A/N: First of all, I am very sorry for not updating sooner everyone. I was having some major writer's block added to a busy life. I'll try my best to get the next chapter out sooner. Secondly, I would like to dedicate this chapter to royal blueKitsune and Mis0ka with my deepest thanks and apologies. I had placed your reviews in a different folder because you had been kind enough to give me song suggestions and I wanted to ensure that I knew where they were and did not delete them on accident. But I forgot to check that folder when naming my reviewers in thanks in the last chapter. I did not intentionally forget you! Thank you so much for your reviews! Now, on with the story!

Disclaimer: The following song is All or Nothing by Athena Cage. It can be found on one of the soundtracks to the movie "Save the Last Dance." (Thank you to midnightloon for reminding me about the disclaimer!)

Inuyasha opened the song with a rhythmic beating, then added a light rolling of his drumsticks on a cymbal before setting the tempo of the song.

Here's the chance of life, get ready, set, fly high.
Above the fear of your mind, go for it.
It's hit or miss, too late for you to quit.
You gotta show 'em how bad you really want this, so...

Live your dreams, it's not as hard as it may seem.
You gotta work to get the cream, on your hopes you must lean.
From your fears, you have to wean yourself.
It's all or nothing, give your everything.

The girls had presented their song at Thursday's practice session, and the band had agreed to perform it at Friday's concert for the opening of a new club. The lower voices of Sango and Kagura blended well with Kagome's, strengthening the song as they supported her and took on the role of singing the chorus.

You are what you believe, you got to bring the dreams.
Set the pace, competition: take the lead.
This is it, all eyes on you.
So stay on point and prove,
that you deserve what's long overdue.

Live your dreams, it's not as hard as it may seem.
You gotta work to get the cream, on your hopes you must lean.
From your fears, you have to wean yourself.
It's all or nothing, give your everything.

Kagome had never known her life could be so serene. Kaede provided her with useful tips and informative lessons, and her skills were being honed. Kagome was treated with respect and even admiration. She did not care for the copious amounts of attention she was receiving from both male humans and demons, but it was not too overbearing. Sesshoumaru seemed to be spending more of his time around her, though he did not open up to her as she silently wished. But he had done so much for her, she had no complaints.

My heart is still recovering,
From the heartbreak of another kind,
I'm still drying my tears.
Getting over my own fears in my life.
So I wanna make sure this time that I'm strong enough,
To give it my all...

Live your dreams, it's not as hard as it may seem.
You gotta work to get the cream, on your hopes you must lean.
From your fears, you have to wean yourself.
It's all or nothing, give your everything...

Kikyo had been suspended from school. When Mrs. Higurashi was told of the fight, she immediately called her sister, but Kikyo's mother remained in denial that her 'perfect' daughter would act so inappropriately. The wealth of Kikyo's family had been what saved her from expulsion.

As the music silenced except for Inuyasha keeping the tempo on the bass drum, Sango and Kagura prompted the audience to clap to the beat. The two then sauntered up to stand beside Kagome, taking their microphones with them.

The guys were all surprised, as they had no knowledge that the girls had choreographed moves for the last part of the song. Nor did they know that it was at Kagura's prompting.

Live your dreams!

Live your dreams, it's not as hard as it may seem.

As the three sang, their shoulders moved to the rhythm.

You gotta work to get the cream, on your hopes you must lean.

Briefly Sango and Kagura's backs rested against Kagome's shoulders, using her as support, before pushing away.

From your fears, you have to wean yourself.

Their strides matched evenly as they approached the edge of the stage.

It's all or nothing, give your everything...

If the males were surprised before, they were taken aback when the girls turned on their heels and neared them. At first walking together with even strides, the three then split up.

Live your dreams, it's not as hard as it may seem.

Kagura advanced towards Kouga, Sango to Miroku, and Kagome towards Sesshoumaru.

You gotta work to get the cream, on your hopes you must lean.

As Sango and Kagura had done to Kagome before, the three girls now leaned against their respective men as they continued to sing.

From your fears, you have to wean yourself.

The contact was brief, both because Kagome was worried about Sesshoumaru's reaction and because she did not want to hinder his playing. He could barely feel the heat of her skin through both of their clothing. All too soon, she drew away and rejoined Sango and Kagura at the front of the stage.

It's all or nothing, give your everything...

Sesshoumaru could only thank the gods that his fingers knew what notes to play, even if his mind had gone blank.

So you gotta live your dreams,
So don't you be afraid.
Just set the pace, and take the lead,
It's your time to shine.

A soft smile graced Kagome's lips as the song finished, but not because of the cheering crowds or the group's obvious popularity. No, she smiled because she liked to think that, thanks to Sesshoumaru, she had been given her own time to shine.

Black curtains closed around them, shielding them from their fans. Almost immediately, Miroku had dragged Sango off somewhere more private, not against her will. Kagura remained with Kagome to comment on their performance, both agreeing that it had been a success. As Kagura spoke, playfully praising her own choreography skills, Kagome's eyes drifted to Sesshoumaru, who was packing up his instrument. Fighting down a blush, she recalled the conversation that had led to her being "partnered" with Sesshoumaru for that small piece of the dance.

"C'mon, Kagome. It's either Sesshoumaru or Inuyasha, and you can't go to Inuyasha because the drums will be in the way, or you'll mess up his playing," Sango argued. She, of course, would be going to her boyfriend.

"But Sesshoumaru doesn't let anyone get close to him," Kagome countered.

"I think he'd let you," Kagura stated confidently. She would approach Kouga, not daring to get near Sesshoumaru. Kagura had noticed that while Sesshoumaru tolerated most females, he seemed to almost prefer Kagome's company. "He seems to like you better than any one else."

Kagome had responded with stuttering protests, but in the end had acquiesced. She hoped he did not mind. She could not bare it if he saw her as just another girl chasing after him to be her girlfriend.

- - - - - -

Sesshoumaru had the sudden sensation that he was being watched and looked up to meet slightly unfocused, searching, purple eyes. His own eyes narrowed slightly in question before she seemed to notice that she had been staring, and she blushed slightly and returned her full attention to Kagura.

Sesshoumaru was just about to return to what he was doing when Kouga abruptly approached the two female youkai.

"Kagome! Those were some nice moves earlier."

Kagura excused herself, telling Kagome she would wait for her outside. Kagura had driven both Kagome and Sango there, though Sango would be riding home with Miroku.

"So," Kouga continued, lowering his tone slightly as he slung an arm around her shoulders, "how about going on a date with me tonight and being my woman?"

Sesshoumaru did not realize his fists had clenched until his nails punctured his guitar case. Mentally cursing, he had to be thankful that he had a spare at home. He forced his grip to relax as he tensely awaited Kagome's reply, doing his damnedest to keep his indifferent mask in place.

Much to his relief, Kagome slipped away from Kouga's embrace with a slightly nervous laugh, and stepped just out of his reach. "No, thanks. But it was nice of you to ask," she declined politely. And with that, she moved away to gather her music and other belongings.

Kouga looked just as confused as dejected, and Sesshoumaru had to bite back a smirk. A female had probably never refused the wolf before.

Sesshoumaru momentarily watched Kagome go, and then looked down at his own music. He was staring in thought at the top piece of music when he overheard his half-brother speaking in low tones to Kouga.

"Ha! She turned you down," Inuyasha taunted. "I'm not surprised."

Kouga growled. "Why? You think she'd go out with you?"

Inuyasha merely smirked. "As a matter a fact, I was already planning on asking her out. Let me show you how it's done."

Though Sesshoumaru's rational mind was certain that Kagome would never go out with Inuyasha, especially after she had denied the wolf, he still felt a jealous possessiveness seize him again as his half-brother confidently approached Kagome.

They spoke in somewhat subdued tones, and the distance as well as the music that the DJ had begun playing interfered with Sesshoumaru's ability to overhear. He could only read what her face told him. And at first she seemed ready to refuse, and opened her mouth to do so.

But Inuyasha kept talking. After a minute, Kagome gave a more considering, though still uncertain look, but she nodded—much to Sesshoumaru's dismay. The two spoke a bit more, and then Kagome shouted a goodbye to everyone before leaving. Inuyasha turned away, flashing a large, triumphant smirk in Kouga's direction.

Despising the turmoil of weak emotions that filled him—regret, betrayal, hurt, envy, sorrow—Sesshoumaru grabbed the music sheets before him, crumbling them in the process, and proceeded to dispose of them in the nearest trash receptacle.

"Perhaps you should have made your move sooner," a male voice behind him spoke. He had not realized that Miroku and Sango hand returned. Currently, the man stood several paces behind Sesshoumaru and had undoubtedly witnessed the uncharacteristic display.

"There's still a chance, you know" Miroku added quietly.

"Be silent. Do not speak to any about what you saw, if you value your life." Sesshoumaru then walked off in the direction Kagome had gone.

He caught up to her as she laid her hand on the handle of the door to exit the building.

- - - - - -

A hand suddenly wrapped around her upper arm and made her turn around as she was pushed so her back was against the wall. She looked up into golden eyes that begged entrance to her soul. Kagome gasped, but before she could ask him what was wrong, she felt his lips on hers, softer than she had ever dared allow herself to imagine. It was not so much demanding as desiring, and his hands remained civilly on her upper arms.

Unconsciously she parted her lips to him, wanting the feeling to continue and deepen. But instead of accepting the invitation, he ceased and stepped back from her lightly panting form. He did not speak, and instead turned and began walking away while she searched for her words.

"Sesshoumaru," she finally managed, still breathless as much from surprise as the kiss itself. "Why…?"

He stopped walking, but did not answer immediately, as if even he did not know the answer. Even when he spoke, he did not turn to look at her. "I wanted to taste you, before the half-breed took you."

Then he was gone. And after a moment or ten, Kagome numbly made her way to where Kagura was waiting.

- - - - - -

Miroku had watched Sesshoumaru leave, and made the decision to question Sango on Kagome's feelings. After all, Kagome deserved happiness, and something told him that Sesshoumaru could give her what she deserved.

Before he left to find his girlfriend, he recalled Sesshoumaru's unusual show of emotion. Reaching down, he removed the balled-up paper from the wastebasket, and carefully unfurled and smoothed it out.

Violet eyes scanned the pages and widened.

A/N: Everything may not be as it seems. So before throwing the rotten fruit over the whole Kagome-Inuyasha situation, wait until the next chapter, okay? Next, I'd like to say thank you very much for reviewing to MidNite Phoenix, The Squabbit, KougaSesshomaruAnime, darkpriestressofhell, Do a DAMN GOOGLE SEARCH, hermonine, Itasuko-chan, Lass, LynGreenTea, Inuyasha's hun, Kakiomae, cuttie-blossom, inugrldemon, Kimi-ga-Warui-Tenshi, Flame Ivy Moon, SilverShadowKitsune, heiying, Megan Consoer, Kagome21, serenitygirl13, hi, SesshoumarusSisterFate, LadyRedEyes, Girl of pain and darkness, Youkai Sesshomarulover, darkdemoness41791, AvaKay100, Chibiaddicted, fluffykogome, Sakae, Evil Toilet Paper, Youkai Sesshomarulover, Anolea, KagomeBankotsu, godspeed7, KiTsUnEoOkAmI, Kimichi, Tina, kagome2006, ZeLLy907, MaNyWaTeRs, darkwolfslayer, mimi86, Tie Kit, Ana, PrincessFire, Shadowblade, midnightsunfish, Wretched-Cursed, mizushoubai, goddess-love-fight-sessy's-angle3, SK Lovers, Takiko Okuda, and syria- demoness of water!

Saturns Darkness: You have my permission to use part of my idea. Though, if I may, I would like to know what it would be for, and if it is a piece of writing, if I may read it.