Authoress' Notes: Okay, yeah so this ran away with me a bit. So ya'll get a longer chapter, but if it takes me a little more time to whip out the next, please be patient...it's gonna be harder to write, but I'll do my best. Basically I'm upping the emotion with this one!! There is a great Miroku/Sango scene and what was supposed to be a short Inu/Kagome scene that ran away with me completely. I hope everyone likes this chapter. Please review; I always appreciate it!!!

EDIT - In the edit mostly I just focused on the grammar again and fixing a couple little things I wasn't totally satisfied with.

Family Ties: Part 6

Sango had been walking to the guest room to fetch her flute, when she heard Miroku talking to Tanaya. She peered into the child's room and saw Miroku sitting on Tanaya's bed telling her a story. Tanaya was looking up at him with mystified, yet tired eyes. Sango paused in the hallway listening to Miroku spin the tale.

"He separated them from each other and attempted to use his poison on the warrior prince. Now the thief didn't realize the power the evil brother possessed and tried to aid the warrior prince, unfortunately the evil brother poisoned the thief."

Tanaya's eyes widened in fear, "Oh-no, did the thief die?"

"If you will listen I will tell you." Miroku tapped her nose and cleared his throat. "Now as I was saying, the thief was poisoned by the evil brother. The little spirit snuck under the evil brother and rescued the thief from the evil brother's clutches. The brothers clashed fiercely with sword and wicked whip both trying to gain an advantage over the other. The warrior prince's sword was knocked way by the evil brother's whip. The holy princess' reached her bow and arrows and attempted to stop the evil brother, but he struck her and knocked her away. The warrior prince didn't reach the holy princess in time to break her entire fall and she struck her head on the rocks."

Tanaya eyes widened with fear, "But she was okay wasn't she?"

" Who's telling this story?"

" Sorry Miko."

Miroku kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about it. I never listened without questions when I was your age. Now than, as I was saying: Thankfully the holy princess was only knocked out, not really hurt but unable to run away. The warrior prince called to the thief to come and take the holy princess away from the battle. But holy princess awoke and told the warrior prince that she needed to stay with him, but he shoved her away and told her to run and not return until the battle was over. The holy princess and little spirit helped get the thief to safety while the battle between the brothers raged on. After getting them to a cave the holy princess looked back to the battle and announced that she was going back to save the warrior prince. The thief warned her the warrior prince would be angry, the holy princess didn't care and went back anyway. The holy princess reached the battle just in time to save the warrior prince from his evil brother's final blow."

"The holy princess saved the warrior prince? Wow! She must be really strong!"

" Indeed, she was. And so the evil brother retreated and the holy princess rushed to the warrior prince. The two talked for a while and agreed that they would continue to travel to together until the evil brother and the Lord of Hell were defeated for good and the Spirit stone was whole once again."

Tanaya's mouth dropped open, "But how does end? Do they defeat the evil brother? Does the thief recover from his injury? Does he find someone to love? What about the prince and the princess, do they live happily ever after, even though they live so far away from each other?"

Sango let a soft smile pass over her lips as she listened to the two interact.

" Quite the storyteller isn't he?" Michi whispered to Sango.

Sango blushed furiously, embarrassed at being caught.

Michi walked by her and into her daughter's room. "You were supposed to be putting her to sleep, Love. Look at her, she's wide-awake with questions."

Miroku smiled and kissed Tanaya's head. "The story is still being written little angel. Now off to sleep with you."

"Oh, one more story, please!" Tanaya pleaded.

Michi kissed her daughter's forehead. "No. It's time to sleep. Goodnight Tanaya."

She huffed, disappointed, but snuggled beneath the covers. "Okay. Goodnight mama. Goodnight Miko."

" Goodnight father. Goodnight Kohaku. I love you." The words echoed in Sango's mind as she let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding. She quickly decided that she needed some fresh air to clear her mind.

Miroku watched her glide through the flower garden, with the kind of grace that any geisha would have killed for. The dark green kimono would have made her nearly invisible, but the ornate while, pink and golden flowers shined in the pale light from the outside torches. Her hair was out of its usual band and flowed freely around her face. He wanted to walk over and tuck the loose hair behind her ear and watch the shock register on her features. But she'd killed him for it and he as more content to just watch her. He caught a glimpse of her face as she turned to inspect a plant; her expression was wistful not sad as he expected it to be. Normally, when she walked on her own it was to hide the grief she carried with her over her fallen family and friends. He truly hadn't noticed her beauty before tonight, and he'd nearly gone speechless at the site of her. Before he'd seen her independence, strength, intelligence, pain-filled heart and yes that wonderfully formed body of hers, but he'd missed the true beauty of the woman that she was. He was in awe of how delicate the exterminator looked...

" Houshi-sama, how long are you going to stand there starring at me?" She called out to him, her tone amused if anything.

He laughed quietly as he walked up to her teasing, "Until you catch me and hit me with something."

Sango turned to face him, "I'm unarmed."

" That's no comfort knowing the strength you possess."

She chuckled under her breath and turned her gaze upward toward the stars. They enjoyed the peaceful quiet as wolves howled and crickets chirped out their night songs. "You aren't truly afraid of me, are you Houshi-sama?"

"Only when you're angry, Sango."

She nodded, apparently satisfied with his answer. "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

She bit her lip, before speaking. "Where did Michi learn the scholars' tongue?"

Miroku chuckled, "Moushin was never one for rules and I wasn't one for sitting still when I was young." He smiled. "I should explain that Michi was training to be a priestess, before her father married her off to Ryu. She was older when she began her training; so to understand the basics she trained with Moushin, who was trying to train me. Moushin didn't have the patience to keep reclaiming my attention, so he would teach both of us the lessons and then Michi would pound, and I do mean pound, them into me later." He laughed again at some far off memory.

Sango glanced up at him, and felt her heart jumped at the honest smile on his face. "She must be very intelligent, than. I would assume that she can read as well."

"She reads very well and has a fluent writing form. She's teaching Tanaya to read and write as well."

" That's a very rare thing, especially among woman. That'll serve Tanaya well." Sango smoothed the skirt of her outfit.

" That's my hope."

" Michi doesn't speak of her husband at all and I notice that he isn't here, was he killed recently?" Sango wondered.

'If only.' Miroku thought, there certainly wasn't any love lost between he and Ryu, Michi's dear husband. The man was a moron and completely undeserving of someone like Michi. He didn't want alarm Sango with what he was thinking, so his response was simple and civil. "He tends the back fields. Michi says that it's common for him to stay out there for days at a time."

"I would imagine that she isn't very fond of him then; not surprising since she was training to be a priestess and not a wife. It's probably hard to have all that knowledge and not be able to really use it." Sango tugged on the sleeve of the kimono.

Miroku looked down at the exterminator, shocked at the fact that she'd known what he'd really been thinking.

"Your face slipped." Sango told him answering his unasked question.

"What do you mean?"

She smiled softly, "Since we've been here, you've been more relaxed. I've been able to see your emotions on your face. It's a nice to see you honest." She glanced up into those startled eyes and decided to let him off the hook she'd dangled him on. "Your eyes look blue in this light, I always thought they had a purple hint to them."

"Well that it is a royal color." He smiled grateful for the change in subject.

"I've never been found of royalty." Sango smirked.

"That is why, I am so glad, you see me as blue." He raised his eyebrows as Sango rolled her eyes.

"You misinterpret me, Houshi-sama," She pushed his hand away from the small of her back, before it had a chance to slip and she'd have to lose her temper. "I see you as what you are."

"Then you are a rare woman indeed."

Sango looked up at him startled by the compliment. "Thank you, Miroku."

He didn't answer her, but simply nodded and the two slipped back into comfortable silence. 'She actually said my name.' He noted to himself, he rather liked the way it rolled off her tongue; with the slight accent she had from her region. He was tempted to make mention of her slip, but decided against it, it would only make her angry and as beautiful as she was when displaying that emotion; he wanted her company. He decided to resume their conversation, "May I ask what drew you out here?"

" Thinking." She rubbed her arms as she folded them beneath her chest and smiled thoughtfully.

" Pleasant thoughts I take it."

" Pleasant memories would be more accurate."

Miroku was surprise by her statement. Normally when she spoke of her past, she focused simply on her learned knowledge of demons and the pain she felt by Naraku's hand. He touched her shoulder chastely. "I would love to hear about this pleasant memory of yours."

Sango turned her face away to hide the blush that colored her cheeks. "You'll laugh at me."

Miroku blinked surprised at her reaction. He gently turned her face back towards his. "I would never."

She felt herself blush even redder, if it were possible. She brushed away his hand away not able to concentrate with the contact. "My father. You reminded me of my father." She whispered nearly inaudibly.

His eyes widened, he knew how much Sango loved her father and for her to compare them seemed completely ludicrous. He kept his voice steady and calm and he asked, "How so?"

"When I was Tanaya's age, even younger, my father would come home and spin me tales of his demon slayings. He would sit on the edge of my bed and recount the stories so vividly that I could see them if I closed my eyes." She paused and drew a deep breath. "Since we've been here I've been flooded with memories of my family and how much I miss my old life...I mean seeing you and Michi it...it reminds me of Kohaku and the things I miss most about..."

Miroku heard the chocked sob. She had dropped her gaze admits recounting her memories. He raised her chin and stared into her deep brown eyes as tears streaked down her face.

"I'm sorry. I was so happy before and now..." She stopped as Miroku brought his finger to her lips and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the other.

" Don't be sorry." He held her face in his hands and the moment froze for an instant.

It was one of those points in time, where the people in it, forget who they are and just exist to be near the other person. Their breathing evened and he lowered his face to hers; just as he could feel her breath she spoke.

" Houshi-sama," She licked her lips and tried to breathe, "are you going to kiss me?"

Miroku involuntarily smirked at the tremor in her voice, he knew that tremor; it was desire floating below inhibition. He was impressed at his own control since when she'd licked her lips, she's gotten his as well. "Do you want me to?" He figured he should answer her question.

Sango thought her heart would explode it was beating so hard. She could taste his breath, feel the warmth of his body radiate into hers, but she couldn't...not like this... "No."

He would have been offended, but the waver in her voice was still there. He smiled and didn't make an effort to move as he whispered. " Very well. You tell me when you do and I'll be happy to oblige you." He kissed her forehead and left her standing in complete confusion.

Miroku entered the house and met Michi in the doorway.

"I wish you wouldn't do that." She lamented.

" What? I haven't done anything to you. I've been outside a for while now." A satisfied smile crossed over his features.

"That is what I am talking about." Michi sighed sadly. "I saw you. You overstep your bounds."

"I didn't do anything." Miroku defended.

"But you would have." Michi narrowed her eyes at her cousin. "She is taijiya, is she not?"

"Yes, but I..."

" Miroku, she has no one; her village was destroyed; her people, killed. She has nothing and no one."

Miroku didn't answer as the two stared at each other.

"Have your fun, Love; I can't fault you for that, but have with someone who has no reputation or with someone whose family can rescue them. All she has is her innocence. If ever she wants a family life, she has nothing to bring to husband save her purity. Her spirit and strength should be enough, but they won't be. Don't make a game out of her." Michi pleaded.

"I care for her, I wouldn't do that." Miroku was agitated by the lecture. "There is something about her that I feel, but I..." He trailed off not knowing what to say.

" There's a big difference between love and lust." Michi pointed out.

"I know that." He glared at his cousin.

Michi sighed and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I don't mean to make you angry, but I want you to be careful." She started walking out of the home.

" Michi, be careful of what?" He called to her.

"Of yourself, Love, of yourself." She answered walking away.

Miroku shook his head and started back through the house, when he noticed the papers on the floor. Kneeling down he picked them up and sifted through them. They were all written in Michi's fluid, elegant hand, but one caught his attention more than the others. It had been written some time ago, but hadn't been dated. The edges were stained with dirt and blood.

"My baby was taken – my second little girl – He took her from me. I dug up her grave; her little neck had been broken. I didn't give him what he wanted. So comes the revenge of a man. All men want are heirs; children they have no use for."

Miroku clenched his fists and took a deep cleansing breath. After a few moments of being still he decided that meditation was not going to help this situation. This was righteous indignation and that no god in heaven or hell would hold him accountable. He checked on Tanaya, who was happily chatting with her doll, then told Kagome he was going into town and would be back later. He grabbed his staff from where he had left it against the door; Ryu would pay dearly for this atrocity.

Kagome wasn't sure what was wrong with Miroku, and she was no in a hurry to go chasing after him to find out. He'd looked ready to kill; his eyes were frighteningly cold. He'd been so curt with her that she hadn't even thought of asking him what was wrong. He told her that he was going to town and would be back later in the evening, but the teasing smile he'd attempted, looked so fake that Kagome knew something had happened. Maybe he'd gotten into a fight with Michi. In her own experience if she and Souta were having a spat one of them usually stalked off and this was Michi's house, so that would make sense.

She looked around the sitting area, finding herself devoid of conscious company. Nia had already bid her goodnight and left for her room, Shippou was asleep curled up next to the fire and Kirara was almost asleep too. Okay now, Michi went looking for Miroku and Sango and it looked like she had found Miroku at least, but now where were Sango and Michi? She knew Inuyasha was sulking somewhere trying to stay out of sight and away from people, so she wasn't too worried about him. Kagome yawned and decided that everyone could take care of themselves for the night, she was going to get a good night's sleep. She found a blanket for Shippou and covered him up before walking back to the guestroom.

She found it fairly easy to walk in the kimono; maybe she'd start wearing one, when she stayed here. She stepped on the kimono and down she went. Thud. "Then again, I think not." Kagome sighed and picked herself off the ground and rubbed her sore knees. She was relieved that no one had seen her and retrieved the candle from the floor. Surprisingly, despite her ungraceful move, the candle had landed on its stand and the flame was still burning. She walked into the guest room and noticed that Inuyasha was sitting in the corner. She thought he was sleeping and tried to creep in as quietly as possible, shading the candle to block the light.

"I'm awake." He voiced, startling Kagome, who dropped the candle again. Inuyasha snatched it up before anything could catch on fire, namely him, and set it away from Kagome. He looked at her, as she tried to catch her breath from the fright he'd given her. Her hand over her heaving chest, eyes wide open, mouth parted trying to pull in as much air as possible. The candle shed an eerie light over her features and illuminated those beautiful eyes of hers. The whole scene was tantalizing to his human senses as he leaned forward trying to make sure she was okay.

"I didn't mean to scare ya." He admitted, lifting her face by placing his hand on the side of her neck and using his thumb to tip it up. That was a bad move on his part for two reasons: one, he was close enough to smell her and two, he could feel her pulse racing under his fingers.

Kagome felt the blush fly into her cheeks at the sensation at his touch. " Oh that's okay." She managed to squeak out, before swallowing hard. Nope he still had his hand there against her neck. "I just didn't realize you were awake." She was staring right into his eyes, although she found herself almost wishing they were yellow.

"Were you planning on doing something to me if I wasn't?" He asked, with a perverted smirk.

Kagome managed a frustrated sound and pulled away from him a bit. Her skin was still tingling from his touch, but she managed to huff at him. " That's it, I'm never leaving you and Miroku alone again."

Inuyasha got a devilish smile on his face, "So which one of us are you taking down to bathe with?"

Kagome's mouth dropped open in shock and she couldn't come up with a decent come back. "I'm going to bed." She muttered defeated.

Inuyasha didn't want this game to end. He was winning damn-it! It wasn't fair for her to quit when he was on a role. Especially when he was having fun. He watched her adjust her bed and prepare to climb in when he asked, "Can I come too?"

Kagome rolled her eyes; she knew how to end this little game, without even a 'sit.' "Only if you are cold and you say please." She smiled triumphantly, knowing that his pride wouldn't let him do either. She heard a little grunt come from him and she pulled back the covers, when his arm suddenly appeared around her waist.

" Please, can I come to bed? I'm very, very cold." He whispered into her ear, not missing her shocked sound or feel of her heart rate double. He'd have to try this again sometime, when he was hanyou and had his sharper senses.

Kagome was trying to remember how to breathe. ' First in then out right?' She couldn't believe how close he was to her, how every one of her nerves was practically on fire. Then she heard him chuckle, her face dropped. He was still playing; it was a game to him. "Let go." She whispered pain filling her voice and tears filling her eyes.

Inuyasha didn't let go, but leaned around her to get a look at her face. Why was she crying? Had he hurt her somehow? She sniffled and pushed at his arm, but he didn't budge.

"Let go, please." She struggled against him. "I don't wanna play anymore. You win, okay."

Had he been in his hanyou form his ears would have flicked. "What did I do? Are you upset 'cause I beat you?"

Kagome squirmed in his arms, "No. I just..." She trailed off and tried not to cry. "I'll say it!" She threatened half-heartedly.

" Don't do that." He barked at her.

"Why cause then I'll win?" She managed to get herself half turned in his arms so she could look into his eyes.

Inuyasha chuckled again and brushed the tears from her face. "No, if you do that I'll land on you. That'll hurt, you."

Kagome thought about that for moment, then took a better look at their seating arrangement. She was sitting between his legs; pinned by his thighs, actually, and his one arm was securely wrapped around her. Nope, she wasn't going anywhere until he was done playing. She wanted to go to sleep; her heart hurt. "Let me go so I can sleep, okay?"

"Why so you can cry half the night? Tell me what I did!" Inuyasha released his hold on her waist, but kept her trapped between his legs. He held her face in his hands, so he could see her face better. He hated these human senses they were too damn dull. Finally seeing that she was only going to fight him some more he decided to tip the scales in his favor. Okay swallow the pride; win the war. "Please, tell me."

Kagome wasn't sure what to think, two pleases in one night? Of course the first one had been purely in play, but this one was honest. The closeness between them was mind numbing. "I don't want to be a game to you." More tears flowed down her face.

" Don't cry." He whispered and wiped the tears away. " You aren't a game."

She lost it and started bawling. Wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his chest. "Why are you so mean to me?"

Inuyasha could barely hear her words over her sobs, and he cursed the night again. He held her in his arms and smoothed her hair trying to whisper some sort of comfort to her. The scent of jasmine invaded his senses and he rested his head on top of Kagome's. "I don't intend to be cruel all the time, it slips sometimes." She sniffled and looked up at him. "I've got rotten people skills remember?" He reminded her.

Kagome smiled though her tears. "Yeah, one day I'll fix that."

He smirked back, glad to have her happy again. "And I'll become a demon the next."

Kagome huffed, "If I wasn't wearing this I'd challenge you to the tickle fight of your life!"

Inuyasha looked at her again and straightened the shoulders of the garment. " It looks nice on you. Now come on, let's get some sleep." He started to get up, when she grabbed his wrist.

" Sleep here and keep me warm?" She requested.

"If that's what you want." He huffed and let her lie down, before settling in next to her. They both shifted a few times, trying to get comfortable with the sleeping arrangement. Kagome ended up using him as a pillow and Inuyasha had his arms wrapped around her waist. After he was sure she was fast asleep he informed her. "I'm cruel to protect you from me. I can't hurt you, if I don't let you get close. I really do care about you. I'm sorry."

Tanaya cradled her doll in her arms as she felt her eyelids get heavy. " Suki, I've got a secret. I talked to a white monkey today and he said he'd bring me a present." She smiled happily and squeezed her doll before cocking her head to one side as if she heard something outside her window. She scrambled out of bed and pushed the curtain to one side.

The white baboon was playing a flute from the tree he was sitting in. " Come out and play, Tanaya. I have your gift."

Tanaya looked behind her than scrambled out the window, without another thought.

Suki, forgotten in the rush fell against the floor with a thud, causing a crack to run down her porcelain face.

Ducks the flying objects I'm sorry, I guess that was a bit off a drop off...well catch ya next time...but you know my muse LOVES reviews

Original Reviewer Responses:

Special thanks to:

Nuklear Firefly, Coherentidiot, xX Iron-Reaver Xx, hikari, Pizza Is Cheesy, Araki-chan, BabyPrin, Jaid Skywalker – Okay guys I love you more than life itself but its 12:30 and I have my friend's sick little girl to watch...I figured you'd rather have me update than respond to all the reviews and make you wait...But: Thanks for laughing!! – I'm glad you liked the comedy! Yes I expect coherent reviews, but will accept ones that border or are far from it... Yes the "Two lecher" line is mine and yes I love it, but I'm happier that you do!! Please don't scare the authoress, I'll run into my little hole in the ground! But anyways, thank you for the reviews they are so encouraging!!