InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fallen Samurai ❯ Chapter 23 ( Chapter 24 )

Chapter 23 is now posted. Thank you to all who have read and left your reviews. Things have finally quieted down and I'm able to continue writing. Although I have two other fics so it's hard to keep updating regularly. . . and then there's that little thing called life that gets in the way too. Ya'll know what I'm talkin' 'bout. ^_- Anyway, thanks for reading and now the next chapter.

**********

They now continued what was to be the final part of their journey in seeking out the jewel shards of the Shikon No Tama. With only one last shard to find, the group's spirits were lifted, and their guard seemed to be down a bit. All, that is, except for Inuyasha. He found that he had to continue to remind Kagome that just because there was only one jewel shard left to be found, it didn't mean that it would just fall into their hands. Kagome had replied that he was being paranoid, and nothing could be worse than what they had already endured from the beginning.

Sango smirked inwardly to herself. Although Inuyasha was very unpredictable with his hot temper flaring left and right, it didn't mean that he was completely oblivious to everything that went on around him. He was very smart for a hanyou, and strong. What Kagome took for the usual paranoia, should have been taken for as wise councel. If only she knew the unfolding of events that would befall them.

The wind was now coming from the north, and with it brought the harsh bitter cold. It was the sign of winter approaching, and not long would there be the first snow. Kagome clutched the collar of her blue jacket closer to her neck, holding a shivering Shippou, and Inuyasha had a warm arm around her shoulder. Sango cocked her head to the side. Obviously things had changed and progressed since her absense. Miroku, too, had Sango in an embrace. She smiled up at him, and he smiled warmly in return.

Sango almost had to catch her breath when he did so. The way his eyes sparkled. . .those beautiful violet orbs that shone like the midnight sky. It almost restarted an old flame. She mentally kicked herself for thinking that way and sought to extinguish that flame. How could she be thinking such things when she was in the midst of an infiltration? And when she was already another's mate? Sesshoumaru would have her head for such things, if she didn't kill herself already. She had worked too hard to relinquish those old memories, and she wasn't going to let them ever resurface.

She often thought of what her father would say if he found out about the course of life that she had taken. He would downright accuse her of betraying her people and dishonoring him and the family. But. . .he would understand. He would understand that she had been tricked and that she was still out seeking revenge for his murder. The evil haunted her dreams so, and if she had to become the goddess of evil herself. . .The Devil's Child. . .so be it. She was already so close, but her paitience was wearing thin in waiting for her Lord Sesshoumaru to come for her. When he did, then is when the final battle will be fought, and sins atoned for.

"You're quiet today."

Sango snapped her head up from thought. "W-what?"

"I said you're quiet. What's on your mind?"

"Oh, nothing, Miroku. It's nothing."

"It must be. I look in your eyes and they are so distant from me. Where does your mind take you that it is more important than being with me? Is it possible for me to go along with you?"

Sango giggled. "Oh Miroku, you are too much."

"I am?" he blinked.

She laughed again. "Yes. How you worry so, over me! So many things have changed and yet you. . ."

"I?"

Sango looked down. "And yet you still want me."

"Why would I not?" he asked, confused.

When Sango shivered, he knew that it wasn't because she was cold. He mentally kicked himself for asking such a stupid question. She was so worried that because Naraku had defiled her, he wouldn't find her desirable anymore. But how could she think of him that way? Did he think him to be that shallow? He mentally winced. He was that way before he met her. But she changed him dramatically.

"I cannot believe you would think me to be that way, Sango. I thought you knew me to be better."

Sango gave him a look. "Maybe now, but before I had no clue to what activities you were engaging in."

"You do not trust me?"

"That's getting beyond the point."

"You are avoiding the question."

"No, you are avoiding my question! Why do you want me?"

"You physical purity does not interest me, my dearest Sango. I know for certain that your heart is pure, and that is what I fell in love with. Your pure heart and soul."

"Oh Miroku," she beamed.

Then a lecherous smile was on his lips as he said. "Not to mention the softness of your toush." And he gave a squeeze.

She yelped and playfully pushed him away. "You had to go and ruin that beautiful comment by adding something perverted didn't you?!"

"It couldn't be helped, Lady Sango."

She sighed. "Sometimes I really do wonder if you fell in love with my ass and not me."

"But your ass is a part of you," he said with a wink. "And there are many other parts of you I love."

He received a backhand slap in front of his face. "I know that we're together and all, houshi, but that still doesn't mean you have to make so many blunt comments all the time."

Miroku rubbed the front of his face where a red handprint stung. "And we're back to the houshi." He sighed. "I thought we were passed all that."

"You should know I change your name when I'm angry with you." She then smiled and winked.

"You two are a wierd pair," Inuyasha commented. "First your quiet, then you argue, then you complement, then you fight, then you hug, and then Miroku gets a handprint on his face! I swear I'll never understand you."

"And I'll never understand what exactly Kagome sees in you," Shippou commented, shaking his head. "I mean your loud, obnoxious, selfish, short tempered-"

"Shut the hell up you little rodent!"

Shippou shrieked as he dodged Inuyasha's grab and dove head first inside Kagome's jacket. Kagome laughed as Shippou was tickling her and his tail was brushing her nose. She sneezed abruptly, causing Shippou to fall out and onto the ground.

"I'm sorry Shippou!" Kagome exclaimed, cradling the kitsune. "Are you all right?" Shippou nodded and then a smile formed on his lips as he held out his little hands. "What is it?"

"It's snowing!"

The group simultaneously looked up at the gray clouds above them, and sure enough, snowflakes were decending upon them. Shippou bounced out of Kagome's arms, running around gleefully, announcing to everything that it was snowing. 'When enough snow falls,' he thought mischivously to himself, 'I will make a snowball and stick it up Inuyasha's nose while he's asleep. What fun!' And he continued to think up new pranks, jokes, and games he will have to amuse himself with.

The snow continued to fall even when they had reached the nearest villiage by sundown. The villiage leader happily invited them to stay the night when Miroku exorcized a demon from his own home. There was a vacant hut that he offered, which Miroku humbly accepted on behalf of himself and his comrades.

As they made their way to the hut, a few villiage girls were giggling, starring at Miroku. Sango growled silently to herself, not out of jealousy, but because this was the reason Miroku strayed away from her in the first place. She paused. That sounded a lot like jealousy to her. She shook her head, not giving a damn about it anymore. However, to her suprise, he mearly nodded to them, saying a polite greeting, and moved on. This was certainly not the Miroku she was used to. Her brows furrowed. He mearly shows off his so called "faithfulness" because she is around. But before he confessed his feelings for her he would flirt with women left and right! He was a confusing fellow, she had to admit. What the hell was he up to?

Shippou went off, playing with some of the villiage children, and Kagome went off for a walk, Inuyasha of course following to make sure she didn't get herself in any trouble. Sango in the meanwhile warmed up sitting next to the blazing fire. She held her hands out before the warmth, rubbing the cold out.

"Suprised my Sango?"

Sango spun around. "Suprised? Of what, you startling me just now?"

"No. I noticed you looking at me a bit suprised when the villiage girls came along."

She turned back to the friendly flames. "Old habits die hard I suppose."

"You have nothing to worry about milady. I promise you."

Sango said nothing, but continued to warm her hands. Miroku knelt beside her, taking her hands within his, rubbing them gently. For some reason, her hands seemed instantly warmer, more good than the fire did.

Miroku felt the softness of her hands. Odd, he thought. He didn't remember them ever being so soft. She was a warrior, and her hands were usually callused from using her Hiraikotsu. But no longer. Now they were soft and smooth like silk. They were delicate and . . . paler? He looked at her skin, finally noticing the different coloration. Her skin had once been darkened and tanned, but now seemed whiter. Was it the glow of the fire causing him to see such things?

"You're different, Sango."

Sango's eyes widened slightly. She had noticed him looking her over. She would never had thought that he would have noticed a slight change in her hands, the way she felt him slowly run his fingers across it.

"No," she said softly. "I still remain the same."

His light caresses ran up her arm and gently cupped her face. She hesitated to look directly in his eyes. She didn't want to see the way they sparkled. The way that they just burned with desire for her. She looked slowly into his eyes, and she saw just as she feared. . . and more.

"Miro-"

"Shhh.." he said softly, bringing a finger to her lips.

She lightly kissed the tip of his finger before letting it slip between her lips, lightly caressing it with her tounge. Miroku starred at her, watching and feeling those creamy lips. He withdrew his hand, bringing her in roughly to him, capturing his mouth with his own.

"Open for me," he moaned hotly against her mouth.

Sango obeyed and was rewarded with sensational tastes and touches. He brought her up to stradle him, letting them feel eachother. Clutching at her behind he squeezed and brought him closer to his hardness, while he sucked on her neck. Sango gave gasps and moans of pleasure and bliss, letting him have his way with her.

They were about to rip eachothers clothes off when there was a terrible scream. It belonged to Kagome, and Sango could hear her running footsteps come closer to the hut. Miroku gave an agitated growl as both began to smooth out their clothes, so suspicion wouldn't arise.

"Sango! Miroku!" Kagome cried, standing in the now open doorway.

"What is it Kagome?" Sango asked.

"Come quickly! Inuyasha is in the forest and Sesshoumaru has come!"

Both Miroku and Sango stood wide-eyed, but unlike Miroku who starred mouth open out of fear and shock, Sango's reaction was because her lover had finally returned for her. Grabbing Hiraikotsu she followed Kagome deep into the forest with Miroku beside her. The snow had stopped, and there was a good amount of snow on the ground crunching beneath their feet.

"Where's Shippou?" Miroku asked.

"He's back at the villiage," Kagome answered. "He shouldn't have to be there."

Sango mentally agreed. The current situation did not involve the young kitsune. It would be better for him not to have to witness the fall of his beloved Kagome and his friends.

"Why must we go to fight?" Miroku asked puzzled. "Inuyasha can handle his brother on his own. . . barely."

Kagome had worry written across her face as she said to him, "Sesshoumaru has the last jewel shard."

***********

The final battle approaches. What will be the outcome of this heartwrenching tale? The answer lies within the next chapter. . .

~*~Lady Pheonix~*~