Well, I'm back with another chapter. I'm also back from Vacation in Virginia and it's also the end of college until August! So, my updates should be much more frequent. I've also started a new yahoo group. It's for aspiring artists who would like help with proofreading, error correction, and brainstorming-or writer's block. It's going to be a group of writers there to help one another with improving their writing skills. So, if you're interested you can email me from my profile or leave your email in your review, and I'll send you the link!

Um, I can't remember who said it, but about the whole Sesshoumaru and catching the scent and it all being over right then and there…well, things are a bit more complicated than animal instinct. Or, at least that's what I'm trying to make it out to be. Sesshoumaru couldn't possibly take a human because he hates them, right? So, he's using whatever reserve he has left not to fall like his father had. He's often chastised Inu Yasha for loving humans, so it would be really detrimental to his pride if he were to allow himself to be with a human in any way other than business-related. In other words, he's still trying to be an arrogant bastard, lol.

Also, Enkida, thanks for pointing that out. I've made the corrections to the last chapter, as well as some other typo corrections. Another bit of news, is that the block on anonymous reviews has been lifted. I changed my mind after discovering that I'm allowed to take out the trash by deleting cowardly, anonymous flames. So, everyone review and make me a happy writer!!

Chapter Eighteen: A New Mystery to Solve

The next day, things happened just as Sesshoumaru had told her. He and his comrades left, leaving Sango and Kirara in the village. The day was well over halfway through when Sango stopped to make something to eat. She and Kirara had been working non-stop since Sesshoumaru's departure. Sango had wanted to get as much done as possible, and they had managed to get quite a bit accomplished.

Akogi's remains had been exercised, most of the debris from the destroyed huts had been cleared, and they had begun repairs on two of the remaining usable cottages. Sango had picked a larger one for her and Kirara to stay in and a smaller one for a new tool shed.

Sango didn't plan to stay here forever, though. She had decided that. She would give this a try and if she didn't like it, then she would leave back to her village. After all, that was the place where all of her family was buried. It was where her brother was-on top of that hill. She let out a sigh. Sango had found that after having only repairs and rebuilding to occupy her mind, her thoughts often trailed back to her fallen family and friends. They often rested on her separation from a place that she probably should have returned to one last time before taking this job.

She felt guilty for not visiting the graves of her loved ones, but there had been no time. Sango had been in need of a path-of some direction. Then he had found her and opened this new door, and she stepped through it. Her father had told her to live strong, and she would. She couldn't feel guilty about this. Sango knew she would return to her village.

Yet, it worried her that it might not be there when she did return. She had to find someway to make sure it stayed intact and unthreatened while she was away. Her head shot up when she thought of an idea. 'Inu Yasha and Kagome could check on it for me! I need to tell them how I am doing anyway!' Sango resolved with a smile as she called Kirara over to her side.

Her small friend gazed up at her with curious eyes, "Kirara, I need you to deliver a message to Kagome and Inu Yasha for me. I'll write it tonight, and you can take it tomorrow morning. Can you do that for me?"

Kirara nuzzled her palm in reply-a definite yes. Sango smiled down at her, "Finish your dinner, and I'll finish up tonight's tasks while you take a nap. It's a long way, and you'll need all your energy if you're to make it back by tomorrow night." Kirara gave no argument as she finished her dinner and then curled up in an almost instant sleep.

Sango felt better already as she finished up her meal. She walked over to their new cottage-a work in progress. She picked up her hammer and the nails and began to finish putting on the repaired door. This is where she had left off before beginning supper. After this she would tackle the windows, then she would write the letter to Inu Yasha and Kagome.

Sesshoumaru arrived at his destination late that night. Rin had fallen asleep and Jakken was already off of Ah and Un and heading toward a pretty good-sized, humble, but neatly kept cottage. It was ages and ages old and had been deserted during the end his father's reign. Sesshoumaru picked Rin up and carried her toward into the old house. It had always served as a decent refuge, and he would be staying here for a little while before he went patrolling again.

It had never been his style to embellish in his rank. Sesshoumaru didn't have some castle hiding in his lands guarded by servants and decorated with fancy things. For starters, castles made one an easy target. Secondly, Sesshoumaru was never anywhere for too long. He may return to certain areas, but he'd never call them home. He was too busy patrolling and traveling to make anywhere his home.

Sure, he was Lord over the Western Lands, but that didn't mean he had to build a huge symbol to display that fact. He could preside over it without flaunting it. Sesshoumaru was many things, but a fool was not one of them. He had lived too long, and seen too many things. He knew better than to make himself be an easy target.

He shook his head. Sesshoumaru wondered the reason for it being so quiet in his lands. The North was known for being nefarious when it came to demons. Akogi should have only been one among many demons to show their face before Sango and himself made it to that village. He wondered if they were laying low for some reason. Or, it could be that perhaps they had sent a message with the slaying of Akogi. That was very possible, but still, something felt off.

He would have contemplated these possibilities further, but he was distracted when Rin let out a huge yawn, "Are we there yet?"

He held in a smile and forced his ever-present blank expression. "Yes," he replied as he set her down on her feet.

She smiled up at him before heading to the room she always slept in. She wanted to make sure everything was still there and then add a few of the treasures she had found on the last journey, such as three new shiny rocks and a dragon claw.

Sesshoumaru entered into his own room and slid the door shut. He walked over to the window and sat down on it's sill. He gazed up at the darkened sky, alit by the three-quarter moon and a blanket of stars, wondering if he had been wise to hire Sango on as a guard. When things did return to normal, and the demons began their mischief again, he was uncertain as to whether or not she would be able to prevail.

He shook his head. Why should he be worrying about such a thing? It was her choice to accept his offer, and she was only a human. It's not as though her life held much value in the scheme of things anyway. If he had led her to her death by bringing her here, it was not his concern.

Images of their encounters and the kisses they shared forced their way into his mind and he growled in protest. His brows furrowed in distaste. No, he did not care. They were empty kisses, only spurred by his curiosity and fueled by lust. Nothing more. He did not yearn for a human, especially not an exterminator.

It was late, and Sango began to write her letter:

Dear Kagome and Inu Yasha,

I know I told you I would be heading back home after we killed Sorikata, but there was a change of plans. I know this may come as a shock to both of you, so you may want to sit down. I am a guard for the Western Lands.

Sesshoumaru and I crossed paths on my way home and he, for some reason, offered me a job as a guard for the Northern part of his lands. Please, don't be worried. I came here on my on decision, and so far he had not tried anything.

The real reason I'm writing, though, is to ask you two a favor. Could you please check on my village in my absence. Just to make sure that my family's and Kohaku's graves aren't disturbed. I would really appreciate it.

Thank you,

Sango

Deciding that was the best it was going to get, Sango rolled up the parchment and tied it in the center with a small, blue string. She had to get to bed right away if she were going to be able to get up early.

Next Morning

As the sun rose, so did Sango. She woke up Kirara with a plate of food, then sent her on her way to Kaede's village with the letter. After seeing her off, Sango picked up where she left off with the repairs. The windows were done, and the porch was rebuilt. All she really needed to do now were some minor repairs on the roof and of course, the interior of the old hut. If she kept it up, the place would be done in no time, and she could start building a place to house, build, and repair her weapons.

Picking up her tools, Sango headed to her new home and began her work. It was late in the afternoon when Kirara returned. Sango smiled as her friend landed at her feet. She was even more delighted when she saw that Kirara had returned with a letter from Inu Yasha and Kagome. She took it from Kirara's mouth and opened it immediately. She read it aloud to herself:

Dear Sango,

It's me, Kagome. Oh, Inu Yasha is here to and he says to tell you Hi and to ask you, "What the hell do you think you're doing-working for Sesshoumaru?"

Don't worry, I already told him to shut up, SIT down, and mind his own business. Although, I am curious too. You're a guard for the Western Lands? He didn't force you, did he? Because if he did, I'll shoot him with one of my arrows for you! Of course, since you said he didn't, I'll have to believe you.

About your village-of course we'll check on it for you. Inu Yasha is trying to bud in again. He says you should stop being lazy and check on it yourself. Don't worry, I told him to shut up, SIT down, and mind his own business again. I also told him, that if he doesn't do it, then I won't bring him anymore potato chips from my world.

Anyway, I was sooooo happy to hear from you! Maybe when you get a chance, you can come and visit us. I know it hasn't been that long, but ever since Miroku got married, the only person I've had to talk to is his bimbo wife, Moriana. Well, talk to you later. Write again soon.

Your Friends,

Kagome and Inu Yasha

P.S. Inu Yasha says to make sure you don't get on Sesshoumaru's bad side. He'd hate to have to scrape you off the ground. Don't worry, I told him to shut up, SIT down, and mind his own business.

Sango smiled as she folded up the letter and put it in her pocket, 'Some things never change,' she thought to herself. "Come on, Kirara, look what I've got finished." She led Kirara into the old hut and motioned toward the ceiling, "See? I've patched up those last few holes, and I've almost got it all cleared in here. If things keep going this quickly, we'll be able to call this place a home in no-"

She was cut off when she felt the ground began to shake. Kirara immediately transformed and Sango, without hesitation, leaped onto her back. They exited the hut quickly, and Kirara wasted no time in making becoming airborne. Sango looked down in dismay as the hut, along with all of her hard work, went down into rubble.

She quickly scanned the ground for demon activity. She looked to her left, then right. She almost missed it, but she looked back in time to see something moving underground. Quickly, Kirara swooped down, allowing Sango to grab her weapon and launch it toward the moving hump that was worming it's way under her now completely destroyed house.

When Hiraikotsu lodged itself firmly into the body of whatever it was that had been lurking underground, the fiend revealed itself as it's head crashed up through the ground. This creature resembled Akogi in more ways than one. The only difference was the eyes-they were solid black. Everything else was the same, even the neck. Sango let out a low grumble as she realized she'd have to behead this creature as well if she dared to kill it.

It began to attack her as Sango whispered instructions to Kirara. Kirara dodged each attempted blow a lot easier than Sango had when fighting Akogi. She wondered, as they swooped down and retrieved Hiraikotsu once again, if Jakken was for sure that all of Akogi's kind had been wiped out. For, if what she was thinking was correct, then this creature was no doubt one of his relatives.

Sango was literally knocked out of her thoughts when a surprise blow to the back of the head threw her from Kirara. She landed hard upon the ground, Kirara landing in front of her protectively moments afterward.

Sango pressed a hand to the back of her head as she stood up and jumped onto to Kirara once again, narrowly missing another attack. Kirara lifted them both into the air swiftly. Sango, pissed off about all her destroyed work on the hut, sent Hiraikotsu right at the demon's neck, severing it completely. When she and Kirara landed again, Sango walked over to the head and drove her sword straight through it-another savage act she had never committed. Sango didn't think about it though, as she decided then and there that she was going to exercise both of the demons' remains, skin them, and then ready the materials for weapon use.

'Didn't Akogi kill all of his kind? Why was this one spared? And what if there are more?' All these thoughts and questions rolled around in her head. She'd try to piece together this mystery while she worked. If she was still at a loss of knowledge, she would have to find Sesshoumaru. If there were more than just Akogi and this other one, how was she to know that all the Western Lands weren't swarming with them. How long before they went elsewhere?

Yay!!! Chapter 18!!!! Drop a review for me, okay? Oh, and I have I told you that I'm sorry it took so long?? Because I am…very, very sorry.

-Pammi