The shogun did not anticipate this as how he'd start his Monday morning. It is both a surprise and an honor to have her daughter greet him with breakfast accompanied with his favorite tea. Nonetheless, he couldn't brush off the anxiety that was looming over him, it almost felt like this will be the last meal he'd have with her princess. Then, his worries got concluded when Sango brought up the topic regarding her wedding. The shogun took a sip from his cup and the tea only tasted flat in his mouth, alas he will indeed lose her daughter from this marriage. He slowly brought the cup down to the table and listened to her daughter.
"Father, you must forgive me." Sango began.
The shogun was brought to a halt and stared at his daughter. He felt ecstatic from her statement because the words that entailed it could only mean Sango's disapproval of the wedding.
"I cannot marry Miruko-"
Sango raised her hand and gestured to let her finish as her father opened his mouth to speak. Sango knows her father, he is a rational man and his idea of getting Sango married is for her protection and she understood that but she wanted to thoroughly explain the situation.
"I cannot marry the houshi for the reason that he has someone he already loves. I do not intend to forsaken the romance of two individual just for my well being. Visiting the Holy Land, I have gained knowledge and learned to control the Sacred Jewel's power. I also do not intend to involve myself in a marriage forge without the foundation of love." Sango smiled at the shogun.
"Father, I wish to be wed with the person who holds the same affection as I to him. It may come as a surprise but I hope you would allow me to meet this man of whom I speak. Let me travel the vast world and when the time comes, I shall bring him along with me and ask for your blessing." Sango held her father's hand as she met his gaze.
The shogun sighed and caressed his daughter's cheek. "Sango, my daughter, you have truly grown. I do not wish to let you go but what else would a father want other than his daughter's happiness."
Sango leaned into her father's hand. "Do promise me father that whatever the identity of the man I choose, you'll give us your blessing."
The shogun smiled at Sango. "If it is that makes you happy. I love you my dear child."
Later that day, Sango bid farewell to the people and her family as they, Kaho and her, left the village. She had her father's permission and it may take a week or so for the news of the wedding's termination to reach Miruko so Sango had nothing to worry about. She had indeed learned to control the Sacred Jewel whenever it's powers go unbalanced and it is enough for her as using the Jewel's power would be of no difference of what the demons desire. As for the increasing number of demons, it would be a problem soon to be resolved after she speaks her vow with Sesshomaru but of course getting to make the inuyoukai admit his feelings alone is a long journey.
"It's days like this that makes me miss Kirara. It'll be a long way back to the west." Sango stated and caressed the horse's neck.
"Miss Rin is really found of Kirara, leaving Kirara there could help cheer her up." Kaho responded.
Sango smiled as she agreed.
"Stop demon slayer!"
Sango and Kaho were brought to a stop as they searched for the woman who called for their attention. Gazing through the forest, they found nothing until a gust of wind caught their attention and made them look upwards. A woman standing on a large floating feather, covered half of her face with her fan as she looked at them.
What is this presence? They seem dangerous. Sango gripped her hiraikotsu in reflex.
Sango's gaze then turned to the little girl and her attention was brought to the mirror she was holding. Her body went still.
What is wrong with me? She wondered as her grip from hiraikotsu started to loosen.
"Sango?" Kaho uttured.
Kaho glared at Kagura, she knew the woman, with her arrogant air and that awfully odorous scent, she could never forget her. The girl beside her remained a mystery as she couldn't not detect any demonic aura or scent.
"It'd be better if you did nothing and just follow us." Kagura uninterestedly warned as she fanned herself.
"Sango." Kaho spoke once again as she began to read the unpleasant atmosphere.
"We should go." Sango mumbled.
Kaho wanted to break the spell that her mistress was in but she wanted to know their motives and if they were in any danger she could easily save them. Kagura and her companion was no more than a threat.
Kaho held onto her reins to prepare for the travel but in a blink of an eye they were teleported in front of a palace.
What happened? That couldn't have been Kagura. Could it be? Kaho's gaze trailed to the little girl beside Kagura. She looked at her and doubted her own intuition as she felt nothing. The girl appeared to be just an ordinary child.
"Are you her maid?" Kagura asked as she faced Kaho.
Kaho bowed in response. She had to remain calm, revealing herself is too early of a move especially when she has no clue of where they were. Kaho glanced at Sango and could tell she was still in a trance.
"I'd kill you and get rid of you but I have orders not to harm anyone." Kaguya stated.
Kaho fought the urge of rolling her eyes.
"Besides, it's refreshing to have a silent type like you or are you that stupid to follow around the demon slayer around like a dog." Kagura insulted.
"Kagura, enough." The little girl commanded.
Kagura raised an irritated brow but obliged nonetheless, making Kaho wonder even more as to who the white-haired girl was.
Kaho blinked her eyes once again and they were now inside a room with the absence of Kagura, to her relief.
"His Majesty shall be arriving in half an hour. I'd like you to have the lady in those clothes by then." The girl pointed at the fabric on the bed.
"Do warn the lady that she cannot escape this place and any attempt to do so would only result to punishment." Those were her last words before vanishing.
Sango choked and fell to the ground as she got released from the enchantment.
"Milady." Kaho helped Sango stand up.
Sango scanned the room and sat at the edge of the bed. "Where are we?"
"I don't know. We met these two demons on the road and they brought us here after they trapped you in a spell." Kaho answered.
"Ughh! Yes. I do feel bad." Sango held her forehead.
"I think their ruler requested you to be here and they want you to wear that."
Sango turned back as Kaho pointed at the clothing behind her. Picking it up she examined the attire. "Isn't this a negligee?"
"I may have spent most of my time hunting with you but I think we're in the northern kingdom." Kaho stated as she went around the room.
"Northern kingdom? I never knew there was a kingdom in the north. Always thought it was a vast land of demons." Sango uttured throwing the undergarment back.
"Well, we should just go back to the west." She added.
"I don't know, aren't you a bit intrigued as to who this 'His Majesty' is? Plus, the girl said we cannot escape and planning to do so would mean punishment." Kaho replied.
"We can't escape?" Sango asked as if mocking Kaho's ability.
"Of course we can. I'm just curious. Obviously they want you for the Sacred Jewel after it's awakening, demons would've known who was the wielder is, powerful demons at that, so who rules this land. It's basically unheard of."
Kaho had a point. This kingdom may well be the nest of demons and if Sango wanted peace between the humans and the demons, this might as well be a chance to negotiate with the demons.
A knock on the door made the ladies pause from their conversation.
"We have come to take away the maid." A man's voice spoke from beyond the door.
"What do you mean?" Sango asked.
"With the king's mercy, we are to release the maid. Insubordination will result to execution." The man answered.
Sango and Kaho exchanged glances. Kaho nodded at her friend.
"Please give me some time. I'd like to talk to her." Sango responded.
After the man agreed, Kaho enveloped the room with a silencing charm.
"Twelve hours. Give me twelve hours to talk to their king. If anything happens before that, I will call you." Sango began.
Kaho looked at Sango and nodded her head. "I'll be close."
Kaho cancelled the spell and headed to the door. She watched as the guards escorted Kaho out of the palace grounds and hoped that everything would go as planned.
"I shall send maids to assist you in changing." The girl with a mirror spoke after Sango returned to the room.
"It's okay, I shall do it myself." Sango declined and closed the door behind her.
Slipping into the soft fabric, Sango looked at her reflection.
"I guess the clothes are to entice him, huh?" Sango asked to no one in particular.
Her exposed skin only showed her proof of demon slaying and hunting. Her fingers slowly touched her scars and every mark reminded her of all the fights she had, one of which she almost lost her life to. No man could ever be entertained by a stained body.
The black negligee did put a great emphasis on her womanly figure as her curves and a good amount of flesh still proved attractive in the eyes of men.
She headed to the door and she opened it, the girl was still there, waiting for her.
"Please follow me."
That she did, Sango followed her through a dead hallway and soon they arrived at a dining area.
"Good evening. I hope my attendants treated you with respect."
Sango looked at the man who spoke but only saw a figure in a baboon skin and mask.
Still the noble, Sango responded. "They were hospitable but you must forgive me, I only allow my maid to aid me with such trouble."
"I see, you must be upset with the absence of your maid but I do not allow strangers inside my palace."
"Then, you please excuse me. My presence is, similarly, not welcome here."
The man chuckled, his deep voice echoing. "Lady Sango, you are indeed exquisite."
As Sango blinked, the man was behind her, an inch away. His fingers played around her scars and when his lips touched her skin, she trembled.
"How intoxicating. Every scar represent every slaughter you did to my kind."
"I wouldn't mind earning one if it means killing you." Sango uttured, unaffected of his advances.
"How flattering, a mark on you to remember me by." The demon king chuckled once again.
Sango rolled her eyes. "What is it that you want from me?"
"Hmm... How about what you want from me?"
Sango almost flinched. It was impossible for him to know.
"From you? I don't even know you." Sango retorted.
"But of course, it is only right for the bride to know her husband's name. I am Naraku, the demon king."
Sango scoffed. "Bride?"
"That you are. Unless you'd let your brother's poor soul be eaten by Kanna."
"What are you talking about?"
"Of course, you are conflicted. You did, in fact, bid him goodbye after leaving the shogun's territory."
"What did you do to him?" Sango snapped and turned before doing a roundhouse kick.
Naraku disappeared before she could and reappeared on his seat.
"I would never do anything to hurt you. Your brother just carelessly attacked the demons on Shin Mountain. You should thank me for saving your brother's soul."
Sango dropped on the floor. Shin Mountain is the resting ground of demons. It's a local myth that the heart of the mother demon rests atop the mountain and destroying it will kill all demons.
Kohaku wouldn't have stand a chance even if he brought the entire village with him.
Naraku placed a vial on the table.
"You can have your brother's soul so long as you agree to become my wife."
Sango patiently waited as she stared out of the window.
"Milady." Kaho greeted after appearing inside of the room.
"Kaho." Sango smiled as she hugged her friend.
"What's wrong?" Kaho could immediately tell something was up.
Sango didn't answer and handed Kaho a vial with a white material inside.
"What is this?"
"Kohaku."
"W-What?"
"He went to the Shin Mountain and..." Sango bit her lips together as she fought back her tears.
Kaho could only stare at the vial.
"Go back to the village and return this to Kohaku." Sango spoke.
"No, no, no, no. W-What about you?" Kaho asked.
Sango looked at Kaho before she let the tears escape her eyes. "Promise me you'll save him."
"I can't leave you here." Kaho began to shed tears.
"Please Kaho." Sango begged as her knees gave up.
"No, no, no. I'm not leaving you." Kaho cried as she locked Sango in her arms.
"You have to go." Sango mumbled.
"You can't Sango. What about Sesshomaru and Rin?"
Sango sniffed and wiped her tears away. "Don't tell anything to Sesshomaru. Tell him that there's things to do at the village and that I sent you to look after Kirara."
"B-but-"
"This isn't goodbye, okay? You can always come and visit me." Sango kissed her forehead.
For once, Kaho wanted to curse herself for giving that authority to Sango. She slowly started to fade away as her spell took effect.
