Labyrinth

 

Chapter 4: Unlikely Hero

 

            Kagome was falling, falling impossibly far, down a never ending pit.  And then, suddenly, she wasn’t.

            “Need a hand?” a disembodied voice inquired pleasantly.

            “Yes! Yes! I need a hand!” she shrieked, beyond caring about the source of her help, but then less sure as a single hand and forearm, ending just below the elbow, reached out and grasped her, pulling her up.

            And then she found herself in a clearing, grasping the hand of a handsome young man in holy robes.

            “Are you… a priest?” she asked uncertainly, trying to free her hand from his grip, but he wasn’t releasing her.  Instead he smiled softly and pulled her a little closer.

            “I am a monk.” He corrected.  Casting a glance at his earrings and the bronze staff in his hand she supposed she could take him at his word.

            “Oh… well, thank you.” She gave her hand another tug, less discreetly this time, hoping he would take the hint. “I’m very grateful.”

            “Really…” he drawled, his smile widening into a full grin.  And then he had pulled her nearly against his chest and was clasping her hand in both of his. When he spoke his voice was low and seductive, and Kagome gulped, “In that case,” he continued as though this were the most natural position in the world for them to be in, “would you consent to bearing my child?”

            Kagome’s eyes widened.  In the space of an instant a resounding slap was heard and Kagome was suddenly standing several feet from the monk, her back to him, face red with mortification.

            The monk, for his part, was nursing a very red mark on his cheek that looked suspiciously like a handprint.  Rubbing it tenderly he ventured, “I’ll take that as a no…”

            Kagome turned her head just enough that he could see her jaw was hanging open in shock.  He chuckled and stepped toward her.  Warily Kagome took a step back.  This caused him to sigh and cease his advance.

            “I am Miroku.” He offered pleasantly, “and you are?” he trailed off, waiting for her to jump in.

            “Kagome.” She said shortly, turning to fully face him once more, but staying at a safe distance.  He really seemed like a nice man, and he had saved her life.  Of course, he had also asked her a really inappropriate question, and it wasn’t as though she knew him or anything…

            “Kagome,” he repeated it a few times, “I like it. It’s sweet.” He finally decided, “suits you.” He flashed a charming grin, and even though she already knew better Kagome had to fight the urge to melt.

            “Thank you.” She forced some primness into her tone, hoping he’d take the hint and move to a less personal subject.

            He knew her game, it was clear in his quirked brow and his sparkling eyes, but he played it anyway.  “And what is your business in the Labyrinth, Kagome?”  Apparently he had been serious about liking her name.

            “I’m… looking for someone…” she was fairly certain that she could trust him.  And, really, what harm could it possibly do for anyone to know why she was here?

            “Ahhhh,” he nodded sagely, “a common predicament in this place. I, myself, am looking for someone.  Perhaps we might travel together?” his tone was casual, but the glance he gave her was anything but.

            Kagome carefully weighed her options.  The monk seemed far more familiar with the Labyrinth than she was.  And, as Shippo had apparently decided to abandon her and she had no idea where to go next… well, she was in desperate need of some guidance.  Still, he was far too forward.  But what would that matter if she died here anyway?

            “I promise to behave.” He added for good measure.

            Kagome almost laughed, she didn’t have to know him well to know that wasn’t going to happen.  He didn’t even look as though he believed it.

            He shrugged, “I promise to try.” And there went that adorable grin again.  Did he know that the dimple in his left cheek was almost irresistible?  She gave him a once over – probably.

            “I guess it wouldn’t hurt.” She acquiesced.

            “Wonderful.” Faster than she could have imagined he was beside her, “I promise you won’t regret it, Kagome.”

            She was skeptical about that too, especially since he had lowered his voice to a husky murmur to make that last comment.  She easily stepped around him.  Thank goodness for all those years of dodging Hojo’s unwanted advances.  Not that Hojo would have ever dreamed of touching her like this guy did, or asking her such… inappropriate questions.  Hojo was always the perfect gentleman - which was probably why she found him so mind-numbingly boring.

            Kagome berated herself harshly for the unkind thought, but she couldn’t un-think it, and she couldn’t deny that it was true.  Fortunately she didn’t have much time to focus on her mental slip as something happened to distract her…

            It was a touch.  Unmistakable and extremely inappropriate.

            “Pervert!” she shrieked, raising her hand to strike at the offender who had dared touch her… there, “I thought you were going to behave?”

            Miroku backed away, waving his hands in front of him in a gesture that might have been comical if she hadn’t been so upset. “I will.” He promised smoothly and Kagome rolled her eyes.

            “Touching my butt is not behaving!”

            “But I couldn’t resist!” he protested, “I just had to do it once, to know what it would feel like.  I’ll behave now.”

            She narrowed one eye at him, “Monk my right eye…” she grumbled.  Then she placed her hands on her hips and marched over to him, leaning into his face.  Miroku found that, despite the fact she had to raise on tiptoe to do it, she was quite intimidating.  “Word to the wise monk,” the stress she placed on the title clearly indicating her disinclination to believe that was what he was, “touch me again and my hero or not I’ll slap you all the way to China! Got that?”

            Miroku was staring at her, and the longer he was silent the sillier she felt.  She couldn’t really wait here in his face until he answered.  And just when she was going to back off he spoke up.

            “What is China?” he asked in bewilderment.

 

***

            Kagome had been walking for far too long, and while she couldn’t really say that she was irritated, she wasn’t really happy either.  At least Miroku had kept his promise to keep his hands to himself.  Of course, it probably helped that every time he got within a foot of her she shot him a glare that would have scared the Terminator.

            She had to admit though, he wasn’t a bad companion.  He was courteous (when he wasn’t being inappropriate), and friendly (sometimes too friendly), and rather attractive (though she wouldn’t tell him that – he’d probably take that as a license to grope…).  And he certainly knew enough about the Labyrinth. This, as it turned out, was a very good thing, because now that she was past the “stone maze” portion of the Labyrinth she was completely lost.  They had been walking through open fields for what felt like forever.

            And right now Kagome was bored.

            She was bored because the scenery remained stubbornly the same, and Miroku had been studying her intently, but quietly, ever since she had tried to explain what China was to him.

            Miroku, for his part, was extremely curious, and a little confused.  This girl was like no other he had ever met, and that intrigued him.    

            Miroku was not by nature one to pry.  He believed every man’s business was his own.  And that applied to females as well.  But her clothing, her manner of speech, everything about her was so foreign.  Eventually his curiosity had finally won out and he dared to approach her.

            “Where are you from?”

            “Tokyo.”  So far so good.  She didn’t seem upset at all.

            “To – ky – o” he repeated slowly, the name sounding strange on his tongue.

            Glad for an opening into conversation she was about to ask him where he was from when a thought suddenly occurred to her. “Miroku?  You’re human right?”

            He quirked a brow in mild surprise, “Of course.”

            “I thought humans couldn’t get into the Labyrinth.” She accused.

            “That’s not entirely true.  There are a few exceptions.” He winked at her, “Thinking about how much you’ll miss me if I turn out to be a figment of your imagination?”

            “No!” she cringed and turned away to hide her blush.  Even to her the denial had sounded too quick.

            “Really, Kagome, it’s alright to admit you are fond of me.” He said playfully, “After all, I’ll gladly admit to being fond of you.”

            Kagome shook her head, “I’m not fond of you.  I hardly know you… I was just… thinking about something someone told me.”  She was so focused on trying to explain this comment that she didn’t notice the hurt look that briefly flashed through his eyes.  They walked on in silence a moment longer before she looked back at him, words of explanation on the tip of her tongue, only to find him staring at her.  The explanation died away.

            “What?” she shifted uneasily, wondering why he was staring at her like that.

            “You don’t like me?”

            “What?” she was utterly confused.

            “You don’t like me?” he asked again.

            Kagome shook her head as if to clear it, shoving the hair that fell in her face back behind her ears. “Of course I like you.” She managed, “What made you think that I didn’t?”

            “You said you weren’t fond of me.”

            Kagome actually had to stop walking to stare at him.  He was serious!

            “Well, yeah, but I… that isn’t exactly what I meant.” She was struggling again.  Boy, this guy asked the weirdest questions. “Fond implies… well, something greater than friendship, and I don’t feel that for you because… after all, we just met and…” And she suddenly realized that last part had been a very dumb thing to say.

            In an instant Miroku transformed from dejected and serious to seductively playful. “Implying that after you’ve known me for some time you might feel that for me?” he smiled, that same crooked smile that had set her insides churning before.  And she didn’t move away when he came closer.  It was ridiculous really, she didn’t know him, and he certainly wasn’t her type, but he was very, very good at this sort of thing evidently.  She wondered how many women had succumbed to his charm.  And then she wondered how many women there were in this place, because if Miroku had gotten that good with no one to practice on… well, then life just wasn’t fair. It wasn’t until he was literally holding her that she remembered why she was wondering that.

            “N-no!” she twisted out of his light hold, “you promised to behave!” she scolded.

            His answer was an adorable pout, “I am behaving.” He stepped smoothly toward her.

            “N-no you aren’t.” she backed away, but this time he didn’t stop advancing.  His lids drooped heavily over his sparkling eyes.

            “You hurt my feelings, Kagome.” There was a teasing lilt to his voice, “I think you should make it up to me.  I did save your life after all.”

            Kagome gasped, that was shameless!  It was just wrong!

            “Isn’t that part of your holy duties or something?”

            He shrugged with casual elegance, “something like that.” Then he grinned wickedly, “but I am not adverse to accepting compensation…”

            And even though she was disgusted with him she couldn’t really be mad at him because he was just so… so… Miroku!  This man could con a conman with ease.  Kagome realized that she was going to be in trouble if she didn’t set some things straight with the monk.  Jaw set with determination she stopped backing away from him and took a solid stance. Adopting the tone she used to deter Souta (and her friends) when they were prying, she plunged in feet first.

            “Miroku.  You are a very attractive guy, and you can be very nice.  And I like you, and I’m glad we’re traveling together,” she didn’t give him a chance to interrupt, “but we need to get some things straight.  I’m here for one reason, and that’s to find my little brother.  Now, I could use your help, but if you’re going to try to take advantage of me then I’ll head out on my own.”  When she finally stopped to breathe she was relieved to see that he had stopped and appeared to be seriously considering her words.  Finally he nodded.

            “My apologies.” He was clearly sincere, “I had forgotten.”

            “Well… just don’t forget again.” She almost felt bad for being so harsh because he was just so understanding now, but she knew he wouldn’t have backed off if she hadn’t been firm.  She also knew that she would most likely have to remind him many more times on this journey.

            He was studying her, all gravity and sympathy now. “Where is your brother, Kagome?” He asked softly.

            And she didn’t see the momentary panic in his eyes when she replied, “In the heart of the Labyrinth.”

 

***

 

            The fields through which Kagome and Miroku traveled were actually quit lovely.  A fact Kagome had plenty of time to take in.  She and her unlikely companion had settled into a comfortable silence, and the only sound she heard was the occasional jangle of the rings on his staff.  She had asked him about it, in one of their brief bouts of conversation, and he had told her that it was a holy staff and he could use it to channel his powers, although mostly he used it as a quarter staff.  Conversing about the staff led to conversation concerning other things, such as his holy powers and the prayer beads he kept wrapped around his left hand.  He said it was a reminder, and Kagome left it at that.

            But what Kagome was really curious about was how there were humans within the Labyrinth.

            Miroku did not understand her curiosity, but he genuinely liked her so he indulged her.

            “How many humans are there in the Labyrinth?”

            He shrugged, “We don’t exactly take a census,” he told her, “But I have met at least three others.  All women, of course.”

            She raised a hand as if to smack him and he quickly continued, “one is an old woman, and another is a young child.” He didn’t say anything about the third, but from the look in his eyes she gathered it was a sensitive subject.  She remembered his comment about searching for someone and wondered if the mystery woman was that someone.

            “And of course, there was the old monk who raised me.  But he is dead now.” The monk continued, “there are probably a few others scattered around, but I’ve not met any.”

            “How did you get here?” that was the part that really got to her.  This was supposed to be an impenetrable fortress.  The only reason demons could get in was because Inuyasha was the Goblin King.  And that should have nothing to do with humans.

            “I was born here.”

            The statement startled her, “Born here?” she echoed dumbly.

            “Yes, I’ve no idea how my mother came to be here as she died before I was old enough to ask her any questions.  But I gather it has something to do with our holy powers.”

            “You got your holy powers from your mother?” for some reason she had thought a monk’s holy power would be passed down through the father’s side of the family.

            He shook his head, “I sincerely doubt that my mother was a priestess.  However, she was carrying me when she passed through the barrier-”

            “You know about the barrier?” she was so shocked she interrupted him.

            He chuckled, “Of course.”

            “Then why don’t you leave?”

            “I can’t.”

            “You can’t?”

            His hand on her arm stopped her, “Kagome,” and she somehow knew he was dreading telling her this next thing, “the barrier only works on way.  Few get in… none get out.”  And he must have seen the fear, the denial, that welled up within her very soul, because his gaze turned sympathetic.  She gritted her teeth and looked at him steadily.

            “I’m getting out.” She told him firmly. “I’ll make him let me out.”  And as she walked away she failed to see the confusion on the monk’s face.

            “Make who let you out?” he whispered.