Heart of Tensaiga

Girl Talk Time

The search for Kagome had begun the second day after Inuyasha's transformation into his normal half demon self. The weather was nice for the time being but still the girls managed to get sweaty due to the pure exertion Inuyasha was demanding of them. Now that they had her, she could carry Shippo while Kilala carried Miroku and Sango. Granted, Sango was not running but she would have to smack the monk every few minutes, catch him from falling, and then haul him back onto the cat demon.

So, naturally when they happened to stop in a clearing with a hot spring nearby the girls headed that direction without even asking Inuyasha's permission. Not that they did often now anyways. Sango watched Katsumi as they walked towards the spring and wondered just how the girl had seemed to take on Kagome's role of pushing Inuyasha around so easily. She managed to get Inuyasha to stop for small breaks and settle earlier in the day when they were tired. Shippo had taken a liking to her quickly enough as well. Still, I respect that she still urges our search along.

They both undressed quickly and 'oohed' and 'ah' as they went into the water, savoring the refreshing heat. It felt so nice to be able to relax with another woman and not have to worry about Miroku, for surely the half demon would be able to smell him if he even got anywhere near them. "Are you liking your travel with us?" Sango asked as she ran her fingers through her wet hair.

Katsumi looked over at her with a smile, "Of course. Shippo is dear and, though Miroku irritates me to no end with his other 'cursed' hand he is wonderful to talk to. I must say that it is also nice to have another woman to speak to."

Sango tilted her head and wondered out loud, "What of Inuyasha?"

Katsumi's smile faltered for just a moment before she replied, "He seems alright even if he's very stubborn and argumentative. He's at least very loyal to his friends. I doubt he would tell you this but he cares for you all very much."

Sango nodded in understanding, her eyes catching more than the girl was saying. The way the two fought reminded her of him and Kagome in the very beginning. This does not bode well when Kagome returns. Will they fight over him? Does Katsumi even realize that she likes him though? "Do you like Inuyasha?" she blurted out and she fought to keep her hand from covering her mouth at her mistake.

Black ears twitched and pale cheeks turned red, "Not like you like your monk." She knew it was weak to dodge such a question with an accusation of her own; but, she could not bring herself to answer. Of course I don't like him like that. He's rude, annoying, bratty, and not to mention pushy beyond any normal being.

Sango faltered for a moment at that, "How could you tell?" She looked around the woods a bit paranoid that he might be spying now that she had said out loud, somewhat, of how she felt for the perverted man.

Katsumi responded simply by pointing at her nose.

Sango's face turned more red than they had ever been, "You…you can smell…that?"

Katsumi let out a little chuckle, "First off, he's not anywhere near here. I can hear the mumblings of him and Shippo talking at camp. Secondly, yes. Your attraction is quite easy to smell…especially the moment he starts to grope you."

Sango ducked under the water and could hear Katsumi laugh a bit at her embarrassment. When she came up again for air she sighed, "I…I think I love him; but, how can I take him seriously when he is always groping other women and asking him to bear his children?"

The expression on her face made her heart ache for the poor woman. She well knew the monk's ways by now, having to smack him a few times herself. Three times was all it took when he was sent about ten feet away and sliding in the dirt. She smirked, thinking about the somewhat purple marring of his left cheek. "That is a tough one, I'll give you that much; but, all you need to know is if it only actually means something when it comes down to you. Given that there is no actual physical attachment of ceremony or mating, he may keep up with his antics to keep you angry with him…which keeps your attention on him."

Sango's brows furrowed as she took in the information. Sometimes it was good to have a new set of eyes looking upon your situation to give you the insight you needed. "So you think he does that to other women so he'll have my attention?" she inquired.

"Basically, yes," she smiled at the girl and patted her on the head. "I imagine once a more substantial declaration has been made his habits will die down and only you will have to suffer through it. I can only hope that is sooner rather than later for his sake. For all the smacks he gets it's a miracle his brain has not been damaged," she laughed out the last part.

Sango could not help the small laugh that escaped her lips at the thought of just how many times the monk had taken a hit to the head. Still, even with the given embarrassment from the turn the conversation had taken, Sango was not one to be guided away from what she wanted, "You still didn't answer my question about Inuyasha."

"He is my ally," was Katsumi's curt response. She quickly got out of the water, dried herself off, and dressed.

Sango sighed inwardly. All the beginning signs were there, which made her torn. Someone was going to get hurt in this situation; she just wasn't sure who at this point. I wonder where this will all lead.

(A/N) Many apologies for not updating sooner. Now that things around here have calmed a bit I will be trying to post regularly again. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews and the patience to not flame my mailbox due to lack of updates. So, for your kind patience...I posted this chapter and there will be another to come shortly after. Thank you again and as always, review!