Welcome to Chapter #8, things have been getting pretty hot between Kagome & Sango recently, haven't they? Last chapter, someone had just walked in on them in the middle of a kiss! Did you guess right? Enjoy&Review!

"Priestess K-Kaede!" exclaimed Kagome; falling off Sango's lap and onto her back in a feeble effort to escape the position the old women discovered them in. "It's not what you think!" Sango didn't speak, but her anxious expression said it all.

"No use ladies, I caught you." Kaede cackled, "You're fortunate it was I, and not the half demon, Inuyasha." At the mention of the Hanyou's name she eyed Kagome, who suddenly felt guilty. She sat up uneasily next to Sango. "I just came to check on you, Lady Sango, but I see you have been more then tended to." The elderly women knelt next to the fire and poked it. "Perhaps you should eat something, huh?" She scooped some stew into a wooden bowl and carried it over to the Taijiya. "And perhaps," the women suggested, "You should be more discrete, at least for the time being." She winked with her good eye, and shuffled out of the room. Kagome and Sango's faces both turned scarlet as they watched her leave. She was right, what if Inuyasha had found them instead? Sango placed the bowl down, untouched, and Kagome shifted her weight uncomfortably, not certain what to do now.

"It's alright," said Sango, "We can keep this secret from Inuyasha."

"How?" asked the Miko, feeling rather hopeless.

"Well…we have a couple options." Replied Sango, she looked at Kagome with serious eyes. "We can be 'discreet' as Kaede said and act as we always have, as mere friends, when Inuyasha is around. Or we could continue to ignore these feelings entirely and pretend this never happened." Kagome frowned at Sango, how could she even propose that they pretend this never happened? It was beautiful and extraordinary.

Kagome leaned forward, kissed Sango gently, and whispered, "Are you truly suggesting that we should deny ourselves this happiness and pretend there is nothing between us?" Sango's eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily, Kagome's kisses provided pure ecstasy. Her mind was somewhere else, focused on Kagome's breath on her lips, the sensation of Miko's touch and her body pressed against hers. The Taijiya shook her head slowly as she opened her eyes and took in Kagome's gorgeous face, so close to hers; she did not want to give this feeling up. She touched the Miko's face and brought it towards her own, kissing her tenderly. Kagome returned her kiss and sat back, smiling. "So, I guess this means we have only one option, the first one you mentioned."

"Yes," Sango replied, though she did not like that decision much more than the other one. After all, Inuyasha was her friend; he had saved her many times. Miroku and Kaede both knew there was something between her and Kagome, though the priestess was the only one who knew the extent of it, and Shippou would not care either way, it felt unfair to leave the Hanyou out of it. Didn't they owe him so much more than lies and secrets? And what would this deceit entail? Would Kagome still pretend to be in love with him? Sango knew she would not be able to watch her snuggle up to him. She felt selfish, but she wanted Kagome to herself. Then again, the poor half-demon may very well have been in love with Kagome, to know she left him..for another women, how would that affect him? Not well, Sango decided, not well at all. "It is decided then," Sango agreed, "We must deceive the Hanyou." As if he were summoned, Inuyasha entered the shack a moment later with Shippou latched onto his back. Kirara trotted in behind him. Kagome grabbed her towel and pretended as if she was cleaning Sango's face again. Kirara ran to Sango and jumped on her shoulder, nuzzling her master's face. Sango laughed and pet her faithful companion.

"I'm glad you're ok, Sango! And that Kagome has finally stopped crying and worrying so much!" stated Shippou, rather bluntly, as he scarfed down Sango's abandoned bowl of stew. Inuyasha did not eat, in fact seemed to be sulking about something; Sango gave Kagome a wary eye.

Kagome got up and went to the Hanyou, "Is everything alright Inuyasha?" she asked, putting her hand on his back as he sat down.

"Everything is fine and dandy!" Inuyasha scoffed sarcastically, "We've wasted so much time here and that bastard Naraku is only getting stronger day by day. Who knows how many shards he's collected by now!" Sango frowned; she didn't want to be a nuisance.

"I'm healing well, Inuyasha." said Sango, "I will be fine to travel tomorrow morning." Inuyasha just looked at her and grumbled something under his breath.

"No, Sango." said Inuyasha, "If you travel injured you will only slow us down, besides you won't be much help anyway. Miroku and I will go try to find leads on Naraku, you will stay here with Kagome." Sango didn't mean too, but she smiled at the thought of being alone with Kagome. She looked at the Miko, who gave her a desperate look in response. Sango broke her grin.

"No!" argued Sango, "I need to go!" She did not really want to dispute his choice. She didn't mind the idea of being alone with Kagome at all.

"It's not your decision to make, Sango!" yelled Inuyasha. Kagome leaned on him to settle him down and Sango looked away, acting angry when in reality she was somewhat excited that she would be alone with Kagome, and jealous she was so close to the Hanyou. Inuyasha even put his arm around the Miko. Sango realized she was glaring and looked down. Miroku entered the shack and sat near to Sango, but not as close as he used too. He was smiling, he even grinned at Sango as she wondered what he could be thinking about.

"Well, everyone." said the monk calmly, "Perhaps it would be best if we all got some sleep." He looked at Sango with stern conviction, as if to say 'you will rest whether you like it or not'. Inuyasha had already begun to nod off with the Miko in his arms. Sango tried to focus on something else; she watched Shippou yawn and stretch, finding a place to lie down close to the warmth of the fire. Kirara crawled down into her lap and cuddled close to her, Sango stroked her absent-mindedly. Miroku gave Sango another firm look, "Please lie down, Sango-sama."She groaned and did so as Kagome watched her. She was trying so hard to act as she normally would, contented with Inuyasha's arm around her, but she realized it was so much harder than she thought it would be. She wanted it to be Sango's arm instead. Miroku must have been exhausted, a moment after he sat down he had already slouched against the wall and surrendered to slumber. Sango gazed at Kagome on the other side of the room and wished she were in the Hanyou's place. Kagome smiled back at her, her eyes sparkled and Sango could tell she wanted the same thing. Sango glanced at the Hanyou and mumbled something that no one could hear. Kagome eventually wiggled free from Inuyasha's grasp and put Tetsusaiga in her place. The Hanyou hugged it close to his chest. She tip-toed over to the mat next to the Taijiya.

"What are you doing?" whispered Sango.

"Going to bed." Kagome replied frankly. She stretched out on her side so she could face the demon exterminator.

"So close to me?" asked the Taijiya.

"It's the only mat," laughed Kagome, "they aren't going to suspect anything based simply on the fact that I slept next to you." She took Sango's hand and kissed it, "Besides, you know you want me here anyway." The way she said it made Sango's body quiver and she knew it was true.

"So far, we are not controlling ourselves very well. We'll have to work harder at this." replied Sango, grinning nevertheless as she put her other hand over Kagome's and touched her forehead to the Miko's. A moment later, she heard the Miko's breathing change, she'd fallen asleep. "Sweet dreams, Kagome." whispered Sango, also settling in for the night and entirely satisfied to be drifting to sleep holding her love's hand as she had always secretly longed to.

Over the next three days, Kagome and Sango remained nearly inseparable, using Sango's injury as an excuse to remain together without difficulty. The men went off to gather leads on the location of Naraku, and Shippou spent the days playing with village children, leaving the girls alone for long lengths of time. They used these periods to their advantage, barely able to keep their hands off each other and their lips apart. It was unreal; Sango expected to wake up any moment and discover it was all a dream, that Kagome had never kissed her and nothing had happened. However, it was true, Kagome's lips pressed on her own was no illusion or dream, but a blissful, breathtaking reality. Nevertheless, when the men returned, Kagome returned to Inuyasha's side. It was always heartrending for Sango, though she acted relatively cavalier on the outside. They kept their relationship casual when the Hanyou and Monk were present, as if it were the same friendship as before. They made small talk, discussed plans to track down Naraku, and remained relaxed after they accidentally touched from time to time, when in actuality each touch made them burn for more. Fortunately, as soon as the men left, they no longer had to hold back and the two women were in each other's arms again.

Each day Sango's wounds improved, and on the third day Inuyasha finally agreed to let her travel again; he could not waste any more time anyway. Kagome and Sango knew it was the last time they would be able to spend alone together for an undetermined amount of time, so they spent the day with their lips locked in a seemingly unending engagement. The kisses were fantastic, but it was never enough to stifle the hunger within them. Sango longed to do more, to touch Kagome and make her body tremble, to taste more than her sweet lips. But, the Taijiya was hesitant, she didn't want to pressure Kagome into anything. Kagome wondered why Sango never went any further than kissing her neck and caressing her back. She feared that Sango wasn't interested in sex, and didn't press the matter, though she yearned to be closure to the Taijiya. Eventually, however, her cravings were too much. Kagome, who was laying on the mat with Sango above her, stopped in the middle of a kiss and looked at Sango.

"What is it?" whispered the demon exterminator, breathless. "Do you hear someone?" She quickly moved and settled nonchalantly beside Kagome. The Miko sat up and glanced at the doorway. She shook her head. "Then what is it?" inquired Sango.

"Do you love me, Sango?" asked Kagome, her expression was one of concern and worry as she returned her gaze to the Taijiya.

Sango paused, staring back at the Miko in disbelief. She took her smooth face in her hands, "Of course I do Kagome, with all my heart. I thought you knew." She gazed at the girl with determination, "I love you, Kagome. I love you more than I'll ever be able to comprehend." Kagome turned her head away and Sango looked at her pleadingly. "I'll say it as many times as you like, I love you. I love you. I love you, Kagome."

"I love you too." replied Kagome quietly. Sango's heart soared; she swore she had never been happier in her entire life, until she saw that Kagome was still upset.

"What's the matter then? What's wrong?" asked Sango, eager to change Kagome's mood.

"I was worried that I repulsed you." the Miko answered.

"What would make you think that?!" exclaimed Sango, completely floored. Wasn't Kagome at all aware of how she made Sango ache with lust and desire? How a simple kiss never failed to literally take her breath away? She had to fight herself every second to keep herself from ravaging Kagome right then and there! Of course, Sango couldn't tell her that.

"It's nothing, I was just being silly." Kagome murmured, too embarrassed to continue. She reclined against the mat and pulled Sango down with her. She kissed the Taijiya with intent to distract her, but Sango was hesitant to return the kiss, her mind was troubled. She was suddenly unconfident, did she not make Kagome feel the same wonderful way? She worried; what if Kagome truly did not believe she loved her? Kagome felt the change in Sango's kiss; it was lacking her former intensity. She did not try again. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Sango's back and nestled against her chest. Sango held the Miko silently, until they heard Miroku and Inuyasha arguing in the distance. They separated; Kagome went to Inuyasha as she always did. For the rest of the day they did not speak to each other more than once, and it was only to say goodnight when the group retired. That night, Kagome did not sleep beside Sango, but instead laid on the floor with Shippou clinging to her in his slumber. Kagome was anxious that she was the only one between her and Sango to want more than kisses. Her fear made it hard just to look at the Taijiya, though she didn't understand why. She wondered what she had to do to make Sango want her.

On the other side of the room, as she lied alone, Sango's mind was filled with similar concerns. How could she show Kagome that she loved her? She knew she could prove it physically, if only she had the courage and time alone. However, she wanted to respect Kagome as well, there had to be another way. She rolled on her side and struggled in the shadows to see the figure of the Miko. She didn't understand why she chose to sleep on the floor and it bothered her. Tomorrow, they would begin to travel again. Time alone with Kagome would be rare, if not impossible. She turned on her back again and stared at the ceiling. What could she do now?

The Miko and Taijiya spent the rest of the night vexed and sleepless. They both were fully aware of the tension between them, and extremely anxious of the troubling changes tomorrow could bring. It seemed like they would face an eternity of darkness before the sun would rise.

You gotta love some sexual tension! I know this is looking more lemon-y by the second, but I'm still not certain if there will be any. Sorry folks, you'll just have to wait and see. I'm sorry this chapter took a couple hours longer than I had promised. But, to my defense it was a lot longer than I intended. Anyway, please Review! Your comments mean a lot to me. :)

LoveAffection&Reviews?