Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any of its characters.

Chapter 5

The stars in the sky were dimming slowly as dawn steadily approached. Clouds of breath came from InuYasha's mouth as he ran through the forest in the early spring morning. His steady movements were even more silent and graceful than normal as Sango slept sound fully on his back. An exhausted Kirara slept peacefully as well as she was cradled in his kimono against his chest.

InuYasha relished the feel of the cool wind blowing past them. Being able to just run… to feel free liberated him, body and soul. Kirara tickled his flesh in her sleep, and Sango's even breathing warmed the back of his neck. In her sleep, Sango tightened her hold around his neck, causing Inu to look back at her.

'She's still asleep.' He slowed down to a halt when he recognized the broken down fort of the abandoned demon exterminator village. The dog hanyou took the opportunity to catch his breath. After five days of traveling, they had made it.

"Sango… Sango, wake up. We made it," he said, nudging her with his shoulder.

Slowly, Sango woke up and groggily rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. "What, InuYasha?"

"We're at the village," he said as she climbed down from his back and stood next to him.

In his kimono, Kirara stirred and woke up. When the little feline sniffed and realized where they were, she mewed loudly and jumped out from under the fire rat cloth. Sango couldn't help but smile as the cat demon ran into the village as fast as her legs could carry her.

"She's certainly happy," InuYasha observed as they followed her.

Sango nodded. "I'm sure. We haven't been here in ages," Sango said softly, bracing herself to realize the damage of her home.

When they walked through the entrance of the fort, they saw Kirara rubbing her head against the support frame of one of the houses. There wasn't a single building in the village that didn't need repairs in some way or another. The majority of them needed completely new roofs, and many were damaged by fire. The fort was definitely going to have to be rebuilt. Weeds and tall grass took over everywhere. The old graves of the villagers were possibly the only things that were not disturbed, and for this, Sango was grateful.

"Well, we certainly have our work cut out for us," InuYasha said gruffly, looking around. He lifted his arm and rotated his shoulder. "Oh, well. No time like the present. Where should we start first, Sango? Sango?"

InuYasha blinked as Sango walked over to the graves. Silently, she kneeled on her knees and started to offer her prayers. InuYasha stood back silently, giving the young woman her needed space. Kirara ran over to him and rubbed against his leg, mewing at him.

"Shh, come on Kirara," he whispered, "It's still early yet. Let's get some breakfast while Sango tends to the graves."

He walked off and Kirara obediently followed him. As they walked, InuYasha looked over his shoulder to see Sango gathering the old, dried up flowers, or what was left of them, off of the graves.

'I can't help but wonder what Sango's comrades would think of a hanyou helping her rebuild their village,' he thought. He snorted silently. 'Who cares. At least I'm willing to help her.'

By that afternoon, Sango had finished tending to the graves, and she and InuYasha were busy clearing the ground of debris. Sango was carrying an old woven basket, and it was filled with weeds and grass. InuYasha and Kirara were dragging logs and rusted weapons out of the village and into a nearby gulley.

Sango paused for a moment to wipe the sweat off of her face and fully inspect the village's condition. Just as she had thought, there was plenty to do. 'Tomorrow, InuYasha and I will have to fix the village water pipes. That by itself is a whole day's job.' She eyed the damaged wooden pipes and sighed. 'We'll have to set out early just to find the necessary materials. I'm already going to have to find or make some rope tonight.'

"Hey, InuYasha!" she called when she saw him and Kirara returning.

InuYasha looked up. "Yeah, what is it?"

"If you should see any good rope or chains in the rubble, save them for me will you?" she asked. "We need rope to repair the water shoots, and the fort's draw door needs a new chain on one side."

"Oh, yeah. Alright, will do. Come on, Kirara," Inu ordered the feline as he walked back to a pile of weapons they had gathered earlier.

The now huge cat followed him like a faithful pet and immediately grabbed a huge axe that was right next to her. Before getting back to work himself, InuYasha wiped the sweat off his brow and looked up at the hot sun. Rolling up his sleeves off of his arms wasn't going to cut it anymore, he realized. With his back to Sango he untied his sash and took off both of his kimono tops, revealing his tone chest and abs.

'Much better,' he sighed inwardly, especially as a cool breeze blew through the village.

Now feeling better, he went back to work and grabbed the closest few weapons to him. He didn't realize Sango was staring at him. Sango didn't realize it herself until she found herself almost drooling at the sight of his toned, slim body.

'I wonder what InuYasha would look like with a tan after working in this sun,' she thought to herself. She blushed darkly and shook her head. 'Snap out of it, Sango! Remember what happened last time you allowed yourself to get attracted to a man!? Remember, you're a warrior; you don't need a man! InuYasha's just helping the village recover, that's all!'

She quickly busied herself back to work, hoping InuYasha didn't notice her blush. However, InuYasha saw her redden cheeks out of the corner of his eyes. 'What's with her? Is she getting overheated?'

Off to the side, Kirara just looked at the two friends and sighed, rolling her eyes.