A/N: I do not own InuYasha or Phantom of the Opera. You people have all heard it a thousand times, and will go on hearing it a thousand more.
Ch.4. Who is it there, staring?
'Not a word from him. Not a single word. He won't even look me in the eye on stage…Is he that angry with me?' Kagome looked at her reflection in her mirror. Her long black hair was curled, half of it up in a loose bun with a single strand to frame her face, leaving the rest left to flow to her hips in preparation for the show. Her pale face and soft doe-like eyes easily reflected her thoughts and emotions.
It had been one week since she had given InuYasha's ring back to him. She had hoped he would at least talk to her. She knew now he could never love her like that, but she still hoped they could've at least salvaged their friendship. 'Guess not. But ya know what? I'm done crying over him. If he wants to have her, fine. He can have her. She's just a slut anyways and I'm done crying.' Kagome smiled a genuine smile for the first time all week and went back to putting her makeup on. She never dreamed someone was watching her.
Naraku could see her clearly in the crowded room. He had chosen this mirror for the specific reason that Kagome was reflected perfectly over his shoulder, at an angle she couldn't see him. He could admire the way her hair framed her angelic face then floated down to that perfect little ass of hers. He imagined it pressed against him while he… 'Well, no need to get indecent here. Besides, soon enough she will be mine to do what I want with. With Kikyo's help…we'll just say things are already going as planned.' Naraku smirked to himself. 'She will be mine.'
Kagome put the finishing touches on her makeup before standing up to stretch. She hated the sticky stuff and still didn't really see why she needed to use that acne-causing crap. Kami knew she was already pale as a ghost. She twirled on her toes and turned to go out the door…WHOOMP…when her head decided to smack into something (or someone) solid. She landed flat on her butt and was about to comment on people standing there with their thumbs up their butt's trying to imitate walls when her eyes locked with the creepiest scarlet ones she had ever seen.
"Kagome, forgive me. I did not mean to block your way. Allow me to help you." Naraku gently grasped her hand and helped her to her feet with the charm of a gentleman. (A/N: LITTLE RED FLAG! LITTLE RED FLAG! shutting up now.)
"It's alright, really! I'm such a klutz! I should have been watching where I was going. Thank you for your concern!" Kagome may have smiled sweetly, but she wanted nothing more than to get away from him as fast as she could. She had only spoken to him a few times in the entire four months of rehearsal so didn't know to much about him and for all she knew he could be a nice guy, but those eyes… his eyes gave her the creeps. They just weren't natural. The way they locked on and seemed to know every dirty secret was unnerving.
Kagome heard a growl over her shoulder. She didn't need to turn to recognize it as InuYasha. 'Why is he…?' She realized Naraku was still holding her hand.
"I'd better go get ready now, thank you again." she tried to reclaim her hand, but he held fast. She began to panic until he spoke again, stunning her.
"Please, your thanks are not necessary. But, perhaps, you would instead join me for dinner tonight after the show?"
"But won't every restaurant be closed? The show won't finish 'til after eleven and not to mention Shippo will be…"
"Do not worry. I know of a nice place on main street and let's just say the manager owes me a favor. He'll be glad to entertain a lovely lady such as yourself. Next Friday night then, if you wish?"
Kagome couldn't back out. He had everything covered. Oh well. What could it hurt? Besides, it was kind of fun listening to InuYasha sputter behind her. I might do him so good to get a slap of reality. He didn't own her anymore.
"Alright, I would be delighted to join you."
Naraku gave her the most charming smile she'd ever seen on a man. 'I mean, he not that bad looking in the first place, but that smile could make any girl's knees go weak.' She was right. His tall frame, toned body (hidden behind a fat suit on stage), and long wavy black hair with perfect bangs lightly brushing his forehead made every girl on the street go ga-ga. Besides, this might be fun. It had been such a long time since anyone had taken her out on a real date.
Happily, Kagome made her way to her dressing room. Naraku turned and smirked. He would win her heart after all. Among other things. He kept walking until he reached his own dressing room. 'I will win.'
"Jealousy is unbecoming little brother." Inuyasha jumped about a mile an' a half when Sesshoumaru's voice materialized behind him.
"Feh. Who the fuck said I was jealous, you arrogant asshole."
"Language brother, I will expect you to refrain from using such words around your new niece when I bring her to the theatre."
"Why should…HUH! When the fucking hell did you have a kid?" InuYasha rounded on his brother, only to find an empty hallway. 'Dammit, I hate when he does that. Damn sneaky bastard always disappearing when I want to see him…grumble…mumble…ass..'
Kagome had just finished putting on her golden slave garb for the Hannibal scene when a knock on her door startled her. Sesshoumaru could hear her startled "EEP!" followed by a very loud THUMP.
"Dammit, OWW, ahhh…Just a sec, k?" she called to the general direction of her door as she tried to pick herself off the floor with some dignity. 'What is it with me and falling on my butt today? If I keep this up I won't be able to sit for a week!.' "Alright, you can come in now!"
"Kagome, do you mind if I ask a favor of you?"
"Huh? Uh, I mean, Sure!" she hadn't expected it to be Sesshoumaru, of all people, or for him to ask that.
"I'm in the middle of adopting a little girl and I have no wish to leave her on her own at my mansion every performance night. I know you have an adopted kit around Rin's age, and I would like to leave her in his company. The two may have things they can relate to, and I'm hoping that will help Rin. She is mute and in need of interaction with children her age. I will pay whoever you leave your son with for the added responsibility, do not worry about that. I hope you will not refuse."
How could she? From all that she had seen of Sesshoumaru, since when she begun dating InuYasha, was that he was a bit of a recluse and icy to everyone. Besides, her heart already went out to the little girl, and something in Sesshoumaru's tone told her he wouldn't take a refusal any way.
"Sure, Sesshoumaru. I'm sure Shippo won't mind the company, and I've found Cassie to be very reliable. She adores Shippo and I don't think she'll mind another charge. She's saving for college so, actually, I don't think she'll mind at all. I'll talk to her tonight when I get home. How's about you bring Rin over to my place around 3:30-ish tomorrow so Rin can get acquainted with Shippo and Cassie while you're there. Then it should be easier on her when we leave."
Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement. Kagome wrote down the directions to her apartment from the theatre and her phone number.
"Call me if you get lost. I'm not that great at directions!" she added, noting the look the youkai sent her.
"Hmm, alright then. Tomorrow at three-thirty."
Sesshoumaru walked out of the room, softly shutting the door, leaving behind a very dazed Kagome. She had watched as his graceful long-legged stride in almost a sort of trance. 'Wait a minute Kagome! Snap out of it! You just broke up with his brother for cryin' out loud…well, I can look right?…yea-NO! He INUYASHA'S brother! Definite no-no!…So? He's obviously the hottest guy in the company, and the way he seems so protective and tender towards that little girl is cute!…oh shut up you! I can't believe I'm arguing with myself over Sesshoumaru… Wait-did he say MANSION!' Kagome grumbled to herself as she walked out the door. She needed to stop pulling these all-nighters. It couldn't be good for her voice, and now it was wreaking havoc with her head.
Well, it wasn't her fault. Every time she went to lie down, she got the weirdest feeling of being watched or something bad was nearby. She couldn't explain it. She felt it in her bedroom and in Shippo's room. So she had taken to sleeping on the couch, or just watching movies all night when she couldn't shake the feeling. This had been going on for over three weeks now. But with Kagome's ever-cheerful mood, no one noticed. Never once did she complain or give hint that something could possibly be wrong. She thought nothing was.
A/N: Sorry to leave you all there, but I thought the trip to Kagome's apartment and subsequent happenings deserved a chapter all there own. Unlike SOME people around here shoots evil eye at a particular muse tied up in the corner
Jess: Madame, if you do not release me now, I promise the consequences will be most undesirable.
Like what? You'll flush another phone? Or how 'bout my CD player? That'll make a nice clog for the plumber to come out and fix AGAIN.
Jess: How does "No more fluffy father-daughter moments between Sesshoumaru and Rin" sound? I think it has a rather nice ring to it…
GASP! You couldn't! You WOULDN'T DARE!
Jess: I can, and I will. If, I am not relieved of these bonds that is.
runs over and quickly unties all the useless knots she learned in Girl Scouts eons ago. Happy now?
Jess: nods then munches happily on a chocolate bar
Sighs what am I gonna do with him? Anyways, we've rambled enough and this corner is getting full. Review! Please! Reviews fund muse-chocolate, and muse-chocolate makes him cooperate! Thanx!