A few days later, as Kagome paced the length of the hut, her preoccupation with Shin’s transformations was temporarily placed on hold. She glanced to the window, noting the position of the sun through the shutters. Pushing himself up as best he could against the bars of his crib, Shin watched her inquisitively. His stormy blue eyes tracked her back and forth as she went by.

“It’s nearly noon already,” Kagome muttered, “where is she? It’s not like Sango-chan to be late…”

Sighing tersely, she paused before the crib. Shin peered up at her mildly, offering no answers. 

Sango and she had planned to go down to the river that morning with the kids and do their laundry there together. Some friendly company helped so much to lessen the tedium of the task. But so far, Sango hadn’t shown up. Kagome’s impatience was swiftly turning to concern. Forgetting the laundry, she took up her carrier sling and fit Shin into it.

“Let’s just go and check on her. Something must have come up to delay her, that’s all.”

But even as Kagome told herself and Shin this, she didn’t quite believe it.

Arriving at Sango and Miroku’s sprawling home, Kagome called at the door. After a moment, Sango answered, looking pale and harried. Seeing Kagome standing there, she blinked before her dark eyes widened. Her mouth shaped into an ‘o’ of sudden comprehension.

“Kagome-chan! I’m so sorry—I completely forgot that we had plans today.”

“That’s all right,” Kagome replied, though her concern sharpened as she saw how out of sorts her best friend seemed. “…Is everything okay, Sango-chan?”

Sango hesitated. As she seemed to be deliberating what to say, Miroku appeared at her shoulder.

“Everything is fine, Kagome-sama. I just had a spell of faintness this morning. This heat is oppressive, is it not?”

Sango turned to him, frowning. “You should be lying down,” she said in a tone that brooked no protest, before herding him back inside.

As Kagome followed in after them, Miroku winked to her, stage-whispering, “See how she corrals me? A less enlightened man might balk at such treatment, but I must admit, it enthralls me.”

Sango rolled her eyes, though her cheeks pinked. Kagome shook her head.

The twin girls and Komori scurried back to their dolls and toys, as though they hadn’t been flagrantly eavesdropping. Kagome tossed a smile to them as she followed Sango and Miroku into the adjoining bedroom. Craning his neck, Shin peeked toward them.

“I ought to check you over,” she said to Miroku as Sango settled him down. “Just in case.”

His expression was the picture of nonchalance as he replied, “Of course, Kagome-sama, if you think it’s prudent.”

“I’ll make some tea,” Sango said, bustling out.

The moment she was out of earshot, Kagome leaned to Miroku and whispered, “You haven’t been shirking your pills, have you?”

“Ah, well.” Miroku shifted slightly. “I hadn’t had a spell for so long that I thought perhaps I no longer needed to take them.”

Kagome closed her eyes as she pinched at the bridge of her nose. Men and their stubborn pride…

“Miroku-sama, that’s not how it works. Those pills aren’t a cure—they’re a treatment. Just because you’re feeling better doesn’t mean you don’t still need them. You have to stick to the regimen, okay?”

Miroku nodded. “I understand.”

“I hope so.”

Kagome took his vitals, which hadn’t deviated much, thankfully, from what she remembered. Sango returned shortly thereafter with the tea. She perked up visibly at Kagome’s assessment, not knowing that ‘normal’ was very much a relative term in Miroku’s case.

As Kagome made to leave with Shin in tow, Sango drew her aside near the front door. With an embarrassed flush, she said, “I’m so sorry again for forgetting.”

Kagome gave a light wave. “It’s no big deal, really. You guys just take it easy today.”

“I’ll come by first thing tomorrow morning, I promise.”

Kagome mustered a smile. “Sure, sounds good.”

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Revised 8/31/23