"It's barely been six hours since we started!"
"Inuyasha," her voice held a warning that silenced any further protest. "There's a village just up ahead. It's on our way and we all need to rest."
He crossed his arms in irritation at his loss, unable to admit defeat. "Speak for yourself. I knew you weaklings would just slow me down."
She crossed her own arms in turn and opened her mouth to reply, but he had already turned for the direction of the village.
"Hurry up we don't have all day," he called callously over his shoulder.
She let her eyes linger on the broadness of his back as he walked ahead of her and smiled.
As they entered the village an array of noise and smells assaulted him. He hadn't wanted to stop, but truthfully his body was starting to shut down. He needed food and rest, but he was worried that the scent trail he was following would be lost amidst the crowd. It was also starting to grow dark. They could rest for the night and he would try to pick up the scent in the morning. If he was lucky there might be some rumors to go on as well.
"I don't suppose you have any money," he accused more than asked.
Sango had the decency to look embarrassed. "Actually, no."
He sighed, scanning the market. He had never been one for stealing. "It looks like we won't be staying then."
He glanced over to Kagome for her acceptance, eyes widening at her absence. He turned, searching the market square until he finally spotted her some distance away. But she wasn't alone. She was with a man, and she was smiling.
He choked as the man grasped her hands to his chest, leaning close to her neck to whisper against her skin.
"Who is Kagome-chan with?" Sango voiced his unspoken question.
He didn't wait to find out. "Oi, wench, don't go running off," he called in irritation as he approached. "I let you out of my sight for one minute and you already cause trouble."
The man smiled coolly, never relinquishing his hold on her delicate hands. "Is this youkai bothering you, miss? For you, I offer my services free of charge."
Kagome's plastered smile was beginning to falter. "Thank you, Houshi-sama. While I am grateful for your offer, I must insist—"
"No need to be modest. Please, call me Miroku."
Inuyasha stopped before the two, hands digging into his hips. It was all he could do not to fidget. It was obvious that the monk was making a move on her. "We don't have time for this, or have you other priorities now?"
She reddened at his scathing comment, still unable to extract her hands, embarrassed at being caught in such a situation. "Miroku was just—"
"Oh, on a first name basis I see."
"Inuyasha—"
"My apologies," her hands were promptly dropped as the man bowed before the two. "I did not mean to infringe on your affair. I thought you merely traveling companions. The intrusion won't happen again."
Miroku grinned as the male blushed abashedly, stuttering that he was mistaken which promptly lead to an argument between the two. "Well, in that case," he shrugged to himself as his right hand reached for the smooth curve of her unsuspecting backside, a small smile of anticipation forming on his lips.
He yelped despite himself, the offending hand immediately reaching to cup his bruised cheek. The girl turned in surprise at the sound. "Sango-chan?"
He turned surprised eyes to the mysterious girl who had appeared seemingly from no where to thwart his nearly successful efforts. "Sango-chan?" he repeated in mild shock as he took in the weight of her beauty. Was this how it felt to be love struck?
She frowned at him before turning to the others. "We've wasted enough time here. Let's go."
As the three turned to leave he stumbled over himself for an excuse to stop them. He wasn't about to let this intriguing girl out of his sight. "As travelers you must be tired from your journey. Nightfall will come shortly; surely you cannot plan to continue through the darkness."
The male threw him a pointed look as he stumbled after them. "Drop it, monk."
"I can offer you a place to rest for the night and a hot meal. It is the least I can do to excuse my transgression."
Sango eyed him suspiciously, and he found himself smiling sheepishly despite his best efforts. "Do you think him trust worthy?" she called to the others.
"No," they answered in unison.
He laughed nervously at their reply.
"Do we have any other options?" she continued.
"No," they again answered together.
"Fine," she relented. "We will accept your hospitality, Houshi-sama."
Somehow he suspected that her use of such a title was nothing more than mockery, but at the moment he was content with his success. "Yes, very well then. Follow me."