Chapter One-Starting Over

"Izayoi!" "Please don't leave!" Izayoi turned to look at her once very loving soon to be ex. She slammed her suitcase shut and picked up the three year old Sango standing near by.

"I'm sorry Takemaru, but if you can't go out and make a living for this family, for Sango, then I have no choice. I will not argue about it anymore." With one last sad and thoughtful look at him Izayoi turned and went out the door. Sango was barely old enough to comprehend what was happening. Izayoi herself had only just grown up. At just sixteen she fell in love with Takemaru and was married. At eighteen she had Sango. Soon after, Takemaru began talking his responsibilities very lightly. He acted as if he was still in high school, partying with his jock buddies every other night, never staying in one job and making almost no attempt to get another. Izayoi worked full time at a local diner and was never home for Sango. She felt bad having to leave her with a babysitter while Takemaru was out having fun. For all she knew he was cheating on her. She became fed up and finally left the heartbreak in hopes for a new beginning. Now twenty-three, she and Sango were living by themselves in and apartment in Tokyo. The divorce was final and they were all settled in. Izayoi also had full custody of Sango. She was now five and today was her first day of kindergarten.

"Mommy, mommy!" Sango screamed as she ran through the door seeming delighted. Izayoi turned from the sink full of dishes to look at her giddy child

"Well are you happy to be home or did you enjoy your first day?" She said with a giggle.

"Both mommy! I had a lot of fun!" Izayoi giggled at her enthusiasm. "I liked school, but what I really want to tell you about is Sesshomaru!" Sango started. Izayoi diverted her attention to getting the dishes done.

"Really, who is this Sesshomaru? He's not your boyfriend is he?" Izayoi said with a snicker and a wink.

"Mommy!" Sango shouted with alarm. "No he's my new FRIEND!" Putting up the last dish, Izayoi glanced down and took Sango's backpack. They strolled over to the couch and sat down. Izayoi shifted towards Sango looking at her.

"Well I'm very happy to hear that you already have a friend. Go ahead and tell me more." Sango perked up and took a deep breath.

"Well we have a lot of fun together and we have a whole bunch in common!" Sango paused and started digging through her backpack. "Look at this finger painting we did!" She held up a barely distinguishable mess of colorful paint and paper. Izayoi chuckled.

"It's beautiful" she stated. She quickly hung it on the refrigerator and scurried back to the couch.

"And I was wondering if he could come over." Sango gave one of her best puppy dog looks. Izayoi rolled her eyes at the attempt to butter her up and thought for a moment, then shaking her head.

"Sure honey, but I want to meet both of his parents when they bring him ok?" Sango's face became grim. "What's the matter sweetie?"

"He only has a daddy." Izayoi gave a look of understanding and got up and move towards the laundry room.

"Oh I see, well then I will like meet his father."

"Ok mommy!" Sango shook with excitement at the thought of the fun they could have. Izayoi resumed her daily chores as Sango bounced off into her room to play. She smiled at the thought of how lucky she was to have her despite all the pain in her life. Ever since she left Takemaru, he would call wanting to see them. He was so extreme as to say that he had people watching them. She never allowed him to bother her and never let Sango see or talk to him. She couldn't bare the pain and Sango seemed to have no interest. She never talked about him; she was always bubbly and never seemed upset about anything. She wondered if Sango even remembered him.

After finishing up her chores she went into Sango's room to find her playing with her dolls. "Ah a rousing game of play doctor eh?" Izayoi interrupted. Sango peered up and smiled.

"Yes, Susie has the flu." Izayoi grinned, but it soon faded.

"Sango, can I ask you something?" Sango paused in her playing.

"Mmhmm." Izayoi gulped down the anger and hate she felt when thinking of Takemaru.

"Do you remember your father Takemaru?" Sango's smile disappeared. Izayoi's heart sank.

"Yes I do." Just when Izayoi thought it couldn't get any worse. "But all I remember is all the fighting and that he was never home." Izayoi got a queasy felling over her and she started to cry. Sango was startled. "Mommy I'm sorry, I didn't mean t…." Izayoi cut in.

"No it's fine sweetie, I'm ok, and I just needed to know." Not wanting to let Sango see her crying and upset her more, Izayoi got up and left. Sango just sat for a moment and, blocking anymore thoughts of it, went back to playing. Izayoi, still looking in on Sango, admired her innocence. She knew seeing him again would be too much for her and only bring back painful memories. She didn't want her precious Sango to suffer. After an hour of "quiet" time, which was more like self pity time, Izayoi got Sango ready for bed and tucked her in.

"Now Sango you remember what I told you to tell Sesshomaru." Sango blinked lazily.

"Yes, mommy."

Izayoi grinned, kissed Sango's forehead, said goodnight, and left. Lying in bed, she thought about her day at work. One of her co-workers had asked her out on a date. She always avoided dates after Takemaru; she didn't want to be hurt again. However, something made her consider this one. Dreading the next day, she slowly slipped into a coma like state. She wondered what Sango would think of her going on a date. Unfortunately, all she could do was hope that everything worked out for them. All her thoughts slurred as she dozed of to the sound of the washing machine and her beloved singing herself to sleep.