Hey everybody! Sorry it took me so long – I had a bunch of homework that I HATED and that kept me from the story. I try to update every day… and I haven't updated in two days… I'm so sorry! Let's go ahead and see how this next chapter turns out.

That's the weird thing. I never know how each chapter will start. That's why I like to babble now, at the beginning, so that I can think up some random idea for what'll happen. So, to take up more space and give you some more text to scroll down and not read (because nobody reads the author notes…) I'll do responses to reviewers!

Thanks to silveryuki06 for reviewing yet again. Don't worry, it'll turn out… but I get to be evil a little while longer. Okay, a lot while longer. Mwahaha! Kukuku!

PenPusherM, thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you like the story, even if you don't like Makoto. Not many people seem to. I admit, if I was reading the story, I'd think he was fishy, too… I'd freak out if I saw a guy like him just out on the streets of Atlanta. I swear, they just don't exist. Not that it wouldn't be nice… but still. Anyway, it's good that you're suspicious. Maybe he is evil. Maybe he isn't. Maybe he is and I'm trying to make you think he isn't… or maybe he isn't and I'm trying to make you think he is. Ha, now I've confused you even more!

To lilpinkpookie, I'm glad you love the story. So do I! It's so much fun to write… and it's especially fun to read all of your reviews and see what you think about Makoto. You're going to look back on them when the story's finished and see whether you were right about Makoto or not, and I bet a bunch of stuff you said will sound funny to you.

So, thanks to the three of you for reviewing, and keep it up!

Disclaimer: Makoto mine. Inuyasha not. (Can I make it any more brief than that?)

Miroku was pacing. Once Kagome, Sango, and Makoto had gone, the others could find nothing to speak about. Inuyasha had walked off without saying where he was going. Kaede had gone out to find some more herbs; she was running low. Shippo and Kirara were out playing in the grass. Miroku was left to himself, and to his thoughts, which were quite frustrating.

So he paced.

Needless to say, his thoughts were on Sango. During the past few days, they had been angry with each other, and he hated it. Every time she ignored him, his heart crumbled slightly. Every time she shot him one of her glares, he broke down a little more inside. Miroku was weary of the constant argument. If apologizing to her was what it would take to get things to go back to normal, that's what he'd do.

So he paced. Miroku paced inside Kaede's hut, miserably trying to put his feelings into words. He had failed every attempt so far. The monk had never lacked words before, and the experience was quite frustrating. He could just make a simple apology, a mere "I'm sorry," but the words seemed too small. He felt he needed some way to make her truly believe he was sorry for what he had done, but he couldn't for the life of him think of anything.

"Flowers," he muttered to himself, deep in thought. "No, Sango was never into flowers. Uh… I'd just try talking to her, but she wouldn't listen… so… I could ask Kagome for help!" The monk brightened, but his good mood deflated just as quickly. "No, she's angry with me, too, because I'm angry with Sango. I could ask Inuyasha…" At this idea, Miroku laughed aloud. "Yeah, like that would help…"

And so it went for nearly an hour. Miroku finally stalked out the door and sat down on the hilltop, frustrated and angry with himself. "It's hopeless," he muttered, disheartened. "If I even try to talk to her, she'll just go off with Makoto…"

For the first time, Miroku was truly sorry they'd ever met Makoto.

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Kagome hauled herself up the side of the well, hand over hand, until she reached the top. Her backpack was almost three times as heavy now that she'd restocked it, and she'd forgotten how hard it was to climb out of the well hauling a bag as heavy as she was.

She reached up for the edge of the well – and her hand slipped.

Kagome yelped, feeling herself start to fall, and squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation of at least a few broken bones. Her mind raced to Inuyasha, who was probably nearby, but she gave up the idea just as quickly. Even if the hanyou had heard her and managed to get there before she hit the bottom of the well, he'd let her fall, if only to spite her. No, there was no one to save her, she realized with a pang of fear.

It was because of this revelation that the hand closing around her wrist shocked her so much.

Kagome's eyes opened into two gentle ones that she recognized instantly. "Makoto," she breathed in relief. The man gave her a slight smile and carefully pulled her up over the edge. He was alone; Sango had gone back to Kaede's a few minutes ago.

"Are you all right, Kagome?" Makoto asked in concern.

"Yeah," Kagome replied breathlessly. "Thanks, Makoto. You're a lifesaver."

"Come," he said with a smile. "Let us return to the village of your friend Kaede. I am sure the others will be delighted to see you again." Kagome snorted, but Makoto let it slide and merely led the way down the hill towards the small village. Kagome followed, hauling her bag along beside her.

Makoto noticed it and took it from her. Kagome blinked in surprise as the weight vanished from her back, and she was instantly reminded of Inuyasha, who would sometimes carry it for her. She pushed all thoughts of the hanyou from her mind and gave Makoto a thankful smile, which he returned wholeheartedly. Side by side, they approached the village to see Sango sitting outside, with Miroku a few yards away. Each was steadily ignoring the other, though Miroku looked downright miserable, and Sango had a faraway look in her eyes.

Kagome plunked down beside her friend and Makoto seated himself on Sango's other side. Sango greeted them both, and they all turned to glance over their shoulders as Kaede emerged from the hut just behind them.

"Come in and eat," she told them. "Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kirara are already inside. Ye should stay the night, and ye can leave in the morning."

Kagome smiled brightly at the priestess. "Thanks, Kaede," she said, and got to her feet. Makoto and Sango rose to follow her inside. Kaede held open the door and gestured to the table. Inuyasha was halfway finished already, and Shippo was munching steadily away on his share. He greeted them enthusiastically, though Inuyasha barely glanced up.

"Thank you, Kaede, for preparing this meal for us," Makoto said politely as he seated himself.

Kaede smiled at him. "Ye are welcome, child. Eat."

They did, and afterward they all retired for the night. Kagome, Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha had a hard time falling asleep, as their thoughts were all on one another. Makoto was the only one who fell asleep with a clear mind that night.

Miroku was cursing himself for losing his nerve, and at the same time he was still trying – and failing – to come up with that apology. Inuyasha was trying to shove Kagome from his mind, and quickly found that it was like trying to wave away smoke – frustrating and utterly impossible. Kagome was sadly missing Inuyasha and remembering all the good times they had spent together. Sango was thinking of Miroku and all the nice things he'd done for her, which greatly outnumbered all the not-so-nice things (a.k.a. groping, perverted stuff, etc.). All of them were lonely, and the only thing they had to console themselves with was Makoto.

Sango closed her eyes and tried to will herself to sleep for the umpteenth time, and for the umpteenth time, she failed. The exterminator rolled over, heaving a weary sigh, and stared at the wall separating her room from the monk's.

"Miroku…" she whispered miserably into the darkness.