As usual Inuyasha's not mine. The song 'Empty' is sung by a very talented Canadian country singer Terri Clark (anyone who loves COUNTRY music, is my friend! Heehee.)

Chapter 19: Empty

Everything unfolded before her eyes, as if Fate was mocking her, intentionally hurting her for being foolishly in love. Sango stood frozen, clinging to Miroku for support, not knowing what to do. A big part of her wanted to leave in an instant, but being rude was never her forte. Instead she stayed to endure a painful feeling she had never felt before.

She was there from the very beginning, when Izayoi indicated to Kagome to call her mom instead. Sango was there when Taisho announced the official engagement. Sango stayed and watched when the couple ascended the platform, with Kagome clinging to Inuyasha like a piece of glamorous accessory to an already beautiful creation. Sango stayed when the crowd around her chanted a kiss from the couple. Sango was there the whole time everyone celebrated the love between Inuyasha and his fiancée.

It hurt so much, yet Sango couldn't bring herself to get angry with Inuyasha for sending her mixed signals. She couldn't even hold that small kiss against Inuyasha. No, she couldn't blame herself. Maybe that was what love truly was.

Sango felt Miroku squeezing her hand, reminding her he was there for her; and for that she was grateful.

"Do you want to leave?" Miroku whispered in such a low voice at first the words didn't register in her ears.

Sango sighed, swallowing hard the lump stuck in her throat. "N-no. We should stay. I don't want to be rude," she whispered back. Miroku only nodded.

Soon the guests went back to their casual chatters. The musicians resumed their playing. Izayoi, being the excellent party hostess she was, led both Sango and Miroku to the buffet table and insisted the two to start eating.

Sango could only smile.

OOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOO

His eyes scanned the place for that solitary face. There she was, a vision of simplicity. There she was, smiling at every word her boyfriend spoke. There she was. If only it were him she was smiling at, the night could have been easier to enjoy.

"Hey man!" his three friends clasped him on the back. "Finally settling down, eh?" Bankotsu hooted.

"And here I thought you'll never commit," Kouga snorted.

Inuyasha shrugged. "Kagome finally decided to make it official."

"She's still wearing the pants in this relationship?" Hiten snickered.

Inuyasha glared at him. It was the constant tease for him that Kagome was in control of all decisions in their relationship. Inuyasha hated the notion of it yet he knew it was the truth. Kagome just seemed to have the say in everything.

"Don't start, man!" Bankotsu jokingly punched his brother. He turned to Inuyasha with a serious expression. "What about… you know… the chick you visit at the City Plaza?" he asked in a low voice. "Isn't that her?"

"What? I didn't hear that? Who? Where?" Hiten nagged.

"Yeah. I thought it was all over with, uh…" Kouga nudged his head towards Kagome's direction.

"Nah. Things were just confusing after my accident. Everything's the way it's supposed to be," Inuyasha answered in nonchalance. Right now, he didn't need his friends to confuse him more.

"Then why is she here?" Hiten asked who truthfully knew what they were discussing. "Look Inu, we're your friends. Very happy for ya, man. But, few months ago you were telling me about flowers and festivals and a woman-,"

"What woman?"

All turned to look at an inquiring Kagome who still wore a big smile on her face, despite the confusion written on her face. "Well, heh eh heh, I was just telling Inu about this woman who's a florist and she'd be excellent for flower arrangement on your wedding!" Hiten answered carefully.

"Oh yes! Flowers. Sorry Hiten but Izayoi, or mom, already have someone she'd refer to me. She's actually the party planner. San- Sandy, I think her name is? I'll go talk to her later," Kagome said cheerfully, once again hooking an arm around Inuyasha's, as if afraid she would lose him any minute.

"Oh? Okay, then!" Hiten snorted, knowing too well he and Kagome had only one person in mind.

Inuyasha shook his head disapprovingly at his friends. They were not making things easy for him. He took Kagome by the arm. "Well, you guys enjoy your evening. Free food. You gotta love that Hiten. Kouga, don't drink all the alcohol will ya? And Bankotsu, just, just stick with them!" he said then quickly walked away taking Kagome with him before his friends had any chance to reply.

OOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOOooOOooOOO

Ironic how time ticked quickly yet the night unravelled slowly in front of their eyes. Sango was glad Miroku was there. Another more hour, she would say her goodbyes to Izayoi and Taisho. If she would ever get the chance to see Inuyasha, she might wish him a happy life; nothing more, nothing less.

"There are so many beautiful women here. Granted, many are twice my age but I've never been with an older woman before. Might be good experience," Miroku was saying, which prompted a soft laugh from Sango. It was all he needed to hear just to know Sango was a bit okay. He knew, deep inside, his best friend was hurting bad. "They have more experience in love and," Miroku cleared his throat then leaned forward for a whisper. "And most importantly, more experience in bed!" He winked at Sango, knowing too well it would embarrass her greatly.

Sango kicked him underneath the table, just to be subtle. "You're being a pervert again," she hissed.

"Oh well," he shrugged then stared at Sango closely. "Are you enjoying yourself? You know, aside from the fact many were approaching us to commend you on a job well-done on the party."

Sango slightly blushed. "This is a nice experience," she answered in a neutral tone. Miroku only nodded. He would wait until they get home before he would confront Sango about her feelings. This was not the place to be the matured, all-knowing, therapist-like best friend that he was. For now, Miroku would be the perverse-minded, funny, nonsense best friend that he was.

The live music that was playing suddenly stopped. An elegant-dressed woman stepped up on the microphone. A melodious harmony enveloped the whole place. Many of the guests paused and turned to watch the lady singer. "This is for all you lovers tonight. Let's celebrate love, especially Mr. Yuukan and Ms. Higurashi," the lady singer dedicated the song to the officially engaged couple.

Within seconds, the singer's rich, soft and solemn voice filled the entire garden. Not a single sound was heard except for the music and these words…

Maybe it's been a little too long

Holding it in, trying to be strong

Funny the things we bottle up

Come streaming out when you feel enough

There is a trust the cautious will lack

And now that we've touched there's no holding back

Sango saw how Inuyasha's fiancée pulled him towards the center of the garden. She saw how Inuyasha hesitated, a pint of embarrassment brought pinkish colour to his cheeks. Jealousy pricked her when Kagome wrapped her arms around Inuyasha's neck as the two slow-danced along with the devotional, sombre music.

Many of the guests followed, even the birthday celebrant herself and her husband made their way to the dance floor in the centre of the garden.

I wanna call out for love till I can't breathe

I wanna stare at the truth till I can't see

I wanna pour out my soul till I'm empty

Empty…

Sango absorbed the words like a stab in her chest. There was a lone tear dripping down her cheek. This was her song… for Inuyasha.

"Care to dance, Lady Sango?" she vaguely heard Miroku's request. He held out a hand for her. "Come on, just this one," he urged.

Sango hesitated. She was not a bad dancer; she could dance if she so desired to. But the thought of dancing where she could be closer to Inuyasha, with another woman in his arms, would be too painful. Yet, Miroku requested it. He had done so much for her that she couldn't refuse. Sango took his hand, gave him a weak smile. The two friends walked hand in hand towards the centre of the garden.

When only flesh and bone remain

I'll hold you close… then start again

Feeling nothing but a sweet release

Then the ghosts are gone from inside of me

I've tried to fight it but what can I do

There's something deeper that surrenders to you

There was a heavy feelings developing inside Inuyasha as he watched closely the approaching figure of Sango and Miroku. He fought the deep impulse of growling at the other man. His sub-conscious roared at the thought he should be the one dancing with Sango, or Sango should be the one in his arms at the moment.

Inuyasha tried to focus at Kagome, whose head was rested comfortably on his chest. She seemed so frail in his arms, as if she did not fit there. He mentally shook his head, cursing at his self. It was not right. He would soon be a husband to Kagome; he should stop thinking of such crazy and foolish thoughts.

The words of the song complemented his heartache though.

I wanna call out for love till I can't breathe

I wanna stare at the truth till I can't see

I wanna pour out my soul till I'm empty

Empty…

What better way to describe how he felt inside! Hollow. Empty.

When I touch you, when I hear you

How can I doubt when every time I'm near you?

Just like Fate intended, Sango and Inuyasha finally gazed at each other eye-to-eye when both couples moved to a different direction. Miroku had his back turned on Inuyasha, as well as Kagome's on Sango.

And there, Inuyasha recognized a look of pain in her eyes. It confused him. Was that a tear clouding her eyes, those gentle yet strong bronze eyes? Was that just hurt he saw in those pools of bronze?

I wanna stare at the truth till I can't see

I wanna pour out my soul till I'm empty

Empty…

Golden eyes gazed into Bronze ones as the song melted into the thin air, withdrawn when the song stopped and the singer sang the last chord.

Empty…

The night ended like an empty bottle of wine: no usefor an aching heart!

A/N: the story is getting darker in terms of the drama. So, not much comedy in the upcoming chappies. Sowee!

Thanks so much to brookie (I appreciate the encouragement), animefreak03 (indeed poor sango. that's one downside to love, eh?), snowfox13 (Inu's being a jerk, i agree. yet, I hope you can also understand what he's going through. it's not easy to love), chigirl (I agree w/you life sucks at times; but I hope not this fic –sniffs-), robot killah (long tym, no review! I've heard of nina, but I was thinking of Side A's version of foolish heart. I heard them in concert when they were in Toronto!), shezel (there are some twists, one or two, we'll see –winks-), diverse thinker (I'm in luv w/bankotsu too but I'm afraid he has not much room for my fic. He's a filler character in a way… sowee. And your reviews always make me laugh.), Sango fan (maybe if we also give Inu a big hug he'll realize the trouble he's causing to Sango?), lightcard(thanks for the compliments. Sango's really hard to write. I enjoy writing Inuyasha's character though. he's so conflicted.), kittenchow (sometimes in life things just dont work out the way we want. sighsss...), and kurokitsune-chan (well, Izayoi had already formed in her mind that Kagome's her future daughter-in-law. we cant blame her on that one! winks.)

Once again, Thank you all. You all are heaven-sent readers to this authoress with 90 percent body fat, 9 percent stupidity, and 1 percent talent!