Something was going on outside the temple. If the evil aura Sango sensed was anything to go by, something bad was about to happen. Something very bad.

Kohaku followed as she went to crouch just behind the temple doors, joining as she listening to the conversation going on outside. It reminded her with a pang of their days training back at home. He had always wanted to learn everything she knew about youkai hunting and had often mimicked her.

He turned abruptly and reached for his chain scythe.

"Kohaku?"

"It's me they're after," he said. "If I go out alone, maybe they'll spare the rest of you—"

She seized him by the shoulders, forcing him to stay put. "Don't leave me again!" she ordered, hating that he looked a little afraid of her. You're my only brother, she thought, desperate for him to understand how precious he was to her. I can't lose you again.

"We're surrounded," he pointed out.

"It's okay," she told him. And she meant it. For the first time since her brother initially reappeared, she was certain of something. "Inuyasha and the others will help keep us safe. Just… don't go outside, whatever you do." She couldn't risk letting him fall back into Naraku's hands, not when she had only just got him back.

When she heard Kagura shout the order to capture Kohaku, Sango's heart sank. She had hoped this could be resolved more easily, but those hopes had been in vain.

"Come on, Kirara," she said as she grabbed the hiraikotsu. "Let's put a stop to this. Kohaku, stay here, where it's safe."

She cleared the way with the hiraikotsu, taking out both the temple doors and several youkai as she went. Kirara carried her forward and up with a sudden burst of speed, putting them in a good position to follow up that first attack.

A glance down toward her friends showed her the monk fending off a seething mass of youkai while Inuyasha struggled to protect Kagome from everything that was happening. And in the midst of it all, there was Kagura—confirmation that this was Naraku's trap after all. Since Kagura seemed preoccupied with Inuyasha, Sango focused on taking down as many of the smaller youkai as she could. Yet no matter how many she killed, there always seemed to be more to take their place. Even Miroku and Inuyasha were steadily pushed back toward the temple. Soon there would simply be too many youkai to hold back, and some would get through.

"Don't look away, Inuyasha!" Kagura taunted, throwing wind blades just as a horrible creaking sound told Sango the temple was about to give way. She risked a look back, knowing Kirara would keep an eye out for trouble in front, and saw that an enormous centipede had wound its body around the building. With one squeeze, the temple nearly exploded into splinters, exposing Kohaku and Kagome.

Sango had no idea how Kagome had ended up in the temple with Kohaku—had Inuyasha told her to do that?—but she was now a second target for the swarming youkai.

With her brother and Kagome exposed like that, and with a powerful youkai so close at hand, Sango felt a chill grip her heart. In spite of her best efforts there were still too many youkai, and Kagura still lurked far too close for comfort. Sango's mind raced, seeking the best course of action—any course of action that could seal a victory in this fight.

Far below, Inuyasha and Miroku valiantly continued their efforts to fend off the rushing beasts. For an instant Sango thought they might be able to make an opening for her so that she and Kirara could swoop in and rescue their friends… but a swarm of youkai broke off from the main group and tried to drop on her from above.

There was no way she could protect herself from them and save Kagome and Kohaku. She had to stay and fight, even if it broke her heart.

Please, she thought desperately. Kagome, help Kohaku get away!