A/N: Thanks for the reviews/feedback! I'm certainly taking what you've said into account. Anyways, onto chapter 3. I really don't have much to say here except that Alaska is a really great place. I love it there- it's beautiful.

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha; duh. XD
Rated: Mature For mainly crude language, sexual references, and mature situations.

CHAPTER 3

The day was going by really slow. It was Saturday and I found that I was bored out of my mind. Kohaku kept himself entertained by playing video games and really didn't have much time for me.

"Hey, Kohaku?"

He cocked an eyebrow, not really looking up from the TV.

"Look here dipshit!"

He paused the game and gave me an irritated look.

"What?" he replied harshly.

"Never mind," I muttered crossly before getting up and exiting into the hallway.

I went into the bedroom and grabbed the camera that Kagura had given to me for Christmas last year. It was probably the single thing I had that was a valuable possession. I had seen it in the stores and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the price. The model was a few hundred dollars due to the fact that it was an SRL, but she happened to buy the most expensive one on the shelf. Now Kagura was one rich woman and she didn't mind wasting money on presents when buying them. She did everything in her power to make us happy- well everything that I allowed her to do.

For example, I wouldn't allow her to take us into her home. I told her we could fend for ourselves and live on our own. I mean, it was the first time I had ever met the woman and I certainly didn't want to move into her house. It was uncomfortable. Not only because of that though. I just didn't want to be a charity case. I was never one to accept help easily. I got that from my father.

Anyways, to make a long story short; she bought two apartments to make me happy. One for Kohaku and I, and the other for her to live in. She still owns her house and spends time there every weekend and on holidays. I often wonder what she's up to when she's there. I'd always been curious about that- but I never asked. She always invited us over to spend the holidays together, but I usually refused. Kohaku did the same because he didn't want to leave his sister behind.

I walked out into the living room. Kohaku was diligently playing his video game. I rolled my eyes at him and left the apartment.

I drove silently for a few minutes. I wondered how things would work when I went off to college. I wondered how Kohaku would feel about that. My whole life revolved around his future- I wanted him to be happy. I'd skip college if it meant that he'd get a chance to go. He needed it more than I did. He had such a brilliant mind. I'd drop out of school just for him- I really would.

When I parked in the parking lot of the state park I sighed tiredly. Life was so redundant. Everything was so repetitive…. It seemed so empty. It seemed so ridiculous. What was there really to life? What was there really?

Suddenly scared by my thoughts I got out of the car and draped the camera around my neck. I walked around the park silently allowing my eyes the pleasure of the natural feel of the place. As of recently, I'd found that photography had become a hobby of mine. I really enjoyed it. Taking pictures of nature had become something important to me. Just something about being outside and capturing moments so sporadic- moment's that weren't scheduled…. Moments that might never happen again. Oh, it drove me wild to be outside (no pun intended). It was just something that I really liked and I had realized that I enjoyed it because it was something I did for myself, something to make me happy.

As I carefully made my way down to the river bank I smiled, very thankful for Kagura. She had allowed me the opportunity to go to Alaska with her just this summer. It was really a beautiful place. That was where my obsession with taking picture of nature started. In fact, I enjoyed the time I spent down in one of the villages than the time I spent in the capital. The nature was just so overwhelming. It was one of my favorite places- even the mosquitoes couldn't deter me.

A twig snapped behind me and I whipped around taking a defensive stance. My face was suddenly engulfed in a blush when I realized that Kagome was standing there a few yards away at the top of the steep riverbank. Gees, was she everywhere I went? Freaking stalker. And how embarrassing to be caught at a state park taking pictures of scenery- what was going to happen to my image now?

In exasperation I was about to say something to her, but then suddenly I saw her loose her footing and slip down the steep bank. She tumbled mercilessly and I froze at seeing this. I hurried over to her limp form where it had halted, worried that she had hit a rock or two- I wouldn't be surprised due to the abundance of rocks. I gently rolled her onto her back.

"Kagome?" I was suddenly pissed with the big bulky camera that was swinging into her face. I removed the SRL from my neck annoyed at how it was getting in the way. I watched her face carefully seeing it crumple a bit in pain.

"Yo, are you ok?" my previous embarrassment gone.

Her eyes split open just a bit and she blushed.

"I always make a fool of myself around you."

"Kagome, are you ok?" I asked again as her eyes focused on mine.

"What the hell kind of question is that? Of course I'm not ok- does it look like I'm ok? I fell down a flipping mini-cliff," she began to rant. When she finally quieted down I gave her a peculiar look. She looked embarrassed and I smiled at her. She gave me a pained smile back.

"Where does it hurt then?" She immediately pointed at her ankle.

"Do you think you can walk on it?"

She shook her head and tears slipped down her cheeks suddenly. My heart ached at the sight of her pained blue eyes. Gees, eyes shouldn't be so blue….

"Are you here alone?"

"Ah, I think so. My mom had to take my brother to his soccer game down at the field," she muttered as she continued to cry. I helped her sit up allowing my hand to spread on her back. Her back happened to be soaked in what seemed to be water. I realized that she was sitting in a puddle and I frowned. It was way too cold to be sitting around outside all cold and wet.

"Look, ah, let me help you up and we can decide what to do as we get back up the bank," I said glancing along the muddy riverbank to see how far it was to the gentle part of the slope. I reached down and looped my arms around her torso and pulled her upwards. She was hanging on tightly and I sighed gently. It felt good to have her in my arms- great even.

"Don't forget your camera," she said, steadying herself with my shoulders as I bent down to pick it up.

With my arm around my waist and her arm around her shoulders we walked together (well, she was hobbling) silently. I couldn't help but notice the pounding of my heart in my chest- or the nervousness I was feeling. Kagome was also feeling discomfort, her cheeks were stained red her eyes were still losing tears.

"How about you ride with me to my apartment and I could take a look at your ankle if you don't think it's that serious," I offered as we made our way to my car. She nodded silently, looking like she was focusing very hard on not crying.

"Cool," I said, opening the door and easing her in.

I quietly got into the car and buckled my seatbelt.

"Gosh, I'm really sorry about this Sango," Kagome mumbled as she wiped at her tears. "I'm messing up your car and everything."

Despite it being an awesome car, I really didn't care much for it.

"I don't really care much about the car," I said tearing out of the parking lot.

"But I interrupted your photography too," she said quickly buckling her seatbelt. I smirked at her and her discomfort of my driving.

"Oh well," I shrugged, making a sharp right turn.

"You seem different."

My eyebrows furrowed as I tensed.

"Why do you say that?"

"Well you're not swearing every sentence you speak- and you're smiling," she said looking up at me.

I blushed, "Would you rather for me to do that?"

"No," she said hesitantly.

"Then don't complain." The ice was back in my voice.

She was silent along the rest of the way. As I helped her up the steps I sighed heavily, remembering that Kohaku had pissed me off before I left.

"Ah, fuck," I muttered, feeling my bad mood trying to make a comeback.

"I'm really sorry Sango," Kagome said again.

"It's not you," I snapped before unlocking the door.

I helped her in and Kohaku was still playing video games.

"Oh hey Kagome!" he said, with a smile.

"Shut the fuck up, and don't bother us," I grumbled as I pulled her along down the hallway.

Kohaku's face was immediately engulfed in a ridiculous blush. I noticed it and I'm pretty sure Kagome did too. I hoped that she wouldn't ask why, because when I thought back to it- it was pretty embarrassing. Once in the room I locked the door behind us by habit. I helped her take a seat on the bed before I disappeared into the bathroom for some pre-wrap and medical tape. When I returned to the room I found Kagome looking around curiously.

"Yo, do you want to take a shower?" I asked, causing her to jump.

"I don't think I can manage a shower right now," she spoke softly looking down at her lap. Her hair fell into her face and I blushed a bit. It should be a crime to be that cute- it really should.

"Would you rather just to change out of your clothes?"

She gave me a bewildered face which was accentuated by a cute blush.

"Gosh, look at you- thinking dirty thoughts. Of course I'll let you borrow my clothes or something until we get yours washed. Gees, did you think I'd make you lie on my bed naked or something?" I mumbled as I headed over to the dresser. As I was sifting through my clothes Kagome spoke.

"Sango… who are you dating?"

My eyebrows furrowed and I ignored her. I grabbed a shirt that I thought would be a good size for her.

"I'm sorry, that was pretty rude wasn't it?" her voice seemed strained.

"Ah, not really," I sighed as I moved onto finding her some shorts.

I hadn't really dated anyone since my last boyfriend my sophomore year. I didn't really like to talk about it. I didn't even like to think about it- it was painful. It was painful to even think about what I started doing after I was left alone…. After he died.

"I'm not dating anyone," I said feeling that numbness associated with thinking about things as such seep through me slowly. It ached- it was so empty, this feeling.

"I'm going to go get you some ice," I said handing her the clothes. Her face looked worried and her eyes were screaming the same thing at me. She regretted even bringing the subject up. I left quickly, not allowing her time to apologize.

I stepped into the kitchen.

"Are you messing around with her too?"

My eyes widened at Kohaku's accusing tone. His brown eyes were hard and dangerous.

"That's none of your business," I snapped. I wasn't in the mood for his little attitude today.

"God, Sango. She's freaking fifteen," he said looking exasperated. "Don't mess her up too."

"What the fuck do you mean by 'mess her up'?" I growled angrily, setting down the box of plastic bags that we had.

"I mean mess her up by just playing around with her. She's so-"

"Kohaku, get the hell out of my business. This doesn't concern you."

I turned around totally pissed. How dare he even assume that?! I hadn't done that in such a long time- and who was he to tell me what to do? He was fucking 14; he didn't have any right to be berating me on something that won't even happen.

"Sango, gosh. You're a fucking monster."

"Don't you fucking cuss at me you little bitch," I snarled at him. "Fuck you- always getting an attitude with me. I didn't do anything to you. Why do you always want to fucking argue with me?" My heart was pounding- I was getting really angry. He'd better back off if he knew what was good for him.

"Because you're nothing but trash! You fucking mess around with anything that walks! I'm sick of you always messing around with Kagura too!" He ran his hand through his brown bangs in frustration.

God, I knew it'd get to this subject. It was always Kagura with him. It was starting to annoy me.

"How many times do I have to say this to get this through your thick skull?! I don't fucking like Kagura! Never did, never will!"

"Then why are you two always flirting with each other, or hugging, or kissing!?"

I blushed and looked away.

"I don't know, Kohaku. Why don't you ask her? She's the one who comes onto me- I don't like anyone like that. But what does it matter to you?" I sighed tiredly.

He was silent, his face set in an angry position.

"God, I do everything for you Kohaku. Can't you see that? Can't you see how hard I work for you? Can't you see how much I care? When I said I was through with that crazy shit I'd been doing, I meant that I was through. I haven't brought anyone home since- why do you always…. Forget it," I mumbled feeling numb all over. It hurt to know that he wasn't thinking of me or my feelings at all. I was amazed at how lowly he thought of me.

"Sango, I'm sorry," he said looking at me with worried brown eyes.

"Whatever," I said filling the bag up with a good amount of ice. I walked past him and into the hallway, bumping into something on the way. A quiet yelp was issued and warm arms shot out and wrapped around me. I blushed when I realized that Kagome was hanging onto me for dear life. She had probably heard the whole conversation…. Or argument, whichever fits best.

I was suddenly embarrassed.

"Yo, how's your ankle?" I asked as she tried her best to steady herself against me. I gently wrapped an arm around her waist to help her out.

"God, look at how swollen it is," she stuttered out. She felt guilty about listening in- I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. However, I wasn't angry at her. I was just embarrassed…..

I led her out to the couch and got her into a comfortable sitting position. I sat down as well and pulled her leg up into my lap. I gently sat the ice on her ankle.

"So… ah- my clothes don't fit you at all," I said with a smirk at the fact that they were quite baggy. The shorts looked weird on her too.

"Ha ha, I wasn't expecting them to. You're really tall and well built," she said with a gentle laugh.

I blushed, "Well built? What are you trying to say?"

"Ah, nothing," she stuttered. "Just that your muscles are… really there, you know? And… ah…."

"And?" I loved messing with her.

She blushed and looked away.

"Yo, Kohaku can you throw her clothes in the wash?" I asked, ignoring her. I think I kind of knew what she was going to say. I was developed as a woman as well. I wasn't going to try and be modest- I had a hot body.

He gave me an apologetic look and left the living room instantly.

"God, if he's gonna be fucking looking at me like that all day, then I might as well go back to the stupid park."

"Do you guys argue like that all the time?"

"Oh, I don't know," I sighed, lifting the bag of ice to look at her ankle. "I don't think you broke it or anything. It's probably just bruised." I set the bag back down.

"Thank you Sango," she said with a tired sigh.

"Huh? For this?"

"Yeah, thanks."

I shrugged and was silent for a while.

"What about you? Are you dating anyone?"

She blushed, and was obviously surprised that I even asked that question.

"Well, um no; but Koga asked me out on a date."

I felt my right eyebrow lift.

"You're kidding right? Koga?"

"Nope, I'm not kidding," she said with a smile.

"God, Kagome… I don't think that's such a good idea…."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, I don't know really. I mean first of all there's Ayame, who thinks Koga's her boyfriend but he's not. Plus he's a total prick."

"He was pretty nice to me on Thursday," she said with a contemplating look.

"Well, whatever. My opinion doesn't really matter," I said with a soft chuckle.

Kagura stepped into the apartment, catching me off guard. Usually I heard when someone unlocked the door.

"Oh… uh, hey Kagome," she said quite startled by the girl's presence. She gave me a questioning glance and I blushed hot red. Was everyone thinking that I was screwing Kagome?

"Hey Kagura," Kagome said with a smile.

"What brings you here?"

Kagome blushed and Kagura's mouth fell open.

"Oh dear," Kagura stammered.

"Oh, for the love of-" I started.

"I hurt my ankle and Sango brought me here to help me out," Kagome cut in with embarrassment evident in her voice.

"Oh, ok," Kagura said with a gentle laugh. "For a moment there I had started regretting asking the question."

I covered my face with my hands, embarrassed off of my ass. Kagome was going to think I was a total whore or something.

"God Kagura, do you ever shut your fucking mouth?"

"Whoa, bad mood much?"

"She's had a rough day," Kagome said laughing.

"Rough? Ha, this was actually one of the most relaxing days I've ever had," I scoffed thinking about how hectic my life really was.

"You ready to start work tomorrow?" Kagura asked as she set down a few grocery bags.

"Ah, yeah- I'm really excited," Kagome smiled.

"Are you sure you want to start work with a bad ankle?"

"Hopefully it won't hurt so badly tomorrow," she smiled with a great hope in her eyes. "Sango, what do you think?"

I was still struggling with the blush on my cheeks. What if Kagome started asking questions about my past more than she has? I don't think I could handle it. I don't think I'd be able to face her after she found out.

"I think you should stay off of it for a while," I said standing and placing her leg back on the couch. "I'm going out."

Kagome stared me down looking a bit disappointed at the idea of me departing. It was the better thing to do though. If I didn't isolate myself in a few minutes, all the emotion of reminiscing about my life was going to seep out in a not so friendly way. I couldn't have that. I couldn't have Kagome feel the wrath of my emotions.

I retrieved my camera and left the house in a rush.

Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear what you think about this story so far (ya know, stuff you like and stuff you don't like.)
Review please!
-Enigmatic Ethereality