Disclaimer: How ever much I wish I could, I do not own Inuyasha and King Kong.

Bittersweet Battles

Chapter 1: An Unavoidable Predicament

She couldn't help but turn her head at the food stands she passed by. The rich aromas of food reached her and her stomach growled in earnest. Lunch break was almost over and still the vendors stood guard, watching for any thieves whose hunger persuaded them to steal a morsel. She sighed and clutched her stomach as the pangs of pain that had haunted her all day started again. The jostling crowds of people rushed past her as they carried on with their day, a starving face commonplace in times like these.

"Kagome-chan!"

She turned around and saw So-hu. He was trying and failing to push past the people crowding around the stands. With a smile, she weaved her way through and grabbed his arm.

"Kagome, I've been searching for you everywhere. Anderson-sama has gone mad, he ended break early and has demanded everyone to grab their bags and take today off. Some important meeting or another but we must hurry."

She exaggerated a groan and dragged him along, elbowing the people who got in her way and stepping on any foot that got in her path. Along the streets people were begging for food and money. Every nook and cranny was crowded with people everywhere, no space was left unfilled. Automobiles and pedestrians alike became obstacles. Streetlights and street-officers were paid no mind in this city.

Even the sky paid a price. Where back in Japan the sky shone a light blue smoke cast a heavy veil above. As it was in newspapers, everything seemed to be in black and white, the flash of colors only from the aristocrats roaming the roads. Every which way you looked all you could see were people, people, people. High above signs advertising that place or another blinked and flashed. Women dumped their dirty laundry water way in the top houses to the unfortunate passerby below. Newsboys ran all along the streets, and homeless families lagged behind. Beggars and concubines leered at them through the alleyways.

Between the well-dressed people street urchins ran rampant, shielding themselves behind others and slyly slipping hands into wallets. As a young man examined an apple cart, a boy and a girl reached into his pocket and withdrew it with a handful of cash. She grinned and walked on, not bothering to assist the unfortunate.

"What brought on this sudden happy change?" she inquired, still dragging a clumsy Soho behind her.

"I have no idea, but all the other actors left. Everyone is gone except for him. The whole place is empty and everything left behind is getting thrown away. I think he might have mentioned renovating sometime or another."

"Well, come on. Let's go before he gets his knickers in a twist."

Soho's chuckle was cut short as Kagome quickened her pace. Crossing the streets, the honking of cars as they ran past was not rare.

"Kagome! Stop-"

"Here we are."

He let out the breath he was holding and looked up at the building of which they worked. If you had been there before the Stock Market Crash, you would have known the theatre's name right off the bat. "Taylor's Theatre". But now all you could see were a couple of letters, the rest of them were gone. The building wasn't that tall, just long. Without even a glance Kagome stalked right in, but she noticed that it was deathly silent inside. Of course you could hear the street noise from there, but no sound omitted from the inside. Suho just stroked his mustache warily and continued to follow the girl who called her grandfather.

They left the lobby and went into the labyrinth of hallways leading into the dressing rooms. Their footsteps echoed and silence enveloped them, casting a spell. They remained silent, finally turning the corner to their room when they found a figure standing outside the doorway.

"Where the hell have you been? I can't waste any more time. And here you are walking all around town and all I could send was an old man to find you! Hurry and grab your bags."

Mr. Anderson's angry blue eyes glared at them above the silver pair of glasses he wore. His business suit was in dishevelment and his hair was messily combed back. He waved his hands impatiently at her and she ran into the room.

"Can't believe the crap I go through to make sure your stuff isn't gone. Waiting and waiting and I have a business meeting to go to."

Sohu just rolled his eyes and rushed to help Kagome as she dragged all the bags. She only handed him a few things, one bag and a couple pamphlets but she carried the rest, juggling the bags clumsily. Anderson slammed the door and locked it, cursing under his breath. The duo left him there, fiddling with the lock and his voice raising.

"Well, this wasn't an odd enough day."

Suho couldn't resist, he rolled his eyes again at her snappy comment. That's when his gaze happened to fall on the play scripts he was holding.

"Echoing Silence, a Play by Inuyasha Takahashi. You know this guy?" His eyes scanned the beginning pages and he snorted.

"Sounds like a guy who was dropped on his head a couple of times."

Kagome's mouth formed into a pout and she glared at him.

"His writing is so well written! He only works for the best of movie producers and he is so emotional! How can you insult him?"

"The moonlight cast a thin shadow on the woman who kneeled weeping by the graveside, her hand clutching red roses. A young boy stood beside her, motionless and-"

THWACK

"You were saying?"

"………."

"Well, look!" Kagome quickly changed the subject, not wanting to apologize and trying to ignore the guilty feeling of wacking an old man over the head. "There's Shippo! SHIPPO! OVER HERE!"

The young newsboy standing a couple of feet away looked around, his pointed ears twitching slightly, and smiled once he caught sight of Kagome and Suho. His canines shone in the light as well as his reddish brown hair and bright blue eyes. Happily he ran over and gave her a hug, snuggling his head into her chest and laughing gaily.

"What are you guys doing out here so early? Shouldn't you be working?"

Kagome looked down at him and smiled. She had found him in the street as a child, abandoned by his parents. From then on she played the role as mother and sister, caring for him and feeding him, teaching him how to survive. He was the only other person she cared deeply about other than Suho.

"Kagome?"

"Oh. Sorry, just thinking. My mind wanders too much. Mr. Anderson let us leave work early. Their rebuilding some part of the theatre I think."

"Cool! Then we can go around and find some food together! I sold all the newspapers for today and I have fifty cents!"

An angry glare was his only response. He grinned weakly at her and looked from her to Suho hopefully.

"Shippo, you know you're gonna have to go back home and watch our bags while we're gone. We can't run around the city carrying all these bags and expect to find some food."

Shippo looked to Suho for support but only saw his helpless shrug. With a glare, he sighed.

"Alright. Me and Rin and Jaken will bring the bags over. Hey you guys, can you help me out?"

Rin was one of Shippo's friends whom he met when she got lost from her guardian, Seshommoru. He had led her back to him and so he became one of her guards along with a lesser demon named Jaken.

"Sure!" The black-haired girl replied enthusiastically, to the reluctant groan from Jaken. Shippo obediently grabbed some of the bags and went to follow Kagome's orders.

"I'll wait for you at home, Kagome. Come back soon!"

The young children and the frog demon toddled off, dragging the bags behind them. Kagome sighed and wiped the sweat off her grimy forehead, and then turned to Suho.

"Let's go back past the theatre to Market Square. It's busier there and it'll be less likely that someone will see us.

Suho readily agreed, still cradling his bruised head in his hands. Kagome's confident grin faded a little but she perked up once she saw him teasingly smirk at her.

Together they walked at a slower pace to the theatre, ignoring the people surrounding them.

"EEEP!"

Kagome tripped, falling to her knees and glared at her shoes. They were unlaced and caked with mud. With a sigh, she bent to tie them when she heard a gasp erupt from Sohu.

"What is it Suho-"

Looking up, her mouth gave a gasp of its own. In front of them, construction workers were hanging up a sign that read "Closed". Around them, Kagome's angry co-workers were shouting insults and curses at them, shaking their fists. Mr. Anderson stood nearby, calling out orders.

"Board the doors already. The windows as well. I don't want any damn beggars taking refuge in here. Hurry up! Time is money!"

Kagome slowly got to her feet and she felt her eyes begin to fill with tears. She heard the cries of the other women distantly.

"I need this job. My children are starving as it is!"

"How the hell am I going to pay rent?"

"Without this job I can't eat!"

The anguished yells echoed in her head and she let the tears fall. The sobs racked her body and though she tried to contain them, she couldn't help it. That's when she felt Sohu's weathered hands grasping her shoulders.

"Kagome, this is what I've been waiting for all these years."

She blinked at him in confusion, tears streaming down her face. He looked up at her, the sadness etched into his eyes.

"All the days I've went hungry, saving up my money, Kagome, I have enough money to go back to Japan. Before I die, I want to see my home one last time-"

"NO!"

Kagome grasped hold of his arms and began to cry freely. She fell back to her knees and she began to ramble in uneven breaths.

"You can't. Please, you've been here helping me! Suho, don't! Please, please…"

She sniffled and took deep breaths, allowing herself time to think more calmly. It was then that she realized her mistake and began to laugh bitterly.

"How dumb am I? You've got more of a right than anyone to go back. What am I saying, begging you to stay here in this Hell when you have the chance to go home?"

Sohu kneeled down beside her and hugged her. He whispered into her hair as she continued to cry in his arms.

"Kagome, I want you to find work, for you and Shippo's sake. But I must leave, I promised myself at whatever cost I would visit my wife's grave before I died. I need to go...Forgive me."

He stood up and gave her a sad smile.

"Good-bye, Kagome. I'll get my things and be on my way."

With that, the man that Kagome had looked to for wisdom and encouragement trudged away, his head bowed and his shoulders hung low. Kagome looked up to see his retreating figure disappear into the crowd. Hot tears mingled with the dirt on her face and fell to the ground. Her mentor was gone. Gone.

She sniffed angrily and stood up, containing the river of tears waiting to be released. Taking a couple of deep breaths, she looked to see Mr. Anderson beginning to escape from the crowd of women protesting. At that moment, her eyes lit up. I can do this! And all I need to do is convince him. For Shippo's sake.

With that thought, she hurried over to her boss and began to pester him, hoping she looked innocent enough.

"Mr. Anderson, since you are closing down the theatre, do you know any places you could recommend me to?"

He didn't even glance at her, and they were crossing the street. Cars beeped at them but she took no notice, she just began to speak again.

"I would really like to find work, not only for myself but to buy food for a young demon kit I found on the streets. Mr. Anderson, I would be ever so greatful!"

He gave her a snide look and pointed to the building across the street.

"Like I've said the million of times before, Higarashi, go to my secretary with your papers and apply for a job!"

"But why waste all that time when I can talk to you in person?" She gave a false laugh and a lopsided grin. He can't figure out I lost my papers!

They had reached the other side and were standing in front of an Italian Resteraunt. The aroma of spaghetti and other such food reached her and she couldn't help but glance behind him as he turned to face her.

"Kagome, you're a good actress, and a pretty face," he said, his face softening once he saw her gaze was directed at all the food. "Someone like you shouldn't be starving on the streets. I guess I could help ya out, but none of the other gals from the theatre better know about this favor." He reached into his coat pocket and grabbed a pen and a business card.

"There's this little place downtown called the Hentaii House. Go and ask for Miroku. Tell 'm Taylor sent ya, and you'll be fine. Get a job, get in, get out, and forget the place. Now I have a meeting to go to…"

He gave her a half-hearted shrug and gave her the card, pocketing his pen. He walked into the restaurant, leaving a still distraught Kagome back in the street.

I don't like the way he spoke of this Hentaii House, but I guess It's the only way I'll be able to make a living. With a sigh, she trudged away from the resteraunt and back across the street, noticing she had left the more cleaner side of the city, though you could barely tell the difference. With another sigh, she strode forward to what she hoped was a good future.

A man in a dark blue suit bit his fingernails as he watched the reactions on the movie producers around him. The screen flashed pictures of nude women in erotic poses but a look of distaste was mirrored on all their faces.

"How much longer do we have to watch this?"

The assistant looked down at the unused cartridges and gave a monotone reply.

"Seven more reels."

A black-haired demon stood up and growled in frustratrion.

"Hit the damn lights."

The man quickly stopped his biting and brushed of his clothes nervously. Giving a weak grin, he slowly jumped up and looked around the room.

"So, what are your opinions on my movie?"

The once silent room erupted with complaints.

"Miroku, what the hell are you making, a PORN FILM?"

"Where's the action, the adventure?"

"All I see are breasts, I'm lucky that I didn't inviteHiten to see the previews!"

Everyone was glaring at him and each one had paper in hand.Kouga stalked up to him and bared his fangs at him, leering down at the cowering black-haired youth.

"We've spent thousands of dollars loaning you money to go to jungles and any other freaking untamed land just to make one of the biggest movie productions ever seen. And what do we get, but a bunch of women naked? We could go to your Hentaii House and see all this for a price lower than the admission ticket!"

Sweat trickled down his neck and he couldn't help but back away. He slipped back into his seat and took a sip of liquor from a bottle. Slowly, he placed the bottle back on the table and looked up and the man who had covered for him countless times already.

"Kouga, we've been pals for a long time, just give me a while and maybe you could give me a little more time so that I can finish the last trip."

He gave him a strange look and scowled at Miroku.

"What last trip? We sent you to all the places already."

Miroku gave a weak smile and scratched the back of his head uneasily.

"The trip that I was planning on going to for a real adventure."

The demon's scowl deepened and his eyes turned red.

"What the hell are you talking about? I've sent you on tons of trips already filled with adventure. Where are you going?"

Miroku's eyes suddenly became determined as he stood up to face the room of demons. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"What I am talking about here, sirs, is an exotic island of which no creature, human or demon alive has ever seen before!" His face took a look of wonder, and his eyes were glazed in his dream. "A place filled with monsters and ancient treasures, just waiting to be discovered. I've found this map-"

Kougaclenched his fists and he grinded his fangs, resisting the urge to pummel his childhood friend into the ground. He could see his fellow producers becoming riled up as well.

"What do you mean by a map, damn it! It could be just some fake, have you ever thought of that?"

"Kouga, I-"

"What the hell are you asking for, Miroku?"

A demon from the back row replied just before Miroku could.

"It means he wants another thousand or so dollars to go searching for an island that doesn't exist. Come on Seshomorru, can you have faith in a man that was thrown out of the priesthood?"

Another voice interrupted as well.

"I heard it was for groping a nun!"

Miroku's face was stained scarlet as he blushed. Kouga shook his head and sighed, a grimace deep on his face.

"Can you leave the room for a moment?"

The exiled priest groaned and stomped out of the room in the most dignified way possible, even though he was still blushing. The door assistant locked the door behind him and Miroku was greeted by Hachi.

"So, how did the meeting go?"

Miroku looked around and spotted the glass of water placed beside the raccoon demon.

"Pass me the water right there, quick!"

Hachi gave him wide-eyes but handed it to him.

"But it's non-alchoholic!"

Miroku dumped the water into the plant stand nearby.

"Hachi, you've got a lot to learn about the movie business."

He pressed the glass to the door and began to listen to the conversation inside.

"Why are we supporting this clown? I mean, he's an ameatuer and doesn't know how to shoot good movies. I say let's just fire him now."

"But he's the person that helped me to the top, I mean, I don't go back on accomplices."

"Either it's thousands of money or him. Take your pick, Seshomoru. Don't you want Kikyo to be happy?"

"Alright. He was gonna get it sooner or later. Bring him in."

"Hachi, come on!"

Miroku dragged his friend behind him, running to the elevator just as the door opened.

"Mr. Kagashi? Miroku Kagashi?" The door assistant called, looking down the halls for a sign of him. But by then Miroku and Hachi were already down to the lobby.

"Miroku, didn't you hear them calling for you?"

"Just the wind, just the wind. Come on. We've gotta get out of here."

Immediately he waved down a taxi, and then when they were seated, he turned to Hachi.

"So, did you get Yura to join up?"

Hachi bit his lip and looked at his shoes. Miroku banged his head against the driver's seat, not caring that he was cursing insults at him in Japanese.

"Why didn't you just lie to her, I mean, you did tell her we were going to Singapore, right?"

The raccoon wouldn't even look at him.

"Damn it."

"I'm sorry. It's just that, she's so pretty-"

He brushed his comments away, sighing and looking out the window.

"Well, I'm probably gonna have to get one of the girls from the Hentaii House to do it."

The raccoon winced.

"How you came to own that place, I'll never know."

"It's not like I'm willing to tell you anyway."

Once again the car had stopped for traffic, and Miroku glared at the driver from the rearview mirror.

"That's it. I'm walking there myself. I don't give a shit. Just meet me at the docks at nine and I'll have a gorgeous dame at my side. Get as many camera crews as possible, because I don't think Kougy's gonna support me this time."

With that, Miroku stepped out of the car and strode off purposely down the street. Hachi sighed and shook his head. He knew he should've joined Warner Bros.

Sooo………….was it any good? Please review, I'm crossing my fingers! I edited it somewhat but it shall be perfect!