InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dance Because You Love Me ❯ The Student-Administration Meeting ( Prologue )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: QuestionableIntentions 
Kagome has a Student-Administration meeting that will affect the course of her career, but things don't go as she expects.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.31.2005 | Updated On: 08.08.2005 | Pages: 1 | Words: 1.4K | Visits: 584 | Status: Completed
Kagome has a Student-Administration meeting that will affect the course of her career, but things don't go as she expects.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.31.2005 | Updated On: 08.08.2005 | Pages: 1 | Words: 1.4K | Visits: 584 | Status: Completed
Author’s Note: Yep!! Another fanfic...my first on mediaminer.org actually. I’ve got others in the works and coming, of course, so look out for those. And please don’t forget to review! I’d really appreciate them. I accept constructive criticism very well, just please tone down on the flames. :) Hope you like!
Disclaimer: InuYasha and all those affiliated with him belong to Takahashi Rumiko. Not me. ^_^ So now suing please!
Prologue
Nineteen-year-old Higurashi Kagome swept her long, jet black hair into a chopstick twist before descending down the long flight of stairs from her dormitory in the Juilliard. The moment she reached the main lobby, she broke into a run toward the Administration Building, not even taking notice of the annoying thumps her back pack made because of her movement. She was due for her Student-Administration Meeting in less than three minutes. Her professors would be extremely displeased if she were to be tardy to the meeting that could judge the direction of her professional career.
Kagome was a dancer. Since the tender age of four, she had attended ballet and jazz lessons at the local dance studio. By the time she hit fourteen, she had already started as an assistant teacher at the studio, looked upon by the little ones as an older sister and role model. Her impact on children had been an asset to her during her earlier learning years. It had given her some of the drive and inspiration she needed to become a better dancer. At fifteen she left the studio and moved to a bigger school, the High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Los Angeles, California. When she graduated high school, she acquired a scholarship in dance to the biggest performing arts school in the country, Juilliard. It was here that she knew her dreams to become a professional dancer would be realized.
The young girl knocked on the door of the meeting room just as her wristwatch struck nine o' clock. She had made it in the nick of time. She let out a sigh of relief as she tried to straighten out her hair and her clothes, which had gotten very tussled in the run to the building. Soft footsteps could be heard on the other side of the door, and before Kagome was ready, the mahogany wood opened, revealing the solemn face of her dance instructor. Kagome quickly took her hand out of her hair, letting it tumble in a heap around her shoulders. She gave her instructor a sheepish smile as she was led inside.
"Higurashi Kagome," the schoolmaster, Professor Takashi, greeted her with a warm smile and an extended hand. Kagome returned both the smile and the handshake, and took her place in the chair across a bench of jurors and school professors. "Well," Professor Takashi continued when everyone had settled in, "I believe we are here this morning to discuss Miss Higurashi's desire to audition for the American Guild of Dance."
"Yes." A middle-aged woman Kagome did not know the name of carefully removed her wire-rimmed glasses and wiped the lenses on a handkerchief. "You are aware, Miss Higurashi, that a woman of your age and...lack," she laid a deliberate emphasis on the word, "of experience is rarely accepted into the Guild?"
Kagome shifted in her seat nervously. "Well, I suppose so, but I should still like to try."
"Why?" the woman countered.
"Because being a professional ballerina is my dream," Kagome replied earnestly. "It has been since I was six years old."
"A dream takes a long time to be realized, dear," another professor chipped in. "Perhaps it is wisest for you to choose a different path toward your dream."
"I agree," said yet another. "You have no experience, and you are much younger than what the Guild normally accepts.
"Surely you are aware that this Guild is one of the most prestigious dance organizations to have ever hit the planet," another juror said. "Do you really think that getting into it will be easy?"
"No." Kagome argued. "But I can do this!" She was beginning to get frustrated. Was discouragement the only thing that was in store for her in this meeting? "I know it's unusual, but exceptions can always be made if someone has proven themselves."
The middle-aged woman opened her mouth again, but Professor Takashi laid a hand on her arm. "Let the girl speak," he said quietly.
Kagome gave him a grateful nod before turning to look at the rest of the audience. "I have been training in dance for fifteen years. I have taught others what I know, and have worked my tail to the bone to hone my talent. I have performed many times, in studio recitals, local dance competitions, and even professional ballets. I have the trophies and plaques to prove I was at those competitions, and the bill of the cast to prove that I was in the ballets."
"Your parts in those ballets were bit parts, hardly worth mentioning. Your recitals were not focused on you, and they were in front of a small crowd," the middle-aged woman told her harshly. "If that is what you consider a resume worth examination, then you are in for a large disappointment."
"I think," a voice from the back of the room stopped Kagome's heated reply. It was her dance instructor, Señora Gonzalez, who had somehow stayed in the back without anyone's notice. "That instead of discouraging Kagome right here and now, you should give her a chance to prove herself. After all, we are considered to be one of the top schools for musical study in the world. Should we not be diplomatic about this girl's wishes?"
Professor Takashi clapped his hands softly three times. "My sentiments exactly," he boomed in a jovial voice. "Miss Higurashi," he began, turning to her with an understanding expression. "I know how badly you wish to be at those auditions. And, I think, that by the end of your assignment, every person in this room will agree that you deserve the chance."
Several of the jurors scoffed at that, but Kagome pointedly ignored them. "Assignment?" she echoed. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Miss Higurashi, that my colleagues have a point about your lack of experience." Kagome was about to protest, but the schoolmaster held up his hand to silence her. "Do not take it offensively, but as a chance to improve yourself once again. It is true that you have had many opportunities to perform in front of people, and you are quite experienced for a woman of your age. However, you have no idea what it is like to perform with a professional crew, in front of thousands of people. You have never experienced tours, or the many late-night shows. You are very raw, Kagome, and to be frank, unless you gain that experience, your chances as a professional dancer with the American Guild are very small."
Kagome leaned back in her chair, exhausted. "So what are you saying?" she asked wearily. "Do you just want me to give up?"
Professor Takashi shook his head vigorously. "Of course not! Doing so would be a waste and an insult to your talent. What I want is for you to gain that experience."
The girl was surprised at the emphasis in his voice, and quite confused too. She blinked up at him for a moment before replying. "How am I going to do that?" she asked.
The professor smiled. "I know someone who owes me a favor. He will give you the experience you need. And if you accept, Kagome, just think how good this will look on your resume."
Kagome sighed and smiled lightly at him. "If you think it will be good for me…"
"I know it will be good for you," he interrupted. "I will call for you this afternoon after I have arranged everything. You may go."
With a small nod, Kagome stood up and quietly exited the room.
Disclaimer: InuYasha and all those affiliated with him belong to Takahashi Rumiko. Not me. ^_^ So now suing please!
Prologue
Nineteen-year-old Higurashi Kagome swept her long, jet black hair into a chopstick twist before descending down the long flight of stairs from her dormitory in the Juilliard. The moment she reached the main lobby, she broke into a run toward the Administration Building, not even taking notice of the annoying thumps her back pack made because of her movement. She was due for her Student-Administration Meeting in less than three minutes. Her professors would be extremely displeased if she were to be tardy to the meeting that could judge the direction of her professional career.
Kagome was a dancer. Since the tender age of four, she had attended ballet and jazz lessons at the local dance studio. By the time she hit fourteen, she had already started as an assistant teacher at the studio, looked upon by the little ones as an older sister and role model. Her impact on children had been an asset to her during her earlier learning years. It had given her some of the drive and inspiration she needed to become a better dancer. At fifteen she left the studio and moved to a bigger school, the High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Los Angeles, California. When she graduated high school, she acquired a scholarship in dance to the biggest performing arts school in the country, Juilliard. It was here that she knew her dreams to become a professional dancer would be realized.
The young girl knocked on the door of the meeting room just as her wristwatch struck nine o' clock. She had made it in the nick of time. She let out a sigh of relief as she tried to straighten out her hair and her clothes, which had gotten very tussled in the run to the building. Soft footsteps could be heard on the other side of the door, and before Kagome was ready, the mahogany wood opened, revealing the solemn face of her dance instructor. Kagome quickly took her hand out of her hair, letting it tumble in a heap around her shoulders. She gave her instructor a sheepish smile as she was led inside.
"Higurashi Kagome," the schoolmaster, Professor Takashi, greeted her with a warm smile and an extended hand. Kagome returned both the smile and the handshake, and took her place in the chair across a bench of jurors and school professors. "Well," Professor Takashi continued when everyone had settled in, "I believe we are here this morning to discuss Miss Higurashi's desire to audition for the American Guild of Dance."
"Yes." A middle-aged woman Kagome did not know the name of carefully removed her wire-rimmed glasses and wiped the lenses on a handkerchief. "You are aware, Miss Higurashi, that a woman of your age and...lack," she laid a deliberate emphasis on the word, "of experience is rarely accepted into the Guild?"
Kagome shifted in her seat nervously. "Well, I suppose so, but I should still like to try."
"Why?" the woman countered.
"Because being a professional ballerina is my dream," Kagome replied earnestly. "It has been since I was six years old."
"A dream takes a long time to be realized, dear," another professor chipped in. "Perhaps it is wisest for you to choose a different path toward your dream."
"I agree," said yet another. "You have no experience, and you are much younger than what the Guild normally accepts.
"Surely you are aware that this Guild is one of the most prestigious dance organizations to have ever hit the planet," another juror said. "Do you really think that getting into it will be easy?"
"No." Kagome argued. "But I can do this!" She was beginning to get frustrated. Was discouragement the only thing that was in store for her in this meeting? "I know it's unusual, but exceptions can always be made if someone has proven themselves."
The middle-aged woman opened her mouth again, but Professor Takashi laid a hand on her arm. "Let the girl speak," he said quietly.
Kagome gave him a grateful nod before turning to look at the rest of the audience. "I have been training in dance for fifteen years. I have taught others what I know, and have worked my tail to the bone to hone my talent. I have performed many times, in studio recitals, local dance competitions, and even professional ballets. I have the trophies and plaques to prove I was at those competitions, and the bill of the cast to prove that I was in the ballets."
"Your parts in those ballets were bit parts, hardly worth mentioning. Your recitals were not focused on you, and they were in front of a small crowd," the middle-aged woman told her harshly. "If that is what you consider a resume worth examination, then you are in for a large disappointment."
"I think," a voice from the back of the room stopped Kagome's heated reply. It was her dance instructor, Señora Gonzalez, who had somehow stayed in the back without anyone's notice. "That instead of discouraging Kagome right here and now, you should give her a chance to prove herself. After all, we are considered to be one of the top schools for musical study in the world. Should we not be diplomatic about this girl's wishes?"
Professor Takashi clapped his hands softly three times. "My sentiments exactly," he boomed in a jovial voice. "Miss Higurashi," he began, turning to her with an understanding expression. "I know how badly you wish to be at those auditions. And, I think, that by the end of your assignment, every person in this room will agree that you deserve the chance."
Several of the jurors scoffed at that, but Kagome pointedly ignored them. "Assignment?" she echoed. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, Miss Higurashi, that my colleagues have a point about your lack of experience." Kagome was about to protest, but the schoolmaster held up his hand to silence her. "Do not take it offensively, but as a chance to improve yourself once again. It is true that you have had many opportunities to perform in front of people, and you are quite experienced for a woman of your age. However, you have no idea what it is like to perform with a professional crew, in front of thousands of people. You have never experienced tours, or the many late-night shows. You are very raw, Kagome, and to be frank, unless you gain that experience, your chances as a professional dancer with the American Guild are very small."
Kagome leaned back in her chair, exhausted. "So what are you saying?" she asked wearily. "Do you just want me to give up?"
Professor Takashi shook his head vigorously. "Of course not! Doing so would be a waste and an insult to your talent. What I want is for you to gain that experience."
The girl was surprised at the emphasis in his voice, and quite confused too. She blinked up at him for a moment before replying. "How am I going to do that?" she asked.
The professor smiled. "I know someone who owes me a favor. He will give you the experience you need. And if you accept, Kagome, just think how good this will look on your resume."
Kagome sighed and smiled lightly at him. "If you think it will be good for me…"
"I know it will be good for you," he interrupted. "I will call for you this afternoon after I have arranged everything. You may go."
With a small nod, Kagome stood up and quietly exited the room.