When Night Falls
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. Actually, I'm glad I don't. He's loud, mean, rude, ramen-hogging, annoying, and I'm not potty-training another damn dog! (Tamashii's mine though, squee!)
Goodness gracious! It is as though all forces of nature conspired to prolong this chapter as long as it could! First, my comp when all kooky on me, and I couldn't write forever (sob!). And then, the site would not let me update. But worry not! Through rain, snow, and unexpected computer viruses,DT emerges triumphantly with the (really) final chapter of When Night Falls. (The things I do for you people...)
Erm... Reviews!
Gogglehead Lover: Well, I hope you enjoy how I ended it. Thank you so much!
Kodocha08: Oh, i don't know what Sango would do... (and hopefully we'll never have to find out!)
-L A D Y J E S S-: ... Sango doesn't wear pants. (I don't mind the name change at all!)
ninalee-chan: Yes, I look at the Sesshomaru lovers the same way I look at the Draco Malfoy lovers... they're all crazy. Thank you so much for all the reviews you've given me over the months!
Sashi: DAMMIT! Someone get a medic! (thanks)
Chippy: Yes, and we shall form the Royal Order of the Chipmunks! WOOHOO CHIPPAY!
Mizuumi13: Thank ya so much. Humor DOES belong in literature (takin' a leaf outta Frank Zappa's book).
Miroku's pet vixen: Whoah whoah whoah! (Hands tissue) You're about to find out! (Thanks)
Veglma: (Shifty eyes) Umm... maybe? (Thanks so much for all the reviews... really)
Crystal Promise: Good thing you've been keeping up. Don't want to give away too much, but doesn't it look like it's nearing an end to you?
And now... dunduhduhdunduhduhdundunDAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! The final chapter!
Chapter 20: Separate in Body, United in HeartMiroku groaned, concentrating every ounce of his power on just opening his eyelids. Slowly, they complied. He lay there on his back for a good while, gaining his senses. It was then something struck him odd. It took him another good minute to place it, before he finally realized it's source.
The sky was blue.
And what a blue it was. It was as rich as the most pacific of oceans, unbroken save a small wisp of cotton white cloud floating across it's surface. Unable to move his body, Miroku felt content in lying on his back, staring upward without a care. But all that peacefulness was broken as a voice cut through the silence.
"Are you okay, monk?" In his delirium, Miroku could not place it, and blurted out the first name that came to mind.
"Sango?"
"No. The slayer is not here."
Grunting, Miroku pushed his elbows behind him, lifting himself into a sitting position. He could now see that he was seated upon a grassy plateau, high above the world around him. Standing right in front of him was,
"Kikyo," he noted, catching the miko's eyes, "What do you mean she's not here?"
"Have a look for yourself," Kikyo answered in monotone, her arm sweeping the scene below them.
Miroku's body was being much more compliant now, and he quickly pushed himself to his feet, looking out over the edge. He was not sure if he had ever seen anything more beautiful. The forest was thick and green, stretching to where it met the crystal blue ocean, and the landscape was so perfectly sculpted, Miroku praised whatever god had carved it out. This was all contrasted by the perfectly blue sky.
"This is all well and good," Miroku said flatly, "but how's this supposed to help me find Sango?"
"Trust not your eyes, monk," she responded simply, before falling silent once more.
Miroku growled slightly at her lack of directness, but complied. Being a monk, he was well-practiced in the negation of sight, and taking a deep breath, he stepped up to the edge of the cliff and closed his eyes. He allowed his arms to spread slightly, evened his breathing, and cleared his mind of thought.
The first thing he noticed was the cold breeze lightly blowing against his skin and tossing his skin. Next was the sweet smell of the flowers and the trees that adorned the island. The third sense that came to him was the slightly salty taste of the air, causing him to lick his lips slightly in order to moisten them. And then… nothing more. Miroku's brow furrowed at this development. The trees were lush and green, but no birds chattered happily as they hopped from branch to branch. The flowers were heavy with pollen but no bees buzzed as they flew around collecting it. Except for the rustling of trees in the wind… there was no sounds at all.
Miroku couldn't take it. He dropped to his knees, eyes open in disbelief. "It's all gone… everything… everything's gone…"
"You finally see," Kikyo spoke. "Yes, every living thing has been wiped from existence. I was dead in the first place…"
Miroku spun on her, grabbing onto the neck of her shirt, "Well why am I still here then?"
"Don't lose your patience, Monk," Kikyo answered, un-intimidated.
Miroku's hands were trembling as he let go of her. He stumbled over to a rock, which he promptly slid into a sitting position against. He rested his head back and let the cool breeze play across his face. His resolve was failing fast. Very few times could he remember actually losing his temper (a certain catfish demon came to mind…), and he didn't particularly enjoy it. Too many times he had seen men do stupid things when they were angry, and spending so much time with Inuyasha only reinforced that. However, he noticed he had been far more emotional during this journey, and though he now knew that was the effect of Tamashii and the four elemental siblings, he couldn't help but feel weak. And now, when he actually had a reason to cry or yell, he couldn't. All that was there was this numbness, as if none of it had really happened. As if he would wake up just in time to see Inuyasha receive a meal of dirt compliment of Kagome. And he knew it wouldn't happen, but at the same time, it seemed more real than reality.
He didn't know how long he sat there, but finally he spoke. "So, what do I do now?"
"That is something you must decide for yourself," Kikyo answered, not having moved one step from her spot. "However… you can start by removing that necklace."
"But…"
"The demon is no longer drawing power, so the aura it's emitting is no longer unbearable."
Miroku paused for a moment, before slipping the beads over his head. The effect was instantaneous. A power he had not felt in a long time surged through him, making him realize just how much he had been without. The world seemed clearer to him, he could feel the light auras of the trees and grass, and the overwhelming one of the hole in his right palm. He reveled in this feeling for brief moment, before his calmness was broken by a new sensation.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" The voice resounded through his skull, causing him to wince in pain.
"You could be a little quieter…" Miroku retorted.
"Oh, pardon me for causing you discomfort, I've just bee trapped in this head of yours while I watched you get your ass trodden upon by enemy after enemy! Did you even listen to what I told you earlier?"
"Hey, I couldn't take off the necklace, I would have died before you even got a handle on things! I die, you die, end of story."
"Did you think I hadn't prepared for that?"
"Well you could have said something!"
"I couldn't say anything, because you wouldn't take off the fucking necklace!"
Miroku growled and gritted his teeth, but forced himself to be calm again.
"Look," he reasoned, "we still won all those battles, and now we're here, and we need to find a way to make things right again."
Silence, then, "I don't know if we can."
"What to you mean?"
"People just can't be brought back from the dead. Killing him won't necessarily change that. However…"
"What?"
"A spell of this complexity is not something that can be taken care of in a matter of seconds. I'd imagine it isn't complete yet. I'd also believe that the demon is still expending incredible amounts of energy…"
"So now… he'll be at his most vulnerable!"
"Right! Well then, there's no time to waste! Let's go!"
"One more thing," Miroku said, "who are you?"
There was a pause, "Come, I'll explain on the way." Miroku nodded, and they set off for the volcano.
Back on the plateau, Kikyo raised and eyebrow. "That was a little weird," she said, then set off in her own direction.
Miroku panted as he darted through the underbrush of the island. "So, tell me who you are," he said.
There was the sound of a breath being taken, and then the demon spoke. "My name is Kumo, I… was the Lord of the North the first time the demon showed up."
"You mean…"
"Yes, I did battle with it. But… when it became clear I could not win, I used what was left of my power to seal it, and then fled, knowing the seal would break someday. I went south, and a ran into a man. I explained the situation to him, and he allowed my spirit to enter his mind, for he too had fled south to escape the demon. For many years I slept, transferring to the mind of the oldest child of each man. Eventually, I came to you. It was then that I sensed the aura of the demon I had sealed begin to stir. I awoke from my slumber, but was only able to contact you when your necklace was gone. That's also why you were not killed before, for part of you is already dead. Me."
Miroku nodded, he understood now.
"We will save them, monk, trust me."
"I know," he answered. "We're here." He stood at the deceptively calm entrance of the volcano.
"Compose yourself monk, we're goin' in."
They stepped into the darkness, and soon, Miroku once again stood in the cavern of a room that was the belly of the volcano.
"I… can't see or sense anything," Miroku spoke quietly.
"He's hiding his energy," Kumo answered, "But as for where he is, we need not look any further than what's what below our feet."
"In the magma? How do we get to him?"
"We don't, we bring him to us. Ram the butt of your staff into the ground."
Miroku did as he was told. Instantly, purple flame shot up from the place his staff touched the ground, which began to rumble. On the other side of the cavern a geyser of magma erupted from the ground, and Miroku could just see a black figure shoot out. As the flames died down, the figure stepped forward, lava still dripping slowly from it's frame. It was surprisingly gangly, tall and thin, with lizard-like features.
"What did you do monk?" Came the malicious hiss, "How are you still alive?"
"I doubt that's important right now," Miroku responded. "Right now, I must defeat you."
"I'd like to see you try…"
"You don't look too tough," Miroku responded, leveling his staff.
"Really?" The lizard's eyes glowed dangerously, and it's body began to grow. It's neck lengthened as muscles rippled across it's body. From it's shoulder blades, two wings sprouted. Horns and spines pierced through scales sickeningly as they erupted from flesh. It's body continued to grow until it stood full height, on four legs, breathing heavily.
"Oh," Miroku said, "You're a dragon."
"Surprised?"
"Not really. A bit cliché if anything."
"Why you little…!" A spiked tail instantly whipped through the air, causing Miroku to jump to the side to avoid, A) Impalement, and B) the mass of magma that splashed into the air as the ground beneath the tail cracked.
Miroku plucked two ofuda from his robe, reveling in the feeling of his restored power flowing into his hands. He felt as though no matter how powerful his enemy was, he could take it on and beat it. With a grunt, he sent the ofudas flying. The dragon roared in annoyance as they contacted, and slashed forward with his tail once more.
"Monk, let me take over," Kumo urged.
"You kidding me?" Miroku chided, "I'm doing fine!" A spurt of magma forced him to tumble to the side.
"Just let me do this and get it over with! Need I remind you, we are working on a bit of a time constraint here!"
"Listen, I'll tell you if I need you, no need in wasting energy if this can be taken care of now!"
Kumo growled. "Fine, I guess I'll just make you let me have control then!"
"Hey!" Slowly, Miroku felt himself lose control of the left side of his body. He fought back for control, but it was futile. "Dammit stop it!" He continued to struggle, unaware that a certain enemy might take advantage of this situation…
WHACK!
A blinding pain, and he was flying backward. His body collided hard with the wall. He winced in pain…
And when he opened his eyes, what he expected to see was not there. There was no dragon. There was no dark cavern and fiery pits. Only blackness. Blackness and…
"Tamashii..." he rose to his feet, and caught his eye, "what are you doing here?"
Sighing, he looked away. "The spell has not taken full effect yet. My presence still exists in this room."
"But… if I'm here…"
"Do not worry," Tamashii shook his head, "the northern lord is fighting for you… though how well is another issue…"
"Good… I think…"
Tamashii nodded, "Now, it is imperative that you listen to me. I know it may be a lot to ask, but you need to cooperate with the lord, got that?"
"He's the one that needs to set aside his pride…"
"Yes, I understand that, but just tolerate it. Sharing a body, you'll have to get along if you want to get anywhere."
"I'll try, but…"
"No buts. You'll only create doubts within yourself," Tamashii answered all to quickly. "Now, before I send you back, there's someone who wants to see you," he said, motioning to behind him.
Slowly, a foot appeared out of the black, and, with a step, Sango came into view. She was still dressed in her battle garb, though her hair was taken out of it's ponytail and falling around her shoulders.
"Hey, Houshi-sama," she said tentatively. She seemed nervous about something.
"Hello Sango," he nodded, "are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm good…"
There was a nervous silence that seemed to last a long time. Then, without him exactly knowing how, she was in his arms.
"You can do this Houshi-sama, I believe in you.," she said from against his chest.
"I know I can Sango. Don't worry." She nodded, but didn't let go. "Sango, I have to go now…"
As if snapped out of her thoughts, Sango backed up quickly, blushing furiously. "Sorry…" she stammered, "It's just… weird y'know? Not being there to fight beside you…"
Miroku grinned sadly, "I know it is."
"But… I suppose it's like you said, right?" Sango said, looking back up into his eyes. "We may be separate in body, but in mission and heart we are united, right?"
He nodded.
"Am I in your heart, Houshi-sama?"
He watched her for a long time, trying to pick up what emotion she was conveying, then answered.
"Always."
Sango nodded in understanding, and Miroku closed his eyes. When he opened them he was back in battle. He saw the dragon before him as Kumo fought, as though he was a newcomer in his own body.
"Where were you monk?" Kumo questioned.
"Just taking care of a few things," he answered, "but it looks as though you can get you ass kicked just fine without me."
"Shut up," Kumo growled, spitting out a spurt of blood from Miroku's mouth.
"Sorry," Miroku grinned, "but listen, we need to work together here if we want to win."
"And how do you suppose we do that?"
"I know you don't want to, but you need to give me control of my body. I know it better than you do. Just lend me your power, and we can win this!"
There was a long pause. "Fine."
Instantly Miroku was able to move himself again. He quickly dodged to his left as a spurt of magma came at him again. "Hey, Kumo, if you see anything I don't, I give you permission to get me out of the way."
"Got it. Okay, I'm going to give you my power now, be careful, you can't attack while it's being transferred."
Miroku nodded in confirmation. Instantly he felt a surge of power course through his veins, and it continued to grow. A non-existent wind seemed to whip his hair and robes around. Before him he saw the dragon draw back in surprise, then let out a roar and charge him.
"Do you think you could do this a little faster?" he yelled to Kumo.
"Don't you think I'm trying!"
All the while the dragon was bearing down on them at breakneck speed. Closer… closer…
"DONE!" A purple barrier instantly shot up pushing forward with incredible speed. It struck the dragon, which was instantly sent flying back into the wall. The wall cracked, sending down a shower of rocks.
"Dammit! That destroys the Kazaana as an option! If I use it the place will collapse!"
"Trust me monk, you won't need it." Kumo responded boredly.
The dragon was on him again, barreling forward through the air. He dodged with ease, and rammed the butt of his staff into the dragons side, making it tumble out of the air. Without missing a beat, he flung three ofudas forward. Where they touched the dragon scales were blown off as the skin underneath them erupted. Miroku moved to attack again, slashing with his shakujou, the head of which now holding a purple flame. The dragon could do nothing but guard as fresh cuts and burns appeared all over his body. Miroku was winning, and he knew it.
"Dammit!" the Dragon growled, "I will not allow for some human to defeat me! Just watch, I'll sink this whole mountain into the pits of hell!"
The rumbling was terrible. Large rocks fell from the sky, breaking through the ground before melting into the magma below. The dragon flew upwards, away from danger, leaving Miroku to dodge to racks and lava.
"Now it the time to use it, monk!"
"Yes," Miroku said, grabbing the beads around his wrist, "I believe it is. KAZAANA!"
The wind howled ferociously as the air rip absorbed any and all rocks falling to the ground. The dragon continued flapping his wings, straining against the invisible force, but slowly and surely, he was being pulled backward. And with a finality that was not worthy of the days of harsh travel, everything simply disappeared. Disappeared into the curse of one doomed monk.
Miroku's legs gave out. He fell to the ground in an exhausted heap. Slowly he closed thee Kazaana, just as he felt it grow slightly larger.
"You did well Monk, now sleep."
Miroku smiled, "Yes, I think I will." And his eyes closed.
The grass was as green as ever as Miroku stared up into the blue sky from his seat on the hill. A single beetle crawled up a blade of grass and rested at the tip. Miroku held out a finger, and let it crawl onto his hand. He watched it as it scuttled along his knuckles. He was happy it was over. The dragon was dead, the world was saved. Kumo had died, his mission finally complete, though not before giving reign of the northern lands to Tamashii. It was the perfect ending.
And yet, Miroku could not help but feel a bit disappointed. Nothing had been gained by this journey, save perhaps a few new scars. Why had it even happened in the first place? Everything had a reason, yet he could not find one in this.
The beetle reached the end of his ring finger and paused, before spreading it's wings and flying off.
"Houshi-sama?"
He turned slowly to see Sango, before she approached and sat down next to him. "Are you okay?"
Miroku nodded. "Why would you ever think otherwise?"
"I know you too well to think that you're a perfectly happy person all the time. You've been really quiet the past couple of days. What's bothering you?"
Miroku turned his eyes back to the sky and thought for a while. "Well, it's just… I mean, what was the point in all this?"
"You saved the world, Houshi-sama!"
"I know that. But why did it even happen in the first place? What was gained from this?"
Sango watched him for a second, before responding. "Maybe what you gained was the knowledge that you don't gain something from everything. That some things you just have to do for sake of everyone else."
Miroku chuckled. "You know how cheesy that sounded?"
"The greatest lessons in life often do."
"Now you're the one sounding like a monk here," Miroku grinned. Sango certainly seemed playful today, granted, she usually liked to end conversations quickly, but she was deliberately trying to drag this one on. But, either way, he was just happy with her company.
But alas, when traveling with Inuyasha, all thoughtful moments are quickly ended.
"'Ey! Let's go you two! I think I caught a whiff of Naraku!"
Miroku looked over at Sango. "You ready?"
Sango smiled, before pushing off from the ground. "Let's get him."
The (Real) End
Well, that's the end of When Night Falls, It's been fun you guy's, thanks for reviewing and putting up with my incredibly long waits between chapters. Be sure to be on the lookout for my next full length fic, Hair of the Dog, which should have the first chapter up sometime next month. Since it deals with the whole group, it will not be listed under Miroku/Sango. Probably All/All orInuyasha/Kagome(consideringthey are the main characters of the series.)Thank y'all so much for making my first full length story a great success.
M+S forever.