Loving Thru the Trials of Love
Sniffles Only two people tried out my contest! And I am very sad to say that they guessed the same character, and same line...and both were wrong...Honestly, was Myoga yelling at Inuyasha and Kagome that OOC! In the movies, and in some episodes, I've seen him yell at them like that, (in times of panic...) so I assumed that it was ok.
Well, I'm going to give you one more chance...It's in my last Kag/Inu chapter, it isn't Kagome, and it ISN'T Myoga...ok, there you go...Good Luck!
Ok, now, Kachie really seems to want me to post my Tokyo Mew Mew fic...but I only got one review asking for me to post it...none of my others even mentioned it...so, once again, I am asking you whether or not I should post it...but know this: I AM WRITING THE FIC EITHER WAY...BY TELLING ME NOT TO POST IT YOU ARE NOT PREVENTING ME FROM WRITING IT...
Ok, this is my latest Sango/Miroku chappie. Their part of the plot is about to begin...and by golly was it hard to formulate! You would not believe how difficult this was...but here it is...
Wedding Gowns and Jealously
Sango breathed in the fresh air as she, Miroku, and Kohaku rode Kirara towards the ruins of the demon slayer village. She was pleased that they were finally going to get to work on rebuilding it.
"Miroku, thanks again for suggesting this..." she said. Miroku shook his head.
"Think nothing of it Sango-chan...I'm just happy that the three of us can get away from the insanity for a while..." he said.
Kohaku rolled his eyes as his future brother-in-law's hand made its way towards his sister's rear, "Miroku, don't even think about it...I'm watching that hand of yours..." Sango snapped her head around in time to see Miroku's hand make a hasty retreat to his lap. He smiled sheepishly at her.
"I don't know where he got that idea...I was just going to give you a hug..." he said, making a fast excuse. Sango's eyes narrowed at him.
"Hentai...luckily for me, my ever-loving little brother is here to keep and eye on you..." she said in a low tone, but Kohaku caught the remark and smirked at the back of Miroku's head. He may respect the monk and approve of him, but he really didn't appreciate the fact that he still groped his sister...in front of him. He would have to make a mental note to tell Miroku not to grope Sango unless he wasn't around...he didn't feel like tattle-tailing the entire time the three were on this little trip...
Although...it could be fun to pop around every corner and completely irritate him and Sango...hmmm... he thought mischievously, smirking once more.
Miroku and Sango carefully surveyed the village ruins while Kohaku checked out the stability of the few huts that remained standing intact. The village, as a whole, appeared to be too damaged to save, but upon further inspection, the group found that much of the lumber was in good condition, and could be used in building new huts. After their survey, the group decided that their first priority would be to sort out the usable lumber from the damaged or rotted lumber, and then to decide whether or not some of the ruins were fixable or not.
"So, we have three huts in livable condition, and six that are questionable for repair..." Miroku said as he ran the numbers through his head. Nine huts plus a larger hut for the head of the village would be a good start, and as the village became more populated, they could build more huts to compensate.
"Even if only a few of those six questionable huts can be repaired, it's an extremely good start..." he said. Kohaku and Sango nodded in unison, having already thought the same thing.
Kohaku looked at the sky and frowned, "We picked a wonderful day to start this...it looks like a storm's coming..." Sango followed his gaze and sighed.
"Let's get as much done as we can...then we'll wait out the storm in one of the stable huts..." she suggested. Miroku nodded.
"That sounds like a plan to me...let's start with that hut over there..."
Kagura looked around at the sky and grimaced. She and Kanna really shouldn't be flying in her feather with a storm so near, but they had gotten so bored. The group seemed to be wrapped up in their own problems at the moment, what with Inuyasha's constant sulking, Hekele's apparent insomnia, Kachie's time with the group wearing thin, and this fallen angel that had appeared. Though no one had met her in person as of yet, she still posed a great threat to the group, since her powers were foreign to them...
"Kanna, do you still have your mirror?" she asked the young demoness beside her. Kagura hadn't seen the said mirror since the final battle with Naraku, and was a bit curious.
Kanna nodded slightly, "I still have it, yes, but I haven't used it for anything...I don't...really want to use it..." Kagura nodded in understanding. Ever since Kanna had regained her soul, she had begun to develop a personality. The personality was, surprisingly, rather innocent, unless Inuyasha was involved, then, for some odd reason, it turned rather mischievous. But back to the innocent part; she was sweet, kind, good natured, modest, and seemed to be getting to be a rather affectionate little girl. She was beginning to get used to hugs, and seemed to enjoy them more and more. Like most kids her age, she thrived on approval, but did not depend on it.
Her morals had also given her a sense of guilt, which, like Kagura's was ever present. Both regretted the things they had done to this group that had taken them in with open arms, and many of those things involved Kanna's mirror...
"I understand your disdain for the mirror...but perhaps it would be able to see the fallen...and be useful in gaining information on her..." Kagura explained. Kanna seemed to think it over for a moment, before smiling slightly.
"It may...perhaps she doesn't know of it, and so will have no defense for it...when we return to Kaede's Village, I shall try it out..." she said thoughtfully. Kagura grinned.
"Great, but for now, let's bug Sango, Miroku, and Kohaku...we need some entertainment..." she said evilly, almost cackling, ALMOST...
Then the rain started, and the two groaned irritably. Now they would be soaked...
Sango sighed as she sat by the fire the trio had made in one of the huts. The rain had ruined their first day at work on the village, but at least they had gotten something done. Miroku didn't seem to be sulking much though, and neither did Kohaku; the two were in the middle of a discussion about possible names for the village, since it would no longer be a demon slayer village.
"What about Ichigo Town?" Miroku suggested. Kohaku made a face.
"What, are we supposed to grow strawberries here?" he asked. Miroku growled.
"Maybe! Fine, what do you think we should call it Mr. Smartie-Scythe!" he questioned. Both Sango and Kohaku looked at him oddly; where did 'Mr. Smartie-Scythe' come from? Stupid former monk...
After recovering from his stupor, Kohaku retorted, "What about Yama Village?"
Miroku smirked, "Something so simple as Mountain Village?"
"At least I'm not implying that we're strawberry farmers!" Kohaku said, sticking his tongue out. Sango began rubbing her temples and was about to yell at the both of them when a deep feminine voice met her ears.
"Ne, bakas, call it Chouwa Village...you want both demons and humans to be able to live here in harmony right?" Kagura said, stepping into the hut, Kanna trailing behind her. Both were soaking wet from the ongoing storm outside.
Sango jumped up and grabbed a few blankets that had been discovered on a shelf and gave them to the two girls, "What are you two doing here? Not that we aren't happy to see you, it's just a surprise!" She beamed at the two, happy to have some girls to talk to.
Kagura grinned, "We were bored and no one was paying attention to us, so we hopped on my now sopping feather and headed over to see how you guys were progressing and to see if we could help...then the storm came..." Kanna nodded in affirmative from behind her sister and smiled slightly.
Kohaku saw Kanna and blushed slightly; he seemed to be doing that more and more whenever she was around. He moved over to the side a bit, making room for both her and Kagura to sit down next to him by the fire.
The two obliged happily and made their way over to the fire. It wasn't like they would get sick and die or anything, but they were uncomfortably cold, and the fire seemed welcoming. Kanna sat next to Kohaku and Kagura between her and Miroku. Sango placed herself on the other side of Miroku and shot him a warning glance before directing her attention back to their visitors.
"So, what have you gotten done so far?" Kanna asked. Kohaku jumped into the conversation.
"We were able to determine that three huts are still in livable condition, including this one, and that six are in question as to whether or not they can be repaired. We've also sorted a bunch of lumber that can be reused for either repairing the other huts or building new ones..." he said, almost in one breath. Miroku smirked to himself, knowing that Kohaku had a slight crush on Kanna. Kagura and Sango smiled knowingly at one another, having come to the same conclusion long ago as well.
Kanna blushed a bit at Kohaku's attention, "Wow...you guys sound like you did a lot for being rained out..." Kohaku smiled at her praise, even though he knew it was meant for everyone.
"We tried...but we didn't get done though...we'll probably get finished with that part in a day or so...having demonic abilities has its perks..." he said thoughtfully, staring off into space. Kanna couldn't help but giggle at his distracted face, and Sango ruffled his hair.
"Kohaku...we've got to find a way to broaden your attention-span..." she said jokingly, causing everyone to break out into snickers and Kohaku to blush furiously.
"Not funny, Sango..." he mumbled, rather annoyed. Kanna gave him a smile.
"Sorry Kohaku...but it was kind of cute when you spaced out..." she said. Kohaku's cheeks flared up and his entire face turned red.
"It wasn't cute..." he muttered under his breath, but Kanna heard him, and laughed a bit.
"Actually, it was Kohaku-kun...but just a little..." she replied, smiling. Kohaku turned three shades darker when he heard her call him '-kun.'
Kagura snickered to herself when Kanna started to blush for the same reason. It was just too funny. Kohaku and Kanna would make the most adorable little couple if they ever got past the whole blushing stage...
After a small dinner over the fire, the group waited patiently for the rain to stop, and they were relieved when, just before sunset, it did. Everyone split up to look around to see if the storm had done any extra damage, and to show Kanna and Kagura around. Sango took them while Kohaku and Miroku went back to work, even though they didn't want to.
Sango pulled her two friends into a very large set of ruins, "Any idea where we are?" Kagura looked around, and smiled.
"Ne...your old home Sango?" she asked. Sango nodded proudly. Kanna walked around slowly, taking in everything she was seeing with a mild sort of fascination. Kagura looked around as well, as did Sango, for she hadn't been in her old home for a while. She walked around into another room, and found the roof collapsed on it. She would have walked on, but something caught her attention. She pulled some of the rubble away, only to have a bit more fall on it.
Kagura and Kanna saw what she was doing and walked over to help. After five minutes of moving rubble, they were able to pull out what Sango had been captivated by; a wooden chest. After dusting the rather large chest off and moving it into a stable part of the hut, Sango decided to open it.
She nearly began to cry. Inside the chest, was her mother's beautiful silk wedding kimono. It was white trimmed in gold with golden roses elaborately embroidered into it, and though it was old, torn, and tattered, it was still the most lovely thing that Sango had ever seen. In the chest under the kimono was a golden colored obi to match, which was in only sightly better shape than the dress.
Kanna gaped at the gorgeous kimono, "Wow Sango...was that your mother's?" Sango only nodded before pulling the kimono to her chest and hugging it.
Kagura smiled, "Well, I suppose that saves us the trouble of finding you a wedding kimono huh?" Sango looked at her strangely.
"I would love nothing more than to be married in this Kagura...but, it's beyond saving...look at it...it's torn, and dirty beyond cleaning..." she said sadly. Kagura sighed.
"Well, at least take it to show the other girls...you know they'd love to see it as well...perhaps get one made exactly like it?" she suggested. Kanna nodded.
"Yes...Kagome, Kachie, and Hekele would love to see this...and...maybe they could help you make a new one?" she tried, also trying to cheer Sango up. Sango gave them both grateful smiles.
"I'll do that...thank you..." she said honestly. The two girls gave her gentle looks and stood up, dusting themselves off.
"Well," Kagura began, "why don't we get this bundled up and hidden from Miroku? We want him to be surprised when you walk down the isle..."
Kanna beamed, imagining his face, "Miroku would probably drop dead from shock...you'll look so beautiful that he won't know what to do with you!"
Sango blushed, "Stop flattering me...I'll get a big head...and trust me when I say that it won't be pretty..."
Kagura chuckled a bit, before her eyes turned serious, "So, what are you going to do about the boys?" Sango looked at her questioningly, and she elaborated, "Inuyasha and Koga...I know for a fact that neither of them can dance...so what are you going to do when it comes time to dance at your reception?"
Sango's face twisted into an evil grin, "Ms. Higurashi and I already spoke on that subject...and we've come up with a solution!"
Kanna grinned, knowing that whatever torture the bride-to-be had in store for Inuyasha would be fun to observe, "So...what is this great plan of yours?"
Sango rubbed her hands together evilly, "Within the next few days, Ms. H. is going to begin to give them dancing lessons..."
Kagura grinned in an almost psychotic manner, "Excellent..."
Miroku and Kohaku waltzed around the village, surveying the damage, and were happy to find most everything as they had left it, though much more damp. Kohaku looked at the ruins a bit sadly as he passed by them, not going unnoticed by Miroku.
"You still feel pain over this?" he asked, referring to Kohaku's slowly recovering memories of killing his family and fellow slayers. Kohaku himself nodded.
"Of course I do...I don't think that I'll ever be able to forgive myself...I took all these people's lives away...nothing can change that..." he said remorsefully as they passed the make-shift graveyard. Miroku gripped his shoulder supportively.
"Kohaku...it was not your doing...it was Naraku's. True, he used your hand, but it wasn't your fault...do not feel guilt when it does not belong to you...none here, alive or dead, feel resentment toward you...so do not feel it toward yourself..." he consoled. Kohaku smiled slightly, and nodded.
"I will take what you say to heart Miroku...but it may be a while before I fully believe it..." he said. Miroku sighed, giving up for the time, and continued walking.
The two were making their way back to the hut where they had stayed out the rain, when they faintly heard something. It sounded like a human voice, and feminine. It was very far away, but coming towards them. Kohaku and Miroku exchanged curious glances. Why would anyone be heading to the abandoned, and secret demon slayer village? When the person's aura reached Miroku, he felt odd. It was familiar...but...he couldn't quite place it. Then they clearly heard the woman's voice...
"Hello? Is anyone here? Hellooo!" it rang, soft and gentle. Miroku's eyes widened as he recognized the voice, and a vaguely familiar figure made her way through the ruined gate.
He breathed her name uncertainly, "Koharu?"
Sango felt the approaching aura and, like Miroku had, lightly recalled it from somewhere. She also heard the soft voice, and felt herself tense slightly. She too knew that voice. It belonged to the one girl Sango knew to have wanted to bear Miroku's children...well, until she had anyway. This girl was a few years younger than her...probably only fifteen now that a year had passed since they had last seen one another...
Sango sighed to herself; Koharu had feelings for Miroku, and she knew this to its fullest extent. But before charging out to her fiancé and watching his every move, she reminded herself that he was her fiancé, and that he loved her. She knew in her heart that she had nothing to worry about...if Naraku's test all those months ago had taught her anything at least...
Kagura looked at Sango quizzically, "Why does this aura ring a bell in me?" Kanna nodded, also quite perplexed. Sango slapped her head in realization. The group had first met Kanna when she stole Koharu's soul...
She laughed nervously, "Heheh...remember the first time you met us in person Kanna? Well...she was with Kagome when you tried to steal her soul..." Kanna looked to be deep in thought for a moment before she seemed to place a face to the aura; she looked down at the ground, as if in shame, and sighed.
"...Do you think that she'll remember me?" she asked sadly. Sango seemed to think for a moment before shrugging.
"You're so different now...and you have your soul...even if she did remember you...I'm sure she'd forgive you once she heard the whole story..." she offered honestly. Kanna nodded slightly and looked at Kagura, who was smiling encouragingly at her.
"I'm sure Sango's right Kanna...why don't we hurry up with this kimono and get out there and say hello, ne? Get it over with perhaps?" she offered. Kanna nodded, more to herself than the other two, and got to work wrapping the kimono as gently as she could. Sango and Kagura sighed and helped her out. It was a big kimono...
One thing stuck in Kagura's mind though, and it wouldn't go away... Why is Koharu here in the village? She couldn't have known that Miroku would be here...could she?
When the trio of girls reached the gate with their wrapped package, Sango had to restrain herself from getting jealous, not that it worked...Koharu had her arms wrapped around Miroku's neck and seemed to be trying to squeeze him to death. She was happy to note, however, that Miroku looked uncomfortable...
"Koharu, what a pleasant surprise; what brings you here?" she asked kindly, but everyone seemed to be able to pick up on a the slight malice in her voice.
Miroku took the chance to pry himself from the girl's embrace and back up a bit, "Yes, Koharu, what is it that brings you to the former demon slayer village?" He took his place next to Sango and flashed her a quick smile as he grasped her hand. This seemed to calm her a bit, but she still couldn't stop the jealous feeling inside of her.
How strange...I know he loves me...but...why won't this feeling leave me? She thought to herself.
Koharu smiled warmly at the group, "I've decided to take up traveling; I want to see things! I just happened to be in the area and saw the damaged gates, I suppose...I was looking for shelter for the night; I was already caught in the rain, and I didn't want to go through that again!"
Sango felt her inner jealousy subside a bit, but still, it flared around her. She couldn't help but feel a bit frightened of herself at that moment; her rage wasn't dissipating like it normally would, especially since Miroku wasn't showing any signs of interest in Koharu...
She tried to shake her own thoughts from her head, "Would you stay with us for the night? We're in the process of rebuilding the village, so there isn't much, but we have a few habitable huts still..."
Miroku looked at Sango uncertainly; he hadn't expected her to welcome Koharu in so willingly...let alone suggest the idea. He couldn't help but be happy that she didn't appear cross with him, as he had the feeling she would be. He had no feelings for Koharu, but she at least still cherished him a bit, if that constricting embrace left any indication. Miroku squeezed Sango's hand a bit more, glad that he was lucky enough to have her.
"Yes, by all means, stay a night here with a roof over your head. It looks as though it may begin raining again soon, and you should at least stay dry for one night in your travels..." he said.
Koharu gave him an adoring look, "My, still the ever-generous monk I see...I would be honored to stay the night here; thank you very much..."
Miroku laughed a bit nervously, "Things have changed in the year since we've seen one another. I am no longer a monk, and am currently engaged to the lovely Lady Sango...among other changes..."
Koharu's face faltered for a fraction of a second, but covered it quickly, "Oh? So you've found someone besides the naive fourteen year-old girl to bear your children...how lovely for you! I'm glad that you've found happiness Houshi-sama, and you as well Sango-san..."
Sango felt herself calm dramatically when Miroku acknowledged her as his fiancé, and even more so when Koharu wished their union well, but still, her jealousy raged on. It was a never ending cycle, and nothing seemed to calm her completely. Even the most significant things seemed meaningless, and it upset Sango greatly.
What's happening to me? I know I get jealous easily...but never like this! And there's no reason for it either...What am I supposed to do?
Miroku saw the dilemma on Sango's face and gave her a concerned look, "Are you all right Sango? Is something the matter?" Sango shook her head.
"N-no! I-I-I just realized how terribly rude I was being! Koharu, this is my younger brother, Kohaku, and these two are friends of ours, Kagura, and Kanna..." she said, dancing around her lie expertly. Miroku nodded to her gently. Once more, he squeezed her hand, and this time leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek as well.
"Sango certainly is jumpy this evening, isn't she?" he whispered in her ear. Sango blushed a bit, but said nothing. Koharu was busy chattering with Kagura and Kanna, who still felt a bit upset. However, since Koharu had yet to discover who she was, she decided not to say anything...
"I'm sorry...I just...got a bit...jealous...and for some reason, though there is no reason for the feeling to remain...it is..." she whispered back, not wanting to draw attention to them. Unfortunately, Kohaku was watching them, and noticed their exchanges. He would have to ask them about that later...
"So...after Naraku was defeated, your friend made a wish on the Jewel and turned you all into demons? That's...incredible...I suppose...odd...but incredible..." Koharu admitted. Miroku smiled softly.
"Does it change your opinions of us; the fact that we are no longer human?" he asked slyly, honestly curious about her answer.
Koharu smiled and shook her head, "No...it only surprised me. I know that you are good people, and changing forms wouldn't change that fact..."
Sango felt that pang of jealousy rising within her once more. It seemed that Koharu was just completely taboo, and nothing she did to make it known that she wasn't there for Miroku would change that feeling. Sango sighed a bit to herself, and curled her knees to her chest while she listened to the two begin to chatter away. Kagura and Kanna had gone to bed, and Kohaku was close to doing the same. Sango couldn't help but feel left out and a bit awkward...like she didn't belong there.
"Sango-chan? Are you feeling ok? You seem upset..." Miroku started, genuinely noticing Sango's actions and feeling concern for her, "Why don't we all go to bed...it's been a long day for everyone..."
Everyone still awake immediately took to the idea. Koharu set up her futon on one side of the hut, while Miroku set his next to Sango's. Kohaku went into another room to set up his; the main room was getting too crowded.
After about a half an hour, Miroku noticed that Sango was still wide awake. He carefully rolled over and peered at her face, "Sango-chan...what is wrong? You've been acting strange since Koharu showed up...does it upset you that she's here?"
Sango sighed and looked into his eyes, "Yes...but I haven;t the slightest clue why. I am not concerned that you will cast me aside, nor that she wants to take you away, or anything like that...I just...feel jealous for no reason...and I don't like it...I apologize for being so difficult today Miroku..."
Miroku smiled at her gently and wrapped an arm around her middle and carefully pulled her to him, so that she was resting against him. He tightened the embrace and whispered to her softly, "Only you Sango-chan...you may subconsciously know that...but part of you still feels threatened by the perverted monk I made myself out to be...but just so you can hear it from me..." he touched her face and placed a chaste kiss on her lips before continuing, "Only you could complete me as you have...I have no reason to search for another, nor the desire, Sango-chan...I love you too much..." And just to add his own personal touch to the message, he hand randomly made it's way to her bottom, and gave it a healthy squeeze.
Sango swiftly hit him as hard as she could, knocking him out. She glared at his unconscious face for a moment before speaking, "You are damn lucky we're getting married monk...or I'd kill you..." But even as she said it, she snuggled up closer to his form, seeking is warmth. She wrapped an arm around his middle and gave the now 'sleeping' man a small kiss on the nose.
"Sweet dreams Miroku..." She sighed and thought of what was to come. Perhaps I'm just overreacting...maybe I'll even invite Koharu to the wedding...she'd like to come...and I would like to have her...she really is sweet...but why am I feeling so...horrible towards her? At times I almost want to rip her eyes out...and then my better side pipes up and I feel horrible for thinking those awful thoughts...What am I going to do? She's done nothing wrong, and yet...dare I say it...I think I hate her...
"But why?" she whispered aloud. Soon, she too closed her eyes, and eventually drifted off into a dreamless, rather restless, sleep.
Unbeknownst to everyone; a figure rose under the shield of darkness from her place on the ground. She silkily made her way over to the couple laying together in what would have been peacefulness had Sango's sleep not been so troubled. She sat gracefully by Miroku's side and stroked his hair, getting a good look at his sleeping face.
"My, my...your fiancé has grown quite jealous of this mortal body, hasn't she? This one is glad to see that her little spell is working so beautifully...you, however, like your male friends, seem not to be so well effected by it...why is that? Could there have been something that this one has overlooked about you all? This one thinks not, but then, this one cannot be sure, can this one?" Koharu's eyes were now shining an icy blue instead of their normal chocolate brown as Lady Oyu spoke through her. She reached into her kimono and pulled out a small vial with crystal-like liquid in it, and turned Miroku's head so that she could easily pour it into his mouth.
"Not that it matters much with the other idiots, but for this particular disaster to fully manifest, you need to be less...loving towards your bitch and more so towards this mortal...so, this little potion will force you to have eyes for only her once you awaken...do not take it the wrong way, for this one knows how precious love can seem, but as this one learned thousands of years ago...love is dead, useless, and nothing. This one can love no more...though this one has tried, and so, before this one kills you and all of your friends for your interference in a future you have yet to discover, this one will drive you all apart and make you see the truth behind the lies of love...make you understand why such a weak force must be purged from the world...and why it must be this one who rules over it all..." she purred into his ear softly as she began to pour the potion down his throat.
Miroku shuddered, feeling a strange sensation of cold and warmth at once, but did not awake . Koharu's possessed body stood and moved back away from him as he began to glow a brilliant shade of purple before settling back to normal. She watched as he subconsciously tightened his hold on Sango, and beamed evilly to herself.
"Spend your last hours with the one you love in peace...come morning, when you see this mortal's body, you will forget how much you care for that bitch..." she said. With that, Koharu's body froze for a second as she closed her eyes, and when she opened them, they were once more their normal chocolate brown.
Lady Oyu stretched as she made her third trip out of bed in the past two weeks. She was thrilled to be able to do more without being fatigued, or even incapacitated. She smiled and twirled about happily, also quite pleased with her mental excursion into the young Koharu's mind to administer the potion to Miroku. She had been quite surprised that he had been so in control of his emotions towards only his fiancé, that she had found that it posed a potential complication. However, it no longer would. She danced around the room gracefully for a few happy moments before setting out towards the kitchen area, intent on magically whipping something up for Kotaro and herself.
Though she had discovered early on in their relationship that she would never be able to fully love him, she needed him desperately for her plans, and was more than willing to share a bed and a thrown to one as handsome and devoted as he. Kotaro fit in the picture too nicely for her to throw him out. He was the one who had unconsciously freed her from her prison, the one who had access to all the dark spells that even she knew not of at the time, (courtesy of a magically fascinated family,) and he was so easy to manipulate with words and actions of affection. He had been starved of it so much throughout his entire life, so when she gave it so willingly, he drank it up as though he were dying of thirst.
But Lady Oyu did not mind that his love for her was genuine while she only used him; she was too far gone from the beautiful, loving angel that she had once been for any trace of guilt or sadness. She had, upon reading a book of spells that had belonged to Kotaro's father, found an even greater use for him, and if he survived it...she would be even more willing than ever to share her future thrown with him.
"Kotaro? Love? Where have you gotten to now? This one is going to make breakfast..." she called as she reached the kitchen. She found a modern plate of eggs, bacon, and toast waiting for her, and sighed to herself. He had gone to the future and made her a more modern breakfast than simple soba...it really was sweet of him, but Oyu couldn't help but only notice that he was not around during one of the times she actually felt like having some sort of company. When she made her way over to the plate, she saw a note folded beneath it.
"Dearest Lady Oyu,
I have gone to investigate something I discovered in one of my father's journals; it is of no importance to your plans, only something trivial that I found interesting. Please forgive my absence...
Yours alone,
Kotaro"
Lady Oyu tapped the letter to her chin, pondering what could have gotten his attention other than herself, but ended up letting it drop. She would ask him when he returned. For now, she would eat her breakfast in peace, and keep watch over her group of soon-to-be tormented enemies. She took a small bite of her eggs and grinned.
"This one is going to have so much fun..."
Kotaro appeared in the ruined demon slayer village as though from thin air. He purposely made his way toward the hut where he knew the sleeping group to be in. Once there, he was relieved to find Koharu, the girl that Lady Oyu had used the potion on, (a variation of the potion given to Miroku,) sleeping along with the others. He sighed to himself.
"Lady Oyu...I am sorry to go against you like this my love, but you now go too far...your obsession will eventually kill you...do you not realize it?" he paused, searching his own mind for the precise reason for doing what he was about to do, "I hold no grudge to these people who only rose against us to protect their children...but I hold all loyalty to you...and so I make this compromise..." he whispered, placing a small vial of clear looking potion near Miroku and Sango's sleeping forms.
"It is the antidote...when you finally realize that he is not normal, no matter how long it takes...you will eventually give it to him, or it will get in him one way or another...I bewitched it to be so...but against my beloved's magic, it may be a long, troubling time before it restores him to normal..."
He turned to leave, but found that he could not get past the front door without unshed tears begging to be shed. He took out a small object from his kimono and placed it gently on a shelf that had yet to be sorted through. He turned back to Sango and Miroku's sleeping forms, and gave a small, polite bow.
"...I am sorry..." he spoke honestly, now revealing his true reasons for assisting this particular couple in peril, and his words directed toward Miroku, "...for in the future...in my time...taking your wife's life...and that of your unborn child as well...nothing else in my life...has ever haunted me so much..." And with that, Kotaro left, finally having said something that he had always wanted to say since the deed had been done, left the hut.
He had never told his beloved of his shamed emotions towards this...sneak attack...this murder to weaken the group that opposed them. It was the first evil he had done that he had ever regretted, and he knew that he would regret it until the day he died.
It wasn't a battle of two warriors on the battlefield; it was a woman, alone at home, eight months pregnant with her first child and very vulnerable, and it was an order given that was meant to shake the very loving foundations of the group she was allied with. And it had. I'll never forget the look on that poor man's face when he arrived home from the grocery store, to find his wife dead on their couch. I deserve no forgiveness...
In the early morning sunlight, something small glittered on that dirty old shelf in the hut. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered to be a glass necklace in the shape of a boomerang, with glass beads and a grain of rice, on which the name, 'Sango,' was written.
Me- Well? How do you like that plot twist? I hinted that Kotaro's and Lady Oyu's love wasn't as solid as it seemed...and now, the truth is out!
Sango- He killed me...and I was pregnant! Wait...how does that work? This happened in the future...so...we don't end up living in our time?
Me- (smiles) If you and the reviewers want, I have two polls...one of which will answer that question...Poll #1, do you want a whole chapter dedicated to the history of Kotaro and Lady Oyu's past? It will explain a bit about Kotaro's past, (since you know Oyu's,) and from there how they met and a short history of what brought all this around...it might answer questions that I have surfaced in you all...
Sango- And poll #2?
Me- Poll #2 is this...'Do the reviewers want one whole chapter dedicated to the Kanna and Kohaku coupling?' Since they are not a main couple, I haven't added them to the usual line-up, but if you all want to hear some fluff involving them at some point, (when the story allows,) tell me!
Miroku- (poofs into author's note) So, here's the whole deal...Hekele's contest is still up and running, (reviewers with incorrect answers may try again...) she is still writing her Tokyo Mew Mew fic whether you like it or not, so just tell her whether or not to post it online, tell her whether the bad guys should get a special chapter, and tell her whether the budding couple of Kanna and Kohaku should also get a special chapter or not...we know that's a lot to ask of you...but...please...do it...
Me- Well, that's it...the next chapter will be a HUGE plot breaking chapter! Everything that has been stirring up in the past four chapters is about to begin to blow up, and show their ugly heads! And, not to mention...major trouble!
Sango and Miroku- Review to this chapter PLEASE! Hekele was very stumped for most of the time! VERY VERY STUMPED! REVIEWS AND ANSWERS TO HER ABOVE QUESTIONS AND POLLS WILL MAKE THE REST OF THE STORY EASIER ON HER!