Marks of Maturity

A/N: -cringe- I know it's short, but it was either make it really short or painfully long, and well, the choice is obvious. As always, if you find any errors in my story, feel free to tell me in a review.


PART IV
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Sango leaned back against the tree.
"So, we made dinner for Totosai, and chopped firewood, and all we found out was that he hadn't seen Inuyasha for a long time." She stared upwards and looked at the stars through the leaves.
"I don't know where he went. He could be dead... he could be a mindless youkai on a killing rampage, since Kaede said his demon blood was taking over." Miroku replied. He didn't like feeling so disconnected from his friend.
"If that's the case, the best thing we can do for him is hunt him down and prevent him from hurting humans," Sango said. She saw Miroku's horrified expression. "You know that's what he would want. He doesn't want to hurt innocent people... and if he's lost his soul, there's no getting it back now."
"I guess you're right. I just... I won't be able to do it. I'm sorry, Sango, but there's no way I can murder my best friend, even if it is for the best."
"Hey, let's not jump to conclusions. But if it comes down to that... I can't do it by myself. Inuyasha is too strong. I'd need your help."
They fell silent as they glimpsed Kagome's form appear from the Bone Eater's Well.
"You're on your own if the worst comes to worst. I'll never kill Inuyasha," the priest murmured, his expression and stance emphasizing his determination.
"Even if it meant losing me?" Sango whispered under her breath, quietly enough that her companion couldn't hear her. She rose and strode off towards Kagome; her collected demeanor betrayed by the way her hands were fisted tightly, causing her knuckles to whiten.

Miroku watched the woman walk away. He knew her well enough to know that she was deeply upset, but he wasn't sure what exactly she was upset by. He lay down idly, watching the leaves overhead flutter with the breeze. "How like a leaf every person is..." he told himself, "we're all just hanging to the thing that gives us life, dancing and battling fate's winds." A small green growth succumbed to the wind's persistence and drifted to the ground. "Once we let go of the one thing that keeps us alive, we don't die right away, do we? Can a fallen leaf possibly find a way to continue living?" He thought for a moment. "No... there's no way. But that's okay, because a leaf torn from its branch can take a long time to float to the ground, and stays green for quite some time. What's keeping me afloat? What do I cling to, that keeps me alive? Am I already falling?"

"...What're you talkin' about, monk? Have you finally cracked?"
"No, I'm fine; I just don't know what I'm talking about. Just a moment of poetic- Kouga?" He broke out of his 'poetic' reverie and looked at the wolf demon.
The wolf in question seated himself next to the monk and stared upwards as well. "Yeah, it's me."
"Kagome's down in the village, I assume since you're here you want to ta-"
"No."
The sudden dismissal of the vivacious priestess caught Miroku off guard. "What?"
"I'm not interested in her; I have no desire to speak with her right now. I don't like the way she's acting."
Miroku fell silent. He knew this day would come. Still, he wondered why the prince had appeared, if Kagome was no longer of any importance to him. His eyes cut to the usually-boisterous prince who now sat soundless and still. Deciding not to push him, he waited. The youkai would talk when he was ready.

Moments passed.

A star fell from the darkening sky, and Miroku remembered being a young boy, always wishing that his father's wind tunnel would magically disappear. He was a grown man now; did he have anything to wish for? He couldn't think of anything he wanted for himself, so he wished for Inuyasha's safety, wherever the hanyou was.

Minutes passed unheeded as the two men sat without speaking.

Finally, Kouga moved. Scratching one shoulder, he remarked, "I'm here on an errand."
"An... errand?" Miroku repeated, stunned. He was astounded that the Wolf Prince would ever consent to run anybody's errands. He was a nice guy, but he didn't do that sort of thing.
"Yeah. I'm supposed to tell you that Inuyasha is fine. He wants you to come meet him... He's living with Sesshomaru. I guess it would be best if I guided you to the palace, especially since I want to keep my head."
"What?" Miroku couldn't have been more surprised if Kouga had told him that his job was to wrangle a pair of wild raccoon dogs, cover them in natto, and ride them to the moon naked. "Who... who sent you on this mission?
"Inuyasha did. It was more of a favor, really."
"But you... you obeyed him?!! And wh-what? Sesshomaru?"
"Of course I did what he asked!" Kouga replied, lifting an eyebrow. "He's one of the two Lords of the Western Lands now, apparently, and while I don't think he would get too mad about me not listening to him... Sesshomaru would kill me for the disrespect. I'm just a Wolf Prince... nothing compared to them."
The wolf sounded bitter.
"S-Sesshomaru?" Miroku repeated weakly.
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru. come on, we need to go get your friends. I'm not sure if he wanted Kagome to come or not, though..." he bit his lip, thinking. "If I bring her to the palace, she'll annoy everyone, and if Inuyasha doesn't want her around, Sesshomaru might get mad. But if I DON'T bring her, and Inuyasha DID want her there, it could spell disaster." He jumped up and looked towards the village.
"Why are you so concerned with carrying out your errand perfectly and making everyone happy? This isn't like you, Kouga."

The prince glanced at the monk. Humans could be so dim. "I don't want to irritate Sesshomaru. For one thing, it would totally fuck up our peace treaty negotiations. I've been working for years to get this far, and if I piss off Sesshomaru, everything will be for nothing. He's holding the cards, and he's so powerful... I have to ensure my pack's safety. Besides, haven't you ever met the guy? It's not a good idea to make him unhappy... he's the strongest being in the known lands."
"You seem to think that Inuyasha's happiness is of utmost importance to Sesshomaru."
Kouga shuddered. "It sure seems that way," he replied, pulling Miroku to his feet.

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"I AM NOT GOING TO THAT BASTARD SESSHOMARU'S HOUSE, NO WAY!" screamed Kagome, having one of her temper tantrums upon hearing the news.
"Well, if you're gonna act like that, I don't want to take you. Good-bye, Kagome," Kouga called as he marched out the door, giving her a backhanded wave.
"I- I didn't mean it, Kouga honey! Please! I want to be with you!" she screamed.

"Wow. Kouga really knows how to manipulate her," Sango said, watching the display.
"I wish I had skills like that..." Miroku groaned, making the demon slayer retaliate with a slap to the face.
"But why is he bringing her along?"
"I guess he decided that it would be easier than convincing her to stay here. Or maybe he just figures that it's a safer bet. After all, if she annoys Inuyasha or Sesshomaru, Sesshomaru's gonna kick her out of his kingdom."
"Miroku, do you really think he would?"
"I think it's more likely that he would poison her."

"Ah, OW! Kagome, please don't dig your elbows into- GAH! Fine, I'll carry you, as long as you stay quiet."
With this, Kagome let loose another wail. "Y-You don't care about what I have to say?!"
"I didn't say that! I just have a headache, really!"
"How cruel of you! Kouga, you're breaking my heart, how could you?" she screamed, pounding on the youkai's muscled chest.
"I- No! It's not you, it's me; remember, I'm a wolf youkai, my ears are so sensitive... I can hear anything you say just fine even if you whisper... so could you whisper what you want to say to me? I'll listen, I promise!" the prince begged.
"Well... alright, but just for you, baby," whispered the priestess, reaching up to stroke a pointed ear.

"Are you sure Kouga's not the one getting played?" asked Sango. "Look, she even has him carrying her. Bridal-style, too."
"I think he's just going along with it... a deluded, quiet Kagome is better than a bitchy, screaming one," Miroku answered. They waited for Kouga to get the drama queen under control. "Interesting technique, having her whisper to him. I'm sure he can still hear her, but there's no doubt in my mind that it's easier for him to ignore her now. And that's precisely what he's doing," he added with a chuckle. He and Sango climbed onto Kirara and set off with the burdened wolf.

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