Title: The Care-e-oh-ke Machine
Author: Rachel Elizabeth
Email: ceramicprincess (at) fanfiction (dot) net
Status: Tentatively ongoing
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Cavity warning.
Summary: The InuYasha gang dishes out their true feelings, even Naraku and Kikyou.
Proviso: No.
Author's Comments: Er, once again, fixing formatting, etc. This is a little piece I like to write on when one of my muses decides it likes the bar down the street better than my room. I keep asking to go with 'em, but they just laugh at me.
Feedback: As always, much appreciated.
Dedication:
To Nichole, 'cause if I'm not mistaken, she was one of the few people still rootin' for this story.
Chapter Notes: Smashing Pumpkins, Farewell and Goodnight


Innocence Lost—

So the great Sesshoumaru was to sing? He could handle this, no problem, because if these mere mortal humans could then there couldn't be anything to it. He thought.

When he walked outside for a minute under the pretense that he had become too hot he tested out his voice. What is this? He thought angrily, I am good at everything. Without any more hesitation he walked back into the hut and grabbed the book of songs from Inu Yasha's wench. There was an interesting song that made him think instantly of Rin . . . not that he would say that aloud, but it was a beautifully written piece.

"I, Sesshoumaru have chosen."

"So go already, ya arrogant fool," Kagome rolled her eyes, hoping that Kikyou couldn't hear the lingering effects of her song in her voice.

Goodnight, to every little hour that you sleep tight
May it hold you through the winter of a long night
And keep you from the loneliness of yourself
Heart strung is your heart frayed and empty
Cause it's hard luck, when no one understands your love
It's unsung, and I say
Goodnight, my love, to every hour in every day
Goodnight, always, to all that's pure that's in your heart

Goodnight, may your dreams be so happy and your
Head light with the wishes of a sandman and a night light
Be careful not to let the bedbugs sleep tight nestled in your covers
The sun shines but I don't
A silver rain will wash away
And you can't tell, it's just as well
Goodnight, my love, to every hour in every day
Goodnight, always, to all that's pure that's in your heart

The song was definitely short, but the way it was written and the way the music yanked you into it completely unawares was amazing. That also brought him back to the present . . . the giggling present? He understood none of this; the lowly beings wouldn't dare laugh at the great Sesshoumaru.

However, Kagome spoke up and said, "Oh, Sesshoumaru, we're not laughing at you but with you. You have the most . . . femin—original voice—" she started, but gasped when his cold gaze landed on her. He had known what she was about to say, that could never be a good thing.

Sesshoumaru realized that he didn't even care, for his gaze had locked onto Rin's and she had an understanding about her. She was almost a full adult now . . . the words of his song had surely affected her, also. Or at least he had thought and when he looked at her he confirmed that she knew. He continued to stare at her, and she at him, never breaking the gaze, only nodding her understanding. It was as though the innocence of her youth had come to an abrupt halt and with it, the realization of the woman beneath.

It took his breath away.