Inutori: I'd like to thank the reader who corrected me on a misspelling in the last chapter, I had meant to say 'ite' when I accidentally wrote 'iie' instead.  I'm well aware of the difference in meaning, but I was happy that it was pointed out to me, so now I've gone back and changed it.

Inuyasha: Oh, quit your rambling and get on with the author's note so the readers can go do what they came here for.

Inutori: You shut up!  *looks innocently at readers*  You didn't hear me say that…what you really heard was: I don't own Inuyasha, and I do own the songs, Ami, and Reikan.

Kagome: Well, that's a wrap, let's get on with the chapter!

Chapter 6

You Can't Change Me

"Kagome!  Get back here!"  A cherry-red Sango ran down the hall of the hotel chasing after a young girl that was laughing hysterically.

"Yeah right!"  Kagome dodged around a corner to escape from the crazed girl's view, and ran into something firm.  She would have fallen over had it not been for the warm pair of arms that wrapped around her.

"Kagome, I will catch…you."  Sango blinked stupidly as she turned the corner, the blush leaving her cheeks as she stopped dead in her tracks.

"Higurashi-san, if you don't stop running around like this, you could hurt yourself."  Blue eyes smiled down at Kagome.

The girl spoken to forced a smile and pried herself from the young man's grip.  "Ohayo, Houjo-kun." 

Sango's eye twitched slightly at Houjo's unwavering smile. 

"What brings you to Australia, Houjo-kun?"  Kagome's smile wouldn't stay plastered on her face for too much longer at this rate, and she wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

"I'm here to see your concert, Higurashi-san."  Houjo pulled something from behind his back.  "This herbal tea will keep you from getting a soar throat while you sing."

Reluctantly, Kagome took the thermal container from Houjo with a forced laugh.  "A-arigato, Houjo-kun."  Kagome looked to Sango for some help.

"Oh, um…Kagome, we're going to be late for our…um…manicure…yeah, manicure…if we don't hurry.  Come on."

"Hai!"  Kagome looked at Houjo with a smile of relief.  "Gomen ne, Houjo-kun, got to go!"  With that she took off after Sango towards the elevator where they were Houjo free.

"That guy, he's like a stalker or something."  Sango glanced behind them to make sure that the brown-haired boy wasn't following.

"Don't I know it.  And to think that he followed me all the way to Australia!"  Kagome laughed slightly and handed the thermal container to a random passerby.

"Who followed you?"

Both girls jumped and turned around to see Kouga standing in the elevator with his arms folded against his chest.

"Oh, it's just Kouga."  Kagome sighed and stepped onto the elevator, followed by Sango.

"Who's this that followed you?"  Kouga pressed the question again, obviously hoping to get an answer.

"A guy that was in our graduating class.  He's been asking me out for the last four years…and now he's here in Sydney!"  Kagome banged her head against the side of the small box they were standing in.

"Some guy is trying to hit on my woman?"  Kouga seemed to growl ferociously and flex his claws in anger.

As soon as the doors opened to the outside world, Kouga was bounding out an leaping back up the fire escape to get back to the sixth floor that they had just come from.

"No, Kouga-kun, come back here!"  Kagome rushed out, trying to stop him, but when she realized that it was useless, stopped and looked back at Sango.

Sango shrugged and calmly caught up to Kagome.  "Boys will be boys."

"Yeah, but why do the boys have to get all overprotective?  And over me no less!"  Kagome walked out of the hotel in a huff and headed for the rental car in the parking lot. 

"It just means they like you."  Sango smiled mischievously at Kagome and hopped into the driver's seat of the vehicle.

"That is just gross, Sango.  You know I'm not that interested in the male species just yet.  I'm not even 18, for crying out loud!"  Kagome climbed into the passenger seat and Sango started the car as Kagome buckled in.

"You will be tomorrow, and then you'll no longer have that defense, Kagome-chan."  Sango grinned broadly, but kept her eyes on the road.

"Don't remind me."  Kagome put her head in her hands and groaned.

"Well, as your last day as a minor, the girls are treating you out.  We're meeting them downtown."  Sango drove down the streets calmly.

"Sango-chan, how do you know where we're going?"  Kagome looked at the other occupant of the car nervously.

"I don't."

Had it not been for Kagome's seatbelt keeping her sitting up, she would have fallen over at Sango's declaration.  "So you're saying we're going to get lost?"

"We already are."  Sango spoke calmly, as if this were an everyday occurrence for her: which it probably was.

"Ugh, Sango, I don't know you."  Kagome slouched down further in her seat, humiliated by her good friend.

"Sure, whatever you say, birthday girl."

*

Inuyasha popped into Miroku's room and glanced around curiously.  "Where's Kouga?"

"How should I know?  Last time I saw him, he was chasing after some guy growling like a wolf."  Miroku only glanced up from his magazine.  It was Playboy…go figure.

"And how long ago was that?"  Inuyasha seemed to be getting impatient for some unknown reason.

"I don't know, maybe an hour or two?"  Miroku put down the magazine with a sigh.  "Look, if you need something, just tell me."

"I don't want to ask you, you have bad luck with women."  Inuyasha shot him a menacing glare before heading back into the hall.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Stop right there, man!  You need advice?"  Miroku was up in a flash and standing in front of Inuyasha before you could say 'lover boy.'

"Sorta."  Inuyasha looked away from Miroku with a light blush on his face. 

"Well, out with it.  What's your question?"  Miroku's eyes gleamed in excitement.  He knew all too well that Inuyasha had never had a serious relationship, and this was his opportunity to help his dear friend along.

"What kind of gift would a girl like?"  Inuyasha seemed to be almost turning scarlet and he was looking at the wall for some kind of salvation.

"A gift for your special someone, aye?  Well, I can help you there, mi amigo."  Miroku patted Inuyasha's back and gave the hanyou a smile.  "Come with me and we'll get you fixed right up."

"N-nani yo?!"  Miroku dragged a reluctant Inuyasha down the hall and to the elevator.

*

Kouga scowled and ran faster after that stupid boy.  For a human the kid sure could run.  "GET BACK HERE!"

He turned a corner and caught sight of the man slightly tripping on something just ahead.

"I'LL GET YOU!  YOU LEAVE MY WOMAN ALONE!  YOU HEAR ME?"

People that lined the streets shook their heads, figuring that the man being chased had been having an affair with the other one's wife.  One even grumbled, "You should know that you don't get involved with a demon's wife."

They must've been downtown by now, but neither human nor youkai showed any sign of slowing down.  That is, until they passed by a karaoke café.  Apparently they had one here in Australia.

Inside were all of the members of Sengotsu, laughing and having a grand time, pushing their leader towards the karaoke stage.

Kouga and Hobo…or whatever his name was…stepped inside in a slight daze to see what was going on.

"Come on, Kagome-chan!  Just one song!  Onegai?"  Ami was pulling at Kagome's hand.

"Matte!  Listen, I don't want to sing!"

"Will you do it if I sing as well?"  Kagome turned to look at Kagura in surprise.

"I-I guess."

Sango and Ayame smiled evilly and went to the karaoke machine and were pleasantly surprised by one of the songs listed.  So, with the Kag twins onstage, Ayame punched in the number of the song the two girls were to play.

As the music started, Kagome paled and looked at Sango.  "Why this one?"

"Because you wrote it, Kagome-chan!"  Ami squealed with glee as she watched two of her good friends stand up on stage and build up their courage to sing.

As the time for the lyrics came, Kagome calmed and looked to Kagura.  Then they sang.

(Hints: normal text is Kagome singing, italics are Kagura singing, bold italics are the two harmonizing, and bold is them singing in unison)

If I        if I

Had to stand alone,

If I        if I

Couldn't be somebody    be somebody

Then I

Would cry out to the world,

That I

Will make it somehow

So far the song seemed to be going well, and you couldn't differentiate between Kagome's voice and the one on the actual recording…big surprise there…not really.  And Kagura amazingly was holding her own as well.

You can't change what I am,

You can't change what I do,

And most of all

You Can't Change Me.

You can't

Try to hold me back,

You can't

Stop this from happening

So just accept it   just accept it

This is what we're coming to   

Be prepared,

For what we're going to do

You can't change what I am,

You can't change what I do,

And most of all

You Can't Change Me.

So I      so I

Will stand alone if I need to,

And I   and I

Am going to be somebody

So just you keep in mind:

You Can't. Change. Me.

Kagome and Kagura bowed slightly and stepped off the stage while the entire room filled with cheers.

The raven-haired leader of Sengotsu looked to the door where both Kouga and Houjo were still standing and was slightly surprised to see them, but overcame it quickly.  She pointed a finger to them in an imitation of a gun and mouthed, "You can't change me."

*

Inuyasha grumbled as he was dragged to yet another store packed with accessories only a woman would enjoy.  "Miroku, I don't trust any advice you give on women…I mean, look at your love life…it's as pathetic as mine!"

"Dude, just because I'm a womanizer doesn't mean I don't know the real way to a woman's heart.  As I've said before: do as I say, not as I do."  Miroku picked up a small glass bottle of perfume and sprayed a light bit of it, inhaling deeply.  "I think any woman would love this one."

Inuyasha was plugging his nose in disgust as the smell reached his sensitive nose.  "No way, I don't want her smelling like that."

"Whatever, your loss."  They moved on down the isle until they reached the makeups, where Miroku once again tried convincing Inuyasha that it would do well with his 'special girl.'

As they headed back to the hotel with empty hands, Inuyasha spotted a store that had the perfect gift on display in the window.  He immediately crossed the street and walked in to the specialty shop.  Miroku followed Inuyasha with his eyes until he read the name of the shop, and then realization dawned on him.  This was the one thing women loved that he didn't take Inuyasha to.  Oh well, looked like he found it on his own.

He quickly followed him in and was shocked to see that Inuyasha had already purchased an item and was already heading out again with a small brown bag in hand.

"What's in the bag, my friend?"  Miroku turned around and had to jog a little to catch up with the speed demon.

"A little something I picked up.  What's it to you?  We can't spend two hours shopping with out coming back with something to show for it, can we?"  Inuyasha only glanced back at Miroku before hopping on the passing trolley to hitch a ride back to the hotel.

With a little fancy footwork and a hard leap, Miroku joined Inuyasha on the moving trolley as they headed back the way they had come quite a while ago.

When they got back to the hotel, no one else from their newly formed posse were around, so they split up and went to their separate rooms, hoping to get some shut eye after their exhausting day in the city.

*

"Kouga, stop following us already."  Ayame looked back at Kouga for the fifth time in the last few minutes just to give him a good glare.

"No way, I'm protecting my woman."  Kouga glared back stubbornly hoping that Ayame would give up the fight.

She apparently wasn't as weak as he had hoped.  "Your woman my foot.  No one here wants anything to do with a snob like you."

"You're the snob.  And you're ugly.  At least I don't have that against me."

Ayame puffed up her cheeks, now walking backward in between Kouga and the rest of the girls.  "I wouldn't be too sure about that…all that makeup you wear makes you look gay."

"I do not wear makeup!"  Kouga's eyes seemed to flare up and Kagome, Sango, and Ami all started to giggle, but didn't look back at the bickering pair.

Ayame cocked her head to the side, happy that she had gained the upper hand.  "Really?  So that's all natural?  Wow, and I thought Micheal Jackson was ugly." 

Kouga looked like he was about to explode with anger, but tried counting to ten instead.  He got to about three before he lunged at Ayame.  And he got about halfway through his first step before Haraikotsu hit him in the head. 

The ookami youkai looked back at her taijiya friend with a disgruntled face.  "I could have handled him on my own, you know."

"I know, we just wouldn't want to ruin Kouga's reputation by letting him follow through with that attack."  Sango smiled lightly at Ayame as she caught her boomerang again.

"Sango-chan is right…it's bad enough that he runs around trying to kill off the male population, but female as well?"  Kagome smiled at Ayame, who just shrugged and glanced back at the unconscious wolf demon lying on the sidewalk.

"Hey, ya guys, should we take him back to the hotel?"  Ayame looked at the group as a moment of silence befell them.

Then all answered in unison.  "Iie."

With that, they continued the trek to the hotel without a care in the world.

Separating to go to their separate rooms, Kagome sprawled out on her bed, exhaustion possessing her every muscle.  It had been a long day, and she could do with a good sleep.  But first, a nice hot shower was just what she needed.

So, getting up, Kagome went into the bathroom, taking her shower and brushing her teeth.  She exited the bathroom half an hour later in a complimentary bathrobe and once again fell to the soft mattress of her hotel bed.

Sleep quickly found her, but she was awoken by a strange noise that came from the back of her room, where the balcony was.  She was about to shrug it off until she heard the soft breathing of a stranger as they approached her.  Kagome feigned sleep and waited for what the person was going to do, but it nearly made her jump out of her skin when the stranger made his move.

Something cold touched her neck, and Kagome realized that whatever it was, it was heavy.  Two hands wrapped around her neck and fiddled with something beneath her hair.  Before the hands were withdrawn, the breath drew closer until the stranger's lips were lightly pressed against her own.  Her eyes shot open and she saw the gleam of silver from the man's hair: a stranger no longer.

'Inuyasha!  That jerk!  The jerk is kissing me!'

~

Inutori: I felt it was my right to leave it off there, since I'm sick right now.

Inuyasha: *in high-pitched voice* I'm sick, I'm tired, I'm lazy, I'm a big, fat, wench, I work at a whor-

Inutori: Enough of that, Inuyasha!  I've heard enough out of your mouth.  I'll have you know that I'm down five pounds from my normal weight and my waist is less than 30 inches around!

Inuyasha: Yeah, but that's still over two feet, fatso.

Inutori: Talk to the hand, cuz' the face don't want to hear it.  I'm still in a good mood from one of my guy friends calling and asking if I was OK.  At least someone has missed me this last week and a half while I've been sick.  I haven't even been outside the house since last Thursday (haven't been outside at all).  I mean, come on, that's just sad.

Kagome: So while I'm "sick" but really in feudal Japan, Inutori is actually sick in bed, have sympathy for her.

Inutori: Yeah, have sympathy for me and leave a review!  ::cough, cough, sniffle:: But you don't have to…I don't review every story I read…just keep in mind that a review would be appreciated, nonetheless.