Author's note: Sorry for the really slow updates, but I wasn't sure if I was ever really going to post another chapter up. Though it looks like I finally did do it, eh? First off, I would just like to say thanks to all who reviewed, even after the super slow updates. This being one of the few reasons of why this story is still being written. Anyway, since its been a really, really long time since I wrote on this; the writing style is a bit different then before. Plus, it was a bit hard to get the next chapter going off from the last one, so please bare with me and tell me what you think. Also, I spell Sesshoumaru with a 'U' now. I'm afraid I'm too lazy to go back through and re-edit the story! PS: I sort of made the chapter a lot more romantic like. Sorry the chapter is so short, I just wanted to see if anyone was still interested in it.

Chapter Five - "Touching Hands"

( Sango's POV )

I thought he'd be the one to pull away, to brush me off, to leave me there standing alone. I had expected him to just walk away and act as if nothing had ever happened. I could just see him looking down at me again with those harsh, amber eyes. Cold and narrowed, ashamed of himself for having even shared the same air with me. "You ignorant human girl. Be gone from my site." Sesshoumaru would growl and he would expect me to do just as he said, right when he said. And if I didn't obey, "I won't warn you again," he'd finish cooly and just like a broken dog; my tail would go down between my legs, and I would cower away with my pride trailing after me. Once I was far enough away from him, I would be left to pick of the scattered pieces. If there were any left. . .

But that didn't happen.

Instead, he remained in front of me. His soothing breath hoovered quietly above my own and together they played a peaceful melody of their own. Sounding almost like a love song that could have a happy ending. I wondered secretly if he could hear it too? The soft humming of everything around us, mixing in, knowing that we weren't just standing alone this time. Not like the way before.

It was different.

So very different, it rung out through the otherwise quiet air, singing along with the chirping crickets, and dancing as one with the humble wind. If he could hear it, then it might seem as though we had been together forever. As if, it was the only comfort we could share in our strange, silent love. There would be no words spoken between the two of us, only the desperate embrace that we had both so openly expressed and craved through our starving eyes. I could see it so cleary, could even smell the freshly budded Cherry Blossoms that hung in heavenly clouds above our heads. The only sounds being the steadyness of our breathing, the rapid pumping of our hearts, and the russling leaves that always loomed about the ground. The most silent of lovers.

And then, before we could go about properly on our daily routines; he would pull me closer then he already held me, look down at me with those golden eyes so full of love. The only thing I could think to do was blush a bit, smile lightly, and then he would kiss me deeply, tenderly. 'This is really akward! What's wrong with me today?'

I could feel the heat flood to my face just thinking up such a scene and then before I knew what exactly to do I was apologizing. "I'm sorry," I said bashfully. "You must think I'm really stupid now. I mean, uh, well- I. T-thank you, Sesshoumaru." I looked up, despite the fact, I was still blushing furiously. I just had to see his reaction even if it meant showing off how akward I felt. I was met with confused, curious eyes before they quickly shifted back into their usual unpleasent coldness. I could see the angry snarl begin to grow on Sesshoumaru's face and then he pushed me back with a hard shove. His large, clawed hand made swift contact with my left shoulder and I went stumbling back, unable to catch my balance.

I went spiraling off the edge of the cliff.

The air nipped at my face as I fell and everything passed right by me in big blurry shades of colour. I squinted my eyes a few times thinking maybe this was some sort of dream like I would wake up any moment; right before I became the eggyolk of Humpty Dumpty. Thinking maybe my earlier wish to depart wasn't really what I wanted, after all. Thinking maybe if I would just take it all back I would be granted another chance at living life like everything in reality really worked JUST like that. . .

As I was about to hit the bottom; about to end the dream. There was a great flash of silver and I was swept up in the arms of someone; left feeling the same warmth I had felt moments before I had been left abandoned in a void of ice. "Sesshoumaru?" I asked quietly, looking up to meet his face. He stared down at me with his jaw tightened up with unspoken anger. Golden orbs flashing wildly with emotion but not with anger. There was something else there. Concern. . .?

I hit the ground with a loud thud. The pain surfaced but only lasted for a second. Partly because I was still stuck in my own little world, still left pondering over the look in his eyes. Still feeling the racing of his heart almost as though he was terrified but I recalled his face showing nothing but anger.

Sesshoumaru walked away from me, as he always did. He carried himself with a heavy stride, walking particularly fast, so as to get away from me without having to look back again. I arose from the ground and raced after him. I pushed limbs out of my path as I ran until I was directly behind him. The wind picked up stronger then before and the air carried the refreshing scent of rain.

I hoped it rained.

"I didn't want you to save me back there! Why did you bother?" I yelled at him, not realizing how angry I was until I had spoken. "I'm talking to you! Answer!"

"Do not raise your voice to me, girl." Sesshoumaru said with such firmness the words held their own small power. "Why did you save me? I didn't want you to."

"You'd rather be dead then have to look at me?" He questioned quietly, turning around to face me. The distance is still unwavering in his stare. I look down at my feet like an ashamed child just so I don't have to see it. "It's not like that, you know it's not like that." I say slowly still avoiding his gaze. "Do I?"

"Don't tell me you care what I think about you! Why should you?"

"I don't care," comes his emotionless response. "As I shall never."

"You still haven't answered my question."

"It's not your place to question my doings." Sesshoumaru snapped dryly, his features hardening as he looked up swiftly. There is a sharp burst of lighting snapping through the stormy skies and a low rumble of thunder just before a few stray speckles of water fall to the ground. I put my hand up in attempt to shield myself from the beginning storm but it doesn't do much good as the rain begins to increase. He doesn't say anything, neither do I. So we stay and wait under the dark seemingly night sky. Drenched together, in our silence and unanswered questions. Never before do I remember the rain being so beautiful.

( Sesshoumaru's POV )

Would I ever forgive myself for what I'm thinking now? Would I ever allow myself to express my thoughts as openly as I wish I could? I think not. Sango, she's quite beautiful under the rain. The way she stands sullen in our silence, the way the rain slides off her dark hair, and the way she keeps her face so emotionless to me. Almost as if she is trying to outbeat me in what I do best. She is foolish and she has to be if she is still standing here with me. After how bad I have treated her. Will she forgive me in the way only I want her to forgive me?

Or will she just speak the words of forgiveness with an expressionless voice, with an expressionless face? "It's fine, Sesshoumaru. It really is." Though as she speaks, I know she is lying, as I can see the hurt in her eyes. The hurt I have given and so desperately want to remove. If she should let me, should I act upon it? Or will I just do as I always do? Stand back and stay as though I am but a faceless mask and not that of a living demon.

I have expression. Expression only she is worthy to see. If only. . .

I have fallen pray to a human, just as my father did. Yet the only thing I can think to do is. . .I want to kiss her. Tell her, I'm not really this emotionless. It is all but an act but only an act for you, Sango. Only for you. . .