Chapter fifteen: The Ball

Yasha stared at her reflection in the tall mirror in her dressing room. The person staring back at her was hardly recognizable; in fact the only way she could tell it was herself was when she moved, or when she frowned, the beautiful young lady in front of her did the exact same thing at the exact same time. Sango was applying some perfume to the back of Yasha's neck, letting it settle before fanning it slightly with an embroidered fan.
"I still think I look ridiculous" Yasha said quietly, discreetly pulling up the arms around her shoulders, really. . . it bore too much skin. And why did she have to ink-stain her hair and wear that ridiculous white opalescent ribbon with the fake lily made of the same material. The stupid thing covered her ears and dulled her hearing to that of a human's.

Sango laughed, "Impressions Yasha, Impressions"
Yasha smiled slightly, "Okay then, I think that this 'impression' . . ." she paused and waved a hand at her form in the mirror, ". . .is ridiculous" she finished, slumping her shoulders in apprehension.
Batting Yasha's shoulders strictly to make her posture correct, Sango began to apply a little cream to the finger print on Yasha's shoulder, the cream the village witch had given her worked like a charm, and discolored the purple bruising to the color of the skin in a matter of minutes, "It's no where near ridiculous, everyone will be stunned" she pulled a loose thread out of her own dress.
Yasha rolled her eyes, "Yeah, stunned because I'm wearing a dress!"
Sango laughed, "Yeah, stunned because you're wearing a dress and you look beautiful" she said quietly.
Yasha nodded and turned back to her reflection watching as Sango moved her hair this way and that to form an intricate hairstyle. The dress Sango had bought fitted perfectly and looked exquisite on her. Made of white satin organza, it had a unnatural sheen to it that in different light, it shone different colors, like mother of pearl. Try as she may the neckline could not be altered and it was cut low, bearing her milky white shoulders and neck. It was a fairly simple cut, clinging in all the right places making her appear older and mature, the skirt was sewn in different sections creating folds of the beautiful fabric below her waist, making her; when ever she turned around, made the material follow her in a 'swoosh'. Two white flaps bore down her shoulder connecting at her middle fingers on each side; creating an almost fairy appearance. And to touch the outfit of she wore a simple silver chain with a silver pendant of a water nymph with a pearl in her hand hanging around her neck, finishing neatly in the small indent of her collarbone. Her hair was basically left out with the side's and front braided and pulled back, with small tiny sea pearls encrusted through the lumps of the braided hair. She hated the hair, it trailed down her back finishing just at the bottom of her spinal bone with little ringlets formed from using warm bars of iron. She thought she looked fairly decent but too prissy. But the main problem for her was the little butterflies in her stomach that were playing 'Tag' merrily, making her feel sick and stressed.
Inuyasha screwed his nose up in concentration as he buttoned the small buttons of his shirt, grunting in annoyance as the shirt snagged on his nails. Stomping in frustration he pulled a button off by accident and it flew into a corner of the room. So he left the top few undone. Who needed to look like the rest anyway? Pacing around his room, his thoughts were flying back and forth in his mind. He was really quite disappointed that Yasha wasn't coming. And when he had asked Sango for the reasons why, the maid only shrugged giving him owl eyes and saying 'I suppose she's not feeling well' and walked off to her mistress' room.
Slumping onto his bed, he watched as the last of the sun's golden rays was swallowed into the nights black bottomless stomach, waiting to be reborn in all its glory the next morning. Sesshomaru was acting weird lately and spent a lot of his time in his chamber working on gods knew what. Kagura was barely seen, and when she was she didn't speak but walked silently around the castle extremely quietly and stealthily.
Miroku and Sango were usually 'training' when both of them had nothing else to do and Yasha was usually in the garden, in her room or out riding. Inuyasha exhaled noisily, half in despair and half in anger. His father's health wasn't at its best and he found his mother working late with the royal vizier 's . About to reach out for his leather bound book he heard the music start to play which in no doubt meant that everyone was to assemble for the ball in the great hall.
Letting his hand drop and head droop he got slowly up and began to make his way down to the hall where all the males were to assemble first.

Miroku whistled as he swaggered down to the hall, looking forward to the night filled with the pretty ladies and good wine. He was in a particular good mood knowing today was the day that he was going to ask his love for a dance.
Grinning like an idiot and imagining the happenings of what may occur he only narrowly missed Koga who was striding down the hallway along with a couple of other followers.

"Good evening Lord Koga" Miroku said cheerfully, giving a polite nod of the head in greeting. Koga nodded back in reply, "Good evening Miroku"
Miroku frowned slightly but left the 'try-to-be pleasant' smile on his face, "You forgot the title" he said civilly.
Koga thought for a moment before looking at the short dark haired man in front of him, "What title?"His left eye twitching, Miroku batted a hand in front of his face, "The 'Lord' bit! LORD Miroku . . .I am a lord"
Koga scrunched up his nose, "Sorry, seems I forgot" he said slowly before turning around and swaggering into the hall.
Miroku stood there trying to keep his breathing level, it was only a mistake he thought, he wouldn't let it get in the way of his night . . . no siree; he would deal with that guy later.
Yasha and Sango stood behind the curtains along with the other women, "Isn't it time?" Sango whispered, looking around.
Yasha smiled sarcastically, "Sango, act like a lady!" she exclaimed in whispers grinning at her friend. Sango looked at her, "Oh very funny" she said swallowing and straightening her gown."Only a bit of your own medicine my dear" Yasha said innocently as they heard the small orchestra strike up a tune.
The curtains began to open and each woman moved forward, straightening herself out before they stepped out into the hall. Yasha felt Sango pat her back gently before she too was swallowed into the room and as she stopped as soon as she was out in the open. She felt the other women walk around her and start to make their way towards the floor looking for a partner to dance with, she could only stand there and swallow the nausea that threatened to overtake her.
She wasn't accustomed to this and she only vaguely remembered attending such a party when she was young. She didn't know how to act like a princess; it was like

being brought back to life once more; though a hundred years later. Sango tapped her sharply on the back, "It's only a couple of hours" she whispered as she eyed a couple of gentlemen over in the corner of the room drinking ale out of their large wooden mugs. Yasha nodded she could do this; she swallowed before walking over to King and Queen. Once there she bowed, "Good Evening my Lord and Lady" she said mellowly. Lord Takeo eyed her and nodded whilst the Queen smiled warmly at her, "Yasha my dear, you look beautiful"
Yasha felt her cheeks heat up, "Thank you, My Lady"
"Now, now Yasha, you'll have to stop with this "bowing" habit of yours; and we'll be on a sharp watch for a suitor for both you and Inuyasha tonight" Lord Takeo said, scanning his eyes over the floor to find either of his two sons. Yasha kept her smile on, but felt her insides curl away with the sudden heat, "Yes, I shall be too"
After a brief conversation Yasha bowed (again) and walked away to the dance floor, she smiled as she watched the couples waltz to the music created from the wooden flutes and small guitars and the voices of the men and women altogether creating a wonderful piece of music. She heard the footsteps before someone tapped her on the shoulder. She calmed her breathing and sucked in her breath and turned her head slowly and blinked, "K. . .Koga?" she asked in surprise.Koga grinned at her, "Good evening Yasha"

Yasha smiled and bowed, "Good evening Koga . . .I didn't think you were the type of man to attend these sort of gatherings" she said quietly casting an eye over the hall and to where Inuyasha stood talking to some Sango who looked rather stressed.
Koga shrugged, "It's worth it sometimes" he replied following her gaze to find Inuyasha walking up to the king and queen."For what?"
Koga grinned, "Would you like to dance?" he said all of a sudden, Yasha's head snapped around taking her attention away from the woman Inuyasha bowed at, greeting her with a kiss on the hand.
"Most definitely...Father." she said, delighted, taking Koga's extended hand and walking next to him as they walked into the main area for dancing.
The lines were formed and the women stood on one side, opposite the men. The music strike the note and the particular waltz began. Stepping forward the women stepped around the men, landing back to their original positions, finishing neatly with a curtsy (except for Yasha of course).
The men followed but ended with a bow, Koga grinned at her and was pleased to see her smiling warmly back at him. They twirled around, hands joined at the palm, changing partners until they came back to the original. The air was full of laughing and chatter as the guests spoke to each other as they met. The circle was beginning again and Yasha found herself paired up with Sesshomaru."I didn't know you were here yet" Yasha said as she placed her hand on his.
Sesshomaru stepped around her with poise, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, "I had some business to attend to"
Yasha nodded and twirled gracefully as he held her hand above her head.
"She's here" Sesshomaru said quietly, stepping forward so he was a little closer than the rest. Yasha forgot the closed in space, her suspicions were confirmed and as she turned around she spared a brief glance at Inuyasha who was talking to a young black haired girl who smiled politely.

Sesshomaru smirked, "Yasha, your eyes are narrowing"
Yasha turned around to face him, eyes wide, "No their not" and turned onto the next man.

Sango stood on the sidelines a small goblet filled with fine red wine in her hand. She watched as Yasha twisted and turned, like a swan, which meant that she had lied to her. How dare she say that she had never danced before!
Sango bit her bottom lip. That is unless she was a natural.

Taking a sip of her drink, she saw Miroku make a beeline for her, "Good evening Sango my dear" he said pleasantly, taking in her appearance eagerly.
Sango's brow twitched, "Good evening to Miroku, what can I do for you?" she asked politely.
Miroku could come up with a couple of things but decided to keep them in his safe private mind. He shook his head and leant against the wall, watching her in the corner of his eye. She was looking particularly nice tonight. Wearing a gown of mauve silk, with black beading over the bodice in a series of arranged roses. Her neckline was fairly low and was the fashionably wide 'U' shape revealing pale milky skin and a bit of cleavage. Her neck was decorated with an elegant black choker and her wrist bearing a simple but elegant gold bracelet with tigers engraved upon it. Her hair was piled up on her head, with little tendrils falling here and there delicately."What are you looking at?" Sango asked quietly.

Miroku grinned, "You" he replied, turning to face her properly.
Sango was not expecting that. He was meant to say 'I wasn't looking at you', she swallowed her nerves and raised her brow, "And why would that be?"Miroku bowed and extended his hand and said in an actor's pompous voice, "Lady Sango, I would like to have the honor of asking you to dance with me"Sango smiled slightly, expecting him to ask her to bear his child, "I would love to" she said quietly placing her hand delicately on his.
Miroku grinned and lead her to the dance floor, stepping into place and beginning the dance.
"How's Inuyasha?" Sango asked, after twirling around to curtsy.
Miroku spared a look around the room eventually finding Inuyasha on the other end, dancing with the new princess, "Very good, he likes the look of her"

Sango swallowed, "Oh"

"Oh?"
"Yasha's here" she said quietly as she placed her hand against his and rotate in a slow circle. Miroku looked around and eventually spotted her with Sesshomaru, "Oohhh . . ."
"Very 'oh' " Sango repeated dryly.
"That isn't good" Miroku muttered, eyes wide as he twirled Sango around, "She looks extremely elegant and grown up" he said after a moments thought.
Sango nodded, "That was the point, we wanted her to make an impression"

"We?"Blushing, Sango nodded, noting that wasn't meant to be said, "Yes, Sesshomaru and I thought that she should try and outshine the princess"

Miroku thought for a moment, "Sesshomaru said this?"

Sango nodded, "Yes"

The two rotated and joined hands once more, "But I thought he was in favor of the Princess?" Miroku said before he could stop himself. The two stared at each other, something was playing up here.
"I think it would be wise if we just forgot what we just said to each other" Miroku muttered, twirling Sango onto the next person. Sango only nodded quickly as she curtsied to the man now in front of her.
Yasha looked up and was sure she turned green. Inuyasha was making his way down the line. In fact her was nearly to her, only two more routines to make.

Yasha ducked her head down and stared at the ground for the whole two turns, when the third began she bowed deeply, not only making a horrible mistake (she'd never curtsied in before in her life) but also making herself appear as someone who was lower in class.

She felt his hand burn against hers and she tried oh so hard not to look up, but when he twirled her around she had to look up.
Unfortunately her eyes met right with his on the exact same moment. mickey

Inuyasha stared at the girl who was dead keen to stare at the ground.
Was she clumsy? And had to watch her feet? She was wearing a beautiful gown and was (from what he could see) what a woman should look like.
But as he lifted her hand up and twirled her around, her head rose and her stormy dis-colored eyes met with his amber ones. And for the first time in his life nothing else mattered or was felt. Apart from the fact that she had come and was dancing with him now and the pang of guilt he felt from his previous plans came screeching to a halt in front of him.

But something wasn't right about that princess, if Yasha was correct, (which she was desperately hoping she wasn't) the "princess" that had come was already married...

Do you know who it is?

Just for fun, send in a review (before you read the next chapter if there is one) with a guess as to who you think it might be.

I'm curious about what your guesses will be.

P.S.

You don't have to guess,

I just thought it might be fun.

oh, and kikyoukagomekibo,

i will do my best to continue updating with consistence, and reasonable speed.