Holly crud! O.o How long has it been since I've updated this fic?!?!?!?! *Bows low* GOMEN MINNA!!!!! I'm not even going to TRY and explain why it took so long. There would be too much to say.

But you know what, I'm back on with this fic and I'll try to get part 5 out. I now have the fic planned out pretty much so I can tell you know that there are quite a number of parts coming out before this fic is done. And who knows? I'll probably end up coming up with "filler" chapters.

As for "Another Chance" and "Brotherly Love", I'm also working on them. Please bear with me.

DEDICATIONS: Purple Rose-chan (You're a great friend!! It took me a while for me to thank you for dedicating a chapter of your fic to me and wishing me to get well!) Lightning and LilFoxgirl (my two good friends from AIM. Sorry I haven't been on in a while but my net isn't working at home. I had to upload this at school :( Teresa (You're fics rock girl!) Silver (I've been reading your fics also and I love them. I haven't reviewed because my net crashed while I was reading. But I will at school!)

One last thing. I was going to be extremely evil in this chapter but I was feeling generous so I wrote more after a part. It was mostly because I realized that there wasn't any Kagome/Inuyasha fluff in this chapter so I added some more to this chapter. So please be kind like I was and review!!!!!!!!!

So go ahead and read now! Enjoy!!!!

The Life of a Star

By Inuyasha-loves-Kagome (A.K.A. Inu-chan)

Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish, Inuyasha does not belong to me. But one day it might…

~**~

Kagome stood in front of the mirror, looking herself over. This was the dress she had since a few years back. It was the dress she had gotten as a gift from her family for her junior high dance. She loved this dress more than anything else she owned. It was her most prized possession.

It was a sapphire blue color that shimmered like it was covered in silver. It was sleeveless with spaghetti straps and it had a sort of tail in the back with the front part going all the way down to the floor, hiding the old shoes that went with the dress.

She didn't know what had possessed her to wear this dress tonight. She had always kept it, but hidden it from her view because she was afraid of what would happen to it.

Or rather, she was afraid of taking one look at it and crying her eyes out…

But tonight was different. Somehow she had gathered up all her courage and had taken the dress from its hiding spot. She looked at it for a long time, not even shedding one tear. What could have possibly caused this change in her?

The image of a certain dark haired young man trying to pry into her life popped into her mind, but she swatted it away and frowned. Yup. He had done it. He had given her the courage she needed to get through the pain she had been feeling so strongly in the past few weeks. Although she had cried non-stop since they were killed, she was still hurting even now, 2 years after it had all happened.

But how is it that HE had been the one to give her to courage she needed? How did he do it?

Kagome decided to ignore those questions and instead think about the dance…although she wasn't too happy with that fact that Naraku was going to be there. He would probably hover over her as if she were something on display that he had always wanted to see.

She knew of his feelings for her…but…she just couldn't return those feelings. She felt like she had this dislike of men. She felt that if she thought about love and boys, she would be betraying her family's memory.

She wasn't saying that IF she didn't have her family to think about, then she would consider Naraku. Hell no! She would never consider him. He was not only too rich, but too stuck up. She never went for guys like that.

What about Inuyasha?

She blinked at that. Nani o? Inuyasha? Yeah right! He's also stuck up!

But how can he be stuck up if he shows that he cares about you?

Kagome shook her head. He doesn't care about me! He doesn't! There's is no way in the seven hells that I'll ever believe that!

With that set in mind, she did a snobby sort of turn, swishing her dress around her, and headed towards the limo that would take her towards the party.

~**~

There was a great advantage to being the son of one of the richest men in Japan. Even if you had the lowest paying of jobs, even if you had to kiss your bosses feet, you were still able to attend rich, social gatherings and look snappy at the same time.

And, might he add as he re-adjusted his tie, he looked DAMN snappy!

With an air of confidence that he always paraded, he made his way through the main door, watching all as all the rich snobs chatted away happily, not a care in the world. Had he ever mentioned that he hated being rich because he had to mingle with people like them?

He looked around, trying to find Kagome, and frowned when he saw her with Naraku. She was smiling, but Inuyasha was sure that it was forced. She didn't really want to hear anything that he had to say.

He decided to make his way over to them.

~**~

Man Kagome complained as she forced herself to smile at Naraku's corny jokes I don't think I can stand to hear any more! I need someone to come and rescue me!

Who actually came to save her wasn't the "knight in shining armor" she was expecting, but rather another one of the thorns in her sides. She hadn't noticed him come up until he began to talk. "How is everyone this lovely evening?" she heard Inuyasha say in a fake "rich guy" tone. How much she hated rich people!

Both her and Naraku turned towards the voice and saw Inuyasha standing there with a smug look. Kagome didn't know it, but he was smiling like that because he was happy that Kagome wasn't enjoying herself with Naraku. Naraku smiled back, a little annoyed that someone had interrupted his "alone time" with Kagome. "Welcome to the party…" he gave Inuyasha a look as if to say "And you are?"

Inuyasha wasn't stupid. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Daimyou Inuyasha, son of Daimyou Inukyojin," he said, bowing. Just because he didn't like Naraku didn't mean that he was going to act like a fool.

Naraku seemed to switch from flirty mode to "rich guy" mode. He nodded in understanding, his arms crossed behind him. "Ah yes, I know your father. Nice man. And your brother is quite a nice young man himself. He has a smart head. Good for business. I can see him taking over your father's factory some day."

Inuyasha smirked. "Of course. He is older after all." Inuyasha shrugged. "Besides I have no interest in taking over. Being the owner of a big business doesn't interest me."

Naraku seemed to get a glint in his eyes that no one noticed. "Oh really?" he asked, interested. An evil plan was beginning to make itself in his head…

Both of the boys/men broke away from their conversation when they heard Kagome yell out names. They turned their heads from side to side, trying to find Kagome. She had separated herself from them while they were busy talking and taking no note of her.

"Sango!" she yelled gleefully. "Miroku!"

Taiji Sango and Hentaihoushi (^^;;) Miroku both looked up when they heard their names being called. Both of them had been on opposite ends of the room and had been looking for Kagome but were sidetracked when multiple people kept stopping them to chat.

They both excused themselves from the people they were talking to and walked over to Kagome. They hadn't really known that the other was there (Sango didn't know Miroku was there until Kagome yelled his name and visa versa). Once they did learn, they seemed a little reluctant to go over, but knew that they wanted to chat with Kagome.

"Hi Kagome-chan!" Sango greeted, engulfing Kagome into a large hug while trying to make sure not to mess up their hair and dresses. Kagome, Sango and Miroku had been best friends since they were kids and kept in touch no matter what happened to them. When Kagome had become a famous singer, she had made sure that her friends could still reach her no matter what the situation.

Sango finally released Kagome, allowing Miroku to hug her but making sure he kept his hands in check. All three of them knew that Miroku didn't like Kagome in that way but he was as perverted as they come when it came to woman, friend or not, although with Kagome it was more of a greeting.

"I'm soooo glad you guys could make it!" Kagome said as Miroku released her. Then she lowered her voice so that no one else could hear. "I'm so glad to be able to talk to sane people who aren't obsessed with money."

Sango just laughed with her hand in front of her mouth, causing Miroku to get a dreamy gaze and Kagome to smile. She had always known Miroku liked Sango, maybe had a crush on her, and ever since she had known it, she had been trying to find ways of setting the two of them up. Nothing was working however. The two of them seemed reluctant to admit their feelings for each other. Kagome got her own evil glint in her eye. Well, I guess I'll just have to work harder. And I think I know just the thing…

"So," Kagome began, gesturing to the two of them towards a table, "why don't we sit down and talk about what we've been doing these past few months? I missed you guys!"

While the three of them walked over, Inuyasha followed while Naraku was forced to stay behind. He had found a business friend he had wanted to chat with about a venture and he wanted to see how that was going.

The three of them sat down at the table and were surprised when Inuyasha joined them without an invitation. Kagome glared while having a questioning look. "What do you think—"

"Inuyasha!" Miroku explained in a friendly greeting, interrupting Kagome since he had the feeling it was going to get ugly if she continued. The two boys shook hands before Inuyasha sat down. "How've you been man?"

"Good," Inuyasha replied, nodding. He looked off at Kagome and gave her his best smile. "I've had the pleasure of meeting this young lady." Kagome blushed and scowled, but kept silent.

Miroku smiled himself. He seemed to sense that there was something going on with these two. "You'll love Kagome. She's a great person once you get to know her."

"Hello!" Kagome called out, fuming now. "I'm right here! Don't talk about me like I'm in the other room or something!"

Sango patted Kagome's shoulder sympathetically but it didn't seem to help the situation. Kagome was still going off. She stood up from her seat and pointed away from the table, indicating she wanted him to leave. "Go away and leave us alone!"
"Kagome-chan," Miroku called, slightly as a warning, "leave Inuyasha alone. He just wants to sit and chat with us."

Kagome directed her glare towards Miroku who looked innocently away 9_9 (^^v).

Inuyasha took the invitation and stayed where he was. "Thank you Miroku. I'm glad to see that at least someone appreciates my presence." He looked at Kagome for emphasism but she just turned away in a huff and decided to ignore him throughout the conversation.

"So Inuyasha," Sango began as she rested her head on her hands, "what do you do?"

"Well, being the son of one of the richest men in Japan doesn't really make me go looking for a job like some sort of poor person— I knew it! Kagome thought. He IS snobby! —but I'm looking into becoming a song writer."

That caught Kagome's attention. Becoming a song writer? Is that why he's here then? But if that were it then why is he trying to get close to me?

"Interesting," Sango replied, peaking at Kagome through the corner of her eyes and watching for a reaction. "And have you written anything yet that you could share with us?"

That had caught Inuyasha a little bit off guard. Written anything? Uh-oh! What a baka I am! I should have paid someone to have something ready for me! Why do I never plan ahead? Inuyasha decided to lie for now and then get someone to write something for him. "Well, I don't have my songs with me and I can't really recall them from the top of my head, so sorry Sango, but no."

Kagome knew it had been a lie while Sango only suspected. She hadn't gotten to know Inuyasha like Kagome had to feel that he was completely lying. She shrugged. "Oh well. Maybe you'll share what you have with us next time."

"Sure."

With every word that came out of Inuyasha's mouth, Kagome got increasingly suspicious of him. He was up to something and she was determined to find out what it was…

Kagome decided to ignore Inuyasha and turned to talk to Sango. "So what have you've been doing these past months Sango-chan?"

Sango just shrugged nonchalantly. Kagome could tell her attention was towards Miroku, though she was trying to hide it. "I've been working and going to school, you know, to try and become a lawyer. But tuition is just so expensive."

"If you want I can lend you the money you need."

Sango flinched inwardly, Inuyasha noted. He figured it was because she didn't like borrowing money from friends. "No thanks Kagome-chan. I can do it. I almost have enough anyway."

Kagome just nodded but it was clear she had figured the same thing as Inuyasha. She decided instead to ask about something that was touchy with her, but when she asked other people about it, it was okay. "How's your family?"

To tell the truth, ever since it had happened, Sango and Miroku had been careful to talk about their family to Kagome. Sure, they were there to comfort her and make sure she was okay (no trying to kill herself or get into drugs) but both of them had decided to take an oath not to mention it to Kagome ever again. It was all for her happiness.

Sango smiled nervously, not really sure if anything she said would be okay. "They're fine Kagome-chan." She turned her gaze to Miroku for support but he just stared blankly back, as if trying to get out of this. Some help he is…

When she had turned her gaze back to Kagome, she was shocked to see what looked like sadness in her eyes. "Irk! Kagome-chan, gomen ne, atashi—" (Irk! Kagome-chan, I'm sorry, I—)

"No." Kagome firmly responded. She smiled brightly at Sango but everyone at the table could see that it was forced. "I'm the one who should be sorry." Everyone could see the tears begin to form but Kagome was up from her chair and out of there before they could be sure.

Sango clapped a hand over her forehead and sighed deeply. "I blew it, didn't I?"

Miroku patted Sango's shoulder sympathetically and looked at Inuyasha who had remained silent throughout the conversation because he had been curious to learn about Kagome through watching the way she acted around people she really cared about. Inuyasha nodded at him, getting the signal. He too stood up from the table and chased after a now depressed girl.

~**~

She ran as fast as she could back towards her trailer but somewhere along the way she had fallen flat on her stomach. Oh no! She stood up quickly and checked around for any tears.

"No…" she breathed out when she saw a 2-inch tear on her side. The dress from her family…torn and dirty.

"No!" Kagome crouched down on the floor and began to cry. Life was just getting worse as time passed. First, she got invited to a party that had Naraku, a man she couldn't stand. Then Inuyasha, that jerk, appeared. Then she had totally embarrassed herself in front of her friends and run out of there as if they had the plague. Was God punishing her?

Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed, then water fell down from the sky. Things had just gotten worse considering she was now wet and cold out there with a dress that didn't warm her and the air cold.

That did it. Kagome didn't care anymore. Her family was dead. She had no one left who cared (A/N: She's not thinking about Miroku and Sango right now). The world will be a lot safer without me around. No one will even notice I'm gone. I'm just invisible to them anyway.

Her eyes glazed over and she began to walk anywhere her legs would carry her, as if she were a zombie. What was left for her anyway? Emptiness? Loneliness? No one cared.

She had been so out of it that she didn't notice it when she walked off into the road. A car up ahead was coming at a fast speed, but they didn't seem to notice her considering they had their headlights on low.

Time seemed to slow down. The car had finally noticed her but it seemed a little too late…

"KAGOME!!!!"

There was a serving, screeching, a thud…

…then nothing…

~**~

"Excuse me…"

She turned her pretty head towards him, the tears now gone. She was surprised he was still there. She had to admit, he was cute. She had never seen anyone with hair that long who still looked good in it. And the color looked good on him. It was like an orangey brown. And his eyes were emerald green, deep pools of green that you could just dropped into…

"Excuse me?" he asked again, staying polite though she had spaced out for a while. She had this dreamy gaze that made his face turn slightly pink.

She shook her head and smiled, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Yes?"

He averted her face because that smile had seriously done something to him. He scratched the back of his head nervously. "Uh…I was…uh…wondering if I could stay here…as an apprentice."

She cocked her head to one side, letting her hair cascade over her shoulders. "You want to be an apprentice?" There wasn't any teasing, just curiosity.

"H-Hai."

She smiled again, this time even softer, making her face glow. "Okay." She held her hand out for him to shake. "Welcome to the Sunset Shrine. My name is Jiiro Asaka."

He tried to smile as best he could, considering he was blushing like an idiot and could barely look at her. "I'm Kawaiikitsune Shippou."

It had all begun from there…

~**~

He opened an eye slowly, but even that movement made his face ache. Not only that but there was extra weight on him that was making the rest of his body ache. He looked down and noticed that it was Kagome, her eyes still glazed over. He breathed deeply, glad that she was okay. He had barely made it. However, she looked like she had actually gotten hit and was now nothing more than a corpse in his arms.

What had happened to make her like this? Inuyasha questioned as he looked down at the "dead" girl with concern. What Sango said couldn't have made her like this, could it? He slowly lifted his hand and let it rest on top of Kagome's head. That's when she started to shiver, as if cold. But it wasn't. It was from fear. But was it fear of him? Or the fact that she had come close to death?

A sob escaped her and he felt her hands reach up and tightly clutch the coat to his black suit. "I'm s-sorry…I'm sorry!"

"Shhhh," Inuyasha soothed, smoothing her hair and caressing her head. "It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong."

He just let her stay there, clutching onto him as if he were her only life line, and cry.

He made a solemn promise to God then. A promise he would keep no matter what.

I'm going to protect this poor vulnerable girl from anything that hurts her…even herself. I'll always be there for her and I'll do my best to fight this sadness she carries because of her family.

I swear it… To be continued in part 5…