Chapter Ten: Eye to Eye

Over the next few days we worked twice as hard as usual, trying to get everything right for the final round. Everything was going fine until the night before we were to perform. The phone rang just as Kurama and I were leaving for rehearsal at Yusuke and Kuwabara's apartment. I scowled at the irksome device as Kurama picked up receiver. "Hello?" he greeted. "What?!" the fox exclaimed. "Calm down Kuwabara, you'll just have to fill in for him," I looked at the handsome redhead curiously. Whatever it was Kuwabara had told him it hadn't been good news. "Alright, we're on our way over now," he assured him, then hung up the phone. "Of all times," he sighed. "Yusuke lost his voice," Kurama informed me. "Kuwabara is going to fill in for him," "It's going to be a long night," I muttered as I followed my love out the door.

Kuwabara was still nervous the next night. I just hoped it wouldn't cause him to mess up. He'd actually done alright in rehearsal. "Relax Kuwabara," Kurama said as he helped the tall carrot top set up his microphone. "You'll do fine," Yusuke got into position at the keyboards, then gave us the thumbs up sign, telling us he was ready. I nodded at Kurama, signaling that I was ready as well. He plugged in his bass and nodded back. I winked at him, making him smile.

The announcer's voice boomed from the speakers as he announced us. The crowd cheered wildly and applauded. "Here goes nothing," I thought as the familiar tap tap tap tap on the cymbals signaled us to begin. Yusuke began to play the upbeat and complicated sounding opening. Kuwabara joined in on the drums then Kurama and I followed in as Kuwabara began the first verse

I'll never forget the color of the sky that day
Our feelings for each other were indescribably strong

I continued the verse

Our hopes were easily accomplished
I knew we could do it on our first try!
If you disrupt things like the name of friendship, then Do you believe in anything?

The three of us joined together for the chorus

We do more than just speak when we are Eye to Eye
While we transmit our feelings for each other
You seem to fight just so you know


Kuwabara and I remained silent for Kurama's solo

Replacement doesn't create different bonds
SHAKIN' HEART

After a brief incremental, Kuwabara began the second verse

At times, my feelings are hurt, and the grief bring tears
But men fight the pain in tears, and continue to accomplish their goals

I continued it

I need to be comforted if things get worse
Being young and shy
Don't try to ignore your warm-hearted feelings,
Take my hand!

Once again we joined together for the chorus

We do more than just speak when we are Eye to Eye
Our courage is boiling from inside us
Our sadness is changing into smiles

Kurama's solo came once more

The gentleness of truth has real meaning
SHININ' ON

I played a complicated solo on my guitar, with Kurama easily complementing me on his bass. At it's end we both stopped playing as the soft notes of the keyboard filled the air.

We do more than speak when we are Eye to Eye Kurama sang as he looked at me. I looked back at him as I began to play once again and sang I can get you, You can get me, he sang back.

We grinned at each other then turned our backs, leaning so that our backs were touching as we sang the next part together

We do more than speak when we are Eye to Eye

Kurama played his short bass solo, with me following right behind as we moved back to the chorus. Kuwabara rejoined us for a third time as we sang the chorus

We do more than just speak when we are Eye to Eye
While we transmit our feelings for each other
You seem to fight to know


Then the oaf and I broke away for Kurama's final solo

That replacement doesn't create different bonds
SHAKIN, HEART

As the song ended, the crowd cheered raucously. We took a bow, then quickly exited the stage. "Man, did you hear that crowd?" Kuwabara cried. "I haven't seen a crowd that worked up since the Megallica concert I went to with the guys," "That's because you didn't screw things up," I said. "For once, could you just give me a complement without the attitude?" Kuwabara responded. I smirked at him. "We'll see," I said, then turned my attention to he competition on stage.

Soon our competition had finished performing and the judges began their deliberation. That left us backstage cooling our heels. Kuwabara kept glancing at me and Kurama. After a few minutes it began getting on my nerves. I waited for him to glance at us again and gave him one of my death glares. Kuwabara backed off and went to mingle with the other contestants. Yusuke raised an eyebrow. "What got into him?" he asked. I shrugged. "He's seemed a little off these past few days," Kurama said thoughtfully. "Is he feeling alright?" Yusuke let out a chuckle at his question. "Funny you should say that," he said. "He's been saying that you two have seemed a little off ever since the night of the semifinals," Kurama cast me a worried glance. "What else did he say?" I asked. "Nothing," Yusuke answered. "He just said you guys seemed a little weird lately, that's all,"

The stage hand's voice effectively ended the conversation as we were requested back on stage. Kuwabara rejoined us and we headed back onto the stage, entering from the right as our competition entered from the left side. "After four rounds of competition we've finally made it to the end," The announcer began. "These two bands have battled their way to the top beating out eighteen other bands to get here; tonight, they battled each other in hopes of coming out on top," He paused for dramatic tension as he broke the seal on the card. "The winner of this year's battle of the bands contest is ..." The announcer glanced down at the card and drew a deep breath before shouting "...Sub...Rosa...."

Yusuke and Kuawbara let loose a loud cry of joy that even the roar of the cheering crowd could not drown out. We were pressed to the front of the stage and presented with a giant check while photographers took our picture. The rest was all a blur of activity as we were congratulated and the celebration began.

Glad you're feeling better Nite Nite. I'm sure Kurama will reward Hiei for taking such good care of you. ;)

Baka No Hanyou I read and reviewed your first chapter. Good job so far. Keep up the good work!