The True Holder of Shikon
Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.
Chapter 28 - Emotions
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Everyone was gathered in Sango's room, staring at Sesshoumaru. They were waiting for him to say something. Inuyasha could smell his brother's anger.
"What are you angry about? Did we do something wrong?" The hanyou asked; crossing his arms.
"No, Inuyasha." The Taiyoukai answered. "This little talk is about Naraku. He used Masaru's form to get in here. Not only that but he used the jewel to get past our noses. He probably used it to shield your sense of the jewel, Kagome. Perhaps that was why Sango felt so sick. The impure aura was from the shards, no doubt." They stared at him in shock. "He fled after..." The look on his face was enough for them. Except for Inuyasha.
"What the hell did he do to her?" The hanyou snarled. "What the hell happened?"
"I asked the same question. However, Sango used her powers against him and escaped his grasp." That did not ease Inuyasha's temper.
"Where is she?" He asked slowly.
"Help me gather her things and I will show you."
It took them all of about five minutes to gather everything. Then Sesshoumaru led them to his room. Inuyasha knew it was his brother's room. When the Taiyoukai slid open the door, they saw the taiji-ya asleep on the bed.
"She said she was tired. Set her things over in the corner and I will take care of it later." After they left, Inuyasha walked with his brother.
"I could smell that scent on her." Sesshoumaru looked down at the hanyou.
"Yes, he touched her. I have no idea what to do now."
"Before we leave, you have to mark her. Sesshoumaru, right now it's the only choice available. Naraku's made his power pretty clear. Who's to say that he wouldn't transform himself into you and fool her?" The Taiyoukai stopped walking briefly. Then he continued.
"She will not be fooled so easily. If she is, she does not love me for who I am." Inuyasha frowned.
"Well, all I'm saying is that he's pretty confident." His amber eyes met his older brother's. "I just want her with you. I want you two together."
"Thank you, Inuyasha. I will think over your words."
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Before dinner, Sango woke up and went to Kagome's room, asking the miko to join her for a bath.
"Did Sesshoumaru tell you everything?"
"Not in blooming detail. What did Naraku do to you?" They went into the room and picked out their soaps before stripping and slipping into the huge tub of steaming water.
"He...was in my room when I went there after our ride." The taiji-ya went under before coming back up. "I don't know why I was so scared. Maybe it was because he shattered my dreams of safety. But I punched him and then he grabbed me. It was like...I couldn't do anything to get rid of him. After that, he...kissed me. I grabbed his arms and let my power out at him that way." Kagome watched her friend scrub herself. It was like she was trying to wash away invisible dirt that wouldn't come off.
"Sango." She broke Sango's reverie. The girl snapped out of it and rinsed off before washing her hair.
"What should I do, Kagome?"
"I don't have an answer for that but I do know that if we don't hurry we'll be late."
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Sango was getting more and more frustrated when she could not undo the obi. The door slid open and she was happy to see Sesshoumaru standing there.
"Just in time, my love." She grinned. "Do me a favor and undo this blasted thing?" He walked over and easily got rid of the obi. She looked back at him before sighing. "What are our plans for later?" She let the layers of the kimono slide slightly down her back and he noticed the scar.
"I am...not quite sure." He pushed them down a little further to see the wrap for her chest go across her back. "This scar..." He traced what he could see thoughtfully. "My brother told me of this. It is from your brother, correct?"
"Yes." She tried to avoid reliving the memory. "Can you-" He turned her around and kissed her softly. She closed her eyes. For some reason, this seemed different from the other times that he had kissed her. She was surprised when her hold on the kimono loosened, exposing most of her flesh. Even though he had seen most of her before when he saved her, this was different. She broke away and looked up at him. The familiar stinging fear engulfed her. "S-Sesshoumaru...what are you doing?" His grip around her waist loosened and the kimono fell completely to the floor.
"I am not going to hurt you. I promise." He whispered in her ear. She felt nervous and scared. She had not anticipated this. She knew it would eventually happen but...why now?
"W-Why rush?" She asked; trying not to tremble. He kissed her neck. She fell back on the bed with him leaning over her. He supported his weight with his arms so that he didn't harm her. Sango didn't really think she was ready just yet. The image of Naraku leaning over her entered her mind and she felt the fear build inside of her mind. "N-No..." She whispered. He heard it and stopped; staring down at her in confusion. She stared up at him with fear written clearly across her face. The way he was acting... But she loved him and she didn't want him to think otherwise.
That...and if I am his, Naraku cannot force his way between us. Then, nothing can pull us apart.
So, with this thought in her mind, she leaned up and kissed him with as much passion as she could.
This should be special. This experience should not put fear into my heart. I love him and I want to be with him. I want him with me forever.
He smiled against her lips. When he broke away, he noticed that his haori and pelt were gone, leaving his chest bare.
"So, we are playing that game, are we?" He used one claw to slowly slice away her wrap before tossing that aside. She blushed heatedly when she noticed him looking her over.
"Play fair, Fluffy." She snapped teasingly. He growled at the use of his 'nickname.' He had half-hoped she'd forgotten it.
"Why should I, taiji-ya?" He asked with a smirk.
"Because I said so." She so boldly remarked.
"Feh." He chuckled at her. "I would like to see you make me."
"Would you?" At that moment, every article of clothing was on the floor. He stared at her with one brow raised. "There." She kissed the tip of his nose. "Now it's fair." He picked her up and tossed her completely onto the bed.
"Since the judge ruled it fair, we can move on." She laughed when she bounced up. Quicker than she could blink, he was above her. He grasped her hands and held them on either side of her head before leaning down and kissing her gently.
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Sesshoumaru rolled over and opened his eyes. He found himself looking at Sango. She looked so innocent in sleep. He brushed her bangs from her face. Then he let his eyes drift to where he didn't mark her. He could not mark her. He had explained to Inuyasha before about why it was too dangerous. Still, Naraku would be able to tell that the first part of bonding began. There were two ways to bond. One was to take it with small steps. The other was to go all at once. If he did it right, Naraku would never have a chance. She opened her eyes and stared at him tiredly.
"Did I wake you?" He asked quietly.
"No." She smiled as she stretched out. "How did you sleep?"
"Like the dead." He said with a lazy smile. She laughed. "And you, my love?"
"Same." She yawned. "Someone's gonna have to drag me out of bed." He raised a brow.
"Is that a suggestion?" She opened her mouth to say something when someone knocked on the door.
"Hey! Are you getting up any time soon?" They recognized the voice almost immediately. Sango pulled the sheet up to her chest and grinned.
"Inuyasha!" The door slid open and he smirked.
"You were up, right?"
"Yes, just barely." She answered. He looked around the hallways before peeking back in.
"Well, get up. Otherwise, when you do, there won't be anything left from breakfast. The houshi's gonna do it again."
"Just Houshi-sama?" Sango teased. He flushed and glared at her.
"Shut up!" He left; hearing her laughter until he turned the corner further down the corridor. So, Sango got up and put on a robe before picking out a kimono for the day.
"Sango, you do not need to impress them. If kimono make you feel uncomfortable, you do not need to wear them." She turned to look at him and smiled.
"No, this is fine. Here, I can get this out of my system." She walked to the door. "I think I am going to bathe before breakfast." He watched her leave then decided that bathing was a good idea. So, he went to one closer to him. Sango felt a little sore but other than that, she felt fine. She could only imagine what rumors would surface after they left. Her eyes burned holes in the floors as she walked. She could feel everyone's gazes on her. Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore. She glared at them when they stared.
"M'lady?" She froze and turned around to see Jaken behind her. He stared at her with wide eyes.
"What?" Her good mood had vanished quickly enough. However, when she saw him flush in embarrassment, she sighed. "What is it, Jaken?"
"Y-You and Lord Sesshoumaru...?" She nodded.
"What about it?" He leaned to the side to peer at the right side of her neck. She frowned at him. "No, Jaken, he did not mark me. I am sure he had a good reason." She smiled then. "Run along, now. I need a nice bath before I eat, okay?"
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Inuyasha had, of course, spoiled the surprise. By the time Sango got to breakfast, everyone at the table was staring at her. Rin bounced in after her.
"Good morning, everyone!" The little girl said cheerfully. The taiji-ya smiled but then every bad memory flowed back all at once. Her smile vanished.
"Today..." She whispered. Kagome noticed her friend's sudden change of mood.
"Sango? Are you feeling all right?" She looked back at the door briefly before she nodded and went to her place.
"We're ready to leave tomorrow." Inuyasha stated. "I guess the ceremony is after breakfast." The taiji-ya watched as the food was brought out and knew that she wasn't hungry. She took some only because she knew she had to eat. Afterwards, they were led outside by Jaken, who watched them carefully. Inuyasha didn't too bothered but he was edgy and curious as he looked around. Kagome, Miroku, and Shippou just looked around. Sango was staring at the floor like it was displaying her future. Rin looked upset, as usual. She had been with Sesshoumaru for a couple of years. She knew what her lord was like on this day. Two guards opened the doors as they approached and everyone found themselves in a fenced-in, guarded area. It was as big as the courtyard and looked just as neat. Sango noticed a large monument and the Taiyoukai standing in front of it. He was not facing them but she knew that he sensed, as well as heard, their arrival. Several others arrived after them. Quite a few of them were the staff. Others were distant relatives that the little group had never seen or met before.
I do not like this. It feels...too upsetting beyond words.
She looked around at all the faces. Most of them held stern looks but others looked solemn. They had to be closer to Sesshoumaru's mother than the others. After a moment, she went up to stand next to the lone Taiyoukai. His eyes were blank of all emotion, like they used to be. His face was set in a firm gaze that couldn't even be named, couldn't even be recognized. Still, his guard was back up so she could clearly tell that he was in pain. He glanced at her before looking back at the large stone. She could see that writing was engraved onto the surface. Her mahogany eyes took it all in.
She was really special to him...
The emotions he wasn't emitting engulfed her in a world of grief. He was raditating only coldness and dark emotionlessness. Her hand found its way to his and he gripped it firmly, not wanting to let her go.
"I feel awful." She whispered. "I remember back when we fought that I mentioned your mother."
"You did?" He looked over at her. She nodded, feeling ashamed.
"Back before we ever got together? Remember that really long feud?" He thought for a moment before recalling it.
"It was not your fault. You never knew. I never let anyone in on how I was feeling. That was what I wanted. It is in my nature to hate pity." She bowed her head before biting her lip. After a moment of silence, she looked over at him.
"I am sorry. Even though I disliked you, I never should have said something like that." He nodded but kept his eyes on the stone. She pulled her hand from his. Then she leaned up and kissed his cheek. He froze; completely startled by the movement. "I love you." She walked back to her friends, tears beginning to pool in her eyes. She didn't want him to see her cry. It would make him feel worse. Inuyasha went up to his brother next. He sighed and looked back at all of the people. They were staring at him like they had stared at Sango.
"These youkai make me nervous." He cracked a small smirk. "I normally wouldn't say anything like that out loud. But I thought it might make you feel better." His cheer faded when he didn't get a response. "Listen, I know how you feel...sort of. I just want to be blunt with you. I'm here if you need me." The Taiyoukai looked over at him. Then the hanyou boldly stepped closer to the stone and got on his knees, bowing. "Lady, I am sorry about my father's behavior to you. He really hurt you and my brother. I just want you to know that your son and I solved this for ourselves with some help. But all that matters is that, whether any of us like it or not, we're all family. I want to thank you for being a mother and never abandoning your son. Thank you for never leaving your responsibility." Inuyasha stood up and looked back at his brother. "You don't have to hide from her. She knows you inside and out." He gave Sesshoumaru a few pats on the shoulder before walking back to his spot.
"Inuyasha." The hanyou stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Thank you." He smirked and nodded.
"No problem. She deserved it." The youkai watched as Kagome walked forward slowly. She smiled sadly at him.
"I know that we don't speak much and I know that you hate pity. A lot of people I know hate it, too." Her voice was soft. "But I can tell this hurt you a lot and that it still does." He blinked at her. "I don't know the story but losing both of your parents must have been quite a blow. All I can do is say that I'm sorry it had to happen." She bowed quickly to him before walking over to the grave and offering her prayers. Miroku was next, his violet eyes clouded with a nameless emotion.
"The others probably said all that I could. I offer you my prayers and I will lend you my ears for whenever you need someone to talk to. As a houshi, it is often that I find myself before graves and asked to pray for the souls of the dead." He sighed. "This is no different, except that I do this without being asked."
"I thank you." The Taiyoukai watched as the houshi walked over to where the others stood. More followed and before long, the only ones outside at all were the first few that had arrived. Then they went inside to let Sesshoumaru have his time alone. Sango watched from the balcony of the room they shared until it began to rain. She looked up into the sky before going inside and digging around in her things. When she found what she was looking for, she ran through the hallways and down the long staircases until she came to the door. The two guards let her through without a word. As soon as she was outside, she popped open the umbrella that Kagome had given her. Then she walked over to her youkai lover and held the umbrella over his head.
"Did you not notice the rain?" She asked softly. "Even you can get sick with as vulnerable as you are." Taking his hand, she placed the handle in it. Then she kneeled before the grave and bowed very low. Removing something from her pocket, she dug a small hole with her hand and placed a few seeds in it before cover it back up. "This is for you, Lady. It is my gift to you for raising such a wonderful man. I wish that you could be alive to see how he turned out. He is rough around the edges but he is still the youkai that I fell in love with. I hope we have your blessings and you certainly have my prayers." She closed her eyes, bowing once more before rising to her feet. "Come on inside. You have been standing out here for hours." He looked at her outstretched hand before taking it and, after a look back, they walked inside.
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Done with 28. Next is...29, right? Heh.
This is still really fun to write and I hope it is just as fun to read.
Please review!