Author's Note

Youkai Hime90: Yeah! I have six reviews! (jumps up and down happily) That's definitely a lot more than I expected! Hmm…if the prologue confused you sorry. Bankotsu was having a flash back of sorts. You see Sango, (yes Sango) reminded him of his deceased younger sister and that is why he was unable to kill her as a kid. But we'll divulge more into that later. Hehe…enjoy the fic!

Hahaoya- mother

Obaasan- grandmother

Warning: I apologize for any OOC' ness!

Disclaimer: There's no way I own Inuyasha. I do not make any profit from this. I'm simply using them for my own sick and twisted purposes.

'thought'

flashback or dream sequence

Beautiful

Chapter 1: Rebirth

By: Youkai Hime90

The first time Sango died she was a little girl. She had been crouching near the edge of a lagoon, staring into the waters below with a curious expression on her features as she tried to decipher the mysteries it held within. Then, her younger brother had clumsily come barreling from behind and pushed her, his laughing brown eyes and freckles the last thing she saw as she lost her balance and slipped. Several times Sango resurfaced, catching sight of Kohaku's trembling form as he watched her drown. She'd reached for him once, gargling and screaming "Kohaku!" before her fingers brushed his, missed, her head going under. All she saw was green murky water as she sunk to the bottom, watching the little fish swim by in glimmers of silver. Her eyes fluttered closed and she could've sworn she'd seen a bright light.

'Obaasan?'

Her father came to her rescue and he pulled her ashore, breathing air into her lungs. Moments later, she'd sputtered to life, coughing up water, and he'd cradled Sango to his chest, crying "I thought I lost you!" An equally distraught Kohaku had begged his Anueue's forgiveness.

The second time Sango died she was a barely thirteen. She'd been sitting outside, holding a crying Kohaku against her chest. The healer who had come to their village had exited their hut, shaking his head at her father in mock remorse, saying things like "There was nothing I could do for her" or "She's gone to a better place now." Sango's body had shook as she'd sobbed her heart shattering over and over again when she realized her mother was gone. Her younger brother had wailed louder, his hot tears burning her skin. She had run after the healer who had failed her mother, and failed her father, and most of all failed Kohaku. Sango had pounded her small fists against him, wanting him to feel the raw, unbridled pain she felt.

"You didn't save her! You didn't save hahaoya!" she screamed, tears running down her cheeks. "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!"

That day, Sango wished her mother had taken her with her.

The third time Sango had died it had all been a lie. Things had gone horribly wrong on what was supposed to be Kohaku's very first mission and she had watched as her sweet, baby brother slaughtered her father and kin. Blood splattered his face as he carried out the horrific acts, eyes completely blank and devoid of emotion. She'd turned just in time to see the spider's thread and had charged at the lord of the castle with a anguished cry. Then, unbearable pain scoured her back and she realized her own brother had attacked her. With tears in her eyes she watched him get slain by the lord's guards and she draped her body over his protectively, stroking his matted hair.

"Anueu I'm scared," he'd whispered, as he'd felt all his life draining away from him.

"Shhh...everything will be alright," she'd lied, her eyes closing just as the shadow of death stole upon them.

Third time's a charm right?

Abhorrence and loathing pulsed in time with her heart and she was reborn.

Sango had clawed her way out of the earth, tasting blood and dirt in her mouth as she'd crawled from her grave. She had left apart of herself behind that day and had been born anew. The thirst for revenge had driven her on. For the first time in her life she had succumbed to the darkness, her mind in a haze as she'd given in to him. She had allowed the bastard to use her for his own means and she had attacked the hanyou, thinking it was he who had slain her village.

After all of the crazed madness and the jewel shard was plucked from her back, Sango collapsed. Pain and anguish enveloped her in waves and the woman child known as Kagome had cradled her compassionately like mother cradling a new born baby against her breast, eyes full of pity.

"Your so strong Sango-chan…" she'd whispered, stroking her sweaty bangs "You're too stubborn to die."

'No,' Sango had thought wryly, a bitter smile blossoming on her pretty features, 'I'm too stubborn to live.'

She just hadn't succeeded yet.

That day Sango learned how to hate.

Kirara mewed unhappily as she trailed along side her mistress. Sango walked quietly, contemplatively, far ahead from the others. She can hear their whispers and feel their concerned eyes following after her and she shrugs off the feeling of being watched.

'Let them worry,' she thought bitterly.

That night she slept a ways off near the campfire, stroking Kirara idly before she drifted off to sleep. And she dreamed of happier times.

Sango ran through the woods, laughing, spreading her fingers wide to allow the air to race through her hands. Kohaku called after her insistently, but she didn't heed his cries as she ran the opposite way, strolling along an unfamiliar dirt paved path. Her heart pounded excitedly in her small chest because this was the very first time little Sango had ever been alone in all of her six years of life. Thoughts of monsters and demons did not surface in her mind. Instead, she felt as if she could fly.

Gradually, she slowed her hurried pace to a slower gait until she was walking, the first uneasiness entering through an unfamiliar door in her mind. Sango had looked at the unforgiving woods warily.

She didn't know how long she wandered, lost and confused as she listened to the lulling melody of the wind. Sango studied the lush scenery as she walked and sighed quietly to herself.

'I miss hahaoya,' she thought crestfallenly. She was snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of a crash and nearly jumped out of her skin. Deathly pale she walked towards the voice and crouched behind a bush. Sango stilled her breaths and leaned to get a better view.

She gasped, it was another boy!

He looked to be about seventeen. He had long, lush raven hair that was tied back in a braid that swung back and forth as he whipped himself around recklessly, cursing under his breath. Judging by the way he looked he was definitely not from around here—his cobalt blue eyes, so much different from her brown orbs and bronzed skin just stood out and screamed to the world he was different from her.

Sango blushed.

'At least I'm not alone now,' she'd thought smiling. Instantly brightening she jumped out from her hiding place and skipped towards the stranger with pretty blue eyes.

"You're beautiful," she said smiling. She blushed at her own words. As she got closer, Sango froze when he turned around to face her.

"Came to join the party?" His eyes gleamed dangerously, as he paused in polishing his Banryuu and gestured to the carnage around him, the bodies of the slain laying sliced and diced at his feet in masses. Maggots writhed in the decaying bodies of the dead, the scent of blood thick and putrid in the air. Sango screamed in horror and backed away from the approaching mercenary.

She saw her father and wept for him to save her as the mass murderer came towards her dark and menacing. He shook his head and wagged his finger at her scolding, his dark narrowed eyes disappointed.

"What did I tell you Sango? Never talk to strangers."

Bankotsu smirked as he stood up and raised his sword, which gleamed red in the eerie light.

"One…thousand and one."

Sango woke in a cold sweat, the hairs on her skin raised in alarm. She exhaled in relief; it was just a dream, just a horrible, horrible dream. She closed her eyes and raised and hand to her head, rubbing her temples. Slowly, she stood up, careful not to disturb the others. It was still dark, and she decided to take a walk to clear her head.

Quiet and unnoticed, Sango left the merry little camp, the breeze picking up slightly as she entered the woods.

"Whatcha thinking bout Bankotsu?" Jakotsu asked quietly as he stared at his leader curiously.

Bankotsu snorted and rolled on his side, staring into the distance. He was stubborn but Jakotsu would get him to crack.

"Come on…! Tell me! Please?" The drama queen batted his eye lashes at him invitingly. Bankotsu's annoyed look increased ten fold and he shot up, hands on his hips as he gazed down at his friend indignantly. His eye brow twitched and he folded his arms.

"I'm not telling you anything."

"Come on, please! I won't stop bothering you until you tell me..!" Jakotsu whined, shaking Bankotsu's shoulder insistently. He gave him the best puppy dog look he could muster, pouting. The Shichinin-tai's leader's look of annoyance gradually faded and his bottom lip trembled before he burst.

"Your not fair! You know I can't resist the puppy dog look!" he cried like a child throwing a tantrum. He plopped his bottom on the ground and Jakotsu seated himself happily, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

"So, that means you'll tell me right?"

Bankotsu sighed.

"Does that mean yes?"

"Unfortunately."

"So, what were you thinking about? Or…whom if that's the case," Jakotsu sighed dreamily, eyes full of stars, "Lately it seems my mind has been plagued with thoughts of my dear, sweet Inuyasha!"

Bankotsu blinked. "As in dog boy? I told you that would never work out! He's our enenemy! Do I have to spell it out for you? Enenemy. E-N-E-N-E-M--"

Jakotsu sweat dropped. "You mean E-N-E-M-Y?" he corrected flatly.

"Uh…yeah, you know what I mean! It just wouldn't work! Frankly, Jakotsu I'm worried about you. This attraction you have to good guys could get you into a lot of trouble!"

"I can't help myself! He has such cute dog ears! I just wanna touch' em!" he exclaimed. His blue eyes grew mischievous and he stared at Bankotsu teasingly.

Bankotsu sputtered. "What?"

"You like that girl don't you?"

"…What are you talking about? The only girl in my life is my Banryuu! Believe me, she's plenty enough!"

Jakotsu tapped his chin thoughtfully, looking contemplative for a moment. His eyes lit up and he grinned ear to ear. "It's the miko isn't it?"

The seventeen-year old growled, shaking his head. "As if!" he scoffed at such a thought, as if he were offended. "She's too dependent. She'd be whining for me to carry her all the time and I don't have time for that. Besides, her voice is annoying."

Jakotsu blinked. "The only girl I can think of is the taijiya…What was her name? I think the monk said it…oh it's on the tip of my tongue. Kami she was dirty!" he paused for a moment in thought, frowning. Jakotsu instantly brightened upon remembering and clapped his hands happily. "Oh, that's right, Sango!"

The sound of crickets chirping into the night greeted his ears and Jakotsu frowned, whirling around and looking for his long-time friend.

"Bankotsu! Bankotsu!" he pouted, crossing his arms crestfallenly.

Bankotsu had long since disappeared.