Hello again! I promise I was planning on updating sooner, but then I had
tons of homework, and I got sick, and, well, let's just say I've been busy!
All I have left to write is the epilogue, which is about five years later,
bringing you up to date on what everyone's been doing!
Thanks to my reviewers:
Fairyangel124: Yep, they're finally going back!
Killersmurf: Here ya go! Yep, I know I'm evil, I had a cliffy!
Robin5791: Inequalities aren't evil! Some people like them! Chapter 10 was scary? Huh? I'm already done with ur stuff and I'll pass em on to whitney after I get back to sch.! Don't be rude, and don't burn your hw!
Iknowwherecowlives: Of course I know who you are!
Now, on to the story:
After a few minutes worth of worry, Miroku came back, looking confused, but unhurt. "What happened?" Sango asked, worried. Miroku took a minute to respond. "Well, something strange happened, but they got to the shrine safely. Sango wanted to question him more about what had happened, but he interrupted. "I'll tell you later. Now, let's get back to where we were before all of this happened." Everyone held onto Miroku for dear life as they jumped through the portal, hoping that they would land where they needed to. With a flash of light, everyone was back in the parking lot, walking to the restaurant. They all looked relieved to be dressed in modern clothes again and finally opened the door to the building, starving for modern food.
Because it was the easiest, the gang took up one large table. (A/N: In case you're wondering, here's the order: Miroku, Sango, Kohaku, Koga, Ayame, Shippo, Kagome, Inuyasha, Rin, Sesshoumaru, Raiden. Kirara's in Sango's lap.) After ordering and being served, the reality sunk in that they were no longer in the Feudal Era. They were all in a very good mood, and chattered all the way through dinner. Everyone was just happy to be back, and enjoying their break. They all knew that they would be on the road again soon enough.
When the waitress had taken their plates away, Inuyasha got down on the ground, as if to pick something up. But instead, he held out a ring to Kagome. "Kagome, will you marry me?" Smiling widely, Kagome nodded, and threw her arms around the surprised hanyou. "Of course I will!" Inuyasha hugged her back, and then sat back in his chair, blushing.
Almost as if it was a diversion, Inuyasha looked over at Miroku, who fished a black box out of his shirt pocket. "Sango, I know the last time I did this, we were sitting on a hill in the Feudal Era, but will you marry me?" Sango couldn't breathe. She thought that he had forgotten about that day. She nodded, and Miroku's face lit up. He slipped the ring on her finger, and gave her the necklace. After looking at it for a while, Sango fastened it around her neck. Miroku then grabbed her hand, took off the beads and cloth from his arm, and put it on her arm. That made Sango tear up. It meant that he was putting all of his trust in her. "I guess that's sealed, right?" Sango asked Miroku, who kissed the top of her head. "Yes, we're stuck.
A FEW MONTHS LATER
Sango looked at her reflection in the mirror, looking at her beautiful snow- colored gown. It had three-quarter-sleeves, and a white filmy fabric functioned as sleeves, perfect for a warm spring afternoon. The dress was low-cut in the front and back, and below her waist the skirt belled out slightly, covered in swaths of lace. She wore elegant silver bracelets, and the jewelry Miroku had given her. Her shoes were the elegant high-heeled sandals. Her hair had been brushed until it shone, and a sparkling tiara was on the top of her head, the lacy veil coming from it. "Kagome?"
"Yes, Sango?" Kagome asked. She was busy helping the others make sure that their ivory gowns fit right, while Ayame helped Naanaami with her makeup.
"Do I look okay to you?"
Kagome laughed. "Of course! You look beautiful. You're worried, aren't you?" Sango nodded, surprised that Kagome noticed. "Well, don't worry about it. You'll look fine. Besides, be grateful I'm your pep-talk person. Just imagine Miroku, who's stuck with Inuyasha and Kouga, the eternal pessimists! Hey, I'm the one marrying Inuyasha in a few weeks, not you!" Sango giggled, most of her fears alleviated as she imagined Miroku cowering in the floor of his dressing room while Inuyasha and Kouga told him everything that could go wrong with the wedding.
Sango's imagination proved correct, as Miroku was quite literally cowering. Inuyasha and Kouga had been talking for the past hour everything that could go wrong, and then his savior came: Kohaku. "Leave Miroku alone, you guys! If you make him mess up my sister's big day, I'll kill you!" Inuyasha and Kouga yawned at the same time, but they did leave Miroku alone long enough to get dressed and ready for the union with his Sango.
As Kagome's mother and grandfather filed into the chapel, they were amazed at the amount of people there. Sango and Miroku had gained a lot of friends. Mrs. Higurashi noticed two empty seats by a large percentage of the Sohmas, and so she sat down, to see if she could recognize everyone. She immediately saw Yuki and Kyo, trying to fight as an ever patient Tohru sat in the middle to keep them in line. Ayame was as far away from Yuki as possible, surrounded by Shigure and Hatori. Momiji sat between Hatori and Kisa, while Hiro was next to Kisa. Haru was next to Kagura (from FB, not IY), who was trying to hug Kyo, who kept pushing her away. Mrs. Higurashi was about to talk to Yuki, who was next to her, but the organ began to play. The wedding procession was coming out!
The maid of honor and best man, Kagome and Inuyasha came out first, arm in arm. Naanaami and Kohaku came next, followed by Koga and Ayame. Raiden and Sesshoumaru brought up the rear as Rin scattered petals everywhere, proud to be a flower girl. Miroku followed the minister onto the platform, and waited for Sango to come out.
As Sango left the safety of the marble hallway, she could feel over a hundred eyes on her slow walk to the altar. Though she was tempted to lock eyes with Kohaku, her eyes found Miroku's instead. He looked slightly green, but as she walked closer and closer towards him, he relaxed, waiting for her. Sango suddenly realized the gravity of that day. The night before, at the rehearsal, it had been all fun and games, with Miroku flirting with every woman he saw, and Naanaami taking her tiara for ransom. But now, it was really happening. She and Miroku would be joined together for all eternity. As she finally reached the altar, Miroku took her hands in his, and looked into her eyes. Sango realized that he was just as afraid of the unknown as she was, and he gave her hands a squeeze. From that point on, she knew that everything would turn out fine.
As Miroku and Sango repeated their vows in turn, they waited for the moment when they would finally hear the six words they both wanted to hear. "Miroku, do you take Sango to be your lawfully wedded wife?'
"I do."
"Sango, do you take Miroku to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"You may now kiss the bride."
Despite proper wedding etiquette, everyone erupted into cheers, for they knew how long ago that wedding should have happened. As most of the room emptied, many stayed to take wedding pictures, which were finished in a flurry of flashing lights. When the rest of the people left to go to the reception area, Miroku looked at Sango. "Shall we have our amazing entrance, my dear wife? I've always wanted to say that." Sango nodded, and kissed him on the forehead. "Hold on, Miroku, let me change." And as Miroku watched, trying not to think perverted thoughts, Sango unhooked the back of her skirt, letting it fall to reveal white satiny dress pants. "You don't think that I would ride Kirara sidesaddle, do you?" Miroku sighed and said, "Sango, you never cease to amaze me." Sango got on Kirara's back, in front of Miroku. "I know."
As Sango and Miroku stepped off of Kirara, Sango had a sudden vision. She was back in her home in the village, her father beside her. Sango gave her father a hug. "Father, I've missed you so much!" Sango's father hugged her back as he replied, "And I missed you, too." Sango tried to tell him something else, but he put his finger to her lips. "Don't say anything. I don't have much time left here, so listen up. You have done well finding helpful friends and a good husband, and I now have one more word of advice to give you. Nakama." He said before disappearing.
Sango remembered what Nakama meant. It usually meant 'circle of friends', but it had a deeper meaning in the demon slayer's way of life. Often, groups of demons would band together to fight the demon slayers, knowing that they were stronger in numbers. Whenever that happened while you were fighting, you had to depend on the other people who fought alongside you, and the more things you fought, the closer you were to the other warriors. More often than not, interdependence was the most important thing while battling; depending on others for survival was crucial. Sango realized that her father meant that she should treat her friends as family, like her demon slayer partners.
As Sango reminisced, Miroku was staring at her, wondering what she was thinking. When she came out of her trance, she told a relieved Miroku what her father had told her. He grinned. "So he approves of me? I'm shocked. Come on let's get some dinner! I'm starving!" Sango agreed, and a smaller Kirara jumped onto her shoulder as she entered the reception area.
After getting dinner, Sango and Miroku sat with the Shards of Foxfire band and Raiden (A/N: Amari and Naanaami are now part of the band, Naanaami plays flute and sings, Ayame plays the harp, and Amari took over the guitar. Don't ask about Raiden, the explanation is in the next chappie!). "So, Sango," Inuyasha said, "you know we're going to have a small concert with like 2 songs, right?" Sango nodded, waiting to swallow her food. "Of course, I've practiced them forever!" Everyone was talking so loudly that they hardly noticed when Kohaku tapped a glass of water with a fork. However, when Naanaami played a short but loud burst of noise on her flute, everyone instantly quieted. Kohaku spoke up. "Well, first, I'd like to say that the Shards of Foxfire band has agreed to have a short concert, with two new songs. Second, let's have a toast for the newlyweds, Sango and Miroku!"
After the toast, the group got set up quickly, Naanaami going up to the mike. "Well, we're gonna perform three songs that we think are fitting, Ai no Uta, Yasashii Yoake, and Anniversary!" She went back and got into place as the others began to play, Sango, Rin, and Naanaami's voices filled the air. "Kono chi ni chikara o, noni hana o, kokoro ni ai o." Grateful that their performance was as good as ever, they then set up for the new song, Yasashii Yoake.
The song started with what sounded like bongo drums, and then the flute came in. Sango began to sing the first part, enjoying it. "Eien o sagasu kimi wa utsurigi na yume mibito uwaki na yume ni sugari anata wa doko e yuku." Everyone seemed entranced by the strangely beautiful melody, and when it was over, it took a few seconds for everyone to applaud. Naanaami then went to the front of the stage, ready to sing her solo. The first few measures passed without a hitch, and then Naanaami started. "Arihu le tana yami to
Omoatsu kutsu me tsu luketo Kyo no ga tsuzuku dakare Make lale nai doa." After that song, which was met with loud applause, the instruments were packed away and everyone went back to what they had been doing.
The rest of the reception was full of dancing, cake, food, and fun. When Sango threw the bouquet closer to the end of the party, Ayame was the one who caught it. Everyone then looked at Koga, who was completely confused. Everyone had a lot of fun, and tons of people were there. Kagome had somehow convinced Hojo to come to the wedding, and he was over in the corner, chatting with Amari. Sango smiled to herself. She could see couples everywhere!" Raiden and Sesshoumaru were eating cake, Kagome and Inuyasha were sitting at a table talking, Koga and Ayame had run off *somewhere*, and Kohaku was teaching Naanaami how to dance, with great success.
Finally, at midnight Sango and Miroku climbed onto Kirara's back, ready to go on their honeymoon. Showered with flower petals, the demon cat walked through the crowd of people slowly. Then, with a final tail swish as farewell, she took off in the night sky, leaving a fiery trail in her wake.
Thanks to my reviewers:
Fairyangel124: Yep, they're finally going back!
Killersmurf: Here ya go! Yep, I know I'm evil, I had a cliffy!
Robin5791: Inequalities aren't evil! Some people like them! Chapter 10 was scary? Huh? I'm already done with ur stuff and I'll pass em on to whitney after I get back to sch.! Don't be rude, and don't burn your hw!
Iknowwherecowlives: Of course I know who you are!
Now, on to the story:
After a few minutes worth of worry, Miroku came back, looking confused, but unhurt. "What happened?" Sango asked, worried. Miroku took a minute to respond. "Well, something strange happened, but they got to the shrine safely. Sango wanted to question him more about what had happened, but he interrupted. "I'll tell you later. Now, let's get back to where we were before all of this happened." Everyone held onto Miroku for dear life as they jumped through the portal, hoping that they would land where they needed to. With a flash of light, everyone was back in the parking lot, walking to the restaurant. They all looked relieved to be dressed in modern clothes again and finally opened the door to the building, starving for modern food.
Because it was the easiest, the gang took up one large table. (A/N: In case you're wondering, here's the order: Miroku, Sango, Kohaku, Koga, Ayame, Shippo, Kagome, Inuyasha, Rin, Sesshoumaru, Raiden. Kirara's in Sango's lap.) After ordering and being served, the reality sunk in that they were no longer in the Feudal Era. They were all in a very good mood, and chattered all the way through dinner. Everyone was just happy to be back, and enjoying their break. They all knew that they would be on the road again soon enough.
When the waitress had taken their plates away, Inuyasha got down on the ground, as if to pick something up. But instead, he held out a ring to Kagome. "Kagome, will you marry me?" Smiling widely, Kagome nodded, and threw her arms around the surprised hanyou. "Of course I will!" Inuyasha hugged her back, and then sat back in his chair, blushing.
Almost as if it was a diversion, Inuyasha looked over at Miroku, who fished a black box out of his shirt pocket. "Sango, I know the last time I did this, we were sitting on a hill in the Feudal Era, but will you marry me?" Sango couldn't breathe. She thought that he had forgotten about that day. She nodded, and Miroku's face lit up. He slipped the ring on her finger, and gave her the necklace. After looking at it for a while, Sango fastened it around her neck. Miroku then grabbed her hand, took off the beads and cloth from his arm, and put it on her arm. That made Sango tear up. It meant that he was putting all of his trust in her. "I guess that's sealed, right?" Sango asked Miroku, who kissed the top of her head. "Yes, we're stuck.
A FEW MONTHS LATER
Sango looked at her reflection in the mirror, looking at her beautiful snow- colored gown. It had three-quarter-sleeves, and a white filmy fabric functioned as sleeves, perfect for a warm spring afternoon. The dress was low-cut in the front and back, and below her waist the skirt belled out slightly, covered in swaths of lace. She wore elegant silver bracelets, and the jewelry Miroku had given her. Her shoes were the elegant high-heeled sandals. Her hair had been brushed until it shone, and a sparkling tiara was on the top of her head, the lacy veil coming from it. "Kagome?"
"Yes, Sango?" Kagome asked. She was busy helping the others make sure that their ivory gowns fit right, while Ayame helped Naanaami with her makeup.
"Do I look okay to you?"
Kagome laughed. "Of course! You look beautiful. You're worried, aren't you?" Sango nodded, surprised that Kagome noticed. "Well, don't worry about it. You'll look fine. Besides, be grateful I'm your pep-talk person. Just imagine Miroku, who's stuck with Inuyasha and Kouga, the eternal pessimists! Hey, I'm the one marrying Inuyasha in a few weeks, not you!" Sango giggled, most of her fears alleviated as she imagined Miroku cowering in the floor of his dressing room while Inuyasha and Kouga told him everything that could go wrong with the wedding.
Sango's imagination proved correct, as Miroku was quite literally cowering. Inuyasha and Kouga had been talking for the past hour everything that could go wrong, and then his savior came: Kohaku. "Leave Miroku alone, you guys! If you make him mess up my sister's big day, I'll kill you!" Inuyasha and Kouga yawned at the same time, but they did leave Miroku alone long enough to get dressed and ready for the union with his Sango.
As Kagome's mother and grandfather filed into the chapel, they were amazed at the amount of people there. Sango and Miroku had gained a lot of friends. Mrs. Higurashi noticed two empty seats by a large percentage of the Sohmas, and so she sat down, to see if she could recognize everyone. She immediately saw Yuki and Kyo, trying to fight as an ever patient Tohru sat in the middle to keep them in line. Ayame was as far away from Yuki as possible, surrounded by Shigure and Hatori. Momiji sat between Hatori and Kisa, while Hiro was next to Kisa. Haru was next to Kagura (from FB, not IY), who was trying to hug Kyo, who kept pushing her away. Mrs. Higurashi was about to talk to Yuki, who was next to her, but the organ began to play. The wedding procession was coming out!
The maid of honor and best man, Kagome and Inuyasha came out first, arm in arm. Naanaami and Kohaku came next, followed by Koga and Ayame. Raiden and Sesshoumaru brought up the rear as Rin scattered petals everywhere, proud to be a flower girl. Miroku followed the minister onto the platform, and waited for Sango to come out.
As Sango left the safety of the marble hallway, she could feel over a hundred eyes on her slow walk to the altar. Though she was tempted to lock eyes with Kohaku, her eyes found Miroku's instead. He looked slightly green, but as she walked closer and closer towards him, he relaxed, waiting for her. Sango suddenly realized the gravity of that day. The night before, at the rehearsal, it had been all fun and games, with Miroku flirting with every woman he saw, and Naanaami taking her tiara for ransom. But now, it was really happening. She and Miroku would be joined together for all eternity. As she finally reached the altar, Miroku took her hands in his, and looked into her eyes. Sango realized that he was just as afraid of the unknown as she was, and he gave her hands a squeeze. From that point on, she knew that everything would turn out fine.
As Miroku and Sango repeated their vows in turn, they waited for the moment when they would finally hear the six words they both wanted to hear. "Miroku, do you take Sango to be your lawfully wedded wife?'
"I do."
"Sango, do you take Miroku to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do."
"You may now kiss the bride."
Despite proper wedding etiquette, everyone erupted into cheers, for they knew how long ago that wedding should have happened. As most of the room emptied, many stayed to take wedding pictures, which were finished in a flurry of flashing lights. When the rest of the people left to go to the reception area, Miroku looked at Sango. "Shall we have our amazing entrance, my dear wife? I've always wanted to say that." Sango nodded, and kissed him on the forehead. "Hold on, Miroku, let me change." And as Miroku watched, trying not to think perverted thoughts, Sango unhooked the back of her skirt, letting it fall to reveal white satiny dress pants. "You don't think that I would ride Kirara sidesaddle, do you?" Miroku sighed and said, "Sango, you never cease to amaze me." Sango got on Kirara's back, in front of Miroku. "I know."
As Sango and Miroku stepped off of Kirara, Sango had a sudden vision. She was back in her home in the village, her father beside her. Sango gave her father a hug. "Father, I've missed you so much!" Sango's father hugged her back as he replied, "And I missed you, too." Sango tried to tell him something else, but he put his finger to her lips. "Don't say anything. I don't have much time left here, so listen up. You have done well finding helpful friends and a good husband, and I now have one more word of advice to give you. Nakama." He said before disappearing.
Sango remembered what Nakama meant. It usually meant 'circle of friends', but it had a deeper meaning in the demon slayer's way of life. Often, groups of demons would band together to fight the demon slayers, knowing that they were stronger in numbers. Whenever that happened while you were fighting, you had to depend on the other people who fought alongside you, and the more things you fought, the closer you were to the other warriors. More often than not, interdependence was the most important thing while battling; depending on others for survival was crucial. Sango realized that her father meant that she should treat her friends as family, like her demon slayer partners.
As Sango reminisced, Miroku was staring at her, wondering what she was thinking. When she came out of her trance, she told a relieved Miroku what her father had told her. He grinned. "So he approves of me? I'm shocked. Come on let's get some dinner! I'm starving!" Sango agreed, and a smaller Kirara jumped onto her shoulder as she entered the reception area.
After getting dinner, Sango and Miroku sat with the Shards of Foxfire band and Raiden (A/N: Amari and Naanaami are now part of the band, Naanaami plays flute and sings, Ayame plays the harp, and Amari took over the guitar. Don't ask about Raiden, the explanation is in the next chappie!). "So, Sango," Inuyasha said, "you know we're going to have a small concert with like 2 songs, right?" Sango nodded, waiting to swallow her food. "Of course, I've practiced them forever!" Everyone was talking so loudly that they hardly noticed when Kohaku tapped a glass of water with a fork. However, when Naanaami played a short but loud burst of noise on her flute, everyone instantly quieted. Kohaku spoke up. "Well, first, I'd like to say that the Shards of Foxfire band has agreed to have a short concert, with two new songs. Second, let's have a toast for the newlyweds, Sango and Miroku!"
After the toast, the group got set up quickly, Naanaami going up to the mike. "Well, we're gonna perform three songs that we think are fitting, Ai no Uta, Yasashii Yoake, and Anniversary!" She went back and got into place as the others began to play, Sango, Rin, and Naanaami's voices filled the air. "Kono chi ni chikara o, noni hana o, kokoro ni ai o." Grateful that their performance was as good as ever, they then set up for the new song, Yasashii Yoake.
The song started with what sounded like bongo drums, and then the flute came in. Sango began to sing the first part, enjoying it. "Eien o sagasu kimi wa utsurigi na yume mibito uwaki na yume ni sugari anata wa doko e yuku." Everyone seemed entranced by the strangely beautiful melody, and when it was over, it took a few seconds for everyone to applaud. Naanaami then went to the front of the stage, ready to sing her solo. The first few measures passed without a hitch, and then Naanaami started. "Arihu le tana yami to
Omoatsu kutsu me tsu luketo Kyo no ga tsuzuku dakare Make lale nai doa." After that song, which was met with loud applause, the instruments were packed away and everyone went back to what they had been doing.
The rest of the reception was full of dancing, cake, food, and fun. When Sango threw the bouquet closer to the end of the party, Ayame was the one who caught it. Everyone then looked at Koga, who was completely confused. Everyone had a lot of fun, and tons of people were there. Kagome had somehow convinced Hojo to come to the wedding, and he was over in the corner, chatting with Amari. Sango smiled to herself. She could see couples everywhere!" Raiden and Sesshoumaru were eating cake, Kagome and Inuyasha were sitting at a table talking, Koga and Ayame had run off *somewhere*, and Kohaku was teaching Naanaami how to dance, with great success.
Finally, at midnight Sango and Miroku climbed onto Kirara's back, ready to go on their honeymoon. Showered with flower petals, the demon cat walked through the crowd of people slowly. Then, with a final tail swish as farewell, she took off in the night sky, leaving a fiery trail in her wake.