Need

InuYasha stared moodily at the moonless sky. His whole day had been loused up after Kagome had to run home. Sango had used the time to make an escape too. That left him alone with the monk. Not that he minded, he was glad he wasn't alone.

Miroku had been silent most of the day, allowing InuYasha time to think. Miroku had detected a change in InuYasha's moods, and had wondered if something was bothering him.

"InuYasha.." Miroku started, uncertian of what to say. "Is something bothering you?"

InuYasha sighed. There was more bothering him than just the moonless night. The state Kagome had left in still hung heavy in his thoughts. They had kissed, and all. That's when he discovered that nature wasn't being too kind to her. He allowed her to leave, knowing she would not return till her time had passed.

"Miroku.. there are things bothering me, but I don't think it would be appropriate to share them with you. I don't think you'd understand."

Miroku looked at InuYasha with a mesuring gaze. He could nearly guess the prediciment the young half demon was in. And he was sure InuYasha would feel ashamed of the 'problem'. And he could understand InuYasha's reluctance. To be forward, Miroku feared would get him hurt worse than Sango ever could.

"Maybe a long hot soak would ease your mind? I find when I have too many thoughts, a soak tends to help me." Miroku closed his eyes and lowered his head. "Then again.. "

"Miroku.. I.."

Miroku mentally kicked himself. He belatedly noticed InuYasha's sitting posture. That he could understand, and it was something he was sure the boy would be very bothered about.

InuYasha scooted closer to Miroku, trembling with fear. He ached for human contact. He was afraid of being touched. He was afraid that Miroku would shun him. Then he felt a warm embrace hold him. He held his breath.

"I understand, InuYasha. Would you like to be held?" Miroku paused for a moment. Then his voice dropped into a soft whisper. "Do you want me to touch you?"

InuYasha felt his heart hammering in his chest. He had heard Miroku say similar things to women, but this time, his voice carried a soft edge to it. He took a deep breath.

"I need.. to be touched, Miroku. I.." InuYasha's voice broke and tears slid down his cheeks. "Would..."

Miroku held the trembling half demon in his arms. InuYasha's unspoken words lingered on the tip of his own tounge. Instinctivly, he knew what the younger man wanted, as it was what his own body was aching for.

'I can't touch him. I couldn't face him if I hurt him.' Miroku thought to himself. He didn't relax his hold on InuYasha, as the younger man was relaxing in his arms. He sighed quietly and tightened his hold. He didn't want anything to change, but he began to move his hands, one creeping downward. He hesitated, fearing an outburst.

Instead, what he got was a hand holding his. InuYasha turned his head slightly and gave Miroku a puzzled look. Everything about his look said something, but Miroku couldn't figure out what. He moved his hand further down, lightly brushing the front of InuYasha's pants.

"Either shit, or get off the pot, Miroku!" InuYasha snapped playfully. "If you are gonna cop a feel, hurry up!"

Miroku began to untie the strings on InuYasha's pants. He slid a questioning hand into his pants and lightly stroked the hardness. InuYasha hissed through his teeth, and Miroku could feel him trying desperately not to buck. He paused, fearing another outburst.

"I guess I thought wrong about you, my letcherous monk. All that time, you feel up on women, and here you are shy with me?" InuYasha grinned. "And I thought you didn't care!"

Miroku chuckled. It wasn't that he was shy, just that InuYasha never voiced any curiosity. Could it be, as he noticed a blush creep across his friend's face that he was indeed curious?

"InuYasha.. have you.. you know.." Miroku faltered.

"Mated? Well.. no. That doesn't stop the need to though."

"InuYasha, let me be frank in this, since, you are untouched, Let us just keep this to simple touching?" InuYasha turned his head to look at Miroku witha look of admiration. "

Hesitently, Miroku leaned in and placed what he hoped was a tender kiss. It didn't stay tender for very long.


(( A/N:: This was supposed to be JUST a one shot...but hell .. I'll continue it!))