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Writing on the Wall
Chapter 24: Eye to Eye
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There's someone sitting in front of his apartment door, but Inuyasha doesn't have to look closely to know who it is. He bites back a growl—it's been a long day. His back hurts from single-handedly installing that toilet, and all he wants right now is to pack up a box or two before chugging a beer and hitting the sack. "Are you fucking for real?"
Miroku's glare is swift, emphasized by the apathetic loll of his head when he turns to look at him. "You turned your phone off."
Inuyasha almost gives into the urge to remind him that he's his friend, not his fucking mother, but he restrains himself. There're bags beneath Miroku's eyes that shouldn't be there, a pallor to his cheeks, that Inuyasha knows he's (at least partially) to blame for. "How long have you been waiting here?"
His lips thin. "You could have been dead."
Right, that totally avoided his question. Which means the answer is probably closer to hours than minutes. Inuyasha gives a shrug, a weak attempt to dislodge the guilt weighing on his shoulders. "Figured if you were that worried about it, you'd have come by the house."
"... Sango convinced me if you weren't murdered after weeks of working in there then you were probably fine for today," Miroku grumbles, eyes darting away.
Inuyasha snorts. "Sango was right."
There's a calculating edge to Miroku's stare when he looks at him. Inuyasha recognizes it as a sure sign of trouble, but knows better than to think Miroku would give him a straight answer if he asked. "We're having nabemono tonight. Sango said to invite you."
Inuyasha frowns, suspicions growing. "It's the middle of summer."
Miroku's eyebrows raise—a challenge. "Is that a no?"
Damn him. Bastard knew he couldn't resist a good hot pot. Remembering that the only food hiding in his cupboards is boxed cereal and instant ramen doesn't exactly inspire him to turn down the offer of a home cooked meal, either. "Feh, whatever. You going to get up and the lead the way or keep sitting on your ass?"
AN: As always, thank you for all the lovely reviews! Knowing you guys are excited makes me excited :D Some good stuff coming up next chapter! Including Sango and that juicy bit of info Miroku found ;D. See you next time! I hope this chapter finds you happy and healthy!
Word Count: 349