Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and I most definitely don't own Linkin Park or I'd be rich.

Chapter 8: Practice

Mike walked into the practice room at Dave's penthouse. It was a nice place with a very nice design. He had the brick showing for the lower part of the walls to create an urban effect (made that up, someone please tell me what effect it really is). The practice room, however, was all white-walled and housed a set of computers Joe had brought at one side. Brad and Phoenix were already in there playing around with their guitars or 'tune searching' as they called it. Joe was in the kitchen getting a drink while Rob and Chester had yet to arrive.

He was about to go over and join them when Joe came in with Rob and Kagome. The watched them out of the corner of his eye has Kagome walked in and smiled at everyone with that beautiful smile only she could pull off. He greeted the two before sitting down on a chair and leaning back while reviewing his notebook full of lyrics.

By the time Chester arrived, the guys were all seated in a circle on the floor, matching tunes to one of the new songs Mike had wrote.

"Hey guys…"

Mike sighed leaning back on his arms looking up at his blond buddy.

"You're late."

"Love ya too."

"Alright everyone's here, lets continue," Mike sat up straight and looked around expectantly.

"Sorry guys," Kagome said, getting up suddenly, "I need to meet my friend Rin for lunch then we're going out."

"Rin," Rob echoed, "Fluffy's girl?"

"Yea, but don't let Sesshomaru here you call him that or he might beat you up, or worse, he might fire me," Kagome said playfully.

"Hey! You make it sound as if your job is more important than me."

Kagome winked at Rob as she went out and replied teasingly, "Maybe."

Mike pained once more as he watched them go as they did everyday, so happy, flirting with each other, and that voice. That teasing voice that taunted him everytime he heard it, even if it wasn't directed at him.

Mike hated himself for the way he felt. He was never one to brood, he was always he friendly buy who almost never lost his temper. He wondered what would have happened then if he had tried to pursue her. He had already been attracted during that interview but now, he was falling in love all over again.

"Mike, you okay?" Brad asked, looking over at his friend. He wasn't dense, he had gotten Mike a shot at the Japanese DJ but for some reason, once the tour started they acted awkwardly around each other, and not in a good way, but like keeping away from being alone with the other. (Sorry! I don't know how else to say it.) Then, Rob moved in and here they were. He was happy for Rob, but Mike was hurting so much. He looked down at the new lyrics Chester had passed over for the band to check out. Heh, so Chester noticed Mike's pain too. The lyrics were perfect and Chester had Mike sing quite a portion of the song. Of course, the chorus would be sung by Chester as was in most cases. Thankfully, it wasn't too obvious who the subject of the song was. Probably only Mike would notice too.

Author: Not much of progress here but it gives a little insight Brad and Chester here. Read and review please, support pioneer fanfiction and if you find any mistakes, storyline-wise, grammar-wise, etc, let me know pls.