Chapter twenty-five: The Ronin
The noon's golden tones illuminated the tatami and bathed the entire house in shades of oranges and reds. Also, the air was much warmer and the morning sounds had died long ago, but hardly any of this was registered by Sango.
Curious. She didn't notice it was already past noon. She didn't remember at what time she had sat on the floor either. Sango just felt cold and empty and a vague mist engulfed her mind; it had taken over her since Inuyasha left and she hadn't managed to get rid of it.
Not that she had really tried.
It felt nice not to be completely aware of the situation; it hurt less. Though in the back of her mind she knew that was only temporary, that later the pain would be there, hard and unmerciful, just like with battle wounds.
What would father think? Why had she allowed it to happen? Why had she been so weak?
She knew why. Sango had suspected it for quite some time. She had tried so hard to avoid it, to kill such feelings for considering them treason, something impossible, but now she knew; she was in love with Inuyasha.
It was the way her heart jumped each time he smiled at her, the way her skin tingled at his touch, the way his pain was hers, his joy, her bliss, and how she longed for his presence; how it even hurt to be far from him.
Well… it appeared that now she had managed to drive him totally away, but… it was better that way, really. He would never love her in return for he loved only Kagome and she couldn't stand it. She couldn't bear it! The sole notion drove her mad with pain and frustration.
A pang in her chest almost made her bend while renewed tears ran over the salty patterns the old ones had left.
Now he was gone.
Stupid, stupid!
She cleaned her face as she bit her lip, mad at herself for being so weak, but she had to stop her reprimands as a strange noise called her attention.
Sango rose to her feet, her senses now fully alert.
There were voices approaching.
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"Stupid woman!"
Another innocent tree fell to the ground as Tessaiga cut its thick log with a single slash.
"How dares she! Aahg!" One more went down. "Call me a liar!"
Inuyasha fell on his knees, exhausted. Sweat drops crowned his forehead and his respiration was agitated. Kirara, who had found him thanks to all the noise he was making, was watching him, curious.
He felt furious, confused and frustrated, but over all he felt hurt. Inuyasha hated to feel hurt; it was the way he had felt most of his life.
He directed his gaze to the taijiya hill, as he called it, and gave a defeated sigh. Night would fall soon and he was still at the damned place. He had wanted to run and forget all about her and her words, but he hadn't been able to get away more than a few miles.
"What's wrong with me, Kirara?" he asked the small neko, who only tilted her head to a side.
Inuyasha sat against a still standing tree and sheathed his katana. He felt a twist in his stomach; it had been Sango who had returned his beloved Tessaiga to him.
No. What was wrong with her?
Nothing, you're the stupid one here. She's right. You can't leave the well.
"I can!" he raised his voice, trying to shut his own thoughts up.
Well, if he could then why didn't he just do it? Why hadn't he accepted her offering? They would have a vast land.
But something pulled him back, the sole idea of being away from Kaede's village made him almost ill…
And yet, Sango would be so happy if they stayed… and he, finally, would have a place to call his own.
But Kaede's village kept so many memories… so many experiences…
What would life be like with Sango in the taijiya hill? Peaceful and yet exciting, for sure.
However, Kaede's village… he wanted to return…
Would Sango teach their child how to fight, as she had taught him? Would he watch them sitting on the porch, feeling proud of his two warriors?
Suddenly, Inuyasha discovered he was smiling; the idea of staying didn't sound as unbearable as it had hours ago…
Why did he really want to return? Was it only because of Kagome? Was Sango right?
I guess… I really could stay and try… maybe.
And what would you do here?
I bet I can rebuild this place, it'd be a really nice home, once all was set up...
But you wouldn't be at ease, so far from the well. You need Kagome!
Of course not! I don't live on hope of Kagome's return!
Are you sure? Then why do you doubt it?
I... I don't know! Maybe it's just the custom to be there!
You wouldn't be happy here! She wouldn't give you what you need! Only Kagome could do that!
But she's not coming back! And I don't care! I told Sango it wouldn't matter if she returned!
But you didn't mean it! You only wanted to have her!
That's a lie! I meant it!
Why?
"Because I love her damn it!"
Inuyasha's eyes went round and his mouth fell open. At some point he had stood up, his hands had become fists and his mind was clear now, clearer than it had been in a long time.
What an idiot he had been! All these years she had been there at his side, and he had never realized it! It had been so subtle… she had entered his heart little by little until there was no room in it for doubts. He loved her!
He looked at the hill. He hoped it wouldn't be too late, he hoped she'd forgive him.
Inuyasha sprang to the village, Kirara right behind him.
He had something to say to Sango.
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Sango exited the house, Hiraikotsu at her back, her dagger in her sleeve and her wakisashi at her hip, ready to meet whoever had entered her home.
Soon, the voices became more audible and in no time, several silhouettes were visible against the golden sunset. She could tell they were fifty at least, mounted on horses, and they were armed.
The men entered the gates, laughing and making jokes. Sango observed, whilst they dismounted, that they were dressed in armors and had the two swords that identified them as Samurai. She also observed they had no crests or symbols from any daimyo.
Ronin.
One of them noticed her and approached her. Sango immediately noted the smell of sake on him.
"What are you doing here, little girl?" he asked. His comrades kept silence at once and they all fixed their eyes on the petite woman with the big boomerang at her back.
"That's exactly what I should ask you. What are you doing here? This is my home," she said in a hard tone, her face set in a severe frown.
The man looked dumbfounded for a second, but then he started to laugh and the other followed.
"Your home? Are you crazy? These have been our headquarters for months and they'll continue so for many more!"
Realization stuck her. Sango felt a white fury growing in her chest.
"This is the taijiya village and I'm the last one of them, and those tombs belonged to my family and friends!" she screamed, Hiraikotsu was in her hands in a second.
"So what? Have anything to say, pretty thing?" Another man approached her with a leer.
"These were my people you used for your sick games! You're nothing but animals! Beasts!"
"Watch your mouth, pretty thing! You don't want to find out the ways I have to shut it for you!" The second man said as he stretched his arm and took her by the neck, intending to lift her, but Sango, in a swift move, cut his hand, using her hidden dagger.
"You little bitch! You have any idea of the punishment for attacking a Samurai?" The man looked astonished at her and took a step back, clutching his hurt hand. Those behind ended their laughter at once.
"You're not Samurai. You're nothing but bitter Ronin who dishonor the Bushido ways!"
"What do you know about our ways!" A third, skinny one asked. The others started surrounding her.
"Enough to know a true Samurai doesn't violate burial places!" She secured her grab on her weapon and took a battle position. She felt she could cry, if her anger weren't so consuming.
"I'll teach you some respect, bitch!" The skinny one advanced to her and made a move to grab her by the hair, but Sango just swung Hiraikotsu, hitting him on the head and he fell to the ground, out cold.
The Ronin, first stunned at this, reacted quickly and advanced on her with their weapons in hand and battle cries.
Sango deflected a blow, and a second one. Hiraikotsu leaving a trail of unconscious bodies as more came to her, but they were many and despite her rage, she didn't want to kill them.
A blade found its target and Sango went to one knee, bleeding from her right thigh, but she raised Hiraikotsu just in time to stop a killing blow, and then another.
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Inuyasha leaned on a rock at the base of the hill, panting. He was almost there.
He took a deep breath, trying to regain a steady respiration and little by little he stopped hearing drums in his ears, but only then he heard something else; yells coming from the village and weapons clashing. Kirara twitched her ears and her fur crisped as she transformed in her demon form, growling.
Someone was attacking the village! And Sango was there, Alone!
"Kirara! Let's go!" he said with an urgent tone and a livid frown on his face as he jumped on the fire youkai and they both went into the air.
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Another blow sent a couple of men flying backwards, but they just kept coming, enraged, for fifty of them weren't able to defeat a single, wounded woman.
Sango swung Hiraikotsu, breaking yet another blade, then she had to hide behind her weapon to protect herself from the arrows shot by a couple of men who had managed to climb up a roof.
She had no choice but to unsheathe her wakisashi to keep Hiraikotsu as a shield. She blocked a slash at the right, then from behind, the Ronin spitting hateful words as they tried in vain to overpower her.
And yet, despite her numeric disadvantage, her blade would find an arm, cut a thigh, her handle would hit a head, or a chest, but she would never aim to any vital areas, though she was fearing that might have to change; they wouldn't desist and she was getting tired. Her head felt light and dizzy and her wound wouldn't stop bleeding.
A corpulent man, the one who insisted in calling her 'pretty thing' made his way toward her and let his katana fall over her with all his might, and this time, even though she deflected the attack, the force of the blow brought her to her knees and the pain in her thigh made her scream.
And the arrows kept raining.
That was it. She would have to do it, she'd have to kill, it was she or them. Sango cried in silence for now she would really lose it all; her people, her family, her friends, her virtue, Imuyasha… and now her hands would be stained with death.
What would be left of her soul?
And then, a ray of light; a furious yell. She knew that yell, she had heard it so many times before! Inuyasha, riding Kirara, appeared in the sky. Several men, superstitious, screamed and ran in terror at the vision of Kirara, but most stayed, fearing they would be called cowards afterwards.
"Sango!" he screamed and jumped between her and her attacker, taking him out of combat with a strong hit on the head with his saya.
"Are you alright?" He eyed her leg with worry as he took her by the waist and put her on her feet.
"Y-you came back…" she said, trying as hard as she could to remain standing up, using Hiraikotsu to support herself.
"I did."
Kirara jumped in front of her mistress, deflecting the arrows with her body and growling furiously, her eyes were bright red and her saber teeth flashed at the men, who took several steps back.
Inuyasha took his eyes from Sango and severely looked at the invaders, raising his voice.
"Leave at once! All of you! The lady of the house here has been kind enough to allow you to keep your miserable lives, but I will not be so benevolent! So take your wounded and get out of here and never come back!"
The dozen or so still on their feet looked doubtful, probably comparing the dishonor of a defeat against the chance to keep on living, but then Kirara jumped to the front and grabbed one of them by the leg, swinging it around like a rag doll and then letting go of him, just as a warning.
That was all it took; those who could walk took the fallen ones and in mere seconds they had mounted their horses and ran out of the village as if there was no tomorrow.
"Bastards!" Inuyasha scowled, but he turned his attention to Sango, who had finally drained her strength and was now leaning on him, panting hard. Kirara, now small again, looked apprehensive at her mistress.
"Sango? What is it? How do you feel?" He sat her on the ground and raised her bloody kosode to check on her wound. Sango diverged her eyes, embarrassed, but Inuyasha took her by the chin and made her look at him.
"No need to do that, I won't hurt you." He examined the wound; it wasn't profound, but it was somewhat large and it was bleeding profusely. He unknotted her mo-bakana from her waist and wrapped it around her thigh, making pressure to stop the flow of blood.
"There you go," he said and then he picked her up in his arms. Sango felt so dizzy that she couldn't help her head from falling on his shoulder.
"How did you manage to get hurt? They were nothing but a bunch of morons," he asked.
"There were many, and I didn't want to kill anyone, even if they were the ones who damaged the tombs. If you hadn't come… I don't know what would have happened." She felt drowsy now.
"But I came."
They entered the house where they had spent the night and he laid her carefully over those same blankets, then he went to the basin with clean water he had left there since yesterday.
"Why?" she asked in a small, trembling voice.
He removed the mo-bakana from the thigh and started washing the wound. "Because I had to," he answered.
"Oh." Sango flinched when he started drying her thigh. "I already told you, don't stay with me just because you feel responsible…"
"It's not like that." He took a clean piece of cloth and wrapped the wound again, then he unknotted her obi and opened her kosode. Sango stiffened, nervous. Her eyes searched for his, questioning.
"It's okay, I'm just going to take this off, it's dirty and full of blood, see?"
She relaxed and allowed him to remove the cloth and he helped her lay down, covering her with the blankets, then he took off his haori and placed it carefully under her head.
"You need to rest, try to sleep, I'll watch over you, and if those cowards dare to return I promise they'll regret it." Inuyasha lay at her side and started stroking her hair. Sango's eyes were closing on their own, their owner soothed by the caresses.
"Inuyasha?" she managed to ask.
"Yeah?"
"What do you mean with it's not like that?"
"I mean I returned because I wanted to, because I want to stay here, with you."
"Are you serious?"
He kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose and at last, he left a small kiss on her lips. "Yes. I am…"
Sango tried to touch his face, but her arm wouldn't response. She felt herself falling asleep already, despite all her efforts, but still she could mumble a small "Why?"
Inuyasha looked how her eyelids fought to remain open but lost the battle at last. Some seconds later, Sango's breath had become deep and even, her chest rising and falling in a rhythmic movement. She was profoundly asleep.
He touched her cheek with the tip of his finger and whispered in her ear, "Because I love you, my Sango-chan."
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Ronin were wandering Samurai without a master. Most of them followed honorable lives despite not having a lord to serve, but it was not always the case.
Obi: it is some kind of belt used to fasten kimono.