Welcome back, faithful readers! I hope the time-jump between Chapters 23 and 24 didn't throw you for too much of a loop. This chapter is basically the turning point in the story, so please keep reading! So please, enjoy Chapter 25!

~Snowy

Additional Disclaimer: I do not own the lyrics to "I Don't Dance". All rights to the song belong to Lee Brice.

Chapter 25: The Winter Ball

Kira woke bright and early Sunday morning, before the guards even came to wake her up. They led her out to the training field where Kurama was waiting in a short-sleeved training outfit, twirling a wooden staff absentmindedly. Behind him, Yomi and Youda were waiting at the edge of the field, watching as the guards brought Kira to the field. Yomi called Kurama over and came toward the small group, meeting them by the weapons rack.

"Kurama tells me that you both will have to make preparations for your dance," Yomi said casually. "Therefore, I am cutting combat training short today and letting you go home early."

"That's right," Kurama said, suppressing a smile, "so let's get started."

Kurama tossed her the staff he was holding and grabbed another from the rack. For the next couple hours, they alternated between sparring and going through movements, and before long, it was time to go. It took every ounce of Kira's self control to not skip to the portal or bounce on her heels as they waited for it to open. The moment they were through the portal, Kira bolted back to Kurama's house and to her room where her phone was waiting.

"Mimi!" Kira squealed into the phone before Mimi could even say hello. "He asked me to the dance!"

"Who?" Mimi asked on the other end, sounding both confused and surprised.

"Shuichi! He asked me to the dance!"

"What? For real?!"

They laughed and giggled for hours over the phone, until Kurama came to the door. He tapped it lightly before entering, wearing a small smile. It took Kira a minute before she realized he was carrying something that appeared to be a small compact mirror.

"Here," Kurama said with the smile Kira had come to love. "This is from Koenma. It's a communication mirror; keep it safe and hidden."

Kira took the mirror and popped it open...and nearly screamed. One screen was Botan; something she wasn't expecting, especially since it hadn't rang. Kurama stifled a laugh, and Kira swatted at him with her pillow.

"Hello!" said Botan cheerily. "Kurama told me he asked you to the dance!"

"Call me Shuichi, please," Kurama chimed in. "At least when you speak of me here."

"Sorry!" Botan said with a laugh. "I'll be careful, promise! So, I hear you have a Ball to attend."

"That's right," Kira said with a shy smile.

"You'd think you'd sound more excited!" Botan said, looking a bit put out.

"I-I am, it's just..." Kira hesitated, glancing sideways at Kurama before looking back at the mirror. "I don't have anything to wear. And it's not like I have time for a job..."

"I've got you covered!" Botan chimed, looking cheerful again. "I'll pick you up after school on Friday and take you to Koenma's castle."

"Don't worry," Kurama said, answering Kira's uncertain look. "I'll let Yomi know."

The week flew by like a fast train, and with no classes because of the Festival, it seemed to pass even faster. That Friday, Kira was in the school kitchen with Mimi, mixing the pastry dough for the Spanakopita. They chatted excitedly about the dance and who they thought would win this year's prize. Last year, the winning class got to go to the beach for a weekend. This year, the winning class was going to the hot springs, something the girls were extremely excited about.

"Are you still coming over tonight to try on dresses?" Mimi asked as she pulled a pan out of the oven.

"Yeah," Kira replied, handing Mimi another pan of unbaked spanakopita. "I'll be a little late, though. I have an errand to run and then I'll be over."

"Hey, pick up the pace," said Asuka as she came in, wearing a Greek empress costume. "We're running low on the spanakopita. It's selling quickly."

"I can't make them bake faster, your highness," Mimi said irritably. "Maybe if we had help, we wouldn't be running out."

Asuka huffed and turned on her heel, stomping out of the kitchen, pausing only to stare at Kurama who had come in as she was leaving. Kira and Mimi had to turn away to hide laugh at what they saw. There he stood wearing a toga, his red hair pulled back and crowned with a golden laurel. Asuka flushed, and quickly left, clearly upset for having been rejected by him.

"Nice costume, Shuichi," Mimi snickered, not even trying to hide her amusement.

"Thank you, Mimi," he said, hiding his exasperation. "At least the two of you aren't oogling at me. This is humiliating..."

Kira bit her lip to hide a grin; it was rare to see Kurama look so...vulnerable. She finished stacking the spanakopita on a platter before handing it to Kurama with a smirk.

"You think this is funny, don't you?" he asked, looking something between irritated and embarrassed.

"Maybe a little," Kira admitted, placing the platter in his hands. "I'm sure the stall is waiting for you and these pies. Asukia came in looking for these, too."

Kurama nodded and flashed a smile, making the other girls in the room giggle. Kira had to resist the urge to giggle herself; nobody knew she was Kurama's date, yet. If anyone found out now, all hell would break loose, and that was something she didn't need. Certainly, hell was going to break loose after the dance, but for once, she just wanted to enjoy the fact that she was going to the dance with him. With a smile, Kira and Mimi got back to finishing the last of the spanakopita.

A few hours later, school was out and Kira's communication mirror buzzed in her pocket. She opened it and Botan told her to meet her in the alley behind the park. It took her a few minutes to find the alley, but Botan didn't mind. She produced her oar and climbed on before Botan took off to the Spirit World. After a few moments of flying, the duo arrived at Koenma's Castle. Ogre's were bustling around as usual; Koenma's door was slightly ajar, and they entered quietly.

"We're here, Koenma, sir," Botan said, poking her head in.

"Excellent!" Koenma said, hopping down from his chair. "This way!"

"So...why am I here exactly?" Kira asked as she followed Koenma and Botan to the top floor of the castle.

"This," Koenma said, throwing open a set of large mahogany double doors, "is why you're here. This is where you're parents stayed on official business. Botan, if you would."

"Yes, sir!" Botan responded cheerily, going over to one of two massive closets and pulling open the doors.

Inside the closet was an enormous array of dresses and gowns, coming in all styles and colors. Kira stood in awe at the sheer volume of clothes; the only other place she had seen even half this many clothes was at Mimi's place. Carefully, she ran her hand along the fine gowns, looking back at Koenma and Botan questioningly.

"These were your mother's," Koenma said, looking both happy and sad. "Now they are yours."

"Why don't we start trying on gowns!" Botan asked cheerfully.

"Actually, I made a promise with my best friend, Mimi, to try on dresses at her house," Kira replied, quickly back tracking at Botan's deflated expression. "But why don't you help me pick some out to take over?"

Botan nodded and got to work sorting through the dresses and gowns, carefully pulling each one out. She held them up to Kira one by one, shaking her head at ones that didn't look good and set the ones that did aside. Once they had gone through all the gowns, Kira looked through the pile of ones Botan thought would look good and chose several that she liked. Botan helped Kira pack them in a traveling case before taking her back to the Living World. Before she left, she told Kira that she had given Kurama an extra communication mirror as well and reminded her to let him know she had returned.

"I'm at the dorm," Kira said, looking into the mirror with a smile at Kurama. "I'm just waiting on Mimi."

"I hope Botan wasn't too disappointed," Kurama said. "Mother says she wants to help you get ready tomorrow. I'm sure she'd love to have Mimi over as well."

"I'll definitely ask her," she said, smiling at the thought. She looked up as Mimi came out of the dorm. "I have to go. I'll be home in a few hours."

"I'm glad you could make it!" Mimi giggled. "The car will be here any moment."

Sure enough, a sleek black car pulled up to the curb and a tall chauffeur stepped out to open their door. He took both Kira's and Mimi's belongings and put them in the trunk as they climbed into the back. The buckled in and were on the move in a matter of minutes. During the two hour drive to Mimi's estate, Mimi and Kira chatted about school and the dance while looking through fashion magazines. It wasn't really Kira's thing, but it made Mimi happy. Besides, it was fun to see some of the ridiculous clothes designers called fashion.

When they finally arrived at Mimi's house, a butler helped take up their cases to Mimi's room. The walls were papered in a pale purple wallpaper on which several boy band posters hung. Next to a large window that opened up to a balcony was a large four-poster bed covered in a deep purple comforter and matching pillows. Magazines were scattered on the nightstand next to an easel holding a sketch pad that was open to the beginnings of a drawing of a beach scene. On a nearby dresser, a maid had laid out an array of jewelry, some of which Kira suspected was worth more than the price of tuition.

"Hey, let's try dresses on!" Mimi said, bringing Kira back to reality as she threw open her closet.

"Okay, okay," Kira laughed, going to open her case. When she did, Mimi gasped.

"Where did you get these?" she asked, picking up an emerald green velvet gown, with sleeves studded in small gems that glimmered like stars.

"They were my Mother's," Kira said simply, trying on a yellow sleeveless gown adorned with small white flowers.

"I think that's the first time you've mentioned your family," Mimi noted, before scrunching her face. "That dress makes you look like a cross between Belle and Snow White."

"I don't like it either," Kira laughed. "I like that grey one on you, but it feel a bit..."

"Plain," Mimi finished her sentence, looking at herself in the mirror. "Too plain. Akito likes green..."

"Oh, so Akito asked you, did he?" Kira giggled, trying on another dress. "This dress is not going to cut it. I can't even move my legs."

"Yes, he did! I can't tell you how excited I was!" Mimi gushed, pulling on a pale seafoam colored dress, curtains of elegant chiffon swirling around her legs. "This is the one. This is the dress for sure!"

"You look like a beautiful siren, Mimi," Kira sighed happily before laughing. "Meanwhile, I look like Disco ball."

"Just a little bit," Mimi laughed, looking at the remaining dresses. She gasped and pulled out the bottom dress, pressing it into Kira's hands "This one, try this one on!"

Kira did as Mimi said, pulling on the dress with Mimi's help and smiled when she looked in the mirror. "It looks..."

"Wow," Mimi said, finishing Kira's thought. "Shuichi is going to love it!"

Kira smiled at her reflection. "This is the dress."

"Asuka is gonna be furious when she sees you in that dress and that Shuichi is your date."

After about an hour of helping Mimi choose shoes and insisting Kira borrow a pair of her shoes, Mimi and Kira were driven back to the Minamino residence. Kurama met them at the door and took Kira's case after inviting Mimi in. Kira and Mimi sat and talked with Shiori for a few minutes, during which time Mimi agreed to come over the following evening to get ready for the Ball. Kurama was going over to Kaito's place to get ready so the girls could have the house to themselves. After a while, it was time for Mimi to go, as it had gotten quite late, but before she left she gave a warning to Kira.

"You know Asuka can be quite nasty..." Mimi said with concern. "Be careful tomorrow."

"I will," Kira said just before the car drove away.

After a light dinner and a quick shower, Kira went up to her room and gazed at her dress that was now hanging on the top of her closet door. She crawled into bed, pondering what her mother must have looked like wearing that gown. Did she dance with her father, lost in the moment? Or perhaps she wore it the day she met her father. Kira closed her eyes slowly, drifting off into a peaceful sleep as she wondered what her parents must have been like.

The next day was a whirlwind of activity once Mimi arrived. Shiori got to work helping the two girls get ready for the Ball that evening, sitting Mimi in front of the vanity as she started on Mimi's hair, straightening out her fine auburn hair before braiding two strands of hair and pinning them together with a glittering hair piece. Next she had Kira sit at the vanity, running a brush through her chocolate locks. Working meticulously, Shiori molded delicate curls with a curling iron, carefully pulling a handful of them back and placing a snow-colored peony pin in them. Finally, she helped them into their gowns, smiling broadly at Kira.

"You look stunning," Shiori said, giving Kira a motherly smile. "But it's missing something..."

"It needs a necklace," Mimi said, looking at Kira.

"Hmm..." Shiori mused aloud. "I have just the thing. Wait here."

Shiori disappeared back into her room for a minutes, leaving the girls standing in Kira's room. She returned moments later with a velvet box, looking both happy and sad. When she opened the box, even Mimi gasped. Inside was a sapphire necklace so blue, it put the clear winter twilight to shame. Diamonds shimmered like stars on either side of the deep blue, teardrop-shaped gemstone. Gingerly, she lifted up the necklace and clasped it behind Kira's neck.

"Mrs. Minamino, I couldn't possibly borrow this," Kira said, awestruck as she gazed at the stone dangling at her throat.

"I insist," Shiori said, looking at her tenderly. "Shuichi's father gave that to me on our first anniversary. You wear it well."

Kira bowed her head, unable to find the words to even begin to thank her. "I promise to take care of it."

An hour later, Akito arrived in a limo. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, making his golden hazel eyes pop as he stepped out help Mimi into her side of the limo. She nudged him as Kira came out, bringing his attention to her friend as she stepped into view. He stopped and stared, before opening the other side of the limo for Kira to climb in. She murmured a shy thank you as she lifted the hem of her dress to climb in, settling across from Mimi. They chatted as the limo pulled away from the Minamino house.

"You look good, Kira," Akito said, smiling at her before grinning at Mimi. "Almost as good as my date."

"Akito, we both know Kira looks the best," she said, laughing as Kira blushed.

"Do you think Shuichi will like it?" Kira asked, playing with the hem of her dress.

"He's an idiot if he doesn't," Akito and Mimi said at the same time, the three of them laughing.

They arrived at the hotel where the ball was being held about a half hour later. The interior of the hotel was decorated for Christmas, holly reefs and garland lined the walls, magnificent Christmas trees stood tall in the corners with their glittering lights and beautiful glass ornaments. The ballroom was a completely different story. Delicate strands of crystalline snowflakes fell from the ceiling around a huge crystal chandelier, frosted pines lining the massive windows beside a table of decadent treats and drinks. The whole room looked like a winter wonderland. Music of all genres played from hidden speakers as couples danced and wandered about the room.

Kira stood just out of sight of the ballroom on the upper floor with Mimi and Akito. She was shaking and pale, looking down at everyone in the ballroom in their elegant gowns. Kurama stood by one of the tables, wearing a dark charcoal color suit and holding a glass of sparkling cider while Asuka attempted to flirt and get him to dance with her. Even from where she was, Kira could see that, while being polite, he wasn't interested.

"I can't do this," Kira said, starting to hyperventilate.

"Yes, you can," Mimi said, pushing Kira toward the stairs from behind.

Trying to dig her heels in, Kira stumbled forward into view of the ballroom. Everyone stopped and looked up at her, most with looks of awe, some with looks of envy. Her heart raced as she froze at the top of the stairs, watching as people stared at her in her gorgeous gown. Periwinkle lace covered the left side of the top of the gown over white silk that hugged Kira's waist as it fell to the floor. The left side of the hip split elegantly into a cascade of periwinkle ruffled layers of silk chiffon, the top of the slit decorated with a snowy peony and smaller, darker periwinkle flowers. On her heels were low-heeled, silken slippers, just barely visible as she made her way down the grand staircase trembling slightly. Looking up at her with awe, Kurama unhitched himself from the table and made his way to the bottom of the staircase as the other guests stared at her in wonder, leaving Asuka furious by the table.

"You look...incredible," Kurama said, lost for words as he offered her his hand.

"Thank you," Kira said, blushing deeply as she took his hand. She looked up at him shyly, gazing back into his emerald eyes as they trailed to her neck to the necklace at her throat. "Y-Your Mother asked me to wear it..."

"I know," Kurama said with a crooked smile before producing a deep blue rose and handing it to her. "I found a bush of these in the Spirit World once...I started growing them when I met you. They remind me of your eyes."

Kira's cheeks turned a brighter shade of red, smiling as she took the delicate rose. Its fragrant scent wafted through the air around them as a new song began to play. Kira turned her head as she heard the lyrics.

I'll never settle down
That's what I always thought
Yeah, I was that kind of man,
Just ask anyone...

"May I have this dance?" Kurama asked, bowing slightly and offering his hand again.

"Yes," Kira giggled shyly as she took his hand, allowing him to lead her onto the dance floor.

Kurama took Kira's hand in his, using the other to hold her waist and pull her close. She held her skirt in the hand Kurama held as she rested the other on his shoulder, looking up at him bashfully. He gazed back at her with a tenderness she hadn't yet seen before, making her blush even more.

I don't dance, but here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It ain't my style, but I don't care
I'd do anything with you anywhere...

Kurama held her close as he spun her around the dance floor gracefully, never taking his eyes off hers. Her gown swept gracefully across the floor, and the two of them were completely unaware that everyone else had stopped to watch the two of them dance. He spun her with a graceful twist of his arm, he dress flaring out beautifully before spinning back into his strong, yet gentle arms. Lost in their own little world, they danced as one as the song played. For a moment, all the world was right.

The room erupted in applause as the song ended, bringing the two of them back to reality. Kira turned the shade of a strawberry and was even surprised to see Kurama blushing as well. Mimi was in the corner with Akito, shouting with joy as the room clapped loudly. Only Asuka and her two cronies weren't applauding the two of them, turning and walking toward the buffet, seemingly to grab something to drink. As the two of them turned to go sit at a table, red sparking cider splashed across the front of Kira's gown, a hand knocking her blue rose from hers. A startled cry of surprise escaped Kira a split second before she realized what happend.

"Oh my goodness," Asuka sighed, her voice dripping with venom, "I am so sorry... You should really watch where you're going..."

Tears welled up in Kira's eyes as she looked down at her now ruined gown and her now broken rose on the floor, sapphire petals shifting lightly across the floor. She tore herself away from Kurama, holding up her gown as she dashed away, bursting through the doors leading outside. Mimi muttered something to Akito before following after her. Kurama knelt down to retrieve the blue rose before stalking past Asuka without even looking at her as her two cronies laughed quietly to themselves behind her. Kira was sobbing near a frozen pond in the courtyard of the hotel as Mimi tried to dab the red stain out of her dress.

"I can't believe she'd stoop to that level,"' Mimi said furiously, as she tried her best to diminish the stain. When Kurama approached, she stopped to hug Kira. "I'll give the two of you some time."

"Are you all right, Kira?" Kurama asked with concern as Mimi left, secretly watching from the door.

"Th-this was my Mother's gown," Kira choked out between sobs. "This stain will never come out..."

"We will find a way to fix the dress," Kurama said, coming closer. "Don't worry."

"No, it's silk! It's completely ruined..." Kira sobbed. "There's nothing-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Kurama pulled her in close and pressed his lips to hers in a firm, yet tender kiss, catching Kira off guard. Kira blinked in surprise as he pulled away from her. She stared at him briefly in surprise, before he leaned in again, cupping her cheek as he went in to kiss her again. This time Kira leaned slowly into him, kissing him back gently. As he pulled away from her slightly, he brushed away the tears from her eyes and smiled gently.

"I promise we'll find a way to reverse the damage," Kurama said with a smile before looking up at the sky in surprise as something cold landed on his cheek. "It's snowing..."

Kira looked up at the sky as big delicate snowflakes began to float down lazily from the sky. "It's beautiful..."

"Indeed," Kurama said, gingerly brushing a strand of hair out of her face. He gently pulled her close, holding her close but delicately, as if she might break.

"Shuichi," she murmured softly before resting her head on his shoulder. For the moment, their world was perfect as the gentle snow blanketed everything around them, blissfully unaware that they were being watched.

That does it for this chapter! Things are about to get heated though so stay tuned for Chapter 26! Also, a special thank you to Youko-Fairy, LadyAmazon, and Lestatgirl for leaving a review! I hope you'll leave a review too!

~Snowy

Also, I do not own YYH or it's characters.