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Memoir of Sango,

"Yes, Sango. You can come in."

She peeked in through the doorway. Her father smiled from inside the room, ushering the little girl inside. Hesitantly, she walked in, the high squeal of an infant's cries reaching her ears.

She stopped next to her father, standing behind his tall form. "Papa, is that…?"

He nodded. "This is your new baby brother."

She squeaked as his large hands wrapped around her torso. He lifted her up onto the white bed, which was taller than most she had seen. She sat next to her mother, noticing that her once large stomach had flattened substantially. The woman's long hair was tied back; her oval-shaped glassed revealing large brown eyes that rivaled her own. She looked tired- to say the least.

Sango's eyes met another pair of brown ones. A small, cherubic face stared up at her, half hidden from beneath its wrappings. Thin tufts of hair barely covered his head.

She reached out cautiously. A small hand peeked out from under the baby's coverings. She touched it, amazed at how soft the skin was. Kohaku never tore his eyes from her, watching quietly as he clenched his small hand around her index finger.

"Kohaku…"

Session Twenty- Before and After

She waited.

It never came.

Opening her eyes, she met the morning sun. Blinking several times, she glanced over to the clock, which remained silent. 'Miroku must've turned off the alarm clock.'

Speaking of which, she turned over, facing him. He was asleep, and –judging by his REM- he had just done so. He was still fully dressed, his large trench coat dressed over both of them.

She smiled. 'My wanderer…'

Sango reached out, her fingertips barely stroking his cheek as she lay next to him. She inhaled his scent, composed of a natural forest smell, not those fake scents found in stores. It was that scent she found comfort in.

She had cried herself to sleep in his arms the night before. He had stayed with her, comforting her with his mere presence, letting her know he was there for her. She had told him stories of Kohaku, laughing, crying, and reminiscing. She had let go of all her emotions, something very rare of her. Her reserved composure had been broken. She had died in his arms.

Now she had to continue on.

Getting up, she smiled, watching as Miroku merely shifted on the bed, revealing just how tired he was. On any other occasion, he would've awakened instantly.

'Thank you.'

"Kohaku…"

She gave a soft smile, removing loose hair from her brother's face. He lay between the white sheets, his chest rising in even breaths as he lay unconscious. Despite the coolness of the room, his body gave off unsettling warmth, his dark bangs plastered across his forehead. The only sound was of the heart monitor beeping at a slow and steady pace. The morning sun came in through the blinds, casting a silhouette across his form that almost made him look peaceful. But how he got here was anything but.

"I'm sorry…"

She kneeled before the bed, her hands grabbing the ends of her lab coat as she sat them firmly in her lap. Her eyes were downcast, dark bangs covering her eyes. She could feel the sting of tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

"I promised mother and father, I promised them I'd protect you. I swore it the moment you were born that I'd protect you from the bad things… but I couldn't, I can't do it. I have nothing left… to give…"

"Sango-chan."

She lifted her head up, her brown eyes looking out into nowhere. "Yes, Kagome?"

The girl behind her replied hesitantly. "There's someone here to see Kohaku."

Setting her composure, Sango slowly turned. Out in the hallway, she could see a small form peeking in through the doorway hesitantly. 'Rin…'

The doctor stood up. "Yes Rin, come in."

The girl entered slowly. Kohaku's sketchbook was held tightly against her chest. "Kohaku… is he…?"

"Yes, Rin," Sango replied, a light smile playing across her face, "he's getting better."

The youth nodded, her smile brightening. "I'm glad."

"Yeah. So am I…"

"Sango-chan," Kagome spoke up. Sango nodded, following the younger girl out the door, leaving Rin alone with the unconscious figure.

"Feeling any better?"

Sango shrugged, not bothering to look up from the floor as they walked. "The police still haven't found the bastard. Kohaku's still fighting for his life. Not much to be happy about."

"I guess not," Kagome replied sullenly, "the police will find him."

The doctor's reply was a light scoff. "They let Naraku go once before, they'll probably let him go again."

Suddenly, the younger girl stopped abruptly. "What… did you say his name was again?"

"Naraku."

"Inuyasha, there's someone here to see you."

He turned from his place on the roof at the sound of her voice. He was almost surprised, especially since there was no one he knew who would actually come and see him. Unless…

"Inuyasha…"

His violet eyes narrowed, clutching his fists until they turned white. The person's voice was deep, obviously male. He stood up, turning towards the voice. "Naraku."

"Naraku…" Kagome whispered.

Sango nodded, watching the younger girl. Kagome seemed tentative for some reason, as if she was deciding something in her mind. She watched the girl absentmindedly tug on her pale blue apron, biting her lip hesitantly.

"Kagome?"

She was quiet for a moment, her large brown eyes looking around cautiously. "… I know someone… he knows Naraku."

Sango suddenly straightened, whether from the statement or just the mention of the name, Kagome didn't know. "… Who?"

"Inuyasha," the younger replied, knowing well she had told Sango about him. Suddenly, the woman was tugging on her arm. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

She stopped when she heard the girl let out a sigh. "It's not that simple. He won't… speak to me…"

Sango suddenly regained composure. "Then we'll make him," she said sternly. Kagome nodded.

'I'll find him for you, Kohaku. And when I find him, I'll kill him for you…'

First things first: I NEED A BETA.

I plan on revising the whole fic sometime soon. After I get used to my new classes after exams I should be able to get to it. (On the last day of the semester we had: two fights, police raids, and a stink bomb. Last day of school we're probably going to have a gang war. ;)

Preview of next chapter:

He leaned against the cold brick wall, arms folded across his chest. 'Two months next week…'

He didn't move as he heard the large metal door open. A large man stood in the doorway.

"Yo, Inuyasha. You have visitors."

Posted 1/23/05