Silver

Disclaimer- Don't own.

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6 - Bonded

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Sango got there first, of course. She took Rin off her shoulders and set her down, looking back.

"Boy, you guys are slow." She grinned when she saw how miserable Sesshoumaru looked. He kept tugging at his shorts, acting like they were too short.

"Shut up, Sango!" Inuyasha said with a smirk as he ran forward and tackled her, both of them flying into the water. Laughter filled the air as Kagome dragged Miroku in behind her and Rin squealed in delight when she got splashed. The little girl and Shippou played by the edge. Sango emerged from the water, climbing out and sitting on a rock, catching her breath. She looked over at Sesshoumaru, who wasn't even wet yet. She let a smirk work its way onto her face as she crept up to the youkai.

"Why aren't you wet yet?" She asked, nearly making him jump out of his skin. He looked at her and frowned.

"It is childish." He crossed his arms. She grabbed his hand and smiled at him as she pulled him along with strength he didn't know she possessed.

"No it isn't. It's fun." She jumped in, pulling him with her. As soon as she did, he knew he would need to get her back. He surfaced with her then dunked back under, grabbing her ankle and dragging her down. She gave a startled yelp before going under. She looked down at him and narrowed her eyes. He smirked at her, latching onto her fully, allowing his strength to prevail over hers and keep her down. Meaning, his hands grasped her shoulders and pulled her closer to him, allowing him to keep her under. She tried to free herself but to no avail. It only made him grab her wrists. She smirked and decided to do something that she had no idea what the reaction would be like. She wrapped her legs around his waist. He froze, nearly letting go of her in surprise. She suddenly realized that she needed air. She tried to catch his attention. When she did, she gave him a panicked look and made signals to go up. He nodded and let her go, giving her a slight push upwards. When she got to the surface, she panted to catch the breath she almost forgot she had been holding.

"Having fun, Sango?" Kagome teased, grinning. Sango let a blush grace her face before splashing her friend. She wondered if the girl saw anything... Sesshoumaru came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, dunking her under. She came back up and glared at him, splashing him. He splashed her back. Thus began a war. Everyone got into it, even little Rin and Shippou.

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Sango laid out on a rock, staring up at the stars. She had gotten the chance to change back into her normal clothes after they had gotten out. She loved the peace and quiet but it was so much fun in the water with them. Sesshoumaru had even let a smile and laugh slip. And she had never seen Inuyasha smile so much. Miroku usually did, so it was normal. She felt someone's presence and looked over to see Sesshoumaru.

"Hey." She said softly, sitting up. He gave her a small smile and looked away from her, up to where she had been staring. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing." He responded after a pause. He hadn't even been seeking her out. He had just come upon her and it was unfortunate because he wanted to think. Alone.

"Did you visit Rin before I put her to sleep?" She asked, trying to make the awkward silence go away.

"Yes." He said quietly. In a light manner of speaking, he didn't want to talk to her.

"I think... I think I'll head back now." She gathered up her things and left without another word. He hated the fact that he had basically pushed her away when he could have asked her questions.

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Sango leaned in toward the fire and inspected the meager meal she made. It was just for herself anyway. She didn't feel like going back to the village. Kirara lifted her head and peered at her mistress, red eyes gleaming.

"Come on, it's ready." She divided it into two portions, Kirara's slightly bigger. Sango didn't have an appetite. The neko purred and sauntered over, sniffing the contents. Then she sat down and began lapping at the broth. As soon as they finished, they laid down next to each other and fell asleep.

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"Has anyone seen Sango?" Kagome asked the next morning. "I haven't seen her since she went off for a walk last night." Inuyasha shrugged.

"No." He continued to play with a contraption that Kagome had brought from her time called a phone. She had brought it for Shippou to play with and it seemed that both of them liked it. Inuyasha tried to figure out how it worked, yelling at it, and often throwing it in his frustration. It was an old one that had the cord and could be hung up on the wall. She figured that the little kit would like pushing the buttons. "I haven't seen my brother either."

"He came back around midnight without her." Miroku said, shifting his staff and looking up from a book he found of Kagome's. She sighed.

"Is Kirara with her, do you think?" They all shrugged. Shippou was off in his own little world, eating cheese and crackers. Kagome rolled her eyes and decided to ask Sesshoumaru. She went over to where she thought he would be, in the hut that Sango had given him. Rin was picking flowers from the field next to it and the youkai was watching her, along with Jakken. "Sesshoumaru?" He turned and looked at her. She gave him a nervous smile. "Have you seen Sango? I haven't seen her since last night." He shook his head, a frown on his face.

"I spoke a few words with her last night then she said she was coming back here." He replied. Kagome was getting worried. It wasn't like Sango to disappear without telling anyone where she was going.

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Sango opened her eyes when the sunlight fell on her face and put a hand up to shield her from the beam. She sat up and looked around, seeing Kirara still asleep next to her, curled into a ball, purring every once in a while.

"Having fun scaring people?" She turned her head and saw Sesshoumaru staring at her.

"No." She frowned. "Did I?"

"Your friend.. that girl, Kagome, was worried." He moved forward, his eyes never leaving her. She stood up and stretched, sort of ignoring his presence. Then, suddenly, she felt his hand on her shoulder. He turned her around and she blushed furiously at the closeness. It didn't help that he could see her face. "When she came and told me that you were not there..." He trailed off.

"Were you.. worried?" She whispered, her eyes going to his lips, remembering that dream she had. He knew where she was looking and smirked.

"Of course I was." He whispered back, teasing her.

"Why?" Was he willing to answer? No, most certainly not. He remained silent as she stared up at him, fully in a position where, if something happened, she couldn't stop it. She wouldn't stop it.

"Shall we get back before your friend has a nervous breakdown?" She nodded and he moved away. Sango felt her knees go weak and was thankful that he was turned around so he couldn't see her pitiful state. Then she remembered their heightened senses. No doubt that he knew about it now. Was he trying to stop something from happening? Or was that he was disgusted with her behavior? After this incident, she wasn't sure if she wanted to go back.

"Kirara..." Her neko bounded over to her and rubbed against her legs. She followed the youkai slowly, not willing to bring herself to speak to him. She was thoroughly embarrassed.

"Sango!" Kagome lunged at her and Sango braced herself, knowing what was coming. The force of the hug would certainly crush any normal, unsuspecting human. "I was so worried! Where were you?" The girl demanded, noticing Sango's downcast eyes and blank expression.

"I slept out there last night." She said quietly. "I wanted to be alone."

"Well, next time, warn someone, okay?"

"She was close to having a nervous breakdown." Inuyasha muttered, getting hit with a rock. Miroku noticed that Kagome hugged her and, feigning relief, went forward and spread his arms. Sango flushed and felt something on her behind. She pushed him away and glared at him.

"Hentai!"

SMACK!

THUD!

Sesshoumaru stared at the sight, surprised that the monk would... do something so demeaning. Then again, Sango seemed to act like that happened daily and so did the others.

"SANGO-CHAN!" Rin ran to her, screaming her name as she ran. The little girl threw her arms around the taiji-ya's legs. "I was worried, Sango-chan!"

"I-" Sango smiled then bent down and picked the little girl up, holding her in her arms.

"Did Fluffy-sama find you?" Everyone froze. Sango looked over at Sesshoumaru then at Kagome then back at Rin. Everyone burst out in laughter. Sesshoumaru scowled and crossed his arms, since it was at his expense.

"Yes, Rin..." Sango said through her laughter. "Fluffy-sama found me." The little girl grinned, not knowing that she gave Sesshoumaru a permanent nickname.

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Sango was bent over, sweat gleaming on her forehead as she heated the weapon in the fire. Then, after a moment, she took it back out and began hammering it with the large tool. She had been in there all day. Someone knocked and entered.

"I brought you something to drink and snack on." Kagome said with a smile. Sango continued her work then put it back in the fire on the rack.

"Thanks, Kagome." The taiji-ya smiled back, taking the tray from her hands.

"A lot of work?"

"Yeah." Sango sighed and wiped the sweat from her forehead. "But I know that they'll be sharper and easier to use." She looked up at the ceiling for a moment. "Tell Inuyasha that I could do Tetsusaiga. We haven't heard a peep from Totosai and I don't know if he's going to come around or not."

"I'll let him know." She said with a smile.

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"Where is the taiji-ya? I have need to speak with her." Kagome looked startled. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"She's fixin' the Tetsusaiga, the Hiraikotsu, and some other weapons of hers."

"Her work shed is right next to her-"

"She is not there."

"What!?"

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Sango gathered the water and turned around, the bucket in her arms. She stopped when she saw Inuyasha staring at her, his arms crossed. He looked awfully displeased.

"Where have you been?"

"Getting water." She said coldly. "I am not going to run away, Inuyasha." She walked around him, scowling at the tone of his voice when he spoke.

"Well, warn-"

"I do not have to tell you my every action." She walked back into the hut and slammed the door roughly.

"Now look at what you've done, stupid! Sit!" Inuyasha ate dirt, staying down for a moment to let the dizziness and pain pass.

"I didn't do anything." He scowled. "Now where did my good-for-nothing brother go?"

"Stop being rude, Inuyasha."

"Hmph."

"Sit." His face slammed into the dirt once more.

Sango set the water bucket down and sighed. Inuyasha seemed to get worse and worse with his attitude. She wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes closing momentarily.

"It is quiet out there." She froze. She had been so distracted by her anger at Inuyasha that she hadn't noticed his presence. "Do you wish to walk with me?"

"I-I need to finish up here first." She said, her hands twirling and twisting a cloth around in her nervousness. "The weapons..."

"Are only cooling. Come with me." She felt drawn to his gaze and she stared at him, the first part of her nightmare once again playing across her mind, taunting her. She blushed and was exceedingly grateful for the orange glow from the fire. She once again wondered what it would be like to kiss him. She wondered what he looked like with a soft look on his face, filled with love. "Come." He said in a soft voice, looking over at her. She hesitated and gave one last look at the weapons before following him out.

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"Where are we going, Sesshoumaru?" They had been walking only five minutes but she really wanted to know what he had planned for her.

"Save your questions for another time." He stated emotionlessly. She continued to watch her surroundings, making certain she knew the correct path so that she could get back to this place any time. Hell, she knew this path like the back of her hand... but she had not been here in a while. And where did he think he was taking her? "Stop." She stopped where she was and saw a clearing ahead of her. It was beautiful.. Wildflowers grew everywhere, butterflies and bees flew around, and lovely scents drifted toward the pair. This was too romantic a setting for a small talk. But did youkai believe in romance? She almost snorted in amusement. Probably not. She remembered what happened to lovers or those thinking of a relationship here. They were caught in the magic of the moment and they would think only of their deepest desires... She gasped lightly when she felt his touch on her face. He smiled slightly at her.

"You know about this place...?"

"All youkai and humans do. The taiji-ya were the protectors of this sacred soil. Only the seeds of love and passion can grow here."

"Then... you... Why did you bring me-" He placed a finger over her lips and leaned in slowly. Their faces were almost touching.

"All will be made clear in time, Sango." He used... He said her name with such a soft, light tone such as one she had never heard before.

"Sesshoumaru..." She started to tremble. Her legs gave out under her and she found herself in his arms before she could so much as breathe. She reached up and traced his markings with a fingertip, her eyes never leaving those amber orbs. Her fingers lightly brushed his hair and she admired the silky feeling.. Her heart was pounding in her chest. What was going to happen? Had he lured her here to take advantage of her obviously confused feelings? No, that didn't sound like something he would do. He leaned down and his lips brushed hers, sending shivers down her entire body. Her trembling never eased and he walked to the center where a small clearing of flowers had been permanently settled. He sat down and lowered her to the ground, sitting over her, staring down at her. His penetrating gaze made her feel exposed, naked.

"Sango, do you feel something for me?" She stared up at him breathlessly.

"I-I..."

"If there is any feeling of love in your heart for me, then this would show it to you." She bit her lip. "And here, lying is forbidden." She closed her eyes.

"I feel something that I have never felt before." She answered, her voice steady, though her body was quaking with pent up, hidden feelings. He smiled and let his mask drop. She stared up at him with a surprised expression. Leaning down once more, he captured her lips in a soft kiss. She shivered when his tongue ran along her lower lip, asking to be permitted. It was totally up to her what she wanted to happen. He would do nothing that she did not want. She granted him admittance and he explored, tasting her for the first time. She broke the kiss and stared up at him. "Y-You love me?"

"I am acting on feelings that I have no experience with... but they are so strong." She sat up, clutching at him like a life-line. Then she crawled into his lap and wrapped her arms around him, leaning her head on his chest so that she could hear his rapid heart-beat.

"Sesshoumaru, this is... so new to me." She whispered. Then she looked up at him. She smiled. He smiled back. "We should probably go back before Inuyasha..." He nodded.

"Yes, that little half-breed..." She frowned.

"None of that."

"What?"

"Inuyasha is one of my best friends." She said, narrowing her eyes. "Why do you hate him so much?"

"Long story." He said shortly. Then he stood up, bringing her with him. "Let's go." She was still shaking but she had no clue as to why. Was it that she was afraid? No, she felt no fear.

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"He did what?" Kagome asked in a loud whisper as the two girls did the laundry. The girl giggled and gazed at her friend knowingly. "That sounds absolutely romantic!"

"It was. I could hardly believe it was real." Sango was kneeling on the ground scrubbing away and Kagome was hanging them. Rin was somewhere playing tag with Shippou, Inuyasha was hunting, Miroku was meditating, and Sesshoumaru... no one knew where he had run off to. "I don't really think that he hates Inuyasha. I could be wrong, though. I mean, how often am I right about this judging character thing?"

"Well, you did have a crush on Miroku. But he likes you. I know that much. And don't forget about the making friends with Inuyasha and me. We'll always be there for you, no matter what you get yourself into. No matter what Inuyasha says." Kagome brushed some strands of black hair behind her ears as she stared out over the fields. "Imagine the cute family you two could have together. Little Inuyashas!" Sango snickered.

"Don't let him hear you say that!" She said with a laugh as she handed the blanket to Kagome. "And little Rin.. What do you think about her? Will she accept me in that way?"

"You know children are sometimes good judges of character without realizing it. The children in my era are airheads and they don't use common sense. But Rin is so attached to him." The girl said as she put on the last pin. "She became attached to you fast. Of course she'll accept you."

"Hmm.." Sango began laughing. "Look at me, Kagome! I'm elbow-deep in soapy water dreaming about my future. What kind of housewife would I be?"

"The best kind. The mother who can defend herself and her home while the man is away." Kagome grinned cheerily. "I know one thing, Sango. Rin-chan will be happy with you." Then she frowned. "And Inuyasha would be a wonderful father, considering what he's been through. Except, we're still trying to work on him and Shippou." Sango laughed again.

"They bicker because they're attached to each other and you know it!" She stated, sarcasm dripping off her lips like rain off of a leaf.

"Hah!" Kagome laughed. Sesshoumaru watched them from a tree on the border of the woods. He had not seen or heard the natural laughter of women at work in a long time.

It is somehow comforting...

He couldn't hear what they were saying but the sounds of their voices and laughter eased him. Rin and Shippou chased each other everywhere and he looked at them at times. His eyes drifted to Sango a lot. She finished laundry and stood up, stretching.

"I think that was quite fun, Kagome. We should do that again!"

"Like we have a choice!" The two laughed again and Sango picked up the basket. She looked back and saw the large field that was now a graveyard. A soft wind blew around her and she closed her eyes, feeling at ease.

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Sango brushed out her damp hair and braided it as she kneeled on her floor and contemplated what was to come next.

First of all, my village is so empty. I wonder when others will begin to arrive and visit. Maybe I should make it more presentable.

She was so preoccupied that she failed to notice that someone entered. She was in only a white yukata, which stuck to her still-damp skin.

"Sango." She stiffened and turned to look at the taiyoukai.

"Sesshoumaru... what is it?" She noticed an intense look in his amber eyes. He walked to her swiftly and sat in front of her, taking both sides of her face in his clawed hands. Then he leaned in and kissed her hard. She was surprised and pulled back, only to fall flat on her back. "Sess-"

"Be with me." She sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him tightly.

"Don't you think it's a little fast?"

"No." He made a noise similar to a whine. "Please... Be mine." She pulled away from him and gave him a light kiss on the lips.

"We might wake them, Sesshoumaru. Besides..." She blushed slightly and coughed. "It is pretty late right now."

"I promise I will not hurt you. I do not want to..." He trailed off, his voice growing softer as he spoke. Sango realized that he was serious about this. There was no asking for more time. Inu youkai were quick to take their mates once they found out who they were. Inuyasha was only hanyou, therefore he was part human and able to resist the need. "I know it is your first time... That is nothing to be ashamed of. Please..." The more he begged, the harder it became to refuse for her.

"I-" She shook her head. "Don't do this to me..."

"Sango." She looked at the fire, finding it easier if she didn't see the need in his eyes. "Look at me." He took her face in his hands once more and forced her to look at him.

"You.. really want to be with me that bad?" He nodded his head, eagerness shining in his eyes such as she had never seen before. "You will never leave me?"

"Never." He whispered, his face bathed in firelight; his eyes like liquid gold.

Those eyes... I was so wrong to think that they were similar to Inuyasha's. They both may be amber but they have different... emotions... His eyes are so beautiful when he has that soft look in them.

She didn't notice how close he was until his lips lightly grazed hers. She felt a sharp spark run through her body.

"I... I will be with you, Sesshoumaru."

"Thank you, Sango." He swept her into his arms and raced away. They were near the river far from the village when he stopped. He set her down on the soft, cool grass and she felt it brush her hot skin. He kissed her passionately, not holding anything back. She did the same, kissing him with equal force. His hands fumbled with her yukata and he finally got it to fall open. Before he realized it, his chosen had her hands on his bare chest... his yukata already gone. The cool breeze teased them, taunting them as they lost themselves...

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Sesshoumaru looked down at the sleeping girl in his arms. He realized that, as he lay there with his new mate, he felt a peace such as one he had never felt before. She shivered slightly and snuggled deeper into his warmth. His yukata rested beneath them and hers lay, pillowing his head. He gently tightened his grip around her waist.

"Sesshoumaru..." She whispered tiredly, looking up at him. She had felt him shift. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Sango." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. She smiled at him and lifted one hand to twirl some of his silver hair on her finger.

"Do you think we could go back? I'm cold." She gazed up at him and he nodded.

"Of course." They got dressed and he lifted her in his arms and took off. She closed her eyes and relaxed in his arms. His amber eyes narrowed when he saw his brother up ahead. And Inuyasha did not look happy.

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Chapter 6 is over... Long chapter, ne? Did it make up for the long wait? Hope so! Please review and I'll get chapter 7 out a.s.a.p.