Miroku Behaving?

"You know, I'm still getting used to this new Inuyasha. Usually Naraku is foremost in his thoughts but when Kagome asked if she could go home, not only did he say yes but went with her." Miroku talked as he stretched out with his arms behind his head.

"I know he looked excited to be going too." Sango was resting against a tree with Shippo in her lap. "Well in any case, we all got a rest from hunting Naraku."

"Yep and I've been able to act like a normal kid, just playing around with the kids in the village." Shippo stuck his sucker back in his mouth.

"Mmm and we didn't come across one demon while they've been gone."

"Nor any wandering hands, have you been feeling all right Miroku?"

"Why Sango," he rolled over and propped himself on an elbow, "Have you missed my touch? And here I've been on my best behavior." Miroku grinned as she blushed.

"I don't know what you're talking about. This is just unusual for you." Sango didn't look at him as she spoke.

"Maybe he just wanted to go a while without being smacked. Can't say I blame him either."

"Shippo!" Sango was shocked but then they all started laughing. Later after Shippo had gone to play, Sango and Miroku took a walk.

"You have been behaving remarkably well, what's up?"

"Must you always believe the worst of me? Maybe after seeing Inuyasha and Kagome together, I thought we could try to become a little closer, like them." Miroku watched her face.

Sango stopped to look at him, she was unsure of what he meant but he seemed sincere.

"I don't – I don't know what to say. Umm, how close are you talking about?" She knew Kagome and Inuyasha had been fairly intimate with each other and was pretty sure she wasn't ready for that.

"Maybe we could agree to be a couple. I won't chase other girls and you'll treat me as someone you care about." He wanted her to think about it so he said, "Let's just take it one step at a time and see what happens. Hmm?" He held out his hand and gingerly she took it and they continued their walk holding hands.

"Look there's the village." Kagome pointed at it. It was early the next morning and there weren't many people up and about yet. Soon Kirara landed and transformed back to her usual size. Kagome decided to carry her as a thank you.

"Looks like they're still sleeping." Inuyasha had peeked inside the hut they had been using. "How about we go get a little more rest too?"

Kagome put Kirara down so she could join Sango and with an arm around Inuyasha's waist, they walked to a nearby stream. That's where Shippo found them later, asleep.

"Umph, Morning Shippo." Shippo had jumped onto Inuyasha's head. Inuyasha opened his eyes to see an upside down fox face.

"Morning. Welcome back!" Kagome woke and looked up at Shippo then laughed as he jumped down for a hug. "Come on, food's ready, let's eat." The friends all greeted each other over breakfast and made plans to hit the road again.

"So no trouble at all while we were gone?"

"No, not one single demon."

"That's weird seeing how demons have been popping up since Naraku disappeared." Inuyasha and Miroku were walking together.

"Yeah, I wonder if that means he's not hiding anymore and using demons to make himself stronger." Miroku was remembering how Naraku said he could do just that.

"Damn, I wanted to find him before he healed himself."

"Yes, he could be twice as hard to beat when we next meet." They grew silent thinking about the coming battle.

Kagome had been listening to them talk and decided to lighten the atmosphere. "So did Miroku chase after all the village girls, as usual?"

Shippo was first to answer, "No Kagome. He was actually good. He didn't even grab Sango's butt – at all!"

Sango blushed and looked away while Inuyasha stopped dead to stare at Miroku. "What the hell? Are you sure this is the real Miroku and not Hachi? If it's not Hachi, then Miroku must be sick!"

Kagome couldn't contain herself and started laughing with Inuyasha and Shippo joining in. Miroku put his hands on his hips, "Can't you guys give me some slack? I've been known to behave before!"

"Yeah when you're unconscious, even then your hands have a mind of their own." Came Inuyasha's sarcastic reply. He smiled as Kagome grabbed her sides from laughing so hard.

"Oh let's change the subject." Sango couldn't take it, in a moment she was going to be laughing too; she turned and began walking again.

"Say Inuyasha, maybe he's behaving so he can get closer to Sango. You know, show that he's not such a womanizer." Both Miroku and Sango stopped walking when Kagome said this then started up again at a faster pace.

"Hey, I think that's it! They're going to try being together, well it's about time."

Walking with Kagome, Inuyasha stared at the couple ahead of them, "I don't know Kagome, you think that's it? I'll have to see it to believe it."

"You sure can be dense Inuyasha." Shippo said then ducked as Inuyasha's fist came towards his head.

Kagome just shook her head at the two of them, smiling she linked her fingers with his. "You just watch things could get very interesting."