'I know I shouldn't have done that to Inuyasha...but what choice did I have?' Sango asked herself, as she followed the saimyoushou in hopes that it would lead her to Naraku. 'I just hope he will be able to forgive me...'

Before long, a barrier became visible. The taijiya narrowed her eyes slightly and tightened her hold on hiraikotsu, "Be careful, Kirara. If we pass through the barrier without any trouble, it means Naraku's expecting us. So...be careful."

The fire-cat growled, understanding. And once they arrived at the barrier, they were able to pass easily. Then, straight ahead, was Naraku's castle.

'Ane-ue...I'm scared...'

'Its ok...I'm here...'

'That was not Kohaku!'

'I will kill that boy along with Naraku!'

'No way...there is no way I can kill you. I can't do it. Kohaku...'

'I'll kill you and then myself! That's the only way I can free you from Naraku! Forgive me, Kohaku!'

'M-make it...stop...Ane-ue...I'm s-scared...'

'I'm sorry...Kohaku. I'm so sorry...He won't hurt you anymore. He's not going to hurt you anymore...Kohaku'

The taijiya frowned as she looked ahead at the castle. She couldn't afford to loose her concentration here, "Naraku...I won't forgive you..."

It wasn't long before Sango and Kirara were in the courtyard of the castle. The neko landed on the ground, as Sango got off her, "Naraku! Where are you?"

As if on cue, Naraku appeared in the doorway, a mocking smile on his face, "Sango, have you come here all by yourself?"

"This is between you and me! You'll pay for what you did to Kohaku!" Sango said. Her words were laced with all the pain, sorrow, and anger she had felt ever since that fateful night so long ago. Those feeling she had kept hidden deep inside her...those feelings she had tried to hide from her friends.

Naraku just laughed, a chilling laugh, "Is that what this is about? It doesn't have to be this way, Sango. I could easily bring Kohaku back again, for a price of course. Work with me, and I'll make it so you and your little brother can be together forever."

The slayer clenched her hand into a fist, glaring at him, "I would never make Kohaku live through that again! And I'd rather die than ever work for you, you bastard!" She screamed, running towards him.

All signs of amusement disappeared from Naraku's face, as he stared straight at Sango, just waiting for her to attack, "That can be arranged, dear Sango. That can easily be arranged."

*Back with the others*

"Inuyasha, have you found her scent yet?" Shippou asked, glancing over to the hanyou from his spot on Miroku.

Inuyasha snorted, "Where do you think I'm going?!"

"Look!" Kagome shouted, interrupting the hanyou and kitsune as she pointed ahead of them.

Inuyasha growled as he stopped running, "We don't have time for this!"

A large number of demons, plus some saimyoushou, stood before them. Apparently, they had been sent to keep them busy while Naraku had Sango.

"Inuyasha! Go ahead and go find Sango. Kagome-sama, Shippou, and I can handle these demons." Miroku said, as he prepared for the coming fight.

The hanyou looked at him, "Are you sure?" He was worried about Sango, but he wanted to make sure the others would be fine as well.

"Hai, we'll be ok." Kagome said, speaking for Miroku and Shippou as well as herself, "You go get Sango-chan."

Inuyasha nodded shortly, "Right then. Be careful!" And with that, he was off, 'Sango...wait for me!'

Any demons that tried to follow after him were either shot by an arrow, purified by ofuda scrolls, or hit with fox-fire.

*Back to Sango and Naraku*

Hiraikotsu had been discarded as Sango chose to fight with her katana instead.

Naraku kept jumping back with Sango's every swing, the blade narrowly missing his body each time.

Sango lunged towards him and slashed, hoping that her katana would hit its target. But Naraku ducked then, before she had a chance to counter, he grabbed her wrist, causing her to drop the katana. He smirked as he kicked her legs out from under her and pinned her to the ground, "What's the matter, Sango? You seem to be distracted. Reconsidering my offer?" He asked, releasing his hold on her wrist.

"Never!" She replied angrily with fire showing in her eyes, "I'll make it so you can never manipulate anyone again!" Then, in a quick motion, the arm-blade extended from beneath her armor, and she slashed Naraku across the chest.

He looked genuinely surprised for a moment. And then a menacing smile crosses his face, "I expected better from a slayer." He said simply. And before Sango could realize what he meant, a cloud of shouki came out of the wound on his chest.

Sango's eyes widened slightly as she tried desperately to cover her nose and mouth from the poison vapors, since her exterminators mask had long since been knocked aside. But it was no use; she had been too close. She coughed and took a strangled breath, "Y-you bastard..."

Naraku only laughed, intending to rely to her comment. But before he could, he was hit by something, and fell back, away from Sango.

Kirara stood between Naraku and her mistress, growling. Her crimson eyes narrowed as her ears went flat against her head. The neko gave Naraku a deadly gaze, daring him to take one step towards Sango.

Naraku regarded the fire-cat briefly, before turning his head slightly to look into the surrounding forest. He looked back to Kirara and Sango, "It seems Inuyasha is on his way here. But it doesn't matter. She will die soon anyway." With one final laugh, he disappeared in another cloud of shouki.

Inuyasha arrived a moment later. His golden eyes quickly scanned the area for Sango. And, just as quick, he saw her lying on the ground with Kirara by her side, "Sango!" She wasn't moving, when he reached her. The smell of Naraku's shouki still hung thickly in the air and, being a hanyou, he could handle it. But, apparently, Sango was another story... "Sango! Sango!" He repeated her name several times as he lifted her into his arms.

Her dark eyes finally opened again, hearing his voice. "Inu...yasha..." She said quietly, with the hint of a smile on her lips, "You...you're here."

"Baka, of course I'm here." He replied, glad that she was talking. But he knew she would need some medical herbs for her to be well again, "Hold on. The others aren't too far away. Lets go, Kirara!" He called back to the fire-cat.

Sango shook her head slightly, "I'm sorry...I should've... listened to you...Inuyasha..."

"Don't apologize Sango." The hanyou said, as he began to run back towards the others, "But remember that next time you want to fight someone alone."

"If there is a next time..." She whispered, letting her head rest against his chest as she closed her eyes once again.

It may have been a whisper, but Inuyasha's sensitive ears easily heard it. He stopped instantly, looking down at the exterminator in his arms, "What?! Don't say that! Sango! Sango, open your eyes!"

She did as he asked, though her vision was beginning to become blurred.

"Don't you dare say anything like that!" Inuyasha said, once she was looking at him again, "Nothing is going to happen to you. You're going to be just fine!"

The taijiya was silent for a moment, before speaking again, "I'm glad for one thing though..." She reached up shakily, placing her hand on his cheek, "At least...y-your face will be...the last...thing I s-see...Inu..." Without being able to finish his name, she slipped into unconsciousness as her eyes closed and her hand fell away from his face.

"S...Sango?" He asked, his voice surprisingly quiet. "Sango, no...don't...don't do this..." His knees started to give away, and he sank slowly to the ground, holding her close to him. "Don't do this to me...Please don't..." He shut his eyes tightly, "You promised!!"

AN: What a way to end a chapter, ne? What will happen to Sango? Will she ultimately break her promise? Just wait and see...