Well, well, well. I had no idea this chapter would get such a reaction. I must say, I am shocked and appalled. Ten reviews in one day. That must be some kind of lame-o record!! But hey, I'm proud!!

Deds:

Valasapena - Congratulations! You have guessed correctly, it was True Lies! You get first deds!!! And don't worry, you're murderous intents for Houjo will be realised!! But, he doesn't die, unfortunately. Not yet anyway, I haven't finished yet!

Photographing Poetry - Yes, big Ick.

X - We were all disappointed about that, hun. I was disappointed just writing it, but hey, the world ain't all kisses and hugs. Boo-urns.

taintedinuyasha - I must say, I am aware that Houjo never gets anywhere near her in the series or manga (you really don't want to know just how much crap I've collected, hehe) but this is a purely fictional work! I'm going to let that doggie insinuation slide... for now! Oh, and you're not a bad reviewer, you're a faithtful reviewer! They are just as good. And your guess? Close, but no donut, Cop!! Hahahaha!

mexican-chick2307 - Thank you!

Kagomelovesesshy5 - Whoa, whoa, slow down, egghead!! Laser guns?? You're going to need that if that store owner catches you for lifting K like that!! You are right though. Kags + Hobo makes for BIG ICK.

Nimeway - I'm sorry for turning your dislike into hate, but hey, what can I say? He's a loser! Thank you for your very nice compliment, though. I appreciate it!

uhohoreo - Yep, you gotta write the mean with the romantic. Rin's mom sucks ass, and Sesshy is just... a DREAMBOAT!!! Ha! I should use that term... it is mucho ancient in nature... older than my young ass... awesome, you're great for brainstorming old words, thanks!

lindajrjt - Don't worry, he hangs in there! Her reaction to him is the clincher, but enough spoilers! I will say no more than that!! It was pretty scaggy of her to give in to him like that tho. Reminds me of people I know...

INU-sarah - Surprised? I gathered that! Hahaha! You slid in here just in time!

Ok, that's it for reviewers, but I will say this. I waited all day to post just so everybody could have their say! I was originally gonna post after Ks5 reviewed, but I had to work, and then I was tired, and sat in the massage chair for a while... and did dishes... made food... went to the batcave... and here I am! It's like, 10:30, so, sorry for the lateness, but I promise absolutions to those of you who were physically repulsed by Kagome's actions. (Stupid Houjo! Inuyasha did all the work and that bastard sopped up all the gravy.)

Inuyasha: Grease'd

Chapter Ten

On Sunday Inuyasha didn't leave the house. He was too depressed to leave his room and even trying on his new outfit couldn't cheer him.

He'd not gone directly home last night, and he'd heard everything that had happened from the tree in Kagome's yard between she and Houjo, and their first sexual encounter. She was lost to him, and he had not the willpower yet to forge on.

Later in the day Kagura came over.

When she opened his door and sat on his bed, he'd wanted to tell her to go away, but what he saw when he finally removed his head from under his pillow baffled him.

Her face, which had just two days ago had been pretty and carefully made-up, was now swollen and disfigured. The whole right side of her face was purple, and the edges of the bruise ranged from yellow to green in colour. She still could not see from that eye.

"Hey."

He stared at her in disbelief, at a loss for words, she saw it with her good eye, and put her sunglasses back on. "I'm sorry, I know it's gross."

"Kagura... who did this to you?"

She shrugged. "Does it matter? He'll get what he's got coming to him," she replied, unwilling to let him in right now. He was the first of her friends to see her since it had happened.

"Hell yeah, it matters! I'll kill him!"

She smiled, and said, "That's sweet, but unnecessary. Thanks, though." She was touched by his concern though she tried to hide it. He saw right through her and, pulling her close, gave her a warm hug.

"Well, you're not the only one having a bad day. Kagome and Houjo had a fight, then made up last night."

She could tell by the tone of his voice what he meant by made up.

"Oh, Inuyasha..." She was prepared for this eventual possibility, though he didn't know that. She decided that now would be a perfect time to tell him.

Hugging him back, she sniffed, and replied, "I didn't know if we'd need these, but I guess they'll come in handy now." Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the Polaroid's she taken of Houjo and Ayame in the wooded area by the school parking lot.

Inuyasha thumbed through them, but handed them back to her all the same. "I can't use these, Kagura. I couldn't bear to break her heart like that, only to garner her affection for myself. I can't believe that asshole would have the balls to cheat on a great girl like her." He sighed, deeply. "But, if I can't make it on my own speed then I guess it's just not meant to be."

She took the pictures back, but shook her head. Kagome was so stupid! To waste a good guy like Inuyasha... she had to be crazy.

"Well, you keep working on your bike," Kagura told him, and he smiled a bit. "That'll keep you busy till she finally realises what a catch you are."

"Maybe," he shrugged, "but at least that'll help take my mind off of it. Maybe I'll finish faster if I concentrate on that."

She smiled. "That's right. She hasn't met the Lone Rider yet. Don't give up, Inuyasha; Houjo's got another thing coming if he thinks he can compete with your alter ego!"

Inuyasha smiled back. "Yeah. I won't." Slapping his back, she stood up to leave.

"Kagura?"

"Yeah?" She lifted her sunglasses and forced her bruised eye open as far as she could.

"Thanks. For everything."

She blew him a friendly kiss. "No problem. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you." He wondered if he would; that bruise was nasty! Flopping onto his back he listened to the sound of Kagura's heels clicking on the marble floor of the foyer till they faded away and only silence remained.

Kagome, he thought, his heart wrenching.

Inu G'd

The following week was awkward, to say the least. Kagome treated Inuyasha as she always did, but now Houjo took up all her time; they ate together, worked on their latest Latin project together, and he even started hanging out more at the Drive-In when she was working. It was aggravating.

The big news around campus was that Rin and Sesshoumaru were now an item; Kikyou and Naraku were officially dating, as well. All Inuyasha heard as he went from class to class was the same news over and over.

Kagura's heart bled for him, but until he was ready there wasn't much she could do, although...

The pictures she had were incriminating, if not perfect proof of Houjo's infidelity. If Kagome thought she was happy now...

Kagura thought of Inuyasha's refusal to bear such bad news to the woman he loved, even if it meant she'd be his for the taking, and she admired him greatly for his scruples.

She, however, was not so virtuous.

She decided to make her move the following Saturday, when everyone was going to see the first showing of The Amityville Horror at the Duplex, right across from the Drive-In.

Inu G'd

Inuyasha worked hard on his bike, and with Shippo's help, had it done by the following Friday night. All it needed now was a new coat of paint and he was ready!

All that week he had avoided Kagome, and she hadn't mentioned their halt in study dates, although he was secretly just a little pleased when he got an A on his project and they only got a C. She had looked at him then with a look of regret that he found hard to forget.

Houjo had taken Saturday off to spend at the Drive-In with Kagome, and had walked past Inuyasha's stall several times over the past weeks and had seen what he was doing, but he'd never stopped to ask him about it. If anything, it seemed that he couldn't have cared less. Inuyasha decided to walk it out of the shop as it was, so when Houjo saw him on it later he'd not recognise it past the new paint job he was going to give it when he brought it home.

On Saturday afternoon he stood in his backyard, a drop sheet on the ground, paint cans scattered all around and his fingers covered in paint. He wiped them on his coveralls and bent down, taping the piece of paper to the part in front of the seat and the fender, which, when he was done, would create several red stripes on the black topcoat.

Jaken brought him out an iced tea, and, after Inuyasha thanked him, he returned to the kitchen to prepare a coffee tray for Master Taisho. Master Sesshoumaru was out today, at a car rally with Miss Rin.

Inu G'd

Kagura sat in front of her vanity and tried to fix the damage on her face. Luckily, the swelling had gone down, and her skin was now just really purple, with green and yellow tinges at the edges of the bruise.

Swearing, she dipped her finger into the pot of concealer again, and rubbed it in. It definitely took off the edge of the colour, but just wasn't enough. Sighing, she wiped it off to start again. This bruise was taking longer than she'd thought it would to heal.

Downstairs, the front door slammed, and she could hear Naraku pounding up the steps. Her heart began to beat faster, but she wasn't going to hide from him like some scared child. Whatever he had to say she would hear, and then she'd tell him off.

Banging on her door, he yelled, "Kagura, open up!"

"It's open," she called, adding "asshole," under her breath. The door flung open, and he pounded his way up to the loft, where she sat staring at him in the mirror as he came up from behind her.

Naraku saw her face, but chose to ignore what he'd done to her and got right to the point. "What did you tell Mom and Dad?"

She smiled a little as she unwrapped a bar of wax and began to knead it with her fingers to warm it up. "Nothing. A single picture or two are worth a thousand words, or so they say."

He crossed his arms. "So you sent them a picture, did you? Well, I hope you're happy, because they're coming home next week and they'll be lucky to find you alive when they get here!"

She looked up from the wax in her hand and stared at him in the mirror, her eyes narrowed and her jaw tight. Her words were hard when she spoke.

"Hit me like this again, Naraku, and you'll be going to the best psych ward this side of Tokyo, I swear it. In fact, I'll goad you, just to make sure they see the damage you're capable of. You'll have your own private room and everything. God knows no one here will miss you."

He let a smirk lift his lip. "Are you threatening me, Kagura?"

She smirked back at him, her confidence growing as she backed him into a corner.

"I am. So fuck off, brother dearest. I will do as I promise."

He uncrossed his arms and his expression turned nasty. "You won't live to see me go to a psych ward, your bitchiness. You'll be in a hospital bed breathing through a tube." He turned to leave, but she laughed. That little bitch laughed!

"Naraku," she drawled, turning around in her chair, "I almost hope you do what you say. Then, it's the chair! I'll be sure to smile as they fry you to a crisp."

Pissed off, he swaggered away, his fist balled and just itching to punch her again, but he restrained himself. If he could prove to their parents that Kagura was lying, they wouldn't kick him out. He made a mental note to start looking for a real job in the morning, just in case. But he would be damned if Kagura got her way!

Kagura watched him go, her lip curled. He needed to be taken down a peg or two, and when her father got a hold of him, he'd get hell. She'd make damn sure of it.

The wax in her hand was now soft and pliable, and she began to spread it gently over her bruise, wincing when she pressed too hard. The wax was a relic of her grandmother's, from the days when geisha were common. Her grandmother had given it to her as a gift for her birthday, and she had tossed it in her vanity, figuring she'd have no use for it. She was grateful now that she'd kept it.

Spreading the concealer over the wax, she smiled at her handy work. Not a trace of the bruise could be seen, and the more she moved her face, the more natural the wax felt on her skin.

Finishing the rest of her make-up, Kagura stood up from her vanity and walked to her closet, pulling out a pair of ripped-up jeans in a light wash and a white shirt that plunged low, and had the sides cut out and silver studs around all the hems. Kanna had designed this shirt for her, and she wore it with a black bra to show it off to perfection.

Fluffing her hair in the mirror, she blew a kiss to her reflection, picked up her purse, and headed out the door.

There was no sign of Naraku when she left, and his car was gone. Locking the door behind her, she opened the Lamborghini and slid in, closing the door and starting the engine with a roar.

Pulling into the Duplex, she pulled out and threw a blanket over the roof of the car, and, climbing up, opened a bag of Milk Duds and watched for others to arrive.

Inu G'd

Kagome smiled at Houjo as he pulled into the Drive-In. Flopping into the passenger seat, she kissed him on the lips before she pulled her legs in, shutting the door. "Hey."

"Hey. You ready?"

"You know it." She grinned.

The Duplex was playing a double feature tonight; first, the much-talked about Amityville Horror, which was supposed to be based on actual events, and the more recent thriller, Jaws, was to play afterward.

She bent down to untie her skates, then slipped on her favourite pair of old high-tops. Throwing her skates in the backseat, she said, "This is nice. Your dad finally let you borrow the car, huh?"

He grinned, and flinging an arm over the back of the seat, pulled her closer. "He understood my need to give my girl a ride across the street tonight."

Kagome smiled, but it didn't last long. She was still feeling bad over Inuyasha. She felt terrible for not picking up their study dates again, but Houjo was her boyfriend; she loved him. Inuyasha was nice, but he just wasn't her type. Or so she kept trying to tell herself.

"I never thanked him." Oddly it never struck her to tell Houjo that it was Kouga who'd attacked her. It was as if telling him was obsolete, for he never could have helped her anyway.

Houjo barely heard her. "What?"

She shook her head. "Nothing."

But deep down she knew she was deluding herself.

Inu G'd

Ayame leaned against Naraku's GTO, waiting for Houjo to show up. Kouga was there, but he was getting a load of burgers for he and his two sports buddies, Ginta and Hakkaku.

Sango leaned next to her, Miroku a few feet away and in deep conversation with Naraku about cars. What had started out as a friendly chat about cars was turning into a fight, though.

"The Dodge is faster than the Chevy, rat-tail!"

"I think not, Naraku. Chevy can beat Dodge anytime!"

Ayame shook her head. Boys and their toys, she thought, suddenly remembering whose toy she was, then, amending the thought to, Boys!, she pulled a cigarette out of her clutch and Kikyou lit it for her.

"Is Kagome coming tonight?" she asked.

Ayame nodded. "As far as I know. Houjo said they were."

Kikyou looked at her askance, a smirk on her face. "When did you talk to Houjo?" As far as Kikyou knew, Ayame's only romantic interest was Kouga, though lately he'd seemed to have forgotten all about her, but Ayame hadn't complained. Had she found someone new?

Ayame felt her heart stop. Had she said something to rouse Kikyou's suspicions? She didn't think she had; besides, it wasn't a crime to speak to her friend's boyfriend. She replied quickly, "He was at the Drive-In last night, and he told me." Which was mostly true. He'd been at the Drive-In... after he'd been with her, that is.

"Oh." Kikyou seemed to lose interest. Ayame's petty flings were none of her concern. She was almost disappointed that her friend had failed to give away anything incriminating to tease her with.

No one's fun anymore, she was thinking, not realising just how much her boyfriend's attitude was rubbing off on her.

"Well, I'm getting a drink," Ayame said, and went to the food counter and ordered a Coke. Bringing it back, she took up her spot next to Kikyou and finished her cigarette.

This is getting really hard to keep quiet, she thought, thinking of her affair. Kagome will kill us if she ever finds out.

Inu G'd

Kagura felt her stomach roll with nervousness when she spotted Houjo and Kagome drive into the lot and park next to Naraku. Miroku's Monte Carlo was on the far side. She was seven spaces down the row, with Kouga's Barracuda in between.

She hoped no one, especially her dipshit brother, would interfere with her plans tonight. Inuyasha needed all the help he could get.

Inu G'd

Inuyasha took one last look at his handy-work. The bike was finished, shining in the setting sun with a fresh coat of paint. Cleaning up, he went into the house, pulling off his coveralls. Tonight was the first showing of the Amityville Horror at the Duplex, and everyone would be there.

Flicking on the light in his room, he threw the coveralls onto his bed before he peeled off his jeans and t-shirt.

Standing before his mirror, he looked at himself objectively. He was well-muscled, and his waist thin. His arms could use some work, but he thought he was pretty fit. He wondered if people would notice when he made his debut tonight just how hot he could be.

He had to admit, after he'd donned the outfit and the shades, his jacket behind him on the edge of the bed, he cut a pretty impressive figure. The leather outfit left little to the imagination, but he liked it. He felt so much more confident.

Taisho peeked in his room then, and, knocking on the doorframe, called, "May I come in?"

Inuyasha felt his cheeks flush. He'd not anticipated his father catching him in this suit.

"Yeah."

Taisho sat down on the bed and picked up the jacket. "Did you buy all this?"

Inuyasha picked up his helmet and took one last look in the mirror. "In a manner of speaking. A good friend made it for me."

Taisho looked over his son approvingly. "I feel like a broken record here, but she must be pretty special. When do I get to meet her?"

Inuyasha turned around and said, "What?"

Taisho waved his hand, "Nothing. Well?"

Inuyasha smirked. "When she says yes."

Taisho smiled. "I guess that's good enough." He stood up and handed Inuyasha the jacket and followed him down the stairs to the back door.

Inuyasha climbed onto the bike, glad that he'd been practicing over the last couple months with one of the bikes from the scrap yard, which he had fixed just enough so that he could ride it, and had used it to practice stunts.

Taisho had never seen this bike before, and asked, "Surely you bought this?"

Inuyasha smiled proudly. "I made it."

His father grinned, "Did you, now?" and came over to look at it up close. It was in pristine condition, restored to its former glory, only the colours were different. He patted his son on the back.

"I'm impressed, son," he said, and Inuyasha felt his own smile grow under the light of his father's praise. He shook his head. "Who knew moving here would have such a profound affect on both my sons?" he mused aloud, and, waving Inuyasha off, watched him ride the bike away, skilfully rounding the corner at the end of the block.

"Good luck," he whispered, and turned around to find Jaken there, as always. "Did you see that?" he asked his butler.

"I did, sir," he replied promptly, "and I must say, Master Inuyasha has grown up considerably. I am proud to serve him, and you, my Lord."

Taisho smiled, and punched Jaken playfully in the shoulder. "That coming from you, old man," he said, laughing, "means I must be doing something right!"

Jaken smiled, then ushered his master inside, where he made sure he was comfortable and wanting for nothing.

Inu G'd

After the rally, Sesshoumaru and Rin drove around town, then parked on a hill overlooking the panorama below them. They stayed there for quite a while, making out, when Rin finally pulled away, sated, and suggested, "I hear the Amityville Horror's playing tonight. Can we go see it?"

He smiled at her in the dim glow of city lights. "As you wish, my pet."

She smiled, and, starting the car, he backed down the hill and drove to the Duplex, parking next to a white Lamborghini.

Inu G'd

Kagura didn't even hear the purr of the yellow Mustang as it roared next to her. She was busy watching Kagome's crowd, and, seeing no opportunity to get Kagome alone, she decided to get closer by buying a coffee. Maybe then she would see an opening.

She hopped off the car and met Rin coming around her front bumper.

"Rin! Haven't seen you in a while." She winked.

Rin smiled sheepishly, but looked fondly back at Sesshoumaru as they strolled toward the Snack Shack. "I've been sorta wrapped up," she replied.

Kagura laughed. "Don't need to explain anything to me. Is he nice?"

"He's absolutely wonderful," came the dreamy reply, and Kagura raised a brow. "I'll take your word for it then. Have you seen Inuyasha lately?"

Rin shook her head apologetically, "Sorry, no. I haven't. Have you?"

Kagura nodded. "I've seen him off and on, but we haven't spoken since the Sunday before last. I haven't been out much." She didn't tell Rin why, though.

They reached the line and Kagura shifted her weight; Kagome and Sango appeared to be deep in conversation, Houjo's arm thrown casually over her shoulders. He was looking at Ayame, though, and she was staring back. Kagura narrowed her eyes slightly, then caught Naraku glaring at her, but she ignored him.

Rin ordered first, and when her order was ready she took it back to Sesshoumaru, waving to Kagura. She had ordered a latte, and while she waited for it Kagura saw Kagome and Ayame go to the Ladies' room behind the building.

Here's my chance.

She walked away without waiting for her coffee, and followed the two girls covertly. The door to the bathroom was propped open to let in a breeze, and from where she stood Kagura could see Kagome in the mirror, but Ayame was too far in to be seen.

Casually, she strode in, on the pretext of touching up her make-up, and she stood right next to Kagome who smiled at her politely while Ayame yammered away from her stall.

"Can you believe that? I mean, as if Kikyou would even consider it! He's like, five years older than her! It's disgusting!" The toilet flushed. Kagura acted quickly. Pulling Kagome close, she whispered, "Behind the Snack Shack. Five minutes." Then she turned on her heel and walked out.

The stall door flew open with a crash as Ayame came out, the sound of the toilet flushing following her exodus. She washed her hands and looked at Kagome, who stared into the mirror as if in a trance.

Ayame said, "Kagome, you okay?"

Kagome blinked, and forced a smile. "I'm fine." What did Kagura want? she wondered.

"I'm ready, you coming?" Ayame had dried her hands and was waiting by the door. Kagome turned to face her and replied, "You go. I have to go worse than I thought."

Ayame shrugged, but said, "Okay."

Kagura saw Ayame leave, and waited for Kagome to come out. Four minutes later, she did.

Taking a deep breath, Kagura waved at her, and Kagome came over. "You wanted to speak to me?"

Kagura heard the crisp tone in her voice. She had a feeling that tone would soon disappear. "Yeah. Tell, me, Kagome, are you and Houjo in love?"

Kagome frowned. "What does that have to do with you?"

Kagura dug into her purse now, and drew forth a pocketbook. "Not much really. But I did take these pictures. I thought you deserved to know just how much your boyfriend really loves you." Opening the pocketbook, Kagura handed Kagome a few pictures.

Kagome took them, and looked at them carefully. The longer she looked, the angrier she got. How could they? She was her friend! And he was her boyfriend!

Kagura watched her silently. Kagome was taking it better than she'd expected her to.

Straightening her shoulders, she lifted her chin and said to Kagura, "Thank you for showing me these. Do you mind if I borrow them?"

Kagura smiled and replied, "Be my guest. What do you plan to do?"

Kagome was too angry at her friends to keep her plans to herself. "I plan to confront them both. Right now."

Kagura nodded, a thoughtful look on her face. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way."

Kagome looked back at her grimly, making her way out front. "So am I."

Inu G'd

Kagome rounded the building, her shoulders square. Her mind was a haze of red.

When she saw Houjo, Ayame wasn't far away, and she saw for the first time just how obviously they sought each other out: he kept glancing her way, while she just stared, sipping her Coke intermittently.

Walking past her friends, she came up to Houjo, a sickeningly-sweet smile on her face. Miroku saw it, and backed up a step, Sango following suit. Naraku grinned at her, though she paid no attention, and Kikyou watched with little to no interest. Ayame's eyes widened as she watched her friend approach her boyfriend.

Kouga, stuffing his face with his friends, felt Ginta elbow him and he snarled around the food in his mouth, "What?!"

Ginta gestured toward Kagome with his free hand, and Kouga's gaze followed. He watched, intently.

Kagura came around the building from the other direction, stopping to pick up her latte. She passed by the group of people unnoticed, making her way back to her car, where she could see everything that was about to happen.

Kagome tilted her head to the right as Houjo stared at her, his stomach doing a slow flip in his gut. "Hey, baby," he said, returning her smile, hiding his nervousness well. "Back alr-"

The slap resounded loudly through the entire parking lot; people from the other side stopped what they were doing to look in the direction of the sound. Houjo held his hand over his cheek where Kagome had slapped him, her hand throbbing and tears spilling down her cheeks as she screamed, "You fucking asshole! I trusted you! I loved you! And this is how you repay me?!"

She flung the pictures at his chest, watching him stoop to the ground to pick them up after he'd failed to catch them. A deep frown on his face, he looked at the Polaroid's, and, looking back at her, said, "Where'd you get these?"

"Fuck where I got them, you cheating son of a bitch! It's over!"

Turning to Ayame, she walked over and Ayame backed up, but the car behind her didn't let her get far. Kikyou smiled a little at Ayame's obvious discomfort. She thought something fishy had been going on with Ayame!

"And you," she whispered, her voice hoarse from yelling at Houjo, "You were my friend." She paused, and took a deep breath. The look that came over her face was blank, but they all knew she was simmering under the surface with hate and betrayal.

"Fuck you, Ayame." Turning on her heel, she reached into Houjo's car to retrieve her skates and, flinging them over her shoulder, walked away.

Kouga had watched the entire scene with glee. Finally, she was free! He didn't even attempt to go after her now, though. He'd not spoken to her since he'd almost raped her, but her reaction to him was of little concern. He was better than that cheating asshole Houjo, at least! He'd talk to her after she'd cooled down, when she was more susceptible.

Kagura saw Kagome coming her way and flagged her down.

Kagome stopped, and, wiping her face, said to Kagura, "Thank you for giving me those pictures, Kagura. I don't like to be left in the dark like that."

Nodding, Kagura turned to eye Rin, who saw Kagome standing there crying and quickly got out of the car, Sesshoumaru following.

"Kagome, what's wrong?" She hugged her close, and Kagura joined them, rubbing Kagome's back soothingly. They pulled her between the Mustang and the Lamborghini to get her out from under the prying eyes of the rest of the movie-goers.

"Houjo was cheating on me," Kagome sobbed, and Rin looked at Kagura, who whispered, "I saw them making out a while ago and took some pictures for proof. No one deserves to be played like they were playing her."

Sesshoumaru looked over the hoods to the crowd Kagome had come from, and glared in their direction. Most of them had the grace to turn away, Houjo's face flaming as he did, but Naraku and Kouga never flinched under his unwavering contempt. Shaking his head in disgust, he turned his back to them.

"Come on," Rin said, and helped Kagome to climb up onto the blanket on Kagura's car. Kagura climbed up next to her, and Kagome grasped her hand with an intensity that hurt her, but she never complained. While Rin and Sesshoumaru climbed onto his car so they were close, she whispered, "I'm sorry, Kagome."

Kagome smiled through her tear-stains, her eyes red and puffy. "No, Kagura, don't say you're sorry. If it weren't for you, I'd still be living a lie. Thank you." She squeezed her hand less tightly, but held on all the same.

Smiling sympathetically, Kagura leaned over and hugged Kagome, who hugged her back even though they barely knew each other.

After a moment Kagome let Kagura go, and Rin handed her a tissue, which she smiled at her gratefully for. The lights in the parking lot went out then, and the movie started. Kagome sniffled, and concentrated on the opening credits with a vengeance, trying to forget what she'd just gone through.

Inu G'd

Miroku turned to Houjo, his face a mask of fury. "Houjo, you asshole! How could you do that to her?" Stomping away, Sango followed him, glaring at Ayame and Houjo.

Miroku found Kagome and he and Sango reached up to hug her. Kagome, grateful for their company, asked them to stay with her, so Kagura told them to make themselves comfortable inside her car.

Miroku grinned at her. "I always wanted to sit in a Lamborghini!" He was like a kid in a candy shop. Sango just thanked her and closed the door after she'd settled into the passenger seat.

Kagome sighed, and an image of Inuyasha flashed through her head. She felt so terrible, having turned his affection away when Houjo was busily squandering hers. Men, she thought, I hate them!

Except Inuyasha, her mind whispered, but she shook her head to clear it. Her heart was sore, and she didn't think she'd want to be with another guy again for a while.

Finally, Intermission rolled around, and Kagome had listened to her gut rumble with hunger long enough. Looking over, she saw that Houjo and Ayame were both gone, and only Kikyou and Naraku were left, sitting in his car and making out like bandits. Kouga sat not far away, but was engrossed in a conversation about Football.

Sliding off the car, she said, "I'm going to get something to eat," and Sango rolled down her window and asked, "Want me to come with you?"

Kagome smiled but shook her head, "No thanks. They're gone, anyway." Sango reached out and squeezed her hand, "Okay."

Rin and Sesshoumaru, having overheard her speaking, watched her walk slowly to the Snack Shack. Rin sighed. "Poor Kagome. He really did a number on her."

Sesshoumaru rubbed her shoulder and replied reassuringly, "She'll bounce back. Everyone could see just how wrong they were for each other anyway. All they needed was someone to show them, and she did." He jerked his thumb at Kagura. "Besides, there are better guys out there, one in particular," he whispered, and Rin grinned conspiratorially. "So you know about that, hmm?"

He grinned. "I had a hunch. He'd be great for her."

She nodded in agreement. "I know. But her heart is hurt; he might not be able to heal the damage Houjo did to it."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "He'll get her," he predicted, confident in his brother's abilities. "And if he doesn't, she's got the problem, not him."

Rin sighed again. She hoped Kagome would open her heart again, because someone very special was going to take good care of it, if she'd only let him in.

Kagome was at the counter before she knew it, and ordered a hot dog with everything on it. She took her number and plopped down at an empty picnic table, her hand propping up her chin. She was beginning to feel a little bit better now; in fact, the feeling of being single again was mildly refreshing. She hadn't realised how much freer she was now that Houjo was out of her life. She lamented the loss of her friend, but Ayame and Houjo deserved each other. Frowning, she hoped they were happy together.

Thinking back, Kagome remembered that she had been annoyed at Houjo up until only two weeks ago. In those two weeks they'd been closer than they'd ever been, but if he felt it necessary to cheat on her then he could kiss her ass!

She smiled at the thought of Houjo actually kissing her ass, and then began to giggle. She was glad now that she'd kicked his ass to the curb. Shaking her head, she got up as her number was called, but the sound of a motorbike made her stop and turn around.

She didn't know anyone who owned a bike.

Inu G'd

Inuyasha sailed through the night air like a hot knife through soft butter. His hair, tucked up into his helmet so that his identity could be kept secret, itched, but he ignored it. Tonight was the night the world met The Lone Rider, and he was going to play his part to the fullest extent. He only hoped Kagome would be impressed.

Turning into the Duplex, he saw that his timing was perfect; it was Intermission, so everyone would have to take notice of him.

Gripping the handlebars, he took off, and a car, pulling into the lot from the other end and heading his way, stopped and the driver stared as Inuyasha sailed through the air over him, and landed on the other side.

Kagome had seen it all, and her jaw dropped open in awe, but she quickly shut her mouth. The guy on the bike, she couldn't see his face, but when she squealed past her, turning around, he smiled at her, and she felt something in her chest tighten. Sucking in a deep breath, she couldn't control the smile that grew on her beautiful face as he sped away, eluding the owners of the Duplex who tried to stop him from making so much noise.

The sound of sirens could be heard as he came back to her, and, smiling again, he winked at her. Kagome waved at him, and ignored the guy in the Snack Shack who was yelling at her to get her food. He disappeared as a cruiser pulled into the lot and the owner ran over, his arms flailing.

Inuyasha drove away, but didn't go far. He fully intended to return after the cops had dispersed.

Kagura, Rin, and Sango all raised a brow when Kagome returned to them, a big smile on her face. Sesshoumaru was trying to hide his grin, and Miroku just looked confused. Leaning out of the window, he said, "Kagome, did you know that guy?"

She replied, "Nope, but I'd like to," and Sango thought, Whoa. That was fast.

Rin thought, Yes, Kagome, take the bait!

Kagura thought, You better treat him right!

Sesshoumaru thought, Go bro!

And Miroku just frowned, but shrugged. The faster she got over Houjo, the better.

Inu G'd

Kagome ate her hot dog, but didn't see the rest of the movie even though she watched it. She was thinking of the boy on the bike. That leather outfit, and that smile... she was totally smitten, and thoughts of Inuyasha disappeared like wisps from her mind. He was sweet, but this guy was what she wanted, what she needed, what she'd been waiting her whole life for. She couldn't wait to see him again, and hoped he showed up again soon.

Inuyasha pulled his bike to the curb and waited. Kagome had been alone tonight. He wondered where Houjo had been and had searched the lot for him when he was driving through, but was too pleased with how she'd responded to his smile to think much more about it. He was certain he'd gotten her attention; now all he had to do was keep it.

Inu G'd

When the movie was over, Kagome climbed down off Kagura's car and said her goodnight's to everybody, having only to cross the street to get home. She didn't feel like watching Jaws.

Sango turned to Miroku and said, "I'm going to walk her home, be right back," and had dashed off after her.

Kagome was searching her purse for her lighter when Sango caught up to her a few seconds later, saying, "I'll walk you home, Kags."

Kagome looked at her and smiled, replying, "Thanks. Sango, do you have a lighter?" Sango felt around in her pockets as they walked across the grass behind the Duplex, dark in the failing light from the lot.

They stopped at the curb and Sango said, "Nope, I must have forgotten it."

Kagome tsked, her cigarette jumping up and down as she spoke. "Now I'm gonna hafta smoke this at home, and my mom hates it when I smoke-" She trailed off, and Sango looked up. There, next to them in the street, sat the guy on the bike, a silver lighter held out in front of him, the flame dancing two inches high.

Sango quickly glanced at Kagome, whose lips were turning up in a slow grin. Inuyasha's small grin was easy to see in the dim light. "Need a light?"

Kagome, at a loss for words, leaned over and put the tip of her cigarette in the flame, until it caught, then backed up, taking a quick drag and blowing it discreetly through her nose, the cigarette in her hand away from her face. She couldn't stop staring at him, and her smile grew.

Sango couldn't stop staring either. She had no idea who this guy was, but she had a feeling that her friend was very interested in whatever he had to offer, so she held her tongue, opting to be a silent observer. Whoever he was, he was brave, she thought, for coming over here while I'm around. And he's cute!

Sango knew that guys were notoriously shy, and tended to prefer to get a girl alone before anyone could see him speaking to her. It was a guy thing, she guessed, a way to avoid major embarrassment if the girl turned him down. She admired the guy before them for his guts in that respect.

"Want a ride?" Inuyasha asked huskily. He was lost in her eyes, and was unabashedly drinking in her gaze, which held his own, when a car came down the street, it's tell-tale black and white markings standing out.

He glanced back, and flipped the lighter shut with a click. Kagome looked as if someone had just taken away a favourite toy, and she pouted slightly, disappointed.

"Gotta run," he said, and, starting his bike, drove away, before the cops could spot him.

The cops passed, tipping their hats to the girls, when Kagome crossed the street, Sango following in her wake of silence. Sango spoke up, "That was interesting," and Kagome stopped, her cigarette forgotten in her hand. She didn't have to say anything, Sango knew that look on her face. She was in love.

When they finally got to Kagome's door, Sango bid her goodnight, and Kagome replied belatedly; her mind was all a-jumble. She felt as if the mystery boy on the bike had just ridden away with her heart, and she stumbled up to her room, seeing but not paying attention.

She flopped onto her bed, and hugged her pillow. She was so happy! Whoever you are, she thought, curling into a happy little ball, I think love you.

Inu G'd

Woot! Go Inu!! Yeah! See, I told you guys that Hobo wouldn't last long! He's too much of an asshole. What's going to happen next? Will Kagome see her mysterious admirer again? Will Naraku's parents disown him for what he did to Kagura? Will Rin's mom finally come around? Only time will tell!!