Me: Wow… the IY manga is over… it kind of makes me feel like not writing any more of these; but I will – so onward ho to the next story!

I had a thought when I was watching an episode of the Ken Blade filler mini-arc in the anime.

Disclaimer: "InuYasha" is property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise, Viz, and all those other people who bring this series to us!
The initial dialogue is from the Anime-Kraze fansub.

Story 35: Of Lovers and Ladies

With the sound of Akitoki Houjou's grumbling stomach, Kagome prepared some instant ramen and split it between them. As she handed Houjou his cup and chopsticks she said, "I'm sorry, there isn't much, but here you go."

Houjou received the food gratefully and with much vigor. "I am so honoured to be able to eat food prepared by your own two hands."

"Er, having someone say that much over cup ramen…"

After only one slurp of the noodles an odd sound escaped Houjou and he quivered.

Noticing this reaction, Kagome inquired, "Did you not like it?"

"I wouldn't think such a thing!" he quickly replied. "It's a delicacy, a delicacy! I am envious of any man that is able to eat your homemade food!"

"Well…" A vision of Inuyasha crossed Kagome's mind. She shook her head to clear him out. "I don't exactly have anyone like that yet."

"Oh, I see. Well, now that I think about it, the two traveling with you are a monk and a hanyou, so I can't say they are worthy of you."

"Eh?" Hojou's observation of her companions encouraged Kagome to consider this as well. She knew she had feelings for Inuyasha, but she wasn't sure how deep his were for her. There were his feelings for Kikyou to consider after all. With that taken into account, to hear Houjou think of him as unworthy actually caused a hint of satisfaction to rise in her. As for Miroku, she was sorry Sango would have to put up with his lechery ways.

This thought sparked a certain notion in Kagome's psyche. She wasn't sure if it was because her ankle hurt, or it simply seemed a palpable idea, but Kagome gave voice to it before she had time to ponder over the words. "What about the taiji-ya?"

The noodles spluttered out of Houjou's mouth. He looked at her with wide eyes and stammered, "W-What?"

"The youkai taiji-ya. I'm also traveling with her, you know."

"Um… yes, but uh…" Houjou was at a loss for words. Was she serious? The intense look she had fixed on him seemed to radiate that she was.

"Houjou-kun…" Kagome conditioned her tone to sound smooth and serious. "What do you think of her?"

The boy blinked at her rapidly and felt his face heat up. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the idea of Kagome with another girl, but here she was asking him his opinion of the taiji-ya.

Seeing as how he wasn't responding, Kagome tried to stimulate an answer. "Exterminating demons is a respectable position, don't you think?"

"Um… well yes… I suppose."

She kept the ball rolling. "Plus she's strong, kind, and sometimes she'll have these moments when –" Kagome stopped herself abruptly. She was supposed to be getting Houjou to say these things, not herself. Embarrassed, Kagome quieted her spirit and looked away.

Houjou noted it, and perhaps it was this which encouraged him to say something. "Well… she does appear to be of good character…" He hesitated, not wishing to offend her. "But Kagome-sama… is she really the sort of person you can imagine yourself with?"

Kagome's being shook at the way Houjou was taking the conversation so sincerely. She had planned for him to be flustered, shocked, and indeed it did begin that way; but now things were taking a different turn.

"Even if she's not…" Houjou gazed up to look at the moon and the stars. "Somewhere under this endless sky, there must be a person that's destined to be with you."

"Destiny… huh?"

- - -

From the cover of a tree Houjou watched over Kagome and her friends. He gazed at the girl he supposed he loved, to the other whom he thought she did. Houjou still wasn't sure of the concept of two of the same gender being together that way. A shudder came over him as he recalled his earlier encounter with Suzaku. From what he could tell however, the taiji-ya wasn't as… "outgoing" as Suzaku was. In fact, she seemed perfectly normal… and right. Houjou heaved a great sigh and resigned himself to his own destiny.

"Excuse me!"

The group by the grave turned round and saw Houjou striding toward them. He stopped beside Sango, looking like he was about to burst. Resolutely, he took a deep bow before her and declared:

"Please take good care of Kagome-sama!" Afterwards he straightened himself and turned tail into the forest, not even giving them a second glance.

Even after he had gone they continued to stare into the place he had disappeared, absolutely dumbfounded by his performance.

Inuyasha was first to break the tension. "… What was that about?"

"It looked like he was talking to Sango, didn't it?" Shippo noted.

Miroku set his gaze upon the girl. "Sango, what did he mean?"

"… I… don't know…" Out of all of them Sango was the most baffled.

No one noticed Kagome chuckling to herself by the side.