InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Youkai and the Exterminator ❯ Chapter Ten ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter Ten

 

 

Sango felt a shiver of apprehension drop down her spine as they followed Jano deeper into the fortress. This place was unbelievably huge. She tried not to let her muscles tense up when she thought about how many youkai eyes were upon them. She wondered again if they had been led into a trap and let herself draw closer to Miroku, pitching her voice low and hoping Jano couldn't overhear her words.

 

“Do you think we're in trouble?”

 

His reply was so soft that she had to concentrate to hear his words. “I don't know. We'll find out when our new friend decides to make his intentions clear.” That didn't reassure her in the least and Sango shifted Hiraikotsu to a more comfortable position on her shoulder, trying not to be obvious as she slipped free the clasps that bound it to her back.

 

Miroku's face was impassive, neither relaxed nor agitated. His elbow brushed against her shoulder and she caught his slight nod and followed his gaze. “Inuyasha doesn't look unduly alarmed by this at all.”

 

Sango stared at the hanyou. She'd traveled with him long enough to read his body language better than most. He was obviously as tense as she was, but his stance wasn't one where he was preparing to go on the offensive either. If anything, she thought, he looks like he's waiting for something unpleasant to happen. At least he's not gripping Tessaiga's hilt.

 

Her attention was pulled away from Inuyasha when she saw Jano signal another youkai to approach him. The demon was obviously some kind of guard, wearing the same livery and armor as the two gatekeepers. The man listened to Jano for a moment, nodded brusquely, and walked away at a brisk pace. Jano's eyes flicked over to hers at that moment and her brow furrowed at the demon's slow smile.

 

Kagome edged nervously closer to Inuyasha, holding Shippou firmly in her arms. The kitsune was trembling and she knew they'd both feel more secure being nearer to him. “What do you think is going on?” she asked.

 

The hanyou didn't answer, his arms folded across his chest. He hadn't taken his eyes from Jano for a second, his golden gaze boring into the demon with a watchful stillness that most would find unnerving. If this were a trick, some kind of sick game to lure them here, that fucker would be the first to die.

 

Jano returned his ominous stare, amusement sparkling in the youkai's night-dark eyes. “You think I've led you here as part of a trap, some plot to betray you.”

 

“The thought had crossed my mind,” Inuyasha said softly. Kagome swallowed hard at the quiet threat in his tone. Almost without thinking her hand slipped out to comfort itself by holding his arm.

 

Jano smiled faintly at their uneasiness. “I suppose I'd think the same thing if I were in your position.”

 

A light breeze lifted Jano's hair, making his long topknot ripple like a black banner behind him. “I offered you the hospitality of my people,” he said in a voice pitched to be heard by more than just the hanyou and his human friends. “I promised that no harm would come to you and I do not take my promises lightly.”

 

He turned away from them deliberately and looked up at a wide stone staircase, expectant. A slim figure had just emerged from the shadows.

 

“Sister?”

 

“Kohaku?” Sango gasped, taken completely by surprise at the sight of her little brother. Her eyes widened as her brother's face broke into a helplessly happy grin and he ran down the stairs with scarce regard for their steepness. Sango dropped Hiraikotsu and rushed up to meet him. He was alive and he looked healthy and fit. Any doubts she had about his safety melted when Kohaku threw himself into her waiting arms, his voice an exuberant shout of joy in her ears.

 

Sango clutched at him as if she'd never known anything sweeter than the feel of him in her arms. Her face was buried in his shoulder as he returned her embrace enthusiastically and laughed. She hadn't heard him laugh like that since before her father had died. The sound lifted her heart and she forgot that she and her friends were standing inside a fortress full of demons.

 

“Oh, Kohaku, I'm so happy to see you!”

 

“I missed you too,” he said, his voice muffled in her hair. Sango thrust him away from her so she could drink in the sight of his face. She wanted to stare at him, count the freckles on his nose. His cheeks were flushed with happiness, not fever and his eyes were bright.

 

“You're not sick anymore?”

 

He shook his head vigorously. “No, sister. I'm fine now. Are you well? You look really tired.”

 

“Don't worry about me,” she grinned, tousling his hair in a way she knew he'd used to hate. Kagome ran up to them then, unable to hold herself back another minute. Her eyes had gotten teary at the siblings' reunion and she was about to burst with relief at seeing Kohaku so healthy.

 

“Kohaku-kun,” she laughed as he blushed when she hugged him. Sango turned her eyes back to Jano, who was wearing a decidedly smug expression. His eyes drifted away from hers and Sango followed the direction of his gaze when he turned his head to look up at the top of the stair.

 

Sesshomaru was looking down at them with as cold an expression of icy disdain as she'd ever seen. She flushed hard at the sight of him, unable to suppress the thrill that went through her body. He stared right at her for a moment, unreadable and unwelcoming, before turning his hard gaze on Jano just long enough that Sango swore the black-haired youkai's face paled under his darkly tanned complexion.

 

Without so much as a word, he turned and stalked away to disappear into the shadows at the top of the staircase. Jano scowled briefly and went up the stairs two at a time to follow Sesshomaru. An awkward silence settled over them and Sango looked away from Kagome's questioning eyes.

 

Kohaku felt the tension in his sister and it alarmed him. “Hey,” he said softly. “What are you doing here anyway? Did Jano bring you here?”

 

She nodded, ruffling his hair again because it gave her so much pleasure to touch him. “Yes, but he didn't tell us you were here. He didn't tell us anything.”

 

“So we're idiots,” Inuyasha muttered. “I knew we shouldn't have trusted him. You can't tell me he didn't know what he was doing. If he wanted a fight, he should have come out and said so. He didn't need to trick us into coming here.”

 

“Jano's not like that,” Kohaku said flatly. They stared at him, surprised by the vehemence in his tone. “He's an important person here, nobody challenges him. If he said you wouldn't be hurt, you won't be. Unless...” his eyes darkened and he looked up the stairs again, concern creasing his young face. “Unless he did it without Sesshomaru-sama's orders.”

 

“I think we can assume he did,” Miroku said quietly.

 

Shippou slid from Kagome's shoulder to hang onto Kohaku. “I'm glad you're feeling better, Kohaku. You sure had me scared! Does this mean that you can leave with us?”

 

He hesitated about that, Sesshomaru's words about Tenseiga's power still confused him, but he didn't think he was free to leave either. “I'm not sure,” he said, looking over at his sister with a shy expression. “He said I might get sick again if I leave here, it has something to do with the jewel shard that was in my back. I would have died if Sesshomaru-sama hadn't come for me. I still don't know why he did it.”

 

“Oh, that's easy,” Shippou piped up, oblivious to the look of horror on Sango's face. “He saved you because you're Sango's little brother, and Sesshomaru must really...umph!” The kitsune was startled when Inuyasha's hand clamped over his mouth.

 

“You talk too much, Shippou. Save it for when we're not being watched by half the dog-demons in the territory.” He felt extremely exposed, standing in an open courtyard. He could see plenty of faces at windows in the buildings around them, all of them staring like fools.

 

It made him angry. You bastards never seen a hanyou before, he thought savagely. He didn't want to go into the way he felt right now, part of him just wanted someone to fight. He'd been half hoping Sesshomaru would attack him on sight, but even that bastard had disappointed him.

 

Kagome gently pried his fingers off Shippou's mouth; the kitsune was starting to turn blue and waving frantically to get her attention. She held him tight in her arms.

 

“Shippou, I think we should just keep quiet for now,” she said kindly. “We'll talk about it later when we know what's going on.”

 

A door near where they were standing opened suddenly and a demon woman approached them. Her smile was pleasant, but Kagome didn't miss the wary suspicion in her gaze. She had long dark hair held back in many braids and her clear eyes surveyed them like they were an unusual task she wasn't sure how to complete.

 

“Well, Kohaku,” she said, glancing at the boy with a wry twist to her smile. “It seems you have visitors. I've been told to take care of them too.”

 

“Take care of us?” Miroku echoed, a pleased expression starting to break over his face. A lovely youkai, he decided, catching her surprise at his appreciative smile. “I would be most happy to put myself at your disposal.”

 

“Right,” she said slowly. Another human to look after and keep out of trouble. As if Rin wasn't work enough, even with Kohaku's help the little girl managed to terrorize the fortress with her antics. “My name is Makiko and I'll show you to your rooms. The lord has been kind enough to extend his invitation for you to stay. You all look like you could use some rest and refreshment.”

 

“Invitation?” Inuyasha burst out, looking startled. “Since when does Sesshomaru give a flying shit about anyone being rested or refreshed?”

 

Makiko gave him a stern look, the one that could stop Rin in her tracks. “Sesshomaru-sama mentioned his brother had no manners, so I will not take offense at your language. He also said that if you don't want to stay, you are more than welcome to turn around and walk out that gate anytime you like. It was not his will that you be brought here.”

 

“Is Jano in trouble then?” Kagome looked nervously around her; it might be a better idea for them to leave before things got ugly. She was surprised at the sound of the woman's light laugh.

 

“Don't worry about Jano. He's well known for being able to take care of himself. Please follow me, if you will.”

 

The woman walked away like she had no concern whatsoever about them choosing to accompany her. Kohaku grinned at his sister's confused expression.

 

“It's usually better if you just do what she says. Makiko is very nice, but you don't want to get on her bad side either.”

 

oOo

 

Sesshomaru was absolutely furious, so of course that meant that his expression showed nothing. Jano followed him silently until he reached the privacy of his personal rooms and spun around to fix his obviously dangerously insane bodyguard with a piercing look.

 

“How dare you bring them here!”

 

Jano sighed and looked away. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

 

He had to clamp down on his anger or he was in serious danger of scorching the furnishings with an unintended burst of youki. “You thought it was a good idea to bring that bastard half-brother of mine to the fortress? Did you take an injury to your head, Jano? I expect an explanation for your behavior.”

 

Jano grinned suddenly. “You know, you sounded just like the Daimyo when you said that. Gave me a chill.” Sessh growled menacingly at his lifelong friend and most trusted bodyguard.

 

“It should give you more than a chill,” he snarled.

 

He turned away from Jano so that he couldn't see the strange mixture of emotions come over his face when he dropped the icy mask. She was here. As hard as he'd fought himself to not bring her here, to resist the temptation, to make himself believe that he wasn't starting to need her, he found himself undone by Jano's presumption. Inuyasha he could deal with. Sango's presence unsettled the demon lord like nothing he'd ever felt before. Again, his life had taken an unexpected twist and Sesshomaru again thought he could hear the sound of his father's laughter.

 

“Sessh,” Jano said softly, realizing that there was more going on here than just his lord's anger at having the hanyou in the fortress. “I'm sorry. I overstepped my bounds, I know you have every right to be angry with me.”

 

“Now you recognize that,” Sesshomaru bit out.

 

“I'll take them out of here,” Jano said, looking at his feet. “Just say the word and they're gone. If you want me to do more than that, more than just escort them, I'll do whatever you say.”

 

It would grieve him to break his promise. He would hate himself if he had to kill any of them, particularly that young Kagome and also Kohaku's older sister. He didn't like the idea of being asked to kill the females, or even that monk. This was the risk he'd taken and he would never disobey Sesshomaru. Not for blood or personal honor, his loyalty was as absolute and as firm as the stones of this very fortress.

 

And if he were asked to do such an act, he also understood that Sesshomaru might be ordering him to his own death. He had every confidence in his skills as a warrior, but one did not take on Tessaiga and expect to emerge unscathed by its power.

 

“No,” Sessh said softly, understanding what it would cost Jano to obey such an order. “I did not say I wanted that. I have no interest in killing those humans or punishing you by having you do it. As for my brother, his blood will belong only to me when I want him dead.”

 

Jano was confused. He'd known Sessh wouldn't be pleased about this, but there was more going on. Something in his lord's tone was off so something had to be eating at him. He'd felt it with an instinct that set the hairs on the back of his neck standing to attention.

 

“I'm relieved you don't want them dead, I'd hate to be the one to break the news to Kohaku that you ordered his sister slain.”

 

Sesshomaru's head had twisted around to stare at him, a furious look in his eye. He'd had about fifty-fifty odds that his behavior had something to do with one of the females. Kagome seemed an unlikely object of his lord's attention, which left only Sango. His eyes narrowed, noting the energy radiating off Sessh's body had nothing to do with anger.

 

He smiled slowly. “Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know.”

 

“You know nothing,” Sesshomaru hissed. He composed himself with some difficulty. “And I don't want to talk about it. What happened with Naraku? I assume this had something to do with why you've brought me such unwelcome guests.”

 

Jano slipped easily into report mode, keeping his expression carefully neutral while he related the details of his expedition and the way he encountered the hanyou and his friends. His mind was actually focused elsewhere.

 

Keep your secrets then, he thought. I won't pry but the youkai in the fortress aren't blind either. Right now Sesshomaru was practically broadcasting his turmoil in the pheromonal language of scent. He had a thing for the female exterminator; Jano would lay odds on it. He could understand Sessh's distress considering his well-known dislike of all things human, now finding himself attracted to Sango. Not that he hadn't had a few impure thoughts himself; she was indeed an attractive female.

 

In any case, such an affair would definitely be worth watching.

 

oOo

 

“I wish they'd just quit staring at us,” Inuyasha rumbled as he talked with his mouth full of food. “It's bugging the shit out of me.”

 

Makiko had led her new charges to a small room that was near the kitchen. Hanyou and humans aside, she figured they looked hungry as well as tired and if she managed to stuff them full of the kitchen's not unpalatable offerings, she could probably wheedle the group up to their beds without so much as a murmur.

 

Her gaze softened as she watched Kohaku, the boy's sweet smile and happiness at seeing his sister pulled at her heart. Makiko slid a large plate of his favorite sweet in front of him, letting her hand drop affectionately to his shoulder as she passed.

 

Sango didn't miss it. Although she was giving her attention to the delicious food she'd been offered, she noticed that demon after demon was making it a point to walk casually by the door. She wondered about Makiko's gesture and she wondered about the trusting look that her little brother gave the woman as she whisked empty plates off the table.

 

Kohaku had not only been healed, he seemed to like it here.

 

Her brother, raised to be an exterminator like herself, subjected to unknown horrors by Naraku and forced to live among the most hideous demons, was happy here? She chewed her food slowly, turning the thoughts over in her head.

 

Makiko frowned as a small group of young looking demons had gathered in the doorway this time, whispering excitedly. They groaned as she slid the door shut, a stern glare letting them know they'd better find other places to be. Nobody liked to be stared at while they ate. She turned to see a quick smile from the younger of the two girls, the one who had an impish look in her eye when she'd seen the younglings gathering in the door.

 

“I apologize,” Makiko said softly. “Young tend to forget their good manners when anything captures their attention. I hope they didn't make you uncomfortable.”

 

“Not at all,” Kagome answered. She leaned over to take a piece of fruit from a bowl and elbowed Inuyasha out of her way. “It's not me they were staring at, couldn't you tell?”

 

Inuyasha snorted and grabbed the fruit from her hand. “What's that supposed to mean?”

 

She snatched it back playfully. “Come on, what's the use in staring at a few humans when you're so much more interesting? Didn't you hear them talking about you, pointing at Tessaiga?”

 

“Yeah, I heard it,” he muttered. So they all were staring at him, big deal. He was used to the scorn full-blood youkai visited upon hanyou half-breeds like himself. It just made him all the more certain in his mind that he was right in never coming here and equally resolved to get the hell out as soon as he could manage it. Just because his brother didn't feel like starting a fight right now didn't mean the bastard didn't have something more unpleasant in mind.

 

He suddenly lost his appetite and pushed his bowl away with a scowl.

 

Makiko decided they were finished, noting the dark look that had appeared on the hanyou's face. You'd think he'd show more grace at being in his father's home, she thought. The half-demon seemed to be more a sulky child than a fierce warrior.

 

Everyone in the fortress was aware by now that Sesshomaru-sama's mysterious younger brother had arrived. It was time to get them away from the general populace before the poor hanyou was overwhelmed by their curiosity.

 

“If you've all finished eating, I will show you to your rooms so that you may rest.”

 

oOo

 

For a moment, she had no idea where she was. Sango's eyes opened in darkness and she had to restrain herself from jumping out of bed and reaching for Hiraikotsu. Memory flooded back to her and she breathed a sigh of relief.

 

She'd been dreaming about something that scared her, it was muddy and indistinct now. She sat up gingerly, her body protesting that it would really like a bit more rest now and would she please lay back and let it sleep some more?

 

Sango grinned and got up anyway, her mind was awake, and she went to the window where she was startled to discover that it was full night already. “I must have slept the day away,” she said softly.

 

Her hand found the latch on the door and she stepped outside onto the small balcony. She'd been surprised when Makiko had led them to separate rooms but it was nice to have a few moments of privacy.

 

The rooms were beautiful; hers was done in soothing tones of green and blue, pleasing to her tired eyes. Rich drapery covered wide windows, soft exquisite mats kept the chill of stone from her bare feet. Makiko apologized that the room seemed a bit shut up and musty, explaining that these rooms for her and her friends were part of the most secure wing of the fortress. They were not often used, even if they were dusted religiously by the household's staff.

 

Sango didn't find anything to complain about and had sunk into the softness of the bed with barely enough conscious thought to remove her footwear before dropping into a heavy sleep.

 

Now the night air beckoned to her and she sighed, leaning against the cool stone of the balcony's railing. It was indeed a beautiful night and she enjoyed the light breeze that caressed her face. A seldom known feeling of peace washed over the girl's body. Standing on the small balcony, she had a better sense of the fortress' size and scale, the stone implied a feeling of age and permanence she was unaccustomed to.

 

She ran her hands over the intricately carved stone, wondering how many youkai hands had done the same over the years. She smiled, realizing that hers were the first human ones that had likely done so.

 

Sango heard a light step behind her and turned. He was standing in the doorway, the wind lifting his hair and turning it into a billowing cloud. She smiled at the sight of him, unable to help herself against the powerful attraction that rushed through her body whenever she saw his face.

 

“I didn't hear you come in, can you walk through walls or something?”

 

He raised an eyebrow. “Too much trouble to walk through walls. I had to use the door.”

 

She blinked, she wasn't sure but she thought that might have actually been a joke from Sesshomaru. His expression was remote, his eyes shining in the shadows. It wasn't like she hadn't been expecting him to come to her, but she wished he'd let his face show some indication of how he felt about it.

 

“Are you angry with me?” she asked quietly.

 

“Angry with you?” He frowned slightly. He didn't understand why she thought he might be. Certainly Jano has pressed his luck in bringing them here, Sesshomaru wasn't sure what had been going through his bodyguard's mind to do such a thing. But angry with Sango?

 

“Why should I be angry with you?”

 

She looked at her feet. “I know you don't want me here.”

 

“Have I said as such?” Sesshomaru wasn't used to people making assumptions about what he wanted or didn't want. If nothing else, he liked to think himself as direct for a youkai. Those who pleased him, he favored. Those who displeased him learned from their mistakes quickly or did not live long enough to err again.

 

“Then you're not unhappy to have me here?” Sango asked.

 

Her innocence was mystifying. Sesshomaru would have thought she understood him better by now. But she was human and he smiled, realizing that her body did not come equipped with the instincts to read his moods and intent. Instead she would be compelled to wonder; to draw out the responses that another youkai would take for granted.

 

He remembered how once his father had told him that humans needed broad signals to read, how you had to use the right words to make sure they understood what you wanted. Demons possessed different senses and wider perceptions.

 

If Sango were a youkai she'd have no doubt of his pleasure in seeing her now. Her body would have read the response in his, the pheromonal tide of scent, the minute relaxation of his stance. The way he could read how her whole body was yearning for him, the flush of her skin and the increasing race of her pulse spoke volumes to the demon lord.

 

“I am not unhappy,” he told her.

 

Sesshomaru moved closer, reaching out to stroke her cheek. The girl's eyes lit up with pleasure at his touch and Sango moved closer so she could lay her hands on his chest. Could he tell how much she wanted him, needed him? Did it disgust him to have a human craving his lightest touch?

 

“I'm glad you aren't angry.”

 

Broad signals. He pulled her close and tenderly pressed his lips against hers. Sango let herself melt against him, her arms winding around his neck as she kissed him back as passionately as she knew how. His tongue caressed hers, delicately stroking her lips as he absorbed himself in the taste of her. Sango responded by letting herself nibble on his lower lip, feeling his soft sigh of pleasure when he felt her teeth.

 

Sesshomaru pulled himself away from the intoxication of her mouth and cradled the girl's face against his neck. “No more talking,” he whispered.

 

He felt Sango nod against his chest, her fingers winding tighter in the fabric of his clothing. It was all he could do not to fall to the floor and have her right there. He didn't want that, not this time. Now he wanted to show her a different side of youkai, of him. He would show her gentleness so she'd know to never be afraid of him, there need never be another misunderstanding or miscommunication. He could teach her how to understand him and learn to divine what she needed in return.

 

Then Sango pushed herself away from him, her hand finding his as she drew him back inside with a shy and playful look in her lovely eyes. Bemused, he allowed himself to be led, following the girl whose fingers pressed against his own. Sango was smiling, a sweet anticipation in her face. Even a demon lord could be seduced by it and he stood quite still, allowing her human hands to wander freely over his skin, the soft silk of his clothes whispering to the floor as she undressed him.

 

Her body pressed against his, her fingertips tracing slow lazy caresses down the smooth lines of his back. He lifted her chin to look at her face and Sango caught her breath at the tenderness in those golden eyes. How had she ever thought them cold, how had she ever thought Sesshomaru to emotionless?

 

The passion in his gaze took her breath away. His arm slipped around her waist and Sango let out a short laugh of surprise when he lifted her easily, drawing her against him and sank onto the waiting futon, letting her body fall across his in a languorous embrace.

 

Her dark hair fell like a curtain around her face and Sesshomaru stroked the girl lightly, her lips firm on his and the sweet taste of her filling his senses. It was Sango that broke their kiss, leaving him hungry for more. A soft and serious expression fell over her face and she gently stroked the hair back from his eyes. Her hands and lips then wandered down his neck and chest in a sensuous tour, filling him with pleasurable sensations as she kissed and explored every inch of his body.

 

Relaxed and completely at ease, Sesshomaru closed his eyes, his fingertips brushing against her hair. He smiled to himself, enjoying the feel of Sango's tongue tickling against his ribs, making him burn for her. His human wanted to make love to him and for once he could relax and let the warm feelings wash over him in unhurried bliss.

 

Sango was lost in him the taste and texture of his pale, soft skin on her tongue excited her in ways she'd never thought of, the slow steady pulse of him warmed her hands. He was so perfectly beautiful, so exquisite that she forgot to be intimidated or fearful. She concentrated on exploring the essence of her youkai, feeling his body answering hers in a passionate dance of response.

 

Sesshomaru hissed softly as she took him inside her mouth, the almost unbearably sweet friction of her tongue making him lose himself. Her touch made him crazy, willing to promise anything, give everything, and deny nothing as long as she belonged only to him. He couldn't bear it any longer, he had to touch her, hold her, wrap her body around his and taste her skin.

 

He sat up, reaching for her to pull her up and meet his lips, squeezing her tight against him. His mouth devoured hers as the desire for her made him reckless, his sharp claws shredding the light yukata she wore. Sango's only response was to hold onto him harder, her arms aching as she dug her fingers into the lean muscles of his back. He nuzzled against her chest, sighing as Sango buried her face in the silkiness of his hair.

 

Arching her back, Sango cried out softly as he took the tip of her breast into his mouth. His lips suckled her skin, making her shiver with pleasure as his tongue probed at her hard, aroused nipples. He loved the taste of her almost as much as he loved the shuddering response his attentions were drawing from her body. She moaned and buried both hands in his hair, yearning against him.

 

Sesshomaru nibbled at her as if she were a sweet, erotic confection he had become addicted to. Unable to restrain himself another moment longer, Sesshomaru lay back on the bed and shifted their positions so she could raise herself on her knees and allow him access. As he slid into her, finding her warm and ready for him, they both sighed as one at being joined again.

 

Suddenly dizzy, blood was rushing to her head and Sango pressed her palms against Sesshomaru's chest to steady herself before surrendering to the movement her hips demanded. Her eyes closed, abandoning all but this one thing. Everything else around her became a blur, her mouth was dry, her pulse was pounding and she was only conscious of the presence of the man beneath her body.

 

Sesshomaru couldn't take his eyes from her face. He'd been dreaming of her, haunted by her. His hand slid around to cup the sweet curve of her hips, guiding their motions into a tighter, more urgent rhythm. He watched as her skin took on an even rosier tone, perspiration making her glisten and shimmer as she concentrated on taking what she wanted from him. He could give it freely, no reservations and no need to hold back.

 

Gasping, feeling driven half insane by the rocking friction of her hips, he arched his back and thrust against her, raising her up, her legs spreading still wider apart. Sango threw back her head, her voice crying out in exultation as she came, and the shock of her climax turning her into a wild thing. She collapsed across his chest, trembling even as his arm held her tighter, his hips driving against hers and a feral snarl ripped from his lips when he tensed, shuddered violently and crushed her to him with her face buried in his neck.

 

They stilled then, Sango's chest heaving as she tried to recover and Sesshomaru willing the wild youki inside his body to subside. Demon and human, the youkai and the exterminator held each other in the darkness, in a bed made warm and musky.

 

Sesshomaru listened to the sound of her pulse slowing and her breathing becoming deeper as her head lolled against his shoulder. He brushed his lips against her forehead, reveling in the sweetness of her limp and satisfied body. Pleasure filled him, preparing to follow her into sleep and his hand reached to stroke her hair.

 

Sango sighed at his touch, burrowing deeply into his shoulder and spoke. “I love you.”

 

What?

 

His eyes opened slowly, the words echoing in his mind.

 

She loved him?