InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Incorrigible ❯ Escort ( Chapter 12 )

Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this little ramble… especially for the monk, whose very appearance can be misleading. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

 

A Debt of Gratitude: Thanks as always are extended to mine beta, Fenikkusuken, who has the good grace to put up with my penchant for alternate pairings.

 

A Note of Thanks: Fitting, one of the oneshots in the Incorrigible collection, received Second Place in the category Best Canon at the IYFG (Inuyasha Fan Guild) for Third Quarter 2007. Thank you so much! ­ -forthright

 

This oneshot was originally posted on December 28, 2007.

 

oOo

Escort

 

Kagome looked up towards the sky and immediately ducked her head, blinking away raindrops. Lovely. Letting her backpack slip from her shoulders, she reached for the zipper only to pause as realization struck. She knew good and well that there was no umbrella in there. Just last night while repacking, she'd been looking for ways to make a little extra room for supplies. In her mind's eye, she could see it, tossed carelessly into the corner by the desk in her room; with the rainiest months over, she'd decided it was superfluous. The insistent patter made it obvious that her optimistic forecast had been overly-so, and Kagome's normally sunny disposition dimmed even further as the cold and damp began to seep into her clothing. Slumping against the rough stone of the well shaft, she closed her eyes wearily and considered simply going back for some rain gear, but suddenly the grey light that had been filtering down into the Bone Eater's Well was shadowed from above.

 

“Kagome-sama,” called a familiar voice as she glanced upwards in surprise. Miroku leaned over the opening, an umbrella in his hand. “Welcome back,” he greeted amiably.

 

Straightening guiltily, she forced a smile onto her face. “Yes, I'm… I just got here,” she offered cheerfully, crossing to the tangle of vines and beginning to clamber upwards. The monk did his best to shield her from the rain as she climbed, reaching out to grip her elbow and steady her as she swung first one leg and then the other over the wet timber. “Thank you, Miroku-sama,” she murmured, glancing around expectantly. “Are you here alone?” No one else was in sight, and the monk was studying her with an unusually solemn expression. Oh no! Worry washed over her, and she couldn't keep her voice from trembling as she looked up at him with urgent eyes. “Is everyone okay? Is something the matter?”

 

He considered his words before calmly answering, “Yes and no.” When Kagome's eyes widened in dismay, Miroku fought back the urge to chuckle. “Yes, everyone is okay, and no, nothing is the matter,” he expanded with exaggerated patience. She was beginning to worry him. Usually, Kagome returned from her era with renewed bounce and determination, ready to take on the world. Today, she seemed drawn, tense, and quick to jump to unwarranted conclusions. He held her eyes for a moment before adding, “I might ask the same of you, Kagome-sama.”

 

“What?” she responded in confusion.

 

The monk leaned closer and spoke slowly, “Is something the matter?”

 

Waving her hands dismissively, Kagome laughed the question off. “With me? Don't be silly. I'm fine!” She took a step away from him, out from under the shelter of the umbrella, and Miroku was quick to extend his arm, following her little backpedal. “So… where are the others?” she asked, desperate to deflect the monk's interest.

 

Fair enough. Miroku caught Kagome's elbow before she could flee towards Kaede's. “There has been a slight change in plans, Kagome-sama,” he announced. “I was sent to bring you to where the others are resting, but we need to go in this direction.” He pointed towards the woods on the other side of the clearing.

 

She hesitated, looking between the monk and the familiar path that led to Kaede's small hut. “Where they're… resting?” she repeated, puzzled.

 

“Yes, Kagome-sama,” Miroku confirmed, taking hold of Kagome's arm and steering her towards the tree line. “They are waiting for us in a nearby village. I will take you to them.”

 

Her brows drew together in confusion. “Inuyasha usually…”

 

“Yes, of course,” interrupted the monk easily. “Unfortunately, he was unable to come himself. You see, we had a small youkai problem, and after he was attacked…”

 

“An attack?” Kagome gasped, digging in her heels and forcing Miroku to a stop. “I thought you said everyone was all right!”

 

“Do not concern yourself, Kagome-sama. Inuyasha is in no danger,” Miroku assured her smoothly. “Now, if you would be so kind,” he continued, gesturing her towards the sheltering forest, “I would be pleased to escort you to his side.”

 

She tipped her head, scrutinizing his face for some sign of… what? Kagome couldn't lay a finger on exactly what it was that seemed off, but something about the monk's attitude was sending up warning signals. Is there such a thing as being too polite? It hardly seemed fair to hold Miroku's courtesy against him. I suppose he's just being… himself. Giving her backpack a little hitch by the shoulder straps, she nodded and allowed the monk to lead her away. “Is it far?”

 

“I wouldn't say that,” Miroku smiled.

 

The rain picked up, beating a steady tattoo all around them, and Kagome was grateful for the presence of the umbrella, though it took a minute to find a comfortable arrangement under its shelter. At first, Miroku tried to hold it over her head alone, but as much as she appreciated the chivalrous gesture, she insisted they share. Walking side-by-side left both of them rather exposed to the elements, so in the end the monk dropped back half a step, tucking his shoulder behind hers and leaning forward as they tried to hurry their steps.

 

When they reached the trees, the overarching branches offered some relief as the leaves caught and slowed the downpour, collecting the water and releasing it in big, heavy drops. Miroku touched Kagome's elbow, bringing her to a stop, and she looked questioningly up into his face. “I have an idea,” he said, extending a hand. “Let me carry your pack.” The request wasn't all that unusual; both of the boys offered to lighten her load on occasion. As she eased out from under its familiar weight, the monk offered her the umbrella handle. “Hold this for a moment,” he instructed, then settled the bag on his own back, its yellow straps standing out in contrast to the deep purple of his robes. Reclaiming the umbrella, he returned to his position behind Kagome's shoulder. This time, without the backpack's interference, he was able to stand closer and didn't need to hunch his shoulders. “That's much better,” he decided aloud.

 

“Which way?” Kagome asked. As far as she could see, there was no trail. Glancing up over her shoulder, she waited for Miroku to point her in the direction they would be traveling.

 

He made a quick survey of the pathless woods, then twinkled down on her. “Just follow my lead, Kagome-sama,” Miroku replied, bringing his free hand up under her hair to rest lightly on her back, between her shoulder blades. She jumped slightly at the unexpected contact and darted him a look that somehow managed to mix confusion and warning. With a low chuckle, he nodded off to their right and nudged her forward.

 

Kagome was very conscious of the weight of the monk's hand and sped her steps a bit, thinking he might take it back, but it became clear that he had no intention of doing so. In fact, as they wound their way through the trees, he used gentle pressure to wordlessly guide her steps. At least I know where both his hands are, she realized with a wry smile.

 

“Tell me, Kagome-sama,” Miroku invited casually. “At what age did you begin your training?”

 

Somewhat taken aback by the randomness of the question, she frowned thoughtfully. “Do you mean… when I started school?” He hummed his affirmation, and Kagome launched into a rambling description of her early education, checking the monk's face periodically to see if he was following her explanation. He listened attentively, giving the occasional nod as he continued to direct the way. Before long, she'd lost herself in their conversation and was paying little attention to her surroundings. When Miroku drew to a halt in front of a large fallen log, overgrown with moss and mushrooms, she didn't think anything of it.

 

“Up you go,” he murmured. Obediently, Kagome followed his prompting, grateful for the hand on her elbow since the deteriorating bark crumbled underfoot and the wood underneath was slick. As she balanced on top, still chattering enthusiastically, Miroku offered her the umbrella and nimbly vaulted over the obstacle. Before Kagome could follow by hopping down, he was lifting her, and she squeaked in surprise. The monk set her carefully beside him, retrieving the umbrella once she was steady on her feet. With a wink, he slipped back into their small formation, a warm palm resting lightly against her upper back as they resumed their journey.

 

A sudden thought slowed Kagome's steps, her words trailing off as she drifted to a standstill. Miroku looked on with bemusement as the young woman craned her neck backwards. “Miroku-sama?”

 

“Yes, Kagome-sama?”

 

She looked up at him, then at the log, then back at the guileless face of her companion. “Why did we go over?”

 

Miroku turned, joining her in the contemplation of the large fallen tree. “It was in our path,” he replied with all seriousness.

 

She waved a hand towards the obstacle they'd just surmounted. “Couldn't we have just walked around it?” she demanded.

 

Effecting surprise, the monk gave her an appreciative look. “I believe you are correct, Kagome-sama.”

 

Exasperated, the miko threw her hands into the air, “Then why…”

 

“Is it true that you keep a cat?” interrupted Miroku.

 

Kagome stared at the monk blankly, trying to make the non sequitur mesh with what she'd been about to say and failing completely. Mentally thrown off balance by the sudden conversational shift, she blinked before answering, “Err… yes?”

 

Miroku slipped into place at her shoulder and encouraged her to begin walking again. “Inuyasha mentioned it in passing, and it caught my attention. It's quite a coincidence, both you and Sango having feline companions…”

 

“Oh, Buyo is nothing like Kirara!” protested Kagome, and soon they off on another tangent as she regaled him with stories of Buyo in specific and pets in general.

 

Rain fell unabated as the pair made their way through the rain-soaked forest, but despite the lowering skies, Kagome found her mood brightening considerably. Though it was just small talk, chatting with Miroku was… nice. She felt vaguely guilty admitting it, but her visit home had been rather disappointing. Mama had been called away to care for an ailing auntie, and Souta had been packed away to a friend's house. Grandpa was busy as usual with the Shrine, and everyone she called had made other plans. For three days, she'd been mostly alone, and the resulting sense of isolation left her in a melancholy frame of mind. The house had been very quiet, and though she'd tried to find ways to keep busy, an unshakeable malaise had settled around her. She'd actually found herself wishing that Inuyasha would come to drag her back early… but he hadn't.

 

“Kagome-sama?”

 

“Hmm?” Kagome responded distractedly, turning from her thoughts to the piercing gaze of her companion. “I'm sorry, Miroku-sama. Did you say something?”

 

He patted her shoulder in what was probably meant as a reassuring gesture and shook his head. “I was merely inquiring after your family. Did your honored mother prepare all your favorite foods?”

 

A wistful look flickered across the young woman's face. She supposed she did talk about her mother's cooking pretty often. “Not this time,” she murmured, giving the monk a smile that wavered before she focused her eyes determinedly on the path. “Mama was away.”

 

Miroku hummed sympathetically, his thumb beginning to trace small circles against a tense shoulder. “I'm sure that must have been…” began the monk, but his voice trailed off as they were forced to a halt. A deep gully cut lengthwise across their path, stretching as far as they could see in either direction. Staring down into the steep-sided ravine, Miroku frowned slightly before offering a contemplative, “Hmm.”

 

“We're not lost, are we?” Kagome ventured, searching Miroku's face worriedly.

 

The monk cast about briefly, getting his bearings before giving the young woman a confident smile. “There is no cause for concern, Kagome-sama. I assure you, I know exactly where we are.” A quick look in both directions, and he nodded firmly. “This way, I think.”

 

Kagome balked at the hint of uncertainty in Miroku's choice of words. “Are you sure you know where we're going?”

 

“Quite sure,” he glibly replied, guiding her to the left. “We're going this way.”

 

They walked in silence for a couple minutes until Kagome gave voice to something that was puzzling her. “Miroku-sama, this village you're taking me to…” She checked to see if he was listening. “If we're going back the way you came, wouldn't you have noticed this earlier?” She waved broadly towards the gully they were following. “You seemed awfully surprised when we found it.”

 

“Not at all,” the monk declared heartily. “I was merely taken aback that we'd reached this point already. Time has passed quickly with such pleasant company to occupy my thoughts.”

 

“Err, right,” Kagome responded with an awkward laugh.

 

“The footing is a bit tricky through here, so take it slow,” Miroku warned, pointing towards a dense thicket coming up that would force them to skirt the edge of the drop-off.

 

As the path drastically narrowed, Miroku's hand slid from Kagome's shoulder to her hip, but she couldn't bring herself to protest the liberty. In fact, she quite appreciated the sense of security he extended as they continued single file, picking their way over protruding roots and uneven ground made slick by the rain. Once the path widened again, he released her waist of his own accord, giving her shoulder a small, approving pat before the warmth of his touch returned to rest lightly on her back. To her chagrin, Kagome realized that the presence of the monk's hand no longer made her uneasy, which only served to highlight the fact that a couple hours ago, she had practically been cringing away from him. Immediately, a pang of guilt for her earlier suspicions seized her, and she risked a look over her shoulder. He's been nothing but a gentleman this whole time. I don't know what I was worried about. Miroku met her glance evenly, brows lifting in silent inquiry, but Kagome simply shook her head and directed her gaze back at her feet.

 

The monk did not allow the silence to continue for long, picking up the thread of their earlier conversation. “Since your honored mother was away, were you entrusted with the care of your brother?”

 

Kagome shrugged and sighed before replying, “No, I didn't get to see Souta at all. He was already staying at a friend's house when I got home, so it was just Grandpa, Buyo and me.” After a moment's thought she added, “Actually, it was mostly Buyo and me.”

 

“I take it from your tone that Buyo-sama's company was less than adequate?” Miroku rejoined with a teasing lilt.

 

Kagome giggled at the misappropriated appellation. “You could say that,” she smiled.

 

The ravine beside which they'd been walking narrowed, but instead of looking for a crossing, as Kagome expected, Miroku bore to the left. The trees around them began to thin and change, and after much squinting through the steady drizzle, Kagome's steps floundered to another stop as she looked around with obvious interest. “Miroku-sama, aren't these… cherry trees?” Kagome asked, looking up into the branches of the nearest specimen.

 

“It would seem so,” the monk agreed readily.

 

“This looks kind of familiar. Doesn't it remind you of the cherry trees just outside Kaede's village?”

 

“Hmm, I suppose so,” Miroku conceded distractedly.

 

“Are we close?”

 

“Close to what, Kagome-sama?”

 

“To wherever it is we're going, of course,” she replied blandly. “Are you sure you know where we are?”

 

Miroku nodded easily. “My sense of direction is excellent, Kagome-sama. I can assure you I know exactly where we are.” When she continued to study the surrounding wild orchard, he heaved a longsuffering sigh and took her elbow, drawing her away from the fruit trees. “This way, please,” he urged, directing her steps back into the thicker shelter of the forest.

 

As they continued walking and talking under the shared umbrella, Kagome lost her earlier sense of urgency and allowed herself to relax. Miroku had told her the others were fine, so there was no real need to hurry. Her escort was going out of his way to be good company, so she let her steps slow to a stroll. The monk certainly didn't complain, simply matching her ambling stride as he let her talk and interjecting the occasional question to encourage the flow of conversation. “So, this `telephone' allows you to speak with someone even though they are not physically present? How is that possible?”

 

It took Kagome quite a while to realize that Miroku's seemingly innocuous questions were not as random as she'd first thought. Brows drawing together in concentration, she tried to remember where his inquiries had begun and what they'd talked about all morning. He's been leading me along, she decided with amazement. Just as surely as he'd been guiding her steps through the woods, he'd been guiding the topics of conversation in order to ply her for information. At first glance, there wasn't any rhyme or reason to his curiosity—school, pets, the duties of a shrine-keeper, favorite foods, modes of transportation and communication, extended family—but his questions were growing more pointed. He was coaxing it all out of her, the focus narrowing, become more personal, circling closer until she was sure that he was zeroing in on…

 

“Is that what was the matter, then?” Kagome stilled, turning to gape up at the monk; he regarded her patiently, then smiled faintly before explaining. “You were not yourself when you returned, Kagome-sama. You indicated nothing was amiss, but I gather that was not entirely truthful?”

 

How did he do that? She nodded dumbly, at a loss for words. She could hardly decide if she should be impressed by his subtle interrogation… or embarrassed that the truth had come out.

 

“Do you feel any better now?” he inquired solicitously. Kagome was startled to realize that she did feel better, and Miroku seemed to read the answer in her eyes, because he smirked down at her. “That's good,” he said with satisfaction and nodded forward, indicating that they should resume their trek. “Do you like walking in the rain, Kagome-sama?” he asked, inviting her to continue their conversation as well.

 

“I… suppose I do,” she admitted quietly.

 

Another hour's ramble brought the pair to the banks of a wide river, swollen by the rain. “We don't have to cross, do we?” Kagome asked, glancing around for some sign of bridge or boat.

 

“No, no,” Miroku chuckled. “We'll just follow it this way,” he answered, gesturing upstream. “There's no need to get any wetter than we already are.”

 

“That's a relief,” Kagome said with feeling. “You know, if your `nearby village' was this far, I don't know why you walked so far to meet me. You should have brought Kirara.”

 

“Hmm,” replied the monk noncommittally.

 

As Miroku's hand propelled her to the left, and they resumed their long trudge, something suddenly clicked in Kagome's brain. Left again? She clearly recalled turning left when they'd encountered the ravine in the woods. Left again on the edge of the cherry grove. Now the monk had guided her to the left a third time. We couldn't possibly be… Another detail snapped into place. “Miroku-sama?” she asked slowly.

 

“Yes, Kagome-sama?”

 

“You came all the way from this `nearby village' to get me?”

 

“I did,” the monk confirmed.

 

“Then… how did you get Kaede's umbrella?”

 

The monk thoughtfully considered underside of the small, green umbrella that Kagome had given to the elderly miko several months back. “I borrowed it from Kaede-sama,” he stated simply.

 

She wheeled around and scrutinized his all-too-innocent expression. “Are we just walking in circles?” she demanded with a growl.

 

“Of course not, Kagome-sama,” Miroku replied with injured dignity. “It was more of a square, really,” he added mischievously.

 

“You… you lied to me? This whole time, you let me think that we were…that the others were… How could you!” She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him with a blend of hurt and indignation.

 

Undaunted, the monk leaned in, quirking a brow challengingly. “I was not the first to prevaricate, Kagome-sama. I merely responded in kind.”

 

“But… but that's different!” protested the young woman, cheeks flushing at the mild censure in her friend's tone.

 

“Is it?” prodded the monk gently. Kagome opened her mouth, closed it, then shook her head, and Miroku chuckled softly at the stubborn pout that graced her lips. “I don't believe our little circuit did either of us any harm. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, it's done the both of us some good.”

 

“I suppose so,” she allowed, though her tone held a hint of asperity.

 

When the young woman relented and offered a hesitant smile, Miroku's eyes crinkled. “You were certainly in no fit state to face Inuyasha. I'm afraid he really is being detained, and he's none too happy about it.”

 

Kagome groaned. “The small youkai problem?” she guessed.

 

Miroku nodded solemnly and confirmed her suspicions. “Shippo wanted to try out a new kind of trap he devised using fox magic. It worked quite well—most impressive, really—but he refuses to turn Inuyasha lose until you're there to protect him from any potential retaliation.” They began walking again, and within minutes, Kagome was recognizing landmarks. This was definitely the river that ran past Kaede's village, and the rice paddies were just coming into view. As the rain began tapering off, Miroku cleared his throat lightly and surprised Kagome by dropping his hand and stepping up to walk beside her. “Kagome-sama, I was wondering…”

 

She immediately recognized the trademark wheedling tone that had secured their group many a night's lodging while on the road. “What do you want?” she asked cautiously.

 

“When we reach Kaede's, Inuyasha is sure to demand explanations for our belated arrival. Perhaps you could find a way imply that your return to this era was unavoidably delayed?”

 

Kagome kept her eyes forward and replied in a scolding tone. “Miroku-sama, are you asking me to `prevaricate'?”

 

“If you would be so kind,” he returned without missing a beat.

 

Of all the nerve! She shot him an exasperated glance. “Miroku-sama, how is that any different than my telling you that nothing was the matter earlier?”

 

The hint of a smile danced in the dimple at the corner of his mouth, but he studiously kept a straight face as he offered his explanation. “In the first case, you were lying to me,” he pointed out, “which is shocking behavior indeed for dear friends such as ourselves.” The soulful expression he treated her to was almost convincing. “In the second case,” he continued more brightly, “you are lying for me, which is just the sort of thing dear friends such as ourselves might be willing to do for each other.”

 

There wasn't a hint of apology in his tone as he conveyed his rather convoluted—and completely self-indulgent—brand of reasoning, but it was just so… like the man that Kagome couldn't stop the slow smile that spread over her face. “I see,” she drawled, skepticism clearly evident, but she didn't keep him in suspense for long. “All right, I will,” she decided.

 

“That is most gracious,” the monk returned with obvious relief and pleasure. “You are an uncommonly understanding person, Kagome-sama.”

 

She shook her head, then reached up to pat his shoulder, returning the same kind of wordless reassurances he'd been extending to her all throughout their peregrinations. “Don't be silly, Miroku-sama. You're the one with the knack for understanding things. I'm just… responding in kind.”

 

oOo

 

End Note: This oneshot was begun as an entry to the Live Journal community iyfic(underscore)contest's challenge for Week 123—Miroku Theme. Mind you, I finished the thing about a month late. I guess this is a case of `better late than never'. 3,965 words.