Demon Slayer Sango

Chapter 3

Miroku sighed as he walked over to Sango where she sat in front of the healthy fire blazing in the hearth. She finally agreed to talk to him after Inuyasha approached her and said he thought the monk would start crying if she refused. Everyone had discreetly found reasons to leave the room when he finally knocked on the door and entered the couple's hut seeking Sango.

"I heard you were hurt..." He hesitated before moving any closer. The look on the huntress' face gave him pause. A mix of annoyance, resignation and surprise mingled in her eyes.

"Its nothing." She laid a hand gingerly over her now bandaged and covered thigh. "You might as well sit down." Taking the cue, the monk folded his legs and lowered himself to face her.

Sango looked at her former companion. Yes he was the same, although his usually cheerful bright eyes seemed clouded over, slightly sad. His dark hair fell a bit longer now and he often ran his fingers through it to pull it from his face.

"I'm glad that you are ok. Its a good thing Inuyasha was there--"

"I can take care of myself Miroku. It was just a stupid mistake," she snapped. What right did he have to assume Inuyasha was there to take care of her? If anything she had been there to watch his back.

"I didn't mean to suggest you were helpless...look Sango, I know you are angry with me. I know I messed things up--"

She stared at him. Her eyes welled with tears in spite of herself. Hot and wet they began to trail down her face as she gathered the anger in her voice. She stammered her reply. "I was ready to give you everything! Anything you wanted from me, I was ready to give. My heart, my life-- it was to be yours. I was almost there, Miroku." The look on her face made the monk's heart ache. He reached out tentatively, grasping her hand and felt courage when she didn't withdraw it.

"I wanted the same. You are the best friend I've ever had, Sango. You fought beside me, protected me, cared for me like no one else ever did...I was so lucky."

"Then WHY?" Her voice broke with barely restrained fury. He had taken so much...let her care, let her believe in a future...and then thrown it back in her face that night she caught him with another woman after he swore he had changed. Miroku gazed at her, pleading for understanding. Her stare remained unyielding, and he dropped his head to his chest.

"I don't know Sango! I don't know why I did that...It was so wrong...I regret every day knowing that I betrayed you...please Sango, I want to try again...to make you happy--"

She snatched her hand back, seeming to shrink in fear. Shaking her head, she spoke slowly and with determination. "No. It can't happen. Its over, Miroku. I won't cry anymore. I can't..." She wiped her face with the back of her hand and felt worn out. Her heart began to soften. "We could perhaps try to be friends again.... I always appreciated you, we supported each during some difficult times with Naraku. But this--" she motioned between the two of them-- "This can't be. Not now." In the back of her mind she wanted to scream 'yes, I'll take you back! I need someone-- anyone!' but a strong part of her consciousness simply forbade it. How could she live with herself if she simply gave in to him only to be hurt again? Would she ever be able to recover from such a thing? Sango doubted it.

After several long moments of consideration it began to dawn on Miroku that it would be pointless to press her on the issue of a relationship, nevermind marriage. He wanted her, she had to know that now. He believed somewhere deep down she still wanted him. However it was obvious that he hurt her somewhere deep in her heart. She obviously still needed time to recover, to see him once again as someone she could trust. He vowed to give her that time. And then they would see.

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

'What is that icy demon thinking now,' mused Hisako as she made her way from the the large chamber overlooking the east gardens of the inuyoukia palace where a weekly Demoness' conference recently adjourned. It was primarly a social gathering, a place for the noblewomen of the court to plan official events and share gossip. 'Could he be angry about something?' It was never a good idea to upset Sesshomaru. Running through a checklist of recent events in her mind she came up blank. Although Rin had mentioned something about a creature named Sango, a demon slayer, coming to see her-- could that be the reason for the summons? A slight shiver traveled down her spine as she made her way to the appointed place. Regardless of the reason, being called into Sesshomaru's presence was rarely a warm experience.

Hisako was what one would describe as a middle aged demon-- white streaks played through her neatly coiffed dark brown hair, and her face was no longer young. She carried herself with the dignity of her station and dressed simply, choosing to wear only the finest quality robes available. Hisako commanded respect among the members of the court not only because of who her husband was-- the inuyoukai lord Tamaku, second only to Sesshomaru himself-- but also because of her own wit and intelligence and ability to get things done in a difficult environment.

"My lord Sesshomaru. You requested my presence..." The demoness bowed low, keeping her eyes to the floor. He sat behind his desk as she was shown into the library, and Hisako noticed a slight tension in the air. Such formality in greeting was not always the norm, but she sensed the demon lord was in one of his moods and decided to play it safe.

"Prepare a room and suitable supplies for a visitor Rin will be having." Sesshomaru did not look up from the scroll laying before him on his desk. "She is human. An exterminator. But she is not to be harmed-- I want it known."

"Yes my lord. I will see to it immediately." So it was true. And yet the entire court knew their lord to be extremely prejudiced against humans, so why would he do this? Many of them shared his negative view of the species, including her own husband. Hisako's only experience with humans had been with Rin whom she found delightful in spite of her rather mischievious temperament. Hisako could not draw any particularly bad conclusions about humans based on her experience with the girl, so she declined to follow the example of most other inuyoukai in disparaging them.

She imagined that bringing a demon exterminator, a human female of all things to the palace would cause quite an uproar in some quarters, however. Sesshomaru usually preferred a settled and stable court atmosphere. "Can I ask Sesshomaru-sama, why she will be allowed at the palace? Humans are rarely seen in this place..."

He dropped his scroll and looked up at Hisako. Startling eyes bored into her own. To anyone else it would have been a formidable and even frightening moment-- Sesshomaru could easily intimidate with his gaze. The noble demoness simply stood her ground, however. She knew she was risking his ire by inquiring into his reasons for bringing a human to the palace, but also knew that he respected her, and furthermore was used to being on the receiving end of one of his stare-downs.

"If I may inquire my lord," she repeated, bowing once more.

"Rin desires the company of this particular human. I saw no reason to decline," he replied and returned his eyes to the document in front of him.

Hisako's idea that the taiyoukai was becoming increasingly attached to the girl seemed true. Originally she was as suprised as anyone else that the great leader of the Western Lands would be accompanied by a slip of a human girl wherever he went, but came to understand that Tensaiga had something to do with the situation. It most certainly was not due to any particular yielding on the part of the demon lord. Such was impossible-- it was not in Sesshomaru's character nor his inclination to retain anything like emotional attachment to a child, and Hisako knew it along with everyone else.

And yet as time passed, the demoness noticed an increasing interest in the girl's progress on the part of her august guardian. He would usually ask after her aptitude for reading and writing, and about her behavior, all of which Hisako was in charge of supervising since her arrival. This latest event simply confirmed what the demoness had suspected for a while. Was the cold, disdainful Sesshomaru beginning to change?

"Shall I send a guard to retrieve her my lord?"

"No. I have seen to that."

"Is there anything more, my lord?"

"Yes." Sesshomaru rose and walked around to the front of the desk. He looked down at the noble demoness with a calm, almost gentle gaze. "I have decided it is time to take a mate. The eligible ladies of the court should assembled at the next feast of the full moon. I want you to see to it, and to use discretion. They are not to know the reason." Hisako raised an eyebrow. So the rumors were true. He was finally ready to marry. All over the palace the news had traveled that their lord's estranged hanyou brother would soon have a pup by his human mate. Apparently this event moved the demon lord to act. She smiled inwardly-- many a demoness at court would rejoice to know this news. In fact had she herself been unmarried and somewhat younger--

"My advisors are already aware of the...situation." Hisako noticed his stance shift slightly. "I ask that you keep this confidence." In truth Sesshomaru looked on Hisako as less of a servant than as a trusted consultant. She knew the court better than most anyone, and had an ear in most every corner of the palace. Her loyalty was unquestioned, and Sesshomaru fully expected the demoness to do exactly as he wished.

"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama. I will gratefully keep your confidence, and see to the arrangements personally."

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

"You're lucky she didn't backhand you, you dumb monk. I think you should thank the gods she offered to be friends." Inuyasha walked with Miroku on the path to a nearby peach orchard. "What did you do to get her to agree to that? It isn't like Sango to be so forgiving, especially with you after what you did."

Miroku had stayed the night planning to remain in the village while Sango was there before returning to his usual itinerant religious activities. "Gee thanks for your confidence, Inuyasha. I don't know why. I suppose I should feel lucky. I can't help wanting more though...I suppose it was asking a bit much to expect her to take me back with open arms." He sighed in resignation.

"Yeah, at least she isn't shutting you out altogether. Hey there's the orchard--" A grove of large, old fruit trees came into view in the distance. Kagome made it known she developed a strong taste for peaches, and insisted Inuyasha retrieve some for her that morning. The hanyou frowned remembering that she seemed unusually grumpy lately and complained of pains-- he was slightly annoyed there wasn't much he could do for her besides go get the fruit.

Kagome's pregnancy had not been easy and it did not ease his worries about her much when Kaede assured them that a little extra discomfort was to be expected especially the first time. He was deeply in love with his wife and hated to see her suffer. They had rejoiced together in the knowledge she would soon present him with a child, a living testament to the deep bond they shared. Happy beyond his wildest dreams with the situation Inuyasha often found himself grinning like a silly fool for no apparent reason. His friend's grave mood brought him back to the present.

"Yeah, she was highly pissed at you after you asked to mate her and then took off with that farm wench." Inuyasha knew that Sango had been deeply hurt by Miroku's infidelity and for a while he stopped talking to the monk. Only when Miroku appeared on his doorstep hungry and full of wild stories of his exploits in the country did he and Kagome welcome him back-- they simply had too much affection for the loyal, cheerful houshi to turn him away. They tried to disabuse him of any ideas regarding going after Sango again-- hadn't the poor woman had suffered enough because of him?

"Why did you do that, anyway?" asked Inuyasha. "Why risk what you had with Sango to fool around on her like that?" A long pause. Miroku seemed to seriously consider the question. Finally he spoke. "I was afraid."

"Huh? Afraid of what?"

"It was just so amazing to me that Sango might actually accept the proposal. She was what I wanted from the beginning, and the thought that we would actually finally marry was so much to handle...too much, I guess...It's hard to describe..." he ran his hand through his hair, as if fishing for the right words. "I wanted her, and yet I feared total immersion in her...could I really make her happy-- can you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Not really. But as long as you know it isn't a problem anymore its fine with me. Is it a problem?" The hanyou glared at the monk.

"I don't think so," he replied softly.

"You'd better know so. Because if you ever hurt Sango like that again I'll have to beat your sorry ass into the ground." Miroku snorted, but deep down both he and Inuyasha knew the half-demon would follow through on the threat.


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

"Sango tell me really-- are you okay living alone? I know you have Kirara, but you know Inuyasha and I would both love to have you here," said Kagome.

The exterminator shook her head firmly. She and the miko were gathering leafy greens and field mushrooms for that night's supper from Kaede's vegetable garden. Sango had agreed to stay another few days with her friends while her leg healed. There really was nothing waiting for her back at her cottage, and she'd left word with many of the local village heads of her location should an encroachment of youkai get out of hand requiring her attention. So far she'd heard nothing, and felt comfortable extending her stay by a few days.

"I really am okay, Kagome. There is no way I'd impose on you and Inuyasha-- you are a new family and need your own space."

"We just want you to be happy, Sango. Anytime you want to come live with us you are welcome...Oooh!" Kagome suddenly dropped her handful of roots and clutched her belly. Sango rushed to her side as best she could, her bandaged leg a hindrance.

"Kagome! Are you alright? Is it the baby?"

"Y-yes. Its okay. I'll be okay." She took a deep breath, easing her grip on Sango's arm. "I've had these pains most of the morning. I had them yesterday too, but they weren't as strong..."

"We should get Kaede."

"No, its alright now. The pain is gone away..." She knelt to pick up the items she'd dropped. Just then the women heard a swish and the crunch of dry grass behind them.

"Are you the woman Sango?" asked a strangely dressed youkai as he stepped forward. His tone had been somewhat accusatory. The demon slayer found herself immediately on the defensive-- she recognized him as an inu demon, a warrior perhaps. He was a stranger and as such was not to be trusted.

"Who wants to know?" she asked warily. The demon rolled his eyes and sighed in annoyance. Why had he been saddled with this unpleasant task?

"Lord Sesshomaru of the Inuyoukai and the Western Territories. Are you the human woman called Sango?" he repeated impatiently.

"Sesshomaru? What could he want?" asked Kagome. Her interactions with her mate's older brother had been strained to say the least. She resented Sesshomaru for treating Inuyasha so badly, and for reasons that made no sense to her.

Sango stared at Sesshomaru's messenger with curiosity mixed with apprehension. What could the taiyoukai want with her? She recalled the day she'd spent with Rin, and the strange interaction between herself and the demon lord when he'd come to retrieve the girl. Frankly she believed then that the likelihood of ever seeing the pair again was remote.

"I am Sango," she replied steadily. "What do you want?"

"I am Yoshiro, a messenger from the Inuyoukai court. You are to accompany me to the palace immediately. Sesshomaru-sama sent me to collect you. You must gather your things and say goodbye to your companions. I will wait for you beside the road."

"Sango what is this about? You can't go anywhere, your wound--Oh! Ouch!!!" Pain and fear flashed across Kagome's face. Sango quickly reached out to steady her friend while balancing on her good leg. For the moment she ignored the youkai to attend to Kagome.

"We must get you to Kaede. Are you sure the baby isn't due yet?"

"I-I didn't think so. I thought it would be at least another several days---OH! Sango!" The younger woman was again seized by what now appeared to be sharp pains in her abdomen-- these were labor contractions.

"Don't just stand there-- help me get her indoors!" Sango hissed through her teeth at the nonchalant youkai messenger. Whatever business he and Sesshomaru had with her would have to wait until she could make sure Kagome and her baby were safe.

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

"Inuyasha!!! Inuyasha!!!" A winded, squealing voice floated over the grassy clearing. The hanyou's ears perked up as he picked the choicest fruits from the tree for his mate. Miroku stood close by, also picking peaches. He couldn't hear the voice and continued while Inuyasha paused to listen.

"Inuyasha!"

"That sounds like Shippo--"

"Inuyasha! Miroku!" Indeed it was the kitsune bounding up the road toward them at breakneck speed. Inuyasha ran to meet him, several peaches falling from the folds of his haori to the ground. Could something be wrong with Kagome?

"Shippo-- what is it? Is it Kagome?" His stomach tightened as he awaited the reply. The little fox demon gasped to catch his breath-- he'd been running the entire way.

"Come Inuyasha! pant...Kagome...pant, pant...she's....pant....having the baby!"


~~~~~~~~~~