I have officially run out of ways to introduce these in an interesting way…

1: I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, and I think it will show.

2: I was blown away with the amount of reviews I got from the time I checked in the morning, to when I got home from school. It was like eight, in the short of a period. This is amazing because I didn't think I would make it past fifty.

3: I think you all know the drill by now… I DON'T OWN! Alright? Don't make me say it again, or I'll send a Goodyear after you.

4: This chapter is dedicated to Rachel, for being the only person not being overly dramatic, and choosing not to be bias against people with what's going on with our friends right now. She's amazing, and very shiny. BOW DOWN FOOLS!

5: To top off the eight things I've got to balance along with school work, I'm sick with pneumonia, which sucks. I can't talk, and I've got like, a hundred and three degree fever. So basically, I have nothing better to do than to write.

6: I got ninth place in a writing competition against like, sixty or seventy people. I feel so proud. And I get to write in states, meaning I don't have to sit through the two hour runner's orientation. SCORE!


Take This To Your Grave

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kagome sighed and looked at herself, once again, in the mirror. She looked wonderful, beautiful, ravishing, jaw dropping, astonishing, fair… so many synonyms for 'a dolled up disaster.' It seemed that every maid in the castle had teamed up to prepare her for the ball that night. It was all so jumbled and confused, that nothing had started until three, two hours after they were supposed to have. Now, four hours later, after fights between many screeching women over the tiniest things, she was finally 'ready'.

They had dressed her in an elaborate kimono, blue, gold, white, and red, Sesshoumaru's family colors once again, decorated with red and yellow sakura trees and blossoms, and tied with a white and blue obi. Her hair was in such an elaborate twist that it took three of the maids just to finish it. Now, even as she waited for Sesshoumaru to come for her, Kagome had the urge to take her hair down from its restraints, and change her kimono in favor of something more comfortable and less flashy. But she had no time to dwell, because, almost immediately after all of the maids scurried off, there was a soft knock at the door, and Sesshoumaru pushed his way into the room, a strange look on his face.

Kagome's eyebrows furrowed as she watched him approach her. Was he, smiling? Sesshoumaru never smiled, unless he was bringing someone pain. He wasn't going to kill her, was he? Sesshoumaru and smiles are like… his father and pink. It just didn't happen. So… why was he smiling at her?

Twenty seconds later, Kagome realized that she was being hysterical, and tried to stop thinking. Sesshoumaru smiling wasn't that odd, was it? Another twenty seconds later, she realized just how odd it really was. He sauntered over to her, slowly, confidently, and with that damn smile plastered on his face. Without a word, he extended his arm to her, and she placed her small hand in the crook of his elbow. They exchanged a look, and then he knew. It was all an act. Someone, most definitely had made him behave, probably his father. His eyes told her exactly what he was feeling; anger, resentment, irritation even… hatred.

With a small shudder, Kagome let him lead her out of the room. They were both stiff, she could feel it through his arm, by the way his muscles flexed, tensed, and refused to give even slightly beneath her fingers. In complete silence, they reached the formal dining hall, where dinner and the ball were to held. Just as the other night, all speaking ceased and all eyes were upon them. Taking a deep breath, Kagome stepped into the room, this time moving to the very head of the table, where the guests of honor were to sit.

Seamlessly, Sesshoumaru glided to the floor, where a large, plush cushion awaited their arrival. His legs were crossed, and his molten eyes were fixed on Kagome, who gulped. This was the part she had been dreading most. Slowly, she lowered herself into his lap, sinking slightly into the rock hard chest that was her future mate. His arms enclosed themselves around her, and people began to look away, and continue their conversations.

One of his hands left her torso and reached up to fondle a loose lock of her hair affectionately. This was appropriate, not only because she was his intended, but because signs of affection between the two were expected, and someone would be suspicious if he refused to touch her in any way.

And so the meal began, many silent servants bearing hundreds of dishes to serve the hungry lords and ladies. Steaming plates of wonderfully prepared food were placed in front of them, and then the servants left, as swiftly and silently as they had entered. All eyes were upon them, once again, as everyone waited for Sesshoumaru to officially begin the meal. He was the lord for the night, and they would only eat when he gave the signal.

Delicately, Sesshoumaru reached out the arm that did not have a grip on Kagome, and picked up his gold plated chop sticks, and slowly picked up a piece of Tonkatsu (1), and lowered it into his mouth. On cue, everyone began to eat, chatting happily with each other as they had been moments before. But Kagome remained totally silent, only opening her mouth to receive pieces of food that Sesshoumaru himself fed her. Just as it was custom for her to sit on him, for the pair to be affectionate towards each other, it was a custom for him to feed her during this meal. It was interpreted as a sign that he would be a loving and caring mate; that he would be able to provide for, and care for her whenever she needed him.

Everything he did was perfect, from the way he placed the food in her mouth, to the order in which he chose to feed it to her. And in that perfection, was the stiff, overly formalness that she wasn't supposed to feel, but felt any way. Something in the way the arm holding her to him was stiff, like he was afraid she was going to run away at any moment. Kagome settled a bit more into his chest. If this was going to work, he would have to learn to trust her. She knew it would take time, and a lot of effort on her part, but it would be a lot more work trying to spend every waking moment with someone who didn't trust her.

The top of her head made its way into the junction between his neck and chin, and she nuzzled in, closing her eyes and trying her best to relax in his arms. And slowly, surprisingly, her tactics seemed to work. The meal was coming to a end, and the hand he had been using to feed them with dropped to grip her own, fondling (A/N: That's such a funny word… sorry) her slim fingers gently, calluses caressing the soft skin beneath them. His other arm loosened its grip, relaxed, and melted against her form. Even more surprising, was the gentle vibrating coming from his chest, rising up through his throat.

It was too… gentle… for growling, but then, what would he be doing? He didn't seem the type for purring, but then, what else could it be? Whatever it was, however, it felt good, sending light vibrations through her back, further relaxing her. With him in this state, n one would notice the mental tension between the two, no one would notice the fact that he hated having to touch her. And once they were out of there and out of the spotlight, they could resolve this, once and for all.

Soon, all of the dishes had been cleared away, and one by one, lords began to rise to their feet. Kagome rose, and Sesshoumaru followed, one arm still wrapped around her waist. Looking behind her, Kagome saw each mated male paring up with their female, and each unmated male fighting with the others over the other unmated females. For once, Kagome was glad she was with Sesshoumaru. If she knew anything about the bipolar man, it was that he would rip apart any male that dared to touch her.

Into the next room the went, where a small orchestra had already began the first strands of a slow, romantic waltz. Kagome didn't dare look up at Sesshoumaru's face as they entered the room, sweeping onto the floor. The couple stood in the middle of the floor, while Izayoi and InuTashio stood before them, Izayoi nearly dwarfed by her lord's size. And for the first time that evening, the attention was taken off of Kagome and Sesshoumaru. "Dear friends, esteemed visitors from far away lands, I know you get tired of hearing the same speech from me again and again, so I'm not going to babble. My son, Sesshoumaru, and his intended, The Lady Kagome, will begin the dancing. I feel I must say what each and ever one of you is thinking. I can not wait to see Sesshoumaru attempt to dance."

Sesshoumaru glared at his father, then growled when each and every one of the demons in the room laughed along with his father. Kagome smiled at them, then bumped his chest gently with her head to get his attention. He looked down at her, and she gave him a tiny smile as the song they were to dance to begun. The couple backed away a few paces, their eyes meeting. The demoness cursed Sesshoumaru for being able to be so hard to read when he wanted to. Where before his eyes had been swimming with hatred and malice, they were now blank, and utterly emotionless.

Trying not to let this get to her, Kagome rose her right hand to his eye level, palm facing him, fingers spread. Her partner mimicked her actions, placing his own, considerably larger hand on hers, and then began to move. He circled her, much like a hunter does it's prey, an Kagome pivoted on the spot to match him. The soft strains of a violin grew louder as they completed one rotation. Sesshoumaru, still circling her, began sliding his hand down her arm, leaving a trail of goose-flesh in its wake. The hand traced itself don her torso, and came to rest on her waist.

Kagome's arm lowered to place itself across Sesshoumaru's shoulders. Her hands grasped each other, and Sesshoumaru placed his other hand on her waist. And so they began, Kagome doing he best to concentrate on the steps of the dance. One foot in front of the other, back up, synchronize your moves with his. She mentally coached herself, trying to remember everything she had been taught. Despite his father's joke about him, Sesshoumaru was an exceptionally good dancer, keeping a perfect tempo the entire time, his moves smooth and easy to follow and keep up with.

Before she knew it, Kagome saw other couples joining them on the floor, including the Lord InuTashio and Lady Izayoi, Inuyasha and his latest flame-a pretty little thing named Kikyou- and Kouga, who had screwed up his courage to ask the fiery redhead, Ayame. Kagome had to stop herself from giggling when she saw the love struck look plastered across the young princess's face. Kouga didn't know what he had gotten himself into.

The song ended and all partners bowed to each other. Not to her surprise, Sesshoumaru took up her hand and pulled her not to gently, off of the dance floor. She knew that he couldn't stand being surrounded by people for that long. He would explode. So she let him lead her away, towards a secluded corner; as far away from the crowd as they could possibly get. Once they were alone, Sesshoumaru pulled her as close to him as he could without pulling her into him. "You look beautiful tonight, ritoru bou." He whispered, his hot breath tickling the sensitive skin of her ear.

Kagome was dumbfounded. He had more mood swings than a pregnant woman. As soon as she thought he was warming up to her, he would turn around and lash out at her, pushing her away. Then he would be back to being sweet, caring, and utterly un Sesshoumaru like. But, of course, she really had no choice but to take it in stride, and live it up while she could. So she snuggled into him like she had at the dinner table, placing her head in the junction between his chin and his neck, and listened to the beating of his heart.


A/N: Another chapter done. I'm hoping to get one hundred reviews before I update again. Once again, I apologize for the long wait, and I hope you liked it. The next two chapters will be the mating ceremony. I can't wait!