Chapter Three-Broken Promises and New Love Proclaimed

Later the night, Sesshoumaru called Saraku into his chambers for talk. He'd been very displeased with the news Jakken had given him, but he wanted to hear it from Saraku herself. He was sitting on his bed when the girl came to him. "Come in, Saraku." He said pleasantly. He watched her cross the room to sit at his feet, which she'd been taught to do by Rin.

"You asked to see me, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Her bright brown eyes looked up at him curiously.

"Yes….Jakken's brought it to my attention that you want to leave me. Is that the truth, Child?" The demon prince stared down at her, his eyes sad, and hopeful his servant had been lying.

"Of course not, My Lord! I would never want to leave you completely!" Even as she said, Sara wondered at her proclamation. She really did love Sesshoumaru, but she longed for Kagome's loving care too.

"But you do want to leave for a time, is that right?" He asked her, feeling an old coldness in his tone.

Saraku heard it too, and she backed up a little. "J-just for a little while. I want to see Kagome and Shippou. "

Sesshoumaru stood up, and crossed his room to stare out over the mountains. "I cannot allow it."

"Yes, My Lord." Sara replied, feeling her voice trembling. "I understand."

"No, Sara, I do not think you do. You remember what happened the last time that I allowed it. Inuyasha tried to pull a fast one. No, I cannot take that chance, with so much else going on right now." The demon prince turned to look at her. "Put them out of your mind. There will be no more visits."

"Then you are breaking your promise to Kagome. You said you would never keep me away from them!" Saraku replied, tears falling now.

"It is for your safety, Saraku! Do not presume that I don't know what I'm doing! The answer is no! Go to your dinner now." Sesshoumaru ordered. He watched the child flee, with a sigh. You will understand in time, Saraku. I promise. I cannot trust my brother to return you to me, nor can I trust them not to turn you away from me. It is the only way I can keep you safe.

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Rin was sitting at the long dining table when Sara came in. She gasped, seeing her shaken state. "Saraku, what happened? Did Lord Sesshoumaru scold you badly?"

"No. He said I can never see Shippou or Kagome again, and it's all because of Inuyasha!"

"I told you Inuyasha was bad." Rin reminded her friend, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I know, but it's not fair to make Kagome and Shippou suffer. And what about Miroku and Sango? They're my friends too." Sara poked at the food a servant put in front of her. "Now I do feel like a prisoner!"

The older girl put a hand over her mouth, glancing around. "Shh! Don't say that so loudly. Jakken might hear you!"

"Sorry, but I'm wondering now if Sesshoumaru really did want me or if he's just playing keep away from Inuyasha."

"What?! No way! Lord Sesshoumaru loves us, you know that!" Rin couldn't believe the things Saraku was saying. "He especially loves you. He never had a sword made for me."

Saraku sighed. "I just want to be with Kagome. Is that so wrong?"

"Of course not." Rin replied, suddenly feeling sorry for her. "Maybe I can talk to him. He's always prone to do the things I ask."

She looked at Rin. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Listen….It sort of started out as me wanting to keep you, but now…it's not so much like that anymore. You're my sister, and I want you to be happy. If seeing Kagome, Shippou and the rest will make you happy,I'll do my best to make that happen. " Rin smiled at her lovingly. "I'm going to go to talk to him right now."

Saraku nodded, and wiped her eyes, before beginning to eat her meal, as Rin left to talk to their "father".

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"Oh Sango, my dear, she is beautiful!" The old Priestess Kaede breathed, as she carefully dressed the infant in warm clothing.

"Thank you, Kaede." Sango replied with a smile. "I hope I know what I'm doing.."

"You do. It's maternal instinct, Dear." Kaede assured her, as she replaced Chibi in Sango's arms. "Every mother is nervous the first time around."

"First time? This is going to be the only time." Sango commented, as she guided Chibi's tiny mouth to her breast. "I'm not going to let Miroku talk me into another one."

The priestess chuckled and fixed a heating pad for Sango's back. "That young monk is lucky he does not have thousands of offspring."

Sango shook her head. "I don't think Miroku's ever really made good with all those promises, Kaede."

"No?" Kaede studied Sango. "Does ye have feelings for him?"

"If I say yes, will you promise not to tell anyone?" Sango replied, adjusting her baby girl.

"Not a word." Kaede hid a smile. "It seems to me that it is only natural for a couple who have brought a new life into the world to love each other. That is how the Gods determine if a baby will be made from a mating."

Sango nodded at the priestess' words,as she rocked Chibi gently. "I don't know if Miroku feels the same way though."

"There is only one way to know for sure. You must confront him, Sango." Kaede replied.

"He did protect me from Naraku's insects earlier…." Sango replied softly. "I shouldn't have to ask."

"Indeed. Ah! Here comes he now." Kaede moved out of the hut to give the parents some privacy.

Sango watched her go, as Miroku settled beside her. "Hey there."

"Hi." Miroku smiled, and reached over, stroking Chibi's soft gently. "You two were having a lovely conversation."

"Oh. I guess you heard…." Sango looked away. "Look, Miroku…."

"No, it's okay, Sango. If I were you, I'd be wary too, especially with the way I'm known to behave." The monk turned Sango's face to look at him. "I gave that all up the day you came to my bed willingly. I love you, Sango. No one else." He leaned over, and gave her a deep, tender kiss.

"Mmm….." Sango smiled, as they pulled away. "Aren't you going to be in trouble with your Order for this?"

"I've a new order now. It's the ChibiSango Order." He chuckled now, taking his baby daughter into his arms.

"Oh Miroku….." Sango smiled happily, watching Miroku with their child. "I love you so very much."

"And I love you." Miroku replied. "We should sleep now. The baby needs it."

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In their own hut, Inuyasha and Kagome were trying to sort out the events of earlier. They'd been talking for hours. Now the hanyou and Kagome laid side by side. "Kagome….what would happen if I were to…you know…give you a child?" Inuyasha sat up looking down at Kagome.

"I…I don't know. I would keep it, of course." Kagome had been surprised by the question. "Do you….want to give me a child, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha couldn't think of a way to answer that. He did, but he wanted her to be able to finish her schooling in her world first. "Of course….but not now."

"No, not now….not with Naraku still at large." Kagome shuddered, wondering how Sango and Miroku would protect their little Chibi from the dangerous sorcerer.

"They'll be okay." Inuyasha told her, sensing the unasked question in her heart. "That child's got the most alert parents you can have."

"Oh I hope you're right!" Kagome exclaimed. "I'd hate for anything to happen to her!"

Inuyasha wrapped an arm around Kagome with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen to her or us."

Kagome smiled contentedly, feeling safe in Inuyasha's protective embrace, as she fell asleep.