A/N: So I know it's been a while since I updated, but I really hope you all enjoy this chapter. I am currently working on the next on and I am actually almost done so the update may be sooner than later. However, here is the chapter so enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I DONT OWN INUYASHA JUST THE FAN FICTION WRITTEN!
The next day Kagome was awoken by her alarm going off. Today was the day that would either make or break all her hopes and dreams of becoming a true choreographer. She knew that she had skills and could do this job in her sleep, but something that Mirdokio had said the kept playing in her head.
"This business can be really crazy and harsh, so you need a hard shell. Also don't let any of the dancers run over you because trust me when I say they will try."
She knew that this industry was a hard industry to get into and once you actually got into there would always be temptations, press, and much more waiting to follow you along the way. As a matter of fact she was surprised that her face wasn't already plastered everywhere for everyone to see. However, after going to a late lunch after leaving the auditions with Rin, Sango, and Ayame, Kagome found out the reason why.
*flashback*
"You should have seen some of the girls who auditioned with me in my group. I swear at least 3 of them toppled over trying to get the steps down." Kagome laughed as she told the girls the story.
"Trust me I know. There was one girl in one of the rooms who actually had to nerve to just stand there in the auditions with Yura as to say that this whole thing was beneath her. Yura tore her a new one and told her that if she ever saw her anywhere near her again she would snatch all the hair from her head and sale it to the highest bidder. I must say it was quite a sight to witness." Sango and Ayame both shook they head at the story that Rin told. They knew someone of the girls were bad, but it to tick off a hair demon was beyond crazy.
"I'm just surprised that there wasn't a block filled with press in front of the building. The biggest company in Japan host an audition and there is not a camera flashing in sight." Ayame said before taking a bite of the salad that was placed in front of her by their waitress.
"Actually they didn't know anything about it. The invited for the auditions weren't public per say. They were actually just up out to a select few dance schools, studios, and companies. Inu No Taisho felt that by limiting who could actually audition would actually only get the best of the best. Although I am pretty sure that he didn't think that it would turn out as big as it did. As a matter of fact he sent his sons to find maybe the best of each location so that it could be a small audition, but we all know how that went." Rin rolled her eye while thinking of just how bone headed her soon to be brother in law and husband could be at times.
"That still doesn't explain why there wasn't any press. I mean obviously things didn't go as planned and things were leaked." Sango stated as the other girls nodded in agreement.
"I am sure it was, but who really has the time to sit outside a building only to take picture of the girls who "might" become the new choreographer? Maybe if things went as plan and the brothers actually stuck to the best of the best there would have been. But once the rest of the girls were added and the auditions became more open there was no point. Plus what the point in bragging about a choreographer whose skills haven't been shown off yet?"
"So in other words, no one will care about who I am or my skills until they are put into the public eye?"Kagome smiled because she knew she got the chance to stay out of the public eye for a while longer. All of the girls knew where she was aiming at with her question.
Rin shook her head at her friend's thinking. She knew that Kagome still wanted to stay out of the light for a little while longer, but she also knew that in this business things change really fast. "Let's just say that you have about three weeks before everyone knows your name in either a good or a bad way."
"THREE WEEKS? WHAT? WHY?" Kagome screamed nearly knocking over her glass into her lunch and scaring everyone else around her. Ayame and Sango were as interested in why she only had three weeks. While they were use to the spot light, they knew that their friend wasn't in any shape or form.
"Yes sweetie, three weeks. In three weeks will be Izayoi's fashion ball and your skills will be shown off then."
"Izayoi's fashion ball? You can't possibly be talking about the biggest of biggest balls where everyone from fashion moguls to business heads to sports athletics will be attending?" Sango nearly spit out her food as she realized what Rin was talking about.
"Yep that very one. Izayoi's designs will be modeled throughout the ball as the artist perform and everyone else socializes. It is both beautiful and entertaining at the same time. The press will be everywhere and by the next morning you beautiful face will be plastered everywhere." Rin giggle as she looked at her phone to check the time.
*end flashback*
Kagome knew that she was going to eventually be seen and known by everyone, but in less than three weeks? She didn't know if she was truly ready. She sighed then looked at the time. She knew that only time would tell what was to happen to her next, but at the moment she had to be at the studio and getting ready to meet the dancers who made the Tsukada Co. artist stand out for all the rest.
After a very relaxing hot shower and a quick a piece of toast. Kagome left her apartment and headed to the Tsukada Co. building. As she nibbled on her toast while leaving her apartment building she made a mental note to stop by the grocery store on her way back home to get some food for her place. She'd been there for about two days and in those two days all she had the time to do was put the stuff that Sango had given her to use to make the apartment look like someone actually lived there. She also knew that should have to get around to getting things of her own taste in the apartment as well.
"So much to do, so little time." She mumbled to herself as she threw her duffel bag over her shoulder, put her headphones in her ears, blasted her music and walked towards her new place of employment. Ayame told her that she would tell Kaede that she had gotten the spot at the auditions and that she would try to make it back down to teach classes when she could. Kagome was happy that her friend could do that for her, but she was also sad that she didn't get the chance to say goodbye to her students. She would really miss them, but she promised herself that she would get back to them as soon as time allowed.
When she arrived to the building she took the same elevator she took the day before and headed to the music portion of the building. Rin had told her the day before that she would meet her in the lobby and give her a tour before she signed her paperwork and headed to rehearsals and just as promised, a hyper Rin was sitting in the lobby in one of the chairs looking down at her iPad. Her hair was in a she was wearing a simple black business suit today that hugged her little curves just right. Under her blazer was a dark purple cami that matched her purple pumps. Her hair was in a neat and tight bun that was on the top of her head and she had on just enough makeup to make the face pop. When she heard the door open and notice Kagome was walking in, she hopped out her seat to hug her tightly.
"Hey Caress! Are you ready for your first day?"Rin released her from her hug and began to lead her through a door that Kagome assumed lead to the back. "So that of course is the lobby. There is a receptionist who will there during the day, but she doesn't come in for another few hours and her name is Sara. The door we just went through is the main door to get to the back and as you see it also leads to the three studios on the right that auditions were held in the left are the men and women locker rooms." Kagome could hear voices come out of the locker rooms as well as locker slams and laughing.
Kagome took a note of each of the rooms that Rin pointed to as well as all the poster and signs that were on the wall. She couldn't help but notice that there were quite a few pictures of Inuyasha on the wall along with other artist who were signed to the company.
"As we continue down this hall it splits into two different halls. To the right are the offices of Sesshomaru, the music managers Naraku and Soten, as well as the two recording studios and conference room. To the left it leads you to the big dance studio, your office suite, and the lounge. It is going to seem a little confusing at first, but after a little while you will get the jest of it all." Rin turned into the right hallway and lead Kagome into the office that had Sesshomaru's name written on a plate to the right of the door. Across from this door were two other rooms that read "Studio 1" and "Studio 2" on them. There were also some more doors as the hall continued down. When they entered Kagome noticed that the office was actually not just an office, but also had a waiting room and secretary desk that sat in front of another door that she assumed was actually the real office.
"Sesshy is in a meeting with his father on the other side of the building so I have all the paperwork that you need to sign here." Rin walked around her neatly organized desk and grabbed the folder that read "Kagome Higurashi". She handed it to Kagome then walked back towards the door with Kagome in tow. "You can read over those and turn those back into me by the end of the day. They are your standard contracts and health forms. Nothing that requires you to sign your life over or anything. The contract last for as long as you work for us you will follow by the companies policies and confidentiality agreements. As for the medical form they are for health purposes and insurance. Any questions so far?"
"Nope. I will have these form back to you as soon as possible." Kagome put the folder into her duffel bag before throwing it back over her shoulder and continue to follow Rin down the opposite hallway. As they past the main hallway she noticed some people walking towards them. Some had on business attire, while other look like they were on their way to the dance studio.
Rin smiled as she keep walking. "Thank you. Ok so as you can see to your right is the main dance studio and to the left is your office suite. If you walk a little further down the door on your right is the lounge." Rin unlocked the door before handing Kagome the office key. "Welcome to your new humble abode."
Kagome walked in and dropped her bag at the door surprised. The office was huge and everything looked brand new. "This is mine? Seriously?"
"Yep. Mirdokio old furniture was taken out a few days ago and they just finished moving your new stuff in here yesterday. There is plenty of space to do whatever you want in here. There is a suite shower in here as well through that door to the right. So if you need anything else just let us know and we will get it. Welcome to the family Caress!" Rin hugged her again this time Kagome was still to shock to hug her back.
"Well it's getting close to that time. I hope you are ready to meet your dancer. Some of them can be some real pieces of work." Rin turn to leave out the door before saying, "By the way I left a copy of the artist who will be rehearsing on which days for the next few weeks. You won't have a day off until the show is over, but once it is over you can pick your schedule. Just so you know Inuyasha should be here in the by the middle of this Kirara's rehearsals and will remain all the way through." She closed the door as Kagome plopped into her seat. So much information in such a short period of time. She looked at the schedule that sat in front of her and sighed, "Welcome to the big ledge Caress."
After reading the schedules and listening to the songs that each artist would be performing, Kagome began to get a vision of what she wanted each of the artist performances to look like. When she finished listening to all of the songs at least three times each she looked at the time and rushed across the hall to the dancers that waited for her. She had been sitting in her office for the last thirty minutes just listening to music and had yet to look over who her dancers were. This meant that she would have to come up with an idea to wing it and do it faster than fast.
When she walked into the room she noticed that most of the dancers were in their little groups stretching, but once the door shut with a loud slam everyone's eyes were on her. Kagome noticed that Kirara was amongst the crowd and was sitting with a woman with grey hair and purple eyes. Both of them smiled at her and she smiled back. She also noticed Kagura who was sitting with two girls who looked at her with pure disgust. One of them with long black flowing hair and bright red lips. She had on a sports bra and some short shorts that showed off her long perfect legs. Another had pure white hair and had a bored expression on her face. She was wearing a pair of leggings and a t-shirt that was cut right above her stomach. Kagura nodded in her direction in acknowledgement then turned back to face the other girls she was with. There was also a girls who were sitting behind Kirara and were just looking as confused as Kagome was. Kagome knew she had to say something and she had to say it fast.
She walked to the front of the the room with all eyes on her and took a deep breath, however before she could even get a word out she was cut off by, "So this is the girl that everyone around here is so in love with an bragging about. I don't see why. Ain't nothing special about her. Kagura I thought you told Kanna and I that she was actually pretty. She doesn't even look decent." That caused the other girl, who Kagome assumed was Kanna, to crack a small smile before going back to bored look she had not even a few seconds ago.
"Shut up Kikyo. No one asked for your opinion and while you are in my rehearsals you won't disrespect anyone. You may use your sex appeal to get by with that attitude of yours with the male artist of this company, but it ain't flying with me." Kirara growled in the girls direction before turning back to face Kagome and given her a little smile.
Kagome smiled back thanks Kirara for standing up for her, but she know that she would have to stand up for herself and prove those dumb girls wrong. Plus she refused to allow anyone and she did mean anyone talk negative about her dance skills. Especially not a girl who barely looked like she could keep up with her on her worse day. It was time to lay her down her ground rules and prove that she meant business, and to make Kikyo see just why she got the job.
"Listen up ladies because I will only say this once." Kagome spoke clearly while making eye contact with everyone that was in the room as she walked back and forth. "I am Caress and I will be the new choreographer. Which mean as the choreographer my say is law. Which leads me to my rules. Rule 1, Be here on time or be left. If I have to be here then you have to be here as well. I am a timely person and when I walk into this room you all should be stretched out and ready to role. If You are even a minute late then you will be cut from the performance. Which leads me to rule 2, your spots will be earned not given. I am one who believes in hard work so work hard and get seen. Rule 3, when you come to rehearsals leave your attitudes at the door. I don't have time to deal with people's attitudes. That means smart comments, remarks, thoughts, etc. aren't welcomed. Finally my last rule is a simple one, respect me and I will respect you. Don't respect me and getting cut will be the least of your problems." Kagome looked directly at Kikyo with the last statement.
"Wait, I know you don't think you can just come in here and change how things work here. I don't need to earn anything. I have been with this company for years and I won't be cut by little Miss Think-I'm-Boss. As for respecting you, I don't see a reason why I should. No one knows who you are, no school has a record of you, and you come in here with a name like Caress and think that you run everything." Kikyo stood and crossed her arms.
Kagome just smiled and walked up to Kikyo, "If you don't like the way things are then you are more then welcome to leave Kikyo. However, trust me when I say you won't be missed." She then turned to walk away before turning back around and saying, "By me at least." Kagome cheered to herself inside because she made her point without having to come to blows. She had a feeling that when Midoriko stated that she was going to have to stand her ground in order to gain respect. She heard Kikyo mumble as she walked towards the door only to her the door slam open and an angry Inuyasha walk in. She remembered Rin saying that he would be in mid-way through the session, but here he was making his presence known.
"Good Morning Inubaby."Kikyo nearly purred out the nickname only to get barely recognisable "Hmp"from him before walking back to her spot where Kagura was standinging. The whole thing just made Kagome just want to puke.
"Anyways, let's get started ladies. I want most of this choreography down back by the end of this session. I have an imagine in my head on how I want this performance to go. Since this song has some really elegant points to it as well as some upbeat points the performance is going to to be a fusion. You will start off the song alone on the stage then when the first section of the chorus hit the everyone else will come in. So let me show you all the full dance first and see how much of it you can catch onto. Afterwards I will work will Kirara on her first part and you all jump in on the chorus." She tossed the remote to Inuyasha who was too busy on his phone to see it coming towards him and it hit him in his head causing him to let out an angry growl. "If you going to be here at least you can pay attention. Everyone else stay alert for the point in where I want you to come in at. Inuyasha, play please." She ordered before taking her spot in front of the mirror. The song started to play.
I'm thinking it over
The way you make me feel all sexy but it's causing me shame
I wanna lean on your shoulder
I wish I was in love but I don't wanna cause any pain
And if I'm feeling like I'm evil, we've got nothing to gain
Kagome showed off her skills and making sure that she showed Kikyo the reason why she got this job. As she turned and slide across the floor she was in her world, not caring what anyone else thought or felt.
What if I never even see you cuz we're both on a stage
Don't tell me listen to your song because it isn't the same
I don't wanna say your love is a waiting game
She was killing the song and every move she made was precise and elegant. And even though she was secretly winging the dance, she knew the image she wanted to the audience to see and she made sure that her dance saw the message that they were meaning to give.
Baby I'm thinking it over
What if the way we started made it something cursed from the start
What if it only gets colder
Would you still wrap me up and tell me that you think this was smart
Cuz lately I've been scared of even thinking 'bout where we are
All she could do was think about the fact that she made it to the point that she only envisioned in her dreams. She was dancing and working with people who were paying her for the skills that so many people doubted. Her passion is what got her this far and it was going to continue to take her even further.
What if I never even see you cuz we're both on a stage
Don't tell me listen to your song because it isn't the same
I don't wanna say your love is a waiting game
She stopped dancing as the song ended. After catching her breath and looking at the reactions of everyone in the mirror, she turned around and faced them. "What do you think Kirara? I mean I know it was a little rough around the edges and I can change some stuff if..."
Kirara stopped Kagome mid-sentence while clapping her hands"No! It was amazing. It is a perfect match to what the song is trying to say. I love it!"
"It won't all that. You make it seem as though she created a masterpiece. Anyone could do what she did. Plus it ain't like your song are that hard to do choreography to. I could do it in my sleep." Kikyo crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at just how hyper Kirara got over the performance that was just done. The truth was that she could see the reason for why Kagome was picked for the choreographer position. However, she wasn't going to ever admit it. Instead she would just have to come up with a plan to throw her off her game.
"Well if it is that simple Kikyo. Why don't you go up there and perform the whole thing. While I ain't a big fan of the fru fru mess that she was just doing, I must say fru fru goes well with that song." That statement through everyone through a loop. Inuyasha had actually kinda of said something nice about Kagome's skills and even challenged Kikyo in front of everyone.
"But Inubaby, you can't honestly think it was that good. I mean if Mirdokio was here she would have..." Kikyo tried to get the spotlight off of her because the truth was she knew she couldn't perform that whole dance at the moment. Maybe bits and pieces, but not all of them.
"First, don't ever call me Inubaby again. I ain't your baby. I don't even like you. Just because we dated a while back, doesn't mean that there is anything between us anymore. Secondly, don't bring Mirdokio into this. She hand picked Caress herself. As a matter of fact, she was the one who determined that we needed an outside choreographer instead of choosing a dancer here. Lastly, how about instead of downing someone because they are better than you. Just admit that you don't know the dance, shut up, and pay attention." Inuyasha looked back down at his phone as if nothing had just happened. He had to admit that there never took up for anyone before, but something about this Kagome had him off and wondering just what she would come up with next.
After yesterday's audition, he went out with Koga and Miroku and couldn't stop thinking about her. She was really beautiful and didn't seem to be like most girls. She didn't even come to the auditions dressed like the rest of them. In fact she was the only one to actually dress like a really dancer would. She was perfect in every way and just wouldn't leave his mind. Then he looked over at Kikyo and wondered what he ever thought in dating her. She was an airhead and only wanted to talk about herself. She was known to be a great dancer at one time which drew him to her, but after a while she felt like things should be handed to her and made her dancing sloppy and her attitude worse. She wasn't a dancer who had the heart to be a dancer, she just knew she had to do something until someone swept her away and that someone wasn't going to be him so her left her. He could tell that Kagome was nothing like that. She had to work for where she was and he like that about her.
Watching the two of them bicker back and forth was starting to make Kagome really aggravated. All she wanted was to get the dancers started on the routine and these two were in the studio taken up the space and time they could be using to learn. She pinched the bridge of her nose before clearing her throat to gain their attention. "If we are done the lover's spat between you two, I would like to get back to my dancers. If I am correct, I have another artist session to do after this and I don't have time to waste. So Kikyo you can either leave my studio or you can shut up and pay attention. We have three dances to learn in a single day and less than three weeks to perfect them. Let's get it together. Either get it together or get gone because I don't have time to babysit grown people. My little kids didn't even give me this much hassle." When everyone was silent and gave her their undivided attention and Inuyasha gave her a "keh", she turned around and faced the mirror. "Now Kirara the first eight count starts in this position."
Forty-Five minutes later the dancers and Kirara had gotten every dance move down. Kagome was happy that they got the basic, but now they need to perfect it and make sure everyone was moving on the same accord. From the looks of it the demon dancer had all of the move locked and perfect, but the human human dancers were a little off key. It was starting to frustrate Kagome with every stray leg and arm that she saw them make.
"Ok! Let's try this again! Livi you are still not keeping up with the rhythm! Jessica and Trissa you I am am still seeing stray legs and arms! Kikyo, Kirara is the center of attention, not you so I will say this one last time, either stop trying to outshine her or leave. You look really sloppy! Tighten it up! 5, 4, 3,2!" Kagome walked around the studio making sure every step was in order and ever move was made to perfection. "Point your feet Jessica! Kikyo you are looking sloppy!" As she continued around the group of dancers she noticed that Inuyasha was no longer there and started to wonder where he had ran off to. He had been there the whole time making little sly remarks on how the dance was fru fru, on his phone, and throwing out "keh"s. Now all of the sudden he just vanished. "JESSICA! POINT! YOUR FEET!" But why was she so worried about what he was doing and why he wasn't there. Her mind should only be focused on getting these dancers prepared for their performance, not worried about Inuyasha. "Ok ladies, take a break and get ready for the next artist. Get stretched out, hydrated, and I want to see you back here in an hour." She walked out of the studio and into her office to take a breath.
The girls all sighed in relief that they actually got to take a break. Kagome was a hard choreographer and required perfection. Although they did feel like she was a hard and strict choreographer, they did see that what she was trying to get them to do was actually beyond what they had ever expected to do. They had to give her props for her skills.
"What do you think Kirara?" The girl who was sitting beside Kirara asked while taking a sip of water and using the towel that she had wrapped around her neck to wipe the sweat off her face.
"I can tell you one thing Shiori, she is an intense choreographer and pushes the dancers hard, but I think that she is what this company needs to take us to the next level. Midoriko skills were amazing and while she was here we did a great job. However, I do feel that Caress has a vision and that vision is what will make this company stand out even more." Kirara walked out of the studio and down the hall towards the locker room to change before her recording session. Shiori was one of Kirara's best friends. The two grew up together and went to the same performing arts school together. They were considered to be outcast because their focus was more on their dancing than trying to get famous. Although they both were considered to be two of their school's best dancers, Kirara's real passion was singing. There was not a moment that when Kirara wasn't dancing that she wasn't singing. it wasn't until Kirara met her boyfriend Shippo, who was the only cousin of the Tsukada brothers, noticed her singing in their schools studio that she decided to consider a singing career. Of course Kirara never forgot her best friend and as soon as she had to shoot her first video, she called Shiori and asked her to perform with her and she has been part of the Tsukada Corp dancers since.
"I can agree with you there. I'm a demon and I am starting to feel aches in my body from just this one rehearsal, imagine how the human dancers must feel and we still have two more routines to learn." Shiori leaned against her locker as she watched Kirara take out her bag to get ready to hit the showers. "I must say, I love the choreography though. It really fits you. For once we got someone who is willing to actually put you into the routine versus just have you sing. Not that I have anything against Midoriko, it's just nice to see that spark back in your eyes. You use to love dancing as much as I did."
"I still do and I am glad that Caress has help me find that passion for it again. She is really talented. A little rough around the edges, but talented. Did you see how she stood her ground when it came to Kikyo. I was literally thinking that she was actually going to get her to quit." Kirara laughed grabbing her towel and shower bag to head towards the showers.
Shiori laughed along with her best friend in Kikyo's expense. "Yea I was kinda hoping she actually would. If she ain't in Inuyasha face, she is complaining. It's about time someone put that wanna be HBIC in her place. She better be careful though, because Caress seems to mean business and she is on very thin ice with her."
"Thin doesn't even begin to describe it, but let me get hit the showers before I be on very thin ice with the producer. I will talk to you after your last rehearsals and we are still on for tonight right?" Kirara turned on the shower and yelled back to her friend.
"Yes we are. I'll see you later." Shiori walked out of the locker room without noticing that there had been two other people in the locker room with them the whole time.
A/N: I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter. The song that were in this chapter is Banks- Waiting Game. If I haven't stated it already, I am in love with Banks. So go check her out
