After a nice breakfast of fresh fruits, the group decided to travel to the next town due to rumors involving Shikon jewel shards.
During their trek, Miroku decided to pester Kagome.
So… I noticed you were looking through my memories last night.
You… did, did you?
As a matter of fact, yes. Now tell me… see anything interesting?
If Kagome possessed her own hair at the moment, she would be winding it nervously around her finger. Instead, she just grinned sheepishly again.
Umm… define interesting.
Well… I don't know… I'm not sure what you have and have not looked at. I can't very well mention something, because it could be something you have overlooked, and then I'd just be giving it to you anyways. So you'll just have to tell me what you've seen.
Wait, what? I'm… I'm confused…
Its ok, Kagome. Stop thinking so hard.
You're so mean…
Kagome pouted girlishly for a second, but then stopped.
It wouldn't be very good if Inuyasha turned around to see Miroku pouting like a little girl.
That reminded Miroku of something he had been meaning to talk to Kagome about.
About that… I may have an idea as to why Inuyasha suspects something, and how we could rectify the situation.
Umm… ok, why and how?
Well… I hate to be frank, but you're simply not being me. As far as the others are concerned, their lovable monk has stopped paying attention to women's rears and conning and everything else. So they already know something's going on out of the ordinary.
Second, we HAVE been paying a lot more attention to each other than usual because of this whole ordeal. And it's starting to show. Inuyasha's getting suspicious of you because he thinks I'm trying to put the moves on you. Which, we both know to be completely false, but…
So you're saying I have to act more like you?
That, and we have to spend less time with each other
The second part will be harder… ok. At Akebi Village, I'll pull one of your 'dark presence' tricks to land us a place to stay for the night…
Are you sure you can pull it off?
After watching you at work, and after being around my over-dramatic Grandfather, how hard can it be? It's not like I've never lied before either, so… yeah. I'm sure I can pull it off.
Ok then, prove it.
Just then, they reached to the famous Akebi Village. The group stared in awe at the well-built, ornate houses and clear scenery. The monk-impostor smiled.
"What do you say we prolong our visit here? I'm starting to sense a demonic aura radiating from that house over there…"
Kagome pointed to the richest-looking house.
Sango smiled, relieved. "You know, for once that doesn't sound so bad. Sleeping on the ground isn't always as comfortable as you want it to be, and I can't keep leaning on Kirara, either… I feel bad."
Miroku decided to put in his two cents as well. "Yes! A real roof over our heads! And maybe even a bath! I'm starting to love the idea already…!"
Ok, so maybe I'm laying it on a little thick here.
Nah, you got it.
Kagome decided to take the conversation further. "Alright… shall we make our way over to the dwelling in question?" Inuyasha sneered. "I don't understand why we have to go through this all the time…"
Miroku pouted, wanting Kagome to get her way. "Fine. If you really don't want to sleep inside like the rest of us, you can sleep outside on the roof or in a tree… no one's making you. But we are going to stay the night whether you like it or not, so I suggest you like it."
Inuyasha just stared at the 'miko' in question, not really being able to bring himself to believe what had just been said. That and the fact that it had come out of Kagome's mouth as well.
Sango found that amusing. "Well, that sure shut him up…" Inuyasha just crossed his arms over his chest and sulked. "Keh…"
Said travelers began to near the house, when Kagome felt a cold shiver run down the spine she possessed, like someone had trickled cold water down the middle of her back.
Their target was indeed housing a demonic spirit. Miroku seemed to feel it, too.
Kagome, that house IS possessed. Are you sure you want to go through with it?
Yes. If I change my mind and switch to another house, it would be too suspicious.
Kagome was also confident that Miroku's body would know what to do in dealing with an exorcised demon.
Nearing the house, they saw an old woman sweeping the stairs leading to the front porch. The elder noticed the group as well. "Welcome to Akebi Village, travelers! How can I be of service?"
Kagome decided that this time was as good as any. "Milady, we were passing through when I noticed that there is a demonic aura surrounding this house."
The older woman's warm smile disappeared, and her grip on the bamboo broom that she was wielding tightened. "Are you sure, Monk?"
Kagome nodded solemnly. "Unfortunately. Although, since I am indeed a monk, I can exorcise the demon for you."
The woman seemed to like that idea very much. "If you did, I would be ever so thankful!"
Kagome nodded, approaching the doorway of the house, and the woman scurried to a safe distance of five feet. "Please, Milady. Think nothing of it."
With that, Kagome slowly pulled out an ofuda. She let the subconscious voice in the back of her mind lead her along. She slowly placed the ofuda onto the door frame, bringing a masculine hand up to her masculine face. Two fingers were outstretched.
Letting mumbled words slip from her mouth, the ofuda began to cackle as small blue lightning bolts surged into the house, irritating the offending demon.
After a second or two, the spirit of a rather large snake demon erupted from the woodwork of the house, hissing in pain. The spirit solidified into the actual demon itself and attacked Kagome, who nimbly defeated it with the staff that she possessed.
Inuyasha, Sango, and Shippou just stared, not really expecting that to happen. Miroku, on the other hand, smiled happily.
The old woman approached the monk, bowing eagerly in thanks. "Domo arigato gozaimasu, Kind monk! Please, let me show my thanks by giving you a nice meal and a place to stay for the night."
Kagome smiled. "Although it really was no trouble at all, we would like to have a place to stay for the night. Thank you for the generous offer."
The elder smiled, heading back inside her house. She turned back to them. "I'll prepare a room for you. Until then, I'm sure you'd like to take a look around the village if you haven't done so already." And with that, she had disappeared into her house.
"You knew this house was possessed by a demon?" Sango was impressed.
Kagome nodded. "Of course! Don't tell me that you doubted my intentions, dear Sango."
Kagome grasped Sango's hand, sandwiching it between her own two rather large, calloused hands. Sango began to feel uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed.
"Well, you haven't really been all that noble in the first place… I thought this was just another part of your scams."
Kagome struck an overly dramatic pose, feigning tragedy with one hand upon her forehead. "Alas… whenever I'm serious, no one seems to notice…"
Miroku couldn't help but chuckle.
Is that really how I act?
Actually, it is.
Sango removed her hand from in between Kagome's, drawing it towards herself as if Kagome's hands were diseased. "Yes, well… why don't we start looking around the village? We have the jewel shard rumors to remember…"
Kagome nodded. "Yes, yes, of course."
They turned around to a pretty young woman dressed in a rather ornate kimono. It was nothing THAT exotic, but prestigious enough to show that she was of higher status than the other villagers. "Can I help you?"
The group was rather confused, so the young woman elaborated. "This is my house. I live here with my mother, the Headmistress of this Village."
Kagome decided that again, this would be a good time to be Miroku-like. The woman was very pretty, after all. Plus, she would probably be rejected as Miroku usually was, so… she approached the young woman.
Miroku stared in disbelief as Kagome knelt down before the woman, taking her hand and kissing it lightly. "Milady… I have a request."
Said woman blushed, and tried to hide it beneath the large sleeve of her kimono. "And what would that be, Monk?"
Turning on the charm full-blast, Kagome continued. "I would be greatly honored if you would bear my child."
Inuyasha and Shippou rolled their eyes, and Sango suddenly became extremely irritated. But Miroku couldn't believe what Kagome was doing. Sure, he had requested that she be more like him, but he wasn't really expecting her to do THAT. He was sure that she wouldn't bring herself to ask that.
The young woman blushed more, but otherwise kept her composure. "May I ask why you request this, kind monk?"
Kagome then got up, dropping the woman's hand. "I'm sorry."
That's it, then… Kagome's regaining her senses. She'll notice what she's doing, and stop.
It was amazing how wrong someone could be. Kagome frowned, feigning tragedy.
"My family has been placed with a curse by a most formidable demon. If the demon is not defeated soon, my life will come to an end. If I don't succeed in defeating him, I'd like an heir to continue on in my steps. That, and the fact that you are truly beautiful. When I laid eyes on you, I just couldn't help myself. I hope I haven't offended you with my forward question, Milady."
The woman smiled sweetly. "You did nothing of the sort. What is your name, Monk?"
Kagome answered. "My name is Miroku, Milady."
The woman nodded. "Well then, Miroku. I will gladly take you up on your request."
Kagome's jaw almost dropped to the ground, and Miroku felt as if his central-nervous system had shorted out. "P-Pardon?"
The woman just giggled and tried to hide more of her blush behind her kimono sleeve. Miroku decided that he needed to do something to rectify the situation, and fast.
Part of him didn't mind that the woman wanted to sleep with him/kagome, but the winning part knew that this wasn't the time for pervertedness.
"Ah… wait!"
Everyone turned to the miko impostor, and for the first time he saw that EVERYONE was shocked that the young woman had obliged. He began to shy under the spotlight.
"Umm… umm… I sense a jewel shard."
Inuyasha decided to pay complete attention to him. "Where, kagome?"
"To… to the…"
North! To the north!
"To the north! That way!"
Everyone eyed her strangely, and Kagome cleared her throat. "Umm… Kagome?"
"Y-yes…?"
"That's the east. Are you sure you're feeling ok?"
What's with you?
I should be asking YOU that question! Really… what were you thinking, asking that woman to bear your child?
That's what you would do… you DID tell me to act more like you.
But… but I wasn't expecting you to do that!
"Umm… what's with you two?" Sango broke their conversation, and it was then that they noticed that they were staring at each other rather fiercely.
Miroku scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. Kagome just tightened her grip on the staff she had acquired as of recently, making the foreign knuckles turn an unhealthy shade of white.
Inuyasha was obviously having an internal struggle with himself on deciding whether or not he should jump the monk for questions.
"So is it north, or is it east?" Inuyasha hissed his words through gritted fangs.
Miroku backed up, not liking the way Inuyasha's hackles were almost raised. "Um… um… east… that way." Miroku pointed the way with a dainty digit to confirm his horribly told lie. He was loosing his touch, sadly.
They turned to leave, yet the young woman grabbed the monk impostor's hand. "You are on a journey for jewel shards?" Kagome nodded. Already the monk's body that she had control over was reacting to the softness of the woman's touch, and Kagome was afraid she would loose it if she didn't leave quickly.
The woman leaned in for a chaste kiss bidding them good luck and requesting that they return upon the retrieval of the shard.
That was the last straw. Kagome began to feel lightheaded as the sane world that she had come to know so very well went tipsy. She felt her cheeks blush. Miroku was NOT supposed to blush.
Kagome lost dominance over Miroku's body as it began to act on its own accord. She just sat back and watched as words began to flow from her mouth.
Her hand brought itself up to the woman's cheek, and a thumb began to slowly caress the skin. "Don't worry, milady. We'll quickly retrieve the shard and I will be right back here in no time at all."
Kagome, what in all the seven gates of hell are you talking about! What do you think you're doing?
Shh… stop it. I'm busy.
WHAT! That's… that's taking it far enough.
Nuh-huh. And you shouldn't get jealous.
Miroku couldn't take it. his tone of voice lost girlish front as he fumed aloud. "ME! Jealous! Hardly! You don't even know what you're talking about!"
He ignored the stares he got, and Kagome did as well.
She took on a rather feminine pose and stomped her foot. "You wouldn't care so much if you weren't jealous."
Miroku shook his head, long raven hair flying around. "And how do you know I really care in the first place?"
Kagome laughed, not believing what she was hearing. "Oh no, don't you play that little game with me. it is SOOOO obvious. I can see it in your eyes! The energy is flowing off of you like a tsunami."
Miroku, caught up against the wall and just noticing that they practically blew their cover, quickly grabbed his staff back and hit Kagome in the head with it, rendering her unconscious but not badly hurt. He then proceeded to pull her off with a strength that wasn't supposed to belong to the miko body that he possessed.
The rest of the group just stared for a second before Sango and Inuyasha decided that they should investigate. Thus, they followed.
Miroku had pulled the monk impostor to a clearing outside the village. He propped the unconscious Kagome up against a large boulder, and leaned over her. "Alright, Kagome… time to wake up."
He began to lightly slap her face to get her to wake up, but she didn't. Deciding it was the only way, Miroku leaned in and placed a peck on her lips. The monk impostor abruptly sat alert, thwaping the monk in the face. "don't kiss me, you pervert." Inuyasha had to pick his jaw up off the floor, and Sango just stared wide-eyed. Still, they continued to listen in silence.
At that, the monk rolled his eyes and scoffed. "honestly… compared to what you had planned to do with that woman over there, that kiss was nothing. What was with you, anyways?"
Kagome began to wring her large, masculine hands nervously. "I… I dunno… and… and what was with you and that pathetic lie about jewel shards? Miroku, you can do way better than that. You couldn't even get the directions right!"
Miroku tried to defend himself. "Oh, come on! Did you see how Inuyasha was staring at us? I swear, at one point his hackles were raised! Believe it or not, I don't do well under pressure… certainly when pressure is looming death with dog ears."
Inuyasha would've snickered at the metaphor if he hadn't noticed that they were calling each other by their own names. And that Miroku was acting too much like a girl. That just creeped him out.
Kagome stomped her foot. "Well you did tell me to act like you." Sango almost choked, and Miroku just shook his head. "Yeah, but you don't need to act so… so… perverted!"
Kagome scoffed, crossing her arms across her chest. "You never thought twice about how perverted you are!"
Miroku let down his defenses, straightening up. The volume of his voice went down a few notches. "Yeah, but don't tell me you wanted to be with that woman. I could tell you were loosing it."
Kagome sighed almost in defeat. "Yeah, I know. But what was I supposed to do? And it was like… at one point, I wasn't the one in control. Your freaking perverted body took over! God, I wanna be myself again. You always find a way to screw things up."
Kagome ran a masculine hand through the shorter hair she had at the moment, combing the rubber band out. She sighed sadly at her shorter hair, pouting. "I want my hair back…" she stared enviously at her hair.
Miroku frowned. "It's so hard to deal with… it's always in my face! I don't know how you live with it. Sure, I like longer hair, but there's a point where I draw the line."
Inuyasha leaned to Sango. "Do you understand any of this?" Sango shook her head, completely lost. Miroku sighed again, and the attentions of said taiji-ya and hanyou were again on the scene in front of them.
"Yeah… well my screw up saved you. If it wasn't for me, Naraku probably would've turned you against us or something. And we can't very well have that, now, can we?" The monk impostor nodded. "Yeah, I know… and you're probably never gonna let me live that down. I know you too well." Miroku scoffed. "Yeah, well obviously not all that well. You really thing I'd shove it in your face?" Kagome shook her head, pouting. "Noo…"
After a moment of silence, the two voyeurs decided to leave, pondering what they had seen. Miroku couldn't help but shake a thought that had been nagging him for the past couple of days. "Hey… Kagome?" Kagome looked up, still a bit miffed. "Yeah?" Miroku turned away, scratching the nape of his neck.
"Umm… what Naraku said… after he had pushed you to do… things with me… he said that you had wanted it. Wait, no. Let me reiterate. That you had liked me, and that he was just pushing you. Was he telling the truth or not? When he told me I wasn't sure if I should have believed him or not. In the back of my mind, I felt happy. I felt ecstatic! but… it was Naraku that said this, so… was he? Or… not?"
Then it was Kagome's turn to shy. "Umm… well… you see…" Miroku egged her on a bit. "Oh, come on… we both know that I love you… I think it's only fair to see how much you like me." Kagome's attention was grabbed. "Wait… what did you say?" Miroku was confused. "That I only think it's fair…?" the monk impostor shook her head. "No… before that." Miroku's eyes softened as he smiled slightly and moved forward a bit. "That I love you." Kagome blushed and also took a step forward, so their noses barely touched. "Yeah… that was it. So… I guess it's more than safe to say that the feeling's mutual."
Miroku smiled and closed the gap between their faces. What started to be a sweet, loving kiss ended up being a lustful, passionate one. Surprisingly, Miroku was the one to break it. "Wait. I don't think this is the time for that… as much as I'd love to, we have other things to worry about. Rain check?" Kagome nodded. "Certainly." With that, they began to walk out of the woods.
They returned to a scene of Kirara and Shippou playing together while Sango and Inuyasha seemed to be thinking up a storm. Inuyasha's ears perked up, and immediately he began to glare at the monk impostor. He stood up and marched over to the said 'monk', getting ready to give her a piece of his mind, when he smelled Kagome's scent radiating from the monk impostor's direction. "You fucking son-of-a-bitch!" the hanyou then began to charge, hackles raised, when both Miroku and Kagome shouted 'Sit'. Inuyasha fell like a ton of bricks.
Sango eyed the two who had just emerged from the woods. "What did you two do?" the miko impersonator just shrugged. "We just… resolved our differences." Inuyasha sat up from the crater, the spell wearing off at that moment. "Resolving your differences my ass. Why the hell does that fucking monk smell like you, Kagome!"
Miroku wasn't going to take any more of Inuyasha's attitude towards Kagome, especially since it would always be Kikyou who in the end would win his affections. "We kissed. So what! Last time I checked, I wasn't your property. You can't just own me for 'x' amount of time and then drop me whenever Kikyou comes around. Sure, you always end up apologizing after a day or two of persuasion from Sango, Miroku, and Shippou, but with you it's like a god-damn broken record!"
Everyone just stared at the miko impostor.
I so can't believe you just did that.
Did I just make a mistake in saying that?
No, that was awesome!
Inuyasha just stared at who he thought was Kagome in utter disbelief. Shippou and Kirara stopped playing to pay more attention what was going on, and Sango had to do a double-take at what she had just heard. "Wait, what? Hold on, hold on. You." She pointed to who she thought was the monk.
"Me?" Kagome pointed to herself, looking to see if Sango had meant for someone else. "Yes, you. We need to talk. Now." She grabbed Kagome's rough, calloused hand and dragged her off to somewhere a bit more private.
Uh… Miroku? What's going on?
I don't really know. Just… tell me what she says, and I'll supply you with answers and everything… I guess.
Umm… sure. I guess it could work.
Kagome smiled slightly, turning her direct attention to Sango. "You wanted to talk with me…?" Sango was pacing a bit at that point. "Alight, I don't know what's going on, and I want answers. So I'm just going to come right out with it." Kagome nodded. "Ok, good. Brevity is a good thing." Sango nodded. "I agree. Alright, did you notice how Kagome was acting completely different towards Inuyasha? And what was that with her being so openly about you two kissing? And another thing… what was with you two simultaneously telling Inuyasha to sit like that? That was just weird…"
Kagome blinked a few seconds, then shook her head. After replaying what Sango had said to Miroku, he gave her his reply.
Wow. Um… I don't really have sufficient answers to that. It sounds more like something you could answer, don't you think?
I… guess…
With a deep breath, Kagome began to answer Sango's questions. "Well, Kagome and I talked it over. I told her how it was completely unfair how Inuyasha was treating her, and how her affections were so seemingly one-sided." Sango nodded. "Ok, so that explains Kagome's outburst. I'm a little proud of her for voicing her true opinion."
Kagome nodded, her slight smile widening just a bit. "But that's not all. She agreed, but then told me that her affections for him weren't all that it used to be. I had asked why, being the curious man that I am, and she said it was because of yours truly." Sango blinked, digesting the information.
"Meaning… she likes you back?" Kagome nodded. "I think after she had been so open with her true feelings towards Inuyasha, admitting that we had kissed didn't seem too bad." Sango nodded again. "Ok, so my last question, why did you guys 'sit' Inuyasha at the same time?" Kagome shrugged, since she herself was puzzled. "Um… I don't know… I guess we were both frustrated at him? You know how I feel about how he treats Kagome. She deserves much better."
Sango nodded. "But… when did you talk this over?" Kagome stopped smiling, confused. "What do you mean? We talked about it just now. When we were resolving our differences, just as we said." Sango shook her head. "No, you weren't. Inuyasha and I went to follow you to see what was going on. What's really going on between you and Kagome, Miroku?" Sango stared up at Kagome with a fierce, determined look on her face that sent shivers down Kagome's spine.
Umm… Miroku?
What is it now?
Cat's out of the bag.
Woah, wait. What's that supposed to mean, Kagome?
It means that when we were talking before, Sango and Inuyasha had spied on us. If they haven't figured it out by now, I'd say that they're a hell of a lot dumber than I thought they were.
What! But… Inuyasha hadn't known that we had kissed! I don't get it…
They must've left before then. How else would Sango know?
Well… hopefully Inuyasha's too dense to figure it out right away.
Sango doesn't fully understand it, either. Should I just tell her? She's asking about it, and we're going to have to tell them at some point.
I was hoping we could keep this a secret from Inuyasha forever, though…
Oh, you… well, Sango wants answers. You ok with me letting her in on it?
Umm… sure. Better you than me, I suppose.
"Hello, Miroku? Answer me." Sango was waving her hand in front of the monk impostor's face. "Alright, Sango, here's the thing." Slowly, Kagome dropped her act. "I'm not Miroku." Sango scoffed. "Yeah, and I'm actually Kikyou." Kagome sighed. "No, really. I'm Kagome. When we went to Mushin's Temple to reverse the Conjoinment, that geezer accidentally put us in each other's bodies. Luckily, the spell is temporary, so Miroku and I are just waiting it out at this point."
Sango blinked. "Wait. So all that time… you were Kagome, stuck in Miroku's body, and vice versa? You've got to be kidding me." Kagome shook her head. "I kid you not, Sango. Just think about it. Doesn't that conversation you overheard sound much more sensible now?"
After a moment of thinking, Sango agreed. "Yeah, it does. But wait… that means that all that time, it was you touching my bum, and that you had exorcised the Headmistress's house, and… and you had asked that woman to bear your child… are you insane!" Kagome rolled her eyes.
"Sango, you don't understand. Both Miroku and I wanted to keep it a secret from everyone. That's why we were both acting like each other for that period of time. And about that woman… I didn't think she would oblige!"
Sango nodded. "Yeah… I think that was an unexpected response for all of us…" Sango stepped a little closer to Kagome. "So… you know that Miroku likes you then. And you like him back?" Kagome smiled happily, nodding. Sango shuffled her foot a bit. "Can I ask you a stupid question?" Kagome shrugged. "Yeah, so expect a stupid answer."
Sango laughed a bit. "Yeah, wasn't it weird when you kissed? You were kissing yourself." Kagome shrugged, shaking her head. "Actually, I didn't realize it until now. It… just felt so right that we just… kissed."
Sango blinked, and then smiled widely. "Ooh, that's so romantic!" Kagome nodded, giggling. "Wait. If this whole predicament is true, that means that Miroku was the one that lashed out at Inuyasha." Kagome nodded. "Yeah… I'm glad he put Inuyasha in his place. I don't have enough courage to say something like that to Inuyasha…"
Sango shrugged. "Miroku was just yelling at Inuyasha for treating you like that. Of course, he dealt a double-blow because Inuyasha thought it was you saying that. So you're really ready to let Inuyasha go this time?" Kagome nodded. "I've been doing a lot of thinking and I decided that I don't like Inuyasha as much as I used to, and that this whole ordeal has brought me closer to Miroku."
Sango smiled as she began to walk towards where they had left the rest of the group. "I'm happy for you, Kagome. I hope it all ends well." Kagome nodded, following. "Yeah. And… Sango?" the Taiji-ya turned around. "Yes?" Kagome smiled sheepishly. "Umm… don't tell Inuyasha, and don't hit me so hard next time I touch your butt." Sango laughed. "Don't worry about it, Kagome."