Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 4: Reaching Great Heights

I'm starting to worry. She keeps moaning and whimpering in her sleep, and I don't know what to do!

I can't just wake her up… Even I know that Sango rarely gets any sleep, 'cause of her constant nightmares. I thought that the bad dreams would end when Kohaku was dead, but that wasn't the case…

"…Inu…yasha…" Sango moans, still asleep. I can feel the red painting my cheeks, much to my distaste. I hope that she isn't dreaming what I think she's dreaming.

Sango snuggles up closer to me, her head resting on my shoulder, but her mouth is positioned so that she breaths in and out in the crook of my neck and shoulder. Don't ask me how it got this way, 'cause even I don't know.

Every breath she takes in sends shivers down my spine, but even more so when I feel her warm, sweet air leave her lungs, keeping my neck (and whole body) warm and tingly. I'm surprised that I was able to think, much less walk through a whole night of this.

I happily welcomed the light of the morning sun, which made the journey that much easier. It's been an hour or two since the sun appeared. I know, in the back of my mind, that Kaede's village wasn't much farther.

I feel comfort in that fact, knowing that Sango would be warm and safe shortly. But… I find myself torn between my own wants and needs, and what's best for Sango. If it were up to me, I would stop now and let her be in my arms, just a little longer, before I have to let go… forever.

I feel the regret wash through my body. I know that this will, most likely, be the last time, the last chance that I have with Sango… and as soon as we step into that hut, Kaede's home, I can only stand by and watch my heart be taken away… with her. If I kept it, I would rather die than feel that pain… again, I suppose.

My heart skips a few beats when I notice Sango move her hand from her lap up towards my neck. I hold my breath as she grasps onto my rosary beads, and I release the held air after a few seconds. I feel a little flustered when I see her heavenly, peaceful face, how content she is in my arms. It's like she's cuddling with me, as I am with her…

I shake my head, attempting to rid my mind of such ridiculous fantasies. I tell myself that she's just having a good dream… a dream with me in it. I can't help but smirk, my ego reaching a new high. 'Must be a really good dream.' I feel my smirk grow wider.

My attitude turns negative when Sango starts to whimper and softly sob, a few tears streaking her face.

"Inuyasha…" She calls for me as if I'm far away. "Inuyasha… Inuyasha… Inuyasha!" Her voice rises all the way to a full-out scream. I have to struggle to keep my balance, her loudness almost making me fall backwards. With my concern increasing by the second, I walk over to a small patch of soft grass and lay her down, but I hold her back, neck, and head with my arms. I've decided that I need to do something, even if I have to wake her up. It doesn't take much.

"Sango…" I shake her lightly, and her eyes open immediately, wide with… fear?

"Inuyasha…" she whispers once again, as if astonished to find me holding her up. I'm blushing from the proximity of our faces, since hers is just about six inches away. Sango's body freezes… Perhaps she's surprised by how close our bodies are, maybe… maybe even disgusted… or scared? I saw some fear in her depths, since we were staring into each others eyes, but also some… sadness…

Before I could even ask her "what's up?" or "what's wrong?", she knocks me over. I figure that she hates my guts, what with her loving fiancée waiting for her just a few miles away and that I'm acting so familiar with her. Then, I realize that she's… hugging me, hugging me like I've come back from the dead or something. Not only that, but she's bawling, too.

I struggle to sit up, but I'm able to, eventually. I'm sure that my face is matching the color of my robe of the Fire Rat. Trusting my instincts, I wrap my arms around Sango and pull her closer to me. I make gentle hushing noises, trying my best to calm her down. God… What did I do in her dream?

It takes a few hours, but Sango finally quiets down… too quiet, I realize… I look down at the beauty in my arms, blushing even more when my eyes find her.

She's asleep… again. And in the exact position that she was in before!

I sigh again; nothing that I can do about it now. I curse at myself, though. I didn't even find out what had disturbed her so much! Sniffing the air briefly, I'm pleased to find that none of her wounds have reopened, and that the village is really close. And I mean really close.

Picking Sango up bridal style yet again, I start off towards the village, taking large and long leaps to get there shortly. I continue to ponder what happened in Sango's dream as I rush to Kaede's.

'I just know that it has something to do with me! She said my name in her sleep right before it happened!' I sigh for the third time as I slow down to walk. We've finally arrived at Kaede's hut. 'Time to say goodbye, I guess…' I think as Kagome runs toward me.

"Inuyasha! You finally made it here! What took you so long?" Kagome is obviously mad at me for taking more than a few hours. She looks at Sango and gasps, for she can see the bandages through the holes in the slayer suit.

"Yeah… We kinda ran into some trouble…" I notice the look Kagome is giving me. "Hey! I didn't do ANYTHING!" Sango shifts in her sleep, so I lower my voice. "I didn't do anything, Kagome."

The miko looks at me like I grew a second head, but quickly shakes it off, and glares at me. "Oh, really? Then explain how you managed to bandage her up without doing 'anything'?" I hear something in her voice, something I didn't expect… Was… Was Kagome JEALOUS of Sango?

Before I can respond, Miroku comes running out of the hut, a worried expression on his face.

"What… What happened?" I automatically knew that this would end with Miroku blaming me and Kagome would 'SIT' me to hell, but I don't really care. As long as Sango is okay, then I'll be okay. Without skipping a beat, Miroku glares at me, pure hate in his orbs. I just tighten my grasp on Sango, not enough to wake her, but just to be careful. Unfortunately, both Miroku and Kagome noticed this. 'I'm soooo screwed…'

And if things weren't bad enough…

"Inu… Inuyasha…" The demon slayer moans, causing me to look down at her. Sango's grip on my rosary tightens, as if she's being protective of me. I feel a slight blush, but I try to repress it before I get in more trouble. Sango continues to be no help at all…

"Inu… Inuyasha. Inuyasha… Inuyasha…" Sango just keeps moaning, on and on. Now I'm really curious what she's dreaming of. I take the opportunity to glance at Kagome and Miroku's reactions… I wish I didn't.

I'm pretty sure that if they could, they would kill me right now. I'm honestly scared for my life right now.

Before I can even open my mouth to explain, Miroku steps forward. "I am taking my fiancée now."

I hesitate, not wanting to give her up. But I nod in agreement and allow Miroku access to the sleeping Sango. As he tries to take the demon slayer into his arms, she has a small tantrum in her sleep.

"N… NO! Don't leave me… DON'T LEAVE ME, INUYASHA!" She screams, startling everyone. Miroku just pulls her away from my arms harder, but Sango responds by clutching onto my haori and rosary harder, keeping her in place. After several attempts, the monk gives in.

"Fine! Inuyasha… you take her into Lady Kaede's hut!" He points at the hut, his bangs covering his eyes from view. I know that he's itching to kill me right now.

"…" What can I do? What can I say?

I turn and see Kagome looking in another direction, her right hand rubbing her left arm nervously. I sigh. Why is everything harder than it should be?

Without a word, I enter the old miko's hut, but I can feel two pairs of eyes burn a hole through me as I move forward. Carefully, I set Sango down on a futon. As I try to move away, she continues to hold onto me, refusing to let go like a five year old.

"Sango…" I whisper to her sleeping form. "Let go of me… I promise I'll be back."

I'm shocked when she finally releases my clothes and rosary, a soft smile on her lips. She rolls over on the futon, moaning my name again, but in a sad tone. I can't help but blush again.

I rest the Hiraikotsu in a corner of the hut, and set the bag I was carrying by the fire pit. I can feel the smirk on my face as I continue to think about how Sango was moaning my name, over and over again. I sit cross-legged by the demon, folding and tucking my arms into my haori sleeves, a smirk still present.

My mood turns serious when I think about what just happened… It's obvious that Miroku and Kagome are expecting the worst, especially after Sango moaned and wouldn't let go of me. 'Is that really how they see me? A guy that takes advantage of women like THAT? Am I worse than that lech now?' To say the least, I was pissed off. They still don't trust me after all this time…

I sigh again. I can't deal with this right now… I look down at Sango, the demon slayer that I wanted to be mine so badly. I feel… so many things right now. Anger, regret, confused, flattered, embarrassed, and worst of all… Betrayed.

I stand and walk towards the exit, looking back once more. I flinch when I see Sango shift in her sleep, a pained look on her face… But I know that it isn't my place to comfort her… Not again.

I'm surprised but relieved that Kagome and Miroku aren't waiting for me outside, but I am curious where they went. 'Should I go look for them?' I wonder. I shake my head. 'No. Why go looking for trouble? I'm sure that I'll just get killed when I do find them…'

I rush off into the forest, trying to leave everything behind. All the stress and problems of my life desert me as the wind rushes through my hair, as if it is blowing them all away. But there's one thing I can't seem to shake... I ask myself a question aloud as I leap into the air, reaching great heights.

"What was Sango dreaming about? And what did I do in her dream?"

Wolf of Wind: Is it good? Let me know! I love and appreciate everyone's reviews.

Things sure are getting… complicated…? It seems that trust is still an issue in the group.

Next chapter: Take a look into the dreams of people. Is there a connection, a meaning behind them?