Disclaimer: The only Inuyasha I own are my keychain and DVD's

Chapter Nineteen: The Hunt Starts

Pain seized her body rousing the woman from her nightmare. She saw fire and smoke, her whole village burning. Demons attacked everyone trying to get away from the blaze. A cold sweat formed on her brow and covered her entire body. The flesh goose pimpled and muscles underneath shivered from the chill.

"Don't worry dear, lay back down, you're very sick," a kind woman spoke to her softly. She lost herself to darkness again. The nurse doted on her day and night with bandages and warm water. She made mixes of herbs and creams trying to heal the burns that had been inflicted upon the weary girl's body. The next morning Sango woke up again, screaming for her father. The nurse comforted her and told her everything.

"Dear, my name is Yangila. I serve under the lord of your lands. You were found by him while he was hunting. What is your name?" Yangila asked.

"I'm Sango of the demon exterminator tribe. What happened? Why am I here?"

"You're village was attacked by a fierce hoard. A fire started and everyone who was not killed by the monsters were burned alive. No one survived save for you. I'm sorry sweetie for having to tell you this." Tears poured down Sango's face. How could this have happened? We were always so careful.

"May I speak with your master?" Yangila looked surprised. "Of course dear, I will tell the lord you wish to convene with him."

"Thank you Yangila." The girl once again fell swiftly to sleep dreaming of the night of horror.

"Sango, Sango wake up. The lord wants to see you now," Yangila rocked the girl to wake her up. The pretty girl lifted her arms over her head, stretched, and yawned. She washed her body and the nurse found a nice kimono for her to wear. Sango glanced at herself in the mirror and decided that it would do. Her long black hair was scorched from the fire and blisters had formed on her shoulders from the heat. Forgetting her appearance because she knew that there was nothing she could do about it, she toddled down the hall with Yangila in the lead. They stopped at a door and the nurse released the wooden plank from its home and gestured for Sango to go into the room. Darkness hit her; there wasn't any light in the room at all. A voice seemed to encircle her.

"Sango, how are you feeling? Has Yangila taken care of you well?" a deep searing reverberation sounded.

"Yes, I feel so much better. Lord, do you know who or what attacked my village?"

"I'm sorry Sango, I don't know. Perhaps you should search for the answer for yourself," the lord replied. Sango didn't answer back; she didn't even know where to start. "Whatever you need my servants will get it for you," the voice pierced through her thoughts.

"Thank you, I'm so grateful. I shall repay you one day," she claimed.

"Think nothing of it dear, your father was a very close friend of mine. I just wish I could go with you."

"I shall go and prepare now," Sango bowed with respect, turned and left the dark room. Yangila then entered and lit a few of the candles. An old man slouched on a pyramid of pillows.

"Master, how are you feeling?" the nurse asked.

"Better dear, I hope Sango can find the answer she is looking for," the old man commented sadly.

"Father," Yangila started, "I have heard of a half-demon named Inuyasha, a reincarnated priestess, a monk, and a fox demon that have been collecting shards of the Shikon Jewel."

"And what does that have to do with me dear?"

"Do you think it would help Sango? The jewel...she could use it to revive her village."

"Yangila, we don't even know if it would work."

"I have also heard that Naraku led the attack on her village. Do you know anything on the demon?"

"I do not wish to hear that name. I miss my old friend, daughter, yet I know nothing will bring him back. Sango has to find her own path now, please do not suggest anything that would make her lose her way."

"Yes father, I understand." The woman sadly left her father's sight. Poor Sango, what will she do now? The orphan girl packed the last of her things and slung her huge tan boomerang over her shoulder. She turned around and ran face to face into Yangila.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I was just leaving," Sango explained. The nurse embraced her tightly and tears welled in her eyes knowing how hard of a time this girl was going to have.

"Take care Sango. I will pray for you." "Thank you, please take care of my village and pray for them? I will return," Sango promised. She then took up her pack and walked out of the hut into the distance.