The Path of Forgiveness

Disclaimer: Not mine.




The rain let up the as the end of the second day neared. With that, the direction of the wind had shifted slightly bringing with it the smell of decay. It was so strong at times that even the humans noticed it. The moisture and warm temperatures had sped the process along.

Inuyasha had been restless the entire day. He wasn’t use to sitting around for such a long time. He had deliberately been avoiding any sort of contact with Sesshomaru or the imp that fussed at every little thing. He knew if an argument started with older demon, Kagome would ‘sit’ him. That was the last thing he needed to happen in front of his arrogant half brother. He could almost hear the bastard sneering at him, ‘you let a mere human subdue you? Pathetic half- breed.’

This was the first time they had spent any significant time together. Inuyasha wasn’t sure what had kept them from trying to kill each other. He looked at Kagome playing cards with the kids, Miroku and Sango. It was her fault, it had to be. Her and those stupid beads. At least she had been trying to use them less. Even that had come with a price. He had agreed, in return, to try and behave. The list of things they had come up with like not picking on Shippo or being insensitive, what ever that meant, was huge. Not picking a fight with his older brother wasn’t on the list, but he got the distinct impression it had been implied some where.

Rin yawned, soon followed by Shippo.

Kagome gathered up the cards. “I think its time for a couple of kids to go to sleep.”

Rin grinned at Kagome. “Can we play again in the morning?”

Kagome nodded in agreement. “Sure.”

Shippo and Rin both hugged her goodnight before curling up in their respective blankets.

“Now what?” Sango asked, watching Kagome shuffle the cards.

“We could play poker,” Miroku suggested.

Kagome dug around in her pack, trying to locate something. “I think I left the chips at home. Oh well we can play with out them.”

“We could always bet clothing.” Miroku offered calmly.

Sesshomaru wondered if the Monk just liked to push his luck. Humans had odd ideas about modesty, especially the women. The Monk should have realized the comment would have some sort of repercussion.

The Taiyoukai watched as both females slapped the monk across different cheeks and Inuyasha punched him in the head.
“No!” all three chorused rather loudly.

Sango unrolled her blanket. “I think we should get some rest. The storm let up, we may be able to leave in the morning.” She laid down, her back to Miroku.

Miroku leaned over her to whisper an apology in her ear.

“Back off, Monk,” the slayer growled half heartedly.

“Of course, my dearest Sango,” he laid down next to her. He didn’t close his eyes immediately but instead gently twirled a bit of Sango’s silky, light brown hair in his fingers. A content smile danced across his face.

It wasn’t long before Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were the only two left awake in the small cave. The silence hung around them like a cursed funeral shroud.

A million questions danced in Inuyasha’s head. This was the fist time he had ever been alone with his brother. He wanted to ask something, anything to make the oppressive emptiness go away.

Sesshomaru must have sensed this. “Why have you not mated with the Miko yet?”

“Huh? Oh.” Inuyasha looked at Kagome who was cuddling the fox kit as they slept. “I don’t feel that way about her.”

“I see. You still want that dead Miko.” Sesshomaru locked his cold gaze on Inuyasha’s citrine colored eyes. “You are a fool to choose the dead over the living.”

Inuyasha glared at him. “Don’t assume that I have, you icy bastard.” Inuyasha crossed his arms, and closed his eyes “Besides, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Do not assume because I keep my emotions under strict control I am unable to understand.”

“It would be like mating with my sister.” He opened one eye to gage Sesshomaru’s reaction, which was nothing.

“What of the dead Miko?”

“She’s dead. What more is there to say about it?” Inuyasha answered elusively.

Sesshomaru lapsed into silence again. He wasn’t sure what had prompted him to ask about the two women. Boredom perhaps. The two had never had a civilized conversation before. The situation had presented its self and he took it.

The Taiyoukai looked out of the cave. A half moon was partially obscured by the thinning clouds. The rain had stopped. That meant the flooding would start to recede. In the distance he could sense the scavenger youkai starting to stir.

A pain filled grunt broke the silence. Two silver haired heads turned in the direction of the noise.

Miroku sat up; sweat dripping off his forehead, grasping his cursed hand.

“Miroku, what’s wrong?” Sango asked sleepily.

“My….wind tunnel…” Miroku’s eyes opened wide as another spasm of pain hit.

Suddenly wide awake, Sango sat up. “No, no!” She reached for his hand, as if she could stop it.

Holding the cursed hand close to him, he reached out with his other hand and gently brushed the back of his hand against her cheek, catching the first fallen tears. “I’m so sorry, Sango.” His pained eyes filled with tenderness for a few seconds before another spasm hit. It felt like his skin was on fire.

The commotion woke the others up.

Miroku jumped to his feet. “Take me away from here, quickly,” he grunted out in pain.

Sesshomaru wasted no time. He knew the danger that was about to be unleashed. He had seen what the wind tunnel could do and had no wish to become part of its implosion. He grabbed the Monk and headed at top speed to a safe distance.

“Kirara, transform, we’re following.” Sango ordered.

Kirara sat stubbornly small, knowing the danger that her mistress wanted to head into. She knew grief clouded the woman’s judgment.

Kagome looked up at Sango from her sitting position on the floor, her own tears silently sliding down her face. She wanted to get up, but her legs just wouldn’t obey. Shippo hugged her tightly, sobbing.

Inuyasha just stood there in stunned silence. They had all known that one day this would happen; they just believed they would kill Naraku before it ever had a chance to.

Sesshomaru landed on the ledge and walked into the cave a couple minutes after he left and was rushed by the grief stricken slayer.

“Take me to him!” she demanded.

Ignoring request, Sesshomaru looked down at her calmly. He held up his closed clawed hand. Grasped in the magenta striped appendage was Miroku’s prayer beads. “He wished for me to give these to you.”

Sango suddenly felt really warm and found it hard to breath. The beads dangled surreally in front of her. Something black and fuzzy had crept in the sides of her vision. She reached out for the beads that suddenly took up her entire field of sight.

The demon Lord caught the Slayer as she crumpled to the ground. Inuyasha was there a split second later to carry her back to her blanket, the beads clutched tightly in her hand.

Sango awoke before Inuyasha had a chance to set her down, sobs shaking her entire body. He sat down, his arms around her trying to comfort her. Kagome managed to crawl over to them with Shippo. Her hanyuo friend pulled her close embracing both girls and the fox kit, his own face contorted with grief.

Rin walked over to Sesshomaru and looked up at him, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. He put his hand on her head and smoothed down her sleep rumpled hair. The small girl wrapped her tiny arms around his waist and buried her head in his side.