Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any nursery rhymes.

The Mother Goose Escapades

No. 19

Old Mother Goose,

When she wanted to wander,

Would ride through the air

On a very fine gander.

It was times like these that made Sango really exhausted of her life. It was midafternoon, the day after a particularly fierce battle with Naraku, and Kohaku had been there. And as usual, things had not happened as Sango wanted them too. In other words, Naraku still had control over her little brother.

The demon exterminator looked around her little group of friends. Inuyasha was moodily contemplating life while sitting in a tree, and Miroku was entertaining Shippou with the deck of cards Kagome had brought. Kagome herself was sitting under the tree Inuyasha was in, studying her strange books. Sango couldn't fathom how they could all just face Naraku and then continue life normally. Even Inuyasha, who was sulking, was only doing so because he had lost the card game.

Sango suddenly felt very alone. Kirara nuzzled her listless hand, causing the girl to look down. Suddenly struck by an idea, Sango stood up, and walked over to Kagome.

"Hey," she said quietly. Kagome looked up, then smiled.

"Hi Sango, what's going on?"

"I need to go somewhere, will you wait here for me?"

"Of course. Sango...are you alright?"

"I will be." With a sad smile, Sango turned her back, and walked away. Kirara followed her, then transformed, Sango clambered on, and the firecat took off. Sango didn't notice the concern etched on a certain monk's face...

Higher and higher Kirara flew, spiraling out in wider circles, intending to fly back to the destroyed village. Sango stroked her ears absently.

"Not today, Kirara. I just want to fly." The firecat looked puzzled, but then began an aimless path as Sango remained lost in thoughts. The sun shone warmly out of a perfectly blue sky as a gentle breeze ruffled Sango's hair and Kirara's fur. It all seemed so ironic to Sango, her deep brown eyes clouded over with unshed tears.

"To be flying free like this, able to make my own choices...Kohaku should be able to do so as well. Why...what did we do to deserve this?" The tears slipped out and Sango bit her lip, a habit she had always attempted to rid herself of. She only did so when extremely upset or concentrating very hard. Her father always told her that she shouldn't, but she had never been able to stop. Her father, the man who had taught her so much.

"We were good people, we made lives better for others. And now there is only Kohaku and me, and all that is left of my brother is a shell!" Sango's hands curled and gripped Kirara's fur. The firecat let out a soft noise, and Sango immediately let go, the tears falling harder.

"I'm sorry. Look, I hurt others now without even thinking of it. I try my best to carry on, and to be strong and brave, but it is hard! Falling asleep to dream of my brother who I can't save, and waking up every day to remember that everyone is dead. I'm a grown woman, I should be thinking of marriage, and a celebration, not loss and heartbreak!" An unbidden thought of Miroku suddenly rose to mind and Sango blushed prettily. She hurriedly wiped the tears away, as though the monk was really there and could see them.

"Where does that lech fit in anyways?" she muttered, wondering why he wouldn't leave her mind alone. It didn't make sense, but then Sango knew she had to admit her life hadn't made sense ever since Naraku had entered it. The demon exterminator felt drained, exhausted. She patted Kirara.

"Let's go back," she said, sighing. As wonderful as it felt to get away and be free, she simply couldn't enjoy it. At least not right now. At least not until Kohaku was free. With swift strides, the firecat made her way towards the group of people Sango had secretly began calling her new family. Sango closed her eyes for the ride down, simply enjoying the breeze through her hair and the sun on her face. She missed Kirara's calculating look, and the monk making his way through the forest forlornly. Only whenKirara touched down did Sango open her eyes, and found herself facing the very man who haunted her heart.

"Hello, Sango," came the strained voice.

"Miroku?" Sango asked, confused. "What are you doing...here...? Where is everyone?"

"They're just back a little ways, waiting for you to return. Inuyasha is getting a bit restless. Kagome is trying to keep him at ease." The monk pointed behind him, and Sango looked, almost expecting to see the arguing pair. When nothing but trees met her gaze, she turned it back to the monk.

"And you?"

"Looking for you." The response was short, the look in his eyes distressing. The monk took a step towards her. When Sango found she couldn't move, the monk crossed the distance, and offered her his hand. Perplexed, Sango took it, her body tense as he helped her down off of Kirara's back. Then he let go, keeping his hands to himself. Sango looked at him, uncertainty etched across her face.

"Why?"

"I was worried for you. Since yesterday you have not been...yourself." Sango closed her eyes at that. Inside she was screaming, I haven't been myself since my life was turned upside down by Naraku! She wanted to yell it out loud, but her throat wouldn't work. Opening her eyes, Sango found the monk closer to her. He held out his hand, then caressed her face. Without thinking, Sango leaned into it. The cool prayer beads reminded her that Miroku's life had been turned around because of Naraku as well.

"I'm sorry to have worried you," she whispered. "I don't want to worry you."

"You shouldn't have to suffer alone." The monk leaned in, a feather touch kiss upon her lips. Then he gathered her limp body up, crushed her in a hug. Cradled within his arms, Sango found herself feeling something she hadn't thought possible anymore. And suddenly she realized things, though completely out of control, were maybe meant to happen. After all, without Naraku, there would have been no Miroku.

"I'm ready to go back," she breathed into his ear. She felt him smile, and together they turned, walking back with the demon exterminator still cradled in the monk's arms. Mild alarm went through her body as his hands slid lower, but they stopped suddenly, and she found herself relaxing. A strange feeling. A nice feeling.

Author's Notes: Finally, I give you some Sango character development! This will be neat, it is a two parter, Wednesday I will give you the flip side. There are always two sides to every coin. Whew, is that enough tension building?