hi hi Wow two days in a row I don't own nope me not owning

Echoe Shayne ^.^

More than your worth

*~*~* The road to Ember *~*~*

Kagome had lots of time to think. She had learned very quickly that the man next to her wasn't much for conversation. So the only thing there was to entertain her was he own thoughts. Thoughts which more often then not drifted to the strange man, she now traveled with. What was she going to do when they reached Ember? Was he really going to leave her? Of course he was. She couldn't picture a man like him dragging along a woman. Looking down at her feet as she walked she frowned. She didn't know how to do much except for little chores that could be done around the house she could always hire herself out as a servant. She didn't like the thought, but what waited for her if she went back was worse.

She would never marry Kouga. Kouga… she had known him the better part of her life. One day her mother had come in telling her rather calmly that he father was never going to come home again, but that a nice man would be coming to check up on their family to make sure they were alright. That man had turned out to be Kouga he was another captain in the emperors army and had the same air about him her father had. He had been strict with them. Her brother had born the brunt of most of it. Kouga had ordered special trainers in who put her brother through hours of exercises and drills.

Kouga in and of himself was not a bad guy she knew that. He had a sense of humor though he rarely showed it. Above all Kouga followed orders. She had once asked him why he did the things he did. He had said something about orders and that it was an honor he had been given. Under his orders she had watched her brother turn from a carefree boy to a cold young man, all the time under the guise that this was what her father would have wanted for him had he been alive. The sad thing was it was the truth. Still she couldn't help but blame Kouga.

Kouga had his good points too but those were rare though he had always been kind to her had always helped her up when she fell bandaging her cuts and scrapes that she got when she was up to too much mischief.

She would not marry Kouga she would not have a marriage where she came second to duty, she would rather die first. Knowing Kouga, he probably thought the same thing now that he had laid claim to her. She was his.

Yasha watched the girl next to him. Her expression was somber and serious like she was deep in thought. Her eyes could hide nothing. What was she thinking about, Looking out of the corner of his eye he watched her as she walked next to him. She looked so serious. Not that he cared what was bothering her. In fact it meant she was going to be quiet. As someone who traveled alone most of the time he was accustomed to silence, but this silence was uneasy and he longed to break it.

*~*~* Tol Village*~*~*

Sango frowned. Something had happened. The word was out that Kouga had left to witness an execution. That would mean he would be out on the road and he unlike those stupid guards knew what she looked like. She's a Higurashi of course they would be out looking for her and if they found her they found Yasha and that couldn't be allowed to happen. Kagome didn't mean to, yet she was putting them all in danger. What about Kagome. With the size of man hunt out for her she wouldn't be let off the hook. What they would do to her was frightening to think about. The only soothing thought was that Kagome was with Yasha and he would take care of her.

*~*~* The Road to Ember *~*~*

"I could be there by now if you weren't with me." There was something driving him, pushing him toward Ember. His instincts told him that something big was happening there. Over the years he had learned to trust his instincts. After all most of the time they were the reason that he was still alive. Right now they were telling him that he had to hurry. The girl next to him sensed it too because she hadn't complained once about them picking up the pace and he was thankful for that.

What was going on? They had picked up the pace. When he had spoken she had heard the urgency in his voice. His urgency could not be questioned the need was great she could feel it pouring off him. The need to get to Ember as fast as he could and she could almost feel bad for slowing him down. Almost, after all they were going there to get rid of her. Still her feet moved faster carrying her on. What ever it was driving him on proved to be contagous and she could soon feel her own urgency to get there.

She has good instincts too. He thought as he reached out his hand to steady her as she stumbled trying to keep up with him. He could almost feel her urgency and he was thankful for it.

Pain. Her ankle hurt from when she had stumbled but she couldn't let something like that slow her down She had to keep up. Putting her foot down she winced a little and tried to hide it. But she should have known better then to try and hide something from the man next to her. Kagome had the feeling that he saw everything, that he knew everything.

Yasha watched the stubborn woman next to him. Right now that was the only word he could think to describe her. He had expected her to start complaining and telling him they needed to stop and take care of her ankle. As he could tell from her expression walking had become a rather painful chore to her. "You stupid wench your just going to hurt yourself more if you walk around with your ankle hurt like that."

Calling her a stupid wench? He was the one that was dragging her through the wilderness. Plus she was only trying to keep up with him. Her defenses kicked in and she spat out the first thing that came to her mind.

"I thought that you would have liked to see a Higurashi in pain."

He was amused that she actually had the nerve to talk back to him especially after seeing is face. Not many people dared doing something that might put them on his bad side. Then again she didn't know much about him, because if she did, then he doubted she would speak so openly to him.

"A Higurashi yes but your Kongyou now and you better get used to it. It's your name now," he paused looking at her. "If you want to stay alive that is?"

Kongyou, yes that was her name, the name that he had given the soldiers who had been looking for her. 'Kongyou' the name sounded foreign to her how was she supposed to adjust to it. Yasha had stolen her name. If she gave him the opportunity what else would he take from her?

"Kongyou," She whispered the name.

Turning his head to the side he watched her wince every time she stepped down with her right foot. That was going to be a problem. If she didn't get off her foot it was just going to get worse, but he couldn't stop.

Yasha had stopped next to her. Confused at the sudden stop she turned toward him feeling his arms wrap around her as she was hoisted up against him bridal style. What was he doing it wasn't like he could carry her around like this for any length of time.

"Don't look so startled. It's not my fault that you're so clumsy you hurt yourself. "

"Put me down! I know how to walk." She fidgeted a little but it was no good he didn't release her but instead picked up his pace.

"And let you hurt that Ankle more then it already is I don't think so. Besides this way, I don't have time to wait for you."

"And why the sudden hurry?" She was very interested in his answer, what was it that was creating this feeling.

"I don't know why. I just know that we need to get there as fast as we can." It was true he couldn't explain to her why he felt the need to hurry he just knew that they had to get there as soon as they could.

"Don't you mean you want to get rid of me as soon as possible?"

"No it's not just that, it's something else." With that the urgency calmed him again and he was running.

~*~*~* Ember the next day*~*~*

Kouga frowned as he as he crashed into the building. His brow covered with sweat. The men that had been lazing about instantly started to scramble to their feet.

"This is despicable I demand respect." His eyes flashed as he looked at the men form a makeshift line before him. "I am called here and you are not prepared for my arrival? That is an insult that I am not about to take. Who is in charge here?" The men's faces had changed and they appeared afraid. That was good. He wasn't about to accept the disrespect these fools where showing him.

"I am sir," said a man taking a step away from the rest.

His eyes narrowed on the man. He was little older then the rest of the people here. All eyes were focused on him as he closed the distance and moved to stand in front of the other man his hand reaching out and clasping the front of the other man's shirt.

"What's your name? I want to hear it before you die."

"You can't do that." His voice determined.

Who did this man think he was? To defy him openly before all these men. Any chance that he had to survive was now gone. There was no way hat he would let the man get away with humiliating him.

"What's my name?" Kouga asked his voice loud and clear there was no doubt that everyone could hear him. That was good because he was about to make an example out of this fool.

The soldier looked at the man in front of him he had settled into a calm that was more freighting then when he had come barging in here. What was his name? of course he knew his name.

"Name Kouga rank Captain."

"That's right. I don't know your name. You know what that means? It means as far as this army goes your expendable. Now tell me you think I can't kill you. I am a Captain in the order of Emperor Naraku. I am part of an army where cruelty is praised and rewarded. No one will miss someone like you. If asked, I will simply have to say that I am cleaning up the garbage, getting ride of someone that is not fit to be in this army.

The man's face was changing his eyes no longer looked so defiant. He no longer appeared so sure of himself. That was good.

"You're afraid. That's good. You should be." Turning his head he looked at the other men that were standing in the room.

~*~*Outside of Ember~*~*

As Yasha approached Ember, it was getting dark. He wanted to slip in without being noticed. Pulling the girls sleeping form closer to him he tried to pull her into the cloak with him. Slowing his pace he crept toward the sleeping town. Thankful curfew had not started yet, he wouldn't appear so out of place if someone saw him hurrying through the streets. Ember, he was finally here. The pull that he had felt before was no longer as urgent but it was still there. Picking up his pace he stopped at the door reaching out his hand he knocked impatiently waiting for the door to open. After a few seconds the door opened and he stepped in.

"You're here. I never thought that you would make it in time." In time for what there had been a reason that he was in a hurry what had happened? "In time?"

"Tomorrow there's going to be an execution and Kouga has been called into witness it. They aren't taking any chance this time and."

"Who is it?" Yasha asked his mind searching for a name.

"Hojo."

"what was that idiot doing?" He liked Hojo, he really did but that boy got into the worst situations. When it came to common sense Hojo was clearly lacking something.

"He was caught out after curfew a few days ago after a meeting and he was picked up."

"A few day ago? Why I wasn't I told of this? Why wasn't I told you could have gotten word to me." His impatience was showing in his voice.

"You were going to be told. A messenger was sent to get you. You were still supposed to be in Sango's village and I open the door to find you here."

"You should have seen to it personally that I was notified of this." Yasha said not able to hold back the anger in his voice.

"I sent someone. Even with that, there was no way to know that you would make it in time. If you didn't then I was going to try and rescue him myself so I needed to be here. Not that I am ungrateful that you're here, but why are you here? I thought that you wanted to find out why people were flocking to Tol Village."

"Stuff came up and I had to leave sooner then I wanted to. I did find out what was going on there though." It was suitors sent to Kagome. He couldn't tell him that, not when Kagome was right here under his cloak with him.

"Well, what was it?"

"Nothing that concerns us. They were paying their respect to Higurashi's widow," he spat the word out like it had a fowl taste.

The sound of her name made it through her sleep fogged mind. She moaned a little in her sleep before realizing that they had stopped and someone was talking. What if they had been stopped for a check? Holding her breath she tried not to move. She was hoping that the other person hadn't noticed the sound that she had made a few seconds ago.

Hearing a sound, Miroku actually looked at Yashas his hands. They were under his cloak almost like he was carrying something.

Yasha could tell she was afraid her body was held rigid against him and the soft sounds of her breathing had stopped.

"Miroku this is Kongyou." He said pulling back his cloak and setting her gently on the ground, keeping his hand on her elbow. Not letting the frown that crossed her face when her feet touched the ground go unnoticed.

"Kongyou? How dare you keep such a beautiful woman a secret from me." His eyes took in the woman as he crossed the room. Large chestnut colored eyes were focused on him. Reaching out he took her hand in his and bringing it to his lips. He smiled at the smooth texture while he raised his eyes to look through his lashes at the now startled young woman. "Hello fair lady."

"Hello." Kagome said still unsure about the man holding her hand. She didn't quite like the way he was looking at her. Something in his gaze spoke of danger, it made her feel uncomfortable. Something about the way that he was looking at her was almost sensuous like he would just as soon take her out and devour her. 'Letch'

"It's alright Kongyou. This is Miroku," Yasha said seeing that the girl was still uneasy. To tell the truth the way Miroku was looking at her was making him uneasy. When it came to behaving himself around the ladies Mioku was a real dog in every sense of the word.

Miroku loved the startled expression on her face, and the light pink tinge of her cheeks. Where had Yasha found this one? He was going to enjoy making her blush. Letting his thumb stoke her hand lightly he straitened back up not releasing her hand. The slight intake of breath caused a smile to break out on his face.

Yasha had heard Kagome gasp. Looking at Miroku he saw his face crack into a wide smile. Normaly he enjoyed the show. Miroku had been beat down in front of him countless times because he had trouble controlling himself. This time it bothered him though he looked at their joined hands and had the urge to swat Miroku's filthy one away.

Mirokus filthy hand? The thought surprised him shouldn't he be thinking of the Higurashi as the one with the filthy hands? Shouldn't he be wanting to save his friend from the unknowing association with her? Maybe that was it maybe he just wanted to keep his friend from unknowingly displaying his affection for a Higuarashi. If that was the case… he didn't even want to think about it.

Without warning her hand pulled back from his turning over and slapping it away rather forcefully. Startled he looked up as she had taken a step back from him. She had already been close to Yasha to begin with but now her back was practically pushed up against him. For a moment he almost thought that she was going to turn to him and ask for help but instead her chocolate colored he were set on him. Eyes that were ablaze with anger. He could almost be afraid if she hadn't looked so slight in build. Then again he didn't know anything about her.

"Do you know anything about me Miroku san? Do you know who I am?" At those words she became aware once more of the man behind her as she could feel his entire body tense at her words. Yes Yasha knew who she was. He knew who she was and it angered and repulsed him. Yet he still helped her he was still kind to her. Suddenly it struck her at a big heart he must have.

Though now was not the time to think of that she had to think of the man standing in front of her.

"do you know why I am here? Or anything about me other then my name?"

Miroku was taken back at her words what was her point? "No I do not."

"Then you will agree with me when I say that we are relatively strangers?"

"Yes I would have to agree with you Kongyou dono."

"Good and since you are not familiar with me I see no reason for you to treat me in such a despicable way. So touch me and look at me like that again letch and I will make you regret it. Is that clear."

"Crystal Kongyou dono." Bowing his head slightly he couldn't help but feel ashamed at his actions. Ashamed and very grateful, he had not done his customary greeting. Though the way he felt right now he almost wished he had gotten a beating rather then the tongue lashing she had given him.

Yasha's eyes shifted away from a very startled looking Miroku down to Kagome whos back was still pressed against him. He felt some of his tension leave. For a second there he had thought she was going to do something incredibly stupid like tell Miroku who she really was. No she had just handed Miroku the worst beating he had seen the poor man get and she hadn't even raised a hand against him. He had been called worse of course. Most often while he was getting pounded into the ground by an angry woman.

Placing his hand on Kagomes shoulder he moved forward taking her with him as he walked past Miroku. The threat was a bluff, she had no way of harming Miroku of that he was pretty sure. Still her words had sounded sincere he had no doubt, she would find a way to make the man regret his actions if he let his hands wander.

Leaning down so that his face was next to her he whispered knowing it would bother Miroku that he couldn't hear "If the pervert tries anything.' Yashas eyes narrowed fixing on Miroku as he spoke. It surprised him how angry he was at the thought of Miroku trying anything with the young woman in front of him. 'let me know."

Miroku took in the scene before him Yasha still had his hood up. Even so he could feel the heat of the mans gaze. As he moved a little the hard glint of Yasha's caught his attention. Kongyou dono was clearly off limits to his roving hands.

Kagome relaxed at his words. If anything happened to her Yasha would take care of her. It was funny he was the same man that just days ago had her held against a wall ready to rip her to sheds, and she felt completely safe in his care. Leaning back a little her back came into contact with his chest again and she stood there waiting to see how the rest of the night would unfold.

"Sorry Kongyou dono. Allow me to start over." Crossing the room he extended his hand to her in a gesture of greeting. "Miroku, at your service my lady."

Eyeing him wearily she looked at his hand. Before reaching for it, his large hand closed over hers and she was startled by the warmth she felt behind his greeting. It hadn't been there a moment ago. Shifting her eyes to his deep blue ones she took in his remorseful expression.

"I really do have a problem when it comes to controlling myself when I'm around beautiful young ladies. But I really will try to control myself when I'm around you. It is nice to meet you."

"It is nice to meet the real you too Miroku san."

Yasha looked at Kagome. She was quick to forgive the letcherous man. Though he knew that neither one of them would soon forget what had taken place. Had she heard what Miroku had said about Kouga being here? No. Looking at her face he knew that she hadn't. This put a kink in his plans. He couldn't just leave her here after all. Not with Kouga here at least.

Miroku looked over to Yasha noticing he was looking at the woman standing next to him. His hand was even still casually resting on her shoulder. Who was this woman and why was she with him? He knew that Yasha wouldn't drag someone around him for no reason. That left one big question. What was going on?

Yasha realizing that his friend was looking at him turned his attention away from Kagome back to the matter at hand. "Give her a room where she can sleep."

Before Kagome could pretest she found herself ushered into a small room containing two beds. Sitting down on one of them she stared at the closed door. This was nothing more then a them wanting her out of their hair she knew.

_____-

"Who is she and what is she doing here?" Miroku hissed.

"She's Sango's cousin and I brought her here because she's in some trouble." He knew hat if he wanted to, Miroku could call him a liar. Miroku knew everything there was to know about Sango and there was no way she had a cousin Miroku didn't know about just laying around.

Miroku frowned. 'Sangos cousin?' though a flash of Kongyou's angry expression flashed through his face. On that front they could defiantly be related. They both had a knack for putting him in his place. He could believe that much, that was of course if he didn't know what it was an out right lie. It just brought more question about the woman's identity. Still if Yasha wanted to protect her, he was certain there was a good reason.

It was a lie and he knew that Miroku knew it, but was way too smart to say anything.

"I understand. Now lets get down to business. It won't be easy to get Hojo out if we go tonight."

"You're right. If a witness hadn't been called in, I would disagree. He's already been held captive for several days Because Kouga is here, security must have been tightened. He's not one to take chances."

" So we'll wait. Security may have been tightened but when they transport him they won't be able to watch him like they would if he were in a building. We well get him then."

"No. He'll be expecting that."

"So when?" asked a very confused Miroku

~*~*~ Ember: Jail ~*~*~

The soldier looked at the man who was laying passed out on the ground. He had taken quite the beating earlier in the day. "Do you really think that someone will come for him? He's been here a couple days already."

"If He is really a member of the rebels then they will come for him. They wouldn't allow one of their own to be persecuted." Kouga said confidence ringing in his voice.

"And if no one comes," the guard answered not seeing how the captain could sound so sure of himself.

"Either way this man will hang. They will come when we are transporting him thinking that it's safer and that our guard will be down. That will be their mistake.

~*~*~ Else Where in Ember *~*~

Yasha walked into the room looking at Kagome who was lying on the bed. Her face was streaked with tears. It appeared that she had cried herself to sleep though the expression on her face now was a peaceful one. Reaching his hand out he touched her tear streaked cheeks with a frown.

"You are turning out to be quite a bother but one that I can not relieve myself of just yet."

Please Review ^.^

Well I did it I updated ::frowns:: tough I don't think that anyone was reading it because I didn't get any reviews for the last chapter but thanks to the people that reviewed for the other chapters. Please Review