Epilogue
Shukun had been overwhelmed with joy to see his mother return to the castle. He smiled brightly. She was just as beautiful as a human. Though her scent had transformed greatly from the scent he had grown up loving, it was still just as sweet. Sango immediately rushed forward and took Shukun into her arms, securing him in a loving embrace. She was still crying, both ashamed, devastated, and happy all at once. It was too much for her. Holding Shukun close did give her strength, though only briefly.
Sango wanted to confess her kiss with Inuyasha to Sesshomaru. Yet she had no idea how he would take it, and that worried her. Everything she could ever want was before her, but Sesshomaru's jealousy could easily cancel that. Sango knew she could not keep such a secret from him. He deserved to know that she had failed him, even for that moment. With that kiss she had stopped being the wife she had wanted to be, she had promised to be.
Sango cautiously wandered deep into the castle towards Sesshomaru's private chambers. Sesshomaru was there sitting absently as though he had been waiting for her all along. In fact, the wait would have been much longer had Kirara not been startled by Sango's refreshingly human scent in the air. She had retrieved her from the base of the mountain, saving her the narrow and risky walk up. Sesshomaru had removed his armor, even his mokomoko-sama. He was nearly defenseless.
"Sango, come in." Sesshomaru said, watching Sango hesitate out of the corners of his radiant, golden eyes. Sango approached him nervously. She sat down on her knees in front of him and bowed. Sesshomaru watched as tears continued flowing down her pale cheeks. He gestured for her to come closer. When she did so, he reached out and wiped a few of her tears away gently.
"Sesshomaru," Sango whimpered, too devastated to speak.
"Why are you crying, Sango?" Sesshomaru asked, concerned.
"I had a moment of weakness, My Lord." his wife managed to utter. Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed.
"What have you done?" Sango fell forward and buried her face in his kimono. Sesshomaru did not move, did not try to console her. He simply waited for her to answer his question.
"I...kissed Inuyasha." Sesshomaru abruptly pushed Sango away with such force that she fell to the floor. She sat up slowly and looked into his eyes, begging for pity.
"I only asked-"
"I know, Sesshomaru!" Sango wailed. "I'm so sorry." She hid her shamed face.
"Do you wish to repent, Sango?" Sesshomaru asked, somewhat sympathetic. Sango nodded her head silently, now unable to look at him. His mercy made her feel that much more foolish.
"Yes, very much." she replied. Sesshomaru seemed to be searching his own soul for forgiveness.
"I will forgive you with time." he said after many minutes had passed. Sango face immediately brightened as she became overwhelmed with surprise.
"I will never betray you again, I promise you that!" she said with such conviction that Sesshomaru silently decided to forgive her then and there.
Sesshomaru stood up and beckoned Sango to follow him. His chambers were separated into three rooms, the farthest one being his bedroom. Sango had never been in his chambers before, but they were beautifully decorated in comparison to the rest of the barren castle. There were embroideries and torches and urns. His bed was made up my various thick and soft furs, covered with the finest silk. Sango gulped heavily. She was completely fascinated. She was also startled when Sesshomaru seized her hand lovingly. Sango then knew explicitly why Sesshomaru had brought her there. She smiled brightly and squeezed his hand tighter.
"Lord Inuyasha," Shukun said, puzzled. Jaken was practically snarling, though he remained silent. Shukun had even less tolerance for Jaken than Sesshomaru did. "What are you doing here?" Inuyasha smiled weakly. It had been over a month since the incident. He had gone into hiding, unable to control his feelings. He had abandoned Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo, though he was certain they were looking for him somewhere. All of that was irrelevant now.
"You're a pretty smart kid, aren't you?" Inuyasha said, patting Shukun on the head. Shukun smiled.
"I didn't meant to hurt you, Lord Inuyasha. But my parents-"
"You don't need to say it." Inuyasha interrupted. "Of course I understand. In fact, I came here to speak to Sesshomaru."
"Well then I imagine he'll be here soon." Shukun said. And sure enough, Sesshomaru emerged. The scent of his brother in his castle had woken him from sleep.
"Why are you here, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked coldly.
"I came here to beg for your mercy." Inuyasha replied, shaking. "I can't bear to be away from her, Sesshomaru." Sesshomaru rose an eyebrow.
"And what would you like me to do?" he asked.
"Let me stay here." Inuyasha begged. "I promise I won't touch her, or even talk to her if you don't want me to." Sesshomaru smirked.
"You wish to torture yourself?" he mused.
"It's much worse to be away. I love Sango enough to let her go, but too much to go away." Inuyasha looked down at his feet, embarrassed.
"I'll indulge you." Sesshomaru replied at last. Inuyasha looked up, unable to believe his powerful ears. "You can stay here at the castle. You can stare at Sango, talk to her, yearn for her, fantasize about her as much as you wish. But the moment you lay a finger on her you accept death, for I will absolutely kill you." Inuyasha nodded eagerly.
"Can I see her? Please?" he asked. Sesshomaru shook his head.
"She's resting." he told his little brother. "Rin, find Inuyasha a room." Rin smiled brightly as she led him down a vast corridor to a large hallway full of rooms. Inuyasha could not believe he had resigned himself to this fate, but he was certain any other decision would have left him more miserable.
He felt his heart violently pounding in his chest as he and Rin passed by Sesshomaru's room. He could smell Sango within. I will always love you, Sango.
"What was it?" Sango asked, rubbing her eyes. She was lying in Sesshomaru's bed, wrapped up in silks. Sesshomaru got back into bed and kissed Sango's exposed shoulder.
"Inuyasha will be living in the castle with us." he whispered. Sango started.
"What?"
"He is in love with you, Sango. He claims he cannot bear to be away from you, so he would rather torture himself here." Sesshomaru replied, clearly satisfied in his brother's pain.
"My feelings for him have gone." Sango muttered. Sesshomaru kissed her shoulder again, this time working his way up to her neck.
"Good," he whispered between kisses.
The End!!!
A/N: Thank you all for reading and hopefully you all enjoyed this little adventure. And thanks for all of your reviews! They did help propel this story forward. I just started doing a fanfiction for Darker Than Black, so if any of you are fans you might want to check that out. Anyway, thanks again!