Disclaimer: I own nada and make nada.
Author's Rant: You guys…thank you very much. I'm really thrilled that you're all enjoying the way the story is processing on. You're all so kind and incredibly cool. To both silent and public readers, I think you for your happiness and will continue to try and satisfy your desired needs for a good read. *Moment of silence* Ok enough chit chat. Next chapter please. ^_^ Please excuse grammar mistakes.
Warnings: Language. Light fluff. Pissed off hanyou alert!
Chapter 14: A Friend's Learned Betrayal
"Good morning. This is Tashi Tokomoko of PVD TV providing you with the latest update on the two captured demons. Word had just sprung out that the two have been given a chance to live their lives as prisoners in a barrier fortress located just on the outskirts of town. Whatever humans that remained in that small area were immediately evacuated as a safety precaution and a dire chance to give the animals space as they've been considered more of an endangered species then dangerous monsters."
The young woman was stopped of her daily rant when a side assistant brought in the latest report. After reading over the newest information she whispered thanks to the informant and returned to the unseen audience. "I apologize for that mild interruption every one; we've just received news that the actual location of the demons residence is to be kept classified for fear of a possible riot forming within the city. But we'll keep you all up to speed if anything new occurs. This is Tashi Tokomoko of the PVD TV News. Have a good day." She sighed having hoped that the new facts would give some form of leeway to a larger promotion but those damned people in the Head Man's control were keeping their lips sealed tight.
How in the hell was she supposed inform the good people of these vicious creatures of there were no vicious creatures to inform them about?
Switching off his flat screen television, Miroku sighed a heavy breathe of relief after hearing that Inuyasha had not only been alive but released in some captivity located outside of town. He'd prayed to every God above that some of form of miracle would occur to give his friend a reprieve from what those men were doing to him in there. But what could he do now?
Guilt still clung to his entire soul as barbarous as a fresh head cold. For all it's worth, he still wanted to make things right with him. There was no way he was going to get over this grieving compunction until he could explain his wrong doings.
It was the very least he could offer in exchange for what he'd caused to him…and Sesshomaru.
With task in mind, the apprentice monk sprung up from his bed walking over to his wide set closet for a decent change in attire out of the smelly pajama's he'd been lounging around since coming home. A promise had been made to meet Kagome to discuss the theoretical accusations slandered by his ex-Sango. As much as he dreamed he could deny such blasphemy, he was man enough to know every word was true.
Yes he was the one who turned in Inuyasha.
Yes it'd been him who caused the diabolical misery he'd been put through these past sixteen days.
Yes he'd caused his friend's life to be turned into some…circus act for the public's amusement.
However what's done was done. There was nothing he could do to rewind the hands of Father Time and reverse all of his miscalculated faults. But he could make things right by confessing his follies as the man he really was.
The cling of his keys rattled off the dresser as he rushed out his bedroom door, running down the stairs, yelling a quick "I'm going out!" and heading out the front door to the garage. The news woman failed to give out the required knowledge of the hanyou's whereabouts but it mattered not. With the solid bond formed between them all of sealed friendship, Miroku could easily track down Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's location as soon as he went past the governmental defenses.
This was risky. He knew this. Admitting to being the cause of Inuyasha's current state would only guarantee a high chance of being killed by the demon's hands. When he admits to being the cause that had him and Sesshomaru arrested it was going to send Inuyasha into a huge uproar. Inuyasha had always been well divine in the forms of loyalty, but when his respect was thrown back in his face like worthless trash…well you could be sure that there'd been all types of hell to pay.
The jet black Navigator in the garage was chosen as his getaway car from home as he backed out of the rising carport door, pulled into the street and moved down toward the ongoing traffic, aiming straight for the outskirts of town.
The news reporter claims a large barrier was erect to keep the demons in and the common civilians out? Well apparently the fools hadn't considered the basic skills and abilities of a monk or priestess's, when if trained properly, could easily render such a pathetic boundary with the flick of his or her wrist.
Miroku clinched his steering wheel as a gush of rolling negativity engulfed his very being. The invisible mechanics holding the enclosure in palace was concocted by the purest of scientific minds. Damn, he'd assumed there been a weakened force mingled deep inside but with the ingredients being mixed in with only the solid compounds of human technology, this proved most complicated to break through. Scientific studies have easily learned how to contradict the forces of ancient sorcery and superstition. Tsk, no matter. He was an aspiring monk in training, after all. The updated automations may be able to legalize the grips of old power…
But not that of the renewed supernatural.
The disguised wall of electrical surges, converted from the view of others, was easily visible to the trained mind's eye. He picked up the speed. There was no stopping now. The closer he came to Inuyasha the more anxious he grew to see him. The long awaited moment of seeing that angelic beauty's was quickly upon him and he'd face the gates of hell any time if it meant he could see his Inuyasha's face again.
Keeping the wheel steady in one hand, while lifting his other to act as his receptor to the divination, a low chant of past times voiced out. At first low, it gradually grew as the sounds of another echoed through him bringing forth the auras needed to break through the seal. When his car came within fifty meters of the industrial wall, he quickly pressed his hand to the windshield, sending out the disruption needed to tear a sizeable hole for him get through.
One blast….he was in.
Excellent. That'd went better then he'd thought—
Just as he shot through the entirety of the electric currents, a harsh chill of frost appeared before him instantly cooler the insides of his car. Again, as before in a given prophecy he failed to abide to, he could see the clean fall of fresh snow sprinkling over the roof tops of abandoned buildings and grassy scenes killing away all of springs of summer life.
An omen for himself no less; one he'd best listen to, but like the first, he chose to ignore it. This was just a precaution warning based on what was mostly to occur to him when he came face to face with death. Meaning either Inuyasha would kill him for what he was about to learn or…Sesshomaru would do it for him.
A little ways behind two young teens were a couple of city streets across were ducking inside the barricade, and sighed the harsh anxiety through their noses. With Kagome still only a beginning in the arts of priestess practice, her incantations were of little use trying to focus on craving a hole in the walls. This left Kikyo with the task of driving and concentrating just enough of her powers into ripping a wide hole in the defenses.
Kagome's head dropped against her head rest. "Geez I can't believe I freaked like that."
"You're going back to the temple with Grandfather this summer vacation."
Kagome groaned. "Oh please don't tell Mom I need more training. I'll never have another summer break for as long as I live."
Kikyo frowned, turning a quick right. "When you can learn the difference between transforming a basic chant and barrier rupture I'll say differently. Until then you require more study."
Perfect. There was that despicable 'study' word. Kagome's worst enemy. "Fine, I'll study harder but please don't send me back to the temples with Grandpa." She clamped her hands together near tears. "Pretty please cousin, don't send me to that hell!"
"Enough Kagome. Look," Kikyo pointed up ahead where a familiar black car could be seen driving in the same direction as them.
Kagome squinted her brown eyes, studying the license plate number and gasped. "Is that Miroku? What is he doing here?"
'Obviously ready to commit suicide,' Kikyo deduced, speeding up to catch up with the insane. This fool was on high substances if he believed seeing Inuyasha at a time like this was wise. No doubt he was probably here to fill their friend's mind with disgusting lies and dishonorable explanations.
Hn, not if she had anything to do with it.
After only a short two hour nap, Inuyasha was the first to awaken blearily opening his eyes and slowly blinking the sealed slumber from his lashes. Stretching his back like a feral cat, he noticed his wakeful stretch was short lived when he glanced around to see two pale arms wrapped nice and tight around his waist. He blinked his eyes into focus seeing a slender tone neck in his line of view, remembering that he was sleeping—comfortably—in Sesshomaru's arms, as snug as an electric blanket. Yea, talk about awkward. How in the hell had he ended up here now?
"You've awaken earlier than scheduled." Rumbled the deep voice, tickling his ears. "Go back to sleep. It's not yet time for our patrol."
"Hmm not tired," Inuyasha protested scooting back from the span of warm flesh pressed suggestively against his. Damn exactly how did they end up like this again? There was too much flesh to flesh contact going on here.
Sesshomaru kept a firm lock around Inuyasha's waist ceasing any further attempts of escape.
Seeing this awkward moment still forced into play, Inuyasha frowned tilting his head back to see the cool blink of narrow amber studying him. "Can you let go?"
"No."
Inuyasha's eyebrow jerked up. First step of Inuyasha's objections came in rapid blinks, the thinning of his lips and finally the spew of an attitude. "I swear I'll bite your ass if you don't let go!" Inuyasha's temper flared at being denied what he wanted and punched at his chest inching from the crook of arms to glare angrily at the stone faced demon. "Are you deaf? I said I wanna get up—now!"
"Behave yourself Inuyasha. I said it's not time to awaken. You need more rest."
"I don't care. I'm tired of sitting in this bed and I'm tired of being wrapped in your arms like some chick—Not let me go—Ouch, what the?"
Sharp teeth marred softly on the closest ear, pulling it in a chewing motion.
Instinctive bearings suddenly gripped Inuyasha's insides. The subtle snarl vibrating against his nose, and pulsed against his chest from Sesshomaru, caused him to stop all further notions of escape and speech. Unsure as to why he stilled from the compression on his appendage, another motion was made unclear to him as he turned on his back, exposing his bear stomach. The other ear lowered down as he kept his eyes cast downward from view.
Submission.
Sesshomaru slowly released the furry point from his fangs, licking the pink point indents. "Wise choice Little One."
Inuyasha curled back on his side, nuzzling his nose further in the wrath of hot vanilla. "When can I get up then?"
"When I deem it safe enough to venture out."
"But I just need to stretch my legs. Nobody can see us in the house."
"Temptation may lure you to the outside." Sesshomaru tightened his hold. "You're to stay here, till I say otherwise."
"But I won't go outside." Inuyasha pulled his head back and licked the edge of his brother's chin. "Please, I promise I'll stay in the house. I just wanna walk around a little."
Sesshomaru contemplated the option of whether he should allow the hanyou from his sights but dubbed that perhaps a small walk would probably do them both some good. Coming to a concluded limitation, hot velvet teased over the ear in reach. "You are not to wander anywhere else except within the boundaries of this house. If a threat is sensed you are to return back to me. Understand?"
"Yea I got ya." Without thinking, Inuyasha lend in and kissed a small peck on his chin and pushed away the blankets jumping out of bed. Clad only in his scrub pants, he bent waist low to his feet, fully showcasing his behind directly in Sesshomaru's face.
Not bothered at all, by the naïve routine, Sesshomaru kept his view aligned perfectly with the row of bumpy spinal bones and fluid movements rolled from side to side. Inuyasha yawned standing up pushing his hands up to leak out all of the sleep printed clinks. Inuyasha suddenly turned around, catching Sesshomaru shamelessly watching his every move. Blood rushed to his face. "Can you not stare at me like that, ya perv."
Sesshomaru simply blinked, sitting up. The thin sheets fell off the length of toned chest and narrowed hips, which Inuyasha expectantly took in just as perverse. "The bond seems to be thickening." Sesshomaru said quietly.
Inuyasha shook his head. "Huh?"
Sesshomaru shook his head slightly. "Never mind, it's nothing."
Inuyasha wanted to ask, but decided against and left the room.
Sesshomaru took the silent time to think over the increased connection weaving between him and his younger counterpart. Each moment passing seemed to further prove his point made about Inuyasha's demonic self, clinging to the offered protection of another. The teen must be able to at least knowledge some of the subtle differences happening between them. Complex as it may be, there was still some things that needed to be set clear. Inuyasha's arousal was becoming clear but the boy didn't understand the implications behind his lust.
Sesshomaru was feeling the same tugs of desire, but prideful morals were keeping his appetence at bay. Not to mention another thing becoming more and more evident with each stimulated scent from his brother.
Inuyasha's body was beginning to produce a sweetened pheromone through the pores of his skin. Unbeknownst to him, he was trying to lure in a potential lover. A set of ground rules were going to need to be established before something drastic took place that could endanger them both.
One being that the bond formed will forever be sealed tight.
And the second being that Sesshomaru knew of Inuyasha's condition. Yes, he knew. It wasn't pronounced at first but when he caught a sniff of the hanyou's first levels of attraction toward him, he could smell the life circling around in his body.
The ability of birth; something only a rare few males possessed in their culture because of the ratio number of females to males available. Yes, something was going to need to be settled before an accident occurred that couldn't be reversed.
"Am I losing it?" Inuyasha mumbled out loud, as he paced back and forth in front of his mother's photo. Something really weird was happening to him and yet he couldn't find any reasonable explanation for it. His body was acting strange. Odd sensations were gripping him in places, that have him grounded for life had his mother been here.
Groaning his frustration, he flopped down on all fours, in front of her smiling face. "I'm so confused Mother. I don't why, but for some reason I've been getting close—I mean really close to 'em." Better leave out exactly how close they've been getting. Seriously to wake up in the wrapped snuggled in Sesshomaru's arms like that? It's so freaky because he almost didn't mind being there.
Hell if he wanted to be honest, he kind of, sort of, maybe just little bit, liked being there. And that's what was so fucked up. He liked being in a man's arms. But not just any man. Sesshomaru who was supposed to be his guardian was starting to become a silly student/teacher crush.
His eyes widened.
Oh God…did that mean he was gay?
Well hell it's a little late to be asking that after all the times he'd been sleeping, eating, hugging and—oh man—he'd licked Sesshomaru back there didn't he? "Oh man." He'd kissed him too. More than once. Yea that determined it. He was gay.
Well maybe not exactly gay. Perhaps he was only attracted to Sesshomaru. They have been struck at the hip ever since they'd met a month ago. So maybe that's why he was feeling these weird stimulations toward his brother. Like those times when Sesshomaru would occasionally call him Little Brother?
He shivered.
He'd NEVER admit this to anyone but those two words made him—hot. Very hot. Really hot.
"Mother?" He said crawling to be directly in front of her face. "You won't send me to hell, if I like a guy will you?" Her face remained smiling though a sense of dread filled him. "Yea I know he's older and he's probably not what you would've wanted for me, but he's really nice ya know. He's been looking out for me, been there for me." Sesshomaru's been there a whole lot for him since they'd met. Made sure he made it to school, to work, and trained him every day. On the down times they shared, Inuyasha learned more and more about his culture, and about other hanyous just like him.
Inuyasha was sure that without the support of Sesshomaru through all of their turmoil, he wouldn't have made it through it all. "Yea," he smiled. Sesshomaru's been his rock. His protection. His brother. His friend. They'd slowly formed a secret bond stronger than the one he shared with his friends. And the funny thing is, the concluded thought didn't bother him anymore. Him and Sesshomaru? It wasn't as disturbing as he used to believe. It almost seemed natural. Granted he'd need to get used to some things but, it could work.
So caught up in his mental praises, he didn't sense the other's presence before a hand clamped tightly on his mouth, nearly wringing a piss-in-pants effect. Tilting his head backwards at the slanted turn of Sesshomaru's head, he frowned with question marred in his eyes.
"Be still."
Inuyasha nodded for the hand to be removed. "What's wrong?" He whispered.
Sesshomaru mild suspicion furrowed over his brow as he kept his eyes in the direction of the window. One of his arms automatically circled around Inuyasha's waist holding him close. "Someone's coming."
"Who?" He answered breathless from the heartbeat beating on his back.
Sesshomaru wasn't sure who could be bold enough to come in their territory besides the humans who'd placed them there. But he didn't think it was them. There was another set of humans approaching at a galling speed. His ears twitched. There were two vehicles coming. Three humans. Two female, one male.
He relaxed. As far as he could tell there was no threat.
Inuyasha worried followed Sesshomaru's line of vision in time to see two cars, an Impala and a Navigator park outside their house. At first he could remember knowing anyone who drove those cars until he saw three dark haired heads pop out of each vehicle. He blinked unsure if he was seeing what he was truly seeing. So he rubbed his eyes, blinked a few more times and looked out again.
It was. It was really them. Kikyo, Kagome and Miroku. They'd all come to see him. He was so overwhelmed with joy he begin pulling at Sesshomaru's arm excitedly. "Sesshomaru, it's my friends. They've come. Hey guys!" Inuyasha yelled breaking free of his brother's hold to run for the front door.
Sesshomaru stared out the window, seeing no harm in allowing the boy to see his friends, though he still wasn't comfortable with him being around that young monk. It's probably best he accompany Inuyasha in case, some unwanted advances occur.
And…there was a sense of hostility going on between the three humans outside….perhaps he'd better hurry out.
Kikyo graced her fellow senior with a look of true disdain. "You've got a lot of nerve showing your face here Miroku."
Miroku held up his hands. "Kikyo before you jump to conclusions, let me explain—"
"What is there or you to explain? You nearly got Inuyasha killed."
"No it wasn't like that. I never met any harm to come toward Inuyasha."
Kagome gasped. "Wait, so it's true?" She hissed disbelieving what she was hearing. "You reported Inuyasha to the Feds?"
Trying to keep his temper low, Miroku replied evenly. "Yes. I was the one who reported Inuyasha's location. But I wasn't trying to turn him in. I only wanted them to arrest Sesshomaru."
"You wha—" Kagome cupped her hands over her mouth trying to control her hyperventilating anger. "So you wanted Sesshomaru to get caught? Why the hell would do you that? He's never done anything to you." She said, feeling her rage grow.
"Because he was manipulating Inuyasha's conscious. Don't you understand? If I hadn't tried to do something, Sesshomaru was going to take Inuyasha away from us!"
Kikyo threw her hands in the air. "Are you insane Miroku? As much as I love Inuyasha, I know when I should or shouldn't butt into his affairs!"
"But you said yourself that you didn't trust Sesshomaru's intentions either." Miroku shook his head. "I've assumed you of all people would understand why I did what I did."
"Yes!" Kikyo exploded. "But I wasn't going to risk Inuyasha's life because of a mild hunch!"
"Miroku what you did was beyond unforgiving. You'll be lucky if Inuyasha doesn't kill you for what you did." Kagome added in angrily. "I think it's probably best that you leave him be, instead of showing your worthless face around here."
"I agree. You're not worth being called friend to any of us any longer." Kikyo flicked her hair over her shoulder, in a show of dismissal. "You bring shame upon your fellow man."
Having had enough of being made out to be the bad guy, Miroku stormed up to both women and expressed all of his anger in one loud explosion. "You think I don't feel bad for what I've done to him? I loathe my very life because I nearly got him killed for my own selfish reasons. I only wanted Sesshomaru to be captured so we could be together. I never intended for all of this to happen. But now all I want to do is repent for my sins and pray that he'll forgive me. It's all I can ask for now." He stepped back dropping his shame to the ground. "I never would've done any of this had I'd known that Inuyasha would be captured and treated like some wild beast. So yes, I know it's my fault. Yes I tried to turn in Sesshomaru but it was all because I love Inuyasha!"
"You what?"
Kikyo, Kagome and Miroku all jumped with startled gasps at the added voice of the group standing behind all of them. All eyes turned around to see Inuyasha standing there, flexing his fingers in an opened and closed fist.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome beamed running to hug her best friend around the waist. Kikyo stood her ground noting the blazing red glowering off her friend's aura. Poor Kagome was far too inexperienced to sense the growling animosity. When he hadn't returned her embrace, that's when Kagome looked up at the stiff lipped rage written all over his face. "Inu-Yasha?"
"Move," He roughly ordered, pushing her to the side.
As if watching his very death play before him, Miroku held his place watching the bubbling crimson boil to a head. He would not stop or ask for mercy. Whatever Inuyasha deemed as punishment he'd gladly take it knowing it was what he deserved.
"You… You were the one who turned us in?" Inuyasha sneered cracking his claws. "You were the one who got me electrocuted. I was treated like a goddamn dog. Do you have any idea what those assholes did to me?" His bellowing deep voice pierced the inner part of Miroku's ear that suddenly began to step back after realizing that those thoughts of earlier divine righteousness were slipping away bit by bit.
"Inuyasha, I'm sorry—"
"You're sorry? You're fucking Sorry!" Inuyasha was so mad who, all he could see was red and Miroku's grueling death. "You will never know what it means to be really Miroku. Sorry is what I felt when those bastards cut me wide open while I was awake. I've lived through tortures you'll never experience. I'll never be able to return to my old life. And all you can say is you're sorry? Fuck you Miroku!"
"Inuyasha please, I never met for this happen." Miroku dropped to his knees. "I swear I had your best interests at heart. I would never intentionally hurt you." He bowed his forehead to the ground. "I-I know it's a heavy request, but all I can ask… is for your forgiveness."
Inuyasha stopped directly over the down headed human clenching his fists so tightly, blood sipped through his fingers. "You," He shook his head. "You don't deserve my forgiveness…" He raised his hand over his head, claws stretched.
Miroku lifted his head, and closed his eyes prepared for the worst.
"And you don't deserve my pity."
That was the last thing Miroku remembered before the claws came down.
He waited for the burn of pain to rip across his face.
He waited for the sound of splitting flesh slashing off bone.
He waited for the moment his last breath would be drawn as the one he loved slayed him down as he deserved.
But nothing happened. Nothing violent, nerve wrecking, menacing. Nothing. But he did hear the sound of padded feet decreasing in audio distancing away from him. Nervously, he peeked open one blue eye then the other in time to see Inuyasha walking away. To say he was relieved would be the upmost lie. No this wasn't how he wanted it to be. Inuyasha deserved to have his revenge. It was within his right to kill him where he kneeled. "Inuyasha, why….why won't you exact your vengeance as you deserve? It's within your right to slay me for causing you so much pain."
Inuyasha stopped at the door frame where Sesshomaru had witnessed the entire scene. "Miroku . . . as much as I would love to run my claws into your body and rip out your heart…that'll only cause us more pain and possible death." Then he turned smiling gold eyes toward the saddened monk. "You see, no matter what I do, it won't prove anything. My life will still be held within this prison and you'll still be able to walk around as free as ever. Consider yourself lucky Monk," he sighed. "You've got what you wanted. Now leave me be." And walked inside.
"Inuyasha—Inuyasha please. Don't do this! I'm sorry." Miroku choked as the tears sprung from his eyes. "Why . . . why won't you just hit me as you want? You deserve to inflict the same kind of pain as those fools did to you."
Sesshomaru unfolded his arms and griped the door frame. "Believe me; it'll hurt just as much that he doesn't strike you." The door closed.
Now with all three friends left alone all any of them could do was stare at the closed front door, hurt, angry and ashamed for all that had happened in a mere ten minutes. All Kagome wanted was to be able to see her best friend's smiling face once again. Kikyo had longed to hold Inuyasha in her arms, even if it was only for a brief moment before he pushed her away. But now they'd both been denied that piece of peace all because of this idiots….Ugh.
Kagome whipped around quickly, ran straight for Miroku and slapped him viciously across the face two times. "I hate you!" She whimpered watching Miroku's face stay turned from the forced strike. "I never want to see you again." The crying girl walked around him and hurried off toward his cousin's car and cried her heart out, whining out her friend's name over and over again.
Kikyo calmly walked up to the kneeling monk and smiled…
As her hand landed a full blow on both sides of his face. "As much as you want to be sorry Miroku, you'll never be able to know his pain. Waves of misery shall be upon you until the deed of righteousness is done. For now wallow in your own self-pity. It's all you'll have for decent company." She spat on his face, and went to her car to leave the disoriented man, on the ground.
Cursed. Miroku stayed on the ground for who knows how long as the events of minutes ago mirrored over in his mind. With all he'd come to accomplish, all he'd succeeded in was assuring his loneliness was condemned. One thing Kikyo spoke truly of was that no matter what he did, nothing will amount to the one deed he could give to Inuyasha in turn for his friendship. A friendship that he'll never know the pleasures of having again.
"I'll make this up to you Inuyasha…I swear it. I'll find some way to make this right." If it took every bone in his body, he'd find some way to make Inuyasha's life right again. With solid purpose in mind, Miroku finally stood, looked up at the one story house and turned to make his leave.
His new purpose instilled was now made clear.
Help gain the life, Inuyasha deserved to live.
Try as he might, he couldn't stop the hot spill of tears running down his face. Of all the people who he'd thought could do such a thing, Miroku hadn't even been on the list. To be betrayed by the only male, whom he'd entrusted his life's secret too? It hurt so much. In a way t felt as if he'd lost a brother.
No amount of convincing was ever going to change his mind. If Miroku was capable of betraying him, in such a way, then who's to say that the others won't as well?
No, that's unfair. Kikyo and Kagome couldn't be lumped into the same mold of evil as him. But from this day forward he couldn't promise himself, that'd he'd be able to walk away from striking Miroku down like the coward he was…it just hurt so much.
Seeing the flit of inner combat, stir violently in those giant eyes, Sesshomaru did the only thing he could.
He walked over and wrapped his arms around the young hanyou and waited for his tears to fall. But besides a light tremor, nothing came but a few sniffles and heavy breathing.
"Sesshomaru?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm tired. I just—I just want to rest."
Hearing the emotional exhaustion, Sesshomaru nodded and lead his brother back to bed where they'd return to rest. Until later tonight . . .
TBC: Think Miroku can ever redeem himself enough for what he's done? Next time, they'll definitely test the barriers and a few other things. ^_^