Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.
Chapter 8: Yearning Hearts
The wind whipping through her hair, the sense of speed and freedom, the feel of Kirara's fur and muscles as she they moved beneath her, and the glorious view that flying through the sky afforded her. These were all things that Sango had long since had gotten used to, and yet never tired of. But as she and her friends now followed Kagome's magic compass as it pointed the way to the next Jewel Shard, the Demon Slayer was contending with a new sensation. One that was very foreign to her, and yet already so warm and welcome that she never wanted it to end. And that was the sensation of her brother's hands placed securely at her side, the awareness of him as they traveled. The knowledge that her little family was at long last complete.
"We've been flying a long time now, Sango," Kohaku murmured as he looked over towards where the remainder of their group, all of them flying securely on Hachi's back. "Do you think we're getting close to this Jewel Shard?"
"I don't know, Kohaku," Sango admitted as she glanced over at Kagome. Taking in the look of concentration on her face as she held up the compass, as well as the beam of light that was their guide. "But we've been going this way for over a day already, so I'd have to think that we're getting closer."
Sensing Kohaku nodding more than anything else, Sango sighed as she looked at the beam. It would have been nice if we'd had that compass right from the start, she couldn't help but think. As much as the Demon Slayer tried to focus on the way things were, instead of how she wanted them to be, the immense convenience of the compass's powers could not be overlooked. Instead of looking far and wide, and counting themselves lucky if they just happened to come upon a single shard every so often, all Kagome had to do was focus on the magical artifact, and a short time later, a new Jewel Shard would be as good as theirs. And that's not the only thing that's changed…
Shaking her head thoughtfully, Sango took a deep breath, and thought of one of the major changes in her reality. That Naraku, the monster that had been at the heart of her suffering, as well as those of her friends and many other people, was at long last dead. Even now, with her brother at her side and Miroku's Wind Tunnel sealed and gone, it still seemed incredible to her.
There was a portion of her mind that told her that it had been a trick, of course. It certainly wouldn't have been the first time Naraku had faked his demise in order to obtain some hidden objective of his, such as Kaguya's celestial magic, or Utsugi's extraordinary Shikigami powers. And this was a portion of herself that was difficult to silence. But at the same time, neither she nor her friends could see any indication that Naraku's death had been faked this time. They had all seen how shocked he had been when Utsugi had sacrificed himself to give them the chance to destroy Naraku, the horror that had been evident on his face when InuYasha, Kagome, and Michiru had landed the decisive blow. They had made sure to check Kohaku for any sign that Naraku had left any fragment of his own flesh in the young Demon Slayer's body as he had before. And perhaps most telling of all, not only had Naraku's castle been abandoned, but his remaining incarnations were now dead as well. And the fact that Kagura had been killed by Naraku himself was an excellent sign that there was no trick involved here.
And that was not the only change that was evident. Everyone, even InuYasha, seemed happier and more upbeat in the wake of their sworn enemy's demise. Kagome was certainly more cheerful, if for no other reason that she was now able to spend more time at home without endangering the group. And Miroku was calmer, more at ease, secure in the knowledge that he had his entire life to look forward to, unthreatened by the Wind Tunnel curse.
Unfortunately, not all the changes had welcome. With Naraku's foul aura no longer in evidence, all the demons that had once cowered in hiding, doing everything they could to avoid being killed and being made into another part of his body, felt free to delight in their viciousness. And now that Naraku's Jewel Shards scattered about the land, they were now readily available to any demon seeking their power.
Even as this grim thought ran its course, Sango jumped when Kagome cried out, "Get ready, everyone! I think we're getting close!"
"Yes, I agree," Miroku seconded. When Sango looked towards him, about to ask him how he could possibly know that, the monk pointed at the compass's beam. "See the way the beam is moving? In order for it to change directions so quickly, we must be very close to our destination."
"Hey, you're right!" InuYasha agreed, sitting up to get a better view of the upcoming terrain. "It looks like it's pointing at that forest down there!"
A quick glance was all Sango needed to confirm the half-demon's analysis. "In that case, we better descend just outside the forest," she decided, studying the terrain below. "Look. The compass is pointing towards that area at the edge of the forest. It shouldn't take too long to get to it on the ground." Then she cast a look at Hachi, whose flying form was several times larger than Kirara was. "And don't think it would be a good idea to try and fly down there from here."
"Boy, I'll say!" Hachi chimed in. "There's no way I'd be able to fit through all those trees! Not with you guys on my back!"
Smiling slightly at this, Miroku intoned, "Very well, then. Set us down at the forest edge, Hachi. We'll take it from there."
"By that I hope you mean that you'll take whatever fighting you're going to be doing from there as well," Hachi muttered warily as he began his descent. Sango couldn't help but chuckle at this; while the shapeshifting tanuki was a good ally to their group, one of their few friends, he was far from the bravest of souls, and had no trouble admitting it, either.
Before long, the group had touched down on the ground, and while Hachi was changing back to his normal form, the rest of them were starting towards the woods. "No doubt about it," Kagome murmured as the compass pointed into the forest. "The Shard's in there somewhere. And it's really close."
"Good!" InuYasha grinned, his eyes flashing with excitement. "That Jewel Shard is as good as ours! You ready, everyone!"
"Uh, wait a minute!" Shippo sputtered nervously. "Kagome, do you want me to record this battle for you?"
"Oh, sure! Thanks for reminding me, Shippo!" Kagome smiled warmly. Setting down her backpack, she rummaged through it, and soon came up with the strange mechanical eye that she called a video camera. "Here you go! And be sure to take good care of it!"
"Right! Just leave it to me!" Shippo boldly vowed as he accepted the device.
Meanwhile, InuYasha was watching this exchange with more than a hint of annoyance. "Aw, not this again…!" he grumbled sourly. "Kagome, you've had Shippo tape or record or whatever you call it every fight we've been in since you got that stupid thing!"
"And what's wrong with that?" Kagome wondered as she put down her bike's kickstand and set it next to Hachi. "In case you've forgotten, Wyvern's been paying us all very nicely for the stuff we've gotten him!" Then she glanced at her bike, and smiled rather smugly. "How else do you think I managed to pay for my new bike, huh?" While InuYasha was snorting derisively at this, the modern girl smiled in a pleased manner. "And it's a good thing, too. My old bike was so beat up I don't think it would have lasted much longer as it was! And this mountain bike can handle a lot more abuse!"
Though Sango didn't know much about bikes, or Kagome's world in general, she couldn't help but agree that her new bike looked a lot more durable. It was pink, like her old bike, but that was where the resemblance ended. It was a lot thicker and more rugged, was reinforced in several areas with thicker, spiked wheels, and had a rack of sorts over the rear tire that was loaded with supplies.
"Yeah, well, it'll probably be beat up in no time," InuYasha muttered disdainfully.
Her expression souring, Kagome glowered at the half-demon for a time before grumbling, "Anyway, it's not like I'm forcing Shippo to do anything. He volunteered to do all the recording, remember?"
"That's right!" Shippo piped up enthusiastically. "What, is there something wrong with me wanting to help Kagome?"
Before InuYasha could say anything, Sango said, "Of course not, Shippo." Then she looked at the mechanical eye, and felt her cheeks burn somewhat. "Just do me a favor and try not to make any…recordings of me."
"I must say, I don't think I'll never understand why you're so reluctant to allow pictures to be taken of you," Miroku chimed in, shaking his head with feigned bemusement. "After all, a woman of your beauty shouldn't be so concerned with concealing herself from the eyes of others."
"Yeah, right! With you around?" InuYasha snorted derisively, apparently forgetting about Shippo and Kagome as he glared at the monk. "That'll be the day!"
"Um…excuse me?" Kohaku spoke up. As Sango and the others turned to face the youthful Demon Slayer, he frowned nervously, as if he really didn't want to speak up but couldn't see any way around it. "Shouldn't we start looking for the Shard now?"
It was then that Sango was treated to the rare sight of InuYasha being rendered totally speechless. The half-demon's jaw fell open, as if he was dumbstruck with shock at having to be the one reminded that there was a Sacred Jewel Shard at stake. A condition that was increased when Kagome responded, "Thanks, Kohaku. It sure is nice to have another person with common sense hanging around with us!" That said, the girl from the future started towards the forest, pausing just long enough to glare at them over her shoulder. "Well? Are you coming with me or not?"
"Huh – but – hey, wait a minute!" InuYasha snarled as he recovered his capacity for speech. With a growl of frustration, he leapt after Kagome, with the rest of the group only a short distance behind. Sango took hold of her Hiraikotsu while Kohaku hoisted his kusarigama, and Shippo exploded in a puff of smoke, transforming into a large, pink blob that floated overhead. Holding the camera to his eye, the transformed fox-demon followed the rest of them from a safe distance as they made their way into the forest.
In an instant, the ambient light levels decreased, and the air lost much of its warmth, and the only sunlight available came down in tiny patches through the many layers of branches above. Her heart starting to beat just a bit faster, Sango tightened her grip on her weapon, aware of her friends tensing up in preparation for battle. Whoever or whatever possessed this Jewel Shard, be it human, beast, or demon, they were now wandering through its territory. No matter what powers they had, they had to be ready for the worst.
Even as Sango thought this, a low growl caught her attention. But this was not the sound of an enemy; it was Kirara, baring her fangs as she snarled defensively. "Huh?" Kohaku jumped, looking at the two-tail in clear surprise. "Kirara? What's wrong?"
"She senses something," Sango stated, narrowing her eyes as she scanned the many trees that surrounded them.
"Yeah. I smell it, too." Looking up, Sango watched as InuYasha sniffed the air, his own fangs showing. "Smells like…some kind of lizard…or snake." Snorting his disgust, the half-demon took hold of the Tetsusaiga's hilt. "Whatever it is, it's close."
Taking a battle-ready position, Miroku held up his staff. "Everyone! Get ready!" Acting on instinct honed by experience, each of them shifted their position, turning to watch a different part of the forest. "Kagome! What's the compass say?"
"We're definitely dealing with a demon here. And it's close. Really close!" Kagome announced, readying an arrow even as she kept an eye on the compass's beam. "In fact, it – what the -?"
"Kagome? What is it?" InuYasha demanded as Sango turned towards her friend. Wondering what had happened, she soon saw that the beam was radically changing direction. Pointing up into a nearby tree.
"It's above us!" Sango cried out, rearing back to swing. With a grunt of effort, she sent the Hiraikotsu flying into the higher boughs. The air was filled with the sound of living wood being torn apart, followed shortly by wood crashing against earth as the branches slammed down nearby. And there was another noise, one the Demon Slayer couldn't place. But that didn't matter. What mattered was that the compass was pointing in a different direction.
"Whatever it is, it's on the move!" Miroku realized, drawing forth several of his sutra talismans as the Hiraikotsu came back down to bury one end of itself in the ground. All the while, the beam of spiritual light bounced about seemingly at random.
"Not for long, it's not!" InuYasha snarled hatefully as he leapt up into the air, drawing the Tetsusaiga. Landing on a thick branch, he crouched there for a moment before bounding after the end of the beam of light. "Alright, you bastard! Quit hiding and – aarrrggghh!" Without warning, the half-demon's forward leap was terminated, and instead he was sent crashing downwards. He slammed into the ground with terrified force, sending up clouds of dust and sundering the ground.
"InuYasha!" Kagome cried out as she raced up to his side. As Sango pulled her weapon free of the ground, she quickly looked over InuYasha. There was a large, bloody gash torn in his kimono, and he was visibly hurting. But while it looked bad by human standards, the Demon Slayer knew that InuYasha had and could take a lot worse than that, and keep right on going.
Still, it'd be nice if Michiru were here now, Sango frowned, recalling the benefits of his healing magic, especially in the middle of a battle. He…I…
"What happened?" Kohaku cried out, breaking Sango from her thoughts. "Where's the demon? What attacked InuYasha?"
"I think I might have an idea." Miroku then cried out as he sent his sutras flying through the air, following the compass beam. The talismans flew up near the branches…and smacked into nothing but air. The talismans crackled with spiritual power as a pained roar filled the forest. An instant later, the air beneath the sutras visibly rippled, revealing the shape of something hanging above them.
"The damned thing's invisible!" InuYasha snarled, completely aghast as the creature roared once again before the talismans exploded into flame, overwhelmed by the demonic aura. The talismans destroyed, the demon's outline completely vanished, again leaving the compass pointing at apparent nothingness. Then its beam began pointing off to the side even as they heard something rushing through the air.
"Everyone! Focus on the beam!" Miroku ordered, bringing out more sutras. "We might not be able to see the demon itself, but as long as we keep track of the beam -!"
"Right!" Sango growled before again hurling the Hiraikotsu. The massive boomerang whipped through the air, heading right towards the point indicated by the compass. Before it could strike home, the branches beneath the beam bent before the compass began pointing off in a different location, leaving the Hiraikotsu to begin its return trip, having completely missed its target. Grunting beneath her breath, the Demon Slayer caught her weapon, and grimaced as she realized the depths of their problem. Even though the compass could point out the location of their foe, she still couldn't see the demon itself. She couldn't read its body language, couldn't see where it was looking. Couldn't tell if it was preparing to leap…or attack.
Her train of thought having reached its conclusion, Sango immediately worked out the only possible solution. "Kagome, Miroku! Aim off to it's sides! We have to corner this thing! Keep it from moving!" Then she looked over at her demonic companions. "Kirara, InuYasha! As soon as they attack -!"
"Yeah, we get the idea, Sango!" InuYasha growled, driving his claws into his wound. When he pulled his hand out, it was dripping with blood. "Let's do this!"
"Right!" Kagome gritted as she and Miroku took aim, sending a sacred arrow and a barrage of sutras off to the sides of the compass's beam. The two attacks passed neatly to the sides of the invisible demon, which roared in a mix of frustration and confusion as they impacted the nearby trees. But more importantly, it didn't move.
While the unseen demon was trying to figure out what to do next, InuYasha again leapt into the air, drawing back his blood-soaked claws. "Take this! Blades of Blood!" the half-demon snarled as he slashed at his enemy, sending bands of blood flying out it. The bands hardened in mid-air, becoming sharp as knifes before they connected with the area indicated by the compass. The demon again cried out, its camouflage flickering beneath the bombardment as Kirara flew up, shooting around it to come at it from behind. With a feral roar, the two-tailed came down upon her prey, sinking its saber-like fangs in its hide.
Crying out in pain and rage, its shroud of invisibility flickering badly, the demon struggled with its attacker, thrashing frantically as it tried to dislodge Kirara. But Sango's fearsome companion would have nothing of it, and instead pressed her advantage, digging in with her claws as well.
"Way to go, Kirara!" InuYasha grinned as he shot forward, raising the Tetsusaiga over his shoulder. "Now, just hold that thing right there!" Leaping up towards their embattled enemy, the half-demon let cried out his fury as he focused on the spot the compass marked as being the location of the Sacred Jewel Shard. The heirloom blade of InuTaisho struck home, burying itself in the demon's side and sending gouts of blood spurting all over the place, spattering InuYasha as well. But he wasn't dissuaded by something as simple as that, and instead twisted the mammoth blade about in the demon's flesh. Until at last the compass began pointing away from the weakening demon, and instead marked the ground beneath it.
"The Jewel Shard! It popped out!" Kagome gaped as their monstrous opponent's camouflage flickered badly before finally giving out. Revealing the creature to be a monstrous reptile with bulging eyes that moved about independently of one another, and a long, curled tail.
"I see. A chameleon-demon!" Miroku shouted as the monster continued to fight for its life, despite the fact that it was rapidly growing weaker. Unable to attack lest they accidently hit their companions, the rest of them were force to watch as the demon's massive eyes rolled downwards, focusing on the point marked by the compass. Then it turned its head towards InuYasha, and without warning, opened its huge maw and sent its tongue flying at him like a mammoth spear. The attack was poorly aimed, being driven by instinctive fear more than anything else, but it was enough to knock both the half-demon and his sword away. As InuYasha fell to the ground, the demon leapt down as well, clearly intent on reclaiming its Shard of the Sacred Jewel.
"Kirara! Get clear!" Sango called out, gearing up to throw her massive boomerang once more. The demon was desperate and vulnerable, its own desire for the Jewel Shard making it a target. And as soon as her two-tailed companion heard her and dutifully obeyed her command, the Demon Slayer was ready to take advantage of this. "Alright, you! Now – eeewwwaaauugghh!"
In an instant, Sango completely forgot about the battle. She forgot about the Jewel Shard, the danger her friends were in, or the fact that she was in real danger of losing this window of opportunity to launch an all-out attack before the chameleon-demon could become invisible or escape with the Shard. She forgot about everything as her body shuddered with revulsion at the sensation of her posterior being casually stroked by a certain monk that had snuck up behind her.
Her cheeks flush with humiliation and outrage, Sango whipped about to confront the man who was once again treating her body as his personal plaything. "How many times do I have to tell to keep your hands to yourself?" she roared, tensing to launch the Hiraikotsu at an entirely different target. The monk blanched with sudden fear, but before Sango could complete her throw, Miroku ducked down and grabbed her by the waist, sending her spinning about. Not even realizing what had happened until it was too late, the Demon Slayer launched her boomerang with every ounce of her strength and fury right at the chameleon-demon.
Still intent on claiming the Jewel Shard, and probably dismissing an attacker that wasn't even looking at it, the chameleon-demon didn't realize its peril until it was too late. All it had time to do was open its mouth to cry out, a cry it never completed as the Hiraikotsu struck it in the mouth, sending chunks of flesh flying every which way as it ripped through one end to other, until at last the demon fell to the ground, cleaved in two by the devastating strike.
Momentarily stunned by this development, Sango could only stand there and look goggle-eyed at the demon as its flesh began to fall apart, dissipating until nothing was left behind but its bones. "Excellent shot, Sango. I must say, your technique is nothing short of perfection," Miroku commented as he started past her, completely unconcerned as he made his way over to where the Jewel Shard had landed. "Now, Kagome, if you'd do the honors?"
"There! Got it!" Kagome beamed as she held up the Jewel Shard, the evil energy that coursed through it purified by the touch of her spiritual power.
"Excellent! Great work, everyone!" Miroku beamed, turning to look at the rest of them. "Now, how about we make our way to the next town? I'm sure we could use a chance to rest and recover, and…"
As Miroku went on, Sango continued to glower hatefully at him for a time before she finally turned and looked past the demon's remains, where her Hiraikotsu had embedded itself in the ground. Pausing just long enough to picture herself giving the monk the beating he so richly deserved for treating her body as a plaything, as well as manipulating her emotions in this way, she moved to retrieve her massive boomerang.
"Sango?" Glancing over her shoulder, Sango spotted her brother walking a short distance behind her. "Are you alright?"
No, I'm not alright, was what she thought as she glanced over at Miroku, who was busy conversing with Kagome as InuYasha and Shippo drew closer to get a look at their latest Jewel Shard. Acting like nothing had happened, showing no signs of pleasure at his perverse contact with her, nor any guilt at manipulating her the way he had. What she actually said was, "I'm fine, Kohaku. Just…"
Words failing her, Sango grunted as she pulled her Hiraikotsu free of the ground. "Are you sure?" Kohaku went on as she slung the massive boomerang onto her back. "Because, well…I saw what Miroku did back there."
A hiss of humiliation and lingering anger escaping her lips, Sango turned towards her little brother, her cheeks again burning. "Oh. I see." Chafing at the humiliation that wrapped around her like a coarse blanket, she stood there for a time, unable to look at her friends, or even at her dear brother.
While Sango struggled to find something to say to this, her brother took a step closer. "Sango…I know there's a lot I still don't remember. Stuff like my…our parents, and where we used to live," Kohaku continued with greater concern. "But…I do care about you."
Despite the situation, this simple statement brought a smile to Sango's face. "And I care about you, too," she told her younger brother as she turned about, keeping her smile in place. And continuing to do so as she started forward. "C'mon. We better get going."
"Huh?" Kohaku gaped, his eyes widening in confusion as his sister started past him. "Um, wait, Sango!"
But Sango didn't wait. Instead, she made her way over to InuYasha, who had already sheathed the Tetsusaiga. "Are you alright, InuYasha?" she asked him, trying to keep her voice straight. To keep any emotion from showing in her words, save for the concern she felt for her fellow warrior. When the half-demon turned and looked at her, she eyed the gouge in his flesh. "Your wound. Do you want us to look at it?"
"What, this little thing?" InuYasha asked incredulously. Looking at the Demon Slayer like he couldn't believe she would actually ask something so stupid, he then struck a cocky pose. "C'mon! It's not like it's any big deal!"
Sango considered this for a moment, and then nodded. "Alright. But it might be a good idea to take it easy for a while," she decided before turning towards Kagome. "I think there's a village fairly close to here. We can stop there for the night, and rest up for the day."
"Huh?" Kohaku started again, a frown hanging on every word. "Sango, are you…?"
"Sounds good to me!" Kagome beamed happily. "I could certainly use a nice, hot bath!"
Giving the modern priestess a look, InuYasha frowned before shrugging. "Eh, why not?" the half-demon decided, acting like he couldn't care less. "I guess we can stop someplace for the night. It's not like we're in any big hurry."
"Great! Oh, I can't wait to sleep in an actual bed tonight!" Kagome grinned even as Sango smiled. InuYasha's obsession with the Jewel Shards and impatience in tracking them down had subsided a great deal in recent times, making him a good deal more obliging when it came to things like resting in a village and such. "And I know I can use a real hot bath!"
"So can I, Kagome," Sango admitted, well aware that her Slayer's garment was now soaked with sweat. Then she turned back towards her brother, who was still looking at her incredulously. "C'mon, Kohaku. Let's go."
His jaw falling a bit more, Kohaku stood there for a time, until he finally came up alongside of her. "Uh…okay, Sango," he muttered as Kirara came up to join them. "Sango, I…"
"What is it, Kohaku?" Sango murmured. Already aware of what it was her brother wanted to talk about.
Frowning at the way she spoke, the low affection in her voice masking the control exercised over her words, Kohaku asked, "Sango…something's bothering you, isn't it?" Glancing over at her brother, she saw his features harden with growing amounts of determination. "I mean…back there, with Miroku…"
"Just forget about that, Kohaku," Sango told him, her control of her voice slipping somewhat. "It's not important."
"No. Something's wrong," Kohaku persisted. "What he did back there…I've seen him do it before. More than once."
"I know about that," Sango frowned, her smile fading as she thought about all those other times. Times even before Kohaku had rejoined them. Times beyond her ability to count when Miroku would fondle her right in front of everyone, without care or consideration for her feelings. Of the humiliation she felt at being treated like a plaything. "And…I know you're upset about that, but…"
"But that's not what I'm talking about!" Kohaku protested, drawing a wince from his sister. "I mean…of course I don't like it when he does that. But…why didn't you slap him for it?" A puzzled squeak escaping her lips, Sango paused and looked querulously at her brother. "Every other time he's…done something like that, you've always slapped him for it. So…why not this time?"
Heaving a deep, weary sigh at her brother's words, Sango turned just enough to look back at her friends a short distance behind. Kagome was currently fussing over InuYasha's wounds, while the half-demon was trying unsuccessfully to get her to leave him alone. Shippo was fussing with the camera, looking over some of the things that he had captured. And Miroku…he was looking up at the two Demon Slayers, clearly wondering why they had stopped. His face still unmarked.
It was true, Sango knew. Virtually every other time Miroku had dared touch her or spy on her in the bathes or act towards her in some other inappropriate manner, she had made it clear that his advances were inappropriate. She had slapped him, she had lectured him, she had beaten him within in an inch of his life, and on at least one occasion, had thrown a boulder on top of him. And through it all, no matter what she had done, he had not apologized for his actions, never demonstrated the tiniest shred of remorse, and never given even the slightest indication that he would ever attempt to mend his ways.
Miroku was the same way he was when she had first met him. Despite the fact that he was more cheerful and relaxed in the wake of Naraku's demise, he was still the same person. And no amount of lecturing or punishment would change the way he treated Sango or any other woman. Not ever.
As these thoughts ran their course, the subject of them made his way up to the survivors of the Demon Slayer village. "Is something the matter, Sango?"
"We're just fine, Miroku," Sango answered before glancing back towards her brother. "Kohaku just wanted to talk to me about something."
"Ah. I see," Miroku replied in his usual pleasant manner. "So, do you have any plans for when we get to the village?"
Turning away from the monk, Sango started forward again. "Not particularly," she answered, marginally aware of Kohaku and Kirara starting after her. "I might do a little shopping later, but nothing special."
"Hmm. Is that so?" Miroku mused as he drew up closer behind her. "In that case, perhaps we could find a nice place to have dinner tonight."
"That's a good idea," Sango admitted. "I'm sure we could all use a good meal to celebrate. Especially with how busy we've been lately."
"True. Very true," Miroku mused thoughtfully. "And we all need to relax a little. But…I was thinking that maybe…you and I could…spend a little time together." Either unaware or uncaring of the looks given him by Kohaku and InuYasha, the monk smiled dreamily. "After all, it has been a while since we've gone off on our own. And…there are some things that I'd like to talk to you about myself."
Lowering her eyes, Sango managed a brief smile. "Miroku…" she began…before whipping about and grabbing hold of his right wrist before his errant hand could find its way to her posterior again. Clenching it so tightly that the cartilage snapped, she yanked Miroku off-balance and pulled him down so that they were looking each other eye-to-eye. "Either keep your hands to yourself…or I'll break them!" With a grunt of frustration, Sango shoved the monk back before marching away, her entire body tense with unspent emotions. Feeling the stares of everyone else boring into her back.
"Whew," she heard InuYasha mutter in a thoroughly impressed voice. "I'm really glad I'm not you right now, Miroku!"
"Ahhhhh…now this is more like it…!" Kagome smiled happily as she and Sango made their way out of the inn's bath. Both of them clad in robes with towels wrapped about their heads, warm and relaxed from a well-needed soak. "It feels like it's been forever since we were able to just relax like that!"
"It sure does," Sango smiled, her previously foul mood forgotten as they made their way to the room they were sharing. "Not since we stopped at Akebi Village. Remember? After we took care of those spider-hatchlings that showed up last week."
"Ugh. Now that's something I'd rather not remember!" Kagome grimaced, recalling the old temple. The last time she'd been there was shortly after Michiru had first arrived in the Feudal Era, and they'd had to combat a massive spider-demon. "I still can't believe that we missed all those monsters the first time we were there! The whole place was crawling with them!"
"They probably hadn't hatched yet," Sango responded with a shrug. "It's not surprising, actually. The egg sack was probably hidden somewhere else in the temple, and started hatching some time after the battle." A sadness that shadowed her features as she averted her eyes. "When I went with Father and others to go after demons like that, we always made sure to sweep the area, just in case there were any offspring hidden somewhere."
Well aware of the pain in Sango's voice, subdued as may be, and how hard it was for her to talk about her past and her lost loved ones, Kagome replied, "It's too bad you and Miroku weren't with us, then. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had to fight through all those hatchlings to get that Jewel Shard!" Suppressing the urge to shudder at the memory of all those demons, of the old temple crawling with hordes of spider-demons, the reborn priestess groaned. "Ugh! Just thinking about it makes my skin crawl!"
"I know," Sango agreed humorlessly. "I'd still like to know how a second Jewel Shard wound up in the same area. And so soon after you were all there."
"So would I," Kagome admitted. Then she stopped and very nearly slapped herself in the head. "Oh, would you look at us? Our first chance to relax in days, and what are we doing? We're talking about spider-demons in a creepy old temple!" Unable to help herself, the modern priestess shook her head and chuckled, and laughed even more when Sango did the same. "I don't believe this! What is wrong with us, anyway?"
"I don't know, but I think we'd be a lot happier if we stopped talking about work and started enjoying ourselves again!" Sango declared with a wry look. "If I know InuYasha, then tomorrow after breakfast, we're going to be right back on the road. Whether we like it or not!"
Nodding her agreement, Kagome sighed longingly as she looked back towards the baths. "It's too bad, too. I'd love another soak before we started out tomorrow."
"Same here," Sango admitted as they arrived at their room. "Still, at the rate we've been finding Jewel Shards, it might not be that much longer until we've gotten them all back."
"I hope so," Kagome agreed as she shed her robes before grabbing her regular clothes. After a few minutes getting dressed, the two girls exited their temporary lodgings, ready to go about their day. "So, anyway, you were going to do some shopping?"
Nodding, Sango gave a sad smile as she fingered her kimono. "It's been a while since I went shopping for clothes. And with everything we've been through, all my things are starting to wear out."
"I see," Kagome replied, eyeing the Demon Slayer's garment. Though Sango took very good care of her belongings, there was doubt that her kimono had seen better days. "Well, I hope you find something nice. Me, I'm going to do some looking around. You know…just wander about for a while, see what I can find."
"Then I'll see you later, then," Sango said before she started away. Leaving Kagome to smile as she set her own plans for the day in motion.
Making sure to avoid InuYasha or any of the others, Kagome set out into the village, looking around and wandering, just as she had told Sango. But she hadn't mentioned was that she was looking for a specific something. Or rather, someone.
There was no doubt in Kagome's mind that Sango and Miroku were not only in love with each other, but were quite possibly one of the most compatible couples she had ever met. Both had trained all their lives to fight demons, both had lost family and had suffered as a result of Naraku's scheming, both were skilled fighters who planned out their actions very carefully before executing them. And while they had their problems every now and again, it was obviously only a matter of time before things got serious between them.
Especially now that Naraku's dead! Kagome thought, suffering a moment of bitter anger towards the monstrosity that had caused so much misery to them all. Miroku's safe from his Wind Tunnel, and Sango's got Kohaku back. So really, there's nothing left to stop them from getting together! This thought conjured up a lovely image in Kagome's mind; Miroku and Sango, dressed for a western style wedding, leaving the chapel as everybody, including her own family watched the newlyweds leaving to start their new life together. Now…all I have to do is get things going between them!
Of course, Kagome knew that this would be easier said than done. Sango was busy making up for lost time with Kohaku, and was completely absorbed in making sure that he recovered from his time under Naraku's thrall. And while she was certain that there was nothing serious between Michiru and Sango, there was no doubt that the Demon Slayer did care for him, and had been seriously affected by his return to the modern world. As for Miroku, he still had his foibles, with the most troublesome of which being his weakness for beautiful women and his hands wandering where they ought not to go.
Which he reminded us about this morning, Kagome thought, frowning as she recalled exactly how the chameleon-demon had been felled. And while that particular tactic of his may have aided in the destruction of more than a couple powerful demons, it certainly wasn't the kind of thing that would help him woo the girl of his dreams. And the way Sango reacted…
As this memory replayed itself in Kagome's mind, she found herself understanding why someone like InuYasha, not exactly at his best in dealing with certain subtleties of emotion, would think that there was nothing between the Demon Slayer and the monk. After all, it wouldn't be the first time Sango had reacted violently to Miroku's advances. But at the same time, Kagome knew all too well how stupid men could be, and that there were times that the only way for a girl to make a point was to beat it into their heads by force. If only Miroku would stop fooling around and actually get serious about wooing Sango, I'm sure things would get better for them in no time!
Which, of course, was why Kagome was wandering about the village, in search of the errant monk. After all, if Miroku was too thick to do things the right way, then it was up to her to give him a swift kick in his complacency. As she wandered about the village, investigating the various shops and merchants that littered the area, she kept an eye out for any sign of Miroku. During this time, she picked up a few items that she felt might be of interest to Wyvern. Mainly odds and ends like simple jewels and clothes to charms touted to ward off bad luck and what-not.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Kagome overheard several girls chatting amongst themselves. "Oh, my goodness! Do you suppose he was right about my fortune?"
"Who knows?" another girl commented. "But it sure would be nice if he was!"
A third girl giggled loudly at this. "I don't know about that…but he sure was a handsome monk! And the way he looked at me…!"
There was another round of giggles, but Kagome had already heard enough to know she was on the right track…and also to be somewhat annoyed. I don't believe this! Miroku picks now to do some of his fake fortunetelling? When Sango's already mad at him? Rolling her eyes at the idiocy demonstrated by the normally level-headed monk, she started towards the girls. "Um, excuse me?" she called out. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but overhear you talking about…a fortuneteller?"
"Hmm?" one of the girls frowned as they turned to confront her. "Oh, and…who might you be? You're not from around here, are you?"
"I would certainly think not!" another girl commented as she frowned at the modern priestess. "Not with clothes like that!"
"Uh, yeah…" Kagome groaned as she glanced down at her school uniform. Something that she had been reminded on more than one occasion that did not fit in the Feudal Era. "Yeah, I'm…just passing through, actually." Laughing nervously, she pushed her momentary embarrassment aside and focused on business. "Anyway, um…that fortuneteller you were talking about…could you tell me where I could find him?"
"Oh, him? Of course!" one of the girls replied. "Just go down that street and take a left at the market. That's where we saw him." Then she frowned somewhat apologetically before adding, "Of course, he might not be there now, but…"
"That's okay. You've been a big help," Kagome assured the girls before starting in the direction indicated. "Thanks a lot! Bye!" Not bothering to stick around to listen for any possible response from them, she followed the directions given, hoping that Miroku stayed true to form and milked whatever crowd he had garnered for all it was worth.
It turned out that her hopes were not in vain. As soon as she turned the corner, Kagome spotted the wayward monk, who was currently telling the fortune of a very attractive older woman. "My goodness," she cooed as Miroku caressed her palm, making a show of reading the lines there. "You really think so?"
"Absolutely. You are destined to be swept off your feet by a handsome gentlemen," Miroku informed her, virtually oozing gentlemanly charm. Then he gave her a special smile, and added, "Of course, considering what a radiant woman you are, I should think that would come as no surprise to you."
Miroku's client smiled that much more, her cheeks burning at this compliment. "Oh, my…!"
Meanwhile, Kagome continued to watch from a safe distance as the monk continued to explore the lines of his client's hand. Ugh…one thing's for sure. You sure can lay it on with a trowel, Miroku! she thought with a roll of her eyes. Really, why can't you put that kind of effort into charming Sango? You two would already be married if you put even half this much effort into pursuing her!
For what felt like forever, Kagome watched and waited, passing the time by wondering what exactly caused most guys to act like such idiots. A topic of thought that grew more and more intense, until at last Miroku's client departed, apparently very satisfied with her supposed fortune. Her patience very nearly at its end, she dashed over to his position. "Miroku!" she cried out, determined to have her say before some other woman took the monk's bait. "Hey! Miroku!"
Turning at the sound of her voice, Miroku responded, "Why, Kagome. What are you doing here?"
I'm here to beat some sense into thick skull of yours! she was sorely tempted to say. "Well, I was just walking around town, and I happened to spot you," was what she actually said. "Say, do you feel like stopping for a bite to eat? I haven't had lunch yet, so…"
"A splendid idea," Miroku decided, rising to his feet. "And as it happens, I spotted a small diner nearby. I haven't had the chance to stop in yet, but the aromas coming from there are quite alluring."
"Okay, sounds good," Kagome replied, gesturing for him to lead the way. Bowing his head, Miroku obliged, and before long, the two of them were seated at the place in question. True to Miroku's word, the small diner was filled with the aroma of good food, and was rather comfortable by the standards of the Feudal Era. And, unsurprisingly, there was a lovely young lady manning the counter, who was extremely cheerful and eager to please a monk in service to Buddha.
"So, then, Kagome," Miroku began after sampling some of his pork cutlets. "I take it that you're enjoying your day off."
"Enjoying it? If it weren't for the fact that we have to get going again tomorrow, I'd suggest taking another day off!" Kagome answered in all honesty. "With everything that's been happening, I feel like I'm barely keeping up with it all!"
Nodding sagely, Miroku shrugged and said, "Very true. We certainly have been active as of late. But then, that's to expected, all things considered."
"Yeah, I know," Kagome agreed. Already trying to figure out the best way to send this conversation in the direction she needed it to go.
Kagome had learned two very valuable things about people like Miroku and InuYasha in her travels with them. The first was that asking them or telling them to do a particular thing was a spectacular way to encourage them not to do that thing. They had their own minds, and could be incredibly stubborn and intransient when they felt like it, which was often. Which meant that, if she wanted Miroku to start going after Sango, she had to make it his idea to do so, and not just tell him. Which was why she sent the conversation in another direction by saying, "And it's not like things have been easy back home, either."
"I'd imagine so," Miroku nodded. "By the way, how have things been since Ryokage's attack?"
"Hmm…okay, I guess. At least the only thing he completely demolished was a prison," Kagome muttered before jumping the conversation again. "And then there was the mess with Michiru and his sister. Ugh!"
"Oh, yes. I'd almost forgotten about that." Pausing to enjoy more of his meal, Miroku then took a sip of his tea before he went on. "It must've been quite the shock for him to discover that his sister has the same powers as him."
"Believe me, it was!" Kagome confirmed. "You should have seen Michiru after what happened. He was a total wreck, and from what I understand, his sister was even worse."
Miroku gave a slight nod before saying, "That's not surprising. Such an unexpected event would doubtlessly be very traumatic for everyone involved. And since such power is so rare in your time, his sister…what did you say her name was again?"
"Kaname," Kagome reminded him.
"Right. Kaname…well, considering that so few people believe in such powers in your world, it must've been extremely difficult for her to find out about it that way," Miroku stated in a solemn manner. "And then having to find out that her brother has been keeping his own powers a secret…"
"Yeah. Not that I can really blame Michiru for that. And now that he has to take care of Kaname, and train her how to use her powers…" Kagome went on, ready to move to the critical juncture in her plan. "He's sure got his hands full with all that going on. I guess it'll be a while before he can back to that thing he's been working on…"
The confused look that darkened Miroku's features was the first hint that Kagome had scored a direct hit. "That…thing he's working on?" the monk repeated blankly, his eyes narrowing with perplexity. "Wh-what thing? What are you talking about?"
Feigning astonishment, Kagome let her mouth pop open as she sat up straighter. "Wha…wait, didn't I tell you already?"
"Uh…tell me what?" Miroku asked, his confusion taking on a distinct hint of suspicion.
Bringing her hand to her forehead, Kagome gasped as if in shock at her own stupidity. "I don't believe this. You mean I really didn't tell you?" she asked, making sound like she was hoping he was just joking. "I don't believe this. How could I have forgotten something like that?"
"Forgotten what?" Miroku asked, his cool exterior breaking down a bit more.
Taking a moment to shake her head and let the suspense build up just a little more, Kagome then employed the other important thing she had learned about guys like Miroku; namely, that jealously made an excellent motivator. "Well, you see, Wyvern came up with a theory about how the Well works. He also gave Michiru a whole bunch of books about magic and ancient legends, figuring that they might help him master his powers," she explained, making certain that Miroku was hanging on every word. "So anyway, when he came to visit us – you know, before that mess with his sister? – he said that he was working on something that will let him use the Well."
To anyone who didn't know Miroku, he would probably have seemed unfazed by this. But Kagome knew the monk, had traveled with him long enough to see the way his eyes widened just a bit, to detect a sharp gasp that he didn't quite stifle. And then there was the way he looked at her and said, "Really. You…don't say."
It was all Kagome could do not to grin at this. The way Miroku had said that last sentence was proof positive that she had scored a direct hit. "Yeah. I still can't believe I forgot to say any of this before," she spoke disbelievingly. "It must've slipped my mind. You know, with everything that happened that night?"
"That's…understandable," Miroku muttered slowly, concern beginning to darken his features. "So…are you saying that he has…already found a way to use the Well?"
"Uh, not just yet," Kagome replied, knowing that this was a critical point. To make it clear to Miroku that, while it would be some time before his only potential rival for Sango's affections could possibly return, it would still be in his best interests to make his move on the Demon Slayer, and soon. "He wasn't sure if this thing he was working on would work. And now that he has to train Kaname, it's probably going to be a while before he has a chance to test it out."
The concern in Miroku's eyes abated somewhat at this, but not by much. And as Kagome sat there, studying him, she could practically see him thinking of all the time Michiru and Sango had spent together, the friendship that had blossomed between them, as well as the message the Shikigami User had sent to Sango, and the way she had reacted to it. And as these memories danced in the monk's mind, they planted nice, healthy spark of jealousy in his mind. Which was exactly what Kagome wanted.
Delighting in her apparent success, Kagome returned her attention to her food. "Anyway, I sure hope whatever Michiru's got in mind works," she declared as she ate, working to fan those sparks of flame into a nice fire to help keep Miroku motivated. "It'd sure be nice to have him back. And I know the others will be happy to see him again."
"Hmm?" Startled from his inner thoughts, Miroku looked blankly at Kagome before he started tracking again. "Oh, yes. Of…of course," he said, his voice as flat and fake as Kagome had ever heard it. "Yes, I'm sure that…all of us would be glad to…have him back." Then, with a few seconds of effort, the monk smiled in his usual, charming fashion, and said, "Still…perhaps it might be best if you…didn't mention this to the others, Kagome. And we should probably tell InuYasha not to say anything about it, either."
Though she already had a pretty good idea why Miroku was making this suggestion, Kagome still feigned surprise as she asked, "Huh? Why's that?"
"Because, as you just said, Michiru only has a theory about to use the Well. He hasn't been able to test it," Miroku told her, invoking his voice of sage wisdom. "And while I appreciate the fact that…the others would be eager to welcome him back, I think it would be best to wait and see whether or not this…project of his actually works before we tell them about it." He heaved a deep breath, and then looked at her with greater intensity. "While it may be a monk's duty to preach hope, I've often found it better not to go around, raising false hope. Do you…understand what I'm saying?"
Nodding, Kagome replied, "Okay. We'll keep it a secret for now." While Miroku was expressing his gratitude, she was grinning with triumph on the inside. Yes! That got him! With any luck, he'll be wooing Sango in no time! Marveling at the ease of it, she then forced herself to settle down. There was still some distance to go before that perfect wedding she had imagined could finally take place, and Miroku would doubtlessly need a little help in getting to that point. Especially if Michiru showed up sooner, rather than later. Still, it shouldn't be too tough, she decided, giving the matter some thought. A little toning down of the lechery, some serious wining and dining of Sango, and the two of them would be on track for their happy future together. Now, if only I could straighten out InuYasha this easily…!
"Aw, damn! That was good!" InuYasha grinned as he and the rest of the group made their way back to the inn. A good meal in his stomach, the half-demon was calm and carefree as he led the way.
"Boy, I'll say!" Shippo chimed in as he staggered somewhat, his hands massaging a belly that had swollen a good deal in the past hour. "I don't think I've eaten this much in forever…urp!"
"Well, I wouldn't make a habit out of it, you two," Kagome lectured them good-naturedly. "Heck, I'm amazed you can even move after packing it all away like that!"
"Boy, I'll say!" Kohaku agreed, looking in amazement. "Where did you put it all, anyway?"
Snorting loudly, InuYasha folded his arms behind his head and looked up at the night sky. "What can I tell ya, kid? A big battle works up a big appetite!"
"That's true, I suppose," Sango chuckled mildly. She looked like she was considering say something else as well, but eventually decided against it. "Anyway, we better get a good night's sleep if we're going to be in any shape to travel tomorrow."
"Yeah, I guess so," Shippo reluctantly agreed. "Say, Kagome…how many Sacred Jewel Shards do you think are still out there?"
"It's hard to say, Shippo," Kagome replied with a hint of reluctance. "The compass might be able to point them out, but I haven't tried using it to count out how many Shards out there."
"Eh, who cares how many there are?" InuYasha wondered. "We just gotta keep looking until we've got 'em all! It's as simple as that!"
Miroku didn't pay any attention to what Kagome said to that. The fact was, he really hadn't been paying much attention to the conversation even when it was being held at the restaurant. Nor had he really tasted the meal he had had there, or been able to relax, even in such warm environs. Because no matter how much he had wanted to simply relax and enjoy himself, over and over again, he had found himself thinking back to his conversation with Kagome.
Michiru's working on a way to return to this world, Miroku found himself thinking again. This thought had followed him throughout the day, ever since his conversation with Kagome, and had continued to sting at him, over and over again. The idea that Michiru was somewhere in his own world, working on a way to return to this one, set him on edge. Because, while he had no doubt that he wanted to reunite with his friends in this world, there was also no doubt that there was one person that the Shikigami User wanted to see more than anyone.
Miroku had no personal grudge against Michiru. As a monk in service to Buddha, something so petty was far beneath him. And in truth, he certainly couldn't blame him for holding Sango in such regard, for she truly was an exceptional woman, both in body and in spirit. Especially in body, he couldn't help but think, his hands knowing the welcome sensation of the Demon Slayer's shapely buttocks quite well, and wanting to become even more familiar with them. But Michiru…he doesn't know her as I do. He hasn't been through what I've been through her. And he…there's no way he could…
As his chain of thought reached a weak link and broke apart, Miroku found himself frowning deeply. Michiru had spent a great deal of time with Sango whenever he had the chance, and he had seen the despair that had written itself so clearly on her face when he had disappeared from their world. And as much as the monk wanted to deny it, the idea that someone could so easily walk into her heart and take up so much room in it was a vexing one that no amount of meditation could seem to purge from his heart.
All I want is to be happy. To be with the woman I love, to have a family, Miroku thought solemnly. Why can't Michiru remain where he is, in his time? Find a woman better suited to him and his way of life?
Sighing as these thoughts weighed heavily on his heart, Miroku was startled from his own inner world by a cry of surprise. "Kagome?" he heard Sango gasp. "Kagome, what is it?"
"I…I don't know!" Kagome got out. Turning to face her, Miroku's eyes went wide when he saw the look of astonished concern she wore, and more importantly, what was causing it. The compass that still hung about her neck was glowing with a strange, golden light as it rose up from her chest, the pointer madly spinning about. "The compass…it's going crazy!"
"Wait. You mean you aren't making it do this?" InuYasha gaped.
"No, of course I'm not!" Kagome protested, her voice a mix of fear and annoyance. Before she could say anything else, the compass flashed brilliantly, its pointer stopped spinning and sent out a brilliant beam of light.
Taking a step or two back, Kohaku stared in astonishment at the compass's beam. "What's going on? What is it doing?"
"I…I'm not sure! It's never done this before!" Kagome admitted fearfully.
"Maybe…but one thing's for certain. The compass is definitely pointing towards something," Miroku mused, considering the actions of the divine artifact. "And the way it lit up…it's almost like its…warning us of something."
"Warning us?" Shippo repeated, his little face turning a shade or two paler at this. "W-warning us about what?"
"I…I don't know…" Kagome admitted, her expression hardening as she looked along the compass's beam. "But I'm gonna find out!" Without another word, she started off in the direction marked by the mysterious artifact. After several steps, she looked back over her should and glowered at her friends. "Well? Are you all coming, or am I gonna have to do this alone?"
"Are you kidding me? Hold up, Kagome!" InuYasha countered before darting off after her. One by one, the rest of them looked at each other before following.
"I don't like this!" Sango gritted as she ran, taking hold of her ever-present Hiraikotsu. "If the compass is warning us about something, what could it be?"
"Yeah, it doesn't make any sense!" Kohaku chimed in. "We've gone after plenty of demons before, and it's never acted like this before! So why now?"
These were all valid questions, Miroku knew. But rather than consider the various possibilities, he retorted, "We can discuss this later. Right now, I think its best that we focus on the situation at hand!"
"Right," Sango gritted tersely, picking up speed.
Growling his frustration, InuYasha shouted, "Hey, Kagome! Any idea how much further until we find this whatever-the-hell-it-is?"
"I'm not sure! But we're definitely getting closer!" Kagome reported, cradling the compass in her hands. "And…!"
"And what?" InuYasha demanded crossly.
Turning towards the half-demon, Kagome looked at him with a face filled with concern. "I don't know what it is we're dealing with…but it feels powerful. And dangerous!"
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" InuYasha muttered, taking hold of the Tetsusaiga's hilt. All around him, Miroku could feel the others tensing for battle, even as his own heart thundered in his ears. All of them ready for just about everything.
Everything…but what happened next.
The path they were running down was overgrown with trees and bushes at several points, and it twisted and turned, rose and fell, seemingly at random. So it was virtually impossible for them to see very far ahead, and the compass's beam frequently pointed through the unruly growths and occasional boulder. Leaving them helpless to do anything but to keep along the path and mind the wandering beam as it bounced and twisted about, doing their best to keep going in the general direction indicated. All the while wondering what kind of atrocity could have set off the compass in this way.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Kagome called out, "We're almost there! I think it's around this next bend!"
"Then what are we waiting for?" InuYasha demanded, drawing the Tetsusaiga. In a flash, the heirloom blade transformed into a massive fang, and the aggressive half-demon shot around the upcoming bend, and immediately disappeared. Leaving them all expecting to hear the sounds of battle, or of a Wind Scar being unleashed.
What they didn't expect to hear was InuYasha crying out, "Wh-what the hell?"
Gritting his teeth as the undeniable shock in InuYasha's voice registered, Miroku cried out, "This doesn't sound good! Everybody, be ready!" And this was all he had time to say as he and the others rounded the bend…and their own minds emptied with shock.
InuYasha was there, Tetsusaiga still in his hand, but the demonic blade hung limply, as he had forgotten he even had it. The compass's beam still pointed ahead, the beam finally able to point directly at its target. A target that should not have been there. A target that was supposed to be dead and gone.
Standing before them, apparently oblivious of the divine light pointing directly at her chest, was a small, pale girl. She was dressed in a white kimono, and had white hair that was decorated with white, flowery hairpins. She looked at them with pale blue eyes, eyes that held nothing but emptiness, and cradled a silver-framed mirror in her hands.
His mouth hanging open, Miroku could only stand there, staring dumbstruck at the tiny girl. His rational mind screaming silently, telling him that this was impossible. The others reacted the same way, staring at the tiny figure in absolute horror. With only one of them able to give voice to this impossibility. "Aaaauggh!" Shippo cried out in shock, falling over on his back. "It's Kanna!"
The fox-demon's cry snapping them out of their stupor, Sango gaped at the tiny figure before them. "But…how's this possible? We…I saw her die! Back at Botan Village! We all saw her!"
Sango's cry of astonishment was answered by a low, ugly chuckle. A mocking sound that drew their eyes, and caused the Demon Slayer to quail as she looked at her own brother, his face twisted with malice. "And tell me, woman of Demon Slayer," Kohaku asked her, his voice and mannerisms no longer that of the shy little boy they had come to know. "How often is it that you can trust your eyes…against me?"
There was a long, horrible moment of silence as the group looked at the young boy. "Naraku," Miroku hissed, aware of the way the others reacted to this word, to Kohaku's transformation. The hateful growl InuYasha issued, Kagome bringing her hands to her mouth, the despair that oozed forth and encompassed Sango's entire body, and the way Shippo now shivered with fear. All of the pain that the vile monstrosity had caused returning to them in an instant. "So, again, you've faked your own death."
"Of course. Did you really believe that I could ever fall at the hands of a sorry group such as yourselves?" Naraku asked, his evil corrupting Kohaku's voice into a perverse mirror image of his own. "You may have cost me Utsugi's power…but never my life." The coward of a demon then glanced at the compass, still pointing towards the incarnation of void. "I must admit to being surprised, however. I never would have expected your little toy there to be capable of detecting Kanna's presence."
Neither would I, Miroku admitted silently, his logical mind already piecing together Naraku's scheme. "What's your game this time, Naraku? Were you planning on using Kanna to turn the villagers here against us, as before?"
"Of course. Why waste my own forces when I can watch you try and defend yourselves from those worthless creatures without harming them?" Naraku chuckled again before glowering at Kagome. "And if it weren't for your precious compass, all the Sacred Jewel Shards you worked hard to gather would now be mine. How disappointing."
"Enough of this!" InuYasha snarled, marching up to Kohaku and grabbing him by the neck. "Where are you, dammit?"
"InuYasha!" Kagome cried out.
"I'm sick of these games of yours, Naraku! Always hiding in the shadows, using everyone as your puppets!" InuYasha growled, his eyes deadly slits that bored into the contemptuous face before him. "Come out, you bastard! Come out and face me!"
Kohaku's face twisted into a malicious grin. "As you wish, you fool."
Without warning, a hideous pain stabbed deep into Miroku's right hand, causing him to cry and grab it desperately. His forearm shuddering and convulsing of its own accord, he forced himself to look at his right palm, knowing exactly what he would see. A black, all-consuming abyss, once again carving itself into the palm of his hand.
No… Sango moaned inwardly, tears welling up from her eyes as her knees wobbled, on the verge of collapsing beneath her. No, no, no, noooo! Not again! Please, not this again!
Misery and despair welling up from the depths of her soul and pouring forth throughout her very being, Sango shook her head at the sight of her brother's face twisted with Naraku's evil, at the pain and horror reflected in the faces of her friends. All of these things seemed to blend together into an overwhelming quagmire that surrounded her on all sides, threatening to swallow her whole. A quagmire that sent forth a cry of pain that she knew painfully well, a cry that drew her gaze to Miroku, who was staring in horror at his hand.
No…! Sango cried inwardly as she caught a glimpse at the cursed Wind Tunnel that was splitting Miroku's palm open, already crying out in hunger for anything it could draw into its depths. No…I don't believe this! In that instant, all of the hideous battles the Demon Slayer and her friends had fought against the abomination that was the bane of everything that lived flashed through her mind. All of the trials and desperate battles, the quests for greater power that would enable them to triumph, and all the frustrations and setbacks suffered as Naraku time and again fled from them, disappearing before they could deliver the final blow. And worst of all, the victory they had fought so hard to win and sacrificed so much to achieve, the dream they had been living for almost a month was over. Destroyed in an instant, rendered naught but another one of Naraku's tricks. Why does he keep coming back? Why can't he just die and leave us all alone?
But even as misery and hatred welled up and spilled down Sango's cheeks, she remained a Demon Slayer. The long years of training she had endured and thrived through didn't abandon her; instead, they kept her sane. They kept the pain and hatred from getting the upper hand against her, they kept her from spiraling down into the depths of agony and despair. And they kept her alert and ready, so that when another sound reached her ears, she acted immediately and turned to look for the source.
A short distance away, Kanna had fallen to her knees. Dull groans of pain escaped the tiny incarnation's lips as her body shuddered and convulsed, both of which quickly grew in intensity. Then, her eyes widening in disgust, Sango watched as something swelled up on Kanna's back, straining the back of her kimono.
Baring her teeth in a hateful snarl, Sango yanked her Hiraikotsu off her back. So that's how you did it, she hissed inwardly. Well, not this time! Knowing exactly what was about to happen, she took aim at the helpless incarnation, and launched the boomerang bone straight and true at her.
Just before the Hiraikotsu could strike home, a dome of energy appeared around Kanna. The massive weapon slammed right into it, and was easily deflected. And while the Hiraiktosu was tumbling to the ground, Kanna cried out in anguish as her kimono exploded, giving way to a putrid mass of flesh that swelled larger and larger, driving the incarnation of void down onto her chest. As the hideous growth continued to expand, it changed forms, taking on greater definition as it sprouted limbs, and then clothes.
Off to her side, InuYasha snarled as he released Kohaku. "Feh! So that's where you've been hiding!"
Laughing in his own voice even as his body finished reforming itself, Naraku detached from Kanna and came to hover before them. "Exactly," the malignant beast grinned, looking exactly as he had when they had faced him both on Asagiri Island and north of Kururugi Village; garbed in armored clothing, with tentacles sprouting from his back. "When I set out to take Utsugi's powers for myself, I knew I would have to get him to lower his guard. To think that it wasn't just I that had been defeated by you fools, but that all of my forces had been slain as well. That's why I allowed Kanna to battle you; to set the stage for her apparent death."
"And having done so, you placed a fragment of yourself inside of her," Miroku gritted. Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, Sango suffered a moment of relief when she that he had retrieved the sacred beads that had kept his Wind Tunnel bound for so long, and had hastily wrapped them about his forearm. "Just in case something went wrong with your plans for Utsugi."
"Of course. Unlike you, I always plan for every contingency," Naraku boasted cruelly as he hovered before them.
Snorting loudly, InuYasha stepped closer to their foul nemesis. "Is that so, huh?" he growled, the Tetsusaiga shining brightly as a brilliant red washed over its blade. "Well, let's see if you planned for this! Wind Scar!" Leaping forward, the half-demon swung the Red Tetsusaiga with all his might, sending crimson bands of destruction rushing towards Naraku.
The hellish beast didn't even flinch as the Wind Scar reached him. Instead, he smiled and sneered contemptuously as the Red Tetsusaiga's power washed harmlessly over his barrier before tearing through the landscape behind him. "It's useless," he intoned, glorying in their helplessness. "I may no longer have Utsugi's crystallized barrier stones, but I've learned a great deal from him. More than you possibly imagine."
"Maybe, but you made a grave mistake in showing your face like this, Naraku," Miroku intoned, stepping alongside InuYasha. Clutching the restraining beads again on his right wrist, ready to whip them aside. "Or did you not intend for my Wind Tunnel to return with you?"
"Of course I did. I wouldn't want to cheat myself of the pleasure of watching you be drawn into the void, just as your father and grandfather were before you," Naraku oozed malignantly. "However, I would say that you have more…immediate problems to deal with."
"And just what's that supposed to mean?" InuYasha demanded hatefully. Naraku didn't say anything to this; instead, he looked off in the distance, his hateful smile deepening.
It was then something in Sango cried out for her attention. A combination of intuition and base instinct that had been honed to a fine edge in her. Things that reacted when she felt the air shake with bloodlust. Unable to help herself, she turned in the direction Naraku was looking in, and frowned. "Something's coming!"
"Huh?" Shippo yelped as Sango reached into the folds of her kimono, and brought forth an artifact from Kagome's world. A device the time-traveling priestess had called binoculars. Setting them to her eyes, the Demon Slayer found her range of vision increase dramatically. Enough to be able to make out a familiar figure descending from the clouds.
"It's Kagura!" Sango gaped as she lowered the binoculars, her heart clenching as another foe apparently returned from the dead. "She's leading a horde of demons towards the village!"
"Hmmm, I see you have another intriguing artifact," Naraku oozed malignantly. "So, what will you do now? Make another futile attempt to defeat me…or will you protect the lives of those too weak and worthless to protect themselves."
"You monster…!" Kagome hissed.
"Don't be afraid. I have no intention of wasting any further time here," Naraku smugly declared. "I have more important things to do than to soil my hands battling the likes of you. But…if I'm to be denied your Shards of the Sacred Jewel…then I suppose I will take another prize instead."
As soon as Naraku said this, Sango knew what was about to happen. Her heart screaming in despair, she whirled about, hoping that one of the others had seen this coming. That someone, InuYasha, Miroku, Kagome, Shippo, any of them had realized what was about to happen. That they had not been so distracted by Naraku's speech and his oncoming forces to prevent it. Hopes that were dashed when she heard the sound of bare feet running through the grass, and saw her brother, his eyes glassy and his will once again usurped, dash through Naraku's barrier.
"No! Kohaku!" Sango cried out, tears flying from her eyes as she reached desperately for her brother. Her heart shattering much as the Sacred Jewel had, breaking apart into hundred of tiny fragments and leaving her hollow and empty as Naraku smirked cruelly before rising up into the air. With Kanna and Kohaku at his side once again.
"No! No no no no nooo!" Sango cried out again desperately, Naraku's mocking smile and Kohaku's souless expression drilling into her soul. Mocking her and powerlessness as they rose up and away from her, beyond her reach. "Kohakuuuu!" Beyond reason, her sanity fragmenting, Sango tensed to give chase. To follow Naraku unto the ends of the earth, to follow him until there was not an ounce of strength to her. But before she could take so much as a single step, she felt someone's hand wrap about her wrist and twist her about. "No! Let me go! Let me go!"
"Sango, I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do!" Miroku told her, sympathy hanging from each word as he looked back to the imperiled village. "We have to go! If we don't head back now, the entire village will be wiped out.
But in that instant, Sango didn't care about the village. She didn't care about the lives at stake. She didn't care if her friends, all of them cursing and damning Naraku for everything they were worth, were already making their way back there. All she knew was that someone else she loved had been taken from her. That she had again been forced to watch as someone precious beyond belief had disappeared right before her very eyes. All while she had stood helpless to do nothing but watch.
"No! Kohaku!" Sango screamed. She screamed and screamed again, until her voice had broken and collapsed beneath her own grief. All of her hopes rent asunder, her dream life gone…and consumed by a nightmare reborn.
Author's Notes: Sorry if Naraku's reappearance was less than overwhelming, but I had some trouble figuring out how exactly to bring him back without making a major scene of it. Especially given the number of times Naraku has disappeared, then reappeared to rub our heroes noses in the fact that he was still alive and kicking. Still, I hope you'll read and review, anyway. And maybe check out my other stories while you're at it?
Ilko Skevuld, I'm glad you're enjoying the Michiru/Sango pairing. Since I wrote this story, a couple more have shown up on this site.
Illusive Man, this story is indeed just beginning. There's plenty more excitement to come!