Sango looked at Sesshomaru oddly.

"Sesshomaru-kun…I don't see why you simply couldn't kill the demon yourself…" she muttered under her breath, gently stoking his shoulder. He simply smirked at her.

"This Sesshomaru does not want to waste time he could be spending with you…" he murmured, kissing her cheek. Sango blushed a little, yet another breeze passing by them.

"Whatever you say, my love…" Sango said. She continued along with him, citing the slightly agitated look on his face, but paying no heed. As he had said, he was simply in no mood to fight demons.

----

Sitting with Kagome, Miroku watched as little Sango chased after a butterfly. The proud and lovely miko smiled happily at the sight of her little girl, and then looked considerately at her good friend.

"Miroku…" she uttered, not knowing what else to say. There was an empty look on his face…the same hollow and sad expression he had worn since his taji-ya's death. But there was a certain hint of uncertainty on his face, something she had never seen.

"Yes?" he replied softly. Kagome thought for a moment.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

Miroku shut his eyes, the slightest of smirks crawling onto his face. "Yes, of course Kagome-sama," he replied softly, "Why do you ask?"

Kagome shook her head slightly, noticing her husband's inquisitive glance as well.
"It's nothing…you just seemed…distant, that's all…" she answered. The slightest of smirks crossed the monk's face.

"I've noticed it myself…" he muttered, his eyes still shut. But he was distant, far away, as he sensed a familiar soul only a few miles away. It almost felt like Sango was near…her soul shining brighter then it ever had before, more pure…it was a surreal feeling, perhaps it was only a wandering priestess, or the ghost of a woman. But then again, it seemed so…familiar.

At this point, Miroku knew he had to do something. He knew that to have peace with himself, he had to investigate, to be sure that all of his prayers, wishes, and dreams had finally been granted, and that Sango had finally returned to him. And so, he stood, said a brief goodbye to his friends and their daughter, and started to slowly walk in the direction of the forest.

----

Sango had an uneasy feeling as she walked with Sesshomaru. She had this certain aching in her heart…a feeling that someone she held dear to her heart was nearby, someone other then Sesshomaru, but someone else. It wasn't impossible, now that she thought about it. She had no memories, nothing at all except her name. She couldn't explain the odd armor she had been dressed in, or the corpse of a neko youkai she was near. However, Sesshomaru had worn an expression that said he knew more then he was telling her.

But Sango didn't push the matter. It was always a subject that seemed to make him act…odd. He had always brushed it off, and replied that he knew nothing of her past. But Sango had a feeling that whatever was causing her heart to ache in such a way could lead her to a part of her past.

"Sesshomaru-kun…I sense something…" she said softly. The demon turned and looked at her, a hint of nervousness in his expression.

"Like what, Sango-chan?" he asked, retaining his calm, yet his grip on her hand grew stronger.

"I don't know…" she murmured, pulling away from him, "But it almost feels like…it's calling out to me…" Sango then looked up at the cover of the trees, and another gust of wind blew, but in the opposite direction, taking Sesshomaru and Sango's scents to Inuyasha's nose…

----

Inuyasha watched from his treetop perch as Miroku headed off toward the forest.

"I wonder what he's up to…" he muttered softly. Of course, ever since Sango had died, Miroku had become extremely reclusive. Whenever he wasn't performing a burial or hanging around with him and Kagome, he would pen himself up in his temple and pray, most likely for Sango's soul, or maybe that she'd be reincarnated in his lifetime. Of course, all the praying in the world wouldn't give Miroku that much luck. What happened to himself, of course, that was a sheer miracle. He had lost Kikyo, been pinned to a tree, and the woman he once loved turned against him. But then Kagome somehow found him, and he loved her so much more. He wished the same luck upon Miroku…but it seemed so doubtful that it could ever happen.

Then a harsh wind blew past him. He looked up, and a familiar scent as well as one he didn't know reached his nose. He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, then jumped down to where his wife and daughter were.

"Kagome…take Sango inside…" he hissed angrily.

Kagome looked at him strangely. "Inuyasha…what is it? What's wrong?" she asked, picking up their baby daughter. Inuyasha replied with a low growl.

"It's Sesshomaru…and he has someone with him…" he hissed. Kagome's eyes widened, and she carried baby Sango inside, returning a few moments later with her bow and a quiver of arrows.

"Why in the Heavens and Hells is he here?!" she demanded. Inuyasha started at her flatly, his hand on the hilt of Tessaiga.
"How should I know?" he muttered, sniffing the air again, "He's…in the…forest! Wait! Where was Miroku going?!"

Kagome quickly took an arrow from her quiver and readied her bow in one fluid motion, looking around all the while. "I…I don't know…he was headed that way…" she replied.

Inuyasha growled. Miroku must've sensed him before I did…but does he wanna die?! He can't handle Sesshomaru on his own…especially if he's got another demon with him!!

[Author's Notes] And that's the 3rd chappie. I really hope you liked it!! Well…please review!!!

Ja ne!!