Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 6

Sota stood over the sickly looking monk watching him curiously. "Miroku? Are you dead?" He poked at his abdomen with the monk's shaft. Miroku groaned and rolled over.

"Water," the monk replied in a dry voice.

Sota studied Miroku for a few more minutes before heading down to the kitchen to fill his requests. As he passed through the living room, he found Grandpa in a similar state on the couch. The old man opened his eyes as the boy approached him.

"Why is everyone sick this morning?  Do you guys have food poisoning?" the young boy asked, remembering that Kagome had made dinner the previous night. Grandpa grinned as he sat up. "How is Miroku?" he asked.

Sota frowned. "Thirsty."

Sota returned to his room with a glass of water and handed it to Miroku, who promptly chugged it down quickly. The monk smiled at the boy, who was staring at him closely, as he handed him back the empty glass. "Thanks." He paused. "Something wrong?" he asked.

Sota frowned. "Grandpa said you had cotton in your mouth."

Miroku laughed. "You mean cotton mouth."

 "What's that mean?"

Miroku shrugged as his face turned green and he bolted out the door towards the bathroom.

After emptying the contents of his stomach, Miroku followed Sota into the kitchen where Kagome already stood making breakfast. She glanced at the monk. He looked worn out and his robes were wrinkled. She blushed. Does he remember anything he said last night? "Good morning," she smiled at the two, "Scrambled eggs?" Sota nodded happily as an ill look came over Miroku's face.

"I don't have much of an appetite," he replied with a weak grin.

Kagome nodded. "I didn't think you would."

***

After breakfast, Kagome headed off to school as Miroku turned on the television and took his usual place on the couch. He opened his soda as he kicked his feet up onto the coffee table. He was a bit surprised when Kagome's mother entered the room.

"Well, hello Miroku," she said with a kind smile.

The monk abruptly removed his feet from the coffee table before him. "Mrs. Higurashi, I didn't know you were still here," he replied guiltily.

She nodded. "It's my day off." She took a seat next to the monk, eying his worn, wrinkly robes. "Say, Miroku, since you may be staying with us for awhile, why don't I take you out and buy you some clothing?"

Miroku shook his head. "Thank you for the offer, Mrs. Higurashi, but that won't be necessary. I don't plan on being here much longer." Miroku looked sadly at his soda can as Kagome's mother nodded. Grandpa had told her about his air void, and how it would eventually suck him up if he did not return to the feudal era soon to defeat Naraku.

"Are you sure?" she asked looking at his glove-covered hand, "It may take your mind of…things. You haven't really been out much since you've been here, and you look rather bored. I'm rather bored myself, actually. Please, Miroku. Humour me." The woman gave him a sweet nagging smile that looked much like Kagome's.

The monk looked up from his place. "If you insist…"

The woman smiled. "I'll get my keys."

Miroku followed Kagome's mother out to the car and reluctantly took a seat in the vehicle. He clutched nervously to the dashboard of the automobile as it pulled out of the drive. At least Kagome's mother was a better driver than that insane man he had to deal with before. However, the awkward motion of the car was making him nauseous, and his hangover wasn't helping any.

Kagome's mother smiled at the nervous monk. "I imagine a car ride has got to be scary when it's your first one."

Miroku nodded. "Oh, it was," he replied as the woman looked confusingly at him.

At the mall, Kagome's mother treated him to some fast food. Afterwards, Miroku promptly became sick from the overly greasy feast. She smiled guiltily at the monk. "I guess Wacdonald's and your stomach don't agree much." She pointed the monk in the direction of the men's room.

After what seemed like hours of trying on 'outfits', as Kagome's mother called them, Mrs. Higurashi commented on how 'cute' several of them looked on him and paid for them at the register. "Oh this is fun," she said smiling at the monk, "just like shopping with one of the girls." Miroku smiled as he couldn't help but to notice how alike Kagome and her mother were. 

***

Kagome heaved her yellow backpack onto her stronger of the two shoulders as Hojo approached her. "How's the shoulder, Kagome?"

She smiled. "Much better, thanks."

He smiled back. "I was wondering, there is a formal coming up Friday. Do you want to go together?"

Kagome thought for a moment. Usually, she would have said no, but she did want to go the dance, and since she couldn't return to the feudal era for the time being, she wouldn't really have much to do. She nodded and smiled.

"Great," the excited boy replied, "See you Friday."

***

"I'm home!" Kagome called as she entered the front door of her home. "Hello?" She could hear a conversation and loud music playing in the kitchen. "Mom?" She entered the kitchen and smiled at the scene before her. Her mother was at the sink washing the dishes as Miroku, wearing a very pretty, frilly apron, was mopping the floor. Obviously Mom didn't mention those were for girls… She couldn't help but to notice how adorable he looked as he smiled at her.

"Hello, Lady Kagome."

"What are you doing, Miroku?"

"I'm repaying your mom. She took me shopping today."

"My mother took you shopping?"

He nodded as he untied his apron to reveal the clothing underneath-- a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt, which showcased the monk's well-built body. Something that Kagome had never really noticed before. She had been so used to seeing him in those baggy robes, which hid the shape of his body, especially those biceps... It's a shame that he doesn't dress like this most often, Kagome thought to herself.

"Cute, huh?" Kagome's mother asked her with a grin.

Kagome nodded at the monk. "Very cute."

***

Later that night Sota, Miroku, Grandpa, and Kagome sat around the kitchen table for a game of hearts. Although Miroku was terrible at it, he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. Kagome looked up to meet his gaze more than once as the monk smiled at her. Kagome was glad that Miroku was getting along with her family so well. Inuyasha got along with them also, but only to a certain extent. He always seemed a little irritated towards Sota, while Miroku treated the boy more as a younger brother. Kagome couldn't help but to think of how different the hanyou and the monk were. After all the time Miroku had spent at her house, she found herself admiring the monk. Maybe their friendship was becoming closer. Or maybe it was something else…

True, she did love Inuyasha. But there was something about Miroku that drew her to him. She knew in her mind that Inuyasha would, most likely, never allow himself to love her completely, even if he wanted to. His guilty conscience had always come before his heart. Kikyo first. Kagome second. As much as she hated to admit it to herself, she knew it was true. Thinking about it all caused her eyes to tear up a little. She swallowed hard as a fake smile crossed her face. Miroku must have seen through her fake grin because the monk gave her a look of concern.

"I won," Kagome said as she reshuffled the cards, looking away from the Miroku. "Again," she added teasingly.

"Don't rub it in," Miroku said with a grin.

"Well…I think I'm going to bed," Kagome said with a weak smile. "I'll see you all in the morning. Good night." Kagome sighed as she climbed the stairs to her room. Love can be so confusing…

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A/N: Yeah, this one's kind of short. Thank you to everyone that reviewed!!! I felt so crappy yesterday, and your reviews helped so much!! THANX!! =)