InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Uptown Girl ❯ chapter 31 ( Chapter 32 )

I'd like to thank `Kittyb78' for helping me with this chapter. Without her help, I'm not sure if it would have turned out as well as it did. I would also like to say that I do not own the rights to `When I think about Cheating' by Gretchen Wilson. When I heard this song, as I worked on the earlier parts of this story, I felt that it would be the prefect way for Jade to tell Koga, `Dude you were wrong.' Please enjoy this chapter, as much as I have. Thanks and remember to review.

 

It had been another week and a half since Koga had overheard Kagome and Sango's conversation about Jade. He'd resigned himself to the fact that he'd probably never see her again… that was if he didn't get off his lazy ass and go out to see her. However because of Kagome and Sesshomaru out there on a constant basis, he didn't really feel all that adventurous to have his ass handed to him on a silver platter, nor the third degree about his intentions toward Jade. As he sat at the bar, nursing a cold brew, he thought about the causes of the fight, as well as his insatiable desire to kill the mutt the caused it all. “What happened between them while I was gone? How could she turn to HIM so quickly?” he said under his breath, unconsciously letting lose a feral growl as the images of Inuyasha and Jade in the throws of passion crossed his mind.

 

“I wouldn't be beating yourself up so hard, Koga,” a smooth, icy voice pulled him out of his self induced pain. Glancing to his left, Koga saw the white locks of Sesshomaru brush against his shoulder before his eyes settled on his face.

 

Turning back to his beer, Koga inquired, his voice thick with sarcasm, “What do you want, Sesshomaru? Care to rub some salt into my already broken heart?”

 

Taking the bar stool near Koga's left, Sesshomaru replied, “No, that would serve no purpose. Besides, I'm not the one you have the problem with.” As if by magic a cold beer appeared on the bar in front of Sesshomaru. He'd seen his no good brother at the far end, and hoped like hell that he'd stay as far away from Koga as possible. “What the hell is he doing here?” he thought, glancing in his general direction a few times. Kagome had let him in on the `plan' and it didn't involve the mutt being here.

 

Hoping that he'd leave of his own volition, Sesshomaru returned to his beer, keeping an eye on the wolf. That was his part of the `plan,' engage Koga into conversation if necessary, but not to let him leave the bar when Jade sang. It sounded simple enough, but with as weary as the wolf was to his presence, Sesshomaru felt that he may have to sit on Koga to keep him from bolting at the first scent of Jade. He turned back to his brew as he thought, “This had better work, or else I may have to take matters into my own hands.”

 

 

Ginta and Hakkaku watched the two men nurse their drinks, serving up other patrons of the bar when they saw Kagome and a rather reluctant Jade walk in the door. Ginta elbowed Hakkaku as he pointed out the two and commented, “I wonder if Kagome's plan will work?”

 

“I sure hope so, his moping around the place is driving me nuts. Besides that, we've taken a hit on the MGD sales, seeing as he's been drinking it all,” Hakkaku replied, as he flipped a couple of steaks on the open lodge pole pine grill.

 

 

“Kagome,” Jade commented, as they worked their way through the crowded bar, pulling the long black duster closer around her slight frame, feeling completely exposed and vulnerable, “I'm not sure if this will work. What if he's already found someone else?”

 

Kagome, dragging the duster covered Jade, through the back of the bar toward the pool tables and dart boards, thought long about her plan on helping get Jade and Koga back together. She'd seen the aftermath of his unwarranted wrath on her crushed friend. Jade had done nothing wrong; it had all been a huge misunderstanding on his part after all. With the help of Ginta and Hakkaku and karaoke night at the Wolf's Den Kagome formulated her plan. Step one was to dress Jade as seductively as she could. Follow that up with the perfect song and `bam' you get the best mix of getting the two love birds back together again.

 

Kagome glanced back at Jade, once she'd removed her black duster, looked over the simple black dress and heels. The spaghetti straps accentuated her tanned shoulders, which didn't show any out of place tan lines. The courting mark on her left shoulder was faded compared to the freshly healed marks from her attack. Luckily the bodice of the dress covered the healing scar on her left breast where the shard of glass had cut into her pretty deeply. It was nearly in the same condition as the one on her shoulder. “Trust me, this will work, Jade. I've heard you singing and you have a lovely voice,” Kagome replied, placing a caring hand on her friend's shoulder.

 

A small smile graced Jade's face as she corrected Kagome, “That was a requiem for the dead. I sing `Lacrimosa' when I'm feeling particularly dejected. Mozart's requiems are a little comforting to me. However, I doubt that singing about death is going to get me back into Koga's good graces.”

 

With a sly smile across her face, Kagome replied, “No, that would be rather morbid, actually, but this one is better.” She handed Jade some sheet music as Ginta approached the small stage that the live band normally performed on.

 

 

Taking the microphone, Ginta surveyed the crowded bar. “Boy, for this being a Wednesday night this is a full house,” he thought to himself, tapping the mic a few times to get the attention of the audience. After a few heads turned toward him, Ginta continued, “Welcome to Karaoke Night at the Wolf's Den. Tonight for grabs will be two free prime rib dinners with all the fixings here at the Wolf's Den. First up…” Ginta rattled off a few names as he introduced the first singer.

 

As the contestants moved through their routine, Jade became more and more nervous. From her position at the farthest pool table, in a dark corner, she had the whole bar laid out in front of her. She noticed Koga and Sesshomaru at the bar, with Inuyasha at the other end, Sango, Miroku, Shippo and Mitch were at another of the tables near the dart board, after Miroku's rendition of `What's a Guy Gotta Do' by Joe Nichols. From the look on Sango's face, she knew the meaning to that song all to well, considering her fiancé's previous lecherous habits.

 

Her eyes stayed on Koga, noticing how haggard he looked since the last time she'd seen him. His once close cropped hair was now pretty long, pulled up into a high pony tail that hung nearly to his shoulders. A slight smile crossed her face as she remembered how fast his hair grew, about the numerous arguments they'd had over whether he should have her cut it, or go to a professional. He always won out, but at nine dollars a pop, he eventually caved and let her cut it. She was fairly good with the standard `high and tight' that many of the soldiers preferred. A tear came to her eyes as she remembered how happy they had been back then. “Now if only we could get back to that,” she thought sadly.

 

 

About an hour after the contest started, the final contestant stepped up to the mic. For her, there was no introduction, for fear of driving off the intended listener. Her blue eyes remained on the floor as the music began, soft and slow. Gripping the mic as if it were her only life line, Jade began her heart wrenching song of love.

 

I've never done anything

That would ever bring a tear to your eye
I've never crossed the line

Or needed an alibi to cover up a lie
But darling I'll admit

There have been times when I could have
The thing that kept me strong

Is the one thing that is always on my mind

Every eye was on the girl, especially two pairs, one of amber the other of blue. Both thought of the girl as a knock out in the basic little black dress. The black colored brace and the rather fresh looking scar on her shoulder, the only detractions of her flawless tanned skin. Even the healed scars on her ankle paled in comparison to her shoulder. The thin straps of the dress accented her shoulders as the bust hugged her curvaceous body in all the right places. Her golden red locks hung down her back in soft curls that rested lightly against the curve of her rump. She kept her eyes nearly closed, trying to be as seductive as possible, so that when she did allow her eyes to wander the crowd, they were drawn into the deep azure pools, nearly drowning in them. Both males were so caught up in the song that neither realized that tragedy was about to strike.

 

When I think about cheating
I just think about you leaving
And how my world would fall to pieces
If I tossed your love away
Even when I'm tempted by some stranger
Oh there's never any danger
I just think about you leaving
When I think about cheating

 

Jade continued her song, filling each word with as much love and understanding as was possible. As she locked her azure eyes to those of her beloved, she noticed a red head moving toward him, as if she were a predator, circling her prey. Unable to do anything at the moment, except continue her song, Jade looked toward the amber eyes of the one who had inadvertently caused all her pain. She didn't blame Koga for what had happened, despite his harsh words to her. It was Inuyasha who wouldn't take the hint that she wasn't interested after all. It was hard seeing him there, leaning against the opposite end of the bar from Koga and his brother.

 

There was a time in Abilene

When he said all the things I wanted to hear

It was hard to turn him down

Between the champagne and the sound of whispers in my ear
But it just took one

Two step with someone

And I was missing you
He never had a chance

Because I broke up the dance before the song was through

 

The red head, emerald eyed wolf demoness walked past Koga, not once but twice, trying to get the nerve to talk to the wolf demon. It had been years since she had last seen him… loved him… betrayed him. “He looks good,” she thought as she walked past him one last time, but took the stool next to him as the woman on the stage continued her heart felt song of love.

 

When I think about cheating

I just think about you leaving
And how my world would fall to pieces
If I tossed your love away
Even when I'm tempted by some stranger
Oh there's never any danger
I just think about you leaving
When I think about cheating

 

Koga's eyes never left Jade as she sang; the meaning of her words struck a cord in his heart. “Is it possible that this was all a… misunderstanding?” he thought getting drawn into the song as each word passed her plump, kissable lips. As he listened to the song, failing to notice the red head who just stood next to him, Koga moved toward the stage, wanting to get closer to the woman he loved, beyond all else.

 

And when I'm tempted by some stranger
Oh there's never any danger
I just think about you leaving'
When I think about cheating'

 

Once the song ended, after a few heart beats of absolute silence, the crowd jumped to its feet, roaring their approval as to the best performance. Jade smiled and thanked the crowd as she tried to get off the stage, until Ginta grabbed her arm, leading her back to the mic. “I guess we have our winner, Acacia Jade Matador. Here are the complimentary dinner certificates,” he handed them to her, as she graciously took them and headed off the stage toward the last place that she saw Koga.

 

Koga tried to get through the throng of people, until a gentle, but firm hand stopped him, not far from where he started. Anger filled his eyes for being denied turned toward those of emerald as shock crossed his face. “Ayame… it's been a while,” Koga said rather curtly.

 

“Hi, Koga, long time no see,” she replied, a little nervously under his penetrating blue eyes.

 

Turning his attention back toward the stage, Koga became a little frantic as he had lost track of Jade. Desiring to be with his beloved, he turned back to Ayame as he tried to pull his arm firmly from her grasp, “I need to get going. Maybe we can reminisce some other time.”

 

Refusing to let go of the muscular arm, Ayame replied, having regained her composure, “I never should have cheated on you, Koga. It was a mistake that I have regretted every day of my life. You were my one true love and I never should have let you go.” She jerked on his arm, pulling him off balance into her full waiting lips. She crushed his lips to hers in a kiss of hunger and longing, hoping to raise the urge in Koga to ravage the wolf demoness to his hearts content. However all it did was make the wolf demon fight against her, trying to get out of the rock hard embrace that she had him in.