Eyes widened, Sango gasped, breathing heavily in cold sweat. She realized she was inside a house. In a room with a bed and window. It was simple. Probably the Higurashi family's home and guest room. Sango sighed, wiping the sweat from her temples. The last thing she remembered was seeing her very own grave. She never thought she'll be able to see her own grave. Sango always thought her friends took her body to her village and laid her there. She never expected them to lay her at Higurashi Shrine. Sango wondered who's idea was it. Although, she didn't mind her friends laying her body there. Besides her old village, Kaede's village became her new home too...or at least it was before.

"You really have a knack for scaring people, don't you, Sango-chan?" a familiar voice spoke.

Gasping, Sango turned. She didn't heard anyone come in. At the door was an middle age Kagome Higurashi. She was wearing her miko clothes and her hair was put back into a ponytail. She had a couple of wrinkles and she had a gray streak.

"Kagome-chan!" Sango exclaimed.

She got off the bed, tumbling a bit and jumped into Kagome's arms. Kagome giggled as the two stayed like this for a few minutes. Tears formed in Sango's eyes as she buried her face in Kagome's shoulder, crying.

"I miss you!" Kagome said.

"I miss you too," Sango sobbed. She pulled away and wiped her face. "How did you recognize me?"

Kagome chuckled. "I sense your soul. When you were reborn, I came home to get supplies and sensed it. Your soul was far away, but I knew you were reborn."

Sango nodded. That made a lot of sense. She had speculated that Kagome might've sense her soul and she was right. Sango wondered if Kagome told Inuyasha, Shippo, and Miroku about her being reborn.

"Who brought me here?" Sango asked.

"Inuyasha," Kagome answered.

Sango paused and blinked a few times. Inuyasha?! He's...alive?! Sango tried to imagine an elderly Inuyasha, but all she got was a grumpy old man. If Inuyasha was alive, that meant Sesshomaru and Shippo were still around. Sango was sure Shippo looked like an young adult by now. For Sesshomaru, she wasn't sure. Sango knew he was nine hundred years old when she last saw him and he had the appearance of a nineteen year old. That meant Sesshomaru might look like someone in his mid thirties.

"Is...Inuyasha here?" Sango asked. "Can I see him?"

Kagome sighed. She picked up Sango and sat her on the bed. Kagome sat next to her and put her hands into hers. Sango frowned and pursed her lips. She had a feeling that Kagome wanted to tell her something.

"Inuyasha..." Kagome hesitated. "He told me to tell you that, he'll talk to you when the time is right. He said that he wouldn't take you seriously if you're only a little girl."

"Wh-What?!" Sango grumbled. "That's not fair!"

Kagome giggled and patted her head. "I'm sorry, but that's what he said."

Sango scoffed. She knew it was too good to be true. Typical Inuyasha. Just because she was a child now, doesn't mean she could be taken seriously. If Sango had to wait until she's sixteen again, then so be it. Even though twelve years was a long time, but Sango knew it'll fly quickly.

Sango sighed. "Can you guys at least tell me what happened after I died? I had a dream that...Miroku was drinking a potion to endure the pain of his kazaana and Inuyasha punched him. Was that real?"

Kagome's eyes widened as she glanced to the side and nodded. Sango pursed her lips. She had a feeling that dream felt like a real memory. She wasn't sure how's memory it was, but it was a memory, nonetheless.

"After you died," Kagome said. "We buried you where my shrine would be eventually built. We all vowed you won't die in vain and we even made a promise that we'll survive this. Inuyasha told me that his intentions with Kikyo and how he just wanted to make amends. Then he told me that he never loved me."

Sango gasped. "Wh-What?!"

Kagomme nodded. "He said even though I'm my own person, I'm still a reminder of what happened between him and Kikyo. He could never love me. He even told me that I had trust issues with him whenever Kikyo was involved, which I do admit, that I did. After that, I took off his rosary beads. I realized how much I abused the 'sit' command and tricked him to wear those beads. Even though it hurt, but I'm glad he told me. Then after what you saw what happened with Miroku, we went to another village and Miroku he...he...he slept with another woman."

As much as Sango wanted to be surprised. She wasn't. In fact, she expected something like this would happen. Ever since Leo told her how what Miroku was doing was wrong, even though it was a coping mechanism, it was still wrong for him to do that. If Miroku truly love her, he wouldn't do something like this. He would've stop womanizing and be faithful to her.

Sango sighed. "Of course he'll do that."

"I'm so sorry," Kagome said. "I know you love him-"

"Not anymore," Sango interrupted.

Kagome blinked. "What do you mean?"

Sango sighed. "Thanks to my new father, he made me realized how much of a terrible person, Miroku was. I felt like an idiot thinking he could change. I can't believe I was willingly to put up with his disloyalties forever. I'm glad I'm not his fiancé anymore."

Then Sango clenched her fists. She hated the fact it took her a while to realized this and how messed up it was for her to go with it. She was glad Leo made her realized this. Sure, it was a while, but thanks to him, she realized how much Miroku never respected her as a person. He only saw her as a woman who was willingly to put up with his womanizing antics.

"So what happened after that?" Sango asked.

"We were all furious," Kagome answered. "Inuyasha, especially. He wanted to kick Miroku out of the group, but we let him stayed cause we all needed to stop Naraku. Kikiyo died helping us, but she was able to save Kohaku. Then Kohaku joined us and learned what happened to you. He hated Miroku after that and didn't talk to him that much. Miroku didn't care. He slept with other woman and even got some of them pregnant. As much as we wanted to scold him, but we were tired of having to deal with him. After we got all the shards, we found out that it had to be destroyed. Inuyasha and I finally did. Then I was transported back to my time. The Bone-Eaters Well gave me one more chance to go back and visit. So I did. Kohaku became chief and rebuilt the demon slayer village with Kirara, Miroku still traveled and slept with women, Shippo was training to be a daiyokai, and Inuyasha stayed at Kaede's village. Inuyasha always visited your grave everyday and stayed there all day."

"He...did?" Sango tilted her head.

Sango couldn't help, but feel her heart skip a beat. She blushed a bit. As much as she knew Inuyasha was a good friend, but she didn't expected him to visit her grave all the time. It made her feel happy that he did that.

Kagome nodded. "He did. Inuyasha really loves you."

"Yeah, I know," Sango said.

"Sango-chan, I mean, Inuyasha is in love with you."

Then Sango paused. Eyes widened, she turned to Kagome, who was staring at her. Sango opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She wanted to say how Inuyasha love her as a friend, but now she thought about it. Ever since the sake mist, Inuyasha did told her he loves someone, but at the time Sango always thought that woman was Kagome. Now she thought about it, Inuyasha told her and stared into her eyes when he told her that.

"He really does?" Sango finally asked.

Kagome put a hand on her shoulder. "Yes, he does."

Sango's heart fluttered as she felt tears blurred her vision, and dripped down from her cheeks. She couldn't help, but be happy. Even though Inuyasha was over five hundred years too late, but she was glad that he felt the same way. Sango wished she didn't put those feelings aside and just went with her instincts. Instead, she was with a cheating monk who never cared about her. Sango wondered what things could've been if she and Inuyasha were open about their feelings. As much as Sango was happy, she realized that Kagome was somehow fine with this. Kagome had been through so much, even after she died.

"Why?!" Sango cried. "Why are you okay with this, Kagome-chan?! Why?! Inuyasha...even if things were different...I'm still weak. I got manipulated by Naraku so many times! Don't you see? Miroku was right about me all along!"

Then Sango buried her crying face into her hands. Even though she accepted the fact that she will asked Leo about her being the next heir of the Hamato Clan, but a part of her knew that she was weak. Takara was right too. She was emotionally weak.

Suddenly, Kagome pulled her into a hug. "Sango-chan," Kagome said. "The reason why I'm okay with Inuyasha loving you is because I want him to be happy. I was jealous of Kikyo and I moved on. I realized I'm better off as his friend than a lover. I wished I realized it sooner. I would've got you two together if I got the chance."

Sango giggled at that last part. "K-Kagome-chan..."

"One more thing," Kagome stared into Sango's eyes. "Me, Inuyasha, and Shippo never thought you were weak. You're strong and have a great sense of family. You were the only human in our group who didn't had any special powers. You're very compassionate and you went through so much. You lost your family and village from Naraku, but you formed a new one with us and now your new family. Is Miroku right? You think he is, but we don't. If there was one thing he's wrong about and that is your heart! Your will to fight! Sango-chan, you may think you're weak now, but one day, you'll realized that you're different than you were once before. Don't let the past and grudges get to you. Focus on what's in front of you now and what you wanted to do with your life."

The only thing Sango could do was to stare at Kagome. Sango realized the fifteen year old girl she met over five hundred years ago was different than she was once before. Sango didn't know Kagome became so wise. Then Sango collapsed into her best friend's arms. Kagome chuckled, muttering how it was like old times. As much as Sango was glad that she got her answers, she was happy that her death wasn't in vain and that everyone live their lives. The only thing she regretted was not telling Inuyasha her hidden feelings that she kept avoiding all this time and how she never achieved her dreams of being chief. As much as she held a grudge against Naraku, Takara, and Miroku, she knew it wasn't worth it. Those people were long gone and they couldn't hurt her anymore. Kagome was right. She needed to focus on her new life. Sango knew she will one day find new love and be the leader of the Hamato Clan. Even if she didn't become leader, all she wanted Leo to tell her that she was qualified to take over his duties if anything happens to him.

"So what happened to Kirara?" Sango asked.

"We don't know what happened to her," Kagome answered. "After Kohaku died of old age, she lived in the wild."

Sango's eyes brightened. "Did Kohaku got married?"

"No, he didn't. He adopted a couple of orphan children and raised them as his own."

Sango nodded. She was glad Kohaku died of old age than being killed. She pictured her little brother all grown up. Still looked the same, except manly and scars from demons he fought. Then the door burst opened. Kagome and Sango gasped and pulled away. At the door was a familiar fox demon. He had short hair and wearing modern clothes-tanned shirt, jeans, and a turquoise unzip hooded jacket. He looked about in his late teens, possibly between eighteen and nineteen. Then fire swarmed around him as his clothes changed into a familiar robe that Sango recognized. His hair even grew long passed his back.

"Shippo?!" Sango gasped.

"Sango!" Shippo shouted.

Before Sango could say anything, Shippo scooped her into his arms and hugged her. Sango laughed and hugged back. She couldn't helped, but stared at her not so little fox friend. Never in her life she'll see a grown up Shippo.

"You're here!" Shippo exclaimed. "You're really here! I thought Inuyasha was lying when he saw you were here, but when I noticed your scent...I just couldn't believe it!"

Sango giggled. "It's good to see you again, Shippo. Did you became a daiyokai?"

Shippo nodded. "I did, but look at you! You're so small!"

"Shippo, I'm only four."

"How long are you staying in Japan?"

"Tomorrow is my last day and after that I'll be going home."

"Awww!"

Sango shook her head as she giggled. Despite Shippo being mature, he still has his childish side. Then Shippo patted Sango's head and set her down. When Sango looked up at him, she didn't realized how tall he was. He was even taller than Kagome. Sango suspected he might be as tall as Sesshomaru. The Shippo gave her another hug.

"I'm so glad to see you!" Shippo said. "Kagome told us you were reborn. She didn't tell Miroku, though."

Kagome scoffed. "Of course I didn't. He didn't need to know."

"Did you told Sango about..."

Sango frowned. "About what?"

"I was going to tell her before she leaves," Kagome crouched down to Sango's level. "Sango, I told Kohaku that you were reborn. He was happy that you got another chance in life. Although, he still thinks you would make a better chief than he would. Kohaku wanted to be buried where Higurashi Shrine was, so I let him. He even wanted to move the memorial stone of all the villagers and your father who died around the shrine. Miroku's memorial stone is here too, but don't worry. It's far away from yours. We made sure. You can see them if you want, but you don't have to Sango."

Sango glanced to the side. As much as she wanted to see the memorial stone of her little brother, but the fact that her father's memorial stone was in the same shrine, just made her clenched her fists. Even Miorku's memorial stone was there too! For some reason she had the need to confront those memorial stones and say what she really felt. Sango didn't want to hold onto these grudges forever. She wanted to let them out.

"Where are they?" Sango asked.

"Miroku's and your father's on the left side," Kagome answered. "Kohaku's around the same area as yours. Just follow the trail. For some reason, Kohaku didn't tell us why he didn't want your father's memorial stone near yours, but we respected his wishes."

Sango nodded. She looked up at a clock and saw it was almost noon. Only thirty minutes, but Sango knew her aunts would be here soon. Sango didn't realized how much time had passed. Without a word, Sango hugged Kagome and Shippo.

"I have to go," she muttered.

"Let me give you some souvenirs," Kagome said. "They're on the house!"

Sango laughed as Kagome gave her a bag of souvenirs from the gift shop. She gave her everything from the gift shop. Sango didn't protest, since she needed to give something to her family when she gets back home. Kagome and Shippo lead her back to the front of the shrine. Shippo had to change into his human disguise. Sango hugged her friends one last time, holding them tighter than before. Sango held in her tears, trying not to shed a single tear.

As they broke apart, Sango asked, "Can we keep in touch?"

Kagome sighed. "I'm sorry, Sango-chan, but we can't. It's best that way."

Sango was about to asked more, but she stopped. The she realized why. No distractions from the past. Nothing to hold her down. Start new and start fresh. Look forward and keep her head high. No matter the good and bad, it's a new experience. Not only for herself, but for her new family.

"I understand," Sango finally said. "but if anything happens, let me know."

Shippo nodded. "We will. Take care Sango."

"Be careful," Kagome said. "and try not to get into trouble."

Sango chuckled uneasily. "I don't think I can promise that part. After all, my family is the Hamato Clan."

Shippo sighed. "I swear the Hamato Clan has trouble finding them!"

As much as Sango wanted to defend her family, Shippo was right on that part. From what the stories Leo had told her...trouble always finds them than the other way around.

Kagome rolled her eyes and put a hand on Sango's shoulder. "We'll see you soon, Sango-chan. When we meet again, it's not our final goodbye...well...for some of us that is."

Sango frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You'll understand when the time comes."

Sango wanted to ask more, but she knew she had to wait. If she had to wait when she's an adult, than so be it. Sango knew her time in this world was short and she wanted to make use of it. There was so many things she wanted to do.

Then Kagome and Shippo said their goodbyes. Sango watched as Kagome went back to her miko duties and Shippo teleported back to his home. Sango was left alone with nothing, but silence. However, she felt like she was being watched by a familiar gaze.

With a deep breath, Sango headed over to the trail on the left. She didn't know why, but she felt a new form of courage in her. Finding the trail was easy. As Sango followed the trail, it didn't took long for her to find the memorial stones of Miroku and her old father, Takara. Even though Takara's memorial stone had the names of the villagers, but it was still her father's stone nonetheless.

Sango walked over to Miroku's memorial stone. The only thing she could do was to stare at it. Not with anger, but disappointment. Disappointment of how what happened to Miroku at the end. Although, everything she thought did happened. He cheated behind her back, slept with other woman, sired children with other woman, and not caring for his own children. Sango wished she would transported herself back in time and tell herself not to be with Miroku, but of course that's too late. The past was in the past and it couldn't be change.

"Miroku," Sango said. "It's been long hasn't it? I'm sure you're shock that I'm reborn. Unlike Kagome-chan, I retained all of my memories. Kagome-chan told me what happened and to be honest, I expected that to happen. Deep down, I knew you were cheating on me. Don't tell me it was a defense mechanism because that's stupid! You know what, Miroku? You were right! I did latched onto you, but here is the difference, at least I risked my life to protect you! I wanted you to be happy! I thought we fought as equal! Instead, you thought the opposite. If you did love me, you would've told me the truth! You would've be honest! Instead, you just want me to bare your child and give them a curse! How is that noble? You're just causing them pain! Miroku, I regret falling in love with you and I'm glad I'm not your fiancé anymore. I'm glad my new father made me realized how messed up you are because if he didn't, I would still be in love with you. Miroku, I'm glad you did live your life. Was it obvious? Yes, but you did live the life you wanted and I'm glad you did because at least I don't have to experienced the pain of you cheating on me. Maybe in another dimension you're faithful in our marriage life, but not in this world, you're not. Miroku, this is the last time I'm speaking to you. Goodbye."

Sango turned to her village's memorial stone. She walked over there without looking back. Even though it was only a few steps away, she didn't care. Sango looked at her village's memorial stone. She recognized all of the names, including her father and mother. Like what she always did in the past, Sango sat on her knees and prayed. She prayed for everyone in their village that lost their lives by Naraku. When she finished praying, she stood up with clenched fists.

"Chichiue," Sango said. "All my life you put thoughts in my head that one day I'll be chief. After Kohaku was born. I tried to prove to you that I could take on your role, but every time I tried, you just ignored me and focus on Kohaku, not caring what I was feeling. I know you wanted me to live a strong life, but the life I wanted was to be chief. Everyone in the village thought I was going to be chief. Even before Naraku killed everyone, they still thought that, but that doesn't matter now because I'm going to take my new father's role. I will become leader of the Hamato Clan. Even if I don't become leader, at least I'll have Leo's acknowledgement of my worth as heir. I know you're thinking that it's impossible because I'm too emotional, but this is my new life and this time I don't have someone like you to put false hope in me. From the first four years with my new family, from what I saw, Leo is emotional. He may get irritated during missions and he may not show his vulnerable side when his brothers are around. He showed it around me because in his eyes, I'm a normal infant, but when he does shows his emotional side to everyone, they all supports him. He's the leader I aspired to be. Chichiue, you may think I'm throwing all of my demon slayer training away, but this is where you are wrong. I'm going to throw away the memories I don't need and keep the ones I do need. I will deemed what's useful for me! Chichiue, this the final time to speak to you. Goodbye."

Then Sango turned and walked away as she followed the trail. When she got out of the woods, she headed across the shrine where her memorial stone was. She knew Kohaku's memorial stone was there somewhere. All she knew from Kagome that it was near her's and she just needed to follow the trail. As she kept walking, she noticed the trail extended. She walked passed her memorial stone and it didn't took long for her to saw another memorial stone. She noticed a familiar name of her little brother. A warm smile spread across her face as she approached the memorial stone. At the memorial stone were lily flowers. Tears filled in Sango's brown eyes. Sniffing, she quickly wiped them away.

Sango smiled. "Kohaku, this is your aneue. I know I'm technically not your sister anymore, but in soul I'm still am. I'm glad you live your life. I'm sure you were a wonderful chief. I know you thought I could've done better, but I'm sure you did well. I wished I would've saw you grown up. I'm sure you were a handsome man. It's too bad I never got a chance to see any of my nieces and nephews, though. I would've spoiled them. Overall, I'm glad you got to live your life, Kohaku. That's all I could ever asked for. I'm just happy you got a chance to live. I could finally be at peace, knowing that you got to live you life. Oh, and don't worry. Aneue will promise you that I'll live my life too. You'll just need to wait a bit longer. Goodbye Kohaku and I'm glad I got to see you again, one last time."

At once, Sango turned and walked away, without looking back. For some reason she felt lighter. It was like as if nothing was weighing her down. No false hopes, no worrying of people cheating on her, nothing. Sango never felt like this in a long time. Even though she knew she'll run into trouble considering the fact she was being raised by a family of mutant ninja turtles, but she knew that couldn't be avoided. Whatever happens, no matter what troubles laid ahead, Sango knew one thing: she promised herself that she will live the life she wanted. Even though she died young, but her efforts were never wasted. Sango will keep what's useful for her and learned new ways to become a ninja worthy of her clan.

When she got to the torii, she still couldn't helped, but knew Inuyasha was watching her. Sango was sure that he had heard the whole conversation between her, Shippo, and Kagome, as well as eavesdropping on her feelings to her family and ex-fiancé. Although, Sango knew she shouldn't be surprised by this. She had done her fair share of eavesdropping too. She was sure it was something the two got that habit from Kagome.

With a deep breath, Sango looked back. "Inuyasha!" she called. "I know you're here! When I come back to Japan, I want us to catch up like old times! That's a promise!"

As Sango turned, a familiar voice spoke. "I look forward to it."

Gasping, Sango's eyes widened. In the corner of her eyes, she could see silver locks gently flowing passed her. She could feel her heart pounded against her chest. Licking her dry lips, Sango turned back once more, but no one was behind her. Blinking a few times, Sango chuckled and smiled as she shook her head. Typical Inuyasha. Sango walked down the stairs as she saw her aunts' car arriving just on time to pick her up.