There was something about him. Kagome could feel his stare, which caused her skin to flush, yet every time she looked at him, he glanced away. Later, she asked Sango about the possibility that his statement was true. She brushed it off, simply responding, "He'd say anything to save his life."

Kagome agreed at the probability of that statement, yet her night was met with little rest as she struggled with unanswered questions. Naraku had told them that Inuyasha was a youkai: he failed to mention that he was half-human. Could that mean Naraku lied about his identity as well? Or perhaps he was simply misinformed. She knew the most likely scenario was that he left out the information purposely in caution of their possible rejection at the involvement of human blood shed. Sango didn't seem to be bothered by the information. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

In the morning she took Inuyasha breakfast, despite her better judgment. "Eat, and then you will receive a break to relieve yourself."

This could be his chance, he mused, if somehow he could lose the chains. "Oi, bitch, you going to touch me so I can go?"

Kagome scoffed. "Not hardly. Sango will."

"Let him soil himself," Sango called callously at the prospect.

"And have him smell?" Kagome replied, wrinkling up her nose at the thought.

After that he refused to eat the breakfast. She excused herself to check her outside barriers, unnerved by the interaction but unwilling to let it show. She felt embarrassed at his crassness and a bit guilty for teasing him. Still, a small laugh threatened to spill from her lips.

Outside, the day was bright and beautiful. Peaceful. A walk would lift her spirit; she needed to feel the touch of nature. Her body ached for it. To leave the barriers would be unwise; she sighed deeply as she sank down into the gentle grass, but she might linger within them for a spell.

The sky was blue today
A deep and beautiful hue
I wanted to take it in my arms
And paint my skin with it
You would laugh at me
And say I was your koishii
Covered in blue sky

A smile graced her budding lips as she closed her eyes, enjoying the warm caress of the sun, letting the words run through her mind. His koishii. Strange how that could be a peaceful thought. After a few hours, she felt emotionally refreshed and decided to re-enter the hut, unable to keep a smile from her relaxed lips.

She radiates. He watched her, eyes wide in amazement, wanting to take in every detail of her visage. She raked a delicate hand through her thick locks and stifled a yawn. Her brown eyes seemed softer, now heavy with sleep.

"Sango-chan, do you mind if I take a nap?"

"You are a coward," his harsh words taunted her from across the room.

She looked to him, surprised at his seemingly random outburst. He too seemed surprised at his insult for once. The words seemed more severe then he had thought them somehow.

"Has that been occupying your thoughts this whole time?" she questioned him, amusement evident in her voice.

His anger spiked at her response. How dare a human condescend to him. A deep growl escaped his throat. "You wouldn't stand a chance. I would rip your throat out."

She touched her throat absently, and he sneered. A look somewhere between wonderment and sadness slid across her face. A knot formed in the pit of his stomach, and he had to fight the urge to squirm. Wasn't that look what he wanted? Didn't he want to see hurt spill across her delicate face?

She gave him a strained smile. "Yes, Inuyasha, you would."

And then he felt breathless.

With that she turned her back to him and lay down on a cot near the opposite wall. Sango stared at him coldly and silently retrieved a white cloth. He forced back a growl, knowing he had somehow overstepped a boundary with his captor. He should feel triumphant, but he smelled her tears.