InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Eat You Alive ❯ Panties! ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Have you seen the credits at the end of the show? Is my name up there? I didn't think so. Not that you know my real name, but trust me, it's not.

 

Chapter 2: Panties

 

Totosai watched his little band from his place talking to the head of the upstart company, Shikon Records, who just happened to be the label Sengoku was signed under. Noticing the intensity that Inuyasha was staring at Kikyo, he got an idea. It would be a great publicity stunt. Having the model pose for the cover of their new album would be a great chance for her and Inuyasha to begin dating, as well as amp up the sales from the ensuing gossip.

 

It was brilliant.

 

Now how to do it? He saw a woman giving her a lecture about her drinking. She had to be either her agent or manager. That was the ticket. Surely she'd jump at the chance to have her meal ticket on the cover after he greased up the hype. Stalking her as she moved away from the model, he surprised her by tapping her on the shoulder.

 

“Excuse me Miss?” He quickly swiped her cell phone from her open clutch. “I noticed you dropped this.” He handed over the contraband.

 

“Thank you sir.” The woman put it back in her purse and started walking away. “I swear. I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached to my neck.

 

He caught up to her and shadowed her steps. “I saw you talking to Kikyo Tama. She a friend of yours?”

 

“No.” The woman scowled. “I work for her.”

 

Totosai raised his brows. “Really? I bet she's hard to work for.”

 

She turned quickly to face him. “Look, if you're some kind of reporter, I'm not going to bad mouth that woman.” She spit out.

 

“I gotcha. I gotcha.” He soothed. “Don't piss where you sleep, right?”

 

“What do you really want jijii?” She glared at him.

 

“What makes you think I want something?” He feigned innocence. She only raised a brow at him. “Okay, alright. You've heard of Sengoku right?”

 

Her eyes lightened. “Of course I have. They opened tonight and it was AWESOME!”

 

“I take it you're a big fan?” He wheedled.

 

“Hell yeah.” She coughed slightly. “Sorry. That's pretty unprofessional, huh?”

 

“Don't worry about it. How would you like to go to their next show?” He asked through a disarming smile that went unnoticed by the rabid fan.

 

“Would I ever! Too bad their concerts are always sold out months in advance.” She looked at her feet.

 

“Small obstacle. I am their manager, you see. I could have tickets with a snap of my fingers.”

 

“Really? You could do that for me?” She looked at him, hope shining in her big brown eyes.

 

“Of course.”

 

She went back to scowling at him. “Okay, what do you want?”

 

“Just a small favor.” He held his hands up, showing her he meant no harm.

 

“I will not sleep with you.” Was flatly declared from the feisty five-foot-four woman before him.

 

“Excuse me?” He said in genuine confusion.

 

“I know what your kind are after and I will not degrade myself to that level just so I can see a rock concert.” She said vehemently.

 

“No! You misunderstand me.” He pleaded.

 

She tapped her foot, thinking it over. “I'm listening.”

 

“You `work' for Kikyo right?” He said using finger quotes.

 

“Yes I `work' for Kikyo.” She sarcastically said back, throwing his finger quotes back in his face.

 

“All I'm asking is for her to pose for their new album's cover.” He cut to the chase. “Just that. One little picture. And I'll even get you a backstage pass.”

 

“Is that all?”

 

“Yes. Just one good picture.”

 

“I'll see what I can do.”

 

“Great.” He pulled a pen from his pocket. “Here's my number.” He hastily scribbled his cell phone number on a napkin nearby. “Just call me and give me the head's up. Oh, and what is your name Miss?”

 

“Kagome Higurashi.”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*A few minutes later*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

The band was mostly asleep when Totosai got back on the bus. The only one left awake was Miroku. He was sitting in one of the booths looking through his `Shoebox of Goodies', as he called it, and saw the old man come in with a smug smile on his face.

 

“What are you planning old man?” He asked.

 

“Just a little surprise at your next concert.” Totosai said evasively.

 

“What kind of surprise?” Miroku asked with suspicion.

 

“The girl kind.”

 

“Really?” Miroku sat fully up. “Strippers?”

 

“No silly boy.” He ignored the creaks and groans of his bones as he settled himself down in the bench adjacent to Miroku with a grunt. “A certain dark haired wench I saw you staring at earlier. I'm planning on her posing for the next album cover.”

 

“But we haven't even written the album yet.” He protested.

 

“That is of no consequence.” Totosai leaned back on the bench. “We could have it out in a month if need be.”

 

“We haven't even started on songs!'

 

“That's what writers are for my boy.”

 

“But we always write our own music!” Miroku was getting irritated. “That's what makes it good! It's from the heart and it means something to us.”

 

“This is a cold business! There's no time for sentimentality.”

 

Miroku sighed as he flopped back against the headrest. “This girl…..”

 

“Yes…..?”

 

“Did she have dark hair and great legs?”

 

“World renowned dark hair and great legs.”

 

“Did she talk to Kikyo?”

 

“No boy! I'm talking ABOUT Kikyo.” Miroku's brow furrowed. “I talked to her agent. Or manager. I'm not sure which. But, anyway, she said she'd `See what she could do.' Direct quote.”

 

“Don't hold your breath jijii.” Miroku said quietly. “Wait a minute. You talked to the one who was talking to Kikyo, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“That's the one we were staring at. Not Kikyo. Well, Inuyasha was staring at the other one, I myself was looking at Kikyo, Brittney, Christina, Selma and Angelina simultaneously.” A perverted grin graced his handsome face. “The awards were very good to me.” He said in a cheesy middle-eastern accent.

 

“I see.” Totosai rubbed his chin for a moment and then hit his hand with his fist. “So, Inuyasha is attracted to the other woman, eh?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“So you'll have to go for Kikyo.”

 

“WHAT?!”

 

“Hush, boy, shh. Don't want to wake the others do we?”

 

“Sorry. It's just…..” He faltered.

 

“Speak up!” The manager commanded.

 

“I kinda have a thing for Sango. Have since Elementary. I don't want Kikyo. I mean, she's nice to look at and all, but I just don't want her like I want Sango.”

 

“Hmm.” The old one thought. “So, we'll just have to make it look like Inuyasha's going for her. How to do that?”

 

“Look. Much as I would love to crack a scheme with you, I need sleep. You know how Inu is when he practices, and I know I'm gonna get it double for being flat tonight.” He yawned and moved for his compartment. “Just don't ruin his life too bad, okay?”

 

Totosai grunted and waved him away. Miroku rolled his eyes and shut the curtain to his bunk.

 

“So. My lead singer wants the agent and not the supermodel? That's a change. I'll just have to keep throwing them all together.” And his perverted old mind churned at his thoughts all night.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*Meanwhile, back at a hotel*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“I told you Kikyo.” Kagome huffed as she pulled the model into her suite. “This is what happens when you drink, but do you listen? No. *sigh* Why do I even put up with this?” She grumbled under her breath.

 

Kikyo flung her head back to look at the other girl. “Because I pay you so well.”

 

“Whatever. Come on.” She grunted as she shifted the model's weight. “Let's get you in bed.”

 

She helped Kikyo out of her gown and into her pajamas, then helped her collapse on the king size bed.

 

“You're the bestest assistant ever.” She declared as she smacked a kiss on Kagome's cheek.

 

The girl rolled her eyes. Even after all these years, Kikyo still thought she was a good assistant. It had to be because Kagome's grandfather owned the shrine Kikyo worked at before she got famous, otherwise she wouldn't even be here. Let alone cleaning up her puke, putting her to bed and doing everything else the model flung at her.

 

She was so sick of being in her shadow. Kikyo was the better shrine maiden. Kikyo got the modeling career Kagome was working towards her whole life. Kikyo got Kagome's boyfriends. Kikyo was a good person on the inside, she knew.

 

Way down, deep, deeeeeeeeep inside.

 

As she tucked Kikyo in and started back down the hall to her own room, she thought about what that weird old man had said.

 

`Concert tickets to my favorite band AND backstage passes?! I can finally meet Miroku! That drummer is soooooooooo hot!! *squeal* Now how do I get Kikyo to do that shoot? I'd have to talk to Kaede first, of course. She'll have to approve this move in Kikyo's career. And Kikyo herself. She doesn't even like Sengoku. And Naraku will want to know what his precious girlfriend is doing.'

 

Just thinking about having to face that man again after what he did to her made her want to vomit. `But at least I can throw Kouga in his face. Show him that someone CAN TOO love me. Even if the feeling isn't mutual…..'

 

That settled it! Tomorrow she'd call Kikyo's agent. `Hopefully Kaede will make a decision soon. The concert is in two days.'

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*The Next Morning*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Inuyasha awoke in his usual manner.

 

“What the hell was that?!” He shouted sleepily as he sat bolt upright and hit his head on the bottom of the bunk above him.

 

In their respective bunks, Sango and Miroku both groaned, “He's up.” And they rolled over attempting to get more sleep.

 

Inuyasha proceeded to smash his alarm clock and trip out of his bunk on his way to `Drop the kids off at the pool.' Once he finished in the bathroom, he flung open Sango's curtain and then Miroku's. “Wake up you slugs! It's already seven a.m.! We need to practice. Especially you Miroku. Don't think I forgot about how flat you were last night. If you go that flat again on National TV, I swear--”

 

“Yeah, yeah. You'll rip out my bowels and feed them to me for dinner. I know.” He attempted to yawn the last bits of sleep from his head.

 

“So get up! Let's go! Chop chop!” He clapped his hands, effectively breaking the warm caress of the bed and the deep breathing of the recently awoken.

 

“Okay. Give me a second. Shit.” Miroku stumbled to the floor and made for the bathroom.

 

Inuyasha turned to Sango. “You too Sango. Get up.”

 

“Mmmgggggggggnnnnnnnnn.” She rolled over.

 

“Don't you fall asleep on me!” He reached in and tore the blankets from her body.

 

Sango gasped and grabbed around her feet seeking the warmth, before she opened her eyes and glared at the hanyou. “How will I stay this beautiful if you keep interrupting my beauty sleep?!”

 

Inuyasha snorted. “Beautiful. Riiiiiiiiight. Get up.” He waited until he saw her on her feet before he moved to the back of the bus where they did all their practicing while on the road.

 

As soon as he was out of sight, Sango collapsed backwards, in a very practiced maneuver, narrowly missed hitting her head on the bunk above hers, and grabbed the blankets from the floor, pulling them up over her as she settled into bed again.

 

“Sango! UP!” Inu shouted from the back. Hearing a growl in return and shuffling of feet, he smiled. They were so predictable. Today he wasted no time setting up his guitar and turning on the recorder as he waited for them to make their way back to him. “Come on you two! Don't be so lazy!”

 

“Shut up will ya?! I'm takin' a leak!” Miroku shouted.

 

“I've got it next!” Sango called. She just hoped they didn't stink up the toilet too much today. It sucked having to share the room with two `boys', one old man and the rest of their road crew. But, you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

Inuyasha shook his head at them. At least the others weren't there to tell them to shut up today. He briefly wondered why they didn't rent out a hotel room too. `Oh yeah. Because of all the groupies, Totosai says.' He snorted for the second of many times that day. `Wonder how many groupies we really have…..' He shrugged and started picking out a tune while he waited.

 

“You know,” Miroku said as he picked up his drumsticks and joined him in the back. “that would go great with that song you started last night.”

 

“Whatever. Sango! Hurry you're ass up! We ain't got all day!”

 

“Yes we do Inuyasha.” She stated as she joined them. “We don't leave for another four hours to be in Pittsburgh tomorrow night.”

 

“Shut up.” He grumbled. “Let's start.”

 

Sango picked up her bass and they commenced a grueling practice.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*Other parts of the city*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Kagome rose at a leisurely eight a.m. and was ready for another day of hell by eight-thirty. She walked down the hall to Kikyo's suite to check on her employer.

 

“At least she didn't get sick in her sleep this time.” She closed the door on the awful sounds coming from the bathroom. “She'll be okay for a few minutes.” Grabbing the phone from the hook, she dialed out to Kikyo's agent.

 

“Kaede Tama's office.” The cheery voice of the receptionist said, masking the fact that she was still half asleep and had just recently clocked in.

 

“Yes. This is Kagome Higurashi. I'd like to talk to Kaede please.”

 

“And the reason?”

 

“A proposition concerning Kikyo Tama.”

 

“Hold please.” Kagome tapped her nails on the nightstand as she waited for her call to be transferred.

 

“Yes Kagome? Is something wrong with my sister?” Kaede's concerned voice asked.

 

“Oh no. She's fine. I'm calling about a deal I got from some manager last night.”

 

“Go on.”

 

“He wants Kikyo to pose for the cover of his band's new album.”

 

“And the name of his band would be…..?”

 

“Have you ever heard of Sengoku?”

 

“I've heard of them but I've never actually heard them.” She twirled her pen between her fingers. “From what I hear they're the next big thing.”

 

“Yeah. They ROCK!” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, he said it would be a great move for both of them. Get Kikyo's face out there more, sell more records for them, and things like that.” She was suddenly grateful for the phone. She was such a horrible liar.

 

“I see.” Kaede thought about it. “I suppose it would be profitable for both of us.” Kagome silently cheered, again grateful for the phone. “Though I'm unsure why he came to you.”

 

“He saw me fighting with Kikyo and probably thought I was you.” Both women cracked up.

 

“Obviously he's never met me.”

 

“Obviously.” They shared another laugh before Kaede spoke again.

 

“So why were you fighting with my sister this time?”

 

“Could you stop calling her your sister? It's kinda creepy.”

 

“My apologies. It's just that I always wanted a sister and now that I found out my late father's `donation' impregnated a woman forty years later, I can't stop the joy from saying it.”

 

“No, I'm sorry. She is your sister, by blood if nothing else. It's not for me to say what you can call her.”

 

“It's okay. Again, why were you fighting with my si-…..Kikyo?”

 

“Her drinking. The Grammy's were last night and you know how she gets.”

 

“Aye. Too well.” Kaede flinched. “She didn't try to kiss any girls this time did she?”

 

“No. I dragged her out before that happened. Tell your Aunt Suki I'm sorry again.”

 

“It was last Christmas Kagome. I'm sure she's forgotten by now.”

 

“I know, but I still feel horrible. That woman can NOT hold her liquor. You should hear her in the bathroom now. I swear, one of these days I'm going to have to replace a toilet from all the corrosion.”

 

Kaede chuckled. “Did you happen to get that manager's name or number?”

 

“Yes. It's back in my room. I'll call you back in a sec.”

 

“No that's quite alright.” Kaede looked at her daily calendar for the next few months. “You call him and set it up for me. I have a million things to do today and he's more familiar with you anyway.”

 

“You trust me to do that?” Kagome asked in wonder.

 

“Kagome, child, you've been dealing with these people for almost as long as I have. I trust you to set up the arrangements with this man.” She twirled the pen again as she thought. `Besides Kikyo fired her last three managers…..'

 

“Thank you Kaede. I won't let you down.”

 

“I'm sure you won't child. Have a nice day.”

 

“You too baa-chan.”

 

“Goodbye Kagome.”

 

“Bye Kaede.”

 

She hung up the phone and sat in amazement for a moment. “Damn.” She breathed. “Closest I'm gonna get to my dream. Where did I put his number?” She ran to her room and flung clothes around randomly in her search for the missing napkin. “Why didn't he just give me his card?! Stupid old man.” She continued to grumble until she found it crumbled in a corner of the handbag she'd brought that night.

 

“Ah ha!” She picked up her phone and dialed the old man's cell. It rang for a bit before his voice came on, just as crackly as she remembered.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hello, Mr. Totosai?”

 

“Yes. Who is this?”

 

“This is Kagome Higurashi.”

 

“Do I know you?”

 

“Yes.” She said slowly. “I talked to you last night. About Kikyo?”

 

He scratched his head. “Oh yeah. The cover girl.”

 

Kagome raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. I've talked to Kikyo's agent and she gave me the go ahead to set up the shoot.”

 

`So she is the manager.' Totosai thought before talking again. “I guess you want those tickets now right?”

 

“Yes.” Kagome said hesitantly. That was the reason why she did it, but him just coming out and saying it made her feel so greedy.

 

“Come to the next show. It's in Pittsburgh. I'm sure you can find it. Just come to the back door and I'll personally have you put on the list.” He wrote down her name quickly.

 

“Thank you Totosai. When will we discuss the matter of the shoot?”

 

“Shoot?” He looked off into space. “Oh yes. The shoot. After the concert. You'll be backstage and we'll set it up.”

 

“Backstage?”

 

“Yes. That was the deal wasn't it?” He poised the eraser over the list. “If you want to watch the show from the floor I can always—“

 

“NO! No that's okay. I can watch it from backstage. It won't kill me or anything.” She silently mouthed `Backstage! Ahhhhhhhh!' in excitement. “So the show is when?”

 

“Tomorrow. The show starts at seven and Sengoku comes on at nine. If you want, I can get you in the dressing room beforehand.”

 

“That's okay. I can watch Ookami. I like them too.” She said. `Especially since my boyfriend is the lead singer. Too bad he doesn't have enough clout to get me in.'

 

“Not more than Sengoku I hope.”

 

“Of course not.” Kagome shook her head with vigor as a nervous sweat drop formed on her forehead.

 

Totosai chuckled. “Glad we made a good choice for a warm up band. So we'll see you tomorrow?”

 

“Yes. Thank you so much.”

 

“No problem. Goodbye.”

 

“Goodbye.” Kagome hung up the phone only to scream her joy to the hotel.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*At the bus*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Totosai stepped onto the bus as he hung up with Kagome. He smiled widely at his kids. “Good news kiddies! We'll have a very special guest backstage tomorrow.”

 

Inuyasha `Keh'd' and continued practicing, Sango looked up with interest and Miroku sighed and shook his head.

 

“Who is it?” Sango asked.

 

“Probably some old reporter trying to get his hands on some kind of blackmail.” Inuyasha said absently as he picked out a tune.

 

“Inuyasha!” Totosai exclaimed. “It could just as well be another manager that I've invited to get close to her client.”

 

Inuyasha raised one brow as he furrowed the other. “And who would that be?”

 

“You'll just have to wait and see.” He held his head high as he walked to the front and sat down. With a nod to the driver, their journey to Pennsylvania had begun.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*The next day*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

The bus pulled up in front of the stadium and was immediately surrounded by hundreds of drooling, rabid fans. They clogged the exits and climbed on their friends' backs just so they could smash their faces against the tinted glass.

 

“Oi, jijii! Do something about them will ya?” Inuyasha groused from his seat.

 

After being cooped up in the bus with those smelly roadies, he was about to have conniptions if he didn't get out soon. Not that he wasn't used to this treatment by now, but it was still disconcerting. He loved the attention and power of being in front of a screaming crowd. And the money was excellent. But all those women fawning over him was Miroku's dream, not his.

 

Now don't get it wrong. He liked women, but when they threw themselves at him just for fame it was enough to make him sick. Of course Sango kept most of them away. She wasn't into that whole, `Let's get a bunch of hookers and keep them in our dressing room!', kind of stardom. In fact, she fought most of them off herself. Especially if they were crowding around Miroku too much.

 

She had her admirers too, but Miroku usually scared them off. Come to think of it, in high school neither of them ever had a boyfriend or girlfriend either. He'd had a couple girlfriends, never anything serious though. Just a couple make-out sessions and then he sent them packing. They never held his interest for long. But for some reason, Miroku never got a girl and Sango never landed a guy. Not that they didn't try. Miroku groped every girl that walked his way and Sango had a mysterious allure that attracted guys like moths to the flame, but none of them stayed around too long.

 

But now he was rambling.

 

He walked away from the windows and hid in his bunk as the bodyguards opened the door to clear a way to the backdoor. After hearing that all was safe, he crawled out and walked regally down the steps and out of the bus. Sango and Miroku crawled out of their beds similarly and followed each other out, both smiling and waving to the crowd. The guards held back the screaming fans with a little help from security.

 

Inuyasha looked to both sides of him and waved, signed autographs and took pictures with the lucky few on his ten foot walk to the door. As he was signing a CD cover, something caught his nose. He looked up and saw the girl from two days ago. She was smiling and waving and shouting Miroku's name. He frowned. She preferred Miroku over his own gorgeous self?! That's ludicrous! He walked up to her and pulled her from the crowd.

 

“Hey.” He smiled his patented heart-melting-make-you-wet smile.

 

“Hello.” She grinned. Hey, it wasn't Miroku, but he wasn't that bad looking either.

 

“So, you want a picture or something?” Inuyasha asked as he slung an arm over her shoulders.

 

She looked at his arm and then at him, and then at his arm. “Uh, sure.” She said as she pushed his arm off. “Can you get Miroku in it?” She asked as she pulled a camera from her big yellow purse.

 

Inuyasha growled. “Sure. Houshi! Get over here!”

 

Miroku rolled his eyes and trotted over. “What Inuyasha?” He stopped suddenly as he saw the girl they'd all been staring at the night before. `So Totosai did get her to come here. Amazing. He did something right. Isn't that a sign of the apocalypse?'

 

“She wants a picture of us.” Inuyasha humphed as he put his arm back around her shoulders, thoroughly ignoring the glares of the other young women there.

 

“Actually, one of just him would be fine. Thank you Inuyasha.” She kept a tight reign on her rage as she shrugged off his arm again.

 

Inuyasha glared at Miroku. He gave the monk a look that said, `Do something. Help me out here. And don't you even THINK about groping her!'

 

Miroku cleared his throat. “Well, I wouldn't feel right taking a picture without my best friend, since he is right here.”

 

Sango stalked her way over as she heard Kagome's request. “And I would love to have a picture taken with them.”

 

Miroku chuckled. “There you go, three for one.”

 

Kagome's smile was less than enthusiastic. “Great. The whole band.”

 

Inuyasha took the camera from her hands and handed it to one of the crew toting their instruments inside. “Take this will you?” He threw his arm back around a displeased Kagome's shoulders. Miroku stood between Kagome and Sango as Sango threw her arms around his neck. Kagome glared. This picture was NOT turning out how she'd planned it.

 

The roadie gladly set down the heavy amp and took the disposable camera. “Say cheese!” He pressed the button right as something dawned on him. “Higurashi?”

 

“Hojo-kun!” Kagome's strained smile was lost on the boy. `Why couldn't he have stayed back in Tokyo?' She shrugged yet again out of Inuyasha's hold and took back her camera.

 

“I didn't know you'd be here. I thought you went back home when your career didn't take off.”

 

“Yeah, well. You win some, you lose some.” Kagome said bitterly.

 

“Listen boy. You've got a lot of stuff to move, so move!” Inuyasha barked.

 

“Hai Inuyasha-sama.” Hojo jumped up and started racing for the door, amp in hand.

 

Totosai stuck his head back out the door. “Inuyasha, get your ass in here. Oh, hello Kagome. Bring her with you boy.”

 

The hanyou got a glint in his eye as he replied. “With pleasure old man.” With that he picked up Kagome and practically ran inside. Miroku and Sango were in soon after.

 

“Put me down!” Kagome banged on his chest and kicked her legs as much as she could with them in his arms.

 

“Inuyasha put her down.” Totosai said from the far wall. “She's not some kill you can just sling over your shoulder and parade around.”

 

“She's not over my shoulder!” He protested as he set her on her feet.

 

Kagome glared at him. He glared back. Then he glared at Miroku, just for good measure.

 

“Where is Kikyo?” The old youkai asked Kagome.

 

“Was I supposed to bring her?” She asked. `Figures. Everyone only wants Kikyo and uses me to get her. I should be used to it by now.'

 

“No. I just figured you'd bring her so we could talk about the cover.”

 

“Right. About that. She's not really into it. Her boyfriend says he doesn't want her hanging around a bunch of musicians.” She edited what Naraku really said about Sengoku, as it was a lot more derogatory.

 

“Hm.” He scratched his chin. “Well, then, you'll have to leave.” He started to shove her out the door.

 

“Hey! She can stay.” Inuyasha protested.

 

“Yeah. Leave my girlfriend alone!” Kouga shouted from the doorway.

 

“Girlfriend?!” Inu yelped.

 

“Kouga-kun.” Kagome cried as she unenthusiastically flung her arms around her man.

 

He kissed her cheek and ignored the growl coming from the hanyou. “And how is my woman doing today?”

 

“Good. Just peachy.” She smiled.

 

“Nice to hear.” He grasped her hands and looked her straight in the eyes. “How come you haven't been calling me?”

 

“Uh. Could we talk about this later?” She eyed the eavesdropping people around her.

 

“I guess.” He dropped her hands and turned towards the sound of footsteps coming down the hall.

 

At that exact moment the stage manager leaned into the room. “There you are Kouga! I've been looking all over for you! You're on in one minute.”

 

“Now?!” He turned back to Kagome. “Gotta go babe. See ya later?”

 

“Yeah. Sure.” As always he missed her sarcasm.

 

“I love you Kagome. I'll be back soon.” He sped out the door, conveniently liberating her from returning the endearment.

 

“Well that was interesting.” Miroku voiced aloud.

 

“Yeah. Who woulda thought Kouga has a woman?” Sango tried to hide her disgust.

 

“Hey! He's not that bad.” Kagome half-heartedly defended him.

 

“That's what you think. You couldn't smell him.” Inuyasha muttered.

 

“Neither did I.” Sango said silently.

 

“Me either.” Miroku agreed just as quietly.

 

Inuyasha flinched. Keeping his secret was so hard sometimes. “Whatever. If you're just gonna stand there, you can stand outside can't ya?” He yelled at Kagome.

 

“Well fine then! I didn't want to hang around you anyway.” She left with a flip of her hair, not noticing the three people walking in behind her. Needless to say, they gave her a wide berth.

 

“Nice one Inu.”

 

“Shut up Miroku.”

 

“I'm just saying that you didn't exactly make the best of impressions with the girl you have a crush on.”

 

“Who said I have a crush on her?”

 

“Please!” Sango laughed. “Was I the only one that heard him growling the whole time Kouga was with Kagome?” Miroku and Totosai both indicated that they heard. “See? Jealous much?”

 

“Stuff it Sango!”

 

“At least now you know her name.” Totosai pointed out. “Now I have to soothe ruffled feathers. If you'll excuse me you ungrateful dog.” He ran out after her. “Kagome! Wait! He didn't mean it! Slow down!”

 

“He is right. You know more about her today than you did yesterday.”

 

“Miroku, I don't need to hear your reasoning right now, okay? Just leave me alone. And get ready. We go on in an hour.”

 

He turned to his vanity and let Yura do his hair. He plopped his head in his hands. `Why me? Why do I have to be me? This has got to be the worst day of my life. And what's worse, I have to go out there like I don't feel like crap and be all happy and shit. My life bites.' He grabbed a scrap of paper and a stick of eyeliner. Drawing doodles soon gave way to writing words and before he knew it, he had an entire verse written.

 

“Hey, don't use all my eyeliner.” Yura protested. She got no response from the moping hanyou.

 

After consulting with Hiten on the wardrobe for the evening, Miroku came over to cheer him up so they didn't suck up the stage cause he was in `a mood.' When he got there and saw what his friend had written, he couldn't stop the dumbfounded expression from forming on his face.

 

“Inu! This is the second verse to that song you started.”

 

“I threw that away. Besides, it doesn't matter anyway so just leave it be.” He stood up and changed into his performance clothes.

 

“Listen. I kinda took it out of the trash and kept it.”

 

“You dug through the trash! That's sick man! Do you know what kind of bacteria and shit lives in there?”

 

“It was on top! And I've got lots of stuff like that.” His eyes widened noticing his slip up. “Oops.”

 

“Really?” Inu slid his eyes to look at his friend. “Like what?”

 

“MYOB!” Miroku blushed.

 

Inuyasha just raised an eyebrow at his friend's behavior.

 

“Come on guys! Time to go!” Sango called. “Oh, and Manten, do you think you could make those little sweet dumplings of yours? I've got a major craving.”

 

“Sure thing Miss Sango. Anything for a beautiful lady like yourself.”

 

She smiled as the band walked towards the stage to prepare.

 

Soon their entourage also left the room, leaving the paper on the vanity for all to see. Well, all that could get past security to the room.

 

“Hey you! Misses too good to look my way and that's cool, you want nothing at all to do with me. But I want you. Ain't nothin' wrong with wantin' you. `Cause I'm a man and I can think what the hell I want. You got that straight? No doubt that, I'd love to, sniff on them panties now.”

 

The old guard raised his eyebrow as he read. “Kids today. Getting more and more risqué, I say. They should all be shot. Teach them a lesson about…..” He continued on as he walked back out the door after making sure no one was hiding in the room.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

Hey! Thanks for reading and reviewing. I ask that you keep it up as I am a review whore. Also, MYOB means `Mind Your Own Business' for those that don't know, jijii is old man (very rude). Don't think I used anything out of the ordinary for fanfics.

 

Also, some of you expressed your dislike of `Wherever I May Roam' in chapter one. It's actually one of my favorite Metallica songs, after I saw it as a fan-made video for Gundam Wing. Every time they yelled out “Rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond” they had these tight shots of Trowa, or No Name. Get it. And since he was one of my fav's on that series I thought it fit pretty well. Besides, I would listen to it for the guitar solo alone. Those guys are frickin' geniuses! Every song I'll use in this fic is one of my favorites. And I have a lot of favorites. If there's a song that you don't know, I suggest you find it somewhere. I-tunes, Kazaa, whatever, just listen to 'em. I'll try to use ones that have been on the radio, but I can't guarantee that everyone will know them. And some of them won't be. I have some great CD's and we all know everything on the CD doesn't always make it to the radio, but I promise I'll try.

 

Until next time, R&R!