Hey, Hey, Hey! Here comes part two to The Ball of Your Dreams! I want to say thanks to all those who have reviewed, and a special thanks to Nesta and jandl for their continuous, loyal reviewing. You guys are great! And now...next...THE DISCLAIMER!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inu-Yasha or the characters therein, so stop calling me!

Ahem...Chapter Three-The Ball of Your Dreams-Part Two

Kagome sighed inwardly with relief upon hearing the familiar voice of Inu-Yasha. She turned her head to the sound of his voice, finding him standing much like an offended pirate would. His hands were crossed nonchalantly in front of his broad crimson and white covered chest. Kagome smiled, for she knew he knew how handsome he looked. Even the domino mask made him look masculine.

Koga straightened, and turned to the intruder of his advancement on this angel. He fairly snarled at the cocky hanyou.

"Mutt-face, why don't you just leave, and find someone else to dance with. This angel's card is full, with my name all over it." Before Koga had the chance to state another ridiculous statement that would enrage Inu-Yasha further, Kagome stepped beside Inu-Yasha.

"My lord, forgive me, but this gentleman has already filled my dance card. You never thought to look at it in order to find that out. My most humble apologies for not telling you sooner." Kagome smiled softly as Inu-Yasha smirked to Koga and took Kagome's arm, gently steering her toward the dance floor. As they took position just in time for the first strains of the waltz, Inu-Yasha looked down to Kagome and smiled. He had to admit, Koga was right when he called Kagome an angel.

Kagome wore a white satin gown that had small emerald jewels embedded in the bodice. The gown had the same v-cut neckline Sango's gown had, and at the connecting point by her cleavage lay a small emerald on a thin gold chain. Inu-Yasha's features lit up as he took that in. That necklace had been given to Kagome by him on her sixteenth birthday. His eyes went to the mask Kagome wore. Just like her bodice, the mask was dotted by small emerald jewels and diamonds. There were fluffy white swan feathers that made her look seductive as well as mysterious. Inu-Yasha groaned softly, knowing this was going to be the longest ball he'd ever had the displeasure of attending.

Kagome and Inu-Yasha were in their own worlds for most of the night. What Kagome didn't realize was that every dance Inu-Yasha was with her after the third one was just like claiming her as his intended. The more they danced together, the more the nobility around them whispered.

Who was this mysterious girl that seemed to have taken the prince's heart? Had they been together before this ball? Why had they never seen her before?

Questions such as these floated about the room rapidly, and soon everyone was alit with curiosity. They all wanted to get a chance at figuring out the girl's identity. Since the mask covered half of Kagome's face, nobody could tell what nationality she was. All the nosy nobles had to go by was the thick chestnut hair that was gracefully piled atop of her head. That didn't help anyone at all, since over half of the world had that color hair.

Soon enough, the questions died down. Everyone seemed to have gotten bored of trying to figure out the girl's identity, since there was no way to find out. They all went back to subtle flirtation and upbeat dancing.

Inu-Yasha and Kagome, along with Sango and Miroku danced every dance together. Cotillions, Quadrilles, and waltzes passed, yet not one of the four could bare to leave to floor or remove themselves from the others presence. They all seemed to be in a spell until the hour of midnight struck. Just as in Cinderella, Miroku and Kagome both knew it was their time to leave.

"Inu-Yasha, I have to go. If I am not seen in my room, feigning sickness, I will be in a predicament. I have to leave now." Even as she spoke the words, Inu-Yasha was shaking his head, refusing to let her go.

"You are mine tonight, and nobody is taking you from me. Sango and Miroku are doing just fine, and I don't see why we can't stay together. This isn't the first night you were with me, you know." Kagome smiled and blushed softly, her mind recalling all the many nights she laid safely within his arms.

"I know Inu-Yasha, but-"

"No buts, if the head kitchen maid has anything to say about you not being in your room, or in the kitchen in the morning, I will handle it. It is my birthday, and since it only comes but once a year, you are staying with me well into tomorrow, no if's, and's, or but's about it." Inu-Yasha grinned, sensing her giving in. He took her momentary silence to sweep her into another waltz, dancing them unnoticed out of the room, and into a dark corridor, where they made quick tracks up to his room. Still in the ballroom, Sango and Miroku were having a similar debate.

"My Lady Sango, you must understand that I have no choice but to leave. If I could, I would forever stay by your side, but I cannot take such innocence from you. You don't know the real me, I could be some lecherous, depraved individual." While Miroku tried his best to persuade Sango to rethink wanting to be with him, Sango smiled.

"Miroku, there is nothing that will turn me from you. You are who I have been searching for. You're kind and funny, sweet and charming. It wouldn't matter to me if you were the lowest servant in the entire kingdom. I've never felt this way about another person before in my entire life. Please don't hurt me now." That statement nearly broke Miroku's heart, and he decided there to tell her all.

"Come with me, my lady. There is much I have not yet told you, and I know when you find out, you will regret ever thinking of me as anything but a fool." He gently took ahold of her and and placed it firmly in the crook of his arm as he escorted her outside and into the garden. Once they were in the seclusion of a maze of roses, Miroku sat upon a bench beside Sango. As soon as they were comfortable on the bench, Miroku removed both his and Sango's masks, and laid them on the soft green grass.

"My lady, as I have said, I am not worthy of your affection. There is something I have been withholding from you since we met. I am no nobleman, but I am the animal caretaker of the castle. My father was a nobleman, who conceived me with my mother, a lowly servant, and never spoke with her again. Not only am I not worthy of you because I am a worker in this castle, but I am also an illegitimate son." As Miroku opened his mouth to continue degrading himself, Sango covered his lips with her own. After a moment, Miroku drew back.

"Why did you do that, My Lady? Did you hear nothing I just said?" Sango laughed at his confusion, then kissed him once more.

"Oh Miroku, I don't care that you are an animal caretaker, or that you are illegitimate. I only care that you care about me." A smile clung to both their lips as they collided. Miroku drew her close to him, taking the kiss further. Sango pulled back, a nervous look coming over her features.

"Miroku...would you like to come to my room?" Miroku could barely believe his ears. Never before had he felt this pull of attraction in his heart. Every woman he had ever been with was due to a more basic, physical need, rather than this emotion need he was feeling. Slowly Miroku nodded, and stood. After picking up their masks, Miroku calmly escorted Sango to her room, like any gentleman would, and after looking around quickly, he joined her within, firmly locking the door behind him.

Dawn rose far too quickly than anyone wanted. Nobody bothered to disturb Inu-Yasha, for they thought the young prince would be absolutely exhausted from the night before's activities. None knew how close to the truth they were, but Inu-Yasha wasn't asleep. He was too busy memorizing the contours of the sleeping Kagome's face to sleep. Inu-Yasha trailed one callused finger down the side of her cheek.

"Just like silk." Inu-Yasha spoke softly, admiring her features, but wary not to awaken her. Never-the-less, Kagome woke up moments after the sunrise, as she did every morning. After allowing her eyes to adjust to where she was, she looked to Inu-Yasha. His golden eyes were dark with desire and love. Kagome smiled and kissed his lips softly.

"Good morning, Yasha. How did you sleep?" Her voice was husky from sleep, which stirred Inu-Yasha's blood, but he forced himself to calm his reaction down.

"Like I was in heaven, and how did my angel sleep?" Kagome laughed and lightly tapped him on the shoulder, for he had brought up the man, Koga, and his ridiculous statements. Inu-Yasha feigned a hurt look, even wincing slightly as he held his shoulder.

"Why do you have to hit me? I just just curious." Kagome grinned and placed a soft kiss on his shoulder, like a mother would to a child's "injury."

"Better?" Inu-Yasha smirked and moved so he was above her.

"Much." With that, he kissed her heatedly. Man, he loved mornings with Kagome.

Sango awoke slowly, the first thing she noticed was that she was nude, and the second was that there was an empty spot beside her on the bed. She opened her chocolate eyes, and saw Miroku standing at the window, his pants from the previous night being the only article of clothing on his well toned body. She slipped out of the bed, the sheet wrapped loosely about her body, and walked to him.

"Is everything alright? You don't regret what we did, do you?" Worry was evident in her voice and on her face. Miroku turned from the window and tightly embraced Sango, comforting her.

"I will never regret our time together, Sango. You have given me something I will cherish until my last breath." He softly kissed the top of her head, tightening his hold slightly. Sango looked up to him, tears blurring her vision.

"Why does that sound like a goodbye, Miroku? You can't leave me...please don't..." Miroku knew at that moment, he loved her. It seemed strange, being that they had only met the night before, but there was something about her that he couldn't put his finger on. All he knew was that he would never love another in any way like he did this woman. How he longed to ask her to be his always, but he knew more than anyone that he couldn't take her away from her lifestyle to live in his. That wouldn't be fair to her, and that's exactly what he told her. The look he got from her upon hearing his words would have drove him six feet under, had looks killed.

"How shallow do you think I am? I don't care about the money, or the jewelry, or even the clothing. I would rather have none of that and be happy, than have all of that and be miserable for the rest of my life. Miroku, I knew I would be giving up a lot to be with you last night, but I still did it. Do you know why? Because I don't care about all of that. I care about you!" Tears began to form at the corners of her eyes, and she brushed them away hastily. Miroku felt terrible for thinking she would rather have those things, and hugged her close.

"Ah, Sango...I am so sorry. Will you ever forgive me? What could I do to possibly gave your forgiveness?" A teasing undertone was not lost on Sango, and she grinned cheekily. Dropping the sheet that closed her body from his view, she crooked a finger at him.

"I can think of a few ideas..." With that, they scrambled back onto the bed so Miroku could begin to apologize.

Hey, there was the second part to Chapter Three. The next chapter begins that good old angsty stuff, and a series of unfortunate events. My devious plot is working! Bwah hahahaha! Anyway, please R&R. I love reviews! Thanks a whole bunch!

TK