Don't own Inuyasha! I own anything not in the Manga/Anime! Hope you all enjoy this one! I pulled an all nighter to get it done for you! Please review if you enjoy! Also I'd like to thank Aqua Lilly for all your help with this chapter! Your Awesome in my book! I hope you approve!

Chapter 11: The Autumn Ball

The Ball had finally arrived and the girls where busy getting ready and so were the boys. Inukimi was extremely happy today. She no longer held the burden of her secret alone and she wasn't rejected by the one she told, instead she was embraced and comforted by the small girl she hoped to one day call daughter, that was the very person she was looking upon now. Inukimi had over heard what she had said about her own family. How alone Juliet must of felt.

Juliet had dressed into the red velvet medieval and smiled, "I love it!" She said looking at herself in a mirror. Her hair was half up in a bun with silver chopsticks with dangling red rubies and small red flowers in the middle of the bun. She also wore a silver swirling circlet with a ruby in the middle. The only makeup she wore was her cherry chap stick and didn't need any perfume after bathing in a lavender oil filled tube.

"Oh my! Don't you look gorgeous dear!" Inukimi said with a smile.

"Should her ladyship also have make up?" asked a servant.

"No I'm fine, but thank you though," Juliet said hurriedly. She didn't want one of these girls making her look like some kind of whore. She was wearing enough red light up a room during even on Christmas day for god's sake.

"Yes anything more would not suit such a vision," Inukimi agreed as she took her hand. "You will enter the ball room last after myself and the pups. As you will be the light of the room. You will have the biggest entrance of them all."

"Why?" Juliet asked curiously.

"Well child it is where you will be announce as Sesshoumaru's alpha female and Kage will be announced as prince and heir to Western Lands. Though all the gentlemen and ladies will love to met the woman that caught my son's attention." She informed her and Juliet gulped suddenly very nervous.

What is she planning?! I really don't like that mischievous look in her eyes, Juliet thought in slight panicking... okay maybe a lot of panicking. What am I doing here? I'm not a royal! I don't deserve to be on Sesshoumaru arm tonight as his DATE! It should be some beautiful pure blood Inu woman not some love sick child like me! What have I done to deserve any of this?! I'm just some filthy human girl that was rejected by her own family! I'm not worthy of any of this!

"Juliet calm yourself. You'll do great. Just breath. You have to have your guard up for Kage as well tonight. Many will try to snack him away and have him promised to one of there ugly daughters." Inukimi warned.

That knocked her out of her thoughts for sure, "WHAT?!" Juliet growled angrily. "They better not or I'll kill them myself!"

"There you go. Now you need to calm yourself and focus now. You must be mysterious to all the lords and ladies you see. This is in many way a duel of wit. They will try to pry secrets out of you. Keep your emotions hidden unless you are alone with those you trust, but there will likely be a moment were you must spill blood to prove a point that you are not to be messed with. I'm sure my son is giving this same lesson to Kage as we speak. It's only a mask. It will not change who you are." Inukimi instructed softly.

"So my pup is going to have a cold mask on tonight?" Juliet asked suddenly her voice suddenly strangely calm and her features very passive.

"Ah, you got it and yes it is likely." She told him.

"I will not have it," she said, "Bring him to me please."

"But Sesshoumaru would approve of that!" Inukimi urged.

"Who said he would be wearing a 'mask'?" Juliet questioned. "It will be just not the one Sesshoumaru wants."

"Oh," Inukimi said and grinned understanding instantly. Juliet was always smarter than one anticipated. Of course she was. She wouldn't of caught Sesshoumaru's interest if she wasn't. Sesshoumaru didn't like stupid people... it was probably part of the reason he disliked Inuyasha.

Those boy might never come to an understanding or so Inukimi thought as those two where so stubborn... just like their father. That was her thoughts as she knocked on Kage's door. "What is it mother?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Juliet wants to see Kage in her room," Inukimi said as she opened the sliding door, "and don't the two of you look handsome."

"Why does she need to see him? Is something wrong?" Sesshoumaru asked curiously.

"No dear nothing is wrong. You have discussed the way these other nobles are to Kage? Yes?" she asked.

"I was about to," he informed her his form as passive as ever. Even alone with family.

Hopefully Juliet can fix that. He has such a handsome face and I wish he'd smile more often, Inukimi thought to herself. "I'll cover it with him then. Now come along, pup. Your mother would like to see you." She told the boy.

"Yes grandma, see you in a little bit... dad." Kage said awkwardly. Yes this was very awkward for him to suddenly have a father. He had time to adjust to Juliet and quickly felt she was like a mother to him soon after. He still wasn't use to Sesshoumaru, but he could tell his father cared and all of this was still awkward for him as well.

Sesshoumaru's eyes widen a bit in shock but quickly nodded. It was the first time the boy had called him that. It was weird to hear but it also made him happy to hear though he didn't show it. He just hoped his pup knew he did care about him too and his feels where not one sided.

Sesshoumaru felt as if he was dreading the Ball to come tonight. The guest were already arriving by the dozen. He could hear them enjoy the refreshments that his servants had laid out and he could hear some gossip over him and some seem to think he was finally taking a mate. He wanted a mate now for he found someone he believed would actually care in that same way as him, but there was one thing standing in his way and that was whoever was the male that Juliet was in love with. The 'Inu in her heart' and that man was his enemy and he wanted to met him to challenge him for the right to mate Juliet.

She never really spoke of the man, but the way she spoke of him... you could hear the love in her voice and he would have to do his best to sway her in this Sesshoumaru direction rather than whoever had her heart. Kami... if he only knew who possessed her her heart!

^.^

"Kage you look so handsome!" Juliet said as she picked up the pup and kissed his head affectionately.

"You've very pretty too, momma!" Kage giggled as she spinned around before taking a seat.

"Sesshoumaru didn't explain about the nobles," Inukimi said with a warm smile at the two.

"Oh? That's alright. I think I can explain it well enough." Juliet said as she straighten out his hair a bit.

"Explain what?" Kage asked.

"Well today is to be fun, but also we must be cautious. You have to hid your true emotion at all times tonight even there scent. There are many mask you can wear. One of false smiles like I use to or a cold mask like Sesshoumaru uses. It is very important that you do so for tonight. These nobles like to gossip over every little thing. There will be so that will try to push there daughters onto you and try to convince you to agree, but you are to say no graciously. Don't give them an inch and if they bully you come to me or your father, but do so calmly. We'll take care of it and make sure to stay in our sight the whole time." She told him gently, but her voice was rather serious.

"I get it," Kage said with a smile, "and you can count on me, momma!"

-.^

Sesshoumaru sat upon his throne his eyes on all. The room was brightly light with a chandeliers his father had bought during his time in England when Sesshoumaru was just a boy before the panther attacks. The floor was marble and again like the portrait in the dojo it depicted two Inuyoukais in the mist of fighting to the death. It was a part of the old story that shaped the Western Lands it's self. The two where brothers and they fought over a very powerful female. The female was in love with the younger white male and that was Sesshoumaru's ancient ancestor. The black was the more powerful older brother and nearly killed the white one, but the female interfered to save her love only to end her own life along with the black's. Leaving the white to rule alone without his love at his side. Well that was the short version of the story. The long one however was told to him by his grandfather on his father's side before he left to the mountains in search of something he couldn't quite remember what that was. He was very young after all.

There where three other lords besides himself. Their was the Dragon Lord of the North Ryukyu and his brother prince Kuroryu. Then there was the Wolf Lord of the East Rasen and his some prince Kouga. The last was the Southern Lord Tsuneo, Sesshoumaru's uncle, who was once intend to mate Midoriko the maker of the Shikon Jewel herself until she was slain in battle... and sadly so.

"My lords, My Ladies. Today is a glorious day," Said an announcer. "I'd like to present the heir to Western Lands, son of our Great Lord Sesshoumaru, Prince Kage escorted by the Lord's Lady mother Inukimi and miss Rin, Lord Sesshoumaru's ward."

Inukimi and the children entered the room and in seconds there was murmurs and gasps as Kage held a cold smirk on his face just like his father would do if he was about to do something... cruel. His White and red Kimono was just like his father's in every way even the blue and gold belt. Kage gave a bow of his head along with his grandmother and Rin before Inukimi lead them both to the smaller throne like chairs next to him on his right leaving the equal in size throne on his left that was meant for his mate or Alpha female.

"Now I present the prince's mother. Alpha Female of Lord Sesshoumaru's pack. The Lady Juliet Akane!" The doors slowly opened to reveal what Sesshoumaru was waiting for. Juliet elegantly entered her eyes narrowed with a sly look as he face held a small knowing smile. Kami he didn't think she could get many more radiate, but he was just proven wrong. Red worked well on her pale skin. She smelled of Lavender like usual and she hadn't bothered with make up like the other ladies at the ball. She was stunning and our shined them all in his eyes.

Kami! I'm so nervous! Juliet thought as she gave an also small bow of her head. She could feel that everyone's eyes were on her. She could she the disgust in some of the females eyes and jealousy of others. The males smelled of disgusting arousal and she spot one female smacking her mate on the back of the head for it. Ugh! I want to hurl right now. More importantly I hope I don't trip and embarrass Sesshoumaru! She thought keeping all her emotions as hidden as she could. She focused her eyes on Sesshoumaru and her smile widen slightly. It was so hard not to smile widely at him right now. Just seeing his face now a days made her happy. She wondered know if she had fell in love with him even more that she already had when she was in her own world. Juliet was unsure on that.

Juliet never really felt like she belonged anywhere. She was an outcast to her own family even though she tried damnedest for their approval, but then she was suddenly in the world she fell in love with as a child and somehow she ended up with Sesshoumaru's pup at her side and then just ran into the very youkai she was head over heels for. It must have been fate or Kami had finally heard her prayers for a place she could call home. Yes that's where she was... home. Sesshoumaru, Rin, and her darling son Kage was her home and Juliet had never felt more complete in her life nor more loved.

He was dressed like Kage, but the silk was of high quality than his travel Kimono and instead of red on his kimono it was blue. She never seen his hair up in any way before, but today some of his silver locks where pulled back with a gold Chinese/Japanese crown hair pin that was pinned into the braid, but the rest was left alone and was let free. The hair pin bore a sapphire gem in it center and it was beautiful. Gold ear cuff fit snugly on along his ears shaping them with with a gold chain a the ends with a tear shape like sapphire handing from them.

(www . China-cart bookpic/ 20128/2012826185152 . jpg [remove spaces to get a clue what the crown piece looks like])

He was breath taking as she made her way toward him as graceful as her legs would carry her so she may take her place at his side. Once she was seated Sesshoumaru spoke in a commanding voice, "Let the ball commence!"

It wasn't even five minutes into the ball when some lack jaw walled over to them looking at Juliet heatedly. She wanted to empty her stomach. Juliet was just disgusted and could guess just what he wanted to do to her innocent body. Stop fucking staring at me pervert before I smack those eyes out you head or rip those eye balls right out your head!

"My, my," he began, "Lord Sesshoumaru what a fine catch you've caught, mind if I dance with her?"

"She can answer for herself she is not the normal woman," Sesshoumaru said coldly as he gave the man a death glare. She was his. Not this snake youkai's.

"Oh I see. What do you say lassie? Care to dance?" he asked as he extended his hand toward her.

I'll kiss the hairy ass of a troll first! "No," she said bluntly in a scary calm voice as she looked up at him with a look that said 'if you don't get the away from me right now I will kill you'.

The male gulped in fear, but he didn't want to be seem like he was out done by some lowly female. "Is it that you can't dance, my lady? I could give you lessons in the art." He said suggestively with a so called charming smile.

"I believe I have already given my answer quite clearly or are you deaf, sir? Shall I have a servant fetch you a physician to look you over?" She asked a dark smirk across her face as the nobles around them to laughed. "If not I'm afraid your such an arrogant tub of guts who doesn't understand the meaning of the word 'no'."

"How dare you, bitch?! Do you know who I am?!" He yelled at her.

"Filth about to have his bits over this nice marble floor if you dare raise your voice at me again or disrespect me in anyway." She said her claws extending an action that mad the man take a step back. "You are a waist of my time go away while I'm still being kind."

"She has quite the fire in her," prince Kuroryu whispered amusement in his purple slitted eyes to his elder brother, who bore red eyes. The two looked rather alike with tan skin and tall in height but there hair was quite different. Kuroryu had black slick hair the was in a high ponytail in long soft curls reached his hips while he wore a black silk kimono with a purple under layer. His brother however had red short hair that was spiked up that was both stylish and a mess with a green kimono. They were both single and very attractive gentleman that caught eyes of many ladies. However the elder was one to play around with girls before throwing them away like a hunk of junk. The younger was one liked the quiet reading, teaching, finding the beauty in world, and like Juliet he never been in any sort of relationship before nor had he had any interest until he spotted the girl before him in red.

"Agreed, she would be a fine catch if one could convey her attention. A female like her would not falter for anything less than the best and even then there must be affection." Lord Ryukyu said thoughtfully as he eyed the small creature up and down.

"I wonder where she has come from. She doesn't look like she's from around her. He clothing looks like one of those worn by England royalty, but they don't have dog demons there." Kuroryu said looking at the girl who bore a cold expression as the snake stomped off like a five year old who had his favorite to stolen. To bad for him... damn snake.

"She is so small and innocent I want to break her," His elder brother suddenly said with a sadistic grin.

I know he's a sadistic bastard that loves filling his bed with virgin girls, but why does he want to hurt her of all people? She looks like a child, but smells like a fully grown woman. Why am I sudden worried for her well being? Kuroryu asked himself as her eyes met his. He spotted something in her eyes that he had not seen in many other demoness he had met. There was an honest warmth and intelligence in her eyes. Then there was something that told him that she was a kind woman though her actions just now said otherwise. He was so curious of her, but there had to be a way to find out more about her.

"Momma, can me and Rin go dance?" Kage asked.

"Rin and I." She gently before nodding. "Go ahead sweethearts."

She found herself looking it to crowd of people as the children danced to the song. There she spotted Kouga and a man who looked a lot like him with even longer hair. She wanted to roll her eyes at him, but she also remembered he could be quite sweet at times at least to Kagome and a few others, but he was still an... ASSHOLE FOR HAVING RIN KILLED THAT BASTARD! Then she spotted Inuyasha talking with Inukimi and Kagome. He looked good in baby blue and not all red like usual, but he looked rather uncomfortable in such expensive clothes. Inuyasha seemed... slightly happier to be honest. It was good to see.

She let her eyes wonder else where next feeling so many eyes on her at once made her very nervous and she had to force her face not to blush from embarrassment. Juliet had never been the center of attention before unless it involved Kendo classes where she was teaching the younger students of her school and later she started actually teaching the class after the coach and several others asked her to work for them. She was in the middle of collage break when she was dragging into her TV screen into this world. Before all of this Juliet wanted to be a teacher in the art of combat and own her own studio. She took business classes in school to try and learn how to manage her own business in the future. Juliet wanted the simple things before she came here; live far away from her family, run a small business, get married, have kids, die the end. You know a simple normal life, but now she wanted the life she had with her new family and new home things had change a lot in the past four or so weeks she had been in this world. Juliet she was finally happy and she wouldn't change it for the world.

Suddenly her eyes landed on a man. His black hair was to his hips in curls and a high ponytail. He didn't look at her like most males did which was a nice change to the norm of their stares. He looked curious of her, but he also seemed... worried for her like something bad was going to happen to her. Not to mention he was nice to look at. He remind her of one of those traditional Japanese princes that were always calm and polite, but liked the quiet and reading. However she wasn't into those kinds of guys. She preferred a more dominant forceful sort of guy, that would push her against the wall, pin her wrist above head as he showered her in hot wet kisses, and making her feel like a woman also that she actually mattered. The only man she saw doing that to her was Sesshoumaru.

Juliet looked away to look at Sesshoumaru. Yes, he deserved all her attention and gave him a small soft smile as he eyed her and smirked. "Seeing anyone of interest?" he whispered his voice teasing.

"Just some wolf I want to kill and a certain Inuyoukai trying to tease me," she replied with a smile.

He lifted a brow at her, "Old love affair or something?" he asked.

"I've never been in that sort of relationship, Sesshoumaru." she corrected without thinking. Dammit now he knows I'm utterly inexperienced with love... mostly at least.

His eyes widen in surprise, "What of that Inu you admire so much?"

She found herself smirking at least she could tell him she loved him in one way at least, "I never confess any affections for him even if they were there. He was may childhood hero. Telling him something like that would be very embarrassing. He was the one who shaped my life in many ways and after all what is a first love for anyway?"

Was Sesshoumaru jealous of that? Damn straight he was like hell! Who was this male she loved so much it shaped her to who she was today? Luckily she never confessed so he didn't know of her affections for him. That just left him to swaying her into loving him. It was what she wanted right? To love and have that love in return. It was such a simple request on her part. She didn't want power, title, or to be a ruler. Juliet wanted love and he was sure she wanted a family that would never turn their backs on her. Sesshoumaru vowed to never do that to her. He didn't want her to feel abandon like she felt with her own family. Sesshoumaru himself felt as if his own family had done the same to him. He would not do the same to anyone under his care.

"Dance with me," he said as he stood and offered her his hand.

She smiled at him, "I'd love to," she told him as she took his hand making sure to do so gracefully. Why do these creeps just keep starring at us? It's annoying and it's creeping the HELL out!

Abruptly his Mokomoko wrapped around her waist pulling her really close. She looked up at him as he said straight into her eyes saying, "Don't look at them. Only look at me," he ordered her. Juliet could no longer hold back from blushing anymore. Her entire face just turned red and she suddenly just felt very hot.

He moved like water. It seemed like everything was so easy for him to do. She felt like a fish out of water compared to him. At least she could keep it together enough to follow his lead in the dance, but she enjoyed it. Anything with him made her happy even just being near him. Through the think and thin she wanted to stay by his side even if it killed her on the inside or the out.

Then there was a crash... and things were about to get interesting...

Yep... I ended it in a cliffhanger! *Laughs evilly* Sorry but I wanted to separate the chapters and save the BEST for last! :D