The True Holder of Shikon

Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter 22 - Defiance

XxXxX

Her breath came out in wild pants. The darkness was shredded by glowing crimson eyes following her at a speed that was testing her own. She was just running. There was no purpose other than the fear that made her adrenaline kick in. His laughter in her ears mocked her mercilessly and drove her on. She felt one of his tentacles latch onto her ankle and pull. She fell on her stomach and it knocked the breath from her lungs.

"My dear...why do you run from me?" She struggled to regain the ability to breathe as she tried to pry his tentacle from her ankle.

"Let go!" She cried; grabbing a dagger and plunging it into his tender flesh. He just laughed and it grew again, circling up her body until it was wrapped around her waist. Then it turned into him with his arms around her. He lowered his face and kissed her so hard that she swore it would bruise her. He bit into her lower lip and she cried out, trying to pull away. He laughed before sliding down and grinning evilly at her. His bloody fangs glinted as they sank into her neck. She felt pain consume her body. Hot tears began sliding down her face. "No... NO!"

XxXxX

Sango woke up with a silent scream. She was drenched in sweat. Her nightmares had definitely become more vivid. She pushed the covers away and looked around the dark campsite as she sat up. Her eyes lingered on Sesshoumaru, who was fast asleep against a tree on the other side. She stood up and walked quietly away. She went to the small stream and kneeled down next to it. She peered into the water before taking some into her hands. It was frigid cold when she splashed it onto her face. Her breath caught in her throat momentarily from the frigidness. She looked up when she thought that she saw something move. In the dark, she could have sworn that she saw crimson eyes leering at her. But she sternly told herself that the moonlight, or what there was of it, was playing tricks on her. As silently as her skill allowed, she stood and walked back to the campsite. She stopped as soon as she got there.

"Where were you?" The soft voice asked. She found herself staring into amber eyes. His amber eyes.

"I had a nightmare and my face was covered in sweat. So I went to rinse it off." She answered quietly. He stared at her.

"What was your nightmare about?" His gaze was intense. She was having a hard time staring him the eyes.

"It isn't important." She responded shortly after looking away from him. She was about to walk around him but he moved in front of her and lifted her chin with his clawed fingers. He wasn't surprised to see the raw emotion in her eyes. He watched as tears began sliding down her face.

"Naraku." The word came out as a sharp growl and it made the taiji-ya flinch. "What the hell happened?" She tried to look away from him but he wouldn't let her.

"I was...running away from him. He was laughing at my pathetic attempt for escape. Then he caught me and...he marked me." She jumped when he moved his hand from her chin to her cheek. He pushed her head to the side slightly and gazed at her neck. Then he sighed. "It was only a dream, Sesshoumaru."

"Sango..." She felt him let go of her then wrap his arms around her waist. He pulled her to his chest and held her. When he heard the trembling in her voice, the dream became real in his mind. He looked back at the others. They had buried the boy and the youkai. The priestess was asleep somewhat next to Miroku but yet out of his reach. Sango had healed her wounds and they had all traveled in the direction of the woman's village. She had been visiting another village to help with the healing of their illnesses. She was on her way home when she encountered the dead boy and the youkai feeding off of him. Inuyasha was deeply asleep. Miroku was practically in a coma. Kagome and Shippou were snoring just ever so lightly. Lastly, Kirara, Rin, and Jaken were on the other side of the clearing. They were curled up and looked dead to the world.

"Sesshoumaru, let's get some sleep." Her soft voice brought him back from his gazing. She pulled away from him and took his hand, leading him over to where he had previously been dozing. He lay down first then she followed, resting in the safety his embrace brought to her. "Good night."

"Sweet dreams this time." He said softly. She nodded and snuggled into his chest. A few minutes passed before her breathing slowed and sleep stole her away from the living world.

XxXxX

Sango opened her eyes when Sesshoumaru shifted. It was morning; that much she could tell. Inuyasha was already awake and talking to Miroku. Kagome and the children were the only ones still asleep. The priestess was staring at her. Sesshoumaru looked down at her.

"Did I wake you?" He asked in his usual emotionless tone. She rubbed her eyes.

"Yes, you did. It's a good thing, anyway. We cannot be sleeping the day away." She got out of his arms and stretched. Then she looked back at Inuyasha and Miroku with a smile. "I think I will go and refill our water supply. We forgot about it before, didn't we?" She dug through her bag and pulled out an empty gallon. She grabbed her water bottle and everyone else's before leaving. Sesshoumaru turned to his brother and the houshi.

"Inuyasha, we must defeat Naraku. She is getting plagued by nightmares. Last night she had one where he caught her and marked her." The hanyou's visage went completely white.

"That sick bastard. What is he doing to her?" His lips twitched. Miroku watched the expression on Sesshoumaru's face.

"I want rid of that filthy hanyou before her nightmare becomes the truth." Anger was written clearly in those cold amber eyes. "I cannot rush our relationship because of him. I cannot possibly mark her now. There is no way. It would be too dangerous." Inuyasha nodded.

"I understand." He stared at the Taiyoukai. "Sango will not get captured again. We cannot afford another screw up. One more and it's all over." The priestess got up and looked at them, her indigo eyes calm and cold.

"Did you say the name Naraku?" She asked quietly. Miroku nodded.

"You know something of him, Lady?" Her expression was grave.

"I do, Houshi-sama." She gestured that they sit. She did so then they followed her example. "He uses my village. That evil youkai, Kanna, takes souls from some people. The elders have all been eaten by Naraku's army of youkai. We are like a buffet."

"Have you done anything to resist it?"

"I tried placing a barrier around the village. It lasted but two days." She looked at her hands. "We cannot fight with them. I haven't the power to hold them off forever. So, I came seeking help." She looked up just as Sango reentered the camp. She placed the water back in her pack and gave everyone their bottles.

"What is going on?"

"I need your help, Sango-sama." The taiji-ya blinked. So, the priestess began the story again.

XxXxX

Sango had, of course, accepted the new mission. This was one opportunity that she would not pass up. It was the opportunity to piss Naraku off royally. She would defy him at any opportunity to flaunt her power and show him just how far her hatred went. That and finish off over half of his army. So, the priestess was leading them to the village. Inuyasha walked behind her with Kagome. Sesshoumaru was back with Miroku because Sango was with the priestess, learning more about the situation.

"I am inexperienced with barriers, Priestess."

"Call me Naora."

"Naora-san?" The priestess nodded. Sango looked down at her feet as they walked. "I have not fully come into my powers yet. Most of them are still laying dormant within me." She explained. "However, we will defeat those who come to the village. It is our job and our duty to defeat Naraku."

"Where did you inherit your spiritual powers, Sango-sama?" The taiji-ya blinked.

"Well...that is not to be explained now. Look." It seemed that they did not need to wait long. "Kirara!" The neko jumped down beside her and transformed. She jumped on Kirara's back and then they took off. Sesshoumaru followed quickly behind. Kagome got on Inuyasha's back when he crouched down.

"Meet us there! Don't worry 'bout hurryin'!" The hanyou called as he took off. Sango watched the large army with intensity. They seemed to be looking for someone...

"Kirara, lower down to the top of the trees and quicken the pace, all right?" The neko did as her mistress requested and watched the army with growing anticipation. She sensed that Sesshoumaru was somewhat behind her, probably watching to see what she intended. "Go up nice and steady again." She took her bow from her back and engaged an arrow.

I am definitely going to have to refill this quiver.

She took aim at a cluster near a group of farmers. Then she released it before engaging another. She had no time to play. A few villagers were already dead. She watched as the sacred arrow hit and flashed. It disintegrated the cluster and the farmers looked around for their savoir. She told Kirara to land at the border of the trees. Right when she jumped off, Sesshoumaru slid to a stop next to her. Inuyasha followed in merely a moment.

"What have we got?" The hanyou asked; looking around.

"Inuyasha! Look out!" Kagome cried from his back as she hid her face in his shoulder. Everyone leaped out of the way before a youkai crashed into the ground. It leered at Sango and she realized why. Sesshoumaru cut it in two with Tokijin.

"Come on, guys!" She turned and ran toward the battle. She was fed up with all of Naraku's trickery. She wanted him dead. She wanted to be the one to finish him off. Her eyes narrowed and she released another arrow at the youkai coming closer. Then she put her bow in her left hand and unhooked Hiraikotsu from around her back before letting it spin. "Hiraikotsu!" She noticed one coming at her from the side, spitting poisonous toxins from its mouth. She dodged it, pulling up her gas mask.

"Sango!" Kagome released an arrow at the youkai attacking her friend. Unfortunately, the power from the sacred arrow caused her to miss Hiraikotsu's return. She watched the boomerang fly past her. Sesshoumaru dodged it. She ran over and retrieved it after it hit a few trees and fell to the ground. Then she ran back into the battle. She released Hiraikotsu before taking out her sword. She had to fight as hard as she could. She had to defeat Naraku's army before ever gaining hope of defeating him.

I need to get stronger. If I do not...he will take me.

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During the last half of the battle, Sesshoumaru had transformed into his inu form. He had stayed near Sango. Also, around ten minutes after the battle began, Miroku and Naora had arrived with the children and Jaken.

Now that the battle was over, they were searching for Sango. Not even Sesshoumaru could smell her past all of the blood and puddles of poison. Miroku finally found her, lying on her stomach with one arm pillowing her head and the other was resting along her side.

"I found her!" The first one over was Sesshoumaru. He could not smell any poison inside of her and there was no blood that was hers on her.

"Sango..." He kneeled down next to her and reached out to touch her when she groaned. She opened her eyes and looked at him. He paled immediately. He knew that look...and he hated it.

"What the hell?" Inuyasha arrived with Kagome and stared down at her in horror. "That scent..."

"She is..." Her eyes were a dark void of onyx such as Sesshoumaru had never seen before. Not even the last time this happened. "She is falling deeper." He looked up at them. "The insanity is..." All of the lives that she had taken were beginning to affect her. All of the fighting to stay alive and away from Naraku added to her stress of getting taken by the monster. "Sango, snap out of it." He picked her up and set her head in his lap.

"S-Sesshoumaru, I cannot fight anymore. I am tired of killing to remain alive." She stared up at him. "I am tired of worrying every moment of the day. I am tired of fearing Naraku's touch." Then she smiled and lifted her hand to touch his face. "I love you but I can no longer do this."

"You can and you will. You have come too far to give up now." His voice cracked slightly. Inuyasha whispered something in Kagome's ear before pointing to Rin and Shippou. She nodded and left them. The hanyou stared at the stricken look on his brother's face. He now realized how much he preferred the normal cold glare.

"Stop it..." She said softly. "Stop looking at me that way."

"I will not let you give up. I will never let you give in." He pulled her up into his lap and stared into her eyes. "Those dark thoughts are from your fear and hatred for life that you got from when he nearly raped you. The Sango that I know and love would never let him get away with that. Stop your foolishness and realize what you are saying."

"Sesshoumaru, I..." She closed her eyes and leaned forward, kissing him softly and passionately. Then, when she broke away, she threw her arms around his neck. "You told me how foolish I was before. You got through to me before with words that made me believe that I was foolish." She pulled back to look into his amber eyes. "It was because you understood that I was able to see my mistake. I want to give up but I know that I must not." She brought one hand up and touched his cheek. "I am sorry that I cannot handle this better. However, I will admit that I need help..." Inuyasha walked closer and crouched down next to them.

"We'll be here whenever you need us." She looked up at him and smiled before pulling away from Sesshoumaru and standing up to hug her hanyou friend. He hugged her tightly, feeling relief that she was no longer stuck in her insane bubble.

"Thank you, Inuyasha." He heard her whisper. She pulled back and kissed his cheek. "Say, where is Kagome?"

"She's with the kids." She nodded and pulled away from him before walking over to Miroku, who looked ready to say something.

"Well, Inuyasha summed up what I wished to say but...any time you need someone to talk to, I am available." She gave him a brief hug.

"Thank you, as well, Houshi-sama. I know that I can always talk to you. I know that you will try to understand to the best of your ability." She said softly as she pulled away. He kissed his fingers and brushed her forehead.

"As long as you know that." She left the three men and went to find Kagome. Before she disappeared from their sight, she turned and waved.

"Don't worry!" Sesshoumaru looked at his younger brother.

"I know that you will take care of her if ever the need arises." The hanyou nodded. "I will count on you two."

"Sesshoumaru, we...never really spoke before but I have the feeling that she would not like to hear you talking like that." Miroku took a couple steps closer to the Taiyoukai. "Right now, you are the most important one holding her here. I can see it in the way she looks at you."

XxXxX

Sango was working in the fields with the villagers, Inuyasha, and Miroku. She also helped to plant new crops, helped with the laundry, and organized search parties, hunting parties, and gathering parties. She dealt with the children, sending them off with the priestess and gatherers to find healing herbs, cooking herbs, and fruits. Then she sent men away to fetch water. Some began calling her a blessing in disguise and an angel. Sesshoumaru watched with an odd sense of pride.

"Sango-sama!" One of the search parties ran back with an injured boy. She had been healing people for some time and her energy was waning. The boy's left arm was cut off up to his elbow and he had a terrible wound across his stomach. Sango stood up and guided them quickly to the hut that she had named for the injured. They set him down and she told them to leave her with her patient. As quickly as she could, she cleaned the blood off so she could see the wounds. She healed his stomach but looked at his arm. Sesshoumaru was youkai, therefore his arm had been able to grow back.

"You helped it along in the process of regenerative healing by lending your healing powers to it."

That had been what the Taiyoukai had told her. She could not make lost limbs grow. She healed it just to close the wound and stop the bleeding. He would regain consciousness in a bit. She was surprised to see that he was stirring. He opened his light brown eyes and looked over at her. She smiled gently at him before brushing his bangs from his eyes. He returned her smile with a weary one of his own.

"Do you...remember the battle?" He looked back at her and nodded.

"I... I am surprised that I...am still alive." She took a cool cloth and wiped the sweat from his forehead before dipping it back into the water. "Who are you?" He asked quietly; his voice barely above a whisper.

"My name is Sango." She answered. However, she knew that she had left part of the question out. So, she would answer him. "I am a taiji-ya. The last one living."

"You must be...a priestess, as well. I can...tell that you..." He began coughing and breathing unevenly. She made a soothing sound and tried to settle him down. His wounds may have been healed, but the extent of his exhaustion and discomfort was his blood loss.

"Actually, my powers...came after the Shikon no Tama shattered." She confessed. "Now, try and get some rest."

"Thank you, Sango..." He trailed off as he fell back into unconsciousness. She looked at his missing arm. He reminded her of someone.

"How is he?" She looked up at Sesshoumaru when he entered. He had left his pelt with their things in one of the inn rooms and dressed in something less royal and regal.

"He is in good hands." She gave him a small frown. "His arm will never grow back but I have a feeling that he will do okay, even without it." The Taiyoukai smirked slightly.

"He will be fine." Speaking from experience, the youkai knew that it wasn't a cake walk. He knew that he got frustrated, angry, and even more emotionally withdrawn. "There will be more than one breaking point in his adjustment to the situation."

"I know." She whispered. "He can do it. I have a lot of faith in him." He smiled and tipped her head up with a hand under her chin.

"That is why I fell in love with you." He leaned down and kissed her softly before pulling away. He turned his head toward the door. "Another search party is bringing someone else. Do you wish for the miko's help?"

"I am going to need a break to get my strength back." So, they were told that Kagome would handle it. Sango went to her room at the inn and lay down in bed. She was exhausted.

If this keeps up, I am going to need two days of rest...

She snuggled into the blankets. The pillow was so soft that she just could not resist the temptation to sleep.

XxXxX

A strange sound woke her up from her deep sleep. She lay there for a moment, trying to fathom where she was. She had been so tired that she had no idea how long she slept. She blinked and sat up, rubbing her eyes. The strange sound was repeated and she stood up on shaky legs, going outside to see what was making the noise. It led her to the part of the battlefield that they had not cleaned up yet. She saw a woman digging through bodies, tears cascading down her face and blood, youkai and human alike, covering her entire body.

"Excuse me..." Sango walked closer and the woman whirled around with wide eyes, panting heavily. "N-No need to be afraid. My name is Sango." The name seemed to calm her down a bit. "What are you doing out here?"

"I am looking for my son." Her blue eyes were fastened on Sango's face. "He...wasn't with the injured or the treated people. I cannot find him anywhere! I must know..."

"If the search parties did not find him, then I doubt he is alive." The taiji-ya said softly. "I sent at least ten groups out there to look for survivors." The mother fell to her knees and bent over, her dark hair falling into her face and screening Sango's vision of the tears that she was shedding from her loss. "I am sorry but...perhaps we will find him tomorrow. Now is the time to get yourself together and rested for the hard truths that will come with this." She kneeled down next to the mourning woman and put her arm around her shoulders. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and put to bed."

XxXxX

How was chapter 22? This is only going to get more action-packed with a romantic part or two...or three mixed in. Thank you so much for staying with me this far and reviewing. I love to hear your opinions, so...keep 'em coming!