InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Demons Within Us ❯ Reasons for War ( Chapter 2 )

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

Kagome stayed to help carry the equipment to the back of the van. The girl, Sango, walked with her and they chatted idly.

“So what did you say your name was?”

Kagome smiled. “Higurashi Kagome.”

Sango eyed her slowly. “We don't use family names in the band. When you travel with us, you'll just be Kagome.”

“Why?” Kagome tilted her head slightly.

“No family names. One of InuYasha's rules to live by.” Sango shrugged. “He has his reasons and we don't argue, makes for a quieter day if we don't.”

Kagome smiled softly. “You're Sango, right?”

Sango smiled. “Yup.” She pointed to the two dark haired men loading instruments in the van. “The long haired one is Kouga, he plays the bass but he used to be our drummer, though he's not as powerful as you.” She grinned at Kagome before it slid off her face when she looked at the other man. “That one is Miroku. If he even looks at you funny, you tell me, got it?”

Kagome nodded nervously as she eyed the shorthaired man. He turned back to reach for something and caught her gaze. He smiled warmly. Kagome smiled back, not sure why Sango felt the need to warn her about him. That is until he hopped from the van to slap Sango square across her ass, growling in pleasure.

Sango's cheeks pinked heavily as she turned and shoved Miroku hard, making him topple over himself to land on the pavement as he laughed all the while.

“What did I tell you about touching me, pervert?” Sango fisted her hand though Kagome could see she was fighting off a smile.

Miroku winked at her from the ground. “All I remember you saying is that you liked it hard and loud.”

Sango's face burned. “I was talking about our music!”

Miroku grinned as he hoisted himself up. “And what beautiful music we make, my lovely Sango.”

Sango growled and shoved some equipment into his arms. “Hentai bastard.”

Kagome struggled to contain her giggle as she watched the two bicker. Sango finally shook her head and rolled her eyes at Kagome. “Like I said, he does anything, you tell me.”

Kagome nodded and smiled. She cocked her head slightly in thought. “Sango, what about the other one, the man with the white hair?”

“InuYasha?” Sango frowned. “He tallies with all sorts of instruments, but he loves to sing, that's his strength. Though it would be great if he used his strength in helping load the van.”

Kagome laughed softly and handed Kouga a speaker. His hand lightly touched hers, making her look up at him and blush slightly. His dark blue eyes stared down into hers and she couldn't help but smile at him.

His mouth quirked a bit before he let a smile grow on his face. “Thanks, Sugar.”

Kagome grinned and turned to catch up to Sango as she headed back into the theatre to gather more equipment.

Sango tossed her gaze back at Kouga then to Kagome. “So, you got a boyfriend?”

Kagome looked at Sango questionably. “No, do I need one?”

Sango laughed. “Good response. Just letting you know we will be rehearsing a lot, and you might not be home as much as you like. Might have a day off once every few weeks maybe.”

Kagome stopped and looked at Sango in slight shock. “A few weeks?”

“If we are lucky and make it through the competitions.” Sango grinned.

Kagome rubbed her arm nervously and headed up the stage to grab another speaker.

“So how long have you been playing?”

Kagome glanced up at Sango and grinned. “Since I was fifteen.”

Sango quirked a brow. “Really? So only a few years, huh?”

Kagome tilted her head in confusion. “Um, about eight years, actually.”

Sango's eyes flew open. “You're around our age?”

Kagome shrugged. “I'm twenty three.” She lifted the heavy speaker and grimaced. “But I know I look younger.”

Sango whistled. “You're in trouble then.”

Kagome's eyes widened in panic. “What? Why?”

“Because once the boys find out you're legal, they'll be all over you.” Sango laughed.

“As if her being legal would have stopped us anyways.” Miroku laughed and grabbed the speaker from Kagome.

The girl in question blushed softly and looked down.

Kouga nudged Miroku in the side, nodding his head to the shy girl as she unhooked the drum set. “Fresh meat.” He whispered.

Sango gave them a deadly glare and moved to help Kagome with the drum. “You must have a rich family to be able to have a drum set to practice on.”

Kagome looked up at Sango before averting her eyes to the drums. “No. I was very lucky to have been raised by a wonderful woman. Lady Kaede worked nights to be able to afford second hand drums for me and my brothers and sisters. She bought us all used instruments to play. She said music was the only thing brought down from Heaven, so we must play it to bring it back.”

Sango was quiet for a moment. She avoided the looks from the two men who frowned at Kagome's statement. She cleared her throat quickly. “Lady Kaede?”

Kagome laughed and picked up the cymbals. “Well, her name is Kaede. Ship called her Lady Kaede once and it stuck. She said she liked being called it because it made her sound young.”

Sango smiled. “It sounds like you have a nice family.”

Kagome nodded. “They're all I have.”

Sango flashed her eyes up at Miroku and Kouga as they hefted things to bring to the van. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

After packing the van up, Sango turned to Kagome. “We'll be practicing every night until the competition.” She handed Kagome a card. “This is the address. Meet us there at seven tomorrow night and we'll start teaching you the sets.” Her eyes drifted over Kagome's clothes. “Actually.” She whispered. “Come a bit earlier. We need to do something about the image.”

Kagome looked down at herself then over at Sango. She bit her lower lip and nodded. “Okay, I'll be there at six thirty.”

Sango winked. “See you tomorrow, Kags.” She hopped in the van behind Miroku and Kouga and waved to the girl before they drove off.

Kagome grinned and jumped in the air, fisting it excitedly before dashing across the parking lot for her rusty car. She couldn't wait to tell Lady Kaede and the rest of them about her audition. It felt like she had waited her whole life for this moment, and nothing was going to stop her now.

-+-

“So, that's the new drummer?” A cold voice of a dark haired woman asked behind tinted windows of a gray Lexus.

“Fucked if I care.” The silver headed man nipped and sucked heatedly on her neck as she smoked distractedly on a cigarette.

“InuYasha, haven't you had enough?” Brown eyes pierced down in disgust at the man who was tweaking and pulling on her nipple, making her cunt pulse with need. She fidgeted and pushed his hand away. She hated him touching her when he was in the state he was in.

InuYasha raised his head from her neck. His golden eyes were distant and bloodshot and she could tell he would be off center from the high he was on for another little while. The shit she gave him wouldn't last as long as the other drugs she had given him, but it was potent enough to make him crave the drug more. Even if he wasn't addicted, the bastard was always looking for a quick way to fuck himself over.

She snorted cruelly down into his face. What did she care that he was looking for a slow death? He was a great fuck and paid her up front for the shit she peddled for her boss, Naraku. She just hoped she could keep him sober a bit longer so she could milk him for everything he was worth. Hell, if he got anywhere with this fucking band he was in, she'd be raking in his earnings, knowing full well he'd blow every last cent he had to get himself laid and high.

She ran a hot tongue over her lower lip and cupped his growing crotch. “Come on, Inu baby, time to go.”

“Jesus, Kikyo.” He groaned and his eyes rolled to the back of his head as she massaged his hot cock through his jeans.

“Your lady love has work to do. But if you're alive after you sober up, come by tonight and I'll give you some more.” She licked his cheek slowly before reaching over to open the passenger side door and kicked him out.

InuYasha grunted as he landed hard on the broken cement. His head was pounding like a million bees were attacking his brain. He lifted his head slightly to see the Lexus drive away in a blurry fog before he dragged his body behind a dumpster and passed out.

-+-

“Wow, Kagome, are you excited?”

Kagome grinned over at the red headed boy. His blue eyes searched hers in child like curiosity. She helped pull his blanket up over his bed and tucked it under before moving over to help him clean his room. “More nervous than anything, Shippou. I'll be away from home a lot.”

The young preteen began to pick up his games and tossed them into a chest littered with stickers. “I'd be excited if I was in a band.”

Kagome ruffled his bangs. “What about the band we have here? You're their best drummer.”

Shippou grimaced. “It's not the same.”

Kagome sighed and smiled softly. The orphanage has had a band since she started one eight years ago. It wasn't much, just a means for music to teach and heal, but it was godsend for the youth that still remained at Shikon House. “I know what you mean, but it's a start, and you'll see it will be something amazing soon enough.”

“Kagome?”

Kagome lifted her head to see a beautiful red headed young woman lean her body around the doorframe. “What's up, Ayame?”

“Lady Kaede needs you downstairs.”

Kagome nodded. “Okay. Do you mind helping our little brother clean his room?”

Shippou's mouth tweaked slightly at the mention of little brother. Very few of the children of Shikon House were actual siblings, but Lady Kaede made it everyone's home. Everyone took care of the house and each other. After a time it was natural to call each other brother and sister. Shippou loved it. It made him feel like he was apart of a family again.

Ayame cringed at the state of the room. “Geez, Ship, you let a tornado in here?”

Shippou stuck his tongue out at his `older sister' and continued cleaning. “Lady Kaede said I couldn't practice until my room was clean, but it's not fair. Jim and Kohaku live in here too. They should help.”

“Ah, but if you look at their sides of the room, you see that they tidied up.” Kagome tossed a dirty green sock into the hamper by the door of the bedroom.

“They just hide the dirt better.” Shippou grouched.

Ayame gave Kagome a quick wink with an emerald eye before joining Shippou. “I'll help ya, squirt. We should be done before I have to help with supper.”

Kagome smiled as she headed out of the room into the hallway. She sidestepped several children as they ran past before heading down the stairs. “Kaede?”

“In here, child.”

Kagome followed the voice into the living room where a few young children were circled around an elderly lady who was sitting comfortably in a wicker chair. Kaede was nearing her seventies, but had the energy of a thirty year old. She had one eye covered by a black eye patch, damage done during the War, but the good eye sparkled with humor and love. She was just finishing reading to the children before she looked up at Kagome.

“I got a call from Hojo.”

Kagome crinkled her nose slightly at the tone Kaede gave. “And?”

Kaede grinned. “He said the contract will be held until you get back from the first competition. With the extra earnings you children helped raised, it bought the Shikon House a few more months.”

Kagome's face lit up like the sun. “Oh, Kaede! That's wonderful news, I knew God heard our prayers!”

Kaede chuckled. “You know very well God had listened to you. How could He deny you anything? As I am sure Hojo had a few strings pulled on your behalf.” The old woman looked at Kagome slyly.

Kagome flushed slightly. “Lady Kaede, you know Hojo is just a friend. We grew up together.”

“Aye, I know, I was there. I raised the both of you. Doesn't mean friendship couldn't be something more.” Kaede ushered the small children into the other room where the older children were studying.

“And I certainly don't want it to end as anything less.” Kagome sighed as she handed down coloring books and crayons to keep the smaller ones occupied.

“Love is something you should never be afraid of, child.”

“I'm not afraid.” Kagome blushed. “I'm just… waiting.”

“Such a romantic, Kagome.” Kaede smiled. “Think your knight in shining armor will come to save you?”

Kagome laughed. “I have nothing I need saving from. I'm happy here. This is my home and you are my family. No matter where I go, it's here I'll always come back to.”

Kaede sighed and hugged her tenderly. “Aye, Kagome. And we will always be here.”

Kagome embraced the old woman fiercely. “And I will make sure of it.”

Kaede let her go reluctantly. “Well, whether or not you run away with Hojo, he said he would try to get us in to see your first competition in Kyoto. So we will get to see you perform.”

Kagome smiled happily and picked up a tiny girl that was hugging her leg and spun her around in the small room, making the young girl giggle with delight. “This is fantastic. And with the earnings we will get from the War of the Bands, we are sure to keep the orphanage open for as long as we need.”

“Kagome.” Kaede sighed. “Aren't you being a little premature? You haven't won the first contest yet.”

Kagome placed the small girl down and grinned widely. “Lady Kaede, you have to hear them. They are phenomenal, and InuYasha is the most amazing singer. There is no way we can't make it.”

Kaede shook her head and smiled. “Never once had you ever thought the worst.” She laid her rough hand against Kagome's soft cheek. “Never lose that child.”

Kagome beamed at her surrogate mother and patted the children that had gripped her waist before shushing them away. She followed Kaede as they walked towards the kitchen.

“What did you say this band was called?” Kaede asked.

Kagome's grin faltered. “Um, Perdition.”

Kaede nodded her head slightly. “And just what sort of music do they play again?”

“Uh… rock music mostly, you know, my kind of music.” Kagome began to shuffle through the cupboards to begin making supper.

“What she means to say is that they play hard rock and heavy metal.” Ayame bounded into the room and kissed Kaede on the cheek. She smiled devilishly at Kagome before helping with supper.

Kagome dropped her jaw and fumed at Ayame behind Kaede's back. “I'm so going to get you.” She mouthed.

Ayame grinned like the Cheshire cat. “Oh come on, Kagome, it's a small house. You think we don't know what music you listen to? Every song you wrote was never soft.”

Kagome flushed slightly. “Well, it's not like I'm saying anything hurtful to others.”

“No, but you certainly are saying it loud enough so everyone can hear.” Ayame giggled and gave Kagome a quick hug.

Kaede cast a knowing look at the two girls. “Be it as it may, Kagome knows to be trustworthy and gentle, no matter how much her spirit wishes to gale.”

Kagome smiled softly, trying to change the subject. “Mind if we make an easy meal tonight? I have to be at rehearsal at six thirty.”

“What's with that smile?” Ayame winked. “Tell me, Kags, are the band members cute?”

The raven-haired girl flushed. “No! Well, they're okay.”

“Really? That hot, huh?”

“Oh, shush, the two of you, getting on like that when we have twenty mouths to feed.” Kaede scolded while trying to hide her smile. “Are there any blondes, Kagome? I like blondes.”

Both girls laughed as they readied supper.