Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha or any of the characters. This is a work of pure fiction and mostly a daydream of how I wished the anime went according to my ship. Here I shall let it sail.
New Beginnings Chapter 9:
"How dare you leave our children! Who is with them now? You better not say Kirara!" Sango screeched as she twisted the monk's arm behind him and pushed his face into the ground. He was unintelligible as he attempted to explain with a mouthful of dirt. His other arm flailed wildly as if to say 'uncle'. Sango seemed unfazed as she held him with the bottom of her foot.
Kagome merely watched on in amusement. She didn't have the heart to be mad. Three years ago, she would have but this time it just felt good to see her friends hadn't changed.
Well…
Kagome did think Sango's punishment style changed. No longer did a resounding slap seem to be enough, her methods seemed much more brutal than before. She supposed having kids and being married allowed Sango the right to more than a measly smack. There was more commitment between the two than before. Her anger was understandably justified at the moment. Shippo was held in her arms and staring at the wrathful scene, shaking his head. When will the monk learn?
"We are married Miroku! Married! How dare you spy on other women in the bath! Do you have no sense of decency in that brain of yours?" Sango continued her tirade and Kagome winced as Sango pulled on Miroku's trapped arm. It looks mighty painful. Miroku was still eating that dirt and squealing all the while. Kagome glanced down at the top of Shippo's head, he was tucked against her chest, and was surprised he had nothing to say. She supposed he was too tired to care, if his head occasionally nodding off was any indication.
A few of the slayers walked by or into the bathhouse and watched on with interest. A few had stopped the training nearby and stood to observe the scene. Kagome chuckled nervously, feeling slightly embarrassed for her closest friends, and adopted family. She made a shooing gesture with her hands, in a nothing to see here way, and most resumed with their tasks. She supposed it was always disconcerting to be caught staring, no matter what time period they were in.
"Uh Sango? If you want an explanation, you should probably let him up." Kagome said tentatively when Sango repeated the questions he could not answer. She didn't want to make her sister mad, but she was fairly sure Miroku had swallowed some of the soil, possibly a bug or two in his attempt to reply.
Sango snapped her head to Kagome. "Huh?" She asked, startled at the interruption, a very dazed expression crossing her face. She had paused in her now violent shaking of his body and then look down. Miroku had dirt and twigs stuffed in his mouth, a dazed look in his eyes, and possibly brain death at this point. She peered down at Miroku's near lifeless form. "Oh."
Miroku laid there for a moment, twitching. They looked at him a moment and then back at each other. "Ready to go?" Kagome asked casually and Sango nodded, and they set off towards Sango's home. Behind them they heard Miroku scramble to his feet, fearful of being left alone. She could hear him sputtering trying to rid his mouth of the filth that filled it just moments ago.
"Wait! My lovely Sango! Wait for me!" He said and they could hear him fumbling to shorten the distance. Sango's face was still pinched with anger, but Kagome could already see the softening of her eyes.
"You better start explaining monk or back to the ground you go." She mumbled, some of the anger leaving her body. She was too tired to hold on to that anymore. Being a mother was tiring enough.
"I do not gaze upon women any longer since we wed! I only meant to bathe; I swear! The bathhouse was empty, and I could hear your conversation. When I heard the distress, I only wished to ascertain you were well. Imagine my surprise to see you embracing Kagome! Why it's any virile man's dream! Two beautiful naked women, bodies wet and touch…" Sango's resounding slap echoed, cutting off Miroku's increasing excitement. Sango's eyes twitched dangerously. Ah. There it was. The slap of a lifetime. Her handprint just as red and angry as it was three years ago.
Sango sped up her pace, muttering about the monk's death no doubt. Kagome stayed behind as they neared the house. She needed the space and Kagome knew better than to interfere with her ire. Kagome gave Miroku a surly look and he had the sense to look ashamed. Kagome didn't notice when Sango had stopped walking and bumped into her.
"Sango are you…?" Kagome trailed off as she looked towards the spot that had her friend captivated. Standing there was a 14-year-old Kohaku. He looked much the same except for the tall gangly limbs from puberty. His dark eyes stared back at Sango. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was stiff.
"Oh, did I forget to mention?" Miroku started but Kagome shook her head at him in warning.
"Kohaku?" Sango asked tentatively, take a small step as if he would frighten and run.
"Sister." Kohaku acknowledged, nodding his head at her.
"What are you doing here?" Sango asked. Just then the sliding door opened, and a 11-year-old Rin stuck her head out, halting the conversation.
"Kohaku are you sure you don't want to come inside? Your nieces are awake." She asked in her sweet smile. She finally noticed their party and grinned widely. "Oh Kagome! So, this is where you went!"
"Rin?" It was Kagome's turn to be dumbfounded. Then annoyed. Miroku left the children with a guilt-ridden teenager and a girl child? Was he insane? Shippo wasted no time popping out of her arms as if he weren't just half snoring in her arms.
"Rin! Thank kami you're here! These adults are so boring!"
Rin giggled and they reentered the abode, Kohaku hesitating. Miroku opened his mouth and Kagome pushed him rather harshly towards his home, in attempt to give them a moment alone. "Not now Miroku." She hissed and before he could reply she shoved him through the double doors and slid the doors shut, leaving a brother and sister outside alone.
"I should be out there." Miroku protested but she just pushed him further in.
"You've done enough damage already." Kagome said sternly. "Let's join the other. We can brew some tea and wait for them."
"Oh, I can get it!" Rin said appearing with two babies, one on each hip.
Kagome's eyes lit up at the awake babies. Miroku and Sango's babies. She squealed happily. She took one while Miroku took the other and Shippo and Rin left to get the tea. Miroku and Kagome sat at the table both immersed in two babies. She pretended she didn't notice Miroku's anxiety. She ignored his occasional twitches, reigning in the urge to get up. Eventually the doors slid open, and Sango entered. Kohaku followed trepidation clear in his step. He scanned the sitting area and slowly lowered himself to the floor and sat. Sango took a seat too. All was quiet for a moment.
Before the quietness could drive them insane, besides the cooing and gurgling of the girls, Rin and Shippo appeared with a tray of mugs, sloshing a tea. They set the cups carefully and the. Took seats. It became a little cramped around the small wooden chabudai table, but they made it work.
"So…what brings you both here?" Kagome asked breaking the awkward silence.
"There was a powerful aura nearby Kaede's village. Inuyasha was nowhere to be found so Kohaku decided to bring Rin with him. Kaede didn't think it was threatening but Kohaku did not want to chance it." Rin supplied when it was clear that Kohaku didn't seem to answer.
"Powerful aura?" Kagome questioned. She would need to take charge of the conversation.
"Rin did not feel anything unusual but Kaede did so." She said thoughtfully and then shrugged her shoulders. "Kaede said it was powerful but passive.
"Won't Sesshomaru be upset if you're missing from the village?" She asked, turning her thoughts suddenly to the demon Lord. If Kaede didn't seem to think anything was amiss, then Kagome trusted her judgment.
"Lord Sesshomaru would be more upset if I left her there. Inuyasha hadn't yet come back, and I couldn't risk her being unprotected." Kohaku said, fidgeting slightly. He was clearly uncomfortable, but Kagome hoped he would be more relaxed if she got everyone talking.
"So, you risked the travel here with her by yourself?" Sango said. Her voice pitched, tongue large in her mouth. She did not want to incur the wrath of the demon lord. If something had happened to Rin on their journey, she was not certain he would spare anyone in his rage. The girls both fussed and after they were calmed Sango let out a deep breath. She was relieved they both were unharmed and intact.
"Rin is going to look for Lord Sesshomaru. He has been away longer than usual, and Rin is worried." Rin said as a matter-of-factly. "We are fine, and Lord Sesshomaru has no reason to anger." A long silence stretched after her words. No one was reassured.
"What are their names?" Kohaku asked suddenly, gazed fixed on the two girls. Sango had been pregnant when she left Kaede's village. He felt tentative to be around children so small. His guilt started to fester. He had already killed off their family. The idea that something would happen to them in his presence began to feel overwhelming and Rin patted his hand reassuringly.
"This one is Kin'u." Miroku answered immediately, holding his daughter up proudly. She gurgled and clapped.
"And this one is Gyokuto." Kagome said mirroring Miroku's actions. Sango had supplied their names in the bath and while she couldn't tell the girls apart, she remembered their names at least. It was still strange for her to think about them being parents.
Kohaku fell silent again.
"So, Rin how do you plan on finding Sesshomaru? You're not going alone, are you?" Miroku asked. He turned to Kohaku "Are you escorting her?" Kohaku nodded at him, his lips pursing a little.
"The West isn't too far from here. Sesshomaru said he didn't want Rin at the castle. He said it was dangerous, but he showed Rin where to go if Rin was in danger. Rin will wait. Kohaku thinks it's too dangerous to stay with Kaede without Inuyasha around to protect me. So, Rin thinks this qualifies." She said proudly, chin night in the air.
"Rin why don't I accompany you and Kohaku then?" Kagome suggested, a feeling of worry stirred in her gut. She had gotten to know Rin these past months and had learned a great many things. The idea that two children alone made her stomach lurched.
"Oh no, Rin doesn't want to inconvenience you Kagome! You came to visit your friends. Rin is all grown up now, Rin will be fine. Sesshomaru will not let anything happen to Rin. Besides, we leave tomorrow." She concluded.
"Tomorrow?" Sango asked dejectedly. She did not wish for her brother to go so soon. She missed him. It had hurt her feelings that he had avoided her out of guilt this whole time. Seeing him in their old home made her feel nostalgic.
"That's fine Rin. Shippo and I are looking for someone to train me anyway. We planned to stay only for a couple of days. We were going to the West anyways as well." Kagome chuckled nervously, hoping Rin wouldn't detect her partial lie. She actually didn't know where to start but maybe this was a sign to go to the West.
"We are?" Shippo chimed in and Kagome held back a groan.
"Yes, we are." She said with absolute certainty. She looked to Rin. "So whad'dya say?"
"Rin finds this acceptable." She stated after Kohaku gave her a nod. He seemed to ease a little and she wondered if Kohaku was worried about it. He acted grown up, but he was still a kid. A kid who already felt he let down his whole family. It made sense if he was nervous.
Sango caught her eye and gave her a look. She knew what it meant. Her eyes screamed thank you. Sango wanted to go too but the girls were still breastfeeding, and she didn't know how long their journey would be. She also had thought to suggest Miroku, but he was needed to perform exorcisms to bring in money for the village. They were still in the midst of rebuilding here. They couldn't really afford to lose him. The new slayers in the village only contributed a small portion of their hunter money. Most of them used the rest of the funds to put up their huts and supplies for their new weapons. She had been surprised when more slayers and slayers in training had come when the news spread, they were rebuilding. She didn't know if the stink of Naraku would ever leave this place.
"Sango, do you know anyone who could possibly train me? I know slayers go to different villages. I thought maybe you might know of someone." Kagome finally voiced the reason she came besides the hello.
Sango thought about it a minute. She shook her head no slowly, like she wasn't sure of the answer. Her face scrunched up in concentration, "I don't…think so." She finally said and Kagome groaned a little. It would be nice to have a direction and not just wander aimlessly.
"Sango what about that sorceress in the West?" He asked abruptly. She pondered it and then turned to Kagome. "A sorceress came by the village injured. We nursed her back to health and as payment she gave us sutures to place the barrier. You could ask if she's taking students. She told us if we were ever in the West we should stop and say hello. It couldn't hurt right?"
"I need a miko not a sorceress. I'm not a sorceress." Kagome pointed out and Miroku frowned a little.
"Sorceresses train as a miko originally. They show an aptitude for it but as they mature, they choose a different path. It's very plausible she could teach you basics. At a minimal she could point you in the direction of someone knows at least." Sango said and Miroku did his double nod with his fingers framing his chin.
"Did she give you directions?" Kagome asked hopefully, anticipation building up in her stomach. She felt the flutter of excitement. This was it. She could finally start her new life. One where she felt confident in her abilities and stopped second guessing herself in this part of her life at least. Her love life was a mess. It didn't mean that the rest of her should be too.
"Yes. We will buy a map in town, and you can follow it on your journey to return Rin." Miroku said. The babies started fussing and Sango plucked both babies up and mouthed sorry. They had been talking a while and they were hungry. She didn't envy Sango having to nurse two children at the same time.
"You ready Ship?" She looked at her kit and grinned.
"Ready!" He grinned back.
"Yay!" Rin squealed and all laughed at her girlish antics. Even Kohaku smiled a little when she jumped up and down in excitement.
Tomorrow.