It's been a long time since I updated. Sorry for the wait. But this chapter is pretty good. I'm satisfied. It's the longest one.

Okies. Enough talk. Let's read how Sango slowly corrupts herself some more!

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Chapter 3: Talented Deciever

"Shippo, where are you going?"

"I'm going to find Kirara," he yelled back as he sped away towards the hut.


Where could that fool have gone? She better be armed, or some demon would have gotten her!

Inuyasha fleeted the trees, irritated at Sango for her idiotic actions. Anything could have happened to her, and Naraku could have easily taken advantage of this opportunity. According to Inuyasha, this manner was considered a greatly irresponsible act to occur, especially at a time like this.

Geez. Stop being a moron! She can defend herself. Inuyasha tried to convince himself that Sango would be fine. She's a demon slayer, anyway. He shook his head.

What was bothering him was how he actually cared. "Pft." Sango's my friend. The truth was, he was just doing this to please Kagome. He needed to consider her friends, also.

The group has been traveling for so long, and Inuyasha and Kagome eventually grew to trust each other. The hanyou was looking for Sango, knowing that Kagome could fight for the others, along with the monk and Kirara. Shippo's abilities have developed. But the kitsune will always look the same for many years to come. He'll still appear so youthful when Miroku, Sango, and Kagome are long past gone.

Shadows were barely cast onto the ground wherever he flew past. It was the middle of the afternoon and the sun was high above. But the hanyou stayed among the trees moving so swiftly. He was somewhat a red blur staying mostly within the leaves.

Inuyasha continued speeding through the trees. Man! How far could she have gone?! Inuyasha was going to give that brainless imbecile one long talk.

He suddenly came to a stop and scented the air, concentrating. He then went on all fours and sniffed at the ground. She's been here recently.

Scowling, Inuyasha slowly stood up and ascended a tree. He sniffed the air once more and followed the scent, tracking down Sango. Her scent led him closer towards her. He secretly enjoyed her scent. His expression softened.


The tears continued. How long?

Sango forced herself to stop. Some slayer. You're vulnerable, sniveling like that.

Her sorrowing came to a halt. She tried to wipe the wetness off her face, trying to clean herself up. I'm so weak.

Sango was ashamed, angry at how feeble she's been. Over Inuyasha. Over that half-demon. You should be ashamed. How powerless you've become. Coward. These were her very thoughts. She needed to punish herself for becoming so fragile. She hated this. She's supposed to be a demon slayer!

Livid, she crawled over to her soiled katana and gently placed the blade onto her palm, the back of that hand angled against the ground and her chest. Instantly a small stream of blood trickled between the bases of her fingers. Sango slowly deepened the cut, the red liquid trickling down the front of her fingers, dripping off her fingertips. Punishment.

She removed the blade without any difficulty and stood up. She didn't know what to do, one could say. But she walked deeper through the forest, searching for any signs of a stream.

Using her instincts and her training as a taijiya, she was clever enough to find a small stream. When she heard the splashing noise of water, she picked up her pace. That's when she saw it. She ran towards the clearing where the stream was. The trees thinned as she ran towards it. The sun steadily grew brighter. She shielded her eyes.

Sango examined the stream. The water couldn't be deep and the water was so clear, she saw the rocks on the bottom and the small fish that occasionally swam by.

Soon she adjusted to the light and walked over to the stream to kneel down. She dipped her hands in the water, watching as it tinged pink. After cleaning her hands up, she left her hand unbandaged.

Using her unwounded hand, Sango put a considerable amount of effort into cleansing her face, making sure she erased any signs that she cried earlier. When she was satisfied, she tore off a piece of textile off the bottom hem of her pink and white attire and wrapped it around the cut on her hand, not wanting anyone to get suspicious about that.

She was sly. Quickly, Sango rinsed the blood off her weapon and immediately dried it.

Now what?

Not a thought about going back ran through her mind. But then the idea did.

Kirara

So she considered traveling. Leaving the others. Leaving Inuyasha. But part of her didn't want to. Only part of her desired running away from everyone. Not all of her.

If I leave, I can stop thinking about him.

If I can break away from these feelings, I will be happy again...

but...

I know I can't forget him.

The taijiya looked up towards the sky, a wistful look overcoming her. I want to be with my family.

But she knew she had to kill Naraku and avenge her father and her village. She needed to. She needed to avenge Kohaku. Free him and have him in her grasp once more. It's been too long.

Sango looked ahead. Towards the trees on the other side of the stream. The mountains so far, far away.

She closed her eyes as she stood still. Her face impassive. The sound of the water soon becoming so important to her. The water...flowing into her. She was being pulled into a distant world. Another realm.

Her eyes shot open. She tensed. She knew someone was there.

"Show yourself." Her injured hand clenched the handle of her katana tightly.

She heard a snicker. "Gee, Sango. It's just me." Inuyasha leapt from the ground and landed in front of her. He noticed her heartbeat quicken, and then slow down to normal.

Sango kept on her stoic face. "I didn't know you'd find me," she said calmly, even though she knew he would. He didn't catch her lie, though.

"Feh." Inuyasha turned around to look at her. Sango sensed her anger. He shouted.

"You idiot! What the hell do you think you're doing all the way out here?!" He roughly shoved her and she staggered backwards a bit, but caught her balance. She continued to look him straight in the eye.

"I came here to be by myself for a while," she said seriously, some wrath laced in her voice.

The two glared at each other. Then Inuyasha broke the contact. He wouldn't push her for more answers. He understood that she had the right to be alone. Inuyasha understood that she had a lot on her mind, and knew how she felt thinking about her past. Her memories.

But he didn't intend to let her off that easily. What she just did could have caused major trouble for everyone else, and couldn't be left unnoticed.

"You just go deep into the woods without telling anybody?! You could have been killed by demons, dammit! Taken away! So no one can find you! Is that what you want? Do you have any idea what would have happened if you were killed?!" Inuyasha continued to shout at her. Sango didn't flinch at all, but she felt miserable and angry.

"Will you stop yelling at me, already?!" Inuyasha hates me. "I know what could've happened, alright?" She sighed "You're worrying so much," she muttered. Sango took several steps away from him and stared at the stream, as if wondering where it led to.

"F- - -, Sango! Damn, you're being a careless moron! You don't think about the others, huh? You don't have any sense at all, do you? You're supposed to be a demon slayer! Crap!"

"You jackass! I brought my katana! I can defend myself! It's as if you think I'm too weak!" Once again, they both glared at each other.

"Stop being so stubborn! You can't defend yourself from Naraku, all alone in the forest!"

"Naraku didn't come!" Sango refused to break eye contact.

"I know, but he could have! Along with ten demons attacking you all at once!!"

"There weren't any demons! Gosh! You're being stupid! You think something bad's going to happen all the time!" Sango couldn't believe how illogical he was being. So stubborn! But she loved it all the same. She continued.

"You're lecturing me like this only to please Kagome, anyway," she said coldly.

Inuyasha knew that was the truth. At first, he didn't really want to search for Sango, knowing that nothing could go wrong. He knew from the very beginning that she needed some time alone, to think. But as his search for her grew longer, he eventually convinced himself that Sango was being careless, running into the forest like that. That she needed to be lectured. Kagome would be on his side for once. Kagome would appreciate him at a higher standard for caring about Sango's safety.

Sango was right. He only wanted to please Kagome. And she knew she was right. Inuyasha looked away.

Inuyasha wanted to change the subject. "What happened with you and Miroku?" He didn't sound angry at all. More like a blend of curiosity and seriousness.

She made her voice sound casual. "It was stupid...I have to apologize to him." She shook her head.

There was a pause. "So why did you punch him?" He turned to face her.

"He told you?" Sango feigned surprise.

"Yeah, I don't know why, but he sorta opened up to me at least." Man, what's wrong with me?

"I thought he groped me, and so I sort of overreacted. That's all," she fibbed, looking into his eyes.

"That's it, huh?" Inuyasha was very curious about this situation.

She responded, her voice even and convincing. "I had a nightmare, and seeing Miroku just shocked me very affectively."

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.

"Look, it's a long story," Sango sighed on purpose, trying to sound pure, guilt-free. She walked away from him. Gods. I'm talking to Inuyasha about this? Why didn't I blush or anything? I must've embarrassed myself so badly in front of him! She knew that she was being untruthful to him. The lies just poured out from her. But she didn't intend to stop them.

"Hold up! That's all that happened?" He walked over to her. "The monk came back with his own strange depression. You know that's not like him."

"Really? I didn't know he'd take it so seriously," she stated innocently. "Well, I'm just saying I overreacted. Nothing big."

Inuyasha had not the slightest idea that Sango was downright lying right to his face.

"Okay. Fine." The half-demon didn't want to ask some more questions. It would sound like he cared too much.

"We should head back," he said.

"You go ahead, I'll catch up," Sango responded.

Without saying anything, Inuyasha leaped into the woods. She watched his every move, until he was out of her sight.

Sango turned around to admire the mountains far in the background.

I should have told him the truth. Gotten it out. Tell him how I really feel.

Her conscience came back again.

But why? You've been lying to everyone for so long. Why stop? No one has to know.

Sango knew it was true. She has been hiding this new identity from everyone for so long, now. No one had to know.

I guess. I'd only make a fool out of myself. If I told him.

Because you know it wasn't decided by fate...for you two to be together.

Sango looked up towards the sky.

I know... But I don't think I can keep this secret to myself for much longer.

Of course you can. You're very good at decieving. Your new talents should be put to use.

But lies will only make this harder than it already is. If I continue to lie, I'll only make this more difficult... maybe until it's too late.

Sango's will continued to fight for her. She needed to stop this while she still had a chance.

Why? Do you wish you just told the truth from the beginning?

I...

Do you think if you just told the truth, none of this would have happened?

The taijiya looked down. Her face shadowed.

Do you regret lying to the others?

Do you regret you never lied in the first place?

Sango made up her mind. She knew what that answer was.

No.