Where The Heart Lies

Chapter One

I don't own Inuyasha or any characters from the series.

A lone figure sat on the front porch on this dark and miserable day. Her very being anguish at it's perfection, she sat watching the world continue on as time seemed to cease for her. She felt envious of every passing car, the children running happily, disgusted with their half-hearted attempts to get out of the rain, even the rain drops seemed to upset her. For even they had a purpose. And now she had none.

'What more could I possibly lose?' she thought. 'How much more can I possibly take?'

"I'll always love you baby" She grimaced at the remembered words spoken. " I promise I'll always take care of your daughter. I swear I'll always be there for Sango. 'Liar!' She thought, everything was nothing but a lie. Remembering todays events brought tears to her eyes.

"Sango, sorry I just found out." He wanted to hold her, but his touch wouldn't be welcomed.

"I just found out too, so I guess we are both sorry huh." She couldn't even look at him right now, and her voice was so small she was sure he had to strain just to hear it.

"I didn't mean-"

"Forget about it, it doesn't matter right now, I have other things to worry about."

He grabbed her arm forcefully, she could feel his claws starting to penetrate her skin.

"Thats your problem, you always have to deal with everything on your own. You've never needed me." She lightly pried his fingers from around her arm and when she finally looked up at him, he couldn't remember such a broken expression ever marring her perfect features. What hurt most was that he was at least partially responsible. It stole his breath and made his heart ache.

"Let go of me, I have to get home, my brother needs me. In case you've forgotten, my mothers dead." She wish she could sound more confident. Wished she could unleash half the fire she felt inside, but the truth was she was just too damned tired. So she turned away from her true love and best friend and started to her car while speaking.

"Whats the point of depending on others, when they will only let you down." And as a after thought she tossed over her shoulder," I hope you and Kagome will be very happy together, Inuyasha." With that said, she left.

What did she have to live for now? Almost everything she'd ever loved was taken away. First her father when was 14, then her mother two years later. Her first love that very same summer. She and Inuyasha had been best friends since kindergarten and a couple since they were 12. 'Four years down the fucking drain.' She faintly heard his footsteps approaching. Well at least she had one thing to live for.

"Sister, why are you sitting in the rain?" After a deep sigh she answered him.

"I just wanted a bit of fresh air Kohaku, I'll be a minute."

Her little brother looked in her face, and knew his big sister would never tell of the pain she was feeling. She was too strong for that.

"Are you hungry kid, I can fix you whatever you want," she asked hopefully. Since their mothers passing Kohaku barely ate.

"Well, I was thinking we could just order a pizza and call Inuyasha over then-"

"NO!"

"No to the pizza, or no to calling Inuyasha?" Kohaku asked. Something was definitely wrong, there was nothing his sister loved more than pizza and Inuyasha.

"No to Inuyasha, but I'll take sausage with extra mushroom.

What the hell was going on! Inu and Sango had been a couple since they were twelve. They were supposed to get married and go to college together. Kohaku loved Inuyasha like a brother because that how he saw him. As a brother-in law at least. What could have possibly happened to make his sister not want to see him now.

"What happened Go-Go? Did Inu do something? Just because I'm eleven, that doesn't mean you can't talk to me." Sango looked at her little brother. Kohaku only called her Go-Go when she was sad or when she did something to make him happy. It was his own special nickname, just for her. And it made her feel better every time. She gave him a genuine smile, which was extremely rare these days.

"Go order the pizza and when your done I'll tell you all about it."

Kohaku was beyond angry! He was pissed! 'How could that fucker! I trusted him! My parents trusted him, and my sister loved him! I can't believe that he'd do that to her!'

What he really wanted to say was how could he do this to us. He looked up to Inuyasha, wanted to be like him. If what his sister had just told him had come from any one else, than said person would have been sporting a busted lip for telling such lies.

But the truth was, that the horrible news about his idle had come from a source that he'd known to long to question if it was a falsehood. Sango had said that she was informed by Kikiyo, than Ayame, then got it straight from the horses (or ass's) mouth! Either way it went,someone was going to get there ass kicked today.

Kohaku marched over to the house that he lived across the street from all his life. After the talk, Sango transformed into a sobbing mess and went to lay down. It gave her little brother which loved her more than anything the perfect opportunity. Inuyasha would pay in blood for what he done to his beloved sister.

When he reached the steps of Mitsuki Manner,Kohaku knew with no large amount of doubt that Inuyasha could pound the shit out of him. The older boy at least had him by eighty pounds and ten inches. Then there was the fun little fact that Inuyasha had demon blood coursing through his veins. Although he was about to ultimately get his ass handed to him, it would be worth it for his sister. Honor was on the line, after all.

Kohaku knocked on the door although he really wanted to kick it in, and drag the bastard out by his long sliver hair. But manners did not permit. He raised his hand to knock again, but the door suddenly opened and to his major disappointment it was Mr. Mitsuki.

He didn't want the man that was practically apart of his family to see him behaving in such a way. The young boy had great respect and love for Inutaisho Mitsuki. After his father's passing, Mr. Mitsuki had personally made sure that the greedy stock holders of Nitsuyei's security company didn't walk away and leave Kohaku and his family penniless. The Mitsuki family had even found away for Sango and Kohaku to stay out of foster care after, by emancipating Sango and making her Kohaku's legal guardian. Inutaisho was one of the richest and most influential demons in Japan, and he taught Kohaku that all demons weren't evil.

"Kohaku, is everything alright", Inutaisho questioned with concerned eyes. He felt deeply for the two young orphans, and couldn't began to imagine what life must be like for them. Nitsuyei and Hitomi were not only he and Izayoi's neighbors, they were their best friends. Inutaisho knew without a doubt that after Nitsuyei had been killed in the line of duty, Hitomi would follow soon after. It was as if her spirit had died, which was no wander because it was more than obvious that Hitomi and her husband were soul mates. So when the unexplainable illnesses started Inutaisho was saddened, but not surprised.

"Everything is fine sir." He said in a monotone voice, which was unsettling considering that Kohaku was normally such a cheery boy. " Is Inuyasha home, I really need to speak with him."

"Why yes he is, I'll call him for you." As he waited for his youngest son to come down stairs, Inutaisho looked Kohaku over. They boy had lost some weight, the only time he ate without putting up a fight was when Izayoi made her famous chocolate chip and walnut cookies. He could feel the anger pouring off of him in waves.

"Kohaku is Sango okay" Inutaisho continued to probe, trying to pinpoint the source of the boys unusual behavior. Kohaku flinched at the mention of his sisters name, with clinched fist and teeth he diverted his eyes. Inutaisho sensed his son behind him and stepped aside. Inuyasha noticed a great amount of distress coming from the boy he looked too like a younger sibling, and instantly went to comfort him... Which was huge mistake.

"Kohaku is everything alright, wheres Sango? Is she o- Arggg!" Before he saw it coming, Inuyasha was blasted with a powerful punch to the eye.

"THAT WAS FOR YOUR WANDERING EYE, AND THIS" Kohaku punched the stunned hanyou again. " IS FOR YOUR LYING MOUTH!" The second punch was actually strong to knock the older boy off his feet. Inuyasha was so dazed that he could barely hear the harsh words that were coming out of Kohaku's mouth.

"What you did to my sister was basically criminal, Inuyasha! You call yourself a man, and feed me all this garbage about honor and ' all a man has is his word' nonsense. Isn't it enough that Sango has to deal with everything else thats been going on, now her boyfriend for the past four years just up and finds another girl."

He was breathing hard now. All the rage he felt from his parents deaths and seeing his sister's tears coursed through his body. Nitsuyei had trained his children well, and it showed in Kohaku's attacks. Though he held back in fear of disrespecting Mr. Mitsuki any further.

"Stay away heck away from my sister you jerk! Next time I won't go so easy on you! I'd spit on you, but it's wrong to spit indoors!" By the time the stars cleared from his vision, Inuyasha's attacker was already walking away. The whole scene seemed to have his father mesmerized. Inutaisho looked at the fleeting figure of Kohaku, then down to his son who was just starting to pick himself off the floor. Inuyasha took the hand his father offered and with one last look at Kohaku he turned to his father.

Just as he was about to speak he noticed that his Inutaisho's face was unexpectedly red. It started of with a few snickers, which bloomed into full out, side splitting laughter. And all at Inuyasha's expense of'course.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LAUGHING AT OLD MAN! THAT CRAP WASN'T FUNNY!" Inuyasha had never been so embarrassed in his whole life.

Although he richly deserved it and would have probably done worse if he had a sister and she was in the same predicament, he was still pissed. He was hoping that just because his relationship with Sango was damaged beyond repair, it didn't mean that all their mutual relationships would have to be severed has well.

Even though it was his doing, losing Sango hurt almost as much as it probably hurt her. They had been friends for ten years, went through the best and worst times with each other. She was one of the fews people in the world who could care less that he was hanyou, when he was still shoned by most of the world. She accepted him, her friends accepted him. Now Kikiyo was barley speaking to him and Ayame would have beat him to a bloody pulp if Kouga hadn't held her back.

Although things could have been handled better, he wouldn't apologize for having feelings for Kagome. She and Sango were evenly matched when it came to a lot of things, Kagome had two things that Sango didn't. Her life wasn't as complicated and she was something new.

Besides the average teen episodes,Kagome was drama free, as were Sango's drama meter was off the scale. Plus he had been with her since he was twelve. It had always been Inu and Sanny. Inuyasha was young, and when he had made the promise to Sango's father on the mans death bed, he had been too young to fully understand what his promise weighed.

"Hello Inuyasha, it's good to see you today!" Sango's father looked so pale and different from the loud rambunctious man that Inuyasha had always known. Undoubtedly poison from the assassins darts the was burning its way through his system. But Nitsuyei was strong, for most humans would be dead by now. The end was near, he could smell it. Inuyasha slowly made his way to the bed as he fought back the tears.This wasn't supposed to happen! Not to people he loved!

"How are you old man, they been treat'in ya right in here?" No matter how hard he tried he just couldn't bring himself to make eye contact. This man was family, his daughter would one day be his wife. He just couldn't die. Inuyasha thought back to the time when he and Sango were younger. Nitsuyei had helped them make their very own soapbox racer. Then there was the time that Sango's father had drank to much at one of Inuyasha's parents parties, and accidentally gave he and Sango their first taste of sake. And when ever Sango had a sleep overs, he would always play the monster and tell the scariest stories. Nitsuyei was irreplaceable.

"As well as can be expected in a hospital." Nitsuyei scanned the young man, and it pained him to no end to see the tears in Inuyasha's eyes. Here sat a young man that had taken more than enough lick'ns but never stopped tick'n. Never cried during a spanking, or admitted defeat to anyone.

"Did that old demon send what I asked for?" Nitsuyei was referring to Inutaisho and the secret goods that he had to sneak into the hospital. His whole family was out in the waiting room along with Sango's, and while Sesshoumaru was in visiting, Inuyasha had run out to retrieve the special goods.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it, but I don't know if you should have it. I mean it is against the rules." At that, the ailing man let out a raspy laugh which soon turned into a coughing fit. Inuyasha not knowing what to do, could only sit back and watch as the coughs subsided and his breathing evened out. The concerned hanyou wanted to call for a doctor immediately, but Nitsuyei stopped him.

"Since when do you care about the rules, youngster? Thats not the Inu I know!" When he saw his attempts to persuade the half demon failed, he played his trump card. " Come on rebel" he said using the nickname he'd given Inuyasha the first day he'd met him. You couldn't deny Inu's defiant spirit. "I'm dying man!

Those words proved to be Inu's undoing as a few tear drops escaped his eyes. He then pulled out the brown paper bag he'd been concealing. When then Ben and Jerry's label appeared, Nitsuyei couldn't help but smile, even though he was in a tremendous amount of pain. Inuyasha desperately wanted to deny his words, but his nose never lied and the coldness of death was practically hovering over the hospital bed.

"I know how much you want your little treat" he said while blinking away the tears. "See! I even remembered the spoon!" He opened the cartoon and scooped out a moderate amount of the chocolate ice cream with the spoon. As soon as the frosty treat came in contact with Nitsuyei's tounge, it was like coming home again. Although he wouldn't admit it, ice cream always comforted him. He took his wife to an ice cream parlor on their first date. Fond memories. He swallowed slowly, savoring every last bit.

"Thanks rebel" he said with tears in his eyes. The end was upon him, and judging by the look on his visitors face, he knew that Inu knew it too. They held eye contact for several minutes until Nitsuyei spoke. He gave Inuyasha a sad smile, the tears flowing freely now. "Sango's gonna take this real hard." He knew that his daughter would be severely altered by this and hoped that just maybe she could get through it all without breaking that wonderful spirit of hers. The spirit he loved so much.

" I'll be there old man, don't worry. I'll do whatever I have to. I promise she'll be okay." Inuyasha said passionately. A man was honor bound by his word, plus Sango would be his wife someday. It was his job to take of her.

Nitsuyei's breathing began to get more labored as his pulse began to fade. A searching hand got his attention and Inuyasha reached out to grasp it. He would not leave him alone in his last moments.

Even with the machines sounding and the doctors rushing in, the half demon refused to neither let go of his hand or wipe away his river of tears. The doctors fought whole heartedly, but they knew the inevitable would happen. Most were astounded that the patient had survived this long .He watched as the man he loved almost as much as his own father take one last raged breath and slip from this world forever. He couldn't even say goodbye, the sobs wouldn't allow. After sometime, Inuyasha collected enough strength to walk into the hallway. He expected the sight that greeted him; His parents trying to console the new widow, Kikiyo and Ayame holding Kohaku in a death grip while releasing their own pain. But he however did not expect to see his brother holding Sango.

It looked as if Sesshoumaru chose to let her go she would plummet to the floor. With her arms around his neck, head resting on his chest, Sango let loose a series of strangled screams and sobs. Sesshoumaru stroked her hair awkwardly, trying to provide her with some sort of comfort. The detached look in his brother's eyes spoke volumes of his pain, even if he wouldn't allow himself to cry like the others. But one would have to know Sesshoumaru to pick that up.

Sesshoumaru looked down at Sango and for a second and Inuyasha could detect a change in his sibling, almost as if something in his spirit moved. Only when Inuyasha began to make his way over did Sesshoumaru tear his gaze away. In sweeping motion, he carried the weeping girl over to his younger brother, then relinquished her to him. Backing away, Sesshoumaru watched as Inuyasha's legs slowly gave way. He sank ed to the ground as Sango wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. Inuyasha vowed to keep this promise.

Hi it's me again! I know the next chapter of 'Having it All' is due and my newly acquired Beta is waiting for it, but this little idea just wouldn't leave me alone. I usually don't like AU's but I've read some really good ones, and though most High School fics are band from my laptop, some are quite nice! Vote on pairings! What should Inu and Sanny do?

And as always Read and Review!