Chapter 10: Chimera

Miroku was just wandering the woods, ears twitching and turning in every direction. He yawned widely, revealing his sharp canines as he meandered here and there. Suddenly his nose picked up the scent of something faintly familiar.

'I know this smell from somewhere…but I can't seem to remember.'

He morphed back into his beastly form, shaking himself off before racing into the forest. His paws carried him to a small clearing, nose leading him closer. Claws became unsheathed as he crept closer, body skimming the ground as his predatory instincts awakened as he approached a moving bush.

'Now…to see who is here besides me.'

A low almost nonexistent growl escaped his throat as he moved slowly, his eyes fixed on his target. With a dash and leap, he dove into the bush, gripping something furry in his maw before returning to the clearing.

"Put me down Miroku!" Squeaked a voice, green eyes glaring at the large cat.

The panther released his hold and allowed the furry creature to fall on the soft grass.

"My apologies Shippo." Miroku chuckled as he transformed back into his humanoid appearance.

Little Shippo was a kitsune; upper body of a young boy, but the lower half of a fox kit, complete with a poofy tail.

"You could have eaten me you moron!" Shippo yelled, whacking Miroku in the head.

"Yet I didn't…I have a great amount of self-control young fox, unlike our dear friend Inuyasha." Miroku bragged, brushing off the blow as if it was nothing.

"Don't you have anything better to do besides mock me Miroku?"

The panther turned to see Inuyasha, the white dog demon.

"Inuyasha…how wonderful to see you again my friend."

"Feh…"

Miroku stood up and stared at the two, knowing fully well that they would not be out in the open unless Count D had sent them.

"What exactly are you two out here for…if I may ask?"

"The Count wanted us to find Jakotsu." Inuyasha explained as Shippo leapt onto his shoulder.

"The chimera? That can't be possible, I've been out here for several hours and I've yet to…"

That's when his nose caught a whiff of something that smelled like wet goat fur and sulfur.

'Aw hell!' "I need to go! I left Sango alone!" Miroku panicked, quickly transforming and dashing away.

Meanwhile with Sango…

"Miroku! Where are you?"

Sango had decided to search for him since he'd been gone too long. She was just calling for him now, thinking he'd be more than happy to come and greet her.

'As soon as I find him, he's going to get a piece of my mind!'

She then heard a low growl behind her, bushes rustling loudly.

"Okay Miroku…come out of there." She huffed, ready to pull him out by his tail.

Her eyes grew wide as she realized this was not Miroku. What came out of the leaves was a black maned lion…or at least the front half of one. The hind legs were that of an oversized goat, and its tail looked like it came from a dragon.

"Uh…nice kitty?" She squeaked, backing away slowly.

The monster snarled at her as it crouched down, preparing to pounce. Sango sprinted away, fear driving her on.

'Why does this happen to me?' She thought fearfully.

She managed to get far, but she tripped over a tree root.

"OW!"

Sango lay panting on the grass, looking over her shoulder to see if she was still being followed.

"Thank god…I'm safe." She sighed, starting to get up.

But then she felt herself get bowled over, a mass of fur rubbing against her before she was pinned.

"Sango! Thank goodness I found you!" Miroku said enthusiastically as he nuzzled her face.

"Miroku! I'm glad to see you!" She gushed, rubbing his ears vigorously.

He purred for a second before helping her up.

"We need to get you out of here! It isn't safe!" He said harshly, throwing her over his shoulder.

"No kidding! There's a weird lion mutant thing chasing me right now!"

"…Please tell me you're kidding Sango."

No sooner did he say that that the chimera jumped at them, making Miroku stumble as he barely avoided the slashing claws.

"Oh hell!"

The chimera tried to reach Sango, but Miroku kept backing away.

"Why the hell is that thing after me?" Sango demanded, Miroku scaling a tree to get out of reach.

"Jakotsu is the jealous type." Miroku huffed as he let Sango get off him.

"Jealous of what?"

"Uh…"

"Get down here you tramp!"

Sango looked down at the snarling chimera, turned to Miroku, and back again.

"Miroku…is this Jakotsu…gay by any chance?" She laughed, finally making the connection.

The panther slumped down on their branch, covering his face as he nodded stiffly.

"He's had a crush on me since we were cubs…and he hates anyone, man or woman, on sight if they get too close." He grumbled, trying to ignore the rambling beast below.

"OH LORD! Where's the camera when you need it?" She guffawed, struggling to breathe.

"I swear I'll kill you when you get down here bitch!" Screamed Jakotsu from below.

Sango was now laughing at Miroku, who was glaring at her before he jumped out of the tree.

"Cut it out Jakotsu…you've done enough damage…in more ways than one."

The beast turned to him, tail waving in the air before it pounced on Miroku. Sango stifled her giggles as the big beast nuzzled him affectionately before the irritated panther tossed him off.

"Get the hell off me! For the last time, I'm not gay Jakotsu!" Miroku snarled, helping Sango down.

"But Miro dear!"

"Just leave me alone!" Miroku roared…literally.

Before anymore could be said, Inuyasha and Shippo tackled the chimera, tying it up with rope.

"Finally got you!" Shippo shouted triumphantly as he sat on Jakotsu's head.

Sango was looking up at Miroku, noticing his stony gaze that he shot at the chimera.

"Miroku…who are those two?"

"Let's just go Sango…" Miroku growled, stalking off.

She followed close behind him, his tail twitching angrily.

"Miroku…is there a problem?"

"Besides the fact that that moron won't take a hint, I'm happy as a clam." He snarled, ears laying flat against his head.

Sango rushed over to his side, grasping his shoulder.

"Miroku, can you calm down so we can talk?"

The panther sighed heavily as he helped her get on his back before leaping onto the balcony to their room. She watched as he collapsed on the bed, eyes on her before he spoke.

"Bankotsu and Jakotsu…they're some of the few animals I grew up with at the shop."

"Apparently you don't like them from where I stand."

Miroku just closed his eyes.

"I grew around several beasts of…questionable character. Most of them are living in the quarantined section of the shop nowadays."

"Quarantined? Why are they…?"

"Most of them are cruel or dangerous, either one or the other, sometimes both. And for that they are never to be sold to the public." He yawned, stretching out tiredly.

"So…where does that put you?"

The big cat just smiled at her, eyes taking on a seductive hue.

"I suppose I am dangerous…at least to females anyway." He purred, tail waving as he rolled over onto his stomach.

She shook her head at him, laying beside him as she stroked his ears. He gave a deep purr, rubbing against her hand fondly before wrapping his arms around her waist, nuzzling her affectionately.

"Quick question Miroku."

"Yes?"

"Did you ever feel anything toward Jakotsu? Anything at all?"

Miroku looked at her for a moment before he frowned.

"I'm sleeping on the floor tonight." He grumbled before turning into a cat, slipping into one of the dark corners of the room.

She just giggled at him before going to sleep.

With Inuyasha and Shippo…

"Inuyasha?"

"Yeah Runt?"

"Shouldn't we have told Miroku about the other escapees?"

"Nah…he can deal with them on his own."

Dragonlover71491: There! But there's more to come, so wait and see!