Kikiyo let out a sigh as the maids got her ready, she was getting ready to meet the werewolf prince, she winced at the thought of marrying such a thing. Kikiyo hated that she was being used, this arranged marriage was wrong and she hated the idea, she looked at herself in the mirrior as the maids got her ready, she had a cold expression on her face hiding her emotions. Her golden eyes watched the door waiting for her sister to pick her up so that they could walk together, she smiled a litle thinking about her sster she wanted her sister to fall in love not be stuck in an arranged marriage.

Kai sighed as he sat in the car with the prince, he was in thought "are you sure that you want to go through with this...marrying the vampire princess...i heard she was a beauty". He smirked a little as he watched his childhood friend "hmmm...i heard its fun with a vampire girl". He waited for the car to stop, when it did he walked out of the car opening the door for the prince.

Aiko made faces at herself in the mirror, watching the maid hurry around behind her. Today was the day that her sister was to meet the wolf prince, her future husband. As upset as Kikiyo was, Aiko understood the necessity. She had been ready and willing to take the place of her sister. Kikiyo hadn't let her, and deep down, Aiko felt relief. Her father hadn't mentioned a single good thing about this prince, except he was exactly that: a prince. At least Kikiyo would be able to continue living a lavish life. Plus, they would both be able to become queens one day.

Aiko gave herself one long look in the mirror. Unlike her sister, she was the spitting image of her father. She had his platinum blonde hair and gray eyes. Her sister was darker, more like the darkness she commanded. Their father joked that they were Night and Day, forever together but always separate. Niko gently dismissed the maid and left the room, moving down the hallway to Kikiyo's room. She knocked once and then opened the door.

"Let's go, Kikiyo," she said with a gentle smile.

****

Ichiro smiled up at Kai as the car came to a stop and the man opened the door for him. He stepped out and pulled on his clothes, smoothing himself out.

"Kai, I am doing what I need to do to avoid a war," Ichiro answered, leading the way into the tall building. "Women are women. It doesn't matter what species she is, she can't resist me." He glanced back at the man who had been his best friend since birth. He smiled widely under his long blonde hair, laughing out loud to himself. "And let's hope it is fun, because that's the only thing I've got to look forward to in this stupid arrangement."

Kikiyo watched her own reflection, she thought about what her father told her about her appearance. She apparently inherited the first vampire king’s golden eyes, the king who was known as Dracula, she looked at her petite body her body was a perfect shape her breasts were big she muttered to herself “the perks of being a vampire”. Kikiyo watched the maids as they talked about how much they envied her long black hair, she rolled her eyes a little as she detected jealousy, she watched them as they combed her hair and pushed their hand away as soon as they finished combing it.

She heard the door knock, she turned around as she watched her sister and gave her a nod. Kikiyo walked with her sister as her father’s words echoed through her head ‘you are the descendant of the great Dracula, you should not be taking your sisters place you should be taking on the throne’. Kikiyo winced as she remembered her father’s words and watched her sister once they arrived their father she sat down waiting for the prince with a cold expression.

Kai smirked watching the prince, he nodded at the vampires as they walked them towards the palace, and he nodded quite surprised liking the palace. Kai smirked as he looked at the ground, he had a feeling that the girl would capture the prince’s interests especially when she rejects him. The guard chuckled to himself, he could not wait to see how this all unfolds especially when the princess was moved to the princes school and her private home schooling was stopped. The king wanted the two of them to get close, the werewolf king and the vampire king agreed with her moving into that school in the human world, the school for the rich and gifted.

Aiko sat still and waited for the prince to be ushered in. The clock on the wall said it was about time. Honestly, she hoped they would be late and she could tell her father they were uncultured and not worthy of her sister. Was late a good enough reason to deny the man her sisters hand? If she wanted, Aiko could stop this entire thing now. But, she wanted to see it play out. Kikiyo might be surprised by the wolf prince. Aiko was letting her curiosity get the better of her.

"Your majesties, the werewolves have arrived," a butler said from the doorway. Aiko told him to usher them in, and he shuffled off to do so. What struck her was the plural. The man had said wolves. Yet, Aiko had only been informed of one wolf arriving, and it had been the prince. She sat up straight in her chair, eyeing the door suspiciously.

****

Ichiro was impressed. The castle was lavish, golden decorations and crimson red carpets. The thought crossed his mind that it was blood stained, and a wave of disgust came over him. He disliked vampires with every once of his being.

The man leading them stopped at an elaborate door. Ichiro stood still while the vampire opened the door easily, opening it up into a huge throne room. The first thing he saw was the king's throne, a huge silver seat shining in the light. Ichiro's eyebrows raised. He was led into the room and looked around a little more. The giant throne was accompanied by a smaller golden throne. Ichiro guessed it was for the queen. To the left of the queen's throne sat two smaller thrones, both a brilliant black metal. In those two seats sat two women.

The women were polar opposites. The first was angelic, not at all what he expected from a vampire princess. The other was exactly that, clearly a vampire. She had dark hair, dark features, and she had the most serious expression on her face. The butler led them in front of the two women, and Ichiro gave them the smallest bow possible.

"Afternoon, your majesties. I am Prince Ichiro, and this is my companion Kai."

"Welcome to our home," the golden one said. "This is my sister Kikiyo, and I am Aiko."

Kikiyo just watched them and watched her sister as she greeted the two. Kikiyo observed the prince with an unimpressed expression, her golden eyes then looked at the guard she stayed quiet. A maid walked to Kikiyo and gave her a glass of blood, she decided not to speak because she knew that she was going to say something rude.

Kai watched the princess observing her, he was impressed she was beautiful the rumours were true and the golden eyes of dracula. He watched the prince quietly wondering what he was going to to say, was he impressed with this girl? He smirked to himself.

Aiko watched her sister, seeing that she was just going to ignore the man. She was probably hundreds of years older than the prince, and she acted like a brat. The least she could be was welcoming. But to be honest, Kikiyo had never been welcoming. Aiko studied the other man carefully, glad to have evaded their attentions. Clearly, her sister was their type of beauty. Neither of them even noticed Aiko in the room. She sat back in her seat, waiting.

****

The prince stepped toward the darker sister. This had to be her. He watched as she ignored him, accepting a glass of red liquid. If she was anything, it was snobby. Yes, she was beautiful. Like him, she also seemed to know it. A little ticked off that he had come all this way to be ignored, he boldly said,

"Well, your highness, you are just as beautiful as I was told and expecting. I'm sure the manners will come over time though." He gave her his best smile and waved for a maid to bring him and Kai a seat. They did, and the Prince helped himself to a seat.

Kikiyo watched her sister quietly, she wondered how she was feeling about all of this, he was supposed to be her future husband but instead she decided to marry this wolf. Her red lips touched the glass her gaze then drifted back to the prince as he spoke, she really did not like this man, he really did not understand her. Kikiyo thought it was for the best that she did not speak if she spoke then she would be cold and rude, silently she watched her sister avoiding to look at her future husband.

Kai sat down "well she may just be quiet...she does seem like a quiet person....im sure she has the manners but decides not to speak". Kai knew how rude the prince can be, he watched the princess not suprised that she would stay quiet, he gave them a nod "it is nice to meet yu princess..Kikiyo and Akio so it is true Kikiyo is draculas decendant?".

Kikiyos eyes widened a little at what Kai said, she glared at Kai as he spoke about this, she did not want her sister hearing this. Her hand tightened against the wine glass, she noticed Kai's gaze and looked away in anger.

Aiko glanced over at her sister, grimacing at the look of pain on her face. She was trying her best to be strong, firm. Aiko smiled at Kikiyo, reaching out to hold her sister's hand. Whatever it came down to, Aiko would protect her sister, defend her until the end. She looked over at Kai when he spoke.

"Yes. It is true. Kikiyo has a lot of Dracula's lineage in her. But you know, she is my sister. Therefore, so do I," Aiko said, letting out a long breath. She didn't appreciate being put under her sister. Everyone acted like Kikiyo was ten times better than Aiko, simply because of those golden eyes. For once, Aiko wanted someone to recognize that she had rarer vampire features. Kikiyo had her eyes, but Aiko had her hair, her light features, her tall frame. Aiko pushed the thoughts aside.

****

Ichiro smiled at Kai, biting his tongue. It was rude of his friend not to be on his side.

"My apologies, your highness," he said, watching the younger princess. "I am impressed by your lineage. Very sought after bloodlines." Ichiro decided to fall into his overly polite self, ignoring how insulted he was by this entire situation. Kai clearly wanted him to be nice, and so he would. Fake, but nice.

Kikiyo silently watched her sister, she glared at Kai with a cold expression. Kai winced a little realising what he was saying, he watched Aiko "i am sorry my princess i did not mean to insult you....you are the future queen...Ichiro's father is glad to have the descendant that is what i am saying...it does not mean she would be the better queen". Kikiyo's expression softened at Kai, he let out a sigh of relief, and he did not want them hating them.

Kikiyo let out a sigh as Kai spoke, she knew her sister would be a way better queen, Kikiyo watched her drink if Kikiyo herself ruled she would be cold and ruthless. Kikiyo silently watched the prince with her golden eyes still not impressed with him, she really did not like him at all and he was totally not good for her sister she would have been too good for him. Kikiyo slowly pulled her hand away from her sister "being a good queen has nothing to do with blood...even though i am a descendant Aiko would do a better job than me...father would agree she would be a better queen even mother if she was here...she is learning and i am happy now please do not undermine the future queen she is powerful and could kill us all in an instant". Kikiyo went back to being quiet, she closed her eyes out of boredom.

Aiko sat up in surprise.

"Kikiyo, please don't be foolish. In a world of vampires, darkness overcomes light," she said, motioning for the maid. Knowing her, the maid brought over wine, not blood. Niko smiled and thanked the girl, sipping from her glass. "Blood doesn't make a queen, but it does make a legend. Any ruler should be feared and respected. I am not feared, Kikiyo, and neither of us can deny that." Aiko stopped to look at Kai. The man was polite; she respected manners. It was the prince she worried about.

"I agree with you, you majesty," the prince said, looking between the two of them, "A ruler should be firm, strong willed. Kikiyo, you are clearly very strong willed. I believe you would be a grand queen, one well worth watching." Ichiro honestly meant that. He liked how stand-offish she was. Bored by the entire ordeal. Ichiro smirked at the girl. "But I believe we have a deal to discuss."

Kikiyo silently watched her sister "like i said you are learning...no one becomes a good ruler in an instant...". Kikiyo watched the prince quietly, her gaze did not leave him. The princess had a cold expression on her face, she tapped her fingers on the thrones arm rest and sighed "who said that i want to become a queen?...". Kikiyo stayed quiet looking at her sister, she was glad that her sister was with her this man was annoying the hell out of her. She nodded at what the prince said next, she stopped tapping her fingers against the thrones arm rest now the conversation changed to the subject she did not want to talk about.

Kai watched Aiko “I’m sure you’d make a wonderful queen”. He smiled at her and gave her a bow, he silently watched them with a serious expression when the prince spoke, his gaze went to Kikiyo feeling her icy aura once the prince mentioned the deal.

Ichiro sat up, brushing his blond locks away from his face.

"Our father's have made a deal. Your hand in marriage for a lifetime of peace between our species. Yet, I'm sure I was the only one aware of the stipulations of this deal. Our fathers wish that we bond in a place where we can also learn people skills and knowledge. Our education will continue. My father has chosen a prestigious high school for the gifted, and he intends to pay for the four of us to attend said school for one year." Ichiro paused to see the reactions in the room. The light princess was sitting forward in her seat, mouth agape. He could see her fangs behind her red lips, and it made him shiver. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "We begin Monday."

Aiko stood up out of her seat faster than expected. She was across the room, in the prince's face before Ichiro could even react.

"That is absolutely ridiculous!" she shouted, straightening up as he stood in front of her. "My sister and I will not stoop to the level of public education!" She took a deep breath and regained herself, turning to face her sister. "I'm sorry, Kikiyo, but this can't go on." Ichiro grabbed her arm gently, turning her around to face him. He had a very serious, almost desperate look on his face. It scared Aiko, but she held strong.

"Your majesty, be realistic. It's not too much to ask, considering the stakes," he said, and Aiko relented. She pulled her arm out of his grasp and turned to Kikiyo with her eyebrows raised.

Kikiyo closed her eyes as he talked, her elbow rested on the arm rest and her chin rested against her hand and let out a sigh. Slowly she opened her eyes watching the prince with her golden eyes "we did make a deal...Aiko you know as royals and as vampires we keep our promises...". Kikiyo silenly watched the prince "we accept....". Kikiyo let out a sigh looking away "its good that you make friends Aiko...you'll be less lonely...i could not care less but i know you hate being alone in this place".

Kai watched the princess he quickly walked by the princes side, he watched the princess "please do not anger the prince...our other forms are not so.....nice". Kai watched the prince quietly, he sighed him and his future wife needed to know eachother "princess Aiko...can you leave please so that the prince can get to know the princess...i'll be waiting outside my prince". He grabbed Aiko's hand and drgged her out of the room closing the door behind him, he stood in front of it sighing "princess Kikiyo has accepted now allow them to get to know eachother please".

Kikiyo watched the prince as they were left alone, she silently watched him carefully with caution. She put her glass on a table next to her staying silent, she did not know why they left her alone with him.

Aiko shook her hands, dusting herself off. She looked at the heavy wooden door.

"Please do not drag me around," she said, her voice low. She looked at Kai, sighing. "I agree, but she's a hard case. He's better off marrying a lion. She's the most fierce person I know." Aiko prayed her sister would remember her manners, that she would at least listen to the Prince.

"Would you like some food?" She asked, giving him a small smile. "I am starving."

****

Ichiro watched his friend leave, taking the only sensible person in the room with him. It left Ichiro alone with the girl who hated him. He understood though. He would probably hate himself too if he was in her place. The idea of an arranged marriage was barbaric.

"I'm sorry, Princess Kikiyo," he muttered, staring at his hands folding in his lap. "I can't understand how you must feel being pushed into this. I don't really want to be forced to marry either. Maybe we should search for the best in a bad situation?"

Kai shook his head giving her a small smile "no thanks...i am the princes guard so...go on princess enjoy yourself". He gave her a bow and stood by the door folding his arms, he hoped that the two get along the princess hardly spoke and the prince tried to speak to get but Aiko spoke instead. The wolf muttered to himself "hmm...what should i tell his father".

Kikiyo sighed as she watched him "we are in the same situation....it’s our fathers who should be blamed...". She listened to the last line and closed her eyes "it’s natural for a vampire not to like non vampires....it is the same with your kind no? Having someone new in the pack is uncomfortable…” She looked at the prince observing him slowly “your friend really did go to desperate measures…you have a good friend”.

Aiko frowned at him.

"You don't need to guard him here. Kikiyo won't hurt him, and none of the servants would dare," she said leaning against the wall. It was rude to leave a guest. Plus, he intrigued her. For a wolf, he wasn't that bad. Clearly, he was loyal.

****

Ichiro thought about her question. Did his pack have trouble boding with other species? Honestly no. The only reason they didn't get along with vampires was this age old feud about opposites.

"Werewolves tend to be really easy to get along with. By nature, we are proud and loid, but we are loyal until death," he answered, in thought. "You're right about Kai. He's too good of a friend for me. He has this idea he has to personally guard me. I have actual guards for that. I wish he would stop trying so much."

Kagome smiled a little "he thinks of you as a brother....". It was the first time she cracked a smile, silently she stood up and walked to him, her face went close to him observing him. Her cold and pale hand touched his cheek, her golden eyes looked into his eyes "Aiko was supposed to be with you but I stepped in so thst I can protect her.....I know how you men are like....brutes". Her expression was cold yet she was curious.

Kai watched her "princess Aiko.....please listen to me I must stay here". He gave her a bow and watched her with a serious expression, he was too stubborn to leave he knew the unexpected could happen other races did not want this arrangement to happen at all, he had to be cautious.

Ichiro shivered against her touch, resisting the urge to push her away. He didn't like how her hand felt against his hot cheek. He noticed her smile and liked it. He thought before he spoke. Aiko would have been a great deal for his father as well. But something inside Ichiro liked Kikiyo.

He reached up and removed her hand from his cheek. "If you think men are brutes, you've not been with the right men. I promise chivalry and charm are not dead," he said with a wink.

****

Aiko crossed her arms. There wasn't any point in arguing with the man.

"Ok. But I am going to eavesdrop in the balcony overlooking the throne room," she said and turned away from Kai.

Kikiyo watched him surprised, she traced his facial features with her fingers curious "I have never been with a male before......". She leaned her head onto his shoulder inhaling his scent "you smell good". Her golden eyes looked into his eyes, her fingers carried on tracing his face "this is important to us too....I really don't like you.....I'm doing this for the safety of the vampires". She moved away tucking her hair behind her ear watching him with a cold expression.

Kai chuckled a little nodding at her, he sighed as he watched the door wondering how the prince was doing.

Ichiro allowed her to sniff him, fighting the urge to shove her away from him. It surprised him that she admitted to never being with a male, not that she had never been. He had assumed the princesses would both be virgins; the purer the better. He just didn't think she would admit it. She stepped back from him, and he let out a long breath.

"You don't have to like me," he said, frowning at her, "I would prefer that you did, but no one can make you like me. You really just have to tolerate me. And it's really not too hard to tolerate me." He smiled, trying his best to make her smile again. He thought about how easy it would be to just tell her to like him, tell her to be nicer to him. He wouldn't use compulsion on her, but he wished it could be so easy.

****

"You could come, you know. It would be a lot easier to keep an eye on your prince," she called back at him as she walked away. She forced herself not to care if he came or not. The idea of going to a high school was for everyone to make friends. Kai just wouldn't be one of those friends. Aiko had to care less about what people thought of her. She made her way down the hall and up a staircase, pushing another big door open. The balcony was lined with theater seats, and she could hear the prince and Kikiyo talking, but she couldn't see them. Aiko found a seat in the back and sat down, listening.