InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Contest One ❯ Running Interference ( Chapter 2 )

Title: Running Interference

Author: Chiisai-tori

Disclaimer: I don't own 'Miroku - the anime!' Oh, wait...it's called 'Inuyasha'....

Summary: In which Kagome saves Miroku from a fate worse than death! Ugly women.

Rating: PG

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"It's too bad Inuyasha and Sango decided not to come," Shippo remarked as a village came into view. "They missed a good fight!"

"They missed out on running away, you mean," Kagome said wryly. Beside her, Miroku hid an amused grin. As the trio had been walking along, an ant with a Shikon shard had attacked them. Now, ants weren't very fearsome, but the miniscule shard fragment that it had somehow picked up had caused it to grow - and ants were uncommonly fast. He and Kagome (with Shippo in tow) had ended up running for their lives, pincers snapping at their heels. By some incredible fluke, Miroku had been able to bring the Kazaana to bear before they ended up as pincushions.

"We did defeat it...eventually," he reminded the girl.

"Yeah, we did. Oh, that reminds me - Miroku-sama, you suck!" She giggled at his mystified look. "Sorry. I've always wanted to say that," she laughed. He shook his head, smiling.

Shippo, who had been walking ahead a little, scampered back and found a perch on Miroku's shoulder. "Ngh!...watch the claws..."

"Sorry. Hey, Miroku - I think something's wrong with this village."

The monk was intrigued. "How do you mean?"

"Well, there're some men coming from there, and they look kind of freaked out."

"Hm?" Miroku could see them now; travelling merchants with goods wagons. When they drew level, he spoke up. "Pardon me, friends - you seem to be in a hurry?"

"You would be too! Er, are you going there now, Houshi-sama?"

"Why, yes."

"You married? Single?"

Kagome stamped her foot irritably. "What does that have to do with anything?" she demanded.

The men ignored her.

"Single," Miroku sighed mournfully.

Inexplicably, the merchant paled. "Be on your guard, Houshi-sama. That village is full of women! Single, unmarried women."

Miroku's eyes glazed over.

"That's it, you've lost him," Kagome declared resignedly. "Come on, Shippo - I don't care if he's busy with his females, we need somewhere to sleep! Let's go." They walked off, Miroku sort of floating along behind them.

'Single, unmarried...full of women...single...oh, my...'

"Can you see an inn anywhere, Shippo?" Kagome asked worriedly. The kitsune peered into the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of any place offering accommodation. As he looked, he noticed something unusual. "Kagome, everyone's looking at us!"

"Inuyasha always draws a lot of attention," she replied absent-mindedly. "That's normal."

"Kagome - Inuyasha isn't here," he reminded her. She stopped in her tracks.

'Huh. I forgot! Now how did that happen?'

Miroku, meanwhile, was also scanning the crowd eagerly - but for an entirely different reason. 'Her? No, too big...too skinny...ugh, wrinkles!...Hm, nice - oh, wait. No...Okay, but the nose needs some help from Tetsusaiga!...too short...what is going on here?'

No desirable females in sight. Sigh. Oh, well - he would just have to look harder! He was determined.

And somewhat frustrated. Travelling alone with Kagome (not counting Shippo, darn the brat!) had been more of a strain on his self-control than he had expected.

Gradually, he became aware of being the object of some intense scrutiny. "Excuse me, ladies? Can I help you?" he asked politely. He glanced around - Kagome was further on in the crowd. Good.

"Houshi-sama...you're travelling with that girl, aren't you?"

He blinked, surprised. "Er, yes."

"Is she your betrothed?"

'I wish...'

"No."

The women visibly perked up. "Is your betrothed in another village, then?"

Mind elsewhere, Miroku blundered straight into the trap. "I have no betrothed, ladies. Now, if you'll excuse me-"

"He's single!" one of them shrieked. All at once Miroku found himself completely surrounded by fawning females.

Now ordinarily he wouldn't have minded at all, but in his dreams (which was the only place things like this happened, unfortunately) the women were lithe and graceful, with long, silky hair and fair, soft skin. That could not be said of his current admirers.

"So handsome!" A gnarled hand petted his hair.

"And strong!" A pudgy arm looped around his own.

"His children will be good-looking." That mouth was missing some teeth...eww.

"Forget them! You'll love my family, Houshi-sama! What's your name? How old are you?"

'What nightmare have I fallen into?!'

"Kagome-sama!" Miroku called, a bit frantic. He had to get free! These women seemed to be intent on leading him to the altar - en masse, if necessary - before nightfall! He renewed his efforts.

"Kagome-sama! Kagome!"

Kagome had given up on finding a place to stay when the noisy crowd caught her attention. "What the-?"

"It's Miroku!" Shippo squealed, eyes twinkling. "He's surrounded!"

"Well, he should be happy then," she grumped.

Shippo shook his head. "No, I don't think so!"

She looked at him, curious. "How come?"

Laughter bubbled up from his throat. "They're ugly!"

Kagome frowned at him. "That's not very nice, Shippo."

"Well, they are!"

She looked at the group. "It's still not nice...oh, I see what you mean..."

"Kagome-sama! Kagome!" Miroku's distressed voice reached her ears. Clearly, he needed rescuing. But how? Things had to be bad if he was leaving the -sama off of her name...

'I don't think just dragging him away will work - they'll follow him,' she mused. 'Hm. Maybe...? It'll be a bit embarrassing, but...alright.' She strode over to the crowd of females boldly. Shippo watched her go, still giggling.

"What're you doing? Kagome? Hey, Kagome!"

Miroku glimpsed the girl making her way through the throng and cheered inwardly. Saved!

"Miroku! I've been looking all over for you!" she cooed teasingly. His eyebrows shot up. And to his astonishment she got closer...and closer...she was hugging him? "Play along," she muttered in his ear, still smiling. He gulped.

Well, who was he to argue?

"I missed you!" she announced loudly, abruptly rising on her toes to kiss him full on the lips.

This was new...not to mention unexpected...and more than a little strange...mmm...

He closed his eyes, bringing one hand up to caress her cheek gently. When he felt her try to pull away, he stopped her by pressing his other hand to the small of her back.

"Aww! I thought you said he was single!"

"He was!"

"Liar! This is so unfair...the cute ones are always taken!"

He ignored the women cackling in the background and tilted his head just a bit, feeling a mite lightheaded. His heart skipped a few beats when the angel kissing him followed his lead. 'Heaven...I'm in heaven...!'

Of all things, Kagome had not expected the rush of heat that went through her when she kissed the perverted houshi. A quick kiss - get him out of this mess - and that was it. Or...it was supposed to be. She was not supposed to keep kissing him. That wasn't part of the plan! But now - she didn't want to stop.

Apparently, neither did he.

A tugging sensation at her skirt brought her to her senses. Quick check - no, not Miroku. Phew!

"Kagome? Kagome, they're gone, you can stop now." Ah...Shippo. The pair backed away from each other, not knowing what to say.

Kagome coughed. "Well, it worked. They're gone, so...that's it!" she concluded gaily, still edging away. To her dismay, Miroku matched her step for step.

"You did that...just to 'save' me?" he asked, curiously hurt and relieved at the same time. 'She only did it out of pity? Charity?'

"Well, yeah!"

He heaved a theatrical sigh and gazed at her. "I feel loved. Violated, but loved."

She gaped at him. 'Violated? When he - groping, and - he - ooh!'

"Well, gee, sorry you feel that way!" she snapped, crossing her arms in a huff and looking away. "See if I ever help you again! Violated! Of all the nerve-"

A hand on her cheek cut off her ranting as effectively as a gag. "Ah, I never said I was complaining, now did I?" He grinned wickedly at her. Now it was her turn to gulp.

'I am in sooo much trouble...'

Not that that was a completely bad thing. Especially as he looked very much as though he was going to kiss her again. Without knowing it, she inched closer...

"Eww! Get a room, you two!"

Miroku sighed, resting his forehead against Kagome's. "You know, nobody would notice if we just left him here."

"I guess the...um, 'violation' will just have to wait?" the girl ventured shyly, blushing madly.

He beamed at her, violet eyes hopeful. "Promise?"

She just laughed.

Next up, Rurouni Star!