Hi guys! I'm here with another chapter since y'all have been so patient with me and my crazy schedule. It's just a filler episode, but I still hope you enjoy it!

Miroku's teasing comes to Sango not in the form of caresses or cheeky gropes but with tantalizing stares, haunting smirks, and a gaze that burns straight through her. From the moment Sango walks into the building, Miroku knows something is wrong, yet Sango ignores his questions and goes to do what she does best: she edits—distracting herself from Kohaku and Kuranosuke and Miroku and life.

She slips into the lives of her characters—one running from a past she thought was over and done with and one who's got more baggage than he can cope with. The manuscript consumes her attention long past lunch, dinner, and the end of everyone else's work day. She doesn't want to stop until the manuscript is finished or her hands bleed from writing too much. Whichever comes first.

Around 8pm, a hand wraps around hers, warm fingers comforting but firm. The hand demands she stops and pays attention to the owner. To reality. Sango blinks as she looks up at Miroku's handsome face, his features blurry after hours of staring at black text stretched across white paper. The concern in his devilish violet eyes reminds Sango why she went on an editing frenzy in the first place and tears touch her eyes.

"Hi…" she croaks, her voice scratchy from not being used all day. Miroku runs his thumb over her cheek, and she leans into his palm, his touch calming her fragile heart.

"Let's get you home, love…" Miroku murmurs, gently taking a hold of Sango's calloused and ink-stained hands and lifting her from her chair. She lets him. She's lost all urge to edit or to fight him. She grabs her phone, purse, and coat, following close behind Miroku. They step into the elevator, and she instantly hugs him, standing on tip toes to kiss him desperately. Miroku falls into the kiss, knowing how much Sango needs this. She needs comfort. Mr. Taisho called him earlier in the day, letting Miroku know about the court date and that Kuranosuke will probably try to be in touch with Sango before it even begins. Sesshomaru thought Kohaku would be safer at his home instead of Sango's small apartment, so he's staying with Rin until after the trial. Miroku's thankful for Sesshomaru's quick thinking and concern since that means he can focus most of his attention on Sango and her needs.

"How was your day, Miroku? I didn't really see you…" Sango murmurs once she's safely tucked into Miroku's car. He smiles and takes a hold of her hand, kissing the back of it softly.

"It was fine. You make teasing you very hard when you're too busy working," Miroku chimes, giving Sango a cheeky smile.

Sango just sighs, "Yeah…sorry…I needed a distraction," Miroku squeezes her hand, and her sad brown eyes fall onto the caring, sweet, gaze on his face.

"You don't need to apologize to me. Ever. I understand, Sango, and I want you to know I'm here for you," Miroku says, his words twisting her heart tightly as a smile finally taints her chapped lips.

"Thank you…"

"Did Kohaku or Mr. Taisho talk to you today?" Miroku asks after passing through another bad traffic jam.

"No…what about?" Sango retorts, nibbling at her bottom lip with worry.

"Nothing bad, love! Mr. Taisho thinks Kohaku will be safer at his estate than in your apartment, so he's over there now. I hope that's okay…" Miroku mumbles, and Sango nods.

"Yeah. Yeah that's fine…" she says, and Miroku lets the silence fall over them once again. He parks his car at her apartment before getting out and opening the door for her. Miroku pulls Sango into his arms, hugging her there in the parking lot.

"It will be fine," Miroku whispers in her ear, his breath teasing the soft skin and Sango smiles brighter. Her eyes close as she lets his warmth consume her. His arms engulf her small frame, pulling Sango protectively against his body as if he can protect her from all her pain. Her arms slowly float around his waist, hugging him closer and closer to him. She's afraid she might break if it weren't for the man in front of her, and that is something she has never once felt. She's never once thought she needed to rely so heavily on someone as she emotionally relies on Miroku right now.

Slowly, he pulls away, kissing her forehead, nose, cheek, and finally her lips with the gentlest of kisses. She smiles up at him, and silently they both walk into the apartment complex, making their way up the stairs to Sango's floor. Once she puts the key in the door, she can tell something is off. Loud voices and clattering dishes can be heard within, and Sango cocks a brow towards Miroku. He just smiles down at her.

"I thought you could use the distraction," he mumbles, pushing the door open with one hand on the small of her back. She steps inside and sees Ayame and Kagome in the kitchen, both wearing aprons with sizzling pans in one hand and utensils in the other. Inuyasha and Koga sit at the island, a beer in their hands as they bicker about which one of them is more important in the company. As usual. Kagome sees Sango and squeals, setting the pan and spatula down, running across the apartment and pulling her friend in a tight hug.

"You're home! Welcome! I'm sorry I wanted dinner done before you got here! Come sit, girlie. Let me get you a beer," she cries, dragging Sango and Miroku into the apartment where they joined the boys at the island. Sango hugs her friends, accepts the beer from Kagome, and then goes to stand next to Miroku. There are not enough chairs at the island, yet the next thing she knows, Miroku lifts her from the floor and sets her on his lap. She blushes brightly when he smiles and Kagome and Ayame coo at their cuteness.

"Comfortable?" Miroku asks, and she nods.

"You?" she whispers and he grins, nodding as he happily wraps his arms around Sango's waist.

"I hope you're hungry! We made a feast!" Ayame cries, a soothing smile on her lips. Sango sips at her beer, realizing her friends bought her favorite brand.

"I am, thank you!" Sango chimes, "So why did you guys break in and make me a feast?" she adds, her curiosity bubbling up within her.

Inuyasha scoffs, "Dude, you looked like a zombie today,"

"You didn't leave your desk once, and you didn't even hear me when I came over to talk to you," Kagome murmurs, a pointed stare on her face.

"That's their way of saying we were worried about you. You didn't text us after you left to get your brother," Ayame says, flipping a wooden spoon through the fried rice in front of her. At the mention of last night and Kohaku, Sango takes a long drag from her beer, wanting the liquor to numb her pain though she knows it'll take more than the light beer in her hand.

"Yeah…that's a long story," she mumbles.

"We've got ample time," Koga suggests, and so Sango tells them everything as Ayame finishes cooking and Kagome sets the dining room table. By the time she finishes, everyone is silent though the anger in the room is palpable.

"I can't believe that fucker…" Inuyasha growls, his deep voice consuming the apartment with his rage.

"I know," Sango sighs.

"What are you going to do, girlie?" Kagome asks, setting her hand gently on Sango to comfort her, though she knows Miroku has been rubbing small circles along Sango's side to calm her during her story.

"Sesshomaru has hired a lawyer and is taking care of Kohaku until the trial. He says it is safer for him. I guess all I need to do is be there to support Kohaku, and to prove to Kuranosuke he doesn't control me any longer," Sango explains, taking another sip of beer.

"You can trust Mr. Taisho,"

"As much as I hate my brother, I agree with Kagome…he is trustworthy," Inuyasha grumbles and his contradicting statement has Sango giggling.

"Thank you, guys..."

"Now! Time to eat. It's gonna get cold," Ayame says before she and Kagome move all the food to the table. Miroku helps Sango safely get to her feet, following after her as the friends make their way to Sango's small table. Jokes and insults flutter around, distracting Sango from her misery as she focuses on just her friends. These are the people who have always been there for her; who have seen her at her best and at her worst. Most of them know the full story of Kuranosuke, and don't judge her for the times her panic consumes her. They know how much she's been through and will always be there to make her feel better. The night flies by, the sky darkening until all that can be seen is pitch black over the city lights, and all that can be heard is pure, giddy, laughter and happiness.

Next chapter: THE TRIAL!