Demon Slayer Sango

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Chapter 15

Kaiya threw her brushes down with a sigh. At a loss for what to do, her intent had been to come to her private art studio and get some work done-- painting was her refuge from the stresses of life. 'I have a big problem,' she thought to herself. Distracted and unable to make progress, the demoness sat back to stare at the blank linen canvas in front of her. 'I can't mate that icy demon, I don't love him. He doesn't love me. I don't want to be a consort!' She was in hiding from the rest of the court. Her friends and others had started behaving strangely toward her, with a meekness and extreme deference that made Kaiya uncomfortable.

She had not seen nor spoken to Sesshomaru since the night of the festival. He had not sought her nor she him. As far as Kaiya knew they would not meet again until the claiming, the ceremony in which the demon lord would declare her his own in front of a special assembly and then shortly thereafter they would mate. The young demoness realized she had to do something before this happened. Her dreams of travelling far beyond dog demon territory in search of love and adventure were now in serious danger.

"Sister, do you require anything," asked Midori. The elder of the two sisters, Midori had hoped to be the one chosen. She now approached her younger sibling cautiously, and did not engage in the usual chatter she would normally initiate with Kaiya. The younger sister noticed a distance beginning to grow between them, and she hated it.

"Stop treating me like I'm so high and mighty. You know I'm miserable," said Kaiya. "You have no idea how much I wish it were you instead of me in this position, Midori."

A look of shock crossed her face. "He has chosen you. How can you be so ungrateful? Think of what this means for father-- our whole clan!"

"I don't care about that....well, maybe I do a little. But I don't want to mate him!" she grasped Midori's hands between her own. "You know I don't...there has to be a way..." she looked into the distance, an odd gleam coming into her eye.

Midori balked and drew back. "Kaiya I know that look! Don't start trouble! You have to mate him, you have to do it. Don't even think about-- I know you!"

Kaiya shot her sister a sly glance. "Maybe I do have to. But I need to ask some questions first." She then got up and whisked away to rush down the corridor.

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"Takeo really seems to like you, Sango." Miroku grinned as the taijiya cradled the baby in her arms. She had yet to put him down even though Kagome and Inuyasha had long since returned from their outing. She now sat on the porch with the monk and Takeo watching the village children run about shouting and playing games.

The more she held him, the more Sango found herself able to visualize having a child of her own. Being a taijiya didn't necessarily exclude family life. There had been many of her kinswomen who had families, husbands and children who also slayed demons.

She glanced over at Miroku who seemed lost in thought. 'I wonder what our child would have been like-- mine and Miroku's...mischievious, no doubt. Religious perhaps? Athletic?' She shifted Takeo's weight in her arms as he began to fidget slightly. 'What if Sesshomaru and I had--? Oi! What a creature that would be!' For a moment Sango let herself imagine what a baby conceived by the demon lord might be like. 'My dark hair and eyes and maybe his height and stoic temperament? Or would it turn out more like Inuyasha-- light hair, golden eyes like him, with a more down to earth personality like mine?' She let out a chuckle which drew a look from Miroku. Sango merely smiled and tickled the baby in her arms.

"He likes you too, don't you baby boy? You like uncle Miroku, yes you do..." she cuddled him and delighted in the coos and smiles the baby gave her.

"You're a natural. You'll make a great mother someday, Sango." Miroku was curious about something. 'Should I ask? Will she smack me down if I do? It won't be the first time...I might as well find out...' He sat up straighter and turned to face her. "We are friends, aren't we Sango?" She nodded. Miroku took a deep breath. "Then, can I ask a personal question?"

She looked away from the baby and up at him warily. "What kind of a question? If it is about Sesshomaru I'd prefer not--" Miroku was the last person with whom she wanted to discuss that subject.

"Well, its about you, but indirectly about him as well, I suppose."

"What is it then?"

"Well, ummm...how do I ask..." another deep breath. "Are you certain you won't be having a baby, Sango? I mean, from what you say-- you were very close to him." He averted his eyes, suddenly feeling awkward.

Sango glanced at him and then looked away, embarrassed herself. "That is a very personal question."

Miroku leaned in and tried to reassure her with a smile. "We are friends. I only ask out of concern for your welfare."

Sango sighed, resigned to explain it. "I have dealt with that. There are herbs...I got some after the first time we...anyway, I have been careful to take them whenever I needed them."

The monk smiled, reassured. "I'm glad. I know you are responsible...I was just curious."

"And nosy," said Sango, laughing.

Miroku secretly ached knowing Sango had given herself to a youkai. And to Sesshomaru, no less. If only he had been faithful she would never be subject to his threats, or feel in danger because of him. Still, she was a grown woman and free to choose for herself. He was grateful that she'd agreed to remain friends, and Miroku resolved to be there for her. "Hey, what is that in the distance," he asked. While they were talking the monk noticed a figure moving towards them from far off, but could not make it out. He now lifted his hand to shade his eyes from the sun for a better view.

"I don't know...probably one of the--- oh gods! No!" Sango's eyes flew wide open and she stood up, her mouth gaping open.

To her utter shock, Sango could just make out the vision of a large, luxurious white pelt and bright blue and yellow sash fluttering towards them in the wind. Sesshomaru. He walked at his normal ramrod straight pace, apparently as unruffled and unconcerned as ever. Sango suddenly found herself at a total loss as to what to do. She couldn't run, not with the baby in her arms. Besides, where would she go? It wasn't as if he couldn't follow her and retrieve her once she left. Nor did she want to give the haughty demon lord the satisfaction of seeing her afraid of him. Sango resolved to stand her ground. She watched as the village children scattered. All had been warned by their parents about the dangers of youkai, and about this fierce one in particular. Sango's next reflex was to reach for Hiraikotsu, but again she couldn't easily do so with the baby in her arms, so she stood still. Her heart beat fast.

"What do you want, Sesshomaru?" asked Miroku. He quickly placed himself between Sango and the demon lord once the latter came within hearing distance.

Sesshomaru stopped a few feet away, motionless. He did not so much as glance at Sango, and spoke directly to the monk. "Nothing from you, human. I have come to speak with my brother. There are matters we need to discuss." He glared at Miroku, daring him to obstruct his path.

'Is he not even going to acknowledge me? The bastard!' thought Sango.

"Sesshomaru--" he cut her off instantly, raising a dangerously clawed hand.

He directed his next words not at her, but once again to Miroku. "I have need to speak with Inuyasha. He is present, I assume."

"What do you want?" Inuyasha suddenly appeared, Kagome at his side. The hanyou instinctively moved to stand between his half-brother and Takeo and Sango, next to Miroku. He crossed his arms and sneered at Sesshomaru. "What the hell do you want? Sango doesn't want anything to do with you so you might as well leave."

Sesshomaru did not bat an eyelash. "My personal affairs are none of your concern. You would do well to mind your own business, little brother."

"Keh." Inuyasha sneered. "It is my business if you are hurting someone I care about, Sesshomaru."

"It is no affair of yours, you stupid baka." Tension rose in his voice. Inuyasha's hand went to his sword.

"Alright alright. No more of this," interjected Kagome. Things were beginning to get out of hand. She spoke harshly. "You two can go off into the forest and argue but I won't have it in front of my baby, so just stop it now!" Kagome's tone was firm enough that both ended their smoldering to everyone's slight surprise.

Looking on, Sango felt a mixture of relief and sadness at Sesshomaru's words...it seemed he hadn't come with an intent to punish her or forcibly remove her to the inuyoukai fortress after all. But it was bothersome that he seemed now to have no interest in her whatsoever. He wouldn't even look at her. 'How can he do this? How can he pretend not to know me?'

Even now Sango felt a force drawing her to him, something within that cried out for connection to his essence, his spirit...she longed to go to him, to feel the warmth of his embrace again. Never had she felt so safe, so utterly shielded from the evils of the world than when he was holding her. Those memories were precious, and now sadly seemed so far away.

How could he be so cold after the way they had been together, the intimacy? Anger began to rise within the taijiya. She handed the baby to Kagome and withdrew a short distance. Miroku joined her. Seeing them together finally brought a brief glance in her direction from the demon lord, and he raised an eyebrow in curiosity. His attention quickly returned to Inuyasha, however.

"I understand that some of my enemies have sought to involve your pup in certain plots and intrigues. They are quite dangerous, and mean to do grave harm to all those who stand in their path. I have come to deal with the situation."

Inuyasha shifted his weight and shrugged. "I already took care of it. We ran them off last night when they tried to kidnap Taki," he said and added, "We don't need anything from you, Sesshomaru so why don't you just leave?"

"Fool," he replied. "If you had been effective at all you would have killed the dogs who tried to take your blood away from you. If it had been my pup no one would have survived," he said with a chilling certainty. "You have merely left the problem to fester. They will redouble and strike again. I cannot trust you to protect the bloodline. Therefore you must surrender the pup to my protection. I won't stand by to watch my father's bloodline attacked."

"What??? You can't! You can't take him...we won't let you!" said Kagome.

"Quiet human woman."

"Don't you tell her to be quiet you bastard! No one is taking my son away. No one." Inuyasha leaned in close to Sesshomaru to speak these words.

The demon lord did not skip a beat. "Then you will come to the Inuyoukai Palace until this business is concluded. There will be war, Inuyasha. It places your mate in danger and your pup. The palace is heavily guarded and watched constantly. They will be safe there for the time being. The cur Jitsuo will not stop until he's destroyed you, me, or is destroyed himself. The child is in the middle-- you must protect him. To be more precise, I must."

Just then Sango came forward and planted herself directly in front of the demon lord. She looked into his eyes with a clear, challenging steadfastness. "Or you want to make sure your brother isn't plotting with them. What better way to keep an eye on Inuyasha than to imprison him at your palace, right Sesshomaru? Throw him in the dungeon and see what happens...What a control freak you are." She decided that if he wanted to be all business, then so be it. She would call him on his schemes. The demon lord narrowed his eyes at her.

The cold, indifferent mask remained firmly in place. He spoke cooly, ignoring her jab at his need for control. "An astute observation, but not factual. These demons have made a fatal error by involving my father's blood, an infant pup. Such aggression cannot stand against this authority. I must deal with it, and the most efficient means of doing so will be to have him under my protection until Jitsuo can be destroyed. If the sire and dam won't give the pup to me outright then they must accompany him to the palace." He spoke indifferently, answering Sango as if she were one of his junior staff at the palace. One would never guess that the demon lord ever had any personal interest in her whatsoever based on his current attitude.

"What are you talking about? What plot?" Inuyasha sneered. "That massive youki must be messing with your head. I don't give a damn about your power, Sesshomaru. As long as you leave me the hell alone, I don't want anything from you or to do with you."

"That view is reciprocated, little brother. I also realize you are too stupid to engage in conspiracies against me." This aroused a growl in the hanyou. Sesshomaru continued speaking, unfazed. "Unfortunately it seems we must put up with one another for a brief time at least. Your wench may accompany the pup."

"Wait! Sesshomaru-- you can't just drag us away--"

"Priestess, tonight those dog demons will return. They will have greater numbers and from what reports I've been given it seems his warriors have been quite vicious toward those who stand in their way. If you trust Inuyasha to protect yourself and the life of your pup from this army of bloodthirsty demons, then you may consider remaining here to face the consequences." Kagome and Inuyasha exchanged looks.


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"What is this you are saying, girl?"

"I want to know how long a courtship usually lasts-- what is normal," asked Kaiya. Desperate to know what her options were in regard to Sesshomaru, she raced to the only party she knew would have a thorough understanding of such matters. The demoness longed to find a way out of her predicament.

Thinking back, Hisako had been surprised by the announcement that Kaiya would be elevated, as were many others in the court. Frankly Hisako found her acid tongue and irreverent manner inappropriate to the position of Lady of the West, and had assumed Sesshomaru would seek one of the more docile, obedient girls. She had been wrong. And now here the girl was asking strange questions about the courtship. The entire business struck her as quite odd.

"Well, there is no firm rule regarding length of courtship between youkai-- some are very brief indeed, some go on for several months, even years. As the master, Sesshomaru-sama can complete the process at any time he wishes."

Kaiya fidgeted. This was no help. "Sesshomaru-sama is quite busy, is he not? He probably won't want to follow through on the claiming and so forth for quite a while, don't you think, Hisako-sama?" She bit her lip and wrung her hands. Hisako raised an eyebrow.

"Is something troubling you, lady Kaiya? Are you not pleased to have been chosen?"

A long pause. Kaiya looked down at her feet. She then looked around the elegantly appointed room as if seeking the correct response. Her eyes finally returned to Hisako. "Its not that, it's just, well--"

"Out with it, child. I don't have until the full moon."

"Lady Hisako, I do not want to mate lord Sesshomaru."

Hisako glared at Kaiya, unable to speak at first. She finally took a breath and forced a tight, grim smile to her face. "What you want my dear, is secondary to your duty as consort to the Lord of the West. He has chosen you to do the greatest honor a female inuyoukai can do for her people: bear the future heirs of this territory." She spoke smoothly, as if a straightforward recitation of her forthcoming duties would put an end to any doubts.

"I understand that is an important position, my lady. However, I can't do it. I just can't. I want to go away from the palace...I have plans..." Hisako suddenly began to laugh. She rocked in her chair and covered her face with her hand in an attempt to regain her composure. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Girl, do you know how many young demonesses would give everything they have just to be in your position right now? Lord Sesshomaru is the most eligible youkai in the land, not to mention the most powerful. You will want for nothing for the rest of your days, you will be treated as first among your people, as will your children. What more could you want, my dear?

None of that mattered a whit to Kaiya. She spoke firmly. "My own life. I don't want to give myself only for the sake of bearing his pups. I don't love him. He doesn't love me, he doesn't even know me!...it isn't right." Hisako felt a brief wave of sympathy for the girl. Once she had been young and full of dreams.

"I doubt you have much choice at this point. If nothing else, think of your father, your family. Think of the dishonor you would bring on them by making trouble--"

"He can choose someone else! He can mate another demoness! There has to be a way!" She was becoming desperate. "Please help me, lady Hisako. I don't know where else to turn."

The elder woman shook her head. "I'm afraid there is little I can do for you in this matter, Kaiya. I suggest you speak with Sesshomaru-sama directly." Kaiya gulped. Talk to him? From what she had heard people rarely talked to Sesshomaru. They took orders, period. She thought to herself for a long time.

Finally coming to a decision Kaiya squared her shoulders. She spoke with calm resolve. "Alright then. If I must speak to him about it, then so be it."

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Inuyasha and Kagome disappeared into their cottage to discuss Sesshomaru's offer. Should they take up temporary residence at the inuyoukai palace in the wake of an impending civil war between inu demons?

Sesshomaru stood outside, Sango and Miroku nearby. 'I had not expected to see her here,' he thought. 'And she is with the monk, it seems. I don't sense his scent anywhere on her, which is fortunate for him.'

Sango fidgeted where she stood. 'Why isn't he talking to me? Why is he pretending I am not here?' "Come on Miroku, we need kindling for the fire," she said pointedly and grabbed the monk's hand, dragging him away. 'Forget that arrogant youkai.'

"You don't have to pull my arm off, Sango," said Miroku. Her grip had been so tight that his hand had begun to turn purple.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She let him go. Looking up they saw the demon lord suddenly blocking their path. Sesshomaru was not about to let her go off with the monk alone.

"Exterminator." His voice was low and grave. His eyes burned fiery amber in the afternoon light as he gazed deeply into her own. Sango caught her breath and braced herself.

"My name is Sango. And I'm not coming back to the palace-- I will fight you if I have to, Sesshomaru," she warned. Her hand reached instinctively for Hiraikotsu. The taiyoukai looked from her to Miroku, who stood by with a wary expression.

"Leave us, monk. I have words to speak to the huntress." Miroku looked at Sango. She nodded, indicating it was alright for him to leave.

"I'll stay if you want me to," he said.

"I said leave now, human!" Sesshomaru spoke angrily and raised a clawed hand as if to strike at the monk. Sango instantly lunged forward, thrusting herself between him and the demon lord.

"Don't you dare touch him!" she shouted, and barely avoided the poison mist that now trailed from his claws. Her reflexes were still sharp. "Go Miroku. It's alright."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes just go before he hurts you!" she pleaded with him, and reluctantly he retreated a short distance away, not far enough to be out of range.

"Still cruel as ever, I see Sesshomaru," sneered Sango.

"You seem to have a strange desire to provoke my ire, huntress. And to do it repeatedly. It is odd." He took a step forward. Her large, glimmering eyes were a welcome sight after such a long time. He wanted to see them smile for him again, and spoke softly, the hard edge removed from his voice. "I had hoped you would be pleased to see me again, Sango..."

She frowned. "I know you can't be serious, can you? If you are it is a mistake to believe I would be." Crossing her arms and adopting an angry stance, she continued chastising him. "How could you forbid me to do my work? You know it is the one thing I can't give up. How heartless. And what did you expect me to do? I couldn't possibly stay at the palace and live the way you wanted me to."

A brief sigh. "I see that now. I should not have demanded that you end your youkai-fighting. But you still belong to me, Sango. Nothing has changed that." He moved even closer, allowing Sango to detect his familiar spicy scent, a smell she had come to adore. The tiniest part of her wavered inside. Those eyes, that gorgeous body, the low, melodious rhythm of his voice. "I will not force you to return to me."

"Have you married her yet," she finally asked, her voice trembling. Sango could not help it. She needed to know. He was now dangerously close, causing her pulse to race.

"No. I have not yet mated. There are other matters I must see to before that can happen..."

"What are you doing?" she asked, noticing him now planted firmly in her personal space. He traced the outline of her face with his fingertips, and held her hand gently in his. Sango could see wistfulness and a hint of regret mixed in his eyes. "Why are you looking at me that way?"

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me, Sango?" His voice seemed to plead slightly.

Inuyasha and Kagome now emerged from their cottage and stood with Miroku in utter shock as they watched the scene before them unfold. Sango and Sesshomaru seemed on the verge of an embrace. All three exchanged confused glances.

"I wish I hadn't said it now. It only led to pain. Just forget it." She looked away, tears welling in her eyes.

"You don't deserve pain, Sango. Not from me, not from anyone. I regret the episode at the palace...but you must understand I need an heir." She nodded, and instinctively moved closer to him. The longing, the bright desire for him began to resurface. He ran his gentle touch over her shoulder and down her arm in response to her unspoken call.

Sango suddenly came to her senses. Wasn't this the demon who threatened her just a few days before? Didn't he call her his property, to be used as he saw fit? 'How can I be so weak?' She stepped back abruptly, reclaiming her hand from his. "Just leave me alone, Sesshomaru. I-I need some time. I don't know what is going on anymore." She moved even further away, experiencing a mixture of fear and confusion at the feelings roiling inside her.

"As you wish." He also took a step back.

"Ahem. We have decided, Sesshomaru..." Inuyasha called from behind them. Sango looked like she needed help.

"We will come with you, but only if our friends can come as well," said Kagome. That obviously meant Miroku, Shippo and Sango.

"I'm not going back to the palace. I can't." Sango spoke up quickly. She simply could not let herself back within his reach. Not now. She did not trust him.

"But Sango, there will be trouble-- war apparently. You would be safer with us," interjected Inuyasha.

"The baka is correct. For your safety you should come to the palace where you will be protected," said Sesshomaru calmly. Sango countered his gaze and shook her head definitively.

"No. I can't leave the villagers to deal with the youkai problems on their own. I won't go to the palace. I can't."

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Author's Note: I have worked very hard to get chapters up every two to three days so far. It is an insane pace, but I know readers want the latest. Unfortunately real life is starting to catch up with me, and so I suggest you start looking for updates every three to five days from now on. Thanks for your continued interest.

Author's Note: No reviews for the last 2 chapters? What gives?