Chapter Seven: Confessions in Paradise

When Sango awoke, she immediately realized where she was. She could hear rushing water crashing into rocks and smelled the sweet floral scents in the air. She was back in paradise. Her head was nestled in Sesshomaru-s mokomoko-sama, but Sesshomaru was nowhere near her. Her kimono had been removed and had been draped over her body to keep her warm in the chilly night air. The moon was radiant above her. How long had she been asleep?

"You're conscious, Sango?" It was Sesshomaru. Sango turned her head in the direction of the pool and saw Sesshomaru sitting casually in a shallow spot. His kimono was in a heap on the bank, and his faithful minion and ward were also absent.

"Yes, My Lord." Sango muttered. "Where are Rin and Jaken?" Sesshomaru didn't respond, so she stood up without great difficulty and began to remove the rest of her kimono. Sesshomaru wasn't even looking at her, which did confuse her somewhat, but she joined Sesshomaru in the water anyway. She stood in front of him, draped her arms over his shoulders and buried her face against his muscled chest. Sesshomaru looked down at her solemnly.

"Were you afraid?" he asked. Sango looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Of course."

"Why?" Sesshomaru demanded abruptly. It was as if he had been insulted.

"Why not? No one stares into the face of death and laughs!" Sango snapped. Sesshomaru pushed her away from him. Sango stumbled a bit, but didn't lose her balance completely. She stood her ground, despite never anticipating such a reaction.

"I didn't suggest it."

"Then what are you suggesting?"

"You knew that I was coming for you."

"But that doesn't mean that I wouldn't fear being ripped in half!" Sango shouted in frustration. Sesshomaru glared at her angrily. Then he calmed himself. It was unlike a proper demon to surrender to such foolish emotions. He reminded himself that he was married to a human girl.

"I didn't want you to endure that." Sesshomaru said instead. "I never imagined that Inuyasha-"

"It wasn't his fault." Sango interrupted. "I was waiting for you, and that fight was mine."

"But he knows how incompetent humans are. He should never have listened to you." Sango approached Sesshomaru once more. She embraced him; Sesshomaru returned the embrace and buried his face in her neck. He kissed her sweetly, and though his lips were colder than ice, Sango relished in the sensation. She had a feeling that even though Sesshomaru would probably never be able to tell her so, he cared for her. Perhaps he didn't love her yet, but….

"I promise that I will never allow you harm, Sango." Sesshomaru whispered. Sango looked deeply into his eyes. She then bravely attempted a kiss on his lips. Sesshomaru didn't return the kiss, but he gripped Sango tighter against his body and rested his head on her shoulder. Sango closed her eyes. This place, this moment, all of it would remain special to her.

"I love you, Sesshomaru." she whispered, brushing her lips against his ear. Over Sango's shoulder, Sesshomaru's hid his astonishment.

Lady Aikou…what have you done to me?