Author's Notes: Okay, busy at work on another chapter. I hope to make up for the long wait that finals and work forced me into. Wish me luck.
Let the Music Be Your Master
Chapter 15- Today Is Your Birthday, Happy Birthday To You
The next morning was a little... strange. Miroku and Sango seemed to have a hard time keeping their eyes off each other. Shippo and Kirara seemed unusually sombre. And Inuyasha looked like he had just had a vision of paradise.
When Sesshoumaru came down, he had the 'just-got-laid' look that Naraku had been wearing the past week. Other than that the house was fine, and everyone seemed as oblviious to these changes as the family dogs.
Breakfast was pancakes and bacon, courtesy of Sesshoumaru and conversation was kept light. "So how did your gig go?"
"We rocked," Inuyasha said simply. "We have gigs going throughout May now." Male ego showing? Check. Pride over-inflated? Check. Feeling invincible from ego trip and hot girl with grey eyes checking you out last night? Check.
"Finally. Keep this up and you'll get your recording contract in nothing flat." Sessh spun on his heels as he tossed three pancakes straight up into the air, doing a full 360 just as they began to fall again and catching every one of them in the skillet.
"Mad skills, Sessh!" Miroku cheered.
Inuyasha finished shoveling the rest of his pancakes into his mouth and used the bacon like a sponge to wipe up the rest of the syrup on the plate before stuffing those down his throat. "I gotta get ready. Your brother's coming over in a couple hours for his first lesson," Inuyasha said, looking over at Kagome.
"Oh that's right!" she replied, nearly slapping her forehead. "Do you guys mind if I sit in? I'd like to see this."
Inuyasha just shrugged. Inside though, this would be another chance to show off for her. He still had some questions that needed to be answered. "Why not?"
************************
Sota had showed up eagerly awaiting his first lesson. Kikyo had dropped him off, and she looked just as high as Sessh. Small wonder they vanished shortly after her arrival.
Inuyasha took Sota and Kagome out to the garage with a pair of acoustic guitars. He pulled up three chairs and took out one of the guitars. He hadn't bothered to tune them, since that would be important for a first lesson.
"Alright, kid," he said, as Sota took another chair and the second instrument, "first thing you need to learn is how to hold this thing."
The lesson lasted over an hour, and Sota seemed rather pleased with himself despite constantly rubbing his swollen, red fingers. Building callusses was a pain.
Before Mrs. Higurashi arrived to take her children home, Inuyasha noticed Kagome growing a little uneasy. "Something on your mind?"
She looked up anxiously and seemed to be steeling herself up for something. "Actually, my birthday is the day after Easter and I was wondering... I was wondering if you'd like to come to my party?" There was a slight blush in her cheeks and she seemed to have a hard time meeting Inuyasha's gaze.
For his part, Inuyasha was thrilled. He immediately began trying to think of what to get her. It would have to be good or what would she think of him? "I'll be there," he said with a grin.
Kagome immediately put on a big smile and impulsively kissed him on the cheek, causing a small jolt to go through him. "Thanks Inuyasha! Party starts at five."
With that, she ran off to catch up with Sota, smiling and waving to Inuyasha the whole way.
As soon as Inuyasha came far enough down to earth again, his nerves set in. What could he get her? He only had two days! He needed help.
************************
"Okay, so let me get this straight," Shippo said. "Kagome has invited you to her birthday party."
"Yes."
Miroku then picked up. "And you want to give her a gift no one else can?"
"Yes."
"And you need our help to do it?" Shippo resumed.
"That's about the size of it."
"How much can we expect to get out of this?" Miroku asked nonchalantly.
Inuyasha frowned. "You guys are being really mercenary about this."
"If my theory is right," Miroku replied, "and you've fallen for her, then no price is too small, right?"
Inuyasha went through an interesting spectrum of emotions at that. He shifted in a matter of seconds from surprise, to emberassment, to confusion, to annoyance. "I hate you. Name your price and I'll give you your jobs."
************************
Kagome rushed around the house come Monday trying to help her mother with the last minute cleaning. Everything had to be perfect! Inuyasha was going to be here, and she really wanted things to be right for him if no one else. Her birthday, yes, but she still wanted to impress like any other human being.
The first of the guests arrived and the house soon became crowded with seniors and juniors from Wolfrock High.
Yura and Naraku came in attached at the hip and gave Kagome their gifts, though she had to wonder just what they would give.
Kagome walked into the living room and put on Led Zeppelin IV, which she had borrowed from Inuyasha for the sake of the party. Speaking of whom, where was he?
As if on cue, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara walked in with big grins on their faces. "Happy birthday, Kagome!" they shouted in unison.
Kagome dashed up and she, Sango, and Kirara had a group hug. "I'm so happy to see you guys! What took you so long?"
"We had to wait for Inuyasha to get his car," Sango said. "He said it was for your gift, though he's being pretty mysterious about it."
Inuyasha smirked in a very smug way when Kagome looked to him. She could tell he wasn't about to say anything. 'Dang. Guess I'll just have to stay in suspense.'
All in all, the party was a success. The living room had been rearranged for dancing, so everyone gravitated toward there. Miroku was surprisingly graceful with that heavy coat on, and Shippo entertained people to no end with comedic breakdancing.
Unfortunately, it all came crashing down with the arrival of one uninvited guest. Kagome felt a lump form in her throat when Koga came swaggering into the room. "Hey, Kagome! How ya doin', babe? Haven't seen you in a while!"
"Koga? W-what are you doing here?" Of all the times to show up...
"You forgot my invitation," he said simply, as if it were as obvious as the sky being blue.
Now Kagome felt a little less scared, and a little more angry. "I didn't forget it, I never sent it! I didn't want you here, because I'm still pissed off at you!"
"Oh, so you're playing hard to get," Koga snickered.
"What?!" Kagome was shocked. He actually believed she wanted him around? Now she was back to being scared.
"What the hell is he doing here?!" Inuyasha demanded as he strode out of the crowd, glowering at Koga who scowled back.
"That's what I want to know," Kagome replied. She moved closer to Inuyasha unconsciously, feeling safer around him.
"Kagome, please don't tell me you invited this mutant," Koga sneered, never taking his eyes from his rival.
Kagome could tell that Inuyasha was about to explode, but she beat him to it. "Inuyasha is no mutant! I invited him because, unlike you, I trust him! At least he isn't psychotic! I don't want you around, I want you out of this house, and stop harassing my friends!"
The crowd's attention was now on the argument and Kagome began to feel very uneasy. She calmed a little when Inuyasha placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch her, you bastard!" Koga bellowed and lunged forward, tackling Inuyasha to the ground.
Kagome could only watch in shock. Inuyasha took a hard punch to the face before slipping his leg underneath Koga and kicking him off. The guitarist kipped up in time to see Koga recover and lunge for him again. Inuyasha managed a quick reaction though, and thrust out his arm, letting Koga run right into the heel of his palm.
Inuyasha jumped back and took up a defensive stance as Koga slowly got back up, ready for another attack. They stared each other down for another minute, before Inuyasha said tonelessly "Maybe it would be better if we left." He said it as much to his bandmates as to Koga.
"I'm not going anywhere!" the latter shouted indignantly.
"Oh, yes you are!" Mrs. Higurashi declared as she stomped into the room. She was absolutely furious. "Inuyasha, I'd appreciate it if you left for a while. I don't permit violence of any kind in my house."
"He started it!" the boy in question said defensively.
"I know that," Mrs. Higurashi said firmly, "but nevertheless, I want you to go home, get cleaned up, and wait for things to calm down before you come back here." She then wheeled around and faced Koga who was looking very smug. "And as for you!"
Koga immediately paled. Kagome knew better than anyone how scary her mother could be when she got angry. "I want you out of this house, NOW! And if you ever come back, I'll call the police on you!"
After a moment, Koga relented, never once taking his eyes which were filled with malice away from Inuyasha and Mrs. Higurashi. Seconds after he left the door, the sound of his car driving off was heard.
At last, Inuyasha heave a sigh. He looked to Kagome with guilt in his eyes. "Sorry. I'll be back later. I promise."
As he left, Miroku and Shippo joined him. "We'll go with him," Shippo explained. "In case Koga wants to try something stupid."
Kagome sank to her knees. Because of Koga, everything had been ruined. She felt like she was going to cry. Inuyasha was hurt, everyone now was afraid of her because of what Koga might do, and the said bastard had turned into a psychotic stalker. Happy fucking birthday.
*************************
That night, Sango and Kirara had volunteered to stay at Kagome's house. They claimed they were simply there to spend time with their friend on her birthday, though Kagome knew they were there for emotional support. Truer friends she would be hard-pressed to find. They all sat in her bedroom talking.
"I want to thank you guys again for staying tonight. I appreciate it." Kagome wanted to shed a few tears, but at the moment she didn't think it would do any good. A sob or two before she went to sleep would be fine. Tears always made a good way of getting grief off your shoulders. Let them fall and getting on would be easier afterward.
"Hey, think nothing of it," Kirara said off-handedly. "Besides, a night for just us girls is always refreshing. I should be thanking you since I don't get to do this too often."
Sango suddenly looked out the window from her spot on a cushion on the floor. "Did you guys hear something?"
Kagome glanced toward the window, but she didn't hear anything. Kirara remained quiet as well, and after another minute, everything was still silent.
Sango just shrugged. "Must have been my imagination. I could have sworn I heard Miroku."
"Oh did you?" Kirara asked teasingly. "Wink, wink, nudge, nudge."
"Shut up," Sango said defensively wih a blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Admit it, Sango," Kirara said with only a hint of exasperation and a lot of amusement, "you've got it bad for him. At least Shippo and I have no problem expressing our feelings, and in public no less."
Kagome giggled a little, trying to hide it behind her hand. That proved to be a mistake, though.
"And don't get me started on you, Kagome," Kirara said turning her attention to her hostess. "If you and Inuyasha don't swallow your pride and start making out in the next day or two, I swear you'll both explode."
It was Kagome's turn to blush. She freely admitted that she was now hopelessly falling for Inuyasha. To herself. But other than that song he sang for her, she really had no way of knowing how he really felt. And it was just one song, and it was a request from the audience, and doubts were beginning to settle in again, and...
Now there was no doubt that there was something outside. The music from an electric guitar floated up from the backyard, which Kagome's window happened to be facing. The three girls looked to one another and dashed to the window, throwing it open and looking down into the yard. None of them were prepared for what they saw.
"Happy birthday, Kagome!"
*************************
Author's Notes: I'm feeling very sadistic right now. I'm sure you can all guess what's going on, but I'll leave you to stew while I write the next chapter, leaving everyone to guess on their own how it all turns out.
Let the Music Be Your Master
Chapter 15- Today Is Your Birthday, Happy Birthday To You
The next morning was a little... strange. Miroku and Sango seemed to have a hard time keeping their eyes off each other. Shippo and Kirara seemed unusually sombre. And Inuyasha looked like he had just had a vision of paradise.
When Sesshoumaru came down, he had the 'just-got-laid' look that Naraku had been wearing the past week. Other than that the house was fine, and everyone seemed as oblviious to these changes as the family dogs.
Breakfast was pancakes and bacon, courtesy of Sesshoumaru and conversation was kept light. "So how did your gig go?"
"We rocked," Inuyasha said simply. "We have gigs going throughout May now." Male ego showing? Check. Pride over-inflated? Check. Feeling invincible from ego trip and hot girl with grey eyes checking you out last night? Check.
"Finally. Keep this up and you'll get your recording contract in nothing flat." Sessh spun on his heels as he tossed three pancakes straight up into the air, doing a full 360 just as they began to fall again and catching every one of them in the skillet.
"Mad skills, Sessh!" Miroku cheered.
Inuyasha finished shoveling the rest of his pancakes into his mouth and used the bacon like a sponge to wipe up the rest of the syrup on the plate before stuffing those down his throat. "I gotta get ready. Your brother's coming over in a couple hours for his first lesson," Inuyasha said, looking over at Kagome.
"Oh that's right!" she replied, nearly slapping her forehead. "Do you guys mind if I sit in? I'd like to see this."
Inuyasha just shrugged. Inside though, this would be another chance to show off for her. He still had some questions that needed to be answered. "Why not?"
************************
Sota had showed up eagerly awaiting his first lesson. Kikyo had dropped him off, and she looked just as high as Sessh. Small wonder they vanished shortly after her arrival.
Inuyasha took Sota and Kagome out to the garage with a pair of acoustic guitars. He pulled up three chairs and took out one of the guitars. He hadn't bothered to tune them, since that would be important for a first lesson.
"Alright, kid," he said, as Sota took another chair and the second instrument, "first thing you need to learn is how to hold this thing."
The lesson lasted over an hour, and Sota seemed rather pleased with himself despite constantly rubbing his swollen, red fingers. Building callusses was a pain.
Before Mrs. Higurashi arrived to take her children home, Inuyasha noticed Kagome growing a little uneasy. "Something on your mind?"
She looked up anxiously and seemed to be steeling herself up for something. "Actually, my birthday is the day after Easter and I was wondering... I was wondering if you'd like to come to my party?" There was a slight blush in her cheeks and she seemed to have a hard time meeting Inuyasha's gaze.
For his part, Inuyasha was thrilled. He immediately began trying to think of what to get her. It would have to be good or what would she think of him? "I'll be there," he said with a grin.
Kagome immediately put on a big smile and impulsively kissed him on the cheek, causing a small jolt to go through him. "Thanks Inuyasha! Party starts at five."
With that, she ran off to catch up with Sota, smiling and waving to Inuyasha the whole way.
As soon as Inuyasha came far enough down to earth again, his nerves set in. What could he get her? He only had two days! He needed help.
************************
"Okay, so let me get this straight," Shippo said. "Kagome has invited you to her birthday party."
"Yes."
Miroku then picked up. "And you want to give her a gift no one else can?"
"Yes."
"And you need our help to do it?" Shippo resumed.
"That's about the size of it."
"How much can we expect to get out of this?" Miroku asked nonchalantly.
Inuyasha frowned. "You guys are being really mercenary about this."
"If my theory is right," Miroku replied, "and you've fallen for her, then no price is too small, right?"
Inuyasha went through an interesting spectrum of emotions at that. He shifted in a matter of seconds from surprise, to emberassment, to confusion, to annoyance. "I hate you. Name your price and I'll give you your jobs."
************************
Kagome rushed around the house come Monday trying to help her mother with the last minute cleaning. Everything had to be perfect! Inuyasha was going to be here, and she really wanted things to be right for him if no one else. Her birthday, yes, but she still wanted to impress like any other human being.
The first of the guests arrived and the house soon became crowded with seniors and juniors from Wolfrock High.
Yura and Naraku came in attached at the hip and gave Kagome their gifts, though she had to wonder just what they would give.
Kagome walked into the living room and put on Led Zeppelin IV, which she had borrowed from Inuyasha for the sake of the party. Speaking of whom, where was he?
As if on cue, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Kirara walked in with big grins on their faces. "Happy birthday, Kagome!" they shouted in unison.
Kagome dashed up and she, Sango, and Kirara had a group hug. "I'm so happy to see you guys! What took you so long?"
"We had to wait for Inuyasha to get his car," Sango said. "He said it was for your gift, though he's being pretty mysterious about it."
Inuyasha smirked in a very smug way when Kagome looked to him. She could tell he wasn't about to say anything. 'Dang. Guess I'll just have to stay in suspense.'
All in all, the party was a success. The living room had been rearranged for dancing, so everyone gravitated toward there. Miroku was surprisingly graceful with that heavy coat on, and Shippo entertained people to no end with comedic breakdancing.
Unfortunately, it all came crashing down with the arrival of one uninvited guest. Kagome felt a lump form in her throat when Koga came swaggering into the room. "Hey, Kagome! How ya doin', babe? Haven't seen you in a while!"
"Koga? W-what are you doing here?" Of all the times to show up...
"You forgot my invitation," he said simply, as if it were as obvious as the sky being blue.
Now Kagome felt a little less scared, and a little more angry. "I didn't forget it, I never sent it! I didn't want you here, because I'm still pissed off at you!"
"Oh, so you're playing hard to get," Koga snickered.
"What?!" Kagome was shocked. He actually believed she wanted him around? Now she was back to being scared.
"What the hell is he doing here?!" Inuyasha demanded as he strode out of the crowd, glowering at Koga who scowled back.
"That's what I want to know," Kagome replied. She moved closer to Inuyasha unconsciously, feeling safer around him.
"Kagome, please don't tell me you invited this mutant," Koga sneered, never taking his eyes from his rival.
Kagome could tell that Inuyasha was about to explode, but she beat him to it. "Inuyasha is no mutant! I invited him because, unlike you, I trust him! At least he isn't psychotic! I don't want you around, I want you out of this house, and stop harassing my friends!"
The crowd's attention was now on the argument and Kagome began to feel very uneasy. She calmed a little when Inuyasha placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch her, you bastard!" Koga bellowed and lunged forward, tackling Inuyasha to the ground.
Kagome could only watch in shock. Inuyasha took a hard punch to the face before slipping his leg underneath Koga and kicking him off. The guitarist kipped up in time to see Koga recover and lunge for him again. Inuyasha managed a quick reaction though, and thrust out his arm, letting Koga run right into the heel of his palm.
Inuyasha jumped back and took up a defensive stance as Koga slowly got back up, ready for another attack. They stared each other down for another minute, before Inuyasha said tonelessly "Maybe it would be better if we left." He said it as much to his bandmates as to Koga.
"I'm not going anywhere!" the latter shouted indignantly.
"Oh, yes you are!" Mrs. Higurashi declared as she stomped into the room. She was absolutely furious. "Inuyasha, I'd appreciate it if you left for a while. I don't permit violence of any kind in my house."
"He started it!" the boy in question said defensively.
"I know that," Mrs. Higurashi said firmly, "but nevertheless, I want you to go home, get cleaned up, and wait for things to calm down before you come back here." She then wheeled around and faced Koga who was looking very smug. "And as for you!"
Koga immediately paled. Kagome knew better than anyone how scary her mother could be when she got angry. "I want you out of this house, NOW! And if you ever come back, I'll call the police on you!"
After a moment, Koga relented, never once taking his eyes which were filled with malice away from Inuyasha and Mrs. Higurashi. Seconds after he left the door, the sound of his car driving off was heard.
At last, Inuyasha heave a sigh. He looked to Kagome with guilt in his eyes. "Sorry. I'll be back later. I promise."
As he left, Miroku and Shippo joined him. "We'll go with him," Shippo explained. "In case Koga wants to try something stupid."
Kagome sank to her knees. Because of Koga, everything had been ruined. She felt like she was going to cry. Inuyasha was hurt, everyone now was afraid of her because of what Koga might do, and the said bastard had turned into a psychotic stalker. Happy fucking birthday.
*************************
That night, Sango and Kirara had volunteered to stay at Kagome's house. They claimed they were simply there to spend time with their friend on her birthday, though Kagome knew they were there for emotional support. Truer friends she would be hard-pressed to find. They all sat in her bedroom talking.
"I want to thank you guys again for staying tonight. I appreciate it." Kagome wanted to shed a few tears, but at the moment she didn't think it would do any good. A sob or two before she went to sleep would be fine. Tears always made a good way of getting grief off your shoulders. Let them fall and getting on would be easier afterward.
"Hey, think nothing of it," Kirara said off-handedly. "Besides, a night for just us girls is always refreshing. I should be thanking you since I don't get to do this too often."
Sango suddenly looked out the window from her spot on a cushion on the floor. "Did you guys hear something?"
Kagome glanced toward the window, but she didn't hear anything. Kirara remained quiet as well, and after another minute, everything was still silent.
Sango just shrugged. "Must have been my imagination. I could have sworn I heard Miroku."
"Oh did you?" Kirara asked teasingly. "Wink, wink, nudge, nudge."
"Shut up," Sango said defensively wih a blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Admit it, Sango," Kirara said with only a hint of exasperation and a lot of amusement, "you've got it bad for him. At least Shippo and I have no problem expressing our feelings, and in public no less."
Kagome giggled a little, trying to hide it behind her hand. That proved to be a mistake, though.
"And don't get me started on you, Kagome," Kirara said turning her attention to her hostess. "If you and Inuyasha don't swallow your pride and start making out in the next day or two, I swear you'll both explode."
It was Kagome's turn to blush. She freely admitted that she was now hopelessly falling for Inuyasha. To herself. But other than that song he sang for her, she really had no way of knowing how he really felt. And it was just one song, and it was a request from the audience, and doubts were beginning to settle in again, and...
Now there was no doubt that there was something outside. The music from an electric guitar floated up from the backyard, which Kagome's window happened to be facing. The three girls looked to one another and dashed to the window, throwing it open and looking down into the yard. None of them were prepared for what they saw.
"Happy birthday, Kagome!"
*************************
Author's Notes: I'm feeling very sadistic right now. I'm sure you can all guess what's going on, but I'll leave you to stew while I write the next chapter, leaving everyone to guess on their own how it all turns out.