And here it is….the next chapter. Yeah I'm planning a bit of romance, but it can only last for so long…-insert evil laughter here-

Chapter 13 - A lil' Romance

Recap:

Lucky for Maki, Taka had been snatched by slumber also, so she was able to creep quietly back to her bed, assuming a sleep position. She knew there'd be many questions for her when Taka awoke.

Yawning, Taka brushed her super long red hair out of her eyes and glanced around. Hiroka was drooling in her sleep and Asako was muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'I don't want no cheese'. Maki was curled up, breathing unusually heavy.

Realizing that she had fallen asleep waiting for her sister, Taka didn't know what time she got in. And seeing that Maki was still in her kimono, she guessed it hadn't been long.

"Hey, sleeping beauty, wake up!" She said, nudging Maki.

When Maki opened her eyes she made a big show of yawning and looking really sleepy until Taka shut down her masquerade by saying, "You're still in your kimono, you have a leaf in your hair and you looked way to content smiling to yourself there while you were supposed to be 'sleeping'…Nice try Makers, when did you really get back?"

Defeated Maki sighed, "about fifteen minutes ago."

"Holy crap! What the hell happened?" Taka exclaimed loudly.

"Shh! Everyone doesn't need to know," Maki cringed as Hiroka stirred.

"No, really kid, what happened?"

"Well…basically he took me to the big, empty field on the other side of the south forest and the fireflies came out. There were thousands of them, flitting around looking as if they were dancing. He sat against a tree and I kind of…um… sat on him to…er… keep warm," Maki saw her sister wasn't buying the last bit but continued anyways, " and we fell asleep I guess."

"Interesting… but seriously, to 'keep warm'? Ha, my ass. You liiike him! Oooooh!"

Maki felt her face heat up as her sister taunted her.

Taro winked at the pretty hanyou girl across the table. He'd been told her name was Hiroka and the she was Inuyasha's daughter. He'd also witnessed the obvious over friendly interest one of the taijiya's young sons, Yashii, had taken in her.

She smiled and winked back, then returned to her breakfast.

Afterwards, while the adults recalled one of their 'adventures' for the hundredth time, Taro got a chance to talk to her.

"Well hello there," he said, flashing his winning smile.

"Hey," she said distractedly, keeping an eye on Yashii. Kenzo had given up long ago, finding a new object of affection, but his twin was ever persistent.

"Um...bad time?" he asked somewhat disappointedly.

"Oh, what…no not at all," Hiroka said, smiling and putting her worries aside.

"Oh," Taro sighed," that's good. Hiroka right?"

"Yep, that's me. And your Taro."

"How did you ever know?" He asked is mock surprise.

"Well you look like your dad, and he brags none-stop about you," she said, giggling.

"Really? I never paid attention to what they were going on about," Taro replied.

"I usually don't but I was in trouble and dad didn't want to let me out of his sight."

"Trouble? What did you do?" He asked, interested.

Smiling guiltily she revealed, "flooded the bathhouse.'

Taken back he gasped, "That was you? How did you manage to do that by yourself?"

Giggling again Hiroka said, "Didn't do it by myself, I had…help… from Taka and Maki."

Laughing they started walking, Hiroka retelling some of her demeanours.

"Dad?" a small voice said in the middle of the night.

"Takari? What is it?" Miroku said, rising from his futon to the call of his young daughter.

"I'm confused…about boys," Takari admitted, with downcast eyes.

"Um…Sango," Miroku said, prodding the sleeping form next to him, "I think you'd better handle this."

"Yeah, yeah, go back to sleep lump," Sango said, rising and taking her daughter's hand, "we'll go talk in the kitchen."

"What is it hun?" her mother finally asked after they were seated with hot tea.

"Well, when I first met him, Masao was really mean, but after he apologized he was really nice and I thinkImightlikehim," Takari finished quickly, recalling the day when Masao came to find her.

- Flashback!-
"Takari? Kari? Are you in here?" Masao's voice called to her as she sobbed into the blanket.

"Go away! I hate you!" she screamed.

"But…listen Kari! I'm sorry. Really sorry. You're right; it was a dumb story! We should have talked it out instead of fighting. I'll try to be more understanding if you will…deal?"

Takari looked up, tears still running down her face and said quietly, "Go away."

Hurt, Masao put the big bundle of wild flowers he was carrying down beside her and left the hut. Seeing the flowers, her favourite, wild roses and tiger lilies, Takari felt a stab of pain as she jumped up and ran after him.

Catching up she panted, "The flowers are beautiful Masao, really pretty. I guess I can try to be less controlling, if you'll try to understand."

Turning, Masao smiled and gave her a big hug, suggesting " hey, you want to go spy on my sister?"
-End flashback-

Sango suddenly started laughing lightly.

"It's not funny mama! I knew you wouldn't understand!" The ten-year-old girl accused.

"Oh no hun! You have it wrong, I'm not laughing at you- I'm laughing at myself. I feel so old, you asking me about boys already."

"Oh," Takari said, waiting for her mother to continue.

"Well, I think you should just keep being around him, and being nice," Sango advised," act like nothing's different unless he brings it up…and if he makes you cry again tell me our his sister. We'll beat him up for you okay?"

Giggling Takari nodded and set her cup down before heading back to bed.

Alright so there's ch13. The beginning was really slow but I had to explain everything or this won't make sense. S now I'll go a bit faster.

I can assure you that there is a plot twist ahead, so be prepared :D;).

Words: (from the last 2 chapters)

Geta - a type of wooden sandal

Godshinboku Tree - sacred tree in both worlds; tree Inuyasha was pinned to for 50 years

Kendo -attacking with a long, round stick using forms and motions that are quick and cat-like

Futon - low, Japanese bed

Taka