Kagome sits against the wall outside Kaede's house, her knees pulled up to her chin, and her head resting on the pillowy fabric of her pajama pants. Drooping eyes survey over the horizon watching, a bit sleepily, for any sign of Sango and Miroku to return.

Inu-Yasha watches her out the corners of his eyes from the tree overhead, a classic look of indifference gracing his features.

"Oi, Kagome. Go inside."

Silently, she shakes her head. "No. I'm gonna stay here until they come back."

In one swift motion, he jumps out of the tree and stands over her. "Just sitting there won't make them come back any faster. Go in. I'll come and wake you up if they come back."

Pensively, she lethargically tilts her head. "I--I suppose. It's just...something about all of this doesn't feel...right."

Nodding his head almost imperceptibly, he settles himself to her eye level. "We can head out first thing in the morning. For now, sleep."

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Black Widow
The Enemy Within
Sango-sama

Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha;
I can only borrow Miroku.
I have to write this stupid thing,
So nobody can sue.

Okay. Response to this has mostly been that if this is to turn citrus, it has to be a light "lime". So I'll try to be doing the Diet Coke of lemons: Just one calorie, not hentai enough. ^_^ Though honestly, I keep pushing back the potential lime parts for the sake of plot. Wah...silly plot...you keep getting in the way! ^_^

On a happy note, my evil tests are done for about the next four weeks. I hope to have this baby finished by then.

A few notes: Okanka will be speaking directly into Sango's mind. It will be noted in asterisks (*).

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The cramped quarters of the cave were a mixed blessing: the walls shielding the inhabitants from possible demon detection but not from the chill of the night air. A frigid breeze howls through the narrow opening of the cave.

Shivering yet still half asleep, Sango nuzzles her head closer to his, placing her hand lightly upon his other shoulder. A muffled, sleepy murmur of "Houshi-sama" trails off of her lips.

Said Houshi-sama raises an eyebrow. Always a light sleeper, he has been awake for a good while, the faintest indication of a demon's presence tapping at his spiritual senses. He can't really place it from the inside of the cave and really doesn't feel like moving, since it would probably disturb Sango...and he finds himself growing ever more comfortable in spite of the cold stone ground.

Twisting his lips into a quirky, crooked grin, he looks down at her slumbering form. 'She really needs this sleep. She's been quite tense lately.' His free hand slowly reaches out and gently smooths down her ebony, sleep mussed hair.

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A partially awake Sango, slowly becomes aware of exactly how close she was to the Houshi. A blush deepens the color of cheeks as the realization sets in. Groggily, she unhooks his arm and moves away from him, rubbing her eyes.

"Ah, you're awake, Sango." His eyes grow serious. "I've been sensing a youkai for a while, but it can't quite tell where it's coming from."

Frowning, she asks, "Why didn't you wake me?"

"You looked very tired. Besides from what I can tell, it's some distance away and hasn't been moving."

"Oh." She looks away from his eyes. "I see."

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"Houshi-sama, do you think I am pretty?" Sango's eyes gleam a bit differently than normal.

'What in the Hell am I saying?'

Miroku, who was sitting against the opposite wall of the cave fiddling with his cover for the Kaze Ana, looks up questioningly. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

Slowly, Sango crawls over and sets in front of him. "I asked if you thought I'm pretty."

'This isn't funny. Why can't I stop this other voice?' Struggling against invisible inner bindings, Sango squirms in vain. 'I can't even control my own arms.'

Chuckling slightly, Miroku answers, "Of course you are, Sango. What brings this up?"

"Is that why you keep groping me?" Her eyes stare him down accusingly.

'Eh? ...Actually, I'd like to hear his answer to this.'

His jaw drops. "What?"

With hands on her hips, "I've seen you with other girls. Who all turned out to be part youkai, by the way. You never groped them once."

'Excuse me! How is it that she knows what I've seen? She must have been in my head. Seeing my memories.'

Miroku's mouth moves open and shut, but seemingly, is unable to form words.

"Not once! And I want to know why. Why am I different?"

Trapped against the wall by the inquisitive female, he can do little but stare up at her in shock, trying to form a coherent thought.

'Oh, that definitely isn't me. Why can't you tell that isn't me?'

"Well?"

"Sango, I..."

'Why can't you see it?'

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Shaking her head, she mutters, "Why can't you see it?"

In the depths of Sango's mind, she is sitting, bound to a chair with rope. Angrily struggling against the bindings, the ropes begin burrowing into her skin, leaving biting red marks. Tears from the pain start well in her eyes and run down her cheeks one by one.

A deafening cackle *You realize your struggling is useless girl. You can't do anything but watch.*

Her hand droops forward. 'I can't just sit here. That woman is using my body to get to him. And that idiot doesn't seem to get that it isn't me!'

Jaw set in defiance, she begins again to free herself from the ropes. 'Houshi-sama, hold on!'