Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot, of course.

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Chapter six: Meeting Kikyou

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Nobody at the Ball was sure of where the boy in the red haori had come from, but when he strolled through the dance room, looking like some valiant hero from out of a fairy tale, it was natural that many girls wanted to catch his eye.

But he didn't see any of them…except for one, the most beautiful figure in the entire room that was dancing so gracefully she seemed to be gliding.

Kagome's sister, Lady Kikyou.

Like most of the men, this boy, seemed to be transfixed on Lady Kikyou, and no other. He didn't stop his purposeful walk towards her, no matter how many girls seemed to come from out of nowhere to try and talk to him. He ignored them all, inching ever closer to the beautiful woman who was dancing in the middle of the dance floor. Noticing that he wasn't paying attention to anyone but Lady Kikyou, most of the girls got discouraged and finally gave up.

Kikyou had also spotted Inuyasha. She watched him from a distance as he approached, but she didn't give any outward signs of noticing him. She wondered who he was, this man that looked so handsome that was coming towards her…

Managing to slip away from her dance partner, she made her way to Inuyasha, who seemed to be waiting for her, and asked her to dance, which she was only too glad to do.

She didn't know why, but she had a strange attraction to this longhaired stranger. As they slowly waltzed together in plain sight of the guest, there were several minutes of silence between the two, until Kikyou finally spoke.

"I haven't ever seen you around here before," she said, as she leaned ever so subtly to him, "What's your name?"

"Inuyasha," said the man, blinking.

"Are you a Prince, Inuyasha?"

This remark really seemed to confuse him. "No…why?"

"I just had a funny feeling you might be some kind of a Prince," said Kikyou. "You dance as good as one, anyways."

If you knew I just learned this a few hours ago, you wouldn't think like that, Inuyasha thought, repressing a smile.

"Thanks."

There was silence for a few more minutes, and Inuyasha could feel dozens of eyes on them, even though there were mostly other dancers around them. He felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't keep his eyes off Kikyou.

"Then are you some sort of Lord, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha was startled, but shook his head. "Nah, I'm just a regular person."

"You don't seem so ordinary," said Kikyou, smiling up at him, "You don't look like a regular person, and don't act like one. Most men tonight have been trying to impress me with stupid, mindless tales about all the brave deeds they've ever done, hoping to get married to me…but you…I sense you're different from the rest…"

She glanced to a secluded balcony that was slightly farther away from the dance. "Inuyasha…I think I'd like to get to know you better…Come. Let's go over to that balcony. Then we can talk in private."

They strode to the balcony, arm in arm, and it was at that instant that everybody could see Kikyou marrying this tall, mysterious stranger that no one seemed to know anything about. As they approached, two of the Palace guards quickly drew the curtain behind the Princess and the guest she seemed to have taken a liking to, so that they could have some privacy, making sure no one would follow them, and hovering nearby for Lady Kikyou's protection.

Kikyou let go of his arm, and sank gracefully into one of the two chairs that overlooked the garden. Inuyasha hesitated, and then joined her. He wondered if that girl he had danced with was still below in the garden…

"It isn't easy to speak about this…" Kikyou suddenly spoke beside him, "But…have you ever had to do something that you never wanted to do, yet knew you had to?"

"Er…" Inuyasha was reminded of the countless number of times he had never wanted to do things for Naraku and his daughters, but he didn't think Kikyou was talking about something that minor. "Like what, exactly?"

"I am obligated to pick and find a husband soon," Kikyou looked beyond him, far away, over the tops of the trees, "I know I have to pick someone that will make a good husband, and King and rule side by side with him until our deaths…it is such a difficult decision, and I am afraid…" Her voice trailed off, and she turned to him.

"What'll happen if you don't pick someone?"

"Then all of the country's advisors will decide which Prince would be a good ruler, and all of the marriage will be for political reasons."

"Why do you even have to get married?"

Kikyou looked startled. "No one has suggested that before, but that wouldn't be a good idea anyways…" She looked glum. "You see, how will the Royal Higurashi Line continue if there are no children? Our family have ruled for centuries here, and the land has been mostly tranquil since we arrived. There haven't been many wars…"

"Does it have to be now? That you get married?" Inuyasha asked, feeling bad for Kikyou.

"No. Not necessarily," Kikyou stood up, leaning against the rails of the balcony and looking below. "I could get married after Mother dies, but I'd rather start searching now. Mother thinks that it would be better to find a husband that isn't a Prince, Lord, or a Duke, one that can relate to our people, so we can improve laws and the country in general."

Inuyasha joined her, walking to her. He felt bad for Kikyou, but he still felt entranced by her beauty. "I understand why you're under so much pressure…," he said, his voice trailing off.

"Inuyasha," Kikyou looked over at him, "You are not a Lord, Prince, or Duke. You are a regular man and yet seem different from the others… You do not seem like the kind of person who is power-hungry, like most of the men who tried to speak with me. You didn't act like I was the key to a possible Kingdom. You seem like the worthiest candidate for a promising husband here."

"W—what?" Inuyasha suddenly felt nervous. "You're not seriously thinking that I could be your husband?"

"Yes, I am," said Kikyou, as Inuyasha took a step back. "You are perfect, Inuyasha. You are good-looking, a regular man, and I don't know why…" She took a few steps towards him, looking up at him with stars in her eyes, "But I have this strange attraction to you…"

"But, wait a minute— Lady Kikyou, this is a mistake, I---" he stammered.

"Call me Kikyou, please, Inuyasha?" she moved a little closer to him, "And I am not known to make many mistakes…" She pressed her lips against his.

For a second, Inuyasha didn't react, until Kikyou drew her arms around him. He relaxed, dimly noticing that the darkness around them was getting lighter. But he wasn't paying attention, as he pressed her closer against him. He,too, had felt an attraction to her the first time he had seen her, but he hadn't thought he had a chance with her…

Until now.

This was a mistake. Something was telling him this was a mistake. But it wasn't Myoga (who had disappeared several hours ago). It was himself.

He drew away from her.

"I know you must think I am terrible to have done that," said Kikyou's soft voice, "I know I was too hasty, but…"

"Wait, Kikyou," Inuyasha interrupted, "I need to tell you something—this—this won't work out."

"What? Why?" Kikyou let go of him, staring up into his dark eyes, "Is something wrong? You don't want to give us a chance?"

"Its not that," Inuyasha assured her, "I want to, but…" He hesitated, not wanting to reveal to Kikyou that he was a Hanyou. It was her reaction he was dreading…

"What's the problem?" Kikyou questioned, feeling a stab of worry. Something was wrong, she could feel it.

"I wasn't being completely truthful with you," he said slowly, wondering how he would explain, "Kikyou, I'm not exactly a normal person per say…"

"Of course you aren't," said Kikyou, trying to smile, "You are special."

The sky around them had already begun to change into lighter shades with each passing minute. A sliver of the sun broke over the horizon.

"Kikyou, I'm not full human…" Inuyasha said again, "I am a Hanyou."

He began to change, his black hair and deep brown eyes became their original hues again, turning lighter until his hair became silvery white again and his eyes their vibrant amber. His fangs and claws were back, as were his ears.

All was silent while he transformed, and Kikyou drew back from him, shock written all over her face.

A/N : Oh my god! I cannot believe how many people like this story! Thanks so much, Clouds of the Sky, Archerelf, Artemisxmoon, silva flava, fluffylover666, Kisaki Hana, and rustyspoons! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! (happy sob) And thanks to anyone who just read...I keep trying to update as soon as I can, and end up updating really late. But I try...sorry!