Disclaimer: I refuse to say it...
A/N: I got reviews telling me I should hurry this up, so I did. Can't forget to thank everyone that actually reviewed. You guys are awesome! And as an answer for some of your questions, I have no clue myself when Inuyasha and Miroku are actually going to find out the truth. Whenever they do, I guess. I just write off inspiration. Anyway, thanks again!
Just a note, the excerpts of the song in this chapter going through Kagome's head is 'Leave Me Alone.' As if it wasn't obvious.
Chapter 4 - Leave Me Alone
Kagome groggily opened her eyes to the sound of Souta once again pounding on her door. She still had yet to buy a new alarm clock, since there was no way her old one was ever going to beep again. But for the time being, her brother was just as good of a wake up call.
"Alright, Souta, I'm awake! Go away!" she shouted and threw the sheets to the foot of her bed. Her feet were swung over the edge of the bed as Kagome sat up, still partially sleeping. Her brother's footsteps faded slowly in the hall, and given that she should actually get up for school instead of going back to sleep, she stood up.
Kagome more or less fell towards her closet, her feet barely leaving the carpet at all. With one good wrench the closet door slid open. She was standing before hangers upon hangers of shirts and varieties of tops, her pants and shorts stowed in the rather large dresser kept inside her closet.
For today, she chose a dark red long sleeved shirt, a pair of black baggy jeans, and black flip-flops. Today, just like every other day, was a lazy day.
As soon as she tugged her clothes on, Kagome stumbled out into the hall and the too-brightly lit hallway. Today was one of her mother's rare days off, so she would most likely be eating already. That seemed to lift her spirits slightly, and began quietly singing to herself as she wandered towards the stairs.
"Just leave me alone,
I don't want to hear your voice anymore.
Your face is the last thing I want to see.
I used to put up with your attitude,
But you drove me off the edge.
I can't put up with you any longer,
So leave me the hell alone."
With light footsteps, Kagome made her way down the steps and into the kitchen. Her mother and Souta were already eating breakfast at the table. As always, a plate was laid out for her. "Hey mom," she greeted as she sat in the closest chair. "Souta, you make one annoying wake up call. But thanks anyway."
Kea laughed slightly at the Souta's tormented glare, directed at none other than Kagome. "I'm assuming you and Sango practiced yesterday?"
Kagome nodded before finishing the last of her rice in record time. "Yeah," she answered simply, choosing to leave out Inuyasha and Miroku's little visit. "Next concert's Friday, so we have to be ready." She glanced down at her already practically empty plate and sighed. "I'm not that hungry. Is it alright if I go?"
Kea shook her head and smiled. "It's fine, dear. I can take care of it. You can just leave it sit."
Kagome nodded and made her exit towards the front door. "I'll see you after school. Bye." She gave a small wave before grabbing her backpack and stepping through the large white front door.
The morning air was cool and crisp, making Kagome glad that she stored a sweatshirt in her backpack. She pulled said red hoodie from her bag and pulled it over her raven black hair, immediately welcoming the warmth it provided. It didn't take her long to notice Sango was waiting at the end of the driveway, clad in dark gray jeans and a forest green shirt.
"Hey Sango! How long have you been waiting?" Kagome called as she ran the rest of the way, the slight incline allowing her to gain speed.
Sango wrapped one arm around Kagome's shoulder and smiled. "About two minutes. If you actually think I'm going to get up that early, you're mistaken." She chuckled lightly and released her death grip on Kagome's shoulder. "What do you think the odds are of us meeting up with Inuyasha and Miroku today?"
Kagome frowned and pretended to think about it. "I'd say a million to one."
The sound of Mr. Shodou's - the calligraphy teacher's - voice snapped Kagome back to reality. Thankfully, this was their last class of the day. Sango sat next to her, and, because they were so lucky, Inuyasha and Miroku were sitting ahead of them.
Kagome bolted upright and stared ahead at the teacher, half-trying to pay attention. The other half was still in la-la land. It took multiple nudges from Sango to fully get Kagome's eyes to stay on the board.
"That'll be all for today. I'll be letting you out a few minutes early-" but before Mr. Shodou got to finish his sentence, all the students had disappeared.
Kagome and Sango were already walking towards their locker when a voice behind them called their names. Kagome groaned and stopped dead in her tracks. "Sango...please tell me it's not who I think it is," she pleaded and clenched one fist at her side. The same song she was singing earlier began to run across her mind.
'I used to think you were the one for me.
But that was the worst mistake I've ever made.
Now I can't believe that I actually fell for you...
Why won't you leave me alone?'
Sango cleared her throat and turned her head slightly. "Does that mean I can lie to you?"
Kagome gritted her teeth and spun around, deciding to feign cheerfulness. "Hi Inuyasha, Miroku...What's up?" She had to keep herself from turning to Sango, figuring that the shocked expression plastered on her face would make Kagome herself crack up.
Miroku shrugged and immediately reached his arms out. Sango responded with loud slap to the face. Kagome twitched at the resounding noise.
"Ooh, Sango, that was harsh," Kagome commented and burst out laughing. She spared a glance Inuyasha's way, who seemed to be holding back laughter, though it looked like he was about to erupt any minute. Since Mr. Shodou had let them out a few minutes early, they had some time before school was officially over.
"So, how did practice go yesterday?" Miroku asked, gently rubbing his smarting cheek. Kagome and Sango stiffened instantaneously. The two boys were either too ignorant to notice or they didn't say anything about it.
Sango shifted on her feet and scratched the back of her head. "Uh...good. Fine." She nudged Kagome, who nodded instantly.
Kagome glanced up at a nearby clock and sighed. "I have to get home to take care of Souta. Bye." She gave an apologetic wave and turned around. It seemed in a second she had disappeared around the next corner, leaving Sango alone.
Sango glanced from a clearly amused Inuyasha to Miroku, who was doing nothing but watching her. "I think I'll go too. If dad catches me late again he'll take away my guitar." She shrugged slightly and began running the same way Kagome had moments before. But she didn't get very far before Miroku latched a hand onto her shoulder.
"You're gonna practice today, right? Can we come over and listen to you play?" he asked, his violet eyes never leaving Sango's brown ones. She opened her mouth and closed it again, searching desperately for something to say.
'Dammit, Kagome, you left me too early!' Sango sighed and ran a hand through her dark hair, hanging loosely around her shoulders. "I guess it would be alright. Come over to Kagome's around four then." She gave a small wave before walking down the hall in the opposite direction.
As soon as Sango stepped outside, she was pulled aside by Kagome into a corner. "What did you tell them?" she asked immediately and gripped onto the straps of her backpack as if it were her lifeline.
Sango smiled slightly and glanced back at the doors, as if Inuyasha and Miroku were going to appear any minute. "Well, I told them they could come over." At the look of disbelief on Kagome's face, she waved her hands in the air as an act of innocence. "It's not like they're going to find out anything, right? We'll be fine."
Kagome frowned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Guess you're right. We should get home, then, if they're coming over today. Just as long as they stay out of the music closet." She cringed at the thought, and soon fell in step with Sango as they started walking home. "I don't think they're dense enough to not think something was up."
A wind blew heavily, lashing Kagome's hair into her face and behind her back. It was tugging on their clothes, blowing them every which way it chose. Sango glanced up at the slowly darkening clouds and furrowed her brows. "I think it's going to storm. We should hurry up."
And so they began to run.
Kagome plugged her guitar into the amp and turned up the volume. Sango was already hooked up, and was now waiting inside the house. More specifically, in the kitchen. It was now nearing three fourty-five, meaning that Inuyasha and Miroku would be there in fifteen minutes. They had nothing else to do now except wait...and eat.
It had indeed begun to rain as soon as they got home, so they were going to practice in her closed garage. Thunder clashed loudly as Kagome ran into the house and shut the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes and ran into the kitchen, only to find Sango rummaging through the cupboards. She emerged shortly with a box of pocky and two cups of chicken seasoned instant noodles. She held a free finger up to Kagome and reached into one of the cupboard, pulling out a pan and filling it with hot water that went on the stove. The pocky was dropped on the counter.
Kagome couldn't help but smile at Sango, who was now leaning against the cupboard next to the stove. "I swear, Sango, you're a mind reader. But we'll have to be quick before they get here, or they'll be eating me out of house and home."
Sango nodded, and as soon as the water began boiling, she poured it into the styrofoam cups. The box of pocky was soon ripped open and Sango reached for one of the sticks, whereas Kagome grabbed two. She shrugged innocently. "What? I'm hungry."
Sango rolled her eyes, soon stopped short as the familiar ringing sound echoed into the kitchen. It was the doorbell, to be exact. "Oh, crap...they're early!" She glanced up at the clock, now reading three fifty-five, and frowned. When she turned to Kagome, she found that she was already draining her instant noodles. Sango followed suit. As soon as the cups were empty, Kagome grabbed the box of pocky and shoved it in the nearest cupboard.
They heard Souta as he ran downstairs, having already yelled that he would answer the door. Sango chose this time to throw the empty pan she used to boil the water in the sink. Now the kitchen seemed undisturbed, as if they had not been slurping down noodles a minute before.
With Kagome leading the way, once or twice rubbing her hands on her jeans, they walked into the living room. The three couches that faced a huge entertainment center - stocked with a tv with surround sound and a huge stereo system - were navy, whereas the carpet was an off-white, matching the color of the walls. Kagome had no intention of allowing them to see too much of the house, and planned to lead them directly to the garage.
Standing at the doorway was Inuyasha and Miroku, now almost drenched from the rain, and Souta, who had shortly engaged them in a conversation about who-knows-what. Inuyasha was wearing a red shirt and black cargo pants. Miroku donned a dark purple button-up shirt and black jeans. Kagome stopped when Inuyasha's eyes caught her's and cleared her throat. "Hey," she greeted, and nervously shifted her weight to her opposite foot. "We're playing in the garage. Come on."
Inuyasha ruffled Souta's hair and shortly followed Kagome and Sango, Miroku walking next to Inuyasha. They couldn't help but stare around the house, their eyes bugging and mouths shaped in a silent 'o.' But they didn't say anything, because Inuyasha could tell that Kagome was somewhat embarrassed. Why? That was the part he couldn't figure out.
Kagome led them to a single door and opened it, hurriedly bounding down the four steps and on to the black tile. It was empty except for the guitars, amps, and other random items since Kea had taken the car to work. But Kagome promised herself that as soon as she got her license she was going to buy a car of her own.
Inuyasha and Miroku grabbed on to two chairs that were sitting in the corner. Sango grabbed her guitar and turned to face Kagome, who had her's in hand as well and was adjusting the strings. "What song?" she whispered quietly.
Kagome paused and lowered her head slightly. She leaned even closer to Sango and whispered something in her ear, and then they both turned around. They didn't notice at first that Souta had came into the garage, and was now standing behind Inuyasha and Miroku. She rolled her eyes as Sango began playing the first few notes.
Kagome sucked in a deep breath as her fingers began to move nimbly around her guitar strings, almost subconsciously, as she turned her eyes to Inuyasha. His expression was unreadable. So with slightly narrowed eyes, she began singing.
(Song: Think Again)
"If you thought I was going to hang around you forever,
You're wrong.I had no intention of being dragged along,
Subjected to you and everything you did.
If you thought I was going to put up with that,
Think again."
"You better think again.
I'm not one to be messed around with.
Not one to be toyed around with.
If you thought I was going to commit to this,
Think again."
"I thought you were different from the others.
But I was wrong.
I don't see why I bothered with someone like you.
It was just a waste of time.
Maybe next time I should think again,
When I see another guy like you."
"You better think again.
I'm not one to be messed around with.
Not one to be toyed around with.
If you thought I was going to commit to this,
Think again."
"You nearly drove me crazy.
But now that you're gone,
You're the only thing I think about.
Is that so wrong?
Maybe next time I should think again,
Before I end it."
The guitars slowly faded out, and eventually, the whole garage was silent. Kagome cleared her throat and raised her eyes to meet those of Inuyasha and Miroku. She was a little irked atwhy they weren't saying anything. 'Oh god, say something, please.'
Souta was the one who finally ran forward and put a hand on Kagome's arm. "You were great, sis," he praised, and all he got in return was ruffled hair.
Sango pulled the guitar strap over her shoulder and set it back on the stand. "So? Are you gonna sit there and gawk like idiots forever?" she demanded playfully as she turned off her amp. Miroku chose this time to walk towards Sango and clasp her hands in his own.
"You were great, Sango. I've never heard anyone play with as much talent as you," Miroku reputed and looked towards Kagome. "You were both great. I can't believe..I never knew you guys played guitar or sang so well."
Kagome blushed slightly under the praise and lowered her precious red guitar to the stand. "Right...Inuyasha what about you?" He was still sitting in the chair, his stare wandering from the guitar back to Kagome.
Inuyasha stood up and nodded in agreement. "Did you take lessons or something?" he queried, and leaned forward to touch Kagome's guitar before she slapped his hand away.
"Don't touch the guitar, and...sort of. I guess you could say that." Kagome laughed lightly and picked up her guitar again, holding it possessively in her arms. "I'm going to go put this away, and I'll grab your case, Sango. Why don't you lead them to the kitchen?"She smirked and crouched down so she was face-to-face with Souta. "And you can get them something to eat, alright? Mom won't be home until later, so I'm stuck making supper again."
Kagome walked back into the house, with Sango, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Souta hot on her heels. But she began climb upstairs, whereas the other four broke off towards the kitchen. Souta immediately went for the fridge, and Sango went for the cupboards higher up. Inuyasha and Miroku took a seat at the table.
"How long have you been playing?" Miroku asked as he drummed his fingers on the mahogany table.
Sango shrugged, her head still inside a cupboard above the stove. "Me and Kagome? Four, wait, no...five years. Ever since we were eleven and Kagome bought a guitar."
Inuyasha propped his elbows on the table. "Long time, huh?"
Sango turned to face them in the dining room and shut the cupboard behind her. "You don't know the half of it."
Kagome: Ha! Beat that, Inuyasha!
Sango: :sticks tongue out at Miroku:
Inuyasha: Keh, whatever. It wasn't that great.
Miroku: Yes, Inuyasha, it was. Don't be so jealous.
Kagome: See?! Don't forget to review!
Stephenie: Know what? You guys can just all shut up...I'm getting a headache...
A/N: HA! They've heard them play. Which could be a bad thing, or a good thing. I really don't know yet. Let your minds wander until I update again. Later.
Hey, see that button down there? I wonder what happens if you press it...
