Authors Note: Huzzah! A new chapter, and so quick! Honestly, I am on such a roll with this story that it's practically insane. :p I would be very happy and appreciative if you would review, and maybe get others to read and review. Not beta'd.

Updated: February. 14, 2012 HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you," InuYasha warned just as Miroku placed his hand on the the librarys door handle. Miroku looked over his shoulder.

"By the sound of your tone, it may be detrimental to my health if I do."

"It just may be."

"Why is that mon copin?" His terrible french earned him a raised eyebrow.

"The reason is simply that Sango is in a study grind."

"Isn't she always?"

"Oh, no. You have seen Sango, dabbling in her studying, if I may call it that. No, you've never seen her half as serious as she is right now. She has a test coming up- Political Studies, I believe- and she is very up-tight. She snapped at me when I said good morning." InuYasha mused.

He was right. If the studying Sango that he'd seen was taking it easy, then this Sango must be half-possessed. It didn't sound promising. Still, he didn't remove his hand from the door.

"It seems to me that she has the drive to do anything."

"Definitely."

"Then why does she push herself so hard? She could make herself ill with all this studying and overwork."

"She'll be fine. I mean, you're looking after her, and beyond that so are we. We know how fragile humans can be." There was a distinct sound to his voice. Miroku couldn't put a label on it because he didn't think he could do it justice. The best he could say was 'loss'. Something had deeply affected InuYasha where humans were involved. He decided to leave it alone.

"I never thought about it before, but, you guys are like family, aren't you?" He asked gently, finally taking his hand from the door. He leaned against the wall and fixed his attention on the hanyou. InuYasha was wearing a red t-shirt and jeans but managed to make them look more refined. Perhaps it was the confidence he carried himself with. Rather he thought that it was the intelligence in those golden eyes. His age helped too, Miroku was sure.

"I've known Sango since she was four." Miroku pictured Sango as a little girl, and smiled.

"How did you guys meet? Were you her babysitter or something?" Miroku asked.

"As if. I had enough of a time helping to raise Shippo after his father died."

"You helped raise Shippo?" He never would have guessed that InuYasha had had a hand in rearing the kitsune.

"Of course, though I nearly wanted to kill him sometimes. That fox magic and his tricks got him into trouble many times, and mostly with me. He had the tendency of sticking heavy rocks to my hands and leaving me there. Or he would turn into a giant pink balloon and gnaw on my head." InuYasha paused with a chuckle. "He wasn't too good at transformation back then, and it would get him into bad situations. The little brat didn't learn for at least two years, though it felt more like ten..." The hanyou trailed off, reaching down to tie his shoe.

Miroku tried to imagine a young Shippo. He'd have only have one tail, and Miroku could only guess at his size. Try as he might, he couldn't quite picture it. He gave up.

"So, how did you meet Sango? And why are you so close? She'd cloaked in your aura, and Shippos, and that of another demon that I don't know. She must be very important to you, for her well being to warrant such protection."

"It's true. Sango is very important, but you aren't ready for that story yet. You'll figure it out eventually if you keep on the track you're on. As for hoe she came under our protection, well, that story doesn't quite belong to me. It's Sangos story to tell." InuYasha straightened and fixed Miroku with a stare that told him he would divulge no more. Then InuYasha surprised him by tilting his head back slightly and putting one of his impressive claws on his chin. "Honestly, I think that she will tell you. Just be patient, don't pry, and be yourself."

The hanyou smiled in a softer way than the author had realized he could, and extended his hand to pat him once on the shoulder, as he had done before. Then he turned and left Miroku alone to reflect on the things he had just heard.