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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the lyrics used in this chapter
Chapter 25- Shiver
Inuyasha's blood boiled at the thought of what Kouga did. Kouga had this all planned out. He would tell the world that Kagome was his and knowing Kagome she wouldn't say anything because she didn't want to humiliate Kouga in front of the world. Kouga was just daring Inuyasha, daring him to do something about it because Kouga knew that whatever it was he would do, Kagome wouldn't like it because when guys get territorial on something that becomes lost to them, they do whatever they want to get it back. No matter the consequences and that's what Inuyasha's conscious was telling him now: screw the consequences, Kagome was more important.
"Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked cautiously. He was actually stunned that his half-brother hadn't ripped the place apart yet. After what Kouga did…Sesshomaru had actually suspected Inuyasha to jump on stage and kill Kouga right then and there. It would just be something Inuyasha would do.
But no, Inuyasha was sitting on his chair, his arms crossed over his chest with a huge smirk on his face.
That was what was scaring him the most.
Kagome walked off stage with Kouga right behind her. When they made it off, Kagome turned around sharply, glaring at Kouga with every bit of anger she had.
"How dare you!" Kagome hissed at him, thoroughly enraged with Kouga's behaviour. Kagome knew Kouga only did it to get Inuyasha mad. Though Kagome was too afraid to see Inuyasha's reaction in fear that there wouldn't be one, Kagome knew Inuyasha wasn't going to let Kouga win this. The war was far from over.
"I don't want you closer than twenty feet away from me, got it?" Kagome exclaimed and Kouga rolled his eyes.
Slap
Kouga touched the red mark on his cheek. He looked at Kagome stunned. Why was she so angry? Did she really love that mutt-face?
"Kagome…" Kouga said but Kagome had cut him off.
"Save it. As of now you have nothing but distrust from me."
Kagome stormed off, only to be stopped by the redhead that had been near the stage entrance when she was with Inuyasha. "Ms. Higurashi, I'm sorry but since the nominations for Teens' Choice Hottest Female is about to be announced, you are asked to stay here since you may win."
Kagome crossed her arms and huffed, banging her head lightly against the brick wall. "Thank you…um."
"Denise," the redhead said. Kagome smiled and leaned against the wall.
"Please call me Kagome, Denise," Kagome said and Denise nodded happily before heading back towards the stage entrance. From where Kagome was, she could hear the announcement being made.
"Here is Suki…"
Kagome jolted up. Suki?
'That's right,' Kagome thought, 'Suki is presenting the award since she won last year.'
"Nominees are…Kikyo Hidaka, Ayame Yajima, Rin Noto, Kagome Higurashi and Sango Tajii! And the next Teens' Choice Hottest Female is…Kagome Higurashi!"
Kagome jumped up in surprise as people from the back started to usher her to the stage entrance. Denise gave Kagome thumbs up, smiling. "Congrats," whispered Denise and Kagome thanked her before jogging on stage.
"There she is!" Suki said and Kagome smiled genuinely for the first time that night. Suki and Kagome hugged and gave each other kisses on the cheeks while Suki handed Kagome the award.
At first, Kagome couldn't speak. What could she say? "Um…" Kagome laughed at herself for her nervousness. "This…has totally caught me off guard. To be awarded as one of the hottest females…is really flattering. I guess for this type of award I'm going to thank my mom…and my…dad for this. Also I want to thank all the people and fans that voted for me. I love you all."
Kagome walked off stage with the award in hand, the metal feeling weird in Kagome's palms. One of the men that was taking awards and putting them in a special room took the metal statue away from Kagome as silently she made her way back to her seat. When she did, Sango and Rin jumped up and hugged her.
"Awesome job…cutie," Sango said teasingly and Kagome rolled her eyes.
Rin gave her a hug and sat down beside her. Miroku sat on the edge with Sango beside him to the right. Beside Sango was Inuyasha, then Kagome, then Rin and then finally Sesshomaru.
"You deserved it," she heard Inuyasha say and Kagome smiled uneasily. Inuyasha was acting so calm…Kagome's stomach twitch and flopped when she noticed that. Had Kouga's comment not affect him? Did he not care for her? No. He promised to protect her…from everyone, Kouga included.
Kagome walked on stage with envelope in hand. She looked over at the sea of people as she stood on the stage for the fourth time that night. She was now presenting the award for Teens' Choice Hottest Male.
"I'm back!" Kagome cheered into the microphone and people clapped and whistled at her. "Okay, down to business. I guess since I was just awarded a while ago as Teens' Choice Hottest Female –for whatever reason- I am here to reveal to all of you who the Teens' Choice Hottest Male is. And the nominees are: Kouga Wolf, Miroku Hoshi, Sesshomaru Takahashi, Naraku Onigumo and Inuyasha Takahashi!"
Pictures of the five men appeared and the crowd went wild.
Inuyasha sat at his seat uncomfortably. Inuyasha now had the perfect plan to get back at Kouga, though he knew if he did it Kagome would probably shorten his life by about ten years and, it might not even happen if he didn't win. He was fairly sure he would though but still…his plan, his revenge all depended on winning this award.
"Inuyasha Takahashi!" Kagome yelled into the mike, a smile of joy clear on her features.
It took Inuyasha a while to comprehend that he had won. It was as if God wanted him to follow through with his plan. Inuyasha got up from the seat and jogged on stage, climbing up the steps before making his way to Kagome. He just hoped that he wouldn't kill her since he would have to once again think about what Kouga had done.
The thought made him want to throw his new trophy against the wall. Luckily he hadn't gotten it yet.
Inuyasha accepted the trophy from Kagome and put it on the stand.
'Its now or never,' Inuyasha thought and in one smooth movement, he grabbed Kagome's waist and head and dipped her.
His face was inches from hers and his long silver hair protected the audience from seeing what was actually happening. Kagome looked at him in shock. To the audience it looked like they were…kissing! The whistles and catcalls and everything else was so overwhelming Kagome didn't know what to do.
"What the hell happened between you and Kouga?" Inuyasha growled.
Kagome's eyed widened. So he did care! Something inside Kagome fluttered and for some reason, she was overjoyed by that simple fact.
"Nothing. I slapped him after."
"Do you like him?" Inuyasha asked. He tightened his grip around her back, pulling her closer to add to the effect for the audience.
Kagome smirked. "Acquaintance only."
"Good then. We. Talk. Later."
Kagome could hear the hardness in his voice. He was extremely pissed and Kagome knew that he was trying his hardest to not show it. Inuyasha straightened and pulled Kagome up with him. Putting an arm around her waist, he smirked when Kagome blushed, only visible to him.
The crowd was still rowdy from what happened earlier and Inuyasha spoke into the mike. "Thank you. I'm glad that I was honoured with this award. Maybe now I can stand a chance with my beautiful Kagome beside me."
The crowd cooed and awed and Kagome blushed even harder. She was still held by Inuyasha around the waist.
"My beautiful Kagome beside me…"
Wait…
Kagome replayed the last couple minutes in slow motion. Inuyasha had dipped her, making it look to the audience that they had kissed when they were really only talking to each other privately, then he holds her extremely close to him around the waist, then he is thankful for getting the award so he could stand a chance with her, and then he said my Kagome…
'Oh, "we talk later" is right pal,' Kagome thought about his previous words. He had now just framed her as his girlfriend to the media. Maybe she had just made a tad mistake in believing the Inuyasha hadn't cared for what Kouga had done because Inuyasha had cared alright, and he had just told the whole world a lie about it too.
Kagome's stomach fluttered.
Meanwhile, in the audience, Miroku, Sango and Rin sat, mouths agape at what Inuyasha had just done.
"I can't believe…he would do something like that…" Rin said slowly, as if each word wasn't real.
"He just framed Kagome as his girlfriend to everyone Sesshomaru!" Sango said urgently, hissing out every word in a quiet voice.
"What was the point?" Miroku asked. "He just ruined our 'no one is dating' line so now all of our relationships are in jeopardy. Why did he do it?"
Sesshomaru smirked at all of their faces as they looked at him expectantly for an answer. "He did it because he's telling Kouga what he can't have. And the first thing on that list, is Kagome."
Inuyasha held Kagome tightly to his body when he practically dragged her off stage. When they had finally made it behind the curtains, Inuyasha let go and grabbed her wrist firmly. Looking and walking around forbidden parts of backstage, Inuyasha pulled Kagome into a room and shut the door, turning the lights on.
"Now Kags…" Inuyasha started but was quickly cut off by Kagome.
"You jerk! Look what you've done! The entire world thinks we're dating now! Do you know how much gossip will start going around?"
Kagome would've kept on rambling if Inuyasha hadn't covered her mouth with his hand. "Just listen to me!" he hissed. "And don't interrupt!"
Kagome glared at him but she nodded in agreement and let Inuyasha talk.
"Okay, this isn't as bad as it really is. The gossip will bring our publicity skyrocketing. The world now knows that you're mine, meaning everyone. Only Sesshomaru, Miroku, Sango and Rin know that it's all a lie."
"That I'm yours?" Kagome asked, the fire returning to her gaze.
"Well…yes Kags. We are dating."
"Only because you pretended to kiss me onstage!" Kagome shot back and Inuyasha sighed in exasperation.
"You're not making this easy for me Kagome."
"Well it's not undemanding here either!"
"Just calm down. This will make things easier. You just have to ignore the media."
"But what will they say about us?" Kagome continued.
At this point, Inuyasha was tired of Kagome's putdowns and constant questions. "Who the hell cares?" he yelled, snapping. "As long as we know the truth, that's all that matters! This is fame Kags, where everybody dates everybody!"
"But I'm not dating anyone and I wasn't until you had to let your big overprotective ego get in the way!"
Inuyasha growled and pushed Kagome against the wall, pinning her with his face only inches from her own. "I don't give a damn if you like this or not. What's done is done. I promised to protect you and I don't care about Hobo or Kouga, just as long as you're okay and safe from those big heads and sex infatuated assholes. If that wolf doesn't know it's a lie than you're safe, got it? Plus now I'm always going to be there to help you."
Kagome looked up at Inuyasha, her expression had softened. He looked so angry and when she looked into his eyes she saw…nervousness? It wasn't the first time she had seen something in those amber pools that she hadn't expected but Inuyasha…nervous? She sighed wearily and leaned forward, her head resting against his chest. "Sorry Yash. You're right. I guess I owe you one then."
Inuyasha smiled, she had finally understood, but what had she seen when she had looked at his face that made her stop questioning everything. Did he want to know himself?
"That's right. So do I get benefits for being your 'boyfriend?'" he asked using air quotes around the word "boyfriend".
Kagome mused over the idea for a bit and then smiled. "Only if that means I get to touch your ears whenever I want to."
Inuyasha took a step backwards instinctively and covered his ears. Then he remembered that Kagome was the only one that he would allow to touch his ears. Still, if he looked happy about that fact then she might back out. Putting on a reluctant face, he rolled his eyes and nodded. "Deal but then what do I get out of these benefits?"
"I don't know," Kagome said teasingly. "You're going to have to find out."
Giggling and pushing past Inuyasha, she ran out the door and back into the audience. When Inuyasha came running to get her, their friends raised sceptical eyebrows. They had at least expected Inuyasha to have a red cheek. Or a broken ear… But no, Inuyasha caught up with Kagome and grabbed her sides and Kagome squealed since the action tickled her. "Don't do that!" Kagome said and squirmed out of his grasp.
"So you two are…fine with this new…arrangement?" Miroku asked, trying to contain a smile.
Kagome nodded. "We'll talk more later."
The ACS closed after another hour or so and then finally, everyone started to make their way out. Media and press outlined the way to their limos and with a smirk, Inuyasha out his arm once again around Kagome's waist. Questions about Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship were the constant cry. They finally made their way back to their limo and when they sat in it, cameras still flashing Inuyasha put his arm comfortably around Kagome's shoulders.
Unknowingly Kagome leaned into his warmth and when the door was closed and the limo started to drive away, no one seemed to notice that Inuyasha didn't remove his arm from her shoulders and Kagome didn't take her head off of his chest that she was happily leaning against.
"Let's go home," Sesshomaru said and Rin crawled onto his lap. Soon, all three of the girls and Miroku fell asleep, leaving Inuyasha and Sesshomaru to talk.
"So what did she say?" Sesshomaru asked Inuyasha with a teasing glint in his cold amber eyes.
Inuyasha shrugged tightening his grip on the girl. "She was mad but once I explained it…well I don't know. One second she was completely against it and then the next she was all fine with it."
"You didn't do anything to her to make her change her mind did you?" Sesshomaru asked and Inuyasha shook his head fiercely.
"No!" Inuyasha hissed. "She just…changed her mind." Inuyasha looked down at the sleeping Kagome and brushed a stray hair out of her face. Sesshomaru watched with amusement and Inuyasha noticed it. "What's so funny?"
Sesshomaru smirked and looked out the black window. "Nothing."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and then closed them, letting sleep start to get to him. Sesshomaru would wake him up when they got back to the mansion.
"Inuyasha?" he heard Sesshomaru's voice call and Inuyasha cracked open one eye.
"Yeah, what Fluffy?"
Sesshomaru growled but continued anyways. "You're in love with her aren't you?"
Inuyasha did a double take. "Isn't that a little strong?" he asked Sesshomaru.
"Fine then. Do you like Kagome? As in more than a friend?"
Inuyasha sighed, looking at the girl in his arms as confusion clouded him once more. The simple answer of no seemed so distant in his mind but the word yes seemed so hard to say.
"I'm…not sure. I'm really not."
"Does she like you?" Sesshomaru asked and Inuyasha growled.
"I'm getting sick of twenty questions Fluffy. I don't know so can you stop bugging me about it?"
Sesshomaru shrugged, indifferent. "Suit yourself. Just don't come crying to me if you take too long and lose her forever."
"What the hell are you implying?" Inuyasha barked but regretted it when he felt Kagome start to stir.
"Yash?" Kagome asked sleepily and Inuyasha put his other arm around her, pulling her fully onto his lap.
"It's okay. Just go back to sleep."
"But…"
"Sleep," Inuyasha demanded. He had to get to the bottom of what Sesshomaru was saying and if Kagome woke up he would never find out.
"Jerk," Kagome mumbled into his shirt as she snuggled into him, her dress wrapped tightly around her. Eventually, Kagome's breathing slowed and steadied and Inuyasha glared at Sesshomaru.
"Tell me."
"Tell you what?" Sesshomaru asked innocently.
"What you meant," Inuyasha persisted, getting more and more agitated.
"What I meant about what?"
Inuyasha growled. "You're so lucky Kagome is in my lap right now or you'd be dead," Inuyasha threatened.
"But you were the one that put her in your lap so it's your own fault."
"Feh…"
Ring! Ring!
Sesshomaru growled in annoyance as his office phone rang. Glaring at it, Sesshomaru contemplated whether or not he should answer the twenty-fourth phone call of that morning. He had only been up for two and a half hours for God's sake!
Sighing Sesshomaru smacked his head against the desk before lifting his hand and grabbing the phone, bringing to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Takahashi! This is…" Sesshomaru banged his head against his desk once more. 'I feel like a secretary! In my own office!' Sesshomaru thought, outraged but listened to the man's offer. Since he walked into his office, he found six messages for offers for Black Majik, different interviews, photo shoots, etc… He tried so hard to get some much-needed filing done but that's when trouble started.
He handled the first ten phone calls without a problem but when the number reached twenty Sesshomaru knew he was pushing his limits in the patience section. Scribbling the information on the offer, the gentleman's name and the contact information in his binder of things to look at, Sesshomaru thanked him and hung up.
Pressing the intercom located on his desk, Sesshomaru tapped his fingers against the desk as he waited impatiently for Miroku to pick up.
"Yes?" he heard a voice say over the light static.
"Miroku, it's Sesshomaru."
"Well I figured out that much," Miroku said dryly and Sesshomaru breathed in deeply to calm his nerves. An Inuyasha-like attitude from Miroku was not needed at the moment.
"So far Black Majik has received around thirty proposals for deals, interviews, show appearances, you know, the works. I've written them all down but I can't do a million things at once. So I'm giving you two choices. You either come down here and answer all the phone calls or I direct all the calls to your bedroom in which you'll have to stay in for the entire morning."
"Why don't you just direct the calls straight to your answering machine? Then you won't get any calls and since you have caller ID you can just pick it up if it's someone you know."
Sesshomaru looked at the intercom for a moment, questioning his sanity. Why didn't he think of that? Sesshomaru banged his head once more against the desk and he had the strangest feeling that by the end of the day a permanent dent would be put into it.
"Fine. Come down to read what I already have down whenever." Sesshomaru ended the call so he wouldn't have to hear his reply. He just hoped that Inuyasha wouldn't do anything crazy, annoying or outrageous that would piss him off further.
"Wench!"
"Jerk!"
"Slut!"
"Dog boy!"
"Bitch!"
"…Hey, you're right!" Kagome said, mulling over the new word. "Since we're 'dating' I can be called a bitch without being insulted."
"First of all, we're not even actually dating. We're pretending. Second of all, that's not true because I would have to mark you first."
Kagome thought about that for a moment. "Oh… Moron!"
Rin banged her head on the table in front of her, like Sesshomaru in the other room. "Can you two please stop?" Rin asked.
"No!" they yelled in unison and Rin sighed, leaving her head on the table and wrapped her arms around her head.
"Someone save me!" Rin begged to no one in particular when a miracle happened. The door burst open and there stood a very irritated Sango.
"Will you two shut the hell up? I can't even talk to my boyfriend in peace with you two bickering like an old married couple. Grow up!" Sango yelled and Rin banged her head on the table once more.
Well, that went well.
At least Kagome and Inuyasha had stopped screaming at each other. Sango left and Rin was once again alone with a silent Inuyasha and Kagome in the lounge's kitchen. All of a sudden, Kagome started giggling and Rin looked up to see Kagome rubbing Inuyasha's ears.
"What are you two doing?" Rin asked, disgusted.
"It's part of the benefits for us 'dating.'" Kagome said with another giggle when Inuyasha's ears twitched. Rin could have sworn she heard Inuyasha make a purr-like sound but ignored it.
"But you two aren't actually dating! You're just faking it!"
Rin almost gagged when Kagome was up against the wall with Inuyasha in front of her, apparently loving the way she touched his ears. "You two might as well start actually dating!" Rin yelled, gaining their attention. "It's not like you don't already look it! Honestly, ever heard of too much PDA?"
Rin stood up from the chair in the kitchen and stormed out of there, slamming the door shut. Rin closed her eyes and walked to the couch not too far away. She sat down with a huff and leaned against the back for comfort when she heard kissing noises. Rin opened her eyes and saw Miroku and Sango making out on the couch. Not exactly the thing she wanted to see.
At least they were dating though.
But still!
Rin shot up and shrieked, practically crying from all the experiences of PDA that morning. Too much, too soon, as some wise person –who was probably dead- once said.
"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," Rin kept repeating over and over. She shuddered at the thought of everything that she had seen that morning.
Like honestly, why her?
"Ayame!" Sango cheered and ran up to her friend, who hugged her fiercely.
"Hey Sango! How are you? You looked amazing last night at the award ceremony! I couldn't get over your dress!" Ayame exclaimed and Sango laughed.
Once again, Kagome, Sango, Rin, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Miroku had packed up and gotten on their tour bus. The month was almost over but the gist of the performances was near the end of the tour. Since school for high school and elementary students started in the first week of September, everyone thought that teens liked to do something special just before school started and they got back to boring routine and what was more fun than a concert?
Ayame greeted Rin, Kagome and then the boys giving Inuyasha a good slap. "You better treat Kagome right or I swear I'll grab, twist and pull!"
Inuyasha paled considerably at Ayame's fair warning and Kagome laughed. "It's okay Ayame. I can do that for myself. Right Yash?"
"Feh. Yeah right."
Hakaku and Ginta walked in followed by Kouga. "So it's true then," Kouga said slowly. "Kagome, are you really dating that mutt over there? You would be much happier with me. I have so much more to offer."
Inuyasha growled and raised his fist to punch Kouga in the head. "Like what? Another one of your sick compliments?"
Kouga growled and Kagome sighed. "Kouga, I'm happy with Inuyasha. I'm sorry but I only like you as a friend." There, she said it. It felt like a weight was being lifted off of her chest and Kagome tried not to smile. But she was lying to him for she and Yash weren't together. Also, that line did sound a little overused…
"But Kagome…" Kouga started only to be cut off by Inuyasha.
"But nothing you scrawny wolf. Lay off!" Inuyasha barked and stood in front of Kagome. She had to give him credit, when he said he would protect her from Kouga he meant it. But was he protecting her because he promised or because he wanted to? Because he actually cared?
Kagome couldn't help but question herself. Lately, she had been getting doubts about Inuyasha. She had told Sango but Sango had just told her that she was looking into everything too much. She had told her to look at her own confusion before looking into Inuyasha's.
What did that mean?
Did she have feelings for Inuyasha? Several times Kagome had dismissed it but the thought always returned like a never-ending nightmare. Sure, some times she would be walking on clouds but then one single thought, one single question would cause her to come crashing down hard to reality again.
Miroku saw Kouga glaring at Inuyasha with Inuyasha mimicking his actions. Miroku knew that if he didn't step in soon, all hell would break loose. "Are the instruments set up?" he asked and Kouga turned his attention to Miroku.
"No. We were just doing that now until you guys finally showed up."
"You made it sound like we were late or something!" Inuyasha shouted and Kouga smirked.
Kagome instantly realized what Kouga was doing. He would get Inuyasha worked up, let Kagome see first-hand Inuyasha's plentiful faults and then try and get her to ditch Inuyasha for him. Or maybe she was just looking into it too much…
Kagome walked up to Inuyasha and placed a hand on his arm. "Hey Yash. Can you help me with something?"
Inuyasha stopped glaring holes at Kouga and turned to face Kagome. "Huh? Oh, yeah sure. What do you want me to do for you?"
Kagome grabbed his hand with hers and dragged him out of the area. She knew Miroku, Sesshomaru, Sango and Rin could handle things for her. She would just buy them dinner tonight as a thank you. When they were out of earshot, Kagome dropped Inuyasha's hand. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Inuyasha looked at her confused. "Yes I am. Why?"
Kagome shrugged. "Just wondering."
"What did you want me to do for you Kags?" Inuyasha asked and Kagome shook her head.
"Nothing. I just needed to get you out of there before you killed Kouga."
Inuyasha huffed and crossed his arms. "Feh. I'd be doing you a favour."
"A personal favour maybe but not a favour career-wise," Kagome said and Inuyasha gave the wise and logical answer of 'Feh' before sighing and following Kagome to wherever she was going to.
Suddenly, she stopped in front of a door and opened it up, leading Inuyasha inside. "This is my personal dressing room apparently," Kagome said and peeked out the door, noting that there were two more beside hers. She also saw a security guard at the door standing stock-still. Kagome gave him a small smile but he just stood there, looking grim at her. A little disturbed, Kagome backed away from the door and into her dressing room where Inuyasha sat in.
"So?" he asked with a bored expression on his face.
"So what?"
"Why did you bring me here?" Inuyasha asked.
"I didn't. You followed me. You had every right to go back to Kouga and the others," Kagome said, opening the small closet to see if anything was inside.
Inuyasha snorted. "I would rather spend time with you than that idiot."
Kagome laughed at Inuyasha's strange hatred towards the wolf demon. "Oh, giving out compliments are we?" Kagome asked teasingly and Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Yeah right."
"Jerk."
Inuyasha smirked. "Wench."
"Idiot."
"Slut."
"Can you stop calling me a slut?" Kagome whined. "It's mean and I never call you crude names. Plus, I'm your 'girlfriend.' How dare you?"
"Sorry baby but that's your own fault for not calling me something pathetically worse than a jerk."
"Well babe, you're going to end up dumped if you continue," Kagome warned, giving Inuyasha a serious look. "And while you're working on that, stop calling me a wench and a bitch as well."
"Feh."
"That's what I thought," Kagome said, smiling slightly. "Come on, I'm getting bored. Let's go see the others."
"As in Kouga?"
"Yes," Kagome sighed exasperated. "We're on tour with him. You're going to have to get used to him for the time being."
"How about I don't and just pretend I did."
"Whatever."
Kagome and Inuyasha walked out of the dressing room, the security guard still there and shivers ran down Kagome's spine.
"You cold?" Inuyasha asked, seeing Kagome shiver.
"Yeah, kind of," Kagome lied, not wanting to tell Inuyasha about the weird feeling in her gut every time she saw the guard.
"You should've worn something warmer then. It is August," Inuyasha scolded lightly and put his arm around her shoulder.
Kagome leaned into Inuyasha and sighed, rubbing her temples slowly. "Sorry, I guess I'm stressed a bit. I haven't been thinking clearly."
"Well even I could have told you that."
Kagome gasped and jumped out of his arms. "You're so mean," Kagome pouted and Inuyasha smirked, trying to put his arm once again around her shoulders when she sprinted ahead, away from him.
'Playing hard to get, are we?' Inuyasha thought and ran after her.
"Good luck guys…er, girls," Hakaku said giving thumbs up towards Kagome, Sango and Rin as they walked onstage. In their tour outfits, instruments in hand –Rin holding her drumsticks- they walked to their positions. The crowd cheered for them for the tenth time that night, the performance more than half over. Even though so far, everything had gone more than smoothly, Kagome couldn't shake the feeling that something was up. That something was going to happen.
Maybe it was the saying 'too good to be true' that kept repeating in her mind that scared her or maybe it was just nerves, but Kagome still couldn't forget the apprehension the night could bring.
Kagome tapped her foot three times, signalling the start and Rin, Sango and Kagome played the song with practiced perfect timing. The heavy stream of music rocked the auditorium, the bright lights causing droplets of sweat down her face. Makeup wasn't even a choice anymore they had reapplied it so many times. As the song past the chorus passed, Kagome relaxed. The song took over her as she walked back and forth on the stage ahead of her and Kagome leaned in to the mike as she sang the next part. (Kagome singing)
"We're the pain that you feel,
"We're the scars that won't heal.
"We're the tears in your eyes,
"We're the reason you cry.
"We're the voice in your head,
"We're the lies that you said…"
It was then that fate took its toll. A loud shot rang out and screams of terror filled the room. At first, Kagome didn't know what had happened, what to do. The music immediately stopped as more shots rang out and suddenly, Kagome felt a weight jolt her to the side. Without warning the floor made contact with her head and Kagome felt something –someone- on top of her, breathing heavily.
"Kagome, Kags…are you alright. Damn it, speak!"
Kagome opened her eyes to see silver and amber. Inuyasha lay on top of her, his face only inches from hers. "Inuyasha? What happened?" Fear washed over Kagome like a crashing wave and her first reaction was to struggle.
Inuyasha grunted but kept Kagome pinned. "Don't move Kags. Please don't move. Just trust me."
"But Sango…Rin…" Kagome said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Inuyasha shushed her and kissed the top of her head. "They're okay. I promise. Sesshomaru managed to get Rin and Sango before they got hurt."
"Hurt?" Kagome asked, wide-eyed.
Inuyasha cursed at his foolishness. "Kags don't worry. I'm here Sango and Rin are okay and Ayame, Kouga, Hakaku and Ginta are all safe in their dressing rooms."
"Inuyasha what happened?" Kagome asked worried.
"Do I have to kiss you to make you shut up?" Inuyasha asked, rolling his eyes.
Kagome shut her mouth and Inuyasha looked around. "Okay," he muttered and slowly got up, picking Kagome up with him. Keeping her tight to his body, Inuyasha ran towards Kagome's dressing room. Guards were everywhere, only adding to Kagome's fear and slowly, Inuyasha let her go when they reached the door.
"Inuyasha, where are you going? What's happening? Inuyasha?"
"It's okay Kagome. Now listen to me. Stay in the dressing room and everything will be all right. These men here," Inuyasha said, gesturing towards the men around them, "will protect you. Please, just listen to me this once?"
Kagome nodded, fear gripping her. "Why do you have to go?"
Inuyasha brushed Kagome's bangs from her face and kissed her forehead. "Be good," was all he said and in a second he was gone.
"Miss? Please go into your dressing room now. You'll be safe in there," one of the demon bodyguards ordered and Kagome opened the door and walked in. It was then that she saw the bodyguard that gave her shivers before. She shut the door and looked around the room, wondering what was going on.
Tears ran down Kagome's face and she put her hand over her mouth to stop the sob that escaped her. She looked at the large mirror in fear, her chocolate brown eyes glossy with tears. Blood red lipstick covered the glass with a message, one Kagome at once looked away from, the words haunting, daring, taunting…
You've heard the music,
You've heard the shot,
You've heard the cries,
Though not the man you sought.
Don't get too close,
To the ones you love,
For the next time you do,
It may just be in the above.
Kagome cried her heart out, one word, one name echoing in her mind. It was only then that she realized it. Only then that she knew for real what she was truly feeling.
'Inuyasha, I think…I love you. And because of that, I must stay away…'
Note: Dilemma- My laptop, which has the story on it for some reason now decided to stop connecting to the Internet. I could use my brother or mother's laptop since it connects but they don't take floppy disk and my laptop won't save stuff on a CD. So…my way to fix this is to go to my grandparents and use their computer. I clearly need a new laptop. I'm saving up $1200 for one. So far, I've made 14 cents.
This shouldn't take too long. Wish me luck.
Next Chapter: Anything and Everything
Review and Vote!
Luv, WitchyGirl99
PS. Yes, she admitted it. Will I be a witch –sorry, I know with the WitchyGirl thing, my bad- and let her avoid him? Well, that's for me to know and you to find out.