InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Slayer Sango ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

I estimate this story has between five and seven chapters left. I know, that sucks. I will miss it when it is all over too.

 

Perhaps I will write another story. Let me know if you want something when you review this chapter.

 

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Chapter 24

 

"If you are bored you can take Taki out for a walk in the gardens...he likes to go outside in the fresh air."

 

Inuyasha grumbled. He was tired of living in his brother's palace and had begun to get on his mate's nerves with his restlessness. Having lived most of his life in the forest, Inuyasha was used to wide open spaces-- streams and meadows had been his usual dwelling places before he mated Kagome. Impressive and large though it was, Sesshomaru's home was uncomfortable and made him feel confined.

 

"I'll be glad when we can get the hell out of this place." Shuffling to the window, he stared out with a wary gaze. "I wonder when this mess with the rebel demons will be finished."

 

"Well if you talk to your brother you might find out," suggested Kagome. Inuyasha rolled his eyes. She was still on him about having a sit down with Sesshomaru. 'Stubborn wench. Doesn't she know that fucker makes me sick?'

 

A knock on the door. It was Shiro.

 

"Inuyasha-sama. Priestess-sama. I have news. I thought you might want to know-- your friend the huntress has been brought to the palace."

 

Kagome jumped up, leaving Takeo to slumber in his cradle. Shiro had had to search the palace grounds high and low for it, wondering the whole time why the priestess couldn't simply carry him on her back as was the normal practice of demon female mothers. He now could see its utility.

 

"Sango is here! When did she arrive?"

 

"Miroku must have found her and brought her back," remarked Inuyasha. He remembered Shippo's tale a few days before of how the monk had run off to find the taijiya. They had all been worried for Sango, and Inuyasha had wanted to go after Miroku to help, but Kagome reminded him that Sesshomaru was already out searching for her and would probably get there long before Miroku could.

 

"No, the monk is not here. Sesshomaru-sama brought her back last night."

 

"Last night? Why hasn't she come to see us yet? Is she alright?"

 

Shiro looked to the ground. Kagome's heart lept to her throat.

 

"What's wrong? Is Sango hurt?"

 

"Yes," said Shiro. Kagome gasped and reached for Inuyasha. "Jitsuo stabbed her with a poison dagger. She is recuperating in the infirmary. But access to that area is restricted, I'm afraid."

 

Kagome protested. "We have to see her-- she needs people around who care about her. We have to go make sure she's alright!"

 

Shiro shook his head sympathetically. "Priestess-- the palace has a staff of healers who are unmatched in the territory. Rest assured they are doing all they can for her. I believe they are not letting anyone in to see her for the time being. Except Sesshomaru-sama, of course."

 

Inuyasha stood. "Kagome is a healer. She is human like Sango and will know more about what is happening to her than some dog demons." He went to pick up his sleeping son and walked out with Kagome past a frustrated Shiro to seek their friend.

 

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Flitting in and out of consciousness, Sango dreamed of the past. Images of her father, her brother Kohaku and her kinfolk in the demonslayers village played out in her mind. The images were sometimes happy, at other times horrifying. It was as if the battle within her body to stay alive was being waged in the forum of her dreams.

 

Her eyes fluttered open. The pain hit her and they shut tight again. 'What the fuck is wrong with me?' All she could remember was running from a dark cave, turning and seeing the ugly face of Jitsuo. And then Miroku.....and then a voice-- so soothing, so gentle she thought it might be a heavenly being escorting her to the afterlife.

 

"Miroku!" She sat up, but winced in pain.

 

"Huntress-sama! You must lay still...I did not know you were awake." A fussy looking inu demon approached her bed. Sango looked around, her head pounding.

 

"Where am I? What is going on? Who are you?"

 

"I am Kirou, one of the healers here. You are in the fortress of the Inuyoukai. Sesshomaru-sama brought you here last evening. You have serious injuries, mistress. You must rest." Kirou gently encouraged her to lay back down on the bed.

 

"Sesshomaru?"

 

"Yes. He is away in his private rooms now. He wanted to know when you were awake... I will send a messenger now..." he began to step away but Sango stopped him.

 

"Where is Miroku?"

 

"Who, mistress?"

 

"The monk...he saved me from Jitsuo..."

 

"No mistress. It was Sesshomaru-sama. He brought you here himself." Seeing that she was getting nowhere with Kirou, Sango tried to get up. She was worried about the houshi. What had happened to him? If Jitsuo had revived long enough to strike at her from behind, what could he have done to Miroku?

 

"I must find him. He saved me!" She tried to lift herself from the bed, but was too weak.

 

"No mistress! You must lie still. Your child--"

 

Sango suddenly remembered. "My baby! Oh gods tell me I didn't lose it, please no!"

 

"Calm down. It appears you are still pregnant. We don't know the extent of the effect of the poison on the child and won't until it is born. It is a good sign that you did not lose it outright."

 

It was too much for Sango. She began to cry. She was disgusted with herself for doing so, feeling weak and dependent-- something she hated.

 

A commotion in the hallway diverted her attention and Kirou went to investigate. A loud voice was demanding entry. Sango wondered who it could be as she shut her eyes and lay back on the sleeping mat. She was worn out.

 

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"No one is allowed entry here. Sesshomaru-sama's orders." A stern looking inuyoukai guarded the entrance to the infirmary. He blocked Inuyasha and Kagome's path.

 

"We must see her. She is our friend," pleaded Kagome.

 

"My mate is a healer. She can help," added Inuyasha.

 

"I have no knowledge of that. None shall pass. You must go." The fury began to rise in Inuyasha's eyes. Although he was only a half-demon, the part of his blood that was demonic was of the taiyoukai variety and as a result he had more power than many full inu demons. The guard's stance shifted nervously as he observed the hanyou begin a challenging growl.

 

"Let them pass, Tuka." All looked up to see the regal form of Sesshomaru walking silently towards them. The guard stood aside immediately.

 

"You didn't tell us Sango was here-- she'd better not be dead because of you," barked Inuyasha at his sibling.

 

"Inuyasha!" Kagome admonished him. "Sesshomaru brought her to safety. He didn't do this to her."

 

"The priestess is correct. My enemies made a successful attack. She was nearly killed." Although Sesshomaru seemed his usual chilly, detached self Kagome could sense a certain weariness in the demon lord-- his eyes seemed dull and somewhat tired and it gave her pause. He had obviously been worrying over Sango.

 

Sesshomaru walked into the room first, followed by Kagome and Inuyasha who held Takeo in his arms. The miko gasped to see the pale figure of her taijiya friend laying on a white sleeping mat, her eyes surrounded by dark circles, her matted hair dull and wild. Sango looked at them and raised a hand weakly.

 

"Sango-chan!" Kagome ran to her bedside and dropped to her knees while Inuyasha followed, looking on.

 

"Kagome!" Sango acknowledged her friend but could not take her eyes away from Sesshomaru who stood behind. She could sense something disturbing him-- Distress? Anger?

 

"Careful, she is still very weak," cautioned the healer Kirou. Kagome nodded.

 

"Oh Sango-- I'm so happy you're safe! Tell me what happened while I look at your wounds, I may have some antibiotic that will help prevent infection-- "

 

"Let her do as she wishes, Kirou." Sesshomaru knew that Kagome was a strange one-- a priestess from the future who seemed to have access to treatments that were otherwise unkown in the present time. If she could help Sango he would let her.

 

While Kagome performed her inspection, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha took Kirou aside to discuss Sango's condition.

 

"She will live. It will take some time for the poison to work itself out of her system."

 

"Thank the gods," said Inuyasha. Sesshomaru settled his cool gaze on his brother and then returned it to the healer.

 

"And the pup...will it survive?" asked Sesshomaru.

 

"Pup? What pup?" asked Inuyasha. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "Sango is pregnant?"

 

Kirou addressed himself to Sesshomaru. "So far things look fine with respect to the child she is carrying. We won't know what effects the injury had on the pup, if any, until it is whelped." Sesshomaru then dismissed the healer who desired to watch Kagome's work.

 

"I assume it is your pup she's having," said Inuyasha gruffly.

 

"Yes. Of course it is."

 

"I can't believe you're doing the same thing the old man did...I bet you feel pretty dumb right now." Sesshomaru squinted and rubbed his temples. Inuyasha never failed to get on his nerves.

 

"Why is that, little brother?"

 

"Because you're having a hanyou like him. And you used to curse him for taking up with my mother. Now look at you-- rutting with a human." He lowered his voice on the last sentence. The baby began to squirm in his arms. He adjusted Takeo's position which helped him to settle down.

 

The demon lord felt no obligation to explain himself to Inuyasha. "You do not know my mind. I told you to mind your own business and I meant it." Inuyasha sneered and frowned.

 

"Sesshomaru--" Sango called him to her.

 

All in the room could sense the bond between the Lord of the Western lands and this frail, injured human woman. The way she looked at him, the way he instantly went to her side and spoke to her in gentle tones all indicated a connection that ran deep. Kagome almost felt as if she were intruding on them as they spoke gentle words to each other while she attended Sango's wounds.

 

"You are awake, my sweet." He held her hand in his. It felt cold.

 

"Sesshomaru. You have to find him."

 

"Jitsuo-- yes. He will pay for what he has done. I will be leaving to join our forces in the south this evening. He will be dealt with." His fury was just under the surface, Sango could feel it. She shuddered to think what her lover might do to the foul rebel youkai.

 

"That isn't what I meant. Inuyasha--" she called the hanyou over, and smiled at seeing the baby in his arms. Speaking to them both, she pleaded. "Miroku-- you must find him. He saved me from Jitsuo. He might have been hurt...please, you have to find him!"

 

"You saw Miroku?" asked Inuyasha.

 

Sesshomaru spoke up in a steady, calm voice. "He was there. The traitor did not attack him. I left him at the mountain."

 

"You left him Sesshomaru? Why?" Sango looked alarmed.

 

"I had to bring you here. You were badly injured."

 

"But they might kill him!" She tried to sit up again, but a wave of pain prevented her moving very far.

 

"Wench you'd better take it easy," warned Inuyasha. "Wouldn't want that pup to come out warped-- well not any more than it would with this bastard as its father--"

 

"Inuyasha shut up!" said Kagome. The hanyou sniffed. The miko had taken the news of Sango's pregnancy with surprised joy. Maybe this would give the couple an incentive to work out their differences.

 

"Please, please find Miroku. Before you brought me here he protected me from Jitsuo. He saved my life..." Sesshomaru exchanged glances with Inuyasha.

 

"Don't worry Sango. I'll get him. That monk has ten lives. He's going to be alright." Sango smiled weakly at Inuyasha. He was like a brother to her-- a pain-in-the-ass, loudmouth, rambunctious brother, but one nonetheless. She was grateful for his good nature.

 

"Thank you Inuyasha." She looked to Sesshomaru. "You will help him?"

 

"I don't need any help from this bastard," growled the hanyou.

 

Sesshomaru replied coldly. "I will be going into the field. If I scent the monk's trail I will attempt to retrieve him." Sango had become used to Sesshomaru's milder side and now frowned at his icy, detached demeanor. She knew it was natural for him to behave this way especially when Inuyasha was around but it still bothered her. She also knew her demon lord had issues with Miroku and his prior status as her betrothed. Still she wished he had not just left him out in the forest with the rebels threatening the countryside.

 

"Good. I will feel better knowing both of you are looking for him." She squeezed Sesshomaru's hand and he returned it gently.

 

"You must rest now, my sweet." All gawked as Sesshomaru then leaned in and kissed Sango softly on the lips. Although pale from the loss of blood, her cheeks became faintly pink as she noticed everyone in the room was suddenly staring at her.

 

"What are you all looking at?"

 

"Nothing." Kagome smiled and tried to repress a giggle. She had to cover her mouth with her hand to prevent a loud laugh escaping.

 

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'Demons will die today,' thought Sesshomaru as he strode out of the palace. Tokijin seemed to hum at his side. It thirsted for the blood of the traitors and Sesshomaru meant to grant its fill.

 

Satisfied that Sango would survive, he was now free to exact his revenge. Those who sought to destroy that which belonged to him would soon feel the wrath of the Lord of the Western lands. Very quickly he made his way to the encampment where Ryuchi had established headquarters some distance from Mount Koragi where Sesshomaru had found Sango and where he presumed Jistuo was still holed up.

 

"My Lord Sesshomaru."

 

"Where is the cur?" demanded Sesshomaru in a spectral, deep voice. Red already blazed in his eyes, and Ryuchi and his assembled captains shuddered at the sight of him. Their lord was out for blood, and he might not be particular about whose he took.

 

"He is in the mountain, my lord," said Ryuchi, realizing he meant Jitsuo. Spies had been sent to gather intelligence about the rebel army's movements and had learned the rebel leader was currently in hiding inside the mountain apparently readying himself for battle. Ryuchi knelt on the ground, his head bowed in the pose of submission. Although one of the highest ranking inuyoukai in the land, he was still beneath Sesshomaru. The supplicant pose was the safest stance for weaker males to take when Sesshomaru was in his youki rage.

 

"Where are the rebels encamped?" A growl hinted at his banked fury.

 

"Several hundred meters to the south my lord, in the pine forest."

 

"Satisfactory." The demon lord's fangs glinted in the firelight. His demon markings became more pronounced, and the low growl that could be heard emanating from his throat became louder. Shivers raced up and down the spines of the inu in his path, all of whom trembled at the sight of their leader's sudden appearance. They knew that for their opponents, death was near. They thanked the gods that they were fighting on the same side as Sesshomaru rather than opposing him in battle.

 

Walking out of the encampment, the demon lord drew Tokijin.

 

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"Saku, send one of your men to round up some meat for Jitsuo-sama," said Noguro. He had come into camp looking for supplies. His master now rested in a cave inside Mount Koragi. His stomach wound at the hands of the taijiya had begun to heal although he too had lost a lot of blood. He hadn't stopped cursing the human female since Noguro had dragged him away from her lifeless body the day before. Noguro had left his master to get away from his foul mood as well as to seek supplies.

 

Frankly the loyal retainer wondered how they would ever succeed in the current circumstances. How could his master defeat Sesshomaru if a lowly human female had nearly killed him with a child's knife? Noguro knew they had to get their hands on Koto's weapon. It was the only way they would be able to win the war and defeat Sesshomaru.

 

"When will Jitsuo-sama be rejoining us?" asked Saku. "The tyrant's army has been sighted not far away. We will engage with them again soon. The men need the leader to give them direction."

 

"Don't worry about that! You just do your job and Jitsuo-sama will do his." Saku had never liked the sycophantic Noguro. He planned to slit his throat after things were resolved and take his place as Jitsuo's second-in-command. He felt he had earned the right after dispatching Lord Matuko, the highest-ranking demon loyal to Sesshomaru whom they had managed to capture and execute so far.

 

Saku got up to instruct one of the bowmen when he felt something strange. The leaves in the trees shuddered, and the wind seemed suddenly to pick up. A scream from a group of rebel warriors not far away suddenly went up-- they were being attacked!

 

"You deserve death. You have defied my authority. You have destroyed life and property." Sesshomaru floated above them, Tokijin pointed down at the now wailing inu demons. His aura shone bright around him, and anger simmered in waves from the surface of his skin. His eyes flashed bright red, and an eerie green mist trailed from his claws.

 

"Please my lord...please! Aahhhhhhhhh!" Screams of agony as rebel after rebel fell to the ground flailing limbs and choking for air. Tokijin would get its fill that night. Sighting Saku, Sesshomaru alighted himself directly in front of the rebel captain.

 

"My lord..." He dropped to his knees seeing that Sesshomaru meant to kill him. "Spare me! I only did as I was ordered! It is Jitsuo you want! Please my lord!"

 

"Saku. You were once loyal. I see you have changed. Where is Jitsuo?" He spoke evenly, quietly, calmly.

 

Saku thought he might have a chance if he cooperated. "Mount Koragi! He is in Mount Koragi Sesshomaru-sama...please, spare me!" Panic danced in the rebel captain's eyes as he knelt on the ground.

 

With a flick of his wrist and Tokijin Sesshomaru sent Saku's head flying across the campsite. Those inu who had not fled or been destroyed so far now cowered and begged for their lives.

 

Sesshomaru would spare none of them.

 

 

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