Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha. But you knew that.
Author's Note: Some good news and some bad news. Oh- and an apology. First, the apology- I'm sorry that this update took so long. Once again, other things took control of my life and delayed my writing. In fact, these things are my good news and bad news.
The bad news, first- my laptop broke. Well, sort of. The cord that I plug into the wall to charge it? That snapped. My mother moved it and the cord got tangled under a chair. The plug-in thingy was already loose, so when I failed to see that it was caught and tried to pick it up. . . Yeah. And since my laptop is where I do most (if not all) of my writing. . . I'm sure you understand. We're trying to find a new cord, but because my laptop is ancient by computer standards (around 3 years old), it's not looking promising.
The good news that distracted me- I got to go to the anime reactor convention in Chicago! It was SO much fun! My only regret is that I didn't get to go to any of the Inu-Yasha or fan fiction programs. (Why? I didn't learn about them until I got home for the night. ::sweat drop:: Heh heh heh. . . Ah well. Maybe next year.) Either way, I had a blast! Did anyone else go? I hope you had the chance, because it really was excellent. I'm gonna get my pictures back from Walmart today! XD
Oh- and speaking of pictures! My friends Ellie, Emmy, Lisa, and I got our pictures on the fan's view website since we were cosplaying. If you'd like to see the photos of us, please check out the link on my bio. But bare in mind- we didn't know what was going on when the man took the pictures, so we look really dumb. (He just told us to stand on the tape X and smile. ::nervous laugh:: And it didn't help that we were all broke and we thought the pictures cost money.)
Anyway, that's about it. . . So I guess I should start the chapter now, huh? Heehee-
Here we go! :-)
- - - Headlines: A Hollywood Romance- - -
-Chapter Nine: Kikyo's Kiss. . . es. -
Whatever the rest of the cast and crew were expecting the next morning when Inu-Yasha and Kagome arrived, the entrance they received wasn't quite it. In fact, to everyone's utter disappointment, it was rather. . . Normal. Both stalked in, growled (though, some of the more romantic stage hands insisted, their snarls were a little less animalistic today), and proceeded to their respective dressing rooms with harsh slams of their doors. Oh, let the fun begin. . .
Sango and Miroku sighed simultaneously, massaging their foreheads in irritation as the sweet bitching of their clients poured through the walls. It seemed the pair hadn't gotten any better at all- if anything, they'd gotten worse. Yes, in a surprising new twist, both stars had decided that they'd rather call each other in order to argue so that they wouldn't "have to stare at your disgusting face".
"Come now, it could be worse," Naraku consoled lamely, checking his watch. "They could be using the studio's phones instead of their own. By my calculations, we should only have to suffer through 200 more minutes of this, with or without roaming charges."
. . . Great.
Kikyo shook her head as she joined her husband and the agents, just as annoyed as the rest. "I've heard of love being blind," she grumbled, taking the plastic knife out of Sango's hands. Since she'd already used the thing to put cream cheese on her bagel, the agent had been looking seriously interested in using the 'weapon' for. . . Other things. "But never of forcibly making yourself 'blind' to the other. This is ridiculous!"
And it was.
Love wasn't just "blind", either, evidently- it was also very, very good at pissing everyone off.
"199. . . . . . . . ."
"I'm gonna go get some Maalox," Sango finally muttered, busy swallowing the maximum number of Advil tablets one could take at a time. Passing the box of medication to the violet eyed man, she made to leave, but was stopped by Miroku's hand grabbing the hem of her suit top. Glancing down, she felt a stab of pity for the male, who looked as if he was about to rip out all of his hair.
"198. . . . . . . . ."
"Yes. . . ?" she inquired, sounding strained.
". . . Forget the spoon," Miroku urged from his tired heap against the wall. Kikyo nodded her weary agreement as Sango managed a small smile.
"197. . . . . . . . ."
"All right."". . . . . . . . . . . . 196 - - -"
"Naraku, darling," the ebony haired woman then sighed, "Shut up."
x
"Humph!" Kagome huffed, snapping her phone shut in complete rage as the batteries died. "Stupid ass!" Inu-Yasha- - - ! He thought he was so smart. . . So perfect. . . So much better. Well, he wasn't! But he WAS so- so- so. . .
So something!
"God damn him," she cursed under her breath, spinning dully in her make up chair as she closed her eyes; feeling a bit dead. "Why does he make thing so difficult? Why does he always insist on arguing?!"
He doesn't, a sudden voice in her head reminded her. You're the one that always starts the arguments.
. . . What?! Kagome straightened in her chair, eyebrow twitching. 'I do not!'
Do so.
x
"Oi!" Inu-Yasha growled softly at the mirror, narrowing his gaze at himself. "You're the voice in my head! You're supposed to agree with me!"
But you're wrong. Admit it- you start the arguments on purpose.
'Wha- - -?! That's BS! Why would I start arguments on purpose?!' And why was he fighting with himself? He must have lost it. . . A vacation was definitely in order.
x
Come off it. You know you do.
'This is just dumb,' Kagome mentally frowned. Cursed subconscious. . . 'There's no plausible reason that I would start fights with him- why I would want to talk to him period!'
Sure there is.
'Like crap. Give me one.'
How about. . . because you're still in love with him?
'. . . !'
Kag shook her head rapidly, hands balling into fists. 'No!' she snapped. 'I don't love him. I never loved him! He just USED me. . . And then he tossed me aside with all the lies he'd made me believe! I hate Inu-Yasha! I fight with him because he needs to be taught a lesson- not because I enjoy listening to his voice or still cling to any relationship I can have with him! I hate him! I hate him I hate him I hate him I HATE HIM!'
She paused after this rant, waiting for someone (or something) in her mind to reply- but the little voice seemed to have left her high, dry- and alone with her growing doubt.
'Could I really still care. . . ?'
'. . . If I do, I'll just hate him more!'
x
"All right, is everyone ready?!" the director called perkily, clapping his hands together for attention. The studio fell relatively silent at his words, turning blankly towards him. How could he be so damn happy all of the time? Didn't he realize what went on around him? Kikyo sighed heavily, already in a bad mood. 'Though I guess it puts me in character,' she thought dully, watching the director's lips as he blabbered white noise.
"- - - ready to start shooting the Kikyo's Kiss scene!"
. . . Kiss?!
The stunt-double-turned-star straightened as she managed to absorb his words, her eyes widening. Maybe she should have been paying attention. . . But before she could say anything, she felt Inu-Yasha slip up next to her, the rough wool of his 'fire rat' haori rubbing against her back. She turned slightly, cocking an eyebrow as he smirked teasingly."Should be fun, hm?" he joked softly, his voice an almost sensual rumble. "It will be nice to have a go with you for once. ." Kikyo giggled, her cheeks the slightest pink shade.
"Now, now," she whispered, a mocking 'come hitter' expression on her face as she glided backwards. "Not here. My husband's watching."
Inu snickered and winked, finding his blocking on the fake forest set. He could feel a pair of eyes upon him as he moved, but he didn't bother looking to see who it was. He already knew- and she would be on stage soon enough. However, he couldn't help but throw out:
"Oi! Take a picture- it'll last longer."
x
At his words, Kagome's cheeks lit up, her eyes narrowing. That arrogant son of a- - - ! Taking a deep breath, Kag tried her best to calm down and keep her temper. This wasn't the time to argue, it was the time to act. And so act she would.
"Aaaaaaaand- - - action!" the director called, pointing at Kagome. Taking the cue, the actress raced onto the stage, as if bursting through the trees. Darkness had been cast over the entire set, as if night had come early. The forest of artificial pines and maples towered over Kag as she tripped over a few randomly placed stones, tumbling into the clearing where the stolid Kikyo lay; sprawled elegantly in the branches of a dead oak.
"Owwww. . ." the school girl moaned, a grimace on her face as she rubbed the back of her head, slowly pushing herself to her feet. "That smar- - - huh?" Glancing up, she finally noticed the sleeping miko- eyes widening in surprise. A few green spheres floated around her (which were later going to be made into soul skimmers with the use of computer graphics) and a soft wind blew, brushing through the priestess's long tresses.
"Oh. . ." Kagome choked, shocked as she padded carefully over to the older woman. "She's so pretty. . . We really don't look that much ali- - - ?!" Gasping, the girl cut herself off as Kikyo suddenly sprang to attention, her eyes snapping open.
"You- - -!" she hissed, genuinely surprised. "How did you penetrate my mystic barrier?!"Kag blinked once or twice, confusion etched on her face. "Barrier? What barrier? I- I didn't mean- - - ?"
Kikyo watched her emotionlessly for a moment, but soon a small smirk of understanding lit her features. "I see. . . Then you truly are me."
The girl was beyond bewilderment by now. "Wha. . . ? I don't think- - -"
Shaking her head once, the miko smoothly changed the topic mid-sentence. "Where is Inu-Yasha?" she demanded, glancing over her shoulder- but keeping her eyes trained on Kagome. "He is with you, is he not?"Kagome fell silent, a pained look on her face as she bit her bottom lip. "He. . .
He went looking for you."
Kikyo's expression remained schooled, though the smallest flair of triumph erupted in her eyes for half a second. "Oh. . . ?" she cocked an eyebrow coolly. "And what are you to Inu-Yasha, then. . . ?"
"Huh. . . ?" the teenager gasped, unsure of what to say. A second wave of sadness crashed over her as she opened her mouth, but she tried to keep this tide of hurt from pouring out with her words. "He said. . . But. . . Ever since then all he thinks about is. . ."
As Kagome trailed off, Kikyo's attention was diverted from the girl to her skimmers- who had begun to circle faster as she slid out of her branches. "Ah," she murmured in monotone, looking back towards her reincarnation. "It seems that Inu-Yasha has arrived," she announced. "But not to rescue you. . . He comes to see me." Her eyes narrowed. "And you are in the way."
Reaching out suddenly, two of her long, cold fingers touched the center of Kag's forehead- sending a sort of shock through her entire body- and paralyzing her from the neck down. "What- - - ?!" the girl cried quietly as she fell back against the tree, body as stiff as a board. "I can't- - -?!"
"No one can hear you or see you but I," the priestess informed, rewarding her soul collectors with tender strokes on the head. "I will see to it that you do not interfere."
"Interfere?" Kagome choked. "With what?!" Her eyes suddenly widened with understanding. "No- Kikyo! You're not planning to kill him, are you- - - ?!"
Kikyo cocked her head slightly, faint amusement in her voice. "And why not? Inu-Yasha. . . He seeks my death."
"But you're wrong!" the teenager insisted forcefully, tears stinging her eyes as she bit out the most painful truth in her life: "Inu-Yasha- - -Inu-Yasha still loves you! . . ."
Then, on cue, a loud rustling was heard- the sound of approaching, rapid footfalls- - - As Inu-Yasha burst into the clearing, winded.
Kagome's eyes widened as she tried to move her body. "Inu-Yasha- - - !"
The hanyou did not respond, or even glance her way. His eyes, instead, were locked upon the miko. "Kikyo. . ." he breathed, trembling as the priestess's wide, doe eyes turned to lock with his own.
". . . It was you, wasn't it," Inu-Yasha accused quietly after a pregnant pause. "Gathering and devouring the souls of the women. ."
Kikyo did not reply, but her azure orbs said it all. The half demon winced in regret and shame under her intense gaze. The memories. . . "Why?" he finally asked, barely audible.
"Why. . . ?" the woman echoed, taking a second step closer. "That is simple. This. . .body. This creation of earth and bones- it does not function unless well nourished. And it must be fed by the dead." A small, dark grin over took her lips as she raised a hand to her head, clutching the material of outfit. "You must find me disgusting, Inu-Yasha," she pressed, "I masquerade through your time, clothed in the departed, driven only by my hatred of you!"
Hatred. . . Such hatred.
Kagome's face softened slightly at the woman's words, as did half demon's. "Kikyo. . ." both whispered, though the hanyou's utterance was filled with much more hurt."Kikyo," he repeated, as if building his courage- his face contorting into different and indescribable expressions. "Kikyo- ! You may hate ME, but I- - - I- - - !"
Shaking his head rapidly, he took the final bound- grabbing the woman's shoulders. "I haven't stopped caring about you! Thinking about you! Not for a single day- a single second!"
The school girl's eyes widened as if she'd just been slapped in the face; her heart beat sounding loudly in her ears.
"I don't care what you look like," Inu continued softly, slowly loosening his grip on her shoulders. "I could never find you disgusting. . ."
". . ." Kikyo seemed honestly shocked, her hair whipping in the gentle wind as she lifted a surprised hand towards the hanyou's face. "Is that. . . True?" she inquired gently, a sudden kindness seeping into her words as she rested the pads of her fingertips upon Inu-Yasha's flesh. He flinched in surprise, but didn't back away.
"Aren't you afraid. . . ?" she asked quietly. "I could kill you with these hands right now. . ."
Inu-Yasha said nothing, his amber pools lidded in mild fear and regret- - -
Until the priestess pushed herself upon her toes and pressed their lips together, Inu's eyes jolting open as he moved to back away.
"CUT!"
All three actors jumped a mile in surprise as the director's voice sliced through the scene.
"What?" they sighed, a bit annoyed by the interruption. After all, they thought it had been going pretty well.
"Inu-Yasha, Kikyo," the director began, stroking his goatee as he tried to determine the best words to explain his case. "I'm just not. . . FEELING it."
". . . What?!" the pair repeated, nonplused.
"I'm not FEELING it," the director stated again, waving his arms frantically. "I'm not feelin' the love! You two were madly, hotly, passionately, lustfully in love 50 years ago- and now you're sharing your first kiss in half a century! Inu-Yasha, you do need to look a little torn and all, but not like you want to catch the next bus to Australia!"
He wrinkled his nose as he arched an eyebrow. "But- you couldn't take a bus to Au- - -"
"Never mind! Let's try the kiss again. M'kay? M'kay."
Inu-Yasha and Kikyo exchanged flat glances. Kagome didn't say anything, just remained stiff next to the tree. Guess they didn't have much of a choice in the matter."Aaaaaaaaaand- - - !" the man stage whispered, jabbing his fingers towards the feudal couple. "Action!"
"Aren't you afraid. . . ?" Kikyo asked, her ragged voice like a siren's song. "I could kill you with these hands right now. . ."
Inu did not respond to her warning, only hooded his honey orbs. And then- - - quite surprisingly- - - she locked their lips in a kiss before he could blink.
"!" He went down slightly as she went up, her long lashes fluttering shut. It took a moment, but Inu-Yasha slowly began to respond- not quite leaning in but not pulling away, either.
It was then that Kagome, who was forced to watch, felt her eyebrow give a single, sudden tick.
"CUT!"
The two broke apart again, biting back the urge to blow out their cheeks in frustration. Kagome fought an urge, too- to sigh in relief.
. . . Huh?
Her whole body froze as she realized what she wanted to do. 'Where did THAT come from?!'
"What now?" Inu-Yasha drawled boredly, gracing the director with a cold glare.
"It's still. . . Not quite right," the man pronounced, wiggling his fingers as if trying to catch inspiration out of the air. "No. . . Let's try it one more time. Skip the dialogue- just kiss. We can edit the words back in. M'kay?"
"M'kay," Inu-Yasha and Kikyo replied dryly, rolling their eyes and hiding their smiles. Kagome felt a stab of something in her heart, but she couldn't quite place it.
"M'kay then!" the director crowed. "Aaaaaaaaand- action!"
That said, Kikyo's hand slipped off of his cheek and grabbed one of his forelocks, pulling him into a kiss which he eagerly responded to.
Kagome made to turn away - - - before remembering she couldn't.
"CUT! Too rough. Try again!"The priestess moved her other hand to cup his second cheek, gently pulling their lips together. It only took Inu-Yasha a moment to absorb her action; then he enclosed her in his arms.
Kag bit her tongue painfully, trying to keep from screaming.
"CUT! Too sweet. Try again!"
Her hand remaining on his face, the miko closed her eyes, carefully guiding his face down so that their lips touched chastely. Inu-Yasha's eyes closed slowly as the kiss began to deepen, passion bursting to life in their embrace.
The school girl's eyes were beginning to twitch in an unhealthy fashion.
"CUT! Too sappy. Try again!"
The priestess's hand fell from his cheek as she pressed herself against him, joining their mouths in an erotic French kiss as Inu began yanking down the shoulder of her top.
The incarnation's quivering fists clenched.
"CUT! Too NC-17. Try again!"
Before Kikyo could even attempt to reenact the scene, Inu-Yasha had wrapped his arms around her and dipped her gracefully, kissing her for all he was worth as she giggled.
It looked as if Kagome was about to pop a vein.
"CUT! Ha ha. Veeeeeery funny. We're not doing Grease here, people! Try again!"x
Two hours and fifty three takes later, the director still couldn't make up his mind, Kikyo and Inu-Yasha's lips were bruised. . . And Kagome's was about to strangle the entire cast.
"Weeeeeell," the director considered, adding a few lengthy pauses between his thoughts. "I suppose that one will do. I sort of liked the pulling back before kissing her yourself bit, Inu-Yasha." The hanyou simply saluted with two fingers, too out of breath to say anything. The director smiled cheerfully before noticing Kagome's deadly stare, dark electric bolts shooting from her eyes. He gulped nervously before looking away. "Er- - - right. I guess we'll stop shooting for the day, then. Be back here tomorrow bright and early!""Whatever. . ." the others muttered under their breath, gathering up their props and costume scraps and heading back towards their dressing rooms.
x
He had smelt her the whole way- down the first, second, and third halls, up the short flight of stairs, around the corners, and past the doors. But that wasn't unusual; their dressing rooms were right across from each other, after all. What surprised him was when she kicked her way into HIS room- eyes flaming and cheeks burning with an angry fire.
"Wha- - -?!" Inu gaped, beyond shocked as Kagome stomped into his now not-so-privet-room, slamming the door shut behind her. Well, at least he hadn't gotten to changing yet. "What the fuck do you want?!"
Kagome narrowed her eyes, still dressed in her green school uniform. "What the hell was that back there?!" she hissed, flexing her manicured fingers in indescribable rage.
Inu-Yasha's ears flicked in bewilderment. "What are you TALKING ab- - -?!"
"THAT- SCENE- - -!" Kagome spat, tears welling in the corners of her eyes. "What was going on between you two, dammit?!"
"Wha- - - WHAT?!" Inu gasped, fighting the desire to laugh. Something about her expression told him laughing was not the best thing to do, though. . . "Nothing! What gave you the idea that there WAS?!"
Her eyes continued to narrow, not at all convinced. "You were- - -!"
"We were ACTING, bitch!" he snapped. "ACTING! You know, what we're paid to do?! You know, like we usually do together?!" He arched an eyebrow at her rage-filled face. ". . .Or maybe you DON'T know. . ."
"You- - - you cannot honestly expect me to believe that those were ACTING kisses," Kagome growled, almost out of breath she was so angry. "They couldn't have been! You two were practically making out in front of the entire crew!"
Inu-Yasha's eyes narrowed as he flopped back upon his couch, putting his feet up on the arm rest. "So what if we were?" he challenged, crossing his arms over his chest. "She wasn't- but what if she was? Why the hell would YOU care?"
"I- - -!" Kag began, but almost instantly fell silent, as if suffering from a punch in the gut. "I. . . !" she started again, forcing a laugh, trying to look confident. "I. . ."
Biting the inside of her mouth so hard that she almost made herself bleed, the girl stared down the half demon- - -
Before fleeing the dressing room as if her life depended on it.
x
'This is so stupid. . .' Kagome sighed deeply, lifting the receiver to her ear before setting it back in its cradle, staring flatly down at the dial pad in her lap. Curling the cord around her fingers, the actress leaned her head back against her bed's head board, gazing at her bedroom ceiling. 'I'm so stupid. . . How could I overreact like that?
. . . Was it overreacting? Were they really just acting kisses? What if they weren't? Did Kikyo think they were?'
She picked the phone up again, stalled a moment, and then set it back down. 'No. . . I can't ask her. What would I say? "Hey- Kikyo-chan! So, did you enjoy frenching Inu-Yasha today?" She'd hate me! Naraku would hate me!'
Kagome paused, struck by sudden realization. 'Wait. That's right! She's married! It HAD to have been an acting kiss!
. . . Unless they're having an affair.'
Which, of course, brought up a whole new bout of worry and fretting that Kagome couldn't explain. What was wrong with her? Why did she care so much? Sure, it was the first time she'd ever seen Inu-Yasha kissing another woman, but. . .Who cared? It wasn't her concern, was it? It didn't matter, did it?. . . Oh, who the hell was she trying to kid?
Pressing the receiver to her ear once again, the actress pounded out the Hijimashi home number, a cold sort of dread in her stomach and the taste of bile in her mouth. Her heart sped up with each of the four rings, before practically bursting when she got their voice mail.
"Hello, you've reached the Hijimashi residence. If you're calling about a movie roll, press 1 after the tone. If you're calling about auditions, press 2 after the tone. If you're calling about a read though, press 3 after the tone. If you're calling for a charity, press 4 after the tone. If you're calling for political reasons, press 5 after the tone. If you're calling to speak to Naraku, press 6 after the tone. If you're calling to speak to Kikyo, press 7 after the tone. If you're calling for any other miscellaneous reason, press 8 after the tone. If you're calling because you're family, hang up now. Have a lovely day. Beeeeeeeeeeep."
Pressing the 7 button with a shaking finger, Kagome swallowed as the animated female voice told her to "Please wait," before blasting elevator music in her ear. The phone rang a few more times, before leaving her with Kikyo's personal answering machine.
"Hi, this is Kikyo! Unfortunately, I'm unable to make it to the phone right now. Please leave your name, number, and brief message after the beep and I'll try to get back to you either personally or through an assistant within 4 business days. Have a wonderful week. Beeeeeeeeeeeeep."
"Uh. . ." Kag gulped, unsure of what to do now that she was being recorded. (Not that she would have known what to say to the real Kikyo.) "Hiya, Kikyo-chan. This is Kagome. I just- - -"
"Kagome-chan?!"
"Eh?" the actress broke off in surprise at the sudden voice on the other end of the line, blinking twice. "Kikyo-chan? You're there? But I thought- - - -?"
"Screening my calls," the older woman admitted with a giggle. "Sorry, I know it's tacky, but I'm expecting a call from my mother soon. She just doesn't listen to our voice mail!"
Kagome laughed with her friend, but it was a bit strained. Noticing this, Kikyo silenced herself a bit sooner than normal before asking: "What's wrong? You don't sound so good."
"Umm. . ." Great, now she was stuck again. "I just. . . I had a question," Kag admitted carefully, playing with the phone cord nervously. Well, at least she wasn't biting her nails. Yet.
"Oh?" Kikyo chirped, her voice crackling once. "All right then. Shoot!"
"Well. . . Uh. . . This is sort of embarrassing," Kagome muttered shyly, eyes downcast as she tightened her grip on the phone. "But. . . Erm. . . Early today. At the shoot."
". . . Yes. . . ?" Kikyo prompted when the star fell silent. "What about it?"
"Um. . . That kiss. . ." Kag began again, cheeks flaming. "Or, should I say, those kisses. . . Were they. . . You know. . ."
"Eh. . . No. . . I don't know," the second woman replied slowly, confused. Had she missed something important? It sure felt like it. "Is there something the matter?""Were- were they," Kagome tried to force out, feeling stupid beyond words. "Those kisses- Were they. . . Meaningful?"
Dead silence.
The girl instantly regretted her foolish words, her face aflame.
"Kagome-chan," Kikyo began after a few moments, sounding a little shocked. "What has gotten in to you? Of course they weren't. I'm a happily married woman! I think of Inu-Yash as a friend- a brother. We were just acting. You of all people should know that."
Yes. . . She of all people should know that. . . So why didn't she?
"Is that all?" the elder female then asked, the good natured tone back in her voice. "Sorry to rush you, but Naraku and I want to hit the sack early if you know what I mean."
Kagome smiled slightly, though she was still incredibly embarrassed- for more reasons than one. "Y-yeah, sure. Good night, Kikyo-chan. See you in the morning."
"See ya!" the other sang, before introducing Kagome to the dial tone.
Allowing the receiver to fall heavily from her hands, the actress flopped dully backwards, closing her eyes. What was wrong with her? Why was she acting like this? Why had all of this driven her to the edge?
Because you still love him, ha- ha ha- ha- haaa HA!
Oh, that was why. She had lost it.
x
Wow! That was a lot longer than I thought it would be. . . But ah well, what's the harm in that? (-; I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Once again, sorry for the wait! I'll try and update again soon.
Please R&R!
Ja ne!