Taste Of Your Own Medicine

Taste of Your Own Medicine

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

I wrote a compilation of romantic one-shots for this rare pair, with no particular plot or point of relationship growth. It’s just gradual pining and comfort between characters given the circumstances and it’s super sweet. Here’s the first prologue (?): 

Smack. There it was again, a stinging in his cheek and a gloved hand slithering from Sango’s butt to caress the pain. At least, it wasn't her Hiraikotsu, he thought willfully, the familiar ache of the last time the huge boomerang dug into the back of his head. Miroku held a mirthful smile as he caught both Sango’s growing blush and Kagome’s scowl. Their obvious embarrassment and disgust wasn’t anything new so it didn’t stop his shameless chuckling.

They were on their way to another village, Inuyasha leading with Shippo uncharacteristically by his side. Kagome sensed a jewel shard about a couple minutes earlier, she could feel it move slowly inside some unfortunate demon, its corrupted hunger glowing in the distance. She shivered at the feeling, small whispers of fear making her forget all about Miroku’s perversions toward Sango, until a hand brushed against her backside, softly groping it. 

In one second, she felt the texture of prayer beads thinly separating the offending palm from direct contact to her butt. In two seconds, she heard a scarily appreciative but velvety hum settle beside her. In three seconds, a blush exploded on her face then she finally found her voice to screech like a dying pterodactyl and jump inhumanely into the folds of Sango’s arms, who was unbelievably disgusted for a second time in five minutes. What a new record, Inuyasha and Shippo couldn’t help thinking as Miroku’s life suddenly flashed before his eyes.

A large boomerang-weapon in the hands of Sango hit the perverted monk’s head with a loud ‘thunk’, followed by the chimes of a fallen staff and groans from the observing group. Face in the soft grass, Miroku contemplated whether or not to explain his actions but stopped at Kagome’s huffing and a throbbing headache. He missed the obviously furious expression on Kagome's face as Inuyasha and Shippo shook their heads in disappointment. Miroku chuckled shamelessly, picked himself off the floor with grace and dusted off his robes, a huge bump already forming on the top of his head. He looked at a beautifully raging Kagome, who was hidden behind an equally pissed Sango, and smiled.

“I just couldn't help myself, Kagome-sama.” 

She stepped forward, hand sassily on her hips as she pointed at him with accusation clear in her eyes.

“‘Couldn't help myself’, my foot! Just wait till I get my revenge, you pervy monk.” 

She has a plan for revenge? Miroku smiled wider at that, an unfamiliar rush of genuine excitement filled him. He didn't know why but he had a feeling that she wouldn't disappoint.

“My fate is in your hands then, Kagome-sama!”

The original posts are on fanfiction.net, but I wanted to post on here. Please send any requests or one-shot ideas as well! I’ll do my best to deliver ^^

The chapter links:

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17...

“Just a little while longer... You haven’t saved anyone yet, Deku.” 

Ch. 306 is going to kill me. Anyway here’s vigilante Deku! AGED UP! So this is legal o.o

This was a quick doodle for a discord friend but I feel like I had to share it with all the Kageyama simps, stans, and kinnies out there. For YOU? I offer sleepy Kags. Enjoy.

Ayo Classic Zutara! Hopefully fans can hype this UP. Imagine an ending where these two ended the ATLA series. No Kiss but with the beginning of something.

I got both flipped versions. Anyone wanna do matching pfps??? >3<

T.Y.O.M Chapter 2: P-ah-nts

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

As soon as she stepped out of the well, Kagome knew something was off. When she tilted her head to look up, Kagome was greeted by warm smiles and various heads poking in to see her, three heads too many in fact. Ah, there it is. With a small smile, she slowly climbed her way up, carefully grasping onto each vine while shouldering her giant monstrosity of a backpack. Strangely enough Kagome got used to the tedious climb, her muscles barely straining against gravity.

Grab, foothold, grab, grab, foothold. It didn't take her long to reach the top but a hand inched toward her face before she reached the ledge. It was larger than hers with familiar rough calluses and long feral nails. She grabbed it, allowing Inuyasha to lift her the rest of the way. He grumbled as usual but he was careful.

Miroku smiled a couple feet from the teetering Inuyasha, seeing the familiar soft ebony peek out from the well’s edge. Kagome's hair gave way to her cute little face, with big doe eyes and a bright smile. He missed seeing her, everyone did, but he missed her legs in particular. He couldn't wait for that lovely future invention, the ‘skurt’, to flash a bit of those lovely, dark blue-- Wait, dark blue skin?

She was wearing… leg covers. What did she call them again? Oh right, she was wearing a ‘p-ah-nt’. Even though they hugged her legs nicely, he was disappointed. He didn't hesitate to hum out his observations causing Kagome to tilt her head in cute oblivion. She dusted her pants off, waiting for an answer, but he just shook his head, his staff ringing softly at the movement. Thinking back to his line of focus, he seemed to be looking at her legs before his gaze met hers, a bit of disappointment in his eyes. Disappointment at what? 

“Welcome back, Kagome-sama.”

“It's good to be back.”

When Inuyasha barked at them to start moving, Kagome slowed her pace, staying back to look over herself. Was it something I did? Kagome didn't change her hair, she wasn't particularly dolled up, her chest was moderately covered, she was wearing her new pair of jeans… Oh, her pants.

She smacked her forehead at the realization. Of course, Miroku-sama loves peeping on bare skin. I wouldn’t have pegged him as a thigh guy though… Speeding up a bit, Kagome's gaze fell down from the back of Miroku’s head to the patched dark purple robes that curtained his well known but unpredictably lean body. Maybe she could peek… She definitely should peek. It’s only fair. A blush formed on her face as she caught up with the rest of the group.

They packed up from Kaede’s village and started their journey, once again. Inuyasha was at the front with Sango, Miroku trailing behind them, and Kagome and Shippo were all the way in the back. Kagome happily chatted with the young fox demon before a harsh cry, a loud slap, and the thump of a body dropping to the floor interrupted all movement. Inuyasha watched from afar as Kagome jogged by with the usual routine to keep a hold on Sango, just in case that she might end up killing the perverted monk. Sango was positively boiling, steam coming out of her ears as Miroku smiled at her, brushing himself off the ground. Kagome sighed, changing her pace. There was only so much damage Sango’s large boomerang could do and Miroku seems to be getting immune to it. With a shift in her heel she started a mental count, pieces of ideas coming into her mind as she stopped right behind the monk himself.

Three. She picked up the fallen monk’s staff and twirled it experimentally. The chiming’s kinda pretty, she thought as Miroku blurted out some good-natured excuses. Two. Kagome firmly grasped the end of the golden staff and hooked it underneath the back end of Miroku’s robe. One. She lifted the staff high, raising the modest purple fabric up to his upper thigh, and quickly squatted down with an inquisitive tilt of her head to check out what was underneath Miroku’s coverings.

The reaction was explosive. Yelps and jaws dropping filled out in the background as Miroku stood stiff, muscles so tense you would think he was a statue if not for the strained breathing exhaled in an awkward sigh. Kagome mentally patted herself on the back and laid her elbows on her bent knees, lying her chin on her interlocked hands with satisfaction.

“Your legs are hot, Miroku-sama! Too bad you’re wearing leggings.”

“L-leggings, K… Kagome-sama?” Miroku found it a bit hard to speak, turning his head stiffly to look down at the suddenly-confident girl. She nodded with a small smirk,” Leggings, Miroku-sama, kind of like… stretchy, tight-fitting pants.”

Miroku nodded with a shaky hum, turning completely to pat down the back of his robes, and suggested,” So just like your ‘p-ah-nts’, Kagome-sama?”

Kagome looked up, eyes brightening with awe as her smile widened. Miroku was coughing off his embarrassment kind of cutely, a gloved-and-beaded fist covered his mouth as he held out his left hand for her to grab. Dark indigo eyes roamed over her face with the faintest shade of pink dusting his cheeks, Kagome wasn’t too sure if she actually saw it. She blinked a couple of times, making sure to commit the image to memory before taking his hand.

“Just like my pants.”

He smiled at the new knowledge, though mocking a sigh as he took his staff from Kagome’s hands. Kagome smiled, knowing there was going to be a good reply in his attempt to save himself from the situation.

“Anyways, how shameless of you to peep on a holy monk such as myself,'' he chastised her jokingly. She just laughed and dusted off her pants.

“Forgive me, Miroku-sama, it’s easy to forget that you’re as saintly as they come.”

Intro | Chapter 1 | Chapter 3

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 1: Today is such a good day for pink

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

WARNING: Old Middle school writing! (I’m very much older now lol)

It was a day like no other in the Feudal Era, really. Countless days of physical and mental exhaustion were not easy on the mix-matched group. Demons never slept or quit so neither could the heroes unfortunately. Feets ached and cramped, thighs burned, and stomachs growled for any kind of substance at this point. The scenery, in all its peacefully teasing glory, didn’t lift their moods like it usually did. Grumbling, Kagome dragged along on her bicycle, her bulging backpack digging into her shoulders in a familiar way. A sigh escaped her lips as she looked at the back of saturated red robes, glaring in hopes that they could rest soon so she could attempt her chemistry homework at least once. She never really had time to think about anything, well, outside of her set priorities.

This past week seemed to just be… automatic. Wake up. Make breakfast. Get interrupted by a corrupted demon. Defeat or persuade said demon. Walk in volatile weather for hours on end. Bicker over lunch. Make instant ramen for lunch. Walk some more. Maybe find a village. Eat dinner. Do homework. Go to bed. Repeat.

Surprisingly, slapping a monk wasn’t on that list but Kagome wasn’t about to jinx it. She shook her head of the thought quickly with another sigh, gaining said monk’s attention. Soft purple eyes glanced over in her direction, a small wanton smile gracing Miroku’s features when his attention fell downward to her swaying ‘skurt’. A soft--and much appreciated--breeze swept along their path, teasingly revealing a flash of something in his line of vision, and he hummed in approval, feeling rejuvenated at such an opportunity. Today is such a good day for pink.

Kagome felt something other than the breeze graze her skin and tightened her grip on the handlebars of her bike. She hoped it wasn’t another demon, there was only so much she could handle today and being on edge made her more tired than anything. Luckily, no demons came out on that fine day. Though Kagome couldn’t help but sigh again, gaining Sango’s attention this time.

“Are you alright, Kagome-san?”

Inuyasha’s ears twitched at the sound and the pace of the group seemed to slacken considerably. She didn’t answer right away, pondering a bit. He let out a ‘keh’ and turned to look at Kagome with piercing gold-colored eyes. He suddenly sniffed the air, nose twitching slightly, before uttering, “There’s a village nearby. About a couple miles east, you can reach there by evening if you hurry but there’s also a demon east-north-ish. I've been itching for a fight, you guys go on ahead.”

Shocked silence settled into the group and Kagome’s eyes bulged from their sockets. No slur? No fuss? Has the Kagome Higurashi finally died? She stuttered out a hesitant ‘ok’, her mood considerably improving with the lightness in her posture. Miroku and Sango were also quite surprised, he must have been just as tired as they were. Not that neither were complaining. With some hesitation, Sango walked up to his side with Kirara and a sleeping Shippo in tow. 

“We’ll go too.”

“Sango?”

Kagome couldn’t help but question, the demon slayer just shrugged as an answer, too tired for a verbal answer. It wasn’t much of an explanation but Kagome warmed at Sango’s consideration. She must have not wanted Inuyasha to fight alone--Heck, he even seemed pleased about it.

Splitting up, they exchanged quick goodbyes and headed their separate ways. Kagome’s face held a soft smile as she bounced cheerfully with each step. Then she stopped, hair flipping over and obscuring her vision. The realization that she was alone with Miroku suddenly sunk in and she spit hair out of her gaping mouth, chastising herself for allowing the slip up to happen. Her suddenly sullen mood didn’t last. There wasn’t much he could do, he should be just as tired as the rest of the group… She resigned to her fate with a tired groan and  tightened her grip on her bike.. Skipping further ahead, she hoped to separate them at a suitable distance but already forgot about the concerning length of her skirt. In haste, Miroku quickened his pace and glanced after her with an appreciative hum. He knew she realized their predicament, smiling at the sight of her shaking her head. He allowed the jingle of his staff to stray his intentions, eyes honing in with a practiced ease as the view ahead gave him little peeks of childlike joy with each bounce.

They managed to arrive a couple hours before the last rays of sunlight departed, leaving the heavenly glow of a sunset behind. Although slightly disappointed with the end of flashing pink, Miroku’s mood swelled once more. He always liked this time of day best, where the bustle was shifting from busy to hazy and single ladies came out to play. A purr settled in his throat, hinting the thoughts of his not-so-holy mind, before he took the lead in finding suitable lodging for the night.

The search was relatively quick, Miroku’s old trick of a dark-looming-clouds worked yet again and Kagome wasted no time in unloading the team’s luggage. Miroku’s gaze softened at the display, she must be so tired… and hungry. When was the last time they stopped for food and water?

“Kagome-sama?”

Kagome hummed in response and Miroku took the time gathering the last trickles of energy in his slow strides toward the entrance of their hut. Meeting her eyes, he pointed softly toward the brightly lit village square.

“Would you like to walk with me to get dinner?”

 She held her rumbling stomach and nodded. From one eye bag heavy look to another, she added with an accusatory finger wiggling close to his face, “Hands off though, got it?” 

Miroku chuckled, leaning his jangling staff on a nearby wall and tucking his hands into the folds of his robe with a flourish. She hummed in approval at the display and matched his content look. They headed out into the evening with Miroku humming with a small smile under Kagome’s watchful glare. The cool air felt nice on their overheated and weary bodies as Miroku guided Kagome through a leisurely path, it weaved through the other huts and buildings as their eyes adjusted to the growing lights. They didn’t have anything to say but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Kagome never really thought about it but Miroku could be respectful too.

In less than a second, Miroku came across several giggles in a nearby hut and slackened his pace, his gloved hands already twitching unconsciously. Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine, her lecher-radar off the charts as her hands itched to cover herself. I shouldn’t have said that. Watching him turn like his stomach wasn’t empty and running on 4 capfuls of water, Kagome felt conflicted. Should I eat and wait for him or drag him with me? 

There was another giggle and she bit her lip. She didn’t like where this night was going, stomach twisting uncomfortably, as Miroku inched toward the smell of heavily-perfumed women with a funny smile on his face. Her appetite disappeared as she fumed. Miroku was being disgusting. Again. She didn’t want to get caught up in his shenanigans again and turned on her heel.

“I think I'm going to go back to sleep. I lost my appetite, Miroku-sama.”

That got Miroku’s attention. With a smile still in place, he gave her a worried once over.

“Are you sure, Kagome-sama?”

She nodded, her face and posture telling him all he needed to know. She was uncomfortable and… upset. Why? He felt bad actually. He was the one that invited her for a walk. Another giggle happened to pass between them and she made to leave with a huff. He made a soft exclamation and stepped toward her.

“Please wait.”

“And see you lechering? I’ll pass, Miroku-sama”, she strained her voice on ‘sama’ before slowly turning back to Miroku. His purple eyes startled her, the sunset lighting made them more striking than usual, which made her avert her eyes again.

“Well, I was going to teach you about palm-reading actually. It’s a useful skill to have--”

“And not just a tactic to pick up women?” Miroku caught her eyes again, catching her usual sparkle once more, and chuckled softly.

“Men too, if you prefer!”

“I think I'm good, Miroku-sama. I just find it gross when you act all pervy...”

She emphasized her point with a worm-envy wiggle of her fingers close to her grossed out, scrunched face and narrowed eyes, and he matched with a cheeky grin of his own and a shrug of his shoulder.

“I suppose you would, but I can’t help the earthly pleasure of it.”

Kagome laughed, a bit too bitterly to her surprise.

“I guess I could stay around, to see you fail.”

Miroku seemed to catch the tone as well, mouth opening to inquire before an exceptionally stunning woman stepped out the door of the hut on their right. 

Her features were delicate.

Kagome’s own suddenly felt childish and rough.

She had an endearing smile seemingly crafted just for her face.

Kagome flicked a practiced tongue behind her cross-bitten yet normally aligned teeth.

Her luscious locks, from years of gentle care and organic products, and matching expensive yet modest silks framed her figure.

Kagome’s hair felt ratty and tangled from the weeks of stress, fighting, and drugstore travel sized products and her clothes felt too cheap, too manufactured and exposed, giving her a haggard appearance in comparison.

It made her shrink but also compelled her to huff with a single stomp of her beaten loafer on the dirt path. Many women fanned at the daunting woman’s side, obviously just as charmed by her appearance and charisma, as they covered their faces with a giggle and a sleeve over their mouths. Her stomach sank at the sounds. Kagome couldn’t tell if it was because Miroku’s pretty eyes locked onto the woman the moment she stepped out or because she suddenly became all the more insecure about herself. Wait, pretty eyes? Where did that come from?

Kagome’s eyes trained on the agonizingly slow pace the woman took towards them. It was intentional, powerful, and ensnaring. That woman knew what she was doing. She had at least 3 years of experience and time over the young girl. Lips glued shut, Kagome stayed stuck beside Miroku, the space between them growing at the woman’s threatening aura. There was silence, as if to lay ownership to the air surrounding them, before the woman opened her mouth.

“I heard there was a notorious monk that arrived here.” 

It was a sweet sound. Miroku chuckled, shamelessly rubbing the back of his head with his gloved hand. The beads tapped together against the movement and it brought her back to reality. As if her trivial feelings were thrown into an invisible abyss, his all-too-familiar saint-like and deceivingly humble smile reminding Kagome of his curse and it quelled the raging fire inside her. One that crushed his livelihood with each passing second and forced him on his knees with life-saving options slipping through his fingers. He had all the time to explore his options and potentially pass on his will, and the will of his predecessors before him, to an heir to end his family’s suffering when he was working alone but chose to be here, with her and Inuyasha and the others. Rather thinking it foolish, she couldn’t help but feel heavy with the maturity and responsibility of his decision. She felt saddened at the depressing thoughts, guilt clutching at her heart. I shouldn’t feel like this. I need to apologize. She reached out to get his attention but he opened his mouth.

“I am but a monk, miss.”

It feigned humility, sickly sweet yet easy to swallow, and she tried to wet her suddenly dry throat, once again grounded by him and his stature. The fire was back. Kagome crossed her arms, losing all previous concerns, and snorted very unladylike. The woman paid no mind.

“A humble monk? How… fetching.”

Kagome shriveled a bit on the inside as an unnaturally charming smile fixed itself on Miroku’s face. It suits him... What the hell am I--- Furrowing her eyebrows, Kagome watched the lady shamelessly flirt with the monk. Her giggles made Kagome’s insides twist as Miroku traced lines on the woman's dainty hand. Making sure his voice stuck to every single female in the vicinity, he lowered his volume with a smirk, watching as they all stepped closer to hear him. 

Hardly resisting herself, Kagome fell under his spell, intrigued by how soothing his voice actually was. Though she caught herself when her foot inched closer than intended and hung back, watching as Miroku chuckled again, he got caught teasing the crowd of thirsty females, who took turns pulling on his arm in mock exasperation. Kagome could have left at any moment if she wanted, but she felt like she had to stay. She might actually learn something… As if.

“Wow, would you look at that? You have such lovely lines, miss. I predict a wonderful husband and many sons and daughters in your near future!”

It was the performance of the main act, the leading lady and the lowly but handsome clergyman set up for a forbidden but fated romance. Kagome snorted again at the woman swooning elegantly, the latter causing her fellow gal pals to explode in giggles and chatter. They crowded the all-too-gleeful monk and pushed against each other, begging to have their palms read. It was actually impressive how fast he got them all wrapped around his finger. Kagome furrowed her brows deeper at the display, it seemed wrong to play with people's emotions, no matter how eager the person was. Especially in Miroku’s case, doesn’t he realize how serious this is for him…? As if Miroku read her mind, he attempted to tease the situation into his favor, her furrowed brows weren’t very Kagome-like. The outcomes were probably too predictable--a simple slap on the cheek and the following fussing over from adoring women--but he was hoping that she might play along a bit, or make it interesting.

“It's hard to learn about palm reading if you can't hear me. Kagome-sama.”

That seemed to get every female’s attention. The force of their scrutinizing glares caused her to freeze, a retort stuck in her throat as she caught a mischievous glint in Miroku’s eyes and an amused smile on his lips. She pursed her lips and cocked her hip angrily at being called out. If that’s how he wanted to play this game, she could very much reject his offer. Their respective smiles, one more forced and pissed than anything, clashed and she inhaled sharply. There it was again, that lonely numbness and resignation mixed with almost perfect, almost, liveliness. It stopped her tongue but she knew she had to answer at some point, and fast.

There was the softest, smug titter from Miroku’s right and Kagome felt the hair on her neck ruffle like a cautious newborn kitten. Locking eyes with the most mesmerizing--No, stop it--hazel eyes, Kagome felt her nostrils flare at a microscopic level, warning sirens firing in her head. Miroku hadn’t caught onto their instant clash of daggers but Kagome was all in, cards drawn, pawns moved, and dice already shaking in her hand. There were probably a lot of options she could go about but she only formed two in her head, her cursed single-mindedness directing her on auto-pilot. Each riled her up in different ways. Turn away and face the shame of running away and thirsty-female brutality of gossiping or play along and put all these girls and a perverted monk in their place.

Her pride wasn't having any of it apparently as she confidently took a couple steps forward. You wanted a game, monk? I’ll show you a checkmate. The giggling crowd turned quiet, parting slightly at the fiery spark in her scarily expressive eyes. Her own pace, not so delicate or practiced, had a powerful quality of it’s own, stealing back a territory more familiar to her in terms of a playing field. They were interested to see how this will play out, knowing full well how their leader's tongue was sharper than any knife. The elegant woman's smile widened, and--Was that a hint of lust? For a faulty, stupidly brooding in a mysterious but shojo kinda way prize? Oh hell no.

Leaning closer to a baffled, yet amused Miroku, Kagome smiled right back at her with just as much, if not more, aggression. The woman dropped her hands from Miroku’s, as if daring Kagome to take the bait. She did, allowing Miroku to gently grab her hand and face the palm upward.

“What a lovely hand you have, Kagome-sama! The lines are quite contrasting in meaning, hmm... Which seems to be the most interesting to you? I believe I could tell you something you do not know about yourself this way. I must warn you, it’s quite intimate.”

There was a subtle insinuation that made many suck in their breaths with anticipation. In the world of the female gender, this was the rope that either made you a woman or a girl. The man may think he holds the upper hand but it’s a woman’s game, for women against women. Whoever hit first set the playing field. Clever girl. 

With a contemplative narrowing of her eyes, she acknowledged her senior’s trap, who was on the side covering her own smile. It was elaborate but nothing Kagome couldn’t handle. She defeated demons of this degree and worse before, mind games designed for both the simple minded and the nuances of the female-dominated field in both the Feudal Era and her own world. This was a piece of cake. Sorry, but you’re 500 years too early to handle the heartlessness of highschool girls and single women in their prime at mixers with only one attractive males---excluding Miroku, of course.

The woman just waited for Kagome’s move with a graceful lift of a brow, the silence tense as the females all continued to hold their breaths. As if bored, Kagome shrugged at Miroku’s comment, glancing down at their hands before looking up at him from underneath her lashes. Miroku shifted his gaze from her hand to her blazing eyes, curious about what she will do. Her eyelashes fluttered. It was unusual, yet teasing and... a bit flirty? What are you planning, Kagome?

His gaze suddenly lowered to her lips in peaked interest, they looked quite cute when parted. There were small marks on the bottom lip too. She probably bit down on them earlier.

“I… don't think I'm interested in those kinds of lines, Miroku-sama.”

That got everyone's attention. Miroku blinked, confused, before he pointed to another crease in her palm and opened his mouth to speak. 

“Well---”

Kagome cut him off, lifting light fingers to linger over his ear lobe. Gathering her wits, bursting pride, and years of sappy romance novel knowledge, she leaned close, delicately balancing between the stagnant but warm air between them and her toes.

“I would say this jawline is very intriguing though.” She swiped her fingers along the sharp line of his jaw, humming in appreciation at the feeling of soft skin. As if feeling, more than seeing, all those eyes on her, she pulled her hand to her lips, sucking the tip of her finger and feigning pain. “Ouch.”

There was an echo of bewildered comments, but the leading woman felt the threat of the playing field shifting and Miroku glanced around at the subtle change in mood.

“It’s quite… sharp, and so very strong,” She carefully eunusciated her words, letting it drag before continuing, “Strong enough to capture quite the lovely maiden and…”

They all hung to her next words, begging to understand and poke holes at, but the leading lady prompted her on, “And…?”

Leaning close as to fan her scent in a rather animalistic way, she focused on the bobbing of his Adam’s apple, analyzing his reaction. He swallowed with a subtle stutter. Thank you, holy Alpha’s Only Affair. Collecting herself, she feigned a sigh, closed in on herself and played with a lock of her hair.

“So sorry, I just started training privately with Miroku-sama. But I believe it went along the lines of capturing quite the lovely maiden and having her beg for more---”

Miroku choked and the group exploded in a thrilled shock.

“..children, for more children.”

Giggles cut through the chatter and Miroku stared at her in disbelief. Who is this and what did they do with Kagome? She was urged on by his lack of comeback, it never happened before. Kagome couldn’t resist continuing, she was in too deep. Taking on a sweet, soft whine, she pouted softly and tilted her head to the side.

“Was I wrong? You were so thorough and diligent with your teachings, you even pounded it so hard into me. I can’t believe how forgetful I was but… I always loved the way you teach, Miroku-sama.”

Each word made the crowd whoop louder, as the beautiful woman in the middle clenched her teeth in scathing silence. Locking eyes with the suddenly devious woman, Miroku saw Kagome crack through her pout with a trembling smile and felt a sense of pleasure at the change strangely enough, warmth digging under his robes at the laughter in her eyes. The look vanished as it came, leaving an almost identical Miroku-esque smile on her face.

“It is quite a sharp line and I mean what I saw in them but…”

Another ace on top of your growing bid? This is risky, Kagome-sama.

“I’m having a hard time figuring out your state of vitality and fortune, your life line is covered. I hope I’m not prying…?”

At her knowing gaze, he shook his head with a smile and let his beaded hand fall, their little secret. With the same, equally fake soft whine, she smiled with soft resignation, “It’s of no consequence.”

The woman, seizing her chance, hugged his beaded arm gently, letting her soft mounds brush in an intentionally innocent manner, as if to say checkmate. Ignoring her settled rival, Kagome hooked her thumb in the folds of his robe and ran her hand up along the fabric, lightly caressing his chest before urging him closer with a pull on the knot connecting the fabric. The crowd, loud with gossip and excitement, quelled at the display and watched on.

“As I said before”, Kagome took her time to fake assessing his skin, warmth spreading from the trail of her fingertips against fabric yet her eyes did not meet his, “You have quite sharp lines.”

Miroku felt breathless. He couldn’t help the slightest stumble at her eyes, hooded yet inciting challenge. He felt, rather than saw her run her nail along his Adam's apple and collarbone.

“Is it the same under the robes? Because, if I can’t read your palm...”

Kagome shifted her eyes to the towering female on Miroku’s right before returning back to Miroku’s own, tone screaming ‘royal flush’ to her trivial checker’s match as she laid her hand out.

”...I’d like to read those lines, if you will.”

Gasps of disbelief were her only response, slowly shifting to deafening cheers and gasps. It was an irrefutable and crushing defeat, one to humble the mighty and strengthen the underdog. Biting her lip in silent pride, she quirked a small brow and waited for his move. Kagome went above any rule set for the game he set up, leading her opponents by the nose and molding the playing field to her advantage. He knew that, but where did she learn that? Miroku was oddly silent, eyes widening softly as he watched her. Seconds passed and nothing happened, the clamor turning chaotic as half attempted to appease the leading woman’s bruised ego and the other gushed over her boldness.

“Well…?”

Miroku snapped out of his reverie and tried to think of something, anything. He was cornered. If I… I could… What about… It won’t work, she got me. With a soft sigh, he conceded with a rather wolfish smirk and brought his hand up to surrender. His unwavering surrender took her out of autopilot and her pride feasted deliciously at the monk’s uncommon defeat. Kagome felt her heart beating wildly, like it was built up and stuck in a lag. The weight of her words crashed on her, echoing in her rather soft and girly self-conscious, and a blush crept up her neck, but she wasn't done yet. Looking back at the beautifully stunned woman and turning her nose up slightly, Kagome winked cheekily. No rebuttal. Good. 

Kagome’s pride in repercussion deflated at her shameless flirting but it wasn’t enough to drown out her victory. She couldn’t keep the triumphant smile nor the raging blush from appearing and quickly turned on her heels. She could imagine the growing smirk on his face at her slip up but refused to give him that image and quickly spat out, “I’ll meet you out front, Miroku-sama. Don’t play around too long, I’m hungry now.”

Oh gods, that sounded wrong. Curse you, Alpha’s Only Affair! Hand slapping over her mouth, Kagome cringed but couldn't change what she said. Quickening her pace, she noticed the outrageously excited chatter behind her and silently hoped to the gods that Karma wouldn't come back to bite her on the butt. She, however, didn't notice a different shift in Miroku’s expression.

His eyes flickered to her retreating figure, hand stroking along the tingle of her fluttering touch on his jawline and eyes on the rhythm of her long legs. Well, that was new, better than a slap to the cheek. Definitely better… Ah, today is such a good day for pink.

Intro | Chapter 2