Chapter 3: Bitter Sweet

Kagome saw the shadow before her and she was filled with relief, her heart knew it was Inu Yasha just ahead, so she redoubled her efforts to crawl forward even thought she was exhausted and her knees and palms were bloodied and painful. "Inu Yasha," Cried Kagome when she reached him. Inu Yasha was looking over the girl searching for any sign of injuries, when she swiftly embraced him and began quietly weeping. Inu Yasha gently put his arms around Kagome returning her hug without comment "Kagome where is Naraku?" Asked Inu Yasha worriedly. "I-I don't know, the smoke is too thick," stated Kagome as she looked up at him. "We have to get out of this smoke Kagome," said Inu Yasha. Slowly the two rose to there feet, each supporting the other, "Which direction?" asked Kagome as she suddenly became aware of a familiar tingling sensation to the left of them. "Inu Yasha! The Jewel of the four souls, I can see it," said Kagome with disbelief. Kagome quickly pulled away from the hanyou and dashed forward to snatch up the glowing orb. "NO! Don't touch it," shouted Inu Yasha his heart pounding with anxiety, 'Naraku has the Jewel, Naraku is there,' screamed his brain. His warning came too late. Kagome had already grabbed the jewel.

Sesshomaru reached the weeping girl having been guided by Tenseiga, and the sounds of her anguish. He stood glaring down at the girl impatiently waiting for her to notice him, but the stupid bitch remained so lost to her emotions she was totally unaware of his presence. Sesshomaru's ire turned to anger when he was presented with the face of the boy he was to save, it was the same boy who held Rin captive. He briefly considered denying the blade but as he thought this, Tenseiga's pull intensified and he realized that the blade would not be denied easily. "Move back wench," snapped Sesshomaru bluntly. Sango's head jerked up instantly. "Sesshomaru," she gasped completely at a loss, her numb brain couldn't react, she didn't know what was happening. "We are not so well acquainted that you should use my name so familiarly wench," sneered Sesshomaru indignantly. Sango blinked at the demon before her, absorbing his words and letting her disbelief turn to annoyance. "What do you want?" she hissed at the demon lord. "Move away from the boy," said Sesshomaru shortly. "Why?" asked Sango curiously as she complied without thought. Sesshomaru ignored the girl and withdrew Tenseiga from it's sheath reading to strike at the imps of death, and resurrect the little boy.

Kouga stumbled as he made his way toward the shadows ahead. As he neared he became aware of the sword raised high over the exterminator's kneeling head. Kouga leapt forward in one quick burst and landed just behind the prone girl, growling softly, "Are you all right?" his eyes never leaving Sesshomaru's. Sango looked up at the growling wolf-prince a bit confused. "I'm fine Kouga," Sango answered sounding unsure even to her own ears. Sesshomaru ignored the two and proceeded to swing Tenseiga saving the boy Kohaku's life. Upon finishing he sheathed the blade, as the boy began to stir, he made to leave. "Sesshomaru, wait please," cried Sango tearfully. "Sango?" said Kohaku with confusion. Sesshomaru turned to face the crying girl. "I-I don't know why you did this, but I sincerely thank you, you can't know the happiness you have given me, I am indebted to you," said Sango humbly. Sesshomaru looked down into the girl's hazel eyes for a moment then he turned and was gone in a blur.

Sango looked over at Kouga just in time to see the blue-eyed youkai crumple to the ground in torment. "Kouga," said Sango as she rushed to the fallen wolf demon. Kouga growled at the girl as she neared more out of habit than intent. "Oh shut up, idiot," said Sango without any real heat as she knelt by Kouga and began forcibly examining his wounds. "Take it easy wench," hissed Kouga with a pained expression. Sango lifted her eyebrow and continued her ministrations. "You'll live Kouga, but these wounds will take time to heal, I'm afraid that you'll be immobile for a while," said Sango gravely. The wolf prince looked over at the exterminator with a slight wince, "What aren't you saying wench?" he asked. "Later Kouga, now just rest," answered Sango evading Kouga's question. Sango continued to fuss over both Kouga and Kohaku every few minutes she would grab her little brother in a fierce hug and tears threatened to spill, she was embarrassing Kohaku immensely.

Kohaku was really confused his dreams and memories had bled into each other making it very hard to substantiate what was real and what was not, he was cold inside, but every hug from his elder sister brought him new warmth. He was beginning to remember. "Sister you're bleeding!" exclaimed Kohaku as he pulled his bloody hand from her side. "It's a scratch nothing more Kohaku," Sango assured evenly. Kouga looked at the girl with a lifted eyebrow and said, "She's lying boy, she is loosing blood as we speak, see to your stubborn sister before she drops dead." Kohaku looked from the strange youkai to his now furious sister with confusion and interest, but wasted no time. Kohaku busied himself caring for Sango purposely focusing all his thoughts to her and not allowing his mind to wander, lest he be swallowed whole by his looming sense of dread. Once finished with his task he looked his sister strait in the eye and said, "All of it is true isn't it? I killed all those people, and father, I killed father, and I tried to kill you.. Your wounds . I'm responsible for your wounds," cried the boy with dismay.