Labyrinth

 

Chapter 5: So That We Will Not Cry

 

            The appearance of the monk was an unexpected development.  And Inuyasha was not at all certain that he was pleased about it.  Granted the man did save Kagome’s life, but he was entirely too… friendly… and the stupid girl didn’t have the backbone to tell him where to get off.

            It was bad enough all those holy people had wandered into his world as it was.  He had to keep an eye on the whole lot of them constantly.  And then he’d had to take that one into custody… They did keep the Labyrinth from getting out of hand, but they were more trouble than they were worth.  And this one was the worst. And now that stupid conman of a monk was getting dangerously close to something Inuyasha saw as his own…

            Still, the presence of the monk was not nearly as disturbing as… other facts which would soon present themselves.

            And as long as Kagome made him keep his distance, it might be good to have someone there to look after her.  Holy powers would be useful in the dark forest.

            But if the monk got out of line…

 

*** 

 

            They were approaching a forest, and Kagome, for one, was looking forward to a change of scenery.  Miroku had made her stop to rest twice in their journey, and she assumed that at least a day had gone by, but since the sun remained in its mid-day position she had no way of marking the time.  It was a shame she hadn’t been wearing her watch when she was dropped here.  Of course, her house had clocks, and a moving sun…

            It really hadn’t seemed necessary at the time…

            Hindsight was killer.

            At any rate, at least she knew they were getting further into the Labyrinth.  Miroku had told her that the forest surrounded Labyrinth City, and at the heart of the city was the castle.  Somehow she got the impression that he wasn’t looking forward to going there.

            They had almost reached the forest when she felt something, almost like a shift in the very atmosphere around them.  Before she had time to wonder what it was, Miroku was in front of her, his staff extended defensively.

            “Kagome!  Get back.” He warned. And she didn’t even try to argue.  If she had learned anything on this journey it was that when Miroku bothered to be serious one was wise to pay attention.

            “Come out.” Miroku called, his voice raised to carry, although where he wanted it to carry to Kagome was not certain.

            “Really now, you aren’t being very sporting.” The voice was distinctly male, and for once it was accompanied by the appearance of a very normal looking human being.  Except that from the way Miroku was tensing up Kagome was fairly certain there was something more here than met the eye.

            “Who are you, demon?” Miroku asked harshly.  And there went Kagome’s assumption that he was a ‘normal human being.’  She eyed the stranger critically. He certainly looked human, tall and blond, with deep blue eyes and a strong, but lean, build.  It was only when she looked closely that she realized his ears, like Shippo’s, were pointed.  The reason she hadn’t noticed it at first was that his hair, long and silky looking, covered them.  It suddenly occurred to Kagome that everyone in this place seemed to be either incredibly good looking or incredibly ugly.  Was there no middle ground in this place?

            The stranger noticed her perusal and smiled, “Hello, Kagome.”

            Kagome started, and Miroku stiffened.  He cast a half glance back at her, not daring to take his attention off the man before them. “You know him?” he murmured.

            “No.”

            Miroku, feeling unaccountably relieved and also very suspicious, turned his attention back to their unwanted guest. “You haven’t answered my question, demon.” There was a clear note of warning in his tone.

            The demon made a mocking bow, “Forgive me my rudeness. I am but a wanderer.”

            Miroku’s eyes narrowed. “That is as good as no answer at all.”

            “And so it is.” The demon’s eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “And so it shall remain.”  In a movement quicker than a blink he was behind Kagome, his fingers running through her hair.

            “I’ve been watching you.” He admitted quietly, and when Miroku realized where the demon was he swung both himself and Kagome around so that he was once more between her and the intruder. The demon remained untouched, still directing his words to Kagome.  “I must admit that I find you quite fascinating.”

            “Ummm… thanks.” Kagome shifted uncomfortably.  She didn’t like the idea of someone watching her without her knowledge.

            “If that is true, why reveal yourself now?” Miroku challenged.

            The demon studied his nails a moment before flicking his fingers casually, “I became bored.”  He lifted his eyes to study Kagome, and Miroku reached behind him with one hand, pulling her closer to him in an attempt to block the demon’s view.

            “I don’t see how we can help you.” He offered coolly.

            The demon spoke as if Miroku wasn’t even there, stepping to the side so that he could clearly see the young woman once more.

            “How about we play a game, Kagome?” his voice was too soft, too intimate, and at the same time cold.

            Kagome shook her head.  She had had enough of games.  If she never saw another game again… well, sufficed to say that the next time someone suggested a game of Monopoly they were going to have to cover their ears…

            “Oh, but I want to.” He crooned.  “How about the monk?” his gaze darted to Miroku, who was still standing tensely half between Kagome and himself, “surely he wants to play.”

            “I think you had best be on your way.” Miroku said firmly.

            The man laughed.  “Not until we finish my game!”  he smiled and circled around them, forcing them to turn to keep him in sight.  “Since you don’t seem to be ‘feeling it’ why don’t I make it more real for you?” he inquired.  Miroku’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. The man paused in a show of concentration, tapping a finger against his chin, “I know!” he said brightly, “Let’s make this interesting.  I’ll even let you be the center of attention.” He waved absently in Kagome’s direction. 

Miroku’s hand tightened on his staff. “If you-” he began warningly.  The stranger waved him off.

“She won’t be in any danger.” There was nothing reassuring in his tone.  “Really, what fun would that be?  I’d much prefer to get rid of you.” He grinned wickedly.  Kagome darted a frightened glance at Miroku, but aside from a slight whitening of the knuckles where his hand gripped his staff he seemed unaffected.

“Do you want to know the game, little Kagome?” he teased.  “You might want to know the stakes before we begin.”

“What do you want?” Miroku snapped.

The man pouted, “I was talking to Kagome…”

“You’ll talk to me.” Miroku’s voice brooked no argument.

“You’re no fun.”  The man leapt back a few yards. “The game is find your friend, Kagome.” He directly ignored the monk’s order, “and if you should fail… his life is forfeit.”  He laughed at this.  But before Kagome or Miroku could figure out what he meant by this, something changed dramatically.

            Kagome was suddenly surrounded by Miroku – literally.

Where before there had been one, there were now dozens of purple robed figures.

            “Wh-” she looked around in utter confusion as they all called her name, vying for her attention.

            “Kagome,” she whirled to see one monk reach for her hand, “come on,” he cajoled, “you know me.”

            “Surely you recognize me,” another spoke up.

            Kagome’s head was beginning to ache.  One Miroku had been hard enough to handle.

            “Come Kagome, which is it?”

            Kagome focused on the single unmoving figure before her, the man who had spoken – the demon.  He was so calm it was irritating.

            “What kind of girl can’t recognize her own companion?” he taunted, “Are you so shallow, Kagome?  Surely you know which monk is real.”

            “I’m not… how can I… I hardly know him!” she protested weakly.

            The man laughed, “A fine way to speak of the man who saved your life.  Tell me, are you even grateful?”

            “I’m grateful!” she protested, “I am.   I just… don’t know…” she trailed off weakly, confused by the cacophony around her.  She was on sensory overload.

            “Prove it.” The man hissed, suddenly very close to her, his lips pressed against her ear.  She didn’t remember him moving there, “save his life as he did yours – choose.”

            It was too much pressure.  How could she be certain?  How could she make a choice knowing that the wrong one would lead to Miroku’s death?

            She couldn’t.

            “Make a decision or I destroy them all.” The threat made her tremble.  How long?  How long could she stall?  Would it even do any good?  She’d known the man for less than a day.  Sure, there hadn’t been much to do except talk to him, but this wasn’t exactly a dating show.  She couldn’t have them all sit down nicely and ask ‘bachelor number 1 – why do you have beads wrapped around your left hand?’  She might have considered it except that no one else in the clearing looked as though they were willing to cooperate.

            “I’m waiting.” He didn’t sound very patient anymore, though his amusement was evident.

            Kagome put her hands over her ears and closed her eyes, trying to block out the confusion around her. They were too close, brushing up against her now, their voices rising and falling and rising again – like the waves on a beach.  She wasn’t going to be able to take this much longer.  Somewhere behind the noise and her hands pressed against her ears she could hear the demon taunting her, mocking her, laughing at her.  She would never be able to choose.

            And then…

            And then a hand grazed her backside.  A touch too prolonged to be accidental.

            “Miroku!” she yanked herself around to slap him without a second thought.

            This was the real Miroku.  It had to be.  Only Miroku would be stupid enough to grope her when his life was in danger.

            And the moment her palm connected with his face it was suddenly quiet.  Kagome was nearly frozen, but she managed to turn her head slowly to look around the clearing.  It was empty, except for herself, the monk, and the demon.  But he didn’t matter right now, what mattered was that she had made the right choice – Miroku was still alive.  Miroku reached up to rub his burning cheek, and it was only then that she realized that she was still touching him.  She jerked her hand back, holding it to her chest and massaging the palm lightly.

            “I knew you would find me.” He smiled, his eyes dancing merrily.

            Kagome bristled, “Don’t even pretend that was just a way to get my attention!” she snapped, her relief quickly being replaced by anger.  She had been so scared, and he was laughing!  She turned her back to him, crossing her arms, “Pervert.” She muttered.

            Miroku was unfazed.  Smiling he came up and draped an arm over her shoulders, placing the other hand over his heart.

            “Ah, my dear Kagome, I must admit the opportunity to be near you in near anonymity was just too good to pass up.”

            She stiffened, but didn’t pull away, “Ah ha!” she pointed an accusing finger in his face, “You thought you could hide in the crowd – you weren’t even thinking about saving yourself.  You are such a perverted idiot!”

            He held up his hands defensively in front of his chest, backing away a step. “On the contrary, Kagome, I had the utmost faith in you. Therefore I saw no reason to make any extraordinary effort to gain your attention.”

            “Baloney-” and anything further she might have said was cut off by a low chuckle nearby.

            Kagome’s gaze shot up, and even Miroku looked toward the source of the laugh.  They had both forgotten the demon who had started this whole mess.

            “As amusing as this is,” he drawled, “And as much as I would love to stay and see it play out… I really must be going.”

            “So go already.” Kagome ground out with such venom that Miroku looked back at her in surprise.  Her fists were balled tightly at her sides, and her teeth were clenched.  The tendons in her neck stood out with the effort she was making to stay calm.

             The man smiled, shaking his head, “First, I must congratulate you,” he moved closer to her and she literally backed into Miroku – which didn’t bother him at all.  Casually the monk rested his hands on her waist.  She didn’t even notice, but their unwanted companion did, “It appears you are closer than I expected.” He acknowledged, “And so, congratulations, and farewell.”

            And then he was gone.

            “Creep.” Kagome scowled.

            “I quite agree,” Miroku’s voice was disturbingly close and she suddenly realized that she was practically in his arms.  “But, Kagome, I didn’t realize you cared so much about my welfare,” Kagome did not like his tone, or the way his hand was sliding up from her waist.  He ducked his head to murmur in her ear, “Does this mean you might consider bearing my-”

            “O-kay” she slipped out of his arms with a nervous laugh.  “Now that that is over, we should really be going…”

            And Miroku laughed.

            Kagome gaped at him, “This isn’t funny!”

            He sobered quickly, observing her through lowered lids.  He reached out a hand to brush her cheek and she almost backed away, but she couldn’t.

 “Sometimes we laugh so that we will not cry.” He murmured gently, and for the first time in her life Kagome thought she was beginning to understand the phrase.  Everything about this place was so dangerous, it was ludicrous really.  If she cried over everything that went wrong she would always be in tears.  There was nothing to do but laugh at the insanity of it all.

            “I guess.” She turned away, uncomfortable with the tender way he was looking at her.  He shouldn’t be comforting her… after all, she had only been here a short time, and he had lived with this his entire life.

            Miroku just smiled and let her avoid his gaze.  He wasn’t going to press.

 

***       

 

Inuyasha growled, low and feral.  The girl was getting entirely too friendly with that lecherous monk.  And Miroku needed to learn to keep his hands to himself. It had been one thing when Kagome had kept him at a distance… but now. 

And coupled with the growing danger she was in… Perhaps it was time to play his hand…  

 

***

“Are you alright?”

Kagome had been disturbingly quite for the last several hours.  Miroku was afraid that she was dwelling too heavily upon the incident just outside the forest.  For her part, Kagome was thinking that this place was one dreadful ‘incident’ after another.  And most of the bad stuff seemed to happen because of her.

“I’m sorry.” He almost couldn’t hear her, as her voice was muffled by the fact that her chin was pressed against her chest.

His brow lifted in surprise, “For what?”

She refused to look at him, “You were in danger, and it was my fault.  Maybe you should let me go on alone.”

“Kagome,” his voice was tender, and she was surprised to find that he was beside her.  He hooked one finger under her chin and lifted her face so that he could meet her gaze, “I was in danger long before you appeared.” He assured her.  And then, with a gentle smile, “you’ve just made it more interesting.  I’ve never enjoyed being in danger so much.” Something in him rebelled at that – it wasn’t entirely true, there had been another time… another woman… but he wouldn’t burden her with that.