Disclaimer; I do not own Inuyasha, nor the story of Esther.

Summary; There once was a peasant named Inuyasha, who was pulled into the competition for a new King unwillingly. As the competition continues, something happens that neither Inuyasha nor Her Majesty, Kagome expected. How will the two fair, as the rush and search for a new king becomes the only life they know?

The Story of a Peasant

Chapter Eleven;

'Why the hell can I not get to sleep?' I growled through my mind. I sat up, squished my pillow, laid down again only to roll over onto my side before finally getting frustrated and throwing back the covers to get up.

This had been going on for nearly three hours.

'I'll just take a walk. Maybe that'll help.' I thought, rubbing my eyes before standing.

Walking quietly, I maneuvered my way through the beds before getting out into the hallway. I slowly tread the hallways before finding the main balcony for our wing of the castle.

The wind blew harshly outside, whipping my hair over my shoulders. The air had a chill to it that let you know that fall and winter were not far away.

Leaning onto the railing, I peered over the edge. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes, feeling my muscles relax just a bit.

Without knowing how long I had stood out there, I was surprised to feel a tap on my shoulder.

Upon seeing Sango I mentally slapped myself.

'Your getting surprised way too easily lately.' I scolded myself before addressing the women in front of me with a proper bow.

"Good....." I wasn't quite sure what time of day it was. "Ergh, morning?" I tried.

She smiled faintly, but nodded.

"Couldn't sleep?" She asked.

I nodded and followed her with my eyes as she came beside me, although at a respectable distance, and leaned her back against the railing.

"Same here." She smirked, and wrapped her robe tighter around her.

Not knowing quite what to say, I went back to my previous state of watching the sky.

Gasping, I pointed. "Look! A falling star!"

Sango spun 'round staring up at the sky. "Ohh.." she practically breathed.

We sat in silence, staring up at that sky, the space where that star came and went in a blink of an eye.

I felt a smile tug at my mouth.

"My father used to tell me to make a wish on falling stars." Sango nearly whispered.

I raised a brow. "Really?"

She nodded.

I contemplated this for a second before admitting quietly, "Mine to. Well, my mom did anyways."

She seemed surprised by this, but turned her head away thinking.

When she turned her head back towards me, her face was more composed, the normal Sango.

"What sort of things did you wish for?" She asked quietly, turning back to the sky.

Shrugging, I replied "Different things I guess. To be a great warrior, when I was younger. Death on my brother, around my old man's death." Insert me smirking here. "Friends..., To be a full fledged demon." My voice began to quiet. I peered at Sango out of the corner of my eyes, and saw her mulling over something.

"I wished I was a princess. I wished I hadn't been pushed to fight all my life. I wished for friends, instead of partners." She looked up at me and smiled.

"We're not so different deep down." she remarked. I chuckled, shaking my head softly.

Sighing and clapping her hands together lightly before making a comment about needing to get some sleep.

"Long day tomorrow." she warned.

Rolling my eyes, I retorted "Isn't it always?"

She just smiled and began to walk away before stopping again.

"Inuyasha,... What would you wish for now? Anything at all."

Lowering my eyes, I let my hair cover my face.

"My mother. More time with my mother." I walked a little past her, hands on the double door. "You?"

She was quiet for a long time.

"The same. But for my father."

I awoke much the same as I did any other morning, to Sango's yelling to get us up. For the first time though, I groaned, rolled over, and tried to clap my ears shut.

Miroku shoved me. "No way. If I have to get up, you do to."

I grumbled something intolerable as a reply before forcing myself up.

'Man,.. I'm so tired.' I yawned and stretched, before finally gaining enough of the energy needed to stand.

I stumbled through fog as I followed Miroku out of the room to go eat breakfast, which was eaten mechanically. I couldn't even taste it.

"Man you look rough." Nida commented, before plunking a warm cup of tea in front of me. "Here's some sugar to wake up you." She said, plopping more sugar in it from the table.

"That's not going to do anything to me." I mumbled. She gave a frustrated sigh, going away muttering about stupid demonic immune systems. I sipped the tea anyways, attempting to hold up my end of the conversation with Miroku before he gave up.

"What's got you so tired?" He finally asked.

"Couldn't sleep last night. Went for a walk." I yawned. "Stayed out too long."

Miroku shook his head.

"Here." Someone said from beside me, placing a cup on the table. I looked up and saw Sango again. She threw something funky smelling into the cup, before pouring in the remnants of my tea in. "This will perk you up. No doubt."

I took a sip of it, and felt like I'd got struck by lightening. Apparently my face showed much the same feeling, as she laughed. "Yeah I know, its gross. But it works."

That much I could tell, a slight buzz already lifting the stupor I had been in all morning. I drained the cup quickly, before muttering a soft thanks.

Sango nodded for a reply, before sitting next to us.

"Good Morning Sango." Miroku replied, a bit too chipper for either of our groggy attitudes. Not that he was aware of that or anything.

"Good morning." She replied, politely.

They continued to chat, while I sat there finally waking up.

Eventually, Sango stood up and called for everyone to follow her.

At first I was confused when she began to lead us down a different-than-normal hallway, till I remembered about the 'special' lesson surprise.

"What do you think this lesson'll be?" Miroku asked, nudging my side.

I shrugged. "I dunno. She said it was to help for the festival. Maybe we're decorating."

"Ick. I hope not." Miroku said.

Sango led us to a part of the castle I couldn't ever remembering being down.

"Where are we?" I asked, only to get a confused shrug as a response.

Suddenly, Sango stopped and turned.

"Alright men, circle up. We'll be coming here," she said gesturing to a grand doorway behind her, "everyday for the next week. Wear comfortable clothing, for what your going to be taught now.." and here a mischievous smile lit her face. One that caused fear deep in my stomach. "Dancing."

"What?!" Miroku cried out.

'Dancing?' I thought, truly surprised.

"Yes, dancing. It's important that men of the court understand how to dance properly with the ladies. Dancing offers many a chance to permit themselves to get to know new people, and impress those scholarly ones around you."

"But..." someone protested.

"But nothing. During the ball, celebrating the beginning of the Festival, your next challenge awaits. You are each expected to dance at least once with the Queen. Use this chance to impress her with your skills, your... lightness of foot."

And with that we were ushered into the large ballroom where preparations were already being made.

Music started up from the corner of the room where minstrels sat aside, ready to help in our lesson.

"Alright men! Who's first to dance?" Sango called out. Many murmurs went up about not knowing how to dance. "Will no one volunteer?" Sango shouted out.

When she was met with silence, she began to call randomly for us to show her a few steps.

"Miroku." She called first.

I smirked when he turned towards me, face elated.

"Miroku, this way." She called, as if talking to a child.

"My apologies my fair, fair lady." Miroku said smoothly, before taking her hand up in his. After attempting to dance a few steps, Sango took lead, and showed him the proper way to lead a lady.

"Go back." She informed him after a minute, and calling upon another person.

This pattern continued for a fair amount of time, Sango always taking lead in the dance.

"Inuyasha." She called. I sighed, and stood to meet her, bowing slowly. I took her hand before she could jump into a leading position, and began to lead her through a simple walts.

I saw her eyes grow wider.

"You dance?" She gasped quietly.

"No." I muttered. "I just know how to, if need be."

She rolled her eyes.

"You just dance well." She admitted, a bit smug.

Smirking I sarcastically said, "Just one of my many hidden talents."

"Hmph." was the only reply.

She eventually stopped our dance, and the pattern continued as I walked back towards Miroku who's face was priceless.

"Where did you learn to do that?!" He claimed, outrageous. I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms as I did so.

"Don't worry about it." My voice was flat.

"Seriously Inuyasha." He said, indignant. He gestured out towards where Sango was still dancing. "That's not something you just pick up on."

"Feh." Was the only answer.

Miroku gave up and stood next to me, acting like a child with his little attitude.

'The truth is, dancing is a part of my past. And I hate bringing up my past.' My eyes continued watching the dances going on in front of me, while my mind reeled in over memories long gone.

'It was one of the few things my mother said I absolutely had to learn. I wasn't thrilled to learn it at all. I mean, dancing to me was such a feminine thing. But then...' My hands clenched. 'Then she introduced me to my dance partner, Kikyo...'

"Inuyasha!" Someone called out. I snapped out of my reverie to see Sango gesturing for me to come up. I walked uncertainly towards her, facing the group.

"Over the course of this week, you'll be learning the dance steps to various types of music. If you find your having difficulties, I'm putting it on your shoulders to seek help. You may ask me or Inuyasha here for advice." Silence followed. "Dismissed."

As everyone left the room, Sango tugged me to the side.

"I hope you don't mind me offering your help to the men. But they're going to need it."

I mentally cringed.

"Anyways, I need to know what other styles of dance you can do."

"Any." I answered, a reflex.

".....Any?" She said dis-believing. "A waltz?"

I nodded.

"Minuet? Quadrille?"

Again, a nod.

"Tango?"

"Gonna quit asking, and believe me when I say I can do anything you ask me to do?"

She just stared at me, crossing her arms.

"You really are just full of surprises." She ran her hand through her hair. "Anyways, like I was saying, I'll be needing your help throughout the week. I'm glad at least one man knows how to dance properly."

She waved me off after that sentence.

As I walked through the door, I walked straight into a slightly seething Miroku.

"What'd she need from you?" He asked suspiciously.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why? You jealous?" I laughed when he just crossed his arms in defiance. "Relax Miroku. She just wants my help this week with lessons."

He turned towards a pouty face.

"Your going to be dancing with Sango all week?"

"Probably not. It's probably gonna be mostly with you pigheaded men who haven't learned to dance." I nearly sneered.

Miroku hung his head, shaking it slowly. Finally having some pity on him, I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Look, Miroku, I don't like her. She's all yours, for all I care."

He looked up at me and sighed.

"But she doesn't even seem to notice my existence.."

I held up my hands.

"Don't even try getting girl advice from me. I'm the last person to be getting it from."

Miroku looked up at me dubious.

"Sometimes, I really doubt that."

It's about time I introduced Sango a little bit better. My apologies for the delay.

And for the reviewer who's been pointing out my horrid grammar skills as of late, thank you.
I tried to watch how I typed and re-read over, before posting this chapter.

I honestly know nothing about dancing. So I also realize that the dances I've listed are probably in a horrible time reference to this story, but that couldn't be helped.

R&R,

Souzousei