InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Stuff of Dreams ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Stuff of Dreams

Chapter 1


"I will not be in this movie."

That's it. That was all Kikyo Jiadi said. She couldn't believe that she had actually gotten it out considering the fact who she was speaking to. It was one of the most declarative statements she had spoken in a while concerning her career. Sure she could yell at someone for a Sprite or a better dress to wear but she had never really turned down anything Miroku had given her. It was Miroku after all, the person who had practically served her with life changing movie roles on a platter.

But it was too late now. Her decision was out and she just wasn't the type of person to take anything back. It had been amazingly easy to say though. It kind of just floated out of her mouth and into the air to be swallowed by the silence that followed.

Silence. Who knew quiet could be so scary?

The young woman tightened up her posture. She believed in what she said but believing in what you said and actually looking and sounding like you believed in what you said where two different things. She uncrossed her arms and pushed the thick white script back across the gleaming chrome desk slowly; being sure that her hand didn't waver.

It wasn't in her nature to be nervous about anything. But the man across from her had a way of just looking at her and figuring out that she was not telling the whole story. Being weak right now was not an option.

Weakness was a liability. It meant being pushed around and lied to, people thinking you were an idiot meaning they could get you to do anything. The result of him seeing any weakness might mean her playing a part she knew wasn't meant for her.

Miroku just sat there in the soft black leather seat staring at Kikyo, silently sizing up her decision. If anyone else had come into his office stating this type of choice, he would be fine with it. This was Hollywood after all. But the person who had come into his office had been Kikyo. She wasn't the type of person to outright say something that could damage her career. The career that he had so carefully help her carve.

After another moment of silence of looking at the uptight actress, the director calmly stated; "You said you wanted something different." That was all he had to say; it was true she had told him in person that she didn't want the same role twice. He swiveled the leather chair around away form the actress and to the full wall size window. The hills of north Hollywood stared back at him, the sun shining down on the valley like some beacon of Heaven. To his left side the famous Hollywood sign was propped up against more hills. It was so picturesque, anyone looking would think it was all on a postcard.

When she didn't answer back immediately, Miroku knew he had probably surprised the young woman with his reply to her decision. It wasn't like him to offer reasoning off the bat; he was more likely to persuade using more devious acts. This though needed something else; Kikyo had to be in this movie. The studios had already decided on it.

The ebony hared woman blinked in surprise at the statement. She really hadn't thought the conversation would go in this direction. Usually, her rat-tailed friend would blow up her ego and tell her why just her could be the only person to play the part.

Instead of sticking to a no though, Kikyo began saying what was exactly wrong with the movie; "I don't like the character." She began scrunching her eyebrows and thinking of what to say next; "You have me as this girl , she's so…" her voice died, not knowing the right word to use to describe the female protagonist. She didn't want to insult Miroku, he had created the character, but she couldn't see a polite way to tell him what she thought was wrong.

The director noticed the change in her voice. Instead of the stone cold tone she used with speaking her decision, it had changed to a more pleasing and softer tone. He could work with that.

"Happy?" he said while turning back around to look at her reaction to his word choice. He didn't really see any problem with the character in question. At least not when looking at the movie as a whole.

Just like Kikyo to miss the big picture.

"Happy?" she repeated her tone dropping dangerously low while her eyebrow propped up in surprise at his word. "That's an understatement Miroku. She's so flighty and-"

Before she could begin her tirade on the problems with the character, he held up his hand to silence her and offered a bit of advice; "Different characters mean more credibility. You don't want to get stuck in the same roles do you?" Subtly reminding her of the choice she came to about characters.

Kikyo instantly shook her head at that. It had always been a nightmare of hers to get stuck being the same person; it was like committing career suicide to be typecast. Directors and producers would only see one type of person when looking at you and that automatically meant fewer choices when picking parts. "No. But why is she so naïve ?"

She was just insulting the character he had specifically written for her. He didn't understand, she had never had such problems with any other script he had written. "You shouldn't complain about the characters. You haven't even seen the ending. You don't know how things change how she changes."

Kikyo just nodded her head at that; Miroku believed in character development. His character staying the same were the thing he tried hardest to avoid. It meant that they had learned nothing all through the events and trouble he had put them through. It was what made his movies stick out from others. It was easier for people to relate to the characters and touched more people regardless of the setting he created for them.

"I know Miroku. But she's so naïve about everything. I was reading it and by the middle I was getting sick of her." Kikyo said as for reasoning.

Instead of offering a retort immediately to the actress, and giving him time to think up an answer, Miroku opened the script the girl had pushed to him in the beginning. Without looking at her, he began flipping through the beginning pages of what he hoped was another hit movie. His eyes flitted through the cast and stopped at the male leading actor. Don't tell me this is the problem…

"You do know who's playing the lead opposite?" he asked nonchalantly not looking up to see her reaction to his sudden change in subject.

There was a slight hesitation before Kikyo caught her voice, saying quickly. "That's beside the point. You're getting off the subject."

The girl was obviously on the defensive after such a question, so Miroku knew he had finally discovered the real cause of Kikyo not wanting to be in the movie. He closed the white book and finally looked at his actress; he sighed before saying, "Kikyo this is just business. You're still angry with Inuyasha, we all understand that but it doesn't mean-"

"So what about Inuyasha?" The shrug she made would have hid her irritation; if it hadn't been for her voice. "That's all the studios and the media have been talking about. It wasn't like we were really even together. You're seen by a few people together in the same place and all of sudden you're getting married." The last sentence dripping with the disgust she felt for the situation.

"Of course you aren't angry." Miroku said calmly ignoring the small outburst. Ever since the whole situation had happened, Kikyo had been more and more sensitive to what other people said. That wasn't a good thing considering the business that they were in.

"Why do you want him in the movie anyway. It's Inuyasha . All he does are action movies. Why would the studios want to take on a liability like that?" True, Inuyasha wasn't a person to go for dramas but this movie was something he needed to jump from an action star to more serious material.

"This part is the best thing he could ever ask for. The same goes for you." Obviously something was going to have to be done about Kikyo's attitude on the person. She was about to pass up a truly, in his unbias opinion of course, remarkable role that could just what she needed to jump from a fluke to a real Hollywood-oscar-getting star.

Kikyo rolled her eyes at the statement. At least she knew he was right. She stuck out her fingers as she counted off the subject's worst attributes; something she would know personally. "He's always late, it takes him forever to learn his lines. He always has an attitude. …He's so unprofessional . Not to mention a jerk, and an arrogant, selfish sonofa-"

BUZZBUZZ

Kikyo's tirade stopped immediately and she starred almost surprised that the machine had actually interrupted her. She had been making such good points. Miroku, who had been nodding slightly with each adjective, pushed the small black lit up button on his phone.

"Yes. Chihiro."

"Mr. Tsaiko." chirped a faceless voice. "Inuyasha is here to see you. Should I show him in?"

Miroku could practically feel the frown Kikyo made as the name was said.

"Tell him to wait one minute." He answered not showing his distaste for the current stickiness of the situation. Maybe Kikyo could walk by without shoving the guy out the window. But that would only happen if Inuyasha could actually leave her alone; something Miroku wasn't quite sure he could do.

He looked back at his now maybe-star of his now maybe-movie. He wasn't sure if the studios would want to make the film without her, but they damn sure wouldn't make it without Inuyasha.

I knew I shouldn't have cheated on Lola…damn karma. All of sudden Miroku wished that he hadn't chosen to be a director in Hollywood. Sometimes he wished he had chosen to follow his father's footsteps and be a monk. He could be meditating right now on some mountaintop finding peace within himself. He sighed and his eyes slipped to the picture of his last girlfriend. But then again there aren't as many pretty girls on the mountain.


=========


Hardly anyone noticed the young girl sitting in the corner of the noisy metro train compartment. Anyone who did though couldn't help but do a double take at the girl's resemblance to a new breakout starlet. But then again this was Hollywood and everyone was always trying to look like someone else. This girl was just doing a better job of it then most could.

As for Kagome Higurashi, the girl sitting in the corner of the metro compartment, she didn't take notice of anyone sitting anywhere near her at all; everyone disappearing into the background. She was too wrapped up in the magazine that lay in her lap; staring at the glossy picture of her favorite star Kikyo Jiadi. The starlet was laying on a deep crimson couch her raven hair a stark contrast to the white suit she was wearing. Her deep brown eyes were trained intently on something past the camera, her mouth looked to be in the middle of a smirk, the corner of her lips quirked up slightly.

Kagome could almost imagine herself being the one lying there on the couch. She could almost see herself in the crisp white linen suit, her hair ironed pin straight and spread out in a fan on the blood-red couch.

That'll be me someday I know it.

After staring and dreaming for an immeasurable amount of time, the young girl turned her attention to the words. The article wasn't as long as Kagome would have liked, but it was better than nothing. Besides, it wasn't like Kikyo Jiadi was an actually super A-list celebrity just yet. She was still a newcomer and not a household name and because of that there just wasn't that much space that could be given to her in magazines.

Japenese actress Kikyo Jiadi is best known for her sparkling performance in last year's blockbuster, The Better Woman , which landed her a slew of Oscar nods and the praise of all critics. Now, this Tokyo-born babe is the hottest import in Hollywood, nabbing her prime part in the new offbeat Miroku Tsaiko drama, Memories of the Past , playing a quirky, slightly off girl dealing with the death of her sister. Many have said this 22 year-old woman is going to be the biggest thing to come from Japan ever.

Do you get recognized by fans?
Yea I do. I think this whole celebrity thing is funny, I mean it's great that people like what I do but I think it's funny how crazy people can get. I'm not that special but people still want my picture and my autograph. But I still love it no matter what people do.

How is it not to even be known in your own country?
It's actually great. I'm here and I'm with the studios, being a star but I go home to Tokyo and I'm just another anonymous face. No one is screaming my name, no autographs. My hands and ears really appreciate the vacation.

What Hollywood stereotypes have you found to be true?
The plastic aspect of it. a lot of people just look at you and make their assumptions without saying one word. When I first came here people thought I would only be good for modeling, they never even tried to see me act. I went to casting calls and I could already tell that the people had already made their decision about me before I even spoke. That's why I'm so thankful that I met Miroku Tsaiko.

How does it feel to be in a partnership with one of the best director's in Hollywood?
I don't really see Miroku as that. He's just Miroku. But he's the best; he saw past the way I looked and listened to me. I love working for him, he's such a genius in the way he sees things.


The article was far too short. Kagome sighed and closed the magazine, turning her attention to the buildings and streets passing her by swiftly. The article had not given any clues, any advice on being discovered. She was quite curious on just how Kikyo had been discovered and brought into show business.

Who ever thought breaking into Hollywood would be so hard?

It's been six months Kagome… six months of auditions and rejections. Six months of hearing people say `She has no experience' or `She doesn't know anyone' or even the ` She looks too much like that Kikyo girl' statement. She hated that last one more than she could say. A person would think the fact that she looked like someone already famous would be enough to open a door or two but no Hollywood didn't think it needed more than one Kikyo Jiadi.

But I don't want to be known as another Kikyo. She wanted to be known as her own person but if being seen as the girl who looked like Kikyo would get her a job then so be it. She would deal with being her own person later with even more jobs.

I wish someone would just give me a chance.

It was hard enough even getting an audition and, to her, impossible to get chosen for a call back. So far she had had only two callbacks. The first, 2 months ago, had ended in nothing but her feeling like she was worthless. The second, which was last week, had yet to be answered but the way things were going for the time being she wasn't holding out any hope.

She sighed and leaned her forehead against the windowpane. She really didn't know how many more rejections she could take before returning home. She had told her family to give her a year and after that, if nothing happened, she would go back home and go to school.

Six more months… At first a year hadn't sounded long enough but now six months sounded so long. So much more time to be turned down and feel like she had no talent. Sometimes she was her hardest critic but lately she had begun to realize there was no need for her to be so harsh on herself; there were other people to do that for her.

It's okay Kagome. You just haven't found the perfect piece for you yet. The same speech she gave herself nearly everyday after acting class had yet to wear thin on her, but it was getting there. Yesterday she had asked herself if there were any pieces meant for her.

The sight of the huge Dior ad with Kikyo speaking of unrequited passion passed by her eyes and Kagome knew her stop was next. She wasn't looking at Kikyo as a mentor or anything like that. To her, Kikyo was more of a sign that a person didn't have to be American, didn't have to have blonde hair and blue eyes to succeed in America. That being different could be a person's ticket to succeeding.

She could have tried to be an actress in Japan but that seemed so much harder. A girl had to really stand out and that was something Kagome didn't think she could do when every girl looked alike. But in America it didn't matter.

The brakes of the metro told Kagome to get up and to the sliding door. Pushing her way through a small crowd at the sliding door, she walked out of the nearly empty station. Of course the station was far from empty but compared to the railway stations of Tokyo, stations in America always seemed considerably less crowded.

One thing she did like about Hollywood it was always warm. They were in the middle of January, the sun was shining and people were wearing shorts. Her apartment was only blocks from the station and the sun felt so good. She walked down the street ignoring some of the people's staring. She had grown accustomed to stares from strangers who thought she was Kikyo. In her eyes she couldn't find any resemblance but her friends and even strangers on the street told her she looked like the girl. It was annoying at first but now it was just a simple mistake people made.

Although it was a nice bonus when she wanted to get into some exclusive club. If she was just silent and smiled, more than likely the bouncer would let her and her friends in. It was good publicity for the club to say they had entertained a star and Kagome got to have a good time. Everyone was happy.

++++++

The phone started ringing as she opened her front door. Shucking her shoes and stepping over her lazy cat Buyo, who barely even noticed someone entered the apartment, Kagome began shuffling through carelessly discarded clothing; honing in on the shrill ring of the phone.

"Hello?" she asked almost breathless flopping down on the ugly brown couch she called hers. She was not all that interested in who was on the other end. Already her mind was flashing through which bill collector's voice was going to be asking her for her nonexistent money.

"Hello Kagome honey." The voice on the other end was distorted by static; sounding far and almost scratched, but Kagome could recognize her mother's voice anywhere.

"Hello Mama!" her own voice echoed in the almost emptiness of her own apartment. She couldn't speak this loudly all the time; she made a small mental note to speak to the landlord about fixing her phone line. Japan was far but the line shouldn't have sounded so bad.

"Kagome dear how is everything?" Even though the line wasn't crystal clear, just hearing some semblance of her mother was enough to slightly lift her spirits.

"Fine Mama. It's great here." she said as enthusiastically as possible. All those acting classes had to do some good for her. Kagome had yet to relay to her mother just how un great things were; she didn't want to give her mother a reason to push her to come home early. Sure things were bad right now but they would get better…right?

"Did you see any famous people today?" Kagome just had to smile at the question. Her mother seemed to think celebrities were raining from the sky in Hollywood.

"Not today Mama. But I was pretty busy with auditions today so I didn't really pay attention." It was the truth she was mostly busy with auditions this morning and then acting class that afternoon. Besides she had been in Hollywood for six months and had yet to see one famous person unless a person counted the racks at the newspaper stand down the street.

BEEP BEEP

"Mama hold on. I have another call coming in." Kagome said already pushing the small button to click over.

Ayumi let her daughter click over without a word. In truth she still couldn't quite believe she had let her 20-year old daughter move to the other side of the world. She believed in Kagome's ability to take care of herself but Kagome was still her little girl no matter what.

She turned her attention outside to the pitch-black sky. It was past 2AM and she was very tired but if it meant she would be able to hear her daughter's voice it was well worth it. Although she was nervous about Kagome's move, she was proud of her daughter's independent spirit. She had always tried to teach both of her kids to be individualists and not allowing her daughter to follow her dream just because she would have to move seemed wrong.

She wanted her daughter to succeed but a tiny itsy bitsy part of her wanted Kagome to return home and go to university and live in Japan. But Kagome didn't need to know any of that. She knew how easily her daughter could be guilted into something. And then Ayumi would never be able to forgive herself for stopping her daughter's dream.

The distinctive sound of the phone clicking back over brought Ayumi out of her thoughts. Instead of hearing the usually `Hello Mama?' she expected to answer, there was silence.

"Kagome are you there?"

"M-Mama?" Kagome stuttered sounding almost in shock.

Ayumi was almost instantly more alert hearing the change in Kagome's voice. Her eyebrows creased in concern; "Kagome? What's wrong?"

Silence was still the only response she got. The panic in Ayumi jumped and she spoke louder; "Kagome!?"

"I-I got a job." Kagome answered in whispered disbelief.

Did she just say she got a job? "An acting job?" Ayumi asked already feeling the rush of excitement.

"Yea..." her daughter's voice died away and Ayumi could tell Kagome was suffering from shock.

"That's wonderful!" Ayumi shouted. She suddenly looked around her house hoping she hadn't woken up her father or son. She instantly quieted down, "That's so great honey. I'm so proud of you."

No sound came from the other line and Ayumi almost wondered if they had gotten disconnted. "Kagome?"

"Yes Mama?"

"Are you okay?" Without her own daughter's excitement the wonderful news seemed a bit less wonderful.

The disbelief was still there when she answered. "Yes Yes I just never thought this would happen. I-I'm meeting Miroku Tsaiko..."

"Who?"