Chapter Five: Wandering in Darkness

Sango scanned the blackness that seemed to engulf her. She turned slowly, searching for some sign of light or life-forms. She blinked several times and wondered if perhaps something was wrong with her eyes. She had risen from a hard, cold surface, but the rest of her surroundings appeared to consist of only vast darkness. She extended her arms in front of her, feeling for objects that might bar her path, but finding only empty space.

Where am I? Am I dead and in the other world? Is this the place my soul is condemned to wander in? Sango formulated theories as she stumbled around the 'prison' she found herself in. I wonder how far this darkness will continue? Is it endless?

Sango began to sense the presence of demons and noticed that her sense of smell appeared to be more acute, for she began to catch the strong scent of blood around her, as well as something else...but she wasn't sure what it was. She fumbled at her side for her katana but didn't find it there. She backed up slowly in the direction she came, her hands up in a defensive position. She continued to back up and stumbled across an object at her feet. She kneeled and felt for it. She felt a sharp prick, so she pulled her hand away and moved it lower, finding the hilt of her katana. She picked up her weapon and held it in front of her. It was so dark she couldn't see the weapon she held, nor even her own body.

She didn't enjoy this feeling of helplessness. Any enemy that might be lurking around could completely overwhelm her, for she seemed to be able to neither see nor hear anything in the vicinity. Then, she heard a woman's voice.

"You shouldn't be here." the voice said. The voice sounded strong and determined, but also compassionate.

She wasn't able to tell from where the voice came, for it seemed to be all around her.

"Who is there? Where are you?" Sango called out, searching for the woman behind the voice.

Then, she heard the voice once more, but this time she could pinpoint that it was coming from directly behind her. "I am here."

Sango turned to see the figure of a woman behind her. It took her several moments to adjust to the brightness, for she hadn't been able to see anything around her for some time, and the woman radiated some sort of glowing aura. She had long black hair and wore a white, long-sleeved kimono top, a long red skirt, and what appeared to be ancient armor. Sango thought that she looked familiar.

"Who are you, and where are we?" Sango asked.

"I am Midoriko, Slayer." She took several steps and was face to face with Sango.

Sango gasped. Midoriko! But she–

Sango could hardly believe that the legendary Midoriko stood right before her, but the strange situation she found herself in took her mind off meeting the amazing warrior priestess. She sheathed her katana.

"Ano...Lady Midoriko, could you tell me where I am? Am I dead?"

"It will be difficult for you to understand where you are, but I can return you to your world." Midoriko's eyes were serious and never wavered. "And no, you are not dead. You surely would have been had you made impact, but you never did."

Sango didn't understand. How could she have fallen and never touched bottom? Did someone save her?

"Lady Midoriko, how is it that I never made impact at the bottom of that summit?" Sango asked.

Midoriko gave a slight smirk.

"It is ironic. It was the selfish desire of a strong evil that was your salvation. I warn you, though. Your body may be in-tact, but you are not free from him." Midoriko turned, as if hearing a sudden sound and then once again faced Sango.

"Free from who?" She had a sudden realization. "Naraku... He is dead...is he not?" Sango leaned toward the priestess.

The priestess' only response was, "You must leave, or you will not be able to return." She looked over her shoulder once more. Sango heard nothing, but she was beginning to feel the strong presence of demons once again.

Midoriko took a few steps back. "Slayer, I will continue to battle, but I occasionally weaken. It is important that you be strong. You must not let petty human emotions overcome you. Sadness, fear, jealousy, anger, hatred...these are our most bitter enemies. Look to courage, wisdom, friendship, and love, always... I will fight for you, but I cannot do it alone."

Sango wasn't quite sure what to make of this cryptic message. This whole experience had been confusing and overwhelming.

Midoriko closed her eyes and held out her palm in front of Sango. Her lips moved as if she were silently chanting. Sango gazed at the priestess, but her eyes soon became fixated upon something else. She gasped, as she saw countless demons appear behind Midoriko, but seconds later, Midoriko and the demons began to fade from her sight.

She felt herself falling, darkness all around her once again, and then, as suddenly as it began, she was no longer falling. She appeared to be lying on solid ground on her back, but she felt no pain from an impact. Someone was standing over her... She raised her eyes to meet their gaze.

Immediately, upon seeing his wicked red eyes, she moved away from him, unsheathed her katana and held it to his neck. "Naraku..." She snarled, glaring at her arch-enemy.

Naraku merely grinned and began to reach for her. She struck at him with her katana, but it never seemed to make contact with his body. It was as though she was slicing air, and Naraku seemed to be permeating her flesh! No...

"Sango, become one with me..." The sinister sound of his voice rang through her ears as she struggled, screaming, 'NO,' over and over...

Sango opened her eyes and bolted upright, from a lying position to a sitting position, screaming, "NO!" once again. Breathing heavily, she clutched her chest. Her fear and helplessness radiated in her chocolate eyes. She looked down at her body. What just happened?

She touched her body in several places, then put her hands to her face, as if making sure it was all still there. Satisfied that she was at least corporeal, she looked around. It was dark, but it wasn't pitch black as before. I'm in a cave... She continued to take in her surroundings and noticed that behind her were the remains of the priestess Midoriko and the demons, set in stalagmite. Was it all a dream? No...if it was a dream, how did I end up here? Or am I dreaming now? Perhaps I am truly dead and just seeing all these images...

She thought back over the events that had seemingly transpired. So, I didn't hit the bottom of that cliff... Some evil power rescued me...was it Naraku! I saw him, and he was trying to absorb himself into my body...and I found myself back here... Midoriko must have sent me back, as she said she could, but...what happened to Naraku! She let out a gasp. Is he inside of me! Is he planning to control me and use me against the ones I care for, just as he did with Kohaku!

Sango thought of her brother and clenched her fists. She felt utterly confused, and she burned with the fear that she was no longer in control of her body. What should I do? She now had the strong suspicion that Naraku was somehow alive. Where was he, though? Midoriko, or at least the vision of Midoriko, had said that she wasn't free of 'him.' Had she been talking about Naraku? Did she mean that he was hiding somewhere while controlling her? She thought back to the vision of him attempting to absorb himself into her. I am not a demon. Why would Naraku want to merge with my body!

Sango slowly stood. She wasn't sure of what was going on. Perhaps she was being foolish, but she had a very bad feeling. Nevertheless, she longed to see Miroku...and the others, as well. She made her way to the cave exit and stopped, peering outside. It was night. The sky was clear and a sea of stars shone brightly. The only sound to be heard was that of crickets chirping. Everything seems so peaceful... She hesitated.

Am I putting them in danger by going to them? If I am truly being controlled by Naraku, I refuse to go near any of them. I could never forgive myself if I– She cut her own thoughts off, refusing to think of something so horrible. Once again, she began walking and headed toward her old village.

Sango made her way into the village, stopping briefly to gaze at the graves of her father and friends, and then she went into her old hut. Feeling completely exhausted, she laid down. She wrapped her arms around herself and squeezed. She felt so alone. She desperately missed her friends, particularly Miroku, but she was terrified that she might in some way harm them. She was still unsure of what had happened, what may be happening, and she didn't trust herself around her beloved friends. As she debated with herself as to whether she should go to her friends or remain forever alone in her village, she drifted off to sleep.

A/N: All right, I know that was kind of confusing, but I didn't intend to make it clear what happened. You will find out later what actually happened. I'll just say that the story is far from being over. I hope that was satisfactory, for the time being, for those of you who were wondering about Sango. Please review, and suggestions are welcome! Hope you all enjoyed, and please keep reading!

Ano is the equivalent to 'umm,' inJapanese