Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha or anything that has to do with it. The universe belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I have nothing to gain from writing this except enjoyment. I decided to write this story after a suggestion made in a review on my one-shot lemon fic, The Truth About Me. AM78 told me they hope I consider writing one with a Sango/Miroku pairing. I've never really wrote A Sango/Miroku fic. This is my attempt at that but of course I couldn't resist involving Kagome and Inuyasha as well. They are my favorite after all. This story is not yet complete and this is only the first installment thus far.
Warnings are as follows: Angst, crude language, violence and graphic content, and, you guessed it, detailed *LEMONS* later on.
UPDATED VERSION: Only edited a few small parts because of the perfectionist in me. Sorry for that. Nothing serious was altered. Please continue reading at your leisure. You probably don't even have to re-read this chapter, I won't mind if you don't. Much love.
Our Last Moments
Chapter One - The Hakone Castle: Hot-Springs of the Shinigami
The gang had been traveling for almost a full two days since they last left Kaede's village. The feeling of ever impending doom was invading the minds of each and every one of them, and they were finally getting prepared for the end. Day by day, with every demon or soul he absorbed Naraku only became more powerful in ultimate perpetuity and was virtually immortal. He just would not die. The jewel, now residing in his body, was completely defiled with his evil energy, although he had yet to fully absorb it.
It had been exactly five days since Kohaku's life had been cruelly extinguished by Magatsuhi's evil will and the jewel's will itself. The materialized evil part of the jewel that had caused pure mayhem was finally defeated. At least, most of it's body had been. A small, pitiful piece of him had been salvaged by the will of the rest of the jewel, which had been stow fully hidden somewhere in Naraku's body, and with its desire to be whole again, that piece forced itself into the back of Kohaku's neck, attached itself to the jewel shard, pierced out through his throat, and flew up into the unknown, wherever Naraku was.
Blood spurted out of Kohaku's throat and began seeping from his lips. Sango screamed in horror. Her brothers eyes went completely dark and faded into oblivion as his lifeless form fell forward and onto the dirt surrounding them. Her little brother was dead. Her little brother, who sacrificed so much in order to repent for his guilt, and was becoming such a strong, brave young man, had his life taken away from him in an instant. She ran to his side and wrapped his suddenly so small body in her arms as she wailed for it to not be true.
Kagome and the others stood watching in disbelief, scared of making the situation worse by coddling Sango when it was obvious she needed a moment alone with her deceased brother. The young miko couldn't help the salty tears from stinging in her eyes as she watched her beloved comrade in ultimate despair, feeling unable to help. She clenched her fist in frustration but soon felt a warm, calloused hand under that fist and clawed fingers steadily intertwined with hers. She instantly softened and gazed up at her hanyou. His golden-amber eyes were sad and yet there was the determined glint that was always there, the sharp twinkle that gave Kagome the hope she always needed to go on. He said nothing but she could understand what he felt. Naraku was going to pay for this. This war was almost over.
After that, the group high-tailed it back to the village and waited out Naraku's next move. Inuyasha was getting impatient as the hours went by, unable to focus and ready to jump to action as soon as everyone was healed and ready to move. Since Magatsuhi's supposed death, Miroku felt immensely better. The deadly miasma inside him that was spreading to his heart had now diminished completely with the end of Magatsuhi, and Kagome's powers were fully restored as well. Shippo had nothing he really had to heal from, but he was still sleepy as ever, mostly solemnly lounging about and napping. These constant battles with the spawn of Naraku were becoming exhausting for everyone.
It wasn't too long before Sango felt better enough to move on with their journey. She knew she had to be ready. She would always love Kohaku, and she will greatly miss him but she owed it to her friends and the mission to keep going. They all gathered to take Kohaku's body to the cemetery and buried him, setting his soul to rest. Sango and Miroku ceremoniously prayed side by side in front of his grave, and the others looked on in respect. The melancholia in the air was deafening.
They wished Kaede a heartfelt goodbye, then they marched down the dirt path that led away from the village. The whole rest of the day into the evening they traveled without stopping, eventually with Inuyasha muttering a snide remark that Shippo shouldn't have come along, fearing that he wasn't ready to handle this type of battle. Shippo had argued that he was an important asset to the team, despite his age and lack of strength. Kagome of course stood up for the tiny fox-demon fluff ball, raving about how they needed Shippo's clever mind and tricks. Shippo had beamed at Kagome's compliment and childishly stuck his tongue out at Inuyasha, making a raspberry noise as the silver-haired dog demon glowered at him. Kagome knew Inuyasha would never admit it, but he was only proving how much he cared for the small fox by being angry that he came, showing his obvious worry. They didn't want to lose anyone else.
They made camp in a small clearing in a forest. They would only stay there for the night as they had to keep moving. It would be another day, maybe two days journey to the place where they were sure they could sense Naraku's presence hiding, stewing about in demon miasma, becoming more and more larger by the minute. The thought of him made them all feel sick with dread. It felt like the end was near.
As Kagome snoozed away in her sleeping bag, Inuyasha watched her from his place perched up in a nearby tree. He silently studied her features, watching her chest rise and fall with her slow breathing. Her pink lips were curled into a small smile, her cheeks were flushed and her forehead had a tiny trail of sweat below her hairline, signaling she was having an intense dream. Inuyasha had realized long ago how beautiful of a woman she had become. It was only now, with the end looming in the distance, that he wanted to show Kagome how much she meant to him. Now that Kikyo had finally passed on, he felt he was free to do as he wished. Although, he wasn't really sure if he was even brave enough to do that.
The next morning after putting out the fire, they headed away from the camp site and deeper into the forest. The trees seemed to go on and on forever, completely surrounding the group from every side, and they peered up at what little they could see of the infamous Mount Fuji. Farther and farther into the ocean of foliage they went. Kagome thought they would be swallowed up.
Suddenly they rounded a corner and there was an opening in the path. Hastily they moved through the limbs of trees and bushes through the opening and found themselves in front of a ginormous, castle-like structure. The building appeared to be ancient, almost otherworldly, as it seemed to float there by the rocks on the side of a cliff. The roofs of the castle were pagodas with intricate copper shingles that shined in the light of the sunset and the glow of the rising moon. These glowing lights filtered through the treetops, cascaded over the rush of the waterfall and made the hot springs in front of it sparkle, causing the whole fortress to look like a mirage. The place was so inviting, and looked too good to be true. The group could seriously use a night at a place like this.
"Wh-what is this place?" - Shippo croaked nervously, yet they were all in complete awe. The entire building looked empty, except for one room lit dimly by candlelight in the far right corner.
"It seems to be a rather high-end inn or perhaps even a wealthy person's estate," Miroku responded, sure of himself. "There doesn't seem to be much sign of life except for the light coming from that room over there." he continued, pointing over to it. "Let's go investigate. If we decide this place seems safe, I suggest we spend the night here." He glanced over at his demon-slayer companion. Despite all that had recently happened to her, Sango looked as fit and fair as ever. The little smile she gave him made him swell with pride. She had become so very strong and resilient. Even through everything, Sango managed to hold it together and not lose herself in her agony like a lot of people do. Her ability to overcome so many obstacles had her learning and evolving into one of the most extraordinary indivuals he'd ever known.
As they started for the stairs up to the entrance to the castle, Miroku realized this might even be the very last night they would all spend together peacefully. He peered at Sango as she glided up the stone stairs in front of him. Her hips swayed with grace as they maneuvered their way through the gates and he mentally scolded himself for having such dirty thoughts at a time like this. Still, if they were to die tomorrow, he could die happy knowing that Sango spent tonight in his arms.
Inuyasha sniffed the air and visibly calmed significantly since arriving at the castle. He turned to the group. "There seems to be no demonic energy around here." They all agreed, not sensing any danger, and breathed a sigh of relief but then he stiffened again at the sign of a presence emerging from the shadows.
"Hello?" a little voice peeped from the darkness. A small, teenaged girl stepped into their view, the moon light from the now night sky pouring around her figure. "Who are all of you?" she asked timidly, looking at each of them and stopping on Inuyasha. Surely she had not seen many demons and appeared to be frightened at the site of the unruly dog demon.
"Hello there," Kagome chimed. "We're not here to hurt you or to cause any kind of danger. I'm Kagome, that's Sango and Miroku, Shippo, and this is Inuyasha." she explained, introducing them all. Kirara mewled from Sango's shoulder in disapproval. "And this is Kirara!" Kagome giggled sheepishly as she patted the feline on her head, not intending to forget their trusty two-tail. They all gazed back over to the girl, waiting for her reaction. After a moment she bowed her head.
"My name is Hakone. Chieko Hakone." she began and stepped closer. The girl was clothed in the trappings of a very wealthy person. Her kimono's deep purple and pink colors were rich and bright, and it's intricate floral pattern flowed nicely as it draped around her tiny body. Her hair was dark brown and brought together in a long tight plait that extended down her back. Her bangs covered her eyes until she stood up straight from her bow and gave them a look that showed a sad story behind her eyes. "This place is my home, and has traditionally been owned by the Hakone family for centuries. That is until what was left of my family either died out, or the ones with no attachments to this place moved far away, and now I am the only one, the only future of my dynasty, left here."
The weight of her story rested heavy in the air and the group continued to listen. "My mother was the last to pass on, as she had become elderly and frail. She was human, like most of my family." Inuyasha was intrigued.
"Are you trying to say you're not completely human?" He asked the girl with interest. She locked eyes with him for a moment, as if searching him for ill will. She certainly looked human.
"Not exactly." she started. "I'm half human, and half Shinigami." The group stared in wonderment. Shippo was almost drooling, for he thought Chieko looked marvelous.
"Ah," Miroku said, snapping a finger. "A Shinigami is an entity who helps spirits which are stuck in this world to find peace and move onto the next life." he happily exclaimed in a matter of fact tone.
"Yes," Chieko continued. "Though I have the abilities of the Shinigami, my duties lie herein the castle. I cannot leave." Kagome pondered for a moment. So, she only seemed afraid of Inuyasha for fear he was a demon with the wrong intentions, not because she wasn't used to seeing demons. Chieko had trust issues, as was typical with most creatures.
The dark of the night swarmed the castle grounds, with only the twinkling of the stars casting a glow over them. The air was quickly growing chilly and all but Inuyasha shivered in the cold. Chieko observed how tired and run down they looked, realizing that they must have traveled a great distance. The aura surrounding this mysterious group of people was electrifying to Chieko. It was obvious by their appearance and energies that they had been through hell and back again, and she could feel determination and courage seeping from deep within their hearts. They were vengefully after something, or someone, and Chieko felt herself wanting to help them, knowing she could relate to how they felt.
"Please," she said, and beckoned the group to an archway leading inside the castle. "I can tell you've been traveling a long time, on a never ending journey to the depths of your destinies. I can see no other option but to let all of you stay here as long as you need, may that be just for the night, or more."
They were elated to hear it as they followed the girl through a sliding door into a candlelit room, the one they had all seen when they stepped out into the clearing beneath the castle. Shippo jumped out of the miko's arms and landed feather-light on Chieko's shoulder. Kagome was about to scold Shippo for being rude when she saw Chieko cheerfully smile up to the fox child. "Aw!" she cooed at him. Shippo's fluff of a tail was slightly wagging. "I really like your home, Chieko," he said sincerely. "Seems so quiet and comfy. I could spend my whole life here!" They all chuckled in unison.
"I'm sure you could, Shippo," Sango agreed with a smirk. She then gazed around the room. A beautiful design was carved into the length of the wooden frame surrounding the walls and doors. The walls were made from a traditional paper-thin material but were covered neatly in cherry blossom stencil designs. Colorful tapestries hung about in an effortless way and incense freshly burned, giving the whole room a pure, spiritual vibe. Her grand bed was adorned in silk blankets and Sango and Kagome wondered if the rest of the castle looked like Chieko's room did.
The half Shinigami girl observed the crew once more, noticing that they all had fresh bruises or cuts over their bodies. She sighed, thinking about how long it had been since she had guests or visitors. Chieko had gotten used to being on her own and now she had to force herself to get back in the swing of things. "Well, I'm sure you all saw the hot springs on my property? Feel free to take a casual dip if need be. The springs have mystical healing powers that can soothe your aching muscles and bones." Kagome, Sango and Shippo gazed at each other in excitement. Miroku was smiling, yet scratched his chin in contemplation and Inuyasha scoffed in mild annoyance.
"If we're going to do that we need to hurry up and get it over with." the dog demon spat, not exactly wanting to take away the happy mood but also wanting them to remember their mission. Sure, they can relax a bit and spend the night here in this lavish complex, but they all had to get up when the sun rises and return back to the reality of the war. They all stopped their beaming and looked over at him in confusion. "We can't forget what we set out to do. Come daybreak, we move on." he said with finality. Kagome nodded.
"I'll gather towels and supplies from the bath house," said Chieko. "After you're all done in the springs I will show you to your rooms, which I will prepare for you myself."
"Thank you so much, Lady Chieko." said the miko. "We are honored to be guests here at your lovely estate."
"Of course, it is a privilege to have you all here. If there is anything else I can do for you please do not hesitate to ask." the Shinigami girl stated kindly.
The group thanked her, prepared themselves and headed down to the springs.
There ya go, chapter one is done!