Interest

A/N Thank you for comments, again! This chapter's short, again, but as the story goes on, the chapters get a bit longer. Since it was a challenge, it was only supposed to be for 24 days, so there's 24 chapters. You all have a great week! :-)

Summary: Miroku’s wandering eyes
Theme: Smile

All the following warnings MAY apply to all chapters, but WILL apply at sometime in the story: MPREG, anal, oral, humor, N/C, H/C, hand job, blow job, WAFF, M/M, Rim, Spanking (mild)

Chapter 9 - Smile


Walking into the next village, Miroku truly hoped that his slow gait came across as an excess of piety and meditative contemplation rather than the results of being thoroughly ravaged every night for a week straight. He thought that most people would assume such – being a monk did have its uses when it came to image and deception – but one never knew. Kagome had often been accused of being a demon’s whore, no matter how pure she actually was, simply due to association with Inuyasha. And here he was, associating with a hanyou.

And since ‘whore’ was a much closer description of Miroku’s current position, at least since they’d begun traveling, he wondered if anyone could decipher the few physical clues and level the same accusation at him. What would he do if they did? Inuyasha would either feel the burning brand of guilt or he’d grow furiously defensive. And in the latter case, it was unlikely Miroku would be able to find the supplies he needed before they were chased from the village.

He paused as they reached the fields separating them from the city proper. It might be prudent to discover how much control Inuyasha had at the moment. Miroku spoke quietly out the side of his mouth. “Inuyasha, how are you doing?”

“What the hell are you talking about? I’m doing the same as I was fucking fifteen minutes ago when you asked me the same damn question!” Inuyasha scowled at him before glaring at the few villagers examining at them both. His fingers rubbed nervously at Tessaiga’s hilt.

Hmmm, grumpy, defensive, and irritable.

Normal, in other words.

“Never mind. I’ll go see if I can secure a few supplies for the next few days, shall I?”

He started walking before he heard Inuyasha’s mutter. “Don’t know why we can’t just forage until we get to Kouga’s.”

“Because a few creature comforts can make the journey much more palatable, Inuyasha. And besides, I need more thread.”

Miroku was certain Inuyasha was flushing at the reminder of their nightly activities. Miroku really shouldn’t mention anything that reminded him of it; it was cruel. Inuyasha couldn’t help it. Mentioning it was like taunting a man for being slow when he’d been kicked in the head by a ox.

Of course, if Miroku didn’t silence him somehow, it was likely he wouldn’t be able to even speak to someone before Inuyasha frightened them off, and that was simply not going to happen. Miroku’s few changes of clothes hadn’t lasted long at all with Inuyasha’s crimson-eyed enthusiasm, nor had the small supply of thread and needle that he’d acquired at the same time. He now had a small bag of rags, no thread, and he was guarding the needle with his life if need be.

Inuyasha would simply have to, as Kagome used to say, deal with it.

They walked silently for the rest of the way, ignoring the stares that always came when people noticed Inuyasha’s ears. Miroku smiled benignly. He was sure that there were comments made that he couldn’t hear, based on the twitching of Inuyasha’s ears, but there was nothing he could do about it except move as quickly as possible. There had to be a merchant in a place this size. Somewhere.

Trudging down the streets, Miroku brought his chin up, projecting dignity and poise so fiercely he wouldn’t be surprised if he glowed a little. Remember, smile, he reminded himself. You’re a holy person. A figure of wisdom, not a man who has been playing male concubine for your half-demon friend.

Looking both ways down a small cross-street, he nodded to himself, still smiling fiercely. “Here we go. A little longer now, Inuyasha, and we can be on our way.”

The shop was open, off the main thoroughfare, and staffed by quite an attractive young woman, as well. He flirted shamelessly, proud of himself as he managed to get the price for thread and a few edible niceties lowered at the same time. It was amazing what a little bit of attention from the opposite sex was doing for his sense of self-worth, as well.

If his backside hadn’t stung when he shifted to take her hand, he might have even been able to forget what he’d been doing recently.

Miroku paid the last bit of coin he had on him and smiled into the shopgirl’s eyes with practiced ease. “Oh, and my dear, I have one last thing to ask of you before I take my leave. You are such a lovely young woman; would you consider bearing my-“

He was interrupted by a loud growling behind him and he let go of the woman’s hand to turn quickly. He didn’t often get a chance to move his backside out of harm’s way these days, but he was not going to chance anything happening out in public like this! All feeling of safety and comfort left and a dark, heavy slithering began in Miroku’s belly at the look on Inuyasha’s face. Miroku licked his lips carefully, staring at Inuyasha and the small crimson ribbons dancing in his eyes. His cock stirred just slightly.

Definitely time to leave.

The thought of everyone’s reaction if Inuyasha decided to take him, here…in front of them all? Miroku shuddered as he carefully slid sideways along the stall’s front, not taking his eye from Inuyasha. He needed to get out of town as quickly as he could.

“Houshi-sama? What did you wish to ask me?” The soft voice interrupted Miroku’s movement and he winced as it had Inuyasha snarling even louder. He was amazed the idiotic girl didn’t even seem to be noticing. Thank the Gods he never finished asking her for her procreative talents. He couldn’t imagine siring a child on such a simpleton.

She reached out a hand to hold onto his sleeve, and Inuyasha’s eyes seemed to grow darker. Miroku couldn’t look away from his face. He couldn’t shake the feeling that if he did, he was going to be leapt on instantly.

“Houshi-sama?”

“It was n-nothing, my dear lady. A temporary thought, that was all. Nothing of importance. May you have long life a-and healthy children.” The words tumbled out while he yanked his sleeve free and waved his hands in a manner he hoped was reminiscent of a blessing. Not even looking at her, he tried to ease himself sideways a little more quickly. Just a few stalls down and he’d be on the main road and then…

…if Inuyasha couldn’t be reasoned with…

…he planned to run very, very fast and hope for his sake that he made it past the fields before Inuyasha caught him.