Celebrity Lifestyle

By: Inuyasha4ev

Chapter 10: Revelation

"Hm. I guess it's a fuse." Kagome grumbled thoughtfully, looking up at Naraku in question. "What do you think?" Lowering her flashlight, she waited for his reply.

Naraku gazed intently at the fuse box in an attempt to remember all he knew about mechanics. With a slight stroke of his chin, he nodded. "Yes. I assume so. You should replace it as soon as possible."

Kagome groaned, narrowing her eyes at her dark home. "Sheesh. This is just perfect. Now, I have to get ready for that damned ball in the dark. This is wonderful. Just freakin' wonderful. Eat what you like in the fridge. I'd rather it be eaten than spoiled in that warm fridge. If you need me, I'll be using the shower while I can still get some hot water."

Nodding, Naraku left for the kitchen. He had been there for hours after everyone else had left to prepare for the ball. Having wanted some alone time with Kagome, he had come up with some tale about having to search for his cellphone, which had all along been in his pocket. He had noticed, from the look in his best friend's eyes, that Sesshomaru had easily caught on to the lie. Well, the look in his eyes, and the way he growled on his way out. As he snatched a coke from the fridge, the sound of sobbing reached his sensitive ears, and he headed off in that direction.

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Tears ran down Kagome's face as she stared at her image in the mirror. "Everyone's right. I'm nothing compared to those two." All her life, she had tried to appear as beautiful as her elder sister and mother. People so often compared the three. The, 'Kami, Ayumi is beautiful. Her eldest daughter is as well. Even her youngest daughter is pretty.'s and the, 'Kikyo has such a mature, aristocratic face. It seems strange that Kagome's features look so...childish, petite.'s, they all made her feel so horrible. She remembered the words Hojo had spoken to her on the phone, the day she had first met Inutaisho.

"Kagome, don't be so cruel. I need you. Just this one favor." Hojo pled with her, begging her to comply with his wishes.

Kagome placed a hand on her hip. "I'm not being cruel. Besides, I'm a miko, not a miracle maker."

Hojo threw the glass of sake in his hand acoss the room. "Damn you! Do you not know how simple what I'm asking for is?! Just this once! I need this from you!!!!!!"

"How dare you..." She began, only to be interrupted.

"Fuck you then, bitch!" He yelled drunkenly, clenching the phone tightly. "You don't have to comply! I don't need you. And I'll be damned if I even come near your ugly ass! Eri's a much better fuck anyway! Hell, I bet Kikyo would be a better fuck! I was trying to give you some, since you're so heartbroken about me, your ass can't even get another man! I just thought you might need a quick fuck. Or maybe, you just want to be in a man's arms. You want to feel loved, don't ya, wench? Well, there's no way in the seven hells I'll be the one to make you feel like that, whore." After his angry rant, the line went dead.

He'd been right. He'd been so right. All she wanted, all she needed, was to feel loved. She just wanted someone to love her, someone to kiss her, someone to hold her up when she couldn't stand. That's all she wanted right now.

Her legs shook, mere seconds away from collapsing. Giving up the struggle of trying to remain standing, Kagome fell back into the arms that awaited her. Looking up, her eyes locked with compassionate, crimson ones. "Naraku..." She whispered. "Y-you, scared me."

"You were crying. Why?" Naraku sat on the toilet, pulling her into his lap. A deep frown tugged onto his lips when she remained silent. "Kagome, you can not be helped if you do not tell someone what is wrong, bibou."

"Bibou?" Kagome repeated softly, a diminutive grin on her face.

"Yes, beauty." He repeated in english.

She sighed, cuddling closer to him. "Y-you think I'm beautiful?"

Naraku scoffed, running his short claws over her cheek gently. "What fool of a man would not?"

"Most of the men I know think I'm not compared to my mother and sister."

"They are both very beautiful as well. But you have an ethereal attractiveness. Your features are heavenly." He chuckled slightly. "Sometimes makes me wonder if you descended straight from the sky above." Kagome's giggled made his heart swell. Had he really calmed her? "Is that what was bothering you?"

"Hm. Yeah." She replied, somewhat shyly.

"How foolish." He berated, turning her to face him. "Kagome, you are beautiful. Not only that, but you are talented. And I swear to Kami above, if you ever doubt that, I will..."

Kagome giggled at him, uttering, "You'll what? Slay me?"

Naraku tilted his head forward in a slight nod. "Yes. I will do just that. Am I understood?"

"Perfectly, Naraku-kun." Blushing, she looked away. "Arigato. I feel better now."

Gripping her chin between his thumb and index finger, he forced her to look back at him. "You should not turn away from me. It drives me insane, bibou." Lowering his head slowly, he pressed his pursed lips to hers, moaning gratefull when Kagome returned the kiss full force. Reluctantly, after a fifteen minute make out session, Naraku managed to rip his lips away. "You should get ready."

"Oh." She licked her red lips. "I forgot. I guess you should go get ready too, huh?"

"Orrrr," He drawled, "I could remain here and assist you in getting ready before leaving to prepare myself. I would like that. Would you?"

"Yes." Kagome's cheeks heated again. "Yeah. I would."

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"Come on, Sesshomaru. You mean to tell me you don't dance?" Kagome asked her date, observing his attire when she thought he wasn't looking.

Sesshomaru looked remarkable in his white suit. The shirt, jacket, and slacks were of a fine, pure, white material. His gold tie and, golden cumberbund, which Kagome had begged him to wear, accented the suit.

Her own apparel consisted of a strapless, white evening gown. A thin gold belt wrapped around her mid section. And the skirt flowed to her ankles, leaving her gold heels revealed. She'd even found her golden clutch at the very top of her closet.

"Yes. That is exactly what I am telling you, woman." Sesshomaru freed his arm from her grip, pocketing his hands.

"Fine, then. I'll dance with Naraku." She began to walk away, but somehow ended up in the arms of the taiyoukai, rocking on the dance floor. "I knew you could do it." She laughed singingly, a soft, melodious giggle.

"I never said that I coudl not. I recall saying that I do not. Or, to say the least, I prefer not to."

Ignoring his comment, Kagome only burrowed into him, a feeling of serenity and happiness washing over her. "So, how should we do it?"

"In a private room." Sesshomaru replied, a hint of joking in his tone.

Kagome nudged him with a smirk. "Don't screw with me, Sesshomaru. Besides, I thought you didn't have a sense of humor."

Sesshomaru's lips curved into a smirk as well. "Obviously, my dear, your train of thinking was wrong."

"Do you know how annoying you are, Sesshomaru? I mean, instead of simply saying 'you thought wrong', you, my 'husband', say 'your train of thinking was wrong. I bet instead of saying 'glasses', you'd say 'tools of vision correction' or maybe, 'optical specticals' or something to that beat. Honestly, can't you ever take the ea-" Her tirade was cut short by a five second kiss.

"The easy way? That was a rather 'easy', as you say, way of silencing you. As was it enjoyable."

"I wish I could hate you." Kagome glared, snapping her attention to the stage when the music stopped and a man tapped on the microphone.

The human cleared his throat, shoving one of his hands into his pocket. "Ahem. I would like to thank everyone for coming to this formal party in honor of all of the winners of the American Oscar Award. We had two Tokyo natives to recieve two rewards, so at this moment, I would like to call Higurashi Kagome and Tanaka Hojo to the stage!"

Kagome's eyes widened as she recalled that Hojo had in fact recieved two awards. Cursing softly, she removed herself from Sesshomaru's arms and went to stand near Hojo on stage, waiting for the applause to cease. Her skin crawled when Hojo tossed his arm around her waist, posing for the camera. "Hojo, you have less than a second to get your hands off." She said through her smile, waving to the cameras.

"Now, why would I want to do that?" He asked in the same manner, his hand lowering from her waist to her thigh, pinching slightly. "I'm going to enjoy this, wench."

"You lucky assho-" Kagome bit back the urge to yelp when he pinched her again, more roughly. Tears came to her eyes as he dug his nails into the skin. "Stop it, Hojo."

"Can't do that, doll." Hojo stopped posing when the applause died down, but kept his arm around her. With a fake smile, he accepted the microphone from the human. "Arigato, Kane. Well, I must say, I was quite honored to recieve two awards, especially to recieve the same amount as this little number. Needless to say, though, I was in shock. Sadly, I was unable to attend because I was busy preparing for my younger brother's funeral."

'The funeral.' Kagome recalled as Hojo droned on.

"Family, friends, associates, we are gathered here today to pay tribute to a man who, as many of us know, was never too busy to lend a hand. Tanaka Akitoki was kind, considerate, and loved by all. He leaves behind a daughter, a brother, and a bestfriend, a woman whom, as he wrote on his blog, he missed very dearly in teh years he did not see her and wished to regain their friendship. Only issue was, he didn't have the time." At that point, Kagome had to stifle her tears and sobs. "In fact, that very day, he had planned to visit her." Kagome sobbed into her hankerchief, attempting to muffle it. "Right now, you may view the body."

Kagome forced herself from her seat and took Rin's hand, strutting up to the casket. After much begging, Akira had agreed to allow Rin to accompany Kagome to the funeral. It was her father, after all. "Oh, Aki." Reaching in, she brushed his bangs from his face and smiled. "Strangely, you look as handsome and radiant as ever. I'm going to miss you so much." Looking down when she felt her thigh growing wet, she lifted the sobbing Rin into her arms. "It's okay, Rin. It's okay. We'll work through this. I promise you."

Rin nodded, wiping away her tears with a toothy grin. "So, will I get to go home with you?" She asked softly. it was strange. Rin no longer acted like her usual, loud, cheery self. She only spoke when necessary, and for some reason, it didn't seem to have to do with only her father.

"No. Not yet, Rin. But, I'm working on it. It's only a matter of time. Is everyone at the orfanage nice."

"Yes. We should visit them sometimes after you take me home. I missed you, Kagome." She clung to the elder woman for dear life.

"I missed you too, Rin." Kagome tried not to cry before the small girl. She wanted her so badly. She wanted to care for her, talk to her, make her feel better. Such a beautiful little girl had no right to be upset. A smile was the only thing that should be on her face. "I missed you too. But don't worry. When I adopt you, we won't be apart."

Hojo approached her, ignoring his ill wife as she sat in a corner. "Hello, Kagome. Hello, Rin."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Whatever. What do you want?"

"Just came to say hi, doll. Calm down. Sheesh. I heard you say something about her being adopted by you."

"Yeah. What's it to you?"

Hojo narrowed his eyes at her in a glare. "Hey, watch the way you talk to me. It'd be a hell of a lot easier for me to take her from you than it would be for you to adopt her in the first place. I'm married. I only have one occupation. And I'm family. I can take care of her, be there always."

Kagome gasped. "You wouldn't dare. She needs me. She wants me. And letting me adopt her is the least you can do after you snatched Aki away from me, you prick." She snarled, covering Rin's ears.

"Kagome, I said watch it. I'll adopt her if you keep screwing with me."

"You don't even care about her. I do. Hojo, you're not as heartless as you may try to trick people into believing. You can't take her away from me."

"I could. But I won't. If you do me a little favor. Quick make out session outside. You, me, the brat stays here."

Kagome glared at him, her eyes softening as she listened to Rin's sniffles. "And if not?"

Hojo grinned maliciously. "I adopt her, and she gets beaten everyday. So, how bout it?"

Kagome sat Rin down, wiping away her tears and paying little attention to the ones forming in her own eyes. "Rin, I'm going outside to talk to Uncle Hojo for a mo, K?" She sighed when Rin shook her head no. "I'll be right back. I swear. Just five minutes." Her lips curled in disgust when Hojo cleared his throat and licked his lips. "Ten minutes, Rin. That's it. I promise, I'll be back." Though reluctant, Kagome left Rin, following Hojo outside. 'This is for Rin. This is for Rin.'

A quick make out session! That's what they had agreed upon! But the second they were outside, Hojo used his own priest powers to cut off her power for ten minutes and drain her of her energy. Tired, she couldn't do much to keep him from taking her. Her head ached when they were done, and she felt sick and disgusting. With one last kiss, Hojo had brushed her hair down and sent her inside, where she cradled a sleeping Rin in her lap, weeping silently. Her eyes darted to Hojo as she tuned back in.

"That was some funeral, wasn't it, Kagome?" He licked his lips in a disgusting, predatorial manner.

"Yeah. It was something, alright." Kagome forced down the urge to vomit, but she could stop the look of shame and disgust to flash onto her face as she stared at the ground.

"Well, like I said before, there's no one I'd rather share the spotlight with than my old girlfriend." Hojo kissed her neck lightly with an obnoxious grin. "Can't you say the same, Kag?"

Kagome clenched her fists, outraged and sickened to a dangerous point. "Yeah, Hojo. No one, but you." She could only be happy she hadn't gotten pregnant. Kami knows Hojo hadn't used a condom, nor was she on the pill.

Hojo sighed. "But alas, as much as I'd love to have her back, my dear Kagome is married. And to none other than Tashio Sesshomaru." He bit out bitterly. "Would you join us up here, Sesshomaru?"

Gladly, Sesshomaru took his place beside Kagome as people applauded. He held her closely, glaring at Hojo and stroking Kagome's arms to get rid of the goosebumps forming on them. Leaning down, he whispered, 'Are you alright?"

"Fine. Totally." She lied, extending her hand, which trembled with rage, to grasp the microphone when it was offered to her. "Um, I hope everyone is enjoying themselves this evening. Sesshomaru and I have an announcement to make."

'A divorce already?!'

'You're having twins?!'

'One of you is quiting your jobs?!'

Kagome narrowed her eyes slightly. Kami, people were so thick. "No. We actually have a confession to make. We...We..."

When Sesshomaru noticed that she couldn't fine the words to say it, he gently plucked the microphone from her hands, finishing for her. "We are not married." He felt a strong urge to roll his eyes at the loud gasps the crowd made. "The press recieved photographs of Kagome and I at the carnival wearing these rings. They assumed we were married. In actuality, we were wearing these as a way to repel the opposite sex. We were out together and did not wish to be disturbed."

'So, what's your relationship?'

Well, that stumped Sesshomaru. Taking the microphone after much thought, Kagome replied. "We have gone out. We have yet to become a couple. But when or if we do, our fans will be the first to know."

'How do you feel about each other?'

Kagome hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Covering the microphone, she whispered to Sesshomaru, "Sesshomaru, isn't that a tad too personal?"

Sesshomaru shrugged elegantly. "Yes. It is. However, if you wish to answer..."

"I don't know what to say. I can't exactly tell them what I told you." She felt her face flush when Sesshomaru whispered in her ear and kissed her. "Ah, yah. Um, yes, that question is a little too personal." She replied finally. 'He had better stop doing things like that in public.' "Well, thanks for the questions. Let us get back to the party, shall we?" Breathing a sigh of relief, Kagome walked off the stage as the music began again.

Sesshomaru made a move to follow her, but he felt a hand on his shoulder. Glaring at the ningen's opposing limb, he snarled out, "Human, I suggest you cease touching this Sesshomaru."

"Hey, no problem, Sesshomaru." Hojo held up his hands in surrender. "I just wanted to talk to you about Kagome."

"What of her?"

"You honestly shouldn't trust the wench. She cheated on me with my brother. And hell, you may not be a couple, but she just slept with me about two days ago. Just giving you a warning." Slightly afraid that Sesshomaru might break his neck, he decided to use the stairs on the other side of the stage.

"Yes. It was nice to see you again too, Utada." Kagome waved to her fellow music artist, turning on her heels in time to spy Sesshomaru storming away from Hojo and out of the door. Rushing to the large, red exit sign, she used the door he had exited, running to him and grabbing his hand. "Hey, what's wrong? Where ya going?"

Sesshomaru didn't turn to face the woman who he felt had betrayed him. He just knew, if he saw that face, he kill her. And he deserved the right to. Who did she think she was?! Well, he was 'the' Sesshomaru, the man every woman wanted. And she had the nerve to sleep with 'that' after he had given her something as priceless and rare as his love. To hell with her! "Away from you." He snatched his arm away, starting back on his walk.

Kagome frowned, trailing him. "Wha? What did Hojo say?" Of course it had to do with that bastard. Sesshomaru was storming away from him, a look in his eyes that meant he wanted to kill. "Sesshomaru, answer me." She gasped when he whirled around. Oh hell, he was furious. His markings were jagged, his eyes blazing, red and rutilant. His fangs had grown twice in size, and his right eyebrow was ticking furiously. He wrapped an arm around her waist, jerking her to him in a crushing hold, the other hand braced over her mouth.

He growled through his snarled lips. "Do not say a word to me, wench. Not a single word." He smirked when tears leaked from her eyes. Good. She deserved to cry. He had never experienced heartbreak such as this, but now, even he could feel the salt water oozing from his tear ducts and gathering in his eyes. "Cry if you must. You earned the pain you feel. Have you heard the saying, 'What goes around, comes around?' Well, I knew the male who first spoke it at least a thousand years ago, and I know what he felt."

Kagome simply blinked. She didn't understand. Why was he acting this way? What had Hojo said? What could make her look so bad to Sesshomaru, that he do this to her. "Mm Mm MmmmM Mm." She mumbled against his hand.

"You wish to know what your lover informed me of?"

'Lover?' Eyebrows furrowed, she shrugged.

"Your lover, Tanaka Hojo, he spoke of the sex you had just days ago." He felt his heart break more when Kagome's eyes grew wide with realization. "I see. He was truthful. Burn in hell, Higurashi." With that hissed message, he took to his cloud, leaving the sobbing woman to call after him. Damn her! He didn' t need her! He'd show her.

"Sesssshooomaaaruuuu!"

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"What'd you do to Kagome? She won't talk to any of us. hell, she ain't talking to her female friends." Inuyasha told his elder brother. "She stays locked up in that damn mansion all day. What did you do?!"

"Halfbreed. I did nothing. She is the one who slept with that, that ningen. This Sesshomaru is no fool. I will not be made to look like one."

"Sess, come on."

Sesshomaru glared, crossing his arms across his chest as though he were a child. "No. I do not wish to hear what it is you have to say, Inuyasha." He got up from his couch, heading to the door with Inuyasha in tow. His glare hardened when he saw who was at the door. "What is it?"

Kagome handed Sesshomaru an envelope, her face hard, yet blank. "That's a first class plane ticket, to Aspen. You will be accompanying me there. I have to go for a makeover. There is no way in hell I will allow you to deny. If you want to know what really happened with Hojo, the bastard attacked me. He told me he'd adopt Rin and beat her everyday unless I made out with him for ten minutes outside the funeral home. Well, we got out there, he drained my energy and forced my powers into dormancy for ten minutes. During that time, he raped me. As I said, you're going with me. We leave from the airport tomorrow at 4:00. I rented a jet, and there'll be a stewardess there to direct you to it. Any questions?"

"No." He said after a slight hesitation.

"Good. Will you be there?"

"Perhaps."

Kagome nodded, her eyes sweeping over to Inuyasha. "Sup, Inu?"

Inuyasha shrugged and grinned. "Nothing much, Kag. You been good? Get any news about Rin?"

"I been okay. Oh, and Akira said I should know about Rin by the time I come back from Paris, which is where I'm going when Sess and I get back, if he comes. Anyway, bye guys." Turning, she sashayed back to her car and took off.

"Man, Sess. You got a good one. You going?"

"Perhaps." he said again, closing his door and walking away from his younger brother. 'Though I am not sure.'