InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dance Because You Love Me ❯ A New Assignment ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I wish I did own him...and all who are affiliated with him...but unfortunately, not all wishes come true. :sobs:

 

 

Chapter 1 - A New Assignment

 

Kagome heaved a heavy sigh as she entered her dormitory and locked the door behind her. “I need a long, hot bubble bath,” she whined, throwing her back pack onto the bed. “That was absolutely the worst Student-Administration meeting of my life.”

 

Frustrations and disappointments had brought the poor girl to near tears. Did they not see her potential? Why was it that before she had even had a chance to explain herself, half of that jury rejected her on the spot? “That was clearly not scholastic diplomacy,” she mumbled angrily. She plugged the drain and turned on the water, letting the steamy mist relax her mind as she stripped down to her unmentionables. Then she took the bottle of jasmine-scented bubble bath out of the bathroom cupboard and proceeded to pour a large amount into the tub. This is just what I need, she thought. She pulled off her Victoria's Secret bra and underwear and slowly stepped into the tub. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips as she settled in, letting the sweet-smelling water and warmth surround her body and soothe every frustrated muscle.

 

Next time I have a day like this, she thought miserably, it won't go away with just a bubble bath. I'll need to spend hundreds of dollars for a weekend spa at the Marriot. Smiling lightly, she reached out and turned on the radio to her favorite slow music station. Enya's soft crooning voice soon filled the bathroom, mingling with the scents of jasmine. Kagome sighed again, more relaxed this time, and leaned her head back onto the tub's edge. She slowly splashed water around her, raking her arms back and forth. Her eyes glazed over distractedly as the tranquility of the moment touched her core. Soon, her head drooped, and her lids closed, noting that she had fallen into a much-needed sleep.

 

An unwelcome ringing sounded shrilly in the girl's ears, and Kagome jerked awake from her midday nap. What the hell? It took a moment for her to grasp her surroundings, during which she lay still, blinking and staring up at the ceiling. After five more rings, she heard silence. Finally, Kagome thought, sighing. They've quit bothering me. Not ten seconds later, the phone rang again. “Crap!” she yelled, suddenly remembering who might be calling. “That could be Professor Takashi!” Frantically, she leapt out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her. She ran to her bedroom as quickly as she could, dripping water everywhere.

 

“Hello?” she cried breathlessly, speaking as soon as she got the phone to her ears.

 

“Kagome?” Professor Takashi's jolly voice was music to her ears. She would finally get to know what the verdict was on her assignment

 

“Yes, sir, it's me.” Sighing with relief, the girl sat on her bed and swung her legs impatiently.

 

“Ahh, good,” the professor continued. “As I promised, I have spoken with my friend and made arrangements for your assignment. If you aren't doing anything, I should like to discuss the details with you in person. Can you be at my office in fifteen minutes?”

 

Kagome grinned widely. “Most definitely, professor,” she assured him. “I'll be there in fifteen minutes on the dot.” Then she hung up the phone, and squealed with glee, joyfully kicking her bare legs in the air. Maybe now I'll actually see my dreams come true, she thought. Then, her expectations high, she quickly dried herself off and proceeded to change into one of her business suits.

 

Exactly fifteen minutes later, Kagome knocked on the professor's door, her mind reeling with thoughts of what her assignment could be. The door was opened by Takashi's secretary, and with a kind smile she led the girl inside. Professor Takashi stood as Kagome appeared before him. He smiled lightly at her and motioned for her to take a seat.

 

“Well then,” he started, clasping his hands together and grinning widely. “I'm sure you have some very high expectations of this assignment of yours, and I can assure you that everyone of those expectations will be met. Now, as I told you, my friend has agreed to take you on as an extra dancer during his national tour.”

 

At those words, Kagome's heart immediately skipped a beat. National tour? Oh my God... She kept her thoughts to herself however, and merely nodded to show the professor that she had understood.

 

The professor continued, “During this tour you are to learn all the different dances he requests you to learn, and you are to perform those dances with the rest of the crew during each show. I have given him instructions to watch your progress carefully, and to take note of them. He will be reporting to me of your progress and whether you pass or fail.”

 

At this, Kagome gave a short cough. “Pass or fail, Professor?” she asked, wondering how some strange pro dancer's grade would affect her opportunity to audition for the Guild.

 

“Of course. Remember, Kagome, you are on this assignment to further your experience as a professional dancer. If you do not perform to the standards given, then it is obvious that you will not be able to meet Guild standards. Therefore, I strongly suggest you do your best, no matter how hard it may be.”

 

Kagome nodded. “All right. So how long will I be on this assignment?”

 

“Approximately six weeks, assuming that none of the shows will be postponed or canceled. If they are you might be on the tour longer.” Professor Takashi reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a small envelope. “Now, I have already made your flight arrangements. You will be leaving for Chicago tomorrow morning at promptly nine-thirty. You are to ride on the Continental, Business Class, seat 20B. The rest of the flight details are in this envelope, including the meal information and such. Houshi Miroku, the manager, will be picking you up at the airport. You will be staying at the Hampton during your stay in Chicago. Where you will be staying after that is up to the rest of the crew. So did you get all that?”

 

Kagome blinked at him for a moment, the sudden tirade of information coming as a slight shock to her. After a while, she smiled brightly and nodded. “Got it.”

 

The professor chuckled and leaned back in his chair. “Good girl. Just remember, being a dancer is no where near easy. All you need to do is remember the love and the passion that it takes to bring a dance to life. Then you'll be all right.” He smiled warmly at her and handed her the envelope. “Good luck, my dear.”

 

Kagome stood and took the envelope, flashing a huge grin in reply. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Professor Takashi.” The man nodded, and she turned to walk out the door. Just as she reached it, she stopped. “Wait a minute, professor,” she said, turning back around to face him. “You never told me my mentor's name.”

 

The professor smiled. “It doesn't matter what his name is. All that matters is that he teaches you what you need to know.”

 

Convinced, Kagome nodded and walked out the door.

 

 

“Mom, honestly, I don't know where I'll be going after I leave Chicago. It's all up to the manager and the rest of the crew.” Kagome shifted a little to pull a pack of Juicy Fruit out of her jeans pocket. She unwrapped a stick and popped it into her mouth, chewing a bit as she listened to her mother's rambling. Ms. Higurashi had a tendency to ramble when she was nervous, and right now, she was nervous about her daughter spending six weeks with a bunch of complete strangers, even if she was doing it for her dancing career.

 

“But Kagome, you don't even know which one of them is Professor Takashi's friend. What if you end up with the wrong people? What if someone tries to kidnap you? This would be the perfect time to do it!” her mother stated anxiously.

 

Kagome had to laugh at that. Her mother could come up with the strangest ideas sometimes. “Mom, I'm pretty sure it won't come to that. Besides, the professor told me that I'd be picked up by a Houshi Miroko, or something like that. Wait, no, it was Miroku. Houshi Miroku. He's the crew manager. How many guys do you know whose name is Houshi, for goodness' sake?”

 

Ms. Higurashi chuckled lightly. “All right, but could he be the friend Professor Takashi was referring to?”

 

“I thought of that, but that would be impossible, considering the fact that the professor never told me his friend's name.” She could practically see her mother nodding as she figured out the logic of the situation. She knew it wouldn't stop her anxiety though. “Look, mom,” Kagome started when her mother didn't answer. “Please stop worrying. I'll be fine. If anything comes up, I promise I'll call. All right? Now I really have to go. I have to get my luggage before Mr. Houshi gets here.”

 

“Okay, dear,” Ms. Higurashi said, sounding only slightly defeated. “Go on ahead and have a good time. And remember, you're a terrific dancer. Now just let the rest of the world see that.”

 

The young girl had to smile at her mother's encouragement. Her mom always knew exactly what to say. “Thanks, mom. I'll call you soon. Bye. Love you.” Then she canceled the call and placed her cell back into it's pouch on her purse. Now, for my luggage, she reminded herself. She stood up from her seat in the waiting area and picked up her yellow backpack, which she had used as a carry on to hold her hygiene products and an extra change of clothes on the plane. She made her way to the baggage claim, and started looking for her bags. She found them one by one, first her small blue roller, than her carpet bag, and finally the duffle bag where she held all her dancing outfits and needed materials. Kagome smiled to herself as she carefully loaded all her belongings onto a trolley. All I have to do now is wait, she thought. So she did. She waited and waited, first standing near the airport entrance, and then turning around and walking back to the gate she had arrived in. Seeing no one there who could be looking for a particular someone, she walked back to the entrance. Thirty minutes passed. Then forty minutes. Then an hour. Kagome sighed disappointedly as she took one of the unoccupied seats near the doors. “He's late,” she mumbled quietly, wondering what on earth could have happened to him. “Really late.” She sighed again and scowled. “Dammit, now what am I going to do? Should I go to the hotel on my own?” Deciding against it, the girl picked up her purse and headed to the nearest airport coffee shop, pushing the trolley along with her. Well, she thought. I might as well get myself something to drink.

 

She walked up to the counter and waited patiently for one of the counter girls to notice her. Luckily there wasn't much of a line, so it didn't take to long. “I'll have a double espresso, please,” she said, when one of them finally turned their attention to her. “Not too much whipped cream.” The counter girl nodded and headed off to make the coffee. A moment later she handed Kagome a steaming Styrofoam cup. Kagome nodded her thanks and paid for her drink, and then went to sit at an empty table. She sipped the espresso slowly, taking time to thank heaven that Chicago had an excellent taste for coffee. That's one of the things I've missed about home, she thought, a touch of loneliness hitting her. Mom's coffee.

 

A quiet giggle close to her jerked Kagome out of her thoughts. “Miroku, you flatterer,” came a girl's voice. Then more giggles.

 

Miroku? Kagome wondered, suddenly more alert. Houshi Miroku? She swivelled in her seat to see if anyone was behind her. Sure enough, a young, handsome, brown-haired man was seated a couple of tables behind her. He had a blonde on his lap and two redheads sitting on either side of him. Kagome blinked in fascination as she watched the blonde giggle while he whispered something in her ear. She leaned forward just a little, noticing the laminated sign leaning forgotten against his chair. It read “Higurashi Kagome - Welcome to Chicago!” in bold letters. The girl smirked with amusement as she realized that she had found the manager she had been waiting for.

 

Her amusement was gone in an instant, however, when she saw Miroku slowly caressing the curves on the blonde's body. The girl giggled as she traced imaginary lines on his neck. Pervert! Kagome thought, slightly disgusted. How can guys stand slutty bimbos like that? She got up, deciding to say something harsh to scold him for his actions and for making her wait, but stopped when the manager suddenly spoke.

 

“All right then, girls,” Miroku said, his voice suave and seductive. “As much as I'm enjoying this, I've been making another young lady wait. So,” he shifted a bit and gently pushed the blonde off of his lap. The girl pouted as he made her stand up. “I've got to be going to look for her.”

 

The man stood up, and at that moment, Kagome presented herself in front of him. “It's a little too late for that, Mr. Houshi,” she said, disguising the amusement in her voice with a slight tinge of anger. “I think I found you first.”

 

Miroku blinked at her. “Miss Higurashi Kagome?” he said, sounding awed.

 

Kagome nodded.

 

“Wow...” A lecherous smile started on his face as he looked the girl appreciatively up and down. His smile grew wider as his gaze rested on Kagome's hips, torso, and full breasts. It took a moment for the girl to realize what he was doing, but when she finally did, she scowled angrily.

 

“Mr. Houshi,” she began, her voice a dangerous tint of poison. “If you do not stop looking at me like that right now, I swear I will knock your eyes out of your head.”

 

Miroku looked up in surprise, his respect for the girl starting to take place. So she's not like the other girls I've slept with, he thought. “I apologize, Miss Higurashi. I will keep my eyes to myself from no on.” Kagome nodded coldly, but the look in his eyes told her that he definitely would not be doing anything of the sort. Then he smiled in a warm, businesslike manner. “I'm sorry for making you wait. Did you have a good flight?”

 

Kagome smiled back and nodded. “Good enough, thank you. And please call me Kagome.”

 

“All right, Kagome then. And you may call me Miroku.” He moved to get some of her bags. “Let's go. I've got a car waiting.” Then without even as much as a wave good-bye to the bimbo girls, he led Kagome off and out of the airport.

 

Miroku unlocked his amber-colored Cadillac as they reached it, and immediately opened the trunk to put Kagome's bags inside. “I'm sorry I couldn't bring the Porsche this time. You were probably expecting it. But I was pretty sure your luggage wouldn't fit in it.” He grinned as Kagome handed him the rest of her stuff. “And by the looks of it, I was right.”

 

The girl didn't reply? Porsche? she thought wonderingly. Why would I be expecting a Porsche? Professional dancers couldn't possible be paid that much, could they? She walked to the passenger door and smiled as Miroku graciously opened it for her before taking his seat on the other side. Then again, she reconsidered, buckling herself in. If they're really that good...

 

“So, Kagome,” Miroku grinned at her as he gunned the engine. “Have you been to Chicago before?”

 

Kagome shook her head. “I've never really been anywhere outside of New York and California. I grew up in Los Angeles, and moved to New York so I could attend college there.”

 

Miroku nodded and turned into a street with dozens of trees on either side, creating a sort of archway above them. “That's what Mr. Takashi told me. You attend Juilliard, yes?” Kagome nodded, and the man clucked his tongue approvingly. “Incredible school, Juilliard.”

 

“Did you know Mr. Takashi before this?”

 

“No. We just met over the phone. He told me you'd be staying with us for a while, and he'd already made arrangements with our lead guy. He only told me a little bit; that you wanted to audition for the American Guild of Dance and needed some hardcore experience. So I went along with it. It didn't seem like such a bad idea.” At this, he looked over at Kagome and grinned again, appreciating her beauty. “Apparently I was right.”

 

Kagome smiled lightly. So it's the “lead guy” who's Professor Takashi's friend. Now it makes sense why he'd want me to be taken under his wing. If he's the star of a popular dance crew, then he must be good! Her excitement was starting to build as the full impact of everything that was going on hit her. Here she was, in this completely foreign city, with a guy she'd never met before, about to meet what she supposed was one of the best dancing crews in the country! They must be incredible, she thought. I wonder what sort of music they preform to. Jazz? Classical? Ballroom? Maybe even Russian ballet! Then whatever I learn I can definitely use as routine material for my auditions!

 

“Kagome,” Miroku said, bringing the girl out of her thoughts. “You're being pretty quiet. What are you thinking about?”

 

She shook her head, grinning happily. “I'm just excited!” she exclaimed. “I've never done anything like this on my own before, and with people I don't know. It's just that I'm sure the experience will be one I'll never forget. So I'm happy.” She looked up at Miroku, her eyes so bright with anticipation that the manager had to laugh.

 

“I'm glad you're enjoying this,” he said. “Hopefully we will be able to reach up to all your expectations.”

 

Kagome smiled. “Hopefully I'm able to reach yours.”

 

“I'm sure you will.” At that, Miroku reached over and took her hand, squeezing it encouragingly. Kagome was impressed by the sweet gesture, especially after she had gotten such a bad first impression of him. Perhaps he's not such a bad guy after all, she thought.

 

A few minutes later, Miroku pulled into a parking space in front of a large Hampton hotel. “Here we are,” he announced, turning off the engine. He unlocked the car and quickly got out. Then he went and opened the passenger door and helped Kagome out of the car. He quickly went to the trunk and unloaded all of her belongings from the car, and then somehow managed to carry them all by himself, leaving Kagome empty-handed. “Come on. Let's go meet the rest of the crew.”

 

Kagome's heart beat wildly as he led her into the hotel, up the elevator, and pushed the button for the thirty-eighth floor. “We've got the entire floor to ourselves,” he told her proudly. “It's like a penthouse, only in a hotel.” The doors opened, and Kagome gasped as she was met with the sight of a lush, deep green carpet, with extremely large, comfortable-looking couches across the room. Blood-red curtains with a slight tint of gold aligned the windows, and the view outside was incredible. You could practically see the whole city. Miroku smiled and nudged her inside. Her heartbeat quickened even more as he led her to a door on the right side of the room and opened it. At least twelve people were seated inside, and all eyes turned to them as they walked in.

 

“Everyone, I'd like you to meet the newest member of our crew. She'll be joining us for the tour by special request.” Miroku urged her closer, and Kagome couldn't help but smile as they all greeted her warmly. Bright welcomes and hellos reached her, but before she could say anything, the manager took her firmly by the shoulders and steered her to the door. “And now to meet the rest of the band!” he exclaimed, leading her down the hall.

 

“Band? What band?” Kagome asked, but she stopped suddenly as Miroku opened a white wooden door and pushed her inside.

 

A silver-haired man looked up instantly as they walked in. Kagome's jaw dropped as she recognized him. Her body went numb, and it suddenly felt as though her insides had turned to ice. No way, she thought, beginning to panic. No way in hell!

 

The man in the room seemed to be at a similar loss for words. His eyes became round as saucers as he stared at her, and his mouth opened and closed wordlessly, making him look a bit like a fish.

 

Miroku looked at the two and began to laugh insanely at their reaction. “Kagome,” he said, his jovial voice booming in the silent room. “I'd like you to meet the famous singer, Taishou InuYasha!”