Author's Note: Yes, I know, I should be writing my other story, but I just couldn't help it! I had to write it down before I forgot it! This idea came to me when I was practicing my instrument the other day. I thought it would be a good idea. At least, I hope it is. The pairing is Sesshoumaru and Kikyou, so if you don't like these two paired up with each other, then don't read it. It's as simple as that. If you do like SessKik, then I hope you like this story!

Disclaimer: I don't Inuyasha.

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The Art of Love

Chapter One: An Aspiring Musician

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The usual crowded streets of the large city were almost completely empty. Perhaps it was the extreme heat of the sun's rays that caused the sidewalks and streets of the city to almost be empty. People would rather stay indoors than go outside into the blazing heat, and so they would avoid going outdoors. A lone woman, however,came out of an elegant-looking building. She wore a long black skirt and a white blouse. In top of her head, she wore a hat to protect herself from getting sunburned. Her black, raven-colored hair was tied up into a bun to keep her long, flowing hair out of her face and also so it wouldn't be so hot.

She appeared to be caring a strangely shaped case in her hand. It was small, but had a relatively odd shape. It wasn't a suitcase, it was much smaller than that, and it bore a rectangular shape. People who passed her in their air-conditioned cars would wonder what the case was and what was inside it. The woman noticed the stares she got from the passing people in their cars and she knew they were wondering what she was holding.

She would never cease to be amazed by people's ignorance to music, for the strange little case she was holding contained a flute, which was indeed a musical instrument. The only instrument cases people recognized those days were guitar cases. The woman sighed as she walked on the hot pavement of the sidewalk. The heat of the concrete below her went through her shoes, but she didn't protest or complain. She knew that complaining wasn't going to help get rid of the heat.The woman then stopped at a streetlight and pushed the button, and in a few moments she was able cross the street.

She continued walking straight after that until she arrived at an apartment building. She opened the two large doors leading to it and when she got inside, she got on the elevator. She patiently waited while the elevator got tothe desired floor, which happened to be the sixth floor. She walked through the longcorridor and stopped in front of a door that had the number '124' imprinted on it. She took out a key from her pocket and opened the door. She went in to find a girl sitting on the couch, apparently, she was reading a book. She appeared to be about eleven years of age. The girl looked up from her book and smiled happily at the older woman at the door.

"Kikyou, big sister! You're home!" The girl said happily as she got off of the couch and went to greet the older woman, Kikyou. Kikyou smiled back at her little sister.

"I see you're doing well, Kaede." Kikyou told her younger sister. Kikyou walked towards the table in front of the couch and set her flute there. The apartment she lived in was quite spacious. There weren't too many decorations adorning the place because Kikyou disliked having too much junk. But the few things that adorned their home were stylish and modern.

"So, how was your day today?" Kaede asked Kikyou, who had taken off her elegant hat.

"The same as usual." Kikyou said bluntly. She had performed at a fancy French restaurant that day, and it was the same as every other time she performed for other people. She would play beautifully, they would love her performance, and she would get paid. It was as simple as that. Kikyou got paid a fairly good sum of money. It was enough to pay for the daily necessities and she had enough money extra to use on things that weren't exactly necessary. She wouldn't say she was filthy rich, but she was not poor either. She considered herself to be in the middle-class.

"How was the restaurant like?" Kaede asked. She was curious about how French and fancy restaurants were like. She had heard from her friends that the restaurant Kikyou was going to perform at was a famous four star restaurant where all the rich people went to dine at.

"It was... fancy. The people there were dressed in the finest clothing. They were very sophisticated." Kikyou explained to Kaede. Most of the time, Kikyou would take Kaede with her when she was to perform. But this time, Kaede decided to stay home because of the heat outside.

Kikyou played at a lot of places. She played at restaurants, theatres, and sometimes even parks. She was a part of an orchestra, but the orchestra didn't get together and play until late November. Right now, it was still early July. Overall, Kikyou was a well-known musician in the city, and many people would hire her for her amazing ability to play so well. She didn't only play the flute. She played many other instruments such as the violin, piano, clarinet, piccolo, oboe, and amazingly, a trombone (most people couldn't imagine her playing such a big instrument.). She also taught Kaede how to play. She sometimes composed music.

"So, where's your next job?" Kaede asked her older sister. Kikyou remained silent for a minute. It seemed like she was thinkikng about it.

"I think the theatre that's near the center of the city is where I'm going next." Kikyou replied. Kaede's eyes widened at the mention of the place where Kikyou was going to go next.

"You mean that really big one?" Kaede asked her. Kikyou nodded her response. Kaede smiled happily. "Kikyou, that theatre is really famous! People from around the world go to play there! That's so cool, you're gonna be famous, Kikyou!" Kaede chirped cheerfully. Kikyou smiled at her sister's prediction. Kikyou's goal wasn't really to be a famous musician. As long as she could play, she was happy with what she was. Although, Kikyou wouldn't mind being well-known in the musical world.

"Maybe" Kikyou said. "So, I see you're reading a book." Kikyou stated, changing the subject. Kaede looked a little confused at first; she had totally forgotten about the book she was previouslyreading. Once Kaede had remembered about it she spoke.

"Oh, yeah! I've been reading the whole day. I was tired of watching television, so I decided to read one of your books. I never thought books could be so interesting." Kaede explained.

"I see…" For the rest of the after noon, Kaede continued reading, as did Kikyou.

-----Later that afternoon-----

Kikyou was taking a shower while Kaede was still reading. Kaede had already taken a shower earlier. Kikyou came out and sat next to her sister;Kaede smiled and her stomach all of a sudden started grumbling. Kaede looked away as she blushed from embarrassment.

"You are hungry?" Kikyou stated more than asked. Kaede nodded, still embarrassed. "Well, how about we make ourselves something to eat, hm?" Kikyou asked her. She got up and went to the kitchen. When she opened the refrigerator she was a little shocked to see that it was almost empty. Kikyou bit back the urge to sigh as she stared at the refrigerator. "Actually, how about we go out to eat?" Kikyou asked Kaede.

"Huh? S-Sure!" Kaede replied. Kaede stood up.

"Let me just change and get ready." Kikyou said as she went into her room.

'I wonder why Kikyou gets ready. She doesn't need it. She's beautiful no matter what.' Kaede thought. Kikyou was indeed very beautiful in Kaede's opinion, and not only hers. Many people admired Kikyou's natural beauty. Kaede was snapped out of her thought when Kikyou came out of the room. Her hair was tied back in a loose pony tail. She was clad in a white skirt that went a little past her knees and wore a black short-sleeved top.

"Shall we go?" Kikyou asked as she walked out the door. Kaede nodded as she followed her. They walked about half a block when a black expensive-looking car stopped beside them. Kikyou almost rolled her eyes. She knew who it was and really wished he hadn't appeared. Kaede, too, wished he hadn't appeared. The window next to the driver's seat was slowly opened andinside was a man with dark, unruly hair and crimson red eyes. He was dark, tall, and handsome, but Kikyou was annoyed by him.

"Why, hello, dear Kikyou." He greeted her. Kikyou looked distastefully at him before she decided to speak.

"What do you want, Naraku?" she asked him coldly. She didn't want to put up with him, not today, not ever. Naraku smirked at her as she awaited his answer. He laughed a bit.

"I was only passing through when I saw you here." He answered her. "How about I accompany you to wherever you're going. He then asked her.

"No, it is quite alright. We are only going to eat somewhere," Kikyou started, "We wouldn't want to trouble you." Kikyou said, almost sarcastically. Naraku was completely oblivious to her comment.

"It's no problem, dear. I don't mind going anywhere with you." He said; smiling. Naraku had met Kikyou at one of her performances at a restaurant. He wasn't really into her music; he was more interested in how she looked. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. He continued gazing at her intently andKikyou had noticed him staring, and she was a little uncomfortable at his endless staring. Later that evening, when she was leaving, he had come to her and talked to her a bit. During the conversation she had been foolish enough to give him her phone number, and now she regrets it. She didn't think he would actually turn out the way he did.

Ever since the day she met him, he wouldn't stop bothering her. He could get very annoying, and she couldn't get rid of him. She tried to tell him off, but he just wouldn't leave her alone. Now, she wished he had never met him, but fate was cruel to her, as always.

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A/N: I know there was no Sesshoumaru this chapter, but there will be next chapter! Next chapter will probably be all about him. Anyways, my other story is still my main priority, so I'll probably update this story after I update the other one. I know some of you are wondering, "Could it really be that hot enough for the heat to go through your shoes?" The answer is yes. It can be that hot, believe me, it has happened to me. Especially when we're out in P.E. class and the teacher would make us play basketball on the blacktop in June. Oh, the horrible pain! T-T Okay, enough of my endless rambling. Oh, and please leave reviews! I really want to know how I did! Pretty please!

Adios!