One-Two Millennia Isn't Very Different than Before

Chapter 24: Festivities; Day 1 ~ Hakuryuu

Jessica's POV

Somehow between the two of us, Yona and I were able to get her dressed in her long silky, red kimono dress in a decent amount of time. It was still a long process though. By the end, we had to sit down and breathe.

Suddenly, Yona laughed, "I forgot how long the process of getting dressed could take!"

I smiled, "Yeah. I almost called a shrine maiden in to help us." We laughed.

"Ne," Yona said softly, "did my father ever come to the festival?"

I looked up, "Every so often. I believe he was going to bring you with him this year. I'm pretty sure that's why he invited me to your birthday, so you would know someone here besides him."

She gave a soft smile, but soon perked up, "So, how does this festival work?"

Seeing as how she wanted to avoid talking anymore about her father, I answered, "The festival is five days long, with each day representing its own dragon."

We got up and left the room, then she asked, "Who's got today?"

I smiled softly and led her to the guys' room. We soon stopped at the door, and I answered, "Hakuryuu."

"Wah?! That's great!"

"Mm-hm," I said before knocking on the door.

There were a lot of crashing and banging going on after I knocked. Yona and I shared a look and sweat dropped.

She offered an excuse, "Maybe it's a bad time?"

I bit the inside of my cheek, "The ceremony is going to start soon!"

We heard the door open, and turned to see Yoon with his kimono half on his shoulder. We stared at each other in complete silence for a whole three seconds before he spoke, "What are you two doing here?"

Still in shock I repeated what I just said, "The ceremony's going to start soon."

He blinked, and when it registered, he was quick to get in the room and order the others to get ready, "Oi, you beasts! Jessica says the ceremony is going to start soon!"

Our sweat drops returned when we heard the frantic guys trying to get ready.

I soon heard Yona's squeal, "Eek!" I turned to her to see Hak in his black kimono with his arm around Yona.

I looked him in the eye and said, "At least one person is ready."

Hak nodded, "I left the room before I could be forced into helping them dress."

Yona turned to Hak, "So you left Yoon to deal with it?"

"He gave a valiant sacrifice."

We snapped our heads back to the doors as they opened to reveal Yoon properly in his teal kimono and each of the dragons on their own respective colors. Shin-ah was without his mask, but wore a blindfold over his eyes. Jae-ha and Kija really didn't change anything about their appearance (not that Kija could, but. . .). Zeno on the other hand had his hair tied up in a ponytail and wore his pendant form Hiryuu-sama around his neck.

He then saw mine and said, "Is it okay for Zeno to wear Zeno's pendant here like Jess-chan?"

Although the others were confused, I simply answered, "It's fine. You're not breaching authority here by wearing that around your neck."

I sighed and motioned for them to follow me, "As I was telling Yona earlier, each day of the festival is dedicated to each of the dragons. Today is dedicated to Hakuryuu," Kija punched the air in excitement. "And the day's proceed as Seiryuu, Ryokuryuu, Oryuu, and Hiryuu."

"The ceremony that's about to begin is merely a formality where you'll have to introduce yourselves. Yona, you'll be positioned on my left. Kija, since it's the day of Hakuryuu? You'll be directly to my right with the others lined up beside you," I said now fully into making this ceremony turn out great.

"Um, Jessica?" I glanced over to Yoon as he spoke, "Do Hak and I have to do anything special?"

I smiled but shook my head, "You both can stand in the crowd if you'd like. Yona will be safe with us." Both nodded and split off from us.

Yona shook as we stood at the door to the ceremony. I glanced over and switched my staff to my right hand as I reached with my left to take a hold of her hand. Her appreciation was conveyed by her lightly squeezing my hand. But all too soon I had to release her hand and made my way to the front of the shrine where the people were gathered.

After a few steps, I was in place to address the crowd, "People of the Dragon's Shrine, today marks the beginning of the annual celebration of King Hiryuu and his dragon warriors coming into this world!" There were a few cheers, but I held my hand up to silence them, "This year we have a special treat! May I present Princess Yona of Kouka Kingdom!"

There were many cheers as Yona came to join me in the spotlight. The people stood in awe realizing there was more, "Thank you, Miss Jessica." I nodded, but before I could introduce the others, she softly whispered to me, "May I introduce and address these people?"

I softly smiled and whispered, "Of course."

I took a step back as Yona straightened herself. She addressed the crowd as a true ruler would, strong and poised, "Hello, people of the shrine!" The light glimmered off her silky clothes, "It's a pleasure to be here, and I hope you don't mind, but I brought a few companions with me!" She turned to me unsure about what she should do.

I smiled and mouthed 'introduce them' to Yona.

She nodded and turned back to the crowd, "I met a priest who told me to find the dragons of legend so I could live freely!" The crowd whispered, but Yona continued, "I'm happy to say that I have succeeded and they're here with me today!" The cheering was back.

"This generation's Hakuryuu is Kija!" Kija walked forward even to me on my right. "Shin-ah is this generation's Seiryuu," said boy walked forward and stood to Kija's right. "Jae-ha is Ryokuryuu-san," he too stood to the right of everyone already on stage. "Finally, Oryuu is Zeno." Zeno waved at some, some even recognized him.

I walked forward so that I was in front, "We believe Yona-hime is Hiryuu-sama's descendant!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd, and I took a deep breath, "Now that introductions are done, everyone, let the party begin!"

Festive music filled our ears and performers began their shows. All in white, of course. The color changes when the days pass.

Day 1 could have been worse~
___________________________

Thanks for reading!

I love to read your comments too, so write to me, I'll more likely reply.

Pic of Jessica and Yona in their festive clothing. Sooooooo cute

:3
~Ashley