InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Breaking Point ❯ The Girl and The Band ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: For this chapter, I don't own M. Soulchild's 'Love', 2Pac's 'Me and My Girlfriend', nor Mariah Carey's 'Looking In'.

Chapter Two: The Girl and The Band

Kagome carried her tray to a nearby table, glancing behind her to make sure Sango and Rin knew where to sit before setting her tray down.

"It's such a beautiful day," Kagome mused wistfully, taking a moment to pull her hair into a sloppy ponytail. Rin nodded in agreement as Sango picked at her food.

"Yeah, the day's beautiful, but the food isn't. You would think that college food would be better."

"What do you expect? You always try to get the healthy stuff," Rin said. "That's why I get pizza. You can never go wrong with pizza."

"Really? Then you won't mind sharing."

"Hey!" Rin cried when Sango swiped her extra slice. "Give that back!" She grimaced when Sango licked it, then kicked her in the shin.

"OW!"

"That's what you get for taking my food!"

Kagome laughed, shaking her head at the two of them as they began to fight on the other side of the table. "Sango, stop picking on my sister. That's my job."

"Aww! But it's so fun," Sango pouted, then winced when Rin kicked her again. "Alright, that's it!" She attempted to grab Rin, falling over when she jumped up at the last second and hid behind Kagome.

"Make her stop!" Rin whined as Sango stood up and chased her around the table. Kagome giggled a moment, then raised her hand for them to stop. "Alright you two, that's enough. Rin, I'll buy you another pizza if it'll make you feel better."

"No, I don't want it now," Rin grumbled, glaring at Sango as she took a bite out of her stolen goods. "But I do need a favor…"

"Oh yeah!" Sango chirped, nearly choking on her pizza. "I forgot about that!"

"Forgot about what?" Kagome asked, instantly wary of the two. 'When those two plot something together, it's like being shot in the ass. Not only are you hurt, you're embarrassed too.'

"See, there's this band audition downtown today ," Rin began, then nudged Sango.

"They're looking for a female singer, and we were planning on going."

"Did you ask Mom?" Kagome asked Rin, who nodded in response.

"Yeah, I asked her. Um, however…"

"However?" Kagome quirked a brow. "However what?"

"She said that I could go if you go too. So will you Kagome? Please?" Rin and Sango turned big puppy eyes toward her with their hands clasped in front of them. "You just have to do it!"

"Today?" Kagome replied skeptically. "I don't know. I'm supposed to meet Marcus today."

"So what?" Sango replied. "He'll be fine! How about it?"

"We need you Kagome," Rin begged shamelessly. "You just have to be there!"

"Well…" Kagome thought a moment, then nodded. "I guess so. I'll be your cheerleader, just so long as I don't have to wave any pom-poms."

"Yay!!" Sango and Rin both jumped up and hugged her, only to spring apart as the table beside them suddenly erupted in applause. "What are they doing over there?" Rin wondered as Kagome and Sango recovered from the shock. She attempted to see past the crowd, but was too short to see the center.

"It's just a bunch of idiots," Sango grumbled. "They do this every lunch period."

"Do what?" Kagome asked, then stopped when heavy beating and a gruff voice sounded from somewhere within the crowd.

~Never leave you alone. I love you black or chrome. Turn this house into a happy home. Meet my girlfriend.

~All I need in this life of sin-~

~Is me and my girlfriend!~ the crowd cheered around the voice, eliciting another groan from Sango.

~Down to ride till the bloody end-~

~Just me and my girlfriend!~

"Come on," Sango ordered, waiting until Rin and Kagome stood before opening the doors to the inside. "They'll do that for the rest of the day. Let's go."

"So Kagome," Rin began as they emptied their trays. "This is the plan. We're going to meet Sango in front of the school at 3:00. You don't have any classes then, do you?"

"No," Kagome said with a shake of her head. "Then what?"

"We'll get on the bus and ride downtown. Then we'll go audition."

"Alright then, but do you guys know where we're going?"

"Yeah," Sango chirped. "It's some company called Youkai Management."

"Well, that's comforting," Kagome muttered under her breath, then glanced at her watch. "Oh, look at the time. I've gotta split!"

"Alright Kagome," Sango called as she and Rin waved goodbye. "See you after school!" They waited until she disappeared around a corner, then high-fived each other.

"That went well," Sango exclaimed.

"I know," Rin replied. "I can't believe she fell for it. It's about time she did more than just spend time with Marcus anyway."

"You don't like Marcus?" Sango asked as they walked across the cafeteria. "Why?"

"I don't know," Rin admitted. "He just gives me the creeps, that's all. He's too clingy."

"Yeah, well Kagome loves him, and he loves her."

"That's just my thing," Rin said. "I don't think he loves her at all."

Sango thought a moment, then mentally shook the idea clear. "We're not going to worry about that right now. What we have to do is figure out how we're going to do the next part of the plan."

*

"So…" Kagome muttered as she, Sango and Rin glanced around the room. "This is what this place looks like on the inside."

"Oh Kagome," Rin moaned in annoyance. "So what if this place is a little sparse. We're inside Youkai Management! I wouldn't give a crap if the paint were chipping off the walls!"

"That's good to know," Sango grumbled as she picked at a white crack in the wall, then proceeded to flick a piece of the crumbling paintwork out from underneath her fingernail.

"Come on you guys," Rin said as she dragged them further into the waiting room. "We'll just sit here and wait until our turn."

"Whatever," Sango said as she sat between Kagome and Rin. She took a quick look at the rest of the girls in the room, each seemingly nervous except for the one sitting directly in front of her.

"Hi, I'm Sango," she greeted, stretching her open hand toward her. The girl promptly ignored her, literally looking down her nose at the offered hand. "Well," Sango snorted, then started as wailing sounded over the loudspeakers. "What's that?"

"That-" the rude girl across from her answered as Sango, Kagome and Rin looked on. "Would be someone's audition."

"They put it over the loudspeakers?" Rin gasped in complete horror. The girl nodded. "Yup. Not only do you not make it, but you're humiliated too."

"But you don't seem worried," Sango replied, getting an arrogant smile in response.

"I don't have to be. I sound better than anyone here."

"Yeah, well," Rin said as Sango bristled beside her. "I bet you don't sound better than Kagome."

"I'm not trying out Rin. Remember?" Kagome scolded. The girl snorted in amusement. "That's good. I'd hate for you to be embarrassed."

"Kagura Naraito?" the secretary called out before anyone could respond. The girl stood, grasped her purse and walked away from the trio.

"That's me."

"Right this way." The pair disappeared down a nearby hallway. Her voice, and the voice of what seemed to be an older gentleman, sounded over the loudspeaker a few seconds later.

"Name?"

"Kagura Naraito," she responded. Sango stuck her finger down her throat and pretended to gag, earning chuckles from every girl in the room.

"Apparently she's not well liked," Kagome whispered to Rin, who nodded in agreement. They and the rest of the girls ignored the interview, each to her own business until Kagura began to sing a cracked, warbled, and loud version of Mya's 'Case of the Ex'.

"Holy crap!" A blonde on the other side of the room gasped as everyone winced. "Is that what she sounds like?"

"Man," Rin giggled. "And she's the best girl here!"

Sango and Kagome laughed outright at that, and the rest of the room applauded when the gentleman ended her interview. Kagura sauntered out of the hallway toward them, a smug expression on her face as she sat down.

"Well, you ladies can go home," she sighed happily. "I'm going to get it."

"Yeah right," Sango retorted. "Not sounding like a-"

"We wish you all the luck, Kagura," Kagome said after swiftly kicking Sango in the shin. Sango glared at her a moment, then jumped up as her name was called.

"Oh that's me! Kagome, Rin, will you guys stand at the door?" Sango begged. "Please?"

"Well…"

"Why not!" Rin replied instantly. She grabbed Kagome's wrist and dragged her along to the small podium where the secretary was stationed.

"Are all three of you Sango Onya?" she asked skeptically.

"No, of course not!" Sango replied. "But these are my friends! Is it ok if they stand at the door so I won't get nervous?"

"I suppose…but they have to be on the list."

"Oh, well I'm Rin Higurashi, and this is my sister Kagome."

The secretary checked the list a moment, then shook her head. "You're sister can't go back there unless she signs up."

"Then I'll just be out here," Kagome said as she turned around. Rin jerked her back moments later, then cast pleading eyes to the secretary.

"Please? She's just going to stand there."

"Well…alright. Just so long as she doesn't bother anything. Miss Higurashi, you're after Miss Onya."

"Thanks!" Rin and Sango chirped simultaneously, then grabbed Kagome and shoved her down the hallway behind the secretary. She gestured to the door at the end of the hallway, then opened it and stepped to the side. Sango waved, flashing Kagome and Rin her brightest smile before disappearing into the room with a click.

"What was that?" Rin asked. "The click?"

"That's the lock on the door," the secretary explained. "It's to keep the sessions from being interrupted."

"Really?" Rin said absently as her mind began to whirl. 'Perfect. Just what we needed.' She and Kagome stood back as Sango began her interview, the last part a nervous, but on-key 'Until You Come Back To Me' by Aretha Franklin before stepping back into the hallway.

"That was great Sango!" Rin and Kagome cheered as they trapped her in a crushing, yet supportive, hug.

"Thanks you guys," Sango gasped in between them. "But I can't breathe! Let go!"

"Oh. Sorry about that."

"Rin, you're next," Kagome reminded, watching as Rin stepped through the door before the click of the lock.

"What's that?" Sango asked. "I don't remember hearing that before I went in."

"Oh, that's some lock," Kagome explained objectively.

"Hm," Sango replied. "Really…"

Rin's interview started before Kagome could question Sango's reaction. Her sister's soft, but pretty rendition of Floetry's 'Butterflies' ended her interview. She stepped out with a wide grin, her eyes bright as she glanced from Sango to Kagome. "How did I sound?"

"You were great Rin!" they cheered as someone in the room requested whoever was next. Sango and Rin exchanged glances, then shoved Kagome into the room before she or the secretary could protest.

Kagome turned just as the door clicked closed behind her.

*

"Hey! Let me out of here!"

Myouga looked up just as the others at the table turned toward the door, finding himself speechless for the first time in his career. A young lady pounded on the only entrance to the room as if she were trapped in a den of lions, her fiery gaze intent on the world outside the room.

"What's wrong with her?" Inuyasha whispered from the other end of the table. Koga, who was sitting beside him, shrugged as Miroku nudged Sesshoumaru in the side.

"She's a real looker, isn't she?" he whispered, eyeing Kagome's backside eagerly. Sesshoumaru quickly rapped the pervert upside the head.

"Not now Miroku…"

"I'm going to kill you two when I get out of here!" Kagome growled, still completely unaware of her 'roommates'. Sango and Rin jeered at her from the other side, laughing their heads off as Kagome began to jerk on the doorknob. "I'm going to cut your insides out and put them in a bowl. Then I'll grill them and feed them to Buyo. Next I'm going to-"

"Excuse me miss."

Kagome froze, nervously glancing behind her as Sango and Rin only laughed harder. "Um…"

She turned and stood with her back against the door, the rim of her baseball cap falling a little over her eyes as she stared at the owner of the voice and his companions. 'This must be the band,' she thought as she glanced at one end of the table to the other, her eyes falling on Myouga last. "Um…"

"Miss, what's your name?" he asked patiently. "You're not on our list."

"Yeah, there's good reason for that," Kagome said with an unhappy giggle. "You see, my sister and my best friend-well, not after this-decided to push-"

"Yes yes," Sesshoumaru interrupted with an elegant wave of his hand. "We have no time to hear your life story. Just give us your name so we may start the interview." 'Surely she didn't think to impress us in that outfit,' Sesshoumaru thought disdainfully, eying Kagome's fitted ripped jeans and red baby tee. Her hair seemed piled underneath the faded baseball cap, no doubt the effects of attempting to stay cool in the abnormal April heat.

"That's just it," Kagome retorted, immediately perturbed with Sesshoumaru's attitude. "I'm not here to audition."

"You're not?" Koga quipped, with a muttered "Darn!" from Miroku.

Kagome shook her head. "As I was trying to say before I was so rudely interrupted-" she shot Sesshoumaru a heated glare, which he promptly responded with an icy one of his own. "My sister and my friend pushed me in here. I didn't sign up to audition."

"I see," Myouga said sympathetically. He understood the antics of friends, for they matched the antics of certain band members in his present company. "But we'll allow you to audition anyway." 'Besides,' he mused hopefully. 'She may be some good. Goodness knows what kind of luck we've had today.'

"That's ok," Kagome replied with a grateful smile. "I'll just get out of your-"

"Perhaps," Sesshoumaru began, startling Kagome into silence. "It's because you cannot sing, and not that you worry of wasting our time. Though you've managed to do that rather successfully already."

Kagome's eyes widened, then narrowed into blue-green silts as the others stared at Sesshoumaru in astonishment. Never had they seen him bait anyone other than Inuyasha and Koga, and for him to do this to a girl meant one of two things…

He either wanted to rile her up and make her cry…

Or he was flirting.

Both prospects were completely unnerving.

"Why you….fine!" Kagome fumed, her hands fisted at her sides. "I'll do it, but not to be on this band!" She pointed an accusing finger at Sesshoumaru, who merely smirked in response. "But to shut that jerk up right there!"

"Many have wanted to shut him up," Koga grumbled crossly, though he admired the girl's spunk. 'She'd make a great woman…'

"And many have failed," Inuyasha quipped behind him. "But since you want to try-"

"We're more than happy to let you," Miroku added, earning a jab in the ribs from Sesshoumaru. "OW!"

"Do not encourage the wench," Sesshoumaru growled, not expecting the-

"Who are you calling a wench!!!!!"

That followed.

"Settle down," Myouga pleaded. "Let's just finish so the young lady can be on her way. Now," he turned to Kagome, pleased to find her in a calmer disposition so quickly as she stepped closer to the mike in the center of the room. "What's your name?"

"Kagome Higurashi."

"Wasn't your sister just in here?" Miroku asked. Kagome nodded. "Yup. She's the youngest of the three of us."

"Oh. Cool. I've always wanted a brother or sister."

"not me…" Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru both grumbled simultaneously. Myouga shook his head and sighed.

"Occupation?"

"I'm still in school."

"High school?" Sesshoumaru teased, his smirk widening at her scowl.

"No dumbass. I'm a senior in college."

"Really?" Koga said. "Studying what?"

"We don't care what she's studying," Sesshoumaru said before Kagome could respond. "Because she doesn't want to be on our band anyway."

"I would if you weren't on it," Kagome shot back. "God, are you always a jerk or are you doing this just for me?"

Sesshoumaru blinked in surprise as the others roared around him. 'How dare that little…' He mentally shook himself, then narrowed golden eyes of his own. "I assure you, I am this way with everyone. You are no different, nor will you be treated as such."

"Yippee for me," Kagome grumbled sourly, smiling as the laughter around her doubled in volume. Myouga somehow managed to calm the others around them, though a ghost of a smile lingered on his face as he addressed Kagome once again. "Do you have something prepared for us Miss Higurashi?"

"Of course she doesn't," Sesshoumaru reminded. "She wasn't planning to audition, remember?"

Kagome opened her mouth to reply, but instead chose to ignore him completely. "Is there any accompaniment, like a piano or something?"

"No," Myouga responded. "Is that alright?"

Kagome nodded. "Yeah, that's ok." 'Now let's see here…' Kagome thought a moment, her fingers lightly tapping against the microphone as she chewed her bottom lip. Myouga and the others waited patiently, until Sesshoumaru quipped "Anytime today…"

"I'm thinking, jerk," Kagome grumbled, somehow setting off another round of the giggles. Sesshoumaru 'Keh'ed in annoyance, but sat back and waited while the little git made up her mind.

'Oh, I know!' Kagome smiled secretively, then schooled her face as she took a deep breath before the first note of the song.

~You look at me and see the girl who lives inside the golden world, but don't believe that's all there is to see. You'll never know the real me.~

The laughter, both inside the room with her and outside in the lobby and hallway, stopped instantly. "Oh wow…" Miroku whispered as Koga whistled beside him. Rin and Sango watched through the other side of the door, their awed expressions fading into happy smiles.

"Boy, that jerk must have really made her mad," Sango whispered. Rin nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Anger and pressure always seem to bring out the best in Kagome's voice.

~She smiles through a thousand tears and harbors adolescent fears. She dreams of all that she can never be. She wades in insecurity and hides herself inside of me.~

The others sat mesmerized, impressed by Kagome's voice as well as her choice of song. 'Something that carries her voice well, but nothing too straining. A high soprano, yet she's not the squeaky type. Perfect,' Sesshoumaru thought, begrudgingly admitting to himself that her voice was…acceptable. 'Perhaps this day wasn't such a waste.'

~Don't say she takes it all for granted. I'm well aware of all I have. Don't think that I am disenchanted.
Please understand…~

Kagome looked to the others for a cue to stop, then shrugged to herself and continued when she received none. ~It seems as though I've always been somebody outside looking in. Well, here I am for all of them to bleed but they can't take my heart from me…And they can't bring me to my knees.

~They'll never know the real me……~

"Thank you Miss Higurashi," Myouga said before the others could catch a breath. "We appreciate your time." He pressed a button underneath the tabletop, then gestured to it as it swung open. "And if you don't mind, it was a true pleasure."

"No problem," Kagome commented, then waltzed out of the room where Sango and Rin were waiting. The door closed behind her, and a second after Myouga shut off the loudspeakers the room exploded into argument.

"Boys, boys please," Myouga shouted over the voices of those around him. "One at a time. Inuyasha, what do you think?"

"To be honest, that last chick was the best one here, then there was her sister and the chick before her."

"Miss…." Myouga flipped through the papers in front of him, then plucked out a name. "Onya, right?"

"Yeah, her."

"I just happen to agree with Inuyasha, thought I like the voice of Miss Narito as well."

"What?!?" three others exclaimed around Myouga. "Are you high?" Inuyasha protested.

"I admit that her voice wasn't the best, but I did like her attitude. She eluded confidence, and it showed in her clothes."

"No, her clothes eluded 'Slut'," Koga corrected. Inuyasha nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and the rest of her eluded 'bitch'."

"Do you mean to tell me that you know what elude means Inuyasha?" Sesshoumaru jeered from the other end of the table. "I always figured you to be a witless little bastard."

"Why you fucking-" Inuyasha leapt from his seat and charged the length of the table, then yelped in surprise when Koga grasped the back of his jeans and jerked him back to his seat.

"Fight later. We have more important things to do."

"Keh!" Inuyasha snorted, then folded his arms over his chest. "Whatever."

"So we're narrowing it down to four," Myouga continued as if nothing happened. "There's both the Higurashi girls-"

"Why both?" Sesshoumaru asked. "The last one said she didn't want to join."

"Because, believe it or not, she is one of the best we've seen today. So, there's her and…"

*

"The rest of you can go home," Kagura announced to the girls surrounding her. "Because I'm going to win, hands down."

"Not with a voice like that," Rin muttered rather loudly. The other girls began to giggle as Kagura scowled at her from the other side of the room.

"What was that Shorty?"

"Who me?" Rin asked innocently. "Why, nothing at all."

"You said something," Kagura growled as she stormed toward her. "Now what was it?"

"I said-"

"Look," Kagome jumped between the two of them, effectively blocking Kagura's view of Rin. "Whatever was said, I'm sure she didn't mean it-"

"Yes I did!"

"And I'm sure she's sorry-"

"No I'm not!"

"So let's just forget about it, ok?"

Kagura frowned, then smiled mischievously, something that sent tremors up Kagome and Sango's spines. "I don't think so. Get out of the way."

"Why?"

"Because," Kagura's smile became impossibly wider. "I'm going to click that little twirp in the mouth."

"Bring it on then!" Rin shouted, jumping up and shoving Kagome out of the way. "I'm not scared of you!"

"Well you should be, you little bitch," Kagura shouted back.

"Hey you two!" Kagome yelled as she stepped between them. "Stop it-"

Everyone stopped as a squeak came from the intercom above them, then the mutter rings of the others inside the room before Myouga began to speak.

"Attention please. Attention. We are finished tallying down to the final four young ladies. Before I announce the names, I wish to thank each and every last one of you-"

"Myouga, get on with it," Inuyasha's annoyed growl interrupted. "We've got shit to do."

"Fine fine," Myouga appeased. "When we announce your name, please report to the audition room as soon as possible. First, Kagura Naraito…"

Kagura cast the room a smug look, then turned up her nose and sauntered down the hallway.

"Then Sango Onya."

"Yes!" Sango burst out, then blushed. "Sorry you guys."

"No problem Sango," Rin chirped happily. "Great going! We'll see you when you get back."

Sango nodded, then disappeared down the hallway moments later.

"Next is Rin Higurahs-"

"OHMYGOD!!!" Rin squealed before the announcement finished. She immediately flung her arms around Kagome's neck, who hugged her back just as happily. "I can't believe it!"

"Go ahead Rin," Kagome scolded gently, a wide and proud smile spreading on her lips. "You don't want them to go ahead without you do you?"

"No, of course not!" Rin scrambled down the hallway next, then Myouga cleared his throat before speaking.

"Last, but not least, Kagome Higurashi."

"OHMYGOD!!!!"

"Holy crap," Kagome groaned miserably. "I should have known."

"Will all four girls report to the audition room please? Thank you one and all who participated."

Kagome watched as the others slowly ambled out the door, each with varying looks of disappointment and sadness on their faces. Surprisingly, more than one of them wished her well, and hoped that she or one of the two that came with her made sure that Kagura didn't make it.

"Well," Kagome said after all of them were gone. "Here goes nothing."

*

"You are late," Sesshoumaru scolded as Kagome stepped into the room. Kagome shrugged and stepped up to one of the available four mikes, this one between Sango and Kagura.

'Why do I always end up beside this girl?' Kagome asked herself as Rin and Sango exchanged triumphant glances. She rubbed the side of her face tiredly, then faced the firing squad as Sesshoumaru stood up.

"I suppose it would be alright to excuse you just this once," Sesshoumaru told Kagome as he handed her a slip of paper. "Though it should not happen again."

Kagome waited until he turned his back to her before mumbling rather loudly "Whatever, Icicle Man."

Sesshoumaru froze, a deep scowl marring his perfect face as the rest of the room broke into rambunctious laughter. "I assure you Miss Higurashi," he growled as he turned around, the mask of indifference returning to his features. "That should I choose to, I could freeze even you."

"Do you have your own theme song?" Kagome quipped, fighting the grin that struggled to the surface when Sango snorted beside her. "I bet it goes something like this-" She cleared her throat and deepened her voice, and through hiccupping giggles belted out "Icicle Man! Icicle Man! He has diarrhea of the mouth -"

Inuyasha snorted next, just as Koga howled and fell from his chair.

"And blows ice straight out his ass! Icicle Man!" She made bum-bum noises like a big bass drum, then deteriorated into loud guffaws with the rest of the room. Sesshoumaru's scowl deepened to an outright frown. "You disrespectful little-"

"Enough!" Myouga shouted, the last of his patience disappearing with Kagome's last 'Bum-bum'. "Let's just do this, shall we?"

"That was beautiful," Koga gasped as he stood up. Inuyasha wiped a tear from his eye, then shook his head. "Corny as hell, but well worth the look on Sesshoumaru's face."

"May we proceed?" Myouga grumbled, warily watching Sesshoumaru as he handed Rin and Sango their papers before sitting down. He shot Miroku an accusing glare, which was immediately met by a barely stifled giggle.

"Now," Myouga sighed. "Each of you have been given four parts to a single song. You're to each sing you're parts in order, starting from the first verse to the chorus after the hook. Ready?"

Kagome, Kagura, Rin and Sango nodded.

"Good. Begin."

~Love.~ Kagura began, her voice slightly offkey. ~So many things I've got to tell you but I'm afraid I don't know how 'cause there's a possibility you'll look at me differently.~

'She's trying too hard to sound like the original artist,' Sesshoumaru concluded sourly. 'And it is definitely not working for her.'

~Love, ever since the first moment I spoke your name from then on I knew that by you being in my life things were destined to change cause...…~

~Love,~ Rin began from the other end, her voice slightly nervous but no less as pretty. ~So many people use your name in vain. Love, those who faith in you sometimes go astray.~

'She's speeding through it,' Sesshoumaru thought with a shake of his head. 'Too bad. She could've been of some use, were she not so nervous.

~Love, through all the ups and downs the joy and hurt. Love, for better or worse I still will choose you first.~

Sango took a deep breath then started moments later. ~Many days I've longed for you, wanting you. Hoping for the chance to get to know you. Longing for your kiss, for your touch, for your essence (your beautiful essence)~

'And she's stuck in the song,' Sesshoumaru huffed expectantly. 'It would figure that these four wouldn't be what we're looking for. Looks like I'll have to miss another day of work because of this.'

~Many nights I've cried from the things you do. Felt like I could die from the thought of losing you.
I know that you're real with no doubt or no fears or no questions.~

Rin began and ended her part of the song, even though her world seemed to crash with Sesshoumaru's disapproving frown. 'He looked at Sango and Kagura like that too,' she thought to herself sadly. 'That means there's only Kagome left.' She turned to look at Sango, who disappointment seemed to mirror her own before Sango nodded. Rin nodded back, and before Kagome could start her part of the song she and Sango took a deep breath and started her background.

~Love…~

'What the hell?' Inuyasha started when Rin and Sango began. 'What the fuck are they doing?'

~At first you didn't mean that much to me,~ Kagome began, but not before stealing questioningly looks at Rin and Sango. They merely smiled back and continued, gesturing for her to go on as well.

~But now I know that you're all I need. The world looks so brand new to me now that I found love.~

'She's molding the song to fit her voice,' Sesshoumaru mused in approval. 'And the other two in the background enhance her performance somehow.'

~Everyday I live for you, and everything that I do I do it for you.~

'Though I hate to admit it, I think she may be the one.' He grimaced slightly, then lowered his head as Kagome and the others finished the song. 'Great. That means no peace.'

"Well," Myouga said after a moment. "That was impressive. If you'll excuse us a moment." Instead of opening the door and showing them out like Kagome thought he would do, Myouga merely leaned to the side as the rest of the band members huddled around him.

"Well," Rin whispered to Sango. "What do you think?"

"I don't think any of us got it," Sango said after covering her microphone. "Did you see the look on the blonde guy's face?'

"He's a guy?" Rin squeaked, then blushed as everyone turned to him. "Um…" she said after a moment. "Rue Paul. I thought he was a girl. Sango, are you sure?"

"Twit," Kagura mumbled. Rin stuck her tongue out at her, then covered her mike as well. "You could have warned me," she hissed, then grinned when Kagome tapped Sango's shoulder.

"What was that about?" Kagome asked, her hand covering her mike as well.

"Well, we kinda figured that we weren't going to get in with the looks that guy-" Sango gestured to Sesshoumaru "gave us, so we decided to help you."

"But I don't want to be on this band!"

"You should!" Rin hissed angrily. "You have a great voice, and you need to do something more than hang around Marcus."

"But-"

"No buts Kagome!" Sango argued quietly. "I agree with Rin. Haven't you ever heard of absence making the heart grow fonder? You guys spend too much time together, and it's not healthy."

"Plus, these guys get paid," Rin added, knowing that it would help their argument.

"Really?"

"Yeah," Sango nodded. "So why not?"

Kagome thought a moment, then shrugged. "I'll think about it."

"Ladies?"

Rin, Sango and Kagome turned just as Myouga and the others separated.

"We have reached a decision." He turned to Kagura and shook his head. "Thank you Miss Naraito, but I don't believe you have what we're-"

"And those little bitches do!" Kagura accused nastily. "How dare you-"

"Do not make a scene woman," Sesshoumaru warned. "It would not due to have to throw you out of here."

"I wish you would touch me, queer!" she shot back, ignoring Sesshoumaru when his eyes narrowed. "Fuck all of you! I hope you rot in hell!" She stormed toward the door, then slammed it shut with a loud bang.

"Well-" Inuyasha began, but was interrupted by

"Rin, don't repeat any of that," Kagome said. "Mom would have a fit."

"I'm 19," Rin huffed. "I can say what I want."

"Can I finish?" Myouga sighed in exasperation, then sighed again when the room fell silent. "Miss Onya and Miss Higurashi-Oh, excuse me. Rin, is it?"

"Yes sir," Rin said timidly.

"Well, at first we thought to just dismiss the two of you, but we would need back up singers. The pay isn't as much as the lead, but would you two be willing-"

"Of course!" Rin and Sango both exclaimed, then giggled at themselves.

"Good," Myouga said with a smile. "Then that leaves you, Kagome."

"Please say you're kicking me out and looking again tomorrow," Kagome said hopefully, then winced when Sesshoumaru smiled.

"Now why would we say a thing like that?" he asked pleasantly, something that sent an instinctual shiver down Kagome's spine.

"Then what do you want to say?" she asked nervously, her trepidation growing by leaps and bounds when Sesshoumaru's grin widened.

"Welcome to Blessed Curse Kagome. You're our new lead."

What he should have said was

"Welcome to Hell."

----

SF: OOOOoooooo! Sesshou, you're such a bad boy!

Sesshou: I know. But I'm a little OCC in this, don't you think?

Silver Fox: This is just the second chapter. Give her a few moments to gather her thoughts.

Inu-chan: You mean she's not naturally scatterbrained?

SF: (sigh)

>Zap!<

SF: I was wondering when I'd have to do that. That's one for this story Inu-chan.

Inu-chan: {::picking himself off the floor::} Yeah. (cough) Peachy.

SF: Not bad for chapter two, if I do say so myself. Yeah, Sesshoumaru was a jerk, but you'll find out why in the next chapter. Plus we already know that he doesn't want anyone replacing him.

Kagome: But I have a boyfriend already! How could you do that!

SF: It's just to add tension, that's all. We won't really see as much of Marcus as we will the other characters. If it helps any, Marcus is kinda like our favorite hanyou villain. The review responses are below.

Responses:

Musiq-Mistress: Thanks a lot! The plot promises to me more than just the regular band fic. I wish the Little Muse would leave me alone, but she continues to heap plot after sub-plot after sub-plot on me. Oh, and Ag says hi!

Kousagi-chan and Mia: Thanks a lot! There's more coming soon!

Yukiko2: Thanks for staying with me for so long! Wow, you're well past the Miroku warning!

Helen: Oh, I can almost promise you that this plot won't be mundane. The Little Muse gave Silver and I a sneak peek at the story plot, and I really must give it to the little firestarter. She's got a doozy on her hands, and now it's up to me to make a decent effort of it. Thanks for the congrats, and I plan to update soon!

Sesshys Hime: Actually, the Little Muse hit SF with her toy mic for this one, so I'm not responsible. I don't even get to add my little touches of lemony goodness. {::snaps fingers::} Darn it all! But I do get to come up with some great stuff for the future chapters of 'A Kiss' and the horror fic coming out later in the year.

Tsuki Yume: It's still a thought in progress. I plan to type the prologue sometime this week, but it won't actually get posted until October. I thought it would be something great for Halloween, instead of the bio page like I did last year. However, I'm always open to opinions, so be free to tell me if you disagree.

Kitty: So sorry about the first chapter. Hopefully this one is a tad better.

BelleDayNight: I don't know, and I can't get anyone who might to answer me. I'm tempted to tell them to screw off, but I'm nicer than that....or at least I hope I am. Yeah, I'm going to have a lot of fun, but not as much as the new (yes another) one. It's called...well, I'll just let you find out. Hey, update 'OD' soon!

Kura: You're telling me! But I'm having so much fun! I normally get hit with a lot of ideas in the spring and summer months. Thanks for being a true fan anyway, even if you haven't read the I/K stuff.

Fire Phoenix: Yeah, you were right, though it's not by choice! I can't wait to make their lives hell! Muhahahaha-(cough-cough) (wheeze) Oh, but anyway. Thanks for the early love. Kami knows I need it.

HellzAznGrl: Yeah, Sesshou's attitude is bad. To be honest with you, I think he gets worse before he gets better. I'm not entirely sure.

Nishigirl: Actually, Sesshoumaru doesn't get along with anyone but Miroku. Odd huh? And even then he beats on the poor guy. Gah.

Mistress Fluffy: Yeah, long time no holler! It's a S/K story. I think I'm going to stick to those. They're the most fun.

Kagome333: Thanks for the love, and the originality vote. I hope it will stand out like that, but one can never be sure. It's a definite that we'll get a great ride out of it.

Nyx: I wish I could, but I don't even listen to Rush or Led Zeppelin. Don't get me wrong, they're great stuff, but I wouldn't have a clue as to how to merge it into the fic. Let me know if you have any other ideas though.

Someone You Don't Know: I thought that would be a great idea too! I kinda guessed a few songs, but let me know if there's one I don't add.

Kinryou: I didn't mean to sound condescending. I just...well, if I offended you, then my apologies. I never mean to offend anyone. {::elbows Inu-chan in the ribs when he opens his mouth::} Anyway, the auditions went over rather well, I think. No one killed anyone, and everyone still has the exact number of limbs they came in with. Whew! My work is done!

SilverWaters: {::blush::} Thanks! And I thought someone agreed with me! Why, for the love of God, is he so hard? I could have seriously hurt someone over that! Oh, but my favorite's Shippou. He's so small, he's hard to hit, and if the crap really hits the fan, then he changes into someone else. {::snaps her fingers::} Now that's my kind of stuff! I did that with the second Mortal Kombat too.

BreakingPoint Fan: Trust me, there will be a lot more arguing now that Kagome and the other girls are in the group. The poor dears won't know what hit them, especially when I do...well, I'll let you find out. (evil grin)

Nymph Demon: But of course it's S/K! I think I've finally decided to write just that. Then again, there may come a fic where Inu-chan gets the girl...but you never can be sure with the muses. They're finicky creatures.

Tokia: So you think it matches too huh? I just love Creed, and I couldn't imagine another guy being Sesshou's voice but him.

Mediaminer:

QueenFluffy, Kaiyo Azalea, Conqueror_Kagome, White Tiger Princess and Ice_Princess_1185: Thanks a lot! Another update's coming soon!

Jazzylady: Kagome's going to be in the fic from this point on, along with Rin and Sango. Yeah, everyone but Miroku has issues, and he's in a bad position too. You'll never guess who he's best friends with!

Tsuki Hana: Yup, it's another S/K. I personally don't think there's enough of them. Thanks for the cookie!

Kitsune_Bi: It's definately an S/K fic. If you think this is bad, just wait until Kagome, Sango and Rin's first day!

Ange Noir: {::blushes::} Gee, thanks a lot. I'm flattered. I'll certainly do my best. Oh, and you're listening to Creed? Cool! Everyone at my house hates them (might be because I tend to turn the stereo up to 10 when I listen to them). And if anyone asks, I'll be sure to tell them something interesting about zionism...as soon as I find out what it is. Until then, I'll wing it.

Rain of Stars: Where have you been? (sniff) I've missed you! Kikyou isn't exactly in this. I might add her to a chapter somewhere, but so far I haven't planned for her to do anything. I kinda like the stuck up demon-well, he's not demon in this story, but anyway-being friends with a guy like Miroku. It might help to loosen him up. Nope, Blessed Curse isn't world famous yet. To be truthful, I actually intended on the band name being Blessed Sin, but I like BC better than BS. Don't you?

IsisTheEgyptianGoddess: Thanks a lot! Falcon Productions huh? I like the sound of it! ^.^ Yeah, Sesshou stays lead, even though Kagome's singing instead of him. He still has plenty of influence. I'll try really hard to get to your fic, but I'll have to clear some room in the schedule. I'll get there though!

Lady Sesshoumaru: It's something different to write too. There's little blood, some fighting, but not a lot of other stuff that I'm used to, like magic and whatnot. I've always wanted to do a band-fic though, so it should still be interesting. Hey, if it helps any, one of the new stories, 'A Light in Guiding...' has lots of blood. Should be thereputic for this fic.

Youkai Yume: {::blushes::} You got me there! I thought about calling it Blessed Sin, but I didn't like it as much. You're name seemed to fit perfectly. If you want me to change it, let me know and I will.

Psycho Demoness: I'm so sorry about SC. I'm trying really hard to shake the story out of the Little Muse, but she tends to be stingy with the updates. It's a real trip. This is another S.K fic, so no worries. There will be frequent updates...well, I think there will be. We'll just have to see.

Hinoiri Fighter: Sango's in the fic, and Rin is to. Thanks for the compliment and another update should come in another week.

DragonRae: LOL. Thanks so much! I can't wait to get this fic rolling! It'll be so great....hopefully. We'll just have to see. And yup, this is an S/K fic!

Paige89: I totally agree with you. There's just something about him, electric guitar in hand, growling at a mic...{::shivers, then shakes her head::} So sorry about that. I got lost in La-La-Land there.