A New Life For Two

Chapter Twenty-Three


They didn't leave camp until mid-day. Kagome had needed some rest and Sango had still been tired. So after eating real quick, they caught a few hours of sleep. After resting Sango got on her taijiya outfit once more. Not only did Jaken have it cleaned he'd somehow repaired the garment. She had the two blades strapped on as well as Hariakotsu. Right when they'd been getting ready to set out Haru appeared. He didn't say much just walked over to Sango and bowed.

She'd smiled at him and thanked him for all his help. She'd had Jaken wash his clothing also, she wasn't going to return it smelling like Yusuke. He accepted it from her but gave her a weird look. She flushed under his gaze. So maybe Jaken would never be able to open a laundry mat. "Sorry."

"Heh, don't worry about it. At least now I know what you smell like." He laughed at her fallen expression. "Sorry, I'll be around just call for me if you need me. Till we meet again my little flower." He ignored the look the boy was giving him.

Sango was in a better today than yesterday. Yusuke had actually spoken to her when she woke up. It wasn't much but at least he hadn't ignored her. It helped her wounded heart some. She'd been a bit suprised to find out that Kagome had been taught how to use the wind scar. The girl was more powerful than anyone Sango had known. Kagome tended to be too hard on herself. When they had been getting dressed Kagome had told Sango of the kiss Yoko had given her. When she tried to explain how it made her feel Sango didn't need it explained to her. She felt that way whenever Yusuke kissed her. She even went as far as pointing that fact out and told Kagome to ask herself how she really felt about the fox. The girl just smiled and shook her head.

Rumor had it that Saburo had a small castle half a day away. They were on their way hoping to make it by nightfall. Suprisingly they hadn't been attacked again which didn't sit well with either girl. Usually when Naraku went without attacking them it had been because he was busy scheming. Sango smiled when Yusuke walked beside her instead of behind her. Now, she understood how Kagome had put up with Inuyasha's indecision. She'd done it out of love.

They'd been walking for about three hours when Sango's worst fear was realized. Saburo had indeed been plotting. They also got to see the demon for the first time. Kagome stopped suddenly shouting to everyone, "I feel one of those amulets." Everyone stopped and looked around. Jin rose in the air to get a better look.

"I be seeing nothing." He rubbed his neck straining to see anything.

Several feet in front of the group the ground started glowing. It was like seeing a door rise out the ground made from pure magic. For several moments nothing came out.

A demon appeared inside looking out at them. He had long black hair flowing around him, he was the spiting image of his maker. For a minute Kagome and Sango thought they were looking at Naraku once more. Until he spoke.

"So good to see you again Kagome, Sango." He looked them over. His voice was a lot deeper than Naraku's had been and his eyes were different. They were black instead of red. "You two have caused me much grief. You will pay eventually for the trouble. Lucky for you my first priority is the death of Yurameshi and his friends."

Hiei was already tired of the demon. He leapt forward pulling out his katana. When he hit the door, he was thrown back to land on his ass.

"Don't take me for a fool. Do you think I'd open a doorway in which you could pass?" He let an evil grin split his face. "I came to inform the detective he will hand himself over to me upon reaching my castle."

"Go fuck yourself, bastard." Yusuke stated.

"We will see how you feel when I show you what I have." He moved out the way to show what was behind him. Tied to a stake was a girl. Her long brown hair hung towards the floor. He picked up her face, bringing his hand down causing her to scream out.

"Keiko," Yusuke felt his heart sink.

The girl looked up, she could see Yusuke through a doorway in front of her. Fear filled her voice, "Yusuke!" She started struggling against her binding. "Let me go. Yusuke!"

"I was going to be nice and trade her for you. But I don't do well with name calling. Being a nice guy I will hand her corpse to you once you arrive. I'll give you a few minutes to look upon her one last time." He snickered and walked away.

Yusuke tried to run into the portal. Desperate to get to the girl. He hit the barrier and was sent back just like Hiei. "Keiko."

"What do we do?" Touya ran forward. "It's obvious we can't get in that way."

They turned to hear Keiko scream as she was being carried off struggling the whole way. "Let go of me. Yusuke." She was yelling desperately for him.

Sango saw the tear slide down Yusuke's cheek. His pain could be felt as he yelled for the girl. "Keiko." It tore at Sango's heart to hear the love he felt for girl. Her mind began to work, Kagome had said she'd felt the magic of one of those amulets. 'The amulets had only worked on the demons. Maybe its the same for the doorway. I might be able to get through.' She turned to see Yusuke slam his fist into the ground.

"Look its closing." Kagome shouted. "We gotta do something."

Sango sent a quick prayer and ran. The door was lowering itself into the ground from where it came. It was already halfway down. She picked up her speed, she'd have to hurry. Kagome saw her friend and knew what she planned on doing. "Sango, NO." Sango ignored her. Right before she got where it was she caused herself to slid across the ground on her stomach. She felt the barrier give way as she slid inside.

Everyone watched as she slid inside the door right before it disappeared. Kagome ran to where it had just disappeared. "Sango, damn you. You could have invited me." She stood up. "Lets go. Sango will see to Keiko, we gotta get there in time to save both of them."


Sango looked around when she came to a stop. She was in a room, the room they'd just exited. Voices could be heard leaving the room. The girl was screaming as they led her away. Sango cursed, she hadn't thought past getting here. All that had mattered was trying to save the girl Yusuke loved. The demons would surely smell her soon. Her theory was soon tested as she heard footsteps. There was closet with a tarp acting as the doorway. She ran for cover, she wouldn't be any good to Keiko captured. 'They are going to smell me.'

"Take the girl to the dungeon, kill her. I am going out to meet them, they will be here shortly no doubt to save the girl." She recognized the voice. Saburo had just given the order.

"May I have some fun first master?" The demon hissed.

"Do whatever you want just make sure she ends up dead. So I may flaunt her dead body before the detective as he lays dying."
Two sets of footsteps were heard walking out. Sango didn't know how she'd managed not getting caught. One of them should have sensed her. She took a step forward and gasped. She turned to look at her side. Tenseiga was pulsing. So that's how Sesshomaru had managed to just appear without anyone sensing him. She thanked whatever god, gave her the thought to grab both swords before leaping through the well that day. After making sure everyone was gone she stepped out into the room.

She had to get to the dungeon and quick. She knew she could make it before they killed the girl. But the thought of having some nasty demon touching the girl didn't sit well with Sango. She crept along the corridor, watching for anyone. The castle appeared mostly deserted. There was stairs leading off to the right, she'd been about to pass it till she heard the scream.

"Get away from me creep." It was Keiko's voice.

Sango took Hiraikotsu off her back, knowing from here own out she'd be fighting. Her footsteps were silent as she went down. She took the last step into the dungeon. The demon had his back to Sango as he held up a blade for Keiko to inspect. She was tied to the wall.

Keiko almost called out when she saw the girl. When she shook her head she averted her eyes back to the demon standing in front of her.

Sango brought the large boomerang up. The demon's skull was split as it made impact. He fell to the floor landing on the blade he'd just been showing off. Sango walked up to the girl. She spoke in a whisper. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, you came in time. How did you get here? Is Yusuke with you?"

"No, anyone with demon blood couldn't pass through the portal. I jumped in by myself." Sango cut the rope holding her hands and legs. She was turning around when Keiko grabbed her arm.

"Why?" At Sango's look of confusion she asked again. "Why would you come all by yourself, just to save me?"

"No one else could. It was something I had to do. We don't have time for this. Saburo will be wanting someone to fetch your corpse soon, he will be pissed to find you gone. I suggest we move." Sango grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs. She had no idea which way was out. "Do you have any idea how to get out?"

"I think so, follow me."

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