Author's Notes: Well, it's been a long time, but I'm back at last.
Seven months. Damn. I'm sorry for taking so long, but I've been having
the busiest six months of my life. I've gotten put on academic
probation and taken off it in one semester, discovered that in addition
to writing I want to be a director in film, gotten canned, gotten an
offer to join a group called the Midnight Society (I'm dead serious),
gotten addicted to City of Heroes, lost more crushes in three months
than I have in all my previous years(pathetic isn't it?), started
writing my own screenplays and music, and expanded my horizons in music
and literature.
Contrary to what I said before, this will not be the last chapter. I had an idea for this chapter, but I decided to pitch it. This one will be devoted to some much-needed introspect from the characters, with musical accompaniment. It will give some closure that I felt would be important. The next chapter will be a rather interesting epilogue. Whether or not you guys like this new set up remains to be seen. I've reached a point where I'm really just sort of screwing around with my writing to see where it takes me. And I'll tell you, there are moments in the last chapter that I just hate, hate, HATED looking back.
In the process, I hope to turn some of you on to a few bands that I should have paid more attention to earlier in the story, as they were a better fit some of the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this just ot promote a few bands. But the music therein is so tightly gelled with the characterization I wanted to write here that I thought it would be a crime to leave it out.
Here we go...
Let the Music Be Your Master
Chapter 24- Flame Burning Brighter With Every Day
Inuyasha made one last sound check for the encore at Cult Classics. The gigging the band was doing allowed them to expand their equipment list a little. As much as he loved his double-neck Inuyasha had decided to play tonight with a humble SG. Miroku was still loving his Steinberger bass, and Shippo's drum set now seemed to threaten to engulf him. Things had really gotten interesting this last year. It was June of 2004, and the band had their first album out on an indie label. Naraku was playing on and off with them now, and it seemed he may become a permanent member as well as their manager.
"Alright everybody," Inuyasha said into the microphone, "we have a list of a few covers we wanted to do tonight before playing Otherworld one more time. Those of you who have been listening to our new material know that our sound's really evolving. We're taking in more influences and I believe Damage Control is finally moving forward into a great new direction." This was met with wild cheers from the audience. "Yeah, that's what I like to hear! We're going to start off with a number from German metalheads, Blind Guardian. It's called The Soulforged. We hope you like it."
The music started off with Naraku's synthesizer recreating the down-tuned distorted opening riffs of the rhythm guitar before the rest of the band joined in to create a rich, complicated sound with each member adding their vocals to the lyrics at just the right moments.
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Yup. There was no real meaning of life. You couldn't count on divinity for jack. It probably didn't even exist.
There was only one meaning in life: the meaning that you made for yourself.
-----------------------------------------
This was the best part of the song coming up. Coming out of the bleak visions to see that you had to fight. No one was going to do it for you. In one verse, the song gave you hope no matter how depressed you may have been feeling.
It was Inuyasha to a T. Life's a bitch and then you die. Well Inuyasha was going to make life his bitch.
-----------------------------------------
As the band struck up the final chorus, the marching beat and majestic lyrics and melody were enough to bring one to tears. This is what music was all about. Whether it was a set of words and some notes that sounded fun, or a complex construction of melody, rhythm, and heartfelt lyrics, music was supposed to inspire something in you. That's exactly what Inuyasha knew he was put on this earth for.
-----------------------------------------
And from the flames
As chance would have it
the soulforged will come into light!
And from the flames as chance would have it
The soulforged,
The stainless will rise!
I will never change my mind
I will leave it all behind!
-----------------------------------------
Through the triumphant closing into the last fading notes, Inuyasha felt so alive with music like this. He one day hoped to be able to move people with his own music the way these bands could do for him.
"Thank you! Thank you everybody!" Inuyasha wiped the sweat from his brow. They had been playing through not only their first album, but several of their newer songs as well with a couple covers and requests thrown in for two hours. That's taxing no matter who you are. "Our next song is a little different. Not as intense, but still fun. Our last song was my pick, but this one is Naraku's. Man's a Judas Priest junkie."
"Hey, Priest is never wrong!" Naraku shot back. "Besides, I look damn good in leather," he added, straightening the lapels on his biker jacket.
"You look even better out of it!" Yura shouted from the front of the crowd, drawing a lot of laughter from everyone else. As she laughed with them, she deliberately started jumping up and down excitedly, and intentionally creating a very noticeable and enticing movement just below the shoulders.
"Babe, we can't finish the show if you keep teasing me like that."
"Hit the showers when we're done, Romeo," Shippo chimed in. "And yes, the double entendre was deliberate. Let's just do this!"
"Alright! One, two, three, four!"
The familiar driving opening and riffs started up, which a lot of the crowd recognized and quickly appreciated.
-----------------------------------------
One life I'm gonna live it up
I'm takin' flight I said I'll never get enough
Stand tall I'm young and kinda proud
I'm on top as long as the music's loud
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
-----------------------------------------
Naraku still couldn't believe it had taken so long for this song to sink in. He'd been listening to it for years. Of course, a lot of people also expected him to be a fan of Celtic Frost or Cannibal Corpse. If they even knew what those bands were.
Mister Gothboy. Mister Nihilist. Mister Film Critic Wannabe. And he listens to none depressing music. That was probably what helped keep him going. His mother and father never really seemed to care. When Naraku started messing with that old piano in the dining room that his grandparents had bequeathed to their children, neither his mother or father bothered to notice.
A part of Naraku did regret having grown up the way he did. Few friends. Very little fun. It was mostly just a neverending quest to escape reality through music and film. Then again, it did help make him who he was.
-----------------------------------------
That's right here's where the talkin' ends
Well listen this night there'll be some action spent
Drive hard I'm callin' all the shots
I got an ace card comin' down on the rocks
-----------------------------------------
Yeah. That's exactly where Naraku wanted to be. In control. Control of his own life. He was always rebelling. Fuck doing things other people's way. The only set of rules worth playing by in life was your own.
When Naraku looked over into the audience, he saw Yura up front banging her head and holding up the heavy metal handsign. He loved that about her. She thought the same way he did. She would only live life on her own terms. And there was no other option. Even when they had first met, those little flirtatious games they were playing. There were no rules, because they both kept changing them to give themselves the upper hand.
-----------------------------------------
If you think I'll sit around while you chip away my brain
Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You got another thing comin
You got another thing comin
You got another thing comin
In this world we're livin' in we have our share of sorrow
Answer now is don't give in aim for a new tomorrow!
-----------------------------------------
Inuyasha was much better at this emotional stuff. Naraku just liked to be the quiet passive-agressive type.
As the band's guitarrist tore through the solo, though, Naraku couldn't help but think that maybe he needed to be a little overtly assertive...
Nah!
-----------------------------------------
Oh so hot no time to take a rest yeah
Act tough ain't room for second best
Real strong got me some security
Hey I'm a big smash I'm goin' for infinity yeah
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing... ah!
Hallelujah!!
You've got another thing comin'
Hey, yeah!
It's a'comin' on
Oh, oh!
(You've got another thing comin')
It's a'comin' on
You've got another thing comin'
Oh!
You've got another thing comin'
Do your best, let's go!
Oh yeah, oh yeah
(You've got another thing comin')
It's comin', It's a'comin', comin'on
Gotta feel it, you gotta feel it
(You've got another thing comin')
It's comin' on, comin' now, comin' on now
(You've got another thing comin')
-----------------------------------------
"Whoo!" Inuyasha strummed a few lightning fast scratches before hitting a power chord. "I don't know about any of you out there, but songs like that really charge me, you know?
"Our next song is actually a dedication from Miroku. I'll let you take it, buddy."
Miroku gave Inuyasha a quick, lazy salute with his gloved hand. He was still wearing the trademark coat/beads/glove combo that had become his trademark look. "Well, ladies and gentlemen... and I use that latter term loosely..." he quipped which was met with a lot of macho whooping and faked booing. "I recently returned from a trip to Japan, which is why you haven't seen us around much lately. I did feel a little homesick while I was gone. But I also really missed my girlfriend. I'm sure you all know how that is, right?" Shouts of approval and aggreeance erupted from the crowd. Miroku glanced down to see Sango amongst them grinning coyly.
"So, our next number tonight is a Blue Oyster Cult classic and I just wanted to be a romantic old sap and dedicate this song to her."
"Admit it," Shippo teased from behind his behemoth drum set, "you just want to get laid."
"Guilty as charged," Miroku admitted. "Now play the damn song."
-----------------------------------------
Maybe I'll see you again baby
And maybe I won't
Maybe you've bought your ticket
Gone back to Detroit
Airplanes make strangers of us all
Give us distance
Much too easily.
-----------------------------------------
Miroku had chosen to sing this one himself with the rest of the band providing a nice harmony. Though it was a much softer song than most of the stuff they had been playing tonight, Miroku just felt that the band needed to give everyone a chance to mellow out for a minute.
And there was definately some wisdom in these lyrics. It never ceased to amaze Miroku how music could communicate things so well. It had always been there to inspire him and teach him.
-----------------------------------------
Jim says some destinies
Should not be delivered
But you and I seen now baby
That still they are
Winning it makes losers of us all
'Cause the dice roll
So indifferently
Well, I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in solitude
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
-----------------------------------------
Wasn't it the truth? Miroku and Sango were certainly an odd couple. Many people wondered if they would ever make it. Of course, as far as the two of them were concerned, anyone who disagreed needed to pull the stick out of their ass.
They still had a long life ahead of them. Grab it by the short and curlies and just live it. In a way, this song was very much Miroku. He always saw himself as sort of like water, flowing easily and able to take any shape. He was easy-going and adapted to whatever came his way by surrounding it and crashing down.
-----------------------------------------
Tonight it's hot
Without you tomorrow be cold
Winter will come along
Driven by snow
Love, it makes strangers of us all
When we fall
Oh, so thoughtlessly
Well I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in solitude
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
-----------------------------------------
People just needed to be more introspective. Not only was this a touching song about one's feelings for another, it told you that life isn't always what we want it to be. And when you get right down to it, all you really need to know is the rules. From there, you've got it made.
Miroku had a feeling that Sango saw it in those lyrics too. They both knew, hell they had both experienced personally, that chance doesn't care who you are. Good things and bad things happen. And they had both worked to fix the bad things that nearly tore them apart last year.
-----------------------------------------
Once we breathed the breath of sweet surrender
Pure, pure arab air filled our atmosphere
But pride it makes stars of us all
Until we fall
For everyone to see
So I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in stranger's arms
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in solitude
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
-----------------------------------------
Miroku smiled softly as Inuyasha stepped back up to the microphone.
"Our next song is an old Beatles classic, vocals courtesy of Shippo, whom we think is still alive somewhere behind that mountain of junk he calls a drumset."
"Come here and say that to my face, dog," Shippo challenged from his drums.
"I would if I could find it," Inuyasha shot back. Their bravado and sniping at each other was actually becoming integrated into their shows. The audience certainly seemed to enjoy it.
Inuyasha just shook his head and switched off the overdrive on his amp. "Anyway, we give you Blackbird by The Beatles."
-----------------------------------------
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
-----------------------------------------
Shippo picked this song because it reminded him of Kirara and himself. Somehow, some way, they quietly sat in the background and kept everyone from chewing each other apart. Just by feigning a childlike innocence, they got people to understand the inherent foolishness of their own actions.
He and Kirara were the kind of people who could take lead and give you gold just by being optimistic and happy. The group needed them as much as they needed the group. That's what would keep them all together through the years.
Isn't synergy a wonderful thing?
-----------------------------------------
Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
-----------------------------------------
Kirara was thinking the same things as Shippo. Everyone had their counterpart, but each person in the group had their role. She saw Inuyasha as the one with the most drive and ambition. Miroku was the one who balanced Inuyasha with introspect and calmness. Sango spearheaded the group whenever they were challenged. She was always the first one to stand up for them all. Naraku was there to keep an eye on those who would try to step on his friends. Yura was deceptively sly and aided Naraku by getting places he couldn't. Kagome was the glue holding them all together when you got right down to it. And Kirara and Shippo were like the children of the family. They added an energy and "innocence" that just struck a chord with you.
-----------------------------------------
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
-----------------------------------------
Inuyasha raked back his bangs and smiled lightly. "Okay we have one more cover to do before Otherworld. But after the song, you're going to listen to me babble for a second. Anyway, we learned to play this song because last month my girlfriend decided that this was her new favorite. It's called Eagleheart, and it's by Stratovarius. I changed the pronouns in the lyrics so that I can dedicate this to you, Kagome."
Inuyasha stepped back and counted off quickly before the band launched into the energetic, soaring opening of the song. The driving drum and bass lines, the atmospheric keyboard, and the memorable guitar riff all combined to create a powerful, uplifting sound.
-----------------------------------------
All through the night she is lying awake
Wond'ring how much more can she take
Watching the walls where the shadows dance
Drifting away into a trance
And her eyes are blazing with fire!
-----------------------------------------
Trust Inuyasha to pull a stunt like this. Kagome was at once flattered and emberassed to be put on the spotlight like that. But it still did her heart good. She knew just why Inuyasha was doing this.
-----------------------------------------
Dreams burnt to ashes so many times
Highest of mountains, still she climbs
Ready to fly, cause she just can't stay
Flame burning brighter with every day
And her eyes are blazing with fire!
Longing for the deepest desire!
-----------------------------------------
Though Kagome had never really thought of herself as that much of an influential person, and actually regretted letting herself slip into elitist attitudes a few years ago, she knew perfectly well that Inuyasha had changed those words to tell her the kind of effect she had on him.
It seemed odd to think about. Kagome had always imagined that someone so inspirational to another person would feel... well, different. She imagined there would be some kind of strange feeling of enlightenment or something. Instead, she just felt a quiet satisfaction in having made a difference in the life of at least one person. And she still felt like Kagome, rather than some great, far-off heroine.
Kind of funny actually. You spend your life looking at idols, heroes, and muses. Then when you become one to even a single person, as Inuyasha had repeatedly professed she was over the last few months, you don't feel like one. Life was full of surprises like that.
-----------------------------------------
Heart of an eagle
She flies through the rainbow
Into a new world and finds the sun
Spreading her wings
Above all the sorrows
The glory of Eagleheart
-----------------------------------------
Inuyasha practically threw himself into the melodic solo, dropping down onto one knee and using a few jerks of his head to signal to Kagome that he wanted her to come up onto the stage.
Typical over-the-top Inuyasha. Well, Kagome was hardly one to say "no" in this situation. It was a little awkward being on stage with the band members all up there going completely nuts over their music, but it was kind of fun.
She was a little surprised when Inuyasha gave her a kiss on the cheek toward the end of the solo before returning to the microphone.
-----------------------------------------
Fever is burning in her veins
Determined with courage, breaking the chains
Back against the wall under blood red skies
Prepared to fight until she dies
And her eyes are blazing with fire!
Longing for the deepest desire!
Heart of an eagle
She flies through the rainbow
Into a new world and finds the sun
Spreading her wings
Above all the sorrows
The glory of Eagleheart
-----------------------------------------
Kagome got more and more into the song as the awkwardness faded. When Inuyasha pointed to her with the neck of his guitar, she stood on her tip toes, trying to stretch her body as tall as she could, and spread her arms out like wings, laughing the whole time.
-----------------------------------------
Heart of an eagle
She flies through the rainbow
Into a new world and finds the sun
Spreading her wings
Above all the sorrows
The glory of Eagleheart
-----------------------------------------
As the band went into the closing of the song, Sango, Kirara, and Yura made their way to the foot of the stage and started leading the crowd in loud whoops and cheers among chants of Kagome's name.
It was a little emberassing, but it gave Kagome a warm feeling inside. She imagined it must have been a little like what they guys felt when the crowd applauded them.
As the last note faded away, Inuyasha sighed, looking a little drained. "Eagleheart by Stratovarius, everybody. Now about that babbling part... The thing is we did this song for a reason other than getting Kagome up on stage."
This was met with more loud whoops and a couple cat calls. The latter of which Inuyasha immediately was able to pick out the origin of and respond to with a pointed figure and a threat of "Don't make me come down there."
"Anyway, I did that song because I just want you to know Kagome how much you mean to me. Before we got together, you know as well as I do that I was on a downward spiral. I was frustrated, angry, and a self-imposed introvert. You were always the crack in my armor. You were always able to affect me for better or worse.
But... when we started going out... you changed everything for me." As Inuyasha spoke, his voice continually got more and more serious, causing the crowd to fall into an anxious silence. Kagome had a few ideas swimming around her head of where this was going and it was making her heart pound.
"Kagome, I wouldn't be here right now without you. We both had our flaws, but you had something beautiful in you that prevailed and brought out the best in me." Inuyasha then pulled off his guitar and set it in a stand.
Kagome gasped as he took her hands in his. "I love you. And that's why I need to know..." With that, he reached into one of the pockets in his cargo pants and dropped to one knee as he pulled out a tiny black box.
Kagome's heart skipped a beat even before the lid opened to reveal a beautiful engagement ring and the question reached her ears. "Will you marry me?"
Kagome threw herself into Inuyasha's arms, her heart feeling like it would burst out of her chest at any moment. "Do you even need to ask? Of course I will!"
She was vaguely aware of the chants and cheers of the crowd. And saw from the corner of her eye that Sango, Yura, and Kirara were looking at the two of them with gushing emotion. But it was all just white noise now. She knew that this was where they belonged. Not just her and Inuyasha, but all of her friends as well. They belonged together.
Author's Notes: And so we come close to the end of Let the Music Be Your Master. These songs reminded me very much of the characters, so I felt this would be good for winding things down.
I hope to have the final chapter up within a week so long as I don't hit another block. Oh, hell! I hope I didn't just jinx it...
Contrary to what I said before, this will not be the last chapter. I had an idea for this chapter, but I decided to pitch it. This one will be devoted to some much-needed introspect from the characters, with musical accompaniment. It will give some closure that I felt would be important. The next chapter will be a rather interesting epilogue. Whether or not you guys like this new set up remains to be seen. I've reached a point where I'm really just sort of screwing around with my writing to see where it takes me. And I'll tell you, there are moments in the last chapter that I just hate, hate, HATED looking back.
In the process, I hope to turn some of you on to a few bands that I should have paid more attention to earlier in the story, as they were a better fit some of the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this just ot promote a few bands. But the music therein is so tightly gelled with the characterization I wanted to write here that I thought it would be a crime to leave it out.
Here we go...
Let the Music Be Your Master
Chapter 24- Flame Burning Brighter With Every Day
Inuyasha made one last sound check for the encore at Cult Classics. The gigging the band was doing allowed them to expand their equipment list a little. As much as he loved his double-neck Inuyasha had decided to play tonight with a humble SG. Miroku was still loving his Steinberger bass, and Shippo's drum set now seemed to threaten to engulf him. Things had really gotten interesting this last year. It was June of 2004, and the band had their first album out on an indie label. Naraku was playing on and off with them now, and it seemed he may become a permanent member as well as their manager.
"Alright everybody," Inuyasha said into the microphone, "we have a list of a few covers we wanted to do tonight before playing Otherworld one more time. Those of you who have been listening to our new material know that our sound's really evolving. We're taking in more influences and I believe Damage Control is finally moving forward into a great new direction." This was met with wild cheers from the audience. "Yeah, that's what I like to hear! We're going to start off with a number from German metalheads, Blind Guardian. It's called The Soulforged. We hope you like it."
The music started off with Naraku's synthesizer recreating the down-tuned distorted opening riffs of the rhythm guitar before the rest of the band joined in to create a rich, complicated sound with each member adding their vocals to the lyrics at just the right moments.
-----------------------------------------
I'm not insane
(That's how it seems though)
Spiteful cruel but wise
Beyond his age
My body fails
My soul will rise
(The end of life's immortalized) disease and agony
And I see death through golden eyes
Beyond the door
There's something more
It seems there's just one way
On through the heat
I've felt the touch of evil
I still feel the icy claw in me
For a decent price
I've banned kindness from my heart
The spirit of all truth and beauty
Pawned for my desire!
-----------------------------------------
Inuyasha, being an existentialist himself, really connected with these
lyrics. There was no real meaning of life. Yes, it was all just there.
No rhyme, no reason.-----------------------------------------
And from the flames
As chance would have it
The soulforged will come into light!
And from the flames as chance would have it
The soulforged,
The stainless will rise!
I will never change my mind
I will leave it all behind!
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Yup. There was no real meaning of life. You couldn't count on divinity for jack. It probably didn't even exist.
There was only one meaning in life: the meaning that you made for yourself.
-----------------------------------------
And through the hour glass
Everything's grey
Everyone's pale
No colour nor beauty will enlighten my heart
The seat of life's empty and cold
Cadaverous you all seem to me
Stillborn but you're still alive
You're still alive
Truth lies in loneliness
When hope is long gone by
I'll wipe out the bliss of the new age
And welcome you precious night
And from the flames
As chance would have it
The soulforged will come into light!
And from the flames as chance would have it
The soulforged,
The stainless will rise
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
This was the best part of the song coming up. Coming out of the bleak visions to see that you had to fight. No one was going to do it for you. In one verse, the song gave you hope no matter how depressed you may have been feeling.
It was Inuyasha to a T. Life's a bitch and then you die. Well Inuyasha was going to make life his bitch.
-----------------------------------------
From a distant time
Voices echo in the hall
"Come and join us
Enter life and everything is gone now"
And through the looking glass
I still fear mortality and its loss in the end
Unlimited power in my hands!
The claw of the dragon ascends!
("Mourn for his lost soul
He's cursed and condemned")
(Each step I take)
(May it hurt) may it ache
Leads me further
Away from the past
But as long as I breathe
Each smile in my bleak face
I'm on my way to find
Back to the peace of mind
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
As the band struck up the final chorus, the marching beat and majestic lyrics and melody were enough to bring one to tears. This is what music was all about. Whether it was a set of words and some notes that sounded fun, or a complex construction of melody, rhythm, and heartfelt lyrics, music was supposed to inspire something in you. That's exactly what Inuyasha knew he was put on this earth for.
-----------------------------------------
And from the flames
As chance would have it
the soulforged will come into light!
And from the flames as chance would have it
The soulforged,
The stainless will rise!
I will never change my mind
I will leave it all behind!
-----------------------------------------
Through the triumphant closing into the last fading notes, Inuyasha felt so alive with music like this. He one day hoped to be able to move people with his own music the way these bands could do for him.
"Thank you! Thank you everybody!" Inuyasha wiped the sweat from his brow. They had been playing through not only their first album, but several of their newer songs as well with a couple covers and requests thrown in for two hours. That's taxing no matter who you are. "Our next song is a little different. Not as intense, but still fun. Our last song was my pick, but this one is Naraku's. Man's a Judas Priest junkie."
"Hey, Priest is never wrong!" Naraku shot back. "Besides, I look damn good in leather," he added, straightening the lapels on his biker jacket.
"You look even better out of it!" Yura shouted from the front of the crowd, drawing a lot of laughter from everyone else. As she laughed with them, she deliberately started jumping up and down excitedly, and intentionally creating a very noticeable and enticing movement just below the shoulders.
"Babe, we can't finish the show if you keep teasing me like that."
"Hit the showers when we're done, Romeo," Shippo chimed in. "And yes, the double entendre was deliberate. Let's just do this!"
"Alright! One, two, three, four!"
The familiar driving opening and riffs started up, which a lot of the crowd recognized and quickly appreciated.
-----------------------------------------
One life I'm gonna live it up
I'm takin' flight I said I'll never get enough
Stand tall I'm young and kinda proud
I'm on top as long as the music's loud
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
-----------------------------------------
Naraku still couldn't believe it had taken so long for this song to sink in. He'd been listening to it for years. Of course, a lot of people also expected him to be a fan of Celtic Frost or Cannibal Corpse. If they even knew what those bands were.
Mister Gothboy. Mister Nihilist. Mister Film Critic Wannabe. And he listens to none depressing music. That was probably what helped keep him going. His mother and father never really seemed to care. When Naraku started messing with that old piano in the dining room that his grandparents had bequeathed to their children, neither his mother or father bothered to notice.
A part of Naraku did regret having grown up the way he did. Few friends. Very little fun. It was mostly just a neverending quest to escape reality through music and film. Then again, it did help make him who he was.
-----------------------------------------
That's right here's where the talkin' ends
Well listen this night there'll be some action spent
Drive hard I'm callin' all the shots
I got an ace card comin' down on the rocks
-----------------------------------------
Yeah. That's exactly where Naraku wanted to be. In control. Control of his own life. He was always rebelling. Fuck doing things other people's way. The only set of rules worth playing by in life was your own.
When Naraku looked over into the audience, he saw Yura up front banging her head and holding up the heavy metal handsign. He loved that about her. She thought the same way he did. She would only live life on her own terms. And there was no other option. Even when they had first met, those little flirtatious games they were playing. There were no rules, because they both kept changing them to give themselves the upper hand.
-----------------------------------------
If you think I'll sit around while you chip away my brain
Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You got another thing comin
You got another thing comin
You got another thing comin
In this world we're livin' in we have our share of sorrow
Answer now is don't give in aim for a new tomorrow!
-----------------------------------------
Inuyasha was much better at this emotional stuff. Naraku just liked to be the quiet passive-agressive type.
As the band's guitarrist tore through the solo, though, Naraku couldn't help but think that maybe he needed to be a little overtly assertive...
Nah!
-----------------------------------------
Oh so hot no time to take a rest yeah
Act tough ain't room for second best
Real strong got me some security
Hey I'm a big smash I'm goin' for infinity yeah
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing... ah!
Hallelujah!!
You've got another thing comin'
Hey, yeah!
It's a'comin' on
Oh, oh!
(You've got another thing comin')
It's a'comin' on
You've got another thing comin'
Oh!
You've got another thing comin'
Do your best, let's go!
Oh yeah, oh yeah
(You've got another thing comin')
It's comin', It's a'comin', comin'on
Gotta feel it, you gotta feel it
(You've got another thing comin')
It's comin' on, comin' now, comin' on now
(You've got another thing comin')
-----------------------------------------
"Whoo!" Inuyasha strummed a few lightning fast scratches before hitting a power chord. "I don't know about any of you out there, but songs like that really charge me, you know?
"Our next song is actually a dedication from Miroku. I'll let you take it, buddy."
Miroku gave Inuyasha a quick, lazy salute with his gloved hand. He was still wearing the trademark coat/beads/glove combo that had become his trademark look. "Well, ladies and gentlemen... and I use that latter term loosely..." he quipped which was met with a lot of macho whooping and faked booing. "I recently returned from a trip to Japan, which is why you haven't seen us around much lately. I did feel a little homesick while I was gone. But I also really missed my girlfriend. I'm sure you all know how that is, right?" Shouts of approval and aggreeance erupted from the crowd. Miroku glanced down to see Sango amongst them grinning coyly.
"So, our next number tonight is a Blue Oyster Cult classic and I just wanted to be a romantic old sap and dedicate this song to her."
"Admit it," Shippo teased from behind his behemoth drum set, "you just want to get laid."
"Guilty as charged," Miroku admitted. "Now play the damn song."
-----------------------------------------
Maybe I'll see you again baby
And maybe I won't
Maybe you've bought your ticket
Gone back to Detroit
Airplanes make strangers of us all
Give us distance
Much too easily.
-----------------------------------------
Miroku had chosen to sing this one himself with the rest of the band providing a nice harmony. Though it was a much softer song than most of the stuff they had been playing tonight, Miroku just felt that the band needed to give everyone a chance to mellow out for a minute.
And there was definately some wisdom in these lyrics. It never ceased to amaze Miroku how music could communicate things so well. It had always been there to inspire him and teach him.
-----------------------------------------
Jim says some destinies
Should not be delivered
But you and I seen now baby
That still they are
Winning it makes losers of us all
'Cause the dice roll
So indifferently
Well, I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in solitude
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
-----------------------------------------
Wasn't it the truth? Miroku and Sango were certainly an odd couple. Many people wondered if they would ever make it. Of course, as far as the two of them were concerned, anyone who disagreed needed to pull the stick out of their ass.
They still had a long life ahead of them. Grab it by the short and curlies and just live it. In a way, this song was very much Miroku. He always saw himself as sort of like water, flowing easily and able to take any shape. He was easy-going and adapted to whatever came his way by surrounding it and crashing down.
-----------------------------------------
Tonight it's hot
Without you tomorrow be cold
Winter will come along
Driven by snow
Love, it makes strangers of us all
When we fall
Oh, so thoughtlessly
Well I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in solitude
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
-----------------------------------------
People just needed to be more introspective. Not only was this a touching song about one's feelings for another, it told you that life isn't always what we want it to be. And when you get right down to it, all you really need to know is the rules. From there, you've got it made.
Miroku had a feeling that Sango saw it in those lyrics too. They both knew, hell they had both experienced personally, that chance doesn't care who you are. Good things and bad things happen. And they had both worked to fix the bad things that nearly tore them apart last year.
-----------------------------------------
Once we breathed the breath of sweet surrender
Pure, pure arab air filled our atmosphere
But pride it makes stars of us all
Until we fall
For everyone to see
So I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in stranger's arms
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
I'll wrap myself in cities I travel
I'll wrap myself in dreams
I'll wrap myself in solitude
But I wish I could wrap myself
In thee
-----------------------------------------
Miroku smiled softly as Inuyasha stepped back up to the microphone.
"Our next song is an old Beatles classic, vocals courtesy of Shippo, whom we think is still alive somewhere behind that mountain of junk he calls a drumset."
"Come here and say that to my face, dog," Shippo challenged from his drums.
"I would if I could find it," Inuyasha shot back. Their bravado and sniping at each other was actually becoming integrated into their shows. The audience certainly seemed to enjoy it.
Inuyasha just shook his head and switched off the overdrive on his amp. "Anyway, we give you Blackbird by The Beatles."
-----------------------------------------
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free
-----------------------------------------
Shippo picked this song because it reminded him of Kirara and himself. Somehow, some way, they quietly sat in the background and kept everyone from chewing each other apart. Just by feigning a childlike innocence, they got people to understand the inherent foolishness of their own actions.
He and Kirara were the kind of people who could take lead and give you gold just by being optimistic and happy. The group needed them as much as they needed the group. That's what would keep them all together through the years.
Isn't synergy a wonderful thing?
-----------------------------------------
Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
Blackbird fly
Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night
-----------------------------------------
Kirara was thinking the same things as Shippo. Everyone had their counterpart, but each person in the group had their role. She saw Inuyasha as the one with the most drive and ambition. Miroku was the one who balanced Inuyasha with introspect and calmness. Sango spearheaded the group whenever they were challenged. She was always the first one to stand up for them all. Naraku was there to keep an eye on those who would try to step on his friends. Yura was deceptively sly and aided Naraku by getting places he couldn't. Kagome was the glue holding them all together when you got right down to it. And Kirara and Shippo were like the children of the family. They added an energy and "innocence" that just struck a chord with you.
-----------------------------------------
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
-----------------------------------------
Inuyasha raked back his bangs and smiled lightly. "Okay we have one more cover to do before Otherworld. But after the song, you're going to listen to me babble for a second. Anyway, we learned to play this song because last month my girlfriend decided that this was her new favorite. It's called Eagleheart, and it's by Stratovarius. I changed the pronouns in the lyrics so that I can dedicate this to you, Kagome."
Inuyasha stepped back and counted off quickly before the band launched into the energetic, soaring opening of the song. The driving drum and bass lines, the atmospheric keyboard, and the memorable guitar riff all combined to create a powerful, uplifting sound.
-----------------------------------------
All through the night she is lying awake
Wond'ring how much more can she take
Watching the walls where the shadows dance
Drifting away into a trance
And her eyes are blazing with fire!
-----------------------------------------
Trust Inuyasha to pull a stunt like this. Kagome was at once flattered and emberassed to be put on the spotlight like that. But it still did her heart good. She knew just why Inuyasha was doing this.
-----------------------------------------
Dreams burnt to ashes so many times
Highest of mountains, still she climbs
Ready to fly, cause she just can't stay
Flame burning brighter with every day
And her eyes are blazing with fire!
Longing for the deepest desire!
-----------------------------------------
Though Kagome had never really thought of herself as that much of an influential person, and actually regretted letting herself slip into elitist attitudes a few years ago, she knew perfectly well that Inuyasha had changed those words to tell her the kind of effect she had on him.
It seemed odd to think about. Kagome had always imagined that someone so inspirational to another person would feel... well, different. She imagined there would be some kind of strange feeling of enlightenment or something. Instead, she just felt a quiet satisfaction in having made a difference in the life of at least one person. And she still felt like Kagome, rather than some great, far-off heroine.
Kind of funny actually. You spend your life looking at idols, heroes, and muses. Then when you become one to even a single person, as Inuyasha had repeatedly professed she was over the last few months, you don't feel like one. Life was full of surprises like that.
-----------------------------------------
Heart of an eagle
She flies through the rainbow
Into a new world and finds the sun
Spreading her wings
Above all the sorrows
The glory of Eagleheart
-----------------------------------------
Inuyasha practically threw himself into the melodic solo, dropping down onto one knee and using a few jerks of his head to signal to Kagome that he wanted her to come up onto the stage.
Typical over-the-top Inuyasha. Well, Kagome was hardly one to say "no" in this situation. It was a little awkward being on stage with the band members all up there going completely nuts over their music, but it was kind of fun.
She was a little surprised when Inuyasha gave her a kiss on the cheek toward the end of the solo before returning to the microphone.
-----------------------------------------
Fever is burning in her veins
Determined with courage, breaking the chains
Back against the wall under blood red skies
Prepared to fight until she dies
And her eyes are blazing with fire!
Longing for the deepest desire!
Heart of an eagle
She flies through the rainbow
Into a new world and finds the sun
Spreading her wings
Above all the sorrows
The glory of Eagleheart
-----------------------------------------
Kagome got more and more into the song as the awkwardness faded. When Inuyasha pointed to her with the neck of his guitar, she stood on her tip toes, trying to stretch her body as tall as she could, and spread her arms out like wings, laughing the whole time.
-----------------------------------------
Heart of an eagle
She flies through the rainbow
Into a new world and finds the sun
Spreading her wings
Above all the sorrows
The glory of Eagleheart
-----------------------------------------
As the band went into the closing of the song, Sango, Kirara, and Yura made their way to the foot of the stage and started leading the crowd in loud whoops and cheers among chants of Kagome's name.
It was a little emberassing, but it gave Kagome a warm feeling inside. She imagined it must have been a little like what they guys felt when the crowd applauded them.
As the last note faded away, Inuyasha sighed, looking a little drained. "Eagleheart by Stratovarius, everybody. Now about that babbling part... The thing is we did this song for a reason other than getting Kagome up on stage."
This was met with more loud whoops and a couple cat calls. The latter of which Inuyasha immediately was able to pick out the origin of and respond to with a pointed figure and a threat of "Don't make me come down there."
"Anyway, I did that song because I just want you to know Kagome how much you mean to me. Before we got together, you know as well as I do that I was on a downward spiral. I was frustrated, angry, and a self-imposed introvert. You were always the crack in my armor. You were always able to affect me for better or worse.
But... when we started going out... you changed everything for me." As Inuyasha spoke, his voice continually got more and more serious, causing the crowd to fall into an anxious silence. Kagome had a few ideas swimming around her head of where this was going and it was making her heart pound.
"Kagome, I wouldn't be here right now without you. We both had our flaws, but you had something beautiful in you that prevailed and brought out the best in me." Inuyasha then pulled off his guitar and set it in a stand.
Kagome gasped as he took her hands in his. "I love you. And that's why I need to know..." With that, he reached into one of the pockets in his cargo pants and dropped to one knee as he pulled out a tiny black box.
Kagome's heart skipped a beat even before the lid opened to reveal a beautiful engagement ring and the question reached her ears. "Will you marry me?"
Kagome threw herself into Inuyasha's arms, her heart feeling like it would burst out of her chest at any moment. "Do you even need to ask? Of course I will!"
She was vaguely aware of the chants and cheers of the crowd. And saw from the corner of her eye that Sango, Yura, and Kirara were looking at the two of them with gushing emotion. But it was all just white noise now. She knew that this was where they belonged. Not just her and Inuyasha, but all of her friends as well. They belonged together.
Author's Notes: And so we come close to the end of Let the Music Be Your Master. These songs reminded me very much of the characters, so I felt this would be good for winding things down.
I hope to have the final chapter up within a week so long as I don't hit another block. Oh, hell! I hope I didn't just jinx it...