Just wanted to make thing up…Anyway, just wanted to give the heads up again…Now, here is where there is more "The Phantom…" stuff, well, from the musical. Please R and R. No flames please! Thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha!

Disclaimer: for "The Phantom of the Opera" lyrics (you'll see why. ;)) I don't own the lyrics of "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" and "All I Ask of You" (they are italicized) They belong to Andrew Lloyd Webber.

And now chapter 6…

Chapter 6- The Masquerade's Blessing in Disguise

As the morning sun casts its morning rays, Sesshomaru awakens and turns to see Kikyo. She was not there. Worried that she endured another nightmare, he searched for her at the deck. Luckily, she was not harmed.

She was by the tip of the ferry, gazing at the sea until she heard Sesshomaru coming. She turned to him, weakly smiling to the Prince as he joined her in their sea gazing. He broke their silence when he asked, "Are you alright? You still seem to be a bit traumatized."

She replied in a near whisper, "No, I am fine." She changed the subject, "It seems we are almost here. Lotus Japan seems so peaceful in the morning."

"It is. Are you worried about tomorrow's masquerade?"

"Worried, no. Nervous, yes."

They weakly laughed as they soon fell into another silence. He then said, "Have any memories come back to you yet?"

"A few, although they were not entirely clear."

"Perhaps with today's and tomorrow's lessons, more might come back to you."

"I hope so. To be honest, I feel I am at the brink of finally discovering my true identity. That nightmare I had, it reminded me of so many lost moments of play."

"Then, is there a possibility you might be the lost Princess?"

"I cannot say for sure. Although my heart is yes, my mind is saying no."

Sesshomaru turned his attention back to the sea. His mind was filled with all the evidence he had witnessed. The phantoms of the deceased family appearing before her eyes, the Sacred Arrow Campanilla and Jacinth could only fire, and best of all, the nightmare. If it is truly her, what would he do? He confessed he would immediately propose to her, and he will, at the very spot where he finds her...

Kikyo, sitting on her bed, tries to consul her nervous thoughts. She looked at her image in the tall vanity mirror. Her pink long ruffled sleeved dress annoyed her for the immense number of petticoats. Yet, she had to endure the fashion of the royalty. She placed a barrette, decorated with a small bouquet of roses, white lilies and purple irises at the back of her head, securing her bangs in place. Recalling the lessons she received from Kagome and Sango, she quickly practices her etiquettes and waltz. She stopped when she heard a knock on her door. She questioned, "Who is it?"

She opened the door, revealing Sesshomaru. Dressed in his royal black uniform with his right shoulder cloaked with his cape, she did her best not to show her blushing cheeks. She allowed him to enter as he was once again, overcome with the image of the maiden. He then said, "The celebration is about to start. Are you ready?"

"I am...but I don't know if I will pass with the other royals in the ballroom. For sure, I will be more distinct."

"Of course not! It is a masquerade. Everyone will be in costume or in masks, and for certain it is not formal."

"In that case, I am ready."

"Do not forget your mask."

She walked to her nightstand and picked up the matching pink mask. Covered in glitter, outlined with small pearl-like stones, and decorated with a small cluster of roses at one side, she placed the mask on. Unknowing to Sesshomaru, she placed the locket in her pocket. She needed to give him back his heirloom this night...

Taking Sesshomaru's hand, they left the bedroom and headed to the main ballroom. Kikyo gasped in disbelief. The ballroom was decorated with sheers strips of cloth leading to the large chandelier in the center. Each column held a small arrangement of wildflowers and of course, the lotus flower. The peach-painted room held a certain haven...One could just die here...

Dressed in dark attire, Naraku remained hidden behind a column. Searching through the false faces, he spotted the maiden, as she steps down the stairs with the Prince by her side. Joining the waltzing royal members, he bowed as she reverenced and they waltzed. The pair was not just in the eyes of their unknown enemy, but also in the eyes of the Lotus Princess...

Sipping her wine, Kagura glared at Sesshomaru as he happily waltzed with Kikyo. She saw the Princess Ayame of Rose Germany approaching her. Ayame asker her, "Who is that woman Sesshomaru is with?

She answered in a bit of envy, "He claims she is his royal guest. I assume he believes she is the Campanile Princess. Do you know how many false women have said to be the Princess? Far too many to count. I find it hard to believe he has fallen into such a lie."

"And what if she truly is the Princess?"

Kagura continued to glare at the maiden, "It is not her. If it were her, she would have appeared to be a resemblance to Jacinth. This girl looks nothing like her, nor the other Campaniles."

"Do you plan to unveil the girl's true mask?"

Fueled by envy, Kagura replied, "Of course I do. I know exactly what to do in this merriment...The Campanile Princesses were known to sing opera...Let us see if this girl can."

Through their exchanging gazes of endearment, she continued to think how handsome the Prince truly is. Concealed by a plain black mask matching his uniform, his appearance was rather dark. In that ballroom, they seemed to be a rather clashing pair. Yet, no one in the room appeared to be in chemistry. As the music continued, Sesshomaru continued to waltz with Kikyo, until he was slightly pulled by Kagura.

"Sesshomaru, it truly has been long since we have last seen each other," commented the sly Princess.

"It truly has," replied the Prince as he tried to rejoin the maiden in their waltz. However, she was nowhere in sight. Unknown to him, Kikyo was being lead to a small platform by Ayame. She asked the Princess, "Where are you taking me?"

The Princess falsely said, "Do not worry. You will soon find out."

On her order, Ayame signaled the musicians to stop as she announced, "Royal members, to suffice with tonight's celebration, our Princess of Lotus has arranged for a special performance. An opera piece performed by one that goes by the name of Campanilla," she turned to the stunned maiden and whispered to her, "You may start when the music plays."

Before the piece started, she glanced at the audience as they respectfully drew their attention to her. She glanced at Kagome, Sango and Inuyasha, who were disputing of her current situation. Suddenly, unknown to the royal members, the motherly phantom appeared. In a warming voice, she said, "Do not fear my Campanilla. Sing the song that once gave me grief. A song that reflects both our losses. Sing your despair away."

With that said, the phantom left and the piece was ready to be played. Meanwhile Sesshomaru glared at Kagura as she said, "What is the meaning of this Kagura?"

She countered, "I wanted to show you that this is not the Campanile Princess...I wanted to show you she is not what she claims to be. I thought this was the best way I could show you."

The piece began playing as the two heirs stopped their dispute. When the music waited for her to place her voice in union, she closed her eyes as she searched deep to find the words the phantom had informed her about. At long last, she began to sing, "You were once my one companion. You were all that mattered. You were once a friend and father. And then my world was shattered..."

To everyone's surprise, her voice was just as the late Campanile Queen. In amazement, they continued to hear as she sang the chorus, "Wishing you were somehow here again. Wishing you were somehow near. Sometimes it seems if I just dreamed. Somehow you would be here. Wishing I could hear your voice again. Knowing that I never would. Dreaming of you won't help me to do. All that you dreamed I could..."

Sesshomaru left the stunned Princess and headed near the platform. Kikyo spotted him, but she could not stop and stare, "Passing bells and sculpted angels. Cold and monumental. Seem for you the wrong companions. You were warm and gentle..."

She paused, as the song grew near its end. Her voice continued to soar as she sang, "Too many years fighting back tears. Why can't the past just die? Wishing you were somehow here again. Knowing we must say goodbye. Try to forgive. Teach me to live. Give me the strength to try. No more memories. No more silent tears. No more gazing across the waste years...," she paused as the song penetrated her soul and reflected her current dilemma, "Help me say...goodbye."

A loud stream of applauses was heard, as she reverenced. She glanced at Sesshomaru, who applauded along with the others. He smiled to her, as she smiled to him. Yet, through their applause, Naraku quietly said, "Enjoy your spotlight Princess, for it shall be the last light of hope you shall see."

Naraku cast as spell on the chandelier and merely waited for it to create impact. The applauses continued, but it suddenly grew silent when they heard a loud rattle coming from the ceiling. All turned to the chandelier that suddenly began fall...

Heading towards Kikyo, Sesshomaru got on the platform and picked her up. Jumping from the crashing chandelier, they fell into the safety of the marble ground. Looking back, Kikyo panicked as she felt her nightmare was being relived. She got up and ran from the ballroom. Sesshomaru followed her as she ran through unknown hallways.

He shouted to her as she continued to run, "Kikyo, where are you going?"

She replied as she continued to flee, "As far from here as possible!"

Back at the ballroom, the royal members ran like mice. The chandelier caused a fire and the castle could be in near of ruins. Kagura searched franticly for her Prince, but she could not find him. Ayame questioned her as the Princess, unknowingly, ran to his direction, "Kagura, you cannot stay here! You could be killed! Kagura!"

The Princess didn't listen. She continued to search through the hallways where she last saw him. She needed to find him...She needed to know he was not harmed...

At the roof of the castle, Kikyo paused as she tried to regain her breath. She took her mask off, allowing the accessory to fall on the shallow ground. Sesshomaru remained by the door, doing the same with his mask, as he asked, "Kikyo, what troubles you? Why did you run from the ballroom like that?"

She replied as she felt as though she would weep, "It was as the nightmare again...I saw a phantom appear before I sung...Sesshomaru, I truly believe they want me killed...Ever since I came to the castle, they began to haunt me...But if the motherly phantom had not appeared, she would not have helped me find my voice...," she took out the locket as she continued, "Sesshomaru, if I give you back your locket, would you please return me to Campanule."

He walked to her and she gave him his oval pendent. He said to her, "I thank you for giving me back my memento...For a moment, I thought I have lost it...But I cannot promise you that Kikyo...I don't want you to leave."

She slightly walked away from him as she said, "Why do you want me to remain in this abyss?"

As Sesshomaru was about to answer, Kagura had quietly entered the roof through an opposite door. She hid behind a statue as she grew witness to exchanging sentiments.

Sesshomaru surprised Kikyo as he placed his hands on her shoulders, causing her to turn to his direction. Eyes of amber remained locked with eyes of warm hazel. He then took her hand into his, as he led her to the light coming from the windows of extinguishing flames. Yet, unknown to her, he had dropped the locket he was returned with. Perhaps if he sung his reason, she might be soothed from her fears. He smiled to her as he began, "No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide-eyed fears. I'm here. Nothing can harm you. My words will warm and calm you. Let me be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears. I'm here. With you. Beside you. To guard you and guide you."

As he had predicted, she joined in. She returned the smile as she soothingly added, "Say you love me every waking moment. Turn my head with talk of summertime. Say you need me with you now and always. Promise me that all you say is true. That's all I ask of you."

He embraced as he replied, "Let me be your shelter. Let me be your light," he slightly released her to gaze into her eyes, "You're safe. No one will find you. Your fears are far behind you."

She turned away as she was overwhelmed with emotion, as she continued, "All I want is freedom. A world with no more night." She smiled to him as she added, "And you. Always beside me. To hold me and to hide me."

He took her hands into his as he continued, "Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Let me lead you from your solitude. Say you need me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go, let me go too," he reached her lips, "Kikyo, that's all I ask of you."

Resisting, she continued, "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me. Each night. Each morning. Say you love me."

He grew closer to her lips when he replied, "You know I do."

In harmony, they both sung, "Love me. That's all I ask of you."

At long last, he pressed his lips onto hers. A tender kiss witnessed by the Princess who had once loved the Prince. Kagura remained hidden by the dark figurine as the couple continued their lip-lock, hiding her tears from her world.

Gasping for breath, they exchanged another smile as he picked her up and twirled her once more. After placing her back to her feet, they rejoined back in harmony, "Anywhere you go, let me go to. Love me. That's all I ask of you."

They exchanged another kiss, before Kikyo left Sesshomaru's lips. It was not out of embarrassment, but of joy. For, in their final kiss, a great number of memories have returned to her...It was becoming clearer...At long last, she finally knew who indeed she was...

In amazement, she said to him, "Sesshomaru...I now know who I really am..."

He looked at her, concerned if her news was worth celebrating at their loving moment. He is in hopes that what she answers will not destroy their entwining love. "Then, what have you recovered?"

With tears of joy, she replied, "Sesshomaru...I am indeed the Princess Campanilla, heiress to the Campanile throne."

Shocked, he asked once more, "How can you be certain?"

"I am truly certain...This night, brought me back to the time when we were in the gardens, the night when the rebels attacked and killed my family. It is becoming clearer now...," she embraced him as she continued her explanation, "I remember when you tried to save me...You took me to a train to flee the burning castle, when I was suddenly pushed off...I can't remember from there, but all I am glad for is that I am able to be reunited with you."

Still in shock, he could not say a word. He looked down at her as her warmth was given through her endearment. He placed his arms around her, finding words to say. All he could was ask, "How could I be sure you are not lying? What proof might you have?"

She released herself and unclasped her hidden chain. She took his hand and placed it into his palm. She quietly stated, "This was a necklace my father gave me that night. I lost the other piece, perhaps when we escaped."

Overwhelmed with joy, he clasped the chain around her neck. Afterward, he took out his treasured memory. He placed the piece together, showing her he had the missing piece. She looked up at him, his expression showed his joy of finally finding his missing Princess.

Sesshomaru took Kikyo into his arms and twirled her around, but not as a child as he long had, but as his future bride. Remaining in his arms, she kissed him and he kissed her back.

He said to her, "At long last, I have found you my Campanilla...My precious Kikyo."

She playfully said to him, "Sesshomaru, my name, Campanilla, was my childhood name of endearment. I prefer you call me by my real name."

He joined in her games and said, "Whether it is Kikyo or Campanilla, you will remain as my precious flower."

On her feet, she said to him, "We should go back. Your brother and my cousins might worry of our whereabouts."

As she led him to the door, he sang, "Kikyo I love you."

She replied in song, "Sesshomaru I love you."

They left their scene of romance and walked back once more to the ballroom. Kagura finally stepped out of her hiding spot. She walked where the couple stood and conversed. Indeed, she was truly the Princess...The Princess that had had always taken the attention of the Prince. She spotted Sesshomaru's locket and picked it up. When she opened the pendant, she began to weep again as she noticed the figure in the picture. It was Kikyo...A photograph of the woman when she was around the age the rebels had attacked. She clasped the oval pendent and threw it on the ground.

As the Lotus Princess began to weep once more, she heard a snickering coming behind her. She turned to see a figure dressed in dark attire. The male began, "That woman, she stole your Prince, did she not?"

"That does not concern you! Who are? How did you get inside my castle," the Princess questioned as she wiped her tears.

"I cannot reveal that. What I can tell you is that I am willing to help you get you Prince back."

Desperately, she asked, "Can you truly?"

The figure snickered, "Of course I can. But I require your help. You see, when the Princess's other family hold a celebration in the recovery of the Campanile Princess, without a doubt, your Prince will be right beside her. What I need you to do is distract the Prince so he may not become aware of the Princess' disappearance."

"What do you plan to do with the Princess?"

"That is not your concern. Are you willing to assist me or not?"

As tears continued to stream from her violet eyes, she replied, "If you do not have intentions on harming the Princess, I will help, so long as I am guaranteed I will have my Prince...but..." She remained silent as her tears continued to fall. She continued, "I am sorry. I cannot help you."

Angrily, the male said, "But did you not just agreed?"

"I cannot agree into something that could bring harm to someone, even my enemy." The Princess exited from the roof as the figure glared at her.

Naraku unveiled himself from the shadows as he sinisterly spoke, "It seems her heart is not as unforgiving as I thought. Even so, I think I can manage to keep my plans into action. Soon, my sweet Jacinth, I will have your soul."

As the night continued to fade slowly, Sesshomaru and Kikyo frolicked in the evening flowers of a nearby park. They gracefully ran through the trees and shrubs, until they came to a bridge. He took her hands into his as he led her to the middle of the bridge.

Kikyo gazed into his amber eyes as she asked, "Why are we are? Shouldn't we go back?"

Sesshomaru answered, "We will...Kikyo, do you remember when I said I will propose to my Princess as soon as I found her?"

Nervously, she replied, "Yes, of course I do."

On one knee, he took her hand and said, "Princess Kikyo of the Campanile family...will you marry me?"

She looked into his warming eyes, as tears of joy began to fall. She replied, "Yes, I will!"

He embraced her and placed a kiss on her lips. They embraced once more, before leaving the bridge and heading back to the charred castle.

Playfully, she asked as they walked hand-in-hand, "Why did you not ask me back at the roof?"

He replied mimicking her amorous tone, "I thought I should ask somewhere special," he took her other hand as he continued; "I wanted to ask you where we shall not be seen or heard, only by the moon."

She smiled to him as she sweetly spoke, "Promise me we shall not be parted ever again. You are my only one true love."

He kissed her hands and replied, "I promise. You will remain my first and only love."

They kissed once more as the shadows of nearby trees cast them away from the world. No one can know of their affair, until he announces his engagement to the royal court...

Happy day, there is finally romance! Not to mention, Kikyo is truly Campanilla, although, I have to say, it was obvious, right? Yep, the story does seem to be ending, but I still have something else up my sleeve. :D Anyway, I better shush before I spoil it. ;)

About the songs, I was kinda thinking Kikyo should've sung "Think of Me" instead of "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again." But, then again "Think of Me" would have made her a little too flirty with Sesshomaru than the modest and sad song, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again." In the end, I guess it worked out, seeing it reflects the loss of her family. But, geeze, I kinda got me in tears when Kikyo and Sesshomaru sung the song, "All I Ask of You." Might've been too mushy for me. T.T Anyway, thanks for reading!