AN: YAY writers block almost completely gone, that fact that I'm getting this chapter out is a true testament to my insanity. Been having some family health issues so yes I am insane if you were wondering. Anyways, no idea how many chapters are left but not many enjoy! Sorry it's a bit late on Sunday but hey I got it out
Kagome awoke the next morning feeling very happy and rested. She stretched and reached over to turn on her phone. The phone immediately assaulted her with text messages. Most of them were from Zuki and one from Ayame. According to the messages they had gotten a call asking the band to play a gig that night and the entire band was freaking out. Kagome couldn't figure out why they needed her to help them but she didn't bother to ask. Pulling on jeans and a T-shit, she called Zuki.
"Hey Zuki, yeah I got your messages…yes I can come help, why you need my help I have no idea-…yes I'll help, didn't I just say that?...Okay how do you want me to get there?...Oh? Okay I'll be at my steps see you soon." Kagome pulled her door open and started to the kitchen, pausing momentarily in front of her cousins room. She was tempted to knock and see how she was doing but thought better of it and went to have some food instead. After a simple meal of rice and miso, Kagome was sitting at the bottom of the shrine steps waiting for her ride. Zuki hadn't told her who was picking her up, which was odd, she had just said that someone was on their way to get her. When Suikotsu's car pulled up she happily jumped up and ran to the door, nearly falling over when she saw the driver.
"What are you doing here?" She nearly yelled. Bankotsu just looked over at her and rolled his eyes.
"Just get in the damn car, I didn't sign up to be a chauffer willingly," he said turning his eyes back on the road. Kagome slowly got in the car, shutting her door and buckling her seatbelt she didn't take her eyes off of Bank. He glanced at her before throwing the car into drive and sped off towards Suikotsu's house.
"So are you going to tell me why you are driving?" Kagome asked staring at him.
"I got suckered into the job, Suzuki was trying to get Renkotsu to come get you but he refused and made me come," he responded all his annoyance very apparent in his voice.
"Zuki, she hates being called Suzuki, the only person who is allowed to call her that is her grandmother," Kagome said turning to watch the trees fly by.
"You know a lot about her huh?" Bank asked glancing over at her again.
"I should, she's one of my best friends," Kagome said laughing slightly at the idiotic question.
"Then why does she hate me?" He pressed. Kagome shot him an evil glare that made him look away. Kagome didn't want to answer his question because she didn't want to lie. After awhile she felt his eyes on her again and she rounded on him.
"What?"
"Answer my question," Bank demanded looking back at the road. Kagome let out an angry sigh and clenched her fists.
"She doesn't hate you, there aren't many people in this world she hates. Just lying to her about some lyrics won't make her hate you," she responded truthfully, hoping that would be enough for him, knowing that it wouldn't.
"Then why is it whenever she see's me she screams at me or has her brother threaten to break something?" He asked his voice rising a bit in anger. Kagome had to hold back a snort, this guy was really dense.
"Look, I'm not going to tell you, I enjoy breathing," Kagome said with a humorless laugh. Bank grumbled something and the rest of the drive was silent. Kagome flipped on the radio after a bit, bothered by the uncomfortable silence. When Bank pulled into the drive of Renkotsu and Suikotsu's house, he barely had time to put the car in park before Kagome was running into the house. Kagome slowed as she reached the closed door, there were loud voices coming from the other side. She leaned against the door trying to make out what was going on the other side without going in. Bank walked up and stood behind Kagome wondering what she was doing. She noticed him and put a finger to her mouth to keep him quiet. Kagome was having a hard time making out what they were fighting about but she thought it had something to do with a new song Zuki had written. Kagome pressed her ear harder against the door, then jumped back when something hit the door.
"DON'T THROW THAT!" She heard Renkotsu yell. She head Zuki say something and then someone was stomping towards the door. Kagome jumped back just as the door was flung open, Zuki stood in the doorway seething with rage. She looked between Bankotsu and Kagome before turning back around.
"Let them decide," she said softly gesturing behind her.
"Decide what?" Kagome asked stepping around Zuki into the room. Renkotsu was sulking behind his drums while Suikotsu was lying on the floor staring at the ceiling. Ayame was glaring at Renkotsu clutching her bass like it was her lifeline.
"We're trying to make a set list for tonight, the only problem is Bank's band is playing before us. Our sounds are so different we are trying to find songs that won't clash too bad with their music," Zuki said walking over to the couch. Kagome glanced back and Bank noticing that he was scowling at Zuki.
"It's not my fault that we have a harder sound," he grumbled walking further into the room.
"I didn't say it was your fault," Zuki said massaging her temples. Kagome was slightly surprised that Zuki hadn't yelled at Bank, he seemed to notice as well perking up slightly.
"It also doesn't help that we got an anonymous song request," Suikotsu said not moving from his spot.
"For what song?" Kagome asked sitting down on the couch next to Zuki. Zuki sighed and leaned against Kagome resting her head on her shoulder.
"What song was requested?" Kagome asked looking down at her stressed friend.
"Lies. I mean I love the song, but it just doesn't mesh with Bank's music," Zuki said sitting up and throwing her hands in the air.
"Why won't it work?" Bank asked sitting down and slouching in a chair.
"We'll play it then try to figure this mess out," Zuki said pushing herself off the couch. She moved to stand behind the electric piano and situated her mic, then noticed no one else had moved into position.
"Hey, we're playing the damn song, now get up!" Zuki yelled and glared at everyone. Suikotsu jumped to his feet as Ayame and Renkotsu got their instruments ready. Zuki nodded to Ayame and she started to strum out the beginning of the song. Zuki played the entering chord, then pressed started to play the prerecorded brass section as Renkotsu entered in on his drums. Suikotsu played his repeating chord looking back as Zuki played on the piano before they started to sing.
Lies, to deceive
Tellin' lies, tellin' lies
I can't believe
Lies, to deceive
So many lies, so many lies
Why do we believe
Zuki sang the next part alone, changing her piano setting to strings.
I've done wrong
I've listened to the wrong advice
I saw something in you once
Now I see it ain't so nice
Trouble is, I believed in you
I was the one who was being fooled
But I won't let it be the same
I won't fall back into your little game of
Suikotsu and Ayame joined back in to sing the chorus with Zuki, swaying slightly to the slow beat.
Lies, that deceive
Your little lies, your little lies
I can't believe
Lies, won't retrieve
The love you lost, the love you lost
When you lost me
You filled my head with untruth
Made me believe that you were you
Fed me lines of make-believe
But this time it's you who'll see
Your lies, won't retrieve
The love you lost, the love you lost
When you lost me
Everyone quieted their instruments for the sax solo that expressed the sadness in the song. When his solo was done they all stopped playing for a moment, joining in again when Zuki started to sing.
When the situation occurred
You quickly hid behind your words
I opened up my eyes
And soon I realized
That it's too late, my love has turned to hate
And there's nothing, nothing left for you
And your lies
Zuki sung into the echo mike holding out the last note before they started to play louder to finish the song.
Why do we believe
Kagome sat up and clapped enthusiastically but stopped when she saw Zuki scowl at her piano.
"Okay, I guess I see your point, that songs great by the way," Bank said sitting up and resting his elbows on his knees.
"Thanks, I feel bad but I don't think we can play it," Zuki said playing a scale on the piano.
"Why not? I mean yeah Strip Project has a much different sound but it's not like we're trying to mix rap and jpop, it's just ska and rock, they can work together," Kagome said sitting up a bit straighter. Zuki tilted her head to the side thinking about what Kagome was taking about.
"What's your set list again Bank?" Zuki asked looking at her piano.
"Um, Feel, You're So Real, and Disease," he said counting off the three songs.
"Alright, not the happiest songs but they aren't slow like Lies, they are faster. Let's see, what else would work, I hate doing the slow songs," Zuki said starting to walk around patting her legs.
"We could do, I Know," Suikotsu said. Zuki stopped walking and thought about it before shaking her head.
"This is the same crowd we always play too, it's overplayed for them," Zuki said resuming her pacing. Kagome thought through the songs she had heard, trying to think of one.
"Okay, well Strip Project's songs aren't very happy, in fact the four songs that will be played aren't that happy. Yours," Zuki gestured towards Bank. "Are cynical, at least they seem that way from the lyrics, so our other two songs should be happy ones." Kagome shifted through the songs that they had written trying to figure out which songs would be good.
"I can't believe I'm suggesting this," Renkotsu said rubbing his bald head. "The World is New." Ayame whipped her head around so fast, Kagome thought she would get whiplash.
"You hate that song," Zuki said just as flabbergasted as Ayame.
"Yeah well, we need a happy song that we don't play much and that song is happy and we don't play it much," Renkotsu said twirling his drumstick avoiding everyone's eyes.
"Well, if we're going for the sappy love songs we might as well play Nobody But Me," Suikotsu said sitting down on the ground with his guitar.
"Well, I guess it's settled then, we're playing those three songs," Zuki said flopping down on the couch.
"Shouldn't you guys be rehearsing, the show is in four hours," Bank said tapping his foot. Everyone turned to Bank before there was a flurry of movement. The band all moved to their positions to play their songs and work out the kinks.
Zuki was sitting at a table with all of her friends sans Bankotsu, but she hadn't quite considered him a friend. They were all chatting and waiting for Strip Project to take the stage. Kikyou and Inuyasha had even decided to show up, although neither of them looked to be having fun. Kagome however was having a great time, despite having to see Inuyasha with his arm around Kikyou. Suddenly the lights dimmed and the stage light came up to feature Strip Project. Bankotsu was the front man, his head was bowed his guitar hanging at his side. He had worn some dark jeans that had some very strategic tears, his shirt was a dark blue, Zuki silently admitted that he looked good. Everyone had met the rest of the band when they were setting up. Ryu was their bass player, he was standing to the right of Bank on stage, he was wearing a black shirt that was skin tight and showed off his dragon tattoo on his arm. Kaito was their second guitarist, Zuki learned that he and Jakotsu had been dating for a littler over a year. Kaito was dressed just as flamboyantly as the first time Zuki had seen him, he had skin tight black leather pants and a silver mesh muscle shirt. Their drummer, Aimi, was wearing black cargo's and a shocking green one shoulder tank. She had a run in with Renkotsu as everyone was setting up. Ren wanted his drum set to be used for both bands while Aimi wanted hers. To make matters worse, Suikotsu decided to take Aimi's side in the argument. They eventually got it resolved when Bank and Zuki shouted down their bands and decided to use the drum set that the club provided. Zuki saw Bank look back to his other guitarist a silently counted out the song. Kaito started right into his part, soon after Bank, Ryu, and Aimi joined in for the rest of the intro. Bank stopped playing to start singing. Right after he started to sing, the music got quiet with only Kaito playing a light rift and Aimi and Ryu playing every few bars.
Feels like you made a mistake
You made somebody's heart break.
But now I have to let you go
I have to let you go
You left a stain
The band joined back in playing louder and started to really get into the song.
On every one of my good days
But I am stronger then you know
I have to let you go
No ones ever turned you over
No ones tried
To ever let you down
Beautiful girl
Bless your heart
Kaito and Ryu walked up to their mic's to sing backup with a chorus.
I got a disease
Deep inside me, makes me
Feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what am I s'posed to do about it
Keep your distance from me
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
Zuk was totally focused on Bank, when he started to sing the chorus she felt like he was staring right at her. He had left his guitar hanging for the chorus and was grabbing the microphone leaning towards the audience. Before they started singing up again Kaito started to play a really cool rift that gave Zuki chills
Feels like you're making a mess
You're hell on wheels in a black dress
You drove me to the fire
You left me there to burn
Every little thing you do is tragic
And all my life I thought it was magic
Beautiful girl
I can't breath
Ryu and Kaito joined back in for the chrorus. Bank had taken the mic out of the stand and was walked around the stage signing to the audience. Zuki noticed that a lot of girls where grabbing for him.
I got a disease
Deep inside me, makes me
Feel, uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what am I s'posed to do about it
Keep your distance from me
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
When Bank sang the chorus he clutched at his heart crouching slightly making eye contact with Zuki.
And well I think that I'm sick
Well leave me be while
my world is coming down on me
You taste like honey, honey,
Bank pointed to Zuki and now she had no doubt that he was looking at her when he was singing, she didn't know what to think. Zuki glanced over at Kagome who had noticed the eye contact and pointing as well.
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Bank patted his chest while he took steps away from the stage closing his eyes.
Keep tellin' myself it wont' take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Free of my disease
Oh, and well I got a disease
Deep inside me makes me
Feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you tell me
What am I s'posed to do about it
Keep your distance from me
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
Bank had put the mic back in the stand and refused to break eye contact with Zuki. He didn't take his hands off the mic and when he moved the mic stand moved with him
And well I think that I'm sick
Well leave me be while
My world is comin' down on me
You taste like honey, honey
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Keep telling myself
It won't take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Set me free of my disease
Oh yeah
The song started to slow down before the entire band hit their last note. The club exploded with applause, everyone was clapping except Zuki and her friends, none of them had missed what Bank was doing. Sango, being the very vocal person that she is, was the first to talk.
"What the hell was that about?" She said leaning towards Zuki. Bank was saying something to the audience but Zuki wasn't' hearing him.
"I have no idea," Zuki said softly.
"Bullshit." Zuki's head shot up to look at Inuyasha, he was looking right back. "You know what that was about, you just don't want to admit it," he said crossing his arms. Zuki's eyes narrowed until she was giving him the worst glare she had ever given him.
"You're one to talk about not admitting things, I'm going backstage," she said standing up before anyone could ask her anymore questions. She didn't care if anyone followed her, Zuki glanced up and saw Bank glance at her before he started up their next song. She stormed back stage so she didn't have to look at him. Zuki heard Ryu strum out the into to Feel on his base, she tried to tune it out thinking about when they had to go on stage. Zuki flung herself down on the battered old sofa covering her eyes with her arm. She could feel the bass pump through her body and snatches of lyrics that she didn't understand. She didn't move when the stage door opened and closed fairly loudly, she didn't move until someone sat down next to her knees. Zuki peaked out from under her arm and nearly screamed when she saw her brother.
"What are you doing here?" She asked propping herself up on her elbows.
"Mom and Dad wanted to see you guys perform, I came along to be the designated driver, Kagome told me what happened," he said leaning back on the couch. Zuki dropped back onto the couch, crossed her arms and frowned.
"Alright, I've stood behind you in this and I haven't said anything but you need to be told. You like him, it's obvious everyone can see it, and from what I heard of this little performance he likes you too, so will you stop biting his head off every time you talk to him and try to be nice," He said quickly, staring her down. Zuki glanced up at him before trying to burrow further into the couch.
"Look, you can listen to me or not, but from the sound of it Strip Project is done with their set and you guys are up next," Yasu said patting her on the leg before standing up. It took a moment for Zuki to process what her brother had said, but when she did she was on her feet and running to the girls bathroom. Zuki locked the door, flipped the toilet lid down, and sat to wait for Strip Project to leave the dressing room and her band to come in. She heard their footsteps and whoops of excitement before she understood what they were saying.
"Man, that was an awesome show." Zuki heard what she thought was Kaito say.
"Yeah, even if I had to play on that old drum set," Aimi replied.
"Hey, Bank, what was with you tonight? During Disease you were all energy and out there, and then we started to play You're So Real, you just sort of died," Kaito said. Zuki hear Bank mumble something but she couldn't catch it. She heard the door to the club open and let out a breath of air, her band was coming in.
"Alright, you need to clear out or else there won't be any room for us," Ayame said. Zuki heard murmurs of agreement and the door finally closed.
"Zuki?" Ayame knocked on the girls bathroom door. "C'mon, we're on in ten minutes, get out here and let me do your makeup." Zuki stood and opened the door to face her band. Ayame was at the door looking worried, Suikotsu was a few feet behind her with the same look. Renkotsu was already sitting in front of a mirror perfecting his face makeup. Zuki gave them a bright smile and walked over to a spare mirror. Everyone got ready in record time and they were taking their places on the stage before Zuki had a chance to think about what was going on. The lights in the club went dark right before the stage light came up illuminating Social Misery. Zuki glanced back at the brass quartet nodding to them, she silently counted them out and they started the intro to the song. Renkotsu and Suikotsu joined in soon after, followed by Ayame. Zuki readied herself to sing, she looked over the crowd and saw her brother and parents sitting at the table her friends had been at before. All of her friends were now at the foot of the stage screaming and cheering them on. She couldn't help the smile that came onto her face, glancing back at Suikotsu making sure he was ready to sing. With a nod from him Zuki grabbed the mic and sang her heart out.
I was sitting and waiting
Just thinking, contemplating my life when I heard the phone
I picked up the receiver
And I did not believe her
When I heard a voice say you're not alone
Zuki took the mic off the stand and took a few steps back to sing the chorus next to Suikotsu.
When I am down and I am blue
All I have to do
Is close my eyes and think of you
There was short break, Sui smiled down at Zuki before she sang the last line on her own
And the world is new
Zuki walked back to the mic stand putting the mic back, out of the corner of her eye she saw Bank sitting at the bar, focused on her. Zuki looked away and decided to ignore him for the rest of the set.
Life was getting hectic
And things were unexpected
When I first received your all
But now it is the best thing
That filled up what was missing
And now my life in envied by all
Zuki smiled back at Ayame and Suikotsu as the three of them sang the chorus.
When I am down and I am blue
All I have to do
Is close my eyes and think of you
There was the same break in the singing, the saxophone stepped foreward a bit to play his solo. Zuki moved to the music shaking her head around letting her adrenaline take over her body. The music stopped for a second and Ayame played a quick bass rift before the brass quartet started in again. Zuki jumped up to the mic to sing again not thinking about anything except what she was singing.
I was sitting and waiting
Just thinking, contemplating my life when I heard the phone
I picked up the receiver
And I did not believe her
When I heard a voice say you're not alone
When I am down and I am blue
All I have to do
Is close my eyes and think of you
Zuki sang out the last line of the song slowly holding the notes on each word.
And the world is new
The music started to slow down before everyone hit the last chord. The room exploded with applause and screaming, Zuki glanced down and saw all of her friends there, except Kagome. She looked up and scanned the room and saw Kagome near the alley door talking to Kikyou. Suikotsu noticed that Zuki wasn't giving her normal speech and decided to take over.
"Thank you! That was The World is New, the next song we will be singing is called Lies, this song was requested but we don't know who it was, but thank you anonymous!" He said. Zuki jerked out of her trance and counted out the song.
Kagome glanced up when they started to play Lies, Kikyou had dragged her away from the base of the stage but wouldn't tell her why.
"Look, Ki if you aren't going to tell me what's going on I'm going to go back to the stage okay?" Kagome said started to walk in the direction she said. Kikyou grabbed her wrist, when Kagome looked back she noticed Kikyou was staring at someone in the crowd, fear filled her eyes.
"Kikyou? What is it?" Kagome asked looking into her cousins face. Kikyou looked at her and said one word that sent chills down her spine.
"Naraku."
AN: Dun duh dun!! Lol I had to do that, yes evil man is revealed, again sorry it's so late in the day, my muse is still being stubborn. As always R&R!