InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Silver Dove and the Raven ❯ Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Kagome stared at the huge Palace where the fashion show was being held. Designers all around the world were holding their winter launch party to display the latest of their winter clothing line and accessories. The building seemed very old as she observed it from the outside. She waited by Marla and Marques who were talking to the press and prohibited them to ask her any questions without Sesshomaru present. She tried to ignore the comments and remarks the press had shouted out.

'Where's your lover?' She heard.

'Thought the lovers were supposed to be together at all times. What's the matter, you guys had a fight?' she heard another one say.

She ignored them as she walked down the red carpet toward the château being escorted by her bodyguard, Marla and Marques; the constant camera flashes making her dizzy.

Inside, a long hallway led to a huge room but it wasn't where the party was being held. They followed another man down a long corridor which led outside to a courtyard. There, music sounded as two bouncers opened the doors. People paraded around the room, dancing and drinking. She never felt so left out after the stares she had gotten. Everyone looked at her, some people stared in amazement. Others laughed not seeing why she was the one chosen. She heard a few whisper Sesshomaru's name while she walked toward a waiter who held a tray of wine. She grabbed one and guzzled it down, left the empty one on the tray and grabbed a second as she walked away.

She sat at an empty table and listened to the music that was playing. It was a European techno song. It sounded French and it was very catchy even if she didn't understand the lyrics. They could have been singing 'stupid Americans' and she'd still bop her head to it if the tune was right. A few models swaggered down a catwalk that surrounded the entire yard. Kagome wasn't a professional when it came to fashion but whatever they were displaying, she wasn't convinced enough to ever wear it. Everyone was very good-looking and she felt very plain and very short in comparison to them. They probably agreed by the looks she had gotten. She fixed her eyes on her lap to avoid the glare of daggers coming from all around the room.

She saw a group of girls by a fountain that stood as a centerpiece for the party. There was a sculpture of a Greek goddess holding her dress and pointing to the sky inside surrounded by the water. They kept pointing at her and laughing. One girl stood out from the rest, the glare she'd gotten from her was an evil one behind her fake smile. She was very tall, thin, and blonde. She started to walk over to her with the other girls who she realized now were models. Great, she thought, here we go.

"So, where is Lord Sesshomaru?" she said.

Kagome pretended she didn't hear. She didn't want to further the conversation. She could tell from the look they all had, they didn't come to have a friendly chat. She sipped her wine and looked to the other side of the room.

"I'm Marcela Potencci. I work for Versace…so you're the Angel, hmm? Where is your lover? I've been eager to meet him for some time now. I heard he couldn't make it. What a shame he wouldn't show." She flipped her long blonde hair and peered at her with piercing blue eyes. She was very beautiful and she knew it.

"Couldn't show…" Kagome corrected. "He's not feeling well."

"Mmhmm," she paused and leered at her disbelievingly. She took a few seconds to observe her. "Rumor is you've never modeled before, is this true?" She gleamed as she put her on the spot. Everyone around looked at Kagome awaiting an answer.

Kagome faltered a nod and sipped her wine. "Yep."

A guy behind Marcela stepped closer. He was good looking but then again, they all were.

"Kagome," he flashed a huge smile; his teeth were so white, it sparkled. "Being that your 'lover' isn't here, care to join me for the night? I assure you I am worth the while." he said, trying to sound suave. Although he was attractive, his attitude and embellished confidence proved quite the contrary. His features were dark: long dark wavy hair, tanned with green eyes. He looked South American.

"No, thank you." She said as she looked away and swirled her glass. She scanned the room in hopes to see Sesshomaru around but there was no sign of him.

"Aw, that is not nice. "Marcela cooed. "No one ever turns down Armando, especially someone who hasn't been modeling for more than a month."

"I'm sure he'll be fine." Kagome grinned at him. He cast a side glance and stepped back.

Marcela snapped her fingers and a guy in a black suit with an earpiece pulled out a chair for her. She sat down across from her and continued to examine her as if she were trying to find her flaws.

"How tall are you?" she asked.

Kagome puckered her lips not wanting to answer but she was trying to be nice.

"Tall enough…"

"You're barely average height." She scoffed.

Kagome didn't reply. She just looked around, anxiously; trying to pass off the stares she felt burn through her.

The group Marcela had come with suddenly became bigger. Everyone was focused on her tonight. Not many people were viewing the models on the catwalk. It was a shame; they did look captivating in their pink frills and fabric that resembled aluminum foil.

"So, Sesshomaru's not feeling well, you say? How odd, a demon under the weather. He is your boyfriend, right? Or is that just a publicity stunt?"

Kagome bit her lip from saying anything rude and looked around for Marla and Marques but they were in the group as well. They remained quiet but nodded for her to answer the question.

She cleared her throat. " Yes, he isn't feeling well and no, it's not a publicity stunt. We are…together."

"but he didn't come with you tonight, to keep you company. He just let you come alone."

"Like I said…"Kagome gritted her teeth. "He was not feeling well."

"It's fascinating, you and him. I heard a rumor that he didn't date humans…as someone quoted 'humans weren't his thing'"

"Well, you heard wrong…"Kagome said.

"Did I? Hm, those words came from his brother in an interview…but perhaps I did hear wrong." she smirked.

"Don't put too much thought in it, sometimes, things are just that simple." Kagome patted the table in sympathy for her not understanding.

"Armando," Marcela frowned. "What kind of boyfriend doesn't accompany his girlfriend to a party regardless if he is feeling ill?"

Armando chuckled and sighed as he walked toward Marcela. He crossed his arms and leaned against her chair. "I suppose one that doesn't care. If I truly were in love, I'd never let my girlfriend go to a party by herself"

That remark hurt Kagome, even though she and Sesshomaru weren't really together. She felt nervous being interrogated and having to prove their relationship wasn't a hoax but it was hard when she felt they could tell she was lying. These people weren't nice and she didn't realize she needed Sesshomaru there. If he were here, no one would dare say anything but it was just her and she had to defend herself. She wasn't going to let anyone put her down or make her feel inferior. Where was he?

"I doubt you have the ability to love anyone other than yourself." Kagome spat and Armando looked stunned by her comeback. He and Marcela exchanged looks and snickers were heard from the group.

At that moment, she jerked when she felt a hand wrap around her neck softly. She looked up and saw Sesshomaru. She held her breath as he stroked her cheek and leaned down.

"I'm late, I apologize." He kissed her cheek and rubbed her shoulders. He looked at everyone as he stood back up.

Everyone gasped and immediately fell in love with his presence. So this was the infamous Lord Sesshomaru who every designer wanted to get their hands on. They've seen him before in magazines but it was no match to how good looking in person he was and a few overly confident models suddenly felt self conscious compared to him.

Kagome tried her best to not seem shocked or blush by his touch but his soft hands against her skin made it more challengeable than it should have been. She forced a grin and tittered as she rested her hand on his to act along. Marla and Marques sighed as they relaxed and exchanged looks.

"Traffic." He said and Kagome scowled at him and shook her head slightly. He observed her body gesture and he could tell right away he said the wrong thing.

"Traffic, is it? We were told you were feeling under the weather." Marcela sneered at Kagome and looked back to him.

"Yes," Sesshomaru pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He took a pull and squinted at the girl. Who was she to question him?

"I take it you're feeling better in such a short time?" Marcela raised a quizzical brow.

"I recover expeditiously." He retorted.

"So it seems. You are a man with excellent traits, I hear. I would like to know more about it, if ever you can bless me with a moment's time. I have so many questions. A friendly chat that is…" She said amorously with a wolfish smile. "That is, if you don't mind, Kagome."

Kagome glared at her and looked at Sesshomaru with a bitter smile.

"Perhaps another time. I'd like a moment alone with her, if you'll excuse us…" he said and turned to Kagome and reached for her hand. She flinched and hid it with a nervous chuckle.

"Your hands are cold…"she lied and they both exchanged looks for a moment.

Marcela frowned but lifted her chin with a grin. "Well, I'll leave you two to your affairs. I just wanted to say welcome and I look forward to working with you both."

Everyone walked away feeling like they were invading their privacy. Marcela and Armando whispered tersely to each other looking back at them every now and then.

'What does she mean working with us both?' Kagome thought. She looked down at her hand and felt her breath become shallow as his warm hands engulfed hers. She snapped out of it and pulled her hand out of his grip. She turned around facing her back to him.

"Where were you?"She bristled and looked over her shoulder.

He exhaled as he leaned back in his chair "Were you lamenting over my absence?" he said mordantly.

"I was in tears." She replied with the same tone.

"To appease your inquiring mind, I was at the airport." He took another drag and flicked his cigarette away not feeling the need to smoke anymore.

"For what?" she cocked a brow.

"To leave…"he exhaled bluntly and she didn't say anything. He tried to avoid her questioning stare. When he couldn't, he sighed. "Do you expect elaboration?"

"Yes, that would be nice and expected after a statement like that."

He didn't respond and she looked away and frowned.

"You shouldn't have come to Italy if you were just going to up and leave anyway."

He was about to explain and thought how he could keep it simple. He didn't want to mention his mother or Shurran. Why did he have to explain to her about his motives? He needed to compose and get his priorities together. He didn't come here for her, he came for himself. He came to escape Shurran and his mother.

"I…"he started but two monster hands gripped the both of them by the shoulders. They both looked up and saw Marla. She scowled at them and knelt down to whisper in their ears.

"You almost cost us a fortune with this little disappearance of yours…" She said to Sesshomaru and looked at Kagome. "You need to get your story straight and not let that little snob get the best of you. She is notorious for shooting down competition."

Kagome nodded and looked around the room. Everyone remained gawking and talking about them.

"Quit being anti-social and go be convincing." Marla said and patted the both of them on the back. "and Sesshomaru…"

He looked at her and tilted his head in aggravation.

"You do that again, I don't care who you are back in New York and how many people fear you but I will hang you by the balls to dry."

He was about to open his mouth but Kagome covered his mouth and turned his head to face her.

"Just let it go…"Kagome said.

Sesshomaru scowled from the side and decided not to say anything. This wasn't the place. He looked at Kagome; she was playing with her nails, obviously bored. He took a moment to observe what she wore. Her blue highlighted hair matched her dress.

"Nice dress…" he said.

She cocked a brow and looked at him suspiciously. "Um…thanks."

"Come. Let us play our roles." he grabbed her hand and pulled her up as he stood up.

"Where are we going?" She replied grabbing her wine glass. She drank what was left and discarded the glass by a nearby tray.

She grabbed another glass of wine from a waiter walking around with drink trays and sipped it. She glanced at Marcela who was giving her the evil eye. She wanted to return the look but decided to be mature about it.

"So, what do we do?" she whispered into Sesshomaru's ear but she tried to make it seem like she was whispering intimate things. Photographers walked around, taking pictures of them instead of the models displaying the winter line.

"No idea…" he looked around. There were a few sheer tents with couches inside and chilled champagne on a coffee table beside it.

"What does she expect us to do, go around the place, talking to people about how much we love each other? That sounds annoying." She laughed. "Besides, I don't want to talk to anyone here."

"Maybe we won't have to…"he said as he pulled her toward the tent.

"Your solution is to sit on this couch? This doesn't really solve the anti-social part."

"Lovers spend their time alone; away from the crowd."

"Ah-ha…"she nodded. " Well, let's test that theory out." She sat down. He sat down as well and they both didn't say anything. She looked at him and raised her brows. "so…uh…do we look convincing?" she teased.

He rolled his eyes. "Come here…"he said and she looked confused as she came closer.

He grabbed her arms and turned her around to lie down. At first, she was stiff when he tried to move her arms but quickly loosened them once she saw what he was trying to do. Her head rested on the arm rest and her back on his lap and she took off her shoes and stretched out her legs on the couch.

"I see. This does look convincing." She smiled and looked up at him. After three glasses of wine, she felt herself ease. She didn't shy away from his touch anymore. He rest his hand on whatever was left of the armrest and looked down at her. She sipped her wine and looked at him through her glass.

"Now what?"

His brow twitched. "Now…you think of something."

"Um…"she laughed. "Right, I'll let you know when I think of something."

He grinned as he took her glass of wine and sipped it. She didn't seem to notice or care that he did. He fell into a daze and jerked back when he felt her hand on his face.

"Ok, I'm trying to look convincing here." She chuckled. "You're not helping."

"It was an unexpected bold move…"he cleared his throat. "It caught me off guard.

Kagome faked a gasp. "I caught Lord Sesshomaru off guard? Is there a medal somewhere for this rare occasion?"

He shook his head and looked around the room.

"We're going to look suspicious if you jerk away from me. Pretend I'm a demon." She rolled her eyes.

"Oh, would that make this situation more bearable?" He said, amused and continued to sip her wine, ahem, now his wine.

"You tell me…"

"Do not overlook the fact that you feel the same way." he fidgeted with his right hand not knowing where to rest it. The armrest was now fully occupied by her head and her body was on his lap. He faltered before resting it behind her head. Her hair covered his hand and he could feel her warmth.

"Well, I didn't push you off in the Jacuzzi, did I?"

Sesshomaru sighed. "Please don't stay upset about that. I really didn't mean for that to happen."

"Why did it though?"

"It…" he stopped. "I'm trying to be impervious here but to be straightforward, the situation was uncomfortable for me."

"Because I'm not a demon." She said.

"No." he said. "because you were naked."

"Oh." Kagome said. "Yeah, I guess I see what you mean now."

"Don't act like some victim here, you have expressed your disdain for demons." He said, slightly enjoying the warmth of her body on his.

"I'm not disgusted by them. I just won't date them anymore."

"Is it because of that paralyzing past of yours?"

"Way to sugarcoat it but yeah…" She rolled her eyes. If they were positioned the other way around, she would have pushed him off the couch, give something for these pestering photographers to photograph. Was it that hard for him to put things more delicately? "Don't think I forgot, you never told me why you really came here."

"You caught me. I came to profess my undying love for you." He spat sarcastically.

"I knew it. It's alright. I have that affect on people." She said jokingly. "It's the hair."

He smiled and that caught her by surprise. It wasn't his usual smirk or casual half grin. It was different. He had a wonderful smile, she thought and she wished he would smile more often.

"Alright…don't tell me. I see how this relationship works. You are a horrible boyfriend, just to let you know."

"You're hurting my feelings." He felt his phone vibrating in his chest pocket and pressed a button to silence it. Her expression suddenly changed as she fell into a daze. He saw the transition and wanted to question it. What was she thinking about?

"If there was somewhere you'd want to be right now…"he said as he patted his pockets for his cigarette s and frowned right after realizing he hadn't any.

She broke out of her daze and looked around. Everyone appeared so serious and if they laughed, it didn't seem real. She felt homesick. If Sesshomaru weren't there with her, she probably would have been very depressed. He was the closest thing she had to home right now. She didn't want to admit it when he had gone.

"Not here…"she said in a whisper.

"I think we've convinced them enough." He said, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Let's go."

"Go where?"

"Somewhere else..."

"Marla said we had to stay until the end. Besides, the limo driver went on his break; he won't be back till midnight."

"No one mentioned anything about the limo…"he said as she got off of him and sat up. He stood up, patted his pants and blazer and helped her up after she put on her shoes.

"How else do we leave from here?" she said.

He smirked as he placed his shades on and placed his hand around her waist. She cast a glance at him with her mouth agape and eyes wide. He pulled her and walked toward the courtyard's exit.

"We're never going to get past Marla." Kagome muttered, looking down at his hand around her waist.

"Where do you two think you're going?" Marla stared at them suspiciously with her arms crossed. She directed her suspicions more toward Sesshomaru.

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru with an 'I told you so' face and waited for him to come up with an excuse.

He smirked as he went behind Kagome and wrapped both of his arms around her stomach. Although she knew he was acting, his arms around her gave her butterflies and she couldn't shake off liking the way it felt.

"To find someplace private…"he winked and Marla blushed as she bowed her head.

Marla observed them suspiciously. "Well, fine, but don't go for too long. People will want to ask questions and the show will be starting in a half an hour."

Sesshomaru nodded as he pulled Kagome. She laughed as they strode faster, half expecting Marla to catch up to them knowing they played her.

"You're good." Kagome said. He gave her a side glance.

He removed his arm from her waist and grabbed her hand and winked. He didn't seem like the uptight asshole that he normally was. This guy was somewhat…debonair. He showed off a playful side she didn't think he had. He usually portrayed this stick-up the ass, play by his own rules, and arrogant stand offish kind of guy. She desired to know him more for now he captured her interest in his mysterious turnabouts.

"Where are we going?" she tried to match his pace as he pulled her. She also felt a little tipsy from the wine but she was a trooper. That weak stuff wasn't going to hold her down.

"Not sure…"he led her out the door and she stopped when she saw a silver car. He unlocked the doors and opened it for her. She got in and he closed the door. He got in after her.

He turned it on and they sped out of there, making a loud scene which caught the paparazzi' attention from down the block. Kagome laughed as she opened her window and let the wind blow her hair. She looked over to Sesshomaru. He focused on the road and looked at her when they stopped at a light.

"What is it?" He said.

"Nothing…"she said, realizing she was just staring at him. She reached over to turn the radio. Sesshomaru drove around as if he were familiar with the area.

"Have you been here before?" she asked.

"Countless times." he said as he turned the corner with no destination intended.

Kagome leaned against the window taking in the beautiful view and exhaled contently. This was way better than the party. She closed her eyes and cocked her head back against her seat feeling the breeze against her face.

Sesshomaru glanced to his side and saw her leaning back enjoying the wind. A slight grin escaped from his lips and he reached down to press a button. Suddenly, the top of the car descended.

Kagome's eyes opened wide at the sound and she looked at him shocked followed by a huge smile. The wind became twice as powerful and she raised her hands and howled as they stopped at another light. A few guys and girls coming out of a bar howled along with her. Kagome waved and they waved back as the light turned green and Sesshomaru pressed on the gas. They drove around for ten minutes and saw mimes on the street corner, street jugglers and performers. The streets became brighter and Kagome looked at Sesshomaru.

"Where are…we?" she said and gasped when she saw a steep slope of steps that led to a beautiful chapel. Each step had a pot full of flowers.

"This is the Spanish steps." He said, looking away. "They lead to Trinità dei Monti, the church you see at the top."

"Wow…"Kagome choked out by its breathtaking Italian Baroque architecture. She looked back at him perplexed. "Why aren't you looking?"

"I've seen it already."

"You're not going to burst into flames, are you?" she teased and he scowled.

"I'm kidding."

He drove off and a few minutes later, everything around looked like some sort of religious monument.

"Oh my god, we are in Vatican City?" she looked at him and he nodded. They passed St Peters, The Apostolic Palace which held the Sistine Chapel, everything looked so amazing. She frowned as he drove away. "Can we go?"

He clenched his jaw as he slowed down behind another car and stopped.

"Perhaps another time…"he said, shifting in his seat.

"What better time than now?" she exclaimed and she got out of the car.

"Where are you going?" he said. The light turned green and a few cars behind them honked. He turned toward the sidewalk to get out of the way and parked.

"I am in Italy. Marla has us working all the time, I won't have another chance. Maybe you don't want to see it because you've been here many times but that doesn't mean I've seen it before!"

"Wait," he called out and looked around and cursed under his breath. She stopped walking and looked back at him.

"Are you coming?"

"I…" he muttered and walked over to her cautiously while a crowd of people looked at them. "I can't."

"What do you mean you can't?" she cocked a brow and crossed her arms. "You mean you won't…" she scoffed and turned to walk away.

"No, I mean, I can't." he said and she stopped walking.

"Don't tell me you really would burst into flames?" she sighed satirically.

"There are laws…"he said.

She remained quiet and baffled and shook her head not understanding.

"The Vatican is an absolute theocratic monarchy." He scowled. She couldn't understand the anger behind his tone. "To simplify the terms for you to better understand is that the Church makes the rules here in the Vatican."

"I'm sorry…I just don't understand. Why does this matter?"

"I am a Demon. The Vatican is Church territory. There are laws prohibiting me treading their grounds."

"Isn't that illegal?" she said.

"Not here…"he turned around and walked back to the car.

She lowered her head and pouted. She felt saddened by this and looked back toward the Vatican and frowned. Why would they deprive anyone its beauty? Decades have passed where the law deemed Humans and Demons as equals.

Something about his anger made her realize he took it personal. Like he wanted to see the historical landmark but since he couldn't, he pretended he had no interest.

She started walking toward the car but a group of people stopped her.

"You are the lover, no?" said a lady holding a magazine. She flipped through the pages and showed her picture on it. It was of her in the infamous bikini. Dear, god.

"Uh, yes…" Kagome looked toward Sesshomaru who leaned against the car.

"Can we have your sign?" she said.

"My sign?" Kagome looked at her and the group bafflingly. "Oh, my signature." She realized. She nodded and looked at one of the boys with the lady. He was smiling at her. He seemed about fifteen. "Do you speak English?"

"Yes, I do." He said in a light Italian accent.

"Want to do me a favor?" she said in a low voice and looked at Sesshomaru.

"Anything…"he preened. He idolized her so much and was glad to have finally met her in person.

She grabbed the lady's magazine and signed it. After giving it back to the lady, she handed her purse to him. "I want to play a joke on my friend. Take this purse and run towards that building."

"I-I don't understand." He stammered. He was confused as to why someone would ask him to take her purse. "That is stealing."

"I'm not asking you to steal my purse. Just run with it. It's pretend…like a game."

He looked at the lady next to Kagome questionably. Perhaps it was his mother, she thought.

"Farlo." The lady said and the boy looked at Kagome with a smile.

"Okay." He nodded.

"Great." Kagome flashed an evil smile. " Oh, and don't let him catch you!"

The boy looked at Sesshomaru and gulped. He looked back at her and nodded.

Let's hope this works, she thought. If not, there's going to be a murder here in the Vatican tonight. she whispered and he did. She gave him a head start before shouting. "My purse!" and looked at Sesshomaru and took off her shoes. She started to run toward the Vatican yelling, "My purse!"

Sesshomaru saw Kagome bolt shoeless and ran after her. At first, he looked around trying to see where the thief went and spotted him heading toward St Peters. He dashed and was already yards away from the boy.

"Shit…"Kagome panted "I forget he's a demon." She ran faster now, for the boy's sake. Surprisingly, the boy ran pretty fast. His agility was impeccable for a human but still no match for Sesshomaru.

The boy traversed and jumped over a banister and ran up the steps. Sesshomaru leaped over the banister as well and the boy looked back frightened. He dropped the purse but Sesshomaru still went after him.

"Wait!" Kagome cried. Running barefooted wasn't as easy as shown on T.V.

The boy barely made it to the top of the steps when Sesshomaru grabbed his collar and pulled him back. The boy choked as his shirt tightened around his neck. Then he was pinned against the wall.

"She made me do it..." He cried and Sesshomaru glanced disbelievingly at him. He was just a boy. He released him and looked back at Kagome.

"Don't be mad…"she said as she grabbed her purse from the floor and looked at the boy. Somehow, the boy didn't seem worried for his life anymore and winked at her.

Sesshomaru looked between her and the boy and clenched his jaw.

"This is your idea of a joke?" He said as he walked down the steps toward her.

She backed up and bit her lip. "I…wanted you to see…"

"See what?" He spat. "Were you not listening back there?" Now, he was inches from her face and his tone startled her.

A big group passed them with cameras. A man spoke aloud in English describing St Peters and the group flashed their cameras.

"Let's go." Sesshomaru glowered at her before walking away.

"but…"she protested and then everybody turned toward them.

"It's the lovers!" a girl shouted and pointed toward Sesshomaru and Kagome. Everybody turned to them with their cameras and started snapping away. Within minutes, the group formed into a large crowd that surrounded Kagome and Sesshomaru.

"You guys are amazing!" shouted another girl. "the Angel and Demon at the Vatican; such controversy!"

"But they are beautiful like the Vatican" said a man, holding his camera and snapping away.

The tour guide turned to them. "It appears they came to enjoy the beauty of the Vatican as well! They should join us, we are about to go to the Sistine Chapel to view the frescoes."

"Another time…"Sesshomaru said and turned to Kagome. "You're more than welcomed to join them."

"Come with me." She whispered. "Please?"

"Do you not understand the severity behind these laws?" he whispered back, everyone looking at them bemused.

"Since when do you abide by anyone's laws?" she spat.

"I don't abide, I respect. There is a difference." He paused and composed himself. "end of discussion."

"Fine, leave then." She crossed her arms and walked toward the group. "Let's go, shall we?"

"how else are you getting back?" he said in a low growl.

"Don't worry, I'll figure that out on my own." She started walking with the group. A few people looked back at Sesshomaru.

"Why isn't he coming with her?" he heard a young girl whisper to her friend.

"Maybe they had a fight." Her friend answered.

He stood by the banister of the steps to St Peters and looked up toward the church. He watched as Kagome walked away with the group and she looked back at him. Stubbornly, he looked away. Feeling eyes on him, he looked at the top of the steps. The boy from before, the thief; stood at the top glaring down at him, his face serious.

"You should follow her." He said.

"You should be quiet." Sesshomaru took out his lighter and fished through his pockets for his cigarette. He sighed remembering he didn't have any. The boy walked down the steps slowly and looked toward Kagome.

"L'angelo non dovrebbe essere solo…"the boy said with his arms crossed. (The Angel shouldn't be alone.)

"Non dovrebbe essere con il demone…"he muttered to himself and started to pace. (She shouldn't be with a Demon.)

"You do not realize the change you both will make." He followed him and peered back at the group.

Sesshomaru stopped in his steps and looked back at the boy. The boy suddenly disappeared. Sesshomaru looked around suspiciously and turned around only to be faced with the boy. By reflex, Sesshomaru grabbed him by the throat. The boy stood still in his grip and raised his hand.

"You're a demon?" Sesshomaru hissed and looked at the boy's hand. He held a cigarette.

"Razza Mezza…"the boy choked.

"Half breed?" Sesshomaru snatched the cigarette and let go of the boy. He knew the boy had run a bit fast for a human but…" I would have been able to-"

"Not on holy grounds, you can't." the boy interrupted. "Certain senses are blocked for the Vatican's protection against the Demon radicals. You won't be able to find her if she disappears."

"Don't underestimate me..." Sesshomaru turned away and lit the cigarette he had taken from the boy.

"Are you not going to the L'angelo?"

"No..."Sesshomaru inhaled a long drag from his cigarette and walked away. "Don't follow me this time."

"You must!" the boy encouraged. "Please, I hear bad things are coming."

Sesshomaru stopped and looked back.

"What is that supposed to mean?" He said but this time he was gone. He darted his eyes left to right as he pulled on his cigarette. He scanned as much as he could but he did feel a barrier. It was pretty strong but he didn't feel as limited as the boy made it seem. He remembered the tour guide say they were going to view the frescoes.

He started to stride toward the direction she went and passed a fountain full of tourists. He noticed their awareness as he passed and bowed his head to keep a low profile. He took another drag of his cigarette and looked around for Kagome but didn't see her, or the big group she was with. He saw the Apostolic Palace and headed there.

He walked up the steps and saw a few shadows dash from his peripherals. He frowned, not showing acknowledgment and decided to follow the shadows before entering the building. He scaled the walls of the side of the building and sprinted toward the dark alley. He heard whispers as he continued to tramp along the cobblestone street. There was only one streetlight and it was barely on the way it flickered.

He stopped and looked up toward the ledges of the building and saw the shadows standing there in capes. They jumped down and landed gracefully. There were four of them, all masked under their hoods.

"Lord Sesshomaru, forgive us!" one spoke, the leader, he assumed. They all knelt down and bowed their heads. "Permission to speak, my liege…."

Sesshomaru scowled at all of them, a growl escaping his chest. "Speak…"

"We were sent by Lady Saya on her behalf to reconcile."

"On what terms?"

"The allegations of embarking a tryst with a human after vowing to court a demon mate"

"I made no such offer." He hissed.

"Do you deny the tryst with the human?"

"Yes."

"Do you deny vowing to court a demon mate?"

"Absolutely."

"What message do you bless upon us to relay?"

"Stand down from meddling in my affairs."

"Sir, we will stand down until further orders, "he bowed" and pass this message along to Lady Saya."

"Were there any other orders?" Sesshomaru said in a demanding tone.

"To remove the problem if the alleged affair was validated."

"By 'problem', you mean, the human?"

"Yes, Sire."

"Unmask yourselves." He demanded and they all pulled down their hoods. The three were male and the other was a young demoness. "If such action was acted upon, know that I will find you four and end you, myself."

"Sir, Lady Saya…"

"Lady Saya is out of line. Her title was denounced upon the divorce from my Father. You are to only take orders from him and me. Is that understood?"

"Sir…"they all said and bowed.

"Now leave…" he said and turned away. When he walked toward the corner, he looked back and they were gone.

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He went up the steps to the building and entered. He walked through a long hallway and passed a few guards unnoticed. He continued to scan around for her. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her and was confused to how relieved he felt. He made his way to her and grabbed her hand.

She gasped at first, startled but then smiled. "You decided to come."

"We should leave." He said, looking around the room.

"Since you're here, let's look around." She placed her arm around his. The tour group looked back and saw him and clapped.

"Look…he's here!" said a young girl. "I told you! Hand it over!"

"Aw, man…" said her friend as she pulled out a few dollars and handed it to her.

Sesshomaru sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. She held her shoes in her hands and had a sweater on that she borrowed from one of the girls. It was an ugly green sweater that had a soccer team's name on it that clashed with her dress.

"Alright, but we have to leave soon." He said. Kagome squealed and pranced as she pulled him to another room. "I want you to see this…"

He effortlessly followed her into the room and his eyes widened when he gazed at the ceiling. It was Michelangelo's painting. He stared in wonderment as he took it all in. He'd seen it in history books and possibly on television. There was a replica of it on a mural in a museum in New York but that was nothing compared to this. When you looked up, you really felt like you were in Heaven. He wasn't religious at all but one could admire the artistic beauty of it. The dimensions were excellent. He collected paintings as a hobby when he was younger but that hobby died when he was deprived to view ancient art that were held on religious grounds.

Kagome watched his face as he looked up. His expression faded from acerbic to something softer. He didn't look impassive as always, he looked amazed. The impermeable Lord Sesshomaru was amazed and she started to realize his act. There was more to him than he tried to portray. He looked down at her, feeling her eyes on him and whatever emotion he had faded. He looked away from her and walked away.

A half an hour later, they departed from everyone else and left the Vatican. They silently walked toward the car in hands. Although they weren't with Marla, they knew she'd somehow find out if they weren't keeping their part up. Kagome looked down at their hands linked and grinned. His hands were very soft and sometimes, she'd catch his thumb rubbing her fingers but then he'd stop when he realized.

"Are you mad at me?" she said.

"No."

"Are you sure…because you seem-"

"I'm not mad." He said, sternly.

"Then what?" she said. "I thought you wanted to see it, which is why-"

"I did." He stopped walking and fixed his eyes on the ground. "Thank you…" he said almost inaudibly and kept walking. He stopped in front of the car and disarmed the alarm.

Her brows drew together in perplexity as she followed him. "So…we are going back?"

"We have to."

"I know…but do we have to now?" She sighed and looked back at the Vatican. Her stomach growled and she clutched it and groaned.

"Come; let's get you something to eat. Then we head back." He said and got into the car. She threw herself into the car and started shaking her leg in anticipation as she searched around for a good place to eat.

After they drove for a few minutes, she nearly lunged toward his side of the car and pointed at a Pizza Bar/ eatery. A few minutes after finding a parking space, they went inside. Kagome took in the wonderful aroma and floated to a seat. Sesshomaru followed behind and looked at the menu and sat down.

She ordered a pizza pie and a big glass of diet coke. He ordered water.

"You're not going to order anything?" she whined. "Now I'm going to look like a fatty here!"

"I doubt it." He said. "I'm actually not hungry." He punched a few buttons on his blackberry and pressed it against his ear.

"Listening to the gazillion voicemails you have?"

He nodded as he listened to them and sighed. A man brought the pizza pie and diet coke and complimentary Cannolis.

"So, why don't you have a girlfriend?" Kagome asked as she grabbed a slice of pizza and took a big bite out of it.

"Why are you curious?" he said, frowning at the voicemails.

"Just making conversation."

"And that was the best topic you could come up with?"

Kagome nodded and Sesshomaru sighed as he thought about it. He could at least answer some of her questions so she would stop nagging him.

"They fail to meet my requirements." He said.

"Which are?" she asked with her mouth full, taking another bite.

"Well, for one, table manners." He said, deleting his voicemails.

Kagome glared daggers at him as she chewed and shrugged.

"What else?"

"She has to be independent, ambitious, not settling for less, confident, high standards…"

"So, basically you want to date yourself." Kagome sipped her soda to make it easier to swallow the huge ball of bread stuck at her throat. Chew, Kagome, Chew.

He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

"How about you?"

She was taken aback. She didn't expect him to care enough to ask the same question.

"Well, he has to be funny."

Sesshomaru scoffed.

"and he has to be smart," she scowled. "…can't be one track-minded. Mature but has to have some silliness to him, able to talk about whatever's on his mind, loyal, faithful, devoted. I actually have this test…are you seriously not going to help me with this pizza?"

"No…"he grimaced at the pie. She barely finished with the first slice.

"Aren't you the least bit hungry? You ate what I ate earlier, that was not a meal. That was a sampler!"

"I will never be hungry for this." He looked at the pizza. "So what is this test of yours?"

Kagome's eyes widened. He was actually listening?

"Um…well," she blushed. "It's silly…actually very childish."

Sesshomaru nodded and gazed at her intently. It made her uncomfortable and she started shifting in her seat.

"Ok…"she cleared her throat. "I can't tell you about it, it's exclusive. If I told you, I'd have to kill you and I don't want to do that cause then I'd be alone in this modeling crap."

He continued to sip his water. A big husky man from the corner of the bar peered at them for some time now but he ignored it. A few guys joined the husky fellow and then they all looked at them. He looked at the guy behind the bar that had served them the pizza walk over to the husky guy and whisper something to his ear.

"Oy!" yelled the husky fellow at the end of the bar. "Oy! I'm talking to the both of you." he shouted in a heavy coated Scottish accent.

Sesshomaru sighed and looked at him.

"You don't be them modeling folks called the lovers, are ya?" he grunted as he downed a shot. He banged the shot glass on the bar and the bartender poured him another.

Sesshomaru ignored the guy and continued to talk with Kagome.

"Oh, I think they are. Hey, lad!" he shouted toward the bartender as he got up and walked toward their table. "Bring a round for them and meself."

Sesshomaru stood up defensively, his fists tight.

"Calm down, Lad. I mean no harm," the man raised his hands. "Please have drinks on me. I think it's a great thing you're doin'."

"What are we doing?" Kagome cocked a brow as she chewed looking between Sesshomaru and the big guy.

"It's not about the modeling thing, for everyone. Models are everywhere. It's about the fact who you both are."

"Who are we?" she continued to ask and gestured for Sesshomaru to sit down. When he did, the bartender brought over a large bottle of Tequila and three shot glasses. "Uh…I hope those are all for you."

"The human and the demon, you know how rare that is?" he said as he poured the tequila into the shot glasses.

"It's not a big deal." Kagome scoffed and looked at Sesshomaru who leered at the guy suspiciously.

"It is, my dear. Today, it is still looked down upon. Let me tell you a sad love story."

"Only if you can help me finish this pizza." She said and looked at Sesshomaru. She leaned next to the big guy and whispered. "He's anorexic."

"I'd love to. How nice, dear. I am famished." He grabbed a slice. "I once was in love with this beauty, you see. She was a demon. She had long red hair and fair skin. Her eyes were emerald green and she belonged to this clan, you see. Anyway, I didn't think this beautiful maiden would ever love a lump like me but she did. It was love at first sight I tell you; we were teenagers at the time. We couldn't get enough of each other…after we reached about eighteen; she was forced to mate a male from her clan. I tried to stop it but my parents at the time were against it as well. Our parents kept us from seeing each other… By the time it was time for her to wed; she ended her life. She left a note and a loyal servant of hers was able to give it to me and I keep it in me pocket always." He sniffed as he pulled out a corroded piece of paper. "They can't separate us in death."

Kagome sniffed as she sipped her soda. "That's terrible!"

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and pulled out his lighter. He cursed under his breath when he remembered he didn't have cigarettes for the millionth time.

"Me name's Scotty." He said as he put his hand out.

Kagome shook his hand. "Scotty the Scottish man, I'm Kagome. That's Sesshomaru."

Scotty turned to shake Sesshomaru's hand but he didn't acknowledge it, just flicked his lighter on and off.

"He isn't nice, is he?" he muttered.

"He doesn't do well with strangers." Kagome patted his back.

Scotty pulled out a pack of cigarettes and pushed it toward Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru looked at the pack and at him. "Thanks…"he said as he grabbed the pack of cigarettes and pulled one out. He lit it and inhaled while Scotty continued on.

"Come on, you guys are me idols. Have a drink with an old fellow." He raised his shot glass.

Kagome grabbed her shot glass and smiled. They both looked at Sesshomaru.

He looked at his shot glass and shook his head.

"I have to drive." He said.

"We can take a cab."

"and leave my car?" he exhaled a gust of smoke to the side.

"It isn't your car." Kagome insisted looking at the shot glass.

"Good heavens, you stole a car?" Scotty pulled out a cigar and lit it. He looked over to his friends and called them over

."It's alright, Lads, you can come, they won't bite!"

"No, it's rented." Kagome rolled her eyes and frowned at Sesshomaru to pick up his glass.

A group of guys walked over with their girlfriends. They were all from Scotland. They traveled along with Scotty for a Bar tour. People all over the world traveled for this bar tour, visiting small pubs and getting wasted at each one. There were about fifty bars they had to hit up in a week. During this time, the drinks were very cheap.

They all asked questions in between every shot poured.

Everyone sat at their booth and Kagome was crushed between Sesshomaru and Scotty's friend Patrick who barely was coherent. He reeked of alcohol and his eyes rolled back constantly swaying over Kagome and his girlfriend next to him.

"So, love. How did the two of you meet?" said one lady with red curly hair. Kagome forgot her name at introduction and just named her curly red.

Kagome smirked at Sesshomaru and put her arm around him.

"It was love at first sight, I tell you! Honey, why don't you tell them?"

"You're a better storyteller," Sesshomaru shot a half grin as he leaned against the wall making room for her.

"No, darling, I insist." Kagome hiccupped. "You remember it better than I do."

Sesshomaru frowned and looked at everyone staring at him.

"Come, love. Are you going to tell us or not? Don't leave us in the dark, eh?" said curly red.

Sesshomaru didn't utter a word and Kagome groaned. Crap, now she had to make something up.

"I was swimming in the beach and it was very hot, I got caught in seaweed and started to drown. I thought I was a goner but then this angelic looking creature ran into the water and swam so fast toward me. By this time, I was deep in the water, no way of getting back up….I was down to my last breath and then, I thought I saw sunlight, but I was looking into his eyes when he pulled me back to surface and...we've been inseparable ever since."

Curly red gushed. "Wow, how romantic."

Kagome looked at Sesshomaru and winked.

"Interesting fantasy…"he leaned in and Kagome frowned.

"You wish."

By the fifth shot, Kagome was seeing double. She used to have high tolerance but perhaps it was the lack of nutrition or the fact she hasn't drank the hard stuff in a while.

Sesshomaru had actually joined in with the shots after one of the guys made a bet to drink him under the table. Kagome stopped at number seven. Ten shots after, the guy that bet Sesshomaru was sleeping like a baby on Scotty's shoulder. Kagome liked them so much. They were so funny and seemed so close as if they were family. She enjoyed it so much, she didn't want to leave.

Sesshomaru looked at his watch and blinked a few times.

"We need to leave." He said.

Scotty cackled as he put his arm around Kagome. "He's seriously not drunk? I don't get it; he should be dead by now."

Kagome snorted a laugh. "He's not human that's why….he's a..de-martian.."

Scotty cackled along and pushed his friend off his shoulder. "Get off, you lassy. You are embarrassing, how are you going to fall down like that?" he shouted but his friend wasn't respondent. He just swayed left to right before falling to the ground.

Sesshomaru stood up and stumbled over the guy on the floor. He balanced himself and stood up straight as he composed himself.

Scotty looked at him. "Ah, looks like it's going to hit you soon. You cannot escape Tequila's wrath."

"That's right…"Kagome giggled as she stood up. "One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor!" she stumbled but Sesshomaru caught her.

"Bye everyone, I had so much fun but we have to go…we have a curfew!" she said and grabbed Sesshomaru's arm. He held her as they walked and he felt himself staggering.

"Bye!" They all shouted.

"Hope you have a wonderful life together!" said curly red. "Oh, Patrick, ain't those two lovely together?" she said to her passed out boyfriend on the floor.

"Bye now, You show them all that Demons and Humans can love one another and take good care of her, Lad, she's definitely a keeper." Scotty shouted out.

This was not good, he thought. He had no intention to get drunk. He never got drunk. Perhaps because he never drank so much before to really know his tolerance. He was sure twenty shots of tequila would do its justice. He hailed a cab. A cab stopped in front of them and they stumbled in.

Getting into the car was certainly easier than getting out. He looked at his watch and sighed as he held his head. He felt dizzy but he needed to get it together. It was bad enough Kagome was all over the cab, couldn't stay still and couldn't stop talking. He didn't need to be added to that equation.

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They arrived at the hotel because going back to the party was out of the question. Kagome by this time, was non- respondent. He carried her bridal style and walked toward their room. He opened the door and Marla and Marques stood there with their arms crossed.

"Where were you?" she shouted.

He grimaced. Kagome didn't wake up. Her head hanged off his arms, passed out.

"Do you have any idea how worried we were? You know how many people out there would get their hands on you both for ransom money? You didn't even have your bodyguards!"

"I don't need bodyguards…"he swayed back and balanced himself. He brought Kagome to the bed and lay her down.

"Are you drunk?" Marla walked over to him. She saw his eyes glazed before he walked away from her. She looked down at Kagome who was barefooted, wore an ugly green sweater over her dress and red stains on her face, like spaghetti sauce.

"She was eating?" she growled.

"Perhaps we should talk to them tomorrow…" Marques said leaving the room.

"I swear, you two are so close to being fired!" Marla harrumphed as she threw her hands in the air. " Come on, let's get her cleaned up."

"Sota…" Kagome mumbled. Marques and Sesshomaru looked at her. "Can you tell mom to shut up…"she yawned and turned over.

Marla rolled her eyes as she walked over to the closet to find clean clothes. They stripped her of the dress while Sesshomaru was in the bathroom. He came out with a wet warm rag and sat beside Kagome. He started to wipe her face and she moaned as she turned over. Marla and Marques had left already. He disposed the rag and went back to bed to lie down. The bed was huge but Kagome managed to sprawl out to cover the entire thing. He moved her to her side of the bed and lay down. He turned off the lamp and took a deep breath and felt it heavy against his chest. His body was becoming dead weight as the Tequila took its effect. He rested his arms behind his head and gazed through the darkness of the room. Today was a blur. Everything that happened was too much to take in.

He couldn't rest well. He anticipated what was to come tomorrow. Another episode of what happened today in the Jacuzzi? What would the photographer make them do next? Benito didn't really like Sesshomaru, so would he be spiteful and make them do worse things than they did earlier today. His entire thoughts recoiled and he analyzed it. Why did he react the way he did when their lips touched? He couldn't distinguish the feeling he had. It was a ravenous one. Was it lust or was it something else? When he wrapped his arms around Kagome today, he liked the way it felt and that angered him. Was he just like his dad, a human lover? No, it just couldn't be.

Kagome turned over and put her leg and arm over his body. He lay there, stiff not knowing how to react. He grabbed her arm to push it away softly but she didn't budge. He sighed and just closed his eyes. The smell of her hair infiltrated his nose and he turned his head away. He felt aroused and tried to inch away from her. Every time he moved away, she moved closer. She rested her head against his chest and breathed heavily and he looked down at her face. He could see her peaceful face through the dark and a few strands of her hair covered it. He pulled the strands back and she whimpered.

She turned around from him and went to her side of the bed and he exhaled. He felt his hands shake a little but he had more control over it now. He tried to fight the heaviness of his lids but he succumbed to sleep in seconds.

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Kagome opened her eyes. She looked at the clock beside their bed. Three hours passed since midnight. They were back in the room but she didn't remember how they got there. She frowned feeling something different about what she lay on. She saw her arms around Sesshomaru's chest and her leg over his legs. She opened her eyes wide and quickly turned away. She looked back to see Sesshomaru still sleeping and looked around confused. She tried to remember what happened but only remembered clips of the night. She remembered the bar, the drinks and before that but after that was a blur. Wait, they didn't…she looked at her clothes. It was different than what she remembered wearing. She frowned trying hard to remember anything. She couldn't shake off liking the way his touch felt. She couldn't tell if it was just a guy's hands that were unfamiliar to her that she craved it or was it that she liked Sesshomaru's hands around her and if she liked his arms around her, did that mean she liked him? She tried to shake that thought out of her mind but now, she couldn't stop thinking about it.

Kagome turned around and stared at him as he breathed deeply. She was so confused. Not about their relationship but how she was starting to feel. She enjoyed his company a lot. More than she should, she thought. She anticipated any type of touch from him, be it a nudge, a brush of his shoulder against hers. She couldn't stop thinking about when he had his arms around her, she felt like she belonged in those arms; she felt safe. How could she feel this way, especially about a demon? After all she had gone through because of one. Her family no longer spoke to her, she couldn't see her brother, and she was homeless for close to a month before she found a job to support herself. She could tell she was developing some sort of crush on him but how could it be? It angered her more that she felt this way because even if she were bold enough to make a move, it wouldn't be returned. They both shared that mutual feeling about each other's…race, species? Whatever, she thought. It was probably just because they were spending so much time together. She put too much thought into it. They were friends and she didn't want to ruin that because of misunderstood feelings.

She turned around to face him and a little light shone through their window to illuminate the room. She watched him sleep so soundly, he barely made any noise with his light breathing. She wished she hadn't moved from him in the first place but she couldn't go back purposely. That would be weird. If it was by accident, at least it'd be excusable. She felt light-headed and her thoughts were no longer strong enough to keep her awake. She passed out right away.

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"Lady Saya, we came as soon as we could." A woman said as she sat down. Shurran next to her, bowed and sat as well.

"I take it you heard the dreadful news!" she spat and drew a deep breath and looked at Shurran. "What is so hard, were you not seducible?"

"I tried!" Shurran cried and looked at her mother. "She kept getting in the way. I'm sure she's bewitched him somehow."

"Kyoha, it was a simple task and your daughter failed to deliver." Saya glared bitterly at the both. "My son is in Europe, engaged in this foolish modeling project with a human!" she growled getting stares from around the room. She cleared her throat and composed herself.

"My lady, Lord Sesshomaru would never succumb to the weakness his father has portrayed. He isn't like him; I fear you worry for nothing." Kyoha rested her hand on Saya's arm.

Saya scowled around the room and looked at the both of them.

"The abomination, he's neglected to return any of my calls. I sent the Watchers to find out anything but he found them and ordered them back. Do you know what his message was? To stand out of his affairs! What affair could he possibly be having?"

Shurran scoffed and folded her hands on her lap. "I told him about us and he brushed it off."

"Because you weren't convincing enough." Saya scolded. "You were supposed to seduce him and have him wrapped around your finger."

"Easier said than done!" Shurran orated.

"It seems easy for the human. After all, he's followed her to Italy." Saya clenched her jaw.

Kyoha cleared her throat. "My Lady, he will come to. This is just a project, their relationship isn't real. It is a publicity stunt."

"Let's hope so." She puffed in anger.

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Marla stormed into the room and slammed the door. Sesshomaru was already awake, sitting on the bed, holding his head. She looked around the room for Kagome and sighed when she heard the sound of retching from the bathroom.

"I cannot believe you both! You're killing me!" she held her PDA in one hand and shook her other. She looked at her PDA and started reading aloud. "Lovers bailed on the fashion show. Why? The line itself was great but not enough to hold the attention of the lovers. Where were they? Pictures from different sources show they were around the heart of Italy walking around the Vatican and hanging at local Pizza joints." Marla looked up and threw her hands in the air. "The Vatican? You know you're not allowed there, right?"

Sesshomaru didn't respond as he clutched his head, wincing at each throbbing attack.

Kagome stumbled out of the bathroom holding a towel over her face to block the light. Her eyes looked at them, slightly opened as she held her stomach.

"I'm never drinking again…"she said as she tumbled over a small sofa by the door.

"This type of behavior will not be tolerated! I expected better from you, Sesshomaru!"

Sesshomaru grimaced as he pulled a cigarette from a pack on the nightstand. It was a European brand and he didn't remember where he had gotten it from. He lit it and lay back down.

"and you," she looked at Kagome. "Eating pizza? You have any idea how fattening that is? You cannot afford to gain any weight, these dresses are fitted for the figure you have now!"

"Ugh, get off my back. I threw it up anyway!" Kagome covered the towel over her face. "Stop yelling!"

"You two will have a hectic schedule today so you better be dressed by the time I come back, you hear?" she shook her finger at them and frowned when she didn't get a response from them. She reached for the towel over Kagome's face and pulled it to see her sleeping under it.

Marla scoffed and rolled her eyes as she walked over to Sesshomaru who had fallen asleep with the cigarette between his lips.

"Unbelievable!"She growled as she pulled the cigarette out of his lips and put it out on an ashtray and bolted out the door.

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Sesshomaru opened his eyes and looked at his blackberry on the nightstand, saw the flashing light, and sighed knowing the voicemails were all from his mother. He put off answering or even listening to the voicemails for too long. His voicemail was probably full by now. He reached his hand out and grabbed the mobile and pressed a button to hear his messages. First message:

"Sesshomaru, darling, it's your mother. I've been trying to contact you for about a week now and still haven't heard from you. I'll only be in town for another week, so let's sit down at lunch soon. There is someone I want you to meet."

He sighed as he erased that message. Next message:

"Good Evening, Sesshomaru. It is I, your mother, again. You have not returned my calls. I hope it to be a technical problem for your sake. You are trying my patience, child, and you, out of everyone, should know not to do that. Call me at once."

The next twenty were the same message but with a different tone. By the time he reached the last message, the voice had almost startled him. It was so low and demonic; he couldn't believe it was his mother.

"You ungrateful dog, how dare you deceive me! I have never been so humiliated in my life! You are just like your pathetic father, that human lover with his half-breed son! I knew you should have come lived with me when the divorce was final! I expect to hear from you immediately! I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that this is only a publicity stunt but if not, so help me, Sesshomaru, if I find out you have any type of tryst with that insignificant low-level filthy vermin..."

He stopped listening and erased the message. He set his phone back down on the stand and rubbed his face. He looked over to Kagome sprawled out on the couch.

"Who was that yelling on the phone?" she yawned.

"You heard?" his voice was soft, almost ashamed of his mother's outburst but showed no sign that he was. That emotion quickly changed into annoyance and anger. He had a few more voicemails to listen to but couldn't erase all of them without listening to it. Some could have been from business. He would have to listen to the rest of the messages later.

"Kind of…"she groaned as she turned around. "My senses are heightened; I can hear a needle dropping that's how bad it is…" She yawned once more and looked at the clock by the dresser. "Oh my god, it's noon. Marla's going to be pissed."

As if on cue, Marla walked in humming and regarded them proudly. She placed on her glasses as she looked down at her book and her eyes darted left to right as she read. She skimmed quickly through it and glanced back up.

"You're in a good mood, aren't you mad at us?" Kagome said.

"Not anymore…I'm in a better mood after reading the latest news…" she shrugged her shoulders and smirked.

"And what's the latest news?" Kagome sat up from the couch and stretched.

"There were pictures of you both together last night."

"So?"

"Every picture, you both were in each other's arms. You listened to me, for once and you see? It's been noticed. So, we'll forget about yesterday and I will give you both the benefit of the doubt and cut you some slack. We are running late since the both of you fell back asleep so the schedule will be light today. First, you will have a light lunch with Marcela Potencci and Armando De Cunha then head to the shoot. Marcela and Armando will be in the shoot with you both so let's be adults here and get along…" she looked at Kagome who scoffed. "After all of that, you will meet with Director Paolo Caravello for the commercial of your new perfume line."

"We have a perfume line?" Kagome cocked a brow. Sesshomaru looked at her skeptically and grinned on one side at her messy hair. It wasn't a complete mess, just a few strands out of place.

"Yes. It's called 'Affair'."

"Why is it called 'Affair'?" Kagome asked.

Marla held her breath and smiled. "That's what it is called.

"Seems very betraying for this lover's project, don't you think?" Kagome retorted as she stood up from the couch. She noticed Sesshomaru staring at her and her brow twitched when she noticed he was staring at her hair. She combed through her hair with her fingers and patted it down. "We are supposed to be the beau ideal of true love…"Kagome mocked. "'Affair' doesn't seem to cut it. How about…'Destiny' or 'Fate' or 'Lover's passion'…"

Marla stared at her stupidly and looked at Sesshomaru who surprisingly nodded in agreement with Kagome. It was true; if they were fighting so hard to look genuine about their relationship, why use a degrading and misleading appellation like that.

"Get dressed, Higurashi." She spat as she walked away.

"Excellent…"Sesshomaru muttered. "There goes our light schedule."

"What?" Kagome protested. "Come on, that name was just downright ridiculous. It is so demeaning in what we supposedly stand for."

"Now you choose to be righteous…" he exhaled as he got up from bed and went to get dressed. He grabbed a towel and headed toward the bathroom.

"Ugh…and we have to have lunch with Marcela Potencci." Kagome groaned to herself. Clearly that girl didn't like her and then she'd have to watch her flirt with Sesshomaru for about an hour.

Sesshomaru came back into the room with the towel around his waist and looked around for the suit he was supposed to wear. Kagome couldn't resist looking away as he searched the closet. He had an immaculate toned body. It was tough for anyone to not stare.

Marques walked in holding two hangers with outfits hanging from it; his designs. He handed the apparel to Sesshomaru and Kagome.

"Please be careful with these, they are delicate." He gloated as if he had something hiding. He stopped and looked at Sesshomaru and stared at his abs. His eyes locked with it and Kagome didn't want to even think what was on his mind right now. Sesshomaru felt Marques's eyes on him and shot a scowl. Marques cleared his throat and walked out of the room.

He observed the fabric and was slightly content with it enough to wear it. The style of it was more French than Italian so he assumed it was Marques's. He looked up at Kagome who was gawking at him and she gasped to herself realizing she was.

"Uh..hurry up with the shower, will you? I have to take one too, you know." She scoffed and turned her head and walked over to the dresser.

He looked at her before walking away, glancing over his shoulder at her odd behavior.

In the shower, Sesshomaru reasoned through his thoughts of the past few days. So far, his body hadn't acted up since the Jacuzzi. He could sleep next to her without feeling his body spasm at her scent so it probably was just a momentary reaction. To what, though? Perhaps it had to do with their proximity? But what would that entail? He was more than close with Shurran that day she kissed him and felt nothing. He felt like a child not having the answers to this phenomenon. It wasn't like him to not know something. He was very aware of his surroundings and usually knew what to do in every situation thrown at him. He never let anything or anyone for that matter back him into a corner, helpless. The day the Press questioned them, he could see the press trying to antagonize them. Unfortunately, they had Kagome hyperventilating in stutters. Any more questions and she would have cracked. He had to make sure that didn't happen.

The longer they could do this, the longer he had to stall this preposterous notion that'd he mate Shurran. What was in his mother's right mind to think she could do something like this? He came to when he heard Kagome snarling out the door. Whatever it was that was going on with him, he was going to find out.

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Kagome and Sesshomaru held hands as they got out of the limo. Marla and Marques walked behind in a discussion. They followed a man, who seemed to be the owner of the restaurant they were about to eat at. He was short, bald and thin but he had a belly. He occasionally looked back to see if they were still following and would laugh nervously when they looked at him confoundedly.

"Right this way, Señora and Señor, we have you in the best seat in the house." He said between his nervous laughs.

It was barely noon, but the restaurant was busy for lunch. He led them toward the back to a patio. A few people occupied it, they seemed of high stature. Although Kagome was rolling in the money now, she realized, she still felt like she didn't belong. She felt her jaw tighten when Marcela came into view. She was sitting next to Armando, both entangled in a private conversation. They looked up at them and she could see Marcela glow at the sight of Sesshomaru and she suddenly felt a stab of jealousy.

At the table, Sesshomaru pulled out Kagome's chair and then sat himself nodding at Armando and Marcela. Kagome avoided the pleasantries and didn't look at them. She didn't care if she came off as a snob, she didn't like these two. Besides, she had a headache so bad, she was getting angry at any little thing. Her shoe had gotten caught in unleveled cobblestone and she wanted to take off her heels and chuck it at a wall.

"Kagome, you look wonderful." Armando said.

Everyone looked at him in shock, including Marcela. Judging by her look, Kagome could see that she was surprised by the comment herself, so she bowed her head and thanked him. He grinned at her and looked at Sesshomaru who was already staring at him.

"You have a great looking girl." He said and his grin faded.

Sesshomaru focused intently at him, impassively but his mouth clenched. He never jumped to conclusions but he felt that the human was trying to taunt him. "Yes." He said and kept his eyes locked on him until he made him feel uncomfortable enough to look away.

Everyone around their table sat around watching them, as if they were their audience. It was even quiet enough in the restaurant that it seemed that the sole purpose for this silence was to hear their every word.

Kagome glanced around suspiciously and looked back at Sesshomaru, who wasn't paying mind. She looked at Marcela who was just staring at him with this smile of a hidden agenda. This look was angering her and she so badly wanted to bash her head against the table. Where was this coming from? Kagome flinched at the violent thought.

"So, Kagome," Marcela said, looking at Sesshomaru a little longer before looking towards her. "Isn't it great to be working together?"

"Fantastic." Kagome forced the biggest smile she could muster. "I mean, I'm so thrilled."

"I'm sure." Marcela forced a big smile as well.

Armando leaned back into his seat and kept his eyes on Kagome the whole time. He didn't even try to do it inconspicuously. This was bothering Sesshomaru and his body was reacting to this as well. He hid his hand under the table, it was shaking uncontrollably.

The waiter walked up to them and bowed.

"A pleasure to be serving you all this afternoon, before we start, the specials for-"

Marcela waved her hand and scoffed. "A glass of Pellegrino."

Armando nodded. "The same."

The waiter seemed like he was stuck between his words as they cut him off, like he forgot what he was going to say trying to remember their orders.

Kagome scowled at them before looking up at the waiter, he was waiting for her to tell him her order.

"Actually, I would like to hear the specials." she smiled.

The waiter looked perplexed for a moment but started listing the specials.

"My favorite is the Salmon Portofino." He smiled.

"Did we ask for his favorite?" Marcela sneered and Armando laughed.

The waiter's smile faded but he tried to keep it as long as he could.

"I will have that then." Kagome said loudly.

Sesshomaru glared at her, knowing she didn't like them. Truth be told, he didn't either but this was business. He told the waiter his order and they all looked at each other. Marla and Marques sat at another table with two other people. They must have been with Versace.

Marcela excused herself from the table and went to the bathroom. When she came back, she told Armando to move and she sat in his seat, which was next to Sesshomaru. The waiter brought them their drinks along with breadsticks.

"No, we don't eat this." Marcela grabbed the plate of bread and handed it to him.

"I'll eat it." Kagome grabbed it from his hands and Marcela stared at her disgustedly.

As Kagome was about to take a bite from the juicy, buttery garlic bread, Marla came out of nowhere and snatched it from her hands like a vulture.

"Oh, no you don't." she scolded. "Bread, my dear, is very fattening." She walked away and brought the bread with her to her table.

Kagome pouted and ignored the snickers from Marcela and Armando.

"So…we missed you guys last night. I guess the party was boring that you had to leave so soon?" Marcela pouted and glared salaciously at Sesshomaru.

"We needed a night out." Kagome said. "After all, it's been a while since we've been so busy." She winked at her.

Marcela let out a dry laugh. "Hmm, the two of you seem so different from each other, how does that work?"

"Opposites attract." Sesshomaru answered and Kagome smiled and nodded.

"Really?" Marcela retorted doubtfully. "What was the element of your attraction?"

Sesshomaru sipped his wine and tilted his head. "That is personal."

"I like personal." She licked her lips.

"So do I." he said with his infamous half-grin.

Kagome glanced between the both of them and rolled her eyes. He was feeding onto her flirtatious ways.

"Your hands look so soft…"she rested her hand on his and rubbed his palm.

Kagome tried to contain her anger as she sipped her water. She took a deep breath and forced a smile.

Sesshomaru retracted his hand to his side and cleared his throat. He looked at Kagome who scowled at him and he shrugged.

"so, are you both devoted to only each other or do you have an open relationship?"

Kagome's mouth dropped and she wanted to lunge across the table and strangle her.

Sesshomaru was about to reply but Kagome beat him to it.

"An open relationship is so juvenile and considered a flaw of a person who doesn't know what they want." Kagome spat.

"It was an innocent question. You see, I don't know anyone in the industry in a committed relationship. Everyone is too beautiful to resist. I mean, how can you deprive yourself? Sweet is sweet but each candy tastes different." She batted her lashes.

"Too much sweet is bad for the teeth." She said. She had enough of the figurative speech and wanted to shout 'Look bitch, hands off!'

Marcela frowned playfully and sipped her overly expensive- for -no -reason water and whispered into Armando's ear.

"You have an interesting history, "she said to Sesshomaru "… very successful. You did everything at a young age. I heard that you spent all of the money your father entrusted to you when you were barely a teenager. You invested in stocks and gold and made more money than your father has right now."

He shrugged and sipped his wine.

Kagome looked at him, stunned but he just brushed it off like it was nothing. Why didn't she know that? It didn't occur to her to Google him but she should have known that. They've been friends for a few months now and she realized she didn't know much about him. This hurt her to hear Marcela go on about his history like she knew everything about him.

"You also turned down every modeling agency, designer and director for years. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Boredom..." He answered flatly and Kagome bowed her head at that answer. So there wasn't really much of a reason behind him wanting to model and come to Italy.

Marcela laughed and smacked his shoulder lightly. "Oh you are so modest."

"Yeah right..." Kagome mumbled under her breath.

Sesshomaru heard this and looked at Kagome. She looked uninterested in the conversation. She was toying with her fork and looking down at the table cloth. He was about to say something to her but Armando beat him to it.

Armando leaned closer to Kagome and started whispering in her ear.

"Since they are engaged in a conversation we don't have any interest in, how about we make one as well?"

Kagome smirked. She didn't like him but she was bored and didn't want to hear Marcela praise Sesshomaru and him being modest or answering her questions so easily. Every time she had asked him questions, it was like pulling teeth to get an answer.

Sesshomaru tried to ignore how close Armando was hovering over Kagome's shoulder. He held his chin with his thumb and rested his index by his eye as he listened to Marcela go on. He heard Kagome laugh a few times and he no longer heard Marcela. He was trying to hear what Kagome and Armando were talking about.

He overheard Armando talking to her about how lucky Sesshomaru was to have her, and how pretty she was. Was her relationship with him a serious one? Did she ever cheat on him, would she? Kagome's voice wasn't so audible so he barely made out the answers. She didn't like him, why was she talking to him? He then felt a hand on his knee and he looked toward Marcela calmly and then at his leg. She tried to play it off like she was staring at the drink menu but her hand was roaming freely up his thigh. He jerked his leg away and scowled at her but she didn't get the hint.

He slid his chair over close to Kagome and she looked toward him.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing…"he answered and looked toward the bathroom. "Excuse me." He left the table. Kagome looked at Marcela who smirked at her.

Armando kept asking Kagome questions and she answered them shortly. Her attention was distracted when Marcela left the table. Where was she going? Where had Sesshomaru gone? She then envisioned Marcela and Sesshomaru forming some telepathic message to meet in the bathroom or somewhere private. She tried to pay attention to Armando but the rising jealousy and anger made her shift in her seat uncontrollably.

She blinked a few times and nodded at him not really taking in what he was saying. She glanced around looking for Sesshomaru but he still hadn't come back.

'What is wrong with me?' She asked herself.

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Sesshomaru started reading his emails on his blackberry to have an excuse to leave the table. What was this woman's deal? She had some nerve but he couldn't make a scene so he had to escape. He entered a waiting room that was quiet and walked toward the end of the hall and leaned against the wall. He had to think for a moment and clear his thoughts. He got a text and looked at his phone. It was from Inuyasha.

'Your mother is so pissed. She and Dad are at each other's throats. How's everything over there? Don't seduce my woman. Don't forget, I saw her first. –Inuyasha'

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and looked up to see Marcela against the wall.

"Is there a problem?" He asked uncouthly.

"no…"she smirked and played with her hair. "Thought I'd come and give you company."

"I don't need any."

"It doesn't look that way to me." She said as she walked over to him. He had no way of backing up and she blocked the only exit of the room.

"I've no idea what you're on about." He said and started to text Inuyasha back. 'Perfect'.

"What's the matter, do you not find me attractive?" she pouted

"I should get back." He said putting his blackberry back in his pocket.

"So soon?" she placed her arms around his neck and leaned into his chest and breathed against his ear.

"Yes…"he avoided looking at her and removed her arms from his neck.

"You don't fool anyone, you know." She scowled. "I know you guys aren't together."

"Despite what you believe, we are." He said and placed his hands in his pockets and walked away.

He sighed and lowered his head as he walked back to the dining room. His breath caught in his throat when he saw Armando playing with Kagome's hair. They were both laughing in a deep conversation that they hadn't noticed him coming toward them. He clenched his jaw as he made his way to the table and sat down. He exchanged looks with Kagome and she looked away bitterly. Marcela came back to the table and sat down. They all started eating quietly. Kagome looked to the side at Sesshomaru who was not eating, just forking his food around. She noticed a long blonde hair on his suit and her gaze fired toward Marcela.

She tried to ignore it and looked away but something shiny from underneath the table caught her attention. It was the ring Marcela wore. It was a flashy canary diamond covered in pink sapphire stones. She stared with her mouth agape as she watched Marcela rub her hand on his thigh. She looked away toward Armando and started asking him random questions to help her take her mind off of it.

Sesshomaru jerked his knee away and scowled at her as he slid his chair closer to Kagome. He put his arm around Kagome's chair and she looked back perplexedly. They all sat in silence for the remaining of lunch.

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After lunch, they all left in their separate limos toward the photo shoot. Kagome looked out her window, letting the breeze hit her face. Sesshomaru smoked out of his window. Marla and Marques looked at them and exchanged glances. Even though they were at their own window, they had the same look on their faces; anger.

Kagome looked over her shoulder at him and scoffed.

"If you're going to be groping under the table, at least have the respect to not do it when I'm at the same table!" she spat.

He glowered at her and exhaled his smoke.

"Perhaps you too, could keep the palavers to a minimum."

"I wasn't flirting!" she protested.

"I wasn't groping." He stated.

"Right, you just like to be groped." She scoffed.

"If you witnessed this fondling-"

"Oh, now you were fondled!" she mocked.

"You'd have seen me push away." He finished.

"Sure you did." She muttered, with her arms crossed. "Maybe you had enough when you met somewhere else to fulfill your needs."

"What are you talking about?" he glared at her.

She smirked as she leaned closer to him to pull off the long blonde hair that was attached to his suit.

He looked at the string of hair in confusion and looked at her. He looked away and sighed as he continued to smoke his cigarette.

Marques and Marla stared at the strand of hair and looked at each other with eyes wide. Drama!

"Oh, now you have nothing to say." She chuckled in amusement.

"You're insane to think anything happened."

"No…of course not" she gasped. "Her hair was randomly floating in the air and attached itself to your suit."

He took a drag of his cigarette. "You think what you want. It isn't like you're innocent here."

"and what did I do?"

"You seemed pretty in depth in a conversation with someone you don't like." He flicked his cigarette away.

"…because someone wasn't talking to me!"

"You weren't talking either." He muttered flatly.

"Well, you were certainly talking with Marcela." she growled.

"Pay close attention, I wasn't the one asking the questions."

"Whatever." Kagome closed her window.

"Don't talk to me right now." He said raising his hand as he tried to light another cigarette. He couldn't believe he had just partaken in that foolish disceptation. What was wrong with her?

"No!" she orated. "You don't talk to me!" she opened her window, making it hard for him to light his cigarette.

Marla and Marques didn't say a word and just watched as the two disputed. They looked at each other and prayed this was all going to be mended by the time they reached their destination. Marques wanted to speak out but Marla reached her hand out and stopped him.

"Leave them alone…"she whispered. "They'll settle out their differences."

Marques brooded over them and looked back down at his magazine.

Marla sighed as she broke away from her tablet.

"I just got a message." She said out into the silent car. They all looked at her. "There is a column on the internet about you guys and it reads 'Scam'".

"How?" Kagome said, not looking at Sesshomaru.

Marla hesitated before she read:

"The Demon and the Angel, too good to be true? Possibly. The two lovers have showed us those steamy pictures and hot poses and of course they embrace each other intimately in public, but has anyone ever seen them kiss? Not in one picture, or at parties, or off set, have these two been seen kissing. Not even so much as a tap kiss? Makes one question, are the lovers really lovers? You show me lovers who don't kiss and I'll eat my own foot."Marla snarled at the message and looked up. "This is terrible, guys. I know you two have been working hard but…I guess you are not convincing enough."

Kagome scoffed. "Maybe you should get Marcela Potencci to lock lips with him, I'm sure that would be convincing."

Sesshomaru shot toward after lighting his cigarette. "Don't insult me."

"Oops, I'm sorry. She's human. What was I thinking?" she bit her cheek. She tried to stop, but her mouth was acting on its own accord. The more she made the remarks, the more she had sounded jealous and she was, she realized. She actually hated the fact that Marcela grabbed his leg and he had acted nonchalant about it, like it didn't bother him that her hand was on him. If Kagome even got an inch close to his body, he'd jerk away in a second.

His jaw tightened as his breaths became deep. They arrived at their destination and he got out of the car before it really came to its complete stop. He slammed the door and walked toward the building. He didn't have to wait for Marla; he knew where it was. Marcela and Armando smoking outside the door was a dead giveaway.

"Hmm, trouble in paradise, you think?" Marcela smirked at Armando as she saw Sesshomaru walking toward them. "They're not holding hands."

Armando leaned against a pillar and exhaled smoke. "He doesn't seem interested, Marcela."

"They are always interested…Armando." She puckered her lips and winked. No man she wanted ever turned her down.

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Review, Review, Review!

Edited February 2016