Disclaimer: I hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this drabble… especially for the monk who says so much without actually saying anything. A nod of respect is directed towards the creative prowess of Rumiko Takahashi.

Originally posted on Live Journal on February 8, 2007.

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Divining the Heart

He loves me.

He loves me not.

He loves me.

He loves me not.

"Has that flower done something to offend you, Kagome-sama?" asked an amused voice.

Kagome looked up in surprise as Miroku joined her, then down at the pile of petals filling her lap. Lost in thought, she'd systematically denuded nearly every wildflower within reach. Smiling sheepishly, she left off. "No, the flower is quite innocent. It's just a bit of nonsense—a child's game."

Miroku leaned over to pluck a fresh flower of his own, turning it this way and that. "A game?" he inquired.

"Yes, It's silly."

"Tell me?" he invited.

The young woman shrugged. "You remove the petals one at a time, saying 'he loves me' and 'he loves me not' with each. The phrase spoken with the pulling of the last petal is supposed to be the truth."

"Ah, so it's fortune-telling—a way of divining the heart?" responded Miroku seriously.

Kagome smiled. "Not really. A flower can't tell you whether you are loved or not."

"Oh, I don't know," returned the monk amiably.

Tossing a handful of petals into the air, Kagome huffed. "Well, I'm certainly no clearer on the matter."

Miroku nodded sympathetically. "Matters of the heart are rarely clear."

"I suppose you're right," acknowledged Kagome with a sigh.

"Oh, I am… and Kagome-sama?" To her surprise, the monk reached over to tuck his flower behind her ear. "I wouldn't discount flowers altogether," he advised with a wink.

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End Note: This drabble was written for the iyissekiwa contest community on Live Journal for the theme 'Flowers.' Since it was the weekend leading up to Valentine's Day, I couldn't resist playing with my favorite pairing. You'd be amazed how tricky it can be to do something like this in less than 250 words. Managed it in 246, though. ::wink::