Chapter Forty-Seven: Dancing with the Devil

Never trust spiritual leader who cannot dance.

~Mr. Miyagi, The Next Karate Kid, 1994

A limo ride with the Prince of the Underworld...

"Maybe I just hit my head years ago when I fell down the well and nothing has been real sense then..." She thought idly as she looked out the window...she didn't want to look at him...it was bad enough he'd shown up at the house insisting he was going to teach her how to dance. She didn't want to touch him anymore, or be near him...she didn't like not being herself and though she hadn't had any issues at all that morning she didn't want them to start.

"You are angry with me." It was definitely a statement and not a question. The lovely timbre of the Prince's voice washing over her and making her want to be calm...which just ended up having the opposite effect of pissing her off more. He still sounded perfectly calm but she sensed a bit of amusement beneath the surface of his act.

"Sure am." She said shortly, trying not to snap too much at him. Byakuya had told her before that once the wedding was over it was unlikely they would see him often at all...she just had to suffer through a couple more days. She didn't want her actions to end up being taken out as punishment on the captain she was bound to wed.

She could just tell he was looking at her, the static of his attention giving her arms goose bumps and making her hair stand on end. His eyes on her made the effect worse she'd realized over the few minutes they'd been in the automobile. "Now I have some pity for Persephone..."

"Why?" The question was simple, he seemed honestly curious as opposed to irritated in any way.

She went a bit rigid and was grinding her teeth to keep from giving him an earful. Instead she took a deep breath. "You are sort of forcing me to get married then just decided to come kidnap me the day before my enforced wedding."

"You did say you wished to learn to dance." He commented. "Besides, your home town has arranged marriages. Byakuya is a excellent captain and was previously one of the most chased after bachelors of soul society. Would you prefer someone else?"

He was way too calm and it was making Kagome steadily more angry. "That's not the point! Just drop it. I don't want to do or say anything that will end up hurting Byakuya."

"I am not as fickle as some people might have you believe." He seemed amused now, which just pushed her mood further toward rage. "Whatever you say or do I am not going to turn it back on the Kuchiki family. Byakuya in particular has always been one I liked...though it bothered me he used to let me win when we played tag."

"It's not about that...people don't have many arranged marriages anymore cause it's not what people want. People want the ability to choose who they love and -when- they decide to get married it should be for themselves and the right reasons." She finally had turned to face him, resisting the urge to punch him though her fists were balled and she was shaking but it was out of anger not fear. Weeks of pent up aggression bursting. "Of course I'm angry at you. If Byakuya was to refuse it wouldn't just look bad on him but then I'd of just been passed to the next captain or noble or whatever or killed if I didn't go along. Why wouldn't I be pissed if my life wasn't mine to control anymore!?"

Both golden brows had raised enough that they were blending with his bangs and his elfish features had lines of surprise that weren't being covered by the usual calm. He didn't seem angry himself but very sad for a moment after Kagome's proclamation. Though that flickered by quickly and he looked out the window before she could pick out anything else.

"I fear I will anger you further before you cease to know me Priestess Kagome. We're here." He commented, making her notice the limo had stopped for the first time. Before she could say anything else he was not only out of the seat but was opening her door for her. "Come, there is much we should go over...I'd rather you not make a fool of yourself at the celebrations tomorrow."

She scowled at him and got out. Crossing her arms over her chest in a huff...she'd finally given him a piece of her mind and he just shrugged it off like it was nothing. Told her he'd end up pissing her off more...of course she was livid! He offered a hand but she just stormed toward the building where the limo had parked. It said 'Dance Studio' so she assumed that was the right place.

The Prince canted his head curiously after her and glanced to where the driver was gaping in horror at the scene. The way they were looking between him and her it was easy to tell they were expecting him to deal her some sort of fatal blow at any moment. He shrugged a little and gestured for him to wait before following the girl that was so interesting.

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Byakuya was failing to look over the folders that he'd been sent by the clown's freaks in squad 13. He was still distracted by the first few pages. They had affirmed what he'd already learned and feared, that Kagome was likely going to burn herself out sooner rather than later if she didn't get taught properly soon.

After the events with the soul cleanser he wasn't sure if she hadn't already had a brush with doing so...he could still remember in frightening detail how she had begun to fade away after the show of power in the gateway between worlds.

It didn't help his nerves that he wouldn't see her again until the ceremony. The Prince had insisted on taking her away for some sort of preparation that was apparently suppose to be a mystery. There were several captains that would be staying in the area to watch but he was still irritated that the nobility was taking such risks and not even involving him in the guard.

What little he had on the training history of the priests and priestesses of the past often seemed to involve the royalty not the nobility.

"The Prince should be the one teaching her not me." Byakuya thought idly. He didn't like it, he wanted her as far away from the royalty as possible and that wasn't a want he would likely see fulfilled if he also wanted her to survive as long as possible. "The only other option that was mentioned was the mental instruction that was previously brought up. Neither of us really wanted it, but if it's the only way then that changes everything. For now, we need to get through the ceremony and celebration before we do anything else."

It was him at his best, solving one issue at a time. He wouldn't go against his orders to leave them be unless he felt surges of spiritual energy in the city. As it was he had a sinking feeling Aizen was going to try to make some sort of trouble for the event itself...he obviously knew something was happening or he wouldn't have trapped the soul cleanser the way he did...

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The dance studio had good lighting but it echoed considering that it was empty other than the Prince and Kagome. It left her a little nervous despite the lingering anger. "Why isn't anyone else here?"

"What better way to teach dance than with two people. I had someone make a record of songs...though I must admit I am not very familiar with the technology of your world." He pulled out a C.D. when she gave him a confused glance and she sighed before taking it and moving toward the cd player to put it in.

She got it playing a waltz and fiddled to get the volume at an acceptable level before walking back over and just standing there looking at him. This was the part she'd been anxious about sense she knew she had to come.

"You would bow first but given the lack of proper dress we'll skip that part. Your kimono will be altered slightly so you will be able to move your legs with the dancing. Many ladies seem to prefer dancing just to enjoy a little freedom from the usual manner of dress." He explained, not bad at teaching given just by hearing his voice you were apt to listen to every word. "Here."

He held out his hand and she frowned a little but took it. Though the sensation of wanting to be closer to him wasn't as strong as when she was on his arm she still felt a wave of warmth envelope her. When he took her other hand and started to show her the proper way of standing the irritation she was feeling had been pushed away and she was steadily starting to have a easier time learning.

Within an hour she was moving better than she ever thought herself capable, she thought that just maybe she'd be able to pull off something close to graceful the next day. Before she knew it she was allowing herself to have a good time in the Prince's company. It wasn't until he'd paused and asked her to put in a different CD with other styles of dance that she caught up with the fact that things were spiraling out of her personal control again.

After excusing herself to use the bathroom she stood in front of the sink staring at herself in frustration. "How the hell does he do that?

"One moment I'm hating him the way I'm suppose to. Then he holds my hand and I'm all falling for him. No wonder they're the damn rulers...you can't hate them even when you want to! So unfair! It makes me feel horrible...I care about Byakuya...I am suppose to marry him. I'm not suppose to be thinking inappropriate things about his boss!""

Kagome leaned over the sink and tried to get her head back where it was suppose to be. She had fought and defeated Naraku, stood up to countless demons and evils, she could dance with the devil without turning into a drooling high school girl. She was suppose to be a priestess dammit, not just some weakling...she would do this.

The speech helped her resolve, though it was still difficult to remain focused once she met his stormy gaze.

"If you aren't feeling well we can stop." He offered, watching her and seeming sad again for a moment.

"I'm fine." Kagome affirmed, she couldn't just run away if she wanted to face something. "Just needed a break...how about you?"

She smiled playfully, it was harder to be herself when she was very angry to begin with. As much as she disliked the Prince, she wanted to get along with him and to try to someday move past the horrible way they'd started out. It wasn't like her to hold a grudge and so she would be more like herself.

It became easier to keep from staring once she'd resolved herself to not gape like a lovesick puppy and then it was better overall cause she was able to focus easier on her footwork and the actual learning of the dancing.

She didn't even notice it was evening until her stomach growled it's protest of her having not eaten for most of the day. "Um, I think I'll manage not to make a fool of myself. I should get back soon and dig up some dinner from the fridge. The big day is tomorrow and I'll have a heck of a time sleeping already."

"We can get you something on the way back if you'd prefer." The Prince offered, watching her as she retrieved the cd and put it back in it's case for him.

"Um...I guess." She pondered. "Do you eat fast food?"

Somehow the idea of him at a drive thru window made her grin lightly.

"I have never tried it." He said, seeming as if he wasn't sure what it was she was talking about. "If you tell the driver they will stop where you prefer."

"I like a place up the road here..." She said after her stomach rumbled again. It seemed safer than him asking her to then go somewhere to sit and eat. "I'm not sure a limo will fit though."

Another curious glance told her the Prince had no real idea what fast food was. Hopefully he'd like tacos cause that was the only place open real late in this neighborhood that she liked. She explained to both him and the driver fast food as best she could and then crawled back into the limo, at least her bizarre life she got to live in style.

"You seem less angry now." He pointed out, still watching her the way one might expect a person to keep a wary eye on a unstable experiment. Though he was calm he seemed to be prepared for another torrent of emotion from the girl.

"I'm still angry." She said with a nod. "But I don't want to always be mad so I'm trying not to think about it."

"Yeah, maybe he's not always so smooth." Kagome cheered at her mental insult.

"You remind me of my mother." He commented, though he'd taken to looking out the window and the passing lights didn't give her enough time to really pick out the subtle clues in his expression. "She had a temper like yours. I remember times she used to argue with father."

"Did she ever win?" Kagome was curious.

"Often." He commented, seeming faraway as if he was remembering.

"You never told me your name." She pointed out as she thought about it.

"Prince Sestran Shizuka." He glanced back at her, smiling a bit at her. Which of course was a bit much even for her resolve. "Sestran is acceptable Priestess Kagome."

She rolled her eyes at that. "Only if you call me Kagome...the Priestess thing is weird."

"Is that not what you are?" He commented.

"Well yeah but you don't say 'Gravedigger Tom' to the guy in the graveyard." She pointed out, the example wasn't exactly what she wanted but it worked.

"I suppose that is true." He smiled a bit more and she looked away out the window so she could keep herself from going into mindless mode again. "Thank you for a lovely day Kagome. I am glad you'll be joining us in the soul society."

She didn't get a chance to answer before the tacos were given to them by the driver (who had been forced to stop and go inside himself to get them). She instead distracted herself from eyeing up the Prince by showing him how you were suppose to eat tacos. Yep, she definitely thought she must have hit her head sometime and none of this was real. Eating tacos while riding in a limo with the Prince of the Underworld. Definitely one of those things that no one should have been able to say they've done.

End Chapter

Whew, not enough Byakuya lately I know. There is a method to my madness. Next chapter is the wedding! Woohoo! Happy times that. Hope folks keep reading.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Ayjah - You are always so fast to review. I'm glad you liked her thoughts of beating on people ;)

snowecat - I replied to you in a PM but yeah. Insulting someone and then saying it isn't a flame. Not the way to go. Oftentimes I post my first draft without ever really going back through. Fan fiction is just a hobby for me. Hope you continue to like the fiction but don't expect many differences.

Veil of Flesh - I luvs the Prince. He's like funny and annoying and awesome to write all at the same time.