InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Online Drama ❯ Karaoke ( Chapter 9 )

~Inuyasha: Oh, yeah and the songs used at the Karaoke bar, Belle doesn't own those either. Well she owns the c.d.s that have a copy of the songs, but she doesn't own the ACTUAL song.

~Sesshoumaru: I think you should just stop talking little brother.

~Inuyasha: (*crosses arms and sticks out tongue at older brother*)

Enjoy!

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Kagome piled into the back seat of Inuyasha's jeep as she and the two brothers went to meet the "group" at the Karaoke bar that was across town. They drove with no music playing. Kagome found this curious and asked the driver about it.

"Oh well you see, I figure since we're going to a Karaoke bar there will be more than enough music and we will be grateful for these few minutes of silence." Inuyasha explained.

Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru, who was turned in his seat to face her. "Sounds logical." He concluded.

"So can you guys sing?" Kagome asked sitting back comfortably in the back seat. Inuyasha had tried to make her sit shotgun, but she declined. She always preferred the backseat, because if you sat in the front you had to constantly turn your neck towards the person in the back. It was much easier to lean forward.

Inuyasha burst out laughing and Sesshoumaru redirected his gaze out his passenger side window.

"You have to get me drunk to sing in public. I would hate to remember the pain that I would inflict on the population! But Sesshoumaru, he's got the voice of angel!" Inuyasha laughed some more at his brother's expense. "Remember that time you were in the school play in fourth grade and mom called in everybody the family knew to watch your performance and then you forgot your lines!"

Sesshoumaru turned a vicious glare at his brother. "You are lucky that you are driving this car and that Kagome is present or else I would dismember you this instant." He threatened with a tense growl that made the younger brother stop laughing immediately.

"It's okay. We've all gotten stage fright before." Kagome tried to smooth his obviously ruffled feathers.

"Kouga will be there." Sesshoumaru turned to face her once more and to change the subject.

"I don't care." Kagome answered decidedly as she began to play with her seatbelt. Sesshoumaru leaned over to grab her hands to keep her from playing with the seatbelt.

"It is not wise to play with one's seatbelt in a moving vehicle." He advised, with a small smile to put her at ease. "Kouga will be there, but so will your other friends. Do not feel pressured to accept his apology. I am certain that he will try something to regain your favor."

Kagome nodded. "And it usually works too." She declared with a helpless shake of her head thinking of how many times she had forgiven the wolf with hardly any effort of redemption on his part.

"Promise that you won't just be fooled by words you wish to hear." Sesshoumaru told her as he removed his hand and sat back in his seat. Inuyasha watched him from the corner of his eye. Unsure whether to give him the thumbs up for helping to break up the pair or to knock him upside the head for trying to establish that open ear / sound advice relationship with the object of their mutual affection.

For now, he would have to assume the former.

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

Kagome was glad to see Sango and Miroku already waiting for them at a table. She choice the seat next to Sango and explained the scene earlier with Kouga. However, Sango had already heard the tale from Miroku.

Soon Bankotsu joined the group, much to Kagome's delight, for she had not seen him in a while. But then Kouga joined the group and sat on Kagome's other side. She looked across at Sesshoumaru, the only one who seemed to not be avoiding her look. He shrugged at her helplessly.

Kagome sighed and accepted her fate. Kouga was still her friend even if their relationship as a couple was rocky.

The waitress soon arrived and presented the group with chips and salsa. She leaned over and dropped a piece of paper, rather noticeably, in front of Inuyasha. He growled softly and crumpled up the number that had fallen into his lap and looked at Bankotsu, on his right and shook his head in annoyance.

"I know my friend, it is just terrible to be so desired." Bankotsu replied with a false look of sympathy etched across his face. Then he flashed Miroku a suspicious glare to which the accused held up his hands and smiled guiltily.

A few light conversations about nothing of importance occupied the group. Then Kouga went to sign up for a turn to sing Karaoke. Miroku leaned towards Sesshoumaru to whisper something to him.

"He's going to sing. He's got a great voice. If you want the girl you better be able to top his performance." Miroku warned, protecting his investment.

A few minutes later, Kouga walked up onstage when his turn was called. Kagome shivered in anticipation for she knew that his voice was radiant. She remembered vividly that this track star from her high school also held the lead in every school play because of his voice.

His remarkable singing skills were also the way he won her over originally. She couldn't help but laugh softly remembering Hojo's fallen face every time he lost the lead to Kouga. Goodness, she was mean to that boy, oh well.

Kouga couldn't help but smile as the song began. Kagome's heart would be like puddy in his hand as soon as he sang. She would always forgive him of any indiscretions after he sang for her.

The music to Nickleback's Someday began to carry through the Karaoke sound system. Kouga jumped off the stage to stand in front of Kagome and sing his heart out.

"How the hell'd we wind up like this - And why weren't we able - To see the signs that we missed - And try to turn the tables." Kouga sang with a rich melodic voice as his ice blue eyes locked on Kagome's and held her absolute attention.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha exchanged annoyed looks at how easy Kagome was succumbing to the wolf's efforts.

"Lately there's been too much of this - But don't think it's too late - Nothing's wrong - Just as long as you know that someday I will - Someday, somehow - I'm gonna make it all right - But not right now - I know you're wondering when - You're the only one who knows that - Someday, somehow - I'm gonna make it all right - But not right now………" Kouga continued with the versus after taking Kagome's hands in his.

Kagome felt the words couldn't be more right. Kouga was constantly making a mess of things but later he always seemed to make up for it and make it all right. She couldn't help but smile at the honesty in the words.

When the song was finished, Kouga kissed her knuckles before returning the microphone to the Karaoke machine.

"Can you forgive me, Kagome?" Kouga cooed in her ear. Every other male at the table looked at the pair in annoyance. Bankotsu and Miroku were upset because their bet wouldn't exist if Kagome stayed with Kouga. The two brothers were aggravated because they felt Kouga to be an idiot.

However, it was the other female at the table that offered the much-desired advice. "Kagome, I think you should forgive him for being an idiot, but don't take him back just yet." Sango remarked sitting on the other side of Kagome and giving her a sound elbow hard into the ribs to make her point.

"Of course I forgive you Kouga-kun, but I think I will take Sango's suggestion. Perhaps it would be good for us to take a break." Kagome answered in a sweet, alluring voice.

"Whatever you feel is best, Kagome." Kouga answered dejectedly as he slouched in his seat and grabbed for the chips and salsa in the middle of the table.

Sesshoumaru cleared his voice and stood up from his position across from Kagome. "I believe that I will see about having a turn at the Karaoke machine." He informed everyone, while flashing the American girl a dashing smile.

Sesshoumaru did not return to the table and had convinced the man in charge of the Karaoke to allow him to go next. Granted the twenty dollars he offered helped in that convincing. He grabbed hold of the microphone.

"I would like to ask a very special young lady to join me on stage, as I dedicate this song to her." Sesshoumaru began and multiple ooos and ahhs went through out the female population as several began jumping in their seats to gain the replica of a god's attention.

"Kagome, would you join me on stage?" Sesshoumaru asked as his golden eyes focused on her surprised face.

Inuyasha crossed his arms and turned to Bankotsu to roll his eyes. Maybe Kagome wasn't worth competing with his brother if she was this dense he mused. But then he took another look at her body and remembered how much fun they had together and quickly dismissed that notion.

Sesshoumaru reached down his hand to aid Kagome in standing upon the stage. He kept that hand grasped in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze as Matchbox Twenty's Unwell began to resound through the speakers.

"All day -- staring at the ceiling making -- friends with shadows on my wall,

All night-- hearing voices telling me that I should get some sleep because, Tomorrow might be good for something,

Hold on feeling like I'm heading for a-- breakdown and I don't know why.

But, I'm not crazy I'm just a little unwell,

I know right now you can't tell,

But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see a different side of me.

I'm not crazy I'm just a little impaired,

I know right now you don't care,

But soon enough you're gonna think of me and how I used to be."

Sesshoumaru's talent astonished Kagome, along with everybody else with hearing in the Karaoke bar. She thought Kouga's voice was amazing but now she was hearing a whole new level of wowness!

"There must be something wrong with me out of all the hours thinking somehow, I lost my mind." Sesshoumaru continued with the song, never allowing his eyes to waver from the obviously impressed orbs of Kagome.

"But I'm not crazy I'm just a little unwell,

I know right now you can't tell,

But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see a different side of me.

I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired,

I know right now you don't care,

But soon enough you're gonna think of me and how I used to be."

The song wrapped up and then silence engulfed the bar like a thick blanket. Suddenly the whole house offered a standing ovation and gave a thunderous applause to the tall, silver haired youth. Inuyasha almost choked when he saw his brother's face actually take on a reddish tint. He kicked Miroku, who sitting beside him, to see if he noticed.

Apparently he had noticed as well and shot Bankotsu a victorious smirk. It looked like his investment was made wisely.

Sesshoumaru gave the microphone back to the Karaoke machine attendant and led Kagome off stage.

"That was so amazing!" Kagome gushed her admiration.

"Thank you for the praise." Sesshoumaru told her with a hint of a smile as he walked her back to the table. They took their respective seats.

The conversation eventually drifted to matters of the Judo tournament. The tournament would end in two days and everyone would part ways at least temporarily.

Inuyasha had five matches the next day and looked at his watch a bit anxiously. "I really need to get back to the hotel, I have a busy day tomorrow." He told everyone. Suddenly his eyes widened dramatically.

"What's wrong Yasha?" Kagome inquired, worried by his expression.

"The cat!" He exclaimed. "We left her in our room! She's going to tear it up!" He forced Sesshoumaru to his feet. "We have to go back before she destroys everything!"

"You got a cat?" Sango asked excitedly, completely ignoring Inuyasha's panic. "Can I cat-sit? Please? I'll take good care of her!"

Inuyasha sweat dropped at Sango's enthusiasm. "Sure, if she likes you, then I suppose you can keep her too. Kagome told me you adore cats."

If one were to squint, little hearts could be seen circling around Sango's head. Miroku grabbed hold of her arm. "Kouga, Sango and I will drop you off at the hotel. Kagome, you can ride with Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru to retrieve the cat. We'll meet you there."

Bankotsu eyed Miroku suspiciously. "Actually, Kagome you look really tired. Miroku why don't you let me borrow the keys to your house and I'll drive Kagome over there." There was no way he was going to allow Kagome a car ride with Sesshoumaru while Inuyasha was busy driving.

"Thank you Bank, I'd really appreciate that." Kagome told him while stifling a yawn with a fist. She looked at Miroku with pleading eyes. Miroku handed them over to Bankotsu with a promise of death in his eyes.

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

Kagome did not expect the sports car Banktosu drove. It was a custom made Italian import and was absolutely gorgeous. He opened the door for her before he climbed in himself. She absolutely melted in the tan leather seat.

He started the engine. "Quite a fun evening." He commented pleasantly.

"It was fun! This has been a crazy day." Kagome admitted.

"So how was your evening with Yasha the other night? Jak said he had never seen his dress look better than it did on you." Banktosu complimented with a boyish grin.

"It was so much fun. Yasha is a total blast. I hope that when I'm here for the semester I can get to know you guys better. Do you think there will be anything fun to do after the tournament? Like a big party?" Kagome asked becoming rather talkative.

"There's always a big party going on somewhere. I'll make sure that you and your friends are all invited." Bankotsu reassured her as he pulled up to Miroku's house.

"Thanks for the ride. Tell Jak I said hello!" Kagome called before walking towards the front door.

Banktosu grinned in self-satisfaction. If Inuyasha couldn't do it by himself then he would have to give him some helpful pushes towards wooing the girl.

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"Kagome!" Sango called running towards her bedroom. She kicked open the door and hopped onto the sleeping girl's bed to wake her up. "Look! Look at Kirara! Isn't she beautiful? How could Inuyasha possibly NOT want her?" Sango continued, excitedly.

One must remember that around felines, Sango is just as bad as Kagome is around chocolates.

"Sango, go away! I already saw the cat. She's great I know. Now go to sleep and leave me be!" Kagome told the girl while pulling her covers far over her head. Only to have them ripped down again.

"But Kagome! Look at her! Don't you want to pet her? She's so soft!" Sango told her, exasperated at her friend's lack of enthusiasm.

Miroku creeped into the room and wrapped his arms around Sango's waist to drag her off towards her guestroom. "Sorry about that Kagome. Good night."

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Bankotsu sat in front of his computer and threaded his fingers together and inverted his hands to pop his knuckles. Then he signed online to conspire with Inuyasha. But, he needed to conspire in a way so that his demon friend didn't think he had any personal financial reasons for becoming involved in his love life.

~Leader7: Hey loser.

~SteelClaws: what do you want?

~Leader7: just thought you could use some advice regarding our favorite surfer girl

~SteelClaws: I'm "listening"

~Leader7: I'll have a talk with Naraku and make sure there's a party the night after the tournament. It'll be your chance.

~SteelClaws: if I lose I'll be a pissy mood

~Leader7: Don't lose.

~SteelClaws: whatever, you have fun with your evil plotting and whatnot I've got more fights tomorrow than I'd rather think about. `Night. (*SteelClaws signs off*)

Bankotsu leaned back in with his chair resting on it's back two legs with his arms crossed behind his head gloating silently at his own cunning. Then he remembered the reason why his mother always yelled at him for leaning back when he lost his balance and crashed to the floor.

He rubbed his sore head and groaned loudly. His door burst open and his younger brother, in full drag rushed in.

"Bank you okay?" Jakotsu asked concerned.

Banktosu turned to face his brother and noticed him in his drag get-up and moaned again before flopping onto his stomach and burying his nose in the thick carpet. Maybe he should get some sleep too. He could talk with Naraku the next day.