Leading the way, Sango was lost in thought, her mind centering on the two confusing men in her life, while Yasuhiro strode silently beside her as they made their way to the lake near the village surrounded by cliffs. It was the same lake that they had emerged from when Yasuhiro had teleported them through the water to reach Kaede in time to save Miroku.

When her eyes fell on the clear surface of the lake, her eyes burned from the sun reflecting on the smooth surface. She blinked fast and narrowed her eyes to try and decrease the blinding effect the sun's reflection caused.

When she heard a rustle of clothing beside her, she automatically glanced to her right only to see Yasuhiro once again removing his clothing. A hot blush stained her cheeks, and she quickly glanced away.

"Warn me before you do that!"

She heard him chuckle. "You do not have to turn away, sweet Sango. I am not in the least bit shy. If you are curious, you may gaze at my unclothed body."

Sputtering incoherently for a few seconds, Sango refused to take him up on his offer, tempted though it may be. "I'm not curious!" Indignation and anger made her voice sound strong.

"Liar," he breathed in her ear, his body heat warm against her back, though he did not touch her.

Too close!

She instinctively charged forward to put distance between them, forgetting that she was standing right at the water's edge. Her foot struck a wet rock, and she stumbled.

She was sure she would have caught herself before she took a head dive into the lake, but a strong forearm circled her waist, hauling her back against a powerful chest, her butt cradled into his groin. She was struck immobile by how quickly their positions had changed. When she felt something at her butt lengthen and harden into an impressive size, she was confused and frowned uncomprehendingly.

"Are you alright, Sango?" Yasuhiro murmured against her temple, breathing in her scent.

It was then that she realized what it was that snuggled so intimately between her cheeks. He was aroused!

Imitating a fish out of water, she then struggled to get away from him. He was immovable.

"Kelpie...!" What was she to say? Your manhood's pressed into my butt? Get the hell away from me? Can I touch it? She stilled at that last thought. What had she just... No! She hadn't meant that!

"Demon slayer..." he whispered, then licked the outer shell of her ear, one hand on her right shoulder, the other on her left hip with the arm wrapped snuggly over her flat stomach.

She shuddered with pleasure, closing her eyes tightly as her hands rose to clench around his left forearm tightly.

He moved his hips, thrusting his hard cock into her ass once, almost imperceptibly, to let her know what he referred to when next he spoke. "Do not be afraid. It is an involuntary response; one I seem to be having quite frequently around you."

All she could say was, "Let me go." Even she could hear the desperation and need in her voice but was helpless to stop it.

"Do you really want me to?"

"Yes."

She felt his smile when he lowered his face to the top of her hair. "I would enjoy nothing more than to prove you lie, but we have pressing business to attend to first."

He released her, his warmth gone from her back, leaving her aching and wanting.

Seconds later, his voice entered her mind. Climb upon my back, and we shall get going.

She gazed hesitantly over her shoulder, a blush still firmly in place on her face, fearing what she might see—a naked Yasuhiro, and almost breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a large, powerful horse standing behind her.

His glossy main shone starkly with the Sun's rays on his midnight locks, his brown hide smooth and bulging with muscle. Even in his youkai state, he was magnificent.

You're blushing, he teased.

Glaring at him, she stomped silently towards him, her face still red, as she first picked up his clothes without being asked, then climbed up on his back, sitting astride, her thighs spread wide as she found her seat.

For some reason, this time, she was embarrassed to be riding him. Knowing he was interested in her, unable to deny the attraction equally felt on both sides, she had an insane urge to sit sideways. But that was ridiculous, right?

Her train of thought scattered when Yasuhiro gave her a warning 'hold on' before launching them into the cold water of the lake. Like before, they emerged from the water not a minute later, dry as if they had not just jumped headlong into a lake.

It was dark; she could barely see except for a strange, green glow that emanated from hundreds of small specks around them.

Though I enjoy having your lush body wrapped around mine, I think it best if I changed back to humanoid form.

"Ah...yes, of course. Sorry." Swinging her leg over his broad back, she landed with a sharp smack. Instantly, she knew she was standing on rocky ground.

"Where are we? A cave?" Sango asked curiously, trying to look around and failing.

"Yes. Naraku has hidden my children here, knowing that kelpies do not normally venture into caves."

Sango felt a hand on her shoulder. Knowing instantly that it was Yasuhiro, Sango tried to look at him, but her eyes had yet to adjust to the dim, strange light.

"If you are done gazing upon my chest, may I have the return of my clothes?" Yasuhiro asked with a small chuckle.

Stuttering defensively, Sango thrust his clothes at him. "It's not like that! It's too dark. I can't see you!"

"So easily riled," he taunted good-naturedly.

Sango refused to deem that with a comment, averting her gaze as she heard the familiar rustle of garments. Her eyes were beginning to adjust to the dim lighting when she felt his hand once again rest upon her shoulder.

"I'm dressed. Do you need me to lead you? My vision is not overly affected by the darkness." His hand glided down her arm as he spoke, his hand finding then clasping hers.

Shaking him off, she moved a few paces away. "No, I can see better now." Walking over to the cave wall to peruse the strange blowing dots, she saw—on closer inspection—that they were wiggling and moving.

"What are they?"

"Glow worms, harmless. They dwell in the darkest depths of caves where it's coolest." Yasuhiro moved to stand beside her. Sango silently wished he would keep his distance.

"How do you know that when your kind don't inhabit caves?"

Sango couldn't see him, but she felt his gaze leveled on her.

"I may not make a habit of journeying through them, but that doesn't mean I am ignorant. When I was younger, I was curious. I was always getting into one scrape after another. I had never ventured far into a cave before, and to prove I had no fear of such places, I explored. Needless to say, I got lost. I was traveling through the endless tunnels for hours when I luckily came across a small pool. I was able to return home, to the scolding arms of my mother."

Sango could tell he smiled during the telling. It was in his voice. "I'm glad you were able to find your way home safely."

She saw his head shift and turn to her. Though it was hard for her to see his expression, she knew he was gazing at her face. "Are you, Sango?"

Unsure about how to reply, she averted her gaze and asked gruffly, "Do you know where your children are being held captive?"

After a moment of silence, he answered. "I can guess. Follow the demonic aura."

Sango gave him the look his less than helpful reply rightfully deserved. Obviously, he could see her expression, for he laughed.

"You doubt my abilities, sweet Sango?" amusement thick in his voice.

Shaking her head, exasperated, Sango started walking away from the rock wall and her amused companion. "Then let's get going."

"Allow me." Yasuhiro easily caught up to her long strides, then half a step ahead to guide the way. Sango didn't question or contradict him, but followed without a word.

**********Back at Kaede's**********

"Should we have trusted Yasuhiro with Sango, Kaede? He is associated with Naraku," fretted Shippo who sat close to both the old miko and sleeping monk for reassurance. Normally he would be beside Kirara, but she was sleeping, recuperating from her injuries.

"I believe Yasuhiro's loyalties have shifted. He is no longer a threat to our Sango," intoned Kaede with a small smile, a warm cup of tea held between her gnarled hands.

"Maybe I should have gone with..." Shippo said, still unbelieving. He was the man of the company since Inuyasha was gone and Miroku out of commission.

Kaede chuckled and patted his small shoulder reassuringly, then changed the subject. "Would ye mind going to the community well and filling this bowl with cold water?" She held out a small, round, wooden bowl. "The water for Miroku's fever has warmed."

Nodding his head, he instantly took it in his small hands and stood. The bowl was small in the old ningen's hands, but since he was barely a foot in height, it made him look ridiculously childish. Though still a child, Shippo strived to emulate a man. He silently urged his small body to grow tall and strong like Inuyasha.

"Sure, Kaede. I'll be right back." He scampered outside and made his way to the center of the village where the community well was built. It was early, but there were already many ningen about and starting their day.

When he arrived to his destination, there were already two young women at the well, so he took his place behind them to wait his turn. He was so small the women didn't even notice that he was there, so they continued to gossip and giggle, unaware.

"Really?! Impossible," one of the women shook her head in disbelief.

Still worried about his friends, Shippo tried to concentrate on their conversation; though, he knew it to be wrong and rude, but he hoped to dispel the gloom his thoughts had taken since Kagome's disappearance. He doubted he would understand anyway; women were strange and confusing creatures, to him.

"I saw it with my own eyes! You can ask Choko," insisted one of the women.

Wondering what she had seen, Shippo stepped closer, curiosity starting to get the better of him.

"I would have never have thought that of the slayer woman. She always seemed so aloof to the monk's advances...I thought, perhaps, she wasn't interested in men."

Slayer? Monk? thought Shippo before his eyes popped wide in realization. They were talking about Sango and Miroku!

Having no idea what they meant by Sango being uninterested in men, Shippo was impatient to know what they were talking about, worried all over again for his friends. Voice raised, he demanded with a high pitch, gaining their attention easily.

"Are you talking about Sango and Miroku? You are, aren't you! What happened? What are you guys talking about?"

They both gasped and whirled around, looking for him frantically before their eyes lowered, settling on his short frame. They blinked quickly, like owls, he noted silently.

"Well? Don't just stand there!"

Their surprised and embarrassed expressions were quickly replaced by girlish giggles. The taller of the two waved her hand at him as she replied with a strange smile. "It's nothing to concern a young boy like yourself."

"But they're my friends...!" he tried to explain, but they merely collected their water buckets and left with more giggles.

"What was that all about?" he wondered, watching them leave with a perplexed expression, wondering if he should be worried.

**********With Sango and Yasuhiro**********

"Uh, so Yasuhiro?" Sango hesitated to ask but curiosity gave her courage. She was surprised she hadn't thought of it before, and now that it had taken root in her mind, she had to have the answer.

"Yes, sweet Sango?" Yasuhiro kept walking, but she saw his head turn slightly towards her. Embarrassed for what she was about to ask and how it would make her sound, she lowered her gaze to his back as they continued walking through the damp, chilly cave.

She also hoped talking would help her get her mind off of the cold.

"If you have children, what about their mother? I'm sure she's worried about them."

Was he married, uh, mated? Is he more like Miroku than I previously thought?

Sango couldn't help but feel self-conscious. It would just be her luck if he were mated and unavailable, not that she wanted him, of course! She just couldn't stand the idea of him cheating on his mate, that's all. What woman would want to know her man was unfaithful? But wasn't knowing better than not? She would want to know the truth, no matter how painful.

"I'm sure she would be if she were alive." His voice was no longer light, but low and filled with...pain?

Ashamed for ever thinking he could be unfaithful, she apologized with feeling, though he could not know her thoughts, thank kami. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a painful subject."

"Don't sound so sad, Sango. It happened years ago."

The question popped out of her mouth before she could think better of it. Afterwards, she instantly regretted her words. "How did she die?"

She raised her gaze to his head, hoping to apologize, but he wasn't looking at her anymore. Why did that make her sad?

"Curious, aren't you," he teased. She noticed the forced quality to his light tone.

"I'm—" she tried to apologize again, but he interrupted her.

"No, it's alright." He was quiet for a minute. She thought he wouldn't answer and didn't blame him, but he surprised her.

"She died a few years ago, trying to give birth to another of my young, a girl. Neither made it."

Sango sucked in her breath at those bleak words, feeling his pain. She instantly sought to reassure him. "I'm sorry for your loss, really, but you mustn't think it was your fault, Yasuhiro."

Though he was sharing something painful, instead of feeling close, she felt as if he were drawing away from her emotionally. It only added to her worry so that she impulsively reached for his hand, holding on tight as she continued to walk beside him. She wasn't very good at this comforting thing and almost regretted her actions, but his larger hand squeezed hers, reassuring her, thanking her.

Sympathizing with his pain, Sango found herself sharing her own. "My father was killed a couple years ago along with my whole village, then my younger brother was taken from me. For the longest time, I blamed myself for not being stronger, for not noticing something was wrong, but a friend of mine made me understand it was only guilt of a different kind that weighted heavily on my heart. That I yet lived while they had not. It's alright to enjoy life. I'm sure your mate wouldn't want you to be sad and unhappy."

"I'm not sad, not anymore." Yasuhiro squeezed her hand again, and Sango knew he was referring to her.

Her heart pounded in her chest. She couldn't reply, so she remained silent, but she was painfully aware of her hand in his. Could he feel her racing heart? Could he hear it?

"You mentioned a brother? Have you found him?" Sango couldn't blame him for being curious. She had asked him a personal question that turned out to be painful for him. It wasn't his fault he didn't know his own inquiry was just as heart wrenching for her.

She must have given something away, for his hand tightened around hers, offering comfort. "Have I upset you?" His words were quiet as if he were afraid to hurt her further.

She shook her head. "It's alright. I upset you first." Before he could contradict her or comfort her for bringing up unpleasant memories, she continued. "A youkai possessed him, used his body to kill everyone, even himself. Now only a shard of the Shikon Jewel keeps him bound to this world."

"So he yet lives?" prodded Yasuhiro gently.

"Yes, but Naraku has him. That's the youkai, no, hanyou, that possessed him in the first place." Her voice was sad, she couldn't help it. Naraku had taken everything from her!

"So that's why you sounded so angry when asking about Naraku. I am so sorry, Sango, for reminding you of your pain."

She shook her head, unable to speak, so they continued to walk in silence, hands still locked together. Forcing her mind from the past and on the present, Sango turned her mind to the danger ahead. She was ready for whatever Naraku had planned for them.

As time continued to pass, she wondered if they were heading in the right direction, her nerves growing taut when nothing continued to happen.

When Yasuhiro broke the silence, she jumped, startled.

"I smell blood and death."

Releasing his hand, Sango gripped her other around the handle of her hiraikotsu, ready to fight. They continued forward in hushed silence, senses open to their surroundings. She couldn't hear anything other than the sound of their feet on the stone floor and their breathing. Her vision had gotten better the longer her eyes had time to adjust to the dark and strange green glow from the worms, but in no means was it perfect.

There were still a lot of rocks and boulders to hide behind, shadows too dense for her ningen eyes to penetrate. She knew Yasuhiro did not have her ningen limitations and focused partially on him for any clues to his body language in order to react quicker to danger in case a verbal warning came too late.

The stench of death reached her gradually and quickly intensified. To be on the safe side, Sango took out her gas mask and tied it behind her head to cover her nose and mouth. It did nothing to banish the familiar but still awful stench, but at least she knew she wouldn't breathe in any toxins.

"There are ningen and youkai remains littering the ground. Be careful where you step, Sango." Yasuhiro warned her.

She blinked in surprise since she hadn't noticed any bodies, but on closer inspection, some objects she thought were rocks were actually arms, legs, torsos, and heads, all in various stages of decomposition. She was almost glad that she couldn't see in detail.

Movement caught her eye, but when she glanced in that direction, all was still, quiet. "I think I just saw something move over there, Yasuhiro." Sango pointed in the general direction, and he obligingly followed her pointed finger.

"I do not see anything, but I sense the enemy is near. Stay close to me. It's best if we don't get separated."

She nodded her understanding while keeping her vigil.

Then before she could react, Sango was shoved behind Yasuhiro while his fist embedded into a dark form just inches from where she had been standing. She would have fallen had she not grabbed the back of his haori with her left hand. Righting herself, she watched as Yasuhiro threw the body against the cave wall where it slumped over, unmoving.

"What was that?!" she demanded, taking up a fighting stance, unhooking hiraikotsu from her back in preparation to attack.

"I thought it was another corpse until it charged," he answered with a perplexed tone of voice.

"A corpse?" Thoughts of the old crone who took Kikyo entered her mind. Could this be her lair? Was she also behind the capture of Yasuhiro's children? Maybe she was about to meet up with Inuyasha?! But then if the dark miko still lived, did that mean Inuyasha did not?

She shook her head in denial. He was okay. Inuyasha could take care of himself. Still, she worried.

She opened her mouth to warn Yasuhiro of the possibility when movement again caught her attention. Dozens upon dozens of dark forms shuffled towards them. From the greenish glow from the worms, she could make out little detail, but from what little she could see, these creatures were hideous, barely recognizable as human. Only their human-like forms attested to their identity.

Not waiting for them to get any closer, Sango yelled, "Hiraikotsu!" launching her deadly weapon. It spun dizzyingly fast with lethal intent as it flew in a wide arch before shredding many of the grotesque forms in half, before spinning back to her. She caught hiraikotsu easily from years of practice, ready to throw her weapon again.

Cries of rage pierced the air, magnified by the echo of the cave. Unable to help herself, she dropped hiraikotsu and covered her ears, cringing in pain. It was so loud and shrill she feared her ears would explode. She was barely aware of the sticky substance that seeped between her fingers. Her ears were bleeding.

Then all was silent so quickly, her ears rang in the aftermath.

Opening her eyes and straightening from her bent over position, Sango looked around in time to see dark forms rushing her. She sucked in her breath, her body tense as she reached for hiraikotsu. It wasn't there! Belatedly, she remembered dropping it, her hand instantly going for her sword, too late!

Water from the dripping rock walls rushed to form a thin shield between her and the oncoming horde, then rushed over them, stopping them in their tracks. The drop in temperature and puffs of fog from her breath told her that they had been frozen in ice.

Awe had her mouth falling open, eyes wide in shock as she stared.

"Are you alright, Sango?!" Yasuhiro was there, standing before her, gripping her shoulders, and gazing down at her.

She could just make out his handsome, worried expression. "Y-yes, thanks to you. How did you do that?"

"The elements of water hold no secrets from me."

With that cryptic response, he kissed her forehead before releasing her, but stood close as he waited for another attack, an attack that didn't seem imminent. The dark forms just stood there, waiting.

It made her uneasy. Sango hoped they didn't screech again. She wasn't sure her ringing ears could take that again. The possibility of going deaf was frightening to her. Quickly reaching down to pick up hiraikotsu, Sango pushed her fear aside and stood at the ready.

"That can't be," she heard Yasuhiro whisper.

Before she could glance over at him in question, the icy forms shuddered, the sound of ice beginning to fissure and crack echoing along the cave walls. Acting fast, she threw hiraikotsu again, cutting her foes in half as they were freed from their prison.

As hiraikotsu made its rotation back to her, Sango feared another onslaught to her ears. Instead, thankfully, silence reigned. Yet still the forms farther away remained unmoving. What was going on?

"I don't like this," she muttered, body tense, ears throbbing.

"Perhaps if we advanced?" suggested Yasuhiro. Without waiting for her answer, he told her, "Keep close." Then started forward slowly.

She was forced to follow, her eyes on the foe before her.

Out of nowhere, something crashed down on Yasuhiro, taking him to the ground from above. Three bodies covered his, and Sango hefted hiraikotsu with both hands, arms drawn back, ready to strike at his assailants when she was tackled from the side.

As she fell, she jabbed the body on top of her with her elbow. A satisfying crack dimly reached her abused ears as her elbow connected with its jaw, bone breaking.

Hitting the ground, she absorbed the blow and kicked out at her attacker, throwing him off with ease. Jumping to her feet, she was forced to defend herself before she could look for Yasuhiro. She could hear him fighting, so figured, hoped, that he was alright.

She swung hiraikotsu, her wrist rotating back and forth as she slashed at the bodies that came after her in abundance. No longer did they stand back watching. They were out for blood.

The enemy was too close and far too many for her to throw her weapon, but she easily dispatched them, hiraikotsu just as deadly in close quarters.

Teeth sank into her calf, trying to tear through her uniform to get to meaty flesh. Crying out more in anger than pain, Sango used her other leg to kick out and connect with its head, knocking it loose. Another grabbed onto her arm, but she head butted it, and the hideous being released her and stumbled back.

It was so close she could almost make out what should have been its face. Before her mind could register much detail other than a gaping hole where a nose should have been, her eyes locked with the creature's. It shone with a hellish, red light and she froze, literally.

She couldn't move!

She could do nothing more than gaze into its glowing eyes even when she felt sharp claws from other attackers digging into her shoulder and another in her hip. She heard fabric tear, her uniform, as claws sank deep into her flesh. She could feel warm blood trickle down her body. Another clamped its jaws around her ankle.

They weren't dismembering her; they were eating her! More mouths latching onto her, biting, gnawing. From out of nowhere, she heard her father's voice inside her mind, lecturing her about the difference between evil spirits and the spirits of the damned.

"As you know, Sango, youkai are not the only evil in this world. Evil spirits are just as dangerous, but even more so are the souls of the damned. Jikininki are the spirits of evil ningen cursed to walk this land while their bodies, already dead, rot and decay. They crave the flesh of corpses; though, they hate their existence. Hardly ever do they attack the living, but I have seen it happen. But if they do, their gaze can freeze a man for as long as their eyes are locked. The only way to banish their souls from this life is by the prayers and purification of a miko or monk."

"Then how do I kill this jikininki if I encounter one, father?" a young Sango inquired.

In a show of affection and to soften his words, her father tousled her hair. "You don't."

Brought out of her remembrance from the pain of yet another bite, Sango wondered if she was about to be eaten alive. Thoughts of her friends intruded, even her brother, but it was Miroku's face she saw, yearned to see one last time.

She wanted to tell him she loved him before she died. Why hadn't she told him before?!

Then the teeth were gone, her body unfrozen as the glowing eyes left her vision. Before her mind could process what was happening, she was in another's arms, held close to a man's muscular chest. The scent of fresh grass and a musky undertone filled her nostrils as her face was pressed against Yasuhiro's neck. She would recognize his scent anywhere.

"I've got you, sweet Sango," she heard him whisper tenderly in her ear before wind rushed past her. They were running and fast. Away from the jikininki, but they weren't out of danger yet.

They still had to save his children and fight whoever held them.