Disclaimer—only own the characters I create. Not Inuyasha or any of the others upon which this story is based.
Sorry for the delay. I've been too busy to write. Also, there will be some more delay because I need to catch up on my other story now that I've brought this back up. I will be alternating between the two, so again sorry in advance. But I will do the best I can.
Notes to Readers:
Motoko—I know I'm a chapter late in thanking, so a belated thank you for reading.
Borrowlover—Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.
TheBigW—Lots of feedback so here's a long response LOL. I know that Amarra isn't the first woman to not smack Miroku. The purpose was to explain Amarra in a way that further separated her as her own type of character from Sango for the readers and Miroku. Even though she's my original character, I don't want to tell her story all at once, especially to the detriment of others. So I explain a bit about her at a time through certain actions, including how she may differ in relating to certain characters. As for why Miroku and the others may have expected a smack—it sort of has to do with her and Sango's "type" and I'll clarify during this chapter (I was planning on waiting, but it can fit here too). Second, aside from it not being a Miroku&Sango story, my pairings aren't set in stone yet. But I have to get everyone to a certain point before the end decision is made. FOR EXAMPLE (yelling just to be clear. Again haven't made up my mind) It wouldn't example be good enough for me to just have Inuyasha choose Kikyo (FOR EXAMPLE just to be clear LOL) without exploring Inuyasha and Sango really well. Or else it's not a real triangle. However, since you asked, I will do a part about Miroku and Sango together discussing why they decided not to be with each other, but it will be more towards the end when I've made up my mind for sure who goes where, and when the other non-couples have their big moments accepting there not being together.
Bellflower—Well, as always, I did the best I could this past chapter. Anyway, I thought I was clear on why Kagome left, but I'll put it in an Inuyasha only chapter one chapter soon. I wanted to avoid Kagome as much as I could because I can't stand her 99.9 of the time, but I didn't want to completely trash her character. So I will have to put some work into it.
Icygirl—Thank you for your patience and feedback. And I promise to finish this story, so I hope you hang in there.
and Roxy—I'm glad you're enjoying my story and appreciate the feedback!
Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy.
A scent reached Inuyasha, and he left his new perch for his old one, near the hot springs. He got there just after Miroku immersed himself into the water.
"Hey!"
Miroku opened his eyes with a small sigh. "Yes, Inuyasha?"
"I need you to handle the bitch."
"She has a name, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha answered with a Feh. Amarra wouldn't call him by name; why should Inuyasha use hers.
"Besides, what makes you think I can handle her?"
"You get along well enough."
At the realization, Inuyasha found himself curious as to what that meant for Miroku and Sango…for a second. Then he figured that he had been right, Kagome had been wrong, and there was nothing to Miroku and Sango more than their friendship.
That thought caused Inuyasha to feel a sort of relief for his demon slayer friend. Because, though Inuyasha liked Miroku, Inuyasha didn't think that Miroku would ever be the settling down type of man. And Sango seemed like the settling down type of woman.
"That's because I'm the only one who has made an effort. I am sure there is nothing more to it than that."
Inuyasha jumped down from his tree branch. "She didn't slap you when you groped her" he noted.
"Why, Inuyasha, you act as if my advances are always rebuffed. I'll have you know that I am successful much more often than not." Miroku closed his eyes with a smirk.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Whatever…but not with her type I'd bet."
"Her type being?"
"A fighter…like Sango."
"Sango and Amarra are the same type perhaps, but they are not alike." Miroku said, primarily to himself.
Inuyasha had a point, Miroku realized. At first glance, Sango and Amarra were the same "types". Generally speaking, they were the same type. They were both obviously strong women, warriors, hell, even their wardrobe was similar. And Inuyasha was right, generally those types of women, Miroku did not have much luck at.
Those types of women had a purpose…and they had more important things to do than be seduced by some lecherous man. And generally they would be offended at even being "asked".
Miroku, just like the rest of them, had in fact expected a slap from Amarra, just like he always expected a slap from Sango. The entire reason he had groped her was so that she would get angry and forget her anger at Inuyasha.
He was surprised to just get a laugh.
But, after their discussion earlier in the evening, he was reminded that Amarra's personality was unlike one he had encountered.
Amarra saw things…differently. Not just from Sango, but from most people. She had a calm, direct honesty about her that was just…different.
It likely had to do with her involvement with Sesshomaru. Miroku imagined that being involved with Sesshomaru, in more than a physical way, though neither Sesshomaru nor Amarra would probably ever admit it, took a specific type of woman. And even if Amarra started off one way, she would wind up molding herself another way just to survive in Sesshomaru's world.
So, while Miroku still did not know exactly why Amarra laughed off his grope, he was learning he could not base Amarra's words or actions on what Sango would do in a given situation.
"Feh. Just let her know that I won't be responsible…"
"Inuyasha, may I make a suggestion?"
"I don't care if she's just trying to test me like Sango thought…."
"And I'm going to make the same suggestion to Sango. Don't mention your brother. I have a feeling that is what makes her angry."
Inuyasha crossed his arms, waiting for Miroku to continue.
"We don't…know what type of relationship they had. I am sure there is more to it, just like I am sure I shouldn't bore you with my thoughts."
"Good, cause I don't care."
"Of course…I just think…it would be best if you and Sango not mention him the way you do. And I will continue to push her to give you a chance."
"I don't give a fuck if she gives me a chance…I just don't want to hear her mouth!"
"Of course, Inuyasha." People said that Miroku had an ego. Inuyasha's ego was such that he remembered every slight…and he was harsher than necessary to try and protect himself from such. Yet, Miroku knew that was not what to say, so, he did what Sango had been doing lately, and made a suggestion that had nothing to do with Inuyasha's feelings., but would hopefully have the desired effect. "However she may not know that. And I think that if she gives you more of a chance, she will automatically be kind, and therefore you will not be bothered by her."
"Fine." Inuyasha was convinced and the subject was dropped.
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Shippo came from Miroku's hut. "Amarra says he went to the hot springs. He'll be mad when he finds out he missed you."
"Not as angry as he used to be." Sango stated to herself. She wondered why Miroku still flirted with her, when it seemed obvious that things weren't the same anymore. When it seemed that there was a growing closeness between him and Amarra.
She hoped the monk didn't take things too far and get himself attacked by Sesshomaru. He was one of the best friends she ever had.
Best friends. When did that become settled in her mind? Probably with the growing closeness between her and Inuyasha.
She chose to let the thought flutter out of her mind and released her hair to brush it.
"Isn't Inuyasha coming?" Shippo asked Sango.
"No." Sango finished brushing her hair. "Inuyasha remembers that he was not wanted here not too long ago. So he wishes to sleep in the forest."
"His feelings are still hurt."
Sango smiled softly. "You can be very aware sometimes, Shippo."
Shippo's grin beamed across his face, but then it faded as he added softly. "I wish people would be more careful."
Sango pulled Shippo onto her lap. "Me as well. Which is why we need to be extra cautious about his feelings. To make up for the others."
Shippo nodded and then yawned.
"Ready for bed?"
Shippo yawned his answer again and climbed onto Sango's mat, using a still full sized Kirara as his pillow. "Sango?"
"Yes?" Sango joined him on the mat.
"I…thank you…" Shippo blushed slightly.
"For what, Shippo?"
"For…treating me like Kagome used to….in your own way. You make me miss her a bit less. You don't…think she'd mind do you?"
Sango looked at Shippo. "I think as long as we never forget her, than Kagome would be happy not to have us miss her too badly. Kagome would want us to be happy. Not to hold on to our thoughts of her at the detriment of our own joy."
Shippo let that thought run through him. Then Kagome would be happy. Miroku seemed okay, he found a friend in Amarra. Shippo was happier because of Sango, and he was growing used to Amarra and liked her a teeny bit as well. Sango and Inuyasha seemed friendlier now.
He hoped Kagome would be happy.
Shippo closed his eyes and Sango stopped looking at him and turned to face the wall.
Before she shut her own eyes, Inuyasha's enchanted beads caught her eye, sitting against her Hiraikotsu. She felt the need to hold onto them until they could get them safely back in Kaede's hands. Looking at them made her think of Kagome again…Inuyasha again.
But now, after speaking with Shippo, Sango realized, Kagome would truly want her friends to be happy. Never to forget her, but not to spend their lives missing her. With those admissions, Sango felt no more guilt in her growing attachment to Inuyasha.
When she closed her eyes, her mind was completely at peace in every way with her heart's growing desires. And Sango promised herself, one day,
She would tell him how she felt.
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Inuyasha had just begun to close his eyes for the night, when one of Kikyo's soul collectors flew above his head. Like always, he was off in a shot. Actually, surprisingly faster than normal, because he figured, since they just saw each other mere hours ago, there could very well be something wrong for her to be calling him again already.
Maybe this time it had something to do with…
"Naraku…" Inuyasha hissed under his breath at the thought.
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Through Kanna's mirror, Naraku watched as Inuyasha sprinted towards his "deceased" beloved.
The other girl, Kagome, was gone. But that didn't much matter to Naraku.
Naraku knew it was Inuyasha's drive to avenge Kikyo and what happened, or rather didn't happen, between them that made him such a fierce opponent. That drove his hatred.
Naraku also noted, that despite Kikyo's words to the contrary, the fact that Kagome was no longer there did in fact matter to Kikyo. Or else she wouldn't be calling for Inuyasha so soon.
And then…Kagura looked over as Naraku laughed in thought…there was Sango.
Naraku observed their growing closeness.
Inuyasha, Kikyo, and Sango made things so easy it was almost too much so.
Naraku didn't even have to interfere.
Kanna put her mirror down and walked away; as Naraku realized that Kikyo was all too aware of when someone was watching her.
But Naraku was betting that things would go the way he wished.
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Inuyasha skidded to a stop in front of Kikyo. "What's wrong!"
Kikyo smiled softly. "There is nothing wrong, Inuyasha. I just…" to Inuyasha's surprise, Kikyo stepped closer to him. "…wished to see you again." Inuyasha blinked slowly, stopping Kikyo's move forward. "Should I not have called?" her voice dropped. "I just…"
Thought that now Kagome was no longer there, that…
"…it would be okay to see you now" she began to back up, but Inuyasha stopped her with a breathless.
"Kikyo…" before pulling her into an embrace.
Kikyo returned Inuyasha's hug, burying her face against his chest, allowing the warmth of his body to invade hers. "I know I shouldn't…" she mumbled. "I just…wished to see you."
"Why shouldn't we?"
"Naraku." Kikyo's eyes watered.
Inuyasha growled. "Don't mention that bastard to me right now" he tightened his hold.
"But he is the driving force." Kikyo forced herself away. "He must be your focus; I should not distract you. Nothing should distract you. When you are distracted…" she repeated what she stated earlier. "…Naraku gains the upper hand." Kikyo moved away, cursing herself for her foolish heart.
Perhaps one day, she and Inuyasha would be together in some way.
However, Kikyo did not want her desire to see her beloved, to be with her beloved, to cause Naraku to gain the upper hand and end Inuyasha's life too soon.
Part of Inuyasha wanted to tell Kikyo to forget Naraku. But more of him didn't. Couldn't.
Kikyo, as usual, was right.
Inuyasha would destroy Naraku. For Kikyo, for Shippo, for Miroku
For Sango.
For himself.
Only then could Kikyo be able to and would Kikyo allow herself to rest in peace if she so desired.
Only then would Inuyasha really know if he should join her right then or continue in the land of the living and let nature decide when he should be with Kikyo again.
But whether they would be together or not, the thought of waiting until Naraku was destroyed to even see Kikyo again sent Inuyasha's heart into his stomach. "I need to see you whenever I can, Kikyo."
"We should not."
"I don't care."
"You need to care. I care. You need to care." Kikyo turned her back to Inuyasha.
But she didn't call her soul collectors to carry her away.
Inuyasha stepped forward. "You are my driving force, Kikyo."
"I do not wish to be."
Inuyasha watched the bow from Kikyo's hair blow in the night breeze. He needed something more, and answered the call for it by pulling the ribbon gently from her ebony strands. Once more he stepped forward, staring as Kikyo's hair blew calmly.
"I should not have called you, Inuyasha. I am sorry."
"I need to see you when I can, Kikyo." Inuyasha repeated, ignoring her thoughts. "Are you going to make me search you out?"
Kikyo whirled around. "You do not have the time!"
"I will make the time!" Inuyasha yelled back, bending so they were eye level.
"What about the others? They need for you to destroy Naraku too."
Inuyasha looked at the ground. "I know that."
"You have a life, Inuyasha. You have…people that care…and a purpose. That go beyond me."
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"Are you going to ask, or stare?"
Kagura gasped, caught off guard by Naraku's question. He turned around to face her. "What makes you so sure that Kikyo and Inuyasha will allow themselves to grow closer. Inuyasha…yes, I could see that. But Kikyo always rebuffs him."
Naraku sighed, annoyed. "That was before Kagome left. She's called for him twice in one day. Obviously she is allowing her heart to takeover. She is as foolish as he now."
Kagura did not ask another question. It just seemed to her that Naraku would be wrong. That Kikyo and Inuyasha wanted Naraku dead too much to allow any other desires, even of each other, to get in the way of that.
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"Nothing goes beyond you." Inuyasha whispered.
"You say that now because we are here alone."
Inuyasha looked at Kikyo once more.
She was wrong. Nothing ever surpassed his love for Kikyo. Even as Kagome came close, perhaps even matched it in some ways, nothing ever surpassed it.
Yet, Kikyo was right, because Inuyasha's desire to destroy Naraku needed to be quenched. And while it was easy to get caught up in the moment when Kikyo was near him, Inuyasha knew that desire to kill Naraku would eat at him until the day that was done.
Kikyo looked into Inuyasha's eyes and watched whatever thoughts he was having battle each other.
Kikyo looked into Inuyasha's eyes and realized it would kill her…literally kill her all over again…if she had to wait until Naraku was dead before allowing herself the chance to look into them again.
"Both of us get farther when we do not clutter our minds and hearts with each other."
Inuyasha's ears fell.
"But…" Kikyo reached out, touching Inuyasha's hair. "I need to see you when I can as well" she admitted. "So…the only thing I will promise…I will commit to…is that I will call for you…sometimes." Kikyo decided.
Light entered Inuyasha's eyes at her promise. He nodded in agreement.
"That means you will not waste time looking for me. You will stay focused on your travels, on your safety…"
On living your life…for some reason that thought fluttered through Kikyo's mind.
"All right."
Kikyo looked up and her soul collectors began to wrap around her.
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Naraku realized Kagura doubted him. But she was as idiotic as everyone else. Naraku knew Kikyo…he knew Inuyasha…he had been watching them both for years. He knew that without the distraction of Kagome, he just had to sit back, and watch as Kikyo and Inuyasha grew closer again…
And Naraku saw enough today to know that without the distraction of Kagome, Inuyasha and Sango would be doing the same.
Naraku could only imagine the betrayal Kikyo would feel as Inuyasha grew close to another…again, even while they were doing the same.
When the time came, he would use all of that against Inuyasha.
It was so easy…almost too much so.
Yet, Naraku planned to enjoy every moment.