Disclaimer: Ha ha ha. Yeah right.

Author's Note: Bwahahahaha! Now is when all the fun really begins. . . so let's just cut the author's note, shall we, and skip on to the story. XD

Oh- but a quick warning. Lots of swearing this chapter. Sorry if that disturbs you. ::sweatdrops::

- - - Headlines: A Hollywood Romance- - -

-Chapter Eight: Take Me Home. . . Part I-

'Oh- hello Inu-Yasha! Good Mor- - -!'

'Shut the fuck up, bitch!'

'. . . ? Inu-Yasha? Are you oka- - - ?'

'Why the hell didn't you call last night, idiot?!'

'Well I- - -!'

'Thanks to you, I didn't get a fucking wink of sleep! God!'

'Now wait a minute- how does that add up?! I didn't call you BECAUSE I just didn't want to distur- - -!'

'Ah, can it, woman. I don't give a damn! Keh.'

'Y- - - you- - - ? What're you- - - ?'

'I SAID SHUT UP!'

'Hey! Don't you walk away on m- - - well, then! SCREW YOU!'

"HUMPH!" Kagome huffed loudly; flopping heatedly into her makeup chair as her earlier run-in with Inu-Yasha replayed through her mind. "Arrogant bastard. . ." Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, she slunk down into the soft red cushions with a dangerous scowl. Sango, who stood across the room from her, sighed heavily- running a hand over her face.

"Kagome-chan, please. . ." she sighed, sounding a bit desperate as she nervously tugged the lapel of her business suit, "I want you to relax, but not that much!" Kag responded by rebelliously sinking lower into her seat. Kanna, the short young woman who lacked everything from melanin to a personality, - and was trying her best to do Kagome's make up- peered unblinkingly at the agent.

"Would you please get this girl to behave?" she asked quietly, her voice as empty as her face. "I need her to sit up straight, not slouch like an immature child."

"Kagome, Kanna's right," Sango frowned, not sure why she was playing the messenger when Kanna was closer to Kagome than she was and had obviously been heard perfectly. "Stop acting like a baby! We have to be on set in a half hour!"

"JOY," Kag groused, grudgingly straightening her spine and allowing the head of the make-up department to attack her face with blush. "What stupid scene do we have to suffer through today? Me getting harassed by demons? Me being bullied by humans? Me looking stupid with a bow and arrow? Me playing the 'damsel in distress' for the umpteenth time? Or me being tossed aside when the dead miko comes around?"

Sango's lowered lips continued to turn down. Did she detect a hint of animosity? "Not any of the above. . ." she began slowly, pausing as Kanna forced her client to stand and gaze into the mirrors at all angles (just to make sure each touch of powered was in place). "Today we're doing the first part of a major fighting scene- - -"

x

"Oh?" Inu-Yasha's eyes lit up in sadistic pleasure- his deeply ruffled fur instantly smoothed out as the words left Miroku's lips. "A fighting scene? Goo- - - oi! That hurts, you ass!"

"Sowwy, love," the dark haired make-up expert beside him giggled, his painted lips curved into a feline-esque grin. "I didn't mean to! But you have the sexiest hair, Inu-honey!"

"Oi! Don't call me that!"

"Uh, Inu-Yasha?" Miroku blinked as his client bluntly ignored him, instead arguing with the drag queen at his side. "This scene- it will- - - Are you listening to me?"

"Hey! HEY! No! I don't want any nail polish! I REFUSE to wear nail polish! And that goes with the perfume as well!"

"But Inu-baby- - - !"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT, EITHER!"

'That will eventually turn into the great romance scene between the two main characters,' Miroku finished mentally, smart enough to figure out that this wasn't the time to add that last tidbit- especially not with Inu so aggravated over some tiff or another.

. . . And with Jakotsu as his help for the day.

x

"SIIIIIIIIT!"

WHAM!

A colorful array of curses and jinxes mixed with the furling dirt as it rose from the forest floor; an Inu-Yasha shaped hole now deeply imprinted in the terrain. Kagome, fuming, glared down at the fallen hanyou, face as red as his harori in her fury.

"What the fuck was that for, wench?!" the dog eared male snarled, painfully raising his head to glare at the girl before him. His eyebrow twitched as her eyes filled with tears. 'She's only acting. . .' "You let the damn wolf get away again!"

"Inu-Yasha, you're hurt!" she snapped stubbornly. "We go through this every time! I don't want you fighting with Kouga period, much less when you're injured! He'd kill you!"

Kill- - -?!

"WHAT?!" Leaping into the air with a sudden burst of energy, the half demon confronted the girl with indignant and slightly hurt eyes. "I could take on that idiot with a hand tied behind my back AND a hole through my gut!"

"Like now?" she asked dryly, staring him down coldly as she poked the bloody wound on his body, wincing at the realistic materials the effects and makeup departments decided to use. God, it was so gross. . . peals of fake skin, slimy muscles, buckets of blood. . . sick. Of course, the expression of utter disgust was what they needed right now, so it wasn't like she had to try and mask her reaction.

Inu growled; ripping her hand away as a look of pain quickly crossed his features. "YES, like now! Gods, Kagome! Why are you always helping him?! Sticking up for him?! Taking all the shit he puts you through?!"

"The SHIT?" she repeated, a hint of dark laughter in her voice as her eyes widened. "Like giving me flowers? Caring about my feelings? Protecting me without complaint? Heaven help me! It's a good thing you don't put me through that shit, too, Inu-Yasha! God knows if I could stand it!" With that she made to spin around and storm off- but the hanyou caught her arm with a clawed hand and stopped her short- hurt.

"Oi!" he barked, spinning her around again. "What the hell's your problem?! What did I do wrong this time, woman?!"

Kagome boiled with rage under his gaze, eyes glassing over with tears once more as her chin quivered. "Oooo!" she hissed, pulling away again. "Why do you care?! You can just go running off with Kikyo, can't you?"

"Aaaaaaand cut!" the cheerful cry sounded from a ways away. "Excellent!"

The pair just glared at each other, still in their previous position.

The director blinked, used to at least a word of acknowledgment. "Uh. . . well then. . . let's try that last part one more time. From Inu-Yasha's line about Kouga onwards. M'kay?"

Neither one replied. Sango and Miroku promptly began to play BS, pretending that they didn't know their employers. (Much like normal, as a matter of fact.)

"M'kay! Then- - - action!"

And, despite the fact that it didn't appear that they were paying any attention at all, both Kagome and Inu-Yasha seemed to have heard. At least, they responded in the desirable fashion. Pushing her heatedly away, the man proceeded to roar, "YES, like now! Gods, Kagome! Why are you always helping people?! Why HIM?! Why do you stick up for him?! Care about him?! Take all the shit he puts you through?!"

". . .The. . . SHIT?" she echoed, a coating of pain in her voice as her deep eyes blackened, swallowing painfully against the lump in her throat. Balling her hands in trembling anger, she had to force them to her side. "Like giving me flowers? Caring about my feelings? Protecting me without complaint? Heaven help me! It's a good thing you don't put me through that shit, too, Inu-Yasha! God knows if I could stand it!" Turning on her heal, she managed to stomp a few feet away before being blocked by the arm-crossed torso of Inu-Yasha.

"Oi!" he snarled, ears flattening against his head. "What the hell's your problem?! What did I do wrong this time, woman?! I was only- - -!"

Her chin quaked again, as if she were about to break. "Dammit, Inu-Yasha," she whispered, still staring coldly before her- even though it was into his chest. "Why do you do this to me? Why do you care?! You can just go running off with our friends, can't you?"

"Kagome, what the FUC- - -!"

"Cut!" the director called again, looking slightly confused but nonetheless happy. "Very nice, you two! So much emotion! If I hadn't seen you two REALLY going at it, I'd swear this was a real fight!"

'If only he knew. . .' Kag couldn't help but think darkly, exchanging flaming glances with her costar. He said nothing, but returned the gesture with vigor.

Noticing that he was the only one chuckling, the director slowly cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck a bit nervously as he leaned back in his chair. "Er- right then. I noticed a few slipped lines, so let's take it one last time, m'kay?"

Once again, neither answered.

"M'kay! And- action!"

And again, both replied to the request instantaneously. "YES, like now!" Inu-Yasha hissed, eyes narrowed as he suddenly reached out and grabbed the girl's wrists- acting as fast as a cobra. Before anyone could blink, the half demon had the girl up against one of the fake trees, pressing her back painfully against the wood. A scared glint appeared in her eyes for half a second, but was soon replaced by an empty nothingness. "Gods, Kagome!" he all but cried, frustrated as he gently shook her. "Why are you always helping people?! Sticking up for people?! Everyone! Everyone but- - - . . . God, how can you take all the shit they puts you through?!"

". . .The shit?" she murmured slowly, bangs hiding her eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek. "Like giving me a chance? Caring about my feelings? Protecting me without complaint? Heaven help me. . . It's a good thing you don't put me through that shit, too, Inu-Yasha! God knows if I could stand it!" As she screamed the last piece of her rebuke she pushed forward, slamming her body into the man's with so much force that they stumbled backwards, forehead to forehead.

"Oi!" he grunted, releasing her arms and taking a step away. "What the hell's your problem?! What did I do wrong this time, woman?! Why is it ALWAYS my fault?!"

Shaking with rage, Kagome glared furiously into the man's face. "Because you- - -You- - -! Because you're- you're- - -" she breathed, raising her clenched fists to her forehead and clutching her temples. "YOU! Why do you care?! You can just go running off, like before! You can just lie, like before! YOU CAN JUST USE ME, LIKE BEFORE! WHY DO YOU EVEN PRETEND TO CARE?!"

Before she could even try to storm away, Inu-Yasha had grabbed her around the waist, pulling her struggling and wriggling mass closer to him with a growl of absolute outrage.

"Kagome, what the FUCKING HELL are you talking about?!" he all but bellowed in her face, struggling to keep her under some sort of control. "I didn't pretend! THAT WAS YOU! I DID CARE, DAMMIT, AND YOU THREW IT IN MY FACE! And you didn't call, either!"

"Don't you lie anymore, Inu-Yasha!" she screamed, raging against his confining hands. "I can't stand it when you lie to me! ALL YOU DID WAS LIE!"

"I NEVER LIED TO YOU!" he countered with a grunt, fury flashing in his amber eyes. "Ever!"

"Then don't lie now!" Kag hissed; ceasing her assault for half a second- just to lock their emotion filled orbs. "Don't lie about caring. . ."

That was it. He couldn't take any more. . .

"I. DID. NOT!" he roared, shaking her desperately. "WHY WOULDN'T I CARE?! YOU WERE MY BEST FRIEND!"

Silence. Kagome's blue gray eyes narrowed once more. Tugging herself from his grasp with a loud swallow, she forcefully wiped the back of her hand across her cheeks.

"Key word. . ." she whispered hoarsely. "Were." And then she ran.

Inu-Yasha stood alone on the set, watching her dash blindly off for her dressing room, soon followed by Sango, Miroku- even Kikyo. Everyone else- the director, the crew, the special effects team, the makeup department, the extras, and all the other actors- were staring unblinkingly at him; shocked beyond all rational reason.

This was awkward.

". . . Keh!" he snorted frostily before spinning on his heal and raging out; leaving the set empty.

". . .And cut," the director sighed weakly, unsure as to what had just taken place.

x

'I hate him I hate him I hate him I hate him!'

Sobbing into her hands, Kagome fell through her dressing room door with a hiccup, closing the barrier between herself and the rest with a loud slam. Fixing the lock behind her, she proceeded to ignore the world around her- the pound of her agent on the door, the growls of her empty tummy, the itchy irritation the never-ending tears was causing her skin- and threw herself into the corner. Tucking her knees under her chin and resting against the wall, she allowed herself to cry and cry and cry and cry- - -

Until she fell into a dreamless sleep.

x

'I hate her I hate her I hate her I hate her!'

Inu-Yasha snarled under his breath, banging the back of his head against his dressing room door as he sunk to the floor. 'Stupid, stupid wench!' And stupid, stupid coworkers, he added, who had announced they were to re-watch the 'out takes' of the day. 'Assholes. . .' he mentally growled. 'Poking their nose into my business. They just want to figure out what happened. . .' Well, he'd show them! He'd switched the tapes. . .

Now they'd all be watching one of Mioku's secret 'Girls' Gone Wild' collectors addition recordings. Ha.

Speaking of girls going wild. . .

His frown deepened as Kagome's raging face filled his mind.

'Feh. She's probably too busy being a whore to even think about what she's saying. . . stupid wench.

. . . She didn't even call.'

x

Something was wrong. She could feel it deep within her bones.

Kagome cracked a tired eye open, feeling sore red skin tingle at the simple movement. Hours seemed to have passed- the usual busy bustle heard from outside her door was gone, and there was a definite darkness to the room. But that wasn't unusual- she was used to staying after hours. So what was giving her this weird, sinking feeling?

. . . ?

And what was that faint sound?

Rubbing the sleep from her droopy blue orbs, the girl slowly managed to work herself to her feet, trying to piece together information in her mind. Where was it coming from? That incessant soft ticking? And why did it chill her to the bone?

Scratching her head and slowly waking up, the girl froze in absolute horror as her eyes fell upon her dressing table- where a small, wrapped brown package sat, ticking ominously away.

Oh God.

Bomb.

x

The sort of fear that gripped her then was unexplainable- a kind of aching churn that grabbed at your stomach with cold fingers and quickly took hold of your whole body. An icy burn that rushed through her limbs and set them in lead, freezing her in time as her breath caught in her throat.

No. . . What was she going to do- - -?!

Falling backwards, the girl managed to close her sweaty palm over the doorknob and tried to pry it open- but it was jammed. 'Jammed?!' she thought hysterically. 'How could it be jammed?!'

Well, that was easy. Gum in the keyhole, chairs outside, glue. . .

Someone must have set this up!

But who- - - ?

"Y- you IDIOT!" he yelled, looking as if he was about to hit Kagome. Instinctively tensing and squeezing her eyes shut, said girl was half-shocked when no blow came. Then she felt foolish for believing for a moment that he would physically abuse her. No, instead, Inu simply flopped to his knees beside her, looking deadly serious. "That's dangerous!" he whispered heatedly. And before she could react he reached out and gingerly turned her chin, pushing a strand of her limp locks behind her ears. "It could be a stalker, Kagome! It could be some sort of deranged stalker and he or she could kill you!"

No. . .

'Those burglars. . .'

Why didn't she listen to him- - - ?! The umpteenth choked cry lodged itself in her throat- but this one was more fearful than the others. Stumbling as far away from the ticking mass as she could- into her corner once more- Kagome's wide eyes filled with more water. 'I'm going to die- - - !' She thought blankly, unable to grasp the idea. 'I- I'm going to die!'

She didn't want to die- - -!

"H-help. . ." she squeaked, unable to think straight- to figure out what to do. There were no windows to climb through, no keys to try and pick the stuck lock, no telephones to call for help. Her stupid cell phone didn't have any reception in the building! She was as good as gone. . .

"He-help. . . !" she managed to force out again, a little louder. 'Help me- please- - - !' "Help- - -!" Trying her best to work through the lump clogging her vocal passage, the young woman took a deep breath and let it all loose- her tears, her fears, and her voice.

"INU-YASHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!

WHAM!

Clatter. . .tinker. . . shatter. . . crack. . .thumpthumpthumpthump. . .

Covering her head instinctively as the door literally shattered, the actress peaked fearfully out from behind the curtain of her hair. Chunks of wood that once made up her door were now falling all around, a loud ringing was reverberating off of the walls, and a shadowy, anxious silhouette of a man stood behind the sawdust he had somehow managed to create- fist outstretched. Inu-Yasha. . . He'd punched the barrier between them down. She blinked; dust settling on her clothes and in her ebony locks as she slowly uncurled herself on the floor. Was it really. . . ? "I. . .Inu. . .Yasha. . . ? Wha- - - ?"

The actor glared coldly. "I was at the exit when I heard your pathetic yowl. Couldn't take care of yourself again, bitch? Keh."

Defenses went automatically up. "Pathetic yowl!? Bi- - - !?" She paused, lashes fluttering. Wait a minute. . . "Inu-Yasha," she cocked her head, confused as her brow furrowed, "the exit is nearly a mile away- the other side of the building. How'd you get here so fast. . . ?"

. . .

"Feh!"

'. . . He hadn't left his own dressing room,' she realized in shock. That had to be it. Had he been watching over her. . . ? No way. . . "Inu-Ya- - -?"

"Shut up," he snapped, before choosing to ignore her. Taking a few deep snuffs of the air, Kagome shakily got to her feet. What was going on? Where'd the ticking go? Why was the whole place ringing? What was Inu-Yasha doing here? And why was he so bewildered as he sniffed the room?

"Inu-Yasha, what's - -?"

"I said shut up!" he barked, turning to the box on her desk. Cracking his knuckles with a dark snarl, he expertly raked his talons through the air- shredding the wrapper and the cardboard underneath without even touching it. And- visible through the shreds of packaging material- - -

Was a large brass alarm clock.

Kag sunk to her knees once more as Inu-Yasha stared blankly at the clock, an exasperatedly dry expression on his face.

". . . At least you finally called."

A clock. She had almost gone insane over a clock. A CLOCK. Her chin began trembling for the countless time that night, her whole body soon following suit as a smirking Inu turned to laugh at her- - -

And then fell silent as he noticed the large wet pearls trickling down her face, quiet pants for air escaping her lips. It was too much. . . she'd already suffered so much stress. . . she couldn't take it anymore.

She began to wail.

Not silent, snivel-y ones either. Oh no. Big, loud, moist sobs that filled the entire building with sound- making Inu-Yasha's fluffy ears press tightly to the top of his head. His face fell as he watched her on the ground, crying like a baby.

Oh, shit. . .

"Kagome- Kago-chan. . ." he whispered, crouching beside her with a hesitant air- - - before falling backwards onto his bum as she launched herself into his arms. "Eh- - -!" Pressing her face into his chest as another wave of helplessness hit her, Kag desperately clenched the material of his shirt. And as much as he hated to admit it- his heart broke.

"Oh. . . dammit. Kagome, honey, please. . ." he begged as she continued to worm her way into his embrace, still quivering. His strong arms tentatively wrapped around her frail body, holding her close and gently drying her tears with the pad of his thumb. "Please- stop it. . . don't cry! I'm here, I won't let anything happen to you."

A breathless gasp worked itself from her mouth as her shuddering began to lessen slightly, hiccups taking over. "I. . Inu. . . chan. . ." she managed to murmur, still unable to let go of his warm body. "Please. . . take me home. . ."

". . ."

Biting her bottom lip, the girl slowly turned her huge moist eyes up to the man, who simply nodded- face empty of any kind of emotion.

x

And he did. He did without a single word, bad or good or in-between. He gently lifted her bridal style off of the cold carpeted floor, carried her through the empty halls of the building, stopped a taxi in the street, and brought her home- never once letting her go.

He opened the door with the key she had given him years and years ago; this being the first time he'd ever used it; and carried her to her room. The only time he hesitated was when he gently set her down on top of her comforter-adorned mattress- when he noticed their picture. Pausing for a moment, the actor took a second to touch the warm frame. . .then straighten its position on the bedside table. . . before smiling faintly at Kagome, who was watching for his reaction.

Then he left without any sort of good bye.

x

Honestly- who expected an alarm clock? ;) I admit, though- I dunno if they'd sound the same (a bomb and a clock), but Kagome is pretty much at her ropes end at the moment, so I figure she'd jump to conclusions. . .

Anyhow, now that the chapters out of the way and you've all had your daily dose of slightly-angsty fluff, I want to apologize for taking so long to update. I'm still trying to adjust to school- there are a lot more tests than I expected. Studying, homework, the whole shebang- it's left me all rather emotionally and physically dead. Gomen ne. . . I really am trying. I hope you can forgive me for the breaks between posts. But on the bright side- this chapter was extra long. ;)

Also- anyone going to the Chicago anime convention? October 22 – 24th? So far, I plan to be there on the 23rd! XD I can't wait! I hope some of you guys can come- I'd love to meet you! . . . Unless you're out to kill me, like my mum insists some of you are. Then you can stay home. ::laughs::

Anyway, that's about it. I hope you enjoyed- please R&R!

Ja ne!