Demon Slayer Sango

Thank you to all the kind reviewers who have commented on this story so far. Your interest keeps me going!

Chapter 10

Inuyasha stood up as Kagome burst into the room sputtering something about Takeo and Sesshomaru. Her arms flailed about and she was sobbing. Relinquishing a quietly gurgling Takeo to her, he did the best he could to try and calm her down. It didn't work.

"S-she said something about the baby being in danger! Oh Inuyasha!" Kagome hugged the little boy close to her, a little too tightly perhaps. He began to cry. "She said something about Sesshomaru!"

"What? Kagome are you sure she said that?"

The miko nodded, and tears continued to spill from her eyes. "We have to protect him-- I would die if anything were to happen to our baby!" She shook in fear and anger.

"Why would anyone want to harm a little pup?"

"Think about it, Inu. Sesshomaru hates your human blood."

"So why would that make him want to hurt Takeo?"

"I...I don't know."

He scratched his head, trying to absorb the information. Inuyasha had to take his time figuring things out. "Let me try and talk to Kaede..."

"She's in very bad condition, Inuyasha. We shouldn't tire her..."

"We have to know what is going on. I need to find out what might be happening. If that fucking asshole does have plans-- Kagome--" He went to her and took her in a protective hug along with Takeo, alarmed by her tears. "No matter what happens, I will protect him and you. I won't let Sesshomaru or anyone else get to our baby. Do you believe me?" She nodded her head against his chest. He kissed her cheek and patted Takeo before leaving to visit the ailing miko.

"Kaede-- how are you feeling?" The hanyou gently shook her fragile shoulder. Her eyes fluttered and then opened. They widened on recognizing him.

"Protect Takeo Inuyasha. Protect him!...You must... Inu demons...war...they...want to kill Sesshomaru."

Kill Sesshomaru? "Who wants to hurt Takeo? I need to know, Kaede."

"...Inu demons...want the pup for their own...to replace Sesshomaru..."

Inuyasha knelt close to Kaede. He could see how the effort of speaking had taken a great toll on the old woman's strength. Her eyes closed again and her breathing became labored.

"Rest now, Kaede." The wild-haired half-demon sat back on his heels. He had more questions but could see the priestess was simply too weak to say any more. Inuyasha was not surprised that his half-brother had enemies. He knew that while Sesshomaru was not a constantly belligerent sort of demon he nonetheless had managed to cultivate resentment among those who craved his extensive power. He imagined the threats had to be an almost regular occurrence for his cold and heartless sibling.

Frankly Inuyasha believed whatever trouble Sesshomaru got himself into was what he deserved, and did not worry about him in the least. But why would these enemies, inu demons apparently, want to involve Takeo? His son was almost completely human, having only a small amount of inuyoukai blood. Granted it was of the powerful taiyoukai variety, ensuring that whatever demonic traits he did have would more likely surface than if he had been mixed with ordinary inuyoukai blood. Still his descent from Inutaisho did not change the fact that he was more human than demon. More than this, he was just a little baby. How could he stand in for the likes of a full grown ruler like Sesshomaru? The hanyou looked down at Kaede. She seemed to struggle to breathe. He started to get up to retrieve Kagome when suddenly he felt her grasp his hand, willing him to stay beside her. The end was near.

"Goodbye, Inuyasha...take care of Kagome--" The miko spoke in a harsh whisper that he could barely hear. He then watched in amazement as she took two last ragged breaths and then gently slipped away. He stared for a long time. Inuyasha had never experienced death this way, so quiet and subtle. Death to him usually meant lots of blood and shouting and fighting. This was different. He cared for this old woman, this sister to Kikiyo. A pang of loss stabbed in his heart. Bowing his head reverently, he remained with her body for some time. She had always supported and looked out for his and Kagome's best interests; in some ways she had been a sort of grandmother to them, and also to all of their friends including Shippo, Miroku and Sango.

"Goodbye Kaede..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What does this absurd weapon do?" Sesshomaru asked, indicating Hiraikotsu. He now escorted Sango along a grassy path leading to the north. A messenger had sent word to her cottage that morning of a disturbance caused by a nest of snake youkai in a village of clay artisans. The demon lord agreed to accompany her for a short distance before leaving to meet with lord Matuko and other inu leaders regarding the troubles caused by Jitsuo's clan.

"It is not absurd, Sesshomaru." She dropped the honorific when addressing him if they were alone. "I need it to do my work. I am not like you-- I don't have poison claws or energy whips or blinding speed. I have to rely on more practical methods." He silently observed at how much of a disadvantage humans were relative to the powers of a youkai, even those of the lesser variety.

"You have not explained."

"Explained what?"

"What does this absurd weapon do?" He asked again, giving her a steady, challenging look. Sesshomaru was fully aware that his statements about Hiraikotsu got under her skin. This teasing amused him in a perverse way but he held back any evidence of it.

She rolled her eyes in response and looked around, understanding his little game completely. "You already know what it does, my lord. But I'll show you anyway. Stand over there, near the Yew tree." Sango pointed to a spot some forty meters away.

"You plan to hurl that object at me woman? Is your mind working properly?" He tilted his head in a way that Sango had come to understand meant he was curious.

"Yes I do, and yes it is. And, you can defend yourself. At least I think you can." She put a hand on her hip and smiled sweetly. It pleased her that the staid taiyoukai seemed to take an interest in her work, even if in a backhanded way. A demon learning a demon slayer's tricks from a demon slayer-- what an interesting event.

"I promise to go easy on you, so relax. Stop shivering." That drew a sharp snort from Sesshomaru. Sango laughed at his not-so-mock disgust.

He called out to her. "Alright huntress. Slay this demon!" He half-grinned as he leaned against the slim trunk of the Yew. This playful side of her lover charmed Sango to no end. Lately he seemed to relax in her presence and the taijiya began to notice that he would once in a while drop the onerous cold mask that was his usual public face. She adored these glimpses into a milder side of her demon lord. The changes were even more satisfying knowing that they were for her alone, making her feel special.
Sesshomaru had come to her twice more since that first night together in her cottage several days before. Each encounter left Sango feeling beautiful and desired, and she experienced with him a welcome sense of protection-- her always attuned sense of wariness to danger could drop away when Sesshomaru was near. Nothing and no one could hurt her if he was close by. Sango realized she was now happier than she had been in a long, long time. She felt lighter and more alert and wondered, 'Is this how it was for Kagome when she realized she had feelings for Inuyasha?'

The taijiya set her stance and located a focal point. First drawing Hirakotsu behind her body to gather momentum, Sango let it fly with a sharp burst of energy, sending it in an arc toward her target. Seconds later the weapon returned to the exact spot from whence it came. Trotting up to Sesshomaru who stood looking on placidly, she bent down and picked up a small handful of silvery white hair that had been chopped away by her weapon.

"Here you are my lord." She presented it to him.

"Hmmm. Such accuracy from such a large implement. You are skilled, Sango."

They began to walk again. She declined his earlier offer of transport to her destination in his 'power sphere', explaining she preferred and enjoyed the experience of walking in the countryside. Shrugging at her impracticality the demon lord decided to briefly accompany her before taking off to tend to his own business.

A nudge to her ribs got her attention. "You are a reckless one, exterminator. You realize there are consequences to violating my person, do you not?" Sango looked up to see calm eyes, an indifferent expression. For a moment she thought he was really angry and braced herself for a verbal taste of his displeasure. But then when he swept her up in his arms, lifting her so that they were face to face she gasped in delight. He ran his tongue over her lips, causing them to part with a sigh. Sango loved kissing him and rejoiced in the responsiveness of his mouth to her own. They continued tasting one another intently, hotly seeking satisfaction from the other. Sango felt the pulse of her heart begin to beat wildly.

"We have no time," she whispered, just managing to murmur between kisses. They continued for some time longer, hands exploring, bodies pressing together. Finally Sesshomaru released her, retreating slowly. It occurred to Sango that he perhaps experienced a bit of anxiety or disappointment from him at the separation but could not be sure. It was still very hard to read him in spite of their physical closeness.

"Unfortunately you are correct. It seems we both have work to do," he declared evenly. His stare fixed on her.

"Yes." Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink and she stepped back. He made her feel shy even now, even after they had already shared numerous moments of intimacy. His eyes seemed to claim her whole being. It was amazing to her how he could make her tremble with just a look.

"You will come and attend Rin after your current-- assignment. She has been asking for you. The feast of the full moon is in four days."

"Yes of course I'd like to come to the palace again. It's been a while since I've spent time with Rin, and I'd like to see the feast." Satisfied, the taiyoukai began to walk away. She suddenly raised a hand and called to him.

"Yes?" He paused and turned around.

"I just wanted to say...I-I care for you, my lord. A great deal." She lowered her eyes and spoke quietly.

The taiyoukai cocked an eyebrow. What sort of declaration was this? It was acceptable to him-- of course his human had developed affection for her lord. Reflecting, Sesshomaru concluded he probably did not share her experience, at least not in the same way. Demons were different-- they operated on instinct and genetic memory, responding to the call of their ancient bloodlines in social and other matters. She stimulated him in a very primal, very fundamental way, that was for certain. Whatever other interest he had in the taijiya, it was not necessarily the same as affection in a human sense. He walked back to her and again held her close. "Sango, you know I experience things differently...I have a very high regard for you."

"I know. I know you don't feel in the same way. It doesn't change the fact that I feel this way for you." She sighed. Wanting to say she loved him, Sango had become afraid at the last minute and held back. What would be the point? Youkai did not experience emotions the way humans did, and Sesshomaru probably couldn't understand her or even care, although there were times he made her almost believe he could love her in his own way.

Still Sango wasn't one to imagine their relationship would ever go much beyond physical desire, at least from his point of view-- it would be foolish to think otherwise. And right now she really didn't mind it. After all, it had been she who started the affair in the first place. It had been based on physical desire, quite blatantly so. How could she ask for more? In voicing her current feelings all she simply wanted to make it clear that she was serious about whatever was between them, or what might possibly be in the future. She sighed, now feeling his gentle touch as he stroked the lengths of her hair.

"That monk was never worthy of you," he said softly. "He drove away the most precious treasure in his life, and must now be living to regret it." Sango felt tears begin to well in her eyes. He could say such sweet things. As unlikely as it was, Sango prayed that somewhere beneath his cold calculating surface a caring heart might actually thrive in Sesshomaru. She nodded in response to his comment and then wiped her eyes. She stepped back.

"You should go," she said in a broken voice. Why was life so unfair? Here was someone to ease her loneliness, to offer solace and a sense of safety in the deep night when she lay awake contemplating the awful dangers that lay just beyond her door. Someone to talk to, to share humor and intense physical passion with. And yet the stark reality lay before her. Sango could never have this demon prince. They were simply too different, and circumstance was against them.

He nodded faintly at her suggestion. He could sense conflict within her, but let it go, understanding their involvement had to be confusing for her on some level, and that a degree of internal struggle on her part was probably a normal response. He touched her cheek. "Someone will collect you in two days time. Until then--" He pecked her lips. "I look forward to seeing you again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Those Sato sisters are looking haughty," commented Midori. She and Kaiya now milled about at a gathering of unmarried noble ladies inside the palace. Hisako had called them together, some thirty in all, in anticipation of their appearance at the upcoming feast of the full moon. Sesshomaru's secret had not been kept very well. By now the news had leaked that they were all possible candidates for the title of Lady of the Western lands. This had brought about waves of excitement, anticipation and some jealousy-- almost all the young inuyoukai females coveted the good fortune such an elevation in status would bring. This included an increased prominence for their family, an endless wardrobe, an army of servants to serve their every whim, not to mention the opportunity to become the mother of the future leader of the Western lands.

"They always look haughty," replied Kaiya. By now the younger daughter of Lord Akira had her own ideas about who would be the front runners in this little circus. There was her sister of course, Midori being widely recognized as one of the most graceful and well mannered young ladies at court even if she did tend to shun any sort of challenging conversation. Besides that, their father was one of their master's closest advisors-- it would be an easy move for Sesshomaru-sama to take one of Akira's daughters as a mate.

Besides Midori there was the lady Yuka, an intelligent and athletic young demoness who had for some time been widely looked on as a potential mate for their lord. Kaiya frowned. Yuka wasn't very good looking. She couldn't imagine Sesshomaru-sama being happy with such a plain companion. Looking around some more she spied the Sato girls again-- the nineteen-year-old twin daughters of Lord Hiro and Lady Michichuan. Yes, unfortunately they too would probably be considered likely choices for their lord's favor, either one of them. Their father owned perhaps the richest feudal estate in the land, and neither let anyone else forget it. They were famously shrill and stuck-up. 'The gods help Sesshomaru-sama if he is saddled with one of those two,' thought Kaiya.

"My august young demonesses," called Hisako. She had to raise her voice to be heard above the chattering in the room. "Please settle yourselves." After a time the crowd quieted and Hisako could speak in a normal tone. "As you know in three nights time you will have a special role to play. It is very important that you be at your best, and I am here to help you."

Kaiya rolled her eyes. 'Why can't I be at my studio? I'd so much rather be painting than sitting through this absurdity,' she muttered to herself. Startled, she suddenly saw a pair of hard dark eyes staring at her. Hisako seemed to have read her mind. How could the old bitch tell what she'd been thinking? Kaiya sat up straighter and tried to pay attention.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You dogs! Tonight we begin our march north...the tyrant Sesshomaru will feel the steel of our fangs, the heat of our claws!" Hundreds of rough inu warriors barked and growled in response to their leader. Jitsuo stood atop a large worn tree stump and addressed his soldiers by torchlight. He could wait no more. The time had come to move against his hated enemy. Promising his followers plunder and land, Jitsuo had whipped them into a frenzy of fighting spirit. All of them had suffered under the rule of Sesshomaru-- were not the southeastern inu treated the worst of all others in the territory? Were they not ignored and disparaged in the central court as outcasts and mongrels? The time had come to settle scores, and Jitsuo's clan meant to do it sooner rather than later.

His plan to kidnap and install the hanyou newborn Takeo as their puppet leader had been delayed, much to his dismay and anger. Primarily the infant would lend legitimacy to the coup as a descendant of Inutaisho. He would garner instant respect and unify inu from all over the territory, not just his clan. Jitsuo could raise the pup in his own image to do his will, and thus make himself the de facto ruler of the territory.

So far there had been no favorable opportunity to take the whelpling and his miko mother, however. It was as if the gods were conspiring against him in this endeavor. The blasted hanyou Inuyasha seemed never to leave the vicinity of their dwelling, and Jitsuo wanted to avoid the wrath of Tetsusaiga at all costs. He planned to deal with Inuyasha at a later time, once he had his power consolidated at the central palace and could direct vast forces against the hanyou. He would make one more attempt to take the pup. Jitsuo planned to leave at the start of the march, go to the hanyou's village, secure the pup and then rejoin his captains and soldiers to storm the central fortress and take what was rightfully his. And of course destroy the arrogant cur Sesshomaru.

He shouted, waving a thick fist. "Away you dogs! Away to your glory!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note: This chapter was a bitch to write. I hope you liked it.