Chapter Six:

Soft brown eyes that belonged to a lovely young woman narrowed in concentration as they bore holes in the rushing river by her hut. Her pink tongue darted out to moisten her lips as she stared at her reflection intently, stopping every so often to look about her in case someone was watching. A certain specific someone who had seen her body exposed earlier…

Is my body that scrawny and unpleasing? The tajiya wondered, placing her hands on her slim hips. She then shifted her weight to one side, wondering if the change of pose enhanced her feminine curves but stopped, feeling foolish.

What am I doing? Sango asked herself, a sheepish but well earned blush spreading across her attractive face. Why am I letting the words of a haughty demon get the better of me? A sigh of exasperation blew out of the young woman's mouth and she shook her head. She didn't care what he thought of her. He was an aggravating pessimist when it came to females or anyone 'beneath' him, it seemed.

Feeling frustrated now by her doubt, Sango spun on her heel and followed a worn path that wound around the backside of her cottage. The small dirt road continued through a patch of forest before there was a clearing, revealing a long, ancient looking hut. Nostalgia and memories flooded back to her and they warmed her heart as she pushed aside the tattered cloth that served as a makeshift door.

Father, you would be proud of me, the tajiya thought with a smile gracing her lips. I've returned to the library on my own.

As a child, Sango had never been interested in the village's library or being inside it for long periods of time. She had never had the opportunity or the pleasure of reading for her own enjoyment. Her father had often pushed her to study the scrolls on battle techniques, defense mechanisms, weaknesses that certain demons had and much more. It had all been a bore, but it seemed that she executed many things that she had learned from the scrolls in battle.

Entering the miniature, but very filled library, Sango had to wave a sheet of thick cobwebs out of her face before she could go further. Just how old is this place and how long has it been vacant? She wondered as she pinned the cloth door to the wall, allowing more sunlight to enter into the musty library. Her gaze was then turned to the many shelves that housed hundreds of recorded scrolls. There was so much more, she saw, since she had last been in the aged hut.

At the age of 13, the day she had become a full-fledged tajiya, she had made an oath to not enter the ancient, dank place except only in the time of need. She laughed at her young naïveté, thinking that she would never enter the library again possibly as an adult. She had been so young and so brash at times, though she tried to appear mature, calm and collected.

Sango inhaled deeply and exhaled, feeling some of the tensions leave her aching neck where Sesshomaru had crushed her. She rolled her eyes at the thought of the arrogant pup and wandered within an arms reach of the various scrolls, her dark eyes scanning over the labels. Youkai feeding habits, Kitsune breeding observations, Neko youkai domestication… Wow! There's so much here!

The tajiya thought a moment and halted in her search as she pursued her current train of thought. She looked around cautiously before even attempting to think about a specific breed of demon… In case he was around, watching her…

Sango resumed her sifting through the scrolls that were lying in alphabetical and chronological order, passing 'G', 'H'… her hand pausing when she came across 'I'. I wonder if we have records on Inuyoukai? She thought mischievously as she snatched the roll of parchment as soon as she had spotted it.

Here it is! Excitement hoarded over her in a warm rush as a grin lit her entire face. She didn't exactly know why she felt so happy about finding the scroll but she believed she was interested in finding a weakness that all dog demons shared… well, that was her intention at first…

Her limber fingers unraveled the tightly wound piece of paper and she smoothed out the aged, brittle parchment to the best of her ability, not tearing it. Then, she delicately placed the long sheet on a low table and immediately examined the scrawled contents and pictures of the page.

"Never before has there been a more interesting breed of demon. As we have studied the few creatures among and around us, we have learned many things. They are intelligent, cunning and aggressive beings that possess a strong will and an even stronger will to live.

The physical traits they all have in common are their talons that can tear through almost anything. They use them for defense and for offense in battle. Being the dominant demons that they are, it is exceedingly hard for them to evade battle once it has been waged…"

Don't I know it, Sango mused to herself, as she continued to read on.

"Battling is a way of settling affairs among the Inuyoukai. It helps to keep them honorable and it gauges the respect they have for their opponent. In most cases, they will refuse to attack an adversary when they are not at their full strength because it would only serve in showing that they had to defeat their enemy in their weakened state.

Battle is another way to prove oneself to someone they might consider taking as a future mate. Whether it be claws and fangs or just disagreeing and fighting verbally, they are very aggressive and equally as picky. Dog demons, it seems, seek those who are strong at heart that will not crumble when all seems lost. They hope to find a demon of the same breed that possesses these qualities but often enough, that is a folly they cannot always indulge in.

The population of hanyou increases bit by bit because of these proud specimens. They rarely mate with humans to secure their lineage and it is even more rare for a demon and a human to fall in love.

It has been observed in the past that the Lord of the Western lands is an Inuyoukai himself. He was unmated for several centuries and just recently has taken an Inuyoukai mate. She is fair, strong and cold towards our kind but she protects us in the time of need. Showing emotion is not her way at all. We thank her for her assistance and she tells us we were lucky that she came to our aid. It is difficult to understand our lady since she keeps herself so closed off from us…"

Sesshomaru's parents, the tajiya thought, utterly fascinated. No wonder he acts the way he does. He must take after his mother, she added, her eyes finding their spot on the parchment yet again. The next passage was dated a decade later and the writing appeared to be someone else's.

"Our lady has born a child with our Inutaisho-sama and he is very magnificent. He, like his mother, is rather aloof from all appearances but he is eager to learn about us. Our lady brings often brings the young prince to watch us as we toil in the hot sun, while having us keep distant from him…"

Sesshomaru as a child, Sango laughed to herself, a smile lighting her lips as she pictured the Taiyoukai in his boyhood. A small boy with white hair, large golden eyes and the intense look of boredom were stationed on his face. The tajiya giggled, finding where she had left off, seeing that the date of the passage had been altered again by a few years.

"Sadly enough, this discloses our records on Inutaisho-sama and our Great Lady, as well as their son. As of late, they have not been present as often as they once were and we wonder if things have taken place…"

Another author had continued to the next selection but its date was not given. That's all that they have about Sesshomaru's family? Sango released a sigh of disappointment but shrugged, satisfied that she had at least found something about his past, though it felt like spying… When she scanned over the title that was given of the following section, she turned five shades of scarlet and almost fell away from the table. Just where had they found records on THAT?

"Mating positions?" She asked aloud in alarm, her eyebrows nearly reaching her hairline. She swallowed and began to roll the scroll, not wanting to learn anymore when a massive shadow cloaked the doorway, accompanied with a youkai aura she recognized instantly. She froze in what she was doing, her eyes squeezed shut in mortification as she loosed her anxious shoulders and tried to appear calm and composed.

"Rin was looking for your company but I see that you are occupied," a deep, entrancing voice spoke from the giant shadow that had been looming in the doorway behind Sango. The tajiya stiffly turn to meet his gaze, a forced smile upon her face.

The demon lord absorbed her scent that was spasmodically changing from embarrassment to normality and the tightness of her actions. He slowly found amusement winding its way through his chest as he continued to observe her. He had only been trying to find her for his charge's sake, but instead chanced upon hearing her say, "mating positions" in obvious abhorrence and now he found himself wanting to know what she had doing. His lovely golden eyes narrowed into slits as he scanned around her critically, trying to find any object of ridicule. She had been doing something she obviously did not want him to know about and he suddenly felt very paranoid.

"Good afternoon," she told him with forced cheer, her hand slowly closing around the scroll that was perched on the low table she was seated at. She moved her arm with approximated slowness towards herself as she stood, watching him like a hawk for any fast movements. Though she was a highly trained demon slayer, it did not save her from the agility and swiftness of Sesshomaru.

A manipulative smirk lit the corners of the clearly intrigued Taiyoukai's lips and he snatched her arm, ripping the item that was causing her obvious discomfort out from her enclosed fist.

"No! Wait!" Sango cried frantically, attempting to shrug away from his cruel hold on her wrist. Her cheeks blazed in outrage and embarrassment while she flailed her arm that had liberty towards the scroll that was so far out of her reach.

"What is this?" Sesshomaru of the Western Lands mused aloud, more to himself than her. He kept his voice firm and bored, successfully masking the amount of curiosity he was feeling. His honey colored eyes flicked to her face, gauging any further reactions. He turned the roll of paper until he found the label and almost sent her a quizzical look. "Inuyoukai," he remarked arrogantly, scoffing a laugh that held no traces of humor. "Tajiya are predictable in more ways than one," he added and passed her on his way out of the hut. He paused however when he heard her breathing fault for a moment in frustration, her aura spiking angrily.

"What do you mean by that?" she questioned him crossly, her eyebrows descending over indignant dark chocolate colored orbs. She felt her anger rising faster but fought to keep it at bay, her stomach rolled uncomfortably. Her gaze perceived him quite well as she fit the pieces together, starting with the brash conclusion he had made. You think that I'm looking for an easy way to kill you, don't you? She asked the tall, magnificent Taiyoukai as she eyed him darkly. It might have started out that way… but now I find myself more interested in learning about you. "Aren't you jumping things a bit too soon?" she pressed him, crossing her toned arms across her chest in defiance.

"There are probably weaknesses listed in these grave looking texts," He informed her, his voice cool and composed. His eyes were distant though as he continued to try and figure her out at the moment. "However," he added over his shoulder as he turned to make his leave, "I care not if you try and manipulate them," he finished haughtily, tossing the scroll over his shoulder. Sango barely caught the roll of parchment but felt her temper rising steadfastly. He really was unbearable!

"You think that you know so much," She laughed wickedly, mocking him with condescension in her tone. "Dog demons really are very proud creatures. So proud that they must always have the last word," she clipped off though, when he made no move. What was he going to do? Sango quickly braced herself for the coming beating but found that he was just… standing there!

Feeling braver at his welcomed silence, the tajiya finished her train of thought. "Don't ever presume to know what I'm thinking, Sesshomaru, or you might just end up sailing down a rushing river and will be stuck without a paddle!" And with that, she dropped the scroll that had caused so much commotion and brushed past him, his silky mane sliding against her smooth skin for the barest of moments.

Well, with that said, he's probably contemplating a very complicated plan for my demise, the young woman thought, blowing out an exasperated breath. She placed her hand to her abdomen, which was feeling slightly upset, and she massaged gently, wondering where the strange feeling had come from. Her eyes then darted up to the clear afternoon sky, the sun flush warmth against her skin. I'll have to tell Kagome-chan that I used one of her modern phrases to insult Sesshomaru, Sango giggled to herself. I wonder what he's doing now?
Sesshomaru stood in the entrance of hut, deep in thought. Sailing down a river… without a… paddle? His brow scrunched for a moment in concentration as he struggled to come up with a plausible explanation, finding none quickly. That statement makes hardly any sense at all!

Choosing to forget about the confusing statement that Sango had tossed at him, he retrieved the scroll and unraveled it. He was a bit disappointed, clearly noticing how large of a miscalculation he had made with his accusation. He did find himself very puzzled though as he rolled the sheet of parchment back up, setting it on the low table. There is nothing even remotely resourceful in these texts about my kind, he told himself, turning to face the shelves that were crammed full of different records.

Smugness coated his bewildered state as he observed the various stacks of unorganized readings. What a pathetic library, the Taiyoukai concluded in his judgment, his thoughts returning to his own enormous study back at his home in the Western Lands. The two did not even compare!

He glazed his claws along the brittle scrolls, tawny eyes examining each label with a bit of unhidden curiosity. He inhaled deeply, the pungent odor of must and dank wood filling his senses along with a more subtle, pleasing aroma. A smell that eased his muscles, all the while sending an ###### twitch through his middle. He closed his eyes a moment, pressing the sweet scent to memory as he associated it with the demon slayer who had had the audacity to attack his genitals… Hold the phone!

Pleasing aroma? Sweet scent? Belonging to a scrawny, undeveloped female who had been lucky enough to strike him in his privates when he had been off his guard? Sesshomaru stopped himself, his heart contracting for a moment as he felt slightly short of breath. He was loosing control of his raging emotions and that was not a good thing!

The Inuyoukai leaned against the wall of the ramshackle hut, regaining his cool façade as he inhaled deep, dragging breaths. What is happening to me? I have recently met this woman, a human woman, no less… And her body is calling to me? Sesshomaru calmed himself quickly and ran a hand over his face, letting out a deep sigh. There is an explanation, I just need to find it, he told himself, taking in a deep whiff of the air in the study once more.

Again, his nose was assaulted with the smell of decaying wood and mildew but he felt his stomach uncoil when he detected Sango's flowery scent again. How could he have missed the hint of musk in her fragrance? She was going into heat! Or… whatever human females fell into when they were ovulating…

Sesshomaru straightened up and exited the hut, hoping to escape from her tantalizing aroma that was threatening to drive him mad but found that she had left a trail when she had stormed her way back to the camp. He groaned internally, his stomach churning as he fought his all too male instincts. This is not going to bode well, he thought when he heard his charge and the woman who was making his blood boil with excitement laugh in unison in the distance. This is not going to bode well at all… How did I overlook it and not notice it beforehand?

A wave of ebony spread like a blanket across the sky suddenly, the wind picking up its frigid ire as two limber legs fought to run against it. Long golden locks were lost in the violent breeze, azure eyes watering as a petite youkai charged head on into the frosty barrier of wind, hoping to escape from the fatal storm.

Where has this come from? This aura… This wind? The creature thought to herself, licking her chapped, wind-burned lips nervously. She started to feel short of breath, as the sky grew impossibly darker with every stride that she took. It was then that she realized she was running right into a trap. His trap!

From behind her, a menacing laugh erupted, shaking the ground with its intense malice, frightening the demon that appeared to be fleeing it. The earth rumbled again with the rich, terrifying laugh and the youkai who had been fighting so hard to run through the intense conditions, lost her footing and rolled briskly across the ground.

She made an attempt to get up and continue her fast paced journey but her leg, it seemed couldn't agree with her. She let out a cry of fear, her golden mane blustering in all directions, her aqua depths large and frightened as a dark, tall figure approached her and snatched her up by her soft throat.

At the close proximity, the fair demon made out some of the astoundingly beautiful features of her attacker. He had smoldering iron orbs that were peering intensely into her face and his gnarled jet-black curls where beating against her bare arms viciously. His grip was so firm and accusing that the female youkai didn't dare defy him in any way, fearing that he would snap her neck in an instant. His long, elegant face was creased in a hateful smirk, his pearl fangs sharp and dangerous as he chuckled, his thumb caressing her smooth, ethereal skin.

"So here you are," He whispered, his full lips approaching the delicate shell of her pointed ear, brushing against the lobe. The small demon cringed when his hot breath tickled her sensitive ear, his hand never wavering in the grip he had on her throat.

"W-what do you want?" she stuttered, unable to form any coherent questions or sentences as his free hand began to slide down her slender arms. Her body shivered violently with cold and fear, as she stood motionless in his rough hold, not daring to make a move. Fool, you know what he wants. You were warned but didn't take heed, she chastised herself mentally, gasping abruptly when he glazed his claw along the flesh of her neck, piercing it. Thick drops of crimson blood beaded on top of the cut as the demon assailant greedily lapped them up with his despicable, lengthy tongue.

"Tell me where they are," He ordered, slipping his tongue along the curve of her throat, delighting in the way her body was becoming stiff with disgust. The small youkai refused to answer and mewled softly as he continued to torture her by nipping at her neck with his dangerously sharpened fangs. "You know what I'm looking for," he added darkly, his voice rumbling from deep within his diaphragm.

Yes… Yes I do, she thought in anguish, a tear sliding down her cheek as she bit her tongue to stifle a cry of pain when he seized the hair at the nape of her neck roughly. Strangely enough, he started to toy with the fine hair in his hand and graced his talons through it gently. "They're mine," she finally forced out with all of the gathered courage she could muster. "I found them after Naraku's demise," she spat out angrily, finding herself smashed against the cold ground in one blink of her long eye-lashed eyes, a solid body weighing painfully on top of her.

"Yes, I see," the fearsome, loathsome demon above her growled, a bark of aggravated laughter emitting from his throat. "You seek to play the #######, don't you, Eri?" he lashed out callously, rolling her petite figure so that her blazing azure eyes were forced to stare into his bloodshot, fire-lit ones. "You will die by my hands if that is the case," he snarled furiously, standing up. His magnificent body towered over hers as he stayed still, observing her with a tortured gaze.

"What's happened to you?" She asked him in a small voice, pushing herself up weakly, seeking support from her pale elbows. She met his eyes, searching for any answer, finding nothing in his vacant, malicious face. Her heart tightened painfully within her chest for a moment as she felt a myriad of different emotions threaten to consume her. Betrayal… Hatred… Misery… She found her voice again, this time she was strong. "I thought that we were in this together!" She cried, tears spilling down her soft cheeks, her claws digging into the tough, frigid earth in her agony.

The seemingly stoic youkai held his ground for a moment before he turned his back to the stunningly beautiful female who was lying on the earth. He too was waging an inner battle with his heart, feeling the weakness that came with being too expressive of ones feelings. He tightened his mouth into a determined line and gazed over his muscle-bound shoulder, meeting a devastated face with his cold façade. "We were once," he replied to the inquiry she had made the moment before.

"Once?" The lovely demoness cried out in disbelief, her disgruntled golden locks strewn about her bare shoulders. He was a traitor! A traitor! Lying to her like he had… She had waited 53 years to possess the Jewel of Four Souls with him but another group that had the half-demon Inuyasha among them had collected it first. She had wanted to make a wish … She had been hoping to make a wish… But now… But now his selfishness had clouded his dreams as well! "I'll NEVER tell you where I have taken them! You'll NEVER know!" She barked, her tone desperate and appalled as she dug up a chunk of the earth and threw it towards the towering demon.

His eyes narrowed dangerously as he caught the piece of ground in his massive hand, crumbling it in his fist. "I do not need you," he whispered, his voice void of anything save fury. "I have never needed you," he finished harshly, dropping the remnants of soil he held in his hand to the ground as he whirled quickly and vanished into the flurry of crystal white snow.

Eri fell back down to the ground that was quickly accumulating mounds of snow, her skin covered in gooseflesh as she lay there, shivering to death. Nothing was worth it anymore… He had changed… Something had changed him. There was no longer a look of passion in his eyes but one that held contempt and vengeance… What had happened to him?

It was no longer consequential though. The beautiful female demon was positive that he would never find where she had hidden the few fragments of the jewel that she had uncovered. It was by pure chance that she had come across the mythical place anyways…

"You're doing so well, Rin," Sango said, her voice in the deepest encouragement towards the little girl. She handed the child the last stick of pocky that she had with her and she stared at it in a moment in confusion.

"What is this, Sango-sama?" Rin asked, her eyes squinting as she held up the long skinny cookie that was dipped in chocolate.

"It's a reward for working so hard," the elder woman replied, patting the top of Rin's head, her glossy hair soft under her hand.

Rin sniffed it for a moment and then slid her small pink tongue over the stick to get a taste and an enthusiastic grin lit her lips. The little girl nibbled a little bit off the end and then started to eat it faster, the sweet flavor lingering on her lips.

"It's good, isn't it?" The tajiya asked the child, watching her warmly as she ate the lone pocky stick. Rin nodded as she chewed the rest of the treat up, licking her lips to get all the sugar off of them.

"Where did you get this, Sango-sama? Rin likes- Ooh!" She shrieked, remembering what she and her companion had been working on all afternoon. That was the reason she had gotten the scrumptious desert in the first place! "I like it," she amended, grinning proudly up at her teacher. Sango laughed softly, sighing when she saw Rin going through her bag to look for more of the treats.

"Gomen ne, little one. I don't have anymore," the demon slayer told her, feeling slightly guilty. Rin looked up and nodded, her visage bit crestfallen but she giggled and cheered up right away.

"It's all right, Sango-sama. I want to show Sesshomaru-sama what I can do now!" the charge of the demon lord of the West exclaimed, hopping up, her innocent doe eyes scrutinizing the surrounding area for any sign of her Lord. Realizing that if he was nearby that he would have showed himself, she contented herself in finding Jaken. The toad was seated by the mouth of the forest near the river beside the two heads of Ah and Un that were grazing contently. "Jaken-sama!" Rin shrieked, waving two small arms around in obvious diversion, receiving the old youkai's irritated attention.

"What do you want?" He snapped back, waving his staff around. "Do you always insist on pestering this old Jaken?" He threw at her accusingly as the human child drew closer.

Sango watched in innate fascination as Rin strode up to the ornery old demon and sassed him senseless with the new way of talking that she had learned. She laughed aloud but paused, feeling the grinding pulse in her navel that she had been experiencing all day. She stared down at her abdomen, a frown creasing over her features. She also noticed that she looked a bit bloated and sighed, shaking her head. So THIS is what all of the stomach pain has been leading up to, she thought in dismay. I really hope the youkai around me don't notice. That would be so embarrassing, she finished, her cheeks flushing a bit.

The tajiya's middle grumbled in discontent and she rested her hand on it, rubbing in small circles, hoping to sooth the unrest but felt a cramp seize her suddenly. She grimaced and stood up. She had learned from the women in her village as a younger teenager that walking helped to reduce menstrual pain or 'period pain' as Kagome-chan called it.

"Sango-sama! Look! There is Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin called, diverting her attention away from her ovulating body, behind her to where the small girl was pointing. Sure enough, there he was, in all his majesty. She swallowed when she met his eyes and quickly looked away, barely noticing that he had done the same.

Kami-sama, she's intoxicating, the Taiyoukai thought, the highly concentrated scent of musk and wildflowers threatening to overtake him. When she had looked away, he noticed the fragile blush that had illuminated her cheeks and the awkward position of her sagging body. Warmth of a kind he hadn't experienced in a long time seared through his chest and headed south as he continued to gaze upon her. She is only ovulating… She is not really as tantalizing and attractive as she looks right now, he convinced himself, his heart telling him otherwise. He felt sluggish now, his reaction time slowed. He hadn't even heard Rin calling his name until she was right before him and he had almost stepped on her!

"Sesshomaru-sama?" His ward asked him, a quizzical look rooted in her expression. "Does something ail you, my lord?"

He shook his head quickly, ridding the unbidden thoughts of the tajiya out of his mind. He stared down his nose as his adorable little charge and blinked once, making sure that he was completely composed before he answered her. "No, Rin. This Sesshomaru was merely contemplating some things," he replied, his golden eyes darting over, piercing Sango with their intense fire of unspoken words.

Oh Kami-sama, Sango cringed, her face an unbearable red. She turned away and crossed her arms under her sore chest, squinting her eyes shut. He knows! He KNOWS! She shouted in her head, pacing a bit back and forth hoping to calm the anxious maelstrom in her stomach. She felt absolutely mortified!

"Sesshomaru-sama, I have something to show you!" Rin called to him, tugging on his elegant, embroidered sleeve. The Taiyoukai's attention snapped back to his charge when he had heard her speak. He arched a slender eyebrow at her, his mouth forming a ghost of an impressed smirk as he looked down at her. "Sango-sama made me practice speaking correctly and she gave me a 'desert' as a reward. I liked the treat, Sesshomaru-sama. It was very tasty," the little girl continued, sending up an accomplished smile to her Lord who seemed interested.

"I see," he told her, his massive hand resting atop her head as he toyed with her small ponytail. "You have done well," he told her, his voice reserved of emotion but the little girl laughed all the same, throwing herself onto one of his long legs, hugging him affectionately. Sesshomaru was taken aback by her sudden embrace but stood, waiting for her to disentangle himself from him, forgetting that a pair of soft, feminine eyes had watched the entire exchange.

"She even impressed Jaken," Sango added, walking closer to the pair. Sesshomaru proudly stared into her eyes, willing her to look away after she had spoken but found that she was not. Nodding at her remark, the Taiyoukai pulled away gently from his ward, his gaze never wavering from hers.

"Yes, well, I suppose that doesn't count for much," Sesshomaru replied to her offhanded remark, back-handedly insulting his vassal. Sango's eyes widened a bit when she saw his golden eyes fill with a humorous light for a moment before it vanished. She chuckled politely, feeling her cheeks warm up again, wondering why the Taiyoukai was sharing such a friendly exchange with her. Was it because he could smell her menstrual cycle in her scent or something?

"Indeed," she stated, not really sure why she had said it. She sighed and shifted her weight, an ache in her lower back becoming apparent as she stood there beside the handsome, proud Inuyoukai.

The pair was brought out of their musings of each other when they heard Jaken roar out a squawk of annoyance and a condescension towards Rin. Sango smiled at their antics, dropping her arms from their position under her breasts as she relaxed her shoulders. Sesshomaru stood beside her, his eyes flicking between the attractive, wonderful smelling tajiya and his companions.

"Do they always do that?" The human woman inquired, hoping that she would possibly be able to speak on more informal terms with the Taiyoukai. He nodded but chose not to comment further on her words. Sango nodded in return but noticed at he was staring at her oddly enough. She swallowed and laughed nervously, her face glowing again as she evaded his heated tawny gaze.

The peaceful, enjoyable mood was destroyed however, when a frigid chill intertwined with the near evening air, the orange-red sky smearing black. Sango felt her stomach clench, her forehead breaking out in a sweat despite the cold provisions as a sickly demon aura passed around the campsite. Sesshomaru stiffened and crouched for a moment, his nose alert, his ears perked and on guard. Rin and Jaken silenced immediately and Ah Un was ready for anything.

"What is this?" Sango asked him, her voice low as she hugged her arms around her body to keep out the freezing air. She felt like she was going to vomit the aura was so bad; it was almost as bad as Naraku's had been!

"Keep quiet," The Inuyoukai ordered mutely, running from her side. He appeared as a white blur to her vision he was inspecting things so quickly. He paused and looked up, his eyebrows lowering as he observed the artificial darkness overhead. A barrier, he thought, leaping into the air, unsheathing the Toukijin. His hair was blowing about him wildly and he had to squint his eyes to keep them from watering at the harsh breeze. He prodded the barrier experimentally with his powerful sword and was bounced back by a strong shock. He lost his balance and was sailing backwards, arching his back to catch himself in mid-air.

Sango watched, amazed by his gracefulness and agility, her lips turning blue. Her worried gaze shifted over to Rin, who was shaking with cold and fear. She could probably feel the effects of the awful demon aura as well, even if she didn't know what they were. "Rin!" The tajiya called over to the small girl, hoping to get her attention but the little girl didn't hear her over the harsh wind.

Two vengeful iron eyes peered down through the barrier that he had created, watching all of the creatures beneath its hold. The Inuyoukai was a powerful demon of that he was sure. He smells of dog, he concluded, his eyes narrowing further more in closer scrutiny. There was a dragon youkai and a toad that was nearby a little girl… But wait…

He leaned in closer, his eyes straining to see a fair human woman. His eyes widened momentarily and he felt joy for when he realized that he had found just what he was looking for! The Shikon no Tama shards… The ones I am seeking… She has some!

He thought, feeling the adrenaline rush in his blood from the excitement.

The demon ran an enormous hand through his knotted jet-black tangles and loosened the strength of his barrier, to allow himself passage. I'll have those shards, one way or another, he thought smugly as he made illuminated his special youkai ability, disappearing from sight.

Sesshomaru growled in irritation, realizing that he was unable to break through the barrier or detect the presence of the being that was controlling it. His eyebrows furrowed in thought as he touched down on the ground, looking towards Rin and then to Sango, seeing that they had finally found each other.

The wind was whipping viciously now and Sango cradled Rin's body to her own, hoping to keep the shivering girl warm when she was chilled to the bone herself. Her hair had come loose from the tie she had had it in and was now blowing in all directions, strands tangling together all over the place. Jaken and Ah Un were huddled together nearby and Sango looked to them, wondering why they were cold. They were youkai, weren't they? I thought that demons weren't susceptible to the cold, the tajiya thought bemusedly but gasped when hailstones started to plummet from the barrier. The little ice rocks stung her skin but she bore it, hoping to keep Rin safe. She clamped her eyes shut, keeping the little girl close to her for warmth when she felt warmth surround her also. She lifted her head and saw a strong arm encircling her neck. Sango rotated her head a bit and saw Sesshomaru sheltering her from the hailstone and the frigid temperatures. She didn't know what to say, or to what do, but she relished the feeling of his warm, solid body against hers, snuggling her head under his chin when he pulled her against his chest. To protect them both from the constantly falling ice stones, Sesshomaru lifted the long sleeve of his haori and protected them both.

The Inuyoukai found himself holding her closer than he needed to, her body soft and small against his own. Her floral aroma teased his senses and the strict grip he had on his control as he closed his eyes and almost lost himself.

Sango was no longer shivering, nor was she frightened, but her heart was still pounding so hard he was afraid it was going to rocket right out of her chest! Rin was silent throughout the whole encounter but he could still detect the fear that laced her premature apple-lace scent.

The tajiya looked up, meeting his eyes shyly, her generous mouth stretched in a smile. "Arigato," she whispered, leaning her head down willing against his chest, her eyes closed in contentment. Sesshomaru stiffened uncomfortably for a moment when he felt her rest her hand on his heart, wondering why she was being so affectionate.

It was then that the tender scene was yet again interrupted by a menacing laugh that shook the earth…

Writer's Corner:

DUDE! It's been MONTHS everyone! Oh lordy! I apologize! I really do!

But now we really know what the plot is coming down to, si (yes in Spanish .)?

Did you guys like? Please leave many reviews!

Just for a request, if you like this story, can you send it to friends that you think will like it too? I have a feeling this is going to be my best story yet. Sorry it's a little slow moving though…

And you know what? I kept everyone in character! Sango might have seemed out of character for her, but that's because she was going on her period. ALL girls act out of character when they're getting their periods . I know I do… (and that was too much information!)

Anywho…

Please review and I'm going to go and study for the rest of my finals! TA-TAH!

Luv,

RayJay

(The next update should be in a couple of weeks. Thank you for those of you who have waited FOREVER! Here's a hug to each of you!)

:: HUG! HUG!::