A/N: Meh, couldn't keep myself away from this one. =D
I got some complaints about Inuyasha's geek-ish appearance. Deal with it. He listens to Jazz, you expect him to be an underwear model or something?
And so, without further ado, bring you the next chapter of My Funny Valentine! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own it. I'm dealing with it. Can you?
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My Funny Valentine
Chapter 2: Autumn Leaves
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A few weeks passed, with Inuyasha returning to the club every Friday to sing a new song. Some were covers, a few he had written himself. He became a regular at The Pocket, and became quick friends with some members of the band. He was surprised to learn that the drummer, a guy named Shippou, actually attended the same school as him.
The warm summer nights gradually faded, and the chill air of autumn crept in. Inuyasha sat in the school courtyard, taking a bite from his hamburger every so often and trying to think of some lyrics before he had to get to his next class. The wind sighed in the treetops, reminding him of his home.
His American father had decided to move the family to Japan when he was offered a seat on the board of some Japanese country. That had been when Inuyasha was 7. His mother had died just two years previous, and his father had already remarried to a Japanese woman, who had a son a few years older than Inuyasha.
The first few years in Japan had been hard for him, but Inuyasha grew to like his new home. Still, every so often he wondered what things would be like if they hadn't moved. Sighing and shaking his head, he turned back to the notebook he had in his lap.
Meanwhile, Kagome sat in her dorm room and took a sip of her coffee, turning her attention back to her mid-term paper. She only had another week to write it, and it was far from being done. She hummed along to the music playing in the background, some more of Ayame's Jazz. Although she still found the stuff hard to listen to, it was a good way to set the mood while working. Or eating breakfast.
Kagome turned her attention back to the problem at hand. For some reason this Microbiology paper just did NOT want to be written. She sighed, her eyes finding the sketch that was still pinned to her wall. She had gone back to the club a few times since then, and every time she saw that guy. The more she saw him, the more familiar he seemed. And yet he never bothered to introduce himself on stage. 'Maybe if I ever bothered to ask, I'd know who he was?'
Kagome sighed. She felt like she was turning into one of those creepy stalker's she'd been plagued with her whole life. Well, not really her whole life... more like just since her late teens. But that was irrelevant. She sighed again, remembering the look on Kouga's face when she told him, rather plainly, that she wasn't interested in him. Sometimes she felt like she was too hard on them, and other times they seemed to make it too hard on themselves. Kagome was never quite sure of the difference.
Kagome shook her head at her thoughts. It wasn't like she was interested in this guy in that sense. She was just curious about who he was, that's all. There was nothing wrong with that, ne? And hey, perhaps they could become friends. Maybe even more...
There she went again. She groaned mentally. 'Come on, you've got better things to be doing right now. Get back to work!'
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"Come on man, it's been almost a month!" Miroku pleaded. The lump that was Kouga merely rolled over in his place on the top bunk.
"You can't stay in bed forever you know!"
"Oh yeah I can!"
Miroku sighed. "When was the last time you went to class?"
"Relax," Inuyasha said from his seat at his desk, "I saw him sneaking out earlier. Mr. Depression is still getting his schoolwork done."
Kouga huffed and rolled over again. Miroku had to try his best to keep himself from laughing at the childish display. "Still, you've done nothing but sulk for the past three weeks. I'm getting sick of it."
"Well, deal with it. I'm not moving."
"Oh come on," Inuyasha said, butting into the conversation again, "This is getting too pathetic."
"Shut your trap, baka!"
"No man. You've been sitting there, whimpering and moaning and swimming in self-pity for the past 3 weeks. It's starting to get on my nerves now."
"Well what are you gonna do about it?"
Inuyasha sighed. "I guess I only have one option really. Would you like to come to the club with Miroku and me tonight?"
Kouga was dumbfounded for a second. Did he really say that? "What was that?"
"I'm inviting you to come hang out with us, baka," Inuyasha said again, sticking his tongue out.
"Keh," Kouga grunted. Without saying a word, he got up and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Miroku asked.
"I'm getting ready," Kouga answered, turning into the bathroom. "Don't worry dog-face, I'll be quick. I know how much you like to play Pretty Princess in front of the mirror."
"Bastard," Inuyasha grumbled, turning back to the paper he was writing. Miroku laughed inwardly at the scene. Maybe things were finally going to change around here?
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That night at the club Inuyasha was the first one on stage. He smiled and waved as the sound of clapping met his ears, then turned to discuss the song with the band. They all gave their nod of approval, and Inuyasha pulled up a stool behind the mic. "Good evening," he greeted. As his eyes scanned the audience, he noticed that girl staring intently at him again. There was something about her that sent a shiver down his spine whenever he noticed her gaze. The worst part was, he wasn't sure if he liked it or not. Inuyasha brought himself back to the moment and introduced the piece. "When I first heard this song I thought, 'Wow, this would make a good jazz song.' Turns out somebody else already covered it! Ah well, they did a good job, so tonight I'm gonna share with you the Soulive arrangement of Ani DiFranco's 'Joyful Girl.'"
Shippou started things of with a bassy fill before the rest of the band joined in. The bassist played a smooth walking line while the guitarist played around with the rhythm a little, the horns introducing the melody of the song as it built towards the singer's cue.
You do it for the joy, it brings,
Because you're a joyful girl,
Because the world owes me nothing,
And we owe each other the world,
I do it 'coz it's the least I can do,
I do it 'coz I learned it from you,
I do it just because I want to,
Just because I, want to,
Everything I do is judged,
And mostly they get it wrong, but oh well,
The bathroom mirror has not budged,
The woman who lives there, can tell,
The truth from the stuff they say,
She looks me, in the eye,
And says 'Would you prefer it the easy way?
No? Well, ok then, don't cry.'
Kagome sighed as the guitarist took his solo. For some reason she didn't want the guy to stop singing. She kept her gaze locked on him, staring intently as he swayed to the groove, eyes closed. There was something about him she couldn't quite put her finger on. He seemed so familiar... but why?
Well, she had decided to go up and ask him. Later, of course. For some reason, part of her hoped he was her age.
The guitar solo segued into a short horn solo before going back to the vocal.
I wonder if everything I do,
I do instead,
Of something I want to do more,
Question fills my head,
I know there's no grand plan, here,
This is just the way, it goes,
When everything else is unclear,
I guess at least, I know,
You do it for the joy it brings,
Because you're a joyful girl,
'Coz the world owes me, nothing,
And we owe each other, the world,
I do it 'coz it's the least I can do,
I do it 'coz I learned it, from you
I do it just because I, want to,
Just because I, want to...
Inuyasha bowed slightly as the sound of applause filled the small club. He flashed the audience a quick smile. "So, what'd you guys think?" he asked as he took his seat again at the table.
"Keh. I've heard better singing from a dying bird," Kouga spat. Miroku chuckled. "What's so funny?"
"They say that Swans sing their most beautiful song on the eve of their death," he answered smugly. Kouga gave him a look that clearly said 'that's not what I meant, baka,' before getting up and walking to the bathroom without a word.
"Jeez, what's his problem?" Inuyasha asked with an air of annoyance.
"He's still shocked about you asking him to come and all," Miroku said with a shrug.
"That bastard better start showing some manners before I tear his arms off."
Miroku laughed again. "I'm sure he thought you did fine, Inuyasha. Kouga's just... being Kouga."
"Keh."
Inuyasha felt a light tapping on his shoulder, and turned to see what it was. He came face to face with a girl who had rich chocolate eyes and wavy black hair. He recognized her immediately as the girl in the corner. "Hello," she said. "My name is Kagome. I was just thinking, you seem really familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"
Inuyasha thought for a second. "Kagome... Kagome..." he thought aloud. "Wait. Higurashi-san?"
"Yes, that's me," Kagome answered with a chuckle.
Inuyasha laughed. "We had Calculus together! Freshman year, Sabaku U. I'm Inuyasha Seno, remember?"
"Oh yeah!" Kagome said, laughing at herself for forgetting. Yes, she remembered now. Inuyasha had taken the seat next to her in her Calculus class, and had helped her through some of the harder material. She wondered if she would have been able to pass without his help.
"So what brings you to a little place like this?" Inuyasha asked, making small talk.
"Oh, my roommate is a big jazz fan. She dragged me here a few weeks ago, and I guess I just fell in love with the atmosphere."
"Cool, cool," Inuyasha said. He was wondering why he had often caught her staring at him the way she did, but decided that it probably wasn't a good time to ask about that. "Are you here with your friend now?"
"No, she and my other roommate went shopping."
"Bummer. Would you like to come hang out with us?"
Kagome smiled warmly. "Sure," she said, taking a seat next to Miroku.
"I'd move over if I were you," Inuyasha said, taking his seat as well.
"Why's that?"
"You know those old guys on the subway who try to cop a feel?"
Kagome shuddered. "Yeah."
"He's the one they call 'King.'"
Kagome giggled, taking his advice and moving over one chair.
Miroku sighed. "Why must you always ruin my fun?"
"For the greater good, Miroku," Inuyasha answered with a grin. "For the greater good."
Meanwhile, the band was taking their break. The guitarist, an older guy with a shaggy beard, made his way to the bar to order a quick drink.
Inuyasha could see Shippou, the orange haired drummer, making his way over to the table while the rest of the band scattered around the club. "Yo!" he called as Shippou got closer. "What's up?"
"That was an awesome tune, man," Shippou said as he sat, turning his chair around and straddling it while he rapped the rhythm out on the table. He wore a black suit similar to Inuyasha's, with a double-breasted blazer and a pinstripe with shirt with a dark blue tie.
"Thanks man, I heard it on the radio the other day and thought it'd be perfect for tonight."
"So when are you gonna bring in some more of that original stuff you were working on?"
"When it's good and ready," Inuyasha answered with a laugh.
The four of them sat and made small-talk for a while, until Shippou had to get back on stage. Kagome yawned and checked her watch. "Wow... it's getting really late. I'd better head home."
"Alright Kagome," Inuyasha said with a smile, "I'll see you around then?"
"Hmm, later Kagome," Miroku said absentmindedly. Inuyasha hadn't seemed to notice, but Kouga had been missing for about three hours. Miroku was getting worried. He scanned the club again for any sign of the boy.
Kagome got up to leave, but as she started to walk away, she stopped for a second. She debated with herself for a second, and then turned back to Inuyasha. "Here," she said, writing her name, dorm room, and phone number down on a napkin and handing it to him, "give me a call sometime, will you? I mean, we go to the same school and all..."
Inuyasha chuckled, thankful for the dim light that served to hide his light blush. "Sure thing," he said, flashing her another smile. He watched her leave the club, staring after her for a few moments before involuntarily yawning. He checked his watch, reading a time of 1:37 am. "Damn," he said, 'That late already? We oughta get out of here too." He turned to Miroku. "Hey, where'd that moron Kouga go?"
Miroku shrugged. "I'm pretty sure he went home already," Miroku answered.
"Keh, it's just like that guy to try and leave us here to worry. C'mon, let's get out of here. If he hasn't left yet, he'll be able to catch a bus or something."
Miroku sighed, scanning the dimly lit club once more. As the banded started up their final tune, Inuyasha stepped out the door. When they got back to the dorm they found Kouga sitting in his bed playing another videogame. Inuyasha went over to his desk and pinned the napkin up next to the flyer that was still stuck to his corkboard.
"Ne, Kouga, why'd you leave?" Miroku asked him. The boy gave him a 'Keh!' and went back to his game.
Inuyasha got up to head for the bathroom, grabbing a towel and some night clothes. "I'm gonna hop in the shower, see you guys in the morning."
"Traitor..." he heard Kouga mutter.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Called you a traitor. I thought you were my friend, man. How could you?"
"How could I what? And since when have we been friends, moron?"
"You know what. You were flirting with Kagome!"
"What does that have to do with any- oh.... oh this is too rich! Don't tell me. This girl you've been beating yourself up over, it's her isn't it? It's Kagome, huh?" Inuyasha said. He didn't need to hear an answer. Falling to the ground in a fit of laughter, he missed the icy glare that Kouga shot his way.
Miroku, ever the mediator between the two, ignored Inuyasha's childish antics and turned to Kouga. "No wonder you were taking it so hard. She's such a babe!"
"Shut up, you pervert," Kouga said, and murderous edge to his voice.
"Well it's no wonder why you got rejected," Inuyasha said, still recovering from his laughing fit. "She's way outta your league."
"Keh! At least I go after things I want instead of hiding with my tail between my legs."
Inuyasha laughed. "And there, my foolish friend, is where you're entire problem lies. Kagome isn't a 'thing' for you to go after. She's a person, just like any other girl, and unless you treat her as such then you'll never get her to open up to you. And I don't call what I do hiding," he said, with a cocky edge. "I call it 'Being Myself.' You oughta try it some time. Although, on second thought, I can see why you're reluctant to let a girl see how much of a moron you are!" And with that Inuyasha took his leave and walked into the bathroom.
Kouga fumed, glaring at the spot where he stood. Who was he to be giving him advice on girls? Not once, in the entire time Kouga had known him, had Inuyasha kept a steady girl. Kouga turned back to his game, venting on some poor unsuspecting enemies. The thing that pissed Kouga off the most was that Inuyasha was completely right.
Miroku sat on his bed, putting his hands up behind his head and closing his eyes. Those two, they could be so difficult sometimes.
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A/N: Hope you liked that chapter. =D
There, I've gone and made a half-ass excuse as to why Inuyasha looks like and "American Geek." Don't bother asking why he has a Japanese name. I'll just feed you some crap about his dad being adopted into a Japanese family or something. For I am the author, and my word is so. =P
As always, reviews are appreciated. Thanks! =D