Right then. Once again as the forces that be make me write what we all already know. I don't own Inuyasha or anything in any way associated or affiliated with it with the exception of this story and any others that may be authored by myself. looks at ceiling Are you happy now? Wait…why am I talking to the ceiling? Oh yeah…forces that be and all that. Ooooohhhh…Okaa-san, I want one! Kiasa

Some Things Never Change

Chapter Three

What the…?

'What…what's he doing?' Sango was shocked. Miroku wasn't a violent person at all, so what would have provoked him to threaten Kouga that way? Since when had he become so protective of Kagome? And why? He had certainly never done so for her. And that was a big lie. Not that she needed to be protected, but it was nice every once in a while. As she stood there watching Miroku stare down at Kouga, She wondered what had happened to the one who was supposed to be hers.

For the first time in his life, Inuyasha was speechless. He didn't even have enough coherence to babble. Who the hell did Miroku think he was? Who was he to protect Kagome? That was HIS job. HE was supposed to take care of Kagome, not Miroku. What in the seven hells did that lech think he was doing? Even though all these thoughts were rushing through Inuyasha's head, he still could not find the coherence to speak.

Before he knew what was happening, Miroku found himself staring down at Kouga threatening to permanently maim him if he didn't take his hands off of Kagome. What had come over him? Why was he so eager to protect Kagome all of a sudden? Kouga was looking at him with a mixture of confusion and loathing. 'What's he doing? The monks never messed with me before.' Miroku stood his ground. "What's it to you, monk? She doesn't belong to you any more than she belongs to dog-breath over there." Miroku looked grim. "You're right. She doesn't belong to either Inuyasha or I. But neither does she belong to you. Kagome belongs to no one but herself. I'm quite sure she would prefer not to be referred to as your "woman" and as she's too polite to do anything about it I suppose I'll have to." By the time Miroku was done with this stinging ultimatum, Kouga's jaw had dropped so far he was in danger of finding birds' nesting in it. The shock was soon replaced with what Kouga saw as a righteous fury. "Fine monk, if you're in such a hurry to die we'll work it out right now." All Miroku saw was a blur coming at him as he sent out a blast of holy energy. His staff glowed with it. Kouga never saw it coming. A deathly silence was the only thing that could be heard before Kouga came crashing down.

The whole group stared on as Kouga tried to rise to his feet. He started up, and then fell back to his knees. Once again he rose, this time to his feet. He stood, rather shakily, facing Miroku. Miroku stared him in the face. "I really don't want to repeat that scene, so why don't you just drop it and bury it right now." Kouga glared at him, trying desperately to grasp at the remaining shreds of his dignity. "Fine, I'll drop it for now. I'll be back later though." He redirected his gaze to Kagome. "Don't worry, I'll come for you. I'll always come for you my woma…" He glanced at Miroku, who had arched a single brow. "I'll always come for you Kagome." With this he sped off. In the distance they heard a shout. "Ginta, Hakkaku, hurry the fuck up and stop dragging ass!"

They all sat in stunned silence, each afraid to speak the first word. The there was a rustle as Kagome stood up and grabbed Miroku's wrist. The group did a collective head turn and proceeded to stare like a bunch of gaping baka's. "I need to talk to you," was all Kagome said as she dragged Miroku off.

After what seemed like an hour-long trek into the forest Kagome decided they were well out of Inuyasha's hearing range, she started. "What in the name of Buddha was that? Since when are you my guardian? Wasn't Inuyasha supposed to be the one who was going to act all macho and immature when Kouga came around? When did you get like this? What do you think you were doing back there? You could have been killed!" Kagome's rose, and then finally ended in a shrill tear-filled shriek. Miroku didn't even have time to answer any of her questions before she grabbed on to his robes and pulled him into a fierce embrace. "What would I, I mean, we do without you? Why would you even fight Kouga… or anyone…over me?" Miroku, just snapping out of his state of surprise and shock, looked at her with pure sincerity in his eyes. "Because Kagome, you deserve more than someone who claims to love you, then disrespects your personal space, and, in the process, you. You just deserve more." As he finished he wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer. She looked up and once again found herself drowning in those violet depths. Only this time, something was different. She found her eyes closing, and her lips moving slowly up to touch his.

Miroku was rocked back on his heels when he heard her sudden stream of questions. He almost fell on his ass when he felt her grab his robes and ask why he would fight for her. Before the battle began he hadn't really given it a second thought. He had simply felt an instinct rise up in him to defend Kagome. So he came up wit the best he could. "You deserve more." Before he knew it, he had her in his arm. He saw her rise to come level with him, and the moment he tasted he, he knew he wanted more.

P.S. Sorry for the über delay. Just got out of DFACS and I'm back home now so I can get access to the Internet. Much love to all of you. Ai Shiteru, Kiasa.