((What has it been a year? I never thought I'd update this, but I've practicing my writing so long so ano-hope you continue to enjoy this and as I'll put up on my other stories I'm looking for an editor, whoever's up for the job step forth!)

Chapter 10: Sorrow

Hana woke up to the smell of something hot and bread scented; ah when did her Sesshoumaru-sama learn to cook something like this? Wait how did she even know the smell of bread? Could she have eaten it before with other people?! Sango hopped quickly to her feet expecting Rin's usual squeal at her companion waking up or at least the brush of Ah Un's fur, but these settings were unfamiliar...

The little girl had to rub her eyes twice to make sure this wasn't a dream.

"Ah Hana-chan you're awake."

Unfamiliar arms embraced around her flat body pulling her close like they knew each other. Like the child she was she lifted her head to see strange green eyes that she couldn't even begin to recall. For the feisty spirit that was the young taijiya the oddest thing happened and tears started to fill up running down her cheeks-she broke into sobs held by the strange women and 'comforted, but nothing could comfort her, not when somewhere in her tiny heart she knew she had been abandoned.

It was a week later and the cute taijiya was a hit among the little boys; she'd seem to settle and now wore flowers in her dark brown hair looking like the other girls who only longed to become a bride to be...this what he, the great youkai Sesshoumaru confirmed as he watched her from afar carrying a basket of fruit to where she'd been asked- a way to keep her keep in the village. Then his choice had been right after all.

Sure Rin had cried nonstop but she'd forget Hana in two weeks or so, and he felt no regret. With that confirmed he took off and left the little village behind heading back to his company, it was time to put his goal back ahead of him- he would continue traveling a forget about her.

That stupid, cute little girl.

"Inuyasha let's REST already! I've been riding my bike, my legs are really sore."

'Baka woman, riding the whole way and you're still complaining."

"Hey, for YOUR information I have to work at pedaling this bike to MOVE so don't start-"

Inuyasha and Kagome were at it again, the group had gone oddly a restless during there travel and though they couldn't tell, there was something missing, but really it'd always been these five so there wasn't the first hint as to what was wrong. As a normal teenager the tense atmosphere struck Kagome the worst making her irritable and sore a lot more often, maybe it was because her and Sango didn't talk those times Kagome got frustrated at being surrounded by so many guys.

No, it was that stupid Inuyasha's fault! He'd been a bad mood for two days, scowling a crossing his arms boy how it pissed her off!

"Easy, easy you two. Inuyasha I think we could use a little time off from all this constant searching, we haven't any rumor about the shard for days and"

Inuyasha frowned at the monk looking more annoyed than usual; he didn't really know why he was so mad anyway. "Whatever, do what you like." Just as he was about to give a gruff reply a shouts of 'demon!' curved his attention.

"Inuyasha, sit!"

Kagome was FED UP with being yelled at and ignored. Inuyasha hit the ground hard looking up angrily at Kagome with irritation in his golden orbs.

"Would you pay attention idiot"

"Don't call me a idiot, sit boy"

"OW!"

"Um Kagome-chan I think he means..."

Miroku pointed over to an old man, Shippo looking over the monk's shoulder.

"Hey he's hurt!"

Sango was oddly quiet staying behind as Kagome went with Miroku to greet the wounded.

"Sir, are you okay? Hold on I have something that can help that scar." Kagome started digging into her pack for her first aid kit only to be stopped by a wrinkly hand on her wrist.

"P-please h..elp the chil...dren"

"Inuyasha we have to--" Kagome blinked at the kneeling half demon in front of her, confused.

"Well what are we waiting for? I'm not going to let a demon eat little brats without going head to head with me first! Climb on Kagome"

"Let go y-you freak!"

Hana socked the boy pulling at her ponytail, bringing her fist back with a scowl, her new dress was already dirty! "M-monster!" The little boy looked scared now, no longer teasing her over her lack of girly-ness--boys had this habit of not like girls who weren't effected by water or bugs. "You wanna get hit again freak!" "Stop calling me that!"

Hana was roughly shoved by the boy's older and taller brother, getting angrier by the second.

"You chicken-you're noot sposed to hit gi--" About to try to punch the older boy, both her arms were grabbed and do girls held her back.

"H-h-hana-chan hurry up! Come on--"

She was practically dragged kicking and pouting that she could take them, only able to stick her tongue out as she completely pulled far faraway to where the other girls were playing and picky flowers.

"You're so brave, but you have to be careful! They're mean."

A taller girl was wiping Sango's face with a wet cloth, rubbing off the mud.

"Tsuki quit that." The young taijiya's face went a little pink and she turned her face away glaring at the ground. "They always pick on the girls and they're worse than those other boys"

"Hana-"
"They pushed Kira into the lake!"

"She's fine Hana, and you could really get in trouble- if your parents found out..."

The proud rough expression fell from sango's face and she looked to the ground...those people weren't her parents. How could she just be given to people and be expected to call them mom and dad? She'd never forgive that meanie Sesshoumaru-sh-she'd kick him really hard the next time she saw him! Yeah, right, like she'd ever see him again.

"Oh, Hana I didn't mean to!"

"Nah, it's alright...look the flowers look so pretty, we should pickthem for someone else does."

"Hai! You know you almost look like a girl now."

"Shut up."

"T-tsu-chan"

No,no! Why here...why?

H-how could this be happening...this large fat creature was squeezing the life out of her new friend! Hana stared horrified trying to think of something to do, b-but what?! One of the boys had been killed, no not killed; EATEN. This stupid monster coming r-right...right when she'd started to forget her traveling days and decided to five this place a chance. She'd picked a yellow flower and curiously wondered at the shadow over her. This wasn't how it was supposed to be! Why would she be abandoned just do die?

Tears started to fill her eyes like they had a week ago, but Sango shook them away her spirit returning at the yelled "Hana, run!" but she wouldn't. She ran towards the monster ready to fight-if the adults would do anything--!

The creature's tail wrapped around her small body from behind.

Maybe he'd underestimated his charge, he couldn't take Rin's crying everyday. The usual happy child hadn't stopped crying even with his assurances...He wouldn't leave Rin in a village, not after what had happened before and he also had some care for the little girl. Maybe, that was why he was back...here to check one last time.

"Demons! Demons!"

Sesshoumaru had a hold of the man's collar so fast it was weird the male hadn't fainted. The usually calm pure blood looked pissed.

"Where?" He hissed. The 32- or so year old man pointed shakily toward the village Sesshoumaru had left Hana at.

"Inuyasha hurry!"

"I can't help it that stupid old man gave us bad directions!"

"You should be able to smell him."

"You calling me a dog?!"

Miroku gave a deep sigh, he really hoped they'd be there already. Some demon slaying, a few pretty girls as thanks. "There." Everyone stopped as Sakura pointed ahead from Kirara.

"Ah, nice going Sango! Alright let's go Inuyasha!"

"This would be easier if you weren't so heavy..."
"WHAT?!"

"I-I said...that demon is dead when I see him"

"That's what I thought."

With the relief of no-sit the group headed toward the village there fifth party had pointed out, Hana's village.

------ REVIEWS!
((I'm back on a writing streak and I have a cold, don't ask.

Now to you lovely people

Nightfall2525: well it's my job to keep my readers restless sometimes-heres your new update my friend

Kiba-pup: I love reviews-they give me--well a big head from one -grin- yes on a roll and out with a new chapter!
CodeRED3297: Neh, strawberry flavored-- and no -sweatdrop- but I remember you as a damn good reviewer so whatever flavor you like it'll be. The day he realizes...won't THAT be the day-
mirokuslovergurl: I will try as hard as possible-
SangoSnape: oh oops..hope you liked it anyway xD

xxxroxyxxx: happiness uu don't we all

FlamingFireFox: aww thankyou hun--if soon means a year, here ya go :D to all my other reviewers and more to come thanks for your support!

Next chapter: Who will get to "Hana" first? Inuyasha's group or Sesshoumaru--I just KNOW you're all pulling for Sesshy, but unless I get those reviews...-innocent grin- and why is Inuyasha's group getting so unnerved and hostile? FIND OUT SOON!