Days had passed since Miroku had discovered his link to Akako. The next morning, Miroku had explained everything to Inuyasha and Kagome. To his surprise Kagome had hardly reacted at all. In fact, Kagome didn't react to anything anymore. For hours at a time she would wander off. She always came back at night though.
The group was peacefully sitting around the fire. After they had realized that they were hunting the same person, Akako and Miroku had begun to talk. He had convinced the other two that Akako was now safe so they agreed to untie her. Akako now sat calmly next to Miroku. Her leg wasn't quite good enough to travel on yet and even when they did travel , they would have to create something that Kagome called "crutches." Usually Akako would just float from place to place but concentrating on focusing her body's energy was too difficult in her weakened state. Akako's disability meant that all day she was forced to sit in one place. Since Kagome left early every morning, and Inuyasha ventured out to get food, Miroku and Akako had a lot of time to talk. The day before, Miroku had explained the twisted love games of the group. He explained Kikyo and her relationship with Inuyasha. He was tempted to tell her his plan but decided to wait and make sure that she was sincere about her loyalty.
Just like every day, Kagome got up with out a word and walked to the nearest dark hallway. She didn't even bother to bring a torch or some kind of light. Her figure disappeared into the hungry black void beyond the doorway. A few minutes later Inuyasha left the fire and headed in the direction of the temple's exit. Miroku and Akako were left alone again. Akako let out a sigh of relief as soon as they were out of sight. Now she could be alone with Miroku. Never had she been so intrigued by a human before. When she was around him she felt alive. Now was the time to act. She looked at him. Their eyes met. Akako gracefully shifted her weight and turned so that she was on her stomach. She supported her upper body on her hands. Since Miroku was only a few feet away she was able to drag her body right up next to him before he even realized what was happening. Akako could tell that heat was seeping from her body. She was just inches away from Miroku. Akako had watched humans do this hundreds of times but had never done it herself. Her eyes closed and she leaned in. Their lips met. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced. It was like time froze as their lips locked in a fiery passionate kiss. Then Miroku came to his senses. He pushed Akako away. They both panted for breath, not sure what would happen next.
"What was that?" Miroku shouted.
"I think you call it kissing," Akako replied with a childish grin. "Let's do it again," excitement in her voice as she leaned into Miroku. This time he stopped her.
"Akako you know I love Sango."
"Yes and I'm in her body. We can do all sorts of things," Akako said in a low, seductive voice.
He was tempted for a second. After all he was a man. And when he looked at her, he saw the woman of his dreams. But it wasn't her and he knew it.
"No," Miroku said firmly. "I love Sango. Not just her body, her smile, her laugh, the way she pushes her hair back when she's nervous, the cute little way she sleeps. I love everything about her. I'm sorry, it's just not the same."
Akako understood now. All of those years she had watched humans in search of love. She was feeling everything for the first time, not only love but the heartbreak that comes with a love that's not returned. But she did not resent Miroku. Even though the pain inside her was worse than her broken leg Akako was not angry. If anything, this experience just made her want to meet Sango even more. Who was this girl who could capture such a man's heart? Akako accepted that things would never work out between them. Somehow she knew that there would always be something about him but there was no need to make things any more complicated than they already were. She looked up at Miroku.
"It's okay. Sango must be very special for you to love her this much." Boiling tears were barely held in.
"She is," he replied.
"Please don't let this ruin things. I just want to help. You can trust me," Akako pleaded with Miroku.
"You're right, I can." Miroku knew that Akako would never betray him. He told her about Kikyo. Then he explained his plan.
Akako listened with wide eyes. It was so risky. If things didn't work out it could be bad. She understood why they had to do it though.
The duo started scheming. It was not going to be easy.
Inuyasha wasn't in the mood to hunt. In fact, he didn't feel like doing anything. Kagome was still mad at him. She was so distant these days. Everything about her just seemed raw and uninviting. She hadn't smiled since she had murdered Jaken.
Then there was Miroku and Akako. They were always together. They talked and laughed. Though nobody said it, it was obvious that he wasn't wanted. It almost made him miss Shippo.
Inuyasha was so confused. Whenever he got upset and worked up, exercise helped to relieve stress. Inuyasha began practicing his moves. He dashed between trees and sliced everything in his way. He practiced his moves like the Wind Scar. He even pulled out the tetsusaiga and used it to vent his anger. All around him trees were falling. His perfectly toned body moved swiftly and surely, knowing every movement. Everything was easier, simpler when he was fighting. As he was racing along, he didn't even notice when he came along a small clearing.
Sitting on the cold wet ground was Kagome. She was silent with her legs crossed. Inuyasha realized she was meditating. Her breathing was slow and focused. Her eyes were red and swollen like she had just finished crying.
Inuyasha tried to sneak away. Just then a tree he had cut through slowly fell. A whole row of trees fell one after another, like dominoes.
Kagome jumped up. Her endless black eyes met his.
"Inuyasha!"
Rin ran all the way down the long marble hallway. She threw open Sango's door. The child flew to the bed and jumped on the sleeping demon slayer.
"Wake up! Wake up! Come on sleepy head." Rin jumped on Sango. The tired woman swatted at the girl.
Sango groaned as she sat up. Rin squealed with excitement. There was a day of playing ahead of them. Sango needed exercise, Rin needed a playmate. Sesshomaru agreed to the arrangement.
Over the last few days Sango had regained her strength. Servants brought them their meals. The castle grounds were beautiful. They were fountains, gardens and an entire forest in side the palace walls. What more could a young girl ask for? Accept for maybe her heart's desire, her true love.
After a big breakfast the girls set out. They explored in the morning, had a picnic lunch, and watched the sun set. Rin talked and laughed. Sango discovered that Rin was ticklish and used it to her advantage. All of this happened as Sesshomaru looked on. Rin seemed happy. He had never seen her in fancy little dresses or with her hair done up in pretty bows. Now that the human woman was here Rin got to act like a child. She played like little girls were supposed to play. He wasn't hiding her from some challenging demon or dragging her along on long tiring journeys.
At night Rin and Sango joined Sesshomaru for dinner in the great dining hall. The table could probably seat hundreds so when Sesshomaru sat at one end and Sango at the other, they had no contact. Poor Rin didn't know where to sit. Out of respect she usually ate her father's side. Sesshomaru noticed that she often ate quickly though. Then they would rush off to play some more.
Sango knew that in a way this hurt Sesshomaru. He seemed sad and jealous at the same time. Yet in a way, she could tell that he was happy for Rin. The night before had been a perfect example of his love for Rin. The girl had woken up screaming from a nightmare. They castle was so big that by the time that Sesshomaru had weaved his way through the passageways and reached Rin's room, Sango was already there. She was rocking the child back to sleep. The look on Sesshomaru's face had been burned into Sango's memory. It was the look of a father who had lost his daughter even though she was right in front of him. Sango had at first planned to use the child against Sesshomaru but had let herself become attached to the girl. That didn't mean that she wouldn't somehow break away, soon. No matter how she felt about the child that didn't change what needed to be done. Sango still needed to find her love, or whatever was left of him.
Unfortunately Sesshomaru was always on his guard. If only she could get him emotional. When he let his emotions come through, no matter how briefly, he was weak.