Playing Thief by Night Beauty


Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.


Chapter 9: The Sacrifice


"Sango!" Kagome broke through the door of the hospital room. She saw her best friend's body lying on the bed.

Miroku was sitting next to her, not even bothering to turn around when Kagome had barged in.

"What happened?!"

"I'm not sure," Miroku replied.


"You're. . .Taijiya?" Sango asked the girl.

"What of it?" the girl inquired. She glanced up, her eyes holding a strange glow.

"Taijiya!" a voice called from the shadows.

Both girls glanced up to see Musou jump from the trees, draped in a long black cloak.

"Musou," Taijiya gritted her teeth. "I told you not to come."

Wait, how did he get here?

"I needed to see you," he explained.

What's happening?! Sango had swirls in her eyes. I don't get it!

"Who's there?!" a ruff voice called.

"Run," Taijiya whispered harshly, "Or else you'll be caught as well."

"You were captured?" Sango asked.

She nodded and smiled. "Yes."


"She couldn't have fallen that high," the doctor explained. "It seems her head wasn't not injured badly, but at this rate I don't know if she'll wake up."

"I was supposed to rescue her when she needed help. . ." Miroku muttered.

Kagome sat at the end of the bed, her fingers moving Sango's hair behind her ear. "Sango. . .won't you wake up?"


"How the hell did you get here?" Sango demanded as Musou carried her through the forest. She was in his arms as he leapt from tree to tree.

"I had your rosary beads," he explained. "And while you went through a time slip, I used my powers to follow you through those beads. They are your spiritual energy."

Sango turned crimson when they landed. She hopped off and glared at him. "How do you know Taijiya?"

"Well," he smiled nervously. "During this time period, Taijiya was exterminating demons in order to protect the people along side of Kikyo. I was created from Naraku to trick Taijiya, to make her stop killing the demons. Befriend her, and then make her express feelings for me."

"Oh," Sango said, blushing. "That's messed up."

"Gee, thanks," Musou rolled his eyes. "Anyway, tonight is Taijiya's death penalty. Full moon, just as Ayame said," he pointed up to the glowing moon.

"I know," Sango replied sadly, not just because of Taijiya, but also because of the mention of Ayame. "I'm going to stop it."

Musou sighed. "I see you don't lack in confidence, but I doubt you'll stop them."

She crossed her arms, glaring at the young man, "Well, better than doing nothing, right? But I suppose you want her dead. . ."

"The plan backfired," he explained. "I did befriend her, but the feelings went the opposite way it was supposed to. It was Kikyo. . ."

Ah, he fell for Kikyo. . .Isn't that ironic?

"Anyway, I can't transform," she said, randomly, more just to stay off that odd topic. "Seeing as you have my rosary beads."

"You couldn't become Taijiya anyway," he said, "because you shouldn't exist right now."


"You should eat," Koharu held out the bento box in front of Miroku's face. "You're not going to have the energy to take care of Sango if you don't."

He continued to hold her hand. "It's okay."

"It's not!" she stomped her foot. "Kagome and Inuyasha are waiting and worried too. Sango would be mad if she found out you were putting yourself in this position."

"I don't care."

"But we do!" she nearly yelled. "Damn it, just eat!" she whacked the box against his head.

He winced, catching the box as it fell into his arms. Koharu angrily left.

"She's really ticked off," Inuyasha raised a brow as she left the room without saying a word to them.

"You're so observant," Kagome stated sarcastically.

"Thanks."


"Kill her!" they shouted. "Kill the exterminator!"

"Do it quickly! I want her dead!"

"No! It should be painful. . .make the girl suffer!"

They really hate me, Sango thought, watching the crowd from afar.

"What are you waiting for?" Musou asked in an amused tone. "Save her."

With that, he pushed her off the tree.

"Ow!" Sango glared above her. "Fine, then. Idiot."

She did what came to her mind first --- running.

Now I feel like an idiot, she thought as she ran and pushed through the crowd. She frowned, wondering why no one had caught her yet.

"It felt like someone pushed me!"

"It was the wind," someone said. "A huge gust. . .maybe Taijiya is planning something!"

"Or maybe Kikyo is lurking around!"

They can't see me? That's right. . .I shouldn't exist right now.

Sango stopped in front of Taijiya, now surrounded by wood and flint.

"You're still here," Taijiya stated. "Why?"

"I'm here to save you, because I'm your reincarnation."

She smiled softly. "I understand, but it is already too late. I shall be burned tonight."

"Why do these humans want you dead? Weren't you helping them?"

"They're all possessed by the Dark Priestess," Taijiya explained. "I could not seal her powers in time, and I have been robbed of my Hiraikotsu."

"Burn her!" the humans shouted, throwing their torches at the exterminator. "Make her suffer!"

I can't stop this. . .Sango gritted her teeth. I have to watch someone die again. . .

"Thank you for your kindness," Taijiya said softly. "I have decided I will give my remaining powers to you."


"She's glowing," Kouga pointed at Sango's heart. "Something's happe-- Don't look at her chest!"

"Err. . .what?" Miroku threw an innocent look.

"You had that perverted grin on your face," Kouga pinched his ear. "Take this seriously!"

"I AM!" he yelled because of the pain, and taking offense of Kouga's statement.

Kagome and Inuyasha barged through the door. "What happened?!"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. . ."

"We're not hearing things, right?"

"Is Sango okay?" Kagome felt her friend's forehead. "It feels a bit warm."

"Feh."

They can't see the glow? Miroku frowned. That must mean something's happening to Taijiya inside her. . .


"Get away from here quickly," Taijiya coughed. "Or else you'll be seen."

Sango nodded and ran, passing through the crowd as a gust of wind. As she ran, her short hair extended down her back, and her hands instinctively tied it up into a high ponytail. She looked at her arms, which were now covered with the black fabric of her exterminator outfit. She felt her jeans and shirt tighten to fit along the curves of her body, and then fading into her outfit. She halted in the middle of a small clearing.

"I'm Taijiya again," she sighed.


"She's crying?"

Miroku took a closer look. A tear was streaming down her face, and then followed by others.

"How can she be unconscious and crying?" Kagome wondered out loud.


Sango, who was now Taijiya, wiped the tears from her eyes. "I have to seal the demon."

"Find the scroll!" Musou called out. He looked down at her from the tree branch.

"What's Naraku going to say once he find out you've helped me?"

"Don't worry about it," he smiled and faded away.

"Wait, I don't even have Hiraikotsu. . .how am I supposed to seal it?"

Taijiya turned and saw the smoke spreading and dispersing into the sky. A light gust of wind blew, and ashes were scattered before her feet. When another breeze flew by, the ashes unveiled a katana. She bent down and grasped it, watching her reflection on the blade. "This. . .?"

"Wench! Why are you still alive?!"

She was too occupied in her thoughts to realize a woman had found her. Taijiya snapped back to reality and saw the woman held a scroll with writing in blood. It appeared to be some sort of incantation.

The Dark Priestess?

"Kikyo must have done something to have kept you alive. . ."

The woman had long raven hair, with short strands framing her porcelain face. Her eyes had a cloudy but stern, piercing gaze as she glared angrily at the exterminator that lived.

"Tsubaki, you are naïve."

Taijiya did not turn around to the new voice. She concentrated on the scroll, preparing to release it from its user. However, she was a priestess, a person who held far more powers than a mere exterminator.

"Kikyo," Tsubaki sneered with ominous tone. "I knew you were behind her revival."

The priestess said calmly, "That is not Taijiya."

"Don't think I'm a fool," the Dark Priestess spat.

Kikyo held the bow and leveled the arrow at the woman. She shot, and it flew past Sango's cheek, hitting directly at Tsubaki's arm.

She screamed, releasing the scroll and clutching her arm. The scroll unrolled, its paper becoming stained with the priestess' own blood. Taijiya looked to Kikyo, who was already walking away.

"How am I supposed to seal it without Hiraikotsu?"

"The answer is in your hands, Sango," Kikyo replied, glancing over her shoulder.

Taijiya held up the katana, understanding it all. She lifted the blade and pierced it into the scroll. The paper dissolved and she felt her body vibrate. She was beginning to disappear.

"I'll be watching you," she heard Kikyo say.


"Sango!" Miroku exclaimed, nearly falling out of his seat.

The formerly unconscious girl had sat up so suddenly, nearly hitting his forehead on her way up. She took deep breaths, her blurry vision trying to focus correctly. "Where am I this time?"

"It's okay," he said softly. He didn't back down when she realized he was gripping her hand.

"Miroku," she leaned back against the bed head. "I saw it all happen. . .I saw Taijiya die. . .and I saw Kikyo."

The boy only smiled. "Did something happen to you?"

"Well, I have this kick-ass blade now. About fifty times lighter than Hiraikotsu. Then--"

She was about to say more, until his lips abruptly stopped her.

Kagome and Inuyasha opened the door halfway and discovered the two already occupied in. . .other businesses. Kagome smiled at the two, while Inuyasha merely blushed.


"Rin," the boy whispered, leaning against a tree. Forget-Me-Nots were blowing gently in the field where they had once talked.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" a girl called.

His amber eyes scrolled to the left and then to the right. Though his exterior looked calm, his heart was beating quickly inside. No words escaped his lips.

"Up here! Up here!" she called.

The boy's head tilted up, seeing a tiny puff of smoke appear. A small girl with white wings appeared, wearing an orange kimono decorated with flowers. She floated down in front of his face. "Hi!"

"Rin?"

"The one and only!" she smiled.

He held out his hand, allowing the angel to land on it. She was only about ten centimeters in height.

"I have to tell you something," she said, suddenly in a serious tone. "Your brother's girlfriend is in danger."

"I didn't even know he had a girlfriend."

The tiny angel shrugged. "Well, he probably doesn't either."


Kagome flipped her diary to page one. She smiled as she read the entry.

[ June 12th, 8:32 PM ]

I made a new friend today! She's so nice, but I don't understand why her parents aren't with her. Even though we're only seven years old, I can tell we're going to be best friends! Mommy is going to take care of her until she is able to cook and do things for herself. I'm going to take care of Sango too! She said she would protect me from any bullies. And we promised to keep each other's secrets. We'll tell each other everything, because on this day, we are best friends!

She reached into her jacket's pocket, taking out a photo of her and Sango. They were eight years old then, arms around each other's shoulder and smiling the biggest they could in front of the camera. Each of them held a victory sign with their fingers.

Kagome tilted her head, feeling that she had met Sango way before they were seven.

Yeah right, there's no way I could've known her before then.

She jumped onto the bed, placing the diary beneath her pillow and clutching the picture in her hands. Her eyes drooped and in a few minutes she had fallen asleep.

A figure outside the window smiled slowly at the girl. That's right, sleep soundly. . .you have a big day ahead of you. . .


iLOVEcheese- Ooh. Where in Cali do you live? I have a cousin in Pleasanton. And yes, it is quite pleasant there! The weather was quite cool for summer.

Soli-chan- California seems to be a really nice place to live. Especially Pleasanton. Heck, downtown is only a 10-minute walk from school...

Corisu Li- 'Shinpai shinaide'? What's that mean? Sorry, I lack in the Japanese department...

Aamalie- Thanks! For some reason, I got tired of writing this fic when I got back... maybe it was the vacation time taking its effect. Xx;;

Valdimarian- Twists are what make fics interesting! Tee hee.

Divine Red Crayon- Wow. That's a really long vacation date... I'm already starting school by the time you're back! Damn, school. So evil... Anyway. I hope you enjoyed California's weather! It does not feel like summer over there...

Irasuto- Hn, it might have reviewers forget this story, however. Yes, cliffhangers are always a nice touch...

Shankujou- Yes! Long live Sango and Miroku!

FieryDemonFox- Hehe. I'm just glad I've made the twist unexpected!

Silver Mirror- Since I don't actually outline this fic (More like I write whatever comes to mind), it's actually confuzzling me too... xD

Crimson Eyed Angel- LOL. XD You're always so interesting.

Story Weaver1- Rin... Heh, yeah, I think I kinda messed her up...

Kagome Goddess of Light- Wow, lots of people seem to be heading for Cali!

Hyper-Citrus- Hehe, I think there's gonna be more unexpected things...

???- Wow, you remind me of a friend who exaggerates like that...

Demon Exterminator Barbie- Oi, I hate plane rides. They smell... and it gets me nauseated. And I totally despise 12-hour flights...

Kazzana- I'll try to update more now that I'm back...

Evelyn12345- I'm back! Now I just need to get back into the fic-writing groove.

k.c- Thanks! I'm glad you like it!


Author's Note: I'm baaaack. Hope you guys didn't forget me! Man, this chapter took a while. Maybe vacation time is making me err... lazy? Well, obviously. No school! Of course, half the summer's already over... anyway, if you're into Rin x Sesshoumaru fics, please read and review my newest fic, Music from the Heart. I recorded Inuyasha while I was gone, but I missed the episode after Tsubaki's entrance [stupid power failure] and last weeks [stupid time change]. Sorry if I kinda made her out of character... Is it just me, or does she look like the older version of Kanna?