Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha; this is only a fanfic.

Authors Notes: Hi guys (and girls). This is the last chapter before I leave for vacation. I did my best and I hope I'm leaving on a good note. Please read, enjoy and review! Have a nice summer everyone!

Warning: Mild Violence

Volume II

Kishi kaisei

(Wake from death; Return to life)

Chapter 20: Sango's Rebirth

Akio increased his pace as he came off the mountain pass. Less than a mile and he could get an unconscious Sango the attention she needed. With the demon slayer on his back, he traveled as fast as he could without jarring her body too much.

Sango was uninjured, but the beast had spewed out a mist of shouki and that was his concern. The demon slayer told him, before she passed out, that the mist was a demon parasite. That type of youkai needed a host and only someone with spiritual powers could disperse the evil once it had invaded its victim.

Not only did Akio have to get Sango settled, he had to alert Rie, the children and then he had to find to a holy man to get rid of the evil shouki. He thought of the procession and knew monks were traveling with them. He hoped that at least one was bestowed with abilities to heal his friend.

In battle, Sango had been magnificent. He had never seen anyone fight with such intense precision before, but it was his fault she became distracted… it was his fault she was hurt.

He replayed the incident in his mind…

The huge boar dropped its head as it charged. Crouched low with the Tessen splayed behind her, the demon slayer waited. The beast was mere inches away before Sango shifted slightly and fell into a cross stance. As the beast flew past, with a flick of wrist she sliced upward with her weapon and tore through the boar's side.

Reversing the stance, Sango repositioned herself for the next attack as the boar youkai slid to a halt. Screaming in anger and its body excreting blood, it turned and charged again. The demon slayer held the same stance as before, but this time she catapulted over the beast back. Rotating her wrists, Sango struck several times before landing behind it.

The boar fell to its front legs, squealing in agony. Sango stood back, watched the beast intently and waited.

Akio was not sure why Sango hesitated instead of finishing the beast off. It was simply lying there, injured and vulnerable. Holding his kunai, he slowly advanced.

"Stay where you are!" Sango's voice broke no argument. "It's not dead yet."

Akio pressed forward, "I know… let's just kill the thing so we can get home!"

"Akio…" Sango growled a warning, but her friend was already moving. "Damn it… Akio!" she shouted. She sprinted after him; she had to reach him before he reached the boar. "Get away from it!" He did not heed her warning.

Suddenly, the boar raised its head and sprayed a strange mist from its nostrils. Akio would have been hit had Sango not elbowed him out of the way. Although she spun away, she felt the first effects of the shouki penetrating her senses. There was no need to kill the boar; it would die eventually since the host had left its body. It was not the boar Sango fought, it was the mist… the mist was the demon.

The demon slayer fell to her knees; her head spun, her vision blurred as she struggled for control.

"Sango… I'm sorry, I…" Akio stammered, as he came from behind. What had he done; why had he not listened?

"No time to worry about that," she stated, clutching onto him for support. "We need to get home… and quickly or else I'll be possessed as well."

"Find a priest, Akio," she was barely coherent now, "someone with spiritual abilities to exorcise this demon. Hurry… I don't have much time." The demon slayer lost consciousness.

As Sango's house came into view, Akio sighed in relief. Crossing the threshold, he carried her to her room, removed her haori and keso; leaving her in breast binds and hakamas. He covered her and then sprinted towards the village. He did not know which would be harder, finding a priest with spiritual powers or explaining this to his grandmother, Suiren and Shun'ei.

The children were in awe of the company they were keeping. They sat with two monks, a hanyou and the most adorable kitten. What had started out a boring day had definitely gotten better.

Although she had MoMo, Chisato felt slighted that she could not convince Kirara to leave neither Suiren nor Shun'ei's shoulders to be with her. She was amazed at how quickly the kitten had formed an attachment to the twins. It took MoMo almost a month to get used to her.

"This is good practice for you Inuyasha," Miroku laughed at his friends face. "This is the best way to experience fatherhood."

The children were firing questions to the hanyou so rapidly; he was getting dizzy with the effort to keep up.

"Come on, Inuyasha-san, hang in there," Tsuneo cheered him on.

"Can I touch your sword, Inuyasha-sama?" Ichiro asked.

"No!" the hanyou snapped and looked to Miroku. The monk smiled serenely at his friend and nodded in the direction of Ichiro, who was holding his head down because of the sharp reprimand. Inuyasha then looked around the table to see the other children watching him expectantly.

Shooting Miroku a 'wait til' later' look, he removed the sword, still enclosed in its sheath and laid it against the table. "Here kid!" he thrust the hilt of the sword in front of the child. "I ain't drawin' it or nothin', so don't ask!"

Ichiro lightly tapped the hilt of the sword and turned to his friends, "Did you see that?" Yamoto and Chisato gushed over his accomplishment; Suiren and Shun'ei smiled indulgently, they had trained with weapons since they were three years old.

"Hmph," the hanyou looked surprised, "If I knew that's all he wanted to do with it, I wouldn't have yelled at 'em."

"Children are not like adults, Inuyasha-san," Tsuneo said. "They usually say what they mean."

"Very well put, Tsuneo-san," Miroku clapped. "I could not have said it better myself."

"We have to go now," Chisato announced to no one in particular. "It's time for dinner and I still have my chores."

As the children were about to leave, there was a commotion in the back of the teahouse. A tall spiky haired man entered, rushed behind the counter and spoke rapidly to the woman called Rie. The children rose as the man entered and joined them behind the counter.

The man dropped to his knee and spoke specifically to Suiren and Shun'ei. Rie began gathering supplies and packing them away. The man then turned to the young waitress; he spoke briefly with her, kissed her brow and turned back to the children.

Miroku, as well as the others, looked on. "I hope everything is all right," the monk spoke, feeling something was amiss. The two children did not appear happy and they clung to each other as the waited for the older woman to complete her packing.

Chisato, Yamoto and Ichiro turned to go home. As they approached the table Miroku stopped them. "Is everything all right?"

"I think so," Yamoto answered. "Suire-chan and Shu-san's mother got hurt today."

"Their mother?" Tsuneo gasped. "What happened?"

"Probably practicing," Ichiro shrugged. "It happens sometimes, but Akio-sama said she was going to be all right."

"What kind of practicing does a woman do that would get her injured?" Tsuneo wondered.

Miroku wondered the same and was glad Tsuneo had asked. He was experiencing an odd sensation by now and he had now idea why.

"Their mother is a teacher of the martial arts," Chisato said in a proud tone. "She gets hurt sometimes, but nobody is as good as Sango-sensei," she giggled, unaware of the impact of her words. "We gotta go now, jamatane!" The children ran out the door and headed home before their parents came looking for them.

Miroku stared straight ahead in a stupor as the scene before him played out in slow motion. The dazed monk stood up and walked stiffly to the group preparing to leave. Somewhere in the deep recess of his mind he could hear Inuyasha calling out to him, but he ignored him… he ignored the warning not to read too much into what the child said.

With each step that brought him closer, logic warred with hope. Was Sango still alive and living in this village and if so… why hadn't she come to him? Why did she leave them… him? Why didn't she notify them she was alive?

Raw anger swept through Miroku. It was an intense anger that matched nothing since Naraku. Didn't she realize what he had been through without her? Did she even care?

As quickly as the feeling came, it left just as fast. If Sango was alive, that was all that mattered and no one would stop him from finding out.

Rie noticed the monk first. He approached them with firm strides and a look of determination on his face.

"He knows… somehow, he knows."

Before she could warn Akio, she saw her grandson turn to the monk with relief on his face.

"Greetings, Houshi-sama," Akio said, as he turned to see a monk heading his way. At Miroku's nod, the young man continued. "I'm sorry if I appear rude, but I am in need of someone possessing spiritual powers. By chance, would you be so endowed?"

Another nod from Miroku and Akio sighed with relief. "Thank Kami!" he clasped his hands together and looked to the skies. "Will you please come with us, Houshi-sama? I will explain on the way, but we must hurry."

Inuyasha and Tsuneo came to stand behind Miroku and Akio became uneasy. It was not the monks, but the hanyou that concerned him. After his encounter earlier with a demon, Akio was not prepared for another. He was about to object until…

"Are you coming with us, Inuyasha-sama… Tsuneo-sama?" Suiren's voice cut through the tension.

"Yes… we will accompany Miroku-sama and give assistance if needed." Tsuneo informed her with a smile.

"Keh!" Inuyasha snorted. "Damn right, I'm goin'!"

"Well…since that is settled, I suggest we get going, "Rie said to the group and avoided Miroku's eyes. "And you… the one called Inuyasha," the old woman shot him a stern look. "You were told to watch your mouth! Now… let's go!"

They all turned and left the teahouse with the hanyou growling and mumbling under his breath.

Sliding open the shoji, Mayura stepped out onto the engawa on the second floor of her rooms. Although early evening, the brothel below was alive with activity. Amorous and boisterous soldiers were looking to relax after time spent on road. The courtesan leaned on the railing as the music from downstairs floated up to her.

The only thing she liked about this place was the music. Mayura could lose herself in the softness of the sound. It could almost make one forget their past… almost.

Turning her head, she looked over her shoulder and back into the room. Hajime was asleep and would remain so until morning.

Her skills as a hypnotist had improved over the past year and had served her well in this profession. With a few herbs mixed with sake and the mesmerizing quality of her voice, her clients were like putty in her hands. She knew more about her clients than they knew about themselves, their most private thoughts, desires and their dreams. Unfortunately, their darkest secrets and most sinister plots were also revealed.

Mayura derived no pleasure from this skill. In this business, she needed to stay informed of her client's activities. Two years ago, the lack of this ability and her ignorance had almost gotten her killed.

She had allowed herself to trust Sai, a simple tradesman (or so she thought). He had declared his love for her, had promised to take her away and start a new life together. She had been foolish to believe his lies, but he had reminded her so much of… him.

"You don't waste any time; do ya', lady?"

The courtesan jumped at the sound of the voice and slowly turned. Hajime's henchman, Junnosuke, stepped from the shadows and joined her by the railing. Masking her fear, Mayura appeared relaxed as turned to face the intruder.

"Junnosuke-san," she said in her seductive purr, "as you can see your master is unavailable. Is there a message you would like to leave?"

The scout looked into the room at the sleeping Hajime. "You need someone younger," Junnosuke turned back the courtesan. "Take me for instance; there is no way I'd fall asleep on ya'."

"Well, since that's not likely to happen," Mayura was annoyed. "I would not let it worry you." Although she hid it well, she was afraid of Junnosuke. He had quite a reputation in certain circles and none of it was good. The women here, at the brothel, avoided him like the plague.

At first glance, he was an average looking man; nothing distinctive, which was why he could blend in so easily in a crowd. However, once you sat and talked with him, you were likely not to do so again. Junnosuke was a disturbing character; the more he talked, the more negativity exuded from his character.

"Come on, Mayura-chan," the scout's voice had gone husky as he stepped closer. "The old guy can't have satisfied ya' or else ya' wouldn't be out here."

"My, my," she responded with a smirk. "Tell me… you're not trying to step into your master's geta's without his permission; are you? Goodness, Junnosuke-san, where is your conscience?" she laughed, in spite of her fear.

"I don't need his permission," the scout snapped. "You're a free agent, I only need yours. As far as a conscience is concerned, it's just a simpering form of heroism. When I had one, all it granted me was temporary comfort after a misdeed. It didn't change what I had done and it didn't change me," his voice remained neutral. "So I shed it, like a snake does its skin; what the hell do I need with a conscience."

Fear settled in the pit of Mayura's stomach. The courtesan stepped away from the railing and him. "You may not have one, Junnosuke, but I do," Mayura said. "Therefore you have neither my time nor my permission. Come back when your master is awake; deliver your message then." With that said, she moved to reenter the room.

Junnosuke grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her against him. "A woman like you… with a conscience; don't make me laugh, Mayura," he spat. "When he tires of you," he nodded towards the sleeping Hajime, "… and he will tire of you; there will be nothing to stop me."

As he spoke, his free hand snatched the kimono from her shoulders. Baring one breast, Mayura gasped as his hand closed over its fullness and squeezed until she bit her lip to keep from crying out. "So soft…" he said, speaking low. "I'm gonna let you go this time, my peacock, but when the time comes…" giving her breast another squeeze, he released her and left the rest unsaid.

By the time Mayura lifted her head, he was gone. He left as quietly as he arrived and she knew that was no empty promise he just made. Sliding to the floor of the engawa, the courtesan covered herself and allowed a single tear to escape.

"I'm telling' ya' not to get your hopes up!"

Miroku did not respond to Inuyasha's words. The monk was still in a daze as they walked to the twin's home. The young man, Akio, had explained his friend was possessed by a demon parasite and needed an exorcism. The young man was guarded and no further information was forthcoming. "Miroku, do ya' hear me?" Once again, he did not respond.

"Is Miroku-sama all right, Inuyasha-san?" Tsuneo also noticed the monk's strange behavior.

"Aw… he'll be okay!" the hanyou informed the young monk. "I hope," he added silently to himself.

In truth, Inuyasha was aware of the children's resemblance to his two friends. As he held them up, he could not help but think they were miniatures of Sango and Miroku. However, what could he say to someone who had already suffered so much without being sure.

He and Kagome had watched Miroku over the years; he had helped to rebuild the slayers village and had done a great job raising Kohaku. This was not the first venture the monk had undertaken since the completion of the village, but it was the most dangerous one. Miroku was always involving himself in some project to keep the memories at bay.

No one wanted to believe more than Inuyasha that Sango was alive and well, but Miroku was fragile right now. He could not stand by and allow him to be hurt any further. Walking from behind, Inuyasha noticed his friend had increased his pace to address the old woman called Rie.

"Excuse me, Rie-sama,"

"Yes, Houshi-dono," the old woman kept a steady pace, but still would not look at him.

"How old are the children?" Miroku asked as he watched Suiren and Shun'ei speaking with Akio.

"Turned six this past winter," was all she said.

Miroku was quiet as he did the calculations in his mind. If Sango had somehow survived the fall and was impregnated at that time, those children could very well be his.

"They are twins; am I correct?" the monk pressed.

"They are."

"Yet… their appearances are different," Miroku probed. "Young Suiren will be quite a beauty someday and is quite feisty for a girl. Tell me, Rie-sama, does she take after her mother?"

"Hmph!" the old woman snorted. "She's got her hot head, that's for sure, but it's Shun'ei that has his mother's looks."

A wave of euphoria washed over the monk. He had to stop and lean on his shakujou for support, but Rie walked on ahead. Taking slow steadying breaths, he needed a moment to recover.

"Miroku?" Inuyasha appeared at his side.

"It's her, Inuyasha," the monk whispered as he clung to his staff.

"Ya' don't know that," the hanyou snapped. "Why do ya' keep torturing yourself?"

"It's her… I know it is!" Miroku turned angry eyes on his friend. "I don't care if you believe me, Sango's alive and… and those are my children."

Inuyasha stared wordlessly at his friend. He wanted to believe, because it was what Miroku believed. With a sigh, the hanyou turned away. Whatever the outcome, he would be right by his friend's side. "Then come on and let's get this over with!" he sniffed.

Sango awakened to unfamiliar voices and eerie sensations probing her mind. She was hot and cold at the same time and her surroundings appeared abstract. She was home… that much she could comprehend, but where were the children?

Feeling thirsty, she stumbled from the futon to the small pantry and located the water pail, only to find it empty. Sango looked around for the small vessel they used to carry water from the stream. Once found, she exited from the rear of the house.

The possessed demon slayer walked on unsteady legs, into the stream and fell to her knees. She remembered now; a demon parasite had invaded her body. Sensing its presence slithering through her mind, Sango quickly doused herself with cold water to keep alert and rose to her feet. She had to fight it until Akio returned with help.

Hearing voices, that were not inside her head, Sango turned to the sounds. She watched as a group of people came down the road that led to her small house. She noticed the children right away and thought she had to speak with Akio. They should not have come at a time like this; they should have stayed behind. He was far too lenient with them.

Rie followed behind Akio and the children, and then there were two monks and another man. As Sango stepped forward to greet them, she sensed the parasite take control and prevented her from moving. She struggled to over come it and pitched forward, falling to her knees again.

Cupping more water into her hands, Sango repeatedly flushed her face with the cold water. The voices in her head were growing stronger and she shivered as she felt the parasites domination.

"Haha-ue!"

She lifted her head to see her children standing on the bank of the stream. "Stay back," she ordered. Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought for control.

"That's right," a silky voice penetrated senses, "fight it, Sango."

Her body stiffened; that… that voice. She lifted her head to see one of the monks remove their sandals and step into the water. Her gaze traveled from his feet, up and over his robes. She only made it as far as his chest before the demon took hold again. On her hands and knees, Sango rocked as she struggled with the demon and an oncoming headache. Her body was tense as the monk knelt in front of her.

"Sango," he whispered. His hands seemed to caress as he took hold of her and gently lifted her to her feet. "It's all right. I'll take care of you," he told her as he folded her into his arms.

His voice was compelling; it had the same rich, persuasive quality as the man in her dreams. The rational part of her mind knew it was wrong, but she could not help herself; she burrowed into the monk's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. His body was firm and the arms around her exuded strength. Here… she sought comfort and she believed he would take care of her. Just being with him gave her the will to fight. That was what her body felt. Her mind, however, was not so receptive.

As soon as she had heard his voice, the first wave of discomfort hit. The sensation occurred each time she tried to remember her past. It would start as a dull pain at the base of her neck and then radiate, like a band, around her skull. The pressure kept building until she thought her head would explode. As the monk held her in his arms, the first stage had begun.

Suiren's squeak had Miroku lifting his head. He watched as both she and her brother broke into a run. Instead of heading towards the small house, they ran to the stream behind it and then he saw her.

She was on her hands and knees in the middle of the stream. She was soaked through; the hakamas she wore clung to her form and she only wore breast bindings above, but Miroku knew, without the shadow of a doubt, this was Sango. No other woman looked that good dressed in men's clothing.

With a wavering smile, Miroku looked over his shoulder at Inuyasha. The hanyou's eyes were closed as he breathed deeply. When he opened them, he looked back at the monk and displayed one of his rare smiles. Kirara mewed happily and her tail flicked agitatedly, but the youkai cat appeared to wait. It was as if she was allowing Miroku the privilege to approach first.

Quickening his pace, Miroku joined the children at the edge of the stream. The youkai cat jumped lightly from his shoulder and landed in the crook of Suiren's neck.

"Haha-ue!"

Sango turned towards her children's voices. "Stay back!" she instructed them. Suiren and Shun'ei pouted, but they obeyed. The demon slayer's body was tense as she strained to maintain control of the demon.

"That's right, fight it Sango," he called out. Removing his sandals, Miroku stepped into the water and moved slowly towards her. He had just a glimpse of her face, but his heart soared. Soaking wet, disheveled and possessed, she was beautiful and she was his. He did not know why she had not come to him, but he would make things right between them, he would not loose her again.

Standing over her, he saw her trembling. Kneeling down, his hands slid up her arms and he lifted her to her feet. "It's all right, I'll take care of you," he wrapped his arms around her. Kami-sama, she felt good. Was that his heart or hers pounding wildly between them? This is where he belonged… with her.

Miroku heard Sango's soft moan and shivered as she clung to him. He knew he was there for a purpose, but all he could do was hold her for now. He would hold her forever if time allowed.

She reached up and her hands caressed his face. Sango leaned back and lifted her eyes, but could not get past his sensuous lips. His mouth looked so familiar, so inviting and she traced the outline with her fingertips. With the demon's voice echoing in her head and the throbbing in her temples she pressed even closer.

She wanted the pain to stop, but not these sensations. She wanted the voices to quiet, so she could hear his heart beat. Sighing heavily, Sango speared her fingers through his hair and pulled his head down. Angling her mouth beneath his, she captured his lips. Sango kissed the monk.

The pain intensified in her head, but she refused to let go. He smelled so good and tasted even better. She could not get enough of him and deepened the kiss, crushing him to her. In spite of the pain, she knew she was safe.

As soon as she pressed her lips to his, Miroku was lost. He forgot his reason for being there; it was just the two of them. Flinging her braid behind her, he began unraveling the tresses until they flowed down her back. They broke their kiss, but only for a second wind and then plunged again into their desire.

One of Miroku's hand pressed into the small of her back as the other hand cradled her head. His lips moved hungrily over hers and he tentatively parted her lips with his tongue. His heart sang as she timidly allowed him entry; he felt her tremble with need as he took her moans into his mouth. Miroku felt her clutch at his robes as her knees threatened to give way. Standing in the middle of the stream, he immersed himself in her softness.

The spectators from the shore looked on. Everyone was in shock except for Inuyasha and Rie. The hanyou had a knowing smirk on his face as he watched the reunion of his two best friends. Miroku had followed his instincts and it had paid off, he was happy for the monk.

Rie watched with mixed feelings. She was happy for Sango and the children, if that is what her friend wanted. However, she still had doubts about the reasons for Sango's memory lapse.

Akio and Tsuneo were transfixed. Akio had never known Sango to react that way. The woman had spent time around armies of men and yet, she had never appeared interested, in the least, with even the most handsome of men. What was going on, was it the demon possessing her?

Tsuneo's shock wore off quicker; he remembered the stories of Miroku's reputation with women. He knew the rumors were old, but he could not stop teasing the older monk about them. Although he appeared appalled, inwardly he urged him on. He had the impression there was a history between Miroku and this woman. If this was someone his friend had been searching for, he wished him the best.

Suiren and Shun'ei were wide-eyed and dumbfounded. They had never seen their mother with a man, not to mention kissing one. "Um… is this part of the exorcism?" the little girl turned to Rie.

"Do monks get to do this type of thing often?" the boy asked Tsuneo, thinking a monk's life was more exciting than what he originally thought.

Rie nodded Suiren's question in Tsuneo's direction, along with her brother's. The young monk cleared his throat and offered the only explanation he could create on such short notice.

"Well… you see…" he addressed the children, "… Miroku-sama's methods are a bit… unconventional, but he is very successful… very successful," he added under his breath.

Sango's kiss became overly aggressive and Miroku knew the demon was taking hold again. His wife was never this forward until well into the throes of their passion. Reluctantly, he broke their kiss, but held her tight to his chest.

"I'm sorry, my love, but we shall have to continue this at a more convenient time," he whispered against her ear.

Crushing her body to his, he positioned his hands behind her back and released his spiritual energy. The air crackled around them and you could see Miroku's energy surround them. The force pushed the waters away from the two occupants in the stream and gave the audience on shore a good dousing.

Sango reared back and screamed as the demon was forced from her body. Sapped of her strength, the demon slayer collapsed against her savior.

The demon screeched aloud as it shot into the air. Hovered above, it keyed in on the drenched group below. It was searching for a new victim, however, before it could target anyone…

"Kaze no Kazu!"

Inuyasha had unsheathed the Tetsaiga and unleashed the 'Wind Scar'. In one swipe, he obliterated the demon parasite. The others looked on in wonder at the power of the hanyou's abilities and his sword, but Miroku only had eyes for one person.

Lifting his wife in his arms, the monk placed small kisses over her face as he held her against him. "I'll never let you go again," he whispered to her unconscious form, "this I promise."

"Why don't you bring her inside, Houshi-dono?" Rie spoke from the entrance of the house. Suiren and Shun'ei had joined him in the water. "Is she all right, Houshi-sama?" they asked, their little faces anxious.

Miroku smiled down on his drenched children and answered, "Yes… from now on, everything will be fine."

To be continued…

Authors Notes: Well… Sango and Miroku are finally together; or are they? Will she remember him and how will the children feel about him? Are Hajime and Junnosuke a force to be reckoned with? And… what about Mayura, where do her loyalties lie? More intrigue on the way… I promise. BTW… Inuyasha's vacation is almost over in Kagome's era; do you think he'll take an extension? Til' next time…