InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Another Opens... ❯ The Adaptation ( Chapter 25 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Namiyo11 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.6K | Visits: 220 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.6K | Visits: 220 | Status: Completed
Chapter 25- The Adaptation
No, I don’t own Inuyasha.
Recap: Inuyasha struggles with his new role while the Inu settle in. What about Sango and Miroku? What about an embittered Shippo, now with Kaede? What happens now? Read on!
This chapter takes place two weeks or so after the last chapter.-Namiyo
“Not fair!” the kitsune kicked a pebble as he watched Kaede weeding, or rather reweeding, her garden.
Michiko, her pupil-well, no one truly tended a garden as well as the usual Gardener, and that was that. Even if she had looked after things for her while she had been with them rescuing the Inu and Miroku. The old Priestess sighed to herself, though. Two days after the incident now, and the pouting continued. She was growing tired of it.
“I think that perhaps you should consider how best to make up for your behavior, Shippo. First you antagonize Inuyasha, and now Miroku.”
Indeed he had.
***
At first, when they’d come back to the village, things had been alright. The couple had gladly settled into the hut they’d built for her and Kagome last fall. It was well built, roomy, and comfortable, perfect for them to settle in. The monk had actually collected his long stored things from the Temple when Mushin was taken home, and they both looked forward to beginning their married life at last. Sango did sigh to herself when she realized how different it looked now with Miroku’s small altar in the hut, not to mention his things...but it felt right. Kagome had her home-and she had hers, with their respective husbands. As it should be, as they’d hardly dreamed it would be when they hunted for the Jewel.
Honestly, she was happy even if she missed Kagome’s company. The village was happy to have her back, and welcomed Miroku warmly. They’d still go to the Temple for visits, but for now, well, this would be home to them. Curling up with him at night was bliss, and they were toying with the notion of having Shippo come live with them, sort of as practice for their own little ones. For the family they were diligently working on starting. Or trying to.
***
“You know, I almost miss throwing things at you at times like this, Miroku,” Sango giggled as they soaked in a small spring not far from the village, slipping her arms around his neck. He smiled, kissing her.
“Ahhhh...I do too, in a way. But-” his hand slid under the water, making her gasp, “then we wouldn’t be here like this, now would we?” Miroku chuckled.
Sango’s eyes smoldered as she smiled invitingly. He had to admit part of the reason he no longer chased other women was Sango’s passionate nature. How a woman so disciplined could become so different and eager for him...it amazed him, and he said more than one prayer of gratitude for it. But then-
“There you are!” a yell and a splash!
The monk went for his staff on the rocks by the spring...and it took a bit more effort then he would’ve liked to let go of it. Shippo had joined them. Without an invitation. Again. The kit had been a continuing companion of late. Almost like he was afraid to leave them alone.
So far, they were doing their best to explain to him that they wanted to be alone sometimes, and Miroku took his patience in both hands to try again. After all, once they had children, well-these things would happen. He and Sango exchanged a mostly still amused look over the kitsune’s head. A promise for later passed between them. One of many promises. Everything seemed promising now that they’d have some time to be just another young wedded couple, to get used to one another as husband and wife. No less than Inuyasha and Kagome, they needed it.
Just another young couple starting out...sure.
***
“Help!! You must help, there is no end to it! You and your great ally, you must slay the evil one that torments us! A youkai-horrible, powerful-please!” the man wailed, all but flinging himself at Sango.
The quietly bemused tajiya hardly looked like a legendary slayer...hanging up her washing outside her hut. But nonetheless, he begged without shame. The farmer who’d shown him where the tajiya and monk lived looked embarrassed for him. Sango calmly finished hanging up the last of her laundry and smiled.
“Of course. We’ll come to your village and see to it,” she answered and turned, calling for her husband. He hurried at her yell-and when he heard, nodded.
“Certainly, we’ll do everything possible, my good man, no need for any concern!” At Miroku’s warm agreement-the village’s emissary looked a bit...disappointed. He looked closely at Miroku, then Sango-and yes, that was definitely disappointment. His question proved it.
“Er-who are you?” the poor villager asked carefully.
“Why, I am Miroku, a monk who works to aid the common man,” he answered with a warm smile, and the man shot a slight frown at Sango.
“I was told to fetch two famous women warriors. One-yourself, honored tajiya,” he bowed, “and the other a terrible youkai with ears of a hound and a bow of tremendous power.” He seemed to have a laundress and a monk instead. Not what the headman would expect, really...not what he expected either.
“This is my husband, and he is very skilled. Do not worry.” Details were settled, and afterward, Miroku looked depressed as they packed.
“Kagome. He wanted her and not me. Didn’t even know who I was,” he grumbled.
“Ohhh. Don’t worry, Miroku. It’s just that we worked together a lot this winter. They used to ask where Inuyasha was, you know,” Sango said fondly, smiling at his dismay.
Shippo begged to come along as well. Seeing no reason why not, they let him come with them. No Sesshomaru was there to scare him or chase him away, and it was a bit like old times. He’d live with them when they got back from hunting this evil youkai, and things would be good again, Shippo was sure of it. Camping, curling up with them on Kirara while they traveled. It was wonderful to have things seem normal again. Like the old days.
But as Kaede had told him over and over again-things had changed.
As Shippo discovered when he, well...relived the old days a bit too much. It was a simple lizard youkai-not much work. But he had killed a farmer. Who had a wife. Miroku was placing ofuda on the widow’s hut, more to comfort her then because of a real need...when Shippo decided he needed checking on, and was peeking in. The monk going off with an unattached woman had always meant trouble before-and a whack or a slap from Sango.
“Oh, good monk, how can I thank you? I have been unable to sleep without fear since my dearest Etsuo was lost to me,” the young woman asked tearfully.
“Now, now, be comforted. I can assure you, this will prevent any evil from entering the hut,” Miroku said kindly, taking her hands to comfort her. Shippo saw this and was disgusted. Same old tricks, and he was married now! Nothing to do except tell Sango, he decided.
So he told her.
***
“What kind of comforting!?” Sango yelled by the irrigation ditches later. She’d literally dragged him there out of the supper given by the village in thanks to shout at him. They were no longer betrothed, she would not tolerate this. Oh, no.
“Nothing untoward, Sango! I swear it!” Miroku looked genuinely alarmed as he backed up. To his credit-he truly had forsworn womanizing. No less then Inuyasha, the winter had worked on him, made him grow up a bit. Made him realize what he wanted, and would never risk it now that he had it. Well-he did look, but no touching. But Sango wasn’t exactly believing him at the moment.
“Lecher!”
“Sango, you have to believe me!” he sputtered, shocked. Granted, he’d asked women to bear his children before, but he had one who had said yes now!
“Shippo said you were at your old tricks, Miroku! Why would he lie?” she demanded.
“What old tricks?”
“Going off with another woman and grabbing?” Sango had her arms folded as she scowled.
“Grab-I DID NOT!” he snapped, so fiercely she actually paused.
“Oh?”
“Oh indeed!! I held her hands-that was it! This won’t work if you don’t trust me, Sango! Yes, I used ofuda when it strictly wasn’t needed-to let that poor woman sleep nights! Sympathy and kindness to a widow isn’t wrong!” he yelled. Actually yelled.
“Held her-hands...?” Sango asked carefully. Shippo hadn’t specified what ‘old trick’ he was up to, only saying he was with a woman alone...she had decided on the rest based on experience. Even as angry as he was at the accusations-he had to admit she had reason to suspect him because of that.
“That’s all. Ask Keiko yourself!” he yelled and stalked away. The tajiya’s mouth worked. She did go back to the village, alright. She had to know.
***
“Oh, yes! The monk was so very kind. He put up protections on my hut to keep the evil ones away,” Keiko told her with a sniffle. She was eager to answer Sango’s questions, and the more she heard-the more she realized she’d wronged him, jumping to conclusions. Shame made her blush as she listened.
“Anything else?”
“Yes. He and I spoke for a long time, so very kind. I was so frightened, and he was the first person who really has listened to me, honored tajiya. So devoted to you as well, he said he was only doing what he would want someone to do for you in such a time. You’re very fortunate to have such a man, so kind, so understanding.” At that, Sango nodded softly.
“I am,” she admitted. Oh...what had she done? Granted, he had looked-but not once did he touch, or ask them to bear his child, or anything really bad. He was her husband, after all. She ought to have understood that, even if Shippo apparently didn’t.
When she apologized to him, well, Miroku was too stunned to gloat or proclaim his innocence. But Sango had to stop Miroku from purifying the kitsune when he learned who had gone to her with tales. By sitting on him and not letting him up until he calmed a bit. She was just as furious-but didn’t believe it warranted killing the young kitsune.
They made things up...and confronted Shippo about it soon after.
“You accused me of being unfaithful to my wife, Shippo! How dare you??” Miroku was usually so calm-right then he was throwing a fit worthy of Inuyasha!
“You mustn’t ever do that, Shippo! Do you have any idea what you did?” Sango agreed, furious. The yelling went on for awhile. The kit was in tears when he went to bed that night. They hadn’t hit him-the yelling had actually been worse than mere blows.
Nothing he did was right anymore. When they got home...all talk of him living with them ended for now. It broke his heart. Things really weren’t the same. They couldn’t be the same again. Things change, and people, and relationships. Noticing it, and accepting it...weren’t always easy.
***
But as Shippo ran away from Kaede to pout and wail at the unfairness of it all by the edge of the village, he didn’t know it, but he, and the rest of them were patiently being stalked. Had been for several days. If he had been less sunk in self-pity...perhaps he would have twigged. Perhaps not. He was a very young fox indeed, used to relying on others for his safety. Something else that should have been changing.
Wolves, by definition were among the most patient of hunters. Opportunists, they went for the weak of the herd, taking what they needed and picking off those not strong enough to survive. Inu called them scavengers. Wolves merely called it being practical.
***
Kouga nodded to himself. The scarred youkai crouched, watching him from a distance and downwind. It was tricky slipping close with Miroku and the Priestess about-but he managed. He couldn’t get near the Inu Keep, too many youkai too intent on finding him...but the village full of her favorite people was attainable.
She’d come eventually. Kagome would not stay mewed away from him forever. She’d come to see them, her favorite mortals and the kitsune. When she did-he’d do what had to be done and then be able to follow, be able to face his packbrothers with his head high. Still weak, he’d hunted judiciously, avoided humans, and waited as he healed up and slowly regained his strength. Until that day, he prepared. Kouga would watch the mortals and learn from them, studying them, their habits, be the hunter he was.
He watched...and wept at times. Kouga was no longer a pack leader, he could weep now-easing his pain as soul cleansing howls were denied him by his hunting and his waiting. A small comfort to an outcast no one leaned on for strength anymore. Besides, even howling was painful for him. He’d last howled for her, under her window in the moonlight, a courting call to show his love...love she had used to destroy him and nearly taken his people with it. Love that had cost Ginta and Hakkaku their lives. Love he saw between the monk and his woman. As he should have had. But now-
He’d spotted the weakness of the group. Now he just needed to get his claws on him.
The little kitsune. Whom he owed as well, oh yes...Kouga had not forgotten the tail ‘Kagome’ had sported as his people were used as a diversion...
To be continued in ‘Always: Part three of When a Door Closes...Another Opens’! To be posted soon.
Author’s notes-Cliffhanger? Me? Er...maybe. More a suggestion of one. A teaser, really. Alright. ‘Always’ is the final installment, and is not complete. It will be, and I hope you’ll read that as well. Thanks for Reading!-Namiyo
No, I don’t own Inuyasha.
Recap: Inuyasha struggles with his new role while the Inu settle in. What about Sango and Miroku? What about an embittered Shippo, now with Kaede? What happens now? Read on!
This chapter takes place two weeks or so after the last chapter.-Namiyo
“Not fair!” the kitsune kicked a pebble as he watched Kaede weeding, or rather reweeding, her garden.
Michiko, her pupil-well, no one truly tended a garden as well as the usual Gardener, and that was that. Even if she had looked after things for her while she had been with them rescuing the Inu and Miroku. The old Priestess sighed to herself, though. Two days after the incident now, and the pouting continued. She was growing tired of it.
“I think that perhaps you should consider how best to make up for your behavior, Shippo. First you antagonize Inuyasha, and now Miroku.”
Indeed he had.
***
At first, when they’d come back to the village, things had been alright. The couple had gladly settled into the hut they’d built for her and Kagome last fall. It was well built, roomy, and comfortable, perfect for them to settle in. The monk had actually collected his long stored things from the Temple when Mushin was taken home, and they both looked forward to beginning their married life at last. Sango did sigh to herself when she realized how different it looked now with Miroku’s small altar in the hut, not to mention his things...but it felt right. Kagome had her home-and she had hers, with their respective husbands. As it should be, as they’d hardly dreamed it would be when they hunted for the Jewel.
Honestly, she was happy even if she missed Kagome’s company. The village was happy to have her back, and welcomed Miroku warmly. They’d still go to the Temple for visits, but for now, well, this would be home to them. Curling up with him at night was bliss, and they were toying with the notion of having Shippo come live with them, sort of as practice for their own little ones. For the family they were diligently working on starting. Or trying to.
***
“You know, I almost miss throwing things at you at times like this, Miroku,” Sango giggled as they soaked in a small spring not far from the village, slipping her arms around his neck. He smiled, kissing her.
“Ahhhh...I do too, in a way. But-” his hand slid under the water, making her gasp, “then we wouldn’t be here like this, now would we?” Miroku chuckled.
Sango’s eyes smoldered as she smiled invitingly. He had to admit part of the reason he no longer chased other women was Sango’s passionate nature. How a woman so disciplined could become so different and eager for him...it amazed him, and he said more than one prayer of gratitude for it. But then-
“There you are!” a yell and a splash!
The monk went for his staff on the rocks by the spring...and it took a bit more effort then he would’ve liked to let go of it. Shippo had joined them. Without an invitation. Again. The kit had been a continuing companion of late. Almost like he was afraid to leave them alone.
So far, they were doing their best to explain to him that they wanted to be alone sometimes, and Miroku took his patience in both hands to try again. After all, once they had children, well-these things would happen. He and Sango exchanged a mostly still amused look over the kitsune’s head. A promise for later passed between them. One of many promises. Everything seemed promising now that they’d have some time to be just another young wedded couple, to get used to one another as husband and wife. No less than Inuyasha and Kagome, they needed it.
Just another young couple starting out...sure.
***
“Help!! You must help, there is no end to it! You and your great ally, you must slay the evil one that torments us! A youkai-horrible, powerful-please!” the man wailed, all but flinging himself at Sango.
The quietly bemused tajiya hardly looked like a legendary slayer...hanging up her washing outside her hut. But nonetheless, he begged without shame. The farmer who’d shown him where the tajiya and monk lived looked embarrassed for him. Sango calmly finished hanging up the last of her laundry and smiled.
“Of course. We’ll come to your village and see to it,” she answered and turned, calling for her husband. He hurried at her yell-and when he heard, nodded.
“Certainly, we’ll do everything possible, my good man, no need for any concern!” At Miroku’s warm agreement-the village’s emissary looked a bit...disappointed. He looked closely at Miroku, then Sango-and yes, that was definitely disappointment. His question proved it.
“Er-who are you?” the poor villager asked carefully.
“Why, I am Miroku, a monk who works to aid the common man,” he answered with a warm smile, and the man shot a slight frown at Sango.
“I was told to fetch two famous women warriors. One-yourself, honored tajiya,” he bowed, “and the other a terrible youkai with ears of a hound and a bow of tremendous power.” He seemed to have a laundress and a monk instead. Not what the headman would expect, really...not what he expected either.
“This is my husband, and he is very skilled. Do not worry.” Details were settled, and afterward, Miroku looked depressed as they packed.
“Kagome. He wanted her and not me. Didn’t even know who I was,” he grumbled.
“Ohhh. Don’t worry, Miroku. It’s just that we worked together a lot this winter. They used to ask where Inuyasha was, you know,” Sango said fondly, smiling at his dismay.
Shippo begged to come along as well. Seeing no reason why not, they let him come with them. No Sesshomaru was there to scare him or chase him away, and it was a bit like old times. He’d live with them when they got back from hunting this evil youkai, and things would be good again, Shippo was sure of it. Camping, curling up with them on Kirara while they traveled. It was wonderful to have things seem normal again. Like the old days.
But as Kaede had told him over and over again-things had changed.
As Shippo discovered when he, well...relived the old days a bit too much. It was a simple lizard youkai-not much work. But he had killed a farmer. Who had a wife. Miroku was placing ofuda on the widow’s hut, more to comfort her then because of a real need...when Shippo decided he needed checking on, and was peeking in. The monk going off with an unattached woman had always meant trouble before-and a whack or a slap from Sango.
“Oh, good monk, how can I thank you? I have been unable to sleep without fear since my dearest Etsuo was lost to me,” the young woman asked tearfully.
“Now, now, be comforted. I can assure you, this will prevent any evil from entering the hut,” Miroku said kindly, taking her hands to comfort her. Shippo saw this and was disgusted. Same old tricks, and he was married now! Nothing to do except tell Sango, he decided.
So he told her.
***
“What kind of comforting!?” Sango yelled by the irrigation ditches later. She’d literally dragged him there out of the supper given by the village in thanks to shout at him. They were no longer betrothed, she would not tolerate this. Oh, no.
“Nothing untoward, Sango! I swear it!” Miroku looked genuinely alarmed as he backed up. To his credit-he truly had forsworn womanizing. No less then Inuyasha, the winter had worked on him, made him grow up a bit. Made him realize what he wanted, and would never risk it now that he had it. Well-he did look, but no touching. But Sango wasn’t exactly believing him at the moment.
“Lecher!”
“Sango, you have to believe me!” he sputtered, shocked. Granted, he’d asked women to bear his children before, but he had one who had said yes now!
“Shippo said you were at your old tricks, Miroku! Why would he lie?” she demanded.
“What old tricks?”
“Going off with another woman and grabbing?” Sango had her arms folded as she scowled.
“Grab-I DID NOT!” he snapped, so fiercely she actually paused.
“Oh?”
“Oh indeed!! I held her hands-that was it! This won’t work if you don’t trust me, Sango! Yes, I used ofuda when it strictly wasn’t needed-to let that poor woman sleep nights! Sympathy and kindness to a widow isn’t wrong!” he yelled. Actually yelled.
“Held her-hands...?” Sango asked carefully. Shippo hadn’t specified what ‘old trick’ he was up to, only saying he was with a woman alone...she had decided on the rest based on experience. Even as angry as he was at the accusations-he had to admit she had reason to suspect him because of that.
“That’s all. Ask Keiko yourself!” he yelled and stalked away. The tajiya’s mouth worked. She did go back to the village, alright. She had to know.
***
“Oh, yes! The monk was so very kind. He put up protections on my hut to keep the evil ones away,” Keiko told her with a sniffle. She was eager to answer Sango’s questions, and the more she heard-the more she realized she’d wronged him, jumping to conclusions. Shame made her blush as she listened.
“Anything else?”
“Yes. He and I spoke for a long time, so very kind. I was so frightened, and he was the first person who really has listened to me, honored tajiya. So devoted to you as well, he said he was only doing what he would want someone to do for you in such a time. You’re very fortunate to have such a man, so kind, so understanding.” At that, Sango nodded softly.
“I am,” she admitted. Oh...what had she done? Granted, he had looked-but not once did he touch, or ask them to bear his child, or anything really bad. He was her husband, after all. She ought to have understood that, even if Shippo apparently didn’t.
When she apologized to him, well, Miroku was too stunned to gloat or proclaim his innocence. But Sango had to stop Miroku from purifying the kitsune when he learned who had gone to her with tales. By sitting on him and not letting him up until he calmed a bit. She was just as furious-but didn’t believe it warranted killing the young kitsune.
They made things up...and confronted Shippo about it soon after.
“You accused me of being unfaithful to my wife, Shippo! How dare you??” Miroku was usually so calm-right then he was throwing a fit worthy of Inuyasha!
“You mustn’t ever do that, Shippo! Do you have any idea what you did?” Sango agreed, furious. The yelling went on for awhile. The kit was in tears when he went to bed that night. They hadn’t hit him-the yelling had actually been worse than mere blows.
Nothing he did was right anymore. When they got home...all talk of him living with them ended for now. It broke his heart. Things really weren’t the same. They couldn’t be the same again. Things change, and people, and relationships. Noticing it, and accepting it...weren’t always easy.
***
But as Shippo ran away from Kaede to pout and wail at the unfairness of it all by the edge of the village, he didn’t know it, but he, and the rest of them were patiently being stalked. Had been for several days. If he had been less sunk in self-pity...perhaps he would have twigged. Perhaps not. He was a very young fox indeed, used to relying on others for his safety. Something else that should have been changing.
Wolves, by definition were among the most patient of hunters. Opportunists, they went for the weak of the herd, taking what they needed and picking off those not strong enough to survive. Inu called them scavengers. Wolves merely called it being practical.
***
Kouga nodded to himself. The scarred youkai crouched, watching him from a distance and downwind. It was tricky slipping close with Miroku and the Priestess about-but he managed. He couldn’t get near the Inu Keep, too many youkai too intent on finding him...but the village full of her favorite people was attainable.
She’d come eventually. Kagome would not stay mewed away from him forever. She’d come to see them, her favorite mortals and the kitsune. When she did-he’d do what had to be done and then be able to follow, be able to face his packbrothers with his head high. Still weak, he’d hunted judiciously, avoided humans, and waited as he healed up and slowly regained his strength. Until that day, he prepared. Kouga would watch the mortals and learn from them, studying them, their habits, be the hunter he was.
He watched...and wept at times. Kouga was no longer a pack leader, he could weep now-easing his pain as soul cleansing howls were denied him by his hunting and his waiting. A small comfort to an outcast no one leaned on for strength anymore. Besides, even howling was painful for him. He’d last howled for her, under her window in the moonlight, a courting call to show his love...love she had used to destroy him and nearly taken his people with it. Love that had cost Ginta and Hakkaku their lives. Love he saw between the monk and his woman. As he should have had. But now-
He’d spotted the weakness of the group. Now he just needed to get his claws on him.
The little kitsune. Whom he owed as well, oh yes...Kouga had not forgotten the tail ‘Kagome’ had sported as his people were used as a diversion...
To be continued in ‘Always: Part three of When a Door Closes...Another Opens’! To be posted soon.
Author’s notes-Cliffhanger? Me? Er...maybe. More a suggestion of one. A teaser, really. Alright. ‘Always’ is the final installment, and is not complete. It will be, and I hope you’ll read that as well. Thanks for Reading!-Namiyo