InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Choices ❯ Chapter 21

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The next day Sayuri had Sango and Miroku join her for a walk. She took them the route that led them away from Inuyasha's
place of sealing. She watched them closely and soon saw that Kikyou's potion had no immediate effect on them. Still, she
did not tell them of Kohaku. Nor did she lie. When they asked where he was now, she answered, "He is alive and well. He
trains with the soldiers. You will see him eventually. Right now, he needs to adjust and so do the two of you."
Miroku put his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Why did you do this? To punish my wife?"
"Monk, ye ken not of what you speak. Sit down, you two," Sayuri answered. She watched them sit. "I saved Kohaku because
his life was cut off. I know he was born with a great purpose. I saved him because it was right. Because I saw how you
suffered, Sango. As I said the day I came to bunk with you, I had followed and watched you. Naturally, I often met up with
Kohaku. He wanted to die. He wanted to live. I told him that I could and would keep Naraku from destroying him. I keep him
apart now because of the reasons I gave. You two are being punished, but that does not include being kept from Kohaku.
Nor have I turned him against you. Miroku and Sango, your punishment is be under my service and that of the Western Lord's
until a day in the future comes."
"Why?"
"You served Kikyou under the influence of her potion. This time there will be no potion. This service must become your
choice or you will serve due to obligation the rest of your days."
Miroku and Sango looked at each other and then reluctantly agreed it was fair. They let her know and received their first
orders.
"Go to Sango's village and select a place to build your house. You can send Kilala with word that it is chosen. She is at
the palace."


A couple of hours later, Sayuri went to the gardens where Kohaku and Rin were playing. Kagura was there, holding Kanna.
She looked up when Sayuri came to her side. "Obahime, why did you save us?"
"I wanted to, Kagura," was her answer to the wind witch's question.
Kagura thought on this for a minute in silence.
Sensing her mother nearby, baby Kanna began to fuss. She quieted when big sister handed her to mother.
Sayuri hummed softly as she began to nurse the newborn. She looked up and saw Kohaku laugh as he tickled Rin. The sight
brought a smile to her lips. She said, "Even as children, they make a nice pair."
Kagura asked, "You think Sesshomaru will let his ward marry a penniless slayer?"
"Kohaku may have nothing now, but that will not be so when time is right. By then, he will be what Sesshomaru desires for
Rin. For now, he is a young boy and needs to be treated as such. Rin, too, is not ready for a husband. She will also be
more when the time comes."
"Sayuri-Obahime, what of me?"
Sayuri adjusted her position. Shifting so she could face Kagura, she asked, "What do you want?"
Kagura was stunned. She had not expected this query. She quickly closed her eyes, but not before a lone tear escaped her
lids. She was then aware of Sayuri pressing a hand to her temple. It was not to push her away but to draw her head down.
Shaking her head, the wind witch slid away only to lay her head in Sayuri's lap freely and then rub her cheek against the
ningen's knee.
Sayuri smiled. She pressed her lips to Kanna's forehead and then her hand to Kagura's cheek. She looked up to see Rin come
kneel at her side opposite Kagura. Then Kohaku came and sat with his back against her legs.

An hour later, Kagome found them thus. It was such a sweet sight that she was loathe to disturb them.
Sayuri said, "Is the even meal ready, Kifutago?"
"Hai. Sesshomaru wants Rin to come and dress first. You might want to wash and change Kanna too."
Sayuri nodded. "Rin, go with Kagome."
"Hai, pretty lady."
Sayuri chuckled and then said, "Kohaku, tis needing ye tae stand I be. Ye are on my feet."
Puzzled, Kohaku looked down and saw that he was indeed sitting on her feet. Jumping up, he apologized quite profusely. He
waited until Kagura held Kanna before helping his Tenshihime to her feet. He felt better when she laid a gentle hand on
his shoulder and told him it was alright. Then he fell into step at her left with Kagura on her right. The three of them
walked together. At the narrowing of the path, Sayuri took the lead followed by Kagura and Kohaku. They separated when
they neared the main building. Kohaku went straight to the kitchen. Kagura followed Sayuri as she liked to help with
Kanna.

Sesshomaru and the others had just begun eating when Sayuri and Kagura arrived at last. He looked up and with his sire
and twin stood out of respect.
Sayuri shook her head. "Lord brother, Taisho-tou, Zeph. This Sayuri is merely a worthless jinnchuriki. Do not stand on my
account."
Silence met this request. Then Taisho walked over to Sayuri and growled softly before barking to her. He knew she
understood what he was saying.
No one else needed to know exactly what was said as they all agreed on the gist of it.
Kagura sat first and then took Kanna.
Sayuri sat and then took Kanna again. She had already become used to eating with her right and holding the infant with
her left. She used this now to eat some fish. Then she ate some cheese and rice.
Looking down, she saw Kanna was awake. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, she rose and turned her back to the group so she
might nurse the infant. She enjoyed doing this. She loved Kanna and was glad that now the child would have a chance to
live and be her own person. She sat where the others could see her back.
Kagura ate some of her food before fixing Sayuri another plate. She knew it would not take long for her to nurse Kanna.
The infant was a light eater.
Fifteen minutes later, Sayuri returned to the table. She smiled and nodded to Kagura. The returned inclining of the wind
witch's head let her know her gratitude was accepted. Sayuri ate and then left to go tend to Kanna.
Kagura followed shortly after.