Title: Her Iron Curtain

Official Summary: Playboy, Inuyasha Takahashi, was less than thrilled when his parents forced him to live in a secluded and quiet small town for the summer. He could be partying right now! It also didn't help that he'll be living with such a reserved roommate, Kagome Higurashi - who for some reason needed to be covered at all times. It seems, the more he tried to crack her barrier, the more she hid from him. Why?

Rated: Mature (So please, read at your own discretion)

Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha and the many other characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.

A/N: Winter break is here again! I'm sorry it took a FULL year to update! I guess I was putting it off because of writer's block. Also, this chapter is dedicated to Nezumi-24-7 and all those reading and commenting on this book (especially those who take the time to place a review for every single chapter! Y'all know who you are! Just know, you guys are AWESOME!). Again, I really appreciate all the support!

Anyway, pardon all my grammar and spelling errors.

Enjoy! ^^

Chapter Twenty

I had no idea when I started to give in and just let go of my insecurities, my worries, my walls and defenses. I didn't know Inuyasha could treat a woman like he's treated me. He was affectionate and caring, always tending to my needs. Don't get me wrong, he was still obnoxious, arrogant, and teases me to no end, but I can't fault him in that either because that's what I love about him.

After our night out at the beach, I realized that there was more than a boy inside that delicious hunk of a man. My heart melted hearing him choke on his words as he spoke about his dreams and aspirations and what his family thought about it. Not only were his parents opposed of his talents, he also felt he couldn't compare to his vice-president older brother.

Being with him these past few days were days I would not trade for anything. I even cursed myself for being so stubborn and rejecting his advances earlier. He was a true gentleman, very sensitive to my situation, which I put off telling him until he woke me from one of my nightmares. Well, I told him everything except for the fact that my alter ego was a world known super model. I couldn't help it, I enjoyed being Kagome Higurashi and I'm afraid Inuyasha would treat me differently when he finds out I was Skylar, the model everyone knew as the shameless cheater. Everyone felt bad for my seemingly sweet, devoted and loving ex-boyfriend for a year and a half - but little did they know, he was a sinister, obsessive lunatic!

"Baby, wake up." Inuyasha's even tone dragged me back to reality. His muscular arms were around my sweaty, heaving form.

"Inuyasha?" Tears were stinging my eyes and I stared straight into his golden orbs, and resisted the urge to blink for the fear he'd disappear. I wanted to make sure this wasn't a dream and that he really was there in front of me.

"It was just another bad dream, baby." He whispered to my ears, pecking a cheek and then the other before gently initiating a hot kiss on my lips. "I'm. Right. Here." He murmured into our open mouthed kisses before entering his tongue and mingling gently and slowly with my own.

A tear went down my cheeks. The love I felt for him in that very moment overwhelmed me like no other. My stomach was bubbly and it was as if my heart was going to burst.

He noticed my quiet sniffles and he pulled away. "I will never let anything happen to you." I felt his lips touch my lashes for a brief second and I closed my eyes waiting for him to kiss the other.

"I know." I whispered, believing every word he said. He kissed the tear-stained skin under my other eye. "Inuyasha," I inhaled a lungful of air and stared straight into his eyes, "I think I'm ready."

I didn't have the courage at first. The memory still haunting me and terrifying me. I did not want him to know the monsters of my past. I thought that once he finds out, he won't hesitate to leave me. That Inuyasha will think I was too troublesome to be with. I didn't want to believe it, but my ex's words weighed heavy in my thoughts.

"Skylar!" Hojo spat, filling the crisp and quiet night air.

"I said no Hojo." I didn't turn around, kept pulling my suitcase behind me and stomped my Louboutin stilleto heels out of the front gates of Hojo's mansion.

"Where the FUCK do you think you're going?" He took hold of my wrists, tugged me hard towards him and made me face him.

My eyes were in flames. After what he'd said, what he'd DEMANDED I do, he still thought I would stay with him?

"Like I've told you before, I am done! WE'RE done. I cannot follow your orders like some mindless drone any longer. I've already given up trying to be an actress. I always text you my location like you wanted. I moved away from my family and moved in with you. I've even turned down major interviews that will propel my career forward! All because you begged me to! All because I love you." I took a pause and shook my head. "Correction. THOUGHT I loved you. Maybe I still would, if you'd just loosen your tight ass and let me be free for once. I am not fragile or a piece of object for your amusement. I am a human being who LOVES her job. And that job is an entertainer. There is no way I will stop modelling. You've already fed the paparazzi bullshit about me cheating on you. I think that makes us even."

"Love, I can fix it. I can tell them-"

"Don't you 'love,' 'love' me. It was your fault to begin with. I cannot believe you'd stoop so low just for your own selfish reasons." I harshly pushed his hand away from mine and stormed my way across the street.

"Skylar!"

The next day, his mother phoned me. I was fairly close to her, we shared a love towards her son. So when that love faded for me, so was our connection. I visited her to bid my goodbyes, but she didn't quite take it as I'd hoped. Right before I left, I got an almost threatening speech from her stating how she'll never let me find happiness without her son. Turns out, Hojo wasn't the only one trying to control my future.

The next days following our break up, even more rumours were spread about me. It became so bad that I lost half my supporters, therefore I lost most of my projects. No one wanted to work with me. To make it worst, Hojo was constantly banging on my door step or sending me messages, threatening me even more if I didn't come back to him. His fans doing the same and even tipied my poor apartment, unaware of his crazy and psychopathic behaviours.

The point where things took a turn for the worst was when Hojo's goons kidnapped me.

I remembered being locked in that room for days.

"You're so beautiful." A creepy smile crept up his lips, his eyes never leaving my body.

He never forced me to do anything I didn't want, that was true, but there was one time where he almost did. It happened the second day that he kidnapped me. I refused to eat and change into the ridiculous clothes he suggests I wear. It was when I swore and spat in his direction that I ALMOST received a sharp sting on my cheeks. It was rude of me and my mother taught me better, but he was a mad man!

I constantly hear him yelling at his maids to never enter his study. And to ensure I didn't escape, he tied my wrists and ankles to the bed and placed a hankerchief over my mouth to keep me from making a sound whenever he left.

"My beautiful doll." He'd always told me. "And you're finally ALL. MINE." His once warm, loving voice now causing shivers to run up my spine.

By then, I felt lifeless and I didn't fight him. What was the point of fighting when you're going to lose in the end? I lost everything. My fans, my job, even my freedom, might as well lose my life too.

It was only when Hojo was in a hurry to leave and forgot to lock the door, and one of his newer maids accidentally came in to clean up that I was freed.

I never did get the chance to thank her for all the things she helped me do. She made me wear baggy clothes and gave me a makeover so that no one would recognize me. It was the perfect disguise, nobody even looked my way, which is the reason why I dress up like this now.

"-gome. Kagome." A soothing hand massaged my shoulders and I felt the side of the bed dip beside me. "What's on your mind?"

"You." I intently stared at the flowers beautifully arranged on an antique vase, thinking of its future when Inuyasha leaves.

"Baby," he took my chin and made me face him, "please look at me." I did. "I promise I will be back. My freakin' bastard of a best friend just tattled on me like some rat and turned my mother into Godzilla." He said, effectively making me giggle. I felt his muscular arms circle my waist. "I was supposed to return last week but I wanted to stay with you. Besides, if I don't go to my brother's engagement, my mom will come over here and possibly create havoc."

"I'm terrified of your mother because of you, you know that?"

"You should be, she's a scary woman." He agreed, kissing my forehead as I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tight.

"I'm really going to miss you." I said, burying my head to his chest.

"My offer still stands if you change your mind." I was adamant about coming back. Inuyasha still had things to fix back home and I needed more time to think.

He waited for a reply and I gave a heavy sigh. Things should have calmed down by now. If anything, Skylar probably died in the media's eye. Then again, did Hojo forget about Skylar like the rest of the world? Paranoia probably, but the thought of being locked up in that house again was enough to raise goosebumps along my arms.

"Kagome, I'm still here. I can protect you from that - that boy. He will not touch a hair on you." He said through clenched teeth. He had suggested we 'throw his ass to jail' as Inuyasha had suggested, but I didn't think we had enough proof of that, for all I know he fired the maids he had then and bribed or threatened them not to say anything.

"Socially and politically, he has so much more influence on everyone, there is nothing you can do that he can't, Inuyasha. I really don't want you getting involved."

"You are my girlfriend. If a creepy stalker dressed up as the senator's son is after you, it becomes my business." His tone was calm but looking at his eyes, I could see rage. "I don't even know how you got involved with him in the first place."

I cringed. I told him everything, from my family, crazy ex, friends, school. Everything but the person I am - the person I was. Of course he'd be wondering how a celebrity heart throb would have the slightest interest in me.

Besides, I like the thought that Inuyasha was with me for my personality and not my looks. I know I'm not supposed to be testing him like this, but I needed further reassurance that this change was not from the lack of selection. I want the satisfaction that after seeing all the beautiful women waiting for him back home, that he'll come back and choose this me despite my lack of fashion sense.

We got dressed and headed down where breakfast was already made, ready for us to eat. To my surprise Kaede popped in the doorway, holding two small bags and insisting she stay a few days because of how much she missed us. The same amount of days Inuyasha was going to be gone, which led me to think that Inuyasha convinced her to stay with me because he didn't want me to be alone.

She was currently at the market, probably an excuse to allow us to spend time with each other and properly say our goodbyes. We sat at the balcony, enjoying the view and chatted while we waited for Inuyasha's driver to show up. Inuyasha's mother apparently did not trust him showing up, so she sent him a chaperon.

"I love you," he whispered, giving me a warm hug.

"I'll miss you." After all this time, I still hesitate to say the L-word. I gave him a peck on the lips.

"Not what I was hoping to hear." Inuyasha murmured to himself, looking a bit disappointed. "But I'll forgive you if you give me a kiss that will help me get through a week without you."

"You're such a drama queen." I rolled my eyes, but listened to his requests and smacked my lips to his, taking advantage of his chuckling, I entered my tongue inside his mouth and savored his taste.

If all farewell kisses were this good, I would send Inuyasha off more often.

His hold on my waist tightened, his other hand snaking to the back of my neck, pulling my body closer to his, and deepening the kiss. A moan escaped me as I received a hungry groan from Inuyasha. I didn't know how long till we pulled away, but when he did, he kissed me a few more times and said, "That kiss did not help. Now I don't want to leave."

I laughed, giving him another peck. We would have kept at it if the slick black car didn't pull up in front of us.

"Master Takahashi," a man in a suit stood in front of us, bowed and opened the car door.

He rolled his eyes as another man came out of the car and took Inuyasha's suit case.

"You're such a pampered prince." I teased, ruffling his hair. Inuyasha glared at his two bodyguards but followed them nonetheless after giving me another mind blowing kiss.

I watched as the car drove away, leaving me alone in the huge house.

A few days passed and I began to worry about my position as Inuyasha's girlfriend. I hated to be the paranoid type, but Inuyasha's blissful expression surrounded by voluptuous, sexy vixens wasn't helping me calm down one bit. His texts were still consistent though, which was a little reassuring.

"Stop reading all this trash." I remember Kaede telling me, snatching the magazines on my hands and dumping them in the recycling. "You'll worry yourself sick!"

"I'm sorry." I said, bringing my head down. "It's just that I'm afraid he'll find someone better, prettier and forget all about me."

"Don't be ridiculous!" She hushed. "Do you actually believe he'll abandon the one person he loves and trusts the most?"

I shook my head, my brows furrowing in concern. "The thing is, he shouldn't even be trusting me! He doesn't even know the real me!" I exclaimed.

"What? That you're Skylar?" She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Kagome, you and Skylar's one in the same. Skylar is the entertainer in front of the cameras and Kagome is the lovely woman behind all the curtains. Everybody knows Skylar, but only a special few gets to know who Kagome Higurashi is. And it's not too late to tell him, I'm sure he'll be thrilled when he finds out his girlfriend's a model." She chuckled.

"Okay, I will." I said, our conversation giving me a boost of energy.

His phone call the next day brought hope and confidence in me, a reassurance that Inuyasha was mine and only mine.

Or so I thought.

"Hello?" I answered with a little more enthusiasm, ecstatic to hear from him.

"Hey baby!" His deep voice melted my insides and my heart reached out for him. "Great news!"

"What is it?" I excitedly asked, my hands growing clammy with anticipation.

"I had a few discussions with some photographers and art directors and I'm holding an art exhibition of all my current art work." He sounded over the moon. His dream was finally coming true and I teared up from pure joy. "Kagome, what's wrong?"

"Nothing! Everything is great. I'm glad of all you've done in a span of a few days!" I blew my nose and smiled. "I'm so proud of you Inuyasha."

He explained every detail of his plans to me, what art work he thought would fit the exhibit, whether he wanted a semi-formal or formal event, which venue, the time, date, wine and hors d'oeuvres he wanted to serve. Everything.

Once he was done, he said, "Kagome, I want you to see the grand opening." My heart bursts with happiness at his invitation.

"I would like that." I stated. This wasn't about me anymore, this was about Inuyasha and his accomplishment.

"I know you don't want to come here-" He quickly stated. "- so I'll Skype and show you everything once it's laid out." What the heck? He invited me, but he didn't want me to come. I didn't want to over think it so much because god knew how jealous I would get if I did.

"No Inuyasha," I boldly stated. "I want to be there for you."

"Really?" I don't know how to take that. Was he baffled or disappointed?

"Yes, I'm willing to step out of the shadows for you. I'm not afraid of him anymore." Or the paparazzis.

"What? Are you sure?" He sounded delighted. "Did something happen while I was away?"

"Nothing too extravagant. I just had a lot of time to think." I said as honestly as I could. About where I want my career to turn. Whether I'll let the gold diggers take Inuyasha away from me. Whether I want to live my life in fear of the media and my ex. "Think about what I'm doing with my life."

"And what are you going to do?" He asked, genuinely happy for me.

"I'm going to Tokyo, Inuyasha. I will be seeing you in a few days." I said excitedly. "Hope you can still recognize me."

"Baby, you're kind of hard to forget." His voice was gentle and I thought he was making fun of me and my lack of style but then he said, "You're always on my mind, Kagome."

"I -" I struggled to get a sound out, his words opening up a cage full of butterflies in my stomach. "I love you." I said in barely a whisper.

"What was that?" He teased and I blushed profusely.

"You heard me." I snapped.

"I love you too." He said back and I could feel how proud he was on the other line.

"Inuyasha?" I brought all the courage I could muster.

"Yes, Kagome?"

"I - ummm, need to tell you something." I held my breath and waited for a response, my heart beating hard inside my chest. It's better if I tell him now than later, at least he'll have time to digest all this information. If he decides he didn't want me, then it'll save me the humiliation of being dumped at his event.

"Yes?" He urged, his voice still patiently waiting for a response.

"I'm not -" I took a deep breath and bit my lips in nervousness, he'll either hate me for all the cheating rumors going around before I left or love me for being a celebrity. I desperately pray it was the latter. "I'm -"

"Inuyasha!" Came a woman's voice. "Baby, who are you talking to?" I froze, my extremities turning cold, and my heart threatening to jump out of my chest. Breath Kagome. I took a deep breath in and out. My mind tried to find logic, but all I could think about was that that woman called my Inuyasha 'baby.'

"None of your business!" Inuyasha growled and I heard scratching noises. I figured she was trying to snag the mobile away from him. Or he was trying to cover the mic so I didn't hear their exchange of words, the green-eyed monster inside my head whispered. "Let me talk to her." I heard her whine.

"No! Fuck off!" I heard him cuss. Was she one of his woman? Did he start seeing them again? "Listen Kagome, can this wait?" He unknowingly snapped at me.

"Okay." I mumbled, a tear falling down my cheeks and biting my lips to stop them from quivering.

I heard him hiss. "I've got to go. I'm going to be busy until the event so I may not be able to contact you until then. See you in a few days." And he hung up.

"Bye." I croaked, clutching the phone in my hand.

I raised an angry yet worried brow. Who was that woman and why did she address him as 'baby'? Why was Inuyasha in such a hurry to hang up? And more importantly, why didn't he want me to come to his event? Was he scared I was going to embarrass him in front of his colleagues? Did seeing all those women change his mind? Did he think being with just one woman wasn't enough for him anymore and that I wasn't worthy to be with him?

I shot daggers at the frumpy girl staring back at me behind tangled strands. "This is all your fault." I sobbed and for the first time in a long time, I pushed my thick hair back and locked eyes with angry chocolate brown eyes. The worry of how Inuyasha was going to take the news of my identity was the least of my worries. All I was focused on now was taking Inuyasha back.

End of Chapter Twenty