InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Street Musician ❯ Article ( Chapter 5 )

I do not own Inuyasha & Co.

 

Okay, now you can put your guns down and stop hunting me…I know it has been an unusually long time since I updated this wonderful fic. However, I can safely say that this will be the last time I have a long spell of time without any new chapters for either of my fics. Yes, I will most certainly be able to catch up and stay caught up! YAY! So, to end the long dry spell, I have an awesome chapter for you all! And thanks again for all the wonderful comments on this fic. They are greatly appreciated.

 

 

Reviewer's Corner:

 

From Media Miner. Org:

 

Ms. Shay: Great! I'm glad you're having a good time reading this fic of mine. Yes, it is cute that Kags can read Inu like a children's book. He's so open in this fic that it's really cool! As far as his mother is concerned, read on. That's the best response I can give ya as far as her condition. Sesshoumaru I'm not completely sure yet. If he decides to show himself, then he will. One thing I do know is that at this point Inuyasha does not know about him. So, we'll see how that ends up turning out, k?

 

rachainu: I have to say, your review is so detailed that you gave me the biggest smile I've had in a long time. I'm very glad you reviewed and that you like the story thus far. I'm sorry that you've had to wait like the others for this chappy to come out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. As far as the characters and such, yes. It is refreshing to see them reacting to each other differently than how they did in the series. I guess you could say, as far as Inuyasha's concerned, that this is a 'what if' type of situation. What if it happened just a bit differently and he had the chance to be raised by his mother who loved him very much. How would he turn out? And Miroku, yes, he's not as much of a lecher as he was in the series. Sango, learning to trust is all due to Kagome and her trust in her opinions. But another thing I will point out, keep your eyes peeled for certain hints. You'll know what I mean. They will come in handy later on in the fic, k? (Wink).

 

 

From Fan Fiction. Net:

 

Crazy-Inuyasha-Girl20: Thanks bud. And here it is. I can't wait to get the chance to read all your other work too!

 

remix-69er: Hey, and thank you very much. Yes, that lyric I wrote kinda caught my attention and I ended up in a writing frenzy. I tell ya, it's amazing when I can totally feel the characters emotions as I write. You should see me, I wrote up like about four pages worth in like an hour…Talk about amazing. This one didn't go as fast as that one, but I did pretty well on time I think. And yes, I don't normally write Sango and Miroku very often. I tend to focus mainly on Inu and Kags. I have surprised myself on that last chapter, and I think I'm having a good time with their characters. They aren't as important in this chapter, but there are a couple of cute moments between them. Thanks again!

 

heymary: Heh heh heh…Yeah…He plays one sly dog in this fic. He has certainly shocked me!

 

Demon Darkchild: YAY! Brownie points! I love brownie points! (Jumps up and down with excitement.)

 

Ryous-Crystal: Hey! Thanks for the vindication, bud! I'm glad you're enjoying this fic, and I hope to not make ya wait too long this next time. Thanks for the prayers, they have most certainly helped, as you will see (wink).

 

wolf of raven: Thank you very much. Yes, the depths into their emotions and subconscious thoughts have been so deep it's almost like becoming them as I write their thoughts. As far as Sango and Miroku playing instruments, I'm not sure about that. I think they will mainly just be supportive characters for Inu and Kags. I think they do well in that role. And don't worry, I have plenty of interesting tricks up my sleeve for this baby, I assure you (wink).

 

evilinupunk: Thank you! I'm sorry to hear you'd been without internet for a while. I've been there and I refuse to live without the internet. Not only would I go through internet withdrawal, but I'd also end up making all of you wonderful readers wait for updates…which I hate to do. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter and I hope you enjoy this one as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5: Article

 

 

“All right, class. I have a new assignment for you. Due by the end of next week, I want you all to interview someone close to you who happens to have an interesting job, or knows someone who did something interesting for their career. You have two weeks, and I'd like to see them in newspaper or magazine form upon turn in. Thanks, and you're now dismissed.”

 

Kagome's eyes shot open as she sat in her desk. `Perfect!' she thought. Inuyasha's present occupation is less than anyone would ever expect. She could use him for her next project. As Kagome gathered her thoughts, she gathered her belongings and stood from her desk as the last student left the room. She thought about how she would set it up and the questions she'd ask him as she walked blindly down the hall into the main foyer.

 

Sango had no major assignments that week. She had been given a bit of a break and she was glad she could relax and hang out with Miroku without worries as far as time constraints. She had a relaxed smile on her face as she watched people walk her way with nervous looks on their faces. Then, she saw something unusual. She caught sight of Kagome bumping into other students while walking in a bit of a daze and talking to herself.

 

Sango smiled even wider. It seemed like Kagome was in some other world. Kinda made Sango curious. She increased her pace and caught up to her in the hall. She stopped right in front of Kagome and snapped her fingers to catch her attention. Kagome's eyes snapped to hers and she gasped. “Hey, you! What's wrong with you today? You look very distracted.”

 

“Oh, nothing. I have a new assignment that couldn't be more perfect!” Kagome said with renewed strength and vigor. Sango stood aside as Kagome struck an odd pose with a strange look on her face, which implied the comment, `Ooookay…'

 

That day was planned like any other day since the girls and guys met. The girls would meet the guys in the lunchroom and they'd eat lunch together and plan their dates and such. As they caught each other's eyes, the couples kissed in greeting and they grabbed their food in the lunch line. Inuyasha and Miroku had come to look forward to their lunches with the girls. That was the only time they all found to get together and kinda double date. Least to the guys, it felt like their lunches were daily dates. The girls saw it as just a nice breather from harsh classes to eat with their guys.

 

After they all grabbed their meals, Kagome decided that moment was as good as any. “Hey, Inuyasha, I was wondering if you could help me out with something.”

 

“Sure, what is it?” he asked as he spooned some veggies into his mouth.

 

“I have a new assignment due next week, and I was wondering if you could be my interviewee,” Kagome asked politely.

 

Inuyasha's eyes shot up from his plate as he held his fork in his mouth. Miroku and Sango stopped chatting as well and looked to the couple beside them.

 

“Well? Would it be all right?” Kagome asked shyly.

 

Inuyasha pulled the fork from his mouth, closed his eyes and chewed silently for a moment to clear his mouth to respond. The rest of them began to feel nerves set in as Inuyasha sipped his pop and set it down beside his tray. Once he was ready to respond and he had thought it over, he came up with a question, “What would this interview be about?”

 

“Well, I'm supposed to interview someone with an unusual occupation, or someone who knows someone who has one. If you don't feel ready to do something like that, it's okay. I can always find someone else to interview,” Kagome offered to make it sound as if she would accept a `no' answer.

 

Miroku decided to speak up while Inuyasha thought about the opportunity with, “Well, if he decides not to, I have an ancestor you can write about. Only thing is, it'll take a bit of research along with it to make it sound good.”

 

Kagome looked over his way and responded with, “Oh yeah? Who?”

 

“My ancestor, a monk named Miroku,” he said proudly. Sango added with some interesting facts he had shared with her and Kagome sat for a moment and thought about the idea.

 

“Well, I don't see why I couldn't do that. Inuyasha, would that be too personal for you?” Kagome asked in concern.

 

“Well, yes and no. What would it be for? Will anyone else find out about it?” Inuyasha replied.

 

“I'm not sure, but a lot of the projects are read in front of the class by the student who wrote the article. Least that's what usually happens, unless it's a silent read,” Kagome explained.

 

“Silent read?” Sango asked.

 

“Yeah. Silent read is when the articles are placed online and the students read each other's articles online and write about which one they liked the most and review on it as well as critique it. The teacher doesn't give that option until the day it's turned in. That's so that students don't work harder on one project than all the others. They tend to put the same amount of effort into each one expecting all of them to be silent read assignments,” Kagome explained.

 

Inuyasha's eyes turned to his half-empty plate in thought. `Would it be all right if my talent was advertised to others? Would we gain more clientele that way?'

 

“Hmmm…Sounds interesting, Kagome. Inuyasha, this could be an interesting opportunity for you, bud,” Miroku said as he patted Inuyasha on the shoulder, forcing him to come back to earth.

 

Inuyasha smacked his shoulder in return, “Don't do that! You startled me! I was thinking, numb nuts!” The girls laughed at their boyfriends and nudged each other's shoulders as they winked, “what was that all about?” Inuyasha asked, gaining shrugs from both of them.

 

“Well, how about it, Inu?” Sango asked as he gained his eye contact.

 

“I don't know. I guess it would depend on what questions you ask. I guess I could see it as an opportunity to get the word out about us and gain some more clientele,” Inuyasha mentioned with a shrug of his shoulders as he turned his eyes from Sango to Kagome.

 

“Yeah, that's what I'd mainly be focusing on. I'd leave your mother out of it. That's too personal,” Kagome said to assure him that she wouldn't reveal too much about him.

 

“I don't know. I think if you mention his mother's condition, they might feel the need to give charity for his cause,” Miroku mentioned.

 

“Think about it, Miroku. Your intentions are good, but that's way too personal. It would be just as bad as mentioning that your ancestor was a total womanizer. Come to think of it, that's how I saw you to begin with, which I have to say was awfully strange,” Sango mentioned as she scooped some pudding into her mouth.

 

“Well, you see he…”

 

“Don't even go there, Miroku,” Sango interrupted as she held a hand up before his face. Kagome and Inuyasha giggled at how well those two were getting along.

 

“Sure, I'll do it,” Inuyasha said contentedly as he grabbed hold of her hand across the table.

 

“Great! Thanks, Inu. I'll make it quick and painless. I won't have to ask you too many questions. It'll mainly be about how we make music together, and how you use the money you make for funding for college,” Kagome explained, gaining a nod from Inuyasha as he continued to hold her hand and eat with the other.

 

Inuyasha and Kagome ate in silence as the other two argued and accused each other of various personality traits and behaviors. Yes, Sango and Miroku definitely knew too much about each other than one would normally figure after knowing each other for just a few weeks.

 

 

@*@

 

 

That evening, Kagome decided she would go back to her dorm and work on her interview questions before getting together with Inuyasha for a bit. Inuyasha went off to play that evening without Kagome as she worked on her project. It felt weird being out there alone since he met Kagome. That evening, he barely got enough to buy one meal. When he eyed his hat and what was left by the time his two hours was up, he realized how much he truly came to depend on Kagome. Not just for the funding he received while he played, but the fact that he almost didn't feel like playing since she was absent.

 

As he carried his equipment home, he thought about the past month or so. How much had changed since he met Kagome. Not only was he affected by her, but so was his mother. She seemed to go downhill fast, but since Kagome's been around, she seemed to want to hold on as long as possible. He noticed a wider smile on her face whenever he brought Kagome by. As if her dreams and hopes were coming true. As he stumbled into the apartment with his equipment, he saw the polish nurse stepping from his mother's bedroom.

 

“Well, hello. She's doing well today, better than normal,” The nurse said as she stepped past him and into the kitchen.

 

He carried his equipment into his room and then stepped across the hall into hers, “Hey, ma. How are ya feeling today?” he asked as he took a seat upon the side of her bed.

 

She smiled and raised her arms towards him. He leaned towards her for a hug and she patted his back with pride, “I'm feeling fine. How are my boy and his girl?”

 

“I'm good. Kagome's doing well also.”

 

“You mean she didn't come with you?” his mother asked dejectedly.

 

“No, she has a project she's working on, but she'll be here tomorrow night. She's going to interview me for a project she has for her journalism class,” Inuyasha explained.

 

“Oh, yeah? What's it going to be about?” Izayoi asked curiously.

 

“About what I do. Ya know, being a street musician and what my reasons are. Don't worry; she said you wouldn't be mentioned in the article. She said that would be too personal,” Inuyasha explained with assurance.

 

“Good. I'm glad to hear she needs your help. So, what is the project exactly?” Izayoi asked.

 

“About unusual occupations. I'm not sure I would call what I do as an occupation, but there are people out there who do this for a living, so I guess it is,” Inuyasha said with a shrug.

 

“What about Miroku and his ancestor?” Izayoi asked with a giggle.

 

“Oh, yeah. He mentioned his ancestor, but I'm not sure she's going to do an article on a lecherous monk from the feudal era,” Inuyasha said with a chuckle.

 

“Well, now. That would certainly make for an interesting article, now wouldn't it?” Izayoi mentioned.

 

“It would, but she's not really close with him, and plus I'm not sure he'd want other students to know about how his family was cursed and the like. They probably wouldn't believe it,” Inuyasha said as he shook his head slightly.

 

“Well, ya never know. Times have changed, and spiritual insight is seen as an interesting subject in history now, instead of something to fear,” Izayoi pointed out.

 

“True. It would certainly appeal to the history buffs, now wouldn't it?” Inuyasha asked as the two winked and chatted a bit longer before Inuyasha walked across the hall to grab his acoustic guitar to serenade his mother for the evening.

 

 

@*@

 

 

Kagome played her favorite music through her boom box as she sat at her desk and wrote down her ideas. Couple hours later, she retired to the bed, laying across it on her back and staring at the ceiling. Then, an hour later, she ended up sitting Indian style upon the bed with her notebook in her lap as she wrote down some more ideas. She began to get hungry after a while so she climbed off the bed and stepped to the fridge to see if there was something microwaveable she could eat.

 

She found nothing of interest, and realized she'd be running on empty soon. She knew Miroku and Sango were out on a date, and she didn't feel like eating alone. She turned towards her desk and eyed the phone. She wondered whether or not she should call him. She wasn't really prepared enough for the interview yet, but her brain was beginning to feel like it was losing inspiration.

 

She decided to call him anyways. She padded across the room, sat upon her bed and grabbed the phone from her desk.

 

@*@

 

As Inuyasha was watching his nightly MTV shows, his phone started to vibrate in his pocket. He decided to set it to vibrate so that he wouldn't wake his mother or the polish nurse who had set up a twin size bed in his mother's room for emergencies. He muted the soft TV and flipped his phone open with, “Hello?”

 

“Hey, it's me.”

 

“Wow, you're ready for me already?” he asked as he lounged back and set his socked feet upon the coffee table.

 

“No. Actually, I'm hungry and there's nothing in the dorm worth eating for a meal. I was wondering if you'd like to come by and have some take out with me?” Kagome offered.

 

“Sure, do you want me to pick it up on my way there?” he asked.

 

“I guess. I'm ordering from the restaurant on the corner across from the dorm towers. Also, do you think you could bring your acoustic?”

 

“Oh? I thought I was coming to eat, not to serenade you as you ate,” Inuyasha said in a smart tone.

 

“No. It's just that my mind has lost inspiration and needs a break is all. Your music always helps to awaken my mind, you know that.”

 

“Well, maybe you just need to take it easy the rest of the night,” Inuyasha suggested.

 

“Maybe. I need a distraction. You wouldn't mind being that distraction, would you?” Kagome asked shyly.

 

“Heh…I certainly would love to be your distraction for the night, babe,” Inuyasha replied with a click of his tongue, gaining a giggle from her end.

 

“You perve!” She exclaimed jokingly.

 

“Okay, go ahead and order the food, and I'll go get it. Be there in a bit,” Inuyasha said, then made a kiss noise into the phone after her goodbye and folded the phone shut. He clicked the remote turning off the TV and then stepped into his room to collect his acoustic guitar and his pics.

 

@*@

 

About a half hour later, a knock sounded at her door. Kagome set her notebook and pen on the desk and stumbled to answer the door. When she opened it, she saw a bag stuck directly in her face, causing her to stumble back a bit. She put her hands up to block it in instinct and Inuyasha turned to shut the door as she leaned against the kitchenette counter to gain her breath back.

 

Inuyasha stepped up beside her and set the big brown bag of food onto the counter. She kept her eyes trained on him as he stepped up to her and closed the distance with a smile, rubbing her bare arms. She finally gained a smile and he kissed her in greeting.

 

“That's a relaxing outfit,” Inuyasha commented as she turned around to grab plates and chopsticks from the cabinets.

 

“What? Didn't think I wore tank tops and flannel pants?” Kagome asked as she set the plates upon the counter and reached into the fridge for pops.

 

“No, it's just you look better than the food does right now,” he commented to see her reaction. She obviously didn't fail him there. She turned and gave him an odd look with one eyebrow cocked high. He chuckled as he spanked her butt and went to set his guitar down next to her desk.

 

“Well, if you weren't hungry for food, you shoulda said something. I wouldn't have ordered as much as I did,” Kagome replied as she began to pull the containers from the bag.

 

“Oh, c'mon. You know you're more important to me than food ever will be,” he said as he came up from behind her and set his hands upon her hips. She continued to ignore him as he tried to get a chance to nip at her neck as she moved her head from side to side, making the plates up from the containers. Finally, he caught his chance and took it. She dropped the chopsticks she was holding and braced herself on the counter as he suckled on her neck tenderly.

 

She didn't know what to say, but it felt strange that he would be this affectionate with her in the dorm room. One thing her mother warned her about back before she started school was that she had to be careful as to whom she invited up to her dorm. Her mother told her of something dorm rooms hold that makes men wanna take advantage of college girls. Kagome dismissed it as hogwash, least `til she had seen his actions.

 

He continued for a few more moments and then stopped abruptly as he grabbed his dish full of Chinese food and stepped away saying, “Thank you.” She stood there bracing herself on the counter as he took a seat on her bed and started eating like nothing had happened. She finally caught her breath after a few moments and turned around to see him eyeing her while sucking up some noodles.

 

“You okay?” he asked nonchalantly.

 

“What was that all about?” Kagome asked pointing to her wet neck.

 

“Oh, that. I had to thank you for inviting me somehow,” he replied as he started to gather more food with his chopsticks.

 

“You were thanking me? Do you have any idea of what that did to me? Or what it made me think?” Kagome asked.

 

He looked up at her innocently as he set some meat in his mouth, “No, what?”

 

Kagome gave him a look that said, `You've got to be kidding me,' and waved it off as she turned and grabbed her plate. She then took her seat on Sango's bed across from him and began to eat. He eyed her in question for a few moments as he watched her eat with a look on her face, avoiding his gaze all the while.

 

“Something wrong?” he asked curiously.

 

“No, why?” she replied with a forced smile.

 

“Suuuuure…Why are you sitting all the way over there?” he asked.

 

“Oh, just to give you some more room for comfort, that's all,” she shrugged.

 

`I don't buy that, something's wrong,' he thought to himself as he patted the bed beside him. Kagome looked up from her food and saw his hand on the bed beside him.

 

“You sure?” she asked, gaining a nod from him. She sighed inwardly and got up from Sango's bed to join him. He scooted over to give her more space and they ate while listening to the music she had been playing for hours.

 

Inuyasha began to notice the music. To him, it seemed the music could have been the problem as to why she couldn't concentrate. He decided that he would make a tape of him playing for her so she could study easier. He figured he'd make it a gift for the next time they got together.

 

Once they had finished eating, he watched her as she grabbed her notebook and tried to think once again and come up with more ideas on how to set up the interview and what she could write in between the conversation words. Inuyasha knew just the thing. He got up, clicked off her music, unloaded his acoustic guitar and grabbed his pic. She watched him as he then took a seat on Sango's bed and set the guitar in his lap.

 

“Don't mind me. Just act as if my music is playing from your CD player, okay?” Inuyasha said as he tuned the strings.

 

She sat and watched him work. He didn't even need a tuner to know his strings were at the right tightness. Finally, when he was finished tuning the instrument, he began to strum something new. It was tender, sweet and refined. The perfect music to play while paying attention to something or working on a project. As her brain reawakened through the music, she gained tons of ideas and came to writing all the questions she needed to ask him for the article.

 

He continued playing for a couple more hours with music similar in meter and tone. Each song was individual in its own right, and very pleasing to the ear. The songs he was playing were songs he'd play if he were trying to calm down his mother on days when she was struggling. She would end up asleep after two or three of them.

 

Once Kagome felt she had everything thought out, she closed her notebook and set it and her pen upon her desk. He continued to strum and eye his hand on the frets as she shifted into a more comfortable position upon her bed. She continued to watch him as he strummed away at a relaxing folk tune. Finally, when the song he was playing ended, he looked up to see her laying on her side upon the bed and embracing a pillow as she eyed him with a content smile.

 

“What?” he asked.

 

“I love the music you played for me tonight. Do they have any words?” She asked.

 

“No. The play list I performed for you tonight are the songs I play to comfort mom during her hard times. They tend to calm her and help her fall asleep while the pain medication kicks in,” he replied as he set the guitar on the bed beside him.

 

“Oh. I had no idea. I'm glad she's been doing better lately. I was so worried about her when you said she had gotten worse,” Kagome mentioned.

 

“Yeah. She's surprised me too. I thought she was going to die, but I guess it's not her time yet, huh?” he said as he looked her way and rested his elbows on his thighs.

 

“Thanks for the inspiring music tonight, as well as the nice distraction earlier,” Kagome said as she gestured quotes with her fingers as she said `distraction'.

 

Inuyasha chuckled and replied with, “Anytime.”

 

Kagome giggled at his response and they both fell silent as they eyed each other across the room. The thoughts going through his head were of an adult nature as he eyed her relaxed body laying upon the bed the way she was. The atmosphere definitely suggested an adult theme. He and his girl being left alone in a college dorm room. He had never been in that situation before, but had heard of situations like that. He never really knew it was true.

 

Since he met Kagome, his mind had found reasons to wander and stray into the adult world. Sure, it wasn't as if he didn't have his personal fantasies before he met her, but they seemed to become realistic while he was with her. Keeping his mind under control and controlling his bodily urges was difficult, but he tried as hard as he could to remain a gentleman for Kagome.

 

Kagome noticed he was staring at her in a strange way. She shifted from her lying position and knelt down onto the floor. She then made her way to him on her knees and knelt before him, a hand on each knee. He had no clue what she was going to do next. Butterflies began to form in his stomach as she pulled his hands apart and scooted herself between his legs.

 

`Now this doesn't help my control one bit,' he thought as she ran her hands up his thighs to his waist. She grabbed hold of his shirt and pulled it up and over his head. Inuyasha gained a look of surprise and shock in his eyes as she eyed his bare muscle clad chest.

 

“So, when do you find the time to work out?” Kagome asked curiously as she touched his abs softly with her fingertips.

 

“In the mornings when I wake up. Why?” he asked as she looked from his body to his eyes.

 

“Just curious. You don't really seem like the kind of guy who's into going to the gym or anything, but yet you're perfectly sculpted. Is it just your metabolism?” she asked innocently.

 

Inuyasha shrugged as he replied with, “Maybe. I've always looked like this. I've always been tall, lanky and muscular no matter what I do. Just lucky, I guess.”

 

“Oh. Me, I have to watch what I eat and how much to keep this figure,” Kagome said as she ran her hands down her flat tummy over her tank top.

 

He gulped inwardly as he caught sight of her belly button. `Where's this going?' he asked himself inwardly as she leaned forward a bit and began to run her fingers through his silver hair. `What's she doing? Is she seducing me or something?'

 

“Your hair was the first thing I noticed about you, ya know. Then it was your eyes,” she said as she eyed his intensely.

 

“What are you doing?” Inuyasha asked as her face came close to his. Her eyes remained open as her faced blurred in his sights. It was as if she was a curious tourist eyeing a specimen in a cage.

 

“Your eyes, they're the most beautiful color. Your mother's eyes are brown, if I noticed right. Who's eyes are they?” she asked curiously.

 

“Honestly, I don't know. Both my parents had brown eyes. I just ended up with this unusual color. Believe me; I was taunted quite a bit in school. I had no other way to defend myself but to say the colors were real. I was labeled `the freak' quite often by the normal kids,” Inuyasha explained as he turned his eyes away from scrutiny.

 

“I'm sorry that happened to you, Inu. Honestly, I see them as beautiful, not strange. They are what set you aside from the norm, the ones who disappear in a crowd. I love how you look, and I wouldn't dare ask you to change,” Kagome said as she leaned in to plant a kiss on his lips to seal her words into his mind forever.

 

Inuyasha inwardly cheered as they kissed at her words and actions. She was a major soother of his soul. To know that she would accept him for who he is and his looks as if he was the most wonderful gift on earth. How she made him feel that night helped him to feel better about his looks and himself from that point on. Who cared about what other normal people thought. He was loved by Kagome no matter what features he ended up with. That alone was enough for him to keep going. As the kiss continued, the last thought that went through his head was, `Thank you, my Kagome.'

 

 

@*@

 

 

Wow! I like this one! Now, I originally thought I would have each chapter surrounded by a poem, but I guess not. Gotta keep things changed up a bit I guess. Anyways, I certainly hope this nice long chapter makes up for the short hiatus it ended up on. I'm really sorry about that, and hopefully you won't have to wait that long again for a new chapter. Well, `til next time! Ja ne!