Warnings for this chapter: depictions of violence and injuries, poisoning, references to slaughter and massacre, family betrayal, vague suicidal inclinations, dismemberment, and vast quantities of emotional pain
Sango's eyes remained fixed on the sword leaning against Inuyasha's shoulder on the other side of the hut. Was she seriously considering stealing Tessaiga? The idea was ridiculous, but what choice did she have? She had no doubt that Naraku was watching them. If she told the others about the trade, she was sure that at least Miroku would be supportive. They would probably try to help her. But Naraku wouldn't let that happen. He would kill Kohaku in a heartbeat. No, she had to figure this out alone.
Tessaiga couldn't be held by demons. That's what Inuyasha had said before. So Naraku wasn't planning on using it, just keeping it from Inuyasha. She could hand over the Tessaiga, rescue Kohaku, and then figure out some way to get it back later. Or, if she was lucky, she would never have to hand over the sword, simply use it to draw out Naraku. She seriously doubted that would work, but she had no choice but to try.
Naraku had said he'd stolen Kohaku's memories. Her brother wasn't in control of his actions, was probably lost and confused. She would do anything to get him back. But would she betray her companions – her friends? Sango tore her gaze away angrily. Across the fire, Inuyasha shifted and looked up at her.
"Sango, what's the matter?" he asked quietly, as to not disturb the sleeping Miroku and Shippo.
"Nothing's wrong," Sango insisted, barely able to keep her voice even. "I just couldn't get to sleep."
Inuyasha's amber eyes flashed with sympathy. "I'm sorry it all had to go down this way. I don't want to kill him, but I have to."
Sango growled. "I already explained to you, Inuyasha – he's not my brother. The Kohaku I knew could never slaughter an entire village. It would go against his very soul." She shook her head, jaw clenching. "I will deal with both Naraku and the imposter."
Sango looked away, obviously distraught, and Inuyasha's eyes darted to Miroku. The monk had been holding the pretence of sleep, but he silently met Inuyasha's gaze.
"How can it be that simple?" Inuyasha asked quietly. "If Kohaku looks exactly the same, can you really turn your heart against him that easily?"
"Don't underestimate me," Sango snapped. "I'm a slayer. I won't fall for Naraku's tricks."
Inuyasha pressed his lips together, catching the anguish mingling with her scent. "If I were in your position, I probably couldn't do it."
Sango looked away, breathing hard, heart beating fast. Inuyasha could smell her distress and itched to do something – anything – to help her. He felt eyes on him again and turned to see Miroku looking back at him, his violet eyes shimmering in the light of the fire. The monk's lips twitched into a sad smile and he gave the merest hint of a shrug. Inuyasha silently agreed. If Sango felt that she had to be the one to kill her brother, then he wasn't about to stop her. Still, he didn't know how she could do it. If it were him and Kikyo… Well, it had been him and Kikyo. And he had run to her, tried to save her, gone back to her again and again, even after she tried to kill Miroku. She was the woman he'd loved, the woman he still loved. He could never lift a finger against her.
To his left, Miroku shifted, brows drawing in. "Inuyasha…" His voice was laced with urgency. "Best be on your guard. We're completely surrounded."
Inuyasha took one sniff of the air an immediately jumped to his feet, cursing. He'd let himself get distracted. The air was thick with the scent of youkai. They rushed outside to see an army of demons of all shapes and sizes, with Kohaku standing at the front. There must have been more than a hundred youkai, from weak worm demons to larger, more vicious predators. Inuaysha clutched Tessaiga in his hand. If they were gonna make it out of this alive, he'd need to use the sword's power again. He hoped he would be lucky.
The slide of wooden beads had him snapping his gaze over to Miroku. The stupid monk had pulled his mala from his hand and was bracing his stance.
"Miroku, what are you doing?" Shippo shrieked from behind them. "Your wind tunnel isn't completely healed!"
"But…" Miroku's eyes flashed around the encroaching demons.
"Forget it, Miroku," Inuyasha growled dangerously. "Don't risk your life over this vermin. All I gotta do is take out their ring leader and the rest will scatter."
Kohaku lifted his arm in a signal, and the first wave of demons broke rank, rushing towards them. Inuyasha leapt forward to meet them, swinging Tessaiga as he did so. He could tell immediately that there was no extra power in his strike, but the sword still cut through several demons. Thankfully they all converged on him, so he didn't have to bother chasing them to strike them down. Hopefully he could concentrate most of the next wave around him and let the others pick off the stragglers.
A heavy chain suddenly wrapped around Tessaiga, and Inuaysha glanced up to see Kohaku pull back on the chain of his kusarigama, the heavy iron weight at the end still winding around the sword. The blade lurched forward as Kohaku pulled and the boy used the momentum to launch himself at Inuyasha. He struck with his kama and Inuyasha could barely block the blows with Tessaiga, backpedalling against the assault. In a particularly powerful swing, the boy's sickle glanced off the side of the blade and its curved underside slid around the side of Tessaiga. Inuyasha instantly pulled the sword back, dragging Kohaku's arm forward and almost breaking his grip on the weapon. Kohaku dropped the kama and caught it with his other hand before jumping back.
"You're gonna need to fight better than that if you wanna take me out!" Inuyasha growled.
Kohaku leapt into the air, swinging back his arm for another strike. Inuyasha grabbed the chain connecting them with his free hand and dragged it down, sending Kohaku slamming into the ground. Inuyasha slid the chain off Tessaiga and jumped after the boy, angling the sword at his chest.
"Don't kill him!" Miroku's desperate shout sounded across the clearing.
Inuyasha swore, and the tip of Tessaiga struck deep into the earth before Kohaku's eyes. The boy sat up, reaching for his weapon, and Inuyasha kicked him harshly in the chest, sending him flying back.
"Damnit!" Inuyasha swore. "I can't cave on this. I gotta kill him – he's just another trap set by Naraku!"
"You're right," Kohaku said, clamouring unnaturally to his feet. "You should kill me. I deserve to die."
Inuyasha's blood ran cold and he took an unconscious step away from the dead-eyed boy.
"I killed them…" Kohaku continued, blankly looking over at Sango. "Father, Eiji, Yasuo, all those villagers. I slaughtered them one by one. I hunted them as they screamed for mercy. I shouldn't be allowed to live."
Eerily slowly, he lifted up his kusarigama and angled the sharp tip of the kama behind him. Then he drove the sickle into his back. He fell forward at the hollow thud and his weapon fell to the ground.
"Hey!" Inuyasha shouted, stumbling toward him on instinct. "What're you doing? What're you trying to prove?"
Kohaku reached over his shoulder and began digging his fingers into the wound on his shoulder blade as though looking for something.
"He's trying to take the Jewel shard out of his body!" Miroku gasped, and Inuyasha stiffened.
Sango stumbled back at the words. The Jewel shard was the only thing keeping Kohaku alive. What on earth was he doing? Was he trying to die? No, he was still under Naraku's control. Cold dread clenched in her stomach. This wasn't a frantic attempt to escape by Kohaku. This was Naraku, reminding her of what he'd demanded she do. Of the consequences if she didn't.
"Don't do it!" she shouted, and Kohaku paused.
She dug into her pocked and frantically grabbed one of the sutras Miroku had given her before. She slapped it onto Hiraikotsu and sent it flying over to where Tessaiga was still stuck in the earth. Her weapon hit the sword broadside, knocking it over and transforming it back with the sutra's spiritual power. While Inuyasha gaped, utterly taken aback, Sango snatched the returning Hiraikotsu from the air and ran forward.
"Sango?" Inuyasha asked, and he sounded unsure.
"Sango?" Miroku echoed, taking a step after her.
Kohaku ran, jumping on the back of a nearby demon as it flew into the air. The remaining demons began to scatter, most of them making their way in a uniform direction. Sango tore her eyes from her brother to Tessaiga, which lay on the ground halfway between her and Inuyasha. She could see his concerned expression, the apprehension in his eyes. Even with the demons in retreat, Sango knew that this was far from over. It was just another test, and if she wavered for even a moment, Kohaku's life was as good as gone.
She ran for the sword, and her heart clenched as Inuyasha simply watched her with a stricken expression. She shouted for Kirara and threw herself onto the twin-tail's back. Kirara immediately went after the demons, trusting that whatever was going on, Sango knew what she was doing. Sango hoped she deserved that trust.
"Wait, Sango!" Inuyasha shouted from the ground. "What the hell're you doing?!"
She clung to Kirara with one hand and Tessaiga with the other. She had to. This was her only option. Chattering rose amongst the demons, and large white orbs began rising from their bodies. Before Kirara could veer away, one of them expanded rapidly and quickly engulfed them. A powerful force ran through them and suddenly, they were gone.
Inuyasha staggered back as Sango, Kirara, and the entire demon hoard disappeared. He shared a bewildered look with Miroku. What the hell had Naraku done to them? But there was still a familiar scent on the wind, a mixture of Sango's sweat, Kirara's soft scent, and the salt of Kohaku's blood.
"I can track them," Inuyasha said as Miroku ran over to him with Shippo on his shoulder. "They're still close by!"
They ran, the tracking slowing down Inuyasha just enough for Miroku to keep pace. He had no idea what Naraku was planning, but Miroku was truly frightened. He still couldn't use the wind tunnel, Inuyasha no longer had the Tessaiga, and… His eyes darted to the bare sliver of moon in the sky. Was it a coincidence? It had to be. If Naraku knew about Inuyasha's transformation, he would have waited another day to send Kohaku after them. As it was, they needed to get in and out as quickly as possible.
The blinding white light around them slowly faded, and then suddenly they were flying through a cloud of miasma. Sango gasped and reached for her mask, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. The cloud still surrounded them, covering the sky in a swirling purple-black fog as far as the eye could see. All the demons surrounding them had vanished, as had Kohaku. But through the thick smog she could see a castle, growing clearer as Kirara approached. Her heart clenched. Was it really-? Kirara landed on the roof of one of the buildings and Sango jumped from her back. The many buildings and covered en all surrounded a courtyard. Across from them stood an achingly familiar structure. She had knelt before the lord's reception room barely a month ago as her father promised to rid the castle of its demon problem.
Kirara growled menacingly beside her, picking up on the ominous aura surrounding the grounds. Sango looked around the seemingly empty area. "Kohaku?" Nothing. "Kohaku!"
"First, put down your weapon." Naraku's voice sounded from one of the buildings, echoing around the courtyard.
Sango watched Kirara carefully as the twin-tail's ears swiveled, but she shook her head. Neither of them could pinpoint the demon. Sango slid down the roof and dropped down to the ground. She lifted Hiraikotsu off her back and tossed it to the ground.
"Try again," Naraku instructed, a tinge of humour in his voice.
Sango growled and hurled Hiraikotsu as hard as she could, sending it crashing into the roof of one of the buildings. There was a chuckle and Naraku appeared, sitting on the edge of the en of the same building, draped in his baboon pelt.
"Well done, Sango," he mocked. "You brought Tessaiga."
Sango's hand clenched around the sword. "Let me see Kohaku. I will only hand over the sword after I see him."
Naraku chuckled. Light flashed from inside the house, momentarily illuminating a shadowy figure kneeling behind the bamboo screen of one of the walls. She couldn't see his face, but Sango knew it was him. Naraku was smart. He wouldn't let her get near Kohaku before she handed over Tessaiga.
"Return Kohaku to his former self," Sango demanded, her voice steely. "Prove that you can do it, or I'll break the Tessaiga here and now."
Naraku cocked his head, and she could hear his smirk. "…No."
She raised the Tessaiga at him, her other hand sliding to her own sword at her hip.
"Killing me won't help," Naraku said smoothly. "You know that already. The Sacred Jewel holds sway over him, not I. It controls all weak beings. It drove the demons to attack your village. It's why your father was killed. It's why your brother's soul now wanders in darkness. It's all part of the Jewel's curse."
"Stop lying!" Sango shouted. "You're the one who killed my father and my people. You're gathering the stupid Jewel. You're responsible for everything!"
"People die because of the Jewel, and people live because of its power," Naraku shrugged. "There's no reason to despise the Jewel the way you do. It saved both you and Kohaku. Now, you have the chance to have your brother returned to you. What will you do?"
"I made no promise," Sango snarled. "You want my answer? Here it is!"
She threw herself forward, bringing Tessaiga down in an arc with her left hand. With her right, she released the hidden dagger pressed against her arm. As Naraku raised his hand to protect against Tessaiga, she slashed at him with the hidden dagger. Naraku jumped back, barely avoiding the blade, and Sango threw Tessaiga through the air, aiming for his throat.
Naraku easily caught the sword and leapt up to meet her. Their blades clashed in the air and Sango was pushed back. She barely landed before springing forward again, fear thrumming through her. Inuyasha said that demons couldn't touch Tessaiga. Was this just another demon puppet? But no, she could sense the youki flowing through him. What was going on?
Naraku jumped back onto the roof and Sango clambered up after him, catching his pelt with her blade and drawing her own sword. She ripped through the baboon skin and Naraku immediately jumped out of reach, back into the courtyard. As he landed, the pelt fell away in tatters, revealing a young man. Sango instantly recognized his face, despite the blue paint delicately drawn around his red eyes.
"You're the young lord of the castle!" she gasped.
"Kagewaki was a noble lord," Naraku said levelly. "He gave all the demon slayers proper burials." A slow smile spread eerily across his face, and his head tilted to the side. "Ah, yes, and I was the one who ordered for your care after the massacre."
"You killed him!" Sango accused viciously.
"Kagewaki is still alive," Naraku smirked. "At least as far as his subjects are concerned. They've been most faithful."
"Damn you!" Sango swore, launching herself from the roof. She attacked with both weapons, slicing and stabbing and abandoning any semblance of fighting fair. She slashed along his robes, tearing fabric but never piercing skin. Naraku slammed Tessaiga against the dagger at her arm, shattering it. Another blow knocked her sword from her other hand and knocked her down onto the ground. She rolled instinctively, moving out of range of Tessaiga. She glanced up, wondering if she could reach her sword before Naraku gutted her.
But she'd forgotten that she wasn't alone. Kirara tore through the air and slammed into Naraku, knocking him to the ground. Her jaws clamped deeply into his shoulder, tearing the flesh from the bone. There was an ominous hiss and Kirara pulled away with a roar. Miasma exploded from the gaping hole at Naraku's shoulder. Kirara hit the ground hard, writhing in agony as she slowly transformed down, trails of miasma frothing from her jaws.
"No, Kirara!" Sango shouted, taking a step forward before Naraku halted her with a predatory glare.
"Nothing can survive my miasma," he smiled, apparently unfazed by the mangled mess of his shoulder. "Not even you, Sango."
She pulled the mask from her robes on pure instinct and jammed it onto her face as miasma shot from Naraku's form. She could feel it stinging her eyes and prickling along her skin, the single breath she'd taken before putting on the mask burning in her lungs and making her lightheaded. She dropped to her knees, lungs heaving as she coughed out the poison air.
"Well, Sango," Naraku's voice rang in her ears. "Will you abandon your brother? Or will you stay here, with him? I seem to recall Kagewaki asking you to return to the castle. One could almost say it was his last command."
"Don't make me laugh, Naraku," she ground out. "My only goal is to destroy you. I will avenge my people. I will kill you!"
Naraku's eyes bore into hers. She could see a twinge of emotion in their depths. He raised a hand and looked past her. "Kohaku, come."
Sango froze. A panel of the wall slid back and Kohaku stepped out onto the en behind her, the chain of his kusarigama trailing behind him. He walked steadily towards her and Sango turned slowly to meet him, ice in her veins. He raised his kama above his head almost uninterestedly.
"And now, sister," he said in a monotone. "Goodbye."
Sango reeled back, barely avoiding the first strike of his kama. But he kept coming and coming, with methodical, calculated precision. The blade slashed along her shoulder, her arm, her side, nicking her neck and wrist. The blows drove her back but she could also see the restraint even as she fell to the ground. The wounds burned and sent black spots flying across her vision, but they were designed to hurt, not kill. Kohaku was toying with her. Naraku didn't want this over quickly.
Wind whistled through the chain as Kohaku pulled the kusarigama back to his hand, catching it deftly.
"Kohaku," Sango pleaded. "Kohaku, please! Snap out of it!"
A creaking sound came from the roof, and Sango saw a red light surrounding Hiraikotsu. It slowly lifted from where it had struck, sliding down the roof and striking the ground not far from her. Sango raised a hand for it, keeping her eyes fixed on Kohaku. He stared back blankly, raising the kama above his head. A small smile formed on her face and she let out a short, humourless laugh.
"What makes him think I'm able to kill you?" Sango asked, addressing both her brother and Naraku, who she was sure was watching from the shadows somewhere in the castle.
She turned from Hiraikotsu and took sever uneven steps towards Kohaku, pulling the mask from her face. She was relatively sure that Kohaku was about to kill her – or Naraku would, if he didn't – but so be it. She wouldn't take up arms against her brother. Not now. Not ever. She reached for him, for her lost little brother. She could have sword she saw something reflected back in those large, brown eyes of his. She managed only another step before collapsing, she shock, pain, and miasma finally getting to her. Even through the haze, she could just make out the quiet words.
"My sister."
Yes, she thought desperately. Kohaku, yes.
"Sango!"
Several shouts came from behind her, frantic and pleading. She pressed herself up off the ground, glanced over her shoulder to where Inuyasha, Miroku, and Shippo were running for her. Shippo slid to a stop in front of Kirara, picking her limp body up off the ground. A chocked-off sound came from in front of her, and Kohaku sank slowly to his knees. His breathing was harsh and ragged, and he was staring at his hands.
Miroku drew a sharp breath, his eyes darting over the scene. Sango was covered in blood, Kirara was barely wheezing breath, and Kohaku was trembling on the ground.
"He made her brother do this to her?" he breathed, and Inuyasha growled next to him.
"Naraku, show yourself!"
Miroku crept forward slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on Kohaku. The boy shuddered but didn't move, didn't lift his gaze. Miroku took Sango gently by the shoulder and waist, pulled her away from Kohaku. She gasped in pain and pushed away from him, moving to kneel on the ground, though she leaned heavily against him. Her eyes were fixed on her brother.
Kohaku had recognized her. Despite everything, Sango almost smiled. He was escaping Naraku's control. He would be able to break free soon, to gain full consciousness. There was still some of her little brother left, and she would never stop fighting to get him back.
A strong wind pulled at them, swirling in a large circle. As it gained strength, dust and dirt were picked up into the air, a thick purple cloud forming around them. Miroku grimaced – miasma. He could smell it in the air when they'd arrived, and apparently it was baked into the very ground. The wall of poison gas quickly gained momentum, turning into a giant twister around them.
"Foolish mortals!" Naraku's voice sounded from somewhere in the castle. "Now you can all die."
Miroku glanced at Inuyasha, but the hanyou shot back a worried look. They couldn't go through the wall of miasma and survive, and the only flying member of their party was currently unconscious in Shippo's arms.
Sango blinked, her eyes falling on her brother. Kohaku… She struggled to sit up.
"Sango, you mustn't move," Miroku said, trying to hold her back.
"Yeah, stay right where you are!" Inuyasha shouted over at them. "I got a thing or two to chew you out for, so don't you dare die on me. Understand?"
Sango ignored both of them, crawling over to where she'd dropped her iron mask before turning back to Kohaku. This was all her fault. She should have known that Naraku would never let them escape. She'd doomed her friends to die. But at least she could give Kohaku a chance. She placed the mask carefully over his face, tying the straps around the back of his head. His eyes shone as he looked up at her, and she liked to think that there was a glimmer of recognition in those eyes.
Miroku watched the siblings, quiet together even as the swirling miasma drew ever tighter around them. As Sango placed a comforting hand on Kohaku's shoulder, a pure, bright light shone from his back. His Jewel shard had been purified. That was it! If this was the real Naraku – and it had to be, his sickening presence permeated every part of this cursed castle – then he had to have some Jewel shards with him. Miroku glanced around desperately, opening his senses as much as possible. A faint pink glow drew his attention to part of the castle. There!
But how could he get to him? He would be dead the instant he stepped into that miasma. He slowly stood, taking a step back toward Inuyasha. Very carefully, he drew a line in the ground which pointed directly at Naraku's hiding place, disguising it as he moved. He grabbed the strap of Hiraikotsu and dragged it closer to Sango, drawing her attention away from Kohaku.
"This isn't over yet," he murmured, barely loud enough for her to hear.
Her eyes darted from Hiraikotsu, to the arrow he'd drawn on the ground, back to his face, and her eyes cleared in understanding.
"Get ready," Miroku murmured to her and Inuyasha, tightening his grip on his staff.
He took a deep, steadying breath. Then he began to chant, quickly and quietly, gathering a wave of spiritual power within himself. He gathered as much of it as he could into the head of his staff and, with one final shout, he slashed through the wall of miasma. It split in two like a curtain, sizzling and sparking as he purified the poison as much as possible. He threw himself to the ground, just as Hiraikotsu hurled over his head. It crashed into the walls of the castle, tearing open the room and exposing Naraku inside.
Inuyasha leapt, instinctually aiming for the weakness of his prey. His claws dug into the flesh of Naraku's left arm and pulled. The muscles already torn from Kirara's bite, the arm easily separated from his body. Naraku stumbled back, crying out in surprise and pain. Miasma shot from the wound and Inuyasha swore and jumped away.
Miroku slapped another sutra on Hiraikotsu and leapt back just as Inuyasha was clear. Sango threw the weapon again and this time it struck Naraku's torso, slicing it in two. Miroku suppressed a shout of victory – they were so close! – but instead he rushed forward, holding his breath as Naraku's miasma flowed thickly from his deteriorating body. In another rush of spiritual power, he brought his staff towards Naraku's head, ready to destroy him. Instead, the curved blade of a kama snagged around his staff, jerking it off course. The sharp head of the staff cut through Naraku's right shoulder, tearing off yet more of his body, but missing his head. The kama pulled back and Miroku was pulled off balance, gasping as he stumbled.
Even with the shroud of spiritual power surrounding him, Miroku could still feel the miasma rush into his lungs. He immediately coughed, sliding his staff out from the kama's grasp and turning to face Kohaku. The boy raised his weapon, eyes hollow. Something slammed into him from the side and Miroku was knocked to the ground, Inuyasha landing on top of him as Kohaku's weapon whizzed over their heads. They both glanced up to see him grab the floating remains of Naraku's head and torso before the demon exploded into miasma. A swirling vortex formed from the poison, dragging them all towards it.
Inuyasha swore and flattened himself further on top of Miroku, digging his claws into the ground. He glanced over to see Sango bracing herself against Hiraikotsu, which she'd plunged into the ground. She shouted a name, and though it was lost in the howling winds, Inuyasha knew that it was Kohaku. But the boy was gone, and so was Naraku.
As the vortex grew stronger, the castle began to dissolve around them, being pulled into the void. Miroku couldn't help but wonder if perhaps Naraku had seen the value in the wind tunnel, after all. He shut his eyes tight against the swirling vortex until it finally cleared. Inuyasha shifted off of him and he blinked, taking in the pale light of dawn shining through the previously murky-purple sky. They lay in the middle of a grassy field, with no trace of the castle around them.
He glanced quickly over his companions. Sango was still holding on to Hiraikotsu, and Shippo was clinging to what looked like Sango's sword, buried deep in the earth. Kirara was wrapped in his other arm. And Inuyasha had something approaching a death grip on Miroku's upper arm, his ears flattened to his head.
"It was a phantom castle," Miroku sighed, looking around. "Look."
A little ways away, approximately where Naraku stood, Tessaiga was sticking from the ground. Lying beside it was Sango's iron mask.
"Do you think Naraku escaped?" Inuyasha asked, quietly sliding Tessaiga back into its sheath and awkwardly picking up the mask.
"Mm. Must have." Miroku scanned the area once more, just to be sure. "I don't sense any Jewel shards."
"Damnit," Inuyasha growled, looking away.
Miroku turned to Sango, who was struggling to her feet. He moved quickly over to her side, Shippo on his heels.
"Sango, where are you going?" he asked gently, taking Hiraikotsu from her hands. "You're badly hurt. You need to rest a while."
"I'm sorry," Sango shuddered, taking a step back. "I can't stay with you any longer."
Miroku frowned, his eyes seeking out hers. "Sango, we all understand that Naraku was threatening the life of your brother. We understand why you took Tessaiga."
"That's why I can't!" Sango gasped, turning on him. "I'll end up betraying you again! As long as Naraku still controls Kohaku, I can't be trusted."
Miroku sighed. "Well, I know that's not true." She stared at him, something pleading in her eyes. "And what is it you intend to do, anyway? Go after Naraku alone? You'll never succeed."
"I don't have any other choice, Miroku," she snapped, voice low and dangerous.
"Yes, you do," he told her firmly. "We're all going to work together to save your brother. He's not an opponent that one person can handle." He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "For now, we need to tend to your wounds."
She looked up at him, raw emotion swirling in her eyes. "But why would you still help me?"
"Aw, that's it!" Inuyasha growled, stalking over to them. "We want you to stick with us 'cause you're not a half-bad fighter, 'cause you have a decent head on your shoulders, and because Naraku screwed you over and hatred is a powerful motivator." He looked away, sighing. "And 'cause you're part of the team. No matter what."
"You see?" Miroku prompted her gently. "Even Inuyasha wants you to stay, and that's something coming from a guy whose sword you stole so easily."
"Don't say that!" Inuyasha whined. "It makes me sound like some bumbling idiot."
"No, you're just generous," Miroku assured, patting him on the back gently.
"Sango, we want you to stay," Shippo murmured, clutching at her kimono. "Don't you like us anymore?"
"Of course I do!" Sango sank down to her knees, looking hopelessly at the kit. "But it's all my fault that this happened, and I might end up doing something like this to all of you again. But…" She glanced up at Miroku, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "But…"
He dropped to his knees beside her and she instantly threw herself into his arms, clutching at his robes and sobbing deeply. He wrapped his arms around her as tightly as he dared, mindful of her wounds, and shot a sorrowful glance at Inuyasha over her head.
"It's going to be alright, Sango," he murmured, gently stroking her hair. "I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but it will be. And for now, we're here with you. You're not alone."
As Miroku gently comforted Sango, Inuyasha turned his attention to Kirara. Shippo had laid her gently on the ground, but the twin-tail wasn't looking good. Her body reeked of miasma and she was struggling to breathe. He didn't know what they could do to help her, but he picked her up and gently cradled her in his arms. Shippo volunteered to search for somewhere to lay low for a while, and Inuyasha gratefully agreed. With two of their party badly injured, Miroku still unable to use his wind tunnel, and the moon disappearing before his eyes, they needed a safe place.
Shippo returned some time later with the discovery of an old, abandoned storehouse not far away. Miroku nodded from where he still sat with Sango and carefully helped her to her feet. They made their way slowly after Shippo until they reached the small hut. A few more tears slipped down Sango's cheeks when Inuyasha gently laid Kirara in her lap.
"What can we do?" she asked, burying her fingers in the ruff around the twin-tail's neck.
"I could try to purify the miasma," Miroku said uncertainly. "Though I don't know how it would react with her youki."
"It's probably best to let her fight it off on her own," Inuyasha murmured. "She just has to hold on."
They quickly cleaned, stitched, and bandaged Sango's many wounds. None were particularly deep, but they looked painful. Miroku frowned, thinking back to the cries of pain that had urged them through the gates of Naraku's castle. These physical wounds may be manageable, but much more damage had been done. By the time he finished, Sango's breathing was audible in the small room.
"Kirara's not the only one suffering from the miasma," Miroku sighed, leaning back on his heels.
"I inhaled some before I could get my mask on," Sango frowned. "What about the rest of you? You went through Naraku's miasma as well."
Miroku shrugged. "I purified most of it before going through it, and we didn't breathe the air there nearly as long as you two. We'll be fine."
After some convincing, Sango lay down and curled around Kirara protectively, with Shippo resting beside them. Inuyasha watched them with sad eyes.
"I can't believe Naraku got to us again," he muttered, careful not to wake them.
"He certainly seems to care more about the Jewel shards than killing us," Miroku agreed.
"But why?" Inuyasha shook his head in confusion. "Why try to bait Sango and Kohaku into fighting each other? What's the gain in that?"
"He's trying to corrupt the Jewel," Miroku explained. "It's exactly what happened to you and Kikyo fifty years ago. If Sango killed her own brother, the shard in his back would be soaked with evil, as it would have been after Kikyo sealed you away. If she hadn't purified and hidden the Jewel, Naraku would have taken it then."
"What a sick bastard," Inuyasha spat. "We're nothing but a game to him."
"He's a fool," Miroku murmured, turning his eyes to Sango and meeting her gaze. He offered her a small smile and continued his conversation with Inuyasha, letting her keep the pretense of sleep. "He's forgotten that other people aren't as vile as he is. Sango would never do what he wants her to. She a kind person, and no matter what, she will always love her little brother."
"Naraku got lucky with him," Inuyasha said. "He knows that we're too strong as a group to fight each other, so he's trying to throw whatever he can at us. I still can't believe he tried to recruit Sesshomaru."
"Luckily, I don't think he'll go after your brother again," Miroku nodded, then smiled ruefully. "Or Mushin."
Inuyasha chuckled. "That old monk would give him what-for if he did."
Sango lifted her head, apprehension in her eyes. "Naraku's getting stronger."
"How do you mean?" Inuyasha asked. "Because he can control Kohaku?"
Sango shook her head. "It's not only that. Inuyasha…" She bit her lip, hard. "He could hold the Tessaiga. It didn't transform for him, but you said that no demons were supposed to be able to even touch it."
Inuyasha rocked back as though struck. He exchanged a bewildered look with Miroku. How? How was that possible?
"Do you think he's somehow using the Jewel shards to do it?" Miroku asked.
"Sesshomaru needed a human arm just to touch it," Inuyasha shook his head. "I don't know."
Miroku reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well, one thing's for certain – Naraku may have his tricks, but we almost destroyed him today. It will take him quite some time to recover. He's not the only one who's powerful."
The others smiled gratefully, but Inuyasha knew that none of them were particularly convinced. They settled down for a nap, in preparation for the long night ahead. Inuyasha had a feeling that Naraku wouldn't be long for long, and something sinister was in store.
I just wanted to check in with everyone regarding a few things. First of all, please let me know if there are specific warnings you would like included at the beginnings of relevant chapters. And always feel free to message me if you see a warning and would like more information about it, to know where it pops up so you can skip it, or just a chapter summary if that works better. Secondly, what do you think of the general length of the chapters? Other than outliers such as episode 28 (Mushin's temple), most of them are 6-8,000 words. Do you prefer them longer, shorter, with more added scenes, or mostly sticking to episode-related stuff? As always, I rely on your feedback. Thanks so much! Take care everyone!