Miroku X Kagome - Tumblr Posts

Taste of Your Own Medicine

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The chapter links:

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

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 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 4: Giggling, Giggling, and More Giggling

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Warning: Kind of similar to Chapter 1, Kagome’s getting better at thwarting the Monk O.O

Giggling, giggling, and more giggling. Usually she found the sound cute… when babies were doing it. Unfortunately, the laughter was not from small, helpless infants, not anywhere close. Kagome could feel her eyebrow twitch, her fist clench, and her patience running low. Who knew that she would get paired up with Miroku for the day. Especially in a village abundant in single women. Kami, is this a joke?

She tapped her foot against the ground, slightly impatient with a hint of something unfamiliar. She could practically hear his lecherous thoughts through all the giggling and chatter. Any second now, Kagome thought with a huff.

“Lovely miss, would you do me the honor of bearing my children?”

There it is, Kagome snickered. She thought back to the first time he asked her that question, What an odd day. Her hands tingled at the memory of his large, and very warm hands clasped over hers, the feeling of textured cloth and prayer beads over her left hand wasn't… terrible. She smiled in a stupor, leaning on a tree, before the daunting reality of what laid beneath the cloth and beads finally hit her as she stared at it, clasped around another woman's hands.

She sucked in a breath, all traces of anger fleeting… He could die right now, and nobody would be able to save him. All because of Naraku. How… How could Miroku act all okay? Like everything is fine, like he doesn't have an actual black hole in his hand that could kill him and anything in the vicinity. How can he just choose to stay with us, for all this time? How can he just smile and laugh, how can he just flirt shamelessly without receiving anything in return, how can he just be the Miroku that we know him as? Is this even who the real Miroku is? The thoughts of it gave her stomach a violent twist, her eyes looking for just the most miniscule indication of sadness or even fear in Miroku’s smile. There was none, at least not here. Just strong, captivating eyes and charmed smiles.

Her eyes started burning. No, she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. Crying meant that Naraku won, that Miroku’s fate was sealed, and that was as far from the truth as Kagome could fight for. Naraku will never win. I won't let him. If Miroku can be strong, then so can I…

Her eyes focused on Miroku laughing with the village women and she chuckled. Kagome lifted herself from off the tree and calmly walked her way over, a slight bounce in her steps. I will fight for him and for everyone, but that doesn’t mean I can’t entertain him every step of the way. She cleared her throat and the giggles softened as the women's attention focused on her. They parted for Kagome, whispering into each other's ears in anticipation. Miroku noticed the silence and shifted his gaze to the center of their attention.

It was Kagome-sama, who looked quite different than usual when he was in the presence of village women. He waited for a slap, a glare, something. Anything. Kagome just smiled, brilliantly, respectfully, confidently. It was gorgeous.

What did I do to deserve this? Miroku couldn't help but smile back. She winked and flicked her wrist toward his face. It’s a slap?

She booped his nose instead, flicking the tip of his nose gently. Miroku stumbled in surprise, staff chiming in protest, as she turned to speak to the suddenly awed village women that he was just wooing a couple seconds ago. She grabbed the thin layers of his sleeve, and stuck her tongue out at them cheekily.

“I'm sorry ladies, I need to take my monk back. We have some things to take care of before we take our leave.”

They just nodded in response, giggles ensuing once again as they left the two alone. He raised a sharp eyebrow questionably but she shook her head, denying him an answer. He didn't mind, he could always figure it out. Miroku let a teasingly pleasurable smile shine at Kagome's gaze. She waited for his response.

“So, Kagome-sama, your monk?”

She stood frozen, mouth open to answer but her reeling thoughts got the better of her. She shook her head in mock disappointment and swiveled on her heels, away from Miroku’s calculating gaze.

“Of course you focus on unimportant details, Miroku-sama. We need to grab supplies so let's go!”

He chuckled at the clear embarrassment on her part. Her steps a little too loud to not be angry when he sped up his pace to keep up with her. He glanced at the side of her face, the smile didn't necessarily leave her face, which was strangely mood lifting.

They walked through various market stalls for a good couple of seconds, grabbing a few things and looking through some more items. It was peaceful but Miroku had a reputation to keep. His right hand twitched at a devious idea, beads clicking once against each other, as his palm made a straight beeline to her behind. A distinct screech greeted his ears and he grinned. Now that's more of a normal Kagome-sama response.

Intro | Chapter 3 | Chapter 5

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 5: Oh, Just Find a Healer, Miroku-sama

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Kagome’s ankle throbbed uncomfortably. Out of all the reasons, she happened to be running away from a band of demons and tripped, twisting her ankle on one of the demon soldiers’ decapitated heads, foot in their rotting mouth and everything. Looking around, she found herself alone and weak. Everyone was too busy fighting, even her little baby Shippo. 

Her heart sunk at the crashing and burning pain and insecurities of her own helplessness. Heat crept up her neck, she couldn’t breath under the weight despite her lungs crying for oxygen. She dug her nails into her palms to ground herself but tears welled up in her eyes, she tried so hard to not drag everyone down, but damn it, it was already happening. Her throat itched to scream but she bit down hard on her hand. She’d have to apologize for the needless abuse of her appendages later, she couldn’t risk drawing attention to herself. The demons might come back for her.

Kagome leaned heavily against a nearby tree, testing her ankle. Her unharmed leg shook as she played around with the weight distribution. Hey… It isn’t so bad-- Nope! She groaned, jerking her injured leg away from the offending floor, she can’t even protect the future correctly and now she was going to die at the hands of a weak demon army. Oh Kami, why me?

A dismayed yelp caught her attention and she reluctantly sprung toward that direction, all darkness and apparent pain plaguing her gone. Limping, she notched an arrow on her trusty, surprisingly not broken, bow. The scene before her was just as expected. Inuyasha was fighting fiercely against waves of blood-thirsty demons, swinging his Tessaiga in purposeful albeit reckless movements. Sango and Kirara were the definition of a ruthless, perfect tag-team, slaying various demons left and right. They worked in perfect unison, exposing the center where Miroku was impressively holding up on his own with an injured Shippo at his side, his staff chiming against the blunt force and spiritual sutras thrown with precision. Kagome aimed, projecting a single emotion into the arrowhead, and shot straight through an enemy’s heart.

The arrow flashed, burning bright and pink and dissolving the demons' cries as the impact brought out a weak wave of pure energy. It burned a nearby evil entity, causing it to hiss and focus their attention on her. She froze, the hungry, malevolent look in its eyes was far too unnatural due to its hunger for power. She quickly notched another arrow, aiming only to miss the target rapidly approaching her. She narrowed her eyes, fear fueling her currently weakened ankle, as she grabbed another arrow and ran toward her pursuer. Another burst of her reckless courage, she would later guess. The demon’s bloodlust brought on more demons, all chasing after her slower-paced form. She didn’t connect the shaft to the bow string though, catching the eyes of her teammates. Inuyasha called out to her in protest but she didn’t stop to listen, not this time. Her heart pounded, blood rushing and emotions flying, she already decided. She was going to bring these demons down, she will prove herself worthy of her team. Letting out a warcry, the arrow pulsated, energy multiplying magnificently as pink enveloped her hand. She quickly ducked under the aggressive demon’s hand and stabbed its corrupted heart, gaining deep scratches from another’s claws. The effect was instantaneous, the pulsing energy from the arrow spread to the close vicinity of various demons. Cries of agony rang in her ears as she curled underneath herself, predicting another painful backlash. It didn’t come.

“What…?”

Kagome heard herself utter, glancing at the protective figure in front of her. She expected the heavily saturated red of Inuyasha’s robes and was suddenly shocked at the deep shades of purple instead. It was soothing. “Miroku...sama?” He grunted against the force of a particularly nasty snake demon, quickly assessing her with his unusually swirling eyes.

“Are you alright, Kagome-sama?!”

Kagome nodded, voice too stuck in her throat to properly reply. He didn’t see it, mumbling chants and smacking his golden staff against snarling mouths and vicious claws. After another whine from a nearby wounded demon, Miroku found a small opening between defense and offense and put up a quick spiritual shield. It's a bit fainter. He must have already used Kazaana when I tripped.

“You were limping when you ran, Kagome-sama. Is your ankle alright?”

Good eye, the cheeky-- She shook her head.

"It's a bit hurt right now. I… I tripped over a decapitated head, I think you could see teeth marks if you look hard enough.” Miroku let a small amused look pass through his otherwise battle-ready expression before Inuyasha leapt between the monk and another wave of demons, his weapon sparking against the onslaught of claws and swords.

“Take Kagome and Shippo! We can take care of it from here.”

“Inuyasha! I’m not helpless! I can help here just fin--Whoa!”

Miroku seemed to have swept Kagome up, hands at a respectable distance due to the impulsiveness of his action. She protested at first, her hand already grabbing hold of his chiming staff as prayer beads dug into her lower thighs. He was fast, inhumanly so, causing her breath and her dying comment to catch in her throat. With an unconscious Shippo safely in her hold, Kagome felt blood pool at the edge of her uniform shirt. Her adrenaline made no sense of the pain, blood smearing on Miroku’s staff in her hands. Seconds past, but it felt like time slowed down between them.

“Miroku-sama.”

“Yes? What is it?” His breath was oddly composured despite running a considerable distance with additional weight and fighting against a demon army just moments before.

“I think you’re bleeding.”

“What do you mean, Kagome-sama?”

“There’s blood.” 

Now she was the one who was breathless. Why? Miroku stopped for a second, assessing the blood that seeped into his own robes. Something must have happened, Kagome thought, watching his eyes narrow with concern before he fixed a reassuring smile on his face. It didn’t look right.

“What’s wrong, Miroku-sama? Forget to grope me?”

Her vision blurred and Miroku laughed with a hint of hysteria, running again. His pace was faster than before.

“Yes, Kagome-sama. I did. There’s a village nearby, I’ll take my chances there.”

They reached the skirts of said nearby village, but by that time, Kagome was feeling a bit lightheaded.

“Miroku-sama.”

“Yes? What is it?”

Kagome scrunched up her nose faintly, this conversation sounded familiar.

“I think I’m bleeding.”

Miroku’s grip was tight on her form and she couldn’t focus on anything else really. The pain finally seeped into her consciousness and all she could think was that Miroku’s prayer beads was surely leaving marks on her skin.

“Hey, filthy hands off, Miroku-sama. You could corrupt Shippo.”

A chuckle was her only response as his grip relaxed. She laughed along too, humored by the ridiculous situation, before gazing up at him. He was close. Warm. His eyes, as lovely as they undeniably were, looked odd. In fact, he looked concerned. Oh, we can't have that.

Wasting no time, Kagome brought her unbloodied left hand and squeezed Miroku’s right bicep softly. Humming appreciatively, she nodded with satisfaction, gaining the monk's attention from searching for herbs or otherwise help.

“Nice muscles, monk.”

“I… Now who's groping who?” She had the strength to actually blush, retracting her hand quickly to her chest.

“Oh, just find a healer, Miroku-sama!”

Intro | Chapter 4 | Chapter 6

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 6: Caught Ankles

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

They came as they heard. Rumors of beautiful women being taken away by hordes of demons instantly peaked Miroku’s interest and concern, the rest weren’t as motivated until whispers of jewel shards and possibly Kikyo’s involvement actually got Inuyasha going. That seemed to be enough for everybody.

How dumb, Kagome thought at the memory. Turns out that, yes, the women were beautiful, and yes, they were taken by hordes of demons. There was actually more than one jewel shard, but no sight of Kikyo. How did Kagome come across this information, you may ask? The girl just sighed, her ankles and wrists bound with rope, blood quickly rushing to her head, as her body hung upside down with even more rope. She got captured. Of course, she did. Someone had the brilliant idea to butter her up on a silver platter, call it her post-matchmaker Mulan moment.

Kagome didn’t think it would work, compared to the other scared, stunning women who happened to cross her way in the village but look at her now. She didn’t get the luxury of pants underneath and the unwelcome breeze on her legs was due to the fabric bunched by gravity and rope, panties out for the world to see.

She couldn’t see through her blindfold but she could guess by multiple counts of breathing that they were from the captured women, unconscious hopefully, hung in the same way around her. They weren’t hurt and she didn’t know why but she knew she had to escape. There was a flash of something in the room, the lighting in the room shifted along with a creak at her eyelevel. Were one of the women awake? Silence answered her, a shuffle of feet passing by greeted her from outside.

“Inuyasha will be here soon and everything will be ok.” Kagome’s voice was low as she reassured herself, strength gathered as she swung upward to catch the taut rope at her airborne feet.

“That’s a pretty flattering angle, Kagome-sama.” A voice came from above and Kagome missed the rope, swinging down violently. It was Miroku.

“Quiet, you!”

“Here, let me help.”

“Help the other women! That’s why you decided to go, right?”

There was silence, his staff must have been in another room. Kagome swung upward again, straining until she felt a hand guide hers to the rope holding her, prayer beads against her fingers. Miroku took off the fabric of her blindfold and smiled in reassurance. They were about a good ten to fifteen feet from the floor and Miroku was hanging above her rope from the cross beams. He shrunk back up and started crawling toward another set of rope.

“If you’re that insistent, that’s the extent of my help right now. I’ll get back to you soon, alright?”

Kagome nodded, hoping that her kimono was properly covering what needed to be covered at this point. Paying attention to the situation at hand, she heard faint sounds of a rope beside her being untangled as she ripped into the poorly made knots that separated and somehow connected her ankles. With a grunt, she freed one ankle. Who did these knots? Seriously. Her left leg dangled as she worked on her right, sweat peppering her face. The knot came undone but she forgot to secure herself. The air rushed from beneath her, her eyes closing with the anticipation of an impact, but her leg miraculously tangled into the rope. She fell before the end of the rope’s length stopped her, tightening on her ankle painfully. She swung wildly, dizzy and freely. How graceful, she huffed, hearing soft and uncontrollable laughter from above.

“I’m starting to think you do need my help, Kagome-sama.” She didn’t answer, hiding her reddened face in her still tied-up hands.

“Hold on, I’ll get you--Hnn!”

There was a series of rope snapping and tightening before a heavy weight was swinging just as wildly. Kagome just burst out in laughter at the glimpses of Miroku’s wide-eyed, embarrassed expression passing by like a pendulum. It took only a short time for him to slow down, Kagome’s hands reaching for his causing them to spin with Miroku’s remaining momentum. It took a bit for them both to calm down, the ropes twisting between the two of them. Though it was a little too close for comfort, Miroku’s arm ended up wrapped around her waist and Kagome’s bound wrists around his neck. She felt hot from laughing too hard, a blush on her cheeks, and a joking comment on her lips.

“I think you just fell for me.”

He paused at her small smirk.

“You fell first, Kagome-sama. So have you anything to confess?”

She paused at his wider smirk.

“Yeah. We gotta get out of here, can you untie my wrists? I can’t feel them.”

Miroku nodded, smile still stuck on his face, as he untangled the rope. They fell apart swinging, rope still miraculously stuck around their ankles, before the monk suggested,” How about you climb up and untangle the women and I’ll go down to catch them?”

“And leave them to your lecherous hands? Does that really sound like a good plan?”

“Better than leaving them up there for some demons.”

Her only response was a sigh and a slow climb to the cross beams connecting all of the ropes. Miroku jumped down with a silent huff and waited for falling angels to greet him. There was the first one, he caught her eagerly with every intention to rip the blindfold off of her. He looked with satisfaction at full lips and untied the blindfold. He yelped, catching Kagome’s attention, and almost dropped the girl in his arms.

“Oh! Oh my god, they’re…”

“Beautiful? Grope-able--?”

He glanced down at her awkward and enlarged features before putting her gently on the floor.

“Um...Not my type. Let’s just get this over with.”

She laughed as she played with the rope and then they started again. Untie, drop, catch. It was a cycle of work, each face worse than the last somehow. Was he imagining it? Each time, he would suck in a breath only to let it out in disappointment. He didn’t know how relieved he was when Kagome whispered, “Last one!”

He held out his arms half-heartedly but fell down at the force, it seemed to have dropped from a higher height than the others. Sighing out half of a lung, he practically had to wrench his eyes open and forcibly tilt his head down, looking down to stop at two startling pools of pretty blue.

“Kagome-sama?”

“I’m the last one!”

“Ah, what a sight for sore eyes...” She just giggled.

“Hmm… Kagome-sama, I think the demons are taking their beauty.”

“Or maybe that’s your excuses talking.”

Suddenly, chaotic noises echoing from the door outside had them separate at a reasonable distance as the door broke down. Inuyasha and Sango finally came.

“Those demons looked unnaturally pretty, Inuyasha-san. You don’t think they stole the women’s attractiveness, do you?”

Miroku gave Kagome a slightly smug look.

“Yeah, yeah, monk. You were right.”

“Thank you, Kagome-sama.”

Intro | Chapter 5 | Chapter 7

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 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 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 10: Valentine's Day Special

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Pretend this isn’t a late Valentine’s Day update, it’s a celebratory double digit chapter!

You know how they say Valentine’s Day is a day for couples, chocolate and just… love? Well that’s utter bullshit. Kagome huffed, eyes focusing on nothing in particular as she picked at the edges of the heart-shaped package in her lap. She didn’t have the ‘A-OK’ to go home yet and she didn’t have the half dog demon who said it to poison. She suspected that Kikyo was nearby but just let it go, nothing screamed romance like another ‘lovers’ quarrel’ when he sneaks off to see another girl on the official day of ‘romance’--well the modern day of romance actually. What a waste of Honmei-choco…

Without a moment to spare, she tore open the tediously tied ribbon and held a small piece of chocolate to her mouth, taking her time to savor the hours of burning fingers and her empty piggy bank back home as it melted slightly onto her fingers as well as on her tongue.

“What assortment of your future’s confection do you have today, Kagome-sama?”

She jumped--almost choking on the smallest darned piece of chocolate--when her eyes met his purple glimmering eyes that didn’t miss the slightest shift of her skirt.

“Nothing for your pervy mouth!”

“Surely you don’t mean that, Kagome-sama…” he gasped albeit slightly mockingly as he rocked back and forth on his heels, making no move with the silent question of her allowance of his presence. She looked at him. He looked at her. Nothing happened for a good couple of seconds and he sighed good naturedly, turning slightly back the direction of their temporary camp. Probably too far…?

“Do you promise to sit like a good boy and speak when you’re spoken to?”

“I can’t not when given instructions like I’m some mischievous child… Though, your words are quite… stirring.”

“Just shaddup and promise, ya’ bag of testosterone.”

Miroku held his arms out in a weak display of surrender and plopped down next to the defensive female, “Yes, yes. Cross my eyes and hope to cry.”

“It’s ‘cross my heart and hope to die.’”

He hummed. Making a mental note? She followed his stray, curious eyes toward the opened present in her lap. Well, there’s no point in eating it alone.

“It’s Honmei-choco.”

“Honmei... choco?”

“Yeah, chocolate that’s usually given by women to men they like in a romantic sense on Valentine’s day. They can be pretty expensive, and painful if they’re homemade.”

“Hmm. If I remember correctly, ‘Valentime’s’ day is for love and lovers? And you bought...” He looked down at the cute, cartoon-ish bandaids on her fingers, “No, made them for Inuyasha...?”

“Yeah.”

Kagome’s answer was bitter but she covered it up with a generous shove of the mentioned chocolates in her mouth and the closed and still-full gift box thrown in the distance.

“I’ll… pick that up later.”

“We can always burn it for the campfire, if that’ll make you feel better.”

He plucked one of the chocolates from her hands, earning an indignant squawk from Kagome’s stuffed mouth, and nibbled on it, looking far more wise than a man with a glittering, pink dyed piece of chocolate should look. It was fairly sweet, if not slightly burnt. There was a sudden burst of liquid in his mouth and that was when the heat bit his tongue. With a not-so-subtle yelp, Miroku’s face exploded in pink as if fire entered his defenseless bloodstream.

“Oh my god!” At once, Kagome choked on her own chocolate and collapsed back into the grass in a dangerous outburst of laughter.

“I can not believe your luck, Miroku-sama! You actually got that one!”

Breathing was hard. Eyes watering, he started coughing and collapsed beside her for a completely different reason as his eyes swirled. Man, he must’ve looked pitiful. Kagome tried to get up and reach for her bag but the giggles wouldn’t stop.

“Hahahaaa… Holy shit. I can’t sto--,” her breathing became ragged as she forced her trembling form to rip her bag open,” That… hahah… was meant as a prank! Oh shit, your face!”

“Please… laugh after you’re done killing me, Kagome--...sama!”

“Hold on--.”

She let out another burst of laughter before handing him a bottle of water. He downed it in one go, spilling at least a third of it onto his robes, before returning any semblance of his composure. She grinned at him cheekily only for him to turn his chin away with a soft pout. What a rare turn of events.

“I’m sorry, Miroku-sama. I really didn’t mean to laugh…”

Her voice was like it was directed toward crying babies or stupid hanyous. He didn’t turn, even hunching further into himself with crossed arms in sleeves. She paused and took in his posture. It wasn’t serious, which made her grin wider.

“Oh Miroku-sama, come on. I’m really sorry, you know I didn’t mean it…”

She grabbed at his sleeve with an exaggerated pout, dragging out each ‘o’ a tinge too sweetly.

“... I know... better,” his voice was already hoarse, which almost broke her fragile sense of composure, before he mumbled again, “But as a man, I can’t help but feel embarrassed for making that mistake.”

“Yeah, it’s a just-in-case if he was a jerk about it...”

His eyes dragged to meet hers with a cheesy smile as he found something. Without a reply, he drew in closer. Her smile slowly dropped into a small ‘o’ shape. Oh lord, his eyelashes are long. Ba-dump. His fingers brushed against her cheek, picking up something on the outer line of her lips, as her breath hitched. He leaned back into a more tolerable distance to show her the offending piece of chocolate.

“I’m assuming this one isn’t pranked?”

She only gaped her mouth open and closed as he plopped the stray piece of chocolate into his mouth.

“Very good, Kagome-sama. Thank you graciously for sharing some with me.”

“No problem.”

There was a slight pause to his jaw, chocolate no doubt melting in his hesitation.

“What is it?”

“Is… is it impolite to eat love chocolate meant for another person?”

She glanced at his slightly furrowed brows, a little touched by his consideration, and shook her head.

“Nah, you look like you’re enjoying it.”

He stared into her eyes and she into his before his eyes crinkled at the corners. Another moment of misleading communication...?

“Well, if it isn’t any trouble, could I have some more? Preferably not laced with fire from the pits of hell?”

“Oh. Yeah! Sure, hold on, let me go get the gift box.” She rose up from the grass with a gleeful expression, bending slightly for a tastefully sinful view of her patting the dust off her skirt, and rushed to get the forgotten gift box. He hummed at the sight. Red is a surprisingly bashful color. She came back, slightly out of breath, and opened the roughly dented box. The display was a rather messy pile of loose chocolate paper wrappers and carved chocolates but there was no mistaking the time and effort she put into it. It took a little bit of silence and blue-to-purple eye contact before he noticed her nudging the box toward him.

“You know, I was imagining more of a mouth-to-mouth or a little hand-fed… uhhhh---Ok! I apologize,” Miroku held his arms up in surrender at her scornful expression, ”I sincerely didn’t mean it, please don’t throw the box at me and waste the chocolate, Kagome-sama!”

Kagome just huffed and held the box closer to him. Without missing a beat in fear of the already-fragile atmosphere, he plopped a safer-looking light brown chocolate into his mouth and closed his eyes at the pleasant feel of it melting into his mouth. He dared to sneak a peek at his suddenly-silent companion, slowing to chew more thoughtfully at her lost expression. She really wanted to please him. Stupid, blind dog. Something twinged in him at the thought but he knew better.

“Kagome-sama.”

Her name got her attention and he turned to fully face her, hands encircling hers over the box.

“If it’s any consolation, as friend to friend, these were made wonderfully and I am glad to be the person you share it with---even if I wasn’t your ideal choice.”

She was quiet, words stuck on the beads and warmth pressing into her bandaged hands, and the frozen upturn of her lips grew into something more shy.

“You’d be a lot of people’s ideal choice in my school.”

Kagome dared to send him a cheeky glance, diffusing the intimate scene once again, and he rose up to her challenge with a jut of his chin and a charming twitch of his eyebrows, “Is that so?”

She nodded, hair bouncing, “For sure!”

“Then, would they be willing to bear my children?”

She snorted and didn’t say a word, he figured that to be the answer.

“Their parents would probably kill you if you asked that. In the Future, couples don’t usually think about children until at least 25 or something!”

“Strange.”

“Strange, indeed. Anyways, I’m here to eat my feelings out and then reward myself with a well-deserved nap. So no more chit-chat!”

Miroku looked like he had more to say and, after a moment of contemplation, she sighed softly and held a single finger up, “One question.”

“One question, it is!”

He smiled at her antics and smoothed down his robes, “Would you allow me to join you?”

“Sure, why not?”

There was no hesitation.

Intro | Chapter 9 | Chapter 11

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 11: Tricks & Nightmares

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Some comfort and light-hearted robbing attempt content for y’all.

He swallowed thickly but regretted how dry it left his mouth as sweat peppered his forehead and upper lip. The bob of his Adam’s apple brushed against his offending restraint and he tried to pull back. It was no good. The sharp edge of the blade slid harmlessly against his skin and he urged himself to not flinch. Curse his healthy libido. Do you have to jump at every attractive woman you see? Why, yes, I do, the fate of the Miroku bloodline is at stake. Of course, of course. He sighed at himself, his arm straining against the unnatural position it was put in.

He got tricked. Worst than the most cunning prostitute that slid in his robes and took all of the gold he stole a couple years ago. He didn’t think he’d be that careless again but the nails digging into his arm and the knife at his throat proved otherwise.

“How embarrassing.”

No response. She pushed him further into the dark with a twist of his threatening-to-snap arm. What to do, what to do indeed. You’ve snaked your way out of worse situations, come on. He glanced back at her and she pressed the blade tighter against his neck. Well then.

“Hand over your valuables, filthy monk.”

“Bold of you to assume I have valuables. I am a monk.”

“Don’t lie. Those robes of yours aren’t cheap and that staff...?” Miroku grimaced as she stripped him of his outer priest robes. Her rough ministrations left scratches on his chest as his inner wrappings tousled loose but her sultry voice continued, “Definitely gold-plated. So be a good boy and hand over the rest. No funny business either.”

He sighed, a shiver from the cool night air crawled up his spine as she cast the rich fabric aside. She must’ve been impatient, he thought, grunting at a sudden shift of balance, as his cheek slammed against a nearby wall. Maybe women can lose their charm.

“We don’t have all night---.”

“My front robe pocket.”

“Thank you, oh handsome servant of God.”

He rolled his eyes at the nickname that drew him into this mess in the first place. He could have found better women in Kaede’s hut. He pushed his chest harder against the wall and she paused. Their position was rather constricting. Her hands brushed over his body, fondling unnecessarily at intimate crevices, but she couldn’t reach his pocket. He smiled in the dark and his eyes finally adjusted. Trap for a trap. There was an exit to his right. Open space long enough for a scuffle. Boxes surrounding the two in the alleyway. No problems. The pressure against his neck budged slightly in her struggle to reach his hip pocket and he threw her off, bumping his head hard against her nose. She flinched with a surprisingly elegant yelp, at least to the tense monk before her. He cursed his subconscious women-only romanticized frame of reference.

With a quick crouch, he stuck out his leg and swept her legs off the floor. The woman stumbled and the blade went flying. There was a scrambling of hidden bodies in the room and Miroku dashed, a fistful of his ripped robe in his hand and an onslaught of angry clambering at his heels. Shoulders bumped into unfriendly corners and walls kept coming from left and right. He could only follow the dim light of the moon and the stars, his racing heart beat obscuring his other senses as adrenaline pumped through his veins.

His breathing quickened, his muscles strained, and his sides stitched. What felt like hours could have been seconds, it was hard to differentiate. Either way, he was alone. Looking down, he swiped away the sweat on his brow and sighed. His sandal was broken. How it stayed on his foot was beyond him.

“How embarrassing.”

He casually readjusted his robes and made his way back to the hut, breath slowly returning back to normal. At the sight of a sitting figure on his doorway, Miroku stepped back and tried his best to turn casually as if he wasn’t caught in the middle of the night looking like he walked into a bar fight.

“Look who’s out so early in the morning. That couldn’t be our Miroku-sama, right?”

At the sound of his name, purposefully amplified to stop him from making another step, he flinched and turned back to the scarily calm figure addressing him. He couldn’t help the nervous crack in his voice and attempted a cough.

“Nope, you got the wrong monk, Miss…?”

“Nah, I’m sure I got the right guy.”

He dropped the act and deferred to an exaggerated play at humility.

“Well, you didn’t have to stay here for little old me.”

“Ah, just spit it out. What happened to you? You look like a hot mess.”

“I… uhhh---”

He looked nervous, muscles tensed and eyes a little frantic behind a frozen half-smile, which caused her to slouch a bit from her mothering pose---arms folded with a tapping foot and a stern expression, in this case a looser, more teasing smirk.

“It’s ok, I’m just teasing. I was worried when I saw your corner empty but I guess it was nothing…?”

Adjusting the folds of his robes, he flashed a soft grin and shrugged his shoulder.

“I, uh, got ambushed…?”

The confession flew out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

“That much I could guess, you really got your shit rocked.”

Unfamiliar with the phrasing, he understood the connotation and chuckled. Looking back to her, he softened at her resigned but amused smile. Settling down at the porch edge closest to the direction of the moon, she patted the empty space without glancing back at his tense form. Plopping down as gently as he could, he followed her gaze to the full moon and loosened his posture, adrenaline slowly leaving his veins.

“Well, that’s my excuse but surely you weren’t just worried about me to be up at this time of night”, he saw her tense up from the corner of his eyes and quickly added, “But you don’t have to share, Kagome-sama---”

“Inuyasha was out too.”

His lips thinned into a firm line. This was a routine affair, and he was already too familiar with his role. He kept a level gaze on her, willing her to relieve her tension, but she continued glare at the moon. Feeling, rather than seeing the seconds and tensions slip on her shoulders, he offered the first words.

“I see.”

She sighed, jumping into the role of accepting seemingly pointless comforts, but refused to meet his eyes. “Don’t worry, it’s not like that---”, that being Inuyasha’s recent nighttime stroll in the forest, “I had a nightmare and seeing the two of you gone was a real shock for me. So I’m glad you’re back.”

He frowned softly, too soft to notice, but his shifting towards her was noticeable. She spared him a small glance and he finally noticed her sweat-glistened skin and haggard appearance. He reached a hand out to her, offering silent solace and good intent.

“May I?”

He could see her shakily exhale, then nod, and slowly pulled her into him by the shoulder. As soon as contact was made, she slumped against him. She was shivering.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Hm?”

“I need a distraction. Please. Any story about a con-man out-conning our conniving monk must be quite the story.”

“Of course. But it’s quite a looooong story, I wouldn’t want to bore you with all the details.”

She giggled a bit and he squeezed her shoulder with a soft smile, the familiar but dangerous clash of beads against flesh grounded them both.

“And it was actually a con-woman.”

“Why am I not surprised.”

“Hey, hey, be nice. I was assaulted, you know.”

She managed a small scrunch of her nose.

“Well, she matched me in wordplay and played along with my fruitless attempts of ensnarement, you know the palm readings and blessings, and she caught me fair and square in an alleyway. To my surprise she didn’t shove me in there to ravage me senselessly---”

“Ewwwww.”

She stuck her tongue out in distaste and he stuck his tongue back at her mockingly. With a sign, he fell back onto the grass and took her down with him, making sure she laid comfortably on his upper arm. She didn’t resist. Good.

“More like a disappointment on my part, Kagome-sama. She had a knife and tried to rob me, a monk, can you believe that?”

They stared up to the starry night sky and Kagome scoffed lightheartedly, shifting more comfortably against his side to fight against the sudden chill.

“I would rob you too, you look easy.”

“Oh how you wound me, Kagome-sama.”

That put a smile on her face. Good.

“Anyways, there we were, knife to my throat and arm twisted behind my back and she asked me for my valuables. Smart woman, she saw my robes and staff earlier this afternoon, and concluded that I was wealthy. And let me tell you, she fondled me so, looking for the money I left with you. It must’ve been my masculine physique or my dashing looks that caused her to slip, because when the chance arrived I was able to escape. Though, six---six, can you believe it?---men came out from the shadows and chased after me. I couldn’t tell how long I ran, escaping spears and assorted weapons and threats but after what seemed like an eternity, I found you.”

He stole a quick glance at her and jerked his head back up when he saw her looking up at him, sparkling blue eyes that reflected the stars hanging over them.

“Dashing looks, huh?”

“Indeed. Why, have I caught you as well?”

“You wish.”

“I didn’t share my embarrassment to be attacked so harshly, Kagome-sama.”

“Sorry, sorry. I’m glad you’re ok though.”

“Thank you for worrying.”

She smiled before her eyes caught a shine on his neck.

“Oh, you’re bleeding.”

“I am?”

She rose up on her elbow and assessed the wound, dark red slightly flaking and leaving a trail on the edges of his robe collar.

“Yes! Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“I didn’t feel it, too busy fighting off 10 men.”

She quickly tiptoed inside the hut and came out with a damp handkerchief.

“Don’t you mean 6?”

“Did I say that?”

“I was listening!”

“And I was there, Kagome-sama. You can’t trick me!”

She shook her head, amused, and he rose to let her settle back next to him but she shook her head.

“Don’t move.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

He stilled and watched her from under his lashes. She caught his eyes for a second before sighing dramatically.

“What a rare opportunity for me. Seeing you act so childish, you make me feel special. Better not let the other girls see.”

She dabbed at the cut on his neck lightly and he hummed, not trusting his words to keep the atmosphere going.

“Ok, done. For now. Tomorrow morning, I’ll get a bandaid, I couldn’t reach it in the dark earlier.”

“That’s alright, Kagome-sama, thank you.”

She shivered and he cocked his head slightly at the display.

“S’chilly.”

There was a haunted look in her eyes, which he didn’t miss, before she smiled down at him.

“So it seems.”

Without another word or hint of hesitation, he gently pulled her back down into him and she let him, humming softly at the warmth radiating from him.

“Well, Kagome-sama, I’m not sure what dream dared to hurt you, but you’re not alone. We’re here and we’re here to stay.”

She flinched but there wasn’t an answer. He wasn’t looking for one. His eyes drew invisible lines within the stars but stopped when she hesitantly leaned into him.

“I--- I’m sorry just for a little bit please.”

He let her trace her fingers along the skin on his arm exposed from his rolled up robes, feeling it play along the edges of his beading and glove before resting on his inner forearm. He could feel her gaze burn across the planes of his skin but made no move to initiate eye contact. Whatever she was searching for, he needed to keep calm so he evened out his breath. Seconds turned into minutes, aimless trailing turned into invisible doodles on his arm and it was only a few more moments before he felt her ministrations stop completely. Stealing a glance, he found her asleep. Good.

“Sleep well, Kagome-sama.”

Intro | Chapter 10 | Chapter 12

T.Y.O.M. Chapter 12: Two-Person Bow Action

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

You could say Kagome’s arm was subdued at the moment. Her ramen eating, hair brushing, cheek pinching, monk-slapping, bow holding arm was badly sprained---or dislocated, or broken, who knows. 

But… it wasn’t Kirara or Sango’s fault for jamming the Hiraikotsu in the eye of the large demon who squeezed her body to the brink of explosion like their life depended on it. It wasn’t Miroku’s fault for thrusting his golden-pointed staff head into the demon’s calf, who’s feet almost trampled him in it’s sudden blindness. It wasn’t Shippo’s fault for landing a fast one on the demon’s head and it definitely wasn’t Inuyasha’s fault for cutting off the demon’s hand that held her without a second thought.

Kagome would have to say that it was her own fault for falling---well, dropping---like she did. The demon’s dismembered hand wouldn’t let go of her small body and she tumbled hard over the teetering hill of a tall ledge, a pop and a crack following her every roll until she was airborne. The demon’s unconscious, overgrown body had followed after and the trip down the ledge never seemed as slow as it did in that moment. The collective expressions of horror on each team member’s face as they followed the shrinking form of Kagome falling stuck in her head but the battle wasn’t done. The looks shifted as quickly as they came as waves of demons and possessed villagers clawed at their last defences, leaving no free hands to spare for the falling girl.

Kagome knew they had no choice but that didn’t stop the cold grip of fear twisting her heart as the final crash failed to come. She just kept falling. 50 foot fall. 50 percent chance of survival. What if she died? What odds would Kagome’s luck grant her? 

She couldn’t take that chance, so her hand reached out. Desperately. Selfishly. Her nails cracked and peeled but her fingers caught onto an impossibly small ledge, her body stretching from the momentum as her other arm dangled beside her. It was only for a split second but she heard a spine-tingling pop, one made from a stretch too far and too fast, but couldn’t be relieved lest she wanted to risk cracking her skull at the bottom of the mountain. It hurt to hold on but she forced herself to dig her fingers into the ledge, urging herself to bear with it. Burn. Burn. Burn. Sting. Sting. Sting. Kagome’s eyes welled up but melded into an inaudible scream that escaped from her lips as she closed her eyes. 

She couldn’t let go of the ledge holding her but she could feel the strength slipping from her arm. One second more. Please. In her pain, she didn’t bother moving as dismembered carcasses rained from off the ledge where glimpses of Kirara’s flying form, Sango’s Hiraikotsu, and Inuyasha's sword swings flashed by.

God, why am I here? At 17 years old, in a psych-ward-worthy trip to the past, fighting demons and dead people, with no one to tie her here. Yes, the shards were partially her fault and, yes, her whole existence circled around the fact that she was the reincarnation of a hanyou’s booty-call but that didn’t really give her a reason to stay. Maybe she was being angsty but… 

She could’ve had a normal life.

A couple of clawed fingers, rocks, and blood pelted down beside her head from above.

With normal friends...

Inuyasha’s growls and Kirara’s roars, mixed with various chants and cries of battle moves, echoed into her ears. 

A normal body...

Her muscles abnormally toned and body scarred for a girl her age, from years of P.E. and time traveling in the valleys and grasslands of Edo-Japan, had gotten her one too many disapproving comments. She could still feel the tingle in the scars littering her body and words they sparked from passerbyers.

A normal innocence for her age...

Her eyes shone differently and her posture was more defensive, she was told but brushed it off with a practiced smile.

A normal love life...

Saturated red filled her mind before a swirl of something dark and rich flashed by. Kagome did a double take. Dark? Purp---?

“Kagome-sama!”

“Kagome!”

Kagome whipped her head to the side, hair obscuring her view as a flash of deep purple and bright orange, blue, and golden greeted her. A teardrop fell down her cheek. Her heartbeat picked up. Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara were miraculously, unbelievably there, right in front of her. Their eyebrows scrunched with worry and the former two’s hands shook from the height. They both reached out to her but she couldn’t do a thing. It was hard to breathe, hard to blink, hard to move, but it didn’t stop the smile that reached her lips.

“I think my arm is broken! I can’t move it!”

They found her smile and her giddiness strange, evident in the way their eyebrows lifted. Miroku shook his head and shouted over the wind.

“Which one?”

“What do you think?” She wiggled her dangling arm towards them and Shippo’s expression shook.

“Hold on, we’re coming!”

Kirara descended slightly below her with quiet mews and Miroku gripped her waist and ankle. Her arm protested greatly as she peeled her numb fingers off the ledge. She was glad she couldn’t feel her fingers, the pain in her shoulder overpowering her senses, because her nails were pretty much ruined. I need some serious self-care after this---One minor slip and her stomach plummeted as she fell flat on Miroku’s lap. She didn’t mind the way Shippo buried his head into her chest, warmed at the thoughtfulness of his hand avoiding her shoulder. Kagome also didn’t mind---or maybe didn’t notice---the way Miroku’s arms tightened around her shivering body as they rose back into battle.

It was just as bad as before she fell. Blood decorated the massacred battlefield of grass, mud, and bodies of both demon and human. The enemies’ numbers had greatly reduced with the combined powers of Inuyasha’s and Sango’s practiced teamwork and Kagome gasped at the ridiculousness of spotting her magically unbroken bow and arrows in the midst of the field. Suddenly, there was a heavy blow from behind. It knocked everyone off of the transforming cat demon and they stumbled hard, the battle resuming without pause. The demons took advantage of their weak links and Sango quickly mounted Kirara at her roar to fend them off. Miroku instinctively jumped in and pummeled the claws that scratched at their feet. 

Kagome tried to minimize her vulnerability and cover Miroku’s back but there’s only so much two loose shoes and lean legs can do without arms to balance with or the inability to turn off the pain in her arm. A scratch here, a cut there, it was an endless cycle of misses and defenses. She knew it couldn’t last long, she saw the sweat dripping on Miroku’s face and the strain in his arms as his strikes became sluggish. 

Inuyasha could be heard in the back, piles of bodies just circling his slashing form as he attacked from all sides. He attracted the most attention but the looming form of Naraku’s puppet stayed on the side, fending off each and every attempt that Sango made to destroy its supports from below it. With a wordless look, Inuyasha forced the enemies flat on their backs with one last slash of wind. He pounced on the retreating form of Naraku’s puppet but the tendrils of dark wooden roots dragged him back down. He yelped, embedding his large sword into the root but hundreds more joined in, constricting his movements like the seamless, strong muscles of a large snake with its prey. Miroku thought to use his Kazaana, arm already reaching for his prayer beads but a sudden attack from the right with no time to grab his staff caught him in the arm and he fell with a grunt. Blood splat across the floor and Kagome rushed to heave him up, feet scrambling to escape the demons behind them.

Picking up a beaten Shippo along the way, they could only watch as Sango and Kirara sunk into the pits of writhing vines and roots. Kagome saw something flash by in her peripheral and U-turned, causing the demons behind to skid past them as Miroku got a mild case of whiplash from the pull. She pounced on the forgotten bow and arrow but hissed at the pain in her left arm. She couldn’t hold her bow.

“Are you kidding me?!”

“What is it, Kagome-sama?”

Miroku peered over her shoulder and realized their situation. He was without his Kazanna and she couldn’t grip her bow.

“Got a plan, Miroku-sama?”

Her legs trembled slightly. Poison wasps filled the air once again, the buzz drowning the racing beats of their hearts that threatened to spill out of their chests.

“Do you still have any of that medicine from the future?”

“No.”

“Then I don’t.”

It was a standoff by then. Piercing eyes of pure spiritual energy clashed against the animalistic, unstable presences of a hollow beast and the hairs rose on the back of their necks. Their captive friends struggled against their bonds, weapons cast aside. Kagome could feel the pull of the hidden shards within the baboon coat of Naraku’s copy and slowed her breathing. If you can hear me, Kikyo or Midoriko, please give me the strength to purify and hit my target. As if he heard her thoughts, Miroku placed his uninjured arm over hers and they shared a look. Purple eyes probed into her mind, calculating different outcomes, but he wasn’t so quick to answer this time. They rolled under the swipe of a tree root and the arrows went flying, trampled under the pressure of the copy’s attack.

“Shit.”

“Shit indeed!”

He dragged them into the edges of the forest, the trees providing a temporary solace in the face of their imminent death.

“Hey Shippo, can you help me wrap up Miroku’s arm?”

Miroku kept eyes on the slithering form gaining on them as Shippo and Kagome stumbled through temporarily stopping the blood. Their options were dwindling and the muffled threats and growls only set them further on edge. What to do, what to do. Looking at their rations, they only had so much which set Miroku further on edge. He looked at his unoccupied hand. One staff. He glanced at Kagome’s smaller form. One Miko. One bow. One kitsune. One Priest. Four working arms, two too small to hold a bow, and two incapacitated. Shippo could possibly transform but the chances of purification? Unlikely. What else…? He checked over Kagome again and his voice hitched in his throat. One arrow. One chance.

Kagome followed his gaze and broke the pounding silence.

“I can’t hold my bow, Miroku-sam---.”

“Can you notch an arrow?” Miroku had quickly cut her off, both with a question and the sudden intensity of his gaze.

“I… I, yes, I can. Why?”

“Shippo might not be big enough to do the job and he doesn’t have your purifying energy. Sorry, Shippo.”

“That’s ok.”

“Can you summon that energy?” Kagome pursed her lips, confused at the progression of his hasty ambiguity.

“You know I can’t, Miroku-sama! Anyways, where are you going with this?” He brushed off her question.

“I don’t ‘know’ that, Kagome-sama. What I do know is that you can purify impurities!”

“And look where that got us!”

She bit hard on her lip as Miroku pulled them aside to another tree, deeper into the forest.

“I know you can do it. You just have to reach deep. I can help support but it’s on you, Kagome-sama.” He had pinned her against the tree, roots slashing against their tree, and Shippo buried himself closer into Kagome’s chest. She scrunched her eyebrows and clenched her fist around her bow.

“And what if I can do it? I still can’t hold my bow!” Her nose briefly brushed against his in the coincidence of a shared look.

“You’re going to have to trust me! Do you hold it with your left or right hand?”

“Left!”

“That’s perfect.” His gaze flickered to hers before staring past her. Her eyes followed but his jerky movements to the left landed them on the floor, rolling to the next patch of trees. Shippo had slipped from her grasp as both Miroku and Kagome winced at the pressure on their respective arms. The last arrow dropped from her pack and the group felt their hearts stop. In a flash, the large, deformed body of the puppet stood in the way between Miroku and Kagome and Shippo and the arrow. A non-existent hunger lingered in its gaze as it towered over the two.

“Hand over the shards, Kikyo-reincarnate.”

“Over my dead body!”

The large being paused.

“...That could be arranged.”

“Not literally, you psycho!”

Miroku caught a glimpse of Shippo, trembling, with the last arrow pinched delicately in his little paws. They made quick eye contact and Miroku slowly mouthed indistinct instructions at the little fox. Ears twitching, Shippo nodded shakily.

“Kagome-sama.”

“Not right now, I gotta rip a new one in this jerk!”

He went softer, harsher, and closer to her ear. She didn’t flinch.

“That’s fine. Just keep him occupied. Shippo’s got the arrow. Do you think you can force your purifying energy into it?”

“IF we can get it and IF I’m pissed off enough.” Kagome hissed, breath brushing against his cheek.

“Well you’re in luck. I can help with both,” Miroku quickly whispered into her ear and shifted his focus, clicking his tongue at the puppet, “Naraku! I don’t think I can ask you to release our friends, can I?”

“No shit, Miroku-sama.”

He ignored her snarky comment.

“What about a trade?”

“Are you crazy--!?”

“Go on.”

At the demanding tone, Miroku straightened his back to hide his wince.

“A shard for a friend.”

“Foolish monk. Your miko’s shards have fused into one. The locket---”

The pink bubble shape of Shippo’s transformation floated gently above Naraku’s puppet’s head and the two found it hard to focus on the rest of the deal, a smile fighting itself on their tired lips. The demon prattled on and Kagome felt Miroku grip the base of her bow from behind her. With a tug, she let go and crouched down to pick up a decent-sized rock. Miroku didn’t bother to look up her skirt. This was a crucial moment. One wrong move could send them crashing---besides he always had other opportunities. If they survived.

His eyes must have shifted suspiciously, maybe her throwing a rock at him signaled the wrong reaction or maybe Shippo wasn’t quiet enough but none of them could have predicted the snake-like grip that attached onto Shippo before they could blink.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

The snarl became Miroku’s new signal.

“Now, Shippo!”

Shippo threw the arrow in their direction and shifted his form to a rock statue. The quick change in weight and size loosened the puppet’s grip and Shippo planted a good thud on their head. While he scurried away, the arrow flew in slow motion, blurring as Kagome reached to catch it. Her uninjured arm brushed along the shaft and she squeezed.

She was ready to cheer in triumph until Miroku pulled her back flush against his torso, prayer-bead-covered arm circling around her waist as his other hand held her bow where she normally positioned it if her arm wasn’t messed up.

“Oh Miroku, you clever perv!” Kagome leaned her head back on his shoulder to look up at him. Inuyasha and Sango had to take a quick pause from their struggling. Like what in the actual hell but most importantly, would it actually work?

“Let’s focus, Kagome-sama.”

The position was a little awkward. He was a head or more taller and twice as broad. Without a pause, she bumped back into him. He glanced at her and crouched down, chin resting on her shoulder with his cheek brushing against hers. It felt secure. Cheesy but warm. This couldn’t fail. They had only one arrow. She’d bet her luck on it.

Kagome didn’t realize it but a pulse tingled in her battered arm, shifting down to the tips of her fingers. It was a steady feeling of a calm heartbeat, maybe two heartbeats. It soothed her and drew something from her partial soul. Was it hers? Was it...Miroku’s? Without another word, she hooked the arrow onto the bow string and tugged experimentally. It’ll have to do but she needs to adjust him. God, it’s going to hurt.

“Hold it tight, Miroku-sama.”

He hummed against her ear and tensed his form behind her, his hand tightening unconsciously around her waist. She forced her hand upward, smoothing the twist of his inner elbow, and covered his hand with hers. It burned, her arm cried out in pain and a whimper escaped her lips, but she didn’t let go. Tightening her grip, she shifted their position and it aimed straight for the ‘heart’ of the beast. 

The arrow by her side glowed, bright and heavy, as if transforming the projectile’s point. It might’ve been the heat of the moment but the rushing form of the puppet slowed, the drops of blood dripping over the battlefield froze as Kagome exhaled. Her hair flew with a non-existent wind, the slight vibrations of the power at her fingertips engulfed the arrow once more and she aimed straight for the puppet speeding towards them. One shot. One chance.

Thud. 10 feet away... Thud. 6 feet away... Thud. She released the bowstring. It struck its intended target and the force blew it back, body swelling as the arrow burrowed deeper within the empty folds of the puppet’s body. Kagome shoved Miroku back and they fell to the ground with a unanimous grunt, a familiar position to their ‘first’ meeting. The sounds of a disintegrating hollow shell was enough to indicate the end of the battle and they all cheered. 

Kagome refused to get up. She was pooped. Miroku didn’t protest, he didn’t even move. He too was tired. The others recovered quickly and the moment of triumph diminished, adding onto the pile of their previous shard battles. Inuyasha pulled her off of the offending monk and Sango reached out her hand towards him. He grabbed it with his uninjured hand but a tingle persisted in his slashed palm. With mild complaints of being hungry for ramen, they continued in another direction with no regard for their bodies at the sight of a nearby village awaiting them in the distance.

Inuyasha and Kagome snapped semi-playfully at each other. Shippo jumped onto Kirara’s transformed back. Sango heaved her large boomerang over her shoulder to cover her back and Miroku retrieved his abandoned staff from the forest floor. It was back to normal. Kagome bent down to pick up the purified shards and a glimpse of white caught Miroku’s eye. Yep, back to normal.

Intro | Chapter 11 | Chapter 13

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 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 15: Tossing Grapes

Pairing: Miroku x Kagome

Mindless physical intimacy and dumb dumb teens in desperate need of a childhood.

Plop. Crunch. Crunch. Kagome beamed as the light sweetness that burst in her mouth melded into a delicate tart flavor. There’s nothing like catching crisp grapes in your mouth on a warm, sunny day with no demons to worry about. Of course, it's a little boring by yourself when nothing is trying to kill you or kidnap you for your jewel shards, but beggars should definitely not be choosers in this situation.

“Why not play a game, me? ...Hell yeah, me, what kind of game?”

There was no one to answer her self-asked question but herself so she quickly set the rules in her head. Picking one large, juicy grape from her large plastic container, she lightly tossed it into the air, eyes following the little fruit ball and jerking her head back, mouth open, to catch it in her mouth. Plop. Crunch. One point for Kagome. She grabbed another grape, brows slightly scrunched, and threw it twice as high as in the first ‘round’, butt slowly rising to free her legs to move into place. Plop. Crunch. 5 points for Kagome!

The rules didn’t specify the point system but Kagome was definitely winning. She pumped her fist with slightly puffed cheeks before continuing. She was on a roll. A two streak roll but a roll, nonetheless. Locking the bowl onto her waist with a tight grip, she blindly grabbed a grape and tossed it higher than the last round. Her aim was off, feet backpedaling with each anticipated second before she flicked her head back, the grape landing on her back molar with a pop. 9 points!

The rounds kept on going, faster and more risky than the last, she didn’t even have time to chew or swallow the grapes as her stubborn competitive streak became fueled by the chance of ‘winning’ and her pride. 18 points. It kept her sliding, jumping, running and jogging around in circles just to catch the slippery suckers but she caught them all, one after the other. 37 points. It didn’t take long for her to lose all track of her surroundings, eyes glued to the sky for falling grapes. 56 points.

Cheeks full and bowl half-empied, she took one more grape and held it gently in her fingertips. This is it, Kagome. The final round, the crowd is on the edge of their seats, watching. Don’t panic. Breathe. Breathe. It’s all or nothing! Without pause, the grape went high into the sky, seemingly disappearing into thin air.

“Oh shit!”

She tossed it too high. Her eyes burned at the brightness of the sun but she continued to squint, looking for any signs of movement. 

Nothing. Her legs carried her backwards, hair bouncing and flying into her face and feet stumbling over small lumps in the grass. 

There…? She twisted lightly on her ankle and craned her neck with a small pop, eyes landing on something small, something fast...

There!

Picking up the pace and running further and further back, her heart dropped at the thought that she couldn’t make it like this. It almost stopped her in her tracks but, no, she could! Bowl now secured in both hands, she stretched her legs as far as she could running backwards and jumped, praying for a soft landing as her eyes followed the grape. She caught the offending grape in between her lips like a dog with a few too many tennis balls in its mouth. Here comes the ground, she thought ruefully, eyes scrunching closed at the thought of the impact. With a small ‘oof’, she slammed onto something. She expected to be sprawled on the grass in an ungraceful mess and choking on grapes but soft fabric surrounded her exposed skin as her mid back was supported by something. 

“Feeef wike a perffen--”

She still had those goddamned grapes in her mouth, and the one balanced between her lips was without a scratch. Nice. Her pride swelled at the fact as she hummed her victories.

“That was quite the magnificent catch, Kagome-sama.”

Her eyes popped out of their sockets and she sat up from her seat. Her landing spot ended up being Miroku’s lap. She looked down at their laps, then to his eyes, and then to the bowl in her arm. Who knew Miroku’s lap would be so comfortable? ...What the hell, Kagome.

“Wan’ suff?”

She made no effort to hide the cheeky flush in her hamster-rivaled cheeks or the childish sparkle in her eyes, nudging the bowl towards him. He let out a small smile. How ridiculous. There was a glint in his eyes and she didn’t miss it but she realized the intent too late.

“Don’t mind if I do.”

She smiled around the grapes but felt her heart thud as he leaned closer to her face, eyes trailing down to her lips.

“H… Hey!”

She shut her eyes tight, breath stuck in her throat. She could feel his breath fan over her lips and swallowed thickly, teeth slightly indenting the grape in between them. Crunch. There was no brush of skin but she knew he ate something. Testing the waters, she squinted out of one eye and watched him chew thoughtfully with eyes closed. She just stared, frozen like a deer in headlights. It was enough for him to stop his next teasing words.

“Are you ok, Kagome-sama?”

She plucked the grape from in between her teeth, slowly chewing the rest, and choked as her eyes found it to be half eaten. With a fist covering her mouth, she looked at the grape, then into Miroku’s eyes, and for a quick second she briefly glanced at his lips, to which he blew an amuse puff of air from his nose, before burning disbelieving daggers in the innocent grape. Taking her time, she finished off the rest of the grapes in her mouth in silence and Miroku couldn’t help but think that he broke her.

Letting out a nervous chuckle, he started, “Kagome---”

“I--- You---”

“You did offer.”

She took a pause and quickly glanced at his lips again, feeling heat crawl up her neck. He felt sweat gather, he was not used to this submissive Kagome, still in his lap, instead of slapping him into the next life.

“I guess I… I did...”

There was an uncomfortably long pause between them. No anger, no panic, both of which began his slow descent into a fear-induced adrenaline rush. Anything to get Kagome back to normal before the others caught them like this.

“Anyways!” He scratched the back of his neck and grabbed another grape from the bowl,”...these grapes? Fantastic! I’ve never had anything like them.”

Crunch. Chewing slowly, he snuck a glance, she was biting her bottom lip and looking anywhere but at him. This is not good.

“Oh! What was that game you were playing before, Kagome-sama? It certainly looked very interesting!”

No response. She was staring at him now, wide-eyed and ghostly, and he gulped. Sango is going to kill me.

“Would you mind if I tried? Uhhh… Ummm…”

Without a second thought, he threw up the grape with the hand not supporting her still frame and leaned back, his impending-doom-influenced shakiness messed up his aim and it bounced off his nose.

“Oh, ah-ha-ha! Looks like I missed, what’re my points looking like, Kagome-sama?”

Nothing. Kami, please help me. He started panicking and grabbed another grape.

“Ok! One more! I’m betting this’ll be at least 20 points!”

He tossed it high and bounced softly in his seat to catch the grape, it settled in between his teeth and he flashed her a thumbs up.

“Wha’ to you ‘hink?”

His eyes glanced over her entire face with out-of-place desperation.

“Kago-he-sa-ha?”

As if she were a video pressed on play, her face exploded in red and she grabbed his shoulders tightly. He flinched but felt his eyes get drawn in the sudden fire in her gaze. Her jaw was clenched, eyebrows furrowed, and an angry growl erupted in her throat. Here it comes. Accepting his fate, he just let the corner of his lips settle into a familiar ‘can’t-be-helped’ grin. He was prepared for the slap of his life but something he would never imagine happening happened. She dove in quick and fast and bit half of the grape in between his teeth. Crunch. Everything she felt transferred onto him and he felt something burst in his chest. His eyes popped comically, just like hers a moment ago, and he felt the air disappear in his lungs. He didn’t even budge when she pushed herself from out of his lap.

“Now we’re even!”

Her voice cracked but he didn’t even notice, he just stared at her. That did not just happen. Shoving the grape basket into his chest, she covered her mouth with one last glance at him. He couldn’t say anything, let alone breathe, and she ran away, screaming a repeated string of ‘omgomgomgomgomg’. Miroku watched her go, mind still processing the last few seconds, as he mindlessly plopped a grape into his mouth. Grape chewed and swallowed, the reality of what had just occurred settled. Miroku placed his beaded hand over his mouth with a silent groan and a late flush settling on his cheeks.

“Well, that was not what I was expecting.”

Falling onto his back, with the intentions of burying his blush and calming his mind, he inhaled deeply...They were softer than he thought.

Intro | Chapter 14 | Chapter 16