InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Disaster ❯ In Repair ( Chapter 2 )

Beautiful Disaster

 

Chapter 2: In Repair

 

 

Kagome awoke to a clatter that sounded like it could be World War IV. That could only mean one thing: Sango was in the kitchen. `Why doesn't she just wait until I wake up?' She rolled over, nearly falling out of her full-size bed. Stumbling out from under the covers, she left her bedroom to wander down the hall where multiple pans were already piled. Turning the corner into the kitchen, her eyes widened in horror. “What the hell did you do?”

 

Sango was balancing five eggs in her hand with a skillet in the other; two of the burners were bright red and there was a stack of newspapers starting to brown around the edges. There were two blackened bagel halves sticking out of the toaster, and there were frozen sausage links circling in the microwave - where she had pressed the defrost button twice - not having taken the time to read the box.

 

“Oh Kagome, help me,” she pleaded, attempting to turn off one burner with her foot. Kagome grabbed the eggs from her hand and moved the stack of papers to the opposite counter.

 

“Why didn't you just wait for me to get up? You know better than I do that you can't cook,” she said with a frown, hurrying to stop the microwave where the sausage links were basically boiling in grease.

 

“Yeah, I know…” she started, scratching the back of her head embarrassedly. “I just wanted to surprise you with breakfast since you had such a lousy day yesterday,” she said with a shrug and a small smile. Kagome pulled the plate of sausages out and turned to grin at Sango in thanks.

 

“Once these cool off a little I think they'll be edible,” she commented, poking them with a fork. “What time is it anyw- OH MY GOD!” Kagome yelled staring at the clock above the stove. “Two in the afternoon!? Why didn't you wake me up?” Kagome said with a drop-jaw expression, rushing out of the kitchen to get changed.

 

“I tried, but you were dead to the world. I guess you weren't kidding about work,” she hollered down the hallway. “Why else would I put both of us at risk - I was hungry!”

 

“Oh, and here I thought you did it especially for me,” Kagome said, smoothing her hair back into a ponytail as she scurried from the bathroom. “God, he'll probably be here any minute.”

 

“He was actually here about forty-five minutes ago,” Sango said matter-of-factly, standing casually in the doorway of Kagome's bedroom.

 

“WHAT!?”

 

“Yeah, I told him to come back in an hour or two - told him you were out cold,” she said as she wandered away, looking thoughtful.

 

“Really?” Kagome spat sarcastically, pulling up her pencil skirt and smoothing her blouse. `How embarrassing.'

 

“Yep.”

 

Just then somebody knocked on the door and Kagome stared daggers at Sango. She made a mad dash for the door, but Sango had too much of a head start, swinging the door open so it nearly hit her in the face.

 

“Hello again,” Kagome heard his velvety voice say. Suddenly she was afraid to emerge from behind the door.

 

“Hey. Guess who woke up,” Sango said, wrapping her arm around Kagome's shoulders and pulling her into view.

 

“Hey there,” she said sheepishly, a deep flush ravishing her cheeks. At the mere sight of her, Inuyasha's ears perked up and he flashed a toothy grin.

 

“You want to come in for some breakfast?” Sango offered, gesturing for him to come in. “Kagome says the sausage might be edible.”

 

He laughed openly as he walked in. “Sorry to say I already ate breakfast… and lunch. You ready to go?” he asked Kagome as she hurried back down the hall.

 

“Yeah, just let me grab some shoes.”

 

When she emerged a minute later, she had Inuyasha's jacket slung over her shoulder, a bag in her hand. “I'm ready,” she said with a rushed smile - avoiding Sango's eyes. She opened the door without looking back. “You coming?” she asked over her shoulder.

 

“Yeah,” he said, chuckling. He followed her out the door.

 

“Don't forget to pick me up later!” Sango called after them, hanging halfway out the open door. The only confirmation she had that they'd heard was a slight wave over Kagome's shoulder. It almost seemed like she were shooing her, not confirming a statement. `You're already head over heels for this guy… you just don't know it yet,' she thought with a smile before closing the door and returning to the hazard zone of a kitchen she'd created.

 

 

---------------beautiful-disaster---------------

 

 

The car ride was mostly silent, besides a few discreetly exchanged questions and comments. They were both keeping to themselves until they pulled up along the same curb as the previous night. “Wait. You drive that white car?” Inuyasha asked pointing across the street with a clawed finger.

 

“Yeah. Why, something wrong?” she asked curiously.

 

He turned the key and pulled it out of the ignition before he opened his door and wandered determinedly across the street. Kagome followed in avid interest. What had him so riled about her car?

 

“This thing could be a collector's item!” he said staring at the car in awe, running his hand across the hood; caressing it. “This thing could fetch thousands if it were in better condition,” he commented, turning to stare at her. “Don't tell me you had no idea,” he added with a smirk, raising his eyebrows.

 

“Nope,” she said as she shrugged her shoulders and walked around to the passenger side, crossing her arms on the top and leaning her weight on it. She looked bored. “I picked it up from a used car lot a few years back. The guy who sold it to me was desperate for cash, so I got it for a little over six-hundred bucks.”

 

He stared at her unbelievingly before grabbing for the door handle. “Where are the keys?”

 

She pulled them out of her coat pocket, tossing them across the car to him. Catching them easily in mid-air, he opened the door to sit proudly in the driver's seat. Kagome watched him curiously through the passenger-side window. He was running his hands over the steering wheel, the dash, the transmission, before trying to start the car himself. It rumbled - growled at him, but no luck getting it started.

 

“It sounds like engine troubles… something is probably in the way - a part might've been knocked loose.” And with that, he reached down to pull the lever to pop the hood. With something between a `boom' and a `thud', the latch on the hood came free, and he stepped out to inspect whatever kind of disaster was hidden beneath it. Carefully, he lifted it and propped it open. A dust cloud attacked him, as if proclaiming `I'm free!'

 

“I doubt anyone's looked in here for a few decades,” he said with a cough, trying to disperse the dust among the air. He covered his mouth and nose, coughing a few more times, waiting for the irritating dust to settle.

 

“I certainly haven't looked at it,” Kagome said with another shrug; half lidded eyes.

 

“Don't fall asleep on me, wench,” he snorted, leaning forward to inspect the engine. “I didn't ask for this job - I offered. The least you could do is stay awake.”

 

“Calm down, Yash, I'm not gonna fall asleep,” she sneered. “Got enough of that last night.”

 

“Yash? Nobody's called me that since high school,” he retorted, nose wrinkled up in disgust.

 

“Well I'm so glad I bring back such pleasant memories for you,” she shot back. Was this really the same nice guy she'd met last night?

 

“Calm down, its fine,” he said with a smile, peeking at her over the hood before returning to the heap of metal before him that claimed to be an engine. “This thing is a mess. Are you sure it was running before yesterday?”

 

She giggled as she made her way to the front to look at it with him. “I never said it purred like a kitten,” she answered, nudging him with her shoulder, knocking him off balance.

 

“Good, because that would just turn me off,” he chuckled, pointing up at his ears. “Dog.”

 

“Oh, do you play fetch, too?” she teased, grabbing for an ear as he jerked away.

 

“No touching,” he warned, a silly smile plastered on his face, “or I might have to play attack dog.”

 

“You're no fun,” she complained, sticking her bottom lip out.

 

“No pouting,” he accused, turning back to the engine. “I think I found your major problem right here,” he said pointing at it. “Looks like some pipes got knocked out of place. I should be able to fix it no problem,” he said with a grin. “I've just gotta reconnect `em. I'll bring a toolbox tomorrow. It shouldn't take more than half an hour.”

 

“Great, thank you so much for doing this.”

 

“You're welcome… and I figured out the payment.”

 

“Hey, you said free!” she protested. He put his hand up to quiet her.

 

“Just let me drive it once or twice. That's all I ask,” he replied, quirking his eyebrows at her. “I just want to know what it feels like to drive a classic.”

 

“Oh… okay I guess.” `What is it with guys and cars? I don't see the appeal.' Her stomach growled - loud - and she blushed before looking down at her stomach, giggling.

 

“Well, since that's settled…” he said scratching at the back of his head, “how `bout I get you something to eat? It's about three-thirty.”

 

“Oh no, I'm fine. You're offering too much,” she said, blushing and focusing on her feet.

 

“I insist. It'll be somewhere cheap, I promise. No guilty conscience needed.” He smiled enigmatically, lighting the entire street, she was sure. He put his arm around her shoulders and pointed up the street. “How about that diner?”

 

“Sure. Thanks.”

 

“My pleasure,” he said with a grin, and began to lead her up the street.

 

 

---------------beautiful-disaster---------------

 

 

“What took the two of you so long?” Sango asked standing in the doorway, arms crossed across her chest. Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other and smiled.

 

“We looked at my car,” Kagome started, “and then he offered to take me out for a late lunch, seeing as he dragged me away from breakfast here.” And that was the honest truth. They had only eaten. Kagome tried to avoid his kindness as much as possible, and vice versa. He wasn't looking for a relationship, and she knew that. No matter how strongly she was drawn to him, she would not force herself on him. That could only cause more damage.

 

Inuyasha was thinking basically the same thing. That they had gone out merely as friends. Kagome was just a pretty girl who he'd met in the bar last night. As of yet, no feelings had formed. Still - there was something about her. The way she smiled at him made him want to make her smile more. Her happiness was infectious. The thought of hurting her emotionally made his stomach flip. `She's just reminding you of Kikyou,' his mind chanted, but there was a part of him - no matter how small - that wouldn't believe that.

 

“So what now?” she jeered towards both of them, still standing on the doorstep. “It's only five `o clock. Two hours to kill until you have to be there,” she said, swinging her arm wildly at Inuyasha.

 

“As a matter of fact…” he started, “…they've got karaoke `til six-thirty, and I could call Miroku to meet us there early. We could all order some dinner… the foods better than you'd think.”

 

She wanted to retort - really wanted to; she'd always been the difficult type - but she found nothing to complain about with his offer. “Whatever,” she said through a sigh, walking off to find her coat. Meanwhile, Inuyasha pulled out his cell phone, dialing Miroku's number.

 

“...ring…ring…ring…Hello?” a groggy voice picked up.

 

“Don't tell me you're drunk this early,” Inuyasha said. “I was wondering if you'd come in a little early to the bar for dinner. It's kind of a blind date for you.” He whispered the last part.

 

“What?” Miroku asked, voice a little clearer this time.

 

“Yeah, Kagome has a friend who wants to meet you,” he said glancing questioningly at Kagome. Where is she? he mouthed.

 

Kagome shrugged her shoulders before a crash was heard down the hallway. “Aaaahhh!” Sango groaned. “Kagome… you're helping me put the closet back together when we get home.” Kagome laughed silently behind her hand, and Inuyasha focused again on his conversation with Miroku.

 

“I think this one is just your type,” he said with a smirk as Sango emerged from the hallway wearing a long black blazer over a hot pink turtleneck - dark jeans and some high heels. “Definitely looks the part,” he teased. “Just meet us there… we're leaving now,” he finished, sliding his phone closed.

 

 

---------------beautiful-disaster---------------

 

 

They arrived at about half past five; Kagome rode in Inuyasha's car while Sango had driven her own. Pulling the door open, Inuyasha held it for both of them and followed behind Kagome. Miroku sat at the counter - staring at the door, waiting for them. `He's so desperate,' Inuyasha thought as he nearly leaped from his seat.

 

“Hello again!” he greeted Kagome, staring between her and Inuyasha. Out the corner of his eye he caught the bright pink and turned to stare at her, lost in his thoughts; dirty mind undressing her where she stood. “Hello,” he greeted, holding his hand out for her.

 

`He seems sane enough, and he's not bad looking,' Sango thought, stepping forward to reach for his hand. “I'm Sango,” she said returning his smile before their hands met and she was dragged forward into a hug. `Okay so he's a little… WHAT THE?' And before he knew what happened, Miroku sat face down on the beer-splattered concrete floor. “That's for putting your hands where they don't belong, pervert.”

 

“Look at that, you found one that fights back!” Inuyasha joked, grabbing Miroku's hand and pulling him to his feet. “Ouch! That's gonna leave quite a mark,” he said, cringing at the red handprint that was already swelling on Miroku's face.

 

“No doubt,” he said as he rubbed the tender skin. “I'm Miroku, by the way,” he said, glancing back at Sango. She narrowed her eyes at him.

 

“I don't think I'm interested,” she replied with a snort.

 

“Hey, just give him a second chance - that's how he greets all the pretty girls he meets,” Inuyasha defended. “Why don't we all just sit down and order some food?”

 

“I'm sitting with Kagome,” she stated blandly, glaring at Miroku.

“Whatever works,” Inuyasha said as they started off for a table. Kagome let the other two walk ahead a ways before pulling Inuyasha back to whisper harshly in his ear…

 

“What do you mean that's how he greets all the pretty girls?”

 

“You're the exception,” he whispered back. “You were kind of choking to death when he met you.” And with that he set off after Miroku and Sango, arm wrapped around Kagome's shoulders.

 

`So you think I'm pretty, huh?' she thought with a smile, following along without hesitation.

 

 

---------------beautiful-disaster---------------

 

 

“What do you do for a living, Sango?” Miroku asked from across the table. She had kept her word and sat next to Kagome, though she had slightly warmed up to him. Really, he was a perfectly decent guy with roaming hands. But of course, she wouldn't fling herself around like an open book yet.

 

“I work at the Coach store in the mall,” she said before taking a drink of her sprite - she wasn't going to let herself get drunk this early. “I'm the manager of inventory - just gotta make sure everything that we order shows up.”

 

In the background, there was a couple on stage wailing into the microphones at each other. “Is that supposed to be a love song?” Kagome asked with raised eyebrows, moving her hands to partially cover her ears. Honestly, it was worse than William Hung on American Idol. They took tone deaf to a whole new level. She was amazed that the crowd hadn't started booing yet.

 

When she glanced up, she noticed that all the tables around the stage were vacant, and people seated at other booths and tables were making worse comments than her. “They're in every other night,” Inuyasha commented. “Once you hear it enough, you learn to ignore it.”

 

“How can you ignore something so utterly gut wrenching?” she asked in astonishment, their voices sending an unpleasant chill through her body. When the song finally ended, more people applauded than they had for any decent couple that night - everyone was happy to see them get off the stage.

 

“Hey dog… why don't you go up there now and get your sorry sympathy song done with?”

 

“Nice to see you too, Kai,” he said dramatically, everyone turning to look at him. “Haven't the drugs killed your skinny ass yet?”

 

“You wish,” he shot back, noticing Kagome sitting beside Inuyasha. “You finally over the dead bitch? Did the little doggy want to come out and play again? Been deprived for too long?” he said, locking his eyes with hers.

 

“Why you son of a-

 

“Inuyasha, calm down!” Kagome pleaded as he stood to charge at Kai. He settled down when she grabbed his arm, and leaned back on the table, taking a big gulp of beer.

 

“Look at that! This one's even got you on a leash.”

 

Miroku and Sango watched as the tempers of both Inuyasha and Kagome grew to unhealthy proportions, their faces growing red with fury. “What gives you any fucking right to talk to her like that? Don't target her `cause you hate me, bastard.”

 

Kagome stood in silent fury. Before she boiled over and blew her top, she strode forward to slap him across the face - hard. This one made Sango's earlier slap to Miroku sound like slapping a pillow. The impact was so crisp - most of the occupants of the bar turned to look at her - drunk or otherwise.

 

“How dare you!” she growled through gritted teeth, the only thing holding her back being Inuyasha's hands on her shoulders. “How can you be so fucking heartless? He's a good guy, and doesn't deserve some ass like you making him feel worse about what happened.”

 

“Kagome-

 

“I'm not finished!” she yelled over her shoulder at him, tears of fury gathering in her eyes.

 

“Oh yes you are!” Kai yelled, advancing on her like a bullet. Inuyasha stepped in between them.

 

“This is our business. Don't involve her in this.”

 

“Then teach her to hold her tongue - maybe tie her fucking hands,” he said rubbing the big welt on his cheek. “Its showtime,” he said pointing to the clock above the stage. “We can settle this later.”

 

“You can count on that,” Inuyasha emphasized, cracking his knuckles, bending over to grab his guitar from beneath the table. His ears were plastered to his head as they walked to the stage - glaring at each other for the whole twenty-foot walk they had.

 

“Well ladies…” Miroku said, sliding out of the booth to follow “…I think I should go too.” That said, he took off sprinting toward the stage.

 

 

---------------beautiful-disaster---------------

 

 

Kagome had to admit that Kai was good at what he did. Every drum fill was difficult and fit perfectly with their current style. They'd played a lot of rock, some alternative, and a couple songs that might've qualified as emo… they were a very versatile group to say the least. Inuyasha's voice had been just as heavenly as she remembered it, and as a whole, the group had definitely impressed Kagome and Sango. The rest of the crowd didn't think they were half bad, either.

 

After an hour and a half of playing, Kai stood up to leave, putting his sticks in his pocket, but not before Inuyasha stopped him by grabbing his wrist. Kagome couldn't tell what kind of words they exchanged, but the look on Inuyasha's face was desperate. `Don't beg… don't give him any more satisfaction tonight.' she thought with a frown as she watched Kai return to the drum-set. `What is he doing?'

 

Inuyasha called Miroku over too, whispering in his ear, apparently asking a question. Miroku nodded his head before returning to his position on stage, slipping the strap of the bass guitar back over his shoulder. Leaning forward slightly, Inuyasha spoke into the microphone.

 

“This is going to be our last performance of the night, so… just a heads up. This song is called In Repair.”

 

He closed his eyes and leaned back on the stool as Kai played softly on the symbol - a quiet opening for their final song. Miroku began to lay down the walking line on the bass, and Inuyasha started to strum the guitar; still plugged in. He rocked back and forth with the calming melody before leaning forward and opening his eyes.

 

“Too many shadows in my room

 

Too many hours in this midnight

Too many corners in my mind

 

So much to do to set my heart right

 

Oh it's taking so long I could be wrong, I could be ready

Oh but if I take my heart's advice

I should assume it's still unsteady

I am in repair, I am in repair.”

 

She watched him move with the music, such fluidity and grace. He sang into the mic. tenderly; a lover's caress. He stared into the crowd, but his eyes didn't seek her out. He continued the next verse in the same fashion, staring unseeingly into the bar, yet effortlessly striking perfect chords. He closed his eyes again before leaning back for a guitar break. He sounded like he had all the skill of Santana, but still had that `undiscovered-musician'-like quality about him; a diamond in the rough. He leaned forward once more, this time keeping his eyes closed as he began.

 

“And now I'm walking in a park

All of the birds they dance below me

Maybe when things turn green again

It will be good to say you know me”

 

And then he opened his eyes to stare only at her, his golden eyes locking with her mahogany ones, a painful hold that she couldn't get enough of as he directed the final verse at her with a slight grin, revealing one of his fangs.

 

“Oh it's taking so long I could be wrong, I could be ready

Oh but if i take my heart's advice

I should assume it's still unready

Oh I'm never really ready, I'm never really ready

I'm in repair, I'm not together but I'm getting there

I'm in repair, I'm not together but I'm getting there…”

 

As he ended the song he blinked a few times before shaking his head, then returning his gaze to her face and grinning brightly. Miroku came to pat him on the shoulder before leaving the stage - following Kai, who was gone in the blink of an eye. Kagome could've cared less. With Sango at her side, they rushed up to speak with the two remaining band members, Sango talking to Miroku excitedly as Kagome made her way up the stairs.

 

“Hey, you were really great tonight,” she complimented when she approached him, rubbing his shoulder while he remained seated on the stool. He pulled her to sit in his lap, hugging her around the side. She blushed, but remained put while his hand moved up and down her side caringly. He only smiled up at her, but that was all she needed for the night.

 

Meanwhile, the crowd - along with Miroku and Sango - noticed the change in Inuyasha's eyes as he stared at her and she stared back. It was their performer. Even if he wasn't aware of it, he was back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 11 -