InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Slayer Sango ❯ Chapter 15 ( Chapter 15 )

Thanks again to all the reviewers of this story. Your interest means one hell of a lot.

 

Chapter 15

 

Kaiya threw down her brushes with a sigh. At a loss for what to do, her intent had been to come to her private art studio and get some work done-- painting was her refuge from the stresses of life.

 

'I have a big problem,' she told herself. Distracted and unable to make progress, the demoness sat back to stare at the blank linen canvas in front of her. 'I can't mate that icy demon, I don't love him. He doesn't love me. I don't want to be a consort!'

 

She was in hiding from the rest of the court. Her friends and others had started behaving strangely, with a meekness and extreme deference toward her that made Kaiya uncomfortable.

 

She had not seen nor spoken to Sesshomaru since the night of the festival. He had not sought her nor she him. As far as Kaiya knew they would not meet again until the claiming, the ceremony at which the demon lord would declare her his own in front of a special assembly and then shortly thereafter they would mate. The young demoness realized she had to do something before this happened; her dreams of travelling far beyond dog demon territory in search of love and adventure were now in serious danger.

 

"Sister, do you require anything?" asked Midori. The elder of the two, Midori had hoped to be the one chosen. She approached her younger sibling cautiously, avoiding the chatter she would usually initiate with Kaiya. The younger sister noticed a distance beginning to grow between them and she hated it.

 

"Stop treating me like I'm so high and mighty. You know I'm miserable," said Kaiya. "You have no idea how much I wish it were you instead of me in this position."

 

A look of shock crossed Midori's face. "He has chosen you. How can you be so ungrateful? Think of what this means for father-- our whole clan!" She plopped down on a reed mat, just barely avoiding a full pot of black ink nearby.

 

"I don't care about that....well, maybe I do a little. But I don't want to mate him! It isn't fair to force someone to marry a man she doesn't love," she said and grasped Midori's hand between her own. "You know it is. There has to be a way to put a stop to this madness..." Kaiya looked into the distance, and after a while an odd gleam began to flicker in her eyes.

 

Midori balked and drew back. "Kaiya I know that look! Don't start trouble! You have to mate him, you have to do it. Don't even think about it-- I know you!"

 

Kaiya shot her sister a sly glance. "Maybe I do have to, but I want to ask some questions first. There are some things I need to know."

 

She got up and whisked out of the room to quickly rush down the corridor.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Takeo really seems to like you Sango." Miroku grinned while watching the taijiya cradle the baby in her arms. She had yet to put him down even though Kagome and Inuyasha had long since returned from their outing, and now sat on the porch next to the monk with the child in her lap. They all sat companionably together watching the village children run about shouting and playing games while occasionally making light conversation.

 

The more she held Takeo the more Sango could visualize having a child of her own. Being a taijiya didn't necessarily exclude family life, after all. There had been many of her kinswomen who had husbands and children who slayed demons along with their womenfolk.

 

She glanced over at Miroku who seemed lost in thought. 'I wonder what our child would have been like-- mine and Miroku's,' she thought. 'Mischievious, no doubt. Religious perhaps? Athletic?' She shifted Takeo's weight in her arms when he began to fidget slightly. 'What if Sesshomaru and I had a baby? Oi! What a creature that would be!' For a moment Sango let herself fantasize about what a child fathered by the demon lord would be like.

 

'My dark hair and eyes and maybe his height and stoic temperament? Or would it turn out more like Inuyasha-- light hair and golden eyes with a more down to earth personality?' She let out a chuckle that drew a look from Miroku. Sango smiled back at him and tickled the baby in her arms.

 

"He's in heaven with you, Sango."

 

"He likes you too don't you baby boy? You like uncle Miroku, yes you do..." she cuddled him and delighted in the coos and smiles he gave her.

 

"You're a natural. You'll make a great mother someday." Miroku was curious about something. 'Should I ask? Will she smack me down if I do? It won't be the first time so I might as well find out.' He sat up straighter and turned to face her. "We are friends, aren't we Sango?" She nodded. He took a deep breath. "Then can I ask a personal question?"

 

She looked away from the baby and up at him warily. "What kind of a question? If it is about Sesshomaru I'd prefer not." Miroku was the last person with whom she wanted to discuss that subject.

 

"Well its about you, but indirectly about him as well I suppose."

 

"What is it then?"

 

"Well, ummm how do I ask..." another deep breath. "Are you certain you won't be having a baby Sango? I mean, from what you say-- you were very close to him, to Sesshomaru I mean." He averted his eyes, suddenly feeling very awkward.

 

Sango glanced at him and then looked away, embarrassed herself. "That is a very personal question, Miro."

 

He leaned in and tried to reassure her with a smile. "We are friends. I only ask out of concern for your welfare."

 

Sango sighed, resigned to explain it. "I have dealt with that. There are herbs, I got some after the first time we...anyway, I have been careful to take them whenever I needed them."

 

The monk smiled, reassured. "I'm glad. I know you are responsible, I was just curious."

 

"And nosy," said Sango, laughing.

 

Miroku secretly ached knowing Sango had given herself to a youkai, and to Sesshomaru no less. If only he had been faithful she would never have been subject to the demon lord's threats or felt in danger because of what he might do. Still he understood she was a grown woman and free to choose for herself, and was grateful she'd agreed to remain friends. Miroku resolved to be there for her no matter what happened.

 

"Hey, what is that in the distance?" he asked. While they conversed the monk had noticed a figure moving towards them from far off, but couldn't identify it. He lifted his hand to shade his eyes from the sun to get a better view.

 

Sango also stood. "I don't know...probably one of the-- oh gods! No!" Her eyes flew wide open as did her mouth. To her utter shock a vision of luxurious white pelt, bright blue-gold sash and silvery white hair moved steadily towards them in the wind. It was Sesshomaru, striding to the village at his ususal ramrod straight pace, apparently as unruffled and stoic as ever.

 

Sango found herself at a total loss as to what to do. She couldn't run, not with the baby in her arms. Besides, where would she go? It wasn't as if the haughty youkai lord couldn't follow and retrieve her once she left. She also did not want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her afraid of him. Stiffening her spine, Sango resolved to stand her ground. She watched while the village children scattered-- all had been warned by their parents about the dangers of youkai, and about this fierce one in particular. Her next reflex was to reach for Hiraikotsu, but again couldn't easily do so with the baby in her arms and so stood still. Her heart beat fast in her chest.

 

"What do you want Sesshomaru?" Miroku quickly placed himself between Sango and the demon lord once the latter had come within hearing distance.

 

He stopped a few feet away and did not so much as glance at Sango, and spoke directly to the monk. "Nothing from you human. I have come to speak with my brother. There are matters we need to discuss." Sesshomaru glared as if daring him to obstruct his path.

 

'Is he not even going to acknowledge me? The bastard!' thought Sango. "Sesshomaru--" he cut her off instantly by raising a dangerously clawed hand and

directed his next words not at her, but once again to Miroku.

 

"I have need to speak with Inuyasha. He is present, I assume."

 

"What do you want?" Inuyasha suddenly appeared with Kagome at his side. The hanyou instinctively moved to stand between his half-brother and Takeo and Sango, next to Miroku. He crossed his arms and sneered at Sesshomaru. "What the hell are you doing here? Sango doesn't want anything to do with you so you might as well leave."

 

The youkai lord did not bat an eyelash. "My personal affairs are none of your concern, Inuyasha. You would do well to mind your own business."

 

"Keh," Inuyasha sneered. "It is my business if you are hurting someone I care about Sesshomaru."

 

Tension rose in his voice. "It is no affair of yours you stupid baka."

 

Inuyasha's hand went to his sword.

 

"Alright, no more of this," interjected Kagome. Things were beginning to get out of hand and she spoke up hoping to quell the situation. "You two can go off into the forest and argue but I won't have it in front of my baby, so just stop it now!" Somewhat amazingly both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru ended their smoldering and backed away from one another.

 

Looking on Sango felt a mixture of relief and sadness at Sesshomaru's words. It seemed he hadn't come with the intent to punish or forcibly remove her to the inuyoukai fortress after all. But it was more than slightly bothersome that he seemed to have no interest in her whatsoever.

 

'How can he do this? How can he pretend not to know me?' Even now Sango felt drawn to him, something inside her still demanded connection with his essence, his spirit. She longed to go to him again and feel the warmth of his embrace. Never had she felt so safe, so utterly shielded from the evils of the world than when he was holding her. The memories of his affection were precious, and now sadly seemed so far away. 'How can he be so cold after the way we've been together, the intimacy?'

 

Anger began to rise within the taijiya. She handed the baby to Kagome and withdrew a short distance, and Miroku joined her. Seeing them together finally brought a brief glance from Sesshomaru who raised an eyebrow at them in curiosity. His attention quickly returned to Inuyasha, however.

 

"I understand some of my enemies have sought to involve your pup in certain plots and intrigues. They are quite dangerous and mean to do grave harm to all those who stand in their path. I have come to deal with the situation."

 

Inuyasha shifted his weight and shrugged. "I already took care of it. We ran them off last night when they tried to kidnap Taki," he said and added, "We don't need anything from you Sesshomaru so why don't you just leave?"

 

"Fool," he replied. "If you had been effective at all you would have killed the dogs who tried to take your blood away from you. If it had been my pup no one would have survived," he declared with a chilling certainty. "You have merely left the problem to fester. They will redouble and strike again. I cannot trust you to protect the bloodline, therefore you must surrender the pup to my protection. I won't stand by and watch my father's bloodline attacked."

 

"What?? You can't! You can't take him...we won't let you!" cried Kagome.

 

"Quiet human woman."

 

"Don't you tell her to be quiet you bastard! No one is taking my son away, no one." Inuyasha leaned in close to Sesshomaru. The demon lord did not skip a beat.

 

"Then you will come to the Inuyoukai Palace until this business is concluded. There will be war, Inuyasha. It places your mate and pup in danger. The palace is heavily guarded and watched constantly. They will be safe there for the time being. The cur Jitsuo will not stop until he's destroyed you, me or is destroyed himself. Your child is in the middle-- you must protect him. To be more precise, I must."

 

Annoyed, Sango came forward and planted herself directly in front of Sesshomaru to challenge him with a stern, steadfast gaze. "Or you want to make sure your brother isn't plotting with them, correct? What better way to keep an eye on Inuyasha than imprison him at your palace? Throw him in the dungeon and see what happens. You simply cannot stand the thought of being out of control of events, can you Sesshomaru?" She decided that if he wanted to be all business, then so be it-- she would call him on his schemes.

 

The demon lord narrowed his eyes at her disrespectful address but spoke cooly while ignoring her jab at his need for control.

 

"An astute observation, but not factual. These demons have made a fatal error by involving my father's blood, an infant pup. Such aggression cannot stand against this authority. I must deal with it and the most efficient means of doing so will be to have the child under my protection until Jitsuo can be destroyed. If the sire and dam won't give him to me outright then they must also come to the palace." He spoke indifferently, answering Sango as if she were one of the junior staff. One would never guess by his current demeanor that he ever had any personal interest in her whatsoever.

 

"What are you talking about? What plot?" Inuyasha sneered. "That massive youki must be messing with your head. I don't give a damn about your power, Sesshomaru. As long as you leave me the hell alone I don't want anything from you or to do with you."

 

"That view is reciprocated, little brother. I also realize you are not intelligent enough to construct an effective conspiracy against me." This aroused a growl in the hanyou but Sesshomaru continued, unfazed. "Unfortunately it seems we must put up with one another for a brief time at least. Your wench may accompany the pup."

 

"Wait! Sesshomaru-- you can't just drag us away--"

 

"Priestess, tonight those dog demons will return. They will have greater numbers and from what reports I've been given it seems his warriors have been quite vicious toward those who stand in their way. If you trust Inuyasha to protect yourself and the life of your pup from this army of bloodthirsty youkai, then you may consider remaining here to face the consequences."

 

Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged looks.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"What is this you are saying, girl?"

 

"I want to know how long a courtship usually lasts-- what is normal," asked Kaiya. Desperate to know what her options were in regard to Sesshomaru, she raced to the only party she knew would have a thorough understanding of such matters. The demoness longed to find a way out of her predicament and so had come to seek Hisako's counsel.

 

Thinking back, the elder demoness had been surprised by the announcement that Kaiya would be elevated, as had been many others in the palace. Frankly she found her acid tongue and irreverent manner inappropriate to the position of Lady of the West, and had assumed Sesshomaru would seek one of the more docile, obedient girls. It had been a mistake. And now here the girl was asking strange questions about the courtship. The entire business struck Hisako as quite odd.

 

"Well, there is no firm rule regarding length of courtship between youkai-- some are very brief indeed, some can go on for several months, even years. As the Master Sesshomaru-sama can complete the process at any time he wishes."

 

Kaiya fidgeted. This was no help. "Sesshomaru-sama is quite busy, is he not? He probably won't want to follow through on the claiming and so forth for quite a while don't you think, Hisako-sama?" She bit her lip and wrung her hands.

 

Hisako raised an eyebrow. "Is something troubling you, lady Kaiya? Are you not pleased to have been chosen?"

 

A long pause. Kaiya looked down at her feet and then around the elegantly appointed room as if seeking the correct response. Finally her eyes returned to Hisako. "Its not that, it's just, well--" She hesitated, unsure if she should confess the truth.

 

"Out with it, child. I don't have until the full moon."

 

"Lady Hisako, I do not want to mate lord Sesshomaru."

 

Hisako glared at Kaiya, unable to speak at first. She finally took a breath and forced a tight, grim smile to her face. "What you want my dear, is secondary to your duty as future consort to the Lord of the West. He has chosen you to do the greatest honor a female inuyoukai can do for her people: bear the future heirs of this territory." She spoke smoothly, as if a straightforward recitation of Kaiya's coming duties would put an end to any of her doubts.

 

"I understand that is an important position, my lady. However, I can't do it. I just can't. I want to go away from the palace...I have plans..."

 

Hisako suddenly began to laugh. She rocked in her chair and covered her face with her hand in an attempt to regain some composure. She simply couldn't believe what she was hearing.

 

"Girl, do you know how many young demonesses would give everything they have just to be in your position right now? Lord Sesshomaru is the most eligible youkai in the land, not to mention the most powerful. The rest of your days you will want for nothing, you will be treated as first among your people, as will your children. What more could you want, my dear?

 

Kaiya spoke firmly. "My own life. I don't want to give myself only for the sake of bearing his pups. I don't love him. He doesn't love me, he doesn't even know me! It isn't right."

 

Hisako felt a brief wave of sympathy for the girl. Once she had been young and full of dreams. She shook her head. "I doubt you have much choice at this point. If nothing else, think of your father, your family. Think of the dishonor you would bring on them by making trouble--"

 

"He can choose someone else! He can mate another demoness! There has to be a way!" Kaiya was becoming desperate. "Please help me, lady Hisako. I don't know where else to turn."

 

The elder demoness looked grim. "I'm afraid there is little I can do for you in this matter, Kaiya. I suggest you speak with Sesshomaru-sama directly."

 

Kaiya gulped. Talk to him? From what she had heard people rarely talked to Sesshomaru. They took orders, period. She thought to herself for a long time.

 

Finally coming to a decision she squared her shoulders and spoke with a calm resolve.

 

"Alright then. If I must speak to him about it, then so be it."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Inuyasha and Kagome disappeared into their cottage to discuss Sesshomaru's offer. Should they take up temporary residence at the inuyoukai palace in the wake of an impending civil war between inu demons?

 

While they conferred Sesshomaru stood outside, and Sango and Miroku were not far away. 'I am not surprised she is here at my brother's hut,' he thought. 'But she is with the monk it seems. I don't sense his scent anywhere on her, which is fortunate for him.'

 

The taijiya fidgeted where she stood. 'Why isn't he talking to me? Why is he pretending I am not here?' "Come on Miroku, we need kindling for the fire," she said pointedly and grabbed the monk's hand, dragging him away. 'Forget that arrogant youkai.'

 

"You don't have to pull my arm off, Sango," said Miroku. Her grip had been so tight that his hand had begun to turn purple.

 

"Oh, I'm sorry." She let him go.

 

Looking up they saw the demon lord suddenly blocking their path. Sesshomaru was not about to let her go off with the monk alone. "Exterminator." His voice was low and grave, and his eyes burned fiery amber in the afternoon light while he stared Sango down.

 

She caught her breath and braced herself. "My name is Sango. And I'm not coming back to the palace. I'll fight you if I have to, Sesshomaru," she warned and her hand reached instinctively for Hiraikotsu.

 

The apparently calm youkai lord looked from her and then to Miroku who stood by with a wary expression. "Leave us monk. I have words to speak to the huntress."

 

Miroku looked at Sango. She nodded, indicating it was alright for him to leave. "I'll stay if you want me to," he said.

 

"I said leave now, human!" Sesshomaru hissed angrily and raised a clawed hand as if to strike at Miroku. Sango instantly lunged forward, thrusting herself between him and the demon lord.

 

"Don't you dare touch him!" she shouted, barely avoiding the poison mist that now trailed from his claws. Her reflexes were still sharp. "Go, Miroku. It's alright."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yes just go before he hurts you!" she pleaded with him, and reluctantly he finally retreated a short distance away, not far enough to be out of range.

 

"I see you are still cruel as ever Sesshomaru," she sneered on turning back to face him.

 

He took a step forward and his calm, indifferent mask did not change as he spoke. "You seem to have a strange need to provoke my ire, huntress. And to do it repeatedly. It is odd." Her large, glimmering eyes were a welcome sight after such a long time. He wanted to see them soften for him again and he spoke gently, letting his cold guard drop just slightly. "I had hoped you would be pleased to see me again Sango. "

 

She frowned, studying him. "I know you can't be serious, can you? If you are it is a mistake to believe I would be after what you put me through." Crossing her arms and adopting an angry stance, she pressed her scolding of him. "How could you forbid me to do my work? You know it is the one thing I can't give up, how heartless! And what did you expect me to do? I couldn't possibly stay at the palace and live the way you wanted me to. I would never be yours or anyone else's mistress. I am no whore, my father didn't raise me that way."

 

A brief sigh. "I should not have demanded that you end your youkai-fighting. I said things that were hard. Perhaps too hard. I...regret them."

 

Sango couldn't quite believe her hearing. Was he apologizing?

 

"But you still belong to me Sango. Nothing has changed that." He moved even closer, allowing the taijiya to detect his familiar spicy scent. It was a smell she had come to adore and a tiny part of her resolve began to waver. His contrition, his eyes, his gorgeous body and the melodious rhythm of his voice were all having a powerful cumulative effect on her.

 

"I will not force you to return to me," he said.

 

"Have you married her yet?" she finally asked, her voice trembling. Sango couldn't help it. She needed to know. He was now dangerously close, and she felt her heart begin to pump fast.

 

"No. I have not yet mated. There are other matters I must see to before that can happen." He took another step closer.

 

"What are you doing?" she asked, noticing him now firmly planted in her personal space. Sango trembled while he traced the outline of her face with his fingertips and took her hand in his. She did not withdraw it, and could see wistfulness and a hint of regret mixed in his eyes. "Why are you looking at me that way?"

 

"Were you being truthful when you said you... loved me exterminator?"

 

 

Inuyasha and Kagome emerged from their cottage and stood with Miroku in utter shock while they watched the scene before them unfold. The youkai and the taijiya seemed on the verge of some kind of physical contact, and not the belligerent kind. All three exchanged confused glances. 'Is he going to kiss her?'

 

"I wish I hadn't said it now. It only led to pain. Just forget it." She looked away, tears welling in her eyes.

 

"You don't deserve pain, Sango. Most certainly not from me. I regret the episode at the palace but you must understand I need an heir." She nodded, and instinctively moved closer. The longing, the bright desire for him had begun to resurface against her will.

 

In response to her unspoken call Sesshomaru gently caressed her shoulder, letting his touch fall onto her bare arm. A deep tingle began to flow through Sango, and her eyelids fluttered. But suddenly she came to her senses. Wasn't this the demon who threatened her just a few days before? Hadn't he called her his property to be used as he saw fit? 'How can I be so weak?'

 

She stepped back abruptly, reclaiming her hand from his. "Just leave me alone, Sesshomaru. I-I need some time. I don't know what is going on anymore." She moved even further away while experiencing a mixture of fear and confusion at the feelings roiling inside her.

 

"As you wish." He also took a step back.

 

"Ahem. We have decided, Sesshomaru..." Inuyasha called from behind them. Sango looked like she needed help.

 

"We will come with you but only if our friends can come as well," said Kagome. That obviously meant Miroku, Shippo and Sango.

 

"I'm not going back to the palace. I can't." Sango spoke up quickly. She simply could not let herself back within his reach, not now. She didn't trust him. More than that perhaps, she didn't trust herself.

 

"But Sango, there will be trouble-- war apparently. You would be safer with us," interjected Inuyasha.

 

"The baka is correct. For your safety you should come to the palace where you will be protected," said Sesshomaru calmly.

 

Sango countered his gaze and shook her head resolvedly. "No. I can't leave the villagers to deal with the youkai problems on their own. I can't go to the palace. I won't."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~