Author's Note: Thanks for all the advice! As for the update, I'll do my best. I have another story that I need to work on and it's a bit tight. Now I know how stressful writing can be! As for the past tense, I always struggle with that but I'll keep an eye, no, both eyes on it. I only came to Canada two years ago from China and I guess I still have to smooth out the language a bit. But I'll do my best! I'm really flattered and happy every time I get reviews so please keep it coming!
Miroku was in a very good mood. It seemed that he had an exceptional luck with the ladies today. Wherever he went, the servant girls in the palace, both humans and demons, gathered around him and giggled. He just hoped that no one would ruin it for him.
"Monk, have you seen Inuyasha, my 'little' brother?" Miroku gulped, someone just ruined his day. He recognized the cold, chilling voice of Sesshoumaru, the older son of King Inutaisho, and the crown prince of the Western-Lands. "Actually, I haven't seen him all day. What, do you wish to say 'hi' to him?" Miroku said with a fake smile. But Sesshoumaru's not Inuyasha, he wouldn't freak out whenever Miroku shoots out one of his wisecracks. Sesshoumaru stayed calm, but a frown of annoyance appeared on his brows. "Do not be so arrogant, Monk. I can tear you to shreds with these very claws," Sesshoumaru held out his hand, and shreds of poisoned vapour escaped from his fingertips. Miroku couldn't help but shiver at the sight. "If you see him," continued Sesshoumaru, "just tell him that Father wants to know his whereabouts. He told me that Inuyasha's been acting strange lately and he's worried. Though I can't see why he, a powerful demon lord, would want to trouble himself with a worthless half-breed." After he finished saying this, Sesshoumaru turned around and left. "What a creepy fellow," Miroku muttered under his breath.
"Miroku, pss!" Miroku heard someone hissing at him just when he was about to leave. "What?" "Over here!" Miroku followed the voice and looked under a pile of rose bushes. "Inuyasha? Is that you?" Miroku asked carefully when he spotted a piece of red fabric that seemed to be Inuyasha's sleeve. "Of course it's me you stupid monk," came the reply. Miroku sighed, it's Inuyasha alright. Although he's the younger son of the great demon lord Inutaisho and half brother of Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha's nothing like them. Instead of being cool, he's rash, foul-mouthed, and emotional (of course Miroku wouldn't say the last bit to Inuyasha's face). Unlike his father and brother, Inuyasha was a half demon, his mother was human. And that, Miroku had learned, brought him, as well as his entire family, great shame.
"Inuyasha, what are you doing in there? Your father wants you." Inuyasha merely smirked, "The old man never worries about me, he just doesn't want me to do something wrong and bring him shame." "That's not true," Miroku muttered. Inuyasha decided to change the subject, "Is there anyone around?" "No," Miroku answered, then out of curiosity, he asked, "What are you doing in the rose bushes? Even if you want to hide from Sesshoumaru you don't have to pick such a stinging spot! Come to think of it, you are acting strange lately. You hardly eat, you get up early in the morning then disappear without a trace then come home very late in the night. What's wrong with you? I think you even lost interest in sword practice." Inuyasha sighed deeply, which is very out of character, and then jumped out of the rose bush. "Are you my best friend Miroku?" Miroku blinked twice, then answered proudly, "The one and only!" "Then keep this secret for me okay?" Inuyasha looked at him imploringly. "Are you feeling okay Inuyasha?" Miroku asked suspiciously. "Just promise me!" Inuyasha begged. "Okay okay! What is it?" "Miroku," Inuyasha stared into Miroku's eyes, "I think I'm in love."
"What? Is this some kind of joke?" Miroku asked, totally freaked out. But when he saw the sincere and dreamy look in Inuyasha's eyes he panicked. "Look, buddy, I'm really flattered but I don't think we're meant for each other. I think I'll stick with the ladies." That made Inuyasha snap out of his trance. "NOT YOU! BAKA!" Inuyasha punched Miroku in the head, a vain popped on his head, "I'm in love with a woman."
"Okay, I knew that," Miroku said, massaging his head, "tell me about her." Inuyasha's expression turned soft immediately. "She is very beautiful, and smart. And she's the best archer in the whole kingdom I'll bet! But I guess she's too good for me. Everytime I see her I feel as if one of her arrows went straight into my heart, tearing it to pieces. But when she looks at me, her gaze is as cold as ice. She doesn't love me. She doesn't even like me…" Inuyasha wanted to continue, but Miroku cut him off. "Okay okay, stop! You are making me want to puke!" Inuyasha snapped out of it seeing Miroku was indeed turning a bit green. "Look, just tell me who she is!" Miroku demanded. "Her name is Kikyo." "Kikyo, the miko?" Miroku laughed, "No wonder she doesn't like you! You are a demon remember?" "Miroku, what do I do?" Inuyasha asked helplessly. "What you need is a vacation." "A vacation?" Inuyasha was puzzled. "You need to get out of this mess and think things over my friend," Miroku said, "you need get away from Kikyo, from your father and your creepy half-brother." "And where do you suggest I go?" Inuyasha asked. Miroku was at first a bit shocked, Inuyasha was actually listening to his advice? He must be really desperate then. He thought for a moment, then answered, "We're going to Shikon." "SHIKON!? Miroku are you out of your mind? That's our enemy country! And what should I tell my old man?" "Just tell him we're taking a little vacation, which is true, and he won't mind. He even suggested it himself to me once, he noticed your behaviour you know. And Shikon's the perfect place! It's beautiful, relaxing, your brother won't find you there…" "And it's got a lot of beautiful girls for you to hit on, ain't that right Miroku?" Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "Heh heh heh," Miroku chuckled nervously. "Okay," much to Miroku's surprise, Inuyasha agreed. "Great!" Miroku smiled. "Come on, what are you waiting for?" Inuyasha shouted as he jumped away at super hanyou speed. "Wait Inuyasha, haven't you heard of packing?" Miroku shouted after him. "Then make it quick! We haven't got all day!" Inuyasha yelled back impatiently. Miroku shook his head: Inuyasha's back to his old self again and it's his job to keep him that way.
Sorry it's such a short chapter folks, but I just felt like it should stop there. For people who are interested in Shakespeare you can compare this story to Romeo and Juliet! Romeo is of course Inuyasha and Juliet is Kagome. Miroku is Benvolio by the way. I just think it's really funny that when Romeo was talking about his love (not Juliet) in the beginning of the play, he was talking about Cupid and Dian (or the Greek Goddess of the moon, hunting, and archery Artemis), bows and arrows. At the same time Inuyasha was talking about Kikyo. And Kikyo, may I point out, is a master archer.