CHAPTER NINE
Sing For The Moment!
"No-No-No I wont, there's no way…you can't make me." Kagome moaned as she peered from behind the large black curtain to look at the audience waiting patiently for the band to start, inside the Creepy Coffin Coffee Club. It was exactly nine p.m. and the place was packed, Inuyasha had counted around a hundred-and-twenty heads.
Kagome turned back around to look at the PACK members glaring at her from backstage, please no.
Katsumi shook her head as Inuyasha spoke for her, "But Kagome you have to Katsumi lost her voice…."
"But why me? Why do I have to go out there?" Kagome whined.
"Because, Kagome," Duo added, "You're the only girl other than Kitty who knows all the words to our songs."
"Why can't Sango do it...she knows most of them."
"Because I can't sing." Sango stated.
"So." Kagome glanced around at her 'friends' hoping one of them would agree with her; no one did. She really didn't want to do this, she hated big crowds, and… and, I have stage fright!
Kouga gave Kagome a hug and smiled down at her, "Don't worry Kag we'll be out there with you-backing you up, it's not that bad, I promise. So will you help us?"
"No." Kagome protested. "I-I can't…NO!"
Inuyasha sighed as he grabbed Kagome by the shoulders and turned her around, he pulled the curtain a little to the side, just enough to see without being seen. And then pointed his finger out in front of Kagome at one man wearing a completely black beatnik outfit sitting in the corner at a small round table drinking his coffee. "Come on, Kag you have to help us-you see that guy…he-he's a talent scout…come on this is a once in a lifetime chance…we could get discovered."
"All the more reason not to put me out there."
"Please Kagome you have to do this…for me." Katsumi croaked.
Kagome sighed, and then shook her head, "NO."
"Please, Kagome." Duo begged as he fell to his knee's and cupped his hands together pleadingly.
"I'm sorry, but…No…no, and no."
"Please."
"No."
"I'll buy you a cookies-n-cream frozen coffee." Inuyasha bribed.
"You're kidding right, I can just go buy one myself, I have money you know."
"I'll give you my ENTIRE CD collection." Spike added.
"REALLY, you mean I can have ALL of your CD's?" Kagome's eyes literally popped out of her head in amazement.
"Even my complete Aerosmith collection." Spike vowed.
"Okay…I'll do it…" Kagome shook Spike's hand to seal the deal and then turned to Inuyasha, smirking at him, "but only on one condition."
"Anything." Inuyasha pleaded.
"Can I have my cookies-n-crème frozen coffee before I go out there and sing?"
"Got it covered." Sango took off towards the bar on the right side of the darkly-lighted club.
The club was dark; it was actually a basement to a clothing store up stairs; a huge basement but a basement none-the-less and some how it was bigger than most night clubs were. 4-C was decorated to look sort of like a crypt; it had fake cobwebs and vines hanging from the ceiling and the walls. The floor was hardwood that was somehow stained black and the walls had the same stone pattern as Kagome's bathroom. The bar looked like one you would see in the movies; neon lights and everything, it even had a little bar tender dressed in the outfits you saw in the cinemas, except he was also in a skeleton costume. And all the waitresses, god-bless-their-souls, were dressed in little skimpy maid uniforms; aprons, ruffles, and all. There was only one difference, their cloths were all faded and torn, and their make-up, although they still looked hot in Inuyasha's opinion, made them look like zombies. The place looked like it celebrated Halloween 24/7.
Shippou excitedly walked in from the back dressing room. "Fifteen minute's guys."
Everyone turned to look at Kagome, who at the moment was in the middle of a seisure. Katsumi rolled her eyes as she grabbed Kagome by the wrist and led her to a dressing room over to the right-wing. And then quickly got Kagome ready.
The band didn't have a specific outfit or costume but they always went on stage in really-really dark clothing. Katsumi put Kagome in a skin tight black T-shirt that had their band symbol on it, the face of a snarling cartoon wolf foaming at the mouth…Asuka had designed it. A pair of red-n-black stripped open fingered cotton gloves. A pair of tight black, purple stitching, pants covered in chains and zippers. A pair of black converse. Three necklaces; one long one that reached Kagome's chest that looked like some sort of dagger, one that was one of the cross chokers Duo had made only longer-it reached Kagome's collar bone, and one that looked like an oversized short-spiked dog collar.
And then Kitty went to the make-up. She added a lot of black mascara and eyeliner to Kagome's eyes, giving her the cat eye look, and then she added some dark eye shadow, some base powder, and since she knew how much Kagome hated too much make-up, some clear lip gloss. And for the finishing touches she made Kagome put in some non-subscription contacts that turned Kagome's entire pupil sky blue.
Sango walked in and handed Kagome her frozen coffee, "How's it coming?" She asked Katsumi.
Katsumi gave Sango a thumb's up before she grabbed one of her own eye pencils and drew a small red star right under Kagome's left eye. She whirled Kagome around so Kag could look in the mirror. Kagome's eyes widened as she looked at her reflection, "is that me?"
Katsumi nodded and pushed Kagome out the door before she could say another word. As soon as Kagome was out of earshot, Sango turned and looked at Kitty with a raised eyebrow. "You haven't really lost your voice have you?"
"Nope." Katsumi grinned, her voice no longer horse and croaky.
Sango giggled, "you really are a good actress."
"Why thank you…but this was all Inuyasha's idea. So I really owe all the credit to him." Katsumi grinned as she opened the door.
"Wait does that mean the talent scout…."
"Is an ordinary overweight man drinking his coffee."
"Inuyasha you sly dog you." Sango laughed as she followed Katsumi to the rest of the band where they were waiting backstage.
Kagome sighed as she glanced around at the 'other' members; all dressed similar to her, even Kouga, which was kind of a culture shock, she had seen him dressed like this before…just not so close. Kagome took a deep breath and then faced Inuyasha. "Alright we're going to sing what, at least six songs before the next band starts." Inuyasha nodded and Kagome continued, "I think we should start with, Revenge, and then Bow-Down, Blood shed, Aggravation, Fool-moon, and finish up with Reduced-to-Death…how does that sound?"
Inuyasha smiled. "Well aren't we little-miss-take-charge…yeah that's what I was thinking, Revenge always seems to be the best opener."
"Three minutes…places you guys." Shippou announced from his corner off stage where he did the lighting.
"You heard the man." Inuyasha ordered as he went to his position and sat down in front of his-very expensive-drum set. Everyone did as they were told taking their spots as directed, with Kagome out in front of them, the microphone in its stand in front of her.
Shippou looked down at his watch as he began the well anticipated countdown, "ten, nine, eight…"
Kagome bowed her head, as she'd seen Katsumi do so many times.
"Five, four, three, two, ONE!"
Anxiously the black torn and frayed curtain slowly began to spread apart until the stage was completely visible to the house. Kagome stood with her head bowed, waiting for her cue to come by Inuyasha. She heard Kouga slowly start playing a gentle tune that seemed to remind you of a lullaby. And a minute later Duo entered; his melody just a little bit louder than Kouga's.
And then it came; her cue arrived when Inuyasha started. Kagome lifted her head, and as her eyes scanned the many faces of the crowd, suddenly she couldn't move. Her heart began pounding against her chest, her pulse echoing in her ears. She could see their eyes on her, baring into her like knives. Little beads of sweat trickled down her face as her breathing got harder and harder, threatening to burst her lungs. Her knees buckled, as she slowly began to feel dizzy. Everything just seemed to fall apart around her.
She'd completely forgotten the words to her self written song; she just stood there in horror as she watched the crowd stare at her in anticipation. She remained there frozen to her spot all the way through the first half of the song. She tried to sing, but every time she opened her mouth nothing but a shrill squeaky, sound came out. However, inside she had refused to move before she got this right…even if it kills me.
Duo looked at Inuyasha worriedly as he continued to play his guitar. Inuyasha moaned as he signaled to a girl standing in the corner to pull the curtain.
The second the curtain was closed everyone rushed to the frozen Kagome.
"Kagome…Kagome are you there?" Kouga asked impatiently as he snapped his fingers in front of her trying to bring her too.
She instantly snapped out of her stupor and glanced around at the 'other' incredibly annoyed PACK members.
Duo sighed and shook his head in despair; "I told you she couldn't do it, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha just rolled his eyes as the booing of the crowd began growing louder, "Come on, I'm not giving up, will try it again…you okay Kagome?"
Kagome nodded shakily.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want too." Kouga added. Everyone else nodded in agreement.
"I'm fine…" Kagome whimpered.
Duo looked down at her with a raised eyebrow, "you sure?"
"I'm…fine." She snapped. I may not want to do this but I'm 'gonna' do it, and I'm 'gonna' do it right. They think I can't do this but I'll show them all.
Everyone looked at Inuyasha scornfully for making Kagome do this, before they quickly went back to their spots. Each band member saying a silent prayer as Inuyasha signaled to the girl to pull the curtain open again.
Kagome sighed as she hung her head again; she repeated her prayer over and over again. She silently waited for her cue and when it came, she lifted her head. She looked out at the booing crowd, she could see people leaving, some teenagers were even cheering 'loser' one dude in the corner was even screaming 'come back Katsumi.'
Kagome's heart sank as a small tear trickled down her cheek. Every part of her wanted to run off that stage and cry on someone's shoulder. She sniffled before she fell silent again, upsetting the crowd even more.
Inuyasha's anger level began to rise to his ultimate high; not at Kagome, but the crowd. He couldn't stand the fact that she was at the peak of crying; Kagome crying, she never cries, and these stupid people didn't even care…instead they were throwing trash; like empty cups and plastic spoons at her. He really wanted to just go out there and punch the lights out of everyone but instead he just sighed as he did the only thing he knew he could do without being arrested; he started singing; terribly, but he did it anyway:
I don't know why I put my trust in you
Just to loose it all again
I put my life in your hands
And you just left me there to die
Kagome slowly turned around and glanced at the raven haired, amber eyed boy. A small smile seeped across her lips as his harsh voice filled her ears, thank you so much Inuyasha. Kagome took a deep breath as she kept her eyes on him, she could hear Miroku, Kouga, and Duo joining in, but she continued to look at the drummer; leaning against his horrible voice for support.
And she began her symphony; her lyrics slowly creeping back to her as she sang out, miraculously crisp and clear. Her words were at first soft and sweet as she let the music take over her:
You broke my heart
And told me lies
Ripping into my soul with you tongue of knives
Kagome turned back to face the now quite and listening crowd before she began to rock her head back-n-forth with a lulled expression on her face. She paused for a moment before she continued to the next verse:
But baby I'm back
And I just want to let you know…
You ain't 'gonna' make it through the night
Kagome pulled the microphone from its stand and kicked the large pole over, when she heard the boys behind her stop singing. Her words lost their soft sweetness; and she began to scream out her chorus:
Can you hear me now
Can you hear me now
Can you hear me now that I am dead
Are you bleeding still
Are you bleeding still
Are you bleeding still now that I am gone
Kagome then began her violent rampage across the stage, just as she had seen Katsumi do all those times, a small smile crossed her face when she saw the shocked and impressed looks on Sango, Katsumi, Spike, Ryoko, and Asuka's, faces. Spike had even almost dropped his camcorder in disbelief. No one thought she could do it-she'd show them:
Now that I am dead
Now that I am DEAD AND GONE!
Now that I am the nightmare, that smothers your dreams
Like I said sweetie, 'I'm home'
Maybe I wont kill you till tomorrow
But I'm 'gonna' torture you today…
Her voice slowly returned to the soft lulled version of the song, as she watched people in the mosh-pit begin to jump and dance around, as some of the people who had left coming back in. She even saw a few lighters go up:
But I'm just here to let you know
You'd better watch your back
Cause I'm gonna even up our score…
And then she started to scream again as the crowd began screaming along with her:
Cause I'm 'gonna' haunt you till you die
I'm 'gonna'
Make you blood boil
Your skin burn
And your soul bleed
This is what hell is meant to be like
When you break all ties…
Spike looked over at Katsumi with horror in his eyes. He had never seen Kagome like this; he didn't like it, though he could tell he was the only one-everyone else was awestruck. Sure he had heard a cussword come out of her mouth once or twice but this…she was scaring him. Kagome had always been really sweet and innocent, now she was singing about Revenge. Though he had to admit she was good:
In the darkness of the night
I wait for you
You cannot run you can not hide
So wait for me
Shippou watched in awe. Kagome was amazing; she had an incredible stage presence. What could he say…she was awesome. And the mosh-pit seemed to love her; they were acting wilder than ever, despite their previous booing:
You sit alone in your bed at night
With nothing but your fears to hide behind
I want you to know
You-cannot protect-you cannot defend
AGAINST THE HAUNTING ENEMY
Katsumi sighed as she threw caution to the wind. She quickly grabbed a spare mike out of nowhere and joined Kagome up on stage…she was so proud of her friend:
Can you hear me now
Can you hear me now
Can you hear me now that I am dead
Are you bleeding still
Are you bleeding still
Are you bleeding still now that I am gone
The two of them danced around, rather seductively getting extra cheers from the men in the swarm as Duo began his famous guitar solo; and Shippou took the opportunity to turn on the strobe-lights and any other special affects he could pull-off. The crowd went wild.
Keep your friends close
And your enemies closer
…Come here baby and
Fear me
The music ended, and Kagome turned to look at Katsumi.
"Liar." Kagome giggled as they gave each other a high five.
Katsumi smiled. "You know it…" and with that the two started the next song, driving the male part of the mosh-pit crazy from having two vixens to stare at-and driving Dou, Spike, Kouga, and surprisingly Inuyasha up-the-wall. Which just left Miroku, who really didn't care…if it had been Sango though; it would have been a different story.
~*~*~*~
Finally, when their gig was up PACK quickly cleared out all of their equipment so the next band could start. And then everyone went down to the bar and got their usual…frozen coffee-the best thing since sliced bread.
Kagome giggled as she took a stool at the bar in-between Sango and Katsumi, her make-up and clothing back to normal. And took a swig of her frozen treat; that was one thing she liked about this place, no alcohol just coffee. That way the club was open to everybody, not just the twenty-one and older club, 4-C was made especially for high school'ers.
Katsumi held up her cup. "I purpose a toast, to Kagome for an astounding performance…and for taking a joke like a true sport."
"Here-here." Everyone laughed before taking a sip of their drink and then: "Owe-brain freeze."
Kagome smiled. "Thanks guys…I just want you to know if you ever do that to me again you will be finding yourselves being fed to the sharks at Sea World."
Kouga gulped. "Come on Kag you have to admit you liked it."
Kagome nodded. "It was pretty awesome, it was kind of scary, and you have to admit my little screw-ups in the beginning weren't exactly…helpful, but after you guys started singing I guess it just came back; and you were right it does seem to wash the troubles away."
Just then someone tapped Kagome on the shoulder; she whirled her stool around to face her 'taper' before the brightest smile possible spread across her face. "KENJI YOU MADE IT!"
The red-headed bashful boy nodded silently; Kagome could tell it had taken most of his courage just to come up to her, OH! He's so sweet! Kagome carelessly rapped her arms around his neck and gave him a big bear hug.
The second she let go she turned to her friends and began introducing them one by one.
"This is Katsumi."
Katsumi smiled and offered him her hand, which he timidly took. "You can call me Kitty."
"And this is Duo." Kagome continued.
Duo smiled and waved, before he gestured towards Katsumi beside him. "I'm her boyfriend."
Kenji waved shyly, "hi."
"And this is Spike."
Spike grinned, "Como estas?"
Kenji smiled, "Muy bien."
Kagome grinned inwardly as she continued down the row, "and she's Sango."
"Hi, you remember me from fourth period."
Kenji nodded, "yeah, you hit me in the head the other day with you boa during weapons practice."
Sango's cheeks reddened. "I'm so sorry about that…I, I…thought I had it gripped but it just flew out of my arms."
"It's okay." Kenji laughed as he slowly began to relax. "It was an accident."
Kagome's smile widened as she went to Ryoko, "and that's Ryoko; she's Kitty's sister." Ryoko nodded and Kagome continued: "And beside her that's Kouga; my boyfriend, and beside Kouga is Miroku."
Miroku grinned happily as he openly shook Kenji's hand. "I'm Miroku?"
"The lecher." Sango murmured under her breath.
"…And that's Inuyasha…"
Inuyasha just looked at him for a moment before he sighed and waved.
"And the little guy beside Inu is Shippou."
Shippou smiled, "howdy ho!"
"And then last but not least, beside Shippou; that's Asuka."
Asuka smiled as her cheeks began to redden, "Hi…I-I'm…."
"In my third and fourth period." Kenji added as his face slowly turned just as red as his hair.
"You sit in front of me in third." Asuka sighed.
Silence.
Kagome smirked; I knew it…I knew it…I knew it! "Hey why don't you sit with us." Kagome invited, and then without allowing him to answer she gestured to the empty seat on Asuka's left.
Just then someone walked out on the extended part of the stage (it's called an apron); the curtain still closed behind him. He was tall and gangly, and completely dressed in black and had tattoos from head-to-toe. He had the coolest bright blue Mohawk, Inuyasha had ever seen. Everyone knew him as Hiro Asada, owner of 4-C, and Shippou's twenty-two year old uncle, or also known as Ryoko's boyfriend.
Hiro smiled as he waved over to PACK, "Alright I know everyone enjoyed our last band and their…interesting performance." The place filled with cheers as tons of teenagers pumped their fists into the air. "And I know everyone in here wants some more 'head bangin' music right?" The cheers grew louder. "So what do you think; should I introduce our next band or should I just close up and send you guys packing?' Everyone began chanting boo's and hell-no's. Hiro smirked, "Good that's what I wanted to hear, alright everyone I would like you to meet our next band…I-C-U." And with that he left the stage as the curtain slowly pulled apart again.
Shippou sighed as he got up from his seat and handed his empty glass back to the bar tender, "Well guys I 'gotta' go, more lighting to do…heed my warning-never get a job, especially for family." And with that he walked away.
Kagome shot out of her seat, "I-C-U, I've heard of that band, they're supposed to be really good."
Katsumi nodded. "Yeah, Ryoko's met them before, it's supposed to be a bunch of senior girls from that high school near the mall."
Ryoko nodded her consent before she took off towards Hiro.
Once the band was revealed the music started, and just like Kitty had said it was a group of girls. They sort of had an Evanescence sound to them. They were really good; their music was really fast-pace but in a way, romantic. Kagome felt someone tap her on the arm, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled when she saw Kouga holding out his hand to her.
"'Wanna' dance?"
Kagome smiled and nodded as she took his hand and he led her out to the dance floor. Other couples surrounded them as they moved to the rhythm. Kouga twirled Kagome around and watched as she moved her body to the beat.
Inuyasha growled as he banged his fist onto the table, he didn't know why but watching that dumb ass cousin of his dancing with Kagome was driving Inuyasha crazy. "I'll kill him…."
Duo and Katsumi giggled as they ran off towards the dance floor together hand in hand. Closely followed by a very embarrassed but ecstatic Miroku and a red faced but way to-happy-for-words Sango, and then with faces as red as their hair Kenji and Asuka took off after the others, leaving behind two very homophobic males, Inuyasha, and Spike; well at least Inuyasha.
"You 'wanna' dance?" Spike asked offering Inuyasha his hand.
"Hell no…" Inuyasha smacked Spike's hand away as the green-haired youth burst into hysterics.
"Why do you have to be so up tight Inuyasha? Loosen up, live a little…turn you frown up-side down…put a smile on."
"Okay Ronald McDonald you can shut up any day now."
Spike sighed and shook his head in fake disappointment. "You too huh?"
Inuyasha glanced at Spike, "Me what?"
"She got to you too man."
"What in the hell are you talking about. Who got to me?"
"Kagome." Spike muttered. "I kind of figured she was stuck in your head too…she's really good at that." Spike downed the rest of his frozen coffee before ordering another one.
Inuyasha just sat there speechless, he knew it was true no matter how badly he would try and deny it. "That has got to be the most dumbest thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth. The day hell freezes over is the day I'll date her."
"That's kind of ironic." Spike snorted, "considering you let me stay over at your house that night I got drunk, some funky shit was said that night-or at least that's what I was told…it's alright Inuyasha you're not the only one who she's put a spell on"
Inuyasha glared at him. "I don't know what you see in her Spike…."
"Same thing you do."
Inuyasha grabbed Spike by the collar of his shirt and glared down into his eyes "I don't like her got it? I hate her and her sister. I think they're nothing but a royal pain-in-the-ass; understand."
Spike snorted. "Then why did you start singing for her on stage?"
"Some body had to do something to keep PACK from going to the shit-er."
"Fine…but why did you stick up for her this morning?" Spike added
"Because I felt sorry for her."
"But I thought you just said you hated her…and while we're on the subject," Spike pulled away from Inuyasha; knowing he would never hurt him. "Why did you let her sing on stage in the first place; Mr. Manager, everyone knows you're picky about your band member's…you didn't even want your own cousin to join."
"Because I hate him, everyone knows I think my cousin's a jackass…."
"Because he got Kagome before you." Spike added interrupting Inuyasha.
"Hell no."
"Hell yes…face it you like her…I can see right through that act of yours Inuyasha, you've been head-over-heals ever since that whole incident at you party three years ago."
"I've hated her 'ever since that whole incident at my party three years ago'."
Spike snickered. "Yeah right, don't kid yourself…if you truly hated her then you wouldn't have gotten into that fight with Naraku over her last year in the student parking lot."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror. "How do you know about that."
"I'm your friend Inuyasha, I was bound to find out sooner or later…I was hiding behind the Ford Focus."
Inuyasha snarled in disgust as he banged his head down on the table. "How much did you hear?"
"Enough."
"How much?" Inuyasha barked as he lifted his head back up.
"I came around the time he asked you to 'join him' and as an acceptance dare into Youkai you had to trick a selected girl into having 'intercourse' and he just happened to choose Kagome."
"Go on." Inuyasha growled.
"And you went into hysterics and started screaming and said that you could never do that, and so Naraku said fine then if you bring her to him and let him have his way with her he'd still let you in. And then you just completely lost it and screamed bloody murder…" Spike lowered his voice as he leaned in closer to Inuyasha and continued. "And then you turned into a you-know-what and attacked him and told him if he ever so much as harmed-touched-or looked at Kagome you'd hunt him down and kill 'em'."
Inuyasha glanced around making sure no one was listening before her turned back to Spike. "Listen here Nobunaga Matsumoto if any of what was just said between us is ever repeated I'll hunt you down and kill you."
Spike just smirked and nodded. "What ever you say lover-boy."
Inuyasha growled. "I don't love her, I just don't want people to find out about me being a you-know-what; got it?"
Spike grinned. "Who said anything about love…I just said you liked her."
"I mean it Spike…I don't want anyone finding out about that."
Spike sighed and shook his head. "You really should learn to keep your identity hidden better…like me." Spike turned his gaze to look at Inuyasha and for a brief second his eyes were like that of a primitive animals, red with little thin black slits for pupils.
