InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Just Me ❯ Chapter 4: The Photo Shoot ( Chapter 4 )

A/n: Okay, here’s a special Thanksgiving edition. Hopefully all my stories will be updated today. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving!

NOTE: I have no idea about modeling or any of it, so I’m making it up as I go along, I’m trying to research it but am having little luck as of far. Any input would be welcome! Sorry if I offend anyone or get any of it wrong, I repeat, I have no idea what goes on backstage or at a photo shoot, besides the basics, like Make up artists, hair stylist, etc...

*Just Me*

By: Kage Otome (Shadow Maiden)

Chapter 4: The Photo Shoot

It was official, everyone had gone nutty. Kagome was sure of it. The chaos that was the dressing area was in shambles, she absently noted the twin brothers Matarion and Matarius rolling around fighting about Kami-sama knows what...Shaking her head she put her her thumb and pointer finger into her mouth and blew, whistling gaining everyone’s attention.

Clapping her hands together, she proceeded to restore some form of order to this circus. Stopping at each station she chose the outfit each person would be wearing before shooing them to their designated section, make up, hair, etc... Glancing at the thankful floor director who was supposed to be in charge of making sure everything went smoothly she shook her head. They weren’t in too much of a hurry, considering they only had one photographer. Normally they had multiple photographers, unfortunately since that---Masaharu canceled last minute, it meant his crew and staff of 15 couldn’t come kind of threw them for a loop. It meant they would have to extend the photo shoot to cover tomorrow as well. She knew for a fact, everyone’s schedule was screwed to all hell, because of it.

Smiling at a job well done, she allowed the hair stylist, make up artist and whomever else to do their magic on the models. Leaving the dressing area, she took a deep breath and exhaled as Sango came to stand beside her.

“Hectic, ain’t it?”

Smiling at the older woman.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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&# 8220;Yeah, baby---perfect!”

This photographer was quickly grating on her last nerve. Just because she stood nearby did not mean she was his personal secretary. She was a very important member of Sakura Enterprises. Not to mention if he said, “Yes, baby, oh, perfect, baby” one more time, she was going to hurl.

“Yes baby, Oh---Just like that! Perfect, baby!” Kagome twitched, close enough.

Shaking her head she walked towards where the other models were lounging about by the pool. Taking a seat next to Hiten Matsuro, he was actually quite pleasant to be around once you got to know him. He wasn’t as cold or brash as he appeared, of course he was still quite the playboy. But not many guys in his position weren’t.

“Hey Kagome.”

“How’ve you been, Hiten?” Kagome asked politely.

“Okay...” He said, sneaking a glance at the pretty woman next to him before sighing to himself. She was so out of his league---not that it mattered to him or her for that matter. But he knew she wouldn’t give herself to him or anyone for that matter, she was much to guarded and and smart for that. He knew why she did it and on a subconscious level, he did the same, he played, he dated but he never let anyone close enough to hurt him.

“Have you gone yet?”

“Nah, this photographer is a tad---slow.” Hiten replied with his trademark grin.

Kagome couldn’t help the small smirk that formed on her face. She and Hiten were acquaintances, and friends to some degree. She enjoyed playful banter with him, he was always so very amusing.

“Oh...you’re not normally one to complain about things being slow...” Kagome answered with an ever growing grin.

“I’ll say, you’ve got me there. I happen to like certain things slow. But you know me, most of them I prefer---fast.” Kagome chuckled, it was just like Hiten to put something about speed into his phrases.

It was an inside joke, he once ‘did’ this female photographer---blah, blah, blah---you’d have to have been there to understand. Fast in the bed, slow in the progression of relationships---if she’s lucky that is, he’ll normally just dump a girl without a second thought after he tires of her. Kagome had no problem with this for some reason, unknown to everyone else, but as far as Kagome was concerned, it wasn’t any of her business what he did with his free time. She understood him, why he did what he did and it didn’t bother her, possibly because all of the girls Hiten ‘dated’ were, well, to put it bluntly very---open about their sexuality, loose. Not that they deserved what they got per se but if a woman can’t see the trap in her opinion, they’ll learn from their mistakes. Many of them didn’t mind being dumped, well with the exception of a choice few who were what many nowadays consider ‘gold diggers’ in the true sense of the word. They’d made that clear from the beginning, hitting Hiten’s credit cards.

In ways she related to him.

“Matsuro.”

“Looks like your up.”

“Yeah. Talk to ya later.”

“Good luck.”

He flashed her that ever familiar cocky grin, before waltzing over towards the photographer, confidence in every step. Hiding a smile behind her hand she went over to get a bottled water. Taking a large swig, she was mildly distracted as she heard her name being called from somewhere towards her right. Glancing in that direction, she motioned Miroku over to stand next to her.

“Kagome.” Miroku panted.

Cocking a brow at him she asked, “What’d you do now?”

“Why, Kagome-sama, what makes you think I’ve done something wrong?”

She grinned wryly before pointing to the steaming woman coming at them at an alarmingly fast pace. Miroku turned pasty white before mumbling a goodbye and darting off, an angry Sango hot on his trail, screaming death threats the entire way. Kagome grinned into her water as her eyes followed them, no one noticed the brief flicker of pain she so easily hid behind that easy grin. Sometimes she wished...

Shaking her head of ridiculous thoughts she reminded herself of something constantly nagging at her mind.

‘Don’t do this to yourself, Kagome, You don’t need to be in love to have love.’

‘Be thankful, you have at least that.’

And she was.

She was very thankful.

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The suns, late afternoon rays caressed their bodies in a comfortable warmth. Models lounged around the pool, making small talk and relaxing until they were called for their session. While normally a set was hectic, one shot after another this particular shoot was quite relaxing, probably because of the photographer, there was also the fact there was only one making the process slower. After a few shots in one outfit they were sent to change and wait until they were called again.

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted something that made her blood boil. That---that---snake! Growling low in her throat she stalked towards her poor best friend and that vile creature, whom she despised. Kagura Matsuro, Hiten and Manten’s older sister. Even they despised her. Not that Kagome blamed them. Kagura was not well liked at Sakura Enterprises. It was well known that she was a conniving witch who wanted what was best for Kagura. She showed up late, was rude and on more then one occasion seduced other’s boyfriends. Kagome knew that feeling personally. Who do you think seduced Bankotsu?

Kagura.

She wasn’t about to let her touch Jakotsu with her dirty paws. Jakotsu was gay and she was still after him, not to mention that large paycheck he got. Kagura was far to clingy and more often then not came off as desperate. Okay, so she was a bit more resentful towards her then she originally thought. Unknown to her were the eyes of five males on her, watching her in all her angry beauty. Sesshoumaru, super model extraordinaire, Hakudoshi, heir to Dark Enterprises, Juuromaru, Kageromaru’s younger brother, Kageromaru himself and Naraku.

“That is Kagome Higurashi, our head fashion designer.” Kageromaru gestured to the steamed beauty.

“This is gonna be good.” Hiten said coming up to them.

“What do you mean Hiten?”

“Just watch.” His crimson eyes focused in on the angered angel.

Standing behind the taller woman who stood at 5’6 a good three inches taller then herself, she tapped her on the shoulder. Kagura turned around and glared down at the woman who dared interfere with spitting fire red eyes only to be startled by the equally enraged fire in those icy orbs.

“Get your filthy paws off him.” Kagome stated with what little control she had left, leaving no room for argument.

“Or else what, wench?” Kagura sneered.

“Believe me you won’t like the consequences...By the way, you shouldn’t sneer, it draws even more attention to your grotesque face, but then again, it takes the attention away from your improportionate body. “ Kagome said grimly.

“Was that a threat?” Kagura said before the rest sank in.

“I am not grotesque! Nor am I impropor---whatever you said.”

“Your face is to bony, drawing attention to your crooked nose and sunken cheeks. Your boobs are to big for your body type, your legs are twigs and your arms are different colors. “ Kagome stated with calm authority. Her left arm was actually a shade lighter then her right, only a trained eye could catch it. Kagura growled.

“And that wasn’t a threat. I would never---Oops.” Kagome said sweetly before ‘accidentally’ losing her balance, pushing her into the pool.

Kagura rose from the water sputtering and coughing. Glaring at Kagome she began to spurt obscenities and something that couldn’t be mistaken as anything other than a threat. Kagome’s eye brow’s rose

“You’re Fired.” Kagome spoke calmly, eyes cold and unforgiving.

“Not only did you harass---”

“I didn’t harass anybody! Right Jakie-baby...”

“It was horrible ‘Gome, she touched me and groped me. I feel so violated!” Jakotsu wailed, weeping into her shoulder.

“Do I have to spell it out for you. You. Are. Fired.”

“You don’t have the authority to do that!”

“I’m the head designer and company policy states that there is to be no behavior unbecoming of an employee, threatening me, harassing Jakotsu, with witnesses.” Kagome tsked, “That is plenty of ground to fire you on.”

“Kageromaru! You can’t possibly let this insolent girl do this!” Kagura whined.

“She’s right. And it’s Mitsukai-sama to you, Ms. Matsuro, you’re fired.”

Manten was asked to escort his sister out, her whining and begging the entire way, pleading with her brother. Manten however was not a fan of his sister and threw her out easily. Winking at Kagome she smirked back at him, her amusement clear. Turning to Jakotsu she was greeted with a huge bear hug. Smiling softly, she returned the hug.

“You’ve saved me from a fate worse then death!” Jakotsu said dramatically clutching her right hand to his chest.

Smiling at him, she ushered him back to the dressing area, so he could get changed into his next outfit. While everyone got over the show of---possessiveness, they thought about what they knew about the ever elusive Kagome Higurashi. It was a well known fact she turned down dates constantly, but was never rude or ill tempered about it. She was actually very polite and compassionate. She was everything guys looked for in girls, well for the most part, but she didn’t allow anyone close to her. She had a circle of close friends. But she was overall friendly with most people, very few could be called ‘friends’ rather then acquaintances, or coworkers, but even fewer could be considered ‘close friends’.

“Kagome.” Kageromaru called her over.

“Yes Mitsukai-sama?”

“Kageromaru.” He corrected.

“Kageromaru-sama.”

“Are any of the models wearing your designs?”

“Ayame, Koharu, Kikyo and Kaguya for the female designs. Bankotsu, Jakotsu, Matarion, Matarius and Hiten for the male designs.” Kagome replied after taking a quick glance around.

None of Kagome’s designs were plain, they were each unique, almost as if they were fit to the model they were on. None were uncomfortable or unattractive that wouldn’t be Kagome.

“Hm---Very nice, Kagome.”

“Thank you, Kageromaru-sama.”

“I would like you to meet Sesshoumaru Taisho, my brother Juuromaru, Hakudoshi Onigumo, I believe you know Naraku-san.” Kageromaru introduced her to the three men sitting beside him.

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Kagome said bowing politely.

“Likewise...”

Taking a quick glance over the men present, she estimated Sesshoumaru to be the tallest at---6’2 perhaps taller. He had broad shoulders, tapered down to a slender waist, this man was not one to trifle with he was muscular and everything about him seemed to scream sinuous. Add the long silver hair and piercing golden eyes---he was a force to be reckoned with, he probably knocked ladies off their feet wherever he went. But he wouldn’t do that to her, no siree, she was smarter then that. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the view.

Juuromaru and Kageromaru were similar in body type, both were quite small compared to the other men present, standing at only 5’4. But Juuromaru’s hair was a soft lilac, while his brothers was pure white, his eyes were a sharp blue-green while his brothers were a light red. He was handsome, she’d give him that.

Hakudoshi was the complete opposite of his father. He too was of small stature, like the Mitsukai brothers, perhaps 5’5--maybe an inch taller. His silver hair stood up in spikes with long bangs framing his aristocratic features, bringing out the luminescence of his violet eyes. This one, was no doubt a heartbreaker as well.

All of them had that same aristocratic features, probably drew woman to them like flies to a pie. However she would never know they thought the same of her as they looked her over.

Kagome was any and every guys wet dream. At least in the look’s department. She was lean and fit, and there was a slight tone, look to her skin that showed she could easily hold her own, should anyone attack her. Her dark hair was swept in a french braid, accentuating the planes of her face and the graceful curve of her neck and shoulders. High cheekbones, sooty lashes framing stunning eyes and full lips, a soft pink in color, a white halter that clung to the curve of her breast and dipped at the indentation of her small waist and flat stomach, the shorts that covered her rounded hips, down to legs, slender and even though they weren’t really that long, they looked endless.

“Kagome?” Kageromaru broke through their fantasies of her body with her name.

“Yes, Kageromaru-sama?”

“Will you be attending this season’s fashion show?” Kagome looked somewhat hesitant to answer.

“I believe so.”

“Good, I want you to model in it.” Kagome gapped, her jaw just dropped open in surprise.

“W-what? You can’t be serious...”

“I’m very serious.”

“But---I’m not a model!”

“Just try it one time, that’s all I’m asking...”

Biting her lip in thought, she was about to reply, however before she could get a word out the treacherous trio answered for her.

“She’ll do it.” Grimacing Kagome narrowed her eyes at them before excusing herself as the dashed away, looking for safe grounds. Kagome turned and dashed after them. The rest of the shoot went pretty smooth, well, not counting when Kagome caught the three and one-by-one threw them into the pool. Snapping a quick picture of the three soaked people, she contentedly walked away, satisfied for the time being.

The thoughts running through people’s mind were something along, ‘Either Kagome, the untouchable beauty was in a very playful mood.’ or...

‘Kagome Higurashi, was drunk’

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A/ n: There you go all, Happy Thanksgiving!!!