"Damn it Kagome, I already told you I had it packed."

"Are you sure?  The Yves Saint Laurent gown from this year's Kouhaku performance?  The halter one, not the mini."

Inuyasha sighed, signaling before turning a sharp left.  "I'm SURE, because I saw hell the last time I forgot to pack one of your dresses."  With a smirk he exhaled and ruffled Kagome's bangs.  "I sent it with Sango when she took your other things to the bus, okay?"

Kagome leaned back into the passenger seat of Inuyasha's black Porsche.  Nosing into the soft black leather she inhaled deeply; she loved the scent.  As the car slowed to a stop at an intersection Kagome blinked up at Inuyasha, raising her finger to tap his nose.  "Thanks."  Her thin smile stretched delicately across her face as she brought her hand back down.  

"You... you're welcome." A subtle blush crept out from under silver bangs, and Inuyasha shifted gears before stepping on the gas pedal once more.

=-=-=-=-=-=

Her slippered feet padded across a beige plush rug.  She didn’t want to turn on the light just in case Inuyasha was asleep.  Underneath fragments of moonlight shining in from between the blinds on the window Kagome crept in the narrow hallway of the tour bus to the next room.  The bus’ engine hummed softly, slowly drowning out as she reached Inuyasha.  In a chestnut-colored leather chair he was slumped to one side with a book laying on his lap.  A radio murmured in the background and the television was also on but muted, bathing the room in a dull blue light.  Ridiculous as usual, Kagome mused.  Hoping not to wake him she stepped out of her slippers before entering the room and reached over to Inuyasha's bed, removing the blanket and draping it lightly over his sleeping form.  

Kagome was slightly disappointed that she didn't have anyone to talk to; she couldn't sleep.  Hojo's cell phone was turned off for the night, he had some work to do, so there was no hope of calling him.  She didn't hold it against him, nor did she hold it against Inuyasha that he was asleep.  Just by being in his presence she felt secure; possibly in the same way that turning on the television often abated Inuyasha's loneliness.  Reaching for the television's power button, Kagome pressed it and smiled over Inuyasha until she heard a familiar voice on the radio.  

Welcome back to All Night Nippon!  This is Hojo, how do you do?

"Hojo!"  Kagome gasped.  She hovered over Inuyasha's chair, listening intently.

This is Fukuyama Masaharu.  In case you haven't figured it out, Hojo is my guest tonight.  So Hojo, just as I mentioned before the break I'm envious of you, you've been dating one of the hottest women I've ever laid eyes on.  There was an akward pause.  Whoops, do you think she'll hear that?  Is she listening right now?  

I know she's not awake right now.  She's on her way to Osaka.

Ah, that's right.  She had another sold out concert tonight.  Well then, I have to say once more that while I usually envy no man, I have to hand it to you--

--she's really something, isn't she, Fukuyama-san?

God, yes!  There was a pause.  Come here.  A sudden change of tone made Kagome raise an eyebrow.

What?  Hey!  Fukuyama-san, what are you doing--

Kagome blinked.

If I kiss you, it'll be like an indirect kiss with her.   Now, pucker up!

Aaa~ help me, somebody!  There were sounds of shuffling and perhaps a struggle.  Kagome tried in vain to stifle her giggling as the pair muttered incoherently for a few seconds during their scuffle.

But she's taken, so I can't just walk up to her and kiss her!

I'm taken, too!  Another pause.

Sorry, Hojo-san.  Forgot myself for a minute.  I envy... no man.  Especially now, because I am beginning to recall that you may be in some hot water?  You mentioned earlier that you were bad to her?

Yes, I'm a total jerk because we were supposed to get together and I had to cancel twice!

Boo!  Hey, Hojo-san, that's no way to treat Higurashi Kagome, or ANY girlfriend!  Guys, don't follow his example--

It was because of the upcoming drama I'm starring in!  We're still shooting right now, but it's going to be on NHK this spring so please don't miss it; it's called Just Before the Shot.  Don't make Kagome's suffering be in vain, everyone.  Please watch it!  Kagome, I love you, I'm sorry!

Ha ha ha ha ha, that's the best advertisement for a drama I've ever seen!  I'll be sure to watch.

Don't kid with me Masaharu-san, I know you were already a fan of the manga so--

Kagome sighed, turning off Inuyasha's radio.  With a soft pat on her manager's head she turned, heading back to the bedroom from which she came.

Kagome was supposed to get her full night's sleep on the bus and would wake up as they reached the venue.  It would be rehearsals and sound checks first, and then Kagome could go to visit some old friends--parents of the lead singer of a popular rock band she had once opened for.  

The crew winced when they saw Kagome almost literally roll out of the bus.  They knew that when Kagome was dead tired she had a penchant for working herself and the crew into the ground.  To anyone who was not familiar with Kagome's work habits it only seemed as if Kagome was indeed amazing in her dedication to her work at this level of fatigue but everyone knew differently.  Kagome would work until everyone dropped, guaranteeing that her sleep afterwards would be uninterrupted.  

Such had happened, and Inuyasha made the call to Kagome's friends, telling them that she would not be able to see them as promised and explaining the situation.  "Ah, just like my son," the wife mused.  "You tell Kagome to take her time in seeing us."

"Thanks.  You guys take care."

=-=-=-=-=-=

She decided she was going to kill him.

-dasf;ljadf;lj stuff about needing a week of rest, hey hey hey appearance, the host hits her, inuyasha gets pissed