AN: I was originally gonna have this a lot more angsty that written here. A lot. Like a death ^-^;; But I decided to cut that out and maybe save it for somewhere later in the plot ^-^ Not something to look forward to, but hey.

And I got a B on my speech! Yay! Only three people showed up o.0 Don't blame them, but if they don't give their speech they fail for the marking period _ Nuff' said, I passed, and school is almost out! W00t!

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha-tachi, but I (along with thousands of others) wish I did.

~*^-^*~

Sango felt dread seep through every inch of her being. Kohaku was back. He was here. Would this be the last time she saw him? Since Kagome had left two years ago, there hadn't been any sightings of her brother, and only a few of Kagura and Naraku. She had anxiously waited, part of her filled with horror and the other filled with relief. Would they finally kill Naraku this time? Would her brother get to rest in peace? These questions along with others kept the taijiya up at night.

Someone placed a hand on her shoulder and she jumped. Miroku stared back at her, his face an unreadable mask. She swallowed thickly, and only then realized that she was trembling. She gave Miroku a wobbly smile before turning away and grabbing hiraikotsu from its' place against the cave wall.

"Kirara!"

The cat meowed before transforming, taking a spot in front of Sango so she could mount. She was about to signal Kirara to go when she felt someone get on behind her. Shakujou slid in front of her like a lap bar.

"Houshi-sama?" She turned to look at the houshi now sitting behind her. He smiled sadly.

"Sango, I don't want you to be alone."

Blushing, Sango turned back around. What had he meant when he said that? She could think of at least two possibilities as she clicked her tongue.

"Let's go, Kirara."

Kirara growled, sending a few wolves scampering with their tails between their legs. The cat seemed to enjoy this immensely, and roared again.

"Kirara!" Sango scolded as her feline companion took off.

"Sango-chan!"

"We'll be back, Kagome-chan!" Sango yelled back as she watched the youkai den vanish from sight. 'I hope.' She added silently.

"Do you even know where they are?" Miroku asked, scanning the tree tops. Sango shook her head.

"You don't know where we're going?" He asked incredulously.

"Stop making it sound like I'm some kind of idiot. Kirara knows where she's going." Sango muttered, eyes trained to the trees. The sun hit something in a small gathering of leaves, light bouncing back into Sango's eyes.

"Kirara, go down. I think I see something."

Just as the cat had managed to bring them down to just above tree level, something struck.

"Sango!" Miroku pulled her back against him just as something silver whizzed past her face. It retracted, and Sango was able to make out a long metal chain attached.

"Kohaku?" She breathed, looking towards the trees. A young boy was crouched on a branch, his sickle-like weapon posed and ready to strike. Sango felt tears cloud her vision as she looked at her brother for the first time in two years. His hair was longer, his bangs shading the eyes Sango knew would be black from view. He was taller too, she realized.

'He's fourteen now…Kohaku…'

"Sango, he's not your brother. Kohaku is dead! He's being used by Naraku!" Miroku shook her shoulders, trying to wake her out of the deadly daze she was in. If she kept doing that, neither of them would be alive for very long. Sango blinked, clearing away the tears. As painful as the words were, Miroku was right. Kohaku was gone.

"Kirara, bring us down." She choked. The cat purred, both comforting her master and acknowledging the request. No sooner than Kirara's paws hit the ground did the battle begin.

~*^-^*~

"Sango-chan…" Kagome sighed and rested her head atop her knees. She was still tired, and Kouga had insisted that she stay on his "bed", if you could even call it that. Her thoughts drifted towards her friends and what they would have to face.

"Poor Sango-chan…If something like that ever happened to Souta I'd…" She felt tears prick at her eyes and laughed bitterly. Why was she crying? She should be grateful that Souta was safe at home. She pitied Sango, and she knew her friend would hate her for it.

"Kagome?"

Kouga entered the cave, startling Kagome from unwanted thoughts. She smiled as he sat down next to her.

"Daijoubu?"

"Hai, I was just thinking. I hope Sango-chan and Miroku-sama are okay. Kirara's with them, demo…" She trailed off and bit her bottom lip. Not knowing what was happening was going to drive her up a wall. And the fact that Inuyasha's whereabouts were still unknown made her even more edgy. If Inuyasha was with them, at least she'd feel a little more secure.

"Sango's strong, and so is that lecherous bastard. Besides, I don't think he'd let anything happen to Sango."

Kagome gasped, eyes wide, and turned to face Kouga. He blinked, confused but happy that she wasn't looking too upset anymore.

"You think Miroku-sama likes Sango-chan too!?" She squealed happily. Kouga smiled and nodded.

"Of course. If you can't tell by the way he looks at her, then you can at least tell by the way they both smell."

"The way they smell?"

"Because I'm youkai, I can easily smell what others can't. Miroku not only desires her, but he has an unwavering need to protect her. And he's afraid to get too close to her because of that hole in his hand."

Kagome stared at Kouga, speechless. She was impressed. Inuyasha had scoffed at the idea of Miroku and Sango in love. And here was Kouga, agreeing with her and giving her a lecture on what he could smell.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kouga asked uneasily, eyeing the starry-eyed girl beside him.

"I'm so glad Shippou and I aren't the only ones who think so! Kouga, that speech was impressive, I never knew you put so much thought into this."

"I-I didn't. I'm just stating the obvious."

"If only it were that obvious to those two." She muttered, picking up a pebble from amongst the straw. Kouga let a lopsided grin take over his neutral face.

"I think it is, but they're just afraid to admit it."

"Honto?" Kagome yawned, her eyelids slowly sliding closed. Before she fell over completely, she scooted over to Kouga and rested her head on his shoulder.

"K-Kagome?"

When he heard her mumble and bury her face deeper into the crook of his neck, he sighed. She was asleep. He hesitated for a brief second before slipping an arm around her back and moving them until they were resting against the wall. Sighing, he rested his cheek on her hair and soon drifted off himself.

~*^-^*~

"K-Kikyo?"

Inuyasha stared at the deceased miko, clearly confused by her sudden comment. Was she doubting his obedience to her? And why bring Kagome into this?

"You know as well as I that you can't leave that girl alone."

Inuyasha opened his mouth, then closed it. She was right. Even though he owed Kikyo this much, he couldn't leave Kagome behind. Even if she was with Kouga. His fists clenched at his sides at the thought of the wolf youkai. He had left her alone with Kouga. Cursing, he turned to leave.

"Inuyasha….you're going to her, aren't you?"

"I have to." He said, not bothering to turn around. He heard what might have been a soft whimper, and spun around.

"Kik-"

She was gone, and the soul snatchers had left with her. He shook his head once to clear his thoughts and focus on Kagome's scent. Once he picked it up, he sped off.

Behind a tree, Kikyo hugged herself, trying to shield the inevitable cold that would forever remain in her. She cursed. Damn that Inuyasha. Damn him. Damn him for caring. She choked slightly on a dry sob. She wasn't human. She never would be again. And Kagome was threatening to take her place.

(AN: Kikyo is "choking on a dry sob" because she can't cry, she's not alive.)

~*^-^*~

"Kohaku! Wake up! Onegai!"

Sango cried as she dodged Kohaku's sickle-like weapon. He drew back slightly, eyes still blank, his weapon poised for another attack.

"Sango, didn't someone say Kagura was here too?"

"Y-you're right, Houshi-sama. Kagura! We know you're here!" There was a slight whistle from the wind before Kagura appeared before them, drifting down on a feather. She stepped off delicately and banished the feather back to her hair.

"Seems someone ratted out on me." She mused, brushing back some stray hair that fell in her eyes. Sango glared at the woman, then turned her attention back to her brother. It was dangerous not to watch Kagura, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from Kohaku.

"Well, Sango. As you can see we have been taking very good care of your brother. He's turned out nicely, don't you think?" Kagura mocked, enjoying the look of rage that filled Sango's eyes. Miroku placed a hand on her shoulder, silently urging her to calm down.

"Give my brother back." She growled, glaring daggers at the haughty woman. Kagura smiled; A smile filled with dark promises.

"You want your dear, sweet, Kohaku back? I thought you'd never ask." Her eyes were viscous, the cold smile still in place. Sango's eyes widened before she heard a sound from her side.

"K-Kohaku!"

"Ane-ue?" Kohaku blinked, his eyes the warm chocolate brown they had once been.

"Kohaku!" Sango ran to her brother, throwing her weapon aside, a careless action. The taijiya threw her arms around her brother as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"A- ane-ue?" He hesitated before wrapping his arms around his sister. Miroku felt a small smile tug at his lips despite the dangerous situation. A movement to his left caught his eyes. Kagura snapped her fingers.

"Anu-ue, what happened? How did I…?"

"Kohaku?" Sango pulled away from her brother when he stopped in the middle of his sentence. Underneath her arms she could feel his muscles tense.

"Iie…Iie!" He ripped away from Sango, his hands covering his large, frightened eyes.

"Kohaku!?" Sango rushed towards the young boy, but was intercepted by Miroku.

"Houshi-sama? What are you doing? I have to get to Kohaku!"

"Sango, it's a trap."

"Move! I have to help him!" Sango fought desperately against the onslaught of tears that threatened to fall. Miroku stared back at her, just as stubborn and not willing to move. An anguished scream sounded from behind Miroku.

"Kohaku!" Sango watched in horror as her brother fell to the ground, withering as he clutched his head. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his breathing fast and panicked. Sango rammed into Miroku's side, sending him off balance for the brief second she needed.

"Sango! Don't!"
She kneeled by her brother and scooped him into her arms, pressing him tightly against her chest as he wailed and fought against her.

"Kohaku…Kohaku, daijoubu." Sango murmured through tears. His face contorted into one of pain as he recalled the death of his father and villagers. So many horrible images swam through his head, making him lose any sense of reality he had left.

"Onegai, you're going to hurt yourself, Kohaku." Sango curled over her brother as she sobbed, gently stroking his sweat-matted hair. A throaty laugh made both her and Miroku turn their attention to Kagura.

"You see what will happen if your brother goes back to you? He will live in anguish. He will live in regret. He will see the blood on his hands when he killed his own villagers. He's not your little Kohaku anymore. He's one of Naraku's toys, just like the rest of us." Kagura snapped bitterly, reflecting on her own thoughts of her master.

"Stop it! You're hurting him! Make it stop…Onegai…MAKE IT STOP!!" Sango's plea was cut short as she choked on a sob. Pressing her lips to Kohaku's head, she prayed.

Just as suddenly as it happened, Kohaku calmed. His eyes were a dark black, devoid of emotion. The only sign of his previous weakness were the couple of tears still rolling down his chin.

"Now you see what we all go through as Naraku's creations. He's just a toy. And when Naraku is through with him, he'll take the shikon shard out of his back."

Sango whimpered, curling into a ball as she rocked slowly back and forth. Kohaku would never come back to her. The only way to save him was to…

Kagura smirked as she saw the taijiya's barriers come crashing down. Now was her chance, while she was weak.

"Fujin no Mai!"

"Sango!"

Sango numbly looked up, not phased when she saw Kagura's attack aimed at her. So this was how it would end, she thought bitterly. She closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate, when someone jumped on her.

"Omph!" She grunted when she felt herself being pressed low to the ground. Craning her head to see over her shoulder, her vision was impaired by black and purple robes. Her eyes widened.

"Houshi-sama!"

"Sango, I won't let you die out here, not when you still have your brother to save." Miroku smiled sadly before he cried out, wind lashing at his back like razors.

"Miroku!" Sango dropped the formalities as she attempted to push the stubborn man off of her. Fresh tears slid down her cheeks as she tried to get him off her. He'd die!

Kagura cackled as she threw attack after attack at the couple, enjoying the blood pouring from Miroku's open wounds. She was about to throw another wave of razors when a sharp pang in her chest told her she was needed. Cursing, she summoned for Kohaku.

"We will meet again, taijiya. And if you're lucky, houshi, we shall meet again as well." Pulling a feather from her hair, she leaped on and dragged Kohaku with her. It took only seconds until they were out of sight.

Sango grunted as she slid out from underneath Miroku. He was heavy. Carefully setting him down on his stomach, she surveyed the wounds on his back. There was so much blood. Eyes wide with horror, she gently shook his shoulder.

"Houshi-sama…"

No response.

"Houshi-sama, stop playing around!"

No response.

"MIROKU!!"

~*^-^*~

AN: Almost 5 ½ pages o.0 And a cliffhanger at that. An evil one. Poor Miroku-chan! ::cries:: I love you Miroku, I really do! Lotsa drama. Kikyo has feelings, well fancy that. I really don't like her.

In the next chapter, Inuyasha will re-confront Kagome and Kouga, Sango will try to save Miroku (where is Kirara by the way??? ::glances over at the small youkai playing with a ball filled with catnip:: -.- Well, that would explain things.) And hopefully some more Kagome x Kouga fluff, cause I really need some more. Now, onto the dictionary!

Taijiya: Sango's profession, a demon exterminator.

Hiraikotsu: Sango-chan's weapon, her large bone boomerang she carried with her.

Shakujou: Miroku's staff

Houshi: lowest form of a monk, I believe.

Houshi-sama: What Sango calls Miroku, very formal.

Youkai: demons

Daijoubu: Are you okay? or confirming you're okay.

Hai: Yes

Iie: No

Honto: Really?

Miko: Priestess

Onegai: Please

Ane-ue: Older sister

Shikon no Kakera: Sacred jewel shards that everyone is collecting, though I'm sure everyone already knows that ^-^

Fujin no Mai: Not sure on spelling, but it's Kagura's dance of blades attack.

I'm excited, today I found out that my Japanese class is third period next year ^-^ Waii waii! Exams are officially over and school is out! ^-^ I tried to update this TWO WEEKS AGO but fanfiction.net wasn't letting me o.0

Review Please!

~Neoshipper~