-1Taka sneered. This was becoming quite troublesome. That stupid Houshi was stealing all his spot light, and it was truly aggravating. Sango had been blushing and mumbling nervously around him, and the bastard monk just kept sending him smug glares when Sango wasn't looking. He was enjoying her adorable cuteness, because he forced it upon her. Lucky prick.

"Sango," Taka stated warmly. "Why don't you ride with me on Kurai?" He gestured to the open space in front of him on the enormous tiger-demon's back. The white fur looked so fluffy and soft, like a cloud. Sango eagerly hopped off Kirara, leaving Miroku in the dust. She climbed onto Kurai, feeling his warmth between her legs. It comforted her to be on an old companion.

Miroku glared. Taka smirked. He threw his arms around Sango's shoulders, hugging her from behind. Sango blushed and clenched the white fur between her fingers. It sure was soft and warm, but Taka's embrace was warmer. This time, it was her face that got hot.

InuYasha growled. He couldn't help it. Taka made him uneasy. He had been thinking, and it made no sense. His story didn't check out. If he had really looked everywhere for Sango, he would have come across Keade's village eventually. Then, a villager surely would remember a girl clad in such strange clothes. It seemed like he had just randomly come across the group, and it made InuYasha queasy.

"Can we stop soon?" Kagome yawned, stretching from InuYasha's back. "I'm tired."

InuYasha sighed, "Aren't you always?"

"Shut up. Just stop."

InuYasha obliged. Taka, Sango and Miroku also landed, jumping off their demons. Kagome immediately took a blanket from her back pack, and laid it down. She curled up into it like a caterpillar in a cocoon. InuYasha chuckled. She was so cute. He sat against the tree by her, and folded his arms and legs. Soon, he too had dozed off to sleep.

"Sango," Taka smiled. "I need to make a proposition with you."

Sango blinked at him quizzically. "What is it Taka-kun?"

Miroku cringed. He did so every time she called him that. It was annoying.

Taka grasped her hands in his. He stared into her eyes deeply, a serious expression etched on his face.

"Sango if you choose me, which I hope you will, I want to marry you."

Sango blushed and looked away. "I know."

"But we're going to need jobs, yes? Well, people here are beginning to be able to defend themselves against demons. We're to be put out of business. But, on the continent, demons are running rampant. We would have better lives their, and our children would be raised well."

"You're suggesting we move to the continent?!" Sango exclaimed. But that meant she would never see Miroku again!

Taka looked down at her. "Why? Is that a problem?"

"N-no but it's so far away…. Won't it be expensive?!" she tried to make excuses not to go. She didn't want to leave! She had grown up here! Besides, she didn't know Chinese!

Taka chuckled, "Do not fear my dear." He pulled a giant sack of yen out of his kimono. "I've been saving."

Sango looked at Miroku, trying to gauge his reaction. He seemed fine with it…But was he really?

"I'll think about it."

Taka smiled big. "Great!" He hugged her tightly. "Trust me. You'll be happy there."

Sango fake smiled. How could she if Miroku wasn't going to be there?

Miroku tore Sango away from Taka.

"We'll see how that works." He pulled her into a hug around the waist. "Who knows? Maybe she'll go with me. Then you can run off to China by yourself. And leave her in my care."

Sango could sense a certain anger in his voice, like he was warning Taka to back off. She honestly didn't know who to pick but she really didn't want to go to the continent. She stared at her feet. God this was stressful.

"Excuse me," she mumbled, tearing away from the both of them. She ran off to the forest to think. The men watched her go, then turned their heads to glare at each other. The two where sending mental blame towards the other, as if it were the opposite person's fault she left.

"Don't you dare spy monk," Taka snapped, turning toward the direction Sango left. He walked through the bushes, a determined look on his face. "I'm going to make her mine."

Miroku felt the color drain from his face. "W-what do you mean by that?!"

"I'm going to take her. Again. What? You thought she was a virgin?" Taka threw his head back and laughed. "I think not. Years ago, we were messing around by a river and it led to a little something more. The humorous part is that when I took Sango to that spot, she claims it is where you proposed to her. Ironic, eh?"

Miroku blinked in disbelief. His precious Sango was…tainted? He had wanted to do that! And it was at the most special place in Japan?! The place where he had pledged his love to her, told her he had wanted to spend the rest of his life with her?! He couldn't believe it…

Taka laughed again, and left. Miroku stared at his bare feet. Damn.

Sango sat by a tree in a clove of flowers. She hugged her knees, and stared at a lily on the ground. It sprouted up in the middle of a bunch of daisies, random and beautiful. Sango felt tears pool in her eyes. She stared at it, remembering the incident where Kohaku had brought her lilies. He had the cutest and warmest smile, and it made her so happy….But now he was traveling around on his own. Who even knew if he was alive anymore?

Sango jumped. A man sat next to her. The familiar green amour and black body suit gave her all the information she needed.

"Hi Taka," she sighed, sad. Taka placed his hand under her jaw and turned her head to face him. He was smiling that loving, warming, beautiful smile that only Kohaku had been able to give. So far. Sango felt butterflies erupt in her stomach, as her lip trembled. Tears flowed from her eyes, cutting rivers into her cheeks. She pulled him to her and cried into his chest, her arms wrapped around his torso.

Taka looked down at her, a sad frown of his lips. He stroked her hair gently.

"What's wrong Sango?"

Sango sniffed, trying to regain control of herself. "I-it's just K-Kohaku…I can't stop thinking about him. I…I-I don't even know if he's alive anymore and…and I just-" she sobbed, choking on her words.

"Shh…" Taka cooed softly. "Don't speak such nonsense." He pulled her away from his body and placed his hands on her forearms, staring her in the eye. "Your brother is a demon slayer, like you and me. You should have faith in his abilities Sango. He learned from the best. He will live through this hell, and he will join our family, safe and sound."

Sango sniffed and sobbed again. "Y-yes your right…" She wiped her tears, then smiled at him. "Thank you Taka. You're really good at cheering me up."

He smiled his heart melting smile again. "Your welcome." He leaned down and kissed her lightly. Sango returned the kiss more passionately. She held the back of his neck with her hand, pulling him closer. He broke away and looked into her chocolate brown eyes, asking for permission. Sango gave him a small nod in response, blushing. Taka crashed his lips into hers, causing her to yelp in surprise. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, and their tongues danced behind each other's lips. They gasped for breath as sadness turned to passion. Clothes started to be removed, thrown to the side.

Miroku watched from behind a nearby tree. He hid his eyes behind his bangs, his mouth a thin line. A single tear slid from the corner of his eye, dripping under his chin. He looked up, revealing his eyes, a glare.

He would pay.

Sango took in a shaky, nervous breath from under Taka. "Take me. I don't care the consequences. I want to be with you. I want to marry. I want to move to China."

Taka smiled down at her.

"As you wish."

Review!! And don't worry, there's a happy ending. REVIEW!! Please. Thank you.