Chapter 8
"Things to do while in Heliopolis"
The boys look and nod at each other. As they search for the opening, they discover that Bastet's bent arms are levers, pulling them one at a time. When nothing happens, Kuwabara makes a suggestion, "Uh, same time?"
Yusuke leads the way, "On three. One…two…" On cue, the boys pull. After a few moments…nothing happens. Yusuke feels defeated, "Well, that was a big let-."
Suddenly, the boys hear what sounds like a latch or a lock opening. Without warning, the floor underneath them causes them to fall into a den of desert spiders and cobras. "Ahhh, somebody help," Yusuke screams as he fights off the deadly animals.
"This is so not the idea…of a vacation," Kuwabara declares as he does the same thing.
Back outside, Kiyoni and Kurama are engaged in small talk. After a couple of moments of laughter, they are interrupted by screams and guards heading towards the commotion. "What's going on," she asks.
As the screams continue, Kurama takes action, "I know those cries anywhere. Yusuke and Kuwabara must be in some sort of trouble."
"By the gods, let's go!" The two race towards the commotion.
The princess and her companion arrive at the scene where they find five guardsmen assisting Yusuke and Kuwabara out of the secret trap. "Oh, thank you, thank you," remarks a relieved Yusuke.
"I thought that was gonna be the end of us," Kuwabara comments.
Kurama checks in, "Yusuke, Kuwabara. Are you alright?" When the guardsmen see Kiyoni, they immediately take a knee.
"Oh, I see you found one of the secret passages," Kiyoni addresses.
"One?! Just how many are there," Kuwabara questions.
"That's not the point, right now. Are any of you hurt," Kurama implores.
"There's like fifty of them, I think. I know of about twenty-five, including this one," Kiyoni claims.
"Actually, your highness, there are one-hundred and fifty secret passages in the entire palace," informs one of the guards.
"One-hundred and fifty," the teens exclaim.
"Aww, so I went from knowing half to knowing a sixth. Puu," Kiyoni frowns.
"What would you like to do, majesty," questions another guard.
"Take them to the infirmary. Make sure all of their wounds are treated. And get them vaccinated if they've been bitten," Kiyoni instructs.
"Bitten? Those things were poisonous," Yusuke is suddenly worried.
"Uh, yeah. Every spider and snake in that den is poisonous. Fortunately, thanks to them, there's anti-venom. I probably should've warned you all about stuff like that, I'm sorry."
Yusuke and Kuwabara's faces turn pale as they are escorted to the infirmary. "Have a good night, boys," Kiyoni waves.
"Do you think they'll be alright," Kurama wonders.
"They'll be fine," Kiyoni assures, "Let's just be grateful they're loud mouths."
"It's getting late. Perhaps we should turn in as well."
"Yeah. I'll walk you to your room."
Late night falls over Heliopolis. Under the light of the full moon, slumber rules the halls and bedrooms of the palace. Given the events of the previous day, everyone is practically exhausted both physically and mentally. Everyone, except Kiyoni. As she sits in her chaise longue, fidgeting with her pendant, Kiyoni thinks about her conversation at school with Kurama:
"I'm wondering. Have you ever used them…you know…on a person?"
"If anything, when it comes to using them, I'm more like a fruit bat then a vampire."
"You just said that you've never bitten anyone and that you've always thought about biting me. So, I'm volunteering to be your first."
She contemplates that last statement, "Volunteering to be my first, huh? I can accept that."
Kurama sleeps comfortably as gentle summer breezes move through his room via the veranda. He grunts a few times as he's in the middle of a vivid dream. Unbeknownst to him, he's about to receive a mysterious visitor.
Standing outside his room, in the cover of darkness, is a female silhouette standing idly as she watches the spirit fox rest. Her eyes glow crimson red while the bedroom curtains dance along the wisps of the wind. When Kurama turns to lay on his back, the figure takes it as an invitation. Swimming through the air like water, the mysterious individual glides her way to Kurama's bed landing gently on her knees next to him. As she straddles her would be target, Kurama mumbles a cherished name, "Kiyoni." The stranger smiles as she brushes his hair around his ears. With his neck exposed, the shadowy invader leans in, parting her lips and exposing her elongated fangs. The second those fangs touch his skin, Kurama quickly sits up as if he's woken up from a nightmare; assessing the situation by feeling his neck for any bite marks. Once he's calm down, he realizes that it's morning and with a deep sigh, "Another dream."
A knock on the door startles him again. "Who's there," he calls.
The door opens revealing the visitor, "Good morning, Suu'chi. How'd you sleep?"
Kurama sighs again, "Fine, just fine. How about you?"
Kiyoni climbs onto the bed, "Same. I had a weird dream that I no longer remember, but I slept fine." Resting her head on his lap, "How'd you like your first day here?"
"It was…overwhelming…to be honest with you. It definitely raised some questions."
Kiyoni sits up, "That's my Suu'chi. Forever nosy. Whatever questions you have will have to be put on hold for a bit," heading for the door, "I just came inside to make sure you're up for breakfast and now that you are, I'll be going now."
"Kiyoni, wait."
"Hm?"
"One question: did you…attempt to bite me…while I slept last night?"
Kiyoni returns to the bed to examine his neck, "Hm, I don't see any bite marks. So I guess the answer is no."
"Do you have any plans to bite me while we're here?"
She gives him a morning kiss, "Don't worry about it. These fangs will pierce your flesh soon enough." She heads for the door again, "I'll see you at breakfast."
The dining table is filled with all of the breakfast essentials: eggs, bacon, ham, sliced bread, muffins, croissants, fish, fruit, and rice. It's enough to water the mouths of the guests as they enter the room. "Wow, look at this spread," Kuwabara points out.
"Is it thanksgiving every meal time," asks Shizuru.
"We just want to make sure all of you are well fed, considering that you all are growing girls and boys," Ava assures as she and Akio sit at opposite ends of the fourteen-person table, "Come, sit." Everyone does. "Shuuichi? Come sit next to me," she suggests, "A special guest like you deserves to sit near a queen like me."
"As you wish, mom," Kurama sits to the right of the pharaoh.
"Let's be clear, Kiyoni and Shuuichi will sit near Ava, Kenichi and Ayesha will sit near me, and the rest of you can sit wherever you like," Akio declares.
"Guess you're not that important after all, Koenma," Yusuke states.
"Oh, I forgot! How silly of me! Shuuichi, scoot down a seat. Prince Koenma can sit to the right of me," Ava clarifies. Koenma takes Kurama's seat while Kurama sits next to him.
"I hope this isn't an impromptu game of musical chairs," Kenichi jokes as he, Ayesha, and Kiyoni join the crowd. The princess takes her seat on her mother's left side while her adopted parents sit near Akio.
When everyone is properly seated, handmaidens enter the room with glasses and drinks, serving everyone the same drink unless specified. The guests are concerned when they see thick red liquid in their glasses.
"Um, is this what I think it is," Keiko wonders.
"You're thinking it too," Yusuke contests the situation.
"Mom, please tell me you're not trying to feed my friends, blood," Kiyoni implores.
Ava and Ayesha giggle like schoolchildren for they know what's really going on. "Kiyoni, take the drink," Ava suggests.
"But I've already had my morning drink."
"Just drink it."
Kiyoni follows orders. When she does, she tries her best to maintain a serious composure, "I have two of the pettiest mothers on the planet." Ava and Ayesha laugh out loud.
"Okay, Kiyoni can you please share with the rest of the class what's going on," Kuwabara is seconds from freaking out.
"There's no need for alarm, you guys. This blood is harmless. In fact, it's a good source of vitamin C."
"Vitamin C," Kurama raises an eyebrow.
Kiyoni giggles, "It's blood orange juice, people. Freshly squeezed too. My moms were playing a trick on you…and judging by the looks on your faces, you all fell for it hook, line, and sinker." Akio and Kenichi join in on the laughter.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I mean you no harm. Every now and then, I like to have a little fun while I'm a queen," Ava informs.
"You haven't changed at all, mom," Kurama states before taking a sip of juice.
"Yes. It's one of the reasons why I married her," Akio claims. When the dust settles, everyone makes their plates and begin eating.
Kenichi begins a new conversation, "Two more days, Kiyoni. Excited?"
Kiyoni answers, "Of course I am, dad. Who wouldn't be?"
"Two more days? I thought your birthday was this Sunday," Kurama points out.
Kiyoni assures, "It is. Two days from now."
"But, isn't today Thursday?"
Ava face palms herself, "By the gods. You didn't tell them, Kiyoni?"
"I had a lot on my plate, mom! I can't remember everything!"
Ava sighs, "Little known fact: time is different here than it is in the human world."
"How so," Koenma joins the conversation.
Ava goes on, "Kiyoni's birthday is Sunday, that's a fact. However, 'Sunday' here will be Saturday in the human world. Heliopolis moves one day ahead of the human world."
"When we left Mushiyori, it was Wednesday. When you arrived here, it was the same day but, Thursday. Which makes today, Friday," Kiyoni informs.
"Okay, I'm confused," Yusuke declares.
"So, by that logic, when we return home, it'll be your birthday again on Sunday…in human terms," Kurama affirms.
"Yep. In human terms, our vacation is from Wednesday to Sunday. Here, it's Thursday to Monday. Which explains why this week went down the way it did. I wanted to make sure we all can get together in time for my birthday bash," Kiyoni clarifies.
"Oh, I get it. So technically we get to celebrate your birthday twice in one week. That's pretty cool," Keiko chimes in.
"I know, right," Kiyoni takes a bite of a croissant, "Now hurry up and finish eating. We're going out today."
"Sweet! I wanna see that place with all the statues," Yusuke states before inhaling a croissant of his own.
Kiyoni and her friends all hop aboard a shuttle bus destined for the city where they are joined by Kenichi and Ayesha. The only who doesn't tag along is Koenma as his presence was requested by Pharaoh Ava. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is your lovely captain, Princess Kiyoni Ikeda, coming to you live from the coolest transportation system since the invention of the wheel," her guests laugh at her performance via speaker, "You're about to witness an up-close and personal look at this great nation we like to call," she gestures her hands as if making a rainbow, "Heliopolis." The visitors give a cheer. "I hope everyone is wearing comfortable shoes, we'll be walking a great deal for this trip."
"Aw, walking? How much walking are we talking," Yusuke asks.
"Don't worry, Yusuke. I know of a couple of spots where we can go to relax. And it'll be well worth it, too. I'll give you a hint, beach gear is required."
"I figured that much. Walking was something I was expecting not to do," he kicks back.
Kiyoni turns to the driver, "Be sure to take the underground route." The driver nods as if he already knows.
Within minutes, the bus dives underground. Cutting through the island using the subterranean route, the group is introduced to the underground traffic and railway system. This shortcut is necessary for cross-country travel. Checking with the group, the driver verifies, "The oceanfront or marketplace?" "The oceanfront," Ayesha answers. The bus makes a left and heads for the beach.
"I have sunscreen if anyone needs it," Kiyoni announces.
"What's the number on it," Keiko checks in.
"Umm, SPF 30."
"Perfect, may I use it when we get there?"
Kiyoni hands her the bottle, "Why don't you put some on right now? The sun is a bit different, here, than back home." Keiko takes her advice.
The shoreline of Heliopolis is highly active in relation to the weather. Inhabitants of all ages relax and play in the egg white sand while others practice their swimming and surfing skills in the water. The ocean itself is a gorgeous mix of aquamarine and sea-green waves. Beach games, such as volleyball, soccer, and Frisbee toss become activities that attract attention. "Now this is a beach," Yusuke declares, "Hot chicks everywhere." Some of them catch Yusuke in their view and giggle flirtatiously. Yusuke hears their laughter and waves at his new admirers, "Hey ladies." Without warning, Yusuke feels something eerie.
"Yusuke…," Keiko's calling and she's not happy.
He awkwardly turns towards his girlfriend, "H-hey, Keiko."
Before Keiko can get a word out, she's interrupted by Kiyoni, "Hey, Yukimura," she stands in her black one-piece with a volleyball in her hand, "I hear you're pretty good in the volleyball game. Wanna play?"
"Oh, thank you, Kiyoni," responds a relieved Yusuke.
"Sure, I'll play. But we'll need a sixth player," Keiko advises.
"How about six players each," Kiyoni suggests, "You and the others against me and my team. Heliopolis vs. the human world."
"Sign us up," Botan demands, "We'll be on your team, Keiko." By "we", she means Shizuru and Yukina as well."
"Well, that's four. You need two more, Keiko. Who do you choose?"
"We'll do it, me and Kuwabara," Yusuke replies to Keiko's appreciation.
"That's fine. Sorry, for being the odd one out, Suu'chi."
"Playing the neutral role is fine with me," Kurama determines.
"Follow me, everyone. I reserved us a court when we got here."
Beach day is officially underway with the home team set in a volleyball match against the foreign visitors. Who will come out victorious?
