AN: It's been a while since I updated…but I had the first half of this chapter all written out! And forgive me, but it's not very long, but hopefully enjoyable…somewhat? Ah, well…
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Tokyo, Tokyo
Chapter Six
Returning a Favor
Kagome knew she was in deep shit. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.
The sound of Kikyou's footsteps clicking on the stairs was the cue for her to hide.
She was about to dive into her room and shut the door with all her might when Kikyou's voice stopped her.
"You…I haven't met you before…" she started, a false inquiring tone present in her voice.
Kagome stammered, unsure of what to do – just run into her room and shut the door, pretending she never heard her or accept defeat and give into Kikyou's query. Sighing, she knew she might as well give up; Kagome turned to the model, pasting on a shaky smile.
"Uhm…I'm…Kotoko Hiragawa!" Kagome gave a mental slap to the forehead as she realized how utterly stupid she sounded. Kikyou knew it was her, Kagome Higurashi – she had seen the magazine cover, that much she was sure of. So why the hell did she suddenly feel the need to give a pseudonym? Perhaps she felt as if she were still upholding Inuyasha's demand to remain hidden. So technically…I'm not really Kagome Higurashi. And if she says anything about it…I'll just…oh…you're so stupid, Kagome! Or Kotoko…yeah, I'll stick to that.
During Kagome's silent musings, Kikyou studied the girl, a dark look crossing her face. She already hated her – every ounce of her. Her annoying, naïve expression followed by that nervous smile – it all seemed so…overdone.
Kikyou immediately closed the gap between the two, letting her skirt sashay around her hips loosely, creating a beautiful flowing motion as she walked. Kagome felt completely pale around this woman, and as she neared her, she felt like taking twenty steps back.
"Listen, Kagome," Kikyou snarled quietly. "If you think that for one minute I'm going to step aside and let you steal Inuyasha, you're wrong – dead wrong. I've been in this industry for seven years, more than you could ever claim, so don't go off thinking you're the hottest celebrity in the country. Got that?" She hissed, brown eyes flashing with repressed anger.
Kagome felt her own temper sparking. "I don't get what you're talking about." She replied curtly.
Kikyou leaned away from Kagome, a small sneer on her lips. "Oh please. I can't take that innocent act of yours anymore. Everyone knows you're some annoying teenager desperate for attention. You're sucked into the stars, the fame, the parties, the recognition…am I right?"
Kagome snorted. "I don't know where you're getting this bullshit from, but I can tell you one thing: fame means nothing to me." She didn't know where the sudden surge of bravery came from, but she was glad it kicked in for the time being – she wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug grin off Kikyou's face, acting as if she had everything figured out when she didn't.
Kikyou's eyes narrowed, paying acute attention to the shift in Kagome's tone. "I don't care how long you want to continue this pathetic, cutesy act of yours, but let me get one thing straight with you – touch Inuyasha again, and I will make sure that whatever bit of reputation you have goes down the drain. All it takes is one touch, and some evidence. That's it. And just to make it clear – you'll have Inuyasha's reputation resting on your shoulders too."
Just then, Inuyasha came running up the stairs, a horrified expression on his face when he saw Kikyou's back to him and Kagome just a few feet away.
Kikyou caught sight of Kagome's line of vision and traced it back to Inuyasha. She composed herself quickly, giving a falsely sweet smile.
"Oh, Inuyasha! I was just catching up with Kotoko here. You know, she's such a nice housemaid. I had decided to go upstairs just to get a feel of the house again, and then got lost. You know how that happens, don't you? In any case, Kotoko helped me out…such a sweet girl!" Kikyou drew Kagome next to her, giving her shoulder a squeeze of appreciation. "I even mentioned to her how much she looked liked that Kagome Higurashi girl you modeled with! But of course, I suppose air brushing does wonders these days…" and with that, she flipped her sleek black hair over her shoulder and sauntered over to the stunned hanyou. "Thanks again, Kotoko!"
Kikyou easily grabbed a hold of Inuyasha's arm, guiding him back down the stairs. Inuyasha's head continued to be stuck in Kagome's direction before a menacing look reached his golden eyes.
Kagome wasn't going to live to see another sunrise.
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"KOTOKO?! KOTOKO?! Where the hell did you get the idea that was what you were supposed to say?!" Inuyasha hollered, slamming a fist on the marble island in the kitchen. Kagome flinched, but kept a resolute expression on her face.
"I just thought that at the time it was best to not associate myself -"
"Well you thought wrong!" Inuyasha interrupted, brows knotting together as he bit into his lip. "What made you decide it was a great idea to go frolicking around the house?! You knew she was going to be here!"
"Stop overreacting!" Kagome yelled back. "She can't possibly believe I'm Kotoko anyways!"
"But now she'll suspect me of something, and I don't know what that something is!"
"SHE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOU ANYWAY!" Kagome finally yelled back, slapping an open palm on the countertop, very close to pouncing over it and knocking Inuyasha down. She wanted to just punch some sense into him and make him realize that Kikyou couldn't give a damn about him – she'd be willing to have his reputation ruined if only to propel herself higher up the popularity chart.
"HOW THE HELL WOULD YOU KNOW?!" Inuyasha shot back.
Just then Sango walked into the room, a cross look on her face.
"Why the hell is everyone yelling? It was as quiet as a mouse here in this whole damn place, and I can hear you two screaming your guts out from nearly the other wing!"
Kagome and Inuyasha barely acknowledged her questioning, before Sango placed her hands on her hips, a glare on her face.
"It has to do with Kikyou, doesn't it? What did you do, Inuyasha?"
"Why is it always me?!"
"When has it ever not been you? Remember the time you went drinking and came home shit faced with -"
Inuyasha immediately cut her off with a growl. "Don't need to go into that, Sango."
"Point is," she continued, "I have a reasonable mind to doubt you."
"Well she started it this time," Inuyasha stated it triumphantly, as if he was a little kid who had succeeded in stealing candy and not getting caught for it. "Just ask her what's going on." And with that, he stomped out of the kitchen, up the stairs, and Kagome was fairly sure it was the sound of a door slamming up on the third floor.
Sango gave a sigh before turning to Kagome. "So…enlighten me." A weary look was on her face; she was in desperate need of sleep.
"He's right," she said softly. "I did start it." Sango's brow shot up. "I ran into Kikyou when he had asked me to stay hidden for a while…I just didn't want to be invisible though! I don't want to hide from her or anything; I have nothing to be nervous about, so why should I be kept a secret or something?" Kagome ranted quietly.
Sango offered a small smile. "It's okay…Inuyasha is just acting dramatic. It's a part of his nature to act like a brat when he doesn't get what he wants." Kagome showed no signs of reacting. "Don't think too much about it."
"That's impossible," Kagome quietly stated.
"Why?"
Kagome remained quiet for several moments before looking up at Sango. "She knows. She knows that something is going on, enough to threaten me with not only my own reputation, but Inuyasha's. If I step out of line once, I'm sure Kikyou will retaliate. I just know!" She burst out, feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility.
Sango soaked in the information, her brain working rapidly to create a solution. She knew Kagome's words were true – Kikyou was a selfish woman when it came down to it, but at the same time, she knew how to play the industry and play it well. She couldn't blame her for doing what her job criteria practically demanded. You only thrived if the world was bowing at your feet.
Finally after a few minutes of deep thinking, Sango looked up.
"I've got - !"
Kagome had already left.
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Kagome was able to comprehend that what she was doing was probably a mistake. After that little "episode" Inuyasha had, she doubted he'd like to see her any time soon. Regardless of whether or not he was actually mad didn't really matter – he simply liked to put on the act of brooding just to prove his point. It didn't take much to figure that out.
The staircase seemed to stretch right before her very eyes, but that must've been the trepidation ruining her vision.
Time to suck it up and just tell him like it is, I guess. Although I wish he had enough common sense to realize it himself!
Kagome's feet led her to the entrance of Inuyasha's room, the door tightly shut. She could hear the sound of running water and figured he was probably taking a shower to let off some steam. For some reason, Kagome could only imagine what her friends would do given her position. Probably knock the door off its hinges and burst into his showers with cameras. Wouldn't be too far off from the truth, Kagome mentally shrugged before knocking on the door just in case it was the sink running in the bathroom.
When no reply came, Kagome let out a small sigh, turning away from the door. There was no point in loitering around if he was in the shower. She just didn't know when the next time she saw him would be. If he was truly angry, he was capable of probably avoiding her for a few consecutive days, something that hurt her for whatever reason.
Kagome trotted on down the hallway, finding nothing better to do. Despite the fact that the mansion was overflowing with rooms, she never really enjoyed going through them. She could appreciate the splendor of the mansion, but preferred the simplicity of the Higurashi shrine.
Even so, Kagome knew she'd have to find some way to entertain herself. Upon further investigation, Kagome was finally in front of a room with double doors instead of the standard one. She hadn't seen this room yet and her curiosity was itching to see what was inside.
Biting her lip, Kagome gripped the golden handle and gently pushed it.
Inside the room, a faint floral scent permeated the air, as if the doors had been keeping it trapped in for decades. It wasn't that bad of a smell either, a little intoxicating though. As Kagome entered the room, she gently clicked the door shut behind her, aware of the fact that she seemed to be entering a territory she best stay out of. It just seemed so personal and secretive.
The room itself was huge, a king size bed facing the doors Kagome was standing at, with a bathroom flanked to the right of Kagome, and what she assumed was a walk-in closet to the left. It was fit for a movie-star. Kagome padded over to the bed, noticing a thin layer of dust seemed to sit on the otherwise light pink comforter. Kagome didn't dare touch the bed though, fearing she would shatter the silence clinging to the room.
I should get out…I should totally get out! Kagome's mind screamed, but she couldn't help but be entranced. Off to the left, past the walk-in closet, Kagome could see two clear double doors, leading to a rather decent-sized balcony. There was a much better view of the beach than from Inuyasha's room.
By the balcony doors, there was also a small coffee table with two arm chairs surrounding it. Along the wall opposite the closet, there was a bookcase filled from top to bottom. Kagome made her way over to it, noticing there were many old books resting there, mostly fictional classics. A few other books that seemed more recent rested on the shelves as well.
Kagome snapped out of her reverie and made a beeline toward the doors. I had to have been snooping…Just as she was about to grip the door, she saw the handle jiggle a little. Her eyes widened in surprise. Oh shit! Shit, shit, shit! Kagome darted away from the door, toward the balcony. She easily slid past the balcony doors before shutting them swiftly. Luckily curtains hung from the inside, obscuring anyone's vision from inside and outside.
Oh, Kagome! Why the hell did you decide to run like that? Now you've got yourself trapped on some damn balcony…I could've been sensible about it, but nooo…I am screwed. Kagome then heard someone muttering inside though the doors made it hard to distinguish who; however, she had a feeling it was her favorite hanyou…Oh, that's why…And then fear gripped her. If he finds out I went snooping…and he's already pissed at me…Oh, shoot. Just then, Kagome caught something out of the corner of her eye.
A garden trellis was located below, and it must've been there for some time since long, green vines had been given plenty of time to grow. Kagome had never been the star athlete in gym class, but this didn't seem too bad. She gave one of the vines a sharp tug, smiling when she saw it remained sturdy.
Well, time to put some of my athletic training to use…all those years of gym class weren't a waste! And with the adrenaline pumping through her body (the adrenaline that signified she was about to do something incredibly stupid and unnecessary), Kagome quickly snatched the vine, lifting her leg and letting her foot rest on the stone-carved balcony's ledge. Her other hand extended to grab another vine. Feeling secure, she extended her leg to smack against the wall, silently congratulating herself on wearing sneakers that day.
Kagome silently worked her way down the trellis, giving a grunt of frustration every now and then. Her mother would have a fit if she saw her daughter scaling the walls like some sort of criminal. Or Spiderman…yeah, that sounds better. Kagome pushed away what her invisible mother's presence would think and steadily descended. She was nearly there…just a few more feet and she could easily drop herself to safe ground.
Almost there!
"I KNEW you were sneaking somewhere around here!"
"Oh, for the love of…!" Kagome muttered before the vine suddenly snapped.
Kagome's body hurtled toward the ground, perhaps seven feet down before she landed with a thud on her side. She grasped her head, feeling a slight bump on it; the real damage was on her side and down to her leg. Looking up, she saw Inuyasha…perching on the balcony?!
"What are you doing?!" She yelled. "You'll fall off and die! And then I'll look like a murderer!"
Inuyasha snorted softly, before sailing off the balcony…and landing perfectly on his feet. It was to be expected…after all, he was part demon.
"So what the hell were you doing in that room?" Inuyasha interrogated, looking down at the nearly crippled girl. She felt a bit perturbed by his decision to stand…it made her feel small and insignificant more so than usual…and it was annoying that he chose now of all times to point out her snooping habits.
"Help me up," she grumbled, attempting to sit up. The aching feeling in her side was intensifying more and more by the minute.
"Not until you tell me why you were in there."
For crying out loud!
"Fine! I was in there because I was just exploring the rooms! There, are you happy?!" She snarled, placing a hand on the side of the wall to help prop herself into a sitting position. She could vaguely feel a headache coming on.
Inuyasha stood still for a few more moments until gruffly grabbing her by the arm. Kagome yelped at the sudden shift in movement, attempting to steer her hurt leg away from as much damage as possible. His movements became somewhat gentler as he maneuvered Kagome onto his back. Kagome felt relieved to be off the ground and unconsciously let her head slump against his neck.
He smelled pretty good…Kagome's eyes slowly drifted shut, attempting to rid herself of this headache.
Inuyasha cast a backward glance at the girl, a little irked to see how easily she nodded off. Most girls would've been suffering an aneurysm if they were to be touched by Inuyasha, let alone carried on his back. Although Kagome was proving to be quite different…whether that was good or not, he didn't know.
Inuyasha sighed, feeling his anger ebbing away. He grunted as he realized how much further they (he) needed to walk before finding an entrance. Despite her small frame, she was deceivingly heavier than she looked. Not that he couldn't handle it, but couldn't she afford to quit the munchies? A wicked idea suddenly popped into his head…a small payback of sorts.
"Alley oop!" He cackled as he propelled himself to the nearest balcony, which happened to be two stories up.
Kagome's eyes snapped open as she belted out a shriek. Inuyasha's ears flattened, and he cursed the fact that this girl had such a shrill voice, something he had forgotten to consider. But in any case, Inuyasha smiled when he felt her legs quivering. Kagome pushed herself off his back, before leaning over the side of the balcony and then began the process of retching.
Inuyasha wrinkled a nose, but smiled nonetheless.
They were even now.
AN: Some fluff (if you squint)…! Ruined by Inuyasha's brain mentality of a five year old. As always, please leave some feedback! Your thoughts/criticisms matter very much to me.
