Don't Leave
by bittersweet-memory
I don't own Inuyasha or the following songs that I have used in this chapter…humph.
These songs all belong to their respective owners.
Kryptonite
Hit Me Baby (One More Time)
I Don't Wanna fall In Love
Stupid Cupid
I also do not own 7UP.
bold italicized words are song lyrics unless otherwise indicated
To CeaselessCloudyDays don't worry about sounding like a ...bad lady! You didn't! That was constructive criticism and I thank you for giving it to me. I hope that last chapter didn't make you sick of the entire story. I also hope you and everyone else that's reading this enjoys this chapter!
With that said, here it comes! It is a tad longer than my past chapters.
Part Thirteen
.
.
.
.
.
Sesshoumaru's golden eyes burned with a passion he very rarely exhibited. Hell, most of the time, he was a virtual iceberg. But at the moment, his gaze was fixated on the makeshift stage and the lone karaoke machine on it. The men, used to his unusual fixation with the amusing pastime merely rolled their eyes and sat down. Kagome and the other girls were quite curious as to what his song selection would be. Sango had blotted away most of her tears and recovered her composure. Ayame was still smiling to herself over her perfect score, confident that the girls would take the prize. Rin on the other hand was watching him with a quiet intensity. She had grown quite ...fond of him over the past few days. His quiet demeanor toned down her rather overly-vivacious personality and she could tell that she was starting to thaw through his cold one. Why, given the right circumstances, she might even start to...
Nah.
Sesshoumaru stood stock-still as he waited for the opening keys of his song. 3 Doors Down's Kryptonite flowed from the speakers as he began his song. It was jaded and cynical. The kind of song that man who was world-weary would sing. And from the limited information he had offered her, Rin knew three things. One that he had basically raised himself because his father was working and his stepmother was too busy trying to play matchmaker for him and Inuyasha to worry about little things like nurturing. Two, his previous flings had always been money-hungry barracudas. And three, he had never been serious about any girl. Ever. Period. He had "flavors of the week" but he never deluded himself into thinking he'd fall in love with any of them. They were too frigid. "Too much like him", he had said. Her heart went out to him, which she supposed was rather foolish. Here was a man who had never wanted for anything in his life. He was wealthy, handsome and apparently intelligent if he had managed to keep the business his father had left him AND expand it. She came from a home where her parents worked hard to support her until they died when she was eight years old. Then she had been adopted by a kind couple who hadn't been able to have their own children. They lived comfortably but never lavishly. But more importantly, they had loved her. And she was feeling sorry for a man like Sesshoumaru.
Foolish.
But then again, maybe not. The song he'd picked said a lot. He'd no doubt seen much of the world and he didn't like it. Rin couldn't help but want to show him the good side of life since he'd apparently already lived through the loneliness of the bad. Something made her want to reach out and make him smile. She mentally shot down her foolish thoughts. He didn't need her! He was perfectly happy being alone. He'd said so himself earlier when they were at the beach. But still...
I took a walk around the world
To ease my troubled mind
I left my body laying somewhere
In the sands of time
I watched the world float
To the dark side of the moon
I feel there is nothing I can do, yeah
I watched the world float
To the dark side of the moon
After all I knew it had to be
Something to do with you
I really don't mind what happens now and then
As long as you'll be my friend at the end
If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be
There a-holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite
You called me strong, you called me weak,
But still your secrets I will keep
You took for granted all the times
I never let you down
You stumbled in and bumped your head,
If not for me then you would be dead
I picked you up and put you back
On solid ground
If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well,
Will you be there holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite
Yeah
If I go crazy then will you still
Call me Superman
If I'm alive and well, will you be there
Holding my hand
I'll keep you by my side
With my superhuman might
Kryptonite
Inuyasha, Kouga and Miroku looked on in boredom as Sesshoumaru finished his song. They had no doubt who would be punished tonight. The machine only confirmed what they already knew: Sesshoumaru would get a perfect score as always and then they would have something to gloat over. Kouga looked over at Ayame who was staring at Sesshoumaru with a look of awe etched on her face and fought down a stab of jealousy. She was only supposed to look at him that way! Well there was only one way to settle this! He'd just have to go next!
They clapped politely as he got off stage, the tension that was previously in the room evaporating as Kouga swaggered up to the stage. Ayame could just barely hold in the giggles, but she did smirk. So, he thought they were going to win... She'd fix him. If she knew one thing about Kouga, it was the immenseness of his pride. Honestly, it was a surprise his head didn't float away...
"Hey Kouga! I bet you're too chicken to sing a song that I pick out for you!"
He stopped mid-step and turned around, a look of fierce competition in his eyes. Miroku sighed. This was going to cost them. Kouga was never one to resist a challenge and judging by the way her green eyes were gleaming, he could tell Ayame knew. His "manly pride" would no doubt poke out its ugly head and screw them all over.
"Bring it on Ayame! I'm no coward!"
Inuyasha stomped his way over to Kouga and bopped him on the head.
"You idiot! She's trying to get to you! Don't make it easy for them to win!"
Kagome, sensing that Ayame was going to need her help stepped in. With her most innocent smile and puppy-dog eyes, she turned to Inuyasha.
"Why Inuyasha! We would never take advantage of Kouga's ego just to win this contest! Just trust us ok?"
Inwardly, Kagome cringed. She'd never been the simpering kind of girl that most men found attractive. But if they won the bet, the possibilities were endless.
Ayame and Kouga were locked in an old-fashioned stare-down. Sango walked over to the pair and broke them apart. She turned to Ayame.
"Just pick the song so the humiliation can commence."
Miroku was relieved that her melancholic mood seemed to have gone away and like the opportunistic man he was, took advantage of it.
Rubba-dub-dubby.Grope. Grope.
Slap. Slap. Slappity-slap-slap.
"PERVERT!"
Kouga was still looking at Ayame with a smirk on his face, silently daring her to "do her worst".
And who was she to deny his request?
"Sing Britney Spears."
Gulp. "What?"
"You heard me."
Pinch. Gulp.
"One More Time."
Silence reigned over the private room for about one full minute before the full impact of what Ayame had just said hit.
Then there was laughter. Loud, raucous laughter. And one indignant squeak, before Kouga remembered his previous boast. He would get through this. Then, he would relish Ayame's torture.
"Fine. Start up the music."
Amid guffaws and giggles from his so-called friends, Kouga walked, head held high as if going to his execution and took his place on stage.
Oh baby, baby
Oh baby, baby
Oh baby, baby
How was I supposed to know
That something wasn't right here
Oh baby baby
I shouldn't have let you go
And now you're out of sight, yeah
Show me, how you want it to be
Tell me baby
'Cause I need to know now what we've got
[CHORUS:]
My loneliness is killing me
I must confess, I still believe
When I'm not with you
I lose my mind
Give me a sign
Hit me baby one more time
Oh baby, baby
The reason I breathe is you
Boy you got me blinded
Oh baby, baby
There's nothing that
I wouldn't do
That's not the way
I planned it
Show me,
how you want it to be
Tell me baby
'Cause I need to know now what we've got
By now, Ayame was doing everything she could to restrain herself from rolling on the floor. Inuyasha however, had no such qualms.
[Repeat CHORUS]
Oh baby, baby
Oh baby, baby
Ah, yeah, yeah
Oh baby, baby
How was I supposed to know?
Oh pretty baby
I shouldn't have let you go
I must confess, that my loneliness
Is killing me now
Don't you know I still believe?
That you will be here
And give me a sign
Hit me baby one more time
[Repeat CHORUS]
I must confess that my loneliness
Is killing me now
Don't you know I still believe?
That you will be here
And give me a sign
Hit me baby one more time
He walked off stage amid catcalls and waited for his score. The machine rated his performance worthy of a 95. He didn't know whether to be disturbed or pleased, so he settled for the happy medium.
Cocky.
Sango insisted she go next. She'd already selected her song and she hoped the person she was singing for understood its meaning. When Kagome heard the first few notes, she gasped softly. This was the song she listened during the first few months of her separation from Inuyasha. The lyrics were sad but hopeful. Cynically idealistic. Hearing them coming from Sango was a bit unnerving, considering the brave front she always put on. But what happened with Miroku was one of her few tender spots and Kagome figured that warranted a sad song or two. So she just sat back and watched Sango work her magic.
Who needs to feel that way?
Who needs those words to say?
Who wants to give their hearts?
To watch it fade away.
'Cause I've made up my mind
I didn't wanna know,
why should I find a love
That isn't here to stay?
I wasn't waiting
until you came along,
And now I need you
to tell me where my heart belongs but
(Chorus)
I don't wanna fall in love,
til I fall in love with you
And you showed me what my heart already knew.
I don't wanna fall in love,
til I know the love is true
'Cause I need ('cause I need)
you to feel the way I do,
When I give my heart to you
I've seen the tears they cried,
when it's time for goodbye
I didn't wanna be
the one who's asking why
I didn't think that I
would ever feel so strong,
But now I know
that I was wrong
I don't wanna fall in love,
til I fall in love with you
And you showed me what my heart already knew.
I don't wanna fall in love,
til I know the love is true
'Cause I need ('cause I need)
you to feel the way I do,
When I give my heart to you
Now I believe it's worth the chance
To find a love that lasts
For all my life
Give me a sign so I
will always know this love is right.
This love is right...
But I don't wanna fall in love (don't wanna fall in love)'
Til I fall in love with you
And you showed me what my heart already knew (What my heart already knew)
I don't wanna fall in love (don't wanna fall in love, no)
Til I know the love is true
'Cause I need
you to feel the way I do
When I give my heart to you
But I don't wanna fall in love
Til I fall in love with you
And you showed me what my heart already knew
I don't wanna fall in love (don't wanna fall in love)
Til I know the love is true
Cause I need to you to feel the way I do
When I give my heart to you...
When I give my heart to you...
The way Sango sang it, with such obvious emotion more than justified her score. Ayame wiped away a few tears as she finished the song. She certainly deserved her 98. The words described how she felt perfectly. She didn't want to risk her heart on someone. Was it so wrong to want a sure thing in love? People talked of love being worth the risk of rejection all the time, but this was her second time around with Kouga. She was falling for him all over again.
And it scared the hell out of her.
Inuyasha announced that he would go next. His eyes searched for Kagome's wondering if she'd realize that he was singing for her. He had racked his brain all day, thinking of the perfect song to tell her how he felt. He knew he was far from romantic. Quite the opposite really. In the office, he was pure-business, the fire to his brother's mask of ice. Hot-headed and brash, he'd sooner make a woman cry then stop her. He usually left the smooth-talking to Miroku or Kouga. Hell, even his brother had more finesse then he did. But this was Kagome. And for her, he'd do anything. Up to and including embarrassing himself in front of their friends. She was worth it. And he hoped that he could prove it.
Kagome watched Inuyasha walk up to the stage with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. Ego aside, she knew that the song he was about to sing was dedicated to her. She was curious to see which one he'd pick and listen for the message in it. She wasn't disappointed.
Listen...
Baby can you put them bags down,
Just wait hold on for a minute?
Gotta say a couple things before you go,
Even though I know that we're finished.
I don't want you to leave without knowing,
Just where I'm coming from, babe.
Just wanna say
I made a big mistake,
and now I gotta face the fact that I..
Should been a better man,
The kind of man that you needed.
Woulda been better off,
if I'd done right by you.
Coulda done this,
coulda done that,
but
I know I can't go back,
'cause now it's just too late,
I'm saying shoulda, woulda, coulda.
Yeah
I can tell by the look on your face,
You ain't trying to hear what I'm saying.
Maybe you done heard all of this before too,
Girl this ain't no game that I'm playin.
This may be the last chance I'll ever have,
To talk to you before you go.
So I gotta say,
I made a big mistake.
Girl you know it's killing me, that I...
Should been a better man,
The kind of man that you needed.
Woulda been better off,
If I'd done right by you.
Coulda done this,
and I coulda done that,
but I know I can't go back.
Cause now it's just too late,
I'm saying shoulda, woulda, coulda.
Yeah
The whole time he sang, his eyes never left hers. Kagome mentally recounted the reasons she shouldn't give in to him.
He cheated on her. With her sister.
But in his defense, he was drugged and she already knew it was staged...
He's rude, cocky and arrogant.
So are all other human beings with the XY chromosome...
...
So why was she not forgiving him again?
When her thoughts took a sudden wistful turn, Kagome's common sense finally woke up. The reason she wasn't with him now was because of what he had said so long ago. He didn't believe in love. She'd spend her whole life searching for it if she had to. She didn't want to be with him if she wasn't absolutely sure that he wanted her just as much. Call it a weak argument, but in games of the heart, Kagome believed it was all or nothing. She didn't want the kind of relationship they had when they were first married. Sex was nice but love was everything. But still, she had promised to give him a month. She was really, more than willing to fall in love with him. It was all up to him whether she did.
I should have done my best to love you, baby.
I should have placed
no one above you.
And now it's killing me more than you know,
Letting you go.
That's why I…
Girl I know that I shoulda…
Coulda been a better man to you baby.
Shoulda been there for you,
every time you needed me,
every time you called me.
And you that coulda done this,
coulda done that – yeah,
But know I can't go back baby.
All I need to know is,
girl all I need to know is,
Do you still love me like you used to, baby.
All the things I could have done,
All the things I should have done,
Saying shoulda, woulda, coulda, yeah…
Coulda been a better man to you baby…
The machine gave him a 90. Kouga and Ayame were still glaring daggers at each other, silently battling out the winners of the bet before the contest even ended. Sango and Rin clapped politely. Sesshoumaru looked indifferent and Miroku waggled his eyebrows in a decidedly roguish fashion as he mouthed "sweet-talker" over and over again. He should have been pleased. But he wasn't. He needed to see what Kagome was thinking. When he looked in her blue eyes, he saw a myriad of emotions. Sadness, anger, hurt and finally, resignation. He wondered what she was thinking.
Rin, seeing that everyone needed a "pick-me-up" vowed to make them all smile. She chose an upbeat, happy song that lacked the heavy emotional baggage of the other performers. A smile lit her face as she thought of the perfect one to pick up the mood. It was light-hearted and silly, but still easy enough that she could "wing it". Her voice was almost child-like, not so much in pitch but in her intonation. She would definitely use it to her advantage when she sang this song. Even the lyrics were a bit immature for her 25 years, but if it did the job then who was she to complain? Even now, as the music started up, she could see Kagome regain her normal cheerful smile and even Sango's eyes started to light up in mirth. The tune of the song was almost silly.
Stupid Cupid you're a real mean guy
I'd like to clip your wings so you can't fly
I am in love and it's a crying shame
And I know that you're the one to blame
Hey hey set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
I can't do my homework and I can't think straight
I meet him every morning about half a past eight
I'm acting like a lovesick fool
You've even got me carrying his books to school
Hey hey set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
You mixed me up for good right from the very start
Hey go play Robin Hood
With somebody else's heart
You got me jumping like a crazy clown
And I don't feature what your putting down
Since I kissed his loving lips of wine
The thing that bothers me is that I like it fine
Hey hey set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
You got me jumping like a crazy clown
And I don't feature what your putting down
Since I kissed his loving lips of wine
The thing that bothers me is that I like it fine
Hey hey set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
Hey Hey set me free
Stupid Cupid stop picking on me
Stupid cupid
Stupid cupid
Stupid cupid
Stupid cupid
Stupid cupid
Stupid cupid
Stupid cupid
Stupid cupid
Rin finished with a bow, applause and 94. She turned to Sesshoumaru to see his reaction and was pleased to see a small ghost of a smile playing about his lips. No doubt none of his old girlfriends had ever sung a song like that in public!
Sango checked the clock and almost fell out of his chair when he realized it was 11:00. She hissed at Ayame and pulled her away from the group so they could talk.
"Ayame! I know you're having fun flirting with Kouga in there but it's getting kind of late. We've gotta get back to the hotel if we want Operation: Get Back to work."
"Wait a second. What do you mean 'late'? Like you said, it's only 11."
Sango rolled her eyes in obvious irritation.
"Well yeah but it's not gonna be as effective (not to mention as amusing) if Kagome and Inuyasha are too sleepy to notice what we've done right?"
Green eyes widened in realization.
"Oh yeah! Good point. So what are we going to do? We've still got that group performance."
"Well why don't you suggest we finish up the contest at the beach tomorrow?"
"We're gonna sing karaoke on the beach?"
"NO! We'll settle it some other way, like volleyball or something."
"All right then. But why me?"
"Because everyone will just assume that you're doing it to see Kouga in his swim trunks again and it won't be suspicious."
"...Right."
They walked back in to the club with angelic smiles on their faces.
That was when Kagome knew something was up.
She got even more worried when Sango and Ayame suggested they finish the contest with a volleyball game on the beach. They wouldn't skip out on a group performance if there wasn't something else going on. The way the score was now, the boys were at a combined score of 375 and the girls were slightly better at 382. Miroku and Kouga demanded a recount. Kagome looked smugly at Inuyasha who snorted in "manly" frustration, all traces of the soulful man who sang earlier gone. Sesshoumaru didn't care how they finished it; he was satisfied to have been scored perfect on the machine. Rin was happy to settle the score any way they could so she didn't mind the sudden shift. In the end, after Kouga and Miroku had been "worn down"(yelling and slapping respectively), it was decided that tomorrow, at the beach at noon sharp, there would be a boys versus girl volleyball game to decide the winners. For now, they decided to go back to the hotel to go to sleep. Ayame gave Sango a surreptitious "look" before going ahead with Phase 1A. They had both been carrying around a can on 7UP for this exact purpose. On the way to the door, they "accidentally" bumped into Kagome and Inuyasha, spilling soda all over their clothing.
.
.
.
.
.
Little did Kagome realize...
"'Night guys, see you tomorrow!"
Sango smothered a small smile at the look of ignorance on her best friend's face.
Let the games begin...
Kagome and Inuyasha entered the room too tired to do anything but change and go to sleep. Inuyasha told her he would be back; Sango and Ayame were in Sango's room and he was going to take his shower in Kouga's. She took advantage of his absence and ran to the bathroom to take a quick shower before bed. When she had finished she checked to see if Inuyasha was there yet, wrapped a towel around herself and stepped into the room. She walked to her dresser to get something to change into. That was when she saw it.
And screamed.
Inuyasha heard her voice and instantly ran (still dripping wet) clad in only a towel around his waist, to see what happened.
"What's wrong Kagome?"
She gestured wildly at the closed drawer with a look of shock.
"Is there something in there?"
He must have said something because in that instant, Kagome's voice came back with a vengeance.
"No! There's NOTHING in there! That's exactly the problem! I have no clothes!"
Inuyasha's mouth opened and closed like a fish's before he snapped out of it and opened the other drawers.
"Damn it! Mine are gone too!"
"Who the hell would steal our clothes? And why?"
Kagome's jaw ticked. Sango and Ayame...
She looked in her suitcase to find that she was wrong. They had indeed left her clothing. If it could be called that. She pulled out a lacy red "something" that was barely enough to cover the essentials (but thankfully it looked like it would cover). Attached to it, was a note.
Kagome—
I know you're mad at us now, but I promise, one day you'll look back on this situation and thank us. Don't forget to name your first child after us!
Hugs and kisses,
Your dearest friends
Inuyasha walked to his suitcase to find one pair of black silk boxers with a similar note, this one from the "two-and-a-half stooges".
Inu-boy—
Try not to make too much noise eh?
It was then that they noticed the Dom on the table as well as the chocolates on Kagome's side of the bed. Things that had no doubt been generously laced with aphrodisiacs.
Those conniving little...
Kagome looked at Inuyasha who was looking at the...garment she was holding with more than just passing interest. She blushed and realized she had no choice but to wear it. She walked slowly to the bathroom, leaving Inuyasha alone with his black silk boxers.
By the time she had stepped out, the lights were off and Inuyasha was already under the covers snoring lightly. He woke up when she lay on the bed, stiff and unmoving.
"Listen Kagome, you don't have to worry. I'm not going to try anything. We'll get those idiots back."
She smiled at him in the darkness, grateful that he wasn't going to comment further.
They fell asleep soon after, visions of sweet revenge passing through their minds.
Review Responses!
(hands out Inuyasha doggie earmuffs)
ChibiKenshin6490: Thanks!I'm glad you liked the songs. I had a tough timepicking them! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Vengeance4love23: thanks! Hope you liked the chapter!
RisuMusume: Indeed Kouga is silly! But he is also extremely lovable! Hope you like the chapter!
Kibo: Long enough? Hope you liked!
CeaselessCloudyDays: Once again, thanks for your review! I hope this chapter was even a bit better. :D
f-zelda, kikyou's reincarnation, anime-mistress419: Did you like the song Sesshoumaru sang? His was particularly difficult... enjoy!
B.G.L.I.: No problem! The song Kagome sang was by Nina (Foolish Heart which I do not own) and the one Ayame sang was called feels like home by Chantel Kreviazuk (whom and which I do not own). Hope you liked!
KHSTennis01: Yes. Miroku's song was fluffy! I hope you liked the chapter!
pirate-rover: Now you know! If you still have questions, just ask! Hope you enjoyed!
itzjustme: Did ya like the song for Sesshoumaru? It's very...him. Hope you liked the chapter!
Silver Queen: yay! Thanks for the compliment! Hope you liked the chapter!
.
.
.
.
.
Until next time!
Reviews are appreciated!