Before we get into this, I'd like to say, this chapter is very…not happy…and yeah. There is implied rape, and if you don't want to deal with that, I suggest you leave. I may up the rating, but I don't know yet.

Not a dinner party of doom! What will our heroes and heroines do? Will Kouga crash the dinner party and sweep through, scooping up Kagura as the Indiana Jones theme plays in the background? Will Inuyasha sweep through and then look extremely confused about whether he should be rescuing Kikyo or Kagome? Will Sesshoumaru and Rin stop doing…whatever they're doing long enough to make an appearance sometime soon? And where the hell is Kohaku? Did he finally realize that his hotness will never be a match for Fluffy's and decide to back off? What is Naraku planning? Is it something icky? Does it rhyme with "forgy?" And when will Sango mellow out? Only by trusting in the words of the author can you learn the answer to all of these things and more, perhaps in this installment of…

*****

Center Stage

Part 12

*****

"Thanks, you can go now." Rin gathered the bundles of silky material in her arms and headed toward the sewing machine, sitting down to sew the kimono she'd just been fitting for Kikyo. After the girl had left the room, Rin glanced up from her machine to Kagura, who was measuring out lengths and cutting them precisely. "How're you doing over there?"

"Fine." Kagura's eyes darted up momentarily at the question. "I was just thinking about how expensive this must all be."

"Nothing's too expensive for this show." Rin smiled warmly. "It's Sango's baby, after all."

"It's your senior project too." Kagura spoke up, as though she was reminding Rin of something she might have forgotten in the past few couple of months.

"Yeah, but if something goes wrong with this play, I won't have a breakdown." Rin joked good-naturedly, causing Kagura to pause in her work and look at the head art director with some awe and disbelief.

"You know, I think that you're the only one involved in this production that just seems totally unaffected by it." The crimson-eyed assistant spoke after a few moments.

"Really?" Rin smiled again, a soft laugh escaping her. "That's how these things are. They suck you in and create this whole world of twenty to thirty people, and you can't see beyond that. That's what gets you in trouble."

"Is that what's wrong with Sango?" Kagura arched an eyebrow at the other girl, returning to her work as Rin continued her sewing.

"No, Sango's put more into this than anyone else, and I think she's just starting to see that no matter how much she puts in, she'll only get out what we're willing to give her. Sango likes to be in more control than that, so it's been hard for her." Rin opined, seeming extremely wise. Kagura found it fascinating that a girl who was constantly wandering off to make doe eyes at her boyfriend could be so knowledgeable about so many things.

"It just seems like the stress is getting to everyone and its not even December yet. How are we going to last until February without killing each other?" Kagura asked, sliding her shears easily through a patterned piece of blue flowered silk.

"Is it getting to you?" Rin's voice was friendly and cheerful, almost as though she was asking if Kagura would like to have some candy.

"A little." Kagura admitted, trying not to let her mind wander to the thought of dinner that night with Naraku. She never knew what to expect from him. "It's been a long time since I've been so…social. It's hard to remember how to have friends." I wonder if I'll even be allowed to have them for much longer now that Naraku's interested again…

"Kagura, can I say something?" Rin looked at her assistant with soft eyes the color of a stormy sky. "Something honest?"

"Um…I guess so." Kagura wasn't sure why Rin was asking permission to be honest, but it seemed as though the girl intended to say something important.

"I don't know what happened to you." Rin turned back to her work, moving her fingers over the cloth as she sewed the layers together with skill. "But I remember when we were in junior high, you used to be very popular. I remember who your best friend was. And your boyfriend." Rin paused here, letting the knowledge of her observations sink in for a moment. "I know that whatever it was, you're afraid of people now, you're afraid of being accepted and liked. But even though you wouldn't want to admit it, you're more afraid of being alone." Rin paused again, removing a few pins so she could continue running the cloth through the sewing machine. "I know I'm not older than you, but as someone who's had the same four best friends for six years and the same boyfriend for two years, let me give you some relationship advice. If you want something, try your hardest to make it happen. If you hide from your feelings, you'll never be happy."

"You…what do you mean?" Kagura's hands froze halfway through cutting a large length of fabric. Could Rin possibly know about what had been happening between Kouga and her? Nothing's happened between us. Her mind protested weakly, but she knew it wasn't true. From the day that she'd first noticed him, Kouga had put her through more emotions than she was even aware she possessed. I remember at the Halloween party…thinking he was such an idiot. Kagura mused. He was smart enough to trick me, though.

"You're a terrible actress, you know?" Rin giggled slightly. "You two remind me of Inuyasha and Kagome, how they used to be before everything got so…out of control." She offered the other girl a sad smile. "I worry for them, you know? For a long time, Sango and I have known how they feel about each other, and we thought that the two of them getting together…was just eventual. But now…it makes me see that not everyone has it as easy and Sesshoumaru and I. Even Sango and Miroku never had this much trouble. If only one of them were honest…anyway, I don't like interfering in this type of thing unless I think it's necessary. I did give Sango a little…nudge, after all. It's just that I can't stand to see my friends so miserable when happiness is so close."

"Kouga and I…there's nothing happening." Kagura felt stupid as soon as she made the claim. "We're just friends."

"Look, I don't know what it is that you think he did to deserve to be punished, but could you let it go?" Rin barreled on as though she hadn't been able to hear the claim over the hum of her sewing machine. "He's so miserable, it's getting pathetic. Even Sango seemed worried about him today, and you know how absorbed she is in this production and her own problems."

"Miserable?" Kagura couldn't really think of what else to say, so she simply repeated the word that had struck her the deepest.

"He sits there during lunch, pretending like he isn't waiting for you to come sit with us, picking at his food…it's pretty bad." Rin sighed deeply. "Kikyo asked him if something was wrong, that's how bad it's gotten."

"Well…you know…this is his fault to begin with." Kagura couldn't stop the stab of guilt she felt at the idea that Kouga was so utterly miserable because she was avoiding him purposefully. "You don't know…what happened."

"Is it worth all this?" Rin wanted to know. "I can tell you still care about him. And as Kouga's friend, I think I should say that even though he never knows the right words to say, he's a really sweet and loyal guy. You shouldn't be so hard on him."

"He was kissing Kagome!" Kagura blurted it out, blushing in embarrassment, but unable to stop herself. "That's why I'm mad at him! After all the things he said…everything he promised, he turned around and just…just…"

"Maybe," Rin stood up, stretching slightly, "You should have a talk with him. Don't you think?"

"What's there to talk about? He doesn't want me. He's made his choice." Kagura grumped.

"Have you heard anything I've said?" Rin asked the other girl. "I know how you must feel, what you must think, but please, do all of us a favor and don't let this get any worse than it is. This is so similar to the problem with Inuyasha and Kagome that I can't believe you haven't seen what Kouga must be going through right now. I'm sure that whatever actually happened, this whole thing is some sort of misunderstanding between you two."

It was a misunderstanding, Kagura…

Kouga's voice rang in her ears, and she sat down heavily, forgetting about her work for the moment. "Maybe…maybe you're right." She was too tired to fight against something that felt so right. Especially now that she had Naraku to worry about again. "I…will talk to him, I think. Maybe we can figure something out."

"I know you can." Rin was all sweet smiles and reassurances again. "I'm going to get a snack. You want anything?" she moved toward the door, glancing back at Kagura.

"No, I'm fine." Kagura offered her a shaky smile. It was strange working with Rin, becoming friends with her. That girl seemed so simple at first, so utterly sweet and innocent, that you couldn't help but assume that she was also completely naïve. Then she started to talk to you, really talk to you, and you felt suddenly as though you were the naïve one after all. How could she have ever doubted Kouga?

I'll never leave you by yourself, I swear it…

Maybe…what had he said about kissing Kagome? Something about…goodbye? That it was just a goodbye kiss? Maybe…maybe it was true. Kagura wanted to believe that so badly. She could still remember the way his eyes flashed into hers right after they had kissed. It seemed so long ago now. Everything he said to her…Rin was right that he didn't always know the right words to say, but when he was honest, sometimes the truth was so sweet that it hurt.

I wish I would have met you sooner…

Could he really have been lying all those times he spoke to her? His voice, his eyes, they had been nothing like when he was teasing her. When they were together, not even talking, just looking at each other, she felt as though his eyes were trying to drink her in, swallow her up and make her a part of him. He never looked at Kagome with such intense eyes. He never looked at anyone that way…except her.

You're the one I want to be with…

And if Kouga was really so upset…she'd only stopped talking to him yesterday. If it were anyone else that was upset with him, would it have bothered him this much? Kagura wasn't sure; she didn't understand Kouga sometimes. He made everything simple and complicated all at once. He was precious to her, though. Somehow, he'd overcome every barrier she'd placed around herself over time, and he didn't even have to try very hard. Something about him…he made her feel…almost like a normal girl.

"Kagura?" It took her a moment to realize that it was really his voice that time, not a memory of something he'd said to her, and when she looked up at him standing hesitantly before her, his hand still on the doorknob, his eyes flashing hopefully, she had a momentary suspicion that Rin had left for more than a snack. "Can I…come in?"

"Yes." She tried to maintain a neutral tone. It wouldn't do to have him knowing that she was feeling incredibly unsure at the moment. "Did you want something?"

"I…actually, I've been wanting to talk to you about…what you saw." Kouga seemed so incredibly upset that it was all Kagura could do not to tell him to forget about it and kiss him until he felt better. "Kagura, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for it to seem like Kagome and I were…I shouldn't have kissed her. I didn't mean anything by it…but still."

"It's okay." Kagura was glad she was finally being given the chance to accept his apology. "I shouldn't have freaked out without knowing exactly what I was seeing…"

"No, it's fine." Kouga all but ran over to where she was sitting, lowering himself to her level and reaching for her hands. "I just…gods, Kagura, it really fucking sucked."

"What?" Kagura was a bit confused.

"Having you mad at me." He told her, blushing slightly. "I guess I didn't realize just how much you mean to me."

"Better not ever get me angry again then, huh?" Kagura teased him slightly, though she was too busy wondering if he was going to kiss her to really put any effort into it.

"Guess not." He leaned forward slightly, and Kagura leaned in, waiting for him to kiss her, but instead he propped his head on top of hers. "Kagura, are we together now?"

"Do you want us to be?" She asked, breathing in the scent of his neck and squeezing his fingers slightly.

"You know I do." He answered, his voice breathier than she was used to. "Do you?"

"I'll make you a deal." She smiled slightly as she pressed her face into his neck so she could feel his pulse. "If you kiss me, I'll be your girlfriend."

Kouga couldn't say no to that.

----------

"Kagura! There you are." Sango waved at the assistant art director who was fussing with her crumpled shirt as she looked around for her leather jacket after rehearsal had ended. "You're a mess…you and Rin must really be working hard." She took in Kagura's disheveled appearance, her mussed hair, and her flushed face. "How are the costumes coming along?"

"Um…yeah…working hard. Costumes…really good." Kagura couldn't bring herself to tell Sango that she hadn't done much work at all for the last half an hour, but at least the entire rehearsal hadn't been spent necking with Kouga in the costume closet. Not that that would have necessarily have been a bad thing, it just wouldn't have been the most responsible use of time. "I'm kinda…in a hurry. Seeya later!" And with that, she ran off, ignoring the confused maroon gaze that she could feel resting on her back. She had about ten minutes to get to Naraku's house, and she knew she had to at least fix her hair before she got there. Kagura hated the idea of Naraku knowing what she'd been doing with Kouga. He'd make it into something dirty, something wrong, and she couldn't take that. Everything Naraku touched…it made her want to wretch. It made her want a shower.

Troubling thoughts filtered through her mind as she climbed on Kaze and sped over to Naraku's house. She knew the way well, though she hadn't traveled to this destination in nearly two years. It made her feel strange, as though she was doing something wrong, something terribly dangerous. She felt her stomach tied up in knots as she got off her bike, smoothed her hair and clothes one last time, and walked up to the front door, knocking firmly and telling herself to be strong. Part of her guilt stemmed from the fact that she hadn't told Kouga she was going to have dinner at Naraku's before running off and leaving him to his own devices. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, but she knew that he would have tried to stop her, and she knew that this was for his own protection, which she could not achieve with him at the same time trying to protect her.

"Good evening, Kagura. You are looking lovely, if a bit ruffled." Naraku commented, his eyes lingering longer than necessary on her form, tempting her to reach up and smooth her shirt once more, but she resisted the urge.

"Shut up. Let's get this fucking dinner bullshit over with." Kagura spoke harshly, pushing past him and going into the familiar house. She'd been there so many times before…as she stood wondering whether she should feel frightened or nostalgic, she was greeted by Kikyo.

"You're here." The terse words could have held relief, but it was always hard to tell with Kikyo.

"Unfortunately." Kagura grumbled, and she nearly shrieked in shock as Naraku placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Now, let's not be unpleasant. I would hate for this evening to go poorly because of the ill temper of one of my most beloved old friends." Naraku's hand was clenching onto her shoulder, keeping her from wrenching out of his grip. "You're still as lovely as you always were, my sweet. Try to act with more decorum on this special evening."

"Why is it special? Did you finally get all your shots?" Kagura snapped at him, but the tremor in her voice gave away her fear and weakened her taunt.

"Do you recall when we first started dating? I asked you to stay with me as we sat on that very couch, watching a movie." Naraku sighed, releasing her shoulder and moving toward the piece of furniture, stroking the arm slowly. "I don't even remember the name of the movie, I was too busy staring at you, hoping that you would have me."

"It was a shitty movie." Kagura snarled. "And a shitty decision on my part."

"Oh, do not tell me you regret our times together even now, my sweet flower." Naraku's eyes widened as though with shock. "It would break my heart to think that you did not look back on those times with as much fond nostalgia as I do."

"Don't call me that." Kagura backed up a step as she noticed that Naraku was moving toward her.

"But it fits you so well." Naraku's smile slipped from seemingly innocent to one that she was far more familiar with, an almost lascivious smirk. Every time he looked at her with that smile, she was reminded of all that had happened between them. "You smell as sweet as a fresh blossom, opening only for me." Kagura stepped back as he moved forward, but there was a wall in her way, she let out a small squeak of alarm as he moved in closer still, lowering his face as though for a kiss, but instead nuzzling her neck. "So sweet, my precious flower. And yet, I suspect that other's have tasted you, have taken of you, though I believe I specifically told you that I was the only man that would ever have you."

"I…don't know…what you mean." Kagura felt as though she was frozen. Somehow, he'd pinned her hands beside her, and she seemed incapable of any movement besides shaky, panicky breaths that she drew as she shot Kikyo looks of alarm and pleading. She could feel tears well up in her eyes, and when she felt Naraku lick at the juncture of her neck, they spilled down her cheeks as her chest shuddered in a heavy sob.

"Kagura, my sweetest rose, do not hide from me that which I can see plainly." Naraku told her, shifting her hands so that he gripped both her wrists in one hand, leaving his other to wander over her hip and up toward her chest. Kagura's throat clenched and she tried to scream, but she was having such a hard time breathing properly that all she was able to do was let out a barely audible croak. "That detestable boy…Kouga was his name? His scent is all over you. Disgusting. How can you even stand to let him rub all over you, pressing against you like this?" Naraku ground his hips against her, and Kagura's vision blurred as she began crying in great choking gasps.

"Please…no…" she could only think that she shouldn't have come, she shouldn't have listened to Naraku, nothing was worth this torture. And why wouldn't Kikyo help her? Didn't she care at all?

"What did you do to him, Kagura?" Naraku asked, still holding her against the wall as he groped her roughly, making her squeal in pain and shock. "Did you get down on your knees and beg him for it? Did you lick him up and down? Did you let him inside of you?" Naraku's voice was rough, angry, and Kagura was paralyzed with fear.

"Please!" Kagura trembled, but he pinned her so firmly to the wall that only her hands and legs moved visibly.

"You want me too, then?" Naraku asked, his voice heavy and husky. "You would, you slut. I bet you still feel him inside you, and you want me so fast. You're such a whore." This was the Naraku she remembered from that night, hazy as it had been. He scared her, terrified her, and she was powerless against him. "I suppose I can't deny you now…if I'm to give you up after this, I should have you one last time. You were always better than Kikyo, anyway. Probably all that practice."

"Naraku, please…" Kikyo's voice sounded low, husky, unlike what Kagura was used to. There was something in her eyes though…she was up to something. She came behind Naraku, rubbing against him like some cheap whore, and Kagura suddenly realized what she was doing. After so long…she had thought Kikyo would just stand and watch, letting Naraku have his way with her in the middle of the living room. At that moment, Kagura began crying not for her fear, not for her shame, but for the friendship she hadn't believed in strongly enough. It seemed that after all that had happened, as terribly twisted as Kikyo's reality had become, she still cared for Kagura so much that she would put herself in the line of fire to save her. And to think…she had blamed Kikyo all along. She couldn't imagine what it must have taken Kikyo to do what she was doing at that very moment. "Leave her, I want you so much."

"Kikyo, I'm busy with Kagura, and still you can't resist me." Naraku seemed endlessly pleased with the way Kikyo was behaving, and he turned on her. "I suppose we have unfinished business to attend to, after all." He released Kagura then, and she collapsed to the floor, sobbing helplessly as Naraku swept down upon Kikyo, nearly throwing her into the bedroom before he disappeared into the other room, leaving the door open as he attacked his new target. Kagura's sobs grew stronger and more debilitating as she heard Kikyo scream in protest as Naraku groaned in counterpoint to her, as though her pain made his pleasure that much greater.

"Hold still!" His roar was strained, and then Kagura could her a steady thumping. The sudden cacophony of mental images was too much for her and she was barely able to crawl to the nearby bathroom, vomiting into the toilet for fear of Naraku discovering the mess if she did it anywhere else. Her limbs were still unable of fully supporting her weight, but she knew that she had to get up, she had to get out of here. It made her feel like a coward, but she knew that Kikyo was not a great one for self sacrifice, and if she let it all be in vain, Kikyo would never forgive her.

"You like that, don't you!" Naraku's voice came to her ears again. "Fucking slut!" Kikyo was silent now, and Kagura wondered if she was used to this part of it, or if she had simply passed out from the shock of it all. Kagura wouldn't have been surprised, she was barely maintaining her own self control at the moment. It seemed so long ago that she had been in the costume closet, kissing Kouga and giggling as he spoke to her and tickled her throat with his lips. Why couldn't she go back to that? Why couldn't Kikyo have a normal life as well? What had they done wrong that they deserved to be tortured constantly by her sex-crazed mentally unstable cousin?

I have to get out of here now. Kagura stumbled to her feet, still sniveling slightly, her clothing in disarray as she headed for the door and opened it to find herself face to face with Kouga. Oh gods…not now, don't let him see me now. Kagura turned around and nearly tripped over herself in her attempt to run away from Kouga, even though it meant returning to the living room where the thumping and groans of Naraku were still very audible. It didn't take Kouga more than a couple of seconds to get over his shock at seeing his girlfriend's distressed and haphazard state. He hadn't known exactly where he was when he finally spotted Kagura's bike after she'd ran off in a hurry, but he'd been worried that she was mad at him for some unknown reason. This, however, he was not prepared for.

"Kagura? What the hell?" Kouga rushed after her and it didn't take long for him to figure out what the nature of the noises he was now hearing was. Kagura fell to the ground and he was at her side instantly. "Where is this? What's going on? What happened to you?" She looked terrible, tear-stained and used up, so different from the radiant focus of joy she had been only half an hour ago.

"Naraku's…with Kikyo…he's got…I can't…" Kagura was stumbling over her words, still sobbing as he scooped her up against him and pressed his lips to her forehead firmly as though to assure her that he could fix everything and she needn't worry any more.

"Naraku…what…did he do…" Kouga's clutch on her was so strong she thought he'd crush her into him, but she managed a few words.

"Kikyo stopped him." She explained weakly. Didn't he understand that they had to escape while they still could? Naraku would be done with Kikyo soon, and then he would want something else.

"That…I'll kill him!" Kouga was in a rage as he stood, letting go of Kagura in a way that was somehow careful even in his anger. He stormed into the room where Kikyo and Naraku were, and Kagura could only look on with wide eyes as she waited for Naraku to rain his wrath down upon them both. "You!" she heard scuffling and a sharp shriek that must have been Kikyo, who was apparently still conscious. That was when Kagome stepped into the front door, knocking hesitantly and looking at Kagura curiously.

At that moment, all hell officially broke loose.

"Kagura, what are you doing here?" Kagome's voice was full of shock, concern, and a bit of fear that Kagura was a bit confused by.

"Get out of here!" Kagura didn't want her new friend to suffer at Naraku's hands. She stood and rushed at the other girl, pushing her out the door and then tripping over her, falling heavily on the front stoop as Kagome looked around in bewilderment.

"What's wrong with you?" Kagome's voice was full of accusation. "You…what are you trying to keep me from?" With that, she turned and rushed into the house. Kagura didn't know what else to do, so she followed, still bent on saving Kagome from Naraku, trying not to dwell on why Kagome would even be at Naraku's house now, of all times.

"You dirty fucker!" Kouga's voice was clearly audible, full of rage as Kagome and Kagura rushed into the room, where Kouga was beating on a cowering, half-naked Naraku.

"Please! Stop!" Naraku's voice was pitiful, as though he couldn't think of any reason he should be attacked by anyone at that moment. Kagura wanted to kick him herself just for that, but then she saw Kikyo, struggling to pull clothes on as she sat in the corner, and Kagura rushed to her side, helping her as best she could. Kagome looked on in utter shock for a few moments before she ran over and started attacking…Kouga? Kagura thought for a moment that it all must be some bizarre dream, but no, Kagome was indeed trying to beat Kouga away from Naraku.

"Stop it! Leave him alone! Hasn't he suffered enough!" her voice was shrill with outrage at finding one of her oldest friends standing there and beating on what she saw to be an innocent victim.

"But…Kagome…Kagura!" Kouga stopped long enough to throw his arm in his girlfriend's direction, obviously thinking that the sight of Kikyo and Kagura cowering together would explain everything to Kagome, but she only became more adamant.

"Leave him! Please!" Kagome was immediately between Kouga and Naraku, selflessly sacrificing herself for the boy who was still huddled on the ground. But…why? "Just…all of you, go now."

"Kagome…I can't leave you with him." Kouga gestured to the two girls in the corner again as support for his argument. "He's…fucking crazy."

"Yeah, and she's the epitome of mental stability." Kagome had taken off her jacket and covered Naraku in it protectively. "I can't believe you'd help them! How could you?"

"What…the hell?" Kouga was now utterly confused.

"He's the victim here, and you side with those two! I never would have expected this from you, Kouga!" Kagome was full of righteous anger now, busy defending her new friend. "I want you to get out of here right now and leave him alone!"

"But he…" Kouga was completely at a loss, but Kagura was beginning to feel more than just a little angry. Kagome was siding with Naraku? What was her problem lately, anyway? First she's kissing Kouga and now she's Naraku's loyal retainer? Was she having some sort of imbalance because of her fight with Inuyasha?

"Let's get out of here, please." Kagura couldn't keep the leftover traces of fear out of her voice as she tugged at Kouga's arm, Kikyo wrist held firmly with her own free hand. "I can't be here now."

"But…Kagome." Kouga was obviously torn between just letting the girls have what they wanted or doing things as he saw fit. And as far as he was concerned, he shouldn't be leaving any girls alone with Naraku anytime soon.

"No…please go." Naraku's voice was strained as he wiped at his eyes as though he had been crying. "I can't stand to have you see me…like this…"

"But, Naraku…" Kagome was obviously hesitant to leave him alone.

"I'll be fine. Thanks for saving me." He spoke softly so only she could hear, and she smiled down at him before standing up firmly.

"Okay, I'm going." Kagome told the other occupants of the room, and Kouga relaxed visibly. "But if you think I'm going home with you, you're insane." She told him sharply before leaving the room and standing at the door to be sure they were following her. After all, she didn't want to just leave them with Naraku again. Kouga followed and they all left, each wondering what the other could possibly be thinking.

Inside the house, Naraku rolled onto his back, clutching at Kagome's jacket and inhaling the scent before laughing to himself.

"That," he sighed. "Was perfect."

*****

The End (Of Part 12, That Is)