Demon Slayer Sango

I am a recent convert to the anime Inuyasha, and enjoy it so much I decided to write a fanfiction. I am drawn to the portrayals of female characters as capable, intelligent and strong and to Sesshomaru-- a complex character, not easy to figure out, he is quite alluring. This will be a Sango/Sesshomaru pairing. Rated NC-17 for future limes and lemons.

There is no citrus, no smut for the first five chapters of this story. If you are looking for a porn-without-plot you might consider reading something else. However the passion does pick up quite a bit after chapter 7, so patience will be rewarded.

I invite criticism both positive and negative-- its the only way I'll get better. So please read and review.

In this story I put Sango at about twenty-two years of age. Inuyasha and Miroku are both around twenty-three, and Kagome is nineteen. Although far older in numerical years, the taiyoukai Sesshomaru appears twenty-eight or so.

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Inuyasha. I make no money from my fanfic.

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Sango stood at the edge of the forest spring examining the clothes she would soon stoop down to wash. Her black taijiya armor looked dirty and frayed and definitely needed attention. The rips and tears she could easily mend, and she hoped the dirt would all wash out in the stream.

It had been some time since she'd traveled and fought beside her friends Inuyasha, Kagome and Miroku. Nowadays she regularly performed work as a demon slayer for the various local villages populating the area. She smiled thinking of her old friends and the little kitsune, Shippo. The one she hadn't been able to give up was Kirara. The neko youkai simply would not say no when Sango announced it was time to leave them to go back to her village, pay her respects and ultimately settle down to make a home for herself. She was tired of wandering, tired of hard cold ground for sleeping. The little cat remained with her, her only companion.


She bent down and let the cool, clear water rush over her hands before dipping her clothes in to wash them. Sango was delighted that Kagome and Inuyasha now lived together as mates. The hanyou had finally proclaimed his intentions to his closest confidante and friend in front of everyone. After Naraku's defeat the Shikon jewel had been purified and Kikiyo laid to rest for good, as had been her dear brother Kohaku. It made her cry thinking of him. 'At least his soul is at peace now', she thought, 'he died knowing who he was and that he had no blame for anything.'


Pushing the sad memories away Sango realized the last time she had seen Inuyasha and Kagome was soon after the news arrived that Kagome was pregnant with their first child. Inuyasha had proclaimed loudly that it would be a boy for certain. Kagome waved him off, shrugged and said all she wanted was a healthy baby. That had been at least four months ago-- it was time she visited the pair soon to check on the girl she'd once looked on as a little sister. The couple (and Shippo) now lived in Kaede's village where Kagome assisted the increasingly infirm old priestess with her healing work.


Sango scrubbed and scrubbed. Demon blood caked with mud took some time to get out, and she was determined to get her things in tip top shape. Vigilance was key in the demon extermination life. She couldn't afford to get sloppy, especially since demon slayers were few and far between in these parts.


She sighed while rubbing smooth rocks against the surface of the stiff armor to release chunks of dirt and leaves and blood. Youkai were such messy creatures to deal with. They were usually mean, loud and seemingly made up of an endless supply of stinking, slimy blood. It was a wonder she could stomach the job at all. Her thoughts gradually meandered to the subject of Miroku. The pain still stung. She had refused his proposal of marriage in the end. It wasn't that she hadn't cared for him, indeed they had been rather keen on one another during the days of the Shikon jewel business. The interest had definitely been mutual. Sango had sincerely hoped one day they would be able to work things out and live together as a married couple. But the amorous monk destroyed all hope of that when it was found he simply could not promise her an exclusive relationship. He had nevertheless pleaded and pleaded, swearing the demon slayer would remain first in his heart regardless of who he was with.


For a short time Sango considered giving in and consenting to the arrangement. Who else would want her after all? She wasn't a delicate flower, her hands and feet had calluses and blisters, she spoke her mind, she fought demons. What man could want such a woman as she? 'I'm not that attractive,' she thought to herself.

Nearly ready to give Miroku her consent to the match, Sango made an about face the night she saw the monk sneaking away from their campsite to meet some female or other, or so she guessed. Following his trail to the forest her fears were painfully confirmed when she found him in the arms of a young farmgirl obviously enjoying an intense moment of carnal affection. It had infuriated Sango and she told him the next day with several choice words that she would not, could not accept him as her husband.


Her favorite yukata was proving an easier object to deal with. The fabric soon came clean and she draped it and her freshly clean armor over her arm to take back to her cottage to dry. Sango was nearly twenty-three years old now, an age at which most women had been married for years and had perhaps three or four children. She thought about this as she walked slowly along the grassy trail.

'Am I at all pretty?' she asked herself. Songo's long, glossy black hair was usually held back with a white cloth tie, leaving a tail that fluttered in the wind as she walked. She dressed simply, usually in a plain single or dual colored yukata appropriate to the season. She had fair skin and rather large, deep brown eyes framed by long black lashes. Her body was in top physical condition from her regular exercise in battles with the hateful demons that plagued the area. 'Not so much different from any other girl, I guess.' Sango did not think she was particularly beautiful. Not even when Kagome told her how much she envied her high cheekbones and glossy long hair, or when Miroku called her the most beautiful maid he'd ever seen. She'd simply laughed them off. 'Who wants a woman who plays in demon guts for a living'? She smiled drily, rueful that it appeared she would never attract a partner or have a family of her own. The best she'd been able to do was to snag the affections of a lecherous monk who had the nerve to ask her to live with his philandering.

Living alone wouldn't be so bad she thought-- it would give her plenty of time to sharpen her skills and develop new methods for eradicating youkai. She felt useful and fulfilled in her work, and was proud to have gained the respect of many village leaders across the countryside. Suddenly as she crested the hill that led down to the little valley where her cottage stood just outside the now empty demonslayer's village, she heard a loud and desperate cry. She twisted her head to listen for its direction.


"Maaaama! Maaama!" It sounded like a little girl. She listened again. The wailing, lonely sobbing became even louder. "Ohhhh! Ohh Papa!"


"What is that, Kirara?" The little cat gave a look that said she didn't know and followed Sango's gaze into the trees. The young demon hunter was hesitant to simply rush back into the woods. Sometimes youkai used tricks to lure their victims into traps, and she didn't have any weapons close by.


"Why did you leave me!!!! Maaama!" Who could it be, thought Sango...there aren't any children living near here that I know of...she shrugged. The cries sounded genuine. She decided to take her chances and investigate the situation. Maybe a child had become separated from her family as they traveled between villages. It wasn't unheard of for little ones to become lost in the confusion of a struggle with bandits or some other catastrophe. Sango only hoped the babe was uninjured whoever it was.


"Oh my..." Curled up in a ball and leaning next to a large old tree sat a girl of about ten years, perhaps younger. She was sleeping but thrashed about in the throes of a bad dream. Sango watched as the poor thing trembled and called out in her sleep, obviously tormented by some sort of traumatic event playing out in her unconscious. She noticed the girl wore a particularly rich and expensive looking kimono, and her hair was done in an odd way.


"Whats the matter little one," asked Sango softly as she knelt next to the girl, and shook an arm gently to wake her.


"Maaama! Oh why did you go away!!" The little girl awoke suddenly but continued to cry and tremble. Sango looked around-- there weren't any traces of anyone nearby, although she did sense the recent presence of a youkai, type unknown. 'Who would leave a little thing like this here alone,' she thought as her hand reached out to try and comfort the child. She had a sweet face in spite of her distress, with shoulder length dark hair and dark eyes. Sango thought she looked familiar but couldn't place her.


"Little one, shhhhh shhhh. Tell me what has happened."


"I'm afraid (sob) I....I miss mama! (sob) And papa!" Another fit of tears.


"You became separated from your family dear one?" Sango rubbed the girl's back but got no further response. Unsure of what to do at first, she made a decision and then spoke in her kindest voice: "How would you like to come home with me for a while? It is getting late now, but in the morning I will help you find your family...you must be hungry-- I will make you something good to eat...How does that sound?" The girl made no reply and grasped tightly to Sango's yukata, and did not resist when Sango lifted her and began the brief walk to her cottage at the edge of the demon slayer village.

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"Oh me...oh my! Oh by the gods! How could this have happened! Milord will have my head for this!" Jaken shuddered at the thought of what his master, the powerful inuyoukai lord Sesshomaru, would do to him when he found out. "Where could she be! That little rapscallion! Oh why must I be burdened with such a troublesome, disobedient child?" The yellow-eyed youkai wrung his little hands together as his eyes anxiously searched the landscape. Her scent was nowhere that he could dectect. His charge had seemingly disappeared!


Jaken had been given the job of keeping an eye on Rin whenever the busy demon lord was called out to attend his territory in the field. This often took them far from the Inuyoukai Palace where the girl had been living since her rescue by Sesshomaru and Tensaiga, his healing sword. She normally couldn't bear to be away from the imposing, widely feared demon for very long and Sesshomaru usually indulged her need for his presence, although not for sentimental reasons. He understood that Tensaiga had bound the child to him, and realized her need for his personal presence was more than a childish emotional attachment. However there were times when the serious minded demon had business to attend that required leaving Rin behind and in those times she was left in Jaken's care until he could return.


And now she was missing, much to the lesser demon's utter horror. He was in a near state of panic-- he had turned his back for only a few minutes to indulge in some tasty berries that grew in the area (they were ripe for only several days each year) and believed the little girl was nearby picking the little white flowers she seemed to so love. But when he stood up to call for Rin she was nowhere to be found. By now he had been looking for over an hour and soon expected his lord to return from a conference with some local youkai chieftains under his protection.


"Where could that infernal child have got to!" He wrung his hands and turned in a complete circle when a scent suddenly came to him. It was definitely human, possibly Rin's but he wasn't sure. As much as she aggravated him Jaken actually didn't dislike his charge. She was a reasonably intelligent thing for a human, if only she could do as she was told! Gathering up his tiny hakama, Jaken set off in the direction of the trail that subtly stimulated his sense of youkai smell.

~~~~~~~~

"My, you are a hungry one aren't you?" Sango watched as the girl downed mouthful after mouthful of food. Still the mysterious creature had said not two words of explanation about who she was or how she came to be lost in the woods despite Sango's gentle prodding. It nagged at her-- 'who is this child, she looks so familiar...' . About to wipe her hands on her beautiful kimono, Sango stopped her before she could do much damage and gave her a soft cloth. "Here my dear, you don't want to get your pretty clothes all dirty do you?"


"I don't care...I don't like these clothes-- they itch!"


"Finally she speaks!" Sango exclaimed, smiling as the girl fidgeted. Her emotional state had seemed to settle down somewhat after getting warm in front of the fire and eating her fill. However the doll-like, petite child wore a sad expression, and her host now longed to make her feel better by helping to find her family. But it was now dark, requiring any search to be put off until morning. Kirara jumped onto Sango's shoulder.


"Now, you must tell me who you are so we can get you back to your family as soon as possible," said Sango.


The girl spoke slowly, seriously. "I...I don't have a family."


"No? No mama? No papa? You were crying for them before--" Sango immediately regretted speaking when she saw the effect the mention of the child's parents had on her. The girl slumped, her chin falling to her chest. Sango could tell a fresh wave of tears was on the way as her shoulders began to shake. "Oh dear-- oh honey I am sorry." She hugged the girl to her bosom, stroking her hair in an attempt to console the poor thing. Something horrible had clearly happened to her family. She could definitely relate to her distress, since her entire village and kinfolk had been destroyed by the nefarious actions of Naraku. On occasion the demon slayer had nightmares of her own. But what could possibly have happened to this little one? She seemed so sweet and undeserving of pain. What had removed a sense of security from this vulnerable, darling creature?


"You don't have to talk about it now if you don't want to my dear. We can save it for the morning, after you've had a nice rest." Sango placed a soft futon in front of the hearth for the girl and left her to rest while she went about tidying up the cottage before turning in for bed herself. She was a big mystery, this girl. Sango hoped there would be answers for the child's sake and not just to satisfy her own curiosity.

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"Oh no! Gods have mercy on me!" Jaken could sense the shadow of a strong inuyoukai in the area. Lord Sesshomaru! He was going to die. Everyone knew his master to be a swift and cruel demon, someone who did not tolerate sloppiness from anyone carrying out his orders. The little youkai shook with terror as he considered the way Sesshomaru would surely destroy him for being so stupid in losing the girl. Still he had not figured out where Rin had got to. 'Oh goodness me! Here he is!'. The regal outline of his lord and master came into view, appearing as if from a mist above the ground.


"Jaken," intoned a robust yet melodious low voice.


"Milord." The lesser demon bowed deeply and got to his knees. Sesshomaru could detect extreme fear and distress in this servant. He took in the scene cooly, golden irises scanning about. Rin was gone, he knew before even needing to interrogate this nervous retainer.


Taller than the average inuyoukai, Sesshomaru was lean of build yet muscular beneath the fine white haori and hakama he wore with his father's battle armor and a rich, heavy silk sash of gold and blue (which held his katana). He also carried a white pelt draped over his shoulder which now fluttered softly in the slight breeze. His features were perfect, straight and refined although his face usually lacked any readable expression. It was a neutral mask that rarely changed except in anger, and even then it was difficult to tell. Sometimes the only warning of displeasure might be a gracefully cocked eyebrow but usually a hapless adversary didn't understand the extent of Sesshomaru's wrath until he was near death. The demon lord had an extraordinary mane of thick snowy white hair that fell like silk over his back. It now billowed slightly in the wind as he moved toward Jaken.

The Lord of the Western Lands was one of the most powerful demons anywhere. He had managed to hold together a fractious, boisterous inuyoukai community through dominance and sheer force of will. Having at his disposal various unusually strong means of coercion, it was rare that any creature failed to bend to his will. Sesshomaru tolerated no defiance from anyone-- household staff, nobles, vassals, lesser youkai or humans. His retribution was swift and harsh as many an unfortunate adversary had learned. He was known across the countryside as a cold, distant and calculating lord. He usually cared not what anyone thought of him as long as they obeyed.


The taiyoukai now held the weaker demon in his strangely cold golden gaze, an emotionless stare settling in to place.


"What have you done, Jaken." His voice was monotone, inflectionless.


"Milord forgive me, I don't know what happened to Rin...she-- she is missing." The green-skinned demon shook in fear, his knees quaking. He prayed his destruction would be quick and painless as possible.


"I see. This is unsatisfactory. Come Jaken." The little youkai obeyed instantly as Sesshomaru turned and set off in the direction of his ward's scent. He knew instantly her direction, and would simply retrieve her. He could not sense any danger, although the lesser youkai did not know this.

Would his lord have mercy on him? Would he possibly be spared today? Jaken crept warily behind.

"You are an insufferable fool, you know," said Sesshomaru quietly. Suddenly Jaken felt a sharp burning sensation at the top of his head. His master had directed a brief whip of energy at him from his claws. Jaken squeaked in pain and rubbed the tender area. At least he hadn't been obliterated by his lord's poisonous claws, or had his head sliced off with the horrible sword Toukijin. Yet.

~~~~~~~

"What are these?"


Sango awoke to find the girl going through her things, the tools of her demon slaying occupation. She smiled at her natural curiosity. Once she had been the same way, fingering her father's heavy weapons any chance she got, dreaming of the day she too would wield them in defense of others. Little hands trailed over the hard surface of Hiraikotsu, Sango's large weapon made from centipede demon bone that now hung on two strong pegs set into a wall. She touched Sango's armor and went to a table holding various cudgels, hatchets and chains-- all items the huntress employed from time to time when fighting demons. The little girl sensed great power coming from these items and she wanted to know more about them.


"Those are my tools, young one. Do you like them?"


"Yes, they are interesting. What do you use them for?"


"Well, I help little girls and boys like you by slaying the monsters that haunt these woods..." She went on to describe as tactfully as possible the work of a demon exterminator. Her goal was not to frighten the child any further. After a lecture which found the little girl rapt in attention, Sango decided to get the day started. "Come now-- lets go wash before breakfast. Then you must tell me how you came to be lost, alright?" Sango spoke quietly and carefully. The girl while apprehensive, could tell Sango meant her no harm and she nodded her head slowly. Sango smiled, took her hand and they set off for the stream.


After breakfast the three females (Kirara curled up in Sango's lap to take a nap) sat on the porch of the cottage and to her surprise Sango felt the girl slip her hand into her own and squeeze it tight, as if seeking comfort. She smiled and put her arm around tiny shoulders to reassure her and began a gentle interrogation.


"What is your name little one?"


"I am Rin...I was picking all the pretty flowers and Jaken was supposed to be watching me. But I got lost. I was so afraid-- it was like when mama and papa were taken away--"


'Rin?... Jaken?' It suddenly hit Sango. This was the little girl who traveled with Inuyasha's icy half-brother, the demon lord Sesshomaru. She also remembered that a toad-like servant usually accompanied him. This must be Jaken.

"Lord Sesshomaru protects me and watches over me. He is a great lord and everyone respects him. He is all I have now..."

Sango's brow furrowed as her thoughts wandered. Of all the demons she had ever encountered none had been remotely like Sesshomaru. It wasn't that he intimidated her-- well, not any more than any other powerful demon did. It was something else. She couldn't figure him out and frankly, it bugged her. Of course he hated Inuyasha-- seemingly only because he was a half-demon and had control over Tetsusaiga. Sango thought if he should be mad at anyone it was his own father who left the powerful sword to his hanyou brother instead of him. But what brothers didn't fight from time to time? She shrugged, knowing there must be other reasons for his animosity toward Inuyasha, but she wasn't about to deduce why at the moment.


Other things bothered her about the demon lord. If he hated humans as much as he claimed in his fights with Inuyasha, why did he travel with this little human girl? What was his relationship to her? Did she serve him? Was she some sort of amusement for the demon lord? Sango shook her head. Sesshomaru didn't strike her as the type of demon who regularly sought amusement. For what purpose did he tolerate her presence? She was with him constantly. Sango wanted to ask the girl about it, but worried it might be too personal a subject to broach with the child then.


"Sesshomaru-sama had to go to see lord Matuko and said I couldn't come so I had to stay with Jaken. I showed him my cartwheels but he was ignoring me while stuffing his face, so I went to find something else to do. Then I got lost..."


"How long have you been away from Sesshomaru?"


"I don't know. It seems like forever...I miss my Sesshomaru-sama. Some say he is cruel but I don't believe them. Jaken will be in big trouble with Sesshomaru-sama when he finds out!" Sango swore she could sense a tone of glee coming from the little girl at the thought of the little demon being punished. Yes, her eyes were definitely lighting up at the thought. In truth Rin loved nothing more than tormenting her hapless babysitter whenever the chance came up. This was sure to provide some choice entertainment once her Sesshomaru-sama found out. Sango decided to change the subject.


"You were crying for your mama and your papa before...are they not living dear?"


"N-no. They were killed by bandits....I miss my mama so...she was so kind...if it weren't for Sesshomaru-sama...I don't know!" Of course she missed her mother. What kind of substitute for a mother's love could Sesshomaru possibly be? Sango could tell that Rin had genuine affection for her protector, but surely a cold demon lord couldn't replace the security and love of a family. Sango suddenly felt her heart break for the girl. Why didn't the demon place her with an appropriate human family so she would have a chance at a normal upbringing? Living among demons couldn't be good for her, a delicate human child. She shook her head.


The pair continued to talk in low, soft tones. Sango tried to reassure the child that everything would end well and that she would find a way to get her back to her guardian. As if on cue, Sango looked up to see a tall, regally dressed demon approaching them. Sesshomaru. Kirara growled quietly and retreated behind her friend as the imperious demon came forward.


"Release her this instant, human." The smooth, low voice seemed to float in the air.


"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin ran to him, stopping short of tackling the dignified figure of her protector. The girl knew he didn't like it when she flung her arms about him in an emotional display, and now limited her show of relief to a grateful smile.


"Sesshomaru. Rin was quite afraid," Sango explained softly, standing. "I found her asleep in the forest--"


In a harsh, shrill voice Jaken piped up. "That's Sesshomaru-sama to you, human wench."


"I am here to take her, human woman." Sesshomaru reached out and just barely touched the little girl's hair. He seemed to look past Sango as he spoke. Rin fidgeted next to him and spoke agitatedly. "My lord, Sango knows how to use a giant weapon to kill monsters! I saw it! Isn't that amazing? Look at her little house-- its so much smaller than ours isn't it Sess-sama? Will I have to take a bath when I get home? Sango is so nice and so pretty-- don't you think so Sess-sama? "


Sango's cheeks went red and she looked away. She wasn't sure why. This was a demon and a fearsome one at that. Usually they disgusted her. Sango couldn't help noticing the cool appraising stare that travelled up and down her body, eventually settling on her face. She had secretly always believed Inuyasha's older brother to be attractive in spite of the chilly nature of his presence. Now his open consideration of her form made Sango feel vulnerable in a strange way. Part of her wanted to smile out of shyness as he made no attempt to conceal the fact that she now had his complete attention. She berated herself internally. She was supposed to despise demons yet here she was, feeling flustered.


"Rin we must return home now, " he murmured. His eyes returned to a spot seemingly just beyond the demon slayer's shoulder. His expression remained unchanged-- emotionless, as if he'd just been watching the sky. 'Sango is her name? Yes, this must be the exterminator who travelled with my idiot brother Inuyasha,' recalled the taiyoukai. 'What is Rin doing here with her?'

"Explain yourself huntress," he demanded firmly but quietly. No one interfered in his affairs lightly. He would know what had transpired to bring his ward to this human's hut.


Sango swallowed and proceeded to describe how she'd found Rin alone in the forest, how she'd taken her home, fed her and intended to help her find her way home just before the lord appeared to take her himself.


"Satisfactory. You did the right thing, human. Unusual for your species. Rin, Jaken-- we must leave this place." He turned to leave.


"Wait--"


Wait? Sesshomaru waited for no one. 'This human is a reckless one.' He turned, curious. The demon fighter stood with her arm extended, an anxious expression on her face. 'She is actually quite lovely,' thought the demon lord. He could sense a strong respect for honor in the girl, a lack of deception in her character. He shrugged inwardly. 'I would consider giving her work in my border patrols if she weren't a weak human.'

He opened his mouth to speak. "What do you want girl?"


"Lord Sesshomaru, I was wondering...." she simply couldn't help herself. She had to speak up or lose her chance forever. Rin had made a strong impression on her in the brief time they'd spent together, and Sango wanted good things for the girl. "Had you considered perhaps giving the girl to a human family? I understand her parents were killed. It would seem--" Sesshomaru couldn't believe his ears. This human dared to make suggestions regarding the disposition of his ward? He was the Lord of the Western Lands. He answered to no one, certainly not a human female. Still his expression remained neutral and cool.


"It would seem human, that you have forgotten your place. You do not speak out of turn to me if you want to keep your life. I suggest you return to your cottage and feel fortunate that you were not punished." He spoke in an even, instructive voice. There was no menace in his words but his intention was clear. "My dealings in regard to Rin are my affair."


"Stupid human wench! You mind your tongue to Lord Sesshomaru!" squeaked Jaken.


"Quiet," snapped Sesshomaru. He had lost patience with his cowardly attendant. His idiotic badgering would add nothing to the situation. Jaken cowered behind Rin and sullenly resolved to keep quiet.


Sango felt fury growing inside her. How dare this pompous demon say such things to her? So what if he is an inuyoukai lord. She didn't deserve to be dismissed like some disobedient child. She killed youkai for a living, for gods' sake. Had she not rescued Rin-- brought her back to her own home and cared for her, eased the child's fears? She had only been speaking out of a genuine concern for Rin's welfare.


"I-I am sorry if I have offended you, lord Sesshomaru. I was merely speaking for the child. I meant no disrespect, but I believe she would be better off among her own kind." She folded her hands, keeping her eyes lowered. Sango was no fool and knew to affect the proper attitude with the demon lord despite how she felt about his rudeness to her. However she was determined to get her point across to the imperious taiyoukai and did not back down.


Sesshomaru let a few moments pass before responding. "Enough human. You are lucky that I am feeling merciful today." He then stepped away in a gesture indicating an imminent departure.

In truth the demon lord was intrigued though he showed no signs of it. This young human exterminator had fortitude. She was clearly a strong and capable example of her species unlike most other humans he'd encountered including the males. Still, she was beneath his concern. He was Lord of the Western Lands, an unusually powerful taiyoukai of excellent breeding and bloodline. Humans were pitiful, weak creatures. Why his father had ever stained the clan by producing offspring with one of them he'd never fathom. And here was this girl telling him what to do with Rin. How could one of them know what was best for his ward? They were inferior creatures. It was for him alone to decide Rin's fate.

He gave Sango another appraising glance, as if to study her-- her downcast eyes and sweet voice were oddly pleasing to him. He had once or twice observed her in action slaying demons with his infernal younger brother and had noted her swiftness and determination in battle. She was definitely not the usual female. He turned without a word and walked away, deciding he'd given her enough consideration. Rin and Jaken dutifully followed behind.


"Goodbye Sango!" called Rin, looking back and waving.


"Goodbye Rin!" Sango waved back with a smile.


"Sesshomaru-sama, can I come back to see Sango? She promised to teach me me how to make flower wreaths-- and how to fish and how to cook rice cakes! She is so kind and pretty, don't you think so, Sess-sama?" Sesshomaru rolled his eyes inwardly. He tolerated Rin but sometimes wondered how he managed it.


"Hey, he didn't even thank me for keeping her, the grumpy demon." Sango shook her head and watched as the odd group disappeared into the distance. What a strange morning. "I guess I shouldn't expect manners from a demon lord. The gods know his brother is lacking in that department as well. Maybe it is a family trait," she said, thinking about the boisterous and rough-edged Inuyasha with a smile. "Lets go Kirara." Sango shook her head and murmured under her breath before turning to enter the cottage with her neko youkai friend.

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