InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Harem ❯ Chapter 13

DISCLIAMER: Inuyasha belong to Rumiko Takahashi and not to me. The AU world this story is set in, the plot and any additional characters do belong to me though, and so please don't try to take them without my permission. I make no profit of this story, and am doing it only for my own enjoyment (and hopefully yours too).

 

CHAPTER 13

 

Elsewhere in the harem, two women talked and laughed, completely unaware of the danger one of them was currently in. Actually, Kagome was talking, telling Sango about some of the crazy things her younger brother had gotten into during their childhood, while Sango laughed and listened. Kagome had recently learned that talking about the good times she'd had with her family with her friends lessened the pain she felt from being separated from them, so conversations like this had become more and more common whenever her and Sango were alone. She still missed Souta and her mother of course, and wondered how they were doing back in Ado, but by focusing on the good memories of them and not their painful separation she was able to get by talking and thinking about them without worrying that she might end up bursting into tears.

 

As for Sango, she enjoyed hearing about Kagome's happy childhood, which was in stack contrast to her own, even though she suspected that Kagome's life back in Ado wasn't nearly as wonderful as her stories made it seem. Tonight however she had another reason why she was listening to Kagome so intently. She desperately needed something to get her mind off Miroku and that kiss this morning. Whenever she thought about it - and despite her best efforts, all day long that had seemed to equal up to every three minutes or so - she was overcome with a wave of conflicting emotions which made her want to laugh, and shout for joy, and cry in pain, and scream with fear, all at the same time. She had no idea which impulse was strongest yet, and felt that if this kept up she might very well go crazy by the end of the week.

 

Sango could still barely believe Miroku had kissed her. Part of her didn't want to believe it. If she could just convince herself that it was a dream, she could move on without having to deal with the rampant rush of emotions within her. But as improbable as it may seem, no matter how much part of her might wish it wasn't so, in her heart Sango knew that what she and Miroku had shared that morning was indeed very real. That kiss was no dream. How could it be when it was better than even her wildest dreams had ever hoped for? How could it be a dream when it worse than her most terrible nightmare could ever imagine?

 

That kiss was something Sango had wanted for so long. For months she had dreamed of kissing Miroku, of holding him in her arms, of being able to openly confess her love to the admittedly perverted man and to be given the opportunity live out her life by his side. That one kiss, short as it was, seemed to promise all that. The kiss itself was amazing enough, that priest was one damn good kisser after all. It was intense, and even now, hours later, and the mere thought of it left her hungry for more. But it was the emotions behind the kiss that sent Sango's heart reeling. In that one kiss, Sango could feel all of the emotions she had suspected that Miroku felt but had never explicitly expressed to her. And she in turn used to kiss to confess her own feelings, the ones she had felt but never dared say outloud. And in that one moment, it felt like the two of them were the only two people in the entire world. Nothing else had matter at that moment. Not her horrible father and detestable brothers. Not Dalal and Muna and there incessant bitching. Not her position as the younger prince's concubine and all the heart retchingly strict laws that's surrounded such a role. All that had mattered was the feel of Miroku's lips pressing desperately on hers, the feelings of pure love in her heart for the priest, and sense of finally knowing without a shadow of a doubt tat he loved her as she did him. For those few moments, it was pure bliss. Hours later just thinking about everything she had experienced in that kiss sent shivers of excitement coursing through her.

 

And yet, it was because of that reason that thinking about the kiss also mad her want to burst out crying. That kiss had been so perfect! And she would never be able to experience such a magical moment again. She knew it, and worse she knew he knew it. They could never experience such a moment again, not so long as Sango remained as Inuyasha's concubine. To do so would mean certain death should they ever be discovered. What was more, it would be a betrayal of trust with a man they both cared for and respected deeply. Inuyasha had been, and still was, one of the very few men in Sango's life who treated her with respect, who cared about her feelings and made sure she was looked after. It was only after she became his concubine that she found happiness in her life again, for the first time since that horrible day she had found her brother's murdered body all those years ago. Yes her life was still far from perfect and was still filled with problems - the fact that she was currently having this internal dilemma was proof of that - but compared to what her life could have easily become had she been a concubine to almost any other master, and she considered herself to be damn lucky to be in the service to such a man as him. And truly, over the last two years Sango had learnt to care for Inuyasha, not just as her master but also as a friend. She would never want to purposely hurt him, yet hurt she knew he would be, should he learn that his own former favourite concubine and his best friend had betrayed him like that. and Miroku she was sure felt the same way. After all, he and Inuyasha were best friends and had been long before she came on to the scene. They grew up together, and were just about as close as any brothers she had ever seen. When it came right down to it, Sango would not be the least bit surprised if Miroku was even more unwilling to hurt Inuyasha than she was.

 

It was a nightmare. The man of her dreams was so close, if it not for the law, the harem walls and guards, and Inuyasha, she could walk right over to his house and see him right now if she wished. Just this morning she had shared with him the kiss of a lifetime, one ever more prefect than she could have ever imaged. And she could never be with him, never experience that bliss again, because both were bound to their current circumstances with no way foreseeable way out. As long as Sango remained Inuyasha's concubine there could be no future for them. And there were only two ways that Sango could stop being Inuyasha's concubine; her death, or wait until Inuyasha released her from his service. And Inuyasha was not likely to release her from his service until such a time when he decided to disband his harem completely, which would likely not happen until the younger Prince married, if even then. That could be years if not decades into the future. She couldn't and wouldn't ask Miroku to wait all that time for her. It would not be fair to him, and besides Miroku would no doubt need to marry himself at some point, if only to produce an heir to carry on his family's legacy to continue to serve as Spiritual Advisors to the Royal Family. It was not fair of her to expect Miroku to risk throwing away generation upon generation of dedication and devotion just for the vague possibility that one day the two might have some kind of future together. Nor was it fair for her to forever hold out hope for such a fate only to have her heart broken every minute of every day that it did not come true.

 

For both of their sakes, she now knew, she and Miroku would have to let go of this impossible dream and try to move on. She would survive within Inuyasha's harem, and Miroku would one day be able to find another, free woman to live his life with. It would break her heart, but the next time she had the opportunity to speak to Miroku in private she would need to tell him so. As much as it hurt her now, as much as she was sure it would hurt her in the day, weeks, and years to come, it was time to let go of the only real love she had ever known. If not, it could only lead her and Miroku to even more ruin than it already had.

 

“Sango?” Kagome asked suddenly, her concerned voice breaking through Sango's growing misery. “Is something wrong? You looked so sad a moment ago? Is it anything I can help with?”

 

“It's nothing, Kagome, I'm fine.” Sango said, forcing a fake smile onto her face. She could not allow Kagome to know of what was really happening with her and Miroku, even if she planned to break off what was left of their miniscule affair. She trusted Kagome, far more than she would have though she would ever be able to trust a fellow concubine, but Kagome's own future might be put at risk should the other girl learn of her and Miroku. In some harems, concubines who knew of another concubine's affairs and did not report them were put to death along with the adulteress. While Sango did not believe for a moment that Inuyasha would do that to Kagome, Sango also firmly believed that should her and Miroku's relationship ever come out and Kagome knew, Inuyasha would also be hurt by Kagome's silence. Inuyasha clearly cared about Kagome in his own way, and Kagome just as clearly enjoyed her current position as favoured concubine for more than just the advantage it gave her. Sango didn't want to ruin things between Inuyasha and Kagome as well, should worst come to worst and the truth about her and Miroku came out.

 

Kagome looked unconvinced. “Sango, I'm not an idiot, okay? I can tell something's bothering you. Please, talk to me, you can trust me, you know that.”

 

“Kagome.” Sango started to say. She wanted to tell her friend that she did trust her, but that this was something she simply couldn't talk about. She wanted to tell Kagome how she appreciated her concern, but she really would be okay. Sango wanted to say all that and more, but she never got that chance, because right then there was a knock on the door and one of the maids stuck her head into the room.

 

“There you are.” The maid said, that usual look of annoyance that all the maids in the harem save Shiori seem to have mastered firmly plastered on her face. “Well, hurry up, Prince Inuyasha requests your presence tonight.”

 

Kagome appeared annoyed that the maid had arrived just when it looked like Sango was going to talk to her, but as usual was unable to look truly upset that Inuyasha was calling for her again. She started to get up, but before she was able to even get fully onto her feet the maid spoke up again.

 

“Oh, no not you Miss Kagome.” The maid said, refusing as so many of the maids did to call her a `lady' because of her birth rank as a commoner. “The Prince wishes Lady Sango tonight.”

 

`Shocked' would be putting the mood in the room at that moment mildly. Inuyasha had been calling on only Kagome for over two months now. Ever since his first night with Kagome, Inuyasha had not had sex with any other concubine and had seemed content to keep things that way. It had been a forgone conclusion in both Kagome and Sango's mind that if Inuyasha called on any concubine that night it would be Kagome. The fact that he wanted Sango threw them both for something of a loop. And neither was at all happy about it.

 

`Why now?' Sango mentally cried. `Why today of all days? Haven't my emotions been played with enough today, now I have to deal with this as well?' Ever since Sango had first realised she was in love with Miroku, sleeping with Inuyasha had played havoc on her feelings, and with as messed up as her emotions were after the events of earlier today she wasn't sure she could emotionally or mentally take any more. On the other hand, it wasn't like she had any choice in the matter.

 

“Well, what are you waiting for?” The maid demanded, seeming to reinforce Sango's last thought. “Get a move on, the Prince is waiting for you.”

 

“But…”Sango started to say, before stopping herself. What could she possibly say that would get her out of this?

 

“You better get going Sango, Inuyasha wants you after all.” Kagome said. If Sango hadn't been so deep in her own misery right then, she would have no doubt noticed how strained Kagome's voice sounded and wondered about it. As it was though, all she did was get up and slowly started walking towards the open door, trying all the while to bury her emotions so she wouldn't be temped to cry from all the conflicting feelings within her before the night was over.

 

As soon as the door closed behind Sango, Kagome collapsed on her bed, her mind racing but not in any one seeming direction. Sango. Inuyasha wanted Sango tonight, not her. Well, it was to be expected that eventually he would want to be with one of his other concubines right? After all, wasn't the whole point of a harem, aside from the possibly of an heir without the need for an actual wife, so that the harem master could experience the pleasures of many different women without any real strings attached? That was what she had always been lead to believe back in Ado, and nothing she'd seen here really seemed to contradict that idea. Inuyasha had been with her alone for over two months, she should feel flattered that she was clearly so favoured. She shouldn't be upset that one night in two months he wanted another woman instead of her. At least it was Sango, and not Dalal or Muna who would no doubt try to hoard it over her if they were summoned. It was only one night after all, it wasn't like there was any real indication that Inuyasha had grown tired of her. And after all, she took Inuyasha's attention away from Sango for so long, she guessed it was only fair of Sango got some of it back. She should have seen this coming, should have realised that Inuyasha would want some variety every now and then. It was only one night, it was to be expected. It was no big deal, nothing to get upset about.

 

But if Sango spending the night with Inuyasha was really no big deal, why was she struggling not to cry?

 

***

 

By the time Sango had arrived at Inuyasha suite, she felt she had her emotions as under control as they were going to get. Her face was void of emotions and she no longer felt the prickling of tears behind her eyes. Now, if she could just get through the evening until such a time as Inuyasha fell asleep, and she would be okay. Hopefully Inuyasha would be tired tonight and not want to go for too many rounds. With any luck the prince would finish quickly and fall to sleep soon afterwards. Then she would be left alone with her troubled thoughts, and maybe be able to sneak out to the balcony and cry to herself.

 

Entering the suite, Sango was surprised to find Inuyasha in the entrance hall. Usually he waited in the bedroom, often already in a state of half or undress. What was even more surprising was that he was pacing the room , obviously mad. Was the meeting today really that bad for him? This didn't bode well for her hopes of getting the night over with as quickly as possible.

 

However, when Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak to her, Sango quickly started to realised that she had even bigger problems than she thought.

 

“Took you long enough.” Inuyasha snapped, surprising Sango with how angry his voice was. Sure Inuyasha had a vicious temper, but he rarely took it out on his concubines. That was what minor lords, his sparing partners within the castle guards and army, and his brother were for.

 

“I'm sorry Inuyasha, I was in Kagome's room and the maid you sent apparently had trouble finding me. I hadn't realised you would want me tonight.” Sango said, hoping to mollify his anger.

 

Inuyasha just snorted and continued to pace angrily for a few more minutes, making Sango nervous. She's never seen Inuyasha act like this before, usually when he was angry he would yell and scream at the source of said anger. Right now it seemed as if he was so angry words had failed him, and he was unable to stand still in his rage. Whatever had upset him this time must be big, Sango realised, bigger than anything she'd ever had to deal with before (Except Kikyo's betrayal, and that she hadn't had much to do with immediately afterwards as Inuyasha spent several long days in the palace's infirmary following Kikyo's attack and most of his rage over said attack had faded somewhat by the time he had returned to the harem), and she wasn't sure how she should act. Sango was trying to figure out what she could say to help defuse the situation, or even if she should even try to say anything at all, when Inuyasha finally broke the silence.

 

“I don't like being lied too, Sango.” Inuyasha said his voice more of a growl.

 

“What?” Sango asked, honestly confused. “I've never lied to you Inuyasha.”

 

“Oh really?” Inuyasha demanded, suddenly stopping his pacing and sending her a glare that gave new meaning to the phase `if looks could kill'. “Then I suppose you want me to believe Dalal was the one lying to me about what she saw this morning.”

 

“Dalal? This morning?” Sango repeated, starting to get truly scared, all the while praying that this wasn't what she feared it was, that her and Miroku's secret hadn't really been discovered. “What, what do you mean?”

 

“Don't play dumb with me!” Inuyasha roared at her. “How bloody long have you been fucking Miroku?”

 

In horror Sango continued to stare at Inuyasha in silence for a minute, unable to think of anything to say. No. This couldn't be happening! Oh please Gods, no!

 

Sango's silence only seemed to further enraged Inuyasha who quickly started yelling again. “Well, aren't you going to say anything?” He demanded. “Dalal told me she saw you and Miroku kissing in the garden this morning and heard you tell him you loved him. I didn't want to believe it, but the look on your face tells me it's all true. So don't you dare try to lie to me again. Now blood hell, I asked you a question and I fucking expect you to answer it! How bloody long have you been fucking Miroku behind my back?”

 

“I haven't.” Sango said softly, tears starting to run down her face. It really was true, this was happening. Everything she had feared was coming true, including Inuyasha's reaction. She knew that behind his anger there was true pain at her betrayal of his trust with his best friend, which just made everything else that much worse. She just had to try to do something about that, if nothing else. Seeing that Inuyasha looked even angrier at her response than he already had been, Sango continued quickly. “I won't deny that we did kiss this morning, nor do I deny that I love him. But I promise you, we have never slept together. I don't expect you to believe me, but what Dalal saw this morning, that kiss, was as far as we had ever gone and we had no plans to go further. I'm sorry Inuyasha, please don't blame Miroku for this. He didn't try to seduce me away from you or anything. I just couldn't help what I feel. Please, we tried to fight our feelings for so long, but they were just too strong. I swear we weren't looking to betray you, neither of us wanted to hurt you. Please, if you believe nothing else, please believe that.”

 

Inuyasha didn't say anything for a long moment, he just stood there glaring at Sango, as she stared back with pleading tear filled eyes. After what seemed like and eternity, Inuyasha suddenly turned his back and stomped his way into his bedroom, calling over his shoulder as he did words that somehow seemed to hurt more than his accusations.

 

“Get back to your room Sango.” He said harshly. “And tell one of the maids to summon Dalal, pronto.”

 

 

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Finally! I can't stress enough how much trouble I had with this chapter. If any of you were frustrated with how long it took me to get it out, it ain't nothing compared to what I was feeling. I had the plot of this chapter worked out it my head for months, but for some reason it seemed damn near impossible to get down on paper. Hopefully the next chapter will be easier to write.

 

By the way, if there are any Inu/Kag fans out there (like me!) who are worried about how much Mir/San is in this story currently, don't get too upset. I promise, this story will pivot back to Inu/Kag soon enough, and once it does the focus will stay there for quite a while. Just bare with me until then.