Another Side to the Story

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha characters. I do not make any profit from this.

A/N: This was written for the beautiful and splenderific HangNga. She asked for the pairing and smut, smut, SMUT!!!!


He heard the girl crying and sighed. For the past few weeks he'd found himself traveling with a most unusual group. An unpleasantly hostile hanyou, a hyperactive fox youkai and a lovely young priestess. A strange group for him to have fallen in with, but he couldn't help but feel at home with them.

Inuyasha was openly suspicious of his motives and for the most part, Miroku couldn't blame him. He did, after all, try to steal their jewel shards. Scratch that, he did steal their jewel shards. In the spirit of good sportsmanship he'd returned them of course.

Of course. Miroku turned over and peered from half opened eyes at Kagome. The girl was tightly rolled up in her strange bedding, still sobbing quietly. He hated to hear women cry, he always had. He preferred to hear them laughing, flirting with him and watch their cheeks turn pink at his suggestive comments. Kagome blushed very prettily, but to give himself credit, he hadn't tried to touch her since they'd started traveling together.

He was rather convinced that she'd have Inuyasha kill him if he tried it again.

Still, those two fought all the time. The hanyou was rude and condescending, and those were a few of his nicer qualities. The idiot obviously knew nothing about women, how to talk to them, how to be gentle. Instead, Inuyasha insulted the girl and made snide comments until she finally got angry enough to lay a sit on him and throw him to the ground in a helpless jumble of angry limbs.

That amused him, he often hid a smile when the priestess lost her temper. Good thing someone had control over that wild half-demon. They'd told him a little bit about why they were searching for the sacred jewel. Kagome had admitted with no small embarrassment that it was her arrow that had shattered it.

"Stupid wench, what the hell were you thinking?"

"How was I to know that it would break? It's not like I did it on purpose, Inuyasha!"

"If you weren't such a fucking lousy archer..."

"Was I supposed to let it get away? You'd be screaming that I let the jewel get stolen if I had!"

"You're really useless, you know that?"

"Sit!"

Oh, she sat him for swearing at her, she sat him for threatening the little kitsune. She sat him when he intimidated hapless peasants and growled at innocent villagers. If Miroku hadn't been able to smooth over the hanyou's lack of social graces with his friendly-helpful-monk routine, they'd probably never be able to enter a village at all. And that would mean that no one got to sleep under a roof, not that Inuyasha gave a damn, and that they'd never be able to buy supplies.

And it was his money they were using so the damn half demon had better learn to shut his mouth. Every time he sneered at a merchant the prices tripled. They didn't want to sell to a youkai in the first place and it was all Miroku could do just to flatter them into doing business with their small group.

The girl sniffled loudly and struggled out of her blankets. Miroku watched as she pulled those long, shapely legs from under the covers and stood. One major benefit of this little arrangement was that he got to see those legs on a regular basis. It fascinated him that she'd dare to wear such a revealing garment. Most women were much more modest, but Kagome was oblivious to the stares and comments that village men made behind her back.

It was worth spending his own money to buy supplies, it was worth putting up with Inuyasha's temper. On a breezy day, that ridiculously short garment, she called it a skirt, would flutter up and tempt a man to break his holy vows.

Not that he'd ever be stupid enough to take a vow of chastity in the first place. By Buddha he'd been raised better than that! Miroku liked girls very much, he liked to watch them dance and smile at him as they poured sake. He liked the innocent young eyes that watched him worshipfully, he liked the knowing glances of the more mature ladies who knew exactly what kind of monk he really was.

He wondered sometimes if she was really as innocent as she seemed. As they talked and joked, Kagome would sometimes lean into him, taking his arm in a most immodest way. Women weren't supposed to touch men that weren't their family, not with such unthinking ease. She didn't seem aware that her breasts brushed against him when she did so and Miroku swore that if that foul tempered half demon wouldn't take offense, he'd have taken advantage of the situation and gotten his hands on more than just her sweet behind.

Speaking of the hanyou, he still hadn't returned. As usual, they'd had a fight. Kagome and Inuyasha had shouted at each other, bickering like siblings until the half demon had once again crossed the line of good taste and called her a worthless, stinking, stupid human bitch.

Oh, the sit had been spectacular. Inuyasha had gone face first into the dirt so hard that he'd nearly been buried. Typically, it had little effect once the spell had worn off and he'd jumped to his feet, snarled angrily, and stalked off into the forest. Kagome had glowered after him for a few minutes before he'd seen angry tears start to leak from her eyes. Like any other girl her age, she cried when she was angry.

He noticed she hadn't returned yet. Miroku had assumed that Kagome had simply need to relieve herself, but she didn't normally take this long. Hopefully she was not in any kind of danger. With Inuyasha in such a furious mood, he knew the young hanyou wouldn't return until daybreak. It was just as well, Inuyasha was foul company when he was angry and it was just in everyone's best interest to let him cool off before he returned.

Miroku rolled on his back and stared up at the starry sky. "You know you should go after her," he muttered aloud to himself. "It's not safe for her to wander around in the dark forest."

There could be youkai lurking nearby, just two days ago they'd run into a nasty nest of serpents that had been preying on a village. After arguing for a few minutes with Inuyasha about the necessity of assisting those in need, their small group had set off and eradicated the noxious creatures.

The village headman had been most grateful, offering their party the honor of sleeping under his own roof that night. As the headman's eldest daughter had offered him even more than that privately, it had been well worth the time and effort to rescue the village. A monk's duty was sacred after all.

"Damn," he murmured, getting to his feet. He had to see about the girl. Her spiritual powers were developing rapidly, but she was still quite young and inexperienced. And he noticed she hadn't even taken her bow with her. Foolish of her, if she were attacked on her own what could she do? Scold the monsters to death?

Grumbling a bit, he went after her. He was sure she couldn't have gone far, why would she?

"Kagome-sama," he called out softly, searching for her.

He heard a soft sob and turned around. The girl was standing next to a tree, leaning into it as she wiped her face. "What is it, Miroku-sama?" she asked tearfully.

"I was concerned," he answered gently. "You shouldn't wander around in the woods at night. It's dangerous."

She smiled at that. "You're kind to be concerned," she said at last. "I can take care of myself."

No, she couldn't, he thought wryly. The girl looked very vulnerable, holding back her tears bravely. Perhaps she just needed someone to talk to. "I'm sure he didn't mean it," the monk began.

Kagome sniffed. "I'm sure he did," she said bitterly. "Everything I do is wrong, I probably shouldn't sit him like that, but he makes me so angry!"

"It's just his temperament, Kagome-sama. I'm sure in the morning all will be forgiven."

Instead of being reassured, the girl looked despondent. "It doesn't matter," she said softly, looking away from him. "He's right."

Miroku's eyebrow quirked. "What do you mean?"

She sighed. "I am useless sometimes, I don't know anything about fighting demons. And I get scared when we have to fight. I've never had to do things like this before, I should be back home and going to school."

Ah yes, this school of hers. Where all the young ladies wore skirts as short as hers. Miroku felt his mind drifting to lazy fantasies of scores of pretty girls in revealing costumes. He wouldn't mind going to this school himself.

Smiling, he reached out and brushed the hair out of her eyes. "I think you're very brave," he said solemnly.

She giggled and blushed. "You're just trying to make me feel better."

Miroku grinned back at her. "Yes, I am. Is it working?"

Kagome nodded and reached for his rosary bound hand and gave it a quick squeeze. "Yes," she said shyly.

Something about the soft look in her eyes, the way the moonlight shone on her dark hair made him do it. Without thinking of the consequences, Miroku leaned forward and gave the girl a swift kiss. Her eyes went wide and she stood very still as he pulled away. Of course, she was very innocent. He had probably just frightened her.

"My apologies, Kagome-sama," he said quietly, wanting to kick himself. "That was very forward of me."

"It's okay," she said softly. "I've...never been kissed by a man before."

At least she wasn't angry with him. "I find that hard to believe," Miroku answered. "I'm sure the boys at this school of yours have noticed how lovely you are."

Kagome glanced at the ground nervously and he noticed that she still hadn't let go of his hand. "Well, yes," she said finally, peeking up at him. "But they're just boys. You're older."

Just because he was a few years her senior didn't mean that he was elderly, Miroku thought with a grin. "Are you saying that you don't think men would find you attractive? I assure you that's not the case."

Her fingers twitched, tightening on his. "I'm nothing special," she said. "I don't think of myself like that. There are a lot of girls who are much prettier than me."

Grinning, he leaned closer until his lips were only inches from her ear. Miroku could feel her tense, hear her breathing speed up just a bit. This was fun, he was enjoying her flustered look, the curious expression in her eyes. "Well, I am a man," he whispered sensuously in her ear. "And I do find you attractive."

Kagome swallowed hard, he could see her throat bob and the lip of her tongue slipped out to moisten her dry lips. "Did...did you really want to kiss me?"

"Of course," he answered, reaching out to stroke her face again. "But only if you want to be kissed."

"I'm not sure," she murmured. "I'm probably not very good at it. You'll laugh at me."

"Me laugh?" Miroku teased gently. What was he doing, was he actually trying to seduce her? She was young, but she was not a child. Her body was proof enough of that. He'd felt those curves when he'd first met her, scooping her off the road and riding away on her strange contraption that she called a bicycle. Her thighs had been firm against his and the swell of her hips indicated that she was girl-woman, of the age to have her own children.

"I would not laugh at you," he said seriously, edging back a little bit. "You have nothing to be worried about, kissing comes very easy once you have little practice at it."

"Will you show me?" Kagome asked. Oho, she was not as innocent as she seemed. Perhaps he had been wrong to assume she had no interest at all in him. Well, half demons be damned, he would be a fool to turn down a kiss or two from this sweet girl. If nothing else, living with his curse had assured him of one thing. You had to make the most of your opportunities and get everything you could out of life.

He stepped forward to take her in his arms and Kagome automatically stepped back, bumping into a tree. She giggled nervously and hid her smile behind her hand. Miroku gave her a stern look.

"If you want me to kiss you, you will have to let me come closer to you."

Kagome dropped her hand and tipped her chin up, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight that streamed lazily through the trees. He traced her cheekbone, admiring the loveliness of her skin. Well, a kiss might just be a kiss, but there was more to it than just the warring of tongues and nipping of teeth.

Miroku leaned close and breathed across the girl's throat, hearing her soft intake of breath. Too much fun, he could tell she was eager for this practice at kissing. But it wasn't time yet, he didn't want to just devour her mouth. Why not take a moment to explore the sweet Kagome for himself?

With his hands firmly on her shoulders, he moved closer and kissed her throat. She stood very still, as if a movement by her would put him off or drive him away. Gently, he sucked at the skin of her neck, working his way up the sensitive place behind her earlobe. Kagome murmured, her small hands coming up to bury themselves in the loose material of his sleeves.

He knew a thing or two about women, almost all of them were sensitive there. He'd rarely met a girl who didn't like have her ears nibbled gently or the feel of his mouth on her throat. Sensuously, he traced a line with his tongue down her sensitive skin, kissing her so gently that Kagome relaxed utterly in his hands, leaning back against the tree and offering him more exposed flesh.

Miroku made his way up her jawline with feather light kisses, stopping to nip gently at her throat and ear. She was trembling a little and he reached for her chin to turn her gaze back to his. "Do you like it, Kagome-sama?"

"Hai," she whispered.

It was rare to meet a girl that didn't look modestly away when he asked her that. So many young ladies, however willing, refused to admit that it pleased them. Embarrassed to have desires of their own or ask a man to give them pleasure. Kagome was refreshingly different that way, he'd thought so from the beginning. She didn't seem embarrassed at all to be enjoying his touch.

Miroku caressed her face, letting his hands linger in the wealth of soft dark hair. He tousled it a bit, enjoying the way the silky strands lingered on his fingers. With her eyes alight with eagerness, her lips softly parted and waiting for him and her hair tumbled around her cheeks, she was most inviting. He rather thought this was how she'd look after lovemaking and felt his groin stir at the thought.

Was he really trying to seduce the girl? Miroku hesitated, wondering about his own motives. This could get uncomfortable, he would regret it deeply if he pressured her into anything she wasn't ready for. Not to mention the matter of Inuyasha, who would certainly kill him slowly if he thought that Kagome had been coerced.

Her lips were still parted, glistening faintly in the dappled light that felt through the leaves. She did seem to want this, but he had to be sure.

His tongue slipped out and flicked against her full lower lip, making her gasp in surprise. "Are you sure, Kagome-sama?" he asked. His treacherous hand was making its way down her arm, sliding slowly toward her breast. He brushed against her, just stirring her clothing really and felt her respond by arching towards him. There was no mistake; she was returning his desire.

"Answer me," he coaxed as she closed her eyes and leaned against the tree. His fingers brushed against her breast again, this time firmer, tracing the shape of a hard nipple that was poking from the shapeless material of her shirt. "Do you want me to kiss you, Kagome-sama?"

"Yes," she said breathlessly.

"Ask me to kiss you," Miroku murmured, his mouth hovering over hers. When he inhaled he could taste her breath, their lips were already so close. He felt himself growing hard and admonished himself that he had to take this slowly, give her time to consider what she was doing. It was only a kiss.

"Please kiss me," Kagome murmured, pressing against him. The warmth of her burned right through his monk's robes and Miroku felt his own breath becoming short.

"Again," he told her. "Ask me again. I want to hear you say my name."

He traced her cheek again, letting his fingers find her soft mouth. Kagome parted her lips a little further and took the tip of his finger between them. He felt her tongue prod against his fingertip curiously and had to suppress a groan. She could not, absolutely could not, know what that did to a man!

"Kiss me, Miroku-sama," the girl whispered. "I want you to kiss me, please."

"Very well," he said, his voice heavy with desire. Miroku pressed his lips against hers and felt her sigh into his mouth. She was sweet, delicate and soft, and he parted her lips with his tongue to taste her better. Kagome made a soft noise in the back of her throat and eagerly accepted him.

As their lips parted, he leaned against the tree and smiled at her. "Did you like that?" he teased. Kagome nodded, reaching up with both arms to wrap them around his neck.

"Enough to try it again," she whispered.

Miroku blinked as Kagome began to run her hands down his body in a most enticing way. When she found his semi-soft erection and squeezed, he let out a low gasp and almost staggered. "Kagome-sama," he breathed.

"Kiss me again, monk," she said teasingly as she stroked him.

"I'll do more than that," he answered, holding her tight. He tipped her chin back and kissed her again, harder this time, no gentle exploration this time but with pure desire. Kagome moaned softly against his lips and his hand slipped beneath her shirt to cup her breast. She bit down gently on his lower lip and teased him with her tongue. Apparently he'd been mistaken, the girl was not as innocent as she seemed.

"I want you," Kagome murmured, drawing him to her. She was grinding against him now sensuously and Miroku knew that if he didn't want this to be over in less than five minutes, he needed to regroup and take control of the situation.

"Are you sure?" he muttered into her neck, his hand drawing down the strap of her bra so he could toy with the stiffened nipple. He pushed back gently, leaning her against the tree. "Are you sure, Kagome-sama? Perhaps you are simply curious, I would not want you to do anything you might regret."

"I thought you wanted me," she answered, catching his hand so it didn't leave her breast. "The way you flirt, Miroku, I never thought you'd hesitate."

He blushed. "You're not just some anonymous woman in a village," he said truthfully.

Trailing a lazy finger down his chest, Kagome smiled at him. "I think you're misunderstanding something," she said with a pleasant lilt in her voice. "Girls of my time aren't ignorant of sex, I know exactly what I'm asking. Every since we first met each other, I've liked you very much. And I know that you feel the same way, I've seen you watching me as well."

He raised an eyebrow. "What about Inuyasha?" he asked.

Kagome shrugged. "What do you think we've been fighting about so much? He wants you to leave, I want you to stay."

"Is that so?" he asked, pleased. She had a special twinkle in her eyes as she drew him down to her lips.

"It is so," Kagome whispered before she kissed him. "It's you that I want."

Miroku decided not to ponder about it further. That Kagome returned his desire astonished him, that she was willing to act on it thrilled him. Just in case he had any lingering reservations about the matter, she pushed him back with a smile and pulled off her shirt. Slowly, grinning at him, she lowered the straps of her unusual looking undergarment and raised her eyes flirtatiously.

"Do you want to see more?" she asked. He nodded, quite unable to answer her and Kagome smiled again as she bared first one breast and then the other. Miroku licked his lips. The few glimpses he'd caught of her in the hot spring hadn't done her justice, he decided. If he'd known that she was every bit as lovely as his active imagination could have wished, nothing would have stopped him from making this happen.

"You're so beautiful," he breathed, reaching for her. Kagome's head fell back in pleasure as he tasted her, running the tip of his tongue over her pert nipple and suckling it gently. Kagome's hands found his hair, pulling out the small ponytail at the back of his neck so that his hair fell around his face. His palms found the curve of her hips, slowly stroking upwards over her bare ribcage, mapping the shape of her.

Kagome whispered his name as he moved to the other breast, determined to give the same attention its equally lovely twin. She rocked hard against him, digging her fingers almost painfully into his scalp. He nibbled at her gently and was rewarded with a low moan of pleasure, then a soft gasp as he bit down harder.

"Miroku, please," she whispered, stroking his face.

He looked up, concerned. "I'm sorry, I didn't hurt you, did I?"

She shook her head, smiling down at him with flushed cheeks and parted lips. "No, but you're teasing me to the point I'm about to scream."

Slowly, he ran his hands up her long legs until they slid under her skirt. He cupped her rear end lovingly, squeezing gently and kneading the soft, firm flesh. Miroku couldn't help it, he loved the sight and the feel of a woman's backside. It had always done something to him, even when he was hardly more than a boy and Mushiin would take him to villages and show him how to perform. Exorcisms that is, and how to make sure it was the wealthiest house that was the most haunted.

Then he'd seen women bending over, washing clothes, weeding gardens and a young monk's eyes had gone wide at the perfect shapes that were outlined by faded cloth. Sometimes a woman would hitch her yukata over her knees and he would catch a glimpse of calf or thigh, just enough to make a young boy dream before they'd modestly cover their legs from his curious eyes.

As he ran his hands over Kagome's slim, strong legs and her perfectly formed backside, he sighed in pure contentment and leaned his forehead against her belly. When he felt her take his wrist and guide him, make his rosary bound hand find the crevice between her thighs, he sat back and stared up at her.

"Kagome-sama, are you trying to seduce me? I will warn you, I am a monk and I have trained for many years to have self discipline. But if you keep doing what you're doing..."

"You won't be able to resist me," she finished for him. Her warm hand on his pressed his fingers against her, already he could feel the moisture seeping through the thin cloth of her undergarments. "I'm not interested in you resisting me, Miroku. Haven't you figured that much out yet?"

He could. Miroku said a silent prayer of thanks to Buddha and any other deities within earshot. For someone born with a curse in his palm, it seemed that his karma was remarkably bent on paying him back.

Miroku pressed his lips against her bare belly, feeling the excited hitch in her breathing as he hooked her fingers into her undergarments and slowly, very slowly, slid them down over her hips. He guided her as she stepped out of them, her hands on his shoulders for balance. Then, before the girl could react, he pulled her down him, her knees on either side of his so that she straddled his lap.

Her arms went around his neck and pressed his face against her chest when he slid his finger inside her, teasing as he played with her. Her body was very willing, he decided as his fingers became slick with her moisture. Kagome rocked her hips urgently against him while his other hand lifted her skirt and caressed her shapely bottom. She whimpered a little and tensed when his thumb found the bundle of nerves that was hidden in a nest of dark curls.

"Do you like this, Kagome-sama?" he panted as she continued to writhe against him. He barely had to do a thing, this girl knew what she wanted. She was no modest maiden to be afraid of her own pleasure; he was positive that Kagome knew what climax she was building towards. He slipped a second finger inside her and was rewarded with a desperate groan.

"Miroku," she pleaded, her hair sticking to her face with sweat. Kagome managed to raise herself up on her heels, both hands pressing his shoulders back until she had him flat on his back. She moved slow, then faster, riding his cursed hand like it was a joy to her. He found himself becoming uncomfortable, both from the ache in his wrist and the ache that was growing between his legs. He'd never seen a woman abandon herself to pleasure like this, so wanton and needing, so lustful and avid. It left him breathless.

He moved his hand, trying to find a more comfortable position for them both when suddenly the girl cried out, dropping to her knees again and using both hands to wrap around his wrist lest he dare move. He felt her inner muscles spasm as she rocked against him desperately, calling his name in a high pitched voice that trailed off as she suddenly relaxed and went limp on top of him.

As Kagome rested against his chest, he slipped his fingers out of her and stared at his cursed hand. It was a good thing the prayer beads hadn't slipped off, he thought with a wry smile. That would have definitely put a dampener on the mood.

Miroku gently rolled Kagome to the side, sitting up so he could untie his own monk's robe, sliding the purple and blue cloth off his shoulders and shrugging it past his hips. Kagome sat up on her elbow and watched him with smoldering eyes. He grinned at her as she lazily reached for his erection, stroking the soft skin gently until Miroku sighed in pleasure.

"A little excited, Miroku-sama?" she teased as she started to pump him carefully.

He waggled his hand at her. "You should talk. My poor fingers still hurt."

Kagome gripped him hard and made him groan, reaching up to brush her lips against him. "Now you have a pleasant memory for that hand, instead of just a curse."

It was true, he decided. "Actually," Miroku drawled, "I plan on making other pleasant memories and not just for my hand." Before she realized what he was about to do, he rolled over and flipped the girl on her back. Kagome giggled at him, spreading her legs apart so they fit over his hips as he sat between them and stared down at her. Her eyes were eager as she watched him take his rosary bound hand and begin to stroke himself quickly.

"Let me watch you," he breathed. It was a fantasy he'd always had, but he'd never met a maiden who would touch herself, pleasure herself the way that Kagome seemed comfortable with. Most lovemaking he'd experienced had taken place in darkness, soft murmurs and blind groping. Village women were so modest, they didn't want a man to see them naked, much less allow him to look down upon their most private areas as they gave themselves pleasure.

Kagome's lips were parted and she licked them excitedly. "I...I like to be watched," she whispered. "I know you've spied on me when I've gone to take a bath."

He stared at her, incredulous. "You knew about that?" he demanded. And here he thought he'd been discreet, waiting until Inuyasha got in an argument with Shippou or was occupied by ramen. Then the girl would slip away for a quick dip in a hot spring or sometimes even a chill stream. And yes, he'd go to see what he could see.

She smiled at him, enjoying his consternation. Kagome began to stroke herself, one hand between her legs, the other toying playfully with a nipple, pinching it and rolling it between her fingertips until it stiffened into a hard tip.

"Miroku-sama," she said in a teasing little-girl voice. "Did you play with yourself while watching me?"

"I...uh," he said, quite losing his train of thought as he watched those hands of hers continue to prod and stroke. Kagome arched her back against the ground, raising her chest as her hips started to tremble.

"I bet you did," she whispered as both of her hands went between her legs and Miroku became so distracted he forgot to touch himself. "I bet you watched me and pretended it was my hands and mouth that were on you, not just your own hand. Is it true, Miroku-sama? Did you fantasize about me?"

Sweet Buddha, he was going to die from this. He couldn't take anymore, grabbing her swiftly by the underside of her knees and pulling her up to meet him. "Yes," he said harshly. "I touched myself and thought about you, I thought about how good it would feel to fuck you. I thought about how I wanted your body under mine, how I wanted to hear you scream my name when I took you over and over. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Kagome arched her back, crying out softly as he leaned into her, shoving her legs back so that she was completely opened and ready for him. "Now," she panted, reaching for his face to pull him against her. "Please now."

It took everything he had, but he denied her. Leaning over her, his hair hanging in his face and brushing against her nose, he made her look him in the eyes. "Tell me," he whispered forcefully. "Tell me you want me, Kagome. I want to hear it from your lips."

"I want you," she said, begging. The tip of his erection nudged against her, Kagome whimpered and tried to bear down but he wasn't going to let her move. "Tell me again," he ordered her. "I want you to ask me to fuck you."

"Fuck me," she panted, scratching his shoulders. He slipped inside, groaning, hoping his self control was up to this; it probably wasn't. Miroku felt dizzy from this much self restraint, his arms were trembling, his legs felt weak. All the blood had rushed from his head, straining to fill a more vital organ.

"Say please," he said, blinking the sweat out of his eyes.

"Please, Miroku-sama!" Kagome gasped, clutching him to her. He plunged into her, shoving hard into her slick center and heard her gasp. He waited a second before moving, giving himself a chance to catch his breath. Damn, but holding back like that was not what he was made for. And apparently neither was she, and he let the girl wrap her legs around his hips.

"Hold onto me," he growled in her ear, feeling Kagome's fingernails dig into his back. Those long legs tightened around him and Miroku buried himself deep and began to rock her hips against the ground. She moaned and whispered against his chest as he moved harder, faster, feeling her nails raking down from his shoulders to his hips. Urgent now, he had no more words for her, no more seducing to be done as she hissed and bit down on his shoulder. He captured her lips with a hard kiss for that, grinding into her deeply.

"Oh!," Kagome cried out suddenly, clenching hard around him. Miroku didn't stop as she climaxed hard, driving against he with an urgent need, one caught up in the feel and taste of her and the moment. Needing, craving, she shrieked his name and Miroku dove into her, his mind a red tinged rage as he let out a choked cry and thrust hard one last time into her soft and willing body.

"Kagome," he whispered, brushing the hair back from her face. She was still breathing hard, her chest rising and falling under his and Miroku eased himself up on one elbow to avoid crushing her. He was utterly exhausted, all he wanted to do now was grab up his discarded robes and wrap them both in the delicious warmth.

Their legs tangled together as he did just that, cradling Kagome against him tenderly, kissing her lips, her cheeks, her eyelids in a sensuous dance of completion. He hated to bring it up, she seemed so relaxed, but the night wouldn't last forever and tomorrow morning their quest would begin anew.

"Are you going to tell Inuyasha?" Miroku asked gently. He wondered if they'd be in for a fight, if the temperamental hanyou would try to kill him. It was obvious Inuyasha was physically possessive of Kagome, protective as well. He didn't think that he'd respond well when told they'd made love.

"He'll know anyway," Kagome yawned. "That nose of his doesn't miss anything. But it's okay, Miroku. It was my choice, remember? He was in love with someone once, someone who hurt him. I told him how I felt about you, that I wanted you."

"And he was okay with that?" Miroku asked.

Kagome shrugged, snuggling into arms. "In his own way, yes, I think he was. As long as we keep searching for the jewel shards, as long as we both stay by his side. Yes, Miroku, everything is going to be fine."

He stared at the sky after she fell asleep and decided that he was lucky. Kagome was no ordinary woman, and he was no ordinary monk. Perhaps the story could have taken a different turn, perhaps if Kagome had been in love with Inuyasha instead of him, he would have found a different woman to love. A fierce woman, a fighter. But for now, he was content in the arms of this sweet and strange girl and fell asleep with her head pillowed on his shoulder and her dark hair under his cheek.