My apologies loves. I should have had this out sooner… but things have come up. Forgive me. And forgive me for how short this is. Enjoy. Also, excuse my pervertedness in this chapter with a certain sentence Sango says. I don't know what the hell was going on but it kinda slipped and I ran with it.

Stronger

Chapter Twenty – The Ball

"Fucking shit, Kirara," Sango shouted as Kirara pulled at her hair once more, "That hurt like hell!"

"Sorry," Kirara said smiling sheepishly as she pulled the comb through the rest of Sango's hair, "There was a huge tangle in the middle of your head and I had to get it out or it would have created a lump in the hairstyle. I didn't mean to hurt you though."

"It's okay," Sango said rubbing a hand against the tender spot to sooth her aching scalp. "That just hurt like hell for a few seconds. I wasn't expecting for you to yank. Maybe give me a heads up next time, yeah?"

"Sure," she said going back to combing through her hair before she began to style it.

"Now you guys see how I feel every time I get my hair done," I said as I sat with my eyes closed; soothed by the feel of Ayame and Kagome's hands in my hair. "Kirara tries to kill everyone when she gets a hold of your head. That's why I told her she doesn't need her own boutique." I opened my eyes and turned to look at the pregnant youkai, a small smile on my face, "Her customers would try to kill her; and get killed in the process."

"Hey, forgive me for wanting to make you look perfect," she said turning to gaze at me, "I won't yank and pull so much next time you need your hair done for a big occasion as in Prom."

"We're nowhere near it," I pointed out.

"It's three months away," she said staring at me blankly. "You guys have to start thinking about these things ahead of time like what colour your dresses are going to be, how you're doing your hair, what you're going to do for a ride, everything."

Okay she has a point, "We can worry about that when it's two and a half months away."

"I say the sooner the better," Ayame piped from behind me as she finished working my hair into the style, "There you are Rin. Your hair is all done; now get into your dress. We have forty-five minutes to get your make-up and nails done so you can make a killer impression on the council tonight."

"Technically," I said as I stood and wrapped my robe tighter around my body, "I already made a killer impression on them the first time we met due to me fainting before I even made it three steps into the council room."

"Point taken," Ayame said as I walked over to where my dress was laid out.

I picked up the dress, unzipping the side before I shed my robe; my back to the girls. I checked to make sure the suction cup bra thingies I bought were still in place before I stepped into the dress, pulling it up all the way. I zipped the side up, adjusting the bodice so that it was just right then the skirt before I turned to look at the girls, "What do you guys think?"

"Sesshomaru is going to tear that dress off of you the first chance he gets," Sango said glancing up at me from where she sat getting her hair done.

I bullshit you not, I felt my entire face heat up. I might be as red as a tomato right now, "Sango you've been around Miroku way too long."

"Don't make the poor girl all flustered before she even makes it to her meeting," Kirara said finishing off her hair. She wiped her hands on her jeans before she walked over to me. "Now let's get you all made up. This shouldn't take me too long."

"But what about you," I asked. "You're not even dressed."

"But my hair and make-up are done," Kirara countered as she began applying make-up to my face. "And I'm a youkai, if I want to, I can move up to sixty miles an hour and be done getting dressed in literally two seconds."

Okay, she wins, "Point taken."

…

I sat there quietly as she applied my make-up, wincing every now and again while she was plucking my eyebrows until she finally backed away and turned me so that I was facing the mirror, "What do you think?"

I looked, touching my face lightly as I stared at myself, "Wow Kir, you did an amazing job as always. I hardly recognize myself."

"That's the point," she said walking over to the closet where her dress hung. She picked it up, unzipping the protective bag before pulling it out, "Now if you ladies will excuse me, I'm going to get dressed then touch up my hair. Rin add the jewelry I gave you last night. Now."

"Yes ma'am," I said standing up from my seat with a mock salute and walking over to the desk where I had placed the jewelry.

I picked up the necklace, placing it around my neck before I clasped it and added the earrings. I touched the necklace; it was cold against my skin before picking up the other rings and putting them on.

"You're going to wear that ring," Kagome asked as she looked at my hand, pointing at the engagement ring.

"Yeah, it's my engagement ring, remember?" I said slipping on the bracelets that sat there as well.

"Oh yeah, I forgot," she said putting on her own jewelry.

I shook my head. That's so like Kagome to forget something like that.

Finished putting on my jewelry, I walked over to where my shoes sat and picked them up before taking a seat again. I pulled on the shoes, strapping them around my ankle before standing again, smoothing out the skirt of my dress.

I glanced at the clock that sat on the dresser of the room we were in, noting that I had to make my entrance in ten minutes so I would have to meet up with Sesshomaru in five, "I'm going to go find Sesshomaru. You guys know your way to the ball room, right?"

"Don't let him tear you out of your dress too soon," Sango called as she applied her make-up and I waved her off.

"Yeah, I remember," Ayame spoke, looking up from putting on her shoes. "I'll make sure they all get there in time for your entrance."

"Thanks Ayame," I said making my way out of the room.

I walked down the corridor towards my own room where Sesshomaru was supposed to be getting ready. When I got to the door, I saw that it was closed. I grabbed the door handle, twisting the knob before pushing it opened and peeking inside, "Sesshomaru?"

"Rin," he called looking back from the mirror where he stood adjusting his suit.

Boy does he look good right now. Ummm, maybe coming to our bedroom wasn't such a bright idea. We might end up not leaving and completely miss the ball in honour of my birthday and my meeting with the council.

"You look stunning," he said turning before he made his way towards me. "The dress suits you, and you wore red this time. A fine choice for the occasion."

"Well, I wore white, purple, and blue to the balls already, so I figured, why not red?" I said as he took my hand in his. I smiled, leaning upward to kiss the underside of his jaw.

He groaned, squeezing my hand slightly, "If we start now, we'll miss the ball. Father and Izayoi would be very disappointed; as well as the council."

I pouted, pulling back a bit.

"But we have all the time in the world to play afterward," he said; a smirk playing on his lips.

I like the sound of that so I nodded, "I'll hold you to that, Sesshomaru Takahashi."

"Then I won't disappoint," he countered before leaning down and capturing my lips. "Now, let's get you to the ball room. We have exactly seven minutes before you have to be inside."

I nodded, slipping my arm in his before we began making our way towards the ball room. I could feel my stomach doing flip flops and let me tell you, it's not the most comfortable feeling in the world. I really just want to run away from all of it.

"Relax," Sesshomaru whispered in my ear as we neared the doors of the ball room, "Everything will be fine. Stick by my side and I'll help you through this."

I nodded, looking at him briefly before turning back to the doors as they began to creek opened. The lighting from the room streamed out into the hall making me shield my face for a moment because of how bright it was before I felt Sesshomaru gently pulling me forward. My feet began to move and I walked inside with him, putting on my best smile as we came into view of all those who stood in the room.

My stomach exploded with butterflies, my hands becoming cold and clammy until I felt Sesshomaru gently squeeze my arm, reminding me to stay as calm as possible.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I heard the announcer boom from behind us, "May I present to you Master Sesshomaru Takahashi and his beautiful mate-to-be Ms. Rin Noto whom this ball is held in honour of."

I sucked in a breath, waiting for everyone's reaction before the room exploded with applause. I blew my breath out before Sesshomaru and I walked further into the room as people began to crowd around to get a better look at me. If this isn't embarrassing, I don't know what the hell is.

"Oh Sesshomaru she is beautiful," I heard one woman say, "Congratulations my dear. When can we expect the mating ceremony? And will there be a wedding afterward?"

"July seventh will be the mating ceremony and depending on how she reacts to that, the wedding will be held on the tenth."

"I look forward to it then," the woman said giving me a soft smile. "I will see the both of you then. Have fun tonight, and good luck with meeting the council. May they bless your upcoming joining."

Everyone knows about that? "Thank you." Her smile increased before she turned and walked away. I glanced up at Sesshomaru and shivered, "That woman scared me."

He chuckled, placing a hand on the small of my back as he pushed me forward, "That was Asa, she's quite the chatter box but she means no harm."

"Yeah well, if one more youkai smiles at me like they want to have me for dinner, I think we might have a problem," I said nodding to someone as we passed by. "I'll run right out of this room and lock myself somewhere they can't get into."

He chuckled again, "I assure you, that won't happen."

"Good," I commented as we came to another group of people.

Great, more youkai! Can we have a few ningens in here every now and again?

"Everyone, this is Rin," Sesshomaru announced. "Rin, these are my cousins…"

I tuned him out, blinking rapidly at the group that stood before us. Oh. Shit. Someone please come save me. They all look ready to pounce.

"Well Sesshomaru, I never thought that you would be the one to settle for a ningen woman," one of the silver haired males sneered as he looked down at me. "But she's pretty… enough I guess."

I snapped back to reality, my lips curving into a frown, "Excuse me?"

"Oh shit," Sesshomaru mumbled, pulling on my arm. I yanked back, breaking his grasp around me.

"Is there a problem with me being a ningen? Because the last time I checked, it was Sesshomaru's choice to be with me, not yours." I continued staring the youkai dead square in the eye.

"She has quite the mouth on her," he said sparing me a glance before looking over at Sesshomaru. "You would be wise to teach your bitch to watch who she speaks to in such a tone."

And then I did it. I slapped him, square in his face. Retracting my hand, I could see the red bruise that was beginning to form where my hand had it and he looked at me, startled.

"You just hit me," he whispered in astonishment. "No one has ever put their hands on me before. Not even a youkai."

"Yeah well, you said the right thing to piss me off," I said folding my arms over my chest; trying my best to keep the fear out of my voice.

"Well, I guess I was wrong about this one," he said with a small smile. "She's got more heart than most youkai that I know. You're alright with me. Just don't ever put your hands on me like that again."

I laughed a bit, letting my arms rest by my side, "You got it."

He held his hand out to me and I took it, shaking firmly.

"Welcome to the family," he spoke before releasing me and walking away.

"That was a first," Sesshomaru said taking my hand in his again.

"What do you mean?" I asked as we made our way through the room again, acknowledging everyone who said hello.

"I mean that no one has ever dared slap Kenji and lived to tell about it; or earned his respect for that matter," Sesshomaru explained. "You are indeed special. His opinion of you matters a lot in the council's decision."

I stopped, pulling him back, "He's a part of the council?"

He nodded.

"Oh fuck."

"Don't worry, you're fine," Sesshomaru said patting my hand. "You've earned his respect, remember?"

Oh yeah, "You're sure?"

"Positive."

"Okay."

"Now get ready," he commented.

"…for what?"

"You have to go to the middle of the room now, to be presented in front of everyone." He said softly as he led me towards the middle where there was a stage stationed that I failed to notice when we first walked in.

"Are you kidding," I asked looking up at him.

"No," he said as we stood at the steps.

"Friends," Touga – who was standing at the podium on the stage – started sending a brief glance to us, "Let me introduce the persons this ball was thrown to honour, my son Sesshomaru and his mate-to-be Ms. Rin Noto."

"That's our cue," he whispered as we began to make our way up the stairs.

I gulped, walking up with him then to the middle of it. I stood there, looking out at all the faces that littered the room, noting ones that I recognized before I heard footsteps again. Soon, five different people stood in front of us, and I recognized each and every one of them. Here goes. The moment I've been waiting for.

The judgment.

Everyone enjoy? Hopefully so. Part two will come soon.