"Midoriko's arrow?" Sango asked.

"Yes, it's a holy relic of the Southern Lands. The last of arrow of Midoriko, it is enchanted with a powerful spell and can kill any demon." The shogun explained.

Midoriko's arrow, a significant matter of the present as the rare item has been stolen from the Holy Lands. The keepers of the land fear a human's involvement at the heinous act since no demonic aura has been detected by the priests and priestesses.

"They can't simply conclude that a human stole it. I know the god of nothingness died from the incident at the northern kingdom but there could be other demons with the same ability." Sango pondered.

"They aren't. That's why they're conducting an investigation. Midoriko's arrow might as well be our only hope in winning against the demons. If the arrow falls into the hands of the demons, there maybe no tomorrow for us to await." Sango's father elaborated.

"I shall lead my own troop to scout the north before the autumnal equinox." He added.

"Dear." Himari weakly spoke.

"I entrust the village and your mother's well being in your hands." The shogun turned to Kohaku.

"I will do my best father." Kohaku pledged.

The Seishitsu muffled a cry as she excused herself from the room. Sango and Kohaku's eyes trailed after their mother. The shogun sighed as he motioned to follow after his wife.

"When will you be going back to the western lands?" Sango's father paused from the door.

"As soon as possible, I'd like to help search for the arrow as well, father." Sango answered.

The shogun nodded and left the room.

"I'm just saying but it wouldn't be much of a problem if we have another sibling." Kohaku jested as he stared at the door.

"You're just getting tired from losing to me." Sango sent him a playful smile.

"Tsk. I'll go ahead and do some training. Sesshomaru might probably be sniffing the air waiting for you." Kohaku sneered.

Sango picked up the chopstick and threw it at his head. Kohaku cursed and insinuated another insult before he ran off to do his morning exercise.

Just in time, Kirara appeared from the window and jumped unto Sango's lap for a pat.

"Well, we should also go as well." Sango uttured.

Kirara growled in approval and headed out as she shifted to her larger form. Climbing to her neko demon friend, Sango steadied herself and soon they were on their way to the daiyoukai's territory.

Routinely, as Sango neared the castle, she would get a glimpse of Sesshomaru and Rin, patiently waiting for her. She greeted the young girl with a hug while receiving Sesshomaru's trademark coldness.

Having art lessons in the morning, Sango and Sesshomaru escorted Rin to meet her mentor before proceeding to the inu no taisho's chambers. They both headed to the table with a view of the garden as Sango poured both of them a cup of tea. She began with informing Sesshomaru about the missing arrow and the shogun's arrangement in search of it.

"I can aid you by searching the west." Sesshomaru offered.

"The arrow is an item of war. The keepers of the Holy Land won't recognize your generosity as a sign of peace. I may know of an easier way to search for Midoriko's arrow." The taijiya decided.

After their tea, Sesshomaru and Sango went their separate ways as the demon warlord had political matters to attend to while Sango headed to the garden to begin with her meditation.

The arrow and the Shikon no tama are nearly alike. Sango speculated that if both magical object holds the same characteristics, she may able to determine the arrow's whereabouts. Squating on the ground, the taijiya began to clear her mind as she began to put her body and mind in a state of oblivion. It was tantalizing, she became connected to earth. It felt like she was flying through the air as she coexisted with the flow of nature. She could see darkness and light and the balance between both, humanity.

She focused and started to search for the arrow. Her eyes shifted from left to right as she tried to search for any indications that may lead her to Midoriko's memento. To her dismay, she found nothing.

Sango opened her eyes and stared at the flowers that danced with wind. She sighed and stood from the ground. Now that she's at a dead end, the taijiya princess could only wish for her father's safety as well as for the brave men who'll fight along side the shogun.

"Lady Sango." A demon maid bowed and greeted the demon slayer.

After turning around, Sango faced the maid as she continued her statement. "Lord Sesshomaru has ordered me to inform you about an event he shall be attending later in the evening."

"I see." Was Sango's reply.

"If you'd allow me to, I can help you choose the proper attire for the event." The maid remained in a bowing position as she spoke to Sango.

Sango was uncomfortable to such conduct but it is one of the many culture that she had to learn as a lady of the west.

"With delight." Sango agreed.

The maid smiled and spun on her heel then began to walk inside. Sango dusted her clothes and followed after.

Instead of her room, the maid led Sango to the dining area as the taijiya joined Rin and Sesshomaru who had already began eating.

"Lady Sango!" Rin greeted with her heart-warming smile.

"Hello, Rin-chan." Sango mirrored the child's glee.

"We wanted to wait for you but Jaken-sama said you were meditating and it took quite some time so we started before you. I'm sorry." Rin apologized.

"It's okay, Rin-chan. I should be the one apologizing. I neglected to know the time and almost missed a meal. I'm sorry and my deepest regrets to you, Lord Sesshomaru." Sango gave a brief bow.

"I believe the maid got you acquainted with the events later this evening?" The demon warlord mused.

"She has. She will be aiding me in preparing for the occasion." Sango nodded her head and began eating her meal.

As a part of custom, after Sango began to eat, no other conversation was made. The trio quietly ate their meal and finished till dessert.

When Jaken came in to fetch Rin for her calligraphy lessons, Sesshomaru told him about the event for the evening. Jaken responded with what Rin shall have for dinner and vowing to having her prepared for the following day.

"I shall escort you to your quarters before I retreat to mine." Sesshomaru stated after they were left in the room.

Sango nodded and trailed beside the inuyoukai.

"Don't wear any jewelry. The place we're going at is more of a trap than an event." The demon warlord inferred.

Sango shrugged. "I don't plan to."

"Lord Sesshomaru." The demon maid bowed after she approached Sango's room.

"I shall take my leave." Sesshomaru concluded and turned to the door.

Before he could take a step forward, Sango pulled him and managed to give him a peck on the cheek.

"Thank you for escorting me here, Fluffy-sama." Sango smiled.

Sesshomaru paused for a moment before he took that step and left the room.

"Shall we begin, Lady Sango?" The demon maid began.

Knowing the amount of time she'll spend preparing, Sango could only sigh as the maid began undressing her.

A good hour and a half later, Sango was done choosing through the group of clothes. Her maid is swift as she returned to Sango's room and announced that her bath is ready. Her bath is more than relaxing as Sango stayed a moment longer. She knows what awaits her the moment she enters her room, an hour for her kimono and another hour for her hair. The mere thought frightened her but alas she can not forever stay in the comfort of her warm bath. The demon maid did what she does best and before Sesshomaru could knock on the shoji doors, the maid escorted Sango to meet the demon lord.

"Beautiful as always." Sesshomaru greeted as he planted a kiss on Sango's hand.

Sango could only pout as she saw Sesshomaru's attire. He is in his usual clothes that is strengthened with an armor, his pelt wrapped around him.

"It's so unfair." Sango murmured as she went ahead to the carriage.

Sango's childish behavior instantly changed after Sesshomaru entered the carriage and sat beside her. She looked at the daimyo with pure shock.

"Stop acting like a child. Your beautiful attire will lose its charm."

Agreeing with the inu no taisho, Sango sparked up a conversation. "Where are we going?"

"There's a demon that sells items from the black market. He's holding an auction tonight, he may know a thing or two about the arrow." Sesshomaru replied.

Sango nodded her head.

Then, Sesshomaru's fingers started to caress Sango's nape. The taijiya jumped from the sudden contact.

"What are you doing?" Sango questioned.

Sesshomaru smirked. "You're blushing."

Sango tried to hide her face as she scurried away from the silver-maned man beside her.

"We will be entering a demon's nest later while I can, without a doubt, kill any demon who tries to even look at you. I'd feel at ease if they purposely avoid you for the reason that you are mine." Sesshomaru's hand slipped under Sango's hair.

He pulled her close and at the touch of his lips on the bridge between Sango's neck and shoulder, his fangs dug deep beneath the skin.

Sango moaned in ecstasy as the numbing pain became a pleasurable desire. Sesshomaru began to suck and lick the wound.

"Sess-Sesshomaru." Sango panted.

Sesshomaru withdrew and shifted his gaze to Sango. His eyes turned blood red at the sight of her. Sango's cheeks grew red, her lips slightly apart as she breathed, and her half-lidded eyes. It stirred the demon within the daimyo.

Not wasting a second, Sesshomaru captured Sango's lips as they shared a passionate kiss. Their movement paralleled each other. Sango's hands stayed still, pressed against the inuyoukai's chest while Sesshomaru wrapped his right arm around Sango's waist and his left hand caressed Sango's exposed neck and the mark he had just currently placed.

Desperate for air, Sesshomaru broke apart from the kiss and panted hard. He rested his head on Sango's shoulders and nuzzled his nose near his mark. The blend of Freesia and his scent created an intoxicating scent that made Sesshomaru want to rip the thick layer of clothing that led him away from temptation.

"Lord Sesshomaru, we have arrived." The coachman made known after the carriage has stopped.

Sesshomaru composed himself and glanced at Sango for any dishevelment. Except from her heated cheeks, she appears a lot attractive than before.

Maintaining a stoic face, Sesshomaru exited the carriage first before stretching out his hand. Sango struggled to compose herself as the alluring sensation of the mark and Sesshomaru's stimulating kiss, aroused her.

"Eat this, it will help you." The daiyoukai handed Sango a small ball.

Miserably wanting to remove herself from such a state, Sango ate the fuzzy ball without a second thought.

"Ughh!" She spoke in disgust. The substance left a bitter taste on Sango's tongue.

Sesshomaru smiled as Sango was back in her normal demeanor. She continuously played with her tongue as she now desperately wanted the awful taste to be gone. He held her hand and guided her out of the carriage.

"What did you make me eat?" Sango's words are filled with regret.

"I'll bring you to the tavern nearby. They serve sweet wine and I could use a shot of alcohol myself." Sesshomaru led them further into the village.

The daimyo ordered them both there choice of beverage and quickly finished their drink to quench their thirst.

Sango never failed to notice the numerous pair of eyes that looked at them. Some were clearly bothered by Sesshomaru presence as others were surprised while most ignored him.

"Sesshomaru-sama." A succubus flirtatiously greeted the daimyo before taking the seat beside him.

"I miss you." The succubus pouted as she playfully traced her fingers on Sesshomaru's hand.

Miss him? Sango began to wonder if the daiyoukai regularly visited the village.

When she saw the succubus start to lean over, Sango stood from her chair and pulled Sesshomaru towards her. The female demon turned to Sango and hissed but the taijiya stood her ground.

Not wanting to start a bloodbath, Sango pulled Sesshomaru out of the place and asked him to bring them to the auction house.

To no avail, the arrow was not in the auction. A lot of demon expected it to be but, just like Sango and Sesshomaru, they were disappointed.

However, what disturbed Sango the most was Sesshomaru's behavior. He is indeed a quiet person but the demon warlord barely said a word. He even chose to teleporte them back to the castle rather than taking the carriage.

Sango failed to sleep that evening as it troubled her mind like a plague. Was Sesshomaru upset that Sango interferred with his conversation with the succubus? That simple thought troubled Sango significantly as she felt both sorry and hurt.

"I should just go and apologize." She decided.

The demon slayer got up from her bed and headed to the warlord's chambers.

Gathering all of her courage, Sango knocked on the shoji door.

"Sesshomaru?" She began.

There was no answer. She then slowly slid the shoji door and took a peak inside. Her eyes went immediately to the bed but it was empty. She entered the room and this allowed her to see Sesshomaru's figure at his table. Her eyes widened like saucers after she saw the pool of blood on the floor. Sango saw the wound from Sesshomaru's arm and instantly knew that it was from a claw. Her eyes traveled to his other hand and saw his blood stained fingers.

Did he injure himself? Sango panicked.

"Sesshomaru!" She lightly tapped the demon's cheek.

She pressed her ear against his chest and listened for a heartbeat. Sighing when she heard a beat.

"Who allowed you to enter my room?"

Sango shrieked as she took a step back.

"What were you doing trying to kill yourself?" Sango scolded.

Sesshomaru grabbed the hem of his clothes and wiped the blood from his finger and arm. Wiping himself clean, his wounds from before healed from regeneration. He discarded his soiled clothes, leaving him now on his hakama which was evidently made from the finest silk.

"I wasn't trying to kill myself. The succubus managed to rub her fluid on me and I needed to distract myself before... before I could've done something I would've regretted." Sesshomaru walked towards the door.

"You should head back to sleep." He ushered.

Dejected, Sango slowly headed to the door.

"I... I actually came to apologize. I should've just let you be with her. I'm sorry." Sango mumbled before heading out.

What happened next is beyond her comprehension. She was in Sesshomaru's embrace with their lips pressed against each other but he was still. Was the daimyo waiting for Sango to take the lead? Sango smiled at the thought. She closed her eyes and leaned forward. Granted the permission, Sesshomaru pulled Sango's body closer to his. Their thin layer of clothing failed to do meet its purpose, Sango's lean but soft skin and Sesshomaru hard and well-built body constantly rubbed against each other with every move as they kept not an inch of a distance. Their lips danced and when he found an opening, Sesshomaru entered her oral cave. Sango moaned from his skillful advances as he explored every part of her. Her fingers entangled itself with Sesshomaru's silver locks as she brushed his scalp. Yearning for more, Sango pulled him close making Sesshomaru wrap his arms around Sango's waist and he carry her. Their height were nearly parallel.

"We have to stop." Sesshomaru set Sango back on the floor.

Sango shook her head as she bit her lower lip. Her arousal was flooding Sesshomaru's system and he had no chance against it. Being carried back to the daimyo's room, Sango was prepared for what was about to come.

~ End of Chapter Nine ~