InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Lady Sango ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Thanks to my readers for your support-- to be honest I fought with the idea of continuing 'Demon Slayer Sango'. While I enjoy the process of writing in general, it was difficult putting that story together in a coherent, interesting-to-read package and I spent a lot of time agonizing over specifics of character development and plot. The idea of going through that process again was, to say the least, daunting. Only your repeated expressed interest in a sequel is what got me going again, and this story is a special gift to all who were so appreciative of my efforts.

 

 

Chapter 2

 

"Kagome, Takeo won't sit still," whined Shippo. "He's making a mess and I'm not cleaning it up!" The now twelve-year old fox demon pouted. It was his job to help Kagome clean their hut after the morning meal, but hated it when Takeo, Inuyasha and Kagome's three year-old biological son, made matters worse for him by flinging food around and generally making a huge mess, as toddlers are known to do. Instead of walking away from the scene however, Shippo began to laugh loudly when a handful of rice splattered into the mischievious Takeo's face when he'd meant to throw it across the table.

 

"Taki, do as big brother says," scolded Kagome over her shoulder. "And Shippo, you make things worse by encouraging him-- you should be setting an example." At age twenty-two, the girl from the future was a child no more-- Kagome had grown into her new life as wife and mother, and never failed to inspire a sense of her own competence in everyone who came into contact with her. Serving as the local healer for the area, villagers from far and wide sought out her help for all kinds of ailments, from simple ankle sprains to grave fevers and other maladies. Shippo worshipped her, and thought of Kagome as his mother though he still couldn't quite stomach the idea that Inuyasha as her mate was also his de-facto father; the two still bickered like children even after several years of living together.

 

"But I don't encourage him. It's not my fault if he's acting up."

 

"Laughing at his bad behavior does encourage him. Taki looks up to you. He wants to do everything you are doing."

 

"Ok Kagome. I'm sorry." He sighed.

 

Inuyasha burst in. "Kagome-- Takeo what are you doing?" He walked through the front door to find his son smearing rice all over the dinner table while Shippo looked on and growled at the scene. "No, Taki. Rice is for eating, not playing with." He lifted his little son and took him away to wash his hands.

 

Inuyasha also had come into his own as father to a pair of spirited, rambunctious young boys in Takeo and Shippo. He had learned that patience got a lot more accomplished than knee-jerk reactions, something he'd been full of during the time before he'd married Kagome. Overall Inuyasha was happy, if somewhat bored with his current placid domestic existence, but fighting demons and evading life-threatening spells were far more exciting than staying home to babysit Taki and Shippo, he had to admit.

 

"What were you going to say, Yasha?" Kagome had been otherwise occupied gathering dirty linen to take to the river to wash, and did not notice the extent of Takeo's adventure with the rice.

 

"I heard there might be a new rash of demon attacks building up north of here."

 

"Hmmm, its not the first I've heard of it actually," she replied. "Some of the village wives were saying to me the other day that families near the northern mountains were beginning to get more visits from youkai-- and not happy ones."

 

"I wonder what's causing it. Naraku's been dead for years; that war between Sesshomaru and Jitsuo ended a long time ago." Inuyasha referred to the recent past in which he, Kagome, Shippo and Taki had lived at Sesshomaru's palace after some of his brother's enemies, renegade inuyoukai, had tried to kidnap the baby. After killing off his enemies and then marrying Sango, Sesshomaru had then allowed Inuyasha take his family back to their village beside the bone-eaters well. "I'll need to start patrolling again. Sango won't be able to, at least not now."

 

Inuyasha recalled that his taijiya friend had continued her demonslaying work after marrying his brother Sesshomaru. Usually she accompanied him on his security checks of the area near the village. She had continued to help him even while pregnant with Sesshiko, and even far into her current pregnancy, however now that she was almost due it wouldn't be possible to work again until after the baby was born.

 

Kagome went about her work cleaning the hut and preparing food for their evening meal while Inuyasha took the boys outside to play. He was starting to teach them to listen to their surroundings, to read the signs in nature as a guide to action. Inuyasha explained that one day this would be useful not only for finding food but to provide safety for themselves and their families.

 

While exploring an abandoned rabbit den with Takeo looking on in interest, Inuyasha heard something odd. He turned around, his demon half suddenly piqued. 'What is that?'

 

From out of the sky a shadow, like a dark specter floated toward them.

 

"Takeo, come here," ordered Inuyasha. Lifting the boy in his arms, Inuyasha made ready to face whatever was coming toward them.

 

"Hanyou. Where is the priestess. We have need of her," said a deep, rough voice. Suddenly standing before them was the figure of a youkai, splendidly dressed in military garb. Shippo and Inuyasha recognized him as one of the demon messengers from Sesshomaru's castle.

 

"He means Kagome," said Shippo. Although he felt intimidated by the stranger, he didn't like to show it in front of Inuyasha and so stood by while facing down the newcomer, his knees shaking only slightly. "Kagome isn't here," he piped.

 

"What do you want? Did Sesshomaru send you here?" said Inuyasha.

 

The youkai messenger sighed impatiently. "I have no time for questions. The priestess must come to the palace."

 

"What for? Is something wrong with Sango?" Usually if Sango wanted to see them, she would simply come to the village herself loaded down with her armor, weapons, Kirara and baby.

 

It had been several months since Inuyasha had seen his elder brother, and was perfectly happy with their distance. He found it odd that Sesshomaru didn't try to bait him the way he usually did the last time he saw him, and wondered if Sango had given her mate a strong warning about fighting him in her presence. This was the only thing Inuyasha could think of.

 

 

"I am not at liberty to say. My Lady has asked for the priestess Kagome."

 

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"My lady, are you feeling better?" Sango awoke in the palace hospital, thoroughly confused. Saki, her personal lady in waiting sat beside her bed, gently applying a cool cloth to her forehead.

 

"What happened? Where am I?" Sango remembered going to her bedroom and trying on the bracelet, and then...nothing.

 

"You fainted my lady. Master Jaken found you on the floor of your chambers." Sango struggled to sit up, but felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. "You musn't move about now..."

 

"What is wrong? Why does it hurt so?" Sango felt a searing pain shoot up her back and around to the front of her belly. It was different than the pain she'd felt when going into labor with Sesshiko...it felt much worse.

 

"Saki-- go and get the healer. Do it now!" bellowed Hisako. The dignified youkai court noblewoman came into the room and gasped at seeing Sango's state and rushed to her bedside. "Huntress-sama, you must try and relax a bit."

 

"Hisako it hurts so! What is happening?" Sweat beaded on her forehead and she moved her body to find a more comfortable position but was unsuccessful.

 

"I'm not sure child, I think you're going into labor..."

 

"I can't be! I have another five weeks-- OH! The pain!" Sango cried out, and Hisako did what she could to comfort the stricken young human woman.

 

In the months since Sango had come to the palace as the new mistress of the household, Hisako had done what she could to ease the young human woman's transition into her new environment. Hisako felt especially protective-- now that Sango was Sesshomaru's wife, her own deep seated loyalty to the master extended to his mate as well.

 

Along with Sesshomaru Hisako had spent hours tutoring Sango in inuyoukai cultural norms and protocols of court life. She'd done her best to smooth things out for Sango, especially among the palace noblewomen who looked down their noses at who they all considered a usurper of their lord's affection. Despite her efforts Hisako still found Sango was resented at court-- a human in a superior position to a youkai was simply not heard of, and in private conversation individuals were making their thoughts quietly known. Hisako frankly feared for the future. She'd noticed Sango's lack of interest in her food and an increasing irritability, and knew that soon something would come to a head. This premature labor was not a good sign, either.

 

A harried looking elder inuyoukai burst into the hospital room. "Lady Hisako, I am sorry I had to rush over from another part of the territory--" Kirou, the senior healer at the palace had been absent when Sango was brought to the infirmary. He had supervised Sesshiko's birth, and continued to look after the health of the family in general. He appeared nervous after making a brief examination of his patient. "She is in labor. Lord Sesshomaru must be told."

 

"He is on his way back from the North. He will arrive shortly."

 

"Lady Hisako--" Sango called the demoness to her. "Kagome-- get Kagome." Unable to say more as another sharp labor contraction overwhelmed her, she shut her eyes tight to ride out the wave.

 

"The priestess?"

 

"Y-yes! Please, Hisako!"

 

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Sesshomaru entered the palace but knew instantly something was wrong. Servants flitted by him averting their eyes, and he could scent distress in the air.

 

"My Lord, you have returned." Tamaku, Sesshomaru's second-in-command and husband to Hisako appeared. He bowed low and held the lowest part for a long time. "The Lady Sango--"

 

"Sango? What is wrong?" Sesshomaru knit his brows together.

 

"My Lord, she has gone into early labor. Kirou is attending her. She asked for the wife of the hanyou to come and she has been sent for; Forgive me for taking such a step in your absence-- lord Sesshomaru?"

 

He was already fleeing down the corridor to the infirmary. 'It is too early. The child wasn't due for another several weeks." Worried, Sesshomaru made his way quickly to the area where his wife lay.

On arrival, what he saw made him shudder.

 

"Sessh! Oh-- I'm so afraid!" Sango sobbed and reached out for her mate. He found her body rigid from pain, and her bed was soaked with her own sweat.

 

"Sango you must breathe. Here, take my hand..." All watched as the demon lord worked to calm his distressed wife. He stroked her forehead and used soothing words, and almost immediately seemed to have a calming effect on Sango. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief until she again screamed loudly. Another contraction.

 

"The pain!! It is agony!"

 

_________

 

"Sango-chan!" Kagome flew into the room. She hadn't thought twice when Inuyasha mentioned that a youkai from Sesshomaru's court had come to take her to Sango-- she knew instantly that something must be wrong with the pregnancy and took off to help her friend. Ignoring Sesshomaru and everyone else in the room who stood by in a silent helplessness, Kagome got her basket of supplies out and got to work. Immediately she was able to ascertain that Sango was about to give birth, and gave orders to the youkai around to prepare for the arrival.

 

"Let her do as she wishes, Kirou," warned Sesshomaru when he noticed his chief healer's reaction to the human priestess' taking charge of the situation. Kagome had not been present at Sesshiko's birth, but she had overseen Sango's convalesence afterwards and Sesshomaru understood the priestess had a gift for healing. Sango trusted her, and that was enough for him.

 

The demon lord exited the room briefly and went into the corridor beyond the infirmary. He needed to think. Seeing Sango in such distress worried him greatly, but he knew his wife was strong and would surely come through. He thought about the child-- another girl whom he also hoped would not be harmed, but became angry with himself on realizing how much he regretted it wouldn't be a son, an heir. 'How can I think about such a thing now?'

 

Lost in his thoughts, the demon lord did not notice the approach of the one person he least wanted to deal with at that moment.

 

"You bastard. What did you do to Sango this time?" sneered Inuyasha. He held Takeo in his arms and Shippo trailed behind them.

 

Sesshomaru glared at him coldly. "How did you get into the palace?"

 

"How do you think, I walked in."

 

"Papa, Uncle Sess-o-maru is scary," whispered Taki into Inuyasha's ear.

 

"You got that right." He looked again at Sesshomaru. "How is Sango?"

 

Disgusted Sesshomaru replied, "I don't have time to talk to you, idiot. Just stay out of my way. I expect you to be gone in the morning."

 

"No way." He shook his head. "While Kagome is here so am I."

 

Sesshomaru made what sounded like a sigh of frustrated disgust. He said no more and walked away from them.

 

On the stairs leading to his private library, Tamaku approached him. The senior councillor did not like what he was about to say, but knew it had to be done.

 

"My lord, in the event the lady Sango dies--" He immediately regretted uttering this. Red blazed bright in Sesshomaru's eyes, and his aura shimmered around him. Tamaku instantly knelt in the pose of supplication, realizing his life was in danger. "My lord, forgive me. It must be said--"

 

"Tamaku, she will not die. I will not take another wife, she will survive and she will have my son."

 

"Yes my lord. I merely wanted to prepare you. It is my duty as your father's vassal."

 

"I don't want to hear it. Get out of my sight, Tamaku." The elder demon did as he was told and retreated quickly. It was never a good idea to upset Sesshomaru.

 

After a few moments the demon lord's youki calmed, and he returned to his normal state. He was alarmed, however. Tamaku would not bring up the prospect of Sango's demise if he didn't believe it necessary. 'But she is not going to die. I won't let her.' Sesshomaru was more worried than ever now.

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I apologize for taking so long in posting this chapter; I promise to try to do better next time! Please leave reviews.