A/N: Again…we do NOT own Inuyasha. I repeat…we do NOT own Inuyasha.

Kayla: -Stares at computer screen glumly- I really hate typing these chapters.

Amanda: And I really hate writing limes. Now go about your business.

Kayla: -Glares- If you weren't finishing my chapter, I'd throw a shoe at you.

Jade: -Groans and pulls self off of floor- My head huuuurrts! You guys are too loud.

Kayla: -Rolls eyes- That's what you get for getting drunk in the first place. Now get sober. The next chapter is coming up.

Jade: -Perks up- Really? Can I see? -Looks over Kayla's shoulder as she types-

Kayla: I can't type with you breathing on the back of my neck like that. It's distracting.

Jade: Grrr…-stomps downstairs to find some food-

- - -

Startled, Sango looked up at Jade. The demon was pointing an accusing finger at Miroku. He was looking down at her in surprise and Sango could tell he was searching his memory for any recollection of having met the lynx in the past.

Sango's mouth tightened. It shouldn't come as a surprise that he had met so many women in the past that he couldn't remember most of them, but it did. She didn't know why she bothered trying to overlook his many faults. The monk was a pervert. End of story. Just because he had a surprisingly wise and compassionate nature and a haunting vulnerability at times didn't matter. She snapped back to attention when Jade spoke again.

"Miroku, get your ass down here. I've got something to tell you."

He did so with caution. She couldn't blame him; the lynx did not look happy. Beside her, Sango could see Khira tensing. Up ahead, Inuyasha and Kagome as well as Shippo had halted at Jade's shout. They were looking on warily.

Sango gripped Hiraikotsu. If the half-demon hurt Miroku, she would deal with her. Never mind that five minutes ago she had decided not to care about him. The monk was still a friend.

He asked hesitantly, "Is there a problem, Jade?"

"Hell yes, there is a problem! Now, tell me. Is it true? Do you really have a Wind Tunnel?"

Miroku looked confused, as did the others. Sango wondered what Jade was getting at. She got her answer when the lynx erupted into hysterical laughter.

"Great! Just great! I'm related to a perverted monk!"

Sango's jaw dropped. "Related? Are you saying you are related…to Miroku?" Sango spoke slowly, trying to take it in.

Jade became serious abruptly. "Yes. My mother was human. She died giving birth to me." She hesitated.

Sango's felt bad for the half-demon. Obviously, this was a sore subject for her. It made the demon slayer wonder exactly what kind of a past the lynx had.

Khira spoke up. "Jade if you're uncomfortable telling us about your past, there is no need. We believe you."

Jade stiffened, then slowly relaxed. When she next spoke, her voice was small and vulnerable, completely unlike her. "My mother didn't want me. The only reason she had me was because my father forced her into becoming his mate. He raised me and taught me how to fight just so he could continue his line. But I got away." Her voice strengthened. "I vowed to come back and kill the bastard, but Naraku saved me the trouble.

"I did some investigating into my mother's family then. I found out that the only family she and I had left was the son of her cousin, Hatsue."

Miroku's eyes widened. "That's my mother."

Jade grimaced and forced herself not to roll her eyes. "Yeah, I know."

Inuyasha interrupted by demanding, "Are you telling me you're related to Miroku? You've got to be kidding me!"

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. I think it's great!" She was beaming at Jade and Miroku.

Shippo voiced his agreement. "Yeah, now you both have a family like I did with my mom and dad."

The two cousins blinked. Sango understood, though. Neither of them had ever had any real experience with family. It had to be nothing short of overwhelming.

"You guys, I think we should let them take this at their own pace," Sango suggested. "It's a big shock for both of them."

Khira said, "Yes, I agree. Why don't we make camp here? The sun will be setting soon, anyway." The panther's eyes darted toward the horizon and then back to the group in front of her.

Sango looked at her. Had there been urgency in her tone? Her puzzlement was completely obvious.

The panther sighed after noticing and admitted softly, "Tonight is the full moon. I will become human."

Sango's eyes widened. This was unexpected. She had forgotten about the day once a month where all hanyou turned into humans.

"You mean I have to protect another person?" Inuyasha's tone was disgusted.

Sango could see that he was concerned, though. She smiled inwardly. He put on such a tough front, but he really did care about others. Kind of like…She did smile then. Inuyasha was just like Jade. Granted, she didn't know the lynx that well only having met her earlier that day, but she was certain the girl only acted tough because that was what helped her to survive—just like Inuyasha. No wonder they had been so hostile at first!

Khira sniffed contemptuously. "Don't be ridiculous. I rarely use my demon powers. I prefer to fight as humans do so I won't be too much more vulnerable."

Inuyasha's brow furrowed in genuine confusion. "You don't use your demon powers? Why? They make you more powerful."

Khira looked at him for a moment, searching for the right way to explain. Finally, she replied, "I do not care about power. If I'm to be strong, I prefer that strength to be permanent—not something that fades one day every month to leave me weak and defenseless."

Sango looked at the half-demon with new respect. Those were wise words and it was obvious that they had made Inuyasha think. The dog hadn't even said "keh."

Kagome broke the thoughtful silence. "Yes, I think it would be best we made camp. It'll give Miroku and Jade time to talk and Khira won't have to travel without her demon powers."

Everyone bustled to get thing set up. Before long, a fire was going and Kagome was cooking a simple dinner.

Catching the speculative look Khira was giving Kagome, Sango asked, "What is it?"

She looked up at her. "That girl appears to be the unofficial iron fist of this group."

Sango laughed. "Yes, but don't let Inuyasha hear you say that. He…" She trailed off.

Khira's attention was on the setting sun. Everyone stopped to look at her as she transformed. When she was done, her hair had faded to a dark blond and her eyes had lost their yellow to become a soft green. She had also lost her fangs, ears, and claws.

Shippo exclaimed, "Wow, Khira! You look really different."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Of course she does. She's human!"

By his tone, Sango could tell he didn't think that was a good thing. It left her wondering why he kept so many human companions, though. She shrugged inwardly. Inuyasha was a mass of contradictions and she really didn't want to think about him right now.

Khira just smiled before saying, "I'm going for a walk. Sango, would you like to join me?"

Sango started. She had just been about to ask the same thing. She looked up and saw that Khira was looking at her with understanding amusement. When she recovered from the surprise, she nodded.

Before they left, they said goodnight to Kagome and Shippo, who were ready to go to sleep, and the others. Sango noticed that Miroku was asking Jade something and that the lynx nodded. She sighed. It looked like they were taking that alone time now.

'Imagine finding out you had a cousin after being on your own for so long,' she thought to herself.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Khira said, "Having family will do them both good."

Sango nodded her agreement. "I don't really know about Jade, but Miroku is a very solitary person. Kagome told me that before he joined her and Inuyasha, he was hunting Naraku on his own."

Khira's eyebrows winged up. Sango could almost hear her thoughts. She smiled.

"I know. It's hard to believe, but Miroku is a very skilled exorcist. He believes in relying on himself as a man and a monk. He is determined to rid himself of the Wind Tunnel. Until then, he has to be strong enough not to give into his fears."

Lost in her own thoughts, she didn't see the worried look Khira cast at her. "So, what are your feelings for him?" The question was soft. When Sango looked up in surprise, Khira continued, "Your concern for him is evident to me—even as a human." She smiled when Sango blushed and looked down at her feet. "I know you must be very confused. It can't be easy loving a lecher."

Sango burst out, "Love him! I don't love him. I can barely stand him. He's childish, irresponsible, inconsiderate…and he touches women's…well, you know."

Khira stopped, staring at her in shock before she turned away, shaking. Sango rushed over to her, afraid she had somehow hurt the older woman's feelings. Belatedly, she realized Khira was laughing. She stopped, amazed at the transformation. Before, Khira had always seemed so serious and bitter. Now, she was a whole different person. Sango soon found herself laughing with her. When they were done, they could barely breathe.

Khira sighed. "I haven't laughed like that for a very long time."

"But I thought your children…" Sango trailed off. It was a sore subject and she didn't want to lose this new Khira so soon.

Apparently, Khira was through brooding for the moment, though. "Yes, my children only died a few months ago, but I rarely laughed even when they were alive."

"Why?"

Khira sighed again. The purpose of this walk had been to meddle with Sango and steer him away from the lecher. Now, she was being interrogated!

She shrugged, deciding to answer. "My mate left after Aeroes and Pandora were born. You see, panthers are very solitary creatures from what I've experienced. Kiye was no exception. I fooled myself into believing he would stay, but he left. It hurt.

"My father had been different from other panther demons. He loved my mother and me. When she died, he was heartbroken. He taught me how to rely on my human side for strength. He was my everything, and when he died I survived off of the lessons he had taught me.

"Kiye, he taught me new lessons in the short time that we had together. With him, I wasn't afraid of my demon half, but I was still wary of it. I expected him to be like my father. When he wasn't, I was so disappointed. I felt like I had lost my entire family all over again. It changed me. Aged me, you might say. Only my children helped and they're gone too." She stopped, seeing Sango's expression. "I don't want pity, little one. I will survive as I always have."

Sango looked at her sadly. "Alone?"

Khira suddenly smiled. "You are so like my Pandora. I believe she would have been like you had she lived."

Sango awkwardly cleared her throat. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I will always hold my children alive in my heart." There was silence until Khira finally said, "So, you've told me why you don't like Miroku. Now why don't you tell me why you do."

Sango blinked and blushed. "Well, he is strong and loyal, I suppose. And you can always count on him to keep his head in a fight. Other than that he's just a lecher." She said the last as nonchalantly as possible.

"Right." Khira used the word to convey her disbelief. "If you want me to believe that is the only reason you like the monk, fine. Now, more importantly, does he have feelings for you?"

Sango grew quiet. Finally, she said, "With Miroku, it's impossible to tell. At times, I believe that I'm seeing the real him, but then he retreats back into himself and becomes the lecher and charming rogue."

Her brow raised. This was proving to be interesting. Maybe she wouldn't have to do any meddling after all. The monk seemed content to drive all women away without conscious thought.

She asked thoughtfully, "So he is not really what he pretends to be?"

The younger girl blew out a frustrated breath. "I don't know. Sometimes I think I'm just desperate to see him in a new light." She changed the subject, tired of being asked so many personal questions. "So is this why you asked me to walk with you? To interrogate me?" She was only half joking.

Khira laughed. Was she that transparent? No matter. Her task was accomplished now.

She replied lightly, "No, I simply wanted to give Jade and Miroku time to themselves. I was pretty sure he would talk to her if given the chance."

Sango nodded. "Yes, that's him. You seem to know him well having just met him."

Khira looked straight at Sango. "Well, his friends helped."

Sango blushed, wondering if she would ever get used to Khira's bluntness. The other woman laughed, clearly amused at her embarrassment. Guess not.

- - -

Kayla: WOOHOO! -Victory dance- Another chapter in the hole!

Amanda: -Looks up from where she's writing chapter 17- A bit happy are we?

Kayla: -Glares- You try writing all these friggin chapters! I'm gonna have Carpal Tunnel by the end of all of this.

Amanda: My wrist hurts from writing so we're even.

Khira: -Groans when Jade pokes her in the head-

Jade: -Laughs and does it again-

Kayla and Amanda: 3, 2, 1…

Khira: JADE! -Jumps up and punches Jade in the stomach, and both of them go rolling across the floor in another fight-

Sango: -Comes up the stairs with cheese and crackers- Hey, hey!

Kayla, Amanda, and Sango: -Sit on futon eating the cheese and crackers and watching Jade and Khira beat themselves to a bloody pulp-

Sango: This sure beats Sumo Wrestling in the Sengoku Jidai!