Chapter 9
Sango-sama
Author's Notes: People keep asking me how this is gonna end. To be honest, I'm not sure myself. I have one definite goal I'm driving for, but it's very specific and leaves a lot of room for extra stuff. But I promise, I won't post an end until I'm happy with it (and I brake for Sango/Miroku fans!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Sad, isn't it? I have however, temporarily borrowed Miroku to ravag--err, I mean abuse him in this fic. ::cracks her whip:: Oh ho ho ho ho!
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It was immensely difficult for her to think of anything but the man who sat beside her, even the rather hauntingly vivid images of death which had been plaguing her since the last battle. That in itself was odd. She had spent so much time worrying about the lecherous Houshi, she hadn't had the time to mourn for her brother much less agonize over those gruesome visions.
She certainly hadn't needed to mourn for long over Houshi-sama. He hadn't seemed to be able to leave her alone for very long.
"It's because I can touch you…" Those words echoed through her mind relentlessly.
The Houshi's light fingertips had brushed across her cheeks, igniting each nerve that he dared trace over. In spite of the chill which still clung to his pale fingertips, he was somehow almost unbearably warm, that warmth searing right through her, straight to the bone.
Tearing her eyes from his lavender depths, a deep blush spread across
her cheeks. She gazed out absently at the gentle ripples atop the
river's waters, silently berating herself. 'Why is it that even in
my dreams I can't keep myself from blushing? Damn it.'
She could feel the weight of his eyes on her, silently waiting…for
something. What exactly that was, she had no idea…and she wasn't
entirely sure that she wanted to know. If the past was any indication
at all, this was probably just another opportunity for him to prove himself
a complete lech. But she wasn't able to keep herself from the hope
that there might be something else…something more than mere licentious
intentions driving him to show her such kindness.
She had scooted herself a safe distance away from his roaving hands,
protectively hugging her arms across her chest. "W-what is that supposed
to mean, Houshi-sama?"
A poorly suppressed smile perked the edges of his lips. He moved himself in front of her, cupping the smooth line of her jaw with a lightly calloused hand and tilting her head up until her eyes met his. Rich brown eyes widened noticeably, as her arms clenched her shoulders more tightly.
"For as long as you need me, I'll stay right here…"
An arm snaked around Sango's back, gently tempting her forehead up to meet the soft touch of his lips. Her eyes softened as she stared into his neck; she watched completely transfixed by the slight movements of his Adam's apple as he spoke. This closeness was making her a bit lightheaded.
"…I'll help chase your demons away, Sango."
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It has never been said that Inuyasha has ever been well trained in
the school of manners. Chalk that up to his mother's death when he
was still so young. Or perhaps the fact that he was never well accepted
by either human or youkai. As a result, he spent much of his young
life running from highly powerful youkai and instilling fear into hearts
of the villagers. And neither situation demanded much in the way
of a polite demeanor.
And so, it is with little surprise that his conduct still leaves much to be desired.
He had grumpily prodded Sango's shoulder with his foot. "Oi. Sango." They had to move again. He could smell a change in the wind, and it was fairly certain that the scent of the Shichinintai was closing in. And they still needed a bit more time to regroup. He pushed her shoulder again. "Get up."
When Sango did awaken, angry flames had sprung up behind her and her eyes were shooting icy daggers.
He cowered behind Kagome. And then she turned around and glared at him too.
"Inuyasha, what did you do to her?"
He didn't know what the hell he had done wrong, but he was damn sure of one thing.
Women are frightening. And he would never, ever understand them.
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Rin watched sadly as Kohaku tossed the branch into the fire. He had been very quiet for the whole time he had been with them.
She had been out fishing in the stream with Jaken. Sesshoumaru-sama had told him to go with her; he refused to let Kohaku to go alone with her. And so, she returned with two good sized fish for dinner. Jaken had carried the still twitching fish back to their camp, slumping against a tree trunk with exhaustion.
"Rin brought back dinner!" she cried happily, hefting the two fish into the air and smiling brightly towards the still silent boy.
He smiled weakly at her. "Arrigato."
Silently, he turned back to the flames, stabbing both fish with wooden sticks and settling them above the now dancing flames.
They cooked in silence.
And then ate in silence.
But that silence was killing Rin. After her parents death, she had stayed silent for so long. Now, it was still a little scary for her; bad things were sure to happen if she stayed quiet for too long.
With firm resolve, she walked over to Kohaku, wrapping her tiny arms around his shoulders. "Don't be sad, Kohaku. Rin doesn't want you to be sad."
Wide-eyed, Kohaku stared at the young girl, a bit surprised by her boldness but still comforted by the warmth coming for her tiny body. The last time he could even remember being hugged was before they had left to fight the demons that last time.
'Ane-ue…'
The quiet breaking of a stick was enough to jolt him from his reverie.
The white-haired youkai stood at the edge of the camp, glaring at him and the young girl arms which were still wrapped about him.
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Extra Author's notes: Ok. I have read the manga and am up
to date. So I know this is a divergent timeline. Oh well, I
live to be different. Anyways, for Kohaku's memories, I'm making
him remember only a few things right now. He should remember a little
more with time…but just so it's clear, he doesn't know now that Sango is
still alive. Naraku would have been surpressing those memories.