InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Street Musician ❯ A Concert and the Past ( Chapter 2 )

I do not own Inuyasha & Co.

 

Well, I see the first chapter has sparked some interest in you all. I have decided to keep going with this fic and keep posting. Now, I will do with this fic as I have done with Unaware. I will post responses to all the reviews I receive before each chapter. I see some questions that are pertinent to this fic, and as such, they must be answered. I'm glad to know my inspiration has touched you all as much as it's touched me. Thanks again for your feedback and here you go!

 

 

Reviewer's Corner:

 

From Media Miner. Org:

 

gale89: Thank you very much, and because you love it so much I will continue to post more. (Smiles widely)

 

katiepatie: Thank you very much! And here ya go!

 

Ms. Shay: Thank you very much, and I will because you requested me to, k?

 

 

From Fan Fiction. Net:

 

joseph: Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy the idea already. And since I update weekly, you won't have to wait very long to see what happens next (wink)

 

Lita20: Thanks bud! Here's more, and don't worry, I am able to provide you with fiction weekly as I work on yours (wink)

 

Night_Miko: Thanks for the request, and I have answered that in this chapter. There's plenty of background info on the characters in this one. So, enjoy, k?

 

Deadly Tears: Well, thank you for your praise! And read on to find out on your request (snickers)

 

obsessed-fangirl-mimi: Thank you, and I will. And no, Inu doesn't have the cute little doggy ears, but he does have the hair and the gold eyes. He is human in this fic, unless he decides to reveal something otherwise later on…I have no idea what he's gonna want me to write…He keeps me on my toes and surprises me more than the other characters. Inu's a handful, but I love him to death! (squeezes the life out of him as he screams for his life)

 

remix-69er: Thank you! And ya know, I never looked at this fic as fitting into that genre, but now that you mention it, it kinda does hit on that note, doesn't it? I guess I love writing fics that pertain to my heritage, being part bohemian and all (smiles) and I look forward to your review on this baby (nods)

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2: A Concert and the Past

 

 

Kagome became curious about the street musician she and Sango met the other day. He didn't look familiar, though it seemed as if he knew the area well. She wondered about where else he had been playing. He seemed like he knew what he was doing and yet she had never seen him playing at any of the other corners downtown. Since the college she and Sango were attending was in the midst of the downtown area, she would go out shopping and stuff during the hours she had free. Due to her curiosity, about Inuyasha, she had been dazing during her classes.

 

Sango noticed her far-off looks during lunch since the day Kagome picked her up in the subway. Sango knew why and joked with Kagome about it. She had never seen Kagome so fixated on something, or someone for that matter. Sango didn't really have any interest in anyone since her classes were so demanding. However, to see Kagome space out while she had projects sitting before her was odd. Kagome was generally out amongst the crowds asking people about current events for her journalism class. She even interviewed Sango a few times, and seeing all the work Kagome put into her projects, she was usually too busy for daydreaming.

 

“You like him, don't you?” Sango asked as she spooned some ice cream into her mouth.

 

“No! I don't, honestly! I barely even know him,” Kagome replied as she tried to focus on the food before her.

 

“Sure. Whatever you say, Kagome. I think you're a victim of what they call, `love at first sight',” Sango chuckled as she picked up her drink.

 

“You don't know me then, Sango,” Kagome said as she ate a chip.

 

Sango chuckled and just looked off to the side. She suddenly met eyes with a cute guy in the distance from that direction. He winked and her eyes bolted back to Kagome. Even though she felt eyes burn through her, she tried to ignore the young man with short black hair pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. She had never seen him before, so he must have been a new student.

 

Kagome noticed Sango's actions and turned her head to look in the same direction as she had looked before. Kagome saw the young man looking their way. “Not bad, Sango. Looks like some unknown guy has the hots for you,” Kagome chuckled.

 

“Shut up. Like I have the time for that anyways,” Sango spat as she ate another spoonful of her ice cream.

 

“Why not? I'm sure you'd really have a good time if you sat with him instead of boring old me,” Kagome said with a chuckle.

 

“Naw. He looks like a womanizer to me. Definitely not my type of man,” she said as she took a sideways glance to see his eyes still plastered on her form. “Man, wish he'd just take a picture. He's freaking me out.”

 

“Go talk to him. Maybe he's nice,” Kagome shrugged as she looked his way and waved at him.

 

“Don't wave at him! He's gonna come over then!” Sango yelled as she grabbed her hand and set it on the table.

 

“Too late,” Kagome snickered. Sango started to yell obscenities at Kagome when she felt a presence at her side. She looked over and saw the same young man standing right besides her smiling.

 

“Hello, ladies,” the young man greeted.

 

“Hello. What's your name?” Kagome asked with a smile and a mischievous look in her eyes.

 

“Miroku. And your names?” He responded politely.

 

“I'm Kagome, and this is Sango,” Kagome responded kindly.

 

“Sango, nice to meet you,” Miroku greeted, as he sat down right beside her.

 

Sango tensed up and kept her eyes down at her food tray. Miroku noticed the reaction she had to his greeting and decided to chat with Kagome. They got along well and began telling jokes back and forth. Kagome answered his questions about Sango and he became more and more impressed with what Kagome had to say about her.

 

Kagome saw how Sango was acting and knew just how to get Sango's attention. “Right Sango?” Sango's eyes shot up from her tray and eyed Kagome as she asked, “Huh?”

 

Miroku then asked Sango a question. Sango looked over to him and realized Kagome had gotten her. Her face became red suddenly and she got up from her seat and walked away. Miroku was shocked. He had never seen a girl act that way. She didn't seem strange while he watched her from a distance.

 

“Was it something I said?” Miroku asked.

 

“Oh, no. You're fine. She just has this thing about boys and school, that's all,” Kagome said nonchalantly.

 

“What do you mean?” He inquired.

 

“Well, first of all, she's got a demanding major and minor and she feels that she doesn't have time for boys, which I don't agree with. Second, she kinda thinks you're a perve,” Kagome counted down on her fingers.

 

“Now why would she think that?” He asked.

 

“I asked her that same question. She didn't explain why she thought you were, but it might have something to do with you staring at her. She's kinda judgmental and tends to read books by their covers,” Kagome explained.

 

“Oh, I see. So, what about you?” Miroku asked as he turned in his seat.

 

“Me? Oh, I'm not really interested in a relationship right now. I've got too much on my plate as it is,” Kagome answered nonchalantly.

 

“Oh yeah? Like what?” Miroku asked curiously.

 

“I'm majoring in journalism and minoring in music. So, not only am I all over the place doing research projects for journalism, but I'm also in tons of concerts and such. But, you're welcome to be involved in some of my projects and see my concerts,” Kagome invited.

 

“Sounds good,” Miroku replied as he enjoyed the time they had getting to know each other.

 

@*@

 

 

Inuyasha had just gotten home when the phone rang. He set his amp down and rushed to pick up the phone. “Hello?”

 

“Hey, man! It's me, Miroku.”

 

“Hey! What ya up to?” Inuyasha responded as he walked over and fell back into the comfy couch.

 

“Ah, nothing much. Met a couple of cute girls today.”

 

“Yeah? They single?” Inuyasha asked mischievously.

 

“Yup. Available and cute beyond compare. I was just invited by one of them to see her perform in the choir concert tonight. I was wondering if ya wanted to go with me,” Miroku asked.

 

“Cool. Where's it at?”

 

“At the college. Should I come by and walk ya there? Or do ya wanna meet me at the dorm?” Miroku asked.

 

“I'll meet ya there. What time?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“It starts at 7:45, so be here at 7:15 so we can get down there in time to get good seats,” Miroku added.

 

“Sounds good. See ya then,” Inuyasha replied and they both hung up.

 

Inuyasha got up from the couch and went to greet his mother. She looked the same as she had the day before. He saw she had found the salad the neighbor left a couple of days ago in the fridge. She was ill, but as far as getting around, she could still handle walking from her room to the kitchen, which Inuyasha considered a blessing.

 

“Hey, baby. How did today go?” His mother asked as he stepped into the room.

 

“Fine. I got a phone call just now,” Inuyasha said as he sat down beside her on the bed.

 

“From who?”

 

“Miroku. He asked me to go to a choir concert with him tonight at the college.”

 

“Oh. Are you going?” She asked.

 

“Yeah. I figure it'll give me a chance to hear the talent they have there as far as the choirs and stuff,” Inuyasha replied. The college Miroku, Kagome and Sango attend is the very school Inuyasha has had his sights on since high school.

 

“Good, honey. Have fun. I'll be fine here,” His mother assured as she gave his hand a pat.

 

“Thanks mom. Did you want anything to eat? I can fix you something,” Inuyasha offered.

 

“No, I'm fine. But you can clean and return this empty container to Tsuki for me, okay?” She asked as she handed it to him. He accepted with a smile and leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek before he left. She smiled proudly after him as he walked out the door.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Kagome and Sango shared the vanity as they both applied makeup and did up their hair for the concert. Sango wasn't performing in it, but she didn't want to look bad at the concert. Kagome said Miroku was planning on coming, but she didn't say if he had anyone coming with him. They both enjoyed the music playing from the CD player and helped each other with comments on how they looked. They acted like a couple of sisters. Sango had one younger brother named Kohaku who was just starting high school. Basically, the same age as Kagome's brother. They were close as both friends and family since their siblings knew each other really well.

 

Sango's mother had died giving birth to Kohaku, so Sango felt like a mother of sorts. She goes home on the weekends to help her father and brother around the house. Sango was the only one who was able to spend the time on housework and such during the weekend since Kohaku was heavily into sports. She not only helped around the house, but also joined her father in going to his games and supporting her brother. It was rough, but rewarding since they all got along really well and loved each other greatly. Her father was a business owner. He owned one of the dojos downtown. Both Sango and Kohaku have trained under him and they would do demonstrations in his classes every now and then.

 

Kagome's situation was similar, only she lost her father to a heart attack when she was in Junior high. Souta was very young when their father died, so he wasn't as affected by the loss as Kagome was. When that happened, their little family moved into the family shrine near downtown Tokyo, where her college is located. Her grandfather was the current caretaker of the Higurashi family shrine. The center of the shrine was an age-old folk tale about a famous miko and an infamous half demon. They receive lots of curious visitors and the money earned by selling charms and trinkets help to keep up the shrine, along with some support from the international historical society.

 

Now, her family consists of her grandfather, her mother, and her little brother Souta who is also into sports. Souta and Kohaku play together on the soccer team, and Souta has been asking to join the Taijiya's school of martial arts lately, but their mother's claim for answering `no' was that he's not old enough yet.

 

Once they were both assured they were primped and ready for the concert, they grabbed their purses and stepped out the door. They both giggled and talked about some of the day's events as they walked down to the auditorium. Kagome and Sango stepped in through the back door of the auditorium so they wouldn't be seen by anyone in the audience. Kagome gathered up her robe and Sango helped her put it on. Once Kagome walked off with the rest of the choir to warm up, she stepped out through the exit door leading from the stage.

 

She looked up into the sea of seats and saw something appalling. Miroku waved to her, but who was sitting next to him had her attention rather than Miroku. Inuyasha, the street musician she and Kagome met earlier that week, was sitting beside him. Sango was relieved to see that Miroku brought Inuyasha with him. She stepped up to Miroku's seat on the end of the aisle.

 

“Hi! You're that street performer we bumped into…Inuyasha, right?” Sango greeted as reached over Miroku to shake Inuyasha's hand.

 

“Yeah! Nice to see you! Is Kagome here?” Inuyasha asked as they shook hands.

 

“Yeah, she's performing in the choir tonight. I believe she has a couple of solos, but I'm not sure,”

 

Miroku cleared his throat to get her attention. Sango looked down and saw she was leaning over him well enough for his face to be at level with her cleavage. Sango blushed and stepped between Miroku and the seat in front of him to take her seat next to Inuyasha.

 

Inuyasha noticed the strange interaction she had with his friend. “You okay? Did he do something to you?” Inuyasha whispered to her. “Cause if he did, I'll pummel him right here.”

 

“Oh, no. It's okay. He was just staring at me in lunch today. Kinda made me feel uncomfortable,” Sango explained as Miroku looked over at them curiously.

 

“So, Miroku. You said you know this girl,” Inuyasha mentioned.

 

“Well I actually got the chance to talk to Kagome more. Sango kinda gave me the cold shoulder,” Miroku whispered.

 

“So which one are you after then?” Inuyasha asked in a whisper.

 

“I'm after Sango. I just don't know how to get close to her. She's kinda standoffish towards me. I don't understand what I did,” Miroku shrugged.

 

“She said you stared at her all through lunch,” Inuyasha accused.

 

“Well, with a girl that good looking, how can I not?” Miroku replied innocently.

 

“Tsch. Perve,” Inuyasha spat as he turned to Sango, winked and said, “I got your back. You're right about him. He's a bit of a perve.”

 

“Thanks,” Sango responded as the lights went dim and the curtains opened revealing the large choir on the bleachers.

 

The choir teacher and the accompanist came out from stage left and they both bowed. As the pianist took her seat, the choir director thanked everyone for joining them for the evening and gave some remarks about the types of music the choir will perform during the concert. Once he turned and began to conduct, Kagome finally looked out into the audience and saw a shocking sight. Amongst the audience was the silver haired hunk she and Sango met in the subway. When her eyes caught his, she smiled and sang out.

 

Inuyasha had a good ear for music. He picked out her voice from the crowd of singers. Her voice was calming and more of a soloist quality than the others. He smiled widely as he watched her sing out to him. It was as if she was performing to him only. Sango noticed Kagome's gaze and looked to the young man beside her. He was smiling. Sango knew it. Love at first sight. Sango leaned a bit forward and looked past Inuyasha to Miroku. He looked a bit worried about something. She trained her gaze on him for the rest of the first song, catching inuyasha's attention.

 

Inuyasha leaned over towards her and asked, “Something wrong?”

 

“Oh, no. Miroku just looks like he depressed or something,” Sango answered.

 

Inuyasha looked to his friend and saw his expression. He wasn't even watching the choir. Inuyasha nudged Miroku's elbow to get his attention. Miroku looked at him. “You okay?” He asked.

 

Miroku nodded towards the door leading out of the auditorium. Inuyasha's eyes got big. “You wanna leave during the concert?” Inuyasha asked in shock.

 

“I need to talk to you,” Miroku said as he got up out of his seat.

 

Inuyasha looked from his friend to Kagome. She seemed a bit concerned as she sang. Inuyasha held up his finger as if to say, “Be right back,” and leaned over to let Sango know he'd be right back. He got up and left through the same door Miroku had retreated through.

 

“What's your problem? You're acting kinda strange, Miroku,” Inuyasha asked as the door closed.

 

“Did you see what Sango did? She literally had her boobs in my face and didn't even say `hi' when I cleared my throat to gain her attention! She totally blew me off!” Miroku said in frustration.

 

“Well, she did say you made her feel uncomfortable when you first met. You're not necessarily great with women, ya know,” Inuyasha explained as he leaned up against the railing Miroku laid his elbows on.

 

“Honestly, I caught her eyes at the same time she caught mine. She had a blush on her face. As soon as I smiled at her, she looked away.”

 

“Then how did you end up sitting next to her at lunch?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“Kagome waved at me, so I figured they wanted me to join them. I have this feeling with how Sango reacted to me that Kagome was playing around with her. I was completely nice and a total gentleman, I swear!” Miroku spat.

 

“Well, I don't know, man. If looks can get someone in trouble, I'd say yours are the ultimate hints of perverted thoughts,” Inuyasha joked.

 

“Shut up. I'm not going back in there,” Miroku mentioned as he stepped away from the railing and towards the stairs.

 

“Miroku, c'mon. Stay through the rest of the concert. I'm sure it'll be all right,” Inuyasha tried.

 

“Naw. I'm not feeling up to it. You go ahead. You seem to have a way with the ladies,” He said over his shoulder before he stepped down the stairs and out of sight.

 

`I'm gonna try to help him out. He hasn't had much luck lately, and he's not everything Sango has made him out to be.' Inuyasha thought as he stepped away from the railing and back into the auditorium.

 

The rest of the concert went well, and Sango was very comfortable after Miroku left. Inuyasha decided he'd hang out with them and find out how everything happened from their perspectives. Sango didn't really say much, but decided to retreat to her dorm room, leaving Kagome and Inuyasha to fend for themselves.

 

“Sango seems like a very nice girl,” Inuyasha mentioned.

 

“She is. She just gets shy when it comes to guys. I told Miroku at lunch that she probably read him wrong from the first thing she saw about him. First impressions mean a lot to her. She can be a bit judgmental at first. I'd say Miroku's got his work cut out for him if he wants to erase that impression she has of him,” Kagome explained as they both walked out of the auditorium and into the clear crisp fall night.

 

“But that's the first time he's ever been rejected by a girl by just greeting her. He's not that bad a guy,” Inuyasha mentioned.

 

“How long have you two known each other?” Kagome asked.

 

“We met in high school. His parents and mine sent the two of us to the same all-boys academy. He and I palled up during gym class. He wasn't really into music, but he went to the concerts with his girlfriends he'd make during the dances we'd have with the local all-girl's school. He and I did a lot of things together,” Inuyasha mentioned.

 

“Ah. So, how come he's here at college, and you're not?” Kagome inquired.

 

“Well, I can't,” Inuyasha said in a somber tone.

 

“Why not?”

 

“I have to stay home to help my mother. She's ill,” He replied as he turned his eyes on hers.

 

“Oh, I'm so sorry. What does she have?” Kagome asked innocently as they both stepped up to bench overlooking the gardens on the campus and sat down.

 

“Emphysema and heart troubles. My father died before I met Miroku. When my mom fell ill, I devoted most of my free time to helping her rather than going to college,” he said as he leaned his elbows on his thighs.

 

“Wow. So then, that money you make as a street performer goes towards your mother's health?” Kagome asked.

 

“No. She's supported through medical leave. The money I make on the street is for college,” Inuyasha explained.

 

“So then, when will you go to college?” Kagome asked.

 

“When she passes,” He replied as he turned his eyes to hers.

 

She saw the sadness in those golden depths. She felt for him. She reached her arm up and touched his shoulder in reassurance. “I'm here to help if your mother needs it, okay? And let me know if you yourself need anything.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes went from depressed to surprise and he turned his blushed cheeks away as he nodded and looked off at the beautiful flowers just a few feet away. The lights scattered amongst the garden made the atmosphere romantic. Inuyasha wasn't used to relationships. He had only had one for a short time with a girl who went to the all-girls academy. Miroku asked him to tag along with him at one of the dances. Inuyasha wasn't much for action and dancing, but he decided it couldn't hurt.

 

Flashback

 

 

Miroku and Inuyasha stepped into the banquet hall dressed in their suits. They both eyed the room filled with their classmates and girls. Miroku right away began to scope every girl to see whom he chose to pursue for the evening. Inuyasha was most interested as to where the food table was. Before he knew it, Miroku had darted off after some cute little chick that caught his eye.

 

Inuyasha made his way to the food table and grabbed a plate. As he made his plate and grabbed some punch, he eyed the tables for one that was empty. As he saw one, he stepped off towards it. Suddenly, someone tripped him. Inuyasha and his food went flying. As he hit the wet and dirtied floor, he slipped a little ways. He gathered himself off the floor and saw a girl and one of his classmates fighting. She slapped the guy and turned his way. Inuyasha stood there like a deer in the headlights as she walked up to him.

 

“Are you all right?” She asked kindly. As she grabbed a few napkins from the table next to them, and started wiping some of the punch and food from his suit.

 

“I'm all right. What happened? Did I cause something?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“No. He was acting like a jerk. I don't even know the guy. He just acted like he was some tough guy and decided that tripping you would be funny. I told him not to, but he did it anyways,” Inuyasha looked up at the table she just left. It was Kouga that tripped him.

 

“Oh, Kouga. Yeah, he's an ass,” Inuyasha shrugged. “He does stupid stuff like this to me all the time. I don't let it bother me. It's him who's the ass, not me.”

 

The girl looked up from his suit jacket in shock. They both stared into each other's eyes until she grabbed his hand and pulled him out into the gardens behind the banquet hall. No one else was out there. They both ended up on a bench and looking out into the gardens.

 

“What's your name?” The girl asked.

 

“Inuyasha. Yours?”

 

“Kikyo.”

 

They both sat on the bench enjoying each other's company the rest of the time. They dated off and on for a year when they could before he heard sad news. When he grabbed the paper from the welcome mat at their apartment door, he saw in a small headline at the side of the front page about a group of girls dying in a crash the previous weekend. He sat down on the couch as he read the article. It turned out one of the girls was Kikyo. She and three of her other friends were in a car that was hit by a drunk driver. He was saddened by the loss. Soon after that, his mother fell ill and he had no chance to date girls since.

 

End of Flashback

 

 

Inuyasha had been staring off into space for quite some time. Kagome looked over at him and saw him eyeing the flowers silently with a saddened look on his face.

 

“What's wrong?” Kagome asked.

 

“Huh?” He asked. “Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about things.”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Well, the garden and the atmosphere reminded me of something from my past. Meeting my first girlfriend was in a place just like this,” He replied.

 

“Oh. How long ago?” Kagome inquired.

 

“Back in high school. Three years ago, actually,” Inuyasha explained.

 

“Oh. Have you dated any girls since her?” Kagome asked.

 

“No.”

 

“What happened?” Kagome asked innocently.

 

“She was killed in a car crash two years ago,” He replied as his eyes met hers again.

 

Kagome gasped. Her eyes began to tear as she realized how sad his life had been up `til now. She didn't know what to say to him, other than, “I'm so sorry, Inuyasha.”

 

His eyes closed as he said, “Don't worry about it. I'm over it now.”

 

“No, I mean…How rough your life has been before now. No one deserves to go through all that. Are you really okay?” she asked as she put her hand on his chin to direct his gaze to hers. His eyes met hers and stayed. They stared deeply into each other's eyes for a few moments when the college bell tower rang out the chime of the hour. His eyes shot up to the clock.

 

“What is it?” Kagome asked.

 

“I have to go. I've been gone for far too long,” he said as he stood from the bench and turned to her in nervousness. “Um, can I see you again?”

 

“Yes. You know where I am. Here's my number,” she said as she walked up to him grabbing a pen from her purse. She grabbed his hand and wrote her number on it. “Call me when you need to see me, k?” She smiled.

 

He turned his hand to read the number. “Thanks. I'll call you. Night, Kagome,” he said over his shoulder as he ran off towards his apartment.

 

Kagome sat down on the bench and watched him run down the path leading through the gardens. She enjoyed the time she had with him. Not only was he an awesome musician, but he was also a wonderful gentleman. A rarity among men. She decided to head back up to her dorm after a few quiet moments amongst the flowers.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Well, I certainly hope this chapter was as good as the first. I ended up writing more than I thought I would! Well, thanks again for your reviews and comments. I certainly hope you enjoy what's in store, since I'm not completely sure of what's next…Funky how that is the case…Oh well. Ja ne for now!