I'm not even going to attempt to explain all the delays with my updates. Just know that I'm trying.
Chapter Nineteen: The Prelude to Another Adventure
Three months passed and Sango had taken down at least six more of the Toukai (see chapter Seventeen if you don't remember-Akogi was a member of the Toukai). She had finally relocated to an area right outside of the old village. It was about a two mile hike from her new home to where she had been trying to rebuild.
She had given up on the old village after the first month, and by the end of the second month, she had finally finished building up her new home and weapon house. Sango was curious, however, to know the reasons for the demons staying in that particular area. It seemed that whenever there was a disturbance, it was in the same area as before.
It was all very confusing to Sango, especially since this race should have been extinct with the death of Akogi. It was this type of thinking that spurred Sango into pulling some of her best weapons off the wall. It was the reason she was packing her bags. It was this confusion, that was causing her to go to Sesshoumaru. That, and the spiritual shift in the air was doing little to calm her instincts. There was something going down, and Sango needed to find out what it was.
Besides, she had vowed to herself that if there were anymore disturbances like this, then she would alert him. It was time-probably past time-she did something about it. Besides, she needed answers. The whole thing was peculiar. Sango wondered if this was a test. After all, it had been Sesshoumaru's servant that had told her of the Toukai's extinction. Why had Sesshoumaru not told her himself? She knew he wasn't one to use deceit, but he had proven once before that he would allow Jakken to use it if necessary. So, why then, would it be so unbelievable that he would have Jakken lie for him?
Why would he do that though? What would be the point? The more Sango thought about it, the angrier she became. Had Sesshoumaru brought her out here simply to trick her? Had he thought that Akogi would do her in? He did seem awfully surprised that she survived, or was that shock at how quickly she had killed him?
No, he had stated that it was a test. 'Then just what in the hell is going on here?' Sango thought to herself as she mounted Kirara. Kirara let out a growl. Sango sighed, "I know. Sesshoumaru isn't going to be too pleased about this, but I don't see any other choice. He has to be alerted. We need to figure out what is going on here, Kirara. Don't you think it's just a little strange that he hasn't come here yet. Shouldn't he be able to sense when there's something out of place in his territories?"
Kirara let out another, softer roar. Sango shook her head, "That's impossible. How could he not have known about these demons being on his land? It's been in his family for years, hasn't it? Didn't he inherit it from his father?" It hit Sango then, "Unless they were here before then too. But why are they choosing now, of all times, to resurface?"
Kirara gave an aggravated roar that simply stated, 'How the hell should I know?' Sango patted her between the ears, "Sorry. Guess I got carried away, but it's good that we're thinking of these questions now. We'll just have to remember them when we see Sesshoumaru."
It was after dark when Sango and Kirara spotted a large, humble cottage sitting amongst the trees. It was in a beautiful location, sitting there beside the stream, it's oak walls fitting in perfectly with the scenery. Sango was admiring the flowers that swayed slightly in the wind, when she spotted a young girl running around behind the house. Kirara was about to pass it up, when Sango abruptly sat up, "Kirara, that cottage down there! Doesn't that little girl look like Rin?"
Kirara looked and gave one nod before going down for a landing. When Sango hopped off her back, she had to take a breath. The view was all the more astounding up close. 'What a beautiful place,' she thought. It almost reminded her of home. It made her think of times from many years past-of a time when her only concerns were being a good sister and daughter. When playing had more meaning than fighting.
Sango was brought out of her reverie when the young girl which was, in fact, Rin, came bounding toward her. She knelt down with her arms open as Rin ran unhesitatingly into them, "Sango!! I missed you!!"
Sango smiled, "I missed you too, Rin. How have you been doing?"
"Very good. Lord Sesshoumaru said that we should be expecting you. He picked up your scent an hour ago," Rin informed. "He told me that I was to bring you to him as soon as you arrived."
"Well, then we better not keep him waiting, right?" Sango tried not to appear nervous.
Rin, being as perceptive as she was, "Don't worry. He's not in a bad mood today."
Sango held in a small laugh as she followed Rin inside the cottage, Kirara bringing up the rear. They were led through two, basically bare rooms, before finally reaching Sesshoumaru. He was sitting on a large window sill with one leg hanging down and touching the floor, while the other was propped up on the sill, holing his one arm. The moon outlined his features in a silver light as he stared out the open window with a concentrated gaze. Sango heard feet moving away from her, and turned just in time to see Rin carrying Kirara over her shoulder, shutting the door behind them while whispering something about playing outside with Jakken.
Sango began to smile, but it was cut short by a deep, rumbling voice behind her, "What brings you from your post, guard?"
Sango tensed at the way he called her guard. She hated his superiority complex, and although she had yelled at him for it before, it seemed as though it had gone in one ear and out the other. 'Grrr,' was all she could think as she spoke, "Listen, I'm not your faithful servant!" she delivered in an intense, but even voice as she spun on her heel to face him. "Yes, I work for you, but I will not kiss your feet, so you can drop the attitude!" It wasn't exactly the way she wanted to start things off, but she hated being treated like an insect.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth to speak, however, Sango cut him off, "I suppose you already know what brings me here, though. So I won't even bother in letting you waste words by asking me the reason I've come. There seems to be a problem with the demons you call the Toukai. They're not dead, and I'm not completely certain that you didn't already know that before hiring me. All I want to know, is why keep it from me? Why didn't you tell me the Northern border, specifically the area where I had planned to build a house, was infested with them?"
Sesshoumaru was now moving toward her. Sango could feel her throat going dry. She was face to face with him now, and she understood the real reason she was upset-she felt betrayed. She kept on going, however, as he continued to stalk toward her with that impassive expression, "I've killed six total in the last three months alone. They're all exactly alike, except for some small differences like eye and skin color, but their basic physiology is the same. I've cleaned, skinned, and gutted enough of them to know at least this much-they are definitely the same race as Akogi. I just don't know how that's possible if they're all supposed to be extinct." Sango paused when he was standing right in front of her. Her next words were a bit shaky, and somewhat stuttered, "The only explanations I can think of, are that you're either still testing me, trying to get me killed, or you didn't know about them yourself. Tell me, Sesshoumaru, which is it?"
Sesshoumaru's placid gaze turned to one of malice, the intensity of it causing Sango to instinctively take a couple steps backward, "You have overstepped your boundaries with me, human. I am not my brother, and disrespect will not be tolerated. Furthermore, If I wanted you dead, you'll die by my hand-not that of some low-class oni."
Sango could feel her heartbeat racing, but she refused to let that fear manifest inside. She swallowed hard before regaining her ground and taking back those few steps she had forfeited earlier. This action caused Sesshoumaru to growl again as he raised his spread palm in her approaching direction, "You will not step up to me, human!"
Sango snapped, "Listen here, you big dog! I don't care if you're Lord of the Western Lands, or some brainless twit like your brother-bless his heart, but I've been through too much in my young life to allow you treat me like some invalid! I've come here to ask you about a very serious disturbance that is taking place on the Northern part of your land. All I want from you, is to be told the truth. I need more information about these creatures if I'm to exterminate them. Tell me what they are! Did you know about them?? Did you…" Sango trailed off when Sesshoumaru's gaze suddenly changed. He really didn't know anything.
In truth, Sesshoumaru wasn't sure which to do first. Back-hand her for her blatant disrespect or to answer her parade of questions. Not that he had a whole lot of answers. It was common knowledge in these parts that the Toukai had been extinct for several years. No doubt, this news would be heartbreaking for Jakken, considering he believed himself to be very knowledgeable in History and Mythology.
Sesshoumaru opted to get the questions out of the way first, as a method to tame his temper at this particular point. He took a breath and walked back over to the window, "No, I did not know that the North was infested with such a large populous of a supposedly extinct race of demons. I cannot tell you for sure what they are, because I myself have not yet seen them. However, if you have studied these creatures as thoroughly as you claim and found them to be of the same race as Akogi, then you are probably correct."
Sesshoumaru turned to face her. Her eyes were slightly widened, "Don't look so surprised. I did hire you for a reason."
"Yes, but shouldn't you have been able to sense a change within your territory?" Sango questioned.
Sesshoumaru let out a contemplative growl as he let his gaze return to the moon outside. A small breeze crept through the room, causing his hair to sway around him, "If there had been a change, I would have sensed it. However, since I did not, I can only assume that these creatures have been here the entire time that I have presided over these lands. Now, for whatever reasons, they have finally chosen to resurface. A thought to be extinct race of demons, are now somehow revived. I do not have the answers you seek, but instead, many questions of my own."
Sango let out a sigh, "I'm sorry." Sesshoumaru glanced at her with curiosity. Sango took in a breath, "I accused you of something that you obviously had no knowledge of, and for that, I'm sorry. As for the rest of what I said, I will not apologize. So, if you wish to strike me down, this would be the opportune time. Just know that I won't go down without a fight."
Sesshoumaru smirked as he stalked toward her, "But you would go down-you know that. So, why is it then, that you constantly test my patience?"
"It is not my intention to test your patience, Sesshoumaru," Sango stated, not daring to back down.
Sesshoumaru raised his poisonous claws as Sango stood entranced by his golden gaze. Coming out of it, she watched him spread his palm from the corner of her eye. Suddenly frozen now, she closed her eyes, ready to taste the venom that would soon engulf her. Instead however, she only felt a light touch to the side of her face and her bangs being tucked behind her ear, then nothing, "I will not kill you tonight. Your apology is accepted, however, you would do well to practice holding your tongue. I have already been far too lenient with you."
All Sango could do was nod her head. He had just touched her, hadn't he? It was gentle as well. Taking a deep breath, she changed the subject to the new found problem, "We should try to figure what is going on here. Have you felt the shift?"
"Mmm…," he acknowledged both statements. "You said you've taken down at least six in the last three months?"
"Yes, but-"
"Sango," Her name rolled from his tongue before he had time to stop it.
Sango's heartbeat quickened a bit at hearing him say her name without it being laced in contempt, and she prayed that he hadn't noticed. She knew he had to of though, and that fact scared her. She only hoped he didn't think anything of it. 'Why isn't he saying anything…'
"Why is it that you waited so long to come to me with this information?" He should have been alerted to this immediately-not three months later.
"I wasn't sure of anything, and I was so busy building my hut and weaponry, that I didn't notice the time passing. It wasn't until the day before yesterday that I had time to take all of this into consideration. It was then that I decided to inform you. Besides, I thought that if there were anything unnatural happening, you would be the one to alert me," Sango tried to defend her actions. Sure, they were partially true, but Sango had also been a little apprehensive about seeing him again.
The brief interludes they had shared along the journey north were still very fresh in her mind. Her emotions and confusion were all still very present in her heart as well. Seeing him now and being this close to him only further fueled their manifestation. Sango hoped he couldn't see the blush that was surely creeping onto her features.
"Are you sick?" he could feel warmth radiating from her, "Do you have a fever?"
Sango swallowed hard, "I must be feeling a little tired that's all. We didn't stop on the way over here, and I've been keeping a steady watch on the activities at my post."
"Humph," Sesshoumaru breathed, "You and your friend will stay here. We'll finish talking about this tomorrow on the way."
Sango was visibly confused, "On the way to where?"
"We're going to be consulting one of my father's old friends, Bokusenou," Sesshoumaru paused as he headed for the door, "You can sleep in here. When you awake, I will expect you to be at one hundred percent."
"Yes," Sango agreed. "Thank you."
Sesshoumaru glanced at her over his shoulder, "For what?"
"For not killing me earlier when you had the chance," Sango stated aloud. What she did not say to him, however was, 'Thank you for giving me direction, for giving me a place to stay, and a chance at finding my purpose.' Although there were certain aspects of Sesshoumaru's character that she despised, his sense of honor was most admirable. He may seem merciless and cold, but it was true that he had shown great patience with her, and it was that fact that led her to believe there was more to him than he let show through.
Sesshoumaru left the room without another word. The chill from the open window now completely consumed her body, seeping into her very bones. She shivered as she reached the window and shut it. She then moved to the corner to the right of the window and curled up into a ball. She was almost asleep when she heard the door slide open.
She looked up to see Sesshoumaru standing in the doorframe. Rin was beside him, holding two blankets and a pillow. She crept over to where Sango lay, keeping a half-slit gaze on Sesshoumaru. Their eyes held contact for many moments until Rin finally made over to where Sango lay, and pat her on the shoulder.
"Sango?" Rin's little voice sounded quietly beside her.
"Yes, Rin?"
"Lord Sesshoumaru had me bring these for you so that you wouldn't be cold," Rin was too outspoken for her own good. "Jakken complained that he could hear your teeth chattering from his bed, but I think he was exaggerating because we all know that he doesn't hear that well. Not as good as Lord Sesshoumaru, anyway."
Sango smiled softly at the child as she sat up and accepted the blankets and pillow, "Thank you, Rin," She looked up to see Sesshoumaru and thank him as well, but he was already gone. She returned her attention to Rin, "I'll see you in the morning?"
Rin nodded her head, "Yes. Are you excited?"
"I don't know. Should I be?"
"Well, I am. We're going to be seeing the talking tree again," Rin smiled, "but I have to get to bed now or I'll get in trouble. Lord Sesshoumaru told me to bring you the blankets, then go to bed. He doesn't like it when I disobey him."
"Well, I don't want you to get into trouble, so you had best be on your way," Sango urged, "Good night, Rin."
"Good night, Sango," Rin whispered on her way out of the room. She closed the door behind her, flashing a smile at Sesshoumaru-who was leaned up against the wall-on her way to her own bed.
Late the next morning, Sesshoumaru headed toward the room in which Sango had been allowed to sleep. Everyone else was already up and getting ready, even Kirara who was nefarious when it came to sleeping in. Sesshoumaru opened the door to find her sound asleep in the corner of the room, wrapped up in her blankets like a caterpillar in a cocoon. He actually smiled at the sight, but shook it off just as quickly as it had appeared.
He walked over to her sleeping form, "Get up. It's almost time to leave."
Sango didn't budge though, as she was exhausted and this was the best sleep she'd had since before Naraku. Sesshoumaru tried to wake her three more times before picking her up and carrying her to Ah and Un. 'Humans…' he thought, 'Their bodies exhaust far too easily. It's a wonder she's lasted this long.'
Okay, sorry about the delay in my updating. I am a very busy person nowadays, but don't worry. I've got some pretty awesome ideas floating around for this one. The shit's about to hit the fan, and we're going to be having a whole new adventure which will ultimately lead to the end, but that's okay. That won't happen for several chapters to come, so no worries. Please review.
Also, I apologize for this only being eight pages, but I'm just so tired right now. The next chapter will be longer, I promise.
-Pammi
