Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters; however I do own this work of fiction so please ask before posting it elsewhere. Nightingale is owned by Norah Jones.

Title: We Shouldn't

Author: rembrandt77

Genre: Romance/Angst/Humor (A weird combination I know)

Pairings: Inuyasha/Sango

Description: Possibly a short work of fiction

Dear Readers,

I apologize for my extreme lateness in updating this story. I'm not good with deadlines at all, being the last minute person I am, and wish your patience. At first I planned on leaving it a one shot, but so many of you really liked it so I decided to add on. I'm not sure how long this fic will be, though I don't plan on having some 20-chapters. Maybe it will be a sort of novella. What do you think?

Your not so faithful author,

Madame Adieu

We Shouldn't

Nightingale, sing us a song -

Of a love that once belonged.

Nightingale, tell me your tale -

Was your journey far too long?

-Norah Jones

"It's a girl! I have a baby girl!" Kazuo settled his daughter in the crook of his arm, smiling as her tiny fist caught hold of his finger. He had almost lost her, his first child.

"She looks just like her momma." The midwife commented, patting the baby's nose with the pad of her finger. "A fine wife she'll be too. I can feel it in my bones." The woman smiled while saying a prayer, and waved her hand over the baby's forehead. "Have you decided on a name Kazuo?"

The muscular man frowned. "Not yet…" His wife was still asleep, and he wanted her input. After all –she had done all the work. "Kohaku and I were thinking of Midoriko – after the Priestess."

The old woman dipped a rag in a pot of water to cool Kohaku's face. "A very noble name, yes…but your daughter is special. She needs a name that suits her spirit, and is hers alone. I can see it in the child's eyes. She'll be a fighter."

Kohaku, tired of feigning sleep, smiled from her futon. Child labor had been hard on her, and she could still feel blood seeping from between her thighs. "I couldn't agree with you more. What would you suggest?"

The midwife was surprised to see the young woman awake, but kept scolding at bay and rubbed her chin. "Names say much about who you are. It should be strong, yet feminine."

Kohaku rubbed her necklace between her fingers, tugging lightly at the leather strap. She had wanted to name the child after her mother, but Kazuo had never been on very good terms with the stubborn woman. She smiled lightly. This makes me wonder why he chose me…

"Dear girl…what is that you have there? It's beautiful."

Kohaku looked up at the midwife, who was pointing to her chest. "This?" She flipped the abstractly shaped charm between her fingers. "It's coral. My mother's wedding present from my father. She wore it when she delivered me… I thought I would honor her memory… and do the same with my child." Kohaku tried her best not to cry. Her mother had been so dear to her; if only she had lived another year to see her first grandchild.

"Coral is it?" The old woman looked closer at the dark red amulet. It was quite beautiful, and almost matched Kohaku's eyes – which she now shared with her daughter. "Sango…"

Kohaku looked up at the older woman. "Sango?"

The midwife smiled softly at the handsome couple as Kazuo laid the tiny baby in his wife's arms. "It means coral…in memory of your mother."

Kohaku studied the baby while Kazuo sat behind her, arms around her waist. "Our Sango…"

Five Years Later -

"Is it here yet Father? Is it here?" A little girl with deep brown hair rushed into the room, her pet cat on her shoulder. "Do I get a baby brother or sister now?"

Kazuo sighed; grey hairs were already visible around his temples. "Be patient Sango. The baby will come in due time." He stood and lifted his daughter in the air, setting her on his shoulders. "We mustn't be so loud, remember? Mamma needs peace and quite."

Sango frowned, playing with her father's ponytail. "Yes I remember. Mamma scolded me this morning. She's been really cranky."

Kazuo laughed and set his daughter down, patting her rear. "It's the baby. He keeps her up at night. Now go play with your friends. I'll call you when it's time."

Sango watched her father continue to smooth a large demon bone. He always referred to the baby as a boy. She wondered if he would be right and she would get a brother. Either way it did not matter much to her. Sango was lonely being the only child, and it would be nice finally having someone to play with.

"Father?"

Kazuo gritted his teeth, working his hands into the bone as sweat dripped down his forehead. "Yes Sango."

"What will we name the baby?"

"I don't know yet. Your mother and I didn't name you until after you were born."

Sango brushed dirt off the tip of her sandal. "Oh."

Kazuo sat back on his legs, admiring his handiwork - the Hiraikotsu. It would be his new son's weapon, once he was older of course. Only the very skilled taijiya were able to wield it.

"Father?"

Kazuo turned to his daughter. He had forgotten she was still there. "Yes, Sango? What is it?"

"Can we name the new baby Kilalah?"

Kazuo raised an eyebrow. "Kilalah? Isn't that the name of your-"

"Master Kazuo! Master Kazuo!" A thin man with scrawny legs ran down the beaten path, once or twice tripping over his own feet. "It's time! The baby!"

Kazuo smiled as he quickly grabbed Sango and followed the man to the village. "Your brother's coming Sango! Let's go!"

When they made it to the village, Kazuo left Sango with the village elders and immediately headed for the birthing tent.

"Father! Wait for-"

"Come child, this isn't a place for you." The old man grabbed Sango's hand to pull her away, but the sounds of grunting and screaming caused the entire crowd to grow still.

Sango ripped her hand from his grasp. What was that sound? She tried to urge forward, but too many villagers stood in her way. "Um…excuse me…I need to see my mother…"

Suddenly the screaming stopped, and whispers slowly began to erupt from the crowd.

"What happened?"

"The baby hasn't cried yet…they always cry."

"She had a hard time with her first child. Shouldn't the second be easier?"

"Do you think she…?"

Sango was confused. Normally when babies were going to be born, everyone was happy. Had something bad happened? She pushed her way through the crowd and ran into the tent.

"Mamma! Mamma!" Her tiny feet skidded to a halt as a deep, musky smell invaded her nose. She could see her father sitting next to her mother, head in his hands and a tiny baby on his lap. "Father?" She ventured further, staring at the baby. "Father…why is the baby bloody…" She reached her hand slowly, setting it on her father's shoulder. "Papa?"

Kazuo felt a presence next to him, and a tiny hand clutching his shirt. Papa? He fixed his eyes on her…his eldest…his daughter. She only called him 'papa' when she was frightened. "Sango." His voice broke, tears burning his eyes.

Sango was incredulous. Her father never cried. Ever. "Papa…the baby…and Mamma…"

"…Sango…"

"Mamma!" The young brunette scurried to her mother's side, tears blurring her vision. She tried wiping them away. "Mamma…are you okay? The baby is bloody and Papa is crying and I don't know what to do!"

Kohaku smiled, her eyelids drooping. My Sango…always so helpful. She will be a good mother. "Did I ever tell you… how you got your name?"

Sango sniffed. "Um…I don't think so."

Kohaku moved her daughter's tiny hand and placed it on her chest. "See this necklace? Your grandmother wore it when she gave birth to me, and I wore it when I gave birth to you."

Sango inspected the long, angular object. It was a deep reddish brown, and had a rough texture. She thought it was very pretty.

Kohaku watched her daughter's eyes light up. She may have acted like a little tomboy, but she loved jewelry. The woman tried to chuckle, but it came out more like a cough.

"Mamma?"

"I'm fine." Kohaku managed a smile. "Do you…know what it is made out of?"

Sango shook her head and returned her eyes to the necklace, though she was more concerned with her mother then the piece of jewelry.

"It's coral…very rare coral. Your grandfather found it on a beach very far from here. He gave it to your grandmother as a wedding present, and then she gave it to me."

Sango tried to envision her grandfather and grandmother. She had never met them, since they died before she had the chance.

Kohaku began coughing again, and Kazuo was at her side in an instant. She shooed his hands away and clutched Sango's shoulders. "Daughter…always remember that you are just like this necklace. You will do great things some day…"

Sango nodded, alarmed at her mother's grip, and then at the fact that those same hands were now weakly slipping down her arms.

"Remember my little girl…you're a fighter…" Kohaku smiled a bit. "And take care of your brother. He'll need your strength."

Tears flowed freely down Sango's face when she decided not to fight them. What did her mother mean? Why would she need to take care of her brother? "Mamma…I don't-"

Kohaku grasped her daughter's hand. "You will…." Slowly, her eyelids lowered and she smiled one last time.

"Kohaku…no…Kohaku…no...no…" Kazuo held his wife's face between his trembling hands. "Sweetheart…come on…"

Sango dropped her mother's hand and watched her father, hoping he could do something to wake her up. "Papa…why won't mamma open her eyes…please make her…please…" He continued to ignore her, clutching his wife's face and whispering, sometimes screaming words that might bring her back to him. It was then that the baby began to cry, so Sango walked over to the straw basinet and peered inside.

Take care of your brother. He'll need your strength.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, the five year old reached into the basket and held the baby to her chest. He was heavier than she thought, so she sat on the floor and rocked back and forth. "Hush now…it's alright. I don't have a momma anymore either…and I'm not crying…" She sniffed, rocking harder, trying to keep the tears at bay. She had to be strong, that was what her mother wanted.

The baby began to drift to sleep, tired of crying, so Sango set him down on the wooden floor and lied next to him, using her arm as a pillow. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, the mournful cries of a distraught father her only lullaby.

I don't want to be a fighter. I don't want to take care of my brother. I want you to take care of him Mamma! I want you to take care of me too…

I don't want to be strong…but I guess I have to.

Humming – she could hear it faintly. Where was it coming from?

Sango awoke slowly. The tiny coral necklace felt like dead weight against her chest. She hid it beneath her slayer uniform, so no one noticed. She didn't feel like explaining it. She was tired of explaining herself to people.

Nightingale sing us a song…of a love that once belonged…

There it was again, but something told her it was all in her head. She had a lot of things swimming through there at the moment. If she wasn't completely sure of her sanity, one would think she was delusional.

There was someone next to her. She had felt it for some time, wrapping and cleaning her wounds, but the weariness from blood loss gave her little energy to do anything other than contemplate the situation. Even opening her eyes had become a chore! She soon gave up, becoming completely content in laying still and feeling a slight breeze brush the bangs from her forehead. She began to imagine that it wasn't the air but fingers, lightly patting her damp skin. Manly, calloused fingers...

Inuyasha checked the taijiya's temperature. She was sweating much more then normal. Definitely signs of a fever… He dunked a rag into a bowl of rain water, and rung it out. Where was the monk? Shouldn't this be his job? True, he hadn't actually claimed the woman, but it was obvious he meant to. Inuyasha glowered as he sat, twisting the rag angrily between his fingers.

"Is Sango… okay?" Kagome entered the tiny cave, dark strands of her hair clung to her face in wet clumps. "Miroku found some dry firewood…I couldn't carry any with my…" Her gaze traveled to her tightly bandaged wrist. "He told me to come back and check on you two."

Inuyasha scowled, and dropped the rag into the bowl again. "What'd he say that for? It's not like I'm the lecher."

Kagome slumped down next to him. "I don't think he meant it like that. He's just worried about Sango, that's all." She watched the hanyou nod, and wondered if he truly understood the monk's feelings for the taijiya. You think he would after being with Kikyou…

"Well tell him she's fine." Inuyasha checked the slayers temperature again, and placed his haori around her. "He better hurry with that firewood though." He watched the miko, out of the corner of his eye, nod and leave. It was strange, but he felt somewhat relieved to be released from her scrutiny. The way she stared at him…

"Hmmm…" Sango twisted underneath the hanyou's coat. "C-cold." She managed to open one eye, seeing a canopy of silver hair. Forget about sanity, now she knew she was delusional. "In…yasha." A face came into view. Two golden eyes observed her carefully, and two rough but gentle hands steadied her head. His mouth moved, but she couldn't hear the words. Sango tried to read his lips, but in doing so became strangely entranced with his fangs. She had never really paid much attention to them before. Pretty…and shiny…

"Sango, can you hear me? Sango?" Inuyasha patted her cheek, careful of his claws. She seemed to be in a daze or distracted, with what he was uncertain. "Hey? Are you hearin' me?" He leaned in closer, almost touching the tip of her nose with his.

With his fangs gone from her view, Sango remembered where she was and what she was doing. "Inu…yasha?" She spoke hoarsely, and then coughed into her hand, jerking her head forward and knocking his chin.

"Ow! Idiot!" The hanyou spoke more harshly then planned, but it hadn't seemed to affect the girl. He rubbed the sore spot on his chin. "You okay?"

Sango barely had the chance to acknowledge the dull throb of her forehead when the piercing ache in her side screamed louder. She wanted to lie back down. She wanted to sleep.

Inuyasha seemed to read her thoughts. "Stupid girl. You moved too fast. Probably reopened your wounds." He put a hand at the base of her neck and slowly eased her to the ground, making sure to find something soft as a pillow. His lap would have to do for now.

Sango noticed a soft blush graze his cheeks as he settled back against the cave wall. She wondered what was embarrassing him so much that he would show it. Normally when emotions were involved, Inuyasha stuck to two – anger and aloofness. However, when Sango realized where he was moving her, and where her head was going, her own cheeks burned brighter then his.

"Are you still cold?" His voice was soft and it made Sango shiver.

"A little…but I'll manage." She was happy to have found her voice, but her neck was starting to cramp. Sango moved a bit, trying to find a more comfortable position and not disturb the hanyou in the process.

"When Kagome comes back, I'll ask her for a pillow." Inuyasha looked toward the mouth of the cave, anything to keep his attention away from the girl in his lap. Why was she making him so nervous? It was just Sango.

"Okay." Sango tried to stare elsewhere, anything that could keep her attention from the hanyou above her. She had never really been so close to Inuyasha, and it was making her nervous.

Inuyasha held his breath as Sango re-adjusted her head. He couldn't believe he was doing this. What would Kagome say when she came back – or Miroku? "Would you stop moving around? Jeez! I'm not gonna freakin' molest you!"

Sango blushed. "It's not that…I'm just a little uncomfortable." She looked up at him, only to find him staring back down at her, and quickly looked away. "I knew you wouldn't try anything…it's not in your character…"

Inuyasha wondered what she though was in his character. It did relieve him a bit though, to think that the taijiya might actually trust him. That would be a big change from when they first met. "Yeah. Whatever. Just quit moving."

Sango was about to nod, but figured that would upset him too. She chose to stay silent, until Kagome came. Her wounds were sticking to the bandages, and they were starting to itch. Even though it was still raining, Sango desperately wanted a bath. "Inuyasha?"

"What."

She smiled a bit as his ears twitched. "Do you think…once Kagome returns…I could maybe…take a bath?"

The hanyou snarled. "Are you an idiot! You can't bathe in this weather!"

Sango frowned. From where she was sitting, the mouth of the cave was out of her view, but she could hear the rain drops splattering against the ground. "I don't mean to get undressed." Her face reddened. "I just wanted to rinse this dried blood off…some of it's not even mine…"

"Alright."

Sango tried her best to look into his eyes, but he kept them guarded. "What?"

"I said alright!" They both were surprised by his outburst. Fortunately, Inuyasha quickly caught his breath and regained as much composure as he usually had, which was normally very little. His forehead creased. "I'll take you though. You're in no condition to be frolicking around, or whatever it is you girls do, and Kagome's wrist needs to heal."

Sango was about to thank him when Miroku and Kagome entered; shivering and soaked.

"Sango! You're awake…" Miroku trailed off, looking suspiciously at Inuyasha, who countered by looking aloof as ever. The monk was surprised to see the taijiya resting in the lap of the caustic hanyou. He tried to convince himself that it was no more then a friendly gesture, from one comrade to another, but he was failing – miserably.

"How are you feeling?" Kagome rushed past the frozen monk and knelt next to her friend. She ignored Inuyasha entirely, knowing that demons could smell emotions like perfume, and didn't want to see the look on his face when he realized the extent of her jealously. This is my friend…this is my friend…this is my friend… Kagome battled her inward war of walking away or grabbing the hanyou by the hair and ripping him away from the other brunette. C'mon…Sango wouldn't hurt me on purpose…She probably doesn't even know I'm upset.

Sango wanted to hide beneath Inuyasha's haori when Miroku and Kagome just stared at her. Though knowing she had done nothing wrong, she still felt strangely guilty. Maybe it was the look of pure hurt on her best friend's face. Sango knew the brunette was stuck on the half-demon, and the last thing she wanted to do was get between them. Miroku, on the other hand, still smiled his friendly/mischievous smile, having yet to find an opportune time to grope her. That was what scared her. It was Miroku's way of recoiling.

Inuyasha had noticed it too, and was angered at the way they were overeating. "Would you quit freakin' starting like that! Jeez! What was I supposed to do? Leave her on the ground?"

Sango would have slapped her forehead if her arms weren't so sore. Leave it to him to be discreet.

Kagome bristled at his tone, but softened at his words. He was just trying to help. He was being kind. She smiled. "Yes, that was nice of you. I think I have an extra pillow in my bag, if Sango would rather use that."

Miroku, who hadn't completely bought Inuyasha's story, decided it was best not to hold anything against Sango. Although, he would have preferred it if her head had been in his lap.

Sango rolled her eyes as she took notice of Miroku's suspicious looking grin. At least he's back to normal. She smiled a bit and felt a strong hand on her shoulder, lifting her into a sitting position. She knew who it was without having to look.

"Sango's gonna do us all a favor and wash this crap off herself."

"Inuyasha!"

"What?"

Kagome glared heatedly at the hanyou. "Jerk! First you offer your help - then you insult her!"

The half demon shrugged. "I'm being honest. She freakin' reeks."

Miroku dropped the front of his staff on Inuyasha's head. "Yes, well…she's in no condition to go alone. I will escort her."

Inuyasha flexed his fingers and rubbed the bump on his head. Idiot monk. He glanced at Sango, judging her reaction to the Houshi's proposal. He would have felt more comfortable going himself. Miroku was a good man, but his wandering hands would not help the taijiya recover, and probably only make her worse.

"Houshi-sama…" Sango felt a blush erupting at his constant gaze. "What about your leg?"

Miroku looked away. He had forgotten about that. "I…"

"Just stay here monk. I'll take her and search for food while I'm at it." Already on his feet, Inuyasha peered down at Sango to see if she disagreed. "We better go now before the rain kicks up again." Leaning down, he easily scooped the taijiya up in his arms, much to her embarrassment, and flew out of the cave.

Kagome sat dejectedly against a rough wall, staring out into the darkening sky. "Miroku?"

The monk, who had sat down in the same manner, was drawing figures with a stick in the loose ground below. "Yes?"

"Are they acting…weird?"

Thunder rumbled in the distance, sounding like a kittens purr. The Houshi sighed. "I guess it all depends…on what your definition of weird is I suppose."

Kagome nodded, straightening the wrinkles that seemed to forever haunt her skirt. "Yeah. I guess so."

Chapter 2 complete! I know most of you are saying, "Finally!" Thank you for your patience, and expect the next chapter to be out in the next year or so…ah ha