His name screamed through her mind repeatedly.

Miroku

What had he been thinking? To actually kiss her... It was out of the question..! He was supposed to love Sango, sure there hadn't been any declarations of love, but it was obvious they felt something for each other. He felt nothing for her.

Not Kagome Higurashi.

She lifted her hand, and brushed her fingers across her lips,"Why..?" she asked the questions over and over in her head. Each time the answer made less sense. He was Miroku, and she was Kagome. They had never had anything between them except friendship.

Right..?

She stood up, brushed the dirt off her skirt, and started walking back towards the campsite. All the memories ran through her mind.

"Keh' the fires going out. I vote Miroku has to go get more wood." Inuyasha said in a nonchalant tone as he glanced at Miroku and smirked,"It's his turn anyways."

"And why would it be my turn?"Miroku asked sarcastically. Wondering why Inuyasha always seemed to have it in for him.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes a bit and started, "Because, last time I went. The time before Sango went. The time before that, Shippou went. Then Kagome. And you haven't got off you're lazy a-"

"That's enough Inuyasha." Kagome cut him off as she stood up and glared down at him. Giving him the 'Shut up if you don't want to be sit' look.Inuyasha gulped, and pouted as he stomped off and sat down with his back against a tree. He looked off into the distance, trying to ignore them, "I'll go with you, Miroku. I was wanting to get away from a certain someone anyways." she said as she gave one more glare at Inuyasha, then walked into the brush.

"Well," Miroku chuckled a little as he stood up and followed Kagome,"I guess that ends the conversation."

She had been mad. More like pissed actually. Inuyasha and her had been doing great, aromantic moment here, a little bonding there. They had almost even kissed! It was perfect. Then Kikyo had come, and as alwaysInuyasha went to her. Leaving Kagome behind, reminding her that all she was, all she could ever be, was a replacement.

Her eyes shifted as she searched for Miroku, hoping he had followed her into the woods. She had stormed off pretty abruptly, so she couldn't blame him for having trouble catching up with her. Soon enough she saw a dark figure and ran towards it, "Miroku!" she yelled as she got closer, but realized a moment later that it wasn't the monk. But a tall, gruff man. His eyes moved to hers and immediately down to her skirt. He smirked and walked towards her,

"Well, well, look what we have here?" The man said as he took a step closer to Kagome, "What's a young lady like yourself doing out here in the middle of the woods?" he chuckled.

"St-stay away from me.." she said as she backed up, only to be knocked into a tree, taking away her escape.

She had to get out.

"Please... Someone help... Inuyasha..!" she thought as she closed her eyes tightly. Getting ready to fight the man, knowing it would be futile.

"This is one short kimono you got here..." The man said as he slowly moved his hand towards her skirt. Kagome tensed, and started to raise her hand. So she could at least attempt to punch him.

"Well, I'm pretty sure she called it something other than a kimono..?" came the voice she had been looking for. Hope suddenly rose in Kagome, but she mistakenly named her savior.

"Inuyasha..?" she opened her eyes to see Miroku standing next to the man, holding him down on his knees. The man was struggling to get to his feet.

But failed.

She saw Miroku slightly glance up at her, and forced a smile to his lips. His eyes looked almost sad, but he then looked back at the man and tightened his grip,"Now... Say your sorry to the lady and leave."

"S-sorry.." he said pitifully.

"Good," Miroku said. Then his facial features darkened and his voice grew harsh," Now get the hell out of here!" He said as he pushed the man to the side and saw him run away with his tail between his legs.

"Thanks." Kagome muttered as she looked down, trying to hide her face.

"Your welcome, Lady Kagome." he said as he started to walk deeper into the forest,"Now, we better get that fire wood." he took another step, but heard no response. He then looked back to find Kagome on her knees with her face buried in her hands.

Had the man hurt her before her had gotten there?

He could faintly hear her muffled sobs as he walked over to her and crouched down,"Kagome..? What's wrong?" he asked, a little concerned,"Did he hurt you?"

"N-no. I-it's noth-nothing." she said as she lifted her head from her hands and looked at him,"I j-just was a li-little shook up. Th-that's all." she forced a smile. She had been in situations like this many times; and each time she was saved. But she always had to take time to get comfortable again, to keep her composure. Then she felt it. Felt his arms around her, "Mir-"

"Shh, shh, it's okay. Your okay." he whispered in Kagome's ear as he rocked her back in forth in his arms. Soon enough, her tense body relaxed in his arms. It was warm and comforting, and it helped her find the peace she needed to get back her calmness. He even felt kinda nice, but she found herself wondering back to Inuyasha. Which meant back to Kikyo; which meant back to sadness.Then she felt it, but this time it wasn't his arms, and they weren't around her torso,

"Miiroookuuuu..." She whispered violently, "Could you please stop groping my ass?" she said as she pushed him away. She lost her balance, and while she was falling, ended up grabbing onto Miroku, pulling him down with her.

Kagome found herself in a very awkward position. Miroku was lying on top of her, and their lips were pressed together. Miroku lifted up from her and looked down on her,

"Ummm... You should get u-" she was cut off by his lips again, but this time it was on purpose. His intentions were full and present. She laid there in shock, her mouth slightly open. Miroku took the advantage to try and slip his tongue in, but the moment she felt it, she bit.

Hard.

"Owww, Kagome..." he said as he pulled away from her lips and managed to stand up," You didn't have to bite me so hard..." he rubbed his mouth as he let out a slight chuckle. He was in a better mood than before. Something about a woman's violence was so... so... enlightening. He smiled.

"Wha-what was that?" she yelled as she stood up, stumbling a bit, " And I bit you hard cause your a perv!" she yelled as she got up from the ground. She couldn't believe him! What was he thinking. She glared at him, and made a sound similar to that of a growl.

"Oh, so you didn't like it?" he said as he almost pouted."And I thought I was a good kisser..."

At that, she flushed and looked down," Let's just go," she then wheeled around and pointed a finger at Miroku,"And not one word about this to Inuyasha."

He looked at her innocently," And why not?"

'Because it would be Hell' he thought, answering his own question.

"Because if you do, all it will lead to is him trying to kill you, me stopping him with 'sit', him getting mad at me. Which will lead to another 'sit', and then we wont talk to each other till I go home, and it will be completely meaningless!" she finished, catching her breath. She looked up at him, her eyes pleading him not to say anything.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything." he said as his eyes softened, "But don't think I only kissed you because I was teasing. There are a lot of other reasons." he then walked off leaving Kagome speechless. She didn't go with him. She had to think it over before she got back, and gain some composure. 'And figure out how to act as if nothing happened' she thought to herself and sighed.

She looked for Miroku the moment she walked into the campsite. He was sitting with his back against a tree, his eyes closed. She walked up to Inuyasha and sat down a few inches away from him, across from the spot Miroku was sitting.

'Did he say anything? Please, oh, please tell me he didn't!' she thought to herself as she looked over to Miroku hesitantly, but was relieved when she heard his next words,

"See? She's fine, she had just gone back because she had seen a large branch that she thought would have been good for the fire," Miroku stopped and looked around her," Did you not find it?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah.. I couldn't..." she trailed off, feeling relieved he had done what she asked.

The days went by, and all that could be said is one thing. Awkward. Miroku made slight hints about what had happened, but the only person who realized the true meaning was Kagome. She'd blush, or maybe even hit him, then walk off.

A week later they were at a stop for travelers, and Inuyasha and Sango had went inside to get some dumplings and tea. Kagome was in a bench across from Miroku. She looked up to catch him staring at her.

It was then that he blew her a kiss and winked, and then brought his finger up to his mouth as if he was saying,

'Our Secret'.