Chapter 20: Going home
Kagome held her yellow bag gingerly, carefully avoiding the tear on its side. Miroku followed, his staff jingling with each step he took. I wonder if what she said about Kouga is true. Inuyasha's threatened Kouga several times and she's never hinted at not returning. He felt a tightening in his chest. Am I jealous? He paused in the path and stared at Kagome's back. Is that it? I'm jealous of Kouga?
Miroku thought back to the first time the group met Kouga. He remembered how Kagome had treated the wolf prince, even going as far as protecting his tribe from the Birds of Paradise. He also remembered how she had protected him from Inuyasha.
Other instances where Kagome had protected members of the group came to mind. Miroku frowned as he remembered each one. Inuyasha's threatened several of us and she's never packed up and left. After a simple threat from Sesshoumaru, she's packed and gone. Stupid demon… He resumed his languid pace, muttering slightly.
A different thought jumped up at him and he chuckled. She called me 'Miro.' Miro… Sounds nice. His amusement vanished as another thought came to him. Thank Kami there wasn't anyone else at Kaede's when she lost it. He stared at his cursed hand in the early morning light as he reviewed what happened earlier. She played with my hand… And I let her! What's wrong with me? Am I really that desperate that I'll endanger her for a quick thrill? He looked up and saw her watching him, smirking. She shook her head and continued up the familiar path. What was that about?
Kagome broke through the trees and walked up the shallow hill towards the old well. She put down her bag carefully and sat on the well wall. Miroku sauntered up to her and she smiled. "Sorry about earlier, Miro. I didn't mean to blow up like that. I hope Kaede-baba understands."
"Don't worry. I'll talk to her. Besides, you left materials to fix the wall." He grinned back at her, and her smile widened.
"Miro, what would I do without you?"
"You would be stuck with Inuyasha."
Kagome's smile vanished and she made a face. "Gee, thanks for reminding me." She jumped off the well. "Let everyone know where everything is. Please tell everyone I said goodbye. And…" She paused. "If, well…" She sighed. "Send Inuyasha to let me know about Kouga…" Miroku nodded, and she smiled slightly.
Kagome turned back to the well, then turned back, reached into her pocked and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "Here. Take this. Give it to Sesshoumaru." She reached into another pocket. "This one's for Inuyasha. Make sure he understands it." She knelt down and grabbed her bag. "I hope things settle down here and I can come back soon, Miro. But in case I can't…" She wrestled her bag to one side and beckoned Miroku closer. He leaned forward, and she closed the gap between them and kissed his cheek. "Don't forget about me…"
And then she was gone.
Miroku stared at the well, one hand on his cheek.
*****
Inuyasha found him in the same position an hour later. "Feh, monk, what are you doing?"
"Huh?" Miroku turned towards the voice, a dazed expression on his face.
"What happened to you? Some unsuspecting girl say yes?" Miroku
slowly shook his head, opened a piece of paper in his hand, glanced at
it, and handed him the other one. He turned and slowly walked back to Kaede's,
leaving a bewildered Inuyasha staring at him like he had furry dog ears
on his head.
© 10/22/03, M.A.R.
Aphiopsyduck: I know, I know... Short chappie, kill the author,
etc. I apologize yet again for the short chappie--it refused to cooperate
until the very end. That's why there's 2 chappies instead of one. :o) Thaks
to all of my reviewers!
(More or less) Permanent A/N: *sweatdrops…* Ehehe…
First fanfic… If nothing else, it's a test run, since this will be my first
real fanfic posted anywhere. I don' really know where it's going though,
so please bear with me. Reviews are welcome, and flames will be used on
undead mikos who refuse to leave our heroes alone. :o)