Chapter 10

I stood at the edge of the stage, clutching my violin tightly and staring out at the immense crowd. "I think I'm going to throw up," I muttered.

Sesshomaru, who was standing next to me, nudged my shoulder and said smugly, "I can't believe you of all people are nervous, Rin!"

I glared at him and snapped, "Why do I have to keep reminding you people that I haven't performed in front of anyone in over two years!"

Isabella snorted and said, "So after two years she doesn't lose her skill but she develops stage freight! That's just great."

I turned my hot glare on Isabella who simply shrugged with a little smile. We were all standing on the stage of the Los Angles Music Hall waiting for our turn. We were in the first competition for the NHSMC and the challenge for this one was for each of the performers to choose and piece from a musician of their instrument who was known in the 1900s and then blend all the pieces together.

I choose Ida Haendel who was a famous British violinist and one of my heroes. All the others had chosen pieces as well and we had spent the last two months blending them together. I think I came out really well and as long as we didn't blow it I think we had a really good chance of passing onto Regionals.

See, this is how the NHSMC works: In the State competitions the top three schools go onto Regionals. At Regionals the top two teams go onto Nationals so in the end there about 10 teams that go to Washington DC to try and win the whole thing. So for this one, all we have to do is get in the top three and we'll be good. Of course we're hoping for 1st place.

On the stage the school performing finally ended and the announcer's voice rang out saying, "Ok up next is Seiso Academy, a well known music academy!"

I turned around to look at my friends and, all stage freight extinguished as always, said, "Let's go guys!"

Thinking back on it later, I was really surprised on how well it went. I had only ever performed with a piano before so the flute, clarinet, and trumpet were all new to me. Our practices had all went really well but our performance went up another level.

All the notes blended together in the piece we called The Classical 1900 Blend. Lucas's trumpet and Isabella's clarinet danced together and Kohaku provided a deep backbone for the piece on the piano. Sesshomaru's and my violins also twisted together beautifully and I finally remembered what it was like to be drunk on music, a beautiful feeling.

When I did an old move from the past by doing the splits during a hard note the crowd exploded. To my great surprise Sesshomaru laughed when he saw me and copied to move making the crowd roar again.

I looked over at him, delighted, and the rest of the performance went just as well. At the end I like to think that we got the biggest applause of the day.

We all ran off the stage excited words tumbling over each other. "Wow, we were great!" cried Lily just as Kohaku exclaimed, "There's no way that we won't win after that!"

Will turned an amused smile to Sesshomaru and said, "That was a nice trick. When did you learn to do the splits?"

Sesshomaru shrugged and replied, "No idea. I just thought it would look more coordinated if we both did it."

"The crowd sure loved it," Lucas commented, "let's just hope the judges will."

"Of course they will!" I said, still feeling excited, "why wouldn't they?"

"Why won't they indeed," came a cool voice behind me, "after all judges and crowds have always fallen at your feet haven't they Rin Tsukimori?"

I spun around in surprise and found myself standing face to face with Ruby Goodwell. Ruby was a classical flutist and an old rival. She had some talent and way too much attitude. Of course she was another case where she was jealous of Shou's and my fame and records and always took it out on us. Needless to say we were not too fond of each other. We also hadn't seen each other since the accident.

"Ruby Goodwell," I said in shock, "what are you doing here?"

"What does it look like?" asked Ruby snottily, "Same as you I'm guessing. I'm here to participate in the NHSMC. Only unlike you I'm going to win it!"

Surprisingly, I had the oddest urge to smile. Nice to see Ruby hadn't changed. Kind of. "You must have missed our performance just know if you think that," I answered.

Ruby snorted and, flicking her red hair over her shoulder, turned to Sesshomaru. "Sesshomaru," she said in a much sweeter tone of voice, "I must say it is nice to see you again. You, of course, were brilliant out there."

Before Sesshomaru had a chance to respond Will stepped forward and said, "Excuse me but just who are you?"

"Oh the flutist," Ruby said looking over Will with some interest, "you were good as well. Of course not as good as me. My name is Ruby Goodwell and I'm a well known child flutist. Perhaps you've heard of me?"

Will looked around at us and then cocked an elegant eyebrow in Ruby's direction. "Nope," he said with a charming smile, "Sorry. Never heard of you before."

Ruby's face flamed and she was about to give another nasty retort when the announcer's voice suddenly came back on, "Ok folks, please welcome the last group of the evening to the stage, St. Joseph's Academy from San Diego!"

Ruby gave us all a very charming smile and said, "Well Rin, I would love to stay and chat to you and your new friends but I have a competition to win. I'll see you around Sesshomaru."

She left in a flurry of skirts and Will shook one fist in her direction, "Ok, I've known that girl for five minuetes and I already can't stand her!"

"Don't worry," I said, putting one elbow on Sesshomaru's shoulder, leaning against him, "that is a common reaction, believe me. Right Sesshomaru?"

I could feel Sesshomaru's laughter through his body as he said, "Got that right. Still, it's nice to know some things will never change."

I snorted and replied, "Well, let's just see if she's gotten better over the last two years."

To my slight surprise she actually had. Ruby had always been good but now I would even go as far as calling her great and her group was absolutely phenomenal. Enter four lettered word here.

Behind me I heard Lucas's soft voice saying, "She was wrong you know Will."

Will turned to his best friend and asked, "About what?"

"She isn't better than you," Lucas answered with a little smile.

"Got that right," I called softly over my shoulder, still watching the stage. I heard Will's quiet laughter behind me but I was focused on the stage. Ruby's group was really good and I knew they might actually be some competition for us.

Three hours later all the competing teams were in the hall lobby waiting for the results of the competition. Lily, Isabella and I were sitting together on one of the only benches with the boys leaning against the walls on either side of us.

"I can hardly stand this!" cried Kohaku, "Sesshomaru, Rin, how can you stand the waiting?"

Sesshomaru shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "Well as long as I wasn't compositing against Rin and Shou I always won."

"I usually won too," I said in a distracted tone.

"You two are impossible!" Kohaku exclaimed through gritted teeth.

"Oh leave it alone Kohaku," Isabella said, rolling her eyes, "they are like famous remember?" After a moment Isabella continued in a puzzled tone, "Hey Rin, since this is your first appearance in two years shouldn't people be a little more interested or something?"

I shrugged with a glance at Sesshomaru and replied, "I guess nobody's really figured it out yet. My registered name is Rin Blackwell, not Tsukimori, and I don't exactly look like I did then so nobody's put two and two together."

"As long as Ruby doesn't spill her guts, Rin will probably be safe from the media for at least a while longer," Sesshomaru added.

"I guess that's a good thing," Kohaku said.

"It is," I answered, "I'm just getting into the swing of things again and the last thing I need to be hounded by reporters who all ask way too many questions. Believe me, been there, done that."

"That's too bad in a way," Lily said thoughtfully, "that would be pretty good hype for our school."

I was about to make a stinging retort then, once again, I was interrupted by that annoying announcer's voice. "Ok folks, thanks for your patience!" it boomed, "We finally have the results of the California stage of the NHSMC! Over twenty schools entered but as you all know only three can move on. Please direct your attention to the monitors to see if your school made it. Good luck to everyone!"

I turned instantly to the monitors that lined the top of one wall and saw the final decision flash up.

3rd Place: Queen's Academy for Girls

2nd place: Seiso Academy

1st place: St. Joseph's Academy

We had made it! Maybe not first place but we were defiantly going to Regionals! I turned my beaming face and saw equal expressions of delight on my friends. Well most of them.

Lily and Kohaku were hugging happily while Isabella talked excitedly to Lucas. Will still leaned against the wall but he was smiling too. Only Sesshomaru still wore a slight frown.

I stood and walked over to him and asked, "What in the world is wrong? We made it, didn't we? Who cares if we didn't get 1st place, we're still moving on and that what matters!"

Sesshomaru turned his head to me and, giving a dry smile said, "Yes, I just wish it didn't have to be Ruby who won it."

Oh ya. I'd forgotten about that. "Speak of the devil," I said softly seeing a figure approaching from behind Sesshomaru.

He rolled his eyes and turned around. "Ah, Ruby! Congratulations on the win of course."

She gave him her signature nasty smile. "Thanks Sesshomaru," she said flirtatiously, "and congrats on your win as well. I'm sure you were the one who managed to pull your team to that place."

I crossed me arms over my chest and glared. Sesshomaru titled his head in my direction and answered smoothly, "It was a joint effort."

"Right," said Ruby in a tone that said she didn't believe him for a second, "well, I'll see you two at regionals then. Good luck, Rin, you're going to need it."

I probably would have taken a swing at the infuriating girl right then and there but Sesshomaru grabbed my arm and dragged me back to our group. "Hey!" I cried in indignation.

"Not worth it, Rin," Sesshomaru said without looking up, "She may have won this round but it is so far from over."

I relaxed and smiled at the words. Sesshomaru was right, we were going to Regionals and we were going to win it for sure. I turned to the smiling faces of my friends and knew that we had a lot of work to do but we would get there. I also knew that now was not the time for work but for fun and celebration. There would be plenty of time for practice later.

Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!

Attention all Readers:

I am currently considering getting a beta reader so if anyone is interested please PM me! There are a few readers who have struck with me for a long time now who I'd love to have but anyone is welcome. Thanks guys!