Happy Holidays everyone!

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post on this story. I wrote ahead in my other two tales on this site, but unfortunately I didn't write ahead in this one before I moved, so I've been playing catch up. I got to Oregon, got settled, got a job, and then had Thanksgiving. Now here we are! I hope to get this one back on a way weekly schedule, so without further ado. Enjoy!

Sango wakes with the morning birds chiming in the trees above her. Surprisingly, her body isn't as stiff today, and she sits up with relief flooding through her. Her recovery is taking a lot less time than she expected it to. She looks around the camp; Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kagome all sleep soundly around her. She stands on shaky legs, her eyes falling on Hiraikotsu. She may not be able to wield it yet, but she can at least polish it. She runs a hand over the coarse bone before kneeling and digging through her battle armor for the tools she usually carries. She finds the polishing stone and pockets it, her gaze falling to the bone boomerang.

I will move this, she thinks as she slips her hands around it, lifting it with more effort than when she was a child. She wanders away from the camp before sitting against a tree and running the stone over her boomerang as she used to do; she tries to control her breathing as she swallows the sober realization that she really is weak. Muscle memorization kicks in, allowing her mind to stumble over a training regimen. She'll have to be careful not to open her wound, and it may be best to start with strength training. Her body isn't used to moving like a warrior anymore. Her movements are clumsy and lackluster, not graceful and powerful.

"You missed a spot," a voice teases from the trees above her. Sango gasps and looks up, excitement filling her as Kohaku drops to the ground next to her.

"Kohaku!" she tosses the stone to the side and hugs him, his arms wrapping around her tightly. His hug is almost painful, yet she cares not. She can tell he needs this almost as much as she does, "How did you find me?"

"Lord Sesshomaru…" he vaguely states, "You're looking a lot better," Kohaku chimes as he sits next to her. She smiles lightly and shrugs.

"You know me. I hate being bedridden for too long," she counters, yet he doesn't smile as she hopes he would.

"I feel like you and I both have changed too much for me to really know you...or for you to know me…" Kohaku mumbles, his eyes on the mossy forest floor beneath them. Sango sighs and squeezes his hand tightly, drawing his attention to the sympathetic smile on her lips.

"Remember what I said? I've forgiven you…you need to do the same. It wasn't your fault Naraku—"

"Let's not talk about it," Kohaku interrupts with a quick shake of his head. She nods, respecting his wishes. It must still haunt him just like part of her past haunts her as well.

"That's fine, Kohaku. You say I don't know you? Enlighten me. Tell me about the new Kohaku," she chimes and her soft smile breaks down his walls.

"Where do you want me to start…?" he pulls his knees up to his chest like he used to do as a boy.

"Why are you with Lord Sesshomaru?" Sango asks, hoping he'll answer the most nagging question on her mind. Kohaku smiles and shrugs.

"For a misanthropic demon, he isn't so bad. And besides…he saved my life. He could have easily let me die when Naraku ripped the shard from my body, but he didn't. He once confessed that I confused him, and the 'Great Lord Sesshomaru' never gets confused by mere humans. Ever since, he's been taking care of me and Rin," Kohaku explains, "You know, Lord Sesshomaru still lets me be a demon slayer. He lets me take care of lesser demons that attack villages like ours. I find that interesting about him. He's never tried to change me like Naruku did,"

"That's because you are perfect as you are. There is no reason for him to change you," Sango chimes, ruffling her brother's hair as he goes into another story. Sango listens with pride welling through her heart and a bright smile on her face. One of his stories has them both laughing despite her pain. After a moment, Kohaku falls silent, a shadow crossing his face once again.

"I'm sorry I left you with that lord. I should've known something was wrong, but I just thought you were mad at me for what happened…" Kohaku murmurs and Sango sighs.

"You really couldn't have known. I've always hidden my pain from you with a smile. I never wanted to worry you, but let me apologize…I should've stayed with Inuyasha's group until Naraku died so I could've saved you. I should've fought for you, but—"

"Hey, don't worry, sis…it is in the past now. All is forgiven," Kohaku says before she hugs him again. Once he lets her go, he hastily wipes at his eyes and looks at Hiraikotsu, "So how is the training going?" he asks.

Sango just sighs, "It hasn't been. I'm barely strong enough to move Hiraikotsu, much less throw it. It'll take some time to build my strength up again, but I'm not too worried,"

"Well, if we are in the same area again, I can train with you," Kohaku suggests and Sango smiles brightly.

"I'd love that!" she cries and he chuckles.

"Well let's get to it then!" he says as he jumps to his feet. Sango follows his lead, excitement bubbling through her as she begins her training once again.

…

Miroku wakes slowly and the first thing he notices is that everyone is gone. Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippo have all packed their belongings and taken off, but that doesn't surprise Miroku. Kagome mentioned the night before that there was a shard nearby and they were going to get it early in the morning. What does surprise him is that Kilala sleeps curled up at his side, and yet Sango is gone. As is her weapon. Miroku jumps to his feet and Kilala looks up at him with a small mew.

"Do you know where she is?" Miroku questions before the cat stands, stretches her back slowly with a wide yawn, and trots off into the forest. Obviously, Kilala isn't worried for she stays in her small form. The forest is quiet until they reach a clearing where he sees Sango blocking off an attacker. He almost steps into the fight, but then he hears Sango laughing. Confusion seeps through him before the attacker gets knocked to the ground and his shaggy brown hair uncovers his face. Kohaku.

Relief pours through his veins as Miroku leans against a tree, watching Sango block Kohaku with her forearms, her body stiffly working through the exercise. There is an odd sense of comfort and joy observing Kohaku and Sango. He's happy that they were able to put their past behind them and continue to share their sibling bonds. Both of them lost so much, and for them to push forward now…it fills him with hope. Sango and Kohaku can have a bright future beyond Naraku and Kuranosuke and the death of their parents. It will get better. After a few minutes, Kohaku stops. Sango instantly sits on a fallen log, her breathing ragged with exertion. Miroku wanders over and Kohaku freezes, his smiling face faltering to a stoic frown.

"Don't worry, Kohaku…I'm not here to yell at you," Miroku says with a small smile. His comforting grin has Kohaku relaxing, his tense shoulders dropping as he adjusts the guard on his forearm. Miroku glances down at Sango's flushed face and disheveled hair, and instantly has to fight his desire. What is it about this woman that makes him lose all sense of control? "Are you doing all right, Sango?" Miroku quietly asks and she nods.

"Better than ever," Sango chimes before standing and wincing, "Maybe a bit sore now…"

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Please…" Miroku says, his voice dropping in a way that has her cheeks turning crimson red, and it isn't from the exercise. Kohaku hands her a water canteen.

"I won't. Where are the others?" Sango asks as she sips the water in her hand, hiding her blush from Miroku's piercing eyes.

"They went to hunt a demon. If you'd like to get back to training, I can leave you be," Miroku says, and Sango stares up at him with shocked eyes. He understands her more than she ever thought he could. He sees her desire to be strong again, the joy she feels when she sees Kohaku, and the shame she hides from her own failures.

"If…if you don't mind," she quietly stammers and Miroku flashes her with a bright smile.

"Not at all. Come find me when you're done so I can check on your wounds," he states before turning to Kohaku, "Take care of her, okay?" Kohaku nods solemnly, his eyes betraying his emotions.

"Of course I will," he says, determinedly. Miroku looks down at Sango once more as he spins on his heel and wanders off. Kilala stays behind to watch over Sango and Kohaku, leaving Miroku alone with his thoughts. He feels for the siblings, he really does, but what can he do to help them? Almost nothing. And that knowledge leaves a bitter taste in the back of his throat, and determination boiling in his gut. He may not be able to help Kohaku, but he sure as hell will make sure Sango is safe. That's all Miroku cares about, and until she is safe, he won't be satisfied.

And that's all she wrote! I hope you guys enjoyed this. Like I said before, I'm getting back onto a weekly schedule so be prepared for the next chapter to come out soon! (Hopefully...)