A/N: Thanks to all the reviews! You know, I made a mistake though. I uploaded the version without my proofreading! Ah, well, I'm going to leave the chapters 1-3 as they are. If anyone really wants me to put the proofread stuff up, I will. Nothing changed, only fixing typos you know. Voice problems mostly.. ::cough:: On with the fic!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 4: The Everlasting Gaze

Kagome had been through so many play auditions that this one would be a breeze! Sure, she's in a new school, and sure... nobody really knows her... not to mention.. she could make a big fool out of herself.. or if she fell!! So, maybe confidence wouldn't be siding with Kagome on this particular audition. All the same, you've got to work hard for the things you love. Out of everything, Kagome could have safely said, the play's the thing.


Everyone sat down in his or her usual place. It seemed that the room was split between those who normally appeared in plays and those who were there merely to get out of the athletic requirement. Each student wanting to audition for the play would get a form and have to fill it out with all the experience he or she had. No big deal! First step done, Kagome sat with her newfound friends with a bit more confidence built up in her. "Kagome.." The director read her name aloud, his reading glasses slipped down the bridge of his nose when he talked. All right, confidence down. First audition at this school and the director found something wrong already. The director looked nice enough, golden eyes much like InuYasha's, and long hair just like him too! However her review of the director was cut off when he said her name again, louder this time. "Kagome? Is there a Kagome in this room or am I getting so blind I can't read right?!"


'Twisted logic' Kagome thought to herself 'Maybe if I yell more, I'll get what I want' she mused to herself before she stood up; she plastered a sweet smile on her face first of course. "Yes sir, my name's Kagome, is there something wrong?"


The director raised one brow, his pen tapped on his chin. "New?" he asked simply.
"yes sir"


"Junior?"

"Yes sir" the questions he asked were quick, clipped, and he never took his eyes off of her when he asked them. Sango had warned her that most people were slightly afraid of the director. Kagome would be fine if she stood up to the man.


"Read any Shakespeare?" This question he asked with yet again a quirk of his eyebrow.


"Yes sir,"


"Good girl" He lifted his hand as if to dismiss her and nodded when she sat down. "This play.. Maybe SOMEONE has heard of it.. Romeo and Juliet?" The room filled with whispers and giggles from the girls. The director merely grunted before he moved on to the next subject, "There are only a few parts for girls in the play, and seeing as how more than half of this room is female, I wish all of you good luck" He held out a few sheets of paper, "First five victims"


Tryouts went as most do. Those who had more experience could obviously be weeded out from those who simply couldn't get over their own nervousness. The director was a smart man, all of those who had been in a play with him before addressed him by his first mane, Sesshomaru. He made his decisions quickly, if someone couldn't be there for the auditions, that person wasn't worth risking absence to put in the play. Thus, one day auditions and cast list the next morning... the fact that the list would be up the next morning left many eager would be actors without much sleep that night.


***

Kagome looked at the cast list with her eyes closed at first. So literally, she wasn't exactly the one who read it "Sango.. you look is my name on there?"


She heard her friend hmm lightly before she stated simply, "nope, but I see mine!!"

     "Are you kidding?" Kagome exclaimed she opened her eyes to search the list for herself. Sure that audition hadn't been her best, but she certainly did better than some of the people in there! Indeed her friend had been kidding. She had been cast as every girl's dream role. She would play Juliet. " oh... oh goodness. Sango!!!!"


Her friend laughed lightly "ooo and Inu Yasha's your Romeo! Though.. Who didn't see that coming? Sesshomaru and he are practically identical!"


"Personally I think he's a little weird. Well Inu Yasha I mean.. He hasn't even said more than a few words to me!" with that, the door opened on the other side of the room.


Sango waved him over. She used her best taunting tone when she addressed him, her hand resting on her hip, "Inu! You and Kagome are gonna be loverrrrs!" This statement rewarded a light slap on the arm from Kagome. Inuyasha looked at Sango before looking at the list. His hand rested on the brim of his hat, he pulled it up a bit so he could read, but since Kagome had seen him, he'd never been without it. He initialed next to his name, that action saying he accepted the role, and then looked at Kagome for a full ten seconds before walking out the door. Both Sango and Kagome watched the door until it closed. "You...you're right, that is weird."


***
As it turned out, none of the casting had been a surprise. The director always had his favorites to play the main roles. Kagome was the only wild card pulled out of the lot. Kikou had been the one thought to play opposite Inu Yasha. For Mercutio, the obvious choice was Miroku. Hojo was cast as "the valiant Paris" As for Tybalt. Who better to play than Koga? He was a jock, but the football team didn't have practice this season since they didn't make the final four. Romeo's cousin Benvolio would be Shippo. The cast of 43 assembled in the rehearsal hall. It would be the only time the cast would be together until the dress rehearsals. Rehearsals started that afternoon. It would take a lot of work to get the scenes and chemistry between the actors right.


"Act one scene five" he stage manager announced. "Rehearsal between Romeo, Juliet, and the nurse will begin in five minutes!" The stage manager was a cute freshman who hadn't gotten a part in the play, but had a way with people. Rin was a sweet girl, though.. Gossip followed that she had some sort of infatuation for the director. Most of the cast filed out of the building. Sango, Inu Yasha, and Kagome stayed behind. The director talked to Inu Yasha.


Sango nudged Kagome with her elbow. "Did you see the look on Kikou's face when he announced you as Juliet? It looked like the swallowed a fly!"


However Kagome's attention was focused on Inu Yasha's conversation with the director. She could just hear him preaching his protest about her being cast for Juliet. Then Inu Yasha laughed. Kagome had never seen him do so, but now he looked so happy. "Wonder what they're talking about.."


"Hmm?" Sango looked over in that general direction, "ah how should I know. Don't worry about it. Inuyasha's good friends with Sesshomaru, they treat each other like brothers."


Inu yasha strode over to them, taking a seat by Sango. "Well, another play. Inu yasha this will be your 9th. Sango, your third, and Kagome your first with us. I have great confidence in you, as do your fellow players, might I add. The officers insisted on you being cast for this role." his reading glasses slipped down his nose a bit as he spoke. "The relationships between Juliet and her nurse and between Juliet and Romeo are extremely important. Thus the reason we start here. Yasha, take it from the exit of Tybalt.. Now Kagome don't be overwhelmed, just have fun with it. Don't worry about perfect lines just yet"


Inu yasha stood up first, Sango and Kagome followed suit. He walked a circle around Kagome first, making her feel a bit self conscious though he simply cracked his neck to the side before he took her hand lightly "If I profane with my unworthiest hand..." Kagome looked at him, awe running through her expression. She hadn't heard him speak more than a few words. He half looked at her, half looked at his script. "... to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss" he moved in to kiss her, but Kagome moved.


As much as she would have liked to stay, the stage direction called for something more. "Good pilgrim.." she began, Inu Yasha looked up at her, from his slightly hunching position as he had tried to kiss her hand. He found himself getting lost in her, and not just because he was following his character.


"... move not while my prayer's effect I take.." he cupped the right side of her face with his free hand, the other hand held his script had made its way around to her back. "Thus from my lips, by thine, my sin is purged"


Kagome looked up at him, and her script from over his shoulder, "then have my lips the sin that they have took"


He smiled lightly, "Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged, Give me my sin again:" He kissed her again, more passionately this time, desperate even his eyes stayed open for a moment before closing.


"You kiss by th' book.." Kagome said, breathlessly.


Sango stepped in how "madam, your mother craves a word with you!" The rest of the scene went on until it was to shift to act two.


  Sesshomaru would gave his acting notes, "well Inu Yasha, that's one way to break the ice. I don't think you'd be so rough with her at first. After all, you did just meet her you know." Inu yasha nodded lightly "Kagome, that was good. Now you've made me confident in my choice. Sango, how would the nurse walk, be thinking of a way for her to move. You're too graceful" After twice more of going through that same scene, the rehearsal was done for the day.


Inu yasha nodded to Sesshomaru, he pulled the mail boy hat he wore further down on his head. He tossed a glance to Sango and Kagome, both talked about some juicy rumor about some seniors, though Inuyasha smiled. He had requested that Sesshomaru give Kagome a chance with this play. Her audition had been astounding, and he had more confidence in her than he thought he would. His nose twitched lightly, realizing his own train of thought.


He walked out of the building, and he hurled his backpack into the back of his Jeep. He had promised himself that he wouldn't get involved with anymore girls for a while. Kikyo had been enough. Though, even with that thought in mind, the point remained that something about Kagome drew him to her. Whether it was her acting.. or something else, he wasn't sure yet. He glanced back to the door to see Kagome walking outside with Sango. A girl hadn't had such a hold on his thoughts before. Whether it was love or lust, the point was, it bothered him.. at least.. it should have.


***


A/N what did you think? Well? Oki well just review oki? I'll make this a good fic even if it kills me!.. which.. I hope it doesn't... ^_^;;;;; Review please!

Thanks for all the reviews so far, and now I'm gonna answer a few of em!

BLoOdiE HeLL: I really... really don't like that dead miko! She shoulda stayed dead ::Blinkies:: It's rated R for future chapters ^_^ I threw Sesshomaru in twice, though the point that he would be the dean of the school didn't give him much of a part. He and Inu yasha aren't brothers in this fic. They act that way ::nod nod::

Evil Bunnies: First, I'd like to say.. I LOVE your name ^_^!!! Well actually.. that's all I'd like to say.. except for thank you very much.

Everyone!: All the reviews mean a lot to me, and I hope I get better at writing what you guys want as the fic goes on.

Please review! Even if you already have! I heart you guys ^_^! Oh yeah, I took the advice of one of my reviews. If you haven't seen The Pirates of the Caribbean, go see it. It's amazing.

*~*Hugs and Kisses*~*