InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Past, Hidden Self ❯ D-K9 and Devastate part II ( Chapter 29 )

I do not own any of the InuYasha characters mentioned in this fanfic. However, my friends and I own the OCs. I own Kane-Sakura, Setsuna, Trowa and Ren-Tao. Steph owns Mika and Nakura; Nicky owns Michi and Ori, and Danielle owns Yuki.

 

And now, back to the story…

 

Chapter 29: D-K9 and Devastate part 2

 

The next two weeks were filled with endless practices and perfecting the songs. It took a full week for D-K9 to record their instrumentals in studio since they had problems with some of the equipment. That and every time they screwed up even the smallest part, they had to start all over, from the very beginning of that section.

 

On the morning before the performance, it started out terrible. The girls had a plane to catch at six-thirty in the morning and somebody had overslept. “KANE-SAKURA!!! GET YOU'RE LAZY ASS OUT OF THAT GOD DAMNED BED!!”

 

Kane bolted up, startled by whoever had yelled at her. “What's going on?” She saw that the clock read `4:30 a.m.' and panicked. “Holy shit! I overslept!!” She threw the covers off of her body and started to dress.

 

“We're supposed to be leaving already!” Mika yelled, standing in Kane's bedroom doorway as she combed her hair and brushed her teeth at the same time.

 

“Gomenaisai, gomenaisai! I forgot to set my alarm clock to four instead of six.” She spit out her toothpaste and grabbed her face wash and a washcloth. “I'll be out in just a minute.”

 

“The airport won't wait for us forever.” She left the doorway to grab her bags. “And next time, don't oversleep!”

 

Mika drove like, well, like a demon through the city of Tokyo to the airport. Their problems didn't stop there. At the passenger inspection, they were stopped to be screened because they seemed suspicious. After the inspectors found the girls clean, they raced through to the gate. The flight attendants were just about to close the doors as they came flying to the gate (one more literally than the others), yelling, “Wait for us!!!”

 

Luck had been on their sides as they got there just in time. Kane was out of breath as she found her seat, which happened to be all the way in back. She had been separated from the others because Yuki had accidentally forgotten to get the tickets ahead of time, so the night before they had barely managed to get four tickets on a flight to Nagasaki. And because of that, everyone was spread out. She sat down next to a guy with long white hair in a low ponytail. As she huffed, he asked, “What are you doing here?”

 

“Me…and the rest…of my band are…performing in Nagasaki for a contest.” Kane leaned back and buckled her seat belt. “Why do you ask? I don't…” Kane finally looked up and found green eyes smiling back at her. “Set-Setsuna??”

 

“I'm surprised you didn't recognize me when you sat down. We're mates after all.” He looked out the window.

 

“Sorry. We ran all the way through the airport because we were late.” She blushed. “I accidentally overslept. What are you doing here anyway?”

 

“What, you thought I'd miss you guy's kicking ass in that band contest in Nagasaki? I bought a last minute ticket last night to see you.”

 

From the front of the plane, they heard a lower female voice yell at the top of her lungs, “Nakura! What the hell do you think you're doing here?!” Soon, Michi yelled out, “Ori, I didn't know you were coming along!”

 

“You're all here?” Kane looked over at her husband.

 

“Yeah, I guess so.” He sighed and put his head back just as Aki turned around in his seat in front of them.

 

“Setsuna, did you hear that? Those girls…oh hi Kane-Sakura.” He smiled, his brown hair swaying in his face. “What are all you girls doing here?”

 

Kane narrowed her eyes at her husband, who only sighed in exasperation. “The question here is what are you guys all doing here? We're all performing in Nagasaki for our school.”

 

“Really? I thought…” Setsuna glared at him menacingly. “I thought you were all going on vacation?”

 

Setsuna smacked his forehead with his hand.

 

“No, there have been announcements all over school for the past week about this. Don't you listen to them?”

 

He scratched his head. “No, not really. Anyway, I'm heading out to Nagasaki to see some of my relatives. I met Setsuna outside the gate and we just happened to have seats close to each other.”

 

He finally turned around again before Setsuna tried to strangle him. The pilot came on over the speakers and told everyone about the trip and what was to be expected for this short trip. They gave instructions for how to use the life-saving devices, and then they were ready for take off. The plane fired up and took off down the runway. Once the seatbelt sign was turned off, the stewardesses began to pass out drinks to the other passengers.

 

“How are you doing so far?” Kane asked Setsuna, knowing this was his first time on a plane.

 

“Good. At first I thought this thing would never get off the ground because of how big it is, but it really does fly.” He gazed out at the clouds with amazement. “How high up are we?”

 

“I don't know, but we're only going higher right now.” Kane's ears popped and she winced. “When the stewardess comes around, get me a water, okay?” She put her headphones on and played `Lady Marmalade' without the lyrics so she could practice in her head. She closed her eyes and smiled as she imagined a giant crowd cheering for D-K9 as they sang the song.

 

A drop of water splashed on her cheek as the water bottle was passed to Setsuna. Back to reality, she opened her eyes to find another bottle in front of her. Opening it, she drank heartily and noticed that Setsuna also had a water bottle. “We could've shared.”

 

“Naw, you need more water for your voice anyway.”

 

“My husband is so thoughtful.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

 

He kissed her back. “No, I'm just nice.”

 

***

 

“Shouldn't we be practicing our songs?” Mika asked as she climbed up the high dive ladder.

 

“One day of goofing off isn't going to ruin our performance. Besides, a day off is good for a band.” Kane yelled up at her.

 

Michi lounged in a pool-side chair in her favorite bikini; a purple and black halter top and black short bottoms. “Are you sure?” She asked, sitting up.

 

Kane put her hands on her hips which were covered with a red-string bikini bottom. “I'm positive!”

 

Mika dove into the water and a wave of water covered Kane head to toe. When she resurfaced, she shook out her hair and spit out some water. “But our songs need some fine tuning, you said it yourself.” She rested her arms on the side of the pool.

 

Kane shook her head to dry her hair out a little. “And how do you presume we practice then? All of our equipment was sent to the place we're performing and we're not allowed to go in until tomorrow morning.”

 

Yuki emerged from the water in her white swimming suit with slits down the sides. “She's right you guys.” She stated as Kane started to climb up the ladder. “It can't be helped, so we'll go in tomorrow morning and practice.”

 

Mika climbed out and toweled off her hair and then her body, which was decorated in a black string bikini. “Fine, we'll go in tomorrow.”

 

The door leading out of the pool room opened and revealed four guys in swimming trunks. From up top the diving board, Kane saw Setsuna in flaming black trunks that rested securely on his hips. A hotel towel was slung over his right shoulder as he proceeded to look up at her. Nakura and Ori had already found their intended targets, Mika and Michi, as Aki threw his towel down and did a canon ball in the deep end of the pool. The board shifted slightly behind Kane, but she didn't notice it until after her bikini top fell of her chest and into the pool.

 

“AIEE!!” Kane covered her breasts with her arms as she blushed a deep crimson and screamed. Setsuna pretended to be embarrassed and turned away.

 

“Hold on Kane!” Mika yelled out, laughing hysterically as she picked up a towel to throw up to her friend on the diving board, but Michi was already way ahead of her. As she turned around, she saw the monk's mouth forming the word `Stay' and yelled out, “Michi, no!”

 

“STAY!!” She yelled out, which activated the subduing charm on Kane's neck. The necklace glowed its eerie gold and pulled her down with enough force to snap the board in half. She belly flopped through the liquid that now felt like pins and needles to her skin and onto the cement bottom, some twelve feet under.

 

Mika stood with the towel balled up in her hand, ready to throw it, now watching as bubbles floated up from the bottom. One giant bubble exploded from the water, and then there were no more. She was just about to dive in when Setsuna threw his towel down and jumped into the chlorinated water to save his mate.

 

`Can't…breathe.' Kane thought as the kotodama kept her flat on the pool bottom. She let out her breath, then tried to take in more air only to suck in water. Her vision blurred just as she saw someone dive in from above her.

 

The next thing she knew, someone's lips covered hers and blew air into her lungs. She opened her eyes and saw a soaked Setsuna next to her, his face close to her. Rolling onto her side, Kane coughed up some water as her lungs burned with imaginary fire.

 

“Thank Kami, you're all right.” He smiled and helped her sit up. Kane noticed the towel around her chest and hugged it close to her body.

 

“What happened?” Kane asked. “Did I almost drown?” She coughed a little more.

 

“You would've been fine if Michi hadn't subdued you right through the diving board.” Setsuna glared up at Michi. “How're you feeling?”

 

“My head's spinning.” Kane commented, hacking up more water. “How'd my top fall off anyway?”

 

Yuki blushed and laughed sarcastically. “Uh well, I had been planning on embarrassing you in front of us, and by the time I'd pulled the strings loose, the guys had walked in.” She held it up in her left hand. “And before I could warn you, Michi stayed you into the pool.”

 

Kane laughed slightly. `That would've been pretty funny if the guys hadn't walked in.” Then she glared at Michi. “And it might not've hurt so much if you hadn't subdued me. You're lucky I didn't break my neck or die!”

 

“I'm sorry Kane, but it was the only thing I could think of to save you from the guys seeing you naked.”

 

“My idea was better Michi.” Mika said, bringing up the towel she still held in her hands. “I could've spared her a lot of pain.”

 

Michi looked down at Kane again. “Will you still be able to perform tomorrow?”

 

She nodded. “I'll be sore, but I should be fine.”

 

***

 

They were ready. Ready to perform, ready to rock the house and definitely ready…to run like hell.

 

“Kane, what's the first chord I play again?” Mika asked as she tuned her guitar.

 

“E minor.”

 

Michi adjusted her headset nervously. “Are you sure about my rhythm? I mean,…”

 

“It's fine Michi.” Kane reassured her.

 

The stage manager came up to Kane. “D-K9, you're up after this group,” He paused to look at their names. “The Strangers.”

 

“Thank you.” Kane gulped. “Okay guys, we're next.”

 

Yuki held her bass guitar. “Measure ten is where I turn off the keyboard, right?”

 

“No, just switch to bass at fifteen. Keep it on for later in the song.”

 

“Are you sure we can do this?” Michi asked.

 

Kane nodded, holding her acoustic guitar and adjusting her strings to pitch. “I know we can. It's just like rehearsal, only with an audience. There's no other difference.”

 

The spirits of the group lifted, until the stage announcer called out from the stage, “Let's give our next band of intriguing young women all the way from Tokyo a warm round of applause. The dogs that wanna say it all: D-K9!” All the girls instantly tensed up, but moved on stage.

 

Kane remained behind, knowing her friends would start the music before she entered so she could strum her guitar as she entered. She felt a light tap on her shoulder and looked behind and to her left to see Setsuna dressed in casual jeans and tee-shirt. As she turned, he planted a kiss on her lips. “Break a leg out there. I'll be rooting for you all the way.”

 

Her eyes glittered as she gazed into his, but she was snapped out of her reverie when the keyboard started. She had no time to ask what he and the other guys were doing back there, and she stepped out onto the hot stage, where the light blinded her for a moment before she began to strum her guitar after two measures of four. Her headset rested securely behind her ear and she sang with confidence into it.

 

We Are

By: Ana (Spiderman 2 MST)

 

See the devil on the doorstep now

My, oh my

Telling everybody, oh just how to live their lives

Sliding down the information highway

Buying in just like a bunch of fools

Time is ticking and we can't go back

My, oh my

 

Kane turned around to look briefly at her friends. `Well, at least their playing the right notes.' She looked around at the audience to see how they responded as she sang,

 

What about the world today?

What about the place we call home?

We've never been so many

And we've never been…so alone

 

Mika's electric guitar roared over Kane's acoustic as the chorus started. Michi picked up the tempo as Yuki's bass part livened up to keep up. Kane put her acoustic guitar behind her during the chorus as she sang out the chorus with feeling and determination. She felt at the top of the world, like she was on the top of a mountain and about to leap off.

 

Keep watchin' from your picket fence

You keep talkin' but it makes no sense

You say we're not responsible

But we are, we are

You wash you hand, you come out clean

You fail to recognize the enemies within

You say we're not responsible

But we are, we are…we are

 

It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of Kane's shoulders after the chorus had died down. She saw the audience cheering and enjoying themselves and the song. Her friends seemed looser and more confident as the song progressed into the second verse with strength and resistance to add some angst to the song.

 

One step forward making two steps back

My, oh my

Riding piggy on the bad-boy's back for life

Lining up for the grand illusion

No answers for no questions asked

Lining up for the execution

Without knowing why!

 

Keep watchin' from your picket fence

You keep talkin' but it makes no sense

You say we're not responsible

But we are, we are

You wash your hands, you come out clean

You fail to recognize the enemies within

You say we're not responsible

But we are, we are

 

Now Mika's rap part came up. Kane hoped she wasn't nervous anymore since her part tied the whole song together and gave it an edge. She glanced back as Mika played her guitar and sang into the headset she wore on her head.

 

It's all about power and about taking control

Breaking the will and breaking the soul

They suck us dry until there's nothing left

My, oh my, my, oh my

 

What about the world today?

What about the place that we call home?

We've never been so many

And we've never been so alone…so alone!

 

The intensity grew after the final bridge and now came the grand finale of the song, the part that was the groups favorite part to go over and over again just for the hell of it.

 

Keep watchin' from your picket fence

You keep talkin' but it makes no sense

 

Kane's voice rose over the others during the next line.

 

You say we're not responsible

But we are, we are

You wash your hands, you come out clean

You fail to recognize the enemies within

You say we're not responsible

But we are, we are, we are

 

Kane held onto the final `are' as the other girls sang free-style into their mics.

 

Keep watchin' from your picket fence

It's all about power and about taking control

Breaking the will and breaking the soul

They suck us dry until there's nothing left

We are, we are, we are, we are

 

On the final line, Kane sang with reverence and stamina, almost as if she'd won the toughest battle in her entire lifetime.

 

It's all about power and about taking control.

 

The final chords of the piano died away and the crowd responded with hoots, hollers and whistles. There was a standing ovation as the audience and the judges stood and clapped madly. Kane smiled and turned back to the other girls. Each one came up, smiling just the same and bowed with Kane in front.

 

Off stage they celebrated their success, laughing and hugging each other. Then they heard the announcement for the next band. “Our following band may have a hard time topping that performance, but let's give them a chance. All the way from Tokyo, our final band for the original showcase: Devastate!”

 

They watched as Setsuna, Ori and Nakura all got on stage. Nakura held an electric guitar, Setsuna a bass guitar, and Ori was behind the keyboards and synthesizers. Then Aki came out and got behind the drums.

 

Nakura stepped up to the mic. “This song has a very powerful meaning behind it. As many of you may or may not remember, the United States suffered a terrorist attack on September 11th, 2001. They were in New York City, Washington DC, and a field in Pennsylvania.”

 

Setsuna took over. “We wrote this song in honor of those who died in the nine-eleven attacks,” He looked over at Kane. “In honor of those who survived,” He paused as the crowd listened with deep intensity and hushed respect. “And to tell the USA that they should always stand as one, undivided.”

 

Nakura started the guitar with what sounded like an authentic hard rock song. Then Setsuna stepped up to the mic to sing,

 

Undivided

By: Bon Jovi

That was my brother lost in the rubble
That was my sister lost in the crush
That was our mothers, those were our children
That was our fathers, that was each one of us
A million prayers to God above
A million tears make an ocean of

 

Setsuna's mouth was almost swallowing the mic as he started singing the refrain, letting his heart go into the song, all his soul rushing out in support of the United States. He closed his eyes for stage presence, which the audience ate right up. All of the boys joined him for the background vocals and gave the song an edge.

One for love
One for truth
One for me, one for you

I found spirit, they couldn't ruin it
I found courage in the smoke and dust
I found faith in the songs you silenced
Deep down it's ringing out in each of us
Yeah... yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

One for love
One for truth
One for me, one for you
Where we once were divided, now we stand united
We stand as one... undivided.

 

There was a guitar break and Nakura broke it down with his guitar, getting in front of Setsuna to do his thing with great intensity. The crowd was throwing their hands in the air with their pointer and pinky fingers sticking up from their fists. The song was incredible and was also touching.

How many hands? How many hearts?
How many dreams been torn apart?
Enough, enough... the time has come to rise back up as

One for love
One for truth
One for me, one for you
Where we once were divided now we stand united
We stand as one... undivided.

Undivided.
Undivided.

 

The song slowed down, but the intensity was still there. After a few measures of just guitar, bass and drums, Setsuna sang again, almost in a` cappella except for the fading drums, violin from the keyboard and an acoustic guitar.

One for love
One for truth
One for me, one for you
Where we once were divided, now we stand united
We stand as one... undivided.

 

The crowd also stood for this song when it was over. The boys walked over to Kane's group, some still holding their instruments and smiling proudly. When Setsuna stopped by Kane, he asked, “Well, what did you think?”

 

She couldn't answer, nor could she get her mouth to close. It took her a minute before she said angrily, “Why didn't you tell me about this?!”

 

He stepped back in trepidation. “What are you mad about? Your band did ten times better than Devastate did.”

 

“You still could've told me `cause now we're competing against each other! We could've been one big band and now…!”

 

“Kane, calm down.” Setsuna laid a hand on her shoulder. “We didn't enter for free equipment or a recording bit; we entered for the helluvit. If we do win, which we won't, we'll give the stuff to you guys.” He tried to reassure her.

 

Kane blinked. “But that would be unfair. You guys must've worked forever to make that song sound so…professional.”

 

“While that's true, we don't really want the stuff.” He pointed over at Aki. “He agreed too. He's had a crush on Yuki since she came to school, so he agreed to help out.”

 

“You have no confidence in us?” Kane wanted to slap him so hard his ancestors would feel it for centuries. “You are such a bastard! We're doing just fine without your interference!”

 

He tried to stop the rage swelling within her, but her rage soon turned into tears as she started sobbing right in front of him. “Aw come on Kane, don't look at it that way…”

 

“Too late!” She pounded his chest with her fists as she cried into him. “You never should've…”

 

“You're my mate Kane, and I'm just trying to help out because I love you.” He said truthfully, running his fingers through her hair to try to get her to calm down. He'd never in his lifetime had to deal with a crying woman in this manner. He only prayed he was doing a good enough job. “But if it makes you feel any better, we'll keep competing and see who comes out on top.”

 

She nodded quietly, wondering why she'd burst into tears so easily. All he'd done was get her angry, not make her upset enough to break down. Was something wrong with her?

 

The stage announcer was up at the mic again. “Competition for the next section will begin in twenty minutes. Bands please be ready on time.”

 

“Hmm, twenty minutes?” Setsuna brought her shoulders back to look her in the eyes. They were red and watery from crying, but they were drying. He smiled. “Know what I'm thinking?”

 

Kane rolled her eyes. He was trying to make her feel better, even so her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Oh yes, let's go have sex in a closet and humiliate ourselves in public. That sounds positively delightful.”

 

“Okay, bad idea. How about a little kiss to keep me tied over until we can jump on the bed again?” He laughed as she slapped him playfully on the cheek, then kissed him lightly on the lips. “That won't even last me through today.”

 

“Deal with it, buster. You owe me now for making me cry.”

 

“What do you want?” He looked over at the food stands. “Would some ice cream help? Perhaps a hamburger or something up the alley of fast food?”

 

“My husband provides well.” Kane giggled as she took his hand and led him over to one of the burger stands.

 

***

 

D-K9's performance of `Lady Marmalade' went as well as the first routine. The crowd loved their stage presence as well as their voices. The judges seemed pleased and well entertained. And Devastate did a fantastic job on their Latino song, `Heaven' by the Los Lonely Boys.

 

The judges announced that there would be a twenty minute discussion, followed by the declaration of the winner of this years Battle of the Bands competition. D-K9 and Devastate grouped together to talk and hang out for the twenty minutes they had before the winning band was proclaimed. They joked around, kidding about their love lives, past screw ups, even messing around with their demon powers. But with Aki around, that was kept to a minimum of little things that were almost unnoticeable.

 

“I'll bet Mika and Nakura really do love each other!” Kane announced as she danced out of Mika's reach.

 

She raged silently. “That's not true! I don't even like the bastard!”

 

Michi giggled. “I bet you've at least kissed him.”

 

Mika's face turned bright cherry. “I have not, Michi! And if you know what's good for you, you'll shut up right now!”

 

The joking stopped when the announcer came out to say that it was time for the awards to be presented to the winning band.

 

They stood in the crowd with the other bands, nervous with anticipation. How had they done? Were they going to get the grand prize? The presenter stepped on stage in front of the mic. “Lets' give our bands one final round of applause.” He clapped with a card in his hands and the audience did the same with hoots, hollers and whistles. “We had many extraordinary bands today, but only one will take home the grand prize and a chance to record their original works!” The crowd cheered again.

 

Mika tapped her fingers on her arm. “When's he gonna announce the winners? He's going on and on like the frickin' Energizer Bunny!”

 

“Hush!” Kane whispered as she clutched Setsuna's hand for support.

 

“We had a few outstanding bands today, one of which will take the grand prize home.” He unfolded the manila envelope and pulled out the plain white paper within. Kane felt her heart beat faster and when his eyes widened, Kane's did too. “With a close vote of three to two, D-K9 beats Devastate by one vote!”

 

Kane jumped up and screamed excitedly and then hugged Setsuna. “You did it Kane! D-K9 won the grand prize!” He lifted her up and held her by the waist. She leaned down and kissed him on the lips.

 

“Get up here Kane! Either that, or get a room!” Mika yelled out from the stage.

 

Setsuna put her down and she rushed up to the stage. The crowd went wild as she accepted the recording deal and a check to take and buy the equipment they needed for their future career. Then the other girls rushed over to her and hugged her enthusiastically. They jumped up and down with excitement as the audience chanted “D-K9! D-K9!”

 

***

 

The stars glittered outside the plane window as Kane stared out of it, dazed and half-asleep. Setsuna was sitting beside her, also looking out the window. She admired his face in the windows reflection as he asked, “Beautiful night huh?”

 

“Yeah,” She yawned, leaning into him as he slipped an arm over her shoulders. “We'll be landing soon, so I really shouldn't fall asleep, but…” She yawned again. “I'm just so tired.”

 

“I'll wake you.”

 

“Even so, I'm so pumped with adrenaline that I won't be able to sleep for a few days.” Kane looked up at him and smiled. “D-K9 will start recording next month. I'd better start writing some songs.”

 

He touched her cheek with his hand, moving his lips closer to hers. “You know, if you ever need inspiration…” He leaned in closer, now only a breath away from her sweet lips.

 

“Hey Kane!” Michi said drunkenly, hanging over the seat with a bottle of sake in hand. “Wasn't that contest great?! We won you know!”

 

They moved apart. “We weren't doing anything!” They both exclaimed as their faces got redder by the second.

 

The plane jolted as it started descending. “Michi, buckle up! We're landing!” Mika was now over the seat, trying to haul her back over. Then she held her nose after catching the scent of the monk's breath. “Shit monk! Your breath reeks of alcohol!” She took the sake away. “Where the hell did you get this?!”

 

“What, I'm just celebrating!” She tried reaching for the bottle and missed. “And look! Ori's celebrating with me! He got so excited he passed out!” She guffawed loudly.

 

Sure enough, Ori's head was lolled to the side, his mouth hung open and drooling. “I thought he wasn't a heavy drinker!” Kane stated, staring over the seat.

 

“Nakura, a little help over here!” Mika shouted as Michi hugged her out of drunken joy. “I can't get her to snap out of it!”

 

Michi was strapped back into her seat (securely) and Kane and Setsuna were left alone again. “So, are you going to record `We Are'?”

 

“Of course.” Kane settled back into his chest. “But I was thinking that we could make a CD together. You know, with duets and you guys singing some of your own songs too.”

 

He smiled. “Sounds like fun. Any idea on what you're going to call it?”

 

Michi suddenly started howling like a sick or dying wolf. “Let's Howl, you guys! Come on, the moon's almost full!”

 

Kane's eyes widened. “I think Michi's a genius without even knowing it.”

 

Setsuna stared at her. “How so? The alcohol is affecting her right now…”

 

“Oh I know. But I think we should stick with the dog theme and call it `Let's Howl'.” The planes breaks stopped the aircraft on the runway after the landing. “`D-K9, Let's Howl.'”

 

Setsuna stood and helped Kane out of her seat. As they walked in the cool air to the airport, she gazed up at the stars as they twinkled in the sky. `The stars are so beautiful. Maybe we should be married under the stars on a clear night like tonight.' She took Setsuna's hand as she sighed. He responded and laced his fingers with hers and squeezed her hand.

 

***