Mini-Oro-Kenji-Himura- Yes, Kagome is as you say- a fluffing witch! I do like Kikyou more than Kagome (of course, I like anyone better than Kagome) I think Kikyou's really cool. But no, I am not a huge fan of Sesshoumaru/Kikyou. I don't really read much Sesshoumaru stuff- just some Sesshoumaru/Sango now and then. Thanks for your review though!
RavensFirefly- I was soooo thrilled to get a review from you! You are one of my favorite authors, and you were really the one who introduced me to the wonderful world of Sango/Inuyasha. Thank you so much! It was great to get a review from you! Keep writing! Oh yeah, when are you going to update 'Once the Dust Settles' again? LOL. Just asking.
Shadowfox83- I'm glad everyone seems in character. That was my biggest concern really.
Sapphireladie Shinomori- No. Don't worry. No Miroku/Kagome pairing in my fics. I hate that couple. Well, I hate all Kagome pairings, cause I don't think she deserves any guy! And especially not Miroku! He is after all my favorite male character!
Kiyana va Sala- You read my Bio? Well, there's a lot of crap in there, in my opinion. Yes, I HATE Kagome. I hate her so much. I'm even a member of the MSN KagomeHaters Group. Inuyasha/Mrs Higurashi? No offense, but that is just…disturbing. Mrs. Higurashi is kind of a Mary Sue herself. A Mary Sue mom at least. Does she ever get mad? No. And she's a bit too lenient as far as Kagome feaudal era adventures are concerned. No mom would let her daughter miss so much school either. Inuyasha/Ayame? Maybe. I don't think Ayame's that bad…but Inuyasha/Sango RULES! KAGOME IS A MARY SUE!
Moonsiren06, sleep, animeroxz, Discordangel101, Miko-of-Jades, icygirl2, tinemelk- Thank you for taking the time to read and review this fic. You guys are so encouraging! Keep writing!
It just occurred to me that I haven't used a Disclaimer. I don't see the need for one. If I owned Inuyasha…well, read my bio for details.
Now on with the show!The fire glowed, flames consuming the dead twigs and branches that Sango and Miroku had gathered. Kagome lay asleep in her sleeping bag, cuddling Shippou. Miroku slept sitting as usual, his staff slanted across his chest. Kirara lay curled beside Sango's hand, now and then mewing softly in her sleep; apparently even cats had dreams. Sango lay on her side, her face to the fire, eyes closed, chest rising and falling rhythmically, and to all outward appearances, fast asleep. Only Inuyasha, or Sesshoumaru with their keen sense of smell, would have been able to tell that she wasn't. The scent of her salty tears hung in the air. Unless you were watching very closely, you wouldn't have seen one fall from her lidded eyes. But then, the hanyou was watching closely.
I wonder what's up with her, he thought, frowning at the tajiya. She never seems to sleep anymore. Is something worrying her? The moment that thought flittered into his mind, an inner voice seemed to shout at him. Why should you care? It demanded. It's Miroku's business. He should do something about his crying girlfriend. But he couldn't stop wondering about it.
Not able to lie still any longer, Sango stood from her sleeping bag. Stealing a quick glance around the campsite to make sure that everyone was asleep, she walked away. Maybe a stroll under the stars would do her some good, would clear her mind.
The moment she had opened her eyes, Inuyasha had closed his. He didn't think she would have appreciated him staring at her. Staring? I wasn't staring. Just, watching her. He heard her rise, pause for a moment, and then the sound of her footfalls, heading away from the sleeping group. He opened his eyes and sat up. Maybe he should…follow her? Convincing that inner voice that he was just going to look out for her, he jumped from the tree, landing on the ground soundlessly, and set off after the slayer.
Sango stared at the night sky, momentarily forgetting everything about Inuyasha, Naraku and even Kohaku. The stars were so beautiful. Millions of tiny lights, all shining together, making it possible to see almost as clearly as if it had been day. She smiled, and stretched her arms wide, as if she could embrace that light strewn canvas. If only she could float up there and leave everything behind…
A tiny sound, quickly hushed, pulled her back into reality. Suddenly very much aware that she had not brought any weapon with her, she turned towards it, body tensed, ready to spring into combat. She nearly yelped when a figure separated itself from the darkness and walked towards her, and then relaxed when she realized it was only Inuyasha. Only Inuyasha? Then why is my blood still racing?
The hanyou walked to her, arms stuffed into the sleeves of his haori. His eyes were intent on her face. She nearly ran from that golden gaze, but stiffened herself. So what if his eyes somehow managed to be melting and stern at the same time? He was only Inuyasha. Only Inuyasha…
'Why are you out here Sango? All alone?'
Sango stared in surprise. Inuyasha sounded…concerned. Did she dare hope…? No. She shook her head to rid herself of that thought. 'What's your problem? Why should you care?' she retorted, more harshly than she wanted to. She nearly winced once the words were out.
Inuyasha just grinned, and shrugged his shoulders. 'I don't have a problem with you running off to dance under the stars. But I do have a problem with your not even taking a weapon with you. Or do you have Hiraikotsu hidden under your skirt?'
Tossing her head, Sango looked back up at the sky. 'I can defend myself just fine. You know that.'
'I do know that.'
'Good.'
Staring at the tajiya, Inuyasha wondered again what had possessed him to come to her. He could have remained hidden in the brush; just watching to make sure no harm befell her. But something in the way she had tensed when she heard the snap of that twig, that said she was ready to fight, it had pulled him out. For some reason, he didn't want her to be scared of him. Even if she didn't know it was him.
Scared of me? Sango's never been afraid in her life! Yet, as he looked at her, he saw something on her face that he had never seen before. She looked exhausted. Not physically- he had seen that often enough, though she managed to hide it from Kagome, Miroku and Shippou well- but emotionally exhausted. Like she was fighting a losing battle, and she knew it was only a matter of time before she had to surrender. It was quite different from the expression he had seen on her face when she was 'dancing' under the stars. Could I have something to do with that change?
Lost in thought as he was, it took him a moment to realize that Sango had said something to him. 'What was that?'
Sango looked at him curiously, tilting her head to the side. Then she repeated slowly 'How come you came out here? Was it only to berate me for not bringing Hiraikotsu?'
'Keh. I couldn't sleep.'
'Really?' she raised an eyebrow, and Inuyasha wondered if she could hear the lie in his voice. He accounted himself very good at lying. Well, if she could see through it, he might as well tell her the truth.
'Ah well, I saw you get up, and I knew you had been crying, I just came to see what was the matter. You haven't been yourself lately Sango.'
Something flickered across her face, could it have been happiness? 'You were worried about me?'
Inuyasha opened his mouth, but just ended up staring into her eyes. They were so big, so beautiful. Why had he never realized how beautiful they were?
WHAT? What am I thinking about? What is wrong with me tonight? He snapped his mouth shut. He must have looked like an idiot, gaping like that. He turned away resolutely, away from her and her big eyes. 'Worried? Keh! I just wanted to make sure nothing happened to you. There are a lot of things out here that could harm you Sango, and I don't want you injured. That would just slow us down.' The moment he said that, he felt horrible. It was not true…why had he said it?
Sango's response wasn't what he expected. She didn't flare up at him and yell. She just stood there, looking at him, he could feel those beautiful eyes- Stop that! - On his back. And he knew he had hurt her. He knew he had hurt her really badly; probably more than Naraku or any other filthy demon had ever hurt her. He knew she hurt, and why did he hurt knowing that he had caused her to feel like this?
'Oh.' She finally said. It was quiet, it was soft, but it cut him deeper than anything she might have yelled at him. He had never felt this guilty when he yelled at Kagome, why with Sango? 'I guess I should go back to camp then. You don't have to take the trouble to guard me again.' Her soft footsteps receded into the brush.
Inuyasha slumped to the ground, staring at the sky. The tiny pinpricks of light twinkled against the velvety blackness. They way they shone just reminded him of the shine in Sango's eyes when she had asked if he was worried about her. Sango…He sighed. Why did he hurt so much? Sango…He could imagine those eyes now, filled with pain and sorrow. Light, it hurt. Sango.
I loved writing this chapter. It was a lot of conversation and description wasn't it? That's why. And also, I finally brought Inuyasha's views in. Is it too fast?
Some of those who read Wheel of Time might recognize that bit 'Light, it hurt'. 'Light' is kind of the Wheel of Time version of 'Oh God!' I think saying 'Light, it hurt' is more well…strong than saying 'god, it hurt'. When Rand uses that in Wheel of Time, you can really feel the pain. I hope you can understand it here.
As always- please review!