T.Y.O.M. Chapter 8:Battle, Exercise, And Poison

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 8: Battle, Exercise, and Poison

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Warning: I like joking about near-death drama a lot so all this emotional depth (if any) is just weak lol

The battle came out of nowhere, as did many fights have before, but something about this one seemed off. Maybe it was because she was somehow five times more clumsier than usual, maybe it was because Naraku showed up for the briefest second, screwing up any stable mentality the group had at the moment, or maybe it was because the stupid horde of demons managed to overpower and separate their group with a surprise attack in the goddamned rain.

Sango in one direction, murderous fire tattooed onto her face, and Inuyasha in another, a forlorn look in his features as familiar ebony hair whipped through the forest away from the others. Shippo and Kirara somehow trailed after Sango in a panic as claws and fangs tore the air to shreds, keeping Kagome from following them. All which happened in a matter of probably five minutes.

She would be lying if she said her legs weren’t screaming as breaths were harder to make without gasping as water pelted against her face heavily. Their situation was pretty bad, she knew it, hand in hand with the infamously lecherous but wounded monk, running deeper to god-knows-where in the security of the forest. He had protected her from a cowardly attack from behind when she tried to shoot one of Inuyasha’s many enemies. The blood was too much, more than she had seen in her life and she couldn’t help but squeeze Miroku’s slippery hand at the thought of his actions, feeling the beads dig into her palm as he swerved quickly in an attempt to throw off their pursuers. The attempt was useless really, his fresh wounds were just the bait thrown to the wolves. The leaves rustled crazily from each side, pushing them further uphill as snarls bit at their heels.

Kagome’s eyebrows furrowed as he stumbled over his robes, she was scared that Miroku wouldn’t make it to safety without fainting. Her arrows ran out a long time ago--turns out she still wasn’t a hell of a shot yet--and she wasn’t ready to face off hungry demons with a bloody metal staff and a misshapen patchy backpack in the rain. Yeah, the rain isn’t exactly her favorite at the moment.

“Miroku-sama?”

He grunted softly as a sort of involuntary response, tugging her hand as gently as he could while nursing his side to avoid an attacker pouncing from the left, who slid into the bushes on the other side with the rain’s assistance.

“I’ll be fine. Let’s worry about escaping alive, hm? You could do without those wet clothes.”

Without so much as a breathless squeak of surprise and a discreet shirt shifting, they continued on, Kagome worryingly catching up to the slightly dizzy monk as they burst through the clearing. Miroku fell to the ground, splashing against the mushy grass and skidding with a painful ‘oof’ as Kagome tripped on top of him--she was looking at the edge of the ground where it cut off into the view of the sky and the forest below. Water rushed in front of them from a wide river into a very steep waterfall. It’s usually clear liquid stained with brown, leaves and fallen branches muddling the river as it fell over the edge. With a glance over the edge, there was nothing but trees, stray branches along the walls of the waterfall, and a small pool covered in rocks continuing dangerously further down below. It had to be at least a 30 foot drop.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry, Miroku-sama. Will you be ok?”

Quickly spinning to his feet in a proper defensive stance, Miroku shrugged off her apology and narrowed his eyes at the mutated demons closing in by the waves---almost as chaotically as the river behind them. He grabbed his abandoned staff as a crutch and Kagome flanked his side, slightly trembling---from the cold or from fear, she didn’t know. Surrounding them was just a line of fangs, claws, and drool that inched through the bushes, their tongues flickering at the droplets of dark red left behind as their eyes flashed a similar shade. Kagome instinctively reached for her arrows, fingers grasping at air and water droplets aimlessly. She forgot she ran out, looking quickly to the taller monk as if to ask ‘what’s the plan now’. Miroku looked ready to rip off his prayer beads, already pushing her behind him before a hazy hum droned out from all directions. Poison bugs, damn. She furrowed her brows again helplessly but his expression didn’t change, the grit he put into clenching his jaw contrasted greatly against his clammy, pale complexion. The haunting flutter of their wings didn’t seem to deter the monk, in fact, it only drew him on as he shifted to unravel the beads. Kagome pulled at his hand.

“Miroku-sama, you can’t--!”

“We have no other choice, Kagome-sama! Stay behind me and hold on. Please.”

He slung off the beads, pulling Kagome tight against his side as the void in his hand prickled and expanded. The wind howled, pulling in the suddenly submissive predators and any obstacles without much effect. They managed to dig their nails into the softened dirt as the hovering bugs were sucked in, drawing poison into his veins as he staggered back in pain. He motioned Kagome to move behind him as he brought his other hand to support his slightly trembling arm. About thirty of the demons fell in, their last words being indistinguishable screams mixed with inhumane whining but the bugs wouldn’t stop coming. Kagome noticed, feeling the muscles slacken in Miroku’s back, as he went under a dizzying spell.

Kagome had to stop him before he killed himself, eyes burning as she dug her fingers hard into his soaked robes. Knowing Inuyasha would chew her thin for her recklessness, she shook her head in resolve and swiped the bloodied prayer beads from his whitened grip. He protested, hints of anger and panic in his voice, as she brushed her unoccupied hand along the length of his right arm and clasped his fingers closed underneath hers with force. The dark abyss disappeared as their hands glowed light pink, rubble and leftover forestry falling as the indescribable force faded. In shock, he could only watch as she moved with a once-in-a-lifetime grace to twist her body and her grip to wrap his wrist with the beads in a way she had seen him do hundreds of times.

Rain almost freezing in time, they stared at each other, blue eyes fiery and almost challenging while deep violet dimmed in response. The bugs fled in a swarm into the dark sky and the snarls of the still overwhelming and recovered group of demons brought back their attention. Biting his lip, Miroku went back to applying pressure on his wound as he edged backwards, causing Kagome to follow.

“So what’s the... pla---...n… Kagome-sama?”

He drew out the last syllable, allowing himself to lean on her lightly when she nudged his side. She didn’t necessarily plan what to do after. His eyes squinted against the sprinkle of rain, jumping back when one of the demons snapped forward. Their pursuers continued their slow, predatorial pace, cornering the two further against the edge. It was only till Kagome felt her feet brush against the edge when she sucked in a deep breath and froze. The seconds slowed into impossible lengths, the thudding of her heart faded as Miroku’s heart thumped loudly in her ear. Ba-bump… Ba-bump… Ba….Bump… There’s no other way, he can’t go on like this. She quickly felt her way down his arms and squeezed his hand, stressed tears pricking at her eyes.

“Ok, we gotta go.”

It sounded more tender than she’d like.

“Go?”

She nodded, warily eyeing the enclosing rows of demons.

“Mhm. Down there… Can you swim?”

“Sw...im? I can... certainly try for a pretty… lady.”

She couldn’t help but let a frantic giggle pass her lips, he probably didn’t even know what she was talking about.

“On the count of three.”

“Alright, fairly confident that… I can count that much, Kagome-... sama.”

Gathering Miroku’s staff, her backpack, and her partially useless weapon, she smiled at his comment and threw their stuff over the edge and away from the water. She could see it, the muscles tensing from beneath layered skin or matted fur as their eyes narrowed. They’re going in for the kill. Without a second to lose, she scrapped the thought of counting and leapt backwards, dragging the surprised, yet barely conscious monk with her.

“Kagome-sama, wait--!”

The wind whipped through her hair, lashing around her face as she hugged Miroku close to her body, hand protecting his head against her chest as he held onto her tightly. They fell fast, the rain surrounding them as they probably plummeted to their deaths. Eyes fluttering shut, she curled slightly into him, tightening her grip on him to keep them close, and prayed.

The water was harsh and cold, dragging them along like ragdolls along the strong overflowing current as Kagome struggled to swim to shore with additional deadweight. He would still paddle every now and then, filling Kagome with more energy and purpose. She had to get them somewhere safe and fast. Blinking her eyes against the stubborn water droplets, she felt the current ease only for a second and guided Miroku onto the shore before joining him in a less graceful heap. She stayed there only to catch her breath, then checked Miroku’s breathing--which was a tired but still teasing huff in her ear, how he managed that was beyond God at this point--and quickly guided him back in the direction of the waterfall.

His hand rested against any stray trees along their path as his breaths finally appeared labored, he couldn’t see much as black dots and blurring filled his vision but hummed when Kagome leaned him against what seemed like a cave’s entrance. He sunk slowly and closed his eyes, blinking in and out of consciousness as his hand found its way onto his wound again, the poison pricking all over his body finally affecting the fluidity of his body as Kagome ran out into the forest.

The seconds ticked by, warmth somehow draining but filling him as the color faded from his usually tan skin. The trickling of rainwater from outside of the cave felt calm, almost too calm, but he redirected his focus on mediating his heartbeat and strength. The poison must’ve spread quickly through their little water adventure and he wasn’t exactly in the healthiest condition, wound screaming in his attempt to stay awake. Without a pause, he felt clumsy footsteps coming closer and relaxed his muscles with a small, strained smile. She didn’t hesitate to throw her bag down, along with the miraculously intact bow and staff and a pile of mostly dry sticks and herbs, before digging in as if her life depended on it. Well his did, so it was completely justified. Seemingly finding what he needed first, she crouched next to him and popped open the cap. It looked to be a strange, sterile liquid, similar to the first time he managed to get poisoned.

“Oh Kagome-sama, I don’t think I have the strength to drink this all myself. Would you be open to--”

“Miroku-sama, you still got time to joke around?”

He noticed the slightest quiver in her voice as her sniffles became more audible, completely gluing his tongue to the roof of his mouth when he met her reddened eyes.

“It’s going to be alright, Kagome-sama. So maybe asking for mouth-to-mouth transfer is a bit too extreme…” He took a hold of the bottle, placed his hands over hers on the small container, and continued, ”How about just helping me?”

She only nodded, adjusting her position, and pushed the bottle against his lips. It went down smoothly and he leaned his head back, it felt better to rest his eyes. He let her drape a towel over him before dragging everything closer to his still form. Various little noises echoed through the shallow cave, a fire started after a couple minutes of silence and then a soft bubbling of something being boiled in a small pot with additional grinding of rocks creating a pulp with a familiar herbal aroma.

“Um..”

“Yes, Kagome-sama?”

“Are you ok to take off your clothes by yourself?”

“How bold, Kagome-sama--”

“Not like that!”

She was blushing, and he couldn’t help but feel relieved, it was more her than the hysterical girl she was earlier. He untied the knot on his robe, slowly shrugging his torso free from the fabric. It peeled slightly around the slowly clotting wounds, causing Miroku to wince and Kagome to forget about how his body was unfairly toned. Sucking in air through his teeth, he scooched closer to the fire, basking in the warmth as the light flickers over his skin. He didn’t notice Kagome settling in beside him until he felt a warm washcloth against his side. It didn’t hurt but it startled him enough to whip his head toward her.

“Sorry. Can I treat it?”

He nodded, turning slightly to give her better access as he tried to dry himself off with one hand. It was a fairly long process, cleaning, crying, comforting, applying ointment and herbs, and then dressing it. He only paid attention to the smallest brush of contact and the way her breath fanned across his torso as she felt more comfortable to fill the silence with rants about what just happened and then her Future problems. The pain flickered every now and then but the Future’s ‘painkillers’ seemed to help similar to a multitude of herbs he couldn’t name at the moment, the only difference was that it was making him quite drowsy.

“I’m probably boring you, huh?”

“As a holy monk, our lifelong mission is to seek and spread knowledge under the guidance of God… and personally I’d love to hear more about these ‘planes of air’, they seem quite revolutionary!”

So she continued, wrapping each layer of the bandages with tender care with a recovered sparkle in her eyes. He didn’t know it was over until fingers lightly trailed over his shoulders, his arms, and his face to finish off the little scrapes left over and she became more animated in her explanations while drying out his hair. She even dried out a blanket and placed it near the fire for him, giggling too as she tucked in his mostly naked form with another blanket. She hung his robes out on the other side of the fire as the silence filled the cave, leaving only the raspy breaths and the crackles of the reasonably small fire.

They looked at each other, eyebrows comically wiggling in an intimate conversation before he smiled, words already sent telepathically into her head.

“...Don’t thank me, I didn’t do anything. In fact, you almost died because of me.”

“Well, I don’t think I have to ask you to guess who also saved my life earlier, Kagome-sama.”

She smiled softly, almost as if to say ‘ok, I’ll give up only because you’re literally gonna die otherwise’, and he quirked one of his eyebrows cockily. Looking outside, Kagome sighed before a small sneeze escaped her. Miroku looked at her again, eyes glued at a certain spot with a sputter as he gave her a strangely familiar look. She tilted her head slightly. Something about it was off… It wasn’t cocky like earlier and it’s not necessarily happy either. Somehow it gave her the creeps.

“Gesundheit, Kagome-sama…”

“Um, thanks.”

She squinted her eyes in suspicion as he smiled even wider.

“You seem to still be quite wet, that is to say your clothes leave little to the imaginati--”

“Holy CRAP! You perv, look away! I swear to Kami, when you get better I’m going to beat the living daylights out of you.”

She covered her shivering form with what little dignity she could as her face grew hot. It caused him to chuckle as she ran over and pulled the blanket over his face with a speed that rivaled Inuyasha’s. Keeping the blanket over the laughing pervert with her foot, she quickly pulled off her clothing and attempted to hop into her dry pajamas. It proved to be quite difficult as she tripped on her pant leg, landing on his exposed arm.

“Oh jeez!”

“That stung. Although I have to confess black is such a suitable color on you, Kagome-sama--! Ah!”

“Oh. My. God. I’m going to kill you!”

“Well keep your clothes off if I’m going to die--!”

He was silenced with a soft yet stern flick on his forehead that basically promised a very foreseeable death and he slowly drew the sheet off his face to meet eye to eye with a scarily beautiful sight. Upside down pursed lips, pink dusted cheeks, and lively blue eyes plus a messy job of putting on a shirt.

“Ooh, what a scary angel.”

“Oh please, just as human as any person here…”

She furrowed her eyebrows slightly, leaning even closer to brush her forehead against his.

“I think you have a fever, Miroku-sama.”

“Take care of me?”

She huffed lightly at his cheesy smile, flicking his forehead again before getting up.

“Already on it, ya nasty perv!”

Intro | Chapter 7 | Chapter 9

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

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

Adult! Model! Luka from Miraculous Ladybug??? Whaaaaaat? 

He an edgy boy. 

(ignore the fact that I might’ve traced the motorcycle...)

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

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<