Face the Music
Chapter 12 – Affetuoso (Affectionate)
Disclaimers: Do not own Inuyasha. And the sad truth is that I never will.
Author's Notes: Okay, I know, several of you were disappointed with the last chapter. But frankly even villains need a little time in the limelight. Besides, I think it helps the storyline if we understand Naraku a little better.
But this is what all of you have been waiting for! Wait, I already did the naked Sesshoumaru . . . never mind. Okay, really, there's a scene in here that is exactly what everyone has been bugging me for. Enjoy.
Kagome collapsed on her bed, exhausted by that afternoon's rehearsals. She and Inuyasha had only addressed each other when they had to, the rest of the time they ignored each other. Their band mates found it odd, but didn't ask questions. It was obvious that they didn't want to talk about it.
Kagome started to fall asleep, but a soft knock startled her awake. "Mmphhh . . ." she moaned.
"Kagome dear?"
Rolling over, she lifted her head off her pillow to watch her mother enter her room. "What's going on?"
"I just want to see if you're okay. You've been out of it for the last couple of days. What happened to you?"
Kagome's head fell back on her pillow. "Mom, when did you know that you had fallen in love with dad?"
Mrs. Higurashi chuckled. "Every time I saw him I got this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach and my heart beat crazily."
"Oh."
"Do you get these feelings?"
"Er . . ."
"I see. Koga?"
"Ew! No!"
"Ah. Inuyasha."
Kagome answered with a stony silence and faced her wall.
"How does Kikyo feel about that?"
"She's fine with it. She broke up with Inuyasha to give us a chance. Plus she's dating Hojo now."
"Oh. Hojo. He seems very laid back compared to Inuyasha."
This caused Kagome to giggle. "Yeah, that's what I thought."
"So, do you like Inuyasha?"
"Sure I like him. He's easy to talk to and fun to hang out with."
"Ah, okay. I guess my question should be do you love Inuyasha?"
Kagome's cheeks flushed pink. "I . . . uh . . . er . . ."
"I'll take your answer for a yes."
"Mama!"
"What? You do like him, don't you?"
"Well, yeah, I like him, but I don't-"
"Like 'like' him?"
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Oh please Mom."
"Fight it all you want, dear, but once you fess up to how you feel, you'll feel much better." With that last little tidbit of information, she got up and left her daughter to think about how she felt.
Inuyasha had been in a bad mood all afternoon. Watching Kagome had been frustrating for him. Every other minute he had to resist the urge to reach out, touch her face, caress her hand, kiss her lips . . . wait, did he just think, "kiss her lips?" Did he even want to kiss her? That would have meant that he was in love with her, right?
Oh to kiss her would have been divine.
And where the hell had that thought come from?
"Yo, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha pulled himself out of his little trance and looked at Miroku, who was starting at his best friend intently. "Something wrong? You've been kind of strange for the last couple of days. What happened?"
Inuyasha shrugged. "Don't worry about it."
"You. Are. My. Best. Friend. Something's wrong, I can tell."
"Well, Kikyo broke up with me."
"I would definitely think that qualifies as something, but that's not all. What else?"
"There's nothing else."
"Oh yes, I forgot. You've been in denial about your feelings for Kagome for months now."
"I am not!"
"Ah ha! Quick to deny the denial! You're totally hung up on her!"
Inuyasha snorted. "So what if I do like her? What then?"
"Then let her know. Tell her that you really like her and see where it goes from there."
Inuyasha, who'd been sitting on an amp, shifted. "So I let her know? How do I tell her?"
Miroku shrugged. "Write her a song, poem, letter . . . something! Or, you could do a physical demo."
"A . . .physical . . . demo?"
"Yeah! Just kiss her!"
"Oh no! No freakin' way in hell!"
"I know you want to."
"Ah no, I don't."
"Denial again."
"So if I do kiss her and she hates me? What then?"
"Well then you know for sure and you don't have to worry about it. So call the Kagaster and ask her out."
Inuyasha looked thoughtful for a moment before pulling out his cell phone and dialing Kagome's phone number. "Uh . . .hi Kagome . . . Oh not much . . . uh-huh . . . Well I wanted to talk to you about the – song . . . So do you want to go grab a burger or something . . . Really? That's great! Meet ya at WacDonald's in an hour. See ya." He hung up the phone and smiled at Miroku. "How was that?"
Miroku rolled his eyes. "First, call her back and tell her that you can't do it right way. Tell her that you'll pick her up in a couple of days. And when you finally do go, don't screw it up by saying something stupid."
Kagome tapped her toe nervously. It was a mistake. She wasn't going out with Inuyasha tonight, no way.
She had been trying to sleep when he had called two days ago. In a haze she'd accepted his invitation, now she was regretting it. She had fully planned on avoiding him when possible, but that plan was quickly going down the drain.
Kagome was currently waiting on the street of Inuyasha to pick her up. He was ten minutes late and she knew that it would probably be another twenty minutes or so before he finally would show up.
A car horn honked, startling Kagome and pulling her back to reality. Looking down the street, she saw Inuyasha driving a 1967 Corvette convertible. He was dressed in a simple black tee shirt with a pair of faded blue jeans, his silver blue hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. Becoming self-conscious of her outfit, an emerald green camisole with a matching over shirt and a white denim skirt, she opened the door and slid into the car.
"You look great," Inuyasha said, glancing sideways at her as she pulled away from the curb.
"You look good too," she squeaked.
"Listen Kagome, I know this is weird," Inuyasha said, flicking off the radio, "but if we don't work this out, things are going to be weird for the whole band."
Kagome remained silent. Inuyasha was right. If they didn't figure out how they were feeling soon, the whole band could be affected.
"Now I know Kikyo threw us for a loop by giving us a chance, but what good has it done? Nothing."
"Because we're scared?"
Inuyasha pursed his lips. "Yeah, we're scared. But you know what, I refuse to be scared anymore."
"Wait as second . . . so that's why we're going out on a date - because you don't feel brave enough to face your ex-girlfriend unless we're officially together?"
At this point they had reached the shopping complex where the restaurant that Inuyasha had picked was located. He had parked the car, but they weren't moving. In fact Kagome was sitting perfectly still, giving him an icy stare.
"That's a bullshit statement Kagome, and you know it."
"Oh really?"
"Kagome, you've been avoiding Kikyo as much as I have, so back off. Let's face it, there's something between us that we've been trying to ignore. The fact is we can't ignore it anymore."
He opened his door and quickly exited the vehicle. He walked around the back of the car to open Kagome's door, and offered her a hand as she stepped out. Thoughts were swirling around her head as they walked to the restaurant, but she didn't speak until they had nearly reached the place. Timidly she asked, "Well, why not?"
"Because it's been on my mind since Kikyo left me. Come on, let's get dinner."
The restaurant that Inuyasha had chosen was themed, a Rainforest Café. The pleasant atmosphere did little to calm the tension between the couple though.
"Inuyasha?"
"Yeah?"
"D-do you like me?"
Inuyasha blinked. "Well, yeah, I like you."
"That's not what I meant."
Sighing, Inuyasha folded his hands on the table. "Let my put it this way, I can hardly remember life before you. You've changed me."
"But that still doesn't answer my question."
Rubbing his temples, Inuyasha sighed, trying to adhere to Miroku's advice of not saying anything stupid. "Maybe I can't answer that question yet."
Kagome bit her lip and blinked back tears. This whole situation was confusing and it was starting to more than she could handle at that particular moment. The meal passed slowly, the conversation revolving around the band, the food, and the upcoming battle of the bands.
"Yeah, sure the Shichinintai are popular, but they're a fabricated band. They're not really in it for the music," Kagome stated, swirling a French fry in ketchup.
"So you're saying that we'll kick their asses based on the fact that we're the real deal and the fans will know it?"
"Yup. Now it's not like the Shichinintai don't have a fan following. They're a bubble-gun band. They have droves of fan girls, but probably not at the show."
"Yeah, can't say that the battle will be fan girl friendly."
"Oh I don't know. There are bound to be some fan girls. Just not the psycho ones who dissolve into tears every time their favorite person appears on stage."
"Thank God we don't have to deal with that."
"No kidding."
There was a pause, where Inuyasha and Kagome only stared at each other. Kagome tried a timid smile, but it quickly faded under Inuyasha's intense gaze. "Um, is there something wrong?" she asked.
He smirked. "Of course not."
"There must be. Why else would you be smirking at me?"
"Because there's something about you. I can't quite put my fingers on it, but I do know there's something about you."
Blushing, Kagome averted her eyes to her plate. She mumbled under breath along the lines of "You're such a pain," and then she shut up.
"So, Kagome . . ."
". . ."
"Come on Kagome, you can't stay mad at me forever."
"Watch me," she answered.
Reaching across the table, Inuyasha gently laid his fingers across Kagome's and slowly caressed them. "Kagome, I think you're the coolest girl I've ever met. You are your own person and I totally respect you for that. Kagome, I like you just the way you are and hope that you always stay the way you are now."
Kagome withdrew her hand from Inuyasha's. "Inuyasha, that's not possible. People always change. Since we started the band, I've changed."
"Yeah, okay, people change . . ."
"Yes, but people change constantly. The daily experience of life is constantly shaping and changing people." Sliding her chair back, Kagome rose and left Inuyasha at the table.
Dropping the tab and tip on the table, Inuyasha didn't waste any time in running after her. "Miroku, you'd better be right about this," he mumbled under his breath. "Kagome, Kagome!" he called after her willing her stop. Running, he caught up to her and grabbed her shoulder. "Dammit girl! Stop when I'm talking to you!"
Disgusted, Kagome pulled away, wrenching her arm from his grasp. "Excuse me!"
Rolling his eyes, Inuyasha put one arm around her shoulders and the other around her waist. Pulling her close, he closed the distance between their lips. At first, taken by surprise, Kagome blinked rapidly. Then she closed her eyes and began to enjoy it. It wasn't an urgent kiss like Koga's had been, but rather slow and enjoyable.
Pulling away, Inuyasha smiled at her. "Kagome, we have something between us. We can't fight it anymore."
Kagome couldn't answer. She didn't want to fight her feelings anymore, but her head was too rational and wanted to resist. "No, you were my cousin's boyfriend first. This is just too strange." Kagome pulled herself from his strong embrace.
"Oh, Higurashi!"
Turning sharply, Kagome found herself face to face with Hojo and Kikyo. Hand and hand the couple was advancing toward herself and Inuyasha. "Hojo, Kikyo . . . hello . . ."
"Enjoying yourselves?" Hojo asked, completely oblivious to the rise in tension. Clearly Kikyo was just as uncomfortable as Inuyasha and Kagome were.
"Well, we were having lunch and discussing band things," Kagome answered. It wasn't a full out lie, and it was just enough information to keep them from prying.
"That's nice. I'm sure you're excited about the battle of the bands!" Hojo said.
"They'd better be. They're the favorites," a deep voice said from behind them. What little color in Kikyo's cheeks drained as her eyes widened. Inuyasha scowled, crossing his arms against his chest.
"What do you want?" he asked.
Naraku shrugged. "I saw the one of the participants in my battle of the bands and felt that I was justified in asking how they were doing. You are ready for the competition, aren't you?"
"Of course," Kagome answered, her chin lifted in defiance.
"Good, good. I look forward to your performance. I bet you'll knock them dead," he said, turning and giving a dismissive wave.
"I really hate that asshole," Inuyasha muttered.
"Um, Kiki, are you okay?" Kagome asked, gently placing her hand on her cousin's shoulder.
"It's . . . well, I think he's been following me," Kikyo admitted quietly. "He gives me the creeps. I keep meeting him at the Red Dragon Café."
"Then stop going there. It won't kill you to hit Tully's or Starbucks," Kagome soothed.
"I know. Listen, you two, I know this is awkward as hell, but please, don't avoid each other on my account. Hojo and I are happy, really."
"Kikyo . . ." Inuyasha murmured.
Taking a deep breath, she gave a small smile. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
She walked away quickly, leaving Hojo, Kagome and Inuyasha standing together. "Really, we are quite happy. We share many interests and I think that it's for the best," Hojo said. "I know it's strange for everyone involved, but I think we should give it a chance. For all our sakes."
Kagome nodded as he headed off to wait for Kikyo. "Inuyasha . . ."
"I know, and you're right. Come on Kagome, we should call the guys and get them into the studio to work on you song."
Koga, Ginta and Hakkaku sat on the floor of the studio, waiting for Kagome and Inuyasha to show. Miroku sat at his drum set, tapping out simple rhythms and then trying more complicated variations.
"What's taking so damn long!" Koga growled, growing tired of waiting.
"Hey, they're probably running off copies of the sheet music," Miroku answered. "I was listening to them run through it the other day and it sounded pretty good. There are two versions. One is all piano, and the other includes all of us."
"Great, so what do the rest of us do while Hakkaku gets all of the attention?"
"Backup vocals?" Miroku suggested.
"Right, fine."
Seconds later, Kagome and Inuyasha burst in, arms laden with sheet music. "Okay guys, Kagome wrote the lyrics, I wrote the music. And this second one, well that was all me."
"My Immortal and Your Song?" Miroku asked.
"We're giving our selves options with ballads, okay?" Inuyasha snapped. "We have to keep options open. If we don't, we could actually lose this thing. I say we gather every one we know and ask them what they think once we get the songs up to snuff."
"Well My Immortal is all Hakkaku," Koga muttered, looking over the music.
"There are two versions," Inuyasha said tensely. "One is all Hakkaku and Kagome, and the other is a little edgier and involves all of us."
"Right, why don't we play through the song a few times before Kagome starts singing along," Hakkaku suggested. "The melody seems pretty straight forward."
As he sat at the piano, Sesshoumaru burst in, a manila envelope in hand and speaking furiously into his cell phone.
"Yes, I did get the package," he said into it. Sighing, he answered back to an unheard comment. "They're a punk band. I honestly don't know if they know the song or not." Another pause before Sesshoumaru's voice dropped to a deadly serious low. "Well I'll give it to them to work on. Thank you for your call." He hung up before brushing his bangs out of his face and attempting to regain his composure. "Hello there."
"What happened?" Kagome asked.
"That . . . idiot," Sesshoumaru said, stressing the word idiot heavily, "wants there to be a cover competition, along with the original material."
"So I'm guessing what we're covering is in that envelope," Inuyasha said dryly.
"Exactly. It's a copy of Anne Orson and Carte Blanche's Don't Go Breaking My Heart."
"What! We're doing an Elton John song!" Koga asked, his eyes wide.
"Naraku felt it was appropriate for a band with a female lead."
"So basically it's a duet for myself and Kagome," Inuyasha said, taking the envelope from his brother and sliding the music out.
"Basically, that's the long and the short of it," Sesshoumaru sighed. "I don't know what his ploy is, but you can handle it, right?"
"Right," the band answered, unsure of whether or not they could do an old Elton John song from the seventies.
"Please, just give it a chance," Sesshoumaru implored. "Otherwise it could get really ugly for all of us."
Feeling that he'd said his peace, he left the band with three new sets of sheet music. Miroku looked over it and shrugged. "We could try to make it a little bit more punk, but I'm not sure how well that would go."
"I find that it's kinda hard to mess with classics," Inuyasha muttered. "Sometimes it works, but sometimes it's a total bust. We need to think this through."
"I see the self preservation instinct is kicking in," Ginta cracked.
Miroku rolled his eyes. "I say we start with the original stuff. The thing about covers is that we're generally familiar with the melody which makes playing them a little easier."
"Right, read through the music for a few minutes. When we're ready, we'll play through them."
Kagome looked at Inuyasha, hoping to read his face. Inuyasha merely shrugged at her as he picked up his guitar and started strumming random chords.
"So, Inuyasha, are you ever going to get a new guitar?" Hakkaku asked as he played over the keys of the piano.
"Someday, if I can ever convince my brother the tight wad that it's a good idea," Inuyasha answered.
"Inuyasha, honey, are you down there?"
The boys snickered as Kagome let Izayoi into the studio. "Hello there boys. Hello Kagome."
"Hi Izayoi."
"You're on a first name basis with my mother?" Inuyasha asked his eyes wide.
"Yeah. So?" Kagome said with a shrug.
"I brought down some cookies," Izayoi said, placing a plate with warm chocolate chip cookies on a table. "You all have been working so hard, I think it's time you had a little treat."
"Please, Mother, don't treat us like we're ten," Inuyasha groaned.
"Who cares! The cookies are great, Mrs. Taji," Koga said, grabbing a couple.
"Hey, here's an interesting piece of discography," Miroku piped from his seat at the computer. "Apparently Sir Elton did Don't Go Breakin' My Heart with RuPaul in 1993."
"So we could possibly update it," Ginta said. "Let me play with the file on the mixer for a while and I'll let you know what I come up with."
"Fine, whatever," Inuyasha mumbled.
"Well don't let me keep you from anything," Izayoi said with a pleasant smile. She turned around and left the studio, leaving the cookies on the table. After she was gone, the other guys smirked at Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha is Momma's little boy!" Koga smirked.
"I am not. She's just my mom, and she made cookies. Is that such a big deal?" Inuyasha asked.
"No, not a problem," Miroku answered, his lips twitching. "Let's just do this, okay?"
"Right, let's play through My Immortal, okay?" Inuyasha said, looking at Hakkaku.
"Uh, right!" Hakkaku began playing slowly, unsure of the tempo. "Um, is this okay?"
"That's fine. It's a ballad, so it's supposed to be slower," Kagome said, looking at the music.
Hakkaku played through the whole song, and as he finshed the rest of the band sat in silence. "So, what happens when Kagome actually sings along?" Miroku asked quietly.
"Goosebumps," Inuyasha replied. "Come on, let's do this."
Kagome began to sing in a pure voice, causing the other band members to look amongst each other in surprise. They all knew that Kagome was an excellent vocalist, but they clearly hadn't anticipated how well she would do with original material. With the exception of Inuyasha, the band had to take extra care to make sure they kept playing instead of stopping to simply enjoy listening to Kagome's voice work magic.
When Kagome's voice faded, the rest of the band that had been listening to her sat in a stunned silence. "So, how was it?" she asked quietly.
"If you sing like that at the competition, we're going to win for sure," Miroku answered, leaning back in the computer chair.
Are we happy now? We had Kagome and Inuyasha mackin' on each other, in a mall no less. Sigh I knew I'd have to do it eventually. But what the hey, it was kinda sweet and all. Anyway, I don't have any more pre-fab chapters, which means that you guys are gonna have to be patient for me to actually write. School is starting to take up my time which means that I'll get around to working on it when I can. Hopefully it won't a be a year between updates.
Well, leave a review.
MercyAngel09