InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Siren ❯ Chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

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

A/N: Gomen. I am so sorry for not getting this out earlier! Anyhoo, on with the fic!

Disclaimer: Me no own. You no sue. K?

The next morning she was again in the studio. She'd picked up an electric this time and was seated next to an amp, the volume so low that only she and, by virtue of his sense of hearing, Inuyasha were able to tell what she was doing. She had a beat-up manila folder in front of her and was alternately scribbling in it or glaring at it.

“Damnit,” she muttered, causing him to grin. “Chord still doesn't sound right.” She sighed deeply and mumbled something that was probably a violent curse. “Screw it,” turning a page, “next!”

Ignoring her as best he could, Inuyasha wandered around the room, mostly observing, occasionally helping various students when needed.

Glaring at the hanyou's back, Kagome scowled. He was damn lucky he hadn't come near her yet; she was running on a very short fuse and him assuming would only make her snap. Looking back down at her folder, she grimaced. This one had been waiting for months for her to put the music together.

Pouting, trying to figure out how to construct the music, and knowing that it would probably annoy Inuyasha, Kagome idly began to play the melody for The Rasmus's “Not Like the Other Girls.”

Recognizing the slow, waltz-time tune, Inuyasha shot her an amused `what-the-hell-are-you-doing?' look over his shoulder only to find her eyes closed and her swaying in time to the music. Intentionally coughing loud enough to startle her, he returned his attention to the red-headed sophomore in front of him, one ear turned back to listen for her reaction.

She abruptly stopped playing, her eyes shot open and then narrowed at him. “And just what the hell was that for?” she snarled under her breath, knowing he would hear. When he didn't answer she returned her attention to the paper in front of her.

“What was I on when I wrote you?” she asked the page hopelessly. “Oh, yeah. Apocalypse Now and Pepsi….”

Turning his laugh into a cough, Inuyasha meandered over towards her.

Feeling someone's breath hit the side of her face, Kagome jumped. Glancing over her shoulder, she glared at the hanyou, expecting to find an arrogant smirk, instead she found him slack-jawed and looking at her as if she belonged in a nuthouse.

“How far did you read?” she drawled. “Line two?”

“First four lines, actually,” he backed away from her slowly.

“You made it farther than Dad,” she smirked. “Ya wanna cookie for it?”

“No,” he smiled nervously. “Just the number to the nearest shrink.”

“Do you always assume things?”

“I didn't `assume' anything about that!” he said, indignant, pointing at the page. “ `Today I killed, He was just a boy, EIGHT before him, I knew them all'?!”

“Yeah, yeah,” she grinned maniacally. “ Read farther.”

“I'm kinda afraid to,” he ignored the snickers of the students behind him.

“Fine then,” she picked the page up. “'In the fields of dying oath, I killed them all to save my own, Cut me free, Bleed with me, Oh no, One by one, We will fall, Down down, Pull the plug, End the pain, Run and fight for life, Hold on tight, This ain't my fight.'”

He'd stopped the `you're-nuts-and-need-a-shrink-STAT' look and had a somewhat thoughtful expression on his face. “You have a tempo yet?”

“Kinda trying to work on that here,” she looked around. Evidently the discussion was more interesting than practice for the students.

“Scram would ya?” the hanyou muttered, glaring at the kids. “Feel like I'm a fuckin' zoo exhibit.” Getting the meaning, the students all made their way back to where they'd been working, whispering excitedly about the cussing sub.

Kagome smiled at him innocently, “But with very cute ears.”

“Very funny, wench,” he snatched the folder from the stand. Flipping through the pages, his golden eyes scanned the words. He stopped on one and smirked, an amused eyebrow arched. He waved the paper in front of her face, “Your Pop read this one too?”

Azure orbs followed the rapidly moving words. She tried to decipher the title. `Passion and the Opera' her mind finally told her. Flushing crimson, she grabbed the paper from his hand, giving a quick “Not yet,” in response to his question.

Still smirking, he remarked idly, “Behold, how like a maid she blushes here!”

He picked up her electric from where she'd leaned it against the stool and examined it for a moment. Noticing her glare, he reassured her, “I won't hurt your `Baby'.” Looking at the paper in her hands, he began to pick out the chords she'd written.

She watched as he went through various styles and tempos before settling on one he liked. It was harsh sounding and a bit fast and, surprisingly, it fit the way she'd planned to sing the lyrics.

When he started the section over again in his preferred style, Kagome started with the lyrics. Blushing slightly, she sang softly,

Princess of lust

Dignity put to dust

A virginal sight

Their apple to bite

Amber eyes gave her a questioning look when she chose to hum the next section rather than sing it. Still humming, her response was to point to a line and then to the students, who were all watching anyway.

The melody reached the refrain and she again sang.

An Aphrodite for mortal souls

Playing hide-and-seek in lecherous roles

Their erotic hour, my tearless weep

Their satisfaction, my infinite sleep

At the end of her hand written notes, Inuyasha stopped playing. He looked over at the woman beside him, “Don't do that one when Miroku's there and you should be fine.”

She nodded dazedly, then reached up to where her hair was held in a haphazard French Twist. Pulling out the pencil she'd used to hold it together, she allowed the raven waves to form a curtain around her face while she added to the notes she had.

While she wrote whatever the hell it was she was writing, Inuyasha used his hearing to tell him what the `class' was doing. “Michaels, retune the G-string,” he snapped out orders. “Garcia, pay attention to what you're doing, don't deaden the string. The three of you behind me, Riley, Quintero, Louma, stop twittering. This ain't a damn aviary.”

The three girls, who were the self-proclaimed matchmakers/geeks of the class, fell silent. Meryn, the one Inuyasha called Riley, began gesturing frantically. Karen and Julissa, Louma and Quintero respectively, watched her, trying to make sense of the movements.

Hearing cloth rustling behind him, Inuyasha turned around. The blond, Riley, was either having an epileptic fit or trying to signal her friends. Amused, he continued to watch as she proceeded to act more frustrated and frantic and her friends became more and more confused.

Kagome heard the hanyou's muted snickering and decided to find out what was so funny. Swiveling in her chair, she watched the scene. Meryn, who, admittedly, was quite odd, pointed at Inuyasha and in Kagome's vicinity, waved her hand in a circle, pointed to her own ear, then to her friends, before finally towards a corner of the room. She then repeated the process several times, moving faster each cycle.

Julissa gave Karen the `I-have-no-clue' look before turning back to the scene in front of her.

Spitting out a German phrase that made Kagome's eyes widen, Meryn walked over, grabbed her friends' arms and bodily dragged them to the corner she'd pointed at.

“She could've told 'em that,” Inuyasha muttered, shaking his head.

Kagome looked at him askance, saying softly, “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”

The bell rang before he could ask her what she meant by that. She hopped off the stool, snatched her guitar back, picked up her folder, gave him a salute/wave hybrid and was out the door.

Riley, Louma, and Quintero followed soon after, glancing at him for a second before Riley smirked evilly, tapping her fingers together as though plotting. Quintero and Louma traded glances before each grabbed one of Riley's elbows and hauled her out of the room. Quintero gave him a wave that was almost identical to Kagome's before closing the door to the studio.

Vowing to ask Kaede to make him an `Anti-female' charm later, Inuyasha shuddered. He was glad that this was a Prep period and he wouldn't have to deal with the creatures for at least an hour. Walking to the miniscule desk in the corner of the room, he flipped on his portable CD player. The small speakers soon filled the room with the sounds of Iced Earth.

Satisfied, Inuyasha sat down in the chair behind the desk, spinning in a circle, air-guitaring along with Schaffer. He never noticed the ebony haired woman peeking through the window and smothering laughter.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome sat in her Music Composition class, trying for the umpteenth time not to burst out laughing at the image in her head. What was it with men and `spinny chairs'? Anytime a man sat in one, they inevitably started spinning.

Well, so did she, but that was another story.

“So, who'd like to meet the orchestra and choir we'll be using?” Mr. Ochoa's voice asked excitedly.

The class simultaneously raised their hands.

“Then what are you waiting for?” Mr. Ochoa was bouncing on his toes. “Let's go!”

“Someone had their happy pills today,” grumbled Michael.

Kagome turned to him, smiling, and said, “Just wondering, but, when you sit in one of those chairs that spins, do you spin around? Or are you able to control that urge?”

He gave her an odd look, said, “ Never really thought about it,” and walked faster.

Grinning broadly, Kagome followed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hey, Kag,” the blue-eyed wolf gave a lopsided smile. “Where's your friend?”

“You scared him off,” Kagome said dryly.

“Really?” Kouga almost looked hopeful.

“No,” she smiled. “He's got a class right now.” She took a seat next to him, beaming. “So, whatcha got?”

“I have a couple of those bass-lines for you,” he waved the papers in front of her face.

“You're the second person to do that to me today,” Kagome remarked.

Kouga froze, “To do what?”

“To wave a paper in front of me. Normally it wouldn't bother me, but twice in one day is annoying.”

“He didn't mean anything by it,” Kagura chose that moment to walk up behind them and wrap her arms around her boyfriend's middle. “Did'ya babe?”

“'Course I didn't,” Kouga craned his neck to kiss his girlfriend gently.

Kagome turned away, partly to be polite, partly out of embarrassment, but mostly so her own lack of a significant other wouldn't be addressed.

“So…Kaggers…” count on Kagura to bring up that exact subject. “Where's that hunk of mancake you had with you last time?”

Kouga pouted at the idea that his girlfriend found another man attractive. Kagome furrowed her brow at the somewhat…odd…term.

“Class,” she explained for the second time. “Now, about those bass-lines?”

“Right,” Kouga snapped his attention from the wind demoness. “I've got `Sacrament', `Stargazers', and `Kinslayer'.”

Kagome hugged him impulsively, ignoring Kagura's feigned indignant squawk. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she gushed.

“You're welcome,” Kouga hugged her back slightly. “Now,” he pulled away. “What the hell is going through your head sometimes?”

“What times?” Kagome tried desperately to look completely innocent.

“'Kinslayer',” he said bluntly.

“Uh,” she looked to Kagura for help.

“No,” the wind demoness smirked. “I wanna hear this.”

“Well, I was kinda angry,” Kagome trailed off, hoping he would leave it at that.

“About?” evidently he wasn't going to.

“Look,” she spoke in a rush. “I'll explain it all when I `debut' it at the show tonight. Ok?”

Kouga quirked an eyebrow at her, “Alright. I'll let you off for now. But you'd better explain it.”

Kagome flashed him a relieved smile, “Don't worry. I will.”

She held out her hand, “Tapes? Or did you want to keep the crap-tastic things?”

Kagura shook her head before pulling the tapes out of her boyfriend's bag. “Nah, we'll just come see the real thing.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Father?” the stoic voice rang throughout the room. “Are you in here?”

“In the back!” the history professor called to his son.

“I need your opinion on something,” Sesshomaru walked back towards the voice.

“Opinion on what?” Inutaisho tried to keep the surprise out of his voice. His eldest son very rarely asked for anyone's opinion on anything.

“There is an,” he paused for a moment, “artist I was thinking of signing.”

“Well?” he shrugged. “Why would you need my opinion on that?”

“She isn't exactly the usual style of performer the label would sign,” the younger inu-youkai trailed off.

“What do you want me to do?”

“I believe she is performing again tonight,” his son stated calmly. “Perhaps you could observe and tell me what you think I should do.”

Inutaisho didn't respond. There was no need to; his son had already left the room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Please, Kagome?” the doe-eyes pleaded desperately. “I'll never ask for anything, ever, again!”

“That's exactly what you said last time,” cerulean eyes narrowed in response. “I'm not falling for it this time.”

That pout was not going to affect her. Nope. Not at all… “Fine,” she sighed. “I'll do it.”

Storming off to table two, Kagome fixed a smile to her face. “Welcome back!” she greeted cheerily. “What can I get for you?”

“Hello, Kagome,” the history professor greeted kindly. “I can't speak for them, but I'd rather like a scotch.”

“Let me guess,” Kagome smiled wider. “On the rocks?”

He nodded.

“And for you three?” she turned her attention to the other occupants of the table. “Two beers and a Mai Tai?”

“I'm wounded,” came the remark from the violet-eyed lech.

“Not as much as you will be if you do anything perverted,” she shot back.

Inuyasha hid a smirk.

“What about you?” she looked to the hanyou. “Fries? Or should I make a pre-emptive strike against Armageddon and bring out some Ramen?”

“Cheeky little wench, aren't you?” He quirked an eyebrow in her direction. With a glint in his eye, he mouthed, `Passion and the Opera?'.

“One scotch, three beers, and a jumbo portion of salty noodles coming right up,” headed for the bar, but not before mouthing back, `Spinny chair?'.

Thoroughly confused, Inuyasha decided that his brother might have some interesting topics up his sleeve.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Kagome!” Kikyou seemed worried. “What's wrong?”

“Table eight is driving me nuts,” Kagome answered bluntly.

“What are they doing?” the elder woman sighed.

“They have a three-year old that's running rampant, I've nearly tripped over him twice already, a baby who I can tell is upset but the mother makes no attempt to even check, and the husband is a worse pervert than that Miroku guy!” the raven-haired woman finished loading her tray and began to walk towards the table. “Honestly if he stares at my chest again, I'll zap him! I don't care if mikos aren't supposed to harm anyone; he's really pissing me off.”

“You aren't the only one he's pissing off,” Kikyou muttered. She could swear that the hanyou at table two growled every time Kagome went to the other table.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Pasting her smile back on, Kagome headed back to table two. “Alright,” she began to pass out drinks. “Your scotch, three beers, and an order of ramen. Anything else?”

She looked up, only to find that Inuyasha was giving her an odd look, while Miroku was snickering behind his hand at his friend. “Alright, what is it? Did I get ketchup on my face? What?”

“You don't smell,” the hanyou stated bluntly.

Kagome opened her mouth to ask what the hell that was supposed to mean, when a shout of “Waitress!” came from table eight.

Resisting the urge to cover her face with her tray and run back to the kitchen, Kagome walked over to the table. She again had to narrowly avoid tripping over the three-year-old. “Yes sir,” she forced a smile. “Can I help you?”

“We're sorry to bother you,” the woman sounded genuinely regretful. “But my husband wanted to know-“

“When the hell will our food be ready?” the man broke in.

“Sir,” Kagome moved the tray to cover her chest. “It takes time for the cooks to process the order and make the food. You ordered five minutes ago.”

“I know when we ordered,” the man sneered. “I didn't ask for excuses.”

Kagome was about to respond when the baby began to wail.

“Would you shut her up?!” the man snarled at his wife.

Bouncing the baby on her knee, the wife responded, “I'm trying, Jeremy. I told you she doesn't like to be stuck in that carrier with nothing to do.”

“And I told you, Sharyl,” Jeremy retorted. “To find a fucking baby-sitter.”

Taking pity on the woman, Kagome said quietly, “Maybe I can help.”

“You don't have to,” Sharyl said hurriedly. “ She'll calm down in a moment, she's just terribly bored.”

“No,” the waitress shook her head. “It's the least I can do, I might be able to get her to sleep for a bit.”

“Forget it, woman,” the husband snorted. “Stupid kid won't shut up for anything.”

“Could you put her back in the carrier for a moment?” Kagome ignored him.

The tow-headed woman complied and Kagome knelt in front of the child. Summoning two small balls of power, one bright pink, the other pale blue, she held them in her hand for a moment, showing them to the child.

The wailing stopped. Young hazel eyes watched as the two objects began to spin slowly. They then began to revolve around each other, bouncing slightly, keeping the baby's attention. The small show went on for about a minute and a half before the child's eyelids began to droop.

When the baby was sleeping soundly, Kagome stood, retrieved her tray from where she'd placed it on the table, and murmured, “I'll go check on your food,” before walking toward the kitchen.

“Kagome!” Sango said as she entered the kitchen. “What was that at table eight?”

“It was nothing, Sango. Don't worry.”

“Nothing my ass!” Sango snapped. “You're shaking.”

“The guy just gives me the creeps,” Kagome smiled nervously. “That's all.”

“You're going to explain everything to me later,” Sango's tone left no room for argument as she marched out the door.

Steadying herself, Kagome questioned Tiff, the cook for the evening, “That order for table eight? They want to know about how much longer it'll be.”

“I'm starting on it right now.”

“Thanks,” Kagome smiled and went to check on her customers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I don't care what it is,” Inuyasha muttered. “It's damn weird.”

“There must be a reason for it,” Sesshomaru tried to appease.

Something clicked in the hanyou's mind. “Miroku, you said there was a contest to find her identity right?”

“Yep, “ the thoroughly disinterested human answered.

“That's why, then,” Inutaisho said, obviously having reached the same conclusion as his son.

“Five minute warning,” Miroku murmured, watching the tall brunette waitress walk towards a door off to the right of the stage.

“Wolf warning,” Inuyasha muttered, glaring halfheartedly at the door.

Kouga and Kagura had just walked in. Smirking, Kouga found a two seater near Inuyasha's group and loped over towards it.

“Nice to see you again,” Kouga snickered.

“Wish I could say the same,” Inuyasha mumbled.

“Kouga, Kagura,” Inutaisho greeted. “What brings you here?”

“The entertainment,” Kouga smiled. “How ya doin', old man?”

Kagura swatted Kouga's chest for that last comment. “Be nice,” she hissed.

“Guys,” Miroku broke in, “Showtime.”

~*~*~*~*~*~

“Well,” Kagome fidgeted nervously in the robe. “I was simply going to launch into a song, but a dear friend of mine asked me to explain this one.”

She paused; under the shield of the hood she looked straight at Kouga, who was relaxed in his chair, his eyes watching her. “Several years ago, in Colorado, two young boys made a decision. One day in April, they took guns into their high school. We know this incident now as `Columbine'.

“Several weeks after, once I at least had recovered from shock, I sat down with my notebook and wrote out what I felt about it. Later, it turned into another song.

“I have never performed this one before now, along with two others that you will hear tonight. This is simply titled `The Kinslayer'.”

She stepped back and, raising her hands, began the synth-laden intro. Once the synth had finished it's run, the guitar took over playing a short, melodic riff.

For whom the gun tolls

For whom the prey weeps

Bow before a war

Call it religion

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. The words didn't surprise him so much as the way she was singing. Her voice was below her normal range.

Back in her normal register, Kagome continued.

Some wounds never heal

Some tears never will

Dry for the unkind

Cry for mankind

A four note run on the synth later and she was back in the lower key. Inutaisho smiled, quickly forming the same opinion of the girl as his two sons did.

Even the dead cry

Their only comfort

Kill your friend, I don't care

Orchid kids, blinded stare

Kagura tried not to stare dumbly. Kouga had told her that this song was darker than Kagome's normal fare, he hadn't mentioned how, though.

Bouncing back to her normal key, Kagome finished out the last section before the break.

Need to understand

No need to forgive

No truth, no sense left to be followed

A long synth and guitar driven break followed. Kagome created an image in her mind. That little power ball trick earlier had been small fry compared to what this was going to be.

Towards the end of the run, certain members in the audience noticed a shadow beginning to form on the makeshift stage. By the end of the break, many would have sworn that it was human, excepting that it was translucent.

The figure easily towered over the small woman. Large and muscular, he took up most of the spotlight, and what he didn't take up, his somewhat menacing aura claimed.

Kagome had turned slightly to face the figure and, satisfied with it, continued on.

Facing this unbearable fear, like meeting an old friend

The figure responded with a mocking exhalation and a sneered sentence.

Time to die, poor mates, you made me what I am

Kagome's voice turned slightly pleading.

In this world of a million religions, everyone prays the same way

Sesshomaru tilted his head. The sentences weren't randomly scripted. They had been taken directly from the event.

Your praying is in vain; it'll all be over soon

The figure's somewhat maniacal laughter was balanced by the instruments, making it difficult to hear.

Knowing that the drama was more important than the illusion of playing the instruments in this instance, Kagome pulled her hands to her chest, tilting her face slightly to the ceiling, before holding her arms out, palms up, in a gesture of begging.

Father help me! Save me a place by your side

The figure cut off her last sentence sharply, seeming to bear down on her.

There is no god! Our creed is but for ourselves,

Not a hero, unless you die,

Our species eat the wounded ones

She returned the favor of cutting him off, a slight sneer curling her lip, derision seeping into her voice.

Drunk with the blood of your victims

I do feel your pity-wanting pain

Lust for fame a deadly game

His voice seemed insane and desperate as he cried out.

Run away! With your impeccable kin

Raising one hand toward the figure's face, Kagome spoke one sentence before a flick of her wrist banished him.

…Good wombs hath borne bad sons…

The ensuing lyrics sounded very bitter; a harsh, chant-like rhythm, the melody.

Cursing, God, why

Falling for every lie

Survivor's guilt

In us forever more

A new candle appearing at each syllable accented the next stanza.

Fifteen candles

Redeemers of this world

Dwell in hypocrisy

The lit candles formed an odd triangle. They weren't arranged by color, the nine blue and four pink interspersed, the two black on the ends of the base.

How were we supposed to know?

As the final note sounded, all of the candles immediately vanished. This time, the audience was the one to initiate the applause.

Sesshomaru exchanged glances with his father, who gave him a very enthusiastic, for him anyway, nod.

The next song was Stargazers, a synth-heavy track with lyrics that lent themselves to imagery.

A grand oasis in the vastness of gloom,

Child of dew-spangled cobweb

Mother to the moon

Constellations beholdens of the 3rd vagrant

Theatre for the play of life

The chorus was slightly more operatic than most of her songs but worked well. Kouga smiled, this was the type of song he was used to Kagome singing. No huge hidden meaning, just a small trip away from reality.

Soon she was back in that lower range, a coy smile on her face.

Oracle of the Delphian Domine

Witness to Adam's frailty

Seer of the master prophecy

The stellar world her betrothed

`Mission: Get Together initiated,' Kagome mentally sighed. She'd been watching Sango and Miroku under the cover of the hood. Sango would glance at Miroku then quickly look away when he'd glance back.

Sango could swear up and down that she hated the lecher, but she definitely couldn't hide the slight blush that appeared when he caught her looking at him.

As soon as she was sure that Kikyou and Naraku were alright, Kagome was going to get these two together if it was the last thing she did. She closed out the song and gestured for Sango to bring up `The Box'.

“Question and Answer time,” she quipped tiredly.

Sango opened the box and Kagome looked at her. Making sure her voice wouldn't carry, she sang lowly while pulling out a slip, “You like him, You think he's gorgeous, You want to date him…”

“Shaddup,” Sango hissed, crimson, before stalking off the stage.

“Wonder what she's grinning about now,” Kagura muttered.

“Hoo, boy…” Kagome whistled to herself. She held the slip out between two fingers. “I demand a do-over.”

Sango snorted before heading back up. She held the box firmly under one arm and snatched the slip from her friend.

“It says,” Sango announced, ignoring the fact that Kagome had put her head in her hands and was whining piteously. “ `Are you still a virgin? If so, would you like not to be?' ”

Most of the club cracked up. Kagome's weak, “No comment,” brought even more laughter.

Sango smiled smugly, and flounced off the stage. “I will kill you for that,” Kagome muttered behind her.

“Now that I've been mortified enough to last me a lifetime,” she addressed the crowd, drawing several chuckles from the men and sympathetic smiles from the women. “What say we continue?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“You are evil and should die a thousand deaths for that.”

“You really think so?” the mock flattered voice was answered with a slight snarl.

“I can't believe you did that!”

“I could say the same for you, y'know,” Sango pointed out. “Miss Congeniality was not very nice.”

“But oh-so-true,” Kagome grinned broadly when Sango sputtered in response.

“So, what was that at table eight?”

“Guy just gives me a really bad feeling,” Kagome sighed. “That's all.”

“Now, as accurate as your instincts are, you were shaking. What the hell happened?”

“Do you remember anything from when you were a baby?”

The question caught Sango off-guard. “N-no.”

“Babies don't have the memory of a goldfish,” Kagome was beginning to fold the robe. “Memories that bother them come to the forefront when they're upset or something strikes a chord.”

Sango watched her silently; her hands were beginning to tremble again.

“If you have a strong enough connection with them, even for an instant, you can see some of what troubles them,” she gave up on the robe and sat heavily in the chair. “It was kinda how I knew what was bothering Souta when he was little.”

“So, what was bothering the kid,” Sango prodded gently.

“Nothing really, she just wanted to be held, paid attention to,” Kagome smiled softly, then it disappeared. “Then the father started to take it out on her mother. That's what upset her. I think…No…I'm pretty sure he's emotionally abusive.”

“Little one calmed down pretty quick for something like that,” Sango's eyes narrowed slightly.

“I-I,” Kagome faltered, looking around guiltily. “I distracted her.”

“You did it again, didn't you?”

Kagome sighed. “She's too young to have so many memories of things like that.”

“You know damn well that for her it's only temporary!” Sango snapped. “You've gotta quit doing this, Kag. You aren't helping yourself.”

Kagome stayed silent. Sango was right. It was only temporary for the child. Within two weeks she'd remember everything again.

Sango took a deep breath. “Finish your shift. Go home. I'll close,” she walked out of the room.

Kagome waited a couple of minutes before following. She knew Sango wasn't mad at her, simply worried.

She passed Kikyou, who gave her a soft smile and an `They'll be alright.' Kagome smiled back, gratefully, and moved to check on the tables.

Table two didn't need anything, according to them, Kouga and Kagura just wanted a soda, and table eight wanted the check.

After the family had left, Kagome quickly cleared the table. She slipped the small tip the husband had left into a pocket.

`Asshole,' she thought bitterly as she picked up the plates. Underneath the three-year-old's plate was a note, folded around a fifty-dollar bill. The note simply said, `I'm sorry.'

Kagome bit her lip. How in the world did someone like Sharyl end up with that ass?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“No. No, please! Please,” Kagome begged. “Start?”

The car stubbornly refused.

“Augh!” the steering wheel received a rather vicious pounding. “Whatever gods I've pissed off, I'm sorry ok? What ever it is I've done, I'll never do it again. Just, please, start!”

“Do you always talk to the air?” Yep, there was a smirk hidden in there.

“Oh, thank god, it's you!” the immense relief in her voice spawned raised eyebrows, and not only from the hanyou.

“Something you'd like to share with the class, Inuyasha?” the violet eyed lech grinned broadly.

“You need a ride?” the only acknowledgement his friend's comment received was an ear-flick.

“Are you serious?” the glimmer of hope in her voice brought smiles to the faces of the men.

In response, Miroku opened the passenger side door, stepped out of the SUV, and waved her into the car.

Kagome smiled brilliantly, grabbed her purse and ever-present satchel, locked up her car, and nearly bounded into the SUV. “Thank you so much,” she gushed. “I thought I was going to have to walk home.”

“It's no problem at all,” Miroku soothed from the second row of seats.

Inuyasha caught movement out of the corner of his eye and turned to glare at the man. “Hands off.”

Had Miroku not caught the slight growl, he would have responded with his usual “Who? Me?” act. However, Miroku was very observant, and so he responded, “Claimed her already, eh?” His usual grin widened when Inuyasha reached to turn on the CD player rather than answer.

I like big butts and I cannot lie

You other brothers can't deny

Inuyasha let out a howl of frustration, ears pinned firmly to his head.

“Do you mind?” Kagome queried, holding a CD carrier.

“Anything's better than this,” the hanyou grumbled while Sir Mix-a-Lot continued his `rapping'

Kagome quickly ejected the disc. Sparing a glance at the top of it, she asked, “POI Mix?”

“Piss Off Inuyasha mix,” came the tight response while Miroku snickered.

She glanced around the seat and quirked an eyebrow at the dark-haired man,” I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you have a death wish.”

“No,” Inuyasha muttered. “He just likes to see how far he can push me.”

“Ah,” Kagome nodded sagely as she placed a disc in the player and quickly skipped the first track. “Reminds me of White Noise,” she explained.

When the second track started, Inuyasha glanced at her, “'Epica'?”

She nodded.

“They sound European,” Miroku observed.

“Well,” Kagome started. “ Roy Khan is Norwegian.”

“But the group formed in Florida,” Inuyasha finished.

“Good metal?” Miroku sounded stunned. “From America?”

“Iced Earth,” the two in the front seat answered simultaneously.

“Pantera,” Inuyasha added.

“Cradle of Filth,” Kagome's addition earned her more raised eyebrows.

“What? I can't like death metal?”

“It's…” Miroku faltered. “Surprising is all.”

“Eh,” Kagome waved a hand dismissively. “Dimmu Borgir kicks their ass anyway.”

“Now you're scaring me,” Inuyasha eyed her suspiciously.

“It's a well known fact that Scandinavian rock is often better than its American counterpart,” she defended. “Dimmu Borgir, Sinergy, Theatre of Tragedy,” she rattled off a few groups. “Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, Tristania.”

“I can see why you two get along,” Miroku observed.

“You'll want to exit in a moment,” Kagome pointed out.

Inuyasha nodded and quickly changed lanes.

A low, tango-like rhythm filled the car.

“You bastard!” Kagome gaped at the dash. “It's on random?!”

Inuyasha shrugged, “It's always on random.”

“You can't put `Epica' on random! It messes up the storyline!”

Miroku raised an eyebrow when the hanyou simply sighed and turned the random feature off.

“Better?”

“Much,” she beamed. “Thank you.”

Inuyasha merely grunted in response before starting to sing along.

Love means nothing to me

If there is a higher place to be

His voice was deeper than Khan's. Then again, most everyone's voice was deeper than Khan's.

Kagome leaned against the door and continued to give directions. Inuyasha would nod and continue singing. Miroku watched the two, amused.

Helena, don't you cry

Believe me, I do this for you

Heed my decision now

I will be gone tomorrow noon

There, that was more like it. The darker, almost threatening tone suited the hanyou's voice infinitely better.

My tale has just begun

Nothing can take my faith away

In my quest for the sun

The chorus came around again and Miroku joined in.

Don't ask why

Don't be sad

Sometimes we all must alter paths we planned

Only try, understand

I want to save you from the lost and damned

Kagome watched, amused, as Inuyasha nearly began headbanging and Miroku used her seat as his personal drumset.

Miroku stopped singing halfway through the final chorus to concentrate on his `air-drumming'. Surprisingly, he was pretty accurate.

Inuyasha closed out the song on his own.

Leave me behind

Don't look back

`Cause deep within you know I'm lost and damned

Kagome applauded, smirking, when the song ended. Still resting her head against her window, she closed her eyes.

`Helena's Theme' began and, softly, she sang along.

I remember a song

From long ago

Some of the pieces

Miroku smiled. He'd guessed correctly. The accent was gone, but it was the same voice.

They remind me of you

How could I know

You were to leave me?

Inuyasha glanced over at her. She was half asleep. Fortunately, she'd already told him what street to turn at and that her home was the third on the right.

Sub-consciously, Kagome switched to her upper range, following the singer and surprising Miroku.

I thought that I

I was that melody

Oh, so wrong

I'm but a whisper tonight

Drifting off, Kagome managed to sing the last stanza.

And if this is goodbye

I will leave

But I'll love you until the end

The Town Crier was just beginning his announcement when they pulled into the drive.

Reluctant to wake the raven-haired woman, Inuyasha looked for the easiest way to lift her. Miroku noticed and said quietly, “If you can get her, I can carry her things.”

Carefully removing her seatbelt, Inuyasha shifted the sleeping Kagome from the window. He was relieved when she didn't even stir. Leaning over, he lifted her gently and moved her into his lap. He then turned her so that her side rested against his chest. Then he slid out of the vehicle.

As soon as Kagome was out of her seat, Miroku moved to gather her things. He replaced the CD in her carrier, put the carrier in her satchel, and hefted the bag.

“What does she keep in this thing?” he asked aloud. “Bricks?”

“Just get up here, will ya?” despite the added strength that comes from demon blood, Inuyasha couldn't figure out a way to knock and hold Kagome that wouldn't result in dropping her.

Miroku scrambled half-heartedly to the door. He knocked, then readjusted the bag. “I really wonder what she's got in this bag,” he said idly.

“If I know my daughter, too much,” a slightly accented voice answered from the doorway.

Inuyasha stopped glaring at Miroku and turned to the man just inside the door.

The man looked to be about 6'0” tall, lanky. His brown hair was mussed and his clear blue eyes held a hint of mischief. There was also an air of sadness around him that reminded Inuyasha of his own father after the death of Inuyasha's mother.

When Kagome's father caught sight of the girl Inuyasha was holding protectively, Miroku saw his eyes soften and a gentle smile tug at his lips.

Miroku exchanged glances with the hanyou. Both were quickly reevaluating their opinion of this man.

Tony stepped aside to allow them in. He noticed sadly that the silver-haired young man with the dog ears hesitated before scampering in with his head down and ears back, like a pup expecting to be hit. He closed the door behind the two.

The dark-haired one seemed calm, surprised, but calm. The other seemed anxious, as though expecting to be run off at any moment.

“I do hope you'll forgive Inuyasha's impatience,” the dark-haired man smiled serenely. “He means no disrespect, it is only-“

“You actually trust me in your home?” he seemed genuinely surprised. “Usually it's `unhand my daughter you monster'.”

Tony gestured to the still sleeping Kagome, “She trusts you. She feels safe with you. I trust her judgment.”

“Oh.”

Tony smiled gently, “Her room's at the end of the hall.”

Confidence regained, the young man nodded and moved off.

Tony turned to the dark-haired one, “Do you want anything?”

The man shook his head. “You really do trust your daughter's judgment,” he said wonderingly. “By the way, how do you know she feels safe with him?”

“I'm assuming her car died?” at the young man's nod, he continued. “If she didn't feel safe, she would never have accepted a ride, much less fallen asleep. Also, I didn't want to fight the grip she had on your friend's, Inuyasha was it, shirt.”

The man chuckled and held out a hand, “Miroku Shizukesu.”

Tony grasped it, “Tony Vuorinen.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Her room was a deep, calm set of blues. Well, what could be seen of it was anyway.

Papers covered the walls, taped and thumb tacked into place. Her acoustic rested on a stand near a wall. Notebooks and folders were scattered across a desk. A bookshelf took up most of a wall, filled to overflowing with more books stacked nearby.

Inuyasha moved to the bed in the corner. Laying the sleeping woman down gently, he tried to stand.

Taking a wild leap of logic and deciding that it might be better if she didn't have a death grip on his shirt, Inuyasha tried to coax her into letting go.

“C'mon already,” he muttered. “I ain't a damn teddy bear.”

He glanced around, eyes scanning the walls. He stopped on one page.

“These scars start longing for your touch

This bitter ocean of hatred and pain

This loneliness I feel to be who I am

The oceans are as alone as I

Somebody take away this gift of mine…”

As if at last sensing that she was in a bed, Kagome rolled over, releasing his shirt.

“Finally!” Inuyasha sighed and stood.

He walked out of the room, and, murmuring a quick `Night', closed the door behind him.