Alright, you might not see an 'M' rated things in this chapter, or maybe not even in the next one. But soon it's coming--this is turning into an M rated story, as i had planned form the begining, so don't unexpect things.k? k.

Hope you enjoy!

PS: I'm going to start answering (interesting) Reviews here now, so yay!

She continued to walk the streets of her village with pride, ignoring the looks she got from her own village people. This way and that, she couldn't find a single person not looking her way. It was embarrassing, and above all—she couldn't get the damned heat of a blush off her face. It was probably their first time seeing her in a nice kimono, a nice white one. She felt she needed to look appealing, at least, if she was to persuade a daimyo to share a few acres of owned land—the village was widening and they needed the extra space. Practice grounds were a necessity for the growing numbers of new Demon Slayers.

Ayase had equipped the village mistress with a beautiful, yet quite heavy, kimono of white silk; striped light pink hues adorned the ends of her long sleeves, as well as the hem at the bottom. Over that, hugging her curves was a wide obi, wrapped twice and double knotted in the back, forming a beautiful satin bow. This was a darker shade of pink, while Ayase equipped her with a slightly thinner obi over that, this time a light pink--with magenta petals of sakura in sporadic places and sizes. It wasn't the most formal thing she could have worn, but any more would have had Sango tumbling over ever second or two; not being used to this much weight, compared to her demon slayer outfit (which she secretly had on underneath… of course, without the padding.)

Sango tugged at her kimono humiliatingly, trying to divert her attention from the villagers' stares. Pride, evaporating. The attention, to her, was almost unbearable. She was glad she hadn't let Ayase do the traditional white-powdered make up, (Well, she had ran out of the hut once Ayase turned her back after she finished painting Sango's lips and lids—thus not even letting Ayase have a chance to try) also meaning her hair was fluttering about behind her, not having Ayase put her hair up. Even so, Sango knew she'd look just as fine without the fancy hair; in fact she thought she would look fine with just her normal yukata—maybe even find a bit fancier yukata if she felt like it. Apparently that was a fool's thought, as Ayase would put it.

This was probably a side of Sango-dono no one had seen before—shy and blushing. Her outright, almost boyish behavior led her people to think of her more as a leader than a young woman. Of course, she was just fine with that. Unfortunately today she would have to endure the seemingly lengthened walk towards the gate. Predictably, Kirara walked beside her in her full form, carrying Sango's Hiraikotsu, Katana, and sack of armor for her taijiya suit. Ever since that incident with Bankotsu's grave, Inuyasha had told her never to leave the village without such things. He even did the privilege of telling random people he thought were important to make sure she didn't leave without her necessities. Many had laughed; realizing even their young leader needed guidance.

It had been another long 5 minutes before Sango had reached the gate, hands (rather girlishly) clasped together behind her. She had informed a small group of slayers to accompany her, for it would be good practice for the improving ones. She walked near their social circle, a circle they had made while talking to each other. Sango was rather surprised, since usually by now someone would notice their chief and stand in soldier's stance—others following. Yet they continued to talk, not one noticing her. Confusedly, she looked to Kirara, who also seemed to be giving a rather dubious look to the group of men. She let out an intimidating growl, finally grabbing their attention.

"…" The group simply looked over their shoulder to the woman staring at them in question.

"Who are you staring at?" Sango finally yelled—making them snap out of their reverie and stand in a straight line, facing her.

"Sango-dono!" They all shouted in awareness.

"Now that you've all taken your gander," Sango was back to her old self as she placed a hand on her hip. "Are you ready to head out? As Taijiyas?" For some, it was their first time.

"Yes, Sango-dono!"

They all started filing out of the gate, about to enter the forest in an orderly fashion.

"Oiii! Sango!"

The group as well as their chief turned to see Ayase running towards them. She had a traveler's bag draped over one shoulder and plain traveling yukata, which told Sango that Ayase was coming along.

"Damn it…" Sango sighed, walking again once the smirking Ayase had caught up.

"Who's watching Taro now?"

"Tsubaki said he would." Ayase said. "Hopefully they won't ruin the place, especially since Tsubaki's in charge while watching Taro." She giggled. Sango smiled at the thought of Tsubaki going under with Taro's 'tackles'.

Besides Sango and Ayase's occasional comment or two, the journey was quiet. The men were told to act as if Sango and Ayase were High Mistresses, and that they must protect their Ladies from harm. The group encircled the women, all searching about suspiciously. Occasionally one or many would make a mistake, ranging from weapon holding to lack of attention. Sango made sure to reprimand them if need be, lightly though, still giving them an air of dignity and independence—for that's what the Demon Slaying was all about.

Sango was quiet as she monitored the taijiya's stances and uniforms. She had upgraded the suits by just a bit. When she was learning the Taijiya ways, she had been given a weapon-free costume to wear for exterminations (something everyone was to wear). Yet over the years she adorned more and more gadgets and small weapons to hide within her suit—which was now in every suit of her own village. A hidden dagger hiding in each suit's arm, rope tied to the underneath of the left shoulder armor—a compass in the right, hidden within the butt of the katana was a smaller katana, for the girls—their hair 'decoration' clip held a small cutting knife, and last, a few shuriken hidden in the soles of their new boots. (AN: at the bottom discussing the shoes. Please look now--then come back here, hehe.) Even so, the outward appearance hadn't changed at all. The chief was quite proud.

A sudden upward tugging of her kimono stuck her out of her thoughts. She looked to see Ayase staring bewildered at Sango's naked knees and shins. It dawned on Sango the bareness of her legs when the wind blew and felt a heat pass over her cheeks.

"Ay-Ayase!" Sango quickly pushed her kimono down and out of Ayase's hold.

"…I…I was sure you had your suit underneath! I'm sorry, so sorry!" Ayase suddenly bowed apologetically. "I thought you insisted the longer kimono to hide you suit!"

Sango gave her an incredulous look as she patted down her kimono…earning a regretful smile from her trusted friend. She waved it off with an amused roll of her eyes, and they continued to walk in peace.

Mentally, Sango wiped her brow, sighing in relief. 'That was a close one. Thank goodness I took off the boots and rolled up the pants high enough. Jeeze…Ayase's a smart one.'

"Hahah!" The plump and spoiled Daimyo laughed (boomed, really).

Sango attempted at a laugh, scratching her cheek with a single finger as she sweatdropped. This one was a weirdo.

Behind her, Ayase and the other Demon Slayers were sitting on their knees, forehead to the floor. The daimyo's servants were sitting aligned near the walls, waiting to be called if needed. The Taijiyas' weapons lay beside each owner's head; Sango's being beside Ayase's.

Sango's finger halted in mid-scratch as her wide and weirded-out eyes focused on the gigantic ripples of rumbling throughout his belly. Ughh…

He seemed to quiet down, rubbing at his eyes for tears. "Well, well, I'm sure we'll figure something out about the property sharing. While I think—why don't you stay the night? I'm sure you would enjoy the festival tonight. So? How about it?"

"Gah--" His hand came pounding to her back in 'comforting and friendly' pats. "Ah—" Pat. "Ah—" Pat. "Ah—" Last pat. "Ahh…" Ayase sweatdropped from hearing her chief in the awkward position.

She encouraged herself to at least give the colossal man a smile, which unfortunately ended up looking highly feigned. Even so, the daimyo laughed—taking it as a yes.

"Good then!" He stood on his small chubby legs (Sango wondered how his legs could support him so), lending a hand to his new beautiful guest. Sango took it, while her other hand gathered the end of her kimono, as she stood.

He smiled at her, wrapping a large arm around her small and young shoulders. "Let me show you around…"

Wanting to object, Sango realized she'd have to go along with it—for the sake of her village.

Once the door slid shut behind them, the rest of the audience sat up—wondering what to do now.

With one hand around Sango, the daimyo used the other to take a last sip of his drink. A hearty laugh erupted from his mouth once he swallowed.

"…What is so funny?" Sango asked, smiling albeit grinding her teeth as his arm closed in—quite slowly—around her.

"Oh, I just can't believe a small pretty thing like you is the leader of a Taijiya village!" He laughed again, as if mocking the thought of it.

"Heh…" Sango smiled at him, quickly turning away to roll her eyes before looking back at him once he turned to her—she smiled.

They stood, looking at each other smiling. It would seem he thought he had her attention, but of course—not really.

Sango laughed cheerfully as she brutally smacked away his hand once she felt a finger graze the cloth over her breast. "Why, Lord, you shouldn't always judge by looks." She covered her mouth, giggling, as if they were having a normal conversation.

He laughed as well, rubbing his now red hand. "You're a quick one!"

"As much as you are tricky, Lord!" She attempted at a cute laugh.

The two suddenly looked towards the door they had come from as the sound of crashing and screams could be heard. Being so used to the sound, her ears heard the flames of Kirara as she transformed before her feline roared. It was then Sango took off.

"What's going—" He looked to the Taijiya princess, only to find a pair of stylish and fancy sandals in her wake.

Sango left her shoes back there, knowing she wouldn't need them in battle. By the time she had made it back to the commons, the rest of the Demon Slayers had left, as well as the servants—even Kirara was gone. The only one left was Ayase, and she looked anxious, prancing from one foot to the other, holding Sango's weapons and armor—having her suit already on. Ayase, having no main weapon besides the hidden weapons in her suit, she'd have to borrow Sango's katana.

But the fact that Kirara had already gone without her meant it was critical enough to leave to help out the team. (Something she usually only did with the Inu-tachi.)

"Throw me my Hiraikotsu and take my katana—I won't have time to change."

From someone watching, Ayase would have looked as if she threw Hiraikotsu perfectly (in a short distance of a large common room—comparing to the fields of grass Sango could throw it), but Sango had noticed she could use a lot of practice. Then again, Sango had only secretly taught her how to pass it—so it wasn't necessary.

Once she caught it, Sango caught up to Ayase, who already dropped the armor and ran out the door.

"Alright, but if you seriously screw up my hand-made kimono—I'll kill you with your own katana." Ayase muttered, smirking, as she unsheathed Sango's katana and sliced through a rather weak demon.

"They seem weak…" Sango looked over her shoulder to see the dead demon. "They probably followed us—instead of attacking us in the forest." She raised her Hiraikotsu, only to have Ayase push her hand away and cut through the oncoming demon with the Katana.

"I'll cover you unless I'm occupied. I don't want to risk the beautiful kimono getting dirty…" Ayase laughed.

They continued to run down the corridor and down the castle's stone stairs, keeping their eyes on the few larger demons and many smaller ones. The group of Demon Slayers and village soldiers were fighting. Sango then spotted Kirara and called for her, which she heard immediately.

Once Kirara flew over, Sango and Ayase hopped on and they went towards the fight; skipping the rest of the stairs.

Sango gritted her teeth, being forced to watch from the sidelines. Maybe she should have taken off the kimono first—just to be able to fight. It had only been a few dozen minutes, but Sango wouldn't have noticed the time.

Unfortunately, Kirara was already injured, forcing her to stay hidden near Sango. The both of them were watching from a side wall of what seemed to be a jail.

"...AYASE!" Sango watched her form being thrown, finally slamming her into house's sturdy door and denting it, after flying through the air for what seemed like years. She was about to join the fight when another slayer shooed her away, telling her to leave it to them. Again, she didn't want to hurt their pride—but could they really handle it? It would be her responsibility to tell their families of the tragic loss—and only because she was wearing an expensive kimono, plus being held by a promise to keep the kimono nice.

She massaged her forehead, wondering what she should do…

"Psst—hey Princess…hey!"

And that was another thing. She was not the Taijiya Princess!

Sango, in her mood, swiftly turned around, preparing an argument in her mind—when she realized she was about to yell at a wall.

"Hey, down here…"

She looked down to find a window barely taller than her knees. The window was blocked with metal bars, preventing the jailers from getting out. Sango knelt down, holding onto on the bars for balance.

"It seems like your friends could use some help…"

The person seemed old, that was, if she should or even could judge from voices. The person was whispering, and their skin was pale. He, obviously a male, had a dirty blanket which looked like it had seen better days, covered over their head—making the person's mouth the only thing visible.

"What are you saying?"

The person then leaned close as if about to look out the window, and stuck their hand out, pointing to something to the left. She looked, finding a downward staircase curving to the right, so she couldn't see the bottom from where she was.

"If ya follow the stairs, there'll be a guard. Get the keys and come back here."

"…Are you senile? I'm not about to let a criminal out on the town. They've got enough to deal with at the moment. Besides, if you call me Princess, why do you not yield in your speech when talking to a Princess of such topics, hm?"

The man cackled, leaning forward once again and cupped their wrinkled hand around their mouth—whispering to her. She too leaned forward.

"My cellmate here could help ya out, he's pretty good."

Sango tried to peer through the darkness at the person, but could only make out a figured crouched in the corner, covered in a blanket just like the person in front of her was. The Taijiya looked back to the jailed man, disbelieving.

"If it makes ya feel any better—he was wrongly accused and hasn't even had a trial yet. The Daimyo's keeping him in here just for safekeepin'. Besides," The person smirked, as he shrugged, "It ain't like I'll let myself out."

Sango glared at the chuckling, dark, man; before setting off down the stairs.

The man backed away from the window, glancing towards the unmoving man in the corner, wondering if he had heard the conversation. He was smiling…

Sango was now waiting anxiously for the 'help' the man spoke of. It had been a few minutes since she dropped the keys off at the window. The fact that she had to knock out the guard (especially the consequences of that action) was actually farthest from her mind.

People were already caring for Ayase's wounds farther away from the fight, as well as some other soldiers and a couple of injured Demon Slayers. Most of t he demons had died, but there were only two more larger ones that seemed almost impossible to understand. A new breed maybe? Who knew?

"Psst, hey!"

Sango crouched back down facing the window.

"So? Is he coming?"

"Yeah, he just had to get his weapon that the guards took from him. I advise ya to tell your men to clear the area." The man looked towards the demons.

Sango studied the man, wondering if it was necessary…

Deciding on it, she yelled for her men to pull back. Of course, they had argued—but by threatening their occupancy of Demon Slayer, they obliged, coming to watch from the sidelines like Sango.

Once they reached her area—she suddenly felt doom as she watched the demon follow the men, gleaming their evil eyes her way.

"Sorry Ayase…" Sango stood in a defensive position as she took Hiraikotsu off her shoulder. Looking to her men, "Don't stand in my way—your safest place would be behind me." The truth was—she couldn't really control the next attack well. It was an honest warning…

The men looked to each other and obliged, moving back and out of their chief's way.

Slinging Hiraikotsu over her shoulder, Sango closed her eyes and concentrated her energy.

The Slayers suddenly backed away, startled, as red flames started spouting around the Hiraikotsu in wild flares.

Her eyes opened.

"Hiraikotsu—" She swung it horizontally, the loud swish sounding through the air, "—FUJIN NO MAI!" The words echoed familiarly through the area, in a voice so heavy with feeling. It echoed with a voice long forgotten of a demoness no one will remember but her.

Red crescent moons sprang forth from her Hiraikotsu, which now lay steaming by her side. Sango watched, hoping, as the wind-blown attack pelted the demon like rain, only to have the demon's blood raining back in a mystical shower of crimson. Taking shelter behind her Hiraikotsu, saving the white Kimono, Sango closed her eyes, whispering thanks to the demoness who lent her strength to her.

Roaring was heard after the shower of blood seized, and everyone watched as the demon collapse in heap of scales and pieces. Its friend looked on, the dumb thing obviously confused as to what had happened.

She gritted her teeth, taking the Hiraikotsu into her hold from before her and swung it, aiming for the other demon. "Hiraikotsu!"

The boomerang swam in the air, impaling the brute arm of the demon, yet it hardly budged. If anything, the demon looked even more confused. She looked on, her eyes wide and wondering. The demon grabbed the boomerang, effortlessly taking it out of his arm and studying the—to him—baby-sized weapon.

As if unintentional, the demon threw it back in the direction it came from—towards Sango. She brought her arms in front of her as a shield, yet the boomerang implanted itself into the ground a few feet before her; she being entirely lucky. A large cloud of dust sprung from the ground from the Hiraikotsu's landing, making Sango cough.

The sudden murmurs of the village made Sango fan away the smoke, trying to see what they were talking about.

"Oh ho? Finally here, eh?" The jailed man mumbled from below, amusement lacing every word. "Probably wanted to watch the Taijiya Princess do her thing first," He cackled.

Ignoring the man, Sango squinted, seeing someone stand in front of the large demon—their back facing her. A heavy looking brown blanket covered the person fully, even acting as a hood. All the Taijiya could see…was a large sword…

Unexpectedly, the sword glowed a bright pink…like she remembered years before…

"Kaze no Kizu,"

The monster was scarred, but endured and sent his own attack—making the familiar man snarl. He waited for the attack to come closer before…

"Banryuusen!"

"…Banryuu…sen…?"

A pinkish aura was sent to meet the attack and repelled it, awesomely. The demon collapsed, and people roared. Was he known? As a hero? Who…

It's impossible. Everything of that idea was…impossible!

"Sango-dono!" The slayers called after her, trying to grab the woman fleeing towards the savior in desperate fury. "Sango-dono!"

The daimyo watched beside Ayase, both of them wondering what the woman was doing…

"Sango!" Ayase yelled for her—watching the demon twitch. "SANGO!" It was then that weapons of all kind impaled the demon in an instant—all of the Demon Slayer's weapons, securing their chief's safety…

The man just stood there, as if wondering…thinking…

"SANGO!" Ayase screamed, tears welling into her eyes as she grasped the dirt under her fingers. "SANGO!" Her voice trailed into the wind…

Hope had fluttered at the possible ideas running through her mind. The danger hadn't rung throughout her body like it usually did, so maybe that's why it hurt much, more than it should.

Her fingers had only grazed the stranger's hood to pull it off, when the halberd spun in his hands and came swinging towards her from the side, as if she was on the opposing side. It was then she heard Ayase's shrieks…

Her other hand had stopped the halberd's edge from seeping too far into her hip, purely out of instinct for herself—but only by a few inches. It still impaled her side by an inch or few; even her hand was bleeding drastically. Sango stood still, as everyone else did. Ayase watched her kimono start to soak red from the wound of the halberd…Sango started to violently shake.

She hadn't felt real pain since the days with the Inu-tachi and it made her mind swirl at the distant and foreign feeling. It was impossible to pay attention to anything anymore, and she felt her knees start to buckle. But she was a taijiya, and wouldn't fall until her objective was fulfilled. Sango's eyes closed as she gritted her teeth, and in one fluid motion—she grabbed a fist full of the man's blanket off his head and tore it off. She could see a head full of black hair, pulled into…into a braid.

The man turned his head, having felt his cover being ripped off. Looking over his shoulder, he saw a woman staring at him in deep surprise. Her face was sweating as she struggled to stand. A familiar face….

"…You…"

His eyes widened, his hands flexed and dropped the halberd to the floor before turning fully to face the woman tentatively.

They stood staring at each other, eyes wide, mouths parted. One trying to remember, the other in shock of already having remembered.

His azure eyes darted to her wound, noticing the blood drip…drip…drip…drip…

The man, in all bewilderment, raised his own hand slowly inching it towards her wound…. He felt that same need for blood as he did when he 'awoke'. The urge and feeling…the raw… want.

Sango noticed his hands were bleeding on their own, from whatever wound his had gotten previously. What was he--

His fingers touched her wound, their blood mingled, together. It was so, slippery—and he couldn't control himself as he abruptly grabbed a hold of her hip. And suddenly they pulsed.

After that—everything was blurry as all hell; black and red started hazing the corners of her eyes, slowly filling her whole vision. The sounds around her seized with commotion still going on in her head, it was chaos. Chaos in a silent world, and everything made no sense. Were things going to fall? Come from either side of her? She felt her head look up, expecting random things to crush her. It was paranoia and she felt secluded—yet his grip on her tightened, the quick adds of pressure brought pain and took her out of derealizaton, bit by bit. Her eyes fluttered close, and she couldn't help but faint.

Surprisingly, they hit the floor together, harmoniously.

After—all was quiet. Finally.

AN:

Imagine the following as a diagram of thier new shoes: (yes, this is important to remember!)

Your Foot
Layer of Suit's normal cloth
Thick yet still flexible layer of Youkai bone
Small compartment for Shurikens, accesible from inner-side of foot
Layer of Suit's normal cloth

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Yes. Bankotsu CAN do the Wind Scar with his Banryuu.

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THANKS FOR READING!

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Reveiws from Chapter Two:

Kitty-Cat-13-7: Hehe, Kitty-chan! Hello, and thaankk youuu for reading my story, i really appreciate it! Haha, Awesome and creepy, huh? Thanks! Yeah i know, it is creepy lol, but it's only gonna get 'creepier'. Its gonna turn into a M-rated story, but i'll make it enjoyable and still add in funny moments, as well as many many fluffyness (hopefully tahts what you all like). I hope you still read! Gah, i hope you know how estatic it is to have someone like YOU to comment my unwrothy story, you write so much--i feel dumb having you say nice things about my story, lol. You rock! So much! Thanks again, Kitty-chan!(huggles and buggles)
-Monica

Sangofan89: Hahaha, aww thank you sooooo much! It REALLY means a lot to me that you take the times to read my story, i'm always nervous my stories will be left unread or uncommented upon, and i'll just loose my motivation and never write again (like what happened on my other account for another series). But it makes me happy that you and all these other people read my stories. Really, thanks! And yes, sense Bankosu awake, there will be even MORE fluffy memories between the two, hehe.
-Monica

Bankotsu the Mercenary: haha, after reading this...have you figured it out? Of not, don't worry--it is Bankotsu, rising form the dead like a funky mummy (athough an incredibly hot mummy.) And thank you soooo much for all the nice stuff you said (and hopefully still say), it really helps me write, and i'm dead serious about that. Everytime i get a good-feeling reveiw i REALLY (im not just saying this, im serious) open Word and write as much as i can before i loose my juice and look for other motivations. Thank you so much, Bankotsu the Mercenary! (huggles)
-Monica

Gwenivear Greenleaf: (blush) gah, dont make me blush...i was just writing it for you guys, who would have known someone would have actually really really liked it? (since i made it up on the spot for fan service lol). As always? (my eyes are practcally sparkling, dude, my eyes never sparkle!) Thats so freakin' nice (cries), your so nice to me and my story...gah so nice! All i can do is say my thanks and continue to right, i just hope thats enough to have you keep commenting and reading! Thanks, again!
-Monica

Jlee74: (panting) writing as fast as i can, lol, but it's coming coming coming! I already wrote the chapter after this, so you all wont have to wait another month. (gah, how embarassing)
-Monica

TeamRocket Sapphire: (cries from everyword youve said) You and everyone are the only REASONS i've come this far! It's all you guys, lol dont give me all the credit! Without people like you, i would have NEVER gotten this far, and i would have just left you all sad and moping after the prequal was finished. OMG (cries more) Im so glad i'm converting more and more people into San/Ban-ism. It makes me feel all nice and cuddly inside, knowing there could be some potential writers out there coming to the San/Ban--and start writing wonderful stories! THAT is why i write San/Ban, THAT RIGHT THERE. And hey, it worked! My story 'The FIght of Our Lives' was the 5th San/Ban story here, and now look how many stories are up here, by so many different wonderful writers! Its great, but it's people like you, cheering us on until the very end, that keep us going--like fuel to a car, man (there i go again, one of my hippy similies. Damn me.) Thank you SO much, you deserve cookies!
-Monica

Crimson Kaoru: Ah! Crimson, to have been commented by someone whose written so many wonderful stories is just an HONOR to have comment and actually LIKE my story, let alone give me HELP! Thank you! So! Fricken! Much! Ah! you rock, and THANK YOU so much for being honest and telling me upfront what was up (and nicely too), i deeply respect that. Thank you so much! I will never be able to say thanks enough...lol
-Monica

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Please Review, you nice nice readers!