Curiosity Killed... the Dog?

Sneak

It should have been a pleasant morning. The weather was nice, everyone managed to sleep well, and breakfast was ready. Unfortunately, no one was able to enjoy this rare treat because the inu brothers were, once again, arguing as it seemed Inuyasha had snuck out during the night for a rendavu of sorts.

Of course, these arguments were becoming increasingly common and, unsurprisingly, even more difficult to ignore. "If you weren't such a frosty bastard you'd understand!"

Granted, none of them could say this particular argument wasn't warranted. "This one does understand. Your loyalty lies with the enemy."

Even though he could hear the absolute disdain in his voice, Miroku could tell Sesshomaru was enjoying having a legitimate reason to berate his younger half-brother. Honestly, this had been an ongoing issue with the inuhanyu for the last several years, and everyone in the group was tired of it.

Kikyo was dead. That... thing he kept running off to see was not the woman he once loved. Everyone could see it. Well, almost everyone that was. "Fuck you ya bastard!"

Miroku sighed and shook his head. It was pointless for his friend to keep arguing, but Inuyasha was the type of man that would rather hold onto his opinion, knowing its wrong, than back down in a fight. He would never admit to making a mistake, and Kami knew, running off to meet Kikyo was most definitely one he kept repeating.

"The dead one regularly cohorts with the kumo-hanyou and you regularly sneak off with the dead one. Ergo you-"

"Finish that sentence, and I'll chop off your other arm!" Sighing again as his frustration grew, Miroku shook his head. While he could empathize with his friends difficult romantic situation, it didnt mean he agreed with it.

It wasnt that he wanted Inuyasha to be unhappy, but every time he met with Kikyo, their ultimate mission was put in jeapordy. More than just the possibility of Inuyasha accidentally giving Kikyo information he shouldnt each time he snuck out of camp, he waited for everyone to be asleep. That left everyone vulnerable to attack while they believed they were being protected.

It also hurt Kagome. Maybe not in the way as it had in the past, but it was still a blow to her womanly pride to be passed over in favor of an undead being. In Mirokus personal opinion, Inuyasha's treatment of Kagome was beyond disrespectful and sometimes hard to watch.

Thankfully, it seemed more and more, his young friend had begun to grow weary of Inuyashas inconsiderste treatment of her feelings and indecisiveness. Over the last few years, she had begun to distance herself emotionally, and here recently, she'd started physically distancing herself as well.

Not that Inuyasha noticed.

No, as far as he was concerned, Kagome was still pining after him like a lost puppy, no pun intended.

Shaking his head again, Miroku looked over at Sango who plopped down next to him to watch the mornings festivities. He was about to try his hand at wooing her once again, when the furious sound of his friends voice broke through the half-brother's argument.

"Inuyasha, SIT BOY!" Yelping in outrage, Inuyasha plummeted to the ground with the force of Kagomes ire. With an air of irritation, the young miko walked off muttering under her breath about fickle men and lies about a dog's loyalty.

Knowing her mood was ruined for the day, Miroku decided to try and stay out of Kagome's line of sight for a while. But he did still have a brown eyed beauty sitting next to him to occupy his time, and now would be the best time to try and make small talk.

Turning to Sango, Miroku cleared his throat. But before he could say anything, the slayer beat him to the punch. "It is a wonder how it's taken so long for this argument to come up."

Not quite understanding what she meant, Miroku turned and gave her his full attention. "What do you mean my dear Sango?"

"I expected him to say something about Inuyasha's poor skills as a leader or something." With a shrug she continued, "Sesshomaru-sama never seems to miss an opportunity to insult him. I guess I just figured he'd use this against him sooner."

He hadnt really thought about it that way, but Miroku could see the sense in it. "I agree. Though it makes you wonder why he's bringing it up now."

"Inuyasha snuck out again last night while we were sleeping." A shiver ran down Mirokus spine at the venom laced in Sangos words. It was obvious she was just as over Inuyasha's behavior as the rest of them.

"I figured that part out my dear. But its not the first time he's done so."

Completely ignoring him, Sango focused on her best friend with a grimace. "Kagome looks so mad."

The sadness in her voice couldn't be ignored. It hurt Sango to see Kagome hurt, and Miroku pondered if maybe she enjoyed Sesshomaru-sama's scoldings. At least the Western Lord could beat reason into their friend where none of them could get him to see it.

"I wonder how much longer they'll last before they finally come to blows."

"Probably the next time Kagome heads home, if I were to take a guess." Miroku hadn't realized he'd said that last thought aloud, but he had to agree with Sango. A fight between the half-brothers was coming soon. But he didn't think they'd make it back to Edo before it happened. Not that he was going to disagree with her out loud.

No, instead, he just nodded his head and turned his focus back toward the ruckus, hoping and praying that the tone for the day wasn't being set before his very eyes.