Week 16 - Prompt 2
Title: Remembrance
Author: Griddlebone (eggplantlady)
Rating: G/PG
Genre: Angst
Warnings: Mild manga spoilers
AU/Canon: Post-manga canon
Sango sat alone on a small hillock just outside the hut she shared with her husband, staring into space. If she leaned back, she could rest her head against the wall of the hut and stare up at the stars that sprinkled the sky with light. She listened to the faint sounds of Miroku settling their children for the night, but could not muster a smile.
No, she was always restless at this time of year. Despondent, plagued by melancholy, and counting down the days.
After several minutes of quiet, Miroku emerged from the hut and came to sit beside her. His sudden presence in the dark, quiet and comforting, reminded her of the old days, of the journey that had brought them together.
He did not make a move toward her, seemingly content to let her have her own space. By now he knew that she would come to him when she was ready.
She was not ready to talk about it just yet, but she was glad for the company - and the understanding.
When she finally felt even a little composed, she began, "It's been -"
She could not finish. Miroku did it for her. "Five years. I know, my love."
Every year she knew this day was coming and dreaded its arrival. And every year the pain returned, just as unbearable as it had ever been. "Do you think he will return?"
"Ah, Sango, I wish I knew. But who can say? If he ever feels ready, I believe he will return." He inched closer and took her into his arms, holding her while she fought against tears she refused to shed.
She had dedicated a year of her life to avenging her people, with the singular goal of saving her brother's life, only to have him leave her again almost as soon as he was saved. For the rest of the year she could pretend that she was fine, that all the scars had healed, but not tonight. Not on the anniversary of Kohaku's departure.
To have done so much, gone so far, for the sake of one person… Sango hated her brother as much as she knew he needed to do what he had done. After all of the crimes he had been forced to commit, he had a deep need to atone. But to leave her, after all that? She could not even know whether he was alive or dead.
She looked back to the sky, then, resting her head on Miroku's shoulder. She hoped that somewhere out there her brother and Kirara still sought whatever it was they sought. Atonement. A continuation of the demon slayers' traditional ways. She did not know, but she wished them luck and prayed for their good health.
Someday, they would return.
She had to keep telling herself that.
Tears slid down her cheeks, heedless of her attempts to keep them at bay.
Miroku pressed a kiss to the top of her head and held her closer. He was a living, breathing reminder of all the other things she had to live for: family, and friends, and love.
Snuggling into his embrace, she was thankful for the warmth and strength he shared with her. She drew a thankful breath, but could not find words to express her gratitude. "Miroku…"
He murmured something so softly that she could not make out the words.
"… Thank you." For staying beside me. For giving me your love, your devotion. For letting me hold onto this pain. For everything.
They did not sleep that night, and instead sat outside, watching the forest. In the darkness neither saw the solitary figure that lingered just beyond the nearest trees and they dozed, blissful and unaware, as it disappeared with the dawn.
Someday, he would return.
Author: Griddlebone (eggplantlady)
Rating: G/PG
Genre: Angst
Warnings: Mild manga spoilers
AU/Canon: Post-manga canon
Sango sat alone on a small hillock just outside the hut she shared with her husband, staring into space. If she leaned back, she could rest her head against the wall of the hut and stare up at the stars that sprinkled the sky with light. She listened to the faint sounds of Miroku settling their children for the night, but could not muster a smile.
No, she was always restless at this time of year. Despondent, plagued by melancholy, and counting down the days.
After several minutes of quiet, Miroku emerged from the hut and came to sit beside her. His sudden presence in the dark, quiet and comforting, reminded her of the old days, of the journey that had brought them together.
He did not make a move toward her, seemingly content to let her have her own space. By now he knew that she would come to him when she was ready.
She was not ready to talk about it just yet, but she was glad for the company - and the understanding.
When she finally felt even a little composed, she began, "It's been -"
She could not finish. Miroku did it for her. "Five years. I know, my love."
Every year she knew this day was coming and dreaded its arrival. And every year the pain returned, just as unbearable as it had ever been. "Do you think he will return?"
"Ah, Sango, I wish I knew. But who can say? If he ever feels ready, I believe he will return." He inched closer and took her into his arms, holding her while she fought against tears she refused to shed.
She had dedicated a year of her life to avenging her people, with the singular goal of saving her brother's life, only to have him leave her again almost as soon as he was saved. For the rest of the year she could pretend that she was fine, that all the scars had healed, but not tonight. Not on the anniversary of Kohaku's departure.
To have done so much, gone so far, for the sake of one person… Sango hated her brother as much as she knew he needed to do what he had done. After all of the crimes he had been forced to commit, he had a deep need to atone. But to leave her, after all that? She could not even know whether he was alive or dead.
She looked back to the sky, then, resting her head on Miroku's shoulder. She hoped that somewhere out there her brother and Kirara still sought whatever it was they sought. Atonement. A continuation of the demon slayers' traditional ways. She did not know, but she wished them luck and prayed for their good health.
Someday, they would return.
She had to keep telling herself that.
Tears slid down her cheeks, heedless of her attempts to keep them at bay.
Miroku pressed a kiss to the top of her head and held her closer. He was a living, breathing reminder of all the other things she had to live for: family, and friends, and love.
Snuggling into his embrace, she was thankful for the warmth and strength he shared with her. She drew a thankful breath, but could not find words to express her gratitude. "Miroku…"
He murmured something so softly that she could not make out the words.
"… Thank you." For staying beside me. For giving me your love, your devotion. For letting me hold onto this pain. For everything.
They did not sleep that night, and instead sat outside, watching the forest. In the darkness neither saw the solitary figure that lingered just beyond the nearest trees and they dozed, blissful and unaware, as it disappeared with the dawn.
Someday, he would return.