A/N: I do not own InuYasha and Co. OR the Phantom of the Opera. I have to content myself with the books, manga, and DVD's just like everyone else. WARNING: Sesshoumaru goes completely out of character, but it was needed for Rin's sake.

Ch.5 Have you forgotten your angel?

Kagome ran around her apartment like a madwoman, trying to shove things where they belong. She'd woken up a half hour ago on the couch from one of her all nighters again and she had exactly two minutes before Sesshoumaru and Rin got there, and the place was a frickin' war-zone. No thanks to the boys. Shippo was still napping on the couch, he and Souta had found Kagome asleep and decided to go to the park and not wake her (being as it was a Saturday). Upon coming home at two-thirty Shippo had crashed on the couch right along with his mother still sleeping, thoroughly worn out from playing all morning. Souta had sat there playing video games until he decided to wake his sister, vaguely remembering her saying something about guests over at three something-ish the night before.

As she threw the last throw pillow onto the couch, the doorbell rang. 'Please let that be Cassie and hour early! Yeah right, she's good, but not that good. Time to face Mr. Warm-and-Fluffy himself.' Kagome stopped long enough to look into the floor length mirror in the entryway. Her jeans hugged her hips and butt and fell into a boot cut over a pair of Snoopy slippers. Her plain black tee shirt stopped half an inch over the waistband of her jeans. Her hair was thrown up in messy bun. 'Guess it'll have to do.' She smiled and opened the door.

Rin hid nervously behind Sesshoumaru's legs as she heard the locks click open. Would Shippo be nice and want to play with her? What was Kagome like? She had to be special if Sesshoumaru trusted her judgment. She peeked around Seshoumaru's legs as Kagome stepped out of the doorway. She was smiling and Rin thought it made her look like a princess she had seen in a fairytale book she had seen at school, Snoopy slippers and all.

"Hello there Rin." Kagome knelt down to the little girl's level and gently took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm Kagome. My son Shippo is inside and I know he can't wait to meet you. I think he went to go get his drawing supplies for you guys to play with, so why don't we go get the kitchen table set up for you guys!" Rin giggled and nodded her head.

Kagome led the way into the kitchen followed by Rin and a very impressed Sesshoumaru. Kagome had treated Rin just like any other child and had made her feel welcomed. He knew Rin had been nervous. He could see it in the way she fidgeted the whole car trip there.

Kagome and Rin set about putting newspapers down on the table (knowing the kids were going to be using messy art supplies) Kagome chatting all the while to Rin, asking her small questions she could nod her head yes or no at. Just as the girls were done, Shippo came bouncing into the room with his box of supplies he kept hidden in his "secret spot" under his bed.

"HI! I'm Shippo! Come on, don't be shy, and let's draw! I wanna draw a picture of you so I can always have it! And you can draw one of me! Then we can draw Buyou. He's our cat and he's so fat…"

Rin giggled as she and her new friend went and sat at the table and began to draw, paint, and sculpt everything in sight.

"Sesshoumaru, would you like something to drink? I just made a pot of coffee, or I've got sodas and water in the fridge."

"Coffee please. Black is fine." Kagome turned her back to get the coffee and rolled her eyes 'Shoulda' guessed it!' She suppressed the urge to laugh as she filled two mugs with the life-giving ambrosia.

"She's a real sweet heart, just look at her!" Kagome handed Sesshoumaru his mug and smiled at the children. Shippo was doing an outrageous commentary along with his drawing, keeping Rin in a fit of giggles. Every once in a while, Rin would look over at her new daddy and smile when she met his eye.

Rin liked being at Kagome's. Shippo made her laugh and was always saying nice things to her. He would say how pretty her hair looked in its side ponytail as he drew it, or he would compliment her choice of colors for a flower. Kagome was kind to her too. Not like the nurses at all. They had been nice and everything, but they would talk to her like she was a little baby who didn't know anything. And she knew plenty. She just didn't want to talk about it. She didn't have any reason to, so why should she? With people like her new daddy and Shippo and Kagome, she didn't have to. They seemed to understand she just didn't want to say anything, and they loved her anyway. Maybe one day she would say something to them, just to let them know how she really felt, but for now she knew she didn't need to. Besides, Shippo said enough for both of them.

"Buyou! Come baaahaaack! That's not a toy!" The fat cat had jumped onto the table and stolen Shippo's favorite paintbrush and was now running/waddling away with its prize firmly in its jaws. Shippo tore off after the cat, occasionally singeing it with his foxfire, only succeeding in making the cat more desperate in its search for a hiding place.

Meanwhile Rin and Kagome dissolved into a fit of laughter. Rin had gotten up to stand by Sesshoumaru so she could see the progress of the cat and fox better, and was now clutching his pant leg laughing so hard her tummy hurt. Kagome on the other hand was turning an interesting shade of blue. Her body shook with silent laughter as she tried to coax the cat out from under the couch, where it was now stuck with its back end not able to squeeze under all the way, thanks to its generous girth. The sight of the kitty butt squirming like mad accompanied by indignant yowls just set her off more.

"Oh God! It sounds like Kikyou yowling!" and the poor girl was off again. This time, Sesshoumaru couldn't stop himself. His rich tenor burst forth in waves as his shoulders shook in a hardy laugh. Rin stopped laughing long enough to listen him, only to start again at the sight of her daddy smiling.

Half an hour later they were finally able to tempt the cat out with a bowl of crème. A last resort as it gave the stupid thing gas. Kagome grimaced as she picked up the now empty bowl, not envying whoever's turn it was to clean the cat box in the least.

Rin was over on the couch, trying to comfort a distraught Shippo. His brush had been ruined and he alternated between crying and shooting death glares at the cat (which looked suspiciously like Kagome's…). Rin sighed as the doorbell rang.

Kagome looked over at the clock, 4:15. 'Must be Cassie.' She went over to the door and let the teenager in. Two seconds in the doorway the girl didn't know what hit her, for sitting at the kitchen table was a certifiable sex-god. Kagome rolled her eyes and led the girl over to Rin.

Rin inched over to Sesshoumaru and latched onto his arm, her large eyes staring up at the new comer. Cassie smiled warmly at Rin and listened to Sesshoumaru as he went through the standard spiel parents give new babysitters.

As Sesshoumaru stood up to leave, Rin clamped onto his arm harder. She looked up at her daddy, clearly not wanting him to go. Sesshoumaru sighed as he got down on his knees in front of the girl. He had explained before hand that she would be left to play with Shippo and Cassie while he and Kagome went to work, and that he would be back that night to pick her up and take her home. Just like when he came to visit her in the hospital. Rin sniffled softly and nodded her head as he gently reminded her. He stood up as Souta walked into the room in boxers and a t-shirt.

"Hey sis, aren't you guys gonna be late?"

"What about you? You're not even dressed yet!"

"Nah, it's my day off, remember?" he said, pulling a soda from the fridge.

It was then Shippo was struck with a flash of genius. Rin didn't want to leave Sesshoumaru, and he'd always wanted to see where his momma worked…

"Momma! Can me an' Rin come see you work? Pretty please? Cassie and Souta can take us! We'll be real good for them! We promise! We'll sit quietly and be on our best behavior! PLEASE?"

Kagome considered the proposition before turning to Sesshoumaru with a slight grin on her face.

"Ya know, it could work. I can use my two family tickets for Rin and Shippo, and Souta can use one of his for Cassie. We can go ahead and get ready and they'll go when the show starts. Souta and Shippo both have tuxes they can wear, and Cassie can borrow one of my gowns. Let's see, that Leaves Rin…"

Sesshoumaru was way ahead of her. At Shippo's mentioning they go, Rin had given him the biggest puppy eyes and put her whole heart and soul into the lower lip sticking out. He pulled out his cell phone and called Jaken.

"Jaken. I want a dress for Rin brought to Kagome's. Yes, for the theatre. NOW Jaken." a series of panicked "Yes, milord!" and "Right away milord!" was heard from the earpiece as the cell phone snapped shut.

Rin and Shippo ran over to each other and began to jump up and down in excitement. Souta and Cassie looked at one another and blushed. 'Ah-ha! I knew it!' Kagome had a triumphant smile on her face as she watched the pair. Souta was twenty-one and Cassie had turned eighteen a few months ago, so it was cute. She called the theatre and had the tickets waiting at the box office. She hung up giggling at the sight of her brother in his boxers with pink hearts plastered all over them trying to make light conversation with the babysitter coyly playing with her hair and both of them beet read. She was brought out of her wedding plans by a sharp rapping at the door that revealed itself to be Jaken.

The short little man was obviously a demon in disguise. His features were entirely too toad-like to pass for a human. His flat little nose and large bulbous eyes looked comical in human form, and Kagome had to fight back sniggers as he did his best to glare at her.

"Wench! Who do you think you're laughing at! I happen to be-" he got no farther due to the large dictionary that magically found its way to the top of his head, via a very mad Kagome.

"Watch who you call wench, you stupid toad! The name's Kagome! Ka-Go-Me!"

Her rant only stopped when Sesshoumaru put his hand on her arm to drag her out the door.

"We're late. And we're taking my car." Kagome could barely reach her shoes as they passed by the door on their way out, she still in her slippers and all. "Bye Shippo! Bye Rin! Be good for Cassie and Souta!"

It was a silent ride to the theatre. Not awkward, but both passengers enjoying a silent camaraderie as they pulled up to the theatre. Sesshoumaru surprised Kagome by going around and opening her door for her. She smiled up at him in thanks as Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her.

"It's been a while since anyone has done that for me. It feels good to be treated like a lady again. InuYasha never did anything like that for me. Come, to think of it, he used to do it for Kikyou back in high school…oh, thank you." Sesshoumaru had just opened the stage door for her, causing her to blush slightly. "And speak of the devil."

Kikyou was screeching that her hairdryer had been stolen and wanted everyone to tear up the room to look for it. Jakoutsu spoke up irritated his ears were ringing.

"It's on your chair, your evil bitchy-ness. You can stop yowling now-"

Kagome's erupting into laughter cut him off. She could barely breathe as she squeaked out "Yowling? HA..laughter..kitty butt!…peals of laughter…" Jakoutsu was thoroughly confused. 'Did she just say "kitty butt"? I think she's finally lost it! Holy shit! Is Sesshoumaru…smiling? God, I think hell just froze over.' Jakoutsu shook his head and grinned as he went back to putting his wig and makeup on, eyeing his piece of eye candy that was InuYasha the whole time.

Meanwhile, back at Kagome's apartment with Rin, Shippo, Cassie, Souta, and Jaken…

"Cassie! Hurry up in there! The rest of us gotta shower too, ya know! Oh, and Kagome just called and said to help yourself to any of her gowns that fit and any make-up and stuff on her vanity. Now…HURRY UP!"

The water shut off sharply and Souta gulped. 'What was that Kagome said again, about never interrupting a girl in the shower...oh yeah, never do it…uh-oh. I'm in trouble.' Cassie came out wrapped in a large towel and dripping hair. She glared at him before turning on her heel and marching to Kagome's room where Rin was waiting for her to help her get dressed and do her hair. Jaken and Shippo just shook their heads. 'He's in for it now.'

Half an hour later Rin and Cassie stepped out into the living room where the guys were waiting impatiently and fiddling with their tuxes. Shippo and Souta simultaneously turned light shades of pink at the sight of the girls. Rin looked adorable, sisters with a porcelain doll. Her long hair was pulled into a curled ponytail and bangs. Her dress came to her knees and was all light yellow silk with white lace at her sleeves and neckline. She smiled as she went up to Shippo and playfully ruffled his tail, somehow communicating not to be nervous.

Cassie looked drop-dead gorgeous. Souta could hardly take in the change. Cassie was pretty, but she hid it behind baggy sweaters and jeans. Now, she was truly lovely. She had found one of Kagome's gowns that fit her perfectly. A burgundy silk gown, it was snug across her bust, waist, and hips showing off her long torso and slender perfect waist. Falling into a generous skirt ending at her ankles with a split running from hip to hem at her left leg. Her hair was pulled up in a loose knot of sorts, with the ends curled and left hanging gracefully. The dress brought out the natural auburn highlights in her hair and made the green in her hazel eyes more prominent. White elbow gloves and a black clutch she borrowed from Kagome completed the ensemble.

Souta stood in a daze as Cassie shifted nervously from foot to foot.

"Are we ready to go?" she asked nervously. She hoped she'd chosen the right dress and that Souta would like it, but he seemed to be off in la-la land.

Jaken elbowed Souta on his side and hissed at him.

"You'll be late. Be a gentleman and open the door and tell her she looks nice!"

Spurred into action he practically leapt to her side, blushing and telling her how nice she looked and assuring her that the gown was perfect. He smiled and led the group out the door and down to his sister's car. Jaken shut the door behind them and flopped onto the couch. He was to wait there so his master could come back after Rin's things after the show. He sighed and turned on the TV searching for a little guilty pleasure of his. He smiled as the Harvey Girls came onto the screen and Judy Garland walked into view.

Rin looked around her in wonder at the beautiful theatre around her. Everything seemed to be gold and red velvet. Quite intimidating to a seven year old. She put her hand in Cassie's as Souta grabbed Shippo's with his left and wrapped his right arm around Cassie's waist drawing her close as they walked to their Center Fifth row seats.

Souta and the usher exchanged grins as everyone sat down. Souta sat with Cassie on his right and Shippo on his left. Cassie had Rin next to her. The little girl stared in awe at the high ceiling. She looked at the over dressed women with their rich dates and the snobby men, some with similar facial markings to Sesshoumaru's. Rin sat up straight in anticipation as the lights dimmed and the show began.

Rin's heart was still rushing to the rhythm of the title song as Sesshoumaru began The Music of the Night. Rin lit up with recognition, he' sung this to her before when she had had trouble falling asleep one night at the hospital. She watched eagerly as Sesshoumaru hypnotized Kagome.

On stage, Sesshoumaru put his whole soul into the song. This was his favorite number and he never expected lower than perfection when he performed it. He let the song take over as he stalked Kagome in his "lair".

Let your mind

Start a journey through a

Strange new world!

Leave all thoughts

Of the world

You knew before

Let your soul

Take you where

Long to be!

Only then can you belong to me…

Slowly and sensuously he looped his arm over her collarbone and used his free and to stroke her neck, her back firmly against his body. His inner demon growled contentedly at the contact with the small woman. It wagged its tail as she brought her hand up to stroke his jaw and mask. It growled menacingly when he pulled away, but still held her hand. He pulled her over to a velvet-covered mirror before continuing.

Floating, falling

Sweet intoxication!

Touch me, trust me,

Savour each sensation!

Let the dream begin,

Let your darker side give in

To the power of the music that I write-

The power of

The music of the night…

Sesshoumaru pulled the velvet back to reveal a reflection of Christine in a wedding dress. Kagome moved toward it, entranced, until the reflection stuck its hand OUT of the mirror at her, grinning evilly. Kagome fainted into Sesshoumaru's arms and he lifted her as easily as a kitten. He placed her into the bed onstage, and for a brief moment had the urge to climb in with her. He pushed that thought aside as his demon snickered at him.

You alone can make my song take flight-

Help me make the music of the night…

Rin saw the way her daddy looked at Kagome. Tender and loving, with a third emotion she was too young to name. Shippo saw this at the exact same time as she did. They looked across Souta and Cassie, who were to busy playing with each others fingers (A/N: GET YOUR MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTERS THIS INSTANT!) to notice, and grinned a scheming grin at each other. Both plotting ways to get their respective parent with the other.

Naraku saw the tender look on Sesshoumaru's face. The best actor in the world could never duplicate the look on his face at that moment, and He was furious. Kagome was his. He would have her and, demon or no, no one would get in his way!

After the show, the small group made their way to the stage door and into the back room. Rin was still depressed from the show's ending. She felt that Christine should have gone with the Phantom and not leave him so he could be lonely, she felt her daddy's loneliness come out through the Phantom and she wanted nothing more than to find him and hug him. As luck would have it, Sesshoumaru walked out of his dressing room and into the back room at that moment. She broke away from Cassie and ran straight for his legs crying out happily

"DADDY!"

The entire room fell silent at the sight of the small girl with a death grip on Seshhoumaru's legs. Sesshoumaru stood there stunned. He couldn't have been hearing things, could he? The whole room heard her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the tears slide down Kagome's cheek as she smiled at the pair.

"Don't be sad daddy! Rin is here! Please don't be lonely any more! I promise I'll be your angel! Daddy? What's wrong?"

Sesshoumaru knelt down and put his hands on the girl's shoulders, his eyes wide and searching hers. He couldn't stop the single tear that made its way down its cheek. Suddenly, he crushed the small body to his in a joyous hug. He stood up and spun her around until she giggled.

"Daddy! I'm getting dizzy!" she giggled.

He stopped and settled her on his hip as he turned to his cast mates.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet my daughter Rin. Rin, this is everyone." They all laughed at that as he put Rin down at her insistence so she could have them all autograph her playbill.

Kagome looked over at the proud papa and wiped her eyes. It was good to see him so happy. If only he smiled like that more. It gave his normally stoic features a charming boyish quality that was so endearing. Rin was happily chatting with Sango as she signed her playbill, telling her how she wanted to be a ballerina just like Meg. Sesshoumaru ruffled her hair playfully and smiled again.

Kagome sighed at the sound of a yawn coming from her son in Cassie's arms. She walked over and took the boy from her and told Souta they could go if they wanted, just to drop Cassie off at her house first. She knew the new father and daughter would take a while, and Rin would be upset if Shippo left without saying goodbye.

She cradled the now sleeping kit to her and walked over to Sesshoumaru and Rin. Rin was starting to nod off as she stood. Sesshoumaru and Kagome met eyes and silently agreed she would go with him. They called goodnights over their shoulders as Sesshoumaru placed Rin on his hip and they walked out of the building to his car.

The drive home was silent, broken only by the snores emanating from the back seat. Both children woke as the engine shut off and insisted they go up to the apartment to sat good-bye. Rin ran into Kagome's room to get her clothes and Shippo scampered after her, leaving their parents in the entryway.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru. For being such a gentleman and going along with my harebrained ideas today."

"I assure you, it was my pleasure. I'd thought of bringing Rin to the theatre before and I suppose I would have done it sooner had I known she would…" he could barely choke out the sentence. Damn losing control of his emotions! But the way she called him daddy…

"I know. You truly are blessed with such a daughter." she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder; a soft warmth coming from the palm that he could feel through his shirt. She smiled softly up at him as he looked down at Rin who had wrapped herself around his legs again. He leaned forward a tiny bit trying to shift Rin's weight comfortably, causing Kagom'e eyes to widen.

"I know-mpf!" Rin had been leaning so heavily in him he had lost his balance and pitched forward towards Kagome. He caught himself with one hand on the wall above her, but not before his lips met hers.

Kagome felt her eyes widen in shock when she found he had no intention of pulling away. Closing her eyes she leaned into the kiss. She had kissed him onstage before, but never like this. Here, he wanted to kiss her. Was kissing her.

Sesshoumaru found himself not wanting to move, to shatter the dream. She was sweet and he felt a dull ache move through him as she kissed him back. He forgot Rin was there, nothing existed but Kagome. He wanted to have all of her there and then, but resisted when he felt a small tug on his pant leg.

He looked down as Rin looked innocently away. He sighed and turned back to Kagome. Her eyes were glazed over in a dreamy stare. A small smile played on her lips that had been his a moment ago. They would have to continue this later. He needed to think.

"Good night Kagome." he couldn't think of anything better to say, so with that he picked up Rin and made his way out the door and down to his car. He ignored Jaken's cries of "Wait for me milord! Do not forget this lowly Jaken!" And set his little girl in the back seat and buckled her in. His mind was restless and conflicting the whole way home.

A/N: Hello everyone! Wow, five chapters already. I must say I'm quite proud of myself. And more father-daughter fluff! YEAH! Anyways, did the kiss seem like it happened to fast or too soon? I need feedback!

Jess: Please do! She pestered me for half an hour over it and I missed my soaps because of it.

Oh whatever, you're always on my case when I'm not writing, and when I ask you for help you bite my head off. One of these days I'm gonna hide all your chocolate and the TV remote, and then were will you be? Jess: Grrrr…

sighs Oh well, what's a girl to do (other than kick his butt.)? Please R&R! Thanx all!