Chapter Four

Preparing For the Ball With A Touch of Magic

The night of the ball soon arrived and Kagome hadn't finished her chores yet. She rushed around the manor cleaning like the wind. She scrubbed the floors, polished the silver, dusted the portraits and statues, cleaned the fireplaces…

But Kagura and Kikyo didn't want Kagome to attend the ball. They knew that their stepsister could be gorgeous if she cleaned herself up and if she went to the ball in a gown…well, all the men and the Prince would be after her. Kagura tried to slow Kagome down every chance she got but to no avail. Kagome was finishing each room within half an hour. And by 5 o'clock that night, Kagome was completely finished. The ball was at 6 and Kagome only had one hour to get ready. She looked through Stepmother's fabrics and found sparkly pink silk.

She also discovered a necklace of Kikyo's and some lace of Kagura's. She sat down and started to sew as fast as she could. She made the sleeves of the dress short and puffy and gave the dress a V cut at the neck. The lace went around the waist and bottom of the gown while the necklace lay aside for the time being. Kagome looked at her creation and smiled. It was simple but it would work.

The only thing she needed now was shoes. The only pair she had were her ugly work shoes but maybe one of her stepsister's had a fancy pair. She snuck into Kikyo's room and opened her closet. A shiny pair of pink high heeled shoes was sitting there and Kagome quickly snatched them up. They were about three sizes too big but they worked. She returned to her attic room and slipped the new dress on. Then she brushed out her long black hair and tied a matching pink bow in the back.

Kagome stood and admired herself in the upstairs hall mirror. Downstairs, Kagura was tapping her foot in annoyance waiting for Kagome to come down. She was wearing a green puffy dress, matching headband, and flat green shoes. Kikyo was by her side with the same style dress and everything only it was blue. They were both crossing their arms and loosing patience. Kikyo turned to face Stepmother. "Mo-ther!" she said crossly. "Where is she! Cant we leave without her?"

"Now, now Kikyo. Patience," Stepmother replied calmly. Kikyo gritted her teeth but remained silent. Finally, they looked towards the staircase to see Kagome gracefully walking down it. She looked beautiful! Kikyo and Kagura both groaned quietly as they watched her reach the ground. "Are we ready to go? Kikyo, Kagura, you look amazing!" she smiled. Kagura looked away. "Thanks," she said coldly. "Now hurry up and let's get going!"

Kagome nodded and started for the door but Stepmother stopped her. "Kagome, I love your necklace. Where did you get it?" she asked. Kagome was about to answer but Kikyo gasped. "That's my necklace you thief! Give it back!" she wretched the necklace from Kagome's neck and beads went everywhere. Kagome looked at them in sadness and sighed.

"I also love this lace you put on your dress," Stepmother continued. Kagura looked over at her and gasped like Kikyo had. "That's my lace!" She ran over to Kagome and started tearing the lace off of her. Kagome starred at her in horror but didn't do anything. "No, Kagura! Please stop it!" she wailed. Kikyo had stomped back over and cried, "And these are my shoes!" She knelt down and snatched the little pink shoes from Kagome. Kagome almost tripped but kept her balance. Once the sisters were through, Kagome looked down at her dress.

It looked awful! It had been torn into rags. Kagome started to cry and looked back at the grinning sisters and mother. They waved good-bye and left the house. Kagome stood there, bawling, and ran out to the side yard. She fell to the ground in front of a bench and put her head on the bench sobbing. She couldn't go to the ball…she couldn't see that handsome prince…she would be a maid for the rest of her life…

"There, there, my child," a gentle voice came from above her. "Dry those tears." Kagome quickly looked up in bewilderment and saw a kind old lady starring down at her. She sat back on her knees and asked, "W-Who are you?" The old woman smiled and stood up. She was wearing a long blue dress and her hair was tied into a tight bun.

"I'm Kaede, your fairy godmother!" the woman replied, still smiling. "Now come on! Stop that crying!" Kagome wiped her eyes and sniffed. "Why? I can't go to the ball! I should be crying!" She almost started right up again but her fairy godmother silenced her.

"You can't have a tear-streamed face when you make your appearance at the ball can you?" she asked encouragingly. Kagome looked taken aback. "T-The ball?" she stammered. Fairy Godmother nodded. She reached into one of her long sleeves and withdrew what seemed to be a wand. Kagome looked at it and asked, "Is that really a wand?" Fairy Godmother nodded.

She pointed it at one of the pumpkins in the pumpkin patch and mumbled, "Watch this!" She said some magic words and the pumpkin sprung to life! The vines twisted into a shape that resembled wheels and the pumpkin turned white. It grew a door and the vines finally stopped growing. Now there was a round carriage with four wheels standing before Kagome. She gasped in surprise as Fairy Godmother directed her wand at some stray mice. The mice grew larger and larger and suddenly turned into horses!

The wand was pointed at Stepmother's black cat and the cat let out a screeching, "Meow!" before turning into a driver. Kagome was shocked. Last, but not least, it was her turn. Her fairy godmother faced her with a kind smile. "Now, my dear, for you." She raised her wand and muttered the magic words. A jet of gold light shot at Kagome and she gasped in nervousness. Her torn clothing was instantly transformed into a dazzling white ball gown. Her black hair remained the same (down) and on her head a silver tiara shimmered into place.

To top the gorgeous outfit off little glass slippers appeared on her bare feet. Kagome looked down at them in awe and whispered, "They're lovely!" She turned to look at Fairy Godmother and dashed over to hug her. "Now, you better get going!" Fairy Godmother said. "Oh, but remember child! This spell will be broken by midnight!" She helped Kagome into the carriage and shut the door.

Kagome stuck her head out of the window and waved good-bye to Fairy Godmother, a huge happy smile plastered on her face. Fairy Godmother returned the smile as the carriage started to drive off. Kagome watched as the old woman disappeared in a puff of smoke and the house slowly faded from view. Then she watched all the wonderful scenery go by. She noticed all the houses and the lake and the stars.

Back at the castle, InuYasha sighed in boredom. None of these women interested him and each time a new one was announced he merely bowed politely and took his seat again. He stood as more women were being announced. "Miss Kaori Yakashimi!" a servant read off the list. A tall, skinny woman who was giggling furiously walked up in front of the prince and curtsied. He bowed with a fake smile on his face and waited for the next name to be read.

"Miss Kikyo Higurashi and Miss Kagura Higurashi!" the servant called. Kikyo pushed Kagura aside and walked diligently up to the prince. Kagura glared at her sister and followed. They both curtsied and smiled as the prince bowed back. He held back a yawn as the two young women took their places in the crowd. But again they started to argue. "He was looking at me!" Kagura sighed.

"In your dreams!" Kikyo retorted softly. Stepmother gave them a frightening stare and they shut up almost immediately. InuYasha sat back down on his throne and looked over at Sesshomaru. "Why aren't you dancing?" he asked suspiciously. Sesshomaru didn't reply but then said, "Those two women who were just announced were the ones I saw on the road that day. It's a shame that other girl isn't here. I would have asked her to dance." InuYasha growled softly.

"Go dance with one of those stupid women who are starring at you!" he snapped. Sesshomaru remained seated. "I'd rather not," he muttered calmly. InuYasha shook his head as he stood for about the thousandth time. That woman he had been hoping would show up hadn't come. He looked at the ground in sadness and disappointment.

Kagome felt the carriage halt and looked out the window. They had arrived at the castle and her heart started to pound. She slowly stepped from the carriage and the driver looked at her. Of course he couldn't talk…he was a cat. Kagome took a deep breath and started up towards the castle.