Warnings continued for this chapter: serious injury, entitlement, abandonment issues, tooth-rotting fluff
Miroku woke to a warm fuzziness in his limbs and a happy satisfaction in his mind. He opened his eyes slowly, taking in the low dawn light of the hut, and the soft, sleeping features of Inuyasha right beside him. The townspeople had insisted that they stay until they were healed, and no one had been inclined to reject their offer. It had been another eventful few days, and everyone had been injured. They had wanted to help rebuild the parts of the town that had been destroyed in the battle against the cats, as well. Though no one said it, Miroku also knew that they wouldn't be leaving before Kouga.
The wolf surprisingly appeared to have upheld his promise made to Miroku shortly after his abduction, and had gone out of his way not only to keep his wolves from eating any humans, but went so far as to protect them in the battle. Still, Miroku knew that the others, particularly Inuyasha, were keen to keep an eye on him, and there was no telling whether the townspeople would be gracious hosts. But both sides had been remarkably amiable, with the wolves hunting for the humans and the demons helping to rebuild the town as well. As familiarity grew, the townspeople had been increasingly insistent on helping to treat the wolves' wounds, and there had been more than a few belly rubs passed around. By the time Kouga had announced that it was time for them to leave, the townspeople seemed genuinely upset at the notion.
Inuyasha had been on his best behaviour, and hadn't threatened Kouga once as they said goodbye. Kouga had made a few light jabs about finding Naraku first, but no one was particularly ruffled. Miroku had suggested that they could be on their way as well, but Inuyasha had grumbled at the idea, eyeing the heavy rain which had been falling non-stop for the past few days. The town seemed in no rush to be rid of them, and they were still technically recovering from battle – though their wounds were minor and healing well, and Inuyasha's injuries were no more than barely-visible scars – so they agreed to stay for at least another night. The townspeople had thrown them another feast in thanks after Miroku had placed warding sutras around some of the houses, and they had gone to bed with full stomachs and light hearts.
It was rare for Miroku to wake before Inuyasha, and often opened his eyes to be greeted with a warm amber gaze, so he revelled in the chance to watch his partner as he slept. Inuyasha's features were relaxed and softened, making him look younger. One arm was slung over Miroku's belly, the claws resting lightly on his skin, twitching occasionally as he dreamed. The light of the dying fire cast moving shadows over his face and set his hair shining like starlight. Miroku felt his heart swell with love and affection, and indescribable gratitude for having such a gift.
One of Inuyasha's ears twitched and a moment later he opened his eyes. He blinked sleepily up at Miroku and offered him a sloppy, contented smile. Miroku's lips stretched in kind and he could feel heat rising in his cheeks. Inuyasha shifted slightly so he could press his brow against Miroku's shoulder and promptly drifted off back to sleep. Miroku fought the urge to tense at the overwhelming emotions rolling through him, such a powerful feeling even after so long. It never failed to fill him with awe, the thought that Inuyasha was his partner. He breathed through the feeling, giddy with it but not smothered by it as he had once been. Instead he felt as light as air, and was glad for the arm curled around him to keep him pinned to the earth.
Miroku watched for a long time, as the rain pattered against the roof and the faintest bustle of early morning life began to stir in the town around them. Eventually Inuyasha stretched, making a low sound in his throat, and pressed his nose into Miroku's cheek. Miroku chuckled and pressed a kiss to his nose, then his lips, and Inuyasha smiled, dropping all pretense of sleep.
"Good morning," he greeted warmly.
"Good morning," Miroku echoed, his cheeks aching from the strength of his smile.
They sat up unhurriedly and watched Sango shifting in her bed, Kirara busy grooming herself on the blankets beside her. Inuyasha glanced outside and immediately groaned at the sight of the gloomy sky. The rains seemed even heavier than the day before.
"You know," he said loftily. "There are a few more houses that could use some repairs. I would have to leave the townspeople to clean up all on their own."
Sango nodded serenely, biting the inside of her cheek to disguise her smile. "I wouldn't mind tending to my weapons a little before we left."
Miroku didn't bother with any such pretenses. "I hear the town keeps excellent records. I might go through them and see if there's anything of note, if we're going to be here anyway."
Inuyasha pushed to his feet. "Great. I'm going to find some food."
xXx
The small tasks they'd found to do conveniently lasted for the majority of the day, and they graciously accepted the invitation to stay another night. Miroku was the only one still occupied in the evening, still going through the town records. They'd been far more helpful than he'd originally suspected, and he was pouring over the various means by which they had kept their sanctuary hidden from both humans and demons in the decade or so since the first group of soldiers had fled to this area. Miroku's mind whirled as his eyes darted from record to record, ideas dancing around in his head. He hummed as he sat back on his heels. "Darling?"
Inuyasha lowered his bowl of food and looked over at him. "Love?"
"Have you seen that larger scroll, my dear?" Miroku asked absently. "The one with the red-painted ends?"
"Mm." A grin was slowly spreading across Inuyasha's face. "It's probably in the box they brought back to the headman's hut, sweetheart."
"Ah, thank you, starlight," Miroku said serenely.
"Anytime, lover."
Sango glanced between the two of them with a dead-eyed glare. "You two are disgusting."
Miroku laughed quietly to himself as he began gathering the records together into the various boxes they'd been stored in. The boxes told of the diversity of people that had found their way to the town – some were finely crafted, painted with characters or depicting landscapes and people, while others were hastily thrown together, anything to hold the history of their former village as they fled the war that threatened it. Miroku wondered how many other similar refuges were scattered around, outside the reach of warlords and uprisings and conflict. He shook his head, casting off the melancholy thoughts. The people here were safe, and that's what mattered. He picked up one of the larger, rougher boxes and hissed as something dug into one of his fingers. He set the box down with a clatter and Inuyasha's head whipped around, immediately seeking out the source of the small jolt of pain. Miroku picked the splinter from his skin and watched the small bead of blood which rose in its place. Inuyasha's eyes were fixed on him, clearly fighting to keep himself from rushing over.
"Don't worry," Miroku said, shooting him a reassuring smile. "I think I'll live."
The tension drained from Inuyasha's shoulders and he grinned. "You sure?"
"I don't know," he hummed with faux seriousness. "It's a grievous wound, indeed. Why, I don't know if I can stand it!"
Inuyasha pushed himself to his feet and walked over, taking Miroku's hand and pressing a kiss to his finger. "Better?"
Miroku tried unsuccessfully to bite down his smile. "I don't know. I'm starting to feel weak."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and obligingly wrapped Miroku in an embrace. He breathed out through his teeth, the scent of his partner and the feel of him in his arms helping him to shove his prickling youki back down. Miroku held onto him until the lingering strain in his muscles disappeared, and Inuyasha blinked gratefully at him as they pulled apart.
"What do you think?" Miroku whispered. "Do you think I'll make it through the night?"
"We'll see," Inuyasha murmured, low and hushed against his lips. "I'll have to keep careful watch over you, just to be sure."
"For pity's sake," Sango muttered, shaking her head.
Miroku immediately turned to her with a wild sweep of his arms. "Sango, I'm injured!"
"You're melodramatic, is what you are."
"Come on," Inuyasha said, grabbing the heaviest of the boxes – including the one that Miroku had previously been holding, though no one thought it worth mentioning. "I'll help you take these back to the headman."
They were drawn into conversation with the headman as they dropped off the records, and chatted for quite some time about the history and future of the town. Apparently, Kouga had told the headman privately that, even though this area was far from the pack's territory, the town was now under their protection. The wolves had scent-marked the area, and it should be enough to keep most other demons at bay. The headman explained that he had extended a similar offer, stating that they would be willing to provide shelter or aid to any of the Yorozoku or to Inuyasha and his companions if the need arose.
"And what of that other young man?" the headman asked. "The one with the white robes? He saved a number of my people from being recaptured by those cat demons. I want him to know that the offer stands for him as well."
Inuyasha grimaced. "He's not exactly one you want hanging around, even if he did see it worth his while to accept your aid. I doubt he'll harm anyone unless you give him reason to, but he's not a friend to humans."
The headman frowned. "Odd. I had heard differently, but of course, you would know better than I. I thank you once again for your council."
They bade him goodnight and made their way back to their hut. Night had fallen, and though the rains had eased up slightly, the air was still cool with lingering winter and they were eager to be back inside. They found Sango and Kirara already in bed, a fire burning brightly in the irori with their own futon dragged closer and the blankets neatly made up. Miroku glanced over at Sango, who held all the appearances of being asleep.
"You're not subtle, Sango," he called out to her, and watched the grin spread across her face 'in her sleep.'
Inuyasha stripped out of his damp robes and laid them down to dry by the fire before crawling into bed. He held out an arm for Miroku to join him and contentedly wrapped himself around him as they settled down. The wave of happy emotions washed over him, carried in his partner's scent, and he pressed his lips into Miroku's hair to breathe them in. When he'd started the relationship with Miroku, he'd expected the sex – how could he not, with this lecher as his lover? – but it was moments like this, the casual intimacy with no thoughts of it leading somewhere else, of touching not to satisfy burning lust but just to feel and hold, that still baffled him.
xXx
It was raining as hard as it had the day before, but they could no longer justify staying in the town. They waved goodbye to a host of people, who shouted thanks and advice at them until they disappeared from view. Miroku and Sango had been given sugegasa hats to protect them from the rain, but the cone-shaped hat crushed Inuyasha's ears, so he decided to go without. Instead, he accepted a small blanket to cover Kirara with as they walked, so she would hopefully stop growling at the sky.
Despite the rain and the chill in the air, they maintained ruggedly high spirits as the morning wore on. They had planned a long route back to Kaede's village, and were in no particular hurry. Inuyasha wove his fingers through Miroku's from time to time, squeezing lightly and watching the smile that blossomed on his lips every time. Every so often, that hand would tug gently from his and reach around to squeeze somewhere else. Inuyasha bit his lips and shot him a glare.
"You need to stop grabbing my butt every hour of the goddamn day!"
Miroku's brows raised in intrigue. "And why's that?"
"Because I don't have time to have sex with you every hour of the goddamn day, and that makes you a dirty tease!" He took in the utter lack of shame, the self-satisfied expression of his partner and his lip curled. "Wipe that smug smile off your face!"
Miroku couldn't hide his grin any longer, despite the wide-eyed innocent expression he struggled to maintain. "Who, me?"
From a little ways down the path, Sango smiled as she watched them, though it wasn't as bright as it usually was. She was so happy to see them together, knowing that in this mess of their lives, they'd managed to find something special to hold on to… It was just that sometimes it hurt a little as well. She didn't begrudge them their love – never! – and she would never wish otherwise, but sometimes it made the hollow ache in her chest just that much more pronounced. She didn't know what exactly she longed for; it could be a little brother, so far out of reach; it could be the life she'd once known, balanced between peace and excitement; it could be something she had yet to find for herself, a lover or a family that hadn't yet crossed her mind before Naraku ripped everything else away. She loved their strange little group with all her heart, and she was eternally grateful to have them in her life. But she knew with an immovable certainty that this wasn't what she had wanted her life to be.
She had been one of the finest slayers in her village. She hadn't been the first woman to take up a weapon in defense of their people, but she had been the only one to try and make a living from it. Even at such a young age, she had fought tooth and nail to prove that she was good enough, that she deserved the recognition and respect of her peers. That was what she had wanted. That was what she had strived for. And then it had all been ripped away, and she had been left on a desperate scramble for survival. And she wondered, sometimes, what it meant for the path of her life. The question brought with it the painful uncertainty that had been plaguing all of them incessantly. If they did manage to defeat Naraku, what then? When would it even be? Who would be left standing? Would Kohaku be there with her? Would Miroku and Inuyasha, her new brothers, survive? And afterwards, what would she do with her life? It was almost freeing, in a way – with everything gone, no matter what life she chose, she would have to build it from nothing. Therefore, she could choose whatever it was she wanted, and it would be equally as difficult as everything else. But the boundless options all seemed intangible, so far away with the looming presence of Naraku between her and any of them.
They had all agreed that it was better to focus on the here and now, to not try and look beyond such an already-monumental task, especially when they had no idea where their path would take them. They were united by a certainty of Naraku's eventual demise, no matter what it took, no matter how long. Sango knew that it was pointless to try and plan for anything in the future, but that didn't stop it from hovering, unanswered in her mind.
Sango saw Inuyasha's ears twitch as he slowed to a stop, and it didn't take long for her to hear it as well. Hoofbeats thundered over the steady pounding of the rain, and they were approaching rapidly. There was no youki around, no immediate threat, but Sango's hand still found its way to the hilt of her sword as she and the others stepped to the side of the road. A group of soldiers was marching towards them, led in front by three men on horseback. They stopped in front of Sango and one of the men slid off his horse to kneel before her. She stared as the uneasiness rapidly shifted to shock at the gesture. The man was a samurai, dressed in fine armour and bearing the diamond-pattered regalia of one of the ruling clans. The others quickly dismounted, and they and the foot soldiers also dropped to their knees.
"Would you be Sango the demon slayer?" the man asked, almost reverently. Sango opened her mouth, but no sound came out as her mind scrambled to catch up.
"Yes, this is Sango," Miroku answered after a beat, his features schooled into a blank mask, though she could see how tightly he gripped his staff.
"I am Takedake Kashi of the Asahi Court," the man continued. "I speak on behalf of the Takeda Clan. We have sought you out, sama, on the orders of our master, for he wishes to speak with you."
"With me?" Sango asked warily. "What about?"
"Perhaps it would be better to speak inside," Kashi said, standing. "Will you accompany us to a rest house?"
"Of course," she answered, though she still felt like there was something deeply amiss.
"I regret to inform you that it is some distance away," Kashi continued. "Would you like to ride on my horse?"
"I can walk," she said quickly, feeling heat rise in her cheeks.
"And what of your…" His eyes darted to Miroku and Inuyasha. "Companions?"
"We'll all follow you," she said, more firmly this time.
The man bowed and moved to speak with the other mounted soldiers. Sango felt Miroku come to stand by her side and she sent him a perplexed look. One of the riders left the party in the direction they had come from, while the rest of the soldiers readied to march. They followed the strange entourage to a rest house as promised. While the rest of the soldiers waited outside in the rain, Kashi ordered for tea to be brought to Sango and the others. Though they were grateful for the warmth, none of them could shake the tense atmosphere hovering around them.
"I have been asked to request your assistance in a rather urgent matter, Sango-sama," Kashi said. "We require your aid as a slayer to destroy a demon that plagues our castle nightly. We will not question your methods, even if they should cause destruction to property or structures, and if necessary, we will evacuate the castle."
He reached into his armour and pulled out a black cloth sack the size of his head. The sound of coins clinking together filled the room as he set it on the ground in front of her, and Sango's eyes widened impossibly further.
"Consider this an advance payment for your services," Kashi continued. "After the demon is destroyed, you will receive the other half of the sum. Does this seem like a satisfactory offer? What do you say?"
"No!" Sango said, perplexed. "We can't possibly accept! That's far too much money!"
"Let's not be hasty," Miroku said immediately. "We might as well hear them out, at least."
Sango shot him a quelling glare – it didn't matter what kind of demon it was! That was a ridiculous amount, and she would never be able to take it!
"I'm afraid I must insist," Kashi said gravely. "We desperately require your aid."
"I am not refusing the task," she clarified quickly. "Only the payment. My companions and I will be happy to oblige for even a tenth of that amount!"
"That will not be necessary!" a new voice called through the open door of the rest house.
A young man dressed in regal robes sat on top of a horse which stood just outside the rest house. Though the man had no identifying regalia, the same four-diamond crest was seared into his saddle. The rider that had left earlier was behind him. It was already odd enough for such a large procession to have sought them out, but for the daimyō himself to come?
"It has been far too long, Sango," the lord said as he strode easily inside.
Sango bowed deeply, though her mind was racing. "Do I know you?" she asked hesitantly.
The lord laughed easily and loudly, apparently delighted at this answer. "I can't blame you for not remembering me. It was such a long time ago, after all. But rest assured, I remember you."
He stepped forward and Sango rose to her feet, unsure of what else to do. The lord took her hands and she stood frozen.
"Come," he said freely. "Let us retire to the castle. There, we can speak in leisure and become reacquainted with one another."
Sango inconspicuously slid her hands from his as she stepped back to bow. The lord paid the owner of the rest house double and walked back outside, apparently not in need of a response. Inuyasha shrugged at Sango's confused look, and they followed him through the door. More soldiers had joined the initial group during their short time inside. As the lord mounted his horse once more, four soldiers immediately stepped forward with an ornate norimono resting on their shoulders. Sango's eyes widened as she took in the litter, more so as Kashi opened the door and gestured inside, apparently waiting for her.
"No!" she spluttered, shaking her head vehemently. "There's no need for that! I can walk. It's not a problem."
"Nonsense," the lord said. "I wouldn't dream of having you walk such a long way, and in the rain as well?"
"I must insist," Sango answered firmly. "I will walk with my companions. It will not be a problem."
The lord stiffened for a moment before he threw his head back and laughed heartily. "As you will," he said easily. "May I suggest some horses instead? We will not reach the castle before nightfall, otherwise."
"Kirara," Sango whispered. "Help."
Kirara immediately sprang down from Inuyasha's arms and transformed. The horses, including the lord's, reared back in a fright. Sango climbed on her back and Miroku and Inuyasha walked over to her side, though they didn't join her just yet.
"We will follow your lead," Sango told the lord.
xXx
The castle was grand and rich, though obviously built in the newer style of a warlord's defensible fortress. Despite the lush gardens and ornate paintings around the courtyard, they were surrounded by thick outer walls lined with guards. The sight, however, sparked memories in Sango's mind. She had been there before. The castle had grown some since her first visit, but it was still recognizable. Servants rushed to greet their lord and take his horse as they arrived. They eyed Kirara warily, but bowed regardless. Sango accepted the cloth that was handed to her and dried herself off before she and the others followed the lord into a vast reception room. Even more servants were waiting for them, and the lord greeted them regally. Eventually, they settled down to talk.
"Please allow me to introduce myself properly," the lord said, still smiling. "I am Takeda Kuranosuke, lord of Asahi and your humble servant."
"I admit that I remember you now, my lord," Sango said. "You look…different now."
The lord laughed brightly at this. "I should hope so! I had such a terrible cold back then. I'd hate to think that that was the image of me you held for six long years, so pale and sickly!"
Sango kept her mouth shut because that was, in fact, how she'd remembered him. In all honesty, she hadn't taken much notice of the snotty-nosed young boy back then. She'd been so focused on her task, on proving herself worthy of her place on her father's team. Had it really been six years ago?
"You don't know how lucky you are to have had her in your company," the lord said, turning to Inuyasha and Miroku. "My father originally hired the slayers to combat a demon that had been plaguing our castle. Though they all fought with skill and poise, Sango outshone them all. I could see her beauty even from my vantage point, and her courage and grace was utterly awe-inspiring."
"Indeed," Miroku inclined his head, keeping his voice level. Inuyasha was practically vibrating beside him, struggling to contain his hilarity at the entire situation. "Sango has been invaluable to our party."
"I must admit," the lord said slowly. "I have never seen such a company before. What is your purpose in travelling together?"
"Our business is the same as Sango's," Miroku answered.
"We slay demons together," Sango added. "They will be working with me to protect your castle, my lord."
"Ah," the lord nodded. "The matter at hand, of course. But you must know that the peril of my home is not the only reason I sought you out."
Sango swallowed. "My lord?"
"I will get to the point," the lord said, coming to kneel in front of Sango and taking her hands in his once more. "Sango, once you have vanquished the trouble from my castle, I pray you will do the same for my heart. Stay here with me, and become my wife!"
Inuyasha almost burst out laughing, and barely contained himself. Sango's mouth dropped open as all coherent thought flew from her mind. This couldn't be happening! He couldn't be serious!
"M-my lord," she stammered. "I-"
"I knew from the very moment I saw you that you were the woman who would be my wife," the lord continued.
"But you are a lord!" she said. "Surely there must be someone of higher rank, another noble…"
The lord shook his head firmly. "Sango, I will marry you and no one else!" He pushed to his feet, regaining his smile. "Though I will not press you for an answer now. I will leave you to dine and rest – the demon will arrive after nightfall. Until then, I await your good news!"
He left, ordering for food to be brought and rooms to be prepared. As he disappeared from view, Inuyasha began to laugh quietly.
"That was the last thing I was expecting!" he said gleefully. "Oh Sango, your face!"
No one else thought the situation was quite so amusing. Cold panic had infested Sango's mind as she grappled with what had just happened. Miroku watched her carefully. The servants bustled around them, pouring more tea, offering sake, and sometime later, coming in with trays piled high with food. Sango watched in mild horror at the several exorbitant dishes laid before her, especially when compared to the simple fish, rice, and miso soup placed in front of Inuyasha. Miroku was presented with tofu and beans instead of a fish, which he gratefully accepted, though it made him wonder.
"So," he said conversationally as they were left alone to eat.
"So!" Inuyasha echoed. "Sango, I hope you're willing to share! It's not my fault that you're the one being wooed, and I'm hungry!"
"Help yourself," Sango muttered. "I don't have much of an appetite."
"There's nothing preventing us from taking advantage of the hospitality of our host," Miroku said slowly. "We're providing a service for him, after all."
"I can't lead him astray," Sango said quietly. "He must know my answer. I just…" She closed her eyes. "I never expected this from anyone, let alone a lord! Let alone a lord who knows I'm a slayer!"
Inuyasha frowned, lowering his fish. "What would that have to do with anything?"
"I'm not exactly the same as a noblewoman," she explained stiffly.
"So what?" Inuyasha shrugged. "You can hold your own and protect what's yours! Anyone would be lucky to have a partner like you!"
"Humans' ideas regarding women's roles in partnership are a little different from that of demons," Miroku said quietly. "However, Sango, he's right. You're strong, and you will find someone who appreciates that."
Sango shook her head and pushed to her feet. "I need some air. I'll be back in a while."
She ignored the confusion on Inuyasha's face, the apprehension on Miroku's, and waved Kirara down when she moved to accompany her. She needed to be alone, to try and figure out the jumbled mess in her head. She slipped through the door and stepped out onto the en, surprised to see that the rains had ceased. The sun shone through the gardens, reflecting off the pond and the raindrops still gathered on the leaves. She took in a deep breath, letting the fresh air help calm her. It was a moment later that she was aware of eyes on her. She reached for her sword as she turned, and froze when she saw the lord looking at her from further down the en.
"My lord," she bowed, and kept her expression neutral as he started towards her.
"Did you come to seek me out?" he asked.
"I was just admiring your garden," she said, deflecting. He didn't seem to mind.
"Yes," he smiled. "I take some great pride in it. In times such as these, with all the strife and horror in the world, we must cherish the beauty we are able to cultivate."
Sango swallowed. She didn't know what to do. How could she turn down a lord without getting them all into trouble? And besides that, he seemed kind. She didn't want to hurt him. They had met their fair share of horrid warlords in their travels, but this one seemed decent. He was surprisingly young, as well – perhaps a year or two older than herself.
"I will not press you for an answer," the lord said suddenly. "But perhaps we may walk together?"
She bowed. "As you wish, my lord."
He shook his head. "I'll have no more of this 'my lord' business. Please, call me Kuranosuke. I would have you be my equal, Sango."
She couldn't meet his eye. She had never expected anything like this, and she was completely unprepared. She realized that she had never really been courted before – certainly nothing beyond some light flirting. Most of the other slayers had seen her as a comrade in arms rather than someone to be pursued, and being the daughter of the chief hadn't helped any. Give her something to kill any day, but in this strange delicate dance, she was lost. She was still baffled that anyone, let alone a lord, would want to have a slayer as a wife. And, now that the opportunity was presented to her, she did want a family. She did want to settle down, eventually. She wanted a home, surrounded by loved ones. Whether that home happened to be a castle was another matter entirely. Would she ever be comfortable as a lady? Would this lord expect her to act as such? She brushed the thoughts from her mind. It didn't matter. She didn't know this man. She had no regard for him, other than the respect he had shown her and her friends. As they walked along in the painful splendor of the garden, Sango knew her answer.
xXx
Miroku left Inuyasha and Kirara to their meal and wandered around the castle grounds. He had the guards show him where the demon had attacked previously and learned what he could from anyone who had seen it. From what they said, it sounded like a bear demon, possibly one with a Jewel shard driving its ferocity. However, the accounts didn't seem to add up. The demon didn't behave as he would have expected. He walked along the courtyard to view the sporadic tracks the demon had made, knelt down to trace a hand along the deep gouges in the earth from the bear's giant claws. He looked up to see Sango leaning against the rails of a bridge over a koi pond, staring moodily into the water. He quickly abandoned the tracks to walk over to her, and she sighed when she saw him.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
"I'm fine," she said, though her voice was flat. "I'm just thinking."
"The lord?"
"He was called away to attend to some business," she shrugged. "He said he'll be back soon."
Miroku glanced up at the sun, which was crawling its way towards the horizon. "It won't be too long until nightfall. We can focus on the demon after that."
She nodded wordlessly. He didn't know what else to say to her, what she might need, so he left her to her thoughts and went to track down the castle records. He ran into the lord instead. Miroku bowed deeply and went to move past him, but the lord barred his way.
"Hoshi-sama," the lord said warmly. "Can I help you with anything? Are you looking for alms?"
Miroku chased the surprise from his features. "I'm not that kind of monk. I believe Sango mentioned that I work with her to combat demons."
"Indeed," the lord said. "I must say, I haven't heard of many warrior Buddhists. Is that a common profession?"
"It is a necessity," Miroku answered calmly. "I was looking for information regarding the previous demon attacks. Perhaps you could tell me a little more of the history of this castle?"
"The Takeda Clan has been the ruling family here for over a decade," the lord said. "We have had more trouble from other humans than from demons, truth be told."
"Indeed," Miroku nodded. "I am led to understand that your presence in Musashi has been hotly contested by others such as the Hōjō Clan."
"They are the main reason for my being here," the lord sighed. "My uncle, Takeda Shingen, has been focused on expanding to the north and fighting other daimyō, so I must ensure that my family in Kai are not overrun while he's away."
"I imagine the demon has not been helping matters."
"No," the lord smiled. "It has not. And it is only one of many challenges we have faced here. This past year has seen more demons on the move than anyone can remember. It could be the wars, but I fear otherwise."
Miroku surveyed him thoughtfully. "Is that why you want a slayer as your wife?"
The lord whirled on him. "I would not have you suggest such a thing. I asked Sango because I love her! I would never be driven by petty means in this, or any other regard!"
Miroku bowed hastily. "My apologies, my lord. I had to be certain."
The lord sighed. "You have no need to apologize. I value your care for her, hoshi-sama." It was his turn to scrutinize Miroku. "You are a monk, are you not?"
Miroku inclined his head, unsure exactly what the lord was asking.
"You seem to be quite close to her," he continued loftily. "I saw you speaking earlier. She seems to hold you in high regard."
"We have travelled together for some time," Miroku said levelly. "And fought many battles side-by-side."
"Indeed," the lord said. "And in that light, I must ask your advice. Do you believe my affections to be in vain?"
Miroku schooled his features as he shifted awkwardly. "I cannot speak for her. That is something you will have to ask her yourself."
"I suppose so," the lord said, turning back to look at the gardens. "She speaks for herself, does she not? I do not believe anyone else could claim to do so."
Miroku wished he didn't understand the implication. "I certainly have no claim to her, my lord."
"No," he said airily. "I don't suppose an itinerant monk would be able to marry. What different lives we must lead."
"My lord."
"I have much to offer her, you know," the lord continued casually. "I can give her anything she desires. I have fortune and status, yes, and I have been told that I am not a burden to look upon. But I believe that she seeks something greater than that." He glanced at Miroku. "I can offer her a home. I heard of what befell the slayers, and I cannot tell you how my heart went out to her. It is by some miracle that she was spared."
Miroku didn't answer. He didn't know what to say.
"I will not take up any of your time," the lord said suddenly. "Please inform me if there is anything you should need to prepare for tonight. I will take my leave."
Miroku held his bow until the lord had disappeared from view. He didn't know what to make of it. Had the lord truly thought he posed some kind of threat to his chances with Sango? He'd certainly seemed to want to stress Miroku's status as a monk. He supposed, in the end, it didn't matter. Sango would decide what she would decide.
Almost against his will, Miroku's eyes wandered back to the rooms the lord had provided for them. He wondered if Inuyasha was there, or if he was still eating in the dining hall. He'd seemed unconcerned about the whole affair, and Miroku wished he could say the same. But the lord's words, while intended to ward off any relationship with Sango, still rang in his mind. An itinerant monk, indeed. No fortune. No status. No home. Indeed.
He made his way to the rooms, intent on meditating before nightfall. They would all need to be on their guard for when the demon came, and he knew that he wasn't the only one to feel the stress of their situation. He slid the door open and found Inuyasha sprawled lazily across the floor, his head propped up in one hand and the half-eaten remains of a sweet bun in the other. He made a noise of greeting through his full mouth and Miroku smiled despite himself as he sat down next to him. He waved off the offered bun and instead poured himself a cup of tea.
"What's wrong?" Inuyasha asked, swallowing a large bite of food before saying more clearly "You smell sad."
"I'm just thinking about Sango," Miroku shrugged. "I spoke with her earlier. She said she was thinking over the lord's proposal."
"I wouldn't worry about that!" Inuyasha said breezily. "She'll never accept. She's as committed to finding Naraku as we are! And there's still Kohaku to consider. Besides, she doesn't even know this lord! Why the hell would she marry him?"
"He could offer her aid," Miroku pointed out. "A safe place to come back to between missions. She could have access to armies, money, resources that we could only dream of. They were able to track her down – it might be her best hope of finding Kohaku."
Inuyasha frowned, pushing himself up to a seated position. "She wouldn't marry him just for that!" He paused. "Would she?"
"I don't believe so," Miroku shrugged.
"She's not going to leave us," Inuyasha said more insistently. "She can't!"
"It's her decision," Miroku reminded him. "We have no right to sway her either way. She has to do what's right for her, whatever will bring her happiness."
"But Naraku!" Inuyasha said almost pleadingly.
"Naraku shattered the life she once had. He stole her future. She has been working to stop him because she has no choice in the matter. The lord may not be a way out, but he may be a way forward. She wouldn't have to wander around anymore. She could focus her efforts on finding Kohaku, and join us in battling Naraku whenever he appears. It's not impossible for her to incorporate this into her life."
Inuyasha growled softly, and his eyes flashed red. He immediately squeezed his eyes shut, and blew out a long breath through his teeth. Miroku watched him carefully.
"Are you alright?"
"M'fine," Inuyasha mumbled, running a hand down his face. "It's just getting harder to control. Whenever there's a threat to my pack…"
Miroku looked at him sadly. "You know we can't stop her if she chooses to go."
Inuyasha sighed heavily. "I know."
xXx
"Sango," the lord called out softly to her, and she turned.
"My lord."
"Kuranosuke," he corrected, and she dipped her head in acknowledgement. He came to stand beside her, looking over the colours of the sunset painted across the water. "Sango, I believe I have not made my intensions clear, and for that I must apologize."
"You have made yourself perfectly clear," Sango said haltingly. "And I have to tell you-"
"With the state of the world as it is, there are few people I can trust," he interrupted smoothly. "Demons abound, mortals kill each other with no regard for life and resort to trickery and betrayal. Some might call this a hell on earth, but I refuse to accept this. I cannot be satisfied in a world of greed and bloodlust. When I became lord, I swore that I would live my life by the beauty I may find. I serve my people as best I can. I fight no one who hasn't a quarrel with me. And I will marry only one I truly love, with all my heart and soul."
"But why me?" Sango asked quietly.
"I have been told that I am an excellent judge of character," the lord said, chuckling to himself. "I see you to be a kind, smart, vibrant soul. I believe in your goodness, just as I marvel at your beauty. Sango." He took her hands in his. "I love you. I truly, deeply love you, and I would be honoured if you would be my wife."
"Thank you," she said slowly. "I am honoured, and flattered to hear how you feel… But I'm afraid I can't accept."
He looked puzzled. "Whyever not?"
"There is so much I have to do before I can even consider marriage. I have a mission to complete, one which may take years. It will be very difficult to accomplish, perhaps even impossible, but it is what I must do." She swallowed hard, pushing down the emotions that rose at the image of Kohaku's tear-filled eyes, of Miroku's pale sweat-dappled face, of Inuyasha's crimson gaze as he struggled for control. "I cannot move forward in life until I complete this task. You must find someone else, someone more suitable to be your wife!"
The lord smiled softly. "No one is more suitable than you. I understand how you feel, Sango. The path ahead of us is uncertain. But I have waited for six years. It matters not how many more I wait for your return."
"No," she said, and this time there was no hesitation in her voice. "Do not wait for me. My lord, I am not asking for a deferral of our engagement, I am saying that I cannot marry you."
He cocked his head thoughtfully. "Because of your mission?"
"Because I am a slayer," she said. "That is my life. That is what my life will be. I don't know what the future holds, but that is who I am. I must find that place for myself."
He didn't seem to understand, but he didn't push further. "I will say no more, for the time being. It is getting dark. You should rest. It will be a long night."
She walked through the garden with heavy steps, her eyes cast down to the ground. What could she say? How could she be more clear? His unflappable nature startled her, and it challenged understandings she'd long held about the world. She didn't know what to think.
Miroku glanced up to see Sango walking down the en towards him as he sat on its edge.
"Do you want some company?" she asked quietly, almost tentatively.
"Always," he said, gesturing for her to sit down.
They were both silent for a long while, tension sitting heavy in the air between them. The light steadily faded into dusk, the breeze blowing softly through the courtyard and bringing with it the barest smell of rain. Eventually, Miroku sighed softly.
"We'd hate to lose you, Sango, but none of us would want to keep you from happiness. If you choose to stay, we will gladly support you in this."
"I don't want to stay with him," she said quietly. "I don't feel any affection towards him, and I've never desired to be the wife of a lord."
Miroku watched her calmly, without judgement. "But…?"
"It's a life. It's something to look forward to once this is all finished. And-" She blinked up at the stars, face contorted in indecision. "He's offering me a home. He knows me as a slayer, and he still wants me to be his wife. I didn't think that I would ever be able to find a place outside of my village where I could be both. I could start a family here."
"A possibility isn't enough to commit yourself when so many other paths are open to you," Miroku said gently. "You said yourself that you don't love him. Don't assume that he's the only one who could accept you. You know that Inuyasha and I do, and we can't be the only ones."
She smiled despite herself. "You two are a bit on the odd side, you have to admit."
He nodded graciously, but pressed on. "You should talk to Inuyasha about this. You know he's faced similar challenges. He may know better than anyone the importance of being accepted."
Sango sighed, opened her mouth to respond. Instead, shouts filled the air. "The demon is here!"
They sprang to their feet, weapons in hand, Sango already shedding her travelling clothes and tying her hair back. Across the courtyard, a giant bear demon was climbing over the outer walls of the castle, completely ignoring the spears and flaming arrows being shot at it. As Miroku and Sango ran down the en, Inuyasha burst from the door in front of them, Tessaiga transformed in his hand. Kirara raced across the courtyard to meet them as they joined the soldiers amassing a defense. Inuyasha growled, raising his sword, but Sango flung out an arm.
"I'll deal with this," she said firmly. "Slaying that thing is my job!"
Inuyasha eyed her warily, taking a step back. He shot Miroku an inquiring look as Sango rushed forwards, barking orders at the soldiers as she swung Hiraikotsu. The bear growled, swatting the weapon away with a giant paw before thundering towards her. Sango dove and rolled out of the way before springing to her feet, snatching Hiraikotsu and planting it in the ground before the bear's paw crashed into it. She braced against the blow, shook her head at Inuyasha, and leapt back. She threw Hiraikotsu again, this time sending the weapon straight through the bear's neck as it bent towards her. The head fell to the ground, and the body soon followed. Sango met Inuyasha and Miroku's eyes, and then caught the awed gaze of the young lord from across the courtyard.
Miroku frowned at the odd pull in the air. He realized what was happening and was running even before the bear's head dragged itself back to its body. Sango spun around at the movement from the demon, lifted Hiraikotsu as she saw the giant paw swinging towards her once more. Then something crashed into her, and she was thrown to the ground. Hiraikotsu was torn from her grip. The breath was knocked from her lungs. It took a moment for her to realize that the weight on top of her wasn't the unforgiving claws of a demon, but Miroku. She saw him grinning tightly at her as he shifted back to his knees, face pale. She pushed herself up in kind and felt wetness slip across her fingers. Miroku's blood had splattered across the ground around them as they were thrown, his left sleeve shredded by one of the demon's claws and red already dripping from his skin.
"No!" she gasped, immediately grabbing his arm to survey the damage.
There was movement above them and Sango was on her feet, shoving her way in front of Miroku as she drew her sword. Inuyasha reached the bear demon first, youki blazing around him as he sliced it in half with Tessaiga. Miroku grimaced as he watched the scene.
"It won't do any good," he muttered, trying to push himself up. "Weapons won't work against that thing."
"What do you mean?" Sango asked, helping him to his feet and wincing at the red stain on her hands.
"The demon is a spirit seeking vengeance," he explained, reaching into his robes for a handful of sutras. "It must be exorcized."
Sango glanced at his staff, which lay where he'd thrown it when he ran for her. He didn't seem bothered by it. He shouted for Inuyasha to fall back, and watched as the hanyou's flashing red eyes turned to him. He tugged gently on the nenju beads and Inuyasha leapt over their heads, landing behind them on all fours with his claws digging into the ground, breathing hard. Miroku met the bear spirit as it swung back around towards them, whispered a prayer, and threw the sutras. They connected sharply with the spirit, which immediately began to dissolve into smoke.
Sango insisted on drawing Miroku into an embrace before Inuyasha could get there. "I'm sorry," she whispered into his shoulder. "I should have realized."
"Nonsense," he smiled. "It was only your excellent fighting which made me realize it couldn't be killed."
"You're unbelievable," she said softly, unable to put any real levity in the words.
Inuyasha hugged him next, pulling in ragged breaths until his youki settled. Miroku's hands moved soothingly up and down his back as he murmured reassurances.
"Sango," the lord said as he approached. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she said quickly. "But my friend is injured. I need to-"
"Do not worry," the lord waved her off. "I will have my private physician tend to him, and arrange for anything else you might need. And I must insist that you stay here until you are fully recovered. I cannot thank you enough for saving us, all of you." He gave them each a deep bow.
"I'm afraid it isn't over quite yet," Miroku said solemnly. "This spirit was seeking vengeance for a reason. That makes me believe that it has some connection here."
The lord frowned deeply before something flashed in his eyes. "I think you should follow me."
Sango tore off the remains of Miroku's sleeve and tied it tightly around his wound as they walked. The lord led them to a storeroom at the edge of the courtyard. Dozens of artifacts were inside, from statues to paintings to swords. At the back of the room, a giant bear pelt was stretched across the wall.
"I can't believe it," Sango said incredulously. "That's the bear demon we killed six years ago!" She turned angrily to the lord. "We told you to burn it! To give it a proper burial and offer your prayers!"
"I know," the lord said calmly. "And that's what was being done until my father ordered otherwise. He told the servants to display it for all to see, to showcase the strength of the Takeda Clan and to frighten our enemies. I thought it was in poor taste. It was kept next to religious seals for several years, which must have kept it dormant. After my father died, I had it stored away here. I realize now that this was when the nightly attacks began."
Sango shook her head in disbelief, but didn't say anything more. The lord ordered the servants to drag the pelt into the courtyard where it was salted and burned. Sango watched as Miroku said a prayer over it, his face holding a familiar quiet intensity. She watched the blood still dripping sluggishly from his arm. He had been there for her. Inuyasha had been, too. They always had her back. She glanced down at Kirara, sitting at her feet, the light of the fire reflecting off her eyes. The lord had offered her a home. She had been under the mistaken impression that she didn't have one. But home was simply different now. It was warm violet eyes and a dazzling smile. It was soft white ears and a hearty laugh. It was a gentle purring on her chest on long nights. It was warm blankets by the fire, knowing that her family was nearby. She knew that it couldn't go on forever, that eventually she would be looking for something more tangible, more stable, but for now it was enough.
Sango insisted on being the one to clean and stitch Miroku's arm as they sat in their room. The lord wandered in and out, offering food and sake and extra blankets. He had Miroku's kesa washed free of blood, his koromo and hadagi taken away to be mended and cleaned. As Sango finished wrapping the bandages around his arm, the lord stepped through the door one last time.
"I'm sorry again for your injury," he said to Miroku. "Please, allow me to make amends."
He held out a large black sack, more than twice the size of the one that Kashi had offered them that morning.
"My lord-" Sango started apologetically, but he shook his head.
"You do not need to say anything, Sango. By now I understand how you feel. I wish only that you find peace and happiness, wherever your path may lead you."
"Thank you, my lord," she said.
"Now, take this as a token of my affection, with no strings attached."
"It's far too much. I cannot accept such payment!"
"Please," the lord smiled. "I insist."
"Sango," Miroku whispered behind her. "Don't be stupid, Sango. Take the money. Sango. Sango."
She took it, intent on dumping out most of the coins onto their bed for the lord to find the next morning after they'd left. Even if she had to fight Miroku for it. The lord bowed one last time and wished them goodnight. The tension in the air faded significantly after he was gone. Miroku chugged one last cup of steeped herbs for his pain and graciously acquiesced to Inuyasha's insistent hands pushing him towards the bed. The hanyou curled up around him as he quickly drifted off to sleep. But Inuyasha's eyes were still blinking up at Sango over Miroku's head, and she could see the apprehension in his gaze.
"So," he said softly. "You told the lord 'no'?"
"I did," she agreed. "I was never going to marry him, you know."
He scowled. "That's what I said to Miroku! But nooo, he had to get all upset about it!"
Sango eyed him skeptically. "Of course, it was just Miroku who was worried."
"Of course!"
"But he didn't need to be, because I'm not leaving."
Inuyasha's lips quirked into a small smile. "No?"
"No," she stated firmly. "You're my family. I'm not going to throw that away." She paused, and she let a little more sincerity bleed into her voice. "I've never been as close to anyone as I am to both of you. You're the most important people to me outside Kohaku and Kirara. Even if I did get married after we've slain Naraku, you would still be a part of my life. We have something here that can't be broken."
Inuyasha blinked the stinging from his eyes. "Yeah," he said quietly. "I know. That's how I know that everything will be okay. There will always be a place for us, in Kaede's village and with each other. We can handle whatever else happens."
They shared a smile and a long look. Inuyasha curled tighter around Miroku, but when Sango rose to her feet to go to her own bed, he shook his head. He held out a hand insistently, stubbornly refusing to voice the request. Sango grabbed the blanket from her bed and lay down on Miroku's other side, and Inuyasha's arm reached across the monk to rest on her waist. Kirara picked her way between them and curled up between Miroku and Sango's abdomens, purring loudly. Sango squeezed her eyes shut and let the warmth of her family wash over her until slowly, easily, she drifted off to sleep.