Disclaimer : OMG!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry for leaving you guys on such a wait and with a cliffie too!! So many things came up and I couldn't get a chance to sit down and right...grr...darn school. Oo;; I'll make it up to you guys by making this chappie EXTRA long!! And thanks sooo much for all the reviews!! I'm getting my SessSan site up soon, so be sure to check mi profile for updates. In the mean time I got mi forums up for them! Enjoy! Oh and please ignore any spelling errors cause I'm not using Microsoft Word for this chapter. Sorry. ;;

Toxic

Chapter 7 : Crimson Haze

"Sango! Sango-chan!!" a young voice of that of a girl was calling to her. Breaking her vision...shattering the dark dream from her mind as her eyes snapped open quickly, her soft brown orbs shimmering from the nightmare, as her eyes themselves were wide with terror for a brief moment. She waited upon the moments as her breathes settled in her chest before looking over to a big eyed Rin, who only could stare, curiosity filling the cute face.

"What is wrong?" she questions with so much innocent filling the childish voice.

Sango merely smiles warmly, recovering quickly from the near fright of the nightmare. She was glad Rin had woken her...but yet she could not help but feel curious on who this man was that haunted her very being?

"I'm fine. Hey, lets go make breakfast. I'm starving." Sango said, patting the girl's head, her fingers running through the thin black hair to make it smoother when stroking through it.

A wide grin played across the child's features, showing off white pearly rows of teeth as she did, her dark brown eyes closed in delight. "Yay!" she cheered quickly assisting herself up and running about in a circle excitedly. For this was the first time she had actually cooked with anyone...besides Jaken that is. But he didn't really like cooking after a frog leg incident. And it felt lonely making food only for only her since some demons don't really eat. Unless they had some sort of lust...

Sango straitened up, stretching and looking happier now as she tried to forget the dream until later on. The morning skies looked trusting today, as morning birds set out to feed as well. Sango smiled at the gorgeous morning and looked over to Rin, clasping her hands together.

"So...what shall we make?" she sang in a thinking tone as she folded her legs to sit on the ground. Rin too sat down and got in the same position as Sango did. Sango moved her hand to rest under her chin. Rin watched her moves and did the same, chuckling sweetly at the little game.

"I got it! Let's go cook up some ham and bread, ok?" Sango questions.

Rin blinked out of pose and smiled. "Sounds good..." she grins even wider. The girl really didn't care what she ate, just as long as she didn't do it alone. Rin had always hated being alone, but lived with it.

Sango stood up giving another good stretch.

"Mew!" a tiny cry was heard from below and Kirara blinked sleepy red cat eyes and purred up towards Sango. "Mew!"

"Good morning to you too, Kirara." Sango greeted back at the tired fire cat, as she began walking towards the forest, but first, she must greet the taiyoukai. Kirara and Rin followed at her heels.

Sesshoumaru rested himself, back to back with a nearby tree clinging in the mini woods near his territory. His golden orbs closed behind protective eyelids, silver locks blown against tender pale skin as the wind shifted slightly to morning breeze. The smell of a fire starting nearby awakened the demon lord's senses. His eyes open at light footsteps.

Jaken standing nearby Sesshoumaru, turns his head, big yellow eyes squeezing in disgust as he makes a tighter hold on the two headed staff he holds. Still having a disliking taste for the older of the females.

"Good morning, Sesshoumaru!" Sango smiles sweetly towards him, her eyes shining brightly as she says it.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!! Sango and me are gonna make breakfast together!" Rin cried excitedly as Sango merely put a hand to her mouth to chuckle at the child's use of grammar.

Sesshoumaru's expression had not changed from the usual cold gaze he gave everyone. His eyes uncaring and yet emotions flowed through his veins at this point. Just never showing them was a typical thing of the great demon lord.

"Very good. You shall keep yourselves entertained all day I suppose?" he questions with a slightly quirked eyebrow.

Sango nodded. "Yes. I'd love to baby-sit Rin while you and Jaken may go on your...um...errands." Sango says with a pleased grin about her flawless features.

Sesshoumaru took a moment to admire the youkai slayer before turning his head in loss of interest. "..." he was in collected silence for a moment, in his usual quiet nature.

Jaken grinned slightly at the thought of no more babysitting but he had to admit to miss it at times but it at least now he had opportunities to spend time with the real master. Perhaps this Sango women wasn't so bad after all...for a human that is.

Sango hummed beautifully a familiar song as Rin admired by listening and trying to hum to it as well. A basket was grasped in one of her small hands and Sango carried a bigger one as well, along with a bowel for freshwater.

The dirt stained path seemed to have it's ending up ahead as it laid between the small peaceful forest filled with life and no evil or demons about to ruin the graceful life blessed upon the fields of trees and tall grassed among beauty filled flowers graced with the presence of warm sunlight and sweet rain at other times.

Sango took a long breath. How she loved being outdoors. The life. Peacefulness. It reminded her so much of her home village. Instantly her eyes dampened but she refused to let a single tear drop. At least not in front of Rin. Her heart ached and longed for what was her home and family. She didn't even know how she could live without them in her life now. She swiped at her eye quickly tearing the wetness from it and kept her smile and sweet song filled in her expression and heart as they walked along.

As they soon reached the quiet little village up ahead, Sango tapped the money clung in her pocket as well as grasped tighter onto the bowls and baskets carried. Rin frowned suddenly and drew closer to Sango, not in a shy manner but of unforgettable memories and the fact it had been far too long she had been lingering in a more public place.

Sango moved the items into her right hand and took Rin's with her free hand. It was soft, shaking a bit, but she could feel the change of comfort within the child's body. Rin was always a strong, brave child. Sango knew she could take being in a village once more.

As the lightly dusted path ahead grew more manmade, they entered the small village with straitened backs. A lot of the villagers looked up from their works and stared at them for a moment. Rin looked about, familiar with the usual village settings, as Sango lead further going up to a nearby food stand.

"I'd like to buy some dough for bread and freshly butchered ham please." Sango ordered, offering wealthy pieces of gold to the manager of the stand. He looked strangely at her from first glance then gives a wrinkled smile and hands over her ordered items.

"Thank you." Sango bowed.

"See, what did I tell you? Everything's fine now...and it's better than roaming around in the forest for food..." Sango smiled

to Rin.

Rin chuckled slightly and stared hungrily at the food, licking her lips. "I can't wait to make it." Rin said with a grin.

"Uh-huh." Sango hummed with another warm smile. Her brown orbs averting and caused her to halt at the view seen through her angelic brown eyes.

By this time Rin had accidentally colided into Sango from her lack of paying attention and she gazed up to see why on earth she had stopped. She saw Sango's expression in awe and decided to look ahead only to see one of the most amazing sights the young girl could ever see.

Thousands of beautiful butterflies. Every color...every kind...fluttering gracefully about. One slowing the pace as it entered the presence of Sango's face. She reaches a hand to touch its beauty but its wings gently carry it away. Sango's eyes seemed tranced now. Staring intently towards the scene...

/No...don't loose control.../ her mind echoed deep within her soul as she tried to fight it back. It was so strong...but maybe she could break it this time. Something so intriguing called to her...something hypnotizing...

/Gotta fight it.../ she thought, teeth clenched hard as she felt her legs move forward without her control.

"Sango! Sango!" she heard Rin's voice grow faint as well as the grabbing touch on her knee, trying to hold her back from going any further into the trance. "Please wake up, Sango-chan!" the girl's cries became muffled whimpers to her mind. The pierced face filled with streaming salty tears. No longer a sight. Only the lingering of a simple butterfly leading her further on into the forest.

Mighty roars echoed through the once peaceful forest. Deep footsteps marking even deeper footprints for the tracks the beast left followed. The earth seemingly trembling under the creature's presence as it shook to the oncoming beast. Long fangs bared as its large powerful jaws opened, revealing clinging saliva and a hungry blood stained tongue.

The wind picked up speed as hot rain poured from the skies above, thunder booming from what seemed a beautiful day. Animals scurried back to their homes in the once peaceful forest as well, shaking as the creature makes its way past.

Not far off, Jaken blinks and looks up in a cowering pose. /What is this I hear through heaven's tears? A...A demon?!/ he thought, shakily as he stares towards the forest then looking towards the expression on Sesshoumaru's face.

Some concern actually flickered in the demon lord's eyes as he was already on his feet, standing tall and strait and staring towards the forest intently. Something was coming for sure. But he was not worried about that. Rin and Sango were in there somewhere...His mind forced him to move forward towards the darkening forest. He looked not scared the least, just had the usual expression upon his face as he continued towards the woodland.

The trees began to shake and suddenly they were torn apart, by a fierce bear demon. It's jet-brown eyes peering evilly from the woods, jaws bared hungrily, as it ruthlessly made it's way through thick trees and hard pieces of ripped branches and wood. Black fur clung wetly to it's tough skin making it's appearance more...frightening. It seemed angered...as it glared down at Sesshoumaru. Spikes ran out of it's back giving it the demonic features, and long sharp looking claws bared down upon it's paws.

Jaken shrieked in the background and ran to hide behind Sesshoumaru, who merely smirked at the nuisance that dared glared upon him.

"You wish to fight?" Sesshoumaru questions the bear demon.

The demon merely gave a great howl before it started charging against the wind towards the young lord with fury in it's dark heart.

"Very well..." Sesshoumaru closes the golden gaze of his eyes and lowers his head drawing his sword, as he leaps high up towards the pouring heavens and thrusting his Tokijin into the bear's back. However it's skin seemed so hard to break and th sword merely damaged little.

He feels long claws rip at the white garments of Sesshoumaru's pant leg, carving a faint scratch as well. Sesshoumaru lands gracefully and barely unfazed as the bear demon halts fast, taking a moment to turn around since it was incredibly oversize and charged at him ruthlessly again.

"Pitiful." Sesshoumaru insulted the being as he quickly and easily dodges the powerful force of the demon and tries jabbing the sword once again only to have the bear's spikes enclose like a barrier and reflecting the sword as well as piercing Sesshoumaru's armor this time. Sesshoumaru bared his fangs as he was sent skidding back from the impact and he felt his eyes beat with the red color.

Sesshoumaru then is calmed when he sees something unfamiliar to his mind and yet giving away everything towards it. He stares a moment, studying the creature, and then looking at the scratches upon him. Even the scent...he should've realized it before. He cursed himself as he straitened up and let the bear come at him once more. He then drew Tenseiga, holding it towards the beast and feeling the sword pulse in a heartbeat and the bear gave out a cry and disappeared. All that remained was demon bones that had helped summon this bear spirit.

Jaken came out from cowering and stared in awe. "So...it was merely a spirit revived...but who could've done such a thing and why?" Jaken questioned towards Sesshoumaru.

"It was a distraction. A trick. Whomever summoned this spirit must have been trying to distract me." Sesshoumaru explained. But the 'why' part was unknown to him yet. Unless...

His golden eyes widened slightly as he felt the wind charge amongst his back, drawing silver locks to caress his paled face. /Sango.../ he thought quickly feeling his heat beating in his head. Instinct told him something was wrong...for now her scent once strong, now faint in the forest...

"Sesshoumaru-sama..." a trembling child's voice broke his thoughts and he turns slightly to see an exhausted Rin coming his way. "Sango-chan is in trouble...please help her..." Rin begged, tears still flowing down the warmed high cheeks, and an exhausted frown about her frightened face. Scratches and dirt were upon her most likely from roaming around in the forest too long and falling trying to find way.

A soft thud was heard after the young girl's eyes faded and closed as she fainted into the demon lord's strong grip. He places a hand to her shoulder gently and doesn't avert his gaze. "She has fainted…" he pauses a moment making absolute sure she was still breathing before looking up and automatically leaving Rin in Jaken's care. Of course Jaken was mad about this but he knew that he didn't dare put up a fuss and the fact he could sense Sesshoumaru had strange emotions for the other human female…he would probably prefer to go alone.

A holy bright light embraced a young beautiful body of a certain demon slayer, as she lay in a mist of sparkling warm fields engulfed with flowers, rich soil, and freshwater streams of purification. Butterflies hovered everywhere above the tall grasses, landing on delicious flowers to seek sweet honey from them. Gorgeous soft brown eyes open, equal to the brightness of the daytime area, and muffled groans came from her full rosé color stained lips as she slowly arose from the spot she had been fainted in. She instantly put a hand to her head, stroking her silky dark brown hair.

"W-where am I?" she questions herself gazing around at the beautiful area her presence was now in. She blinked once, then twice still trying to remember what had happened earlier…and how she could've gotten here. She was walking with Rin…and…She closed her eyes. The butterfly. The butterflies. They were there…these insects where hypnotizing her and…

Sango turned her head at the sound and flash of movement by her. Her eyes widen slightly as she sees some stalks tremble from someone near…directly beyond them. Her mouth drops slightly as she tries to quickly pull herself up and prepare herself.

Sesshoumaru roamed the forest, graceful steps walking upon the dirt stained forest road ahead towards human communities and demon territories. The demon lord's presence made most of the living things cower or hide. Especially since he seemed a bit…angered? But Sesshoumaru…always so serious…what could ever make him so eager like this?

His steps slowly grew faster, as Sango's usually sweet and strong scent seemed to evanescence. But he was near…he could tell. He wasn't the least bit tired and was prepared for just about anything now. He felt his own heart in his head…hearing the simple pattern of the heartbeats it gave. His search came to a stop as he skidded into a dark field. It seemed a barrier shielded protectively around it…

/Come for her, mutt?/ a cold voice calls out to Sesshoumaru.

"Who are you?!" Sesshoumaru demands impatiently.

/I am Sango's true suitor, demon. If you cherish your life…I suggest you leave, immediately./ the voice growls, growing somewhat rather impatient as well.

Sesshoumaru glared up at where the voice seemed to be coming from, though it seemed to echo out everywhere and seemed to pause a minute as did the voice to see what he would do now that he had warned him. His only hand moved down onto his sword handle, and drew the sword from it's sheath and began to ruthlessly cut at the barrier.

/Ha! Fool…it is invincible. You will never destroy it…/

Sango cups a hand over her heart and forced a brave expression onto her features.

"Who's there?!" she demanded, her voice a bit shaky.

Suddenly she was struck from behind. She let out a surprised yelp due to whoever…or whatever had hit her roughly and soon pushed her to the ground. Sango winced slightly in shock, not pain, as she rolled over and forced herself up quickly once more to glare down at her imposter, ready to attack. But her heart stopped seeing the lovely scene she saw only in her dreams, standing before her. Her weapon lowered and her shining eyes shimmer, dampening with tears.

"K-Kohaku?" she questions looking down at a young boy, shoulder length raven hair tied up into a tight ponytail, those familiar soft brown eyes, cute freckles decorating the high cheekbones of his face. And best of all…that smile. Oh how she missed his smile…as it was spread about his face, staring up at her warmly, a familiar chuckle escaping his throat.

"Hey sis, scared ya, huh?" he questioned closing his eyes with laughter.

Sango's words where choked in the depths of her throat as she stared down in wonder at Kohaku. Her body trembling with sweet joy and yet revived happiness from the long sadness she had faced. She forced a smile to spread across her flawless face.

"Yeah…you scared me alright." She managed to speak, only to close her eyes and let the salty tears flow down her creamy white skin and onto her beautiful kimono.

Kohaku immediately frowned. "What's wrong, Sango?" he questioned. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Sango could only shake her head as she wiped the tears from her face and managed to lower herself to hug him tightly…as though to never let go.

"Kohaku…I thought you were…" she paused a moment and sniffed once. "But now…I have you back…you don't know how happy I am. Do you even remember what happened? With our family and Naraku?" Sango pulled away to look at him longingly.

Kohaku could only blinked, as confused as ever as he slowly shook his head.

"What are you talking about? Father is over there." Kohaku pointed only to make Sango gasp again. She stared at her home…her village…right beside her. And she never even recognized it. And there, standing in front of her house was her father. Her father. Alive…

Sango bit her lower lip and tried to hold back more tears of happiness as she got up and ran over to her father, throwing herself into his safe arms.

"Father! How I've missed you so!" her cries muffled in the man's shirt.

"Why Sango…um…I've missed you to during the past half hour." The man blinked wondering what had gotten into his daughter.

Everything…everybody. So happy again. All alive…all there before her very eyes. Her heart filled to love and with joy all again. All like it used to be. Surely this was all she ever wanted. She ran into the graceful rooms of the huts and palaces exploring around her memories once more. Looking at the people she grew up with, talking with them. All she could do…with a purifying smile on her face.

Later on in the day as the sun began to set over the high mountains, birds and creatures too near to the village fled as stars embedded themselves in the blanket of night sky. A full moon rises over the village, lighting the ceremonies and places. A soft breeze blowing in the cornfields, causing spine tingling whispers of the stalks and long grasses.

Sango lay beside Kohaku on the grass. The smile on her face hadn't gone since she first discovered her family…all alive. But yet…something was missing in her heart. Something…

/Sango…/ a voice whispers in her head.

Sango blinks and sits up. She looks around frantically. "Who is that?!" she questions, knowing that voice. The very one that haunts her dreams.

Kohaku stares in wonder. "Hm?" he questions. "I don't see anybody…"

Sango stared at Kohaku. He didn't hear the voice. Only she could hear it. But why? What did it want with her? Why didn't it leave her be?!

/Sango…I've come along way searching for you…watching and waiting just for you…now is the time. You must remember me. Though it was a while ago…you must try to remember who I am. For I wish for you…to be my bride./ the voice says to her.

Sango gasped at what he said and stood up. "Reveal yourself! Whoever you are I'm happy where I am! I refuse to remember or marry you." She said for she had had a dislike towards this man by now.

The wind suddenly picks up violently and Sango could tell she had said the wrong thing at the especially wrong time. Clouds piled up over the moon darkening the village as thunder crackled and hot rain poured from the heavens.

Sango turned to her side to see Kohaku standing beside her. But he was different…his blank eyes were hidden by his bangs. His face no longer happy or cheerful…

"Kohaku?"

Swift as wind, Kohaku moved and struck Sango with a sharp blade of his weapon, the sound of the chain rattling as he moved forward, slaughtering her very family once again before her very eyes.

Sango fell to the ground in pain from the wound he gave her as she saw more blood fly in the mix of rain that shattered the sky and poured like tears onto the grounds of earth.

"Kohaku!! Don't do it!!!" she tried to scream, tears filling her eyes as she watched her family fall one by one once more. She held herself up, weeping uncontrollably as she tried to stop her possessed brother.

So much pain, her world shattered once again. For the second time. Sango's heart seemed to shatter into millions of little pieces that were then stepped on by as stampede of hatred and cruelty. Blood stained her clothes from the open wound bestowed upon her as she watched the blood fly from fellow demon slayers beside and in front of her.

"No!! Kohaku!!" she cried when another sharp pain jolted once again and she was cut off, and fainted.