The True Holder of Shikon

Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.

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Chapter 14 - Trials

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At the end of the week, Kagome and Inuyasha returned to the Sengoku Jidai. They were greeted by Sango, who was laying in the field, her eyes closed, one arm draped across her stomach, and the other over her forehead. She appeared to be sleeping but, as they approached, they saw her look at them.

"Hello, Kagome. Inuyasha." She got to her feet and they noticed how upset she looked.

"Sango, what happened?" Kagome asked gently. Sango only smiled and shook her head.

"I sort of had a brief period of insanity. It is nothing to worry about. Anyway, I assume you enjoyed the extra time?" The teen glanced at Inuyasha before nodding.

"Thank you for suggesting it." She said with a grin.

"Sango, what do you mean by that? Insanity?"

"I am fine now, Inuyasha. Nothing happened, anyway." She walked forward and took Kagome's arm. "Let's go back and talk hot springs. I have not had a good chat with you in a while." The two girls did not get far from him before giggles were escaping Kagome.

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"All right, what happened?" Inuyasha demanded. Sesshoumaru stared up at the hanyou.

"Whatever are you speaking of, little brother?" Inuyasha crossed his arms and sat in front of his brother.

"With Sango." The Taiyoukai stared a moment before narrowing his eyes.

"What do you wish to know?"

"The fucking period of insanity!" The hanyou screamed. "What the fuck happened?"

"Calm youself, Inuyasha. There is no need to get so angry. The way I found her..." He hesitated. "She had given in. She said she was in too much pain and that she did not want to be denied of the peace she sought for." Inuyasha sat at attention. "She was going to kill herself. She had all but given in. I found her as a heap on that hill. She had done nothing but the thought was in her mind." He made to stand. "If that is all, I wish to leave."

"Yeah. Go ahead." The hanyou figured as much.

Sesshoumaru found her. What the hell is going on between those two? He seems more detached now than he ever has before.

He was worried for Sango, not Sesshoumaru. He knew Naraku had an effect on her. He knew that one day, the bastard would go too far.

"Inuyasha?" Miroku asked quietly. "Did that...really happen?"

"Yeah, Miroku. It did." The hanyou stood up, fury building in his body. "If I have anything to say, nothin' better happen to her. If anyone makes one move on her, I'll slit his throat."

"What?" Miroku stared at his friend in shock.

"That includes you, houshi. Let her have her space." Inuyasha turned around, his amber eyes blazing. "Sango is just like me. I understand those feelings. I have never been nearly raped but I know what it is like to lose hope. The next person who touches her will die by my hand." He did not see the other pair of amber eyes watching him from the doorway, nor did he hear the silent protest.

No, Inuyasha. You are wrong. That privilage will go to me.

Sesshoumaru left as silently as he had been standing there. He would make sure the next person to lay a hand on her did not live to talk about it.

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"ACK! SANGO! STOP!" Kagome laughed; trying her hardest to duck away from the splashes. "No!" She began splashing back. Soon, their noise brought someone's attention to them.

"Sango-chan!" Sango turned around and saw Rin smiling cheerfully at her. "Whatcha doing?" She asked in excitement.

"Oh, we're playing." Kagome said with a smile.

"Yes, why don't you join us, Rin?" The taiji-ya asked. Before her or Kagome could utter another word, the little girl was out of her kimono and in the hot spring.

"This is really warm...and deep." She was standing on a slippery rock with her arms out on both sides to keep her balance.

"Come here." Sango held out her arms and the girl jumped into them. She stayed in the taiji-ya's care throughout the entire situation. When they got out about a half hour later, their fingers were wrinkled and they were laughing. "I feel so old!"

"You are old, Sango-chan..." Rin said with an innocent curious look on her face. The taiji-ya stared at the little girl in horror then looked at Kagome. She then grabbed her friend by the shoulders and pulled her closer.

"Tell me it is not true!" Kagome burst out laughing before trying to reassure her friend that she was not old. Then Sango chased Rin until she caught her then tossed her over her shoulder and carried her that way, kicking and laughing, all the way back to the village. There were some of the village men who actually thought that the taiji-ya was Rin's mother.

"Are you, Sango-san?" One woman asked; voicing the rumor first. Sango noticed how crestfallen the girl had become and set her down.

"No." She noticed that the little girl was even more upset after the answer. When the woman left, Sango bent down to Rin's level and took the girl's arms in her hands gently. "What is wrong? You can tell me." The sweet child's visage had small tears flowing down it.

"I-I want you to be my mommy..." She whispered. "I l-love you, Sango-chan." Sango brought the little girl to her chest and picked her up, cradling her gently.

"I love you too but I cannot be your mother, Rin. I am not your mother. I can be your friend, though." Rin's wet hair stuck to her chin and she soothed it down with her hand. She did not say a word to the taiji-ya. She just stayed in her arms...and cried.

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Kagome and Sango both knew that they could not be replacements for Shippou or Rin. Shippou looked at Kagome as his mother and Rin looked at Sango as her mother. Kirara mewed in agitation. She wanted someone to pay attention to her. Sango was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she barely noticed someone had entered.

"Sango." She looked up and blinked away her thoughts.

"Yes, Inuyasha?"

"I wanna talk to you outside." She made a move to get up. "Alone." His eyes went to Kagome and the children, along with Miroku. They left and Inuyasha led the taiji-ya out to the well. She stared at him.

"I think I know what this is about." She began. "You asked about it. I figured you would."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He turned around and stopped, seeing her cold and expressionless visage. He had not expected that.

"You know what is wrong with me." She closed her eyes and leaned against the well. "You know what I am going through. Naraku just pushed me one step too far." She sat down and he walked over, sitting down next to her. She smiled bitterly. "I guess I know that I was insane. There is no other explanation for the thoughts going through my head. But...part of it was about you and the others. I can barely trust even Houshi-sama's touch. He's touched me more than anyone else but I cannot even trust him the one time he is sincere about it." He felt the breeze kick up. A storm was imminent; probably less than an hour away.

"I understand...somewhat." He looked up at the dark gray clouds. "What are you gonna do about it?" She looked over at him and smiled slightly.

"Nothing." He blinked. "Inuyasha, those were not permanent thoughts. Of course, if they had really remained and Sesshoumaru had not talked me out of that madness then I would not even be here." She leaned against him. "I feel very vulnerable and stupid. Naraku is probably laughing at me." He sighed.

"I don't know of anything I can do, other than protect you." He paused. "What is goin' on between you an' Sesshoumaru? He isn't exactly the charitable type. Is there a reason why he's helpin' you that we ain't aware of?" She froze before standing up. She whirled around and slapped him.

"What the hell ever gave you that idea, genius?" She shouted at him.

How I wish that I could use the 's' word.

He nearly lost his balance and fell down the well. His claws sunk into the wood and he stared at the taiji-ya in fear.

"I'm sorry but it had to be a thought!" He pulled himself up and tried to calm down. "Sheesh! You'd swear that I just groped you." He rubbed the red mark on his face. She was giving him the darkest look that he had ever seen. "He ain't exactly a saint. I have to think about those things."

"Could you never trust your brother?" She asked softly; the dark look still in place. He forced himself to resist shivering.

She is so pissed at me.

"I find it hard to believe that he would do anything for nothing. I mean, what's in it for him if he's helping you?" She crossed her arms.

"I did not ask for his help nor his understanding. He gave it freely, as far as I am concerned." Her eyes narrowed and she yanked him forward by his haori. "Must you doubt everything?"

"Sango, I just can't trust someone who was never there for me and is out for my life."

"Does it look like he is trying to kill you?" She asked quietly. "I am not defending him but I think you should try to accept the fact that he is remaining with us. He has not made it a point to leave us."

"And why would that be, I wonder?" The hanyou sounded a tad bit sarcastic. Enough for Sango to raise her hand again. Inuyasha flinched. She then brushed his bangs from his eyes.

"He is concerned for Rin. The threat of Naraku is too great to not take seriously." He looked up at her, watching as a bitter smile passed her lips. "He also knows that Naraku will not stay away from us for long." She pulled her hand back before turning around. "I forgive you for that comment but please, try and be tactful next time, all right?" He watched her walk away. He was sure something had to be going on but she had given him a rather...painful insight.

We really have problems...

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Kagome watched her friend closely. She knew that Sango had purposely said something about her insanity. She had been warning them, of that she was sure.

But warning us about what? Perhaps her powers could go into chaos...

Sango's eyes met hers briefly and her answer was confirmed.

"So, when do you think that Inuyasha is going to harp on us about leaving here?" Kagome asked cheerfully. "He's gotta start tomorrow." The taiji-ya sweat-dropped and twitched.

"I would say tonight. He is going to tell us that we are leaving tomorrow whether we are ready or not." The girl bit her lip. That sure sounded like Inuyasha.

"What did you two talk about last night?" Sango closed her eyes.

"Kagome...he..." She looked at her friend. "He thought that something was going on between me and...Sesshoumaru." She whispered softly. "I slapped him. It was mostly reflex because I normally get angry at Houshi-sama for groping me but...I could not help it. He looked scared of me. I must have given him a pretty harsh look." She looked at her hand. "Either that or I am stronger than I thought." Kagome leaned forward and hugged the distressed taiji-ya.

"Sango, we're all just worried about you. All that matters is that you get better. We don't want you to feel that fear anymore. I know that every male in our group wants Naraku's head detached from his body but it isn't going to happen too soon. I just have a feeling that our trials aren't over." Sango's arms hesitantly went around her friend and she buried her face in the girl's shoulder. "We're all here for you. I can't promise that you will never get captured again because...Naraku is just crafty that way but I can promise that we will save you." The taiji-ya felt tears burn in her eyes. That was all she wanted to hear.

"Thank you, Kagome..."

Trials...? I suppose that is a word for them. I wonder...when will my trials end...?

Kagome pulled back from her friend and sighed.

"I mean it, Sango. Nothing will stop us. Not even Naraku."

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The sky was covered by gray clouds, as it had been since the night before. The storm had not ended and it appeared that the weather would hinder them and impede their journey for longer than even she wished. It was not like they were impregnable on the move but at least she did not feel like a cornered animal. She sat on the roof of Kaede's house, her legs pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. Her mahogany eyes gazed up at the just barely visible moon. Only the right half would have been visible anyway. A cold, gentle rain fell from the heavens, saturating her as she sat there. Her mind was on her next trial. What was it?

I can only hope to make it through without losing anyone or anything. But...something received comes at a varying price.

She could not say that she didn't care what the prices were. She was afraid of falling over the edge again.

I must never allow that to happen again. Even if more than half of it was true... Besides, it is not a lie if part is still true...

She would not go with the complete truth because it would land her back where she had been when she tried. She also would not live a complete lie. That was not right. It was too beneath her. So, she would have to survive the middle world; the world where everything was divided between. She didn't like either three options but what choice did she have? She also could not allow herself to rely fully on her friends. They had seen her weaknesses enough. It was time for her to try and get over what she could never accept.

I cannot suppress those memories. I may hate and loathe them but I must never forget...

A small smile passed her lips when she thought of her savior. She couldn't look at him the same way. She could never look at him like she had before that. He had been so understanding...

But now...he does not even show himself. He is never around. What am I going to do?

Sighing, she released her legs and stretched them out.

I probably should get some sleep.

She jumped down from the roof then looked back up at the clouds. A sweet, wistful smile caressed her lips.

"I will wait..." She whispered before turning around and going inside to lay next to Kirara and Rin.

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Well? How was that for chapter 14? I have got a lot of good stuff coming up in future chapters. You can count on it!

Will Sesshoumaru ever speak to Sango again? What did Sango mean when she said that she will wait? For what?

Heh. Now, it's your turn! Please review!