Hopeful Hearts

Chapter 1

My heavy eyes beg me to keep them closed but of course I don't listen. Opening them and taking a once over of my room I move to sit up in my bed.

Today is my twenty second birthday... Also a day I've been dreading since I was twelve.. You see I'm a prince, a shitty one, but a prince none the less. I live in a castle with my Mother and Father and our many servants which I prefer to call our helpers.

The reason I have been dreading this birthday so much is because this is the day I have to meet my intended, the girl I'll be forced to marry and carry on this kingdom with once my parents become to old to run it.

I'm not into all that lovely dovey shit but I'd like to be able to choose who the hell I marry, but that's just a stupid dream... The next couple of weeks will be hell, I'll be forced to spend time with my intended, plan our stupid wedding and be taught kingly duties by my Father... Fun... 

Letting out a heavy sigh I plop back onto my bed my legs not willing to get me up after thinking of all the annoying things that are about to happen in my life.. A knock comes from my door and I see Kagome peek her head from behind it. 

"Morning InuYasha." She says with a bright smile upon her face.

She comes into my room and opens the curtains, allowing the morning light into my room, and I can't help but smile at her.

You see Kagome and I have been best friends since we were born.

Kagome's Mother is my Mothers helper and when my Mother was pregnant with me Kagome's Mother was pregnant with her.

We ended up being born one day apart and my Mother insisted that Kagome's Mother keep Kagome with her until she was old enough to go to the kingdoms nursery, but that didn't happen.

Kagome ended up staying by her Mothers side all the time my Mother using the excuse that Kagome would need to watch her Mother work in order to learn how to become a servant whenever my Father would question why Kagome was still in the castle with her Mother.

We were by each others sides all the time and the day Kagome turned fifteen she became my helper because she needed an easy job to start off with and since she knew me so well my Mother figured I'd be an easy start for her.

I think she was supposed to move onto someone else once she got good at being a helper but that never really happened since she's still my helper today.

She claps her hands in front of my face drawing me back into reality. 

"Come on InuYasha today is not the day to be daydreaming!" She says excitedly. "Today is a huge day! Oh and Happy Birthday!" 

I groan. "Kagome you know I've been dreading this day since I was a kid, why are you so happy?" 

"Because I think you're over reacting, maybe your intended will be an amazing woman whom you'll love entirely." 

I sit up sending a scowl her way. "Or maybe she'll be some crazy woman who I'll hate." 

She sighs. "Either way you have to get up and get washed up and dressed your Father and Mother are waiting for you." She grabs my clothes off of a chair and tosses them towards me. 

"Remember to wash behind your ears." 

I roll my eyes.

Sometimes I hate how well she knows me...

After getting ready I start to my way down the hall, Kagome meeting up with me there. "You look nice." She says with a smile. "Thanks." Her smile falters as she steps closer to me, placing her hands on my shoulders. 

"Hey, you can do this, I'm sure whoever your future wife will be she'll love you." I roll my eyes keeping my gaze towards the floor before feeling Kagome's hand on my chin, making me look into her eyes. "Stop that, believe in yourself for once ok?" 

I nod. "It's not that I don't believe in myself I'm just god damn angry that it has to be this way, I don't want to marry a stupid random girl my parents picked out for me." 

Kagome let's go of my chin taking a step back. "I know, I know, you've been complaining about this day for months. But trust me you're only thinking negatively. Just try giving this girl a chance maybe you actually will fall in love with her." 

I sigh as Kagome fixes my shirt. 

"Now get down there and say hello to your parents"

She says happily.

I nod before stepping around her and making my way down the large staircase, my parents standing at the bottom looking up at me.

As I finally get to the bottom standing just in front of them I'm not surprised to see my Mother's happy smile and my Father's stone cold features.

My Mother steps forward first, giving me a tight hug and a simple kiss to my cheek. "Happy Birthday my boy, what a fine man you've grown up to be." A modest smile crosses my lips. "Thank you Mother." 

As my Mother steps back my Father replaces her spot in front of me, his features still completely serious "Son, today is a big day for all of us. Today you will meet your future wife and the future queen of this kingdom. I expect you to be on your best behaviour do you understand me?" 

"Yes Father I understand." 

He's silent for a moment, scanning my features before continuing. "The next few weeks you and your future wife will be courting. Each day there will be special things planned for both of you to do together. As for today you will only be meeting and chatting for a little while since the princess needs to get herself settled." I nod.

"Tomorrow is the first official day of your courting I expect for everything to go perfect." I shift my gaze from my Father's serious one to my Mother who is sending me an apologetic smile.

I turn back to my Father as his hand comes to rest on my shoulder pushing me forward. "Come, she will be here soon and we will all meet in the dinning room." As my Father pushes me along my Mother and Kagome follow close behind us.

As we enter the dinning room I hear loud trumpets outside announcing the princesses arrival.

My stomach flips with fear as my Father moves from behind me to step towards the large doors of the dinning room.

A helper by the name of Sango (one of Kagome's best friends) opens the doors quickly allowing the princess to enter.

My first impression of her is a bad one since she looks so smug, she steps into the room her eyes scanning everyone before landing on me, a scowl appearing on her face instantly.

Damn it, she's a spoiled prep.

Many helpers follow her into the room holding way to many bags as she slowly makes her way over to us. 

"Lady Kikyo welcome to our castle." My Father says expertly before taking her hand and giving it a light kiss my Mother doing the same after him.

As she turns to look at me her smug face only pisses me off more, but my Father's eyes burning holes into the side of my face reminds me to be polite.

Taking her hand in mine I give it a slight kiss before looking up at her returning her unhappy look with one of my own. "Welcome Kikyo I hope you will like our castle and feel as comfortable as possible here with us." 

She pulls her hand from mine taking a step away from me. Before looking around some more. "This place will do." 

There's an uncomfortable silence as her smug words fill the air. "Why don't you two take a seat an chat for awhile? Today is about getting to know eachother a little more, don't feel like it has to be a huge day we know you must be eager to get yourself settled."

 Kikyo's harsh gaze turns to my Father as she takes in his words. "Yes that sounds good, I do have a few things I want to discuss with InuYasha before I head up to my room."

 I can't help but gulp at her words my palms becoming sweaty as my Parents leave the room only leaving myself, Kikyo, Kagome and Sango behind.