Chapter 5

July 21, 2006

iNuQTpIe: You have to see this from the point of view of the others, someone very important to them left, with no explanation. Don't judge either one of them too quickly, things are not finished in the Taijiya village just yet. Thank you for the review, hope you enjoy chapter five.

Catbuddy: I'm not going to defend either way, all I ask is that you read this chapter before judging completely. Thank you for the review, enjoy chapter five.

Angela: I hope things will be answered for you in this next chapter, let me know, okay? Thank you for the review, enjoy chapter five.

Disclaimer: Rumiko Takahashi owns the Inu-Yasha gang, the rest are mine, please don't sue or steal, thanks!

"Sango, I…" My voice is below even a whisper to Inu-Yasha as I call out to the Taijiya again. My hand slowly lowers as my mate's arm tightens around my stomach.

"Easy, Kagome," he says softly. My head lowers as Miroku comes closer.

"Inu-Yasha, Kagome," the Houshi greets us, but I can hear the anger hidden in his tone. "What brings you here?" He stops so close I can see his sandaled feet from my lowered gaze. I can sense the anguish in Inu-Yasha even before he speaks.

"I know it's been a long time—"

"Get it out, Inu-Yasha, I have a wife to see to." The Houshi cuts in. My eyes lift to glance at a tougher version of my friend as Inu-Yasha lets out a low growl.

"We need help." I can hear my mate's fangs grind together. "We thought the Taijiya would be willing to aid us, but it appears we were wrong." Inu-Yasha's grip tightens on me again at his words.

It looks like Koga and the wolves will be our only ally in this battle.

Miroku's mouth opens to reply, but my hanyou shakes his head sharply. "Save it." He bites out. "Sorry to have bothered you." He turns us around and we begin to make our way out of the village.

"Kagome-sama," Aijou says as he is suddenly in our path. His eyes stare into mine for a moment before his gaze swings to my mate. "Inu-Yasha."

"Yes?" I ask softly.

"Allow me to serve as you Taijiya." He bows at the waist slightly.

"What?" Inu-Yasha gapes.

"Sensei and Miroku-sama may not be willing to aid you, but I will."

"Aijou, we couldn't ask you—" I try to explain.

"You didn't ask." He cuts me off. I stare a second before turning to look over my shoulder at Miroku. I open my mouth to ask permission, but Aijou flashes between us, his back to me. "People will make their own choice, Miroku-sama." The Taijiya says quietly.

"Of course they will have their choice, but I have made mine." The Houshi stands quietly for a second before turning and walking toward his hut. "Inside Tori, Miya." He says sharply. The two remaining children obediently do as told.

Aijou turns around after the three vanish into the hut. "You will have Taijiya support." He states with a small smile. I try to smile back and nod slightly. "I had Kai spread the word, the ones who wish to aid you are gathering in the main square." The youkai explains. I nod again as Inu-Yasha, Hokori, and I follow him to the clearing.

I stop dead in my tracks at the number of Taijiya staring intently at us. There has to be eighty kids dressed in their battle armor, weapons ready to be used. All of these, and we hadn't even told them what we needed help with.

"Aijou," another of the oldest looking kids says as he meets us.

"Is this all then, Shippo?" The youkai's words freeze my heart.

Shippo…?

"Aye, Aijou." The red haired youkai nods once and turns a smile to me. "Hey there, Kagome." A small amount of liquid glistens in his emerald eyes.

My eyes scan over the youkai who is now almost my height. His red hair has grown out and reaches to the center of his back like a mane of fire. His face has matured, the features sharper, as has the rest of his body. His long arms and legs are now taught muscle under the almost Taijiya armor he wears. Gone is the slightly round, short, and carefree kit; in his place now stands a lean, tall, and powerful Kitsune.

"Shippo…?" I whisper to be sure. The youkai's features lighten slightly as he smiles again. He nods slowly as he moves closer.

"Yeah, it's me." He holds out his hand to me, and I hesitantly take it. Is he angry too?

Those crystal green eyes of his glisten at me for a second before I am pulled into a warm embrace. Breath leaves my lungs in surprise at his action. I guess that would answer my question. Tears fill my eyes as I hug Shippo back, burying my face into his fiery mane. He pats my back lightly. "Shh, Kagome, everything's alright." The Kitsune's soft voice echoes in my ear. I sniffle softly as I pull back. I smile again and nod, wiping at the lone tear that has escaped my grasp.

"So, introduce me to all of these Taijiya." I say, changing the subject. Shippo nods and turns to the gathering of children. Inu-Yasha and Hokori move to my side as the Kitsune begins to show us who everyone is, and what their skills are. The more Taijiya I meet, the more I think we may have a chance.

((The Ending of a Beginning))

I slip through the darkness of the village as everyone else sleeps. The darker shadows of the huts and trees keep me even more hidden. I know it is after midnight, but still a few hours until sunrise.

After Shippo had introduced all of the Taijiya, we had sat down to tell them what we knew about Arashi and his strengths. Inu-Yasha was careful as he spoke about Yui. Shippo sat on my left the whole time, his warm presence making me think of old times. As night fell, the Taijiya agreed to meet at the front gate just before sunrise, and everyone went off to their huts to get a good night sleep.

Shippo had shown Inu-Yasha, Hokori, and I to the hut he lived in, saying we could stay the night with him. "We don't want to impose. We would be fine sleeping outside." I tried. The Kitsune shook his head and took my arm.

"I wish you to stay inside with me. It's been so long since we've seen each other, I'd like to spend as much time with all of you as I can."

I smiled at his words and nodded, following him into the hut, Inu-Yasha and Hokori just behind me.

I press my back against the hut I know the head Taijiya and Houshi and their family reside in. I close my eyes as I focus on their life forces. Five asleep, one awake. Sango… The Taijiya turns over restlessly. I stay still as she gets up, slowly and silently making her way out of the hut. She stands not but five feet away form me as she stops just outside the door flap.

I stand unmoving, waiting to see what my old friend will do. She sighs slowly and walks forward a few steps, before stopping and wrapping her arms around herself. I move forward around the hut so I can see her better, watching as her head lowers, her loose hair curtaining around her face. I can feel the sadness and pain gripping her.

My head lowers to mimic hers, knowing she was happy until I had gotten here. How could I have done this to my best friend? I take a deep breath and move forward quietly until I am just behind Sango. "Hey," I whisper.

The Taijiya whirls around, a dark glint in her eye as she pins a dagger against my throat. I freeze instantly, forcing the habit of defending myself to stay still. The woman tenses as she realizes it is me whose throat is bare to her. "What do you want?" She says dangerously quiet, her blade unmoving.

"I wanted to talk." I reply carefully, being sure to keep my eyes on the Taijiya's face, not the dagger that is growing warm against my skin.

"We have nothing to talk about." She pulls away from me, turning back around, giving me her back.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Sango."

There came a rude snort. "So you didn't mean to tear me apart. I understand. Everything's all better now. Is that what you expect me to say?"

"No, I wanted to say I'm sorry, I put what I wanted before you."

"Why did you leave, why didn't you and Inu-Yasha stay here? What was so bad about living in the village, or even around it? Kami, Kagome, you just up and left in the middle of the night!" She had spun back around, anger dancing in her dark eyes.

My eyes lowered again, shame filling me at her words. "I couldn't stay… All of you were so happy…" I felt the tears filling my eyes again—what was going on with me? "I didn't want to intrude on the life you had built here. I wasn't ready to be a part of it. After four years of being mostly on my own I needed to learn how to live again. Inu-Yasha, Hokori, and Yui showed me what it was to live, thrive, and love almost as well as before Tetsusaiga broke." I sigh slightly at that, remembering my worries before that day.

"We could have helped…" Sango stated in a whisper. "I could have helped you…" Her voice drops even lower.

"Sango—" I reach out to her, but she shrugs out of my touch. I pull back slowly.

"Who's Yui?"

"My daughter."

Her eyes widen slightly at my words. "Daughter…? Where is she, why isn't she with you?"

My head lowers again. "She was taken, by a youkai stronger than Naraku ever was. Inu-Yasha and I are not strong enough to get her back alone. That is why we came here asking for help."

"To ask for help…? You came here after all of these years to ask for help?"

I nod silently. I feel a hand on my arm, and raise my head. A sharp breath enters my lungs as I see that there are tears in Sango's eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." I try to apologize. The Taijiya ignores it.

"I couldn't imagine loosing any of my children as you have, Kagome." She shocks me as she pulls me into a hug.

"Sango…" I whisper against her hair as I return her affection.

"How long can you stay?" She asks, pulling back slightly so she can look me in the eye.

"We leave just before sunrise tomorrow."

"That soon…" Her head lowers and she pulls completely away from me. "You know I can't go with you."

"I know, I didn't come tonight to ask you to leave with us. Tonight was just to apologize for the pain I have caused." I wait silently for her to turn back to me, and when she does her eyes are dry once again.

"You should get back to Inu-Yasha; you will need your rest."

"Sango, what…?" My voice is filled with question.

"Go get your daughter, I would like to meet her." The Taijiya smiles, her eyes brightening for the first time. I return the smile and pull her into a hug once more.

"Thank you, Sango, thank you so much." I whisper, happiness gripping my heart, quelling some of the sadness and fear. She nods into my shoulder before pulling away.

"Go." She states, still smiling. I nod silently and turn to go back to my mate.

In the morning we will meet Koga and get Yui back.

A/N: Hey everybody, I am going on vacation, so there will not be an update until next Sunday. Please forgive, but vacation is very important. Alright, see you all soon!

Myst

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