• 1-Discovery of You
• 2-2
• 3-3
• 4-4
• 5-5
• 6-6
• 7-7
• 8-8
• 9-9

Sango thought of this as she watched Kagome prepare dinner. Shippou was perched high on Kagome’s shoulder watching the food preparation with an earnest expression. It amazed Sango that he could maintain his balance in such a precarious position, but then he was youkai after all. On a whim, she moved silently behind the two and gave Shippou a shove from behind. He went tumbling forward, narrowly missing the soup pot.

“Hey!” Shippou stamped his foot as he dusted himself off. “You’re getting as bad as Inuyasha.”

Sango simply grinned at him.

“Come to think of it, you’re worse. Inuyasha doesn’t mess with me much anymore. Just you, Sango.”

Sango shrugged her shoulders and sat back down beside Kirara. For some reason, Shippou’s statement bothered her a little. Inuyasha had been acting different lately -- subdued, brooding. But then, shard hunting had become so much more dangerous and serious at this point. Everyone was tense. Sango was no exception, but Kagome’s presence still served to distract her from the fear and turmoil that thoughts of her brother and Naraku elicited. The group had recently survived a near-deadly encounter with an undead tortoise youkai and Inuyasha was having a lot of trouble controlling the Tessaiga. Certainly, that would explain his preoccupied behavior.

Sango looked over at Kagome again, letting her thoughts drift back to more pleasant subjects. She wondered if Kagome was feeling tense as well. Sango could think of a few ways to alleviate that particular malady. In fact, she had an idea in mind that she’d been trying to work up the courage to try for some time now. She bit her lip and couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

For now, Sango knew that she would have to resign herself to idle chit-chat. But that could be fun as well. Sango found she still enjoyed getting a rise out of Kagome. Even if her more pointed comments sometimes caused to get Kagome a little bit angry, Sango found they were still worth it in the end. Becoming intimate with Kagome must have brought out her mischievous side, she presumed. Being in love had, in fact, caused Sango to become more expressive in so many ways. She surprised herself at times, being accustomed to having to force aside her own reticence during conversations, though it came easier to her now. But it was nice to feel confident. And so she allowed herself to explore being confident, mischievous, or whatever other lesser-known part of herself saw fit to show itself. Plus, teasing Kagome was fun and she soon learned that Kagome enjoyed ‘making up’ more than she would have ever suspected.

This teasing also served a practical purpose. As the quest of the Shikon jewel became more stressful and time grew short, Kagome had become pensive. More often lately Sango would look over and find her staring forlornly off into the distance with dull eyes. However, she would always respond to Sango’s teasing, whether with taunts of her own or a smile, and her eyes would once again become bright and full of life.

Kagome’s huffs were often pretend, but Sango was always secretly proud when she managed to bring an angry, but attractive, flush to Kagome’s cheeks. And so it was that a little over two weeks after the two had first made love together on that mossy forest floor, Sango saw fit to tease her about it.

“You remember the day when you attacked me in the forest?”

“Huh,” Kagome mumbled as she prepared dinner.

Sango went back to silently sharpening her weapon.

“And when exactly was that?” Kagome asked her when no further information was forthcoming.

Sango placed her weapon down carefully. “Couple of weeks back, or so.” She was careful to keep her expression neutral.

“I never attacked you.” Kagome knitted her brows and sat back.

“You most certainly did. And have several times since.”

Realization dawned in Kagome’s eyes and she bit her lip. “Sango! Not funny.”

“Don’t know why I put up with your lecherous ways, Kagome. You’re worse than Miroku.” Sango had to suppress a smile.

Kagome looked around to confirm that no one was within earshot. She then leaned forward and whispered, “Whatever happened to the modest, prim Sango that I knew? Always fighting off Miroku’s advances. Now you’re the one doing all the pawing, because you can’t keep your hands off of me. You certainly hid your true nature from us all.”

Sango rolled her eyes and Kagome leaned back with a smirk. “If anyone was doing any attacking, it was you.”

“Big words, but you’re the one who begs me for it,” Sango goaded with just enough sarcasm to egg Kagome on.

“In fact,” Kagome continued primly. “It seems I’m never safe nowadays. You can’t seem to leave me alone.”

“We’ll have to see about that,” Sango growled under her breath.

“What was that, Sango?” Kagome asked, still grinning.

“Just be ready later tonight, after everyone is asleep.”

Kagome needed a little humbling experience after those retorts, she’d decided, and she knew just what to do.

x x x x x

Sango led Kagome a little farther into the darkened forest before she backed her against a tree and gave her a bruising kiss.

“Attacking me again, Sango?” Kagome giggled.

Sango chuckled softly, her breath ghosting over Kagome’s ear. “I’m only doing what you’ve been begging me to do.”

Kagome snorted and caught Sango’s earlobe playfully between her teeth.

“Well, you aren’t begging yet. But you will be.”

Kagome gave another snort and Sango closed her eyes and Kagome began to trail soft kisses down her neck.

Sango quickly undressed Kagome, watching her with half-lidded eyes as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse. “Do you like it when I do this?” Sango slid her splayed fingers across her chest and moved them down slowly towards her lacy bra. She paused, watching Kagome’s eyes narrow expectantly. Her lips were parted and she was already breathing in short pants. Sango moved her fingers beneath the material; the supple feel of Kagome’s bare skin under her hands never ceased to make her mouth water and long to taste it with her mouth and tongue. In a moment; take it slow, she reminded herself. Sango’s hand cupped her breast and she gave it an experimental squeeze before she began rolling her thumb back and forth over her nipple. Kagome groaned against her shoulder.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’, but next time I’ll want to hear more.”

Soon, she was busy removing Kagome’s skirt and panties, pushing them slowly down her hips with her palms just barely brushing the bare skin of her thighs. She heard Kagome give a sharp intake of breath. Sango’s breathing was becoming irregular as well. She parted her lips slightly and her chest rose and fell quickly as she thought of what she was about to do to Kagome and a thrill of excitement shot through her.

“Beg,” she commanded softly. “I want to hear you beg for me to touch you.”

She felt Kagome shake her head against her shoulder.

Her hands began to move over Kagome’s naked body at an achingly slow pace. Sango brushed her fingers lightly over the swell of her hips and up and across her shoulders. She allowed her fingertips slide softly down her chest and come to rest lightly once again on her breasts. She cupped one breast and leaned down to take the nipple into her mouth, sucking gently. Kagome moaned softly and Sango closed her eyes and tried to commit sweet sound to memory. She allowed her free hand to drop to her inner thigh, where she moved it back and forth teasingly across the sensitive skin there. When she could no longer resist, Sango moved her hand across the tight curls of Kagome’s sex and probed gently. Kagome was incredibly wet already and Sango grinned and leaned back slightly.

“Tell me what you want me to do, Kagome.” Sango flicked her tongue over her nipple and she heard Kagome’s breathing hitch.

Kagome moaned softly again. “I want to hear you say it.”


“Touch me.”

Kagome’s words caused an intense jolt of desire which threatened to turn her insides to jelly. There was a delicious tightening in her belly and groin, but still she held back.

“Touch you where?” Sango asked again as she brushed her other hand briefly across the tiny nub hidden just at the edge of Kagome’s tight, black curls.

“I’m waiting.” She slid her fingers teasingly over the delicate skin of her sex. The slick feeling of Kagome’s sex beneath her fingertips excited her beyond reason and she hoped Kagome would give her the reply she sought soon, before she succumbed to the temptation offered by Kagome’s naked body, pleasuring her worshipfully with her now-trembling hands and mouth.

“Tell me what you want, Kagome,” she whispered again.

She didn’t have to wait long for the answer. “Put your fingers inside of me, please Sango,” Kagome pleaded huskily.

Sango hastily complied and slid a finger inside of her, followed by a second. Kagome felt tight and hot around her fingers and Sango could feel the tightening and pooling of heat between her own legs in response to the sensations. There was little doubt that she was as wet as Kagome at this point. Her intense arousal was becoming nearly unbearable. She wanted to strip her clothing off and press herself, grind herself against Kagome. But she took a steadying breath and tried to focus on what she’d been preparing to do.

Kagome pushed her hips forward against Sango’s fingers in a steady rhythm and Sango could feel her hot breath against her neck. Again, it was almost her undoing. Sango closed her eyes and paused, but only for a moment, before she slowly lowered herself to her knees until she was eye level with Kagome’s exposed sex. She paused once again to take in the sight of her finger pressed against pink folds peeking out of the triangle of dark curls. She felt her own sex pulse with arousal and she bent forward.

“Sango, what are you…” Kagome gasped as Sango pressed her tongue experimentally against the place where her thumb had been teasing. “No, wait,” Kagome whispered while at the same time her hands buried themselves in Sango’s hair and she pressed herself against Sango’s mouth.

It felt hot, so very hot, and the taste was slightly metallic, slightly cloying, and it left her mind reeling in its unimaginable sweetness. Her tongue felt rough compared to how soft and slick Kagome’s folds felt beneath it as she gently explored the delicate skin. Sango soon found herself drowning in the heady taste and scent of Kagome and she pressed her mouth firmly over that spot. She was only vaguely aware of the small, satisfied noises coming from the back of her throat. She’d meant to tease Kagome, to command her to beg again before she would continue. But as she flicked and pressed her tongue against the little nub, Kagome groaned and writhed in a way much more satisfying than any words could be. She slowly parted Kagome’s folds with her tongue, enjoying the tantalizing feel of her beneath her tongue. She used the tip of her tongue to trace its way down to the tight opening, where she gently probed inside. It felt incredible. The delicate skin surrounding her lover’s opening felt so warm and yielding as she pressed her tongue just inside. She gave a few, experimental upward strokes with her tongue. Kagome’s legs trembled and she cried out faintly with each nudge of the tongue.

Sango pulled back momentarily and helped to ease both of them down to the ground. Kagome tried to kiss her, but Sango shook her head and pressed her gently back until she was lying flat on the ground. Now that she’d discovered the pleasure of her tongue against her sex, she was greedy for more. She quickly eased herself down between Kagome’s legs and pressed her tongue against the nub once again, almost desperate to hear Kagome’s soft cries once more.

Trying to recall how exactly it felt when she touched her own sex with her fingers, she alternately swirled and molded her tongue against Kagome, breathless as the slick skin slipped under her tongue. Kagome’s breath was coming in short pants and she arched her hips off the ground to meet Sango’s mouth. Sango slipped a finger inside her, moving back and forth while pressing up in the direction she knew would give the most intense pleasure. “Please, no, don’t stop, ah,” Kagome begged her incoherently to continue and Sango pressed her mouth and tongue against her as Kagome gave a series of short cries before she remembered herself and clenched her teeth tightly in order to keep silent. She gripped Sango’s shoulders and pressed back as she shuddered beneath Sango’s mouth and a low moan escaped her lips as she flung her head back with the intensity of her orgasm.

Even after Kagome had relaxed beneath her, Sango continued to press her tongue gently against her, enjoying the little aftershocks the movements caused. She could feel her inner muscles tighten slightly with each application of pressure. She could easily do this all night long, she decided. Kagome finally eased herself up and pulled Sango up against her shoulder before lying back down again. Sango tucked her head against Kagome’s shoulder and sighed happily. Her own arousal was still at a distracting level, but she lay still. She didn’t wish to disturb this tender moment of togetherness.

Kagome ran her fingers lightly over her hair and smiled at her with half-closed eyes. “You…thank you, Sango” she sighed as she allowed her head to fall back and her eyes to slide closed.

Sango chuckled and Kagome regarded her through half-lidded eyes.

“Happy now? You got what you wanted and you look awfully smug about it.”

“Oh, I’m not the only one who got what she wanted, am I?”

Kagome chuckled and gave a lazy stretch. “Okay, you win.”

Sango smoothed down Kagome’s hair and tucked an errant strand behind her ear.

“Come on, let’s get back to camp,” she told her reluctantly.

x x x x x

The past weeks had been some of the most wonderful Sango had ever experienced. The two of them were not always together, but all Sango had to do was to glance at Kagome walking nearby to feel a rush of heady joy. She never tired of watching her. She loved the way her long, dark hair flowed in the breeze as she moved, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief as she gave her a knowing look. She loved all that and more. She loved Kagome.

It made it difficult, at times, to keep her mind on the task of shard-hunting. She felt vaguely guilty about this, but she argued with herself that she deserved to enjoy this time, especially since Kagome and she were in the early stages of their relationship. And so she pushed away the usual nagging and ominous thoughts of her brother and Naraku and replaced them with thoughts of Kagome’s smile, Kagome’s kiss, her gentle touch.

However, her strict warrior training returned when there was a confrontation or battle. She became Sango the Taijiya once again and fought any threat which presented itself with single-minded purpose. The battles were escalating in frequency and intensity. Sometimes it was a shock to realize that the task they’d worked towards for so long was nearing completion. Or rather, The Shikon jewel was nearing completion. Sango had always had second-thoughts about this, since it ultimately involved her brother and his shard. Therefore, her worry and anxiety for him was increasing daily. Concurrently, she was seeking out Kagome more often, seeking release from these insistent fears.

At times, she also found relief in battle. When faced with an enemy, Sango fought with added gusto and vigor now, pushing herself to the limits each time. Later, when things were calm and quiet, she would wonder if she wasn’t’ trying to make up for the guilty happiness she was experiencing outside of the confrontations. But she would shrug off the musings, reminding herself that it was a good thing for all. And each time the group faced danger, the warrior side of her would take over and she would focus single-mindedly on the task at hand without fail, whether it was destroying lesser youkai or fighting a more powerful foe such as Moryomaru, who seemed to have replaced Naraku as their main target for the moment.

And after, she would soften and daydream of Kagome again and enjoyed the increasingly rare times that the two of them could find to be alone together. This was frustrating. She deserved happiness too, she told herself, and she would not allow anyone to come in between her and Kagome.

There were those that tried, or perhaps that wanted to was a more apt description.

Inuyasha and Miroku gave Sango questioning or pointed looks more frequently now, especially when she and Kagome huddled together around the fire, giggling and whispering to one another. It didn’t help things that Sango had a difficult time keeping her hands to herself. Even if it was simply to hold Kagome’s hand or pull her close for a brief embrace, Sango found she needed to touch her occasionally or else she ached. To hell with the suspicious looks from the two males in the group. At least Shippou had the sense to leave her alone, though he was likely just oblivious.

One morning after a particularly frustrating and unsuccessful attempt to locate Naraku’s whereabouts, Inuyasha confronted Sango. She’d expected that it might come to this, but still it unnerved her.

“What’s going on between you and Kagome?” he asked gruffly.

Sango felt suddenly nervous under those intense, yellow eyes. “Uh, nothing,” she muttered.

“What do you mean ‘nothing’,” Inuyasha hissed. “I’m not stupid as you might think, you know. I…” He paused here and looked away uncomfortably before continuing. “I care a lot about Kagome.”

“I know,” Sango answered, feeling suddenly ashamed of hiding her relationship with Kagome from her friends the past few weeks. “It’s nothing you have to worry about though,” she told him softly.

Inuyasha gave her a pained look. Sango recognized the hurt there and looked quickly away. She didn’t enjoy the feeling that she and Kagome’s happiness had caused that pain in another, especially Inuyasha, who was a good friend.

“So you’re not going to tell me, or even look at me, eh?” Sango’s eyes snapped up to see Inuyasha lips tightened in a thin, angry line before he stalked away. “She cares about me too, you know. I can see it in her eyes, even though she’s been avoiding me lately and looking your way instead,” he spat out as he glared at her over his shoulder. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing at, Sango, but I’m still your friend and you shouldn’t treat your friends like this.”

Sango stared after him as he disappeared into the forest and until she could no longer make out the brief flashes of silver hair amidst the trees.

Sango’s thoughts were in a whirl and her heart ached. Inuyasha was a loyal and true friend and the guilt of all she’d left unsaid tasted bitter on her tongue. But how could she tell him? She wondered how the shift in her and Kagome’s relationship was affecting the group. A year ago, a few months ago even, before she began having feelings for Kagome, she would have never thought of sacrificing her own happiness for the good of her friends, especially since the most important thing in her life, for what seemed so damn long, was exact her revenge against Naraku and somehow, if she were able, to help her brother escape his now-cursed life. She didn’t know whether that would be accomplished through fratricide or, preferably, an act which would manage to spare his life.

But then she thought of Kagome. Her gentle Kagome. As she closed her eyes and pictured her lover’s face in her mind, the image of her trembling beneath her eager mouth and hands also came unbidden to her mind’s eye in a rush of desire. She pushed the image aside quickly, but not before she allowed herself to picture Kagome giving her a little smile, a private, little smile full of longing just for her.

Sango had been so happy these past weeks. She and Kagome were both happy, she assured herself, and didn’t that matter as well? She shouldn’t, wouldn’t, feel guilty for that.

He’d had his chance if he’d truly wanted it, she reminded herself again. But she couldn’t help but wonder if he weren’t right in pursuing this. Did Kagome still have feelings for Inuyasha? So many times, she’d told Kagome she’d loved her. Not once had Kagome told her the same. And it hurt.

x x x x x

The two lay side-by-side in the soft grass of a sunny glade. Sango brushed her lips lightly over Kagome’s as they lay there, relaxed and lazy after struggling back into their clothing. Kagome toyed with a lock of Sango’s hair, twirling it around her fingers. Sango closed her eyes and sighed. Neither was quite willing to return to camp yet.

“Kagome,” Sango whispered against her lips. “Why don’t we just tell everyone?” The question had been nagging at her mind ever since the encounter with Inuyasha.

Kagome’s eyes widened a little and she let the lock of Sango’s hair fall from her fingers. “Tell everyone…you mean about this?”

“Yes, what else would I mean?”

“No, I don’t think we should.” Kagome’s back was rigid, tense and Sango wanted to reach out and pull her into her arms, but something stopped her and she squeezed her eyes tightly shut at the words. The salt of tears burned the edges of her eyes anyway, and she turned away quickly. She wasn’t sure why Kagome’s answer bothered her so much, but it did.

“But what would it matter? I wouldn’t care if the others knew.”

“It matters to me.” Kagome regarded her with narrowed eyes. “Let’s drop this, okay.”

“Why? What could be the harm? We wouldn’t have to sneak around, we could- ”

“No,” Kagome interrupted sharply. “Just no.” Kagome raised herself up into a sitting position and pulled her knees against her chest.

Sango took a steadying breath. Her hands were trembling and there was a sinking feeling in her gut.

This doesn’t mean anything, she reminded herself. Kagome simply doesn’t feel comfortable with everyone knowing yet. It would…complicate things.

These were reasonable assumptions, but deep inside Sango knew. She knew the question that she had to ask. She must ask Kagome before she invested too much of herself into their budding relationship. Before it was too late.

It’s already too late, a niggling voice inside of her head taunted. No use asking her. You know the answer already. It’s told in every hesitation, in what she leaves unsaid.

But what about the way she cries out when I touch her body, she protested, or the way she looks at me as she leans in to kiss me?

Sango felt a creeping dread deep within as she realized that there was only one way to solve her inner battle.

“Kagome,” Sango asked bluntly. “Are you still in love with Inuyasha?”

“No, of course not,” Kagome answered a little too quickly for Sango’s taste. “I wouldn’t be here with you if I did, would I?”

“Are you asking yourself that, or me?” Sango realized the question was aimed to antagonize, but she couldn’t help herself.

“How could you even ask that?”

“Then why does it bother you so much for everyone to know, Kagome?”

“I don’t,” Kagome hesitated. “It’s complicated, alright?” She gave Sango a quick, guilty look and turned away. “Maybe I don’t know how I feel, about anyone.”

“Do you love me?”

“No, I-“

“You mean you don’t love me?” Sango’s voice was rough with tears. She regretted asking the question immediately. She didn’t want to know. She felt as if her life was tumbling down around her. Again.

“No, Sango. I do love you. But yes, I guess I love Inuyasha as well. Or he loves me. I just don’t know.” She covered her face in her hands. “Can’t we just, I don’t know, not talk anymore?” Her voice was muffled and Sango realized she was probably crying as well. “You’re important to me. THIS is important to me.” She touched her cheek softly. “These last few weeks have been wonderful.”

Sango softened at the admission. It wasn’t what she’d been hoping for, but it was something.

“Me too,” she told her. “It’s meant a lot to me.”

But the words sounded worthless, false once she’d spoken them. Sango rebelled at the feeling and struggled for a way to express how she felt in words. When they didn’t come readily, she pulled herself up and pulled Kagome against her. “No, no, no,” she cried. “I’m sorry Kagome. You’re so much more than that to me. You’re my love, my life…” Her voice faltered. “I do want to tell the others. I don’t want to feel like this is something to hide, to be ashamed of. It’s too good for that. What we have is too precious.”

Kagome stiffened and shook her head. “I don’t want to tell the others. I’m not ready for that.”

Sango fought back a sob and pulled herself up. She began to hastily dress herself, trying to hide the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Okay,” she replied shakily. It was all she could manage. Neither spoke again until Sango had hefted up her hiraikotsu and prepared to leave the clearing.

Sango stood there for a moment and waited for a reply, anything, from Kagome. When she glanced behind her, she saw that Kagome was staring silently off into the distance and she was suddenly angry. She was angry at herself for asking the questions, angry at Kagome for not having the right answers. She and Kagome had been…seemed so perfect.

“I’m nothing to be ashamed of,” Sango hissed just before she turned to leave.

Kagome watched her go and said nothing in reply.

x x x x x

Kagome came to her the next night and knelt over her as she slept against Kirara.

“Sango,” she whispered. “I need to talk to you.”

“What is it?” Sango asked drowsily.

“I’ve decided to go home in the morning, Sango.”

“Oh,” Sango couldn’t help but let a little disappointment slip into her voice.

“When I get back, I can’t do this anymore.”

“What do you mean?” Sango asked with panic rising in her chest.

“I can’t sneak around anymore. It feels wrong. We’re all working to defeat Naraku and restore the jewel. It’s dangerous and we need to work with one another, not harbor secrets.”

“Why can’t we simply tell the others?”

“No, it’s selfish.” The shadows gave Kagome’s eyes a hooded appearance. “I can’t do that to Inuyasha.”

“He’d understand,” she protested in a weak voice. “What about what you and I want, Kagome? Doesn’t that matter?”

“We both have a duty to perform, that takes precedence over everything.”

“Duty doesn’t excuse you from living your life. You need this, Kagome, as much as I do. Why would you throw it away like that?”

“I don’t know.” Kagome brushed off her statement. “But I’m going home tomorrow and I’ll be back in a day or so, okay?”

Sango was silent.

“Be okay with this, Sango, you have to be.”

Sango saw that Kagome had tears in her eyes and it made her feel oddly placated. But she refused to cry now, not in front of Kagome while she was tossing their love away like an unwanted toy.

x x x x x

Kagome came back through the well a few days later. Sango wasn’t waiting for her there this time; she’d been asked by Kaede to assist with some menial task. When Sango saw her, she almost dropped the knife she was holding and rushed to her, but she didn’t.

Kagome paused briefly in front of the hut and gave her a cursory “Hello, Sango”. Tears stung Sango’s eyes as she retuned to her task. After a few minutes, she’d nicked her finger and the tears began to run in earnest down her cheeks. Only when she heard the others approach again, did she hurriedly brush the tears from her cheeks and straightened her dress self-consciously, as if her chaotic, saddened thoughts might somehow have transposed themselves over her physical form.

I’ve lost her.

Sunlight blazed forth through the open doorway of the hut, but to Sango, all around her appeared grey and lifeless.



AN: The next chapter will be the last. Review and let me know what you think.