Chapter 7The Grand Ball, and A New Shadow

It was the afternoon before the Grand Ball that the Spirit World was preparing to host. It was Sakura and Kura's idea, so they had decided to pitch it to Koenma, and now.. the time's almost here!

At about 2:00 that afternoon, Sakura came to Kurama and Kura's apartment. Kura answered the door. "SAKURA! Yay! YOU'RE HERE!" Kura greeted her. "yeah! Besides... those two foxes wouldn't let me go with them!" Sakura growled as she and Kura traveled into Kura's room. "Yeah! I know what you mean. They wouldn't let me go either!" Kura commented as she sat down in her chair that was positioned in the corner of her room.

"I bet they're shopping for stupid dressed for us."

"Heh. Probably. As long as it's black.. I'll wear it... and if it's not a dress.."

"Same here!"

"So, Sakura... who are you going with, eh?" Kura asked her friend as she smirked.

Sakura's face turned red. "J-J-Jin." She stuttered.

"YAY! I'm so happy that you two are going together!- Guess who else is gonna be there!" Kura smirked once more.

"Uh oh.. Who?" Sakura asked, almost dreading receiving the answer.

"Mitarai!"

"You've got to be joking!"

"Nope! Yusuke told me to invite him!" Kura smiled.

Sakura picked up a pillow from Kura's bed and threw it at her. After the pillow hit Kura, Sakura noticed an envelope that had been under the pillow. She looked at Kura and smirked as she start to open it.

"What is that?" Kura's eyes were wide.

Sakura pulled out a folded piece of paper and unfolded it. She started reading it.

"Sakura!What is that!" Kura got out of her chair.

"Oh. Nothing." Sakura smiled, folded it back up and put it back in the envelope. "My sister needs to see this!" She tucked it into her pocket.

"Sakura!" Kura stood in front of her with a rose whip in her right hand. "What is it and why does your sister need to see it!"

"It's nothing! I SWEAR!" Sakura pleaded, fearing for her life.

The rose whip disappeared and Kura put her hands on her hips.

"I'll be back in a little while!" Sakura ran for the window and jumped out of it.

"COME BACK HERE! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" Kura shouted, then she muttered to herself. "This really isn't fair! I think the whole world is out to kill, injure or embarrass me..."

In the Middle of the City, Sakura was walking around the city. She was looking for Briar and Kurama. Finally, she found both of them and hurried to them. "SIS!" She said, as she stopped b both of them from walking.

"SAKURA! What are you dong here? You're supposed to be hanging out with Kura!" Briar said.

"I know! But, I found something that might help you to get Hiei to admit he loves Kura, or at least that he has a crush on her! Here" Sakura got the letter from her pocket and handed to her sister. "This was under Kura's pillow! She didn't even know it was there! It's from Hiei!"

"She didn't know it was there?" Kurama asked, as he watched Briar open it.

"No! I found it when I had thrown the pillow that it was under at Kura!" Sakura added.

Briar unfolded the paper and read it to herself. When she was done, Briar looked at Sakura and Kurama. "THIS PROVES IT!" She said. "okay... Thanks Sakura. Nowyou need to get back to Kura. She probably already wants to kill you."

Sakura just remembered that. "Shit.. she is gonna want to kill me!"

"Just try to protect yourself from her as best you can..You could take her to the Demon World and hide from her... Just remember.. 5:00 is the time we'll be home.." Kurama reminded her.

"okay. Bye!" Sakura started back to the apartment.

"Kura!" Sakura called, cautiously from the Sakura Tree outside of Kura's room.

"What!" Kura answered, angrily as she stood in front of the window.

"Um... eheh.. sorry for running' off like that, but... why don't you meet me in the Demon World in 15 minutes so we can settle the score?" Sakura asked, almost fearing for her life as she talked.

"..." Kura thought for a moment. "I accept your challenge. 15 minutes... in our normal spot!"

"Alright! See ya there!" Sakura said, then headed to the Demon World. She's gonna kill me so I gotta find a really great hiding spot!" She thought, as she arrived in the Demon World.

"I can't believe she did this!" Kura said, after an hour and a half do searching for Sakura in the Demon World. "Damnit!" She yelled. She kept on searching, and it seemed hopeless. Soon, Kura stumbled on the sight of Hiei and Touya in a clearing a few yards away. They didn't' seem to be fighting, but it looked like they were training with each other.

"Well.. you've certainly grown stronger since the Dark Tournament." Touya said.

"Hn." Hiei started. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Actually.. it is." Touya told him.

"Heh. Thanks, I guess.." Hiei answered him, then he sensed a familiar energy. "You can come out now..." He said, looking in the direction that Kura was in.

Kura stepped out from the shadows. "What? Can't I at least walk in the perimeter of the clearing?"

"Hn. I never said you couldn't, but you don't have to act like you're stalking me." Hiei told her.

"I wasn't stalking you." Kura told him, quietly.

"I'll see you at the ball. Both of you. Later." Touya said, before disappearing.

"You're gonna be there, right Hiei?" Kura suddenly asked.

"I had no intentions of going, but that kitsune's girlfriend is forcing me to show up." He told her as he put his katana in its sheath.

"She's forcing you?- I thought no one could control you.Anyways, have you seen Sakura? I can't find her anywhere.."

"She's tot he left of us, about 200 yards." Hiei informed her. "You need more training if you didn't know that."

"It's not my fault that my sensei left me." Kura reminded him. "I'm leaving.Thanks for what help you gave me." She headed off in the direction that Hiei had told her that Sakura was in.

Hiei rolled his eyes and headed to the Spirit World where he had met up with Briar and Kurama momentarily before those two had headed off for the Human World.

"Sakura! How could you do that to me!" Kura hit her friend on the back of the head.

"Sorry! But I thought you were gonna kill me for taking that letter!"

"I just might!Right after the Ball..." Kura warned, then the two slowly headed back towards the Human World.

"What did you do with that letter anyways?" Kura questioned her friend.

"Iuhgave it to Briar.NO TOUCHIE! It's for your own good! Just trust me!" Sakura confessed.

Kura was quiet for a moment, then she calmly asked, "Who was it from?"

"Uh.. maybe you should ask me or Briar that later..." Sakura answered, just as the two ended up back in the Human World.

"Fine!" Kura sighed in defeat.

Walking into the apartment again, they saw the time on the clock.

"WOAH! We barely made in! 15 more minutes and they would've tied us up again!" Sakura commented.

"Don't remind me!" Kura half laughed at the memory of being tied up by rose vines outside one night and then Hiei coming and rescuing them.

Sakura laughed. "YEAH! That did suck, but at least your "knight-in-shining-armor" come to rescue us!"

"SAKURA!" Kura growled as they both waited in the living room for their siblings.

"- Do you think that they'll make us wear dresses?" Sakura changed the subject before any real damage was done.

"Probably. But.. I'm gonna burn it and get some better clothes instead!" Kura told her, then Kurama and Briar walked into the apartment.

"Good! You two are here!" Briar smiled, walking over to them with two bags in her hands.

"What's in the bags?" Kura asked.

"Your dresses." Briar told them, then handed them the bags.

"Okay.. we'll just go... and try them on.." Sakura told them as Kura and herself went into Kura's room, shutting the door behind them.

"Quick, open the window so the smoke will go out!" Kura said to Sakura who did what she was told.

"Wait.. you're really gonna?"

"yeah! I wasn't joking!" Kura smirked as she took out a pink dress and threw it on the floor. "YUCK! Pink!"

Sakura looked at hers also. It was a lighter pink than Kura's, which made her hate it even more. She threw it on the floor on top of Kura's.

Kura snapped her fingers and the dresses lit up in blackish-purplish flames. The smoke flowed out of the windows and the flames, which Kura had controlled, went away when the dresses and smoke were gone. "I'm glad that the darkness flame only creates very little ashes and smoke!" Kura giggled.

"yeah! Same here. Less mess to clean up!" Sakura agreed.

"okay.. now.. I'm gonna wear my knee-length black "frilly" skirt, and a "nice" white, button-up blouse. You know, the one with flare sleeves which start at the elbow!" Kura said.

"OOH! CUTE! I'm gonna wear my nice, black pants, and my nice, button-up long-sleeved skirt. And my boots! ALL BLACK OF COURSE!" Sakura giggled.

"Cute!I'll just have to suffer in high-heels for tonight." Kura rolled her eyes. "The Black ones.."

Sakura snapped her fingers and was all ready changed into her clothes by the time the grayish "smoke" went out the window from her "magic". ((TEEHEE))

Kura snapped her fingers. Within a number of seconds, and some blackish-purplish "smoke", she was changed into her clothes.

"okay! Now we're ready to go!" Sakura said, still smiling.

The two comrades walked back into the living room, where only Kurama was now. "I knew you two would pull that trick." Kurama said, about their apparel, and slightly laughing.

"What?- We don't wear pink, nor dresses.." Kura reminded him.

Kurama had already changed into his outfit. It was the same outfit that he had worn during the last round of the Dark Tournament ((mended and washed of course!)). "Yes, well... it was worth a try." He sighed.

"Are we going early or not?" Sakura asked him.

"Your sister already left. I think she has to speak with someone over something. Kurama answered Sakura, but was looking at Kura.

"Hiei?" Se asked, but all she got in return was a shrug.

"So when are we leaving?" Sakura questioned.

"Half an hour or so.." Kurama finally answered.

"And it starts at 6:00?"

"yes, Kura." Kurama smiled at his sister.

Already at the Imperial Palace, Briar walked into the beautifully decorated Ball Room to find Koenma and Botan, along with Jorge. "Koenma! Botan!" She walked to them, already in her beautiful baby-blue dress. "Ah! Briar!" Botan smiled. "You're here early.. are you meeting someone?"

"Actually, I am. I'm meeting with Hiei to talk to him about Kura." Briar had to admit.

"Oh yes! The two, always-fighting love birds!" Botan joked.

"Yeah. My sister had found something in Kura's room and had brought it to me.. It's" But Briar was cut off by Hiei's voice.

"What was it?If that girl was so clumsy as to have not found that letter... I think there's something wrong with the both of us.." He said, in a low "growl".

"HAH! So you did write it!" Briar walked to him and they went into the corner.

"Yeah. So?" Hiei looked at her.

"So... I read it.. and it's... so cute! Why don't you just ell her to her face?" She asked him.

Hiei, with out thinking, said to her, "I'm not going to tell her that I love her to her face."

Briar's face had a smile pop onto it but her mouth was also slightly opened in surprise.

After he had realized what he had just revealed, he clamped a hand over his mouth slowly, as his cheeks turned slightly red.

Briar smiled, only, now. "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!"

"Shut up." Hiei took his hand back from his mouth and put it in the vacant pant pocket.

"no! You need tot el her, face to face! Or at least give this to her and let her read it right in front of you! It'd be better if you told her, though. She wants to be with you so badly, Hiei. Do you want to be with her?It seems that way, by the things you've said in this letter." Briar said.

Hiei's cheeks were a little redder as he looked to the ground. Then, he snatched the letter from Briar's hands.

"So.. you'll do it?" Briar questioned.

"Hn."

"YAY!Oh, and one more thing.. for every tear of pain or sadness you cause her tonight, while you're her date for the Ball, that's how many painful slaps you'll be receiving from me. Got it!" Briar warned.

Hiei answered, "hn."

"okay.. now.. you need to get ready..."

"I am.."

"NO.. you're wearing something nicer. I've got it in this bag!" Briar said to him, then sternly looked at him.

He rolled his eyes. "Fine."

About twenty minutes later, Everyone started arriving. As Kurama, Kura and Sakura made their way into the Imperial Palace, they found Jin, who escorted Sakura into the Ball Room as Kura and Kurama waited outside of the doors to greet everyone they could before they decided to go in. The first two they greeted were Yusuke and Kayko. Kuwabara walked in, by himself.

"Where's Yukina, Kuwabara?" Kura asked.

"She's coming with someone else." He said, seeming kind of down about it as he walked into the Ball Room.

"Oh.- I wonder who she's coming with if it's not Kuwabara..." Kura looked Kurama who shrugged.

Next, Shizuru and Kuronue came. Then, Chi and Rinku walked in with each other ((OOC: No, they're not each others dates! Man, you people have horrible minds!)). Then, Mitarai came in by himself. "Hey Kurama! It's good to see you again."

"Mitarai! How have you been doing?" Kurama asked.

"I've been doing great. And you?"

"I've been fine. This is Kura. I don't think you two have really met each other. She's my younger sister, one of them anyways.." Kurama said, nodding to Kura.

Mitarai looked at Kura with a smile. "I've seen you but I don't think we've ever met, properly, before. I'm Mitarai. It's very nice to meet you."

"I'm Kura. Nice to meet you also." Kura smiled, tucking a piece of her red hair behind her ear.

"Well.. I'll see you two in there." Mitarai said, then walked into the Ball Rom.

Some other apparitions came, and then, the siblings sat their eyes on Touya and Yukina, who were talking, smiling, walking together and holding hands. The two smiled at Kura and Kurama was they entered.

"we should go on in..." Kurama suggested.

"yeah." Kura agreed.
Then, the two kitsunes walked in beside each other. Kura spotted Briar and took Kurama over to her. "And the lovers are re-united!" Kura smiled, just joking of course.

Kurama and Briar both slightly laughed at Kura's remark. "Thank-you for escorting him." Briar giggled.

"It was no problem!" Kura smiled again.

"And I see you sister found her way to happiness tonight." Kurama smiled in the direction of where Jin and Sakura were.

Music played softly in the Ball Room

"yeah. They're a perfect match!" Kura started. "Just like you two..."

"Kura...?" Kurama was slightly surprised at his sister.

"Hehe.. I'll let you two talk." She winked at Kruama and then walked over to her best pal and her best pal's lover.

Kurama turned to Briar. "I'll have to be honest... Kura told me about the talk you two had when we were in the mountains."

Briar blushed. "I'm soooo sorry!.. You must think I'm a total idiot.You probably wanna kill me for that talk.."

"NO! I'm glad that you talked to her.I wanted to tell you 'thanks'... I didn't know that my happiness meant so much to Kura." Then, Kurama took one of Briar's hands in his own. "I didn't want to do this until I knew that Kura was okay with you..Briar... I love you with all of my heart... Will you do me the honor and be my wife?"

Those words made Briar almost cry, but she held back her tears of joy and put her arms around Kurama's neck. "I would love to." She whispered, a smile on her face. She left go of him and they exchanged smiles. Kurama took her other hand in his.

Kura had been watching and she lightly smiled. Suddenly, Kura saw Hiei and her smile grew. He was wearing black dress pants, and a nice, button-up, long sleeved white shirt, but he had his own black boots. He stood in the corner, his hands in his pockets and his eyes closed. Kura looked at Sakura, who was motioning for her to go over to him, but Kura refused. "He as to come to me." She told her.

About an hour after, people were still talking, but some had finally found their ways to the dance floor. Sakura and Jin were dancing, as were Kurama and Briar, Botan and Koenma (in his "super handsome" teenage form). Kura was left alone in the corner, and when she looked up, Hiei was standing in front of her, one hand in his pocket and the other extended to her and holding the letter.

Kura was a little confused as she slowly took the envelope. "WhatWhat is this?" She asked him.

Kurama and Briar had stopped dancing to watch.-

"Just read it.." He returned his hand to it's pocket.

"o-o-okay." Kura said, quietly as she opened it up and unfolded it. She read it and was sorta just stuck in time for a moment. She finally looked at him. "Is.. is this really from you Hiei?"

"Hn. Yeah." He said, looking at her then looking around.

"Do you.. do you mean it... really?" She asked.

It took him a moment, but he said it. "Yeah."

Kura smiled as she put her arms around Hiei's neck. Hiei wasn't sure of what to do at first, then he slowly took his hands from his pockets and put his arms around her waist. Kurama and Briar smiled at each other. "This is great." Kurama said. "Yeah. Finally, they're together!" Briar added on as she also agreed.

Kura let go and smiled at Hiei. "I'm sorry that I've picked so many fights with you and put you through hell.. verbal and physical at times.."

Hiei returned his hands to his pockets. "Hn. I guess I have to apologize too."

"NO! Don't worry about that." Kura reassured him.

Hiei looked around and saw Touya and Yukina, holding hands. Yukina was smiling. She looked so happy. Hiei could sense that she was happy and it sorta made him happy to see his sister that way, even though he should no signs.
Kura looked at the couple also. "They're cute together. I think they're a good couple."

"Well... at least it's not Kuwabara." Hiei said.

"Heh. Yeah, you're right about that.But, have you told Yukina yet?I mean, Shigure's dead, so nothing can harm you now." Kura commented.

Hiei shrugged. "Why should I have to put a burden on her shoulders?"

"Hiei... she already has a feeling that you're her brother. Just tell her! She'd rather know now than have to go through her life with out knowing that you're her brother. She'd be happy to know! I swear!" Kura looked at him.

Hiei closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm not going to ruin that smile on her face tonight. I'll promise you that I'll tell her, but some other time."

"Okay! It's a promise! You'd better not break it, Hiei." Kura said, "warning" him.

"Okay." Hiei told her, as he continued to watch his sister and Touya.

About another half-hour passed and Kura had found herself and Hiei standing in the corner, talking acutely between each other. Yukina and Touya had began dancing again. And they looked as though they were having so much fun together! It's solo cute! It looked like they were so in love with each other! Even if they were just each others dates, they made a great couple. After that particular song, Touya and Yukina walked near to the corner where Kura and Hiei were standing. Then, Kurama walked over, first stopping at the two ice apparitions. "Yukina... you look lovely tonight. I hope that you both are enjoying yourselves."

"I am. Thank you Kurama." Yukina smiled.

"Yes. It's a very well put together occasion. Whose idea was it?" Touya questioned.

"Kura and Sakura's." Kurama answered.

"Really? Ooh! It's so gorgeous! Tell them that they have my compliments." Yukina complimented ( the two who weren't even around ).

"I will.Have fun!" Kurama told them, as he walked to the two in the corner. "Well... if it isn't the silent couple.And one of the newest couples too!"

"Kurama..." Hiei growled.

"What?You two finally "hook up" and all you two are doing is engagement of conversation, and/or silence." Kurama brought up.

Before another word was said, Kura felt a strange energy. "Woah... do you guys feel that?" She asked.

"Yeah.. What ever it is.. It's giving off a strong energy." Kurama commented on the subject.

"Hn. No need to worry. It's probably just something in the air." Hiei thought, out loud.

"I don't know.." Kura sighed.

Outside, Briar stood as thought she was waiting for someone. And she was.

Out of the shadows, a figure came and stood.

"Thanks for coming... Nadare." Briar said, acknowledging the new demon.

"Hn. What do you wish to speak to me about?" Nadare asked, looking at Briar.

"I thought it was just time for another "check up". There have been some recent developments that you should be filled in on..."

"Oh? And... would any of them concern my younger brother?" Nadare questioned.

"Heh. With Hiei?Yes. It seems he's got himself a 'girl friend'. One that he has admitted his love for her, just not openly and often." Briar said, talking about Kura.

"Oh really?And who exactly is she? She's not human, is she?"

"No, no, no. She's Kurama's younger sister."

"Oh.I want, one day soon... to see her. ButI do not wish to meet her yet." Nadare declared.

"Nadare...? What are you going to do?" Briar asked, just curious.

"Once I know what she looks like, I'll keep an eye on her... so I can make certain that she's the right one for Hiei-kins." Nadare confessed.

"Ah.. I see." Briar half smiled. "So.. have you been keeping an eye out of Tombo?"

"Some what. yes.- I must off my congratulations to yourself and Kurama. You'll have to inform me when the date of the wedding is.- I must leave now. Contact me next time you and this girl of my brother's are in the Demon World." Then, Nadare disappeared.

Briar slightly blushed, then journeyed back inside.

"So.. what have I missed!" Briar pooped out of nowhere and scared Kura half to death.

Kura jumped and grabbed Hiei's arm. "Don't scare me like that!" She said.

"You couldn't sense her energy?" Hiei asked; he just got a shake of her head.

"She just wasn't being very aware, Hiei. That's all." Kurama added in.

Briar smiled at Hiei and Kura. "YOU TWO ARE SO CUTE!- I'm glad that Hiei finally 'told' you how he felt."

"Well... he hasn't literally told me, but I read that letter the gave me and that's just as good." Kura left go of Hiei's arm.

"Oh, yeah, Kura... we'll be staying a little later than originally planned. Is that alright?" Kurama ran it by her.

"Oh yeah! That's fine with me, bro'! Oh, one question! Can Sakura spend the night at our house?"

"Sure. I don't see why not." Kurama accepted.

"Okay. Good!SAKURA!" Kura called.

As she set her eyes on Jin and Sakura, Jin's pants "mysteriously" fell down. He had on boxers with yellow smiley faces. He quickly pulled his pants up, and glared at Sakura who was giggled. "SORRY! I COULDN'T RESIST!" Sakura told him, then planted a kiss on his cheek, which made it all better! Luckily, Kura was the only other who saw this, out of the whole room. She laughed quietly to herself then called again. "SAKURA! You're sleeping at my house tonight!"

"Okay!" Sakura called back.

"So..." Kurama started as he looked at his sister. "I think you and I need to have a little talk."

"Uh oh. What did I do this time?" Kura asked him.

"Nothing bad." He answered her with a reassuring smile. "We'll be back in a few minutes." Kurama took his sister into the hallway.

"What?" She asked him, eager to find out what she had done.

"Thank you."

'What's that for?"

"For accepting her." Kurama said, calmly.

"Oh.. that..." Kura whispered.

"I'm glad that you've accepted her.- When you told me of the conversation the two of you had, I was sort of surprised at you. I didn't know that my happiness meant so much to you."

"Heh.- Well... you're the only family member I have left." Kura said. "And to keep you to myself would be selfish of myself. - Now... if you don't mind, can we get back to the Ball?"

"Heh. Sure." Kurama smiled back, then they went back inside.

It was about 12:04 when everyone had finally left. Kurama, Kura, Briar, Sakura, and Hiei were almost the only ones left besides Koenma and Botan.

"It was a great turn-out." Botan complimented Kura and Sakura.

"Thanks." They answered in unision.

"Yes. I shall have to agree. It was quite a great turn-out, you two. I'll have to admit that you two can be grown up, if you want to be." Kurama said, holding in laughs. Because of the laughs, he was hit on the arm by his sister who glared.

"Well... I'd guess we'd better get to your apartment. I'm dying to go to sleep." Briar yawned.

"Yes.You two ready?And Hiei?" Kurama questioned Hiei. And all he got was a "Hn." which pretty much meant that he would be coming also. The group left the Imperial Palace and the Spirit World all together. They arrived back at the apartment and everyone changed out of their nice clothing and into something more comfortable. Kura chose black baggy pajama pants that had little red hearts on them and then she chose a gray tank top. Sakura chose black baggy pajama pants, plain, and a black tank top, which she wore a black hoodie over. Kurama and Briar also slipped into their pajamas. Hiei, being himself, just took off his cloak ((OOC: yes, he did change out of his clothes from the ball and to his normal ones)) and layed it, along with his katana in the window cile of the living room.
Everyone met back in the living room and made their selves comfortable. Sakura layed on the couch, severely tired out. Kura sat on the floor against the edge of the couch, as Sakura's feet. Kurama and Briar were each in separate chairs, but beside each other. Hiei, more or less, was sitting in front of Kura at the end of the couch. Kurama and Briar talked quietly, for about half an hour, and then went into Kurama's room to sleep. Sakura had fallen asleep on the couch. Hiei and Kura...? well... they were still awake, but Kura only had a few minutes to spare before the "Sand Man" was going to come and carry her off into dream land.

After a few minutes of sitting in silence, Kura stood up. Hiei looked at her and stood up also. "Are you going to sleep?" He asked her.

"Yeah... I'm tired... It's been a long yet "fun" night, I guess." Kura said, starting to make her way to her room, Hiei following her. When she got to her room, she laid down on the bed, beneath the blankets. Hiei kissed her on the forehead before leaving, through the window and onto the roof. All were now sleeping, except the Fire demon, who looked up at the stars, pondering to himself.