Author's Notes: I got the idea for this fic from a pic. Hehe! Rhymed! Yup, I'm a dork. Ironically, this pic is preceding 'Salvation." Also, I saw an episode clip where Miroku was hitting on Sango and got slapped. His reply? "It was worth the pain." Just some good info to have. Makes the ending that much sappier.

            The man sat only a few yards away from me, leaning against a tree trunk. We had all gone to sleep hours ago. A dream woke me, and I saw the monk still wide awake. He held his right arm in his left hand and seemed to be studying it. His expression grew from thoughtful to sorrowful. His sash is bundled up next to him, usually his pillow.

I wonder if this is the only time he can be serious, I thought. Perhaps his daily exercise of grabbing my butt helps ease his mind. Gee, glad I could help.

"Still awake, Sango?" he asks, breaking my thoughts.

"A dream woke me," I replied.

"Not a nightmare, I hope."

"No. Just a bit startling. What seems to be keeping you awake?" I ask, as if I haven't been spending the past few minutes studying him.

"My body does not seem to want the rest tonight," he replies. "That just happens sometimes."

"Oh."

"Do not feel you have to stay up with me. Please, go back to sleep. You need your rest."

He can be so sweet sometimes. "As do you."

Miroku sighs. "I cannot sleep if my body won't let me."

I get up and walk over to him. "My mother used to sing to me when I was young," I told him. "I can try that, if you like."

He smiled. "I would."

"Come here," I said and cradled the man in my arms, as if he were a child again. "And if I feel those hands anywhere near my butt...."

"Yes mam," he squeaked.

"Close your eyes," I whispered. He did.

"Every now and then, we find a special friend, who never lets us down, Who understands it all, reaches out each time you fall, you're the best friend that Iv'e found, I know you can't stay, but part of you will never, ever, go away, Your heart will stay...

I'll make a wish for you, And hope it will come true, That life will just be kind, to such a gentle mind, if you lose your way, Think back on yesterday, Remember me this way Remeber me this way...

I looked down at the man. Sound asleep. But I kept going.

And I'll be right behind your shoulder watching you, I'll be standing by your side in all you do, And I won't ever leave, as long as you believe...

            I'll make a wish for you, And hope it will come true, That life will just be kind to such a gentle mind, If you lose your way, Think back on yesterday, Remember me this way...

Remember me this way...

            "Don't worry, Sango, I will."

            At least, I thought he was asleep.

            "But you'll always be beautiful."

            I felt my cheeks turn warm. Was he talking in his sleep? Or is messing with my head? Either way, it'd be fun to keep him talking.

            "Then why do you always tease me, Miroku?" I ask.

            "I love you.... Wish not.... To burden you," he mutters.

            "So you push me away."

            "Yes."

            "That's not really fair, now is it?" I say.

            "Huh?"

            "You should give me a chance to love you back."

            "Not until /he/ is defeated."

            "I understand." I gently ease his head off my lap unto his sash.

            "You'll always be worth the pain, Sango."

            I smiled. "That was sweet, I think." I went back to where I had been sleeping, and suddenly that startling dream didn't seem quite so bad.