Author's Notes: Spring Break has been over for a while and graduation is only two weeks away. I feel old. Oh well. Maybe then I'll actually have the time to begin my quest for self-improvement.
I recieved an e-mail recently from one of my readers who sent me an a picture to go along with the story. A favorite image for a lot of you, I've noticed, is Inuyasha dancing in chapter 8. Well, this artist, whom I currently know only as Thessalian, sent me a pencil sketch of a shirtless Inuyasha playing air guitar. Being straight, I couldn't really fully appreciate it, but it is well-drawn and I think a lot of people would like it.
Thessalian has told me that she will post it on her web site as soon as its working again and will also color the picture. As soon as its ready, I'll post a link to her site so everyone can see.
One thing she also told me, is that I'm treading a fine line. Let the Music Be Your Master is on the border between being a story about music, and a musical. I am aware of that. Several future chapters will have less singing in them, though for this one and chapter 15, it will be kind of unavoidable. More on that later.
I assure you, chapter 16 will have little, if any, singing in it, and will be almost pure conflict and angst. How's that for foreshadowing?
On a last note, I appreciate the feedback on the little bits and pieces of original song lyrics. If it's any help, Ama, Otherworld was described before in chapter 5 if that gives you any idea how it would sound. It was purely coincidental that I ended up putting the each line in syllables of thirteen, by the way. It just sort of happened and didn't occur to me until later.
Let the Music Be Your Master
Chapter 13- It's Been a Long Time Since That Rock and Roll
Inuyasha played the intro to Crazy Train, the only good part of the song besides the solo in his opinion, as the group waited for Miroku to come back. As soon as they had their name, he had raced off to call Cult Classics. They were on a first-name basis with Mr. Toutosai Mabiki, the owner. He was wierd, like them, so he was pretty cool for an old guy.
"Woo! Yes!" Miroku jumped back into the room looking like a dog that had finally chased the mailman down and won. "We did it!" he shouted excitedly. "Toutosai said we can play this Friday starting at six!"
"Hot damn!" Shippo joined in. "We're finally goin' public!" He began relentlessly beating his drums, ending with a rumbling crash of the cymbols.
Inuyasha's excitement took a minute to surface. When it finally did, he shouted out with his friends grinning like an idiot. "Yes! We're gonna be seen at last!"
Without thinking, Inuyasha threw his arms around Kagome and lifted her up, all the while laughing like a maniac. He came back down to earth, though, when he heard a feminine voice in his ear followed by a boyish one behind him.
"Eep!"
"Woohoo! Way to go lover boy!"
Inuyasha stopped dead and set Kagome down with a mumbled apology, his face burning. He then wheeled on Shippo with a glare that could cause flammable objects to spontaneously combust. "Care to repeat that, shorty?!"
Shippo signed his death sentence when he bolted out of the room shouting "I said 'get a room!'"
"Die!!"
**************************
Miroku sighed and shook his head. "While those two are busy, I thought I'd let you know that we were planning to celebrate the day we got our first gig. You girls are welcome to join us."
The girls had looks of consideration before they turned to him smiling. "That would be great," Kagome beamed.
"Where would we be going?" Sango asked.
One thought popped into Miroku's head in particular. "How about the beach?" It was a beautiful day out, and they hadn't been out swimming in a long time. Besides, he could see Sango in a swimsuit as an added bonus. He was male after all.
Inuyasha stormed back into the room dragging Shippo by his collar. The freshman was nursing a lump on his head and gritting his teeth.
Naturally, Kirara was at his side in an instant. "Oh, poor baby! He didn't hurt you too bad, did he? It's okay, though. We're going to the beach!"
That brought Shippo's spirits back up. "You on my arm and the good news makes the head trauma worth it!"
"You brought it on yourself," Inuyasha sneered.
**************************
An hour later, the six friends had packed themselves into Miroku's car, dropped everyone off at their respective houses to get changed, and were on their way to the boardwalk. "Remember the song we agreed on for our celebration guys?" Miroku asked almost mockingly.
Sango raised an eyebrow in question. She adjusted the over-sized shirt she was wearing, feeling a little nervous about wearing a string bikini around Miroku. He was proving his reputation wrong little by little, but she still felt slightly uneasy.
"Play your damn song," Inuyasha huffed. "It's not like we can stop you from back here."
"You know you want to hear it," Miroku returned. With that he turned on the CD player.
Hold your fire!
Keep it burning bright.
Hold the flame till the dream ignites.
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
"Rush," Kirara mumbled. "I should have known. Mission, no less."
"Hey!" Miroku said annoyedly.
I hear their passionate music,
Read the words that touch my heart.
I gaze at the feverish pictures,
The secrets that set them apart.
When I feel the powerful visions,
Their fires made alive,
I wish I had that instinct,
I wish I had that drive.
"This is a song about dreams," Miroku said defensively.
"Who said I was complaining?" Kirara returned.
"Ssh," Sango hissed. "I want to hear this."
Spirits fly on dangerous missions,
Imaginations on fire,
Focused high on soaring ambitions,
Consumed in a single desire!
In the grip of a nameless possession,
Slave to the drive of obsession,
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
I watch their images flicker,
Bringing light to a lifeless screen.
I walk through their beautiful buildings,
And I wish I had their dreams.
But dreams don't need to have motion,
To keep their spark alive.
Obsession has to have action.
Pride turns on the drive.
At this point Miroku began singing along. Sango couldn't help but smile. She'd already figured out the lyrics to the chorus and decided to try her hand at it.
Spirits fly on dangerous missions,
Imaginations on fire,
Focused high on soaring ambitions,
Consumed in a single desire!
In the grip of a nameless possession,
Slave to a driving obsession,
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
Inuyasha finally got over his temper it seemed, because he began swaying his body to the music. It was only another five seconds before everyone else in the car was doing the same.
Miroku rolled down the windows and turned up the volume. Sango couldn't keep the smile off her face. This was just too damn fun.
It's cold comfort,
To the ones without it,
To know how they struggled,
How they suffered about it.
Inuyasha and Shippo now joined Miroku in singing, creating a harmony to go with the song.
If their lives were exotic and strange,
They would likely have gladly exchanged them,
For something a little more plain,
Maybe something a little more sane.
We each pay a fabulous price,
For our visions of paradise!
But a spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream...
Predictably, Inuyasha played air guitar to the closing. Sango had to wonder why she ever shunned these three. They knew how to have fun and they had no delusions about who they were. It was admirable.
***********************
The beach was only slightly crowded, thankfully. Otherwise it would have been a pain in the ass. Sango was a little surprised to see Naraku and Yura once more. They were on a beach blanket underneath a parasol. Naraku was sitting up in plain black swimtrunks and reading a book. Yura was stretched out beside him, apparently asleep though it was hard to tell with the little sunglasses over her eyes, and wearing a bikini that was so skimpy it made Sango feel more secure in hers.
"Well, well, well!" Shippo shouted a little too happily. "The Prince of Darkness getting some sun with his princess!"
Naraku looked up in slight annoyance. For some reason he was still wearing his silver spider medallion. "Is there anywhere I go that you lot won't?"
Shippo put on a fake pout. "Did you hear that? The Dark Lord doesn't want to be our friend anymore. Cold, dude. Real cold."
Yura languidly sat up and stretched in a very feline manner. She draped an arm over Naraku's shoulder and nuzzled her head against his shoulder. "We could always just tell them in graphic detail about all the kinky stuff we do in private. That would scare them off." Sango could never get used to that voice. Too sweet, too cute. Yura's personality was so far from what her voice would imply it was no wonder so many people were scared of her.
"Out!" Inuyasha shouted and strode off. Miroku and Shippo soon followed, saying they'd bring the girls back some drinks. Naraku soon followed after giving Yura a quick peck on the lips.
Sango sat down on the blanket with Yura, Kagome, and Kirara. She noted that Naraku left his book behind. It was Animal Farm, a particularly strange story she had to read last year.
"So Yura," Kagome said conversationally, "we haven't gotten to talk much lately. Out of curiosity, why are you with Naraku? No offense, but he's so..."
"Scary as hell?" Kirara offered.
"Oh, that's part of his charm," Yura answered off-handedly. "Besides that, he's a total hottie, as I'm sure you've all noticed, and besides that he's smart, witty, thoughtful, and he's into all kinds of cool, mysterious stuff..." She paused for a moment. "And he's got an awesome package," she added with a wicked grin.
"That's not something I want to think about too much," Kagome mumbled.
"Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you something Sango," Yura went on as if the previous conversation had never happened.
"What's that?"
"What's up between you and Miroku?"
Sango went bright red. "Nothing," she answered quickly.
"You answered that a little too fast," Yura said with another wicked grin. "Something's up."
"Well," Kirara said, "the night of the party she spent the evening at Miroku's house. We're still not sure just what happened, but when she came back to school, she couldn't stop humming Time Stand Still."
"Traitor," Sango growled. "He just played some songs for me." It was useless to defend, however, now that Yura was convinced something was going on between her and Miroku. Like in all those nature programs where the predator knows the prey is screwed and the prey knows it's screwed but makes futile attempts at escape anyway.
************************
The guys were coming back with their drinks when Miroku offered to go out ahead and deliver the girls' drinks to them. Inuyasha took another sip of his Vanilla Coke and turned to Naraku. "We have a gig this Friday."
Naraku choked on his Dr. Pepper and sent forth a spray of fizz all over the sand in front of him. "What?!"
Shippo calmly, yet disgustedly, wiped away a drop of spray from his face. Why is it that whenever liquid hits your face, it always lands on the eyelid? Might as well ask what color a smurf turns if you strangle him. Stupid blue little imps.
"You guys have a gig?" Naraku asked in disbelief. "'Bout damn time!"
"Yeah, we just got our name this morning. We're now Damage Control. Stop down at Cult Classics this Friday if you want to see us." Inuyasha was having one hell of an ego trip. At last, the band was going to go public. And the first to find out would be the individualists and the outcasts, their target audience. His self-appreciating train of thought was cut short, however, by the distant sounds of Miroku shouting defensively and desperately then screaming in pain.
"Sango, please, I swear it was an accident! Really, I didn't mean it, please, I swear! Argh! No, no, no, stop it, stop it! Ah damn it, ow, ow, oh shit, that's still tender! No, stop, stop, son-of-a-, that's not supposed to bend that way!! Ow, ow, ow, OOOWWW!! Stop, please, I'm sorry, please! OOWW, I already have a contusion there!!" Another minute of indistinct screaming and howling Inuyasha, Shippo, and Naraku weren't the only ones staring.
"Should we go retrieve his corpse?" Naraku asked.
"Might as well," Inuyasha said.
The three boys walked over to where they had heard the screaming and found Miroku a battered and crumpled heap in the sand face up. "Hey guys," he said weakly. "Could you call an ambulance? I think I'm bleeding internally."
"What happened?" Inuyasha asked flatly.
"Sango tripped and when I reached forward to catch her, my hand ended up somewhere it shouldn't have been... okay, her breast. I swear on whatever god you want me to that it was an accident."
************************
It took about an hour to convince Sango that it really was just an accident. She forgave Miroku soon afterward and even apologized. Of course, that didn't help her guilty conscience. If Miroku really wanted to cop a feel, he had countless other oportunities where he could have done it and gotten away with fewer injuries. "Miroku?" She was laying out on a beach blanket beside him, working on her tan. "You feel any better?"
Miroku just smirked. "You know how the human body has 206 bones in it? Well after the past hour, I can say with some certainty that the beating you gave me only turned it into only 319 instead of 682 as I had thought before. So, I'm feeling better, yeah."
At least he was taking it well. Sango turned over onto her stomach and watched the beach around her from behind her sunglasses. Inuyasha and Kagome were strolling down the shores talking, Naraku was rubbing suntan lotion on Yura's back, and Shippo and Kirara were building another sandcastle since they were unable to resist the urge to demolish the last one. 'I wonder of things will always be like this?' Sango thought dreamily. She was more at peace then she had been in a long time. 'I wonder how long something this good can last?'
*************************
The week passed quickly. The band practiced constantly, and the girls were always there for moral support. Naraku had offered them a song Thursday evening derived from a poem he had written for English class months ago based on The Picture of Dorian Grey. They accepted it, but there would be no way they could write the music to go with it in time for the gig.
Friday at last arrived and everyone piled into Miroku's car, not wanting to risk more of Inuyasha's driving on such a big night. They arrived at Cult Classics and were immediately met outside by an old man with buggy eyes and long, gaunt limbs. "Evening, boys!" he called in a voice that sounded as weathered as he was old.
"Toutosai," Inuyasha greeted as if he had known the old man for a long time, which indeed he had. Toutosai was a family friend way back in the days. He used to be an associate of Inuyasha's mother before she passed away. "Is everything ready inside?"
"Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope shit in the woods?" The old man blinked his buggy eyes in amusement at his own joke. "Just go set up and tune your instruments. Your show starts in twenty minutes."
Inuyasha was the first one in with his microphone, guitar, and amp. Sure enough, the stage inside had been prepped for their arrival and the latest movie was in its last few minutes.
He smirked proudly at all the people in the restaurant who looked at him, Miroku, and Shippo curiously. The display above the screen was already advertising a special premiere performance by Damage Control. This was going to kick so much ass!
The band quickly got in tune and eagerly awaited the word from Toutosai. Right on time, the old man came out onto the stage, borrowing Inuyasha's microphone. "Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, Cult Classics is proud to host Damage Control, a new local band with a lot of talent and drive. You're witnesses to their first performance ever, so feel privileged. Thank you!"
The old man gave Inuyasha a quick wink and walked off stage. The lights came on, and it was time to begin.
Inuyasha launched into the first two chords of So I'm a Mutt. Shippo thundered away on his drums only seconds later, joined by Miroku's bassline. The audience was immediately held prisoner to the music. As the three musicians played their song through, Inuyasha knew this was what he was meant for, what he was put on this earth to do.
I hear what you say about me, have I got news for you!
I'm looking in the mirror, what I see is you!
So I'm a mutt,
What do you care?
So I'm a mongrel,
Who said life was fair?
Who said it was fair?!
The song concluded and Inuyasha's ears were met with thunderous applause. At last. This was what it was like. This was what he had strived for all these years. It was finally happening. "Thank you, everyone! That was So I'm a Mutt. Our next song is about the pain of a broken heart. Something most all of us are familiar with. We call it So Much Glass."
This time the song was slower, more angsty. It was simple and easy to play, Shippo's percussion on a special set of chimes creating a distinctive sound like shattering glass.
All for nothing.
All for naught.
Broken up like so much glass,
All that for which I fought.
So wonderful is the heart,
So strong, brightly shimmering.
But fragile like so much glass,
Shattered so easily.
Singing this song wasn't easy, but it wasn't because it was particularly difficult to do. It was because of what it made Inuyasha think of. Tonight, though, was different. Things had changed, and now the song was one of lamentation over the bygone past, instead of mourning one's loneliness.
Naturally, the crowd loved it. Inuyasha could have sworn he saw tears in Kagome's eyes when he looked into the audience at her. They were gone quickly, however, when she smiled at him, and he felt his heart soar. "Alright! Next up: When Darkness Falls!"
This spooky little number was something Inuyasha and Miroku had dreamed up after a scary movie marathon last summer. The drums were soft and rhythmic, the cymbols rolling to mimic the sound of howling wind. Miroku's bassline had a sinister sound to it, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the music. Inuyasha slowly let his fingers glide over the strings, the gentle yet unnerving sounds coming from his guitar completing the song.
As the sun sinks beneath the horizon, darkness falls.
The velvet black of night rides in on ethereal wings, enveloping all.
Full moon rises, shadows begin to dance.
When darkness falls, we might take a chance,
And see the world through shrouded eyes, when darkness falls.
When the song ended, the audience seemed almost reluctant to clap at first, as if doing so would shatter the atmosphere. They did, though, and gradually worked up their courage to cheer as well. "Next song: Champions!"
This time, the song began with a great fanfare on the guitar. This song was a little different than the ones before it, and not just because of its faster pace. This one actually had a more uplifting message.
Whoah, don't even try to, to bring me down!
You know that I'll always fight back!
I have my will, my way,
And nothing can take that away!
Live on, keep fighting, seize the day!
Ooh, hero is as hero does they say.
But heroes are not so perfect.
Struggle, persist, survive!
Nothing can stop me, I'm alive!
And now, the underdogs shall rise!
This could very well be the next anthem of individualists living under the oppression of conformity. Good thing that was what the audience was made up of. Inuyasha spotted Naraku in the crowd as he stood up and started cheering them on, his voice clear above all the others. Inuyasha spotted Kagome once more and something began to stir in him. What was it, this warmth? He felt so light and free. He quickly cleared his mind. He had to focus on the music.
Next was A Method to My Madness. This one left the audience addicted. None of them could find the hidden meaning in the lyrics. Inuyasha smirked once more. Only he, Miroku, and Shippo knew that the song was about chaos and yet within that chaos, everything happened for a reason.
Rhythm Red was equally well-recieved. Inuyasha had been inspired to right the song after he spent a week in Africa over the summer. Everytime he played it, he was always reminded of the unique atmosphere he had been surrounded by.
Otherworld, the longest song they had, recieved the most applause. Much as he hated to admit it, Miroku was probably right, and if he ever remembered that bet he made with Shippo the other day, chances are he would win it. Oh well, the audience loved it, and it was one of their best works to date.
At last came Shippo's song. Inuyasha learned just how fast his hands could move when he played this thing. He had nearly pulled a muscle in his arm trying to keep up with it the first time they practiced. It was also structured in a bizarre way. The first four minutes were nothing but instrumental work, followed by one line, then a drum solo for one minute, a guitar solo for one minute, another line, and the rest of the song played out as the opening had, concluding with one solo line.
Portuguese? Around the world? He'll do it? Stupid fool.
He made it? He died? You gotta be kidding! Don't I feel the fool?
Ferdinand Magellan, we hardly knew ye!
The audience was clearly confused, but they liked it all the same. Kirara was giving Shippo a standing ovation for the last song. Figures she'd like that one best. "Thank you, everyone! You're a wonderful audience! We'd like to finish tonight's performance with a few requests. We're only taking three, though, and then we have to wrap up with an encore of Otherworld."
The crowd certainly seemed to like that. They all started shouting out the names of songs, some of which Inuyasha had never heard of before. One he did hear clearly after a minute. "The Analog Kid! You wanna do that one guys?" he asked his bandmates.
************************
Kagome was awestruck. Miroku and Shippo had their own presence that, combined with Inuyasha's made them seem like gods up on the stage. The crowd loved them. They said they would be doing The Analog Kid, a song Kagome had never heard of before. Toutosai brought up a keyboard beside Miroku and they began.
A hot and windy August afternoon,
Has the trees in constant motion.
With a flash of silver leaves,
As their rocking in the breeze.
The boy lies in the grass with one blade stuck between his teeth.
A vague sensation quickens in his young and restless heart,
And the bright and nameless vision has him long to depart.
You move me, you move me,
With your buildings and your eyes,
Autumn woods and winter skies.
You move, you move me,
Open see and city lights,
Busy streets and dizzy heights.
You call me, you call me.
A fawn-eyed girl with sun-browned legs,
Dances on the edge of his dream.
And her voice rings in his ears,
Like the music of the spheres.
When Inuyasha sang that part of the second verse, Kagome saw Miroku give a meaningful look at Sango who blushed lightly. So Sango, a girl with big eyes and a tan, haunts his dreams, eh? This would be so much fun to tease them about later.
The boy lies in the grass unmoving, staring at the sky.
His mother starts to call him as a hawk goes soaring by.
But the boy pulls down his baseball cap and covers up his eyes.
You move me, you move me,
With your buildings and your eyes,
Autumn woods and winter skies.
You move, you move me,
Open see and city lights,
Busy streets and dizzy heights.
You call me, you call me.
Too many hands on my time.
Too many feelings.
Too many things on my mind.
When I leave, I don't know what I'm hoping to find,
And when I leave, I don't know what I'm leaving behind.
Inuyasha played the solo on the 12-string neck of his guitar, losing himself to the music as always. Try as she might, Kagome couldn't deny that she was definately falling for him.
When I leave, I don't know what I'm hoping to find,
And when I leave, I don't know what I'm leaving behind.
Kagome joined the audience in the applause, though Sango seemed to be applauding only Miroku. Those two would make a cute couple. Perhaps she could help get them together. Or at least have fun trying.
****************************
"Alright!" Inuyasha shouted. "That was The Analog Kid by Rush. Next request, let's hear it!" Several people made thmselves clear by shouting out one particular song at the same time. "Bark at the Moon? Alright, but I warn you all, if you want Bark at the Moon, you'll hear it my way!"
The three immediately broke into Bark at the Moon. Inuyasha had a very simple way of altering the lyrics to make the song almost allegorical to his own life. Especially now that he was ready to prove the world wrong.
Screams break the silence,
Waking from the dead of night.
Vengeance is boiling.
I've returned to klll the light!
Then when I've found who I'm looking for,
Listen in awe and you'll hear me,
Bark at the moon!
Ha ha ha ha!
Years spent in torment,
Buried in a nameless grave.
Now I have risen.
Miracles would have to save,
Those that this beast is looking for,
Listen in awe and you'll hear me,
Bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
They cursed and buried me along with shame,
And thought m timeless sould had gone (gone),
In empty burning Hell, unholy one.
But I've returned to prove them wrong.
So wrong. Woo! Yeah, baby!
Howling in shadows,
Living in a lunar spell.
I find my heaven,
Spewing from the mouth of Hell.
Those that this beast is looking for,
Listen in awe and you'll hear me,
Bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah.
Awoo!
The audience thought it was too damn funny. They may have missed the hidden allusions Inuyasha was making, but they did the see the connection with his doglike appearance. Oh well. Can't expect everyone to get the joke.
"We have time for one more request. After that, as promised, we'll have an encore of Otherworld. So let's hear it!" Inuyasha couldn't decide which one. So many selections, so many good suggestions. His eyes met Kagome's once more and the warmth returned. She was the first person to ever apologize to him, admit that she had been wrong about him. He wasn't sure just what it was about her, but it just made Inuyasha want to keep her close.
With that thought, he knew what song to play as soon as he heard it shouted out in the crowd. "Our last request for tonight is May This Be Love by Jimi Hendrix."
Waterfall, nothing can harm me at all,
My worries seem so very small,
With my waterfall.
I can see my rainbow calling me,
Through the misty breeze,
Of my waterfall.
Some people say day-dreaming's,
For all the lazy minded fools,
With nothing else to do.
So let them laugh, laugh at me,
So just as long as I have you,
To see me through,
I have nothing to lose 'long as I have you.
Waterfall, don't ever change your ways.
Fall with me for a million days,
Oh, my waterfall.
Inuyasha had his eyes closed as he drifted with the music once he was finished singing. Upon opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kagome. He tried to tell her through his eyes that the song was for her. She looked like she could have danced right then and there. 'That tears it,' Inuyasha thought, 'I've hopelessly fallen for this girl.'
*************************
Author's Notes: Well that was long wasn't it? More songs than I've ever put in a single chapter.
For those of you who worry that this is becoming a musical, the next chapter, so far anyway, has no songs in it. Just plot. Songs will be mentioned, but no one's going to be singing.
In case you're wondering, there is a reason I didn't put any lyrics down for A Method to My Madness. To be blunt, I couldn't think of anything cryptic enough.
Anyway, updates are probably going to be slow this month. My teachers are trying to cram in as much work for me as possible before I graduate, and work has gotten hectic. Oh well.
I recieved an e-mail recently from one of my readers who sent me an a picture to go along with the story. A favorite image for a lot of you, I've noticed, is Inuyasha dancing in chapter 8. Well, this artist, whom I currently know only as Thessalian, sent me a pencil sketch of a shirtless Inuyasha playing air guitar. Being straight, I couldn't really fully appreciate it, but it is well-drawn and I think a lot of people would like it.
Thessalian has told me that she will post it on her web site as soon as its working again and will also color the picture. As soon as its ready, I'll post a link to her site so everyone can see.
One thing she also told me, is that I'm treading a fine line. Let the Music Be Your Master is on the border between being a story about music, and a musical. I am aware of that. Several future chapters will have less singing in them, though for this one and chapter 15, it will be kind of unavoidable. More on that later.
I assure you, chapter 16 will have little, if any, singing in it, and will be almost pure conflict and angst. How's that for foreshadowing?
On a last note, I appreciate the feedback on the little bits and pieces of original song lyrics. If it's any help, Ama, Otherworld was described before in chapter 5 if that gives you any idea how it would sound. It was purely coincidental that I ended up putting the each line in syllables of thirteen, by the way. It just sort of happened and didn't occur to me until later.
Let the Music Be Your Master
Chapter 13- It's Been a Long Time Since That Rock and Roll
Inuyasha played the intro to Crazy Train, the only good part of the song besides the solo in his opinion, as the group waited for Miroku to come back. As soon as they had their name, he had raced off to call Cult Classics. They were on a first-name basis with Mr. Toutosai Mabiki, the owner. He was wierd, like them, so he was pretty cool for an old guy.
"Woo! Yes!" Miroku jumped back into the room looking like a dog that had finally chased the mailman down and won. "We did it!" he shouted excitedly. "Toutosai said we can play this Friday starting at six!"
"Hot damn!" Shippo joined in. "We're finally goin' public!" He began relentlessly beating his drums, ending with a rumbling crash of the cymbols.
Inuyasha's excitement took a minute to surface. When it finally did, he shouted out with his friends grinning like an idiot. "Yes! We're gonna be seen at last!"
Without thinking, Inuyasha threw his arms around Kagome and lifted her up, all the while laughing like a maniac. He came back down to earth, though, when he heard a feminine voice in his ear followed by a boyish one behind him.
"Eep!"
"Woohoo! Way to go lover boy!"
Inuyasha stopped dead and set Kagome down with a mumbled apology, his face burning. He then wheeled on Shippo with a glare that could cause flammable objects to spontaneously combust. "Care to repeat that, shorty?!"
Shippo signed his death sentence when he bolted out of the room shouting "I said 'get a room!'"
"Die!!"
**************************
Miroku sighed and shook his head. "While those two are busy, I thought I'd let you know that we were planning to celebrate the day we got our first gig. You girls are welcome to join us."
The girls had looks of consideration before they turned to him smiling. "That would be great," Kagome beamed.
"Where would we be going?" Sango asked.
One thought popped into Miroku's head in particular. "How about the beach?" It was a beautiful day out, and they hadn't been out swimming in a long time. Besides, he could see Sango in a swimsuit as an added bonus. He was male after all.
Inuyasha stormed back into the room dragging Shippo by his collar. The freshman was nursing a lump on his head and gritting his teeth.
Naturally, Kirara was at his side in an instant. "Oh, poor baby! He didn't hurt you too bad, did he? It's okay, though. We're going to the beach!"
That brought Shippo's spirits back up. "You on my arm and the good news makes the head trauma worth it!"
"You brought it on yourself," Inuyasha sneered.
**************************
An hour later, the six friends had packed themselves into Miroku's car, dropped everyone off at their respective houses to get changed, and were on their way to the boardwalk. "Remember the song we agreed on for our celebration guys?" Miroku asked almost mockingly.
Sango raised an eyebrow in question. She adjusted the over-sized shirt she was wearing, feeling a little nervous about wearing a string bikini around Miroku. He was proving his reputation wrong little by little, but she still felt slightly uneasy.
"Play your damn song," Inuyasha huffed. "It's not like we can stop you from back here."
"You know you want to hear it," Miroku returned. With that he turned on the CD player.
Hold your fire!
Keep it burning bright.
Hold the flame till the dream ignites.
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
"Rush," Kirara mumbled. "I should have known. Mission, no less."
"Hey!" Miroku said annoyedly.
I hear their passionate music,
Read the words that touch my heart.
I gaze at the feverish pictures,
The secrets that set them apart.
When I feel the powerful visions,
Their fires made alive,
I wish I had that instinct,
I wish I had that drive.
"This is a song about dreams," Miroku said defensively.
"Who said I was complaining?" Kirara returned.
"Ssh," Sango hissed. "I want to hear this."
Spirits fly on dangerous missions,
Imaginations on fire,
Focused high on soaring ambitions,
Consumed in a single desire!
In the grip of a nameless possession,
Slave to the drive of obsession,
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
I watch their images flicker,
Bringing light to a lifeless screen.
I walk through their beautiful buildings,
And I wish I had their dreams.
But dreams don't need to have motion,
To keep their spark alive.
Obsession has to have action.
Pride turns on the drive.
At this point Miroku began singing along. Sango couldn't help but smile. She'd already figured out the lyrics to the chorus and decided to try her hand at it.
Spirits fly on dangerous missions,
Imaginations on fire,
Focused high on soaring ambitions,
Consumed in a single desire!
In the grip of a nameless possession,
Slave to a driving obsession,
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
Inuyasha finally got over his temper it seemed, because he began swaying his body to the music. It was only another five seconds before everyone else in the car was doing the same.
Miroku rolled down the windows and turned up the volume. Sango couldn't keep the smile off her face. This was just too damn fun.
It's cold comfort,
To the ones without it,
To know how they struggled,
How they suffered about it.
Inuyasha and Shippo now joined Miroku in singing, creating a harmony to go with the song.
If their lives were exotic and strange,
They would likely have gladly exchanged them,
For something a little more plain,
Maybe something a little more sane.
We each pay a fabulous price,
For our visions of paradise!
But a spirit with a vision,
Is a dream with a mission.
A spirit with a vision,
Is a dream...
Predictably, Inuyasha played air guitar to the closing. Sango had to wonder why she ever shunned these three. They knew how to have fun and they had no delusions about who they were. It was admirable.
***********************
The beach was only slightly crowded, thankfully. Otherwise it would have been a pain in the ass. Sango was a little surprised to see Naraku and Yura once more. They were on a beach blanket underneath a parasol. Naraku was sitting up in plain black swimtrunks and reading a book. Yura was stretched out beside him, apparently asleep though it was hard to tell with the little sunglasses over her eyes, and wearing a bikini that was so skimpy it made Sango feel more secure in hers.
"Well, well, well!" Shippo shouted a little too happily. "The Prince of Darkness getting some sun with his princess!"
Naraku looked up in slight annoyance. For some reason he was still wearing his silver spider medallion. "Is there anywhere I go that you lot won't?"
Shippo put on a fake pout. "Did you hear that? The Dark Lord doesn't want to be our friend anymore. Cold, dude. Real cold."
Yura languidly sat up and stretched in a very feline manner. She draped an arm over Naraku's shoulder and nuzzled her head against his shoulder. "We could always just tell them in graphic detail about all the kinky stuff we do in private. That would scare them off." Sango could never get used to that voice. Too sweet, too cute. Yura's personality was so far from what her voice would imply it was no wonder so many people were scared of her.
"Out!" Inuyasha shouted and strode off. Miroku and Shippo soon followed, saying they'd bring the girls back some drinks. Naraku soon followed after giving Yura a quick peck on the lips.
Sango sat down on the blanket with Yura, Kagome, and Kirara. She noted that Naraku left his book behind. It was Animal Farm, a particularly strange story she had to read last year.
"So Yura," Kagome said conversationally, "we haven't gotten to talk much lately. Out of curiosity, why are you with Naraku? No offense, but he's so..."
"Scary as hell?" Kirara offered.
"Oh, that's part of his charm," Yura answered off-handedly. "Besides that, he's a total hottie, as I'm sure you've all noticed, and besides that he's smart, witty, thoughtful, and he's into all kinds of cool, mysterious stuff..." She paused for a moment. "And he's got an awesome package," she added with a wicked grin.
"That's not something I want to think about too much," Kagome mumbled.
"Anyway, I've been meaning to ask you something Sango," Yura went on as if the previous conversation had never happened.
"What's that?"
"What's up between you and Miroku?"
Sango went bright red. "Nothing," she answered quickly.
"You answered that a little too fast," Yura said with another wicked grin. "Something's up."
"Well," Kirara said, "the night of the party she spent the evening at Miroku's house. We're still not sure just what happened, but when she came back to school, she couldn't stop humming Time Stand Still."
"Traitor," Sango growled. "He just played some songs for me." It was useless to defend, however, now that Yura was convinced something was going on between her and Miroku. Like in all those nature programs where the predator knows the prey is screwed and the prey knows it's screwed but makes futile attempts at escape anyway.
************************
The guys were coming back with their drinks when Miroku offered to go out ahead and deliver the girls' drinks to them. Inuyasha took another sip of his Vanilla Coke and turned to Naraku. "We have a gig this Friday."
Naraku choked on his Dr. Pepper and sent forth a spray of fizz all over the sand in front of him. "What?!"
Shippo calmly, yet disgustedly, wiped away a drop of spray from his face. Why is it that whenever liquid hits your face, it always lands on the eyelid? Might as well ask what color a smurf turns if you strangle him. Stupid blue little imps.
"You guys have a gig?" Naraku asked in disbelief. "'Bout damn time!"
"Yeah, we just got our name this morning. We're now Damage Control. Stop down at Cult Classics this Friday if you want to see us." Inuyasha was having one hell of an ego trip. At last, the band was going to go public. And the first to find out would be the individualists and the outcasts, their target audience. His self-appreciating train of thought was cut short, however, by the distant sounds of Miroku shouting defensively and desperately then screaming in pain.
"Sango, please, I swear it was an accident! Really, I didn't mean it, please, I swear! Argh! No, no, no, stop it, stop it! Ah damn it, ow, ow, oh shit, that's still tender! No, stop, stop, son-of-a-, that's not supposed to bend that way!! Ow, ow, ow, OOOWWW!! Stop, please, I'm sorry, please! OOWW, I already have a contusion there!!" Another minute of indistinct screaming and howling Inuyasha, Shippo, and Naraku weren't the only ones staring.
"Should we go retrieve his corpse?" Naraku asked.
"Might as well," Inuyasha said.
The three boys walked over to where they had heard the screaming and found Miroku a battered and crumpled heap in the sand face up. "Hey guys," he said weakly. "Could you call an ambulance? I think I'm bleeding internally."
"What happened?" Inuyasha asked flatly.
"Sango tripped and when I reached forward to catch her, my hand ended up somewhere it shouldn't have been... okay, her breast. I swear on whatever god you want me to that it was an accident."
************************
It took about an hour to convince Sango that it really was just an accident. She forgave Miroku soon afterward and even apologized. Of course, that didn't help her guilty conscience. If Miroku really wanted to cop a feel, he had countless other oportunities where he could have done it and gotten away with fewer injuries. "Miroku?" She was laying out on a beach blanket beside him, working on her tan. "You feel any better?"
Miroku just smirked. "You know how the human body has 206 bones in it? Well after the past hour, I can say with some certainty that the beating you gave me only turned it into only 319 instead of 682 as I had thought before. So, I'm feeling better, yeah."
At least he was taking it well. Sango turned over onto her stomach and watched the beach around her from behind her sunglasses. Inuyasha and Kagome were strolling down the shores talking, Naraku was rubbing suntan lotion on Yura's back, and Shippo and Kirara were building another sandcastle since they were unable to resist the urge to demolish the last one. 'I wonder of things will always be like this?' Sango thought dreamily. She was more at peace then she had been in a long time. 'I wonder how long something this good can last?'
*************************
The week passed quickly. The band practiced constantly, and the girls were always there for moral support. Naraku had offered them a song Thursday evening derived from a poem he had written for English class months ago based on The Picture of Dorian Grey. They accepted it, but there would be no way they could write the music to go with it in time for the gig.
Friday at last arrived and everyone piled into Miroku's car, not wanting to risk more of Inuyasha's driving on such a big night. They arrived at Cult Classics and were immediately met outside by an old man with buggy eyes and long, gaunt limbs. "Evening, boys!" he called in a voice that sounded as weathered as he was old.
"Toutosai," Inuyasha greeted as if he had known the old man for a long time, which indeed he had. Toutosai was a family friend way back in the days. He used to be an associate of Inuyasha's mother before she passed away. "Is everything ready inside?"
"Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope shit in the woods?" The old man blinked his buggy eyes in amusement at his own joke. "Just go set up and tune your instruments. Your show starts in twenty minutes."
Inuyasha was the first one in with his microphone, guitar, and amp. Sure enough, the stage inside had been prepped for their arrival and the latest movie was in its last few minutes.
He smirked proudly at all the people in the restaurant who looked at him, Miroku, and Shippo curiously. The display above the screen was already advertising a special premiere performance by Damage Control. This was going to kick so much ass!
The band quickly got in tune and eagerly awaited the word from Toutosai. Right on time, the old man came out onto the stage, borrowing Inuyasha's microphone. "Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, Cult Classics is proud to host Damage Control, a new local band with a lot of talent and drive. You're witnesses to their first performance ever, so feel privileged. Thank you!"
The old man gave Inuyasha a quick wink and walked off stage. The lights came on, and it was time to begin.
Inuyasha launched into the first two chords of So I'm a Mutt. Shippo thundered away on his drums only seconds later, joined by Miroku's bassline. The audience was immediately held prisoner to the music. As the three musicians played their song through, Inuyasha knew this was what he was meant for, what he was put on this earth to do.
I hear what you say about me, have I got news for you!
I'm looking in the mirror, what I see is you!
So I'm a mutt,
What do you care?
So I'm a mongrel,
Who said life was fair?
Who said it was fair?!
The song concluded and Inuyasha's ears were met with thunderous applause. At last. This was what it was like. This was what he had strived for all these years. It was finally happening. "Thank you, everyone! That was So I'm a Mutt. Our next song is about the pain of a broken heart. Something most all of us are familiar with. We call it So Much Glass."
This time the song was slower, more angsty. It was simple and easy to play, Shippo's percussion on a special set of chimes creating a distinctive sound like shattering glass.
All for nothing.
All for naught.
Broken up like so much glass,
All that for which I fought.
So wonderful is the heart,
So strong, brightly shimmering.
But fragile like so much glass,
Shattered so easily.
Singing this song wasn't easy, but it wasn't because it was particularly difficult to do. It was because of what it made Inuyasha think of. Tonight, though, was different. Things had changed, and now the song was one of lamentation over the bygone past, instead of mourning one's loneliness.
Naturally, the crowd loved it. Inuyasha could have sworn he saw tears in Kagome's eyes when he looked into the audience at her. They were gone quickly, however, when she smiled at him, and he felt his heart soar. "Alright! Next up: When Darkness Falls!"
This spooky little number was something Inuyasha and Miroku had dreamed up after a scary movie marathon last summer. The drums were soft and rhythmic, the cymbols rolling to mimic the sound of howling wind. Miroku's bassline had a sinister sound to it, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the music. Inuyasha slowly let his fingers glide over the strings, the gentle yet unnerving sounds coming from his guitar completing the song.
As the sun sinks beneath the horizon, darkness falls.
The velvet black of night rides in on ethereal wings, enveloping all.
Full moon rises, shadows begin to dance.
When darkness falls, we might take a chance,
And see the world through shrouded eyes, when darkness falls.
When the song ended, the audience seemed almost reluctant to clap at first, as if doing so would shatter the atmosphere. They did, though, and gradually worked up their courage to cheer as well. "Next song: Champions!"
This time, the song began with a great fanfare on the guitar. This song was a little different than the ones before it, and not just because of its faster pace. This one actually had a more uplifting message.
Whoah, don't even try to, to bring me down!
You know that I'll always fight back!
I have my will, my way,
And nothing can take that away!
Live on, keep fighting, seize the day!
Ooh, hero is as hero does they say.
But heroes are not so perfect.
Struggle, persist, survive!
Nothing can stop me, I'm alive!
And now, the underdogs shall rise!
This could very well be the next anthem of individualists living under the oppression of conformity. Good thing that was what the audience was made up of. Inuyasha spotted Naraku in the crowd as he stood up and started cheering them on, his voice clear above all the others. Inuyasha spotted Kagome once more and something began to stir in him. What was it, this warmth? He felt so light and free. He quickly cleared his mind. He had to focus on the music.
Next was A Method to My Madness. This one left the audience addicted. None of them could find the hidden meaning in the lyrics. Inuyasha smirked once more. Only he, Miroku, and Shippo knew that the song was about chaos and yet within that chaos, everything happened for a reason.
Rhythm Red was equally well-recieved. Inuyasha had been inspired to right the song after he spent a week in Africa over the summer. Everytime he played it, he was always reminded of the unique atmosphere he had been surrounded by.
Otherworld, the longest song they had, recieved the most applause. Much as he hated to admit it, Miroku was probably right, and if he ever remembered that bet he made with Shippo the other day, chances are he would win it. Oh well, the audience loved it, and it was one of their best works to date.
At last came Shippo's song. Inuyasha learned just how fast his hands could move when he played this thing. He had nearly pulled a muscle in his arm trying to keep up with it the first time they practiced. It was also structured in a bizarre way. The first four minutes were nothing but instrumental work, followed by one line, then a drum solo for one minute, a guitar solo for one minute, another line, and the rest of the song played out as the opening had, concluding with one solo line.
Portuguese? Around the world? He'll do it? Stupid fool.
He made it? He died? You gotta be kidding! Don't I feel the fool?
Ferdinand Magellan, we hardly knew ye!
The audience was clearly confused, but they liked it all the same. Kirara was giving Shippo a standing ovation for the last song. Figures she'd like that one best. "Thank you, everyone! You're a wonderful audience! We'd like to finish tonight's performance with a few requests. We're only taking three, though, and then we have to wrap up with an encore of Otherworld."
The crowd certainly seemed to like that. They all started shouting out the names of songs, some of which Inuyasha had never heard of before. One he did hear clearly after a minute. "The Analog Kid! You wanna do that one guys?" he asked his bandmates.
************************
Kagome was awestruck. Miroku and Shippo had their own presence that, combined with Inuyasha's made them seem like gods up on the stage. The crowd loved them. They said they would be doing The Analog Kid, a song Kagome had never heard of before. Toutosai brought up a keyboard beside Miroku and they began.
A hot and windy August afternoon,
Has the trees in constant motion.
With a flash of silver leaves,
As their rocking in the breeze.
The boy lies in the grass with one blade stuck between his teeth.
A vague sensation quickens in his young and restless heart,
And the bright and nameless vision has him long to depart.
You move me, you move me,
With your buildings and your eyes,
Autumn woods and winter skies.
You move, you move me,
Open see and city lights,
Busy streets and dizzy heights.
You call me, you call me.
A fawn-eyed girl with sun-browned legs,
Dances on the edge of his dream.
And her voice rings in his ears,
Like the music of the spheres.
When Inuyasha sang that part of the second verse, Kagome saw Miroku give a meaningful look at Sango who blushed lightly. So Sango, a girl with big eyes and a tan, haunts his dreams, eh? This would be so much fun to tease them about later.
The boy lies in the grass unmoving, staring at the sky.
His mother starts to call him as a hawk goes soaring by.
But the boy pulls down his baseball cap and covers up his eyes.
You move me, you move me,
With your buildings and your eyes,
Autumn woods and winter skies.
You move, you move me,
Open see and city lights,
Busy streets and dizzy heights.
You call me, you call me.
Too many hands on my time.
Too many feelings.
Too many things on my mind.
When I leave, I don't know what I'm hoping to find,
And when I leave, I don't know what I'm leaving behind.
Inuyasha played the solo on the 12-string neck of his guitar, losing himself to the music as always. Try as she might, Kagome couldn't deny that she was definately falling for him.
When I leave, I don't know what I'm hoping to find,
And when I leave, I don't know what I'm leaving behind.
Kagome joined the audience in the applause, though Sango seemed to be applauding only Miroku. Those two would make a cute couple. Perhaps she could help get them together. Or at least have fun trying.
****************************
"Alright!" Inuyasha shouted. "That was The Analog Kid by Rush. Next request, let's hear it!" Several people made thmselves clear by shouting out one particular song at the same time. "Bark at the Moon? Alright, but I warn you all, if you want Bark at the Moon, you'll hear it my way!"
The three immediately broke into Bark at the Moon. Inuyasha had a very simple way of altering the lyrics to make the song almost allegorical to his own life. Especially now that he was ready to prove the world wrong.
Screams break the silence,
Waking from the dead of night.
Vengeance is boiling.
I've returned to klll the light!
Then when I've found who I'm looking for,
Listen in awe and you'll hear me,
Bark at the moon!
Ha ha ha ha!
Years spent in torment,
Buried in a nameless grave.
Now I have risen.
Miracles would have to save,
Those that this beast is looking for,
Listen in awe and you'll hear me,
Bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
They cursed and buried me along with shame,
And thought m timeless sould had gone (gone),
In empty burning Hell, unholy one.
But I've returned to prove them wrong.
So wrong. Woo! Yeah, baby!
Howling in shadows,
Living in a lunar spell.
I find my heaven,
Spewing from the mouth of Hell.
Those that this beast is looking for,
Listen in awe and you'll hear me,
Bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
Hey, yeah, bark at the moon!
Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah.
Awoo!
The audience thought it was too damn funny. They may have missed the hidden allusions Inuyasha was making, but they did the see the connection with his doglike appearance. Oh well. Can't expect everyone to get the joke.
"We have time for one more request. After that, as promised, we'll have an encore of Otherworld. So let's hear it!" Inuyasha couldn't decide which one. So many selections, so many good suggestions. His eyes met Kagome's once more and the warmth returned. She was the first person to ever apologize to him, admit that she had been wrong about him. He wasn't sure just what it was about her, but it just made Inuyasha want to keep her close.
With that thought, he knew what song to play as soon as he heard it shouted out in the crowd. "Our last request for tonight is May This Be Love by Jimi Hendrix."
Waterfall, nothing can harm me at all,
My worries seem so very small,
With my waterfall.
I can see my rainbow calling me,
Through the misty breeze,
Of my waterfall.
Some people say day-dreaming's,
For all the lazy minded fools,
With nothing else to do.
So let them laugh, laugh at me,
So just as long as I have you,
To see me through,
I have nothing to lose 'long as I have you.
Waterfall, don't ever change your ways.
Fall with me for a million days,
Oh, my waterfall.
Inuyasha had his eyes closed as he drifted with the music once he was finished singing. Upon opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was Kagome. He tried to tell her through his eyes that the song was for her. She looked like she could have danced right then and there. 'That tears it,' Inuyasha thought, 'I've hopelessly fallen for this girl.'
*************************
Author's Notes: Well that was long wasn't it? More songs than I've ever put in a single chapter.
For those of you who worry that this is becoming a musical, the next chapter, so far anyway, has no songs in it. Just plot. Songs will be mentioned, but no one's going to be singing.
In case you're wondering, there is a reason I didn't put any lyrics down for A Method to My Madness. To be blunt, I couldn't think of anything cryptic enough.
Anyway, updates are probably going to be slow this month. My teachers are trying to cram in as much work for me as possible before I graduate, and work has gotten hectic. Oh well.