A/N: Wow, five reviews in three days. If I didn't get 6 reviews from the same one person, I would say I ought to threaten my readers more often!

Review Responses

Princess Stephanie: If you really want me to update that bad, you can say so…but only say so once! You have no idea how annoying it is to be told to update over and over, especially by the same person. I appreciate your zeal over my story, but I think you may have gone a little over-board. Aside from that though, thanks for your reviews and I look forward to checking out your first Inuyasha fic!

Shadow Kitsune 67: I'm glad you thought Inuyasha's guess was so funny, that's what I was shooting for. Same with Kagome's mom. Wouldn't you be shocked if some one wanted to marry your sixteen year-old daughter? I know I would!

Mrs. Sora-Sparrow: Thanks

Matt: I kind of quit on excite ness a few chapters ago, but I'm glad you still enjoy it.

( ) (): Thanks for the suggestion, but I already had this chapter planned.

Chapter 21: Proposal

Grandfather Higurashi gave Miroku a good long look as he considered Miroku's request. "Hmmm…" the elder mused as he pondered what the monk had just asked. "And I have your word as a man of the cloth that you will remain a faithful and caring husband to my granddaughter?"

Miroku shot the old man a glare. For once in his life, he actually felt offended at somebody questioning his honesty. He had to admit, he didn't have the most perfect of records, but how would Kagome's grandfather know that? "Of course you old coot! Of course Sir Higurashi."

Grandfather Higurashi gave a gap-toothed grin. "Then you by all means have my permission. It will be nice to have a holy man to tend to the shrine once my days are up."

Miroku didn't think it important to mention that he planned to remain in the feudal era for the most part, or that he was of a different religion than the Higurashi's. He had Grandfather Higurashi on his side, therefore his work was done. Miroku stood and bowed his thanks to Grandfather Higurashi. "A thousand thanks." He left the old man to continue tending to his shop, which he had been occupied doing before Miroku had arrived. Miroku went back to the house and climbed the tree next to Kagome's window. He found this method of entry much more fun than using the stairs, no matter how unorthodox it was. He quietly slipped her window open and stepped into Kagome's bedroom. Kagome was diligently working on her geometry homework. Apparently she had not noticed Miroku's arrival. Miroku silently snuck up behind her and quickly covered her eyes with his hands. "Guess who." Miroku dared her, in a passable imitation of Inuyasha's voice.

"Miroku, I can't do my homework with your hands over my eyes." Kagome replied.

Miroku frowned as he uncovered her eyes. "How'd you know it was me? I thought I sounded a lot like him."

"You sounded like him, sure enough. It was the acting part you missed. Does Inuyasha really seem the type to play games like that?" Kagome asked with a smile, rolling her eyes.

Miroku grinned in agreement. "Suppose you got me there. Are you almost finished?"

"Yep, just three more equations." Kagome said.

"Why do you bother to do such things?" Miroku asked, staring at Kagome's text with a look of confusion. "Besides, I thought you told me this was the period of 'summer vacation'."

"It is, but thanks to you and the others I need to take school during the summer to get caught up on my school work." Kagome explained.

"Well forgive Inuyasha, Sango, Shippo and I for thinking the fate of Japan is a bit more important than your 'school'!" Miroku joked.

"You're forgiven." Kagome replied impudently. "But I'm done now anyways." She slammed her textbook closed. "You ready?"

Miroku gestured for Kagome to lead. "After you." Kagome left her room, but Miroku noticed she had not bothered to get her yellow pack. "Aren't you going to bring your haversack?"

"No." Kagome answered. "Are you?"

Miroku sighed and hefted Kagome's backpack over his shoulder. "You know Kagome most women would treat their boyfriends with a bit more regard than that of a common pack-mule."

"And most men wouldn't complain to their girlfriends if they got sex almost whenever they pleased." Kagome countered.

"Indeed, but most men don't know that the girl likes it too." Miroku reasoned. Kagome laughed at the ironic truth of Miroku's comment. The couple made their way to the well house and took the portal back through time.

Kagome and Miroku looked up to see the face of Inuyasha staring down at them. "Fancy meeting you here." Inuyasha joked in a very light hearted manner that was very un-Inuyasha-ish. "Did you bring any ramen noodles?"

"Not for you. That is of course, unless you help me out of this well." Kagome offered barter. Inuyasha groaned.

"Make Miroku do it. He's down there too."

"Yes he is. But his ramen isn't on the line." Kagome reminded the hanyou.

"You suck." said Inuyasha as he hopped into the well and hopped out with Kagome.

"Hey what about me?" Miroku called up.

"Feh." Inuyasha grunted. "You can find your own may out monk. I never said I'd help you out."

"I have the ramen."

"Damn you." Inuyasha pulled Miroku up out of the well.

"So," Kagome began. "Things still good with you and Sango?"

Inuyasha's face reddened with anger. "There is no me and Sango! We are not an item! Can't I spend a damn second with a girl without being accused of falling in love with her?"

"Not with us around." Miroku said. "You go back to the village Inuyasha. We'll catch up." Miroku gave Inuyasha the look, and for once, Inuyasha got the message, much to Miroku's relief.

Kagome looked up at him questioningly. "Why didn't we go back with Inuyasha?"

Miroku didn't answer. He wrapped his arm snugly around her waist and led her in the direction opposite of the village. "Walk with me Kagome." He and Kagome came to a stop atop a hill from which the group had watched many a sunset. "Beautiful isn't it?" Miroku asked, regarding the dusk.

"Indeed." Kagome agreed, still wondering why Miroku had brought her out here.

"I have seen lovelier things though." Miroku added, smiling and turning to Kagome.

Kagome, familiar with Miroku's smooth lines gave him a playful shove. "Liar."

"I mean it." Miroku replied, really meaning it. "I love you so much." Miroku turned himself so they were facing one another. "I can't imagine myself with any other woman. And I would be willing to do anything to keep you with me, even if it cost me my pride and my dignity."

Kagome coked any eyebrow at him. He didn't take her out here just to put the moves on her, did he?

"With the wind tunnel and Naraku gone, I can freely give my heart to another with out the fear of hurting her." Miroku reached into the breast pocket of his robe and pulled out the box that held the ring. He opened it and the beams of the setting sun shone of the gems, amplifying their beauty. "Kagome, I never want to be without you. Will you be my wife?"

For a moment, Kagome just stared at the ring. The gemstones were dazzling with the light reflecting off them as it did. She refused to believe what she was hearing until she had more than a few moments worth of visual confirmation. After a second or two, she was sure if this was a dream, she would have woken up by now. She bit he lip and looked up at Miroku as tears began to well up in her eyes. She suddenly tackled Miroku to the ground and kissed him as roughly as one would think humanly possible until Miroku forced himself to pull away to catch his breath. "Will I marry you?" Kagome asked incredulously. "Is Inuyasha irate? Do fish swim? Is that the prettiest ring I've ever seen? Of course I'll marry you!"