A/N: "Slice" is the follow up to "Peach" from the last set of these. I know it's been a while, so it would likely be helpful to read over that one again, first.

And I'll be honest, these aren't really my best work, but they have a sort of charm that just sits well with me. I hope you all enjoy them as much.

Much love to all who have read and left feedback. The response is much appreciated, and you have my sincerest thanks.

"Do I dare to eat a peach?" --T.S. Eliot

Slice

"So, are you going to eat it or just sit there and stare at it all day?"

Sango wouldn't dignify that remark with a response even if she had one.

"Look," Kagome sighed, pulling a knife out of the top drawer, "I'll even slice it for you..."

Sango snatched the fruit from the counter, cupping it protectively. Honestly, that was the heart of the matter, wasn't it?

Suppose she did slice it? Then that perfect, beautiful peach isn't so perfect anymore.

Or worse...what if it's rotten?

She turned it in her palm and breathed deeply. Only one way to find out.

Juice dribbled down her chin, and for the first time in a long time, Sango smiled.

Hope

"Why?"

She stilled, looking thoughtful, the hard edge of her expression dampened only by the exhaustion settled on her skin.

She always looked this way when she crossed paths with her brother, Hiei noticed. He would have sympathized, if he were capable of such a thing.

But he wasn't. And Hiei could make no sense of how she could continue as she had...hoping. Day after ruined day. Burning the piece of heart she kept for him with each village slaughtered.

Hope was a dangerous thing. Cruel. And they both knew it well.

"Sometimes," she breathed, "it's all we have."

River

She could feel the thundering in his chest long before she opened her eyes to find him wrapped around her on the riverbank, both of them soaked to the bone.

"You saved me?" The words drifted through her lips, and Sango thought just briefly she might have seen more than the same question burning in his deep, scarlet gaze.

A long silence and then a stiff nod before he slipped from her touch and vanished, as a wisp of smoke.

She smiled, contented in knowing that the river had wanted her.

...But he'd wanted her more.

So, I'm not always so good at keeping these precisely 100 words. "Slice" was a little over, and "River" was a little under, but I figure as long as I keep it in the ball park, it's all good. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed. Feedback is much appreciated.

Peace, all.