Disclaimer: I own a car now! Yes, Kae-sama just got her licence! But she doesn't have Inuyasha. Sorry folks.

Sorry this took so long. Want an excuse? Ok. Well, I had to practice for the road test, and that included parallel parking, which I am not to swift at. Then I had a lot of work around the house to do. Housework is another thing on my list. I have a social life. And..I just now got around to it. Yeah, they may not be very valid, but I've been busy.

Chapter 2: And the Winner Is...

0o0o0o0

Izayoi flipped through assorted papers and envelopes as her husband's head rolled to the side in his sleep. She never could figure out how someone could sleep sitting in a chair, no matter how comfortable it is. She smiled slightly, remembering how they had met.

0o0o0o0

It was an awards ceremony, and they were both the newest in the acting field. She was staring up at the humongous building where the event was being held when someone crashed into the back of her. She nearly fell forward when a strong had pulled her back against a firm chest. Her cheeks turned a light crimson hue and she struggled to get out of the grip.

"P-pardon me, sir!" The beautiful young actress yelled after her captor released her. She gasped though, after catching site of the gorgeous golden orbs staring back at her. They seemed to have an amused expression within their molten depths. She didn't catch the next thing he said, but she saw his mouth move, which let her know he had said something, releasing her from her gaze. "I'm sorry, what?" She mused, admiring his silver locks that fell perfectly over his broad shoulders.

The boy laughed. "I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention. The fault is all mine. Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?" He held his hand out, indicating her to place hers in his. She narrowed her eyes a bit, and cautiously, gave him her delicate hand. "I believe I may be able to forgive you." She answered cautiously.

He grinned, revealing perfectly white canines that glistened in the bright lights that surrounded them. "Thank you, lovely maiden," he gently kissed the top of her hand, causing her to blush again and jerk her hand away from his light grip. "I'm Inutaishou by the way. May I have a name to place with a face as beautiful as yours?" He said, his grin widening upon her reaction.

"My-my name?" Izayoi stumbled over her words, as she tried to remember her name. Her head was in a spinning, girlishdaze. I've never seen such a pretty guy before. He's a demon, but even still...I didn't know they were so...so gorgeous! "Umm..my name, right. I'm...my name is Izayoi." She gave a sheepish smile as she looked at this, Inutaishou, character before her.

"Well, Izayoi, maybe we'll see each other again." He winked, making her knees buckle, and then he continued walking down the red carpet toward the entrance. Maybe...hopefully we'll see each other again. She shook her head, emptying them of the thoughts of the strange, yet alluring, demon boy. After glancing around to make sure no one payed any attention to their encounter, she straightened her back and headed for the door.

0o0o0o0

Izayoi chuckled. Yes, he was quite the charmer back then. She looked toward her sleeping husband, whose head was now leaning on the large desk and a bit of drool was dripping from his mouth on to some of the contest entry papers. The woman snorted, that's one way to eliminate a few contestants.

She quickly grabbed one letter that was about to fall off the desk onto her perfectly immaculate floor. Nearly tossing it aside, she glanced at the name on the envelope. Kagome Higurashi...Her eyes widened and a grin tugged at her lips.

"Tai-tai! Look!" She shook her husband from his slumber and he looked at her with sleepy eyes.

"What is it, darling?" Inutaishou asked, still half asleep. He stretched his arms above his head as his wife shoved a letter in his face, screaming something about some girl. "Izayoi, calm down. What is it?" He grabbed the annoying letter from her grasp. "And stop waving that thing around." He said as he glanced fromthe parchment, thenback to her flawless face.

Izayoi excitedly pointed to the name. "Look...look at the name. This is her, Tai-tai...this is our winner." She searched her husband's face for an answer, waiting for him to respond. Inutaishou's mouth formed a small "o" as he looked at the paper in his clawed hand.

"So, it would seem we havefound our new guests." The demon turned to his wife with an unreadable expression. She gave him a weighty look, understanding the taciturn message that was relayedbetween them. Both of them questioned internally if this was the girl. Is this the girl that can mend him? Is this the girl that can save him? Can she help him find what he could not find within himself? Or will this just be complete hell?

0o0o0o0

It was a bright and clear afternoon in Tokyo. The birds flinched from branch to branch on the large tree overlooking the Higurashi shrine. They sang a soft, delicate song that was almost morose. Sango and Kagome sat on a bench that was shaded by the sacred tree, both enjoying the serene atmosphere for a short time, taking in what they could.

The Higurashi shrine was located on top of a hill, close to the city, but far enough to avoid the loud and busy noises of cars and passing people. Even still, there was always something going on at the shrine. Someone was always yelling, screaming, or running about. The boys weren't around though. They were at a classmate's birthday party. So their absence might havebeen a major contributution to the silence.

Sango poked her dazed friend, who gave her a fiery look in response. The older girl motioned toward the entrance to Kagome's home. Both girls looked at the woman at the door. She was young, and bore a striking resemblance to Kagome. She knocked at the door, but when no one answered, she proceeded to look around in hopes of finding someone. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught two bodies. Kagome's eyes widened once she noticed she'd been spotted.

"Sorry, we aren't interested!" Kagome yelled across the way, hoping the soliciter would just leave. They rarely made the long walk up the shrine steps. She was surprised this girl did, especially in those heels. That has got to be a killer. She inwardly cringed, and her feet started to ache just thinking about it.

The woman made her way over to the girls on the bench. Kagome sighed, "I said, we're not inter-"

The woman shook her head and held up a silencing, but still kind, hand. "No, don't worry. I'm not here to sell you anything. I'm here to tell you that you won the contest you entered in. I'm Kikyou, and once we notify your parents, you'll pack and we'll be on our way to the mountain estate."

Kagome stared at the woman, her jaw not knowing whether to drop or not. "Ex-excuse me? Mountain estate? I'm...terribly sorry. I think you have the wrong person. I didn't even enter a contest." The girl continued to stare at the woman in front of her.

Kikyou looked at the girl. Surely this was the girl. More than likely it was her friend that was registered to go with her beside her. She cast a quick glance at Sango, who looked just as confused as Kagome.

Kikyou looked at the sheet in her hand. "You...are Kagome Higurashi and Sango Hara, correct?" She looked back up at the girls, and judging by their expressions, they were surprised she knew their names. "You entered a contest a few weeks ago to spend 3 months with Inuyasha and the Tenou family. Your entrance letter is right here." She handed the young teens the paper and they both grabbed it.

Kagome's mother and the boys made their way up the last steps to the shrine. Noticing the girls and some strange woman, Kagome's mother made her way over to them. "Excuse me..."She said, wondering who would be at her shrine visiting her daughter dressed as this woman was.

Kikyou turned to the quiet woman and gave her a smile. "Hello, I'm assuming you're Ms. Higurashi?" The said woman nodded slowly. "Well, your daughter, Kagome, and her friend, Sango, have won the Inuyasha contest. With your permission, we'll be leaving as shortly as possible to leave for the Tenou mountain estate." Kikyou pulled out some papers and handed them to the confused woman. "These are just insurance papers, and letters of approval. I need you to sign those before Kagome leaves. Sango, I'm going to need a parent or guardian to sign papers for you as well." She said as she quickly looked over to the older girl, who just nodded absently.

"Souta..." Kagome said dangerously, her eyes still glued to the paper in her hand. "Come here please." She hissed.

He couldn't see his sister's expression because her dark bangs hung down to cover her eyes, but he could tell by the tone of her demand she wasn't pleased. "Y-y-yes?" The boy stuttered, looking at Kagome, ready to run for his life if he had to.

Kagome's body stiffened as she lifted her head to look at him. "Why, did you enter me in a contest that had anything to do with...Inuyasha." She said the name, and it left a bad taste in her mouth.

Souta smirked. He was ready to answer this one. He leaned in and whispered, "If you don't go, I'll let grandpa know how the storage house really caught on fire."

Kagome gasped. How did he know? Okay, soit is my fault...I left the flashlight in the house, and noticed the matches by the candle. I only wanted to look at that mask. Even though grandpa warned me not too...How was I supposed to know that I didn't put the candle out all the way? Stupid brat! What, was he spying on me? Little creep!

She glared at her brother. "You wouldn't." She warned venomously.

"I would." He dared back. His eyes flashed, and he knew he had defeated her.

Sango poked her head in the warm argument before it turned brutal. "Kagome, why don't we go, it'll be fun. Your mom doesn't seem to mind the idea." She motioned her head towards her mother, who was chatting away with Kikyou, and looking over the papers. Kikyou pulled out a pen, and Ms. Higurashi continued to talk happily as she signed the specific places on the documents.

Kagome's guts knotted. How could her mother, her own flesh and blood, willingly send her off to live three months with complete strangers. Famous strangers at that. Did she really want to submit her daughter to the tortures of fame? She saw what they were like on TV. Stuck up and rude. Fake and made-up. Loaded up on drugs and alcoholics. They got away with everything, and because society adores them, they get away with it! She saw how people followed them. Would it be like that all the time? Kagome sighed resignedly. They don't get it. They just don't know how much I don't want to do this. She looked at her friend, who only held hope in her eyes.

Sango knew how much Kagome hated celebrities. But surely they weren't all bad. Maybe this will change her mind. Maybe...if only she'd agree. I at least want to see what a famous person's life is like. And those houses! Oh, Kami...I've seen them on TV...I wonder if they're that amazing up and close in real life? Her eyes glazed over in thought, and Kagome caved in.

"Okay. Let me go pack." She said, knowing she had been defeated by everyone here. Ha...some love these people have for me. She callously grinned inwardly as she stood up to go inside.

Sango jumped up and grabbed her friend in a bear hug. "Thank you so much Kagome! We'll have so much fun, you just wait and see!"

Kagome's mother smiled warmly at her daughter. "I know you'll enjoy yourselves. Go pack. Have fun, and be safe. I trust you, Kagome. Sango, take care of her." She clasped her hands together happily, and she turned to Kikyou to show her inside. Sango dragged her friend toward the house so she could pack, and then make their way to her house so she could do the same.

This...is going to be a complete nightmare, Kagome thought, just a disaster.

0o0o0o0

Inuyasha raised his amber eyes to meet his father's more golden ones. It took him a moment to register what his old man had just said. Finally, he gathered his thoughts. "So, you found a girl, huh?" His father nodded. "How old is she? Is she pretty? There's no way I'm dealing with some ugly high-school freshman." He snorted.

Inutaishou gave his son a warning glare. "She's 16. I'm told she's very attractive, and you will put up with her and her friend, regardless. If you don't, you'll have me to deal with. And I won't be too happy, do you understand?"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, but he knew how his father could get, so he wouldn't push the matter yet. He'd just warn the wenches once they got there to stay out of his way. "Keh...yeah, I hear ya, loud and clear." He drawled. Loud and clear...right. And I'm going to be sugar for this girl. Who knows, she may be hot. His lips turned up in a perverse way. Hehe...maybe her friend will be just as hot. Yes, this was starting to look good now. He leaned back in his chair, thinking of all the possibilities.

"–Higurashi. Inuyasha? Did you hear me?" The hanyou jerked his attention to his father, who looked rather irritated at the moment.

"What?" Inuyasha snapped rudely, angry that his thoughts had been interrupted. His father narrowed his eyes, not liking his son's tone of voice.

"I said the girl's name is Kagome Higurashi. Her friend's name is Sango Hara. You will greet them once they arrive. Understood?" Inutaishou said, watching his son's face drop drastically, and he even thought it palled a slight degree, but he wasn't sure.

"Ka-Kagome...yeah...whatever...gotcha..." Inuyasha trailed off with an expression that was somewhere between confused, pained and angry. Inutaishou couldn't figure out which though.

"Something wrong? You sound as if you've just heard a dead person's name." The youkai chuckled at himself, never letting his watchful eyes leave his son, who still seemed to be in a daze.

"Dead person...heh...no, not exactly." Inuyasha shook his head violently. "The name...just sounded like...a model's name. I...knew her once. But you know how those things are." He said, almost meekly.

His father grinned mischievously. "Oh. I see. I understand completely." He laughed loudly, and the sound echoed in the room. "You're more like me than I thought, Inuyasha. Now, go get ready, our guests will be arriving shortly."

0o0o0o0

The winding rode up the mountain was filled with spectacular views. Green valleys and slopes along the mountains were like those on calendars. You know, the one's that make you say, "That's so pretty!" Summer flowers were scattered along the road and in various fields. Eventually, the trees grew less dense, and the road ceased as it neared a large, decorative iron gate. The car stopped, and Kikyou punched in some numbers and the gate opened automatically. Kagome and Sango stared in awe at the driveway. It was rather long, and in front of the house it circled around an attractive fountain. Then they noticed the house. No, it couldn't even be called a house or home. It was too huge and monstrous to be called such a small and petty name.

Their car stopped and both girls stepped out of the car, nearly breaking their necks looking at the humongous building before them. "Ahem," They both looked at Kikyou, who was smiling at them and motioning towards the door. "Do you ladies want to come inside?" She asked, trying to hold back a giggle after seeing their eyes grow brighter.

But before Kikyou made it to the door, it burst open, causing all three girls to jump due to the loud sound and sudden movement. Kagome shielded her eyes, since the sun was at the perfect angle to block her view of the person in the doorway.

"Ya gonna stand there all day, or are you coming inside? It's hot, and I'm not standing out here all day, got it bitch?" That all too familiar voice. The gruff voice that she hated. The voice belonged to a person, no, not even a person, a monster, that she despised. Her lips thinned as she bit her bottom lip.

"I never, ever, ever want to see your face again!"

"Same here, bitch!"

There it was. That face. The face she never wanted to see again. She could feel the glare in his eyes as hers went to meet his, a mutual emotion transpiring between them.

"You inadvertent, inelegant, lethargic jerk..." Kagome listed, slowly making her way up the large marble steps.

"What?" Inuyasha asked, not making sense of any of the qualities she just rambled off. I may not know what she's saying, but I know I won't like it!

"You're such an imbecile!" Kagome threw her hands up in frustration.

"Hey, don't go calling me names!" The angered hanyou retorted, finally getting more than two words in.

"Then don't start with me, jerk!" Kagome yelled back, equally flamed.

"Why the hell did you enter that contest? If you knew-"

Kagome interrupted, "Knew I'd see you?" They looked at each other for a moment, letting everything catch up and come back. "I had nothing to do with it, I was...forced. Otherwise, I'd have nothing to do with it, andnothing to do with you!"

The words cut Inuyasha like a blade. Sharp and deep, he didn't know how to react. He turned on his heals abruptly, and stalked off inside.

Kagome watched his shadow fade before turning to her friend. "Let's go in. I want to get unpacked." No emotions could be read in her flatwords. Sango's heart dropped, and shefelt that maybethis wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Kagome, you're acting like...well...do you know-" But Sango's question was clipped short by Kagome's dagger words. "Don't...ask any questions right now. Let's just...go inside." The younger girl lowered her head as she entered the mansion, Sango right behind her.

"Why, hello lovely ladies, pleasant to meet you! My name is Miroku." A cheery voice caught both girls by surprise. They looked to their left to see a handsome young man, he must've only been in his late teens. His violet eyes met theirs, and widened in surprise rather suddenly when doing so. "Oh, my!" He yelled, bringing a hand up to cover his mouth. "It's you!"

0o0o0o0

(Yawn) Oh, look at the time. (Dodges assorted items being thrown at her) Sorry about the cliffie! But I'm tired, and I spent quite a while on this. Hope you enjoyed. Review please, and I'll love you forever.

Much thanks to my buddy DramaQueenABZ!