AN: Alright, I found a way for you to listen to the songs if you'd like. I've uploaded them into a site. Go to the site noted in my bio near the bottom (it won't let me post it here) and click the song you want to hear. If you like it and want it for your collection, you can download it by clicking the Blue button on the right side, then the download option will appear. If you don't feel like going through all this trouble, you can probably find these songs on YouTube easily.
The Way I Feel Inside
Chapter Nine
The anticipation was so thick you could cut if with a knife. You could just feel the excitement from the crowds. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the performance. The band stood backstage at the doorways leading to the stage.
"Are you ready for this? Inuyasha asked the group. They all knew that each one of them was prepared and ready just to rock out. The time had finally come to do so. Inuyasha put a fist in, followed closely by Miroku, then Shippo, then Kouga.
"Let's do this!" Kouga said as they broke their fist apart. Hatchi came back.
"Every thing's ready. You know the drill." They nodded. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow of question to Hatchi, who shook his head. No response, yet? Hatchi went back to his position on the stage. Inuyasha pulled out his walkie. "Alright, fellas. Let's roll." All the lights on the stage went out. The crowd got excited and began cheering as they followed the reflective tape to their positions. Inuyasha quickly set his water bottle and walkie down on the platform by Kouga's drums. Souta came over, with his guitar ready for him. Inuyasha nodded his thanks and stepped to up the microphone.
"How are you feeling, Santa Cruz?" The crowd roared. He let them cheer. Allowing a little time to make sure the others were in position. Amongst the cheering, he heard the slight tap of the drumsticks hitting a symbol. That was the cue. Everyone was ready. Then, Kouga did a count off. 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4. Miroku and Inuyasha began playing the soft intro as two spotlights landed on them. As the intro began to fade, so did the lights. Their was a brief period of pause before the song started in full with an eruption of light and sound. Shippo began slapping the bass, pumping up the crowd. Inuyasha stepped up to the microphone. (Red hot Chili Peppers - Tell Me Baby)
"They come from every state to find.
Some dreams were meant to be declined.
Tell the man what did you have in mind.
What have you come to do?
No turning water into wine,
No learning while your in the line.
I'll take you to the broken sign.
You see these lights are blue."
The crowds pushed forward and were interacting with the music. Some dancing, others jumping up and down. Inuyasha slung his guitar to where it laid across his back, pulling the microphone out of it's stand. He began moving around the stage.
"Come and get it, lost in the city limit.
Say goodbye, cause they find a way to trim it.
Everybody looking for a silly gimmick.
Gotta get away can't take it for another minute.
This town is made of many things,
just look at what the current brings."
Inuyasha went back to his original position, setting the microphone back into it's holder.
"So high it's only promising
This place was made for you."
Without touching his guitar, he used body motion alone to swing it back to his front. Catching it with ease, his fingers instantly went back to the right place. He began playing his part while singing the chorus. Miroku did his back-up vocals on the chorus.
"Tell me baby, what's your story?
Where'd you come from and
where you want to go this time.
Tell me lover, are you lonely?
The thing we need is never
all that hard to find."
Inuyasha lowered his voice so Miroku's was more dominant on the second part of the chorus.
"Tell me baby, what's your story?
Where'd you come from and
where you want to go this time.
You're so lovely, are you lonely?
Giving up on the innocence
You left behind."
As their routine called for, Inuyasha and Miroku turned towards each other as if they were dueling with guitars. Inuyasha strummed a high chord, and Miroku hit a higher chord. They did so again in turn. After Miroku did his second, Inuyasha raised a hand toward him as if to say 'you win' and turned back to the microphone. He glanced to see what Kagome, Sango, and Souta were doing. Whenever the crowds pushed forward, they found themselves squeezed against the rails, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"Some claim to have the fortitude.
Too shrewd to blow the interlude.
Sustaining pain to set the mood.
Step out to be renewed."
He moved to the end of the stage, crouching down to where he was eye-level with the crowd, but mainly looked at the three that he knew as he deepened his voice for the next part.
"I move you like a baritone.
Jungle brothers on the microphone.
Getting over with the undertone.
It's time to turn to stone."
He stood up and began shuffling his feet backwards as he did the next part.
"Chitty chitty baby
when your nose in in the nitty gritty.
Life could be a little sweet,
but life could be a little shitty.
What a pity, Boston and a Kansas City.
Looking for a hundred,
but only even found a fifty."
By the time he had finished he had shuffled back to his spot on the stage.
"Three fingers in the honeycomb,
You ring just like a xylophone.
Devoted to your chromosome.
The day that you left home."
Inuyasha began playing his part for the chorus, but this time Miroku took the first part and Inuyasha the second.
"Tell me baby, what's your story?
Where'd you come from and
Where you want to go this time.
Tell me lover, are you lonely?
The thing we need is never all that hard to find.
Tell me baby, what's your story?
Where'd you come from and
Where you want to go this time.
You're so lovely. Are you lonely?
Giving up on the innocence you left behind."
This was where Miroku's guitar solo came in. He had no problem stepping up into the spotlight. He just had fun with it as he carried it away. This time, they both sang the chorus in prefect harmony.
"Tell me baby, what's your story?
Where'd you come from and
Where you want to go this time.
Tell me lover, are you lonely?
The thing we need is never all that hard to find.
Tell me baby, what's your story?
Where'd you come from and
Where you want to go this time.
You're so lovely. Are you lonely?
Giving up on the innocence you left behind."
As the song slowly faded off, so did the lights. The crowd went crazy with applauding, screaming, cheering, whistling, and anything else they did to show their appreciation. The regular stage light came back on, revealing everyone on stage.
"Yeah!" Inuyasha hollered into the mic. "That's what I'm talking about." The noise level rose a notch. "I have a good feeling about this show." He said, stepping back a moment, so Miroku stepped up to his mic.
"It's great to be here tonight! We're not holding anything back tonight, y'all. If I may be so bold, we're going to put on one of the greatest shows this amphitheater ever beheld."
"And a lot of things you're going to see tonight, we haven't done before." Inuyasha added. That really set off the crowd. They stood back until it died down a little bit. "Also, we're going to be clarifying some rumors as we go. If you're with us, we'll continue on." Inuyasha said, flashing a grin. Here it is. Let the show begin...
Kagome couldn't help herself. They had prepared so well for this show. She hadn't felt such an adrenaline rush in a long time. So far, the set list seemed to have been created specifically for her. All her favorites and the ones she wanted to hear the most were begin played. The thing about it was it reminded her of many conversations she had with Inuyasha, she found herself looking around for someone with a Cure tee on, but hadn't seen a single one. She felt so odd, thinking about one guy, while staring at another one.
"Rumor 3." Inuyasha said after they finished a song. He paused a moment and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "This one I want to make perfectly clear. None of us are gay! That's so far from the truth. At least I can say for myself, I love women." Miroku was quick to add his say so.
"I'm right with you there." Some laughed, while others cheered.
"I'm going to be taking over guitar on this song and let Miroku take this one away." Inuyasha watched Kagome's face lighten up. It was in her top 5 favorite songs. Miroku grabbed his mic and went over to the keyboards that sat next to Kouga's drum platform. Once he situated himself, he nodded at Kouga who began on the drums. Miroku began playing the keyboard as he sang. (American Hi-fi - Geeks Get The Girl)
"Another Friday night to get the feeling right.
At the bar when he sees her coming over.
What you gonna do when she come up to you?
Tongue-tied better get yourself together.
Pound another drink, to give him time to think.
What's your sign 'Hey, I think you know a friend of mine?'
Of all the stupid lines, he'd ever heard.
Wouldn't come to mind, he couldn't say a word."
Miroku got up from the keyboards, moving around the stage freely. He went and stood next to Inuyasha with the mic in hand. Right in front of him was Sango, who he apparently had her complete attention. To her, his voice was enough to sooth her, but whenever he sang, it was almost hypnotizing.
"Tonight, tonight. He's gonna get it right.
Even losers can get lucky sometimes.
All the freaks go on a winning streak.
In a prefect world, all the geeks get the girls."
Miroku watched as Souta managed to sneak away without the girls noticing. Kagome was dancing as if no one was there, her smile told him that she was definitely enjoying this song. Sango was just watching him. He winked at her discreetly as he could from on stage, earning one of those irresistible smiles. Then, he quirked his eyebrow, causing her to laugh. He smiled and moved away towards the other side of the stage by Shippo.
"Got her holding steady, forgot her name already.
Sweating hard, not a smooth operator.
She's got it going on, dancing to her favorite song.
He's got the line, 'Is it your place or mine?'
She turned and walked away.
Where did he go wrong?
Waiting by the car,
she said 'What took you so long?'"
Miroku had looked towards Kouga, jumping up on the front of the platform, walking towards the keyboard as he sang.
"Tonight, tonight. He's gonna get it right.
Even losers can get lucky sometimes.
All the freaks go on a winning streak.
In a prefect world, all the geeks get the girls."
Inuyasha should have been used to it by now, but solos always made him a little nervous. He was more of a rhythm guitarist. Since they were new strings, they were hard and not easy to bend at all, but he stepped forward into the spot light with a facade of ease and did the solo. He was grateful whenever it was over. Miroku had taken his place at the piano once again and everything went quiet but the keyboards and Miroku's vocals.
"The very next day, I guess she ran away.
The one and only, and his bed's so lonely."
Inuyasha really hammered the guitar chord to contrast with the light piano strokes.
"She comes walking in. Coffee and a grin.
Crazy as it seems, it wasn't just a dream.
All around the world, the people shouted out.
The geeks got the girl."
The song faded as did the lights, but Miroku just held the note while the crowds cheered crazily. The expected eruption came as the lights danced around and band finished up the song.
"Last night, he finally got it right.
Even losers can get lucky sometimes.
All the freaks go on a winning streak.
Shouted all around the world cuz the geeks get the girls.
Last night, he finally got it right.
Even losers can get lucky sometimes.
All the freaks go on a winning streak.
Shouted all around the world cuz the geeks get the girls.
Shouted all around the world cuz the geeks get the girls."
Miroku blew out a breath as the lights faded out again. His warm-up song was over. Now was time for his real performance. Inuyasha looked over at him, making sure he was ready and wanted to do it. Miroku gave a short nod and Inuyasha stepped up to the microphone.
"Rumor 4." Inuyasha said as Miroku got back into his place with the guitar in hand. "Maybe the geeks get the girls, but they don't get super-models." The audience laughed. Everyone knew about that rumor. Miroku stepped up the the microphone, suddenly all the butterflies rushed to his stomach.
"Maybe not, but you want to know a secret?" He paused for effect and looked directly at Sango when he spoke again. "Before another album, tour, or anything, I'm going to marry the most beautiful girl that I've ever set eyes on." The audience cheered for him and his good news. It took a moment for it to register, but whenever it did, her eyes told him so. She was absolutely stunned, causing Miroku to laugh, though he forgot the microphone was still right ahead of him He wasn't aware of the fan girl pouting at his announcement, he was too concentrated on his number one fan. He announced it? She thought, still in shock. The media is going to be crawling all over this now. That was the main reason why they had kept it quiet. She didn't realize how much it had bothered her to keep it quiet until it was out in the open. Why did he change his mind?
"She absolutely worth it." He said into the mic. He broke eye contact with her before he broke down completely. "She's here with us tonight and this one goes out to her." The lights died. Smoke bellowed out of machines they had placed behind Kouga's drum set. adding a special touch. Once again, Inuyasha did the back-up vocals while Miroku took the lead. Even though they added a little reggae sound and feel, Sango knew what song it was.
"I have to go up there to him." She said. Kagome looked around, but Souta was missing.
"Alright. Let's go." The climbed over the fence with the help of the already informed security guard, walking along the rails to the staircase leading up the side of the stage. Sango went to the tip of the shadows on the side of the stage while Kagome stayed farther back. Miroku smiled and turned to her as he sang. (The Love Song - Originally by the Cure, but version played at concert is 311)
"Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am home again.
Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am whole again."
Inuyasha played the solo, soft and mellow. He was watching them with a slight smile on his face. They were his best friends in high school and beyond. Both of them loved each other ever since he could remember. He'd never seen a couple so completely dedicated to each other the way they were. He found himself thinking about a question. Is she right for me?
"Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am young again.
Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am fun again."
It came to the chorus and Inuyasha had to be careful with the vocals. Too much would ruin it, too little wouldn't have any effect.
"However far away, I will always love you.
However long I stay, I will always love you.
Whatever words I say, I will always love you.
I will always love you."
Kagome was extremely touched by this performance. She couldn't imagine how Sango felt by it. Inuyasha had found that perfect place in pitch and volume to make the right effect. The harmony was perfect. She noticed the tender smile he had as he watched them, like a loyal proud friend. As the second solo came, Miroku took a step back turning to Sango. This was his solo. He didn't look at his guitar, but hit ever note perfectly. His eyes were on her, such a passion brewing within his gaze. Sango just stood there, in shock and in a trance. Kagome regretted that she was unable to see her face. After that solo, Miroku swung his guitar to his back. Taking the microphone out of it's holder, he went over to Sango, taking her in an embrace. She held onto him as he began swaying in a circle. When he needed to sing, he put his cheek next to her, holding the mic behind her back so he could sing it into her ear as if it was a secret.
"Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am free again.
Whenever I'm alone with you,
you make me feel like I am clean again.
However far away, I will always love you.
However long I stay, I will always love you.
Whatever words I say, I will always love you.
I will always love you."
The crowd went wild with applause. Inuyasha blew out a breath, he was glad it was over himself. Kagome was looking at him when she saw movement out of the corner of her eyes. She looked at saw it was Souta, strapping on a guitar. Curious, she snuck around the shadows to him.
"What're you doing?"
"You'll see." was his only response. Souta saw Sango and Miroku were in an tight embrace. Kagome followed his gaze.
"That was the sweetest thing ever."
"I didn't see it all, but I heard it. That was a bold move." Kagome nodded as a thought entered her mind.
"I wonder if she'll kiss him. She's not too shy about it, but at a crowd this size, it makes me wonder."
"She'd better. That was the bravest thing a man could ever do." Souta got an idea. It was childish for sure, but it would probably catch on. He started at a low tone. "Kiss him, kiss him." He began chanting. Kagome laughed and followed his example. Kouga looked over and grinned. He joined in, then Hatchi, then Shippo. Pretty soon, the audience had caught on too. Inuyasha didn't chant, but he was encouraging it, waving his arms to get them all involved. Sango, who must have been in her own little world, suddenly became aware of everything and it showed. Her face turned red and she buried her head in Miroku's shoulder. He laughed lightly, in a way that informed Sango that something she did was cute to him. He tightened his grasp. whispering to her.
"I'm sorry. We have nothing to hide. It was stupid of me to ask you to keep it on a down-low in the first place. I have nothing to be ashamed of." She pulled back a little. His face held such sincerity, and at the same time, he seemed relieved. He noted her eyes were starting to water up. "I love you and this was the closest thing that I could do to shouting it from the rooftops. The-" He was cut off as she closed the gap between their lips as a tear rolled down her cheek. The audience went insane with cheering, as did everyone on the stage. Respectfully, Inuyasha looked away and saw the two Higurashi siblings standing a short distance away. It wasn't long before both of them looked away as well. Inuyasha nodded a greeting when they both looked over at him. Souta gave him a thumbs up, informing him he was ready to go. As Inuyasha stepped up to the mic, all the lights around him went out, the focus being on him again.
"So, how are we doing so far?" He asked the audience. Of course, they cheered. "You know- we almost had to cancel the show this morning. We had a real scare and thought we wouldn't be able to preform for you tonight." The crowd either 'oohed or 'booed. "I agree. No names being mentioned, but someone had trashed out equipment, but we said that this show was too special for us to let it go. There was one guy in particular that really helped us out. He wasn't on our crew, but he went out f his way to give us a hand and helped save the show. We invited him to play with us on this next one to extend our gratitude. Give it up for Souta Higurashi." Souta stepped out of the shadows, real cool about the whole thing. He even shook Inuyasha's hand as he went to the center stage. A glance told Souta that Miroku wasn't ready yet., so he stepped up to Inuyasha's microphone.
"Thank you. What do you think? Is there anywhere else you'd rather be tonight?" That provoked the reaction that it deserved. The roaring of the crowd seemed to get louder, even song. "I wouldn't either." He saw Miroku and Sango separated, but Miroku wasn't ready yet. "When they asked me what song I wanted to join them on, I chose this one because it has a very personal meaning to me. A while back, I couldn't escape alcohol. It got to a point where it was dangerous for myself and anyone around me. I scared my family badly, but they believed in me and trusted in me. Fortunately, I can saw I escaped it, but if I can be so bold, I'd like to dedicate this next one to them." Miroku had gotten in position again and gave them a nod, informing them they were ready. Kouga gave the count-off again. On the beat, Miroku and Souta began playing identical parts in prefect harmony. Souta stepped back to where he was perfectly between Inuyasha and Miroku. The bass and drums kicked in and as it came to that part, Inuyasha stepped up to the microphone. (Incubus - Drive)
"Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear.
And I can't help but ask myself how much
I let the fear take the wheel and steer.
It's driven me before,
it seems to have a vague haunting mass appeal."
Inuyasha looked over at Souta and waved him over to him and Souta made his way the best he could. Miroku and Inuyasha finished the pre-chorus out.
"Lately I'm beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel."
Inuyasha and Souta shared a microphone as they all sang the chorus together.
"Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there.
With open arms and open eyes, yeah.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there. I'll be there."
Inuyasha stepped back away from the microphone so Souta and Miroku could do the next verse, but Souta had no idea, he'd be doing it alone.
"So, if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive.
Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive?"
Inuyasha joined Souta, but kept watching Miroku as he continued playing. His microphone had blown out.
"It's driven me before, seems to be the way
that everyone else gets around.
Lately, I'm beginning to find that
when I drive myself...
My light is found."
Inuyasha let him sing that line alone. It had a lot of meaning behind it. Miroku had completely backed away from the microphone, showing that they'll have to do it alone for the rest of the song.
"Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there.
With open arms and open eyes, yeah.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there. I'll be there."
Miroku and Souta dove into the solo, in the middle, Souta broke away, adding his own little touches instead of following Miroku. Miroku looked over at Souta. That hadn't been rehearsed, but it blended just right adding a special touch. Souta let Inuyasha sing the pre-chorus by himself and joined him for the final chorus.
"Would you choose water over wine
Hold your own and drive?
Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there.
With open arms and open eyes, yeah.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there. I'll be there."
Inuyasha took the mic from the stand. He yelled into the mic. "Come on. Help us out a little here." Then, he held the microphone towards the audience, letting them finish the song out. The crowd was loud, cheering and screaming when Miroku let Souta hit that last chord alone. Souta smiled and bowed towards the crowd. Inuyasha looked over at him as he put the guitar up. He waved Souta over to him putting an arm around his shoulder. "Souta Higurashi, y'all. Give it up." They cheered loudly. Only those who were on stage could hear the odd ringing, then a loud pop. It startled Kagome, who was standing right in front of the amplifier that blew. The lights went out and Hatchi immediately ran over to check it out.
"Miroku. Check it." Miroku strummed a little bit on the guitar, but no sound issued forth.
"Damn it." Inuyasha swore coming up. Souta was close behind.
"What happened?" He asked.
"Not exactly sure. It will take quite a bit of time to figure it out."
"Let's get the back-ups set then." Inuyasha said. "How long will that take?"
"A couple of minutes." Hatchi answered. Souta followed him.
"I'll give you a hand." Inuyasha started thinking. Another sound tech had set up a new microphone for Miroku and tested it. It was ready to go. Inuyasha turned to Miroku.
"I'll need you on the keyboards." He said.
"What're you going to do?"
"A little sneak peek." Miroku understood. Kouga heard and knew what that meant also. Shippo was looking over. Kouga mouthed it to him and he nodded. Inuyasha held the microphone up. "Sorry. We're having some technical problems. It's getting worked out, but we have no guitar at the moment. We haven't even recorded this little piece yet, so here's a glimpse of a song to come." Inuyasha could start the song on his own, since it was pretty much acapella at that time. (The Zombies - The Way I Feel Inside)
"Should I try to hide
the way I feel inside?
My heart - for you.
Would you say that you
would try to love me too?
In your mine, could you ever be
really close to me?
I can tell the was you smile.
If I feel that I could be certain
then I'd say the thing I want to say tonight."
Miroku had switched the keyboards over so it had an organ sound and played along with his vocals. Inuyasha refused to look over and Miroku knew why. He had wrote this song for her.
"But til I can see
that you really care for me.
I would dream that
someday you'll be really close to me.
I can tell the way you smile.
If I feel that I could be certain
then I'd say the things I want to say tonight."
Inuyasha did glance over at Shippo. He had a little part written, very easy single notes. Shippo nodded, informing him that he would play it. Inuyasha's voice, the organ, and the very little bass was all that was in the song.
"But til I can see
that you really care for me.
I'll keep trying to hide
the way I feel inside."
That was it except for Shippo's little bass ending. It was a simple, short, message. The crowd was quiet as it came to an end. Inuyasha wasn't sure how it had gone over. Then someone in the crowd yelled "That's awesome." and the whole crowd began roaring with applause. Inuyasha smiled.
"Thank you." He forced himself to turn around. He did his best to see her expression, without looking directly at her. She appeared to have liked it, clapping a little from the sidelines. Hatchi finished tweaking it a little bit and gave them a thumbs up. Miroku tested to see if everything worked and it did. Inuyasha nodded. Good, let's get back to the show now.