Authoress' Notes: The End... well kinda but YAY you made it!

Family Ties: Part 18

Everyone was getting ready to travel. The sun had risen hours ago and Inuyasha had already been 'sat' three times due to his impatient attitude. Miroku had groped Sango and got an over-zealous beating for it, making the others wonder if something had happened between them. Shippou kept running off and hiding, so they wouldn't leave, but Inuyasha kept dragging him back. Kagome had given Michi some things from her backpack. Tanaya had been pouting all morning and there wasn't anything any of them could do about it. Finally the group was ready to leave.

Michi handed a package to each of the girls, "I want you to have these. As my thanks for everything you've done for me."

Kagome open the corner of the package and recognized the fabric instantly. " This is the kimono that you let me use the other night. I can't accept this."

Sango nodded and tried to hand her package back along with Kagome.

" Nonsense, I fixed them up so you could take them. I'll be insulted if you don't accept them." Michi informed the girls, before looking back at her sniffling daughter. "Tanaya, you need to come say goodbye to everyone."

Tanaya dragged her feet as she walked up to the group. She hugged both of the girls and bid them goodbye. She tugged on Inuyasha's pant-leg to get his attention.

He leaned down, "What?"

Tanaya held up a piece of paper, for him to inspect.

Inuyasha wasn't sure how to respond; he sure as hell couldn't read it.

" Tanaya, your writing is still hard to read. Tell Inuyasha what it says." Michi encouraged.

Tanaya pointed out the words as she spoke. "It says: Thank you for carrying me. Travel well, Lord Inuyasha."

Inuyasha took the paper from her and folded it up, before tucking it in one of his pockets. He ruffled her hair and gave her a half-smile. "No problem. Stay out of trouble."

Tanaya inched over to Shippou and kissed his cheek. "I'm gonna miss you. You're a lot of fun to play with. Travel well."

"I'll come back I promise." Shippou told her.

Tanaya finally walked to Miroku. "Am I not going to see you for two whole years again?"

Miroku pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "No, I promise I'll be back before then. I'll come visit in the spring. You have my word, little Angel."

"I love you, Miko. Good travel."

"I love you too, Tanaya. Be good for your mother and Moushin." Miroku set her on the ground and squeezed her hands. "I bet I can convince Hachi to come see you sometime."

" Okay." Tanaya sniffled again and ran back to the temple so they couldn't see her crying.

" She'll be fine." Michi assured Miroku, after she noted his worried expression. She hugged Kagome, "You take care of yourself. Do you have enough medicine for your wounds?"

" Thank you, and yeah, I'll be fine, don't worry. Feel better." Kagome smiled.

" Thank you. Travel well."

Michi hugged Sango and teasingly pleaded. "Keep that cousin of mine out of trouble."

" Impossible." Sango chuckled as the woman pulled away.

"Too true. You take good care of yourself. It was very nice to meet you."

"And you as well."

Michi leaned down to Shippou and hugged him. "Thank you for all your help little one."

Shippou pulled away and smiled. "I didn't mind. I had a lot of fun."

"I'm glad." Michi brushed the dirt off her skirt and walked up to Inuyasha. She took a hold of his hands and cleared her throat. " Thank you for protecting my child and for saving me."

Inuyasha surprised everyone by pulling Michi into a hug. They all stood slack-jawed at the sight of Inuyasha voluntarily hugging someone other then Kikyou or Kagome.

Michi was shocked to say the least, then suddenly it all made sense as she heard him whispered.

"I can't promise he won't die, but if he lives long enough...I will kill Naraku and free him from the curse." Inuyasha's voice was so quiet that Michi was the only one who could have heard it.

" Thank you." She whispered back and let go of him.

Inuyasha grunted an affirmation and jerked his thumb towards the path. " Come on lets get going. Miroku, catch up to us after you say your goodbyes. This mushy crap's makin' me sick."

Kagome sighed and sat down on Kirara. "Bye Michi. Bye Tanaya." She waved to the little girl and followed behind Inuyasha.

"Bye Tanaya!! Bye Michi." Shippou waved from Sango's shoulder.

Sango waved as well. "Goodbye."

Miroku watched the group walk up the path. "That's the path that leads to the nearest village, if you follow it straight. It takes a day and half to there by-path; a day if you travel through the woods, but I wouldn't suggest it, its dangerous. At the fork in the path if you take the road to the East and then to the North you'll get to Kyoto but it's more than a three-day journey. So be careful it's a dangerous path. Around here it's usually not too dangerous, but be aware..."

" Miroku," Michi placed her hand on his shoulder. "I know. I used to live here. Just be careful traveling. Do you have enough herbs for healing? And of course you know what's safe to eat and what's not. And..."

" Michi," Miroku smiled in spite of himself. "I know. I've been traveling for some time." He chuckled. "We were never good at farewells were we?"

"No." Michi drew in an unsteady breath. "Sango's very sweet. Take care of her, she's special."

"I know. It almost makes me ashamed for all the things I'd love to do to her."

" Eck!" Michi swatted him on the back of the head. " You're terrible. You're going to leave me after saying that?!?"

Miroku smiled and kissed her cheek. "Yeah, this way you won't cry."

Michi hugged him trying to hold back her tears. "Now I am." She squeezed him tighter for a moment. "Take care of yourself, Love."

Miroku pulled away and looked her in the eye. "I'll be back in the spring, unless the wind-tunnel is damaged, then I'll be back sooner."

"Then I don't want to see you until spring." Michi shoved him gently. " Get going, or you'll never catch them."

" Goodbye Michi. I love you."

"I love you too, Miroku. Goodbye; travel well. You'll be in my prayers." Michi turned her back and started walking towards the temple. "Never look back, Love; move always to the future."

Miroku walked up the path a little ways and found Sango waiting for him at the first curve. "Couldn't resist getting me alone?" He raised his eyebrows.

"More worried about you being alone; you always get into trouble." Sango grabbed his hand started walking.

" You're holding my hand."

"I know. This way I know where it is." Sango announced triumphantly before her ringing shout of anger sounded through the forest. " Houshi-sama remove your other hand before I do!"

The End