The first time was a day like no other in the Feudal Era, really. Countless days of physical and mental exhaustion was not easy on the weary mix-matched group. Demons never quit so neither could the heroes unfortunately. Feets were aching, thighs burning, and stomachs growling for a lunch break. The scenery, in all its peacefully teasing glory, didn't seem to help their moods this time. Grumbling, Kagome dragged along on her bicycle, her bulging backpack weighing on her shoulders. She let a sigh fall on her lips as she looked at the back of saturated red robes. 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 suspected monk wasn't on that list-Wait, Kagome didn't want to jinx it. She shook her head of the thought quickly with another sigh, getting 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. He hummed in approval, feeling slightly rejuvenated. Today is such a good day for pink.

Kagome felt something other than the breeze on her skin and tightened her grip on her bicycle. She hoped it wasn't another demon, there's 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 can't help but sigh again, getting 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-west-ish. I've been itching for a fight, you guys go on ahead."

After the last words, Kagome was suddenly stunted. No slur? No fuss? Has the Kagome Higurashi finally died? She stuttered out a hesitant 'ok', her mood improving slightly. Miroku and Sango were also quite surprised, he must have been just as tired as they were though. Not that neither were complaining. Pondering for a bit, Sango walked up to his side, 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. It didn't really reveal much 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. The realization that she was alone with Miroku suddenly sunk in and she gasped softly, chastising herself for allowing it to happen. Though, her suddenly sullen mood didn't last as she resigned to her fate. She just skipped further ahead, already forgetting about the concerning length of her skirt. Also quickening his pace, Miroku 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 suddenly 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 sunsets behind. Although slightly disappointed with the end of flashing pink, Miroku's mood swelled once more. He alway 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 hedonistic mind, before he followed after Kagome to find a suitable lodging for the night.

The search was pretty quick, Miroku's old trick of a dark-looming-clouds worked yet again and Kagome wasted no time in unloading her luggage. Miroku's gaze softened at the display, she must be so tired… and hungry.

"Kagome-sama?" Kagome hummed in reply.

"Would you like to walk with me to dinner?"

Kagome nodded before deciding to mutter,"Hands off though, got it?" Miroku chuckled, tucking his hands into the folds of his robe with a flourish. They headed out into the evening, Miroku humming with a dazed smile under Kagome's watchful glare.

Hearing several giggles in a nearby hut, Miroku slackened his pace, gloved hand twitching. Kagome felt a shiver run down her spine, her lecher-radar off the charts as her hands itched to cover herself. She didn't like where this night was going, a weird twist in her stomach as Miroku inched toward the smell of heavily-perfumed women with a funny smile on his face. Kagome's appetite strangely disappeared as she fumed. Miroku was being disgusting. Again. "I think I'm going to go I lost my appetite, Miroku-sama."

That got Miroku's attention. "Are you sure, Kagome-sama?"

She nodded, her face telling him all he needed to know. She was uncomfortable and… upset. Why? He felt bad actually. Another giggle happened to pass between them as she made to leave with a huff, turning on her heel. His staff jingled again as he stepped toward her.

"Please wait."

"And see you lechering? I'll pass, Miroku-sama," she strained on 'sama' before slowly turning back to Miroku. His purple eyes startled her, the sunset lighting made them more striking than usual.

"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 chuckled softly.

"Men too, if you prefer!"

"I think I'm good, Miroku-sama. I just find it gross when you lecher..."

"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 quite delicate, endearing smile on her face, luscious locks framing her figure and many women fanned at her side, covering their faces with a giggle and a sleeve over their mouths.

There was a hard sink in her stomach. Kagome couldn't tell if it was because Miroku's pretty eyes were locked on the woman or because she suddenly felt insecure about herself. Wait, pretty? Where did that come from? Kagome's eyes trained on the agonizingly slow pace the woman took towards them. Kagome stayed stuck to Miroku's side and the woman finally opened her mouth.

"I heard there was a notorious monk that arrived here."

Miroku chuckled, shamelessly rubbing the back of his head with his gloved hand. The beads tapping together against the movement reminded Kagome of his curse. She felt saddened at the thought, swirling guilt clutched at her heart before he opened his mouth with a lecherous tone.

"I am but a monk, miss." Kagome lost all previous concern and snorted very unladylike. The woman paid no mind. "Oh, a humble monk? How… fetching."

Even her voice was lovely... Kagome shriveled a bit on the inside as an unnaturally charming smile fixed itself on Miroku's face. It suited him... What the hell was she even saying? Furrowing her eyebrow, 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.

Even Kagome was interested by then, intrigued by how soothing his voice actually was. Though she caught herself and hung back, watching as Miroku chuckled again when he was caught teasing by the crowd of thirsty females. Kagome could have probably left at any time if she wanted, but she decided 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 nearby future!"

Kagome snorted again at the woman swooning elegantly, 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 at the display, it seemed wrong to play with people's emotions, no matter how eager the person was. As if Miroku read her mind, he decided to tease the situation into his favor. The outcomes were probably too predictable-a simple slap on the cheek-but he was hoping that she might play along a bit.

"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. There were probably a lot of options she could go about but she only formed two in her head. Turn away, 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. The giggling crowd turned quiet, parting slightly at the fiery spark in her scarily expressive eyes. They were definitely interested to see how this will play out, knowing full well how their leader's tongue is sharper than any knife. The elegant woman's smile widened, and-Was that a hint of lust? For a sucky win? 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 diverse in meaning, hmm... Which seems 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 pretty intimate."

The woman just waited for Kagome's move with a graceful lift of a brow, the silence was tense as the females all held their breaths in anticipation. In the rush of the moment, Kagome just shrugged at Miroku's comment, glancing down at their hands before looking up at him. Miroku shifted his gaze from her hand to her blazing eyes, curious about what she will do. Her eyelashes strangely fluttered, teasing and... a bit flirty? What are you planning, Kagome?

His gaze suddenly lowered to her lips, which were looking 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 interesting in those kind of lines, Miroku-sama."

That got everyone's attention again. Miroku blinked, confused, before he pointed to another crease in her palm and opened his mouth to speak. Kagome cut him off, lifting light fingers to linger over his ear lobe.

"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. Suddenly feeling, more than seeing, all those eyes on her, she pulled her hand to her chest, feigning pain. "Ouch."

Miroku stared at her in disbelief. Who's this and where did Kagome go? He 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.

"What a sharp line, Miroku-sama... Is it the same under the robes? Because I'd like to read those lines, if you will. "

Gasps of disbelief were her only response. Miroku was oddly silent, eyes widening softly as he watched her. She suddenly understood what the hell she just said and a blush creeped up her neck but she wasn't done yet. Looking back at the beautifully stunned woman, her nose turned up slightly, Kagome winked cheekily. No rebuttal. Good.

Kagome's pride was satisfied, yet deflated,causing her turn on her heels. Feeling the blush explode over her cheeks, she looked ahead and quickly spat out," I'll be in our hut, Miroku-sama. Don't lech too long, I'm kinda hungry right now."

Oh gods, that sounded wrong, but Kagome 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 the 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.