Chapter Text
Inuyasha snorted as he stared down at the pile. “D’you think we got enough stuff?”
“Don’t be snippy,” Sango chided as she tossed him a small wooden box filled with poison powder. “This will really help us.”
“Is this the one that masks scent?” Miroku asked, holding up a small vial with more powder inside.
“That’s an irritant,” Sango said. “The ones for masking are in the cloth bags.”
“And you’re sure these will be safe for us all to have in our robes?” Inuyasha asked, examining one of the aforementioned bags carefully.
“Those ones have no harmful effects for youkai,” Sango assured him. “Same with the explosive powder – it’s only a problem if it’s lit on fire.”
They had made sure to get some substances that Inuyasha and Shippo would be able to carry safely, since most of Sango’s traditional poisons would cause problems for a demon or hanyou over an extended period of exposure, even through their containers. She and Miroku both got a few extra powders, along with juzo beads and sutras to share, since they would also react with youki. The supplies wouldn’t last them forever, but it was as much as they could easily carry in their various pockets, and they still had a sizeable sum left over from Satsuki’s village. It helped settle all of them, a little. Despite not having heard from Naraku for a few weeks, they knew that he would reappear eventually, and anything that could help them fight him – or stay alive until then – was a comfort.
They had secured a room at the town inn for the night, but it was still early afternoon. Sango suggested that they take the opportunity to train some more before monopolizing the bathhouse for the evening. The others agreed, eager to burn off some of the nervous energy that had been following them still. It was how Inuyasha ended up standing in the middle of a field, a scrap of cloth tied firmly over his eyes, trying to follow and counter Sango’s movements through sound alone. He held his dagger in front of him, batting cautiously at her sword. He heard the distinctive clang of metal-on-metal and pushed forward, but met nothing but air. He heard a soft scuffle from his left and followed the sound. He could hear Sango’s heartbeat moving behind him, but his instincts told him that she was reaching out with her sword, would attack from his side. The faintest whistle of air warned him of the blade reaching for his neck, and he dodged at the last moment. He swung out wildly with the dagger, hitting nothing. Then a strong leg struck the back of his knees and sent him tumbling to the ground.
Inuyasha growled and rolled to his feet, pulling the cloth from his eyes and shooting a glare at Miroku as the monk burst out laughing. “I’d like to see you come and take her on!”
“No, thank you,” Miroku called back, stretching luxuriously against the tree he was sitting under and gesturing to Kirara and Shippo dozing in his lap. “I’m far more comfortable here.”
Inuyasha’s lip curled. “I’m not gonna be the only one who looks like an idiot today.”
Sango grinned at him as she walked up beside him. “Might as well have a go, Miroku. You don’t even have to wear the blindfold.”
Miroku scowled exaggeratedly and passed Shippo and Kirara to Inuyasha as they swapped places. “How gracious of you.”
“You want to start with your staff or your dagger?” Sango asked, readjusting the length of leather wrapped over the blade of her sword.
“Let’s start with the staff and see how far we go before it kills me,” Miroku said flatly, and Sango chuckled.
Inuyasha watched them circle each other, each looking for an opening. It was much more methodical than his sparring with Sango ever was, both of them testing the other with a few short attacks. Miroku made the first real move, trying to use the length of his staff to pry the sword from Sango’s grip. He’d seen the monk use that same move against a samurai several months ago – but Sango wasn’t falling for it. She snapped her wrist to the side, letting the staff skid off the very end of her blade then swung from the left, tapping gently on Miroku’s stomach. The monk made a soft ‘oof’ sound. They separated and began circling once more.
“You’re right!” Inuyasha called out loftily from under the tree. “It is more comfortable here.”
Miroku stuck his tongue out at him as Sango attacked.
They parried for a few moments, neither attacking at full speed or strength. Miroku caught Sango’s shoulder with the head of his staff, and she mock-struck at his neck and arm. Gradually, they both gained intensity. Sango turned Miroku’s initial attack back on him, sliding her sword between him and his staff and twisting it from his grasp. Before he could reach for it, she dropped to a crouch and attempted to knock him to the ground. He leapt back to avoid her sweeping legs and then ducked her strike with her sword. He tried to push her off balance, and she tackled him instead. They landed hard on the ground, and Sango poised her sword over Miroku’s throat. And Inuyasha saw red.
The next thing he knew, he was crouching over the monk, snarling at Sango, who had shoved herself back and was staring at him. There was a moment of shocked, tense silence. Then Miroku placed a gentle hand on Inuyasha’s arm. “I appreciate the sentiment, love, but I’m alright.”
Sango snorted in amusement. Inuyasha scrambled back in mortification, mumbling apologies. He could feel his face burning, and couldn’t meet Sango’s eyes. He could feel her looking at him, though, as she helped Miroku to his feet.
“Let’s try that again, shall we?” Miroku said lightly, smiling encouragingly over to where Shippo and Kirara were standing wide-eyed.
Sango eyed Inuyasha. “You gonna eat me if we do?”
Inuyasha sneered, indescribably grateful at her teasing. “Maybe.”
It didn’t surprise him that both of them were a lot more cautious for the rest of the session. They transitioned to daggers for a little while, but it had started to snow again, and Shippo was starting to get hungry. As they headed back towards the inn, they chatted a little more about their next move.
“Shall we try to find another village with a demon problem?” Miroku suggested.
“We don’t have many other options,” Sango shrugged. “There’s still no sign of Naraku.”
“That bastard’s probably too afraid to show his face,” Inuyasha growled softly.
“It’s only a matter of time,” Miroku pointed out rather grimly.
“We should do some more training while we can,” Inuyasha sighed. “Sango, what’s say we try Tessaiga against Hiraikotsu again if we have a chance tomorrow?”
She frowned. “I don’t know. The Hiraikotsu isn’t in the best shape. That scorpion venom I coated it with ate some of it away. I had to take off more when I sharpened it afterwards. I’ve never gone this long before without rebuilding it with more demon bones, and it’s thinner than I would like. I’m going to have to be careful with it until I have a chance to do so.”
“What would that entail?” Miroku asked. “Would someone like Totosai be able to help?”
“He might,” Sango shrugged. “I’ve always just done it at my village. There are plenty of demon bones there.”
Inuyasha nodded slowly. “We could head out there for a bit. S’not like we got anywhere else to be.”
Sango looked away, her expression tight. “I’d rather not, just yet. It’s not… I mean…”
Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged a look. “There’s no rush,” the monk said reassuringly. “Whenever you’re ready.”
They made their way back to the inn and lazed about for the rest of the evening. They had a hearty meal in which Shippo only stole half the dumplings, and they ate in companionable silence. Everyone was eager to try the bathhouse. It was the largest they had come upon yet in their travels, and had two separate pools. So late in the evening, it appeared that they had the place entirely to themselves. As Sango and Shippo disappeared into one, with Kirara following for supervision, Inuyasha caught Miroku looking at him with his eyebrows raised. It took him a moment to catch on.
“Yes, I’m staying,” he grumbled. “I can be around you when you bathe, you know.”
“Right,” Miroku said slowly. “It’s just, you haven’t been. For a while.”
Inuyasha took a deep breath and began shedding his robes. Miroku looked skeptical but followed suit. He stopped when he was in nothing but his tekkou and fundoushi, his hands hovering over the cloth around his hips. Inuyasha swallowed hard and then sighed. “Might as well take it all off. It’s cold outside, and I don’t want you getting sick from wet clothes.”
He had to look away as his partner stripped naked. He knew full well that he was being ridiculous, but Miroku was right there, skin glistening in the steam of the bath, about to get even wetter. He heard a gentle chuckle and a soft splash, signalling that it was safe to follow. He settled down on the opposite end of the pool from Miroku, sneaking increasingly unsubtle glances. Miroku, on the other hand, was grinning like an idiot.
“Are you going to stay over there the whole time?” he asked gently.
“Depends,” Inuyasha grumbled. “Are you gonna stop being so damn attractive?”
Miroku’s loud, hearty laugh echoed off the walls.
“What exactly are you two doing over there?” Sango’s suspicious voice floated over from the other side of the bathhouse.
“Nothing,” Miroku called back in a sing-song voice.
Inuyasha pushed himself off the edge of the pool and waded over to Miroku, settling down beside him. “I just don’t wanna get ahead of ourselves. It’s not like we can start anything here – where the hell would we go?”
“It does seem a little cold outside for a romp in the woods,” Miroku agreed, faux-solemnly.
“And I want…” Inuyasha shrugged. “You know. I want it to be special. To feel right.”
Miroku smiled softly and placed a gentle kiss to his lips. “It will be.”
“Thank you for being understanding,” Inuyasha murmured. “Love, you have no idea how much it helps.”
He hadn’t even meant for the endearment to slip out, but it was immediately worth it. Miroku’s eyes widened and a ferocious blush spread across his cheeks. He looked away, a silly grin slowly growing on his face. His scent spiked with arousal. Inuyasha whined, high and needy. “That is so unfair!”
Unfortunately, Miroku caught on immediately. “It’s entirely your own fault.”
~*~
Sango took great pains to ignore her companions the next morning. She didn’t know what had happened in the bathhouse – she didn’t want to know, though she was pretty sure it couldn’t be anything too awful – but Inuyasha and Miroku had been smiling non-stop all day. She wasn’t going to complain. It was certainly better than sullen silence or guilty looks. Shippo had embraced the atmosphere of the day and was dashing between either side of the forest path, eagerly looking for interesting rocks or beetles or any other treasure he may find. Kirara, aware that she may need to fly them all to the slayer’s village any day, was wisely saving her strength by perching on Inuyasha’s shoulder and occasionally chirping in his ear.
Houses from the town sprawled out far into the forest, and they passed more travellers on the road than they’d expected for such a snowy morning. Most gave them a wide berth, but they were used to it at this point. A few smiled at Shippo’s antics, while others glared. One woman followed Miroku with her eyes long after they passed, and he found himself glancing back at her occasionally. It was the kind of attention he used to seek out, a sign that a woman might be receptive to his flirtations and infamous question. He almost found himself turning around to go speak with her – until he remembered himself. Old habits, he supposed.
They walked along for another few moments before a sharp cry of pain sounded from behind them. They spun around and raced back along the path, Inuyasha leaping ahead with Tessaiga in his hands. He landed awkwardly in front of the woman they had just passed, who was on her knees and gasping for breath. Sango and Miroku exchanged a worried look, and the monk knelt down beside her.
“Are you alright?” he asked gently.
“My back,” she gasped, gesturing faintly at the furoshiki full of yams tied around her shoulders. Sango stepped forward and helped Miroku ease it off her shoulders.
“Just breathe for a moment,” Miroku advised, rubbing gently at her upper back. He was surprised to feel her muscles practically melt under his touch. Encouraged, he rubbed more.
“I’m so sorry to trouble you,” the woman murmured. “I was overcome by pain.”
“Don’t mention it,” Miroku assured, taking a moment to swallow hard and keep his voice level.
Inuyasha glared at the two of them, arms crossed. He wasn’t gonna say anything – Miroku was just being nice, after all. But the woman was practically purring under his touch. And the monk looked to be enjoying himself a bit too much. He glanced at Sango and grimaced. “Is it bad form to kill an injured human woman?”
Sango surveyed him evenly. “It’s certainly bad form to need an answer to that question.”
“I should be getting on my way,” the woman sighed, and Miroku immediately helped her up, holding her closer than was strictly necessary.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Much,” she assured. “Thanks to your gentle touch and kindness.”
He smiled sweetly at her. “That’s good to hear. I hope that you will fare well on the rest of your travels.”
“I’m sure I will,” she smiled in return, and with a bow, she was back on her way.
“Shall we?” Miroku asked the others innocently.
“Please,” Sango said, already walking.
Miroku fell into step beside Inuyasha, and wasn’t overly surprised to find him tense. He took his partner’s hand wordlessly and received a tight smile in return. As they walked, some of the tension fell from Inuyasha’s shoulders, and he squeezed Miroku’s fingers warmly. Neither of them said a word about it.
~*~
“Do you smell that?” Shippo asked excitedly, skipping down the path. “There’s a rest house up ahead!”
“Here it comes,” Inuyasha muttered under his breath.
The kit turned large, imploring eyes on the others. “Can we stop here and get some food? Please? I smell sweet buns!”
They all shared an indulgent look, knowing it was no use.
“Might as well,” Miroku smiled. “We have enough left over, and I’d say we’ve earned it.”
He reached into his robes, and immediately froze. Inuyasha almost ran into him, and watched in concern as he began frantically digging through his koromo.
“Where is it?” the monk was muttering.
“Something the matter?” Sango asked cautiously.
“The money…” Miroku said. “The travel funds- I can’t- It’s not here! It’s gone!”
“What do you mean, gone?” Inuyasha asked.
“I’m sure I had it this morning,” Miroku insisted. “The only time it could have fallen was-”
He cut himself off immediately as realization struck. Sango sucked in a breath through her teeth. Inuyasha sighed. “I thought something was off about her.”
“She must have been camping out the roadside for a while,” Sango shrugged. “I guess we looked like worthy targets.”
“Oh, what have I done?” Miroku said despondently.
“Come on,” Inuyasha said, grabbing his hand and dragging him pointedly past the rest house. Sango had to pick up Shippo to convince him to leave.
Miroku was silent for the next leg of the journey. Inuyasha eyed him thoughtfully, wondering if he was actually upset or simply playing a part. And he couldn’t help but feel a little bit pleased that Miroku’s affections to someone else hadn’t been encouraged. Not that he didn’t want Miroku to help people! But. The hands. And the gentleness of his voice. And he knew that he was jealous.
“You alright?” Sango asked Miroku after a while, and Inuyasha immediately felt guilty for not having done so first.
“It’s just so tragic!” Miroku said dramatically, waving his free hand. “I was tricked! Duped! Fooled!”
Inuyasha snorted. “You’ll get over it.”
“But we finally had enough to last us for a few nights at a nice inn with good food!” Miroku almost wailed. “We could have had proper desserts!”
Inuyasha slung his arm around Miroku’s shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. He was enjoying the melodramatics, but he honestly couldn’t tell how genuine the monk’s misery was. Surely the loss of a few coins could be that important, could they?
“Come on, you idiot,” he said reassuringly. “We’ll be fine. We’ll just fine someplace that needs our help, and they’ll let us stay after we save the day. Or you can con them again.”
“But dessert!”
“Baka,” he whispered, and pressed a kiss against his hair.
It was some time later, when they were emerging from the other end of the forest, that Inuyasha heard a human coming towards them. Another woman soon emerged, waving her arms to try and draw their attention. Inuyasha glanced at Miroku and took an intentional step back. Miroku gave him a small nod and started towards the woman.
“Is something the matter?” he asked.
“You gonna try and kill this one, too?” Sango asked Inuyasha pointedly.
“Shut up,” he muttered. “I’m trying, here.”
“You must help us!” the woman was saying. “We’re all worried sick and we don’t have any idea what we should do.”
“Sounds like we got a job after all,” Sango said as she and Inuyasha approached. The woman shrank back a little when she saw them.
“These are my companions,” Miroku assured her. “We all have experience in this area, and would be happy to help.”
“What seems to be the problem?” Sango asked.
“All the men from our village have disappeared,” she said mournfully. “We believe they’ve been lured away by some demon or spirit.”
“Why don’t you show us to your village and tell us everything,” Miroku suggested.
~*~
A group of eight women met them at the edge of a small cluster of houses at the base of a tall mountain, eager to share their story and find help for their missing husbands.
“They all disappeared in the mountain path,” one was saying. “There was no blood, no sign of an attack by bandits or a wild animal.”
“And only the men,” another added. “We’ve been up there dozens of times and haven’t found anything.”
“You must be able to find them!” the woman who had initially approached them said. “With your spiritual powers, hoshi-sama, you will be able to face the demon.”
“If they are alive, then I will find them,” Miroku nodded solemnly. “We will help however we can.”
A chorus of thanks and cries of relief came from the women.
“Please be careful!” one of them said.
“We have heard it said that the demon is in the form of a beautiful woman,” another added.
Inuyasha tried very hard not to roll his eyes.
“They say that it is the soul of a lost princess,” the first woman continued. “Long ago, she and her vassals and soldiers fled deep into the mountain after their palace was conquered. All the men who protected her died, and soon she followed. It is said that in death, she still seeks strong men to protect her.”
“You believe that she is a wandering spirit, then?” Miroku asked.
“I heard she was a demon,” one of the women muttered.
Miroku hummed. “She may be seeking vengeance. Either way, we shall be cautious.”
They started in the direction that the women pointed, promising to be back with news by nightfall. They made their way quickly through the forest path, but found no signs of youki or whiff of a demon. Sango shed her travel clothes as they walked, and described each of the poison powders the others had, just in case. She kept on glancing between Inuyasha and Miroku, a little concerned. Inuyasha already seemed to be on edge, and Miroku hadn’t exactly been putting the hanyou’s mind at ease with all the womanizing earlier. She hoped that fighting together might soothe the tension between them, particularly after the incident in training the day before. She knew that they were all still on edge from Menomaru. Miroku sighed heavily, and Sango ground her teeth in response. What was she supposed to do with them?
“If this truly is a spirit, then you should let me take the lead,” the monk was saying. “Whether she is angry and vengeful, or trying to lure men away for some other purpose, I might be able to talk her down.”
Inuyasha’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. “Will you, now?”
Miroku shot him a puzzled expression, opened his mouth to say something and then changed his mind. Sango considered telling them both to stop being idiots, but decided not to. Better to save those conversations until after a battle, if possible. She didn’t want to risk making things worse.
“Do you see that?” Miroku asked, stopping.
A sheet of shimmering energy was stretched between two trees. They approached cautiously, keenly aware of the power which emanated from the barrier. Miroku tapped it experimentally with the base of his staff, and the metal pole entered unimpeded. He hummed thoughtfully. “I think you should all test this as well.”
Sango stepped forward first and nudged at the barrier with her sword. It felt odd, as though she was pressing through something thicker than water. The pressed her hand against the barrier next, meeting the same resistance. Inuyasha stepped up beside her next. His hand found the barrier as solid as glass.
“That’s unfortunate,” Miroku murmured. “Will it let any demons pass?”
Both Kirara and Shippo were unable to break through either. Inuyasha unsheathed Tessaiga, looking wary. Miroku sighed.
“It might be best if you stayed here,” he told the three of them. “Sango and I can handle this.”
Inuyasha made a soft noise of protest, his eyes darting between them and ears flicking back.
“We’ll be alright,” Miroku promised. “I’ll pull on the nenju if we need you.”
Sango met Inuyasha’s gaze over Miroku’s shoulder, and quiet enough that the monk couldn’t hear, whispered “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Inuyasha reluctantly stepped back, looking about as happy with the situation as Kirara and Shippo did. Miroku reached into his robes and pulled out a small circle of juzo beads. He handed them over to Sango.
“Put these on,” he instructed. “They might be able to help.”
With one last glance at the others, they held on to each other’s arms and stepped through the barrier. Sango gasped as hundreds of sparks of energy shot through her like needles, dragging her back. It felt as though she was wading through mud, each step a tremendous effort. But Miroku’s hand was clamped on her forearm, pulling her forward. She couldn’t see him over the sizzling energy.
“Stay close!” she heard his voice echo through the flashes of light. “I doubt we’ll be able to leave so easily.”
Easily? He must be joking! The forces around her only seemed to be increasing, waves of energy buffeting her back and forth. She could feel his grip on her slipping, the sparks of light emerging under his hand.
“Miroku!” she shouted. “Miroku, wait!”
There was no answer, and then his grasp suddenly vanished. She reached out blindly for him, but she couldn’t see anything! She fought for another step, calling out for him again. The barrier crackled along her skin, and she suddenly had the feeling of being utterly alone, trapped by this invisible force.
~*~
“Sango?” Miroku called, spinning around as the wall of mist surrounding him faded slightly. “Where are you, Sango?”
Where had she gone? She’d been with him just a moment ago, but he couldn’t sense anyone nearby. Unease prickled along his spine and settled in his gut. It had to be a calculated move on the part of whatever youkai they were facing. He gripped his staff tighter and glanced around warily. Slowly, the sheets of fog began to peel away, and a dark shape emerged in the distance. It looked like a mansion, one of the finest he’d ever seen. He started towards it cautiously. The sound of each breath and each step on the rocky ground was deadened by the oppressive fog, which continued to swirl around him. It didn’t take long for him to sense someone – or something – off to his right.
“Who goes there?” a soft voice asked, and a gorgeous woman stepped from the mist. She surveyed him curiously, eyes shining in her pale face. “Why are you here so deep in this mountain?”
Miroku swallowed. Was she the youkai? Surely, no human could be so radiant. Her skin was flawless, her hair falling in a smooth, ebony sheet down her back. And her eyes, deep and utterly black, were mesmerizing.
“I know not why you come,” she said with a small smile after too long passed without a response. “But please, follow me to the mansion.”
He found himself following, even as a small voice in his head urged him to be cautious.
~*~
Sango stumbled out onto a rocky plateau on the mountain, the barrier finally releasing her. A thick cloud was rolling past, the air high from being so high up. She glanced around, but couldn’t see anyone. She clutched the strap of Hiraikotsu and took a cautious step forward.
“Miroku?” she called out softly, and then, more forcefully. “Miroku! Where are you?”
A sound faded in from the distance, a chattering that sounded vaguely like human voices. Sango crouched down even further and began to creep forward. Slowly, dozens of dark shapes emerged from the fog, taking the appearance of human silhouettes. Not knowing if this was some kind of trap, Sango approached. Upon closer inspection they appeared to be old men, all sitting hunched amongst the leaves and vines of a sprawling melon plant. Each had the same serene expression on his face – eyes closed, lips pursed, a slight smile. It was one of the stranger things she’d ever seen. She walked up to one of the men and crouched down beside him.
“Excuse me?” she said. “Old man?”
“Ehh?” the man said, holding his hand up to his ear and blinking slowly.
“Old man?” she repeated, a little louder.
“I ain’t an old man!” the old man huffed indignantly. “What’re you talking about?”
“But…you are,” Sango said slowly. “You’re all old!”
“I said I ain’t old!” the man insisted petulantly, crossing his arm.
“I ain’t old, either!” the man beside him nodded emphatically.
“Who’re you calling old?” another asked from a little further away.
Echoes of “I ain’t old” and “Who’s old?” echoed across the field, until the entire group of a dozen or so men were tutting to themselves.
Sango blinked. “None of you are old men?” she asked, just to be sure.
“’Course not!” the first man insisted, waving his hand. “Why, just ask my wife! We were only married last spring.”
Then it hit her. “You’re the men from the village nearby, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, that’s the one!” another man nodded. “I was just coming home from my travels and decided to take the more direct route through the mountain.”
The man next to him snorted and punched him lightly on the shoulder. “I bet you regretted that!”
“What happened to you?” Sango breathed. “To all of you?”
“It was like a dream,” one of the men sighed.
“A wonderful dream,” another echoed.
“I was lost in the forest and in serious trouble when she appeared,” the first said dreamily. “The most beautiful woman I ever did see. She was a princess, you know.”
“I saw her, too!” another added enthusiastically. “She invited me in to her mansion and I had such a grand time.”
Sango grimaced suspiciously. “Grand time?”
“Aye, it was grand,” another man sighed.
“Enjoyable and grand,” his companion added with a smile.
“Next thing we knew, we all found ourselves like this,” the man closest to her reported, a little more solemnly. “None of us can really remember what happened. Or how much time has passed.”
“I remember my wife, though,” another man muttered. “I miss her every day.”
“My children, too,” another sighed, and the atmosphere around all of them shifted.
“We’ve all tried to escape, one way or another,” the first man continued. “But we can’t find our way out. We’re trapped, and the longer we spend here, the more our old lives seem to fade.”
“Sometimes I can’t even remember my own name,” one of them said, and the rest fell silent.
“The demon sucked the life spirit from you all,” Sango breathed. “She’s drained your youth away.”
The old men let out a chorus of sighs. “What can you do?” one of them asked sadly. “There’s no turning back time.”
“And it’s our own fault for getting here,” the first said firmly.
“It was just her eyes…” another murmured. “When she looked at me with those big, beautiful eyes of hers, I fell into a daze. I was completely mesmerized, and nothing else mattered anymore except her.”
Sango straightened, dread churning in her gut. All of these men had been tricked so easily! She had to go. She had to find Miroku! She took a step away, heaved Hiraikotsu over her shoulder. That stupid monk was going to fall into the demon’s trap and be killed. Or worse, he would survive, and then Inuyasha would kill him. Or Inuyasha would be hurt, and then she’d have to kill him. Either way, she had to hurry!
~*~
Inuyasha paced restlessly along the barrier. He’d run through the forest, looking for another way in, but there was nothing. The demon must have shielded its lair somehow, kept anyone unwanted from getting in. He’d tried to break through the barrier, too – no way he was waiting for Miroku to call for help for him to find out if he even could – but it was useless. Tessaiga bounced off the spirit shield like it was harder than stone. He tried to convince himself that it was fine. Miroku and Sango were both skilled fighters. They’d dealt with countless youkai in the past. They’d be fine! He just had to trust that they’d be fine. But each moment that passed sent him more on edge.
The villagers had said it was a beautiful woman. If there was anyone who would fall for a beautiful woman, it would be his pervert. And it wouldn’t be Miroku’s fault – he’d said that he would be loyal, and so far he had been – but youkai could be persuasive. And, as his mind helpfully reminded him again and again, he hadn’t exactly been satisfying Miroku’s needs. He knew that his partner was insatiable, and he’d been going without for months. The monk had said again and again that he was fine with taking things slow, that he wanted to go at Inuyasha’s pace, but all that pent up energy had to go somewhere.
And it wouldn’t really count, would it, if Miroku fell prey to the seductions of a demon? Especially this demon, who had already snatched a dozen men for who-knew what reason. With Inuyasha safely on the other side of the barrier. He might never even know, if something happened. And if something did… He knew that he would far rather Miroku be seduced by some horny ghost than actually get hurt. It was just… He worried that being with someone else would remind Miroku that he could. Would break this illusion he was under, shatter whatever spell had been placed which made him fall for a hanyou. He trusted Miroku to be able to take care of himself. He didn’t trust himself to be good enough to keep him.
The sound of voices approaching made him turn. A group of women from the village were making their way through the forest, bearing torches against the dimming light. With one last glance at the barrier, he hesitantly made his way towards them. They seemed surprised to see him, holding out their torches protectively as he leapt into view.
“What’s going on?” one of the women asked warily.
“We found the demon’s lair,” he reported dutifully. “It set up a barrier that won’t let other demons pass. My companions have gone in after it.”
The women relaxed a little and sighed.
“Thank you again for helping us,” another said sincerely. “I don’t know who else we could have turned to.”
He shrugged. “Just doing our job.”
“Do you really think your friends can bring our husbands back?” one of the women asked hopefully. Inuyasha tried not to stare at the way her hand rested on her belly, which was swollen with child.
“If there’s a way, they’ll find it,” he said with more confidence than he felt.
The woman sighed, leaning a little into her companion. “I miss him so much.”
“I know you do, sweetheart,” the other woman, a little older than the first, cooed softly. “But he’ll be back before you know it. Certainly before the baby comes.”
“But what if he doesn’t remember me?” she asked, eyes filling with tears. “You heard what that priest said last month – that the men had given their souls to the demon and would be lost forever!”
“I don’t believe it!” another said firmly. “They wouldn’t forget their family. You can’t just forget those you love.”
“But the demon,” the pregnant woman sniffed. “The priest says she seduces men-”
“It doesn’t matter if she does,” the other woman snapped. “You don’t need to worry about anyone bewitching your husband if you don’t worry about your husband. If he says he loves you, and you believe that he means it, then that’s the end of that.”
The young woman nodded tearfully. Inuyasha almost found himself nodding as well. Miroku had said again in again that Inuyasha just had to trust him. He knew that it was his own mind which kept him from doing so – the stupid voices which reminded him of Kikyo, of every time Miroku had almost gone, of every time anyone had told him how worthless and unwanted he was. He forced himself to let out a slow breath. He trusted that Miroku loved him – even if he didn’t understand why. And so long as the idiot came back in one piece, that’s all that mattered.
~*~
Miroku followed the princess inside the mansion, unsurprised to find it utterly devoid of human life. A small clay teapot rested on the irori, and the princess knelt down beside it.
“Tea?” she offered mildly.
He sat down across from her. “That’s very kind. Thank you.”
She placed a small bowl in his hands and poured in the steaming liquid. The strong smell of jasmine filled the air, mixing with the incense which burned behind her. Miroku took a sip, watching her carefully.
“You survived the war?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said mournfully. “Unfortunately, all of my vassals perished in my defense.” She closed her eyes, and her shoulders sagged. “I am all alone…and very lonely.”
“I am sorry.”
“Monk…” she said slowly, leaning towards him. One of her hands fell onto his thigh. He made a soft noise of surprise, held perfectly still. “It is my fate to remain here. Would you do me the kindness of spending the night with me?”
He swallowed, took a breath. “Is that your honest desire?”
“It is,” she said with painful sincerity. “Look at me. Look into my eyes.” Her voice had taken on a strange, echoing quality. “Look deep into my eyes…”
The cup slipped from his fingers. He barely registered it clatter to the floor. His breath was in his throat, watching as the princess pressed marginally closer. With a shudder, she fell into his arms. He held her close, his mind churning. He could feel her loneliness, the desperation with which she clung to his robes. He didn’t know what to do. She pulled back a little, her eyes shining, lips parted.
Sango burst through the doors, Hiraikotsu lifted above her head. Her face fell when she saw him. “Miroku!”
The princess shoved herself back, eyes flashing gold. She leapt into the air, her robes flowing around her.
“Princess!” Miroku called out after her, his hand reaching for her.
The princess’s hair had turned grey as she landed on the opposite side of the room. Her hands shook as claws sprouted from her fingernails, and she was steadily growing in size, her face elongating.
“Where are you?” she shouted in a wailing, rasping voice. “Damned woman, where are you? You will not interfere!”
Sango froze. The demon couldn’t see her? She certainly didn’t give any indication of having spotted her, her eyes darting all around the doorway. Well, Sango wasn’t about to complain. She lifted Hiraikotsu, poised to strike.
“Wait, Sango!” Miroku shouted, throwing out an arm to hold her back.
“Miroku?” she gasped. “I thought you were under her spell!”
“She won’t be able to find you so long as you stay quiet,” he said, quickly and urgently.
She glanced down at the string of juzo beads tied around her wrist. So that was it – they were masking her presence. The incense, too – which the demon must have brought in to hide her own scent – kept the demon from smelling her. But why was Miroku telling her to stay back? Why wasn’t he destroying the demon?
“She’s a coyote demon,” he was saying. “She’ll eat you whole if she can get her hands on you, but I don’t think that’s what she’s after.”
“I found the men from the village,” Sango said in a rush. “She’d drained their youth.”
Miroku nodded solemnly. “That would do it.”
“And I will do the same to you!” the demon yowled, attempting to strike at Sango with her paws but missing badly. She went after Miroku next, snapping at him with her jaws. He easily leapt back, landing in front of Sango.
“Stay back for now,” Miroku instructed as she took a step closer to him, reaching into his robes to pull out a handful of sutras. “I was hoping to take care of this peacefully.”
“Are you sure you’re not under her spell?” Sango growled.
“Princess!” Miroku shouted, which wasn’t exactly reassuring. Especially as he began running at the demon. “You’ll have to endure a bit of pain I’m afraid!”
He dodged her striking limbs and threw the sutras at her. They landed across her brow and neck. The coyote demon yowled in pain, dropping all pretenses of her human form as her body began to burn. To Sango’s surprise, a second voice joined the cry, a woman’s voice. Miroku lifted his staff, summoning a wave of spiritual energy which shot through the demon. She stumbled back and her body pulsed, and for just a moment, Sango could make out the translucent form of a human woman trapped within her chest. What the-
“Princess!” Miroku called out once more. The demon swung around to face him as he leapt. He brought the head of his staff down firmly on her brow, sending a pulse of spiritual power through both the demon and the woman trapped inside. The demon shrieked and scrambled back. The woman slowly took form and fell from her body, landing on the ground where she lay still. Miroku ran for her but was blocked by the demon’s paw.
“Curse you!” she was howling. “I will show no mercy!”
Miroku ran, leading the demon away from both Sango and the princess. She crashed into walls around him, her fist breaking through the wooden panels. Sango waved an arm and as soon as he caught her eye, pointed at the princess. He nodded and started back towards her. Sango unsheathed her sword and ran at the demon, staying low to the ground to avoid the thrashing limbs. She jammed the tip of her weapon into the demon’s leg, making her stumble, and leapt back before the jaws snapped through the air. The juzo beads on her wrist were shaking as the youki in the room grew even stronger than before.
Miroku skidded to his knees in front of the princess. He shook her shoulder gently, trying to rouse her, but she wouldn’t stir. He had no idea what state she was in. He heard a crashing sound behind him and spun around, pulling a barrier to life as the demon’s long claws raked towards him. She yowled in frustration as her attack was blocked.
“Give her back!” she shouted. “Give the princess back to me!”
“Sango!” Miroku shouted, reaching into his robes.
She nodded and pulled Hiraikotsu from her back. As Miroku threw his sutras, pinning the demon with their spiritual power, she struck hard with Hiraikotsu. It cut down the demon’s back but didn’t kill her. She swung around, swearing, spittle falling from her lips as she panted through the pain. Sango ran to catch Hiraikotsu as it returned. The demon was still swinging around wildly, trying to find her. Her eyes glowed golden, a wave of youki shot through the room, and the juzo beads shattered.
“There you are!” the demon growled.
Sango swung Hiraikotsu out in front of her just in time to block the demon’s attack. Her paw crashed into the weapon, sending Sango skidding back across the floor. Much worse was the cracking sound that filled the air. Sango watched in horror as tiny fractures appeared through Hiraikotsu, threatening to split apart at any moment. The demon cackled. Miroku emerged from behind her, another handful of sutras in his hand. He threw them at her, and as she stumbled back, caught Sango’s eye. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small wooden box. Sango recognized it instantly and pulled her mask over her face, nodding. He threw it at the demon, and it exploded in a rain of light green powder. The demon shrieked, all her senses completely overwhelmed by the poison.
Sango waited until Miroku had grabbed the princess and run to the doorway before lifting Hiraikotsu once more. The demon was clawing at her eyes, her vulnerable stomach left exposed, her youki weakened by the sutras. Hiraikotsu sliced straight through her. Sango reached out and caught the weapon as it returned, grimacing at the cracks which spread along its length. Her attention was pulled away to the body of the demon as it dissolved, and the souls which emerged from her flesh. As she completely disappeared, so did the mansion, leaving them all standing outside on a mountain pass.
“What the hell,” Sango muttered, glancing around. “Miroku, what was-”
She cut herself off. Miroku knelt in front of the princess, clutching her to his chest. Her face was buried in his shoulder, her hands grasping his robes.
“Please forgive me for being so rough, princess,” he murmured into her hair, his eyes staring over her head, into the distance.
“You saved me, monk,” she gasped, tears filling her eyes.
“You were alone for so long,” he said gently. “It must have been so very lonely.”
“Yes,” she breathed. “I was so weak-hearted that the demon took me. I don’t know how long she had me. I had begun to lose myself…”
“It’s all over now,” he assured. “I’ll take you to the village.”
She leaned back, looked up at him with large, shining eyes. “Thank you. Thank you so much!”
As the tears fell down her cheeks, a faint glow began to emit from her body. It didn’t take long for her form to disappear entirely, leaving only a small glowing sphere behind. Miroku and Sango both watched as it rose slowly into the sky.
“She really had died,” Sango murmured.
“She died a lonely death long ago,” Miroku sighed, blinking up at where she’d disappeared. “It kept her from finding peace. The coyote must have stolen her body and soul, and used her essence to lure in the men and gain strength. Her soul is free, now.”
“Miroku?” Sango said quietly, looking at him thoughtfully. “You knew all along that she was trapped, didn’t you?”
“I had my suspicions,” he admitted, rising to his feet. “She could have easily been a vengeful spirit, but I doubt she would have been so subtle were that the case.”
“Come on,” Sango said. “We need to find the men. The barrier will have broken, and their wives are anxious to see them.”
He nodded and followed her without a word. The men were wandering aimlessly around the plateau, and waved her over as soon as they saw her. All of them had regained their youth, and the strange sense of calm that had befallen them had also disappeared. They began thanking her and Miroku earnestly before they had even started explaining what had happened. They were all anxious to return to their families. Miroku and Sango only had a faint idea of where the village lay, so Miroku reached out for the nenju beads and started the all in that direction.
It didn’t take Inuyasha long to find them. He sprang through the trees and landed at Miroku’s side, sniffing him and Sango thoroughly to check for injuries. Miroku smiled indulgently and let him have at it, and both of them visibly relaxed when Inuyasha caught him in a quick embrace.
“Sango, why don’t you bring the men back home?” Miroku suggested. “Inuyasha and I will find the princesses body so that we may give her a proper funeral.”
He was looking at Inuyasha as he said it. Sango immediately nodded. “Catch up with us once you’ve found her, and we’ll bring everyone out to her.”
Miroku nodded gratefully, and they immediately parted ways. As the group of villagers disappeared, soon to be met by a cat and fox escort, Inuyasha followed Miroku back towards where the mansion had been. Miroku watched him carefully.
“Nothing happened,” he said eventually. “She had been-”
“I don’t need to know,” Inuyasha cut him off gently. “I trust you.”
Miroku let out a breath and snagged Inuyasha’s arm, dragging him in for a kiss. He knew that he’d end up telling him sooner or later, both to dissuade some lingering fears, and because her story deserved to be told. He couldn’t imagine what it had been like, living and dying alone in the mountains for who-knows how long?
Inuyasha tracked down her remains, found her bones still resting in silken robes at the back of a shallow cave. Miroku sealed them with a sutra, just to be safe, and they turned back to the village. They walked quietly, unhurriedly. Nothing needed to be said, and nothing passed between them other than the occasional kiss or touch.
They arrived with plenty of time left in the tearful reunion between the village men and women. Everyone was crying and talking over each other and embracing fiercely. From what they could make out, it sounded as though some of the men had disappeared almost three years ago. They had all been restored to the age they had been when they were taken. It would take some work for them to reconcile the time they had lost, the time that the women had been left alone to fend for themselves. But they would be alright. Both sides had grown stronger amongst each other. They would work things out.
~*~
The entire village attended the funeral that Miroku performed. He knelt in front of the grave they had mounted together, offering his final prayers. It was piled high with offerings, more than he’d expected. The villagers seemed to believe that, while the demon had stolen the men’s youth, the princess had kept them alive. All were grateful to her.
“If you visit her often, and offer your prayers, I’m sure she will watch over the village,” he told the villagers.
“We won’t let her be alone again,” one of the women nodded.
“We know too well what that’s like,” another added wryly.
“We’re so grateful that you brought our men back home to us,” a third said, glancing at her husband, who had yet to release her from his embrace.
They left the villagers to it and headed off together. They had been offered a hut to stay in at the edge of the village, with the insistence that they use it for as long as the liked. It was a kind gesture, but they would be gone the following morning. They also refused the many invitations to join the villagers in celebrations that evening. Though it was usually the type of event – and free food – that would draw them instantly, they all felt that they needed to spend a little time together as a pack first. Miroku was sure that they’d be dragged back before the evening’s end, drawn by Shippo’s keen nose and senses attuned to sweets. For the time being, they walked through the forest together, watching a few flakes of snow fall through the canopy.
Miroku slowed his pace a little, falling into step with Sango. “I’m sorry that Hiraikotsu broke,” he said, eyeing the weapon regretfully.
“Don’t be,” she shrugged. “I already knew it was weakened. I’ll just have to fix it.”
He watched her carefully. “And you’re alright with that? Going back to your village?”
“It’s not as though I have much of a choice now,” she said a little wryly, and sighed. “It’s fine. It will be good to be back again. I don’t want it to be empty forever. That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”
He nodded. “And you won’t be there alone.”
She smiled softly. “No, I won’t. We always look out for each other.” Her face fell. “I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“Oh?”
“With the princess. I know you must have had a plan before I showed up. The men told me what had happened with them and I just assumed…well. You know.”
“Don’t apologize,” he said. “I know you were only looking out for me, as you said.” He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially “And she was really pretty.”
“I’m right here,” Inuyasha called over his shoulder.
“I never said you weren’t pretty!” Miroku immediately called back to him.
“So you two are okay?” Sango asked quietly.
He smiled, a real, genuine smile. “Yeah,” he murmured, his eyes glowing as he looked at Inuyasha. “We’re alright.”