Porcelain by Juul

A/N: In this chapter, Inuyasha and the gang return. And also, this goes a little deeper into Rouge's and Kagura's character, and Sango's thoughts.

Chapter Seven: The Demon's Mercy

Inuyasha, Miroku, Kagome, Shippo, and Kirara trudged through the forest, in search of their friend. It had been about four days since Naraku had kidnapped Sango. They were all really worried about her; even Inuyasha was starting to show it. Kirara was scared, considering the fact that her owner had gone missing. Kagome tried tracking Naraku many times by sensing his jewel shards, but everytime she sensed jewel shards, it was always just another giant centipede, spider, or worm.

Miroku was more worried than anyone else. Sango was the woman that he actually, truly loved, and she was missing. Miroku tried not to think about what may have happened to her, but it was hard. The monk had a bad feeling that something horrible had happened to Sango.

"I'm telling you, Naraku had to have taken her!" said Inuyasha. "I know it! I smell Naraku all over her weapons! And she disappeared after she went after her brother!"

"We can't give up, though, Inuyasha!" said Kagome. "We'll find her, don't worry."

"Well, it's almost dark and I'm tired as hell," said Inuyasha, "let's go back to old Kaede's village. There's nothing more we can do today." He looked up at the reddish orange sky. Shippo jumped up on his shoulder.

"Inuyasha," said Shippo, "do you think Sango's okay?"

The dog-demon wasn't sure what to tell the young kitsune. There was no telling what Naraku could've done to Sango. "She's a strong fighter, Shippo. I think she's okay." He looked over at Miroku, who was kneeling down and praying. "Miroku?" asked Inuyasha.

"Please, just let her be okay," said the monk as he stood up. Somehow, Miroku knew that Sango was alright.

0000000000000000000000000000000000

Sango lied on the floor, her mind surprisingly blank. Naraku had just left her, after once again using her for his twisted desires. She had never felt so defiled... so tainted. But the one thing that bothered her the most was that no matter what, she would never be the same, and if by some miracle she would be herself again, it would take a really long time.

The taijiya put her hand to her face and touched the bruise that Naraku had given her. How could I let him do this to me? thought Sango, not even bothering to wipe away her tears. That bastard had taken everything from her... and she wanted revenge...

But how could she get her revenge when she was terrified out of her mind at the mere sight of him?

This has got to be a fate worse than death. Either this or... She thought of Rouge and Kohaku, both being in Naraku's control. Kohaku, having no memory, and being used as a mere weapon until Naraku has no more need for him. Rouge, a victim of Naraku's lies, and being used as nothing more than a weapon of intimidation.

The more Sango thought about it, the more confusing everything became. If Naraku was indeed using Rouge as intimidation or a weapon, it had to be towards Sango in some way. They were a good match in battle, with Sango's skills as a demon exterminator, and Rouge's powerful yokai magic. But something about Rouge scared Sango... she was just like her; lied to by Naraku, and set up to kill someone else for something they didn't even do.

The shock was still there, but Sango knew that the amount of mental torture about to ensue was going to be immense. She always heard stories of rape victims being scared and extremely edgy for the rest of their lives. She couldn't go back to Inuyasha, Miroku, and Kagome like that. What would they think? Would they cast her out and abandon her? Or would they be overprotective and not let her fight anymore?

Sango slowly rolled over onto her side, wincing in pain. Before closing her eyes and drifting off into an uneasy sleep, the last thing she saw was the mysterious demon, Rouge, her creepy violet eyes shining in the dark as she stood towering over her, a sword in her hands.

00000000000000000000000000000000000000

Rouge walked down the hallway, her pale face lacking any expression at all other than anger and rage. She thought for a moment of Yokama, her late fiancee. His smiling face when he asked her if she would marry him and bear his children.

"Hmmf! Get the hell out of my head! I can't let my stupid emotions take control of me!" Rouge slammed her fist into the wall. Another thing to nag the hell out of her-- that demon exterminator. Rouge had been trying in vain to get away from Naraku's damned castle, but she could barely find her way around the interior. "God, just what in the hell was Naraku doing to that girl anyway? All I've been hearing for the past hour or so is screaming! It's only been quiet for a few minutes!"

The annoyed yokai turned a corner and stalked down the hall, glancing towards any open doors, trying to see if anything useful was in the rooms. She heard quiet sobs coming from one of the rooms. Rouge, being naturally curious, walked towards the room and looked inside.

The taijiya was lying on the floor in a fetal position. She looked as if she had been through hell and back. Weak humans, Rouge thought, giving the girl a questioning look. Might as well kill her now and put her out of her misery. Rouge unsheathed her sword and walked into the room, towering over Sango's shivering form. The demon held up the sword and went to strike the miserable girl with it... but something stopped her.

Sango looked up at Rouge, a pleading look on her face. "I won't... give up..." she said in a raspy voice. With that said, Sango fell unconsious.

That look on her face. "Ami," said Rouge in barely a whisper. Sango looks just like Ami! She looks just like my sister Everything except her eyes... Rouge felt tears welling in her eyes, but she hastily wiped them away and stomped out of the room, sheathing her sword once more.

Maybe I'll let the taijiya live a little longer.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Kagura sat on her bed, looking out a window. I'd give anything to be free. Free as the wind. She was beginning to feel even more hatred for Naraku than ever before. He was just so unforgivably cruel! Sango's screams had just barely stopped around ten minutes ago.

By now Naraku should be in his room. Maybe I should go check on Sango, now. Kagura got up and quietly walked out of her room and down the hallway.

The wind sorceress was pissed off enough as it was, but passing the fire yokai on her way didn't help much. She gave Rouge a suspicious glare as the demon continued walking right past her as if she wasn't even there.

Rouge stopped walking. "If you're wondering if I did anything, the answer is no. I'm just taking a walk. Leave me be, witch."

"I wasn't going to say anything," said Kagura, "but don't wear out your welcome with me. You haven't done anything to me, yet, but if you do, I'll show you no mercy."

"Who gives a rat's ass, anyway?" asked Rouge, facing away from Kagura. "As soon as I slaughter whoever killed my sister and my fiancee, I'm going to end my own life as well. After I avenge their deaths, there's no reason for me to stick around."

Kagura wasn't surprised at Rouge's words. "Very well, Rouge," said Kagura, "But try and listen to me, okay? Sango didn't kill them. Naraku did. I want you to think about that."

Rouge turned halfway, the shadows on her face making her look even more dangerous and ominous than normal. "I can't kill that taijiya anyway. She looks too much like my sister. So if she did kill my family, then I guess I'm not getting my revenge. But tell me more of this Naraku. Is he the one causing her to scream and keep me up all night?"

"Yes," said Kagura, leaning casually against the wall, "Believe what you want, but trust me, I want my own freedom from Naraku, myself. And if Sango did kill your companions, then how come she's trying to avenge her whole village's death? Three guesses who killed them all." Rouge narrowed her eyes at Kagura. "You know it. I know you do. Naraku killed them, didn't he?"

"Then how can I kill him?" asked Rouge. "You, being one of his incarnations, has to know something."

"I'm going to be completely honest with you," said Kagura. "I don't."

Rouge blinked at Kagura and then turned around, starting off down the hall. "I'll find a way. With or without your help. I want my own revenge."

Kagura shook her head. Rouge was such a nuissance. Although, she did seem to be of some use to kill Naraku. Rouge spared Sango's life just because she looks like her dead sister. Maybe she has a heart after all. The wind demon walked into Sango's room and kneeled down next to her, placing a hand on her forehead. Sango winced at her touch, but remained asleep. Kagura began tending to Sango's many wounds.

"This is gonna be a long night," said Kagura.

0000000000000000000000000000000000000

Sango awoke the next morning, surprised to find herself dressed and in her bed. Kagura must have done this while I was asleep. I wonder where she is? She went to pull the blanket off, but Kagura came into the room, and sat down right next to her.

"How are you feeling?" asked Kagura.

"Okay, I guess," said Sango.

"You're lying," said Kagura, "don't deny it."

Sango sighed and nervously rubbed her arm. "You're right. I'm not okay. And I'll never be okay. Even when all of this is over." Sango looked away from Kagura, remembering the previous night's events. "Why didn't that demon just kill me last night?"

"She said that you remind her of her sister. And if she killed you, that would be like killing her sister, which is definately against her beliefs." Kagura moved her hand up to scratch her neck, and Sango made a barely noticeable attempt to get away. "I'm not going to hurt you," said the sorceress.

Sango wanted to scream at herself so badly for that. "I know you're not," she answered quietly, "but after what Naraku did, I just... God, I don't know! I'm not even myself anymore! I was never like this before him. I hope that bastard rots in hell!" Sango leaned towards Kagura and started crying.

Kagura decided to try and comfort her, so she cautiously put her arms around the demon slayer. Sango tensed up at her touch, but remained still. "Don't give up. I know it's probably really hard, but you've gotten this far. Besides, I need you to help me get rid of Naraku... and Kohaku needs you to do that for him, too." Kagura wasn't all that bad. She just did Naraku's bidding so he wouldn't kill her, but an act of rebellion every once and awhile was tempting.

"Sango," said Kagura, "what did he do to you? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I just want you to know that you can talk to me."

Sango buried her face in Kagura's shoulder, trying to build up the courage to actually be able to speak about it. After an uncomfortable, prolonged silence, she finally spoke up, in a voice barely more than a whisper. "He... he beat me... and then he..." she felt a fresh wave of tears coming, and she could feel the numbness in her mind going away, being replaced with shame and sorrow. "... He touched me... and that's the most I'm saying..."

"Trust me," said Kagura, "Naraku's going to pay. Just wait. We'll all get our revenge on him soon."

A/N: So how was it? Please review!