InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Breaking Point ❯ Performance Anxiety ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I don't own it. There, I said it. Go break some other girl's heart why don't cha!

For this chapter, I don't own Pink's 'Like a Pill' and No Doubt's 'Underneath It All'.

Chapter Four: Performance Anxiety

"Damn it Sesshoumaru!" Miroku growled before angrily tossing his controller across the room. "I think you cheat!"

"I don't cheat," Sesshoumaru argued absently, his eyes focused more on his character on-screen than Miroku's whining.

"Then why are you always kicking my ass?"

Sesshoumaru shrugged slightly and continued to mercilessly pummel Miroku's character while he jumped up to recover his fallen controller. "Perhaps you would play better if you weren't so busy trying to see down my character's shirt. Really Miroku, checking out video game characters?" He shook his head in mock disapproval. "Shameful."

"Well if you wouldn't pick the girl with the least clothes on, then maybe I wouldn't be so distracted," Miroku complained. Sesshoumaru shrugged again, his fingers furiously tapping the buttons as Miroku's character rejoined the fight. "Just admit that you do that on purpose, and I'll call it even."

"Call it what you like," Sesshoumaru responded, then pulled his hair out of his face when the timer went off. "And I win again."

"That time you were beating the crap out of my dude while my controller was on the floor!"

"No one told you to toss it there," Sesshoumaru replied. He glanced over at Miroku's controller before setting up another round. "Are you going to play?"

"Nah, I'm tired of having my ass kicked," Miroku grumbled before switching subjects. "Hey, how's the new songs going?"

"Horrid," Sesshoumaru grumbled as he picked the same character he beat Miroku with and waited for the game to start. "Myouga says that I need at least ten to fourteen songs."

"Man, that many." Miroku gave a low whistle as he leaned back against the couch. "That sucks."

"You could help you know."

"And where's the fun in that?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head again, this time with genuine disapproval. "The worst thing is that I don't know the git, so I'm not entirely sure what to write for her."

"Oh, you mean Kagome? Well, I think she'd sing anything you give her. She's really nice."

Sesshoumaru quirked a curious brow. "How would you know?"

"We've hung out everyday this week except today."

"So that's where you've been," Sesshoumaru nodded and sarcastically added, "I'm so glad you could spare a Friday afternoon for me."

"Yeah, me too," Miroku said, completely unfazed by Sesshoumaru's sour mood. "But the girls are really cool. They sit at the lunch table with us at school now and everything."

"So they want to be around an imbecile, a lecher and a loud-mouthed idiot?" Sesshoumaru joked. "I just knew something was wrong with them."

"Ha ha," Miroku frowned. "Anyway, you should take the time to get to know them. They're really nice, especially Kagome. As a matter of fact, they did me a really big favor yesterday."

"What kind of favor?" Sesshoumaru asked suspiciously, his imagination running wild as he waited for Miroku to respond.

"Well, we were driving uptown, you know where Charlie's Gourmet Ice Cream is downtown?"

"Yeah, I know where that is-aw crap!"

"Yeah, well like I said, we were driving past there when-"

"You play taxi for them?" Sesshoumaru asked, then smiled at his mother as she walked through the living room to the kitchen on the other side.

"No. We hang out. Anyway, we were driving past Charlie's when I saw Cheryl."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed instantly, remembering the exact person Miroku spoke of. Sesshoumaru didn't like her from the start, but didn't have the heart to tell the poor guy a couple of years ago. She managed to drag Miroku though the mud, cheating on his best friend with any guy she could get close enough to. 'The slut even tried to seduce me,' Sesshoumaru thought with disgust. "What happened next?"

=^.^=

"Miroku, what's wrong?" Kagome asked when Miroku fell silent in between their conversation. Miroku looked out the window again, watching as a tall, giggling blonde hung off another guy like a curtain. "Miroku?"

Miroku blinked and turned to her, a light blush staining his pale cheeks as he removed Kagome's hand from in front of his face. "Yeah, what?"

"What's the matter?" Kagome asked as Sango and Rin leaned forward to check on him. Miroku looked at them all and knew he wouldn't be able to lie to them without them knowing, so he pointed out the window at the blonde.

"That's my ex Cheryl," he explained with a sigh. "We didn't go out long, but the relationship was intense. I thought she liked me, but she really wanted to get to Sesshoumaru and the other band members."

"Oh wow Miroku," Kagome sympathized while Rin and Sango shot angry glares at the girl. "What a slut," Rin retorted with a huff.

"When I asked her why, she said that I was still a little boy, and the others were more her level. She said that no self-respecting girl would go out with someone like me."

"That bitch!" Rin hissed, then glared back at Kagome and Sango. "What? You know you're thinking it too."

"I agree with Rin," Sango spoke out. "Never mind her Miroku. You're a great guy."

The chorus of yeahs made Miroku smile but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Kagome gazed at him sadly for a few seconds before Miroku watched as an evil grin slowly grew on her lips.

=^.^=

"Let me tell you man," Miroku said to Sesshoumaru while Sesshoumaru paused his game. "You know how innocent that girl looks but when she smiled like that, man. I started having bad thoughts."

"No different than the ones you normally have I'm sure," Sesshoumaru grumbled as he held a black ponytail holder in his front teeth. Miroku quickly flicked him off.

"I'm serious. I was actually scared."

"Big sissy," Sesshoumaru retorted as he wrapped the ponytail holder around his hair. "Now keep going."

=^.^=

"I have an idea," Kagome said as she smiled at him. "But its' going to take all of you to make it work."

"Awsome! What's the plan?" Rin exclaimed, she and Sango hanging from the edge of their seats.

"All Miroku has to do is buy us some ice cream."

"What?!" Miroku responded. "From where?"

"Where else?" Sango said as she rolled her eyes. Miroku shook his head. "No way. Don't you three know how expensive that place is?"

"We'll make it worth your while…" Kagome sang out with a grin.

"Really?"

Kagome nodded and Miroku was sold, hook, line and sinker.

"Well let's go then!"

=^.^=

"So they made you buy them ice cream. Big deal," Sesshoumaru said as he turned back to his game.

"Sesshoumaru, shut up a moment and let me finish," Miroku huffed. "Anyway, Sango and Rin-"

"Who are they again?" Sesshoumaru asked while changing his fighting game to a racing one.

"Rin is the youngest and the shortest of the three and Sango's the one with brown eyes."

"This Rin has brown eyes too right?"

"Yeah," Miroku nodded. "But she's Kagome's sister."

"Oh. I see."

"Anyway, Sango and Rin latch on to me like I'm their date or something as Kagome led us inside. Once we got in there…I'm telling you Sesshoumaru. It was definitely worth the seventeen dollars I spent on them."

=^.^=

'Heaven,' Miroku told himself as he and the girls walked into the shop. All eyes turned to him instantly as they giggled and chatted around him, occasionally asking his opinion of things before going back to their conversation. 'I've died and gone to Heaven. That's the only explanation for having three beautiful women willingly hanging on to me like this.'

"Hey man," the teenaged clerk drawled as he turned to them. He eyed Sango, Rin and Kagome appreciatively, which they ignored as he took their order.

"What kind of ice cream do you like Miroku?" Kagome asked as she hugged his waist and snuggled up to his chest.

"Um…" Miroku fought down the blush rising on his cheeks while Sango and Rin turned to hug him too but he couldn't fight back the gasp that escaped him when one of their hands grabbed his behind.

"Payback for the car," Sango whispered in his ear. Miroku nodded, loudly gulping before answering Kagome's question. "I've always liked the Turtle Sundaes."

"Turtle sundae?" they repeated as they stepped back to look at him. "What's that?"

"A Turtle Sundae is whatever kind of ice cream you want with peanut butter sauce, nuts and whipped cream."

=^.^=

"I always knew you were gross," Sesshoumaru gagged. Miroku sniffed in insult. "Don't knock it until you try it."

=^.^=

Miroku quickly decided to recommend something else. "But I like hot fudge sundaes too."

"Then hot fudge it is!" Rin said. "Make mine with chocolate!"

"Vanilla!" Kagome said.

"I think I'll have the strawberry," Sango said next, then watched as the clerk made their order. They waited until Miroku paid to collect their sundaes, each depositing a kiss on his cheek and a "Thanks Miroku!" before searching for somewhere to sit. There was a brief spat about who would sit beside him, but that was quickly fixed by moving from the booth they originally selected to a table. Rin sat on Miroku's left, Sango sat on Miroku's right while Kagome sat across from him.

=^.^=

"The great thing is that," Miroku mused while Sesshoumaru's car crashed into a tree. "the entire time we were there, I didn't think about Cheryl. I mean, she was practically sitting in front of us and I was too busy laughing and talking to them to even notice her."

"Cheryl's never liked being ignored," Sesshoumaru grumbled.

"Yeah, your right. That's why she came to our table."

=^.^=

"Miroku," Kagome said as she held up her spoon. "You just have to try my sundae!"

"No, try mine," Rin chirped up, only to scowl at Sango when she jerked Miroku to her. "Never mind them. Try mine."

"Miroku?"

All four looked up and three of them returned to their bickering as Miroku greeted the newcomer. "Hey Cheryl. Long time no see."

"Yeah I know. It has been a while hasn't it?" She eyed the girls sitting with him hatefully then gave Miroku a seductive smile. "I've missed you."

"Really?" Miroku said absently and turned just as Rin tugged on his shoulder. "Try mine Miroku. Please?"

"Alright." He opened his mouth and allowed her to feed him, giving her a sign of approval before turning back to Cheryl. "Are you sure about that?" Miroku asked, his watchful eye spotting the guy she came in with looking for her.

"I'm sure. I didn't realize it until we broke up, but I really miss you. You were so kind, so generous and so sweet. Do you know I still have that diamond pendant you gave me?"

"Miroku?" Kagome interrupted. "You haven't tried mine."

"My apologies dear," Miroku responded kindly, then allowed Kagome to give him her share before returning to the earlier conversation. "You still do?" he said around a mouthful of fudge sauce.

"Yeah. I wear it sometimes too. It's way to precious to me to wear everyday."

=^.^=

"I thought you said you found it at the pawn shop?" Sesshouamru interrupted.

"I did."

"Oh."

=^.^=

Miroku mentally snorted, but shrugged instead. "I'm glad you still have it."

Cheryl smiled and nodded. "It reminds me of you. I was hoping for the chance to see you again, maybe get your number so we can get together?"

"I uh-"

"Miroku?"

"Yes Sango?" he responded as he turned around yet again.

"You haven't tried mine."

"You're right," Miroku nodded, allowing himself to forget about his ex for a second. He opened his mouth and waited, but Sango moved from her seat to his lap instead. She spooned up a little of her sundae and made as if to feed it to him before eating it herself and kissing him.

=^.^=

"You talkin' about a day brightener!" Miroku exclaimed while Sesshoumaru gagged beside him. "I swear, my mind went blank for a few seconds. I think I forgot my own name."

"That cannot be hygienic," Sesshoumaru replied with disgust. "And how does that count as doing you a favor?"

"By the time she let go, Cheryl was gone. They gave me the ultimate male fantasy and helped me get over Cheryl all in one afternoon."

"Having a gaggle of ditzy women hanging all over me is not a fantasy of mine," Sesshoumaru retorted with a frown.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Miroku argued back. "That's every guys' fantasy! That and making out with that hot teacher when you were a kid!"

"Not me."

"You're a lie. You know what though? I understand. You need a girlfriend Sesshoumaru," Miroku diagnosed with a smile. Sesshoumaru snorted in response. "Yes, like I need a hole in the head."

"You're so pessimistic. I bet when love hits you, it's gonna hit you hard," Miroku assured him, then reached to the side of the couch for his shoes. "Well, I've got to hit the bricks."

"For what?"

"You know Dad," Miroku sighed. "He's trying to teach me to be a car salesman like him. I hate selling cars, but he thinks that it's the greatest thing in the world."

"I don't pity you," Sesshoumaru told him as they walked to Sesshoumaru's front door.

"Goodbye Mrs. K!" Miroku yelled at the last second.

"Goodbye Miroku! Come back soon!"

"I love your mom," Miroku told Sesshoumaru as they stepped onto the porch. "Can I keep her?"

Sesshoumaru's brows furrowed together in confusion. "Huh?"

"Yeah, can I keep her?"

Sesshoumaru's left eyebrow twitched for a second, the he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You'd better beat it before I beat you," he threatened with a growl.

"Yeah yeah," Miroku relented with a playful smile. "but in regards to your song writing problem, I say write what comes to you. I'm sure there's quite the girl underneath all that innocence and happy charm."

"Get the fuck off my porch Miroku."

"Sesshoumaru! I heard that."

"Oooooo," Miroku teased as Sesshoumaru paled. "You're in twouble! You're in twouble!" He ducked a passing rock and winced when one hit him square in the knee. "I'm gonna tell on you!"

"You do and you die," Sesshoumaru replied back with a laugh. "Get going before you get me into more trouble."

"Yea yea. See you later Mr. Taishou."

Sesshoumaru shook his head as Miroku disappeared around his house, then watched as his red Jeep drove down the driveway and into the road minutes later. 'Just write anything huh?' Sesshoumaru thought before walking across the covered walkway to the practice room. 'I suppose I could come up with something before Monday…'

*

Monday afternoon found Sesshoumaru sitting at a small desk in the practice room, his fingers occasionally playing a few notes on his guitar before scribbling down something on one of the numerous pieces of paper in front of him. His ears twitched as the door opened and he turned around as Inuyasha and Kouga stormed into the room.

"I told you that test would be hard!" Kouga argued as Inuyasha tossed his book bag into a nearby corner. Kouga dropped his beside Inuyasha's and followed him to the black and purple drum set in the center back of the room. "How many questions did you miss?"

"Wouldn't it be easier to ask how many he got?" Sesshoumaru quipped dryly as he wrote down something else. "After all, that would take less time."

"Fuck off Fluffy-Face," Inuyasha growled softly, then shot Kouga the finger. "And you two wolf boy!"

****

SF: (singing) Fluffy Face! I love you! Fluffy Face-

Silver Fox: (shaking his head) It's Funny Face you twit.

Inu-chan: Who cares? I like it! Keep singing SF!

****

"I'm just trying to help your stupid ass Puppy-sama!" Kouga shot back. The door opened and closed again, this time with Kagome, Sango, Rin and a red-head the girls were introducing themselves to before turning to the argument.

"You're so fucking stupid!"

"You're the stupid one, dipshit! Who just flunked the last test before the finals in American history?"

"Did you have to fucking tell everyone?" Inuyasha hissed, then frowned. "You know, I think I'll just beat the shit out of you. You know, get it over with before the day ends."

"Go ahead and try it dumbass!" Kouga retorted. Inuyasha tossed his sticks to the ground and Kouga lowered his guitar beside his stool before advancing on each other.

"Inuyasha and Kouga!" the red-head shouted as she marched toward them. "You two stop that crap right now! There are ladies present, myself included."

Sesshoumaru shook his head and turned to look away when Miroku walked through the door. He watched as Inuyasha and Kouga shouted insult after foul insult at each other while the red head tried to calm them down before grinning slyly at Kagome and the other girls. He walked behind them silently, unnoticed until he groped all three as he walked past them.

The fighting in the room stopped when all three girls whirled around, whapped the pervert in the head and shrieked "CREEP!!!"

Sesshoumaru turned back to his writing, chuckling to himself as Miroku picked himself up off the floor. The more he thought about it and remembered the look on each girl's face when Miroku touched them soon became too much. His chuckling became louder, until he was leaning over his guitar to the table in front of him, his head resting on his outstretched arm.

The others turned at his laughter, each watching his shoulders shake with something akin to awe. Miroku however snorted in indignation, shot Sesshoumaru a really ugly look and turned back to those he offended.

"I don't understand," Miroku said, mentally wincing when Kagome, Sango and Rin turned back to him. "I was just trying to help get the dust off you."

"Yeah right," Sango growled. "You did that for your own sick pleasure."

"No pleasure is sick my dear," Miroku corrected. "If you'll allow me, I can show you some things-"

"PERVERT!!!"

And Miroku met hardwood floor once again.

Sesshoumaru had stopped laughing by the time Miroku stood up, but by then Inuyasha and Kouga were in full swing. Miroku grumbled something nasty at them, raised his hands at the girls in defeat and moved to stand beside Sesshoumaru as the other band members took their separate places.

"You could have helped me," Miroku pouted shamelessly. Sesshoumaru huffed. "I'm not the stupid one that groped three girls at once."

"And you laughed," Miroku shot out. "I can't believe it. You're supposed to protect me from stuff like that."

"I will not stand in the way of three angry females."

"So the great Sesshoumaru Taishou is afraid of a bunch of girls, is that it?" Miroku joked. Sesshoumaru quirked a knowing brow and shook his head. "You would be too if you had half a brain. Here," he handed Miroku the papers he was working on, making sure to keep two for himself before standing up. "Pass those around."

"Of course Lord Sesshoumaru," Miroku quipped with a mocking bow before turning to do as Sesshoumaru asked. Sesshoumaru took his place in the back of the room, sitting on a small stool beside Kouga and a little behind Kagome's left as the red head stepped to the front of the room.

"For those that don't know me," she said before shooting Kouga a heated glare. "I'm Ayame, and I'm in charge of wardrobe, finding hairstylists and for Kagome, I'm her performance coach."

"Performance coach?" Kagome croaked out as she fiddled with the microphone's controls. "Why?"

"Because you need it if you're going to perform live. It helps to project yourself and brings something to your stage presence. I'm going to teach you mike tricks too."

"What's a mike trick?" Rin asked from Miroku's right side.

"A mike trick is that really cool thing some vocalists do, like leaning to the side with the mike stand in their hands. Stuff like that."

"Did he-" Kagome pointed behind her at Sesshoumaru "have to learn them?"

"Learn them?" Inuyasha interrupted with a laugh. "Are you kidding? Sesshoumaru tried it the first week, busted his lip on the mike and never did it again."

Sesshoumaru thought to reprimand Inuyasha for that one, but stopped to enjoy the look of sheer horror on Kagome's face. "I'm not doing it!" she exclaimed. "I'm not willingly busting my lip for anyone!"

"You won't get hurt so long as you do it slowly," Ayame told her. "Sesshoumaru was trying to be a smart ass when he cracked his lip open."

"Hold your tongue wench," Sesshoumaru growled absently. Kouga sat his guitar to the side and jumped up, his pale blue eyes sparkling angrily.

"Watch your fucking mouth Sesshoumaru!" he yelled while Sesshoumaru ignored him. "That's my girlfriend your talking to!"

"Then I suggest you control the witch's mouth then," Sesshoumaru recommended casually. "This is not the first time I've had to warn her."

"Kiss my ass Sesshoumaru!" Kouga snarled. "If you so much as open your mouth wrong, I'm gonna kick your ass all over this fucking building."

"If you're so willing to embarrass yourself in front of her then fine, be my guest," Sesshoumaru replied as he too sat his guitar down and stood up. "I don't care if I knock you around in front of her."

"Why you fucking-" Kouga lunged at Sesshoumaru, who quickly stepped to the side and dodged the attack. Kagome, Rin and Sango watched in horrified fascination while Inuyasha laughed and Miroku ran over to break them up. Ayame shook her head disapprovingly as if used to the entire ordeal.

"You guys stop!" Miroku shouted before Sesshoumaru kneed Kouga in his side. Kouga winced but still managed to grab Sesshoumaru's foot and kick the one he was standing on out from under him. They both fell to the floor with a thud and jumped back up before the other could take advantage. "Damn it, can't we have one rehearsal without you two trying to kill each other?!"

Both combatants ignored him as they circled around each other, each intent on crushing the other when Kagome spotted Sesshoumaru's guitar. It was an electric, not yet plugged into its amp, blood red with a white accent on the body. It sat right behind Kouga, and Kagome reached for it just as Sesshoumaru shoved him backward. Kagome's hand wrapped around the guitar's neck moments before Kouga collided into her, landing on the hard floor with an oomph as he fell on top of her.

"Holy shit!" Inuyasha cried out as he and Miroku moved to help her. Kouga stood up angrily, ready to fight some more when Ayame knocked him upside the head.

"Look what you two did you morons!"

"Kagome, are you ok?" Sango asked as Miroku helped Kagome sit up. Kagome sat up painfully, her right arm still wrapped around the body of the guitar as she rubbed her head.

"Ow…"

"You two are so dead!" Ayame shouted as she clocked Kouga upside the head once again. "You know how Sesshoumaru is, so I don't know why you even started with him!"

"Started with him! He fucking started with me, or were you too busy checking him out to see that?!"

"Do you need anything Kagome?" Inuyasha asked. "I'm sure Mrs. K can get you something."

"No, I'm fine," Kagome responded as she stood up. "Or at least I will be." She winced from a pain on the inside of her theigh and groaned at what could only be a knob-shaped bruise on her right leg. "That's not going to go over well though."

Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru sat oblivious to the noise around him, effectively drowning out Kouga's accusations of Ayame's wandering eyes as he watched Kagome move. It was obvious that her leg hurt from the bruise and he himself heard the slight knock when her head hit the floor, yet she didn't complain. She still held on to his property for dear life, her eyes widening slightly when he reached for it.

"Oh, here you go Sesshoumaru," she said timidly as she handed the guitar over. Sesshoumaru plucked a few strings, his head cocked to the side as he checked its tuning. Once properly satisfied, Sesshoumaru nodded his head in silent thanks before grabbing Kouga's collar and hauling him to his seat.

"We have work to do, and your goofing off has cost us precious time." Sesshoumaru ignored Kouga's outrage while he addressed the rest of the band. "We will start with the first song."

"Kagome, you watch me," Ayame instructed. "Whatever I do or say, you try to perform ok?"

Kagome nodded, then waited for Sesshoumaru's cue. ~There's times where I want something more, someone more like me. There's times when this dress rehearsal seems incomplete. But, you see the colors in me like no one else and behind your dark glasses you're... You're something else~

She smiled when Rin and Sango began the chorus, deciding that she rather liked this song. ~You're really lovely underneath it all. You want to love me underneath it all. I'm really lucky underneath it all. You're really lovely.~

'Someone stole my words,' Miroku thought sardonically as Kagome continued. ~You know some real bad tricks and you need some discipline, but lately you've been trying real hard and giving me your best. And, you give me the most gorgeous sleep that I've ever had. And when it's really bad….I guess it's not that bad.~

"More tongue Kagome," Ayame shouted above the music. "You're not caressing the words right." Inuyasha snorted, then outright laughed when Miroku 'whispered' "Now there's something you never used to hear in the middle of rehearsal."

Kagome turned beet red and stopped singing immediately as Kouga and Rin joined the laughter. Sesshoumaru sighed irritably, his hands slowly dragging down his face before glaring at the male members of the band. "If some of us can think outside our pants for a moment, maybe we can get some work done. This song, and the next one, must be perfect by Friday because we have a gig the following day."

"But you only wrote two songs," Inuyasha whined. "So why a gig so soon?"

"Myouga said there were a lot of bands performing that night," Ayame answered. "So that night would be the perfect time to introduce the new group."

"We can get to work now that that is explained," Sesshoumaru continued. "From the top and Miroku, so help me God if you interrupt again I'll shoot you."

*

Kagome quietly entered the house, wondering where everyone else ran off to during break while she looked for a bathroom. She passed the kitchen, then turned back and glared at a silver-haired figure sitting at the kitchen table.

"Hey Sesshoumaru, where's the bath-oh," she gasped as the person turned to her. The hair may have been the same but the face was different. Kind brown eyes smiled back at her before the woman waved for Kagome to sit down.

"Hello, you must be Kagome," she greeted with a smile. "I'm Sesshoumaru's mother, Mrs. Kapsai but you can call me Mrs. K. Everyone else does."

"Hi!" Kagome chirped back. "I kinda guessed that you might be Sesshoumaru's mom, but wow! It's great to meet you."

"You two Kagome."

"Mother!" they heard Sesshoumaru shout from somewhere in the house. His footsteps came closer to them until he stood in the middle of the kitchen threshold with a stack of letters in his hands. "There's something in here about a proba-oh. Kagome, what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for the bathroom. I kinda forgot when I saw your mother."

"You would forget something like that," Sesshoumaru mumbled under his breath, then pointed down the hallway he just came from. "Go straight past the living room and it'll be your first door on your right."

"Thanks! It was great meeting you Mrs. K!"

"You as well Kagome," Sesshoumaru's mother laughed as Kagome walked out of the room, a slight frown marring her forehead when she saw her take extra measures to avoid being near her son. Sesshoumaru ignored the girl's agitation as he sat down on the other side of the table and handed her the envelopes. "Mom, this is something about your probat-"

"Why does she avoid you?" Mrs. K interrupted. Sesshoumaru thought about it, then shrugged. "I don't know."

"Have you said something mean to her?"

Amazing how mothers can read you like a book, isn't it?

"No," Sesshoumaru huffed angrily and left the room. Mrs. K smiled to herself, then shook her head before returning to her morning paper. 'That would be a yes.'

*

Saturday night came without incident, with both songs rehearsed and ready to go. Kagome, Rin and Sango sat in a separate dressing room from the other band members, Rin and Sango reclining on the couch while Kagome sat in the chair while the stylist did her hair.

"I can't believe how bad they behave," Rin complained. "They broke into what, four fights this week? And those are the two days Sango and I were there. I can just imagine how bad Wednesday was."

"You have no idea," Kagome groaned and closed her eyes so her makeup could be applied. "I'm still in emotional turmoil."

"You should have seen Mom when she saw Kagome's bruise!" Rin told Sango. "She was mega pissed! I've never seen her like that!"

"You would be too if your only daughter comes back after band practice with an enormous bruise on her leg." Sango replied and turned to Kagome. "I wonder what she thought you were doing."

Kagome blushed, instantly glad her eyes were closed as she answered her through barely open lips. "I learned something new yesterday. Want to hear it?"

"Sure," Rin and Sango both said. Kagome smiled, accidentally messing up the lining on her lips.

"Fuck off you two."

They sat there in silence, Rin and Sango in complete shock before Sango moaned. "Oh no. It's contagious. It's taken our friend."

"What has?" the stylist asked as she redid Kagome's lip line.

"The Obscenities. That's all I've ever heard them say."

"You know, the only ones that don't fight each other are Sesshoumaru and Miroku," Rin observed thoughtfully. "I wonder why."

"I think they're best friends or something," Sango responded with a shrug. "Either that or they're dating."

Each girl glanced at each other, then shook their heads.

"Nah."

"OK, I'm done," the stylist finally said. Kagome thanked her and turned to the nearest full length mirror. Her mouth fell open in surprise, her hand reaching out as if to touch her mirror image before drawing it back. "Is that me?"

"Yeah hon, I hope you're not mad," the stylist said between cracking her gum. "Don't worry about the pink highlights. They're clip-ons. Everything else is good."

"Yeah, I'd say," Kagome mumbled, then turned and stepped into her shoes. She fell over seconds later, glaring in surprise before attempting to stand again. She tottered on the unusually high shoes and shot Rin and Sango a look of confusion.

"That's what your wardrobe manager left for you," Kagome's stylist responded with a final crack. "She said that those shoes would look great with that."

"Is she nuts?" Kagome shot out angrily. "I'll break my neck in these! Forget this!"

"Kagome, where are you going?" Rin asked as Kagome tottered to the door and flung it open.

"I'm going to find Ayame. I'm not wearing these shoes."

*

Sesshoumaru and the others sat, bored as all Hell as they waited for their curtain call. They each had on similar black shirts with rock washed jeans, with Inuyasha in a black tank top, Miroku in a short sleeved button up shirt, Kouga in a t-shirt with white bordering the collar and sleeves and Sesshoumaru in a long sleeved version of Miroku's shirt with silver buttons.

"What could be taking so long?" Miroku wondered aloud as Inuyasha twirled one of his sticks around his fingers. He moved to start tapping on a nearby table when Sesshoumaru spoke up.

"Do it and die Inuyasha. I'm not in the mood."

"They have special pills for that you know," Inuyasha quipped and roared in laughter with Kouga. Sesshoumaru shook his head and promptly left the room, mentally cursing his younger brother as he rounded the corner to the girls' dressing room. Kagome and Ayame stood in the middle of the hallway, neither seemed to be aware of his presence as Kagome heatedly disagreed with something Ayame said. He stared in approval at what Kagome wore, his eyes following her hip hugger jeans (the same wash as the rest of the group) past the suede rope belt to the black racerback tank top and sleeveless corset-like shirt over it. The corset showed off her curves, revealing well rounded breasts, narrow waist and full hips to his commending eye.

"There's no way I'm going out there in these shoes!" Kagome replied in frustration. "Have you any idea how high they are?"

Sesshoumaru's head cocked to the side as Ayame responded, knowing that Ayame would somehow win the argument as he studied the offensive footwear. They were black open toed sandals with a narrow five inch heel that showed off well manicured toes and dainty feet. 'Damn this foot fetish,' Sesshoumaru growled to himself as Kagome irately tossed a pink and black lock over her shoulder. Sesshoumaru spied the spiked dog collar around her neck and the large silver pull in the front of her throat. The corset had similar silver embellishments.

"I'm going to take these off the moment my feet start to hurt!" Kagome growled in retribution, returning Sesshoumaru to their conversation. "I'm not going to kill myself with these blasted shoes!"

"They're not that high," Ayame retorted with a sigh. "Besides, you'll get the hang of them. All you need is a little practice."

"Five minutes until your band goes onstage," a stage hand whispered to Sesshoumaru as he walked past. Sesshoumaru nodded in acceptance and asked the youth to tell the others before glaring back at Kagome. He strolled over to them, turned Kagome around by the collar's pull and lifted her on his shoulder without another word.

"Hey! Put me down you jerk!" Kagome hollered as she pounded on his back. Sesshoumaru yawned as if bored; ignoring the strange stares they received as they approached the edge of the stage. Kagome seemed to sense where they were, because she stopped making so much noise and resorted more on beating his back senseless. The other band members stared in shock when Sesshoumaru appeared, watching as he approached them emotionlessly before wincing at a particularly strong blow to his backside. He quickly set her down beside Sango and glared at her a second before turning to Miroku.

"Don't ask," he whispered. "When do we go on?"

"In just a few. They're setting up our stuff right now."

Sesshoumaru nodded and addressed the rest. "We're going to start on the second song, then 'Underneath it All'. Everyone got that?"

"Yeah," they whispered back before a stagehand motioned for them to take their places. Kagome tipped slowly to the mike, then repressed a shriek when Sesshoumaru picked her up again and deposited her to her position.

"It would do for you to learn how to walk in those," Sesshoumaru told her before walking away. Kagome scowled at his back then turned to the mike as the announcer's voice called on the speakerphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you once again for coming to The Blue Lagoon Café. Here now to entertain and astound you are five young people with a purpose. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you…Blessed Curse!"

"At least he got the name right," Inuyasha mumbled to himself as the crowd applauded around them. He glanced at Sesshoumaru, waiting for his first bar before starting. Kagome herself listened to the others as they began to play, her mind on the song and Ayame's lessons than her emerging stage fright.

'You've done this before Kagome,' she steeled herself. 'So stop worrying.' She relaxed, her feet shoulder length apart as she gently cradled the old fashioned mike in her hands.

~I'm lyin' here on the floor where you left me. I think I took too much. I'm crying here, what have you done? I thought it would be fun.~

Kagome shifted most of her weight to her right hip and quickly tossed her head to the side, the multicolored strands flipping out around her like fireworks.

~I can't stay on your life support, there's a shortage in the switch. I can't stay on your morphine, cuz its making me itch. I said I tried to call the nurse again but she's being a little bitch. I think I'll get outta here, where I can

~Run just as fast as I can to the middle of nowhere. To the middle of my frustrated fears and I swear you're just like a pill. Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me ill. You keep makin' me ill.~

Kagome closed her eyes and dragged her hands through the length of her hair, her expression anguished and suffering before opening them and using her left hand to clutch the mike stand. ~I haven't moved from the spot where you left me. This must be a bad trip. All of the other pills, they were different. Maybe I should get some help.

~I can't stay on your life support, there's a shortage in the switch. I can't stay on your morphine, cuz its making me itch. I said I tried to call the nurse again but she's being a little bitch. I think I'll get outta here, where I can

~Run just as fast as I can. To the middle of nowhere. To the middle of my frustrated fears and I swear you're just like a pill. Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me ill. You keep makin' me ill.~

Sesshoumaru kept an eye on her, watching as she lost herself to the song. Kagome's entire body seemed to hum alive with it, every foot tap or hand fall expressing every word of the song. 'This song seems to fit her,' he thought to himself. 'But I can't understand why.'

~I can't stay on your life support, there's a shortage in the switch. I can't stay on your morphine, cuz its making me itch. I said I tried to call the nurse again but she's being a little bitch. I think I'll get outta here, where I can

Run just as fast as I can. To the middle of nowhere. To the middle of my frustrated fears and I swear you're just like a pill. Instead of makin' me better, you keep makin' me ill. You keep makin' me…~ Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome tipped her head back and sang out the prettiest, most controlled high note he'd ever heard. Though completely out of his original plan for the song, he had to commend her for her imagination as the song ended and 'Underneath it All' began.

*

"That was so cool!" Rin cried happily as the band gathered together backstage. All were dressed in their regular street clothes, with the pink streaks gone from Kagome's hair. Myouga stood in the middle of them, a happy certainty in his eyes as he congratulated them. "For first time performers, you three surely don't seem like it. Great job everybody!"

Kagome, Sango and Rin gave a loud war whoop, something Inuyasha and Kouga were glad to join as Miroku and Sesshoumaru looked on.

"Now remember; We have another gig next week, so we'll need a few more songs than tonight. Rest up this weekend because next week you're working your butts off!"

They broke up after the little meeting, with Kagome taking a taxi home despite Sango and the others begging for her to stay. 'I just want to be alone for a while,' Kagome thought to herself in the back of the taxi. 'What would make Sesshoumaru write a song like that?' she wondered as she looked out on the darkened streets of the city. 'I mean, would he know what it's like to be trapped like that? To want to find more but not know if you can…nah. No way. Not a guy that looks like him.' She blushed at that last thought before noticing that the cab was pulling up into her driveway.

Kagome inwardly groaned when she noticed the black Probe parked next to her mother's car. 'Great. Just what I need.' She mentally smacked herself at the thought as she paid the driver before stepping out of the car. 'I shouldn't think things like that. I know he loves me, and his over protectiveness is just is way of showing it.'

"Hi Marcus," she greeted with a smile before waving to the cab driver. Marcus stepped away from his car and underneath the streetlight, revealing a tall young man with short, wavy black hair. Kagome sighed to herself when she caught sight of his bloodshot brown eyes, a clear signal that he'd been drinking again.

"Hello my pet," he cooed as he hugged her. "How was your first gig?"

"It was great," Kagome replied as she hesitantly returned the hug. Alcohol and cigar smoke reeked from his clothes, making Kagome's stomach turn on it's side as he led her to her front porch and sat down.

"I wish you could have been there. Where were you?"

"The bouncer wouldn't let me in," Marcus replied with a shrug. "I'm really sorry babe. I'll make it up to you."

"That's ok," Kagome said softly. "I'm sure you tried."

"Damn straight! Um, Kagome…can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Well, I told you about that jerk of a roommate right?"

Kagome thought a few seconds, then nodded. "Ken right? The one that managed to dump a sixty-four ounce bottle of Cool Water in the middle of the carpet?"

"That's the one," Marcus replied as he draped an arm over her shoulders. "That bastard moved out this morning."

"How awful!" Kagome gasped. "He didn't tell you?"

"No. No warning, no nothing. I got off from work and found a note on the fridge that said 'See you when I see you!'! I can't afford that place on my own!"

"What are you going to do?"

"Well, I kinda wondered if you'd move in with me."

"I don't know," Kagome hesitated. "I don't think my mother would like that."

"Jeez Kagome, it's not like we'll share the same room!" Marcus laughed. "Besides, don't you think you're old enough to make your own decisions?"

"Yeah but-"

"I really need you Kagome," Marcus whispered softly. "If I lose this place I'll have no where else to go. You know my parents don't want me anywhere near them, nor do the rest of my family. I'll be homeless, living in my car. You have no idea how cramped the back of that thing is."

Kagome giggled softly but smiled nervously when Marcus smiled back. "I don't want you to do it if you don't want to, but I really need you. We've talked about living together anyway, remember?"

"Yeah, but I thought that was just talk," Kagome responded. "I didn't think you were serious."

"Oh. I see. Never mind then." Marcus stood and walked off the sidewalk toward his car. "You didn't mean it when you said you wanted to live with me, that you loved me. I understand."

"That's not what I'm trying to say!" Kagome retorted quickly. "I'm just saying that-"

"That what?"

Kagome took a deep breath and nodded. "Just that if you need me, I'll do it."

"Great!" Marcus exploded as he ran back to the porch and grasped Kagome in a tight hug. "We'll start moving Tuesday!"

----

(For an idea of Kagome's outfit, it's Avril L.'s last outfit in her new video.)

SF: Ooooo….Rin's gonna freak!

Sango: I know. And what about Sesshoumaru?

SF: What about him?

Silver Fox: How are they supposed to hook up if she lives with her boyfriend?

SF: Are you guys doubting me? I'm shocked. I'm offended. I'm-

Sesshou: Dead if you don't explain yourself.

SF: (sigh) Oh ye of little brain, why do you doubt? See, Kagome living with Marcus is a stepping stone, just like almost every unimportant piece in this fic. What I'm wondering is why no one wants to know what Sesshou was trying to tell his mother.

Kagome: Oh yeah. What was he trying to tell her?

Responses:

Jerry, Watery-Fairy-Glitz, WinterBlossom/Yuki*Sakura, Rhexi, Lady Hecate, PeachesDani, Densetsunno Youko, Pixy-Misa-Misao-Amano, CometsChaos, Hoshi-chan1, Sorata-chan, Marrionette's Terra, Baka Onna, Battousai rk8520, Black-Cat-on-the-Wall, Ephi, Kagome333, Gennie Kag's and Sess's Child, Pouting Angel & Aryante Silimarusse: Thanks so much for the love! Another chapter's coming soon!

Cynical Chaos: Yup, I remember you saying something like that. College took away my spelling and memory too. That's why I'm so grateful for the spell check. You saw right through Sesshou's hesitation, but you always do. It doesn't shock me. Is Kagome's nickname for this fic going to be Snake Charmer? You're the second person to call her that.

AnimeChickie: Question one: Nope, there wasn't a lot to it. It was just plain hot, and she was kinda wrong for wearing it. Question two: As a matter of fact, I do plan on everyone meeting Marcus in either this chapter or the next.

Tsuki Yume: Marcus is going to be a bad guy, but he's not a stalker. Not per say anyway.

Sesshyangel: To be honest, I'm not sure. I let Silver write the last few paragraphs, so it's no telling. He was supposed to type what I said. Sesshou's pop is alive, and so is Inuyasha's mom. There's a history there that you're not going to believe, so be warned. His eyes are from his father, but the silver hair comes from both pop and mom. That's why Inuyasha's hair is white too. Oh, and here. (tosses over a crossbow and a quiver) These are a lot quieter than a gun and a lot more effective than a knife. Plus you don't have to worry about getting dirty.

Musiq-Mistress101: Don't hit the kit. He's in enough trouble as is. He's not fulfilling his part as lemon muse. Silver Fox: GOD SF! I'm a lemon GOD! SF: You're going to be lemonADE if you don't get to work! Gah! Anyway, the tension between them will build up soon, especially when things progress with Kagome and her boyfriend.

Hanoi: Sometimes I want to call him that too, just for the sheer hell of it. Thanks for reviewing!

NefCanuck: I have a really stupid question to ask. What's ROFL? I don't know, and I feel like I should. Miroku drives a Jeep for a good reason, one he'll explain soon. Trust me, it's a typical Miroku thing.

Green Bird 2071: Sesshou: (growling as he chokes SF) You made me a Momma's boy?! SF: (choking and wheezing) No dude, I swear! You're just nice to your mom, that's all! Let go! (Sesshou drops SF, smirks to himself when she lands on her butt) Ow! Jackass. Anyway, Sesshou's nice to his mom for a reason, one that goes way beyond 'She's my mom and I'm supposed to be nice to her.' There's a love and respect that goes way beyond the mother/ child bond. Sesshou's mom gave up something for him and that's one of the reasons why he treats her with kid gloves as they say.

Nymph Demon: Apology accepted Muse 1. That makes Muse 2 the slacker. But thanks to all three of you for the review!

LilFrozenFire: No wonder you're grouchy. My friends know better. I'm so glad someone other than myself and one other reviewer thinks that Sesshou's a sweetheart around his mother. He's still grumbling about being called a Momma's boy by everyone else. Poor Sesshou.

Kakashi-fan: You mean to tell me that you CAN'T see Inuyasha 'My ass is so bad I don't need to use my sword to fight' swimming with sharks? I can, as clear as day. He'd do it to prove a point too. Oh, and I don't know about the conversion. You never know...

Sessho_Phreack: Inu-chan and Kouga-san agree because they share a common enemy. They still argue, they even fight from time to time but most of the time they're fighting Sesshoumaru.

Tokia: Aw come on! I wouldn't shock you. You're fine. You're right, I have done better. I tried to get Silver to type some of the last bits of the chapter and you see how well it went. It was just one of those fillers anyway, and it's only purpose was to set up the first spark of attraction. Kagura's going to come back sometime later in the story, I think around chapters seven or eight. She has something interesting to tell Kagome.

Stargirl: I give you my word, right now, that this fic will not be your ordinary band fic. I promise, there will be some fighting (what good is a fic without at least one fight scene), some lies and some angst. Trust me, one of the best surprises of this fic involves Sesshoumaru himself. So, do you take my word or what?

Father Malvado: Give Inuyasha a few chapters. He should be back to his old self soon. He's just trying to behave in front of the new people. Well, give me a holler when you finish it, or have you posted it yet?

Deadly Tears: I've read at least two with Sesshou as the manager, or something like that so I know what you mean. (blushes) Thanks for the compliments. I'm truly glad you think so.

Kaimi: You think you don't like him now? Just wait until later on in the fic. You really won't like him then.

Otakuannie: Leather? You know, Sesshou suggested the exact thing this afternoon. Perhaps some leather would be good.

BelleDayNight: Of course Sesshou's mom is here! She's very important to the story. Sesshou is the same age as Miroku, and graduated a year before the story takes place.

Dana Daidouji: Simple and clean. That's how I like everything. I'm so glad you notice- Silver Fox: Not to mention that she's simple and clean. SF: (sigh) >Zap!< Shut up Silver! Anyway, I agree that there are too few stories with Sesshou's mom in them. They need more than that, and Sesshou deserves to show his soft side to someone other than Rin.

Raine84: The guys didn't recognize Sango and Rin until Kagome stepped up. Then they remembered that great Icicle Man song and everything clicked together. The girls didn't recognize them because all they're attention was on (well surprise, surprise) Sesshoumaru. Can you blame them?

Sessys Hime: I haven't heard either song, believe it or not. I've thought about using 'Because You Loved Me', but I don't think it fits. Kagome's going to write a few songs, and help him write some as well. She has a lot of experience in the field.

Arteme: Thanks a lot! Sesshoumaru's hormones are funny, but wait until later in the fic. The further we go, the funnier they'll be. Kagome's boyfriend becomes a prominent part of the story as of this chapter.

Brittany: Woah. One at a time. For one, the band gets along rather so-so. Kagome and three of the original band members get along great, especially with Miroku. Sesshoumaru's still a real trip, but that will hopefully change the longer he gets to know her. Kagome's boyfriend is...I can't tell you. Trust me, you'll come to know him rather well in the next coming chapters.

NoLabel: But at least he's honest. You'll hear a lot of guys saying things like 'I just want someone to understand me' or 'I have a sensitive soul and I want others to know it' but not Silver. Thanks so much for digging Kagome's response to Sesshoumaru's test. I want to not only give the words of the song, but try to give as good a visual of Kagome's performances as possible. Hopefully it won't get too detailed. You'll tell me if it does, right?

ACrimsonNight: For right now, he could care less about her...personality. Physically, he's very interested.

Dragon Rae: Thanks for the pocky and the drink! Anything with sugar is bound to be of some help.