Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters. This is only a fanfic.
SPOILER WARNING!
Chapter 2: The Return Home
Positioned high in a tree Inuyasha watches the first rays of sunlight appear on the horizon.
Four days left.
He looks down at the others, still asleep in the camp below. Everything is out in the open now; he recalls the discussion last night following his return…
"Well, Inuyasha…hopefully you've settled down enough to tell us what's really going on." Miroku approached as he entered the clearing.
"We know there's more than what you originally told us!" Kagome moved forward with Sango close behind. The taijya said nothing; she simply waited for an explanation.
Inuyasha felt suffocated with them surrounding him all at once. He reacted as a cat backed into a corner. "Get the hell off my back, would ya!' he spat, "I just got here and already you're comin' at me!"
"Just tell us, idiot!" Shippo piped in.
Inuyasha heard him but the kitsune was nowhere around. The hanyou started sniffing for Shippo's scent; it was coming from behind the monk.
"Why you little…," Inuyasha began to roll his sleeves and headed in that direction.
"Osuwari!" Kagome's voiced sliced through the air in response to Shippo's shriek.
Smiling, Miroku leaned over and addressed Inuyasha's form planted face first in the dirt. "We'll be over by the fire when you're ready to talk."
They handled the news well; they did not bombard him with questions or ask for further clarification. Inuyasha was relieved; he was not in the mood for an open discussion anyhow. Nothing voiced, each went to their respective sleeping areas with an appropriate "good night".
Miroku is already awake but feigns sleep until he hears Inuyasha leave the camp. The monk needs some time to himself to meditate and regroup. He calls to Kirara to watch over the women, looks over to Sango's sleeping form, picks up his shakujou and leaves.
Kagome and Sango awake to a camp minus the men and a fully transformed Kirara. The girls are unusually quiet while packing up the supplies. Kagome finally breaks the silence…
"What do you think of all this, Sango?"
"I don't know," she replies. "With Naraku's reappearance, things are happening quite fast."
Kagome seems to consider this then tentatively asks, "Do you feel we can trust Kikyou?"
Before Sango can respond, out of the corner of her eye, she catches a glimpse of Inuyasha approaching.
"Hmph! Don't mind me," he snorts, "go ahead and answer Sango."
"To be honest, Inuyasha," she stands to face him. Everyone knows how sensitive he is about Kikyou, therefore, Sango choses her next words carefully. "It's Kohaku I trust."
Miroku arrives, as they are ready to leave. He pulls Inuyasha to the side and announces he has decided to go home for a day or two to visit Mushin.
"I'll accompany you as far as the next village then I will contact Hachi to transport me to the temple from there."
"It's not a good time to split up right now, Inuyasha says, "What the hell are you thinking, monk?"
"I just need some time to visit home," says Miroku, "surely you won't deny me that."
Inuyasha understands…a little. Miroku may be a wanderer, but there is still a place for him. He recalls the one occasion Miroku returned to the temple where he grew up, it was when he thought Mushin was dying.
"All right!" Inuyasha responds gruffly. "Just make sure your butt is back here to help me kick Naraku's!" He claps Miroku on the back.
"Kirara and I will take you, houshi-sama," Sango approaches, "I'm leaving for home as well."
"What the hell!" screeches Inuyasha.
Kikyou rests under a tree, eyes closed seemingly relaxed. Her bow and arrow close by her side near her outstretched legs. Kohaku, on the other side, also appears to be resting. One knee bent, supporting his arm. He isn't as calm as the miko, actually he is wondering when the roles were reversed. The hunter had become the hunted.
"Kikyou-sama?" he questions.
"I know," is her only response.
Kohaku let out a long sigh. A moment passes and he tries again.
"How long?"
"Since before sunrise."
"Oh!"
He does not understand Kikyou's reason for delaying; let's just deliver the message and go. Truthfully, Kohaku is a little edgy. His memory restored, he recalls his first encounter with Sesshomaru and vows to make it his last.
"Do you think he knows we're looking for him?"
Kikyou, eyes still closed, gives an exasperated sigh. "If his hearing is as sharp as his brothers'…he does now."
Kikyou rises slowly, leaving her weapon on the ground. Kohaku looks up in surprise. He does not understand until he feels the presence of the taijyoukai. With his chain-sickle tucked behind him, Kohaku stands also.
Sesshomaru steps out in the open and stands across from Kikyou. Her gaze starts from his feet move up over his robes, decorative obi, armored breastplate and his flowing mane of silver hair; impassive mahogany orbs meets a golden condescending glare.
"Why do you seek 'this' Sesshomaru?"
Gliding through the air on Kirara's back, Sango and I see Mushin's temple from here. Other than comments about the scenery, we have talked little since we left the others this morning.
Sango can probably feel my eyes assessing and attempting to memorize her every feature. I watch her ponytail flicker in the wind and welcome the feel of it brush across my face. I observe her toned thighs as she uses them to navigate Kirara. I watch the hair at her temples caress her face and the flapping motion of the obi tied around her curvaceous waist. What I would not give to have my hands follow the path my eyes just did.
"What's all the sighing for?" Sango questions and looks at me over her shoulder.
"Eh! Oh, it's nothing" I hold my hands up in mock surrender. She says nothing but fixes me with one of her death glares.
We start our descent to the temple, flying over the large crater that is fathers' grave.
"Is this the reason for your sudden return home, houshi-sama?"
"Yes," I answer wistfully, "After talking with Inuyasha, I felt a need to come."
"Me too." Sango says and looks in the direction of the Taijya village.
Kirara lands and I dismount; suddenly that overwhelming sense of fear strikes me again. I experienced this sensation yesterday; less intense, but it's still here.
"Sango?" I place my hand on her thigh. "Why don't you stay here with me?"
She looks down from her position on Kirara's back and frowns, and then she looks at my hand.
"No thanks," she says stiffly.
"Come on, I didn't mean it that way!" I sounded a bit harsh but I remove my hand.
I am not thinking hentai thoughts, not this time, I just want her to be safe and I express this to her. I learned long ago to trust my instincts; these feelings I interpret as a forewarning.
"As you well know…I can take care of myself, houshi-sama," she replies. "Besides, I have Kirara with me." The cat youkai turns her head and emits a low growl in recognition.
"That's not the point…as you well know," I mimic her. "I understand what you need to do and I won't detain you. I simply thought I could go with you after leaving here."
I touch her hand that is absently stroking Kirara's fur. "I'm concerned about you, Sango. We've come too far," I say with some urgency.
A rosy blush spreads across her cheeks, she looks at me and then at our hands touching. Suddenly it occurs to me what Sango is thinking. I am getting better at reading this beautiful but troubled woman…my woman.
I give her one of my most sensuous smiles and move in close, invading her space. The blush deepens as I gaze deep in her eyes and say sincerely…
"Do what you have to do, Sango, but I need you back here before nightfall. I can't have my intended getting lost."
I raise her hand to my lips and lightly graze her knuckles. "Come back to me, Sango," I whisper, "We both have promises to fulfill."
Back at the 'Bone-Eaters Well', Inuyasha is pacing back and forth, muttering under his breath. Kagome sits perched on the side of the well with Shippo on her shoulder. They arrive about mid-day, sit and chat with Kaede informing her of recent happenings. Afterwards, Kagome announces she is leaving for home. Now she and Shippo are a captive audience to Inuyasha's rantings.
"Miroku's gotta go home, Sango's gotta go home; they seemed to have caught the 'I'm goin' home' bug from you Kagome."
He steps in front of her and presses on…
"I'll betcha that's not what Miroku's doin', probably off philanderin' somewhere!"
"Inuyasha…" Kagome attempts to interrupt his flow.
"And Sango…she didn't even answer me, she just stared like I had grown two heads or somethin'!"
That's it! Kagome leaps off the well. "Calm down Inuyasha. You're getting all worked up over nothing."
"Yeah…for nothing," Shippo repeats.
"Look here you…" Inuyasha starts.
Shippo takes off in a run with Inuyasha in hot pursuit. Kagome crosses her arms and frowns.
"Don't make me say it!" Kagome says calmly…too calm.
Inuyasha stops and looks over at Kagome; she is serious. He forgets about Shippo for the moment and heads back in her direction.
Kagome now feeling she has things under control, sits back on the well and extends her hand. "Come here, Inuyasha."
He walks over, stands in front of her and she takes hold of his hands. "No one is going to desert you, all of us will return to finish this," she says softly.
"Hmph! Like I care," he responds, lacking conviction.
Kagome is not going to argue with him; she knows being alone is an issue for him; he also knows that she knows. They continue to hold hands and explore each other's fingers.
"I'll be back later, I just want to have a bath, restock supplies and food; you know you want more Ramen," she teases him. "I also want to check on mom, grandpa and Souta."
He surprises her by leaning his forehead against hers and he inhales. "Why do ya' worry about a bath so much but you always smell so good?"
Kagome's pulse rate increases. She slides off the well, into his arms and wordlessly they hold each other. "Inuyasha…I should go now," she pulls back.
"Yeah, I got things to do too!" the gruffness returns. She gives him a bright smile before disappearing down the well.
Standing a distance away, a smiling Kaede with Shippo watch the two. The kitsune ran into her after Inuyasha chased him.
"Too bad he's not that nice all the time," says Shippo and hops on Kaede's shoulder. Laughing heartily they both walk back to the village.
Sango kneels at the graves of her father and fallen comrades. She offers her prayers and lays flowers. Not long ago, the Taijya village was filled with the families of promising young demon-slayers. They were happy a people who appreciated the simple pleasures life offered. They were not of the noble class, but their respectability and the proficiency of their work placed them in high regards.
As she places flowers on her fathers grave memories come flooding back…
"No Sango…you must unsheathe your katana in one fluid motion…your stance is not balanced…Sango, how many times have I told you…"
He was a diligent but loving father, held in high esteem throughout the taijya community and a successful leader. Sango, at the age of six, was thrilled when her father announced the start of her training. At that time, she wasn't concerned about carrying on a family tradition; it meant she spent more time with father.
Her mother was not a skilled fighter, although not defenseless, but had a passion for dancing. She was not daring enough for the Kabuki stage and her style was too unrefined for the Noh Theater. When she met Sango's father she willingly gave it up for another passion, becoming a wife and mother.
When her mother was happy, she would hum and sway to the music in her head. She would take Sango by the hand and lead her through the intricate steps. Beautiful as it was Sango chose the rigid training of the taijya's. Blessed with her mothers grace and her fathers' skill she quickly became one of the best slayers in the village.
Walking back to the main house where she grew up, Sango lingers through each room filled with vivid memories of her childhood. The vision dulls as she reaches the room that belonged to her parents. One memory in particular comes to mind, the night Kohaku was born…
It seemed like hours that a young Sango had waited…waited for the birth of the new addition to their family. First, it was months and now hours. Her mothers' labor started early that morning, and the women of the village arrived to assist in the birth. It was now evening and they were still enclosed in that room. Her father, banned several times already, finally decided to go outside.
It was dusk when I heard a muffled cry and the wails of my newborn sibling. Father brushed past me and I followed, both passing through the doorway at the same time. The sight was unforgettable…there was blood; so much the bed seemed saturated with it. I looked to my mother and was shocked. I had never seen her so…so disheveled. Coming home straight from the fields after work, I had never seen her look this way.
I ran to her, falling to my knees beside her bed. "Haha-ue, are you all right?" Her outstretched arm prevented me coming closer. One of the women walked over to me carrying the bundle that was my new baby brother. "Come little Sango, let's get to know this little guy and let your mother rest."
I looked to my mother again, something felt wrong. This was supposedly a joyous moment but no one appeared happy. I looked to my father for answers but he remained in the doorway as if frozen to that spot.
"Yes, Sango," my mother whispered with a strained smile, "…go get acquainted with your brother. His name is Kohaku." I was hesitant, so she spoke again, "Please, dear," she beseeched my father. He placed an arm around my shoulders, turned me around and the woman deposited Kohaku into my arms. My father walked me to the door, placed a kiss on my forehead then shut me out.
As I stood there trying to hush Kohaku's cries I realized I was crying too. It was the last time I saw my mother alive.
Sango slides the shoji, closing out those memories.
Miroku sits in the temple across from Mushin and Hachi. Mushin, finally able to get his hands on some sake, is a happy man. The unexpected arrival of his young ward had interrupted the normal course of his day.
Morning purification and sake, clean the temple and sake, a trip to the village and sake, afternoon prayer and more sake…well, it was a good routine.
Miroku arrived while Mushin was out performing a legitimate exorcism. The old monk returned to find the younger man sifting through the scrolls in the storeroom.
"Welcome home, my boy!" Mushin says with feeling. "It's been awhile."
"It's good to be home." Miroku responds with equal fervor.
There is no need to ask if he is staying. Mushin can see Miroku still wears the kekko and rosary beads that contain the 'Kazaana'. This young man's quest is not over yet.
Miroku explains he is searching for the scrolls written by his father and grandfather. Since they both battled Naraku, he hopes their writing will reveal a weakness or at least give a clue to defeat him.
"Once I locate the scrolls, I'll need to review them," says Miroku searching the shelves. "I tried this once before, but didn't find anything. Maybe I overlooked something."
"Waste of time if you ask me," states Mushin retrieving a box from a corner.
"Oh…and why is that?" Miroku sounds irritated.
As the young monk turns for an explanation, Mushin places a small chest in his arms. The chest bears the temple seal and no other decoration.
"Your father and grandfathers scrolls are kept here," his round face scrunches in a smile that makes his eyes appear smaller. "I thought you might need them again."
Miroku stares in awe at his mentor, the older monk never ceases to amaze him. He has maintained an immaculate temple, he not only raised a foster son, but had also preserved that boys' legacy and is held in high regard among his peers. All this accomplished yet he barely remains sober.
"I'll leave you to your work, son." Mushin heads out the door.
Pride swells in Miroku's chest. This man has always been there for him and helped him through the most difficult times in his life.
"We can go through these scrolls together, Mushin," he invites, in hopes of spending more time with the older man.
"You're on your own," Mushin says looking over at his young ward. Besides the 'Kazaana', Miroku is holding the last link to his biological family in his arms. "I've got things to do." Miraculously, a jug of sake appears from nowhere, with a smirk Mushin shuffles out the door.
After an afternoon going over the scrolls, Miroku has to admit, they are in perfect condition, in chronological order and very legible. However, he cannot find anything to aid in Naraku's defeat. The only thing noteworthy…Naraku seems to be a creature of habit. Miroku's dealings with him appear almost identical to his father and grandfathers. Exhausted from reading he decides to join Mushin.
During dinner, they discuss every topic save one. Miroku knows Mushin is waiting for the right moment to bring up the topic of Sango. Hachi's arrival, the young monk thinks, will deter that conversation, however…
"I find it hard to believe you left Sango behind," the tanuki says with a snicker, "or…did she give you permission to leave?" This is the opening for several teasing remarks about Sango's temper and his fidelity (or lack of).
Through the laughter Miroku notices the time; it is almost sunset. Sango should be here by now. He regrets letting her go on alone, if anything happens to her…no, he refuses to think that way. Walking over to the shoji, he slides it open and looks at the already darkening sky.
"Sango, where are you?"
Hachi and Mushin come from behind and look at the sky. The older man clamps a hand down on Miroku's shoulders, sensing his worry, "Follow your instincts, son," he advises. Miroku turns to his friends and sees the concern on their faces. He grabs his shakujou.
"Hachi?"
"There's no need to ask, master Miroku" the tanuki says already transforming. "Let's go!"
Authors Notes: I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews, constructive criticism and assistance. I considered everything and produced this chapter; I hope it's better than the last. At some point I will go back and rewrite chapter one.