Disclaimer: The first song is Silence is Golden by Garbage and was recommended to me by Owarinari, for which I am extremely grateful. The second song is Epiphany by Bad Religion.
Kagome's lips reflexively turned upwards into a soft smile as her thoughts wondered yet again to the time spent with Sesshoumaru at the riverside. Though unusual, she had come to the conclusion that he had simply been offering console. After all, she had nothing that could be of any interest to him.
The incident had left her confused, calmed, contented… and inspired. She had not had such a wonderful experience in a long while. He had even woken feelings that she had long suppressed and tried to deny.
Their concert Friday night went as expected. They performed perfectly, despite having skipped a day of practice. Audience members sang along with the songs they knew and cheered for the new additions. Kikyo and her backup singers used the time when the guys sang to change outfits. Females fawned over the males, Sesshoumaru being the most popular. Kikyo had most of the male fans, though Kagura was a close second.
Because of their success, Sesshoumaru canceled Saturday's practice session as a reward. So when the band met for practice on Sunday, Kagome had several new songs written.
Once everyone had warmed up, Kikyo asked, "So what are we going to start with?"
"You mean you had the whole day yesterday and you don't have any new songs for us?" Sango retorted. "And don't even think about using studying as an excuse."
Kikyo glowered fiercely and opened her mouth to voice an angry reply, but Kagome interrupted.
"I have a song," she spoke up hesitantly. Kagome instantly replaced Sango as the recipient of Kikyo's glare.
If I am silent, then I am not real
But if I speak up, then no one will hear
If I wear a mask, there's somewhere to hide
Silence is golden
I have been broken
Safe in my own skin
So nobody wins
Forcing herself to meet her cousin's heated stare, Kagome handed Kikyo the papers. With poorly hidden reluctance, Kikyo handed out each part to the designated artist.
If I raise my voice, will someone get hurt
And if I can't feel, then I won't get touched
If no truths are spoken, then no lies can hide
Silence is golden
I have been broken
Safe in my own skin
So nobody wins
They played the song through several times until no mistakes were made. Kikyo had the justification of never having seen the music before, but she still required the most practice before she could sing the entire song through as it was written.
Silence is golden
Nobody gets in
Safe in my own skin
So nobody wins
Did you hear me speak?
Do you understand?
Did you hear my voice?
Will you hold my hand?
Do you understand me?
Won't someone listen?
Nobody gets in
My body's a temple
But nothing is simple
Silence is golden
I have been broken
Something was stolen
Safe in my own skin
The song concluded with a mixed collage of the last several verses. Kagome kept her gaze on her keyboard until she had gathered the courage to face the analysis of the others.
In the end, she received no negative feedback.
Sesshoumaru inwardly smiled when Kagome announced that she had written a song, and then smirked when she resisted Kikyo's silent anger.
Kagome's song was as well written as all of her others. He was somewhat surprised when she did not take credit for all of her previous songs. But only an idiot would not realize that Kagome was also the creator of the older music.
"Hey, Kagome. You write songs as good as Kikyo's," Inuyasha proclaimed, as if his words were the highest praise given.
Sesshoumaru silently groaned. Baka…
"Inuyasha, you idiot! Kag—"
"Sango!" Kagome cut her friend off, shaking her head vigorously.
Sango huffed and crossed her arms, but remained silent.
"Dumbass," Kouga growled at Inuyasha. " Kagome wrote those songs!"
A stunned silence descended. Everyone was shocked either at the truth of Kouga's words or that he was the one to discern the reality of the situation.
"Seriously, mutt face. You dated her," Kouga added. "You should have known your girlfriend isn't that talented."
"Ex-girlfriend!" Inuyasha and Kikyo automatically corrected.
"Whatever."
Kagome and Kikyo were questioned on the issues of possession and secrecy, but both refused to answer. Finally Sango ordered the others to leave Kagome alone.
Encouraged, Kagome presented a second completed song. However, Kikyo was unable to sing the higher notes, so the song was set aside.
They practiced for a few hours before they went their separate ways, agreeing to meet for practice again after school on Tuesday.
Monday, Kagome had lunch with Sango and Miroku, which was not an uncommon occurrence.
Mirkoku's sudden question, however, surprised both Kagome and Sango.
"Kagome, are you free after school?" he inquired in a falsely innocent tone.
Kagome blinked in confusion while Sango smacked her boyfriend on the back of the head.
"Ouch! You didn't let me finish!" Miroku protested. "The other guys and myself have been suffering from a case of writer's block for a while for a certain song," he explained. "Yesterday convinced us that you might be able to help us, so we were wondering if you could join us after school to work on it. We were going to get a table at that diner down the street. So, can you come?"
With a supportive look from Sango, Kagome nodded in acquiescence. "Sure. Should I meet you guys there?"
"That would be great."
Kagome was the last to arrive. She found them in a semicircular booth in the back corner, the table separating Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. Kouga and Miroku, sitting between the two brothers, seemed to provide a barrier as well. When she approached, only Miroku looked as if he was expecting her.
"Kagome? What're you doing here?" Kouga asked, looking confused.
"I invited her," Miroku stated confidently, earning glares from his fellow band members. "Come on, maybe she can help," he added quickly in his defense.
Suppressing a groan and fighting a blush, Kagome explained, "Sorry. I thought you knew I was coming. I'll just go." She turned to leave with every intention of doing just as she said.
But she was stopped by a quiet, commanding voice. "Wait," Sesshoumaru told her, causing her to face the group again. "Perhaps you may be of some assistance."
"What? She'll turn it into some girly song!" Inuyasha protested.
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Must I remind you that only last week you commented about one of my songs 'now that's what I'm talking about'?"
Inuyasha muttered under his breath but did not protest further.
Sesshoumaru shifted just enough to suggest an invitation to sit beside him, which Kagome gladly accepted, preferring not to sit next to a still-grumbling Inuyasha.
Miroku passed her the music sheets.
"We've got most of the tune. We're mostly having trouble with finding words to go along with it," Kouga stated.
With a clawed finger, Sesshoumaru indicated a set of several bars of music more complex than most of the others. "These…" he began, but Kagome finished for him.
"You don't want any words, right? Just music." The others nodded. "The beginning and end parts are nice, too. Were you going to try to avoid words there as well?" she inquired.
Sesshoumaru thought a moment before tipping his head in concurrence while the others looked uncertain.
Kagome studied the music further before pointing to a line of words that had been crossed out. "I like where this is going. Why did you get rid of it?"
Miroku leaned over to better see what she was referring to. "Oh, that. Yeah, we liked the start, but couldn't figure out an ending. We were just going to try writing something new. We still haven't had that sudden, inspirational idea, though."
"Sudden…realization," Kagome murmured to herself.
"What?" Inuyasha demanded. "Quit mumbling."
Kagome ignored him. "Epiphany."
As his band mates looked confused, Sesshoumaru eyed the music. "It works."
Kagome gave him a small smile.
Grabbing a pen, Sesshoumaru wrote in the word and passed the music around, and the others agreed with his words.
After a short pause, Sesshoumaru pointed to another unfinished verse. "This line has too many syllables, but I do not know which word or words to substitute."
Kagome and Sesshoumaru were soon deep in discussion, exchanging ideas and suggesting new ones. The others found themselves able to offer little assistance. The two were barely aware when, one by one, their fellow musicians gave a poor excuse and left.
Time continued to elapse, unnoticed.
Several hours and two orders of food later, the two were satisfied with the result.
Sesshoumaru nodded in approval. "We can play it tomorrow."
Kagome sighed as she realized the time, thinking of the homework she had to finish.
"Come. I will drive you home." Sesshoumaru's offer came as a surprise, but she did not object.
Each was lost in thought, so the short trip was relatively silent, with the exception of divulging directions. Even so, the silence was a comfortable one.
"Thanks for the ride. I'll see you tomorrow," she told him cheerfully before she closed the passenger side door.
Her only response was a nod, but she had not expected anything else. Kagome smiled before running up the shrine steps and entering her house. She had truly enjoyed the day.
She called a greeting to her family. Her mother was home, but Mrs. Higurashi usually was. Kagome's grandfather's age had begun to become an obstacle for him. Consequently, Kagome's mother had retired early from a decent job as a hostess in order to help care for the shrine. They were not rich, but they had enough. Sometimes Kagome brought home money from performances, which helped.
Sesshoumaru returned home still somewhat lost in thought. He had spent some hours with Kagome, a human female, during which they had held intelligent conversation—a feat never before achieved with him. Furthermore, he enjoyed her company, even more so once the others left. And he found himself wishing to spend more time with her.
A new age of reason
Brain treason, to trick the mind
What good is searching
If nothing's there to find?
We arrive at this place
Of no return my brothers
Only to discover that our minds have led us away
So far from the painful truth
Of who we are
What's right is wrong
What's come has gone
What's clear and pure is not so sure
(It came to me)
All promises become a lie
All that's benign corrupts in time
The fallacy
Of epiphany
Come forth bear witness
See the profit from your loss
Beg for forgiveness
Only after you tally the cost
We arrive at this place
Of no return my sisters
Only to discover that our values ran us aground
On the shoal in the sea of what
We could be
What's right is wrong
What's come has gone
What's clear and pure is not so sure
(It came to me)
All promises become a lie
All that's benign corrupts in time
The fallacy
Of epiphany
If it's real for me, do I have to prove it to you?
Why do revelations fade to cold blue untruths?
It's oh so relative
Subservient in total to one's perspective
What's right is wrong
What's come has gone
What's clear and pure is not so sure
It came to me
All promises become a lie
All that's benign corrupts in time
The fallacy
Of epiphany
The next day, the group performed the song. Sesshoumaru sang the lead with the other males singing backup. The entire group agreed that the song was brilliant. Sesshoumaru ignored while Kagome blushed slightly at the few sly comments about the excellent team the two made.
That day, Kagome also presented the group with another song to undertake.
Tigermage: This is really my first attempt at a romance, so I am glad you approve so far. I am pleased to know that you are enjoying the songs as well. I hope the story continues to meet with your expectations. Thank you for the review!
Tensaiga: Lol. Nice insult, would you mind if I used it? I am happy to hear that you are still enjoying the story. Thanks for reviewing!
cuttie-blossom: Well, what you said was true, lol. I am glad you liked the last chapter. Thank you for reviewing!
Owarinari: Thank you so much for the suggestion! I did not have the CD, so I had not heard it before, but after reading the lyrics, I downloaded the song and I thought it would work better for this chapter than what I had initially planned. Thank you again and I hope the story continues to please!
MadMood: I am glad you think so. Thanks for reviewing!
Kakiomae: Thank you very much! I'm flattered you think so highly of my story. I just hope it continues to entertain you.
Arcangel3012: I admit I was confused when your first review contained no URL, lol. Anyway, I have had the pleasure of reading your song and I very much enjoyed it. You have a talent for writing.
Sesshie's Black Dominatrix: I am glad to hear that my story helps in keeping your boredom at bay. I wish I had more time to update because even I am thoroughly engrossed in this story. My other two online fanfictions had become neglected as a result. Thanks so much for the praise. I am really happy to hear that you enjoy reading my story.
Kagome21: I am glad to here you enjoyed the last chapter. If your friend is Manga-Anime-Lova, then yes, she did review. I am thrilled that you think so highly of my story to recommend it to your friend. Thank you so much for the review!
sako: They do, I certainly agree. Thank you for reviewing and I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
NyghtShadow: I am happy to hear that. Thanks for the review!
Emeraldrose13: I am glad you think so. I will update when I can. Thank you for reviewing!
animeadhdgeek14: I am glad my story pleases you so much. I hope this chapter meets with your approval as well. Thank you for reviewing!
Do a DAMN GOOGLE SEARCH: I am pleased you think so positively of my story. I hope this chapter is just as enjoyable. Thanks so much for the review! (By the way, I like your penname.)
Blue-Moon Sky: Thank you! I will try my best.
Kjinuyasha: Thanks! I am happy you think so.
KiTsUnEoOkAmI: Thanks very much! I hope you find future chapters just as pleasing. I will update when I can.
MataruDoukotsu: Thank you so much! I am trying to keep them in character, but to be honest I had not thought I had seen enough of the show to do so very accurately. I am reassured to hear that you think I portray them well. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks, again!
ladylillyofazra: I am glad you think so! Thanks for reviewing!
Kagome-Sano's grl: I am happy you seem to be enjoying my story. I will update when I am able. Thank you for the review!
Tiney: He just might. -wink- Thank you for reviewing!