InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Darkness Within ❯ Strength ( Chapter 3 )

The group sat around the fire in Kaede's hut as Sango recounted the events that occurred to her during their separation. As she finished, Kagome jumped up and ran around to embrace Sango.

 

“Oh Sango!” Kagome wailed as she cried on her shoulder. “I had no idea! Why didn't you tell us?!” Kagome continued to cry as Sango and Miroku sat in shock. Inuyasha of course sat in the corner, his hands in his sleeves as he was deep in thought.

 

“Inuyasha, you're awfully quiet.” Miroku pointed out as the girls pulled apart to look at him. “Anything on your mind?” He asked as Inuyasha lifted his head and opened his eyes.

 

“It's nothing, I've just been thinking.” He stated as he turned his attention to Sango. “You know we'd never abandon you, don't you?”

 

“I, I thought I did.” Sango stuttered a reply. “It's just that pain, it engulfed me, the loneliness and cold just consumed me - body and soul” she explained. “I know you're all there for me and that you are my family, but I just couldn't shake that feeling.”

 

“You know he's going to try to use that against you again one day” Inuyasha continued as he leaned his head back against the wall and stared straight up. “He'll try to make you relive that pain, to hinder you and hopefully destroy you.”

 

“I know. I just have to find a way to get around it. He will not beat me again” Sango replied, strong as usual.

 

“It won't be that easy!” Inuyasha yelled back. “He won't be attacking you physically, he'll be attacking you where you are most vulnerable, and where he's hurt you before - he'll be attacking your heart!”

 

“Inuyasha stop!” Kagome yelled, as she saw Sango clearly upset. “We'll figure something out. Besides, we're not going after him again until we're all better.” she added as she stood up. “Speaking of which, I'm low on medicines and supplies, I'm going home.” she declared.

 

“WHAT?!” Inuyasha bellowed this time as he too stood and ran up to her. Over Inuyasha's shoulder, Kagome saw Sango mouth 'Thank you', as Inuyasha completely forgot their previous discussion.

 

“I'm leaving and that's final!” Kagome yelled as she smiled back at Sango. “I'll be back in two days. Just relax and rest up.” she added as she grabbed her bag and walked out, a furious hanyou on her heels.

 

“Inuyasha's right” Sango whispered, as Miroku looked on concerned. “I won't be able to fight Naraku with my weapons, not against this.” She added determined as she stood up and walked towards the door.

 

“Where are you going Sango?” Miroku called after her.

 

“To find my inner-strength” She added with a smile as she turned and walked out.

 

Kagome entered the hut two days later to find the boys all sitting around the fire silently. Shippo sat in the corner curled on Kagome's bedroll - asleep, Inuyasha sat with his back against the wall - eyes closed, ignoring the world, and Miroku sat meditating before the fire - tea in hand.

 

“Hi guys!” Kagome said cheerily, as all the men opened their eyes. Shippo launched himself at Kagome as she caught him and looked around.

“Where's Sango?”

 

“She should be back soon.” Miroku replied, returning to his meditation.

 

“Back? From where?” Kagome asked as she sat down beside Inuyasha, Shippo in her lap.

 

“She left just after you and said she needed to go find her inner-strength” Inuyasha explained. “I think she went back to her village”

 

Just as Inuyasha finished, the door covering moved to the side and Sango entered into the hut, an emotionless expression on her face.

 

“Hello all” Sango greeted in a slightly monotone voice.

 

“Sango!” Kagome greeted. “Where did you go off to?”

 

“I went back home, prayed and meditated.” She replied as she sat across from Kagome, beside Miroku.

 

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Miroku asked, concerned by Sango's expression.

 

“Yes, I did” she replied simply, as Kirara walked in and sat behind Sango.

 

“Oh Sango! I almost forgot” Kagome exclaimed, moving Shippo to the side as she leaped up and ran to her bag.

 

Digging htorugh it, she emerged with a small box in her hand. Running to Sango's side, she opened the box to reveal a simple oval locket. Taking the locket, Sango opened it to find pictures of the group inside. Upon further inspection, she found that the back was engraved with the phrase - My family. Smiling weakly she looked up at Kagome's twinkling eyes.

 

“Thank you.” She replied as she threw the chain around her neck and tucked the locket in her shirt.

 

“I just figured that this way we'd never be away from you.” Kagome replied, her smile fading at Sango's lack of enthusiasm as she walked over and unrolled her bedroll.

 

“Well if everyone is better now, I suggest we depart in the morning” Miroku interjected as the silence settled.

 

“I agree. We leave at daybreak” Inuyasha commanded as he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.

 

The rest of the group prepared for bed as usual, but as Sango laid down to sleep, Kirara walked away to Miroku's roll. Noting this change in the feline's behavior, Miroku watched Sango out of the corner of his eye. As Sango drifted off to sleep the monk noticed how her facial expression had not changed once since she entered the hut.

 

What did she do to herself? Miroku thought as he too finally drifted to sleep.