Keys of Black and White

By: ArtofAnime

Rated: T

Summary: Rin has been playing the piano since she was six, and has been waiting for her big break into the music world. One day, a mysterious man by the name of Sesshomaru gives her a chance to make her dream come true. But what is the reasoning for this random surprise? Find out how this exciting adventure turns into the journey of a lifetime.

Disclaimer: Anything having to do with Inuyasha is property of Rumiko Takahashi. Also, any brand names like Coke or iPod belong to their rightful owners. The plot is mine and that is it. I think…

Author's Note: Well, this is my 5th story in the running; I've decided not to write a sequel to A Light to Live For due to lack of ideas. But this story will hopefully become a success; I got this idea from my personal life in music, so have fun reading and a couple of reviews would be nice. Oh, by the way, this story is mostly in Rin's POV.

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Prologue

"Ugh! Mom! Do I HAVE to practice today? I practiced YESTERDAY!"

"To be good, you have to practice everyday. If you don't like piano, you don't have to take it."

"FINE! I'll practice…" I like piano very much, but I just do not like practicing! It just gets so boring, playing the same thing over, and over again. I also like playing at recitals, and competitions; it makes me feel like a celebrity, but still, the PRACTICING!

Hold it. Recital. Uh oh.

"MOMMM!!!" I called.

She came over to me after a few MINUTES, "Yes dear?"

"I have a recital tomorrow night."

"How come you didn't tell me!? I need to know these things ahead of time you know! I need to plan by schedule! I need to…" I did not catch the rest, because I have heard it a million times already. Mom gets really paranoid if I tell her things last minute, but she kind of does the same to me too. "Oh Rin! Write out those Christmas cards! We need to mail them today!" Or "Rin! Clean the house! Company is coming TOMORROW!" Well, I guess you can say "like mother, like daughter".

Anyway, back to the recital. I totally forgot about it, but it does not matter. I am going to be playing the same songs I have played for every single competition and recital this past half-year. I seriously needed to learn something new; otherwise, I was going to go out of style!

Chapter One: A Surprise

"Hey Rin! You playing for the Solos and Ensembles Concert tonight?" My friend Kagome called as she ran to catch up.

We were on our way to lunch on a normal school day. "Yeah, I've always played at that. Duh." I replied as she rolled her eyes.

"Well, I was just asking because I might be able to see you tonight." She said casually as we got our lunch and sat down.

"Wow! Really? Actually… There is not a lot to see. You've heard me play a million times, I would think that you got bored by me." I replied, taking a bite out of my sandwich.

Kagome sighed, "I expected more of a "yay! Kagome is coming!" Sort of thing, but if you don't want me to---"

"No! Come!" I paused to think, and then, "well, I guess I'm getting bored of myself. I have been playing at all these concerts; I like them, but I want something more! I want to be recognized as a great piano player outside of my usual bubble."

She picked up her french fry and started to munch on it. "Well, I guess I can agree; you've been doing this your whole life, I would see that you need more too, I guess."

"Yay! You agree! I was just thinking I might have seemed conceited when I said that." I replied, drinking my Pepsi.

"Rin! You're one of the nicest people I have known, and to think that YOU would say something conceited is completely…" She pondered it for a moment, and then said "dumb!"

I laughed, "Nice vocabulary."

"Hey, it's lunch! My brain is turned off at lunch, sheesh."

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The Solos and Ensembles Concert was at six a night, so I had two hours in between school and that. So right after school, I headed home. I got a snack, and headed towards my piano. My mom was always at work, so the house was empty. She would not be able to make it to this concert though, but that was okay. She had heard me practice, and heard me perform at countless other concerts to know that I would do well.

I placed my hands on the keys and started to play my song. It was a challenging piece to learn, but I had conquered that obstacle. I had come a long way, seeing that I started out my piano career with an electronic keyboard and a sponge to act as a pedal. In the beginning, piano was hard, and annoying, but as I grew up over the years, I started to enjoy piano a lot more.

Soon after I finished polishing up my pieces, I had to get dressed. I have always preferred the long, dark gowns to the flowery short dresses. My mom had always said that the long gowns made people look more elegant, and that is perfectly true. And, when I would wear the long dresses, I would always feel like a very important, "modern princess".

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I arrived a bit early for the concert to try out the piano, and get a feel for it. A very important key was to know what environment I had to play on; the feel of the keys would determine how hard I had to press to get the sounds I wanted. I played a couple of warm-up pieces, and then got off the piano, so that other people could use it. I still had a bit of time before the concert started, so walked around the auditorium, examining the audience. Solos and Ensembles night was never a big recital, so the crowd, as normal, was quite small. Only about one-third of the seats were filled with family.

The concert started at six sharp, and I was the third one to perform. My two songs last for seven minutes; and after I played, there were more performances by groups and solos. I also played with a "jazz band" for the final number. After all the performances, the announcer thanked us for coming and dismissed us all.

"Rin!!!"

I turned to my right and saw Kagome waving to me. I made my way towards her, and said "hi!"

"You were great tonight! Actually, you're always great!" I laughed; she sure had a way of complimenting people.

"Thanks a lot."

"I didn't see your mom here; did she even come?" She asked.

"No, she had to work. I don't mind, really."

She gave me a hug, "Well, I'll always be here!"

"Thanks…"

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Soon after, we made our way out of the auditorium and into the empty hallways. "It's creepy when no one is here…" Kagome said quietly as we were walking. Not all the lights were on, so it was a bit dim. The classroom lights weren't on at all, so it was just the hallway that was lit up.

I replied, "well, quiet is nice."

"But sometimes…"

We both said, "quiet can be so freaking loud."

"Haha! Now I remember why we're so close!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, and---"

Alarmed by her sudden quietness, I asked "Kagome?" She did not reply, so I looked in the direction that her eyes were pointed to.

And there I saw the handsomest man… EVER. He had gorgeous long hair, and beautiful golden-amber eyes. I could tell that he was of demon decent, because of his pointy ears. People of this modern world, and especially of where we were, Japan, come from every species alive. Some descended from spell casters, some descended from humans, and some, like him, and descended form demons. Over the centuries, the world of magical creatures became intertwined with the human race. Thus, forming half-breeds, and quarter-breeds, and descendants from those. Originally, the magical beings had magical powers, but as more and more powerless human blood combined with them, the power gradually became suppressed. Now, there probably is not a person alive who has the magic of their forefather's forefather.

"Hello", the man said, with a gentle tone. I had to look up to meet his gaze, seeing as how he was so tall. He was even lovelier up close!

"H-Hi." Both Kagome and I stuttered to respond, blown away by his fine looks.

"Do any of you ladies known a 'Rin Mitsura' anywhere?" He asked in a breathtaking silky voice.

Dear goodness, he was asking for me!

I took a deep breath and responded with the sturdiest voice that I could muster, "Yes, that's me."

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A/n: Thank you so much for reading! Now, a couple of reviews could be nice… smile Thanks again! I'll post the next chapter after I get a couple a reviews.