The It Couple
Chapter Thirty-Seven
"Here's our table," Miroku said, ushering the whole group of them over to a table with a placard that read 'Reserved: Sunrise Studios Group.'" He dutifully helped Kikyou into her seat and then moved to pull Sango's chair out for her as well.
"Sit next to me, Sango darling," Kikyou said, flashing the smile that made her famous, "It's been a while since I've seen you."
Sango briefly glanced at Miroku and refused to acknowledge the bemused smirk on his face. "Sure," she said, moving one chair over to sit at Kikyou's right.
Miroku immediately moved to take the seat on Sango's other side, but halted just as he was pulling the chair out when a voice sounded behind him.
"Houshi," Warner said, "That's my seat."
Miroku's face screwed up in an almost pained look before he turned to greet the behemoth of a studio executive. "Randy! Good to see you. Happy tidings and all that."
"Move," Warner said, his voice a low hiss.
"Of course." Miroku stepped back, motioning for Warner to sit. Sango, watching out of the corner of her eye as she pretended to fiddle with her purse, noticed his eyes darken briefly as Lana Warner gently pushed herself past him, casting him a significant smirk as she sat next to her husband. Kikyou immediately greeted Warner warmly, and he leaned behind Sango to bend and kiss her hand.
Miroku smiled his best PR smile and made his way to the other side of the table, sitting as far from Sango as possible. He sat down, immediately drumming his fingers on the tablecloth, but keeping the smile pasted on.
"Good evening, Sango," Warner said, "You look ravishing, as usual."
"Thank you, sir."
"And how have you been, Miroku dear?" Lana Warner, it seemed, could always be counted upon to increase the heavy vibes here. She leaned her head on her husband's shoulder, casting a long glance at Miroku down the table.
Miroku was livid. Sango knew it. So she acted quickly before he said something that would cause a riot.
"Champagne all around, yes? To celebrate our own Best Actor tonight, and to the continued success of Sunrise Studios this awards season?"
There was a friendly murmuring of agreement and congratulations all around. Inuyasha, across the table from them, nodded in thanks with a demure smile as he took his seat between Kikyou and Kagome.
As a waiter quickly filled flutes of champagne and divvied them out, Sango glanced down the table at Miroku, sitting alone with no one to his right or left, trying to meet his gaze. He just kept picking at the tablecloth, an obviously bitter smile on his face.
Keep it together, Houshi, Sango silently willed, We're pros. We've got this.
"More champagne, Miss Higurashi?"
"I don't mind if I do," Kikyou said, handing her glass to the waiter, then turning her eyes to Kagome. "How have you been?"
She sounded so innocently curious. Kagome wasn't buying it. Or at least, she didn't want to.
"Just fine, thanks. How's Hojo working out?" Kagome looked around, looking for the subject of conversation, and found him dutifully standing against a far wall waiting to be summoned. At the same time, she was able to notice Hiten Raimei approach the far end of the table, arm in arm with a rather scantily-clad supermodel-looking girl. Hiten seemed to take in the number of remaining seats, then bent over to clap a hand on Miroku's shoulder and whisper something in his ear. Miroku clearly sighed, then got up and moved yet another space down, letting Hiten and his date squeeze in between him and Lana Warner.
"Wonderfully, actually. He's so attentive," Kikyou said, taking her glass back from the waiter and sipping at it, "He's gotten me some mouthwash for after the meal, actually."
"Sounds like he didn't need much training from me after all."
"I wouldn't say that," Kikyou said, leaning over to talk right over Inuyasha, "He doesn't know me like you do, if you know what I mean."
You got that right, sister dear. Kagome smiled demurely. "I'm sure it will all be for the better in the end."
"At least for you," Kikyou said, disappearing again behind her champagne glass.
Kagome raised an eyebrow and cut her eyes to Inuyasha. A little bitchy, wasn't that? You sure she's a changed woman, buddy?
He shot her an awkward grimace and knocked back the rest of his drink.
"Kouga!" Warner immediately stood, looking absolutely thrilled. Kagome felt faint and rubbed a hand over her eyes.
"Kagome," Kikyou called sweetly, "You'll mess up your makeup."
Thanks, sister, for having my best interests at heart always.
After a hearty handshake with Warner, Kouga, dressed to the nines in an emerald green suit, immediately caught sight of her and made a beeline around the table.
Oh god no don't please.
"Fancy seeing you here," Kouga said, unceremoniously dropping into the empty seat on her right.
She heard Inuyasha growl under his breath and immediately sent him a gentle kick beneath the table. "Hi Kouga," she said. Keep it friendly. Cordial. And pray he doesn't mention-
"Saw you on Yura's show today."
That.
"Did you?" Kagome said, keeping her mannerisms confident and self-assured. She felt Inuyasha reach surreptitiously under the table and place a deathgrip on her knee. She kicked him off once more, casting a warning look over her shoulder, then turning back to Kouga.
"You said you had a crush on me!" Kouga said, taking his glass of champagne from the waiter's outstretched hand and reaching out with his free hand to gently pinch her cheek. "You little minx. Playing hard to get all the time."
"Weird how TV editing works, isn't it? They can make you say anything just by mixing the words around." Kagome took another gulp of her champagne and sat back a little in her chair. On her opposite side, she heard Inuyasha give a small snort.
"Well, you had to have said his name at some point, Kagome," Kikyou said with a laugh, "They can't just put words in your mouth!"
Kagome wanted to just slide under the table and shrink into a little puff of dust. And float away, happily, so happily, free as the wind…
"Kouga," Inuyasha said, clearly fighting to keep his own voice friendly, "Why don't you leave the poor kid alone? You know Yura probably forced her to say that shit. She's got ratings to consider, after all."
Okay, I admit, I like when he calls me 'Kiddo,' but that's to my face, dammit! Not to other people! Kagome suddenly felt like a seventeen-year-old with braces again and turned pink.
Kouga seemed to notice her reaction, and as usual, misinterpreted it. "Did she force you to say that?" he said, looking almost victorious.
"Of course she did," Kagome said quickly, but obviously not convincing enough, because Kouga just looked delighted.
Inuyasha just glowered. Kagome could almost feel it through the back of her head.
"Here's to my sister Kagome, everyone," Kikyou said, "The belle of the ball tonight!"
Almost the entire table laughed congenially and raised their glasses. Inuyasha didn't drink. Neither did Sango. Neither did Miroku. Neither did Kagome.
"By the way, Takahashi," Kouga said over Kagome's head, a smirk on his face, "I hear congratulations are in order."
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha said testily.
"You and Kikyou, here," Kouga inclined his head toward the goddess in gold, "Congratulations on getting back together."
"We're not-"
"Are you ready to order?" The waiter dipped his head in between everyone. "Chicken or salmon?"
Kagome cast a look of utter exasperation down the table at Miroku. He sat there at the far end, surrounded by strangers, clearly concentrating on getting properly drunk. All he could do was shrug and sigh.
"And the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture goes to...Inuyasha Takahashi, for 'The Red Robe!'"
Applause, applause, applause.
The entire ballroom stood from their tables, dinner long since cleared away but drinks still flowing freely, and clapped and cheered for him.
Inuyasha stood and buttoned his jacket, sliding past Kagome, who quickly grabbed his hand and gave it a quick squeeze, and jogging up the steps to the stage.
He greeted the presenter with a handshake and took the heavy award in one hand. This thing could do some damage if I smashed it over Kouga's stupid head later, he was ashamed to admit was his first thought.
The crowd resumed their seats and a hush fell over them. He had the entire room's rapt attention.
"Thanks very much," he said, "And thanks to the LA Critics Association for this wonderful honor. As actors, we can only hope that we elevate the material we're given, but credit is certainly due to the rest of the crew on this film. My extra thanks to the lovely young woman who brought me bottled waters after every take in the scorching desert sun. You saved my life, I promise you."
The crowd chuckled. Inuyasha didn't dare look over at the Sunrise table.
"I of course would be remiss if I didn't thank Kikyou Higurashi, my leading lady this time and several times before."
There were whoops and whistles scattered throughout the room, and applause erupted again. Inuyasha chanced a look over to see Kikyou doing the who-me-oh-golly-thanks routine, giving a little wave to the crowd.
Kagome was turned completely around in her seat, watching with the biggest, goofiest smile on her face, her chin resting on the back of her chair.
Clearing his throat, Inuyasha continued. "I came here about ten years ago, with probably a hundred bucks in my pocket and no idea what I was going to do to survive. I just knew that I wanted to be an actor. And with the help and support of several amazing people along the way, I can finally feel a little satisfied that I'm at least helping to tell stories that reach people in some way, shape, or form. That's the ultimate goal of any actor, and thanks to the LA Film Critics Association, tonight I feel a bit closer to it. Thanks again."
The crowd erupted in applause once again as Inuyasha held the statuette aloft in a victory pose just for a second, then walked offstage escorted by the presenter.
The awards were over. The dim lights of the ballroom rose back to full brilliance. And the scores of the rich, famous, and powerful were beginning to file out, table by table.
Miroku sat somewhat hunched over, his left hand still wrapped around his champagne glass, his right hand clutching a ballpoint pen and scratching very busily into the white linen tabletop.
"Really?"
He looked up to see Sango standing over him in that amazing dress, her hand on her hip. "Do you have to make a spectacle of yourself like this?"
"I don't know what you're worried about," Miroku said, his cheeks flushed warm from the numerous glasses of booze, "This ceremony isn't televised. No one will ever know."
"Except the poor busboys in a few minutes," Sango leaned over him to look at his scratched-out masterpiece. "Wait a second - is that me?"
"Yep," Miroku said, slumping back in his seat with a goofy smile, "What do you think of the boobs? That was my favorite part to draw."
"Houshi, my boobs are not the size of watermelons."
He made a pouty face. "Well, I like them. And I like my picture. You're not giving yourself enough credit, babe, your boobs are fantastic-"
"Shut up, Houshi. Come on, we've got another afterparty to hit."
"Is Warner gonna be there?" Miroku stumbled to his feet.
"You know he is. It's the Sunrise party."
"Then I'd rather just go somewhere else." Preferably a dark hole to die in. But with booze. Lots of booze.
"But it's at Sound again!" Sango said, almost excitedly, "And I did all the decor again! I want you to see it!"
Miroku sighed. "You know I'd never refuse a beautiful woman. Let's go."
"Hojo, darling, do you have my mouthwash?" Kikyou turned back to the young man scurrying behind her. Inuyasha and Kagome followed closely behind, their hands brushing once as they walked.
Inuyasha glanced at her. "Did you catch the little part in the speech about you?"
She smiled up at him. That one stray curl had fallen from its place again. "Dummy," she said, "Of course I did."
They walked outside, where a parade of limos were waiting to take their group to the Sunrise Studios afterparty. Kikyou and Hojo clambered into the closest one, and Inuyasha and Kagome moved to follow.
"Kagome!"
Are you kidding me with this fucking bullshit. Inuyasha fought the urge to grab Kagome and block her with his own body as Kouga all but jogged after them.
Kagome closed her eyes and sighed, as if she were practicing a form of zen philosophy and centering herself. "Yes?" she said finally, turning with a friendly smile.
"Can I have a minute?" Kouga grabbed her hand and gently pulled her away from Inuyasha.
No the fuck you can't, Inuyasha wanted to scream but didn't. Kagome glanced back at him, first giving him that beautiful smile he loved so goddamn much, and then jerking her head to signal him into the limo with Kikyou and Hojo.
"Nah, fuck that," Inuyasha said softly, so only Kagome could hear. But she just shook her head slightly.
"I got this," she whispered.
Any other girl, he would have stepped in.
Any other girl, he would have immediately laid claim so there would be no doubt.
But this was Kagome. And she was more than capable of taking care of herself.
Whether that was in favor of Inuyasha or not, he didn't know.
But he did know that he was willing to put faith in her. At least a fraction of the faith that she'd no doubt shown in him thus far. He owed her that much.
Inuyasha cleared his throat. "See you at the afterparty, then."
She nodded, looking at him with so much adoration and appreciation in her eyes that it was damn near impossible to turn away from her.
But turn away he did, and got in the limo and drove away. Still pissed off, of course, but that was just his way of sorting through shit.
"What do you want, Kouga?" Kagome said as the limo pulled away. She turned, arms folded.
Kouga ran a hand through his hair. "Are you going to the afterparty?"
Kagome shot him a very pointed dressing-down sort of look. "Yes. That was where that limo was going. Any other questions?"
"So, do you want to go in my car?" As if on cue, the next limo pulled up and a driver dashed around to open the door.
"Haven't got much choice, do I? Unless I want to try and get an Uber." Kagome pulled out her phone as if to do just that.
Kouga put a hand over hers. "No, no, don't do that. Please, just five minutes. That's all I ask."
Kagome sighed and replaced her phone in her purse.
"Fine," she said, "but if you try anything, just remember, I know how to break your nose in three different ways."
Poor Miroku getting sent down the table again and again. I feel the need to protecc. Also Miroku is incapable of drawing bewbs that are not watermelon-sized. Color me surprised here. Inu and Kag are cute, but we knew that already. Kouga has something to say.
Also, File 13 and I have been sharing song recommendations for, like, EVER and I finally remembered to share some with you guys! We've come up with SO MUCH, I'll just settle for sharing a song or two per character per chapter.
Inuyasha - "Attention" by Charlie Puth (take a wild guess who dis about) and "Done For the Night" by Ariel, Zoey, and Eli
Kagome - "Still Into You" by Paramore and "Dear Enemy" by Night Club
Miroku - "Desire" by Years and Years and "Do I Wanna Know" by Arctic Monkeys
Sango - "Believer" by Imagine Dragons and "Jambi" by Tool
Kouga - "Glad You Came" by The Wanted and "Talk Dirty" by Jason DeRulo
If you guys have any more song suggestions, please let me know in the reviews! I love having a soundtrack to write to. Everyone has their own little private playlist. Thanks for reading, you all are fabulous but you knew that anyway ;) - meggz0rz