Disclaimer: The following song is Everybody's Fool by Evanescence.
Of Kagome's newest song, Miroku commented to Sesshoumaru, who sang it, "It sounds like you are actually singing it to someone."
An idea suddenly came to Sango. "You should sing it to someone," she declared excitedly.
Kagura slinked up to Sesshoumaru. "You could sing it to me," she said in a low voice.
Sesshoumaru barely withheld a look of disgust. "I'd rather not."
Kagura frowned and said nothing further.
"You should pick some girl out of the audience," Sango suggested.
"That would definitely increase our popularity with the women," Miroku commented.
Before Sesshoumaru could speak, his cell phone rang. He rarely accepted calls during practice, but after checking the caller identification, he answered the phone. He walked off, and after a short discussion, returned with a decision.
"We will try what you proposed tomorrow at Wind Scar." Wind Scar was a club they performed at often. "They had a last minute cancellation and asked us to play instead."
"Let's get practicing, then," Inuyasha grumbled.
The band worked solely on the newest song for the rest of the day and most of the next, until the time came to leave for the club.
The song, with the addition of the act of bringing a randomly selected girl on stage to be sung to by Sesshoumaru, was an immense success. Their performance was so popular that the club owner asked them to return for a repeat recital every night for the rest of the week. Each night, the number of women in the audience grew.
Friday afternoon, Sango did not see Kagome at their usual lunch table. After a quick search, Sango found her friend in the shade of a large tree. Kagome seemed to be focused on the papers the rested against her bent legs, and so did not notice Sango until her friend had taken a seat beside her.
"Everything okay, Kagome?" Sango asked worriedly. "What's up?"
Kagome released a heavy sigh. "Kikyo."
Sango's eyes hardened. "What did she do?"
Kagome shook her head, smiling at her friend's protectiveness. "Nothing more than usual, but… I guess I finally realized how much she bosses me around. I was watching her being complimented by her little clique, and I tried to remember the last time she had said anything nice to me, and I couldn't. I also tried to think of the last time was that she thanked me—sincerely thanked me—for anything I'd done for her, and came up with another blank." Kagome gave a terse huff. "It really… pissed me off." She looked at the papers in her lap, and Sango saw that they were music sheets. "So I wrote this. I suppose my intention was having her sing it and see if she realized it was about her. But after I finished writing, I felt better. Talking to you made me feel better, too," Kagome added, looking at Sango with appreciation.
Sango smiled, and took the song from Kagome to read it. "This is good. Are you sure you don't want to give it to the band anymore? I mean, Kikyo deserves it," Sango said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'd love to see her face when she realizes you wrote it about her."
Kagome laughed. "No, I don't think so."
Sango gave an exaggeratedly disappointed sigh. "All right, if you insist."
"I do."
The owner of Wind Scar continued to beg them for more shows. He had even begun to pay them. The entire group, however, was beginning to tire of the song. Finally, Sesshoumaru declared that Monday would be their last replicate performance.
Sunday night they stayed after they finished playing to simply relax and enjoy the club. The music and food were decent, and they found themselves having a relatively enjoyable time.
At one point, the manager stepped up to the microphone and announced that Sunday's Open Mic Night was about to begin. "Sign up at the table in the corner. Remember, you may provide your own music or sing karaoke."
Kikyo and Kagura both jumped at the chance to sing a solo. After a moment, Sango left their table as well. Sesshoumaru was disappointed when Kagome made no move to sign up to sing.
After an adequate soloist followed by a guitarist, Kagura's name was announced. She was worse than Sesshoumaru expected. Her high notes caused even a few humans to wince. Yet she returned with a smug smile upon her face. "Now, don't you think I should be lead singer?"
"Uh, no," Inuyasha replied.
She glared at him, but her reply was drowned out by the announcement of the next performer: Kikyo.
Kikyo was little better than Kagura, so Sango tuned out the sound. "Kagome," Sango said, gaining the other girl's attention. Kagome was wary of the large, roguish grin on Sango's face. "You're up next."
"What? No. I didn't sign up," Kagome protested hastily.
"I know. I signed you up."
"Sango…" Kagome began to object again.
"Come on, do that one you showed me Friday. Please!" Sango begged.
"But…but what about the piano, bass and drum parts?"
"I'm sure the guys wouldn't mind playing one more song tonight, would you?" Sango inquired, suddenly addressing the males at the table.
"I would be delighted to join you, Kagome," Miroku spoke. "I haven't played piano in a while, but I still remember how. I will play while you sing."
"I'll play," Kouga said.
"Inuyasha?" Sango asked, remembering that drums were required.
"Feh."
"I'll take that as a 'yes'. Sesshoumaru, are you going to play, too?"
Sesshoumaru met Kagome's uncertain gaze for a moment before he nodded. He anticipated hearing her sing again.
"Great! Well, Kagome, give them the music."
Still tentative, Kagome gave each musician the part he was to play. She supposed she should be happy that they were all excellent cite readers.
Kikyo's song ended and she returned to the group. "What did you think?" Her voice told them she expected to be showered with praise.
Then the announcer named Kagome as the next singer. She and her accompanists stood and walked to the stage.
A firm grip on her upper arm halted Kagome's progress. She turned to see Kikyo pale with rage. "Don't do this," she hissed.
Suddenly, all of Kagome's hesitation evaporated. Her eyes narrowed at her cousin, but Kagome said nothing as she wrested her arm out of Kikyo's grasp and followed the others.
She cautiously approached the microphone, willing the nervous beating of her heart to calm. Kagome nodded to Miroku to begin, and the familiar piano notes encouraged her further. Inuyasha, Kouga and Sesshoumaru began playing, and soon after Kagome's voice sounded harmoniously throughout the building.
Perfect by nature
Icons of self-indulgence
Just what we all need
More lies about a world that
Never was and never will be
Have you no shame, don't you see me?
You know you've got everybody fooled
Her voice became slightly sardonic.
Look here she comes now
Bow down and stare in wonder
Oh, how we love you
No flaws when you're pretending…
But now I know she
Kagome's voice returned to its melodious honesty.
Never was and never will be
You don't know how you've betrayed me
And somehow you've got everybody fooled
Without the mask where will you hide?
Can't find yourself lost in your lie
Sesshoumaru noticed as everyone, both demon and human, ceased all talk and action to listen to Kagome's voice. He saw a look of pride in Sango's face and could not avoid a feeling of satisfaction himself, having been one of the first to know of Kagome's talent. Kikyo's anger and fear were apparent to him as well.
I know the truth, now
I know who you are
And I don't love you anymore
It never was and never will be
You don't know how you've betrayed me
And somehow you've got everybody fooled
It never was and never will be
You're not real and you can't save me
Somehow now you're everybody's fool
Kagome held the final word for several measures, slowly lowering the volume of her voice into silence. She let the guys finish their parts, and then silence reigned for a moment before applause, cheering and whistling broke out.
Surprised but elated, Kagome gave a quick bow before turning to smile gratefully at her fellow musicians.
"Kagome, that was awesome!" Kouga proclaimed as they left the stage.
"I usually don't agree with the mangy wolf, but you did sing really nice," Inuyasha admitted.
"I didn't know you could sing like that," Miroku added. "You truly do have a lovely voice."
"Thanks," she told them, trying not to blush from all of the compliments.
"Kagome! You were amazing!" Sango exclaimed, crushing Kagome in a tight hug. "I knew you would be!"
"You will be our new lead singer," Sesshoumaru announced calmly.
"What?" a chorus of voices shouted.
He raised an eyebrow. "Who objects?"
"I do," Kikyo stated vehemently.
"Of course you would," Sango sneered.
"Anyone else?" Sesshoumaru asked derisively.
Kagome gathered her courage. "I do." Everyone looked at her with surprise, but she held firm. "I love playing keyboard. I don't want to quit." She had first been introduced to music through piano lessons. She refused to give up what she cherished so much.
Sesshoumaru could see in her eyes, which had regained some their fiery determination, that she would not relinquish her role as pianist, even for a position of greater fame and fortune; one of many traits that made her superior to her cousin, in his view.
"Then you will play piano when you do not sing. When you do, Miroku will play. Is that suitable?"
He was somewhat surprised when, rather than immediately accepting his terms, she seemed to consider them carefully. Finally, she replied, "Okay." She bestowed upon him a dazzling smile that reached her eyes.
"What about me?" Kikyo demanded.
"You're out," Sango answered instantly.
"You don't decide that," Kikyo retorted.
"You could be a backup singer, if you must stay," Sesshoumaru offered coldly, not even sparing her a glance.
Kikyo released an irritated growl. "Forget it. I quit!" She then proceeded to stomp away. Sesshoumaru idly wondered if she expected someone to chase after her before he dismissed her completely from his thoughts.
Sesshoumaru refused to acknowledge the jealousy he felt when Kagome was asked several times to dance, and he rejected the feeling of smug relief when she declined all of the offers. He nearly smiled when she was asked for an encore performance.
Once, she discovered his gaze on her. She met his eyes for a moment, but blushed and looked away at the intensity of his golden stare.
An older man asked Kagome for a private conversation. Though uncertain, she accepted and followed him to the bar.
Sesshoumaru watched fixedly. She shook her head to an offer mostly likely for a drink, which was confirmed when the man ordered one for himself. He spoke a short time, and Kagome again shook her head in a refusal and gave a reply. The man spoke a bit more before pressing a business card into her hand, and with a few parting words, he left.
Sesshoumaru watched Kagome stare after the man a moment before depositing the business card in the man's ice-filled cup and returning to their table. He inwardly smiled at her blatant rejection and was glad she had not fallen for whatever enticements the man had tried to use to convince her to leave their band.
"Did he offer you a singing career?" Sesshoumaru questioned nonchalantly when she had taken her seat again.
Kagome nodded but quickly added, "But I turned him down."
"Why?" He allowed some of his curiosity to soften his tone.
Kagome shrugged. "I don't want to leave our band," she replied quietly. "Plus, I want to finish school."
He simply nodded.
When the others had all left for the dance floor, she asked him if he had written any new songs, and he found himself pulled into another conversation with her. Other topics were broached as well. Despite being in a load, crowded nightclub, he soon felt as though they were the only ones there. And he enjoyed the feeling of being with no one but her.
As they spoke, he began to wonder how she would react if he asked her out on a date.
Kagome was astonished and pleased when he did not dismiss her attempt to start a discussion with him. She had very much enjoyed their last exchange. Kagome knew she should not allow her hopes to rise, but Sesshoumaru was acting continually less constrained in her presence. Occasionally, she would even see his lips twitch upwards or his eyes flicker with emotion.
Maybe, just maybe, they could be friends.
Do a DAMN GOOGLE SEARCH: Funny story. May I ask what book? I remember reading a book where I did not know what a lot of the words meant, so I kept a dictionary with me, lol. Anyway, thank you very much for the review! Eventually, you will see them get together.
MadMood: I updated sooner! I hope you feel the same about this chapter as you did the last. Thanks for reviewing!
inusgirl4life: I do not blame you. I skip A/Ns as well sometimes. Now that the band knows Kagome both writes songs and can sing, there is really only one secret left to reveal, right? So it may come sooner than you think. Thank you for reviewing!
lyn: Will do. Thanks for the review!
Grr Who Are You: Thanks so much! I am glad to hear that!
kirejugatsu: I am pleased to hear you can somewhat connect with the story. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
cuttie-blossom: I am trying my best, but this is really the first romance fanfiction I have ever written. I am trying not to make it too fast, either. I am happy that you are pleased so far. Thank you for the review!
Rhiannon: I am so relieved that you think so. I will continue to try my hardest. Thanks for reviewing!
Kagome-Sano's grl: I hope this was a decent pace for you. Thank you for the review!
royal blueKitsune: Kikyo's torture sounds like something Sesshoumaru would do. Lol. I am happy that you have been enjoying the story. Thank you for reviewing!
Arnen: I am pleased that you made an exception for my story. To be honest, I did not used to like AU fictions either. Thank you very much for reviewing!
Kagome21: This chapter may have answered your question, but to clarify, the band knew Kagome wrote the songs, but they did not know she could sing so well until this chapter. So until now, they still required Kikyo as female lead singer. Thank you for the review!
Sesshie's Black Dominatrix: My other two fanfictions are not Inuyasha, nor do they have pairings. This is really my first attempt at a romance fanfiction. As for my other posted stories, one I have been writing on and off for months, so my readers are used to lulls in my updating. The other I only just began, so it does not have many supporters yet. So, basically, no one will yell at me for focusing solely on this story for a while. I hope you continue to enjoy. And I was able to update a bit faster this time! Thank you for reviewing!
Emeraldrose13: I am happy to hear you say so. Thanks for the review!
NaNo: Thank you! I will be sure to do just that!
ajax5: Kagome now has only the secret of being a demon to reveal, so you may not have much longer to wait. As far as the romance, I will see what I can do. I am glad you are enjoying the story, though. Thank you for reviewing!
PinkGrenade: Really, you do not need to apologize. I am glad you like the story. Thanks so much for reviewing!
lildevil0644: Well, she sang in this chapter, so you get to look forward to her powers being revealed later. Thank you for the review!
first-aid: Thanks! I am pleased that you think so. I hope this was a decent update pace for you.
DudettRin101: Thank you! I will try not to make you wait for too long between updates.
TamiaEternity: Thanks! I am happy you like it!
KamiZoe1670: I am very pleased to hear that. I will update when I can. Thank you so much!
carnatla: You bring up a good point. My thinking was, because Kikyo and Kagome are cousins, they would have similar auras. Kagome's is so powerful, when fully released, that all Kaede can really sense is the sheer strength. The power overwhelms the ability to identify the owner, and Kaede is not there to physically see whom the power is coming from. I hope that makes sense. Anyway, that was very thoughtful of you. Thank you for the praise! I am glad you are enjoying the story.
KiTsUnEoOkAmI: I am happy to hear you are still enjoying the story. Thank you for reviewing!