Chapter Eleven: The Curse at Heart

Sesshomaru's reaction to Sango's pregnancy was something Sango should have accepted and yet could not. He acted as thought their baby was irrelevant, that it was more her responsibility than theirs, and that angered her. He had to care. At the very least if Sango could give birth to a boy Sesshomaru would have an heir to his legacy, hopefully one that he could be proud of.

"Where are you going?" Sango asked a week later as Sesshomaru prepared to leave. Sesshomaru gave her a look that silently insisted she had no right to ask such questions.

"Jaken, keep an eye on Rin." he said instead. Sango stood.

"Does that mean I'm coming with you?" she asked.

"No. Do as you please." Sesshomaru said. He had traveled a small distance when Sango appeared overhead him on a tree limb. She hopped down and approached him.

"I only hope it's a male, Sango." Sesshomaru said, continuing past her. Sango grabbed his arm. She gently kissed his hand and let him continue onward. Though he said nothing, Sesshomaru gently relished in the sensation. Sango swallowed hard. Somehow it seemed Sesshomaru had forgotten that despite Sango's demonic power her mindset was still the same.

With Jaken employed as Rin's keeper, Sango decided to take a walk alone. At this point she had little think about, but she hadn't been alone in quite some time. And with everything that had happened within the month she needed a breath of the freshest air she could find. She was sure she still had some demon spirit in her lungs from her day on Mount Fukachi.

Maybe I'll find a nice hot spring....

Sesshomaru had one final thing left to do. He knew from the moment he had heard his baby's heartbeat that he would be responsible. But something else was bothering him. It didn't make sense. What had started off as a curse had in many respects become a blessing, which was strange. In other ways, he felt like the curse was affecting Inuyasha, Kagome, and Miroku more than anyone else. Lady Aikou had known something from the very beginning...but what was it? And more importantly, what details had she omitted in regards to the curse?

Sesshomaru bravely entered the Forest of the Forbidden Love once more, in search of the she-demon. He wandered blindly throughout the forest for over an hour. At last he called out to her.

"Lady Aikou. I have come here to entreat you." Sesshomaru said. "I wish not to trespass, but will accept another curse if it is necessary."

"It is not necessary, not now after you've learned your lesson." Lady Aikou at last replied.

"Can you predict the future then?" Sesshomaru asked. A proud laugh rang throughout the forest.

"Of course. Why do you imagine my curses are so effective?" Sesshomaru had been right all along.

"Explain yourself to me."

"I knew that you would grow weak and choose Sango as your wife. A curse is not effective if it serves as a blessing for the cursed." Lady Aikou said. "That is why I've allowed you your joy, causing the pain of others in return. But your joy will not last, Sesshomaru."

"What are you planning to do?"

"It is not me." Lady Aikou laughed again. "You have left your beloved wife alone, uncertain, and defenseless. And yet as I speak, a heartbeat like thunder has broken the silence." Sesshomaru had known all along. It wasn't the baby's heartbeat Lady Aikou was speaking of.

Kagome had been keeping a careful watch on Inuyasha since that fateful day, and it was rare that Inuyasha got a break. It was clear Kagome didn't trust him anymore, not after he had humiliated himself in his desperation. When Kagome had initially confronted him he had been confused. But now, how could he possibly tell her that he was in love with Sango? How could he bring that up without destroying her? He needed time alone, away from Kagome, away from Miroku and his endless parade of "open-minded" women. Perhaps Shippo was the only person Inuyasha could easily tolerate. His innocence was refreshing at a time like this. But unfortunately for Inuyasha, he didn't have a piece of worthy advice.

Everyone else retired early that night, so Inuyasha decided to take advantage of the opportunity. He stole into the forest quietly and once he had leapt far enough he slowed down to a casual stroll.

Sango, what have you done to me? He was sure he had never felt this way before. Something had happened since Sango's kidnapping to change everything he thought he knew. That moment, when he was lying in the grass holding her, he felt so sick and twisted. He was uttering consoling words, yet in his mind he was fantasizing. He had wondered what it would be like to hold Sango that way, to kiss her neck gently, as they lied together by a warm fire, their bodies sticky with perspiration. He could almost feel Sango's fingernails digging into his back, and despite the sweet words he had used to appease her soul, inside he felt such passionate jealousy. He had realized then that Sesshomaru had something special that he could never have. Was it lust? Sango was a beautiful girl, and holding her like that...but no. If it had been mere lust, then what he had felt for Kikyo and thought he had felt for Kagome would have to be classified as lust as well.

Poor Kagome. How long can I pretend? Will these feelings ever go away? Inuyasha was so deep in thought that he hadn't realized how long he had been traveling. And then he heard it. Sango's voice!

"Kirara, what do I do?" Sango whispered softly. Inuyasha crept towards the lovely sound and parted the shrubs blocking his path. Sango immediately spun around. Inuyasha had already forgotten.

"Sango, what are you doing here?" he said, approaching her. He was trying to remain calm, but....

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Just...thinking." Inuyasha patted Kirara on the head. She purred lovingly. "I've missed you too." Sango stood up.

"Where are the others?" she asked.

"They're asleep." Inuyasha replied. "I figured it was the perfect chance to get away." Sango smiled.

"Sesshomaru went off on another mysterious quest." Sango replied. "Same thing."

"So, you really love him?" Inuyasha asked. He wondered if the question had been impolite.

"He'll never love me. He told me so."

"But what about you?"

"Of course." Sango wondered if her answer had been abrupt. Inuyasha nodded silently. He then took her hand and held it. Sango looked up into this eyes and frowned.

"Inuyasha?"

"You know, I think you're even more beautiful as a she-demon." he whispered. Sango almost choked.

"Inuyasha, I-"

"It's only a compliment." he interrupted, never letting go. "You're having his child."

"Yes,"

"Are you afraid?"

"Of the baby? No."

"Of Sesshomaru."

"No." Inuyasha looked down at Sango's hand.

"You're trembling." Sango said nothing. "I love you, Sango." Sango started at this. Inuyasha's words were so hasty and uncertain. Why was he doing this?

"Inuyasha, I don't love-"

"I understand." Inuyasha tugged Sango into his arms. "This curse is going to tear all of us apart. Kagome, Miroku, me, all of us."

"I'm leaving, Inuyasha." Sango whispered against his chest. Inuyasha ran his fingers through her hair, enjoying the sensation just this one time. He could never enjoy it again.

"Where are you going to go?"

"Away...for a while. Perhaps until Shu is born." Sango said, clutching the back of Inuyasha's kimono tighter. Shu. So simple.

"And then what will happen? You can raise a child by yourself, but you don't-"

"It doesn't matter. Besides, we'll see each other again."

"When we face Naraku. I know." Inuyasha kissed Sango's forehead. "Okay."

"Hug Kagome goodbye for me." Sango said. "And Shippo too." She tried to pull away, but Inuyasha gripped her tighter. He planted a gentle kiss on her lips before releasing her.

"What do I tell them?" he asked as though nothing had happened. Sango took a few moments to recover from the kiss. Compared to Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's lips were so warm and loving.

"That I'll miss them." Sango realized she could not linger any longer. "If you see Rin, tell her the same." She climbed atop Kirara before Inuyasha could say anything more and took off into the sky. Inuyasha collapsed in a defeated heap on the ground.

Sesshomaru arrived later on that night. Inuyasha looked at him calmly, trying hard not to give way to his emotions.

"She's gone, then?" Sesshomaru asked his younger brother.

"Yeah." Inuyasha replied. "She'll be back though...when the kid's born."

"Yes, Lady Aikou knew just what she was doing." Inuyasha frowned.

"You were hardly cursed at all." he protested. He thought about his own twisted emotions.

"How can you say that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"My wife has left me, and her last memory was with you." Sesshomaru explained. Inuyasha's eyes widened at this understanding. Then Sesshomaru punched him across the face. Inuyasha collapsed in the dirt, but didn't retaliate. He watched Sesshomaru disappear amongst the shrubbery.

It seems we have all been cursed, Lady Aikou. This fate of mine is nothing I could have expected from you.

I can only wonder, little brother, what it is that you have done to deserve such a loss. It is quite puzzling.