Author's Note:Somehow, we have practically reached the end. I ended it here and restarted the sequel on a different note, a completely different mood from this happy little fic.

Chapter Four: Tell Me What You Feel

Sango didn't move save her breathing; she was still very close to Sesshoumaru, but they had moved a little. Sesshoumaru was sitting against the wall, and Sango herself was trapped in his embrace, almost like cuddling, but not quite. Her own breathing had returned to normal. Sango was afraid that whatever she said was going to do something she didn't want it to.
Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, was still astonished at his actions. However while his head was denying any feelings for Sango at all, his actions this night and his heart's screaming words told his conscious otherwise.

Finally, Sango spoke. "That... That was my first kiss."

Sesshoumaru didn't say anything in response, but thought, 'I gave her... her first kiss? Well it's not like I've had many my life, anyway. What ones I did have been out of physical longing despite what any girl claimed to feel.'

Sango moved enough so she could see him, "Did you hear me?" Her voice was still courageous, but there was an under note of apprehension.

'Does she... feel the same?' He thought before answering, "Yes." then thinking a pause, "I... I'm not sure what to say about this."

These feelings were making Sesshoumaru uneasy. He'd never felt such strong emotion for a woman before, except that one time he'd foolishly dated Kikyou. But his mistakes certainly were going to offer no experience or help to him now; no, this was clearly a special circumstance. Was he supposed to say he loved her? Make a claim? Date her?

"We don't have to think about this now; I'm sure it's really late." Sango said.

"That might be for the better." Sesshoumaru replied, and then added grudgingly, "I've. I've never thought of something like that happening between us, it's all extremely unlikely and well... weird."

"Yeah." Sango said, and unconsciously snuggled closer to his strong, defined chest, "Yes, it's definitely weird. One weird coincidence after another."

"We should get to sleep." He murmured.

"Yeah...ok." Sango agreed, then since he didn't protest, wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned against the corner's wall.

While she sank into her slumber, Sesshoumaru wondered thoughtfully. She was beautiful, and mature. She was old enough; he supposed, seeing as he didn't really know, to date. But it was just weird. First he gave her a ride, then he complimented her, then they got stuck in here, and then he'd kissed her. And why had he told her about Inuyasha's mother? His stepmother? He'd not even acknowledged it himself really, it was just there. Finally giving way to rest, he closed her eyes and pulled the warmth of her body closer for the night.

"That was pretty close." Kagome said, laughing.

They had sent Kikyou back home, Inuyasha having told her that there was no need for her to be here. Miroku had cracked up when she tried to kiss Inuyasha good night, leaning in very obviously for what she called later a 'subtle' approach.

"I'm never dealing with that crazy sister of yours again." Inuyasha muttered darkly, still trying to tighten his arms around himself, "That was nuts. Crazy, you hear me Mey-chan?"

Kagome stopped, "Wow."

"Wow what, Kagome?" Miroku asked.

"We haven't called each other our childhood nicknames for so long. It's just weird hearing it, that's all." Kagome said, and smiled brightly.

"Why don't we do that for just tonight, if it makes you so happy?" Inuyasha said, laying off his usual attitude as they stood near Sesshoumaru's dark- colored car.

"Just tonight?" Miroku grinned, "Give Mey-chan invitation she'd use them forever."

"And we'd resort to torturing her." Inuyasha said, grinning wickedly.

Kagome smirked, "What could you do that would be worse than being Kikyo's twin?"

Inuyasha and Miroku gave no warning; they lurched forward, and caught Kagome in their arms, in a giant hug. Of course, that's all she believed it was. Instead, while in the subtle hug, they began to mercilessly tickle her.

"Inu-chan, Miro-chan, stop! Stop!" Kagome pleaded.

Miroku shook his head, "Not until you give us the secret password."

"Pa... password?" Kagome gasped for air.

Inuyasha nodded the affirmative, "And if we let you go without a password, when Kira-chan comes out, we'll all dog-pile you."

"Em-- empty... threat!" Kagome gasped, laughing fit to kill.

They'd had a hard time trying to find a nickname for Sango. Finally, they'd settled on a shortened version of Sango's cat Kirara's name. So she'd been deemed 'Kira-chan'.

Both boys feigned defeat when she gave them puppy-dog eyes and pleaded, and so they let her go saying, "We'll get you later with Kira-chan, Mey-chan."

She just nodded and said, "Dare to dream, Inu-chan. Miro-chan, I was talking to you, too."

Miroku looked appalled, "I'm but a pawn, Mey-chan, just a simple, innocent pawn in a harsh game of chess!"

That, made them both laugh, hands on their sides and doing all they could to stand, because maybe Miroku had been innocent when small, but was nowhere near innocent in his teen years.

Miroku: What else happens to Sango and Sesshoumaru?

Kagome: Pervert. What do you think is going to happen?

Inuyasha: o.0 She'd do THAT with SESSHOUMARU?!

Miroku & Kagome: 0.0