AN: Finally! Summer is here! Wahoo! I could do something crazy at this moment…if I had the energy. So it's two o'clock over here, and I'm dead tired and my fingers ache from typing. God bless carpal tunnel. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this. Thanks for the awesome reviews! By the way, if there are any errors…I just don't care. I'm past that point. Maybe tomorrow when I'm feeling better…or whatever…

Disclaimer: Inuyasha isn't mine.

Tokyo, Tokyo

Chapter Three

The Results Are In…

It was the moment of reckoning for Kagome. The day the apocalypse shattered upon her world. The day her soul was forever lost to fiery pits of modeling hell.

Kagome was always one for the melodramatics.

Looking down at her dress, she figured what they were modeling couldn't be too bad. It's not like she was in underwear or something. That was at least one positive thing. She was probably getting worked up over nothing. Her mind always played stupid tricks on her at the worst moment possible.

Breathe in, breathe out…breathe in, breathe out…

"Alright," Sesshoumaru began, pointing at one of the assistants. "Take the hanyou over there, to the left side – my left you moron! – put the human to the right, slightly in front. God, what does it take for you idiots to do this right?"

Kagome and Inuyasha spent a good twenty or thirty minutes being positioned and repositioned. Inuyasha looked completely apathetic, probably because he was used to this sort of thing. Kagome on the other hand, felt her annoyance increasing by the millisecond. Was it really that hard to find a spot? There was only so much room for them to be rearranged on that she was sure every spot had been covered at at least one point.

"Hold it!" Sesshoumaru barked suddenly, his voice slightly louder than Kagome would've guessed it could go up to. "Perfect." He frowned slightly. "Well…as perfect as it can get with that moron in the picture," he eyed Inuyasha distastefully, earning a scowl from the hanyou.

Kagome suddenly found her voice, a little hesitant to make conversation with Sesshoumaru.

"What…exactly are we modeling…?"

Sesshoumaru, having been in mid-action to adjust the camera, paused.

"Are you joking?"

Kagome shot a nervous glance at Inuyasha who hardly blinked. Of course he'd never help being the ass he was!

"Not really…"

Sesshoumaru looked over his shoulder at Sango who was furiously scribbling away on her clipboard. Her head snapped up upon the feeling of being watched. An arched brow was her only response as the dog youkai gave her a long, stretched out stare.

"What?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head. Humans…all stupid, the lot of them…

"A magazine. That's it. A magazine. Surprise, surprise," he drawled. Quickly, he busied himself with adjusting the camera once more. Kagome had breathed a loud sigh of relief. So it was nothing more. Just a magazine cover. And here she thought it was something so over the top that it was hardly imaginable!

"Alright then. They want a 'cute', 'romantic', 'sweet' cover going on here," Sesshoumaru said, watching the pair. Kagome's face considerably paled once more. She just couldn't catch a break. "Personally, I don't see it happening with you two on the cover, but we'll just have to make due won't we." It wasn't really a question, rather a resigned acceptance.

After several barked orders from one peeved inu youkai photographer, Kagome and Inuyasha had finally managed one pose. It was awkward, forced, and very, very embarrassing. For Kagome at least. Inuyasha was probably used to girls acting like this around him. It just didn't help though that he looked so unwilling to put his arm around her waist.

Right now, Kagome was pushed up against Inuyasha, her back to the camera, though her head was turned to face it. The grimace on her face was about the only thing going for her. The flash of the camera nearly sent her stumbling from the intensity. It was a wonder people didn't go blind.

"Look, you have to act as if you're comfortable with this," Sango pointed out. "Fake it if you have to. Otherwise, we're not getting anywhere."

Kagome sighed, feeling a blush crawling upon her face as she and Inuyasha did some more close-space photos. It was weird, being this close to a guy, Inuyasha out of all of them. However, some part of her, a tiny part, was soon getting into it. It was fun trying different poses (the ones that didn't involve close contact with Inuyasha) and just being able to feel like she was some idol. It wasn't normally in her personality to go all out, but she couldn't help it.

She was sure that Inuyasha was surprised by her surge of courage. To a degree at least. But somehow, like magic, he slowly started to just treat her like any other co-worker. Not his girlfriend or secret crush maybe, but at least he gave it a chance.

Finally, for the last shot, Inuyasha and Kagome were side by side, displaying the fashion (it was a fashion magazine after all) in a broad manner, but a touch of intimacy was incorporated. Inuyasha's face was turned towards Kagome who was staring at the camera with a small smile. His hand was snaked around her waist loosely. It was uncomfortable, but Kagome forced the feeling down. For some unexplainable reason, she wanted this to work. In a way, she wanted to make things easy for Sango. Maybe even Sesshoumaru. He seemed like the uptight kind of guy who wouldn't want his time wasted.

"Well," Sango chirped, following Kagome to the dressing room, "that wasn't so bad, was it?" A sly smile was on her face, noticing Kagome's blush.

"No," she admitted. "But I'm never doing it again!" She added fiercely.

"Sure, sure," Sango acquiesced. "I have to say…you looked like a natural midway through. I don't know how you went from looking like a scared puppy to a confident model, but it worked! And, this may sound funny, but I think Sesshoumaru was pleased."

Kagome pulled a frown. "How can you even read the guy's emotions? He's about as animated as a fish."

Sango raised a brow at the comparison but brushed it off. "Just a feeling. I mean, regardless of the fact that he hates Inuyasha, and humans give him a headache, he seemed pleased with the outcome."

Kagome accepted this for a response before being pushed in to the small dressing area. She removed the dress and put on the clothes from the morning, feeling glad to have gotten this over with. But it was funny at how soon this was all over – for her. She was just a stand-in model. A very inexperienced one, but apparently Sango thought she looked like a natural. Funny…she never imagined being good at posing for a camera.

Soon enough, the trio was back in the limo. Inuyasha seemed quieter than ever, hardly sparing the girl a glance. Kagome stared at her knees with mild interest, unsure of what to say. She assumed she'd just be going home at this point, though she was surprised to find the limo back at the mansion. Kagome shot a questioning look to Sango.

"We're just picking up your clothes from last night. From there, the limo will send you off home." She smiled. "We really owe you one, Kagome. You were amazing! We'll be sending you a check in the next few days, so look out for it." She patted the girl on the back before whipping out her pager and walking off. Inuyasha had all but fled the scene.

Kagome sighed to herself, trotting up to her room and finding her clothes. She folded them into a neat pile before running back down the stairs. Sango was downstairs, apparently finished with dealing whoever it was that she had to.

"Come on, Miroku's waiting for you."

Kagome nodded, following the woman out to where the limo was parked. Sango opened the door for her, smiling before a thought suddenly popped into her head.

"Hey, why don't you give me your cell phone number?"

"Oh, sure!"

They exchanged numbers before Sango shut the door and waved. Kagome rolled the window down and waved back, already missing the girl somewhat. Sighing, she let herself drop against the cushiony leather seat. She was tired and hungry. Getting home fast would be great. Ever so slowly, her eyelids drooped, and she had fallen into a light stupor.

The sound of the car door opening made Kagome jolt. She was met with the face of Miroku, the ever present smile still on his face. Kagome vaguely wondered if it ever hurt to move his muscles out of that position.

"See you later, Miss Higurashi," he grinned. Kagome smiled back, until she felt something very, very unpleasant.

"PERVERT!" She yelled, smacking his arm. Miroku winced, though a small smile was still on his face.

"Don't tell anyone I did that, okay? Sango can be quite fierce when she wants to be…" he said somewhat…wistfully. Kagome eyed him strangely before rolling her eyes. It's not like she'd see the guy again, so whatever. She wouldn't make him lose his job over his perversity. But seriously…in the future, he better get over that small issue.

Kagome strolled up the steps of the shrine, taking in the simplicity of it. Compared to Inuyasha's mansion, it was small, quiet, and quaint in its own way. Inuyasha's mansion felt large and void, though she knew many people were milling around it. She could hardly count the number of maids and butlers she saw. It was ridiculous, but when you were rich, ridiculous was hardly a part of your vocabulary.

"Kagome!" Her mother rushed towards her, smiles erupting on her face. "I can't believe my own daughter modeled for Inuyasha!" Apparently her mother was as up to date as Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi.

"Yeah," she smiled, hugging her.

"How was it?"

"Oh…well, don't get your hopes up when it comes to dog boy. He's rude, a jerk, and completely conceited."

Her mother frowned slightly, about to reply when Souta came barreling forwards.

"Where's Inuyasha?!"

Kagome pulled a face.

"He's not here."

"WHAT?!"

Kagome sighed. "It's not like he'd take the time out of his precious life to drop off some teenage girl beneath him." Souta shot her a quizzical look. "His driver dropped me off."

Souta sulked. "You should've at least gotten the driver's autograph." And with that, he skulked away. Kagome shook her head, knowing that once Souta met the real Inuyasha, he'd be less than pleased. Or at least…she hoped he'd have enough sense.

"What did you model for?" Her mother asked, leading her into the kitchen where she promptly began to make some tea.

"A magazine cover," Kagome dropped herself unceremoniously into a chair. "It wasn't as bad as I thought, but boy photographers can be picky."

Her mother smiled, pouring the tea into a mug and placing it beside Kagome on the table. She pulled out a chair and sat next to her. "When's the magazine coming out?"

Kagome shrugged, sipping her tea. "In about a week I think. That's what Sango said."

"Surreal, huh?" Her mother laughed slightly, earning one from Kagome.

"Definitely! Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi are gonna freak."

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It was exactly one week later when Kagome found herself in the shopping district with her friends. They were doing some shopping, searching for the perfect trends this summer before university started. After all, who'd want to go to school looking like a hobo who dressed themselves in a potato sack? At least, that's what Yuka said.

"Let's go to that store!" Eri pointed. "They have great sales on shoes!"

The group was about to trot in with the intent of finding the perfect pair of shoes, when Ayumi stopped.

The other three turned to look at the girl, Yuka placing her hands on her hips. "Come on! Before you know it, we'll have only rubber soles to wear!"

"Alright," Ayumi nodded. "But look at this magazine," she gestured.

And there, smack dab on one of the shelves in the very front, was a picture of Kagome and Inuyasha. Kagome's face paled, completely forgetting the public would see that. A week sure made her forget! Yuka and Eri dashed towards Ayumi, grabbing for the magazine.

"Oh wow! This looks good!"

"They sure airbrushed you, Kagome!"

"I'd almost say you were Kikyou."

Soon enough, other people milling by the magazine stand slowly started to eye Kagome before making the connection between the girl and the magazine cover. Kagome paled in apprehension of the fact that her friends had basically given her away with all their exclamations. Maybe they wouldn't think too much of her, or even bother. Maybe they'd think she was the look-alike of Kikyou's look-alike!

"You're her!" One girl exclaimed.

"I can't believe it! You were with INUYASHA?!"

"Oh my gosh!" More and more people began to surround the poor girl, and Kagome felt faint.

"Uhh…well…I…" Kagome stuttered as people began to crowd. That one girl's remark had been so loud and attention-grabbing that Kagome was stuck. Practically everyone in the area rushed over to see the girl who was in touching distance of Inuyasha Tessou. Luckily for her, Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi had gotten over that a few days ago when she told them in advance. And of course showed the nice paycheck she received. That might've been the best part.

"LOOK! Inuyasha's right there!" She shrieked, pointing off in some random distance.

The masses turned to stare in the direction she was pointing before she took off. Her three friends followed with bemused expressions, wondering how even those people fell for it. If they didn't, surely something was wrong.

Kagome sprinted until she was far enough away from the crazy, brainwashed weirdos. She let out a sigh of relief, seeing that she was alone save for her friends. No wackos out to get her.

"That's crazy," Yuka commented. "One moment, you're average, plain Kagome Higurashi –" "Thanks for the compliments," Kagome inserted dryly. Yuka rolled her eyes. "One moment, you're Kagome Higurashi, and the next, you're modeling with Inuyasha Tessou. Amazing if you ask me. I wonder if I could model too…we practically look alike!"

"Sure…if you say so," Kagome replied, knowing it was useless to point out all the obvious differences.

"And I don't like to spend my time solving math equations, or reading books. I bet Inuyasha and I would get along so well!" she gushed.

"I bet," Kagome said in earnest.

"Let's just go home," Eri announced, taking note of the setting sun. "It's gonna be dark soon, and I don't want some creeper to touch me."

Laughing, the four went their separate ways, Kagome praying that no one would notice her. She wasn't used to people actually being able to spot her. In her mind, she was Kagome Higurashi, the girl who lived at the shrine house. She had an obese cat named Buyo, a little brother, a mom, and a grandpa whose mentality was questionable. That's who she was. Up until now, that is.

Within a few hours, Kagome found herself falling asleep. The events of the day faded away as her eyelids drooped over, and sleep took her. She slept peacefully, feeling as if she had floated all the way up to cloud nine. It was perhaps the best feeling in the world.

Until she awoke to the noise of her cell phone ringing incessantly. She groaned and mumbled quiet obscenities before stretching her arm out to grasp the mobile. Without even bothering to check the caller ID, she blurted out a little hello.

"Kagome! Oh, you won't believe this!" Sango's voice rang into her ears. She was instantly more awake now.

"What?!"

"We have sold millions of that magazine! Millions! And guess what? Everyone wants to know about you. People won't stop talking about you on the website message boards and everything! Emails are being sent about who the hell you are, and quite frankly, I believe you're our star!"

"Oh…wow…" Kagome breathed. She hadn't been expecting this. "So…what does this mean?"

"It means you are coming back pronto! That's what." Sango stated.

"What?! But I…that's ridiculous! I can't do that!" Kagome protested.

"What do you mean you can't?! You're ranking up on the popularity polls. We didn't even believe it possible for Inuyasha to go up higher on the buzz ladder, but it looks like you were the key."

Kagome sighed. So that was it. She was just a ticket to help Inuyasha spiral into social fame. Of course. That was the whole idea in the first place. She'd be stupid to believe otherwise. But still…weren't there more important things than this? Even if it practically is Inuyasha's, or rather, Sango's, job to get more and more famous by the minute.

"Well, in any case, Miroku's already on his way," Sango announced. "Be ready in about forty five minutes."

"Sango!" Kagome exclaimed. "I can't just leave! I'm going to start university and…and…my family!"

"Oh don't worry so much. It's not like you're going to permanently live here! Just feed the flames of society a little and then you can go on living like you always did. You did great the first time you helped us, and you'll do great again. We'll pay you even more!"

Kagome couldn't ignore the desperate edge Sango's tone was taking.

"So…I guess I better pack some stuff?"

Sango breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah, if you want. We'll just let you have the same room again. It's going to be stocked with clothes. If you still wanna bring your stuff though, go ahead."

"Right," Kagome looked at the clock. "Well, I better go tell my family and get some stuff together. Sango…just remind me to tell you on occasion how crazy you are – and how crazy I am for putting up with this."

"Will do!"

Kagome shut her phone quietly, placing it on her desk. Snapping into awake mode, she raced down the stairs and into the kitchen where the smell of breakfast wafted towards her nose.

"What's the rush?" Her mother asked, sliding a pair of pancakes onto a plate.

"I'm going back!"

"Back…where?" Mrs. Higurashi set the pan aside, giving Kagome a strange look.

"Sango called me. Apparently I'm boosting up Inuyasha's career…probably for being the 'Kikyou look-alike'."

"But so soon?" She glanced at the clock. "It's only ten in the morning, and you haven't had breakfast." A typical mother's worry.

"It's okay!" Kagome reassured her, feeling pressed for time. "The limos coming to pick me up in about half an hour." And with those words lingering in the air, Kagome raced back to her room and grabbed a duffel bag she kept stuffed in her closet. Dust coated it from being out of use. Tugging the zipper open, Kagome began to hastily dump in some bits of clothing, knowing she wouldn't need much, if any. Inuyasha was loaded. They probably had extra clothing around – extra girl's clothing for that matter. Why? The world may never know…

Leaving the duffel bag half opened, spewing with clothes, she went into the shower and scrubbed herself clean. She spent some extra minutes brushing her permanently wavy hair before giving up completely. After a few tasks in the bathroom, she was finally done and ready to roll.

Just in time did she manage to toddle down the stairs, hefting the large duffel on her shoulder.

"Bye!" she hollered, her grandpa and Souta having been notified by this point.

"Bring back an autograph this time, will ya?!" Souta called.

Kagome rolled her eyes knowingly.

"Be safe!" Mrs. Higurashi called, clasping her hands together nervously. Kagome was supposed to be going to university soon, and that was already a big enough event for Mrs. Higurashi to grasp. But now, her daughter had somehow jumped the ranks and fast forwarded to stardom! How it happened, even if she couldn't begin to comprehend.

Kagome jogged down the shrine steps to where the limo was waiting. By now, nosy neighbors didn't bother to hide themselves or attempt for some subtlety. It's not like they'd be fooling anyone anyways. And those who read the magazines would've known that the weird shrine girl was the suddenly-model. Kagome tried her best to ignore a woman who appeared to be fetching her newspaper. It was all too clear that the woman was studying Kagome.

"Come on, come on," Miroku gestured, turning to wave slightly at Kagome's family gathered by the steps.

"Funny…didn't think I'd be seeing you again," Kagome murmured quietly, finding all this irony odd.

Before she knew it, she was off to Inuyasha's mansion once more. She could only imagine the hell waiting for her. If she was lucky, she'd be able to avoid the conceited idiot for her stay…which hopefully wasn't too long. She'd like to go to university on time. Except, there was the problem that people would most likely begin to talk about her and the fact that she modeled with Inuyasha.

Kagome tilted her head back against the cool, leather seat. It was weird how much of an uproar one cover caused. In a good way too. Apparently she was stirring up positive results. What struck her as odd was that people actually wanted to know who she was. Before, she was just Kagome Higurashi, a girl like any other. Now, she was the mysterious girl featured alongside Inuyasha.

Would it be bad publicity if she said he was a complete and utter asshole?

Sango might just slit her throat if Inuyasha didn't do it first.

Or, if everyone else was like her friends, then they'd be skeptical and say she was just putting up a front. Naturally.

The limo eased to a stop and the engine shut off. Miroku soon appeared by her door. Kagome slid out of the seat, grabbing onto to her bag as well. It was like déjà vu as she climbed her way up to the mansion where Miroku opened the doors for her.

Kagome took in the familiar scenery, wondering where Sango could be.

Miroku had soon left her side, claiming he had "business to attend to."

Kagome sighed, deciding to just go ahead and go to the room she had before. She was pretty sure she knew which one it was. Kagome passed familiar sights before finding herself in the kitchen. Looking up, she saw the familiar railing and made her way towards the stairs. It wasn't long before she was striding down the hallway, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She was acting as if she had practically lived here, which was the furthest thing from the truth. But compared to those who had never even witnessed the interior, spending one full night here may have qualified.

Opening the door, Kagome leaned against it to keep it open as she slung her duffel bag inside onto the floor.

She was about to walk in completely and settle when a familiar hanyou came walking down the hallway. His face wasn't trained on her…yet. She wondered if she should just disappear into the room before he had a chance, but it was too late anyways.

His pace slowed to a halt, his golden eyes taking her in incredulously. Obviously someone had forgotten she'd be coming to stay for a little while…

"Y-You…" he sputtered, before regaining his composure and narrowing his eyes. "Listen, you," he demanded, taking on an authoritative tone.

"If you bother me even once, I'll see to it that I make your stay a living hell."

AN: So um…yea. Feedback's cool!