I Am Me; No One Else

Chapter 17: A Brief Break

It had been at least a whole year now since Kagome had left them and the group while Sango, Miroku and Shippou were sworn to secrecy and sealed by Midoriko to protect her from Inuyasha. They'd all seen harsh, hard, and rough times of late. The veteran priestess had warned them he was not well and it was not something medicine could fix.

Sango missed her friend and sister dearly, and she was continually dreading each day they were all forced into Kikiyo's presence because of her absence. The demon slayer held no grudge against her sister and best friend for leaving; as she needed this to become herself again, but she hoped Kagome was alright.

Her sister in all-but blood had never been much of one for battle and tended to be too kind for her own good. It was as they passed a village in the western lands after returning from the north for the second time that a supposedly private conversation had caught her attention.

They had not spent the whole year in the northern territory; they had done a lot of journeying and odd jobs since they had originally left for them and merely had crossed it to get to a short-cut back to the West.

Two women were sitting for their afternoon meal near where they were and were obviously gossiping, but it was what they said that had caught Sango's attention.

"Did you hear Sumi? Did you hear the wonderful news yet?" One asked another

"Hear what?" The other asked as she finished cooking her food and sat down.

"Lord Sesshoumaru-sama has finally found his bride. Rumor is that she is unable to perform the mating currently as she is away training for something. I also heard she's human and a miko." The second woman said

The first one's eyes widened, "No way..."

Now, Sango found this interesting considering recent events and did not wish to jump to conclusions. However, the timing of this couldn't have been a little more than coincidental. Either Kouga's outburst had been more accurate than they originally believed and Kagome had actually found something in the Western Lord to make her comfortable around him, or these women were telling tall tales and were merely gossiping.

"Excuse me, gomen, for interrupting..." Sango interrupted them as they nodded, "I sort-of over-heard part of the discussion. Did you happen to know the name of the woman who Lord Sesshoumaru has chosen?"

The first lady shook her head, "No I don't know it. It has been hushed in the castle due to the demoness court being abolished now that he has found her and there are many demonesses who would see her die for him choosing her."

Sango nodded and mentally concluded that that had been wise if it were true, "And you're positive his bride is a human miko?" She asked her carefully

The lady then nodded, "Yes I am sure. That was announced to the council as he could not have hidden it from them and most of the elder court have accepted it; though she will likely be put under the scrutiny of the council to even see if she is fit for the Lord Sesshoumaru."

"Arigato for this information." Sango said as she walked away briskly

'Kagome...what are you thinking' She thought, 'Why would you accept him like this after all he has done? I wish I could speak to you. Have you truly found something in him that has been able to redeem him in your eyes?'

--

As Sango's thoughts were in turmoil, Kagome was at her lessons in the field near the river and many wooden posts coming out of the bank at several places.

"Everyone, I know this lesson is hard." Instructor Tara said, "But you need to master this to survive outside these walls. Corrupt demons will not wait for you to attack; they are unforgiving and will exploit all your weak areas."