Deadly Beauty

~Misunderstandings~

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, but use them because they are fantastic.

Kikyo stumbled out of the bar. She couldn’t stand up straight much less walk in a straight line, but no one really cared. This was the way Kikyo conducted herself at least three times a week. She continued in a zig zag path down the sidewalk, leaving the bright sign of the Shikon Bar behind her. She didn’t have clue to where she was going, but continued to walk anyway. Kikyo watched as the world spun in her eyes.

“Damn ground,” she slurred out, “stay in one fucking place!”

Everything still swirled and made a kaleidoscope of colors. The conscious part of her head finally made her sit down on a bench. She tried to sit down but because of her state, misjudged the distance and accidentally sat down on the air next to the bench. She fell backwards and cursed. She righted herself again and then collapsed on the bench in the darkness. Suddenly she heard a pair voices near her. They laughed in the darkness and Kikyo was infuriated. Were they laughing at her drunken state? She raised her head and strained her eyes in the darkness. She was near the Higurashi Shrine and then was able to make out Kagome in front of the steps. She was in front of a car talking to the driver through the open window. She recognized the car. But couldn’t place it in her diluted mind. Then the male’s voice filled the air followed by his laughter.

‘InuYasha?!’ she questioned in her mind. ‘It must be, that’s his car. That bitch, Kagome, is trying to steal InuYasha from me. How dare she. He is mind. His family is mine. His money is mine. That bitch!! She will pay for it though.’ She laughed to herself, an evil dark laughter that would have sent shivers down anyone’s spine. ‘She will pay.’

She pulled out her cell phone and even when she was drunk knew to press the one on her speed dial for her bodyguard. She threw out the words bench, shrine, and home. Her guard got the idea and told her he would be there soon. Kikyo put the phone back into her pocket after several misses and then lay sprawled out on the bench trying to think of the perfect torture for that worm.

~**********~

The rest of the week passed pleasantly for Kagome. Both her and InuYasha began to share a bond after that night which let them conduct themselves almost like friends, joking around and teasing each other. Even the students and teachers could tell that the animosity between had lessened considerably over the past few days. For once in her life, Kagome felt everything was at a good place, despite the fact that Kikyo still walked the earth, even she left Kagome alone.

~**********~

Kagome walked into class and InuYasha bounded up from the mats to meet her. He took her stuff and put it in the back room.

“Wow, I never knew an ass could act so much like a gentleman.”

“Yes, the ways of an ass are very mysterious and could never be understood by a girl. Oh, well in that case I guess it’s okay for you,” he smiled a broad grin.

“Are you insinuating that I am a man?” Kagome asked trying to feign anger.

“Well, if the chest is flat and the feet are big, then yes,” he said while giving her the once over. Kagome reached up to hit him, but he darted onto the mats with a chuckle, out of her reach. She stormed after him once she bowed in.

“You did not just insult my boobs and feet.” InuYasha pretended to cringe.

“Such harsh and vulgar words, you are definitely not a lady,” he stated with a matter of fact voice. Before he could dodge his head, she slapped him right across his cheek. It wasn’t a hard hit but enough that a red handprint began to glow. Kagome stood back to inspect her handiwork and laughed.

“That is a nice addition to your face. You might want to think of keeping it as a permanent fixture,” she added with a giggle. InuYasha opened his mouth to respond, but Hara called everyone to class.

Mr. Hara walked to collect cards from everyone and when he reached InuYasha, he took his card and then looked at his face. He had a bewildered expression as the tiny handprint stood in an angry red. Mr. Hara shook his head.

“I don’t even want to know,” he said as he turned around to put the cards away. This of course, sent Kagome into another round of giggles as InuYasha was glowering at her reflection in the mirror.

Naturally, they partnered up for class and went through the drills together. Because they both shared the same intense love for the Studio, it seemed that they trained well together; knowing the right words for motivation if one slacked in a certain drill. They were a perfect team.

Mr. Hara watched them. He could not believe how well they went together. Individually, they were both powerful and skilled, but as a team they pushed each other to the next level, a level he had taken a few years to reach. He was astonished but would expect nothing less from his two best fighters.

After class was over, InuYasha went into the back room and got both of their things.

“Do you have anything planned right now?” he asked her as he came out.

“Nope.”

“Well in that case, I think you need to treat me out to dinner. Look at my face. It still hasn’t gone away,” he said gesturing to the print.

“You’re such a baby, but I’m hungry so I guess I will do it this once.” They walked out to his car and choose to go McDonald for something quick.

The restaurant smelled good to the pair. Kagome’s stomach rumbled and InuYasha’s responded with its own gurgling noise.

“So what does the poor hurt boy want to eat?” Kagome asked. InuYasha sat down at a booth and lay across it, playing up the part of a distraught boy.

“I do need to build up my strength,” he said in a meek voice, “so how about a double cheeseburger, large soda, large fries, large milkshake, six chicken mcnuggets, and why not throw in a quarter pounder.” She looked at him incredulously.

“Excuse me, but some of us aren’t made of money.”

“Well in that case how about a number one meal, so that the pauper can afford it?” Kagome gave him a hard look before breaking into a smile and going to the cashier.

‘Pauper huh?’ she said in her mind.

“Hello madam, what would you like to order today?” Kagome grinned.

“For me, I will have a chicken selects meal, and for my friend I would like a children’s happy meal.”

“Will that be all?”

“Yes,” Kagome said but she knew once InuYasha found out, there would be a lot more said.

She waited for her food and brought it over to their booth. She sat across from him, setting down her meal first before placing his in front of him.

“What the hell is this?” he demanded as he lifted up an apple juice with one hand and a toy with another.

“It’s your meal, compliments of the pauper,” she responded happily while taking a bite of her chicken.

“You play dirty, you know that.”

“I never said I didn’t,” she smiled back taking a sip of her soda. InuYasha laughed but got up to go buy a little more nourishment.

They ate in comfortable silence and talked when they didn’t have their mouths full. Kagome liked this type of banter she had with him. It was personal and made their connection stronger. Kagome couldn’t help but feel like she gotten to know InuYasha a little more than what he showed to others and that was attractive to her. InuYasha as a whole was attractive to her, and her feelings just kept getting stronger and stronger. InuYasha looked up to see Kagome studying him.

“What are you looking at?” Kagome blushed embarrassed that she was staring at him so closely.

“Just the handprint,” she tried to say indifferently.

“How is it?” he turned his head so she could get a better look. Before Kagome could stop herself, she pulled her hand across the table and outlined the mark she made. Her touch sent shivers down his spine. The way her hand delicately traced his cheek, and the warmth it radiated as she placed her hand on top of her mark, as if comparing sizes. She pulled back just as quickly as she reached for him.

“It should be gone within the hour.”

“Uh huh,” he said distractedly. He liked Kagome. No doubt about that. She was different from every other girl he met. She was strong and could take his teasing. There were no pretenses with her, no fawning over his words. She was Kagome and because of this he could be himself, something he hadn’t done for a long time. They finished the rest of their meal in silence, both immersed in thoughts of each other.

~The Next Day~

Kagome walked into the cafeteria and took a seat at her usual table. Sango, Shippo, along with other people at the table continued along with the usual chatter. Kagome kept up with them until InuYasha walked in with his usual popular group. She saw how easily he fit with that company, all of the rich and snobby kids.

‘Well it’s because he can act like them, the ass,’ she smiled despite the insult. He may have been an ass but she liked him. She watched as he continued to walk with the crowd and was just about to tear her eyes away from him when he waved goodbye to his group and took a seat at a small empty booth in the corner. He set his backpack down and turned his head looking directly into Kagome’s eyes. He smiled a dazzling smile, a smile he no doubt picked up from lingering with high society, and motioned to Kagome with one finger to join him.

“Kagome,” Sango whispered to her, “is InuYasha calling you over? I didn’t know you guys were that close.”

“Yeah. I’ll talk to you later,” she responded still locking eyes with InuYasha. Kagome picked up her bag and made her way over to him.

“Just couldn’t resist my charm,” he said cockily while she took a seat across from him in the booth.

“Oh please, I just didn’t want you to look like an idiot eating lunch by yourself.”

“You know, denial is not only a river in Egypt,” he flashed her another smile.

“Come up with that all by yourself now?”

“Why? Are you trying to steal my line?”

“No, I’m just trying to see who I should kill for creating something that stupid.”

“Ouch, that hurts,” he feigned as he clutched his chest.

“What are you trying to hold? I thought asses don’t have hearts.”

“I think a little clarification in order, asses have hearts they are just like black holes.”

“I believe it,” she gave a giggle. He enjoyed that sound from her. “So why did you call me over?”

“I got a little tired of that group and felt the need for intellectual conversation, but Miroku wasn’t here so I had to settle for you.”

“You are an ass,” she said in a matter of fact voice.

“So I’ve been told,” he smiled back. “Seriously, that group gets annoying fast. I needed a break.”

“The populars aren’t all they are cracked up to be?”

“Nope, and plus I enjoy your company much more,” he said genuinely.

“Thanks and once I get passed the playboy, rich exterior to the black hole you call a heart, you aren’t so bad yourself,” she returned with a smile.

“I think that is the nicest compliment I could ever expect from you.”

“You bet.”

“So tell me,” he continued, “why did you decide to come over here?”

“Hmm, I guess it’s because I like your company too.”

“Are your friends not fun enough for you today?”

“My friends are great, but sometimes it gets tiresome to listen to the same boy/girl talk and gossip. It’s nice to just talk about things other than that. They just don’t seem to realize that there is more to life outside these hallways.”

“Those are some pretty heavy words coming from someone who thinks that the ‘more to life’ is spending all her time at the Studio.”

“Shut up. You spend all your time there too. So,” she said changing the subject, “what about your friends?”

“I think the word friend is too strong. Try more like acquaintances. They follow me because I’m rich and because of my family background. They are all fake. I could do without it most of the time.”

“Then why do you still hang out with them?” she asked bluntly.

“Good question. I guess because they are there,” he said absentmindedly.

“Nice reason,” she said sarcastically. He shrugged in response.

“So what do you have on for the afternoon, Kagome?” She smiled as he said her name.

“Just class, you up for a round of sparring tonight? I don’t think I got you back enough for calling me a boy.”

“When am I not?” he chuckled. “Oh, do you need a ride home today?” She nodded.

The ride home was brief and filled with laughs and they both agreed to meet at the Studio ready to fight to the death, figuratively of course.

~At the Studio~

With sparring gear on, the students lined up at the center of the Studio. Mr. Hara walked up and down the rows inspecting the partners. He reached InuYasha and Kagome.

“Takahashi and Higurashi partnered up willingly. Now there’s a change.”

“Let’s just say we have a score to settle, Sir,” Kagome said.

“Well who am I to stand in the way of a score. Partners ready. Light contact sparring, we want to still have everybody be able to walk by the end of class.” He directed that last comment towards the two who didn’t notice. Both of them had a look of joy on their face, ready to fight. “Bow! Ready and…”

“I will show you how much of a boy I am tonight. Prepare to get your ass whooped.” Kagome whispered menacingly.

“I can tell how much of a boy you are just by looking at you,” he smirked.

“Fight!” Mr. Hara yelled.

Kagome quickly delivered a round kick to his head. He blocked it with ease and countered with a punch to the stomach. She got the breath knocked out of her and she saw a quick look of worry pass through his face and he backed up giving her room.

“Wrong move,” she told him while side kicking him in the side. He doubled over with the shock of the kick and she took the opportunity to hit him in the head with a knife hand.

“Sneaky bitch,” he growled out. She pretended to do a small quick curtsey.

“Why thank you.” He laughed; he couldn’t help it. They both took up a fighting stance again. He did a run jump towards her delivering three round kicks up the middle of her body. She got hit by the first one but blocked the last two. She returned with a back kick to his body, but he captured her leg under one arm and then round kicked her body. He dropped her leg and went for two punches to the chest. She lost her balance when he let go of her foot. She saw his cocky smile and it sent her over the edge. She sent a furry of punches to his body, going close to him so he could not return any hits and then rechambered and delivered a deadly sidekick to his side that was sure to leave a bruise. He was out of breath by the time she finished, the cocky smile wiped from his face.

Sweat dripped slowly down the side of his face. He composed himself and returned to a fighting stance. She gave him a sweet smile. He tried to charge her, but Hara called for the partners to stop. He told the pairs to shake hands and congratulate each other.

“Not bad,” InuYasha said rubbing his side.

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” Kagome responded with another smile.

They took off their gear and continued with drills for the rest of the class. InuYasha invited her to get something to eat before offering to take her home. As Kagome was stepping out of the car, once they reached the shrine, he decided to go for the kill.

“Kagome, are you doing anything this weekend?”

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“How would you like to go with me to Disneyland? I have two tickets for this weekend and I thought you might like to come.”

“Wow really? Sure. I’d love to come. I’ll have to ask to make sure and I will call you when I find out. What is your number?” They exchanged digits and he drove away very proud that he asked her. Kagome almost squealed. She loved Disneyland. She loved everything Disney, but couldn’t go up to the Magical Kingdom often because of her family’s budget. And it was even better that InuYasha could go with her. She ran up the steps into her house, to go straight to her mother to ask permission.

~**********~

Kagome received permission from her mom and called up InuYasha. He told her he would pick her up early Saturday morning so they could get a good start.

Friday night Kagome stood in her closet trying to choose the perfect outfit. She decided since it was fall she would go with a pair of jeans, a snuggly fitting brown top, light gray jacket, and a pair of brown slips. She laid out her clothes on her desk and then jumped into bed, hoping the excitement wouldn’t keep her up too long.

She was up bright and early the next morning. The doorbell rang and she heard Souta answer it. Kagome checked herself in the mirror and made sure her hair looked nice and headed downstairs. She heard Souta talking to InuYasha and immediately rolled her eyes when she heard about the direction of the conversation.

“So,” Souta began, “what are your intentions for my sister?” He tried to say this is the manliest and most adult voice he could muster. InuYasha laughed.

“Don’t worry kid, I won’t do anything that she is opposed to,” InuYasha told him with a wink while patting him on the head.

“InuYasha,” he whined, trying to fix his hair.

“Come on, Souta, big men don’t complain about hair.” Souta glared at him while stocking away to fix it in the bathroom. Kagome forgot how kind InuYasha was to Souta, to her whole family for that matter. He may have been an enemy with Kagome for the longest time but he was nothing less than a gentleman when he met with her family. Kagome was always glad for that because Souta kind of looked up to him as a male roll model. She would never tell InuYasha for fear his ego might become to big, but she was grateful nevertheless.

The drive was about forty-five minutes long. They both chatted a little about school and college until he pulled up in the Lion King parking lot. Once they took the tram and walked through security to the front of the park, Kagome could not keep a smile off of her face.

“Whoa,” said InuYasha, “Did I stumble upon a closet Disney lover?” he asked with glee at her expression. Kagome still couldn’t turn her smile upside down, even as a joke.

“Yeah, but what are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing, nothing. Just a little surprised that’s all.”

“Well I hope you are ready because by the time this day is over, I am sure you will be begging for a break,” she retorted happily. InuYasha broke into a smile. Her happiness was contagious.

“We will see if you can keep to your word,” he said indifferently.

And keep to her word, she did. By the end of the day, they practically rode every single ride, some of them like the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean they rode three or four times. InuYasha was completely spent by the time they took a seat in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to wait for the fireworks. But if he had a choice would he do it again? In a heartbeat. Her smile and melodious laughter as she rode the rides made all the pain worth it. Even after hours and hours of continuous walking, she was still energetic and ready to watch the show.

Five minutes till the show, the Disney Cast people told everyone they had to stand up and walk as close to the front as they could, so they would be able to fit more people in. Kagome felt people shove against her, as they tried to make their way to the front. InuYasha was pushed up behind Kagome and as a reflex he placed his hands around her waist so he could stabilize her as a particularly irate group of children pushed past them. Even as they passed, InuYasha didn’t take his hands off her and Kagome didn’t want him to. The fireworks started soon after and about five minutes in he felt Kagome lean back into his arms and lift her head up to see the fireworks. He could smell the subtle scent of her vanilla shampoo and something else, something that was just completely Kagome. It was intoxicating. He found it hard to watch the show when she was cuddled against him, her face lit up by the fireworks, casting a beautiful glow onto her excited eyes. It was at that instant, when the finale hit the sky and a smile graced her lovely face that he knew he was in love.

Kagome leaned back against him. He was warm and the wind was nipping at her. But she couldn’t deny that them together felt right, natural. She glanced at him every once in a while, during the fireworks, noting how handsome he was and how he returned every one of her glances with a tender look of his own. As the finale hit, she felt his hands tighten a bit around her waist and she leaned back against him giving him a smile. She wouldn’t trade anything in the world for this moment; here at Disneyland, under a firework lit sky, with a man that she was in love with. She smiled even wider at the realization. Yes, she was in love.
~**********~

After that night, it was hard for them to continue to deny the happiness they felt at each other’s presence. They ended up going out to eat or doing something everyday, whether it was just teach together or a ride home.

It was after one particular ride that Kagome got home from school and placed her things next to the stairs to take into her bedroom later. She had to teach class in a little while but decided to get something to eat first. She walked into the kitchen, her target the fridge, until she saw her mother sitting at the table with files spread out all around her and her head in her hands.

“Mom?” Kagome asked, wondering what was going on.

“Oh, Kagome,” her mother began as she lifted her head from her hands. She looked horrible. There were dark circles under her bloodshot eyes, puffy and red from crying. “Oh, Kagome,” she repeated. “I don’t even know where to start. We have fallen under a lot of debt. The debt just seemed to come up out of nowhere. Today, I received a letter from our bank bringing up bills that I never knew existed persisting that we have to pay immediately. The amount of money we owe is huge, we might have to sell the shrine,” Mitsuka choked out, “and I’m so sorry but we have to pull you out of Crescent Moon Studio. I just can’t keep up with the payments.”

Kagome stared at her mother in disbelief. Her mother was so careful with their finances, how could this have happened?

“Have you tried talking to the bank to ask for more time?” Kagome said trying to find someway to alleviate the problem.

“I did and they insist that we pay within the next week. The only way I can make the first payment is if I pull you out of the Studio as soon as possible. Today will be your last day. I’m so sorry.” Mitsuka responded turning her face away from her daughter in shame and in guilt. She knew she was taking away the one thing that Kagome lived for, but she had to take care of her family, even if that meant suffering for a while. There was just no other choice.

Kagome turned away, completely shocked. Nothing was settling in. Her last day? Ever? It just didn’t make any sense. She continued walking towards the stairs like a zombie.

“Where are you going?” Mitsuka questioned.

“I have to get ready to teach tonight,” Kagome answered in a monotone voice. Her face was devoid of any emotion. It just wasn’t real.

She got dressed and made her way over to the Studio. InuYasha waved to her as she came in, but she didn’t notice.

‘What’s wrong?’ he thought as she passed him without greeting to put her things in the back room.

She taught class with even less enthusiasm if possible, still giving her students the attention they needed but without the vigor they were so accustomed to when she was their teacher. When InuYasha and Kagome concluded class, all the students came up to her to give her a big hug and all of them hoped she would feel better the next time she taught them. That’s when it hit.

This was her last time teaching the kids; her last time feeling the sweaty hugs and hearing the thanks for a great class; her last time walking through those doors looking at all of the eager faces; her last time fooling around with InuYasha as they taught together; her last time for everything. Kagome walked into the backroom once the kids were all gone, forgetting to bow off the mats like you were suppose to do. InuYasha was now in full-blown concern. He had never seen her act like this in the several years they trained together.

She felt like death was griping at her soul threatening to shatter the world she had grown up in, taking away everything she loved, the shrine, her family’s stability, and her Studio. The studio; her life, her students, her teachers, her classmates. It all hit her at once, the force of the realization knocking the breath out of her. She collapsed against the wall in the back room and started to cry.

InuYasha walked into the back room closing the door behind him and that is when he saw Kagome in the corner. Her strong fighter’s body turned into a tiny delicate body racked with sobs.

“Kagome…” InuYasha whispered. Kagome lifted her head at the sound of her name and the sight absolute made InuYasha’s heart turn. Her beautiful face was twisted into an expression of complete depression, tears streaking her cheeks. Her eyes held a sadness, which turned him completely speechless. He had never seen so much anguish in one look. She looked at him for a moment longer before her eyes filled with tears again. She pulled her knees to chest and wrapped her arms around herself as if trying to keep herself from falling apart.

He approached her cautiously and bent down on his knees so he was level with her.

“Kagome…” InuYasha whispered again, not stopping himself when he took his hand and tucked a stray strand of her hair, that stuck to her face because of her tears, behind her ear. Kagome looked at him again, touched by the tender act. She then launched herself unexpectedly at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, throwing him off balance. He fell back with Kagome now in front of him. He automatically wrapped his arms around her. His sensitive nose could smell the salt from her tears as it fell from her eyes and landed on his shirt. He held her body, rubbing soothing circles into her back, and softly whispering in her ear trying to calm her down. He couldn’t stand it when girls cried because it was usually over something stupid, but he could tell something important affected Kagome, it had to be big if it turned her usually strong demeanor into this fragile creature. He felt his heart clench and wrapped his arms tighter around her as her body was becoming still, her sobs more silent.

“Kagome? What happened?” he tried to coax gently. Kagome sniffed a few more times, unlatching herself from him before grabbing a tissue from the box above their head on the desk. She tried to clean up her face as best as she could before launching into an explanation. InuYasha’s eyes furrowed as she told him the story. As she finished, tears began to form at the sides of her eyes. He opened his arms again and Kagome grateful for the gesture slowly eased herself back into his arms.

If anyone walked in on them now it would have been the most unusual sight to see these enemies in such an embrace, but both of them felt it was right. Kagome needed InuYasha. He was the only one who could understand her pain of losing the Studio. InuYasha needed Kagome. She balanced out his cockiness, making him feel whole. Without her, it would feel as if a piece of him was missing. He wasn’t egotistical enough to admit that things wouldn’t be the same.

It took another ten minutes before Kagome regained her composure. She then took in all that happened in the past twenty minutes. She felt so embarrassed, so weak. She stood up and readjusted her uniform and dabbed at her eyes one more time.

“Thanks InuYasha for…helping me,” she stumbled out awkwardly. “I have to go now.”

“No problem,” he said with force so she knew he meant it. “I am here anytime you need me. I may be an ass but I can be a helpful ass a times.” She smiled at his comment, a sad watery smile. They both stepped out of the back room. The Studio was full of parents and the students listening to the teachers.

“I’ll miss working with you. I’ll miss all of this,” she said looking around trying to absorb every detail.

“You can still visit you know,” InuYasha explained.

“I could, but it would be painful and it wouldn’t be the same,” she sighed. She felt the tears forming again. She didn’t want InuYasha to see her cry. “I have to go,” she blurted out quickly. She glanced back at him, with a beautiful, sad, heart breaking look, her eyes glazed over with water; the term fallen angel came to his mind as she nodded curtly and headed out the Studio.

He watched her retreating figure and felt that she was taking away a wonderful part of the Studio. He shook his head in disgust at her situation. He went to the back room to grab his stuff to go home.

As he drove home, he knew something was up with Kagome’s story. The banks are not allowed to demand such a high amount of money out of the blue. It was illegal. It was also highly suspicious that they would make the family pay up so quickly. He was going to look into it; there was no doubt about that. He was going to do all in his power to make sure he never saw her this way again, it made his heart hurt to think of her so broken. His foot unconscious pressed on the gas petal harder as he remember Kagome and told himself to calm down. He was going to get the bottom of it and his first stop was the bank, Kikyo’s parent’s bank.

~The Night Before~

Kikyo laughed as she lay in her bed thinking about Kagome. After recovering from her drunken night, Kikyo awoke the next morning and automatically made a call to her father. She explained the situation making it seem like Kagome was a tramp trying to take InuYasha away. Kikyo’s family shared her same ideals that Kikyo and InuYasha were supposed to be together. If anything got in the way of that future, they would bring down the obstacle in any way possible.

Kikyo’s father, Naraku, sat as his oak desk in the President room after hours at the bank. He finished forging the papers for the debts he would send to the Higurashi family, hopefully running them out of town or making InuYasha run to them. He had forged papers several times and this was nothing different from all the other occasions. He had just finished sealing the letter when his cell phone rang.

“Hi Daddy,” came his little girl’s voice over the phone.

“Hello, Kikyo,” his dark voice responded.

“Is everything set?” she asked, barely able to contain her excitement. He laughed. She inherited his lust and enjoyment for evil.

“Yes, it is all done. I am holding the envelope in my hand. Now before I send this, I want you to go over with me how you plan this all to unfold.” He said into the receiver leaning back into his chair, holding the phone between his shoulder and ear, while crossing his arms over his chest.

She huffed in exasperation. “I have told you a million times already, Daddy. This could go either one of two ways. First, it could drive the Higurashi family away, which I would prefer, or it would make them half to cut all superfluous expenses beginning with Kagome’s Studio. InuYasha will see her sad and come to me to ask for help. I will pretend to be a noble and understanding soul, all that crap, call off the debts as long as he will become my boyfriend. Once we make that first step, I know I can keep him.”

“And how do you know InuYasha will find out about this or if he will even come to you for help.”

“I have seen the way they have been acting, plus Mom talked to InuYasha’s mom today and confirmed that he was teaching with Kagome tonight. Kagome, if she loves her Studio as much as I think she does, won’t be able to hide her feelings from InuYasha. He has grown closer to her and so he will try to rescue her,” she said not hiding her disappointment that he would rather be with Kagome than her, but it would all change soon enough. “But I have told you all of this Daddy.”

“I know, Kikyo,” he chuckled at her impatient tone, “just making sure you know what you’re doing. When you carry out things like this, you have to make sure you account for every possible scenario. We don’t want any slip ups.”

“I know Daddy, remember I grew up with you as a father.”

He chuckled again. “Yes, you did,” he agreed. “I will send this out and get home.”

“Okay. Thanks Daddy!” Kikyo squealed in excitement.

She hung up the phone and threw it on to her bed and closed her eyes before whispering to the room:

“You’re mine, InuYasha.”

~**********~

InuYasha walked out of the bank feeling dejected. He should have thought his idea through. He strolled into the bank demanding to see who was in charge of the Higurashi account. All of the bank members knew whose son he was and so they tried to placate him with gifts while telling him all accounts are private. He argued with several different people until he realized that this attempt was hopeless.

He felt the cool evening air flow through his hair. The cars whooshed by. The lights of the city grand and inviting, but they were no comfort for InuYasha tonight. He knew if he wanted to help Kagome, he would have to go to Kikyo. He dreaded the thought and tried to think of another plan of action, but the sight of the broken Kagome slipped into his mind. There wasn’t another way to take. There was only a limited amount of time and all roads pointed to Kikyo. He took a deep breath and headed towards his car.

He called up Kikyo on the way to his car, asking if he could stop by for a few minutes. She agreed. He drove silently through town, trying to figure out a way to approach her. He pulled up in the driveway and stepped out. He walked to the door, making a checklist of what he wanted to say. He rang the doorbell.

Kikyo, the minute she received InuYasha’s call, took off all her clothes and put on a Victoria Secrets matching black bra and panties set, then wrapped a white silk mid thigh robe around herself. She retouched her makeup and combed her hair for a little bit until she heard the door ring. She let an evil smile creep up on her face.

Kikyo opened the door. InuYasha lost his train of thought when he saw what Kikyo was dressed like. Sure she was a slut and he didn’t like her or anything, but he was still a man and Kikyo’s attire reminded him of that fact. Kikyo liked the way his eyes looked up and down her body, taking in her curves and ample breasts.

“Hey InuYasha, sorry I was just getting ready for bed. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Umm, no, it’s fine I guess,” he said and willed his eyes to her face. “I have something really important I need to talk to you about.”

“Sure, lets go up to my room. I don’t want to wake the rest of the house.” She actually could have cared less about the rest of her house, which was awake anyway. She just thought the idea of her and InuYasha on the couch, dressed like she did, was damn hot. She led him up a grand staircase and threw several maze-like hallways until they reached her room.

It was a big room covered entirely in pink. A bed sat in the middle with pink sheets, pillowcase, and a pink comforter, all covered by a pink canopy. A dresser, vanity table, and computer table sat to the left, painted in white with a pink trim and pink flowers tastefully plastered in the corners. In front of her bed was a TV encased in light pink. She pressed a button on a remote and the TV collapsed into its shelving and she turned on dim lights. InuYasha could tell there was a door that led into a personal bathroom and another door, which led to her closet. There were articles of clothing on some of the chairs, but not many. Kikyo led InuYasha to a white leather couch that sat at the right of her room, passing over the baby pink plush carpet. She sat down, crossing one leg over the other, which ended up pushing the already short robe even higher, revealing more of her soft pale thighs. Kikyo patted the seat next to her, motioning for InuYasha to take a seat. He did.

“So what do you want to talk about InuYasha?” she asked trying her best to look innocent and seductive.

His words caught in his mouth before he was able to say: “You know Kagome Higurashi, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, her family just received notice from their bank, your family’s bank, that they have debts that need to be paid off.”

“Go on,” she said, showing that she was listening to him. InuYasha felt his confidence return and continued in a stronger voice.

“Well from what I know about banks, it sounds like something illegal. I am not accusing your bank of anything, but it doesn’t sound right. Only giving them a week to pay? I realize that you may not know anything about this, but do you think you could do something? Talk to your parents? The family is struggling right now and they are already suffering. They pulled Kagome out of the Studio.”

“Hmm…,” Kikyo responded. “I might be able to do something, but it won’t be easy.”

“I will do anything I can to help,” InuYasha added. He felt hopeful.

“I could probably get my father to cancel the debts, but he would have to be in an extremely generous mood. I would probably have to do something that would make him happy.”

“Do you have any idea what you could do?” InuYasha asked. Kikyo smiled inwardly. Her plan was working out even better than she planned.

“Well, I know it is silly,” she laughed to show her point and slapped him playfully on the shoulder as she continued, “but our parents seem to find us to be the perfect match. Maybe if we dated for a while, that would make my dad extremely happy and I am sure he would take off the debts if I asked.” InuYasha thought about it for a moment.

“Well, just pretend to date, for the sake of our parents right?”

“Of course,” Kikyo said, but then silently swore. She didn’t want to pretend, but there would be no other way to draw him in. Anyway, once she pretended to date him for a little while, she would drive him to the edge until he wanted to take her to bed, but she would deny sex unless they actually dated. Kikyo thought very highly of her sexual appeal and knew it would be the thing that would make InuYasha hers.

“Let’s do it,” InuYasha finally said figuring losing Kagome at the Studio would be worse than pretending to date Kikyo even though he was in love with Kagome. “Thanks so much Kikyo.”

“No problem, I’m glad I could be of help, but just some advice I think we need to do more than just pretend around our parents. You know the students at school have parents that talk to both of ours, we might need to keep up the charade there too.”

“You’re right Kikyo, good thinking,” InuYasha praised. “Well I need to get home. Sorry for bothering you so late,” he said as he stood up.

“Don’t worry about it,” Kikyo said and then took the moment to hug InuYasha, pushing her breasts into his chest to emphasize their size. InuYasha hugged her back awkwardly.

She led him to the front and waved from the door as he drove away. InuYasha was congratulating himself on a job well done while Kikyo was doing the same thing.

~**********~

InuYasha pulled up into his driveway and walked up to his door. He was feeling accomplished and couldn’t wait to talk to Kagome in school to tell her what he did. His butler opened the door for him. InuYasha continued passed him.

“Young Master,” the butler called out.

“Yes,” InuYasha said.

“Your parents request your presence immediately in the study.”

“Oh, okay.” He wondered why they would still be up this late. He made he way over to his father’s workroom. He knocked on the big oak doors.

“Enter.” InuYasha pushed opened the doors and saw his father nursing a cup of brandy bending over the fireplace, watching the flames dance and leap around. His mother sat on a chair to the right, one leg tucked behind the other, holding a book in her delicate hands. Both pairs of eyes fell on him.

“Come here boy,” InuTaisho, his father commanded. InuYasha did as he was told. His father set down the cup on the mantle, looking at the fire again. When InuYasha was close enough he stood up and in a few quick steps was in front of InuYasha and slapped him hard across the face. InuYasha blinked as he felt the sting from hit and snapped his head back to his father, a cold look of hatred in his eyes. His mother looked at him indifferently and closed her book laying it to the side without any protest to her husband’s movement.

“What the hell were you thinking InuYasha?” said his father as he went back to the mantle to get his drink. “You march into one of my biggest account’s banks and demand for shit like you are a king. What the fuck was going through your mind? You know how important Naraku’s banks are to me. I thought the piece of shit you call a mind would have been able to comprehend that, but even such simple thinking has escaped you. You are lucky that when I called up to apologize, he was in such a good mood about you and Kikyo finally dating. I swear if you didn’t do that, the only right thing you have done recently, you would have been punished more harshly tonight.” His mother then continued after his father was done.

“And do you know how much gossip I will have to put up with at the club tomorrow. I swear you only think about yourself, InuYasha. Would it pain you worry about the well being of this family. Surely you do not want your father to lose his account or your mother to be embarrassed because of your stupidity. Of course not,” she answered for him.

“Get out of here, boy. I don’t want to see your face for the rest of the night,” growled InuTaisho. InuYasha gave both of his parents a hard stare, he felt his hand, which had been bawled into a fist since the minute he walked in, break skin. He turned and walked out of the room.

“I’m glad that is done,” InuYasha’s mother said, resting back against the chair.

“I am going back to work,” InuTaisho said. “Don’t wait up for me. I need to distract my mind.” InuYasha’s mother consented, but InuTaisho wasn’t headed for any of his buildings, his mind was busy thinking of the fun he would have with his favorite red head, Amy. Finally things were going his way. InuYasha and Kikyo dating would bring his and Naraku’s business closer together, and his night with Amy would be sweeter than ever.

InuYasha shook his head, as he heard the last portion of his parent’s conversation when he retreated to his room. He knew where is father was going but he couldn’t care less, just that he would lock his door tonight so he wouldn’t be awoken by his drunk ranting when he came home. InuYasha was a third degree black belt but for some reason all of his training seemed to leave him when he was faced with his father. He couldn’t muster the courage to strike him back. There were a few times when he defended himself, but that was just returned with an even more severe beating. And, all his mother did was sit there and worry about the gossip being told about her. It made him sick. InuYasha reached up to his face, to feel the place where his father had struck him. Hopefully, it wouldn’t bruise. He made his way up to his room, all of the happiness from earlier was gone. He just wanted the darkness of sleep to take over and let him leave this damn house for a few hours.

~**********~

InuYasha was at school the next morning. Luckily, he faced was not bruised unlike his pride. He was brooding over last night until he saw Kagome at her locker. A smile immediately fell on his face. He didn’t care about what happened, but he was happy to know that he helped her out.

“Hey Kagome,” he said as he approached her locker.

“Hi InuYasha,” Kagome excitedly responded. “Guess what?”

“What?” he decided to answer. He enjoyed her looking so happy.

“I don’t have to quit the Studio! My mom got a call this morning from the bank and they said they made a mistake! I’m so happy!” She wanted to go and give him a hug, she was still happy when Miroku came up.

“Morning Kagome.”

“Morning Miroku,” she replied cheerily. He then turned to InuYasha and winked.

“InuYasha, you dog. I heard you asked out Kikyo and she said yes.” InuYasha looked bewildered for a minute before he remembered the deal. Kagome was stunned. Didn’t he say before that Kikyo wasn’t his type? And now they were dating? And what about Disneyland? Did she imagine that he felt the same way about her?

“Oh, yeah,” he responded without enthusiasm. Kagome gave him a questioning glance and he was about to break into an explanation, when Kikyo came up from behind him. She wrapped her arms around him and licked his ear.

“Morning boyfriend,” InuYasha was stunned at how far she took the boyfriend and girlfriend thing.

“Hey Kikyo,” he said, his eyes darting back and forth between Kikyo and Kagome.

“What are you doing with this worm?” she asked. He was just about to respond when she whispered in his ear, “You are supposed to be dating me, remember. My enemies are your enemies. You have to treat her like one otherwise our parents will find out and the debt will come back. Now call her a worm and walk away with me. No one will be the wiser.” InuYasha registered what he had to do but he didn’t want to. A lump rose in his throat.

“Why would I do anything with this worm, when I have you,” he said loud enough that the posse that followed Kikyo would hear. They did and all laughed. Kagome’s eyes instantly filled with hurt.

“I’m sorry honey. I knew you wouldn’t want anything to do with her.” Kikyo smiled triumphantly and then pulled his head towards hers giving him a long kiss right in front of Kagome. It was the most unpleasant kiss he had ever experienced; it was rough without passion or love; and almost desperate on her end. She finished the kiss gave Kagome a cold glare before grabbing his hand and pulling him away from Kagome’s locker. InuYasha caught a glance at her trying to look apologetic but her face was down and her hair formed a barrier between her and the rest of the hall. A few lingering people from the posse taunted her as they past. InuYasha felt horrible, but he hoped he would be able to explain later.

Kagome stood there like an idiot. Was this the same InuYasha that comforted her last night? Wasn’t he supposed to be gentle and kind? Who was this person? She realized that this was InuYasha the bastard, his true self. She could have kicked herself for falling for it again. How could she be so stupid? First falling for his explanations at the café about his family and Kikyo, Disneyland, then everything from last night. He was just trying to get into someone’s pants while he waited for a confirmation from Kikyo. She slammed her locker closed with such force it echoed down the hall. A couple of people looked at her, but then went back to their own conversations.

Kagome fumed as she made her way to class. InuYasha Takahashi and Kagome Higurashi were enemies and will always be enemies, no matter what happened. Still, she couldn’t help but feel extremely hurt. She should have expected this, but it still hurt. Just when she thought she found a friend in him, she wouldn’t even allow herself to say that he was more than a friend, she knew now that all she had was an enemy.

‘A world of enemies and handful of friends,’ she thought and laughed bitterly at her situation.

A/N: Here is another chapter. Thanks again to all who read and a huge thanks to reviewers.

Ms. S Hisake

PS: If you have any questions on terms just leave me your email in a review and I will get back to you! By the way, the next chapter is written.