Any day now, Sango knew Miruko would come any day by now so she had to arrange a visit to Lord Kuranosuke Takeda's land. The men excused themselves from the shogun's chamber as Sango entered the room, Kaho trailing behind her. They both bowed down to the shogun, in greeting.

"Good morning, Milord." Sango began.

"What would my daughter have to say?"

"I would like to request permission to travel to Lord Takeda's lands to abide by your wish of informing the lord of my betrothal."

"Sango, my child, you do not have to ask me of my permission. Informing me is enough. Be on your way and be mindful of your surroundings."

"Yes, father." Sango bowed before they left the room.

"I know it's not just Lord Kuranosuke that you want to meet." Kaho teased.

Sango blushed and pinched Kaho's side. The witch squealed and slapped Sango's had as she tried to soothe the pain on her side.


"Okay, now, point it at the target." Sango instructed as she guided Rin.

Rin closed her left eye as she angled her arrow at the target. She pulled her right arm backwards and released the arrow.

Close enough. Kaho thought but cheered on the little girl. "Well done, Rin-chan."

"Sorry. I'll do it again." the little girl apologized.

"For tomorrow, Rin. You have calligraphy lessons." Sesshomaru uttered as he entered the scene.

Rin nodded her head. "I'll see you later, Lady Sango and Lady Kaho."

Sesshomaru merely glanced at Sango before he too left the training grounds.

"So, any progress with the both of you?" Kaho asked.

"You tell me, you've been with us for the past few days." Sango said rather harshly.

"I mean, it's not like I'm expecting something to happen. I'm here to train Rin and yes I've done it but can't he at least talk to me? Like, I don't know, maybe say he appreciates Rin's progress. Ugh! I need to distract myself." Sango stated and headed to the stables.

The demon hostler, who was tending the horses, welcomed the ladies and escorted them as Sango picked a horse. She then stopped and picked the Fjord stallion.

"I wouldn't advise that, Milady. That is Lord Sesshomaru's horse and he's rather aggressive and only listens to Lord Sesshomaru's command." The hostler warned.

Despite the man's caution, Sango approached the horse and caressed its jowl and muzzle. The hostler only stared in shock as even he couldn't come that close to the animal.

"Hey, big guy, is it okay if I go for a run with you?" Sango asked and moved to its saddle.

Holding unto the reins, Sango lightly tugged it and ushered the horse to move. After they had left the stable, without Sango's command, the horse went running like he had been finally released from his cage.

"Woah! Calm down, boy." Sango tried to calm the horse and rubbed its neck.

The horse didn't listen and continued galloping until he headed to the forest. Sango kept a tight grip on the reins and ducked as she almost hit a tree branch. The horse jumped across a river and when it lurched forward as it came across a cliff, Sango lost her grip. She shut her eyes close as she prepared herself to meet the sea of trees down below but only felt two strong arms catch her from her fall. Sesshomaru smoothly landed on the edge of the cliff.

"How foolish, didn't the holster warn you about my horse?" Sesshomaru coldly said.

"He did. I was just being stubborn." Sango mumbled after getting down from his arms and keeping a safe distance.

"Here, let me show you." Sesshomaru whistled.

The horse quickly came running to its master. Sesshomaru turned to Sango and looked at her, the eye contact made Sango feel uncomfortable and tried to look elsewhere. Slowly, Sesshomaru reached out for her face and tucked her free hair behind her ear. His fingers then proceeded to Sango's tied hair. Capturing some strands in his hand, Sesshomaru brought it to his nose. Freesia. She smelt like spring and it tantalized the inuyoukai's senses. Sango blushed at this and could hardly maintain eye contact as the daimyo stared at her whilst revering her scent. Sesshomaru then made the horse sniff the taijiya's hair. Moving aside, Sesshomaru gave way to his horse as it circled the demon slayer and rubbed its muzzle on her.

"He trusts you." the Inu no Taisho remarked.

Sango giggled as the horse rubbed its forehead with hers.

Displeased with this, he pulled Sango from the horse.

"Let us head back to the castle." He said and made Sango ride the horse before he sat behind her and held the reins, trapping the demon exterminator in his hold.

His chest pressed against her was the ultimate reason to the taijiya's reddened face. Thankfully, the demon lord had no view of it, lessening Sango's worries.

The journey back to the castle was slow and Sango was thankful of it as she had a majestic view of the sunset. Sadly, staying in the western lands isn't her primary intention. She is bound to leave the place sooner than later.

"I have to leave tomorrow." Sango bitterly spoke as she looked at Sesshomaru's clawed hands.

She reached out for it and held it under her grasp.

"Your village is full of taijiya, why must having you there make a difference?" the daiyoukai uttured.

Sango turned her head to gaze at her companion. "I'm heading elsewhere."

Sesshomaru kept his eyes on their path. "Back to that houshi then?"

Sango faced the same direction. "No. I have to visit Lord Kuranosuke to inform him about my marriage."

"Lord? A friend of the shogun, I presume."

"Uhhh... He actually asked my hand in marriage so I have to see him to settle any unresolved matters."

Given their distance, Sango didn't fail to hear the growl that the inuyoukai released. Turning to face the demon lord, Sango caressed the red marks on Sesshomaru's cheek and ushered him to lean down. The Inu no Taisho obliged as both shared a brief kiss.

I love you. Sango had wished to say those words but was afraid of the consequences the simple phrase could create.


"Hime-chan!" Lord Kuranosuke Takeda greeted as Sango and Kaho entered the gates of his land.

"Lord Kuranosuke." the ladies spoke in unison and bowed.

"Do not bow to me, Hime-chan." Takeda stated. "I am very overwhelmed to have you visit me especially as I have failed to do so with you. Have you come to accept my offer of marriage?"

Sango looked at him. He could've been a better man to bound herself with, he could be a better candidate as a shogun but due to the Sacred Jewel, her father needed someone who knew how to control it and the monks knew that. Sango placed her hand on Lord Kuranosuke's hand and this instantly made the man smile. He gave her suitor a brief hug and as their bodies broke apart, an apologetic look reflected the taijiya's face. Sango was about to speak when the lord stopped her.

"It is true then? You are engaged to be married to Miruko?" Takeda spoke in grief.

"How did you know?" Sango asked.

"Words travel fast, Hime-chan. I was hurt at first and I even refused to believe what people said because I was holding on to something which I believe was the truth. You harbor fellings for me too, don't you, Hime-chan?"

"Forgive, Milord. The circumstances are against us. You are the first man to make me feel like a woman but unfortunately this is where our story leads us."

"Hime-chan."

"Thank you, I appreciate everything that you have done for me."

"Hime-chan, please do not speak as if this is our last. Even till wedlock, I will still be here for you."

Smiling at the man's statement, Sango leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Lord Kuranosuke. For now, I shall not linger any longer in your lands. Goodbye, Milord."

Sango stepped back and spun on her heel. Kaho bid her goodbyes and followed after her mistress.

Reaching the forest, Kaho and Sango rode their horses as they headed back to the western lands. They were instantly greeted by Rin as she lead them to the dining hall for supper. The three of them bowed before Sesshomaru before they took their seat and ate their meal.

After supper, Sango went to take a bath. What she always needed at the end of a tiring day. She shortly shut eyes and dipped lower into the water but immediately went back to her initial position after opening her eyes. Sesshomaru stood before her.

"Enjoying your bath, Hime-chan?" Sesshomaru asked.

Noting the demon lord's emphasis on Hime-chan, Sango scoffed. "You were spying on me?"

"Would you rather I catch you with another man's scent instead?" Sesshomaru specified.

Tired and frustrated of the daiyoukai's behaviour. Sango gathered all of her courage and stood up from the pool of water. She keenly observed Sesshomaru's eyes and body language. Nothing. She smirked and walked towards him.

"Yes, we may have shared our own times of intimacy but that doesn't give you the right to spy on me." Sango said as she was face to face with the demon lord.

Sesshomaru gripped her arm after Sango walked pass him. "You are mine, taijiya."

Sango pulled her arm but Sesshomaru's grip only tightened.

"I am not an item you can just claim." Sango spat and forcefully pulled her arm.

Pulling her body close to his with an arm, Sesshomaru trapped both of them in a kiss. Sango squirmed and tried to release herself but eventually kissed back.

"You are mine as I am yours." Sesshomaru said after breaking the kiss.

Resting his forehead on hers, Sesshomaru traced his fingers on Sango's skin. "Hime-chan." He whispered, sending shivers down her spine. Biting her lower lip, Sango closed her eyes and met with Sesshomaru's lips once again. Slowly, their shared intimacy, made the demon slayer a lot restless, forcing both to stop as the taijiya needed sleep.

Waking up the next day made Sango feel all her blood rise up to her face. She stared horrified at the man beside her. She held the blanket up to her chest and slapped Sesshomaru.

"Taijiya." The daiyoukai slowly but menacingly spoke, venom in every syllable that escaped his lips.

"You slept with me, naked." Sango argued.

"Might I remind you that you were the one who fell asleep in my arms. Besides it's not the first female body that I've seen." The daimyo spoke with no emotion.

Sango shed a tear and without a word pulled the sheets with her as she ran out the room.

"Sango?!" Kaho quickly ran to her friend's side.

"What happened?" the witch properly wrapped the blanket around her mistress and guided her to her room.

Giving her water to drink, Kaho moved aside the strands of hair that covered the taijiya's face. She wiped away the single teardrop that stained Sango's cheek.

"What happened? You came from Lord Sesshomaru's room." Kaho worriedly, asked.

Sango shook her head. "Nothing." she muttered.

"The truth, Sango. Why did you come out crying and bare?"

"He came to me last night as I was bathing, he revealed that he was spying on me then we argued and we kissed. In the midst of everything, I fell asleep in his arms and we both slept on his bed. I woke up surprised and slapped him of our indecency and then he claimed it wasn't the first body he'd seen so I left the room. What was I expecting, Kaho? He is a daiyoukai, female youkais surely would have thrown themselves at him." Sango uttured with disdain.

"And, there's also the fact that he's a demon. Stronger sexual desire, y'know, he can't help it." Kaho pointed out.

Sango sent her a glare.

"It's the truth." Kaho defended.

Then, Sango retreated to her melancholic state and as she bit her lower lip, a tinge of happiness erupted from her heart. The night before, the daimyo had expressed his feelings and although indirect, Sango now knew that Sesshomaru cherishes her.

"Well, let's get you clothed in a kimono and join the daiyoukai for breakfast. That wouldn't be a problem, would it?" Kaho wondered.

Sango shook her head. "It's fine, it's not like we'll talk anyways."

Kaho nodded and picked out a kimono for her best friend. Then, after tying her obi, they both followed the demon maid that came to call them for breakfast. The meal lasted quicker than the others they have had before and the taijiya was the first to leave, excusing herself. Kaho followed after and bowed to Sesshomaru but before she could stand, the daimyo gestured Kaho to stop as he went to follow the demon slayer.

Sango felt the presence of the inuyoukai and continued walking. Before she knew it, Sesshomaru held her wrist.

"Let go of me please, Lord Sesshomaru." Sango calmly spoke, not shifting her body to face the demon lord.

When he didn't let go, Sango turned and bowed, not sparing him a glance. "Kindly release me of your hold, Inu no Taisho. I am but a mere human unworthy of your attention-"

"Sango, I'm sorry. Forgive me." Sesshomaru cut her off.

Sango was surprised for three reasons. Sesshomaru called her by her name, he had also apologized and above all, asked for her forgiveness. Lifting her eyes, she saw the sincerity in his amber ones.

Finally getting a glance of her face, Sesshomaru pulled her in an embrace. "Never tell yourself unworthy. You are more than honorable to earn my every enthrallment."

Hearing his words, Sango wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. Sesshomaru took this moment and dipped his nose in Sango's hair as he was previously doing while they were in his bed.

"I love you, Sesshomaru." Sango spoke the words she feared the most.

Sesshomaru didn't respond but Sango was fine with it.

Sesshomaru could not respond as he didn't know what love is. But, if it meant having the taijiya in his arms then he too loves Sango.