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On the outskirts of Tokyo…

It was a very tranquil day out on the Higurashi country estate. The whole family was enjoying their Friday afternoon…. with the exception of a certain teenager that is.

"Ugh! Where the hell did I put my shoes? I HAVE to have them for Sango's dinner party tonight! I swear! If I have to wear last year's Gucci's from Milan, I'll so kick some ass," a fuming Kagome growled in a very un-lady like manner, "because the Pradas I just got go much better with the new Vera Wang gown I have."

Kagome Higurashi was the young heiress to the Higurashi United Corp.,but business was the last thing on her mind at the moment. Her best friend in the world Sango Hiyana was hosting a dinner party, and most of her friends from Hizana Preparatory Private School were attending. Sango had said that dress would be semi-casual, but of course, Kagome being Kagome wanted to knock everyone's socks off. Knowing her though, she would most definitely succeed in doing just that.

See, Kagome wasn't your "normal " 17 year old. Ever since she could remember, it was always, "Dear, you can have anything your little heart desires" type of deal. Her parents had always gotten Kagome everything she wanted, and whenever Kagome found something she liked, all she had to do was snap her fingers and it was there. It was really fun to be spoiled when she was younger, but now that she was growing up, she realized the real truth between getting presents on a daily basis. It was mainly her parents' way of providing compensation for the lack of them being there for her and Sota. Kagome was really close to her younger brother Souta, mostly because they were really the only one's who understood each other when it came to their family. Whenever Kagome really thought about it, she couldn't remember a single time when they had been on an outing and not been interrupted by phone calls, and important business meetings. So, in return for feeling guilty, her parent's bought her expensive clothes and makeup. Deep down in her heart, she knew she'd trade it all to actually spend quality family time with her family, and as corny as that may sound, she knew it was true.

Exhaling loudly, Kagome plopped herself on her bed amid the dresses and shoes, as she thought about her situation.

'My parents buy me everything I want because they feel bad for never being around,' Kagome thought bitterly. 'Deal with Kagome's emotions by buying her… is it always going to be like that?' she thought to herself.

With a shake of the head, she put herself back into the perky mood she had going on and rose from her bed to continue the search for her shoes. She would NOT let anything ruin tonight. She'll be able to socialize with her friends, get envied because of her impeccable fashion sense, AND see her ex-boyfriend. Now, a girl excited about seeing an ex? Well, let's just start off with saying that Kagome's ex-boyfriend Hojo Urasi has something coming to him.

See, Kagome Higurashi and Hojo Urasi were voted Hizana's *couple most likely to marry* for their schools' Who's Who category. Even though she didn't believe that prediction would have came true (which she was thankful for), she was glad she had caught him fooling around with the captain of the rugby team ,Kenshin Misu, at her Miss Tokyo Teen Pageant. It was better finding out then, instead of living a lie for lord knows how long. At least she found out after the pageant instead of before, otherwise she most likely would not have won. As she glanced at the gleaming crown surrounded by numerous trophies and medals, she wondered if Hojo had ever planned on telling her that he had same sexual tendencies. She hadn't told anyone about the real incident, because she knew it'd destroy both Hojo's and Kenshin's reps, and she wasn't a particularly cold-hearted person. She was just bidding her time until the revenge she wanted was hers. Yet, even though she was filled with angst, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pain as she thought about that fateful night.

~Flashback~

"And, your Miss Tokyo Teen Pageant Queen is…. Miss Kagome Higurashi!" the announcer said into the vast audience. ' Yes!!!' Kagome thought euphorically as the announcer said her name to the audience. With a triumphant smile, Kagome was jumping up and down in joy on the inside. The audience's applause for her was astounding; she was obviously a favorite with the crowd. The other finalists began to hug and congratulate her, and Kagome welcomed the compliments heartily. Although most were happy for her, a couple were rolling their eyes. Kagome decided not to lash out at the not-so-happy finalists. She so did not want to ruin her beautiful bouquet of daylilies. (a/n~ Okay, is it just me, or are roses totally overrated???? I think so!!! ) Kagome smiled brightly to the audience as she made her way to the crown. It was so nice to get recognized for her hard work. It did take a lot of work to make it into the pageant to begin with. She knew her father could have gotten her into the finals with a blink of an eye, but she wanted to do this by herself. The announcer put the sparkling crown on top of Kagome's mass of curls, and the camera flashes went off. She scanned the audience to find her family waving ferociously at her. She grinned a waved back like a maniac. She saw Sango and gave her a special smile and a thumbs up. They were always there for eachother, like the time Sango had won the Junior Karate Champion. She really was happy her parents could be here tonight too. Her grin turned to a frown though when she realized that her steady boyfriend's seat was empty. 'Oh. My. God. I can't believe that asshole missed me winning the crown! When I see him I am sooo going to open up a can of whoop ass on him.' Kagome quickly wiped off her frown and replaced it with a smile--this was supposed to be one of the biggest nights of her life; she was supposed to be overfilled with joy! With a nod of the head, Kagome did her walk down the runway with a beaming smile, but she couldn't help but feel something nagging her at the back of her head.

After the Pageant….

Kagome irritably tapped her foot and ran a french-manicured hand through her long hair. She'd already changed and packed up her belongings from backstage, and now she was looking for Hojo and not having any luck at all. Not only was she severely pissed at the fact that he missed something very special to her, but he was making her late to her own celebration in honor of winning the pageant. She sighed loudly and made her way the arena. She'd went to the entrance and gave the security guard a description of her boyfriend and asked if he had left, and the guard told her he hadn't seen him exit. So, he MUST be around her somewhere. She told her family and Sango that she'd ride with Hojo back to the party once she found him, and they reluctantly agreed. She continued her way throughout the near empty arena--the only people really left were maintenance crews. She got kinda creeped out as she made her way through the deserted halls, but she HAD to find Hojo.

As she made her way past a janitorial closet, she could have sworn she heard a moan. She stopped for a second and looked back at the closet, but then dismissed the sound.'Must have been a mouse or something.. Gee, and they say this is a state-of-the-art arena. Humph' She began walking again until she heard a loud slam.

'Okay, I did not imagine that!' she thought to herself. She walked back to the janitorial closet and pressed her ear to the door. She hear jagged breathing and rustling. ' I wonder who could be in there…' Kagome wanted to get to the bottom of this, so she prepared herself to open the door. ' One, two, three!' With that countdown, Kagome busted the door open, only to find a very compromising situation that would forever change her outlook of males. What Kagome saw was HER boyfriend with his tongue jammed down Kenshin Misu's happily awaiting mouth. She also took notice of the ruffled hair, and the risqué places that the boys' hands were occupying.

" What the f- - Oh my god Kagome… ," Hojo pathetically squeaked out. It didn't help her believe him with his hand still at Kenshin's thigh.

Kagome's mind was blank. The only thoughts processing through her head right now were: Hojo. Kenshin. Kissing. Tongue. Bad.

When Kagome finally got control of her vocal chords, she carefully chose her words. She was not a very rational person.

"What the fuck do you mean it's not what I think it is?!?!?!? Your standing in a janitorial closet making out with a DUDE instead of being with me!!! You and Kenshin were probably here choking each other with tongue while I won the pageant! It's not what I think?!?!? Then, if I am overreacting Hojo, please explain to me what's going on."

" L-l-listen Kagome, It's really not what you m-m-ay think---"

"Okay, it's not what I think? So, let me guess… a magical chimpanzee came to you and told you to find Kenshin and take him to a secluded closet and play tonsil hockey with him. Hmm… sounds very realistic to me. What about you Kenshin? Care to make a comment? Did I leave out a faerie, or a magical bunny rabbit?"

Kenshin suddenly found the toilet scrubbers to be quite interesting at this choice moment.

"Kag, you know I love-"

" Oh my… if that's not the largest load of bull shit I've ever heard. Listen to me Hojo, and listen to me good and well. I don't want you to EVER speak to me again, nor do I want you to ever go out with a female again. Please, stick to guys… you seemed like you were enjoying that an awful lot more than you ever did with me. You'll be receiving all of your stuff back tomorrow."

Dumbfounded, the only thing that our very male loving, simple, and… well, stupid, Hojo could say was, " Are we still going out?"

Kagome was seeing red. Literally. With that, she let out a primal scream and stomped out of the room. After a few seconds of quietness, Kagome opened the door and stuck her head back inside the room for the last say.

"Oh, don't mind me you two. Please, continue kissing… I'm just trying to see if I have anything else to say to you Hojo… hmm.. Oh, yes, I remember. Fuck you." With that, Kagome left the arena for good.

"Did I do something wrong?" Hojo asked innocently.

~End of flashback~

Kagome remembered what had happened after that. Luckily, she was able to call a cab on her cell phone and take her home. All of her friends and family were at the estate waiting to greet and congratulate her, but all she could do was frantically cry and run up to her room. Sango had tried talking to her, but it was useless. She just wanted to be left alone. The only real comfort she got that night was eating the double chocolate vanilla fudge brownies and her vanilla ice cream.

Kagome was surprised when a sob came out of her mouth. She noticed that tears were starting to form in her eyes also. Finally, not being able to take it, she just broke down and started to cry.

"Why me? I was a great girlfriend… wasn't I?" Kagome cried out against her soft bedspread.

She instantly knew the answer to that… of course she was! But, why were the tears streaming down her face then? Why did it feel like someone had gutted out her heart? She hadn't loved Hojo, but she had cared for him. Kagome let out another large sob.

Everyone always acknowledged her amazing beauty. Wiping the tears away from her face, she lifted her head up and stared at herself from her vanity mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, almost mockingly. Large, gray-blue eyes that were a little red and puffy looked back at her thoughtfully. A slim nose accented her high cheekbones and graceful chin, along with her full, pouty lips. Her ivory-cream skin contrasted excellently with her long, dark, glossy hair. Sure, she may be attractive, but she did have her insecurities. She always had this feeling that guys were attracted to her looks, and not her. She had SO many other qualities, yet no one paid attention to them. She'd always been an honor student, and she excelled in all the athletic activities she participated in. Everyone took Kagome for granted. She was always being taken care of, and she didn't want that anymore.

With a shake of the head, Kagome got up, dried her tears, and continued to get ready. Why was she feeling like this all of a sudden? Why couldn't she go back to liking her life the way it was?

'Because, it wasn't me living my life. I was being Miss Perfection. No more…I will not be anyone's bitch anymore!' Kagome thought determinedly. Once Kagome put her mind to something, she was set out on it. She was going to show everyone that she could be an independent woman. She'd be 18 soon, and it wasn't like she was a little girl.

From now on, she wasn't going to let everyone walk all over her. She was certainly not going to get played anymore. ' I will not, and I repeat, will NOT get cheated on again… If guys can toy around with my feelings, I can play the game right back at him. I'm going to make sure guys like me for all the right reasons… not the wrong ones.'

Suddenly, Kagome made sure she'd have to be careful about wearing her heart on her sleeve. It'd only bring her trouble to give herself so freely to others.

With a dreamy look in her eyes, she thought about the man of her dreams.

' He'd have to be unlike any other guy I know. And, he has to be older! I'm fed up with all of these high school guys! I want a real man…. not some school boy that doesn't know how to treat me.'

With that thought in mind, she continued getting ready for tonight's party.

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Okay, 2 down, a whole lot more to go! Lol… well, thanks to all the fantastic reviewers! You guys really make me feel great & totally boost my confidence! Well, I was going over my first chapter, and I almost died from all the grammar and punctuation mistakes! *Aaah!* Some of it was AWFUL! Thanks for not being mean about that! I know my chapters aren't as long as everyone

( including myself ) would like them to be, but they are going to be this length for a while. Due to my very busy schedule, I'll only be able to update every couple of days, but I promise I won't let you guys down. The next update won't be for a while, due to brainstorming for ideas about how I should make our two favorite people meet, and for the fact that a friend of mine has died, and the circumstances surrounding his death are really upsetting. I would really like to thank everyone who has supported me, and just to ask you all to be patient with me! I'm still kinda new to this… btw, if anyone has any ideas or wants to collaborate, please share with me at LiLfRiEdEttE_07@rock.com or LiLfRiEdEttE_07 on aim. Thanks you guys for everything!! Oh, btw, I don't own Inu-Yasha or any of the other gumi...*starts to sob* That honor belongs to Rumiko Takahashi! I can always dream though... heheehee! See ya next time!



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