InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Pack of the West ❯ Hello Again ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Hello Again

 

Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo and Sango were resting in the forest. They had just fought a large demon and had been able to retrieve another jewel shard. It had been a hard battle, Kagome was bandaging Sango's arm where the beast had managed to grab hold of her causing two long gashes. They were tired and sad, all of them missing their fourth friend.

 

Kagome and Sango were getting sick and tired of Inuyasha. He had been extra grouchy and bossy since Miroku had left. Pushing them all to the limit to get the shards, some days they barely had a chance to rest. Shippo, at the moment, was crashed out in the grass, going to sleep as soon as he lay down.

 

“Come on, let's go” ordered Inuyasha getting up from the ground and going over to Shippo to give him a shake.

 

“Inuyasha” moaned Kagome, “Can't we rest just a bit longer? We're so tired.”

 

“The sooner we get going the sooner we can rest at the village, now come on.”

 

Shippo sat up and with his tail hanging started to walk down the road towards the village, the girls following behind as Inuyasha led the way. Nobody said a word, they had barely spoken as the weeks had rolled by, all of the fun and enjoyment of being together seemed to be gone.

 

When they got to the village, Sango feeling a bit more depressed than usual said, “I wish Miroku were here.”

 

“I don't want to hear anything about that dumb monk!” cried out Inuyasha turning on Sango. “He made his choice, he didn't want to be with us, get over it! He was just a pervert anyways, always chasing women. We don't need him, he's useless.”

 

Kagome was shocked by Inuyasha's outburst and just stood looking at him with large round eyes. Sango reacted quicker, walking right up to him she slapped him hard across the face and then ran crying down the road with Kagome and Shippo right behind her.

 

Inuyasha was feeling like a jerk by the time he got to Kaede's hut. He hadn't meant to be so harsh but Miroku leaving had hurt and he dealt with that hurt with anger, lashing out at everybody. He drove them hard to find the shards so he could put his thoughts on something else other than Miroku. He was heading in to try and make it up to Sango when an angry Kaede came out of the door and grabbing his ear, dragged him down the road to a more private area to give him a piece of her mind.

 

“Ow, ow, ow, ow what do you think you're doing you old hag!”

 

“Inuyasha, Miroku's leaving was your fault” she ground out at him making Inuyasha stop his yelling immediately. Now that she had his attention she let go of his ear and continued. “When you took Yumi from him that day, you put the protective instincts the child was making him feel into overdrive. It caused him not to be able to let go when Lord Sesshoumaru claimed her. He had no choice in the matter, the child made sure he would not leave her.”

 

Inuyasha was stunned. Did I really do that? I should have known better, it is my fault. Inuyasha's ears drooped in regret and sorrow.

 

“What do we do now?” he asked quietly. “I…I want to make things right.”

 

“Then go find him child” Kaede said more gently, she had not wanted to hurt the hanyou but she could not let things go on as they had. The others were miserable and being overly tired they were going to make a mistake and get themselves killed. They were already getting wounded more often.

 

Inuyasha looked up to Kaede and nodded. He would tell the girls and Shippo and they would leave after everyone had had a chance to rest. Kaede told him as they returned to the hut that most likely the bond between Miroku and the child had had a chance to settle. She was sure that Miroku, having seen Sesshoumaru not harm the child, would be able to leave. She thought the only reason he hadn't returned so far was because he was afraid the others would be too angry with him and not accept him back.

 

Inuyasha had had to agree, yesterday he would have sent the monk packing but now, knowing what he knew, he wanted his friend back and he intended to get him. How much could he want to stay with my brother, I'm sure he's miserable. Inuyasha was determined to make it happen and telling the girls what they were going to do made them just about jump with joy.

 

“I'm sorry I hit you Inuyasha”, apologized Sango

 

“I deserved it” replied Inuyasha shrugging his shoulders. “Let's just get some rest and then go get Miroku.”

 

What Kaede had told Inuyasha had been true but not just because of the reasons she had stated. Yumi was content with everyone in her little family; she would stay with any of them happily without making them feel like they had to protect her all the time. Miroku too seeing the love Sesshoumaru had for her and, knowing he would protect her with his life, was able to break away from her enough that her demon instincts were not overpowering his senses. If he had wanted to leave, he could have. He would have missed the little girl as she would have missed him but he would not have felt compelled to be with her as he had that day on the road.

 

The thing was he didn't want to leave. He missed his friends, yes, and some days he was very quiet thinking about them and wondering how they were. It was then that Sesshoumaru would come and talk to him and help lift him out of his funk. Yumi and Rin were always a joy and most days Miroku was his normal happy go lucky self.

 

He had realized that he was in love with Sesshoumaru and, being able to tell the stoic demons moods, knew that Sesshoumaru loved him as well and that was the real reason he would not leave. He had found true happiness and was not willing to let it go for anyone or anything. He was more content and relaxed than he had been in years, no longer worrying about bringing a cursed child into the world to continue his grandfather's revenge. He knew without a doubt that Sesshoumaru would avenge him if the need arose and keep their two little girls safe.

 

Miroku never would have thought that he would be in love with a male, let along a male demon lord but there it was and he wasn't ashamed. He enjoyed getting to know Sesshoumaru and came to find out that the outwardly cold demon had a wicked sense of humour.

 

The two of them had gone to a village to get some supplies and had left the girls in the care of Jaken. Miroku could have gone by himself but Sesshoumaru wanted to keep him close. They were returning with Sesshoumaru in the lead, Miroku behind, looking ahead not thinking any thing in particular when he noticed Sesshoumaru's ass.

 

Very nice smiled Miroku to himself watching as it waved in front of his eyes. He did what he normally would do in that situation and brought his hand up giving Sesshoumaru's right cheek a good grope.

 

Sesshoumaru had stopped dead and Miroku thought he was in huge trouble until the white haired demon turned and snaked his hand behind Miroku, returning the gesture with a smirk at the astounded look on Miroku's face.

 

That had started a huge make out session that only stopped because they were so close to a main path and were wary of others passing by seeing them.

 

Ever since then Miroku had to be observant where Sesshoumaru was because, at times when he was not expecting it, he was likely to get groped. Guess I know what all those women felt like, must be karma.

 

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Miroku and Sesshoumaru were following the trail of Naraku having left Yumi and Rin in the care of Jaken until they returned. As they walked on Sesshoumaru stopped at a crossroads, gently sniffing. “Lost the scent?” asked Miroku.

 

“Yes. Can you feel his aura any longer?”

 

“Not anymore but we were close, that's the strongest his aura's been in awhile. He's had to have erected a barrier.”

 

“Humm” returned Sesshoumaru, “he must have known we were near.” As Sesshoumaru continued to sniff, he caught another scent. Inuyasha, he must be following the scent as well.

 

“What is it?” asked Miroku looking around. He had seen the small narrowing of Sesshoumaru's eyes and the muscles tighten slightly in his jaw. He turned to look in the direction Sesshoumaru's eyes had turned to and saw his friends walking towards them.

 

Kagome, Sango and Shippo ran to him laughing and crying and hugging him warmly, Inuyasha stood back from the happy group, not sure if he should join them.

 

Miroku looked up to him with a huge smile. “Hello Inuyasha, how are you?”

 

“Keh, fine” he said beginning to smile himself. He found it odd that Miroku was still with Sesshoumaru.

 

“We're you following Naraku's scent as well?” asked Miroku walking over to Inuyasha; the others stood back wanting to give the two boys a chance to talk.

 

Sesshoumaru was feeling concern as he watched Miroku greet his friends. Will he go with them now? He asked himself, fear beginning to bloom in his heart.

 

“Yeah, I caught his scent earlier but can't find it now.” He stood silent for a moment then said “We came looking for you too Miroku.”

 

Miroku didn't know what to say, he waited to see if Inuyasha would say more.

 

“We want you to come back with us Miroku.” Sango said instead walking towards him as Inuyasha was still standing there, his pride not allowing him to ask Miroku back. “We all miss you, we need you.”

 

Miroku felt like he was in between a rock and a hard place. As much as he wanted to be with his friends, he wanted to be with Sesshoumaru more and he was trying to figure out how to tell them he was going to continue on with the demon lord without causing hard feelings between them all when Sesshoumaru spoke up.

 

“We all seek Naraku, perhaps we should work together to increase our chances for success.” He had only offered to combine their groups as he could feel the tension coming off Miroku and was afraid he would choose to leave him.

 

Inuyasha looked at his older brother with surprise and suspicion. “You'd join with us? Why now when in the past you always wanted to kill us?”

 

“You would not?” Sesshoumaru asked getting angry, not answering Inuyasha's second question.

 

“Thank you Lord Sesshoumaru” said Kagome bowing low hoping to ease the tension she could feel flowing off Sesshoumaru in waves. “Inuyasha, I think we should take him up on his offer, we could find Naraku faster if Sesshoumaru helps us.” She said softly in his ear putting her hand on his arm to prevent him from pulling Tetsusaiga.

 

Miroku was surprised that Sesshoumaru would offer such a thing. He knew that he harboured ill feelings towards Inuyasha and was not sure this was such a good idea but he did not want to offend Sesshoumaru by going against him.

 

“That is a sound plan, Inuyasha” he said standing by Sesshoumaru. He then took a deep breath and added, “You all need to know that what ever you decide I am staying with Sesshoumaru.”

 

They all looked at him in shock, including Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha did not miss that Miroku had called his brother by name and frowned in confusion.

 

“Miroku” said Sango softly not believing what she was hearing.

 

Sesshoumaru, saying nothing, turned and started to walk away secretly happy at what his monk had just said. Miroku looked to his friends and hoping they would take the hint and come, turned and followed Sesshoumaru. Nobody moved for a moment then Sango started to walk after them, Shippo and Kirara hopping one on each shoulder going with her.

 

“Sango” cried Kagome taking a step towards her friend. She stopped and looked back at Inuyasha not wanting to leave him. “Inuyasha” she whispered “Please, we can't leave our friends.” Kagome had tears appearing in her eyes.

 

“Feh”, Inuyasha sighed scowling hard, but he started to walk in the direction his brother and friends had gone, Kagome beside him.