InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Demon Slayer Sango ❯ Chapter 28 ( Chapter 28 )

 

 

Chapter 28

 

Hisako rushed down the corridor. 'How can I possibly do everything in the time he has given me?'

 

Soon she arrived at her destination: the apartments occupied by the hanyou, his mate and the huntress. 'I will never understand lord Sesshomaru. What can he be thinking?'

 

"Lady Hisako, good morning." Kagome bowed slightly to the demoness. The two had become acquainted after meeting at Sango's bedside in the infirmary.

 

"Priestess, good morning. I have need to see the huntress. Is she here?"

 

"Sango?" Kagome blushed. "Well, she...didn't sleep here last night."

 

That morning she'd walked in to find an empty sleeping mat in the taijiya's room. 'She must have spent the night with him...with Sesshomaru.' Kagome recalled having to shoo Shippo away after he'd started asking questions.

 

"I see."

 

Hisako quickly understood the meaning of her absence. 'But she didn't seem to be around him just now...' The demoness had come directly from a meeting with Sesshomaru and his council where that evening's palace-wide assembly had been discussed and finalized. It was there that she'd learned Sango would be more involved in the situation than any of them knew before.

 

'Where can the creature be? I must prepare her...'

 

Suddenly Sango appeared behind Kagome looking rather sheepish. "Lady Hisako, are you looking for me?"

 

The miko jumped, surprised. "Sango? When did you get in?" she asked, concerned at the puffiness around the taijiya's eyes and her disheveled hair. 'She has been crying over him.'

 

"Ummm, I've been here for a while now." The embarrassed look on her face and the messiness of her hair told them more than words could. Awaking late that morning in the arms of her lover, Sango had only just returned to the apartment after a hurried bath.

 

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Sesshomaru had been sleeping quietly beside her, something the taijiya had never witnessed before. She knew that as a taiyoukai he did not require regular periods of sleep, and for a while had wondered if he ever slept at all. His current unconscious state seemed to confirm that he did so at least once in a while.

 

Enthralled by the peacefulness of his rest Sango was unable to tear herself away for a long time and she lay silently beside him watching his slow, regular breathing while resting a hand on his smooth chest. The slight rosy color in his cheeks delighted her, and she played at matching the rhythm of her own breathing to his slow, deep movements.

 

'He is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,' she thought. 'I could definitely live with waking up to this every morning for the rest of my life.' A small finger traced ever so lightly along his lips.

 

After a while and with great reluctance the taijiya disturbed him with soft, searching kisses. She needed to say that she was leaving.

 

"Not yet huntress," he said as his golden eyes fluttered open. His gaze was already startlingly awake.

 

Slightly hoarse, she spoke in a low voice. "But it is daylight. Kagome and Inuyasha will wonder what happened to me."

 

Sitting up in bed Sango pulled her robe around her body and reflected.

 

'Oh the gods are surely laughing at me right now-- here I am in his bed this morning and he's marrying someone else tonight!'

 

The demon lord also sat up and stretched his toned arms. He welcomed the gentle but firm pressure she applied to his shoulders to ease the tightness there. He could tell she was melancholy and hugged her close when she'd finished.

 

'As far as she is concerned these are the last few moments she will spend alone with me,' he thought.

 

Indeed Sango was feeling the pain of imminent separation from her beacon of safety, her protector and lover. Sesshomaru was keenly aware of the pain their imminent separation was causing her.

 

"I have something for you," he said softly. Releasing her gently he got up, his torso bare but his bottom half covered in soft linen and disappeared soundlessly into another room.

 

Almost instantly he came back with something that made Sango's eyes go wide and caused her to clap in elation.

 

Hiraikotsu! "Wh-where did you get it?" Taking it from him, she ran her hands over the weapon. "I thought I'd lost it lost forever!"

 

"Ryuchi's warriors found it in the ruins of a village that had been attacked by the rebel forces. They brought it to me yesterday." Sango thought it striking his warriors would know Sesshomaru might be interested in her weapon.

 

"I would have returned it to you sooner but there was significant damage that needed repairing."

 

He watched in interest while she ran her eyes over the centipede demon bone weapon and caressed its surface. Understanding how much the object meant to her, he'd made a point of having it repaired as soon as possible.

 

'Ridiculous weapon. But it makes her happy, so there it is.'

 

She clutched the object tightly to her chest, clearly relieved to have it back. "Oh Sessh, thank you so much! I want to thank lord Ryuchi personally."

 

"That is not necessary." She kissed him and then continued to examine Hiraikotsu.

 

Sesshomaru remained silent, carefully watching. Sango still was not especially comfortable with his sepulchral silences and fidgeted where she stood as he simply stared at her, neutral but not forbidding.

 

"Well...I really should get back," she said finally, aching inside. 'I can't believe I have to leave him. The world is so unfair!'

 

Sesshomaru shook his head and motioned to her. "Come here huntress."

 

Half reluctantly she went to him and fell into his outstretched arms, all the while fighting to hold back tears that threatened to pour out unchecked. He caressed her shoulders in an attempt to give some comfort, to ease her distress.

 

'My poor Sango,' he thought.

 

"I hope you are happy with her," she murmured against his chest. "I will miss you so much. I love you more than you will ever know."

 

Looking up into his eyes she felt something powerful and profound pass between them, like an unspoken admission of devotion as deep and moving as anything she'd ever experienced with him before. It was as if in spite of events something intensely spiritual was binding them ever closer together, and it confused her.

 

Sango continued. "I think that sometime we should discuss our baby's future. I am sure you have ideas about how and where he should be born, and how he is to be raised. Arrangements have to be made, and I would hope that you plan to be involved."

 

No response.

 

Sango took a deep breath. "Well, goodbye Sessh." Managing a half smile through her moist eyes she was finally able to pull away from him.

 

But he stopped her before she could reach the door. "Sango."

 

He turned her to face him and she began to sob relentlessly, unable to contain her sadness any longer. "Do not despair," he whispered while embracing her. "I asked you to trust me." She nodded, not having any idea what he could mean. As far as she was concerned this was the end of their affair.

 

When he pulled her in for a last kiss, she tried to resist. 'Why do this now? Why draw it out?'

 

"No my love. Do not resist me," he ordered gently. Capturing her lips in a slow, tender kiss he held her tightly as if to say he would never let her go.

 

'How can he torture me this way?' she wondered while grasping to him for dear life. Sango kissed him back desperately in an attempt to imprint the feelings and sensations on her memory.

 

"I love you," she mumbled once more.

 

"And I love you. Always know this." He let her go, and she left the room.

 

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Impatient, Hisako spoke firmly. "You will come with me huntress, there is no time to waste."

 

Word to all the palace residents about the impending ceremony had just been sent through the noble demoness' efficient system of messengers, but other matters still needed to be worked out including protocol and logistics. Hisako was responsible for all of it. On top of this Sesshomaru had given specific instructions for her to tend Sango before the event. As a result the noble demoness felt very pressed, a condition her orderly nature usually abhorred. Now standing outside Inuyasha and Kagome's apartments waiting for her charge she grew increasingly restless as each moment passed.

 

"I must prepare you for this evening," she stated with force.

 

"Prepare me? I will only be an observer at the ceremonly tonight, just like Kagome." Sango exchanged looks with her friend.

 

The noble demoness gave a testy look. She was not at liberty to give detailed explanations as Sesshomaru-sama had sworn her to secrecy. "Still, you must come with me."

 

The finality of her tone caused the taijiya to drop her line of questioning and follow wherever she wanted to go. "Alright, Hisako-sama. I will come."

 

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"Lord Sesshomaru, you wished to see me?" asked Shiro. He bowed low to the demon lord who sat behind his broad desk calmly reading a parchment scroll filled with text.

Frankly the younger lord was nervous knowing he had not ceased his attentions to Kaiya in the days since the start of the war.

 

'I have at least tried to be discreet,' he thought. He had wanted to steal her away, to leave the Western lands forever and put the whole situation at the palace behind them both. 'Is it lack of courage on my part or not enough affection on hers that keeps me from following through it?' he wondered as he stood before the aloof, seemingly disinterested authority before him. 'No, Kaiya has feelings for me. I know she does.'

 

Finally Sesshomaru spoke. "I did call you here." He looked up and Shiro fought a shiver. The taiyoukai's gaze seemed to bore right through him, drilling straight to the truth that was in his heart. "You have heard there will be a ceremony tonight, have you not?"

 

"Yes my lord. The claiming ceremony for the lady Kaiya and yourself, Sesshomaru-sama." A long pause. The silence began to slowly eat at Shiro-- the demon lord did not turn his gaze away nor speak for several moments.

 

"You have a great appreciation for beauty I have heard, Shiro."

 

"My lord?"

 

"It has come to my knowledge that you have a keen interest in certain ladies of this court. One in particular as a matter of fact."

 

'Uh oh.' Shiro swallowed.

 

"Nothing in this palace escapes my notice." Sesshomaru stood and began to pace back and forth. "That you would approach the bitch I have been courting shows you are a bigger fool than I thought you were or that you appear to be. I am within my rights to destroy you where you stand for such presumption. What is going on in that mind of yours?"

 

Shiro began to tremble. "My lord, I--"

 

"I don't need to hear your excuses. You are a young demon, reckless and a risk taker, there is nothing unusual in that. But you must learn that actions have consequences. If you intend to cross me, you must be up to the task. Tell me, did you believe that you could successfully challenge me for the demoness' hand?"

 

"No, no my lord! Of course not!"

 

Sesshomaru continued. "What have you ever been responsible for in your life besides attending parties, drinking with your friends and carousing in the woods? What do you know of fighting, of running a household, of providing for a family or defending what belongs to you?"

 

"Nothing my lord." Shiro lowered his head.

 

"Only a demon who has proven himself, who has shown that he can handle such responsibilty would even dare to approach any of the ladies of this court, all of whom are under my direct protection. And yet you who are little more than a wet-eared pup go around the bitch I have singled out, the one I have designated as my future companion and sniffed at her like an ignorant wolf in heat. What is this?"

 

Shiro dropped to his knees and touched his forehead to the ground. He was mortified. "I am sorry, master. I meant no harm. I deserve punishment."

 

Sesshomaru continued to pace and said nothing for a long time.

 

"You will be present at the ceremony tonight lord Shiro."

 

"Are you asking, my lord?" He felt dizzy. 'Just let it not be too painful, whatever he plans to do to me.'

 

"I am commanding. You will be present or you will face serious consequences."

 

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama. Please my lord let me explain--"

 

"You will also conduct my brother and his party to the ceremony. You will be seated with them and answer their questions. Leave me now, I am through with you." Sesshomaru curtly waved him away and turned his back.

 

"Yes master." Thoroughly chastened, the young lord got up and slunk away, grateful to not have been obliterated by the demon lord's wrath.

 

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Kaiya straightened her fine linen robe with nervous fingers as she waited to be called in. 'What can he want to talk about now,' she wondered. 'Forget talking, I haven't seen him in weeks.'

 

Yoshiro the court messenger had appeared early that morning to tell her she was required in Sesshomaru's library at noon. So here she was, waiting patiently in the antechamber to be summoned.

 

Hisako's notice the previous evening that Sesshomaru planned to go ahead with the claiming ceremony had not come as a surprise to her. What had shocked the young demoness was the fact that it would apparently take place the following evening. She had hoped for more time to work out some kind of solution to her problem. Kaiya still did not want to mate him, and also felt for the beautiful demon slayer.

 

'That girl is so clearly in love with him. Why doesn't he just take her as his wife? She's even pregnant with his child!'

 

"Lady Kaiya, Sesshomaru-sama will see you now." She nodded and followed Yoshiro into the elegant space.

 

"Lord Sesshomaru." She kept her eyes lowered and bowed to him.

 

"Kaiya." He stood. Deciding to get straight to the point, he spoke directly. "As you know tonight I will be claiming you. Is this something you are prepared for?" She nodded faintly, silently. He could tell she hated the idea.

 

"I am ready to do your will, my lord." Inside her soul screamed. 'If only it were Shiro...'

 

The younger lord's persistence had finally begun to wear on her in a good way. Slowly she had begun to find him interesting and had entertained his teasing nature, finding his liveliness and adventurous spirit appealing. Besides that she thought him attractive physically with his reed-thin physique and astonishing lake-blue eyes.

 

"Did Akria tell you to say that?" asked Sesshomaru.

 

"Yes."

 

Why lie? Before her present appointment Kaiya's father had indeed given her a stern lecture about a daughter's responsibility to her family, how she was now a subject not of her own will but completely that of her future husband. It had all struck her as so much traditional blather but the demoness loved her father and wanted to please him. She had promised she would not anger Sesshomaru at this meeting.

 

"What do you really want to say to me?" he demanded.

 

"Nothing my lord."

 

"Do not lie to me woman." He hissed through his teeth and came to stand directly in front of her. "I cannot stand falsehood. You hate the idea of mating with me, do you not?"

 

Kaiya began to tremble. His youki was so strong. She wanted to scream and yell and stomp around, but something was telling her to submit. "No my lord. If it is what you wish then it is my destiny." She spoke meekly, keeping her eyes downcast.

 

"Kaiya!" He snatched her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. She gasped. "You believe that I would force you to mate with me, don't you? You believe that I am cruel enough to make you do whatever it is I wish without regard to your needs, your thoughts and feelings. And you hate me for it. That is the truth, isn't it?"

 

"Y-yes my lord." Her trembling persisted. His plainness put her off balance. 'Why is he saying this? Why make this agony even worse?' "Yes."

 

"There. We are getting somewhere." He released his grip on her chin and stepped away.

 

A long, loaded pause. Kaiya spoke next. "She loves you so."

 

"What?" He peered at her.

 

"Sango. The huntress. She loves you more than life itself-- I saw it. It is in her eyes, in the way she speaks. She is so happy to be having your child."

 

"That is no business of yours."

 

"Perhaps not." She looked him in the eye now. "To be honest, I really don't care if you stay with her-- afterwards. Someone should be loved in this sad situation. It might as well be you."

 

"You think that I do not love her?"

 

"I do not know your heart, my lord."

 

"No. You don't." He sat down behind his desk again. His head seemed to droop slightly, and he tented his fingers.

 

"This is all my doing." He spoke, but to the walls and not the trembling young demoness before him. "I am called the most powerful youkai in the land. The strongest, the most feared. My decisions are law." He sighed. "But I have made terrible errors."

 

Kaiya wondered what he could be talking about. "My lord?"

 

"I am deeply flawed, Kaiya. This kingdom is lucky to have survived. I was nearly killed at Mount Koragi. I am not invincible."

 

The demoness watched in wonder as he rubbed his eyes as if fatigued. 'Is he confessing to me?' He was no longer the cold, forbidding leader she had known but a slightly sad, seemingly somewhat defeated youkai.

 

"Tonight you will be joined with someone who has much to learn, who is still a student of this life. I am thankful to have found someone who may be the key to my discovery of greater truths, truths I have need to experience."

 

'He must mean the huntress,' she concluded. He most certainly could not mean herself-- this was the first real exchange the two of them had ever engaged in.

 

"What I am saying is that your needs and wants have not been forgotten, lady Kaiya. You will see that tonight."

 

"Alright, my lord." The demoness was terribly confused. 'Why is he talking to me this way? What can he mean?'

 

"You may go now."

 

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