Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I own Phantom of the Opera…so stop rubbing it in!

A/N: To all of you who read Strange Duet and were wondering why it lacked Inuyasha and Kagome romance, this is for you. To those who didn't read Strange Duet, its simple- Miroku was the Phantom, Sango was Christine and Kagome was Meg. Inuyasha had a similar role to Nadir, a character used in the Phantom of the Opera novels, but if you haven't read any of the versions, that all right. Nadir was sort of like a friend to Erik (the Phantom). With this being said, Inuyasha is Miroku's friend. Feel free to check out Strange Duet if you get lost, but I don't think you will.

Sweet Intoxication

By The Sweet Allure of Lady Red Death

Prologue

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Inuyasha sat cross-legged on the floor, his bottom lip curling into a pout. He should've left when he had the chance, because obviously,no one in the palace even noticed he existed. And when they did, he was just an object to laugh at. He sighed, turning his head towards the window. It shined gloriously as the afternoon light beamed through it. 'It's a pretty nice day out,' Inuyasha considered, 'I might as well enjoy it. I can't stand being inside this hell hole.'

Passing through the corridor, Inuyasha slipped out into the gardens. He debated whether or not to lean his back up against one of the giant, architectural columns and relax. But Inuyasha quickly decided against it. The pillar looked like it was ready to fall down. At any moment, it would be sent plummeting to the ground- a product of inferior design, poor materials and idle workmen. Japan was slowly loosing its motivation, wasn't it? Inuyasha snorted at the thought and walked on.

"Father, when I am old enough, will you give me the mighty Tetsusaiga?"

Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. The furry white dog ears atop his silver-haired head began to twitch.

"Father…don't you want me to have it? It would be in much better hands with me, rather than my insignificant little brother—"

"Now, Sesshomaru," a deeper voice was heard. A male, most definatley. "You know I need that in order to protect Izyumi." He paused, "And I won't have you talking about Inuyasha like that!"

"I honestly don't give a crap, Dad." Inuyasha huffed, walking over. He stood beside his father obediently. "He can say whatever he wants, don't bother me any." Sesshomaru's golden eyes narrowed into slits as he mouthed a couple of profound words, meant to be directed at Inuyasha.

"Boys!" Inutaisho bellowed, indicating quite strongly that he was annoyed. He quickly shook his head and sighed. "As long as you're here, son, have you gotten the information that I've requested?" The youkai asked the younger of the two, who nodded without need of speech.

"So it is true, then," mused the lord thoughtfully, "he does indeed exist, this miraculous magician who sings like a god and performs wonders beyond all imagination. Your mother will be delighted! This is exactly what she needs to cure her health! This man must be brought here at once, but how to get him here?"

As soon as Inutaisho finished, Inuyasha cried out, "I'll do it! I will find this so called Miroku—"

Sesshomaru laughed cruelly, "Don't be foolish Inuyasha. That is servants work!"

"Anything to get out of here!" Inuyasha shouted, spraying the air softly with saliva. Sesshomaru winched and took a step back, distancing himself.

Inutaisho blinked several times. "Inuyasha," he said understandingly, "Is this what you truly desire? Of course, you will return once you've found him."

"Yeah, sure," Inuyasha replied lowly.

"Then I intend to entrust this little matter to be in your worthy care." His father continued, placing a clawed hand on Inuyasha's right shoulder.

"Well then, he will be missed." Sesshomaru lied, smiling.

"And you will go with him." Inutaisho added, without looking at him.

Sesshomaru instantly paled.

Inuyasha smirked and shook his head. "Nah, Sesshie wouldn't survive out there in the real world. Don't do it to him, Dad. He's not ready for it." Inuyasha shrugged Inutaisho's hand off of him and strode over to Sesshomaru. He then laughed in his face. Sesshomaru scrunched up his nose in disgust and fled to his room, embarrassed.

Inutaisho placed his head in his hand. 'They'll never change,' he thought hopelessly.

"You will prepare to leave for the journey at once," he said, feeling tired.

"What ever you want, my lord." Bowing himself out backwards, Inuyasha's foot trod on something long and sinewy. There was a spitting screech of rage and an unsheathed claw lashed at the bare skin above Inuyasha's ankle. Ahh, it was yet another infernal cat! Damn strays!

"You are quite clumsy today, son."

Inuyasha mumbled a couple of foul words. How he loathed cats! And rightfully so, for Inuyasha was a dog hanyou and why his father had tolerated them so calmly, was a mystery to the 17-year-old.

"You will bring Myogua with you." Inutaisho's voice snapped Inuyasha back into reality with a sudden jolt.

"That damn flea?" Inuyasha complained, but Inutaisho dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

He knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," said a hushed voice from behind.

Inuyasha entered.

For three days she had lived in a state of cruel semi unconsciousness, forced to relive in her dreams the absolute regret that was suffocating her.

On the third day, she lost the little control she had left over her mind. She had been screaming, raving for hours, the sweat dripping from her body and soaking the linens around her. Her blank eyes slightly widened with joy as she whispered, "Inuyasha, my dear… " The woman on the bed groped the air and reached out for him, desperately.

He knelt beside the nightstand and grasped her hand tightly. "Mother…I'm going away for awhile."

At first, she gazed at him dazedly. It took a moment for his words to sink in, and when they finally did, Izyumi went rigid beneath him. "You can't," she murmured through icy lips. "Inuyasha, you simply can't!"

Inuyasha cooed, "Mother, it won't be that long. You won't even notice I'm gone…" He brushed the sweat slicking hair off of her reddened cheeks and kissed her hand. "I promise, I'll come back."

"Well you shouldn't!" Izayoi snapped.

Inuyasha gasped.

"Oh, no, my son!" She corrected through chocked sobs, "I mean you shouldn't have to come back. I know as well as you do that you hate it here. Inuyasha, I see how horribly they treat you; the names the servants call you. The servants, Inuyasha!" Izayoi wept harder. "I'm such a horrible mother, falling for a demon when I am nothing but a mere, weak human!"

Inuyasha felt a sting of pain in his heart. "Mother, don't say that! You're the best, and I don't care what those idiots say about me. They're bastards!"

"Inuyasha, dear, please don't use such language around me." She sniffled.

Inuyasha handed her a hankerchief from the nightstand, "Sorry."

Silent tears continued to crawl down Izayoi's face, "I can't believe your father allowed you to do this," she paused in order to blow her nose, "I hope Myogua is to assist you."

Inuyasha nodded.

Izayoi tilted her head up to him. "Then I suppose I feel a bit better…" She said half-heartedly, pulling the blankets up to her chin.

"I promise I'll come back to you." Inuyasha assured, gently kissing her damp forehead

And she believed him.

A/N: Sorry if it was short, but prologues generally are. I promise that the story will get more interesting the more it progresses. And yes, I do know that Inuyasha's mother died when he was a child. She dies much sooner than I'll make her, but I had to make some changes so that everything would fit right.

Please review! At the end of this fanfiction, I will thank everyone who reviews, as I did with Strange Duet!

Christine