Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Affected

A/N: Don't know where this came from. Just popped in my head.

Disclaimer: Don't own'em. Nuff said.

Summary: A "gentleman's talk" turns into something completely different between our two traveling companions...

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Miroku gripped the tree bark tighter as the thrusts behind him became harsh and intense, chattering his teeth with each plunge. The hanyou could last for hours...days...if he wanted to, but this evening they were short on time—the ladies wouldn't stay in the bath forever.

"G-gods!" Miroku gasped as Inuyasha delivered one final searing blow to his colon that had him seeing stars and gasping for air. Inuyasha grunted his completion, biting back the growl that had threatened to erupt and carry for miles on end. They both held still for the moment, not wanting to move and return to their motley crew yet. Not just yet.

Inuyasha placed his brow on Miroku's sweaty back, reveling in the feeling of being deep inside of a warm body.

"miroku..." He purred, in between satiated and calm breaths. Who would have ever thought that a talk between men would have turned into this...

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~Two months earlier~

Miroku sighed as he made his way through the dense underbrush that surrounded their current campsite. Inuyasha was off after having another temper tantrum and argument with Kagome, and he was sent to go find him and return him to the campsite. Oh, it wasn't so much that was said—it was more of what wasn't said as a concerned Sango glanced from the fuming and tearful miko to the spot in the tree above where Inuyasha had just waited and finally lit upon Miroku's own violet gaze. To him there was nothing to do—let the miko and the hanyou argue and fight until they finally mated, since that was where they were headed anyway. But women, Budda praise their gorgeous curves, always thought differently.

So now he found himself in unfamiliar territory trying his best to find a dog demon who obviously didn't want to be found. The area was dark and foreboding, and Miroku unconsciously tightened the grip on his staff as he sunk deeper into the unknown forest around him.

He better turn up soon...

No sooner had he said that then the forest suddenly made way for a small clearing and a wayward hanyou standing in the middle.

Inuyasha faced away from the monk and towards the setting sun, his silver hair blowing lazily in the wind. Sunlight dappled across his tanned skin, and Miroku noted that there had to be plenty of things that were great with demon blood. All the women that he could get with demonic good looks...

Inuyasha's head suddenly snapped back and the hanyou growled at him. Gods, he really was in a pissy mood.

"What do you want, Miroku?"

"The others are concerned about you. Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to return to camp. I'm sure Kagome-sama will be calmer, and we could all use a good rest."

"Keh," Inuyasha folded his arms and went back to regarding the streaks of red and gold as if they were the most interesting things on the planet. "That wench couldn't care less about me."

Miroku's brow furrowed. If he didn't know better, Inuyasha sounded...hurt. As if someone had broken into a million tiny pieces that stabbed him deeply in the hole that had once been his heart.

"So you finally asked."

It was more of a statement then a question. It didn't take a wise man to see that Inuyasha had true feelings for Kagome...and that she didn't return them.

"She rejected me. Said that there were other things to life than being my mate. She said that she had learned that a long time ago...with me and Kikyou. I never..."

Miroku resisted the urge to pat him on the back in consolation. Inuyasha was as dense as the day was long, and it never occurred to him that Kagome may not wait for him to finally get over his first love. It never occurred to him that as his love for her grew, hers would shrivel and die.

It never occurred to him that he would lose her.

Miroku sighed again at the look of his best friend—ears drooping, shoulders sagging in a combination of shame and regret. There were no words that would be adequate, and so Miroku remained quiet, waiting for the hanyou to finally come around and return with him.

But that wasn't what happened.

At least, not until much later.

~TBC~

A/N: Sorry to cut off like that, but I've got to get some sleep. Let me know what you think so far--I'm trying to decide where this little sordid affair will take us...especially when a certain demon brother and two fierce women are thrown into the mix...

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