Disclaimer: I'm a millennial therefore, I own nothing.

"Kagome?" Sango's soft voice reverberated off the stone walls. She'd always found it ironic that this place, meant as a refuge where people could seek comfort and honour their loved ones was hidden away in such a damp, dark cove beneath the opera house. Kagome was still in her sparkling gown from act three, gazing at the mosaic of an angel overlooking the candles. Sango knelt beside her friend.

"There you are, everyone is looking for you! You were amazing tonight, really!"

Kagome smiled back,

"Thank you. If I tell you a secret, do you promise not to tell?" Sango cocked her head to the side. Despite her appearance, Sango wasn't at all the meek, fragile thing she often portrayed on stage. Kagome wasn't sure she would have ever made it through the pain of losing her mother without Sango's gentle strength keeping her together.

"Of course, who would I tell?" Sango teased. As one of Kikyo's favoured, Sango wasn't too popular with the rest of the ballerinas. Kagome's arrival had been a welcome change and the two had been inseparable ever since.

"When my mother lay dying, she said when she was in heaven, she would send the angel of music to me. Sango, it happened!" Kagome's voice was breathy and exhilarated, "I have been visited by the angel of music!"

"What do you mean by that?" Sango asked. She'd never accuse Kagome of lying, but she wasn't what you'd call a believer. You lived life the best you could and when it was over, that was it.

"When I came down here alone, to light a candle for my mother I'd hear a voice. He's always with me, during rehearsals, in my dreams. Sango, he taught me to sing!"

Sango took a breath and exhaled, choosing her words carefully. Kagome had confided in her and she didn't wish to ruin that. But she was spooked. Kagome truly believed what she was saying, but Sango knew stories like this simply couldn't come true.

"Kagome, I don't know if it's an angel or not, but please come upstairs with me." Speaking as one would to a timid animal, Sango took Kagome's hand and helped her to her feet, guiding her back to the stairs.

Life at the opera house was intensive, and Kagome had been young when she lost her family. Perhaps this was a coping technique taken too far. In any case, she needed to take her corset off, have something to eat and get some rest. Kagome went along willingly, but there was still a faraway look in her eye, as though she was listening to something Sango could not hear.

Kagome had just finished tying her ivory satin robe when she heard a polite knock at the door. Her face split into a wide smile and warmth rushed to her cheeks upon seeing the face of her visitor.

"Hojo!" She exclaimed happily. Her old friend was dressed in his finest tuxedo, with his light brown hair tied back in a low ponytail. He'd become rather handsome!

"I didn't think you would recognize me," Hojo admitted shyly, rubbing the back of his neck, "These are for you." He presented her with a large, and rather elaborate bouquet of pink and white roses. Blushing, Kagome took the flowers and inhaled deeply, filling her nose with the sweet scent.

"They're beautiful," she said, placing them carefully on the counter of her vanity.

"Not as beautiful as you are," Hojo blurted out, "You sang like an angel tonight. Will you allow me to take you to dinner?"

Kagome's smile faded, and she shook her head regretfully.

"I'm sorry Hojo, my tutor is very strict. I am not to leave my quarters after a performance."

Hojo was far too elated by the prospect of getting reacquainted with his childhood sweetheart to be deterred by her words.

"Surely, he can make an exception for tonight, it's a special occasion! I'll order my carriage, be ready in five minutes!" cheerfully deaf to Kagome's protests, he exited her room and closed the door behind him.

Kagome looked around at the lit candles and dozens of bouquets she'd received for tonight's performance. She almost dared to think that perhaps, she'd received more praise for her debut than Tsubaki did for her performances. Truth be told, Kagome didn't care for the woman. Her voice was good, yes, but not good enough to justify her volatile temper and overblown ego. But that was just her opinion, not that she'd ever voice it to anyone but Sango. Chorus girls didn't get to have opinions. Chorus girls weren't meant to stand out.

Sitting before her vanity, she opened the drawer and took out the rose he had left her. Deep red, adorned with a black satin bow. Kagome gently stroked the velvety petals, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. She hardly recognized her own face. Even with her stage makeup gone, she still felt different, like she had grown somehow. Blossomed even.

Setting the rose down, Kagome murmured her plea to the angel of music.

"My angel, I beg of you to allow me to go to dinner with Hojo. He's my old childhood friend and a good man. I won't be gone long, and I swear to practice even harder to make up for the lost time."

At that moment, all the candles in her room went out, plunging her room into darkness. Kagome stood, looking around nervously. There were no windows, where could such a draft have come from? She felt a prickling on the back of her neck, the familiar sensation of being watched. Instinctively, she reached for the door knob.

"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion! Basking in your glory! Ignorant fool, how dare he try to share my triumph?"

The voice shook Kagome to her core. His constant presence had become a source of comfort to her, his whispers always in the back of her mind. Never had he sounded so…forceful. Clasping her hands, Kagome sang quietly.

"Angel I hear you, speak! I Listen. Stay by my side, guide me! May I see you at last?"

"Kagome, beautiful Kagome," his voice had returned to the gentle caress it normally was, "you shall know me, if that is your wish. Look in the mirror."

Fighting to control her racing heart, Kagome's gaze fell on her full-length mirror. A figure slowly came into view. Taller than her, he was dressed all in black. Silver hair hung to his waist and half of his face was concealed by a white mask. The one eye she could see was brilliant amber, shining in the dark.

"I am your angel of music, come to me," He reached out his hand.

All other thoughts fled Kagome's mind. All that remained was this man. Her unearthly tutor. Her angel of music.

His gaze was hypnotic, she couldn't look away.

His hand closed around hers and he began to guide her into the depths of the opera house, leaving everything behind.

TBC