Disclaimer: Fan fiction authors can use Inuyasha's characters but not claim them as their property. Though, I know that we all fantasize about owning them (especially Inuyasha who has cute doggy ears that you can tweak when he is a hanyou!)

A/N: Okay, now on to chapter four after that short intermission. Sorry, but no Sno-cones or popcorn included with this fic!

Chapter 4: Conference from behind the changing screen

Tuesdays were leisurely days for the circus faculty. Mornings were spent practicing ones act and the afternoons and evenings were off. So a person could enjoy company or explore the town or city that the Circus was performing in. This month the circus was stationed in Osaka and the following month, they would travel to Tokyo for a month. Sesshoumaru had invited his newest act to lunch in his tent and dinner on the town. He was looking forward to spending time with the troupe, especially with Kagome Higurashi, his little star. He cleaned his tent and decided to cancel his lunch with Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru walked to Inuyasha's dressing room and knocked on the door. He opened the door to find Inuyasha looking ill and quite frankly piss drunk with an empty liter of Vodka in his hand.
"Sesshoumaru, why has she some back to haunt me?" asked Inuyasha drunkenly.
"Inuyasha, you have to understand that the girl has a striking resemblance to Kikyo but it isn't her. Kikyo has gone and joined Naraku's circus. Kagome Higurashi is our angel. She is gonna take our circus out of the mud and put it on top of a cloud. Her act will save this circus!" demanded Sesshoumaru.
"I know brother. I will not befriend her though." Inuyasha said.
"Inuyasha, she doesn't even know that you exist and we will keep it that way. You're safe with me." assured Sesshoumaru.
"Okay, well I suppose I should get to work after I sober up a bit. I think a hardy lunch should do it." claimed Inuyasha.
"Speaking of lunch, I am having lunch with the Higurashi troupe today. Then I am also taking them out to dinner. So don't come by my tent today at all. I will come to you if I need anything from you."
Looking sad but understanding, Inuyasha nodded and got up. As soon as he got up he felt his stomach churn and saw his vision blur. He ran to the bathroom and threw up something fierce. He thought that he may have overdone it last night with the alcohol as he felt the feeling return. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, in the Higurashi tent the troupe was getting ready busily for their business lunch with the ringmaster. Mrs. Higurashi and the others donned their Sunday bests with the exception of Kagome. She was wearing her favorite drawstring sweat pants and a black tank top and eating a cup of rice.
"Honestly Kagome," chided her mother, "Today is lunch and dinner with the ringmaster and you have on such casual clothing and aren't even done eating breakfast!"
"Yeah, what else would you expect an athlete like myself to wear on her day off." responded Kagome with her mouth full of rice.
"Kagome, finish your rice and change into that black dress that I bought you for your birthday." demanded Mrs. Higurashi.
"You mean that short one with the slits. Mom, I'm not going to wear that dress because it's too fancy for lunch." stated Kagome.
"Now you do what I say Kagome. I am still your mother my young rising star." replied her mother.
"Okay mom I will. But if I attract too much attention from Sesshoumaru than I'm going home to change." she said as she walked away to find the garment.
Kagome changed quickly into the revealing dress and the troupe made their way over to Sesshoumaru's tent to have lunch. They entered the tent to find a magnificent buffet set up and Sesshoumaru sitting calmly in his favorite chair.
"Welcome everyone! You look great but you didn't need to be so dressed up."
Kagome shot her mom an accusing look and her Mrs. Higurashi shrugged her shoulders.
"Kagome, may I suggest you wear that ravishing gown to dinner tonight as well. You look simply good enough to eat my dear." said Sesshoumaru in a seductive fashion.
"Thank you Sesshoumaru," Kagome said nervously from all his attention, "but this dress has a stain on it and I'm afraid that I will have to put on something else for dinner."
"That's alright my dear. I'm sure anything that you wear looks good. Now let's sit down and eat." invited Sesshoumaru.
Kagome could not take this attention much more. She kindly said, "Sesshoumaru, I'm afraid that I am feeling ill and have lost my appetite. Will you excuse me? I think that if I lay down before dinner that I may feel better."
"Of course, my little star needs to be nice and healthy." responded Sesshoumaru.
"Sesshoumaru, the Higurashi troupe's success comes from a team effort, not from me alone. I'll see you later." said Kagome annoyingly before she left the tent.
"I think my daughter is just tired Sesshoumaru. Please forgive her." Mrs. Higurashi said a little upset about her daughter's lip.
"Obviously. That poor girl. I hope she feels better soon." Sesshoumaru commented with a concerned voice. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Inuyasha knew that he shouldn't be snooping around Kagome's dressing room, but he had to know how similar she really was to Kikyo. After all, their appearances might be their only similarity he thought to himself. He looked at picture frames that she had scattered on the shelf of her bookcase. In each picture she was happy and smiling. He saw that this girl was carefree unlike Kikyo. Kikyo looked like she was always on some unknown mission that had to be completed. This girl, at least judging from these photos, seemed to live life to the fullest and live it spontaneously. Inuyasha, heard footsteps approaching the dressing room.
"Oh shit!" he cursed to himself as he heard them coming closer to the door. He hid behind the changing screen which wasn't the best place to hide but had to do as he saw the door knob turn and the door open. It was her, Kagome Higurashi. He thought that she was supposed to be gone all day with Sesshoumaru. Nonetheless, here she was in her dressing room.
He closed his eyes as he ducked behind the screen and heard Kagome say to herself, "I can't believe that narcissistic Sesshoumaru, trying to pick me up like that. It was soooooo obvious that he had an interest in me. Why is it always all the men that I don't want that are attracted to me?" Kagome sat down on her futon and looked like she was deep in thought. Inuyasha could not believe the things she was saying about Sesshoumaru. He clenched his fist trying to restrain himself.
"Never mind that guy. I think I'll change out of this dress into my sweats and explore the circus some more." Kagome decided.
Inuyasha sweatdropped as he glanced up to the top of the changing screen to find Kagome's drawstring sweat pants and tank top folded over. What was he supposed to do now he thought to himself. He saw Kagome's shadow from the other side of the screen. He heard the clothes being taken from the top of the screen. Any second she would be on the other side of the screen so Inuyasha had to move. Kagome stepped on the other side of the screen and Inuyasha on the other. She began to change and Inuyasha needed to get out of there making the least amount of noise. Inuyasha crept to the door and put his hand on the knob when he heard a noise behind him and felt her presence. He was spotted after all that effort not to be. He stayed faced toward the door.
"Hey hentai, who do you think you are going into a girl's dressing room?" scolded Kagome. "If you stole anything I'd expect it returned to me this instant."
"I didn't steal anything wench. And I would just forget that this incident ever happened if you don't want me tell Sesshoumaru what you said about him and endanger your job here with the Sengoku Jidai Circus." retorted Inuyasha turning around to face her with his threat unknowingly.
"Hey, you're that guy from the balcony yesterday! I knew I wasn't seeing things." informed Kagome.
"Shit, you weren't supposed to see my face. I am such a dumb ass sometimes." scolded Inuyasha.
"I'm sorry, I yelled at you, even though you did trespass. I just wasn't expecting somebody to be in my dressing room when I came back. Let me introduce myself properly, I'm Kagome Higurashi. You are?" commented Kagome.
"A figment of your imagination girly." responded Inuyasha.
Kagome a bit annoyed of Inuyasha's attitude said, "Listen, stop being so crass with me! If you are acting this way because of your appearance I understand. It sucks when people make fun of your differences. When I went to school and people found out that I worked in a circus, they treated me differently; and those people who did accept me, I never saw because I was always off practicing or performing. I changed schools often and lost touch with friends easily all because of my talent for the trapeze. So let's just say that you aren't the only one that suffers from loneliness."
Inuyasha was amazed at the girl. He had no idea that she suffered so much. He also had no idea that his feelings were so transparent. He felt the urge to tell Kagome his name but Sesshoumaru's words echoed in his mind. He looked at Kagome and stated, "You don't know me Kagome Higurashi. I won't tell you my name but I will tell you this. Forget that you even saw me. People that befriend me only get into trouble." Inuyasha ran out of the room as quickly as he could. Kagome stood there confused. She quickly put her dress on a hanger and decided to find him. Everybody needed a friend she believed and that stranger needed one more than ever.