A Demon's Love pt. 10
They made their way back to his mother's house. Their hands were clasped tightly as they walked in the midday light. Kizna ventured to let down her hood as the sunlight forced heat through the dark fabric. Her face greeted the sun warmly as a light breeze blew by. Kurama smiled down on her.
"So when should we have it?" Kizna asked dreamily referring to the wedding.
"Honestly I don't know," Kurama replied chuckling.
The streets around them were filled with people and on lookers. Many men turned as they saw an exotic beauty walk by hand in hand with a read haired man. Behind them, a strange whooping call cried out. They turned curious and wondering who or what it was. Three boys dressed in weekend clothing looking about Suuichi's age ran up to them. She looked up to him her eyes curious of whom they were. Kurama instantly recognized them as some of the outcasts and troublemakers at his school. He grimaced at the thought of why they had to run into them now.
"Hey Suuichi," teased one of the boys. "Why didn't you tell us you had a girlfriend?"
"Yea," another boy added. "Where have you been hiding her?"
"She's cute," the third boy said as Kizna blushed. "How does a bookworm like you get a girl like her?"
Kurama pulled her possessively toward him, his arm holding tightly around her waist. Kizna smiled up at him. The boys looked on slightly jealous of the couple, all wishing to make Kizna theirs and only theirs as strange and dirty thoughts ran through their heads.
"She's mine," he growled as she leaned into his gentle yet firm touch.
"Yea right," said one of them sarcastically.
"I bet she doesn't even talk. Although, I bet I could make her talk," said another perversely.
Kizna glared. She turned away from them ignoring what they said and buried herself in his arms. The boys looked at her, eyes wondering what could be hidden under her cloak as perverse thoughts came to mind.
"We'll be leaving now," said Kurama gently leading her away as she willingly followed.
"Hey wait," another boy called as he ran to catch up to them.
"We want to know her name at least," said the last boy as he inched toward her.
She backed away as far as he could to get away from him. She didn't like the way he seemed to look at her. It almost reminded her of the demon ringleader that had her captured. She winced visibly at the memory. Tears began to form in her eyes as she remembered the torture she went through. The cracks of the whips, they jingle jangle of her chains rang through her mind as the memory played through her mind. Kurama noticed her tears and planned to get her out of there as soon as possible.
"AAAWW is the poor girl scared?" the boy sneered and taunted. "Come on what's your name?"
"I'm sorry," Kurama sneered. "But we have to go now."
He walked passed them pulling Kizna gently behind him. They could hear the boys' protests behind them as they walked away. They didn't listen. They stopped nearby his mother's apartment building as Kurama began to dry her running tears.
"Will you be all right?" he asked worriedly.
"Yea," she replied sniffling. "He just reminded me of the demon."
His eyes closed in pain and anguish of the memory as he pulled her close. He could tell the scars were still fresh from her kidnaping and it disturbed him.
"I shouldn't have left that day," he said softly as his eyes began to water with guilt. "It's my fault."
"No," she whispered sternly as she pulled out of the embrace to wipe his tears. "The ones who caught me must have heard me singing. Don't blame yourself, please."
She dried his tears, and he began to smile. She smiled in return. They walked to the apartment building and rode to Kurama's floor in an at eased state. She leaned her head on his shoulder as he held to her waist. They walked happily down the hall as they exited the elevator and made their way to Shiori's apartment.
Shiori finished her last call of the morning. Unbeknownst to her son and Kizna, she had been making surprise calls to her son's friends telling them of the plans for the wedding. She knew they hadn't set a date for the wedding, but the temptations of wedding shopping took over her. Keiko spreading the word to the other bridesmaids and herself would take Kizna out for a dress while Yusuke telling the other groomsmen would take her son for a tuxedo.
"That's right it will be next weekend," she said excitedly as she talked to Yusuke. "So you and the other boys take Suuichi for a tuxedo all right?"
"Are you sure?" Yusuke replied skeptically. "I asked them and they said they didn't know when they would have it."
"Of course I'm sure," Shiori said convincingly. "Now you'll take him to buy a tuxedo right? And this Genkai friend of yours, she will allow you to have the ceremony and reception at her temple right?"
"Sure, she'll let us," replied Yusuke. "I'll be there in 10 minutes."
"All right, I'll see you then," she replied as she hung up the phone.
She smiled happily to herself. She heard soft scuffles outside the door as she hurriedly put away the phone books. A knock on her apartment door made her run to excitedly answer it.
They waited as they stood outside of the apartment door. As the door opened, it revealed a smiling Shiori. The look in her eyes had blatantly told them she had been up to something, but they couldn't place what that something was. They smiled in return not knowing what to expect.
"Have you decided on a date while you were out?" she asked still smiling.
"Honestly we still don't know," replied Kizna shrugging.
They pondered the issue for a moment, and Shiori came to a preplanned conclusion.
"How about next weekend?" Shiori asked as she eagerly checked her watch. 'Five minutes,' she thought.
"Well I don't have anything planned that's for sure," said Kizna happily.
"And I don't either," added Kurama smiling.
"Well then we have to get started right away," Shiori said excitedly.
Kurama and Kizna exchanged glances of curiosity as they wondered what Shiori had been planning both wondering if they had fallen into a trap. A knock came to the door. Shiori rushed to get the door open. They looked over her trying to look at who was on the other side. Outside Keiko, Botan, Kuwabara, Hiei, and Yusuke stood waiting for someone. All had smiles on their faces except for Hiei with his usual loner look.
"What are you all doing here?" Kizna asked bewildered.
"Don't you know?" replied Keiko receiving a shaken head. "Come on, we have to get you a dress. Shiori called us to get you a dress."
"A WHAT?!" she cried in disbelief as she was pulled out the door by Keiko and Botan.
"Oh you know. The white dress and bridesmaid's dress that every bride needs at their wedding," replied Botan.
"Mother?" Kurama asked as he watched Shiori put on her coat.
She smiled mysteriously at her son. She handed him a large amount of yen and started walking down the hall to catch up with the other girls. Kurama watched worriedly as his fiancé was pulled down the hall by Keiko and Botan. Kurama turned nervously towards the others and was greeted with two smiling faces and a smirk.
"And you're here for?" he asked nervously.
"I'm here for support," said Kuwabara smiling.
"We're here for your tuxedo," said Yusuke enjoying Kurama's nervous demeanor.
Kurama sweat dropped. Kuwabara shoved him from behind as Yusuke and Hiei pulled him down the hall.
Keiko and Botan excitedly pulled Kizna into the bridal shop with Shiori strolling behind them with a smile never leaving her face. Shoppers around them watched curiously as two giggling girls and a stunned light blue hair girl ran into the store. Realizing a problem, Kizna quickly pulled Keiko and Botan to the side hidden in the labyrinth of dresses. Shiori walked silently towards them silently listening.
"What are we going to do about my wings?" Kizna whispered desperately. "Shiori- San doesn't know I have them."
Botan and Keiko exchanged worried glances, realizing they never thought of the predicament before. Shiori listened in shock as her suspicions were confirmed. 'Could she be..' she thought curiously. 'An angel?' Her eyes went wild as she smiled at the thought of her son marrying an angel. 'How romantic,' her mind sighed dreamily as she rustled the dresses that hid the girls. They looked up in suspicion as the dresses behind them rustled. Keiko swiftly moved the dresses apart and caught Shiori in a daze. It didn't take long for them to realize that she had been listening the whole them they were there.
"Shiori- San," said Kizna ashamed. "I know you heard. Please don't hate me."
Keiko and Botan looked on worried that their friend's chance at love maybe ruined. Kizna looked down on the floor avoiding her gaze. Shiori turned to her and hugged her tightly to her surprise.
"Are you an angel?" she asked as she pulled out of the embrace.
Kizna shook her head. Shiori looked down on the small girl, her eyes wondered what she could be.
"I'm a fairy," Kizna corrected. "Please I love your son very much. Don't make me give him up."
"Actually I should be asking you not to give my son up," she replied smiling. "I'm honored to have my son marry such a beautiful young lady."
Kizna stood speechless. A smile formed on her face as she realized Shiori would accept her for what she was like her son.
"Come on!" cried Botan excitedly. "We have to find you a dress!"
They filled Kizna's arms with dresses and shoes and pushed her into a dressing room and closed the curtains.
Kurama prepared himself for the shower of tuxedos that Yusuke and the others threw over the door. The small room was piled with black tuxedos scattered around the small space. Jackets and shirts weighed down the wall hooks, and black bow ties littered the floor. Kurama sighed. He hesitantly put on every black tuxedo thrown to him. Some had tails, some had hats, some had scarves and capes. Some were embroidered with fine thread in intricate designs. Somehow with all the tuxedos, he didn't like anyone of them. He wanted to scream.
"You done yet?" Yusuke asked as he knocked on the door.
The door opened revealing Kurama in a traditional black tuxedo. Kurama prepared himself for the onslaught of comments and criticisms that would come his way. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei examined every part of the tuxedo.
"I don't like it," said Hiei bluntly.
"Why?" asked Kuwabara. "It looks fine to me."
"I have to agree with Hiei on this one," said Yusuke as Kuwabara grunted his disapproval.
Kurama sighed in relief as he walked back into the small room. 'Maybe I won't have to try any more on,' he thought tiredly as Hiei walked out into the store. Hiei looked around him. Black. Nothing but black. Although Hiei himself wouldn't mind, he knew Kurama would. The orange lights shined down on the racks and jackets making them have a strange orange shine.
"Hm," he muttered to himself as he looked around the racks and shelves.
He walked around somehow sneering at the strange human clothing. His katana lightly tapped his side as he walked hidden in his clothing. Among the sea infinite black, there is was. Hiei raised a curious eyebrow. It was a white tuxedo jacket with tails along with matching white pants, vest, and bow tie with a small deep red rose pinned in the lapel. On the floor, he spotted a pair of white dress shoes. Curious, he took it back to the dressing room.
"Here," he said as he tossed the clothing over the door.
They watched as the clothing flew over the door landing silently as Kurama caught it in his arms. Kurama smiled somehow knowing that this was the right one. He looked in the mirror. The white brought out his eyes and hair and the clothing brought out his physical features. He dressed in the white clothing and stepped out of the dressing room. The others smiled as they realized they had finally found the right tuxedo.
She was tired, and the dress was crushing her wings under the fabric. She was surrounded by all white and nothing but white. Dresses hung on the walls testing the weight of the wall hooks and veils were scattered on the floor. No dress seemed to suit her in her mind, and everyone's comments as she showed them proved that. She went to try on the last dress. The dress had a high collar with no sleeves and Chinese style closures. The skirt fell loosely around her legs slightly dragging on the floor. She winced as she saw herself in the mirror.
"You done?" called Keiko as she called through the curtain.
"Yea," she replied as she opened the door.
"What do you think?" Botan asked smiling.
"I think it's crushing my wings," she whispered hoping the others in the store wouldn't hear.
"Oh dear," said Shiori worried.
Shiori walked out into the store hoping to find something. She noticed most of the dresses had backs to them. She hoped she could find something that would suit her. Then, she noticed it. It was a simple dress with a beaded brocade top that had two sets of strings that clasped in the back leaving the whole back bare. The skirt flowed to the floor slightly flared. In the back at the top of the skirt, a small gold clip with rhinestones and pearls held heavy fabric that fell to the floor ending in a small train. In a package, a small gold hair clip with a veil that went down to the waist, matching the clip in the back of the dress, shined in the orange light of the store. Shiori smiled. Quickly, she brought it back to the dressing room.
"Here," she said as she walked in to the dressing area.
A pale hand reached for the hanger of the dress. Kizna examined the dress. A small smile stretched across her face. She examined herself in the mirror. The low-cut of the dress brought out her long neck and pale skin and clung tightly to her body. The train flowed naturally in the back as though it were made especially for her. As she slid the curtain, she watched as the others' faces lit up as she stepped out of the room. She kept her wings folded to hide them from the humans in the store.
"That's pretty," said Keiko in awe as the others nodded and smiled in agreement.
"Spread your wings," said Botan receiving a strange look in return. "Don't worry no one's looking."
With a light rustling and a small breeze, Kizna unfurled her wings sending the others into a deeper state of awe. Her white wings added to the look making her look more like an angel rather than a fairy.
"You think.." she said blushing. "He'll like it?"
"Of course," reassured Shiori as she held onto Kizna's hands comfortingly.
"Now what's the tradition?" asked Botan. "Oh yes! Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue!"
"What?" Kizna asked curiously.
"Here in the human world," Shiori began. "A bride must have those four things for good luck in the marriage."
"Oh," she replied in understanding.
"Well the dress is new," said Keiko. "She's got blue hair."
"Lets worry about that later," said Botan excitedly. "We have to get shoes."
"And we still need our dresses Botan," added Keiko happily.
As she walked back into the dressing room to change, Kizna smiled.
They scoured the store for the perfect tuxedo for the groomsmen. Kurama held up a tuxedo for them to see.
"I don't wear white," Hiei sneered as he glared at a white tuxedo Kurama held.
"Of course you wouldn't," Kurama sighed. "Oh Kuwabara, I forgot to ask you something."
"Yea?" he asked.
"Would you be the ring-bearer?" Kurama replied nervously.
"You're going to trust the stupid human with your rings?" Hiei asked sarcastically.
"Shut up shrimp," sneered Kuwabara as he glared at the fire demon. "I would be honored."
"Thank you," Kurama replied smiling. "Will you be willing to wear white Yusuke?"
"Wouldn't black be more traditional?" he asked also dreading to wear the white suit.
"Would it?" Kurama asked shrugging unsure of some of the human customs. "I suppose so."
Shiori held up a strapless periwinkle blue dress with a silver shine. The dress had a white rhinestone trim and a matching shall. Their eyes lit up at the sight of the dress.
"It's pretty," said Kizna excitedly.
"It's perfect," said Botan happily as she took the dress to try it on.
"I quite agree," said Keiko as she went to try the dress.
Kizna stood outside with Shiori as they waited. She carried her dress in her arms excited that something like the dress would be hers. She never dreamed in all her life that she would be married. She smiled.
"I assume you're excited?" Shiori asked happily.
"Very much," Kizna replied blushing. "Thank you. Tell me, how would we be able to get these dresses."
"We'll pay," Shiori answered kindly looking down on her before she realized Kizna may not understand. "Humans here use a currency called yen to pay for various items."
"But I have no money," Kizna said worriedly as Shiori smiled.
"Don't worry," Shiori comforted as she pulled her into a hug. "I have quite a substantial amount of money from Suuichi's father when he passed away."
Kizna smiled. Keiko and Botan walked out modeling their bridesmaids' dresses. They struck strange poses making Kizna and Shiori giggle.
"How do you like them?" Kizna asked.
"I love it," Botan said excitedly.
"It's beautiful," said Keiko cheerfully.
"Then it's settled!" cried Shiori. "We'll get them."
"Thank you Shiori- San," said Kizna sincerely.
She smiled in return as Keiko and Botan walked back into the room to change. Her eyes showed love and compassion that could belong to a mother and no one else. Looking around the store, they found shoes that would match their clothing. Keiko and Botan found simple glasslike slippers with a small rhinestone flower in the center. Kizna found a white strapped heel with a pointed toes that fit her perfectly. The white straps fastened together in a rhinestone buckle. Keiko and Botan smiled widely as they saw how it seemed to be made for her.
"What do you think?" Kizna asked curiously.
"It's goes perfectly with the dress," said Keiko smiling.
"Thank you," she replied receiving an approving smile from Botan.
"Shall we get going?" Shiori asked holding their dresses in their arms.
Shiori paid for the dresses despite the protests of Keiko and Botan, both claiming they could pay their own way. Shiori smiled and waved them off silently telling them not to worry. They left the store arms filled with dress bags and shoes making their way back to Shiori's apartment chatting quietly. They skimmed the store windows looking for the others curious of what they would be doing. Keiko stopped at a tuxedo shop's window and looked in. Inside, she found Yusuke and the other groomsmen trying on black tuxedos. The others came over to look over her shoulder.
"What do you see?" asked Kizna.
"It's the others," replied Keiko before she remembered a human custom she had almost forgotten about. "Hey! You're not suppose to see this."
"Huh?" Kizna replied confused as she raised her eyebrow.
"Oh that's right!" added Botan picking up from where she left off. "It's a human custom that states the bride is forbidden to see the groom before the wedding."
"Basically, you can't see Suuichi until you walk the aisle," finished Shiori.
"I WHAT?!" Kizna cried in disbelief as her hood was raised when the others dragged her away.
"Where do you think you'll be staying while you're away from Kizna?" Yusuke asked as he walked out in a traditional black tuxedo with a rose pinned to a lapel and black shoes.
"What do you mean?" Kurama asked confused.
"You know,"asked Kuwabara as he walked out in a similar clothing to Yusuke's. "The custom where the bride and groom don't see each other until the wedding day?"
"Oh yea," Kurama sighed despairingly as he remembered the custom. "At home I guess."
"Hm," snorted Hiei not caring for the conversation dressed in a suit like the others.
"They look all right to me," said Kurama referring to the suits.
"I like it," said Yusuke as he closed the jacket around him.
"I agree," Kuwabara added.
"Hiei?" Kurama asked.
"Hm," he grunted turning away uncaring.
"I'll take that as a yes," said Kurama smiling as they walked back into the rooms to change.
They walked towards the register to pay for their clothing. As Kurama reached into his pocket, he realized he had the extra money left from her ring. He smiled inwardly. They paid having more leftover money than expected. They walked into the afternoon sunlight browsing the shop windows as they past. Kurama pondered what he could give to her. His eyes wandered every store criticizing and commenting in his mind. His eyes rested once more on a jewelry store unbeknownst to him. Carrying his suit over his shoulder, Kurama looked inside. The jewels shined and flaunted all they had in the sunlight and store light. His eyes lingered on every piece of jewelry carefully inspecting and examining. The others turned around no longer hearing his footsteps only to find him peering into a jewelry store like a child at a candy shop's window. They looked over to him curious of why he had stopped. Walking to his side, they looked over his shoulder.
"What are you looking at?" asked Yusuke as he tapped Kurama on the back.
Kurama jumped. The others chuckled as Hiei smirked at his surprised reaction.
"Nothing," he replied as he towards the others.
"Yea right," said Kuwabara as he playfully swung his arm around Kurama's neck. "I bet you were looking for Kizna's present weren't you?"
"Eh.." he replied blushing as he pulled out of the hold. "Well..."
Kuwabara and Yusuke smiled as wide grins spread across their faces. Hiei smirked as he inwardly grinned a grin as wide as Yusuke and Kuwabara's.
"We'll just have to help you then," Yusuke said as he and Kuwabara pulled Kurama into the jewelry store.
"Hm," smirked Hiei as he walked in behind them.
Jewels shined and their cases littered the floor. They went off in separate directions looking for her gift. Embarrassedly, Kurama sighed as he went off to another part of the store too look.
Hiei smirked to himself as a small smile crept across his face. He didn't see the need for humans to have these gems other than their value, but he never saw and understood most human needs. His crimson eyes wandered over the gems, jewels, and crystals wondering what he could find. He unknowingly strolled into another unknown part of the store. The cases were filled with crystal statues and figurines instead of jewelry. He looked around curiously in all the cases. He noticed something in a far away case that seemed to stand out from the rest. It was a small figure of a fairy with large wings. She sat on the crystal ground as she held a creature tightly in her arms. The creature had a strange set of 5 tails. (Author's note: how many tails does Kurama's fox form have?) On the creature's head sat two small ears and a short snout. Another smile crept on Hiei's face. He spotted and elderly man in the distance making his way towards him.
"May I help you?" the old man asked softly his voice quiet with age, but with enough life to be a kind grandfather.
Hiei pointed to the small statue his eyes cold sternly asking for information on the object.
"That's a fine choice," the old man said. "It's pure Waterford crystal. Very expensive."
"How much?" Hiei sneered his eyes never leaving the old man.
"About 50,000 yen," the old man said. (Author's note: sorry like I said before I don't how much money it takes to make something expensive in Japan. Just pretend it's expensive!)
Hiei winced at the thought. He fished around the hidden pockets of his cloak hoping to find something worth trading with the old man. His hand closed around a small handle of something in his last pocket. He pulled out into the light for him to see. In his hand, he held a small gold dagger with jewels embedded in the hilt and the blade. The blade shined a pristine silver in the light. He pondered where he could have gotten the bizarre dagger that he had forgotten in his pocket. 'What does it matter?' he thought to himself. 'I never use this thing anyway.'
"I propose a trade," Hiei said eerily calm almost threatening.
"What do you have in mind?" asked the old man scared of the dagger Hiei held.
"Will you give me that for this?" he asked as he held up the dagger and pointing to the sculpture.
The old man's eyes lit up as he breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at the dagger in Hiei's hand eagerly admiring its shine in the store's light.
"Sure," the old man said eagerly as he pulled out a set of keys.
Hiei carefully watched the old man as he pulled out the sculpture from its glass home. He laid the dagger on a nearby case. He watched the old man wrap the statue in paper and place it in a box carefully sealing it with his aged fingers.
"What's it for?" asked the old man as he handed Hiei the small box.
"A wedding present," Hiei replied as he placed the box in a hidden cloak pocket as he walked away. "For a friend?" the man asked.
"For the bride and groom," Hiei replied as he disappeared into the other part of the store.
"Tell them I said congratulations!" cried the old man.
"Hm." he replied.
Kurama searched through the cases trying to find something perfect for her. His eyes rested on an elaborate choker resting on a black velvet sculpture of a neck. The choker was made of a bizarre cream colored metal with five white beads hanging down from it in the center. A long chain and clasp clasped in the back with the slack of the chain falling behind the neck. Two sets of silver chains swagged under the beads. He got the same feeling he felt with her ring. He didn't know how, but it would be perfect for her. He signaled Yusuke and Kuwabara over for a second opinion after not finding Hiei anywhere.
"Find anything?" Kurama asked as they two humans walked over.
"No," replied Yusuke shaking his head.
"Me neither," said Kuwabara shaking his head also.
"What do you think of this one?" Kurama asked as he pointed to the choker.
"That's nice, but how much is it?" Yusuke asked as he looked up from studying the necklace.
"It says it's 100,000 yen. Do we even have that much?" Kuwabara asked fishing in his pockets.
"I've got 2,000 yen and a bottle cap," said Yusuke as he held out his palm
"I've got nothing," said Kuwabara turning his pockets inside out.
Kurama fished in his pocket for the leftover money his mother had given him. He silently counted and found just enough. He sighed in relief of his good fortune. A middle aged woman in a business suit behind the counter took notice of the three boys near one of the cases. She walked over to them.
"May I help you?" she asked politely.
"That necklace please," said Kurama happily as he pointed to the choker.
"Good choice sir, may I ask what's the occasion?" she asked as she began to unlock the case.
"My bride's wedding present," he replied receiving a smile from the woman.
"Congratulations sir," she said happily as she walked to the register with the necklace.
As he paid, he watched excitedly as the woman placed the necklace in a large black velvet box. Kurama smiled. Hiei walked out and silently joined the others holding hidden in his pocket.
"Find anything?" he asked.
"Nope," Yusuke replied.
"No," added Kuwabara as he looked down on Hiei. "Did you shrimp?"
"Hm. None of your business," he replied glaring at Kuwabara once more.
The girls walked through town browsing the shop windows after dropping their clothing at Shiori's apartment. A bakery window caught Kizna's attention. She peered into the window to find strange soft looking cubes and cylinders. The strange items in the window made her curious. Some were layered with fruit and the others with flowers in a white layer of a thick substance and some sitting in a brown substance. The others came to look over her shoulder as they stared at the appetizing cakes in the window.
"That's right," said Shiori making Kizna jump. "We have to order a cake."
"A what?" Kizna asked curious.
"Here in the Ningekai," explained Keiko as Kizna nodded in understanding. "When people have a wedding they order a large cake to share with their guests."
"Well what are we waiting for?" asked Botan eager to look at the human delights. "Lets see."
They pulled Kizna into the store once more and began to flip in the cake catalog. Kizna looked with delight and curiosity as she saw pictures of towering cakes pilled with decorations. Atop of every cake, she noticed a pair of people carved into poses. The girl always seemed to wear white and the man always seem to wear black. 'They must be the bride and groom,' she concluded as she thought to herself.
"What kind of decoration do you want Kizna?" Shiori asked as he looked over them and into the book. 'Roses would be so nice,' she thought to herself.
"Roses," she said happily. "As long as you don't mind Shiori- San."
"Actually that's what I was just thinking," she replied smiling.
They came to a cake in the book that seemed to be piled with red, white, and pink roses. The roses cascaded the tree layered white iced cake entangling themselves in the small columns the layers rested on. Red and pink roses of icing decorated the layers of the cake in a simple and delicate elegance. Atop the cake where the most roses sat, a figure of a dancing bride and groom sat forever frozen in the picture.
"That's perfect," Shiori sighed dreamily as the others nodded in agreement.
"How can a help you?" a young man in an apron called from behind the counter.
"We'd like to order this cake please," Shiori said as she turned the book to show the baker.
"When do you need it?" the man asked.
"By next weekend at the Genkai Temple," Shiori replied smiling.
"Got it, that will be 10,000 yen please," the man said.
"I've got some yen," said Keiko as she fished in her purse.
"So do I," added Botan going through her pockets.
"Don't worry," said Shiori smiling softly.
"But..." Keiko stuttered as Shiori held up a silencing hand.
Pulling out money from her purse, Shiori once again paid the man despite the protests of Botan and Keiko. Botan and Keiko sighed in defeat.
(Author's note: does anyone know the name of the actual temple where Genkai lives??)
They made their way back to his mother's house. Their hands were clasped tightly as they walked in the midday light. Kizna ventured to let down her hood as the sunlight forced heat through the dark fabric. Her face greeted the sun warmly as a light breeze blew by. Kurama smiled down on her.
"So when should we have it?" Kizna asked dreamily referring to the wedding.
"Honestly I don't know," Kurama replied chuckling.
The streets around them were filled with people and on lookers. Many men turned as they saw an exotic beauty walk by hand in hand with a read haired man. Behind them, a strange whooping call cried out. They turned curious and wondering who or what it was. Three boys dressed in weekend clothing looking about Suuichi's age ran up to them. She looked up to him her eyes curious of whom they were. Kurama instantly recognized them as some of the outcasts and troublemakers at his school. He grimaced at the thought of why they had to run into them now.
"Hey Suuichi," teased one of the boys. "Why didn't you tell us you had a girlfriend?"
"Yea," another boy added. "Where have you been hiding her?"
"She's cute," the third boy said as Kizna blushed. "How does a bookworm like you get a girl like her?"
Kurama pulled her possessively toward him, his arm holding tightly around her waist. Kizna smiled up at him. The boys looked on slightly jealous of the couple, all wishing to make Kizna theirs and only theirs as strange and dirty thoughts ran through their heads.
"She's mine," he growled as she leaned into his gentle yet firm touch.
"Yea right," said one of them sarcastically.
"I bet she doesn't even talk. Although, I bet I could make her talk," said another perversely.
Kizna glared. She turned away from them ignoring what they said and buried herself in his arms. The boys looked at her, eyes wondering what could be hidden under her cloak as perverse thoughts came to mind.
"We'll be leaving now," said Kurama gently leading her away as she willingly followed.
"Hey wait," another boy called as he ran to catch up to them.
"We want to know her name at least," said the last boy as he inched toward her.
She backed away as far as he could to get away from him. She didn't like the way he seemed to look at her. It almost reminded her of the demon ringleader that had her captured. She winced visibly at the memory. Tears began to form in her eyes as she remembered the torture she went through. The cracks of the whips, they jingle jangle of her chains rang through her mind as the memory played through her mind. Kurama noticed her tears and planned to get her out of there as soon as possible.
"AAAWW is the poor girl scared?" the boy sneered and taunted. "Come on what's your name?"
"I'm sorry," Kurama sneered. "But we have to go now."
He walked passed them pulling Kizna gently behind him. They could hear the boys' protests behind them as they walked away. They didn't listen. They stopped nearby his mother's apartment building as Kurama began to dry her running tears.
"Will you be all right?" he asked worriedly.
"Yea," she replied sniffling. "He just reminded me of the demon."
His eyes closed in pain and anguish of the memory as he pulled her close. He could tell the scars were still fresh from her kidnaping and it disturbed him.
"I shouldn't have left that day," he said softly as his eyes began to water with guilt. "It's my fault."
"No," she whispered sternly as she pulled out of the embrace to wipe his tears. "The ones who caught me must have heard me singing. Don't blame yourself, please."
She dried his tears, and he began to smile. She smiled in return. They walked to the apartment building and rode to Kurama's floor in an at eased state. She leaned her head on his shoulder as he held to her waist. They walked happily down the hall as they exited the elevator and made their way to Shiori's apartment.
Shiori finished her last call of the morning. Unbeknownst to her son and Kizna, she had been making surprise calls to her son's friends telling them of the plans for the wedding. She knew they hadn't set a date for the wedding, but the temptations of wedding shopping took over her. Keiko spreading the word to the other bridesmaids and herself would take Kizna out for a dress while Yusuke telling the other groomsmen would take her son for a tuxedo.
"That's right it will be next weekend," she said excitedly as she talked to Yusuke. "So you and the other boys take Suuichi for a tuxedo all right?"
"Are you sure?" Yusuke replied skeptically. "I asked them and they said they didn't know when they would have it."
"Of course I'm sure," Shiori said convincingly. "Now you'll take him to buy a tuxedo right? And this Genkai friend of yours, she will allow you to have the ceremony and reception at her temple right?"
"Sure, she'll let us," replied Yusuke. "I'll be there in 10 minutes."
"All right, I'll see you then," she replied as she hung up the phone.
She smiled happily to herself. She heard soft scuffles outside the door as she hurriedly put away the phone books. A knock on her apartment door made her run to excitedly answer it.
They waited as they stood outside of the apartment door. As the door opened, it revealed a smiling Shiori. The look in her eyes had blatantly told them she had been up to something, but they couldn't place what that something was. They smiled in return not knowing what to expect.
"Have you decided on a date while you were out?" she asked still smiling.
"Honestly we still don't know," replied Kizna shrugging.
They pondered the issue for a moment, and Shiori came to a preplanned conclusion.
"How about next weekend?" Shiori asked as she eagerly checked her watch. 'Five minutes,' she thought.
"Well I don't have anything planned that's for sure," said Kizna happily.
"And I don't either," added Kurama smiling.
"Well then we have to get started right away," Shiori said excitedly.
Kurama and Kizna exchanged glances of curiosity as they wondered what Shiori had been planning both wondering if they had fallen into a trap. A knock came to the door. Shiori rushed to get the door open. They looked over her trying to look at who was on the other side. Outside Keiko, Botan, Kuwabara, Hiei, and Yusuke stood waiting for someone. All had smiles on their faces except for Hiei with his usual loner look.
"What are you all doing here?" Kizna asked bewildered.
"Don't you know?" replied Keiko receiving a shaken head. "Come on, we have to get you a dress. Shiori called us to get you a dress."
"A WHAT?!" she cried in disbelief as she was pulled out the door by Keiko and Botan.
"Oh you know. The white dress and bridesmaid's dress that every bride needs at their wedding," replied Botan.
"Mother?" Kurama asked as he watched Shiori put on her coat.
She smiled mysteriously at her son. She handed him a large amount of yen and started walking down the hall to catch up with the other girls. Kurama watched worriedly as his fiancé was pulled down the hall by Keiko and Botan. Kurama turned nervously towards the others and was greeted with two smiling faces and a smirk.
"And you're here for?" he asked nervously.
"I'm here for support," said Kuwabara smiling.
"We're here for your tuxedo," said Yusuke enjoying Kurama's nervous demeanor.
Kurama sweat dropped. Kuwabara shoved him from behind as Yusuke and Hiei pulled him down the hall.
Keiko and Botan excitedly pulled Kizna into the bridal shop with Shiori strolling behind them with a smile never leaving her face. Shoppers around them watched curiously as two giggling girls and a stunned light blue hair girl ran into the store. Realizing a problem, Kizna quickly pulled Keiko and Botan to the side hidden in the labyrinth of dresses. Shiori walked silently towards them silently listening.
"What are we going to do about my wings?" Kizna whispered desperately. "Shiori- San doesn't know I have them."
Botan and Keiko exchanged worried glances, realizing they never thought of the predicament before. Shiori listened in shock as her suspicions were confirmed. 'Could she be..' she thought curiously. 'An angel?' Her eyes went wild as she smiled at the thought of her son marrying an angel. 'How romantic,' her mind sighed dreamily as she rustled the dresses that hid the girls. They looked up in suspicion as the dresses behind them rustled. Keiko swiftly moved the dresses apart and caught Shiori in a daze. It didn't take long for them to realize that she had been listening the whole them they were there.
"Shiori- San," said Kizna ashamed. "I know you heard. Please don't hate me."
Keiko and Botan looked on worried that their friend's chance at love maybe ruined. Kizna looked down on the floor avoiding her gaze. Shiori turned to her and hugged her tightly to her surprise.
"Are you an angel?" she asked as she pulled out of the embrace.
Kizna shook her head. Shiori looked down on the small girl, her eyes wondered what she could be.
"I'm a fairy," Kizna corrected. "Please I love your son very much. Don't make me give him up."
"Actually I should be asking you not to give my son up," she replied smiling. "I'm honored to have my son marry such a beautiful young lady."
Kizna stood speechless. A smile formed on her face as she realized Shiori would accept her for what she was like her son.
"Come on!" cried Botan excitedly. "We have to find you a dress!"
They filled Kizna's arms with dresses and shoes and pushed her into a dressing room and closed the curtains.
Kurama prepared himself for the shower of tuxedos that Yusuke and the others threw over the door. The small room was piled with black tuxedos scattered around the small space. Jackets and shirts weighed down the wall hooks, and black bow ties littered the floor. Kurama sighed. He hesitantly put on every black tuxedo thrown to him. Some had tails, some had hats, some had scarves and capes. Some were embroidered with fine thread in intricate designs. Somehow with all the tuxedos, he didn't like anyone of them. He wanted to scream.
"You done yet?" Yusuke asked as he knocked on the door.
The door opened revealing Kurama in a traditional black tuxedo. Kurama prepared himself for the onslaught of comments and criticisms that would come his way. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei examined every part of the tuxedo.
"I don't like it," said Hiei bluntly.
"Why?" asked Kuwabara. "It looks fine to me."
"I have to agree with Hiei on this one," said Yusuke as Kuwabara grunted his disapproval.
Kurama sighed in relief as he walked back into the small room. 'Maybe I won't have to try any more on,' he thought tiredly as Hiei walked out into the store. Hiei looked around him. Black. Nothing but black. Although Hiei himself wouldn't mind, he knew Kurama would. The orange lights shined down on the racks and jackets making them have a strange orange shine.
"Hm," he muttered to himself as he looked around the racks and shelves.
He walked around somehow sneering at the strange human clothing. His katana lightly tapped his side as he walked hidden in his clothing. Among the sea infinite black, there is was. Hiei raised a curious eyebrow. It was a white tuxedo jacket with tails along with matching white pants, vest, and bow tie with a small deep red rose pinned in the lapel. On the floor, he spotted a pair of white dress shoes. Curious, he took it back to the dressing room.
"Here," he said as he tossed the clothing over the door.
They watched as the clothing flew over the door landing silently as Kurama caught it in his arms. Kurama smiled somehow knowing that this was the right one. He looked in the mirror. The white brought out his eyes and hair and the clothing brought out his physical features. He dressed in the white clothing and stepped out of the dressing room. The others smiled as they realized they had finally found the right tuxedo.
She was tired, and the dress was crushing her wings under the fabric. She was surrounded by all white and nothing but white. Dresses hung on the walls testing the weight of the wall hooks and veils were scattered on the floor. No dress seemed to suit her in her mind, and everyone's comments as she showed them proved that. She went to try on the last dress. The dress had a high collar with no sleeves and Chinese style closures. The skirt fell loosely around her legs slightly dragging on the floor. She winced as she saw herself in the mirror.
"You done?" called Keiko as she called through the curtain.
"Yea," she replied as she opened the door.
"What do you think?" Botan asked smiling.
"I think it's crushing my wings," she whispered hoping the others in the store wouldn't hear.
"Oh dear," said Shiori worried.
Shiori walked out into the store hoping to find something. She noticed most of the dresses had backs to them. She hoped she could find something that would suit her. Then, she noticed it. It was a simple dress with a beaded brocade top that had two sets of strings that clasped in the back leaving the whole back bare. The skirt flowed to the floor slightly flared. In the back at the top of the skirt, a small gold clip with rhinestones and pearls held heavy fabric that fell to the floor ending in a small train. In a package, a small gold hair clip with a veil that went down to the waist, matching the clip in the back of the dress, shined in the orange light of the store. Shiori smiled. Quickly, she brought it back to the dressing room.
"Here," she said as she walked in to the dressing area.
A pale hand reached for the hanger of the dress. Kizna examined the dress. A small smile stretched across her face. She examined herself in the mirror. The low-cut of the dress brought out her long neck and pale skin and clung tightly to her body. The train flowed naturally in the back as though it were made especially for her. As she slid the curtain, she watched as the others' faces lit up as she stepped out of the room. She kept her wings folded to hide them from the humans in the store.
"That's pretty," said Keiko in awe as the others nodded and smiled in agreement.
"Spread your wings," said Botan receiving a strange look in return. "Don't worry no one's looking."
With a light rustling and a small breeze, Kizna unfurled her wings sending the others into a deeper state of awe. Her white wings added to the look making her look more like an angel rather than a fairy.
"You think.." she said blushing. "He'll like it?"
"Of course," reassured Shiori as she held onto Kizna's hands comfortingly.
"Now what's the tradition?" asked Botan. "Oh yes! Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue!"
"What?" Kizna asked curiously.
"Here in the human world," Shiori began. "A bride must have those four things for good luck in the marriage."
"Oh," she replied in understanding.
"Well the dress is new," said Keiko. "She's got blue hair."
"Lets worry about that later," said Botan excitedly. "We have to get shoes."
"And we still need our dresses Botan," added Keiko happily.
As she walked back into the dressing room to change, Kizna smiled.
They scoured the store for the perfect tuxedo for the groomsmen. Kurama held up a tuxedo for them to see.
"I don't wear white," Hiei sneered as he glared at a white tuxedo Kurama held.
"Of course you wouldn't," Kurama sighed. "Oh Kuwabara, I forgot to ask you something."
"Yea?" he asked.
"Would you be the ring-bearer?" Kurama replied nervously.
"You're going to trust the stupid human with your rings?" Hiei asked sarcastically.
"Shut up shrimp," sneered Kuwabara as he glared at the fire demon. "I would be honored."
"Thank you," Kurama replied smiling. "Will you be willing to wear white Yusuke?"
"Wouldn't black be more traditional?" he asked also dreading to wear the white suit.
"Would it?" Kurama asked shrugging unsure of some of the human customs. "I suppose so."
Shiori held up a strapless periwinkle blue dress with a silver shine. The dress had a white rhinestone trim and a matching shall. Their eyes lit up at the sight of the dress.
"It's pretty," said Kizna excitedly.
"It's perfect," said Botan happily as she took the dress to try it on.
"I quite agree," said Keiko as she went to try the dress.
Kizna stood outside with Shiori as they waited. She carried her dress in her arms excited that something like the dress would be hers. She never dreamed in all her life that she would be married. She smiled.
"I assume you're excited?" Shiori asked happily.
"Very much," Kizna replied blushing. "Thank you. Tell me, how would we be able to get these dresses."
"We'll pay," Shiori answered kindly looking down on her before she realized Kizna may not understand. "Humans here use a currency called yen to pay for various items."
"But I have no money," Kizna said worriedly as Shiori smiled.
"Don't worry," Shiori comforted as she pulled her into a hug. "I have quite a substantial amount of money from Suuichi's father when he passed away."
Kizna smiled. Keiko and Botan walked out modeling their bridesmaids' dresses. They struck strange poses making Kizna and Shiori giggle.
"How do you like them?" Kizna asked.
"I love it," Botan said excitedly.
"It's beautiful," said Keiko cheerfully.
"Then it's settled!" cried Shiori. "We'll get them."
"Thank you Shiori- San," said Kizna sincerely.
She smiled in return as Keiko and Botan walked back into the room to change. Her eyes showed love and compassion that could belong to a mother and no one else. Looking around the store, they found shoes that would match their clothing. Keiko and Botan found simple glasslike slippers with a small rhinestone flower in the center. Kizna found a white strapped heel with a pointed toes that fit her perfectly. The white straps fastened together in a rhinestone buckle. Keiko and Botan smiled widely as they saw how it seemed to be made for her.
"What do you think?" Kizna asked curiously.
"It's goes perfectly with the dress," said Keiko smiling.
"Thank you," she replied receiving an approving smile from Botan.
"Shall we get going?" Shiori asked holding their dresses in their arms.
Shiori paid for the dresses despite the protests of Keiko and Botan, both claiming they could pay their own way. Shiori smiled and waved them off silently telling them not to worry. They left the store arms filled with dress bags and shoes making their way back to Shiori's apartment chatting quietly. They skimmed the store windows looking for the others curious of what they would be doing. Keiko stopped at a tuxedo shop's window and looked in. Inside, she found Yusuke and the other groomsmen trying on black tuxedos. The others came over to look over her shoulder.
"What do you see?" asked Kizna.
"It's the others," replied Keiko before she remembered a human custom she had almost forgotten about. "Hey! You're not suppose to see this."
"Huh?" Kizna replied confused as she raised her eyebrow.
"Oh that's right!" added Botan picking up from where she left off. "It's a human custom that states the bride is forbidden to see the groom before the wedding."
"Basically, you can't see Suuichi until you walk the aisle," finished Shiori.
"I WHAT?!" Kizna cried in disbelief as her hood was raised when the others dragged her away.
"Where do you think you'll be staying while you're away from Kizna?" Yusuke asked as he walked out in a traditional black tuxedo with a rose pinned to a lapel and black shoes.
"What do you mean?" Kurama asked confused.
"You know,"asked Kuwabara as he walked out in a similar clothing to Yusuke's. "The custom where the bride and groom don't see each other until the wedding day?"
"Oh yea," Kurama sighed despairingly as he remembered the custom. "At home I guess."
"Hm," snorted Hiei not caring for the conversation dressed in a suit like the others.
"They look all right to me," said Kurama referring to the suits.
"I like it," said Yusuke as he closed the jacket around him.
"I agree," Kuwabara added.
"Hiei?" Kurama asked.
"Hm," he grunted turning away uncaring.
"I'll take that as a yes," said Kurama smiling as they walked back into the rooms to change.
They walked towards the register to pay for their clothing. As Kurama reached into his pocket, he realized he had the extra money left from her ring. He smiled inwardly. They paid having more leftover money than expected. They walked into the afternoon sunlight browsing the shop windows as they past. Kurama pondered what he could give to her. His eyes wandered every store criticizing and commenting in his mind. His eyes rested once more on a jewelry store unbeknownst to him. Carrying his suit over his shoulder, Kurama looked inside. The jewels shined and flaunted all they had in the sunlight and store light. His eyes lingered on every piece of jewelry carefully inspecting and examining. The others turned around no longer hearing his footsteps only to find him peering into a jewelry store like a child at a candy shop's window. They looked over to him curious of why he had stopped. Walking to his side, they looked over his shoulder.
"What are you looking at?" asked Yusuke as he tapped Kurama on the back.
Kurama jumped. The others chuckled as Hiei smirked at his surprised reaction.
"Nothing," he replied as he towards the others.
"Yea right," said Kuwabara as he playfully swung his arm around Kurama's neck. "I bet you were looking for Kizna's present weren't you?"
"Eh.." he replied blushing as he pulled out of the hold. "Well..."
Kuwabara and Yusuke smiled as wide grins spread across their faces. Hiei smirked as he inwardly grinned a grin as wide as Yusuke and Kuwabara's.
"We'll just have to help you then," Yusuke said as he and Kuwabara pulled Kurama into the jewelry store.
"Hm," smirked Hiei as he walked in behind them.
Jewels shined and their cases littered the floor. They went off in separate directions looking for her gift. Embarrassedly, Kurama sighed as he went off to another part of the store too look.
Hiei smirked to himself as a small smile crept across his face. He didn't see the need for humans to have these gems other than their value, but he never saw and understood most human needs. His crimson eyes wandered over the gems, jewels, and crystals wondering what he could find. He unknowingly strolled into another unknown part of the store. The cases were filled with crystal statues and figurines instead of jewelry. He looked around curiously in all the cases. He noticed something in a far away case that seemed to stand out from the rest. It was a small figure of a fairy with large wings. She sat on the crystal ground as she held a creature tightly in her arms. The creature had a strange set of 5 tails. (Author's note: how many tails does Kurama's fox form have?) On the creature's head sat two small ears and a short snout. Another smile crept on Hiei's face. He spotted and elderly man in the distance making his way towards him.
"May I help you?" the old man asked softly his voice quiet with age, but with enough life to be a kind grandfather.
Hiei pointed to the small statue his eyes cold sternly asking for information on the object.
"That's a fine choice," the old man said. "It's pure Waterford crystal. Very expensive."
"How much?" Hiei sneered his eyes never leaving the old man.
"About 50,000 yen," the old man said. (Author's note: sorry like I said before I don't how much money it takes to make something expensive in Japan. Just pretend it's expensive!)
Hiei winced at the thought. He fished around the hidden pockets of his cloak hoping to find something worth trading with the old man. His hand closed around a small handle of something in his last pocket. He pulled out into the light for him to see. In his hand, he held a small gold dagger with jewels embedded in the hilt and the blade. The blade shined a pristine silver in the light. He pondered where he could have gotten the bizarre dagger that he had forgotten in his pocket. 'What does it matter?' he thought to himself. 'I never use this thing anyway.'
"I propose a trade," Hiei said eerily calm almost threatening.
"What do you have in mind?" asked the old man scared of the dagger Hiei held.
"Will you give me that for this?" he asked as he held up the dagger and pointing to the sculpture.
The old man's eyes lit up as he breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at the dagger in Hiei's hand eagerly admiring its shine in the store's light.
"Sure," the old man said eagerly as he pulled out a set of keys.
Hiei carefully watched the old man as he pulled out the sculpture from its glass home. He laid the dagger on a nearby case. He watched the old man wrap the statue in paper and place it in a box carefully sealing it with his aged fingers.
"What's it for?" asked the old man as he handed Hiei the small box.
"A wedding present," Hiei replied as he placed the box in a hidden cloak pocket as he walked away. "For a friend?" the man asked.
"For the bride and groom," Hiei replied as he disappeared into the other part of the store.
"Tell them I said congratulations!" cried the old man.
"Hm." he replied.
Kurama searched through the cases trying to find something perfect for her. His eyes rested on an elaborate choker resting on a black velvet sculpture of a neck. The choker was made of a bizarre cream colored metal with five white beads hanging down from it in the center. A long chain and clasp clasped in the back with the slack of the chain falling behind the neck. Two sets of silver chains swagged under the beads. He got the same feeling he felt with her ring. He didn't know how, but it would be perfect for her. He signaled Yusuke and Kuwabara over for a second opinion after not finding Hiei anywhere.
"Find anything?" Kurama asked as they two humans walked over.
"No," replied Yusuke shaking his head.
"Me neither," said Kuwabara shaking his head also.
"What do you think of this one?" Kurama asked as he pointed to the choker.
"That's nice, but how much is it?" Yusuke asked as he looked up from studying the necklace.
"It says it's 100,000 yen. Do we even have that much?" Kuwabara asked fishing in his pockets.
"I've got 2,000 yen and a bottle cap," said Yusuke as he held out his palm
"I've got nothing," said Kuwabara turning his pockets inside out.
Kurama fished in his pocket for the leftover money his mother had given him. He silently counted and found just enough. He sighed in relief of his good fortune. A middle aged woman in a business suit behind the counter took notice of the three boys near one of the cases. She walked over to them.
"May I help you?" she asked politely.
"That necklace please," said Kurama happily as he pointed to the choker.
"Good choice sir, may I ask what's the occasion?" she asked as she began to unlock the case.
"My bride's wedding present," he replied receiving a smile from the woman.
"Congratulations sir," she said happily as she walked to the register with the necklace.
As he paid, he watched excitedly as the woman placed the necklace in a large black velvet box. Kurama smiled. Hiei walked out and silently joined the others holding hidden in his pocket.
"Find anything?" he asked.
"Nope," Yusuke replied.
"No," added Kuwabara as he looked down on Hiei. "Did you shrimp?"
"Hm. None of your business," he replied glaring at Kuwabara once more.
The girls walked through town browsing the shop windows after dropping their clothing at Shiori's apartment. A bakery window caught Kizna's attention. She peered into the window to find strange soft looking cubes and cylinders. The strange items in the window made her curious. Some were layered with fruit and the others with flowers in a white layer of a thick substance and some sitting in a brown substance. The others came to look over her shoulder as they stared at the appetizing cakes in the window.
"That's right," said Shiori making Kizna jump. "We have to order a cake."
"A what?" Kizna asked curious.
"Here in the Ningekai," explained Keiko as Kizna nodded in understanding. "When people have a wedding they order a large cake to share with their guests."
"Well what are we waiting for?" asked Botan eager to look at the human delights. "Lets see."
They pulled Kizna into the store once more and began to flip in the cake catalog. Kizna looked with delight and curiosity as she saw pictures of towering cakes pilled with decorations. Atop of every cake, she noticed a pair of people carved into poses. The girl always seemed to wear white and the man always seem to wear black. 'They must be the bride and groom,' she concluded as she thought to herself.
"What kind of decoration do you want Kizna?" Shiori asked as he looked over them and into the book. 'Roses would be so nice,' she thought to herself.
"Roses," she said happily. "As long as you don't mind Shiori- San."
"Actually that's what I was just thinking," she replied smiling.
They came to a cake in the book that seemed to be piled with red, white, and pink roses. The roses cascaded the tree layered white iced cake entangling themselves in the small columns the layers rested on. Red and pink roses of icing decorated the layers of the cake in a simple and delicate elegance. Atop the cake where the most roses sat, a figure of a dancing bride and groom sat forever frozen in the picture.
"That's perfect," Shiori sighed dreamily as the others nodded in agreement.
"How can a help you?" a young man in an apron called from behind the counter.
"We'd like to order this cake please," Shiori said as she turned the book to show the baker.
"When do you need it?" the man asked.
"By next weekend at the Genkai Temple," Shiori replied smiling.
"Got it, that will be 10,000 yen please," the man said.
"I've got some yen," said Keiko as she fished in her purse.
"So do I," added Botan going through her pockets.
"Don't worry," said Shiori smiling softly.
"But..." Keiko stuttered as Shiori held up a silencing hand.
Pulling out money from her purse, Shiori once again paid the man despite the protests of Botan and Keiko. Botan and Keiko sighed in defeat.
(Author's note: does anyone know the name of the actual temple where Genkai lives??)