"Sango…there's something I gotta tell you…" he said, watching as her brown eyes widened. He glowered inwardly. Even though he was dead, Sesshomaru had still found a way to make Sango suffer. And he'd have to show compassion toward the bastard that had tried to kill them all so many times. He was dragged from his thoughts by the sound of crying, and when he looked up, he saw the silver tears running down his friend's face.
He quickly went over to her, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "Sango…what is it? I didn't even get a chance to tell you what's up yet…" he said. She wiped a few tears away before she replied.
"It's Sesshomaru, isn't it…? I just knew something would happen…" she cried. Inuyasha looked at her in bewilderment.
"How…how did you know that was what I was gonna say…?" he asked. But then he realized the vulgar manner he was telling her Sesshomaru's fate, so he quickly shut himself up. But it was too late…Sango already knew what happened.
"Kami-sama…how did this happen? Did…did he do it to himself? This is all my fault…I knew it wasn't an act…" she stammered, "I…I'm responsible…it's all my fault he's gone…" She intended to continue, but her voice cracked, and tears began running down her cheeks. She slowly fell to her knees, but before she hit the ground Inuyasha ran over and broke her fall.
"Sango-chan…it's not your fault…he's too arrogant to really do anything to himself…he didn't care that much…" he said soothingly, his own anger seeping into the statement. But Sango continued to sob, and he slid his arms around her comfortingly, not knowing what else to do. He could see that she really had loved his older brother.
"But…the way you speak about him…" Sango sniffled, "You mean…he really is dead?" Inuyasha hesitated to respond, and after a moment when he was about to respond, they heard the familiar voices of Miroku and Kagome calling out for them.
----
Miroku and Kagome both gave out sighs of relief as they approached Inuyasha and Sango.
"Sango…why did you run off like that?" Miroku asked, still panting from running. Then he realized she was crying. "Wait…what happened…? Sango…are you alright?"
She didn't answer. The saddened taji-ya sunk deeper into Inuyasha's embrace, still sobbing.
"Kagome-chan…could you take care of Sango for me?" he asked. She nodded and quickly walked over, taking Sango from her husband's arms into her own like a child. Once everything was under control, Inuyasha went over to Miroku.
"It's Sesshomaru…he's dead…" he said, his voice hushed so he wouldn't upset Sango even further. There was little emotion in his voice for his brother, but he did seem worried about his friend. Miroku scowled.
"Was it a last act of vengeance?" he asked, "Maybe…" But he finished speaking when Inuyasha shook his head.
"It was an assassin…" Inuyasha murmured, "What were you gonna say?" Miroku brushed it off.
"Nothing…it's not important…" Miroku said, "I need to go comfort Sango…" As he walked past Inuyasha toward where Kagome still held Sango's crying, shaking form. When he reached them, he knelt down next to them, tapping Sango on the shoulder.
"Sango-chan…come here…" he said softly. Sango looked up at him, sniffled a little, then meekly transferred herself from Kagome's arms to Miroku's .
"Shush…it's not worth your tears…just think, this will make it easier to move on…" he said, hoping to comfort her. Sango slid her arms around him, crying lightly into his shoulder. She wanted to thank them already for comforting her, but they way they were doing it, telling her over and over that Sesshomaru wasn't worth it, like he was less then anything, like a replaceable object. That seemed to hurt her much more then hearing that he was dead. Her tears became heavier, but only because of what she was hearing. Miroku stroked her back, bringing more words to his lips.
"Sango…don't think about him anymore…it'll only bring you more heartache…" he said. She could sense it through his soft and soothing voice the hatred for Sesshomaru boiling in him. She forced her eyes open, a few tears still falling from them, and pushed away from him, quickly standing up.
"Sango-chan…what are you doing?" he asked, standing up and reaching a hand out to her. She slapped his hand away and took a few steps back towards the woods.
"I'm sick of this…" she mumbled through tears. They all looked at her, their faces puzzled.
"Sango…what are you talking about?" Miroku asked, slowly approaching her.
"The way you're talking about Sesshomaru like he doesn't even matter!" she yelled. She clenched her eyes shut for a moment, and then, she spun around, darting off into the forest with the same speed she had when she realized that she was a taji-ya…