Word Count: 3730
Chapter 36: The (Formal) Celebration
"Why did I suggest that we do this? Oh! So we could all pretend to be civilized! Stupid rich nobles and their stupid ways. We should have skipped all of this and went straight to the good celebration. But nooo! I wanted to do the formal celebration, because it'll pay to have the nobles happy and on our side. Ugh," I groaned.
"You know, only crazy people talk to themselves." I jumped at the voice, and a smile stretched my face as my eyes landed on the person walking towards me. I jumped from the small bench and nearly tackled him.
"Yusuke!" He managed to keep us both upright, and I smiled up at my nephew. Yusuke reached up to ruffle my hair, and I quickly ducked away.
"I can't believe you're wearing a dress," he said with a wide smile. I looked down at what I was wearing and wrinkled my nose. The dress was soft and black, and a dark purple sash wrapped around my middle. Only one strap on my shoulder held it up, and it flowed all the way to the ground. Each side had a split up to my thighs (for easy movement), and I was wearing a pair of black slippers. My back felt bare without my Damascus, and my hair was put up into a perfect ponytail.
"I can't believe you're dressed up, and in Tourin's colors too," I said with a smile of my own. Yusuke spread his arms so I could get a better look, and I shook my head at his cocky grin.
His pants were blue with a single black stripe on the side, and he was wearing a black shirt that was actually tucked in. A blue sash the same color as his pants went across his middle, and he looked completely comfortable in the outfit. As for the colors, Enki decided that it might be best if the separate territories started wearing their colors to formal functions so everyone could easily identify them. Blue for Tourin, green for Gandara, red for Alaric, and purple for those within the King's territory.
"Hokushin made me wear them," Yusuke said and followed me to the couch. It was almost time to go downstairs for the formal celebration, and I was really dreading it. I had been really busy for the past few days, so I had no time to really think. I didn't dream either because I was exhausted whenever I went to sleep. Tonight though, I would have to see him.
"Well, you look very nice," I said and pushed a stray hair back into place. Yusuke smiled at me, and I could clearly see the young boy he used to be.
"You look good too, Auntie Ray."
"So, how are things in Tourin?" I asked as I leaned back.
"Okay, I guess. The palace looks awesome! Everyone's just trying to get organized now, and I gave Hokushin his own office."
"You haven't had any problems?"
"Nope. Why?" Yusuke wasn't an idiot, so I didn't press the issue.
"No reason. I was just checking," I said and smiled. Kagemusha had said that the rogues were just west of Tourin, but I guess they weren't causing any problems there. No, they were probably saving all of their energy for tonight.
"So, why are you so close to the top?"
"Close to the top?"
"Yeah. It took me forever to get all the way up here," Yusuke said with a groan.
"No one explained the palace layout to you?" Yusuke shook his head, and I was the one that groaned this time. I sighed and tried again, "You know, they do the same thing at Tourin."
"Do what?"
"That's it. I'm having a little talk with Hokushin later. He's clearly not teaching you anything."
"C'mon! What's the whole layout thing?" Yusuke was almost whining, and I never could resist his puppy-dog eyes. I sighed and decided to give a quick explanation. Starting at the bottom would probably be the easiest, so I sucked in a breath and started talking.
"All of the kitchens, laundry rooms, and things like that are in the basement below the palace. The ground floor is for meetings, dinners, and the ballroom is where tonight's celebration will be. The second floor is where all of the servants' rooms are, and the third floor is where the nobles stay. Honored guests, like Ayame and Souketsu, are on the fourth floor. The fifth floor is for some of the high ranking military officers, which for us is ten colonels and two captains. The sixth floor is for sergeants and lieutenants, like Tiger. I made a few friends of yours lieutenants, so that's where they are too. The seventh floor is for me, second-in-command to the King, and all of the other rulers and their seconds. So, that's why you're on this floor. The eighth floor is for the King and Queen, and only them. Got it?"
"Yeah, I got it. I wish it was the other way around though. I hate all those stairs," Yusuke said and grinned over at me.
"That's because you're lazy. I knew I should have made you exercise as a child," I said and grinned back.
"Urameshi." Yusuke and I both twisted around so we could look over the back of the couch, and we both smiled as the demon walked farther into the room.
"Hey, Yomi! What's up?" Yusuke asked.
"Your second is searching for you, and he looks a little worried," Yomi said as he walked farther into the room.
"Oh, yeah…I kinda snuck away from him earlier…"
"Yusuke! You're gonna give Hokushin a heart-attack!" Yusuke jumped up off of the couch laughing, and I glared up at him.
"See you downstairs, Auntie Ray," Yusuke said and bent down to kiss my cheek. He said goodbye to Yomi, and I heard the door to my room close a moment later. I stood up as Yomi walked around the couch, and I eased into his arms.
"Where's my cousin?" I asked. My head was resting on his chest, and I could feel his fingertips tracing patterns on my bare left shoulder.
"I'm afraid that he was seen by the nobles, or should I say, the nobles' daughters," Yomi said with a small chuckle. My quiet laughter joined his, and I tightened my arms around his middle.
"Poor Kurama. He's always getting mobbed. And you just left him, didn't you?" I said and smiled up at him.
"Kurama can take care of himself, and I wanted to check on my favorite little lady," Yomi said and leaned down to nuzzle my cheek. I had seen him around others, and I knew how aloof and cold he appeared to others. To me though, he was always very affectionate.
"As you can tell, I am just fine, my lord," I said and ran my fingers through his hair.
"Your dress, it's black, isn't it?" he asked. One hand was tracing the strap on my right shoulder, and I nodded against his chest.
"The sash, it's purple?" His other hand was on my waist, where the dark purple sash was.
"You know me far too well, and you look very nice tonight," I said. His pants and shirt was white with dark green trimming and a dark green sash.
"Not nearly as good as you," he replied.
"You're too sweet to me sometimes, you know that?" I asked. I used his hair to pull him all the way down to my level, and I gently placed my lips on his. I knew that I couldn't overstep our boundaries again, so I kept the kiss short and light.
"Save a dance for me tonight?" Yomi asked.
"Always."
"Lady Ray! Are you ready? Oh, Yomi, how are you?"
"I am perfect tonight, Tiger. How are you faring?" Tiger, who was dressed in a black military uniform with a dark purple sash, walked farther into the room with a smile.
"I'm still alive, so I'm doing alright. We need to go, my lady. The lords are getting ready to descend, and Enki and Koku will be joining us soon," Tiger said.
"Yes, I know. We're coming. So, is there any way that I can have both of you escort me?" I asked and looked between the two. Yomi laughed, and Tiger rolled his eyes before turning away.
"Yomi can walk you to the stairs, and I'll take over from there," Tiger said and walked out of the room. I lifted my face up to Yomi, who just smiled and offered his arm.
"Shall we?"
"If we must," I said and tucked my hand into his elbow. Yomi's other hand covered mine, and he led me out of the room.
The celebration ball was taking place in the giant ballroom on the ground floor, but we were all meeting on the second floor. A massive staircase led down to the ballroom, and we all had to descend it after being announced. By we, I mean the lords of the three territories, Tiger and I, and the King and Queen will descend last.
"I know he will be here tonight," Yomi said quietly. We had to go down five flights of stairs before reaching the staircase, and there was no one else around.
"And how can you tell such a thing?" I asked.
"You're tense, too tense. He will be here tonight, and I hope that he looks upon you with regret."
"Really? I was hoping that he would look upon me with jealousy as I dance with the most handsomest lord here," I said and gently squeezed his arm. The thought of Hiei being jealous because of me was absurd, but it was a nice thought to have. If he was jealous, he'd have to feel something for me. Well, something besides annoyance and indifference.
"And so he shall," Yomi said. We had nearly flown down the stairs, and I could hear voices ahead of us. The loudest voice was Yusuke, who was complaining about something, but I could hear Kurama's gentle tone. I guess he must have slipped away from his admirers.
"Auntie Ray! What took you so long? We've been waiting forever! Can't you fool around with Yomi later?" Six pairs of eyes landed on me after Yusuke's little announcement, and I had to force myself not to blush. Kurama, Tiger, and Mukuro looked amused; Yusuke looked smug; Hokushin looked slightly embarrassed; Hiei, the last person to look my way, looked a little angrier than usual.
"I can fool around with Yomi whenever I want to," I said as we stopped in front of the group.
"Including in the baths?" Kurama asked. His eyes were full of laughter, and Yusuke's mouth dropped open.
"You took a bath with him?" Yusuke yelled. Yomi laughed, quite loudly, and I couldn't force my blush down this time. I felt my ears flatten against my head, and my tails twitched a little as I fidgeted.
"I'll have you know that Yomi and I have taken several baths together, so it's nothing to get crazy over," I said and looked over at Kurama. Yusuke went completely speechless, and Kurama wouldn't stop smiling.
"I believe we have shocked your nephew," Yomi said. I don't think the old goat will ever stop smiling now.
"I believe so. I've never seen him speechless," I said with a smile of my own.
"Lords and ladies! Are we ready?" Everyone moved to see the King and Queen, and I smiled up at the royal pair. Enki was wearing a pair of dark purple pants and a startling white shirt, and Koku was actually smiling and dressed in a dark purple skintight dress.
"We are ready, my King," I said and smiled at the large red demon. A loud horn blared from below, and I heard Raygorn clearing his throat. Well, that's what it sounded like anyway.
"I will now present the lords of the three territories! From Alaric, Lord Mukuro and Lord Hiei!"
Yeah, everyone knew that Mukuro was a woman now, but I guess old habits die hard. Hiei and Mukuro, who were wearing nearly matching black outfits with bright red sashes, walked through the doorway and descended down the stairs. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to see Kurama. The look in his green eyes tore at my soul, and I didn't know if I should cry or get angry at the pitying look. I just smiled instead.
"From Tourin, Lord Yusuke Urameshi and Lord Hokushin!" Yusuke lifted his chin and smiled over at us. Hokushin, who was dressed in a completely blue uniform, rolled his eyes at his lord before following him out the door and to the staircase.
"The boy will never grow up," Yomi remarked.
"I surely hope not," I replied. To me, Yusuke would always be my little boy.
"From Gandara, Lord Yomi and Lord Kurama!" The hand on my shoulder tightened, and I looked over at Kurama.
"See you downstairs," he whispered and walked forward.
"I'll be waiting for my dance," Yomi added and went to stand beside his general. The two descended the stairs, and I walked to Tiger's side.
"Ready?" I asked and looked up at him. Tiger's bright yellow eyes met mine, and he smiled as I looped my arm through his.
"I am ready for anything as long as you are by my side, my lady," Tiger said with a small bow of his head.
"Just as I am when I'm with you," I said and gave his arm a gentle squeeze.
"I now present the King's second-in-command and general along with her sergeant, Lady Ray and Lord Tiger Moon!"
Tiger and I stepped forward, and I had to remind myself not to gape at the number of demons below. Several of the faces were familiar, but I didn't know the majority of the demons. They were all dressed splendidly and looked like true nobles, and I felt my stomach flip at the thought. I could fight any demon, but act like a lady? It just wasn't me. Tiger and I reached the bottom of the staircase and took our spot beside the other lords (and one other lady).
"I now present to you the king and queen of all of Demon World! King Enki and Queen Koku!"
There was applause and a few cheers as the King and Queen appeared, and I smiled as the two started their descent down the staircase. They really were an odd couple (I should know, I could hear Koku yelling about Enki's dirty underwear laying all around their room first thing every morning), but they complemented each other. The crowd seemed to swallow them as they stepped off of the last stair, and the formal celebration officially began. Enma help me…
.xXx.
I smiled at the loud noble and lightly sipped at my drink. The celebration had been going on for about an hour now, so I should be able to slip away at any minute. Most of the people who had cornered me had been welcome. Koenma and Botan were here, to represent Spirit World, and I had talked with them for a while. I had danced a lot as well, even though it was more formal than I preferred. Now that I'm thinking about it, it's been a while since I danced under the moonlight…
"So, Lady Ray, is it true that you've been banned from the wolf territories?" the noble asked. I'm sure all of the surrounding demons heard him, because I felt curious stares on my back.
"I beg your pardon?" The words felt foreign on my tongue, but it was better than asking him what in the hell he was talking about.
"As I am sure you know, the coyote territories are very close to the wolf tribes. We have heard rumors that Fangrin has banned you from all of the wolf territories," the coyote noble said. Fangrin was spreading rumors that he had banned me? And these hoity-toity demons actually believed him? I felt an arm lightly brush against my own, and I suddenly realized that my vision was tainted with white. Whoa, I really needed to calm down.
"As I am sure that you know, Lady Ray is an alpha because she defeated Fangrin and that she has the right to enter any wolf tribe that she so chooses. There is no demon within the wolf territories that could go against her."
The words of praise were a shock, but the biggest shock was who had said them. Fingers grazed the back of my hand as I turned to see the noble's shocked face, and I nearly laughed at his frozen expression. The noble quickly got ahold of himself though and bowed his head.
"Of course, you are right, Lord Mukuro. I apologize if I offended you, Lady Ray," the noble said quietly.
"There was no offense, but I would appreciate if all demons from the surrounding territories were enlightened just as you were. I would hate to travel all the way to the wolf territories to prove a point, especially when I am needed at our King's side," I said quickly.
"Of course, my lady," the demon and bowed. He backed away from us, and I turned to look at Mukuro.
"You look surprised, Lady Ray. Did you think that I would not come to your defense?" Mukuro asked. There was a small twinkle in her blue eye, and I smiled.
"A defense coming from a demon who once asked if I was able to fight? Yes, I am a little surprised." Mukuro tossed her auburn hair back in a laugh, and I found myself laughing along with her.
"Hn. I didn't know you could laugh." I jumped at the sound of his voice, especially so close, and turned my head slightly to the side. Hiei was standing between Mukuro and I, and off to the side a little. My fingers twitched and ached to reach out to him, but I knew that he wouldn't welcome my touch. He never did.
"Ray has always been able to make me laugh. It is one of her many talents," Mukuro said.
"I've tried making Hiei laugh as well, but he's been able to resist all of my charms so far," I said with a smile of my own. I had to act normal; I had to act like Hiei meant nothing to me. Oh, this was going to be hard…
"How long have you and Hiei known each other?" Mukuro asked. She was still smiling, but I could see the curiosity in her eye. Hiei looked away from her questioning gaze, so I knew that he hadn't told her.
"It must have slipped Hiei's mind. We met in the Human World, while he was competing in the Dark Tournament. I was there with Kurama and Yusuke," I said.
"Really? You already knew Ray and didn't tell me?" Mukuro asked. Hiei shrugged, and his burning eyes moved to mine. I wanted nothing more than to dig into his brain at that moment; to know what he was thinking and how he felt.
"The Ray I met was a human and of no significance," Hiei said without looking away from me. Those words might have stung, but I didn't care. After being separated from him for so long, I was just happy being around him. And how pathetic is that? I've got get away from him.
"Human or demon, Ray is always of importance," another voice said. Hiei's eyes rose just above me, and I felt one of Yomi's large hands on my shoulder.
"Ah, Yomi, we all know how close the two of you are," Mukuro said.
"Ray is a great friend of mine and has been for many years," Yomi said.
"Hn. I was under the impression that she was more than just a friend," Hiei said. He finally talks about me, and it's something like that. I felt Yomi's quiet laughter as his chest vibrated against my back, and his hand tightened on my shoulder.
"I am sure that you can tell from her pure scent that we are only friends. Now, if you'll excuse us, I was promised a dance earlier and I intend to collect." With that being said and done, Yomi grabbed my hand and pulled me onto the actual dance floor. I blinked a little as Yomi pulled me in his arms and started dancing, but I easily followed his lead.
"What just happened?" I asked as I tipped my head back to look up at him.
"I just put a young demon in his place," Yomi said and looked down at me.
"By bringing up my scent?" My cheeks heated at my own whispered words, but I'm not really sure why. Demons had amazing sensory skills, and nearly every demon knew of my chastity.
"It was something that any demon could easily know, but it seemed as if he was not thinking clearly and needed to be reminded."
"Yeah, but—"
"Shh. I want to dance for a moment." I leaned my head against his chest with a sigh and let Yomi spin me around the dance floor. Yomi always was a wonderful dancer…The music changed too soon in my opinion, but Yomi kept me in his arms. My eyebrows furrowed, and Yomi slowly moved us to the opposite side of the room. Near a door that led outside.
"I wish that you had said something, but I understand your secrecy. Tiger has already slipped away, and I will inform the King that you have retired. I'll stay for a few more moments, and I will be waiting for you in your room when it is over," Yomi whispered.
"How did you—"
"Do you really need to know?" Yomi asked with a smile. My fingers lightly traced the shell of one his ears as I shook my head.
"I guess I don't, do I? And you don't have to wait up for me."
"I know." He wanted to though, and so he would.
"I'll see you later," I whispered. I nearly jumped onto my toes and lightly kissed his cheek, right next to his lips, and slipped out the door. For me, the formal celebration was over and the real battle was just about to begin.
Ending Note: So, there's the "Celebration Chapter!" I hope it was what everyone expected. I have a little surprise in the next chapter that I believe everyone will enjoy, and I don't care how long the next chapter is, all of you will get to read the little surprise! You've been amazing and all of you deserve it. (Is your curiosity spiked now?)