.

The couple rose to their feet and began walking, hand in hand, towards camp.

"I do not believe that Kagome, Inuyasha, and Shippou should know of our relationship until a later date." Miroku said, his smooth voice rich with passion.

"I agree, we shall tell them when we get ourselves settled."