LII

De Sartagine

Kagome intends to go alone to explain the situation to Miroku, despite the fact that she thinks it will take some convincing on her part to get Kouga to agree. Kouga will let Miroku stay until there's a break in the winter snow, or until spring, but she knows he's only doing it because of her. Miroku won't be allowed complete freedom, will be watched even if he is not actively guarded. She thinks the precautions unnecessary, but it is Kouga's den and Kouga's wolves and he is protective of them and of her.

She remembers the blaze that Miroku ignited with a single ofuda and understands Kouga's feelings. She won't argue with them, but she knows that Miroku will listen better to her than to Kouga's rage and distrust, and so she goes to Kouga and tells him her plan.

She's right; it does take convincing, and no little amount, either. She reminds Kouga that Miroku has no reason to hurt her; that he knows she's a miko and that he's a flirting idiot, and not a danger at all. Kouga's face tells her that it's that last bit which is the trouble, but she is firm with him and reassures him of her intentions.

"Don't forget that it's up to me, and that I chose you, Kouga. I wouldn't have agreed to – to let you court me if I didn't mean it -"

"Well, I -"

"Miroku will take the invitation and his restrictions better from me, and you know it. It's not like it would take you more than a moment to come to me if I needed you -"

Kouga grins and relaxes a bit for the first time since Kagome brought up the subject.

"That's true."

He still bears the shards of the shikon no tama in his legs; it has proved more troublesome to get them out than is worthwhile – more painful, too. He doesn't think they do any harm, and the increase in speed and strength has already proved useful.

"Just be careful, all right? If I have to save you from him I won't hold back – he's already treading a knife's edge with me."

Kagome nods and wraps her arms around him, just for a moment.

"Thank you, Kouga – for letting him live."

She hurries out into the den and Kouga watches her go. She won't be happy if he follows her, and she's right – the man will listen better to her.

"I don't have to like it, though."

He mutters to himself and paces back and forth across the floor of his chamber.

Kagome smiles at the pair of wolves standing guard outside theroom that Miroku is in and pauses to speak with them.

"Ginta! Hakkaku! You two are on guard duty now?"

She receives an identical pair of winces.

"Yes, Kouga sent us here yesterday, since...well."

"He doesn't trust this human, so he wanted someone strong enough to watch him."

"The elders weren't interested -"

"Didn't think he was a threat."

"But Kouga said someone had to do it."

"So we got stuck with the job, same as always."

Kagome laughs.

"Poor things, and no one appreciates you, hm?"

They nod dejectedly and Kagome pats them both on the cheek.

"Well, I'm sure Kouga does even if he doesn't say it; what would he do without you two? You do most of the work, there'd be chaos if he had to take over."

Ginta looks faintly guilty; Hakkaku snickers beneath his breath.

"That's probably true. That reminds me - Kagome-onee-sama, Kouga asked me to teach you about how a wolf courts a mate."

She nods and flushes a little.

"Yes, he told me he'd asked you. Listen, you don't need to guard Miroku anymore, either he'll be an idiot and run off into the snow or he'll take Kouga's offer and then have a bit of freedom. When I'm through talking to him, do you have some free time?"

Hakkaku grinned.

"If I'm free from standing around here I do. Should I wait for you, Kagome-onee-sama?"

She reaches forward for the edge of the leather curtain that hides the entrance to Miroku's space and nods.

"Yes, please. Miroku seems intelligent enough, I don't think this will take long."

Miroku hears Kagome's voice outside the curtain that blocks him off from the rest of the den, and perks up a little. It's boring beyond belief, being cooped up in here, and though he's been fed and has enough water, and is even free from being tied up, the room he's in is barely big enough for him to take three or four steps on each side.

"...Miroku seems intelligent enough, I don't think this will take long."

He watches her fingers wrap around the edge of the curtain, and then she pulls it back and Miroku sees one of his two guards wandering off up the hall and the other looking considerably more relaxed. Is something changing in his circumstances, finally?

"Miroku-san, there's a bit of trouble with letting you go."

"Ah – what?"

Of all the things that had come to his mind hearing her, seeing her, that was not one.

"It's the snow, Miroku-san -"

He feels a sudden relief. Snow, that's all? Not the will of that Kouga?

"Kagome-sama, please be at ease. A few inches of snow makes no difference to me, I've traveled in such before."

She shakes her head.

"It snowed a lot overnight, Miroku-san. It's still snowing, actually. Kouga says there's probably going to be two feet by sunset. You can't go out in that, Miroku-san, you wouldn't make it fifty feet no matter how strong you are! It's cold, and really windy, and the whole valley is closed off with snow. Even the wolves aren't going out."

"Kagome-sama, I'm afraid you and I are in different positions here. I don't have a choice. You're the wolf's woman, and you have him for your protector – I don't, and I'm not wanted."

Kagome shakes her head.

"That's not true! Kouga's wary of you, because you burned him – he's protective of his pack and you've already proved you can be dangerous, Miroku. I talked to him, and he said he'll let you stay until it's safe for you to travel. Even if that not until spring."

Miroku stares at her, silent, confused, contemplating what could possibly have prompted this offer. She talked to Kouga; she used her influence over the wolf for his sake? His question pops out of his mouth before he can rethink it.

"Why – would you do that for me?"

She shrugs.

"It's the right thing to do. You wouldn't even last five minutes in a blizzard like that. Anyway, even if it's awkward, a winter with wolves is better than freezing to death, isn't it?"

He grins.

"This is indeed true. But please tell me I'm not to be kept in here for the entirety of the season? I appreciate being alive, but it's – a bit confining -"

Kagome looks around and winces; the room is tiny and damp and not the least bit inviting.

"Kouga said you don't have to stay in here and be guarded, but you can't just wander where you please and you'll still be watched."

She leans forward and speaks more quietly.

"Don't – don't test him, Miroku-san. Kouga's kind and generous and brave; he's strong and loyal, but he'll do anything for his pack. Anything."

Her tone is serious but he stares at her strangely, wondering. Who is this girl?

"I know that, Kagome-sama. He's youkai; it's only to be expected; it's why he's dangerous, why they're all dangerous."

But he sees in her stare that she doesn't really understand, and only shakes his head and stands, smiling.

"I will take the wolf's generous offer and stay here until I can make my way out of the mountains without being buried in snow. Please, thank him for me – and thank you, Kagome-sama."

A/N: Arrrrg I slept too much and too weirdly again. Have I mentioned that insomnia is a real pain when trying to keep to a schedule? RAWR I say. At any rate, here is yesterday's chapter. The title, "De Sartagine", translates to "Out of the frying pan". Today's chapter shall be along as soon as I finish it, which should hopefully be within the next hour or two, so stay tuned to this fiction! Many thanks to all ye readers and reviewers! *Note: wow...so many typos. Oops? Fixed 'em!

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