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Bonds of Time	By : eternalstarhaven Category: Sailor Moon > Crossovers Views: 4450 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Inyusha and Sailor Moon are the work of other authors and anyone that thinks they can make a profit is fooling themselves.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Miroku's Request

Chapter Five

She woke to a warm fire, still dazed from the day before. The surge of power had been unexpected, lying dormant for the next time she had need. What am I? I know Sesshomaru referred to me as a Lunarian or Solarian, but until now I never paid much attention. Am I really so different?

Tranquility was quiet for several minutes, staring at the roof of the cave. It would be so easy to lie here for the rest of her life, to forget the danger she was in. Was it so hard to ask for a normal life? She was always fighting, and she knew this to be true in her other life as well.

Hearing a sound, she turned her head, surprised to see the monk. He was wide awake, guarding the entrance of the cave in silence. She had trouble reading his expression, the man constantly looking at his hand. Tranquility gave a soft smile, happy that she had done some good. Is the monk protecting me? she wondered.

Tranquility was so tired of running, Sesshomaru constantly calling. She wanted to give in, to let him be the one to fight Naraku. Sesshomaru had wanted her trust, but it was much more than that. Tranquility would trust him with her life. It was the thought of him dying for her that scared her senseless. Nothing mattered as long as she managed to keep him safe.

The Monk glanced at her, a smile on his face. Seeing her awake, he abandoned his post, moving to her side and checking her bandages. She had stopped bleeding, but Miroku still thought her too thin. "I'll be right back," he promised.

Grabbing a few items from his pack, he disappeared returning an hour later with several fish, some berries and a dead rabbit. Tranquility gaped at the monk, as if seeing a man hunt was completely foreign to her. It didn't take long for her stomach to growl in protest, the smell of his food very appealing.

Miroku laughed. If it's one thing he had learned in the past two years, none of his companions had ever been able to resist or turn away his cooking; that included the stubborn InuYasha. Granted, Kagome's food from the future was good, but it lacked the taste that a person can get if it were freshly made.

"You should eat more," he teased, giving her the first helping. Between the two of them, they easily finished off the ten fish, the rabbit and the loaf of bread he still had in his sack. She still looked slightly hungry, but at least she could move with more energy now.

Despite his smile and laughter, Tranquility could still see that shadowed look in his eyes. She was all too familiar with that kind of pain. "You should rest, monk."

"Call me Miroku," he insisted, taking a cold cloth to wipe away the dried blood on her arms. "One of us needs to keep watch, and I doubt seriously you're up for the task yet. Compared to the gift you granted, losing one night of sleep is minor." Miroku was tired, but glancing at her pale features, he knew that she had been on the verge of collapse and exhaustion for several days.

"I think you're the one who needs to rest," he gently scolded, treating her as if she were a child. She scowled, reminding him of Kagome. "You're going to try and resist my help, aren't you?" Tranquility looked slightly guilty, making Miroku laugh all the harder. "I better warn you now, it's useless. Once I've set my mind to something, nothing will change it."

Tranquility had to leave, before this kind man was killed. He meant well, but Miroku was still human. Besides Sesshomaru, there was always Naraku. She hadn't felt his presence since she ran off, but that didn't mean he wasn't ready to strike at any moment. Her dreams had been horrifying. She could still see their lifeless eyes staring at her, her hands and face covered in their blood.

It was her fault! She had murdered them all and had laughed while she did it. Never! I won't let Naraku control me so easily!

Suddenly she felt strong arms wrap around her, holding her close as she trembled. Why was everyone so willing to protect her? This monk was clearly human, but he was like Kagome and Rei. He didn't call her a freak, and he was giving her a smile that offered friendship.

"I..."

"You're still very young," he told her. "Must you do this alone?" He wasn't serious! Tranquility jerked away, already bolting for the entrance. To her surprise, Miroku was already there, blocking her path. He seemed amused, but no less determined.

"Don't feel obligated for a gift that I freely gave!"

"Stop trying to send me away, it isn't going to work." Tranquility backed away, but he kept the same distance until she was trapped in a small corner. "I know what you're thinking, that it's best if you did this alone. It's not only insane, but stupidity."

Her lavender eyes flashed, but he refused to back off. To see his wide stance and his arms crossed, almost made her laugh. "You can't help me."

"Are you so certain? How will you know unless you're willing to believe in someone?"

"You can't fight a demon!" She snapped, hoping she'd frighten him off. His only response was a bitter laugh.

"Child, you have so much to learn. I've been fighting demons since I was able to walk. Humans either learn to survive in this world, or die."

"Stop referring to me as a child!"

"Then stop acting like one! I'm not going to even ask if you can fight. Instead, I'll make a small wager with you."

"What kind of wager?"

"You think that a human can't fight, at least not against a demon. Fine, if you're right then I'll let you go without a further argument. However, if I win, this discussion is over and we travel together."

Tranquility could only stare at the monk in shock. He wasn't seriously thinking of fighting her. Still, if it would send him away... "Why are you so determined about this?"

"Compared to what I was faced with, fighting your enemy is nothing. The wind tunnel was a gift from Naraku. Now that I'm free of the Wind Tunnel, then I no longer have a need to search for him."

"Then this should be easy for you. If avoiding Naraku is truly your intent, then staying with me will only get you that much closer. Miroku, please take the gift and leave. You deserve a happy and normal life."

"Naraku is your enemy, is it?" He found himself laughing around her a lot, but he couldn't help it. Tears streamed down his face, and he knew it was upsetting her, but the entire situation was hilarious. "I'm almost tempted to do as you ask, but my answer is still no."

Tranquility growled, "How can one human be so stubborn? I won't have you killed!"

"And I will not repay your gift by allowing the same fate for yourself! I gave you a choice, and it's your only way to rid yourself of me!" Miroku set aside his staff, knowing he didn't need it. "I respect your concern for my safety, however, you dishonor me by your request."

"Why won't you listen? My entire life has been alone and I've accepted that! You choose a path of death. There has never been anyone to protect me, nor do I expect them to. Please, I want you to live! My friends are so few, that if even one were to die, I could never forgive myself!"

Miroku refused to move, waiting for her to try and leave. He hated the lesson he was about to give, but it was the only way to get through to her. She was about to see a side that a few of his servants dared not to bring out. "I've already given you my say in the matter."

"I don't want, nor do I need your help! Just leave me alone!"

One step, and he already had Tranquility flat on her back. She didn't even see him move. His hand pressed painfully against her arms, the brown of his eyes cold and hard. "We will not continue this," he warned dangerously. "Insist on acting like a child and you will be treated as such. Perhaps you need to understand why I have no choice but to follow."

She could only stare and listen, too shocked that she had been beaten. Tranquility had been in some challenging fights, but Miroku was on a level that surpassed even the grand masters of the schools she visited. Should she be surprised? This was Feudal Japan. Where she came from, one learned martial arts as a hobby or even a sport. Here, it was a way of survival. It was kill or be killed.

"The gift you offered can never be free! I never even dared to hope that it could be cured. It was my fate and I had accepted it! If I die trying to keep you alive, then that is my choice, not yours!"

"Miroku..."

He grasped her chin with the hand she had healed, fire blazing in his eyes. Tranquility sighed, knowing he had won. It wasn't a thrilling thought. To be beaten so easily, gave her all the more reason to stay away from Sesshomaru and the others. "Naraku came to you in a dream, promising death to your friends."

"How...?"

"Naraku only gains control if you allow him to. Yes I was cursed, but I chose to find and fight him regardless. He has a young boy in his grasp, and at times he's able to break free of it. Narkau has forced him to do unspeakable things, but we're still trying to save him."

"You say you're not a child, and perhaps on human terms you're right. However, according to the demon world, you're still too young to have full access to your powers. Your fate is determined by Naraku only if you allow it to happen."

"By avoiding your friends, you give that much more power to Naraku. If you're going to continue on this path, then stop being so stubborn and allow me to help. It's suicide to go alone!"

"Fine, but only if you teach me how to fight! I've never seen moves like yours, and I watched the masters."

Miroku snorted. "I'm not going to even ask."

"I was good growing up, but I was never officially taught."

"Aren't you a demon?"

Miroku continued to surprise her. She had always been different from her classmates, and had been hated for it. Yet here she was, pinned by the monk, and he respected her. She had so much to learn. "I'm not sure of anything anymore."

"How old are you?"

"Eighteen in two days."

"Are you going to behave now?" Tranquility nodded, knowing it was pointless to argue with Miroku any longer. Smiling, he stood and rested his weight against the cavern wall. Miroku appeared so relax, so different than moments before. "That would explain why Naraku is so determined to have you. You're a child until you hit maturity. Have you gone through the change yet?"

"You know about that?"

"I have a few friends that explained it to me. There's a human even raising a fox demon. I think he's almost ten now."

"That doesn't explain why Naraku would want me though."

"A fully mature demon would be nearly impossible for him to control, and until you've made the transformation, you're vulnerable and easy to manipulate. That's why he went after the demon slayer's brother. He couldn't fight Naraku's mind control at his age."

"Your power was nothing to sneeze at yesterday, and I have a feeling that's only a small portion of what you're capable of. Do you even remember?"

"A little."

"You're a danger to both sides." Miroku saw her withdrawing and immediately rested a hand upon her shoulder. "Tranquility, I'm only making you aware of the problems you're too stubborn to see. All we have to do is to teach you how to use and control this power. In the mean time, we hide for a few months, wait for your transformation and then decide if we confront your enemy with or without your other friends."

He made everything sound so simple, and she couldn't help but hope and believe in him. "How you can be so optimistic?" She asked.

"When you live with death all your life, it tends to put a new perspective on things. By the way, I never asked your name."

"Tranquility." Miroku almost regretted his decision to help her, but didn't have time to say anything before they heard the crushing of leaves outside the cave. Tranquility shrank back, somehow squirming into a crack. Miroku shook his head, already moving outside to meet the intruder.

The last person he expected to find was Sango, the demon slayer on Kirara's back. Miroku wasn't sure how to react, choosing to keep an indifferent expression. He wasn't going to give in without some resistance. What kind of idiot did she take him for?

"Sango," he greeted, his voice cool. She flinched, but Miroku refused to let her off so easily.

"Everyone was worried about you," she whispered, not looking up. Sango had landed for a reason, but had forgotten when she had spotted Miroku. Sliding off Kirara's back, she walked towards the angry Monk and clutched at his sleeve. She tried to read his expression, but it was cold and strangely blank. Sango had done this and it hurt her to know that they may never be friends again.

Miroku should have known she didn't come because she wanted him. "As you can see, I'm perfectly fine." He moved towards the water, washing his hands free of dirt and breakfast. "I'm not going back, so quit wasting your time."

Sango struggled against the tears threatening to fall. She never thought her heart would feel so painful, but listening to Miroku made her feel all the guiltier for the way she had acted. "Miroku, I never had a chance to say thank you. And, you were right. I was wrong to slap and you, and for that I apologize."

Miroku forgot to keep his mask, long enough for her to notice. Sango realized that he didn't want to get hurt again, placing an invisible barrier between them. He hadn't expected Sango to apologize; it was a first and he didn't know how to respond without seeming childish. "Sango..."

Sango suddenly threw her arms around his neck, crying into his robe. "Miroku, I'm so sorry. I knew you were different, but I was afraid and..."

Miroku smiled, returning her embrace. If she was willing to apologize, then he could certainly forgive her. "We'll talk about this later, Sango."

"You'll come back."

He sighed, burying his hands in her thick hair. It felt good to hold her, watching her reaction as he became more possessive. Miroku wanted this woman, more than she could possibly ever want him in return. "Things are not so simple any longer, Sango. Our paths will cross in time, but for now I need the others to stay away from me."

"Why?" she asked, searching for a possible threat. Miroku grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. His gaze was so intense, that she could only stare at him helplessly, a knowing smirk on his face. This time he wouldn't give her a chance to hit him, trapping her arms against her sides.

Sango blushed, his other hand still holding her chin captive. "Miroku..."

"I grant you a gift, a promise that I will return, Sango." He was far from gentle, taking her mouth with a desire that had been pent up for far too long. Sango whimpered, taken by surprise and helpless to stop him. She had never expected this, her entire body betraying her.

He tugged on her lower lip, his tongue demanding entry. They were lost in the moment, completely forgetting their missions. Reluctantly he pulled away, but Miroku was satisfied to know that Sango would forever be his. He could see it in her eyes as she weakly climbed on to Kirara. "Go, before I change my mind and continue what I started," he growled.

"You're not angry still, are you?"

Miroku smiled, the glow in his eyes brighter. She took a deep breath, feeling her stomach flip. His look was predatory and possessive. Miroku was making no effort to conceal what he wanted, and Sango suddenly knew he had felt this way for some time. Sango started to leave when she remembered something.

"Miroku, the others are searching for a girl."

"I know what they're after, and I won't help."

She blinked, wondering why he was so intent on not returning. He was standing protectively in front of the cave, as if he were telling her to back off. "You've seen her," Sango said. She couldn't hide the hint of jealousy, blushing when Miroku smiled.

"Do as I ask and keep the others away from me?" His expression was on the border line of hostile, a deadly promise if he was pushed to far. "Do you trust me, Sango?"

His anger was directed more towards her friends than herself, but she knew better than to continue pushing him. "Miroku..." He growled, snatching her around the waist and pulling her off the two tail.

"That's not an answer," he whispered, pushing her against a tree. "Will you do as I ask?" His breath teased her skin, moving to the hollow of her throat.

"Hai."

"Do you trust me?" He tugged on her ear, driving all thoughts from her mind.

"Yes..." she gasped.

"I won't repeat myself, Sango. Leave, or I'll take you on this grassy floor here and now; damn the consequences or if I'll be held responsible!"

Sango fled, knowing he would follow through with his promise. Was she running from him, or herself? She was terrified of the commitment he wanted from her, but the few days apart had been tearing her apart.

I'll do as you ask, Miroku. I just hope you know what you're getting into.

She was so far into the crack, he almost thought she had found a way out the other side. Miroku laughed, "She's gone. You can come out now."

"I knew this was a mistake. If I stay..." Miroku snatched her wrist and slammed her against the wall. He didn't hurt her, but it was enough to gain her attention.

"Tranquility, we've had this discussion. As it stands, you no longer have a choice but to stay in my company. You're running from the best trackers known to humans and demons alike! I don't even think hiding from them is possible! However, unless you know these lands, you might as well give up now!"

"Miroku, I don't want..."

"What you want is irrelevant. Sango has promised to keep them away. If you leave now, your friends will find you. To be honest, I think they should."

Tranquility growled, but Miroku refused to be intimidated. "Get read to leave. Koga's wolf pack patrols these waters frequently. I'm amazed you made it this far without being spotted."

Waiting for him to pack his things, Tranquility anxiously watched the sky, terrified of being discovered. "We should leave the river."

"Why? It covers our scent."

"Tranquility, if Sesshomaru is the one tracking you, then that will only delay him. Who else are you hiding from?"

Tranquility suddenly felt like a little kid, having to tell her father why she had been sent home early from school. "Koga and Artemis," she whispered.

"I know what Koga is capable of. Who is Artemis?"

"He's a Solarian." Miroku paled, almost dropping his staff. "What's wrong?"

"I think I'd rather face Naraku. Have you lost your mind, Tranquility? Solarians rarely lose a fight and they always catch what they hunt."

Tranquility felt discouraged, but Miroku was already heading out, waiting for her to join him. "You're still going to help?"

"I haven't a clue why, but yes. I'm not sure if I should pity or respect this foolish quest of yours; however, a promise is a promise. You're trying to protect them, aren't you?" He took her silence as a yes and sighed. "Tranquility, hasn't it occurred to you that they don't need it. I'm surprised that they're even getting along."

"Why?"

As they walked, Miroku told her of the wars between the wolves, dogs and Solarians. The wars had been fierce and deadly, all sides taking heavy losses. "All the more reason to keep you away from Naraku," Miroku finished.

"I don't want to kill them!" She cried.

"Not telling them will be just as harmful. Tran, while we're traveling, consider the mental pain you cause your friends. I should know; I did the same when I discovered my curse."
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Bonds of Time

Miroku's Request

Chapter Five