AN- So, I'm back with more. ^.~ I love this story. Still don't own it, sadly, otherwise these two would be together already, darn it. I can wait though. Oh look. It's been so long that in the Japanese manga they are… ^^* Note to all: I think the characterization has probably gone to heck in a handbasket, and I've lost my story notes, so I'm pulling this out of my bum now. And if you notice English-english words, and everything else is American, it's just because I've watched tooooooo much BBC-America.

"Where are those idiots?" Inuyasha grumbled.

All the sudden, Miroku appeared at the edge of camp.

"Greetings, Inuyasha, Kagome-sama," he said. "This is Sango, and she will be traveling with us until she regains her memories."

Kagome shot him an odd look, but didn't say anything because his face said clearly, "I'll tell you later."

Instead she said, "There are rumors of shards in both the north and the west. Inuyasha managed to find out through a "discussion" which should be more difficult." Kagome rolled her eyes at doggy-git. "So, we should split up to get both of them as fast as we can. You two can take Kirara and investigate the one in the north, and Inuyasha and I will get the one in the west. We'll meet up here in a week or sooner," Kagome instructed.

"Very well, Kagome-sama," Miroku said. "But first, let us rest for the night."

*~*

On the road the next morning, Sango kept glancing at Kirara. Finally, she asked, "What is that demon?"

"That's Kirara," Miroku said. "Her mistress never divulged what sort she is."

"Is she Kagome-sama's?"

Miroku shook her head. "She belonged to a powerful miko named Midoriko." Miroku failed to mention the fact that that had been a very long time ago, but it was the truth. It was just leaving out the small detail that she was now Sango's.

"You used the past tense," Sango pointed out.

Miroku nodded. "Midoriko-san died."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Miroku smiled. "Never really knew her." He felt really rather bad about deceiving her this way, he figured that she had to regain her memories on her own to cause her less pain. He remembered her headache after trying to force the memories of the group.

They approached the town, looking around cautiously at the sparseness and noting the almost complete lack of people.

They heard a shrill whistle, and automatically readied their weapons.

"Do you look for the curse?" a voice called.

"What curse would that be?" Miroku called carefully, keeping his hands visible. Next to him, Sango tensed, unconsciously shifting into a defensible position.

"The curse on any houshi who dares enter with a female companion," a voice rasped out from behind them.

The duo spun around, reflexively grabbing at weapons. Sango had her sword half drawn before realizing it was the town's shrine's miko and resheathing it quickly.

"Any…" Miroku started slowly, for once unable to slip on the suave mask in the face of danger. He exchanged a glance with Sango. She raised an eyebrow at him questioningly. He nodded almost imperceptibly.

"A curse, you say? And what exactly are the perimeters of this curse?" she asked, noticing town members coming out of buildings.

"Any houshi traveling with a female companion, no matter how many others are with them, dies within the week they first step foot here. Then their souls refuse to ascend." The ancient miko (who's age would put Kaede to shame) started hobbling toward a building. "Well, come along. You've already set foot in here. You might as well have a seat before you die."

Miroku gulped, and for the first time in his life, fervently prayed that they would find a way out of this. Yes, he had a curse in the palm of his hand that was killing him, but that was nothing like hearing you would be dead in a week. . .

Sango felt an odd tingling down her spine. She carefully looked around, trying to pinpoint the oddity. She reached down to scoop Kirara up unconsciously.

"Madam, if I may ask, what happens to the houshi's companions?" Miroku asked, his calm veneer slipping into place.

"Never seen from again," she responded briskly.

Sango was beginning to get annoyed. Not only was she supposed to die, she still couldn't pinpoint what felt so wrong about this little village.

As they were seated in front of the shrine it hit her.

There were no children. Anywhere.

AN- And there we have it. The beginning of a plot of sorts. ^.~ I'll update much sooner now, 'kay? I have ideas again. ^_^v That's always a good thing. I'd estimate this at about nine more chapters this length, maybe/probably a little less. Anyway, the part with Kagome and Inuyasha was skimmed over, namely because it was just one big headache for Sango, and nothing happened.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! And:

*some person* - I swear I will finish this. Eventually.

DarkRoseAngelScarlet- Don't hurt me, please

Nuage44- Here, more MiroSan loveliness for you. Just very, very late. ^^*

sango-chan- You and me both hope he'll help her get her memory back… But who knows? I don't and I'm the author…

sangotaijiya- I will finish. Eventually. I swear. Before I choose a college, too.

dEeYaN- Um, yeah. I updated. ^^* Can you please remove the knife so I can breathe?

Singer Rialle- Thanks. I'm fond of that twist too.

kitsune-greenleaf- Thank you so much for the compliments. You'll make me think I can actually write. ^^

Po-chan- We? You have a split personality? Or the royal we? j/k ^_^

warriorGL- I'm glad you like it so much.

Anzu-chan- You signed in just for this? Wow. I'm impressed. I'm so happy you like it.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you made me actually continue this thing. I love it, but I got depressed when I lost that stupid notebook and my laptop crashed. But I'm baaaack~!