Chapter 9: Of Festivals and Meetings, A Christmas Eve to Remember
"Hurry up, Yoki!" Kiseki was yelling loudly from outside her friend's bedroom door. "I'll be out in just a minute, calm down we have three hours until the festival starts!" Yoki barked back from inside her room.
Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara, Hana, and Chi were standing in the hall about ten feet away from Kiseki. "Damn, why is Yoki always last?" Yusuke asked blankly. "Well, she sleeps in, she takes forever to clean up, and she takes too much time to eat meals. That's why she's always last, Yusuke," Hana stated simply. "Oh," Yusuke and Chi both said simultaneously. Then there was a loud scream from Yoki's room. Everyone blinked and rushed to the door.
"Yoki! Is everything alright in there?" Kiseki asked, now curious and knocking at the door. There was no response, but there was a loud "OW! What the hell was that for!" Everyone sweatdropped; the voice had sounded irritated.
"Hiei! What the hell are you doing in here while I'm getting dressed?" Yoki yelled at the fire demon, who now had a bump on his head. "I already told you! It was an accident! Why would I want to peep on you anyway!" Hiei growled back angrily. Yoki glared and hit Hiei across the face, catching him off guard, and that left a red handprint.
"Dammit! Will you just stop doing that?" Hiei yelled at her. "Well, get out or I'm going to keep doing it until you're dead!" Yoki shouted loudly, she looked like she could sprout demonic wings, fangs, and claws any minute; she was so pissed. Hiei glared one last time, then vanished from sight.
Yoki quickly surveyed the room to make sure Hiei was gone, then she closed her window and the curtains. Yeah, right. An accident? How can peeking in a window from a tree branch and then falling off the branch and through the window be an accident? Yoki thought irritably as she tied the obi of the kimono she was going to wear to the festival.
She looked in the mirror; the kimono was a dark navy blue that had long sleeves and small silvery and shiny black embroidered designs. The design was that of a dragon holding a rose in its mouth, and there were two tiny, red jewels where the dragon's eyes were supposed to be. The obi with her kimono was a dark red. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail with a red ribbon.
Yoki came out of her room and stopped blinking when everyone was standing a few feet away from her, looking very curious. "Um… hi?" Yoki said. "What was going on in there?" Chi asked curiously. "Huh?" Yoki blinked as her face slightly reddened, "Um, just a pervert. A pervert was sneaking through my window and I threw him out." Everyone instantly gasped. "Was he a rapist?" Hana questioned quickly with concern. "Are you okay?" Chi asked. "Did he do anything to you?" Kiseki asked, equally concerned as Hana and Chi. Yoki had her mouth agape and had her eyes closed as she went, "Uh, I'm fine." (I call that pulling a Keitaro look. You know? Keitaro from Love Hina has that look all the time. On the back of every book after #2, he is pulling the face that Yoki had in that scene… Except Yoki doesn't have tears streaming down her face.)
Anyway, after everyone was ready for the festival, they set off. Kiseki was wearing a dark green kimono with golden thread designs of a phoenix, and her hair was down on her shoulders. Chi was wearing a light purple kimono with a dark purple obi and a white and black bead design of a panda on it. Chi's hair was also down today. Hana was wearing a dark red kimono with a vibrant red obi and dark designs of a flower. Hana's hair was pulled back into a bun. Yusuke just wore a plain dark blue kimono. Kuwabara wore a white and blue vertically striped kimono. ( - Ugly, eh? I saw this in a picture once…) Yukina was just wearing her regular light blue kimono, and Botan was in her pink one. Hiei was just in his regular cloak. (Not very much of a holiday person, is he? .;) Kurama was wearing a pale green kimono and an obi that's a similar color I don't know the name of. Simply said, the group looked festive enough.
As the group entered the city, sunset had already begun. "Hey, the sun's already going down, we'd better hurry," Botan said as she noticed the level of the sun. The group started rushing off to the park that the festival was being held in and when they got there it was beautiful.
There were booths lining the walk, food booths, game booths and other kinds. There was cotton candy, oni-giri, hot dogs, and tons of other delicious food. There was even a Ferris wheel and a stage with big speakers nearby and relaxing music came from the speakers. There was a dunk tank, and some shooting games that involved shooting water at a target. There was even a hill that was at a perfect angle to watch the fireworks that were going to start later.
"Wow!" All the girls said in unison. Kiseki clung to Kurama and dragged him off toward the food booths; Chi followed suit with Yusuke. Botan hurried after them. Yoki, Yukina, Hiei, and Kuwabara just stood there a few seconds.
"Well, it would seem we lost about half the group, so let's go check out some of the games, shall we?" Yoki suddenly smiled and grabbed Hiei's hand and pulled him off too. Yukina and Kuwabara followed.
Yoki stopped at a booth with plastic bottles stacked up like a pyramid. It was one of those games where you use a small plastic ball to knock down the bottles. "Hey, Hiei, any of those prizes interest you?" Yoki asked pointing the prizes out to the fire demon. "Hn, why? Are you planning on winning me one?" Hiei asked stubbornly. "Well, I was considering it," Yoki scratched the back of her head as some redness came to her face. Hiei blinked, "Whatever, I don't care if you get anything for me or not, I'm only here because Kurama convinced me to come," he stubbornly crossed his arms.
"God Hiei! At least be polite to her, she's offering you a present! Speaking of which, would you like a present my sweet pea?" Kuwabaka had seemed to make a good point until he started drooling over Yukina again. Hiei clenched his fists and growled angrily. Yoki sighed; He needs to learn some anger management. If the idiot can make Yukina happy, then I guess it might not matter how much some people hate him… she thought as she paid three dollars to try for a prize.
Yoki hit all three bottles on her first throw! "Wow, you have good aim!" Kuwabara commented. "Yeah, yeah, it comes naturally to me, don't get all excited about it," Yoki sighed as she made an excusing wave with her hand. "So, which prize do you want, young miss? I would recommend the charm over here, it's called 'Mayoke Ai', it's very popular tonight," the clerk suggested.
"Well, tell me about the Mayoke Ai," Yoki smiled politely. Kuwabara, Yukina and Hiei all blinked, paying attention. "Well, the Mayoke Ai is a charm that helps you in love on a certain night, the night of a full moon. It's said that this charm can work miracles on 'down in the dumps' relationships. Just to explain, might I ask if you have someone you know hates you?" the clerk gave a brief explanation.
Yoki blinked, "Well, he does," she pointed at Hiei. The clerk blinked, "Hm, alright. Then say you get this charm, it's rumored that then this young man, for example, would think you his best friend or possibly companion in life!" The clerk declared as he went all starry-eyed in his elaboration. "That's just a load of crap," Yoki mumbled. Yukina looked curious and gullible. Kuwabara was thinking and Hiei just stood there looking at the clerk like he was some crazy loon.
"Alright, I'll get the charm as long as you accept a little deal," Yoki suddenly smirked. "What would that be?" the clerk asked, now interested. "Well, say the charm doesn't work by the end of the night, then wouldn't that just be unfair unless I got something else in return? Yes, it would. So how about twenty bucks says this charm doesn't work," Yoki held a finger up mischievously. The clerk thought, smiled, then sealed the deal with the shaking of the right hand. Then the group walked away.
"Heh, I'm getting twenty bucks extra tonight, I wonder what I should do with it… I know! I'll buy that DVD I wanted!" Yoki talked aloud to herself. "Don't you think you're jumping the gun a bit? You know you won't get any money if that thing does work," Kuwabara pointed out. "Oh pish posh, I know these crappy charms don't work for real, I tried one of these Mayoke Ai things a couple years ago, it doesn't work," Yoki stated with utmost confidence. "But this one is actually on the night of a full moon, see?" Kuwabara pointed at the moon. It was shining with its silvery white radiance. "So what? I'm not superstitious," Yoki said in an 'I-think-this-is-crap' voice. "Well, okay," Kuwabara said cautiously.
It wasn't long before Yoki saw an unpleasant face in the crowd. "Well, well, if it isn't Yoki, Hiei, and their band of freaks," said the distasteful voice of Bijinkai. "I thought gorillas stayed in the zoo after hours," Yoki commented with pure venom. Bijinkai glared, then responded. "Ha, ha, very funny. Cut the lame insults, Yoki. Now who are these people?" Bijinkai walked up to Kuwabara first. "Hm, he's ass-ugly. Is he your new boyfriend?" Bijinkai asked with an assuming voice. Kuwabara growled; "You're so lucky I don't hurt girls!" the orange-haired one yelled. "Kazuma, please calm down," Yukina said timidly, for she didn't like it when people got angry. Bijinkai walked up to Yukina next.
"Very pretty, where'd you pick her up? The pet store? A loyal little pansy isn't she? Maybe I could rent her for a few hours, my room does need cleaning. Wait, would she be fit for that? Perhaps a foot massage would do better. Naw, how about something even more fit for her? I'm sure being my slave is too high-ranking, so how about my punching bag, I need to beat something that's too weak to hit back," Bijinkai smiled at her own comments. Hiei was burning with hatred. Kuwabara was too. Yukina, however, was frowning and looking at the ground, seeming to be close to tears. Yoki glared at Bijinkai, "Alright that's enough! You can call Kuwabara ugly, you can insult me and Hiei all you want, but no making Yukina cry!" Yoki yelled as some people looked over at them curiously.
Bijinkai smirked at Yoki, "And what are you going to do about it?" she scoffed. "This!" Yoki yelled as she lunged toward Bijinkai and nailed her in the face with a right-handed back fist. Bijinkai's eyes went wide with shock! She was on the ground with a bloody nose before she knew that Yoki had nailed her. Hiei walked over to Bijinkai, and then he kneeled over and grabbed her wrist. Bijinkai let out a distressed yell.
"Ow! What the hell! What are you doing? Let go! It burns!" Bijinkai yelled. Once Hiei let go, there was a horrible burn on Bijinkai's wrist. "Consider that your LAST warning!" Hiei glared, venom was just oozing from his voice.
Yoki glared coldly at Bijinkai and then spoke up. "Don't EVER insult Yukina again, then you may live to the age of seventeen. If you don't obey this warning, then forever look at the burn on your wrist and remember the pain, because you'll be feeling it a lot more," Yoki said, and then went over to Kuwabara who was trying to cheer Yukina up. Hiei pointed his index finger at Bijinkai and let a small flame ignite at the end of it. Bijinkai squealed, causing people to look at Hiei, but the little demon was too fast, for the flame was gone by the time everyone had fixed their eyes on him and he had turned around and walked back to the others. The people just shrugged and thought Bijinkai was trying to get attention.
"Well, now that that bitch, Bijinkai, is gone, let's go get some food. I'm starved," Yoki said, looking over at Yukina, who was smiling again because Kuwabara had started telling funny stories to make her smile. "Yoki," Hiei spoke up as he walked up behind her. Yoki blinked, turning around. "Yeah? What?" Yoki asked, slightly surprised that Hiei had used her name. "Thanks for punching that bitch," Hiei smirked as he remembered Bijinkai's face. Yoki smiled, "No problem at all, she's been deserving that since the fourth grade when she started being so bitchy," Yoki made an excusing wave with her hand. "Hn," Hiei still smirked slightly and then looked over at Yukina, who was smiling at Kuwabara. He twitched uncomfortably, but then shrugged.
"Oh, there you guys are! It's about time we found you!" Yoki called out to Kiseki, Kurama, Chi, Botan, and Yusuke. "Hm? Oh, hey," Kiseki blinked and greeted them as she handed Kurama her cotton candy. "So, have you five been eating the whole time?" Kuwabara asked them. Kiseki blinked, putting a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth. Yusuke was biting into a hamburger, Chi was stuffing her face with noodles, Botan was happily gobbling some rice balls, and Kurama was eating some cotton candy. So, as I'm sure you could guess, none of them were able to answer. "Well, that would be a yes. Anyway, make room, I'm hungry too," Yoki said as she pushed Kiseki over and took a seat. Yukina, Kuwabara, and Hiei sat down as well. And they were all eating something soon.
Hiei had eaten his precious sweet snow of course. But he wasn't aware that there was a little of the yummy dessert on his cheek. Yoki blinked, and leaning toward him, she licked the little dot of sweet snow off of his cheek. "Ha, ha. You had some ice cream on your cheek, Hiei," Yoki smiled innocently. Hiei blushed slightly at discovering that Yoki licked his cheek. "Hiei? Are you alright?" Yusuke asked, poking the little fire demon. Hiei glared at Yusuke and whacked his hand away. "Yup, you're just fine," Yusuke answered his own question as he frowned at the small jolt of pain in his hand.
Kurama glanced suspiciously at Hiei. Then, suddenly smiling, he tapped Hiei on the shoulder and asked to pull him off for a few minutes. Hiei stood up and walked over to another table with Kurama.
"Hiei, were you just embarrassed back there?" Kurama asked. "Well, wouldn't you be if some girl licked your cheek, and the only explanation she had was sweet snow?" Hiei answered the fox's question with his own. "Well, I was about to offer you a napkin, but her tongue was there first…" Kurama sweatdropped. Hiei gave his fox friend a cold stare.
"Hiei, you're aware that your face is still a bit red, right?" Kurama pointed out. "No, I wasn't, but I am now," Hiei stated in an annoyed fashion. Kurama smiled, "Hiei I believe I now have enough evidence to say that you're falling in love with our sweet Yoki." Hiei raised an eyebrow as the redness in his cheeks disappeared. "What evidence would that be, kitsune?" he asked. "There's the second day of school, need I remind you; you seem more comfortable around her than almost anyone else. You get embarrassed if she tries to joke around with you, like licking the ice cream off your face. You've saved her life at least two or three times from the dangers at Genkai's. Last, you've been moping since you told her you hated her and saw her reaction to that," Kurama answered with a whole list. "Kurama," Hiei started. "Yes?" Kurama asked. "You probably would done most of the same things, does that mean YOU love her?" Hiei smirked as his friend got a funny look on his face, but then the fox answered calmly. "No Hiei, I don't believe it's Yoki I love, but Kiseki," he answered.
"Kurama, you know these fiancés that the girls have to marry?" Hiei asked his fox friend from out of the blue. "Yes, what about them?" Kurama seemed interested. "They're here, standing over there," Hiei nodded his head toward the cotton candy booth. Kurama glanced over and saw some strange looking fellows at the booth. Two of them had long black hair and one of those two had his hair in a ponytail and a wolf tail on his backside. The other black haired one had his hair down long and was wearing some fancy dark blue kimono. The wolf guy was wearing an outfit that appeared to be made from fur, and he also had fangs and pointed ears. The third guy had hair that looked like it was bleached blonde, but you could still see some brown roots. He had bluegreen eyes and was wearing regular jeans and a dark green jacket over his shirt.
The wolf guy was ordering cotton candy, but the blonde was fighting him for his spot in the line. The other one was just standing there as the wolf and blonde fought… then he just walked to the cotton candy man saying he'd take it. The cotton candy man gave him the cotton candy. The other two that had been fighting over the cotton candy just froze and suddenly started yelling after him.
"A wolf demon, and half demon of many varieties, and a… human I think," Kurama noted as he sniffed the air. "Hn, those morons again…" Hiei muttered. "Huh? What do you mean? Do you know them Hiei?" Kurama asked as he looked at them still. Something seemed to be missing, there were three guys standing there, and one… two… three… four… FOUR PRINCESSES! That meant one fiancé was missing. "Hiei, there's one fiancé missing," Kurama told his fiery friend. Hiei shook his head, "Perhaps he just doesn't want to show himself," he suggested. Kurama blinked, "Yes, perhaps," he agreed suspiciously.
When the two walked back over to the group, the fiancés started walking over as well. "Hey, Reikai princesses!" one of the fiancés greeted. All the princesses turned their heads curiously. "See guys, I told you that they'd look at us if I used their titles!" the same boy said. The wolf guy and the half-demon gave the other one ten bucks each.
"Beg pardon, you are…" Kiseki raised an eyebrow as she examined the boy that got money off of the other two. "Oh, how rude of them, I'm Jeremy. It's a pleasure to meet you again my princess," the human boy took Kiseki's hand and kissed it. Kiseki felt a slight tingle go through her body as he kissed her hand. Kurama twitched jealously and walked up behind Kiseki, putting an arm around her waist all the while. (We've got a protective fox… oh boy… '' ; This should be interesting.)
"I'm Koga, leader of a wolf demon tribe. Chi, I'm back for you since that Kagome went off with that damn mutt a while back, and you are much better than her anyway," the wolf man said as he bowed his head. Chi smiled because she thought he was being polite… sort of. Yusuke growled and pushed Koga away. "Back off pal, Chi is my girlfriend!" he yelled at Koga. Koga blinked and then, showing his fangs, he yelled back. "Chi is my mate! I proposed one thousand years ago and I'm not about to back off!" Chi blushed and blinked, looking between the two.
Naraku walked over to Hana. "I am Naraku, you are to be my woman, any objections?" he said in a monotone voice. "Not at all, I suppose you are hot enough. Anyway, wanna go ride on the Ferris wheel?" Hana responded. Naraku didn't answer, but he did nod, so Hana grabbed his hand and dragged him off. (Sweatdrop Well, they're hitting it off…)
Kuwabara blinked and just went back to eating his food. Yukina started drinking her coke again and tried not to pay attention. Botan was watching Yusuke fight with Koga as a dust cloud rose. Yoki blinked and sighed. No fiancé for her, huh? Oh well, she didn't need to meet him tonight. Then she looked at Hiei, who was looking rather annoyed, and also kind of secretive.
"Hiei? Is something wrong?" Yoki asked him as she waved her hand in front of his face. He grabbed her hand and held it for a little while. Yoki blinked. "I'll take that as a maybe," she said. Hiei then looked up at her, smiling for once. "Come, I want to take you somewhere," Hiei said, letting go of her hand and walking ahead. "Uh… okay," Yoki agreed after a few confused moments. She hurried after him.
"Where are they headed?" Kuwabara blinked and asked no one in particular. Jeremy blinked and then smiled. Kiseki was curious now, she felt like melting, just like she had when she was around Kurama. "Well, Hiei's just showing his future mate a lovely view of the night. Either that or he's completely annoyed with us and wants to go off somewhere to do that little bet…" Jeremy said knowingly. "Huh? Future mate?" Everyone but Koga questioned simultaneously. "Ha, ha, so he hasn't said a word, sounds like a typical Hiei act to me, but nevermind, you'll find out soon enough," Jeremy answered with a Kiseki-melting smile. (Ahhh! TWO people can melt my best friend!) Kurama cast a suspicious glance at Kiseki that was also a little hurt. Kiseki didn't notice the look for she was busy melting. (LOL)
On a hill overlooking the festival, Yoki finally caught up to Hiei. "God, you're too fast," Yoki said in between exhausted breaths. "Or maybe you're just too slow," Hiei's voice came from in front of her, but then he appeared behind her. "No, I'm pretty sure you're too fast," Yoki smiled slightly as she finally stopped breathing so heavily. "Then is this too fast for you?" Hiei asked as Yoki felt a poke on her back. By the time she turned around to question Hiei, he was behind her again. "Oh come on, this isn't fun," Yoki said as she kept trying to get Hiei in view, but failing miserably as she heard a few chuckles from every direction.
Yoki was finally tired and just stood there looking at the moon. It was so bright, so round, so… so not being looked at by Yoki anymore. Yoki blinked and focused on what was on top of her. It appeared that Hiei had jumped her from the front when she wasn't looking. "Uh… Hiei… what are you doing?" Yoki asked as she felt a warm blush in her cheeks. "Just having a little fun," Hiei answered innocently as he started digging through Yoki's kimono pocket. He found the Mayoke Ai and then sat up while still on her. Yoki was still blushing deeply, for she couldn't move much without a strange feeling coming to her leg. (Laughing at adult humor)
"Yoki, remember the charm thing?" Hiei asked, holding the Mayoke Ai up in front of her. "Yeah, what about it?" Yoki asked. No sooner did she finish her question than she realized that the charm had probably taken effect on Hiei!
Crap! Crap! Crap! That damn charm does work, and it's taking effect on Hiei of all people! Damn I'm screwed! Yoki thought to herself. (Naw that's just what he wants her to think for now.) Hiei then grinned, which was strange, but that was nothing compared to what he said next. "Well, that's an idea, isn't it?" Hiei grinned mischievously. He obviously read her mind. (Laughing REALLY hard at the adult humor) "What? NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! You can't seriously mean that!" Yoki yelled as her face went redder and there was a slight tinge of blue. "And why not, huh?" Hiei asked. Yoki's mouth was agape and she was seriously freaking out. "Um… Hiei, could you let me up please? I'll give you a present if you do," Yoki smiled sweetly. Yeah a real big bash on the head! She added in her thoughts angrily. "No, you'll hit me if I let you up," Hiei frowned. "I promise I won't hit you or touch you in a way that brings pain," Yoki whined desperately. Hiei grinned with satisfaction, then got up off of Yoki and stood there.
"Thank you Hiei, for getting off. I'm sorry…" Yoki said, lowering her head. "Sorry for what?" Hiei asked. "Sorry I had to do this!" Yoki unleashed her blue spirit saber and formed the end of a mallet on it, then hit Hiei over the head. Hiei went out like that. All right, either that charm makes people crazy, or someone put alcohol in the ice cream he ate. Yoki thought as she picked up Hiei, who was still holding on to the Mayoke Ai, and hauled him away over her shoulder. (Alcoholic ice cream… Where do I think of this stuff?)
When she got back to where the others had been, the booths were nearly empty and everyone was gone. It's too early to end the festival… Maybe it's time for the fireworks? Oh crap! It is! I don't wanna miss them! Yoki thought as she started running, still carrying Hiei over her shoulder.
She got to the hill and there were so many people there. "Damn crowds…" Yoki muttered. She then blinked and saw a tree, and then she started climbing with Hiei still out cold on her back. For someone so small, he isn't a lightweight! Yoki thought as she reached a high up branch and leaned Hiei against the place on the branch where it joined with the trunk. (I dunno what to call it, but oh well.)
Just as the fireworks started, Hiei was coming to. "What the hell?" Hiei put a hand to his head as he muttered. "Oh, you're awake. Are you sane now or do I have to hit you out cold again?" Yoki asked as she watched the fireworks. "You actually believe you can do that again?" Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Yup, you're back to normal. Anyway, could you do me a favor?" Yoki started another topic. "What?" Hiei asked boredly as he sat up a bit and took notice of the fireworks. "Burn this," Yoki said, holding up the Mayoke Ai. "Why would I burn that?" Hiei questioned as if it was an unworthy thing to burn. "Because it freaked me out when it put its evil curse on you," Yoki answered. Hiei had a look of confusion on his face, then shook his head. "You are some demented mortal, aren't you?" he stated in question form. "What do you mean!" Yoki demanded, turning her attention to Hiei and away from the fireworks.
"I wasn't under a curse or spell, I was fulfilling a bet with an old acquaintance," Hiei stated. "What!" Yoki yelled and she looked ready for an explanation. Hiei sighed. "About a thousand years ago right after you and the other princesses were reborn, someone made a bet with me that I wouldn't do that the next time I got a good chance," Hiei explained in a surprisingly patient tone. "And you accepted?" Yoki raised a still angry eyebrow. "Hey, I get all his old weapons now, even the stolen artifacts he promised," Hiei shrugged. "So you only did that because you wanted some stupid-ass little weapons and artifacts?" Yoki sounded on the verge of slightly calming down. "Why else would I?" Hiei asked.
Yoki scooted right next to Hiei and put an arm around his shoulders, and rested her head on his chest. Hiei blinked and blushed slightly. "What the hell are you doing?" he hissed. "I'm just getting close enough to you," Yoki said in a voice that sounded calm and relaxed. "Close enough for…?" Hiei trailed off in question. "For this, you creep!" Yoki yelled angrily and used her free arm to punch him in the gut, then let go of him with the other arm. Caught off guard, Hiei fell, but grabbed hold of what he thought to be a branch as a reflex. Yoki was pulled down too! For it hadn't been a branch Hiei grasped, but her ankle.
They hit the ground pretty roughly. Hiei was under her and she had spiraling eyes. People blinked as they looked at the two. Yoki regained what sense she had and started to get up, only to find that she sprained her ankle on the way down. "Ow… damn you, Hiei, you sprained my ankle," Yoki growled as she rolled over off of him and lay down on her back. Hiei got up, "Well you deserve it for the bruise my stomach is going to have for a few days," he said as he kneeled down by her and took a look at her ankle. "Besides, Yukina can heal that right up anyway," Hiei added after examination. Yoki blinked as he started lifting her up. She blushed a bit and then spoke up.
"Hiei… why are you carrying me?" she asked a bit nervously. "Because your ankle is sprained, it's my fault, and you probably wouldn't have much luck walking on your own," he answered simply. Yoki sighed, "I guess you have a point," she said after a few moments.
Hiei finally found a spot on the hill that was unoccupied by people. There was a cherry blossom tree there, but all the blossoms were gone, except one. Hiei put Yoki down under the tree on the snow-covered ground and she leaned against the tree trunk. He just sat next to her and looked up at the brightly fantastic fireworks.
"Wow, that one looked like a star," Yoki said to herself aloud. Hiei just stayed silent. Yoki blinked and looked over at him. "Hiei, why are you being so quiet? Afraid you'll say something nice?" she asked him. Hiei raised a slightly annoyed eyebrow. "Afraid? No, of course not. That's something I don't have the ability to feel," he answered. Yoki just rolled her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder. Hiei froze for a second. "Yoki, what are you doing? Planning on punching my stomach again?" he asked.
"No, I'm just getting tired, and it's the perfect season to relax outside. So don't be surprised if I fall asleep this way," Yoki said with a strangely sad smile. Hiei blinked curiously and then spoke up. "Why do you seem so sad?" he asked in his regular 'I-don't-care' voice.
Yoki laughed nervously, "Heh, heh… well… Ever since I can remember, every year before this, my mom would work late on Christmas Eve, so I'd come to the festival with my dad once he was home from work. He always brought me to this spot and by the end of the night, I'd be asleep on his shoulder. Then, the next morning, I'd be in my bed at home and he'd tell me all about the fireworks and rub it in my face that I missed the finale," Yoki explained with that smile that said she just was happy to remember that. That smile that made people gaze in her eyes and listen. (Muahahahahaha! I think I actually have a look like that… blink)
Hiei had actually listened to the story, then he curiously asked, "What happened to your father?" Yoki sighed sadly, but then cheered up a little. "He's above us, dropping snow on our heads like he's always wanted to after death," she answered, looking up. "So he's in Reikai then," Hiei stated. "I guess, if that's where people go when they die," Yoki said with a not so sure glance toward Hiei.
"You know what? This may sound strange to you, but my father always told me that when the last cherry blossom from a tree falls, you can make a wish and then let the blossom blow away in the wind to be read by the closest wish-granter. Then your wish, it'll come true," Yoki brought up out of the blue. Hiei looked curiously up at the tree and then smirked a bit. "You humans come up with the strangest stories, I swear," he shook his head. Yoki let out a small chuckle. "Well, yeah I knew you would say something like that. But I believe it," she commented. "Well if you believe, then start making your wish," Hiei pointed up at the last cherry blossom as it started to fall. Yoki looked up and then closed her eyes.
I wish Hiei would be nicer to me or at least think of me as a friend, Yoki wished in her thoughts. Hiei wasn't reading her mind though; he was making a wish of his own. (Hee, hee, he's trying it out anyway. What do you think he's wishing for huh?)
Once the blossom hit the ground, Yoki picked it up and blew it away, letting the wind take it off into the world. "Well, it's only a matter of time before my wish is granted," Yoki smiled at Hiei. Hiei just sat there looking at the stars, but he did respond, "Perhaps it won't be too long." Yoki then yawned and leaned on Hiei's shoulder once again. She was tired. Soon, she even fell asleep. Hiei blinked after she was asleep.
"What am I? Her father?" he asked sarcastically as he sighed. Yoki then mumbled something, and though, Hiei's not exactly sure what she said, it sounded vaguely like, "Thank you, Hiei…" Hiei blinked, that sounded strange… he usually didn't get too many thanks in his life.
What's she thanking me for? Maybe it's just another absurd dream of hers… Oh well, I guess I'll just start carrying her back to Genkai's temple now. Why do I go through so much trouble for you, huh, princess? I guess you're just my royal pain in the ass, Hiei thought to himself as he gently lifted Yoki off the ground and disappeared into the night.
End Chapter 9
Me: Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed the festival portion of the story, I thought it was pretty good… but I have my own pros and cons about it that I'm not sharing.
Reioko: And that's because she doesn't want you all to know that she's going to be pessimistic for a few hours until she thinks of the next chapter! Popped out of nowhere
Me: … Sweatdrop Yeah, well now they know…
Akai: Gasp Momo! You can't be pessimistic! What will this world come to!
Me: Just because I'm not being optimistic doesn't mean the apocalypse!
Akai and Reioko: Ahhh! Everyone to the bunkers! Runs off
Me, Hiei, Kurama, Yusuke, Chi, Hana, and Kuwabara: …;;;
Chi, Hana, Yusuke, and Kuwabaka: Backs away and joins Akai and Reioko in the bunkers
Me: Oh, come on!
Hiei: They're morons, like always.
Kurama: I fail to see the logic of Mo-chan's being pessimistic causing the apocalypse.
Me: Thank you, Kurama.
Kurama: Nods
Me: So… while we're trying to convince the others that the world is not coming to an end, (fat chance!) enjoy as someone tells you the next time preview and adorable results!
Mo-chan, Hiei, and Kurama go to find the others and explain that the apocalypse is not coming for at least 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years. To do the next time preview, George Saotome walks in with a microphone.
George: Clears his throat Next time- Well, it's Christmas Day and then New Years! My New Years resolution will be for Koenma to be nicer to me! Anyway, the four princesses… okay, except Hana, are going through some conflicting emotions with their fiancés. Kiseki likes both Kurama and Jeremy, Chi is continuously being fought over by Yusuke and Koga, and Yoki is still unsure about Hiei's feelings toward her… if there are any. Bye the way, Yoki, where'd you get that pendant? A little black box addressed to you on Christmas morning, huh? Who's it from? Who's it from? This and more will be answered: Next time on "Royalty, or Royal Pain?"
George: And the current results of the Adorable Contest are:
Jin 4
Toboe 0
Shippo 6
Momiji 1
George: Why wasn't George in the contest? Aren't I a cute ogre? Holds up a hand mirror that breaks once his whole facial reflection is in it Wahhhh! That's not very reassuring! Koenma Sir! Runs off whining
