Chapter 25: Hothead

Miroku threw the last of what he needed into his pack and threw his backpack over his shoulder. Feeling the day had been justified in his case, he was looking forward to slacking off for the remainder of the afternoon or more preferably, spending some 'quality time' with his Sango. Whichever of the two presented itself. He turned to leave but his way was blocked by a very pissed Inuyasha. "Uh, hey. What's up dude? You don't look too pleased."

"That's because I'm not too pleased." Inuyasha growled.

"Why not? You got Kagome back. I thought you'd be happy about that." Miroku said.

"I am happy about that. However, you trying to steal Kagome from me I don't find very amusing." Inuyasha replied.

"Go back, you lost me. Did you just imply I was trying to steal Kagome from you?" Miroku asked.

"No. I wasn't implying, I was telling you flat-out. I don't mix words." Inuyasha answered him firmly.

"I have no clue what you're talking about. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't even be back together. Hell you were thanking me for it several hours ago! Why would I help you if I wanted Kagome for myself?" Miroku protested.

"I don't know but I've found it's better to act first and ask questions later." Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, and Miroku prepared do defend himself against any move Inuyasha might make, but before the angry albino could strike he was sent to the floor as if by some strange gravitational phenomenon.

"Calm down Inuyasha! On what grounds do you make such a ridiculous assumption?" Kagome (who had caused the 'strange gravitational phenomenon') scolded.

"Well, I did happen to notice you two were awfully cuddly for the past few days! I'm not blind you know." Inuyasha snapped.

"So? He's my best friend after all. There was nothing wrong with him consoling me after you trampled my feelings as if I had none!" Kagome argued back.

"Call it whatever you want, I didn't like it!" Inuyasha turned his attention to Miroku. "You just watch how close you get to Kagome buddy. I've got my eye on you." Inuyasha warned him.

"Excuse me? Who are you to say what I can and cannot do? It's not my fault you're too jealous to let me make Kagome feel better, or that you're too insensitive to keep mind of her feelings. I'll stop comforting Kagome once you quit making her miserable, thank you very much." Miroku boldly told Inuyasha, prodding him in the chest.

"What's that supposed to mean? You want to start something?" Inuyasha asked aggressively. Miroku gave no response. "If you're looking for trouble, you've found it. "Bring it on, that is, if you have the courage to take me." he instigated.

"I aint exactly itching for a fight, but I have to admit, the way your sounding now makes it seem like you need to be put in your place." Miroku observed, not wanting to begin a fight. Besides, it might seem like they were fighting over Kagome, and he didn't want anybody to get the wrong idea.

"Sounds like a challenge to me!" Inuyasha lunged towards Miroku, but Kagome held him back. "Let go of me Kagome. I'll tear that pervert limb from limb!"

"Inuyasha, don't get so worked up! I don't want to see either of you getting hurt!" Kagome pleaded.

"Oh, I see how it is. Protecting your little boyfriend huh?" Inuyasha said accusingly.

"Hey! I was looking out for your safety too you know!" Kagome replied in her defense, releasing Inuyasha.

"Do you really think he could lay a finger on me?"

Kagome looked at him skeptically. "You don't want to hear the answer to that, trust me." Out of the corner of his eye, Inuyasha noticed Miroku leaving.

"Running are you? Feh. Coward!" Inuyasha goaded.

"Civility and cowardice are two totally different attributes Inuyasha. You could use a lesson on the former." Miroku advised. Inuyasha gave him an utterly perplexed look.

"What the hell are you babbling about? Civility and attributes and formers. What's all that gobbledygook supposed to mean?" Inuyasha asked.

"Look it up." Miroku told him, not wanting to waste time explaining his 'gobbledygook' to the thick-as-two-short-planks crossbred canine.

Eri had noticed the little confrontation and jogged out the building after Miroku. "Hey there." she said. "I noticed how you stood up for yourself and for Kagome against Inuyasha. Are you sure you don't even have a little feeling of love towards her?"

"Here's some advice for you Eri. Stop meddling in the love lives of others and work on something else for a while." Miroku suggested.

"I'm not meddling. I'm trying you help you out, but you won't let me!" she complained.

"Call what you will, but stop it. In fact, never try to help me out again. Ever. Besides, whatever you're trying to do, you're failing miserably. The only one who's managed to screw anything up so far is Inuyasha, and that's his area of expertise. Why don't you try to find something you're really good at?"

"I am really good at playing matchmaker. Or at least I was in Tokyo. People here just think so differently it's confusing. I just need some time to get used to it." Eri said matter-of-factly.

"Is that so? Do all Tokyo girls try to, ahem, 'play matchmaker'? Kagome likes to try and set people up if she thinks they'd make a good pair." Miroku responded, hoping he could steer the subject away from himself and Kagome.

"I know, but she can't set herself up can she? That's why I'm here. Problem is I'm the only one who has the eyes good enough to tell you two belong together." she explained.

"So you're right and everyone else is wrong huh? Ever stop to think maybe it's you who's wrong?" Miroku asked.

"Couldn't be. I'm never wrong." Miroku rolled his eyes.

"You can tell yourself that as much as you want, it still won't be true."

"Hey! What are you implying?" Eri asked with mock indignant.

"Oh don't get all prissy on me. Everybody's wrong sometimes. There is perfection only in God."

"I'm not getting prissy, and when I said I was never wrong I was only joking. However, in this case I know I'm right." she claimed.

"Get some support before being so positive your assumption is correct. It's hard to believe when everybody disagrees with you. Or even better, just give up." Miroku proposed.

"Never! Why don't you want to be with Kagome? Don't you find her attractive?" Eri asked.

"Of course I do, but I have reasons for not wanting to be with her. First, we're both happy the way we are. Second, I've already had my chance with her. Third, it would be awkward and fourth taking someone else's girl is strictly against my policy. Haven't I already explained this to you?"

"Refresh my memory. Why would it be so awkward?"

"You never give up, do you?" Miroku sighed.

"Not until I'm convinced."

"We've been friends for four years. Diving into a relationship would be weird. In addition, Inuyasha and Sango wouldn't be too pleased. Being in their company would be hard if they even wanted to stay friends with us." Miroku elaborated.

"Wouldn't Kagome be worth all that though?"

"Kagome would be worth anything if I was in love with her, and keep in mind that's a very big 'if'. I refuse to explain why Kagome and I won't work to you again. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to be couch potatoing and snacking on junk until my ass aches." Miroku took his leave and trotted up the walk that led to his house, once again leaving Eri to think on another way to get the stubborn pair of Miroku and Kagome together.