30 Shards

Kagome was fast asleep, the demon child curled around her belly. Sango’s hands itched for her weapon, but there was no point; if the kitsune decided to devour the vulnerable human body beneath it, there wasn’t much Sango could do.

Not that her help was wanted. When Sango had tried to mention the matter, Kagome had waved away her concerns. Stupid girl. On all accounts, Sango had done her job by warning her. It should have nothing to do with her now. Still, morbid fear kept her eyes locked on the kitsune’s small snoring mouth with its wicked sharp fangs resting dangerously close to Kagome’s face.

At least the monk kept his distance. Sango’s eyes flicked to her left, at the shadowy figure outside the circle of the firelight. Maybe his attitude to the whole affair had things to be desired, but—no! At least, he could protect himself.

Kagome mumbled something in her sleep. Long lashes lay quiet against her pale cheeks. She’s a woman, Sango thought, but in so many ways, she is still a girl. A trusting, stupid, little human girl.

Travelling with demons.

Sango snorted. What a cosmic joke. If there was anything sicker, Sango had never heard it. But then, something as—eccentric as Kagome could hardly be considered to have common sense. Kindness, yes. A kindness that drove Sango to sleeplessness. But no common sense what so ever.

A twig snapped to her left and Sango whirled to her knees, dagger unsheathed. Bright yellow eyes burned into her face a yard away. If he were a little closer—Sango’s fingers twitched.

Inuyasha sat easily on his haunches, claws idly carving the dirt beneath him. Small grooves raced up and down the earth beneath his feet. His expression was intense, unreadable. Cheekbones carved from marble, the straight nose, the full lips, the long curling lashes around those bright, glowing eyes—he was beautiful, like most two legged demons were. A beauty that called to humans, that drew them vulnerably close. But when one was aware of that allure, when one was trained to see the darkness underneath waiting to devour...the only anticipation that burned in Sango was the coming fight.

To her surprise, Inuyasha spoke. “You should go to sleep.”

“No.” Sango said shortly.

An elegant eyebrow lowered, a frown curling down those perfect lips. After a moment, he said, “You’re wasting your time.”

“Excuse me?”

“He’s not going to hurt her.” Inuyasha shrugged his shoulder in the direction of Kagome. She must have looked surprised, because he smiled bitterly. “I know your type. Untrusting. Can't say its not deserved. But in this case, you are wrong.”

“Why would I believe you?” Sango taunted.

Inuyasha bared fangs and she almost smiled at it. Anticipation sparked down her spine and she wanted to lick cracked lips. The tension was glorious. Kohaku had never understood why Sango loved a good fight.

Not that he could now.

The thought sobered her. Reminded her exactly why she was here, traveling with this accursed group in the first place.

Inuyasha ground a fist into the dirt. “What is your problem?” The snarl spoiled the loveliness of his voice.

Her problem? How dare he ask such a question, when somewhere behind them the bones of her family lay broken and unblessed. “Don’t tell me that a hanyou would care about a mere human’s problems.”

His face darkened. “Not about yours. I am only wondering if it is going to affect your usefulness in a fight.”

For a moment, she wanted to hit him. Anger flared hot, but all too soon it turned to ash. The real question was, why did she care what he said? She was using him just the same.

“Go away,” Sango said tiredly. “Kagome would be sad if I killed you.”

All the sudden, Sango was on her back, a clawed hand around her neck. Kirara, who had been resting beside her in kitten form, gave a hiss—but Sango waved her off. Her dagger flashed up and pressed sharply against Inuyasha’s neck, but to her surprise he ignored. Instead, he leaned down so close that she felt the dagger pierce his skin, felt a drop of blood on her neck, felt the heat of his breath on his lips and the utter intoxication of his presence.

“I won’t let you threaten us,” he hissed, his face sharp and hard and beautiful.

This wasn’t the Inuyasha that the girl and monk saw. This was the real Inuyasha, the one that had no qualms about killing. And why would he? Human blood couldn’t save him, not if he wanted to survive. All hanyou had a darker side.

But then, humans had a dark side too. Sango had reached hers long ago.

She felt the pinprick of claws along the back of her neck, a gentle pressure. A warning. But Sango had never been one to submit, not even when her life depended on it. Her smile was all teeth as she leaned up, forcing him to pull away.

“The only thing anyone has to fear around here is you,” she whispered.

She moved to press the tip of her dagger to the hand around her neck, but her blade met empty air. Abruptly, Inuyasha was gone, his weight on her hips only an ache. Sango sat up in time to see a flash of red in a distant tree.

So it was over then. For now.

Idiot, she thought. If that was his way of trying to prove his point, he only proved me right. Sango wiped dirt off her legs and looked around. Kagome and Miroku slept peacefully, unaware of the exchange.

But the kitsune was looking at her.

That beautiful child face, with its large eyes and small delicate mouth that trembled just so. He looked angelic and sweet and vulnerable. Sango’s head knew it was a threat, but Sango’s heart ached anyway. Clenching her fists, she sneered and turned away. When she looked back, the kitsune’s eyes were closed again.

Kirara mewed softly, and Sango turned to see the demon’s head tilted in curiosity. It was only then Sango realized she was breathing hard. Sango forcibly sighed and shook her head, gently gathering the cat into her arms.

“Not you, Kirara,” she murmured softly. “I trust you.”

It sounded hypocritical, but it wasn’t. Not to Sango. Kirara was the only demon she had ever, ever known to be a true human ally. She had saved Sango and the lives of her ancestors countless times over. She had never once faltered in the defense of human life. And, most importantly, she had never tried to disguise herself with a human form.

What had her father taught her? A truly unthreatening demon would never try to fool a human with a human face.

She thought of the prince that had given her life. That had given her family their death. Father is always right.

Guilt and fear twinged in Sango’s chest. Unwillingly, her eyes returned to Kagome’s slumbering face, where they stayed vigilant until the soft glow of sunrise.