Author's note: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of its characters. I simply borrow them to use in my own sick, twisted fantasies like this one.

Hey everyone! How's it going? Thanks for being patient and sticking with me through this story. When I was writing this chapter it took a turn that I wasn't expecting. I no longer have any clue of where this story is going, but I'm going to keep writing and see where it takes me. Please don't forget to review because I really don't know if this story is worth continuing or if it's a huge load of literary crap so your input is greatly appreciated and wanted. Still, please enjoy the chapter and thanks for being so awesome and devoted to this story! – Nira

Chapter Twenty-Five

The day had finally come. I'd gone through my excruciating transformation into a full-blooded vampire, I'd sat through hours of my father's lectures about the politics of the estate and our allies and enemies and who could and could not be trusted, and my birthday celebration was pushed back to the same date as my crowning so that it would give my father an excuse to throw a massive ball in my honor. On my actual birthday I'd received flowers and an exquisite diamond necklace from Daisuke and my father had put together a small get-together with the servants who all congratulated me and offered small gifts ranging from hand-made trinkets to a gorgeous new blue gown that faded into a starry night sky-scape at the hem from Miyu for my crowning.

It was the day of my crowning, though, and with it came the crowds of people to congratulate me. I'd dressed in the gown that Miyu had gotten me for my birthday. It was blue and strapless with a corseted top laced in the back with silver ribbons, and as it flowed gracefully to the floor, the fabric darkened into a starry night sky around the hem and along the short train. There was a silver scarf wrapped around my shoulders and around my neck was the necklace I'd received from Daisuke. I wore my hair in an elegant, loosely curled up-do held in place with a silver decorative comb though my bangs fell loose to frame my face that was made-up with darker shades of blue and heavy eye-liner and mascara to accentuate my silver eyes, a light dusting of blush, and pale pink lipstick.

While I dressed, Father stood at the door and greeted guests, making small talk and thanking them for coming to celebrate on my behalf. When I'd finished, it was almost time for the ceremony to begin and I walked with Miyu to the grand ballroom where the crowning ceremony would be held. I stood outside the door that had been closed now that all of the guests had arrived and they stood about, chatting amongst themselves while they waited. Miyu looked me over with a smile on her face before giving me a brief hug.

"You look fabulous, milady. The young Lord Daisuke is a lucky man to have you," she stated, a rather large grin donning her face but she quickly composed herself and cleared her throat. "Please wait just a moment, milady."

She disappeared silently behind the door while I waited, the anxiety building. Within a few short minutes I heard my father's booming voice over the crowd.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, friends and neighbors. As you all know, tonight is a very special one. It has been but only a few short months since the return of my beloved daughter, and tonight is in her honor. Please, everyone join with me in welcoming my dearest Kimiko to the front of the ballroom with me and let the ceremony begin!"

The doors slowly opened, drawing the anticipation out, and as soon as I came into the light, there was an uproar of applause and gasps of astounding. I made my way through the crowd with ease as they parted to the sides, scanning the faces as I went. Many of them seemed vaguely familiar, probably since the majority of them had been at the ball that Daisuke's parents had thrown, being allies of both their family and my father, and I knew that among those faces would be my friends from the Spirit World. That knowledge brought a sense of both unease and excitement. I'd get to see Yukina and Kurama again, but I'd also have to see Hiei again.

How would we react to each other's presence? Would the other ball guests be able to feel or sense the tension that was bound to be between us? Would it cause a scandal? How would Hiei and Daisuke interact with each other, both being men that I loved dearly and who both wanted me for their own?

I reached the front of the grand room and curtsied to my father, a smile spread across my face. He couldn't help but to smile back as he took my hand and grasped it firm and proud, guiding me to his side. As I took my place, I scanned the crowd again and paused on Daisuke who was watching from the front row just in front of me. Directly behind him was another group of familiar faces and I smiled wide but it fell momentarily as the realization hit me that one was missing. Before I could dwell on it, my father spoke up and I turned my attention to him.

"As everyone is well aware, I am sure, I have grown old. My habits, customs, and ways of thinking have as well, and so I have come to the decision that it is time for me to turn my crown and estate over to a new, younger generation in the hopes that she may make everything that I have grown so accustomed to better for not only those working here with us at the estate, but for our allies, friends, and neighbors, as well.

"My dearest daughter Kimiko, watching you grow when you were a child was a treasure and a delight. There was never a day that I regretted having you. You made mine and your mother's lives brighter. When I had heard the news of your mother and that you had gone missing, it was the first dark day of the many that followed until you had found your way home once again. It was those younger days of yours and spending precious time with you, causing mischief in the kitchens and giving your mother a hard time that kept me going.

"But we had gotten into an argument one day and you once again disappeared from my life. I blamed myself. I wondered if I had been too harsh on you or coddled you too much. I wondered where you had gone and if you were eating and sleeping well, wherever you were. I questioned when and if you would ever return to me again. For all those years, there was never a day that I did not worry and search for you. I missed you so much…" Father paused as the tears formed in his eyes and chocked him up, and I felt my own tears threatening to spill.

"I know, Daddy. I know, and I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you," I whispered.

"I know, my dear," he smiled. "But here you are once again to bring the light back into my dark and lonesome world. I have watched you grow and mature into a rare and magnificent woman in just a short time and taught you everything I know. I have seen you spread your wings both figuratively and literally, and in every achievement you have reached, you have surpassed my expectations by leaps and bounds. There is not another father in any of the three worlds more proud than I… And so with all the love that your mother and I have had for you and each other and with absolutely no regrets…" he stated, turning to Constantine who had been standing behind him with a small but intricately jeweled platinum crown atop a satin cushion. He picked the crown up gingerly and faced me again, the widest smile I'd ever seen him wear in all of my years plastered on his face, and finished as he slowly positioned the crown on my head, "… I give to you this crown and all titles and responsibilities that come with it. May you never face hardship or heartbreak, and may all you meet love you unconditionally."

I couldn't hold them back anymore, and I didn't care if my make-up smeared or streaked or if I looked less like a lady or diplomat. I cried tears of joy and threw my arms around my father, squeezing him tight and he responded by hugging me back just as tightly.

"I love you, Daddy."

"And I love you, my dearest Miko." My father smiled and almost as if he'd just then remembered something, his eyes widened and he perked up, looking out over the crowd again. "There is something that I nearly forgot to mention, though it was brought up in the invitations that I had sent to all of you. Today is also a celebration of Kimiko's birthday, so please come forth with gifts now if you have brought them so that the rest of the evening may be spent enjoying each other's company!"

The rough semblances of a line formed in front of the two of us as people came forth and presented their gifts. I received many small but expensive gifts of jeweled trinkets from the majority of the guests who brought gifts, and from Daisuke's family I received an all-expenses paid trip to a hot spring in the Human World for a week. When the girls came up in a group at the end of the line they all looked fantastic in their best formalwear but they were shy and pushed Yukina forward who held something behind her back.

"Hello, Yukina," I smiled.

"We got you something as a group. It isn't much and it's not as fancy as everything you've gotten from everyone else, but we thought you'd like it anyway," she smiled and brought her hands out to reveal a scrapbook that they'd put together of pictures they'd taken of themselves in the time that I'd been away and written little stories to go with each one of them.

I flipped through the pages and couldn't help but to laugh at some of the sillier pictures of Keiko beating up Yusuke while they were at the beach or Kuwabara blushing furiously around Yukina like he always did. I noticed that Hiei wasn't in any of the pictures and I meant to ask, but when I looked up and saw the girls staring at me in anticipation, I couldn't bring myself to bring their moods down.

"I love it. Thank you," I smiled and was quickly tackled by all three of them with a hug.

When the gift giving had ended, the music began and everyone started mingling and pairing off to dance. I sighed, and stared off into the distance, not really seeing anything. I'd been so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I hadn't felt the presence of someone beside me so when they tapped me on the shoulder, I was shocked back into reality as I looked at them. When I saw that it was Kurama, I felt a crashing wave of disappointment and instantly felt guilty for it and averted my eyes.

"What's troubling you?" he inquired.

"He didn't even come to wish me a happy birthday…" I smiled up at him, trying to hide how hurt I was but I felt it faltering and the burning in my throat as I held back the sobs. The tears wouldn't stay contained, though, and streaked down my cheeks. "Does he really not want anything to do with me anymore? Does he truly hate me that much?"

"I'm sorry, Kimiko. I have no excuse on Hiei's behalf. I do know, however, that he does still love you more than words could ever express."

I shook my head. If he loved me or hated me, it didn't matter. I was heartbroken either way by his absence. He'd never missed my birthday whenever we were together regardless of whatever was going on, and even if it wasn't my birthday, he'd skipped out on one of the biggest days of my life. He didn't even have the courtesy to send a card.

"Excuse me," I rasped and darted away, slipping discreetly through the crowd and out the door.

When I made it outside, I started toward the gardens and it wasn't long after that I heard footsteps following me. They quickly caught up to me and called my name and I recognized the voice to be Daisuke's but I didn't stop.

"Kimiko, stop," he demanded though his voice was calm and gentle as he reached out and grabbed my hand. "What's wrong?"

I looked up at him and the wall that I'd been trying to build back up crumbled and let loose the tears and hurt that I'd been trying to squash. I broke down, sobbing pitifully and he pulled me into his chest, shushing me and stroking my hair.

"Talk to me, Kimiko. What happened?" he cooed.

"H-He's not here! He did-didn't even s-send a c-card or a-an-ny-thing!"

"Well… Are you going to let one demon ruin your evening? You have an entire ballroom of people here to congratulate you on your crowning and celebrate your birthday with you. Even your friends were able to come out to celebrate with you. Does none of that mean anything to you simply because one demon isn't here? Does my being here for you mean nothing?"

"No…" I sniffled and gripped onto his shirt, calming down little by little as I breathed in his scent.

We stood there in the crisp air of the night for a while until I'd calmed down and when I had, Daisuke pulled back a bit and tilted my chin up to look me in the eye with a warm smile.

"Your make-up has smeared. Let's head back and get you fixed up, okay? I am expecting a dance with you when you return, and I'm sure your father is, as well."

A small smile spread across my face as I looked up into his amber and blue eyes that were so kind and caring as they peered back at me. I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his cheek for a moment before whispering "thank you," into his ear and walking back to the castle to put my face back on and make myself presentable again. When I'd returned to the festivities, I danced with my father, Mister Arata, and a few others and after about the fifth dance I took a break and went to chat with the girls.

"Kimiko, how have you been? You seem happy here," Keiko smiled.

"I am. My father is wonderful. He's always been a big softie for his friends and family, but it really shows that I have been his pride and joy my whole life even when I didn't remember him. And the staff are all very kind to me, too. Adrian and I were close as children, but the others came into my life when I came back. There's been nothing but good about this place," I smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that. How are things with your betrothed?" Botan inquired.

"I don't know how he's done it, but I don't hate him. In fact, he's grown on me quite a bit. He's been nothing but a good friend and a big help to me since we met."

"But what about Hiei?" Yukina asked and I felt a stab at my heart. "Do you still love him?"

"Of course I do… We spent so much time together. We were so young, though… and I was always afraid that I'd hurt him, so I left. We never really had a chance to develop our feeling for each other and before we could, I'd lost my memories."

"So what are you going to do? He still loves you, you know," Botan pushed.

"He's hurt me really bad by not being here today…" I smiled, but it faltered. "It's not like it's my engagement party. That, I could understand him not being there for. It's my birthday and crowning. It's a big deal for me and he's not here to share it with me."

"Yeah, but…"

"I cried for Hiei and because of him… I've cried a lot… If Daisuke hadn't found me and calmed me down earlier I'd probably still be crying. I owe a lot to him… He always knows what to say or do to make me feel better."

"You sound like you love him," Keiko breathed, her expression sympathetic.

I paused to think about it for a moment and smiled. "I suppose I do, in a way."

Just then Daisuke walked over with a smile and bowed in greeting.

"Good evening, ladies. Do you mind if I steal Her Majesty from you? I do believe she owes me a dance, if I remember correctly."

"I do," I smiled back, offering my hand.

"Then shall we?"

When he took my hand, he smiled that tender smile of his and I smiled back, following him to the center of the dance floor. A ballad began playing so he pulled me in close, placing his left hand at the small of my back and not loosening his grip on my hand. As we danced slowly around the room, I couldn't help but to smile. He was playing with my hand as we danced, though his eyes never left mine. He was much too good to me and if he hadn't chased me outside, I probably wouldn't have gone back to the party at all.

"I'm glad to see you in better spirits. You're much prettier with a smile on your face," he spoke low so only I could hear him.

"It's because I have a wonderful fiancé who happens to be an empath and know exactly what to say and when to say it," I chuckled in response.

"Speaking of the fiancé matter, I was thinking the other day that it would be nice to make it official… at least symbolically, seeing as it's been official since before either of us could have a say in it."

"What do you mean?"

"If you had a choice, would you still marry me?"

"I don't know…" I muttered, slightly flustered by the question. Would I, given everything I'd been through with and for Hiei?

"Forget about what may or may not have been before. If none of that had happened, based solely on the time that we've spent together with you here, and who you are and what you know now, would you marry me?"

I was silent for a moment as I seriously thought about it, searching his eyes and my heart for the answer. He waited patiently, the two of us still swaying to the music, and everything seemed to slow down.

"It's only been a short time span… but yes. I would. I could see us living together happily for the rest of our lives."

Daisuke's hand stopped playing with mine for a brief moment and his expression was one of slight shock before it melted into a smile that seemed to light his whole personality up and his hand tenderly squeezed mine.

"You have no idea how happy you've just made me," he smiled before pressing his lips to my forehead. "I don't have to sneak the ring off of your finger, then."

My eyes widened and I looked at the hand that he'd been playing with since we'd gotten to the dance floor. There on my ring finger was a gorgeous pale blue princess cut diamond set in a platinum band with sapphires inlaid in the band surrounding the diamond. I stared at it for a moment before looking back up at Daisuke who just smiled.

"We can keep it just between you and me if you want."

I felt the tears pooling on my lower lids and his face fell.

"No, no, no, don't cry. I can take it back if it'd make you feel better? I'm sorry. I wasn't sure how you'd react if I proposed in front of all of these people so I didn't. Should I have?"

It was the first time I'd ever seen him flustered and unsure of himself and I couldn't help it. I started laughing through the tears.

"No, it's beautiful. I love it. Thank you," I smiled.