Disclaimer: Still don't own Inuyasha.

"I'm in love with my lust
Burning angel wings to dust…"

Gates to Heaven

"Surely this is some mistake! I do not belong here!"

The woman let out a benevolent sigh. She turned her back to him and proceeded to walk onward. "Come with me, Miroku. I can see we have much to discuss."

She guided him towards a river's bank, unlike any other. The spring flowed with burning fire. "Stand back a moment," she warned him, "it'd be unfortunate if you got burned." Her voice was toneless, showing no emotion.

Miroku obeyed, taking a step back. He watched his companion wave her hand slowly over the pool of embers. Suddenly, the blazing flames shot up from the lava. They dripped gradually over the riverside and then came to a boil. Miroku watched with wide eyes, as vibrant colors of red and orange, began swirling together. Quickly, the fire molded itself into a giant armchair.

"Please, take a seat." The woman spoke, extending her arm towards the chair.

Miroku nodded, traveling over to it. He slowly placed his rump on the daybed. It felt like he was sitting on a pile of smoldering hot coals. Miroku winced in discomfort, shifting around in agony.

"It takes a while to cool off. Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

Miroku glared at her. "Kikyo! I don't want to get used to it!" He sprayed the air softly with his saliva, until the tiny drops evaporated into equally little puffs of smoke. "I belong here as much as you do!"

Kikyo chuckled, cupping a hand over her mouth. "Miroku, be careful with your choice of words!"

"I'm serious!" Miroku yelped, cradling his head in his hands. "You wouldn't believe the conversation I overheard back there!"

"…so how'd you get rid of yours?" The woman asked, painting her long nails with another coat of black.

"I slipped something in his drink. That damned husband of mine didn't even know what was coming! Serves him right, though. He just got on my nerves." The other caught the nail polish bottle, as it was being slid across the table to her. "I still can't believe you shot yours!"

"Oh, yes! Right where the skull meets the spine. I hear it's the most painless. When mine hit the ground-well-he didn't even quiver!" The girl produced a light laugh. "It was an astonishing sight to behold. Although," she paused, "it left quite a nasty stain on the dining room carpet."

"I can imagine! It was white, nonetheless!" And the two burst into an uncontrollable cackle.

"Miroku…you were in the murdering section," Kikyo replied, studying the grave look on his face. "You belong with the 'sexual intercourse with a partner other than a-"

He cut her off before she was able to finish. "Kikyo, you must believe me when I tell you…I have never committed adultery!" Miroku shot up from his seat and started pacing back and forth frantically. "I'm insulted by the fact that all you people…you all seem to see me as...as some sort of unforgivable lecher!

Kikyo cocked her head to the side. "Really? I didn't see you as that…" She placed a finger to her lips, "but then again, none of us tend to judge those who have been thrown mercilessly into Hell."

"I was denied entrance into Heaven! Denied!" Miroku cried.

Kikyo rested a hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps I could talk to them. But Miroku, you are no different from anyone else here. Don't expect them to give in so easily." A disgusted look suddenly appeared on her face, "especially since you had been flirting with one of the angels…"

Miroku felt a bead of sweat trickle down the side of his cheeks. "I was waiting for her to open the gate. I wanted to be a gentleman and start a conversation with her. It was the only right thing to do."

Kikyo shook her head, shamefully. "You asked a heavenly being to bear your child. And you wonder why you were kicked out!" She waved her hands in the air. Then, Kikyo started walking away to carry out her duties. Miroku sprinted after her; the heat finally getting to him.

"It was a friendly joke… she couldn't have taken it seriously!"

"She beat you on the head with her harp…"

"Who knew angels really had those things!" Miroku laughed nervously, scratching the side of his head. He could still feel the small egg beneath his jet black hair. "Those things are painful."

Kikyo ignored him. "Hello, welcome to Hell. Just check in over in that corner and have a horrible day!" The maiden smiled, shaking the newcomers hand and directing him towards the registration counter. The short, pudgy man then bit her on the finger, and ran off muttering several curses under his breath.

Kikyo ripped off some of her sleeve in order to bandage the fresh puncture wound. "I hate my job," she whined.

Next, a little boy ran up to Kikyo, kicking her 'nicely' in the leg. "Where're my horns," he screamed, "and my tail?"

Kikyo bit hard on her lower lip, to stop the tears from falling "I told you, young one. We do not get horns and a tail. That's a common misconception. Only a truly despicable person can receive such things. If you wish to entertain yourself, go to Naraku. He is evil enough."

He was not pleased with her response. The child then gave a rude hand gesture and quickly fled, snickering.

"Kikyo, you must see! I am nothing like these…these…demons." Miroku blinked; clearly shocked that such a young lad could be so highly disrespectful.

"Yes, I'll see what I can do."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Two days. He had been suffering in Hell for two long days. It was unbearably hot. Miroku panted as he sat in the armchair. Sweat fell from his chin, slid down his nose and dampened his brow. His bottom was still not immune to the chair's harsh sensation, but at least it was getting better.

"You weakling...can't survive these dreadful conditions?"

Miroku bolted upright at the sound of the unknown voice, "Who's there?"

"Foolish human. I come of your request." Out of the shadows came a silver-haired youkai. They called him Sesshomaru. "If only you were a little less…humm, perverted…we wouldn't be in this predicament, would we?" He came closer to Miroku, meeting cobalt eyes with fiery, amber ones. "Worthless!" Sesshomaru spat, digging his nails into Miroku's arms.

"I know I wasn't the most innocent of men, "Miroku squeezed one eye shut, trying to break free of Sesshomaru's hold," but if I just had another chance, I'd live my life differently. Besides, Sesshomaru, good sir…" He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. He had to choose his words carefully during these gruesome situations. "You couldn't have been much better. After all, we're all in Hell for a reason." Sesshomaru was angered by that statement, and punched Miroku promptly in the gut.

Miroku groaned in ache, as Sesshoumaru just stood and watched him hit the stone ground. It brought a sadistic smirk across his face. "Even though I'm in hell with you... I still have permission to beat you. Don't you forget that." Sesshoumaru retorted. "I do whatever I please. You know nothing about me."

Miroku weakly rolled over in the stones. At the same time, Miroku was glad he had been punched. The stones were cool against his burning skin. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he breathed in deeply.

"I wish… I could do it all over again... I would be so much better..."

Sesshomaru came up behind Miroku and spoke. "You want…another chance?" He asked, bewildered that this young man still desired his help. "You have…determination, I see."

Miroku lay motionless on the ground, saying nothing.

Well… I shall give you one. Look over here, boy." Sesshomaru snapped his fingers and Miroku suddenly had to urge to get back on his feet. He twirled over and looked in the direction of Sesshomaru. Getting up on one knee, he assisted himself back onto his feet.

"The river…" Sesshomaru pointed a clawed finger down towards the lava, "...you see the girl that's in here?"

Miroku peaked in. The lava had changed to reveal a picture of a girl sitting in front of a T.V. by herself, stroking her cat. She appeared to be eating some microwavable food, too. Ahhh, what he wouldn't give for a decent meal…

Sesshomaru's voice brought him back on track. "Her name is Sango. If you can turn this girl's life around, I'll give you a chance at heaven. Once the deed has been done, you can return to the golden gates. One of the angels will assist you in. There will be no reason for you to stay in the mortal world."

Miroku just nodded his head.

"And…as with all great opportunities, there are catches. But in this case, because you seem so pathetically desperate... there is just one catch."

"What? What is it? I'll do anything to get out of this hell-"

"Silence!" Sesshomaru bellowed. "Now… you cannot fall in love. If you do... or even think about it and I find out…trust me, Miroku, I will find out… you're coming right back here and never getting another chance again. Either that or I shall punish you accordingly, and believe me, human, it will be a brutal punishment. Are we understood?"

"Yes." Miroku replied.

"Don't ask me as to why I'm helping you. I'm not quite sure myself. After all, you have already failed Judgement Day."

Miroku grinned sheepishly, "I don't know how I'm ever going to repay-"

Sesshomaru groaned and snapped his fingers for a second time, causing Miroku to disappear into the mortal world.

"Idiotic fool…" he sighed, going back to his duties. "Let's see how long he lasts…"