Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters; however I do own this work of fiction so please ask before posting it elsewhere.

Title: We Shouldn't

Author: rembrandt77

Chapter 3: However

Genre: Romance/Angst/Humor

Pairings: Inuyasha/Sango

Description: A short work of fiction

I would like to thank all of my readers for giving me words of encouragement. Your reviews have meant a lot to me and I wanted to express my appreciation. I would also like to apologize for not updating lately. The ideas are all here, I just have a hard time getting my fingers to type them out intelligibly.

Your author,

Madame Adieu

We Shouldn't

All the voices that I spin around me-

Trying to tell me what to say.

So can I fly right behind you-

And you can take me away.

-Norah Jones

All Sango could feel was the rush of the wind and tiny drops of water splattering her face. She refused to open her eyes. Just the idea of the ground moving swiftly beneath her made her want to gag. Motion sickness only came after she was drastically injured, for some odd reason.

"Do you want me to slow down?"

His voice was deep and soft. It was nice. "No, if I'm going to – How does Kagome say it? Barf? – Well I'll let you know."

Inuyasha snorted, but if you listened close enough, it sounded more like a chuckle. "Preferably sooner than later."

Sango laughed and immediately felt her stomach lurch. She let out a small moan, and Inuyasha slowed down a bit, despite what she had said earlier. "How much further?"

"About ten seconds."

Sango nodded gratefully, hoping he wasn't teasing. She felt him slow down and then come to a stop.

"You can open your eyes now."

Sango did, and was greeted by the sight of water and steam. It looked so warm and inviting, she almost wished she could take a bath – but her hanyou companion wouldn't allow that.

Inuyasha set the taijiya on her feet, allowing her to regain her balance before dropping the hand that was at her back. He hoped she could do everything herself. Carrying her to the spring alone felt awkward. Up until today, he had never been physically close to the slayer. He had always stayed away, as did she.

Sango slowly made her way the edge of the spring, not even trying to bend over and test the temperature. She sighed, her body aching for the water. Not that she would tell anyone, but Inuyasha's comment about her stench made her a little self-conscious. She was even nervous to be too close to him, afraid her scent would make him keel over.

"Are you just gonna stand there? I don't have all day." Inuyasha crossed his arms. The girl had been standing there for minutes, merely staring at the water. What was her problem?

Sango smiled sheepishly, but didn't apologize. It wasn't her fault that it hurt too much to move.

As if sensing her distress, Inuyasha came up behind her. "Why didn't you say something? Jeez! We could have been here all day! Stubborn girl!"

Sango wished she could swing her fist into his face at that moment, knocking those pretty fangs out of his mouth. "You're one to talk." She scowled a bit when his hand touched the wound on her side.

"Sorry." He murmured, wishing he hadn't spoken. Why did it seem that whenever he opened his mouth, someone ended up hurt? "Here, I'll help you sit…" A small blush rose to his cheeks, but since the taijiya was facing the other direction, she couldn't see it. "But you're doing everything else yourself!"

Kagome rubbed her hands together, trying to stop them from becoming numb. The fire was still very small, but Miroku had been working so hard, it made her decided not to say a thing. To herself, she wondered if Sango was just as cold…or if someone was warming her up.

Bad Kagome! Get your mind out of the gutter! It's Sango and Inuyasha for crying out loud! Like they would do anything! Her bottom lip protruded just slightly, causing a perfect three-year-old's pout.

Miroku watched his friend sort through her conflicting emotions, feeling a strange sort of common bond. But he wasn't about to start pouting! Well...not if Sango wasn't around to watch - that is.

"Miroku-san?"

The monk, who was already staring at the girl, cocked his head to one side. Not only did she appear three years old, but she sounded it! "Yes?"

"Have you ever been in love? I mean...like really in love."

Normally, that sort of question would have shocked him, but coming from Kagome, it strangely didn't. It was almost as if he expected it, due to present circumstances. "Well...there are different sorts of love..." He met her eyes. "But the sort of love that you're talking about..." Miroku thought about his relationship with Sango. He loved her, didn't he? The fact had never been second guessed before, never really analyzed in an actual discussion. He always just assumed the feelings he had for the slayer were love, since he had never felt them for anyone else. But were they? "I don't know...honestly. I thought I knew, but I'm not quite sure anymore."

Kagome dropped her attention to her fingers, twisting them in and out of each other. She spoke only once more that entire night, and her voice was low, much different from the innocent school-girl Miroku knew. She looked him in the eyes. "How ironic."

The scent of the hot spring was invigorating, and if not for Inuyasha, Sango would have liked to stay much longer.

"You almost done? Smells like rain again."

Sango, checking first to see if her companion was turned around, she began to pull her bloody suit back up her body, making small grunts and whimpers when it tugged at her sensitive skin. I hope he doesn't hear me. The last thing I need is an angry haynou on my back about weakness.

Inuyasha's ears twitches. Her little moans were starting to irritate him. If she needed help, he wouldn't hesitate...unless it was something girly or she was half naked. "You alright?" Curiosity was getting the better of him, daring him to turn around and help her, daring him to see what it was she was doing. Slowly his head turned. First he caught sight of an arm, then a shoulder, and then a bare back. A blush rose to his cheeks. Sango's slayer suit was down to her waist, exposing the full length of her neck to the small of her back. Good thing she was turned around or he would be getting a fist to the face, injured or not. The thought made him smile a bit. All her whimpering made him forget how truly strong she was, for a human anyway. The scar on her back proved it. Inuyasha wondered if she would talk of he asked about it. It undoubtedly had something to do with Naraku. What had she said earlier? Something about Kohaku attacking her?

"Staring is rude."

Inuyasha about fell over. So she had known? Then why did she let him...

Sango read his expression clearly as she glanced at him over her shoulder, since he was too shocked to hide it. "I told you earlier...it's not in your character...I think you're the last person that would molest me..."

The haynou grunted.

"...since there's always Kikyo or Kagome..."

"What was that slayer!"

Sango wasn't sure why she was teasing him, or having so much fun doing it, but decided to blame it on the hot spring. It made her feel energized.

"Would you put your clothes on so we can go?" Inuyasha turned away from Sango, who was already pulling up her suit. The bath must have been good for her. She's certainly spunkier than she was before. "Ready?"

Sango nodded, inspecting her arms through the ripped fabric to see if any wounds were still open. "Yeah...we can go." She slowly walked toward him, her legs feeling more wobbly than before. What was her problem?

Inuyasha noticed the slayer's apparent distress, and was quickly at her side, scooping her up in his arms. He caught her light blush, though she tried to hide it behind her hand, pretending to brush dirt off of her cheek. It made his chest swell a bit, knowing that he could make her blush. "What's the matter? Got something on your face?" Now it was his turn to tease.

"N-no. Why do you ask?" The slayer's blush deepened.

"No reason." Inuyasha smirked and bounded off into the darkness of the trees, just as tiny drops of water splattered on his shoulder.

"Alright...don't move...just stay right...THERE!" Inuyasha's hands disappeared beneath the murky depths of the water, and finally emerged with a good sized fish. He smiled with pride. "Ha! That'll teach you. Stupid fish."

Sango smirked from underneath the protection of thick tree branches, watching the hanyou who was knee deep in water. He was going to be soaked by the time they returned to Kagome and Miroku, since the rain had also started up again. It was a good thing that the slayer decided to hold onto his haori.

"You alright Sango? Not feeling sick again are ya?"

Sango blinked just as a rain drop rolled down her nose. She shivered. "I'm okay. Just a little cold - that's all."

Inuyasha looked up at her. "Idiot! Put on my haori if you're cold. You don't need a freakin' invitation."

The slayer rolled her eyes and gingerly slipped the red coat over her shoulders. "You're being very generous today. Are you sure you're not feeling sick?"

"Keh."

Lightning lit up the sky, startling the both of them, and caused Inuyasha to drop his fish.

"Ghaaaa!"

Sango let out a hearty laugh, clutching her stomach with one hand and keeping her balance on the rock with the other.

Inuyasha glowered at her. How dare she laugh at him! He smacked the water with his claws.

The slayer was still laughing as the hanyou trudged out of the water, ears flattened against his head.

"Aww. C'mon Inuyasha. Don't look at me like that." Sango slowly slid off the boulder, careful of her injuries, and limped over to him. "I'm sure you'll find another fish." Her laughter had ceased but left a reminder with the upward curve of her lips. "We should go back now. Houshi-sama and Kagome-chan will be worried."

Houshi-sama. Inuyasha wondered why she never called the monk by his actual name. He knew that she didn't dislike him, despite all the hand imprints she left on his face. So, if it wasn't that, then what was it? The slayer couldn't love him…could she? Inuyasha felt his stomach tighten at the idea, wondering why it bothered him so much. He didn't have a claim on the slayer. And neither does the monk. That thought set him strangely at ease.

"Inuyasha? Hello? Are you okay?"

The hanyou was finally aware of the slayer's voice calling out to him. How long had he been lost in his own thoughts? When he looked down, she was less that a foot from him, waving a hand in front of his face. He hadn't realized their height difference until now. The top of Sango's head reached the middle of his chest, instead of his shoulder, as it had when they first set out to destroy Naraku. It made her appear smaller, more vulnerable. Normally, demons wanted strong mates, ones that could protect themselves and their offspring if need be. But, the demon blood flowing through Inuyasha's veins enjoyed the idea of being completely dominant over the weaker female below him. It made him feel like he could protect her, like he was…useful.

WHAT THE HELL!

Sango furrowed her brows. Why wasn't he paying attention? She lifted her chin in order to see his face. When had he become so tall? The slayer felt a chill run up her back. She had always preferred her men to be tall. Come to think of it, that was the only thing that truly led her to Kuranosuke. But now, Inuyasha was taller, and more handsome. A blush rose to Sango's cheeks. She wouldn't deny it, since she had always found him attractive…in a purely platonic, brotherly sort of way. She wasn't sure how to describe it, but his height and build always made her feel protected. It made the hidden damsel in her enjoy feeling weak and exposed, even if the demon slayer in her despised it.

"Now it seems that you are the one who's distracted." Inuyasha smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Sango forgot that she was staring, and quickly looked away. "I-I just noticed how tall you've become, since the beginning of our journey."

Inuyasha watched her fidget. So she had been thinking about that too. "What of it? Does it bother you – now that you'll have to jump to take a swing at my face?"

Sango blinked; her were eyes wide. He's…teasing me! She smirked lightly. "Are you so sure about that? My arms aren't as short as you think." To demonstrate, the slayer lifted one fist to lightly touch the side of his chin. "See."

But Inuyasha didn't see. He was too mesmerized by the light and dark of her eyes - the flecks of gold and bronze swarming through their mahogany depths. Her straight, little nose held a light sprinkling of freckles. He hadn't noticed that before. Her lips weren't light like Kagome's, more dark and ruddy, and her chin was softly rounded with the trace of a scar peeking from beneath her jaw line. Inuyasha wanted to reach out and touch it - see where it ended.

Sango slowly drew her hand away, watching as the hanyou's eyes traveled over her face. What was he doing? She suddenly began to feel self-conscious. "Inuyasha…I think we should go."

Jerked out of his thoughts, Inuyasha blinked as the little taijiya stared up at him. They were both soaked. At least Sango had left his haori on the boulder, so it was dry. "Yeah. You don't need to catch a cold and be more of a pain in my ass."

Sango glared, but a slow smiled formed on her lips. "You offered to be my escort. Quit complaining."

"Whatever." He smirked, picking her up gingerly. This was fun. He liked to quarrel with her and tease her. She was sort of a little sister – one that could take anything he dished out – while never having to worry about being pummeled to the ground by a "SIT". He felt her squirm against him.

"You're spacing out again." Sango poked the hanyou's shoulder. What was with him today? Usually he was only this distracted when it came to Naraku and Kikyo. Could he sense something she couldn't? "Inuyasha? What is it?"

The hanyou glanced down at the girl curled up against his chest. "Nothing…just itching to finish off Naraku. That's all." What was he supposed to say? He couldn't tell the tajiya that he had been distracted thinking about her. Why had he anyway?

"Yes, I can understand that." Sango didn't believe Inuyasha's excuse, but decided she would let it slide for now. If something was truly bothering the haynou – she would find out. It would just take a little clever persuasion…

And maybe a couple bowls of Kagome's instant ramen.

Dear readers,

I'm happy with the way this chapter turned out. I'm only planning on writing two more at the moment, considering the fic started out as a one-shot, but there might be makings of a sequel. I don't know yet. We'll have to wait and see.

Madame Adieu