Copa Cabana

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Authors Note: -Coughs- Blame Barry Manilow.

Chapter One- She Was a Showgirl

Red velvet curtains slowly faded from either side of the stage. As they met in the center the lights dimmed, the crowd went wild with cheers and cat calls, and cries for more. Then ten o'clock performance was over, to be replaced by music until midnight. Until that time the girls were free to mingle, entertaining guests chatting with each other, basically whatever they pleased so long as they were ready for the next show in two hours time.

A red head decked in a divine blue dress just long enough to conceal everything slid onto a barstool, removing the yellow feather piece from her hair to set on the counter. She raised one luscious leg into the air with the poise and grace of a cat. "Oh darn, my stockings ran," she said with a pretty pout as she looked to the bar tender with doleful green eyes.

"Hey doll face," the brunette man said happily as he tossed a pair of shot glasses on the bar and flipped a vodka bottle expertly through the air as he poured them both a double. "How're things for the infamous 'Lola'?" he asked mischievously as his eyes glinted at the mention of her 'stage' name. 'Ayame' she had insisted, didn't have a ring to it. But Lola, now there was a name she wanted to see in lights.

"Say it baby," she whispered as she set her elbows on the bar and watched him happily.

"You're gonna be a star baby," Kouga replied as he lifted a shot glass to her lips. The red head happily tilted her head back, letting the liquor slide down her throat with practiced ease. She leaned forwards and took the second shot glass, the one he had meant for himself, and she drank it down, batting her lashes flirtatiously. Kouga laughed heartily as he poured two more. "Easy doll face, you wouldn't want to mess up on stage, you never know, tonight could be the night after all."

Ayame pouted prettily before sighing. "You're right, I'll be good." Every night she prayed that a talent agent would arrive and whisk her off to someplace exiting, like Hollywood, someplace she could really become a star. "Do you really think I'll make it Kouga?" she asked as she let her cheek rest against the cool wood of the counter. She straightened with a frown and touched her cheek. Spilled alcohol had made the bar sticky, which meant her make up had to be redone with god speed. She didn't wait for Kouga to reply before vanishing into the back room once more.

"Hey Lola!"

The red-head turned to see one of the other show girls rushing towards her, yellow hair piece in hand. "Kouga said you left this at the bar, is something wrong hun?" the brunette girl asked cheerfully as she surrendered the feathers.

Ayame sighed as she took the hair piece. "Kagome," she said pathetically as she dusted a layer of color across her marred cheek. She stood and stripped off her ruined stocking to replace them. "I feel like I'm running through water," she explained, using the best analogy she could find on short notice.

"Mm, like you're wet?" the girl asked with naïve innocence.

Another sigh left 'Lola's' red lips as she shook her head sadly. Kagome had no place doing this for a living. She was too sweet, too innocent, and too kind. "Like I'm moving forwards but not getting anywhere." She explained. She glanced at the clock and noticed that it was already fifteen minutes till show time. A bell chimed somewhere in the distance as Kagome opened her mouth to speak. "It's time!" Kagome squealed in excitement as she tugged at her dress.

"Eight till four, forever more," Ayame rhymed as she made her way towards the stage. As the lights flashed on she smiled, maybe tonight was the night. Maybe she'd get her break for once and for all, Kouga wouldn't have to tend bar and she wouldn't have to dance.

A/N: Short I know. I have more finished but for sake of flow this is where we end. Enjoy and review. Thanks~