Malice Melodies

Chapter 4- Completely Fake

Kanna

"What about this?"

I shook my head at the simple black dress Rin held up. "Why did you wait till the last minute to pick an outfit?" I went to my adopted sister's closet, pulled out a few outfits, and laid them on the bed.

Rin grinned at my question and picked up a plaid skirt. "If I had picked out an outfit a couple of days ago I probably would have changed it several times by now, and then freak out tonight because I couldn't decide what to wear. Then I would have gone back to the original outfit and be miserable thinking of all the outfits I probably looked better in."

I blinked several times, "Won't you think that tonight anyway?"

"No, because I'll know I was in a rush and couldn't help it."

I rolled my eyes before shoved a very low cut vinyl dress into her hands. It was the latest outfit that both Naraku and I had made for her. It was supposed to be worn on the cover of their next album but with the split from Saimyoshou, Rin felt it was out of place. However, tonight Amakoi Records was throwing a party announcing that they had signed with them, along with another big surprise that no one but the owner knew.

I hung the other outfits back in her closet as Rin changed. Signing with Amakoi Records was a step in the right direction for Youkai Companion. My brother Naraku was determined to show the jrock world that they could compete with the already established bands in the genre along with doing away with the talk that that a band lead by a woman was destined to fail. Many in the business had advised Naraku to find a male vocalist because all the successful jrock bands, ones that were known outside of Japan were lead by men. He of course refused and now many wished to see Youkai Companion fall flat on their face.

"Kanna! One false move and I'll burst out of this."

I reentered the room and studied the dress. It was possible that she would fall out her dress but it would have to do. Rin, as usual, was running late and it did look good on her. Naraku and I took great pains to dress her and the others in unusual but stylish clothes. Naraku usually designed the band's outfits but he had given me more freedom since I actually made the clothes for them.

She stared at herself with the full-length mirror next to her computer. Rin was in a good mood, much to my surprise. I, along with everyone associated with Youkai Companion, knew of the brunette's feelings toward Amakoi but we also knew that Rin would slap a smile on her face and tell the press how happy she was to be signed to the record label. Rin would never go against the band or Naraku for that matter.

I grabbed one of her makeup cases and arranged what I was going to use on her before asking, "Is it true that Expressionless is going to be there as well?"

"Yes, Naraku and Hiten are pissed about it."

I held in my sigh and helped my sister with her silver cross. "Hiten will not let you out of his sight tonight then."

"I plan on hanging out with Bankotsu tonight; he'll need my attention more than Hiten will." She glanced at my attire but said nothing. I knew what she wanted to say. They had invited me along but I had refused the invitation. Large crowds are not pleasant for me considering my lack of height and I would have felt like a tag along.

I applied some light blush on one of her makeup brushes, "Don't look at me like that. I already told you and Naraku that I don't want to go, I'll stay here and read a book."

The happy smile vanished, "I could stay with you tonight. I mean... It's not really vital for me to be there tonight."

"They're giving the party for your band," I would not have Rin's selfless nature act tonight. "If you don't show up it would look like a slap in the face and we both know Naraku's wrath." My teenage sister pouted and it was clear that the tough drop dead sexy Rin would stay in the shadows if the right words were not spoken. "You'll have fun tonight and advertise my work by showing off the outfit I have created for you."

She sighed and closed her eyes.

Kagome

I should have just said no. I should have told him that I had plans and couldn't possibly break them on such short notice. He would have been mad but he'd get over it. After all, she was going to be there, she'd make him forget all about me.

I sighed loudly, like a child who had been refused a treat, and buried my face into my hands. If Sesshoumaru hadn't asked, well commanded since I was sure that he didn't know how to ask a favor, that I film the big announcement that Amakoi Records had. He had made it clear that if I wanted to keep my job, I was going to the party. Going as Inuyasha's date was just a bonus. Not that he had actually asked me,he told me he'd pick me up so I guess it was a date.

Normally, I would have been delighted that I was going to a big fancy party with lots of celebrities on Inuyasha's arm. However, the party was mainly to announce that Youkai Companion was signed to the label, meaning that everyone expected Naraku to have his girlfriend with him to share the good news. That was bad news for me, since Naraku's girlfriend just happened to be Inuyasha's ex. The girl that everyone expected him to marry until their relationship suddenly fell apart.

They never came out and said why they broke up but it was obvious Kikyou did the dumping when Inuyasha went through a very public breakdown. Inuyasha went insane whenever someone mentioned her. I think he somehow convinced himself that the leader of Youkai Companion had stolen her and that he hated her to begin with. That's why he had treated me so horribly when we first met, at least I hope that's why, but, over the past couple of months, we became friends, and spent a lot of time together. I don't know if they were dates but we've gone to some movies and out to eat, but friends do those things too. We have kissed a few times.

I blushed and then gave a frustrated groan. I was ready to go and my date. or whatever, was late as usual. I complained about his tardiness to everyone, including him, but he would give me a 'keh' and told me to deal with it. Sango had left with Miroku already, how the bassist had persuaded her to accompany him was beyond me, and Shippo had left to go get Souten, his latest girlfriend.

"I'll give him ten more minutes before I take off this makeup, take a shower, and get into my comfy clothes with a big bowl of ice cream!" No wonder I was worried about facing Inuyasha's beautiful, smart, charming, extremely successful ex-girlfriend, what kind of idiot talked out loud to herself? Well, Byou was here but I don't think talking to my cat would help matters.

My doorbell rang and was followed by several loud knocks as a rough voice called my name. "Kagome! Oi! Kagome aren't you ready yet?"

I sighed again and picked up my small purse that I hardly ever used, as I willed myself not to use my miko powers on him.

Miroku

"Kawasumi-san if you don't watch that hand of yours I'll rip it off," the threat was given with a growl that rivaled the ones given by the Kiimura brothers.

I mentally cursed that she was using my last name again before taking my hand off her behind. It had taken a lot of my carefully practiced charm, and a little begging, for the beautiful assistant to agree to go to the party with me. It was a victory for me and I was determined to not let her out of my grasp.

Being in a band had its advantages, such as always having hordes of girls lined up wanting to share my bed. However, I wanted a real relationship, no matter how entertaining those girls were. I had been raised in a happy monogamous family and I had always imagined my life being the same. My last meaningful relationship had been with a childhood friend named Koharu, but I had ended that after realizing that she would never have the fighting spirit that I wanted in a woman. She was a nice sweet girl, but I wanted a strong passionate woman that would never let anyone push her around, like Miyamura Sango.

I gave a smile that I knew drove girls wild, hell thousands of girls screaming proved it worked when I was on stage, "Oh my dear Sango, I told you that my hand is cursed. It has a mind of its own."

Her reply was a glare and a quickly elbow to my gut. I held my stomach and watched a small smile grace her lovely features at my pained breathing before walking toward the bar. My father had a cursed hand that always seemed to find itself on every young woman's behind. Mother was quiet and sweet but her fists were deadly. Father quickly learned that when he grabbed a friend of hers. She had punched him in the face and informed him that he was to only touch her, all of that had been done before Father had even asked her on a first date. After that, Father still had a wandering eye but he never touched another woman again.

No one had ever demanded that I keep my hands to myself, other than some angry boyfriends of some girls I had touched. Koharu had been more than willing to allow me to openly drool over other women but I hadn't wanted that. I wanted her to demand that I stop and force me work for her favor. I wanted her to be like Sango.

I stared at Sango as I licked my lips. Her warm brown eyes scanned the room and suddenly froze on something. I followed her gaze and caught sight of Sesshoumaru and his j-pop girlfriend. Kagura looked perfect as always and had an arm looped with her boyfriend's. She was smiling for some reporters while her inu youkai boyfriend looked terribly bored. In interviews and promotions, Kagura seemed as horribly sweet as her music was; but it only took a few meetings to prove that the wind youkai was nothing like the sweet goody good singer that her manager had portrayed for the public.

Sango had fire in her eyes as she stared at the youkai. Quietly I walked behind her so that I could whisper in her ear, "Does Kagura interest you that much?"

I had scared her briefly but I believed that I saw something else in her eyes as my breath tickled her. It was gone quickly; she glared at me. "I just can't get over how everyone just falls all over themselves for her. She's so fake."

I shrugged and casually put an arm around her bare shoulders. I ignored her pointed glare at my arm; I had to take some chances, and whispered, "That's due to Kikyou's brilliance."

"I don't see why you're so nice to that bitch." Sango hated Kikyou, even though she never met her. The hatred was justified for the assistant I supposed, just hearing her name made her best friend dive into self-doubt and she hated the manager for it.

"Kikyou is a bitch, I'll give you that. Moreover, yes, I do hate her for hurting my best friend, but she is smart and knows what she's doing. Kagura's success proves just how well Kikyou does her job."

The manager was currently sipping a glass of wine and talking to a rising fashion designer that most likely wanted the chance design the clothes Kagura would wear for her latest video. She was looking as beautiful as ever, and from the looks Sango gave, I imagined she wanted to smack her for looking so perfect. Truthfully, I thought Kagome looked better than the pale woman did even on her worst day, but Kagome could not see that and sometimes, it appeared that Inuyasha couldn't either. My best friend could be an idiot.

I looked back at my date's face and frowned when I saw anger take over. I knew she had a big problem with Inuyasha when it came to Kagome and would most likely butt heads with him tonight. However, since the said hanyou hadn't arrived yet, I wanted to enjoy the time I had with Sango. "Why don't we check out the Water Goddess' gardens? I've heard that they are quite a sight, though it would pale in comparison to you."

She rolled her eyes at my pick up line but nodded.

Sesshoumaru

I was bored and all the scents in the room were bombarding my sensitive nose. In addition, my arm was numb from Kagura's insistence that our arms be linked for publicity sake. It irritated this Sesshoumaru how everyone took pictures of us and exclaimed how our love was truly like a fairy tale. The press loved how someone as sweet and innocent as Kagura had wormed her way into my cold youkai heart.

I almost smirked at the stupid fairy tale that Kikyou, Kagura, and myself had created. Our relationship was more for publicity sake and mutual gratification. When Kikyou had been dating my little brother, she approached me about the fake relationship and how it would drive the press wild. I had been against it, I wanted nothing to do with publicity seeking women, that and Father was against me having such a meaningless relationship. Even Inuyasha had objected, though his fears were selfish. He feared our fan base would decrease if I were no longer single. The bothersome hanyou had remarked that my "pretty girl" looks were one of the main reasons why so many screaming girls filled arenas and bought our albums.

The only reason why I eventually agreed to it was that frankly, Kagura was not that bad in bed. It was mean, cold, and sound like something those filthy humans would have said, but it was true. We warmed each other's bed after long tours or stressful sessions in the studio and that was it. It was sex, nothing more, nothing less. The only time I had ever allowed her to kiss me was in front of cameras and rarely. I had no interest in her past her body and made it quite clear to her, and Father, that I had no intention to make her my mate.

Father had been overjoyed at this, but still did not approve of the relationship we shared. I understood his concern. I was heir to the Western Lands and should an "accident" occur, I would have been forced to take her as my mate. Father would have been the one to force despite his dislike for the wind youkai.

The party had been going on for a while and I wanted the water deity to formally announce that Youkai Companion had been signed, and that I was taking over Amakoi Records. If she would skip this nonsense of mingling, make her announcement I would have taken the necessary pictures, and then be off. However, the painful socializing was necessary. Jaken, my loyal and sometimes irksome servant, had reported that Kagura was spending quite a bit of time with other men. What she did away from me was her business but I would not have her carry on in public. I would not be made a fool by the likes of her.

"Would you snap out of it," her usually sugary voice was now hissing in my ultra sensitive ear.

I glared at her and gave a low growl that only she could hear. "We have taken pictures for the press and answered questions that are none of their business. I have done my duty for the night."

Her red eyes narrowed, "You know we have to turn the sappy romance up because of Kikyou dumping your worthless little brother, there's talk of us failing too," my growl's volume increased. Inuyasha was worthless most of the time, but this insignificant youkai would do well to keep her opinions to herself. She seemed to remember herself. "Look," her voice took a submissive tone, "we need to look like we're deeper in love because of their split. Everyone thought they were perfect together and by their breakup, we can capitalize on it."

"I have no interest on making you seem more darling to the media by using my idiot brother's suffering."

"Fine, then I guess you can find someone else to entertain you tonight, and I'll do the same." She shoved my arm away and practically snarled at me.

I picked up Inuyasha's scent and turned my attention to the sight of my little brother entering with a well-dressed Kagome. "Do as you like, just make sure there are no cameras around this time. I heard Kikyou was furious that she had to spend so much for that tape of you in a Hong Kong night club."

I could smell her anger, and it pleased me. I detested women that thought they could control me with sexual favors. I would sooner go celibate than give into a backstabbing woman like Kagura.

"Hey Sesshoumaru! Has she given her big announcement," Inuyasha asked as he dragged our employee towards us.

I shook my head and gave a brief nod to the suddenly shy girl standing next to Inuyasha. Kagome was of no importance to me, other than the fact that she worked for us, but she was an improvement when compared to Kikyou, so I attempted to be somewhat polite to her. My hanyou brother was clearly fond of the girl, but I was sure he would make a mess of it once he caught sight of his ex. He was already a complete fool but that cold pale manager seemed to make him act even more foolish.

"Oh look, there's Chiba Bankotsu! Hmm, you'd think the guy would look happier since this party is for his band."

Kagura rolled her eyes at Kagome but chuckled darkly. "Really Inuyasha, someone of your position should have a more refined woman by your side. This little girl is supposed to show that you can do fine without Kikyou, not how desperately you need her."

The bitch was fishing for a reaction and predictably, fury from Inuyasha along with a flash of heartache swimming in his amber eyes was produced. As a bonus Kagome's eyes filled with tears. Kagura was on the verge of laughing but my claws dug into her arm and she choked back a painful moan.

"Fuck you fake bitch! I don't give a damn about that cold hearted wench," Inuyasha screamed once he found his voice.

I kept my claws in Kagura as I murmured, "Stop making a scene Inuyasha. Take your woman away from here and go talk to your friends."

If he had not caught the sight of Kagome trying to hide her tears, Inuyasha would have lashed out at me, but suddenly Kagome was more important than his misplaced anger. He took her hand and led her toward a laughing Shippo.

I released my hold before hissing, "Find something to do."

I walked away from the glaring pop star, narrowing my eyes a bit, as a small female slightly bumped into me as she rushed past.