Disclaimer: Don't own him.

A/N: Hey! Wow its been awhile huh? Sorry, sorry... I went on vacation! Not my fault I promise! Lol... this chapter isn't all that interesting.. but things pick up again in the next couple chapters. I changed this to Romance/Drama because there's an awful lot of that in the story, but don't worry it'll still be humor as well. Review please!

Chapter Twelve

Kagura

VERY IMPORTANT: Awhile back I said Kagura was Inuyasha's agent. That's different now, Inuyasha's agent is Kanna. I had almost forgotten that Kagura had already been cast, and don't worry .. this is hopefully the last time I make any changes to the story.

Raven black hair cascaded down the back of the teenaged girl as she rolled over onto her side. A few stray locks of it fell into her face, and she subconsciously blew it back. Her spirited brown eyes remained open, and her arms were curled around a fluffy white animal. With a sigh, she rolled back onto her back, looking at the creature in her arms. Slowly she pulled herself up to sit on her knees, mulling the events of the day over in her head while voicing her thoughts aloud to the pale dog.
"Isn't this perfect, Buyo?" she mused and the dog lifted his gaze to meet hers for a moment. "Who would have thought that after just a short time apart, we'd be reunited under such nice circumstances? Now we have a roof over our heads, full stomachs, clean clothing, well, fur in your case, and we can sleep with ease. He probably won't find us here, at least for awhile. Isn't everything almost perfect?" she grinned, holding the dog tighter to herself. Buyo, who seemed almost unable to breathe, let out a small whine and she hastily let go in fear of suffocating the small animal.
After the two had come to their little agreement, the rest of the night had passed uneventfully. A few more games of war, some pizza with Miroku (who looked pleased at the idea of Kagome staying with Inuyasha), and a late night showing of some movie about hippie aliens (which all three had found extremely bizarre and turned it off before long) Kagome had finally decided to call it a night and get some sleep. Miroku and Inuyasha stayed up a little longer to talk, and then Miroku excused himself, saying that he had "company to attend to". Kagome had giggled from inside the guestroom, where she had heard Miroku and Inuyasha's failed attempts at conversation almost perfectly. What an interesting pair of people.
Deciding that writing her cousin would be in her best interests, she grabbed a pen and a pad of paper off the nightstand next to her bed. Delaying for a moment while figuring out what to say, she jotted down a quick note. She didn't really need to say much since the two didn't exactly have the "best friends who tell each other everything" sort of bond, but she knew Kikyo would want to know that she was all right.

Hey Kikyo!
I wanted to write you, but I haven't had the...erm... paper. Listen, I'm doing great! At first things sort of sucked since I lost my house, and what's worse is that my father found out where I was, and then he started stalking me! No, you don't have to grab your passport just yet, because luckily I met a really sweet (she thought better and crossed out that first word) idiotic guy (no Kikyo, you don't have to worry, neither of us are interested trust me) who said he'd take me in for a little while. And you know what the strangest thing is? He's INUYASHA! Yes, the same guy who I "overly detested" when I was still living with you. Isn't that strange? But don't worry, he isn't that bad. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that I'm alive and well. Feel free to write back, the address is on the front of the envelope (oh why am I telling you, it isn't very hard to figure out). Talk to you soon!
Your Cousin,
Kagome

With a smile she folded the piece of paper up and let it rest back on the nightstand. She'd ask Inuyasha for an envelope and stamp tomorrow. Laying back down under the covers, she snuggled into the sheets and slowly let herself drift off to sleep, her head filled with pleasant thoughts. Things were looking up for the girl.

~*~

"GET UP WENCH!"
"Huh?" Kagome rubbed her eyes and snuggled deeper into the blanket. "Wha-mom? School doesn't start for like half an hour!" suddenly her brain registered that not only was her mom dead, but she was too old to GO to school. Her eyes snapped open and saw two amber eyes just inches from her own.
"EEEEEEEEEEK!"

Inuyasha staggered back, a red handprint across his face. "What the fuck was that for?" he screamed angrily.
Kagome yawned and sat up, still rubbing her eyes. "Sorry about that Inuyasha! But really, you and Miroku both need to learn that it isn't polite to stare". She slowly lifted the covers off herself and pushed herself up to her feet, her eyes tired and groggy, and her hair bunched around her in a mess. "Ugh, what time is it anyway?" she fumbled, looking around for the clock.
"It's almost ten! And you aren't even dressed yet! You realize that I have a life you know, and I can't be expected to be your alarm clock?"
"So why do you need me to wake up anyway? Just go about your life, I won't be bothering you".
Realizing that she had a valid point, Inuyasha decided to back down from this particular argument. He just wasn't really in the mood to fight with her and besides, he had already lost.
"Fine, whatever. So, did you have a nice sleep?"

Kagome knew what the question truly implied, and quickly listed some pros and cons in her head. Without even a second thought, Kagome nodded.
"Yes, everything was great".
Inuyasha looked genuinely happy for a moment. "Good. I'm glad," he responded gruffly, satisfied with her answer. The question of whether she would be staying again didn't need to be asked. Some things go without saying.
After changing into the outfit Miroku had lent her only a day before, Kagome let herself out of the guest room, ready for whatever the day held. She was surprised to find Inuyasha sprawled on the couch with the television remote in his hand. You'd think a person with a status like his could find something better to do with his time.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome questioned timidly, feeling a bit awkward at interrupting him. Inuyasha didn't really seem to care as he turned to face the raven haired girl, turning the television off as he did so.
"Yeah, what do you want?" he asked, noting that she was wearing the same outfit as yesterday. It suddenly occurred to him that her only possessions was that outfit and that damned dog (which luckily was still asleep). As much as this girl bugged him, he knew that she couldn't live off that.
"Um...," Kagome trailed off, not sure how to say this. "What's going to happen...today?"
Inuyasha groaned inwardly. He had been hoping that she wouldn't get the impression that they would be spending any time together. Not in the mood to argue with the girl, he formed a plan in his head. "I'm going to sit here and continue to watch television," he began and Kagome shrugged. She didn't care all that much. "You are going shopping (his face blanched a bit) with a friend. Discussion closed".
"No thank you Master Inuyasha," her voice took on a slightly angry tone. "What if I don't want to go shopping?" she crossed her arms. To herself she thought, 'What if I don't have the money to go shopping?'
Inuyasha hadn't really been expecting that, but this girl had been full of surprises all along. With a bored expression he raised an eyebrow. "This is my house, and I have no intention of letting you walk around in the same dirty clothing every day. Just quit trying to rebel and go". He slumped back on the couch.
"ARG! I am NOT trying to rebel!" she screamed, causing him to fall back a little. "Just because this is your house does not mean you have the right to boss me around!"
"Whatever," he stated simply. "Let me know if you're interested". He silently began the count in his head. One...two....three....four...
"All right all right, I'm interested". He smirked. She wasn't so hard to get around after all.
"No skin off my nose". He grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. "Go down to this apartment in half an hour. Her name's Sango. She's a friend of mine and (he coughed) Miroku's". Kagome cocked her head at this gesture and then shrugged. She didn't really care very much. "There's some money on the dining room table. Grab it and don't get yourself killed. I don't want to have to waste my time on that mutt of yours anymore".
Kagome wasn't sure whether to glower or laugh. Deciding he meant well, she let out a giggle. "You're so weird," she grinned, giving him a taunting look. She suddenly grew serious for a moment. "Thanks a lot though for...," she trailed off.
"Yeah, yeah whatever," he waved her away. He was not one for emotional discussion. She gave him one last look over her shoulder, then turned to walk toward this "Sango's" apartment. As the door shut, Inuyasha turned to look over his shoulder as well, then gave a quick shrug. He was in one of his famous "whatever" moods today.

~*~

*click* porn *click* CNN *click* THE HOME SHOPPING NETWORK? Inuyasha sighed. There was nothing to catch any interest of his in the world of television. He could go somewhere, but he tried not to leave the apartment if he could help it. Too much work to disguise himself, and too much publicity if he didn't. Even shopping with that strange girl could have been more entertaining then this. He would go bug her mutt, but that thing was still sleeping. Apparently he was a rather nocturnal animal.
With a sigh, he turned the T.V off and stalked toward his bedroom. Maybe a nice nap would help pass the time. Just as he was about to crawl under the covers, he heard the doorbell ring. Figuring it was Kagome back from a surprisingly short shopping excursion, he grumbled as he stalked toward the doorway. He flung open the door with an angry face, then drew back when he realized that the woman standing at the door was not Kagome. "May I help you?" he asked, trying to stay polite. For all he knew, she could be from the media. "Yes, I happen to be looking for a young woman by the name of Higurashi. Have you seen her?" "Nope, never heard of her," he gave an honest reply. After all, he didn't know Kagome's last name. The woman chuckled. "Forgive me, it didn't occur to me what name basis you were on. Higurashi Kagome is her full name. Ring any bells now?" Inuyasha froze for a second, then quickly recovered. Lucky for Kagome, he had wonderful acting skills. "Yeah I might have seen her once or twice, but only for a few minutes at the most, usually saving her from something or another. What's it to you?" he knew he couldn't pretend he had never met her, after all there were probably witnesses to the fact that he had. He silently prayed that the cheerful girl wouldn't show up anytime soon.
"Are you sure?" she asked carefully in a sultry tone. "See a friend of mine really needs to get in touch with her, it seems she has been a very naughty girl and run away from home. My friend has been worried sick over the poor child, and I know she must miss him at least a bit. It would be in the girl's best interest if we could find her. Are you positive you haven't seen her?"
It didn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that the girl was obviously lying. He gave a sigh. "No, I haven't seen the damned girl. Would ya leave me alone already?" he had already figured out that this girl was NOT the media, and he hoped she'd leave him and Kagome alone.
You could see the wheels turning in her head as she struggled to come to a decision. Suddenly taking on a whole new look, she turned toward him with a silky voice. "You know... if you could find her for me, I could really make it worth your while". She winked at him and battered her eyelashes.
He snorted inwardly. Really, did she even know who he was? I mean sure she was drop dead gorgeous, but there were thousands like her that would do that anyway, without him having to give up Kagome's secret. Then again, there wasn't much else to do that day. But Kagome... but he barely knew Kagome anyway. Who cared? He threw his hands up. To hell with it, he would keep Kagome's secret anyway. He'd just go out on the town later or something.
"That sounds tempting, miss, but I really don't know where Kagome is," he tried his hardest to look convincing. Apparently it worked for the lady shrugged. "All right then. I'll be seeing you". Inuyasha sincerely hoped not. She turned to walk down the hall, then threw her head over her shoulder for some final words.
"And Inuyasha," she began and he looked up quizzically. "Tell Kagome hang in there. She's a strong girl, she'll be all right in the end". He cocked his head.
"I told you already, I don't know..."
"I didn't say you did. If you just happen to come across her, relay that message for me," she winked then turned to walk again.
"Wait, what's your name?" he asked desperately, trying to figure out Kagome's situation from the conversation.
"Kagura," the woman stated simply as she finally reached the elevator. A few seconds later she was gone, leaving a dumbfounded Inuyasha to stand in the hall.
"Strange...," he thought aloud, then turned back into the apartment. Deciding he wasn't tired anymore, he flipped back to the television to watch the porn channel. Something to do...

~*~

A few hours later, Inuyasha heard the familiar sound of an opening door. He knew there was nothing to worry about, for he heard the familiar voice of one of his closest friends outside. Sango had arrived, most likely with Kagome in tow. His suspicions proved right when two laughing girls bounded through the doorway toward him.
"Hello Inuyasha!" grinned Kagome. "We had a great time! Thanks so much for introducing Sango to me, I think her and I are going to be great friends! Hang on a minute Sango, I'm gonna go put these bags in my room". She skipped off toward the guest room, a few bags in tow. Sango leaned toward the couch where Inuyasha sat, looking extremely bored.
"Not half bad Inuyasha. Pretty, sweet, AND smart. An unusual combination for you. I thought the perfect girl was gorgeous and stupid". She grinned at him as she watched him glower beneath her gaze.
"Shut up Sango, I already told you that it isn't like that".
"Yeah, yet. When do you plan on taking advantage of her?"
He sighed. "If you don't believe me then let her stay with you. You two seem to be getting along and it'd get her and her mutt outta my hair".
"Sorry, you know Kohaku is allergic to dogs. Besides, unlike you, us "normal" people don't have huge apartments like this. Just do me a favor, and keep your hands off her".
"Feh. Why would I put my hands on a bitch like that in the first place?"
"Hey!" came an indignant scream from the bedroom. "I heard that!"
Inuyasha cupped his hands and shouted back. "So you'd rather I put my hands on you then?"
"Eek! No!" the girl seemed revolted with the thought and Inuyasha sat back with a laugh. "What an idiot," he chuckled, but this time rather quietly.
Sango shrugged. "She seems super sweet to me. Anyway, I promised Miroku I'd go have dinner with him, so I'll see you later!" she waved and then made to leave before Inuyasha made some comment or another.
"You know you're gonna spend the whole night being completely annoyed by his "natural ways".
"Yeah, but he can be O.K once you get past that. Besides I'm only going because I feel bad for sending him to the hospital last time. Apparently I don't know my own strength.," she shrugged
"Ah, so you're in it for the make up sex".
"Inuyasha!" he dodged something or another that she had thrown, and only looked up when he was sure the fiery girl had left. Turning back to the television he waited for Kagome. Whatever...