InuYasha's hands and feet had been bound.

When he woke up staring blankly at a wall he'd been confused, but when Sango explained to him what fate had nearly befallen her, he'd gone feral. The only option, the way he saw it, was death and it was a penalty he was willing to dole out personally. It had taken Sesshomaru, who's head still felt as if he'd been hit by a train, Sango, Shippo, Jaken, Sango, Kagome, and a few other passerbyers to subdue his erratic swinging and even still, his screaming was unstoppable.

Kagome, however, was gentler. She kept a close eye on Sango, knowing that the worst didn't have to come to pass for the trauma to be present. Shippo stayed in Sango's arms, questioning their decisions to move so suddenly. He'd like the castle.

Rin, usually so happy and clueless, glared at Shippo, "would you shut up?"

Sesshomaru gave her a withering look, no matter how grateful he was for her interference.

The home Jaken had chosen for them was within view of the castle, but the expansive layout was the most ideal he could find with three hours notice. Kagome and InuYasha shared a room, but everyone else was left to unpack their meager belongings in their separate rooms. It was only when Sango was alone, face hidden within a pillow, that she let her fear consume her.

She tried to tell herself that she was safe, that Sesshomaru would not intentionally hurt her, but the longer she stared at her bruised wrist, the longer she replayed the events, she realized that he could have and she'd have no one to blame but herself. Her door opened after two soft knocks and she knew who it was before his silver hair could announce him.

His kind smile warmed her, soothing her shaking shoulders, "want to tell me what you're thinking?" He sat beside her, leaving room for her to scoot away should she wish to. She didn't.

"No, it wasn't your fault."

Hesitantly, he held her hand, "no, but that doesn't mean it hasn't affected you. The priestess was telling me about something called," he paused a moment to remember her words, "trauma. Apparently, living through something horrifying can be just as mentally damaging as almost suffering that horrible thing." When Sango said nothing, he continued, "your choice has already been violated and that was my fault entirely. You've also lost someone close to you. I just want to be here for you."

Again, she said nothing and he pulled her closer, "do you mind if I read?" She shook her head no and he pulled a scroll from his sleeve. He didn't say another word, didn't push her to spill her guts. Instead, he wrapped his mokomoko around her and let her sob quietly into his shoulder.

OoOo

Sango was very good at keeping busy. Sesshomaru warned the orphanage that they would be there the next morning and when they arrived Sango was a machine. She inspected the dirty corridors and made note of the slop that the children were forced to eat. The rooms were too cold. Their clothes were too dirty. They're sheets were too thin and she was going to fix it all.

Sesshomaru had to admit, he'd never considered the children without parents. It wasn't that he felt one way or another about them, he simply never thought of them.

Kagome, of course, was appalled. She instructed Sango on how they did things like this in her own time period and pointed out some pitfalls using science to back it all up. Now, Sango wasn't a wizard when it came to academics. She could read and write and do basic math and so she took Kagome's word for it when she said that there were microscopic beings that lived on dirty surfaces and made people sick.

InuYasha, on the other hand, seemed to grab a broom the moment he stepped foot inside. With a cloth over his nose and his sleeves rolled up, he took out his righteous indignation upon the dirt and dust that lived rent free inside this place.

All the while Sesshomaru stood in the entrance, not interested in touching anything. It wasn't until Kagome, Sango's unofficial advisor, offered him a rag and a bucket of something that smelled foul, that he was put to work.

By the end of the day his kimono was filthy, but the orphanage seemed to sparkle. Sango was smiling as she admired their handiwork, "we did a great job, huh?"

She was surprised that Sesshomaru had participated so willingly. In the few times she'd seen him that day he'd been lying flat on the ground, scrubbing with all the same vigor he had when in battle. There were even occasions when she saw him working with InuYasha to defeat a particularly intense spot.

He nodded, "we did. I never knew these places were so dirty. Mother really didn't bother to keep tabs on her people."

Kagome returned in that moment, both she and InuYasha were hidden behind large piles of fabric, "it's easy to forget about the children with nothing when you're oh so busy running a kingdom. I only thought of them because I wanted to be useful."

Sesshomaru placed his lips to her cheek, "doesn't matter why you did something kind. It just matters that you did it."

She cupped the place where he kissed, fighting so desperately to keep the fight in her eyes, "who said you could kiss me?" It must not have been working, because he chuckled at her and walked away without explanation. He'd grown truly comfortable with her if he thought he could get away with-

She froze. The realization drenched her like river water in the early months of Spring. He was comfortable with her. She watched him from across the room. His stern expression was unwavering as he spoke to the priestess in charge of the children.

The woman bowed low, seeming to thank him for all of his help, but he held up his hand, regal and cool. They were on their way over and Sango was staring blankly, looking as dull as the scooping end of a spoon. She couldn't seem to shake the knowledge that he was comfortable. With her. With Sango. With the woman who fought him tooth and nail every step of the way.

"Princess Sango," the maiden bowed before her. "The children and I are so grateful for your visit today. Lord Sesshomaru says it was your idea." The priestess had hair as golden as Seshsomaru's eyes, her eyes, however, were a delicate violet.

"The pleasure is all mine. A kingdom is only good as its weakest citizen." She figured that was a diplomatic answer and patted herself on the back for it, internally of course, "may I ask an unrelated question?" The priestess readily agreed, staring at Sango with a kind of instant and undying loyalty, "what kind of Priestess are you?"

"I am Priestess to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Shota, however, is a Priest to the Moon God, Tsukuyomi." She explained how when a dog demon was born they were pleased by whichever God was present. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, it would seem, were born in the darkest hour of the night for their hair shone the brightest. However there were demons with colors ranging from moonlight to sunshine and Sango couldn't help wondering what color hair her child would have.

Sango left the orphanage feeling warm and far more in control of her life than she had this morning. She watched Sesshomaru lead the way, trying to keep her staring inconspicuous. In a moment her feelings had upended themselves. Maybe it was a trick of the light. In the light of the setting sun, even InuYasha looked otherworldly, the only difference was that Sesshomaru didn't ruin the illusion by speaking.

The manor Jaken had chosen was staffed by people that seemed to love Sesshomaru as much as he did. They'd only just gotten into view of their home when the doors flung open. Each of them throwing themselves into their art. Sango was all but carried away because they'd drawn her bath and they'd hate for her not to enjoy it to the fullest.

Her handmaidens were gentle with her hair, their claws were heaven against her scalp and she was sure that she could love Sesshomaru for the benefits that his name carried, alone. His cheeky smirk and mischievous chuckle were also plusses. She could say that she hated his brutality, kick and scream because he followed her around like a loyal dog, but did she actually care?

She didn't want anyone to get hurt, but his readiness to shed blood over her made her feel special.

He'd proven himself in any way that mattered and now she was just waiting, waiting to tip over the edge. Still, she was hesitant. It hadn't been three months since Miroku's death, but Sesshomaru was steadfast. He opened himself to her, peeled back centuries worth of defenses without a word of complaint or discomfort. He was honest about his faults and he was far more charming than he gave himself credit for.

Heavy knocking startled Sango. Her handmaidens were quick to their feet and she strained her ears to hear what was said.

"Please," Kagome's trembling voice caught her attention, "I need to see her." Sango rose from the water, drying with one of the fluffy towels they'd kept perfectly warm for her.

"The princess is in the bath, human. Begone." While she appreciated the way they seemed dedicated to guarding her peace, she could not appreciate the vicious way they spoke to her dearest friend. If Kagome wished to bother her every hour of every day then she was more than free to do so.

"Ryuka," Sango was wrapping her kimono around herself as she left the bathroom, not bothering to look up as she connected the overlapping fabrics. When she did look up, however, she felt her eyes widen. Kagome stood trembling in the doorway, tears and blood streaking her cheeks. Her pretty green kimono had been shredded, "let her in." She felt the fear hitch in her throat and she rushed to her friend's side, dragging the girl inside, "go and fetch Inu-,"

Kagome's gargled, "no." Halted her, but she recovered. InuYasha was her favorite comfort. There was never a time when Kagome did not call him first, but her watery eyes were pleading with her.

"Then bring Sesshomaru." She was clutching her friend's trembling form, begging her to be calm, to tell her what was wrong. She wouldn't assume the worst. Two attempts on their womanhood within as many days was too much to fathom. Kagome had no reason to be a victim anyways. She wasn't the one marrying Sesshomaru. She couldn't break the curse anymore than her handmaidens could.

Ryuka bowed, "but Princess. He asked to not be disturbed."

Sango's expression must have left nothing secret. His desire to be left alone meant nothing to her in this scenario. She briefly wondered if Ryuka was thick headed. There was a woman in a shredded kimono, covered in blood, and shaking, but her only thought was to protect the Demon Lord's quiet time.

She was beginning to understand why Sesshomaru was so violent with them.

"Tell him I sent you." Her voice sounded cold, even to her, but she didn't care.

Ryuka darted away, her tail hung low and her ears flat against her head.

"Kagome, what happened to you?" The tears across the front of her kimono exposed her most private parts, the hem was ripped and her legs trembled. When the girl in her arms buried her face in her neck, hot tears soaking the edge of her kimono, Sango's heart sank. Already, bruises were appearing on her even skin.

"Hina, draw another bath for Kagome and then leave."

There was no argument, only the sound of water rushing into the basin.

Hina was quick to leave, only sparing half a bow on her way to the door, "do you need anything else, Princess?" Sango had already left her bedroom, leading Kagome to the bath. Her voice was soft as silk for her friend, her hands gentle on the obi that had been knotted and frayed.

"Nothing more Hina."

"But Princess, there's an angry half demon at your door."

Kagome dissolved into her, clutching Sango with all of her meager strength. She begged and whimpered, "he can't see me this way, please." Her eyes were closed against the outside world, her hands trembling as she snuffled.

"Send him away, and tell Sesshomaru I said to hurry up."

InuYasha was yelling now, forcing his way in and making everything so much worse.

"Get in the tub, okay? I will handle this."

She grabbed her hiraikotsu and angled it at InuYasha, "listen to me. You are making things so much-,"

"Let me see her. Sango, please. Let me in. I heard some men talking, I need to be sure that she's okay."

Sango sighed, lowering the weapon, "she's not okay." She could see that desperate sadness be replaced with blood boiling rage, "but if you barge in you'll make it worse. She's ashamed and shaken. She doesn't want you to see her this way. You need to leave. Please don't make me hurt you."

He wrenched the boomerang from her hand, launching it gracelessly down the hall, and threw Sango over his shoulder, "I won't be kept in the dark." She kicked against his grip pulling his hair and screaming for him to stop, but he wasn't listening. It was only when her foot connected with his groin did he buckle.

Sesshomaru appeared at that moment, wet hair knotted at the base of his neck.

"What is going on here?"

Sango freed herself from the groaning half demon's clutches. She didn't know why she was angry with Sesshomaru, but Kagome wouldn't talk to her, wouldn't point her in the direction of someone who she could hurt, and so she took out her rage on him.

"One of the people your stupid imp hired hurt Kagome," she crossed her arms over her chest, "I just need you to sniff her kimono and tell me which way to run. Other than that your divine services are not necessary."

He stared stupidly after her as she stomped away to take Kagome's discarded clothing.

It only took a moment for him to follow her, not quite sure if he should allow her to throw her wet hair so angrily. He could hear her arguing with the priestess, insisting that she'd break the curse just to kill the man who dared lay a paw on her.

"You are my most precious friend, let me kill him!"

Not understanding the severity of the situation, he chuckled, that was a thought he'd have. More struggling.

"No! I don't want to think about it anymore. What's done is done, just let it go!"

He moved towards the bathroom, hand over his eyes, "can someone enlighten me?" There was water soaking the neck of his kimono. He hadn't had time to wring out the curtains of hair and now the water was making a comeback. The smell of her bubbles overpowered his nose, the handmaiden must have overcompensated for their human senses and now everything smelled as if his head were in a peach.

But there was no masking the scent of blood and semen. He kept his eyes down, determined not to see the priestess's bare being. He had no interest in that. Instead he tore the kimono they both gripped, holding the fabric close his face.

"Sesshomaru, don't tell her anything," Kagome's large, broken stare was pleading, "just take InuYasha and go. Please." He felt a small pang of protectiveness for the Time Hopping Nuisance. At every turn she'd always been there, shrieking over his fool of a brother, getting in his way, challenging him, but in this moment -when they were under his care- he found himself becoming just as angry as Sango seemed to be.

Sango found her heart pounding, the rage was still there, but Sesshomaru's soft lips were pulled downwards in a sneer. His eyebrows knitted together as his fingers flexed around the cloth.

"I won't do that," he turned on his heels, "Jaken will bring your dinner here. I will make your home safe."

"But-,"

"Enough Kagome," his gaze was sharp, like a million golden daggers, "you did not start this fight. He has sealed his own fate. Do not be ashamed that you were overpowered." His pace was brisk and he grabbed InuYasha by the collar.

Sango chased after him, he didn't get the chance to ask her anything. She stood on the tip of her toes, surging upwards as gracefully as a swan. Her lips met his, her hands coiling around his neck. The kiss was barely a peck, a brushing of lips, but he smiled at her regardless.

"I thought you said that violence didn't turn you on?"

She released him, swatting at his shoulder, "it's not the violence, stupid. It's the fact that you like Kagome. A human woman who has done nothing to become an exception in your mind." She hadn't opened his eyes to humanity, she hadn't stolen his heart. Kagome was nothing but a human woman who had been wronged and he was defending her, comforting her.

He rolled his eyes, "let's go InuYasha, we have a very important surgical procedure to perform."

A.N./ this chapter's suggestion is The Great Mistake by Demonic-Otaku. That silly little one shot had me cackling.