Chapter Nine – In The Void …

A/N - I changed the ending of this chapter. I did not like how it was turning.


Sesshomaru's eyes widened when he perceived that at the center of the light was the woman, Sango. "So, she is miko after all." He stated as a matter of fact. "I could not sense her abilities, nor do I sense them now. What manner of power is this that she is capable of?" He pondered. Sesshomaru felt his anger grow. Within a moment, the pulsing increased even more, and so did his speed. Sesshomaru tensed, preparing to strike. His fingertips began to glow as he prepared to unleash his poison claw attack.

Sango could feel a presence filled with anger and the emotion was growing. With adrenalin swarming through her system, she freed herself of her mental bonds and spun around to face the disturbance head on. Her heart increased its cadence in anticipation of confrontation with the unknown entity. Her mind registered the synchronized increase of the glowing pulsating tears; however, she did not respond to the spectacle. Beyond the glow was an all encompassing darkness. She could not see the creature, yet, she knew that it was out there, somewhere and it was coming closer. Racing towards her with an increasing speed and it continued filling with rage. Sango inhaled jaggedly, and unconsciously clenched her jaw in determination. She would destroy whatever was out there.

Sesshomaru could smell the woman's scent. In the void where there were no other incidental scents to mingle with hers, it was intoxicating and his resolve to destroy Sango wavered. He closed his eyes and briefly savored Sango's personal fragrance. He had never encountered an aroma quite like hers, gently musky and spicy like pepper, yet it held sweetness. His eyes flew open and his rage returned. "A trap is it?" He surmised. "It won't work human wretch." A small cold smile appeared on his lips. Instead of softening his features, the expression made him look more frightening.

Within the darkness, Sango could see an outline take form. She narrowed her eyes in an attempt to make out the form. The first thing that she saw was the hair, white as winter snow. Sango's heart skipped a beat, "Inuyasha? No, the aura isn't the same." She continued to stare at the figure coming towards her. She had let down her guard briefly when she had thought that Inuyasha had been coming towards her. She brought up her defenses once more. One more moment went by, and the figure came closer. She could now make out the face and her eyes widened in shock. "Sesshomaru." She said.

Sesshomaru could see the woman clearly now. He saw her moment of confusion and her quick resolution to maintain battle position. He then saw Sango's sudden look of shocked recognition of him. 'So, she did not know I was here. Nevertheless, I will still destroy this lowly human.' He thought grimly. He was coming upon the woman quickly.

Deep inside, he acknowledged the wondrous sight before him. His heart constricted slightly. Sango was a wonder to behold set within the glowing pulsing lights. Her eyes glittered with anger. Her jaw set in determination. She had a flushed look, as blood raced throughout her system preparing herself for a strenuous glorious battle. At that moment in time, she was the embodiment of power; however, she was only a lowly human female. He scoffed the notion aside and willed his heart to cease its annoying activity towards the demonslayer.

Sango felt excitement. She stared at Sesshomaru speeding towards her. She noted the stoic expression on his face. 'There's not a flaw on his face.' She wondered where that thought came from. She observed his hand, claws glowing ready to strike. She could see the tense muscles bulge along his long graceful neck. Her gaze roamed towards his eyes. His angry amber eyes looked right at her. She could not tear her vision away. 'His eyes, what is with those eyes?' She briefly remembered the one time she had thought Inuyasha was cute. She remembered looking into Inuyasha's eyes. 'Sesshomaru's eyes are different. It's like he can see right into me.' Her heart started to race uncontrollably as did the glowing lights.

Sesshomaru suddenly sped up incredibly fast. Before he could take action, he slammed into Sango. They both went flying out of the circle of pulsating lights. With no energy to feed from, the lights faded. Sesshomaru and Sango became encased in darkness. The impact distracted Sesshomaru and the poison on his claws dissipated. Seconds went by. Sesshomaru gained his bearings and realized he had landed on top of Sango. He looked down at her and saw her looking up at him. He could tell that she was having difficulty breathing. She wore a look of panic as she struggle to take a breath. Her eyes began to glaze over and her lips started to take on a bluish tint.

Sango felt the impact take the breath right out of her. She landed hard onto her back. 'When did the ground appear?' She thought and then realized that she could not breathe. The impact winded her, and along with a sudden additional weight crushing her, Sango's lungs could not expand. She looked up to see what was holding her down. She saw white hair, everywhere. Her lungs burned from lack of oxygen. She fought to breath. Panic filled her thoughts, and every inch of her body. She began to feel light headed and struggled to stay conscious. She did not notice Sesshomaru watching her.

Sesshomaru could feel Sango's weakening struggles. He became fascinated with Sango's eminent death and did not think to move off her as he watched her face closely. He had killed thousands of creatures. Many of them, humans in his lifetime, yet he had never thought to observe death this closely. Sesshomaru became spellbound.

Sango felt tired. Deep in the back of her mind, reason was attempting to tell her that this was only a dream. She could not be dying. Her body was screaming a different tune. 'Why can't I breathe?' She thought and then could not keep her eyes open. Consciousness began slipping away from her.

Sesshomaru watched Sango close her eyes and found the fascination that he had felt earlier dissipate. He felt her body go limp underneath him. 'So, this is it. Humans, such weak, pathetic creatures.' He thought to himself, disappointment and a small bit of disgust filled him. He had expected to see more of death's little secrets revealed to him from this woman. Sesshomaru started to move off the near lifeless demonslayer.

He found his face inches from Sango's as he picked himself up. He found himself spellbound once more. He scrutinized her face, the pallor of near death brought out her faint freckles. Her skin was smooth. Almost as smooth as his. He noted the minuscule blood vessels just below the skin. Without those "imperfections" her skin could have been mistaken for the finest alabaster. He felt a slight urge to reach up and touch Sango's face. He fought that urge as he continued to observe her. She had long thick dark brown eyelashes that curved eloquently upwards. He recalled from memory that the eye color behind those perfect eyelids had been a rich brown with flecks of a deep rich gold.

Sesshomaru recoiled slightly. He became disgusted with himself for being able to recall that small detail in. 'I am NOT that pathetic half-breed, Inuyasha.' However, very deep down inside, he felt something awakening from the long buried recesses of his long forgotten heart. Sesshomaru attempted to shrug the emerging emotion away. The feeling made him feel as though something under his flesh crawled. The sensation started from the pit of his stomach and slithered up towards his forehead where it stopped. The uncomfortable sensation began to pool and intensify around the moon centered on his brow.

End of Chapter nine.


I am sooo SORRY everyone! I did not mean to take this long for the next installment. My computer became very very "unreliable"! I did not want to post anything until I had it resolved.