Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters therein. This story is produced for entertainment, not profit. Please do not sue me. My characters: Michi, Tanaya, Nori, Michiko, Suki, Aiko, and any other non-cannon characters are mine and I do appreciate them not being kidnapped without permission. Thanks

Authoress' Notes: Well I don't believe it; I'm writing a sequel…willingly. So this whole things started with one review for "Family Ties" that questioned Tanaya's importance and that got me started. My brother and I talked about a bunch of ideas and finally came up with this. By the way this is a sequel to "Family Ties" so if you haven't read that, this isn't gonna make a whole lot of sense. Please enjoy it and to all of my reviewers… I'M BACK!!!!!

In demon puppetry the master controls the puppet with something hidden deep inside…

  - Sango from episode 25: Naraku's Insidious Plot

Cost

Dear Miroku,

            I found the information that you were seeking about resurrection, although I'm afraid the news isn't as positive as you hoped. It is possible to save to the dead, but price of this ritual… What it would cost… You'll have to read for yourself; I've included a copy of both the old text and my translation so you can look it over.

I'm sure the translations are correct. I'm sorry, I know you wanted to help Sango and her brother. Be careful with this information, in the wrong hands it would be dangerous.

Moushin has traveled to the mountains, an old friend of his is sick, so Tanaya and I will be alone for sometime. We are both well and enjoying our new life here. Be careful on your quest.  You are always in our prayers.

Love, Michi and Tanaya

***

Michi folded the note closed, placed it in the packet with the copies and sealed the package with wax. She smiled and looked at the demon in front of her, " Now Hachi, I need you to deliver this to Miroku as quickly as possible."

The badger demon nodded and held out his hands for the letter.

" That's a first; normally you ask for payment in advance." Michi laughed softly handing him the package. " Are you going to trust my cousin to pay you?"

He nodded again.

" You're awfully quiet; are you feeling alright?"

Another silent nod came from the 'messenger.'

Michi was about to question Hachi strange behavior, when her daughter's voice cried out to her.

" Mommy! Mommy!"

Michi turned away towards the sound of Tanaya's voice and called to her. " I'm at the front of the temple, Angel!" She turned back to face Hachi again, but he was gone. "Hachi?"

" Mommy! Look; look!" Tanaya grabbed her mother's leg.

Michi smiled down at her child. " What is it?"

Tanaya held up a piece of brunt paper. " I found this. I think it was one of the ward spells we use to protect the temple grounds."

Michi looked at the paper carefully. " You're right. We better go fix this, hadn't we?"

" Will you teach me how to write it?"

" If you wish." Michi looked back over the horizon a worried expression crossed over her features.

" Mommy!" Tanaya stomped impatiently.

" I'm coming, Angel." Michi ruffled her daughter's hair and they walked up the temple steps.

***

The wind picked up its howl as demons floated freely on the air. Elegant hands smoothed the paper of the letter and educated eyes skimmed its contents. The translated copy of the ritual was carefully examined and a phantom smile crossed over the figure's lips. Fingers reached into a small pouch and produced four smooth stones; each with name carved on it, and cast the stones into a small pool, by the figure's feet. The rose-colored stone floated to the top of the pool and bobbed on the water's surface. The fingers plucked the stone from the water and turned it to the light of the moon.

A wolf howled in the distance as the crickets chirped and the night birds sang out their songs. The smooth voice and its whisper were nearly lost in the nights clatter.

"Tanaya."
***

Kagome shielded her eyes from the sun and smiled contently, before Inuyasha disrupted the moment.

" Aren't you sensing anything?" He complained.

Kagome sighed and started concentrating, when something caught her eye. " Hey, Miroku, are those two-leveled buildings over there?"

The monk turned his eyes to where Kagome was pointed and fought the urge to cringe. " Yes, that would be Kyoto." He answered simply, while thinking: 'How did we get this close, without me noticing? I must have been distracted.'

" Houshi-sama, don't Michi's sisters live in Kyoto?" Sango questioned him.

" Yes, Nori and Michiko both live in…" Miroku began.

" Oh no! We ain't going to any more damn towns! I'm sick to death of people! We are gonna keep lookin' for jewel shards!" Inuyasha announced.

Miroku smiled thoughtfully, " I have to agree with Inuyasha this time. We have spent a great deal of time helping others instead of seeking the shards and since finding them is the only way to find Naraku. I think it's probably best to focus on them for the time being."

Inuyasha grinned triumphant, " See even the monk agrees. Let's go find jewel shards."

" I sense one." Kagome smiled brightly.

" Really? Where?" Inuyasha's ears picked up.

" That way." Kagome smirked and pointed towards Kyoto.

Inuyasha flopped onto the ground in exasperation, than sprang back to his feet. "Tell me you're kidding."

" Nope. Sorry. It's that way I'm sure."

Miroku cleared his throat. " In that case, why don't you all go on ahead and I will seek the jewel shard in Kyoto on my own."

" But I wanted to see Kyoto." Kagome complained. " It is the capital, after all."

Miroku sighed, " Yes, but our group isn't the type to just walk into a city like Kyoto."

Inuyasha glared down at the monk, " What's that supposed to mean?!?"

" I mean, I don't wish to travel to Kyoto and hear: Help, it's a demon!!" Miroku impersonated a terrified woman at the end of his explanation. " I can go myself and meet with up you in a few days."

" See that's the thing." Kagome pointed out to the monk. " We don't trust you alone, by yourself. You get into too much trouble."

" That's for sure." Sango agreed.

Miroku sighed heavily. " I suppose we're all going to Kyoto then."

" All right!" Shippou whooped joyfully. " I bet there's lots of good things to eat there."

" Yes, and since Miroku has family there, we won't have to cheat our way into a room for the night." Sango smiled.

" Yeah, but they're related to him do we really want to stay there. Remember last time?" Inuyasha huffed.

" I liked Michi and so did you. You just don't want to admit it." Kagome turned up her nose and started towards the city.

" Whatever." Inuyasha sulked and started walking with Kagome.

Sango laughed softly and started following her friends, before turning back to call to Miroku. " Houshi-sama, aren't you going to come with us?"

Miroku, who had been trying to listen to the wind, shook his head and turned back to Sango. " Of course. I just thought I heard something."

" I see. Are you looking forward to seeing your cousins?"

Miroku bit his cheek to keep from making an awful face. " Michi is by far my favorite relative. Nori, Michiko and I haven't always gotten along."

" Oh." Sango nodded and shifted her hiraikotsu higher on her back. " Do either of them have children?"

" Just Nori, she has two daughters."

" Three nieces than, once you count Tanaya."

" I suppose you're right. I don't usually think of them together like that."