A month, Sango has been in the southern lands for a month now. The priestesses and monks trained her like what the shogun had requested. They trained her mentally and spirituality and although she had gotten used to controlling the Sacred Jewel, she kept it at a minimal. Her stay did prove beneficial to her as she got to go on missions. Everyday, she would also receive flowers from the monk, claiming that it is a way for him to portray his love with different flowers everyday. Nonetheless, her prolonged stay on the village only made Sango miss Kohaku.

"Are you not feeling well, my beloved?" Miruko approach the taijiya, who was seated on a rock.

Sango shook her head and looked back at the stars. "I miss my little brother."

Miruko sat beside her and placed a blanket over her shoulders, to shield the cold breeze of the night.

"Please don't feel sad, my love. After your training, I shall journey with you to the east." Miruko comforted.

Sango looked at the monk and smiled. "Thank you."

Miruko looked back at her. No one broke their gaze and slowly, Miruko lowered his head and placed his lips on hers. Sango didn't pull back but when she motioned to return the kiss and as she closed her eyes, she saw and felt only one person. Sesshomaru.

She quickly pulled back and stood up. Guilt wrapping her consciousness but what guilt? Guilt for not returning the kiss? Guilt for thinking of someone else while in the arms of another? Guilt for betraying Sesshomaru?

"I'm sorry." She mumbled before heading to the monk's hut.

The monk had not entered the hut that night, to Sango's delight. Kaho had woken up as she heard the cries of Sango.

"Sango." Kaho mumbled as she embraced the taijiya.

"I can't do this, Kaho." Sango sniffed.

"I feel like I'm betraying..." the demon exterminator paused.

"Sesshomaru?" Kaho continued. "Hime, you really have fallen for the inuyoukai."

At that realization, Sango's weeping had ceased. She remained silent in the embrace of her friend. She knew what entailed such emotions, she is a demon slayer and the man she claimed to love is a demon. If she planned to venture further then it would cause chaos and would only hurt her. Even if she does indeed love Sesshomaru but the latter not harboring the same. It would only cause her pain. She has to marry Miruko, loveless.

"Atleast out loud, I won't say I'm in love." Sango whispered, knowing she cannot deny her feelings anymore.

Kaho embraced the demon slayer one last time before casting a sleeping spell that placed her best friend to slumber. She understood Sango very well and could barely imagine the emotional pain she is going through. Planting a soft kiss on her forehead, Kaho sent the taijiya sweet dreams and placed her under her futon.

The next day, Sango woke up with the smell of green tea brushing her nostrils.

"Feeling better?" Kaho asked.

Sango nodded her head as she took the cup that Kaho was handing her.

"Miruko dropped by earlier, he asked me how you were doing and told me he'll be out on a mission." Kaho informed.

Sango nodded. It was probably best for them after their recent encounter.

Sighing, Sango stood up. "I better go for a jog before the priestesses find me for their daily mantra."

"I'll have breakfast prepared before your return." Kaho bowed.

Sango needed to clear her head. Pacing and controlling her breathing, she ran pass trees and rivers as she ran around the village. Feeling her chest tighten from her excessive exercise, she stopped by a river and scooped herself a good refreshing drink.

"Have you met the demon slayer?"

Sango heard a female's voice. Carefully, she searched for the source. Sango landed on a tree branch as she spotted two priestesses, taking a walk on the road.

"No but I've heard she's been training and helping with the demon problem." The other priestess said.

Her fellow priestess nodded. "Yeah, I've seen her around the shrine. She's really beautiful y'know. Miruko's really lucky."

Sango blushed at the priestess' compliment. She never saw herself as someone who's beautiful and not even physically. She has scars all over her body that she rendered from fighting off demons.

"But isn't that monk in a relationship with Kikyo's twin sister?" the other priestess asked, making her companion gasped.

Kagome? Sango thought.

The bells ringing from the village, interrupted the priestess' conversation as they hurriedly returned to the village for morning prayers. Sango stayed there for a little while before she went back to Kaho.

The witch could tell something was bothering her friend's thoughts as she constantly spaced out while they were having their meal. Before she could even ask what was wrong, the taijiya stood up and told the witch that she would be at the shrine.

Sango didn't want to believe what she had heard but if it was true then it would make every sentiment Miruko had done for Sango pretense. Or, that the miko and monk had ended their relationship, leading now Miruko to show such affections but then it would also imply that all of Miruko's sweet words and gestures that he showed to Sango and portrayed in front of Kagome would've undoubtly hurt the woman. Everything was confusing Sango.

Training was the only thing occupied Sango's mind and allowed all the confusion to cease but after she was done and was alone at the hot spring, everything came and worried her thoughts once again. Already unable to clear her mind, her bath got cut short as she dried and clothed herself.

Noises, muffled noises caught Sango's attention and instinctly held her katana for any attack. As she got closer to the noise, she immediately regretted it. She saw Miruko and Kagome, naked, with their bodies connected. Miruko was covering Kagome's mouth and this caused the stifle noises that erupted the miko's mouth. Then, Kagome screamed as her eyes rolled to the back of her head. The couple then disconnected and laid on their backs.

"Won't Sango look for you?" Kagome asked in between pants.

"I told her I went on a mission." Miruko responded.

Sango was now the one to cover her mouth as she hid behind a tree.

"Do not worry yourself, my dearest, you know my heart will only belong to you. After I become the shogun, I shall have you by my side." Miruko uttered.

"But I don't want to be your concubine." Kagome whined.

Sango could not take any more of it and leaped out of the place.

The throne, all Miruko wanted was the throne. The reason why he constantly showed that he cared for the female demon slayer was because of the power he shall soon gain once they tied the white ribbon.

Reaching the hut where she had lived for a month, Sango told Kaho to prepare her things.

"Did something happen?" Kaho asked.

"The throne." Sango vaguely explained and moved around the hut, searching for her things.

"What do you mean?"

"Miruko. The reason why he agreed to marrying me is because he wants to be the shogun."

Kaho was taken aback but still confused she questioned Sango. "How did you know?"

Sango didn't respond and continued pacing around the place.

"Sango!" Kaho made Sango stop from moving, holding her shoulders and making her face her.

"I saw them. I saw Miruko and Kagome in each others arms as they reminded both of their love. Then, the houshi admitted that after we are married and he takes father's position, he would have Kagome be with him even as his concubine." Sango answered.

Kaho's eyes mirrored anger as she calmed herself, fighting the urge to burn the village down.

"Then, we must not hastily leave. Let us wait for his return and inform him of our leave. He would get suspicious if we leave at once." Kaho stipulated.

Sango nodded.

"Rest now, Hime-sama, by tomorrow I shall talk to the monk." Kaho hugged Sango.

And, as the sun rose up the next day, Kaho did as promised and bid farewell to the people of the Holy Lands. Miruko planned to give Sango a hug but the taijiya ignored him and caressed Kirara's fur. The monk felt neglected by this but respected the wishes of Sango either way. The monks and priestesses watched as the taijiya left the village on her demon cat.

As Sango reached her village, the first thing she did was embrace her father. The shogun was initially surprised but returned the gesture nonetheless.

"Still my little princess." The shogun uttured.

"Sister!" Kohaku beamed as he entered his father's room and joined the embrace.

Himari giggled and made the reunion complete by wrapping her arms around her husband and children.


Sango sighed as she was now back into her usual kimono. Her sleeves dragging beside her whenever she left her hands on her side. Her hair elegantly accessorized with her mother's gift, a moon shaped hairpin made of pearl.

"You should have decided upon a better attire." Kaho giggled as she watched her mistress struggle from walking.

Sango blew the strand of hair that fell to her face.

"Here, let me help you." Kaho carried the cloth from Sango's kimono that dragged behind her.

Sango smiled as she finally reached the top of the cliff.

"Taijiya."

Her smile grew wider. She turned around and found the inuyoukai, in all his glory.

"Sesshomaru!" Sango carried the edges of her kimono and ran to him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest.

Kaho bit her lips together and watched in amusement, her friend's impulsive behaviour.

What did I just do? Sango closed her eyes and slowly withdraw.

"Uhmmm.. Hi!" She awkwardly greeted.

Sesshomaru ignored Sango's arms that still pulled him to her. So, when his eyes narrowed, Sango could only wonder.

"You reek of a man's stench." Sesshomaru nonchalantly said.

His statement made Sango remember Miruko's failed attempt of kissing her.

"I missed you too." Sango smiled before kissing the daimyo.

She truly missed him, if not her words then her lips on his proved it all. Sesshomaru pulled her close, carrying her in one hand as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment. Sango moaned and wrapped her arms around her lover's neck, entangling her fingers on Sesshomaru's silver locks.

"Ehem." Kaho coughed, interrupting Sango and Sesshomaru's intimate session.

The two broke apart. Sango blushed as she looked at Sesshomaru. The Inu no Taisho could only scowl before saying. "This Sesshomaru grew impatient. Taijiya, you have failed to meet your words."

Sango, once again, embraced the demon lord. "I know. But, for now, let me be in your arms."

"Hn." Sesshomaru responded.

Sango had no idea what she was doing but in his arms, everything felt okay. And, him not denying her meant, if not as strong as Sango's, he has feelings for the demon slayer too.