InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Incorrigible ❯ Gullible ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this little oneshot… especially for the little lady with a talent for trouble. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

 

Author's Note: Well, it's happened yet again. I joined another challenge community, and this time it's centered around our favorite monk and miko. Bittersweet Love is a Mir/Kag-specific drabble and oneshot contest community on Live Journal. Guess that means Incorrigible will be updated a bit more often in the weeks to come. ׃׃twinkle׃׃

 

This oneshot was originally posted to Live Journal on July 19, 2007.

 

oOo

Gullible

 

Kagome was weakening. The little old woman who had waylaid her while she wandered along the busy thoroughfare seemed so lonely. As the miko gazed sympathetically into the wizened face and wistful eyes, she finally crumbled. “I guess one cup of tea wouldn't…”

 

Her words were interrupted by the sudden appearance of another person at her side and the firm grip of a hand on her elbow. “There you are, Kagome-sama,” a familiar voice interjected amiably. “I thought I might find you here.” Miroku bowed deeply to the old crone, flashing his most charming smile and begging pardon for robbing her of such a delightful companion. “I'm afraid her presence is required elsewhere. It's a matter of some urgency,” he explained glibly. As he made their apologies, an arm took possession of Kagome's waist. She flashed him a warning look for the familiarity, but a fierce light in the monk's eyes stole any protest from her lips. With an excessively polite final farewell, Miroku turned Kagome towards the village center, directed her onto the main road, and hurried her out of town, not stopping until they were lost among the trees.

 

Kagome's confusion grew exponentially when Miroku grasped her by the shoulders and leaned down, searching her face earnestly. “Are you all right, Kagome-sama?” he asked slowly. Too stunned by his odd behavior to do more, the young woman simply nodded. The monk breathed a sigh of relief, closing his eyes and resting his forehead against hers. “Thank Buddha for that,” he murmured.

 

His obvious distress frightened Kagome, and belated tremors began to course through her body. “I don't understand, Miroku-sama. What's wrong? Why are you acting like this?”

 

“I've been looking for you for quite some time, Kagome-sama,” explained the monk. “After you became separated from the rest of us, some of the men from the village drove us out, claiming they did not want any youkai in their midst. Inuyasha sent me back alone to find you, but during my search I began to hear unsettling rumors.”

 

“Rumors?” Kagome frowned.

 

“Yes, Kagome-sama. Apparently in these parts it is not all that uncommon for young women to wander away from their traveling parties and then simply… disappear.”

 

The miko thought fast for a few moments before understanding dawned. “Then that nice old lady…You think she lured me away intentionally?”

 

Miroku nodded. “You are too trusting at times, Kagome-sama.”

 

“I didn't know,” she mumbled in shocked disbelief, wrapping her arms around herself with a shiver. The monk only hesitated an instant before stepping close to embrace Kagome in a silent offer of comfort. He hummed and patted while she sniffled and clung, never once letting his hands wander into forbidden territory. Finally, the miko pulled herself together. “Are the others close by?” she ventured.

 

“Yes. We're not far from the clearing where they're waiting. Shall we rejoin them?”

 

“Lead the way, Miroku-sama,” she agreed, though her smile wobbled a bit.

 

To Kagome's surprise, the monk resumed his place at her side, looping her arm lightly through his own. “I promised to deliver you safely,” he explained with a twinkle. “Just making sure you don't meet any other misfortunes along the way.” Her snort of disbelief only made Miroku grin more broadly.

 

As the monk guided her through the underbrush, a thought occurred to Kagome and she voiced the question that accompanied it. “Miroku-sama, what did you mean back then, when you said, `I thought I'd find you here'?”

 

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before answering, “I'm not sure you'd believe me if I told you, Kagome-sama.”

 

Kagome's curiosity made her eyes shine with interest as she gave Miroku her full attention. “I'll believe you if it's the truth,” she promised in a coaxing tone.

 

Miroku gave a low chuckle, then nodded his agreement. “Well, since you seem to find your way into trouble with a certain degree of regularity…” he began, watching Kagome's indignant pout with amusement, “I simply looked for an ominous cloud. It led me straight to you.”

 

“Noooo!” Kagome drawled, eyes widened in amazement.

 

The monk's delighted laughter rang out through the forest, announcing their return to the rest of their friends. Just before Inuyasha reached them, Miroku released the miko's arm and leaned close to whisper in her ear. “You really are too trusting, Kagome-sama.”

 

oOo

 

End Note: This oneshot was written for the new Live Journal community mirkagfic and their challenge theme for Week 1—Understanding. 724 words.