InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Noble House ❯ chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
for any of you that might have noticed, I have a little trouble getting into my mediaminer account. It's been getting better, and I will try and update more frequently, but faster updates can be found on adultfanfiction.net. Thanks again to youkaistuki for her beta work!
awoke late the next morning to the sounds and smells of someone cooking. As the pleasant odors wafted to her nose, she was embarrassed to hear a loud, rumbling growl escape her empty stomach. She adjusted her yukata, and followed the source of the delicious smell to the common room. Kaede sat stirring a pot of her famous stew, while Shippou lay on his stomach drawing something with his crayons. Sango smiled as she watched the kit draw; his face scrunched up with concentration.
briefly glanced at the taijia, and patted the floor beside her in an invitation to sit. Sango accepted the offer, folding her legs carefully beneath her. It had been several days since the attack, but her thighs and bottom were still tender. The miko noticed her cautious movements, and mentally reminded herself to prepare a tincture that would aid the younger woman's healing.

"Kaede-sama? Where are Kagome and Inu Yasha?" Sango inquired. She wondered where they were this morning, especially after the talk she had with Inu Yasha late last night. Some part of her was afraid they were avoiding her, and she wanted to make sure wasn't the cause of their absence.

"Iie. Kagome-sama fell last evening, and Inu Yasha took her through the well to have her examined. I am certain that she is fine, but the boy is overly cautious when it comes to her safety." Kaede replied. She paused a moment before continuing. "But that is hardly something new."
was distressed to hear her friend had fallen, but if Kaede was certain of her health, she wouldn't worry excessively. She decided that after the meal, she would dress and see what she could help with around the house. Part of the reason she had agreed to come stay with them in the first place was to help Kagome during the later stages of her pregnancy.
easily saw the concern in the younger woman's eyes. She knew the two young women were as sisters, each caring dearly for the other. She just hoped that the two would remember that in the coming days. She stirred the large pot again, noting that although it was cooked through, the stew would be more flavorful if it were to simmer longer. However, Sango was eagerly eyeing the stew, and Shippou's little nose kept twitching as he scented the air to check if the food was ready. 'Ah, the impatience of youth' she thought, rising from her spot to collect the dishes needed for the meal.
you need my help?" Sango asked, feeling particularly guilty that she wasn't helping out more than she was. All she seemed to be doing lately was sleep, and that was hardly helpful to her gracious hosts. 'Poor Kagome is heavy with child, and all I do is lay around. Some friend I am...'
child, I can do this. Ye need to rest more." Kaede insisted, gathering bowls and chopsticks for the three of them. She served out the hearty meal to the others, and watched with amusement as they consumed the stew with gusto. They ate in relative silence, the only sounds in the room that of chewing, the fire, and of chopsticks clinking against ceramic bowls. After his second helping, Shippou stood and gave a short bow to the miko.

"Arigato, Kaede-obachan. Is it ok if I go down to the village? The other kids and I were going to play that game Kagome taught us." he asked.

"Alright child, go play your game. Try not to get too dirty this time." she replied. She smiled as his face lit up, and he ran back towards his room. He reappeared a few moments later carrying a black and white patterned ball, before running through the door towards town. Sango felt a familiar ache in her heart, as Shippou's antics reminder her so much of the brother she had lost. Kohaku had been such a gentle soul, and had always preferred playing with the other village children to training. She snapped out of her reverie when she felt Kaede watching her. It was obvious the old woman wanted to speak with her, but was waiting for the opportune moment.

"Is... is there something wrong, Kaede-sama?" she asked, her voice shaky. She had her suspicions about what the miko wanted to discuss, and come part of her was anxious to seek her counsel. Kaede had seen and experienced many things over the years, and was known for her level head and sage advice.

"I was just curious as to how ye are feeling? So much has happened in such a short amount of time, and ye are in a.... difficult situation."

"Hai... some part of me still can't believe I was attacked in that way... let alone by Sesshomaru. Aside from his hatred of Inu Yasha, I had always thought him to be a relatively honorable youkai." Sango shook her head and ladled herself another helping of stew. "I mean... why did he attack ME of all people? I can't seem to figure it out..."

"I wish I knew the answer to that. I do not profess to know the workings of a mind like his." Kaede waited a few minutes before continuing, wanting to give the taijia a chance to eat. From what Inu Yasha had told her, Sango's eating habits had been very poor over the past couple of days. If she wanted to recover her strength, her body would need proper nourishment. She watched as the young woman made short work of the contents of her bowl, happy that the taijia was enjoying the meal she prepared.

"Did Inu Yasha speak to ye last night? Ye probably had much to discuss after eavesdropping on my conversation with Myoga."
froze for a moment, unsure whether she wanted to respond to that. Deciding that it was safe to confide in the miko, she took a few deep breaths to steady her nerves before giving her answer. "Hai, he did come to speak with me after you left."

"And?"

"We... didn't really discuss anything. I.... I was very insulting. I accused him of only helping me out of a sense of obligation. Inu Yasha said that he was helping because we are friends, but when he told me not to take my anger out on him.... I ... slapped him." Sango was terribly embarrassed. In retrospect, she could see how childish she acted, and describing her actions to the mature woman in front of her made her feel incredibly foolish. Kaede raised her eyebrow when she described slapping the hanyou, but made no comment. "I don't know why I've been so hard on him. He's been nothing but good to me... but for some reason I just get angry every time I see him."

"Do ye think that it's because Inu Yasha is an easy replacement for your anger? We do not know where Sesshomaru is located, and his brother makes a convenient target."

"Maybe, Kaede-sama. I don't think I will loose my temper again like I did last night though. I really hurt him, and I don't want to push away one of the few friends I have."

"A good decision. Ye will need the support of your friends in the coming months." Kaede paused again, giving herself time to prepare for the next question she had to ask. Sango had been remarkably open with her thus far, but she would be pushing her luck in a moment. Kagome was Sango's usual confidant, however the young woman would need to discuss this with a neutral party.

"Did ye give any thoughts to the idea of marriage?" she asked. She watched as the taijia stiffened, looking very much like she was going to bolt from the room. Her face became ashen, and she began to fidget nervously. Afraid she had gone too far, Kaede was about to apologize to the taijia for her boldness. She stopped however, when the younger woman began to stammer out a response.

"I.. I don't want to marry. Well... I do, eventually. I wanted it to be for love... not for the sake of convenience or protection. I agree that Sesshomaru will come after the child... He strikes me as obsessive of anything he views as 'his'. However, he will NOT have this child!" she stated, her face becoming hard and determined. Kaede had no doubt that Sango would fight to the death to keep the child from it's father. "I want to raise the child in a safe environment, where they will be accepted. This village would be ideal.... after all , they have come to accept Shippou and Inu Yasha's presence. Ideally, I would have a husband to help me raise the child. I do not like the idea of Sesshomaru killing off any human man I marry, though." Sango paused, considering for a moment if Miroku would be a possibility. In the past, he seemed to care for her enough, and his spiritual powers would give him some protection against the taiyoukai, even without the benefit of the kazaana. However, her left eyebrow began to twitch in irritation as she recalled his wandering hands and eyes. 'If he's managed to learn to control himself in the past two years' she thought, 'THEN I'll consider it.'
watched the play of emotions on Sango's face, and decided it was probably safer not to ask what had her so annoyed. She gave the taijia a few moments to calm herself before continuing her line of questioning. "What of Inu Yasha? He would be able to protect both the child and yourself. He would also be better able to guide the child, as he is a hanyou himself."

"I do not want to marry him. Yes, the child and I would be safe, and he would be able to help the child cope... demo..."

"Demo?"

"He already has a family of his own. He and Kagome deserve each other, and after Kikyo and Naraku, they deserve a chance to be together without interference. His attentions would be divided, and that's not fair to any of us. I think he probably feels the same way, too. I would not put myself in that situation unless there were no other choice, and even then I would do so reluctantly.

"Granted, he is a good man. He's matured so much since I first met him, and I suppose we have Kagome-chan to thank for that. I know he would treat me with respect and allow me my freedom. Not many women can even begin to hope for that in a loveless marriage."

"The fact that he is handsome does not hurt, either." Kaede commented, chuckling softly.

"Kaede!" Sango exclaimed. She was blushing heavily from that last comment, and she was shocked at what the old miko said. She did not like to think of her friend in that way, even though she knew Kaede's observation was correct.

"What, child. I am only blind in one eye. Besides, I was a young woman once too." she replied. She was glad she managed to break the tension in the room, even if it was at the expense of embarrassing the young woman. She continued to laugh softly as she started to clear away the dishes from their meal. She had just picked up Shippou's bowl when a cold chill shot down her spine, and a powerful youkai aura tugged at miko senses.
youki was disturbingly strong, and while not evil in its nature, was not friendly. It was also moving in their direction at a rapid pace. She put down the dishes, and retrieved her bow and quiver from beside the door. She erected a barrier around the home, and waited as the source of the youki moved towards them. Sango appeared in back of her, already dressed in her black uniform with hiraikotsu poised for the attack. "What is it, Kaede-sama?" she asked. She was not prepared for the miko's answer.

"Sesshomaru."
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