InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Darkness Before Dawn ❯ Rivalry ( Chapter 8 )

AN: My deepest apologies in making all of you wait so long for this chapter! Let’s just say life continues to throw me some seriously dangerous curve balls, and my best swing is for the fast ball……

Also, just for clarification, since I’ve gotten a few questions about this, Inuyasha is HUMAN in this, but retains his hanyou features…all except the fuzzy ears… all the references to “red hazed eyes” and “inner demons” are simply me keeping the original emotions in play, without the transformations…sorry if this confused anyone.

Many thanks again to clnv and madma, my two fantabulous betas….not just for your help on the fic, but with life in general…you guys are the best!! And to wbaker, for being a great batting coach! You’ve made this whole process that much easier to deal with!

So without further delay…I present Chapter 8!! Enjoy, and plz review afterward!!

Disclaimer: Even though Takahashi is done with it, she still refuses to give Inuyasha to me!
Also, tho there is no song to this chapter, I do reference Amaranth, which is copyrighted to Nightwish.




Chapter 8:

Rivalry

Inuyasha beamed with pride behind the tinted face shield of his helmet. He couldn't remember the last time a rehearsal session had been so productive. After a few timid remarks at the start, Kagome had finally warmed up to her role as lead vocalist. She had stepped in to diffuse raging tempers and insisted on taking breaks when they were all too frayed to continue yet refused to admit defeat.

Then there had been the potentially explosive debacle as they all struggled through Amaranth. The group didn't have big fights often. Lots and lots of heated arguments, but nothing that really damaged the friendships that had been forged back in high school and university. The argument this afternoon, however, had teetered precariously on that line. But then Kagome had stepped into the battle zone and devised an amicable solution. In the end, the newest addition had unknowingly cemented herself in the group's close knit circle. She had not only earned their trust, but had proved that she was a capable and compassionate leader.

He frowned a bit when he felt another shiver against his back. Inuyasha pulled the bike over to the side of the expressway, flipped up the face shield and asked, "Are you cold?"

"A little," she replied, and then yawned. "Mostly tired, I think. I always get cold when I'm winding down." Kagome protested when he began to remove his jacket. "You really don't have to do that! You'll freeze without it!"

"Nah," he said, shrugging out of the thick denim, "I've got thick skin, and an even thicker skull." Inuyasha engaged the kickstand, pulled off his helmet, then got off the bike to assist Kagome as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. Seeing that the cuffs hung about three inches past her fingertips, he started to methodically roll them. "I really want to thank you, Kagome."

"For what?"

He gave her a lopsided grin and replied, "For making us a real band again."

Kagome was confused. What does he mean by that? The group had been awesome when she entered that bar two nights ago. The music had flowed seamlessly throughout the performance, and the drama that he and Kikyo had brought to life upon the stage was mesmerizing. "I don't understand, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha reached over to cut the engine before leaning against the low concrete wall behind him. "When I told you about me and Kikyo falling apart, it affected the way we worked as a group." He toed a pebble on the ground, unable to look Kagome in the eyes. He heard the rustle of fabric as she removed her helmet to listen to his softly spoken words. "The real reason we never worked on any new music was because all we did was argue. Kikyo would always blame one or all three of us; nothing was ever her fault. She honestly believed that there was something wrong with the music and stormed off."

He finally found the courage to look at the woman who had united his band once again. "Kikyo wouldn't have ever sat down with us to figure out what the real issue was, let alone admit that any part of the problem could lie with her singing."

"I didn't really do anything, Inuyasha," Kagome said in an attempt to downplay her actions. "I just wanted a break, that's all."

"Bullshit, Kagome," he barked hotly, cutting through the obvious lie. "You got us to calm down and work it out together, and in the end it sounded way better than I had envisioned it."

"See?" she pointed out. "The three of you worked it out! I had nothing to do with it. All I did was get you to sit down together and figure out a solution."

"Yeah, well," he chuckled, "It's more than we would have done on our own, so thanks."

Kagome blushed under his show of gratitude. "You're welcome, I guess." When Inuyasha pushed away from the wall, she took it as a cue that the conversation was over.

"Come on, Kagome, it's after midnight. Let's get you home." Inuyasha fired up the bike and once Kagome was comfortably settled against his back he steered the bike back onto the nearly deserted expressway.

Inuyasha let the rush of the air cool his heated skin. Kagome had her arms wrapped around him like a life line, yet in her drowsy state her nails were slowly kneading the flesh of his abdomen. The sensation wasn't all that different from being fluffed by a contented cat. The thought made him smile. The rest of the fifteen minute ride to her apartment building passed in silence.

As Inuyasha pulled his bike into the nearest parking spot he felt Kagome's arms go slack. Couldn't have timed that any better! Cutting the engine he slowly sat up. Kagome woke with a little start. "You're home," he stated simply.

The woman handed him the helmet before letting him assist her off the motorcycle. When she stumbled slightly, Inuyasha wrapped an arm around her waist and chuckled. "I'll walk you up, Kagome." She gave him a sleepy smile, allowing him to escort her to the main entrance.

The same elderly doorman from two nights ago awaited them. Inuyasha rolled his eyes, getting a bad feeling about what the old fart was going to conjure in his mind. He didn't have to wait long to find out. "That's it, young man! I'm calling security! Take your hands from Miss Higurashi's person this instant!" The rotund little man bellowed.

Kagome blinked at the doorman in confusion. "Kato? Is something wrong?"

"This--this hoodlum has his hands all over you again!" The balding man shouted, pointing an accusitory finger at Inuyasha. "Two nights ago he brought you home unconscious and tonight you can barely walk on your own! He's up to no good I tell you!" The same finger began to wave at Kagome while he berated her like an errant child.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha for an explanation. "Remember, Kagome? Miroku and I brought you home from Tiko's bar the other night?" He gave her a meaningful glance, knowing this situation could turn ugly fast if the woman didn't play along.

Realization finally dawned and Kagome turned a weary smile to the flustered doorman. "Kato, please don't call security! This is Inuyasha, my good friend. I'm merely exhausted is all. I'm perfectly fine!"

The little man gave her a skeptical look before glaring at an innocently smiling Inuyasha. "Are you certain, Miss Higurashi?"

"Yes, Kato. Thank you for your concern, but I'm alright. Inuyasha's just going to walk me to my door, then leave." Kagome reached up and squeezed Inuyasha's cheek painfully. "He's quite harmless really," she laughed.

"You have fifteen minutes, young man, before I call security to escort you out!" The doorman warned as he held the door open for the couple.

"Thank you, Kato," Kagome smiled.

Stepping off the elevator, Inuyasha still refused to release his hold around her waist. It just felt so damn right to hold her like this and --in some small, distant part of his brain--that scared the hell out of him. He couldn't remember ever feeling this comfortable around anyone that he hadn't known for a very long time.

When they rounded the corner to her apartment, neither of them was expecting the man who paced in front of Kagome's door. "Koga?" Kagome asked hesitantly.

"Dammit Kagome! Where the fuck have you been? Do you realize what time it is? I've been trying to call you for hours!" Koga took in the sight of the cozy embrace Kagome shared with the man he nearly ran over last night and his brows drew down in a look of fury. "You bastard! What have you done to her?!"

"What business is it of yours?" Inuyasha asked in a huff as he pulled the woman beside him closer. "I brought her home safe and sound. Last I checked she was old enough to stay out past dark."

"Who the hell do you think you are? Do you have any idea who she is? Or what she's been through?"

Kagome finally snapped out of her surprised stupor and snapped, "That's enough, Koga!"

"Stay out of this, Kagome!" Koga shouted harshly. "I can handle this trash."

"You think you can take me?" Inuyasha sneered, but was caught of guard by the quick jab to his nose. He pushed Kagome behind him in a protective gesture, ignoring the blood that trickled from his nose. "What the fuck?!" Inuyasha screamed and his vision glazed red with rage. "You're gonna pay for that, you asshole!" The guitarist lunged for the other man and the momentum carried them both to the floor. Inuyasha's fist connected with Koga's jaw once, then twice more, successfully splitting his bottom lip wide. Adrenaline pumped wildly through his veins and he barely registered Kagome's hysterical scream as he raised his fist for yet another punishing blow.

"Inuyasha! STOP!" Kagome couldn't believe this was happening. In a desperate attempt to halt this barbaric scene, she wrapped both her arms around Inuyasha's arm and pulled back. "PLEASE!" she cried. "Inuyasha, please don't do this! Koga was just worried about me!" She pulled harder, tears coming to her eyes. "Inuyasha, I'm begging you, don't hit him again!"

Something in Kagome's tone caught his attention and the haze disappeared from his mind. Inuyasha stood slowly and backed away, although he still held a defensive stance with Kagome pushed behind him again. When Koga stood, wiping the blood from his lip, Kagome darted around the guitarist and shoved her former agent hard in the chest. "What the hell was that for, Koga? Since when do you just attack someone without provocation?" she screamed.

"Well what am I supposed to think, Princess?" Koga yelled back. "Hogasha calls me at eight fifteen this morning and tells me you just rode away with some delinquent on a motorcycle. You were gone all day and wouldn't return any of my calls! When you do finally return home at," he glanced at the gold watch on his wrist, "almost one in the morning, you're hanging all over a guy you barely know!" Koga panted with the release of his pent up fear and frustration.

Just as Kagome was about to refute his accusations, she noticed several heads peeking out from the doors down the hallway that were curious about the loud disturbance. Kagome flushed with embarrassment and turned to unlock her door. Plastering a fake smile on her face, she reassured the nosy people in the hall, "Everything's okay, folks! Nothing to see here!" Kagome shoved a still growling Inuyasha and Koga through the portal. "Go on back to bed! Boys will be boys, ne? No need to worry," she called leaning out of her own doorway before slamming the door behind her.

Fury aimed at the two men swept through Kagome's small frame. "You," she pointed at Koga then the chair to the left of the coffee table, "park your ass right there! You," she jabbed her finger into Inuyasha's chest -ignoring his small hiss of pain- then to the chair behind him, "sit there! Don't move, don't speak!" The angry woman turned toward the kitchen but paused when Inuyasha quipped, "Am I allowed to blink?"

Kagome leaned in until her nose almost touched his. Inuyasha shrank back until the back of his legs collided with the arm of the chair, sending him sprawling into an un-glorified heap in the plush furnishing. Kagome's deep brown eyes were nearly black with suppressed rage and he could have sworn he saw flames actually leaping about in their depths. He heard Koga snickering across the table, but was quickly silenced when Kagome's blazing eyes clashed with his.

Satisfied that both men would follow her dictates, Kagome marched angrily to the kitchen and began preparing tea and two icepacks. While she waited for the tea water to boil, the intercom on the kitchen wall buzzed. "Ah, shit," she muttered. Kagome took a few deep, calming breaths before she pushed the button. "Yes, Kato?"

"Everything okay up there, Miss Higurashi?" was the inquiry through the little speaker.

"I'm fine, Kato," she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"I had a couple calls about some kind of ruckus outside your apartment, ma'am. Should I send security?"

I swear I'm going to kill those two! "No, that won't be necessary," Kagome reassured the uptight, overly protective door man. "It was merely a loud difference of opinions between Inuyasha and Mr. Ookami, that's all. We are all sitting down to have some tea. Thank you for your concern, Kato."

"Well, if you're sure," the man said, though his voice sounded less than convinced of her story. "If you need anything at all, just call down here. Goodnight, Miss Higurashi."

Releasing an exasperated breath, the woman replied, "I will, and good night." Kagome leaned against the wall and muttered, "I need a smoke!" She jumped when the kettle let out a piercing whistle. "Its days like this that I really regret quitting!" Kagome shut off the burner before reaching into the cabinet for the special blend of herbal tea that Hojo had given her. A soft smile lifted her lips as she thought fondly of her dear friend. "There are definitely benefits to having a gay health nut as a friend."

When Kagome entered the living room bearing the tea tray, she found the two men silently staring daggers at one another. She sighed, kneeling on the floor between them and placing the tray on the coffee table. In a deceptively calm tone she asked, "Is today a holiday?" while setting a mug and icepack in front of each hostile male.

Inuyasha blinked in confusion at Kagome, who was serenely blowing on her tea. "Not that I know of," he replied. "Why?"

"Oh," she said with feigned disappointment. "I thought maybe it was 'National Testosterone Overload Day' or something."

"What?" Koga asked, bewildered by her statement.

Kagome shrugged. "It would help explain why you were both acting like brainless Neanderthals!" Her voice had grown in volume until the last two words were shouted at them.

Inuyasha took offense to her accusation. "How am I a Neanderthal?! He attacked me!"

"You were the one hanging all over her like a new coat!" Koga shot back.

"Well, I didn't exactly see your name tattooed on her arm!" Inuyasha shouted as he shot to his feet.

"That doesn't make her free game for some sleazy musician to lay claim to!"

"Sleazy-! That's it, you fucker!" Inuyasha lunged across the table at Koga, knocking the steaming mugs over. Kagome cried out in pain as the scalding liquid streamed into her lap. The guitarist tackled Koga and the chair he sat in was sent careening backwards.

Koga managed one good punch to the underside of Inuyasha's jaw before the silver-haired man pinned him to the ground with one forearm across his throat. The agent grabbed a handful of Inuyasha's hair to keep him slightly off balance, before rolling to the side. He planted a knee into the musician's stomach then delivered a stunning blow to Inuyasha's temple. Inuyasha retaliated with a sharp jab to Koga's ribs, followed by a second blow. Koga grunted in pain when he felt his own ponytail jerked from behind.

Kagome had had enough. Her thighs were burning from the scalding tea and neither one of them seemed to care. The angry pull on Koga's hair did little to ease her rising temper. She wrapped the tail of midnight black hair around her hand and walked backward, giving the man no choice but to back away from Inuyasha.

"Ow, ow OW! Dammit, Princess, LET GO!" Koga wrapped his fingers around the tie in his hair, hoping to relieve some of the pressure. It felt like Kagome was going to rip every hair out by the roots! "I'll lay off him, just let go!" His other hand was disentangled from Inuyasha’s mane and he waved it above his head in a signal of surrender.

Inuyasha slowly came out of his rage, finally noticing the damage they had caused. Face flushed with embarrassment, he began to raise amber eyes filled with remorse toward Kagome's face but stopped short when his gaze caught on the still steaming fabric on her thighs. "Shit! Are you all right, Kagome?"

When Inuyasha stretched his hand out toward her, Kagome snapped, "Don't you dare lay a single fucking finger on me! Either one of you!" She released Koga's hair before turning to pick up the fallen mugs. Silently cursing them both, she made her way to the kitchen, leaving two bemused males sitting on their butts. A moment later she returned with a bowl of water and a towel in her hands, muttering under her breath about testosterone.

Koga rose to his feet and righted the chair while Inuyasha made his way to Kagome. When he crouched down and reached out to take the towel from her, Kagome exploded. "What the hell is wrong with you two? Do I look like some piece of meat for you two to fight over?" She snatched the towel out of Inuyasha's reach before she resumed her meticulous patting of the wet carpet. "Whoever said two men fighting over one woman was flattering must have been on some serious drugs! Do you have any idea how expensive this carpet was? Shiro picked it out just because it's my favorite color! Now it's all stained......" a heaving sob escaped her throat,"...what will he say when he sees this?" Another sob, accompanied by streaming tears and followed with a soft whimper caused the two men to look askance at each other. "Y-you stupid idiots!" she screamed, never taking her eyes from the carpet. "N-now I have to have someone come in to clean this....."

"Kagome," Koga said softly, "it's-"

The woman continued her tirade like she hadn't heard him. "They'll come in here, realize who I am, then start asking me all those damn questions and give me those little looks of false understanding and pity when they think I'm not looking......"

Inuyasha laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, shocked when she jerked away from him. "Get away from me!" Kagome shoved his chest violently, pushing him over. "You don't know what it's like! You will NEVER know what it's like! This is all your fault!" She threw the towel at him.

Koga laid a staying hand on Inuyasha's arm when the musician tried to sit back up. "Princess, calm down."

"I WON'T!" she cried angrily. "You're just as much to blame! What gives you the right to antagonize him like that? You're my friend; you know what it's like for me to let people into my home! And you have to show up like some caveman to protect me, when all he did was HELP ME!"

Koga knew what this was leading up to. He also knew what would have to be done to end this. He leaned down, grabbed Kagome by her shoulders and hauled the distraught woman to her feet. "Get over it, Kagome! Which do you think Shiro would be more upset about; the carpet or the childish way you're acting?"

SLAP! For the second time in less than a week Kagome had been incited to strike someone.

"YOU BASTARD!" Kagome screamed.

Koga's face whipped to the side with the force of her blow. Damn! Didn't see that one coming! He firmly held the struggling woman in place while waiting for the stars to quit shooting through his vision. "Listen to me, Princess!" he shouted, desperate to get through to her before things got out of control. "No one gives a shit about the carpet, and you need to stop acting like Shiro's gonna walk through that door! He's dead, Kagome!"

"You think I don't know that?! I'm the one that has to walk through that door, live in this apartment and exist in this HELL! I thought you, of all people, understood......" Kagome's furious retort ended on a sob, her head hanging limply as hot tears of anguish dripped from her eyes. Koga gathered the woman close, knowing that the fight had left her. "Why did he leave me, Koga? Why didn't they take me with him?" she whispered, her tone laced with dejection.

The woman's desolate whisper rocked through Inuyasha's heart. He had watched the entire scene unfold in mute horror. When Kagome had slapped the man, he had been about to jump up and beat Koga on sheer principle. A small voice in his head had demanded he stay put, though the need to protect her had warred with the voice of reason. A hundred questions were flying through his head, but that same voice insisted he hold his tongue.

"Come on, honey," Koga whispered, "let's get you cleaned up." He lifted the woman into his arms and carried her toward the hallway. Over his shoulder, the man called to Inuyasha. "Would you mind straightening this up? I'll be right back."

Inuyasha emitted a low growl of annoyance as he watched them disappear into a bedroom, but knelt to finish mopping up the soaked carpet.

************************

Koga emerged from the bedroom a few moments later and moved to stand before the windows.

Inuyasha walked over to stand next to Koga. "Is she okay? How badly are her legs burned?"

"She assured me it wasn't bad, but she wouldn't let me take a look at them. Kagome said she'd put some cream on them after she showered."

Inuyasha nodded stiffly, deciding to let that matter drop for the moment. "Would you mind explaining to me what the hell just happened?" he snapped.

Koga glanced behind him to make sure Kagome wasn't coming out of the bedroom. "That was a panic attack."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "I'm not an idiot. I meant, what was all that shit about carpets and cleaning people? And who the hell is Shiro?"

Koga looked into the golden orbs of the man before him. "First of all, everything I tell you has to remain between us, agreed?"

"Of course! Do I look like someone to blab about something like this?"

The agent looked out over the city, trying to decide exactly how much to reveal about Kagome's life to this stranger. With a sigh of resignation, he turned back to Inuyasha. "Shiro was her manager. He was also her fiancé." Inuyasha cursed under his breath. "He discovered Kagome's talent while we were still at the University. It was our senior year, but Kagome was a bright eyed freshman, just out of high school." He moved away from the windows, expecting the guitarist to follow. Koga stopped before a large grouping of framed pictures on the wall by the hallway. "That's us, right before one of the big University concerts. Kagome was featured as one of the vocal soloists."

Inuyasha stared at the picture Koga pointed to. A younger version of Kagome stood between Koga and another handsome male who stood a head taller than Kagome, had dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. He took in the way the man's arm draped possessively over the girls shoulders and the fact that while she and Koga were smiling at the person behind the camera, his gaze looked lovingly on Kagome. The musician's heart sat heavy in his chest as Koga continued.

"We all majored in music, but Kagome's dream had been to teach it, whereas both Shiro and I were going into the business aspect of it." Koga chuckled at the memory of them setting up their own agency. "Shiro convinced Kagome to focus on her singing, telling her that it could take her to places she'd never dreamed of. They fell in love and when he and I graduated, we started promoting Kagome's career."

"So what happened?" Inuyasha really didn't want to hear how happy this guy had made Kagome, or how much she had loved him. It was painfully obvious from the other pictures on the wall how devoted they were to each other.

"Well, the beginning of Kagome's senior year, her family was killed in a fire. Ever hear of the Higurashi Shrine?"

Inuyasha vaguely recalled the news report about the house fire that took the lives of the shrine keeper and his family at the famous Tokyo shrine. He'd been there a time or two in his younger days. He moved along the wall to another group of frames. Golden eyes absorbed the photos of Kagome and her family before a massive tree throughout various stages of her life. "She's from that Higurashi family?"

"Yes. Losing her family had nearly destroyed her. I honestly believe if it hadn't been for Shiro pushing so hard, Kagome would have given up everything. He and Professor Myoga encouraged her to express her grief through her music, so Kagome spent every spare moment learning how to write her own lyrics and music. The girl had more talent for it than any of us had imagined. But no matter how hard we tried, Kagome kept it all to herself, refusing to record any of it for her demos.

"As to the shrine, she spent almost half of her inheritance rebuilding the house, only to leave it empty. There are caretakers for the grounds, but nobody to actively do the ceremonies and such. The Shrine is more of a tourist attraction than anything now." Koga sighed, realizing he was getting off track. "Anyway, just before Kagome graduated, a recording label took a serious interest in her. We signed a preliminary contract and she went into the studio. A few months before the final tracks were recorded they released one of the songs to the public as a single. It was a huge hit."

"Yeah, Sango mentioned that earlier today." At Koga's questioning look, Inuyasha explained, "Sango's my bassist. I guess she was a huge fan of Kagome's back then."

"Ah," Koga nodded in understanding. "Did Kagome explain why that was the only song that was released?"

"Not really," he said, moving to the couch. "We asked, but she said she didn't want to talk about it."

"It's the reason Kagome is the way she is," Koga said then ran his hand wearily across his face. He sat on the couch next to Inuyasha before continuing. "The night of the big gala announcement for the album's release date, Shiro was on his way to pick up Kagome...." Koga took a deep breath to fight the rising tide of pain. Kagome wasn't the only one who still mourned the tragic death of Shiro. "The limo driver lost control on an icy patch of highway and crashed through the guardrail."

"Holy shit," Inuyasha whispered. It had been obvious to him that Kagome had some demons in her past. There was no way anyone could sing like she did without experiencing some trauma that left a soul-deep pain in its wake. He knew from personal experience. "No wonder she never finished recording."

"Oh, she tried. Kagome was determined to see Shiro's dream for her come true, to make her family proud." Koga's fists clenched at the memory of that fateful day in the recording studio. "Kagome had a breakdown in the middle of the session. The executives had determined that while being under emotional duress was understandable, they had already delayed the release of this album for six months. They simply couldn't afford to work on the possibility of Kagome having future breakdowns while on tour, or promoting the album. So they nullified the contract."

"Poor kid, no wonder she was reluctant to join us." The two men sat in silence, reflecting on the woman who had yet to appear from the other room. "Listen, man, I just want you to know that I'm not after Kagome. I won't deny that she's a beautiful woman or that I'm attracted to her, but deep down I know she has a lot of scars that haven't healed. I swear I wouldn't ever intentionally do anything to cause her anymore pain. I just want to help her."

"Can I ask you something?" Koga waited for Inuyasha's nod then continued, "Are you using Kagome because of who she almost was?"

Inuyasha released a frustrated breath and ground out, "This is the last time I'm going to say this. I didn't know who the hell she was when I asked her to join Hell's Redemption!"

Koga smiled at the man's angry retort. "That's all I needed to know. Just promise you'll be careful with her. Kagome is a talented artist, but her heart is in tatters."

Inuyasha assured the man with a grin. "I won't ask anything more from her than I expect from myself or the others."

At that moment Kagome emerged from the bedroom. She had changed into a pair of bright pink flannel lounge pants and a well-worn Hello Kitty t-shirt. Her hair had been pulled into a high ponytail, the ends still dripping water from the shower she had taken to ease the tension from her panic attack. Inuyasha's jacket was draped over her arm. The woman slowly approached the two men on the couch. "I'm sorry," Kagome whispered as she handed the garment back to its owner.

Inuyasha stood and tilted her face up to look into her eyes. "No worries, Kagome. How are your legs?"

Kagome blushed as she remembered the way she had attacked him earlier. "They're fine. I'll be right as rain by morning."

"You better be," he chuckled lightly. "We have another grueling day of rehearsal!"

Kagome gave him a rueful smile. "Wonderful. So, how much did Koga tell you?"

"Not much. We all have demons that we have to fight, Angel. When you're ready to tell me the rest I'll be ready to listen. Someday I'll tell you about mine. Deal?" At her nod, Inuyasha tweaked her nose playfully. "I'd better get out of here. Your doorman's probably got the entire security force waiting for me outside."

Kagome chuckled while lightly restraining his arm when he made to put his jacket on. "I already spoke to Kato. I told him you were having tea with Koga and I. Can you stay for a few minutes longer? There is something that I wanted to ask you about."

Inuyasha tilted his head and said, "Ask away."

Kagome headed around to the piano while talking to him. "It's about "Amaranth". It bothered me at rehearsal, but with all the problems we were having with it, I just thought I'd bring it up later."

Both men followed her to the piano. Koga was curious. Inuyasha was confused.

"The beginning and that long pause before the final two refrains..." She pulled out the sheet music and spread it across the surface for him to see. "It just seems empty. The solution hit me when we split up to work on the different parts."

Inuyasha frowned. "It sounded great the way we played it. What's the problem?"

"The beginning needs a lead in. The way it is now is too sudden, it sounds harsh." Kagome noticed Inuyasha open his mouth to refute her. "Just listen to me before you say anything," she pleaded. At his reluctant nod, Kagome picked up the slim black remote beside the music, powered on the stereo and selected the track she wanted. "Here is what we played," she stated as the track began. The music rang through the room for a few seconds before it stopped again. "Now here is what I propose. Just before Miroku crashes through with the bass drum, we use this...." Kagome's fingers caressed the keys, playing a similar melody to the chorus, and then hitting the play button on the remote once again.

Inuyasha listened intently, still undecided if he liked it. "Play it again," he requested. Kagome complied, determined to convince him this was a positive improvement. Three more times she played the short introduction before the guitarist halted her. "What about the pause?" he asked without revealing whether or not he approved of the change.

"The same thing. I think it would blend together better this way. The pause is too long, so if we fill it in with the piano it will mellow the ferocity of the bridge before the dramatic finale."

"Well, it's not a bad idea...."

Kagome's shoulders slumped. "I hear a definite 'but' in there."

Inuyasha massaged the back of his neck to relieve the tension there. "I like the way that sounds, Kagome, really I do! The problem is, we can't haul a piano around in Sango's van and most of the places we play don't have a piano just sitting around."

The woman frowned at him. "You don't have a keyboard? Of any kind?"

"We only use the piano for writing the music, and for playing around with different things. We never had a need for one, so we didn't see any sense in spending the money on one." Inuyasha shrugged a shoulder as if that should be ample reason to not have one.

Koga observed the two musicians, the wheels of his mind clicking frantically. There was a light in Kagome's eyes that he hadn't seen in far too long, and the two had an effortless rapport as though they had known each other for far longer than just the last three days. Jealousy of the silver-haired guitarist thrummed lightly through the agent's veins. Nothing he had tried for the last two years could put that spark of life into the woman. Yet this man had not only accomplished that, but also seemed to have the ability to soothe the raging beasts of her tormented past. He had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself before suggesting, “Why don't you pull yours out of storage, Princess?"

Kagome could have kissed the agent! She had totally forgotten about the neglected equipment she had carefully stored away in one of the outbuildings at the shrine. "That's a great idea, Koga!" Turning to a slightly perturbed Inuyasha, she furrowed her brow in confusion. "What? Do you have a problem with that?"

"Well, no, not really," Inuyasha replied. "Who's gonna play it though? Can you sing and perform and play a keyboard?" A horrific thought suddenly occurred to him and he nearly whined his next question. "Wait...it's not one of those lame ass key-tars is it? Please tell me it's not!"

Kagome and Koga both laughed at the man's distress. "No, Inuyasha. It's not one of those." Kagome assured him. "It's actually one of the top of the line electronic keyboards. Well, two years ago it was, but even by modern high-tech standards it's an impressive piece of equipment. The thing has an internal memory, plus it's compatible with most PC software, so we can program the music then just push a button during the performance." He shot her a skeptical look, so she simply smiled sweetly and said, "Trust me, Inuyasha! We can pick it up on our way to rehearsal in the morning, okay?"

Pushing away from the side of the piano, Inuyasha rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Do I have a choice?" At the negative shaking of her head he sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'll pick you up at nine a.m. sharp then. You'd better be ready!"

Kagome gave him a jaunty salute and shouted "Hai, Inuyasha-sama!"

Inuyasha smiled at her while he put on his jacket and moved toward the door. "Then I better haul my ass home to bed. I have a feeling tomorrow's going to be a very trying day!" He paused for a moment when she stood beside him. "Get some sleep, Angel. I'll see you in the morning." Kagome's eyes softened at his tender and intimate tone. Gravity seemed to pull her closer to him while at the same time pulling her lids down.

Koga seethed at the way Inuyasha seemed to caress Kagome with his voice and the endearment grated on the man's last nerve. When he saw the way she leaned toward the musician--as though it was the most natural thing in the world--he loudly cleared his throat to remind them both he was still here.

Kagome sat down abruptly, embarrassment staining her cheeks scarlet. Inuyasha simply glared at the innocently smiling man before walking toward the door. Just before he crossed the threshold, Inuyasha shot over his shoulder, "Hey, Kagome...ever hear of the old adage about wolves in sheep's clothing?"

"Yeah," came her puzzled reply. "Why?"

"No reason. By the way, nice to meet you, Koga." Inuyasha's smile resembled something akin to a snarl, his canines glinting dangerously. Then he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.

"I wonder what that was about," Kagome pondered aloud.

"Who knows," Koga said softly as he sat beside her on the bench. "Are you sure you want to do this Kagome?"

"Yes, Koga, I'm sure," she stated firmly. "Today's rehearsal pretty much set the whole decision in stone for me."

He threw an arm across her shoulders and placed a soft kiss on the top of her head. "All right then. Just remember, Princess, that if you feed a stray dog he'll keep coming back for more."

With that cryptic remark rumbling around in her head, Kagome watched as he, too, left the apartment. "Why do I get the feeling my life just got a whole lot more complicated?"

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Thanks again to all who have reviewed so far, and to my new readers, plz review (that little link button thingy down there…) and let me know what you think!! I promise that I will update again in a few weeks, month tops!!! Just depends on the pitcher of life I suppose….. Love you all!!