-1Author's Note: Two reviews, one day. Pretty good. I just decided to update, so deal.

Incapable

A New Employer

"Good morning, class!" Sensei Nanaka chimed. "I hope you all had a good night yesterday, but leave your social lives at the door! We have work to get done."

The chatter that filled the room died down and everyone turned to face her.

"Now, I know we have a competition coming up soon, but there is something else that we are participating in. The annual school musical. This year The Phantom of the Opera is being performed. Auditions are going to be held for the entirety of this week and next week. Kagome, Sesshoumaru, I will need to speak with you both after class about it. Rehearsals are starting tomorrow. Come prepared. The show will play one week before the competition and dress rehearsal is the day before opening night. Specific dates will be given once the cast is decided upon."

Kagome nodded slightly at the mention of her and walked to the front of the class. They were practicing a song that she and Sesshoumaru had a duet in. Sesshoumaru stood next to her, his six foot five frame contrasting with her five foot five.

"All right, everyone ready?" Nanaka asked. The class straightened themselves and gave her a nod. "Okay." She motioned towards a student at the piano and the song began.

"There was a field in my old town
Where we always played hand in hand
The wind was gently touching the grass
We were so young, so fearless." Kagome began, the words flowing from her mouth.

"Then I dreamt o'er and over
Of you holding me tight under the stars
I made a promise to my dear lord
I will love you forever." Sesshoumaru slowly joined her in the second stanza.

"Time has passed
So much has changed
But the field remains in my heart
Oh, where are you?
I need to tell you I still love you
So I reach out for you
You fly around me like a butterfly
Your voice still echoes in my heart
You are my true love." The class sang together, the voices blending in perfect harmony.

"There was a field in my old town
Where in spring all flowers blossomed wide
We were chasing butterflies
Hand in hand 'til close of day
Your voice still echoes in my heart." Kagome and Sesshoumaru finished the song together.

Kagome exhaled slowly, allowing her shoulders to fall forward. Not only was it a difficult song to sing what with all the high notes, but she always got nervous when she had to sing in front of people.

"Nice work, everyone. But, work on keeping the right pitch throughout the song." Nanaka announced. "And it turns out, class is about to end. So, pack your things and go. Kagome, Sesshoumaru, over here, please."

The said students grabbed their things, Kagome slinging a large yellow book bag over her shoulders, Sesshoumaru carrying a couple of books in his hand, and walked over to the teacher's desk.

"Am I to assume that both of you remember the musical I spoke of earlier?" Nanaka questioned as she pulled some papers out of a folder.

"Yes, Sensei Nana." Sesshoumaru answered.

"Okay. The drama teacher and I wanted you two to try out for the leading roles of Christine and Raoul. I'm almost certain that Miroku has agreed to audition for the title role." She replied, reading off of a sheet of paper. "Yes, he has."

"Are you kidding me?" Kagome finally asked, having waited a couple of minutes to respond. "Playing Christine has only been my life's goal forever!" She exclaimed happily. She bounced on the balls of her feet, clapping her hands like a child at Christmas.

"Sesshoumaru? What do you say?" Nanaka asked, turning her attention to him.

"I don't think so." Sesshoumaru stated after a second.

"Oh, come on, Sesshoumaru. Don't be such a stick in the mud." Kagome tried to keep the tone of her voice level, but she was still too excited about the concept of possibly playing Christine.

"A stick in the mud, Kagome?" Sesshoumaru asked, giving her a cold glare.

"You aren't my employer, so I can call you whatever I want. But, if you don't want me to state the truth, then say you'll audition." She had a point there. He had no power to say that she couldn't call him 'a stick in the mud'.

"Please, Sesshoumaru? Begging is beneath both of us, but I will do so if you will just audition." Nanaka replied.

"Why must I audition for Raoul?" He questioned.

"Because you're the only one who has good acting skills and can actually match his pitch. Miroku is more suited for the Phantom, and Kagome obviously can't play a male." Nanaka told him. "And the other guys in drama can't sing, and the other guys in chorus can't act. You can do both!"

"What's in it for me?" Of course he would have to ask that.

"Absolutely nothing unless you get the part. But, if you do, you get extra credit and you'll have the pleasure of entertaining your fellow classmates." She answered. "You won't know if you get the part unless you at least audition."

"What time are auditions?" He asked.

"Today starting at 3:00 p.m. If you get a call back, you will find out by Friday what day you are expected to audition again next week. You will have to come everyday this week in case you are required to do more than one scene. Here is information on where auditions are being held and what you have to do." Nanaka handed them both a sheet of paper. "Hope to see you both there."

The bell rang and the students ran from the class, most trying to get to their lockers before the second bell sounded. Sesshoumaru stopped at his locker and twisted in the combination. He opened the contraption and took out his books for his next couple of classes before walking towards the gym. Kagome strolled past him, talking as much as she could before getting to gym.

'Inuyasha will kill me if he knows I still talk to them.' She thought as she laughed at something Sango had just said.

"Dude, you're completely out of it." Sango stated with a roll of her eyes.

"Yeah, baby sister. Inuyasha isn't around and you haven't said a word." Miroku replied. "You're not sick, are you?" He placed a hand to her forehead.

"Oh, shut up, big brother." Kagome answered with a laugh. "I'm perfectly fine. 'Cept for the fact that we're right outside the gym and now Inuyasha gets to throw me around." She pushed open the gym doors, Miroku and Sango immediately walking in. They both cast her an apologetic look and walked into the locker rooms.

Kagome chanced a smile and followed Sango into the girl's locker room.

"You live!" Kikyou exclaimed. "Miroku called Sango and Sango called me and explained what happened yesterday with Inuyasha." She wasn't usually this talkative, but she hardly ever got time to talk to Kagome.

"Damn, does it have to be announced across Japan?" Kagome laughed. "I'm fine, big sister. I've already told Sango and Miroku that."

"Well, you know Naraku is going to flip out when he hears. I swear, he's so protective of you it isn't even funny." Kikyou replied.

"I know. We already have it worked out. As soon as I'm not working for Inuyasha anymore I'm going to give him one of my infamous bear hugs." Kagome laughed again and quickly changed into the PE uniform.

Kikyou laughed quietly and shook her head. "So, you're going to kill him?"

"No, I won't! He'll still be able to breathe a little bit. Anyway, I'd better get out there. His lordship needs a practice dummy. No offense meant, Kikyou." Kikyou shook her head as Kagome walked out of the room.

"Why do you still date him?" Sango questioned.

"Because he isn't really that mean. He just doesn't like Kagome for some reason. Probably because she's a miko. You know, if he let her train properly then she could kick my butt." Kikyou replied.

"But, he doesn't let her train properly." Sango finished the speech and walked out of the locker room.

"Have you ever wondered about her and Naraku?" Kikyou asked as she followed her out of the room.

"What do you mean?" Sango responded.

"Well, like them dating." She answered after a second.

"Are you crazy, Kikyou? They're like best friends." The other hissed. Kikyou laughed slightly and nodded.

"Yeah, that would be a bit weird, even for Kags." Kikyou replied and walked over to Inuyasha.

"Hey, babe. Who were you talking about?" Inuyasha asked, wrapping a clawed hand around her waist.

"Just that Higurashi girl. She's so stupid." She answered and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"She wasn't giving you two lip was she?" His voice came out in a growl.

"Oh, no. She did nothing of the sort." Kikyou insisted. Seeing the questioning look on his face, she gave her him a gentle kiss and smiled. "Trust me. She didn't say anything to us."

Inuyasha frowned slightly but nodded.

"Hello, class. As I'm sure you have guessed from the mats placed around the gym, we are still working on self defense. Now, get with the person you usually train with and get to work. I will show you a new move in about twenty minutes." Kaede announced.

Inuyasha smirked and walked over to Kagome. "Let's go train, Higurashi." He growled and without waiting for a response, he dragged her towards a corner of the gym.

"Now, did you speak to Kikyou and Sango?" He asked. A rhetorical question, as always. If she refused to answer then he would hit her. If she did answer then he would hit her. So, she did what she always did.

"Of course not, Master." Kagome replied, the answer immediately spewing from her mouth. Inuyasha sniffed, glaring at her.

"You know I can smell a lie from a mile away, wench. And for that, you get flipped." He growled, throwing her over his shoulder and into the wall. Kagome let out a shriek and pulled herself to her feet.

"Okay, that hurt." She groaned. Before she could fully recover from the blow, Inuyasha had her by the throat, pinned against the wall.

"I will ask you one more time. Did you or did you not speak to Kikyou and Sango?" His voice was filled with rage. "Answer me!"

"I can't breathe." Kagome choked, grabbing his hand.

"Give me two reasons why I should release you." Inuyasha hissed.

"I can think of one. I'll do… this!" She managed to twist around and grabbed his hand, throwing him into the wall.

"Oh, nice one, wench. Now, to put you in your place." He laughed before throwing her to the ground. He towered above her, her hands held firmly above her head.

"Okay, you win!" She stated without thinking. 'Bad move, Kags.'

"Wrong as usual, Kaggie-poo. I always win." Inuyasha whispered, using the name he always used when he was sick of her. He stood up and glared at her one more time before heading towards the other students.

'I swear, I'll kill him as soon as I get the chance.' Kagome thought as she pulled herself to her feet. 'Thinks he can throw me around like that without consequence. Hah! I'll show him. I'll purify his butt. Yeah. That'll work.' She continued plotting her master's untimely end as she made her way to the gathering circle of students.

"Now that everyone is here, time for a new move. I shall need two volunteers. Kagome and Sesshoumaru, you will do perfectly." Kaede stated excitedly.

Said students gave her quizzical looks before walking to the center of the group. 'This Sesshoumaru did not volunteer to beat a mere human.' Sesshoumaru thought coldly. 'Especially one who calls me a stick in the mud.'

'He's going to pound me to a pulp. Look at him, damn it! He's like… five times my size!' Kagome's thoughts were filled with fear and dread.

"Okay, Sesshoumaru. I want you to wrap your arm around her torso. " Sesshoumaru did as he was instructed, immediately feeling Kagome stiffen. "No, tighter. You don't want to make it too easy for her to escape."

"You don't have to make me bleed, you know. It's not like you're actually attacking me." Kagome hissed as Sesshoumaru's grip tightened. A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Okay, now for Kagome. I want you to grab his left hand with your right. Spin around and flip him over your shoulder." Kaede instructed.

"Have you gone crazy, Kaede? There's no way I can flip him!" Kagome replied.

"And why not?" The teacher asked.

"He's too flippin' big! No offense, Sesshoumaru. But, look at him! He's like the Jolly Green giant!" She answered.

"Flipping is not about brute strength. Kanna is smaller than you and if she used the proper maneuvers she could have Sesshoumaru on his back begging for mercy." Kaede insisted. A snort resounded from Sesshoumaru's throat. "Now, flip him."

Kagome nodded reluctantly and grabbed Sesshoumaru's left hand. She spun around and, after struggling for a second, managed to flip him. Though he took her down, as well.

"You weren't supposed to do that!" Kagome yelled.

"Kaede never said that I could not attempt to defend myself." Sesshoumaru replied calmly. Not that he had to defend himself. Her skills were really quite amateur and if he had truly wished to, he could have overpowered her easily. 'Though, she could match my skill with training.' He thought.

"You have just enough time to practice that move and get ready for your next class." Kaede announced. The class separated into their pairs and began practicing.

Inuyasha, of course, took full advantage of the opportunity. By the time class was finished Kagome was beaten, bruised, and could hardly walk properly. And to think it was only second period and he still had all night to torment her. A malicious smile crossed his face as he walked into the boys locker room.

The rest of the day passed without incident. Well, maybe not exactly without incident, but nothing huge happened. Kagome had accidentally bumped into Inuyasha and his books fell. She had gathered them, apologizing profusely, before scampering off to her last class. Finally, auditions for The Phantom of the Opera. She ran to the theater down the street from the school, coming to a halt in the auditorium.

"Ahh, welcome, Kagome. I'm so glad you decided to show up." Nanaka smiled. She was sitting at a table along with the drama teacher, Sensei Mikita. Both had clipboards in front of them, their pens held above it.

"Welcome, welcome. You're just in time. Auditions for Christine are about to begin, followed by Raoul, then The Phantom." Mikita replied. "Go get in line behind the other girls."

Kagome joined the short line of females, waiting anxiously for her turn. She was surprised so few had shown up. 'Only five? Including myself?' She glanced around the auditorium, her eyes falling on the boys waiting. 'So, Sesshoumaru's auditioning after all. And Miroku, Naraku, Kouga?' She stifled a laugh as the girl in front of her walked onto the stage.

Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again filled the room, the girl's voice screeching slightly to reach the proper octave. After a few more agonizing minutes, Kagome stepped onto the stage.

"Welcome to your Christine audition, Kagome. All we request is for you to sing a song from The Phantom of the Opera. It matters not which one." Mikita told her.

Kagome thought for a moment before beginning.

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 back,
and be free
if you ever find a moment,
spare a thought for me

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 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,
think of the things
we'll never do...
there will never be a day when
I won't think of you

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 finally finished, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves.

"Rock on, Kags!" Kouga cheered from the side of the stage. Kagome smiled shyly before walking off. Naraku gave her a congratulatory smile as she walked out of the theater. 'And now I'm going to be even later than usual.'

"I'm dead. No, worse than that. A humane person would kill me and get it over with." She muttered as she ran down the street. 'Run faster, Kags.'

Kagome finally stopped in front of the gate and punched in the code before running up the driveway. She quickly entered the servant quarters, but stopped in her tracks. 'This can't be good.' She thought, looking at the other servant standing in the door way.

"Lord Maeda wishes to speak with you, Kagome. Immediately." The servant named Kagura told her.

"Oh… do you happen to know what he wants?" Kagome replied. 'He probably wants to get to me before Inuyasha does. Tell me how horrible I'm doing and that I'm fired.'

"No, sorry. But, I suggest you hurry." Kagura answered. "He's in his study." Kagome thanked her before running into the main house.

'In his study. So, second floor. Fifth door on the left.' She mentally counted the doors and finally came to a stop in front of the fifth one.

"Enter." InuTaisho Maeda's voice rang through the door before she could knock. Kagome hesitated for a second and entered the room. Inuyasha was there, looking positively furious, and Sesshoumaru was simply sitting there.

"I apologize for being late, Lord Maeda." Kagome bowed to the man, standing at the back of the room.

"There is no need for apologies." Maeda replied. "Step forward, dear child." His voice held the gentleness that he usually spoke to Kagome in.

Kagome did as she was told, keeping her head to the ground.

"You need not be afraid, young Kagome." He always said that to her. "You have been serving Inuyasha for six years now, correct?"

"Yes, Lord Maeda." Kagome replied. 'Why is that relevant?' She asked herself.

"I thought so. I don't know if this will please or only prove further disappointment for you, but Inuyasha is failing three of his classes. Due to this, he is not allowed to have a servant." Kagome looked up almost instantly. "Do not fear, I am not going to throw you out. You will be serving Sesshoumaru, though."

Kagome's jaw dropped. "Begging your pardon, Lord Maeda, and I know you could easily throw me out for insubordination, but Sesshoumaru? The same Sesshoumaru who has never said more than one sentence to me?"

"The very same, Kagome. I imagine he has some rules for you, so I will dismiss you." Lord Maeda answered, waving her out of the door.

Kagome stepped into the hall, her face still awe-stricken. 'I knew I shouldn't have called him a stick in the mud.'

"This way." Sesshoumaru murmured to her, heading towards the staircase. Kagome followed him, but kept the standard ten feet between just as Inuyasha had ordered.

"And do try to keep up, Kagome. It is quite a ways to my room." He glanced over his shoulder at her before beginning the climb up the winding stairs. Kagome quickened her pace to almost match his own, though a few steps separated them.

"There is quite a bit to go over." He stated as he finally came to a stop in front of a door. "This is, of course, my room. Yours is just next to mine." He twisted the door knob and opened the panel of wood, revealing a simple yet elegant room. "Close the door behind you and have a seat on the bed."

Kagome stiffened for the second time that day. Closing the door behind her, she sat on the bed, twisting her hands in anxiety. "Pardon me for being too straightforward, but my contract clearly states that I do not perform sexual favors for anyone in the household."

"Do not be such a prude, Kagome. This Sesshoumaru does not need any favors of the like." Sesshoumaru answered.

"Yes, Lord Sesshoumaru. Please forgive me." Kagome mumbled in response. 'That's a relief. No need to worry about being molested! Yes!'

"That brings me to the first rule." He had seated himself in front of a desk and turned on a lamp. "No more calling me or anyone else 'Lord', 'Master', 'Milord'. Except for father of course. You will address me as Sesshoumaru."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru." Kagome replied. Her head was instinctively bowed, her eyes boring intently into the floor.

"You are not to have your head bowed anymore." Sesshoumaru lifted her chin in an uncharacteristically gentle gesture.

"I have one question. Why are you working in this household?" He asked.

"It's a rather long and complicated story. But, it's basically because my mother needed some extra help, so I landed here." She answered.

"It says here that my idiot of a half-brother refused to allow you to have a locker…" He said, reading off of a sheet of paper.

"Yes, L… Sesshoumaru." She nodded slightly.

"Well, from now on you will share my locker. Here is the number and combination." He handed her a folded slip of paper and continued. "Your mother works here?"

"If I remember correctly, yes." Kagome answered.

"Yet you have not been able to converse with her since you began working for Inuyasha?"

"No. Inuyasha would not allow it." Hate dripped from her voice.

"You will visit your mother whenever you please. Just do it sparingly while you are performing your duties. Which brings me to the next matter. I am aware that you have after school activities and, therefore, cannot have a set time for your arrival. You will arrive as soon as you can, but will work no later than 6:00 p.m. If you ever find yourself running late, let me know and you can finish the chores but have the time off the day after. Also, you will be paid a weekly salary. Understand?" Sesshoumaru rolled the chair over to a filing cabinet and pulled open one of the drawers.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru." Kagome replied. 'A salary? I actually get money? I love him already!'

"You are friends with the people my brother is associated with, correct?" He had pulled a manila folder from the cabinet and was flipping through its contents.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru." She replied, again.

"And you are very close to the one named Naraku?"

"Well, used to be. I haven't been able to speak with him."

"That rule is dismissed. You can speak to whomever you wish about whatever you wish. Just remember, I will show you the same amount of respect you show me." He glanced at her for a second. "Seeing as how we are strangers to an extent, until further notice we will spend Friday evenings discussing ourselves. This will help you to learn how I do things and it will allow me to see how you react to certain situations. If you ever have plans for a Friday, tell me at least five days ahead of time."

Sesshoumaru stood up and started towards the door. "I need to show you to your room and give you a tour of this floor." Kagome followed after him, her hands clasped in front of her.

"The bathroom. It is yours and yours alone, so you don't have to worry about someone walking in on you. It locks from the inside. Hall closet. Self explanatory. My chamber maid's room. You will not see her that often. And here is your room." Sesshoumaru stopped in front of a set of double doors. He pushed them open, hiding a laugh at Kagome's reaction.

"Holy… crap." She muttered, stepping inside. It was about the same size of his own room and was decorated to mirror that of a room in the Elizabethan Era. "Can I?" She asked, motioning towards the bed.

"It is your room. Do as you please." Sesshoumaru answered. Kagome squealed and ran to the bed, jumping on top of it.

"I have pillows! And a phone! And a stereo!" She laughed and sighed happily. "This is perfect."

"I will give you the day to get used to your surroundings. When was the last time you had a proper meal?" He questioned.

"Uh… six years ago." She replied sheepishly.

"Dinner is served promptly at 6:30 p.m. You will find proper clothing in the closet. Do not be late." He walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"I'm… FREE!" Kagome cheered happily. "Well, not exactly free… but oh, well." She stood up and walked towards the closet. "Wonder what kind of fashion sense Sesshoumaru has…" She pulled the doors open, laughing excitedly. "Oh, my god. I've died and gone to heaven!"

Author's Note: More will come about why Kagome is working for the Maeda's. Next Chapter: Kagome gives Naraku the hug of death. Ha-ha. Review! Final count: 16 pages, 4282 words.

Song Disclaimer: The first song, Lovers by Kathleen Battle, does not belong to me. It is from The House of Flying Daggers. The second song, Think of Me, does not belong to me. It is from The Phantom of the Opera.