Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this journey... especially for the one who just doesn't get it. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

Remains of the Day

A hand gently closed around Miroku's upper arm, firmly pulling him against Sesshoumaru's side. In a voice that was no less clipped than before, he said, "My vassal requires rest. We will retire to my rooms for what remains of the day."

The pink cloud abruptly burst up underfoot, and Miroku fumbled for a handhold as Sesshoumaru ferried him away.

"Join me for the evening meal!" called the Western Lady.

"Perhaps tomorrow," Sesshoumaru snapped back. "Humans are weak, and mine is out of sorts."

"Breakfast then," his mother sang out.

"That was rather drastic," Miroku managed, once she was lost from view. "Possibly even… rude?"

"It is best to manage her expectations from the start."

Ironic, really. Miroku would have loved the same courtesy. He hadn't even realized Sesshoumaru was capable.

One of the towers loomed large, and Sesshoumaru alighted onto its balcony. Pushing through double doors, he finally release his grip. "Ward it."

"Is that necessary?" He was already reaching for his ofuda.

"Absolutely."

"Dare I ask… why?"

Sesshoumaru huffed. "I have no desire to be tucked in."

"Even if it meant relearning a long-ago lullaby?"

"I will ask about that on another day." Sesshoumaru moved to a large cabinet and pulled open a wide drawer. "Any of these will do."

Miroku gaped at the fineness and variety of silk. "All of these are yours?"

"Hnn."

"Why do you only ever wear one thing?"

"Simplicity." Sesshoumaru cautiously added, "And I inherited this one from Father."

"I understand."

And he did. Which was something of a marvel, given how opaque Sesshoumaru had seemed just a short time ago.

After some rummaging, Miroku shed his damp things and changed into a simple sleeping garment. Arranging a futon and blankets well away from the open balcony doors, he dropped wearily onto the bed and draped an arm across his eyes. "Merciful buddha, this is exquisite."

"Hnn." Sesshoumaru sat a short distance away. "This time, you will rest, and I will keep watch."

"I thought my barriers made the effort unnecessary."

He hummed vaguely.

"But… what will you do?"

Sesshoumaru flicked his fingers. "There is a window."

"But… there is nothing to see."

This seemed to baffle the inu-youkai. "The sky is there."

He did spend an inordinate amount of time gazing at the sky. Still, Miroku felt compelled to ask, "You do not find that boring?"

Sesshoumaru's gaze snapped to his face, suddenly alert. "Are you bored?"

He asked it with such a mystified tone. As if the notion had genuinely never occurred to him.

Miroku quaked inwardly. All he really wanted to do was scream. Long and loud. Which might cause certain barriers to drop and certain mothers to burst in upon this most pivotal of moments.

Rolling onto hands and knees, Miroku crept across the floor. He wasn't begging. He simply needed the closeness thing to be working in his favor. "Am I bored?" he echoed, voice cracking.

"Hnn."

Putting every bit of desperation into his answer, Miroku said, "Excruciatingly."

End Note: This chapter was helped along by a prompt from Nilee1, who contributed the word "inordinate" 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 #2, Theme #50, Inherit. 500 words, originally posted on June 26, 2021.

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