Chapter 17

"Get This Party Started"

Everyone had returned to their homes and businesses to prepare for tonight's festival. A last minute health check cleared Yusuke and Kuwabara for the festivities where caretakers were amazed at how quickly the boys recovered from their injuries. Having healers like Botan and Yukina greatly helped. Kurama was a different story. Per Kiyoni's request, a special bath was made for him, one filled with hints of lavender, peppermint, coconut, and citrus oils, sea salt, and seaweed. Red, pink, and yellow rose petals were also added for décor. The second Kurama dipped his bruised and battered body into the water, a powerful "Ahh" escaped his lips. The lavender and citrus aromas pleased his nose as the peppermint reinvigorated his lungs and skin. He could sit in that water for hours. Just before he goes under, a familiar voice posed a question, "Was it worth it?"

"Hiei," Kurama acknowledged, "I was wondering where you've been. I thought you were under house arrest."

"Tch, like I would stick around," Hiei observed the city below, thinking of another opportunity to steal again, "You didn't answer my question."

"Repeat it, please?"

"Was it worth it? Getting caught up in that…foolishness."

"I'm still alive and Kiyoni seems to be enjoying her day. I'd say it was worth it."

"You held back. You know, as well as I, you could've taken any of those men down. Why didn't you?"

"Courtesy, Hiei. It would not have looked good to display my strength and cause discourse. Especially in the eyes of Kiyoni's parents."

"Ha. Have you forgotten where we are?"

"I realize where we are but, this is uncharted territory. Which means politeness, reservation, and observation are key."

Another visitor comes a knocking, "Suu'chi? Are you awake? It's Kiyoni."

Kurama advised Hiei, "I believe that's your exit cue."

"Hmph," Hiei vanished.

"Come in."

Kiyoni entered with a soft smile on her face. Gone are the clothing and jewelry she wore earlier only to be replaced with the same periwinkle nightgown she wore last night. "Hey, Suu'chi. How are you feeling?"

"This bath water is perfect. Thank you for the request."

"Suu'chi, trust me. After all you went through, I consider doing something like this an honor. I asked Yusuke and Kuwabara if they wanted the same but, they declined."

"That's no surprise considering the healers around them. One question."

"Hm?"

"What was the real prize?"

"Come again?"

"Did I win out of legitimacy or favoritism," Kurama would be slightly disappointed if it was the latter.

"Does it matter? You've won!"

"Kiyoni…"

Kiyoni sighed, "Both. I chose the winning prize, yes, but I didn't know how the items were going to be arranged."

"And-?"

"—Toshio? Ugh. I'm so sorry for the way he came at you." Kiyoni had an idea the competition would be fierce but, in her mind, Toshio went overboard.

"Yes, him. An ex, I presume?"

Kiyoni is appalled, "By the gods, no! He wishes he was with me; wishes that he was an ex."

"Sorry, I asked."

"Suu'chi, Toshio is just…an afterthought. For as long as you are here, please don't worry about him, okay?"

"As you wish," Kurama sinks under for a quick dip only to come right back, gasping for air. An open atmosphere on peppermint-coated skin provided such a rush, the moment amused Kiyoni. "What's so funny," he asked.

"You. You should've seen your face."

"So, I take it the festivities are ongoing?"

"Yes. The big party is tonight."

"Big party?"

"Yes. Not only does the country celebrate my birthday but, those who share the day with me get to celebrate as well. Every business will be shut down for it. Well, except for restaurants, hospitals, and jails."

"Really? Does this happen for every royal?"

"Yes. Where the energy comes from for things like this, I do not know."

"What freedoms do we have at this…festival?"

"Free to dance, drink, and mingle. There will be a concert along the shore so, there's that and with all the restaurants open, we can eat as much as we like. There is more, though."

Kurama sat up for this part, "More?"

"There's also a nightclub on an island not far from here. I want to take all of you to that…if you're up for it."

Kurama wondered just how much more was there to do for one's birthday. "Honestly…I thought things would quiet down from here on out but, that's just my preference talking. I didn't realize how active this country could be."

"So, is that a no?"


"Are you kidding," Yusuke exclaimed, "I'm all for it!" Kiyoni had joined everyone else in an empty lounge so she could explain tonight's plans.

"Count me in, too," Kuwabara followed showing off his dancing skills, "Gives me a chance to show off my moves."

"I'm in, too," Shizuru declared, "Why the hell not?"

"I'd hoped you would," Kiyoni wished, "I saw the way you were looking at some of the dancers the other night."

Shizuru wrapped an arm around Kiyoni's shoulders, "Point me in the direction of those gentlemen and I'm there."

"Mm, I don't know," Keiko mentioned, "I thought I'd stay in for tonight."

"What," Kiyoni countered, "And miss out on all the fun? Keiko, I'm directly inviting you not just because I want to but, for you to have a little fun. When was the last time you let your hair down?"

"What can we expect to see," Yukina wondered.

"Any and everything. Bonfires, a beach concert, plenty of food and drink, parents having a good time with their children. You all will have a great time, I assure you. So long as you play it safe."

Yusuke repeated, "Play it safe?"

Botan replied, "That means no confrontations."

Kiyoni agreed, "Exactly. I hope you all brought something to wear for tonight."

Botan admitted, "Actually, I'm a little short on that."

"Oh, no. We'll have to do a quick shopping trip before the stores close."

"Well, I'm not doing anything right now." With that, Kiyoni led the girls out for a last minute clothing run.

"Wait…" Yusuke pleaded, "what about us?"

"We'll be right back," Kiyoni assured, "It's a just a quick run."

"Riiiiight. A quick run, she says."

"Why don't you go check on Kurama? He's still taking his diva bath."

Kuwabara chuckled, "Diva bath."

The sun made way for the moon and stars to come out and shine along the bright lights of metropolitan Heliopolis. Another star is set to shine in said city. Kiyoni loved the potential Heliopolis had for its nightlife and now that she's of legal age, she couldn't wait to explore it with her friends. However, there were some loose ends to tie up before she socially sets herself free. "A nationwide birthday party," Shizuru recollected, "Not even Japan does something like this. I'm actually looking forward to it."

"Why? So you can make out with a vampire," Botan joked.

"…Maybe. I am an adult. I can do what I want."

"So daring, you are."

"You guys hear something," Keiko gestures.

Botan listened in, "Sounds like music." She's right. It was music and it was coming from Kiyoni's room. The girls found the princess dancing in front of her bedroom mirror in festive wear.

"Practicing more moves," Shizuru incited.

Startled, Kiyoni ends her one-person party, "Ah! What-? Oh...it's you. Come in."

"Oh, please teach us," Botan begged.

"What? Belly dancing?"

"Yes. It's so…so…"

"Exotic," Shizuru finished.

"Exotic. Yes."

"What you call exotic is actually ancient," Kiyoni informed, "No different than westerners calling geishas exotic."

Shizuru detected the distain in Kiyoni's voice, a sign of the princess taking offense to what was said about the style of dance, "Sorry, Kiyoni. I didn't mean to be offensive."

"Whatever. It's my birthday and I refuse to let anything or anyone upset me."

"That's the spirit," Botan cheered.

Near the window, Keiko could see and hear a crowd forming near the island, "Um, Kiyoni, is the party starting now?"

"Hm," Kiyoni peeked out, "Oh, no. Not yet. They're just waiting for the horn."

"The horn?"

"Yeah. The party doesn't start until I blow the ceremonial horn. You'll see when we step out into the courtyard. Matter of fact, we can go right now."

"Oh…okay."

The country awaited with bated breath for the festivities to begin. On the palace courtyard, Kiyoni prepared herself to blow the roof off this night. "That is one big horn," Yusuke observed.

"Big enough and loud enough for all of the country to hear," Kiyoni clarified.

"That horn was made out of the first herd of bulls that migrated to this country during its inception," Ava informed, "The sized increased over the centuries to where it is now."

This place is really a stickler for history and tradition, Yusuke thought.

"Here we go," Kiyoni blew the horn. The crowd below cheered to begin the night of fun. On the shore, a huge concert was taking place with an equally sized crowd in attendance. That concert is where the gang will attend first to dance and unwind.