InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Breaking Point ❯ Struggling with Disappointments ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: I don't own it. There, I said it. Go make someone else cry!

For this chapter, I don't own No Doubt's 'Don't Speak' and Pink's 'Don't Let Me Get Me'.

Chapter Five: Struggling With Disappointments

'I'm going to be late!' Sesshoumaru bemoaned Monday afternoon as he sped through traffic. He quickly made his way though downtown, shaving ten minutes off of a drive that normally lasted thirty. He rushed in the back kitchen door quickly, shouting a quick hello to his mother before rushing up the stairs. He shut his room door with a bang and quickly shed his suit and dress shirt for a pair of loose jeans and a black t-shirt.

Sesshoumaru ran back downstairs, out the front door and raced into the practice room, somehow managing not to topple over as he struggled to run and put his tennis shoes on at the same time. He straightened his ruffled appearance before opening the door and calmly walking inside. The sight that greeted him was a strange one, and for a moment he stood baffled before mentally counting. 'One, two, tree, four, five…'

"Where is Kagome?"

Rin huffed instantly, the cross look on her face darkening as she folded her arms over her chest. "She's busy doing other things."

Sesshoumaru quirked a brow at the hostile response, but decided to let it go for the time being. "Then we will not practice today. Everyone go home."

Kouga, Miroku and Inuyasha jumped up quickly, each packing up their instruments without question. Sango followed Miroku out the door as he left, but Sesshoumaru grasped Rin's arm as she walked past. "I will take you home today."

Rin gave him a curious look for a second, then shrugged and followed him to his car. "Wow," she gasped as she walked around the black Jag with chrome detailing. "This is a nice car."

"Thanks," Sesshoumaru replied dryly as he unlocked the doors and disarmed the alarm. "It's my boss'. Get in."

The drive back to the city was fairly quiet, with the only words exchanged were Sesshoumaru's requests for directions and Rin's prompt responses. They soon arrived at Rin's house, both watching as Kagome walked out of the front door of the one-story building carrying a large box.

"Thanks a lot Sesshoumaru," Rin said with a smile before stepping out of the car. Sesshoumaru nodded in acceptance and watched as she walked up the driveway. Kagome sat the box down beside the black Probe in the driveway and walked over to her. Some words were exchanged before Rin finally threw her hand up and stomped up the rest of the walkway and through the front door, slamming it shut before disappearing inside. Kagome ran a hand through her bangs and started toward the box when she noticed Sesshoumaru.

"Hey," she said as she walked toward him. "How are you?"

"Why were you not at practice today?" Sesshoumaru asked, promptly ignoring her attempts at pleasant conversation.

"I'm moving today, and I couldn't make it," Kagome answered sheepishly. A hand flew to her ponytail, and Sesshoumaru watched silently as she nervously fiddled with it. "Rin's pretty upset about it. Thanks for bringing her home by the way."

"Are you going to attend practice Wednesday?"

"Yeah! Of course," Kagome answered with a grin. "I know I should have called and told you, but I've been so busy. It's taken a while to get all this stuff out."

"Be sure to be on time Wednesday," Sesshoumaru told her as he started the car's engine. His eyes narrowed at a dark haired man who stepped out of the door, watching as he and Rin exchanged heated glares before slamming the screen door in the girl's face. Sesshoumaru glanced back at Kagome, who had missed the exchange. She seemed to be in a world of her own as she stared at him, and only caught herself when the man called her name.

"I'm sorry Sesshoumaru," she said with a light blush. "I-I'll be there. I promise."

"Ayame also called my office. She says for you to meet her in the mall's food court after school tomorrow."

"Alright. Thanks Sesshoumaru." Kagome stepped back before he pulled off, watching as he sped down the road and out of sight.

"Who was that?" Marcus asked as he turned her around and planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Oh, just one of the guys on the band. He brought Rin home."

"Wow, that's great," Marcus muttered as he glared at the direction Sesshoumaru disappeared in. "Is he always that nice?"

"Not really, but I guess today's a different day. He let me know that I'm supposed to me my performance coordinator too."

"When are you supposed to meet him?" Marcus asked as Kagome picked up the box and put it in his back seat.

"Her, and tomorrow after school. Say, would you mind giving me a ride?"

"Actually, I have to work tomorrow. I won't get home until at least three in the morning."

"Oh. No problem then. I'm sure I can find a way." Kagome glanced back at her house, a sad smile on her face as she spied Souta and Rin standing at the door. Souta waved to her and smiled when she waved back but Rin seemed determined to stay angry with her. She gave a heavy sigh and got into the car before Marcus and watched as he started it.

"Don't look so sad," Marcus told her as he backed out of the driveway. "You'll visit them soon enough, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember." Kagome looked out the window, making sure to memorize every little detail about the little blue house she loved so much before Marcus shifted into first gear and sped off.

<>

Kagome rushed through the mall entrance and made her way to the food court, her breath slightly labored as she shed her denim jacket and tucked it inside her book bag. 'Whew, it's a good thing the bus arrived late,' Kagome thought as she passed a few stores. 'I can't believe the mall is so close to Marcus' place. At least I can walk home from here.'

She waved when she spotted Ayame standing beside a table near the Great American Cookie Factory, smiled when Ayame waved back and ran up to her. "Hey, sorry I'm late," Kagome puffed as she bent over and braced her hands on her knees. "I had to catch the bus."

"You're not late," Ayame assured her before reaching down into a nearby chair for her purse. "Now come on. We don't have a lot to do, but I would like to make sure we get it done."

Kagome followed Ayame through the mall, secretly taking glances inside the store mirrors around them while Ayame ranted on about stage presence and some other things Kagome had already heard and wasn't listening to. Ayame quickly veered into a nearby store, watching with barely hidden mirth as Kagome walked past it before reaching out and dragging her inside.

"Now pay attention Kagome," Ayame scolded gently. "We're going shopping today. I'm going to buy you a few things."

"You don't have to do that," Kagome told her with a blush. "I have my own money. I can buy my own things."

"Oh, but I do." Ayame turned toward the nearest clothing rack, her eyes narrowed in concentration as Kagome looked on. "If I don't, then you might think you have some sort of say in things."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kagome snapped.

"Don't take offense. We're buying clothes for you to wear onstage, plus some things for you to practice in."

"What for? What kind of practicing am I doing?"

"Never mind that for the moment," Ayame said before handing Kagome a dark blue denim pleated skirt. "Try this-" she handed her a black tank top and grabbed Kagome's denim jacket. "and this on." She opened a dressing room door and shoved Kagome inside before closing it behind her. Ayame smiled back at some of the mumbled cursing coming from the stall, recognizing some of the language as some she'd heard Inuyasha or Kouga say a few times before wandering the store. She soon found a pair of shoes that she liked; a black , heeled, strappy number that she thought would look great with what Kagome was trying on. She tossed those over the dressing room door and sat down in a nearby chair to wait.

Kagome emerged a few minutes later looking slightly perturbed. Ayame ignored her as she looked over the outfit, nodding in acceptance before taking Kagome by the shoulders and turning her toward the three-way mirror. "What do you think?"

Kagome looked herself over in the mirror, her gaze critical as a slight frown crossed her lips. "This skirt is too short," she determined with a shake of her head. "I'd never wear something like this."

"Then it's perfect," Ayame exclaimed and quickly began to gather up three more in different colors and styles. Kagome stomped behind her, her hands fisted on her hips as she glared at the back of her head.

"No, it's not perfect!" Kagome hissed while Ayame oooed over a blue and white poncho styled shirt. "I can't even bend over in this thing! What makes you think I'm wearing it onstage, where everyone can see my underwear?!"

"For one," Ayame replied absently as she held up a halter top. "That's what boy shorts were invented for. Two, the one you're wearing is for you to practice in."

"Practice? Practice what?"

"Come here." Ayame dragged Kagome back to the three way mirror and non too gently placed Kagome before it. "See the pleats in this skirt?"

"Yes…"

"They have a purpose. Have you seen the Hey Mama music video?"

"Yes…" Kagome replied again, wondering to herself what it had to do with the skimpy outfit Ayame picked out.

"You're going to teach yourself to dance just like the video," Ayame told her with a huff. "It's not hard," she quickly responded at Kagome's mortification. "All you do is move with the music."

"But-but-"

"You'll know when you're doing it right when the pleats make your skirt flip back and forth. Just do what you see in the video." She smiled at Kagome from the mirror's reflection before turning around and opening the dressing room door. "Go change. Don't worry about a thing."

Kagome numbly did as she was told, her mind churning repeatedly over the fact that she'd never danced in her life. 'Ayame must be insane,' she told herself as she yanked on her jeans and tugged her shirt over her head. She smiled back at her reflection and turned her back to the mirror's surface so she could read the back of her shirt. 'Yup, that's me,' she thought to herself as she read off the list of things that described a true Capricorn. 'And no where on that list does it say anything like dressing like a slut.'

"Come on out Kagome," Ayame's voice rang out from the other side of the door. Kagome emerged from the dressing room, her mouth dropping open instantly at the mounds of bags Ayame had at her feet. "Don't look like that," Ayame said with a smile as she grabbed half of the bags. "I bought you something."

"Really?" Kagome replied skeptically. "What is it?"

"You'll see. Help me get these to my car."

Kagome agreed quickly enough, and soon she and Ayame were on the road to Marcus' house. "I hear you've moved out," Ayame said as they stopped for a red light. Kagome nodded solemnly. "Yeah, I did."

"What, you didn't want to move?"

"It's not that," Kagome answered with a shake of her head. "It's just that Rin and Sango have been so mad at me."

"Who are they? The background singers?"

"Yeah," Kagome nodded. "They haven't spoken to me since Sunday when I told them. I don't know why they're so angry with me."

"I'm sure they'll come around," Ayame replied hopefully as she pulled into the apartment parking lot. Kagome directed to the third building on the left and caught a bag Ayame tossed her before stepping out of the car. "Thanks for the ride home."

"No problem. Hey, don't forget to practice!"

"I won't!"

Ayame waited as Kagome ascended a set of stairs to the second floor and watched as she entered an apartment on the right before pulling back into traffic. She dug around inside her glove compartment for her cell phone and quickly pressed 8. She frowned as the line rang several times, then smiled when the voice she wanted answered the phone.

"Yes, it's done. She's pretty agreeable." She paused for a second, then shook her head. "No. The only problem she's having has to do with her friends than her. Yes, the background singers." She yawned as the other person spoke, then shook her head again. "No, they haven't spoken to her since. Don't you guys have a gig this Saturday night? I thought so. Oh, but that's all I wanted. Tell Kouga hi." She laughed at a sudden growl. "You know, someday you two are going to have to get along. Yeah, I know, it's not likely. Bye."

Ayame hung up and shook her head, intent on her return home so she could review some of her purchases.

<>

He watched as she walked out of the courtroom, her beautiful silver hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her hands were held behind her back, and she winced slightly when one of the officers pulled on the cuffs to keep her away from the crowd. All around him he could hear the crowd shouting, some calling her a cold blooded murdered, others chanting over and over

"Free Kapasi! Let her go! Free Kapasi! No means no!"

"Mother!"

She turned to look at him, her brown eyes wet with tears as he finally reached her. "I'll miss you honey," she whispered as he threw his arms around her neck. She nuzzled her face into his neck, desperately holding back sobs as the officers forcibly stood her up and pushed her away from him.

"Mother, don't leave me! Please!" he cried as he ran behind her. "Let me te-"

"NO!" She shook her head fiercely, a few strands ripping free of the bun to whip about her face. "You must never tell. Keep your promise to me!"

"But Mother-"

"Please! Only one of us should suffer!" He looked away when they loaded her into the bus. She appeared in the back of the bus window minutes later, giving him a brave smile as she pressed her hand to the glass. He placed his hand over hers from the other side. 'Mother…'

"Please," she called to him. "Keep your promise. Tell no one."

"Yes Mother," he replied with a nod. "I won't."

She smiled back at him, a mere shadow of the one she normally greeted him with as a hand clasped his shoulder from behind. "Goodbye honey."

He bit his lip as the bus drove away, his eyes finally turning away from the last sight of his mother for some time to come. A little hand clasped around his, and he glared down angrily at eyes a darker gold than his. He jerked his hand free and shook off the hand on his shoulder as he turned to glare at the world behind him. The reporters and protesters were gone, each herding themselves into their various vehicles and following the prison bus…

Where he couldn't go.

'Look at them,' he growled to himself as they drove off around him. 'They'll never understand. All they are are spectators, and they've made my mother some kind of entertain-'

"Are we done here?" the dark-haired woman beside his father yawned impatiently. "I'm tired and I want to go home."

"Big brother, are you ok?" the little boy with the amber eyes asked him. His frown deepened and he quickly ignored the child before walking toward the waiting limo.

"Be nicer to your brother, boy," the woman snarled at him. Still he ignored her, going so far as to open the back limo door before his father spoke up.

"Sesshoumaru, you will listen to your mother."

Sesshoumaru froze mid step, his temper flaring around him in a dark red haze as he turned a cold glare to the 'family' behind him. "That gold digging whore is not my mother."

The woman gasped audibly and his father frowned as little Inuyasha asked "What's a gold digging whore?"

"Inuyasha! Don't say such things! You're better than that!" his mother retorted as she cast an angry glare at Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru, apologize right now!" his father demanded. Sesshoumaru snorted in answer and turned fully to them. "Just in case you've forgotten, my MOTHER is going to JAIL at the moment. That opportunistic slut will never hold a candle to her. And that bastard is not my brother!"

Inuyasha started to cry, clinging to his mother desperately as their father reached for Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru stepped back instinctively, his hatred for the man growing by leaps and bounds as they glared at one another.

"Sesshoumaru, I know you're upset by what's happened bu-"

"It's your fault," Sesshoumaru growled through gritted teeth. "You should have been there, you should have protected her. You chose some unworthy trash to take her place! Our place!"

"Sesshoumaru, I-"

"I don't want to hear it. It's your fault she's not here! IT'S YOUR FAULT!!!!!"

><

Sesshoumaru jolted up instantly, his eyes quickly scanning the dark room as he struggled to control his panting breaths. He soon stood up and quit the room, somehow able to navigate his way through the upper floor by the sparse moonlight shining through the downstairs windows. He moved quietly down the hallway to the last door and opened it, ensuring himself of his silence before stealing a peak inside. He released a quiet breath, his shoulders slumping in relief before softly closing the door and walking down the hallway and the steps to the kitchen.

'Dreams Sesshoumaru,' he told himself as he jerked open the refrigerator and grabbed a can of Vanilla Pepsi. 'That's all they are. You just checked on her and she's sound asleep. Stop doing this to yourself.' He sat down at the table, popped the can open and took a deep swig before slamming it down on the tabletop and rubbing his face in his shaking hands. 'I need to stop this. I'm a grown man for God's sake.'

"Sesshoumaru?"

Sesshoumaru looked up and over at the doorway, a brief smile flashing on his face as his mother walked into the room. She sat down across from him, her bright pink cotton bathroom contrasting violently with her silvery hair as she tipped her head to the side and frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing Mother," he told her with a sigh. "Just thinking of the stuff I have to do at work later on today." Mrs. Kapasi glanced at the microwave clock behind him and smiled. "Yes, it is rather late isn't it? Maybe you should get some sleep."

"I will Mother. Thanks."

Mrs. Kapasi glanced at him a second longer, then sighed, stood up and walked toward the kitchen threshold. She glanced over her shoulder at him, her right hand bracing herself against the doorframe as she said, "Don't let your dreams haunt you honey, ok? I'm right here if you need me."

Sesshoumaru rubbed the side of his nose with his left index and middle finger before nodding. "Yes Mother. I know. I won't."

"Good. Goodnight."

Sesshoumaru listened to her footsteps as she walked across the living room carpet to the steps, and breathed a sigh of relief when they finally disappeared up the stairs. 'I need to get a grip,' he thought as he brought the soda can to his lips once again. 'Redirect this energy somehow. Maybe I could tweak one of the songs I wrote for Friday's gig. Didn't Ayame say something about the Three Amigos fighting among themselves? Maybe I can put that to good use.'

<>

Kagome glanced at her fellow dressing roommates, her normally bright blue eyes dark and distant as she sighed to herself. Sango and Rin sat on the couch on the other side of the room, the both of them whispering to themselves as the stylist worked on Kagome's hair.

"I think something normal looking is in order," the woman said as she glanced over Kagome's white halter-top and dark brown version of the skirts Ayame bought earlier in the week. A string of white pearls were wrapped around her right hand, some of the pearls draped between her fingers to form a makeshift hand bracelet. Simple black eyeshadow and a deep lip stain completed the stylist work just as one of the stagehands poked his head into the room.

"You guys are on in five."

"Thanks," Sango said as she and Rin stood up. They left the room without another word, leaving Kagome to catch up with them. They soon found their way to the stage side, where Sesshoumaru and the other were waiting. Miroku, Inuyasha and Kouga stood grumbling in their street clothes, while Sesshoumaru was wearing a black suit with a dark blue shirt and matching tie. He quickly took off his jacket and tie as Inuyasha explained.

"Our clothes never made it here," he said with a frown. "So we're stuck in what we got. I swear, that Ayame is a real ditz sometime."

"Don't call her a ditz," Kouga quickly defended. "It's not her fault the car never arrived."

"Yeah right," Inuyasha grumbled. "How can the car not arrive when she was the one driving it? I'm telling you, that girl is dumb as hell. You two make a great match."

"Fuck off Puppy-sama!"

"Bite me you fucking puss-"

"Before you finish that lovely sentiment," Myouga muttered from underneath Sesshoumaru's jacket, which was draped over his head. "Let's remember that there are ladies present."

"Like they haven't heard this before," Miroku said with a sigh. Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. "Inuyasha and Kouga normally have these sort of 'intelligent' verbal spars. I don't believe they know anything else."

"Who the fuck asked you?" Kouga griped to himself, waiting for the announcer to say their names before walking onstage with everyone else. Kagome walked up to the mike as everyone else picked up their instruments and assumed their positions, stealing a quick glance at Sesshoumaru before looking at his guitar and the knob who's imprint was still on her inner thigh. She sighed to herself and turned toward the crowd. She listened as Sesshoumaru and the others finally started and waited until she heard her cue in the chord to begin.

~You and me. We used to be together, everyday together always. I really feel that I'm losing my best friends. I can't believe this could be the end.~ Kagome fought the urge to cry as she took a breath, feeling that the song perfectly reflected what she felt at the moment. 'How can he do that,' she wondered to herself as she continued. 'Just see right through me, to what I'm feeling and write it so well?'

~It looks as though you're letting go and if it's real; well I don't want to know.

~Don't speak. I know just what you're saying. So please stop explaining. Don't tell me cause it hurts.~ She tightly grasped the mic in her right hand, ignoring how the pearls seemed to dig into the palm of her hands.
~Don't speak. I know what you're thinking. I don't need your reasons. Don't tell me cause it hurts.

~Our memories…well, they can be inviting but some are altogether mighty frightening. As we die, both you and I with my head in my hands. I sit and cry.~

~Don't speak. I know just what you're saying. So please stop explaining. Don't tell me cause it hurts (no, no, no).~ Rin watched as her sister held back tears, holding back tears of her own as she fumed from the sidelines. 'I don't care what Sango says,' she thought angrily as she and Sango sang out the background. 'She shouldn't have moved out. How are we going to see her now? I just bet Marcus is going to make her quit the band somehow, and he's going to tell her that she can't see us either. I don't want to lose my sister!'

~Don't speak. I know what you're thinking. I don't need your reasons. Don't tell me cause it hurts.~

~It's all ending…~

'But she doesn't care. If she did, she wouldn't have moved. I thought she loved Souta and I. She must want to get away from us pretty badly to hook up with a low life like him.'

~I gotta stop pretending who we are…~

'I just want everything to go back to the way it was. I miss them both so much. They're my best friends, even if Rin's not my real sister, I love her like one. I don't know what I did, but I'm sorry.'

~You and me I can see us dying...are we?~ Rin's watched as a single tear streaked down Kagome's left cheek, leaving a slightly smudged trail of black where her mascara ran. 'She's…crying. Why? It's Marcus, I just know it!'

~Don't speak. I know just what you're saying. So please stop explaining. Don't tell me cause it hurts (no, no, no). Don't speak. I know what you're thinking. I don't need your reasons. Don't tell me cause it hurts.

~Don't tell me cause it hurts…..!

Sango and Rin grabbed Kagome and dragged her back to their dressing room the instant the song ended and the band was backstage. Inuyasha and the others shrugged to themselves and waited for their break to be over with as Kagome weakly followed Sango and Rin.

"What's wrong?" Sango asked when they were finally in the room. Kagome glanced from one to the other before bursting into sobs.

"What is it Kagome?" Rin asked as she and Sango hugged her. "It's Marcus isn't it? I swear, when I get my hands on him I'll-"

"Why are you guys mad at me?" Kagome whimpered from between them. "What did I do?"

"Do? What did you do?" Rin's eyes narrowed instantly, and she pushed herself away from Kagome. "You moved, that's what you did! What, you hated being around us so much that you just decided that being with that creep is better than being with us?!"

"No, of course not!" Kagome cried out. "I'd never leave you guys!"

"Kagome, why did you move out?" Sango asked calmly. "You never did explain, and Rin and I thought it was to get away from us."

"What? No way! I love you guys!"

"Then why move away from us?" Rin shouted back. Kagome hung her head sadly and murmured, "Because he asked me to."

"Huh?"

Kagome exhaled loudly, closed her eyes a moment and said, "Marcus' roommate moved out on him at the last moment. I agreed to help him with the rent since he can't afford the place on his own. That's not going to keep me from seeing you guys though!"

"So…" Rin sniffed a little as she eyed Kagome suspiciously. "You didn't move out because you hate us?"

"No, of course not." Kagome grasped her hand and squeezed gently with a watery smile. "You and I may not be blood sisters, but you're just as much a part of me as Souta is. Sango, you too. I love you guys and I wouldn't let anything come between us."

"Promise?"

Kagome nodded and hugged them both. "I promise."

"This is all very entertaining but…"

They turned and glared at Sesshoumaru, who was leaning on the door threshold with his arms folded over his chest. "We are due onstage at any second."

"Oh my God, what are you doing in here?" Rin screeched as Sango found a tube of lipstick and chucked it at him. "This is our dressing room! Get out you pervert!"

"Please," Sesshoumaru mumbled as he ducked a brush and attempted to close the door behind him. "It's not anything I haven't seen."

"You're still a pervert! We could have been naked in here! Get out!"

Sesshoumaru successfully managed to duck a few more items and somehow managed to catch a packet of blush before finally getting the door to close. He shook his head at it and tossed the blush to a nearby chair before walking to the side of the stage where the others waited.

"Is everything ok with them?" Miroku asked as Sesshoumaru approached. Sesshoumaru shrugged in answer as the girls appeared behind him. "Everything ok?" Miroku asked. Kagome nodded.

"Everything's cool now."

"Good, because we're on."

Kagome followed Sesshoumaru onstage before the others followed her. Her mood was considerably brighter as she stepped behind the mike, and she had a hard time hiding the smile that threatened to crack her lips as she began and cued in Sesshoumaru and Kouga's entrance.

~Never win first place. I don't support the team. I can't take direction, and my socks are never clean. Teachers dated me, my parents hated me. I was always in a fight cuz I can't do nothin' right.

~Everyday I fight a war against the mirror. I can't take the person starin' back at me. I'm a hazard to myself. Don't let me get me. I'm my own worst enemy. Its bad when you annoy yourself. So irritating, don't wanna be my friend no more. I wanna be somebody else.~ 'What made Sesshoumaru write this?' Kagome wondered to herself as she sifted her weight to her left leg and pulled the mic from the stand.

~LA told me, "You'll be a pop star. All you have to change is everything you are." Tired of being compared to damn Britney Spears. She's so pretty, that just ain't me.

~Doctor, doctor won't you please prescribe something; a day in the life of someone else? Cuz I'm a hazard to myself. Don't let me get me. I'm my own worst enemy. Its bad when you annoy yourself. So irritating; don't wanna be my friend no more. I wanna be somebody else. Don't let me get me. I'm my own worst enemy. Its bad when you annoy yourself. So irritating; don't wanna be my friend no more. I wanna be somebody else. ~

Kagome found herself having fun with the song, something Sesshoumaru frowned upon as she tossed her head from side to side. Still, it felt somewhat good to see her happy, something that greatly puzzled Sesshoumaru.

'I don't actually care,' Sesshoumaru told himself. 'Her boyfriend should though. He doesn't seem like the type that someone smart would go out with.' He mentally shook himself and glared at the girl ahead of him. 'Like I said, I don't care what she does, or what happens to her as long as it doesn't interfere with her performances." But he couldn't get over the feeling that, deep inside him somewhere, he did care somewhat. He chalked it up to his gentlemanly urge to look after all females and refocused on the song.

<>

"One more thing before you guys go," Myouga said as he and the band members stood outside the club. "The pictures that we're taking for the Classics are due-"

"What's the Classics?" Kagome asked.

"It's where a bunch of chosen bands from around the state get together and perform," Inuyasha explained. Sesshoumaru frowned. "It is not as simple as that. Those that are chosen are expected to perform slower songs than normal. Most choose romantic ballads," he finished with a displeased frown.

"Anyway, the pictures go in the souvenir programs, along with a little bit of the band's history and what songs they're playing," Myouga finished. "It's an honor to be invited to the Classics."

"So you say," Miroku said with a frown. "That just means that Sesshoumaru and I are stuck writing another set of piano music while you guys get to goof off."

"Hey I would help but-"

"No one wants your help," Sesshoumaru interrupted, ignoring Kouga's angry growl as Kagome and the other girls sighed in frustration and looked on. "So keep your comments to yourself."

"You know what Sesshoumaru? I'm real fucking tired of your attitude," Kouga snapped. "You don't know when to keep your mouth shut."

"And just what do you plan on doing about it?" Sesshoumaru replied cooly as he picked a piece of lint from underneath his fingernails. Inuyasha stepped between them before Kouga could answer, and grabbed Kouga's fist as it whizzed past him.

"Hey, do that crap later!" he growled sternly.

"Hey, that's my line!" Miroku joked. He frowned when no one paid him any attention, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against his car in feigned insult.

"The pictures are scheduled to be taken in three weeks," Myouga explained. "And the concert itself will be in October. After that are the pictures for the Battle of the Bands for next year."

"Are we done?" Sesshoumaru asked before anyone else could ask another question. Myouga nodded.

"Good. I'm going home." He walked down the parking lot toward his car and got in, watching from his rear view mirror as Miroku, Kouga and Inuyasha each drove past in separate cars. He guessed that Kagome and her friends would be in the car with Miroku as he pulled out of his parking space and sped off toward him. He mentally groaned as he thought of the Classics and the work he'd have ahead of him.

'I truly hate the Classics,' he grumbled to himself as he pulled out onto the highway.

----

Silver Fox: Well, at least it's not a cliffhanger.

Trunks: True, but it still makes you wonder what the pictures are going to look like.

Kagome: I know and they're bound to be…interesting with SF's imagination.

Inu-chan: You can say that again.

Sesshou: I for one do not fear the kencho…or kitsune. Whoever. She still cannot harm this-

Trunks: But I think it would be best to wait and see what exactly she has planned. What's the title of the next chapter?

Silver Fox: {::flipping through the script::} Um….here it is! It's chapter six: True Colors.

Responses:

Eiko Seijinumaru, Demon Wicca1, Blooded-Blade, Hoshi-chan, PV, SilverFox, Defafaeth Mechaqua, Stalking Shadow, Dragon Rae, Fire Kitsune Goddess, LSIE, Lady Selene Li, Musiq-Mistress101, Transcendental-Chi, CometsChaos, NefCanuck, Kagome, PeachesDani, Golden-Eyed-Girl & ROW: Thanks so much you guys! Another chapter's coming soon!

ACrimsonNight: No, he's not an alcoholic. He's something else. Don't worry, what he is will start to appear shortly. I like the idea of Miroku and Sesshoumaru being friends too. To me, it's a lot more believable than Sesshoumaru and Kouga.

Fire Phoenix: Kagome's sister is on the way. As a matter of fact, I don't think we see her but a few times until she catches up with Kagome and the others. Kagome's sister is really interesting. I can't wait until Kagome and Sesshou talk for the first time...

Kasiree: TWO HOURS?!!! Gosh, I'm so sorry about that. Maybe I should make the chapters shorter for time's sake....ha ha! Got you! Seriously, I'm glad you like it enough to read the chapters the way you did.

Father Malvado: Has anyone told you that you're a great judge of character? You must be if you can tell how much of a jerk Marcus is just from the first couple of sentences about him. (LoL) If you ever start that N/K romance, give me a holler.

NoLabel: Why doesn't anyone like Marcus? I think he's a great guy...haha. I'm sorry about that. That was mean. For real, you may not like him now, but give me a few chapters. You REALLY won't like him then. Kagome's trying to avoid Sesshou because of two reasons: One, she doesn't want to argue with him. Two: She's really attracted to him, and she's kinda figuring that if she stays away from the temptation it'll go away. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Sorata-chan: Marcus is Kagome's boyfriend, and the ball really starts moving once they move in together. Thanks for the cookie!

Black-Cat-On-The-Wall: Nope, he won't do that. Marcus is a different kind of creep.

Jerry: Sorry for the confusion. See, Kagome's reaction to Sesshoumaru is a little mixture of not wanting to argue with him and wanting to be....closer to him, if you get what I mean.

Youkai Yume: Hey, no name calling. I'll sit you both in a corner. Sesshou's and Miroku's friendship is more than just good hang out buddies. Those two have been friends for a long time and Miroku's the only one so far that knows a secret about Sesshoumaru's past.

Arteme: Gah! I knew I should have proofread that chapter. Thanks bunches!

Otakuannie: Yup, they're brothers. They both have the same last name too. I felt that a foot fetish would be different. I've never seen it before...have you?

Blue-Saiyan-Angel: Yeah, I goofed. I'll fix it soon. A Role Reversal's been updated bot on The Killing Perfection and A Single Spark.

Gennie Kag's and Sess's Child: I could, but that song has three guys rapping as well. It wouldn't fit the band dynamics. That won't stop me from putting it in the story somehow. I like the song too!

Cynical Chaos: Hey, I thought the song said Fluffy-face. How was I supposed to know? ^.^ Anyway, Marcus will get his, that I promise you. He hasn't done anything yet though, so you're going to have to wait. Should I go ahead and tell you that you're going to be mad at me now, or wait until everything happens to tell you? Miroku did set a new record, and has recieved a trophy and everything. It's one with him on the ground with some girl standing above him with her hands on her hips with 'Most Gropes in a Chapter' below it.

Gopher2806: Sesshoumaru may just do that. I'll have to see what we can do. I hope you like the rest of the songs too.

BelleDayNight: Ayame is definitely going to be a little bossy, but she's cool. I'm not entirely sure what her character's like, so I'm going off what I need instead of what I know. Marcus is a real prick, so be on the look out for that too.

Tessa3: I'm so sorry! If she doesn't, then the entire plot of the story goes down the drain. Please forgive me!

Senigami Clara: Hopefully the Role Reversal chapter is fixed by now. Sorry about that. There will be more S/K, but there will be some Ma/K too.