A/N + Disclaimer: I do not own anyone from Yu Yu Hakusho, but give me credit for everyone else. There isn't a lot of action in this one, but it gets everything ready for the next chapter. Spare me from those authors who write please and review a million times at the beginning and end of their chapters (because it is simply ridiculous). Read and if you want, review. Most importantly, enjoy.

Dragons in Time

Part 8: What a Girl Doesn't Want

"Botan, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to convince you to come to the demon ball!"

"Save your energy and your time. I'm not going."

Botan raised an eyebrow. "Really? Why not?"

Aniya frowned, "I just don't like people because my experiences with them in the past haven't been pleasant."

"Why don't you give people another try?"

"Well, let's see…one, they tried to chop off my wings last time I was with more than six people…two, now that everyone knows what I really look like, it will be harder for me to conceal myself from people who want to pick fights with me outside the Arena….three, I don't like people."

Botan winced, "They really tried to cut your wings off?"

"And tried to remove my claws. Without anesthetics. So, as you can see, I don't have much experience in a social setting on the account of not being able to stand being around people for more than a few minutes."

"That's horrible," Botan was indignant, "People shouldn't be allowed to treat each other that way. Wait—how could they cut off your wings if you're a demon. They shouldn't have been able to see you."

Aniya smiled, "As if happens I'm not exactly a demon, am I? Whether I'm in my full form or not, people can see me. It's sort of like zombies. They can see them, but they possess demonic properties. It sucks. Also, it didn't help that I was given to the 'freak squad' which have people who have control over spirit energy. This group of medical people take care of demons, but apparently, they wanted to get rid of my wings because they didn't think I was a youkai, human or hanyu. They were scared, so they decided to try and take away my wings and claws so I could be a semi-regular human."

"Imagine, never being able to go to the movies, or shopping, seeing friends or going traveling…."Botan trailed off as she imagined Aniya in a dark cell with nothing to do but throw a tennis ball against the wall.

Aniya held up her hands. "Whoa, I never said I was isolated. I just said that I was treated unfairly. I've probably been to more places than you. Shopping sounds like a nightmare from what I've heard. Movies are over-rated. What's the point of going to see an action movie when I can watch the same moves being performed in the Arena. Friends? They're crutches…" 'But they aren't, are they? They can really help you out sometimes…'

Botan watched as Aniya stopped speaking. 'It's hard for her isn't it? To actually meet people and trust them after what she's been through.' "Are you sure you don't want to come to the ball? Koenma only holds it every hundred years."

"Who'll be there?"

Botan began to name people, "The count and countess Davanci, they're from Italy; Lady Calisandra, she's very high up in the social positions, so I've heard. A cousin of Koenma or something…let's see…then there's Lord Doukai. He's just acquired an inheritance, so he's like bachelor of the year or something…" She stopped because of the look of absolute horror that was showing on Aniya's face. "Okay, okay. I'll stop. Well, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Hiei, Yukina, Koenma, me, George…"

"Yukina? Yukina will be there?"

"Yes. She's a very important ice maiden."

"So she'll be there too?"

"Yes. Besides, you have to go anyway, because if you snub Koenma's invitation, King Enma will become very angry, and we all know what happens when he gets angry."

"Well I don't, so could you tell me please?"

Flustered, Botan tried to explain, "Well…ah…um…just…just…just terrible things happen, that's what!"

Aniya laughed. "Okay, I get the point. So what do I have to wear to this ball thing? My ninja suit right? I've got a nice one with black trim."

Botan shrieked, "So you'll come?" Aniya nodded and took a step away from her. "Koenma will be soooo happy! Where to start? We'll have to get you a dress…"

"Excuse me? Did you just say dress? I am not wearing a dress."

"Yes you are, it's important that you make a good impression at this sort of thing. You'll have to have a big fancy one, with lots of fabric! I'll need one too!"

Aniya backed away, "Back away from the scary lady…"

*****

Yusuke and Kuwabara sat on a bench and watched as everyone walked by. "Urameshi, you're going to the ball thing, right?"

"Yup."

"Who're you bringing?"

"What?"

"Who. Are. You. Bring. Ing."

"Nobody."

"Why not?"

"Why not what?"

"Why aren't you bringing someone? *cough* Keiko *cough*"

"I can't bring her! Normal people would be freaked out to be at a party where they couldn't see a bunch of the guests."

"Oh."

"So, who are you bringing Kuwabara?"

"…"

"Sorry? I didn't hear that. Did you say you'll be bringing Yukina—oops, I'm sorry, I meant someone who I have never met before?"

"Stop making fun of me Urameshi. At least I express my feelings unlike someone here who ignores Keiko all the time."

"I don't ignore her, I just don't spend a lot of time with her. You know, this detective thing takes up more time that you'd think."

"Hahahahahaha! I told you. When it comes to this affection thing, I'm way better that you."

"Like Yukina would go with an idiot like you." Yusuke and Kuwabara turned around to see Hiei and Kurama standing behind them. "Hey, it's Hiei and Kurama. What's up?"

Kurama smiled, "Nothing much, and that's the problem I fear. We are growing bored, or at least one of us is, with nothing to keep us occupied. We couldn't help but over hear your conversation…"

"Bet you couldn't, but that's ok." They both turned to watch Kuwabara and Hiei fighting as usual.

"Yukina wouldn't say yes."

"She will. Watch."

"I'll watch her say no."

"She'll say yes, you'll see."

"Yukina wouldn't say yes to such an ugly idiot."

"Who're you calling ugly?"

"You, obviously."

"Well, I can do better than you any day!"

"Really."

"Yukina's more likely to say yes to me than to you!"

"Hn."

"As a matter of fact, I bet you couldn't get any girl to go with you to this ball thing."

"Neither could you."

Yusuke stepped in, "Why don't we make it a sort of challenge? If Kuwabara gets a date, Hiei has to do what Kuwabara tells him to do. If Hiei gets a date, Kuwabara has to do what Hiei wants him to do. If neither of you get dates, you have to do what Kurama and I say. If both of you get dates, the challenge is nullified."

"Fine."

The other three stared at Hiei. Did Hiei just accept a bet with Kuwabara to get a date to the demon ball? Yusuke gaped. 'I wish I had a movie camera or something so I could capture this on tape.' Kuwabara shook his head. "I'll do it too. But one question."

"Yeah?"

"Do your dates have to actually arrive with you?"

Yusuke and Kurama sweat-dropped. "Yes Kuwabara. And they have to stay with you for the majority of the evening."

"Darn it!"

Yusuke rubbed his hands together. 'I'll get my video camera and get this all on tape. This will be fun.'

*****

Several weeks passed until there were only three days left until the big night. Everyone was in a state of excitement. Okay…everyone was in some state of anxiety, anger, frustration, or boredom. The only person in a state of excitement was a certain blue-haired grim reaper…

"Let's all go shopping!"

"For the last time, I'm not going to wear a dress!"

Aniya folded her arms and sat of the collection of stuffing, fabric and wood that was once a sofa. "I'm not wearing a dress and that is final. I haven't worn a dress since I was an extremely little girl and I won't start now!" She was still being bothered by the one and only annoying Botan, who was determined to get Aniya in a dress. "When I said I'd come, I didn't think I'd have to be extra feminine about it!" Smirking, she looked up at Botan.

"Aniya, be serious! You didn't think you could get away with out wearing a dress?"

"If I knew that formal dress was actually a dress, I wouldn't have accepted!"

"Oh really."

"What are the guys wearing?"

"Suits."

"So why can't I wear a suit?"

"Because you're not a guy."

"I spent the majority of my life pretending to be a guy so that I'd be treated the same. Now you're going to change all that and make me be a little prissy pansy?"

"I'm not changing you, I'm just asking you to wear a dress. How hard is that. It's only for a night."

"I could settle for a dressy suit."

"It's the dress or nothing."

"Why can't I wear my fighting outfit?"

"Oh, you can wear a fighting outfit, you just have to wear one that I supply for you."

"YES!! What color is it?"

"White."

"White? Is it like some sort of Sailor Moon thing?"

"Actually, it's the Pretty Sailor Twinkle-Toes costume set for six-year olds, that comes complete with sparkly fake fairy wings."

The ultimate look of horror came over Aniya's face. "What?"

"You have a choice to make. It's the dress, nothing or Pretty Sailor Twinkle-Toes. Take your pick."

Aniya slumped down in defeat. "I'll take the stupid fucking dress. Happy?"

Botan jumped up and down. "I knew that you'd come around eventually. We can go shopping tomorrow! Don't forget, you need to find an escort too!"

Aniya walked out, slamming the door behind her. 'Why did I even say yes in the first place? I hate people, I hate boring events and I hate fucking dresses! How could I possibly let Botan convince me into going?' She jumped into a tree and sat fuming on one of the larger branches. 'I am going to regret this for as long as I live.'

"Excuse me? Aniya?" Aniya was pulled out of her angry thoughts as she looked down at the red-haired, green-eyed someone who was looking up into the tree.

"Kurama! What's up?" She dropped from her branch and stood next to him. "I haven't seen you guys for the longest time…what have you guys been up to?"

"Shall we sit?" He asked, gesturing at a park bench. "I am afraid that nothing much has been happening. There is nothing to do since Koenma isn't assigning any missions. Apparently all the demons are taking a break as well because the majority of the people who would be a problem to the living world are contained in the spirit world or are actually attending the ball, so they are too busy preparing. I was actually looking for Hiei. You see, sometimes he just finds random trees and sits in them. I was quite surprised to find you there instead."

Aniya smiled, "I'm sorry if I disappointed you."

Kurama smiled back, "That is alright. How are you doing?" Seeing her face turn dark he quickly added, "Perhaps I shouldn't have asked."

"I am sooo pissed right now. I don't think I'll be able to cope with the dress, the hair, the people and just today, Botan told me that I needed an escort. Where the hell am I going to find an escort in two days? I don't even want an escort. It's not like I need one. And Botan is forcing me to go shopping for the dress tomorrow!"

Kurama looked at her with sympathy written all over his face. "I am sorry about the shopping, but the demon ball won't be that bad."

"Yes it will. I don't want to have to wear a dress. And how am I supposed to get an escort then if everyone I see either wants to fight with me, kill me or run away from me?"

"You need an escort?"

"Botan said it wouldn't be proper for me to go without an escort."

"If you want, I can serve as your escort."

"Really?" Aniya smiled and her eyes looked hopeful. "Would you really do that for me?"

He nodded. "I have no one to escort and at least this way I do not have to worry about the others getting on my back."

Aniya was confused. "On your back about what?"

He began to explain, "Well you see, Kuwabara and Hiei made this bet…"

"Oh no you don't shorty! I get to ask first!"

"Baka."

Kurama and Aniya turned around to see Kuwabara and Hiei behind them. Yusuke was nearby with a video camera. "I can't wait to get this on tape. This should sell like fire on e-bay!" She looked at him with a funny look, but then she suddenly noticed Kuwabara was kneeling in front of her.

"Will you go to the demon ball with me."

"…"

"Please?"

"HELLLLLLL NO!"

"Why not?"

Aniya gaped. 'How stupid is this guy?' "You're ugly, you're stupid, and it's quite frankly amazing that you haven't been killed by some demon because you're so bad with your stupid-ass shiny spirit sword."

Kuwabara stood up. "Who are you calling ugly?"

Aniya turned to Kurama. "You'll notice of course, how he rushes to defend his appearance and totally ignores his intelligence, or lack there of." She smiled sweetly as Kuwabara. "Baka, the answer is no."

Kuwabara stomped off. Yusuke laughed, "You'd better ask Yukina Kuwabara or otherwise you'll have to do what one of us says! All night!"

Aniya shook her head. 'Boys will be boys and idiots will be absolute idiots.' Turning to Kurama, she was about to say this when she noticed someone else in front of her. It was Hiei, staring at her in a patronizing, bored manner. She stared back with a look that was increasing in anger by the second. "What do you want?"

Hiei remained silent. Aniya noticed that both Kurama and Yusuke were trying to contain laughter. Aniya looked at them , at Hiei, at Kuwabara stomping off and then back at Hiei.

"If you're going to ask what that baka just did, then the answer is…" She trailed off dramatically. 'I'm going to have a little fun with this….give it a little oomph for Yusuke's video.'

Yusuke was staring at her through the camera lens. 'Is she really considering saying yes? What the hell?'

Aniya smiled, "I don't see why not.." Kurama's and Yusuke's jaws dropped open as Hiei blinked. "Oh…wait…that's right…you tried to kill me…I hate your guts…so FUCK NO!!"

Hiei blinked again and then disappeared. Aniya turned to Kurama. "Is this what you were trying to tell me? Yusuke what is going on?"

Yusuke was laughing. "Well you see, we made a bet that neither Kuwabara or Hiei could get dates. Kuwabara's asked everyone, but there's been no luck so far. The only person who hasn't rejected him is Yukina. Hiei hasn't asked anyone. The closest he's gotten is what you just saw."

Aniya looked thoughtful. "Oh, I see. So I was a last resort? Is that it?"

Yusuke shuffled his feet, "Well….yeah…sorta…." He braced himself for a blast of an attack or something, but was completely surprised when Aniya smiled.

"It's so fortune that I already have an escort to the ball, so I am not offended in the least bit."

"You have an escort? Who"

"Me." Kurama said.

"Kurama? You sly fox! I didn't think that you two…"

"We aren't. I am merely helping a friend."

"Sure…."

Aniya looked at him. "We aren't like that and if I hear you or anyone, well mainly you, say anything related in any way, shape or form to that topic, that person, basically you, won't be able to sit down for a very long time. Do you understand me?"

Yusuke backed away. "Yup. Loud and clear."

Aniya walked off, leaving Yusuke and Kurama alone with the stupid birds in the trees.

"You seriously asked Aniya to the ball."

"Yes."

"And she's going."

"Apparently so."

"And she's wearing a dress."

"Yes."

"I can't wait to see this!"

*****

"Are you sure that this dress isn't too big? I mean, the skirt is huge!"

"Aniya. This is a ball gown. It's supposed to be like that."

"So tell me again, why I have to wear this dress and not some modern, practical dress?"

"Because you are attending the social event of the century and you are also an honored guest."

Aniya grumbled as she made her way back to the dressing room to take off the dress. 'It's a good thing the guys from the Arena can't see me like this. I can't imagine anything worse than having to face Gantoi, Firenzy or Joe in something as girly as this.'

Walking out again, wearing her black t-shirt and jeans, she handed the dress to Botan. "Here you go. Let's get out of here."

Botan and Aniya got into line, and Aniya waited as Botan bought the thing. Leading Aniya out of the store, Botan sighed charismatically and looked at her list. "Okay. Got that done. Shoes next!"

Aniya stopped dead in her tracks. "What do you mean shoes? I thought we only had to buy the stupid dress!"

"Well, you weren't planning on going barefoot, were you?"

"No, but I can create this stuff at home."

"What?"

"I can create almost everything, and I am certain that I can make," she looked at Botan's list, "shoes, make-up, tights, purse, gloves, jewelry, hair accessories and…body glitter?"

Botan shrugged. "I thought you might like to experiment."

"Not with stuff that will win me the 'Best Little Pony' award!"

Giggling Botan relpied, "It would look wonderful in your silver hair."

"Really. See this face? This is not a happy face."

"Come on. Let's go back. If you're going to make this stuff, you're going to have to figure out what works best."

As Botan got her oar, she asked, "Have you found an escort like I told you to?"

"Yup."

"Who is it?

"Not telling."

"Why not?"

"Cuz. Who's bringing you?"

"Yusuke, unfortunately. Koenma seems to think that since Yusuke can't bring Keiko, he can bring me instead."

"Got it."

The two girls blasted back to spirit world, lugging the dress with them.

*****

Sani came into Kuwabara's room, bringing him the answer for the letter he had written to someone. "Thanks Sani. Remember, Aniya doesn't know that I asked for your help. Yusuke, Hiei and Kuwabara also don't know, right?"

'Right.' She flew off again, to join Aniya in her hide-out.

Nervously, he opened the letter…

Kazuma-san, I would be delighted to go with you to the Demon ball in two days.

Kuwabara's looked down and read Yukina's letter once again. "In your face shorty!!!!"

A/N: How was it? Keep on the look out for the Demon Ball. There's two chapters or something devoted to the demon ball.