Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

To make up for my lack of updating, I've given you TWO chapters. Hope you enjoy!

Sango's Story

"Demon!"

"Leave these lands monster!"

"Get out of my way human! My business doesn't concern you!"

"Demon be gone!"

The last cry was accompanied by a smack as an ancient banishing spell was slapped on Inuyasha's forehead. He stared up at it before ripping it off and growling at the old man.

"If you value your life old man, you'd get out of my sight," he growled.

The man trembled then backed down from the threat allowing Inuyasha to continue his stroll through the village. The other villagers watched Inuyasha warily as he pointedly ignored them and strode past them.

"Stupid humans," he muttered to himself. He was in a foul mood, he had come across several demons, but none of them led him to Naraku. He had no idea what the guy looked or smelled like and no idea how to find him. No, Inuyasha was not happy at all. And now these bias humans were giving him a hard time. Why had he even gone through a village? Perhaps he was seeking the comfort of others around him. Inuyasha snorted. He didn't need anyone. He would never need anyone.

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Kagome awoke with a groan. 'What happened?' she wondered rubbing the back of her head. She recalled waking up in a small room, meeting a badger youkai, the demon lord. Her eyes widened as she sat up ignoring the sudden headache that had formed. The demon lord, the demon from her dreams, he was real. And he was a bastard. She frowned still massaging the swollen knot at the back of her head. He…he had slapped her! Her anger rose in remembrance, and her hand went to her cheek. What happened after he hit her? She didn't remember. All she remembered was seeing red.

"Jerk," she muttered rising from the pallet on the floor. Wait…floor? She looked around confused. This wasn't the room she last woke up in. Had he stuck her in a dungeon of some sort? She wrinkled her nose. What kind of dungeon had blankets and a warm fire blazing? And an open entrance, she noted walking into the sunlight.

"You're awake," a feminine voice said behind her. She whirled to see a girl not much older than herself eyeing her critically. She was holding a strange looking weapon on her back; everything about her manner was cautious.

"Um, yes," Kagome said, "How did I get here?"

"A demon brought you," the girl said, "Friend of yours?" There was something akin to a sneer in her voice. Kagome found herself disliking this girl.

"No," she said tightly, "I don't have any friends."

"No surprise with the company you keep," the girl said. Kagome's cheeks blazed. First that demon, now her, just what was wrong with everyone?

"I don't 'keep' any company. I was attacked by wolf youkai and saved by some pompous demon lord who threw me in his servant's quarters then demanded I go see him where he insulted me and hit me. And now he dropped me off at some strange village where the people are just as rude as he is!" she ranted, "I don't know who you are, but I don't like your attitude and I refuse to stay here any longer so just point me the way to the nearest hot spring and I'll be on my way."

She stood there hands on hips glaring at the girl who was staring at her in amusement.

"Sango," she said. Kagome started.

"Huh?" she asked. The girl giggled a little setting her weapon against a tree before walking up to Kagome hand outstretched.

"My name is Sango," she said taking Kagome's hand in a gesture of friendship, "And you are in my village."

Kagome had lived in the village for a few weeks now, settling in quite nicely with Sango and her little brother Kohaku. He didn't speak much and always had this drawn, sad look on his face that Kagome had fought hard to make disappear. He didn't respond much to her antics, and Sango always clamped up when Kagome asked as to the reason why he had such a melancholy disposition.

There were so many secrets to Sango Kagome was dying to know. Every night she had questioned her about her origin, but Sango never said much. From what she did learn, Kagome learned Sango had come to the village 5 years ago with her brother. He had been injured in a demon fight and she needed supplies. The village was being attacked by lizard youkai and she had destroyed them. Since then the people respected her. They gave her a home, tools, food, anything she might require, and she in turned served as protector and leader of the village.

She wouldn't speak of her parents, only telling Kagome they were dead. She was burning with curiosity as to the events of their death, but quelled her questions with shame. Sango's past shouldn't serve as entertainment for her. So she kept her questions to a minimum, and stuck to exploring the village. Not that she could go very far. The villagers hadn't taken too kindly to her what with a youkai bringing her there. Naturally she was regarded as a youkai whore. She endured their insults and threats though because she knew it would never go beyond that. Not with Sango protecting her. And Kirara. The little fire cat youkai that accompanied Sango everywhere. Kagome had taken to her when she first met her, cuddling and loving the purring ball of fur.

"Why do the villagers allow Kirara to stay here?" Kagome asked one evening while petting said youkai.

"Because she protects them," Sango said, then grinned, "Besides, how do they plan on getting rid of her?"

"Good point," Kagome said. Kirara was fiercesome in her full form. The conversation fell silent as Sango continued checking her Hiraikotsu for damage. A serpent youkai had attacked the village that day and Sango's weapon had taken the brunt of the youkai's attacks. Satisfied that she wouldn't have to make any repairs she set the weapon down and stretched.

"Hey Sango," Kagome said, "Do you want to go bathe?"

Sango peered at Kagome quizzically.

"Kagome, you bathe way too much," she commented, "Aren't you clean enough already?"

Kagome thought it over and shrugged.

"I just like to bathe," she said, "It's like a habit."

"Fine," Sango conceded, "Let's go before it gets dark."

The two gathered their supplies, informed Kohaku of their plans and set out on their way to the nearest hot spring. They walked in comfortable silence, each off in their own pasts, or in Kagome's case, lack there of. Once at the spring, they quickly stripped off their kimonos and waded in, relished the warmth of the water as it gently lapped against their skin. Wasting no time, Sango quickly began to wash while Kagome sat back and relaxed, enjoying the peace and tranquility the spring exuded.

"Well? Are you going to sleep or bathe Kagome? We have to be back before dark," Sango reminded her. Sighing Kagome sat up and reached for the scented soap.

"Spoil sport," she grumbled. Sango ignored her and turned to pick up another piece of soap. It was then Kagome saw the scar. Dropping the soap she gasped lightly and waded over to Sango, gently running her fingers over the raised skin. Sango stiffened then jerked away glaring at her.

"Oh wow Sango," Kagome exclaimed, "Where did you get that awful scar?"

"It's not important," Sango said tightly resuming her washing. Kagome drew back slightly hurt.

"I know you don't know me well enough to trust me Sango," she said quietly, "But you can. I mean no harm delving into your personal life, but if you need to talk, I'm here to listen."

Sango's eyes and demeanor had softened from Kagome's quiet confession. She already knew she could trust this wandering girl who had lost her past. In a way they were alike, lost and alone, perhaps she should confide in Kagome.

"It happened the day my parents died," she said slowly. The words hurt and she fought hard to keep from choking.

Kagome didn't need to encourage her to continue, the words just came tumbling out.

"My father and mother were the best demon slayers of our village. They were training Kohaku and I to follow in their footsteps. We were practicing one day when a badly injured man from a nearby village came to us. A powerful demon was attacking their village, and their priestess was wounded. My parents took up the job immediately, and allowed us to come along. They said it would be a learning experience, one we would never forget. It would have been the first time we had fought against a real demon of power. We traveled to the village, it was in chaos. Houses were burning, people were dead or dying. Lost children were screaming for their families. And in the middle of the carnage the demon was laughing. The priestess was lying a few feet away from him unconscious. From what the man had told us she had been taken by surprise. My parents immediately attacked. And for awhile they were magnificent, until the fate of being ningen took hold, and they became tired. That bastard used their weakness against them and struck out against my mother."

By this time Sango's hands were curled into tight fists, long forgotten tears welling up in her eyes.

"My father ran to her side, to protect her. The demon struck and my father fell, his arm was broken. I couldn't stand and watch as the demon made the last blow. I ran with Hiraikotsu and hurled it at the demon. It struck his leg, but barely damaged him and he gave me this scar. They say the pain from the first injury you get in battle is what you will remember the most, while the others fade away. It's true. I'll never forget the fire that burned through my body when that demon put his claws through my back. Kohaku was the last one standing. He was 10 at the time, barely old enough to fight. I didn't expect him too, and the demon didn't either. He contented himself with taunting Kohaku. Calling him weak, telling him to run. 'What will you do little one? Try to protect your family or run away as your heart is begging you to do so. I can hear it pounding from here.' He wouldn't leave Kohaku alone! And Kohaku, he…he was so scared and he ran. And I was proud of him because he ran. But Kohaku…he can't live with that. He thinks he's a coward. He's not a coward!"

Kagome moved closer to Sango as she started shaking from the effort not to cry. The minute her arms went around the older girl, Sango broke down and cried against her shoulder. At last the long shuddering breaths that wracked her body subsided and she was able to talk without her voice shaking. Kagome watched her; Sango's eyes had hardened and were no longer filled with sorrow.

"I found him two weeks later living off the forest. At first he thought I was a ghost, but then he wouldn't talk to me, couldn't even look me in the eye. I stayed with him in the forest for a couple weeks training to bring back up my strength. When I thought he was ready, I brought him to this village. And we've been living here ever since."

Kagome nodded.

"It must've been really tough for you Sango," she said softly, "I'm sorry for bringing it up."

Sango shook her head.

"No, I needed this," she said, "Thanks."

The two fell silent for awhile finishing up their washing before returning to the village. They found Kohaku curled up in the corner of the hut, assumedly sleeping. Kagome smiled at his prone form gently; he looked peaceful in his sleep. A big difference from his usual shadowed look. She watched as Sango gently drew a blanket over him before settling next to Kagome in front of the fire. She stared at it for a moment before looking up at the younger girl.

"And what of your past Kagome?" she asked, "Do you have any memories at all?"

"No, nothing has come to me," she said smiling sadly. Then she brightened.

"But I'm sure I can have plenty of good ones here in this village," she said cheerfully. Sango smiled at her exuberance before resuming her gaze into the fire, this time thinking about the strange girl. The villagers seemed scared of Kagome, but that was only because that badger youkai had brought her here. There was something different about Kagome, that Sango couldn't quite place, but it bothered her not to know. She herself wasn't scared of Kagome. She doubted the girl could hurt a rabbit, she was just so…nice. After everything that happened to her, she was still so jovial. And her wounds, there wasn't a scar on her when she healed, but Kagome seemed puzzled too. What was it about her?

"Hey, Sango?" Kagome's voice broke into her thoughts. She looked up at her, nodding for her to continue. Kagome was shifting slightly, looking nervous.

"I just wanted to know about that demon," she said softly, "What happened to him?"

Sango got that hardened look in her eyes again.

"He escaped. He's probably out there slaughtering villages, unless another demon got to him first."

"Why would a demon kill their own?" Kagome asked.

"He wasn't full blooded demon, he was a hanyou. Demons hate hanyous, perhaps more than humans," Sango explained.

"Do you think he's still alive?"

"I hope so. I want to be the one to defeat him. He's taken everything away from me. Once Kohaku is stronger, I will leave this place and hunt him down."

"How will you know how to find him?"

"I'll never forget his face or his name. The priestess said it before she passed out from her wounds."

"What was it?"

Sango's hands curled into fist. When she said his name, she whispered it with so much malice, Kagome shivered.

"Inuyasha."