Tears hair out of head. A DAY OR TWO! ITS BEEN LIKE…A MONTH OR TWO!


Walking solemnly, Sango's head stayed down, staring at the ground. She had insisted of carrying Bankotsu herself, but in the end she could barely carry herself. Hiraikotsu was haggardly being dragged by a mere two fingers, not even being noticed.

Kagome's sobs for the fallen warriors echoed through the mountain as they continued to scale the easier path.

It was then Sango realized, if she hadn't dragged Bankotsu into this in the first place, he would probably be freely roaming the land at that very moment. Haphazardly wiping the tear from her eyes, she kept her mouth in a firm line. A battle raged within her...to cry loudly, or not to? Biting the inside of her mouth, Sango looked off to the side of mountain.

It was all her fault.


"She had died with him." Inuyasha mumbled hoarsely.

"…What...what do you mean?" Shippou was trembling at all the missing members. Sango noticed how he couldn't even look at her…she was soaked in blood and it scared him. Especially when she held a passive face. There were splotches of blood all over her face and drenched her suit. Looking towards her weapon, it too was dripping. Placing herself against a wall near the mouth of the cave, she began to wipe it clean with her obi.

"…Miroku's Wind Tunnel…it went out of control…" Kagome began.

"And out of no where, Yunai came running and hugged him from behind. Before we knew it…they were both sucked in." Inuyasha regarded Shippou's frightened face before placing Bankotsu's body on the floor.

The sudden cry of a baby startled the group. It was then that it started to click…

Who would take the baby?

Wrapped in Yunai's robes, TaroYuki wailed for his mother. Inuyasha groaned, standing from his kneeled position beside Bankotsu. Suprisingly, he walked over to the baby.

"I-Inuyasha?" Kagome muttered. Kagura wondered what he was doing as well.

Sitting cross-legged infront of the boy, Inuyasha pickled him up and placed him in lap. He grabbed the boy's wrist, taking hold of the prayer beads.

"Only one way to make sure if the bastard is still alive."

Everyone watched as he slid the beads off and opened the boy's palm.


(Time skip. About…a month.)

Arriving at Kaede's place, Sango planted Hiraikotsu into the ground.

"Oi! Is that ye?"

Everyone looked to the left to see Kaede limp her way to them, slower than usual. A limp in her walk was clearly evident.

"Are you ok, Kaede?" Kagome came to her side before placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course of course, age just comes too quickly."

The group exchanged concerned looks before dismissing it.

"Oh!" Kaede came to the baby wrapped in Inuyasha's haori within Kagura's arms. "Kagura…I didn't know ye—"

"It's not mine."

Looking around the group confusedly, she asked. "Then who's?

There was a moment of silence and awkward glances before Sango stepped up, placing her fists on her hips.

"Can't you tell, Kaede?" She smiled.

Taking a closer look at the child, she waved a finger infront of its face. Indeed, it caught the boy's attention and he opened his eyes.

Kaede laughed, "My my, this must be Miroku's."

Sango laughed lightly.

"Who else could have a look like that?" The old woman clarified as she stared in to the boy's dazzling light blue eyes. They held…mischief. "I almost feel like scolding it."

Looking around the group once more, Kaede's smiling face dimmed. "Oh my…"

Catching on to what she had concluded, Inuyasha stepped forward. "We didn't come to chat, we have questions about the kid." He said, prodding a thumb in the baby's direction.


"Oh dear…" Kaede watched as the ends of Inuyasha's hair began to be sucked into the baby's weak Wind Tunnel.

"It's impossible, right Kaede?" Kagome asked from her seated position on the floor. "Naraku got sucked in the tunnel with Miroku and Yunai…so there's no way he can still be alive!"

"…That's true…"

"But what if the bastard is alive! He's escaped death a million times too many." Inuyasha snarled. Closing the baby's Wind Tunnel, Inuyasha gave him to Kagome. "Imma kill him for sure next time I see him." Inuyasha growled.

"I don't think ye will…it doesn't seem logical that he could still be alive. But…"

Pausing for a moment, she reached over to the baby and reopened the Kazaana. "I have a theory, so we'll test it out. Keep his Wind Tunnel open for a full 24 hours."

"But Kaede…! It could stretch and he could d—"

"If there are ANY signs of stretching, ye would be wise to bring him to me immediately so I could stitch it up quickly." With Kagura's assistance, Kaede stood up, brushing her yukata.

"So what's you theory, old woman?" Inuyasha asked impatiently.

"We'll see." And before he knew it, Kaede was out of the hut.


While Kagome's turn to watch the baby and the Wind Tunnel started, Sango walked out of the hut and continued until she didn't notice her surroundings anymore. Just the stars.

Many times Sango stopped in mid-step just to gaze at a star more closely.

'They say…when someone dies, they become a new start in the sky…' She was looking for three.

Shaking her head, Sango continued to walk. 'That's so silly. It doesn't even make sense. From a human, to a light source? Who's ever heard of that?' Chortling, Sango touched her temple. 'It's time to stop dreaming, Sango.'

"Ayah—" She shoulder connected with someone else's and both were shoved to t he side. "Oh, Inuyasha…"

"Oi, Sango…" He gruffed. "Spacing out?" He muttered sarcastically.

"Sorry," Sending him an apologetic smile, she walked past him and continued on her walk.

Watching as she walked away, Inuyasha stuffed his hands in his haori. "..Hey…Sango?" He called out.

Sango glanced over her shoulder. "Yeah?"

"…Kagome…Kagome said that you were thinking of…taking the baby. Is that true?"

Silence echoed through them as Sango thought of what to say. Had she really said that? At the time…it was only a thought.

"Well I…"

"Well I mean it's not like I want the kid, but I was just wondering…" Inuyasha explained.

Nodding, Sango turned around to face him fully. "Maybe….it makes more sense. Kagome cant take care of a baby now, she still has school. And I'm sure Kagura doesn't even want to think about taking in a human baby. So…well…its not like I have other plans." She mumbled the last part.

Inuyasha looked down. "I guess you have a point." About to turn back around and head towards the hut—Inuyasha quickly added as an afterthought-- "Well if ya need any help or whatever…just ask." With that, he left with a light blush on his face.


Sango tried to laugh at Kagome's attempted mood-lightener, but it was a bit hard. Parting ways was never easy.

Kagura was heading North, while Inuyasha would stay in the village a while and wait until Kagome got out of school. Sango was making herself leave, knowing she didn't have to. But she needed to, she needed to know what it was like to live freely, live by your own rules. Sango knew she had train harder if she was going to build her city once again. She had promised to Kagome that it wouldn't take more than a year or two. Sango just hoped she would be able to keep it.

Inuyasha had already made a wish on the jewel. It wasn't really that surprising that he wished for Kagome to come through the well whenever she wished, like how it used to be.

The baby looked around the group with wide spacious eyes, wondering what was possibly going on.

Kirara, of course, was going to follow Sango. While Shippou was to stay with Kaede, even if Inuyasha and Kagome had both left somewhere.

Things started to quicken as Sango watched her own feet turn before walking in the opposite direction. Turning around as she continued walking, she saw Kagura flying away on her feather. Kagome disappeared through the well and Inuyasha had begun running towards to the village.

Had they already said their good-byes? That was too fast…

Sighing, Sango rubbed her arm. Kirara beside her, carrying the baby on her back, noticed her master's discomfort and nuzzled her side.

Sango chuckled, "Don't worry about me Kirara." Taking a glance at the baby on her pet's back, she saw the baby stare at the feline's hair magnificently. Picking the boy up in her arms he lifted him in the air.

"TaroYuki, huh?" Sango smiled up at him. "I guess you could say that you're lucky."

(Author's Note: Taro, is a masculine word for First Born, while Yuki means lucky. Literally meaning The Lucky Firstborn. Well, atleast I think so…heh)

"Just as I thought…" Kaede chortled. "When Naraku died by the very curse he had created on Miroku's blood family, the equilibrium had been torn. So the result was the curse would stay in Miroku's blood. But since Miroku had passed away, the only one left with Miroku's blood was the baby. Meaning the Wind Tunnel would still be alive…"

The group seemed downcast by her words, even though they were now sure that Naraku was dead. What would happen to the baby?

"But…" Kaede picked the baby up in her arms. "It will be under his control alone. Meaning it will not stretch unless he bid's it so." She smiled, "The Wind Tunnel will not kill him."

"I mean, being born with a weapon so powerful…and it's all yours." Once she set him down on Kirara, she tapped his nose. "And you will be all mine." She laughed.



-5 Years Later-

"Oi, oi! Seal it up already—I think you're frightening Kirara!" Sango laughed.

TaroYuki did as he was told, making sure to move out of the way so Kirara could fall without being crushed under the feline's weight.. Running up to Sango, he bounced up and down.

"How was that? Was that better? Did I improve?" TaroYuki wondered feverently.

Messing with his hair, Sango smirked. "Much!"

For the past few months, Sango tried to help TaroYuki with his Wind Tunnel. This was the first lesson: Sealing up the Tunnel when something comes too close. So She had Kirara run at him, and TaroYuki would open the tunnel. Right before he would suck her up—he'd close it. Sango noticed he had trouble with it at first…Kirara would usually be let go from the winds 10 feet infront of him. With time, he started to let her come closer, not being afraid, and having more control over the tunnel in his right hand.

Now at the age of 22, Sango didn't care much for being married. She had a boy of 5 years, shelter, a growing village, what else could she ask for?

"Hey Okaasan?" The boy tugged at her fingers. "Will I be as strong as my Dad?"

(AN: Okaasan means Mother)

He asked that almost everytime he finished training. "Stronger."

Sango had made sure to tell him what had happened at his birth, so he wouldn't forget his bloodline.

Walking back towards the village, Sango noticed TaroYuki glancing at the boomerang in her back. He had done that many times, and when she asked about it—he would just answer 'nothing, nevermind.'

"Taro…what's wrong? Does Hiraikotsu bother you?"

He shook his head. "I just…"

"…"

"…It's nothing. Never—"

Halting in her steps, Sango placed her fists on her hips. "Tell me Taro."

He too stopped. "Well I've…never seen it…in action."

"Oh?" Sango lifted an eyebrow. "Is that all? My, my, you sure are curious." She snickered at him, making him blush. He was always a mellow and shy kid…something he probably got from Yunai. Though at times, when he gave Sango his mischievous smirk, she couldn't help but think of Miroku. Sango remembered that at times, he could be just as mischievous as that smirk of his.

Letting out a breath through her nose, she looked around at the trees. "I guess we could bring in some firewood…"

"…?" Taro wondered what she meant.

Grabbing the strap, Sango took it off her shoulder. With Kirara by her side, She heard her whine, as if saying not to do it.

"Don't worry Kirara, I won't call her out."

Grasping the handle, Sango took two steps forward before letting it cut through the air. Taro looked on, amazed. Although he had heard the familiar sound of the Hiraikotsu whistling through the air when a demon came to the village, he had never seen it fly.

"Wow, Okaasan!" He continued following it with his eyes as it made a full circle, cutting the trees that came in its way.

Sango smiled proudly as she caught it. "That's the Hiraikotsu." Looking back at the fallen trees, she murmured, "I'll tell some of the men to collect the wood."

They began their way home once she strapped her weapon on her shoulder.

"Hey Okaasan? What did you mean when you told Kirara, 'I won't call her out'?"

"It was a year or two ago…" Sango began. "I had watched a demoness I befriended a while ago die…so a story my father had told me came to my mind. He told me of a time when a human and demon made friends…and when the human was fatally hurt, the demon killed itself and spiritually inhabited the weapon of their human friend. After that, when the human healed, they continued to fight alongside eachother."

"Is that a true story?"

"I don't know, but suddenly I couldn't get it out of my mind. So when the enemy was about to take the soul of my friend, I killed him with Hiraikotsu, and her soul collided into my weapon." Sango replied, habitually playing with the strap of Hiraikotsu.

"…Did it work?" Taro asked curiously, hanging on her every word.

Sango laughed as she ruffled his hair, "Of course not, silly. That's impossible. But…" She raised a finger, as if telling him there was more knowingly.

"But?" He prodded.

"She was demoness, and whether it was her doing or not, her demonic powers were released into my Hiraikotsu."

"…Woah! That's cool!" Taro smiled widely. "Can I see it? Please?"

Sango shook her head, "I'm sorry, taro. But I made a promise to my friend I wouldn't waste her power."

"Aw…" The boy pouted.

"Even in battles, I don't unleash her power unless it's necessary." She waged her finger, "And you should do the same! Only use the Wind Tunnel if you're in despair, OR if someone you need to protect is in danger."

"Yeah, yeah…" He pushed the finger away playfully, giving her a mischievous smirk. "You've told me a million times already!"

Holding up her hands guiltily, she laughed, "Hey I'm just making sure you remember…"

After a few more minutes of silence, they reached the village's gates.

"I was wondering…who was that Demoness you befriended?" Taro asked.

"You didn't figure it out already? You know, I was expecting for you mother's smarts to kick in now…" Sango sighed despairingly, "But I guess I was just hoping for too much, ne?" She poked him on the forehead.

Taro pouted, "Okaasan!" He rubbed his forehead.

"Haha…alright, alright. The story of your birth, remember?"

"Yes…"

"Well she was the demon who helped us. Kagura, remember?"

"Oh…yes I remember you telling me about her." Taro recalled. "She died?"

"Hai." Sango nodded bitterly. "For Inuyasha, no less."

Taro laughed, "But Inuyasha always goes around saying he's the strongest. Or so you told me."

Sango shrugged. "I have no clue what had happened. I just came at the last second."

"When will I meet Inuyasha and Kagome…and Shippou?"

He had asked this before as well. "Soon, don't worry."


Wiping the sweat from her brow, Sango told herself she'd stop for the night.

Everynight since the incident with Kagura, Sango promised she'd train harder. And she did. Not only did she stay in shape, but she had become even stronger than she was before.

It was nights like these that reminded her of the first time she met Bankotsu. She prayed everynight more than anything that'd she see him, at the very least, in a dream. But no such luck.

Even though she looked fine, she really wasn't. Drowning in her own pity, Sango desperately needed Bankotsu to live. What would become of her? She didn't want TaroYuki to see her in this shape…

"…Ayah…" Sango gripped the wound she had acquired from training, and made sure she'd cure it when she got back home. The brisk autumn air continued to tug at her sweat, suddenly making her quite cold.

"Kirara…" She called. In a second her pet was there by her side. "Let's call it a night."


Tada. Finished.

I know it took me a while…. But I just HAD to finish watching the Naruto anime. Then I was a bit bored, so I then watched Blood+ anime. It was...WONDERFUL! Infact, I got an awesome idea for the sequel from Blood+. I'm sure you Action lovers will love it.

PS: Thank you Raven Shinobi. Your review made me finish this story with inspiration left in my mind. Thank you very much. Note: You also reminded me of the Bloodthirsty Bankotsu…so I'm gonna try to fit that Into the sequel. I just love the idea of a bloodthirsty Bankotsu. Mmm. (especially after seeing Blood, hehe).

-CuriousGeorge5498

PSS: Sorry for mistakes. Heh.