(Author's Note: Okay, so wow. I haven't updated for so long, and I'm terribly sorry. I just got out of school yesterday, so I had a little bit of time to write more. Sorry it's so short for me to take forever on it, but I completely forgot. Some of you reminded me again, when you reviewed my story. That makes me happy! -
Sorry it's not much, but here it is. I think at least by the end of the summer it will be complete. Yay.
Disclaimer: I don't own the show or manga. I just own the idea. Wo0t.)
"Sesshoumaru, I'm going to go take a walk," Miroku said, not caring if the demon approved or not. He wanted to get outside the walls of the castle, and get some real fresh air. It had been over a month since the last time he stepped foot outside. He didn't feel cramped inside the castle, but he was so used to being outside all the time, since he traveled so much.
"You may take a walk, but I'm coming with you," Sesshoumaru said, following the human outside. He wanted to make sure he stayed out of trouble, and that he wouldn't get hurt. He knew Miroku could take care of himself, and in the demon's own territory of all places, but there was still a side of Sesshoumaru that would not allow him to trust him. He didn't want the human to run away, and he knew if he did, he would have to go retrieve him, which of course was far too much trouble.
Miroku walked slowly down a narrow path, feeling very happy to be able to get out. It was nearly summer, and the weather was nice. The sun was out, and the birds were chirping. There was a soft breeze, causing the leaves on the trees to rustle only slightly, and the flowers to sway in the wind. It was something Miroku wasn't used to, for he had never really taken the time to notice such nice things. There was only one thing that made Miroku still feel cramped. It was the fact that Sesshoumaru was on his tail, following him. Ever since the incident in his room, the demon had kept a close watch on him. He understood why, but it bugged him to no end.
"Do you really have to follow me…?" he asked, glancing behind him, to see the demon casually walking. He noticed the demon was staring intently at him, and this caused the human to feel a little self-conscious. Why did this flawless being have to be so perfect?
"Yes," Sesshoumaru replied simply.
Miroku's face flushed, and he grumbled to himself, fully annoyed now with the demon. The most the demon could do, would at least to make better conversation. He would enjoy the demon's company a whole lot more if he actually were more social. But of course this was too much to ask of from the quiet, secret, dog demon. The only time Sesshoumaru really spoke was when he was angry, or wanted something.
"And why do you need to follow me…?" He asked, stopping, and turning to the demon, Sesshoumaru following suit.
The demon studied him thoughtfully, before answering, "I don't want anything to happen to you," he said, reaching out a hand, and wiping away some stray hairs from Miroku's face. Miroku frowned, not sure of the demon's gentle gesture. What the hell was he playing at here?
"Happen to me…? Do you mean you just want to make sure that I don't run away…?" he asked, sure the demon would say yes. He remembered their little talk in his room, but he thought that was all just an act, as to make him get in better health. But…did the demon really care about him…? He could only find out.
"That too. But I also want to make sure that you don't hurt yourself, or my child you happen to be bearing,"
"Wait…" Miroku stepped back a few steps. "You said me before the child…" he seemed confused. Perhaps it was a common mistake?
"I know," Sesshoumaru still stared contently at Miroku, his eyes not leaving his for a second. "I've already told you, Miroku, I do care about you,"
Miroku turned away as soon as those words left the demon's lips. It was still strange to him, to think that perhaps that this demon really did care for him, and not just the child within him.
"I've yet to see this, Sesshoumaru," Miroku said coldly. He looked out across the land once again, and continued to walk. Once again, that lingering feeling of Sesshoumaru could be felt, and he shivered. He ignored it, and just decided to go on, walking a little faster. To his dismay, he noticed the demon started walking faster, too.
"You know what? Fine! I'm done taking a damn walk. I'm going back in!" Miroku threw his arms up, and started to walk up to the castle again.
Sesshoumaru half smiled, glad the human's pregnancy was taking full affect. The mood swings would be hard to deal with, but at least he knew that everything was going good.
Sesshoumaru felt the wind pick up speed, and he turned to the land before him. He could smell a strange, yet familiar scent. He wasn't exactly sure why this scent had made itself known all of a sudden, but he knew it well. He narrowed his eyes.
"I see my brother wants to pay a little visit to the monk…" he whispered, beginning to walk to where the scent was coming from.
As soon as Miroku entered the castle, he had found that the demon didn't follow him this time. He heaved a sigh of relief, and slumped against the door. Before he could get back up again, a small weight had been almost thrown at him. He winced as soon as he fell on his butt with a 'thud'.
"Miroku!" The little girl cried out. She hugged him tight, and he could only pat her head.
"Rin-san…" he murmured, prying the little girl off of him. He stood up, picking the girl up with him. "What is it?" he asked, rubbing his sore bum.
"I wanted to know if you'd play with me! Jaken says he's busy, and I can't find Sesshoumaru-sama anywhere! So…will you?" she asked, a big grin firmly planted on her face. Miroku was planning to just go to bed, but the girl in front of him made it hard for him to say no.
"Of course I will. But, I think we should go up to my room and play there. In fact, why don't I just read to you?" he suggested, hoping to at least rest a little while spending time with the girl.
"Okay! That'll be fun! I'll get my favorite book, then!" She scurried off to fetch her book, and Miroku watched the girl disappear completely before heading up the long stairwell.
By the time he managed to reach his room, he was already extremely tired. He was grateful, however, that his stomach wasn't fully developed. Otherwise, he wasn't even sure if he could even make it up the steps.
He flopped onto his bed, just barely able to close his eyes, before Rin burst through the door.
"I got the book!" she said, jumping on the bed, and taking a seat next to him. He propped himself against the headboard, and took the book from the excited girl, and began to read. The book was odd. One the monk had never read before, and one he wouldn't expect a little girl such as Rin would ever read, either. The title was called, "War Tactics,". It must have been a book Sesshoumaru had given the girl, or maybe just a book she had found lying around the mansion. The book was utterly boring, and he had barely managed to keep his eyes open for most of it. Rin, however, looked intently at the pictures, and even asked questions about it.
"Rin, I think that's enough for now. We can read the rest later, what do you think?" he asked.
"Aw! But it was getting to the good part!" she looked at him with pleading eyes.
"Have you read this book before…?" he asked, flipping through the book to the end.
"No, I just found it! But if it means spending time with you, then we can read it!" she said happily. Miroku had felt touched, and he pulled the girl closer to him, and hugged her.
"That's very sweet of you, but I don't even see why you would want to be around me lately. I haven't been a very nice person…"
"I don't think so! You're a lot of fun, Miroku!"
"Thanks, I guess. So, what do you say we take a nap?" he asked, yawning. Rin stuck her tongue out.
"Naps are for children! I'm going to go outside and find Sesshoumaru-sama, but I'll tuck you in!" She moved off the bed, while Miroku got under the sheets. Rin fluffed up his pillows, and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before toddling off downstairs.
"Thanks, Rin," he muttered, knowing already the girl had left. He slowly closed his eyes, barely drifting off to sleep when he heard the door open again.
"Miroku, you have visitors…" Sesshoumaru said.
(A/N: Next update? I have no idea. Don't count on it too soon, mkay? Sorry. I'm just so lazy in summer. :P)