InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Siren ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

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

�Nazo Records is prepared to offer a deal. Unfortunately, no one, other than myself, knows to whom.�

�As their contact,� Miroku took over, only to be cut off by Inuyasha.

�You mean as my brother�s �go-fer�,� he snorted.

�Semantics,� the dark-haired lech smiled. �We are supposed to ask formally if �The Siren� would be interested in a contract.�

*WHAP* This time it was Kagome at the receiving end of Sango�s temper.

�You told them?!�

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Comedy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.02.2005 | Updated On: 12.24.2007 | Pages: 19 | Words: 14.0K | Visits: 771 | Status: Completed

Disclaimer:Don't own Inu. Anything Kag has written belongs to Tuomas Holopainen.The line `You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd' belongs to Roger Miller.The Diva Dance belongs to Eric Serra and is completely brilliant. Renée Fleming, Carly Simon, and Stevie Nicks belong to themselves. Don't own `One Week' by the Barenaked Ladies either.

A/n:Eh, I took forever.No excuse. Sango and Kag's fight was a blast to write….Even though it's tiny…The Inu and Miroku making fun of Sess came out of nowhere, but was still amusing.And the bickering between Kag and Inu is back.Also, anybody want to beta?My beta is boycotting me at the moment….

Despite the early hour, the small, private dojo was already busy. Two fighters engaged in a playful yet dangerous dance in the center of the floor. The smaller of the two usually taking the defensive, flipping and spinning out of the way, while the larger tried again and again to bring the other down. Destroying the air of danger and drama was the small chat the two were having.

Kagome dodged a roundhouse kick. “San, you aren't helping.”

Sango lashed an arm out at the other's side. Blocked. “All I'm saying is,” backhand swipe, sidestep. “Your dad seems to like him,” sweep kick, back-handspring. “Kouga wasn't out to kill him,” annoyed growl complete with drawn katana. “You fell asleep in his car,” sais drawn in response. “And he didn't try anything!”

Kagome twirled the small three-pronged daggers in her hands. “Next you'll tell me to date him,” she muttered, raising the weapons to block the overhead strike.

“I never said anything about dating him,” side kick, slight growl.

“That wasn't fair, San,” the sais were again flipped, this time into an offensive position. The sai in her right hand was inverted, the blade angled back at her, reaching slightly past her elbow, the sai in her left was held with the blade out. Her right arm was arched above her head, her left was at her side, elbow at a ninety degree angle outward.

Sango grinned, “Ooh, I've pissed you off now, eh?”

Her answer came in the form of a forward swipe. Sango blocked it with the katana, only to have to dodge another strike, this one downward. While she dodged, Sango felt, rather than saw, her katana become trapped in the prongs of the first sai. A quick twist and she was effectively disarmed.

“Now that wasn't fair,” Sango pouted. “I went easy on you!”

“Remind me never, ever, to piss either of you off,” the amused male voice came from the side.

“Hey, Kouga,” Sango smiled warmly. “Long time, no see. How are you?”

“Fine,” Kouga grinned. “What the hell are you two doing fighting this early in the morning anyway?”

“She,” Sango pointed to Kagome, who was standing off to the side, going through a series of defenses, “wanted to talk, and I needed to wake up. So here we are.”

“And what was this little talk about?” he turned to Kagome expectantly. The woman didn't answer.

She did, however, continue her sequence with perhaps more gusto than needed.

“Oh, nothing,” Sango had a slight smirk on her face.

“Right,” Kouga narrowed his eyes slightly. “Kago, you're telling me everything at lunch.”

The only response he received was a barely perceptible nod.

Kouga smiled and shook his head. Turning back to Sango, he said, “Well, I'm gonna go find your old man. See ya later.”

Kagome stopped moving about five seconds after the door closed. “So, what do I do?”

Sango smiled gently, “Tell him. He'll probably understand.”

“And if he doesn't?”

“Then I'll beat the shit out of him until he does.”

Kagome smiled, “You're coming with me.”

“Wouldn't miss it.”

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

“You know,” his back remained turned. “Knocking is generally an accepted form of announcing your presence.”

Kagome sighed dramatically. “Curse you and your hearing.”

He snorted in response.

“Do you spend every Prep like this?” she cocked her head to the side, awaiting his answer.

“No.”

“Sango! My darling!”

*SLAP* “Pervert,” was Sango's answer.

“Oi! Lech!” Inuyasha snapped. “Over here where I can see you.”

“Yes, Master,” violet eyes sparkled with mischief. “Would you like fries with that Master?”

His comment was ignored.

“We need to talk,” two voices sounded.

“Step into my office,” a cheeky grin and waved hand accompanied the words.

A shocked gasp escaped her lips, “But, are you sure there's room enough for me and your ego?”

Sango smiled. This was going well so far. No injuries.

Well…

“I swear, if you don't move that hand, I'm going to remove it.”

“I'm sorry, my dear. It has a mind of its own.”

“Save it.”

“I give them two months,” Kagome observed wryly.

“Feh, more like six,” Inuyasha snorted. “And that's if she doesn't kill him first.”

“Kill him, no.”

“Pervert!” *SMACK*

“Maim him, most likely,” Kagome amended.

“You wanted to talk?” Inuyasha prodded.

“Yeah,” she sat on the desk, facing him. “Look, I'm sorry I flipped out on you. You had every right to be concerned. But really, there's nothing to worry-“

“I know.”

“You what?”

“I know,” he grinned broadly. “Talked with your dad. He told me everything.”

Her eyes narrowed, “Oh, did he now?”

“Well, almost everything,” he cocked his head. “What's up with the long sleeves, anyway?”

“So,” she quickly changed the subject. “That's what you wanted to tell me?”

“No, it's not,” he quirked an eyebrow at her. “And don't think I didn't notice that.”

“Notice what?” Kagome feigned innocence.

He studied her for a moment before deciding to let it slide. “Anyway. Miroku, get over here.”

He pointed towards Sango. “Manager?”

Kagome nodded, confused.

“You too,” Inuyasha waved the brunette over. “Get over here.”

Sango fixed him with a skeptical stare before moving to stand by Kagome.

“Now, on to business,” he leaned back in his chair, a self-satisfied smirk on his face. “Nazo Records is prepared to offer a deal. Unfortunately, no one, other than myself, knows to whom.”

“As their contact,” Miroku took over, only to be cut off by Inuyasha.

“You mean as my brother's `go-fer',” he snorted.

“Semantics,” the dark-haired lech smiled. “We are supposed to ask formally if `The Siren' would be interested in a contract.”

*WHAP* This time it was Kagome at the receiving end of Sango's temper.

“You told them?!”

“They figured it out!” Kagome defended, rubbing the back of her head.

“Oh. Sorry then.”

“No problem.”

“Ladies,” Miroku seemed calm as ever. “Sesshomaru will have our heads if we don't get an answer.”

“When can we meet with Sesshomaru?” Sango was confident.

Kagome, on the other hand, wasn't so sure, “San, music?”

“Crap.”

“Exactly.”

“What's the problem?” Miroku looked between the two.

“Well,” Sango looked slightly sheepish.

Kagome sighed. “Name one of `The Siren's songs,” she ordered.

“Wishmaster,” he shook his head, confused. “Why?”

“Section?”

“Uh,” he blinked several times. “Second verse?”

“Very well,” Kagome raised her hands.

A quick chord progression sounded. Her wrist dropped and a tempo began.

“Oh Silvara

Oh Starbreeze”

As she held the note, the synth joined the mix. The next section was sung quickly, her peculiar way of saying `realms' bringing a slight smirk to Miroku's face.

“Sla-Mori the one known only by him

To august realms, the sorcery within

When you hear the call of arcane lore

Your world shall rest on earth no more”

The impromptu concert ended when she dropped her hands.

“Need I say more?”

“Show-off,” Sango muttered good-naturedly.

Miroku exchanged glances with Inuyasha, who currently looked mildly annoyed. “Would you mind `playing' the first guitar break?”

Kagome arched an eyebrow, but complied. A fast, seemingly Irish-influenced riff filled the room.

Inuyasha watched her left hand, making note of the chord progression. When she finished, he stood, grabbed his guitar case, and moved towards an amp.

“Would someone care to explain to me the point of all this?” Sango asked, fixing a glare on Miroku.

The sound of another guitar answered her. A quick riff, almost the twin of the other, began.

Sango turned to the sound. Inuyasha had taken out his own guitar and was mimicking the melody Kagome had played.

“Show-off,” Miroku echoed Sango's earlier sentiment.

“Alright,” Sango conceded. “That takes care of guitars. But we need more than that…”

Kagome turned to Miroku, a slight grin on her face, “You're a drummer, aren't you?”

“Guilty as charged.”

“Style?”

“Double-kick bass.”

Kagome's grin turned full-fledged, “I could hug you right now.”

“I wouldn't recommend it,” Inuyasha rejoined the group. “Now, get the hell outta my room. I have a class coming in.”

“Meeting?” Sango reminded.

He half-sighed/half-growled. “Tomorrow, noon, diner across from the museum?”

“Done.”

“Good,” he smiled. Then turned serious. “Now. Out.”

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

“You are aware-“

“That you're supposed to meet Rin here in thirty minutes,” Inuyasha finished. “I know.”

“Here they come,” Miroku announced.

Sango reached the table first. Holding a hand out to Sesshomaru, she said, “Sango Shinsetsu.”

Somewhat surprised, Sesshomaru shook the woman's hand, “Sesshomaru Mamoru,” he ignored his half-brother's snicker. “And your client is?”

“Right here,” Kagome stepped out from behind Sango.

Sesshomaru hesitated, surprised again. Inuyasha and Miroku high-fived behind him.

Recovering quickly, the youkai opened his briefcase. “Let's begin, shall we?”

He removed a manila folder and opened it. Placing several pages in front of the now seated women, he spoke, “We are willing to offer a two album `trial' contract. You will be given free reign artistically, with the stipulation that each album contain at least ten tracks. There is no timetable currently set for recording and release.

“Shortly before the release of the first album, there will be a small tour. This will both promote the album and test audience response.

“The contract may be extended at any time, but may not be terminated before fulfilled.”

Not looking up from the pages, Kagome asked, “And how many singles would the company be expecting to be released from each album?”

“As many as you would wish. At least one per album. If feasible, there would be one video per album as well. Now, if you'd excuse me,” he rose fluidly and moved to the front of the diner.

“It seems safe enough,” Sango announced. “The only thing I'm not sure of is this `tour' bit. Who'd buy tickets to see an artist they've never heard of?”

“We'd probably be opening for another artist,” Kagome shrugged. “I wouldn't have a problem with it.”

Simultaneously, Inuyasha and Miroku snickered.

“Ah, my darling Rin,” Inuyasha gave a mocking imitation of his brother's voice. “I've missed you so.”

“But Sesshie-poo,” Miroku added in a falsetto. “You know Rin could never stay away from you!”

Kagome and Sango turned to find the ever-stoic youkai embracing a vibrant young woman.

“Darling,” Inuyasha again. “I have an image to maintain.”

“Rin knows,” Miroku. “No one will know that you sleep with a teddy bear.”

“Amused, are we?” Sesshomaru's annoyed voice questioned.

“Yeah,” two unapologetic voices answered.

Kagome rolled her eyes and pulled out her notebook. She glanced over at Miroku, tilted her head, and began to write.

“A merry minstrel with his fingers fast

Playing his lute, charming every lass

Joins the troop with a glitter in his eye

`Shall I find fame or will I die?'”

She looked at the stanza for a moment before adding to the page.

“Led by a maid - Queen of the Night

Voice of angels, such a divine sight

An Amazon to fight and cure

This reality with her feline lure”

The image of Sango holding her two-tailed fire cat Kirara brought a smile to Kagome's face.

Pencil met paper again.

“Born to the false world, the wanderer

Storyteller, the pied piper

On a quest for immortality

Gathering a troop to find the fantasy”

Kagome read over the three stanzas, decided she'd arrange them later, and then continued to write, oblivious to her surroundings.

“Nightquest, quest not for the past

But for tomorrow, to make it last

Simply the best way to walk this life

Hand in hand with the dreamers' minds

Enter the realm, don't stay awake

The dreams remain, they only break

Forget the task, enjoy the ride

And follow us into the night”

“Hey,” a warm voice broke into her haze.

Looking up, she saw bright honey-brown eyes. Kagome smiled slightly, “Hi.”

“You must be Kagome,” the woman smiled guilelessly. “I'm Rin.”

“It's nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” she held out a black portfolio. “Would you mind terribly? These guys are too flattering. I'd like an honest opinion.”

“No, I don't mind,” Kagome accepted the portfolio and, in return, offered her notebook. “Would you mind? Personally, I think they're crap, but they aren't finished yet, so there might be hope.”

“I don't mind at all,” the warm smile grew as the woman accepted the notebook.

“Um, Kagome?” Sango broke in. “Business talk?”

Kagome bit her lip. “Could you take care of it for a while?” she asked, reluctant to let go of the portfolio.

“Alright,” Sango sighed, leaving her friend to her little bonding ritual.

Rin was waiting patiently for Kagome's opinion on her work. She wouldn't have to wait long.

Kagome opened the portfolio and a small gasp left her.

The picture was a pencil sketch. A small boy in ratty clothes knelt on an outcropping of rock. His face was upturned, arms stretched in front of him, towards the sky. On the lake before him, a swan floated while a line of the birds flew off toward the horizon. Off in the distance, a pine forest overlooked the scene.

“It's beautiful,” she turned admiring eyes to the woman next to her. “Really, the detail is amazing.”

“You mean it?” at Kagome's nod, Rin smiled brilliantly. “Thank you.”

Kagome returned the smile.

“You don't mind if I look at these?” Rin asked quietly.

“Go ahead.”

Rin opened the notebook and scanned a few pages.

“These are lyrics?” she asked after a moment.

“Yeah,” Kagome rubbed the back of her neck, sheepish.

Rin paused for a second. “They're refreshing,” she said finally.

At Kagome's confused look, she continued, “It isn't the `I love you' pop drivel you hear so much of, and the darker pieces aren't the `I want to die so I'll just kill myself' crap pseudo-goth bands do.”

“Wow,” Kagome grinned. “Thanks.”

“I just have a couple of questions,” she flipped between a few pages.

“Alright,” Kagome nodded slightly. “Shoot.”

“ `The nightwish I sent you centuries ago…' “ Rin quoted. “What's a `nightwish'?”

“It's a term my father and I use,” Kagome smiled softly. “You make your greatest wish on the night itself and always remember it, and, eventually, you'll find it comes true.”

“ `All hail the Oceanborn', what is that?”

“Keep in mind that I'm really, really weird,” Kagome sighed. “To me, all life begins in the ocean, and, when we die, we return to the ocean.”

“Damnit,” Inuyasha put in. “Now I'm a fish.”

“Oh, hush you,” Rin laughed. “Next question: What's an ocean soul?”

“ `The oceans are as alone as I' “ Inuyasha quoted.

Kagome turned to him, gaping. “You read my wall?”

“You wouldn't let me go!” he pointed out.

“You didn't have to carry me!” Kagome stammered.

“Would you just explain it already?” he was flustered now. “Unless you want a certain song to be the first recording?”

Kagome's sudden blush surprised Sango. Nevertheless she explained the term.

“Alright,” Kagome breathed out harshly, willing her flush to disappear. “People look at the surface of the ocean and think `That's wonderful'; it's constant, it's always there. Underneath the surface, however, it's more complex than anyone thinks; it's another little, secluded world. It's turbulent, deep, dark. Alone, really.

“There are some people who, on the outside, appear to be in control, calm, peaceful, when really, inside, they're lonely, deep thinkers, they…” she paused for a moment, before spitting out, “Perkele! This is more difficult to explain than I thought. Ah, they're…At war…With themselves. Kirota. I'm confusing you. Olen-“ her head dropped quickly, before she raised it again. “I'm…Sorry.”

“You bilingual or somethin'?” Inuyasha looked thoroughly confused.

“Tri-lingual actually…” at his disbelieving look she added, “Weird family.”

“Uh-huh,” his lips didn't move.

“I'm kind of out of practice though,” Kagome ducked her head slightly.

“In which language?” Rin shot Inuyasha a slightly amused glare.

“Japanese,” Kagome smiled slightly. “Mother's side.”

“And your father?”

“Full-blooded Finn,” Kagome's smile widened. “He and Mum would have these little light-hearted arguments, then she would break off into Japanese, he would curse in Finnish. Picked up some interesting words that way.”

Inuyasha snorted. “Like what?”

“Well, I just used two,” the smile turned to a smirk. “'Perkele' and `kirota'.”

“Alright genius,” he rolled his eyes. “And those mean?”

She pressed her lips together and mimed locking them.

“Very funny.”

Rin, who had been giggling the entire time, finally said, “Is there anything else your father said?”

“Well, he does like to walk around saying `You can't rollerskate in a buffalo herd',” in between Rin's peals of laughter, Kagome asked, “Did you have another question?”

“I did,” Rin coughed, trying to control her laughter.

Kagome waited patiently for the other woman to calm down. After around thirty seconds, Rin was able to breathe normally again.

“Alright,” Rin fanned her hands in front of her face for a couple seconds. “I may have to meet this father of yours,” she breathed out, calming herself. “Now then, last question.”

Kagome smiled indulgently.

“Could you sing one of these for me?” the woman suddenly looked like a child who had asked for a treat. “Only if you want to, I mean,” she added hastily.

“Did you have one in mind?” Kagome asked gently.

“Umm,” Rin bit her lip. “Not really.”

“Would you like to pick one?” Kagome smiled. “Or were you going to let me decide?”

“The only thing I really care about is that it be a slower one,” Rin shrugged. “Don't feel in the mood for a really fast one.”

“I think I can find one,” Kagome grinned, flipping through the notebook in Rin's hands.

“Don't look now,” Miroku whispered to Inuyasha. “But I think your girlfriend has just passed the Rin Test.”

In response, Inuyasha cuffed him upside the head.

Meanwhile, Kagome had stopped on a page, tapped her pencil quietly, added a couple lines, and grinned broadly. “Got one.”

Sesshomaru, who had been mostly ignoring the chatter, suddenly broke in, “Are you sure that's wise?”

“It won't hurt anything,” Kagome shrugged.

“I only meant that, with the,” he paused for a second, unsure of how to word it, “competition, it might not be the most sensible thing.”

Kagome smiled, “One: she wants to hear a song; two: I really don't think that, with a name like `Nazo Records', you would allow for your business talks to be heard; three: there is almost no one here; four: I've already set up a slight shield,” at his calculating look, Kagome fell back on referencing Alan Rickman. “I am not a `dunderhead', Mr. Mamoru.”

Sesshomaru glanced at Rin, who was wearing an expression that was a mix of her `Please? Pleasepleaseplease?' look and her `If you don't let her do this, I'll make sure everyone knows your nickname' glare. “As you wish,” he waved his hand in clear dismissal.

“Thank you for your permission, Sesshomaru,” she grinned slightly before adding, “-sama.”

“Cheeky woman,” Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her before returning his attention to business.

Kagome glanced at Inuyasha curiously, “You know, I think you two are more alike than you think. You said that same thing...Well, you called me `wench' but, eh.”

“Would you prefer `bitch'?” Inuyasha smirked.

“Not unless you like the name `dogboy',” she smiled back.

“Whatever, just do the song,” he growled slightly, before saying, almost as an afterthought, “Wench.”

Kagome gave him a mock salute, “Yes sir.”

Rin smiled brightly at her fiancé, `Thank you,' she mouthed. The slight twitch of his lips was enough response.

“Let's see if I remember the melody to this sucker, shall we?” Kagome had a conspiratorial grin on her face.

Rin returned it, “We shall.”

“I really don't have any music for this,” the raven-haired woman looked apologetic.

“That's fine,” Rin smiled gently.

“We'll kick you under the table if you screw up,” Inuyasha promised, gesturing to himself and Miroku.

“I really do wish that you'd leave me out of this,” Miroku sighed.

Kagome shook her head softly. Straightening in her seat, she cleared her throat lightly, took a breath, and began the song.

“All those beautiful people

I want to have them

I want to have them all”

Odd as the lyrics were, they seemed to fit the melody, which was a slow, almost dance-like, tune. She was staying in her middle range for the moment, occasionally dipping lower for emphasis.

“All those porcelain models

If only I could-

If only I could make them fall”

The last line had her moving into a somewhat higher key, which she seemed more comfortable in anyway.

“Be my heart a well of love

Flowing free so far above”

Rin watched, silent, as the woman began to lightly tap her fingers on her thigh, as if finding a tune on an imaginary keyboard.

A few tentative notes sounded as she sang the next verse, eyes closed, a wistful expression on her face. The verse had moved into the higher key, the vibrato coming through stronger.

“A wintry eve once upon a tale

An Ugly Duckling lost in a verse

Of a sparrow's carol

Dreaming the stars”

She paused for a moment to allow the slight piano melody to take over. It was simple, a few chords in a minor key. When the small bridge had ended, she moved back to the refrain.

“Be my heart a well of love

Flowing free so far above”

The next verse was stronger. Rin smiled sadly when the wistful expression left to make way for a somewhat lost look.

Her voice changed in accordance with her expression, becoming sad, longing.

“In my world love is for poets

Never the famous balcony scene

Just a dying faith

On the Heaven's gate”

While her fingers continued the slight melody, her wrist rose an fell in a slow 4/4 tempo. The next lines were sung in a steadily rising key, only to drop in the last words.

“Crystal pond awaits the lorn

Tonight another morn for the lonely one is born”

Rin had been wrong, and, by God, she'd never been so glad she was. She'd expected a Carly Simon/Stevie Nicks voice, not a Renée Fleming. The amount of emotion put into the singing made any flaws in the lyrics forgivable.

When she opened her mouth again, there were no words, merely a high, passionate vocalization that would be impossible without proper training.

She seemed to wilt at the end. Then, taking several deep breaths, she recovered and glared slightly at the notebook.

Rin smiled gently, then, impulsively, hugged the other woman. “Thank you,” she murmured.

“You're welcome,” Kagome's brow furrowed, then she began muttering something.

Soon, Sango was disguising a snicker.

“Alright,” Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at the two. “Spit it out. What's so amusing?”

“Kagome's inner monologue,” Sango snorted.

“And just what the hell did you mean by `you don't smell'?!” Kagome exploded, obviously in the middle of a rant.

“I'm simply ecstatic that you think about me this much, Kagome,” Inuyasha's infuriating smirk had returned.

“Don't play coy,” Kagome snapped. “You suck at it. Now, what did you mean?”

“You don't smell,” he spoke as if she were two. “You have no scent. Nothing. Nada. No odor, aroma, stink, ste-“

“I get it!” she cut him off abruptly. “Thank you.”

“Would you care to fix it?” he drawled. “It kinda creeps me out.”

Kagome rolled her eyes, then removed a simple silver bangle. The light aroma of jasmine, lavender, and annoyance reached his nose.

“Thank you.”

“Whatever,” she sighed. “So, Rin. When's the big day?”

Rin laughed lightly, Sesshomaru almost, but not quite, choked on a sip of water, Miroku and Inuyasha high-fived again.

“You two are so immature.”

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

“Kagome please! You have to help me!” the voice on the other end of the line was desperate, nearly crying.

“Kikyou, I'll help, just tell me what's wrong,” Kagome soothed, worried. Kikyou had never sounded this upset.

“I told him I'd pick Kanna up!” Kikyou wailed. “Now, I can't! Susan didn't come in today, so I have to cover! And now I can't get off to pick her up!”

“I can pick her up for you,” Kagome smiled. Really, that was a lot better than she'd thought it was. “Just tell me where she is.”

“She's with his sister,” the older woman sniffled. “She lives at,” there was a slight rustling as Kikyou searched for the address. “1836 Veris Lane.”

“You're kidding me,” Kagome whispered.

“I can give you directions,” Kikyou still sounded desperate.

“No, it's fine,” she was quick to reassure. “I know exactly where that is.”

Hanging up, Kagome leaned back in the seat. “Unbelievable.”

Sango glanced over at her. “What is?” she asked, grinning. “The record deal? The whole day? The fact that those two are still following us?” she paused, sticking a hand out the moon-roof to flip off the two in the SUV behind them.

“Kagura is Naraku's sister,” Kagome sighed, then snickered when Inuyasha returned Sango's gesture with a cheery wave.

Sango raised an eyebrow at her. “You didn't know that?”

“No!” Kagome whined. “You did?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Augh! Why doesn't anyone tell me these things?” pouting, the raven-haired woman flipped on the radio.

“How can I help it if I think you're funny when you're mad?

Tryin' hard not to smile, though I feel bad

I'm the kind of guy who laughs at a funeral

Can't understand what I mean?

Well, ya soon will “

“I hate irony.”

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

“So,” Kouga was oddly quiet. “She won't talk, eh?”

“Yeah,” Kagura stroked the girl's pale hair. “Stupid bit- woman.”

“Her mother?”

“Um-hmm,” Kanna continued to sleep in her aunt's lap. “He was so pissed. Divorced Kaguya right away.”

“Wait,” Kouga gaped at her. “Wasn't that that huge murder case a few years back? They thought her husband killed her but couldn't find anything to hold him on it?”

“Yes,” Kagura snarled. “Four months later, page 12, teeny-tiny little paragraph, they declare it suicide.”

There was a sudden pounding on the door. “Kagura! I know you're in there! You have some `splainin' to do!”

“I'll get it,” Kouga grinned, heading for the door.

Kagura smiled gently and looked down at her niece. “Looks like auntie's in trouble,” she mumbled.

“Ow! Damnit!” Kouga yelped.

“Oh, shit!” Kagura could practically hear Kagome's wince, not to mention Sango's snort of laughter. “Kouga, I am so sorry!”

“If you were anyone else…” Kouga's voice was muffled.

“At least it isn't broken,” it sounded more like a question.

Kagura watched, amused, as Kouga stormed back into the room, holding his nose, followed by Kagome, who looked apologetic, and Sango, who was shaking with repressed laughter. “What's this `splainin' I have to do?”

Kagome turned to the wind demoness, “Why didn't you tell me he was your brother?”

“Ah,” Kagura grinned. “That. I wondered if you'd heard me.”

The songstress's eyes narrowed, “And that would mean?”

“You were scribbling when I told you,” Kagura's grin did not waver.

“Oh,” she bit her lip. “Oops.”

“Yeah, oops. Now, why are you here?”

“Kikyou kinda got tied up and needed someone to pick up Kanna,” the words came out in a rush.

“So she called the Good Samaritan,” Kagura teased gently.

“I thought I was the Babbler?” Kagome smiled.

“You are,” Kouga touched his wounded nose gently, hissing in pain. “You're also trouble.”

“Sorry about that,” Kagome winced again.

The only response was a slight growl.

“So,” Kagura glared at her boyfriend's back. “What's new with you?”

“Good, bad, or unbelievable?” Kagome asked, sinking into a chair.

“Let's start with the good.”

“Music Comp final's lyrics are written out,” Kagome shrugged. “I have about half of the choir noted, and about two minutes of the orchestra.”

“How big is that thing going to be?”

“Depending on how long of a segue I give between sections, somewhere between 7 and 12 minutes.”

Kouga stopped pouting long enough to raise an eyebrow at her. “One song?”

She nodded, “One song. But there's an entire orchestra in there, not to mention the choir. It seems really long, but, once everything is thrown together, it'll be alright.”

“Ok,” Kagura was trying to piece together reasons for ANY song to be that long. “How about the bad news?”

“That kinda ties in with the `unbelievable' news,” Kagome bit her lip.

“And that would be?” Kouga prodded, injured nose, and pride, forgotten.

“Well, ah,” she paused. “You see...Er...That is... Sango?”

Sango glared playfully at her friend before saying, “What she means is, her alter ego is soon to be famous.”

Kagura grinned broadly, Kouga looked from one woman to the other, confused, and Kanna continued to sleep.

“That means...?” the wolf demon was still confused.

“Nazo Records offered a deal.”

Kagura's shriek of delight managed to wake her niece. The pale girl looked to her aunt, nudging her lightly with her shoulder. “Oh, sweetie,” Kagura soothed. “Did I wake you up?”

Kanna gave her aunt a deadpan stare before signing rapidly. [No, Casper did. Who are all these people?]

“Sarcasm will get you no where,” Kagura smiled. “And these are my friends.”

[Lovely. Names please?]

Kagome smiled. “My name is Kagome, and this is Sango.”

[How can she understand me?]

Kagura turned to the raven-haired girl and shrugged, “Care to explain?”

Signing as she spoke, Kagome answered, “My little brother was born deaf.”

[Oh. I'm sorry.]

“Don't be,” Kagome smiled gently.

[I apologize for interrupting your conversation.]

“Don't worry about it,” Kagura soothed.

[You may continue if you wish. I won't interrupt again.]

“Interrupt all you want,” the girl's aunt smiled broadly.

When the small conversation had stopped Kagome continued. “So you know the good news and the unbelievable news. Now for the bad news.”

“You didn't take the deal!” Kouga ventured.

“Not quite,” Kagome bit her lip gently. “I need help with the music. I've got a couple `friends' to take care of the guitars and the drums....I just need the keys and...Bass?”

She looked so unashamedly hopeful that Kouga almost jumped to agree. Then he decided to let her stew for a bit. “I don't know...I'm not sure I can forgive you for that whap on the nose...” her face fell and he grinned at her. “But a record deal is a good start.”

[That was a bit cruel,] Kanna signed to her aunt while Kagome ran to hug the wolf demon.

“Yeah, it was,” Kagura acquiesced.

Kouga pulled back from the hug, raised a hand, and lifted one finger. “I'll do it, but on one condition,” he tried desperately not to grin.

Kagome raised a skeptical eyebrow. “And that would be?”

The grin won out, “Diva Dance.”

Kagome threw back her head and laughed, “I'll do it at that damned recital if you'll help me!”

“Fair enough.”

A/N2:Kouga is far too easy to bribe.The song Kagome is writing is called Nightquest and if you look at the lyrics, it's easy to translate into a medieval Inu fic…And, I just noticed this, the closest thing to Kag's voice I can find when she goes operatic is `Passion and the Opera' towards the end…Beginning, if you have the edit version.Other close ones are: the Lucia di Lammermoor track off the Fifth Element soundtrack, or Renée Fleming's rendition of Handel's `Dunque, i lacci sun volto…Ah!Crudel…'You can find snippets on Amazon.com.