The True Holder of Shikon
Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.
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Chapter 11 - Understanding
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They left early for Kaede's village. Sango, Rin, Jaken and Miroku rode on Kirara while Inuyasha carried Kagome. Sesshoumaru just went along by himself. He kept a close eye on the four on the neko. Sango closed her eyes and let the wind caress her face and dance with her dark, flowing hair. It felt so wonderful to be in the air. Rin was in front of her and leaning back into her while Sango held Kirara with one hand and kept one arm around the tiny child.
"This is fun, Sango-sama!" The girl cried loudly over the whipping wind. Sango laughed and nodded. The child was so cute that she couldn't help but smile.
"When we get to the village, do you want to ride Kirara more?" The small girl grinned gleefully and nodded vigorously. She was the perfect epitome of innocence and happiness.
"I would love to, Sango-sama!"
"You don't need to call me Sango-sama."
"Okay, Sango-chan!" The bright girl giggled when Sango laughed. She liked the taiji-ya. Sesshoumaru let a smirk pass his lips and quickened his pace.
"Are we almost there, little brother?" Inuyasha looked over at him and then ahead.
"Yeah, just about. We've still got some miles left."
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When Kagome left down the well, Sango took Rin on Kirara as she had promised. The neko walked beside her, knowing they were being followed. Rin asked Sango for a ride on her back and the taiji-ya complied. Rin's tiny hands held her shirt at the shoulder and Sango held her legs so she wouldn't fall. The small child was all smiles. She never lost her cheerful grin. The taiji-ya enjoyed her company. Kirara deformed to her smaller form and danced around her mistress's feet. They made the perfect picture.
"What do you say we go and pick some flowers, Rin-chan?" Gasping in pleasure, the girl nodded.
"Yes! I want to pick some for Sesshoumaru-sama!" Sango almost stopped walking but continued on.
"What is Sesshoumaru like when you are with him, Rin?" She asked quietly.
"Well, he is very kind to R-" She stopped for a moment. "He is very kind to me and we go to lots of places. I think he is getting lonely. He seems sad."
"Sad?" The taiji-ya did not mean to pry but...sad? Sesshoumaru? She said it mostly out of surprise but got a response anyway.
"Yes, he leaves me a lot to go searching for someone. He seems better now, though. Do you like him, Sango-chan?" Rin asked innocently. Sango didn't know how to answer.
"He is...slowly becoming my friend. There is something about him that I do not understand." She laughed quietly. "But I can figure him out sooner or later."
"Does that mean that we will stay with you for a while?" She paused briefly.
"I have no idea." They were silent for a little while, each in their own thoughts.
Sesshoumaru seems to be teaching her how to speak. That may be a funny thought but it is true. She speaks very well for a child her age.
She almost laughed at the thought that Sesshoumaru actually taught a little girl how to talk properly. Rin was on a different track all her own.
I like Sango-chan a lot! I hope Sesshoumaru-sama does, too. Maybe she can be my mommy... Sesshoumaru-sama has not said anything about me calling him daddy yet though.
She giggled softly. She would love it if Sango was her mom.
"Look, Rin-chan!" Sango stopped and pointed. A field of flowers rested before them and the child squealed in joy. Sango let her down and sat down, watching her quietly.
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Kagome emerged on her side of the well and climbed up. She walked up the steps and opened the door, the smell of herbal tea reaching her from the open kitchen window.
Must be Grandpa's time for tea.
She pulled back her sleeve and glanced at her watch. She nodded to herself. Then she walked out and closed the door behind her. She needed more clothes and more supplies.
Inuyasha should let me stay the normal three days. I hope nothing happens while I'm away this time.
Her eyes widened when Souta ran up the steps of the shrine, just getting home from school.
"Kagome!" He exclaimed in surprise when he saw her. "What are you doing home?"
"I was in a rush last time and didn't get to pack too much. I need some clothes and supplies."
"How long are you staying?" She bent down and he hugged her before pulling away. "The usual three?" She sighed and nodded.
"Sango got captured last time and tainted the jewel. I had to go." She ruffled his hair. "Besides, I need to go to school for a while."
"Heh." He grinned at her. "You missed some stuff. Yuka called a couple times and said you missed a few tests." She groaned.
"Come on...I wasn't gone that long!" She complained. "Anyway, let's go inside. I need a hot bath and some tea and a change of clothes." They went inside and slid their shoes off. Souta ran to his room to change into his regular clothes. Kagome took her time and walked into the kitchen. "Hey, Mom, Grandpa, I'm home!" She trailed off when she noticed a guy her mother's age sitting at the table. For a split second, she thought she forgot his name.
Do I even know his name? Does he even have a name?
The color drained from her face. Her mother monitored her reaction before standing up quickly.
"Kagome, I'm so glad you're home. Would you like some tea? Oh, and those clothes need to be washed. Let's go upstairs and I will draw you a nice bath."
"Uh...thanks, Mom." Kagome said quietly as she was led from the room. As soon as they were in the safety of her room, she dropped her bag on the floor and stared at her mother expectantly.
"His name is Daisuke." She answered softly. "He will be living here. We didn't get married yet because I simply could not get married without my maid of honor." The girl gasped and smiled. Then it faded.
"What have you told him? Inuyasha will most likely make an appearance, Mom. You know him almost as well as I do."
"We will all talk about it later, dear. You can tell him the truth then." She sighed and nodded.
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Rin smiled and gazed at her two small bouquets of flowers. One was for Sango and the other was for Sesshoumaru. She giddily ran back to Sango and thrust one of them into her hands. The taiji-ya looked at her, surprised.
"For you, Sango-chan!" The sweet little girl stated cheerfully. "Do you like them?" The flowers still had the roots attached and dirt was still falling off. Sango laughed.
"Of course I do!" She then took out her sword and smiled at the girl. "But, what do you say we cut the roots off? Here, watch." She made a clean cut through the green stems. "See?"
"Yes!" The girl held out the other one. "These are for Sesshoumaru-sama. Will you cut the...roots off, please?" Sango nodded and made another clean cut before putting her sword back in the sheathe. "They look better now, right?"
"Yes, they do." Rin asked for another ride on her back and she happily complied.
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Sango sat by herself with her back to the well. She just wanted to be alone. That was all that she wanted.
What is the point in continuing on in pursuit of Naraku? He keeps disappearing every time we get close to killing him. I want to kill him so much but...I just do not have the strength.
She had her legs pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. Her chin rested in between her knees. Her soft mahogany eyes stared forward, not even seeing the edge of the dark forest.
I cannot believe he got close to raping me and taking me. I can't believe I almost gave up. I had no strength left. What if it happens again?
She was very afraid of it. She didn't want to see Naraku's face ever again. However, every time she closed her eyes, she could see him, leering at her with his wicked grin. She brought her hand up and felt the scab where the mark from his dagger had cut her across her throat.
"Sango?" She turned her head to see Miroku staring at her from the right. "Why are you here by yourself?" Biting her lip, she turned from him.
"I just wanted to be alone." She answered. He walked over and the rings on his staff jingled from the movement.
"May I sit with you?" She didn't answer and he sighed. "Sango, you have been growing distant. I only wish for you to talk with me."
"Then sit." He nodded and sat down.
"We are growing apart." She felt him lean in and wrap an arm around her. "I do not want that to happen." Her heart pounded against her ribs and fear enveloped her.
N-No...I should be able to trust him. He would not...do anything like Naraku.
She found herself pulling away anyway. Her eyes were wide, filled with a gaping void of fear. He stared at her in shock and let his arm fall back to his side.
"Our trust is lost?" Sango looked up at him, unable to utter a word. She was ashamed of her feelings; ashamed that she was not able to protest.
"I-I..." She felt so lost.
Though he always gropes me, I know he would never...but when he touched me that fear entered me again.
"I am not asking you to understand." She whispered. "I do not know how you could." Miroku's staff dropped to the ground and he crawled toward her, taking her hands in his.
"I do understand, Sango." She was staring at their hands. "I would never harm you intentionally. Never." She looked up at him and watched as he brought one hand up to her face. His fingers lightly touched the skin of her cheek and she jerked away, stumbling to her feet.
That touch...
The image appeared in her mind and she put her hands on the sides of her head and fell forward onto the ground, curling into a defensive ball. The images flew wildly through her mind and she tried to block them out and make them stop.
"Sango..." Miroku fell back and stared at her in shock. "What is happening to you?" He got to his feet and ran quickly to get help. His feet pounded against the ground almost as fast as his beating heart. He arrived rather quickly. He slid into Kaede's house and muttered incoherently. "S-Sango..." Sesshoumaru managed to decipher her name from his other useless babble and stood up. Then he bolted, following the houshi's scent all the way to the well. He saw Sango and smelled her horror, fear, and tears. He saw the pained expression on her face. He kneeled down and pulled her up, shaking her gently. She looked up at him for a long moment, hot tears running down her face in broken lines.
"Sesshoumaru..." She whispered. He let go of her shoulder and she hesitantly leaned foward, against him.
"What happened?"
"Those images..." Her voice was strained, like she was forcing herself to tell him. "They keep coming back."
"What images?" He wanted the whole picture, not the fragmented one she was offering.
"Images...of Naraku touching me, staring at me with that...look in his eyes. It was horrible, Sesshoumaru. He kept leering at me like he knew everything that he was going to do to me." He didn't move. His arm was still at his side and he didn't move it. He could imagine that sick look. She then gazed up at him with a small smile.
Once again, he understands.
"Thank you...again." She said timidly. "I-I am sorry to be a pain. I never meant for this to happen but Houshi-sama-"
"What did he do?" The Taiyoukai asked sharply and she flinched.
"H-He did nothing wrong. He was trying to comfort me but when I felt him touch my face...like Naraku had...I lost the control I had over my fears." She explained. He blinked.
"Why was he comforting you?"
"He knew what happened to me and he thought that we were growing apart. I pulled away from him when he put his arm around me because it just made the fear come back. I never meant to hurt him..." Sesshoumaru was not a happy youkai.
Does that houshi not understand what touches now do to her? If I could only-
His thoughts were cut off when she pulled up the sleeve of his missing arm. He tried to pull away but he was frozen to the spot when her hands came into contact with his flesh.
"It is regrowing..." She looked up at him and smiled. "I think I may know how to repay my debt. Allow me one more day." He said nothing, just like the first time. Then she stood up and went over to Miroku's staff. She picked it up and held it fondly before beginning to walk away.
"Do you still have feelings for the houshi?" She stopped and looked back at him, the breeze blowing her dark, ebony hair across her face. She smiled sadly.
"I do not know right now. I need more time to think that over." He watched as she continued to walk. He then got up and raced back to the house where they were staying.
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Kagome walked down the stairs, brushing her hair, thinking about Sango.
Maybe I shouldn't have left so early after that. I wish none of that had ever happened. Poor Sango must be going through a lot right now. She didn't like talking about it but things will never really be right again. Those fears always come back. That's what those women who it happened to always said.
She sighed softly.
"Hey, Sis, what's wrong?" She looked at Souta and shook her head.
"I was just thinking." She completed her trip down the steps and sat down next to him on the couch. Her thoughts wandered back quickly.
It must have made some serious mental trauma for her. I don't like seeing her like that and I know that it won't do anything good for her unstable relationship with Miroku. They aren't going out but...they both like each other. Though, he really needs to work on how he expresses his feelings toward her. I wonder if they will ever make it after this.
She really hoped they did. It would mean something stable in each of their lives. Right then, no one had much to turn to. Their little group wasn't faring well at all.
"Kagome." Souta whispered; nudging her. She looked over at him, getting ready to scream at him for interrupting her important thoughts. "Daisuke and Mom are comin'." She paled.
Oh, man! Now I have the added pressure of explaining this to him...
Suddenly, someone jumped in front of her and she nearly jumped five feet in the air. As soon as she saw the person, her heart sank.
"Inuyasha? What happened?" The look on his face was serious and solemn. She half-expected that someone died.
"Miroku just told us that Sango's not in good shape. Apparently, he didn't do nothin' indecent. He put his arm around her in a-what was the word-sincere way and she pulled away from him. Then he tried to touch her face and she flipped. Sesshoumaru went to talk to her." He explained; his amber eyes staring at her with indecision. "We don't know what the hell to do." Daisuke and her mother stared at them.
"Dear, what happened to Sango?" Kagome looked back at her mother. She knew the woman cared for her friends, even if she never met them. She swallowed hard.
"She...was captured and nearly raped. Mom, I might need to go back again."
"What is going on?" Daisuke asked; his dark indigo eyes fixed on the hanyou.
"The old well connects this time to the past, Daisuke." Kagome answered straightly. "Inuyasha and I are the only ones who can go through it."
"Kagome, you don't have to come back. I just want to know what to do about Sango."
"Give her time." She answered honestly. "She still needs to recover. I'm sure Sesshoumaru has it all under control." At Inuyasha's facial expression, she nearly fell over.
"Hello! Did you happen to forget that they like to go at each other's throats?" She growled at him.
"They didn't when they were alone that night! He went with her and she even thanked him when she got back! He must understand more than both you and Miroku combined!" Her voice rose slightly. "You and Miroku are more alike than you know. You're both thick-headed and dense!" Inuyasha glared at her sharply.
"Listen, just because he's a lech and I have no experience with bein' sentimental, as you like to call it, don't mean that we don't understand!" She put her hands on her hips. "What now?"
"Then why did he touch her? Inuyasha, she was almost raped by Naraku. Sesshoumaru can understand. Why can't either of you? The concept of letting another guy touch her is very sensitive right now." She sighed and counted to ten. "She just had the most frightening experience of her life. The hanyou who killed her people and is using her brother almost tried to make her his. She is still alone in the world, Inuyasha. The only one she can turn to is the one who understands." The hanyou took in her soft-spoken words.
So, then the only one she can turn to is my good-fer-nothin' brother. But why would he understand? Is it because he just knows?
To say the least, things had taken a wild turn. The two who had fought and had wanted to rip the other's beating heart from their chest had come to an understanding.
Things are just too complicated for me...
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Sango and Sesshoumaru...getting along for more than five minutes. This could be a good sign. But what will be said in the next chapter? Will things take another wild, unexpected turn?
And what of Sango's feelings for Miroku? Are they merely fleeting? Or are they still there? Is she falling for someone else?
What of Naraku? When will he be stopped? Will he capture Sango a third time? Will he make her his?
So many questions. Until 12!
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