While Kagome had been talking with Sango, Miroku was left to fend for himself with a disgruntled hanyou. Confused, golden eyes turned on him as the hanyou took a step closer. "What's with you, Kagome? Recently you've been so distant. I admit I probably deserved that outburst, but still…" Miroku wasn't going to take any of this. Kagome would usually break at this point, but although he was masquerading at her at the moment, he was certainly NOT Kagome.
"Don't try to pull that on me again. I'm not falling for that this time." Miroku shook his head, taking a defiant step backwards. Inuyasha, completely confused and dumbfounded, just stared at the miko impostor. Miroku, being one to jump into a problem without thinking twice, got a wicked idea. "Your attempts are futile. I'm not interested in you like I used to be. You kept taking me for granted, and now I'm gone. Next time you'll think twice about taking something for granted." Inuyasha just stared at the monk. Then he began to get possessive.
"What do you mean, 'you're gone'? You're not going anywhere until I get answers. Who was it that put you up to do this? It was that mangy wolf, wasn't it? I'm not going to give you up to some third-rate tail-chaser!" Miroku began to laugh. Hard. "You think I'm doing this because of Kouga? Sure he's vying for my affections, but the way he does so is almost laughable. Who does he think he's kidding? No. I'm not talking about Koga."
Inuyasha was again puzzled. "Who are you talking about then?"
Miroku shrugged, shaking his head.
How dense could someone be?
"Miroku. I like Miroku, Inuyasha." Inuyasha began to growl as he cracked his knuckles.
Oh shit… what did I do!
At that minute, Kagome and Sango returned. Inuyasha turned on Kagome, and for the first time Kagome got to see how terrifying Inuyasha could be.
What did you do, Miroku!
I umm… blurted out that you and I liked each other…?
WHAT! Miroku, he thinks I'm you! He's not going to show mercy in grinding this face of yours into the ground!
Inuyasha took a step closer, hackles raised and a hand on the hilt of his mighty sword.
Kagome stepped back, trying to maintain the distance between her and the growling, red-clad hanyou in front of her.
He's gonna use the Tetsusaiga on me!
Umm… umm… use a sutra!
How!
Before Miroku answered that question, her hand was already pulling out two pre-written slips of paper. She threw them at each of Inuyasha's wrists as two clawed hands jetted towards her, pinning him to a tree behind him.
Inuyasha struggled, but he remained steadfast to the tree. Both Sango and Miroku ran to Kagome, asking to see if she was ok. Inuyasha just glared at her. "What kind of ideas did you put in Kagome's head, you pervert!"
Kagome, glaring straight back, walked right up to Inuyasha. "I didn't put any ideas into her head. She's obviously had enough of your empty promises. She never said she was yours, anyways! She came to me, troubled with your antics. I comforted her, and then she realized how much more harm than good you were doing for her. You have no one to blame, Inuyasha. No one but yourself." Both Sango and Miroku stared at the monk impostor, amazed and happy that she had finally stood up against Inuyasha and his possessiveness.
Inuyasha on the other hand, didn't take too lightly to that. He began to struggle with more force, and for a second there, Kagome could've sworn that his eyes flashed red. She stepped backwards.
That was great. But I don't remember you coming to me while you were troubled…
Yeah… but I probably would've done that in the near future if this hadn't happened. So what do I do now?
Pray to Buddha that those sutras won't give way.
You mean… they could!
It depends on how strong Inuyasha's demon is.
At that moment, Inuyasha's left hand broke free and started swinging at the face that Kagome now possessed. She took two steps back, grabbed Miroku's hand and turned to Sango. "Do you mind if we borrow Kirara for a bit? We'll send her right back!" Kirara transformed, and before Inuyasha could blink again, they had flown off.
They touched down to the ground in Inuyasha Forest, and Kirara padded them over to Bone-Eater Well. Kagome looked down into the well. "We should be able to go through, but give me a jewel shard just in case."
Miroku dug into the pocket of Kagome's kilt and pulled out the bottle of jewel shards. After a hopeful glance had been shared between the two, they both put a hand on the bottle and jumped in. Soon, they were both submerged in the blue, liquid like glow of their surroundings.
After the both of them had landed safely on the ground again, they climbed up and out of the well. Only then did Kagome realize her mistake. She froze, her voice already beginning to sound shaky in her mind. "Miroku…?" he turned to Kagome, curious as to why she was acting the way she was. "What is it?" Kagome sighed. "What do I tell my family?" Blinking, Miroku decided that their current predicament was indeed a challenging problem. After a moment of thought, Miroku just shrugged. "How about we tell them the truth? That should be a good change of pace." He smiled, trying to make light of the situation. "If your mom is all that you say she is, then she will accept it with an open mind and heart." Kagome smiled, realizing that Miroku was right as always.
Kagome led Miroku out of the Well house and towards the main house. When they got to the door, Kagome turned to look back at Miroku. "Are you ready to meet the family?" Miroku shrugged, smiling. "Ready when you are, Miko." Kagome slid the door open and walked inside.
Right as they stepped foot into the house, Kagome's mother called out to them. "Is that you, Kagome?" Miroku smiled. She certainly seemed nice. Her mother turned the corner and stopped in front of them with a large, welcoming smile on her face. She walked up to a very surprised Miroku, pulled him into a loving mother-like embrace, and smoothed back the long raven hair he now possessed. "How are you, dear? It's been far too long since you last came back home." It was then that she noticed her daughter, masquerading as the monk.
"Who's this, Kagome? Another one of your friends from Sengoku Jidai?" Kagome just smiled sheepishly. "Umm… no, Mom… I'm kagome. It's… a long story. Maybe we can fill you in on it?"
The whole thing?
Well… save a select few details that a mother shouldn't be hearing from her daughter, but yes. The whole thing. All leading up to why we came here.
You never cease to amaze me.
How so?
For one, you're amazingly honest. You're also the sweetest thing I've ever been fortunate enough to meet in my whole life.
Kagome began to blush as they sat down on the couches. Bit by bit, Kagome and Miroku began to tell Ms. Higurashi about how they were stuck in their current predicament. "So… you don't know how long it will be until you switch back?" they both shook their heads in unison. "Well, I'm glad you're keeping your wits about you while this is still in effect. I'm sure you've had it rough keeping it a secret from Inuyasha." She cracked a small smile and rolled her eyes. "Kami knows how possessive he can get."
Miroku couldn't stop himself from agreeing as he rolled his eyes as well and muttered, "Tell me about it…" Kagome smirked.
What's that supposed to mean?
It means, my darling little miko, that I agree with your mother that Inuyasha is a total and complete bratty little nincompoop.
Kagome tried to stifle her giggle, but failed miserably. Her mother just looked at her, visibly confused. "What's so funny, dear?" Kagome just pointed at Miroku and replied between giggles, "He… He said something really funny, that's all."
Of course, Kagome's mother still didn't understand. "Um… we can communicate through thoughts. It comes with the whole package of being switched. We can feel each other's emotions and pain as well. It comes in handy at some points, if I do say so myself."
Ms. Higurashi laughed slightly. "I'm sure it would. So how long will you be staying here?" Kagome shrugged. "I'm going to give Inuyasha a couple of days to cool off. Hopefully, he won't drop by looking for me. I'm really not in the mood to deal with him right now…" Kagome shook her head slowly, massaging her temples with the thumb and middle finger.
"You seem worn out, why don't I make some tea and you can show Miroku around? Maybe you can borrow some of your father's old things and change out of those robes." Kagome nodded. "Ok. Come on, Miroku. Let's go get changed." With that, she grabbed hold of Miroku's feminine hand and pulled him upstairs and to her room.
Miroku smiled as he entered the room. All around he could feel Kagome's aura radiating off of each and every little item in her room, and her smell, which was so abundant, completely intoxicated him.
"Um… let me see…" Kagome pulled open her closet as Miroku took a seat on her bed, and she picked out a cute low cut jean and layered tank top combo. "Here. Change into this, and put these on when you're done." She pointed to a pair of sandals that lay at the foot of her bed. "I'm sorry my room's a little messy, I don't have much time to clean it up nowadays. I'm going to go see if any of my dad's stuff fits. I'll be right back, ok?" Miroku nodded. "Sure."
Kagome smirked as she closed the door to her room and skipped over to the guest room. All of her father's stuff had been moved to there after he had passed away. She dug through the boxes of clothes until she pulled out a pair of black jeans and a dark purple polo shirt. "Not bad. Not bad at all!" she started to undress herself.
In Kagome's room, Miroku had already undressed down to the feminine undies he now possessed, admiring Kagome's body in the full-length mirror in front of him. He couldn't help but notice the color of the panties he wore, which were nice, deep lavender. He also couldn't get a grip on how exquisite Kagome's body was. Unable to control himself, he started thinking about it.
Damn, I can't believe how gorgeous she is…
Hearing that echo through her mind, Kagome just smirked.
Why thank you. I'm very fond of my body, too.
She could feel the waves of intense embarrassment that Miroku experienced at the moment wash over her and she just smirked more intensely.
I don't mind if you look, as long as you don't touch anything. So no wandering hands, Mister.
She finished getting dressed and waited outside her room for Miroku to finish. After a couple minutes he came out. As he turned away from the door, he saw Kagome in his body, dressed like a very modern version of himself. He half smiled, nodding in approval. "I like it. Your father has very good taste, I must say." Kagome just smiled and offered Miroku her arm. "Shall we?" Miroku linked the slender arm he had control over and linked it with Kagome's, and they both walked down the steps.
When they reached the living room, her mother was seated down on one of the couches peacefully sipping a cup of green tea. On the coffee table in front of her were two other cups waiting to be consumed. She looked up and smiled warmly. "Oh, look how cute you two are…" Kagome blushed and Miroku just beamed. "Thank you, Ms. Higurashi." They sat down at the coffee table and began to drink their tea.
"This gives me an idea. How about I show you around Tokyo? Call it a… friendly get-together." Miroku shrugged. "Sure. But first I want to finish this tea. It's really soothing!" Kagome nodded. "Of course! We can't let my mother's tea go to waste!" and so they continued to sit together, enjoying each other's company and indulging in many a conversation as they finished their tea.
After they finished their tea, Kagome ran and got her wallet and grabbed Miroku's hand. "Alright then, Sir Monk, let's get to it." Miroku smiled. "Ready when you are, my dear little miko." Ms. Higurashi just smiled as she watched them walk out of the house giggling/laughing and talking.
"So are you hungry? Or do you want to sight-see, and then eat?" Miroku thought about it. "How about you show me around first, and then we can go eat?" Kagome nodded. "Ok, sounds like a plan." They linked arms and then began to stroll down the streets of suburban Tokyo.
As they continued to walk, they passed by the park. "Ooh, let's hang out here for a bit. They recently re-designed the playground, and I wanna take a go on the swings." Miroku nodded, not quite sure what swings were. Kagome then began to pull Miroku towards the park.
Kagome took a seat on a swing, letting it sway back and forth slightly. "This is a swing. Just sit down, my memories will teach you how to use it. It's quite fun, actually." She then began pump the masculine legs she currently had control over, climbing higher and higher. She laughed, happy to feel the wind blowing through the short hair she possessed.
Miroku shrugged, and continued to do the same. It wasn't too long until Miroku was smiling with Kagome, swinging in sync with her.
Kagome smiled, remembering something from her childhood. "Do you know what this means, Miroku?" he could only guess what she would say by the gleam in her eye as she smiled. "That I'm obviously a very bad influence on you, my dear?" Kagome thought about it. "Yes, but that's beside the point. I'm talking about this." She gestured to the way they were in sync as they swung back and forth. Miroku was genuinely stumped.
"No, what does it mean?" Kagome just stared at him, pulling off her best poker-face yet and said, "It means that we're married."
Miroku fell out of sync, to say the least. In fact, he also fell out of the swing.
"What? Now how does that work out!"
Kagome just laughed. "It's just some silly little thing we'd use to say when we were younger. I wanted to see your reaction, and it was better than I thought it would be!"
Kagome got up and offered Miroku a hand up. He took it with a smile.
"Ah, I see. Picking on the foreign 518 year old monk who's prancing around in a twenty-first century teenage girl's body, now, are we?"
Kagome just smiled and nodded.
They got back on their swings, and started to let the seats sway instead of all out swinging. Kagome grabbed a hold of Miroku's hand (but not without blushing), and Miroku interlaced the fingers as they swayed leisurely.
Of course, the two were too wrapped up in their own little world to see three pairs of eyes staring at them from behind the hedges bordering the park.
Miroku smiled at Kagome. "I'm actually getting a bit hungry. What about you?" Kagome shrugged, reluctantly letting go of Miroku's hand. "Sure. What are you in the mood for?" Miroku wasn't sure at all. "Um… I dunno…" Kagome shrugged "So then let's go to Wacdonald's." Miroku nodded, unsure of what that was. "Lead the way, my dear!" Kagome offered Miroku her arm, and they set off again.
As they entered the fast food restaurant and took a seat at one of the more private booths, they immediately immersed themselves in deep conversation.
Your era is so… orderly chaotic. I like it.
I'm glad you do. You might have to stay here for a couple of days, all depending on Inuyasha.
Kagome noticed Miroku's jaw clenching for a second.
Ah, yes. Well, I guess I shouldn't complain. I'll have you all to myself, you see.
Oh dear, whatever shall we do?
Oh, I have plenty of ideas of what we could do…
None of that, Mr. Hot Pants.
Did you call me what I think you just called me?
Mr. Hot Pants? Yes. I called you that. I find it suiting.
Hey Kagome?
Yeah?
There are three girls coming this way that seem to know me. Or… you. What should I do?
Kagome turned around to find Yuka, Ayame, and Eri.
Ah… those are my friends from school.
Oh. So I guess I should act friendly, then?
Yeah, why not?
Miroku waved back, putting on a cheery kagome-smile.
Kagome's memories told him which girl was which. "Hey, fancy meeting you here. You guys want to sit down?" the three friends just stared at the monk impostor, giggling girlishly. Ayame blushed, and waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, but you look like you're… busy, and we wouldn't want to impose…" Kagome, on the other hand, wanted to hang out with them for a bit. So she pushed the offer. "Ladies, please. I insist. Kagome and I were just talking. Nothing too important, really." the words rolled off her tongue smoothly, turning up the charm a little.
Eri giggled again. "Well, I'm in." the two other girls nodded and they all slid into the booth seats. Yuka became curious. "So what about Houjo?" Miroku became curious.
Yes, Kagome? What about Houjo?
Oh, no… you're starting to sound like Inuyasha.
Now, now, you don't need to insult me in such a manner. I'm only curious.
And jealous. Houjo's no one important. The girls are just trying to set me up with him. Of course, I'm not interested, so you can rest easy.
To Kagome and Miroku, they were in conversation again. To Eri, Yuka, and Ayame, they were staring lovingly into each other's eyes. "I guess that answers that question, then." Yuka tapped Kagome on the shoulder. "So what's the deal with you two?" she then turned to who she thought was Kagome. "And why haven't we heard about him?"
Miroku looked into Kagome's memories, seeing if Kagome had ever mentioned him to her friends like she did with Inuyasha. To his surprise and joy, she did.
"Um… well, you remember that guy I told you about?"
All of the girls blinked, their expressions changing as each girl thought of Inuyasha. Yuka was the one to speak up. "Um… that chauvinistic two-timing jealous boyfriend of yours who can get abusive and yells at times?"
My, If only Inuyasha knew how poorly you spoke of him…
Miroku feigned a giggle (which was very unorthodox of him and felt awkward). "No. and he's my ex now." Ayame just gulped. "Meaning… he broke up with you again?" Miroku just blinked. "No… I broke up with him." Eri nodded. "Oh… so it's he's the religious pervert with the wondering hand and eyes?"
My, it seems like they know about every person in Sengoku Jidai.
Haha… no. only You, Kouga, and Inuyasha. I complain about you guys sometimes, and so that's how they know about you.
Kagome decided to jump into the conversation. "Yes, well, I'm trying my hardest to rid myself of those bad wandering habits for Kagome. She deserves much better than that."
Meaning, that if I want to be with you that I'll have to shape up, then?
Precisely.
Your wish is my command, milady.
Miroku giggled again, feigning bashfulness. "Well, I'm just happy you helped me to see the light. Without you I still might be struggling with that brute."
Kagome took Miroku's hand, sandwiching it in between her own as her three friends watched on and began stroking her thumb across the smooth skin. "For a lady such as you, my dear, I would do anything." All three girls 'aww'ed, touched at the romantic scene.
At this point, Miroku was falling more and more for Kagome, and thus his perverted side began to take over. Kagome could feel the heavy, intoxicating waves of desire slowly radiating from the body she used to possess and it began to affect her as well.
I'm suddenly not hungry anymore.
Oh, but I am, my dear. Not necessarily for food, mind you, but I'm starved none the less.
Wanna ditch this place?
Only if you want to, my dear miko.
Kagome stood up, clearing her throat. "Well… if you lovely ladies wouldn't mind, I need to drop this darling creature off at her house… her mother should be expecting her home." And with that, they rushed out of the fast food building. From the window, Eri, Ayame, and Yuka watched as who they thought was Miroku call a taxi, and the two barely got in before kissing feverishly. The three just exchanged shy, embarrassed looks.
Author's Note: Kwahh, i'm back! horray for camp and summer ending! wait... that doesn't sound right... ok, so how about... Horray for getting back to my darling laptop! yay. that's better. i hope you liked the last two chapters, the next one will contain a bit of citrus-y goodness. of course, i don't really understand that whole citrus thing. lemons, limes, oranges, tomatoes... the whole enchilada. (yes, i'm aware that tomatoes aren't really citrus.) so yes. and expect a couple more conflicts. yeessss... chapter eight should be up fairly soon.
again, thanks for my reviewers. you are my insperation, the fact that i keep updating! much love to you all.