A/N: Italics identify a flashback for this chapter.

Deceitful Desires

Chapter 10

Truth Exposed

By ShimmerSweet

Kagome stood in the bathroom looking into the mirror and examining her new make over. She liked the make-up and nail polish colors that her friends had painted on her. But she knew that dying her hair would be too drastic, but for some reason Ayumi had gone for it. Kagome laughed to herself as she envisioned the outcome. The box had read autumn auburn but something had gone completely wrong when she emerged with golden tresses.

Kagome smiled in the mirror. "Blonde wouldn't look right on me."

Kagome stopped fussing with the new curls in her hair to go answer the door. Someone was banging on her door perpetually. Kagome ran to the door and immediately swung it open. There stood Ayumi with her newly and brightly colored hair.

Kagome laughed. "Getting used to the new hair yet? I almost didn't recognize you!"

Ayumi gave her friend a sad smile. "You're not the only one who didn't notice me. Kagome, we need to talk."

Kagome felt a lump in her throat rise at the urgency and sadness in her friend's voice. Kagome immediately ushered her inside and sat her on the couch. Kagome sat next to Ayumi and put a hand on her knee to show the poor distressed girl some comfort.

Ayumi wouldn't dare look at her friend. She knew she was about to deliver some drastic news. She didn't want to do it, but someone had to let her know.

Kagome patted Ayumi's knee again. "What's wrong? I've never seen you so sad."

Ayumi turned towards Kagome and looked her right in the eyes. Kagome's eyes were pleading. She really wanted to know. Ayumi looked down at her tightly clasped hands then back at Kagome.

Ayumi sighed, it was now or never. "Kagome, I have some bad news to tell you."

Shivers instantly shot up and down Kagome's back and her body became rigid. What could be so bad that it had the usually joyful Ayumi so gloomy?

"What's it about?" Kagome asked timidly.

"Inuyasha."

Fright settled in her being. What was wrong with Inuyasha? Was he sick? Was he in an accident? Was he hurt? Was he…. Dead! Tears started to build in her eyes.

"What's wrong with Inuyasha? He isn't hurt? Is he?"

Ayumi shook her head and Kagome's fear settled.

"What's going on then?" Kagome asked.

Ayumi looked at her friend and let her know the truth. "He's using you Kagome. He's only dating you so you could set his group up with a record deal."

Inuyasha sat in bed. He had lied to Miroku and Kouga. The deal wasn't looking good. In fact he knew it had to be the farthest thing from her mind. He knew he never thought of it unless his room mates brought it up. Kagome had better things to think about. She was worried over the fight she had with her mother, her pregnancy, and recently her job. He wanted to kick himself for all the heart ache he caused Kagome. Even though he was slow to admit it, he cared for Kagome. He didn't like to see her upset.

Inuyasha turned off the lights and laid down in his bed. He had to do something to make Kagome feel better. Something that was his idea and something he truly meant.

Early the next morning Kagome sat in her car at Music Corp.'s parking garage. She sat in the quiet car as she thought about last night. A tear crawled down her cheek as she recalled the heart crushing news.

"Kagome," Ayumi started, "Inuyasha and his friends were gloating about it at the bar tonight. He wanted to get close to you for his own personal benefit."

"But," Kagome's eyes filled with tears. "He told me he loved me."

Ayumi's eyes started to water. "He lied to you Kagome. He doesn't love you. He used you."

Kagome bit her lip as more tears started to fall. "I'm such a fool." She whispered. Kagome immediately hunched over and wept into her hands.

Ayumi took Kagome and held her as she cried. "It's alright Kagome, let it all out."

Once Ayumi left Kagome crawled into bed and cried her heart out. She curled up into a ball and buried her face in her pillow. She cried until her voice was hoarse and her eyes were red and puffy. She truly thought he loved her. She was actually getting used to the idea of having his child. She actually loved the idea. Kagome rested her hand on her belly. What if she was pregnant? How would they work that out? She was angry with herself for being so stupid. She had chosen him over her family! Her mother had disowned her do to their actions. She hadn't talked to her mother since the incident. And she wasn't even sure if Mr. Megageld would let her keep her job.

Kagome took her keys out of the ignition and got out of the car. She knew there was something she had to do. She had to leave Inuyasha.

Sango had just got off the phone with Ayumi. She was told about the whole situation at the bar and how Kagome dealt with the news. Sango's heart ached for Kagome but she was livid at Inuyasha. How could he be so mean! She was angry with Miroku too for having a hand in the dirty trick. So when either Inuyasha or Miroku called the office she would just hang up on them. She wouldn't even say a word to either one them. Men could be so cruel.

The phone on her desk rang again and Sango picked it up. Sango's eyes widened. It was Mr. Megageld and he wanted to see Kagome.

Sango quietly knocked on Kagome's office door but there was no response. So she slid in her office and closed the door behind her.

Kagome was standing at her office window, arms crossed and studying the city sky line. She looked so sad.

Sango crept next to Kagome, looking out the window too. "I heard what happened… I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that."

Kagome's face was devoid of all emotion. "You shouldn't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."

Sango took a quick glance at Kagome then looked back out the window. "Can I at least get you some coffee or tea? So you can finish the day off peacefully?"

Kagome looked at Sango. "I don't think anything can make today peaceful." Kagome sighed. "It's probably my last day anyway…"

Sango quickly turned towards her friend. "Kagome… what do you mean?"

Kagome looked into Sango's eyes and could tell that she pitied her. "Mr. Megageld ran into me and Inuyasha at lunch yesterday. You know what the policy is…"

Sango put a hand to her mouth in an attempt to keep her gasp contained. "Oh no… Kagome."

Kagome turned towards Sango and could read the shock all over her face. She sighed. "Has he called for me yet?"

Sango nodded. "That's what I came to tell you…"

"I see." Kagome barely whispered.

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Kagome shook her head as another tear slid down her cheek. "I think I just need a hug. This is too much for me."

Sango wrapped her hands around Kagome and cried with her.

"You know why you're here, don't you?"

Kagome sat in the seat before Mr. Megageld's desk. Her head was low and the atmosphere was thick.

"Yes sir."

Mr. Megageld could tell that the girl was ashamed. He was a stickler for the rules but he also didn't like to hurt women. "You know there are repercussions."

"Yes sir."

He sat back in his chair and folded his hands. "You know the rules Kagome. Why did you ignore them?"

Kagome lifted her head slightly. "I didn't know he was part of the band until later…"

Mr. Megageld nodded. He could see what was going on here. "Kagome, your work here has been excellent, but you broke a major rule. A rule that could have you fired."

Kagome lowered her head again. She couldn't look at him as he fired her.

"But I can't do that."

Kagome's head shot up in disbelief.

"I won't fire you Kagome." Mr. Megageld frowned. "But I will suspend you for a month without pay. I'm letting you off easy, very easy if you ask me. So don't let it happen again."

Kagome stood with a smile on her face. "Thank you Mr. Megageld."

He smiled at the young woman. "You may leave."

After the day was over Sango followed Kagome back to her apartment. She had decided to spend a little bit of quality time with her depressed friend. She needed all the comfort she could get. In fact, Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka had called and decided they were going to drop by later on that night.

"So he just suspended you for a month without pay?" Sango asked. "You got really lucky."

Kagome nodded. "Yeah, but I haven't even started my Christmas shopping yet…"

Sango stared at Kagome. She looked like the very life had been sucked out of her. Sango couldn't blame her for being so depressed. She had been shunned by her mother, deceived by her boyfriend, and suspended from her job. Currently, her life definitely wasn't looking up. Sango pushed that aside. Her purpose was to make her friend happy again.

Sango shrugged. "Don't worry about that. Christmas isn't about the presents anyway."

Kagome sighed. "I know, but…"

"But nothing. You have other things to worry about. Buying presents should be the last thing on your mind."

"I really want to…"

"Enough of that," Sango patted Kagome on the shoulder. "Well Kagome, what movie do you want to watch?"

Kagome slowly looked towards Sango. "An action movie. I wanna see a lot of explosions."

Sango lifted her eyebrows in amazement. Kagome usually wanted to see romantic movies but she guessed that she was in the mood to see some bloodshed…

"Well, you make yourself comfortable while I rummage through your cabinets for some goodies."

Kagome nodded as she folded her legs and buried herself in a blanket. Kagome felt so horrible and she knew that her friends were trying to make her feel better but it just didn't seem to help. She sighed as she looked at the ringing telephone by her side. Yup, it was Inuyasha calling again. She didn't want to talk to him. She didn't even know what she would say.

Sango looked at the caller id in the kitchen and looked at Kagome. "Are you sure you don't want to talk to him yet?"

Kagome grimaced. "Positive."

There was a knock at the door and Sango shrugged. She knew it was the other girls so she went to go answer it.

While Sango greeted the girls at the door, Kagome shuffled into the kitchen to pop some popcorn. The phone started to ring again and Kagome rolled her eyes. She knew it had to be Inuyasha again. To make sure, she took a peek at the caller id. To her surprise it wasn't her soon to be groveling ex-boyfriend. Kagome leaned against the counter, her back to her chattering friends as she picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Is this Miss Kagome Higurashi?"

"Yes. Who is this?"

"This is Dr. Morioka. I have your test results."

Kagome didn't say anything. Should she say anything? She really didn't want to know the results right now. If she was or wasn't pregnant, the news would impact her greatly. If she wasn't, then she would be saddened over a little life that she was hoping for. If she was, then she would have to confront Inuyasha sooner than later.

"Is anyone there? Hello?"

Kagome bit her nails.

"Miss Higurashi?"

"…Yes…"

"Do you want your results?"

Kagome sighed. It was better if she knew. "Yes, I do."

"Oh, well then," Dr. Morioka was rummaging through his papers and Kagome quickly became irritated. She could have sworn she heard every paper he went through. She thought he had them in his hands.

Kagome sighed. "Well?"

"Oh! Here they are!" Dr. Morioka cleared his throat. "Congratulations Miss Higurashi! You're pregnant!"

A/N:

Well then, most of the secrets are out now…