Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, just the video game and the two posters I just bought… :o)

A/N: *deep bow*  Gomen, my faithful readers. I got involved with other stuff—Kingdom Hearts, the Inuyasha video game, some actual reading from books—that I haven't had the time to do more than check my email when I go online. Thanks for those of you that are sticking around, and welcome to those newcomers that have stumbled into my warped world. Enjoy your stay. :o)

Chapter 2: Implementing Phase One

Both girls walked deep into the woods. Sango was deep in thought, and Kagome watched worriedly. She hated it when her friends were worried… "Sango, what's the matter?"

Sango jumped. She blushed. "Ehehe… Sorry, Kagome. Just thinking."

"About Miroku?" She grinned and nudged her best friend.

Sango's blush deepened. "No! I mean, not THAT way…" I better explain… "I don't like him like THAT. Not anymore." Sango had a crush on Miroku in the beginning, but all of his groping had scared her off. Now she looked at him as a brother. A lecher brother…

Kagome laughed. "I know, I know… I was just teasing you. Now, what's the matter?"

Sango frowned. "Well, Miroku is acting strange. Well, stranger than usual."

"He groped you again?"

The older girl shook her head. "That's just it. He hasn't groped me in a week. Or you for that matter. He seems preoccupied about something."

Kagome thought back. For the past few days, Miroku had been out of it. Staring into space, oversleeping, not eating well… Yes, even the lack of groping was troubling. What could be bothering him? "Maybe we can get Inuyasha to talk to him. You know, man to man?"

Sango's eyebrows shot up. "Did you just say we should get Inuyasha to speak to the monk? Have you lost your mind?"

Kagome sweatdropped. "Ehehe… It was just a suggestion…"

Sango shook her head. "Never mind. We better head back before Inuyasha drops by and drags you off to cook the meal." Both girls grinned at the image of a hungry Inuyasha whining about not being fed.

*****

"Lady Kagome, may I have a word…?" The group looked up from dinner to stare at the monk. He smiled slightly but stood his ground.

Kagome exchanged a look with Sango, then turned to Miroku, smiled and nodded. Inuyasha exploded. "What is it with all of you? Leave her alone! She was late cooking dinner already for talking to Sango! If she goes off with you, she'll be up late again! Who will cook breakfast for us?"

The group stared at him. The hanyou was glaring at Miroku, then at Kagome. They turned to see Kagome's reaction. She had gone back to eating her food, ignoring the tirade. Nervous looks were exchanged. The group went back to eating. Inuyasha grinned triumphantly. Yes! Now she won't go off with the monk.

"If I knew any better, I'd say you were worried about my health." Uh-oh…

"But since you're not, I want you to SIT down and finish eating. Miroku, shall we?" Kagome picked up her empty bowl, gathered the rest of the empty bowls, and went outside with Miroku, ignoring the 'Oof!' Inuyasha made when both she and Miroku stepped on him to go outside. Inuyasha cursed at them from his place on the floor. Sango hid her grin, Kaede shook her head, and Shippou came close enough to him but not enough to get caught. "You really did it this time, Inuyasha."

© 6/27/03, M.A.R.

Aphiopsyduck: Hmmm… Seems I've confused some of my readers with the two chapters I've posted. I apologize, and I hope it all makes sense sometime soon. :o)   On the other hand, you're getting two chapters this time around! Yay!

…Yes, I feel guilty for not updating sooner. I blame the newest Harry Potter book. Got it sometime after 12:30 a.m. that first day. Finished it sometime before 3 a.m. Tuesday. Loved it, shocked me, will read it again later in the Summer. ;-)

Anyhoo. Hope this chapter—and the next one—clarifies some questions, while offering some intrigue. :o)

(More or less) Permanent A/N: *sweatdrops…*  Ehehe…  First fanfic… If nothing else, it's a test run, since this will be my first real fanfic posted anywhere. I don' really know where it's going though, so please bear with me. Reviews are welcome, and flames will be used on undead mikos who refuse to leave our heroes alone. :o)