InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Courtship ❯ Chapter four ( Chapter 4 )

It was taking all of Inuyasha's will power not to go charging to the river right now. True, he had to dig his claws into Sango and Miroku's roof but he was staying put and barely growling. He had taken purchase on the roof after watching Kagome and Sango leave. He had smelt the soaps they were carrying so he knew they were going to bathe. That didn't surprise him and he had been thankful. With the women gone, he could talk to Miroku alone and not after worry about them overhearing. But then the monk had followed before Inuyasha could even move from his hiding spot. Inuyasha wanted to tear the monk apart out of frustration and at the thought that the monk might see Kagome's naked body. He managed to suppress that desire and he felt he was going a good job of it, though he was having to chant, "he's just protecting Sango," over and over in his head and he knew it was true since he had heard the argument earlier.

A part of Inuyasha wanted to go watch as well. He had no desire to see Sango though the sight of her swollen belly did fascinate him somewhat, but Kagome was another matter. He knew that the river was cold; especially since the sun had yet to reach high sky and he could just picture the effects the cold water was having on her, especially on certain parts of her anatomy.

Inuyasha growled. Stop thinking about that, he yelled at himself, you're starting to think like the lecher. Speaking of the lecher, Inuyasha sniffed the air and rose to his feet. Miroku was back and judging by his lack of bruises, he hadn't gotten caught. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes, but that would change if he found out Miroku saw Kagome naked.

Inuyasha waited until Miroku reached his yard before jumping in front of him. Miroku stared at the red hoari first before looking but at Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha? I was hoping I would run into you."

Inuyasha growled.

"I know you went to the river, monk. If you-"

Miroku raised a hand, interrupting Inuyasha's threats and silencing his growls.

"Before you threatened to tear me from limb to limb, let me explain." Miroku reasoned calmly, "I didn't see anything and nor was I intending to." He lowered his hand and met Inuyasha's eyes. "I merely wished to protect them from any trouble that might have befallen them."

Inuyasha snarled, "Kagome is for me to protect."

"I never said it wasn't."

Miroku sighed. It didn't matter that Miroku was "mated" as Inuyasha called it. He was still a male therefore Inuyasha still threatened him from time to time. He was just a little more relaxed about Miroku being around Kagome and was willing to allow casual touches but that was all. So the snarl was expected but Miroku wished that Inuyasha would stop being so overprotective of Kagome and let reason sink into to his thick skull.

Miroku walked over to his bench to sit and relax, not that he could since Inuyasha was still growling but he heard it all before and brushed it off.

"Whether you like it or not Inuyasha," Miroku continued, "I will always protect Kagome. She is both friend and family." Miroku looked up at Inuyasha when the growling rose in volume. "Are you not protective of Sango?"

The growling ceased. Inuyasha looked away from Miroku and crossed his arms. Of course he was protective of Sango, he was always protective of women, especially those that he considered family and he couldn't help but be more so since he started smelling the new life growing inside her. True he avoided her most of the time. It was a self-preservation instincts; Sango had grown crazy in her pregnant state. But it was he that cleared her yard of any rocks that might make her trip in her fragile condition and it was he who intercepted a group of playing children when they were unknowingly heading right for her and in turned ended up getting dog-pilled with Shippo and Kagome cheering them on.

Miroku smiled at the confession he read in Inuyasha's body language before once again turning solemn.

"Inuyasha," he asked, "what is going on between you and Kagome?"

Inuyasha snapped his attention back to Miroku.

"What the hell do you mean, monk?"

Did he know? Fuck, if Miroku knew then the whole village might know. Inuyasha wasn't ashamed of his feelings for Kagome but he didn't want the whole village pestering him and Kagome and he defiantly didn't want the rumors that women always seem to spread. Plus, he wanted Kagome to accept him before telling anyone that way if she rejected him, he would still have some of his pride intact. It was bad enough he had to tell Miroku but as long as it was just him, Inuyasha could handle it.

Miroku closed his eyes and sighed before leaning against the wall.

"Inuyasha, I am tired and not in the mood to play these games. Either tell me now and we talk or don't tell me and let me rest."

Inuyasha started at Miroku before biting his lip and turned away. Dammit, he was acting like a suitor asking a father for his daughter's hand. But wait, didn't Miroku say that Kagome was family. Inuyasha thought to himself. Then I guess I am asking in a way.

Miroku cleared his throat.

"Well?"

"I'm courting Kagome," Inuyasha finally answered.

Miroku smiled but he kept it small. Getting the confession had taken less effort than he thought it would take.

"About time."

Inuyasha turned and faced Miroku, surprise clearly written in his eyes. Miroku couldn't help but laugh at this and he motioned for Inuyasha to sit next to him. Inuyasha hesitated but eventually complied.

"So," Miroku continued once his laughter had passed and Inuyasha was seated. "What do you wish to speak to me about?"

Inuyasha looked down at his feet.

"I don't know if it's working."

Miroku cracked a smile, he knew different but wisely kept his mouth shut.

"And why is that?"

"For starters, I don't know if she loves me."

Humor turned to anger and Miroku wished his had his staff. He settled for the plow.

"Oww."

Inuyasha sat holding the back of his injured head as Miroku leaned the plow back against the wall and sat back down like nothing had happened. He decided he should hit Inuyasha more often; it did help him feel better.

"What the hell was that for? Inuyasha growled, baring his fangs and cleansing his fist once he had gotten over the shock and pain.

Miroku sighed, not the least intimidated by the hostility in the hanyou's eyes.

"If you haven't figured it out then I'm not sure if I should tell you."

Inuyasha's growl grew louder and Miroku opened his eyes into narrow slits to glare at the hanyou.

"Inuyasha, it had been clear to me since the day we met, that Kagome has been in love with you." Miroku crossed his arms and made himself more comfortable. "Why that is I don't know but what I don't understand is how it is that you never saw it."

Inuyasha growled again but this one was in frustration instead of hostility. He turned away from Miroku as he let the words sink in. Kagome loved him. Inuyasha wouldn't have been able to stop the smile that suddenly formed on his lips if he tried. Kagome loved him. Inuyasha's heart was beating so fast in excitement that it hurt but he welcomed the hurt. Now he knew that she loved him so maybe things would get easier for him. Inuyasha thought back to how casual Kagome accepted the food and he frowned, maybe not.

Miroku watched the smile fade and narrowed his eyes before studying his garden.

"What else is the problem?"

"I don't know if she's accepting me or just being nice."

Well, that confession came out faster than Miroku expected but he ignored that and bit his lip to keep himself from laughing at the worry in Inuyasha's voice. If he weren't careful, he would end up picking on Inuyasha more than he intended to but considering how tense and tired he had been lately, he felt he deserved a little fun.

"Well, what have you been doing?" Miroku asked.

"Bringing her food and spending time with her."

Inuyasha didn't mention that he was also touching Kagome. He knew that if he did, Miroku's with his perverted mind, would tease him until Inuyasha would be compelled to kill him and he knew that the monk would bring it up at the most inconvenient of times. Inuyasha's wouldn't give him the chance.

Miroku glanced at Inuyasha from the corner of his eye. He had noticed that Inuyasha hadn't mentioned touching Kagome. He would have to be careful about what he said now. If he accidentally gave away the fact that he already knew that Inuyasha was courting Kagome, Inuyasha would feel humiliated and leave and not take his advise. After what Miroku had heard at the river, he did not want that to happen.

But even though Inuyasha hadn't mentioned that one little detail, it didn't mean he couldn't tease him.

"She's probably being nice."

Inuyasha glared at Miroku.

"Monk, if you're going to start teasing me, I swear I'll-"

"Relax Inuyasha. I meant no harm." Miroku closed his eyes and pretended to go into deep thought. "I don't know what is going through Kagome's head about all this attention. Confusion most like but other than that, I know nothing." Miroku lied.

"I know." Inuyasha once again turned his eyes to his feet, "But your human."

Miroku stared at Inuyasha, his eyes narrowed in confusion.

"So."

"The only information I got was from Sesshoumaru."

"And he only knows about youki courtship," Miroku finished as he now began to understand, "and you want me to tell you about human courtships."

Inuyasha nodded and looked off to the woods where Kagome and Sango would be returning. He wanted to make sure Kagome didn't see him getting help from the monk. He couldn't afford her getting suspicious.

Miroku rubbed his chin and began to think. He wasn't an expert in courtship and flexing his right hand, he remembered why that was. But he was an observer and he knew what women liked and some of it was just plan common knowledge.

"What you're doing is not too different from how humans court their women," Miroku told him. "What kind of food are you taking her?"

"Meat and sometimes fruit," Inuyasha answered. He didn't understand why that was important. Sesshoumaru had told him to give Kagome food and that was what he was doing. Of course Sesshoumaru's actual instructions was to give her meat but he had added the fruit because he knew Kagome liked it. He didn't know that there was any special reason other than showing that he could provide for her but the way Miroku was sounding, there was some hidden message behind them.

Miroku nodded to himself. "The fruits the best out of the two. Women like fruit. The meats good too just continue with how you're doing that and make sure you have a variety and have it already cleaned. Kagome's not going to like doing that."

"I've been doing that," Inuyasha interrupted. That had been what Sesshoumaru had told him and he didn't want to hear information he already knew.

"But have you been giving her anything else?"

Inuyasha blinked a few times then stared at Miroku a moment before shaking his head.

"No, just the fruit and meat."

Miroku smiled, "Then that's part of your problem. Kagome probably doesn't even know you're courting her."

"But I've been providing for her."

"Unless your giving her anything else, then that's all you're doing. All your telling her right now is that you don't want her to starve."

"Oh." Damn, women always had to be complicated. "What do I give her?"

Miroku fought to keep his smile from getting bigger. Inuyasha was actually listening and by the sounds of it, he would be taking his advice.

"Anything that reminds you of her and usually pretty things. Flowers are the most common and they often work but keep a variety and don't always use flowers. Almost anything will work as long as it reminds you of her or if you think she'll like it."

Inuyasha took this all in and started to think about what he could get Kagome. Flowers were simple enough. It was spring and they were plentiful. The problem would be if he could find one that reminded him of Kagome. Other gifts were harder to think of but he had time to think about it.

"What else do I need to do?" Inuyasha asked.

"Spend time with her like you're doing but make it a bit more intimate. Take her on picnics, carry things for her, and help her with her work. Things like that. The best thing you can do though is to cherish her. Treat her like a queen, that works better than the flowers."

Inuyasha nodded. It all sounded easy enough.

When Miroku was sure that Inuyasha wasn't looking at him, he allowed a wicked smile to grace his lips.

"One more thing." When Inuyasha turned to look at Miroku, the smile was gone and in its place was a tired expression. "Touch her."

Inuyasha's eyes widened when he heard that before slowly narrowing. Was this a coincidence or was Miroku teasing him? Inuyasha couldn't tell. Miroku's eyes were closed and he looked like was about fall asleep any minute. Maybe it was just coincidence.

"Excuse me?" Inuyasha tried to keep the suspicion out of his voice but a growl still worked its way out. Miroku didn't hear it and if he did, he didn't show any sign of it.

"Touch her." Miroku repeated. "Hold her hand, graze her arm, wrap and arm around her shoulders or waist, kiss her hand or cheek. Girls like that. It makes them feel wanted I guess."

Inuyasha sighed in relief in the difference of Miroku and Sesshoumaru's explanation. They were basically the same; Miroku's was just more detailed. Inuyasha guessed it was because human females were harder to impress than youki. Youki were impressed with strength, health, and the ability to provide. Humans didn't chose men for their strength though but for their affection and devotion. Inuyasha bit his lip. He was going to have to be more open about showing Kagome his feelings. He thought he was doing that already but apparently he wasn't showing them clear enough.

Miroku smiled when he saw Inuyasha's thoughtful expression as he sorted through all he just learned. Satisfied that he was finished, Miroku yawned and rose to his feet.

"I hoped I helped, Inuyasha." Miroku told him. "Now, I'm going to take a nap before Sango comes home."

Without waiting for a reply, Miroku retreated to his hut. Inuyasha remained sitting on the bench, reflecting on what he just learned. It sounded easy but Inuyasha knew it would difficult. It was difficult when he was doing what Sesshoumaru had told him to do and Miroku told him to do more but could he?

Inuyasha pictured Kagome's and imagined what it would look like when he would present her with the flowers he was planning on getting for her. She had her largest smile and her eyes were glowing with pure joy. Inuyasha smiled. Yes, he could do it.

"Inuyasha," Miroku called from inside the hut. "Why are there holes in my roof?"

The smile quickly vanished and Inuyasha turned frightened, guilty eyes to the door, expecting Miroku to be there. He wasn't but Inuyasha could hear him working his way to it. Shit.