A contest, hmm?

~ Well, now that you're in the crowd, with fans and friends, you stand and wait in as much anticipation as the first time... You REALLY don't want to be there, but this time, you have a true reason. The other time, you had a childish reason compared to this. It didn't hurt last time. You didn't want to cry the last time. You left the last time... This time, though you should leave, you'll stay. How would 'he' feel if 'he' looked around and you weren't there? You don't want to know... Why this way...? WHY?! ~

"Sango, about that song, 'Fangirl'," I called over the cheering from the surrounding crowd, "should I, or should I NOT hear it?"

It took a while for her to understand, but she didn't hesitate to answer. "Hai, you should... Though, you were fighting when he gave you that nickname..."

"Hmm..."

"Kagome-chan, what's the prank?!" Ayame whined. "Please tell us!"

::::::Silence::::::


Well, from me...

"Iie." I was dead serious, too, and they knew it.

"Please?" Ayame repeated.

"Iie..." I paused, thoughtful for a moment. "Unless..."

"Unless?" Sango prompted.

"Unless... You beg me. On your knees, bowing." I stuck my chin up in the air at that, acting royally.

"N-NANI!?"

That screech was enough to turn a few heads... Then more... And more... Sango and Ayame quieted... Then more gathered around to watch... And more.

"NANI!" Sango shouted at the crowd, shaking a fist at them. "NANI?"

Slowly, they backed away... Um, that was sort of familiar... Only backwards. And the lights dimmed.

"Kagome, please tell us," Sango whispered.

"Iie."

The drums started as a light shined on a friend of mine, in the left back corner of the stage. He wore his demonic shirt, of course, and his hair was up. Innocent smile in place, Miroku winked at the crowd. When the girls squealed- including Sango- I swore Sango's eyes turned blood red. Spooky.

However, when the same thing happened with Kouga and Ayame's reaction was the same, I decided it was best to put some space between us.

Inuyasha was next up, but instead of winking, he laughed... And he still got the loudest applause of them all. My eyes may have turned blood red, but I doubt it. (A/N: And just WHO is she trying to fool? ^_~)

"Binding- a Cage of no Doors," was the first song up, which I only knew of because it had played on the car radio on the way to the concert hall. This song seemed to be one with a slightly skewed meaning. While it spoke of a 'jail-like cell' with no way out because of some tragedy, I felt as if it was really speaking of the mind. Being lost in your own mind and all the doors closed to leave you in the dark... But right now I wasn't listening to the song. I was concentrating on settling my nerves and waiting for Yura's signal.

I watched the band on stage, Miroku grinning at the crowd and Kouga jamming away on his bass guitar, eyes shut. Inuyasha was, like Miroku, grinning at the crowd, his eyes laughing each time they landed on me. He smirked briefly, singing.

Five songs later, Yura stood on the edge of the stage, hidden in the shadows. A flick of her wrists told me it was time. Slowly, I made my way to the stage. I met Yura at the barrier, telling the security guard to let me pass. After a few minutes of arguing with the bull of a man, Yura got fed up and slipped him a bill- a hundred, I guess- while averting the onlookers by pointing at the stage and squealing. The security guard took the money and let me slip by unseen. Some people can be bought.

Song #7 was playing by the time I finally got to the stage stairs. Silently waiting for the song to end, I smiled, laughing at the happiness rolling off Inuyasha- which oddly reminded me all too much of Shippo. I don't think either of them would like hearing that.

Inuyasha saw me and smiled, then turned back to the crowd and continued singing 'In a World so Small'.

"With a life so short in a world so small,
Reach out and grasp the stars
Laugh at all the irony you see in this place
And smile as the sun touches your face
Leaving without a trace

Time stands still for no one
You gotto look at the setting sun
And pray
Things go your way
Some things may be lost,
But more will be gained
In the long run
I'll see you again, so-

With a life so short in a world so small,
Reach out and grasp the stars
Laugh at all the irony you see in this place
And smile as the sun touches your face
Leaving without a trace

With a life so short in a world so small,
Reach out and grasp the stars."

Ending the song and signaling to Kouga and Miroku in case they hadn't noticed me, Inuyasha turned to the crowd. The fans cheered when Inuyasha leaned toward the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen- tonight we have a change in schedule. Please settle for a moment- especially all you women out there. We have something... Very special for you," he said, a light chuckle to his voice. "Here to explain this event is Kagome Higurashi and Yura Sakasagami."

I straightened my posture, walking onto the stage with Yura a step behind me. Going to the microphone Inuyasha stepped away from, I looked for the stunned faces of my friends and found them in an instant. Smirking to myself, I laughed and took the mic from its stand.

"Hey, how you feeling? Excited!?" The crowed roared, hands pounding the air for emphasis. "Great! Tonight, we are holding a slight competition for 5 sharp minded, intelligent ladies. Prizes are spectacular- and the grand prize is... A one-on-one expense free vacation with manager Sesshomaru Himitsu! Yes, one week at any location you want with he man behind the scenes!"

'Oh my,' my mind thought, involuntarily throwing my hands over my ears as the cheers rang through my head. Waiting a while for the screams to die down, I continued my speech.

"Now, this is open to any lady who feels confident enough to come onto this stage and answer questions against the other competitors. Take a few moments of self evaluation, onegai. We don't want anyone feeling out of place up here. When you're confident, raise a hand. Five of you will be chosen by Demonic, Yura, and myself... Remember, a sharp mind and confidence will get you a place on this stage!"

Yura snatched the mic at this time.

"Before you raise those eager hands of yours... Since Sesshomaru was unable to show tonight, arranging for the perfect vacation as we speak, a shot description is in order."

While she rattled off the man's 'flawless looks' and got hung up on the perfection of his oddly colored hair, I walked over to the band. While I spoke, they had gathered and lined themselves up, talking to each other quietly.

"They're going to cling onto us and try to drag us away," Kouga muttered, wide-eyed.

"No, they won't. They all know that they won't be selected if they do," I said, grinning at the cowering group. "Now, when you go to pick someone, get someone who looks nice and intelligent. If you pick someone I don't approve of-" I looked threateningly at Inuyasha, who backed away defensively- "I will chose for you. Miroku," I mumbled in warning, seeing his innocent smile- "do NOT grope the girls."

He placed a hand over his heart, gasping in feigned shock. "Why I never... How could you assume such an atrocious thing of me?"

I shook my head in exasperation. "I mean it Miroku."

"I'll behave."

"Like you did in the restaurant?" Kouga asked.

Miroku smiled another innocent smile. "I promise to behave, Kagome-sama," he said.

"Kagome... sama...?" I shook my head to clear it. "Whatever... Also, I'm sure none of you are dumb enough to do it, but don't chose anyone who doesn't have their hand up and don't chose someone you know."

They nodded and Yura finished her description. Reclaiming the mic, I smirked. "And let the game begin!"

In an instant, the air was filled with raised hands and the echoing screeches from the excited young girls. Covering my ears, I motioned for the band to go out and search. Yura followed them and I was last. Walking into the sea of ecstatic young- for the most part- women, one thought resounded in my head. 'Sugoi, there's so many to choose from... This is going to take forever.'

******


"Alright, here we are," I announced, once again standing at the microphone. I turned to face he five girls. I was amazed none of the guys had picked just any girl, they'd actually got ones that rivaled my own choice. "Please state our name and age."

"Mayu Wakuzi, 27," was the girl Kouga choose. She was a tad shorter than him, long blonde hair in a high ponytail, and blue eyes. She looked intelligent enough, but slightly naïve... Hmmm, an Ayame in disguise, almost.

Miroku's choice was next.

"Shiro Aouki, 25." Her hair was jet black, a stark comparison to her skin. She looked like she hadn't been in the sun for weeks! But she was the most intelligent looking- librarian like- and still looked as if she knew how to have a great time.

Inuyasha's girl was a inch or so taller than me with long black hair tied back in an elegant bun with two intricately designed combs holding her bangs back. She looked very quick-witted, but also seemed drawn back and... well... a bit moody. Yet, like Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, her eyes caught my interest. Who made fuchsia colored contacts?

"Kagura Gumo, 26."

"Kiekki Luna, 26," was Yura's choice. She was probably the only one I would dissapprove of. I had a strange feeling that Yura didn't pay attention to brains. She cared about hair more than anything and I, personally, would kill to have Kiekki's hair. Silky black, the bangs and side hair was pulled back, some hair across her shoulders while the rest fell down her back and to her knees. Ohhh, I wanted that hair!

However, my choice had the brightest teeth, the sharpest clothes, and the most make-up free of the bunch. She was also the only one with a 'Demonic' shirt on. Oh, and her flares... I definitely needed to know where she shopped... Not that I would ever go shopping for clothes.

"Mimiri Mai, 27."

I sighed. "Mayu, Shiro, Kagura, Kiekki, and Mimiri. When I ask a question, you have 2 seconds to answer, so stay on your toes. Mayu, please give everyone's name in alphabetical order."

"Kagura, Kiekki, Mayu, Mimiri, Shiro." I smiled encouragingly.

"Shiro, list five of the twelve constellations."

"Libra, Leo, Aquarius, Pisces, and... umm... Scorpio!" I nodded.

"Kagura, name 5 of the 50 U.S. states."

"Missouri, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Montana, and Michigan." I smiled, noting the use of 'm's.

"Kiekki,give me 5 of the contenents."

"Asia, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, and Europe."

"Mimiri, name 5 planets, other than Earth."

She smiled to herself. "Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn."

My smile widened. 'So far so good.'

"Great! Now, for the second round. Math is our subject ladies, so think numbers," I said, trying to make it harder- some answers didn't need numbers. "Mimiri, lets start with you. What is the result of multiplication?"

"...a product...?" I nodded. She let out a sigh of relief, silently of course.

"Kiekki, what is 4 to the 3rd power?"

"16?"

I shook my head- faking as much sadness as possible. "64."

Reaching into my pocket, I handed her a backstage pass and nearly suffocated when she hugged me. She left smiling. 'Okay...' I moved on to the next in line.

"Kagura, give me two factors of 28."

"4 and 7," was her instant reply. She was definitely someone with at least a 2 year degree in college...

"Shiro, what is the result of division called?"

"A... product?"

Again, I shook my head. "A quotient."

Miroku handed her a backstage pass and a 'Demonic' CD. He was hugged for it; he kept to himself... 'If anyone hugs Inuyasha...'

"Mayu," I continued, placing the thought at the back of my mind as Shiro left the stage. "What is 12x12+4?"

"148." I smiled and nodded.

"Alright, now for a more difficult catagory. History."

"Kagura, you'll begin." She nodded. "What year did Columbus first set sail for 'the new world'?"

"1492."

"Mimiri, who is the father of evolution?"

"Charles Darwin."

"Mayu, what famine devastated Ireland the most severly?"

"...I... don't know," she said defeatedly.

"The Great Potato Famine," I told her, smiling sadly- genuinely sad to have her lose. She seemed so... Ayame like.

"Ah, of course," she mumbled, smiling at her own stupidity.

Inuyasha tapped her on the shoulder, handed her a CD, an autographed photo of the band, and a backstage pass. She didn't hug him, to my surprise, but held out her hand in a friendly parting handshake. I was sad to see her leave the stage.

"Okay," I spoke into the microphone. "This round is a tad bit different. This is a psychological test. I will ask a series of questions and you will have to answer immediately, but listen carefully. For instance... Inuyasha," I called.

He looked at me, frowning in confusion. "Nani?"

"Will you demonstrate this for me?"

"...Hai."

"Good. Now spell top."

"T-O-P."

"Spell mop."

"M-O-P."

"Spell crop."

"C-R-O-P."

"What do you do at a green light?"

"Stop."

I grinned. "At a green light?" I looked around the crowd of fans, shaking my head. "Well, I'm not letting you drive me anywhere."

He thought about that a second, then slapped himself. "Go, I mean! Go!" he yelled frantically, trying to build his image back up after that answer. My grin widened.

"Kagura, you ready?"

"Hai."

"Spell most."

"M-O-S-T."

"Spell boast."

"B-O-A-S-T."

"Spell coast."

"C-O-A-S-T."

"What do you put in a toaster?"

"Bread."

I was shocked to say the least. I didn't expect anyone to get it straight away. "Great job... Um... Mimiri! Spell pin."

"P-I-N."

"Spell sin."

"S-I-N."

"Spell grin."

"G-R-I-N."

"What is a pop can made out of?"

"Tin."

"Aluminum," I sighed. "Kagura, in order to win, since it is down to you two, you must answer the next question correctly or Mimiri is back in the game. Understand?"

"Understood."

"What is 1+1?"

"2"

"3-1?"

"2"

"2-0?"

"2"

"How many animals of each kind did Moses take on the ark?"

"None. Noah took them on the ark, not Moses," she explained.

"Kagura is the winner!" I shouted, grabbing Kagura's arm and holding it in the air, telling the deaf she won... Why the deaf would be at a concert, you ask? ^-^ for the boys, of course!

Kouga handed Mimiri a CD, autographed photograph, backstage pass, and 2 tickets for any concert of her choice. She hugged him tightly, kissed his cheek, then skipped off stage. 'Oh, Kouga isn't going to like Aya-chan when she's through with him.'

"Congratulations, Kagura," I cheered, smiling. "Yura will escort you to the private jet. No need to pack anything. Money will be given to you for clothing, so please enjoy your stay at-" I placed the microphone near her mouth.

"Hawaii," she said, smiling a smile that reached her eyes partially.

While everyone cheered for Kagura, I slipped over to Inuyasha, slipping a hand around his waist to hug him once, quickly. "It seems you know what's best for you brother."

Inuyasha looked down at me, smirked, then walked to the microphone stand. "I'm pleased to announce yet another change in tonights schedule."