Disclaimer: The following song is Evangeline by Bad Religion.

"Guess what, ladies," Miroku chimed. The band had gathered for practice after school on Monday. "We have a new song!"

Kikyo sent a quick glare in Kagome's direction before asking, "Who wrote it?"

"We did," Miroku replied, indicating himself and the other male members.

"Really? I'm surprised you didn't kill each other," Kagura stated.

Kagome bit back a grin at the mental image of the four collaborating together.

"Well, Sesshoumaru wrote most of it," Miroku continued before another provocative comment could be made. "But I helped with the piano part and Inuyasha contributed to the percussion part."

"Hey, I helped too!" Kouga challenged.

"Hardly," Sesshoumaru interjected.

Sango looked at Miroku. "Is that why you didn't eat lunch with Kagome and me today?"

He nodded. "We just wrote it today, so it may need some critiquing."

"We will play it Friday night as well," Sesshoumaru added as Miroku passed out the music.

"Nothing for us?" Kikyo asked when she, Kagura and Sango did not receive music.

"Nope. You just sit back and watch," Kouga answered.

Kagura turned to Kikyo as the three sat, once again, in the audience. "You should write another song for us. You are lead singer."

Kikyo only nodded.

"Miroku," Kagome said after being given the piano piece, "aren't you going to play the keyboard?"

Miroku shook his head with a smile. "No, you're better than me. You do it."

"Um… okay, if you say so." Kagome quickly read through her part. She unconsciously moved her fingers in the air as if she was playing on invisible keys before she nodded in understanding.

Once everyone was ready, Sesshoumaru started playing and was soon joined by the others. He then began singing with Miroku, Inuyasha and Kouga singing backup.

She came from Heaven, well there's no point belaboring that
I've seen some trouble and I must admit that I'm in demand
I confront rejection with magnetic good intentions and yet
Hey, Jack, get back, in fact, don't do that
I act sharp
But feel uncertain
'Cause next time
It could be curtains

Evangeline
Conspirator so fine
Lend me your faith 'cause mine is broken
Compared to mine
What is your crime, Evangeline?

A short music solo interrupted the words.

Now just to be certain, let's be sure to set the record straight
I could use an angel but I don't intend to split up the take
Never go for treason but I got reasons that don't warrant debate
My acts intact and in fact you're not all that
You act sure
but you're uncertain
'Cause next time
It could be curtains

Evangeline
Conspirator so fine
lend me your faith 'cause mine is broken
Compared to mine
What is your crime Evangeline

Well there's no use turning back
No use turning back
It's already much too late
When the house is burning

Kouga and Miroku played in sync while the others quieted their instruments before the four males raised their voices for the next word.

Evangeline!
Conspirator so fine
Lend me your faith 'cause mine is broken
Compared to mine
What is your crime, Evangeline?

Once they finished, Kagome made a few suggestions and was relieved when the others took her seriously. They played it through again with the changes and everyone was much more pleased with the outcome.

"Are you sure you guys can learn that song by Friday?" Sango inquired. "We are doing four songs already."

"We know the other songs well enough," Sesshoumaru said. "We can handle one more."

Sango simply shrugged. "Nice lyrics, by the way. Who wrote them?"

"Sesshoumaru," Miroku supplied. "He must have been inspired by something," he added mischievously.

His only answer was a narrow-eyed golden glare.

- - - - - - - - -

The next morning, Kikyo requested more songs from Kagome with specific instructions that they are for Kikyo to sing.

When Kikyo left, someone suddenly shouted, "Kagome!"

Kagome turned to see Sango approaching at a run. "Hey, Sango."

"Kagome, when are you going to tell the others that you're the one writing our songs?" Sango demanded.

"I don't know…"

"Why wouldn't you want to tell them? You're such a good writer! Not to mention your singing…"

"Kikyo enjoys singing so much, I couldn't take that away from her."

"She just wants the attention," Sango snapped. Seeing Kagome's hurt look, Sango's demeanor softened. "Kagome, you're always doing things for Kikyo because she's your cousin and you care about her and you want to see her happy, right?" Kagome nodded. "So shouldn't she feel the same for you? Tell her you want credit for writing your songs and see what she does. She should be happy for you, right?" Suddenly Sango's eyes narrowed. "You haven't been doing her homework for her, have you?"

"No! I can't believe you'd even think that."

Sango laughed. "You're right. I couldn't picture you cheating."

"Actually, she's never asked me to," Kagome said thoughtfully.

"Probably knows you wouldn't do it," Sango replied. "Come on, let's get to class."

Throughout the day, Sango's words preoccupied Kagome.

Tell her you want credit for writing your songs and see what she does. She should be happy for you, right

The next day during her miko training class, Kagome went to the archery field for a distraction.

Closing her eyes, she focused solely on the arrow and target. She felt her power gathering, but as she was about to release the arrow, her concentration was shattered.

"Kagome! I need mroe arrows!" Kikyo called from a short distance away.

Far from pleased, Kagome lowered her bow and arrow and went to fetch more arrows for her cousin. Kagome was distracted from her building irritation as their teacher, Kaede, exited the building as Kagome was entering. Kagome smiled, and Kaede returned the greeting.

Kaede immediately approached the only miko outside. "Kikyo, was that your aura that I felt?"

Kikyo plastered a smile onto her face, and Kaede interpreted it as confirmation.

"You have yet to demonstrate your full power to me. When will you show me?"

"Someday," Kikyo answered weakly.

Kaede sighed and left. "Felt stronger today than ever before," she murmured to herself. She smiled at Kagome as the girl raced back into the yard with more arrows.

Kagome set the arrows down next the Kikyo's remaining ones, which was actually quite a lot.

Kagome stood watching Kikyo as Sango's words from the previous day returned.

"Was there something you wanted?" Kikyo asked, and Kagome sensed the impatience in the tone of voice.

"About the songs…"

Kikyo gave Kagome her full attention. "You finished already?"

Kagome shook her head. "I was wondering if… I was thinking that I could give the songs to the band from now on."

Kikyo's initial reaction was stunned silence. "What?" Her voice was just above a deadly whisper. Before Kagome could repeat her words, Kikyo continued with forced calm. "Why would you want to do that? Everything is just fine like it is. There's no reason to change anything." She gave a curt laugh. "And just think of how they'd react. They'd probably laugh at you."

"But…"

"No buts, Kagome. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to practice some more before class is over."

Kagome sighed and left.

She should be happy for you, right?

Sango was right, wasn't she? Was Kikyo no longer the cousin Kagome had grown up with? Or had she always been so… selfish? Kagome's feelings alternated between shock, hurt, denial and anger until after school when she told Sango what had occurred.

Sango wrapped an arm around her friend. "See, Kagome? She's just been taking advantage of you."

After a pause, Kagome nodded in reluctant acknowledgement.

Kikyo's betrayal had been a cruel shock to Kagome, but at least Kagome finally saw the truth. Still, Sango hated seeing her friend so depressed. "I have an idea! Let's go to the river!" They used to go often to swim when they were younger.

Kagome smiled, liking the idea, but she said regretfully, "We can't. We have practice."

Sango huffed. "We'll just invite them, too." Grabbing Kagome's wrist, Sango dragged her friend to where the others were waiting. "Kagome and I are going to the river," she announced. "Anyone else want to come?"

"What about practice?" Kikyo demanded hotly.

"We've been practicing hard all week. We know all the songs. One day of relaxing won't hurt," Sango argued.

"I'm in," Miroku claimed.

"Me, too," Kouga declared.

"I'll go," Inuyasha added. "Bet I can beat you there, mangy wolf!"

Kouga growled. "You're on, dog breath."

"I'll go, too," Kagura said, so Kikyo agreed as well.

"Sesshoumaru?" Sango inquired.

Sesshoumaru's attention was on Kagome. He did not like the idea of skipping a practice session. However, he noticed how Kagome avoided contact with Kikyo and how Sango grasped Kagome's hand supportively in a tight hold.

Sesshoumaru tipped his head in affirmation.

"Great! Let's go," Sango exclaimed, pulling Kagome behind her.

They quickly coordinated seating arrangements, and Sesshoumaru did not miss Kagome's look of relief when she discovered she would not ride with her cousin. What did Kikyo do? he wondered, suppressing a growl.

Once they parked their cars—Sesshoumaru arrived first—they walked amongst tall, sparsely spread trees before arriving at a pebble-strewn bank.

"We should have brought food," Sango murmured wistfully. Suddenly saw felt a hand inching towards her rear. Turning, she witnessed Miroku with a clearly false face of innocence. "Hentai!"

With a smack, Miroku was knocked into the crystal clear water. After taking a moment to recover his bearings, a sly grin appeared on Miroku's face as he watched Sango eyeing his wet clothes.

Sango pinked slightly and held her hands defensively in front of her. "I wasn't—don't think—"

Miroku's hand wrapped around Sango's wrist, and with a yank, Sango became as wet as he was.

Soon Kouga and Inuyasha were soaked, having tripped each other during another of their fights.

Kagome could not help but laugh.

Kikyo and Kagura rolled their eyes at the boyish behavior while secretly observing the way drenched material clung to well-muscled chests.

"Sesshoumaru, aren't you going to go in?" Kagura asked impishly, then pouted when Sesshoumaru did not even spare her a glance. She and Kikyo shortly gave in and joined the others in the water.

"Kagome, come on!" Sango called while splashing at Miroku.

Kagome shook her head. "I think I'm going to take a walk."

"Okay. I'll come with you." Sango started to exit the water and Kagome held back a chuckle at Miroku's disappointed expression.

"No, thanks," Kagome said, turning to leave. "I'm just going to clear my head, you know?"

"You sure?" Kagome nodded. "All right. Don't get lost!"

With a wave, Kagome disappeared into the trees, following the river upstream. The air was beginning to cool, and the breeze was refreshing. Kagome found a place where the river width thinned and she could cross by jumping onto stones above the surface of the water. She was careful not to slip on the shiny wet ones.

Kagome backtracked somewhat once on the opposite bank until she found a grassy area to sit. She rested her chin on her bent knees and enjoyed her surroundings.

The trees cast long shadows onto the water. Where the sun slipped through, the water sparkled brightly. The rushing and splashing of the water was as calming as the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves of the deep green foliage. Birds chirped in the distance, and the smells of the forest invaded her nose. She did not have to be in her demon form to enjoy nature, though she could not help but wonder how much more powerful her experience would be with heightened senses.

Kagome heard someone approaching behind her. Thinking that perhaps Sango had followed after all, her gaze did not leave the water.

Much to her surprise, Sesshoumaru joined her, taking a seat a short but respectable distance from her. One forearm rested on a bent knee, the other leg tucked beneath.

Kagome was both shocked and curious at his arrival, but when he remained silent, she relaxed and her thoughts began to drift. After a long while, Kagome's quiet voice interrupted the stillness between them. "Why is it that people must always disturb the peace of others?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes quickly alighted on her form, wondering if she was referring to his intrusion of her solitude. But when he followed her gaze to where their fellow band mates were splashing and throwing stones in the river, and when he did not detect any impression of annoyance from her, he realized her question was simply one of rhetorical contemplation. Whether she wanted an answer or not, he would supply one.

"Some beings need to, in order to live with the chaos of their own lives."

Kagome had not expected an answer, so his deep voice surprised her. She thought about his words for a moment before turning to look at him. He was not looking at her, but she smiled her gratitude anyway.

From the corner of his eye, he saw her smile. When she turned back to regard the river, he allowed a smirk to momentarily grace his features.

Silence again surrounded the two. Kagome grew accustomed to, then appreciative of, Sesshoumaru's presence. He was a quiet pillar of strength that Kagome felt, for the moment, would support her.

After some time of inwardly debating herself, Kagome spoke again.

"Sesshoumaru… what would you say if I told you I could write songs?" she inquired hesitantly.

He remained mute, thinking about his answer and where the conversation might lead. "I would believe you."

She appeared to struggle for the right words. "What if I wrote a song?"

"Anyone is welcome to write music who is capable and wishes to. Whether it is an acceptable song is for the band as a whole to decide, as usual."

She seemed reassured by his answer.

Kagome was grateful for both the words he did speak and the ones he did not. He did not question her but he answered her questions. If, for whatever reason, he had ulterior motives, she presently did not care.

They became quiet once more. Eventually the sun began to near the horizon, and Sango could be heard calling Kagome's name.

With a sigh, Kagome stretched her legs and started to stand from her comfortable spot. Suddenly she found herself presented with a large, clawed hand. She looked up to meet a pair of warm golden eyes.

Kagome gave him a bright smile as she placed her small hand in his.

MadMood: I'm sorry, should I have put a warning? I am glad you still liked it. Thanks for reviewing!

SesshoumarusSisterFate: Thank you very much. I am so pleased you think so. I apologize for not updating sooner.

Kakiomae: I am glad your questions were answered. In this story, Sango will probably remain loyal in her promise not to tell anyone. She may tell Miroku, but I have not decided yet, to be honest. I am flattered you like my story so much. Thank you for the review!

cuttie-blossom: I am sorry I did not update sooner. As far as Inuyasha is concerned, he will enter the story a bit more in the future, but he is not really a major character in this story. Thanks for the review!

Elegant Enchantress: Sorry I was slower this time. And yes, the spell conceals all of Kagome's demon characteristics. Thanks so much for reviewing!

NyghtShadow: I agree with you on both points, and you can expect at least one more Evanescence song in future chapters. I am happy you are enjoying the story. Thank you for reviewing!

Tensaiga: Lol, I agree with you about Kikyo. Don't worry; she will get what she deserves. At least, I hope what I have planned is what she deserves… Anyway, thank you for the review!

Arcangel3012: Yes, things will take a turn for the better, for Kagome anyway. I won't make any promises where Kikyo is concerned. I will certainly keep in mind your request for family information and try to work it into the story. I would very much appreciate viewing your songs. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for reviewing! I apologize for taking so long to update and reply.

AyameMoonflower: Thanks, I will! I hope it continues to please you. Sorry I took so long!

PinkGrenade: I hope the story continues to meet with your expectations. Thank you for the review!

Akeno-Chan: I am glad you do. Thanks for reviewing!

Demonic Devils: I am happy to hear that. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, too.

HermioneTheSlytherinPrincess: Thank you! I hope you continue to think so.

animeadhdgeek14: I am touched you like my story so much, and perhaps connect with it slightly? To answer your question, yes, Kagome's true identity will be revealed in future chapters. I am sorry I did not update sooner. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. Thank you very much for the review!

Sesshie's Black Dominatrix: Your reviews are always so considerate. Thank you so much! I am so happy to hear that you enjoy my writing. And yes, I think some of Kaogme's feelings are rather common in real life. I hope to update sooner next time. Thank you again!

Pyra-Vamp-Chick: - returns hug – I am happy to see that you like the story. Thanks so much for the review!

Kagome21: I am so pleased that you are enjoying the story. I love Evanescence as well, but I do not have Origin, though I really want it. I will try and update sooner next time, but I cannot guarantee anything. Thank you very much for the review!

Tigermage: Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy it!

country-inugirl03: You do not have to apologize. Thank you for reviewing! I am glad you like the songs. May I ask what quad riding is?

lifes' angle: Thanks! I am sorry I did not update sooner. I hope the story continues to please you.

Tiney: I am just glad you are enjoying my story. And the songs are not mine. Check the very top of the chapter if you want to know whom they belong to. Thank you for the review!

Sesshomaru's true mate: Thank you so much! I apologize for not updating sooner. Yes, Kagome's real form will eventually be revealed to the group. When and how, though, is a surprise.

Manga-Anime-Lova: Thank you! I will try and update sooner next time. Is your friend one of my reviewers that I may thank her for recommending my story?

Kjinuyasha: I will try not to leave you waiting for long between update, but I cannot guarantee anything. Thank you for reviewing!