Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I do not own "Glory of Life".

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A/N: Heyyyy guys! Thanks for all the comments :) you guys are so nice. This chapter jumps more into the future of things… No Miroku in this chapter though ; . ; sadness.

OOH and the X's in the break are to represent stitches. Just though you'd wanna know.

HEY! If you guys haven't checked out ANTIQUE CAFÉ, you need to. They're an oshare kei band… They're SEXY. You can go on www(dot)youtube(dot)com and just search antique café… They're worth a listen.

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Glory of Life

Chapter Two

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Throw a dime in the well

Make a wish and believe it comes true

Say a prayer, close your eyes

And you'll see all the wonders of life

It had been too many months since Miroku left. Sango sat in her room, wasting her life away by thinking of him day and night. He promised he'd write her letters every week. She had received three. Three letters, and he'd been away for seven months. She was beyond worried.

Her mother thought that Sango was wasting her life away sitting in her room. Sango didn't think her mother understood what she was going through, but her mother understood more than anyone. After all, her mother has the same kind of trauma as Sango when Sango's father left.

Her mother, Junko, noticed her daughter's behavior and decided the time had come for Sango to move on with her life. One day, Junko peeked her head into Sango's room, just in time to see Sango close her journal. "Sango, we need to talk."

"About what?"

"You think I don't notice how nonsocial you've been lately? All you want to do is sit in your room and read, or write, or… I don't know what you do, but it bothers me."

"Why? What I do in my spare time is none of your business, mother."

"Anything you do with your life is my business. And that's why I'm here. I think it's time for you to start a life of your own."

"What do you mean?"

"It's time for you to get married. And I've already picked out a suitable husband."

"What? Why? And just who did you pick out?"

"Naraku Kumo."

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Just that name alone sent shivers up Sango's spine. Naraku Kumo was the most annoying kid in her entire town. He kissed ass with everyone just so he could get things. A while back, back when Sango and Miroku and everyone was around 10, Naraku beat Miroku up for telling his teacher that Naraku stole candy out of the candy jar. Of course, the teacher didn't believe Miroku.

Then, more recently, it was rumored that Naraku raped one of the town girls, and that was why his eyes were more dark. Everyone was afraid of him, because if he didn't get his way, he could seriously hurt someone. He was good with weapons, and he also had a rather muscular build, so he couldn't knock someone out in a matter of minutes.

Sango hated this… thing. Was he even human? She couldn't imagine anyone being so creepy. Thinking of him in her mind made her almost throw up. He had greasy black hair that was almost as long as hers. His eyes were completely black, with dark circles under them. It seemed like when he walked past anything living, like flowers, they would wilt because of his awful aura (and possibly his awful stench).

But to get married to him? It was impossible. She really didn't want to, but Sango was never the rebellious type. She ate the food served on her plate, no complaints, even if she hated it. And this meal was no delicacy - the slug Naraku, slithering all over her fine china had to be eaten, along with the rest of the entrees that were Sango's life.

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(I really hate how I can't describe Naraku has a hideous man, but oh well… Hopefully you get the gist.)

Sango and Naraku's marriage was nothing to be proud of. The ceremony consisted of Sango's mother, a few of Junko's friends, Naraku's small family, and maybe three or four townspeople.

The marriage itself wasn't even ready to be considered normal. Sango didn't let Naraku touch her. For the "you may now kiss the bride" part of the ceremony, she simply turned her head so he slid his grey lips across her cheek. She would never let that monster touch her lips. They belonged to Miroku, and so did her body. That's why she insisted on sleeping in separate beds.

Almost everyday she went to her old house, checking to see if there was any mail. But there never was. And she knew there probably would never be mail again.

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Until one day… The mail came to Naraku's house (she wouldn't dare call it her own house…). Sango looked at the text on the envelope. It was a miracle. It was from the Union army. It was addressed to Naraku, but that was probably because he was the male, and his name came up under this address.

She slid her finger under the paper and tore the top open. She shook the letter out and held it in her hands, staring at it before opening it. It read:

Mr. Naraku Kumo,

The Union army needs you to participate in Regiment 43 of the force. Please join us on June 15th. Thank you.

General McClellan

"What are you doing?"

Sango dropped the paper she was holding onto the kitchen table, looking directly at Naraku. He slowly walked towards her, and she braced her self for the pain he would inflict.

"Since when were you allowed to open my mail?"

"Why can't I?"

Curiosity killed the cat.

Sango got slapped. Hard. Naraku threw her against the wall and threw his fist into her face. "Don't you dare backtalk me, bitch. You're damn mistaken if you think you can do anything in this house without my permission. You understand me?"

Sango just looked at him, a scared expression on her face.

"Do you understand me!"

She quickly nodded, and he smirked before backing away from her and reading the letter. Without saying a word, Naraku took the letter upstairs and started packing.

Sango was relieved that he was leaving… She wasn't surprised he'd hurt her, and she wouldn't put it past him that he'd hurt her again in the future. So it was good that he was leaving. Then she'd be alone. Again.

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That night, Sango silently went to the bathroom and took out a few first aid items to clean off her battered face. "You walked into an opening door," was what Naraku told her to tell her mother or anyone else who asked what happened to her.

She cleaned up her bruised face and bloody mouth quickly and efficiently. 'The army…' The thought of it made her want to join it too. She wanted to see what all of this fuss was about. She was too scared to ever watch a battle, like some people did for the first Bull Run (Manassas is another name for it). She had no clue what the army was like. She wondered if there was a place for her there.

Then it hit her. 'I could be a nurse! I could go there and help everyone… Maybe even find my family… Or Miroku.'

This was her decision that changed her life forever. This was the last day like this for the rest of her life.

I believe there will come a time

When the world stars to shine in grace

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A/N: YAAAY! Chapter two is done! And it's done confidently! HOORAY! I'm so happy! Please review and make me happier! OH and wtf this fic hasn't earned much attention o.o; OH and if anyone was wondering… the grammatical errors in the song lyrics are SUPPOSED to be like that.