A/N: Oh, my God! I am so sorry! I should be tar and feathered for keeping this chapter so long, but... but I have good reason. There's a part several paragraphs down—the first time/scene change—where Mirouku proposes something... and every time I tried to make that proposition come true, I chickened out... (sobs) I can't write lemons to save my life!

Everyone else, enjoy the chapter!

Chapter Seven - A Change of Pace

Mirouku's happiness was short-lived though. Mirouku tearfully said goodbye to the village as his week was up, and walked beside the regal youkai. Most of the time—much to the monk's chagrin—was spent in the hospital inn, but it was time spent with Sesshoumaru and he enjoyed it. "You don't even care, do you?" he muttered, glaring at the male walking beside him.

"Hn."

"That's not an answer." He jabbed him with his staff.

Sesshoumaru turned, ready to snatch it away and snap it in two, but Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Un's arrival prevented him from doing so. He had been reluctant in letting the child go by herself, but the monk had "sweet-talked" him into complying.

Ah-Un hovered long enough for the small youkai and girl to jump down then rose to heights it found more suitable. Rin skipped between the two silent males. Looking up, she giggled and grasped Sesshoumaru's claw in her left hand and Mirouku's hand in her right. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes as she swung herself. Before the monk's appearance almost four months ago, all he had to deal with was hearing his name constantly called.

Rin giggled, let her feet touch the ground a few times, then bounced back up, swinging. Both males raised their arms to accommodate her clearing the ground, the human smiling. He wouldn't be able to part with the child or the lord if they were to run in to Inuyasha once more. He lowered his head, chewing on his bottom lip.

Rin stopped and looked up at him. "What's wrong, Mirouku-sama?" she murmured.

"It's nothing," Mirouku laughed. She smiled and continued swinging herself. The brunet monk turned, hiding his face in his hunched shoulder as he felt the icy eyes tears through him. 'Sesshoumaru...'

Wrapped in Sesshoumaru's firm grasp and fur, Mirouku stared up at the moonless evening sky. Inuyasha would have found a safe haven since yesterday to wait out the time he would be spending in human form. He sighed deeply.

"Stop thinking so hard." The clawed hand covered his eyes. "Even better... stop thinking about my pathetic excuse for a brother."

The monk smiled and reached up, taking the hand. "I wasn't. I was thinking of... you... and Rin." He brought one of the youkai's fingers to his mouth, nibbling lightly on the flesh. "I was thinking how you would have to use this hand to slake your fires when I'm gone."

Sesshoumaru smirked and freed his hand, grasping Miouku's face delicately. "Is that so? Maybe I'll just take on someone for the job."

"You wouldn't dare!" Mirouku had risen to the bait. Turning in anger to glare at his lover, his lips were captured, claw tilting his chin upward. "Sesshoumaru," he whimpered.

"What?"

"Remember how you tried to kill me when we first met?"

Golden eyes slid close and the youkai lord stood, dropping the man from his lap. "It's amazing you weren't killed yet, because you are humankind's worst specimen."

"Sesshoumaru!" The monk grabbed one of the silver-haired lord's leg, clinging.

"Persistent little parasite..." Sesshoumaru shook his leg once and Mirouku rolled away with spiral eyes. He continued through the dark night back to where Rin and Jaken had set up camp.

Mirouku stood shakily, hand to his head. He shook off the dizziness, then stared after the retreating form. "Sesshoumaru..."

"What?" the youkai sighed, glaring over his shoulder.

"I... I..." The monk fiddled with the rings on his staff, blushing faintly.

"Spit it out."

"I want to be on top tonight!" the brunet yelled.

Light-colored eyes slowly widened, delicate eyebrows arching. A smirk tugged at Sesshoumaru's lips before they parted and he began laughing. Mirouku frowned, keeping his head bowed. The full-blooded demon could not remember the last time he'd ever laughed but couldn't help himself; he couldn't stop either.

"Sesshoumaru, it's not funny. I really... It's not fair you get..." For once, the young monk was at a loss and blushed like the women he used to court. He sighed in frustration and marched forward, brushing by his lover.

Sesshoumaru's laughter lessened, then died out as he followed the human with his eyes. He strolled after him, grabbing the short ponytail. "Fine," he muttered. The blue orbs widened, sparkling, and the monk face him with a wide, huge grin. "But you better not disappoint me, human," the youkai sighed, running his claw through his lengthy silver locks. 'I must be getting old. I'm allowing myself to be bottom to a human.' He scoffed and dragged the other with him as he made his way back to their original location.

§§§

Mirouku pulled his lips from Sesshoumaru's, brushing back his moist dark tresses, and stared down into the pale face. "Did I disappoint you?" he whispered breathlessly.

"No," Sesshoumaru murmured, smirking inwardly. He had surprised himself with the burst of emotion that fueled his response to Mirouku's actions, but was glad the human had been his first. The monk laughed softly, fingering the silver hair strewn about. His smile slowly faded, hand stilling as he realized that tonight could be their last night together. The youkai sensed the change also and pulled the human closer to his side: it was his silent way of being reassuring.

Mirouku closed his eyes then sat up, opening them. "We should at least get dressed. As understanding as she is, Rin would probably be scarred for life if she saw us both naked."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "She probably would be after seeing how scrawny you are under those robes."

The brunet glared at the lord then pushed to his feet, trying to locate said robes. Once fully dressed, they resumed sitting where they had when the night began. Settled in his lover's lap, Mirouku could barely keep his eyes open for five seconds at a time; the youkai had to lull him into sleep. Sesshoumaru sat awake, staring at the sky until the sun peeked through the leaves of the magnificent tree. He tightened his grip, bowing his head to place a soft kiss to the dark tresses, and sighed.

The monk shifted with a sigh, leaning his head against the fur. The silver-haired Western lord wanted to get moving now before the feeling of losing something important became a reality. He shook the figure in his lap. "Get up," Sesshoumaru growled.

The little girl looked up as the men returned to the campsite. Mirouku was yawning loudly, his head still resting on Sesshoumaru's shoulder. "Mirouku-sama! Sesshoumaru-sama! Rin made breakfast." The toad youkai snorted.

The brunet male smiled sleepily. "That's great, Rin. What are we having?"

"Um..." Rin turned around, studying the items laid out before her. "Rin thinks... this is some sort of potato... and... a meat..."

Mirouku wrinkled his nose and raised his head to see Sesshoumaru smirking.

The youkai lord closed his eyes. "Don't look at me—I'm not hungry. But you can enjoy yourself."

"Bastard," the monk hissed. He pushed his lover away then forced a smile as he knelt beside the grinning child. He would humor her and eat. Who knows? It might actually taste good... if it was actually edible.

Another week traveling further South, and Mirouku came to realize the harsh reality: Sesshoumaru and himself were of rival parties and could never be together indefinitely. Proof of this came on the last day of the week. Cutting through the underbrush with his staff to create a path all his own, he came across a dead mononoke riddled with diamond-like pieces.

"Bakuryuuha... It's Inuyasha..." Mirouku whispered aloud. As soon as the attack's name left his lips, it became visible through a hole he'd created then died away as whatever enemy was destroyed. His blue eyes widened as Kirara looked in his direction and he rushed back to Sesshoumaru.

Golden eyes narrowed in concern for the human's flustered state. "What is it? ...Oh." The youkai scowled as the scent of his brother's party soon drifted towards him.

Mirouku whimpered, tightening his hold, then stepped away reluctantly. He moved in Ah-Un's direction, petting the creature, then stared at the smiling child. Rin opened her arms and he hugged her tightly. "I'll be back. I promise," he said.

"Mirouku-sama's kept promises so far, so Rin trusts you."

Mirouku placed a kiss on her forehead then looked down at the scowling Jaken. "See you around, idiot toad," he jeered, grinning.

"Bah. Hopefully not," was the frog's answer. A rock caught the small youkai in the head and he fell over, twitching.

Mirouku sighed, moving towards Sesshoumaru again. He stopped when he could see the golden eyes and leaned up, offering a kiss that told what he couldn't bring himself to disclose: his deepest feelings. Sesshoumaru forced himself to break the kiss and turned the human around, grabbing him by the neck rough enough to tear the skin and cause it to bleed. Tears came to the monk's eyes and he almost turned against his lover for comfort, but the increased pressure on his neck ordered him to stay put.

There was only one thing left to do. "Inuyasha!" Mirouku yelled. "Kagome!"

Kirara quickly appeared over the forest with a roar, the taijiya astride the feline youkai, her hand poised over her shoulder. Inuyasha and Kagome rushed through the bushes."Listen, Sesshoumaru!" the hanyou yelled, pointing with the still-unsheathed Tetsusaiga. "Naraku's holed up somewhere Southeast. Kouga lent a hand in dealing with Kagura while Kagome took care of Kanna and her mirror."

"Hopefully, you'll run into him after they recover," the reincarnated miko cut in.

"Here's your human," Sesshoumaru stated, emotionless, pushing Mirouku forward. Using his staff to regain balance, the monk made his way to Kirara, getting on behind Sango.

"Kagome'll look at that wound for you," she reassured. "He only has his poison claw left, so we have to be careful."

"Hai," the dark-haired male smiled sadly. He glanced back to see Rin waving, a grin back now in place on her face, and waved back before Kirara took off. His heart wouldn't allow him to spare a final glance at Sesshoumaru and returned his gaze to Sango's back.

"It must've been awful," Shippo chattered. "He made you slave away on his dirty work, didn't he?"

Mirouku smiled, shaking his head. "I just took care of Rin. I got to beat up his little toad, though." He laughed along with the fox and Kagome.

Sango sat fireside with the hanyou, a questioning expression on her face. She didn't even smile as the monk grimaced playfully to the work being done on his neck because she knew something wasn't right; her eyes were on the trembling cursed hand that clutched the staff for dear life.

"Keh!" Inuyasha crossed his arms, glaring at the fire. "It still stinks of Sesshoumaru."

Sango's eyes partially widened as the staff fell from Mirouku's hand. He laughed softly and picked it back up, laying it in his lap. "Sorry," was his soft murmur, eyes reflecting pain for a split second.

"It's not your fault," Kagome said gently. "You were held hostage."

'Was he?' "Houshi-sama, may I have a word?" Sango placed her hand over Hiraikotsu, strapping it back onto her back.

"Of course, Sango. Anything for you. I'll always have time." Mirouku blinked as the taijiya scowled as she stood, but pushed himself up and followed her further into the forest. It obviously wasn't far enough from the campsite because the others heard the echoing slap and winced.

"That wasn't normal," Shippo whispered almost fearfully, eyes wide. "Sango's actually mad."

"Un." Kagome nodded.

"How could you, Houshi-sama? After all that talk about wanting an heir," the taijiya yelled.

"Would that have been your only reason if you became my partner?" the monk yelled back.

Sango gasped at his raised voice then started to retaliate. "But this... thing—"

"It's—He's not a thing! I love him! I... love him..."

Inuyasha's amber eyes widened. "'Him'? Mirouku's—When did he met—"

"Shh!" Shippo and Kagome hissed, slapping a hand over his mouth. He glared at them, but quieted to continue listening also.

"I'm sorry, Sango. You probably did love me, but I couldn't stomach the thought of giving you a son with a void in his hand. The touch of constant cloth and beads to your skin would probably drive a young mother like yourself crazy."

"That's not true!" Sango slapped him again on reflex and the monk's head turned to the right, his cheek burning. Her eyes burned with as much rage as Mirouku's after he'd turned back towards her, a trail of blood trickling down his chin.

"What about him?" the exterminator spat. "What can he give you?" The monk opened his mouth to retort when a loud beeping reached them, causing both to remember the other members of their party.

"Shut it off!" Inuyasha snarled, tearing through the girl's backpack.

"Stop that. Sit!"

He yelled then glared up at the reincarnated miko as she pulled a timepiece from a front pocket of her bag. "Sa! It's time for you to go, Inuyasha," Kagome said sweetly. Inuyasha grumbled angrily under his breath and turned, stomping through the forest. "We'll be at Kaede's!" she yelled after him.

His "Keh!" was the only reply.

"Kagome." Shippo jumped into her arms. "They went away so we can't listen."

The girl scoffed softly. 'I wonder who Mirouku is seeing...' She sighed and made her way back to the fire with the fox youkai, both deciding to wait for the the duo's return.