InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Heart Within ❯ Chapter Forty-Seven ( Chapter 49 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, etc., of Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. This story is for entertainment purposes only, and not for profit.THE HEART WITHINSummary: She has carried vengeance in her shadowed heart for 500 years, sacrificing her self for that dream. Now, Sango just might get her chance… (IY/YYH crossover) A/N:  Again, words in bold are taken directly from the animated version of “Yu Yu Hakusho” and are not mine. I want to thank everyone for supporting this little project of mine. Seriously, your reviews have been both inspiring and humbling. This chapter is short, and the epilogue shorter still, but I am also putting up the first chapter of the sequel. WOOT!
WARNING! SPOILERS FOR YYH CHAPTER BLACK, THE THREE KINGS SAGA!

Chapter Forty-Seven

Skunk was not happy to see her companions. He made his displeasure known by growling at Hiei, who glared back at the little demon, silently daring him to try.

“Don’t worry,” Kurama said, eying the skunk with amusement as Sango vainly tried to console him. “He’ll get used to it in time.”

“Or he can fling himself off the nearest short cliff,” Hiei sneered. Sango glared at him, riled by his intense dislike of her little friend. But as the feeling was mutual, she could hardly fault either their jealousy. It was funny, in its own way.

“You’ll both just have to learn how to live with each other,” she said firmly. Skunk wrinkled his nose at the idea, but finally quit growling. Hiei only looked away with one of his typical “Hn’s” of indifference.

Sango shared a secret smile with Kurama, and went to change in the bathroom. She was still a little shy dressing in front of both demons, let alone Skunk. It felt good to have on jeans and a comfortable T-shirt again. Emerging from the bathroom, she absently zipped her blue hoodie up to hide the distinct scar that lay just above her breasts, but Kurama‘s fingers suddenly stayed hers. Startled, she blinked up at him, and he said softly, “You have nothing to hide, Sango.”

She flushed even as Hiei snapped, “What are you talking about, fox? I don’t want just any demon ogling her breasts.”

Kurama closed his eyes. “That’s hardly the point, Hiei.”

“It’s not? Then why don’t you enlighten me as to what is?”

“Sango has no need to hide her scars.”

“Scars?” The apparition’s red eyes shot to hers, comprehension dawning, and Sango scowled. This was not something she was willing to compromise on, damn it!

Stepping away from Kurama, she deliberately zipped her hoodie up, saying sharply, “It’s ugly.”

“It’s honorable,” Hiei snapped.

“It’s you,” Kurama replied, more considerate than the impatient fire demon. “It’s a part of you, and we love them…you…just exactly the way you are.”

“Then let me do as I want,” she replied, more shrewish than she’d intended. “It’s my body.”

“Wrong,” Hiei said, summarily settling the argument by removing the disputed garment. Taken by surprise, Sango fought to keep her hoodie on as Hiei used his unnatural speed and strength to wrestle it off of her.

“Hiei!” she yelped, as he threw it in the corner of the room. He only glared.

“If I have to suffer other demons gawking at your breasts for Kurama’s stupid aggrandizement, than you have to suffer them gawking at your stupid spider tattoo.”

“It’s not a tattoo,” she snapped, glaring at Kurama, who appeared rather smug that the fire demon was taking his side.

“It’s unimportant,” Hiei snapped back, and ended the argument by opening the door and slinging her bag over his shoulder.

“Damn demons,” she growled, still angry at their ganging up on her. Skunk only grinned toothily before hopping down to follow them out. Kurama took her arm, ignoring her stiffness, and used the same silent apology she had used earlier on Hiei by slipping his warm palm inside of hers.

“It’ll be all right,” he whispered reassuringly, and the gentleness in it made her anger melt.

At least, this time.


It was pretty funny, though, that the chilly night air eventually settled the argument in her favor. A cold front had moved in during the day, bringing a drop in the mild April temperatures so that it felt more like March. Shivering in her thin T-shirt, Sango was startled when Hiei roughly draped his coat over her shoulders, growling something about nipples that made her blush so hard Kurama let out a surprised laugh.

Still, Sango triumphed in the end, buttoning the coat up to her chin. Kurama shook his head, knowing full well what she was doing, but unable to protest as they finally reached the stadium. The arena was jam-packed, and they had to worm their way through excited crowds until Hiei’s icy stare magically cleared a path for them to dubious seats in the eighteenth row. Tonight’s roster included their friend Yusuke, going up against the formidable King Yomi. Or rather, the former King Yomi---for the whole tournament had been built on the agreement that Yomi and Mukuro lay down their lands and titles in favor of the winner of this tourney.

Tonight’s round would be a deciding factor, as most of the lesser demons were now out of the running. Koto’s strident voice entertained the growing crowds as the expectant audience settled into their seats, reminding them that this was where it really got good, as the fights slated for tonight were going to get down and dirty. Rumors buzzed as the pairs were announced, and Sango wondered how Koku and Enki would fare against one another. She knew Koku, at least, would have no compunctions when it came to beating the crap out of her husband. But could even Koku stand up to the formidable red brute?

It would be the first time Mukuro faced off with one of Raizen’s group, and Sango wondered who would best who, as Natsume was no feather-weight. The fourth fight, between Shuu and Suiketsu, would pit the friends against each other. The two hardened fighters didn’t seemed fazed by the fact, but rather looked as if they relished the idea as they took their places.

“Okay, folks, tonight promises to be one for the history books!” Koto bounced onto the stage, one arm extended to egg on the roar that enveloped the stadium at her appearance. “As we pit fighter against fighter in a contest to the death, the winner to take all Makai as the prize!”

The crowd surged to its feet, screaming and chanting their signature, “Bring on the blood!” in complete approval. Wary of the stomping feet around them, Skunk sprang to Sango’s shoulder. She felt his claws digging through Hiei’s coat to keep his precarious seat as Kurama and Hiei carefully positioned themselves on either side of her. Sango, for once, was glad of it, as the crowd’s growing eagerness caused them to push and jostle against each other as they strained to see the big screen behind Koto.

Although Sango spotted some of their friends---Chuu’s distinctive blue mohawk being too bright to miss---she knew there was no way they could make their way through the massive crowds lining even the stairwells to get a peek at the action. She managed to wave, and catch sight of Touya and even Lord Tenga---elegant as always with his beloved Jueru by his side, having snagged prime seats in the center floor. She couldn’t see Sazuka or Shishi, and wondered where Jin was, since the ebullient wind demon was normally never far from his best friend and former shinobi brother, Touya.

But those idle musings dropped away as the screen magnified on each okininju stalk. The aura pouring off of each fighter was palpable, the surge in their awakened jyaki almost shimmering in the air around them as they waited for the signal to begin. Sango’s breath caught as Yusuke leapt to the ring, Yomi calmly stepping across from him. The blind demon towered over Yusuke, whose signature smirk made Sango’s heart clench as she wondered at how confident he appeared, standing so easily in front of the daunting demon lord.

“Grab your swimsuits, folks,” Koto called out, “and let the bloodbath begin!”

“She’s something else,” Sango muttered as Kurama smiled faintly. Cheers arose around them, naming their chosen heroes. Yusuke’s name was bandied about, and Hiei raised an eloquent brow.

“That’s a first,” he said, folding his arms. “They’re actually cheering for him this time.”

“Yes,” Kurama agreed, “though Yomi has his own supporters.” He nodded to the neatly uniformed section surrounding the former king’s son, who was sitting on the edge of his seat, expression intent on the large screen below.

The crowd collectively sucked in their breath as a sudden burst of furious fuchsia energy engulfed Yusuke in radiating light.

“What is he doing, committing himself so early?” Kurama’s hands fisted at his sides as Hiei growled, “Fool.”

But Sango’s heart lifted, seeing the brazen challenge in Yusuke’s tumultuous energy. And Yomi surprised them all by answering, his powerful aura blazing up in a glittering green and white fire that matched Yusuke’s. The jyaki surrounding both demons fought for dominance, physically pushing at one another until it couldn’t be contained on the ground any longer, and shot straight up into the heavens in a searing pillar of livid light. The glowing column lanced up, piercing through the scattered purple clouds. The crowd was on its feet, cheering wildly as similar lights suddenly blazed from each okininju stalk as the other fighters decided to pit their all against each other as well, holding nothing back as they committed everything to this fight.

Sango was on her feet, cheering with all the rest, as she felt that exhilaration well up again inside her, that rush she had experienced that day when she saw the blatant challenge rising up from Raizen’s lands in a glorious beam of light to ignite her warrior’s spirit with the incredible beauty of it. That same light shone from all the strange faces around her---each demon transfixed by the incredible aura as each fighter strove with the others, giving all they had into the fight and holding nothing back. Throwing their all into the fray, and rising to the challenge as their very blood sang with the stentorian cry of battle.

Swept away by the freedom in it, Sango abandoned herself to the fight, her voice growing hoarse as she kept shouting, egging Yusuke on. She winced at each shattering blow Yomi landed on the boy, hollered like crazy when it was Yusuke’s turn to triumph. And throughout it all, there was the awareness that this was what it was all about. This moment, this fight---heck, any fight. To give your all and test your strength against another worthy enough of the honor. And Yusuke---smirking, stubborn, sarcastically inspiring Yusuke was the one who evoked that fierce spirit in everyone around him, embodying all that was demon and human as he used both his Mazoku heritage and his human spirit energy to create something wholly new in combination. He unleashed his energy in one last, climatic assault against his foe, who had lost his stoicism long before to grin as widely, taking as much joy and pleasure as the former Spirit Detective in this heady contest.

The final blast of their combined energy erupted with the power of a supernova, temporarily blinding everyone who watched. Gasps sprang across the stunned crowds as they wiped tears away, trying to see what had happened through the flashing lights left in their vision after that powerful burst of searing, white light.

And in the end, a single, quavering shout spoke the winner of that incredible fight, as Shouga cried out to his father, stopping Yomi at the last moment before he was about to topple over in exhaustion. And even as Yusuke fell unconscious to the ground at Yomi’s feet, Sango was already elbowing her way through the bewildered crowd, determined to get to Yusuke’s side, her two mates of like mind as they all turned and dashed for the exit.

Only to stop, frozen, at the last sight that greeted her at the top of the stairs.

Silver-white hair and belligerent expression. Fire-red robes and a rusty sword at one hip. Blazing yellow eyes and a stubborn set to his jaw, arms folded across his chest as he stared down at her.

“Inuyasha…” Sango whispered, eyes skidding to the left, where the dark brown eyes, so gentle and resolute, the wild black hair and familiar green-and-white outfit so unbefitting a miko in those long-ago days that she had known them. “Kagome.”

“Sango,” the miko whispered, tears already sparkling the beautiful brown eyes like scattered jewels. And suddenly, they were wrapped in each other’s arms, crying and laughing. It was so familiar and yet so different, and Sango could not believe it was happening, even as Inuyasha enveloped them both in a rough hug.

“You stupid idiot,” he gruffly said, tears in his eyes, too, though he tried to deny them. “Where have you been all this time, yeah?”

“Shut up, Inuyasha,” Kagome sniffled, in such an achingly familiar way that Sango could only laugh and cry harder as the emotions poured out of her like a cup spilling over, for she still couldn’t believe she was standing here, with them, and that it was real!


“That filthy dog better remove his dirty claws from my mate before I do it for him,” Hiei growled, hand clamped so tight on his hilt each knuckle stood out in sharp relief.

“Wait, Hiei,” Kurama stayed him, his green eyes taking in the touching reunion with compassionate knowledge. “Sango would not welcome our intrusion right now.”

“I don’t care, fox,” Hiei replied, and elbowed his way forward.

The inu hanyou wasn’t a slouch. Feeling the sudden approach of an angry fire demon, he sprang in front of the two women, his sword blazing to life in his hands as his yellow eyes narrowed. “Who the hell are you?” he bellowed, matching hard stares with Hiei, who eyed the giant fang with scorn.

“Inuyasha, Hiei---” Sango’s voice was rough with the tears of joy still streaking down her cheeks, but the two protagonists ignored her.

“Her mate,” Hiei snarled, putting extra emphasis on the second word. “And I don’t appreciate you having your claws all over her.”

“Her what?” Inuyasha’s bellow attracted quite the crowd.

“Oh, aye, that be a bit of what I’d not gotten a chance to yet tell you.” Jin suddenly popped up from behind Sango and Kagome, and they all stared in surprise at the black-haired wolf demon standing triumphantly beside him.

“Kouga,” Sango whispered, half-strangled.

He grinned, showing sharp teeth and a smug glint that had never left those light blue eyes, even in her memories.

“Where’s Yusuke?” A curious, English accent demanded, before a blue-haired girl in a pretty pink kimono appeared. “Don’t tell me, I missed the whole fight!”

“Botan,” Kurama greeted with some warmth, and Sango stared from one to the other, wondering how they knew each other. A tiny spurt of---she refused to call it jealousy---sprang up as the beautiful young woman smiled.

“Oh, hullo there, Kurama! And is that you, Hiei? Glaring at Inuyasha? Well, isn’t this one happy little family reunion! All we need now is Yusuke and Kuwabara. Oh, and Prince Koenma, of course.”

“Yusuke---” Sango said, and Kagome gave her a puzzled look.

“Are you talking about Yusuke Urameshi? The former Spirit Detective?”

“Yes---he’s hurt---” Sango looked over at Kurama.

“Hurt!” Botan protested, already pulling out her oar. “Kurama, Hiei, what happened?”

“As to that, well…” Kurama said apologetically, looking at Sango.

“Go,” she urged. “I’ll be all right. Your friend needs you right now.”

“Hn. He doesn’t need both of us, fox. I’ll stay and make certain that little dog doesn’t get too grabby again with our mate.”

“Our mate?” Inuyasha looked strangled, and Botan’s eyes widened.

“Oh, my…”

“It’s a long story…” Sango began at the bewilderment in Kagome’s expression.

“But a good one!” Jin reassured, blue eyes dancing.