Crossroad Conventions
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the ten animes mentioned in this massive crossover. This whimsical piece of work is merely my weird and wacky tribute to some of my favorite series. No profit is gained except reviews.
Note: This is full of both canon pairings, some of my preferred ships as well as a crack ship or two. All in good fun.
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Chapter Nine: Ball
"You look very pretty in that dress, Kagome," Hitomi complimented her friend.
"Thanks, Hitomi, you too!" the other girl eagerly and sincerely returned the compliment.
"It will be like going to the prom again, won't it?" the psychic student commented.
"I know! And this time I get to dance with the guy I like," Kagome enthusiastically agreed.
"I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy this part of the conference," Keiko Yukimura said as she adjusted the sash on her dress.
"I don't usually like dressing up like this," Winry Rockbell commented, "but I guess it feels nice to do so on special occasions."
All the women had been led into a room filled with a wide array of party dresses and gowns and they could choose whichever they liked to wear to the final big event of the conference, the ball.
The dresses given to them were of different styles and colors and they were free to choose whichever suited their fancy that night.
Naturally, most of the female participants were excited to join such an event, filled with music and dancing. It was especially interesting for those who had their boyfriends present.
"It's going to be a night to remember, I'm sure of it," Sakura Haruno told her friend, "aren't you excited, Hinata?"
"Yes, I am," the timid girl replied, blushing at the thought of dancing with Naruto.
"I only hope the men-folk will be taking this seriously," Kaoru Kamiya commented, slightly suspiciously, "I'm just glad that Kenshin didn't join that crazy symposium. I don't want to be dancing with a drunk."
All the other girls heartily agreed, and were relieved to know that their loved ones were not at the drinking party.
Instead, these potential dance partners were having less fun as they were forced to dress up in formal wear for the ball.
"Why do we have to do this again?" was the general clamor from the male dressing rooms.
"Because I don't think we have a choice!" someone else yelled.
And there were groans and disgruntled mutterings echoing across the room.
"Where's the mirror? I think I really look weird," one of the boys was complaining.
"It's like High School all over again," Yusuke muttered to Kuwabara, who was actually excited to be dancing with the girls.
"Come on, brother, it's not that bad," Alphonse consoled his sulky older brother.
"Yeah, Fullmetal," Roy was telling him, "you have to learn to look like a man every now and then."
"I resent that," the alchemist replied icily.
Roy shrugged, being used to dating and dressing up. This time, he was looking forward to dancing with perhaps the most important woman in his life, Riza Hawkeye.
The other, older men, were a little more mature about the matter and dressed themselves with dignity and refinement. Kenshin was looking forward to the dance, and he made sure to make himself look presentable.
Folken played the proper older brother and helped Van change out of his usual "peasant" wear into something that befitted his rank.
Sesshoumaru, as an older brother, couldn't care less how Inu Yasha looked like.
Getting ready was always a more painful process for the men than it was for their partners.
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At length, everyone had finished dressing up and they were all ushered into a lavishly decorated ballroom complete with elaborate ornaments and chandeliers, and a live band.
All the girls grinned and blushed and stayed together, waiting for the men to take initiative. They also looked proudly at their men, who looked more presentable than they had ever been.
For a few moments, the men were speechless and wide-eyed as they admired the beauty of their partners. They were all of a sudden shy and uncertain of how to proceed. But after a few well-placed nudges, the dance began, and the nervous, shy young men somehow found their way to their partners.
There was mutual blushing and reluctance to make eye contact. (And from the sidelines there was eye-rolling and slapping of foreheads). But eventually, everything fell into place.
"May I have this dance?" each boy recited his crucial line perfectly, with hand extended properly.
"You may," every girl answered shyly, taking their partners' hands and beginning the realization of a long held dream.
So Van danced with Hitomi, Kagome with Inu Yasha, Miroku with Sango, Tamahome with Miaka, Ed with Winry, Al with May, Kenshin with Kaoru, Naruto with Hinata, Sasuke with Sakura, and Yusuke with Keiko.
As was the great prom tradition, the "slow dance" was nothing more than swaying back and forth to the music, but none of the couples really minded.
There were so many guests left waiting for partners so some of the men found the nerve to approach the ladies they would not be able to speak to on other occasions.
"May we suspend all allegiances for now," Hakkai addressed Yaone, "and may I have this dance?"
The alchemist looked uncertainly at Kougaiji who merely nodded at her (and reprimanded himself for not asking first). With a smile she took Hakkai's hand and danced with him. (And fortunately, he was not drunk at all).
Lord Folken likewise found himself walking towards the solitary figure of Princess Eries Aston. She smiled when she saw him and accepted his invitation promptly.
Riza Hawkeye was likewise amused by Roy Mustang's offer and danced with him most eagerly.
For some strange reason, Son Goku wanted to join the dance. And when he saw that Lirin was in a dress that made her look like the girl she was, he shyly approached her. The youkai princess had been waiting for a partner and she had not expected him (of all people) to ask her. But she accepted shyly.
More strange couples formed themselves in the ball, and soon the dance floor was full of happy, love sick pairs, drowning in each other's eyes.
Olivier Armstrong folded her arms in her beautiful but straightforward style gown, hating such feminine activities. Even in a dress, she still wore her sword on her side. She looked around and noticed the aloof figure of Sesshoumaru serenely watching the ball with distaste.
He sensed her watching and returned her gaze. She looked away quickly and stood straight. Though Sesshoumaru had no fondness in humans, he sensed a kindred spirit, and recognized her from the Awesome Older Siblings group.
"Why do you have your sword with you, human?" he asked the surprised officer.
"Because I would rather be fighting than dancing," she answered curtly.
"Hmm," the dog-demon replied. Interesting. And then suddenly, a strange, impulsive idea struck him.
"There's ample space outside for a sparring match," Sesshoumaru said simply, surprised at his own gallantry.
Olivier raised an eyebrow. This was completely unexpected.
"Is that an invitation?" she asked hopefully.
"Do what you will," Sesshoumaru said, "I have nothing better to do."
"It would be an honor," Olivier answered, following him out.
And so the two began a different and more dangerous type of dancing.
The rest of the guests who really had no desire to socialize, spent their time peacefully reflecting on life on the balconies of the ballroom. They wanted to have a view of the world where the hotel was situated but all they saw was a bright full moon and a wide expanse of the hotel grounds extending to infinity.
The music played and dancers danced, and all was just magical for the next few hours.
