Silver

Disclaimer- Don't own.

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Chapter 8 - Promise

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His clawed fingers ran comfortingly through her raven hair. He was trying his hardest to comfort her and understand how Naraku had gotten there without his brother's knowledge. Inuyasha had strong senses for a hanyou, though he wouldn't openly admit it. And with the way the hanyou cared for the taiji-ya, he would not knowingly put her in danger. Inuyasha's face had turned pale when he heard she had been poisoned. Then he threw a fit, causing Kagome to 'sit' him. Sango was asleep, Kagome was searching for the plants to heal her friend with Shippou, Kirara, and Miroku, and Inuyasha and Kouga were sniffing out the village for any sign of a scent.

"You really care for her, don't you?" The hanyou stood in the doorway, his arms crossed. The Taiyoukai frowned. "Keh, yeah, I know. I couldn't find a trace. Not a single damn trace of 'im."

"And the wolf?"

"He couldn't neither." Inuyasha let out a sigh. "We're gonna work on the inn that she wants so much so that we can give her a surprise when she wakes up."

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"He cares deeply about her. There is no way he would've come that fast if he didn't care, right?" Her brown eyes raised to him, meeting his violet ones.

"I suppose." Kagome's eyes twinkled.

I seem to remember something...

"So, where have you been, Sango-chan?"

"On a walk with Sesshoumaru." Sango replied, a blush coming to her face.

"Ohhh! What happened!?" Kagome set down the basket of clothes and the bucket of clothespins. Sango bent and set down the washtub filled with soapy water and set the washboard inside.


"He... Well... He kissed me."

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

"It was. I could hardly believe it was real."

They do make an incredibly cute couple. I wonder... Sesshoumaru loves her but does he detest Inuyasha because he's a hanyou or is it because of the Tetsusaiga? I wonder... How will they ever have hopes of having children if he hates hanyous?

She gasped softly and reached forward.

"This is it! I found it!" She smiled in success and pulled the leaves from the herb. "But... it's a different kind than Kirara had before. This is really supposed to hurt when it extracts the poison." Sighing, she realized that it was the only thing that grew around this part of the forest. "I can't exactly go back to that village with Inuyasha."

"Oh, yes. That one with the half-youkai that tended the field?" The houshi's interest returned. Then he continued without letting her respond. "How badly does that hurt?"

"Well, it does hurt less than some of those nasty wounds she's had before. But, in any case, it's the only thing we've got. Let's get the rest of the ingrediants and then we'll go back." She looked at her watch. They had been gone for three hours.

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Sango's head pounded and she was incredibly dizzy. She heard noise outside... tons of it.

"Uhn..." She shifted and felt someone's grip tighten on her. She looked up. "Sesshoumaru..." She whispered.

"Sango." He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "You will be fine soon. That miko-"

"Kagome?" The taiji-ya looked around hopefully for the reincarnated priestess. "Where... is she?"

"She is searching for the cure for the poison. Naraku poisoned you." She let out a low moan.

"It hurts..." She whispered. "Sesshoumaru, please... stay with me. I don't want to be alone." He nodded.

"I promise that I will stay."

How dare that half-breed cross me? I will handle him soon enough. He will get a taste of what he has coming.

He let out a bitter snarl and his eyes flashed red. She watched him and felt her heart begin to race.

"Calm down..." She whispered, lifting her hand and caressing his cheek.

"I will kill that half-breed bastard for what he did to you." He stated in a cold, hard voice. "He will pay."

He thought to kill two birds with one stone. Get rid of Sango and enrage Inuyasha and I. Hit me with grief so horrible that I will be out of the picture. How does that rotten little whelp not think that I would not kill him for what he did?

Then again, the more he thought about it, the more it confused him.

Any youkai would want to avenge their mate's death. Unless... he planned on doing something that Inuyasha would not notice and hope that he would not come to me. How foolish. My little brother thought smart on that play, though he did not know it.

He was so lost in thought that he failed to notice the door opening.

"Oh, Sango! Sesshoumaru! We found a herb that'll work." Kagome said as she stepped inside. She turned her gaze to Sesshoumaru. "This will hurt her when it fights off the poison. If you don't think you will be able to handle that, then you can leave."

"I will stay. I have promised." The girl nodded and instructed Miroku to get the other ingredients. Then she walked over to the fire and began crushing the herbs.

Less than a half-hour later, Sango was asleep in Sesshoumaru's lap once more. Miroku watched them from beneath his dark bangs, wondering if the youkai really did love the taiji-ya. Kagome had gone to help Inuyasha and Kouga, since they were trying to cook for themselves. In fact, neither of them could. Inuyasha had fought over what to have. He claimed that ramen was the best and that he didn't want anything else. Kouga had no idea what ramen was and said that he would rather eat something in which he knew what it was. Sesshoumaru's fingers absently played with Sango's dark locks. He ran his tongue over his fangs thoughtfully.

When will this work so that I will not be caught off-guard? This sucks.

"Uhnnn..." Sango squeezed her eyes shut tightly and her grip on his shirt tightened. She began breathing loudly and unevenly. The pained expression on her face struck a nerve and he let out a low whine. His amber eyes glazed over and he pulled her fully into his arms, cradling her like a child. Miroku continued to watch the display with deep interest.

"Shhh..." The youkai felt his chest tighten when she trembled.

This feeling... It is new to me. What is... happening?

Despite her pain, she continued to sleep which was because of the herb.

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"I don't give a shit what you want! I want ramen!" Inuyasha shouted, his fierce glare on Kouga, who would rather go and catch the meal. Kagome sighed.

"Sit." The hanyou slammed face-first into the ground. "I'll make you ramen, Inuyasha. Stop being ignorant." She looked up at Kouga. "Do you want to try it? Everyone who has liked it. It's one of my favorite things to eat, too." The wolf looked thoughtful as Inuyasha picked himself up from the ground and dusted himself off.

"How many times would you get 'sat' for ramen?" The hanyou looked up.

"I'll do anything for ramen." Inuyasha's face brightened and Kagome sweat-dropped and rolled her eyes. She went to their fire and grabbed at the packets of ramen that she had brought.

May as well make all four. Inuyasha is going to inhale a whole one by himself and Kouga's gonna try it. Miroku, Shippou, and I will only eat one bowl. Sesshoumaru... I don't know. And Sango won't be awake till morning.

"Mmm... I have to go and check on those two." She muttered as she walked toward the house. As soon as she got inside, she saw the thin sheet of perspiration on Sango's brow and the unusually white pallor of the youkai lord's skin. He was deathly pale. "I warned you." She crossed her arms. "Anyway, I came to see who wants to eat."

"I do not eat human food." Was the chilling reply of the youkai.

"I'll eat, Kagome." Miroku got up and walked past her. "Are you coming?"

"In a few minutes. I'm going to check her really quick. Just to make sure she's not allergic to the herb. Go and find Shippou and Kirara and please try to separate the idiots."

"Of course. Consider it done... except for the last one. I might need you to help me restrain our stubborn hanyou."

"I'll be out in a minute. At least make sure they don't murder each other."

"Done." As soon as he left, she walked over to her supplies and removed the thermometer. Then she grabbed the cloth that rested in cool water and rung it out. She went back over and kneeled in front of Sesshoumaru, who had the taiji-ya in his arms. He stared at the device in her hand wearily.

"It's a thermometer. It takes someone's temperature." She explained quickly as she stuck it in Sango's ear. When it beeped and she removed it, the temperature was 107.2. Kagome frowned. "I thought it would have started to go down by now. We've still got tonight though." She let out a sigh and dabbed her friend's forehead. Then she got up and went over to the bowl. She picked it up and gave it to Sesshoumaru. "Make sure to do this and watch her closely, okay? If you think anything is wrong, just call me, all right?"

"Yes." He responded quickly. "Thank you, miko."

"Call me Kagome." She stated in a light tone as she stood up. "If you want anything or she wakes up before morning just call."

"I will." She left with a knowing smile on her face.

Sango will be fine, eventually. And then Sesshoumaru will worry no longer about the fever.

Sesshoumaru lay down and positioned Sango in his arms, holding her as if she would disappear forever. His amber orbs were glazed with worry and concern. He was so tired... all of this business was stressing him out.

All I need is a nice... sleep...

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Sesshoumaru awoke with a feral snarl, his fangs glinting in the morning light, and his eyes glowing red.

"It's all right, Sesshoumaru! Calm down!" He caught Kagome's scent and settled down, a scowl on his face. The young miko let out a sigh of relief. "Sorry if I startled you. I didn't think you would be asleep. Anyway, I came to check on Sango, since the sleeping effect of the herb should wear off."

"It is quite all right. Do not allow it to happen again."

"I won't." She grinned at him then went over to where she had some more herbs. "I am going to make a lighter dose. This will still hurt her but she'll be asleep for only a couple more hours. I can tell she still has a fever so this is the only road we're able to take." He watched her as she walked back over with a cup in her hands. He pulled Sango up into a sitting position so that the miko could pour the liquid down the taiji-ya's throat. He wanted to leave her so that he would not have to go through it again but he had promised.

I will go back to sleep. I am in need of some rest, anyway.

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Sango opened her eyes, feeling warmth surrounding her. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked immediately to her side. Sesshoumaru was asleep next to her, his face glowing with the afternoon light that shone through the window. She thought he looked absolutely beautiful. He was a gorgeous creature. She hated to wake him but she had to go to the bathroom. Really badly. She had been out for a while, she was sure. And her bladder was full. She gently poked him.

"Sesshoumaru?" She whispered, her breath tickling his ear. He tilted his head so that his ear was out of the reach of her mouth. She giggled and took his hand in hers, loving the way his skin felt against hers.

"Sango..." He lifted his head from her shoulder and stared her straight in the eye. "How are you feeling?" Her eyes softened when the concern reached his voice and those amber orbs she loved so much.

"I feel a lot better. Thank you for staying with me."

"I would never break a promise to you." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her fingertips. She gasped and her eyes widened slightly.

"S-Sess..." She tightened her hold on his hand, biting her lip to keep from stuttering. "Uhm... I-I need to..." She gestured to the door and he nodded, releasing her hand and allowing her to stumble to her feet.

"Can you walk?" He asked in amusement as her legs began to quake. She rushed to the wall and used it as support. Temporary weakness was a side-effect of the herb and with the added pressure that she had not stood on her feet since she was poisoned...

"No." She admitted quietly. "I-I can do it, though." He shook his head and chuckled.

"You have already proven yourself to me, Sango." His voice was soft, teasing. She blushed scarlet and gave him a slight glare.

"I am so glad that this is amusing to you!" He grinned at her before taking her arm and guiding her over to the door. She opened it and he helped her down the stairs. He led her to the outhouse and waited outside. His eyes narrowed and he strode over to the opening in the tall gate that was set up around the village. Dust flew up in the air from approaching horses. "What is it?" Sango walked slowly over to him and gripped his hand.

"Someone is approaching." He caught the scents in the air. "Men... at least ten of them."

"Hey! Sango!" Inuyasha and Kouga raced over, their noses in the air. The hanyou looked at the dust. "It smells like Kuranosukai Taketa. Remember that lord that asked for-"

"Yes, Inuyasha. I remember." Sango felt dread welling up deep in the pits of her stomach. How was she going to handle this? Sesshoumaru felt his mate's anxiety and was bothered by it.

"What did this lord ask for, Sango?" He asked, his gaze prying.

"He asked for my hand in marriage. He wanted me to be his wife. I had told him that I had things to do before I could even consider it..." They had encountered him in about the third month of their travels together. Kouga grimaced. Things were not looking bright and happy.

This is not happening...

The taiji-ya turned around and walked back into her house, closing the door roughly behind her.

Not when I'm finally feeling better. Not when Sesshoumaru and I are finally together.

She changed into a green kimono and put a black skirt over it. As she brushed her hair, Kagome entered the hut and looked worriedly at her friend.

"Sango, don't worry. All you have to do is reject his proposal and-"

"It is not that simple, Kagome." The taiji-ya whispered. "I cannot simply turn down the lord's proposal like that. Maybe you get the choice to do so in your time but here... it is not so simple."

"But you're mated to Sesshoumaru!" Kagome then put her hand over her mouth. "Uh oh. We shouldn't leave the guys out there to greet them."

"Dear, sweet spirits." The two dashed out of the house with Sango in front. They made it just in time to see Kuranosukai stop his horse right in front of them.

"Sango-san. It is indeed wonderful to see you again." She flushed when he jumped down from his steed and took her hands in his. He seemed to like doing that. A lot. And it bothered her but not nearly as much as it bothered the inu youkai beside her.

"Uhm, same to you, Taketa-sama." She murmured quietly. Sesshoumaru growled.

She is mated to me and yet she refers to him as her superior? This is unacceptable.

Inuyasha thought that this would be a rather interesting tidbit to witness.

That jackass of a lord just picked the perfect time to arrive.

Then he remembered something. He nudged Kagome and Kouga and Miroku.

"Uh... Hey, Sango! We've got a surprise for you!" Inuyasha grabbed her arm and fled with her, watching as she stared at him like he was insane. Everyone ran to catch up to them. They stopped in front of a beautiful wooden inn with designs carved into the wood and drapes blowing gently in the windows. Sango walked forward, her now tear-filled eyes taking in all that they had done for her. The stone walkway had characters engraved in them, she realized. Vines gently encircled the porch from each side, meeting at the top where buds were beginning to sprout. Kagome had brought them from home, realizing that it would be a nice start instead of seeds. The door consisted of beads on strings that went to the ground. She peered inside where she could see a sort of gathering room. A stone fireplace made itself home on the opposite side of the room and on the mantel were things Kagome called pictures. Flower pots with over-flowing plants hung from the ceiling and there were two long, wooden oak tables with cushions for seats. Sango turned around and flung herself into Inuyasha's arms, burying her face in his haori and crying.

"Inu... yasha... You've given me such a beautiful gift. How could I ever repay you?" She looked up and saw the soft smile on the hanyou's lips. He brushed her tears away with his thumb as his other arm went around her waist.

"You rest yourself and get better. We don't want a sick warrior on our hands when we defeat Naraku." She smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Inuyasha... and you, too, Kouga and Houshi-sama." She gave each of them a well-deserved embrace. "You did a wonderful job on it."

"Well, the mutt did most of the work but we helped. I did the characters on the stones." The wolf looked proud of his work. "The kitsune pup has something inside for you, I do believe." Sango blinked and walked up the stairs once more, her hand lingering on the wooden railing before entering with the others close behind.

"Shippou?" She called out. "Shippou-chan!" She sensed him about two rooms to the left and went through the other door to the hallway. She knocked lightly on the door before sliding it open. "Dear spirits! Is this mine!?" The taiji-ya stared in wonder at the room before her.

"Well, half yours." Inuyasha remarked before getting elbowed by Kagome. Sango didn't appear to notice as she wandered inside. A childish look of curiosity appeared on her face and Sesshoumaru tried to burn the image in his mind. She looked so adorable.

"I brought you clothes from my time that I think you'll like, Sango-chan." Kagome said with a smile. "And there's an add-on room to this with your own private bathing room. Here's the key." The girl jingled it in the air. "Oh, yes! One more thing. There's a surprise in there for you. Along with some things in your desk."

"Kagome..." Sango turned around and gave her a tear-filled smile. "Did you... design this?"

"Yeah. Real nice, isn't it?" Kagome grinned. "I really didn't know what to do but I thought of what you were like."

"Thank you..." She bit her lip. "This is... so... beautiful."

"We did our best, Sango. I figured it was the least we could do." Inuyasha said with a slight smile.

"You should see those two in action." Kagome put her hands on her hips. "They never stop!"

"Well, if we were all break and no work, like you, then we wouldn't be done right now!" The hanyou stated, his smirk growing cocky. "Slackers." He let his gaze linger to Miroku, as well.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome kicked him in the shin before handing Sango the key to her add-on room.

"But... there are two keys."

"There's another door right over there. I'm not gonna tell you what's behind there."

"Oh." Kuranosukai looked a little left out and forgotten, Sango noticed. "Well, now we can all stay in the inn. Taketa-sama, now we have a place for you."

"Hm?" He blinked. "We were not planning on staying long, Sango. And, you need not refer to me as Taketa-sama anymore."

"Well, I-"

"He is right, little one." Sesshoumaru spoke up, crossing his arms in his sleeves. "You need not refer to him as your superior." It was the first time Kuranosukai had noticed him. Sango flushed and turned around quickly, bending down and picking Shippou up. She cradled him in her arms and whispered a couple things in his ear.

Who is this youkai and why is he here? He looks like Inuyasha. Perhaps a relative?

"Oh! How rude of me!" Sango burst out, startling them. "Take-" She saw Sesshoumaru give her a look and Kuranosukai frown. "Uhm, Kuranosukai-san, this is Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands and Inuyasha's older brother. Sesshoumaru, this is Kuranosukai-san, the lord of a village I once went to... on an extermination job." She watched as the two stared at each other. She could feel the awkwardness. Apparently, so could Kagome.

"Why don't we all go outside?" They all left until it was just Sango, Shippou, and Sesshoumaru.

"I do not like him." The taiyoukai stated bluntly. Sango would have burst out laughing if it weren't for the situation. She frowned. "Nor do I like you refering to him as your superior."

"It's out of respect for a lord, Sesshoumaru-sama." She stated, her frown deepening. He walked closer and lifted her chin with his hand.

"Do not rebel against me, little one. I will do nothing."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise. Depending on if he tries anything." Sango set Shippou on the ground and the kitsune knew that to be his cue to leave the room. Kagome met him outside the door, peering inside. Sango wrapped her arms around her lover, leaning her head against his chest and allowing the sound of his heartbeat to calm her down.

"The worst that could happen would be to lose you." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her hair.

"That would not happen. Not, at least, if I am alive."

"Don't even speak that way." Her voice was quiet, pained. "I don't want to marry him. He will understand... like he did last time."

"Sango, you have a choice."

"My father wanted me to marry him when we were younger. I heard him conversing with Kuranosukai's father..." She clutched the fabric of his clothes. "I wanted to make him happy..."

"What are you-"

"I wouldn't give you up for anything, Sesshoumaru." She sobbed, shoulders shaking. "You're everything that I wanted... everything I will ever need. It doesn't matter anymore what my father wanted. I am yours, body and soul." He smiled.

"That is all I needed to hear from you, little one. I am yours, as well, body and soul." She opened her mouth but he got there first. "I promise." She smiled.

"Me too. I promise." She gazed into his amber eyes. "Forever."

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Quite a bit of Sess and Sango there, ne? Uh oh... and Taketa is there, too! Just when things heat up, he has to show up, right?

Well, that's just how it has to be. I think this will make it pretty darned interesting.

::Kagome still chasing Inuyasha in the background, holding soap:: GET BACK HERE!

Inuyasha - I didn't curse too much in here! Leave me alone! GET AWAY! ::ducks when she gets closer and throws the soap at him::

::WHAM!::

::THUD::

Kagome - Sorry, Miroku!

::Sango laughing in hysterics, pointing at the laid-out lecher:: Serves you right!