Unexpected Meeting (The Lady)

It has been about two days since Sango's disappearance and Kagome had the day before, returned to the past to discuss the situation with her friends. InuYasha had wandered off now and then, towards the well hoping to find Sango or some clue. It was clear even he was growing awfully worried for the demon slayer. Maybe she hit her head on the way down? No, that couldn't be it. The scent of her blood would be in the air, and he would have picked up on that. Currently InuYasha was circling the well for the hundredth time that day and yet, still no clue surfaced. He let out a frustrated growl while slipping his hands into the sleeves of the kimono he wore. Amber eyes stared at the well for a few minutes, trying to think of a possible outcome. She did disappear, that much was clear. But where the hell did she disappear to? She wasn't in Kagome's time and there was no scent of her there, to indicate otherwise.

"Sango, where the hell'd you go?" he found himself asking aloud, glaring at the wooden structure that made up the well.

Meanwhile in the village, Kagome discussed possibilities with Miroku and the others. None of which could be good.

"I don't like saying this, but perhaps fate has a great path for Sango, just as it does for Kagome" Kaede threw in.

"Yes, but fate is so cruel..." Miroku mumbled under his breath, shutting his eyes.

Kagome moved over with a frown to pat her monk friend's shoulder, offering what little comfort she could. Shippo sighed and stared at the crackling fire, he was young but thought of this situation as well. If what Kagome told them is true, and Sango was not in her time and not anywhere near or inside the well, then what did that mean exactly? The young fox shut his eyes, as if to concentrate despite the others talking.

Meanwhile, in the past, Sango was led to the garden by Nari. One that was adorned with a number of colorful flowers, trees of many shapes and sizes accompanying them. Standing in the center of the garden was none other than the dog General. Sango looked to her right where Nari stood, who gave the demon slayer a bow, then turned and stepped away to continue her chores. That left Sango to stay with the Dog General on her own. Returning her attention towards him, she noticed him staring at her when before he was facing the other way and staring at the skies above them. Almost immediately he smiled as he approached the slayer, reaching over to move a strand from her face.

"You look quite beautiful"

Sango gazed up at him for a short few minutes before turning her head away, to look elsewhere. The garden was a good start. The demon slayer stepped over to a particular white flower, and knew he was watching. She could feel the Dog General's eyes on her back.

"So, tell me... How long do you plan on keeping me here?"

The Dog General scowled at the resurface of that question, but remained silent for a time as he thought. Why in the world was he so...strangely drawn to her? There was something about her, that much he was sure. But what exactly, he was unsure. That being said... He heard the distrust in her tone, and as small as it was, it had been there. Slowly he approached her, intent on explaining his reasoning... But what exactly was his reasoning to keep her? He was not sure of that either. The voice of a female however halted him in his approach, stealing his attention away as well as catching that of Sango, who had been looking over the set of white flowers.

"What is a human woman doing here?" she repeated a second time.

Before them stood the Lady of the West. She stood tall and proud with a small scowl on her pink painted lips. The demoness's silver white hair was tied back elegantly, leaving strands falling over her back. White was worn underneath all her other attire, the next garment was blue with a series of white thin lines, and the last was an elegant outer kimono with white and purple as primary colors, orange and green in a shape of butterflies were seen on the left of it. A blue coat of sorts, with white fur on both ends was held over her arms. One of the things that stood out most to Sango though, was how pale she was compared to the Dog General standing to her left. Another was the color of her eyes, colored a deep yellow-gold, and unlike Inu no Taisho, hers were... colder. Small pink thunder-like streaks adorned her upper cheeks and finally, a purple-blue crescent moon sat on her forehead.

"Do you plan on playing with her before you eat her?" she asked, turning to look directly at the Dog General.

Sango's eyes grew as wide as saucers before facing towards him, too. He on the other hand, did not know how to respond just yet. Lowering his molten gold-like orbs to Sango, he stared at her for a short time, causing a deeper scowl to grow on the demoness's lips.

"Shall I kill her for you?"

Inu no Taisho turned to glare at her the moment those words left her lips, his eyes narrowing at The Lady of the West. The smallest of smiles surfaced on her lips then, knowing that got under his skin for whatever reason. She returned her attention to Sango, whom by then had turned to face her again. Inu no Taisho relunctantly watched as his mate approached Sango, reaching for her. Moving the very ends of her claws over the demon slayer's left cheek, she was being cautiously so as not to pierce the skin, although she would not deny it to herself that she'd like nothing more.

"Why do you keep her? Nari's told me that you seemed... attached. I wonder why that is. She is not very pretty, if you ask me" Her eyes turned to look at Touga, mid-sentence.

He felt his brow twitch once, watching as his mate's claws moved to the human's neck at an achingly slow pace. Sango, despite wanting to outburst, stayed entirely still. She hated this more than anything. Without any means to defend herself, much less Hiraikotsu, she could not defend herself at all. Touga could feel the waves of nervousness flying from Sango, and he had no doubts that she could also feel his own anxiety, as well.

"Shame. Perhaps you and I could have eaten her to the bone, and so much more"

"Enough!" He barked in a thunderous tone.

She pulled her hand away and turned on her heel, with a deep scowl. The sight of her was unpleasant, and her scent, even more so.

"Do what you will, Touga. She is human. Humans tend to get in so much trouble. And, they are so fragile. Their lives is so short, too." Inukimi responded calmly as she had the entire time, turning to look over her shoulder at him yet all she saw was his furious glare.

Turning to look ahead again, she finally stepped away. Leaving the two in silence for a few minutes before he turned his amber gaze to Sango, whom was watching the demoness's retreating form. A sigh escaped him. So much for a talk in a serene enviroment.

Later in the afternoon, after sending her off for a short rest and a late lunch, he'll send Fujinki to retrieve her from the room he'd allowed her to use. Even as close as it was to his own bedroom, he was very much reluctant to leave her alone for long periods of time, espicially with HER around. Fujinki stood guard by the door while Nari was in the room with Sango, where the demoness servant let her hair down and brushed it thoroughly. Once that task was finished, she took a silver ribbon with gold trimmings to tie the ends of her tresses back. Before then, Sango had been changed into a green floral kimono, with white and pink being its accent colors.

"Miss Sango, Lord Touga has asked that you be moved"

"What? Moved to where?" Sango turned her head to look over her shoulder.

"To somewhere, where you will be safer" Nari whispered in a lone tone.

"Because of that woman?"

"That was the Lady of the West, she is fragile looking, but don't be fooled"

"I see..." Sango turned to look at the mirror, a hint of worry on her features.

Great. This was just her luck wasn't it? First she falls into a well, then she was found and rescued by none other than Touga's loyal and trusted advisor. Then Sango was brought to a castle in the sky, interrogated by the Lord of the West, and then was later brought here to be treated, not as a prisoner, but a prized cattle... or Princess? She wasn't sure. Either way, this did not sit well with her, especially with that woman... It looked like she wished to cut through her skin. Sango furrowed her brows the more she thought of it and finally shivered at the thought of dying a meaningless death.

"Lord Touga has prepared for your arrival at his hidden cabin, he has strictly instructed Fujinki and Kyaru to take you there"

Sango let out a sigh. Looks like she had to play along a while longer. Nari stepped over to the door, sliding it open to be met with the dark clothed Fujinki. Looking up, she smiled at him while he merely looked over to Sango.

"Come along, it will be a day's journey"

With that, Sango approached him as he led her to the garden, carrying her bridal style, and floated off on his youki-like cloud.

~~ Hey again! I hope you've enjoyed reading this one. I tried to make this one longer than the last. And yes, I've introduced InuKimi into the story which may result in a little fight of sorts between Touga and InuKimi.~~