Disclaimer: I own everything! Inuyasha was MY idea and they stole it! lol J/k I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters. ^_^

Dust On The Wind

Chapter 1

Heartache

It was one of those dark breezy summer nights. The type of night when all things seem to be deep in a contented rest and the earth is in no big hurry to start the chaos and responsibilities of the day. There was no moon and even the stars seemed dimmer than usual. There was no mistaking it; everything was resting. Everything, that is, except for one very troubled demon exterminator.

Sango stood at the edge of the encampment letting the soft summer breezes blow over her while she remained deep in thought. "I don't understand…" She whispered in her thoughts. "What is… this feeling.."

*Flashback*

~Three days ago~

The group was face to face with yet another demon in the possession of a Shikon Jewel shard. The battle had been going on for some time now, but things seemed to be drawing to a close at last. This latest Niko Demon had taken a lot longer than all of them had expected. At first glance it was obvious that the beast relied more on brute force than intellect, if it had any, to win it's battles. The problem was… it had a heck of a lot of brute force. At the top of the second hour of battle it was bleeding from many wounds and staggering a bit. Inu an co. had been lucky to suffer only slight bruises and scratches. Things were going remarkable well, the aspect of time aside, .. Almost too well. That's when the beast made it's final mistake. Charging straight for Inuyasha's sword hoping to crush it with it's mighty claws.

No such luck.

With one characteristic swoop of the Tetsiga Inuyasha blew the big Niko demon to smithereens. The group as a whole let out some massive sighs of relief and a few shouts for joy. Upon returning to earth from his great leap Inuyasha caught the two jewel pieces, the only remnants of the demon, in his hand.

"Way to go Inuyasha!" yelled Kagome putting her arrows away and pulling out her first aid kit."

"Feh. Just as long as that's two less shards to look for."

"You must be mistaken Inuyasha. I distinctly remember identifying thr-… Kagome froze in her spot and stared at Inuyasha for a good thirty seconds. It was a cold stare of utter disbelief and terror. At first Inuyasha wasn't phased past annoyance, but then the strength of her stare started to get to him. Something wasn't right.

"Kagome… What is it?" he asked in a tone several octaves more caring than his usual tone.

But Kagome didn't hear him. She just stared right through him… no past him. Inuyasha took his gaze from her deep brown orbs to the patch of ground 100 or so yards from him where Miroku and Sango were fighting again. The lecher was really pushing his luck. After all this time he should know that Sango's temper was shortest just after a battle.

*SMACK!*

No such common sense.

Inuyasha sighed shaking his head with some sense of redundancy as the Monk pulled himself up from the ground rubbing his head.

"Serves you right you pervert!" Sango screeched. Yup definitely do not mess with her after a battle. Just then Kagome walked past his left shoulder in a trance like state. "Kagome?" He said again remembering why he'd looked at their other two companions in the first place.

"What's with Kagome?" Shippo asked innocently concerned. That was when Miroku and Sango, who up until this point had been oblivious to the young miko's advances, decided to pay attention.

"Kagome-chan?" Sango questioned as Kagome approached. But all attempts to break Kagome's trance went on with no avail. Her gaze seemed dull… no On second thought, Sango noticed that Kagome only looked like that because she wasn't looking her in the eyes. Then what was she… "Hey!" Sango cried backing up and covering her chest with one hand. "What are you doing?! I thought Houshi-sama was the only pervert around here!"

On this note Miroku perked up. "As at last someone can admit I'm not the only one who thinks like I do." he said in his usual cool friendly tone meant to make the girls swoon. He walked up to Kagome and placed his arm around her shoulders. "Now that we are being honest I must say I've always thought we'd make a great pair together. Perhaps you'd even reconsider the question of -"

"DON'T EVEN GO THERE MIROKU!" Inuyasha roared bearing his claws and fangs.

In the electrically tense moments before a fight erupted a small afraid voice chose this time to make itself known. "No… it's not that." Kagome almost whispered, her eyes meeting Sango's at last. Miroku and Inuyasha froze mid-attack position giving Kagome their full attention. "Sango.. Sango I must be wrong but…."

"What is it Kagome-chan?" Sango asked a little bit frightened at her friends behavior.

Small translucent beads of glass formed at the edge of Kagome's eyes and she continued, "Sango I think…"

*End Flashback*

Those life changing words still echoed through Sango's mind as though it was Kagome herself who was repeating them. "I think there's a…a jewel shard lodged in your chest…in your heart." Sango fingered her breastplate just above where she knew her heart to be. You'd never know the truth by looking at her. The only souvenirs she got from their last battle was a moderate scratch on the chest… just one hit. After much deliberation later that day they'd come to three definite conclusions. (One) The Jewel shard must have been embedded in the Niko Demons claws and it was transferred to Sango when she was struck. (Two) Kagome had truly focused her powers and confirmed that the Jewel shard was logged in the very center of Sango's heart. In the only 1/4th inch of space where it wouldn't cause internal bleeping.

Still fingering her cut she let her mind drift. "Those shards are so sharp…must have gone right through…" While this news had greatly shocked and worried everyone the truth remained that the shard did not pain Sango. And despite the protests of some of the group members they'd come to their third decision. (Three) As long as the shard didn't cause Sango any real hurt they would leave it in her chest for safe keeping until the rest of the Jewel was complete. Now Kagome had not readily agreed to this but Sango insisted that unless she died the shard couldn't be stolen so their was no reason to remove it until necessary.

Just then something soft and warm wrapped itself around Sango's shoulders bringing her out of her trance. She looked over her shoulder expecting to see Kirara, but was instead met with Miroku who'd just put a blanket over her shoulders. "Houshi-sama?" She said looking at him a little confused. He'd been acting strange ever since that day… could he feel somewhat responsible? It was almost unnerving that he hadn't groped her, or tried to , in three days. She was actually starting to think he'd fallen ill.

"Dose it hurt you?" He asked with genuine concern filling his amethyst gaze. Indeed he was very worried about her. She was the only woman who despite the many bumps he received every day seemed to truly be his friend.

"Hu?" Sango muttered then glanced down at her hand that was still lying over her heart. "No Houshi-sama, I'm fine." She assured him. Miroku held her gaze far a moment or two before looking away satisfied that she was not lying. He let out a slow sigh of relief. He had indeed been feeling very guilty these past few days. He should have paid more attention so he could've blocked the blow. With one worry dispelled he had one more left to ease.

"But you do feel something from it don't you?" There was a long moment of no response. A deep blush crept up Sango's cheeks. How could she explain this to him? She couldn't escape the feeling of flustered annoyance that accompanied her opinions of Miroku. She was by far no Miko, but whenever she was with him… she felt this energy deep in her chest. She absolutely refused to admit it was anything more than a strange energy... Even to herself. Ever sense the jewel had entered her it had been more acute. More like there was an actual energy force being generated from this feeling. It all reminded her very much of "spirit energy" she'd read about in one of Kagome's Manga.

"Sango.." Miroku started waving a hand in front of her face. Sango blinked back to reality. "Sorry… I guess I haven't been sleeping well and I've been zoning out a little more recently." She apologized. Before he could accuse her of not acknowledging the fact that the jewel hurt her she added, "Yes, I do feel something. Like an energy force. It's probably just the power of the crystal." she added quickly, "It's really nothing to worry about." She assured him.

His gaze lingered intensely over hers. Searching for any unspoken pain. But as usual his worries melted under her gaze. He nodded and adopted his usual grin. "I'm glad to hear it, but why are you not sleeping well Sango?" he asked, not that he'd been sleeping well either.

Sango looked out at the valley below their little plateau campsite. Just when Miroku thought she'd drifted off into thought again she spoke, "I don't know. Things have seemed tense with everyone since the Jewel incident. I guess I don't like being babied too much. It's unnerving." It wasn't the truth but it would do for now. The last thing she needed was another serious subject hanging over her head. In an attempt to change the subject Sango glanced at Miroku once then back at the valley again. "It's so beautiful here isn't it.

Miroku shifted his gaze to the valley below and nodded. "Indeed it is." They stood there looking outwards in the same direction for a while without any words needed between them. They were both releasing the pressures of the journey. Just then Sango felt Miroku's hand on her back. It woke her up a little, but she was still to absorbed in the scenery and to tired to care much. to tired to care much. That is until his hand started creeping it's way lower…and lower… and

*SMACK*

With a resounding thud Miroku smacked into the floor of the valley he had been admiring just a few moments ago. "Lecher!" he herd Sango Yell down after him. With a wicked grin he had to admit that felt good in the oddest sense. The serious cloud had been hanging over their group too long. It was reassuring to fall back into old… humorous routines. He was getting up, dusting himself off, and preparing for the climb back up the hill Sango had just pumbled him down when he heard her let out an heart stopping scream.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"SANGO!" He cried leaping up the hill as fast as he could to get to her aid. When he crested the hill in half the time it would've normally taken him his eyes went wide with utter terror and the only sound he could mutter was a strangled gasp.

Authors note:

Will Sango survive? Find out next time! (^_^ I know I'm so evil! I admit it I LOVE to make my readers suffer! Suspense is an art form with me, so if you've gotten this far and can stand suspense I suspect you'll be here to the end. ^_^ Welcome to the madness friend. ^_^)