Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this journey... especially for the borrower. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Requisitions and Revisions

Miroku woke to the sound of flowing water and a cool cloth draped over his eyes. When he pulled it away, Sesshoumaru was right there.

"Drink," he ordered.

They were beside a spring, its pool clear and its stream cold.

Struggling to sit up, Miroku fished among his things. He'd borrowed from Mushin's kitchen. Little-used spares that wouldn't be missed. Among them was a largeish cup made from a gourd. Dipping it into the stream, Miroku drank deeply. He emptied it again before turning to offer Sesshoumaru a share.

The taiyoukai accepted the cup, studied him over its brim, then drained it in much the same fashion

Miroku couldn't help but wonder if sharing cups carried any special meaning for inu-youkai.

"Is there food?"

"Start a fire, and I will bring meat." Sesshoumaru all but vanished into the surrounding woods.

He managed to kindle enough of a flame to serve. Even filled the clay pot he'd requisitioned with water and propped it up to heat water.

Then he stripped, draped his outer garments in the sun, and brought his inner garments with him into the bitingly cold stream. Sitting hip-deep in the flow, he sloshed idly, hoping the water would carry away his bad mood along with the stink of sweat.

Sesshoumaru returned, spared him a glance, and set to work gutting his kill a little farther downstream. "Next time, you will speak up before you are on the verge of collapse."

"How long can you go without food?"

"I do not know." Sesshoumaru's brows drew together. "I suppose we could find out."

"No. I am not asking you to starve yourself."

"Neither would I ask something so ridiculous of you."

Miroku supposed there was blame to share, but he was still peeved. "I thought you would notice."

"When I am extending my senses, I am less aware of the things that are nearby." Stripping a stick, Sesshoumaru skewered meat before driving it into the ground beside the fire. "Speak, and I will hear you."

"Do you listen to Jaken?"

Sesshoumaru hummed. "When he is not being ridiculous."

"What do you consider ridiculous?"

"Unnecessary compliments. Fearful dithering."

"Ah. Yes." Miroku tugged the tie out of his hair and scratched at his scalp. "I do seem to recall dithering. And rhapsodizing. Please, tell me he is not your ideal when it comes to acceptable vassals."

"No." Sesshoumaru arched a brow. "I am similarly interested to know your exemplar for leadership."

Miroku really didn't want to say. "Can we have that discussion after I eat?"

"Hnn." Crouching closer to hand, Sesshoumaru asked, "Why are you permitted a cold bath when I was not."

"This is all I had to work with."

"There is a hot spring at an easy distance." Sesshoumaru crooked his fingers. "I will take you there after your meal."

"Why?"

"Your concerns have been noted. I will revise my behavior."

Again, Miroku could only ask, "Why?"

Sesshoumaru looked away, looked back, and cocked a brow. "Tenseiga only works once."

End Note: This chapter was helped along by a prompt from Sam, who contributed the word "sound" over on my Ko-fi account, where I'm currently hosting a fandom event. I'm also ticking off a prompt from a table I procured (ages ago) from the Live Journal community iy no kakera, where I hold a claim on Sesshoumaru & Miroku. Set #1, Theme #87, Gourd. 500 words, originally posted on April 23, 2021.

Final Note: That's it for this month's updates. See you again in May. ::twinkle::