Some exhausting hours later, everything was ready.

Ryu had returned from her errands with Kyokos kimono.

They had released Lory from his office, where they had locked him after they caught him trying to install glitter cannons.

Kanae had arrived and was currently being fussed over by the designer of the kimono she was modelling. Kyoko could see the vein in Kanaes head throb as the designer essentially dressed Kanae.

It was a midnight blue with silver thread depicting the dragons that wrapped around. Jewels picked out constellations. The obi was black with more silver thread showing cherry blossoms.

Kanae had a serious frown on her face.

Kyoko held back a laugh as she unpacked her own kimono.

Hers was a pale pink, the silk patterned with cherry blossom flowers. The obi was white with a trail of petals printed across it. She had herself dressed and ready in minutes.

The designer looked at her.

"You've done that before." she stated.

"I worked in a Ryokan in my youth."

The designer laughed.

"Your youth? You're what 17? You are youth!"

"I worked from the age of 6."

The designed stopped laughing. Feeling the atmosphere she was desperate to change the subject. She studied the kimono Kyoko was wearing.

"Who made your kimono?"

Kyoko explained about the ladies and their small shop. She dug in her bag and pulled out one of their business cards. She handed it over.

"They also made the one that my manager is wearing as well."

The designed scrutinised her, her kimono, and the card before excusing herself and dashing off.

Kyoko stared after her.

"Strange."

Kanae snorted.

"Thank you for stopping her fussing. Like I don't know how to dress myself."

She held out her arms and did a slow spin.

"So what do you think?"

She was almost knocked over by the la-la land sparkles Kyoko radiated. She was calling Kanae an empress, princess and what ever else came to mind.

Kanae smiled.

~And the designer was strange?!~

She looked at her best friend. She decided she was suitably distracted from earlier conversations and Kyoko was still happily in la-la land.

Kanae snapped her fingers in front of Kyokos face, who jumped slightly.

"Are you ready?"

Kyoko nervously adjusted her kimono and obi. She wasn't sure. While she was certain everything party wise was detail perfect there was something still niggling at her.
Also lots of people would want to talk about her and Ren and their relationship. She was also featured in the auction booklet so people would be coming up to her for information about her tea ceremony.

She hoped the party would take her mind off of the little things though and she would enjoy herself.

She tweaked her obi again and focused on Kanae who was looking at her with a worried expression. She put on her battle face and Kanae laughed.
(A/N it's the look she got trying to convince Kanae that the LoveMe section was great and wasn't the uniform a great colour.)

"I see that you are."

"Yes Moko-san! Pre-party stress out is finished! I am ready to face the crowds. I am also completely done in the kitchen so Ryu-san and myself will be your escort this morning."

Kanae breathed a small sigh of relief. She hadn't been looking forward to being escorted by whoever the President could have picked and was grateful her best friend was willing to give up her evening to escort her all evening.

A dark thought passed and she grimaced.

"What about Tsuruga?"

"He won't be here til later and he understands that I will technically be working with you and Chiori-san and I told him it was an unofficial girls night."

Kanae snorted.

"And?"

"He said as long as he gets at least one dance then he'll just let us be. I can see him any other time."

Kanae scowled.

Ever since the Misako incident she had vowed to find some chink, some slip so she could warrant revenge but since then he had been nothing but courteous, calm and infuriatingly understanding.

"Moko-san. Take that look off your face. It's time to go show off your kimono. Time to mingle"

Kanae sighed as Kyoko pulled her to the main hall.

"If we don't, just imagine what the president could come up with instead."

Kanae mulled this over and then stood taller, straighter and prouder. The President was likely to come up with something much, much worse if she backed out now.

She looked at Kyoko who nodded.

Together they entered.