InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Cinderella Stroy ❯ The Third Ball ( Chapter 19 )

Yuka sat nervously watching Kagome as the carriage flew through the skies. Asano had requested that she bring a servant to Yuiko's ball. She felt bad Kagome could not come as a noble woman, but at least she could come. As they approached the palace, Kagome smiled.

“Now don't you worry about me, new servants tend to get sent to the kitchen or the stables. I might not see you until tomorrow.”

Yuka nodded. “I will try to remember that.”

“Don't be nervous, Yuka-chan, he'll be waiting for you.”

They pulled up to the gates and sure enough Asano was waiting for them. He would not meet Kagome's eye and she wondered at this as he handed Yuka down. The carriage moved toward the stables and Kagome climbed out, using her miko powers to cloak herself she slipped outside the walls and into the forests beyond. She pulled out the jewel and waited. A moment later Midoriko appeared.

“Third time's the charm I take it?”

Kagome grinned. “If you say so. I'm hardly half trained, I wouldn't know.”

She snorted. “At least you've managed to find a decent man, that's more than most of us did. You ready?”

Kagome nodded. She closed her eyes and light enveloped her. When she opened them again, she found Midoriko nodding in approval. She glanced down and felt relief wash over her. After the last dress she'd been afraid Midoriko would choose something just as risqué, but it seemed she had restrained. The black boned bodice of her dress laced up the front, but instead of revealing her cleavage as before, a black satin under-shift covered her breasts. The sleeves hung almost to the tips of her fingers, and the skirt brushed at her silver slippers. The collar of the shift used a drawstring to close it. Once again the Shikon was imbedded in a silver collar. Her hair was left loose, cascading down her back. She tucked a strand of it behind her ear before smiling at her ancestor.

“Black suits you. He's coming so I'll be going. Do get into trouble. You deserve to have a little fun tonight.”

“Aren't you supposed to be protective of me and try to make me guard my innocence and all that?”

She snorted again, making a shooing motion with her hand. “I'm too old for that rubbish.”

Kagome watched, her lips twitching toward a smile as Midoriko faded. A few minutes later she felt Sesshomaru and Inuyasha approaching. She turned and smiled at the two as they entered the clearing. Inuyasha stopped in his tracks, his mouth slightly open in awe. Sesshomaru paused as well, though the shock was not so clear on his face. The black dress clung to her every curve and moved with her. He could see something in the bodice catching the light and when he moved closer he saw that there were indeed black gemstones stitched into the fabric. The shift and bodice were made of a material that seemed to absorb the light around her. With her hair down, its natural wave accentuated into long soft curls, she was a creature of mystery and beauty, a goddess on Earth.

“If it is possible, you look even more beautiful than before.”

Kagome blushed slightly and tugged at the sleeve. “I'm only glad you like it.”

Sesshomaru touched her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye. “In rags or in riches, you will always be beautiful. The dress does not so much become you as you become the dress. It should feel honored that one as beautiful as you would decide to wear it.”

Kagome felt her stomach flutter and Inuyasha sputtered slightly, shocked that not only had Sesshomaru paid her an honest compliment, but that he had strung more than three words together to do so. He held out his arm and she laid a hand upon it. Inuyasha fell into step behind them as they entered the great gates. The ballroom fell completely silent when they made their entrance. Inuyasha slipped off, more to hear the comments than to stay out of the limelight.

Kagome felt her grip on Sesshomaru's arm tighten slightly. She was not nervous, but the idea of so many eyes upon her made her uncomfortable. After what had happened last time, she did not doubt that everyone would be watching them. Yuiko came forward a smile on her face though Kaogme could sense some distinctly hostile vibes coming off of Sesshomaru.

“Ah, dear Guardian, I had hoped to be able to steal you away from your escort for a time. There are some matters I wish to discuss with you.”

Sesshomaru gave her a slight nod of encouragement and Kagome smiled. “Of course.”

Kagome released him and followed Yuiko out of earshot. The music started once more and couples formed for the dance. Sesshomaru was soon ensconced in a conversation with several other youkai Lords. Yuiko watched Kagome scan the room for a moment before speaking.

“He is not all kindness you know.”

Kagome jumped slightly and looked at her. “Who?”

“Sesshomaru-sama.”

Kagome actually laughed in Yuiko's face. “He has little kindness in him, yes, but there is still love. Love of his lands, and of Rin.”

“And for you, I think.”

She shook her head. “I do not know, and I don't think he does either.”

“He has done evil things, dark things. There was a time when he killed for sport, when ningen were a thing to be hunted.”

Kagome nodded slightly. Sesshomaru had told her of this, during several of their Dreams. “He was young and angry. He blamed Inuyasha's mother for his mother's death. He is still angry, but he does not hold ningen responsible anymore.”

“Yet the rage is still there.”

“I doubt it will ever truly fade. He is simply redirecting it. After…after this ends he will find another to hate until he comes to realize that his hate will not bring her back and it will not honor her memory.”

If Yuiko sensed more behind the words than Kagome intended she said nothing. The young woman before her watched the dancers whirl past in a study of grace for long minutes before shaking herself free of her reverie.

“I should really go…I don't…”

“Feel comfortable speaking to me like this, yes, I can tell.”

She blushed and Yuiko couldn't help but notice the scent of arousal that suddenly spiked all the men near them. “I don't mean to be rude…”

“Go to Sessshomaru.”

She crossed the room to reclaim Sesshomaru's arm as Suichi came up beside Yuiko. “Well?”

“She wears the ring, more than that, I believe she really does love him. What of him?”

Suichi shrugged. “Same as before, it's like talking to a snow storm. You can scream and scream, but nothing ever gets through.”

Yuiko nodded. “We will simply have to see what happens tonight.”