Chapter Two: Searching

Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own the Inuyasha characters...that wonderful lady, Rumiko Takahashi does! Ok, in this chapter I make reference to what happened in the second Inuyasha movie. I am treating that movie as part of the timeline of Inuyasha events, in this story. Also, I would like to mention that part of my inspiration for this story came from the Xena episodes Sacrifice and A Family Affair. :)

Miroku and Inuyasha had been searching the foot of the mountain for nearly a half hour and had found no indication that Sango had fallen to her death. Yet, they had all seen her fall with Naraku...

"Inuyasha?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you catching Sango's scent anywhere around here?" Miroku didn't know how to feel. He was confused, knowing this was where she had fallen, yet there was no trace of her. Not that he wanted to see his beloved Sango's dead body. He shuddered at the thought. Still, it didn't make sense. He suddenly began feeling hopeful. Had she somehow survived! There was no body and no apparent trace of blood...Was it possible! No, I'm in denial...I'm being irrational...no mortal could survive such a fall... But he desperately wanted to believe that she did.

Inuyasha interrupted Miroku's thoughts by answering his question. "No, I can't smell her anywhere. And I don't smell blood either." He was looking around. "Still...there's no way she could have survived..."

Miroku sadly agreed. "No." He closed his eyes. "And even if she did, by some miracle, survive...she could never have gotten up and walked away."

"Yeah, that's for sure. Sango's tough, but that's just impossible."

Miroku just gave a 'hmm' and looked downward. Inuyasha glanced over. "Hey, we can't just give up! I mean, I know it seems impossible, but Sango may still be alive somewhere. She's not here; there's no trace of her..."

"Inuyasha, we should search the ledges and caves. Maybe she managed to grab hold of something and didn't actually fall the entire way down." Miroku was holding onto every ounce of optimism he could muster.

"Right. Let's go get the others. We can make camp here tonight and at least search till nightfall. We have a few good hours left."

"Inuyasha, we must find her. If she is still alive, we can't leave her all alone and wounded, as she surely is."

"Yeah, I know. I'll find her if she's nearby."

The rest of the group joined the two in their search for their 'fallen' comrade. Inuyasha carried Kagome. Shippo sat atop Kilala, and Miroku continued on foot. They combed the side of the mountain where Sango had fallen, but they were having no luck, and it was getting late.

"Inuyasha, where could she be?" Kagome questioned, worriedly.

"I wonder..." Miroku began.

"What is it, Miroku?" They all looked at him.

"Is it possible that Naraku survived and took Sango with him?"

"There's no way Naraku's still alive." Inuyasha barked.

"There is a way to find out, Miroku." Kagome pointed out.

"Yes. After what happened, I didn't even care to check..." Miroku took a few steps and turned away from his companions. He slid his prayers beads off and held out his hand. Nothing happened.

"It's gone." Kagome stated, softly. She gave a slight smile, but her eyes were sad.

Miroku looked at his hand. If not for this tragic turn of events, he would have been rejoicing. Instead, he simply stared, feeling empty. His curse had been lifted, but it didn't really matter

now. He couldn't imagine his life holding any joy for him without Sango. It seemed his one chance at happiness had been stolen. But then again, there was still the slightest bit of hope. He didn't know what had happened to Sango, but he wanted to believe she was alive. Perhaps he was being a fool, but he would keep believing, until given reason not to.

"Naraku has fooled us before... Perhaps this is another one of his tricks..." Miroku stated, still staring at his now void-less palm.

"That's right." Kagome thought back to the time Naraku had faked his death. He had been badly injured but survived, taking shelter inside Kohaku, just long enough to restore his body and draw out Princess Kaguya. At that time, he removed the windtunnel for awhile. "If Naraku did survive...at least there might be a chance that Sango didn't fall to her death..."

"Don't be stupid. Naraku would never save Sango!"

"I'm not being stupid! Maybe...he thought he could use her as leverage against us or something..." Kagome said.

"Or maybe it just happened, when he was trying to escape...maybe somehow he took Sango with him, inadvertently saving her life..." Miroku shuddered at the thought of Sango in Naraku's clutches. Still, he would much prefer that alternative to finding her dead.

Kagome thought, Is it possible that she is still alive? Oh Sango, please be alive... But even if you are, how will we ever find you?

The sky had grown dark. Night had fallen. "You guys should get some sleep. I'll keep watch,

and tomorrow, first thing, we'll search for Sango again. If that b Naraku IS still alive and has Sango, I'll track him down." Inuyasha stated.

They began fixing a camp. Once a fire was built, Kagome snuggled into her sleeping bag, clutching it tightly. She didn't think she'd be able to sleep at all, but she should try, in order to be rested up to look for Sango again in the morning. Kilala nestled in beside her, to keep her warm, and also because she felt lonely without her master resting against her fur. Shippo walked over to Kagome and asked if he could sleep in her sleeping bag. He was still very sad, and a hint of tears remained in his eyes. Kagome agreed, and he cuddled up to her. She put her arms around him and held him close, like a teddy bear. She wanted to comfort him, but also felt the need for comfort herself, after the apparent loss of her best female friend. Inuyasha took a spot behind the group of cuddling friends, sitting up in his usual protective way, clutching his Tetsusaiga and wary of every sound.

Miroku began to walk away from the campsite. "Hey, Miroku." Inuyasha called, almost gently. "You should sleep, too."

"I couldn't possibly, Inuyasha." He said, gazing over his shoulder and giving him a broken smile. Inuyasha met his eyes and gave him an understanding look. He gave a slight nod, then brought his gaze back to the group, feeling extra protective tonight.

Miroku walked a little ways from the group, until he was just out of sight. He looked up at the stars. He was physically and mentally exhausted, mostly the latter, but he barely noticed it. Instead, an overwhelming restlessness was overtaking him. He wanted to search for her. He wanted to find her, take her in his arms, and vow never to let her go, no matter how many times she slapped him. He smiled. Sango, what I wouldn't give to have you slap me right now! He sat down cross-legged and put his arms in his robes. He continued to stare up at the sky. He said a prayer for Sango, but he didn't say a prayer for her repose because that would mean acknowledging that she was dead. Instead, he prayed that wherever she was, she was not injured or afraid and that she would soon be back with him. "Sango, do not worry. I will find you! And

I will take care of you." He spoke to the starry night sky. He sighed.

"Oh where are you, my Sango...?"

Meanwhile...

Sango's eyes fluttered open. Oh, my head... She looked around...Darkness... Where am I?

"M-Miroku! Miroku! Inuyasha! Kagome! Kilala, Shippo!" She looked around her frantically, but she saw no one, nothing...

End of Chapter

A/N: Yay, looks like Sango is still alive! Aren't you guys relieved! I know I am! ;) Ok, so I am kinda the all-powerful author here, so I kinda knew I wasn't going to kill her in the first place, but still... Anyway, please review, and keep reading if you want to find out where the heck Sango is and if she is gonna be reunited with Miroku and the others! Also, I encourage you to make suggestions if you have any ideas for how this could all play out!