A Demon's Love pt. 12
She stayed up throughout the night writing and preparing the invitations. She carefully examined everyone making sure the fine swirls and cues of her cursive was flawless in their grace and elegance. Pink rose vines curled and bloomed around the edges of the border highlighting her black inked calligraphy. The invitations were simple and just told all necessary information of the wedding. Small envelopes littered the table with several names of family and friends delicately written in black pen.
"You are cordially invited to the wedding of Minamo Suuichi and his bride Kizna," Shiori read quietly to herself making sure there were no mistakes in her calligraphy. "On September 25, Saturday at the Genkai Temple, Suuichi and Kizna will profess their vows of true love under the sight of the gods. Groomsmen: Hiei, Urameshi Yusuke. Ring bearer: Kuwabara Kazuma. Bridesmaids: Yukimura Keiko, Botan. Flower girl: none." (Author's note: I kind of didn't know when the St. Beasts occurred so I just made up a date.)
She looked at the envelopes scattered around her. A few for Suuichi's human friends, a few for their family, and a few for their family friends lay on the tablecloth around her. The ever awake microwave clock read a tiring 2:45 in the morning. She quickly placed the invitations in the envelopes and sealed them tightly. She crept to her room quickly changed, got ready for bed and promptly fell to sleep in a tired slumber.
His arms were hurting from scrubbing and his eyes began to sag in fatigue. He worked diligently trying to get the last of the black scum off the silver frame. A small near empty bottle of silver cleaner sat quietly by his side as it watched Kuwabara clean and restore the old silver frame to a pristine shine. It would be a simple gift and nothing fancy, but Kurama and his bride were a simple couple. He held the frame to the light admiring his work. The silver shined pristine and unmarred as he finished restoring it to its former glory. The camera sat across from Kuwabara watching from unseeing eyes and always open mouth. The clock on the wall ticked infinite ticks as it read a grueling 3:00 in the morning. He tossed the old rag he used messily on the table and trudged up the stairs to his room. He cursorily brushed his teeth, changed and went to bed in a dreamless slumber.
The sun rose into the horizon kissing the night sky away. Kizna awoke to its siren song as the gold rays of light flooded through her room's window charming her out of her dreams. She stared down onto the street as she looked to the waking city around her. She unfurled her wings behind her flapping them to shake stiffness from her being. She heard soft shuffling of slippers walking down the hall passed her closed door. Curious, she wrapped her cloak around her and opened her door revealing Keiko carrying a set of blue clothing in her hands.
"Good morning," Keiko greeted cheerily.
"Morning, what are those?" Kizna asked curious of the blue uniform Keiko held in her hands.
"These are my school clothes," Keiko replied showing Kizna her clothes. "I have to go to school today."
"What's school?" Kizna asked as she looked curiously at her clothing.
"It's a place where humans go to learn," replied Keiko. "We go early in the morning, and we get home at about 3:00 in the afternoon."
Kizna nodded in understanding as she watched Keiko walk down the hall into a bathroom. She heard the soft pats of falling water as she returned to her bed to continue looking out the window as the first humans of the morning began their day.
Yusuke groggily got out of bed at his mother's incessant calling and nagging. The music box sat safely on his night stand ready to be wrapped. Afraid his mother would damage it, he hid the music box under the bed hoping she wouldn't find it. He dragged himself to the bathroom. Cursorily, he brushed his teeth and took a shower. He ran the gel through his wet hair, making it shine. He quickly changed into his uniform and hurried out of the apartment eager to avoid his mother's rants and raves.
He walked into the schoolyard earlier than normal. He yawned tiredly. 'I could have gotten more sleep,' he thought bitterly. He spotted a familiar ferry girl wearing the blue uniforms running up to him. 'Not another mission,' his mind growled as he signaled Botan to follow him to a nearby bench.
Kurama stirred and squinted as the morning light came into his room, chasing him out of his dreams, reminding him of the human needs of the day. Quickly, he grabbed his school clothing and headed for the bathroom. He heard a closing door's creak as his mother walked out of the apartment. 'I wonder where's she's going,' he thought as he reached the bathroom. The early pitters and patters of showering water echoed through the small apartment.
She silently walked out of her apartment hoping not to disturb her son. In her hands, she held the small invitations waiting to be delivered. She watched the elevator stop and start as it picked up and dropped people to their floors. She made her way across the lobby to a large wall filled with small metal lockers big enough to fit a small sized package. Taking out a key from her pocket, Shiori unlocked her locker and placed the envelops inside hoping they would be picked up by the morning mail. She re-locked the locker and made her way back to her apartment smiling all the way.
Kurama stood in front of a steamy mirror slowly clearing of the white fog and water that clung to it. He brushed his long red locks as he stood before the mirror wrapped in a towel. He heard the soft creak of the apartment door opening as his mother stepped into the apartment. He quickly changed into his uniform and walked out to greet her.
"Good morning mother," he said as he sat down at the breakfast table.
"Morning Suuichi," she replied as she went to cook their breakfast.
"Where did you go?" he asked curiously.
"I just sent the invitations," she replied as he sweat dropped.
"Who did you invite?" he asked worriedly.
"Just the family and your friends," she replied calmly.
Kurama felt his stomach twist and turn. 'She doesn't know,' he thought unknowing that she already knew Kizna's secret. He had to tell her somehow, but it was a sordid topic to easily divulge to the open.
"Mother are you sure we should invite the family and my friends?" Kurama asked nervously.
"Why of course!" she replied happily. "They wouldn't want to miss your wedding."
"But Kizna..." he began unsure of what to say to her. "Well... eh.. She has this... problem... and..."
"Don't worry, I know she has wings," she calmly replied as her son stared at her shocked.
"How?" he barely managed to say.
"I heard her talking to Keiko and Botan about it," she answered smiling at her son as he stared shocked and surprised at his mother. "I confronted her about it, and she told me the truth."
"What did she tell you?" he asked worried that she might have found out about his own secret.
"Just that she was a fairy," Shiori answered again. "And that she loves you very much."
He breathed a sigh of pure relief. She knew about Kizna and was willing to accept her. He smiled happily to himself. She set a simple plate of rice and sausage on the table as they ate in a comfortable silence. The microwave clock read 7:10 as they cleared the table. Kurama went to the bathroom to brush his teeth before picking up his school bag. He waved a silent goodbye to his mother as she watched the apartment door close behind him.
The sun caressed his face as he made his way to his school. He couldn't help but smile. He smiled for he was to be married, and his mother was happy about it. Kurama smiled for he would be a husband, and he would perhaps raise a small family in th Makai. As he reached the school yard, he noticed the other students giving him strange looks as he walked by them. He heard soft whispers coming from a young boy his age saying something about marriage. Soft whispers went around saying such things of a young woman, a fiancé. He saw a young man about his age run up to him.
"Suuichi is it true?" the young man asked as he panted.
"What?" Kurama asked confused.
"That you're getting married," the boy replied as Kurama's eyes went wide in shock as he remembered his mother sent invitations to his friends.
"Yea," Kurama replied sheepishly as he blushed. "Where did you find out?"
"My mother got an invitation this morning in the mail," replied the boy. "She said it was for me for your wedding. So who is she?"
"Do you know who else got some?" Kurama asked trying to change the subject.
"Most of the guys and a few of the girls. Now who is this Kizna?" the boy asked eagerly.
"You'll meet her at the wedding," he replied as he quickly walked away leaving the boy behind.
He quickly walked to class to avoid the unending questions of the mysterious fiancé he was to marry. Girls looked at him despairingly as they realized they never had a chance with him. He had never expected the wedding to get this much attention. He wanted a simple and small wedding for the both of them. Then, after the wedding they would run away to the Makai and try to raise a small family only sneaking into the Ningekai a few times to see Shiori with her future grandchildren. He sighed. 'Children,' he thought dreamily. 'They would come out so beautiful if she were their mother.'
He wondered what it would be like to hear the soft pitters and patters of small footsteps through their tree-house, waking up to each other in the morning not just secret lovers, but as husband and wife. He smiled.
Keiko walked into her schoolyard early as usual. In the distance, she spotted Botan and Yusuke sitting on a nearby bench. She quickly walked over.
"Botan if you're going to tell me about a mission I'm not doing it," said Yusuke sternly. "If you haven't forgotten we have a wedding to attend."
"I'm not here for a mission. I came to ask you something," Botan replied.
"What then?" he asked annoyed and tired.
"What are you giving them as a present?" Botan asked curiously. "I have no idea what to give them."
"Same here," Keiko said as they looked up to find the source of the disembodied voice. "I want to know."
"Promise you wont laugh?" asked Yusuke worried that his gift may be sensitive for him.
"Why would we laugh?" asked Keiko. "We're all friends here."
"I got them a music box," Yusuke muttered still slightly embarrassed about his gift.
"What did he say?" asked Botan receiving a shrug in return. "You want to say that louder?"
"A music box," he muttered louder hoping the other students wouldn't hear.
"Now that wasn't so bad was it?" asked Botan cheerfully. "Now why didn't I think of that?"
"But that doesn't solve our problem Botan," said Keiko as she rested her head on her hands. "What do you give a fox and fairy?"
"Maybe we should just look around after school. You know see what we can find?" replied Botan as she pondered the issue further.
"I agree," Keiko replied as the school bell rang. "Come on Yusuke or we'll be late."
Yusuke grumbled something incoherent constantly complaining about school as he trudged behind the two girls .
Kurama quietly sat down at his desk trying to ignore the soft murmurs around him, but his sensitive ears picked up every soft spoken conversation.
"Is it true about Suuichi?" whispered a girl sitting near the back of the room. "That he's getting married?"
Kurama slightly turned his head towards them to hear their conversation.
"Yea, can you believe it?" another whispered a reply. "Do you think he's only getting married because this girl is pregnant?"
Kurama let out a quiet growl angered by what the girl had said. He was getting married because he was in love not just out of force.
"Oh come on," the first girl whispered. "This is Suuichi. He's like the most perfect student here. Do you think he'd be capable of doing that?"
"Oh yea," the other girl replied. "Good point. But then why would he be getting married?"
"Who knows?" the first girl replied. "But whoever she is, she is so lucky."
"Yea," the other girl sighed dreamily.
'Or I'm just lucky to have her,' he thought happily. He heard the creak of the classroom door closing and taps of shoes walking into the room as he looked up. A middle aged man wearing a suit and tie carrying a briefcase walked towards the teacher's desk. The man is the teacher. A silence fell upon the room as the students watched the middle aged man quietly take the attendance.
"I'd like to congratulate our future groom to be," said the teacher as he looked up from the attendance list. "Minamo Suuichi who will be married I presume?"
The class turned towards Kurama as he turned a bright shade of red. He nodded sheepishly.
"Arigato sensei," Kurama replied as he blushed. "And yes I will be married."
"Suuichi who is she?" a student asked.
"A girl that destiny led to me," he replied cryptically.
The room erupted in quiets whispers and murmurs as they wondered who the strange girl could be.
"Class settle down," the teacher said trying to calm his students. "Lets leave Suuichi and his love life alone."
The morning light flooded into the windows of the Kuwabara household. Kuwabara folded himself deeper into the sea of blankets as he slept unaware of the time.
"KUWABARA!" Shizuru yelled her screams echoing throughout the house. "YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"
Kuwabara grumbled something incoherent as he slowly sat up in bed looking for the time. The nearby clock read 6:55 leaving only five minutes before the morning classes began. Kuwabara's eyes widened in shock now awake and aware of the time. He hurriedly put on his clothing tripping and falling on every shoe and sock that lay on the floor. He hopped and hobbled down the stairs as he struggled to put his shoes on. Shizuru raised an eyebrow at her brother as she watched him hop around on one leg trying to tie his shoes.
She spied the silver frame and the leftover materials from the night before. She smirked. She figured her brother would do something with the old junk she planned to throw out. 'Maybe that stuff wasn't so useless after all,' she thought. She looked curiously outside to the dying garden and spotted a small sleeping figure in the tree.
"KUWABARA!" she cried sending her brother into the air out of shock. "WHY IS THERE SOMEONE SLEEPING IN OUR TREE?!"
Kuwabara crashed to the ground landing flat on his back at his sister's cry. He quickly tied his shoes and ran for his school bag.
"Sorry sis," he replied as he ran for the door. "I'm gonna be late can't stay and chat!"
She watched as her brother ran fast out the door slamming it behind him. She sighed.
The sleeping figure in the tree jolted awake at the sound of a strange human cry coming from inside the house. Hiei looked down on the house and scowled. 'Stupid humans,' his mind sneered hoping the strange human woman would shut up. The crystal figurine sat comfortably in his pocket as his suit swung gently in the morning breeze on a nearby branch.
"Hm," he muttered as he went back to sleep ignoring the humans inside the house.
Kuwabara raced down the streets hoping to somehow make it to school in time. The light wind of the morning turned into fast and furious gusts as he ran. His shoes screeched into the school yard as he turned racing for the building as the last of the students went inside as the morning bell rung. He ran down the halls his shoes loudly clapping and tapping as he made his way to the classroom sliding inside as the teacher was taking attendance.
"You're late Kuwabara," Mr. Iwamoto sneered at the red head. (Author's note: Is the name right? I can't remember which teachers hate Yusuke and Kuwabara.)
"Sorry sensei," Kuwabara replied sighing as he walked to his desk.
Kizna stared into the morning light and eagerly watched the humans go by below her trying to get her mind of him. 'Like the quote,' she thought again. 'I'll never be complete without him.' She sighed. She watched curiously as they went by, but her mind always wandered back to him. Some strolled. Some read and walked. Some walked strange animals on long ropes. So looked up to her before she quickly hid. The morning sun warmed her cloak as she let it fall around her. There she stayed and stood constantly watching all day. 'These coming days will be lonely,' she thought quietly.
Kurama sighed tiredly as he slouched under a tree at lunch. All morning he had been hounded with several questions every student curious of his fiancé. 'What does she look like? Who is she?' he thought annoyed. 'Every question in the book.' Finally, he was alone and to himself. 'With no one to bother me,' he thought as his eyes began to sag in the warm sunlight and shade. As he entered his dreamworld, the afternoon bell jerked him away from her loving arms. He growled in annoyance. 'I can't see her until the wedding,' he thought sadly. 'What am I going to do without her?' The coming days seemed like torture for him.
The late morning light blinded him permanently waking him telling him to start the day. The sun shone about noon high through the thin layers of leaves of the dying tree. He heard a soft rumbling in stomach as he sat up.
"Hm," he growled at his own stomach. "I might as well get something to eat."
He picked up his suit from the branch and leapt into the distance off to find food.
The sun shined over Sarayashiki Junior High (Author's note: is that spelled right?) as four students sat under the shade of a fruit tree at lunch.
"Kuwabara what you getting them for a wedding gift?" Keiko asked as she looked up from lunch.
"Well I restored an old frame for them and I'll put a picture in it," he replied.
"What picture?" Botan asked looking over towards them.
"Something from their wedding," he replied.
"You're going to give it to them late?" asked Keiko confused.
"No," he replied as took out his chopsticks from his mouth. "I found an old Polaroid camera. I'll get a shot of them at their wedding, and when the picture comes out I'll quickly put in the frame."
Keiko and Botan nodded in understanding.
"What's he giving her?" asked Botan curiously.
"A very expensive necklace," Yusuke replied putting an emphasis on the very.
"How sweet!" cried Keiko and Botan.
"But then what's Hiei giving them?" Botan asked.
"We have no idea," replied Yusuke as he leaned against the tree.
"I bet the shrimp doesn't even have a gift," said Kuwabara looking out for Hiei.
"I heard that," a voice sneered behind them.
They turned to find Hiei carrying his suit over his shoulder slowly walking up to them from behind the tree. Kuwabara sweat dropped.
"Stupid human," Hiei growled as he hung the suit on a nearby branch to climb the tree.
"I wouldn't be talking shrimp," Kuwabara challenged. "I probably could kick your butt any day!"
"Hm," he snorted ignoring the human completely.
"Hiei what are you getting them as a gift?" Botan called into the tree.
"Why do you want to know?" he replied annoyed by the ferry girl.
"Me and Keiko need to know what we might be able to get them," she replied looking to the mass of leaves trying to find the small black figure.
"CATCH!" his disembodied voice cried as a box came falling from the rustling leaves. "That's what I got. Now don't bother me!"
The small box landed safely in her arms. Keiko and the others walked over curious of what the small demon got for their friend. Botan gently lifted the lid to find something wrapped in packaging paper. Taking the strange wrapped object from the box, Botan began to slowly unwrap it making a soft crinkle and crumple echo through the quiet group. Their eyes went wide as they saw the small crystal figurine sitting in the midst of the paper. The sun shined brightly on the small fairy as it held the small five tailed fox in her arms.
"Hiei," Keiko began unsure of what to say. "It's..... it's..."
"Gorgeous!" cried Botan excitedly.
"It must have been expensive!" cried Keiko getting her voice back. "How did you get it?"
"I have my ways," growled Hiei in the tree.
"Ok, so the shrimp does have gift," said Kuwabara stubbornly as he fold his arms across is chest.
"Yea and it's better than yours," Yusuke said sarcastically before receiving a glare in return.
Botan quickly wrapped the figurine back in its paper and placed it in its box as the afternoon bell rang calling all the students in back for their classes. In a flash of light and a black swirl, the box disappeared from Botan's hands and into the tree.
Kizna sat in the window still dreaming of him as she heard a soft rumble in her stomach. She looked around the room worriedly. Keiko had never told her where to find food if she got hungry, and she didn't know what to do. She cautiously walked out of her room wondering if anyone other than herself would be in the house looking for any type of food. Slowly, she made her way down the flight of stairs and into Keiko's living room. She wandered around the house unsure of where to go until she came to a small kitchen. 'This is almost like our home,' she thought as she looked around at the small tables and cupboards missing her moments with him. A small bowl of grapes and apples lay on the table. She looked at it hungrily. She picked up a small bunch of grapes and smelled their sweet scent. Kizna placed one in her mouth wondering what the strange human fruit would be like. A soft sweet taste flooded her mouth as she punctured the skin of the fruit letting its juices seep into her mouth. She smiled softly as she walked back up to her room.
Kurama quietly sat in his art class, his last class, ignoring the questions around him. He silently turned his head towards the window daydreaming of her. He couldn't keep his mind off her as she couldn't keep his mind off him. One day without her was bad enough, but their wedding wouldn't be at least for another four days. He sighed quietly to himself. Students turned towards him wondering what he found interesting outside the small window leading to the outside world. The sour smell of vinegar and the earthy smell of clay flooded his nose as he turned to find a lump of clay and a bowl of vinegar in front of him.
"Class I want you to make something anything you want as long as it's something you love," said the art teacher. "Remember to use the vinegar to keep the clay moist."
The students nodded in understanding as they resumed their conversations. Kurama stared at the large lump of clay lying in front of him waiting to be molded into something beautiful at the will of his hands and the commands of his mind. 'Something that you love,' he thought as the teacher's words ran through his mind. He smiled. Gently, he placed his hands on the clay and began to caress and mold it. The preliminary shape of a two small figures took form.
Hiei watched as the others began to walk to their afternoon classes as he sat in the tree. He didn't understand the concept of school that most humans went to, and he didn't want to understand it. Around him, he noticed the strange human tree grew large red fruits. 'Apples,' he thought as he remembered what Kurama told him about the Ningekai. He plucked one of the large apples and bit into it. He savored the sour juices that seeped through the small cells of the apple bites.
The art class was over. In Kurama's hands, he held a small clay sculpture. A small fairy with large wings leaned back on her hands as a kitsune sat beside her facing her leaning on his left hand with her clay legs lightly sat on top of his. Both had smiling faces and their eyes shone with love and devotion. The male's hand caressed her cheek and his kitsune tail lay limply to the side. Girls walked by admiring his work wondering where got the inspiration.
"Nice job Suuichi," said the art teacher. "Where did you come up with such a clever idea?"
"Arigato sensei," replied Kurama lightly blushing. "My fiancé?"
"How sweet," complemented the teacher.
Kurama nodded as he put his project away hearing the final bell ring through the school dismissing the students to their homes. In the hall, students ran hurrying to their homes eager to get out of school. Kurama chuckled as he watched the students run around him.
Yusuke watched the clock silently wishing the day would end. Kuwabara sat next to him in a light slumber while Keiko and Botan paid attention to everything the teacher said. The wall clock read 2:58 with only two minutes and counting until freedom. The teacher's voice was drowned out with every tick and second passing. 2:59 one minute left. Yusuke silent began to pack his things planning to rush out of class when the last bell rang. Mr. Takenaka's cut short his lecture as he heard the dismissing bell ring. He kindly waved goodbye to his passing students as they ran out the door. Yusuke sighed in relief. They walked out into the afternoon light savoring the sunlight.
Hiei watched as humans ran out of the small school eager to get home. He quickly grabbed the suit from a nearby branch and jumped down from the tree.
A black clothed figure walked towards Yusuke and the others. They turned towards him and smiled.
"Have you been walking around with your suit like that all day?" asked Keiko receiving a glaring nod.
"What can you say for a shrimp who likes to sleep in a tree?" Kuwabara asked sarcastically.
"Stupid human," muttered Hiei.
"Are we still going for the gift Keiko?" asked Botan.
"Yea, but I need to stop at my house to get Kizna," replied Keiko.
"We can't have her around if we're shopping for her and Kurama's gift!" cried Botan raising her arms for emphasis.
"But she's been in my house all day," replied Keiko. "She probably needs to get out."
"I can take her to the temple," offered Yusuke. "Maybe she can start on the decorations or something."
"Would you mind Yusuke?" asked Keiko turning towards him.
"No," Yusuke replied casually.
Silently chatting, they made their way to Keiko's house to pick up Kizna.
Kurama knocked on his mother's door patiently waiting for his mother. Unveiling Shiori wearing her coat, the door opened.
"Suuichi," she said happily. "I'm going to the temple. Do you want to come?"
"What temple mother?" he asked curiously.
"The Genkai Temple," she replied as she walked out the door. "I'm going to look at the chapel they have there."
"All right," he replied as he turned to walk with his mother. "I'd like to start on the decorations today."
She nodded happily as they walked through the building hallways.
Kizna heard the soft sounds of an opening door as she sat up in her room never leaving the window as she saw Keiko and the others make their way to the house. She wrapped her cloak around her and made her way down the stairs to greet them.
They looked up the stairs as they walked into Keiko's house to find Kizna walking down the stairs to greet them. Kizna smiled happily.
"Kizna me and Botan have a few things to take care of," said Keiko trying her best to lie. "Yusuke is going to take you to the temple. Do you want to go?"
"Sure," she replied happily. "Or I could just stay and help you and Botan."
"No, no that won't be necessary!" cried Botan waving her arms madly.
"All right," Kizna replied unsure of what to say of Botan's outburst.
Kizna watched as Botan and Keiko went towards the opposite way from her. Yusuke led her far into the forests that surrounded the temple hiding its secrets from the city. They walked up a grand flight of white stairs that was carved into the hill. The trees around them were alive and in bloom. Their fallen flowers and leaves littered the stairs making soft crunches as they walked. Kizna looked around curiously and happily as she studied the beautiful pink blooming trees around her.
As they reached the top, a small old woman greeted them as if she were expecting them. The old woman sensed something. A something that hung in the air making the air grow cold and stale only when demons were around. She sensed it coming from the small girl that walked with her former panting pupil and it from the small black clothed figure carrying a suit over his shoulder that was eerily silent as he walked behind them. Whatever she sensed didn't seem to have much effect on the girl, but it was still there, but it seemed to linger on the small black figure. After what happened with Rando, she didn't want any repeats in history.
Yusuke and Kuwabara struggled to reach the last few steps that led to the old psychic. They panted and heaved as they looked to her. Kizna and Hiei turned curiously to the old woman at the top of the stairs as they sensed something from the old woman. She seemed powerful to them. Very powerful.
"You need an escalator you old hag," panted Yusuke as he reached the top.
"Just like always. You never commit," replied the old woman shaking her head in disappointment.
"I want you to meet my friends Kizna and Hiei," said Yusuke as he sat down on the stair. "Kizna, Hiei meet Genkai."
"Hello," Kizna greeted kindly as she held her small pale hand out to the old woman. "It's nice to meet you."
"Hm," snorted Hiei turning away.
"It's nice to meet you too," replied Genkai as she shook Kizna's hand. "Tell me are you the one to be married here?"
"Yes," Kizna replied happily as she lightly blushed.
"Is he to be married here as well?" she asked as she looked towards Hiei as his eyes went wide and as everyone else sweat dropped.
"No my fiancé isn't here," she replied as she let the psychic's hand drop.
"Forgive me," Genkai apologized sincerely. "May I talk to you and Hiei for a moment?"
"All right with me," Kizna replied as she walked away. "Coming Hiei?"
"Hm," Hiei replied as he began to walk with them.
Genkai led them to a secluded part of the temple grounds away from the others. Hiei and Kizna followed cautiously behind her unsure of her motives. She turned to them.
"I don't know what you two are," she began sternly. "But I don't want any harm to come to this temple."
"How did you know?" asked Hiei suspiciously.
"I can sense it coming from the both of you," she replied her face stoic and unwavering. "I won't harm you unless you harm me. Understood?"
They nodded in understanding as they walked back towards the others.
"Yusuke," commanded Genkai. "Kizna will be starting on her decorations for her wedding. I want you to help her. And show her to the chapel and the ballroom."
"Right," grumbled Yusuke mumbling something about old hags. "Come on Kizna."
Kizna nodded as she and Yusuke walked away. Hiei leaped into a nearby tree to lounge as he hung his suit on a nearby branch.
"You," demanded Genkai as she pointed to Kuwabara. "Go help Yusuke and Kizna."
"Hey I'm not one of old students!" cried Kuwabara challenging the old psychic. "You can't tell me what to do."
"Just like Yusuke. Never commits," she replied shaking her head. "You help or leave."
"Why don't you make the shrimp help?" challenged Kuwabara receiving a crimson glare from the tree.
Kuwabara received another glare from the old and wise psychic telling him that she meant business. He grumbled and complained as he left to look for Yusuke and Kizna. Genkai looked down into the depths of her forest and to the bottom of the stairs. Two small figures stood at the base of her stairs a young man with long flowing red hair and a woman with dark hair. 'The fiancé I presume?' she thought to herself referring to the man. She looked suspiciously at the young man as she sensed the same feeling once more. 'I wonder,' she thought again.
Kurama and Shiori looked up the long flight of stairs leading to the temple in the midst of a thick forest. They admired the lush trees and flowers around them in awe. 'Kizna would love it here,' thought Kurama as he studied flowers and trees. They began their long trek up the flight of stairs with the wind swishing the flowers and leaves around their ankles. The leaves lightly danced around them in swirls of pinks, whites, and greens. At the top of the stairs, they spotted a small old woman looking down on them with suspicion shining in her eyes directed at Kurama. Shiori didn't notice, but her son did. They reached the top of the stairs, and Shiori greeted the old woman kindly.
"Hello," Shiori said politely. "I'm Shiori."
"Ah yes," rasped Genkai as she remembered the name of the woman who had called her about the wedding. "You were the one who called about the wedding and reception. I'm Genkai."
Shiori nodded smiling.
"I presume he is the one to be married?" asked Genkai receiving another nod in return. "May I have a talk with your son for a moment?"
"Of course," Shiori replied smiling.
Kurama noticed the suspicious glint in her eyes as his mother talked to the old psychic. He cautiously followed the old woman to the same secluded spot of the temple grounds. He looked toward the trees thinking he saw a black blur within the leaves but dismissed it as an illusion.
"I don't know what you are either," said Genkai sternly as she glared at Kurama. "But I want no harm to come to this temple."
"How did you know? And what do mean by either?" asked Kurama cautiously.
"I sensed it, just as I sensed it on your fiancé and friend," she answered.
"She's here?" Kurama asked surprised receiving a nod.
"If she's a young girl with light blue hair and silver eyes," said Genkai as she turned to go back to the others. "Then yes."
"I'll take you to see the chapel," said Genkai as she turned signaling for Shiori and Kurama to follow.
She lead them to a large room lit by the soft light of lanterns and the brightness of natural light through the stained glass windows that sent their multi colored patterns falling to the wooden floor. The ceilings were high and bare. Long pews stretched to the end of the large chapel ending at the large altar. Long red carpeting lined the center aisle worn with age and use. A large dome shelter stood above the altar supported by large columns. Two stairs led to the large domed altar and to the small stage set for the bridal party and groomsmen. A small intricately designed gold leaf tabernacle stood in the back holding within it the items for communion and holy ceremonies. A large dome stretched towards the ceiling surrounded the small box surrounded by thousands upon thousands of red roses. Shiori looked around the large chapel and smiled. She turned to her son who held an awed look upon his face.
Keiko and Botan scoured the shops hoping to find their friends a perfect wedding gift. Both had leftover money from their last trip into town, but they were having trouble finding something for the two lovers.
"Well we can't exactly give them human things," said Keiko as she looked through the pots of a kitchen store. "They might not be able to use it."
"That's true," replied Botan as she led Keiko out of the store. "Where else can we go?"
"I have no idea," Keiko answered as something in a store window caught her eye. "Hey what's this?"
"What's what?" asked Botan looking into the store window.
In the shop window there was a silver set of soft bristled brushes and combs in a wooden box lined in dark green velvet. Fine fur made the soft bristles. Rose vines decorated the handles of the brushes and backs of the combs and brushes. A handheld mirror went along with the brushes and combs with a similar rose and silver design.
"That's pretty," said Keiko awed by the brushes.
"Yea," replied Botan.
"But will they be able to use it?" asked Keiko wanting to spend her money for a gift they could use.
"Yea," Botan replied casually. "Have you seen how much hair those two have? Even if they didn't have that much hair, I would get it for them anyway."
"Well...." said Keiko thinking it over.
"Oh come on!" cried Botan as she grabbed Keiko's hand and rushed into the store with Keiko squealing in surprise.
"May I help you?" asked a young man in an apron holding a broom.
"Yes how much is the set of brushes in the window?" asked Botan happily as a dazed Keiko stood to her side.
"Those?" replied the clerk. "About 20,000 yen."
"She'll take them," Botan replied pointing to a still dazed Keiko. "Keiko give the man 20,000 yen."
Slightly dazed and dizzy, Keiko pulled out her 20,000 yen and handed the money to the man as Botan smiled. The clerk picked up the set from the window and began to pack it in a bag.
"Ugh," groaned Keiko as she snapped out of her daze. "What happened?"
"You just bought Kurama and Kizna's wedding present," said Botan happily.
"Really?" she asked receiving a nod.
"Here you go," said the young man handing Keiko her bag.
"Thank you," replied Keiko unsure of what to say.
They walked out into the sunlight as Keiko peeked into her bag.
"I just brought the brushes," she said surprised.
"Yea and they'll love it," replied Botan happily. "Now I need my gift."
Kizna looked around the large ballroom lit by expensive crystal chandeliers that hung above her head and throughout the room bathing the white clothed tables in their orange light turning the tables' white into cream. Empty pots sat as center pieces on the tables filled with only soil as though they were waiting for their seeds. In the middle against a wall sat a D.J.'s stereo and other equipment. A large wooden platform contrasted the burgundy carpeted floor to serve as a dance floor. Proper place settings sat perfectly on the tables without a fork or spoon out of place. Yusuke and Kuwabara watched from a corner as a smile spread across her face.
She stayed up throughout the night writing and preparing the invitations. She carefully examined everyone making sure the fine swirls and cues of her cursive was flawless in their grace and elegance. Pink rose vines curled and bloomed around the edges of the border highlighting her black inked calligraphy. The invitations were simple and just told all necessary information of the wedding. Small envelopes littered the table with several names of family and friends delicately written in black pen.
"You are cordially invited to the wedding of Minamo Suuichi and his bride Kizna," Shiori read quietly to herself making sure there were no mistakes in her calligraphy. "On September 25, Saturday at the Genkai Temple, Suuichi and Kizna will profess their vows of true love under the sight of the gods. Groomsmen: Hiei, Urameshi Yusuke. Ring bearer: Kuwabara Kazuma. Bridesmaids: Yukimura Keiko, Botan. Flower girl: none." (Author's note: I kind of didn't know when the St. Beasts occurred so I just made up a date.)
She looked at the envelopes scattered around her. A few for Suuichi's human friends, a few for their family, and a few for their family friends lay on the tablecloth around her. The ever awake microwave clock read a tiring 2:45 in the morning. She quickly placed the invitations in the envelopes and sealed them tightly. She crept to her room quickly changed, got ready for bed and promptly fell to sleep in a tired slumber.
His arms were hurting from scrubbing and his eyes began to sag in fatigue. He worked diligently trying to get the last of the black scum off the silver frame. A small near empty bottle of silver cleaner sat quietly by his side as it watched Kuwabara clean and restore the old silver frame to a pristine shine. It would be a simple gift and nothing fancy, but Kurama and his bride were a simple couple. He held the frame to the light admiring his work. The silver shined pristine and unmarred as he finished restoring it to its former glory. The camera sat across from Kuwabara watching from unseeing eyes and always open mouth. The clock on the wall ticked infinite ticks as it read a grueling 3:00 in the morning. He tossed the old rag he used messily on the table and trudged up the stairs to his room. He cursorily brushed his teeth, changed and went to bed in a dreamless slumber.
The sun rose into the horizon kissing the night sky away. Kizna awoke to its siren song as the gold rays of light flooded through her room's window charming her out of her dreams. She stared down onto the street as she looked to the waking city around her. She unfurled her wings behind her flapping them to shake stiffness from her being. She heard soft shuffling of slippers walking down the hall passed her closed door. Curious, she wrapped her cloak around her and opened her door revealing Keiko carrying a set of blue clothing in her hands.
"Good morning," Keiko greeted cheerily.
"Morning, what are those?" Kizna asked curious of the blue uniform Keiko held in her hands.
"These are my school clothes," Keiko replied showing Kizna her clothes. "I have to go to school today."
"What's school?" Kizna asked as she looked curiously at her clothing.
"It's a place where humans go to learn," replied Keiko. "We go early in the morning, and we get home at about 3:00 in the afternoon."
Kizna nodded in understanding as she watched Keiko walk down the hall into a bathroom. She heard the soft pats of falling water as she returned to her bed to continue looking out the window as the first humans of the morning began their day.
Yusuke groggily got out of bed at his mother's incessant calling and nagging. The music box sat safely on his night stand ready to be wrapped. Afraid his mother would damage it, he hid the music box under the bed hoping she wouldn't find it. He dragged himself to the bathroom. Cursorily, he brushed his teeth and took a shower. He ran the gel through his wet hair, making it shine. He quickly changed into his uniform and hurried out of the apartment eager to avoid his mother's rants and raves.
He walked into the schoolyard earlier than normal. He yawned tiredly. 'I could have gotten more sleep,' he thought bitterly. He spotted a familiar ferry girl wearing the blue uniforms running up to him. 'Not another mission,' his mind growled as he signaled Botan to follow him to a nearby bench.
Kurama stirred and squinted as the morning light came into his room, chasing him out of his dreams, reminding him of the human needs of the day. Quickly, he grabbed his school clothing and headed for the bathroom. He heard a closing door's creak as his mother walked out of the apartment. 'I wonder where's she's going,' he thought as he reached the bathroom. The early pitters and patters of showering water echoed through the small apartment.
She silently walked out of her apartment hoping not to disturb her son. In her hands, she held the small invitations waiting to be delivered. She watched the elevator stop and start as it picked up and dropped people to their floors. She made her way across the lobby to a large wall filled with small metal lockers big enough to fit a small sized package. Taking out a key from her pocket, Shiori unlocked her locker and placed the envelops inside hoping they would be picked up by the morning mail. She re-locked the locker and made her way back to her apartment smiling all the way.
Kurama stood in front of a steamy mirror slowly clearing of the white fog and water that clung to it. He brushed his long red locks as he stood before the mirror wrapped in a towel. He heard the soft creak of the apartment door opening as his mother stepped into the apartment. He quickly changed into his uniform and walked out to greet her.
"Good morning mother," he said as he sat down at the breakfast table.
"Morning Suuichi," she replied as she went to cook their breakfast.
"Where did you go?" he asked curiously.
"I just sent the invitations," she replied as he sweat dropped.
"Who did you invite?" he asked worriedly.
"Just the family and your friends," she replied calmly.
Kurama felt his stomach twist and turn. 'She doesn't know,' he thought unknowing that she already knew Kizna's secret. He had to tell her somehow, but it was a sordid topic to easily divulge to the open.
"Mother are you sure we should invite the family and my friends?" Kurama asked nervously.
"Why of course!" she replied happily. "They wouldn't want to miss your wedding."
"But Kizna..." he began unsure of what to say to her. "Well... eh.. She has this... problem... and..."
"Don't worry, I know she has wings," she calmly replied as her son stared at her shocked.
"How?" he barely managed to say.
"I heard her talking to Keiko and Botan about it," she answered smiling at her son as he stared shocked and surprised at his mother. "I confronted her about it, and she told me the truth."
"What did she tell you?" he asked worried that she might have found out about his own secret.
"Just that she was a fairy," Shiori answered again. "And that she loves you very much."
He breathed a sigh of pure relief. She knew about Kizna and was willing to accept her. He smiled happily to himself. She set a simple plate of rice and sausage on the table as they ate in a comfortable silence. The microwave clock read 7:10 as they cleared the table. Kurama went to the bathroom to brush his teeth before picking up his school bag. He waved a silent goodbye to his mother as she watched the apartment door close behind him.
The sun caressed his face as he made his way to his school. He couldn't help but smile. He smiled for he was to be married, and his mother was happy about it. Kurama smiled for he would be a husband, and he would perhaps raise a small family in th Makai. As he reached the school yard, he noticed the other students giving him strange looks as he walked by them. He heard soft whispers coming from a young boy his age saying something about marriage. Soft whispers went around saying such things of a young woman, a fiancé. He saw a young man about his age run up to him.
"Suuichi is it true?" the young man asked as he panted.
"What?" Kurama asked confused.
"That you're getting married," the boy replied as Kurama's eyes went wide in shock as he remembered his mother sent invitations to his friends.
"Yea," Kurama replied sheepishly as he blushed. "Where did you find out?"
"My mother got an invitation this morning in the mail," replied the boy. "She said it was for me for your wedding. So who is she?"
"Do you know who else got some?" Kurama asked trying to change the subject.
"Most of the guys and a few of the girls. Now who is this Kizna?" the boy asked eagerly.
"You'll meet her at the wedding," he replied as he quickly walked away leaving the boy behind.
He quickly walked to class to avoid the unending questions of the mysterious fiancé he was to marry. Girls looked at him despairingly as they realized they never had a chance with him. He had never expected the wedding to get this much attention. He wanted a simple and small wedding for the both of them. Then, after the wedding they would run away to the Makai and try to raise a small family only sneaking into the Ningekai a few times to see Shiori with her future grandchildren. He sighed. 'Children,' he thought dreamily. 'They would come out so beautiful if she were their mother.'
He wondered what it would be like to hear the soft pitters and patters of small footsteps through their tree-house, waking up to each other in the morning not just secret lovers, but as husband and wife. He smiled.
Keiko walked into her schoolyard early as usual. In the distance, she spotted Botan and Yusuke sitting on a nearby bench. She quickly walked over.
"Botan if you're going to tell me about a mission I'm not doing it," said Yusuke sternly. "If you haven't forgotten we have a wedding to attend."
"I'm not here for a mission. I came to ask you something," Botan replied.
"What then?" he asked annoyed and tired.
"What are you giving them as a present?" Botan asked curiously. "I have no idea what to give them."
"Same here," Keiko said as they looked up to find the source of the disembodied voice. "I want to know."
"Promise you wont laugh?" asked Yusuke worried that his gift may be sensitive for him.
"Why would we laugh?" asked Keiko. "We're all friends here."
"I got them a music box," Yusuke muttered still slightly embarrassed about his gift.
"What did he say?" asked Botan receiving a shrug in return. "You want to say that louder?"
"A music box," he muttered louder hoping the other students wouldn't hear.
"Now that wasn't so bad was it?" asked Botan cheerfully. "Now why didn't I think of that?"
"But that doesn't solve our problem Botan," said Keiko as she rested her head on her hands. "What do you give a fox and fairy?"
"Maybe we should just look around after school. You know see what we can find?" replied Botan as she pondered the issue further.
"I agree," Keiko replied as the school bell rang. "Come on Yusuke or we'll be late."
Yusuke grumbled something incoherent constantly complaining about school as he trudged behind the two girls .
Kurama quietly sat down at his desk trying to ignore the soft murmurs around him, but his sensitive ears picked up every soft spoken conversation.
"Is it true about Suuichi?" whispered a girl sitting near the back of the room. "That he's getting married?"
Kurama slightly turned his head towards them to hear their conversation.
"Yea, can you believe it?" another whispered a reply. "Do you think he's only getting married because this girl is pregnant?"
Kurama let out a quiet growl angered by what the girl had said. He was getting married because he was in love not just out of force.
"Oh come on," the first girl whispered. "This is Suuichi. He's like the most perfect student here. Do you think he'd be capable of doing that?"
"Oh yea," the other girl replied. "Good point. But then why would he be getting married?"
"Who knows?" the first girl replied. "But whoever she is, she is so lucky."
"Yea," the other girl sighed dreamily.
'Or I'm just lucky to have her,' he thought happily. He heard the creak of the classroom door closing and taps of shoes walking into the room as he looked up. A middle aged man wearing a suit and tie carrying a briefcase walked towards the teacher's desk. The man is the teacher. A silence fell upon the room as the students watched the middle aged man quietly take the attendance.
"I'd like to congratulate our future groom to be," said the teacher as he looked up from the attendance list. "Minamo Suuichi who will be married I presume?"
The class turned towards Kurama as he turned a bright shade of red. He nodded sheepishly.
"Arigato sensei," Kurama replied as he blushed. "And yes I will be married."
"Suuichi who is she?" a student asked.
"A girl that destiny led to me," he replied cryptically.
The room erupted in quiets whispers and murmurs as they wondered who the strange girl could be.
"Class settle down," the teacher said trying to calm his students. "Lets leave Suuichi and his love life alone."
The morning light flooded into the windows of the Kuwabara household. Kuwabara folded himself deeper into the sea of blankets as he slept unaware of the time.
"KUWABARA!" Shizuru yelled her screams echoing throughout the house. "YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"
Kuwabara grumbled something incoherent as he slowly sat up in bed looking for the time. The nearby clock read 6:55 leaving only five minutes before the morning classes began. Kuwabara's eyes widened in shock now awake and aware of the time. He hurriedly put on his clothing tripping and falling on every shoe and sock that lay on the floor. He hopped and hobbled down the stairs as he struggled to put his shoes on. Shizuru raised an eyebrow at her brother as she watched him hop around on one leg trying to tie his shoes.
She spied the silver frame and the leftover materials from the night before. She smirked. She figured her brother would do something with the old junk she planned to throw out. 'Maybe that stuff wasn't so useless after all,' she thought. She looked curiously outside to the dying garden and spotted a small sleeping figure in the tree.
"KUWABARA!" she cried sending her brother into the air out of shock. "WHY IS THERE SOMEONE SLEEPING IN OUR TREE?!"
Kuwabara crashed to the ground landing flat on his back at his sister's cry. He quickly tied his shoes and ran for his school bag.
"Sorry sis," he replied as he ran for the door. "I'm gonna be late can't stay and chat!"
She watched as her brother ran fast out the door slamming it behind him. She sighed.
The sleeping figure in the tree jolted awake at the sound of a strange human cry coming from inside the house. Hiei looked down on the house and scowled. 'Stupid humans,' his mind sneered hoping the strange human woman would shut up. The crystal figurine sat comfortably in his pocket as his suit swung gently in the morning breeze on a nearby branch.
"Hm," he muttered as he went back to sleep ignoring the humans inside the house.
Kuwabara raced down the streets hoping to somehow make it to school in time. The light wind of the morning turned into fast and furious gusts as he ran. His shoes screeched into the school yard as he turned racing for the building as the last of the students went inside as the morning bell rung. He ran down the halls his shoes loudly clapping and tapping as he made his way to the classroom sliding inside as the teacher was taking attendance.
"You're late Kuwabara," Mr. Iwamoto sneered at the red head. (Author's note: Is the name right? I can't remember which teachers hate Yusuke and Kuwabara.)
"Sorry sensei," Kuwabara replied sighing as he walked to his desk.
Kizna stared into the morning light and eagerly watched the humans go by below her trying to get her mind of him. 'Like the quote,' she thought again. 'I'll never be complete without him.' She sighed. She watched curiously as they went by, but her mind always wandered back to him. Some strolled. Some read and walked. Some walked strange animals on long ropes. So looked up to her before she quickly hid. The morning sun warmed her cloak as she let it fall around her. There she stayed and stood constantly watching all day. 'These coming days will be lonely,' she thought quietly.
Kurama sighed tiredly as he slouched under a tree at lunch. All morning he had been hounded with several questions every student curious of his fiancé. 'What does she look like? Who is she?' he thought annoyed. 'Every question in the book.' Finally, he was alone and to himself. 'With no one to bother me,' he thought as his eyes began to sag in the warm sunlight and shade. As he entered his dreamworld, the afternoon bell jerked him away from her loving arms. He growled in annoyance. 'I can't see her until the wedding,' he thought sadly. 'What am I going to do without her?' The coming days seemed like torture for him.
The late morning light blinded him permanently waking him telling him to start the day. The sun shone about noon high through the thin layers of leaves of the dying tree. He heard a soft rumbling in stomach as he sat up.
"Hm," he growled at his own stomach. "I might as well get something to eat."
He picked up his suit from the branch and leapt into the distance off to find food.
The sun shined over Sarayashiki Junior High (Author's note: is that spelled right?) as four students sat under the shade of a fruit tree at lunch.
"Kuwabara what you getting them for a wedding gift?" Keiko asked as she looked up from lunch.
"Well I restored an old frame for them and I'll put a picture in it," he replied.
"What picture?" Botan asked looking over towards them.
"Something from their wedding," he replied.
"You're going to give it to them late?" asked Keiko confused.
"No," he replied as took out his chopsticks from his mouth. "I found an old Polaroid camera. I'll get a shot of them at their wedding, and when the picture comes out I'll quickly put in the frame."
Keiko and Botan nodded in understanding.
"What's he giving her?" asked Botan curiously.
"A very expensive necklace," Yusuke replied putting an emphasis on the very.
"How sweet!" cried Keiko and Botan.
"But then what's Hiei giving them?" Botan asked.
"We have no idea," replied Yusuke as he leaned against the tree.
"I bet the shrimp doesn't even have a gift," said Kuwabara looking out for Hiei.
"I heard that," a voice sneered behind them.
They turned to find Hiei carrying his suit over his shoulder slowly walking up to them from behind the tree. Kuwabara sweat dropped.
"Stupid human," Hiei growled as he hung the suit on a nearby branch to climb the tree.
"I wouldn't be talking shrimp," Kuwabara challenged. "I probably could kick your butt any day!"
"Hm," he snorted ignoring the human completely.
"Hiei what are you getting them as a gift?" Botan called into the tree.
"Why do you want to know?" he replied annoyed by the ferry girl.
"Me and Keiko need to know what we might be able to get them," she replied looking to the mass of leaves trying to find the small black figure.
"CATCH!" his disembodied voice cried as a box came falling from the rustling leaves. "That's what I got. Now don't bother me!"
The small box landed safely in her arms. Keiko and the others walked over curious of what the small demon got for their friend. Botan gently lifted the lid to find something wrapped in packaging paper. Taking the strange wrapped object from the box, Botan began to slowly unwrap it making a soft crinkle and crumple echo through the quiet group. Their eyes went wide as they saw the small crystal figurine sitting in the midst of the paper. The sun shined brightly on the small fairy as it held the small five tailed fox in her arms.
"Hiei," Keiko began unsure of what to say. "It's..... it's..."
"Gorgeous!" cried Botan excitedly.
"It must have been expensive!" cried Keiko getting her voice back. "How did you get it?"
"I have my ways," growled Hiei in the tree.
"Ok, so the shrimp does have gift," said Kuwabara stubbornly as he fold his arms across is chest.
"Yea and it's better than yours," Yusuke said sarcastically before receiving a glare in return.
Botan quickly wrapped the figurine back in its paper and placed it in its box as the afternoon bell rang calling all the students in back for their classes. In a flash of light and a black swirl, the box disappeared from Botan's hands and into the tree.
Kizna sat in the window still dreaming of him as she heard a soft rumble in her stomach. She looked around the room worriedly. Keiko had never told her where to find food if she got hungry, and she didn't know what to do. She cautiously walked out of her room wondering if anyone other than herself would be in the house looking for any type of food. Slowly, she made her way down the flight of stairs and into Keiko's living room. She wandered around the house unsure of where to go until she came to a small kitchen. 'This is almost like our home,' she thought as she looked around at the small tables and cupboards missing her moments with him. A small bowl of grapes and apples lay on the table. She looked at it hungrily. She picked up a small bunch of grapes and smelled their sweet scent. Kizna placed one in her mouth wondering what the strange human fruit would be like. A soft sweet taste flooded her mouth as she punctured the skin of the fruit letting its juices seep into her mouth. She smiled softly as she walked back up to her room.
Kurama quietly sat in his art class, his last class, ignoring the questions around him. He silently turned his head towards the window daydreaming of her. He couldn't keep his mind off her as she couldn't keep his mind off him. One day without her was bad enough, but their wedding wouldn't be at least for another four days. He sighed quietly to himself. Students turned towards him wondering what he found interesting outside the small window leading to the outside world. The sour smell of vinegar and the earthy smell of clay flooded his nose as he turned to find a lump of clay and a bowl of vinegar in front of him.
"Class I want you to make something anything you want as long as it's something you love," said the art teacher. "Remember to use the vinegar to keep the clay moist."
The students nodded in understanding as they resumed their conversations. Kurama stared at the large lump of clay lying in front of him waiting to be molded into something beautiful at the will of his hands and the commands of his mind. 'Something that you love,' he thought as the teacher's words ran through his mind. He smiled. Gently, he placed his hands on the clay and began to caress and mold it. The preliminary shape of a two small figures took form.
Hiei watched as the others began to walk to their afternoon classes as he sat in the tree. He didn't understand the concept of school that most humans went to, and he didn't want to understand it. Around him, he noticed the strange human tree grew large red fruits. 'Apples,' he thought as he remembered what Kurama told him about the Ningekai. He plucked one of the large apples and bit into it. He savored the sour juices that seeped through the small cells of the apple bites.
The art class was over. In Kurama's hands, he held a small clay sculpture. A small fairy with large wings leaned back on her hands as a kitsune sat beside her facing her leaning on his left hand with her clay legs lightly sat on top of his. Both had smiling faces and their eyes shone with love and devotion. The male's hand caressed her cheek and his kitsune tail lay limply to the side. Girls walked by admiring his work wondering where got the inspiration.
"Nice job Suuichi," said the art teacher. "Where did you come up with such a clever idea?"
"Arigato sensei," replied Kurama lightly blushing. "My fiancé?"
"How sweet," complemented the teacher.
Kurama nodded as he put his project away hearing the final bell ring through the school dismissing the students to their homes. In the hall, students ran hurrying to their homes eager to get out of school. Kurama chuckled as he watched the students run around him.
Yusuke watched the clock silently wishing the day would end. Kuwabara sat next to him in a light slumber while Keiko and Botan paid attention to everything the teacher said. The wall clock read 2:58 with only two minutes and counting until freedom. The teacher's voice was drowned out with every tick and second passing. 2:59 one minute left. Yusuke silent began to pack his things planning to rush out of class when the last bell rang. Mr. Takenaka's cut short his lecture as he heard the dismissing bell ring. He kindly waved goodbye to his passing students as they ran out the door. Yusuke sighed in relief. They walked out into the afternoon light savoring the sunlight.
Hiei watched as humans ran out of the small school eager to get home. He quickly grabbed the suit from a nearby branch and jumped down from the tree.
A black clothed figure walked towards Yusuke and the others. They turned towards him and smiled.
"Have you been walking around with your suit like that all day?" asked Keiko receiving a glaring nod.
"What can you say for a shrimp who likes to sleep in a tree?" Kuwabara asked sarcastically.
"Stupid human," muttered Hiei.
"Are we still going for the gift Keiko?" asked Botan.
"Yea, but I need to stop at my house to get Kizna," replied Keiko.
"We can't have her around if we're shopping for her and Kurama's gift!" cried Botan raising her arms for emphasis.
"But she's been in my house all day," replied Keiko. "She probably needs to get out."
"I can take her to the temple," offered Yusuke. "Maybe she can start on the decorations or something."
"Would you mind Yusuke?" asked Keiko turning towards him.
"No," Yusuke replied casually.
Silently chatting, they made their way to Keiko's house to pick up Kizna.
Kurama knocked on his mother's door patiently waiting for his mother. Unveiling Shiori wearing her coat, the door opened.
"Suuichi," she said happily. "I'm going to the temple. Do you want to come?"
"What temple mother?" he asked curiously.
"The Genkai Temple," she replied as she walked out the door. "I'm going to look at the chapel they have there."
"All right," he replied as he turned to walk with his mother. "I'd like to start on the decorations today."
She nodded happily as they walked through the building hallways.
Kizna heard the soft sounds of an opening door as she sat up in her room never leaving the window as she saw Keiko and the others make their way to the house. She wrapped her cloak around her and made her way down the stairs to greet them.
They looked up the stairs as they walked into Keiko's house to find Kizna walking down the stairs to greet them. Kizna smiled happily.
"Kizna me and Botan have a few things to take care of," said Keiko trying her best to lie. "Yusuke is going to take you to the temple. Do you want to go?"
"Sure," she replied happily. "Or I could just stay and help you and Botan."
"No, no that won't be necessary!" cried Botan waving her arms madly.
"All right," Kizna replied unsure of what to say of Botan's outburst.
Kizna watched as Botan and Keiko went towards the opposite way from her. Yusuke led her far into the forests that surrounded the temple hiding its secrets from the city. They walked up a grand flight of white stairs that was carved into the hill. The trees around them were alive and in bloom. Their fallen flowers and leaves littered the stairs making soft crunches as they walked. Kizna looked around curiously and happily as she studied the beautiful pink blooming trees around her.
As they reached the top, a small old woman greeted them as if she were expecting them. The old woman sensed something. A something that hung in the air making the air grow cold and stale only when demons were around. She sensed it coming from the small girl that walked with her former panting pupil and it from the small black clothed figure carrying a suit over his shoulder that was eerily silent as he walked behind them. Whatever she sensed didn't seem to have much effect on the girl, but it was still there, but it seemed to linger on the small black figure. After what happened with Rando, she didn't want any repeats in history.
Yusuke and Kuwabara struggled to reach the last few steps that led to the old psychic. They panted and heaved as they looked to her. Kizna and Hiei turned curiously to the old woman at the top of the stairs as they sensed something from the old woman. She seemed powerful to them. Very powerful.
"You need an escalator you old hag," panted Yusuke as he reached the top.
"Just like always. You never commit," replied the old woman shaking her head in disappointment.
"I want you to meet my friends Kizna and Hiei," said Yusuke as he sat down on the stair. "Kizna, Hiei meet Genkai."
"Hello," Kizna greeted kindly as she held her small pale hand out to the old woman. "It's nice to meet you."
"Hm," snorted Hiei turning away.
"It's nice to meet you too," replied Genkai as she shook Kizna's hand. "Tell me are you the one to be married here?"
"Yes," Kizna replied happily as she lightly blushed.
"Is he to be married here as well?" she asked as she looked towards Hiei as his eyes went wide and as everyone else sweat dropped.
"No my fiancé isn't here," she replied as she let the psychic's hand drop.
"Forgive me," Genkai apologized sincerely. "May I talk to you and Hiei for a moment?"
"All right with me," Kizna replied as she walked away. "Coming Hiei?"
"Hm," Hiei replied as he began to walk with them.
Genkai led them to a secluded part of the temple grounds away from the others. Hiei and Kizna followed cautiously behind her unsure of her motives. She turned to them.
"I don't know what you two are," she began sternly. "But I don't want any harm to come to this temple."
"How did you know?" asked Hiei suspiciously.
"I can sense it coming from the both of you," she replied her face stoic and unwavering. "I won't harm you unless you harm me. Understood?"
They nodded in understanding as they walked back towards the others.
"Yusuke," commanded Genkai. "Kizna will be starting on her decorations for her wedding. I want you to help her. And show her to the chapel and the ballroom."
"Right," grumbled Yusuke mumbling something about old hags. "Come on Kizna."
Kizna nodded as she and Yusuke walked away. Hiei leaped into a nearby tree to lounge as he hung his suit on a nearby branch.
"You," demanded Genkai as she pointed to Kuwabara. "Go help Yusuke and Kizna."
"Hey I'm not one of old students!" cried Kuwabara challenging the old psychic. "You can't tell me what to do."
"Just like Yusuke. Never commits," she replied shaking her head. "You help or leave."
"Why don't you make the shrimp help?" challenged Kuwabara receiving a crimson glare from the tree.
Kuwabara received another glare from the old and wise psychic telling him that she meant business. He grumbled and complained as he left to look for Yusuke and Kizna. Genkai looked down into the depths of her forest and to the bottom of the stairs. Two small figures stood at the base of her stairs a young man with long flowing red hair and a woman with dark hair. 'The fiancé I presume?' she thought to herself referring to the man. She looked suspiciously at the young man as she sensed the same feeling once more. 'I wonder,' she thought again.
Kurama and Shiori looked up the long flight of stairs leading to the temple in the midst of a thick forest. They admired the lush trees and flowers around them in awe. 'Kizna would love it here,' thought Kurama as he studied flowers and trees. They began their long trek up the flight of stairs with the wind swishing the flowers and leaves around their ankles. The leaves lightly danced around them in swirls of pinks, whites, and greens. At the top of the stairs, they spotted a small old woman looking down on them with suspicion shining in her eyes directed at Kurama. Shiori didn't notice, but her son did. They reached the top of the stairs, and Shiori greeted the old woman kindly.
"Hello," Shiori said politely. "I'm Shiori."
"Ah yes," rasped Genkai as she remembered the name of the woman who had called her about the wedding. "You were the one who called about the wedding and reception. I'm Genkai."
Shiori nodded smiling.
"I presume he is the one to be married?" asked Genkai receiving another nod in return. "May I have a talk with your son for a moment?"
"Of course," Shiori replied smiling.
Kurama noticed the suspicious glint in her eyes as his mother talked to the old psychic. He cautiously followed the old woman to the same secluded spot of the temple grounds. He looked toward the trees thinking he saw a black blur within the leaves but dismissed it as an illusion.
"I don't know what you are either," said Genkai sternly as she glared at Kurama. "But I want no harm to come to this temple."
"How did you know? And what do mean by either?" asked Kurama cautiously.
"I sensed it, just as I sensed it on your fiancé and friend," she answered.
"She's here?" Kurama asked surprised receiving a nod.
"If she's a young girl with light blue hair and silver eyes," said Genkai as she turned to go back to the others. "Then yes."
"I'll take you to see the chapel," said Genkai as she turned signaling for Shiori and Kurama to follow.
She lead them to a large room lit by the soft light of lanterns and the brightness of natural light through the stained glass windows that sent their multi colored patterns falling to the wooden floor. The ceilings were high and bare. Long pews stretched to the end of the large chapel ending at the large altar. Long red carpeting lined the center aisle worn with age and use. A large dome shelter stood above the altar supported by large columns. Two stairs led to the large domed altar and to the small stage set for the bridal party and groomsmen. A small intricately designed gold leaf tabernacle stood in the back holding within it the items for communion and holy ceremonies. A large dome stretched towards the ceiling surrounded the small box surrounded by thousands upon thousands of red roses. Shiori looked around the large chapel and smiled. She turned to her son who held an awed look upon his face.
Keiko and Botan scoured the shops hoping to find their friends a perfect wedding gift. Both had leftover money from their last trip into town, but they were having trouble finding something for the two lovers.
"Well we can't exactly give them human things," said Keiko as she looked through the pots of a kitchen store. "They might not be able to use it."
"That's true," replied Botan as she led Keiko out of the store. "Where else can we go?"
"I have no idea," Keiko answered as something in a store window caught her eye. "Hey what's this?"
"What's what?" asked Botan looking into the store window.
In the shop window there was a silver set of soft bristled brushes and combs in a wooden box lined in dark green velvet. Fine fur made the soft bristles. Rose vines decorated the handles of the brushes and backs of the combs and brushes. A handheld mirror went along with the brushes and combs with a similar rose and silver design.
"That's pretty," said Keiko awed by the brushes.
"Yea," replied Botan.
"But will they be able to use it?" asked Keiko wanting to spend her money for a gift they could use.
"Yea," Botan replied casually. "Have you seen how much hair those two have? Even if they didn't have that much hair, I would get it for them anyway."
"Well...." said Keiko thinking it over.
"Oh come on!" cried Botan as she grabbed Keiko's hand and rushed into the store with Keiko squealing in surprise.
"May I help you?" asked a young man in an apron holding a broom.
"Yes how much is the set of brushes in the window?" asked Botan happily as a dazed Keiko stood to her side.
"Those?" replied the clerk. "About 20,000 yen."
"She'll take them," Botan replied pointing to a still dazed Keiko. "Keiko give the man 20,000 yen."
Slightly dazed and dizzy, Keiko pulled out her 20,000 yen and handed the money to the man as Botan smiled. The clerk picked up the set from the window and began to pack it in a bag.
"Ugh," groaned Keiko as she snapped out of her daze. "What happened?"
"You just bought Kurama and Kizna's wedding present," said Botan happily.
"Really?" she asked receiving a nod.
"Here you go," said the young man handing Keiko her bag.
"Thank you," replied Keiko unsure of what to say.
They walked out into the sunlight as Keiko peeked into her bag.
"I just brought the brushes," she said surprised.
"Yea and they'll love it," replied Botan happily. "Now I need my gift."
Kizna looked around the large ballroom lit by expensive crystal chandeliers that hung above her head and throughout the room bathing the white clothed tables in their orange light turning the tables' white into cream. Empty pots sat as center pieces on the tables filled with only soil as though they were waiting for their seeds. In the middle against a wall sat a D.J.'s stereo and other equipment. A large wooden platform contrasted the burgundy carpeted floor to serve as a dance floor. Proper place settings sat perfectly on the tables without a fork or spoon out of place. Yusuke and Kuwabara watched from a corner as a smile spread across her face.