Arigato to everyone who reviewed! It's getting harder and harder to write this as the plot develops, and all the encouragement is greatly appreciated.

I won't be able to update as often now, since vacation is nearly over, my mom found some work me, I have to go back to school soon, yadda, yadda, yadda. All the little minor things add up to one big thing and all it means is that I won't be able to write as much. Which is a shame, because I like writing, and writing likes me. It's been a beautiful relationship so far. XD

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"It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."

--- Oscar Wilde

I love Oscar Wilde --- he's an admirable figure that knows when to be serious, yet also has a sense of humour. Well… my kind of humour, anyway. :P

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Silver-angel-sakura: Your right… I don't understand Spanish. I took German and French. XP But I bet you can't understand this though: 我 認為 D 個 故 事 是 好 有 趣 的, 和我 很 高 興 你 喜 歡 它 。以 及 正 如 一 個 很 傻 和隨 意 的 訊 息 關 於 我 : 我 喜 歡 咖啡 貓。

Muhahaha. :D

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Make Me

Kagome laid a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder --- a rather awkward feat to do, since her diminutive status of five foot five meant she had to reach up quite a distance.

He shrugged it off abruptly, missing the look of hurt on her face that she quickly schooled into concern. "Are you alright, Inuyasha?"

"I'm fine." His jaw tightened a little more. "Shouldn't you be in bed, Kagome?"

She opened her mouth, but Shippou dropped to the floor and shook his head, tugging at her socks. Kagome took the hint --- reluctantly --- and scooped Shippou up and walked out of his door, head downcast.

"Is he always like that?" Kagome laid down on her bed when back in her bedroom, Shippou perched on the corner, and looked up at her with big green eyes.

"When he's upset? Sure."

Kagome frowned. "You sound so casual about it."

Shippou hopped off the bed and pulled out a spinning top that he began to play with on the desk. "He's always like that. Miroku says he 'bottles up' and doesn't talk to anyone about it. He says that Inuyasha has 'alternative methods' when he gets angry. I don't really know what kind of methods but last time he got angry he trashed his room." Shippou flicked his wrist expertly. "He broke all the windows and everything."

Kagome sighed, closing her eyes. "Boy, I bet that was a big mess to clean up."

The little boy didn't reply, having found Kagome's Pocky on her desk. "…"

She opened an eye and stifled a smile at the sight of him holding back obvious wanting out of politeness. "Take the whole thing. I've got more."

Shippou beamed up at her, making her get the fuzzies, and ran out with the Pocky in his hand. "Arigato!"

>>>>>>>>>

There was a repeated process of the 'locking self in room,' but Inuyasha had been moodily drawn out because Cid had threatened to 'mutilate those kitty ears of his' if he didn't 'get his ass downtown.' This meant Kagome had to sit next to him in the car watching him glance at the mirror every two seconds.

"Kitty ears? No way in hell… I'll kitty the ass outta Cid later…"

Kagome sighed and propped her head with an arm, fingers tangled in her glossy hair absentmindedly. All the fuss with the necklace and the fire meant she hadn't had any time to catch up on her studying. Acting, she always knew, was a serious business that required not just 'foofing around' --- as Souta put it --- but actual practise, and constant going over lines to word-perfect them. Any spare time was consumed by it. Most actors and actresses had fear of being 'dropped' for a replacement, or worse --- being 'forgotten.' Not that Kagome worried about it much --- that was why she had clung onto her studies, after all --- unlike a certain superstar she could name…

Yeah, acting was the dominant career that she pursued, but she wanted to keep her education, thank you very much. Those qualifications allowed her the way out if acting collapsed on her --- Kagome was not so naïve to be ignorant of the fact that it was a fragile and risky career --- and allowed her that 'light at the end of the tunnel,' so to speak.

This was made even more apparent when the shooting was over and Kagome had 'volunteered' --- read: been forced --- to accompany Cid to get his habitual coffee.

"Thirty damn years, I've been in this business. And I ain't even close to being Steven Speilberg."

Idly, Kagome wondered where Inuyasha was doing. He'd walked off without so much as a backward glance to her, and had disappeared around a corner; when she'd tried to follow him Cid had called her over with something incredibly 'urgent.'

Well, what could be more urgent then caffeine?

She let the old man splutter on for a good more ten minutes --- not that it was a strain, mind you. She perfected the art of tuning out thanks to her Grandfather. Kagome took a look at her watch --- and this was testament of her amazing acting --- and faked a look of horror. "Oh my God! I have to find Inuyasha! We were due back to his house about five minutes ago!" She gave a quick wave and broke into a run in the direction where she had seen Inuyasha was headed.

>>>>>>>>>

Sango stared wide-eyed up at her surprise visitor. "Hello… do you have an appointment?"

Kouga raised an eyebrow. "I came to see Kagome," he said coolly.

Sango mustered up a forced smile. "I'm sorry. She's out."

The rising star gave her a blank look. "Oh. Right." He plumped himself onto bench that was artfully designed to be perpendicular to a maple tree, and crossed his arms. "Well, I'll guess I'll just wait here then."

Sango tried again. "Kouga, you can't just hang around here. It's private property."

He stared balefully at her. "Kagome said I could come to visit her."

She thought back to her and her friend's conversation after her and Inuyasha had gotten back yesterday.

"I met Kouga Tintra." Kagome brushed her hair in the mirror, every stroke taming the snags and frizz that the day had earned her. Sango sat on the bed behind her, half envying the younger girl's raven locks. She definitely won in the length department, but her own brunette strands weren't half as shiny as Kagome's. She'd really have to ask her what conditioner she used.

"Kouga, huh? I heard he's not too bad. Of course, Inuyasha doesn't think so… What did you think of him?"

Kagome set her brush down on her desk, and turned around, a sweatdrop marring the otherwise pretty face. "He was OK… just a little too… forward. Yeah. That's the word. …Forward."

"Of course." Sango flashed the oblivious boy a sickly sweet smile. She walked a little way from him, careful to keep her eyes on him, fishing out her walkie-talkie. "Houshi-sama…" she gritted her teeth. "Get your lazy, perverted butt here right now."

>>>>>>>>>>

Kagome was about to walk into the corridor, when a low moan stopped her in her tracks. Searching for something big enough for her to hide behind, she took refuge behind a tall plant pot and poked her head out enough to see what was happening.

A silver head against a blonde one.

A pair of lips latched against a throat.

A pair of hands where they shouldn't be.

Kagome watched, stricken, but unable to move from the spot, the sight far too surreal to her eyes. She'd seen people going to second base before, seen it on TV all the time. But it was the first time she was actually seeing. The first time she saw the heat, the myriad of feelings the two were going through, and the lust.

It was the most intimate experience of her life and it wasn't even happening to her.

She watched numbly, as Inuyasha's lips trailed, further, further down to the collarbone, and then down to ---

A rousing moan broke the spell, and Kagome fled, silently.

She should've been more careful --- a sharp pair of golden eyes caught the tell-tale flash of the inky black hair.

>>>>>>>>>>>

"Sango, my sweet." Miroku held his arms out to Sango. "I knew you would surrender one day --- ouch!"

"I'm not the one who has to surrender!" She jabbed a finger at Kouga, who'd slid down the bench, arms still crossed and legs planted moodily on the ground. "Make him surrender. He won't get out of here. He says he's waiting for Kagome."

"Does Kagome-sama want him here? We can't send him away if she invited him"

"That's the problem! She didn't!"

"Well, what do you want me to do about it?"

Sango waved her arms in exasperation. "I don't know! Do whatever you do! Work your charm on him! Grease him up, Mr. Smooth."

Miroku gave her a flat look and then ignored her suggestion. "I couldn't get security to throw him out --- Kouga would go running off screaming it to his cronies and the press and then it'll look bad for Inuyasha."

They both stood there for a good ten minutes, trying to think of a suitably safe idea. After Miroku was close on giving up and just letting Kouga wait for Kagome, Sango whirled to him, with an evil glint in her eyes.

Something told him he wasn't going to like this.

"I've got it." Her magenta eyes flashed a little more. "I've got it. You can do what you're best at doing."

Miroku was confused. "You mean you want me to take him to a brothel?"

She gave him a murderous look. "No."

"Then what?"

Her eyes flashed wildly. "You can go up and grope him."

Miroku started spluttering. "W-what?"

"It's perfect! He'll get scared, and he definitely won't be reporting this --- who the heck would admit they got felt up by a gay man?"

"The man isn't gay! Sorry, Sango, but my touches are strictly reserved for you and the rest of womankind."

Sango's eyes narrowed. "Well, just pretend Kouga is the rest of womankind then. Or me."

Miroku let his hand 'fall' onto Sango's derriere. "Ah, Sango, but Kouga doesn't have your beautiful curves."

"…You'll have a beautiful handprint on your face if you do not remove your hand."

>>>>>>>>>

Inuyasha flicked a glance at the girl beside him in the car from the road, alternating his view from Kagome and the road. She was rather subdued; even her body language spoke it, with her head downcast and her body curled up into itself. It was hard to see her face, with that curtain of hair hiding her emotions and thoughts, which contrasted greatly to when she wore her heart on her sleeve.

It was easy to spot her emotions; they varied drastically. Laughter and merriness, thoughtful and dreamlike, to blazing and snapping anger --- the one he was most familiar with.

It was definitely odd, not being able to tell what Kagome was feeling. "Oi, wench!"

There was no reply. Only a slight huddling of her body gave Inuyasha the indication she had heard.

"Bitch! You mute or something?"

Kagome turned her head towards to window, still not letting him see her face. "Shouldn't you be watching the road, Inuyasha?"

The tone was light; although Inuyasha heard the slight strain she had forced it with. The words were casual, and he wouldn't have thought to doubt the relaxed feel about them if he hadn't caught sight of her when he was with Christine.

It was Christine, right?

…

Or was it Kirsten?

Damn it to hell.

Christine, or Kirsten or whatever, was gorgeous. Curves in the right place, pouty lips, big blue eyes, and one hell of a willing attitude.

So why, oh why, did he want to see Kagome?

Actually --- correction. Kagome's expression. That one, bittersweet, melancholy smile --- the one that put everything at odds with each other in it. That smile was sweet as much as bitter, it was dreamlike but cynical --- a smile, yet a portrayal of grief.

That, he concluded, was something more beautiful then the gorgeous Christine. Or Kirsten. Or --- fuck it!

That smile was something only Kagome could produce. Which was hardly surprising, since Kagome was --- to put it gently --- an 'odd' girl.

So, yeah. She liked cars. Well, so did other women. They all liked cars, especially ones that looked like only millionaires could buy. They wanted to be driven around, be paraded, and show that they had grabbed a rich guy.

Only… Kagome hadn't wanted to be driven around. She wanted the be the one driving. He'd seen that light in her eyes, the want to be in control and feel.

I should buy her a car.

…Why not? It wasn't exactly a hardship on him. It wouldn't make a dent in his wallet. And most of all, he wanted to see Kagome driving again. See that colour in her cheeks, and the glow in her eyes.

That high he knew so well.

Inuyasha was surprised when his foot moved on autopilot and slowed the car --- and even more surprised when Kagome gasped slightly. "Kouga-kun?"

…

Did he miss something here?

"Kagome!" The stupid newbie --- because, after all, he'd only been in the business for a few months --- gazed what could only be described in a disgustingly adoring fashion at Kagome.

"What're you doing here?"

Kouga opened the door for her, and Kagome glanced back at Inuyasha, before stepping out of the car. "Thank you, Kouga."

Sango smiled uneasily, and came up to Kagome. "Uh, Kouga insisted on waiting for you, Kagome-chan."

The look on Inuyasha's face darkened; Kagome smiled at Kouga.

Heartened by her response, Kouga flicked back a stray lock of hair back (an unnecessary showoff-y action, in Inuyasha's opinion) and grinned at Kagome. "Well, I was in the neighborhood, and I wanted to check up on you."

Inuyasha got out and loped to the other side of Kagome. "Don't you live in the opposite end of this town?"

Kouga glared at his rival --- career-wise, and now as he saw it, Kagome-wise too. "I wasn't talking to you, Inukkoro."

He sneered back at him. "Sure, actually speaking to anyone else too hard? I know you're used to just talking to yourself; it's a sign of insanity, you know."

This time it was Kagome who shot a glare at Inuyasha. "Be nice." She smiled again at Kouga, and began to lead him inside. "Kouga-kun, you want something to drink?"

Inuyasha could only scowl and trail behind them.

>>>>>>>>>

"…I see. Mmm. Yes, all right. Congratulations, again! I love you too. Bye." Sango put the phone down and sighed, staring at the phone like it would bring her all the answers in the world.

"What's wrong?"

The smooth masculine voice made her jerk her head up. "Oh… Houshi-sama. It's nothing." She looked into the distance and sighed again. "My brother's getting married."

Miroku raised an elegant eyebrow. "And yet… this joyous occasion means you should be taking paracetamol?"

Sango considered him, before seemingly letting her guard down and slumping into a couch. "Kohaku is marrying his high school sweetheart. And… it's not that I begrudge him for his happiness… it's just…"

Miroku settled himself next to her. "You want the same?"

Sango stared at him in surprise. "Yes! That's exactly it." She gestured slightly with her hands as she spoke, and Miroku noticed she wore no nail varnish. No make up, in fact, other then the hastily smudged pink shadow on her eyes. Her clothes were simple and tailored, and Miroku got the feeling she was the kind of girl who wore whatever she pulled out of wardrobe first, regardless if they didn't match. Somehow, it only defined Sango and her beauty.

"I'm twenty-two years old, dammit! I mean… I don't care about getting married, but… I want someone. Someone to care for me, to look after me when I'm sick, someone I could love." Sango sighed wistfully, almost forgetting the man beside her, who shifted uncomfortably.

She rested her chin on her hand, and looked into the distance; voice softening. "Someone that could hold me."

Miroku coughed.

"There'll be a wedding soon… and… I'll be there, by myself. Like always." Her tone dulled, and so the glimmer in her eyes.

"Sango…" Miroku reached out, then changed his mind and diverted his hand to her elbow.

"No, no. I'm looking forward to it. I really am." Sango smiled wanly. "My little brother's getting married! Yay…"

"I'll come with you."

Her head snapped towards him, and her eyes probed his violet ones. "What?

Miroku grinned. "I'll come with you. I'd like to meet Kohaku."

"Y-you would?"

His lips quirked into a soft smile. "Yeah. And I'd like to be with you… not just when we work."

A tint of pink spread on Sango's face, and she was rendered mute, just staring up at Miroku.

The smile turned lecherous. "Weddings always make girls turned on anyway. Maybe I'll get lucky." He winked at Sango, which triggered the inevitable, really ---

"OW!"

>>>>>>>>>>

Kouga left eventually, only after being plied with lots of Kagome's smiles and patience, not to mention sarcastic remarks from Inuyasha. Kagome saw him out, along with Inuyasha ("I want to make sure that piece of crap gets out properly."). The instant Kagome closed the door, Inuyasha turned on her.

"What the hell were you thinking? Inviting him into my house like that?"

Kagome didn't look at him, choosing instead to go back into the lounge. "He's a nice guy. He'd make a good friend."

"A good friend? Did you see the way he looked at you? He doesn't want to be your friend! He wants to fuck you, Kagome, simple as that!"

Her head jerked up at the word fuck, and she finally snapped back --- all patience having been used up on Kouga. "Well, it's a hell of a lot better then you! At least he smiles at me, and tries to talk with me. At least he wants me! And you? You don't even like me! Why would I choose a scowling, spoilt moron over someone who at least appreciates me?"

Inuyasha's eyes bugged out. "I am not spoilt!"

Her eyes narrowed to slits, and her voice to sharp. "I'm going to only say this once, Inuyasha. What does it mean to you? Why do you care?"

His amber eyes widened, before settling again. Crossing his arms, and plopping into an armchair, he looked to the side. "I don't!"

Heavy breathing. "Right, then. Well, I'll go call Kouga tomorrow."

Inuyasha sprung up again, instantly. "What?" He took one look at the determined Kagome and his face hardened. "Fine then! Go be the slut that you are!"

Slap

Inuyasha stared at the girl in front of him in disbelief. Vaguely, he registered the slight stinging feeling on his cheek, but he was too caught up watching Kagome tremble in front of him, eyes dark and huge, brimming with tears. "Baka!" She screamed at him, and he flinched slightly. "Idiot! Moron! Stupid jerk!"

Each word was enunciated with a punch, getting weaker and weaker by the count. Kagome looked up at him, shaking like a leaf. "You're such a blockhead," she whispered brokenly.

Inuyasha watched her stumble out, feeling numb. He only realized he was trembling too, when he looked down at his hands.

>>>>>>>>>>

A little work on the Sango-Miroku relationship there, and a further relapse of Kagome and Inuyasha's.

So now there's a wedding to look forward to! Yay! Of course, Inuyasha and Kagome will be going… hmm… I sense more bickering…

Review, onegai!