Chapter 8

Miroku bowed as he entered Kagome's apartment. "Here I thought these might make your new place a bit more homey." Miroku said, as he handed her a bouquet of flowers. Kagome took the flowers smiling with a slight blush. "Ah, I see the light in your eyes has returned. I was afraid with all the news of the jewel and your life. That maybe it would fade forever."

Kagome's blush darkened. "Oh stop it Miroku, and thank you for these lovely flowers. Come sit down, I'd be happy to have company while I eat." Miroku smiled and went to sit at the small table. "The furniture looks perfect in the apartment. You're a very good decorator."

Kagome sighed. "Thank you, but I suck at picking out men I like." Kagome told him, but she didn't look at him. Kagome simply didn't know what to say after that. She didn't want pity and yet it was there.

Miroku could only imagine how Kagome was feeling. So with a smile he reached out and took her free hand. "No Kagome, you do not suck at picking out men. I think you and InuYasha would make a good couple. It's just that InuYasha chooses to not open his heart, ever."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you Miroku." They both were quiet for a bit. Then Kagome asked. "Do you think me and InuYasha could at least become friends?"

Miroku sighed, he didn't really know how to answer this question. "Well I can't speak for InuYasha, but I can tell you that he doesn't hate you. Even if he comes off as harsh and mouthy. He has issues that not even I can fix, but it is hard to love someone when you find it hard to love yourself."

Kagome looked down at her plate of noodles and thought about what Miroku had said from the night before. She truly wanted to help InuYasha feel at least loved in some way. Even if she did die soon, she wanted to give him some happiness. Though would he only hate himself more if he did love again only to lose the one he loved forever. 'He'd be so heartbroken.' Kagome thought.

Miroku gave a smile and slowly stood. "Well I think it's best I get going. InuYasha will come home and wonder where I am. You should have some quiet time as well. You did mention that you start work tomorrow right?"

Kagome stood as well, not wanting to be rude by not showing him out. "Actually I have tomorrow off yet. I think I'm ready for work though it will get my mind off this jewel stuff." Miroku nodded, he understood what she meant oh to well. As Kagome opened the door for Miroku to exit she told him. "Thanks for the flowers and your company. I do feel better knowing I have friends here.

"Of course Kagome, always." He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Kagome couldn't help but blush a little when he did this. It made her feel special and it was actually the first time a man made her feel special. "Please rest well tonight, I can apply a sutra to your door frame to help you sleep if you'd like."

Kagome giggled, thinking of how Miroku was being so sweet, but at the same time did like her a lot. "I'll be okay Miroku, but thank you." They both bowed and said goodbye. Kagome went back to finish eating and clean up her mess.

While Miroku went home to a very moody hanyou. After closing the door, Miroku turned and found InuYasha looking out the balcony window. "I can tell you're deep in thought my good friend." InuYasha didn't respond. "Well I best get cleaned up and ready for dinner. Anything special you want tonight?" Still InuYasha did not answer. So with a heavy sigh, Miroku went on his way.

"Why were you with the girl monk?" InuYasha asked, but didn't turn towards Miroku. Miroku could hear that InuYasha's voice wasn't it's usual tone, it held more of a youkai growl.

"Excuse me InuYasha?" Miroku replied, as he turned to face his friend. His face held a touch of hurt and anger. I'm sorry, but she does need some friends in her life, especially now." As Miroku turned to continue on his way he heard InuYasha give a slight growl. And within a matter of seconds his demon had emerged. InuYasha's youkai half took aim at Miroku, ready to rip the monk to pieces. Grabbing his staff that was right next to the door leading to the kitchen, Miroku had easily defended himself against InuYasha. This wasn't his first time encountering InuYasha's youkia. "And what is it you want Inu youkai. Does it upset you that I visited the woman? Does she excite you in some way?" Miroku could see his questions to the youkai we're making him even angrier.

"The only thing that will excite me is my claws ripping apart her insides as I dig for my jewel. I don't care what you think monk, she is no interest of mine only as…"

"Your mate?" Miroku ended the sentence knowing that Inu youkai would not admit it. "I know she is the first descendent of the one who cursed you, that we've ever encountered. I know you want to not lay claim to her, but hurt for what was taken from you."

InuYasha growled loudly at Miroku's words. It was true and Miroku knew it. "You shut the hell up monk. Don't think I can't fucking kill you." As they spoke neither one moved. The end of Miroku's staff was almost resting on the front of InuYasha's throat. InuYasha's youkai knew he would not win. All the monk had to do was touch InuYasha with his staff and the youkai half would be thrown back and the real InuYasha would take control again. "The woman betrayed us, it does not matter to me who this woman is, a descendent or not. Nothing is what it should be."

Miroku grinned. "And yet it bothers you that I have taken an interest in her? It bothers you that just maybe I will fall in love with her and she will with me? I can see it Inu Youkai. Even now as I speak of me loving her your eyes grow a darker red. Your breathing is becoming rapid. You may want to rid the jewel from her, but you want her, you want to…."

Once again InuYasha's youkai cut him off. "Fuck her? If you want me to say it then I will monk. But not in pleasure, I want to thrust into her and rip her insides apart. I want to fuck her till she can't scream anymore. And do you want to know why holy monk? Because I want her to beg, I want to take something from her…"

Miroku stood back letting his staff rest against the floor. "You're taking your revenge on the wrong woman youkai. This woman is nothing like the first. And I will make damn sure you never hurt her in that way. I know your human heart will fight to stop you, but I will back him up as well."

With nothing more to say, InuYasha's youkai resides and the hanyou half was in control once more. "Damn, him!" InuYasha cursed, as he slumped back into a nearby chair." He's getting stronger, Miroku. I can't even imagine what will happen now. Still, you're right."

Miroku set his staff down and sat on the sofa. "Right about what?"