Author's note: Thanks to all the reviewers! You make me happy. By the way, this is my favorite chapter so far. Sesshomaru is pretty cruel, but he'll warm up eventually. I have so much fun with his character. Do you think I'm doing a good job at keeping him in character? (big grin)

Chapter Three - "Nothing to Give"

Upon reaching his castle Sesshomaru slowed his pace before forcefully throwing Sango down. "Stay there." He commanded in deep, uninviting tone. "I will do no such thing!" Sango protested following after Sesshomaru. Her frustration and rising fury showed in her movement as she continued to chase after him. Sesshomaru hastily turned around, his amber eyes narrowing onto the human girl with arrogance. "What did you say to me, human?"

"I said-" Sango was cut off by his hand planted firmly against her neck. He lifted her up from the ground, digging his nails into her flesh. Drops of her blood began to trickle onto his nails and slide down his fingers staining his beautiful, white flesh. He watched as it continued to drip further before it stopped at his hand. He hesitated before finally prying his eyes from the blood and looking up into the eyes of the human. She was fearful. 'Perhaps, she has come to realize she could possibly be drawing her last breath? But I forget my hand is stopping her from catching any air. That's most tragic, yet I wonder why I almost want to smile? Could it be because this human's life lies within my very hands or is it because her fear of dying quirks my senses. Whichever it is, I know not.' He tightened his hand against her neck before finally speaking. "Do not think I will be the one to tolerate your attitude. You will learn your place and do as you are told. Or I will kill you." He finished simply, releasing the grip he had around her neck causing her to fall to the dirty ground. Sango gasped for air, her eyes overflowing with ire tears. She inhaled deep breaths, trying to get her breathing back to normal. Then, she placed her shaky hands against her neck to stop her fresh wound from bleeding. Sesshomaru walked away from the crime scene, leaving the girl in her crumbled form. Before he was completely out of her sight Sango yelled out, "Why did you save me if you hate me so much?!" He stopped abruptly not bothering to turn around and face her. "Save? Is that what you humans call it? Hmph. I was merely taking what was presented for me to have."

"You will never have me! I detest you!"

"Is that so?" He asked without any compassion or warmth. "It is!" She answered, her voice cracked as she screamed the words.'I will not take this from the likes of him! I am much stronger then that. I have to go after him. I have to get back home. He must know how to, after all, he knew I would be coming here. No matter how much I fear him I have to at least try! My father and Kohaku have already lost someone they loved, they can't loose another! (He threatened to kill you, remember?) I know, but if I can never go back to my family what use is living? I'd rather die trying to get back then never be able to return home. Besides, I can't let him order me around like a slave of some sort! (What about Kagome?) That's right, I need to find her. I bet she knows how to get back.'


Sango pushed herself up from the ground forcefully driving herself to do what she knew she must. Of course, she feared the outcome of what could, infact, happen but there was no turning back now. She would just have to brace herself for the worst and accept it, even if it did mean death. After running a short range she could see Sesshomaru standing out in the distance. He was looking up toward the sky, a thoughtful expression loomed on his majestic face. His back was turned to her, but his head was facing slightly sideways. He seemed at peace with his surroundings. Sango almost hated to intrude but when she thought about how horrible he had treated her. She regained the will to speak to him. Yet, when she opened her mouth to talk no words would come out to play. "What do you want?" He asked, not looking at her. He didn't like looking at her because she made him feel. Weither it be anger, attraction, hate. She made it difficult for him to keep an emotionless mask. She had him struggling to not be weak. If he was nice to her once he knew he would be trapped from then on. 'Sango...' He thought in his head, the scene of the two together holding hands had repeated several times and he could feel himself hurting inside. The love was overpowering his senses, it was suffocating him. But with the love came the heartache because he wouldn't. Couldn't. Allow himself to be together... with a human. 'That was only a dream. It has nothing to do with me. Although, as I remind myself this... it doesn't make it go away! Everytime I look at her I see it and feel it. Within.' The girl in the dream she stood behind him. Close enough for him to smell her sweet scent. 'I've had enough of this. I have to get away from her before I waver under her gaze.'


Before he could get away from her she stopped him. "I want to go home." Sango demanded, her body tensing up as she said she words. "And what do you want me to do about it?" Sesshomaru questioned, the icyness of his words chilled the springtime air. "You can tell me how to."

"Can I?" He mocked, still not looking at her. "Don't play games with me, Sesshomaru! I am no fool, although, you seem to mistake me for one. I only want to go home so just tell me how to get back! If you do that I'll never bother you again." She responded, barley able to keep her calmness in tack. "Do you actually think I enjoy having you here? Do you think I keep you here out of the kindness of my heart?" He snarled, unable to keep his cool any longer. One moment longer with the human and he would surely kill her. "You don't have a heart." She answered, letting the bitterness of her words bite Sesshomaru off guard. His eyes widened at the words and for the first time in his whole life he was speechless. He had no reply. She had put him in his place without any effort, no bloody battle. Just by her harsh words. They held pure hate. She despised Sesshomaru, he knew this now. Never had anyone every spoken so strongly to him. Stood up to him with no fear. The only other being who had was Inuyasha, but even he had a hint of fear. Sesshomaru had barley been able to smell it, but without a doubt it had been there. The Youkai Lord began to walk away, never once looking at her during their heated conversation. "Don't you walk away from me!" She exclaimed chasing after him. "Watch me." He told her under his breath, although, he figured she didn't hear him with her "unsubstantial" human ears. After he had walked a few steps he felt her grab onto his arm with desperation. "Please, tell me how to get home!" She pleaded, feeling warm tears run down from her deep, brown eyes. "If you wish to keep your arm you will remove it at once." Sesshomaru ordered jerking his arm away from Sango before she could do so herself. "I beg you!" Sesshomaru glared down at the girl, his eyes burning with flames at the request. "Your words are cheap and my patience is short, I will not waste anymore time with you, human." He replied, striking her painfully across the face. The sudden force from the hit sent Sango to the ground where she stayed, not bothering to get back up. "The ground suits you all to well. It's most becoming for a human, like yourself." He commented dryly before walking away. Once his back was turned to her, a growing smirk formed on his regal face.

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"I bet she doesn't even have the jewel. This is going to be such a waste of time." Inuyasha mumbled dryly, folding his arms in the front of his chest. "Inuyasha, must you always assume the negative." Miroku chastised, giving the half-demon a disappointed look. "Listen, monk. We would have already been there, if you would have asked directions like you were supposed to."

"My dear friend, Inuyasha. You know better then anyone else, that when a beautiful women is in my presence. I must uphold my duty as a monk to help her during her most troubling times."

"I knew you shouldn't have been the one to ask for directions." Shippo muttered, rolling his large, blue kitsune eyes. Miroku sighed. "A monk's business is only understood by that of a monk."

"You're such a pervert." Kagome stated, letting her slight annoyance slip into her voice. He only smiled, letting his fingers fumble with his prayer beads. "Are we even going the right way?" Inuyasha asked, his amber eyes scanning the foreign territory. "I'm almost certain."

"Don't tell me we're lost!" Inuyasha shouted, stopping in the middle of the path. Miroku sweatdropped, letting a nervous laugh escape his lips. Kagome ran into the back of Inuyasha, having Shippo fall to the ground. "Would you watch where your going, women!"

"Well, it wouldn't have happened if you wouldn't have stopped infront of me!" Kagome argued defensively. "I wouldn't have stopped if Miroku wouldn't have gotten us lost!" Everyone shot death glares at Miroku. "Now, now, everyone. There are children present. It is not wise to fight infront of Shippo."

"Finally you remember me!" Shippo whined, rubbing the growing bump on his head. "Apologize, Inuyasha. It will make Shippo feel better."

"What?! It's not my fault! I'm not apologizing!"

"He fell because YOU stopped walking!"

"I think we're almost there." Shippo's voice interrupted, looking forward. He had no clue which way was which, but he knew that was the only way to stop the two from fighting. "As I said, I'm certain we're going the right way." Miroku said, his face seemed to glow as he said the words. "You know, I'm pretty sure I heard you say you were almost certain." Miroku ignored the reply speeding up to get away from the group. "I can't believe you don't know where you own brother's castle is."

"How would I know? It's not like we're close or anything." Shippo knew they were going to start arguing again so he broke in. "Once we get there how are we going to get Sango?"

"That's right, Shippo. Sesshomaru's not one to give something up without a fight." Kagome commented, nodding in agreement. "Forget all that. I already got that much figured out. What I don't understand is why he wants the girl." Inuyasha confessed, looking at the group to bring forth answers to his questions. "Maybe he knows about the jewel."

"How would he? He can't sense jewel shards like you, stupid!" The half-demon told Kagome acting in his usual impudent way. "I was only saying!" Kagome disputed, balling up her fist with indignation. "Would you two stop it, already!" Shippo yelled making Kagome and Inuyasha look away from each other angrily. "If it is infact true she possesses the other half of the jewel, I doubt she'll just give it to us."

"I'm sure you're right, Miroku." Kagome said looking down, feeling a bit ashamed. 'If she has the Shikon Jewel, how can I be a part of taking it away from her? Afterall, it came from inside her body.. just like me. There's no way I could just take it. I would never forgive myself. But if we aren't the ones to take the jewel... Naraku surely will. Then, she would most likely be killed. So we have to get it. Maybe we could talk her out of the jewel? Yeah, like that would happen! Inuyasha would defiantly ruin that with his attitude.'

"Are you okay, Kagome?" A worried Shippo questioned, his little fox eyes beginning to cloud with concern. "Yeah, it's nothing, Shippo." Kagome lied, looking at Inuyasha, almost pleading with him. "Now, what?!"

"I said it's nothing, dog boy!" Kagome felt stupid for even thinking about trying to reason with him. Inuyasha's silver ears went back angrily. "Keh!"

'Stupid Kagome. I bet she'll find some dumb reason to go back home, just like she always does. And then it's back to waiting around for Kagome to come back. That's so like her. That idiot! You would think she would be nicer to me. Afterall, I'm always the one saving her, but do I ever get a thanks? NO! NEVER! She just stands around doing nothing while I do all the work.'

"What are you thinking about, Inuyasha?" Miroku interrogated, looking rather bored. "Nothing important." Inuyasha answered, sending a glare at Kagome before turning his head forward. "I bet he's thinking about Kikyo." Kagome mummbled under her breath, sadly. '(Don't start thinking like that. You'll only get depressed over it.)' Kagome gives herself a strict nod, quickly locking away the idea, but not entirely forgetting about it. They continue walking some more.

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'I knew I would end up having to force myself to stand up. And it would take all my strength to pull it together this time. I was totally drained, and I had no clue where I would find the drive to do it since all I wanted to do was just lie there until I died. Everything was just so.. awful. I didn't want to go on living any longer. Every single passing second became worse then the second before it. I was trapped. I had no one, at all. Come to think of it, I didn't even have a clue! I didn't know where I was, how to get back, anything! I was lost in this mass confusion and the longer I layed there the more questions came to be. Questions without answers. Would they ever be answered? I highly doubted it. Since it seemed the only one who knew anything was that heartless, arrogant monster. Who would rather die then tell me anything! I have to get out of here. I have to go home. I have to find Kagome, but I don't know where to find her! I have no idea where she might be. I'll just end up getting lost in the forest like before and end up somebody's dinner.. since it seems no one here is human.' Just coming back to the realization of my many problems made me cry harder. Made me more lost, within. Made everything that much more tragic, but then out of the darkness there was a light. A voice, if you would believe it."Miss, what's wrong?" I heard a child's voice cry out. The small girl rushed to my side pulling me into a warm hug. I couldn't help but smile at her. She would be the string that would tie be back together after I had came undone. She would make everything all better again. She was my little guardian angel. "It's nothing." I replied quickly, brushing away the tears that soaked my face. "It's okay you can tell me. I won't tell anyone. I promise." Her voice was full of purity and deep concern. Just looking at her made me smile. "It's just, well." Then a thought entered my mind. 'This little girl could end up just like me.. held a prisoner. I have to get her out of here, now.'

"Hey, what are you doing here? You should leave before he comes back!" I exclaimed, rising up from the ground and grabbing onto her hand, starting to lead her away. "You mean Lord Sesshomaru?" She asked uncertain. "You know him, then!" I answered, getting down on my knees and looking at her seriously. "Yes, he takes good care of me."

"I highly doubt that." I told her, rolling my eyes at the idea. "It's true, miss!"

"So, you like it here, then?"

"Yes, this is my home." She responded, gaily. I was about to reply to her when I heard the sound of crunching leaves coming near us. I pushed myself up, tightening my grip on the child's hand, ready to protect her. Sesshomaru stepped toward us, his face somewhat distorted by the shadows encircling us. "Rin, come."

"But my Lord! I was only speaking to the pretty lady." She protested, letting her eyes beg with the indifferent youkai. "Rin, you are not allowed to speak to her. Come over here, now."

"I'm sorry but I have to go now." Rin apologized. "You can't just boss her around like that." I told Sesshomaru. He stepped forward to where he was no longer aloof. His icy orbs burned holes through me. I wilted under his gaze. "Is that so?" He challenged, nonchalantly. I bit my tongue, looking down disappointed with myself. 'Why didn't I stand up to him? I feel so weak when he looks at me like that. Almost like a child..'

"Go inside, Rin."

"Yes, my Lord." He stepped forward to where he was right infront of me. He was so close to me I could hear his soft breathing. "Look at me." He ordered. I glanced up, my eyes locked with his. 'It's just like when we first met.' I found myself thinking. His eyes traveled to where he had hit me. I imagined it had left a very ugly mark on my face considering it was still burning. "Does it hurt?" He asked suddenly, his words almost warm with concern. I looked down, avoiding his stare. Looking at him like that, with him standing so close to me, it made me want to like him. To forgive him for his bad deeds toward me. I didn't want that, I wanted to dislike him. I would teach him that he couldn't win my affection with his good looks! "Um, just a little." I mummbled, still looking down. He reached out his hand, sliding his fingertips lightly under my chin, applying enough force to push my head up to look at him. After he had gotten my attention, his hand still continued to rest on my chin. I swallowed hard, feeling my face grow hot. 'I'm blushing!!!! AHHH!!! (Do something, Sango! Don't let him see the effect he is bringing to you!) Like what?!?! (Slap him, I don't know! Just do something!)' Without further thinking I did what the little voice within me told me to do. I slapped him. Sesshomaru stared at me in shock for a moment before finally resting his hand on his growing red cheek to soothe the pain. He still continued to look at me. I think he was still astounded by my behavior. I cleared my throat, "Uh, oops." I cried out, bowing my head feeling my face grow hot, again.(A/N: I'm laughing as I write this. :D) He still had said nothing or showed any signs of attacking me for my disrespectful actions. So I spoke once more. "You deserved it."

"Is that so?" He finally asked, as inexpressive as ever. I looked up at him, his golden orbs still glowing at me. Then, he suddenly looked past me, his gaze fell upon something out in the distance. He actually seemed quite interested in whatever it was. "Sango, go inside." He said quietly, brushing past me, with a blank expression on his face. 'I didn't ask any questions, I just did as I was told. I didn't look back to see what he was looking at. I didn't really care, anyway. I just couldn't shake off the way he had looked at me when we stood there together. It somehow seemed gentle. So much more subdued then before. It was strange...'

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(A/N:) What does the great demon lord see? Suspense without suspense! I'm evil, I know.