YEEE! Tha third chap! Hahahaha I kept all of ya waitin hella long fer this! Sowwie...But school has been killer. ALTHOUGH...I managed ta snag straight A's fer tha first quarter! YEEEE:)))) heheh. Nd fer future reference, I said "YEE" long before it became "ghetto". XP
Kurama was standing right outside Mirakuru's house, still debating whether to go through with this or to call it off. He raised his hand to ring the doorbell, and frowned. What was he doing? He took a steadying breath, braced himself, and rang the doorbell. "Mirakuru, I-" He frenetically perused his mind for an even halfway believable excuse, but even the far-fetched ones were few and far between.
Then he got a good look at her. She stopped him in his tracks. He instantly forgot how to speak, who he was, who she was, and what they were doing here. Unable to think of something witty to say and not knowing what else to do, he pulled a white rose from his hair, and presented it to Mirakuru.
Her gown was made out of Asian silk, which glittered midnight blue in some lights, and electric blue in others. It complimented her eyes beautifully. It hugged her form, but spread out when it reached her knees. A narrow slit started at her lower thigh, and the fabric draped against her, swirling into delicate creases like a billowing midwinter wind. The fabric gathered into a rippling wave at her feet, the feathery ruffles like a misty waterfall.
She wore no jewelry save for a moonstone pendant in the shape of a crescent moon encircled by multicolored stars anddangling moonstone and sapphireearrings. She smiled as she accepted the rose, and twined it into her hair, which was done in an elegant twist with wisps dangling loose. She seemed to be completely transformed from the shy, awkward girl who had so gingerly asked him to be her escort.
Kurama offered her his hand with the air of a prince leading his cherished bride. She took it gracefully, and allowed him to lead her to his red Ferrari (couldn't resist...X3). She slid into the passenger seat, taking care not to soil her dress in the gutter. Kurama, being a gentleman, closed the door behind her before getting into the car himself.
They arrived at the Autumn Ball shortly after it began. The orchestra of voices was instantly extinguished when they entered the room, a hush fell over even the most determined gossips. Rumors flew about how the ever famous Shuichi had actually come. And with the new girl, no less! Mirakuru held her own regally under a constant stream of questions, and tried to fend off her sudden "popularity by association". Watching her, Kurama realized her simple dress, free of almost any decorations, in comparison with the others made him think of a flock of peacocks. The peacocks' vibrant, gaudy colors begged for admiration. But Mirakuru was a radiant, refined heron, who knew she was beautiful and needed no approval from the crowd.
Kurama had barely rescued Mirakuru from the paparazzi when Yusuke spotted him. He'd choked on the punch he was drinking and started waving his hands madly, looking a lot like a monkey wearing a tie.
"Looks like that guy over there is trying to get your attention," Mirakuru commented lightly, glancing at Yusuke, who was now jerking around, trying to signal to Kurama: 'Get over here! Who's the chick?' Unfortunately, he looked more like he had a nerve disorder. He was also holding a cup of punch in his hand, and consequently spilled much of it on the floor. Everyone within two feet of him took a giant step backward.
Kurama arched his eyebrow at Yusuke, and replied: "Riiight. I'd better go see what the poor apoplectic wants before he hurts himself like last time. Will you be okay alone?"
Mirakuru smiled charmingly. "Yea, I think I can handle myself."
Seeing the multitude of gossipy twits begin to inch toward her, she edged toward Keiko, and the two of them began chatting. "You're over here with Kurama, right?" Keiko asked, figuring that was a pretty neutral subject.
"Kurama who?" Mirakuru asked blankly.
"Uhmmmm . . ." Keiko stalled. Good going! You almost blew his cover! OH, why can't I think of an explanation? "Er . . . ."
Out of the corner of her eye, Shizuru noticed Keiko fumbling for an explanation, and apparently coming up blank. She decided to intervene. She'd been looking for an excuse to ditch the other chaperones anyway. Hanging at the chaperone's table with them made her feel old.
"It's Shuichi's middle name." Shizuru interrupted smoothly, covering up Keiko's mistake.
"Shizuru! I didn't know you were here!" Keiko exclaimed in relief.
"I'm chaperoning." Shizuru replied. "But that's off subject. You're here with Kurama, aren't you?"
"You guys call him by his middle name? Weird, but okay. And yeah, I'm here with him." Mirakuru said, quickly getting over her confusion and eager to make a new friend. "And what's up with that guy Kurama's talking to? That's Yusuke, right?"
"Yup, that's my date, the one and only Urameshi. . . who is currently spitting punch all over the floor. Excuse me while I go discipline him." Evidently Kurama had told Yusuke something rather astounding, because Yusuke had indeed spit out the punch he was drinking. Everyone around him had taken another giant step backward.
Then Shizuru burst out laughing, and as Mirakuru stared at her in confusion, gasped: "Oh my god, is that Hiei!" She pointed to a small figure standing in a corner, looking absolutely terrifying. He was giving everyone and everything in the room his trademark death glare. No one dared to come within ten feet of him, but instead had clustered around him, shooting him furtive glances and whispering behind their hands.
"I can't believe he's the other chaperone! But there could be only one reason for him being here." Shizuru glanced around, and pointed to a blue haired figure next to Kuwabara. "Yup, just as I suspected. There's Yukina right over there."
"That's her! What's she doing with Kuwabara! Did she lose a bet?" Mirakuru yelped in surprise. Then she flushed a bright red. Her mouth had gotten ahead of her mind, and she'd spoken without realizing that Kuwabara was Shizuru's younger brother.
"Nope. She's here of her own free will, believe it or not." Shizuru grinned and added, "Don't worry. My little bro may not be the handsomest guy out there, but what he lacks in brains and looks, he more than makes up for in heart."
Mirakuru chortled at Shizuru's good natured crack. Then, with a loud static crackling, the D.J. yelled into his microphone,
"Alright people! This is the last dance, so make it a good one!"
I've devoted my heart to the Moon.
Even though I shouldn't, I told you my feelings.
You are forever in my heart.
A slow romantic song started playing, and couples started pairing up on the dance floor. The lights dimmed to a dusky ochre, and the rainbow tinted strobe lights waltzed slowly, in time with the gentle beat of the flowing music. The music itself was not full of bass, but calm as a flowing stream, or as a gentle breeze wafting amid clouds. It was dreamy and wistful, reminiscent of days long past. A lone singer's voice, expressive and sweet, rang out clearly.
Thank you for giving me courage,
Thank you for showing me love.
Kurama made his way to Mirakuru, gently jostling his way to her. He stood out from the crowd like a roguishly elegant fox amid glorified dogs. He put his arms around her waist almost tentatively, as though he was afraid she would shatter like a delicate crystal. She smiled happily, and a soft blush swept across her cheeks. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned her head against his chest and breathed in the sweet smell of roses, his long hair lightly brushing her face. Together they swayed slowly around the dance floor, and for a few short moments, everything was right with the world.
With you at my side I want to
Walk the long and winding road of Destiny,
Strive for the mountaintop.
With you at my side, I realize I am in Love.
The song's last strains faded away, and the crowds of people slowly dispersed. Kurama took Mirakuru by the hand and warmly led the way back to the car. They drove home in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable or gauche at all. It was a contented silence, like the both of them knew that the other accepted them, loved them without condition, or expecting to be loved back.
It seemed as though time would stop, and the both of them would be trapped in the ride home for all of eternity, to be prisoners of heaven evermore. But, reality never deserted them, and under a sparkling crystal moon, Kurama pulled up to Mirakuru's house.
He opened the door for her again, and she stepped into the breezy night air.
She stepped onto her porch, then paused and faced him again. "It's not like you're the first guy I've liked, but this feeling I get around you, it's . . . different, somehow. I feel safe with you, like when I'm with you, nothing bad could ever happen." She smiled, and turned to go inside her house.
But something stopped her. Perhaps it was the moonlight, shining so brilliantly. Maybe it was the stars, raining their sparkling untainted light. Or was it the cool autumn breeze, so innocently wafting among them, carrying with it the scent of late blooming flowers? Possibly it was mere fate, sweeping its never ending course, showering down its serendipity. Whatever it was, it lured the two closer and closer together, until all that filled their sights were each other.
Kurama became lost in Mirakuru's alluring sapphire eyes, blazing with curious innocence. Or was it hope? This inexplicable, unnamed emotion shone and flickered in her royal blue depths. The unsolved mysteries locked away in her past, the ever evasive notion that there was something he did not understand. They beckoned to Kurama, and though he resisted with all his might, it was inescapable, like the entrancing song of a siren.
Kurama's emerald green gaze in turn enthralled Mirakuru. But they were by no means simple, hard jewels. They were like an ancient, timeless forest, each infinite path winding through his thoughts and feelings. All those secrets, unshared knowledge, and myriad of dreams drew her closer and closer. She also sensed a fleeting notion of danger around him, something that told her she should not be with him, and should run at all costs. Something that didn't fit in about him, suggested something ethereal that she could find no reason for. It instinctively repelled her, yet lured her closer every moment she had with him.
Soon, all reason fled their minds and their lips lightly brushed together. Anything they'd felt before was nothing compared to now. An almost alarming storm of emotions raged through them, each fleeing as soon as it arrived. No, it was not a very long or intimate kiss, but it was all that was needed to signify that two people had fallen in love that night.