Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all… Maybe except for all those grammar mistakes I usually make.

Yes… Witch Hunter Sango… I know it's a stupid name, but I can't come up with anything better. And of course, I took it from Witch Hunter Robin, since I suddenly got hooked onto that, too. Too bad the series was so short… But I'll try to twist some stuff up, like adding in some romance that they seem to have lacked. And there's the fact that I don't want to copy the anime completely, so there will be some differences.

And my other fanfic, Butterflies? It is half dead already, but I'll try my best to think of something to put in there.

Now, I present to you the first chapter of my newest creation. Please enjoy! And I apologize for my grammar mistakes.

Note: I changed the name from WHS to Red Pendant for good reasons...

Red Pendant

Chapter 1 - Awakening

'I grant you power of the five elements,

and with them you shall succeed…

You are my only hope…'

Before I knew it I had bolted upright and snapped my eyes open. Sweat poured down my forehead as I panted for air. My eyes darted from place to place in my new room. All my belongings were sitting outside, in the hallway, waiting to be unpacked and be placed in their proper places, instead of sitting uselessly in boxes… Well actually, a box. But it was a rather large box.

I never really owned much of anything in the 16 years of my life so far, but that would be because I was considered 'poor' to those 'middleclass' people in this society. I had enough money and… stuff in general for me to survive. I had sometimes considered of keeping a pet -a cat, especially- so I may have some company. However, I would not be able to afford or care properly for it.

I sat in my bed for another half a minute, wondering where I was, before the realization had hit me with full force. I had received a call from an organization -the STN-J, it was called- and was asked to work as a replacement and a witch hunter. The person I was replacing had mysteriously disappeared, but they had turned up dead.

Hunted…

That was the only word that could come up in my mind, to describe what had happened to him -or her.

And those witches. I've heard about them, and had even studied about them and their ways. Witches aren't the kinds that we see in cartoons, with a pointy hat, huge nose, and a giant wart on their crooked chin. No, witches looked exactly like a normal human being. Except that they weren't exactly human beings. They were different. They had powers; special powers. They had powers so special and dangerous that even the powerful of the powerful would tremble and fall flat before them within a second.

And I have powers like those.

But I am not a witch.

The witches that I've been informed with are evil and full of danger. They would use their powers for their own evil deeds so they may reign superior.

Not me. I barely use my powers.

And my aim gave the word 'terrible' a new meaning. For more the reason that proved I am not a witch. Actually, my aim is not that bad, but I just feel that it could be much better.

Finally my breathing had regulated again. I rolled my head around, smoothing out any tension I had built up in my neck. I wiped my sweat with the thin blanket that was covering me. Then I laid down again, resting my head on my thin pillow, and tucked myself in under the covers.

But sleep won't come to me again. I couldn't return to slumber-land.

I shifted and changed my position, and shut my eyes again. Yet sleep would not come to claim me. And I was supposed to go to the office building tomorrow, too! Well technically, that would be today, considering that my alarm clock read 4:24 a.m.

'Meow…'

Was that meowing I heard? Was it coming out from the window? I sat up again, and wrapped the blanket around me, seeing that I had no real clothes on at that time. Like I've said before, I didn't own much. I dragged myself across the room, and came up to the window. I couldn't see much outside, since it was still dark out. But I could see a little white fur ball with ruby eyes and a diamond-cross shaped mark on its forehead.

The little fur ball blinked twice before lifting one of its black paw to paw at my window, as if it was begging me to open it so it may come in. The tapping sound was so light that I had trouble hearing it.

I opened the window to only shoo it away in a calm matter. Instead of leaving, though, the cat came right in. It gracefully landed on the floor on all four, before turning its head to look at me. Before I knew it, it rubbed itself around my legs and feet in a small and tight circle.

I started down at my feet, where the cat is, and immediately pitied it, not only how it didn't have a home, but also how I am not able to keep it.

Finally it sat down and looked up to me, purring. I couldn't help noticing how my lips were slowly twitching up into a small smile. It was just oh-so adorable! I've then decided to pick it up and pet it. I silently walked over to the light switch on the wall and flipped the light on, so I may see the cat's features more clearly.

I had already thought that it was a strange looking cat in the dark, but it was even stranger in the light. It had a creamy short-haired coat and a mane. The cat's ruby eyes kept staring at me as I looked over its mark on its forehead. And I stared at its fluffy twin tails.

This was no ordinary cat. It was a fire cat, an ancient breed that I had heard of only in legends. Further more was that it had no whiskers. Yet it was so cute.

I turned it around and looked under its tails. Clearly it stated that this cat was a girl. I continued to pet her in my arms.

"Sorry girl, but I can't keep you," I whispered into her ear apologetically. "I can't care for you properly. Surely you can find a better home than mine, and people who can afford to keep you."

She looked up to me and meowed, as if she understood what I had just said. But of course she could have. She was a fire cat after all, and they could understand the human tongue in any given language.

She curled up in my arms, and settled to sleep.

I let a sigh escape through my lips in defeat as another smile crept up to them.

I was going to keep her, because she had chosen me to.

- - -

The sun's ray shone through my eye lids, and I felt something hot and moist tickling my left cheek. I moaned and shifted my covers. I felt something soft and furry tapping the exposed skin on my neck.

'Meow…'

Meowing? Why was there meowing beside my ear? Why was there meowing again?

Then of course I remembered everything again. That, and I was going to be late.

I snapped my eyes open and got dressed quickly. The cat watched me as I rushed through everything. She leaped onto my left shoulder as I brushed my hair. I tied it up into a high ponytail.

"So you've decided to stay here?" I asked her.

She nodded her head.

"Do you have a name?"

Then she released a mew that sounded like 'Kirara.'

"Ki… rara?" She nodded her head again.

"Well, let's see what's there to eat…"

I looked over my unoccupied shoulder to glance at my alarm clock. 10:21a.m, it read. Crap, and I was supposed to be there by 11.

"And I'd better hurry…"

- - -

I slammed the door behind me as I steeped out of the taxi, and I paid for the ride. I felt bad for leaving Kirara at home already. My black robes shuffled quietly as I proceeded towards the building. I had arrived on time; a bit early, even. I paused for a moment to take in the sight.

The building was quite beautiful, with a sort of old look, even though it was quite new. It was only a decade old. It had renovations done once in a while so the building may have the latest technology for work and security and such things.

The copper gates creaked loudly as I pushed it open. I continued down the path, with my work bag and all. My footsteps seem to have echoed on the grey stone steps, although the streets weren't all that quiet. Cool air blasted through me as I stepped inside.

"May I help you, miss?" the security man asked me immediately behind his booth, putting down whatever that he was doing before.

"I am here to see the chief, who had requested me to come," I replied as I stepped towards the booth.

I heard him lift the receiver of his phone and pressed a few buttons. He waited a bit before speaking into it.

"There's a girl here to see you, chief. Shall I send her up? … Yes… Alright…"

He replaced the receiver back in its place, and opened the gates for me.

"Take the elevator to your left; fifth floor. You're the replacement, aren't you?"

I nodded and thanked him before heading up.

A shady yet strong looking character walked past me as I made my way down the hall to the office on the fifth floor. I couldn't help it but to notice him. His golden earrings jingled and his long black coat shuffled as he continued down the path. For a split second, I saw him glancing back to me, and then continued walking. He had metallic lavender eyes, from what I saw. He had his hair tied up into a short dragon's tail. Then he disappeared at the turn of a corner.

I silently walked through the hall, although my footsteps echoed on the stone. I had finally reached the room half a minute later.

Everyone froze at what they were doing and looked up to stare at me as I stepped in. I scanned the room, yet no one made a sound. Finally a short and bald man stepped out behind his desk and approached me.

"Ah, I see that you've found your way here, Sango-san," he smiled warmly. "I am the head chief here in this office, and I must welcome you here."

Then slowly, smiles started to spread on my now co-workers' faces around the room. They must have finally realized who I was or why I was here.

"Everyone, this is Sango-san," he beamed as he turned around to face them, "and she is the replacement that I've found."

A several 'welcome's later, the chief began to speak again.

"Where's Miroku? He should be here right now…"

"Oh, he just walked out a little while ago, just a bit before Sango-san came in," one of them -the girl with long black hair and two long strands spilled over her shoulders- informed.

"Then you must have seen him, am I correct?" the chief turned to me and concluded.

"He's the one with the earrings and the little tail, right?" I asked.

"Yes, and he is your partner during hunts, too… And he's always like that. He may seem serious and cold all the time, but he's not such a bad person once you get to know him. Why isn't he here anyways?"

I nodded, and looked around again, but only moving my eyes this time.

"What should I do?" I asked.

"Mostly Miroku will instruct you, but since he's not here at this time, you can start looking up on the accidents that were caused by the people that we're suspicious of being witches. And your seat's over there." He pointed at the computer at the most left of the long desk, which was also the only one which wasn't occupied.

I nodded once again, and settled in my chair, my neighbour returned to her seat also. It was the girl with the strands.

"Hi, my name is Kikyo," she grinned. "Don't worry, you'll be adapted to us soon enough."

"I know I will," I smiled back.

"And that-" Kikyo pointed to the orange hair boy behind us, "is Shippo. He is the computer master-mind here. He started hacking and breaking into programs for fun since he was ten."

"And I'm Ayame," a cheery red-headed girl suddenly popped out from behind us and grinned. "Sesshomaru's supposed to be here right now, but he's running late. He's out investigating a scene after an accident."

"Except we don't think it was an accident," Kikyo added. "A witch was involved in it."

"You'll know who Sesshomaru is once you meet him," Ayame said.

"By the process of elimination," I smiled.

"All right, back to work here," the chief urged us, clapping his hands.

Kikyo and Ayame rolled their eyes and turned towards their computers, while grinning. I couldn't help it but to smile.

These people were nice -much nicer than I had expected.

- - -

Suddenly chairs screeched on the floor as everyone scrambled out of their seats and gathered by Shippo's computer. I turned around to face the back of the group.

"What's happening?" I asked. I had absolutely no idea what's going on.

The silver-haired man with pointy ears and markings on his face -Sesshomaru- turned to face me.

"Shippo had located one of our wanted witches," he told me. "We are planning on how we should capture him now."

I got up from my seat and joined the group, staring into the monitor. A whole bunch of information about our witch was on the screen.

"Natazura Tazuku, age: 35," Shippo read out. "It seems like he hides in the warehouse."

He pressed a few buttons on the phone before hitting the speaker button.

"What is it?" the person on the other end muttered. He sounded annoyed and frustrated.

"It's me, and I've found some information about this Natazura Tazuku," Shippo told him. "And I've found the outline of the place. I'll send it over to you right now."

"Good work."

Wait! That voice… It had to belong to that Miroku. I just knew it.

"Um… About Sango-san-" Ayame started, but he had hung up on the other end already.

"Figures…" she mumbled.

Ayame's red pigtails bounced as she turned sharply to prepare herself. Kikyo and Sesshomaru also prepared themselves. Must be for the hunt, I supposed. They all tucked their special guns into their jackets' pockets.

"What should I do?" I asked.

Kikyo paused for a moment before turning to me.

"I don't think you can come with us yet," she told me, sounding apologetic. "Miroku's not here to instruct you, and we can't do anything about it."

I understood what she meant, so I nodded my head and sat back down in my seat. Before long, the three of them left. I guessed that I would have to look into the other 'accidents' in the meanwhile. After a few minutes of clicking and rolling around with the mouse, a voice called for me. I snapped my head up and turned around, to find that the chief was the one who had been calling me.

"I think I should take you to the site of the hunt," he smiled. "You may be able to help them if they've stumbled across any problems, and you may learn how the hunts are done."

I felt a smile crept up to my face as I got up and left with him, leaving Shippo and Jaken -the chief's assistant- alone in the office.

Several minutes later, we had arrived at the hunting site. The others must have arrived already, seeing that the garage door for delivery was opened. I had some trouble seeing the inside of the warehouse as the sun was setting already. I stepped into the building, and the smell of cardboard boxes and gasoline filled my nose. I continued walking, but then stopped in my tracks. The lighting wasn't so well, but I could see that there was a Circle at my feet.

Luckily I had stopped, or else I would have stepped onto it and fall into the trap I was sure that everyone else had fallen into. I bent down and swiped one of my fingers over it, picking up the chalk and sand while messing the Circle up. Immediately the Circle fixed itself again.

I thought so. The witch we were hunting used this method, of which he will be able to control the feet of his victims.

Sounds of grunts and objects clashing filled the air. I followed the noise, while being careful and aware of any other Circles that may be lying around, waiting for an unsuspecting victim to step on them. It seemed like I forgot to mention that I knew the types and the powers of the Craft of which the witches use. Finally, I came across the area of where the action was held in, with my hands stuck in my pockets. I had a habit of doing that.

Everyone was down on the ground, with or without objects crashing into them. It seemed to me that they've all blindly stepped onto the Circles. Sounds of pained grunts filled the air. In the middle was the witch; the witch that we were to hunt. I paused at the doorway as he noticed me.

"What's this? Another woman?" he crackled. "I'll waste you, too, like how I've done to them!"

The hunters slowly sat up to stare at me, and I heard a sharp intake of air in Ayame's direction. They were all probably wondering what I was doing here. But heck, I was here to help them.

Suddenly the witch widened his eyes and several objects were lifted off the ground. They were thrown towards me by his powers. I stared at them intensely.

Fire…

Burn…

Flames burst forth on the objects and reduced them to nothing but ashes while I didn't move an inch. The witch seemed surprised, as were the other hunters. Yes, I had used the Craft that I've been blessed with.

He threw some more stuff at me by force, but the result was the same. Good thing that they were large targets, otherwise, I would have missed by a foot or two.

The witch backed into a wall as I stepped forward. My fellow hunters seemed to have recovered and were well enough to finish the hunt. I just needed to keep the witch busy enough for them to move in.

I aimed for the area a few inches beside his right ear, but… I missed by a few feet. Sparks started everywhere as more bounced off the wall. But before I knew it, shot at the witch were made.

What? I stared at him as he fell down, probably unconscious.

"Don't worry, he's not dead," Kikyo told me. "We don't kill them; we just capture them. Then we send them over to the Factory."

She must have sensed my confusion.

"Sesshomaru, call the Factory," a not-so-familiar but not unfamiliar voice ordered.

It was Miroku.

He stepped up beside me quietly. I barely heard his footsteps.

"That was dangerous," he told me. "Don't do it again. Fires are hard to extinguish."

Then he walked off, leaving us again.

"Don't mind him," Ayame piped up. "He's always like that. But… that was amazing!"

"So you're a Craft-user?" Kikyo asked.

"You can say that," I replied.

But of course, I am not a witch.

So that was the first chapter, with many more to come. For some reason, I can't seem to leave Kirara out of any stories I have. She just has to be there. Maybe it's because of her cuteness…

Once again, I apologize for my grammar mistakes. Everyone should know that they're horrible by now. Sort of like Robin's aim without her glasses… Heh heh…

But anyhow, review please!