Songs To Fly by TouchFire

Sleepsong

Beep! Beep!

Beep! Beep!

Golden sunrise spilled in through the windows, washing over the white and lavender walls and into the four corners of the bedroom like waves. Several paintings of beaches and photos of Hawaii decorated the space, creating an endless sensation of summer. The pale, sheer curtains veiling the windows, giving the chamber its open, airy feeling, fluttered in the dawn breeze.

There was a mahogany armoire in one corner of the room, stuffed full with clothes, hangers, and other miscellaneous items. A desk sat by the door, covered in music sheets, pencils, and eraser dust, while multicolored sticky-notes clung the wall in front of it. A full-sized bed was pressed against the farthest wall, making it difficult to reach from the doorway. Other obscure objects were spread about the room - like the silver stereo on the window shelf, the white Mac Book on a corner of the desk, and the sticker-coated, acoustic guitar.

Beep! Beep!

Beep! Beep!

The green comforter on the bed groaned, cursing and mumbling, as it curled into its own warmth. The high pitch racket continued as a hand reached out from beneath the mountain of tangled blankets. Lime-colored nail crawled across the sheets and before sleepily dropping to the side of the bed. Then, it groped across the nightstand, knocking little knick-knacks on the floor.

Beep! Beep -!

Slender fingers smashed down on the button, silencing the horrid device. The person grumbled under their breath, throwing off the covers in a tired huff.

Dark, obsidian hair curled in wavy locks around Kagome's heart-shaped face. Her skin was a smooth, cream hue and her cheeks were lightly dusted with a tired flush. Her cherry lips were twisted in a slight grimace, frowning at the thought of waking.

She sat up and stretched, joints popping down her spine and arching her back with a Cheshire cat grin. Bright, cerulean eyes snapped open, glancing at the alarm clock at her side. The numbers were blurry and unfocused, reminding her of fuzzy, blinking lights.

She shrugged it off, rubbing her eyes. Kagome fell back against the bed, sinking into her blankets once more.

Wait... rewind...

Kagome turned her head look at the clock once more, narrowing her gaze at the flashing numbers.

8:30 am...

It clicked.

"Shit! I'm gonna be late!" shouted Kagome, dashing to the bathroom - nearly tripping over the cat sleeping at the foot of her bed.

"Sorry, Buyo!" She called, closing the door behind her.

"Sango's going to kill me!"

Sango sat alone at a table in a small café on the corner of Smith & Adder St.

It was a quaint, little place. The dimly lit corners set a soothing, leisure mood. The smell of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air, while gentle tunes hummed through the low speakers. There was a line of high counters in front of the window, tall stools matching with those seats. The main chairs, cushioned with leather and soft pillows, were smooth and pliant.

But Sango paid no heed to the setting this morning.

It was past 8:40 and she was worried, wondering what was keeping Kagome. It was Friday morning. They usually had their 'Special Business' talks at this time, making plans for the night on

the town.

Sango sighed, occasionally checking her watch and noting how five more minutes had gone by.

Another exasperated exhale escaped her as she brought her coffee to her lips, sipping it gingerly.

She was supposed to be here at eight o'clock...

"Hey, Sango. Sorry, I'm late," said Kagome, taking a seat at the table. She dropped her messenger bag at her feet, kicking it under the table. She ran a hand through her bedraggled hair, straightening the pillow curls and damp ends. "Some senile, old guy thought it was funny to block an intersection."

Sango turned her brown eyes to her friend, shaking her head lightly. She set her cup on the table with a mocking tilt of her head.

"Do you ever get up early?" she asked, threading her hands together in her lap.

"Sango! Of course I do... when I have work," Kagome replied. Her mouth twisted into a crooked grin. "But today is my day off. I was supposed to be enjoying the morning – like sleeping in, which is something I don't get to do very often." She leaned back in her chair, copying the lacing of her fingers. She fiddled with the silver ring on her middle finger, watching it glint in the morning light.

"No, Kagome dear. You were supposed to meet me here at eight – like every Friday we spend together," chided Sango, bringing her cup to her lips. "You're lucky I'm a very patient person."

"And that this meeting is quite important and could be the turning point in the rest of our short, mortal lives?"

"... Yeah, that too."

The two shared a laugh, relaxing in the cool air of the café. It was routine for them to meet early on Fridays. It was to prepare for the festivities later in the afternoon, when they would go to the pub for drinks and entertainment.

'Nothing like a little Friday night delight', as Kagome would say.

"S'okay. I'm used to it by now," said Sango with a tiny laugh, waving it off.

Kagome huffed, crossing her arms over her chest and sticking her nose in the air.

"No, I just woke up late... and that guy who blocked the road for a good, couple of minutes." She smirked, laying her palms on the flat on the table. "I'm going to get something to drink, and then, we can talk business."

Sango nodded. "Sounds good to me."

"What do you recommend? I haven't had coffee in awhile."

"What do you like?"

Kagome grinned, stuffing her hands in her pockets. "...Mm? Something sweet and cool, I think. Not a big fan of bitter stuff."

"Kagome, that's not coffee. That's like, ice cream!"

"Well, then I want ice cream."

Sango laughed, setting down her cup. She peeked at the menu on the black board above the counter, reading the names scrawled in white chalk. There was a lot to choose from, that's why Sango liked this place. If there was one thing she prized other than a good sale at a clothing store, it was selection.

Looking back at her friend, she motioned towards the column in the middle.

"It's a nice day – really warm. If I were you, I'd get a Vanilla Bean or Strawberry Frappuccino. They sound pretty good right about now," said Sango. She glanced down at her cup, pursing her lips.

"Almost wish you got one of those instead?"

"... Yeah."

Kagome nodded, going to the counter and giving her order to the boy. She handed him the bills over the counter, putting the change in the tip box. The teen nodded, a pink blush spreading over his cheeks as he quickly set to work on the drink. In moments, her coffee was on the counter, waiting for her. She picked it up, wrapping it in a napkin and grabbing a straw from a counter across the room.

Returning to Sango, she sipped the drink slowly, feeling its chill seep into her bones.

"Watch out for a brain freeze," said the brown-eyed woman, taking another tender sip from her cup.

"Yeah, those are no fun."

"So," she started, looking at her dark-haired friend, "What have you got today? Anything come to you the other night?"

Kagome nodded, reaching below the table to grab her bag. She lifted it into her lap, digging through the messy contents. With a triumphant "Ah-ha", she pulled out a blue, plaid folder and gave it to her friend.

"I've got one I thought would really be good for tonight. I've been working on some new pieces, mixing up feelings and different chords. It came out really nice in the end. Something sweet and bubbly... kinda."

Sango read over the paper, eyes dancing over the lyrics scribbled between the lines. A steady nod and a flash of a smile, she handed the papers back to Kagome. Her eyes brightened, seeming to glow with excitement from the inside.

"It looks wonderful. I know it'll be great tonight," said Sango. "Do you have a recorded copy with you?"

The blue-eyed woman nodded, pulling a CD player from her bag.

"The disc is already in there. Just press 'Play'."

Sango placed the headphones over her ears and pressed the button, the gentle twang of guitar strings meeting her senses. She smiled, bobbing her head lightly with the music. It was smooth and rhythmic, flowing down into her soul and seeping out to the far reaches of her being. And as the song ended, Sango handed the CD player back to Kagome, grinning widely.

"It sounds amazing – reminds me of the beach. You've outdone yourself this time, Kags."

Kagome thanked her, stuffing the things back into her bag.

"Yeah. That's the new feeling I'm working with right now. I blame summer."

"Do you have it memorized already?"

"Yep. It's all up here." Kagome tapped her skull for emphasize. "I memorize everything if I really like how it turns out." She took another quick sip of her drink when a thought suddenly came to her. She narrowed her aqua eyes, thinking to herself.

Something was supposed to happen today...

"Hey, have you heard from Rin at all today? She was supposed to call me this morning."

Sango shook her head. "No, but maybe she has something to do this morning."

"I doubt it. It's Friday. She sleeps in all morning."

"Did you call her?"

"Yeah. Mom said she wasn't home."

Sango tapped her chin, staring up at the ceiling from the corner of her eye. Rin, Kagome's kid sister, had a habit of surprises, giving the two, older girls more than enough trouble. Sango remembered the little sister mentioning something to her – something that was supposed to happen this morning.

Uh oh!

"I think I know where she is..."

"No, woman, no cry;

No, woman, no cry. Eh, yeah!

A little darlin', don't shed no tears:

No, woman, no cry-!"

An 18-year old Rin flipped open her phone, interrupting the chiming tunes from Bob Marley. It was a message from her sister; Kagome had called her earlier that morning. A light grin spread across her lips before she pressed the power button, shutting off the portable device. She dropped it back into her purse and zipped it closed.

"Sorry, 'Gome," she said. "I can't talk to you right now."

I'm on a mission.

It was one of those Friday mornings where the city was busy with life. People spread out about the streets, enjoying the rising sun as it parted the cool dawn. Car horns blared loudly, and accompanied by the erratic rhythm of feet, as they filled the air with their own beat. Shops and businesses were just opening, flicking on the golden lights from the inside.

Strange... It was barely past nine.

"It's probably got something to do with the auditions in town today..."

Rin sighed, waiting at the crosswalk with her arms folded across her chest. She glanced down at the paper in her hands, a light grin spreading on her lips.

She knew she shouldn't be doing this; her older sister, Kagome, had warned her a million times. She knew it was a bad idea. And Rin had already been thoroughly threatened, and had begged her sister not to shred her favorite collection of teddy bears.

'No, Rin,' she remembered Kagome telling her. 'I don't want anything to do with those people... bunch of money-hungry bastards.'

Rin exhaled.

Kagome had been so mad when she mentioned the auditions at the theatre in the city this morning a few days ago. The older sister had a conniption, shouting at herself and flinging pillows in the small apartment. She'd stomped around like an angry elephant, flailing her arms above her head. Rin had sat on the couch beside Buyo – her sister's overly obese cat who blends in with the tan couch pillows – as Kagome ranted and stormed through the rooms.

The neighbors had come by after that, kindly asking for them to keep the noise level to a minimum. Kagome had gone into a garbling fit of apologies, while Rin just rolled her eyes with a shake of her head.

"Sis is really something," she muttered under her breath. She stuffed the paper into her pocket as she crossed the street.

It's a good idea, thought Rin. She plays really well, and her lyrics are smooth and simple. Kagome deserves to be recognized. She just... needs a little nudge in the right direction. Besides, it'd be cool to have a sister whose famous.

Rin came to a stop in front of a large building, leaning backwards to try to see the very top. Its dome roof rose high into the sky, light reflecting off the windows in the upper stories. Checking the address on the golden plaque by the door, she grinned. 



A bright, yellow flyer was taped to one of the clear, glass doors. 



Straightening her shoulders, Rin pushed open the double doors and stepped into the cool lobby.

It was a large space with expensive, burgundy carpet and dark, paneled wood. It smelled of high-priced cologne, mingling with the scent of fancy perfume. On any normal day, the building would be closed off to the public until the time came for a play or opera.

Except for today, where a long line of people awaited entry into a pair of doors to a room off to one side.

They were everywhere, standing in corners, leaning against the walls, and sitting on the random couches situated throughout the lobby. From black Tripp pants to South Pole attire, men, women, and teens milled about the room, radiating with pure excitement.

The room was filled with a mix of sounds; they tested their voices and tuned their instruments. Someone was creating beats, while his buddy was rapping out freestyle lyrics he wrote in his grandmother's basement. Somewhere else in the room, a teenager strummed his guitar with expert fingers, humming the words under his breath.

"There's a lot of people here," Rin said quietly. She touched her palm to her forehead, soothing the light pounding.

I feel a headache coming... how does Kagome deal with kind of noise?

She glanced around the room again, spotting a set of large double doors guarded by a pair of security guards. They were two, heavy-set, middle age guys, fitting the stereotype of the burly officer to a tee. They would snap and shout, pushing people away if they got too close to the doors.

Rin grinned, walking towards them with a hop in her step. She smiled and held out a slip of paper to them.

"It's the appointment sheet I was given. It's to let me know when my turn is up," she said, pointing to the time and date on the paper. "I'm supposed to go after whose in there now... I guess."

One of the guards nodded, returning the paper to her.

"You can go in once they call for you," said the other guard. He pointed an empty bench along the wall nearest to the doors. "You can wait there until then, Miss."

"Thanks," she said brightly, grinning. She skipped over to the seat, falling into gleefully. Shivers of eagerness raced up her spine, making it nearly impossible for her to sit still. Rin squealed, kicking

her legs with child-like joy.

Kagome is going to thank me for this!

"The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later, or..."

The voice trailed off as Kagome pulled the phone away from her ear.

Sango could not have missed a darker look streak across the other girl's face. Her cherry lips were pinched in a firm puckered, like a fish who had gotten hold of a sour candy. Her right hand clutched the pocket-phone tightly; Sango could swear she heard the plastic crack under the pressure. The fingers of her left hand drummed against the table in a heated rhythm, matching its tempo with the occasional tic of Kagome's brow.

"She went, didn't she?"

The brown haired girl shivered, eyes dancing around the café in a nervous gesture.

"... I think so."

"..."




"Don't worry. We'll call you," said a man with silver hair and tired, amber eyes as the girl was escorted out of the room, squealing with excitement.

InuYasha ran a clawed hand over his face, pinching the bridge of

his nose. He was not having a good day.

He'd woken up this morning, planning on having the day to himself. He didn't know that his half-brother, Lord Ice-Pick-Up-His-Ass would have him sitting through public auditions. If he'd know he would be listening to people failing to sing with proper pitch, InuYasha would never have gotten dressed.

"That's thirty-two," he said to himself, marking off another name on the list. Glancing down at the other names scribbled in the columns, he let out an exasperated breath. "And about fifty more to go... at least."

How does Sesshoumaru do this? It's enough to drive a guy to insanity. They can't sing and some can't even play. He thought, pushing his bangs away from his eyes. He could feel a migraine coming on. He shook his head, hoping to dispel its sudden pounding.

And I still have five more hours of this shit to sit through? Why did it have to be today that one of the bands had an issue and Sesshoumaru had to take care of it?

"I'm not cut out for this," he groaned.

InuYasha looked up, wearily waving over his assistant.

"Yes, Mr. Taisho?" asked Nazuna, giving him a slight bow. She

tilted her head to the side and took note of the fatigue shining in his ocher eyes.

"I need a glass of water and some Tylenol. Then, send in the next person for auditions," he replied gruffly before dropping his head on the desk.

Nazuna nodded firmly, exiting the room to get what her boss asked for. He looked horrible, and to not get what he needed in a timely matter would – most likely – result in her getting yelled at. And that was no fun. She worked hard for the Taisho pair; doing her best to make sure everything was done right the first time.

It had not taken very long and Nazuna quickly returned with the water and the jar of pills. Then, she went to the main doors, telling the security to send in the next person for auditions.

InuYasha swallowed the pills, followed by a deep gulp of water. He set the glass to his side, checking the next name on the list.

"Sir, the next is a 'Rin Higurashi'," Nazuna announced, poking her head through the doors.

He rolled his eyes with a huff.

"Well, send her in," he replied. InuYasha massaged his temples,

careful of his claws near his scalp. These pills never work fast enough...

He watched as a little woman danced into the room, a skip and glide in her step. Her mouth displayed a broad, lip-splitting grin, revealing her perfect, ivory teeth. She stopped in front of his desk and dipped into an elegant bow, sweeping her arm across her body.

InuYasha snorted and rested his elbows on the tabletop.

"What the hell are you doing? You realize this is for music

auditions, kid, not theatre. That's next week," he said sarcastically, leaning his cheek on his fist. "If you're going to sing, get started. I ain't got all day to fool around."

Rin giggled, threading her hands behind her back.

"Oh, I'm not here to audition," she replied.

Huh?

He clapped his palm over his face, pressing his fingers against his

eyelids. The hammering was worse their, behind his eyes. Yep. It's time to get some stronger medication. My headache's coming back. InuYasha frowned, a deep furrow marring his dark brows. His amber eyes narrowed suspiciously, watching the small woman carefully.

"Then, why are you here?"

She didn't answer, opting to approach him instead. InuYasha tensed, watching as she pulled a folded sheet of blue paper out of her pocket. She opened it slowly, setting it on the desktop.

He picked it up, reading over the bold type.

"Hey, what...?" he trailed off, looking up and noticing the petite girl was gone. He stared confusedly at the door before returning his eyes to the colorful flyer in his hands. 



Rin beamed as she closed the theatre door behind her, stepping into the brilliant sunlight of the morning. She dug through her purse, pulling out her cell-phone and powering it on. Quickly dialing Kagome's number, she wasn't surprised when it skipped straight to voicemail.

She always leaves it off. It's a wonder why she even owns one.

When the recording ended and single beep signaled the start of the message, Rin giggled happily.

"Kagome, you're so going to love me for this. Laters!"

R&R Please!

Blanket Disclaimer I don't own any characters from the InuYasha series.