Disclaimer: I will only say this once... for this chapter... heheh... I don't own Inuyasha- just his life- I mean, I don't own anything even pertaining to Inuyasha, save for this story and my dvds. Kind of a bummer, huh?

A/N: Well, I've finally gotten the last of 'You!' written and now, much to my pleasure, I present you readers with 'Me?' Yes, 'Me?' It may sound corny and a bit silly, but, believe it or not, like the title 'You!', 'Me?' has quite a bit of significance here.

I hope you enjoy this story as much as most of you enjoyed its beginning. However, before the actual chapter itself, I have a quick explanation to get through:

WNB (Watashi no Baka- I am an Idiot) will keep going! To get full details on this little club, please check my Profile. If I have a significant amount of applicants, I will post them next chapter, other wise, keep an eye out for chapter three.

If still thinking about writing the Companion story sometime in the near future from Inuyasha's point of view because Kagome will be missing out on a lot of his life in this story... You'll see what I mean! ^_^ But I'm still not sure if time will permit the story to be written.

Also, the Alternate ending for 'You!', if I do decided to write it, will be posted sometime in March for anyone who would like to view it. It will be angst.

Okay, now-

" Word(Meaning)" - this is for Japanese Dialect/Translation. I will only put the meaning up once, twice at the most if the word is rarely used. I use it, so please don't complain! It's just comfortable to me.

'...' - thinking.

Definitions: (If anyone does not have access to a dictionary and wants to know the meaning of a word, just ask. I'm here to help! ^_^)

*Papillon (pronounced pap-e-on or pah-pa-yon) a dog with a long, silky white coat and coloured patches and erect or drooping ears that are fringed. The name 'papillon' means butterfly.

Name Translations-
Himitsu- Inuyasha's last name. It means 'secret'.
Sasayaku- Ayame's name. It means 'Whisper' So her whole name is 'Iris Whisper'... I like it! ^-^
Mujaki- Miroku's last name. It means 'Innocence'.
Ookami- Kouga's last name. Japanese for 'wolf'.
Taijiya- Sango's last name. Taijiya means 'Demon Exterminator'. By the way, Sango means 'coral'- just a note.
Meisei- 'Fame'. This is the company- Meisei inc.- that the Himitsu's own. Formerly owned by Mr. Zaisan, Ayame's grandfather.
Zaisan- 'Fortune'. (A/N: Haha... Fame and Fortune... Haha...)

And on a more... um.... exciting note.... IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!! Hehe... I'm a bit hyper today, so please forgive me if I sound like I'm jumping off the walls- which, right now, I am, especially since my mother is trying to tie me down so I won't be able to fight a certain someone she called to give me my first kiss on my sweet sixteen... Oh, you just gotta love parents. *sighs* Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em... literally...

Well, with that said and done, I hope you have a pleasant read! ^_^

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author: Sakura-chan88
Title: Me?
Chapter: Just Call me Jack
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~ To start off, it's a crazy world. When you finally get this point through your thick skull, a lot of other things become quite clear... Um... Like... Um...

~ Hey! The perfect example: You've just realized the world's crazy, right? Now, with you twirling his hair through your fingers- him being 'him', your life's ruin and the start of everything that has happened in your life that made a difference- as you watch him sleep, once again, it hits you. It's been eight months since the first time the threads of your life intertwined with his once more... and one month to this day that those threads were officially bound together. His heart is wrapped around that hair-twirling finger of yours in the shape of a golden ring- a bond weak in comparison to that you two share in love... You've loved him from the moment his hand met yours on that dance floor and those words truly sunk in. 'Can't we start over?'

~ Did you ever know that, although every game and the system on which they're played has a reset button, you don't and neither does the world you live in? Minds forget and hearts miscalculate- there must at least be a 'clear' switch somewhere. However, some things can never be undone or forgotten.

~ Friends are the people you rely on most- you've given up being the one that sits back and enjoys the ride. Truly, with that one friend of yours, it's no surprise that you'd rather take the wheel and steer your own life in the right direction. You have a back seat driver, now- 'him'. It's warming to hear him yell brake just to show how much he cares for you. Those kisses and everything that follows... they say it all.

~ Plus, today is an extra special day for a certain little someone in your life. Don't forget to start prepping the cabin early. You know what kind of a fit your mother will throw if the surprise doesn't pack a punch to meet the receiver's standards. Just keep thinking- KaPOW! ~

I watched the door to our room creaked open as a woman stepped in, surveying the area silent as could be.

" Chotto(hey), Inuyasha, wake up," I commanded, giving the body next to me a rather rough nudge. "You're going to be late."

"For what?" He grumbled groggily, circling a hand around my neck to pull me into a hug, his eyes closed.

"Remember that meeting you have to go to? Sesshomaru's orders," I muttered, easing out of his embrace as he opened an eye to gaze lazily.

"Fu-"

" Iie(no)- I don't think you want to finish that statement," I cut off, knowing the foul order he was about to utter.

"And why not?"

"For one, think about the meaning," I mumbled, propping myself up on an elbow. "And two- our room has always seemed to be quite public."

Inuyasha was growling before he had even looked toward the door. A woman, 27 years in age, stood there, one hand on her hip and the other holding a letter- which she contently bored holes into with an intense gaze. Her hair was in a tight bun, bangs parted dead center on her forehead. Elegantly dressed compared to me, yet casual to her usual wear. A golden band shimmered as brightly as the diamond it sported.

"Have you ever heard of knocking, Kagura?" Inuyasha asked, turning just enough to see her. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

She looked up from the paper, folding it a few dozen times as she spoke, "Kagome needs the car to get the last things for Shippo's surprise party- I'm chauffer. Myouga is still currently vacationing-"

"And running from Ryusa- baachan(grandmother-polite for old woman), too, no doubt," Inuyasha whispered as he laid back down.

"Chauffer?" I repeated dumbly. "You do everything, don't you?"

"Just call me Jack."

I smirked in pride. Shippo, my adopted son, had first said that and it had become a common saying through our immediate family and friends. "Just call me Jack. A Jack of All Trades."

"Alright, Jack," I laughed. "Dogboy will be ready in a few minutes- right, Inuyasha?"

He grumbled affirmation, rolling on his side to put his back to the door. "I hope the door hits you on the way out."

Kagura made a point of staying way from the aforementioned door.

"Why-"

"Shh..."

Inuyasha looked at me questioningly.

"Five more minutes, Dogboy," I whispered, standing and walking over to the window to close the curtains as the sun decided to, like everyone else, take free roam of our room. Pesky perverts...

Inuyasha snorted, "I'm already awake."

"I swear," I hissed, turning to face him as he stood and stalked over to his dresser, "if Sesshomaru makes you miss your own son's birthday party-"

"Then Shippo will love him."

"Stop saying things like that- he loves you, too. You know that."

It had been forever since they last spoke to each other, that I couldn't miss, but Shippo looked up to Inuyasha more than anyone else bothered to note. Inuyasha always felt as if the boy despised him still. They had a fight three weeks before our wedding- I don't know what it was about- and Inuyasha ended up disappearing for a couple days. I spent those days with Shippo, going to the park so he could sled down the snow covered hills, going to the movies, going to meet a few of his friends and their parents. It was the only thing I could think of doing to help him.

He always feared I'd leave him for Inuyasha...

When Inuyasha came back and I acted as if he'd never been gone, Shippo ran to his room and cried... I don't think I'll ever be able to get those two together like father and son.

Still, Shippo loved Inuyasha and vice versa.

"Yeah, but..."

"Don't expect him to say it," I muttered, watching as he pulled the only 'business' suit he had from the dresser. "For one, he has enough pride to put yours to shame and he's had it rough, ne? With his mother leaving him for another man, it's understandable."

"How could anyone leave him, though? He's one of the brightest kids I've ever known, and he always keeps himself occupied."

My expression softened as I leaned back on the window sill, watching Inuyasha slip into the dark blue outfit. Each word echoed through the room. Now, if only Shippo could hear that.

"He's a lot like you, ne(you know)?" Inuyasha continued, straightening his jacket's collar. "Brilliant, sarcastic, sly, talks too much, fun to be around, hard to live with-"

"Chotto! Keep it going, Dogboy, and I'll buy that kennel for you instead of the Papillion*," I sneered, glaring as I pushed myself away from the window. I reached out to help him fix the confounding collar. "What do you think he'll name it?"

"..."

"..."

"Jack," we chorused, then sighed.

"Maybe he won't," I mused. 'Yeah, right.'

"I doubt that."

"You ready?" Kagura called from the family room.

"You acting common?" Inuyasha jeered.

Kagura was a very sophisticated individual. She was one of those people who bothered to think about what they say before they say it, just to make sure her speech was flawlessly feminine and refined.

"Trying," she responded.

"Oh."

"Good?"

"Sorta."

"Stop!" I yelled, pushing Inuyasha out of our room. "I mean, stop with the one word sentences. Kagura, make sure his eyes don't stray," I hissed, slapping Inuyasha on the back of the head. He'd been getting a bit too egotistical for me lately.

Inuyasha fumed, rubbing his abused head before training his eyes solely to Kagura's backside. That's how he followed her... and ended up tripping over one of Shippo's toys.

"Inuyasha," I hissed. "I don't think Sesshomaru would like you eyeing up his wife. I know I don't like it."

"Kag won't tell," Inuyasha chuckled, looping an arm over the temporary chauffeur's shoulder.

"Wanna bet?" said Kagura and I in unison, glaring at the singer.

"Umm..."

His hand fell dejectedly to his side as an uncertain expression passed over his face. I laughed as Kagura grunted and left, casting a look over her shoulder as the door closed behind her. Inuyasha muttered about his brother and that 'annoying cling-on' called Kagura.

"Cling-on? Well, it's your fault, isn't it?" I chuckled, pushing him toward the door. "He wouldn't have met her if you'd picked someone else for that contest."

The contest, oh how I loved that night and hated it all in one. That had been the night I lost Inuyasha for the first time and the night I'd gotten my revenge on Sesshomaru. Before I had been pulled from Inuyasha's side by Sesshomaru's orders, I had drugged Sesshomaru, as he had done to me, and set up a little competition for five women. If they won, they'd spend a week with Sesshomaru. Guess who won...

The Himitsu brothers and I went back, way back. Inuyasha Himitsu was my sole competition in the vacant spot for a children's band and Sesshomaru was the one who had ordered the only thing that could have made me lose... He had me disqualified by drugging a drink Inuyasha handed over to me as a 'good sportsmanship present.'

Well, when I lost my chance at fame, I lost a lot more- like ten days of my childhood life, my father, and the will to sing.

And, by some kind of twisted turn of fate, the Himitsu's were brought back into my life and proved to be the cure I needed for the curse the bestowed upon me all those years ago. Now, along with Inuyasha and his co-workers- Miroku and Kouga-, I visit the spotlight on a regular basis, singing and dancing my heart out. Oh yes, fate has many twisted turns.

I'm glad for it.

"Yeah, but I wasn't spending another second in that Kami-sama(God) forsaken crowd," Inuyasha grumbled, slipping his shoes on.

"Don't stomp on your fans like that," I chided, laughing as he embraced me.

Kisses from him never went down hill, so I've lost count over the months of how many times my mouth felt that searing heat that lingered for hours. Even the most innocent of kisses, like this one, made me shudder.

He pulled back, his eyes dancing as he whispered, "of course, Fangirl. I never will."

"You just did."

"Did not."

"Did too. Don't even start an argument," I ordered as he opened his mouth to speak. "You're going to be late, then we'll be stuck singing for the next month."

He nodded and let me go, sending a wink and smirk over his shoulder as he left. 'Some old Inuyasha... Well, on with the work.'

My first stop was Ayame's house, then to Sango's. Ayame wasn't home- she had another movie audition and wouldn't be done for another two hours or so, as Mrs. Sasayaku told me. Sango was gone too, to my amazement... Though why I was amazed eluded me.

After all, it was mandatory for her to be at any meeting concerning Inuyasha, Miroku, Kouga, or me.

When Ayame hit fame with her first movie, 'All the Little Things', Sango had a brilliant idea. She would become an agent/manager/interior designer all in one. Worked out well for her, too.

Sesshomaru made a deal with her- though he had previously asked her to work for him as another 'Demonic' manager, along with himself, anyway. He'd pay for her schooling as long as she worked under him for the next twelve years. Sango didn't even hesitate to seal the deal- and she did with a hug, thoroughly stunning Sesshomaru and effectively keeping Miroku away for the following two weeks. Now, not only was she my best friend, best advisor, worst conscience, and worst fan- she really didn't like the idea of me spending hours in a room with Miroku and Inuyasha (thinking over new songs which Kouga found pointless)- she was now overseeing everything I did.

This had to be the first day I woke up without her as my alarm clock in at least three months.

I sighed as I pulled up to the nearest grocers. I had quite a list to get through with all of the friends Shippo insisted I bring to any birthday party he had... And I had to pick them up, too. But, that could wait until everything else was done.

As I stepped out of the Blazer- Inuyasha insisted we keep to one vehicle, his vehicle, though I'm still pushing for my '89 Camero- my cell phone played the Mexican Hat Dance. I grumbled.

" Moshi, moshi,(telephone greeting)" I greeted.

"Oh! Kagome-chan," Ayame replied, "I'm really sorry, I forgot to tell you. Don't bother stopping at my house."

"Already done, Aya-chan. I hope your audition goes through well," I stated with sincerity. "And don't worry about it- Sango's enough help."

"Yeah, but she's trouble, too... Wait- isn't she at the meeting?"

" Hai(yes), but she's getting everything else for me when it's over," I said, entering the grocer. I couldn't lie to her anymore, not after what happened the last time. "Plus, there really isn't much to do... honto(really, truly)..."

"Oh, okay," she chirped. I heard some papers shuffling. "Why do you think you know what's best for me? How could you know, huh?"

"Going up for the Heart-Broken Ex-girlfriend?" I asked as she recited a few lines.

"Actually, I'm going up for the heart-breakee," she giggled. "This girl is a bit on the mental side. See, she likes this guy but can't get over her boyfriend. When he-"

***Click***

"Ayame...? Ayame!? Shot!" I hissed, flipping the phone closed. Disconnected, again...

Ayame was the kind of friend that a person liked to have just for the heck of it. She usually was the one to sit back and listen- and ask questions- to anyone, yet the person hardly realizes she's there. I'd tried to break the habit of talking over her, but... well, she's just that kind of person, I guess.

After meeting a producer by the name of Mushiko Jira, Ayame succeeded in snatching the leading role in one of the best romantic comedies of the year. Jiia Touro, another person I introduced Ayame to, was the second co-star. The male lead role went to Ryu Itoshi, a beginning actor. Let me tell you, I would have given anything to be in Ayame's place when they kissed! Okay, maybe not everything- especially after Kouga found out about that scene. Oh boy was he mad!

Now, she was called daily by producers and directors requesting her skills. Poor them, Ayame made a promise to herself: she would never work for anyone that asked for her to. They had to wait for her to come to them. I had to laugh when she told me, thinking, 'wish I could have had that kind of over site.'

Sesshomaru had made himself content by setting up a concert at every opportunity- and at the most inopportune moments. Sometimes I wish I had never signed the contract bonding me to 'Demonic' for the next three years...

But, life goes on...

And so does work...

******

Sango got out of the meeting early and helped by arranging the house, decorating it, cooking- she'd taken a course with Miroku since neither were any good at it and I'm happy to say she's become quite a good chef-, and re-rechecking the list Inuyasha had made for everything that needed to be done. He was a perfectionist at heart when it came to occasions such as this... Truly he was more of a manager when concerts came around- bossy.

While she worked on the cabin, I left to pick Ayame up from the audition... and sat there for an hour before my cell phone rang.

"Moshi, moshi," I cheered with false happiness. I'm not a patient person.

" Oi(hey), Kag-"

"What are you doing at the meeting still!? Sango's already back," I hissed, glaring at the area in front of me. "What's going on?"

"... Well, I miss you, too..."

" Gomen nasai(sorry)... Just tense."

"Maybe you should talk to Kagura, then," Inuyasha chuckled. "She does wonders to the body."

"Alright, Miroku, unpossess my husband already," I hummed, smiling grimly. "I want to know what's going on."

He didn't speak for a while, confirming my suspicion that he was still with an emotion deprived man named Sesshomaru as he hissed for Inuyasha to get off of the phone. Inuyasha sighed and spoke. I could hear the glare he shot our boss.

"Listen, Kag, I'll call you back later. Tell you everything then, okay?"

"Sure," I sighed, familiar with this little 'saying'.

The rest of my time waiting for Ayame to appear was spent listening to Sesshomaru rattle on believing Inuyasha had actually turned off his phone. The meeting, that somehow stretched forever, was about one thing- a concert and a surprise solo act- and guess who'd be performing.

Seems like a new National Park called the 'Dialone Point' was being opened by the founder, Guku-Mar Dialone, in Rome and Demonic would be performing- with me at the beginning, just me at the end, and all without me knowing- at the beginning of the opening ceremony that was to take place in July. Sesshomaru loved to pull that stunt; profound satisfaction came with reaping revenge.

"Took you long enough," I hissed as Ayame opened her door and slipped into the seat. However, at the stunned look on her face, I became anxious and fidgety... Maybe she hadn't made the call back... "Ayame-chan? Daijobu desu ka(are you okay)?"

She turned her head slowly, her auburn hair swaying, her mouth slightly open, her jade eyes fogged over. The 'Traitors'- the nickname given to her eyes that portrayed any and all emotion- seemed dead. Her lip quivered as she whispered, "I... I'm... in."

My eyes went wide as my mouth dropped. She had me fooled from the beginning! "Sugoi(wow), you're getting really great, Aya-chan."

" Arigatou(thank you)," she giggled, a pleasant smile slipping into place. "Well now, how about we get going."

"Alright," I chirped, bringing the cell phone to my ear to listen once more as I revved the engine.

"Inuyasha, is your cell phone still on?" Sesshomaru asked.

My heart jumped in my chest as I flipped the cell phone closed and gave a nervous little laugh.

"Oops..."

*****

By the time Ayame and I had collected all of the children invited to the birthday party, Sango had finished with the preparations. Miroku and Kouga had arrived while I was on the last round- the only one Ayame wasn't with me for since I need just one more seat to fit everyone in- and had busied themselves with entertaining the children with a show of 'macho-ness'; they constructed a wrestling ring.

I returned just as Kouga pinned Miroku to the floor, making him squeal mercy. Sesshomaru snorted from behind me. I spun to glare at him, noting a certain individual was missing.

Sesshomaru had long, silky silver hair that any girl would envy and golden eyes that usually were blank and cold. He gazed at everything with a level stare. Being owner of the biggest company in Japan, Meisei inc., that owned just about everything there was to own, he was just as well known as his brother, the singing sensation known as Inuyasha, who, to the public, was quite single- hard to explain. Sesshomaru insisted no one else know unless Inuyasha and I lose our 'sex appeal'...

Inuyasha lose his sex appeal? Please! At least that would mean less me fighting my fans when concerts were over! Jeez! I mean, I've lost Inuyasha in a crowd of swarming fans- guys and girls alike- an innumerable amount of times...

"Where is he?" I hissed, glaring.

"On an errand," he stated simply.

"If my son gets here before Inuyasha does-"

" Oneechan(sis)!" an excited cry sounded from my side as I was hugged by an over hyper teen. "I'm so happy to see you again!"

As I turned to regard the girl known as Rin, the Himitsu brothers' younger sister, I heard a vehicle approach. My head was beginning to spin with all of the turning-this-way-twisting-that. Quickly, I ushered all of Shippo's friends into his room- they would be the surprise he'd find- and peered out the window. Inuyasha stepped out of the limo Kagura put in park.

I sighed in relief, only for the sigh to die midway as headlights appeared from driveway. Inuyasha and Kagura made a mad dash for the door. It shut just as a car pulled into view.

I rounded on Sesshomaru in rage, stomping over to come mere inches from his face, and promptly slapped him across the face, watching as his expression darkened. Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch the interaction.

" Kagome!" the band wined in distress.

I wasn't finished with him!

"You jerk! You almost made-"

"Sh!" they hissed, Sango and Ayame joining in on the attempt to silence me. It was amusing that they actually thought I'd listen.

"-Inuyasha late for Shippo's birthday party! I swear, you frugally, narcissistic, domineering, cretin- Chotto, Shippo-chan!" I exclaimed, turning to face my son as he walked through the door and plastering on the biggest smile I could muster. "You're home a whole day early."

Shippo, with his ruffled, rust coloured hair and cinnamon eyes, proved to be the person everyone else looked up to as an example of innocents mingling with adulthood in a 4'3" package. However, right now, he displayed sullenness...

"Uncle Souta yelled at me," he mumbled, looking to the floor with a pout. "I forgot which memory card was his and I saved my game over his and he's mad and he won't let me play anymore-"

A giggle came from behind me. I turned to see Rin covering her smile with a newly manicured hand. "Shippo-chan is so kawaii(cute) when he pouts!" she conceded, running over to tug on his sleeve. "I have something that'll cheer you up!"

Rin was a very intelligent girl, but she's also very innocent considering her age. She awoke from a coma almost eight months ago and attended school for the first time at the age of 13. With mid length, chocolate coloured hair and deep brown eyes, Rin was one of the only teens a person would still call 'kawaii'.

Shippo was led into the hallway by the humming teen, confused and almost hesitant. When Rin stopped in front of his door and told him to open it, I saw everyone else tense up in anticipation, waiting for my signal.

I nodded to Sango, the nudged Ayame, Ayame tapped Kouga's shoulder- and around the circle it went. 'On three,' I mouthed when everyone turned their attention to me. They nodded, then counted in their own minds as Shippo's hand reached the doorknob.

The door creaked open...

" SURPRISE!" Everyone shouted when the door was completely opened and a crowd of 5th grade children jumbled together to wish him a happy birthday.

Shippo beamed in glee before being swallowed by the crowd and temporarily vanishing. Rin soon joined him and the others, acting as any 10 year old would... She wasn't quite caught up to her age, yet. ^_^ That's okay.

" Ima(now), as I was saying," I hissed, spinning on my heel. "One more blunder like that and you'll find yourself-"

"Kagome," a warning tone sounded from my side. "Leave your boss alone," my mother commanded, grasping my shoulder.

Mama was the one person I loved to avoid more than Sesshomaru's annoying side-kick Jaken. See, she was the mother every girl fears; she brought the worst things up at the wrong times and always scolded me, no matter how small a mistake I made. She was also partially senile- but I would never tell her that.

Recently, she'd been bringing up all of the mishaps and mortifying moments of my Wedding Day. Oh, and let me tell you, there were a lot.

Her favourite one- the cutting of the cake.

Inuyasha was, like at every other important event, being a complete perfectionist... or, at least, that's what he lead me to believe. So, I didn't expect to have my piece of the cake shoved in my face- successfully jamming my nose (I know, ewww...)- and have him lick it off. Okay, that was plain weird.

Of course, I was going to get him back...

I lift his piece up and threw it. He moved just enough for it to miss him and hit Shippo from behind as he played with Kirara, Sango's pet cat. Shippo yipped, blamed Inuyasha for it, took another piece of cake and tossed it to hit Inuyasha in the face- since he was so much taller. Again, it missed and ended up on top of the ministers bold scalp...

Good thing he was a man of Kami-sama... He didn't get too upset.

Inuyasha laughed about it, though. I didn't think it was respectful... Acting as if to kiss him, I reached around and hooked my hand about his neck...

And drown him in the frosting cloaked fluff.

Mama definitely did not approve.

Also, when Miroku had a temporary lapse of mind tried to take the ministers place, pushing the man away and exclaiming himself the rightful person, as best man and 'priest'- as the song 'A Feudal Fairytale' claimed-, to speak the vows we were to repeat. Now, that was mortifying. I can still see the completely shocked look on his face as he realized he was saying 'and now you may kiss the bride.' Oh, Kami-sama... -_-;

Then, of course, something had to go wrong with the bouquet toss... Miroku was pegged in the groin with the flying flowers (not completely on accident, either).

And the garter, when Inuyasha flung it, slapped Kouga in the face.

And, during the Bride/Groom Slow Dance, Shippo helped himself to Inuyasha's beer- since there was no parental supervision. Oh, you can bet that angered my mother. I think that was the one thing that got her more than me shoving Inuyasha into the cake.

I sighed, "hai, mama. I'll leave him alone." After I glowered at Sesshomaru for a moment, I turned my attention to Inuyasha. "Well?"

"He wanted me to get plane tickets."

I blinked. Plane tickets?

"Yo, Inuyasha," Kouga called, dragging Miroku with him to stand beside me. "What's going on?"

Kouga Ookami was the grinner in the group- his face always sported a wolfish, lopsided smile. He held his moderately long black hair in a high ponytail, his brown eyes intent. He was about as tall as Inuyasha, just as tall as Miroku, and all three of them towered over me.

Miroku Mujaki, with his famous arm wrap, appeared as innocent as his charming smile said he was; however, this look was just that, a look. He had short black hair he kept pulled back at the base of his skull. He had very kind, yet calculating dark blue, almost purple eyes. Amazingly, he was one of my best friends... Maybe it isn't so amazing, since I was the only reason Sango gave him a second chance after he groped Yura and Yura didn't do anything.

Oh, Yura is the band's hair stylist, by the way.

Inuyasha, when compared to his co-workers, seemed a little out of place with silver tresses and pools of golden light gathered as orbs set into a recently tanned face. (Our latest trip to Hawaii had given it to him.) He's eyes twinkled with mischief almost as often as a smirk graced his lips.

These three were known by the world as 'K.I.M.'- when I wasn't with the band, the press had a field day and gave up typing their names over and over again- and I was known as simply as Kagome Higurashi- new star diva. Our band 'Demonic' was usually under extreme scrutiny by the media. I had to thank Kami-sama for that- in a sarcastic way, of course.

Inuyasha looked at each of us in turn, a dry smirk forming as another second ticked by. With a raise brow and a flat expression, he answered with the six words we had all come to hate:

"... We've got ourselves a little trip..."

And I couldn't contain my anger as I rounded on Sesshomaru with fury.

"It's my son's birthday!" I screeched. "What do you think you're doing by sending me away?!"

The house fell silent as Shippo crept forward, just barely catching my attention.

"Shippo and Rin will be accompanying you," he stated calmly. "It is for four months' time. Surely, you didn't think I'd make you leave them."

"They are in school, you-"

"I'm sending a personal tutor along, as well."

Kagura snapped. "Sesshomaru! You didn't even tell me about this! What do you think you are doing?!"

He ignored her and continued informing us of his plan. We were traveling to the United States of America- and not only to sing.

Rin had been chosen for a part in a movie called 'Loaded Lies' she had auditioned for a month ago that I had never heard about. 'Demonic' was need for completing the sound track. Shippo was to try out for another part...

And everyone had known, save for me...

Just guess what else I learned.

No one stopped as I attempted to behead the expressionless man standing in front of me. Except for my own mind. There were children around... I kept my hands fisted at my sides.

"I am not an actress and I never signed up to be one," I hissed, my eyes downcast as tears of anger burned in them. Did I truly have no say? And why didn't my friends tell me?

"That is why I took the liberty to do it for you."

'Oh, and I suppose you'll 'take the liberty' to please Inuyasha when I neglect him tonight for not telling me about this sooner, too,' was what I wanted to say, but... well, like I said, Shippo and Rin were two very intelligent children. "I..."

"Usually you have something witty to say," Sesshomaru smirked. "Is your rebellious edge wearing down?"

"Iie, I just won't say what I'm thinking. There are too many ears," I muttered in an undertone. "Plus," I said, cheering, "I've volunteered you for clean-up duty."

He quirked an eyebrow and shrugged. Inside, I was laughing- for more reasons than one.

"Kagome-chan," Sango called as the kids went back to playing tag.

" Nani(what), Sango-chan?" I asked, sliding my previously fisted hand around Inuyasha's waist as he spoke with Kouga.

"I was thinking that we should get the cake and ice-cream out of the way as soon as we can," she admitted. "There's not enough room in the freezer to hold it all."

" Un(yeah, ok, yes)."

Sango laughed when Inuyasha was hit from behind by Kouga and sent to the floor, pulling me with him. I cursed them all- inside my mind, of course. Miroku effectively shut Sango up by wiggling his brows, causing her to blush and the kids to laugh. Ayame helped me untangle myself from Inuyasha and stand on my feet again. Kouga kicked Inuyasha in the ribs once, chuckling to himself.

I was at a loss.

"Inuyasha mentioned 'All the Little Things' and 'Ryu Itoshi' in the same sentence," Ayame sighed, burying her head in my shoulder in defeat. "I don't think he'll ever get over it. For Kami-sama's sake, wasn't it enough that he took my first kiss?"

"I think he thinks like a wolf," I muttered, holding back a bark of laughter when Inuyasha grabbed Kouga's oncoming foot and pulled him to the ground. "He marked you with that kiss- then you went behind his back-"

"I didn't," Ayame stated. "I told him five times before I even accepted the offer."

"... Yeah, but what were you doing when you told him?"

"Watching a movie."

"Ne, he zones out when it comes to movies," I said exasperatedly. "He wouldn't be paying any attention to you- only the black dot in front of his eyes."

"That is the only difference between them, honto, ne?" she giggled. "Inuyasha and Kouga-"

"So alike," we laughed.

The men wrestling on the ground seemed to pick that statement up even over all else. Growling and glaring as they often did- Inuyasha much more so than Kouga-, they stood up and brushed themselves off, moving in sync. Well, at least they weren't fighting anymore.

"Cake, cake, cake, cake, cake!" an echoing chant caught my attention.

Sango had left the room in embarrassment and brought in the cake she had made. Truthfully, I was wondering if it was as big as my Wedding cake had been or slightly bigger...

Well, the cake was enough to calm everyone down long enough to devour it completely.

Too bad it didn't last longer...

" Okaasan(mom)!" Shippo yelled, running up to hug me excitedly. "Guess what, guess what, ohhhh, guess what!"

I looked up to see Inuyasha standing near the hallway entrance with a small bundle in his arms. I hadn't even seen him leave...

"Nani, Shippo-chan?" I asked, becoming just as hyper as he was.

"Dogboy says it's time to open presents!" the boy shouted. My face fell at the name he used, but I covered it up with a smile as he continued to bounce around. "PRESENTS!!!"

"Great!"

I lifted my gaze from the ecstatic boy as he bound away and found Inuyasha smirking. I flinched at the look in his eyes- he was blocking all his emotion in. My heart reached out to him by way of a softened look. He took it, and gladly.

I watched as the kids formed a circle... that's when a familiar face finally registered itself.

Seated next to my son was Satsuki Shiranai. She had been at my very first interview...

I shook off the memory and sat on a couch with Ayame and Kouga, gesturing for Inuyasha to join us. He perched himself on the armrest, the small bundle in his arms squirming slightly at the movement. He absently pet the pup back to sleep.

******

What seemed like five hundred presents later, Shippo had opened every last thing- except the eyes of the sleeping animal. Earlier I had divided the children- by the way, I counted 20 kids- into sections and dispersed them to 5 groups. The largest group was taken home by Kagura- lucky them, they got to ride in a limo. The others were taken by either Kouga, Miroku, Sesshomaru, or my mother. Now the only ones left were Rin - who had began to feel like a daughter instead of a sister-in-law - Shippo, Inuyasha, and me.

Rin had fallen asleep in a chair and Sesshomaru, after he cleaned up a bit, of course, had taken her to the room I'd given her. Poor thing, she was really tired.

Shippo looked around the semi-spotless room with wide eyes. "It's quiet."

"How did you like my present?" I asked, watching as he picket up the box containing a Swiss Army knife. It was something he had begged for.

He beamed. "Arigatou."

I nodded. The fact that everything else he'd gotten was shoved into a corner as he eyed the knife with gleaming cinnamon orbs was answer enough for me, really. But, everyone knows us women ask the most obvious of questions. ^_^

"Oi, Shippo," Inuyasha called.

'Again with the macho man act,' I thought as I slapped my head and sighed in resignation. ' Baka(idiot).'

"Nani?" Shippo muttered, looking at the man with darkening eyes. His smile overturned as he glowered witheringly at Inuyasha. "You didn't get me anything."

"I didn't?" asked Inuyasha in an astounded tone. "Oh..." He looked into space in a kind of trance. "Well..." He looked back to Shippo with shock, then shook his head and headed for the hallway, saying, "I guess I meant to give this to Rin, then. Let me go wake her up-"

With all the pauses, spacing outs, and thoughtful looks, I grinned as a single thought entered my mind. 'Well, at least Inuyasha isn't the only one rubbing off on someone.'

"Wait!" Shippo cried, leaping to his feet to cross the distance between himself and Inuyasha. "Did... Did you really get me something?"

Inuyasha smiled and nodded before kneeling. Slowly, he unfolded his arms to show the small being in his hold. Shippo's eyes widened a fraction each second. When the puppy whimpered for the lack of warmth, Shippo pulled a face of uncertainty.

"Is... Is it r-really mine?"

"Hai."

With conscientious movements, Shippo lift the canine from the man's arms and held him close to his chest. Wonder chased around in his eyes as he watched the small life in his grasp, pacing himself to match it breath for breath.

Inuyasha smiled and took a seat next to me, watching the reaction with muted amusement.

"How are we going to take it with us?" I whispered, snuggling into his side as my nose crinkled in disgust at the prospect of another trip to a foreign city. Thank Kami-sama I took English as an elective class all throughout Junior High and High School.

"I thought ahead and bought the ticket to put him in luggage-"

"Inu-"

"- and bought my way into a private jet so the other ticket is useless," he finished, chuckling at my attitude. "I'm not cruel enough to make that puppy ride without anyone there to comfort him... I don't think he should even be in a plane as young as he is."

Second by second, the tension cramping my muscles ebbed away. I suddenly felt like singing...

"Sleep sweet, my child, sleep deep,

Float on clouds made only for you
And rule a kingdom with peasants true
Befriend dragons, battle an evil Ogre's crew
And soar in the sky made from a sea of blue

Sleep sweet, my babe, sleep sound

Fall gently to the grass covered ground
And prance with the unicorn's sound
Play along with the fairies' crowd
And watch out for that Goblin's frown

Sleep well, my child, sleep sound

Laugh at the tune that's played so light
And smile as the stars shine so bright
Leave the mouse to the lions might
As you learn what you are tonight

Sleep well, my babe, sleep deep,"

I sung softly, as soothing as possible. Shippo yawned and gathered the pup closer to himself before standing and crawling up the couch and into Inuyasha's lap. I gasped quietly, turning large eyes on the man beside me. He just smiled and kissed my forehead as he hugged the boy closer to him.

"... What will you call him, Shippo?" Inuyasha asked in a hushed voice.

Shippo was silent, an intense look of concentration crossing his features.

"... He's a... P-Papillon, right?" Shippo inquired after a few moment's thought.

"Un."

"... Then," Shippo began, getting a big decisive smile on his lips. "... Just call 'im Jack."

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

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I know it is nothing like You!, but just wait till the next chapter- you'll find Kagome up to some old tricks again..! At least, if everything goes according to my plan...

HUMOR- one word seriously lacking in this chapter when placed next to a You! chapter, I know, but I'm trying to even them out. Don't expect this one to be over the top with laughs, though... This one is a bit darker- in a few ways.

Anyway, please review and tell me what you think. It is only the first chapter, so please be considerate... Is there any formatting changes you want me to make? And definitions? Anyone want me to check out their story/stories? Reviews for every chapter are a guarantee! ^_^ I love to read!

Ja ne! ---(Equivalent to Cya! ^_^)