InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Incorrigible ❯ Loophole ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this short bit of silliness… especially for the young woman who sounds like she's seen one too many soap operas. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

 

Dedication: For RachelWalsh, a.k.a. raychcons, an avid Mir/Kag shipper who agreed to brave canon waters in exchange for a little fluff and nonsense. Barter—it's a wonderful thing. Enjoy the *squish*, sweetie!

 

This oneshot was originally posted on July 2, 2007.

 

oOo

 

Loophole

 

Kagome lagged behind the others, waiting for Miroku to catch up to her so they could walk together. “Miroku-sama, I've been wondering…”

 

“Yes, Kagome-sama?” the monk replied congenially.

 

“It's about your curse…” continued the young woman hesitantly.

 

“Yes?”

 

“You keep telling everyone that you need an heir.”

 

“That's right.”

 

“Is that the exact wording of the curse?”

 

Miroku gave Kagome an odd look, but considered her question seriously. “That is the way Mushin worded it when he explained everything to me as a child.”

 

“So, how flexible is the interpretation?”

 

The monk stared blankly at her for several moments. “Kagome-sama, there aren't any complexities or shades of meaning to my family's curse. If I die before Naraku, the kazaana is the only legacy I will pass along to my heir. It's as simple as that.”

 

Kagome looked thoughtful. “I thought there might be a loophole,” she admitted.

 

“Oh really?”

 

“Well, what if your firstborn was a girl?”

 

“A… girl?”

 

“Well, I don't know if a girl is considered a proper heir in this era. You're always going around asking women to bear you a son, but there's a good chance you would end up with a daughter. Would she be safe from the curse?”

 

“Well, I…”

 

“Or twins! What if you had twins?”

 

“I couldn't really…”

 

“And what about illegitimate children?” she rambled on. “What if you firstborn wasn't your legal heir?”

 

Miroku stopped walking and bowed his head. A hand crept up to cover his mouth, and when he peeped at Kagome, his eyes were sparkling with laughter. “You seem to have given this a lot of thought,” he managed with a chuckle.

 

“Eh?” Kagome replied awkwardly. “Oh! No, not really. I was just… curious.”

 

“Of course,” he continued breezily, “There's really only one way to find out for sure.” The gleam in his eye was unmistakable.

 

“Miroku,” Kagome threatened, one finger raised in warning. “Don't you start…”

 

Ignoring the young woman's protestation with a mischievous twinkle, Miroku caught her upraised hand and clasped it rather dramatically in his own. “Kagome-sama…”

 

“No!” interrupted the flustered girl, cutting off the inevitable proposition.

 

Miroku wilted slightly. “You haven't even heard my…”

 

“No!” repeated Kagome, cheeks darkening as Miroku stepped closer.

 

“Kagome-sama?” the monk coaxed, as the young woman hid behind her bangs. “Kagome-sama?” he wheedled again, leaning down to try to catch her eye. When she snuck a peek up at him, Miroku dimpled affectionately. “You have to say let me it. Please?”

 

Groaning softly, Kagome finally nodded. “I guess I did ask for it,” she admitted grudgingly, yielding her attention to him with a resoluteness that warmed his heart.

 

Giving her hand a little squeeze, Miroku struck a melodramatic pose and gazed soulfully into her upturned face. “Kagome-sama, would you do me the honor of bearing my illegitimate twin daughters?”

 

The young woman couldn't help but giggle. “When you put it like that, it just sounds silly, Miroku-sama!”

 

“I suppose,” admitted the monk as he released her hand and began walking again. After a few moments he spoke up again. “Thank you, Kagome-sama.”

 

“For what?”

 

“Well, for caring…”

 

“Of course I care!” Kagome interjected. “We all do.”

 

“And for giving me something to smile about…”

 

“It's really not a big deal,” she murmured, waving off the compliment.

 

“And for not refusing outright,” finished the monk smugly.

 

oOo

 

556 words.