Poison 2: In the Blood by Robuyasha

Chapter One: Refreshing Memories

Sesshomaru sat on the rough surface of a fallen tree, staring dazedly into a waning campfire. Before long Jaken and Rin would awaken, and they would continue on their usual journey.

That journey seemed to have lost it's luster, though, since...

He tried to rationalize his thoughts. 'Surely these are just after-effects of the poison.' He couldn't shake the feelings for that human girl. He was largely helpless to control his body during that period, but he couldn't deny that it was largely his influence that drove them together that night.

"Enough," he said aloud, though he did so softly. "Today, I will see her, and banish her plaguing presence from my thoughts."

Good luck with that, Sesshy.

Ω

Miroku was skulking his way back to camp, nursing a red glowing cheek given to him by Sango earlier that morning. "The sacrifices I make to find the mother of my children." He made his way back to the path through the woods that would eventually bring him to their campsite.

He'd ventured out with her to hunt for the days food, but she'd taken umbrage to a simple pat on the backside (that he'd given her in praise for her hunting prowess) and sent him packing. Completely unfair, of course, but she obviously needed the time alone.

He noticed a man coming from the other direction. The man was young, with long black hair in a braided ponytail, and he carried a large burlap sack. He was bright red from the heat, which was unusually brutal, especially for this early in the day.

As they came closer together, Miroku nodded politely to the young man. "Good day, sir," he greeted him.

"Is it? It seems very hot to me," the man grumbled.

Miroku glanced up through the trees to the harsh sunlight they obstructed. "Yes, but it's not so unusual. Such is Japan in the summer."

"You know," the man said directly, "I know a way you can beat the heat."

Miroku chuckled. Of course, he thought, I should have known he was a traveling salesman. "Really?" he feigned enthusiastic surprise. "Please, what is it?"

The man's smile faded. "I'm no fool, I know when someone is screwing with me." He hoisted his sack back to his shoulder, and stepped to pass.

Miroku felt bad, moved in front of him. "Forgive me. It's early. What is it you carry?"

"Well, fortunately for you, I am immune to your disdain," he answered with a shrug. He placed the bag on the ground and pulled open the strings. He pulled forth a bottle, thrust it to Miroku.

The monk eyed the bottle closely, but did not reach out a hand. Often these peddlers would drop their wears and make you pay for the breakage. Instead, he perused the article with a keen eye. "Is this water?" he asked finally.

The man nodded.

"Wow," Miroku turned to leave. "You are unquestionably the laziest conman I've ever..."

"Water that stays cold...forever."

Miroku stopped, turned his head. An impressive boast, especially on a day like today. Then, he thought, perhaps this man is five minutes from some unknown spring. But how would he have known he'd see someone soon enough for this con? Perhaps he was just taking advantage of the timing...

"Even if you boil it," the man added just above a whisper.

Miroku looked at him with suspicion. Then he walked to the edge of the sunlight. He bent down and gingerly tested one of the rocks. Just as he suspected, it was burning to the touch.

"Then set that bottle there. If by the end of our conversation it is still cool, I will by a bottle."

"Two bottles?" The man ventured with a devious smile.

"Very well," Miroku scoffed, "Two bottles."

The man placed a bottle on the rock. "The second," he explained, "I'll keep in my bag so you can compare them.

Miroku nodded with a smile, then walked back into the shade. "I am Miroku, by the way. Where are you traveling to?"

Ω

"I'll be damned," Miroku said, feeling the bottle in his hand. "Cold as winter!"

"I told ya! Now here's that second bottle, and if you have my money, I need to move on to my next sucker...er, water. Water sucker. Customer."

Miroku had already pulled out the money when he heard the sucker bit. "Wait, what was that?"

"Yoink!" The man ran down the road, throwing the sack over his shoulder.

Hmm, Miroku thought, wonder what that was about.

"I hope there's nothing wrong with this water." He opened the bottle, and cautiously took a sip.