CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

*

"Now, girls," Miroku said, smiling winningly. "This is how it is..."

The numerous girls in the flowered gowns giggled amongst themselves. Miroku didn't remember their names from his last visit, but he seemed to remember that they were all assumed names, taken after flowers. They were quite pretty, each one of them, although Miroku found them a little... well, sheltered for his taste. Sango, however... he shook off his thoughts and continued speaking.

"My friend has had some bad experiences with young women in the past." Miroku assumed a look of gravity now. "And as a result, he's quite shy with the fairer sex, even if he spends long periods of time with lovely girls such as yourselves. So, I ask you to be careful with him. Make sure THIS experience isn't a bad one in any way."

The girls nodded and looked at each other.

"And there's one other reason for him to be shy. He's a virgin." Miroku smiled at more giggles from the young women. "So try to... well, educate him somewhat, won't you? I'm paying for him, so don't worry about the fee."

He rose and walked back out into the hallway, feeling pleased about this arrangement. He was sure -- well, fairly sure -- that this would work. After all, this was what these girls did for a living. It just didn't fail. Once Inuyasha had retreated to a private room with one of the girls, maybe Miroku would do the same...

Inuyasha was slumped against the wall, looking supremely bored. "'Bout time you showed up," he said, resting his elbows on his knees. "Can we go now?"

"Not just yet."

"Why not?"

"Well, there are some people who wish to meet you, Inuyasha. I've arranged it myself."

"Like who?"

"You'll see. Just follow me." Miroku turned and beckoned.

Inuyasha blinked a few times, and followed Miroku down the hallway. The young half-demon seemed puzzled, but not suspicious; apparently he hadn't detected the young ladies yet. He really IS innocent, Miroku thought, smiling a little.

"Okay, who are these people?" Inuyasha asked as they stopped in front of the door.

"See for yourself." Miroku threw the door open. "And take your pick."

Inuyasha looked inside, and his golden eyes widened further than Miroku had ever seen them before. There were six or seven girls kneeling on the floor, all wearing diaphanous, translucent silk gowns patterned with flowers; one or two had let them slip to show their bare shoulders. A few of them were holding instruments. And all of them were smiling seductively at the shocked half-demon.

Inuyasha's entire body stiffened, as if he were in shock. Then he turned and ran. Miroku turned just as a blur of red and white shot into a closet, and the door slammed shut behind him. The girls looked confused.

"Er, just a second," Miroku said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

He went to the closet and knocked on the door. "Inuyasha?"

"Get lost, you lousy excuse for a monk," came the muffled voice from inside.

"Inuyasha, why don't you come out?"

"I'm not gonna."

"Inuyasha, I understand that it's normal to be nervous the first time... even if I never was." Miroku tried to open the door, but reconsidered. If Inuyasha was in any way upset with him, it wouldn't be wise to go in. He tended to be a little excitable. "But believe me, Inuyasha, you'll enjoy it. You'll have a good time."

"Just try and make me!" came the voice from inside.

Madame Ayaki came tripping down the hallway, looking concerned; the girls were peeking out of the room. Miroku sighed and covered his face for a moment. This is going to be a lot more difficult than I had planned, he thought.

TO BE CONTINUED