Hey everyone. I'm sorry I've been slow to post; I've had family coming and going this holiday season, and I haven't found much time to write. But I'm back now, and I hope to have the next chapter posted before New Years. Thank you so much for your patience, and reviews. With that said, onto the story!


The next morning, the group decides it will be best to move on. Kagome feels the presence of a jewel shard to the west, so they follow it. Sango dresses in her battle armor and travel kimono, yet Inuyasha takes Hiraikotsu once again. It is still too heavy for Sango to use, though she does have her hidden daggers and short sword sheathed at her side.

As she, Miroku, and Shippo slip onto Kilala, Sango's lips curl into a small smile, thinking of the night before. She finally kissed him. His gentle, caring, demeanor warms her body, and even now his arms on either side of her are comforting. Sango is sore from the training, and each muscle aches tiredly as she holds onto Kilala's fur. Shippo sits between Sango's arm, chattering happily at Kilala as he did the first flight, the three of them soaring just above the tree line as Inuyasha and Kagome run in the forest below. In the distance, the group hears a commotion, which instantly has them halting in their steps. Sango looks to Inuyasha whose ears are perked and nose turned towards the sky.

"What do you smell, Inuyasha?" Miroku quietly asks before the half-demon looks at the two of them, his mouth curling into a scowl.

"Humans; lots of humans," Inuyasha growls, whipping his head around quickly, "Miroku, get her out of here," he urgently says, and before Sango can say a word, Kilala is flying away from the group, weaving quickly through the trees away from the group of humans.

"Wait, Miroku! What about—"

"Inuyasha and Kagome will be fine. That group is Kuranosuke's men," Miroku murmurs, his breath tickling the back of her neck though his words freeze the blood running through her veins. Kilala whimpers from Sango's tightened grip, which has her master loosening her hands instantly.

"Are…are you sure?"

"Positive," Miroku replies; he can feel the tension in Sango's body and swiftly wraps his arms around her, pulling her back against him, "I promise I will keep you safe, Sango. He won't get to you," he says, his voice reverberating through her body and soothing her slightly. She rests her hand on his arm, his unrelenting warmth comforting her even more.

"Thank you," she shakily whispers as Kilala continues to maneuver through the woods. Flying above the tree line would be faster, but the four of them know that they can also be spotted and followed above the woods. Within it, all they look like is a swift blur. No one will see the humans astride Kilala. Not in the shadowed woods. The foliage above them blocks out most light, so Sango relies on her other senses. Besides Kilala, she hears nothing in the woods. No birds, fellow demons, or wildlife. Which is bad.

"Miroku…"

"I can tell..." he interrupts, his gaze wandering around them as his own body tenses. There's no demonic aura, and yet he can't help but feel like this is a trap. Suddenly, he and Sango are thrown from Kilala's body; she and Shippo go soaring in the opposite direction as netting wraps around the demons. Miroku clings to Sango as his back slams into the mossy floor, protecting her from the fall as he takes the brunt of it. His staff and her sword are dislodged, skidding several feet away from them.

Instantly, Sango is on her feet, reaching down to pull him to his feet. She's about to say something, yet Miroku wraps his hand over her mouth and pushes her against the tree, blending their bodies into the shadows as footsteps approach Kilala and Shippo. Miroku looks down at Sango's big, pleading, brown eyes and motions for her to stay silent by putting a finger to his lips. She nods before he moves his hand from her lips to her cheek, brushing away some dirt gently. He kisses her forehead before looking over her head to where the net lies with their friends. Miroku fights the urge to run over immediately, and fight for their freedom, since it may be another trap. He can't risk it just yet.

Sango turns in his arms, her front pressed to the tree trunk as she peeks out. A white billowing cloak flashes in the few streaks of sunlight seeping through the foliage. A long black ponytail sways against the cloak as the man steps closer to the demons. Instantly, Sango freezes, her heart pounding loudly in her ears. She recognizes that rigid back and domineering stance…Kuranosuke.

"Hmm…I distinctly remember ordering your death, demon," Kuranosuke spits at Kilala who hisses in the silent forest, "I'm not interested in you, however. Where is your rider?"

Inuyasha, if there ever was a time for you to show, it would be now! Sango pleads inwardly, tears threatening to pour from her eyes as several soldiers approach the net. Miroku notices Shippo is nowhere to be seen, and relief seeps through him. The young fox demon must've escaped to get the others. He tightens his hand on Sango's shoulder and she nods, understanding exactly what the monk is saying. Just wait. Hold until the others show.

Easier said than done. Sango fights every urge telling her to save Kilala when the soldiers lift the net. Kilala jumps to her feet, yet they smack her with something that sparks, and she curls in a defensive ball, howling from the shock weapon. It must be enchanted by magic, for lightening sparks at the tip of the pointed wand. Tears pour from Sango's cheeks as another soldier hits Kilala again and again. Miroku puts a hand over Sango's mouth as a painful sob rips through her. He wants to help, but Kilala keeps looking in their direction and shaking her head no. She knows what would happen if Sango goes back to this man. Sango's knees give out and she looks away; she can't stand watching her best friend be abused because of her. Miroku holds her to his body and she looks up at him again, her teary eyes pleading with him to let her go, to let her save Kilala. He rests his head against hers, tears threatening him as well.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry," Miroku whispers over and over again as Sango trembles with frustration and rage.

"Where is your rider?!" Kuranosuke screams when Kilala exposes her fangs to him, showing no fear against the blows. He kicks the demon, yet when she lunges for the man, she gets shocked again. After one particularly nasty wound, Kilala faints, her piercing whimper echoing around the woods and ripping through Sango's composure. She shoves Miroku away, grabs the nearest weapon—Miroku's staff—and slams it into the nearest soldier, knocking him out in a second.

"Damnit, woman!" Miroku spits as he slips from their hiding spot, scooping her blade from the ground. She takes another soldier out before one approaches her from behind, his blade raised to strike Sango down at any moment. Miroku is on him in seconds, stabbing him in low back, piercing an organ that kills him instantly. Miroku silently prays for the man's soul as he tosses the blade at Sango and takes his staff. She nods her thanks before another group of soldiers approach them. Sango fights diligently beside Miroku and nostalgia aches through his vein. This is how it should have been when they fought Naraku. Instead, this asshole took her away from him. That won't happen again.

Kuranosuke watches the fight with amusement, not fear, even though Sango pierces him with a furious glare as one by one his soldiers fall. Miroku knocks the last one unconscious before turning to face Kuranosuke, his grip tight on Sango's arm, controlling her rage through that simple touch.

"Very well done," Kuranosuke says, "I see you are still a formidable woman," he adds as his gaze rakes over Sango coldly, "It is time for you to come home, though,"

"Never," Sango spits with so much rage her words should be fire. But it doesn't even faze him.

"You're still my wife. Now come. Or all your friends will die,"

"We just took out your soldiers, Kuranosuke. You have no one to back up your threats," Sango hisses, yet a sudden movement from over her shoulder has her faltering. There, in the dimly lit woods, stands an entire army of trained men, their weapons drawn and pointing straight for the two of them.

"You were saying?" Kuranosuke retorts, his lips curled in a wicked smile. Sango looks at Miroku for guidance.

"I'd rather go down fighting than let him take you from me," Miroku quietly says, yet his voice is raked with all the feelings he has yet to tell her. He loves her. He needs her to know that, and yet as Sango stands on her tiptoes and kisses him, he can tell she knows. She must know. He deepens the kiss, his fingers trembling as he clings to her. He turns to face the lord whose face is twisted up in a violent rage.

"Kill him! Kill him!" Kuranosuke screams, determined to take Sango once and for all.


And that's all she wrote! Happy Holidays, everyone, and I will see you before New Years!