The Way I Feel Inside
Chapter Ten
After another hour of playing, the guys came back. They were drenched with sweat, but had smiles on their faces. Before anything could be said, Inuyasha began giving orders.
"Okay. Wardrobe, you have ten minutes." He said to his band mates. "Souta, I need the acoustic set up. Hatchi will help you with that." He began looking around. "Where's my water?" Sango rolled her eyes. Picking it up, she tossed it to him.
"Here you go, chief." He glared as he opened it and took a long drink. Another worker handed Inuyasha a clean shirt.
"What's going on?" Kagome asked.
"An encore." Inuyasha said, stripping off the shirt he had on, revealing a wife-beater and his extremely tone chest. She tried her best to ignore it, but when the wife-beater came off, she had difficulty. Sango was watching her face. It's coming... I know it's close. Ah, there it is. Kagome caught a hold of herself and realized for the first time in her life, she gawked. She was a little ashamed having done so. Her face grew red and even redder when she saw Sango's amused look. Fortunately, he had turned the other way. When he turned back around, he saw her face and watched her shuffle nervously on her feet. He knew what that was about. He gave her a curious smile and was about to say something whenever Souta came back.
"It's all set for you." Souta said. Hatchi came back a moment later.
"You have a message." Inuyasha almost cringed. He glanced to see if Kagome had a look of suspicion or shock, but Sango had been whispering something to her. He didn't think that she heard.
"Thanks. Can't check it now, though. As soon as I hit that stage, I better be ready to preform." The crowds began to cheer and get louder. Inuyasha smiled. Not yet... He saw Souta had gone over and started talking with the girls, but he could tell that it was a different kind of conversation altogether. He wanted to chat with them, but decided against it.Instead, hewalked down the hallway to have a little more room. Realizing how much his feet began to hurt, he striped off his shoes and socks, setting them aside so no one would trip over them. Trying to find a way to settle his nerves a little, he began doing a couple stretches to work out the stress.Miroku had emerged from wardrobe, coming up from behind him.
"Not quite loud enough yet." He stated.
"They haven't started the chant yet."
"How're you doing?" Miroku asked. His eyes looked pointedly at Kagome for a moment.
"More nerve-racking that the show itself." Miroku laughed.
"I know this is going to sound stupid and impossible, but don't fret too much about it."
"You're right. Sounds impossible."
"Just another 15 minutes or so." Inuyasha let out a breath.
"I know. She's so-" The crowd began chanting their name. Inuyasha went to the doorway and looked out at the crowd. Since the others had stopped chatting and looked at them, Miroku clapped him on the back.
"I think you have this one in the bag." He said, with double meaning.
"I sure hope so." He said with a grin. He began to head out onto the stage whenever a voice stopped him.
"Hey." He turned to see her approaching him., like an untouchable dream. "Good luck." He nodded his thanks and smile mysteriously at her.
"Wait until you see the finale." He said. He smiled at er, winked, and then headed out onto the stage. Kagome was confused. He had been nervous with Miroku moments earlier, but switched to the careless performer almost instantly.
"Mood swings... and men say they're only feminine." Sango said, seeing her face. Kagome laughed.
"It's his stage persona." Miroku said, giving Sango a look about the mood swing comment. "He's the one that the media has most wrong about the band. He's not a womanizer, nor a playboy. Those are complete insults to him. He's nothing like that." Inuyasha's voice boomed over the crowds cheering and chants.
"More? You want more?" The already loud screams grew even louder. Miroku looked toward the stage.
"I'm curious how he's going to do with this. Let's go." They followed him in the shadows to where they had stood before. The entire stage was dark with the exception of the single spotlight on Inuyasha.
"I thought I'd give the guys a rest. They'll be out in a bit, but I wanted to try something new." He said. The spot light he was in went off. He quickly grabbed the acoustic and sat on the stool on the middle of the stage. The spotlight came on as he signaled he was ready. Souta quickly ran out and adjusted the mic so it was near to his mouth as he sat. Inuyasha thanked him before Souta came back to where the others were. He began playing on the acoustic. It's soft sound amplified his voice. (Zack Hexum - How Many Times)
"How many times will I fall in love today?
So many things that I want are coming my way.
These crushes abound but they only will stay for a day.
So how many times will I fall in love this way?"
As he played, he thought about how much this song really meant to him. He'd written it about 6 months after they started talking. It didn't take long for him to see she was one of a kind. If there was a girl for him, she was it. Now that he had been with her, spoke to her, and really learned that she was for real, his feelings were amplified. All he could do is hope that she felt the same way about him. Instead of this causing him to lose focus, it doubled his effort and energy into the performance.
"And in my life I know
there's just been one for me.
Someday life will show
where my next love will be,
where my next true love will be."
Kagome let out a silent sigh. His voice as passion that he was pouring into this song was incredible. It was enough to lull the audience to sleep if it hadn't been for them being so into it. She closed her eyes, listening ever closer to the song.
"How many times before I fall in love for real
Maybe this one cause this one makes my head like a wheel
and when is this love that will make me completely be me
What makes these hazy hills hold so much mystery?"
Miroku wasn't surprised at all. Whether he was really feeling this one, or if it was Kagome's presence, or a little bit of both, he was pouring his heart out. Everything was completely and perfectly executed. He smiled lightly as Sango slowly backed up into him. He wrapped his arms around her. swaying ever-so-slightly from side to side.
"And in my life I know
there's just been one for me.
Someday life will show
where my next love will be,
where my next true love will be."
Sango had been surprised by his performance. It was so beautifully done. This performance was special and she had a good feeling she knew why. The acoustic alone made his voice resonate even more. It was definitely his best performance of the song.
"I'll look for you to break my heart if that will make me feel
No more girls to play a part, I search for something real."
Souta felt the weigh of those words. Even though it was quite a while back, he couldn't escape what had happened. He accepted it, but he still had feelings for the girl who betrayed him. In time, he knew it would heal and the next time, he'd be certain that it wasn't artificial. It had to be 100 percent genuine. Inuyasha hit the next note change perfectly as he continued in the song.
"And in my life I know
there's just been one for me.
Someday life will show
where my next love will be,
where my next true love will be."
Inuyasha opened his eyes as the song came to an end, slowing it down.
"How many times will I fall in love today?"
Once again, the audience was in awe at the performance. The response was crazy. Inuyasha gave a small laugh as he backed away from the microphone. "That was surprisingly good." Kouga admitted from the sidelines. Miroku nodded in agreement. They clapped along with the audience. Inuyasha stood up from the stool and took a slightly bow. Kagome put two fingers in her mouth and let out a long whistle. He looked over. Seeing them cheering, he took another bow towards them and at the audience again. Souta suddenly became aware of his duties as the lights on the stage went out. He grabbed an electric and swapped it out with Inuyasha. As he grabbed the stool, he decided to say something.
"I can't say anything for sure, but I've been watching through-out the concert. I believe she's torn between her Inuyasha and 'Dogboy'. Let me be the first to offer my congratulations. I believe you have won her heart." With that, he took his leave with the items. Inuyasha couldn't help but feel a little energized by Souta's assessment of the situation.
"Yeah! I don't know about you, but I'm feeling really good right now." He announced to the crowd. They cheered. "Thank you all for being a part of this." The lights came on and showed the entire stage. The other band members took their positions once again. Each played a single note to inform them that they were ready. Once all three of them were heard, Inuyasha took a widespread stance, planting his feet of the ground, and began in intro. The crowd cheered, but you didn't hear it for very long, as the other came into the song. The lights went completely out after the intro and when they came back on, Miroku and Inuyasha had met halfway in between, facing each other as they played a complex piece.
"I think that this will be one of our legendary performances." Miroku said. Inuyasha nodded.
"I'm stoked at the response." It began to come to an end and Inuyasha backed off and headed for his mic. (311 - Beautiful Disaster)
"Today seems like a good day to burn a bridge or two.
One with old wood creaking, burn away right on cue.
I try to be not like that, but some people really suck.
Some people live for the axing, chalk it up to bad luck."
Inuyasha planted his feet and head banged over his guitar for that little portion.
"I know a drugstore cowgirl. so afraid of getting bored.
She's always running from something, so many things ignored.
I might do that stuff if, it didn't make me feel like shit.
I'm on some old reality tip, with so many trips in it.
Beautiful disaster- flying down the street again.
I tried to keep up, wore me out and left me ate up.
Now I wish you all the luck. You're a butterfly
in the wind without a care.
A pretty train crash to me and I can't care.
I do, I don't, whatever."
Instead of planting his feet, this time Inuyasha jumped up and down as he played the next portion. The crowd followed his example, all of them jumping around. The harder interlude ended and the lights went down again. There was another solo and Inuyasha and Miroku met again.
"Can I ask you a question?" Inuyasha laughed.
"Interesting time to ask, but go ahead."
"What exactly do you feel for her?" Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at her. She was watching, her face lit up in excitement.
"I think I'm in love with her." He said. Miroku smiled.
"Your cue's up." Inuyasha glared before breaking away and getting back to his mic, just in the nick of time.
"I know a drugstore cowgirl, so afraid of getting bored.
She's always running from something, so many things ignored.
I try to be not like this, but I thought it'd make a good song.
There's nothing to see, the show's over, so people just move along."
Inuyasha looked at Shippo, who was doing his own little thing, headbanging over his bass. Then, Kouga, who had that cocky air, threw his stick up and caught it again, not missing a beat. Then over to Miroku. There really wasn't a better group that he'd prefer to play with.
"Beautiful disaster - flying down the street again.
I tried to keep up, you wore me out and left me ate up.
Now I wish you all the luck, you're all butterflies
in the wind without a care.
a pretty train crash to me and I can't care.
I do, I don't, whatever."
As the song came to an end, Inuyasha really began playing. He head banged as he spun in circles, then began to jump at the same time. As he hit the final note, he handed facing the crowd, holding his guitar up.
"Thank you." Miroku said.
"This one will be in our heart forever. Thank you for being a part of it." Inuyasha said, pausing a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow. "I'd like to thank everyone who came out here tonight. We couldn't do this without you. My band mates. The friends we have back here tonight. A special shout out to out crews and techs. Give a hand for all of them." The audience clapped and cheered. "We have one more for you tonight." He said. Souta came and collected his guitar, since he wouldn't need it. Inuyasha looked over at Miroku who started the song. Kouga and Shippo fell in their places. Inuyasha stepped in for his part as well. (Lit - Lovely Day)
"Shake it off and throw it.
Roll it up and smoke it.
No one knows-
what it's worth or where it's going.
Tired money makers, boring conservators.
Keep it up, we all know
where you blow it.
And now i live in a world I call my own.
It's always nice when no ones home.
Giving a time and place,
but you don't ask what it's for."
Inuyasha looked out over the crowd. Their energy helped his own as they worked off of each other. It was a vicious cycle in all their shows, just continually flowed and now that it was coming to an end, everyone put forth the most energy the could. Miroku had been jumping up and down while hitting all of his riffs. Shippo was spinning circles, headbanging over the bass. Kouga was doing his thing, spinning the sticking between his fingers and throwing them into the air, catching them as they came back down. The audience responded by nodding their heads, singing along, jumping, moshing, crowd-surfing, and anything else they could think of.
"It's another world
But it's something more than ordinary
Such a lovely day
And it's nothing more than ordinary living
That you're living.
Waking up and rollin'
Loaded up and flowing
Creeping out, we all know
Where you're going
Trying to ignore it
What you're looking for and no one knows
What its worth, where it's going. Come on y'all."
Inuyasha held the mic out towards the crowd, letting them sing the pre-chorus with Miroku's help.
"And now I live in a world
That I call my own
It's always nice
When no ones home
Give it a time and a place
If you don't ask what it's for."
Inuyasha flashed a grin and lipped the word "Beautiful" to them before continuing on himself.
"It's another world
But it's something more than ordinary
Such a lovely day
And it's nothing more than ordinary living
That you're living."
Miroku's solo came up. Inuyasha smirked as he went to Shippo's side of the stage. There was a large amplifier at the corner of the stage. Inuyasha climbed on top of it and raised his hands in the air. They roared. Inuyasha pointed at those directly in front of him. He needed their cooperation and attention if this was going to work. As the solo ended, he sang.
"And now I live in a world
That I call my own
It's always nice
When no ones home
Give it a time and a place
If you don't ask what it's for."
With a deep breath, Inuyasha jumped off the speaker into the crowd, landing back first. He let out his breath when the people caught him and began passing him around.
"It's another world
But it's something more than ordinary
Such a lovely day
And it's nothing more than ordinary."
He pointed back towards the stage and fortunately, the fans followed his wishes.
"It's another world
But it's something more than ordinary
Such a lovely day
And it's nothing more than ordinary living."
He was made it back to the stage. A couple of the security guards helped him go from the crowd to the stage. The other band members were holding their notes until he had successfully made it back and was ready. Once he was into position, he raised his arms, causing the audience to cheer, but it was also a signal. When his arm dropped, they'd finish the song off. He paused for the audience and their cheering, but when it fell the band finished together.
"That you're living." Inuyasha sang for the last lyric if the show. After that, it was all over. Miroku stepped up to the mic.
"Thank you all for coming out tonight. I hope you had a great time. I know we did."
"We'll see you next time around. Until then." Inuyasha said. There was always promotional items from them to throw out. Kouga threw out his drum sticks and a couple drum heads. Shippo through out some signature pics. Miroku threw out some sticker packs, key chains, and other little things, while Inuyasha got the t-shirts and wristbands. It was a little harder, because he wanted to give the shirts to people who seemed that size. He was down to his last t-shirt and wristband when he saw a man who had been there all night with his little girl on his shoulders in the front. He quickly jumped down from the stage, security moved near him for precaution, but no one tried anything. He handed the shirt to the man. and putting the wristband on the little girls wrist. She blushed profusely at him, not saying a word. Inuyasha laughed lightly.
"Thank you. I really does mean a lot to her." The man said. Inuyasha nodded, patting the little girl's head.
"Be a good girl for your papa, alright?" She nodded shyly. Inuyasha smiled and looked at the man.
"Thanks for coming out tonight. Hope you enjoyed the show."
"I did. Very much so." He said. Inuyasha nodded his thanks and climbed back onstage.
"Thank you." A little voice said from behind him. He turned around and saw the little girl looking at him.
"You're welcome." He said, waving to her. As he turned around, he chuckled. As he began heading toward the doorway, he saw Kagome had been watching him from there. He paused, but quickly kept on going, hoping it wasn't long enough for her to take any notice. He proceeded trough the doorway, brushing past her.
"That was sweet of you." She said.
"Oh- uh. Thanks I guess." He was unsure of what to say, but he wasn't ready yet. "Sorry, but really want to get out of these clothes now and clean-up a bit."
"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Go ahead." He turned around and headed toward wardrobe. As soon as he opened the door, he was dragged inside and the door shut behind him.
"Why the hell didn't you tell us?" Shippo said. Kouga acted as if he didn't care, but he was listening rather intently. Inuyasha turned to Miroku, who began whistling as he turned the other way. Should have known he'd tell.
"I thought things would be simpler with just the four of us knowing."
"Four?! There's four people who know besides us?" Inuyasha and Miroku both shushed him.
"Cool it, Shippo. We don't want to be overheard. Yes, four people. Myself, Miroku, you know if he knows, Sango knows, and Souta."
"Souta?" Kouga said in surprise.
"Yeah. I felt obligated to. He's her brother." That was when Miroku laughed and jumped in.
"He gave him a little warning shot to the eye."
"Like hell he did. If that was a warning, I don't want to see what he's like when he's serious." He said, covering up what was left of
his pride before Kouga said anything.
"He hit you?" Inuyasha nodded.
"Why else would I allow Sango to put that crap all over my face?" Kouga smirked.
"One never knows..." They all laughed at his expense. Of course, he wasn't amused.
"Anyways," He said sharply. "I just wanted to keep it quiet until whatever happens with this happens. Any secret is more likely to slip with more people knowing and I was just being cautious. No hard feelings, right?" Shippo nodded and Kouga grunted. "Alright then. Now that you two are dressed, get out there before someone suspects some thing's going on." They both headed to the door.
"Okay, okay. No need to be such an-" Kouga was cut short as Inuyasha's shoe flew at him. He had to shut the door in order to block it. As he got changed, he thought of how he wanted to approach the matter. He had changed his jeans and wife-beater for clean ones. His eyes landed on the Cure shirt whenever a new idea came to mind. He immediately liked it and grabbed the shirt, leaving it in his hand as he walked out.
AN: All right, it's coming to an end. The next chapter is the finale. Thank you so much for the reviews and encouragement along the way. Cheers!!