Chapter 6

The reaper's holy assassin

Sango's POV

"Sango you're shaking" Miroku spoke as he held me, "what is it?"

I looked into his eyes and I saw so much love…I wanted to grab him by the shoulders and shake him senselessly screaming "stop you fool! Stop loving me…I'm not worth it!" but I couldn't because I needed his love in order to go on living. I buried my head in his chest, "take me home, take me to our children I need to hold you all together" I uttered.

"Of course I will" he said snaking his arm around my shoulder and began guiding me home. We walked in silence, it wasn't uncomfortable, we were always able to enjoy each other's company without even uttering a word. However there was so much on my mind, so much that I kept from the one who I always told everything to. "Miroku, I'm with child" I divulged.

He stopped us in our tracks, standing still as stone till suddenly he turned and enveloped me in his arms "Sango! That's amazing, I'm so happy, how long have you known?" he cheered, his eyes glistened with delight as he held his hand against my swelling stomach, probably wondering why he hadn't noticed before.

"I've known for just under four months now" I answered.

"My sweet wife, why didn't you tell me sooner? I don't even care about that…I'm just so glad we've been so blessed with another child!" he again took me in his arms "Oh Sango you really have given me everything! I thank whatever force brought me to you!" his hand lowered to my rear.

I didn't even slap it away, strangely it felt nice to have such normality in this situation of chaos, even in my darkest moments he made me smile and forget everything that was wrong, because just a few moments with him made it feel like everything was right in the world. "I love you" I whispered, his lips buried in my hair.

He cupped my face in his hands "let's go tell the children they have another brother or sister on the way…maybe we'll be so lucky as to have twins again…maybe even triplets!" he cheered as he rushed us to our hut, it warmed my heart to see him so excited, I could never take this away from him.

"Sango come away from the window, the kids are finally asleep, join your husband by the fire and we'll discuss possible names for our next edition" my husband called from his place by our fire side, I kept watch because I had this dark feeling that Bankotsu would appear at any moment and snatch me away.

I joined him by there and snuggled up closely…he felt good and smelt good, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the momentary peace I felt in his presence, "It's going to be a girl…I can feel it" he murmured. "By my calculations it will be born in the summer, if it is a girl, which I truly believe it is, we should call her something bright…like Yoko…it means sunny child…we'll have our three little girls, Yuki, Yuka and Yoko, one is our fragrance, one is our happiness and the other our sunlight. But if it is a boy, another man about the house to even things up…how about Minoru? There will be me Miroku then my sons Mizu and finally Minoru….everyone will know who created such strapping young boys…all the girls will fall for our sons, but they will be perfect gentlemen of course, because that is how we will raise them" he was become so lost in a fantasy and taking me along with him.

"Those names are wonderful" I sighed, "however if it is a boy…I hope he looks just like you".

Our tender moment was interrupted by Inuyasha, he burst through the door, "Sango! Kagome needs you she's not feeling well and she wants your advice".

I jumped to my feet, Miroku promised to make sure that children remained asleep the entire time I was gone. When we were out the hut I faced him and knew the real reason why he called me out, "why hasn't he left yet and why must I see him again?" I demanded.

He growled lowly, "Because you may be the only one who can convince him not to kill Miroku" he answered shortly.

My heart leapt in my chest, no…he can't! Not Miroku! Was this his plan? To kill Miroku and kidnap me? Inuyasha lifted me onto his back and we sped to the glade where Bankotsu waited. What was I to refer to him as? We were indeed more than friends and I could not bear to call him my enemy…perhaps he was my former lover, that didn't mean he was the love of my life that positions will always belong to Miroku.

He stood when he saw me, "How dare you!" I cried hitting my fists weakly against him, "How dare you threaten the life of my husband! Don't you see that it will gain you nothing because alive or dead I am his and will never be yours!"

He took me by the wrists, "I have no choice" he informed me through gritted teeth.

"Yes you do" I yelled back and fell to my knees, "I'll give you anything you want, take my life instead but please spare that man…he doesn't deserve to die".

Bankotsu's eyes softened when he saw my tears, but were soon again consumed by his former pride and rage "why does he deserve everything? From what I've heard he isn't that good a man! A lecher, a con and crook in his day, so why does he deserve love? I have never been loved in return…not by my mother, not by my comrades and now not even you. This life given to me by Shinigami was meant to give me the chance at such a thing, now I have to hand the wife of my heart and my child willingly to him! Sango…I could make you happy, I thought I did…you told me you needed me but also that you hate me! Why hate me when all I wanted was your love!" he was now on his knees and at my level…this man, he never bowed to anyone and he never let anyone see him vulnerable and yet he had willingly given me the power to bring him to his knees.

Seeing this, hearing this…it made me realise something, I took his face in my hands "I do not hate you" I told him tenderly, he finally looked at me, "it would just be easier if I did…Bankotsu, please go on with your life knowing that…that...that I do love you" as I declared this both he and Inuyasha gasped. "I do, I honestly love you…not in the same way I love my husband because I shall never love another man as I do him, but just because I do not love you in the way you want doesn't mean I don't love you with all I have in the only other way I can, and I do…fiercely so." I embraced him there "I would never lie about this and I still believe with all my heart that there is more to you than hate and darkness…a light dwindles in you too Bankotsu, that is why I saved you and that is why I love you and the is how I know that you will not kill Miroku…because you are better than that! Your mother was a fool to not see it and I am glad to be the one who did. I will give you anything, if you please just let me stay with Miroku, if you please spare his life".

He was shaking…he was crying, his arms encircled me and he clasped at me as though he was terrified to let go. Inuyasha watched with a mixture of awe, tenderness and horror. Bankotsu leaned his forehead upon mine, "spend one more night with me…just allowing me to taste your blood and simply hold you one last time…and I wish to choose the name for the child. You say there is more chance that he is the monk's and I partially hope for his sake that is true, for when he comes of age he will have no choice but to serve Shinigami and the truth will finally be out".

"That frightens me too" I confessed, I sighed "very well…one more night and you will choose the name…one if it's a boy and one if it's a girl".

Bankotsu shook his head "he's a boy….I know it" he insisted.

I faced Inuyasha who was so desperate to protest, "Please Sango" he spoke pleadingly, I waited for him to tell me how stupid and reckless I am, instead he surprised me "just be careful…I don't like that you'll be alone with him, but I know you can look after yourself".

I smiled warmly at him, he then shot Bankotsu a warning look and also displayed a hint of relief, there was clearly something going on that I didn't know about, however my gut instinct told me I 'd rather not know, so I decided to remain ignorant. "Thank you Inuyasha….I'm sorry to ask this of you…but please tell Miroku that I am staying the night with Kagome and will be back by early morning…oh and Inuyasha, tell him….tell him to cover up with another blanket, it'll be cold tonight".

My friend nodded and proceeded to my hut.

We walked back to our cave in silence, when I'd arrived he had already again lit candles. It was a strange tenderness that filled me when seeing this, a kind of nostalgia…it brought me back to that time when he and I were locked in a tight embrace. I remembered how good it felt to be so close to him, how warm his skin was, how tender his touch and how masculine he smelt. I truly feared to enter that cave, because I really did feel like I was entering another world and I was no longer the same person.

He laid me down and brought his lips to my ear; "I want you to say it again" he told me "I want to hear you say you love me".

I gave a little gasp, as his lips tickled at the side of my neck, preparing to bite down. I did not life when I said that I loved him, in my own way at least. I loved the moments we shared, I loved the fire he ignited in me….but without him, my world would still go on turning whereas if I allowed him to take Miroku's life, everything would come crashing down. It was a strange kind of love…I guess it had more to do with lust; it is difficult to see the difference between love and lust, there is as fine a line between the two as there is in love and hate. Lust in some ways is the fuel that keeps loves flames alight, without it love is doomed to dwindle and die out leaving nothing but ash and cold embers in its wake. I would indeed be hurt if something bad happened to this man because from the moment I saw him on that road I had this need to protect him and it wounds me to know that I have only been hurting him more, from the very beginning I have wanted to save him.

"I love you" I whispered sincerely…then his fangs sunk into me and I was filled with a rapture I had almost forgotten.

I stopped for a moment, breathing heavily as though he had ran a thousand miles, "Gah!" he grunted relishing in the blood he had tasted "I have missed this nectar! No one will ever taste as good as you".

I placed my hand around the back of his head "then take in a little more" I offered, he was happy to…I clung to him tightly as my toes curled. When he was done we both laid there together in the surprising warmth of the cave.

It was actually quite relaxing to rest in his arms, I felt myself slowly falling to sleep "it terrifies me" I confessed "if the child is yours then when he come of age I will lose him to Shinigami! I cannot protect him…there is no way I could ever see my child be forced to live such a life! What am I going to do?"

He lifted my face by the chin and gazed intensely, a sudden smile lightly touched his face "I like that you refer to the child as a he….see you know it's a boy" when he saw the bemused expression on my face he continued "there is only one thing you can do….teach him the way of honour, teach to feel compassion and to pray for those whose lives are lost or taken. He must respect life and he must know that he is loved not matter what" he paused for a moment, "the monk will be a good father, right?"

I nodded eagerly, "he'll be a wonderful father, and he already is" I responded, "If the child is yours and Miroku learns of this, he would treat that child no differently from the children he did father, he will be so good to that little boy and there is no better teacher than him".

He let out a sigh of relief; it touched me to know that his true concern was the wellbeing of my child. I had never felt so much shame, how could I not know who the father of my child was? It was ridiculous and disgusting; I was truly ashamed of myself. Despite the confusion with the father, I am the mother and I would love every inch of this baby, I would turn him into a man of honour and strong enough to handle the life that might await him.

"Chikotsu" he uttered, I looked up at him quizzically, "that is the name I've chosen for the child".

Chikostu….meaning bloody skill…this name may unfortunately be appropriate….

Bankotsu's POV

Chikotsu…son of Bankotsu….I love the sound of that, I watched over Sango as she slept in my arms, this was perfect, this was how it was meant to be. This was how I meant to spend my nights; this is the way I should wake up in the morning, holding her. Chikotsu was mine….I looked at the palm where the monk's name still tattooed my skin. Sango…Chikotsu, they both belonged to me and I would not allow them to be his! I would have to break my promise…I had to live because now I do have someone to live for, two people in fact and with any luck she would bless me with more children in the future. I stroked her soft hair, I'm not giving up Sango….this is the first and only promise I will break. I kissed her forehead and she unintentionally snuggled in closer….

Miroku…your life is mine

"Goodbye Bankotsu" she uttered, I dare say she even sounded sad, "I hope you find happiness".

Don't worry my sweet Sango…I will I thought to myself as I watched her walk away, she was going back to her husband not knowing what I was plotting. Before she left I attempted to steal one last kiss and was unsuccessful but I consoled myself knowing that after this day I could kiss her as often as I pleased.

I waited in the darkness of the cave for an hour, till the sun began to set and paint the even sky bloody, a perfect setting for the kill. I conjured my shadow blade and began to make my way.

I came upon a hill waiting for them to take their timely jaunt out of the hut to watch the sunset with their children; I may have no choice but to let the little ones see the death of their father. My heart was aching when I saw him tenderly hold her and gaze into those lovely eyes. He laid his hands upon her stomach and whispered something in her ear that made her giggle. When her three children came out they all began frolicking together….she had never looked so happy, so content.

Why can I not move? I want to kill him…I really want to! Yet still I cannot bring myself to move and do so! My longing to cut his throat intensified when he kissed her, more so when I saw how even happier this made her.

What are you doing? My inner monologue growled at me, kill the bastard and take your woman! But still I could not do it, my hands were trembling as they wrapped about my sword.

Her voice echoed words she had previously uttered, "If anything was to happen to him it would kill me" and "please just let me stay with Miroku".

Another voice came into my head, my own, "I would never harm anyone I care about" Yes…I had actually said that and yet I was about to completely destroy her…

It had happened; it had finally happened….I had learned to love someone, to truly love some…so much that I would place them before myself. Finally I had loved selflessly, in that moment I it was as though all my sins had vanished, she was had completely cleansed my soul by allowing me to feel what I felt for her, for this I owed her my life. I dropped the sword into the dirt "no" I whispered "I will not do this".

Everything around me turned cold and a deep ominous presence became known to me, "you know what this means…if you do not complete this assignment" spoke the dark shadowed figure himself, suddenly appearing beside me.

My fist curled up, I clenched them so hard that I almost drew blood, "yes" I choked, "and I am willing to pay the price…I will pay any price to make her happy".

"Very well" Shinigami spoke and opened the portal to the netherworld, "step inside and give back the gift I have given".

I stepped towards the abyss and found that I was not afraid, I have died twice before, each time I was afraid and I was so desperate not to die again…till now, because I was finally dying for a worthy cause, I was dying for love. I looked over my shoulders…who'd of thought a woman could have been my undoing…Sango it is because of you that I was finally able to repent. I was ready to enter the underworld knowing that this time I would not suffer as I had done before. She was right…there was a light in me still and there was good, she helped me to find it….she awakened the best parts of me I didn't even know existed.

I gazed upon the lovely vision of Sango one last time, closed my eyes and peacefully went with Shinigami into the underworld….she would never know my fate, perhaps the mutt would tell her one day. Chikotsu…grow strong and look after your mother for me…I know you are mine…

...

Eighteen years later…..

My name is Chikotsu, I am the son of a former demon slayer, and the only father I have ever known was a monk. Both taught me the value of life….it is indeed a precious thing that is so fragile…that is why it is such a beautiful thing. My skills with a blade are almost god like and my spiritual powers are whispered like legends of old.

I was raised in bliss, I come from a large family…my mother is such a kind woman and my father Miroku is a wise man, traits they had bestowed upon me. I have their unconditional love, even when the truth of my birth was revealed, I will do anything for my family…anything.

Upon my eighteenth birthday I was forced into the service of Shinigami, at night I wander a dark figure and I pray for the souls I take, out of respect for their loved ones I leave two gold coins upon the doorstep so that my poor unfortunate victims may have a proper and decent burial. It is not a life I have chosen but still it is what I have been given and I will make the best of what I have. Through observing my parents I learnt the true meaning of unconditional love for which forgiveness played a huge part. Every time I kill I briefly grieve and then forgive myself so that I am able to go on living, because my mother always tells me "there is a difference between a bad person and a good person who does something bad".

The only thing I know of my real father is that his name was Bankotsu, that is all I care to know to be quite honest. However I have this internal instinct, I truly believe that he would want thing of me, to protect those I love, my mother in particular. There is one thing that I have that I know my father did not have the fortune to possess, a large family that love him and keep his mind at ease when moments come that I doubt the nature of my heart.

I am Chikotsu…the reaper's holy assassin, I pray for those I take, may the gods bless you and may you find peace in the afterlife…

Okay that's it, sorry if it wasn't that great but I did enjoy writing it, thank you to all those who reviewed I really appreciate it, please let me know what you think.