T.Y.O.M. Chapter 7: Body Pillow?

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 7: Body Pillow?

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Tired was an understatement, Kagome was completely and utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally. Countless days and nights without proper sleep, full of bickering and fighting enemies and allies alike. It was draining, she couldn’t even remember the last time she actually got to rest. Sighing, she looked at the feeble campfire, throwing stray twigs in with the hope of absorbing the energy of the flames. Inuyasha wasted no time setting off into the forest, most likely to follow the scent of ash and clay, and the others settled into ‘bed’ after a small nibble of dinner and half-assed conversation. 

Everyone fell asleep quickly but Kagome’s eyes were glued open. Somehow she was too tired to actually sleep. Her behavior was strange enough, the lack of sleep made everything distorted and slow. Sort of like a drunk feeling. If that’s the right analogy. She rubbed her eyes, body straining at the simple action, before giving up halfway and staring to the right. Deep violet eyes greeted her from the other side of the campfire and she brightened up a bit. If there was a possibility that she couldn’t sleep tonight, at least she had company, and just like that she did her best to scooch her way--in her sleeping bag--to the smiling monk.

It was probably, no, definitely, the most inefficient way of doing it but she didn’t have the energy to really think about it. So there Kagome was, the smallest squishiest caterpillar with the dopiest smile, settling down as Miroku watched with a mirthful grin.

“Enjoying yourself, Kagome-sama?”

“Not sure, are you?” He glanced at her glassy eyes and the stress indented into her skin before looking up at the stars.

“Hmm, tough inquiry. But with you, I might as well be.” Kagome yawned, she couldn’t really think about what he said seriously. Whether it was just a formality or if there was something more, she stashed it away in her brain for later. His voice suddenly seemed to play on repeat and she couldn’t dissuade the strangely smoky tone for some odd reason. The words came before the thought did.

“Did you know that you have, like, a really nice voice?” Miroku quirked a brow at the compliment. Sure, he got the same compliments from many women but somehow hearing her say it felt heavier, full of value and warmth rather than a shallow comment. It was hard to word what he felt as he gazed into Kagome’s eyes, curious, mellow purple met dazed, giddy blue.

“Yes, I’ve heard many say that my voice is really nice, as you put it. But what about you?” She scrunched her nose and slumped back onto the tree trunk supporting the both of them, still looking at the still monk.

“What about me?” He got a little close, probably too close if she was in the right state of mind.

“Did you know that you have beautiful blue eyes?” She huffed good-heartedly, pushing him back slightly through her sleeping bag, a blush staining her cheeks. His eyes crinkled at her reaction and he settled back into his spot.

“Oh, you tease. Is that how you get all your lady friends?” 

She wiggled her eyebrows goofily, causing him to chuckle.

“Not at all. Only my special lady friend.” She didn’t register that fully but still answered, “Ooooh, lucky me.”

“Quite the opposite actually. I believe I happen to be the lucky one, Kagome-sama.” She smiled and lazily looked up, stars twinkling out in the open unlike the foggy nights in the future.

“You’re quite the charmer.”

“Thank you, I only learn from the best.”

“And who’s that?” She looked back at him, watching his lips form into a cheesy smirk.

“Me.” 

“Of course, it’s you. Hey, you think you can give me lessons?” 

She couldn’t resist a giggle and he, in turn, wiggled his own eyebrows.

“Sure, I could give you some private lessons.”

“Maybe some other time.’’

“Hmm, sure. I don't believe you’ll have the same mindset in the morning.”

“I’m just tired, Miroku-sama, not drunk. Besides I’m underage.”

He tilted his head with a quirked brow, and they shifted into a weirdly comfortable silence. Kagome felt more relaxed, happy even, maybe she’ll get some sleep tonight. Feeling a bit giddy, she unintentionally started looking at Miroku’s face. He was, indeed, attractive. High cheekbones, sharp jawline, he was angular but soft but she just really admired his eyes, swirling violet purple with long lashes. It was almost distracting enough to hide everything else…

Dazed spell broken, she furrowed her brows. Stressed wrinkles from a lifelong burden smoothed at night, dark, sunken eye bags, and a certain hardness suddenly popped out and she felt the urge to say, to do, something. Without a word, she scooched closer to Miroku, knees touching, and poked her hand out of the sleeping bag. He looked at her hand, eyes illuminating in the silence.

“When’s the last time you’ve slept properly, Miroku-sama?” Just asking the question made him deflate from the façade of ease he kept.

“I’m not too sure. Does it matter?”

She pouted, unintentionally a bit childish and cute. 

“To me, it does. If you can’t, I can’t, so take responsibility.”

“I wish I could, Kagome-sama. If you asked me maybe 5 years ago, I could have.”

His words felt bitter, just like the sudden crease in her eyebrows, and she felt helpless. Using her lack of sleep to excuse her sudden irrationality, she wiggled out of her sleeping bag, dug into her misshapen yellow bag and procured a large blanket. She threw the blanket over the unsuspecting monk with a fancy flourish and shimmied back into her own sleeping bag.

“Any better?” His lip twitched into a barely-smile and he mocked a sigh.

“Yes, maybe, but I do wish for the physical comfort of a beautiful woman by my side though.” 

“Pity, is it easier to sleep sitting like that or you ok with lying down?”

“Lying down is a nice luxury and yes, it is quite a shame…” His words dragged on as she scooched further along the tree and patted her leg with an expectantly warm smile. His expression asked the question for him.

 “I’m female, sooo…..?” He didn’t understand.

“....Soooo?”

“....Body pillow?”

“...Body… pillow. What a strange offering to a holy man, Kagome-sama.”

The insinuation jumped over her head.

“Oh hush, I’m tired. The offer stands for a short time period, so take it while you can!” After considerable silence, she feared she just ruined her wonderful friendship with the man in front of her but physically beamed when he hesitantly lowered his head onto her lap. Hands out of her sleeping bag, she yawned and adjusted his blanket, watching him turn slightly to look away from her. She hummed in confusion, catching his slightly reddened ears, and grinned.

“Feeling embarrassed, Miroku-sama?”

“... No. It’s not often when a beautiful woman willingly engaged with me.”

“You know I prefer ‘special lady friend’ over ‘beautiful woman’.” He glanced over at Kagome for a quick second, barely-smile widening just a tiny bit. Kagome returned the smile, lightly combing her fingers through his hair.

“...Thank you, Kagome.” The gratitude went beyond just the comfort of physical contact, how far, Kagome didn’t know but she felt closer to the monk in this moment after two years of knowing him. She felt his breath even out and his body loosen.

“Good night and sweet dreams, Miroku-sama.”

It didn’t take long for her eyes to shut, hand rested securely on his tense shoulders.

Intro | Chapter 6 | Chapter 8

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 13: He Felt Alive

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Kagome was never one for photos. With an old disposable camera at home, developing the photos or even buying extra cameras were a hassle that she didn’t want to indulge. Why take pictures when you can just enjoy the moment as it is? Maybe it was her naivety that was fueling her irrational irritation but she just didn’t find the use of a camera very useful.

She looked at the cursed camera in her hand and sighed. Out of all the places, it was  stuffed at the bottom of her yellow backpack. She didn’t bother asking how it survived everything that bag went through as memories of her bag being dropped in the river, tumbling over a cliff, and being thrown off her bike in the fields of Japan emerged in her head. It was a miracle of its own.

“When did you even get in there?”

“When did what get in where, Kagome-sama?”

Miroku settled down next to her, the shade providing good reason for their interaction. She welcomed the single clap of a paper fan in his hand as it blew soft, cool air over the two. His movements were relaxed and his hand was busy with the fan so she didn’t feel the need to move.

“I’m talking about this.”

She plopped the instant film camera into his lap and dropped herself back onto the grass. What was I looking for again, she thought as the soft sunlight bleeding through the leaves of the tree distracted her. It was a warm, sunny day. No shards, no stress. Inuyasha’ forest, left alone, looked the same the day she met the hanyou himself and she admired its tenacity. Without air pollution, the air was more bearable. It was humid but it was also all the more delightful. It caused a healthy tint in her deprived skin and she relished the calm that followed the smallest of breezes that teased the greenery around her. Various small blades of grass tickled her ear, the breeze tingling on her partially exposed skin, and she wiggled her toes in her sandals. Her eyelids closed to bask in the warmth.

“...I would be willing to praise an ordinary box if you were any ordinary woman. Anything given to me by a woman is bound to be fascinating enough, of course, but I have a feeling this is more than your average box, Kagome-sama.”

Kagome’s lips didn’t move at first. She stretched lightly, like an indoor cat under the sun, and his eyes followed her small movements without a word. With a small peek at the man beside her, she said, “It’s a specific type of camera. It captures still, beautiful moments and keeps them forever in photographs if you save them. Like a painting but more detailed than that, if that makes sense. Instead of taking hours, days or even months to finish, it takes only a second and you have an instant copy of what you can see with your eyes. It’s very accurate, some cameras need people to develop the actual photo because it doesn’t store it in the camera itself, but mine sort of copies it as soon as the picture is taken. It’s rather finicky with sun exposure so I’m not a huge fan myself but it’s a nice thing to have for memories.”

By the end of her spiel, she had scooched next to the monk with her legs tucked under her. He had a pretty funny expression on his face and she couldn’t resist pulling herself closer to admire it for a good laugh. It was a mixture of disbelief and childlike wonder. She’d like to imagine smoke escaping his ears from the heat of overstimulated curiosity but there was something about the way his eyes shimmered at the future artifact that made her warm up considerably.

“That IS fascinating! Think about all of the women I could capture with this handy little device!”

She smacked his arm playfully. The light quirk of his brow showed none of the ill will described in his words and he carefully placed the camera back into her hands. Any questions he had were stowed away for future sleepless nights.

“I’ll bring some books for you to read later, Miroku-sama. They might explain them a lot better.”

He hummed but internally disagreed. He liked the way she skipped over the details and bounced on the exciting bits. It was just like her to focus on the big picture, especially with such a gap in functionality and innovation in their time periods. Right, time periods. Did the world really change this fast?

“Thank you for sharing this with me, Kagome-sama.”

The way he froze earned him a wary glance from Kagome, who in turn tried to lighten the air.

“No worries, I can’t hog all the comforts of the Future to myself.”

“If you insist, but the things we are capable of--- It’s incredible! I mean, a tool that captures moments before your very eyes and provides living proof of the existence of that specific memory. I couldn’t imagine anything better than that.”

There was a wistful glint in his eyes, hands forming grand gestures as to enhance his wonder and underlying desolation. She swallowed the list of examples that she knew would deepen his overwhelming display of fascination at the subtle hints of bitterness in his voice and reached out her hand to squeeze his. With a soft breath, he collected himself smoothly, the transition between his frenzied erect pose to a cooler laze in his posture practically invisible as though his spiel hadn’t just happened merely moments before.

“Your world…”, he offered a small twitch on the corner of his lip,” It sounds wonderful.”

“It’s your world too, Miroku-sama.”

He blew a small breath from his nose, amused, at her words and the air cooled over her cheeks. She felt the ridiculousness of her words and felt her heart twist. The thought of a future, her Future especially, was something Miroku didn’t have the luxury of exploring. He was chained to this time, to a mortal body and a curse that threatened to pull him under with each growing day, and the well only opened for her and Inuyasha… She could feel her slipping never ending void of depression, one she was sure she could see Miroku delving into before her, but quickly collected herself---though not as smoothly as her well-seasoned friend. Willing herself to think like Kagome, she felt a burst of renewed love for her camera and her Future luxuries, as well as her Kagome-brand positivity, and squeezed her hand over Miroku again, the fan in their grip crinkling softly.

“I would love to show you sometime.”

Breaking out of his ever growing and dark trance, he simply quirked a brow at her words, no doubt questioning her line of thought. They both knew their limits. With a soft smile, she shook her head as to assure confidence in her claim and scooched closer to the man beside her.

“Well, we know I can’t promise immortality, Kami knows we haven’t reached that answer in my time nor can I promise passage to my time…”

He just nodded, resigned to their conclusion, but she wasn’t finished.

“...I think we can start with this.”

She held out her camera for him to see, the smallest glimmer of wonder returned to his eyes and she grinned.

“And I do remember promising a certain monk with books? There’s an endless stock of them just waiting for you---”

Fiddling with the knobs, she continued listing the many ways she could provide the feudal-tweaked tour of the Future, quickly placed a practiced arm around Miroku’s shoulders and brought him close. Quietly thanking her friends’ recent obsession with polaroids and instant film cameras and months of selfie practice, she gave the bewildered monk a quirked brow of her own.

“Just look at the circle here,” she pointed at the lens, “try not to blink---it can get brighter than my flashlight, and… Smile?”

He only tilted his head at her as she redirected her gaze into the open lens. With a giggle, she bumped his shoulder and smiled into the camera.

“Say cheese.”

It came out softer than she expected but she heard him mirror her words and pressed the shutter button. With a small flinch, she untangled herself from him, suddenly warmer at the contact and the barest flash of summer’s heat, and waved the camera around, urging it to develop faster. She chuckled at the laser focus he projected onto the offending camera, unanimated once the picture popped out of the bottom slit.

“Eyes over here, Miroku-sama!”

She thrusted the film into his hands and leaned over to watch the magic happen. As if his gradually shaking hand were any sign of his impression, she took in his sharp inhale as a positive and grinned when their faces emerged from a sea of white.

“What…?”

She quickly became bursting with excitement at his awe and shook his shoulders.

“That’s us!”

Eyes flickering between her bouncing form to the developing photo in his hands, he shook his head vigorously in disbelief.

“I--- How? This isn’t some late joke that I wasn’t privy to, is it? Kagome-sama?”

“Nope, call it Future magic, if you want, but that is the real deal! You couldn’t fake that famous Miroku-rat-tail anywhere!”

With a slowly growing upturn of his lips, he looked down at her and let out a semi-splintered laugh. It was like time froze, a picture developed before her and she wished her camera had the ability to capture the view before her. The way the light bounced off the curves of his face and the smallest smile to grace his face, with soft wind-tousled hair, and a relaxed but truly juvenile admiration air that surrounded Miroku. It was something she didn’t realize she needed from this very broken, lonely man and she willed the memory to dig itself into her most conscious of memory banks.

“It’s yours.”

As soon as it came, the picture in front of her shifted as he glanced back at the photo, barely pinching the edges as if it were a fragile, precious child.

“I couldn’t possibly…”

She could feel his hesitation and patted his shoulder once more. “I insist. Plus…”

She stilled as to fix her gaze on the man. He quickly returned it at her pause and her smile turned cheeky, replicating a familiar smirk that came after a successful fondle.

“It’ll be the first of many! I intend to follow through with my promises.”

With a resigned shake of his head, one of weathered joy, he leaned back onto the grass, as if drained from his child-like behavior and new found discoveries and delicately inserted the polaroid into the folds of his robes, the empty hand then traveling up to cover his face.

“I’ll hold you to that, Kagome-sama.”

At the slightest tremor in his rather smooth voice, she leaned down next to him and looked up to the sky.

“I’ll expect no less with your persistent disposition! I just don’t know where to start! I have some of my school textbooks back at Kaede’s, there are a lot of developmental topics, general and theoretical, or even philosophical, content and intros to some of the basic stuff that I can go over with you. Anything you find interesting, I can swing by the library to pick up too. I find that other cultures from around the world to be particularly enlightening, maybe you would like to browse the religious impacts and ideology first? Of course, I can tickle your fossilized taste buds with the luxuries of Future fine-dining for cheap at the convenience store---”

She rambled on and on, things reminding her of even more things, as a loose plan formed. She wasn’t aware it quickly became a one-woman speech but he didn’t have the energy to reply. He basked in the bubble that Kagome created, almost seeing everything she described in front of his eyes, breath slowing, speeding, and tensing at every turn. He felt alive.

Intro | Chapter 12 | Chapter 14

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 3: Hair = Butt?

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

“This looks so pretty, Kagome-chan! Thank you!” 

Sango beamed, squinting at the compacted mirror from mere centimeters from her face. It took Kagome a few seconds to explain what a mirror was, which was relatively easy when compared to water's reflection. The future’s definitely practical. Sango adjusted the mirror a couple times, looking side to side with admiration. The younger girl glowed at the silent praise in Sango’s expression, fiddling with her brush. It, although a bit more fanciful, looked lovely on Sango.

Her soft dark brown tresses were curled with old fashioned hair curlers and teased with care. Bangs left alone, two messy braids situated on both sides of her head were made to blend seamlessly into a high and bushy ponytail. Little curls framed her face and bounced at her back. It was just lovely. Lovely enough for the thought to be repeated apparently.

They giggled over it, Sango’s fingers playing with stray curls, before Shippo jumped in between them. 

“Ooh! Me next, Kagome-chan!” 

“Sure, Shippo. Why not?”

Kagome sifted her fingers through his equally soft hair. He beamed, expression identical to Sango’s, and shifted more comfortably into her lap.

~~~~~~~~~

On the other side of the forest, Miroku hummed, sunlight warming against his closed eyes. His torso stilled against his staff, legs crossed, with his sandals kicked to the side. The wind carried out in the chimes of his staff, it was peaceful. He wasn't too sure when he would be allowed another moment like this. The nature whispering in his ear turned to yells of protests in the bundles of trees nearby, booming shuffling getting closer and closer. One yell became more distinctive into two varying voices, one gruff and the other more childlike.

“Kami, Kagome! Stop torturing me, will ya?!”

“You should be glad, Inuyasha. She made you look not ugly.”

“The hell you say, pipsqueak?”

Ah, I shouldn't have jinxed it, the monk sighed. Miroku opened his eyes slowly at the disturbance as Shippo squawked in fear. He felt a small hand squeeze a bit of his robes, warmth radiating behind him, before he greeted the pissed hanyou.

“What brings you here, Inuyasha-san?”

His purple eyes analyzed him for a few seconds. An astonished hum rumbled in his throat at Kagome's handywork. She further tamed his locks into an elegant ponytail, bangs parted to the side, the hairs on each side of his head braided intricately to cover the lack of human ears and accentuate his dog ear on top. They traveled into and wrapped around the base of the ponytail. She turned this toad into a prince, it seemed. Hopefully without kissing, Miroku thought absently, not really questioning the thought as of then.

“I can't feel my head and Kagome's just demonic!”

“Says the hanyou.”

“Shut it, shortie.”

Another squawk was uttered. Miroku glanced at Shippo, whose hair was as equally as crafted as Inuyasha’s. His was a more simple bun, a small braid wrapped around it and his teal bow tied on top. A feminine voice echoed through the forest.

“Inuyasha, I'm not done with you yet!”

“You didn't see me, monk.” Miroku lifted a brow, a small frown forming, as Inuyasha grabbed Shippo by the tail and just vanished. He just sighed, closing his eyes once more, and waited for the younger woman to make her way to him.

It must have taken longer than expected, he thought with fading sleep, his back glued to the ground and the sky straight ahead in his view. He tilted his head, mind finally recognizing whose upside-down face was peering down at him. Kagome was leaning slightly above him, hands on her brush, her lips seemed to be moving but he didn’t catch it.

“Sorry, Kagome-sama, what was that?”

“Have you seen Inuyasha anywhere? I still need to fix his hair…”

Miroku shook his head as an answer. Kagome sighed and broke eye contact with him, allowing his eyes to stray to her calves. Her bare skin, smooth and pure, was a straight path to the glories of paradise hidden beneath her ‘skurt’. He couldn’t help but look for it, pleasure filling at the teaseful breeze.

“Blue is such a lovely color, don’t you think?”

Kagome looked at the sky for a second, and smiled.

“You’re right, Miroku-sama! The sky has a pretty shade of blue today.” Miroku’s gaze flickered to the sky.

“Oh! I guess the sky’s blue is also nice.”

Kagome glanced down at him, then at the sky, and then turning slowly to look around.

“Miroku-sama?”

“Yes?”

“What other blue is there? I mean, we’re surrounded by trees, and there’s no water nearby…”

Her voice died in her throat, a realization dawning on her as she quickly dropped on her butt to the floor with a squeak. She glared at the laughing monk, his smile soft, rare, and genuine. Dang, I can’t really be mad at him.

“That’s not somewhere you should look!”

“I don’t know, Kagome-sama. It was like you were begging for me to look!”

Kagome was left flabbergasted, a blush forming on her cheek and teeth grinding. Miroku noticed, a bit curious to see if she’ll attack him as he slowly rose into a sitting position. She played with the teeth on her brush instead.

“Good job with Inuyasha and Shippo, Kagome-sama.”

“So you did see them!”

“...You didn’t hear from me.”

Kagome giggled a bit before adding,” You should see Sango though.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

There was a comfortable silence as they both looked at the sky.

“Hey, Miroku-sama. Could I do your hair?”

“If it will forgive my mistake.”

“I doubt it’ll be enough”, Kagome teased with a slight curve of her lips,” Just kidding.”

She scooted over to Miroku who, in trust, turned his back to her. He felt a small pressure, breathing evenly as she pulled the hair tie holding his small ponytail. Surprise, surprise, his hair is soft. He must be using some of her Future conditioner... She was almost jealous, gingerly smoothing the hair with her fingers. He hummed at the contact, lulled by the consistency. Time passed in a flash and a tap on the shoulder brought Miroku back. He looked at Kagome with a smile as she brought out her mirror, slowly explaining how it works. He took it from her, and looked at himself. 

His hair was brushed, straight and tied into a half up, half down style, hair tickling the nape of his neck. Small braids, two on both sides of his head, were made separated and tied into the half ponytail. Voicing out his awe, he caught a glimpse of her sparkling expression.

“Can I?”

“Oh! Um. Sure, take it away.”

Kagome was hesitant to turn but with her brush in Miroku’s beaded hand, she sat before him. He started by brushing her hair, carefully and slowly. Hands roaming to gather all of her hair, his fingers brushed against her neck and she flinched.

“You’re tense, Kagome-sama.”

“Sorry.”

Miroku’s answer didn’t come right away.

“I can’t say I’m an expert like you.”

“That’s alright! It’s just nice when--”

She squawked, a bit awkwardly, and jumped a heavy distance away from Miroku’s hand. He groped her. Of course, he did.

“You know, Miroku-sama. I gave you permission to my hair. Not my butt.” Miroku fiddled with the hair tickling his neck, a cheeky grin on his face.

“I couldn’t tell the difference really.”

Kagome just sighed, neck tingling from the earlier contact.

“Sure you couldn’t. Who is to say that you won’t wake up with all your hair shaved off. Maybe you’d look more of a monk than you act.” Miroku clasped his hands together and lowered his head in a panicked and apologetic manner.

“Ack! Let’s not get t-too hasty, Kagome-sama!”

“No promises!”

Intro | Chapter 2 | Chapter 4

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 9: Bruised Foreheads

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Sango and Shippo were gone. Not dead---at least not yet---but they were taken and the rest of the group, along with the village caught in the middle, were left worse for wear. The timing couldn't have been any more perfect, Inuyasha had reverted back into a human and the village was celebrating a night of successful harvests. In the dark of night, in the span of what seemed like seconds, Inuyasha and Miroku were down for the count and half the flammable housings were burnt to the ground, the villagers injured and scattered.

The next seconds, minutes, hours were spent in damage control. Kagome, the temporary Priestess-in-training, did her best in consoling the remaining conscious village leaders and strongmen, the pink glow of her fingertips lingering. 

With Miroku and human-Inuyasha taken care of, the rest of the villagers were left to their own devices. The crying children were satiated, the injured cared for, the fires put out, and the village dead quiet as they rested and waited for the light to come. Kagome couldn’t be more grateful for the hospitality--after all it was her group who led them to the village.

In their own hut on the edge, shabby futons were laid out for the broken group but she couldn’t bring herself to lay down as the abandoned Kirara paced around by her side. Miroku was definitely the worst out of the two. Not good. Their breathing surprisingly felt calm, face occasionally twitching at the pain, and Kirara fiddled with their discarded-for-first-aid clothing.

“That’s no good...”

Kagome nibbled on her bottom lip, eyes looking farther than the ragged cloth. She couldn’t wait for the morning to come but then again she didn’t want to see the sun rise. Reaching in her bag, she felt for a travel-sized container of thread and needles and put her hands to work, willing for the distraction to last until the brink of daylight.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Miroku-sama, stop!”

One shoulder harshly brushed the other aside and robes were haphazardly thrown together by muscle memory with a wrapped up arm.  

“No! No, Kagome-sama.” 

Small hands trembled at messily-covered shoulders in another attempt.

“Miroku-sama!”

The hands on his robes were ripped off at the fabric and a grunt escaped his lips from the rigid motion. A moment of instinct and desperation.

“Why didn’t you wake me up earlier? Don’t--! Don’t you even care?”

“I--”

“Just why?! Because of this set-back, Sango--!... Sango an-- Sango and Shippo are farther and farther away. They could be dead now for all we know!”

Purple eyes burned, the early lights of the afternoon sun flickered in his gaze as he directed his attention into the floor. As if he were imagining the stomped blades of grass as the demon horde that ambushed them the night before. Fists clenched, heavy panting and unsteady balance, it was like there was a wounded, wild beast before her, and she was afraid. Afraid to get close. Afraid to make one wrong move.

“Kami-sama above, below, and beside us stupid mortals, I have to go. I have to be there for them. Kagome-sama, you understand… right!? I can’t just stand here! We have no time to waste, just lazing around here!”

He faced her, his expression scrunched and the most vulnerable she had ever seen. Must be because of Sango. Of course. It stripped at Kagome's strongest defenses until he attempted to step away. He stumbled over his own staff and barely caught himself as his outbursts caused the other villagers to slowly stop and gather.

“Miroku.” No honorifics, just firm, warm, and unwavering. He didn’t turn.

“You’re injured, damn it.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“YES IT DOES!”

He felt the trembling strength in her grip as Kagome forced him to face her, hands stretching the fabric of his robes. She pushed and pushed, forcing him to stumble backwards just to keep them both afloat. He expected tears, he expected a slap, he expected childish Kagome. Flitting eyes met the fiery depths of blue as she slammed her forehead against his, keeping him close and lowered at eye-level. It was childish.

“You can’t come. You’re hurt and I don’t want you to die, do you hear me!?”

“Kag--”

“No, shut up. Shut up! Do you hear me? Can’t you see that this village needs and wants you here? Your left arm is also useless right now and you can’t even walk without using your staff! I--.”

Her voice decided right then and there to crack but her gaze refused to waver, eyes shining with a new wetness which she immediately blinked away. He didn’t say anything, a frown gracing his features as she pulled harder on his robes.

“Inuyasha’s already healed and he’s got his stupid ears and old man hair back so we can’t stay here long, they’re terrified of him. They’ve agreed to keep you here though… So please. Just stay here. We need to know that at least you’re safe and sound...”

Something poked at his legs and Miroku looked down, forehead still brushing softly against Kagome’s bangs. Kirara let out a small mew, pawing at his toes with a knowing look, before she bumped her head into Kagome’s bruised and tensed calf. He let out a small curse at his own misfortune and looked back at the quivering Kagome. She wasn’t finished.

“...And of course I care, Miroku-sama. I… I’m useless, I know I am, but I never give up. You know that. I’m just so scared. I’m just scared that we’re already too late! That I won’t be able to do anything if we ever find--!”

“When, Kagome-sama. When you find them.”

Miroku, gaining the advantage of her sudden loss of composure, adjusted the staff in his hand to wipe at the tear in the corner of her eye before letting a bitter smile fall on his lips.

“I just… I need you to stay here. Can you promise me that?”

“...Yes. Please get them back safely.”

“Of course---”

“I have complete faith in you, you know.”

Kagome couldn’t respond to the succumbed yet confident tone of his voice or the fingers that brushed against her reddened forehead. She just nodded with a newly found determination and ran back into the forest with Kirara in her arms as a glimpse of red greeted her.

Left alone, he watched their silhouettes disappear as the eyes of all villagers suddenly burned into his back. Fixing the position of his staff, he failed to collect himself and sheepishly looked back at various expressions scattered on their equally battered faces. Rather than scared and angry at their outburst, they shared a more bashful atmosphere. It was quickly broken by what seemed like one of their esteemed village elders.

“Aye, young monk-sama, was she your wife perhaps...?”

He burst into a coughing fit and bought his wrinkled robe sleeve up to his face to cover the abrupt embarrassment on his face.

”W… wife?”

They all nodded simultaneously, eager to hear the answer. He brushed the fabric against his face again at their eagerness and paused. There was an intrusion in the fabric against his chin--a slight raised threading against bunched and bloodied cloth. Looking down, he found something and thumbed the mended area, fixed with obviously tender yet rough ministrations. Flowers. Fragile white flowers against dark, tainted fabric. He fixed a softer, relaxed smile at the crowd.

“No, just a precious friend.”

The villagers looked between themselves with doubt before returning back to their duties while he, with the help of a rejuvenated, single young girl, moved back onto the porch of their mostly-emptied out hut and slumped against the wall. They’ll make it. Without a doubt. Sango and Shippo are safe… Right? With a sigh, Miroku started praying, fingers playing with the light flowers embroidered on his mended sleeve.

Intro | Chapter 8 | Chapter 10

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 14: Tipped Over

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Kinda short sorry!

Her feet reacted faster than her brain. A bad habit, really, and the result was no different than any other time she did it. Even when she stumbled, even when something felt wrong in the way her ankle bent, she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. A dark abyss growing and devouring everything in its path made way for a man struggling under its pressure. The battle had escalated past the point of poisoning the poor fool with those damned bugs and it was clear that he was beyond a healthy state of mind and body.

They got jumped on within the depths of Inuyasha’s forest and her stomach churned at the glimpse of the vulnerable Bone Eater’s well behind the monk. He had been cornered and she couldn’t help but direct anger towards herself. He knew the well was important to her and Inuyasha which seemed to be the main factor for his reckless act of unleashing his curse. It was touching but, if he went on any longer, he and the well would both perish. She tripped over a root and cursed her single-mindedness.

“Miroku-sama!”

He glanced over to her with a tremor in his body but he held on strong. There was something about the way he looked, wind blowing across his face and his body tensed under his own weakness. She saw it in the furrow of his eyebrow. He knew the risks and she felt her vein pop.

“Stop being so reckless, you idiot!”

There was a wince in his movements, her ability to insult his decision in the middle of a life-threatening battle while she dove headfirst without a second thought was just astounding. He miscalculated her strength, her determination, her Kagome-ness, and in a moment of deja vu, she jumped straight into his line of sight. His Kazaana pulled her in close but she didn’t waver. Her face conveyed the same expression as the first time they met. Completely trust. Warm determination. Pure naivety.

He scrambled to close the opening, prayer beads tightening around his wrist, as a barrage of left over debris pelted his frantic form. His arms barely had time to envelop her as her arms wrapped around his neck. His thighs hit the edge of the well from the additional weight, and they tipped over.

Intro | Chapter 13 | Chapter 15

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