CHAPTER SIX

*

I just hope they've finished already, Miroku thought. If not, then he would guide Sango away firmly, tell her what was going on, and try to get Shippo back to the village for a few more hours.

He scanned under the trees as Kirara roared down onto the ground, with flames wrapped around her enormous paws. As the monk and demon-slayer dismounted, the demon-cat vanished in a swirl of flame, only to reappear as a kitten-sized version of her larger self. Kirara mewed and leaped onto her mistress's shoulder.

"Kagome?" Sango called.

"I'm over here," Kagome's voice called. "I'm glad you got back so soon. I was starting to worry."

"I'm sorry it took so long," Sango said, shooting a cold look at Miroku.

Miroku followed her meekly back to the campsite. Kagome was curled up by the fire, with her knitting in her hands and a textbook in her lap. She smiled brightly at them. "How did the thing with the demon bees go?"

"It went well," said Miroku casually. "How were things?"

"They were okay," Kagome said, tugging at a knot.

Miroku looked behind her. Inuyasha was curled up like a puppy under the tree, with his long legs drawn up against his chest. He whimpered a little in his sleep and nuzzled against Kagome's backpack, where his head was resting. The only thing in his arms was his sword.

I don't believe it, Miroku thought, astounded.

"He fell asleep about fifteen minutes after you left," Kagome said. "Shippo, can you untangle this yarn knot for me? Your fingers are littler than mine."

As Shippo began yanking and tweaking the yarn with great enthusiasm, Miroku mulled over what she had said. "And nothing before falling asleep?" he asked slowly.

"Well, I made him some ramen, and we talked for a little while about stuff. Then, while I was talking to him, he just curled up and went to sleep." She looked over at the sleeping boy under the tree. "He must've really been tired. It's a good thing you didn't bring him along."

"Yes, yes, of course," mumbled Miroku. He stared in disbelief at Inuyasha's sleeping form. The half-demon rolled over and mumbled something incoherent.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome called. "Wakie-wakie. They're back, and you've been sleeping way too long."

Inuyasha started up. For a moment he looked rumpled and confused. Then he looked at Kagome, flushed, and crept up the nearest tree.

"I don't know why he does that," Kagome said to Sango. "Sometimes he just wakes up and won't talk to me at all."

Miroku was fairly sure he knew what the dream had been about. He sighed deeply and rubbed his face. At least I know he's not completely hopeless, he thought. Inuyasha would just take a little more work. Miroku settled back against a tree and began to think up a new plan.

*

Inuyasha slipped down the tree about an hour later, after Kagome called up that she was feeding Shippo his ramen if he didn't get his bottom down at the campfire right away.

Today wasn't a rousing success, Miroku thought. He was tired and Sango was refusing to talk to him. Inuyasha had slept all afternoon; Kagome had knitted and studied. Only Shippo, who was currently snoring in Kagome's sleeping bag, had had a good time. He had a new toy and had eaten to his heart's content.

Miroku lay back down on a blanket and watched the stars overhead. The sound of the girls splashing and giggling in the hot springs was alluring, but he knew Inuyasha was watching him. The young half-demon was determined not to peep, even if he didn't get caught. Miroku had been caught and dragged away by him more than once.

Well, he's shy, Miroku thought, resting his head on his hand. After all, the first woman Inuyasha had fallen for had pinned him to a tree for fifty years with a magical arrow. That sort of thing could make most young men a bit hesitant. But once he had gotten over his initial shyness, perhaps Inuyasha would be a little more inclined to give in to a few temptations. The liking that he tried to hide, but everyone saw.

I'll just have to think up something new, he thought with a faint smile. It would be simple, yet effective. And if that didn't work, then he would try something else.

"Inuyasha?" he called.

TO BE CONTINUED