A Rage Between Brothers

Chapter 29

A/N:This is the long awaited next chapter. It only took me 4 years to write. I lost the original final chapters due to a server migration 4 years ago, and it took me all this time to find the time and courage to write them again. There will be one more chapter after this one. The story ends after you find out what Koichis fate is.


An Anxious Journey


The next day Miroku and Sango rose early to pack for the journey to Sesshomarus palace. They had decided to go on foot and leave Kirara behind, so as not to antagonize the Lord of the West, and to give themselves time to compose themselves. Kagome held baby Koichi and played with him, trying to control her feelings of fear and anxiety for her friends. InuYasha stood leaning against the doorframe, arms folded, and an intense and inscrutable look on his face as he watched them.

“That’s the last of it,” said Miroku, turning away from their packs, “we’re ready to go.”

Kagome looked at Sango and their eyes met briefly. Sango smiled but Kagomes heart constricted. She went to give her friend a hug, and little Koichi squealed at being squished between them.

“Oh, sorry sweetie,” said Kagome lifting the baby up to give his chubby cheek a kiss, “InuYasha, here, I want to say good bye to Sango.”

She carefully handed the baby to InuYasha and drew Sango aside to have a last, whispered, heart to heart conversation with her.

Miroku walked over to InuYasha, who was trying to gently disengage Koichis strong grip on his hair.

“Are you sure you don’t want Kagome and me to follow you?” InuYasha said.

“No,” he replied, his mouth quirking in a half smile, “I don’t want to run the risk of Sesshomaru finding you. It might jeopardize Koichis chance to be recognized as his heir.”

Miroku knew that InuYasha didn’t believe he could protect Sango and the baby without his help, and he was probably right. But he and Sango had discussed everything at length and decided that Koichis best chance was to do everything the way Sesshomaru had requested. What Miroku had not voiced to her was that he wished they could just be a family, the three of them and forget about Sesshomaru. Despite what he had done to help them n the past, he could just not bring himself to trust the demon lord. If Sango had ever asked him how he truly felt about it, he would have told her they were better off without him. But he knew that was futile.

Kagome and Sango approached them and Sango took Koichi and put him in a sling around her shoulders. While Miroku picked up their packs, she walked quietly into the next room where Shippou and Kirara were sleeping. She kissed the kitsune and whispered good-bye, and he stirred a little in his sleep. It had been decided that Kagome would tell Shippou that Sango, Miroku and Koichi had left when he woke up.

They traveled silently at first, each lost in their own thoughts, only the baby babbling from time to time making them smile. It would take five days at the rate they were going to get to Sesshomarus palace. Originally, Miroku was going to wait until after Sesshomaru had made his decision on recognizing Koichi before asking Sango to marry him. But as they got closer, he was plagued with doubts. The demon lord was so unpredictable; he really did not know what the outcome of this meeting would be. What if something happened there and Sango never knew of his true intentions?

It was the last night before Miroku, Sango and Koichi would reach Sesshomarus palace. They sat around the campfire, and Miroku watched Sango feed the baby. Her eyes reflected the firelight, and she had a soft smile on her face as she gazed at her child. I just can’t wait anymore, when tomorrow is fraught with so much uncertainty. She has to know how serious I am about her.

“Sango, I need to ask you something,” Miroku said softly.

“What is it?” she said, looking up at him.

“I have been waiting for the right time, but have decided that time may never come. So now I just want to ask you, will you marry me when thia is accomplished?”

Sangos eyes were wide, sparkling in the firelight with astonishment and joy.

“Yes, I will marry you,” she said, giving him a dazzling smile.

As Miroku smiled back at her in relief and gratitude, the smile left her face and she became solemn. Oh no, he thought, she’s having second thoughts.

“I’m worried though, about what the future holds,” she said. “We’ve talked about how inscrutable Sesshomaru is, and how impossible it is to fathom his true intentions. So my acceptance of your proposal has to be predicated on a positive outcome.”

“Yes, I understand,” he said with a sigh, “but I had to ask now in case I never got another chance.”

That night Sango and Koichi lay cradled in his arms as they slept. It was hard for him to sleep, his mind kept racing, full of worries and fears. Sango was not sleeping peacefully; she would toss her head, mumble and clench her teeth in the throes of anxious dreams. He did his best to calm her, stroking her arms and face gently until these episodes passed. The only one who was sleeping well was the baby, who was always secure in the loving arms of his mother and surrogate father.

The next day Miroku and Sango broke camp, each lost in their own thoughts. There were no more smiles for the baby, no more talk of marriage. Even Koichi was quieted by their subdued mood. Knowing that this would be the penultimate day, they took their time walking the rest of the way. When the palace came into view, Sango could keep her anxiety in check any longer. Miroku noticed and turned to her.

“Are you okay?” He said.

Sango stopped, taking a breath and trying to control her trembling. He put his arm around he shoulders and she leaned into him gratefully. A deluge of emotions were warring inside her. Just seeing the palace up ahead dredged up memories that the birth of he son had soothed until this moment. And now she would find out what the fate of her precious child would be, and she could not help but be frightened. Koichi was the most important person in her life, more important than even her brother Kohaku. Not knowing what was in store for him was agonizing.

“I’ll be alright,” she said, “just let me compose myself a moment before we get there.”

They were met at the door by Jakken. It seems he had been set the job of watching and waiting for them.

“This way, this way,” he said, leading them to the very same throne room that InuYasha had all but destroyed.

The room was flawless now, and they waited while Jakken went to get Sesshomaru. Sango was so nervous, she jumped, startled, as the demon lord swept into the room, followed by Rin. He seated himself and Rin and Jakken stood to either side of him. His cool regard traveled to the baby, who slumbered peacefully in his sling, near to his mother’s heart.

“Approach,” he said to Sango, beckoning her over.

She glanced quickly at Miroku who gave her arm a quick, reassuring squeeze, and walked up to him.

“Show me the child,” he said.

Carefully she pulled Koichi out, trying not to wake him. Sesshomarus face was as impassive as ever as he put out his hands, (one is own, one borrowed at the owners expense) and Sango hesitantly gave the baby to him. He looked at the child, taking in the triangular dog ears, the silver hair and the filed down claws. After a few tense minutes, he handed him back to Sango.

“You may stay the night, tomorrow I will give you my decision,” he said, “Jakken, show them to their room.”

Sesshomaru glided out of the room, followed by Rin who gave them a fleeting smile then hurried to catch up to her lord.

“Follow me now,” said Jakken gesturing forward with his staff.

Miroku moved quickly to support Sango, who suddenly staggered from the strain. His arm around her waist, they quickly followed the retreating figure of the ugly little demon.