Sorry it's been so long you guys. I'm trying my best to make this work. I've been so busy. I'll just get right to it then.

Chapter Sixteen: Rabbit Stew

Sango awoke the next day when she felt something light graze the side of her cheek. She opened her eyes to see a leaf fall beside her. It was almost fall, and every time the wind blew, leaves would fall from the branches of the trees. She slowly came to her feet and realized that she was there alone.

Sango looked around the camp, and could find no trace of Sesshoumaru anywhere. She called out to him in a voice that was nearly a whisper, "Sesshoumaru?" she went to the shore of the stream, "Sesshoumaru? Are you there?" She felt a presence behind her and drew her sword as she turned. She would have stabbed whatever it was behind her straight through at point blank if it hadn't caught her arm and twisted the weapon out of her hand.

Sesshoumaru looked down, "Careful with those. Sharp objects like that one have been known to be fatal when used improperly," his breath was on her face and his soft growling voice was full of mockery.

"It would be proper use if it cut through something foul enough to sneak up on the one who yields them, would it not?" Sango challenged.

They both realized how close they were at that moment and immediately backed away. Last night's encounter was still very fresh in both of their minds, and both stood there silent, staring at one another-boldly and purposefully. They had to figure this out, and both of them were too determined to ignore it. So, they did what they both do best when a challenge presents itself-they analyzed it in order to face it.

Sesshoumaru had distanced himself from her in order to keep from thinking about it. He had been berating himself all morning and most of the night for lusting after a human. Last night was unacceptable. She may be a great fighter, but she was still below him. He had been hanging around humans for far too long. It would be best if he cut all ties with all humans…but Rin. He could not leave Rin. He just couldn't do it. She was loyal to him, and for that, he felt that it was his duty to return that loyalty.

He had been willing to admit that he had respect for her, but he'd be damned if he was going to acknowledge this desire. Sesshoumaru had pledged long ago that he would not end up like his father. He would produce no half-breeds, but more importantly he would not pursue any human-ever. That was a taste passed to Inu Yasha, not him.

As Sesshoumaru looked at her now though, he could not help but feel that same urge that had overtaken him last night. Her brown, chestnut eyes beckoned to him. They reflected the same thoughts that he held within him. All except one. She did not believe that she was a lower being.

He could tell that by the way she stood there with her shoulders back, the way her chin tilted up that slightest bit, and by how she was able to look at him straight in the eyes without flinching or fear of being cut down. She was not afraid of him or all the different means by which he could kill her-and kill her he should. That would at least solve his problem, but it would be without honor.

Yes, her thoughts mirrored his in almost every way. Sango was also thinking that she had shamed herself. Her father would not be pleased to know that she had been 'romantic' with the most foul, and dangerous kind of all demons. She had kissed Sesshoumaru, and liked it. Her father must be turning in his grave. It was demons like Sesshoumaru that caused humans so much despair-so much fear. It was his kind that killed in the most brutal of fashions-no, it was his kind that executed her kind.

Sango should hate him. She should be seething with hatred and contempt. She should kill him. Sango knew that if given the right edge and opportunity, she could slay him. If not, she would give him a Hell of a fight regardless of whether or not she failed. Oh, how she wished she could bring herself to kill him, but it wouldn't be right. She had agreed to be a guardian for his lands. There was no honor or justice in killing Sesshoumaru for the sins of his race.

Sango let out a sigh and simultaneously, as if discovering the same dilemma, they both looked away. They had discovered what they needed to know, and now it was time to get back to business. Sesshoumaru was the first to speak, "Gather your things and fill your canteen. We'll be traveling all day. If we can keep pace, then we should be able to reach your station by tomorrow night."

Sango nodded and headed back to the tree she had slept against-the tree she and Sesshoumaru had-"NO." Sango accidentally said aloud. She looked back at Sesshoumaru with a nervous grin and laughed sheepishly, "I thought I had lost my…uh…my sword. But now I remember. You took it from me…heh…heh…" she sputtered as she went back over to where it lay on the bank.

"Hmph…" Sesshoumaru breathed as he turned and looked off toward the direction they would be traveling. He was trying to decide which way would be best to travel. He didn't want a repeat of Sango's exhaustion, however, he needed to get back in a hurry. He couldn't leave Rin and Jakken alone too long to fend for themselves. Sesshoumaru's worry for them had been growing steadily as the days passed. He hated to admit this weakness, but he was good at his façade. He doubted that anyone would be able to tell whether or not he truly did care for his companions.

Deciding on which route to take, Sesshoumaru turned around to find Sango slinging her weapon of choice across her back. She was ready. 'Finally,' he thought to himself.

Sango came toward him, then stooped to fill up her canteen when she got to the stream. "Which way are we taking?"

"That way," he gestured, "Once we get through the thicket, the land is flat and the trail is mostly straight."

"But…" Sango urged, "There's bound to be a downside."

"It could be dangerous. We'll have to set up camp somewhere off the trail tonight if we are to avoid having to kill someone."

"So, you don't mean dangerous for us…" Sango cocked an eyebrow. Something Sesshoumaru found very attractive.

He smirked, "Of course not." He hoped he wasn't flirting. It was just too disgusting to think about. Or, well, it should have been.

Sango put the cork in her canteen, "I'm ready when you are."

Sesshoumaru nodded before he turned and they started to head for the brush thicket. Sango pulled out her sword, ready to hack away any of the brush that might keep her from making an easy pass through the thicket. She realized it was unnecessary, though, because Sesshoumaru was walking in front of her, using his claws to clear the brush when necessary.

She let out a sigh. This might not be so bad after all.

Noon came soon and lunch was easy enough to obtain. Sango had caught a small rabbit and managed to gather some surrounding vegetables to throw in a stew. Sesshoumaru had gone off earlier, probably in search of his own food. She was curious as to what demons eat. Are they vegetarians? Do they eat…people? She reasoned, 'Well, yah, Sango. Some do, you ought to know that.' She did know that ,but what about demons like Sesshoumaru. What did they eat. She blinked. Why does she care?

Shaking her head, she took another bite of her stew. She chewed slowly, savoring the taste. Sango had to admit, she had a knack for culinary skill. She turned her head when she heard a rustling coming from a nearby bush. She put down her bowl of stew and walked cautiously over to where the noise came from, her hand on the hilt of her sword.

Sango stood a mere four feet from the brush as she spoke, "Show yourself."

It was silent for several seconds before something small crawled out from beneath a small shrub directly in front of where Sango stood. The little form gave an innocent smile, "Hi. I'm Rin. I didn't mean to scare you."

A smile spread across Sango's face. This was the little girl that had been kidnapped by Naraku, Sorikata, and probably other various demons. Yes, this child must be quite popular with the demons of this world for some reason. Hell, this little child even traveled with Sesshoumaru. That's probably the reason she is such a hot topic. Everyone wants to find someway to bring him down.

Sango didn't know how the little girl had come to be at his side, but she could tell that she was very loyal to Sesshoumaru. Smiling, Sango reached out to Rin, "I'm Sango. Would you like some stew?"

Rin gave a huge smile and nodded her head before running to the pot of still warm rabbit stew. Sango joined her and poured her a bowl. The girl smiled and thanked her. They sat there, eating in silence as they both now awaited for Sesshoumaru to return.

Little did they know, that he had already returned. He had been coming down the slope when he saw Sango and Rin eating stew by the small fire. He had almost let a smile touch his lips, but he had caught it just in time.

Okay, sorry I have to end it there, and I'm sorry if there are a lot of typos in that one, but I didn't have time to correct anything. I'm writing this in the library at school, and I only had an hour before my next class when I started. Currently, I have six minutes. Okay, so sorry about the wait! Please drop a review on your way out.

Pammi