A/N: I'm glad that so many reviewers liked my last chapter, but I wish you'd make up your minds about the pairings. Mind I'm not saying they're going to change…but I'm not saying they're staying the same either. I know, I'm an evil boy. Not completely pure evil, but mostly.

Chapter 28: Battling Emotions

The sun had begun to set and 'the group' decided to remain at the beach into the night. They all sat around a fire Hojo and Miroku had started, that is; all except for one. Kagome sat looking rather depressed near the tide line. She sadly stared at the blood-red sun as it neared the horizon. She had had fun with her friends (i.e. Miroku) throughout the day, but her mind's battle had been won and lost. The part of the mind that supported keeping things the way they are had given up, and now she was even more confused then before. Was what she felt for Miroku anything more then a fleeting crush? If it wasn't, could she really betray Sango like that? And what about Inuyasha? How would he react? As these thoughts along with many others ran through her mind, she noticed the presence of someone beside her. Miroku had sat next to her and was looking at her with concern.

"Are you okay? Inuyasha and the rest of us are worried. You've been mopey for nearly the whole day. What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing's the matter." Kagome sighed. "I'm just thinking about…things."

"What are you thinking about? If it's about what happened this morning I've convinced Inuyasha that we didn't-"

"No, it's not that." Kagome cut him off. "I don't really wanna talk about it."

"If you don't want to, I won't force you to, but I don't know how any of us can help you out if you don't tell us the problem." Miroku reminded her.

"It's nothing important, promise." She gave him a smile.

"Why don't you come and dry off by the fire with the rest of us? You'll get sick if you stay wet in this cool weather." Miroku suggested, for the temperature was below 20 and still dropping. (Approx. 70 degrees U.S.)

Eri was watching the two from a distance away. "Isn't that a pretty scene?" she asked her company. "Two lovers sharing a sunset."

"They are not lovers!" Inuyasha and Sango yelled in unison. They knew that Eri was just an incompetent who couldn't take a hint, but her steely resolve of her idea that Miroku and Kagome wanting each other was getting annoying. Even Hojo was a little irritated, though he was too polite to say anything about it. "They are best friends nothing more, nothing less!" Sango insisted. "Those two being together is just wrong in so many ways!"

"Like how?" Eri asked.

"Well, for starters he's already with me!" Sango said.

"I don't care what you lot say, they go together like bread and butter." Eri continued to boast. The conversation took a turn as Miroku and Kagome were returning to their friends.

"Hey Kagome." Inuyasha said concerned, joining the conversation. "Everything cool?"

"Yeah, I'm okay now."

"Cause you got to have a little moment between you and Miroku." Eri mumbled under her breath.

"What was that?" Hojo asked.

"Oh nothing, nothing. Miroku help you out with your problem?" Eri inquired with interest.

"Yeah. If you get past the perversion he can be pretty sensitive and helpful sometimes you know" Kagome told her friend.

"Not surprising really. I mean, he does love you and all, so why wouldn't he be?" Eri asked rhetorically. Sango decided Eri needed to be put in her place, and thus threw the Frisbee they had brought along at Eri, hitting her squarely in the temple.

As it grew later and later the members of the group began to fall asleep from exhaustion. As Kagome began to grow tired, she lay down, moved over to where Miroku was lying down, and threw a beach towel over both of them since it was about 15 degrees (approx. 60 degrees U.S.), much to Sango's disappointment. "What gives Kags? You're in my spot."

"I know. I'm making sure no 'strange noises' wake anybody up to 'disturbing images'. Kagome smirked.

"I wouldn't trust you any more than I would Sango hon." Eri commented, causing everyone to roll their eyes. Except for Kagome. In fact, if anyone had been paying attention, they would've noticed a subtle smile play across her lips.

"Whatever." Inuyasha replied. "I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."

"Hey, Miroku." Kagome whispered after the rest had fallen asleep. "You still awake?" Miroku didn't respond. Kagome decided to let him sleep, but her curiosity got the better of her and she woke Miroku up.

"I don't wanna go to school today ma!" Miroku said sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"It's me, Kagome. Wake up." Miroku opened his eyes and looked around.

"What'd you wake me up for? I was having a wonderful dream." Miroku asked.

"I have to ask you something, and it's kind of important." Kagome explained.

"Okay. Shoot."

"If…if I told you I had feelings for you, what would you say?" Kagome asked unconfidently. Miroku stared at her blankly.

"You woke me up to ask that? What's so important about that?" Miroku was confused. That question was so random.

"I'll tell you about it some other time."

"I'd probably think I'd died and gone to heaven." Miroku said with a laugh. Kagome was disappointed. What was that supposed to mean? "Then I'd ask if Sango had also died, and if so, I'd run for cover." he added.

"And if you were alive?" Kagome continued a bit shrilly, annoyed by his previous answer.

"What does it matter? It's not like you really do have feelings for me…Do you?" While it was strictly against Kagome's standard of etiquette to lie, she felt it was in the best of everyone's current interest to do so in this situation.

"No!" She snapped at him for effect, but there was also a blush rising to her face. It was probably too dark to notice, but Kagome still wished it would go away. For good reason too, because Miroku's indigo eyes caught the color on her cheeks.

"Aw, you're blushing! Kagome, I never would've guessed you have feelings for me!" Miroku teased.

"Oh shut up Miroku. You know I don't."

"Funny, because your face says otherwise."

"Forget I asked. I'm going to sleep!" Kagome said angrily, rolling on her side so she was facing away from Miroku.

"Come one Kagome you know I'm just teas-"

"Go to sleep!" Kagome commanded.

"As milady wishes." Miroku said jokingly "Goodnight." He wrapped his arm around Kagome's shoulder, much to her pleasure.

A/N: I know this is a bad place to end, but I wanted to get this chapter out ASAP because it took me so long to put up the last one. I need your guys input. Love triangle? Love square? A break up? Lemme know what you want to see.