Disclaimer: Hey everybody, just wanted to tell you all that this is a piece in progress, and will have multiple chapters. . . there are a few things to warn you about. There will be two guys in sexual situations, so if that doesn't float your boat, please don't read. Also, there is a little bit of swearing going on (that Sess is quite the potty mouth). If I could rate this chapter, I'd give it a good PG-13, at least.

Inu Yasha and all of his buddies and such belong to the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi. . . *salutes* Hail, Ilpalla. . . I mean, Rumiko!!! Also included somewhere along the line are Viz Video and I'm sure Shogakukan. Please don't sue me. I am poor, and I only want to write about hot guys playing shuffleboard. Heh.

(You may notice that in this fic, Miroku is referred to as Houshi. . . if you haven't seen the japanese version, townspeople and Sango always call him this. . . I think to acknowledge the fact that he is a monk. It's his title as a wandering priest. So. . . yeah.)

Also, thanks Plude, for being my beta! (And should I say thanks to Solo and the others too? ^.^;;)

Thankies, and enjoy!!

Moonlight Shadow
by Ritsuko

Chapter 1

The first thing he felt was the tree behind him. Bark dug into his back as Miroku tried to make his way from the murky depths of unconsciousness, back into some form of recognition. What exactly had happened? He tried to open his eyes, but the act made him groan and quickly shut them against the brightness surrounding him. It was then, trying to shield his face with a hand, he realized that both arms were bound behind his back. Wincing against the light, the monk slowly opened his eyes a second time, to find a wizened, green, amphibian face in front of him.

'Isn't that the toad Sesshomaru travels with?' he thought, about to open his mouth to demand what was happening, to discover a new sensation: he was gagged. Angrily he cursed, the sound muffled, and the creature laughed.

"Ah, I'm the last being you thought you'd wake to see, eh Houshi? Must admit, you did put up quite a fight, but nothing that Lord Sesshomaru couldn't handle in a heartbeat." Jaken laughed, his double headed staff bobbing with his mirth. Miroku's eyes narrowed as he glared helplessly at the disgusting creature. He remembered nothing of a fight with Inu Yasha's older brother. . . only a talk with Sango that ended with him wandering in the forest to cool down, and wait for the slapmark on his face to fade away. And then. . . a rustle in the trees? But nothing else.

"If I were you, I'd treat these moments as your last! You're at the mercy of a powerful demon lord, boy! You'll be lucky if he only eats your skin while you still breathe, for consorting with that vagabond brother of his. . ." Jaken cackled. Letting emotion get the better of him, the monk lunged forward with his body towards the small demon, only to fall flat on his face, with Jaken jumping easily out of the way, laughing harder at his captives attempts.

"Fool. . ." he croaked, "If you think you can. . ."

"Enough." the voice cut across the glade like a blade, chilling as a winter's wind. Jaken cringed at his master's voice, going to his side, but making sure he wasn't close enough for a well placed kick. Miroku struggled to turn his head towards the sound, fighting for his breath against the gag.

Sesshomaru was as resplendant as usual, a white glowing spot in front of the rapidly setting sun. Miroku squinted, warily trying to keep an eye on him through all of that brightness. He couldn't be sure, but he thought the demon was smiling, though it wasn't a very calming smile. The monk watched his shining glory warily, fully knowing the danger he was in. The demon slowly made his way towards the monk, who feigned from blinking, worried to miss the movents that might herald his last moment.

"Worried, Houshi?" Sesshomaru glared down at the monk, who immediately decided that the earlier smile had been a figment of his imagination. Gracefully, the demon grabbed Miroku by the collar and hoisted him up to eye level. The monk glared at him, squirming in his grasp, as the demon stared evenly at him. "You should be. You're wondering why I've taken you from your friends. Who, by the way, have no idea where you are. Who," the trace of an evil smile lit his lips, his face closing in on Miroku's, voice a barely audible whisper, "think that you're just off licking the wounds of rejection, and that you'll come back on your own time."

Enraged, Miroku lashed out, slamming his head into the demon's forehead. Pain exploded in his head from the contact, though one look at the demon didn't show the same for him. In fact, Sesshomaru didn't move an inch, although the smile left his lips, reforming itself into bitter frown. His hand loosened, and the monk tumbled to the ground. Seconds after he hit, Jaken was upon him, hitting him with his staff.

"How dare you touch Lord Sesshomaru! Human scum! You shall be ripped into a thousand shreds to make kappa feed! You. . ." The tiny demon's tirade was cut off by a swift kick from his master. He yowled in pain and scuttled away. The demon stared at his servant, devoid of all emotion.

"You are not welcome here. I have business with the monk. Go take care of the girl, Jaken, and do not come near this place again until the night is through. If you do, you will be the one fed to kappa, although I won't be so kind as to cut you up first!" the demon said evenly, yellow eyes glowing with an unholy light. With a frightened sound, and a rustle of grass, Jaken was gone. For a moment, all was still. Then, the demon's smooth hands were lifting him up again, pressing him against the tree. He was propped into a sitting position, and he warily eyed the demon, who stood over him, face unreadable as the last traces of sunlight bled into the darkness.

"Perhaps you are wondering why I took you." Sesshomaru said after a long time, and Miroku wished that the gag was off, just so he could say exactly what was on his mind. The demon didn't seem to notice. "You probably think that I am trying in some way to provoke my mongrel little brother into some kind of rash attack." His yellow eyes bored into Miroku's own brown ones, and the monk almost stopped breathing at the intesity in their gaze. "Were that the case, shouldn't I steal away that girl that seems to have trapped his heart as his human mother did our foolish father?"

Miroku could not answer, only squirm under the demon's gaze. It felt like he was drowning in honey, in those orbs. . . and the demon's silken voice struck a chord deep inside him. . . one that made him feel nervous. It felt as if the demon could see into his own soul. . . something the monk was not in the least bit comfortable with. Quickly he shook his head and stared down at his feet trying to figure out some sort of a plan before Sesshomaru could bespell him with those eyes, and torture him, or worse, use him as a pawn against his friends.

A harsh laugh came from Sesshomaru, as the monk tried to calmly stare at his feet, and the sound made made his skin tingle as he cringed. Softly, the demon cupped Miroku's face in his palm, and raised his gaze to his eyes once again. He tried to jerk away from the demon's touch, but his hand held firmly.

"Afraid, little human? Of what? You have taken on many demons; none matching my powers, and have suceeded in defeating them with the help of your companions. With your faith and a hole in your hand. . . " Sesshomaru came in close to him, face mere inches away. A sweet jasmine fragrance swirled around the monk, leaving him with a heady feeling that he could not combat. "Yes, even when fighting that ridiculous so-called brother of mine, I see what else goes on. I have seen you fight many times. Does that surprise you, Houshi?"

It did. He stared up uncomprehendingly into those eyes, and something broke, deep within him. Confusion swallowed him whole, as he recognized the look in the demon's indifferent gaze- desire. Clawed fingers ripped the gag away, and caressed the side of his cheek. Miroku's mouth felt like sand, and even ungagged, he could not find the words to speak. A smile curled the demon's lips, but it was not a pleasant one.

"I see I needn't say anything more. It looks like you already understand what it is I am saying." He moved in closer, mouths were mere inches from one another. The air crackled between them with tension. "Imagine my dismay. A full demon falling for a human, just as my father did. Just as your mongrel friend is. Perhaps it is a family curse, Houshi?" His lips moved in.

"No. . ." Miroku gasped hoarsley, trying to sort out too much information at once, finding no other words to stave off Sesshomaru's obvious advance. The demon pulled back, eyes flashing, and the monk could see anger swimming underneath them.

"No? Is that all you can say? You truly are pathetic. Do you think that I want my thoughts bombarded by visions of a letcherous young human monk who slays my kind? Who hides his true self behind witty remarks, and a solemn pair of eyes? Do you think that I will let you dominate my dreams, and make me weak? Did I give you permission to invade my thoughts, monk?" Sesshomaru's face was an emotionless mask. Miroku squirmed, still caught by the demons grasp.

"You picked the wrong human to develop feelings for, although I truly doubt that you are beyond all recognition of what it is to love someone. If you hadn't noticed, this letcherous young monk is after women. And you, despite your looks, do not fit into that category." The monk glared up at the demon, the words weighing him down like chains. Why did he feel like this, his words catching in his throat, ringing like lies in his own ears?

Sesshomaru pulled back, laughing up to the now fully present moon, revealing fangs. "Who said anything about love, Houshi?" He stared back down at his captive with a smile. "Besides, I think we both know exactly why you chase after those girls. And it isn't because they make your blood race with lust."

The monk swallowed, looking up at his captor. How did he know these things? Things that he wouldn't even begin to confess to himself. He could think of nothing to say, but it became only obvious feeling the dull ache in his bound arms, rope digging into cloth and a rosary on one arm. "I have a duty. . ." He began, only to be cut off by the demon placing a silken finger to his lips.

"Yes, your 'duty'. To assure that somewhere along the line, there will be someone to try and combat the shifty Naraku. . . but it's not what you want. I can smell it on you. You may grope and ask children of the human bitches, but it's not really what you want. . . you yearn for a man's touch. . ." the demon stated, and sensually licked the side of the monk's face. Miroku shuddered, and tried again to squirm away, but his captor held him fast.

"You will enjoy this Houshi, I assure you." the demon stated, and continued to trace his way down with his tongue, reaching the place where collarbone peeked out of clothing. Gathering resolve, the monk laughed, a little more sharply than he meant to.

"How can I enjoy something of which I could never want to be a part? Surely you jest, Sesshomaru. What plot is this? To leave your scent upon me so that the others don't trust me? I have no interest in you. Torture me if you will, but not like this." Miroku gasped, cursing himself. He spoke lies, his body already responding to the demon's touch. He stared down as the demon licked away, challenging to look up and see what he hoped was rejection in his eyes. Yellow orbs slowly made contact, Sesshomaru's tongue still connected to skin, and the sight made the young monk shudder.

The demon somberly grinned, pulling away. "Is that what you fear? The rejection of the others? Perhaps, the rejection of my brother?" He laughed harshly. "You know as well as I, Houshi, that human bitch will always captivate my brother's heart, no matter what form she happens to take. Besides," his hand traced its way downward over clothing, "I can smell exactly what you are feeling."

Shuddering at the demon's skilled touch, Miroku gasped for air, and gritted his teeth. "And what am I feeling?" He muttered brokenly, not trusting his voice.

The demon smiled, and stroked the monk's chest through cloth. "You are frightened. . . frightened of feelings that you've stored up inside. And unsure, skeptical. . . worried. . . hoping that this is just a dream, something you can lie to one of those girls about, tell them you dreamed of them under a swollen moon in hopes of winning their heart and fulfilling filial duty. And need, deep down. Screaming at the core, knowing that this is what you have always yearned for." Miroku's eyes widened, and Sesshomaru tore the front of the monk's kimono off, exposing milky flesh. "And I am the one to give it to you." The demon lowered his face to the monk's chest, causing him to nearly lose control.

"Wait. . . please. . .Miroku gasped, and once again found those honeyed eyes staring into his. Sesshomaru's look was unreadable, a calm emotionless mask again. His hands traced down the monk's body, who could not help but let out a throaty moan.

"No Houshi. There will be no more waiting." With that, the demon took the monk's mouth with his own.

tbc. . .



*blush, blush*