Thanks to kazukarin! Your reviews have really given me confidence in my first fanfic! Thank you! xx

Also to Alisha-Kagome 2009, that was so nice of you! Thanks!

P.s, I don't own any of the songs

Chapter 11 – Karaoke

Someone – Alice, probably – had decorated the living room, turning it into… well, a nightclub.

"What is this?" Kagome asked curiously, coming down with Inuyasha the next morning to find Alice waiting impatiently at the bottom of the stairs. They had been staying at the Cullen's for the last few days, as Charlie and her mom had gone to visit some old school friends.

Alice laughed, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You'll see. But first… we're going shopping!"

"Oh no," Bella groaned from the top of the stairs.

"Oh yes, Bella," Alice grinned. "We're all going to go and find some new party clothes!"

2 hours later…

"Kagome, come out of the changing room!" Alice called through the door. "We won't laugh, I promise!"

"Yes you will!" came Kagome's muffled reply.

"Come on, Kagome!" Bella called. "It'll be fine! Honest!"

"Kagome," Alice called, her voice serious. "If you don't come out of that room in three seconds, I am breaking down the door. Three… two…"

"Oh, alright!" Kagome huffed, opening the door.

She was stunning. A long black skirt brushed down to her ankles, which were encased in strappy blackberry-coloured heeled sandals. She wore a purple halter top, which stopped just above her belly button, exposing her flat stomach, with intricate silver embroidery around the bust. A silver ribbon was pulled through her hair, giving the appearance of an Alice band. Silver teardrop earrings with a tiny amethyst hung from her ear lobes.

"Kagome," Bella breathed, "You look stunning."

Kagome smiled self-consciously. "Thanks."

"Right, that's your outfit sorted," Alice declared. "Bella, onto you…"

Twenty minutes later, Bella emerged from the changing room, garbed in tight blue jeans and a blue vest. A white shirt under the vest opened at the throat, where she had hung a a heavy pendant on a blue ribbon. Her hair was braided into two plaits.

"Ok, that's Bella…" Alice muttered, before Bella had a chance to say anything.

"Wha-" she began.

"Oh hush," said Alice absently, thinking to herself.

"That's all the girls… the only person is… Inuyasha!"

"You're going to try and buy Inuyasha clothing?" asked Kagome disbelievingly. Then she shrugged.

"Hats off to you if you can get him to wear it."

"Oh, he will wear it," Alice said, looking up at Kagome with a happy little grin. Strangely enough, that smile scared Kagome more than a room full of youkai...

Five hours later…

"Oh Kami." Kagome muttered, preparing to make her entrance. Alice had spent the last two hours working on her and Bella. She, herself, looked stunning; dressed in a short, pale yellow dress that showed off her pale skin and dark hair in a stunning contrast. Rosalie, of course, looked beautiful, in black denim hot pants and a red tube top. Esme looked gentle and sweet in her long pink dress. Bella looked… well… completely unexpected. As gorgeous as the vampires. Her radiance only made Kagome more self-conscious in her too-revealing outfit.

Oh well, she thought. Here goes…

She stepped round the corner, and almost did a double-take at Inuyasha's choice of clothing. Well, Alice's choice of clothing for Inuyasha. He was dressed in slack blue jeans, with a red shirt unbuttoned in a 'v' at his throat, making his beads of subjugation look… well, like a fashion item.

He dropped the glass of drink he had been holding. If they hadn't been in a house of vampires, it would have spilled on the floor. As it was, it was whisked away by a helpful Jasper.

He stared at her.

"Kagome, you look… beautiful." He breathed.

She glided forward, and too his hand, kissing him lightly on the cheek.

"Thanks, Inuyasha."

Half an hour later…

"Karaoke time!" sang Alice enthusiastically.

There was a collective groan from the other occupants of the room.

Alice broke the ice by singing 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' by Cyndi Lauper, in her sweet, mischevious voice.

Rosalie followed with "The Female of the Species" (seriously, who sang that song?!)

Emmett, amidst fits of boisterous laughter, sang "I'm Too Sexy For My Shirt" (again, by who?!)

Jasper granted them a performance of, surprisingly, "Supermassive Black Hole" by Muse.

Esme sweetly sang "Poison Prince" by Amy McDonald.

Carlisle came after with "Ain't No Sunshine" by The Lighthouse Family.

Edward crooned "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" to a blushing Bella.

Bella absolutely refused to sing.

The came her and Inuyasha's turn.

Inuyasha shrugged "I live 500 years in the past; you can't expect me to know any of your songs. Kagome's a good singer though. Ask her."

She felt her face heat.

"N-no," she stammered. "I don't know any songs in English – I come from Japan, remember?"

"Yes you do!" Edward called. "That's how you taught yourself to speak so fluently!"

Damn. She had forgotten about his 'ability'.

"Come on, Kagome," Alice grinned. "You're going to sing anyway; I can see it. just give in, and we can save the fight."

Kagome sighed. Kami. "Fine. But if any of you laugh I will stab you with the microphone, vampires or no."

She stepped onto the small stage, advancing towards the microphone.

She closed her eyes as the music started.

I can't see your star
I can't see your star
Though I patiently waited, bedside
For the death of today
I can't see your star
The mechanical lights of Lisbon
Frightened it away

She raised her head, immersing herself in the song, not even listening to her own voice. Just letting the music work through her.

And I'm alone now
Me and all I stood for
We're wandering now
All in parts in pieces, swim lonely
Find your own way out

I can't see your star
I can't see your star
How can the darkness feel so wrong?

She leaned forwards slightly, closing her eyes, feeling the pain that was hidden in these lyrics. The pain she had felt feeling Inuyasha didn't love her.

And I'm alone now
Me and all I stood for
We're wandering now
All in parts in pieces, swim lonely
Find your own way out

So far away
It's growing colder without your love
Why can't you feel me calling your name?
Can't break the silence
It's breaking me

all my fears turn to rage

Oh Kami. She couldn't believe she was actually doing this. But, oddly, she couldn't feel self-conscious anymore. She just felt… fulfilled. Complete.

And I'm alone now
Me and all I stood for
We're wandering now
All in parts and pieces, swim lonely
Find your own way out now

And nothing worth fighting for
We're wandering now
All in parts and pieces, swim lonely
Find your own way out.

As the song finished, she stepped shyly down from the stage. Everyone was staring at her.

Inuyasha walked slowly forward, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her.

"I love you. My Kagome."

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Please tell me what you thought about the choice of songs! xx