The It Couple
Chapter Twenty-Eight
"Oh?" Warner said, "Is this the famous little sister I've been hearing so much about?" He stuck out his hand with a congenial smile. Kagome took it, her eyes still fixed on Sango's, her expression still hardened.
Sango flashed a glance to Miroku, who was frantically waving his arms as if to say, "Danger, danger! Run!" She scoffed slightly, and shot him a smirk and a roll of her eyes.
"Kagome," she said, cool as a cucumber, "I want you to meet Randall Warner. The head of Sunrise Studios."
"I know who he is," Kagome said, "Hello, Mr. Warner. Sango, I need to talk to you. Now."
"You're quite the little character, aren't you?" Warner smiled at Kagome like a piranha. "Anything I can do?"
Lana Warner gave a little "Hmph" and strode across the ballroom toward the bar, her champagne glass held aloft.
"No," Kagome said, "Thank you. Sango?"
Behind her, Miroku kept trying to get Sango's attention. Sango shot him a brief look and then gave Kagome a warm smile.
"Sure," Sango said, "I'll meet you in the ladies' room. Give me just a minute."
On her way to the ladies' restroom, Kagome passed Kikyou and Inuyasha's table again. She was going to just walk right past, but Inuyasha caught her by the wrist.
"Let go," Kagome said, yanking away.
"What's wrong with you?" Inuyasha said, trying to step toward her but obviously being held back by Kikyou, who was well into her cups from the looks of it.
"Kagome," Kikyou slurred, "Why don't you stop running around and bring me a mineral water?" She stumbled into Inuyasha's side, and he all but dropped her back into her seat at the table. "Oh, and some more champagne." Kikyou smiled, dropping her chin in her hand and immediately getting distracted by the presence of another couple coming up to say hello behind her.
Kagome wrenched her hands into fists and dug them into her eyes. She knew she was probably messing up her makeup, but who gave a shit at this point.
"Kagome," Inuyasha said softly, reaching for her, "Are you-"
"Don't," she said, raking her hands through her perfectly styled hair, feeling her fingers catch in some of the tiny braids, "It's not you. I'm handling it. Sit back down, people are starting to stare."
And with that, she took a deep breath and left him standing there without a backward glance.
What Sango needed before going into that restroom was information.
Information about what kind of situation she needed to be ready to smooth over.
Information that, unfortunately, could come from no alternative source at the moment. She finished her drink and handed her glass to a passing waiter.
"If you'll excuse me for just a moment," she said silkily to Warner in her best PR voice, "I think there's an issue with Kikyou's suite. Kagome had mentioned it before."
"Oh dear," Warner said, placing a large hand on her shoulder, "Well, if there's any trouble, send the hotel staff my way. My stars get only the best. And their families do, as well."
Sango managed a cordial laugh and walked away toward the bathroom.
Slowly. Very slowly.
Miroku was still giving her the "nix" motions, and she shot him a meaningful look and with a minute gesture beckoned him her way.
With a flair she'd always respected, he was grabbing two fresh glasses of some alcoholic drink and headed toward her with an air so casual that any observer would see a man trying to pick up a beautiful woman at a Hollywood party. Nothing worth noting.
He kept his smile even as he growled at her under his breath. "What the hell did you do? Something about an exclusive profile interview Kagome's doing with Yura of the Devil Press? You're feeding her to the fucking wolves."
Sango scoffed, but kept her smile pasted on as well as they clinked glasses. "What the hell else am I supposed to do? If she's being watched so closely, might as well get some good press for Kikyou out of it. Talk Kikyou up as the ultimate big sister. Talk about 'Kikyasha' as ultimate couple goals. All that shit."
"You should have talked to me first. Or at least to Kagome. What the hell did she ever do to you?" Miroku took a generous drink of whatever red-colored monstrosity was in his glass.
"It's like you said, Houshi. Fair game. We can patch everything up when it's all over." Sango sipped her drink in turn. Ah, it was a Manhattan. Disgusting.
"Not if you break shit beyond repair. Inuyasha will walk, he said he would."
Sango laughed humorlessly. "I'll believe that when I see it," she said, "When he's this close to an Oscar and the best Hollywood pairing since Burton and Taylor? When I'm about to broker a deal that gets him his dream projects with full creative control for the next five years?"
Miroku looped an arm around her waist as they walked, strolling casually through the tables, keeping their voices low. She tried not to think about the contact they were making.
"You're playing way over your head here, kid," Miroku said, "You're getting too involved. Not everyone is that mercenary."
"That's rich, coming from you," she hissed, "The man who taught me how to go for the jugular."
He sighed then, looking more pained than angry. Sango couldn't let it lie.
"I've been sitting here fixing the situation you got us into because you decided to play high school matchmaker and send them to play Seven Minutes in Heaven." She downed the rest of the Manhattan and let her smile drop for just a moment to glare at him.
He didn't even seem to be in a fighting mood anymore. That just infuriated her more. She wanted him to react, dammit. She was pushing him and poking at him and she wanted, needed to know that she was still able to push his buttons like no one else. She wanted him to hurt as much as…
As much as I've been hurting.
Miroku just looked at her evenly as he finished off his own glass, then gently, all too gently, took her own glass out of her hand.
And with a quick kiss to her cheek and a lingering look, he walked off, leaving Sango standing there feeling a little winded.
Kagome wondered if it was possible to cross her legs tighter than she was right now, sitting on this chaise in the ladies' lounge. Her ankle bobbed up and down with pure nervous energy. Her hands were folded in her lap, her knuckles white with grip.
This was such bullshit.
She'd agreed to play the game, hell, she'd given up (perhaps forever) her pursuit of the one man in the world she worshipped for the sake of the fucking game. She'd agreed to red carpet appearances and brief what-are-you-wearing interviews. Spur-of-the-moment things. But this?
This story would be filed. Forever. The second Yura Kaminoke got her claws in, she never let go. There was no chance of Kagome going back to her anonymous life and just being a private person again.
Closing her eyes and fighting to keep herself from shaking, she pictured the questions. Just how invasive and cruel Yura could get with a few taps on a keyboard. How many people voraciously read everything Yura printed as gospel.
The second this story was posted, there was no future for Inuyasha and Kagome. Not if he wanted to keep his public goodwill (or his career, for that matter) and if she didn't want to be branded a homewrecker for the rest of her life. Yura was devoted to Kikyou; hell, it was part of why Kikyou's name was so often in the spotlight. Even when Kikyou and Inuyasha had split up, Yura had been one of many defenders of Kikyou's behavior, admonishing her own readers for judging when 'no one can know the full story.' Yura had been rooting for Inuyasha and Kikyou to reunite since the second they had gone bust, and would publicly annihilate anyone who seemed to be getting in the way.
Kagome wanted to vomit.
The bathroom door opened and Sango stepped in. She looked a little out of sorts and distracted, but immediately saw Kagome and fixed a concerned look on her face.
"Kagome," she said gently, locking the door behind her, "Are you okay?"
Kagome didn't reply as Sango approached her.
"I just want to know," she said finally, fighting to keep her voice even, "why."
"What are you talking about? Is this about the interview with Yura? I was going to tell you tonight," Sango said, her voice all caring and sisterhood. She reached for Kagome's hand, and Kagome snatched it away.
"Sango," Kagome said, teeth gritted, "Why?" She looked her dead in the eye.
Sango sighed and with an almost painful expression stood upright, casually folding her arms. "You know why," she said.
"Because you want my sister to win an Oscar," Kagome's voice was trembling now, "That's your reasoning for everything, isn't it?"
"Alright," Sango said, looking down from her greater height, "I'll give it to you straight. The studio has big plans for Kikyou after Oscar season if all goes as planned. Huge. Inuyasha too. In fact, he's the one who stands to gain the most. A full five-year studio contract, an eight-figure salary per picture, with complete creative control. It's what he's always wanted, isn't it? To make the movies that are important to him."
Kagome felt the angry tears springing to her eyes and willed herself not to scream in frustration. "It has nothing to do with me," she said, "I said I'd play along and I will, but not like this. Not in the papers to Yura Kaminoke."
"You're blowing this way out of proportion," Sango said, her expression neutral, "It's a fluff piece, nothing more. You're telling her all about yourself and your likes and dislikes. Completely harmless."
"Nothing Yura does is ever harmless and you know it."
Sango sighed, almost looking exasperated. "Kagome," she said, "I thought you were willing to do whatever it takes. I'm disappointed now."
"No Oscar is worth this," Kagome said, "Nothing is worth this." She didn't elaborate but she knew Sango knew what she meant.
"You really want to abandon your sister? Destroy Inuyasha's career opportunities? All over a short little fling?" It was amazing how callous Sango was being. This was a side she'd never shown to Kagome, and frankly it was terrifying.
Kagome didn't respond.
Sango crouched down and got eye-level with her. "I'll even throw in a carrot for you," she said with a small smile, "You're done being your sister's assistant after the Oscar ceremonies. I've got a replacement coming to your house in the morning, and you can train him up just perfectly. Think of it, Kagome. A chance to live life on your own and know Kikyou will be okay. Houshi told me you wanted to go start a photography studio. Well, in a few months, you'll have your chance."
"I made a promise to my mom. I'm supposed to take care of my sister. You can't just replace me. Kikyou would never agree to it," Kagome said, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"She already has. Did you think Kikyou wasn't aware of this situation at all? I told her about the interview date this morning."
At Kagome's stunned silence, Sango's smile turned into an almost pitying smirk. "She didn't mention it to you, did she?"
Kagome put a hand over her mouth, eyes wide.
"Kagome," Sango said, "The interview was Kikyou's idea in the first place."
Sango knew the second she dropped that truth, it would all be over.
And it was.
Kagome had both hands clapped over her mouth, and she sunk low in her seat, elbows on her knees, eyes to the floor.
Sango stood back up, fighting the urge to give comfort. She had to make this stick. Human decency be damned.
"I'll do it," Kagome said, her voice a small croak, muffled through her hands.
And Sango felt the horrible rush of pity and sorrow overtake her again. This had to be done, but she'd expected to feel better when she did it. It was another reminder how much she hated when things weren't able to be taken care of on her own terms.
"I want it in writing," Kagome mumbled, "That I'm to be left alone after the Oscars. I want the studio and Yura to sign it too. Under threat of libel and breach of contract, non-disclosure, the works."
"Done," Sango said quickly. She wanted to reach out and place a hand on Kagome's shoulder, but thought better of it. So she stood there awkwardly as Kagome folded into a little ball in front of her.
And then.
Kagome started to laugh.
It started as a small muffled giggle, and then turned into almost a scream of laughter. Kagome finally leaned back in her seat, wiping the tears from her eyes and smiling almost serenely at the ceiling.
"Uh," Sango said, "Are you-"
Kagome didn't respond.
"Kagome?"
No answer. Kagome stood up and smoothed out the skirt of her leather dress, looking like she'd just spent twenty-four hours in a day spa.
"I said, are you okay?"
Kagome walked past her, then turned and looked Sango in the eye.
For a brief moment, Kagome's eyes flashed with what looked like pity of her own. "I'm sorry," she said softly.
Oh, no.
Sango knew it was coming, knew she should dodge, or duck, or something. But she stood there and took it.
The punch collided with her cheekbone and sent her staggering into the bathroom sink. Sango braced herself against the sides and her hand immediately went to her face. She said nothing, just watched Kagome calmly shake off her own fist and walk toward the door.
Miroku was standing outside, surrounded by a throng of young ladies whining to use the bathroom. He stepped well out of the way when he saw Kagome coming, and she ducked under his outstretched arm and disappeared into the crowd.
"Excuse me just a moment, ladies," Miroku said, and their cries of protest became louder as he stepped into the bathroom and swiftly locked the door behind himself.
Sango refused to meet his eyes, her hand clapped over her quickly swelling cheekbone.
"I suppose I should have warned you," Miroku said, grabbing a hand towel out of the basket on the counter next to her and running cool water over it, "I've been on the receiving end of one of those punches before, and that was before she learned how to fistfight. Word of advice, babe, don't piss off a girl who cut her teeth in mosh pits at Judas Priest concerts."
Sango just glared at him.
"I just want you to remember one thing. She was your friend, Sango. She was nice to you when no one else would give you the time of day around here. And you threw her to the vultures."
Sango kept silent but felt her eyes brim with tears.
"Alright, enough of my preaching for one day. Move your hand," he said calmly, and after a moment of stubborn hesitation, she relented. He pressed the towel to her face gently. "Yeah, that's gonna be a hell of a shiner tomorrow. Hope you've got good concealer."
"Why won't you?" Kikyou whined, "Just one."
"I'm not kissing you in front of all these people," Inuyasha snapped, fighting to get out of her arms locked around his neck.
"So take me home," Kikyou slurred, burying her face in his neck, "and kiss me there."
He shoved against her shoulders, teeth set on edge, and looked up to see Kagome walking up. She seemed to be in a daze as she sat across from the two of them, leaning back in her chair, closing her eyes, and letting out a loud, slow exhale.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha said, breaking his concentration, staring at her. Kikyou took advantage and nuzzled up to his chest.
Kagome didn't answer. She looked a little roughed up, but her manner was cool and collected. She sat there for a moment, eyes closed, then blinked them open.
She seemed to take in the sight of the two of them, Inuyasha and Kikyou, in what surely looked like a familiar embrace. Inuyasha immediately resumed trying to push Kikyou off of him.
"Help," he said, fighting to keep his voice low.
"Oh," she said hazily, "don't let me interrupt."
"Very funny," he said with a roll of his eyes, then his face returned to its look of concern. "Is everything okay?"
"I hope so. Maybe. Eventually." She gave him a smile that looked both relieved and heartbroken.
"Kagome?" Kikyou looked up, "Where's my mineral water and champagne?" Drunk as a skunk and she still remembered the demands she made. Inuyasha sighed.
Kagome's smile widened to a dazzling degree as her attention turned to her sister. She stood, leaning over the table to whisper in Kikyou's ear (giving Inuyasha a wonderful view of her cleavage, not that he was looking or anything), and whispered.
"I don't give a shit."
Inuyasha blinked. Kikyou just pouted. She was likely drunk enough to not even know what was going on, much less be shocked at Kagome's response.
"Come on," Kagome said, leaning back and folding her arms, "Let's get her upstairs."
"What?" Inuyasha knew he was staring at her but didn't care. His heart was pounding in his chest. "I can't be seen going to your hotel suite."
"Yes, you can," Kikyou said, nuzzling him closer.
"Yes, you can," Kagome echoed, giving him a meaningful look.
Oh.
Fighting to not look as bewildered as he felt, he helped Kikyou to her feet and followed Kagome out the door.
Yeah. Not gonna lie, the punch was well deserved. God this chapter was a rollercoaster. Love you guys, love your reviews, love everything about you! -meggz0rz