AN: I have five tests next week, none of which I have fully studied for and will most probably fail them all. It's the weekend but the word "relax" doesn't seem or isn't allowed to be in my vocabulary at all. So it's study study study for the next week and I'm in big trouble. I was actually suppose to write out my English paper when I was writing this, so you guys better be grateful! XD. By the way, I'm sick too, so sorry if this chapter is kinda blur or hazy? My meds are seriously getting to me. Send me get well soon reviews! hahaha

Disclaimer: All you smart, talented, wonderful readers all know that I own Inuyasha already, right? At least in MY alternate universe.

An hour later, two egg splattered, flour dusted, chocolate-coated teenagers sat in the mess of "batter" on the kitchen floor.

"Hey, I think you have some chocolate on your nose," Kagome said with a giggle at her companion, who's chocolate covered nose was the least of his worries.

"Oh? And you seem to have some cream on your left cheek!" said the hanyou, who's once silver haired was now speckled brown. "Come on, lemme get it off for you" he said in a whisper, leaning in.

The raven-haired girls' breath caught in her throat, "what was he doing? Is he going to…kiss me?" the flustered girl thought.

Just when Inuyasha was an inch away from Kagome's cheek, he suddenly pulled back and wiped away the dollop of cream with his finger instead. "You thought I was going to kiss you, didn't you?" he asked, with his ever-present cocky grin in place.

Shocked, Kagome immediately burst out in a "No! Of course not!"

Inuyasha just have her a "that's what they all say" look, before walking off, leaving Kagome in more of a mess than she could ever be.

Western Palaces

Walking slowly behind the queen after their little "confrontation", a sense of dread overwhelmed Rin. Somehow, she got the feeling that she had done something wrong, or was in for a long lecture. The horror.

"Please stop looking so scared" a kindly voice awoke Rin from her thoughts as they reached the throne room. The person who spoke, and who was also the queen smiled at Rin and gestured for Rin to follow her inside. Not saying a word, Rin quietly followed.

"Now, Kagome, is it? How do you find your stay at my palace so far? Have you been treated well?" the queen asked in a soft yet concerned tone. A tone, which a mother might use, asking a child on how his day went. Hearing this calmed Rin and she began to loosen up.

"It's been great! Thanks!" Rin replied cheerfully, the smile back on her face.

"Good, good." The queen murmured. "Be sure to come back to me if Kagura bothers you again!"

"Yes your highness" Rin replied with a bow.

"Now, I just wanted to tell you that we'll be having a ball in honor of your first public court appearance in a few days. I trust you won't have problems?" the queen asked

A ball? "No... No, your highness" replied Rin unsurely.

"Well great then! And please call me Izayoi. Now, let's start off with some details, shall we? I think one of my kimonos would have to be fitted for you, since we don't have time to order one. By the way, please tell the chef some of your favorite dishes so that he will have time to prepare them."

"Yes your highness, I mean Izayoi." Complied Rin, after all, it was more an order from the queen than a request. Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Kagome's mother! Surely Queen Higurashi would recognize me as an imposter and not her daughter!" A flustered Rin thought to herself. "Will…will my mother be there?" asked Rin, afraid.

"Oh…well, no. I'm afraid Queen Higurashi won't be able to make it as she has to attend another event." The queen replied apologetically.

"That's good" Rin muttered under her breath, relieved.

"Excuse me? I'm afraid I didn't catch that," the queen asked.

"I said, erm…that's too bad," Rin caught herself with a quick, albeit pathetic save.

Looking up, she stared into the cold amber eyes of a w

"Oh, I'm sure she could squeeze you in if you miss her that bad."

"No, it's erm…alright, I'm sure she's really busy." Rin said quickly. "Is that all, your highness?" asked Rin, afraid of more slip-ups.

"I guess that's it for now. I'll send you more details later," Izayoi dismissed.

"Yes, your highness" Rin said with a bow.

Walking out from the throne room, Rin's head was once again lost in the clouds. "A ball? I can barely walk straight without banging into someone!"

And as irony has it, just at that moment, she bumped softly into another stranger.

"Gomen…gomen nasai!" Rin barely managed to stutter out. Sorry seemed to be the word of the day for her.

ell-composed man. He had long silver hair down to his waist and was wearing an intricately detailed kimono and armor. Cold, calm, collected and indifferent were the first thoughts that jumped into Rin's mind, the moment she laid eyes on him. And yet, this sense of mystery shrouding him attracted Rin to him even more.

"Wait, attracting? I'm engaged" Rin reprimanded herself.

The stranger then simply nodded and left, leaving Rin in more of a daze than ever.

AN: I'm sure you know who that "stranger" is? So, another short crappy chapter in my opinion. Sorry, but I really am sick. Please review! I definitely need something to cheer me up.