Authors Note: I kind of lied in my profile. I said it would be out Tuesday or Wednesday, I lied. Whoops. Sorry. Oh well, this chapter stinks. Sorry about the stinkiness. Plug your nose. But anyway! Enjoy! There will probably be a sequel! And new romances with the characters! Well, I love you all. Please read and review! Love you, love you, love you.
Chapter 11:
Kagome nudged her friend, softly. Sango rolled over, ignoring the subtle attempt to get her out of bed. Next time Kagome shook her violently, until the other girl's head was spinning.
"Sango!" Kagome's distant voice beckoned her friend to wake up, to see that it was morning, and it was time to face the day ahead. "It's time to get up."
Sango moaned and groaned, but her attempts to stay curled up in bed for another week would be futile. The contract was set from the beginning; no amount of grieving could get her out of this one. She took part in writing the song; she recorded it with her heart and soul, could she really even stand giving all of it up now?
The answer was simple. No.
But what really made her want to just disappear for that day was the fact that Miroku was still mad at her. Would he show up? Would he leave her to sing the love song to herself? Would he prove to the world that he honestly had no feelings for her? Leaving her broken and scarred in front of thousands of people…
She had no doubt he would still be angry. He had every right to be, and she knew it. Miroku had entrusted his most sacred feelings to a girl that proved to be most untrustworthy. It was all her fault that she shattered him, made him believe there was nothing he could put faith into anymore.
'But I will not sit here like a hopeless fool. I've been moping around, day and night like a heartbroken idiot. Sango, get over it, he doesn't want you anymore, and it was all your fault. It's time to move on.'
She told herself that but her heart screamed otherwise. Her heart still pined for the touch that only Miroku could give. It was like he was the most deadliest sin, and she had even forsaken it, and was unworthy of something even so unpure.
"Sango, are you going to wake up now? The car is already waiting downstairs."
Sango sat up, rubbing the sleep clear from her eyes. "I'm going to go. I'm not going to abandon everything I'm supposed to stand for now."
"Now that's the Sango I know!"
=====
Sango shut the door behind her after climbing in and sliding over on the leather seats of the limo. She stared at her hands and then glanced at the pairs of feet sitting directly across from her, also in the same vehicle. That was where Miroku would be sitting if he came.
"So, Sango, are you ready?"
She snapped her head up to the source of the voice. Kikyo. Inuyasha, Shippo, and Kouga sat beside her. No Miroku.
She sighed heavily, her breath coming out in shaky increments, "Yes, I'm ready."
"Good. Because you're going to need all the luck and hope you can get. Even I couldn't get Miroku to come. He's a hopeless cause."
And then Sango's spirits plummeted, it was no use. She might as well occupy herself instead of wallowing in her own self pity. Kagome looked close to tears as she stared out the window. She watched the blur of cars, houses, trees, and buildings rush by. Kagome must have been deep in thought to almost cry about that.
Then she looked to Inuyasha. He was having the same problem with trying to keep his emotions in check. There had to be a serious problem going on between the two that Sango was yet to figure out.
Oh well. She had time to think about it now, later, whenever, just as long as she wasn't thinking about Miroku.
=====
Miroku tried not to listen to the voices in his head, but it was kind of hard when they wouldn't shut up.
'If you really love her you would go to her. Can you imagine how embarrassing it will be for her to stand up there and stay quiet during your part of the song? It'd be humiliating.'
'But she already tortured me enough. She picked up my heart, ate and chewed, then spit it back out for birds to pick at it.'
'Gross dude. Gross. Keep those kind of things to yourself.'
'Whatever, you want a piece of me?'
'Maybe I do, what are you going to do about it?'
'Oh you'll see what I'm going to do about it.'
"Enough!" Miroku yelled to the vacant room that only he occupied. "I can't think when I won't shut up!"
And then his mind went silent. "Good, now for some rational thinking."
=====
They arrived at the concert hall, where guards immediately led them to dressing rooms so they could wait out for what could happen next.
When Sango came to her room she sat in a chair while Kagome knew exactly what to do and opened up her cases upon cases of supplies she would need for her job. She looked at everything, concentrating hard, which was unusual for Kagome. She was always chatting, or gossiping, something to keep her from being absolutely quiet while she pretended to be professional like on the job.
"Kagome? Is there something going on between you and Inuyasha again?"
Kagome laughed nervously as she dropped several combs, "Me and Inuyasha? Nooo, why would you even think of an idea like that? He has Kikyo now."
"I just thought…"
"Well you thought wrong."
Sango stopped slouching in her chair and sat up straight. Kagome busied herself by combing out Sango's hair with a stern look on her face.
When she was finished styling Sango's hair, Sango couldn't even complain about the dead silence. It was the best her hair ever looked before a show. She should try to irritate Kagome more often!
"I…I've got to go check out what's going on outside. You stay here."
Kagome exited the room, closing the door behind her. When she turned around to what she thought was an empty hallway, instead she found two people groveling at her feet.
Kouga put his hands together, as if he were praying, "Kagome, we heard what happened with Naraku! This is all our fault!"
Shippo fell to his knees, "Yes! Even though it was mostly his fault, please forgive us!"
"What do you mean? Of course it's not your fault that guy attacked me! He must have mistaken me for someone else, that's all."
Kouga and Shippo looked at each other, they wanted her to be mad at them so they wouldn't feel guilty anymore, "But Kagome, didn't he mention who he was looking for?"
Shippo innocently nodded then added, "Yeah, it's our fault that he even came to the hotel."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh no, I'd be quiet if I were you Kikyo, that'll only make the beating hurt less."
"He was looking for Kikyo?" they both nodded at her, "Then who is he?"
"He's the 'other lover.' She's been cheating on Inuyasha."
Kagome looked frantically down the hallways, as if she was about to dash away; "I've got to tell him!"
She started walking but was jerked back when two hands went to grab her wrists; she looked at Shippo and Kouga, confused. "Guys? What's wrong? He needs to know!"
"Please, Kagome. For our sake. Inuyasha will kill us, he wouldn't believe you anyway, and that would only make his opinion of you stranger than it already is right now." Shippo put on his best puppy face, begging.
"I…I guess." Kagome sighed, defeated.
They both shot up, relieved, "Oh you'll see Kagome! We'll make it up to you!"
"Sometimes it creeps me out when you both say the exact same thing at the exact same time. You know that?" Kagome said offhandedly as they walked down the hallway.
=====
Click! The TV took a moment to blare up into full color and sound. Miroku watched it, his eyes fixing on the screen.
"Boring," Click. "Boring," Click. "Boring," Click "Bo…ring?"
"And tonight, we have a live broadcast from Miroku and Sango's most anticipated performance. Jon, what can you tell me about tonight?"
The screen turned to a man, standing in a crowd of thousands of people, holding his hand to his ear, "Thanks Sally, the first thing I can say is these fans are revved up!"
The roars of the group exploded, "How do you describe what you are feeling right now?"
The camera focused on a fan girl and her friends, who sported 'Miroku+Sango' t-shirts, and holding posters before the cameras. "Oh my gosh, I have been waiting my whole life to see them on stage together," she burst into tears, "Oh my god, this is going to make my life complete!"
"Any message for Miroku and Sango?"
"Oh my god! If you guys are watching this, I love you!" she sniffled through her steady stream of tears, "Please get married and have babies and then name those babies after me! I would just die!"
Jon chuckled, "As you can see Sally, these people are excited."
Miroku smacked his forehead, "What am I going to do?"
=====
Sango had her arms raised; a swarm of people surrounded her. One began fidgeting with her belt, securing a box to a microphone there. Another dropped a pair of ear plugs into her hand for the show.
A woman rushed up to her and began talking a mile a minute, "Alright, as soon as DJ B introduces you, that's your cue to walk out there. Walk, don't jog, don't be noticeable, we want you to get onstage without people seeing you. The lights will then light up, just like you practiced, and all you have to do is look up and sing."
Sango stammered, "What about Miroku's part?"
"Yeah, Miroku's part. He's got to do it, don't worry about it."
Sango rolled her eyes. Didn't anyone have time to understand her dilemma? Miroku wasn't there! He never showed! She was about to be shamed in front of the world.
"Where's Kagome for that good luck hug when I need her?" She shook her hands at her side, feeling as nervous as hell.
She was going to need some serious help trying not to cry tonight.
=====
"Row three. Here you are, mam."
Kagome looked to see how many other people were sitting in her row; she hated it when she accidentally stomped on people's feet. Inuyasha, Kikyo, Shippo, and Kouga were already sitting in a row. Her seat, she was assuming, would be uncomfortably close to Inuyasha.
She sat down, crossing both her arms and legs, pretending to look at something else.
"Kagome! Psst, Kagome!" Kagome tried to ignore the call of her name, for it was coming from the direction of Inuyasha. Even though it couldn't be him…she might have to look at him.
Shippo decided to use his vocal chords as well, "Kagommeeee, oh Kagommmeee!"
"Hey! Kagome! Psst! Over here! Kagome!"
"Kagoooommmeee! Kagooommmeeee!"
She pivoted sharply, hissing, "What?"
"Hi!" they yelled cheerfully in unison.
Kagome rolled her eyes and shook her head, she knew it was going to be something stupid. It wasn't worth it, for now she felt Inuyasha's eyes on her, staring intensely. She blushed, her mouth gaping slightly open, and she glanced at him.
"Uhhh…hi." She said dumbly.
He smiled slightly, amused, "Hi."
Inuyasha turned away though when Kikyo started to playfully cuddle on his shoulder, he turned to her attention, leaving Kagome to herself.
=====
Out in the parking lot, a door to a limo slammed, someone wearing plain old jeans, a fitting t-shirt, and a light jacket walked out. Set on his mission.
A group of girls who couldn't get tickets screamed, fencing him in.
"Oh my god! It's Miroku!"
Others soon took notice, and it seemed like there was no escape from the terror of the fan girls.
"I'm DJ B, are you all ready to rock?" a wave of sound washed into the parking lot. Miroku could hear the boom of the voice rushing through the speakers. "I want you all to give a big round of applause for Miroku and Sango!"
"Damnit!" Miroku yelled, pushing his way through the girls. He didn't care if half of them got a good chunk of his coat; he wasn't here for them. He was letting Sango down; she probably would never forgive him.
=====
Sango felt a rush of excitement she always got when this time arrived. The crowd was silent after DJ B introduced her and Miroku to the crowd and walked off, so that no one was in view. The faint noise of the crowd thrumming was heard, but not many cheers.
The symbol started with a slow twinkling sound, that grew and died away. The people in the audience started up again with loud cheers and screams. The lights weren't fully on, but she knew she was slowly fading into view to everyone.
The acoustic joined the drum in a slow rhythm and beat. Sango took in a breath and let it out, hearing the music that was supposed to start the verse. Everyone could see her now, but she couldn't make out all the tiny faces, she was glad though, some would be so disappointed that Miroku wasn't there.
She started with her lines that probably didn't make sense, "You got me wrapped around your finger and I don't know why I haven't lingered."
The people in the first row were staring at her like she was a complete fool to even attempt it alone…and that's what started the prickling at the corners her eyes. Miroku's part came on again, and she stared dumbly at the crowd, taking it all in.
He didn't show. He wasn't ready to love her with all her lies. They both weren't ready to love at all.
They should have never met.
But soon she caught herself whimpering, and tears were already spilling. Sango let the microphone slip from her grasp and in her eyes it fell slowly to the ground before it made contact with a loud squeak.
The crowd was silent. Sango stood there, alone in the spotlight, crying into her hands.
Some of the girls in the crowd had begun weeping as well; it was only natural instinct when they saw their idol doing the same on stage.
The band looked at each other incredulously, they weren't sure what to do.
Sango broke down, in front of the world. She showed them she was weak, and worst of all, that no one cared about her the way it was rumored to be. But then, she heard a roar of screams and claps.
'What are they clapping for? Do they think I'm brave for baring all in front of them? Well I think I look like an absolute coward right now!'
Miroku, who had just run on stage, microphone in hand murmured, "Sango…"
She heard the vibration his one word caused through her whole body. Sango looked up, and sure enough, Miroku was on stage, staring at her concerned.
He threw his mic to the ground, carelessly, and then jogged to her. Sango tried to stop crying and wiped away her tears, but she found she couldn't. And ironically she was grinning like a fool.
"Sango…" he muttered again before gathering her into his arms.
And then thirty thousand people or so in the stadium should have gone deaf. Including Miroku and Sango.
"You forgive me? For being such a bad boyfriend and not getting to you sooner?" Miroku whispered into her hair.
Sango went wide-eyed and broke out of the embrace, looking at him like he was extremely dumb, "Me? Forgive you? I should be asking if you forgive me! Not the other way around!"
"I realized that I was stupid when I reacted that way. You were trying to protect me, you didn't want to hurt me, but because you love me you told me the truth."
Sango was speechless. He was so perfect and understanding.
"Or at least I hope you love me. Because I know one thing is for sure, Sango…I love you."
And that was it. Sango launched herself into his arms, encircling her arms around his neck and capturing his lips in a kiss that could end all kisses.
And then all the viewers watching the thirty thousand or so deaf people lost their hearing as well.
The band knew that this was the exact time to continue playing, and they did so…making such a nice symphony for such a bittersweet kiss.
=====
Even through the yelling Kagome could hear a manly voice that was particularly loud, and was yelling nothing that sounded like it should be said at a couple making up on stage.
She turned around; the man was rapidly crawling over the chairs, 'Naraku…'
This time, though, his gaze was set on Kikyo, he could pick her out between the two most likely immediately when they were in the same room.
Kikyo looked at the stage with glistening eyes, then at Inuyasha who scowled at the idea of public affection. She jumped up and down, proud of Miroku, and proud of the way the crowd was going to go crazy for those new line of Miroku and Sango t-shirts that would be available after the show.
"Inuyasha…" she said, putting on a puppy dog face and while letting her bottom lip quiver. "Kiss me."
He grumbled and blushed, seeing the leery faces of Kouga and Shippo just waiting to see what would happen next. "Fine."
They kissed, but not a second after was Inuyasha stumbling and rearing back. Naraku still had his fist raised in mid-air, the animosity he felt still clear on his face.
"Bitch, what are you doing with my woman?"
Inuyasha got up, rubbing his shoulder where he had been hit; his expression was one of absolute astonishment. "Your woman? What are you talking about? I thought you were with Kagome…and…"
His eyebrows were furled together in confusion while he pointed in the direction of Kagome and lost what he was going to say. "Kagome? That little bitch doesn't look like she's fit to be anywhere near me."
'He doesn't know Kagome? Kikyo? His woman? What have I done?'
"Don't call Kagome a bitch. And if you do again, it's because she's my girl. Got that?" Inuyasha growled, referencing his own canine attributes.
Naraku pushed Inuyasha on the chest with a 'bring it on' attitude, "Oh yeah, dog boy? I bet you'd do just about anything to get into a nice fuck like her pants."
Kikyo put her hand gently on Inuyasha's arm, trying to calm him down, but he quickly snatched it away, "Inuyasha…"
"Kikyo. You and I are through," he hissed, not bothering to look at her while he glared daggers at Naraku, "And Kagome," he turned to her, "You're mine."
The way he said it brought chills to Kagome's spine. The possessiveness made her want to find herself in Inuyasha's arms again, warm and protected from the world.
Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, "Time to take out the trash."
=====
Sango smiled deliciously, holding Miroku's neck as he pulled away. His eyes were still closed and he licked his lips, smiling like he was still in the dream like state of the kiss. Sango twirled her finger around his ponytail, reveling in the feel of his silky locks.
"Miroku." She said trying to lull him back into reality. He only then let his eyes flutter open.
He looped his arm around her waist, "Let's get outta' here."
She nodded vigorously, "Yeah."
He took her hand and they walked off stage, a coordinator backstage yelled in their direction. "Wait you two! What about the concert?"
They stopped and took the time to turn around and face the source of the voice. "Well, about that," Miroku began, "Sango and I decided we need some alone time."
Sango caught on to his perverted smile, "What he means is-Oh!"
She could only smile back when he swept her off her feet, bridal style, and carried her away.
Like the perfect fairytale ending.
=====
So wait, what happened to Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo, and Kouga?
Rewind.
As soon as Naraku was on the ground, Inuyasha wasted no time in gathering Kagome into his arms and he stole her breath away with a hard, long kiss.
But of course there had to be cheering in the background. "Oh, my little Inu is growing up!"
"Would you like a tissue?" Kouga asked, pretending to wipe away tears.
"Guys," Inuyasha muttered after taking away his mouth from Kagome's, which she felt like was devouring her own.
Kagome blushed, "I love you guys!"
Shippo grinned, happy that everything was right again. "Group hug!"
…
"Wait…what happened to Miroku and Sango?"
Kagome only thought of the two, walking away in the sunset, kissing sweetly. And how right she was.
…The End…
Thanks to my reviewers:
Soli-chan- My Math class is called Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry Enriched. Pretty crazy stuff. Test tomorrow! Wish me good luck! Well…I'll wait for forevermore…forever! The funny thing about that was that I was thinking about naming a fic "Evermore and Evermore" but…yeah..it's kind of the same. Anyway! Thanks for TWO reviews!
LiL psYch0- Oh yes…and now I'll make an alternate lemon ending! Just for you…here it goes!…Just kidding. And of course I'm making up for lost time, I was gone so horribly long. You can't blame me though, there was a death in the family, finals, school, choir contests and whatnots. Well, no, and yes. Shippo and Kouga are just in THIS story for comical relief, but in the sequel they have purpose. So, if you like them and their romantic pairings you can go ahead and read it. Thanks!
icenekohanyou- Yeah…wait don't interrupt! So anyway…HEY! I SAID SHUT UP! That was just my head interrupting me, sheesh. No, I hate when people do that too. They should give you a chance to explain…if he would have seen her reasons he wouldn't have been so mad in the first place. And don't hurt him…he needs to be spick and span for Sango! Thank you!
SM together- Yes…UPDATE…and ANOTHER! WOOT!
Sierra- Awwww. I agree. More depth. I wrote the first chapter to the sequel when I started the first chapter of the first one. I was thinking about releasing it first and then having this one come out, kind of like a "what happened to make them this way" thing. A quarter of the chapter is just Sango and Kagome in a room…reeeeaaalll in depth about a lousy escape attempt. But anyway, thank you so much for the compliments!
Bikutoria- Oh my fruit roll-ups! Thanks you for the compliments, and it's my pleasure to update for everyone that supports me!
A little 'update' from the author:
Fanfiction.net told me the login process was not working, sorry for taking so long to release this chapter. Here is some 'upcoming' stuff you might want to know.
The Sequel- All I can say is this won't be released for a very long time. Not until the badminton season is over anyway. I plan on using my free time to A. Study, and B. Write/Read fanfiction. So hopefully a sturdier updating foundation will be formed.
Another MxS story- I thought of a good idea in chemistry today. I really like the idea…but now all I need is what is going to fill in the plot.
Well, thanks again to all of you who took the time out to review my story. It's been really fun! Thanks! Enjoy!
And wait again, Outshining the Brightest Star is going to be reformated because fanfiction.net has screwed up my spacing. Stay tuned for that.
Ja!