Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha!
Chapter 26:
'Oh great! What am I gonna tell Miroku?' Sango's mind was going thinking overtime. "Will Miss Sango please come to the front?" The servant of Prince Takeku called out into the crowd of women. 'Damn!'
"Sango-chan you should go up there and decline his offer." Kagome said to her conflicted friend. 'Arrgghhh....this all my fault! I was so selfish!' Kagome bit her lip as she watched Sango walk throught the crowd. Insults were flung at her from left and right. She turned abruptly around, her anger boiling to the top.
"Oh shut up!" They all froze and zipped their lips, backing away. The Prince looked at Sango in surprise. Inuyasha and the monk stared as Sango approached the front of the courtyard. Miroku bowed his head in defeat.
"Let's go Inuyasha."
"Nani! We wait, plus Sango wouldn't marry a jerk like that, Miroku. Baka! What are you thinking?"
"Shhh.keep your voice down." He whispered.
"What the hell has gotten into you?!" Inuyasha had jumped out of the bushes yelling this, forgetting where he was. Some girls near the shrubbery jumped and started screaming and pointing at the hanyou.
"Ahhhh! Youkai! Youkai!" Kagome, who had heard the commotion, ran over to the scene. Miroku was just standing there in the middle of the chaos with his hand on his head.
"Oi! Get out of my way!" The girls ran past her. "Oi! Inuyasha! I told you not to come here!"
"I..I..." She rolled her eyes, but then gave him her quirky smile. Sango came running, completely leaving the Prince in the dust. "Come on, let's get outta here!" Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's arm and Miroku and Sango followed. The demon huntress noticed the monk's depressing expression.
"Miroku..." She was using his name on purpose to see if she could get some sort of reaction out of him. He turned and gently smiled at her.
"Nani? Lady Sango?"
"Why are you acting like a child? You've been avoiding me; you walked away from me this afternoon too."
"Gomen."
"Well I want a reason."
"I don't deserve you."
"What are talking about?"
"I saw that this afternoon; I realized I couldn't possibly give you everything you need, especially, when I don't even know if I may be around to care for you and possibly our children. If I were you, I go with the Prince. He seems so kind and generous, plus you'll never have to worry." Sango stopped dead in her tracks, he did the same. She turned to him and slapped his across the face.
"Fine! If that's what you want me to do, then I will!" She screamed as she started stomping back to the palace. She began to run and she tripped on a rock in her path, falling face first on the dirt path. "Houshi-sama?" She called out, waiting for him to come and help her up. Sango turned around to find that he had already left. She got up and dusted herself, placing her hands to her watery eyes. Sango wiped the warm tears away and trudged back to the palace.
'Gomen my Sango, demo this is for the best. I thought after you and I confessed our love for one another all our problems would be solved, demo they weren't. My curse still continues...I had to do this...this was the best path..for you...and I....'
"Miroku-sama? Where's Sango-chan?"
"She went back to the castle."
"Why?"
"To marry the Prince."
"What did you do Bouzu!" Inuyasha put his hands forcefully on his shoulders, jolting him around a bit.
"I don't deserve such a woman."
"Miroku-sama..." Kagome said softly, "Demo you shouldn't have let her go! I don't know what your reasoning is behind this, but you hurt her....to let her go...don't you know that? She doesn't want to be like a caged bird in a palace. She wants to be with you, no matter what your situation is!" Kagome was starting to tear up and sat down wiping her eyes. "We need Sango-chan!"
"We're going, come on Kagome." Inuyasha reached out his hand and pulled her up. "You can come if you want, you decide." They left the inn and headed to the palace.
"Excuse me Miss, what business do you have here?" Sango walked up to the guard, trying to hide her tearstained cheeks.
"I'm Sango."
"Oh do come in; the Prince has been searching for you." She was led into a large, empty room. The guard left, shutting the door behind him. Sango got a cold chill down her spine. 'What is this feeling?' Suddenly, Prince Takeku strolled in. She bowed before him.
"No need for that Milady." He said coolly. She looked up at him; he was handsome. She could see why all the girls were so jealous. Sango was entranced into his ice blue eyes. His golden highlighted brown hair shifted as he moved his head. He held out his hand and pulled her up. "Tea?"
"No thank you, your Highness."
"So, do you accept my proposal?"
"No, I came to decline."
"Nani? But why? I can give you anything you desire or need."
"I have someone already; gomen."
"Oh well, enough of this charade. I wasn't planning on marrying you."
"Nani? What are you saying?" She backed away uneasily. The cold shiver now ran throughout her entire body now. He drew closer to her and grabbed her hand. She struggled, but he was strong. He had to have been to hold down Sango. She lost feeling in her hand as soon as he touched it. Sango noticed her hand; it was stone! "Oh my..." Her heart was racing and sweat beaded on her forehead. "Miroku!" She cried, but she knew he wouldn't hear her. The Prince shed his human disguise to reveal a grey complexion. He looked like he was made of stone. 'A stone demon! I only heard about them. I didn't know they really existed.' Her body was gradually becoming stone. Stone demons gained their strength by turning either youkai or humans into stone and then suck out their life force and what's left is just a boulder. He touched her face with his rough, leaving a scratch.
"Such beauty; such power in a fragile body. I found that out in your slap." His voice was deeper and more earthy you could say. "Too bad your lover couldn't say goodbye." Sango's heart slowed down and her breathing became more staggered. 'Onegai, someone save me! I have so much to do! I have to avenge my family! I have to save Kohaku!' "Why do you struggle so? Just let it overtake you; die peacefully."
"Sango-chan! Oh my god! Sango!" Inuyasha charged the startled youkai with his sword.
"Dammit I knew this whole ball thing was fishy. Hey rocks for brains come here!" Inuyasha charged again and hit Takeku, but it did nothing. "Huh? It didn't cut him?"
"Heh...that's why this is so helpful." Takeku smirked as he tapped his finger on his forehead. 'What could his weakness be? He's a rock! Kusu!' Kagome, who had run directly to Sango, was trying her best not to break down. The stone had now consumed up to her neck.
"Hurry Inuyasha! She doesn't have much breath left. Onegai Sango- chan hold on!"
"Tell Miroku...I..still..lo-" He head dropped to the side.
"No! Sango-chan!" Miroku as if on queue barged in and stared dumbfounded at the Sango statue. 'If only I'd of listened to her!'
"Inuyasha move!" Inuyasha moved away and let Miroku forward.
"So, are you her lover? Too bad you're late."
"Kazaana!!!!!" He unveiled his hand and sucked the unsuspecting youkai into the black hole. He sealed it and knelt onto the ground, pounding his fist on the floor. Sango was cast out of the stone. Her limp body lay on Kagome's lap. Kagome was weeping and Shippo and Kirara whimpered at her side. Suddenly, Sango coughed, surprising the young miko.
"Sango-chan? Are you really?" She squeezed her to her chest.
"Can't breathe Kagome-chan..."
"Oh gomen. Oh thank God!" Miroku, who was kneeling, lifted his head and gazed at the woman. She was staring at him; she was stiff and couldn't move yet. Kagome noticed the atmosphere and laid her gently on the floor. "Come on Inuyasha, Shippo, Kirara." They all left the room silently.
"Houshi-sama.." She crawled painstakingly over to his side. He of course moved to her, saving her the pain of moving.
"Sorry Sango. I caused you so much pain. I..I..."
"I'd like to know where in your mind you thought I'd be happy living this kind of life." He chuckled as he lifted her form on his lap.
"I don't know; the sake distorted my thoughts and it seemed the best solution at the time."
"Baka Bouzu."
"Oi I resent that."
"You deserve it."
"Yes I do. I deserve any punishment you have for me." She was coming out of the paralysis and sat up. Sango cringed, but endured it. "You shouldn't really move for a bit."
"I gotta move or it'll never heal, gotta stretch."
"How 'bout this instead?" He started to rub her shoulders. She melted at his touch and moaned a little. "Does that hurt? Do you want me to stop?"
"No it's helping, really." She started to remove the top of her kimono.
"Ano? What are you doing?" She smiled and turned to face him, bare on top.
"I love you, Miroku." She dove at him, placing her lips on his.
"Are you well?"
"Hai, a lot better actually." He smiled, but pulled away, turning his head from her.
"Put the kimono back on."
"Do you not...want?" She pouted, thinking he thought her scarred skin was unappealing.
"I want...you..Sango, demo don't you think this is a little sudden?" She started to sniffle and put the kimono back on. "Oh Sango..I want you more than anything in this world, but right now you need rest." He turned around and saw a few tears fall from her face. 'Damn I made her cry again.' "Sango."
"Am I that unattractive? Do my scars disgust you? Is that it?"
"No! I never said that! You are more than I could ever ask for. You are truly a rare beauty. Not only are you strong and brave, you're gentle and kind as well. I love you Sango." She felt renewed by his kind words. He leaned to her and kissed her. Her eyes widened, never before had he kissed her first. "Does that help?" She nodded and smiled brightly. Sango laid her head in his lap and he ran his fingers through her long, silky hair. "Were you really wanting us to do *ahem* that tonight?"
"Why do you ask?" She smirked.
"Oh..well..."
"If you'd like to know, then yes, and frankly Miroku it would be nice if you could initiate something sometimes..." She yawned, "I was waitng for you to take a hint. I'm not the man in the relationship." He chuckled a little.
"Maybe some other time, ne?"
"Hai, we gotta get working on those children you want."
"Nani? Sango?" She had dozed off on his lap; he smiled and scooted against the wall and closed his eyes. 'Goodnight, my love.'
Author's note: Whew! That was one heck of a chapter! Hope you liked it! BTW if you ever get the chance I have a short Fic on Sessho-kun and Rin- chan up...maybe could you check it out? It's called Bedtime Musings.ok ok enough advertisement...until next time! PLEASE REVIEW!!!! IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!
Chapter 26:
'Oh great! What am I gonna tell Miroku?' Sango's mind was going thinking overtime. "Will Miss Sango please come to the front?" The servant of Prince Takeku called out into the crowd of women. 'Damn!'
"Sango-chan you should go up there and decline his offer." Kagome said to her conflicted friend. 'Arrgghhh....this all my fault! I was so selfish!' Kagome bit her lip as she watched Sango walk throught the crowd. Insults were flung at her from left and right. She turned abruptly around, her anger boiling to the top.
"Oh shut up!" They all froze and zipped their lips, backing away. The Prince looked at Sango in surprise. Inuyasha and the monk stared as Sango approached the front of the courtyard. Miroku bowed his head in defeat.
"Let's go Inuyasha."
"Nani! We wait, plus Sango wouldn't marry a jerk like that, Miroku. Baka! What are you thinking?"
"Shhh.keep your voice down." He whispered.
"What the hell has gotten into you?!" Inuyasha had jumped out of the bushes yelling this, forgetting where he was. Some girls near the shrubbery jumped and started screaming and pointing at the hanyou.
"Ahhhh! Youkai! Youkai!" Kagome, who had heard the commotion, ran over to the scene. Miroku was just standing there in the middle of the chaos with his hand on his head.
"Oi! Get out of my way!" The girls ran past her. "Oi! Inuyasha! I told you not to come here!"
"I..I..." She rolled her eyes, but then gave him her quirky smile. Sango came running, completely leaving the Prince in the dust. "Come on, let's get outta here!" Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's arm and Miroku and Sango followed. The demon huntress noticed the monk's depressing expression.
"Miroku..." She was using his name on purpose to see if she could get some sort of reaction out of him. He turned and gently smiled at her.
"Nani? Lady Sango?"
"Why are you acting like a child? You've been avoiding me; you walked away from me this afternoon too."
"Gomen."
"Well I want a reason."
"I don't deserve you."
"What are talking about?"
"I saw that this afternoon; I realized I couldn't possibly give you everything you need, especially, when I don't even know if I may be around to care for you and possibly our children. If I were you, I go with the Prince. He seems so kind and generous, plus you'll never have to worry." Sango stopped dead in her tracks, he did the same. She turned to him and slapped his across the face.
"Fine! If that's what you want me to do, then I will!" She screamed as she started stomping back to the palace. She began to run and she tripped on a rock in her path, falling face first on the dirt path. "Houshi-sama?" She called out, waiting for him to come and help her up. Sango turned around to find that he had already left. She got up and dusted herself, placing her hands to her watery eyes. Sango wiped the warm tears away and trudged back to the palace.
'Gomen my Sango, demo this is for the best. I thought after you and I confessed our love for one another all our problems would be solved, demo they weren't. My curse still continues...I had to do this...this was the best path..for you...and I....'
"Miroku-sama? Where's Sango-chan?"
"She went back to the castle."
"Why?"
"To marry the Prince."
"What did you do Bouzu!" Inuyasha put his hands forcefully on his shoulders, jolting him around a bit.
"I don't deserve such a woman."
"Miroku-sama..." Kagome said softly, "Demo you shouldn't have let her go! I don't know what your reasoning is behind this, but you hurt her....to let her go...don't you know that? She doesn't want to be like a caged bird in a palace. She wants to be with you, no matter what your situation is!" Kagome was starting to tear up and sat down wiping her eyes. "We need Sango-chan!"
"We're going, come on Kagome." Inuyasha reached out his hand and pulled her up. "You can come if you want, you decide." They left the inn and headed to the palace.
"Excuse me Miss, what business do you have here?" Sango walked up to the guard, trying to hide her tearstained cheeks.
"I'm Sango."
"Oh do come in; the Prince has been searching for you." She was led into a large, empty room. The guard left, shutting the door behind him. Sango got a cold chill down her spine. 'What is this feeling?' Suddenly, Prince Takeku strolled in. She bowed before him.
"No need for that Milady." He said coolly. She looked up at him; he was handsome. She could see why all the girls were so jealous. Sango was entranced into his ice blue eyes. His golden highlighted brown hair shifted as he moved his head. He held out his hand and pulled her up. "Tea?"
"No thank you, your Highness."
"So, do you accept my proposal?"
"No, I came to decline."
"Nani? But why? I can give you anything you desire or need."
"I have someone already; gomen."
"Oh well, enough of this charade. I wasn't planning on marrying you."
"Nani? What are you saying?" She backed away uneasily. The cold shiver now ran throughout her entire body now. He drew closer to her and grabbed her hand. She struggled, but he was strong. He had to have been to hold down Sango. She lost feeling in her hand as soon as he touched it. Sango noticed her hand; it was stone! "Oh my..." Her heart was racing and sweat beaded on her forehead. "Miroku!" She cried, but she knew he wouldn't hear her. The Prince shed his human disguise to reveal a grey complexion. He looked like he was made of stone. 'A stone demon! I only heard about them. I didn't know they really existed.' Her body was gradually becoming stone. Stone demons gained their strength by turning either youkai or humans into stone and then suck out their life force and what's left is just a boulder. He touched her face with his rough, leaving a scratch.
"Such beauty; such power in a fragile body. I found that out in your slap." His voice was deeper and more earthy you could say. "Too bad your lover couldn't say goodbye." Sango's heart slowed down and her breathing became more staggered. 'Onegai, someone save me! I have so much to do! I have to avenge my family! I have to save Kohaku!' "Why do you struggle so? Just let it overtake you; die peacefully."
"Sango-chan! Oh my god! Sango!" Inuyasha charged the startled youkai with his sword.
"Dammit I knew this whole ball thing was fishy. Hey rocks for brains come here!" Inuyasha charged again and hit Takeku, but it did nothing. "Huh? It didn't cut him?"
"Heh...that's why this is so helpful." Takeku smirked as he tapped his finger on his forehead. 'What could his weakness be? He's a rock! Kusu!' Kagome, who had run directly to Sango, was trying her best not to break down. The stone had now consumed up to her neck.
"Hurry Inuyasha! She doesn't have much breath left. Onegai Sango- chan hold on!"
"Tell Miroku...I..still..lo-" He head dropped to the side.
"No! Sango-chan!" Miroku as if on queue barged in and stared dumbfounded at the Sango statue. 'If only I'd of listened to her!'
"Inuyasha move!" Inuyasha moved away and let Miroku forward.
"So, are you her lover? Too bad you're late."
"Kazaana!!!!!" He unveiled his hand and sucked the unsuspecting youkai into the black hole. He sealed it and knelt onto the ground, pounding his fist on the floor. Sango was cast out of the stone. Her limp body lay on Kagome's lap. Kagome was weeping and Shippo and Kirara whimpered at her side. Suddenly, Sango coughed, surprising the young miko.
"Sango-chan? Are you really?" She squeezed her to her chest.
"Can't breathe Kagome-chan..."
"Oh gomen. Oh thank God!" Miroku, who was kneeling, lifted his head and gazed at the woman. She was staring at him; she was stiff and couldn't move yet. Kagome noticed the atmosphere and laid her gently on the floor. "Come on Inuyasha, Shippo, Kirara." They all left the room silently.
"Houshi-sama.." She crawled painstakingly over to his side. He of course moved to her, saving her the pain of moving.
"Sorry Sango. I caused you so much pain. I..I..."
"I'd like to know where in your mind you thought I'd be happy living this kind of life." He chuckled as he lifted her form on his lap.
"I don't know; the sake distorted my thoughts and it seemed the best solution at the time."
"Baka Bouzu."
"Oi I resent that."
"You deserve it."
"Yes I do. I deserve any punishment you have for me." She was coming out of the paralysis and sat up. Sango cringed, but endured it. "You shouldn't really move for a bit."
"I gotta move or it'll never heal, gotta stretch."
"How 'bout this instead?" He started to rub her shoulders. She melted at his touch and moaned a little. "Does that hurt? Do you want me to stop?"
"No it's helping, really." She started to remove the top of her kimono.
"Ano? What are you doing?" She smiled and turned to face him, bare on top.
"I love you, Miroku." She dove at him, placing her lips on his.
"Are you well?"
"Hai, a lot better actually." He smiled, but pulled away, turning his head from her.
"Put the kimono back on."
"Do you not...want?" She pouted, thinking he thought her scarred skin was unappealing.
"I want...you..Sango, demo don't you think this is a little sudden?" She started to sniffle and put the kimono back on. "Oh Sango..I want you more than anything in this world, but right now you need rest." He turned around and saw a few tears fall from her face. 'Damn I made her cry again.' "Sango."
"Am I that unattractive? Do my scars disgust you? Is that it?"
"No! I never said that! You are more than I could ever ask for. You are truly a rare beauty. Not only are you strong and brave, you're gentle and kind as well. I love you Sango." She felt renewed by his kind words. He leaned to her and kissed her. Her eyes widened, never before had he kissed her first. "Does that help?" She nodded and smiled brightly. Sango laid her head in his lap and he ran his fingers through her long, silky hair. "Were you really wanting us to do *ahem* that tonight?"
"Why do you ask?" She smirked.
"Oh..well..."
"If you'd like to know, then yes, and frankly Miroku it would be nice if you could initiate something sometimes..." She yawned, "I was waitng for you to take a hint. I'm not the man in the relationship." He chuckled a little.
"Maybe some other time, ne?"
"Hai, we gotta get working on those children you want."
"Nani? Sango?" She had dozed off on his lap; he smiled and scooted against the wall and closed his eyes. 'Goodnight, my love.'
Author's note: Whew! That was one heck of a chapter! Hope you liked it! BTW if you ever get the chance I have a short Fic on Sessho-kun and Rin- chan up...maybe could you check it out? It's called Bedtime Musings.ok ok enough advertisement...until next time! PLEASE REVIEW!!!! IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!