Chapter 9

"Soak Up the Sun"

Tensions are as hot as the weather that surrounds it as the most talked about volleyball match, between Team Yukimura and Team Ikeda, takes place along the coastline. It's the human team against the vampire team with the score tied at thirteen in the third set. Overall, the set score is tied at one thanks to a come-from-behind victory by the human team. Keiko's squad is comprised of Yusuke, both Kuwabara siblings, Yukina, and Botan. Kiyoni's lineup includes one soldier in-training, two seasoned beach volleyball champions, and two recreational volleyball players. "Ready, team," it's Kiyoni's turn to serve, "Thirteen even, home team serve," the ball is launched in the air and is served directly to Kuwabara who makes a clean pass across his side of the court.

After a few taps by Botan, Yukina, and Yusuke, Shizuru sets up to spike. Her shot is accepted by one of the sport's champions and is tossed to her partner. The partner bumps the ball for Kiyoni to serve, but she bumps it to a recreational player who then, sets it up for the other champion to spike. The plan works. To avoid collision, Yusuke, Yukina, and Botan step back with the ball falling just shy of meeting Yukina's face. As the crowd cheers, Kiyoni takes a quick moment to check on her guests and scold her team, "You can have fun and kick ass but, don't hurt my friends, okay?"

Keiko serves for her team, "Thirteen serving fourteen!"

"Get ready," Kiyoni shouts to her team, "that girl has one hell of a serve." Feeling competitive, Keiko gives one of her best attempts. The ball is heading for the opposite team but the second recreational player is ready with a spike move of his own. When that move is made, Yusuke saves it with an energized return. The soldier comes back with another spike that could land in the middle of the opposite court but is saved by Kuwabara. The ball reduces to normal speed when a champion player bumps it up again. Everyone on the vampire team gets a tap before Kiyoni finishes with a spike. Her move is ended with taps by Shizuru and Botan with the point going to the human team by way of Keiko's finisher. "That damn spike of hers," Kiyoni cheerfully wails, "Tied game. Let's do this." Both teams switch sides.

The vampire team takes the ball again. It's the soldier's turn to serve, "Fourteen even, home team serve." By now, most of the other beachgoers have tuned into the game.

Kurama looks around at the huge animated crowd surrounding his friends, "This is interesting."

"Make it count," Kiyoni instructs. The soldier nods and smacks the ball away.

"I got it," Shizuru warns.

"Over here," her brother calls. Kuwabara bumps the ball just enough for Yukina to get in on the action. When the ball heads for Yusuke, he makes a quick nod to Keiko who gets ready for another scoring spike. Her super slap puts her team ahead by one point when the ball slips through the hands of the two recreational players. The audience cannot believe their eyes.

Shizuru holds the ball, "Game point, human team serve." This is it, it's now or never. Both teams give it their all with each player getting their chance at the ball. Spikes are returned with equal amounts of force. At last, Kiyoni is the one to spike. She gives the ball all she has. Unfortunately, it's not enough. With a strong arm by Kuwabara, Keiko finishes again with her super slap. The ball comes for the opposite team with dangerous precision, landing directly in the middle of the opposite court at least a few inches deep. The match is over with the human team taking the victory. The crowd is split with their cheers as the human team celebrates with them.

Everyone on the vampire team kneels before their ruler, "Apologies, princess."

"Stand up you guys, no need to feel sorry," Kiyoni claims as she looks at her friends, Kurama included, "I wanted it this way. With this victory, at least their overall fear of us had died down a bit. You all did well today. Thanks for playing with me."

"It was our pleasure, your highness," they reply.


"Man, that was fun," Yusuke claims as he and friends relax on the shuttle bus, "Hey, where are we going now?"

"We are on our way to one of the best relaxation spots in the country," Ayesha answers.

"After what you all went through, you could use it," Kiyoni chimes in. The shuttle bus heads for a spa perched around the base of one of the volcanos.

Botan steps out of the vehicle first, "What kind of place is this?"

"Something that would make most of the hot spring resorts in Japan look like shit," Kiyoni replies.

"Kiyoni, language," chides Kenichi.

"What? It's true. This spa is awesome."

Surrounding half of the volcanic base and encased in diamond glass windows is the country's largest, and only, hot springs spa. At this resort, people come in at any time of day just to relax, take in the sights of the surrounding forest land, and have quality family time. After properly bathing themselves, the gang takes a good look the largest sanatorium they have ever seen. "This is amazing," Botan declares, "Koenma would have a field day if he saw this."

"Wouldn't he have to wear one of those water diapers," Yusuke jokingly asks. His response brings about a slap upside the head by Keiko.

"Okay, everyone. You all have two choices. One, you can grab a spot practically anywhere and absolutely chill, or two, you can join me at the best part of this place," Kiyoni suggests.

"What's the best part," Yukina wonders.

Kiyoni leads her friends to the tail end of the resort which is… "A hot springs waterpark? You have a hot springs waterpark," Yusuke gets excited.

"Yes, a.k.a., 'the best part'," she answers, "Make your choice."

"See ya," Kuwabara and Yusuke head for the waterpark, Keiko and Yukina follow shortly after.

"Are you sure Yukina's gonna be alright," Shizuru is slightly worried.

"We all saw how she lasted at the beach. She'll be fine so long as she wears her bracelet," Kiyoni informs. She, along with everyone else take a seat at a pool near the waterpark.


Later that day, Kiyoni sneaks out of the retreat with Kurama in tow.

"Where are we going, exactly," he asks.

"A place that I've been dying for you to see," she answers. After trekking through a good amount of green, they arrive at what looks to be a tree fenced forest.

"We're here," she declares.

"What's here," he inquires.

With proud and satisfied eyes, Kiyoni states, "…'Eden'. At least, that's what I like to call it. I couldn't think of any other names." Hanging on two neighboring trees are sets of crystal wind chimes. "This is the door," she informs as Kurama patiently waits for more. She recites a request, "Oh spirits of this great forest, I invoke thee. With gentle winds, you may open the doors…to my paradise." The breezes do as commanded as the chimes shine and collide with each other. Taking Kurama by the hand, the two enter an invisible portal. Once they're gone, everything returns to normal.

"W-what just happened? Is this another dimension?" He immediately looks around.

Kiyoni laughs as she leads Kurama though a dirt trail, "No we're still very much in Heliopolis. This area just happens to be reserved for me." At the end of the trail, Kiyoni announces, "Welcome to Eden." Kurama takes a moment to check out this new location.

The garden is grand. Crystal clear waters flow from multiple waterfalls and into a long river. Areas of brightly colored flowers are virtually everywhere. Trees, lined with wildlife, fruit, moss, and vine command the skies. Patches of farmland are scattered throughout the area. There's even a swinging gazebo hanging along the strongest of branches. All of which, piques Kurama's botanical interest.

"So, what do you think," she wonders.

He looks back, "Mind if I take a closer look?"

"Of course, Suu'chi! I encourage it!" That's all she had to say. Kurama checks out everything, from testing the soil to monitoring the growth of certain specimens to even testing out the waters. To him, this is as close to a perfect garden as anyone is going to get. Kiyoni giggles a little. To her, watching Kurama literally dig through her garden emphasizes her belief that he really is a fox.

"I can tell you take great pride in this place," he assures.

She stands within a foot of him, "Well, the thought of having a garden worthy of even your approval was the main idea. Plus, I needed the time to do things myself around here."

"So, the whole thing about this being your grandfather's garden was all a lie?"

"No. He did pass this place on to me before he died. I've maintained it ever since." She takes his arm again, "There's something else I want to show you." She leads him to an underground greenhouse.

He marvels at the makeshift terrarium, "What's this?"

"I got curious about some things and I wanted to take the herbal approach to magic so, I made a little lab," she takes a piece of fruit and slices it in half, "Here, try it."

Kurama takes a look at the item, "Last time I checked, it was an apple that Eve gave to Adam for him to eat. This is clearly not an apple."

"First of all, the apple was never really proven, and second, no shit, it's not an apple. Now stop being a prick and eat it."

He does, "That's odd…I expected a peach. This doesn't taste like a peach."

A satisfied smile comes across her face, "That's because it isn't. It's a hybrid."

"A hybrid?"

"What you're eating is a peach/papaya hybrid. I raised it myself. In fact, some of these fruit trees and bushes are hybrids."

"How did you do that?"

"I plucked two seeds, one from each fruit. Cut them in half, wrapped them in moss, and plant them here. In a few weeks, the seeds bond and create a hybrid. When it becomes too much to handle in here, I take them outside where they can really thrive. It's kind of my thing since, you know, I'm a hybrid too."

"That's fascinating."

"Fascinating but difficult. It took me a while just to find seeds that were biologically compatible."

"So, all of the fruit grown here are hybrids?"

"No. I needed 'parents' so not everything is…mixed up."

Kurama starts to laugh, "It just hit me."

"What?"

"You talk of all this mixing…it's like you're a dating service…for fruit."

Kiyoni laughs as well, "You've been hanging around Yusuke too long."

Suddenly, Kurama feels something crawling along his back. He reaches for it to check it out, "What the…" Slithering around his torso, the creepy feeling makes it presence known; it's a copper red garden snake. "Ah," Kurama tries to wriggle the snake off.

"Suu'chi," Kiyoni helps him, "Stop moving or it'll bite you."

"Well, get it off me!"

Kiyoni successfully does, "Alright, alright, I got it. Are you okay?"

Catching his breath and adjusting his hair, "I think…I'm fine. Where did that come from?"

The snake coils around its master's arm, "This is Sinnamon, my familiar and so-called protector of this place," she scolds her pet, "That was a bad move. Now, apologize and say hello to Shuuichi." The snake looks at her new guest as her tongue wriggles a few times. She then hides her behind Kiyoni's head. "Don't worry about her too much. She knows your scent now so you're less of a threat," Kiyoni assures.

"Well, that's nice," his friendly personality returns, "Pleasure to meet you, Sinnamon." The snake continues staring.

"Sinnamon, be nice," Kiyoni extends her arm, "It's okay, he harmless." Sinnamon wriggles her way to Kurama, who greets the animal with an extended arm of his own. She later gets comfortable on the top of his head.

"That's new," he concludes.

Kiyoni laughs, "And you wanna say I'm unpredictable. Isn't she adorable?"


Trouble brews back at the palace. Hiei has just been arrested for his petty crimes, mostly stealing, and is now facing the pharaoh queen and king for punishment with Koenma watching from behind. Although this is a vacation for the prince of the Spirit World, he still has an obligation to gather as much information about Heliopolis as possible. "Hiei, right," Ava affirms, "You have been charged with multiple counts of theft. How do you plea?"

"I would say 'guilty', but there's no evidence to show for it," he responds. The guards counter his statement with some of the stolen items as well surveillance footage.

"I think 'guilty' is an understatement," Akio confirms, "What should his punishment be?"

"I can't think of one," Ava claims, "Guards, take him to his guest room. Keep him under close watch until further notice." The guards do as they're told.

"That was pretty lenient," Koenma states.

"Yes, well if it was really up to me, his hands would've been chopped off. However, since he's a guest of Kiyoni's, like you, it's her responsibility. Not mine," she calls for a different guard, "Find the princess and bring her here at once." The guard kneels before leaving.

"You could've saved some time by passing judgement," Akio suggests.

Ava sighs, "Yes, but Kiyoni is going to be queen someday. Given what we discussed with Prince Koenma, this will be good practice for her."

"By the sound of things, Kiyoni has some pretty big shoes to fill," Koenma adds.

"I would say so," Ava agrees.

The sun sets on day two of the getaway. Kiyoni and her friends have all returned to the palace with big smiles on their faces, a reflection of a fun-filled day. Updated on what's happened during her absence, Kiyoni is left to handle Hiei on her own, roaming the halls with Ayesha. "Sounds like an interesting plan, Kiyoni. Are you sure this Hiei fellow will be up for it," Ayesha wonders.

"He has no choice but to, if he wants to keep slicing and dicing people," Kiyoni answers, "I had plans for everyone to do something tomorrow anyway. I just gotta get Suu'chi to come around."

"And how do you plan on doing that?"

"By talking to him, duh. How else? Could you send him to my room?"

"Are you sure that's what you're going to do…talk?"

"Yes, mom. What else is there to do?" Kiyoni pauses for a moment. "Oh, for the love of the gods, I'm not that kind of girl! Why do you think that's all I want to do?"

"It's just a parental caution, Kiyoni."

"Mom, just stop. I'm not even…thinking about that…at all. The purpose of this entire thing is to make up for lost time with Suu'chi. Not to take him to…bed."

Ayesha relents, "Fine, I'll send him over." Along the way, she whispers something to a nearby guard, "The second he arrives at her doorstep, you keep your eyes open." The guard nods in acknowledgement. As nightfall settles over Heliopolis, Kiyoni prepares for another nightly meeting with Kurama. What idea is she willing to share with the spirit fox and what does it have to do with Hiei's punishment?