Review Responses

MysitcalSpirits: I think you have reviewed, if not on this story definitely on another one of mine. I love Miroku/Kagome stories too. It's good to know I'm not the only one who thinks that couple rocks balls. It's good to know there are people out there who like this one especially. You should read En Famille by April May. In my opinion that's the best Miroku/Kagome fic to ever exist ever in the history of time. And don't worry, Inuyasha will be trying extra hard to get Kagome back, so be prepared.

Shesshies Personal Priestess: Fell free to e-mail me! I'm always happy to help out my fellow authors with ideas, especially if it's a coupling I really like, such as Sango/Miroku or Kagome/Miroku. I'll be sure to read your story right after I finish this chapter to make sure I can be of as much help as possible! I'm glad you understand Inuyasha's motives. We all know he loves her, but hey, life's tough, right?

Hayai-Hakai: I think Inuyasha deserves it. He really doesn't give Kagome enough credit.

TamiaEternity: What did you expect? Inuyasha is a rude guy!

Kogasgirl142: Glad you think it's cute. I try hard to try and write for the enjoyment of girls especially (I mean, they seem to be into this stuff a lot more than most guys) but I usually don't know how well I'm doing since I have nothing to check up on. Save for reviewers like you! So I thank you

Chapter 10: Mano-a-Mano

By the time Inuyasha met back up with Miroku and Sango, he had wiped away the tears, but his eyes were still a little puffy and his cheeks were still a light shade of red. Shippo, being the observant fellow he was, noticed this first. "Inuyasha, why is your face red? Have you been crying?" Shippo asked curiously.

"Go away!" Inuyasha shouted back. "Let's just keep going." The rest of the day was slightly uneventful, save for a battle with a serpent demon which was fairly weak. A nice cup of ramen at dinner time was able to take Inuyasha's mind off his troubles for a little while. As the group prepared to retire for the evening, Kagome and Sango noticed Kikyo's soul skimmers floating above the ground about 15 meters away.

"Hey Inuyasha." Kagome said, pointing at the soul collecting demons. "Kikyo is over there. Aren't you going to go see her?"

"Nah. I can live one night without seeing her." Inuyasha responded.

Kagome gave him a quizzical look. He wasn't going to see Kikyo? Why not? He always did every time she was around. "Are you sure? I won't get mad or anything, I promise." Kagome held up her right hand in swear.

"I know."

"Okay, if you're sure…" Kagome unrolled her sleeping bag. A short while after Kikyo's soul catchers vanished from sight, Miroku stood up.

"I'm going for a walk. Care to join me Inuyasha?" Miroku asked.

"You don't want to be stuck alone with me right now monk, trust me." Inuyasha snarled.

Miroku's expression turned cold. "Allow me to rephrase that. Come, now." When Inuyasha refused to budge, Inuyasha grabbed him by his ear, which he knew was a spot sensitive to pain as well as sounds.

"Ow leggo! Inuyasha protested.

"All in good time my canine companion." Miroku promised him. After they were far enough away from the girls and Shippo to talk without being eavesdropped on, Miroku released Inuyasha's ear. "I need to speak with you Inuyasha. I thought now would be a good time to have a little talk, you know, mano-a-mano"

"You didn't need to pull my lug off to do that!" Inuyasha complained.

"Oh, cry me a river." Miroku replied, rolling his eyes. "Let me get straight to the point. Kagome doesn't love you anymore. No matter what you do, you will not have her."

"Feh, don't remind me. You pulled me by the ear to tell me that? You are truly and idiot Miroku." Inuyasha griped.

"You're the idiot for thinking you could resurface Kagome's feelings by refusing to go see Lady Kikyo." Miroku countered.

"Maybe I just didn't feel like meeting with Kikyo tonight." Inuyasha huffed, with as much dignity as he could muster.

"Don't give me that Inuyasha." Miroku said with steely resolve.

"Fine, maybe I was trying to get on Kagome's good side! What's that to you? You have no right to stop me."

"Oh, I disagree Inuyasha. She's with me now. I have every right to stop you." Miroku frowned.

"Then just try and stop me!" Inuyasha challenged.

"Not now. I feel it fair to give you warning. I can't blame you much for wanting Kagome back so bad." Miroku admitted. "But pull a stunt and I will stop you."

"Feh. What a pointless conversation." Inuyasha snorted as he turned and made his way back to camp.

Kagome looked out into the woods. "They've been gone a while. I hope they didn't kill each other."

"I concur." Sango agreed. "I bet you love all this don't you? This makes what, four guys lined up for you?"

"What do you mean? I can't stand this!" Kagome objected. "I mean, it's very flattering of course but I don't want to be the cause of any disagreement."

"What garbage. You may put on that perfect little girl act, hell you may even mean it. But somewhere in your mind you know you like it." Sango remarked somewhat snidely.

"Maybe I do. But help yourself to anyone of them if you like." Kagome replied.

"Even Miroku?" Sango asked, already knowing the answer.

"Not Miroku. But Hojo, Koga, maybe even Inuyasha would be thrilled to have a chance with you." Kagome complimented her.

Sango sighed. "Not interested I'm afraid."

"You're still in love with Miroku huh?" Kagome asked out of concern.

"Yeah." Sango confessed. "Perhaps to much for my own good. But I guess it would make sense that he would want to be with you. I mean come on, who doesn't?" Kagome began to feel a bit of shame. "But if I can't have him, I would rather he be with my best friend than anybody else."

Now Kagome felt down right guilty. Not only had Sango loved him first, Kagome had several different guys competing for her heart, while Sango only had one that she alas, had no interest in. And even in spite of all this, Sango still thought of her as her best friend. "You're way too nice to me Sango. Miroku was in love with you, but I snatched him right out from under your nose, when I have three other guys fighting over me no less. And you still consider me your best friend."

"Of course. You didn't know that you two would fall in love when you saw Kikyo and Inuyasha together. Besides, like I said you and Miroku are my best friends. You both deserve to be happy. And if you make each other happy, so be it." Sango reasoned.

"Your much too kind to me as well." Miroku said. Nether Kagome or Sango and noticed Miroku sneaking up behind them. He hugged Sango around the waist and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek. Sango blushed a deep crimson, but tried to shrug it off. He turned his attention to his Kagome. "Shall we retire?"

Kagome tried to make as much room in her sleeping bag as possible. "Room enough for two. Care to join me?" Kagome coaxed. She needen't ask twice.