I'M BACK! Sorry it took me FOREVER to update, but I couldn't really work on the story at camp, as there was NEVER, and I mean NEVER time to work on it, and the printer decided to run out of ink before I left, so I couldn't print out what I already had, and writing it was too slow, so I had to basically attempt to pick up from where I left off. But I'm back and will be updating as often as I can! I would never leave you guys! So without any more delay, here's the next chapter of Anything but Paradise!

I still don't own InuYasha or any other of the characters in the story. Those are Rumiko Takahashi's. The story itself, however, is still mine!

Chapter 9: Second Thoughts

Jakotsu was staring into the monitors that were set up around the hotel room, displaying images from Kikyo's mansion. To Jakotsu, it was like watching some really weird (and rather revealing) reality TV show. But he loved every minute of it; it exposed the bitch that Kikyo really was.

He heard Bankotsu coming in from behind. He threw a bag or something onto the floor. He turned around and saw him disguised as a repair man, wearing a blue jean jumper with some random electronics repair company logo on the breast pocket.

"Where'd you just come from?" Jakotsu asked.

"I was just adding some audio bugs at the house so you can hear what's going on too," Bankotsu answered. "How are things looking?"

Jakotsu smiled slightly. "Very, very guilty. She's really hardcore with this guy!"

Bankotsu put his hands up to stop Jakotsu from talking. He didn't need to know those kinds of details. "Did you get a picture of his face?"

"Yeah, it's a little bit fuzzy, but I can easily fix that up," Jakotsu replied, turning to the laptop. He typed some things into the keyboard, and a picture showed up on the screen. It was fuzzy, and hard to make out, but after Jakotsu typed some more commands, it became very clear.

"You are a genius, Jakotsu," Bankotsu praised, as Jakotsu printed out the picture. The picture showed a rather pale-looking man with long dark hair, and crimson eyes. His expression was rather sadistic looking.

"So this is Naraku," Bankotsu said, "I believe Sesshomaru-sama would like to meet you…"

Kikyo paced back and forth in the master bedroom. Her long black hair flowed behind her, just reaching the lower part of her waist. She wore a long white night gown, made of the finest silk. InuYasha had bought it for her on a trip to Egypt. She was waiting for Naraku to come upstairs for the other half of their 'date'.

But she wasn't really thinking about that. After her encounter with Sesshomaru, Kikyo began to feel her first feelings of guilt. Maybe she shouldn't have killed him off. Maybe she shouldn't have taken over his company. Maybe…

She shook her head. What was she talking about? She was happy. She had all the money she could dream of. She had a rather desirable and powerful man by her side, a man who would never stop spoiling her and did everything to make her happy. This was everything she ever wanted and then some.

Besides, InuYasha wasn't the greatest boyfriend. He was always away. Sure, he offered to take her with him, but she didn't want to go to the meetings. He always said she didn't have to, that he would spend time with her afterwards. But she wanted him to be with her during the day so that he could spoil her, since he wouldn't just give her his credit card while he was at a meeting or conference or whatever, so then she could go herself. Besides, she could care less about business and whatnot.

So she was left alone with whatever he left her back in Tokyo. Of course, he brought her back presents, but there were still those evenings that he missed out on. Sometimes she would go for nearly a month without any action. For Kikyo, that seemed like eternity.

Not to mention the recent talk about "settling down". Did he really think that she, Kikyo, with her figure was ever planning to have kids? Where on earth did he get such crazy ideas? Sure, being married is one thing, but being a mother! She couldn't take it anymore.

She began remembering the night before he was supposed to come home, the argument they had over the phone. That just added to her oncoming guilt.

It was 9 in the morning in Tokyo, about 7 at night in New York when the phone rang. Kikyo was still sleeping, and the ringing woke her. She lazily rolled over to pick it up, not happy that somebody was calling this early in the morning.

"Hello?" she mumbled.

"Hey, it's me," InuYasha's voice said on the other end of the line.

"Oh, hi," she replied, still half sleeping.

"Did I wake you? Sorry, it's about 8 here," he said. She yawned.

"It's okay," Kikyo said. Yeah, right.

"Just calling to let you know I'm coming home tomorrow," he said.

"Okay…"

"I bought you something nice," This woke her up a bit.

"Ohh, what is it?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise,"

"Screw surprises! Quit trying to be cute, InuYasha. Just tell me what it is,"

"Fine…I bought you a ring,"

"What kind of ring?"

"Diamond, about 6 karats, from Tiffany's. I was hoping that it could maybe be…ah never mind,"

"Could be a what?"

He sighed. "I was hoping it could maybe be an engagement ring…"

"Engagement ring? As in marriage?"

"Someday…yeah…"

"InuYasha, I thought we talked about this!"

"Not really, you changed the subject. But I think I'm ready to settle down and start a family. I want to start a family with you, Kikyo…I…I love you,"

"Well what if I'm not ready? What about what I want? You don't have to give birth, InuYasha! If I have kids, I'll become ugly and what will you do? Go for the 17 year old babysitter and forget about me!"

"Kikyo, I would never do that! Besides, I find you beautiful no matter what!"

"That's what you say now, but when I gain those extra pounds you'll be thinking differently! What makes you think I WANT to have kids anyway? Have you lost your mind?"

"Look, I'm sorry. Just forget I ever said anything, okay? I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

"Fine, whatever,"

"Bye,"

"Bye," And she hung up the phone. "I can't believe him," She rolled back over, to where Naraku was lying. "Talking about kids again?" he asked.

"Yeah, but soon we won't have to worry about him," she said, cuddling closer to him.

Kikyo shook her head to try not think about it. She regained her composure as there was a light knock on the door.

"Come in," she said. Naraku came in a long dark purple robe carrying tall glasses with a bottle of champagne. She smiled, placing them on the table next to the bed. She poured him and herself a glass. He raised his glass.

"To us, for all the money and power we now possess," he toasted. She raised her glass and lightly tapped it against his, taking a small sip. What a wonderful life they led. She put her glass down. He did the same. She got closer to him and kissed him.

They spent the rest of the night together.

InuYasha cut another tree down. He wiped his brow. His whole body was somewhat damp with perspiration, but he didn't mind. It was midday, when the heat was the worse. He thanked himself he was a hanyou, since he could handle the heat. Miroku, however, didn't look too well.

The day's chores were split between everyone; both InuYasha and Miroku would get some more fire wood, and the girls would wash every one's clothes. InuYasha cut the trees down and cut them into separate pieces and Miroku would bring the pieces back to the fire pit. But InuYasha noticed that he was trying to carry a little bit more than he should…but then again, the path that they were using crossed the water hole, where the girls were washing the clothes.

Figures…InuYasha thought, always trying to impress women.

Miroku came back to get another load. He didn't have his shirt on either, but he looked drenched in perspiration compared to InuYasha. InuYasha also noticed he was panting rather heavily. He began to pick up the new pieces.

"Hey, Miroku, are you sure you're okay?" he asked.

"Sure…pant…I'm…fine…don't worry 'bout me…Inu-kun," he said, struggling to stand with the new weight in his arms. He was trying to carry 15 large pieces of wood! He made his way back towards the fire pit. InuYasha shrugged, but was still concerned. He continued cutting more.

Although the girls were working in the shade, they also felt the midday heat. They were washing clothes the old fashioned way: with a grate and a lot of muscle. Sango seemed to be doing okay, but then again, she normally dealt with heavy patients all day. Kagome, although not fatigued, began to 'feel the burn' as some would say in her muscles from the constant up and down motions.

They could hear the cutting that InuYasha was doing up the path. They also saw Miroku carrying the logs made back to the fire pit. Well, at least Sango did. Kagome noticed her constantly looking up to see if was coming. And when he did, she would just stare, but look away if she was caught. Kagome couldn't blame her, he was good looking. But she couldn't understand why Sango kept denying having feelings for him. It was pretty obvious, so why hide it? He seemed to like her too, so why not go for it?

Kagome glanced at Sango to see her staring again. She looked along her line of vision and saw Miroku, carrying a rather heavy looking load. He noticed the girls looking at him and gave them a nod of acknowledgement and a smile that would melt any girl's heart.

It certainly got to Sango, as she stopped washing and was blushing fiercely. She had a small smile, and was now looking down at her lap. Suddenly, they both heard a thumping sound. At first, Kagome thought it was Sango's heart, but then she looked over and saw Miroku lying on the ground, his load all over the place.

"Miroku!" Sango cried. She got up and began treading across the pool of water to get to him. Kagome got up too, but decided to go around.

Sango ran up next to Miroku and turned him so he was face up. His entire body was drenched in sweat and he was burning up fast.

"Miroku! Miroku, are you okay? Say something to me!" Sango cried, trying to bring him back to a level of consciousness. When Kagome came around, she stopped and analyzed the situation.

"I'll go InuYasha!" she said, running in the direction InuYasha was in.

Kagome soon saw InuYasha in the distance about to cut down another tree,

"InuYasha! InuYasha!" Kagome called. InuYasha stopped in half motion and turned around to see a very worried Kagome. She was running so fast she almost ran into him. He held her arms.

"What's wrong?" he asked, very concerned.

"It's Miroku! He's collapsed!" she explained. He took action right away, holding her hand and running back down the path, where he found Sango trying to shake him awake, tears starting to run down her cheeks.

"He won't wake up! He won't wake up!" she stammered. Kagome had never seen Sango in such a panic before. InuYasha knelt on the other side of his friend.

"He's probably dehydrated and now has sun stroke or something. I'll take him back to the plane to get him into some shade. Sango, you can come with me if you want. Kagome, could you get some cool water for him to drink and wet some cloths too?" InuYasha instructed. Kagome nodded, as he gently lifted the monk onto his back and made his way back to the plane, Sango running alongside him.

When they got back to the plane, InuYasha closed all the window covers after he put Miroku down. Sango was beside him, attempting to fan him off with her hands. She seemed to have regained some of her composure.

Quickly, Kagome came back with a bucket of water and some damp cloths. She immediately placed one on Miroku's forehead. She gave another one to Sango.

"I need you to lightly dab that over his upper body and face," Kagome told her. She felt a little weird instructing an ER doctor on what to do in a medical situation, but it couldn't be helped. Sango sort of blushed at Kagome's instructions, but did what she was told. Soon Miroku was breathing noticeably, taking deep breaths, but he still hadn't woken up yet.

Sango seemed to be back under control now. Kagome got up and began to leave. She motioned to InuYasha that he should do the same. It was so that the plane wouldn't get to warm with all those bodies in there, but to leave Sango and Miroku alone.

Sango didn't really notice the other two leaving the plane. She was looking intently at Miroku, waiting for him to wake up. She knew his condition wasn't life threatening, but she was still worried. She had already lost two of the most important men in her life…not that she felt that way about Miroku. He was just…a friend? Yes, a friend…whom she felt she was close too…friends are allowed to be close…it's not like he liked her or anything…right?

Sango shook her head. She took the cloth that was on his forehead off to replace it with another one. She wringed the cloth of extra moisture and gently placed it on his forehead. His body temperature had cooled down considerably since earlier. She looked back up at his face. He looked kind of peaceful for a moment. She picked up his hand, and held it in hers.

"You better wake up, okay?" she whispered. She closed her eyes and looked away to fight the oncoming tears. She felt his hand tighten around hers.

"Sango…?" she heard him whisper. Her eyes shot open. She quickly turned her head towards Miroku. His eyes were open, but he looked really tired. He had a small smile on his face.

"Miroku! Thank the gods you're awake! I was so worried!" she said. "Are you feeling better?" Miroku saw that she was very concerned.

"I am, now that you're here," he replied quietly. She blushed and slowly let go of his hand. She looked away. "Why do you look sad, Sango?"

"I-it's nothing. I was just really worried," she replied. He let out a little laugh.

"That's okay. I'm happy that you cared about me so much," he said, placing his hand on her thigh, very slowly inching its way up. Sango took notice to it immediately.

"Don't be too happy," she replied, pinching his hand and lifting it off her thigh.

"Eh-heh…" Miroku stammered.

I don't think I've ever been happier…Sango thought, smiling inwardly. Sure. Just friends.

Outside, InuYasha and Kagome were sitting against the plane looking out to the ocean.

"Looks like he'll survive," InuYasha said, after hearing everything that was going on inside.

"InuYasha, it was really great what you did today, with Miroku and all. I'm sure Sango will really appreciate it," Kagome said.

"Why should Sango appreciate it? I was helping Miroku out. Besides, it wasn't all that great," he replied, slightly blushing at the compliment.

"Well, don't you notice that she likes him? It's completely obvious. And it seems like he likes her too!" Kagome explained.

"If she likes him, then why does she slap him all the time? And Miroku likes all girls," InuYasha said. Kagome sighed.

"You can be so dense sometimes, InuYasha," she said, sort of nudging him with her elbow. "Anyway, I think what you did was really nice of you, despite who you think you were helping," InuYasha's blushing deepened.

"W-whatever," was all he could manage to say.

Oh InuYasha…you can be dense, but you also can't admit that you're a nice guy either? Sigh…if only you could see how nice you really are…Kagome thought, as she moved closer to him, and linked arms with his. He looked sort of surprised at first but then just looked back to the ocean, looking like a beet.

Later, when the sun began to set, InuYasha and Kagome went back into the plane to see how the others were doing. They came in and found Sango in Miroku's arms as they both slept soundly. Sango had the hint of a smile on her face.

"So much for not liking him, eh?" said Kagome.

Sorry if it seems short! But I hoped you enjoyed it! Please review!