Here's the next chapter. It's a short one, but it's a significant scene in the story. I see I've been getting a lot of hits on these chapters, but barely any reviews at all. A little input would be nice on your thoughts of this story. Is it good, does it need improvement? Anything (except stupid bashings) would be nice. I know I can speak for most all the author's here when I say reviews really help said author's to continue their stories. Thanks for reading this (if you did), and enjoy the next chapter! I don't own the characters, yada yada, just the plotline and Shinata.

"Shinata can I see your injuries?" Sango asked the young girl. Shinata half-smiled and pulled up her yukata to reveal a rather large gash on her right leg. There were several other scratches and cuts, considerably less serious than the one on her leg. Sango cringed at the sight of the cut, but quickly wiped it off her face and put on a smile for Shinata.

"I know what'll cure this." The slayer pulled out the medicinal herbs the doctor had given her and took out a pouch with many different colored, crushed herbs. She added a cream to them and mixed it in her hand.

"This may sting a bit." Sango smeared some on the cut, eliciting a sharp intake of air from Shinata. Sango smiled.

"Be brave. You can handle it." After she was done dressing the wound she set to wrapping the leg and tending to Shinata's other surface wounds. Soon Sango was done and set to searching the decimated village for anything she could use. Everywhere she turned, there were either dead bodies of humans and animals or piles of debris covering the road she walked on. Spotting a large house ahead to her right, she motioned for Shinata to follow her and jogged towards the house. Through the piles of wood and belongings scattered around, she found a katana in the house and quite a bit of money. She placed it in a pouch and turned to Shinata, who was still following behind her.

"I think this is all we'll be able to get from here. There were no other houses like this in the village. We'll go to the next big town and spend the night there so we can get some proper rest." Shinata smiled happily at Sango.

"I know where a big town is. It's not too far from here. We'll be in the outskirts and farming areas just before dinner time." It was Sango's turn to smile and she motioned for Shinata to lead the way.

After the village was out of sight, Shinata began to wonder about Kohaku and wonder why he had made her come find his sister instead of going with him.

"Sango-sama? About Kohaku. What exactly did he mean by telling me to find you? He said you could explain it to me." Sango's back stiffened a little bit as she recalled the memories of Kohaku killing countless people in the name of Naraku. Sango took a deep breath.

"Well Shinata, it all started when the demon Naraku possessed Kohaku. He forced Kohaku to kill my father and comrades when we were on a mission. It was all a set by Naraku to wipe out the demon slayers. I was attacked by Kohaku as well, but survived. The guards at the castle we were working in killed Kohaku, thinking he had gone mad. When I came to, I overheard the lord of the castle talking to Naraku about who had killed the rest of my village. Naraku lied and said it was a hanyou by the name of Inuyasha. He wanted me to kill Inuyasha so no one could stop him. I battled him but found out the truth before the battle got too out of hand. We went to the nearest village and found it had been destroyed as well, but it was Kohaku that had killed them all. Since then, I have seen him occasionally, and each time I try to talk to him, Naraku tightens his grip on Kohaku's soul and makes Kohaku fight me. Then, just as quickly as he appears, Kohaku disappears back to Naraku's castle, wherever that is." Sango said shakily. She had never actually told anyone Kohaku's full story before, and this first time was doing numbers on her emotions. Shinata twisted her face in confusion.

"But you said Kohaku died? How did he come back to life?"

"Naraku used a shard of the sacred Shikon Jewel and implanted it in his back. If the shard is taken out, Kohaku will die. That's why I'm fighting Naraku. I have to save Kohaku from that monster." Sango said through gritted teeth. Shinata, sensing Sango's rage, fell silent, not wishing to provoke bitter memories of Naraku or Kohaku anymore. Shinata stopped near the top of a hill they came upon. Sango stopped before she ran into the young girl.

"Shinata?"

"Sango-sama, teach me how to fight and defend myself. I want to help fight Naraku." Sango was taken aback. Shinata actually was still concerned about Kohaku? Most any other person would have run away by now, scared that their life would be taken away when Naraku showed up again.

"Okay, I'll teach you, but understand this. It took me years to learn how to develop my skills. You will be learning in a fraction of the time. I'm not going to hold back when we spar either, understand?" Shinata nodded eagerly, ready to learn all she could.

"We will start in the morning, after we've had some food and sleep. I can see the village from here. Let's go." Sango took the lead towards the village where some much needed food and rest awaited them.

Well, that's it for now. I've had to adjust to my new class schedule, but if all goes well, there should be a new chapter every week. Thanks to all the reviewers! You guys are my inspiration!

At least 5 reviews garners the next chapter...