Story about an inuhanyou in Feudal Japan is not my creation…

Note: I wrote a ONE-SHOT non-AU InuSan fic called IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE…check it out everyone…there's some slight fluff and well, some (lame-written) battle scenes. Heh!

note (07-27-05): made some EDITS thanks in large part to SHEZEL who took the time to tell me some grammatical errors.

Chapter 14: Afflicted

It was already two in the morning, yet sleep had not arrived. He had been staring at the ceiling, with the fading glowing stars and planets he stuck to it when he was younger; but all he could see was a young woman's face with deep brown eyes. He recalled every conversation they had, trying to discern something, a detail perhaps that would lead him to make a decision. One conversation stuck out the most.

It was during the first few weeks they had known each other. Inuyasha had begged Sango to join him for lunch. Thinking they were just going to grab something to eat from the food court of the City Plaza, she agreed. She was surprised when Inuyasha brought her to the Lakeside Park for a small picnic he had prepared. He observed Sango trying to be cheerful and talkative but she succeeded to no avail. He finally gathered the courage to ask what was wrong. Sango had tried to dismiss her behaviour with an apology but Inuyasha would have none of it. For some unknown reason to it, he wanted to become the good friend and listener to Sango. He insisted she talked about it.

"I'm scared," she finally admitted. "I'm scared of losing Kohaku," she said through shaky voice. "Everyday he grows weaker, as if his medication was not helping him at all. He tries to hide it with a smile, but I can the pain in his eyes." Tears started dripping down her cheeks. She brushed it away quickly then gave a small laugh. "Look at me, getting all teary-eyed with you. I'm sorry. I don't wanna bore you with my-," Inuyasha had instantly cut her off.

"Geez Sango. You treat me as if I'm not a friend. Sure, we've only known each other for a few weeks; but I'm telling you, I can be a good friend," he gave her a reassuring smile. Inuyasha was actually surprised at the tone of his voice. He was never known to be gentle and caring. But there was always a first time for everybody.

Sango was silent for a few minutes, gauging whether confiding in him was a good idea. "All night I pray to God not to give me a reason to hate Him. If he takes my brother away from me, I don't think I can hold onto my faith much longer," she finally let out the heaviness in her heart. "If I lose Kohaku, I lose everything that keeps me going in this world. I… I don't want to be alone," she finally let the tears flood her eyes. "I don't know how to deal with it."

Inuyasha was aching to gather her into his arms and engulf her in a tight and comforting embrace. He decided against it because their friendship was still on the budding process. Such move might give Sango the wrong impression. Instead, he did what he thought was the logical thing to do. He showered her with comforting words mixed with some painful truth. "A wise woman once told me that there's no one formula in figuring out life," he told her, repeating his mother's words. "You take what you get and make the most of it. I can't tell you Kohaku will recover from his illness. I'm not in the position to reassure you things will get better. All I can tell you, is that while you have the chance of being with him, enjoy it. Forget what will happen in the next day or next week. Just enjoy having him around." He was unsure how Sango would take his little speech.

Sango wiped her tears, smiling brightly at Inuyasha. "You're right. I don't know why I'm even questioning my faith when it's so clear God have given me more time with him." Sango closed her eyes, inhaled then exhaled. When she opened her eyes, the sadness in them had vanished. She bravely put a hand on Inuyasha's arm, a gesture of appreciation. "Thanks, Inuyasha. What you said just really snapped me out of my gloominess."

"Keh. You make it sound as if I'm some kind of hero," he folded his arms and flared his nore up. Then, he laughed. For some reason he felt like laughing – not because of the situation or anything. He laughed because he felt something tug his heart, making it lighter inside his chest.

"Maybe you are a hero, maybe you're not. For me, you're a good friend."

Sango's words echoed in his mind. He was a good friend to her. Reminiscing to that day made him forget his dilemma momentarily. Yet as soon as it faded, it hit him like a burning bullet.

You're given a second chance. Use it wisely.

Sesshoumaru's words were haunting him again. He wanted to yell at his brother that he was doing what the exact same thing' but he pictured Sesshoumaru completely unconvinced.

There's really no one formula in figuring out life.

Those were what his mother had said. If only life was a simple Math equation… Let 'x' be the second chance… How to figure out what was 'x'?

But once in your life, a person comes along that brings a whole new meaning to how you live your existence.

Once again, his mother's words reverberated in his mind. An illusionary visual of Sango appeared in front of him, but faded just as quickly. She did give a whole new meaning to his life.

I don't want to be alone.

Sango's statement resounded in his ear. She would never be alone because she would always have him. But that was only a thought; maybe a promise meant to be broken. How could she have him when he promised himself to Kagome already? He admitted to himself he was falling for Sango; but he also loved Kagome once. What if his foolish heart was only mesmerized at how good-hearted and strong a woman Sango was? What if his foolish heart really belonged to Kagome? If he decided to break it up with Kagome, wouldn't that be wasting the second chance he had been given?

It felt like he was a man of two beings: one creature battling with another. It was hard to choose because no matter what, somebody was bound to get hurt.

He needed to see Sango. He should see Sango. It had been an entire week without communication with her. What would he say to her when the moment came? That she would be invited to his and Kagome's wedding; and that hopefully she would provide the necessary flower decorations?

Inuyasha gave out a sardonic laugh. He was not a dumb man not to notice there were something he and Sango shared. She might not have fallen in love with him as he had with her, but there was definitely some sparks flying in the dark the night he kissed her.

A kiss was a gesture so misused nowadays. There was a time a kiss was sacred, something people do cherish. There was a time when a kiss was forbidden, unless full sincerity was declared.

But in all aspect of what defined a kiss, the kiss Inuyasha shared with Sango was pure, sincere and deep. If only his motives shared the same aspects.

OOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOO

There were some people bustling in and out of the house when he came down for breakfast, or technically lunch because he woke up at twelve in the afternoon. Apparently, preparations were being made for an upcoming event at the Yuukan mansion. Izayoi and Taisho's anniversary celebration was to be held at the same time as Izayoi's birthday party. The Yuukans rarely held social gatherings; but when they do, it was sure to be one of the biggest in town.

Inuyasha yawned as he joined his mother at the garden for some brunch. Izayoi eyed her younger son carefully. There were some faint dark circles under his eyes. The boy didn't oversleep; he merely slept late. She handed her son a glass of orange juice. "What time did you sleep last night? Were you out drinking? I was so sure you were home by ten; but why do you look as if you had a late night, huh?" she started bombarding him with questions.

Inuyasha scowled. He hated it when his mother switched to her 'overprotective-mother mode'. He took a bite on some bagel the maid had just placed on the table. He thought about ignoring his mother but she would just press harder. "I was home by nine, actually. Just couldn't sleep last night," he said with nonchalance. No use exposing the details. "So, everything set up for the party next month?"

Izayoi sighed out loud. "No, not really. We're still on the early stages of planning. I haven't hosted a party in a while now. I'm not sure what to do."

"I have a friend who does flower decorations," he offered, thinking of Sango again.

"You do? You think we can hire her services for the day? You know how I love flowers," Izayoi beamed at her son's offer.

Inuyasha shrugged. "Sure, I'll go talk to her myself." A sudden rush of excitement surged through him. Just last night in his frustrating reflection he was just thinking of seeing Sango. Now he had found a reason to talk to her once more. "I'm sure she'll say yes. She's really good; and very thorough and dedicated to her job. She once told me that flowers are jewelleries left behind by goddesses." Inuyasha didn't realize he was talking in such a different, passionate voice about Sango.

"This 'friend' of yours, have I met her before?" Izayoi asked suspiciously. She was aware her son tends to attract women easily.

"Uh, no. You haven't met her. In fact, we've only been friends for two months."

Alarm bells started ringing in Izayoi's ears. "Inuyasha," she started carefully. "You're engaged to Kagome."

Inuyasha turned to his mother in puzzlement. "I know, mom. Why are you stating the obvious?"

Izayoi knew her younger son didn't have the skill of discerning details hidden behind words. "I just want to remind you of your loyalty to the woman you asked to dedicate herself to you. Don't be unfair and selfish," she said in riddles.

"Keh. If you're thinking I'm cheating on Kagome with Sango, well you're wrong." He was surprised he was able to say the words in a composed, arrogant manner. Yet deep inside, the guilt was unbearable.

"I am not accusing you of something, my dear. Please don't put words into my mouth. All I'm saying is that you should make sure every decision you make, you can take. You're the kind of person who does the thinking process at the same time you're doing it." Izayoi gave him a dead serious expression. "For once Inuyasha, think before you act. Then maybe, just maybe, you wouldn't have to lose some sleep over such dilemmas." Izayoi stood up from her seat, done lecturing her son for the day. "Sango? I like that name," was her last statement before going back inside the house.

Inuyasha stared at the retreating figure of his mother in disbelief. It was as if his mother had read his thoughts, felt his feelings, and went through the exact same problem. He was speechless, unable to utter a simple response. Izayou had seen through her son.

The day dragged on like a movie in slow motion. He had nothing to do. Strangely, he did not feel like going out or interacting with some friends. He just wanted to say inside the house, watch some TV or shoot some basket in the small court located at the driveway of the mansion. Heck, he even wished Sesshoumaru were there so he could at least verbally spar with him. Calling Kagome would do him no good; only add pain to a wounded mind.

Truthfully, there was only one thing he wanted to do; and that was to spend a day with Sango. Nothing more. Nothing less.

If only that was an option.

A/N: as I've said in my other fic, I'm off to Chicago for four days. No updating within that time frame; but I'll keep on writing.

Also, I've mapped out this fic to 30 chapters, more or less. Is that too much for an AU fic? I don't wanna squeeze everything together and rush it; then again I don't want this to end up like some saga that eventually stays away from the plot.

Another very faraway note: I just made a funky discovery. While I was watching Wolf's Rain, I realized CHEZA would make an excellent Sessh/Kagura daughter. With the crimson eyes and almost one-expression face. plus, she resembles Sesshoumaru, imo. So whatcha think? Heehee… now, I'll be off to find an anime charac that would make a great child to Inu and Sango. Heehee…

Noreview responsesfor now… I know you guys are getting annoyed at it. :D

Thanks to all the reviews I received though. I checked the # of hits in this fic, it has declined but the reviews are still going strong. For that, I VOW to finish this fic and keep on updating as much as possible.