A/N: Hello everyone! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, each time I get an alert I feel ecstatic and eager to open the mail and read! Okay, another short chapter (roughly 1100 words) but I promise you that chapters to come will get longer. Like the one I'm writing right now… it's at least 1900 words! Haha alright on with this chapter! Oh, this chapter is short, but it's sort of like the "pivotal" point of this story, so it is important nonetheless.

Someone Out There
Chapter Seventeen: To Love is to Risk Not Being Loved in Return

Sango examined her tummy in the mirror. Still looking flat, no signs of baby growth visible on her stomach. This was good, she didn't want anyone suspecting anything along that line when she leaves. Sandy came over with pins in his mouth, fussing over her dress. David was busily doing her hair.

Sango agreed to be their life-sized Barbie for a day. Both had been overjoyed (and surprised) that she agreed to go to the Winter Ball. "But you never go to these things," said David when they found out.

Both men were already in their suits, looking handsome. Sango wore a beautiful white gown. It had one sleeve, while leaving the opposite shoulder bare. It had a nice train trailing behind, and at the front the dress slanted to the side. The shimmering white fabric glittered a pale blue color under certain light. There was a silver chain on her neck and a light bracelet with small bells on her wrist. Tiny silver hoops hung from her ear. Her hair was tied into a beautiful, yet relaxed bun, with glitter at the appropriate places. She looked like a princess.

Sango stared at the girl in the mirror. She looked so different. She felt different. A bit more sure with herself. The confidence shown through more than the layers and layers of extravagance she wore. She took both of their arms and they escorted her to the Winter Ball.

The ball lived up to what they said it would be. It was held outside an mansion. There were hedges built like a maze at waist level. There was an old statue by the water fountain. Countless pennies and wishes were wasted, sitting at the bottom of the old fountain. There were exotic plants from every country lined along the sides, Christmas lights hanging beautifully from the skies. There was pleasant music playing from hidden speakers.

Everyone was dressed in formal wear. Most women wore white or light colors, and men looked striking in their black suits. Sango eyed the big crowd with uneasiness. Girls turned looking at Sango jealously, seeing the two handsome men in her arms. If only they knew who was the real couple amongst them. They walked over to a stone table. Champagne filled the crystal wine glasses, lined neatly in rows for people to partake.

"Wow, this place is amazing," breathed Sango. David and Sandy nodded agreeing. David winked at Sandy handing him his champagne and offered a hand to Sango. "May I have the pleasure of this dance?" he drawled bowing slightly. Sango's face flushed a little and agreed. Sandy smiled, glad that Sango was finally having some fun.

Sango led David onto the dance floor, twirling once into his arm. David whispered quiet jokes while they danced. Sango tried not to laugh too loudly, but a grin never left her face. Sango tried not to look at her feet as she was dancing but she kept on tripping on her gown or stepping on his feet.

"I think you're very brave," said David, wincing slightly as a heel accidentally dug into his feet. "Ooops sorry!" squeaked Sango. David winked, waving it off. She was just too cute sometimes. "So why do you think I'm brave again?" asked Sango.

"Well, you're keeping the baby and that means you're going to be a mother. That's a really brave decision to make. You're going to be on your own for a while, yet despite how scared you are, you're still going through with it." said David.

"Wouldn't you call that 'foolish' rather than bravery?" laughed Sango.

David thought wistfully, "No, not foolish. It would've been foolish to force Miroku to be with you. But you didn't, so that's brave." he reasoned.

"I guess," she mused. "David, did Sandy tell you I'm leaving tonight?"

David's mouth dropped open. "Leaving? Where?"

Sango hushed him, darting her eyes to see if anyone heard. "Well I'm going back to my father's house to raise my baby and hopefully find a job. I know I can't do this one on my own."

"See? Bravery again!" noted David. He led her off the dance floor so she could take a break. She was feeling a bit tired already.

"How is this bravery then?" asked Sango. She was stumped. How could any of this she was doing be acts of bravery? She was running, just like her cousin had accused her rightly of.

"You asked for help when you needed to, it takes courage to do that," he simply replied. "And I think the biggest act of bravery of all is that you're going to commit to not eating ice-cream for a full 9 months!" he exclaimed.

Sango groaned. She totally forgot about that. No ice-cream strung along with a dozen of other foods she can't eat. It also meant no more instant noodles everyday. She's got to eat "nutritious" now, just like Sandy the freak-vegetarian.

Sandy rejoined them, his face looking a bit more colored than before. It must've been the champagne, suspected Sango. She glanced over at the stone table, only a few glasses of champagne was left; about nine other crystal glasses were drunk empty. Suddenly Sandy looked uneasy. David looked at where he looked and mirrored the same expression. Frowning she asked, "Guys? What're you doing? Why are you standing in front of me?" Sandy pretended not to know what she was talking about and tried to usher her elsewhere.

"You guys," she smiled, pushing them apart. Her eyes saw Miroku clasping the necklace around Kagome's neck. Oh. David looked uneasy. They were hoping they wouldn't run into him and ruin their night. Perhaps just one night, just one, she could get away from Miroku and the baby-worries and just have fun. Surprisingly, Sango wasn't the least upset. She chuckled, "So that's what you've been trying to hide?"

They both nodded guiltily, feeling a bit silly. "Hey, I've grown a lot this past month since I learned I was expecting," reassured Sango, "I'm no longer that rowdy girl, well maybe I am, but I know that to love is to risk not being loved in return. I won't dwell on what happened forever. I'll move on. See, I'm already starting to move on tonight. Don't worry about me."

Sandy smiled proudly at his cousin. He checked his watch. Lowering his voice he muttered, "Hey it's time." Sango's eyes shot open. Already? She sighed wistfully as they silently left the winter ball. "Uhmm cuz, can I ask a favor?" He leaned down and she whispered something in his ear. Breaking out into a laugh, he scooted them both in his car and drove her to the ice cream parlor one last time.