New Life

Two – What's eating Kagome and Sango?

If there was one thing Sesshoumaru absolutely hated, that thing was being taken for a fool. Insulting his intelligence was surely not the most efficient way of getting the Lord to level with you. In all faith be told, he would hardly ever level with anyone, but toying with his patience was certainly not helping. All the way to Muncaster, he knew that his wife was hiding something from him. Maybe it was nothing of true consequence, maybe it was. Maybe she was just the stubborn woman she'd ever been, and he was deceiving himself by thinking she would lose that particular attribute once she got married, or even pregnant. Maybe she'd already had enough of his departures, and his being distant all the time. Sesshoumaru knew he was not as Kagome would have wanted him to be, but hadn't it been her the one to say she knew what she was getting herself into, when they got married? Who in the world was to understand her?

"You are troubled, Sesshoumaru-sama." Sesshoumaru blinked, and looked slightly in the opposite direction from the woman sitting next to him.

"Nothing that you should occupy your thoughts with, Kaede-sama."

The old woman narrowed her already slit-like eyes, and pressed her lips together.

"As you wish." she said, calmly. Sesshoumaru remained unmoved and looking forward, as the old Japanese woman fiddled with her seatbelt. The plane was about to land, and from there they would take a car to Muncaster. She hadn't been to that place for so many years; she could hardly remember how it looked like.

Since Kikyo had died, Sesshoumaru-sama hadn't really contacted her, except for some rare cases in which he'd thought he'd found the strength he needed in order to recover. That hadn't happened very often, and so Kaede couldn't say she'd heard much from the Lord in the last few hundreds of years.

Apparently, now he'd found the one he'd been searching for, at last. Kaede could only be pleased with the outcome. For too many centuries had he struggled to break free from that horrid prison he'd been thrown into, for too many centuries had his soul longed for liberation. Enough was enough, the old woman thought.

Slowly, Kaede's thoughts drifted towards another path: the small jewel she was bringing into the UK. It had not been little her amazement upon noticing the shift in the Shikon no Tama's glow, these last few months. The slight wave of power it was emitting, the modest but firm purple glow it sent out from time to time… The sacred jewel hadn't shown its power for over seven hundred years, back from when she was just a girl in her father's house, a young Miko meant to protect the jewel. How different things were back then! And how simple. Kaede sighed. Life as an immortal had nothing to offer her anymore. However, with this trip, she hoped she will be finally able to fulfill her mission.

Sesshoumaru's thoughts were aiming roughly at the same target, although his concerns were to some extent dissimilar. But as usual, none but the most trained of eye could take notice of the taiyoukai's general line of thoughts. Mostly, he was wondering how she did expect him to behave towards her. His general behavior had improved, from what he could tell, along the lines of not being as violent in his actions. He had to admit that he hadn't seriously thought about killing someone about the time he'd learned of Kagome's pregnancy. The realization somewhat impressed Sesshoumaru. There was really no one to kill, and he would most certainly not go about the place with the declared purpose of finding such an occasion. But it was really rather improbable that this would keep up, because if he knew something about the Kindred, and he did, they would not leave him be as easily as he'd left them. That was indeed a problematic issue, one that needed to be dealt with as soon as the opportunity would present itself, maybe even sooner. Precaution was never unnecessary, nor unsolicited. He had an unborn child to think of, not to mention his mate… Gods, wife! He let out a small amount of air, and the old woman couldn't say she'd missed it.

:---:

They had to hire a car to take them as far as Muncaster, Sabrya was still caught up with business in Tokyo, and there would be little chances of her leaving Japan very soon. Sesshoumaru didn't mind much, he was only disturbed by the tired look on the young hanyou woman's face whenever he saw her. It was really not just the tiresome schedule she was keeping up with that made her so edgy in the last months, something was bothering her, and he couldn't tell what it was. He'd never bothered much with Sabrya's feelings, he had to admit. Maybe it was time for him to do so, she was a great help to have, and he wasn't giving her the proper return for her loyalty. Yes, that was something he needed to do. Point marked.

:---:

"A car is coming, Kagome."

"What?" Kagome spun on her toes, and headed for the window Sango was seated next to.

"Oh, yes, there is a car coming. Well, I guess there can't be someone else but him." Kagome took notice. She felt a little flushed though, and anxious. She didn't want to be anxious; she was still upset with him about their last… contradictory discussion. Well, at least that was what she wanted him to see.

"I wonder who he could be bringing…" Kagome mumbled under her breath, as Sango got up, and followed the car with her eyes, all the way around the front park, and stopping at the main entrance. She couldn't really see much, the angle was all wrong. In a few minutes, though, both women would have their curiosity satisfied. Sesshoumaru walked in, holding the door open for a short woman to pass into the living room.

"Good evening." the woman said, in an even tone of voice that remembered Sango of her grandmother.

"Good evening." the women responded in kin. Sesshoumaru merely nodded at them both, making Kagome wish she could scream at him. What for, she couldn't really tell, but it wasn't like she would confess to it!

"Kagome, Sango, this is Kaede-sama. We have been… acquaintances for a long time." Kagome bit her inner cheek, and stepped forward to greet the old woman as kindly as she felt herself able to. It was certainly something she hadn't expected from Sesshoumaru. Where did he know this woman from? What was his connection with him? She could feel her irritation growing, but luckily Sango dearest was there, and her warm voice and smile made the wild pregnant woman settle down. Sesshoumaru would hear a piece of her mind, after this was all done! Again, she couldn't think of what to accuse him, but surely he was not without fault. She would think of something.

While sitting at the dinner table, later that evening, Kagome found that her husband might indeed be without fault. His gentle voice… well, perhaps not gentle, but most certainly calm and not lacking in warmth, his attentive gestures towards her, and some quick and aware looks in her direction… they all came together to create a whole different image of Sesshoumaru. Even Sango was visibly impressed. The conversation was a little lacking in pace, mostly because Kagome was determined to be pissed off with Sesshoumaru, he was set on making Kaede feel welcomed while both keeping his wife's temper in balance and her friend's sudden interest in him under control, and Kaede's usual disposition for not talking all that much.

Between, awkward silence and somewhat dull topic debates, Sango and Kagome finally found out what Kaede had been brought there for. It was really not that extraordinary, but neither of the two women had thought about it before: Kaede was to be Kagome's midwife. The pregnant woman dropped her fork, with a visibly astounded expression on her face.

"Is that so?" she asked, her sweet tone promising some serious further arguing, as far as Sesshoumaru was concerned.

"It is. Kaede-sama is upon the rare connoisseurs of the proper way to bring a hanyou child into the world." Sesshoumaru replied, eyeing Kagome as if he would warn her not to do anything very unthought-of, and possibly stupid.

"Well, I guess I shouldn't oppose it then, even if I was under the impression I might actually have something to say in my baby being born with a midwife or a doctor, in a hospital." she stressed the words a little, raising a menacing eyebrow to her husband. Sesshoumaru only narrowed his eyes at her for a split second. Sango was frozen, with the fork lingering outside her lightly agape mouth.

"Maybe there is more to delivering a hanyou baby than it is to delivering a human one, Kagome." Sango dared say. Sesshoumaru was the first to give her a somewhat surprised look, and maybe… a thankful one? Sango put down her fork.

"Is there really, Kaede-sama?" Kagome set her eyes on the old woman, not before shooting an imaginary spear at her friend. She wanted a proper birth, not some old hag touching her baby before she did!

"Each birth is special in its own way, Kagome-sama. This particular situation makes it even more so." Kagome frowned.

"How do you mean?"

The old woman leaned back on her tall chair, giving Sango a quick look, as if she couldn't make out if she should mention this in front of her or not.

"Sesshoumaru-sama is, let us not forget, a powerful taiyoukai. You are human." Kagome got ready to protest, but Kaede cut her determination short.

"Mortality is at work here, Kagome-sama. I only meant that you are mortal."

"So? Every other hanyou was born out of a mortal and an immortal." Kaede gave Sango another fast look.

"She's my friend, Kaede-sama, you can speak in front of her." Kagome finally said, seeing as the old woman obviously had a problem with Sango's trustworthiness.

"I could just…"

"You stay right there, Sango!" Kagome said, resolutely, raising a hand to stop her friend's motion upwards. Sango fell back down on her chair.

"We are listening." Kagome said to Kaede.

"Very well, then. As Sesshoumaru-sama has told me, you are a healer." Sango raised her eyebrows, giving Kagome a quick look, then Sesshoumaru one as well. He seemed to only have eyes for Kagome. He could be eating her alive with that stare. Kaede continued:

"I am convinced that without your healer powers, you wouldn't have been able to… help Sesshoumaru-sama. However, there is a strong objection to your union." Kagome frowned further more. What was the meaning of this? She was pregnant, and he was bringing some old woman here to tell her she wasn't the one meant for him, or what? Kagome thought they were already past all that. She didn't say a word, though.

"Hanyou children are already torn between their two natures, Kagome-sama. It is not a small matter. As I understand, you yourself are closely acquainted with a hanyou." Kagome barely nodded.

"Maybe he has not told you of his troubles in this world, but let me assure you there are not few. Uniting a human with a youkai has always been problematic, but a healer bearing a demon's child, that has never been heard of. You had difficulties with your pregnancy." Kagome shifted on her seat, giving Sesshoumaru a concerned look. He could sense her tension, but did not interfere in Kaede's speech. Sango was just sitting there, not understanding the entire healer part of the issue.

"Yes. I did." Kagome said, raising her chin, as if saying 'So what? I got passed them.'

Kaede nodded, unaffected by the woman's stamina.

"More will be upon you, before your child sees daylight, Kagome-sama, both residing in the parents' nature, and… other influences. I am here to guard and teach you how to guard your child." Kagome's eyes were watery. She remained silent for a few seconds.

"Is this true? Will they come for my baby?" she almost shouted at Sesshoumaru, who said nothing, although his lips were pressed together. Sango was looking from one to the other, confused. Kagome sat up amazingly fast for a pregnant woman, and slammed her hands on the table.

"Answer me, dammit! Will those… those monsters come for my baby?" Sesshoumaru took in a fast breath.

"This is not the time to be…"

"I don't care! You tell be right now, or by God you'll never se me again! I'll take the baby to the other side of the world if I have to, Sesshoumaru! I don't care what it takes; I'll keep my child safe!" Sango looked at her friend with both apprehension and esteem. Kagome was quivering, but Sesshoumaru merely sat up himself, and Sango could see his left hand forming a fist.

"It would not matter. Do you honestly think I do not want my child kept safe? Or my wife? It would not matter where you run to, we have to face and fight them, to gain our peace." Under Sango's astounded eyes, small droplets of blood fell from the palm of Sesshoumaru's hand, before he realized he was digging his claws into his own flesh.

"Do you have any idea what those things could do to…"

"Enough!" Sesshoumaru raised his voice, sounding like a thunder, and silencing even the wind blowing outside. Kagome's jaws were trembling. She just narrowed her eyes for a moment, and then looked towards Kaede.

"You are welcomed to stay, Kaede-sama. I am truly sorry for this improper display. Sango, when you are finished eating please come up, I need to talk to you. Good evening." She turned and left the room without further ado. Sesshoumaru could practically see the denseness of her aggravation. And worse, he could feel his own intensifying, as her steps grew further and further. He had to calm her down, and calm himself down as well. But his ego couldn't swallow the fact that she'd just made a fool out of him, in front of an old acquaintance, perhaps even a friend. She would know her place, and she will learn to obey, dammit!

"Excuse me." he said, shooting out of the room like an arrow, not even bothering to close the door behind him.

"Oh my God!" Sango said, breathlessly, forgetting all about Kaede and running after the taiyoukai. She was scared senseless of him, but she would be darned if she was gonna sit there while he did God knows what to her friend! In her state, Kagome should have been protected, not irritated! Running behind him, Sango thanked God he wasn't using some inhuman ability to speed up. Even so, she had trouble gaining on him. As she got at an arm's length from him, Sesshoumaru turned and she hit him, almost knocking herself down.

"W-Wait!" she said, raising her hands in front of her. Sesshoumaru eyed her, a little annoyed.

"Please don't do anything you would regret, Sesshoumaru! She's just… I mean you know Kagome, she can't really help the way… I mean, you… you… Please-don't-hurt-her-please!" she said, rapidly. The taiyoukai stood motionless before her, seemingly not interested in her rambling. She wasn't all that coherent, anyway.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, calmly. Sango breathed in, wanting to say something, but ended up just breathing out instead. Sesshoumaru made no attempt to ease her job. He was just standing there, waiting.

"Uhm… I guess I mean… Don't hurt her."

"Why would I hurt her?" he'd said "hurt" like it would have been some disease. Sango felt really really stupid.

"Uhm…" she couldn't find her words, now that it had become obvious to her that Sesshoumaru hadn't the slightest intention of hurting his pregnant wife!

"Sorry, I was just… Sorry." she shook her head, waving her hand at the same time.

Sesshoumaru raised the corners of his mouth, as if trying to stop a smile, but Sango was too embarrassed to notice.

"I will not hurt her, Sango. Rest assured." Sango only nodded.

Sesshoumaru wanted to turn around, but she had something else to ask of him, yet.

"Uhm… I have to… I mean I'd like to ask you something." He merely tilted his head a little. Sango took it as encouragement enough, and gathered some self esteem, to look if not composed, at least aware.

"I want to talk to you later, or tomorrow, if you could find the time. It's important." He eyed her for some seconds, but then nodded.

"Tomorrow morning."

Sango nodded herself, and stepped back.

"I'll just… go then." she said, and Sesshoumaru slightly bowed his head, turning from her and heading towards the room he knew he would find his wife in.

"Oh, tell Kagome I'll be up later, please." she raised her voice behind him.

"You will do no such thing." Sesshoumaru threw at her, over his shoulder. Sango felt her knees failing her. What did he plan to do, once he got a hold of her?

:---:

"Finished eating already, Sango?" Kagome's voice sounded from the bathroom. There was no answer.

"Sango?" Kagome popped her head out the door, while trying to catch her hair up in a pony tail. As her eyes met the rigid face of the taiyoukai she suddenly remembered why she was always half scared of him. She swallowed, but then mentally slapped herself. He wouldn't hurt her, what the hell was she thinking? He couldn't just… NO! Sesshoumaru would NOT hurt her! In three fast and large steps, he was in front of her. Kagome pulled her hair through the hair bind, and instinctively rested her hands on her abdomen. He couldn't help noticing the movement, but fought not to let himself be distracted.

"What are you…" his rapid movement cut her sentence short, as he bent his head to level with her, and looked into her violet, avert eyes. Kagome could feel her pulse begin to lose it, and what irritated her even more was that she knew he could feel it, too!

"Was that the proper way to behave in front of our guest, Kagome?" he asked calmly.

"What? Our guest? That's…"

"I'm NOT finished!" he stressed, leaning and grabbing her shoulder, not roughly, but firmly. She wasn't even sure if what she felt was fear or excitement, or rage, or frustration, or whatever it was, it made her damn uncomfortable. She closed her mouth, and he followed her determined movement, setting his eyes on her lips.

As he didn't say anything for the next few seconds, and he was just staring at her mouth, Kagome shifted her weight on the other leg, and decided she'd had about enough. What, was he suddenly at a loss for words, or what?

"Well?"

"Will you shut up for one minute?" Sesshoumaru hissed. She backed, but couldn't back away. His hand was still holding her shoulder.

"Kaede-sama is here for a good reason. We need her. I should think you of all people should know better that question my judgment, Kagome." She almost laughed, but the fact that he was no longer a vampire had no effect on his icy stare that wouldn't allow her to lose a smile. She officially hated her husband's ability to freak her out.

"I, of all people, Sesshoumaru, should know better than do as you tell me! Remember when you sent me away and I came back, as stubborn as ever? Hm?" she pulled back and he released his grip on her. Kagome was feeling a sick sort of pleasure in proving him wrong. Because he was wrong, and she would make the most of it. Sesshoumaru straightened his back.

"Powerful as I may be, I can fight the Kindred Kagome, but I cannot fight you!" She couldn't follow, and her confused look said it clearly.

"Your blood. Your healer blood. Nor I am able to fight mine, a youkai's blood. It is impossible. Our child is still in your womb, Kagome. You can help it balance these two powers, so great and yet so drastically different and drawn apart. It will die if you do not. And you will die as well." His voice had fallen into that last sentence, something Kagome hardly ever heard from him.

Kagome's arms grew cold, and she lost color in her cheeks. Why did it have to be fight or die, all the time, around him? Why? Was she never to have a normal life? The cruel and swift answer hit her with a definite NO. She closed her eyes and covered her face, turning her back to Sesshoumaru.

Kagome didn't know what she felt like… again. But this time it was serious; she had to make out her feelings, because otherwise her life would be forfeited. In more than one way.

"Why would The Kindred want this child?" she murmured, into her hands.

"They care little about the child, Kagome. What they are after is me." She had an idea that he could say something like that.

"Revenge?"

"Payment." he said. He outstretched his hand to touch her shoulder, but Kagome shied away and didn't let him. He was looking at the back of her neck, thinking for a second how she liked it when he kissed her there.

"They still haven't given up on you?" her voice was fairly neutral, which was the worst thing possible, when it came to Kagome. Sesshoumaru knew that much about her. When she got cold, she was emptied of feelings, and he dared say it scared him to see her that way.

"No, that is done with. But… our Prince knows he cannot harm me by any other means, and so he seeks to destroy the ones I love. I have betrayed The Kindred, thus I am an enemy." Kagome shook her head. The ones he loved…

"So there is fairly nothing to keep us together, then. Our child is destined to die, as am I if we cannot balance out powers. The Kindred wants us dead, to hurt you, and we are constantly arguing." she said, summing up in a most effective and painful manner their problems. The name Alexis came to Kagome's mind, and she drew nothing but horror from the thought of that vampire ever touching her child. She felt worn out, like a candle light about to fade.

"There is still hope." Sesshoumaru whispered, just behind her. She felt like crying, but then what good would that do?

"I thought the day I will hear you say that was long overdue." She managed to sketch a weak smile, but he didn't see it. His hands tried again to rest on her shoulders, and this time he felt her tense and trembling under his touch.

"Let me worry about The Kindred, Kagome." He pulled her slowly against him, and she obeyed. She felt so tired; she didn't know how she would ever find strength enough to guide her baby safely into this world. And would the world be ready for her baby? That was another issue.

"I'm scared." Kagome admitted, looking up the wall of the room.

"I am too." he said. The memory of their first time saying that to each other, just before she'd willingly gave her life for him, shot up before her eyes. That sacrifice had not been in vain. Their love was real, and they would get through this. Kagome sunk into his embrace, as Sesshoumaru put an arm across her chest, and another on her abdomen.

"We can do this." she said, closing her eyes tightly.

"We can." Sesshoumaru echoed.

:---:

"Kaede-sama…" Sango began her apology, but the old woman raised an arm to stop her.

"There is no need for that, child. I understand." Sango sat at the table, feeling a little embarrassed and out of place. After a moment of awkward silence, in which she had no idea what to say to this woman, Sango decided to at least try to be nice… for all it was worth.

"You are Nippon as well, I see." She fully felt the immensity of her idiocy when the old woman looked at her somewhat confused. Of course she was! Her face stated that quite obviously. But Kaede merely smiled in the corner of her mouth, and answered politely.

"I am." Sango blushed bright red. By the time she opened her mouth to say something that she hoped wouldn't sound as stupid, the old woman had went ahead of her.

"I understand Kagome is a close friend of yours, Sango." The young woman nodded, fiddling with the edge of her silky, flowing blouse.

"Yes, we know each other from high-school. Even if I was in the last year, and she was in her first, we got along very well, and remained friends afterwards. Then, I got a job at her father's company… which I must admit I had no idea belonged to him, at the moment. Now I am Higurashi-sama's assistant." Sango summed up, glad she could say something intelligent, for a change. Kaede only nodded, and looked out the window for a moment.

"Which one of her parents is a hanyou?" Sango frowned. Apparently, Sesshoumaru hadn't told Kaede that much about his wife.

"Her father. Kagome's mother was human." At the old woman's eyes narrowing, Sango felt compelled to explain the tense usage.

"She died when Kagome was a teenager. I believe fifteen or sixteen years old."

"So young…" Kaede murmured, mostly to herself.

"What did you…" Sango stopped, not being entirely sure she wanted to know the answer. Oh well, if she were to stick around, she would better be informed. She was used to knowing everything around her, anyway. Something told her that this particular matter was not by a long shot usual.

"What did you mean by calling Kagome a healer, Kaede-sama?" Sango's beautiful eyes were set on the old woman's face. Her determination and her genuine care for Kagome's welfare impressed Kaede. She couldn't believe Kagome hadn't told her about it, though, or that she hadn't noticed it.

"You do not know? I thought you were friends for a long time." Kaede said, a little confused.

"We are, but she never mentioned anything like this before."

"Perhaps… she did not know herself." Kaede whispered, again, mostly to herself.

"It is best that you ask your friend to tell you, Sango. It is hardly my place to interfere. I am here for an entirely different reason."

"Alright. I will." Sango said, and decided not to press the issue any further. This was getting a bit too out of hand as it was. She needed tonight to assimilate the news anyway. And the weird term usage, as well. What monsters was Kagome talking about? The youkai? Why would they want the baby? And why was she so scared of them? Sesshoumaru was more than fit to protect her and the baby both. And it wasn't like they lived in the Feudal Era, or something! Hanyou children or even of further more diluted blood were born every day, Kagome was one of them. Sango knew for a fact that her friend hadn't suffered any marginalization because of her father being a hanyou. It wasn't that bad! But then again. Maybe there were forces at hand she had no idea about. Just maybe… Sango's head hurt. She needed some sleep.

"Has Sesshoumaru assigned you with a room, Kaede-sama, or should we ask Emma?" she said, passing a hand over her forehead. The old woman nodded.

"It is all taken care of, thank you for your care, Sango. Speaking of which, I believe I will retire for tonight. We will see each other in the morning." The woman pushed back her chair and Sango did too, waiting for Kaede to leave the room before she fell into her seat again. She put her head in her palms, resting her elbows against the table. Something was wrong, and something else would be even more so, soon enough. She could feel it.

As the wind began to rumble through the high trees outside of Muncaster, and the night fell like a curtain over the far away hills, Sango's eyes fluttered closed, and her head fell on her forearms, against the table. She suddenly felt tired, like she couldn't move her arms and legs, like she'd been running for miles and miles, and now she's finally arrived at her destination. Just resting there felt so good, and she didn't want to move, she was sleepy…

A fast flash before her eyes gained her attention, and the first thing her mind offered her was the thought that she couldn't see anything, her eyes were closed and her face was sunk into her arms. No, she was dreaming. In her sleep, she closed her eyes, and forgot about it.

A strange sound, like pieces of metal being hit against one another… were they… rings? Yes. Sango narrowed her eyes to see better, but it was so dark, so very… A cold stream of air crawled under her clothing, and made her shiver. Her skin felt like a million thin fingers would have touched her. She felt… invaded, somehow. Silver rings, colliding against each other, and a bandaged arm, hanging loosely over the edge of an armchair. Sango felt her eyes losing focus, her head growing heavier. She'd seen that somewhere before, she'd heard the rings, she's seen that bandaged arm somewhere… not in her dreams… somewhere else. In a crowd… The cold air left her like a snake slipping out from a loose grasp. And she couldn't hear the rings anymore, she couldn't see the arm… She was dreaming, yes she sure was. She needed to wake up, that's what she needed to do. She had to go to her room, and…

"Miss Sango? Miss Sango?" a small, almost shy voice sounded close to her. Sango jumped, and looked directly into Emma's smiling face.

"Yes, I'm awake." The young maid broadened her smile.

"Maybe you'd like to go to your own room, Miss?" Her kind eyes impressed Sango every time. She nodded.

"Thank you, Emma. That's true, I would. Good night."

"Good night, Miss Sango." Emma said, taking a small bow. Sango had told her not to do that anymore, but the girl just didn't fee right not doing it. So Sango had given up on that aspect.

:---:

"I hope it doesn't rain tonight…" she whispered as she undressed, all alone in her room. Sango didn't know, and was fairly sure she didn't want to know what Sesshoumaru had said to Kagome, once he found her. As long as he didn't hurt her, their marital business was really their own, she could only to so much for her friend without exceeding her… attributions.

Seeing as rain meant storm, in that part of the country, Sango found herself praying for calm weather. She wasn't a fan of wind blowing and rainfall. But, as Kagome made sure she knew, thunderstorms were quite often met in that part of the year, and so Sango didn't delude herself into thinking this year may be an exception.

It wasn't really all that late, but she wanted to take a rest, and do some serious thinking. For instance, what to say to Sesshoumaru, in the morning? And how to get Kagome to explain all that she'd heard? But, as Kagome herself had been the one who insisted that she stayed at the table, she would probably lighten up the subject herself. Sango sighed, getting in the bed. She took a quick look at her laptop, closed on the table. She'd been there for a few days and already she missed work. Or, maybe not missed, but all the time she felt like she should be doing something, when she did not.

"Vacation, Sango!" she said to herself, closing her eyes. Those dark purple and black sheets looked kinda strange, but they felt like heaven. She turned on her belly, and fell asleep within minutes.

Vacation, Sango, vacation…

The man with the bandaged hand sat in an armchair, wrapping some prayer beads on his forearm. He was very meticulous, yet his movement was practiced, like he'd done it for thousands and thousands of time before. The silver rings hit against each other again, and she felt cold again. Of course she was cold, she was only wearing that this evening gown, which reached down just enough to cover her thighs. But… no, she was dreaming again. She was in her bed, on her belly, asleep. She could even feel the sheets around her… the sheets and… a draft. Oh, she'd stirred again, and had thrown the sheets off her body. Now she was gonna freeze! Sango tried to move, to cover herself, but she couldn't. Her arms would not listen to her.

'I'm asleep, that's all. I just have to wake up.' Still nothing. The man was still there, watching her. NO! That was the dream, she had to wake up.

Her thin clothing was being pulled up slowly.

'Darn it, have I left that window open?' she knew for a fact that she hadn't. But then… The man was not there anymore. The chilly breeze swept over her bare legs, and despite it, a pressing warmth grew inside her, low in her stomach. She was still face down, unable to move.

'I have to wake up now. I have to close that window…' she said to herself.

'I have to close…' someone had touched her lower back, the shallow touch making its way down, further down…Sango gasped.

'I have to wake up!'

"Why?"

"I just have to!" she almost shouted, pushing herself up on her forearms.

"What?" she asked no one. She knew she'd heard a voice asking why, she… she knew. Or maybe just… She had been dreaming. Yes. And now she was awake. Yes, she had to… her eyes settled on the window. She had to close the window. But the window was closed. Well, then, she had to cover herself, because… No, the sheets were there, covering her body. Sango looked around into the poorly lit room, where the fire was the only one making a statement.

'Just a dream.' She put her head back on the pillow.

'The same one, again.'

:---:

AN: O, please say you like some of it. I decide to go a little hentai with Miroku and Sango's relationship. I hope it's okay, because I'm gonna have so much fun writing this! I've already pictured sooo many situations for those two! Okay, thanks for welcoming the sequel, and rest assured I will not forget the others. Like, Sesshoumaru and Kagome will have their own mushy stuff, so will Inuyasha and Sabrya later on, wow three couples, that's really bold of me… and to top that, throw in some old habits, past mistakes and vampires… well, I think I'm gonna have a lot to juggle with this time around. Hopefully I'll be able to handle it all, and you'll have the patience to read it.

Until next time!!

Bye bye!!

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