A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! Can you believe I never knew what kawaii meant until recently? I'm laughing as I write the new chapters because its such a flip-flop to see a hentai Kagome and a serious, well-behaved Miroku. As was mentioned, a certain wolf will be showing up soon. Wonder how he will deal with a new threat for Kagome's attentions? Hmmm...
Kagome had never really thought of herself as a sensual person.
But as she stared at the way the material of her walking partner's robes clung and strained in all the right places...she reassessed the fundamental qualities in herself that she had always taken for granted.
She was certainly a hopeless romantic at times, but romance and sensuality did not necessarily go hand in hand. She was forever been ruined once she held love to the standard of her parents' marriage. They had been true soul mates, totally devoted to each other, and despite her father's death her mother was devoted to him still.
Her friends teased that she was patently old-fashioned with her modest clothes and shy manner around boys, but she was simply being herself. To Kagome love was patience, soft words, and caring gestures, it didn't require elaborate makeup or lingerie.
She had loved Inuyasha, she was sure of that. But he had never looked at her in a way that made her feel like a woman. He was the first boy who had captured her heart, even though he hadn't tried to do so. When you looked past his arrogant manner and rude words, he possessed a soft heart, one that had lost a great love. He was overbearing and protective, but deep down he cared for her, and perhaps hovered on the edge of loving her.
Each time she gazed into his golden eyes she forgave him for his indecision, for a great love was never forgotten. It was the reason she had been trapped in a love triangle for so long. Perhaps she was endlessly optimistic, and naive enough to believe that if she just loved Inuyasha hard enough and long enough, he would come to his senses and choose her.
But despite her love of him, sensuality was not a concept that she had thought upon much in her eighteen years. At least not until now. She had exchanged brief embraces, and even a kiss with the hanyou in the time they had been "together". But while their affections had been sweet, poignant even, they had never been what could be called passionate.
Certainly not inspiring of fireworks and epic love songs.
Kagome shook herself out of her silent soliloquy and peeked at her walking partner again. Is it unusual that an accidental touch makes me nervous and jumpy? Or that he makes me more aware of my femininity? Sometimes she could feel his eyes followed her when he thought she didn't notice, and a flush of warmth went through her body. He's sexier than any holy man has a right to be!
She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she paid no attention to the ground in front of her, stumbling over a large rock in the road. Flailing her arms wildly, she blushed when Miroku rushed to catch her elbow so that she didn't fall flat on her face.
Shippou, whom she had been carrying in her arms, was not so lucky, and went rocketing through the air. The sleeping kitsune screeched in panic and managed to poof in a large pink balloon just before hitting the road. He bounced with a great arc into the sky and then poofed back into his normal form as he landed back in Kagome's arms. They were all so startled by his comical behavior that they burst into laughter causing Sango, Kirara, and Inuyasha to gaze back at them strangely from the front of the party.
Kagome wiped away a tear of laughter and giggled against Shippou's hair. "I'm so sorry, Shippou-chan! My mind was wandering."
The tiny fox youkai mumbled a sleepy reply of forgiveness, and then snuggled back into his perfumed bower to continue his nap.
It had been three weeks since she and Miroku had started their nightly lessons, and she had learned a great deal in the short time; a great deal about her powers and spiritual concepts, and surprisingly, a great deal about herself.
The summer holidays allowed them to travel further than usual, and they had been collecting shards at a rapid pace. Kagome had silently returned to her usual position at the rear during battles, picking of what threats she could with her miko's arrows. Inuyasha was alert as ever in protecting her, and seemed satisfied with the situation. For her part, she was glad that the tension between them had dissipated.
Of course neither he nor the others had any idea that she and Miroku trained diligently into the late hours of the night. Each night they would wait until their friends fell asleep before slipping quietly into the forest. It was exciting, the secret that they shared, and she quickly began to enjoy time she spent with the monk.
Too much, if you are honest with yourself.
They also practiced on the road, although in the casual atmosphere often turned their discussions often turned into talk of their childhoods. He would regale her with stories of how he had charmed his elders as a young boy, and the training he had undergone to become a monk. She in turn told him of the modern wonders that she took for granted: showers, automobiles, microwaves.
He also asked about her family and friends, surprising her in his ability to draw out details that she usually wouldn't volunteer. She had no trouble picturing a young violet-eyed boy who's innocent smile held just a hint of mischief. He didn't hide the look of wonder on his face when she described what her life in Tokyo, and seemed so eager to experience the technology firsthand.
She was currently explaining about the school system, and its heavy curriculum. He was instantly sympathetic to her difficulties in keeping up with her classes. "So many scrolls, so many facts to memorize! I would not look forward to such a difficult task under normal circumstances, but given what you have to deal with, I imagine it is impossible."
He eyed her thoughtfully then. "Have you ever considered giving up our quest and staying in your own world?"
Kagome blinked at him in surprise, stammering "Well, I..."
He was hesitant, but he continued. "What I mean is, no one expects you to throw away your future for the task at hand. Surely any responsibility you bear in breaking the jewel has been redeemed through the aid you have given already."
She had walked for a while in silence, gazing at the road ahead of them while he watched her intently. "I have considered it...but this is a very important thing we are doing. It may be the most important thing I ever do in my life."
"Ino we've risked our life and been injured countless times, but how many people will be hurt because of the demons that get hold of the shards?"
She shook her head and set her face stubbornly. "I can make up the lost time in my world...it may be a little embarrassing to be held behind, but I can manage. This is where I belong."
"Ahh, but I would surely die if I could not bask in the beauty of your aura, little flower." He managed to bow at the waist and catch her free hand in his for a quick kiss to the palm.
"Besides, you can't get rid of me that easily, monk." She turned up her nose up in the air, a playful sparkle in her eyes.
"That sounds vaguely like a threat, miko..." His eyes narrowed, eyeing her in mock worry as her musical laughter filled the air.
Kagome pushed down the shiver of excitement that ran over her skin at the short physical contact. She punched him playfully in the shoulder to cover her reaction at his eloquent flattery.
Miroku chuckled, smiling knowingly. "Kami chooses those who put others before themselves. Those with a sense of responsibility for all of nature. The problem lies in that those who are selfless tend to neglect their own needs. I merely worry for my friend."
Kagome turned a deep shade of crimson at his compliment. If only you knew...
I've begun attending to my "needs" a great deal since we began spending time together.
Miroku kept pace with the petite woman at his side easily as the flirtatious conversation lulled into a comfortable silence, marred only by their footsteps upon the dusty road. The silence forced him to face his thoughts once again.
It had been four weeks, two days, and about six odd hours since he had groped a woman.
Things had finally dissolved beyond repair with Sango, though neither of them had had the courage to talk about it. She seemed as relieved as he was that it had ended on friendly terms, but he just didn't have the urge to touch her in that way anymore.
Confronting the how's and why's in his life had become a full-time job lately. Kagome had told him about special physicians in her time that helped people learn such things about themselves. "Psychologists" if he remembered correctly, a counselor of sorts that helped people deal with illnesses of the soul and mind in a way beyond the spiritual.
He wanted to know the reasons behind the lechery and unrestrained appetites. Did he think himself above proprieties because of impending death from the kazaana? Was it his desire to make his father and his mentor proud by continuing their own escapades? Despite his reasoning, did he really ask every beautiful woman he came across to bear his child out of a wish to continue the line?
It seemed that every question bore light on another, and another. He was no closer to understanding the reasons behind his actions now than he had been a month ago. But he did know one thing, he wanted more.
He wanted more than a night of passion with a beautiful face or tempting body. He wanted more than the possibility of a child and family that would never know him. He wanted more than fleeting affection and memories.
Of course he had a healthy sexual appetite. He was a young man in his prime, it was only to be expected. But he was weary and...well, embarrassed that his wandering hands were the what defined him to people. Defined him to his friends.
Defined him to her.
It had been four weeks, two days, and about six odd hours since he had groped a woman...and he didn't mind.
Of course there had been ample opportunity to give in to his baser interests. He could have followed the geishas that had invited him to their rooms with mint-sweetened breaths. There had been the ever-so-grateful maidens who pressed against him after they saved their village from this or that demon. But he had charmingly made excuses and continued on his way, dazedly coming to the delayed realization that he truly didn't wish to join them.
The only one he had thought of in that manner since his change in heart was the gentle woman walking at his side. And when he allowed his mind to wander down that vein of thought, the fantasies were always more intimate than a passing grope or wandering hand. The sweet miko did not deserve such vulgar thoughts, even in his daydreams.
A flash of pale skin and a jangle startled him from his thoughts, and he looked up to see Kagome skipping ahead of him with his stolen shajuko in her hands. "You snooze, you lose!"
She laughed gaily as she ran ahead with Shippou clinging to her back. He grinned slowly at the "catch me if you can" look she threw him over her shoulder, and tucked the length of his robes under one arm to race after her.
Whatever the reasons, he had changed. I'll be damned if I understand it, but I want to see where fate leads me.