Shivering in Kouga's dismal dungeon, Kiko thought to herself:

"Why? Why does this always happen to me? Once a month, when there will be a full moon and the sun is highest in the sky, I die. Not exactly death, but the me I know dies. I lose all strength, all courage, all beauty. My life changes completely. Why tonight? I hope Shippou still likes me..."

Sitting next to her in silence, Shippou was also pondering the strange twist of events:

"So she's a half-demon. I wonder if she knows. I doubt it, or she would have told me. Or maybe she's ashamed. There's nothing to be ashamed about. I like her human form too. Wait; did I just think what I thought I just thought in my thoughts? Hmm... but does she like me back? I mean, we just met and all..."

At the very same time, they both blushed a deep red. The first one to break the silence was Kiko.

"Shippou- I'm really sorry. I don't know why this happens, but it does. Every month...."

"Oh- it's really nothing- it's the same way with a friend of mine. But I think I know what your problem is- I think your mother may have been human. That's what happened to Inuyasha."

"I never really met my mother. I heard she was....killed by this dog-demon who looked a bit like me, but with a moon on his forehead. I hate him. I wanted to know my mother, and he took that away from me!"

"Sesshoumaru.... It must have been him."

"Lets kill him together, ok?"

"That sounds great- if we're strong enough."

"I'm really tired, Shippou. Are there beds in here?"

"Just one- you take it."

"I can't- you take it"

The two ended up sharing it, spending the night in a chaste embrace, and they slept until a strange clattering noise spread into their room and their door fell down. An all-too-familiar girl stood in the doorway and beckoned for them to follow.

The two other captives of Kouga weren't treated any better. They too were thrown into a room with hard floors and one bed.

"Sango... I don't know what to do." Said the monk Miroku, looking dejected and weary.

"It's ok- let's wait until morning. I never expected this to happen. Anyways, the day after tomorrow Inuyasha is supposed to come back. We'll definitely be saved then."

"What about the fox-demon?"

"We can't really do anything about that now. Let's sleep."

"What about the bed? There's only one!"

"I guess we have to share it. But Miroku- before we sleep in the same bed, I want to ask you something. Always, in battle, you protect me more than the others. You take care of my wounds. And even when you touch me, it seems a bit more caring than your typical.... Mirokuness. Do you....."

"I guess now is as good a time as any to tell you, Sango-"

He leaned into her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She as well did not object, and placed her arms around his neck. Nearer and nearer their lips grew and soon they were close enough to feel the warmth. Miroku whispered:

"Are you sure about this, Sango? I don't want to go faster than you are ready."

"Thank you, Houshi-sama, but yes. I would like this very much."

"I love you, Sango."

And that very moment, their lips touched and they fell onto the bed. They caressed each other's mouths with their own and eventually they fell asleep, still wrapped around each other.