InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Life Sucks ❯ When the Smoke Clears Away ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Life Sucks
By: ShoukaMiko
Chapter 3: When the Smoke Clears Away

Blanket Disclaimer for Life Sucks: I don't own Inuyasha , its characters, songs, or any other songs I put on here by other artists.



After her tirade, Kagome huffed a little out of breath. Four pairs of eyes stared at her blinking in the semi darkness of the stage. Then all hell broke loose.

"She's the answer to our problems!" Miroku cried while picking Kagome up and tossing her into the air then swinging her around.

"We're so sorry about all this. You must have been terrified." Sango began as Miroku decided to display his relief, not being able to keep the note of relief out of her own voice.

"Wow! Wow! Wow! I can't believe you knew how to sing all of our songs. You even knew how to play them! Where'd you learn all that? Do you like chocolate?" Shippo yipped as he bounced up and down and dug into his pockets looking for some chocolate to celebrate with what he considered his new friend.

Since Kagome's confession Inuyasha had hung back scowling, fighting with the ball of uncertainty, shock, anger, disappointment, adrenaline and a grudging relief that seemed to be rolling around in his gut.

He couldn't get his mind to take in all that had happened, much less respond to it. That is until his gaze went from the elated group in front of him to the black and red instrument still hanging from Kagome's neck.

Inuyasha's growl started out low and menacing, his claws flexing at his sides, ears flipping back and forth in agitation. How dare they just accept her like if she was already a part of the band? For fuck's sake Kikyo was gone not even forty-eight hours and they were already warming up to this stranger, this poser! How could they just dismiss Kikyo as if she hadn't existed in the first place!

By this time the group was starting to catch the ominous growl that was coming from their lead guitarist as it grew into almost a roar. Finally Kagome looked at Inuyasha, eyes wide with innocence. That did it.

Inuyasha stormed up to Kagome, eyes narrowed in anger and cracking his knuckles as he went. Kagome looked a little apprehensive for a second but then straightened and held her ground, matching him glare for glare. His hand flashed out and ripped the guitar strap up and over her head, her hair flying with the quick motion.

" What the hell makes you think you had the right to use my guitar!! For that matter what made you think that you could just waltz up here and pretend you could sing in front of 50,000 people! Stupid wench! Do you even know how much you put all our asses on the line?!" By the time Inuyasha had finished growling his agitation he was mere inches from bumping into Kagome's nose with his own.

Kagome tossed her hair indignantly as she shot back, " Well if you hadn't been so self absorbed with your own problems, maybe you would have been smart enough to realize how much I was panicking and trying to get off stage! I didn't ask to be dragged out here in front of all those people to do something I had no idea how to do! But from what I've been hearing I helped you guys. Somehow, though I don't think someone like you really has the brains to realize something that complex!"

"Why YOU little…"

" All things considered, Inuyasha, we really could use her unique abilities just now." Miroku interrupted before things could get really ugly.

"She did perform very well, and like Miroku was saying, we can use all the help we can get." Sango said trying to get Inuyasha's attention so he'd stop glaring daggers at the girl who was surprisingly matching him dirty look for dirty look.

" Yeah so lay off Inuyasha!" Shippo piped in as he managed to slip a half melted candy bar into Kagome's hand.
Kagome blinked, and finally broke the staring match as she looked down into the eyes of the little fox demon and smiled. Shippo beamed before taking a bite of his own chocolate bar.
Inuyasha just growled and cursed under his breath as he backed up a few steps. Though he hated to admit it they would probably need the snot nosed little brat. He frowned a little in consternation; had Kikyo been that friggin' curvy? He turned his head in disgust at his thoughts and scowled at the now nearly empty seats as he crossed his arms over his bare chest.

He started when he remembered how he had come to be this way in the first place. He looked over to the now shredded vest and smirked as he remembered how the wench in front of him had squirmed at the sight of him. One eyebrow rose as he also remembered how she was able to get over her uncomfortable situation by trying to beat him, and nearly matching him at his own game.

He looked over at her now and was able to catch the faint trace of pink on her cheeks just before she turned away. He gave a wicked smile.

Maybe he could have a little fun with this unexpected switch after all.

`Oooohh… she's going to hate me...'

******

"I'm sorry sir I can' let you through."

Two, very intimidating wolf demon security guards stood solidly in the way of the brown haired frantic teenager in front of them.

"You don't understand! I know the lead singer! She's my date!" Hojo waved his hands frantically in the air as if to make them understand better by being more emphatic.

"Yeah," said the first wolf demon, combing his fingers wearily through white-blonde hair that had a strip of black down the middle, " you and everybody else at the concert." Ginta gave his Mohawk bearing friend next to him a look that very clearly said `Here we go again.'

"I'm serious, just take me to her and you'll see!" It was now Hojo's turn to rake his hand through his already scruffy hair in frustration.

" We're going to have to ask you to leave now." Hakkaku growled trying to put as much intimidation as he could behind his voice as he stepped forward. It had been a crazy night and all he wanted to do was go back stage and relax.

"Fine! Fine, whatever. If you don't want to believe me you can see for yourself, she's waving at us right behind you."

As the two youkai turned, surprised anyone had snuck up on them with their excellent hearing and sense of smell.

He saw his chance.

Ginta and Hakkaku staggered nearly knocked off their feet by the brown and white blur that flew out from between them.

" What the…"
"After him!!"

Hojo ran for all he was worth screaming and gasping the whole way "KAGOME!!!"

Eyes turned toward the spectacle of the tall figure running around and waving hands wildly over his head, screaming his lungs out with two wolf youkai security guards hot on the lunatics trail.

Yep, these after concert traditions really helped everyone wind down.

As wagers were being made as to when the crazed fan would be caught, and which guard would catch him, another scene was being made elsewhere.

" That wench is not staying in Kikyo's trailer and that's FINAL!"

" It's not like Kikyo's gonna come back tonight, if she ever comes back at all! And besides we need Kagome close by so we can talk business first thing in the morning!!"

Inuyasha and Sango kept on like this all the while glaring daggers at each other while Miroku and Shippo looked on with dry expressions.

Shippo's forehead landed in his little hands as he said from his perch on Miroku's shoulder, "I was hoping for at least a little sleep before we got going tomorrow."

Miroku nodded solemnly and sighed closing his eyes.

Kagome, who had long since eaten the gift of chocolate Shippo had given her during the lengthy argument, approached the pair doing battle carefully hoping to resolve the mess without getting a fatal wound when…

"KAGOME!!!!"
She whirled around in the direction of all the howling. " Oh My Gosh, Hojo!" She had nearly forgotten about the boy who she now saw barreling down a row of electrical equipment, roadies, and other assorted on lookers. Hot on his heels, Kagome was able to see the reason why Hojo was running at incredible speed and screaming like a girl.

"Damn it kid stop running!" Hakkaku gasped as he stumbled over a mound of chords.

"Why do they always try to run?" Ginta panted next to him.

Hojo was thanking all of his lucky stars aloud and by name for deciding to join cross-country. He spotted Kagome and was about to run toward her when he saw that the wolf youkai had caught a second wind.

As he and the youkai sprinted past her he managed to gasp out, " Stay there…"
Then he doubled back and managed to say, " I'll be right back!" as he sprinted back past her and around the corner, Ginta and Hakkaku hot on his heels.

Everyone just stared after the strange chase seen, their mouths hanging open, not being able to think of anything to say. Kagome was the first to snap out of it.

"I guess I'd better go save my date." She said a little sheepishly, scratching the back of her head and blushing as she headed toward the stairs. Miroku getting over his surprise before the others reached out to stop her.
"I don't think it will be necessary to go after him."

"What? Why?" Kagome stared at the tall bassist in confusion. Miroku simply nodded his head down the center isle of the rows of seats where as soon as they looked, a very harassed looking teen came skidding into view running towards the stage and screaming (or at least trying to, he was getting pretty hoarse). Behind him by a now larger gap came Ginta and Hakkaku staggering and gasping for air but their demon strength helped them keep up.

"Hey knock it off! Stop chasing him he's with me!" Kagome tried to yell but with all the racket Hojo was making she couldn't make herself heard. After a couple more tries at this she had had enough. Kagome started for the edge of the stage and was about to hop off but paused when she saw where the ground was.
`That's funny, it didn't look so high when I was down there.' Kagome thought as she looked off of the stage hesitantly. Another desperate cry from a now very much closer Hojo made her mind up. She took a deep breath, stepped back, and leapt off the stage. She tensed at the hard impact she expected to feel when she landed on the ground … but it never came.

Kagome looked down and seemed to be almost flying through the air. She gasped, then noticed the strong steady arm wrapped around her waist. She looked up at Inuyasha's determined face just as they touched down softer than she expected. Hojo was careening towards them with too much momentum to stop running down the sloped isle. Inuyasha took a couple of steps forward in front of Kagome, put out his arm, and before Hojo could blink, he was flat on his back efficiently clothes lined by a smirking inuhanyou.

"You Cretin!! Hojo are you alright?" Kagome ran to kneel next to the floored Hojo.

"Mmyour weregreat Kaggy! You're both reeaawwy sexy." Hojo said slurring out his words before his head went back with a thump as he passed out.

Kagome managed to scowl at Inuyasha while at the same time blushing hard enough to put a cherry to shame.

Inuyasha meanwhile had planted himself in the middle of the isle, arms crossed, feet spread and chin slightly tucked under in a stance that commanded instant obedience.

Ginta and Hakkaku seeing the solid barrier in their path tried their best to skid to a halt but Ginta's arms began to pinwheel knocking Hakkaku off balance and then both youkais landed on their butts skidding to a halt not too far from Hojo. Inuyasha had bounded backwards and out of the way, smugly landing into a crouch next to Kagome who continued to glare at him.

"Aren't you two a little old to be playing tag?" Inuyasha smirked one eyebrow raised in mock disapproval.

Ginta and Hakkaku scowled at Inuyasha, turned to look at each other, and then let out a humongous groan, falling backwards dead beat and gasping for breath.

"Baka! You could have helped me without knocking everyone out!" Kagome yelled into Inuyasha's sensitive ears.

"Hey, you're still conscious aren't you?!" Inuyasha said flinching and flattening his abused ears to his scalp. "Or maybe that was a mistake."

Kagome opened her mouth to retort, but Hojo took that time to show he was coming back to the land of the living.

"Uuugghh. What happened?" Hojo managed to groan.

"Hojo-kun are you ok?" Kagome said her face softening as she automatically reached out and touched Hojo's face in concern. Inuyasha sat back on his haunches and crossed his arms scowling darkly at the scene.

"Keh. Weakling." He muttered under his breath. He felt a little murderous but credited it to the idiot girl not being grateful for him stopping the display of stupidity before Ginta and Hakkaku caught up to her loser boyfriend. Inuyasha mumbled a few very colorful comments when his ears twitched signaling the approach of the other band members.

"Kagome you were awesome! I didn't know you were part of the concert. Why didn't you tell me?" Hojo said starting to be able to think clearly again.

"I wasn't, it was all some kind of a weird accident." Kagome said blushing slightly at the compliment.

"Indeed. Kagome-sama's coming to us was very fortunate." Miroku said as he offered the boy a hand up.

"Wait a minute, you mean that she's not Kikyo?" Hakkaku called out from his spot on the floor. The two guards were beginning to pick themselves up, and were staring at Kagome unbelievingly.

"Damn right she's not." Inuyasha snorted condescendingly as he unfolded from his crouch.

Sango reached out and smacked the hanyou upside the head with her drumsticks. "Grow up."

"That hurt damn it!" Inuyasha hissed through clenched teeth, rubbing the sore spot.

"So you were telling the truth?" Ginta directed at Hojo.
Hojo rolled his eyes at the guard, "I told you."

"Sorry about that man, just doin' our job." Hakkaku said scratching the back of his head and smiling a little sheepishly.

" Don't worry about it." Hojo blinked in surprise barely realizing whose company he was in. With big stars in his eyes he was a blur again that stopped directly in front of Sango taking her hand in both of his and looking around at all the band members. " I'm a BIG fan of your music, can I have your autographs????"

" Sure, I don't see why not." Sango replied blushing slightly.

Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something but Miroku threw him a meaningful look as he said, " Of course you can. You brought the ONLY person who could save our band after all."

"Keh," Inuyasha huffed rolling his eyes to the side but decided not to take a risk.

While they all signed a shirt Shippo brought to them, Sango took the opportunity to bring up Kagome's sleeping situation again.

"So Kagome how far do you have to travel to get back home?"

"She is not…!" Inuyasha began.

"Oh, I don't live all that far away. I live in a Shrine house at the edge of town. In fact we better get going back, my mom will be worried by now." Kagome smiled as she effectively kept the two band members from blood shed.

"Would you like us to escort you home?" Miroku said while his hand crept dangerously close to Kagome's backside but thought better of it when Sango's eyes turned into little skulls and crossbones. Instead he managed to put his arm around her shoulders in a companionable way. " After all, it is pretty late out."

Hojo oblivious to his date nearly being groped by the band's bassist chirped in " Don't worry I'll get her home safely."

This earned another `keh' from Inuyasha.

"Well in case anyone forgot, there's gonna be a grip of people out there waiting to take our pictures and crap when we get out of here. If princess here wants to get home at all tonight she's going to have to get to her car without anyone noticing." Inuyasha leered in Hojo's general direction.

Everyone including Ginta and Hakkaku looked towards Inuyasha expectantly. Hojo looked at everyone with a confused expression and Kagome wasn't sure what they wanted of Inuyasha.

Losing his superior expression Inuyasha began to scowl at the group. "You can just forget it cuz the answer is no."

" Inuyasha you're the only one who can get her through." Sango reasoned.

"You think I give a damn? What do I look like to you people a friggin pack animal??" Inuyasha griped.

"You don't have to be a zoologist to recognize a jack ass when you see one." Shippo mumbled.

"WHY YOU…!"

"AaaAAAaaaaAAAaaaOOOoooWWWwww! Knock it off that hurts!" Shippo cried as Inuyasha pummeled him.

"Inuyasha you'll only have to take her as far as their car, you don't have to take her all the way home." Miroku said calmly ignoring the fact that Shippo's little fangs were imbedded in Inuyasha's hand and that Inuyasha was shaking his hand frantically from side to side cursing the Kitsune with every bad word he knew and some he made up.

Finally dislodging the little fox demon from his hand he grumbled "Fine, whatever, let's just do this." He walked toward Kagome whose heart gave an unhealthy jump when Inuyasha's intense, golden gaze locked with hers. When he was a few feet in front of her he turned his back on her and crouched down slightly.

Kagome looked at the dog demons back, brows furrowed in confusion. He gave a long-suffering sigh.

"Come on girl, we don't have all night."

"Huh?" Okay so it wasn't the most elegant thing she'd ever said.

"Will you get on already?! I want to get this over with." Inuyasha threw over his shoulder.

"Wait a second," Hojo piped up uncertainly, "I don't think…"

"That's right, you don't. Now see if you can remember to meet Kagome at your car, ok Hobo?" Inuyasha snapped as he got tired of waiting and grabbed Kagome's wrist, yanked her up onto his bare back and held her arms as he leapt onto the mezzanine, then up to the balcony where he started running for a stair well with a stunned Kagome hanging on for dear life.