Kagome had her head lowered in shame. Naturally, Inuyasha would cause a scene at the airport. Honestly, who tries to take a sword as part of their luggage? Did he really believe it would get past security?

Of course he insisted that she would thank him later when his luxury item saved them on the island. Why couldn't he bring a tooth brush as his luxury item, like a normal person?

"Look, I'm taking the sword. I'm even allowing you to keep it below deck. How the heck am I supposed to have access to it if its in the luggage compartment?" Inuyasha continued to argue with the security inspector.

"I am sorry sir, but a sword is a dangerous weapon." The inspector continued to argue. He was a young man in his early twenties.

"Tell me what your name is." Inuyasha demanded growing greatly annoyed with the punk trying to separate him from his beloved Tetsusaiga.

"Officer Hojo, sir."

"Look here boy," Inuyasha began his intimidating speech that Kagome was all too familiar with. A gentle hand was placed upon his arm to deflate his rapidly rising annoyance.

"Inuyasha, perhaps we could talk to Officer Hojo's supervisor." Kagome suggested calmly.

Inuyasha glared at the young man who was smiling thankfully at his girlfriend. "Don't look at her punk." Inuyasha threatened and the man immediately retreated to deal with more sane travelers.

Kagome rolled her chocolate eyes and grabbed hold of Inuyasha's arm to lead him towards some chairs to wait for their flight. Quickly, she scanned the airport in search of familiar faces.

Inuyasha was slouched in his seat beside her, but suddenly sat up straighter. His golden eyes were narrowed in the direction of an approaching couple. Kagome turned to follow his gaze. A bright smile lit up her face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What are the odds? Could he not ever be rid of that woman? Was it her mission in life to purposely make his life miserable? He had to get away. Perhaps she hadn't seen him yet.

Maybe if he could make it to that crowd of people near the baggage check-in she would not see him. It was his only hope at the moment.

What did he do in his past life to receive such bad karma? He just wanted to make some money by playing on Survivor. Money that he needed thanks to her.

Aoshi Shinomori was afraid of nothing. He was however, not wanting to associate with the woman that he had the restraining order against. Shouldn't the producers of the show have researched the contestants to avoid something like this?

For two weeks, he had known that he was selected to participate in that season's Survivor. Also in that two weeks, he had to change his telephone number eight times. He didn't even know his own number! It was all her fault!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Kouga!" Kagome shouted gleefully as she spotted one of her best friends, whom she hadn't seen for years. She started to rise to her feet, but Inuyasha tugged her back down to her seat.

"That's the loser from your European vacation isn't it?" Inuyasha practically growled at her, jealousy evident in his tone.

"Kagome! Bless my stars! I never hoped to see you again!" Kouga roughly yanked off the hindering hands of Ayame from his shoulders. No one would prevent him from seeing the most wonderful woman he had the pleasure of knowing.

"Let me up Inuyasha." Kagome warned quietly. Reluctantly, Inuyasha released his death grip from Kagome and allowed her to stand. She ran to meet Kouga half-way.

He opened his arms and she ran into them. Kouga lifted his Kagome high into the air and crushed her to him. "I've missed you so much!" He murmured with his lips in her raven tresses.

Finally, Kouga released her to stand in front of him. They were both grinning stupidly at one another. "How long has it been since Europe?" Kagome asked.

Kouga shook his head, blue eyes twinkling. "It's seemed like an eternity since we saw each other."

"That's not nearly long enough wimp," Inuyasha interrupted the happy reunion. Kagome and Kouga both turned their attention to him, offering a pair of angry glares.

"Now look Inuyasha, Kouga is my friend. I would appreciate it if you could at least be civil." Kagome scolded, with her chocolate fires flashing.

Kouga and Inuyasha locked eyes, malice dripping. "Look, dog-turd, Kagome and I have been friends long before the two of you met." Kouga barked.

"Did you just call me a dog-turd?" Inuyasha asked carefully.

Kouga flashed a cocky grin, still ignoring the highly frustrated and jealous red-head who was attaching herself to his bicep. "Are you deaf too?"

Looking for a diversion, any diversion, Kagome quickly scoured the airport. She caught a sight that could prove her salvation. That poor Hojo boy was having to deal with another sword-toting traveler.

"Say, Inuyasha, look over there. There seems to be another fellow trying to convince Hojo to allow him to bring a sword along. Perhaps the two of you can talk to his supervisor and convince him to let you bring your sword." Kagome suggested.

Inuyasha immediately forgot about Kouga. When one had to decide between his precious Tetsusaiga and dealing with Kouga, the sword would prove the victor. Inuyasha began to dash over towards his fellow sword fighter, pulling Kagome along behind him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Kenshin, maybe you should have left your sword at home." Kaoru tried to placate as the luggage inspector seemed adamant about not allowing the sword on the flight.

"No, Kaoru-dono, I'm telling you that they will allow me to bring the sword. I did buy it in Japan a few years ago. I had to carry it on a plane then. I don't see why I can't do so now, that I don't." Kenshin argued, his violet eyes picking up a few flecks of amber in his growing aggravation.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to tell you the same thing I told the other man. I can not allow you to carry a deadly weapon onto the airplane." Hojo tried to explain.

"Deadly weapon? But his blade is backwards. And look at my blade, it's all rusted. Do you really think either of these could be considered deadly?" Inuyasha interrupted, joining the argument.

Hojo sighed and directed his attention back to the white haired man. "You again? I already told you that you can't bring your sword."

"I wish to speak to your supervisor." Kenshin rejoined the dispute.

"Um, Inuyasha, if you don't mind I think I'll let you handle this on your own." Kagome whispered in his ear while standing on her tip-toes to reach.

Inuyasha turned angry golden eyes to her, that softened upon meeting her innocent chocolate ones. "Fine, but stay away from Kouga."

Kagome crossed her arms. "Fine." She began to walk away, noticing another familiar face in the crowd and making her way towards him. She couldn't prevent a brief look of puzzlement from crossing her features as she wondered what he was doing there.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kaoru was becoming bored. Kenshin and this Inuyasha character were still demanding to see Hojo's supervisor. It seemed as if the young man was about to relent, finally.

"Very well. Wait here and I'll get my supervisor." Hojo finally agreed. Inuyasha and Kenshin exchanged victorious grins with one another. The fellows-in-arms had won the battle. Would they win the war?

Kaoru tapped Kenshin on the shoulder, gaining his attention. "Yes, Kaoru?" Kenshin asked with his trademark smile returned along with his cheerful attitude.

"I'm going to buy something to drink, okay?" Kaoru told him with a smile, asking permission, even though she knew it was unnecessary.

"Of course, Kaoru-dono, you don't even have to ask." Kenshin's smile reached his violet eyes, that no longer held any traces of amber.

"Do you want anything?" Kaoru asked as she was about to take her leave. Kenshin shook his head. "Alright, I'll see you soon. Good luck with the sword thing."

Kaoru left the two wanna-be samurai in search of a vending machine. All she wanted was a Sprite and she didn't care to wait in line for a fountain drink. However, now that she had gotten a little lost she was starting to regret that decision.

Who would think that it would be so easy to get lost in an airport? She heard the footsteps of someone in boots behind her. At first she thought nothing of it. But, the boots seemed to be following her every move.

Finally! The vending machine appeared before her eyes. She ran the last stretch to her goal and fished out the necessary quarters. She unscrewed the bottle cap of her prized Sprite.

"Yes! This must be my lucky day!" Kaoru exclaimed. She read the inside of the bottle cap and smiled because she had just won a big screen television. Kenshin would be so happy! Well, maybe not. He didn't seem to care much for material possessions.

"Why the facial fall?" A smooth, deep voice disturbed her inner thoughts.

Dreading the worst, Kaoru turned to regard the voice. Oh she must have had some serious bad karma. She did not deserve to have to deal with this man, again.

"Why Kaoru, you don't look pleased to see me. Where is that worthless loser that you soil yourself with by your continuous association with him?" Enishi Yukishiro teased as he pushed his blue designer glasses up his nose to peer at her better from his towering height.

"Enishi, what are you doing here?" Kaoru asked carefully, as she tried to side step him, only to be blocked by his heavily muscled arm.

"Is that any way to treat your old flame? Besides, I thought you realized we were both selected to be on Survivor." Enishi answered while dropping his lips close to her ear. Kaoru shuddered at his closeness. Why wasn't Kenshin ever there when she needed him to protect her from creepy men?

Trying to remain calm, Kaoru peered beyond Enishi into the airport lobby, hoping to see a place she could run to and hide. Viola! A tall, bushy plant stood regal not too far away. If she could just distract him, perhaps she could make a run for that relative shelter.

"You're absolutely right. That was so very rude of me. I'm glad that you are well, Enishi. Do you think you could do me a favor?" Kaoru asked in her most sugary sweet voice.

Enishi smiled down at her, thinking he had caused her to cave into his charms already. "Yes, dear what would you have me do?"

Kaoru reached into her pocket and pulled out the key to the airport locker she had acquired earlier. The only things she had stored in the locker were a few water bottles that she didn't want to carry around. She could sacrifice a little water to the greater good of freedom.

"Do you think you could get my stuff for me out of my locker? I really need to use the little girl's room. You would do that for me, right?" Kaoru asked, blue eyes bright.

Enishi smirked and moved his hand to clasp her upper arm. He squeezed it slightly. "You can pay me back later, on the island perhaps. I'm sure once you spend more time with a real man you'll forget all about that runt." Enishi turned to leave, grinning to himself after hearing Kaoru's angry snort at his comment.

Oh yeah, it was only a matter of time before she fell for his charms.

Kaoru tried to glare a hole into his retreating form, before realizing that if she didn't leave soon he'd find her all that much quicker. Off to the plant of salvation she ran.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Aoshi had found a little peace. Soon he would need to board the airplane, but for now he was safe from her. His stalker may have been persistent, but she was not very clever.

As long as he stayed behind this plant no one would bother him. Who in their right mind would think to search here?

His cobalt blue eyes were hidden behind their heavy lids. He was growing tired from the stress of dealing with all the turmoil in his life. How he wished he could just be playing his bass guitar and earning a living doing what he loved most. He just wanted to allow himself to get lost in his music.

Curse his good looks that caused him all his troubles!

The sound of rustling leaves soon jarred him from his slumber. His eyes narrowed in an icy glare. However, the intruder seemed to have not noticed him yet.

How could she not notice Aoshi Shinomori? "Excuse me." Aoshi's tenor voice broke into the interloper's thoughts.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" The woman with cerulean eyes greeted him. She kneeled beside him on the floor. "Please, don't make me go out there. I really don't want him to find me."

Aoshi's eyes widened noticeably at her declaration. It would appear he was not the only one in hiding. "Someone is after you?" He asked calmly, although he could feel a swell of anger rising within, for he could sympathize with this woman before him.

Kaoru blushed slightly. "Well, he seems to think that we were once an item, which we never were. I was just nice to him back in high school. I haven't seen him in years and now it would seem that he and I are both on the same reality television show and I'm going to have to deal with him."

Aoshi merely stared at her a moment, trying to process the barrage of words that tumbled out of her mouth. "Perhaps things would be easier for the both of us if you calmed down."

Kaoru took a deep breath then extended her hand out to him. "Kaoru Kamiya."

Aoshi reluctantly extended his hand towards hers. "Aoshi Shinomori."

Kaoru gasped at the familiar name, her hand immediately releasing his as she clasped it over her mouth. "Oh my god, I am so sorry."

Confused cobalt eyes stared at her blankly.

Shaking herself, Kaoru removed her hand and gave him a sympathetic look. "You must be Misao's Aoshi-sama."

"I am nothing of hers. Do you know her?" Aoshi demanded, regretting having allowed this woman to trespass.

"I apologize; she has an unhealthy fixation with you."

"You don't say? I would think after the restraining orders against her that she would have left me alone, but no. She continues to invade my privacy and ruin my life." Aoshi complained, drawing his knees up to his chin and for all the world resembling a little boy pouting.

Kaoru reached over to give him an awkward pat on the shoulder. Cobalt eyes glared at her suspiciously. She smiled nervously. "I won't give away your hiding spot if you let me share it."

Aoshi nodded his head curtly. "Very well."

The silent minutes seemed an eternity. The solemn man did not appear to be bothered by the silence. Kaoru was however. "So are you going to be on Survivor?"

"Yes." Aoshi replied with his eyes closed, relaxing with his back against the wall.

"You want to form some sort of alliance?" Kaoru asked.

A single cobalt eye opened to regard her. "Isn't it a little early to be making pacts? We may not even be in the same tribe."

Kaoru waved her hands in front of her face to dismiss that idea. "No, no, I mean an alliance where I keep Misao away from you if you protect me from Enishi."

The cobalt eye closed. "I suppose that would be acceptable."

Kaoru sighed when he closed his eyes again, ending the conversation so easily. Why did Kenshin have to be so obsessed with his sword? He shouldn't have let her leave by herself earlier.

Who was she kidding? It wasn't Kenshin's fault she was hiding from Enishi behind a big plant with the iceman. Kaoru groaned softly, allowing her head to fall heavily on the wall behind her. Why couldn't things ever be simple?

Aoshi had an eye cracked open imperceptibly to observe the woman sharing his plant hide-away. She was an interesting specimen. How could someone as 'normal' as she be friends with that psycho that stalked him?

He almost cracked a smile, when he realized he was not the only who suffered from the unwanted affections of others. He may not have found an ally in Kaoru Kamiya, but at least he found one he could sympathize with. That is, if he sympathized.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sesshoumaru was leaning against the window, watching the airplanes launch and land. He noticed his brother and Kagome earlier. It looked like they were chosen for the show as well. He always enjoyed defeating his brother, but he was unsure of how he felt about competing with Kagome.

He was a winner first and foremost; feelings had nothing to do with success. Not that he felt anything for that wench anyway. She was obviously an idiot for putting up with his idiotic brother for so long.

"Hey." A familiar voice called from behind him.

Sesshoumaru turned around to address the subject of his rumination. "I see you are here as well."

"Looks that way. So, um, Inuyasha is busy arguing with security about his sword." Kagome explained.

Sesshoumaru almost smirked, but his face remained an expressionless mask. "He brought his sword?" He couldn't stop himself from asking.

Kagome nodded, embarrassment apparent. "He said I'll appreciate it when we're on the Island."

"Most people bring a tooth brush for their luxury item."

Kagome smiled. "That's exactly what I said!"

Sesshoumaru turned back around to face the coming and goings of the planes. He felt Kagome's presence settle to his side, also gazing out the window. "Have you been to the souvenir shop yet?"

"No, I have not Sesshoumaru." Kagome replied. He made no effort to respond and the silence began to nag at her. "You know, I love to collect water domes."

"I know." Sesshoumaru answered, surprising his companion.

"You know?"

Sesshoumaru turned to look at her. "Of course. I've known you for several years now. How could I not know that you love snow globes?"

Kagome looked thoughtful. "Funny, you've noticed and yet, even after I remind him countless times, Inuyasha still believes its shot glasses I collect."

Sesshoumaru surprised Kagome once again by giving a soft laugh. He grabbed hold of her arm. "The shot glasses are more for him. He thinks that once you agree to marry him that he will then gain possession of all those glasses he's purchased for you."

Kagome's brows furrowed at that comment. "I sure hope you are kidding."

"This Sesshoumaru does not kid. Come, let us look at those water globes. Perhaps after the trip I will buy you one as a consolation gift." Sesshoumaru pulled her along beside him.

Kagome glared at him after that last remark. "Maybe it will be I who buys you the water globe as a consolation gift."

"Oh please, do you really think you could beat me?" Sesshoumaru asked, truly amazed that she could even think of such a blasphemous thought.

"Remember, its not always the strongest who wins on this show. It's the one who forms the strongest alliances." Kagome retorted knowledgably.

Sesshoumaru nodded his head at her declaration. Perhaps she was correct. She was after all somewhat of an expert regarding the reality show. "I shall keep that in mind."

The good natured argument ended as the two entered the giftshop.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

TBC