Ok, there will be a few refrences to "Phantom of the Opera" in here, but whatever.

I gots alot of reviews, but now you get a nice long, drama filled chapter! Enjoy!

Love,

Mardee 3

Chapter Twelve- "Masquarade"

Three months had passed since the night Inuyasha came to her bathroom, and once again Kagome was dressing for a ball. This time, it was a masquarade for the soldiers heading out for the war's first battle. She didn't want to go of course, but she really had no choice. She wore a black corset with white laced sleeves that came off her shouldes and a long green skirt of several sweeping layers of sheer green. She sighed deeply and buried her head in her hands. She turned around for her black and white mask, and next to it found a single red rose with a black ribbon around it. A face popped into her mind and she smiled.

Inuyasha...

Later that night...

Kagome entered the elegant ballroom with the biggest smile she ever had to fake plastered on her face. She had been here for hours and she wanted to leave. Immedietly.

"My Lady! You have returned!" "Glad to see you have returned, my Angel!" "Lady Kagome! Good to see you're safe!" More Lords and Ladies fretted, like they honestly cared about her safety. She saw a group of young soldiers drinking and laughing, and she knew these men were going out to war tomorrow. Her eyes stung with the tears that threatened to fall and she used every once of self control she had to not cry. She promised herself she would find a way to end things peacefully. As if matters could not get any worse, a man in a royal blue silk mask ran up to her, the last person she wanted to see tonight.

"Kagome! Oh, thank heavens you are safe!" Hojo cried. Kagome grit her teeth in frustration. "Not now, my Lord..." Before she could do anything to stop him, Hojo hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. It was all she could do to not throw up all over his blue coat. "Let go of me." "Angel, where in the world have you been?! Oh, I missed you terribly!" "I said let go, Hojo." But it was like he did not hear her. "I was so worried, and when I heared about what happened on Earth... I hope you know I support your Lord father all the way with his decision."

"I think she told you to let her go." A man interveined between her and the blubbering fool. She was so grateful for the stranger's help. But it didn't look like Hojo was so happy, because he sized up the newcommer with an arrogant eye. "If you would be so kind, sir, to leave me with my fiance, I would very much appriciate it." Kagome shot the Lord a dirty look. "Listen you-"

"Excuse me, Lady Kagome, I would like to dance with you to this song, if you don't mind." The stranger cut her off with this request and grabbed her hand tightly. She turned to face him and give him a peice of her mind as well, but...there was something about him that cooled her fiery temper. She didn't see him before, but now that she got a good look at him...

The man wore a deep red coat and black pants. His large hands were covered by black gloves but she could still feel their warmth. The top half of his face was covered by a black mask, and he had a sword at his side. She felt she knew this man...but she was sure they never met before. The hood of his long black cape covered his hair.

"My Lady?" "Oh...yes. Dance. No, I would not mind at all." She allowed him to drag her to the dancefloor, with Lord Hojo staring at them in shock.

At first they danced in silence, but as the next song began, she had to find out who he was.

"So...do you have a name?" The masked man smiled. "It's funny, because the last time someone asked me that question, I was not in such a position as this." "Oh, I see...well, my Lord, curiosity has gotten the better of me. What such place were you in when you were asked that question?" "Well...I was on a mission, running and errand for my father. He's this powerful Lord, you see. Well, I was supposed to take this important person to where I lived, but this girl was so angry at the world, she decided to go after me about it, like I was the one she was mad at. I asked if she knew my name, she said she didn't care...but once I told her, oh man did she care!" Kagome's heart stopped. She knew this story.

"Wait...where were you?" "Oh, this place, you may know it...its in New York on Earth...'Cruel Intentions'... Well, you'd never believe what happened next. I told her I wasn't taking her to my father, and I ended up kissing this girl." Suddenly the clock struck midnight.

"Inu...Inuyasha?" The masked man laughed and leaned in closer. His voice was a soft whisper now. "Didn't I tell you I would come for you at midnight, Kagome? I'm sorry it took so long..." Tears spilled down her face and she wrapped her arms around the demon.

"It is you! Oh, Inuyasha!" She hugged him close to her and he did not hesitate to hug her back.

"I missed you so much, Kagome." "Oh, Inuyasha, I missed you too! I was so afraid we would never see each other again!" The sound of fireworks boomed around them, but he heared every word. She pulled from their embrace and kissed him passionatly.

Hojo stood by the punch bowl, watching Kagome and this stranger talk. Who is this man? And what is he trying to do with my Angel? he thought to himself. Hojo's eyes grew wide when he saw Kagome kiss this strange man. This angered him greatly. "Just who does this fellow think he is?!" He stormed toward them, pulling the two apart.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" The man scoffed at the steaming mad Lord. "Feh, why would you care?" Hojo pointed at Kagome. "That's my woman you have your paws all over!" Now the masked stranger looked pissed.

"No, she isn't! Haven't you figured it out yet? She doesn't love you! And she doesn't want to marry you! Get over it!" Hojo laughed. "Oh yeah? Like she's in love with you? Look, love doesn't have anything to do with marriage. It's about power; its about wealth. And if you honestly think I would turn down such a prize as the Angel Kagome, you're dumber than you look!"

"Prize? What is she, a trophy? Something you hang on your wall?!" "Hm...hung in a place of honor in front of the roaring fireplace..." The stranger grabbed Hojo by the collar of his coat. "If you value your life, I suggest you stay away from her." For the first time in this whole conversation, Hojo looked scared. Now all the guests stared at them in horror of what the stranger would do next. A guard pushed the man away from the pompous Lord.

"Who are you anyway? Take off the mask-show us who you really are!" he cried to the man. The crowed whispered and gasped, pointing at the masked man who was breathing heavily. Kagome stepped in and tried to take the man's hand, but Lord Hojo suddenly jumped in her way. "You weren't such a coward when you threatened me just now! Be a man! Show us your face!"