Author's Notes: Well a lot of people are pretty pissed off at me for not fixing things right away. Don't worry, everything in good time. I'm hoping I can finish this story before the end of August, and if I haul ass, I might just be able to.

A couple people wanted to know the various bands and albums I've used. A couple songs I borrowed lyrics from, I honestly can't remember a blessed thing about. But I'll see what I can do.

A couple of my reviewers feel that some characters are a little out of character. Yeah, I've known that for some time now. I'm making an effort to try and make things better, but when I write a sory, it honestly seems to write itself. I know I must sound like some pretentious artiste, or I'm higher than a kite, but that's the easiest way to explain it.

I will see what I can do to make things a little better, but I don't know how successful I'll be. To be honest, I never actually expected more than one or two people to actually read this. I just wrote it because I felt like it. The response was pretty surprising.

Let the Music Be Your Master

Chapter 21- Sending Out an S.O.S.

Miroku lay on his bed trying to sort things out. He just played one album after another, making sure to avoid Counterparts. As much as he liked Rush, he just couldn't agree with Neil Peart's aversion to love songs.

Shippo seemed to be the only one left with any happinness. At least he still had Kirara. But that wasn't what he was trying to think about. What Miroku wanted right now were answers to his questions. Why had Sango, Kagome, and Yura left? Something about these pieces didn't fit together.

Playing through 2112, he made sure to skip past Soliloquy. He wasn't really in a mood to hear that kind of thing. If only there was a way to get a hold of Sango and talk to her...

But right now that was wishful thinking.

************************

Yura sat in her room, idly combing out a doll's hair. She missed Naraku, there was nothing else to it. That bastard Koga had threatened her family, promised he would hurt them if she didn't leave Naraku. Kagome was there to show he was telling the truth, so what else could Yura have done?

She sighed sadly and tried to hold back her tears. She tried to think of something else, but it was no good. Yura just couldn't believe her life was now being decided for her by a sociopath.

Gnashing her teeth, she decided she had to do something. Koga had forbidden her from any further contact with Naraku and the others, but what the bastard didn't know couldn't hurt him.

Wait, more like what he didn't know could give him a good swift kick in the balls and a knife in the ribs. Less than he deserved. Now she just needed a plan. Naraku had told her secrets about himself no one else knew. If anyone could help them all get back at Koga, it was him.

************************

Naraku was laying in his room staring at the far wall where he kept his pets. There was Onigumo the tarantula, Rasputin the python, Klaus the scorpion, and Jesse James the ferret. Right now, they were about the only thing that was distracting him from his doubt and grief.

Now that Yura was gone, he regretted never having told her he loved her. It didn't help that he realized it only a day before she left him. Contacting her was futile, though. Not one message returned.

"I never thought I'd see myself like this," Naraku muttered, turning over on his side. "Someone just put a bullet in me."

This wouldn't be quite so bad if he just understood what the fuck caused all this.

************************

Inuyasha sat in the loft playing his guitar. He just couldn't get this out of his head. He had been playing So Much Glass for the past three hours, but venting his feelings wasn't helping. If anything he just felt worse.

He didn't realize just how important the last few people left in his life were until now. Why did life seem to enjoy spitting in his face more than anyone else's?

Kagome never responded to the video he sent her. She probably just got rid of it. Why was she doing this to him? Wouldn't anything he said or did ever be good enough?

Trying desperately to keep his spirits afloat, he began playing a new song. Maybe he'd make another video. It was all he could do, anyway.

************************

Sango walked down the street toward Miroku's house. To hell with Koga! He'd never find out about this, and Miroku deserved an explanation. Even if there was nothing they could do, she at least wanted him to know she still loved him, still wanted to be with him. But there was nothing either of them could do to stop the psychotic little bastard that was tearing them apart.

She tested the door, seeing no car in the driveway, and was relieved to see it was open. She heard music from upstairs and immediately figured Miroku would be there.

When the singing started, she recognized it to be another Rush song. Predictable. Sango couldn't help but smile at that.

~*~

Waiting for the winds of change,

To sweep the clouds away.

Waiting for the rainbow's end,

To cast its gold your way.

Countless ways you pass the day,

Waiting for someone to come,

And turn your world around!

Looking for an answer,

To the question you have found!

Looking for an open door!

~*~

Sango had reached the doorway, and stopped tentatively to peer in. Miroku was on his bed gazing out the window. The song was beginning to take on a reality.

~*~

Well you don't get something for nothing!

You can't have freedom for free!

You won't get wise with the sleep still in your eyes,

No matter what your dream might... be!

~*~

Now there was a message Sango really needed. She had felt her courage beginning to waver at the thought of confronting Miroku again. But nothing would ever be solved if she backed down and gave in to Koga.

~*~

Well you don't get something for nothing!

You can't have freedom for free!

You won't get wise with the sleep still in your eyes,

No matter what your dream might be!

~*~

What you own is your own kingdom.

What you do is your own glory.

What you love is your own power.

What you live is your own story.

~*~

Sango's mind was fast getting made up. She was not going to let Koga ruin the life of her or her friends. They had to find a way.

~*~

In your head is the answer, let it guide you along.

Let your heart be the anchor and the beat of your song!

~*~

Well you don't get something for nothing!

You can't have freedom for free! No!

~*~

No, you don't get something for nothing!

You can't have freedom for free!

No, no, no, no, no!

~*~

With a deep breath to ready herself, Sango stepped into Miroku's room. He turned his head to face her and nearly jumped when their eyes met. The poor guy looked like he thought he was dreaming.

Sango tried to come up with something witty and profound to say to break the silence, but instead she just walked over to Miroku and embraced him as a few tears quietly slipped out. "God, I missed you," she sobbed softly.

****************************

Kikyo sighed softly as she lay on the lounger on the patio of the Morimoto home in Sesshoumaru's arms. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy her lover's embrace, but she was still troubled by her sister's and Inuyasha's situation.

"What's wrong?" Sesshoumaru asked softly. He lifted his head and looked down into her eyes.

"It's our siblings," she answered truthfully. One of the things Kikyo cherished the most about her relationship is that nothing was held back. They both freely spoke thier minds whenever they wanted to, always hearing each other out. "It just doesn't look right. After Kagome left Inuyasha, she's been regularly vanishing every day and comes home looking like she's ready to die."

Sesshoumaru nodded slowly. "You're right. Something doesn't smell right about all this. Have you had a chance to talk to Kagome at all about this?"

Kikyo just shook her head. "She seldom makes eye contact with us anymore. She hasn't eaten in two days, either. At least not that I've seen. I'm worried."

"Inuyasha doesn't seem to be in any better shape. He either stares off into space or plays on his guitar all day. It's always either So Much Glass, Still Loving You, Cold Fire, or The Girl I Love She Got Long Black Wavy Hair."

"Poor guy," Kikyo thought aloud as he rested her cheek on Sesshoumaru's chest. "I wish there was something we could do."

"I know," Sesshoumaru offered comfortingly as he tightened his arms around her. "I know."

****************************

Yura had meant to tell Naraku the situation as soon as she saw him, but after a few minutes of staring at one another in disbelief, they embraced and made love once more.

Yura looked up from her spot on her lover's chest and turned serious. "Naraku, there's something you need to know."

Naraku's expression turned serious and he sat up, cradling Yura in his arms. "Tell me. I lost you once, and I get the feeling that I might lose you again. Please tell me."

Bursting into tears, Yura collapsed into his embrace and told him everything. She felt Naraku's muscles tensen with rage at the revelation.

"Bastard," he growled. "I never did like that guy. I never would have figured him for a psycho, though. Or a mobster."

"I remember what you told me about yourself," Yura said, her voice muffled by Naraku's shoulder. "Are you still up to it? Can you help us?"

"I'd walk barefoot into Hell and back for you," Naraku answered solemnly. "You're damn right I will."

Yura couldn't help but smile. After working so hard to clean himself up over te past year, her lover was ready to go through it all over again for her and their friends.

****************************

Miroku was trying desperately to keep his rage in check. So that was what was going on, was it? It made sense now. Inuyasha needed to know, but his reaction may very well be a little dangerous.

"What are we going to do?" he thought aloud.

"Nothing," Sango said sadly. "Koga's covered all the angles."

"No," Miroku insisted. "There is no such thing as a perfect plan. I don't believe in the no-win scenario."

"But what can we do? Kagome is willing to sacrifice her happinness for all of us to stay alive, Koga has the police in his pocket. We're stuck."

"No!" It was the first time in a long time that Miroku has raised his voice. "I'm not giving up so easily. And I don't believe for an instant that you will either. Why would you be here, otherwise."

He could tell he had gotten through to Sango on that one. She was even more of a fighter than him. "What we need is a plan," Miroku continued.

The phone downstairs rang. With a grumble, Miroku stepped up to get it. "I'll be back. This conversation isn't over," he said over his shoulder.

He snatched the phone off the hook and held it up. "Hello?"

"Miroku?" Was that Naraku? That voicewas unmistakeable. "There's something you need to know. I just talked ot Yura and..."

"I know," Miroku interrupted. "I know. Sango told me everything just a moment ago."

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment before Naraku spoke again. "We need to let Inuyasha in on this."

Miroku nodded reflexively before speaking. "Agreed. But are we going to do."

"There are things about me you don't know," Naraku answered cryptically. "I've only told Yura so far. But trust me, as soon as we get Inuyasha and Kagome back, I have and know what it takes for us to in this one."

Now Miroku was a little freaked out. Naraku was creepy to begin with, and he always suspected that the goth was holding some dark secrets, but having his suspicions and having them confirmed were two entirely different things.

****************************

Author's Notes: Not much time left. I leave soon and I don't think I'll be able to finish once I leave. I'll do my damndest to get the last chapters out. 22 is a short one, so I should have it done in a day or two. If I can just finish 23 and 24 in a timely fashion, I think I cna finish this thing. At least 23 anyway. Hopefully, if I fail to get 24 out, I can keep my interest in the show and this story long enough to write the epilogue during Thanksgiving break.

Anyway, you wanted a list so here goes:

(in order of appearance not counting chapter titles [do that next at the epilogue])

Communication Breakdown by Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin I)

Scott Farcas Takes it On the Chin by Less Than Jake (Hello Rockview)

Help Save the Youth of America from Exploding by Less Than Jake (Hello Rockview)

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin IV)

Tom Sawyer by Rush (Moving Pictures)

All My Best Friends Are Metal Heads by Less Than Jake (Hello Rockview)

Trampled Underfoot by Led Zeppelin (Physical Graffiti)

Rock You Like a Hurricane by The Scorpions (Love at First Sting)

Spin Me Right Round by Poison (unknown)

Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin IV)

Kashmir by Led Zeppelin (Physical Graffiti)

Free Will by Rush (Permanent Waves)

Fly By Night by Rush (Fly By Night)

The Trees by Rush (Hemispheres)

Limelight by Rush (Moving Pictures)

Red Sector A by Rush (Moving Pictures)

What if God Smoked Cannabis by (supposedly) Wierd Al Yankovik (unknown)

Time Stand Still by Rush (Hold Your Fire)

Achilles' Last Stand by Led Zeppelin (Presence)

Just For by Nickelback (Silver Side Up)

Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon (can't remember)

What Is and What Should Never Be by Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin II)

Sunglasses at Night by (Hell if I remember the name and album)

Give It Away by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (can't remember)

Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves by (once again I really don't remember or care)

Everybody Wants To Rule the World by (see above)

Goodbye to Romance by Ozzy Ozbourne (Blizzard of Ozz)

Cats In the Cradle by (once again too lazy to remember)

Do You Really Want To Hurt Me by (do any of you care?)

By-Tor and the Snow Dog by Rush (Fly By Night)

Can't Get Enough of You Baby by Smashmouth (Astro Lounge)

Crazy Train by Ozzy Ozzbourne (Blizzard of Ozz)

Mission by Rush (Hold Your Fire)

The Analog Kid by Rush (Signals)

Bark at the Moon by Ozzy Ozzbourne (Bark at the Moon)

May This Be Love by Jimi Hendrix (Are You Experienced?)

Cold Fire by Rush (Counterparts)

Houses of the Holy by Led Zeppelin (Physical Graffiti)

Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin II)

No One Like You by The Scorpions (Blackout)

Melt With You by Modern English (unknown)

The Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson (Court of the Crimson King)

The Science of Selling Yourself Short by Less Than Jake (Anthem)

The Zoo by The Scorpions (Animal Magnetism)

Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin III)

Dazed and Confused by Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin I)

Big Crash by Less Than Jake (Hello Rockview)

Marathon by Rush (Power Windows)

Money by Pink Floyd (Dark Side of the Moon)

2112 (Overture, Temples of Syrinx, The Discovery, The Presentation, Oracle: The Dream, Soliloquy, Grand Finale) by Rush (2112)

War Pigs by Black Sabbath (Paranoid)

We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister (still don't remember)

Wind of Change by The Scorpions (Crazy World)

Still Loving You by The Scorpions (Love at First Sting)