I told you I wouldn't take so long this time! The computer is still running, my writer's block *shudders* is gone, and my inspiration has returned! Definitely a cause for celebration, I think. For all those of you out there who thought the story was dead, my apologies. Not dead, just comatose for a while. Well, time to get on with it. As always, the first order of the day is – shout outs !

LilyKitsune: My first reviewer for Ch 10! Looks like you've been on reviewing hiatus just a little longer than I was on writing hiatus…. Glad you liked the chappie. You read the whole thing again?! That's dedication, I tell you! Yeah, poor Shippo. Not long for the next bit, I promise.

Zero 27: Yup…eeeevil cliffhanger. Would you believe I actually planned it that way since, oh, a few chapters ago? *hides* The dramatic tension was just too good to resist!

Aamalie: No! Not the methods! I give you my word, it won't be nearly as long until the next bit. (Anything to not get hit by a Digihammer – yikes!) I felt more than a bit guilty leaving you all hanging right at the start of the fight scene *gulp* but when your computer dies, your computer dies…and takes all your files with it, the rotten thing… You read the whole thing again too?! Man, this is unreal.

Queen of Koorime: Never fear, I always finish what I start…even if the actual finish is slightly delayed. Oops. Thanks for the feedback, and no need for tissues this time. (Hint: for those who read my other epic, 'Choice and Consequence', this ending will be nothing like that one. Okay?)

Megumi Sagara1: Sorry the wait was so long…I'm just so impressed that everyone is still here! I thought I would have lost all my old readers by now. I should have known better…tenacious people, you are.

Sango-to-Miroku: I know it took forever, deepest and humblest apologies. I'm pretty sure the next one will be the last one. Sad, I know, but that's the way it goes. But hey, check out the AN at the end! So glad you still like it.

Murasaki Kitsune: Eep! Yes, I know, I was horribly slow updating last time. Hope this makes up for it. Everything may not go according to plan for our rotten villain…but there is a twist. You can't miss it!

Mattielover: Hello my faithful friend….you're still here! Wow. I'm glad I'm back too….I missed you guys. Uh huh, it's a bit confusing now, but this will clear a whole lot of things up. I hope. As for the crazy cliffhangers, you should be used to them by now. Haven't I left you guys hanging at the end of practically every chapter? What can I say, it gets the readers back for more! Evil trick, but necessary (and lots of fun! I've lost count of the emails with people yelling at me for leaving it where I did….hee hee).

EEevee: Pure evil reincarnated? Aack! Well, yes, the double cliffhanger was a bit mean of me – but it was a great way to signal my long awaited return to writing! I love hearing from new reviewers – It means I get a bit more feedback from the whole story. I'm glad you liked the I/K bits, they were nice…so many people are picky about the whole 'beads' thing, so it's good that you thought it fit well. And yeah, poor Miroku…but then this whole mess is about messing with his poor little head (and Sango's, of course).

Doncare: (From Ch.8) Eh heh…*looks around sheepishly*...good question. To be honest, I didn't write her in this time. All I can think of is, the poor thing is tired after all that flying around, and is having a break back at Kaede's hut (hmm, Kaede is also noticeably absent from this one.). So, no cat, no old woman…I think everyone else is accounted for.

Jessica T: Woohoo! I'm back! And this baby is far from dead, believe me…have a look at the AN at the end…surprise! (The surprise is at the end…no cheating, you have to read the chapter first!) Oh, I totally understand that thing about mid-terms and more free time. It's weird, but it works. Hmm.

Vampire-Elf: I'm glad you waited for so long! *cliché moment* Ah, suspense…it's what I live for. A story just doesn't cut it unless I suddenly find myself falling off my chair in anticipation (or at least sitting on the edge of my seat). But then that's just me. Hope you like the chapter.

Neoen: Yes, me and my cliffhangers. I love 'em! Whee!

Momentum: I hope you didn't really scream…or you'd be getting some mighty strange looks from your family, I'd bet. But then, I already get them, so why shouldn't you? Ha ha. My family thinks I've cracked…but they love me anyway. *Awww*

Naanaami: Glad you like my story! I reviewed yours, very nice!

Kaylana: Well, gee, that's a bit harsh *grins*. This should lighten my awful title a little, but I don't know if I'm out of your bad books yet. We'll see…

Samster the Hamster: It is torture, isn't it? I don't know what you did to me, but it must have been bad *lol*. Hope this makes up for it.

Mvdiva: Hey! You've read Choice and Consequence!! Thank you! As for this one, yes, it was an evil cliffhanger, but I have found that the best stories are cliffhanger-ridden. Oh, it'll do some good – but how much? Hmmm….

Disclaimer: Once again, I am forced to point out that I do not own Inuyasha. But then, who reads these disclaimers anyway?

Under Control

Chapter 11: Salvation

As Kagome's mind edged back into the realms of reality, two things caught her attention.

One, she was down on her hands and knees, shaking with near exhaustion.

Two, Naraku was nowhere to be seen.

She wasn't exactly sure if point two was a good thing or a bad thing. "Did he die, or has he run away again?" she muttered. She resisted moving around very much, choosing instead to nurse her protesting muscles back to health before she attempted to get up. "If only miko energy weren't so incredibly bright," she grumbled. "Now we don't know what happened – man, this is annoying! It makes for a good show and all, but I'd really rather do without, thank you very much!" Abruptly her head decided to remind her that she had done way too much that day…it felt like someone was using her poor little skull as a punching bag. Groaning, she lifted a trembling hand to rub gingerly at her aching temples. "Ooh, I could really use some aspirin right about now." Wincing, she glanced around (trying not to jostle her head too much) to see what had become of Inuyasha. Her eyes widened at the sight of her companion lying in an awkward tangle of limbs, crumpled up against a slightly dented wall.

'Oh, no, don't tell me…'

She resolutely forced herself to calm down when she spotted his chest lightly rising and falling as he breathed. 'Stupid girl, as if he would be killed by getting slammed into a wall…he survived getting stabbed, sliced, punched through the stomach – why should this be any different?' Well, apparently the shock wave from her purification attack had packed a wallop; he was out for the count. She grinned momentarily at the thought of just how mad he would be when he finally woke up.

Her train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the sound of clanging metal. Headache forgotten, she scrambled to the window. 'Sango and Miroku! I can't believe I forgot about them! Oh, please, don't let that sound mean anything bad…' The young miko poked her head out of the window, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of her friends. The sight that met her frantically searching eyes was unexpected, to say the least.

Miroku waited. And waited.

'Huh.'

Nothing.

Well, as promising as that was, there was no way he was going to open his eyes just yet. He had (apparently) just narrowly avoided being sliced and diced by his love – dammit, he deserved a bit of a break! He was so amazingly tired…Despite himself, he cracked one eye open when the sound of metal hitting the ground reached him. What he saw made his overtaxed heart break all over again.

Sango felt like a thick veil had just been removed from her mind. Sight, sound, smell, touch, taste – all of her senses suddenly kicked in with a vengeance. Clarity flooded her thoughts…gods, she had almost forgotten what it was like to think for herself…and the memories forced their way into her awareness. Gasping, she desperately tried to deny the truth of what she saw – Miroku was lying on the ground in front of her, and she had been fighting him! She dimly noticed that she was still holding her sword. 'If I was fighting him, and he is on the floor like that, then I defeated him…oh, no! No, I can't have done that!' Her eyes began to fill with horrified tears, but she refused to let them fall. Instead, she stared down at the unmoving body of the man she loved, willing him to move just a little, to prove that he was still alive. Her glance fell upon the sword that was resting in her grip. She raised it before her, looking at it as though she had never seen it before. Suddenly she cast it roughly away from her, sending it clattering over the rough ground of the walkway. Clenching her eyes shut, she let out an anguished sob and fell to her knees, wrapping her arms tightly around her – doing her best not to let the reality of what she had done drive her mad. It didn't register in her tortured mind that the blade had been free of blood. She certainly didn't see the houshi finally open his eyes.

Miroku was hopelessly torn. He wanted nothing more than to comfort Sango in her obvious distress, but he wasn't entirely sure that it was safe for him to try. She was a heart-wrenching picture – arms tucked in around her, rocking her body to and fro in misery, her head bowed low. Finally he couldn't stand it anymore. If this was a trick, then so be it, but damned if he'd leave her like this! Slowly, he reached one hand up to rest on her arm. At his touch the young woman became completely still. Then her head gradually moved higher so that she could see. Her eyes were wide and shiny with unshed tears – but Miroku could have shouted with glee. 'She' was in those eyes – his precious Sango, and not the mindless drone of a few minutes ago! However, rather than shouting like a madman, he settled for drinking the sight of her in as deeply as he could. It had been so long since he had seen her…

Sango could barely move – was that a hand on her arm? A warm, living hand? Dreading what she would find, she lifted her eyes once more. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of two sparkling indigo eyes looking back at her. 'Miroku…' Hardly daring to believe it, she reached out with one shaking hand to hesitantly brush against his cheek. His flesh was warm to her touch, soft and warm and alive. She found that she couldn't draw her hand back for fear of him somehow disappearing from in front of her. As though proving to herself that he was really there, her fingers continued exploring the contours of his face – cheek, eyes, nose, lips, chin – brushing feather-light over his skin. She watched in something akin to wonder as his eyes slid closed under her gentle ministrations.

Finally, Miroku could stand it no more. Ordinarily he would have been willing to lie in that place all day (especially with those deliciously soft hands tracing around his face, driving him happily insane) but with Naraku around, that wasn't really an option. With a reluctant sigh, he opened his eyes once more. "Sango, would you help me up please?" Seemingly startled at the request, she did so. Once he was on his feet, albeit swaying a little unsteadily, she appeared to retreat from him slightly. Miroku frowned. He tried to catch her eyes again, confused when she wouldn't look straight at him. Her stance was vaguely reminiscent of…shame? Fear? Ah. She was virtually cringing away from him, as though unsure of being welcome. He couldn't really blame her for that, he supposed. 'Naraku or no Naraku, this has got to stop!' He shook his head bemusedly and sighed, opening his arms in a universal gesture. Sango looked up at him, as if gauging his sincerity. He took one more step toward her, arms still open, and in the next instant he found himself smothered in the most satisfying hug he had ever received. The object of his affections was clinging to him, finally allowing her defenses to fall – and he was powerless to do anything but wrap one arm firmly around her waist and tangle the other hand in her long hair, holding her as securely as he could. How could he have ever been such a fool? To think - he had almost lost this.

Kagome felt like her face would fall off soon, she was grinning so hard. Sango and Miroku were hugging in the courtyard! Well, at least her friend was back to normal once again – although her hugging the lecherous houshi was far from normal… A low mumble from across the room cut into her musings, bringing another smile to her face.

"Damn stupid mikos…throwing energy blasts around like toys…no brains…"

"Yeah, I'm glad to see you too, Inuyasha," she retorted jauntily. The aforementioned miko walked over to where the hanyou was attempting to sit up, slinging one arm around him to help. He angrily tried to brush her off until he realized that he was slightly the worse for wear. Eventually he gave up in disgust, letting her lever him up off of the floor and over to the window. As he slumped to the ground once again he growled, "Next time, lay off of the purification bit, huh? I feel like I've been turned inside out or something!" To his annoyance Kagome simply giggled at him and pointed out of the window, meaning that he should look out too. Before he looked, a rather urgent thought struck him. "Hey, wench, where's Naraku got to?" He grunted when she slapped his arm in retaliation for the name.

"I don't know what happened, Inuyasha. The light was too bright for me to see properly."

"Feh. Typical."

"Hey!"

The bickering pair looked down at the tender scene unfolding before them with varying degrees of satisfaction, joy and relief. A tinkling sound dragged Kagome's eyes down to their feet, wondering what could have caused the noise. As her mind finally caught up with what was going on (namely, nothing) the presence of a Shikon shard became obvious – seeing as how she had just kicked one by accident. She let out a little gasp of astonishment, picking it up from where it lay and stowing it in the container where she kept the rest of the shards they had collected. Her attack had purified it, probably causing Naraku to lose his grip on it in the confusion that had ensued. And speaking of Shikon shards…

"Inuyasha?"

"Hn?" He was (oddly enough) preoccupied with the scene in front of him.

"We nearly have all of the shards." That got his attention.

"What?! How many are there to go?"

"I don't know. But – we know where two are, at least." He growled low in his throat.

"I don't want to even think about that wimpy wolf right now, Kagome!"

"But Kouga-kun may have the last ones! How are we going to get them off of him if we can't even catch him?" Inuyasha seemed about to sulk, or throw some kind of temper tantrum, so Kagome quickly changed the subject. "Let's go down and get Sango and Miroku. We have to get back to Kohaku and Shippo." His answer told her that he still was not happy with the thought of finding Kouga later.

"Feh!"

As pleased as Miroku was with how things were going, there was something he felt he had to do before any more time slipped away from them. Firmly holding Sango away from him at arm's length, he lowered his head to look directly into her eyes. "Sango?"

"Yes, Houshi-sama?" she murmured softly.

"I am sorry for being such an idiot back at the village. I know it must have looked…well…" He trailed off uncertainly at the look on her face.

"It looked as though you were being a hentai again." Ouch. She was a lot surer of herself now – and back to her former strength of will.

"Erm, yes. Well, would it help at all if I told you I wasn't? Ah, not really, anyway? Uhm," he floundered. 'Dammit, this is not how it was supposed to go! What happened to all those apologies you practiced on the way here, fool?' Oh well, here goes nothing…

"There is no excuse good enough for my behaviour. I have not treated you as well as I should have, and I am truly sorry for it. I can see why you might lose all faith in me in the end, and to be honest I don't blame you. So, I am going to ask you something, and if you choose to leave, I won't stop you." He took a deep breath, then took both of her hands in his. Closing his eyes, he gambled everything.

"Dearest Sango, would you bear my child?"

He heard a slightly stunned gasp, then felt those angelic hands tense in his grip. 'Please, please, please, please…' Would she see it for what it was? His request to return to the way they were, and hopefully more? Or would she slap him upside of the head for his 'hentai' question?

"Yes." Hang on. Did he really hear that? He looked up at her in shocked disbelief. She was…smiling at him. "Yes, you stupid houshi." He had thought that his ears were playing tricks on him, but apparently they were fine. And so was he. More than fine, in fact. It was time to stop running away.

"I love you, Sango. I would never forgive myself if I didn't tell you that at least once before we left this place." Carefully, he rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes. "I really do love you." Sango looked at him for a moment. She had never seen him so tired and worn. There were dark circles underneath his eyes, he could barely stand under his own power anymore – he truly must have pushed himself to get to her. In that moment, she made her decision. "I love you, Houshi-sama." His eyes flew open, only to close again as she kissed him. When she drew back, she was amazed to see tears in his eyes. Of course, he didn't let them fall – as a matter of pride – but it was proof, if she needed it, of just how tough the last few days had been. He was at breaking point. Sighing happily, she moved her body closer to him and enfolded the shocked young man in a warm embrace. She grinned. "I love you, Miroku."

'I'm in heaven,' he decided silently. His name had never sounded so good.

When Inuyasha and Kagome finally reached them, Sango was more than ready to find her little brother again – though she did regret having to leave the circle of Miroku's arms.

He watched the blissful reunion from what he deemed a safe distance before fading into the darkness of the forest. Such happiness had the propensity to make him ill. Amazing to think just how badly that plan had turned out…but who knew that the untrained miko had such a powerful range? He had been forced to relinquish his hold on the warrior (this irritated him no end), and he had lost the Shikon shard on top of that. 'It just hasn't been my day…'

To add insult to injury, his children were missing. Kagura would still be in the fortress, and no doubt Kanna would not be far from her. In his current state, he could do nothing but wait…

How annoying. Actually, annoying was an understatement. He was furious. And he swore, after that ignominious retreat, that the miko would taste his anger before long. Forget the houshi – the hole in his hand would take care of him anyway – that miko was as good as dead. But for that he needed something. Shards. And he knew where to find them. 'The wolf prince…'

Kohaku blinked. The world was spinning in a decidedly unpleasant manner, and for some reason he was flat on his back. What in the world had happened? With a start, he remembered.

"Ane-ue!" His joy knew no bounds when she answered him.

"Kohaku!" Suddenly he was lost in a bone-crushing hug, and his sister was sobbing and laughing into his shoulder at the same time. "You're awake! Oh, gods, I've missed you so much! And you're free! Finally free of that monster!" He pulled back to look at her seriously.

"So are you." She swallowed guiltily, then smiled.

"Yes." Miroku simply watched contentedly. This was what he had been waiting for – and it had been such a long time in coming.

Nearby, Kagome and Inuyasha (well, Kagome at least) were attempting to placate a rather put-out kitsune. "You guys get to have all the fun!"

"Shippo, that was hardly fun," Kagome reprimanded him gently. Inuyasha just growled. "Look, I'll make it up to you. Umm, I'll get you some candy." Inuyasha looked up, his eyes wide in panic. "Just a little – not too much. Okay?" The hanyou groaned softly. Shippo. And candy. Oh no.

"Yay!" Well, no matter how bad a threat it was to the rest of them, it sure had perked Shippo's spirits up. Frustrated, Inuyasha started yelling at everyone to get a move on. It was time to go back to the well. As the now slightly larger group of travelers set off, Kagome looked back to where Miroku and Sango were walking. "Er, Miroku?"

"Yes, Kagome-sama?"

"I was just curious – do you still have the hole in your hand?" He sighed. He didn't really need to be reminded of this or anything… "Yes, it's still there."

"Oh." Kagome looked downcast. "Then I guess Naraku is still out there somewhere."

"Indeed!" a new voice piped up. Inuyasha suddenly slapped at his neck, producing a very squished-looking Myouga. "And where have you been hiding, flea?" he demanded irritably.

"I have not been hiding! I have been seeking information!" Kagome wondered if it was possible for a flea to sound more affronted if it tried. "And yes, Naraku is still around. The purification alone could not have destroyed him, because he is still half-human. Only the demon half would be affected."

"Well," Inuyasha huffed, "if you know so much, where will he go next?"

"Oh, that's easy. To the wolves."

"What?!"

"The young youkai, Kouga, still has his two shards, and Naraku will be after them without a doubt. And, as is evident by the presence of the houshi's, er, affliction, he still has some power. Well," Myouga finished up – really, his master was looking quite angry – "I must be going. The wolf youkai pack is currently in the Eastern lands, quite close to Kaede's village!"

"How do you know these things, Myouga?" shouted the hanyou furiously. The reply wafted back over the breeze as the flea made his escape. "How does anyone know anything? Good luck!"

"Feh!" Inuyasha shook his head disgustedly. "Rotten coward."

"Should we be worried that he left already?" Kagome asked curiously. Inuyasha looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "We are not going to Kouga."

"Oh, you think we should just let Naraku have the shards without a fight?" she taunted him.

"NO! Alright, I'll go, but you are staying away from him, understand?!" He stomped on ahead in a fit of temper. Kagome looked after him as realization belatedly struck her. 'He's jealous!' Grinning, she skipped up to join him and just kept walking. Her smile grew when she felt his hand take her own. And when she sneaked a look at him, he didn't look nearly so cross as he had been. 'Success!'

Behind them, Sango stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes were fixed on Kagome and Inuyasha's hands. Miroku, who had stopped when she did, simply raised a knowing eyebrow at the pair. "Miroku?"

"Hmm?"

"Did I miss something here?"

Miroku blinked at her. Then he tipped his head back and roared with laughter.

OWARI

Phew! Well, we made it. Congratulations for those who have been reading the whole time. What a great bunch of people! Well, here's the treat I promised you all…

I left a few loose ends there…on purpose! This thing is just dying for a sequel, so that's what I'll do! Just gimme a week or so to work out the plot, and the first chapter will be up. Er, make that two or three weeks…these things take time! A little teaser – there will be some very nice interaction with Kouga and our main characters in the next arc of this monster I laughingly call a story. Well, until next time! Thanks for reading! (And reviewing! So many reviews! *glomps you all*)