AN: SURPRISE BITCHES. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me.

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Miroku was beginning to think that the gods were entirely against him kissing his intended. It was entirely possible. His karma wasn't great. It could also be the explanation for Misao inexplicably showing up and the villagers' insistence on taking over their wedding.

He was half-tempted to say something along the lines of, 'Let's let Inuyasha take care of it,' but Sango had already stepped out of reach and had begun to hurry towards the panicking voices.

"Come on!" She called out and Miroku reluctantly followed. They arrived quickly, staff and Hiraikotsu at the ready, but were stopped suddenly by Kohaku.

"Relax," He assured them. "It's not what you think."

Sesshoumaru was standing in the middle of the village, with his usual bored and apathetic expression, his beast Ah-Un at the ready. Miroku frowned, not quite ready to say that this wasn't a fight. Despite all that had happened, despite Kohaku's trust in the demon, there was no getting around the fact that Sesshoumaru still wanted to kill Inuyasha. He'd just been vague on the 'when' as of late.

Before Miroku could ask what the demon wanted, a sharp cry broke through.

"Please, don't make me stay here, Lord Sesshoumaru!"

Miroku blinked to see a tearful Rin cling to Ah-Un. Sesshoumaru's imp, Jaken, began to squawk.

"Foolish girl! Don't question Lord Sesshoumaru! Now get off Ah-Un and return to the humans, this instant!"

This only made Rin cry harder. "I don't want to! I don't want to live with humans!"

Miroku and Sango looked at each other, unsure how to proceed. But before any of them could do anything, Kohaku stepped towards Rin.

"It's okay, Rin," He said soothingly. "Lord Sesshoumaru's doing what's best for you."

"I don't want what's best for me!" Rin wailed. "I want to be with Lord Sesshoumaru forever!"

To Miroku's surprise, he noticed a flicker—perhaps a tremor—in Sesshoumaru's cheek. But aside from that, it was the only sign of emotion he could perceive.

"Rin," Sesshoumaru commanded. "Stop crying."

Despite Rin's obvious emotional turmoil, loyal to the end, she attempted to obey. She wiped her eyes with her kimono sleeves, biting her lip to stop more tears from spilling. She slid off of Ah-Un's back, looking miserable.

Kohaku knelt down next to her. "It's going to be okay, Rin," He promised. "It might not be forever. You need to be with humans, at least for a little while. Then, when you're old enough, you can decide whether or not you want to live with humans or continue in Lord Sesshoumaru's company. He's just giving you that choice. Right?"

Sesshoumaru didn't answer, but Miroku detected a tiny, imperceptible nod.

Rin hiccoughed, forcing a smile. "Okay," She sniffled. "I'll—I'll wait for you, Lord Sesshoumaru. I'll stay here for you! But I'll want to be with you again, I promise!"

"Silly girl," Jaken grumbled. Lord Sesshoumaru said nothing, giving Rin a long look, and turned towards Ah-Un.

"Keh."

Miroku glanced over to see Inuyasha glaring at the spectacle, arms folded in front of him. Miroku tensed slightly, wondering if a fight would break out between the brothers, but Sesshoumaru barely gave him a second look. He mounted the beast, and Ah-Un gave out a roaring knicker before taking to the sky. Rin watched, tears streaming down her face.

XXXX

"Is the girl okay?"

Sango stepped out of Kaede's cabin and gave a sigh. "Physically, I guess. I think she just needs a little sleep and food—some time to get used to the situation."

Inuyasha's arms were folded in front of him and his eyes were cast down. Sango sighed.

"I wish Kagome were here," She voiced aloud his thoughts, and he couldn't help but slump a little.

Kagome had forged a sort of bond with the little girl, and Inuyasha had no doubt that Kagome would've been able to cheer Rin up within moments. She was always good at 'adopting' any children they met on their journey.

"There are lots of girls Rin's age in the village," Miroku said joining them. "I'm sure she'll make lots of friends and come into her own."

Sango gazed at him worriedly. "But is that really true? She's spent a lot of time with Sesshoumaru and Jaken—I'm afraid they'll shun her out of fear and misunderstanding." Inuyasha grunted in agreement, remembering his own childhood with a pang.

"Of course that's possible," Miroku conceded. "But out of all the villages, this has got to be the best. I think the children here are more used to demons than in other places."

"That's true," Sango sighed again. "I just wish I could do more."

Inuyasha shrugged. "Old Kaede will take care of her. Anyway, what's going on with you two? Who's that woman who just showed up out of nowhere?"

Miroku coughed slightly and Sango gave a fixed smile. "Miroku's mother."

Inuyasha looked scandalized. "You have a mother?!"

"Everyone has a mother," Miroku said defensively.

As if on cue, Misao appeared, immediately clasping Miroku's elbow.

"Good gracious," She gave a delicate little shudder. "Do demons often just appear out of nowhere in this village?"

The three looked at each other. "Sometimes," Miroku decided was a safe answer. Inuyasha gave a loud snort, earning a sharp jab from Sango's elbow.

"You don't have to worry," Sango smiled at her pleasantly. "If it were a real threat—well, we're all pretty skilled at what we do. Inuyasha's very proficient with his sword and even without the wind tunnel, I have a lot of confidence in Miroku's abilities."

Miroku looked pleased. "Don't forget yourself, Sango. Sango is a trained demon slayer—you should see her with her Hiraikotsu." Misao glanced at the large, boomerang-shaped weapon.

"A demon slayer," Misao mused. "I did not know women could have such an occupation."

"It is irregular," Sango said cheerfully. "I was the only female slayer in my village—the rest of the women were mothers or smiths or farmers. And believe me, it was a long time before I got the others convinced of my ability."

Miroku glanced at her surprised. "I didn't know that."

"It's true," Sango replied, shifting her Hiraikotsu slightly. "Kohaku was very sickly when he was born, so father started training me in his place. Of course, Kohaku got much healthier and now we're both fine slayers."

Misao tilted her head, considering. "But won't you stop? Now that you're getting married?"

Sango frowned a little. "I don't know. I hadn't thought about it. I do want to take a break from it all, now that Naraku's dead. I don't think I could ever fully stop. And, well…" Her cheeks went pink.

"What?" Miroku asked noticing her blush immediately.

"Well—I was hoping—Kohaku and I are the last slayers of our village, so I was hoping to maybe…train our children…someday," Her last comment became a mumble and Sango became very interested in the grass at their feet.

Inuyasha couldn't help but roll his eyes at the ridiculously stupid expression that lit Miroku's face. Perverted monk. He looked like he was ready to drag Sango off and get started right now, wedding or no.

"Hm," Misao folded her arms against her expansive chest. Inuyasha glanced critically at Miroku, but before he could give any sort of reply, a young boy ran up.

"Sango! There's a messenger here for Sango!" He cried out eagerly.

XXXX

Sango blinked. "A messenger? Who from?"

"A great lord!" The boy said eagerly. "The messenger says his lord bids you to come to him—he comes bearing an entire cartload of gifts—food for the villagers, fine clothing, jewels—it's amazing!" He gestured for them to follow him, and darted forward.

Confused, Sango pursued him, her fiancé at her heels. They came upon a middle-aged man, wrinkling his nose at the surrounding village. He was speaking with Kaede, but when he noticed her, he bowed.

"Lady Sango?" He asked formally. "I am Soichiro, vassal of Lord Kuranosuke."

Sango inhaled. "Lord Kuranosuke?!" She glanced nervously at Miroku, who looked impassive.

"Indeed, my lady," Soichiro bowed again. "It has come to the attention of my great lord that the wicked demon you pursued has been slain! Therefore, he bids you a solemn adulation, and wishes to extend his good will herein."

Misao stepped forward. "Who is this lord?" She inquired. "Why does he wish to see Sango?"

"We once slayed a bear demon for him," Miroku said disapprovingly. "Or at least, exorcised the spirit of a bear demon. The lord was interested in marrying Sango, but she turned him down, because we were still pursuing Naraku."

The name Naraku didn't seem to faze Misao, and Sango presumed that she was well familiar with the origin of her son's wind tunnel. Perhaps that's why Miroku never mentioned his mother, Sango thought suddenly. He wanted to protect her from Naraku—if Naraku had known that Miroku had a weakness like that, he surely would have exploited it. She suddenly felt terribly guilty for berating Miroku earlier.

Misao turned towards Sango. "You have a rich lord interested in your favor, and yet you chose my Miroku," There was something akin to admiration in her voice.

Sango raised and lowered one shoulder. "I never saw Kuronosuke that way." She spoke nothing but the honest truth—she had no interest in rank or wealth. All she truly wanted was to live out the rest of her days quietly, have a family, train a new generation of demon slayers—so her family's legacy would live on.

And of course…to be in love.

"That is rare to hear from a girl your age," Misao said quietly. "To choose love over opportunity. A rare but often foolish choice."

Miroku winced. "You wound me, mother."

"I think I would like to speak to Sango alone," Misao said decidedly. "Would that be all right?"

Sango blinked. "A-alone?"

Miroku narrowed his eyes. "What do you want to talk to her about?"

"I would like a private conversation between me and my future daughter-in-law," Misao said clearly. "I have never had a daughter before."

Miroku still looked wary towards the idea but Sango nodded. "All right," She agreed. "We'll be back soon, okay?" She smiled comfortingly towards Miroku and began to walk off with Sango.

XXXX

They walked in silence for a bit and there was no denying the long pause made Sango nervous. Misao seemed thoughtful, introspective even, but a fair amount warmer than she had been towards Sango initially.

"How did you meet my son?" Misao finally inquired and Sango gulped a little.

"Well—" Sango took a deep breath. "We were traveling companions. Both of us were in search of Naraku—him to cure his wind tunnel and avenge his family, and myself to rescue my brother and avenge my village. We became close friends and then…more."

Misao nodded. "And he asked you to bear his children."

Sango flushed. "Well, it was much later…but…yes," She fidgeted.

Misao sighed. "No one knows more than I what a terrible request it is. To love someone with a deadline on their life, to be so consumed with love for them, that it overwhelms the powerful sadness, knowing you will continue their line…their cursed line."

Sango watched her closely. There as a bitterness in Misao's voice, a pain that made Sango want to touch her shoulder in comfort.

Misao sighed. "I met Miroku's father over twenty years ago, when he was traveling abroad, in search of Naraku," She closed her eyes. "He was so handsome, so charming. He had seen so much of the world, and I so little. I fell very deeply for him…and perhaps he cared for me too. He asked if I would bear him a son and I foolishly agreed."

Sango listened intently as a cool breeze shook the branches of a tree they walked under.

"I had no idea the struggle, the shame, the danger I would endure," Misao said simply. "And when Miroku was born, his father took him away from me, to train with Muushin at the temple. It was the second time he broke my heart."

Misao stopped and turned to face Sango fully. "You and Miroku deserve every happiness," She said seriously. "And I will pray to the gods that you have it. Give to each other love that I never had. Raise the family I never could."

There was something unsaid about Misao's speech. A note of warning in her words. It frightened Sango, but she chose not to say anything, only nodding at Misao.