Kikyou scowled at Inuyasha. That… thing was her future husband! She stared at his ears, snowy white triangular ears jutting out of the top of his skull. Lord Higurashi must have noticed that Kikyou was being rude, as he nudged her and she looked away, angry.

She noticed from the corner of her eye that her 'future husband' or whatever Inu they called him, was returning her stare and definitely not a very friendly one.

A giggle broke her thoughts of trying to find ways to persuade her father into breaking this marriage agreement. Kikyou turned to find the source of the giggle, only to see Kagome looking down, trying to suppress her laughter, red from embarrassment. That Inu guy was looking at her sister, at a very funny way, she thought. She sniggered and turned away. Her sister was just going to get it, laughing in front of important guests.

The announcer's voice cued everyone to return to their seats as Kikyou propped herself nicely. Maybe she could just get the Crown Prince's attention. She heard his was a fine young man, maybe about his early twenties, although she knew he had rather… perverted ways.

Maybe some general from the emperor's court would fit nicely too. She glanced around…There opposite was the Inu guy with his brother, Sees…whatever. Youkai always had such difficult names. Her vision drifted somewhere else. There was the crown prince, sitting alone looking bored and all. Definitely not a man of manners... considering the fact that he was slouching and all, with his head rested on one hand.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-X

Kagome sighed and glanced around the room. The palace was indeed a boring place considering it was rather gigantic. Her eyes drifted around until they finally rested straight ahead, her vision had brought her to see, a pair of amber eyes staring awkwardly at her. She pretended not to notice and started to look downwards. Even until her dishes were served, she kept her head down, she felt a blush creep up her cheeks as she noticed the guy hadn't looked away.

What was it with him anyway? He was indeed peculiar looking. Long sliver hair, amber eyes that were very fascinating and lastly the dog ears that she found extremely cute. On top of that, Inuyasha, if she remembered correctly, was rather attractive. She felt another blush as red as the tomato that was before her. What was she thinking! Oh God! She was actually rather, thinking of her future brother in law, her sister's future husband, in such a … manner.

After 3 dishes, Kagome got up and excused herself, and left the room in such a manner that she almost tripped and fell.

Damn these shoes! Kagome cursed. The slippers she wore were so high she wasn't used to wearing them at all. Kagome stepped out of the corridor onto a nearby garden. She made sure she was far away from the dining hall. All the events were giving her a headache.

"Ahh! What refreshing air!" Kagome said softly to herself. She looked around… nobody around. She slipped her right foot out of her slipper, then her left foot. She fell to the ground, next to a pond. She rubbed her toes painfully.

The moonlight gleamed high up in the sky. It's reflection in the pond was stunning itself already… It was slivery white and reminded Kagome of something…or someone…

Kagome shook her head. No! Why was she thinking of that guy!

She closed her eyes, only to recall a pair of familiar amber eyes, a flash of sliver and red. Her eyes shot open. Why was she thinking of this stranger just because he said something nice about her voice!

Mentally reminding herself that he was her sister's to be husband, her future brother-in-law, Kagome tried to get up. She slipped her foot back into the slipper and started to walk.

Suddenly, Kagome felt something below her slipper. Before she could even react, she found herself tripping and falling forward. She squeezed her eyes shut, getting ready to fall face flat.

Eh!

She opened her eyes. She was suspended mid way. She felt a pair of hands holding onto her arms. Then, she was hoisted up. She tried to regain her balance, only to feel a wave of pain from her left foot. She had sprained her ankle.

"Keh! You would have eaten dirt if I wasn't here." A familiar voice rang from behind.

Kagome spun around, only to almost lose her balance again. The guy stopped her from falling down by holding her by the shoulders. Kagome straightened herself. She glanced up at the guy, it was him.

"You're really not a nobleman's daughter aren't you?" he asked sarcastically.

"Hey! What was that for!" Kagome asked, looking irritated.

"Can't you even say thank you to someone who prevented you from spoiling your pretty face." He said.

"You didn't even give me the chance to! You immediately insulted me whether I was of nobility or not!" Kagome exclaimed, turning away.

"Well True! Look at you! Can't even balance on slippers." Inuyasha added.

"It's not like I wear these stuff everyday!" Kagome said.

"I thought all you girls dress up like that, like your sister." Inuyasha sniggered at the thought, all flower vases.

"Don't compare me with my sister. I like who I am." Kagome said, her tone was cold though.

Inuyasha glanced at her. What was with her? Her voice had changed so quickly.

"Keh. Whatever." Inuyasha muttered.

Kagome tried to walk away, only to stumble. She winced at the pain. Inuyasha noticed her walking was weird.

"What's wrong with you?" Inuyasha asked.

"Nothing. Don't bother me, go care about girls who can balance on high clogs. Like my sister." She hissed.

"I didn't mean that." Inuyasha said, his voice softening.

Kagome stumbled as she tried to drag her foot with her. The pain was unbearable as she fell to the ground, giving up.

"Keh! Sprained you ankle eh!" Inuyasha asked.

"None of your business. leave me alone. You should be heading back, my father will be looking for you." Kagome said, rubbing her ankle

Without saying anything, Inuyasha scooped Kagome up bridal style and leaped into the air.

"Hey! What are you doing! Put me down!" Kagome yelled.

"Shut up, wrench! Can't you see I'm trying to help you!" Inuyasha hissed, looking rather pissed off.

"I've got a name alright! And I don't need your help!" Kagome said, trying to wriggle out of his arms.

"Stop it! Or I'm really going to drop you!" Inuyasha warned.

Kagome stopped struggling and lowered her head. Why was he helping her anyway? He seemed irritated by her at first.

Kagome peeped up at him. His sliver bangs swaying as her leapt in the air. She felt another blush creep up her cheeks. She gripped her skirt tightly. She never came so close to a man before. Not even her father. Being in his arms was just so… Comfortable.

Inuyasha leapt across the palace garden with Kagome in his arms. Her scent of Cherry blossoms filled his nose. Inuyasha felt his cheeks grow hot as he noticed her staring right into his face. He had noticed she left the dining hall. Curiosity overtook his mind and he decided to follow.

He tried to concentrate on the trees that were blocking his way instead of Kagome.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What?" Inuyasha asked, trying to conceal his happiness that Kagome had called his name for the first time.

"I think we over shot the dining hall already." Kagome said, pointing behind.

Inuyasha felt his cheeks redden as he turned around and leapt back.

He landed in a corridor quite far away from the hall. Kagome jumped out of his arms, very embarrassed.

"Hey, Thanks for the ride back." Kagome finally mustered the courage to say something. The awkward silence was indeed unbearable.

"Keh. Whatever." Inuyasha said, turning to walk away, his hand hidden in his Haori sleeves.

Kagome studied his retreating figure. Long sliver hair that reached his waist, not to mention his cute dog ears and he was bare footed. What a weird and yet rather kind person. Kagome smiled to herself.

Maybe he wasn't such a bad person after all.