Heh…I'm…baaakkkkk
I shall always listen to suggestions. So even if you think yours is stupid, I don't care, say it anyway! It might flick something and help me get an idea! Yay! And then you'll get cookies and credit! Yay!
PSS: The summary AND the title are temporary. I don't want to give ANYTHING away, because I hope my twist will catch ya by surprise. (If you think my twist is making Bankotsu come back—YOU'RE WRONG! Way too obvious.)
Please tell me how you think!
PSSS: I'm starting Chapter Names now, yay! This shall be an extra long Prologue, just to start yall off with knowledge!
PSSSS: Half of this shall explain some events that happened at the end of the last chapter of 'The Fight of Our Lives'. (Which i THANK YOU ALL for reading and supporting! Woo! Over 150 reviews! Amazing!)
PSSSSS: With this extended prologue--i hope to explain 'Sango-dono's' everyday life. (Hehe, an Allusion!)
ENJOY
"Kagome!" She hit the tree with a sickening crack. It was almost an unbelievable sight…as if her body had somehow turned into a doll and slammed against the tree. Soon after, her frail body became limp and she slid to the ground.
He tried to stand…but it was excruciating…the pain…
Taking a look at his stomach, he was reminded at how deeply cut it really was. His haori was soaked from the rip and the liquid was stretching through the surrounding fabric. His blood was making a mess. "B-bastard!" he cried out weakly as he squinted through one eye. One clawed hand tried to push himself up—but it was hopeless as his other hand was adding pressure to his wound.
Before he knew it, things turned black and he collapsed to the ground. The last thing he heard was a woman's voice screaming in pain…
Inuyasha woke up suddenly and sat up. This was the third time this has happened. Memories lingering in his sleep. He let out the breath that seemed to be stuck in his throat, slowly easing his adrenaline-filled heart.
Drenched in sweat, he decided to take a mid-night walk. Night winds always seemed to calm him. Roughly jerking his head to the left, Inuyasha heard the crack of his neck, then again when he turned his head to the right. He pushed off the futon lazily, inhaling the night into his nostrils.
He made sure to keep quiet, knowing Shippou was becoming more alert over the years.
Sighing, he ran a clawed hand through his hair, slightly brushing his dog-ears. He made it out of the room and outside before he habitually started to pick at his claws. After Naraku had died, he hadn't had as much intense fighting anymore, and he became more nervous and a little paranoid.
But he hadn't even noticed the sound of his claws scraping against each other as his mind began to wander to his 'dream'. The picture of Kagome hitting the tree he was so familiar with rushed into his mind once again. Shaking his head, Inuyasha tried to forget. It was about 7 years ago he had made a wish on the Shikon Jewel…he wondered what in the world had made him wish to keep Kagome here. All she did was whine… 'Baka.' He thought, shaking his head once again. Sometimes it made him feel better to think that way, though he knew he was sworn to keep her safe—whether it was his promise or his heart telling him to do so.
Taking a seat wherever he was standing, Inuyasha thought back to that dream.
'Kagura…'
That day…it would never be forgotten to him. When he had woken from his state of unconsciousness, Sango was there. He hadn't seen her in a couple of years, and was surprised to see her so suddenly. When she told him what had happened, the guilt was so painful.
"Keh. You didn't have to step in front of me like that, Kagura…" He muttered to himself.
He wondered when he would finally be able to let this go.
"…Inuyasha?"
His ears perked to the sound of his name.
"Oi! Inuyasha!"
"AYAH—" The sudden feeling of being tackled jump-started Inuyasha. "What the…Taro?"
Said boy got off of the cranky Hanyou. Standing on his own, the boy smiled widely. "Ohayo!"
"…Ohayo?" Looking around, Inuyasha realized he had fallen asleep. Rubbing his head, Inuyasha snorted. "Kuso…"
(A/N: Ohayo is Jap for Good Morning. (I think.) And Kuso is Damn it.)
"Where's Shippou-kun?" The boy asked in a sing-song voice. Inuyasha wondered how he got so hyped up in the morning.
"First of all," Inuyasha stood up, glaring down at the boy he had only met twice before. "How the hell did you get here?"
The 7-year-old happily pointed to Kirara behind him. "Okaasan sent me here!"
"Why?"
Shrugging, Taro turned and started walking towards the hut Inuyasha usually slept in. "I dunno. She said to go to you and Kagome for a while or something. She'd get me later."
'Heh'…Inuyasha smirked, 'Getting tired of him already, Sango?' He would have laughed aloud if one thought hadn't hit him so hard all of a sudden.
"Naniiii? --!" Inuyasha's eyes bulged. "I'm no babysitter!"
Tugging on the golden-eyed man's hand, Taro pouted. "Let's play tag! Please!"
"Tck! Yeah right!"
Taro pulled his hand back and crossed his arms. "And why not?"
Inuyasha was about to pull his hair out. This kid was so emotionally deranged! One moment he's giddy, the next he's got an attitude! 'I wonder if he picked this up from Sango…'
"Well, no matter." He raised his eyebrows and walked away slowly before Inuyasha could respond. Inuyasha noticed it was very Miroku-like. "I don't really think you'll be needing this anyway." Taro casually swung Tetsusaiga through his hands.
"AH!" Inuyasha grabbed the side of his pants, expecting to feel the wood of his sheath…but instead he felt the cloth of his pants. "DAMN IT, TARO!"
He giggled before running off, automatically starting a game of tag.
Inuyasha grunted, chasing after him. If Taro picked anything up, it was Miroku's stealing and trickery abilities.
Of course, Taro was no match for Inuyasha's demonic speed. Inuyasha smirked as the tip of his claw touched Taro's robes.
"Almost—GYAH—"
"OSUWARI!"
After Inuyasha successfully fell through the ground, Taro looked over his shoulder to see the familiar face of Kagome.
"Kagome-chan!"
Kagome's irritated look smeared into a shocked one. "TaroYuki?" Before she knew it Taro had run up to her, clasping his small arms around her waist.
Kagome laughed, ruffling his hair. The first time she met him, she noticed how clingy he was. He always gave hugs, and even tackled Inuyasha every time he saw him, even if he's only met him twice before.
"Hey TaroYuki! How are you?"
He had grown since the last time she met him, and he was already tall for his age. He had adorned light blue eyes, but they seemed to have lightened even more since she remembered, giving them a grey hue. His hair was dark black, and was pulled into a high ponytail, while Miroku's bang style lingered on his son's forehead. His attire was much like Inuyasha's, except the sleeves cut off at his elbows, and they were a variety of dark colors. He carried around a sack that, Kagome had figured out, held his Demon Slayer outfit. She wondered how well his training with Sango has gotten. What could he do…?
Once Taro shrugged casually, she noticed Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga in his small hand. "Did you…"
"Yup! And it was easy too!" Taro handed her the sword and laughed. "Grabbed it while I tackled the mutt!" He smiled as he jerked a thumb in Inuyasha's direction. Suddenly, he felt a clawed hand grab his shoulder from behind.
"Stupid…brat!" The Hanyou heaved. Inuyasha's grasp released on Taro once Kagome gave him back his sword. "You're just like your dad, kid."
Taro smiled, "Yup!"
Inuyasha faltered, "Gah—no I mean—"
"I'm gonna be just like him when I grow up!" With that, Taro ran to the hut, wondering where Shippou was.
Kagome sweat-dropped, "Is that really a good thing?"
It was night now, and Sango had to read by candlelight. Kirara was purring by her feet. She turned the page, sighing.
'I'm not exactly sure if this is even possible…but I heard someone had done it before.'
Due to the silence she realized it was after all, a good idea to send Taro away. He would've probably successfully stolen it by now, and ask what she was doing with this sort of book. She knew he arrived safe and sound, since Kirara came back happily.
Turning another page, Sango knew she wouldn't be able to find the thing she was looking for. Besides, it was only a rumor. With that thought, she shut the book and blew out the flame on the candle.
Sliding off her bed, she sat on the floor beside Kirara. Sango started to habitually pet her fur.
"I miss him, Kirara." She muttered, broken. Her head sank so that her chin barely touched her chest bone and her hair fell to the sides of her cheek. Sango back was slumped as she slowly brought her knees up. "7 years. 7 years, Kirara. I'm still wandering around hopelessly thinking there's a way to bring him back."
Tears.
"I'm so pathetic." Sango mumbled as she slammed her fist into the ground. She laughed bitterly, shaking her head as her mouth tasted the salt of her tears.
The taijiya had looked all around her barely restored village for answers. Instead, she was given books, to find the answers herself. People began to think she had lost it—it was no secret to her. Hearing things her ears were never meant to hear, Sango began to spend a lot of time on her own, of course with Taro as well. But she no longer went on day missions with fellow Demon Slayers. She went by herself, or with her small group—but that was on occasion. Two other people besides Kirara and Taro rarely came along side Sango when she hunted. Those two people, of course, were recognized for their strength, but for Sango—their companionship.
Being the one who regained her village, Sango was recognized as the strongest. Sometimes authority and power seemed to separate you form the rest, and she knew it. Sango had always through people had been sided for being different—in a negative way, not the positive.
Along those 7 years of misfortune, the female had willed herself to become stronger… on the outside, that is. In the inside the broken woman felt herself deteriorate slowly. Sometimes she would hide it, other times she didn't. But to think back to the books 'Sango-dono' had received, she wondered what else the people thought about her. They had only given the books out of respect…right?
Sango guessed she could understand their feelings if someone had come up to her and asked her how to bring back someone from the dead. It probably was an interesting question to be asked.
Engulfing the solitude of her room, she suddenly found herself closing her eyes. Sango let the tears on her cheeks dry by themselves as forced sleep started making her drowsy. She hadn't slept naturally in the longest time.
"I'll come to you tomorrow…Bankotsu."
It wasn't the best of mornings, but Taro had seen worse. The skies were grey and the clouds were puffy, giving the atmosphere a lethargic feeling. Maybe that's why he had trouble waking up in the morning.
Currently, he was sitting at the table, his hands cupping the warm cup of tea. Only Kagome made tea in the morning, which made him relax and feel welcome.
Inuyasha wasn't here though, and when he asked why, Kagome only shrugged her shoulders before biting into her breakfast.
Shippou was sitting beside Taro, also munching on his breakfast. It was quiet when he and Shippou didn't have Inuyasha to aggravate.
"So…you guys planning on anything today?" Kagome asked, setting her cup down. She had noticed Shippou and Taro had gotten along quite well. But maybe that was because they had physically grown up together.
It was Shippou's time, as a demon, to grow a bit quickly from the years of being infant-sized. In fact, he was almost as tall as Taro. Almost though, but he would catch up. His attire was the same as usual, but Kaede had of course, made the clothing larger to fit this kitsune.
Shippou's tail waved excitedly behind him, "Yeah, we were wondering if we could wander the forest later."
The older woman's eyes shifted between the two, no doubt, mischievous and roguish, boys. "By yourselves." She stated dubiously, watching as Taro shook his head, a smirk innocently washing his features from boy to man. Father's gaze, Kagome noted.
"No, no, Kagome-hime…of course we'll have supervision." Taro added the suffix keenly.
(AN: Kagome-hime means…. 'Princess Kagome' but in a girly way…like she should be royalty or something. Taro doesn't mean she really is a princess, though.)
Kagome noticed the confused gaze of Shippou before he looked to his friend.
"We will?"
Taro sighed, defeated as Kagome rolled her eyes, bemused.
"You two have much to learn." Inuyasha strolled in, finally. Taking his seat, he instantly grabbed some food.
"I agree—" Kagome began before Inuyasha finished his statement.
"There's no way Kagome could EVER be or even ACT like a princess."
Twitch. "OSUWARI!" She huffed. "JERK!"
It was late afternoon already, and Sango was glad it was a cloudy day—due to the fact she would be outside for a while. Kirara trotted a little behind Sango, yawning now and then. Kirara had been awake longer than she was asleep at night for the past couple of days.
Today would be another short visit to his grave—maybe then some answers could appear. Of course, that's what she always stated.
Hiraikotsu was clinging to her back as she walked, the light smack of its lower half hitting her calves. She's never really noticed.
True, it was a cloudy day, but would it rain? She hoped she wouldn't have to come back with a cold.
"Sango-saaaann!"
Sango heard a voice calling her from behind. Dreading the worst, she stopped and turned hesitantly.
"What is it Torime?"
Torime was the head of council's daughter. She loved her father dearly, and because she didn't have much else to do—she followed him around, taking every opportunity she could to help him out. Thus, she became the 'Fetch-Sango' messenger.
"The council has another meeting—have you forgotten?" The smaller girl replied, a comical look adorned on her features. By the looks from it, it seemed that Sango has done this many times before.
Sighing, Sango hung her head slightly to the ground before walking in the direction the girl came from. Kirara also turned suddenly and started trotting back.
The girl seemed to enjoy Sango's misfortune. "It's ok, Sango-chan," Something she only called her on one-on-one conversations, "It's nothing big—you should be outta here in no time."
Sango lightly laughed at the preteen before letting her hand pat the girl's head. "Thanks Tori-chan."
She sighed mentally, once Torime had run off somewhere. 'I'm always two steps away from the village gates before someone needs me.' Glancing down at the neko, she added, 'Isn't that right, Kirara?'
The neko-demon, noticing her master's stare, looked up to her and simply mewed.
Yup, Sango had successfully adorned a beautiful and full village. Her dream had come true, and everything was to prosper. There were men and women and children all over.
The village had even set up a council, filled with people who always thought of new improvements. The Demon Slaying, for now, was only for men—but the council and Sango have been battering about the idea for women to start as well. Then slowly once there is enough high-level demon slayers like Sango, they would open up a school for the younger kids.
And even though this village is only a handful of years old, there are already Demon Slayers ready for battle. Yes, there is only a handful, but still it would have to be enough for now. If Sango remembered correctly, there are currently 20 fully trained Demon Slayers (ones she had taught personally), who already go out to other villages and slay demons for money—as it should be. Once other villages heard of the Demon Slayer's village being revived they started to immediately start contacting them for help. Some people even came here, abandoning their former village, just to start their training.
Then there are about…another 50 demon slayers in training. Once the village gets a few demon raids (REAL demon raids, since the last few demons Sango had killed almost instantly) on the village – because Sango was sure the demons that had dead comrades from a Demon Slayer would want their revenge – those in training would start to guard first.
And finally, this will be a REAL Demon Slayer's village, a place where demons will dread to attack alone.
That's how her village used to be.
"Sango-dono!"
Sango quickly lifted her head off her palm to see the council keenly looking at her. "Erm—sorry. Spacing out…"
"Do you not think this is a conversation worth listening to?" A man chided with a bit of ridicule in his deep voice.
Inwardly rolling her eyes at the council of old people, Sango sat up straighter and laced her fingers together before setting them on the table. Torime watched from the corner with Kirara resting in her lap. She recognized that look on Sango's face as, 'I'm gonna get this over with quick.'
"Excuse my rudeness, please tell me the situation."
A woman to the left of Sango began to explain this 'serious problem' to the young taijiya, ignoring the ignorant mumbling of the man who had lightly reprimanded her.
"And now the woman is parading around town, claiming this and claiming that!" The woman finished, anger tinted in her hoarse voice.
Sango sighed, but before she could even add her two cents, the group started to fuss in an argument.
"Why are we even here for this?" An old man cried, barely loud enough above the crowd of twelve, "This is meaningless for Sango-sama!"
Other people started to agree while some other began to argue. As another woman began to quarrel her input, Sango sent the old senile man an amused look.
"I told you to quit calling me that, old man…" She said, barely heard over the fuss. He and his ways were all too familiar.
He just waved it off with a whimsical smile. Out of everyone, she had to admit he was her favorite.
Turning her attention back to the group, Sango's amused look faded into a harsh and strict one. With sudden adrenaline, Sango slammed her fist down on the table, immediately stating her power over everyone else.
"Now," Contrary to her harsh look, Sango spoke in a respectful tone. "Who is this woman?"
"Hanate Kitrani."
"…Hm." She thought for a moment. "So, the problem here is that two days ago she claimed to have been visited by an incubus. Now she is walking around claiming that the man she was to be married to – but he unfortunately called it off a month ago – had sent the incubus to her. Now, she's getting everyone to hate that man…and everyone believes her? Is that it?"
"…Yes Sango-dono."
Turning to the woman to her left once again, Sango began, "You were the one to call this meeting, right?"
The woman nodded.
"Would it be correct to say you have blood relations with that accused man? If so—did you call this because you were worried for his reputation?"
Silence. Obviously she had hit the mark. The others also looked to the woman.
Suddenly, the woman stood from her chair—towering over Sango. The two guards in the room grabbed their weapons and quickly stood on either side of Sango. But Sango merely remained unmoving, her eyes following the woman upwards.
Ignoring the guards, she began to yell. "What am I supposed to do? Let my poor son get ridiculed for something that he didn't do? I will never have grandchildren! All the women will detest him!"
The old senile man in the back chuckled under his hand, making even Sango's lips curl into a smirk. He could be so childish sometimes…
"Well, I've come to a conclusion." She said as she waved the guards off.
The woman sat while the rest of the council looked at the young woman curiously.
"Starting in the next five mornings, women in this village will have the choice," She added a dramatic pause, "to become…Taijiyas."
With that, Sango stood—ignoring the ruckus that ensued once she stated her decision. Many arguments about relevancy and fairness began, but she was already out of the room before they could pummel her with questions. Torime and Kirara followed closely after her.
Of course, she knew she wouldn't be able to escape all of them. She heard two other people follow her. Soon, the woman worried about her son was by her side.
"I'm sorry Sango-dono, but your decision is preposterous! Not only does that have nothing to do with the situation, but it would be unjust to make the woman of this small village work to be Taijiyas!"
"You didn't hear me," Sango said in a sing-song voice as she wagged a finger in the old woman's face once she stopped and turned to face her. "I said the woman would have a choice. Now, let me explain the relevancy."
Before she could continue, Sango felt a heavy hand pat her shoulder reassuringly. Turning, Sango saw the old man give her a thumbs up.
"Uh…heh." She gave him a smile before he disappeared down the street, dragging his sandals lazily. "Anyway, the reason she was claiming that—is because she is basically bored. All the women here are. What do they have to do? Here, there is no school for the children so women with kids have to take care of them and the house. But what if they don't? Stressing, right?" Sango began to walk forward once again. "I know if I was forced to do that, I'd be incredibly bored as well. I'd do anything to get attention…"
The woman was silent, knowing she couldn't argue with her superior—especially since she was being nice.
Calling over her shoulder, Sango waved. "Don't worry. If you don't tell anyone, I'll go talk to her personally."
Feelings raised, the woman smiled.
"…Thank you."
Closing the door behind her, Sango ran a hand through her hair, which she had let down for the evening. She let the hand stay entangled within her locks as she leaned on the door.
For a woman, Hanate was pretty dirty-playing. She had back-up strength, even if she put it to wrong use. While they 'fought' or what Sango would call a quarrel (since her fights meant demons and weapons), Sango imagined…instead of slapping her face with such strength, she should be swinging a weapon. Instead of pulling Sango's hair—she should be pulling on a Demon Slayer's armor.
Smiling, Sango pushed off the door before making her way through the dark streets, as night was falling.
Nonetheless, Hanate had agreed. For the price of her words, she would join Sango's army.
Brushing away bangs from her forehead, Sango stared up at the moon. It wasn't full today—in fact, it resembled a fruit. She glanced ahead of her, seeing the gate.
Simply staring, she wondered if she should leave now. No one was around, but Sango didn't wonder why—even if it was a bit strange. But no one would stop her, well, unless Torime came running out of nowhere. Sango looked around, searching for a purple-clad young girl. Once she convinced herself she was alone, she looked back at the gate. Kirara wasn't here…but what could happen? She'd be ok.
About to take a step closer to the gate—Sango remembered something.
Her muscles that were aching to move a bit more relaxed, and her outstretched fingers hung loosely. Turning, Sango headed back.
There was something she needed to do first, for safety's sake.
Standing in front of the hut's sliding door, (after all, a full-fledged Demon Slayer was something special in the village, meaning they got the nice houses) Sango set her usual 'public expression', which consisted of slightly narrowed eyes and firm lips, complete with the unemotional eyes her friends were far from used to.
Of course, the owner of this house was indeed a friend, a trusted one. In fact, one of the two that she actually trusted besides the Inu-gumi. But for some reason, maybe it was just a habit, she liked to…tease.
There were people bustling around the streets here, and she wondered what was going on…it was quite populated. Many women in nice kimonos and men looked excited and happy. Was today special…? Sango couldn't remember. She turned back towards the door.
Sango knocked twice—rather professionally. After, she waited patiently, crossing her arms passively. Sudden loud thumps and a confused voice was heard before the sounds of rushed and rather clumsy footsteps were heard towards the door. She would laugh, if she knew the door wouldn't open soon.
As predicted, the door flung (or slid quickly) to the side. Sango's eyes followed the door before they shifted to the person in front of her.
"…O-oi! Sango…" The man grinned, if not covering his surprise.
In front of her was a tall man, but not in the least bit lanky. The man sported short indigo hair, which seemed that the only place he DIDN'T cut was the hair that now covered his left eye. His eyes were a light blue, sometimes even changing to a viridian tint if the weather seemed off. His skin was fair, and surprisingly soft for the rough look his face gave away.
"Tsubaki." Rather snobbily, Sango made her way into his home—her nose a bit in the air.
She had realized after the door shut that he was not following her. She turned questioningly, but before Sango could ask, Tsubaki began.
"Ah, Sango…I thought you weren't talking to me anymore…" He noted with a chuckle. Sango noticed it sounded more mocking than relieved...like he should be.
Sango's eyes narrowed. Stepping forward, his heavy footsteps sounded throughout the hallway. He easily towered over her.
"Buuutt…" Finally looking her in the eye, "I guess—" Out of no where, Sango felt him flick the bridge of her nose. She loathed when he did that. It actually hurt! "You forgot."
Her eyes narrowed even more as she gripped her nose. "Tsubaki!" Punching his chest, she felt relieved when he bent down slightly, wincing.
"Ayahhh…Jeez Sango." He wheezed, rubbing his chest. "You've got the strength of a male-warrior…" Tsubaki mumbled.
Looking up at her, he noticed she was glaring at him so intensely—which probably meant she had heard him. "Ah—erm…" His wide eyes from being caught shifted between the door to the kitchen and her, just incase he needed to run. Yes, she was that scary when she was angry.
Thankfully, she turned away from him and sat herself on a cot. "Tsubaki," She said, her eyes closed and her arms crossed rather professionally. "I'm leaving again, I need you—"
Sango halted as he sighed, plopping himself down on the opposite cot. Tsubaki let his elbows hold himself up on his knees as he leaned forward relaxingly while his large masculine hands dangled between his knees. His eyes were on her. "Again, Sango?" He asked in a serious tone.
The humor was swept from the air, and she felt herself lock in place as he looked at her.
She remembered the first time she had met him…and why he stood out.
Sango rolled her eyes as an amused look crossed her features. Torime had, yet again, been the first and only to make Sango smile this early in the morning. Her young childish jokes and naïve behavior against the world made Sango feel relaxed and able to smile.
Taro was still sleeping at this time. In fact, she should be sleeping at this time.
Every once in a while, new groups of people would gather at the front gates of the new village. Of course, Sango was ecstatic when they came. But did the meetings have to be so early?
Looking down at her young companion, Torime was babbling about some nonsense Sango didn't comprehend (maybe she would if she was paying more attention). Torime and her family had been one of the first full families in the village, and they were in close relations with Sango.
Once they reached the gate, Torime picked up Kirara from the floor. Sango knew what she was planning—since she did this every time: scaring the new comers. Sango had warned her about being too frightened to stay, but she assured her they wouldn't. So far, they hadn't.
About to open the gate, Sango and Torime could already hear the loud excited jabbering of the new people, which made Sango stimulated. Placing her hands on the gates, which were pretty heavy to heave, she took a quick glance at Torime—only to see her look 'serious'. She was sure to have heard the young girl mention intimidating the new people…or something along the lines of that.
Before she knew it, Sango pushed the gate open herself, Hiraikotsu on her back, making it a bit harder of a task. Once it was fully opened, Sango gazed around with a confident look.
"Well, well!" She started. The crowd of what looked to be 60 turned quiet. "Ohayo." She smirked, almost making them sweat with her look of 'you'll never survive'. Torime also gave that look away.
"So, looks like we've got everyone. Woman, children, men…I'm certain most of you are either wanting to be a Demon Slayer or are associated with one. Right?" Mumbling of positive answers could be heard.
"Good. Unfortunately for now we will only have men become Demon Slayers—" She halted her talking as the group began to murmur things about having to go home, and being rejected. "Hey, hey—I never said you have to leave…you women will just have to wait." She smiled.
"Now if I could just have the men willing to become Demon Slayers step forward, I would appreciate it." Sango gave them a few minutes to let the men step forward. Predictably, all the eligible men stepped up. They ranged from late teens to mid-life men, all courageous enough to start their training.
Having them in a straight line, Sango began to walk down the path—as if measuring the man for eligibility. Though, Sango knew she couldn't reject any unless for obvious reasons. She guessed intimidation, as Torime claims, is fun. Inuyasha practically scared the pants off of the first batch of men who came.
Next seemed to be a rather large group of young men, probably around her age. Due to the fact that they were all together, they had probably all befriended each other on their way over to the village. Their cocky stances and arrogant gleam made Sango want to laugh. Their confidence was, she guessed, probably based off street fights and bad language. She couldn't wait until they started training—for she knew out of everyone—they would lack the most.
Sango, passing a smirking young man, almost choked on the air she was breathing before double-looking the man. Looking at him straight in the face made her gasp.
He looked exactly like… him.
Though, he had short dark violet (almost black) hair, while some completely covered half of his face. The man's eyes were narrowed slightly, like his always were, except his were a much lighter blue. Plus, this man was nowhere near as dark as he was. But yet, they did have their similarities as well. They were the same muscularity, same smirk, and same young looks. Sango could have sworn it was him from first glance.
"Tsubaki, ma'am." He spoke, almost mockingly. Eyes narrowing, Sango stepped a bit closer—having to look up. All men were to look ahead of them straight forward…
Sango noticed how he kept looking down to her. Their eyes seemed to combat before he looked back up towards the gate, a small curl of lip.
"Sango. Your new teacher—" She turned back to the path, her shoulder facing him. Sighing once her eyes closed, she let the back of her fist smack into his stomach. "Nice to meet you. How was your day?"
Once again, Sango began to examine the others. She noticed how her long russet hair smacked his ached face as he clutched his stomach—his head bent low almost as if bowing.
"…I've had better." He chuckled forcefully through his teeth. Sango looked over her shoulder, giving him an amused look before continuing…
Later, Torime had done the ritual of letting Kirara transform into her larger self before climbing on her with dignity. Sango noticed how she tried not to laugh at the crowd's mortified faces.
Sango's mind kept shifting to that man…that Bankotsu look-alike.
"…Yes. So I need you to take over the village until I get back."
This happened a couple of times before. Tsubaki was number one choice of village leader. He was strong, proud, and he excelled in slaying. He had been her prize student before he started coming with her as a companion. He had done so much for her. On the battle field…and not…
Hearing someone sigh regrettably behind her, Sango turned her head to look over her shoulder, only to see a bottle of water.
"Drink."
"…"
Tsubaki was squatting behind her, holding up a bottle of water to her face. It shocked her. No one really ever bothered for the superior...either being too shy or too scared of power. Either way, Sango's companion away from home was usually Kirara. Even now, the two were just sitting beside the water's edge near the brink of a jungle.
Her group was heading home the following morning from being called away to another village. The demons they were to slay had put up a good fight, and even now the sweat and blood still clung to her skin.
Tsubaki's hold on the drink took her out of her reverie as he shook the bottle for emphasis. Hesitantly, Sango took the bottle.
"You're as stubborn as a mule. You know that, right?" His long scarf trailed with the wind.
Sango merely set the bottle down as he continued his rant. She wondered why he laid himself beside her, making himself comfortable by crossing his arms behind his head. Sango continued to look at the glowing river of the night.
"How many times had we given you something to drink? How many, hm?"
"Mew…" Kirara purred.
"Exactly." He answered, closing his scowl-filled eyes. "Come to think of it, we were just wasting water weren't we? Well Ms. I-think-I'm-better than-everyone-besides-my-cat-who-seems-to-get-more-respect-out-of-me-than-actual-humans, next time—I'm just gonna have to stop feeding you."
Sango smiled inwardly. 'He talks as if he's my father…feeding me…'
There was silence.
Tsubaki, after a long moment, opened his mouth to speak—only to have something light crash into his chest, making his eyes shoot open. Off to the side, an empty bottle had bounced off his chest and fell to the grassy ground. Sango was gone…
Frantically getting onto an elbow and looking behind him, he saw Sango walking towards camp. Her hand poised in the air as if she had just thrown something over her shoulder, while Kirara trailed behind her feet.
"Where'd you get that water? From a swamp?" She smirked.
"How long this time?"
"Not long…just a—"
Standing up suddenly, Tsubaki ruffled his hair. "Alright then. I'll come fetch you if it's over 3 days though."
Sango also stood, mirth playing with her lips. "I had planned on a week."
"Well then, I guess that plan is canceled, huh?" Tsubaki grabbed her shoulder and led her out the door from behind, while the other made a hand motion as if shooing her away.
Once she was out the door and turned towards his smirking face, Tsubaki grabbed her chin. "Now, now, don't get angry!" He noted the twitching of the eyebrow. "I need to get ready, you know! For the festival! So smile!" He then began to squish her cheeks, making her mouth resemble a pouting fish…
Tsubaki laughed as she slapped away his hand. "What festival?"
Shock.
"…You're saying you totally forgot about the Village-Anniversary festival?"
She continued to look at him questioningly.
He sighed, letting his hand clap her cheek a few times. "Maybe you are just a young adolescent—AUGH…" Tsubaki groaned as the fist connected with his stomach.
"O-oi!" Tsubaki suddenly called out, through gritted teeth nonetheless. Sango turned to see whom he was talking to. A woman from the crowd came to him quickly.
"Tsubaki? What's wrong?" She turned to see Sango standing next to her and gasped. "Sango-dono! Oh…How are you?" She bowed.
Finally recovering from the attack, Tsubaki stood to loom over both women. "Yeah yeah, she's grand. Go fetch her a nice kimono from your store. It seems she's forgotten about the festival…"
"OH?"
Without a moment's notice, Sango was pushed off down the street towards a store.
And her plans of leaving suddenly drifted…
'…Tsu-BAKA….'
….I was seriously surprised people in the first story hadn't even recognized that Bankotsu DIED. The BLUE THING coming out of his mouth and INTO Kanna's MIRROR was his SOUL! (sigh) I tried not being the annoying 'state-the obvious' stuff that Mangas like 'Naruto' and 'Bleach' (which I love by the way) do all the time, but now I see WHY those mangas don't leave hidden messages. Its cuz the…slower…people won't understand period. Ah well, as long as you read—I shall do anything to keep you reading.
To lighter news, I just saved a load of money on my car insurance by switching to Gieko.