A/N: Prologue's done, moving onto chapter one now. But anyways. Let's see… fourteen reviews… I'll thank you guys in the bottom author's note.
… Miroku is probably a little OOC, but it's so difficult!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 1: Problematic Divas
Tahara Miroku rubbed his temples as he watched the rehearsal for that night's opera, Hannibal.
If my ears survive, I hope the rest is not as bad as this… He'd had a headache since early that morning, and wasn't feeling any better now. Running his hand through his dark brown hair, he let out a large sigh. He had never realized how hard it could be to run an opera house, he now why Ryuku Bankotsu was so anxious to sell the place.
One thing that redeemed the horrible vocals of Hime Kaguya was the dancers. They were all very pretty, but he was married and very talented dancers.
"Ryuku-san, who is that young lady? The one with the brown hair and striking wine-colored eyes?" he inquired.
"You mean Aoihira Kagura-san?" Bonkotsu responded with.
"Ah, is that her name? She's quite good."
Bonkotsu gave a half-smile, "She's the daughter of our ballet mistress, Aoihira Kikyo-san, who is coming over to us at this moment."
It was true, an attractive middle-aged woman made her way over to them, "Tahara-san."
"Ah, you must be the ballet mistress, Aoihira-san," he bowed. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Kikyo smiled pleasantly, "The pleasure is all mine, Tahara-san. I have heard about you."
"If I may venture to say Aoihira-san," Miroku murmured. "Your daughter is quite talented, but I was wondering as to who the beautiful young lady with the raven hair is."
Kikyo's expression hardened a little, but she kept her pleasant demeanor, "Higurashi Kagome-san."
"Any relation to the famous violinist?"
"His only child. She was orphaned at seven, upon which time I brought her here, to the ballet dormoritories."
"Ah, I meant no disrespect. I was merely curious," Miroku pardoned. "But they both are remarkably excellent dancers."
"Ari gato, Tahara-san," Kikyo bowed again. "They have become quite good."
Miroku smiled, "I should expect so. You have the reputation as one of the greatest ballet dancers of our time, and I can see clearly that you are. You have passed your skill on, Aoihira-san."
The aria came to an end, Kaguya came over, obviously, she had heard his and Kikyo's discussion, "All he wants is the dancing! Dancing girls! Pft! I will not perform if I am not given the respect I deserve!"
Miroku rushed to save the opera from losing it's star, "Hime-sama! Please do not get the wrong impression! I was only discussing with Aoihira-san how well she has taught the dancers! And since I could think of no one to discuss your marvelous voice, I could only speak of the dancers!"
He was going to regret this later. He just knew it. Kikyo was a much better conversationalist then Kaguya, she was also much nicer and polite; if a little reserved and secretive.
"Please Hime-sama! Without you there is no opera!" he begged. "Perhaps you would like to showcase your talent by singing the aria from act three! I am sure that would banish any doubt that you are the true star of the Tokyo Opera!"
Kaguya seemed to agree with his praise, she puffed out her chest, causing even more of her breasts to bulge out of the top of her dress, "Very well Tahara-san. If you insist."
The music began to play, and Kaguya drew herself up to her full height. And began, "Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me, once in a while, please promise me you'll try. When you find that once again you long to take your heart…"
Before she could finish, a backdrop suddenly dropped from the ceiling, narrowly missing the diva, and crashing down instead onto the train of her costume.
This brings new meaning to the phrase 'oh shit'.
Hurrying, the stagehands and other members of the cast rushed to help the distressed diva, Miroku immediately went into damage control, "These things do happen, Hime-sama."
Unfortunatly for the new manager, Kaguya snapped, "Of course they do! They're been happening for three straight years! I will not perform unless they are stopped! I'm leaving!"
She stomped off the stage, followed by her maid, personal assistant, hair dresser, and her husband, Onigumo Naraku.
Groaning Miroku turned to Kikyo, "Please tell me there's an understudy…"
"I'm sorry Tahara-san, but there is no understudy for Kaguya-san," she began. "However, I am sure that Kagome- san will be able to sing the aria."
"Higurashi-san?" he turned to the mentioned girl, who blushed terribly, and stood half-behind Kagura, who stepped aside so she was in full view.
"M-me, Tahara-sama?" she stuttered out.
"Please do Higurashi-san," Miroku requested. "Since there is no understudy, we must have someone take Hime-san's place so that we do not have to cancel tonight's gala. I would hate to have to inform Taisho-sama that it has been cancelled."
Swallowing hard, she stepped up, "Very well Tahara-sama."
Inhaling sharply, she began, "Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me, once in a while –please promise me you'll try."
"She's amazing!" Miroku said to himself.
"When you find that, once again, you long to take your heart back and be free – if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me…"
She sang that night, "We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea – but if you can still remember, stop and think of me…
"Think of of all the things we've shared and seen – don't think about the things which might have been… Think of me, think of me waking, silent and resigned.
"Imagine me, trying too hard, to put you from my mind. Recall those days, look back on all those times, thino of the things we'll never do – there will never be a day, when I won't think of you…"
"She really is like an angel," Sango commented to her husband.
Miroku smiled, "It was pure chance that allowed her to perform tonight, anata."
"But still, she is a beautiful singer!"
"We never said, our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea – but please promise me, that sometimes you will think of me!"
She finished the song to loud applause and cheering. Kagome smiled and curtsied as the heavy curtains swung close.
It was the finest opening night the Tokyo Opera House had seen in many years.
And two pairs of eyes were focused on the new found star, the war for her heart had begun.
Heh, longer then the chapter were before, isn't it? Make you feel better about it? And look! I gave almost all of the characters last names (well, those that DIDN'T have any at least.)! Yes, yes, Kouga will be making his debut next chapter, and then the Phantom after that! Oooh! I can't wait!
Alright, time for those thank yous!
Kat: To those who reviewed! Here are your cookies!
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Kalisha
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ashley
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ashley (you get double cookies!)
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I'm the Angle of Music (Angle huh? I think you meant 'angel')
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Kat: To those lovely three who added this story to their favorites, you get a plushie of your choice!
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Kat: And finally! To those who put this story on their alert lists, you get cookies in a collectible tin!
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Thank you all! Stay tuned, please! Your reviews feed me and plot bunnies (which look rather thin at the moment...)! I won't be able to update until I get home from my weekend holiday, but then it's nose back to the grindstone for me!
Signing off!