Chapter ten: The gift

"Inuyasha, you moron! You don't use a wakisashi to cut wood, you use an axe!"

"Shut up, Shippo! I'll use whatever I want!"

"Sango's gonna be pretty mad at you for killing her weapon, you'll see!"

Inuyasha left the blade fall on the ground and grabbed Shippo by the tail, shaking him vigorously. It was a good sign that he was coming out of his chronic depression, Sango thought as she approached them.

"Ah, Inuyasha-Sama will not change in the least, just look at him, abusing that poor kitsune," Myoga opinioned from her shoulder.

"That 'poor kitsune' isn't as defenseless as he looks, Myoga-jiji," she said and effectively, just seconds after, Inuyasha's yell was heard as Shippo buried his fangs into his arm.

"Come here you little monster! Just let me get my hands on you!" Shippo ran as fast as he could until he spotted Sango. Quickly, he hid behind her and started making faces to Inuyasha.

"Get out of the way Sango, he's mine!"

Sango supposed Inuyasha would be already eating dirt if Kagome were there, but decided against speaking out her thoughts.

"Leave Shippo alone, Inuyasha," Sango scolded. "If you don't, I won't give you what Myoga-jiji and I have gotten for you."

"But he started it! Uh? You have something for me?" His eyebrows raised in curiosity.

"Yes we do, Inuyasha-Sama!" Myoga jumped to Inuyasha's hand. "Although I'm not entirely sure you deserve it, but Sango-san insisted, so…"

"What are you talking about, old flea?"

"Inuyasha," Sango spoke, her face was glowing. "Remember that time you saw me 'sneaking' out my hut with something hidden in my mo-bakana?"

"Eh… yeah, why?" He narrowed his eyes as he tilted his head to one side.

Sango had planned on teasing him a little before giving him the object, but was unable to stick to her own plan. She smiled "Well, here it is." Nervous, she handed him a large, slim bundle wrapped in several layers of fabric. Inuyasha took it and puzzled, looked at it.

"Come on! Open it!" she said anxiously as she rocked on the balls of her feet.

"What is it? Did you get something for me too, Sango?" Shippo jumped to get a better view of the package. Inuyasha looked at them for a second and then started unwrapping the object.

He felt his heart giving a leap when the familiar saya rested on his hands. For a moment he was unable to breath. He looked to Myoga and Sango, who were staring back with reassuring looks.

"Go ahead, unsheathe it, Inuyasha-Sama," urged Myoga.

Holding his breath, Inuyasha took the katana from its saya and found his dark eyes reflecting on the bright, polished surface of Tessaiga. The blade was faultless and the sunrays reflected on the sharpened edge. It was beautiful.

"Wow…" breathed Shippo.

"How—how did you…?"

"It was Sango's idea, Inuyasha-Sama, she kept Tessaiga when you so carelessly threw it away, and I asked old Totosai to modify it so you could use it. It won't transform like it used to, or perform the kaze no kizu, but you will not find a finer katana in the whole world!" Myoga said proudly.

Inuyasha wielded the katana, producing a treble whistle as it cut the wind. It was light and fast but firm and Inuyasha felt immediately as one with the weapon. He passed his fingers over the smooth metal and then, charged at the logs he had been cutting. The blade went through them as if they had been mere butter.

"Amazing! It's—It's incredible!" he waved Tessaiga again, astonished at its lightness.

"I'm so glad you like it, Inuyasha," she said.

"Yeah I do! I… I… " he stopped and looked at Sango. "I don't know what to say."

"Can I hold it? Can I see it? C´mon! Let me hold it!" Shippo kept jumping, trying to grab the katana without success.

"Oh… it's nothing. I just thought you needed a proper weapon, so you wouldn't keep dulling my blade." Sango felt her face burn a little and lowered her gaze for a moment,so he wouldn'tnotice it.

"Oh yeah, sorry." Inuyasha took the forgotten wakisashi from the ground and handed it to her. Their fingers touched lightly and a bolt went through Sango's body. Lately, such sensations were becoming something usual and she wasn't sure they should.

"It's okay," she said as she veered her gaze. "Consider it a gift from your sensei," she said with a timid smile. When she looked back at him, it seemed his eyes were a little misty, but it was only for a second. Maybe it was her imagination.

Inuyasha felt a sudden urge and, without a second thought, gave into it; he reached to her and crushed her petite body against his whilst he murmured in her hair, "Thanks, Sango." Then, he placed a butterfly kiss on her cheek.

"And what about me!" Myoga complained.

He let go of her. "Yeah, you too, Myoga." He went back to test the katana, running around like a child with a new toy, Shippo right behind him. Myoga jumped behind them as well, probably trying to catch up with his master and have his meal.

Sango stood rooted to the spot, looking at the raven haired youth. One hand rose by itself and touched where he had kissed her. There, the warmness of the contact lingered on her skin, then went under her kosode and it nested itself into her lower belly with a pleasant, electrifying sensation.

That was not good, not good at all. Why was she reacting that way? She wasn't stupid, she could guess the reasons, but she dared not to complete those thoughts. It was wrong. It was treason. Inuyasha was Kagome's. It was better to uproot such feelings before they bloomed into something she would regret.

Now, what was she thinking? The simple notion was laughable. And pretty silly, at that. It was better to forget about such ridiculous ideas.

"Ah Shippo! You bit me again, you little twerp!"

"Sangooo! Inuyasha hit meee!"

She let those thoughts slip past her as she went to aide either Shippo or Inuyasha…which one needed saving she wasn't sure.

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