InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Behind the Scenes ❯ Take 4 ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Behind the Scenes

Take Four

By Lady Persephone

------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------

Kagome walked down the sidewalk toward the parking garage with a little more bounce in her step... well, as much step as her three and a half inch stiletto heels would allow. It would be lying to say she wasn't exhausted from running the previous night's festivities, but she disregarded the feeling. She had no time to be tired. For the first time in a long time, Kagome Higurashi had a date. She might have gone a little overboard with outfit shopping and an afternoon mani-pedi, but there was no way she was going to mess this up. Kikyo had conveniently agreed to give her the night off and there was nothing but beautiful California sunshine predicted in the weather.

“Morning Miss Kagome.” The man behind the newspaper stand nodded to the pretty young woman that seemed to skip up to his business.

“Good Morning Johnny. How are you?” She piled a couple tabloids into her arms.

“Fine, just fine.” He replied with a smile, “And what about you?”

“Very well,” she answered cheerily, placing a couple dollars on the counter.

“See you tomorrow Miss Kagome!”

“Bye!” Kagome hummed lightly to herself as she flipped through the thin paper gossip rags. It might have been Sango's job to handle Kikyo's publicity aspects, but by flipping through the tabloids, it was easy to predict what kind of workday it would be. Her fingers froze midair, before flipping to the next paper. She groaned and let her head fall back. Today was not going to be a good day.

------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------

“What is this?! What is this?!” Sango cried hysterically, throwing her own collection of tabloids

onto Kikyo's kitchen counter. Sango's wide eyes darted accusingly around the room before resting on her employer. “Am I going crazy here?!” Kikyo said nothing while Kagome quickly took the initiative to shake her head reassuringly. “Didn't think so! It just seems so ironic to me that two award winning, well respected, experienced young actors can't manage to pull together a believable happy facade for a couple photographs!” She ripped the newspapers off the table and read aloud. “'Hollywood's new favorite Sweethearts not so sweet!' `Trouble in paradise...Already!'” Her voice rose dangerously. “'The Beginning of the End?!'” Sango slammed the newspapers down in front of Kikyo and pointed to the front-page photo.

Kikyo recognized it immediately. It must have been taken just a moment onto the red carpet. InuYasha was grimacing painfully while Kikyo glared at him from the corner of her eye. “Does that look like a happy couple to you?” Sango asked venomously. When Kikyo remained silent, Kagome quickly shook her head once more. Sango flashed her a grateful glance before shuffling through the rest of the papers aggressively, tearing a few in the process. After several seconds of awkward silent rummaging, she produced what she had been searching for. She tossed a copy of `The Inside Scoop' in front of them. Kagome and Kikyo leaned forward curiously, inspecting the article displayed on the front page. They hurriedly flipped to page six, as indicated by the hook and gaped. The tabloid had been generous enough to dedicate an entire inside spread to the

not-so-happy-couple, as the author put it. There were several photographs of after the premiere when InuYasha and Kikyo had argued while waiting for their car.

Kagome's eyes trailed through the text as she read aloud. `Remember those Nights is a film about a rekindled romance, desperate yearning, and an undying passion. There was anything but romance between the newly announced couple, InuYasha Takahashi and Kikyo Hiroshima at their movie's premiere. On several occasions the `couple' was seen arguing heatedly in low whispers. One onlooker reported seeing a physical confrontation between the pair...'

The article continued and Kikyo's eyes grew wider every word. “That's not even all true! Who the fuck wrote that shit?!” “Naraku?” Kagome read slowly from the bottom. She looked up, “Ring any bells?”

Sango shook her head dejectedly. “I did a little background check but came up with nothing.”

“It must be a pseudonym then,” Kikyo mused, resting her chin in the cup of her hand.

“I have a feeling this guy is going to be a major pain in my ass,” Sango groaned, sliding onto a chair.

“And mine.” Kikyo reminded her.

“Well it's not my fault I can't muster a simple performance for the paparazzi.” Sango snapped irritably. “Then this guy and everybody else would have nothing to write about.”

“I'm sure they would make something up.” Kagome reasoned gently. “Look, here's a story about a pregnancy scare.”

“About me?!” The almond halfway into Kikyo's mouth dropped back into the tiny dish in front of her. Her eyes had grown wide and horrified. “I'm going to the gym.” She announced, disappearing from the kitchen.

Kagome and Sango watched her go silently before turning their eyes back to the papers scattered across the table. “This is not the kind of publicity we needed right now.” Sango moaned, resting her head in her hands. All Kagome could do was pat the stressed young woman awkwardly on the back as she leaned over and let her head fall on the table with a loud CRACK.

------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------

“Are you telling me that you aren't the least bit concerned about this potentially career-ending situation?” Miroku asked gesturing vaguely with the tabloid in his hand.

InuYasha paused for a moment, a spoonful of ramen poised in front of his lips, “Yeah pretty much.” The ramen was gone. Miroku tossed the tabloid onto the island in the middle of the kitchen and let his body fall wearily onto a stool opposite the movie star. “You know if you only eat ramen you're going to get fat and you won't have any faithful, slightly obsessive teenage fan groups worshipping you anymore.” InuYasha glared as he shoveled another spoonful past his lips. Miroku rubbed ink-stained fingers over his eyes and groaned. “Thank god tonight is my night off.” He didn't notice his employers ears twitch attentively. “So do you want to grab a beer tonight? I could use a good lay.”

InuYasha smirked. “What about Kikyo's publicist? I thought you hit that yesterday.”

Miroku moaned into his hands and admitted tiredly, “I almost `hit that'. But I didn't. God knows how I would kill to `hit that'. I just need something to take my mind of everything.” InuYasha shrugged understandingly but then shook his head.

“I can't tonight, `roku.” Miroku's head shot up so fast anyone watching would have worried about

whiplash. His violet eyes squinted suspiciously.

“Why not? You don't have any parties.”

“Beauty sleep?”

“You did cancel that date right?”

“Yes.” InuYasha was getting annoyed. “Can't I fucking have one night to myself to not worrying about being your wing-man or sucking up to dumb ass writers and reporters?”

Miroku held his hands up, “Woah woah man I'm just making sure that you don't screw up this deal with Kikyo. It's my job on the line too.” InuYasha grumbled but didn't respond. Instead, he buried himself in another bowl of ramen. “I hope you get fat.” Miroku decided finally, hoisting himself off of the stool and disappearing into the living room.

------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------

Kikyo peddled fiercely on the spin bike, her legs flying faster than the blades of a fan. The sweat

trickled from her temple to her chin and she quickly wiped away the small bead of moisture with the towel draped across her shoulders. The private gym was empty save the woman beside her, peddling rather leisurely and staring off into nothing. “What's on your mind?” She panted out, eager for a distraction from her aching thighs.

Kagome's legs peddled robotically as she continued to space out. “Kagome!” Kikyo let out a quick spurt of breath and watched with amusement as her personal assistant nearly jumped off the equipment. “Oh, me? Umm...nothing really...just thinking.” Kikyo frowned at the vagueness of the response.

“About?”

Kagome looked rather hesitant and fiddled with the gears on her bike for a moment before answered. “Well you know at the bar the other night?”

“The bar?” This wasn't exactly what Kikyo had in mind. She hadn't meant to engage the young girl in actual conversation. Just to hear something other than her forced pants or the racing of her heart.

“Well the other night when you were hosting your party at the Bungalow? When you gave me the night off I went to the bar for a while and met this guy,” an innocent pink flush had slowly spread across Kagome's face that had little to do with exertion. “He asked me out tonight.”

“So that's why you wanted the night off.” Kikyo finished with a knowing smile.

“Yes, well, I don't know about the whole relationship thing. It isn't for me you know? I don't have time for a boyfriend!” Kagome frowned and punched pause on her machine.

“I know what you mean,” Kikyo agreed grimly, turning off her equipment as well. “It's difficult enough even pretending to date InuYasha. I can only imagine what pressure a real commitment would bring.” Both women sighed and took a moment to catch their breath.

A broad grin suddenly broke onto Kagome's lips, “So did you see what happened between Sango and that Miroku fellow last night?”

------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------

“Honestly Kagome, when was the last time you had a date?” Kagome giggled girlishly as the Korean manicurist rubbed the polishing stone across the bottom of her foot. The young woman beside her popped a cinamint bubble and perused through Cosmopolitan. She paused and looked up when Kagome didn't answer. Instead, her best friend feigned innocence and admired

her new french manicure. “That long?”

“Oh Rin, you have no idea!” The manicurist, Rin and Kagome laughed together heartily for a moment. “But this guy was so...suave. You know? I told you how he texted me in the middle of the premiere right?” Rin nodded and poked a finger through the thin pages of her magazine to hold her place. “Well then I spoke to him on the phone last night. He is just so mysterious and alluring.” She paused for a moment. “Oh god I sound like a TeenPop magazine!”

Rin smiled and shook her head sympathetically. “We all have our moments.” Kagome sighed and leaned into the massage chair.

“I really hope this goes well.” She turned her head to her best friend and grinned, “He's really cute.”

“Ugh! You get all the good ones! So tell me, what does this stud look like?”

“Well he's got this amazing silver hair and these dog ears, oh the ears.” Kagome giggled, “The first time I saw him-”

“Wait, lemme guess, he's a demon.” Kagome shook her head and smiled, “Half-demon.”

Rin looked uncomfortable for a moment. Half demons were a touchy subject, even more so than demons in general. It was nearly impossible to predict how someone would react to the topic. “Are you ok with that?”

Kagome shrugged, “I know it might bother some people but it doesn't bother me.”

RIn laughed, “You're such a saint Kagome.” “I'm no saint,” she corrected, “I just believe judgment should come after you get to know someone and not a second before.”

“All done,” The Korean woman capped the polish tightly weaved behind the stations to the check out counter. Kagome and Rin wiggled their toes in the make-shift Styrofoam sandals and left a generous wad of cash on the counter.

“Bye!”

“So, do you know what you're going to wear tonight?”

“Why do you think I brought you?”

------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------

“I know I say this every time I come to your place...but...I want your closet.” Kagome laughed as

Rin ran her hand along each and every fabric hung in the walk in closet. Between working for one of the most fashionable celebrities in the business and attending all the formal events she did, the

abnormally large closet space had proven itself extremely useful. Every last inch was filled.

“Seriously, one of these days you're going to wake up with an empty and I'll be halfway to Mexico.”

Kagome snorted into her Coors light, and took a quick swig. “So what should I wear?”

“Formal or casual?”

“Casual.”

“What place?”

“I have no idea.”

Rin stopped and stared, “Well then we'll need a universal casual.” Rin tapped a slim pointer finger against her chin, studying the collection of clothes. “We want subtle sexy...but not like you're trying to hard...” she mused to herself, perusing through knit tops and sweaters. Her hazel eyes suddenly light up. “Where on earth did you get this?” She asked in wonder, pulling a printed silk charmeuse dress, fingering the rope detail of the strap carefully between her fingers.

“That? You don't honestly think thats universal casual, do you?”

“No, no, no, of course not.” Rin grinned sheepishly, “Can I borrow this sometime?”

“Oh you're unbelievable!” Kagome sighed, snatching the hanger from her friend and placing it delicately back on the rack. “Maybe after you help me figure out what to wear!” She turned and winked, “It's BCBG by the way.”

Rin only laughed and continued to brush pieces of clothing to the side, inspecting each one carefully before moving onto the next. “So you'll never guess what happened at work today.”

Kagome looked up curiously. Rin had a pretty peculiar job. She was one of the number one matchmakers in the city. “Well this guy came in for a personality analysis and compatibility run through our database. It was one of those things where he was nominated by someone to come.”

Kagome raised an eyebrow, “So it wasn't voluntarily?”

Rin barked dryly, “Hell no! He was practically dragged by the ear into my office.” Rin tilted her head to the side, as if recalling a fond memory. “He was lovely -- beautiful in such a masculine sense. I was actually very surprised to see such a handsome, well-off man in my office. He's apparently a big time executive and heir to a hefty fortune.” Her face turned sour suddenly. “Of course, the big oaf ruined it when he opened his mouth. He started insulting my work. Saying

I obviously was too incompetent for a real job. According to him, all humans are worthless.”

Kagome snorted and shook her head.

“Obviously, he wasn't compatible with any of our clients.” Rin threw her hands into the air. “He's probably not compatible with anybody!” Her shoulders drooped. “Unfortunately, it's company policy that we have to find any client at least one date. So I'll being seeing a lot more of him.”

Kagome grimaced. “Ouch, that's going to suck.”

“Tell me abo...Oh my God! Kagome, you have to wear this!” Rin pulled out a short white Michael Kors dress, admiring the high empire waist and long light bell sleeves.

Kagome stared skeptically, “On a first date?”

“Why not?” Kagome laughed and took the dress carefully in her hands.

“Alright, let's do it.”

Kagome sipped her beer delicately, resting her elbow on the high marble countertop. “So what do you plan to do about Mr. Attitude?"

Rin groaned, “I was trying to forget about it, but I'll probably set him up with some equally annoying demon.” She took a swig of Coors Light. “The sooner the better.” A loud buzzer cut the pair out of their thoughts. Kagome hoisted herself off the stool and pressed the small red button beside the speaker.

“Yes?”

“Miss Higurashi, there is a young man named Yash here to see you.”

“Send him up please Julio.”

“Very well.”

Kagome released the speaker and slowly turned to Rin. Her lower lip was clenched between her teeth and her fingers had curled into a tiny fist. She squealed and pumped her fists, bouncing up and down excitedly. Rin sputtered on her beer and laughed. Suddenly she stopped and smoothed the expensive white sundress. “I just had to get that out before the date.”

Rin looked at her incredulously. “I forgot how long it's been since you've been on one.”

“Oh shut up!” Kagome ran her fingers through the loose waves falling over her shoulders and applied a thin layer of nude lipstick. “How do I look?”

“Fabulous.”

“Good...good...” Kagome fiddled with her signature mustard yellow Marc Jacobs bag and peered through the peephole. The hallway was empty save the perpetually dissatisfied cleaning woman pushing her vacuum routinely down the hall. “Here goes nothing...” She pulled the door open cautiously and nearly jumped out of her skin when she noticed the tall silver haired man leaning coolly against her doorframe, arms crossed casually across his chest.

“Hey there.”

------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------

Done for now. I know that took like, a year to get out but i've been so busy :)

Its summer

What can I say? I'm a social butterfly lol

I would really appreciate some feedback especially for the second half of the chapter. To be honest I didn't like it one bit :/