Disclaimer: see chapter 8

VII. For the Best

"Where's Sango?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome and Shippo shrugged.

"Do you know?" he turned to Miroku. "You were with her last, I can smell her scent on you."

Miroku shook his head, seemed to be in deep thought.

"Where did you go and what did you do anyway?" Inuyasha asked.

"It's nothing," the monk muttered. "No, it's not what you are thinking," he added quickly when Inuyasha opened his mouth to ask something.

"Kirara's gone too!" Shippo exclaimed.

"She probably went for a walk, or went practicing with Kirara." Kagome assured everyone. "She'll come back."

"Well we have to get going," Inuyasha said impatiently. "I'll sniff her out and bring her back."

But Sango's and Kirara's scent disappeared at a certain spot a couple feet away from the camp.

"She flew off on Kirara. So I can't follow her!" Inuyasha pouted and crossed his arms. "Great, now we have to waste another day!"

"Sit! That's for being so selfish." Inuyasha clenched his fist when his face was still grounded. He forgot about that word.

Nightfall, and still no sign of Sango. The gang was getting a little worried. Where did that girl go, and why? Did they do something to make her mad enough to leave?

"It's all your fault, monk," Inuyasha said. "You scared her off with your groping."

Instead of defending himself, Miroku remained silent, lost in thought. He was quiet all day, still trying to figure out what happened the previous night and why.

"I'll go look for her," he said finally, standing up.

"Alone?" Kagome asked.

"You have to stay here in case she comes back. I'll be fine on my own." Miroku walked away.

"Hachi!" he called into the forest.

Miroku was riding on the transformed Hachi, flying over the forest in the direction of the scent trail before Kirara took off. He didn't really know how to find her, but he knew he had to try.

Where are you Sango?

Sango walked aimlessly in the forest. She didn't know where to go or what to do. But she knew that she couldn't stay with her friends, and she especially couldn't face Miroku again.

(Flashback)

It was just before dawn, and everyone was asleep except for Sango. Miroku followed her back to the camp after the incident and, to her relief, went to sleep without asking any questions.

Sango gathered her belongings and gently woke up Kirara. She took one last look at the sleeping figures of her friends. Her gaze lingered on Miroku for a second longer. She almost didn't want to go, but she knew she had to for their own good. Then, she turned around, got on the transformed Kirara, and flew off before she could have second thoughts.

(End Flashback)

It's for the best. Sango walked on, tears gathering in her eyes.

I can't endanger them anymore because of my selfishness. I will find Naraku on my own and free Kohaku. With that thought, she wiped the tears away and straightened up. I will free you Kohaku, and this time, I won't endanger my friends.

Oh yeah, I wrote a poem called Jealousy, SM, guess what it's about!

IY: What is this! I can't get out! Why am I in this barrier!
MR: That's what you get for attacking my authoress. btw, thanx FMP. Inuyasha, you should know that as the authoress, whatever I say goes. For example, if I said you are twirling around like a ballerina...
IY: (twirls like a ballerina) What the...
MR: Or I said sit!
IY: (wham!) But, but, you are not Kagome, so how...
MR: Like I said, whatever I say goes!

weird pairings:
Sango/IY - 5
Naraku/Kagome's mom - 4 (it's just a tad bit scary, but i guess i can make it work)
Kanna/Kouga - 3
Naraku/Kirara - 3
Miroku/Kagome - 2
Sango/Sesshy - 2
Rin/Naraku - 2
Kanna/Shippo - 1
Shippo/Kirara - 1
Miroku/Kagura - 1
Kagome/Shippo - 1
Sango/Naraku
Kaede/Naraku
Shippou/Kikyou - 1 (kinda scary, but that's okay)
Naraku/Kagome - 1

keep on voting!