Chapter Seven: The Interviews
Sesshomaru watched as Sango slept, immersed in thought. It was evident, even without whispers or admission, that Sango had somehow developed feelings for Inuyasha. The sound of Inuyasha's trembling heart still roared in Sesshomaru's ears, taunting him. His heart was always this way when Sango was nearby, Sesshomaru had noticed. He didn't rest well when Sango left the castle; his possessive jealousy was overwhelming. In the back of his mind Sesshomaru constantly wondered the depth of the feelings shared between his brother and wife. He shouldn't have to compete for his own wife's exclusive devotion. Sango belonged to him alone.
In the midst of her slumber Sango moved her head from the fur throne on the earthen floor and gently relocated it to Sesshomaru's lap. Sesshomaru did not stir once. Dawn was approaching and Sesshomaru could already feel the warm droplets of sunlight caressing his face. He was sure Sango felt it as well. He gently entwined his fingers in her long black hair and pulled them through, silently admiring how Sango's hair resembled fine silk.
Shukun had awaken and approached his father on the ledge. He did so with a certain respectful informality; he did not lower his eyes any more or shame himself. He saw his mother sleeping peacefully and was also overcome with a certain jealousy. This jealousy was unlike his father's in many ways. Even with the time he had spent at his father's castle and despite his understanding of "marriage" he was still unaccustomed to seeing his mother in the arms of another man.
"Father, might I go and visit Lord Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru glanced down at his son coldly.
"What for?"
"Just to visit. There's something important I wish to discuss with him." Shukun replied truthfully.
"Am I worth nothing to you?"
"My Lord, I could not express in words my appreciation." Shukun insisted. "However, you could have no answer for the questions I wish to ask, simply because they are emotional questions."
"Emotional?"
"Yes. I wish to speak with Lord Inuyasha about emotions, the kind only a half-demon or a foolish human could have." Shukun explained. "But there are things I wish to ask you as well once I return. Of course, only if you find such questions appropriate." Sesshomaru sat staring into his son's eyes for a long time, his gaze purposeful and discerning.
"Do as you wish." he replied at last. Sango had truly been awake during this conversation and made it known by rising up and making eye-contact with her son. Only to her did Shukun's eyes serve as a gateway to his internal thought processes. She silently made it known that she did not approve, but Shukun simply left the cave on Kirara's back and began his search for his uncle.
Inuyasha quickly caught onto Shukun's visit, even before Shukun presented himself. He had initially detected Kirara's scent, but had been disappointed to smell Shukun with her rather than the sweet and alluring scent he adored so much. Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo saw the disappointed look on Inuyasha's face and frowned. But Shippo caught the whiff of air; he understood everything.
When Shukun landed, both Kagome and Miroku were somewhat shocked. They truly hadn't anticipated his return, especially considering his ideas about the human race. Even more important were Sesshomaru's dislike for humans and all that befriend or protected them.
"Lord Inuyasha, might I have a minute?" Inuyasha frowned. "I would like to speak someplace privately." Inuyasha stood up and followed strange four-year-old boy deeper into the forest.
"What exactly is this about?" Inuyasha asked once they had found a private place surrounded by tall grasses and sat down.
"It's about you." Inuyasha could already see where this was going.
"Look kid, I don't-"
"Before you grow unnecessarily defensive, please just answer my questions." Shukun interrupted. "Now-"
"Shu-"
"What does it mean to be 'in love'?" Shukun asked. "I know that to simply 'love' someone is a natural fondness for a person dear to you. Being 'in love' is something different. Explain it to me." Inuyasha drew back nervously. He didn't really know how to answer a question like that. He only knew how it felt. And no matter how Shukun worded his questions Inuyasha knew that they were inevitably linked to Shukun's suspicions regarding Inuyasha and his mother.
"The term 'in love' can't really be described in words because it's a very special and complex inner feeling." Inuyasha mumbled nervously.
"What does it feel like?" Shukun pressed. Inuyasha thought long and hard about what exactly he wanted to say and how he should say it. It was delicate.
"Well, um..." Inuyasha hesitated. This boy, this supreme demon of only four years- Shouldn't he already have an answer? He had an answer for everything else. And considering his heritage, why should he even care?
"Lord Inuyasha, please." Shukun insisted calmly. Inuyasha noticed a sort of inquisitive fire in his eyes. He sighed.
"Well, it sort of feels like your body's on fire. And you can't breathe. And your heart swells in your chest and pounds. The feeling is definitely intense."
"I don't see how that could be described as a pleasurable experience." Shukun seized a flower from the grass and nearly tucked it into his kimono. Then he put it back, quietly scanned the grass, and then chose another vibrant, yellow flower.
"How do you remember which flowers you've already given Sango?" Inuyasha asked. Shukun eyes met Inuyasha's and locked.
"Love compels my memory." he replied. Inuyasha smiled.
"It's like that...only different." he said. "Being 'in love' is only more intimate. You grow weak for that person and consumed by thoughts of them, longing for them every minute of every day. And when you see them again, you become intensely excited, as if you haven't seen them in years though perhaps you saw them only the day before, and that's when the physical feelings kick in. It is intense, like I said, but it feels great." Inuyasha seemed to be thrilled just at the simple thought. Shukun could tell he was thinking of his mother.
"Is that how you feel when you're with Lady Sango?" he asked boldly. Inuyasha started again.
"How many times have I told you-"
"Is it?" Inuyasha sighed.
"No." he lied.
"I don't believe you." Shukun said firmly. "Do you think that Mother loves you?"
"No, of course not. She's in love with your father." Inuyasha replied. "You don't know half of what she's been through to please him. It will never be enough though." Inuyasha had spoken that last sentence with a certain masked animosity. But Shukun easily detected it.
"I know what Mother went through." he said. "But don't you make sacrifices when you're in love? Or is that overdoing it?" Something seemed to have clicked in Inuyasha's brain.
"You do. You make sacrifices for the ones you love." Inuyasha muttered, seemingly in a daze. "Sango made a life-threatening sacrifice to make Sesshomaru love her. It didn't work, but she still loves him." Shukun stood up gracefully and beckoned Kirara.
"Thank you, Lord Inuyasha. This interview has been particularly informative." he said. Inuyasha looked up at him curiously and watched as he climbed atop Kirara and soared off into the sky once more. Inuyasha was suddenly moved. He felt this overwhelming urge to see Sango again.
Shukun wanted to speak to his mother next. Sango was about as vague has Sesshomaru when it came to emotions. But that was irrelevant. He sought answers to the only questions in life that puzzled him. He had never misunderstood anything before. It had all begun in Lord Sesshomaru's castle. The mysteries of his mother's life began unfolding from the very moment he had entered the vast cave.
Shukun found his mother with Rin making a stew pot. The warm and cozy smell of boiling meats and spices filled the young demon's nostrils. He somewhat wrinkled his nose and approached the fire.
"Are you hungry, Lord Shukun?" Rin asked with a vibrant smile. Shukun shook his head.
"No, Rin. Lady Sango, might I have a minute?" Sango stood up silently after tossing in another carrot and followed Shukun to the ledge.
"Well?"
"Is Father nearby?"
"No, can't you tell?" Sango replied. Shukun drew in a whiff of air. He sighed after confirming Sesshomaru's absence.
"Okay, then. What does it mean to be 'in love'?" Shukun asked. Sango frowned.
"Love is not something to be explained." she replied. Shukun removed the flower from his kimono and handed it to her.
"But we can explain expressions of love. For example, I give you a flower every day to demonstrate my love for you, and make the task more difficult by insisting that the flower is different from any other flower I have given you before." he said. "And in turn those expressions explain the love we feel."
"I demonstrate my love for you by keeping each and every flower you've given me." Sango said. "Do you feel unloved?"
"Of course not." Shukun wanted to roll his eyes but refrained from being disrespectful. "How does Inuyasha express his love for you?" Sango started.
"What are you talking about?" she said defensively.
"How does Inuyasha express his love for you?" Shukun repeated.
"Inuyasha doesn't love me. He loves Kagome." Sango lied.
"No, that's certainly not true. Miroku and Kagome have developed a relationship of their own. It taunts Inuyasha nightly." Sango drew in a deep breath.
"He expresses it in words." she whispered softly. "And he embraces me."
"Lord Sesshomaru embraces you also. Does he love you?"
"No, he could never love me."
"How do you know?"
"He told me so." Sango's electric blue eyes were becoming glassy with moisture, though still tears did not fall. She stood up silently and excused herself. Shukun mused silently to himself. He had uncovered more than he had initially anticipated.
When Sesshomaru returned home that afternoon Shukun was waiting for him patiently on the ledge. Sesshomaru approached Shukun, aware that he must have wanted something.
"Was your discussion with Inuyasha productive?" he asked his son.
"Absolutely." Shukun replied. "I would like to talk to you now, if I may." Sesshomaru frowned, but sat down silently and waited.
"What is it?"
"What does it mean to be 'in love'?" Shukun asked. Sesshomaru rose an eyebrow.
"What a foolish question." he said, seemingly disappointed with Shukun.
"Neither Mother nor Lord Inuyasha thought so." Shukun insisted. "Don't you know the answer?"
"Emotions are-"
"But how does it make you feel?" Shukun was being exceptionally persistent. He knew that his father didn't have the answers to his questions. At least he didn't have the answers yet.
"Why would I-"
"You love Lady Sango though, don't you?" Shukun knew that that question would affect his father's defensiveness. He watched Sesshomaru stiffen with uncertainty as he contemplated the answer in his mind. Shukun remained patient in his face, despite the fact that his entire body was racing with anticipation.
"Your mother and I are married, Shukun." Sesshomaru replied carefully. "That is the extent of our relationship."
"I know you didn't marry her because you loved her, but-"
"Enough, Shukun." Sesshomaru commanded.
"Lady Sango loves you very much. But Lord Inuyasha treats her differently than you do." Shukun knew his father was angry with him, but he was determined to get his point across. "He holds her in his arms and tells her that he loves because that's truly how he feels. Love cannot be determined in words alone. It is demonstrated through expression.
"You hold her, but with cold hands and cold eyes, and you don't do it because you love her. You do it because you believe that is how Lady Sango wants to be treated. But the moment she remembers that you don't love her your icy touch is irrelevant." Sesshomaru seemed absolutely shocked. He felt this combination of anger and hatred and betrayal and...guilt. More than anything he felt jealousy. His little brother could make his wife feel happy and loved, something he could not do and the thought overwhelmed him entirely.
"Where is your mother?" Sesshomaru asked coldly, his face void of his inner feelings.
"She went on a walk." Shukun said, standing up. He left Sesshomaru on the ledge. Sesshomaru could smell Inuyasha's lingering presence. He knew that Sango had gone to see him.
A/N: The story is coming to a close. You can anticipate one more chapter and an epilogue. However, I would love to hear your hopes/predictions in regards to Sango's final choice. Keep in mind that the ending is already predetermined and your reviews won't change anything, but I would really like to know what you think and how many people I might surprise with the final result. Your reviews mean very much to me!
Also, I know that I've been really good about updating quickly, but with sophomore year in honors I don't have a ton of free time. So at least for now until further notice you can expect an update at least once a week, rather than every day. Thanks for your patience.
