Final chapter - thank you for coming along!

Twelve Steps to You
Step Twelve

Miroku's first session with Sango had segued into a sort of "welcome to nymphomania" mini-orientation. She'd given him her emergency number as well as several others should he need immediate help. She'd explained that if she was unable to answer for any reason, he was to make his way through the numbers as listed. Since he wasn't in apparent danger of substance abuse, his emergency number list consisted of local resources like other counselors, taxi cabs, and places to go once he got in those taxi cabs.

"Someone can always get a hold of me," she'd assured him warmly. "Never feel like you're alone."

Unfortunately, they never covered what to do if he thought she was the one in trouble.

So far he'd dialed almost every number he could, and by the third person trying to walk him through his "crisis" and assure him that he didn't need Dr. Taijiya to get through this, he'd almost lost his last shred of self control. He hung up on the person reciting mantras (that were now annoyingly running through his mind like a vicious yet zen earworm) and called Kagome.

"Did you find her?"

"Stuck in traffic," he grimaced. "No luck getting a hold of her. She is officially of duty - someone else is covering her cases today in the event of an emergency."

"She doesn't seem the type to not answer her phone," her worry trickled over the line.

"She's not. Thats why I need your help."

"What can I do?"

"I need you to get a hold of Kohaku. I get the feeling he is our best chance at getting through to Sango."

"I'll call Rin - that should do it. But what should I tell him?"

"That we need to get in touch with Sango immediately - find a way to emphasize this is an urgent situation, without worrying him unnecessarily. Can you do that?"

"I can try. Get back to you as soon as I am able."

"Thanks, Kagome."

The call disconnected, the brief silence ended as the radio came back through the speakers. Miroku drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, his mind moving rapidly over files, desperately trying to find a connection. For lack of something better to do, he called Sesshomaru.

"Yes."

"Anything new?"

"I did just get a frantic call from my daughter," displeasure laced his calm tone. "Apparently her little friend's sister might be in trouble, and she is quite worried."

"Was Kohaku able to get a hold of Sango?"

"If he was, do you think she would have called me in such a state?"

Miroku winced.

"Guess not."

"Without going into details, I told her I was aware of the situation, and asked her to have her brother alert us if he heard anything. Naturally, I did not mention her suspected location."

"Naturally."

"I did find something of interest, however," He continued smoothly. "I think I know why this person is targeting Dr. Taijiya, and, coincidentally, why you were added to his list of victims."

There was a break in the traffic, and Miroku jerked the wheel to weave around the obstruction - much to the annoyance of several motorists and at least one police officer.

"Talk fast," he checked the mirror, hopeful that the flashing lights stayed behind him. "I've got a date to break up."

Dinner had been pleasant, and Kakewaki had asked her to join him for afterdrinks. Her glass of wine with dinner hadn't been enough to compromise her driving, so she'd arrived at the Spider's Den under her own power.

"You never get a night out," the secretary at work had said when she arranged to have her calls forwarded. "Barring a medical emergency, I'm leaving instructions for no one to interrupt you, okay? I've got our best people filling in for you - just enjoy yourself for once!"

She saw the missed calls from Miroku, and had a twinge of doubt, but ultimately decided that he would know to call the other numbers, and that if there was an emergency someone would alert her. As for Kohaku, he had already told her he was on rotation tonight, and wouldn't be available until late in the evening (and she suspected that time would be spent relaxing with Rin.) Resolved, she put her phone on silent and tucked it into her bag.

Surely the world could take care of itself for just a few, small hours.

That being said, she wasn't quite sure how many hours it had been.

"How is your drink?"

"Hm?"

Sango looked up at Kagewaki, her gaze unfocused.

"Oh. This? Fine I guess. I'm not a big drinker."

"You should take that slow," his lips twisted into something a little less friendly. "That one is a bit stronger than the last one."

"Is it?" she frowned, stirring it with a thin straw. "I thought I ordered the same thing."

"Different bartender," he shrugged.

"So, tell me," she sat back. "Why this place?"

"I always bring my dates here. At least before I bring them home."

"You don't have to bring me home," she shook her head. "I drove. And I have the number for a cab."

"Not to your home, Sango," his voice was dark and smooth and velvet. "My home."

"Sorry," her smile was crooked. "Too soon."

"We'll see what you think after that drink," he shrugged.

"I doubt I'll change my mind," she frowned.

His eyes glinted wickedly, but he shrugged again.

"Hope springs eternal."

Miroku was driving far faster than was legal, or even prudent, but he didn't care.

He had to get to Sango.

"So you are telling me that this Kagewaki person was after Sango from the start?" Inuyasha asked, the sound of traffic in the background of his call.

"Sesshomaru's people have linked him to someone that was very interested in having Sango delivered to him. This person followed Sango's fighting career and decided she'd be an excellent addition to his underground fighting ciruit in Japan."

"I'm guessing this isn't a legal underground fighting circuit."

"Closer to slavery and sex trade," Miroku's eyes were hard. "Naturally that was not how the person initially approached her, but all offers were rebuffed. They initially planned to kidnap Kohaku to force her hand, but as it turns out, he was spending time with the daughter of a very influential, very vindictive person."

"And if Rin was harmed in any way there is no where they could go that he wouldn't find them..."

"And if Kohaku disappeared, it was certain Rin would alert her father. But if Sango were to disappear under what appeared to be mundane circumstances, Sesshomaru's involvement could've been circumvented."

"And when you interrupted this guy's plans, you landed on his radar?"

"I was already on his radar. The woman was sent to work at our company to keep an eye on Sesshomaru and several others at our office - me included. He wanted to avoid complications."

"So this guy had to know you were seeing Sango for therapy, right?"

"Pretty sure that made him more determined," Miroku grimaced. "Any gifts he sent to the office always came during our sessions - probably his way of goading me in a psychological sort of way."

"You know this isn't your fault, right? This nutcase was going to go after her whether or not you interfered."

"Doesn't mean it isn't personal."

"I'm about twenty minutes out. Kagome is at home; I made Rin promise to stay with her and keep her out of this. Try not to kick any ass until I get there to help you."

Miroku's smirk twisted into something darker and more determined.

"No promises."

Mirkou wasn't sure what he expected to find when he reached the Spider's Den, but it certainly wasn't the mosaic of chaos engulfing the small neighborhood.

The flash of red and blue lights bounced off of the buildings, and the older, narrow streets were congested with emergency vehicles behind tangles of crime scene tape.

"Shit," Miroku pulled over and jumped out of the car, running toward the epicenter of the melee. "Shit-shit-shit!"

As he got closer, he couldn't help himself from calling out. "Sango! Sango, where are you?"

The crowd was murmuring words about 'fights' and 'drugs' and 'date-rape' and 'prostitutes,' and every unpleasant conclusion possible was floating through his mind. He looked up, getting his bearings. The neighborhood was older and a low-key bohemian area - respectable enough in its own quirky way. The Spider's Den was, per Kagome, a bar in the top of one of the buildings in the middle of the block, the lower half of which was a travel agency that had seen better years in a world before the internet. He could see the faded and outdated travel posters hanging in the large windows, and the small, single door that would lead up to the Spider's den.

A police officer was talking to someone at the doorway, hastily scribbling down notes. If Sango was anywhere she was beyond those yellow lines and curious crowds.

Miroku made his way through the crowd and into the cordoned off area with assurance before breaking in a run toward the bar.

"Sir!" an officer called behind him. "You can't go in there – SIR!"

But Miroku didn't even flinch, much less slow down.

Even the clap of a heavy hand on his shoulder didn't stop him - he just turned around swinging.

Luckily the other person was very, very fast.

"I thought that was you," Kouga sighed. "What the hell are you doing here, Miroku?"

"I'm looking for Dr. Sango Taijiya," he said firmly. "She was here with someone called Kagewaki-"

"Naraku, actually," Kouga crossed his arms. "Turns out this place was part of a much bigger network of shit. The real Kagewaki is safely in an entirely different country, and has never been here. Naraku borrowed his identity for his games."

"Games?" Miroku blinked as if hit. "Is that what you call this?"

"Well, let's see," Kouga pulled out his notepad. "Prostitution, drug running, slavery ring, extortion, larceny, arson – that is a personal specialty of his - grand theft auto… you name it," he snapped the notebook closed, "this guy has done it. We found no less than three drugged women at the bar tonight, which, by the way, he owned."

Miroko paled.

"And Sango?"

"Third ambulance down," Kouga nodded. "But she-"

But Miroku was gone.

He raced to the ambulance, where Sango sat on the back bumper with a fire blanket draped across her shoulders, idly swinging her feet back and forth above the worn and cracked pavement.

Her head jerked up when she heard her name, confusion plain on her features as he appeared before her.

"Miroku?" she looked him over. "What are you doing here?"

His relief at finding her looking completely unconcerned was strongly at odds with finding her clearly still dazed, with blood down the front of her shirt.

"I came looking for you," he said simply.

"Oh?" she cocked her head to the side. "Why? Did something happen?

"I think maybe you should be the one answering that question," he said wryly, taking a seat next to her on the bumper.

"Went on a date with Kagewaki," she snorted sipping water from the bottle the paramedic had given her. "Didn't turn out so well."

"I'd say police involvement isn't usually the earmark of a good date."

"No kidding," she winced as she touched her swollen bottom lip.

"Kagewaki..." he ventured.

"The jerk," she muttered darkly. "What about him?"

"Did… did he…hurt you?"

"Tried," she shrugged nonchalantly. "But this," she motioned to the blood on her shirt, "is his, not mine."

Miroku blinked, even as something in his stomach lightened ever so slightly. "His?"

"Yeah. Kagewaki's. Or Naruto. Naraku? Whateverthehell they are calling him now. The fucker who drugged me," she crossed her arms petulantly. "Do you know he had the audacity to tell me what he had done? Straight up bad-guy-monologued the whole thing, and then tried to take me home with him."

"And you… stopped him?"

"Well of course I did," she scoffed. "I used my phone to record his ranting – because every good therapist can whip out a phone and record at a moment's notice without someone noticing; it's practically a reflex – and then when we stood up, I kicked his ass."

"You," Miroku looked her over. "You kicked his ass?"

"Well, yeah?" she raised an eyebrow at him. "Who'd'you think?"

He had no reply, but didn't really have time to wait for one.

"Hey, Miroku!" Inuyasha came jogging around the corner. "You find her?"

He looked between the two of them sitting on the back bumper of the ambulance.

"I'm guessing you're Dr. Taijiya? Kohaku's sister?"

"Hey, yeah!" her face brightened. "How do you know Kohaku?"

"Um...," he looked at Miroku, confused. "I'm Rin's uncle?"

"Oh, you know Rin!" she practically glowed with excitement. "So you must be the one who is having the baby! Well the dad of the new baby because your wife is the one doing that part, but oh how nice to meet you!"

"SANGO!"

"Kohaku? What are you - Oh, Rin! Rin, I just met your Uncle! Hey, Kohaku - this is Rin's Uncle!"

"I know," he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder to steady her as he inspected her bruised lip. "What happened?"

"Bad date," she shrugged.

"Doesn't seem too bothered by it," Inuyasha muttered.

"She's drugged," the paramedic walked over with another bottle of water and a to-go cup of hot tea. "And if you saw the other guy, you'd know why she wasn't so worried."

Kohaku's grin was slow.

"You pulverized him, didn't you?"

"I might've given him several good reasons to never try that stunt again," she said airly, accepting the tea while Miroku held her water.

"More accurate to say you almost took away one of his reasons for trying it," the paramedic smirked. "Thanks for that autograph, by the way" he patted his breast pocket. "Long time fan."

"No problem," she shrugged, while the others took turns looking between each other.

"Wait a minute," Inuyasha turned to his niece. "If you are here, where is your Aunt?"

"I... might've left her with Jaken?"

"Then we should get one of these paramedics to go," Inuyasha looked around, "because she will definitely kill him."

"He brought over Mushin's fried pickles, and Ah and Un took all of the car keys and parked a few blocks away. We have a little bit of time."

"And how long do we have until your father comes here looking for you?"

"None," Sesshomaru said breezily, appearing as perfection in his impecable suit - untouchable order in the sea of entropy.

"Hi, Rin's Dad!" Sango waved.

He arched one, slim eyebrow.

"Kohaku's sister, I take it?" he slid a glance at the young man, standing next to her.

"Yes, Sir," he put an arm around her shoulders. "This is my sister, Sango."

"Nice to finally meet you," he gave a small nod.

"Likewise!"

"And who is in charge of this investigation?"

"Oh, Jesus," Kouga stood, hands on hips. "What the fuck, Mutt Face? Schedule a reunion in the middle of my crime scene?"

"Can it, Wolf-Boy," Inuyasha snarled. "Can't you see we're busy?"

"Yeah, I can see it," he snapped back. "And you can all see your way back on the other side of the yellow tape with the rest of the civilians and let us do our job."

"I will be staying," Sesshomaru said simply. "I have information that you need. Miroku will also stay, as he is part of this debacle."

"Fine," Kouga glowered, clearly unwilling to take on the older of the Taisho brothers unneccessarily, "but as for the rest of you -!"

"My daughter will be leaving in the company of her friend and uncle," Sesshomaru interrupted coolly. "Rin," he turned to her, leaving Kouga to glare daggers at his back. "I am needed here. I will make sure that you are alerted the moment they transport Dr. Taijiya, so that you can meet her at the hospital. I understand she will be wanted for overnight observation, so I suggest you help Kohaku prepare whatever she might need and meet her there."

"Right," she gave a perfunctory nod. "I can do that."

"Good. Now, officer? I believe we have much to discuss," he led the way for a muttering Kouga to follow.

Kohaku looked over his sister.

"I hate to leave you," he ventured uncomfortably.

"I'm fine," she assured him. "Besides - Rin's dad is right. The sooner they get the police end of this done the sooner I can leave. Check on Kirara for me, won't you? I'm worried about her."

Kohaku gave a small laugh. "Sure, sis." She stood and he gave her a tight hug, murmurring something in her ear. He held her at arms length, and she nodded.

He turned to Miroku, hand outstretched.

"Look after her?"

Miroku stood to shake his hand. "I will."

Sango waited until they were all out of earshot to sigh wearily.

"I hate dating."

Despite everything, he laughed.

It was a clear, honest-to-goodness laugh colored with relief and grattitude.

"What," her lips tipped upward in spite of herself. "It's true! In fact, after this, I'm pretty sure the universe is telling me to stop dating altogether."

"Well that's a shame. I was hoping we might go out for dinner some time."

"See - this is just my luck," she threw up her hands. "Amazing hot guy comes to my office for weeks, but is a sex addict, and I can't date him anyway because ethics, and then another almost as hot guy ends up being some kind of drug-lord-spider-pimp master. I quit. I'm going to go home and adopt about five-hundred cats to keep Kilalla company."

"I'm not a sex addict."

"We've gone through this, Miroku," she sighed. "You have to embrace what you are, or you'll never really heal and –"

He wasn't sure why he did it really. By all rights he should've kept a respectful distance if only to keep his own ass from getting kicked, but before he could really think things through, he'd caught her up in a fierce embrace, and a gentle kiss.

"I'm not a sex addict," he whispered against her temple. "But I was scared shitless with worry tonight. Please remember that before kicking my ass."

"You're not a sex addict?"

"No. One of Naraku's people was trying to land me and several others in hot water with false accusations. I was sent to therapy to cover up the investigation."

"Well that's a shame," she frowned. "I like sex."

"So, do I," his grin was slow. "But I suspect that was the drugs talking."

"Oh, the drugs are helping," she agreed readily. "But I really do like sex. Just… who has the time?"

"Indeed."

"And all of my dates always end so poorly… well…" she looked around at the crime scene tape and flashing lights. "Not usually this poorly."

"Tell you what," he considered her. "As of today, I'm no longer your patient. Why don't we go to dinner tomorrow and celebrate the end of our clinical relationship?"

"Ugh," she rested her head on his chest. "Another one bites the dust."

"True," he admitted, "But that one was boring. We could talk about sex all we liked, but you kept telling me ways to avoid having it."

"Shit," she muttered. "That can take weeks to undo."

"Oh, I don't think so," his smile was sly. "You see, I am a very, very poor patient."

"You are? But you were doing so well!"

"I am also a very good liar."

"That isn't particularly reassuring…"

"Neither is a relationship starting after a busting up a criminal ring, and yet I feel strangely positive about this one."

"You do?"

"Mm," he brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheek.

"So now what?"

"So now, you get to spend the night in the hospital, and I'll probably be up all night talking to the police and waiting for you. In the morning, I'll drop you off at home – we'll probably both crash in our respective houses for twenty-four hours, we'll shower (again, in our respective houses) and then we'll meet up."

"I'm not looking forward to any of that but the last part. And the shower."

"Well, make sure you take whatever meds they give you, or you're going to hate life in the morning. Can't have a new thing start well when you are busy hating life."

"Fair. Will I remember any of this?"

"Hard to say. Might take a while, depending on what he gave you."

"Then I'll be embarrassed later. I've been wanting to do this for weeks."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply.

And as she did, Miroku realized he had a whole new addiction.

And he couldn't wait to indulge.

Thank you so much for reading, friends!

With love and appreciation,
- Giada