InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Destiny ❯ The eve of the battle ( Chapter 8 )

Destiny - Chapter 8 - Eve of the battle.

Miroku sat up and absentmindedly rubbed at the sore spot on his head. Judging from the scene around him, he had been out for quite a while. Inuyasha sat in a crouching position, a scowl upon his face as he listened to Sesshomaru. Rin and Shippo seemed to be having a great deal of fun tormenting Jaken.... Wait a minute, Inuyasha is sitting, listening to Sesshomaru? Miroku rubbed his head harder, he must have hit me harder than I realized, thought Miroku. He looked around for Sango and Kagome, sighing when he found no sign of either of them.

"So ye have finally awoken, Inuyasha did no permanent damage I see." Kaede's eyes sparkled with slight amusement.

"Hai Kaede-sama, although yet again his reaction was far too extreme not to mention unwarranted. If I may enquire, where would I find Sango and Kagome-san?"

Kaede raised an eyebrow at Miroku's question.

"Are ye sure it is wise to be enquiring after Kagome, would that not further upset Inuyasha?"

"Kaede-sama, I do not ask because I wish to question Kagome-san, honestly that is not my intention."

Miroku gave Kaede probably his most innocent look ever, considering he was actually innocent of the accusation.

"Oh and just what is your intention?" Kaede tilted her head to one side and regarded the monk curiously.

'Nothing lecherous I assure you Kaede-sama. I simply have no desire to be around Inuyasha just now. His mood earlier wasn't exactly good and judging from the look on his face now, it hasn't gotten any better. I feel it would be prudent to avoid him at this time."

Kaede smiled at Miroku, knowingly.

"So it would have nothing to do with wanting to spend time with Sango perhaps?"

Miroku scratched his head and grinned, finding himself lost for words for once.

"Sango and Kagome are in the hut preparing a meal. If ye will excuse me I have some items to gather in preparation for tomorrow."

With a nod of her and a smile still on her face, Kaede left Miroku sitting in silence, until he was wrenched from his thoughts by the sound of an angry Inuyasha.

"And you think I'm stupid!" Inuyasha now stood, one foot in front of the other, one hand on his chest, his other arm outstretched, a finger pointing accusingly at Sesshomaru.

"Feh! Your nuts to trust her, I don't care what that baka Jaken thinks, he's worthless and your a fool to make plans based on anything that baka has to say."

Inuyasha folded his arms and turned his nose to the air, in his familiar indignant pose.

Sesshomaru stared at Inuyasha, a bored expression on his face.

"I did not ask your opinion Inuyasha, I merely informed you of our plans and let you know of an advantage I believe Naraku is unaware of."

"Your an even bigger fool if you believe that!" Inuyasha growled back at Sesshomaru who sighed in response.

"I place no trust in her Inuyasha, but I do trust her feelings regarding Naraku, otherwise she would not have attempted to gain my help in defeating him once before. At that time I had no interest in concerning myself with anything to do with Naraku. But now our interests happen to coincide and I believe she will keep her end of the bargain to be free of him. I take my leave of you now, I shall return tomorrow to bear witness to and aid in his demise. Rin, I am leaving, you will stay here with the miko tonight."

And without waiting for a response from Inuyasha Sesshomaru left with Jaken running after him. Rin stared after him wailing.

"Sesshomaru-sama!!!!!!!!!!!!!" She sat and stared after him unhappy at being left behind once again. Shippo quietly joined her and they sat together in silence staring at nothing in particular.

Inuyasha stopped and sniffed the air, forgetting about his conversation with Sesshomaru, he grinned and headed towards the hut, easily catching up with Miroku who was also headed that way.

"Oi, where d'ya think you're going?" He took pleasure in seeing Miroku jump slightly although he did recover his composure quickly.

"Kaede-sama informed me that Sango and Kagome-san were preparing a meal. I was simply on my way to see if it was ready."

"That had better be all you were up to letch!" Inuyasha growled as he carried on walking towards the hut.

"Ah it smells good Kagome-chan, Miroku-sama and even Inuyasha I suspect will be pleased." Sango smiled good naturedly at her friend.

"Well that has a lot to do with the help you gave me Sango. Hey wait a minute, you didn't call Miroku Houshi-sama. Sango has something happened between you and Miroku?" Kagome looked at her friend eagerly, excited that she and Miroku might finally have admitted they cared deeply for one another. Sango blushed and looked at the ground before shyly meeting Kagome's inquisitive gaze.

"Hai" Sango replied softly, eyes widening as Kagome hugged her tightly.

"Oh Sango, I'm so happy for you both, what happened? I want to know everything!" Kagome finally let go of her friend and sat back on her heels, anxiously awaiting to hear what Sango had to tell her.

"Well there isn't much to tell really. We... we talked and decided that should we survive the battle with Naraku, that we want to build a future together."

Kagome's bright expression dulled a little at Sango's less than romantic explanation.

"So you and Miroku made an arrangement? And this will make you happy Sango? I've known for some time that you liked Miroku and I was sure he felt the same way. But I guess I was wrong, can you really be happy with just an arrangement?"

Sango looked over at her confused friend, equally confused before she realized how her explanation must have sounded. She smiled with understanding at Kagome.

"Oh no Kagome-chan, you misunderstand. You're right, I have liked Miroku-sama for some time now, although I think it was obvious to all except me. I don't think I really understood what I was feeling for him until we talked last night."

Sango was struck by a sudden realization and she blushed wildly.

"Kagome-chan, was Miroku also aware of my feelings all this time?"

"No, I'm pretty sure he wasn't. And even if he ever did suspect, I think the beatings he received at your hands for his indiscretions, were enough to make him think differently."

Sango sighed with relief and grinned at Kagome.

"Hai, I think you're right and if he thinks things have changed in that area he's greatly mistaken. If anything I'll be taking an even tougher stance on such things. Although after last night I think he may change his ways a little. He'll probably never be able to stop completely, after all its been his way of life for so long now.

But he told me of his desire to have a family and be happy and how he knew this desire was not possible with the current situation, not while Naraku is alive. To sit in a village and lead such a life would be waiting to die and he would be condemning his future children to the same fate as himself. At least by keeping on the move he could try to extend his line should he not survive and be active in trying to lift his curse, so that his future generations might not suffer."

"I understand his logic Sango. By being with so many women his odds of an heir are increased. But his reasons don't make him any less of a letch." Kagome replied deep in thought.

"I know and if I'm completely honest I think some small part of me likes the rogue in him. But even if he is a letch, in his heart he is a good man. And he truly does care for me. I wondered why it took him so long to ask me to bear his children and he told me that it was because he truly cared for me, that he did not want to burden me with his child until Naraku was defeated, because I am special to him. I believe him when he says his wish is to live with me and have a family. His desire is the same as mine. I can never have my family back Kagome and having one of my own, will never replace them or make me forget them. But perhaps it would soothe the ache in my heart. You are all like a family to me, but I know that we will not always be together, we may not even survive tomorrow. But it is enough for me to know that I am loved and I have the hope of a future with someone I... I love." Sango bowed her head and blushed slightly at the confession of her feelings and found herself being hugged yet again by Kagome.

"Oh Sango, I'm so happy that you have found love."

"And you Kagome, your love has finally been realized too!" Sango happily replied.

Kagome pulled away slightly at her friends words, a sad expression on her face.

"Hai, although even if we survive the upcoming battle, I don't think I will have a future with Inuyasha as you will with Miroku."

"Because of Kikyo." Sango replied solemnly, the sadness on Kagome's face tugging at her heart.

"Hai, last night Inuyasha gave me his heart, we became life mates. He will never be with Kikyo in that way at least I can have comfort in that it is me he really loves. But while I finally know how he feels, we can't be together, he can't break his promise to Kikyo. Its not fair Sango, despite how we feel we can't be together!!"

Sango held her friend, wishing she could tell her it would be okay, but how could she give such a promise when Inuyasha could not?

"But at least you had last night Kagome-san, and you know it is you he holds in his heart." She pulled away to look at Kagome who smiled sadly back at her.

"Hai, you're right, and to know that does make me happy." Kagome's smile brightened a little just as Miroku and Inuyasha entered the hut.

"I must say you look very happy Kagome-san, may enquire as to what you and Sango were discussing?" Miroku grinned enthusiastically.

"Oi letch!" Inuyasha snarled.

"Hai?" Miroku replied innocently, Inuyasha's response was to smack Miroku on the head and Miroku found himself slipping into unconsciousness once again.

When he awoke he found Sango watching over him. Kirara curled up asleep at her side, Kaede Rin and Shippo also sleeping soundly. Despite his sore head, Miroku was amused to here that Kagome was spending the night in a tree with Inuyasha. Sango brought him some food and got Miroku up to date with everything they had discussed regarding the battle.

After eating, Miroku sat for a long time pondering Sango's words. He lay down hands behind his head, staring up at the roof of the hut.

"And Sesshomaru is certain of this?"

"Hai, Inuyasha thinks he is foolish to do so, but Sesshomaru seems positive her desire to destroy Naraku is genuine."

Miroku considered Sango's words carefully before replying.

"For once I agree with Inuyasha, but it wouldn't be like Sesshomaru to trust blindly, no he must be very sure of her intentions to agree to what he has.

"Hai and it is Sesshomaru taking the risk this night. Although if he was betrayed, we will suffer for it tomorrow if he is unable to join us in the fight against Naraku."

"Indeed." Miroku replied grimly before his eyes widened in surprise at the feel of Sango against him.

"Sango?"

"Ssh, I trust you Miroku-sama we should rest now, tomorrow is nearly upon us."

"Inuyasha are you sure it'll be okay?" Kagome squeaked as she clutched tightly to Inuyasha's haori, too scared to look down.

Inuyasha let out an exasperated sigh.

"Hai I won't let anything happen to you Kagome!"

"I know but its so high up!"

"Kagome do you trust me?"

Kagome looked into his amber eyes.

"Hai, I trust you Inuyasha." she replied softly.

"Then shut up you stupid girl!"

"Hey who you callin stupid you jerk!" Inuyasha watched the fire rise up in Kagome's brown eyes, she was so alive, so beautiful.

"Well there ain't no-one else up where so who do you think I mean baka!"

"Why you!" Kagome was about to get up and leave, but remembered she was high up on a branch on Inuyasha's favorite tree. It was then that she realized she wasn't scared anymore.

"Thank you Inuyasha." She hugged him tightly.

"What for?" He replied gruffly, grinning toothily since she couldn't see his face as her head was buried deep into his chest.

"For distracting me by making me angry, so I wouldn't be scared."

"Feh! who says I was trying to distract you? You really are a stupid girl."

But Kagome wasn't listening, in fact she was giggling.

"What's so funny?" Inuyasha enquired, confused by Kagome's reaction, not realizing she had been lost in thought.

"Oh I just realized, no one noticed I'd removed the prayer beads. Oh won't they be surprised when they do notice." Kagome continued to giggle softly.

"Feh I'm not surprised Miroku's mind was where it usually was, Kouga showed up....."

Kagome raised a finger to Inuyasha's lips.

"Ssh I don't want to talk about today." Kagome's voice betrayed the tiredness she felt.

Inuyasha wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"Hai, we need to rest for tomorrow." He replied grimly.

"Yeah tomorrow......" Kagome didn't finish her sentence as she drifted off to sleep, but Inuyasha caught the hint of sadness in her voice.

Tomorrow he thought to himself and hugged Kagome even more tightly to himself.