Disclaimer: The first song is Taking Over Me by Evanescence and the second is St. Jimmy by Green Day.
The following day was Saturday, so practice was held early. Kikyo gave Kagome a ride, the main reason for the deed being that Kikyo needed Kagome's newest songs. Kikyo also undoubtedly wanted to flaunt the new car that she had received from her parents as a sign of the pride they felt at their daughter's performance the previous night.
Without bothering to allow Kikyo the chance to engage in small talk before unsubtly requesting for the music, Kagome simply handed the papers and tape over as she sat in the passenger's seat.
"Only two?" Kikyo inquired as she inserted the cassette into her car stereo system.
Kagome's eyes widened. Her cousin had made the request for more songs only the night before. Kagome had been fortunate enough to have already had one song nearly completed. Once she had put the final touches on it, she had written another.
Kagome sighed and, ignoring Kikyo's comment, said, "Your part's in red."
"There's no red in this one," Kikyo remarked, a warning tone in her voice.
"It's another song for the guys, since they liked the last one." Thinking about it, Kagome admitted the song was a bit strange, but she had been tired and she stayed up late into the night to write it. Now she was sleep deprived, and thinking of the essays she had to write for class and the tests she had to study for were only increasing her feelings of weariness.
Kikyo huffed and pressed the play button, and Kagome heard her piano playing come through the speakers, followed by her voice.
You don't remember me but I remember you
I lie awake and try so hard not to think of you
but who can decide what they dream?
And dream I do...
Kikyo could read music, but barely, so she let the song repeat itself as she tried to memorize what it sounded like. Kagome let her mind drift to the seven page history paper due Monday.
I believe in you
I'll give up everything just to find you
I have to be with you, to live, to breathe
you're taking over me
Once they arrived, Kagome grabbed her bag and exited the car to allow the others to inspect and praise the vehicle. Kikyo had long since hidden the tape.
Kikyo presented the group with the song she was to sing first. Once everyone had warmed up, and Sesshoumaru had made copies, they tried playing it through.
Have you forgotten all I know
and all we had?
You saw me mourning my love for you
and touched my hand
I knew you loved me then
Kagome did not miss Sango's blush and Miroku's surprised look at the verse. She smiled at her friends. They had informed her that they were going on a date that evening.
I believe in you
I'll give up everything just to find you
I have to be with you, to live, to breathe
you're taking over me
I look in the mirror and see your face
if I look deep enough
so many things inside that are just like you are taking over
Kagome was elated for her friends. She did not notice the subtle glance she received from golden eyes as her fingers glided across the black and white keys.
I believe in you
I'll give up everything just to find you
I have to be with you, to live, to breathe
you're taking over me
I believe in you
I'll give up everything just to find you
I have to be with you, to live, to breathe
you're taking over me
Taking over me
you're taking over me
taking over me
taking over me
Sesshoumaru played the final note on his bass and let it fade into silence. The band agreed that the song was well done, finding nothing that needed changing.
Sesshoumaru then announced that they had been asked to play at a club on Friday. When the excited shouts of joy had quieted, he added that they would therefore be practicing more the coming week, beginning with practice tomorrow afternoon.
Some of the members groaned, namely Inuyasha, but none protested.
"We'll need to start deciding what songs to play," Sesshoumaru added.
Kikyo spoke up. "Wait, I have another one!"
She gave Sesshoumaru the pages, and he left, reappearing moments later with a larger pile. Kikyo again passed them out to the others.
"All right," Kouga commented as he glanced through his part.
Inuyasha and Miroku voiced their own approval as the female singers took seats in the audience once again.
Inuyasha began with his drums while Sesshoumaru began singing.
St. Jimmy's comin' down across the alleyway
Up on the boulevard like a zip gun on parade
Light of a silhouette
He's insubordinate
Coming at you on the count of 1, 2—1,2,3,4!
My name is Jimmy and you better not wear it out
Suicide commando that your momma talked about
King of the forty thieves
And I'm here to represent
That needle in the vein of the establishment
I'm the patron saint of the denial
With an angel face and a taste for suicidal
Cigarettes and ramen and a little bag of dope
I am the son of a bitch and Edgar Allen Poe
Raised in the city under a halo of lights
The product of war and fear that we've been victimized
Nearly everyone glanced at Inuyasha.
Sango burst out laughing. Kikyo had written this? The thought almost caused Sango to start laughing again.
As she played, Kagome had to resist the urge to chuckle as well. She really must have been tired when she wrote those lyrics. They were amusing, though.
I'm the patron saint of the denial
With an angel face and a taste for suicidal
ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
I'll give you something to cry about.
ST. JIMMY!
My name is St. Jimmy I'm a son of a gun
I'm the one that's from the way outside
I'm a teenage assassin executing some fun
In the cult of the life of crime.
I really hate to say it but I told you so
So shut your mouth before I shoot you down old boy
Welcome to the club and give me some blood
And the resident leader at the lost and found
It's comedy and tragedy
It's St. Jimmy
And that's my name...and don't wear it out!
Like before, the girls expressed their good opinion loudly and enthusiastically.
Sesshoumaru had them practice for countless hours with only a few short breaks. He finally allowed everyone to leave, but only, he stated, because they were to meet the next day.
Sango and Miroku left immediately to prepare for their date. Sesshoumaru disappeared as well. Inuyasha, Kikyo and Kagura had gathered outside, where the air was cooling comfortably.
Left to herself, Kagome sat at her keyboard. She hummed a short tune that had come to her earlier, and attempted to have it sound right on the keyboard. Pulling a blank music sheet from her bag, she wrote down the notes she liked.
Spellbound by the music, Kagome unconsciously began to voice words to the tune.
A hard smack to her cheek brought Kagome to an abrupt halt. Her music sheet fluttered to the ground.
Kagome's shocked, tired eyes looked up to meet the seething one's of her cousin.
"How could you do that? What if someone heard you?" Kikyo demanded hotly. "You're just lucky I came in alone." Kagome opened her mouth to speak, but Kikyo cut her off. "No, listen to what I have to say. You can be really rude sometimes. I always looked out for you when we were growing up. I let you be around me and my friends… How could you be so stupid? How do you think the others would react if they heard you? They would probably accuse you of stealing my songs. I can't believe you did something so idiotic. You could ruin my singing career…"
Kagome began several times to speak, but Kikyo's tirade left her no opening. Kagome's head began to lower and her shoulders sagged. Her exhausted mind had at first resisted against Kikyo's propaganda. But as the rant continued, only the hurtful words penetrated Kagome's hazy and fatigued mind, engraving deeply into her soul as her chest tightened and hers stomach clenched.
…stupid…
…selfish…
…idiot…
…thoughtless…
…uncaring…
…weak…
…foolish…
Kagome did not notice when Kikyo's rage subsided, or when Kikyo stopped speaking altogether. Not until a large hand was laid on her shoulder, and her head came up in surprise to meet two memorable golden eyes with barely visible flickering of emotion in them.
- - - - - - - - -
Sesshoumaru heard a soft, not unpleasant, humming. Giving in to curiosity, he began following it to the source. The sound was accompanied by piano playing. As he neared, singing began, and the harmonious voice sounded oddly familiar.
Sesshoumaru halted in the doorway as the voice was cut off by a harsh slap. He saw only the two cousins. Kikyo stood beside Kagome, who was sat at the keyboard. Yet, the voice he had heard had not been that of Kikyo, for he knew from painful reoccurrence how she sounded when she sang. Had the voice, then, belonged to the other cousin?
The music on the floor caught his eye, the writing the same as before.
Then Kikyo's words met his ears. He watched silently, waiting for Kagome to defend herself. Yet she only seemed to lose her will to fight. Her head dropped and her hair fell into her face. Every belittling word Kikyo spoke seemed to drain Kagome of her self-worth.
He would have to reflect on the reason behind the cruel lecture another time. At the moment, he was far too disgusted to continue listening. At least when he belittled someone, he spoke the truth.
Sesshoumaru approached the stage, making his presence known. When Kikyo noticed him, she instantly paled.
"Sesshoumaru. Can I help you with something? I was just speaking with my cousin. How long have you been here?"
He only glared at her, sending icy chills of fear down her spine. She heard Inuyasha shout her name, and with relief excused herself before retreating hastily outside.
Sesshoumaru's gaze shifted back to Kagome, who still had her head bowed and seemed as if she were completely unaware of him. He paused only slightly before resting a hand on one of her shoulders.
Startled, her eyes looked up at him, and he was taken aback at the melancholy and self-loathing he saw in the russet depths. Though he found no evidence of tears. She pulled away almost instantly, and his hand slipped from its place to rest once again at his side.
"Kagome…" She was avoiding looking at him.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said hurriedly, her voice nearly as detached as his usually was. Then she left.
Sesshoumaru looked down at the paper half covered in music notes for a moment before he retrieved it. After placing it on the music stand of the keyboard, he turned and left, his mind plagued with questions and problems to be solved.
- - - - - - - - -
Kagome recognized immediately who stood before her, and his penetrating stare unnerved her, as if he could read every thought she had ever had. She pulled back, embarrassed. He had seen her at her worst… weak… pathetic… stupid.
"Kagome…" She could not look at him.
She fled after a rushed goodbye. Walking home, she could only curse herself more. She had left the song she had started. If Kikyo found out…
Kagome groaned inwardly at herself. Why was she so stupid?
Kikyo's words continued to haunt her the entire way home.
She entered an empty house. Her family had gone out grocery shopping. She found a note stating that they had waited as long as they could for her to join them, but they wanted to be back before dark.
Kagome went upstairs and filled the bathtub. She dropped the concealing spell as she dropped her clothes into a pile at her feet.
She sat soaking in the steaming water. Still, she did not cry. She felt incapable of doing so. She felt too empty.
So stupid…
cuttie-blossom: I'm glad you think so. Thanks for reviewing!
Elegant Enchantress: Thanks so much! I am glad you like it!
MadMood: That will be a good day, lol. Thank you for the review!
Owarinari: I am happy to hear that. The first song was actually only part of a song by Lillix and the second song was by Bad Religion. I list the songs and artists in my disclaimer at the top of the chapter. Thanks for the review!
Sesshie's Black Dominatrix: Keeping busy is good; I just wish I were not this busy, lol. I definitely agree that writing is helpful in relieving stress and lifting spirits. I only began writing about two years ago, and I wish I had known sooner. Anyway, I am very pleased to hear you are still enjoying the story and I hope it continues to meet with your expectations!
fox girl 7: Thank you so much! I hope it continues to please.
SesshoumarusSisterFate: And spoil the ending? Lol. I am glad you are enjoying the story. Do you know of A Single Spark? Thanks for the review!
Kagome21: The truth will be revealed to all in time. I still have to work out exactly when certain people find out the different secrets. I am happy to hear that you like my story. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Tiney: I am glad you do, and I will! Thank you!