Title : Birds of a Feather

Lenght : 3 chapters

Genre : hurt/comfort, romance, friendship

summary : "-but more than anything they were afraid of seeing their loved one losing themselves and disappearing due to something they had no control over. Past painful experiences forged this feeling and made both women realize that they were never able to save and support the one they loved for long, and this was painful." An outlook on Botan's and Shizuru's past lives and memorable lovers.

characters : Shizuru, Botan, OCs. Mentions of other canon characters.

Disclaimer : I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Birds of a feather.

Part 1 : Too alike.

They never really minded playing match-makers, actually they have always liked it. Making someone realize their feelings and get the courage to act on it was a pretty tough endeavour most of the time, but at the end the developpements ensuing were worth it whether the results were good or not. However with each love they helped to blossom they could not suppress that growing feeling of envy and jealousy,

It was constantly present.

Now don't misunderstand them. While Yusuke could be clueless about matters of the heart and never missed a chance to complain restlessly about a "brown haired witch", Botan knew just how much the punk loved Keiko. And even if she acted annoyed and would beat the shit out of Kazuma for him to get on line, Shizuru was happy that her baby bro met Yukina and even more glad that the one who won his heart wasn't as shallow as the eldest Kuwabara was.

After all, the uncertain and insecure stares, the shy brushing of fingers on the back of a hand, the puffed cheeks covered with a warm and delicate rose tint, bodies scooping closer, the honest confessions and what results out of it. All of this, they loved to see it unfolding before their vey own eyes.

They were a one hundred percent supportive but a life without a bit of romance for themselves could be really bland. Neither of the two women could help but feel a little lonely, wishing for the empty void in them to find a fulfilling sensation that would never evaporates. Never leaving them needy and sad ever again.

Never, that was the keyword.

Same feelings and same longings. That's why both gradually became closer to each other until spending whole days together. All of their free time, just the two of them gathered around some snacks and drinks, chatting all day long and relating their problems.

Rather than calling these 'girls appointement', 'reunions' or some shit, they just settled for dates. They thought it would suit their dilemmas and didn't really spend time pondering on whether it was okay to call the time they spent together that way. Who said only lovers could date anyway ?

000

It wasn't as if they were not pretty to look at or had no one roaming around them. Actually both women were really attractive and fairly popular. They were often told that they lose nothing to all of these popular models and singers, and of course they always welcomed the compliments but if only looks could lift some of their worries …

Whenever they would go out together, they would frequently get those looks, random and uneeded chivalrous acts here and there and some numbers slipped oh not so smoothly towards them at bars.

They weren't dense or dumb. Shizuru knows what her coworkers mean when they inquire too much on her personal life. She also knows why male clients always ask for an appointement with her at the hairdressing salon, even if she lacked skills when it came to take care of short hair. It's not like she complained, if her touch was enough to charge clients with expensive prices despite an awful handiwork then so be it. It was their loss and her gain.

All of these sweets and flowers -peonies no less - gently pushed towards her, Botan knew these SDF men weren't doing it just out of natural kindness. She also came to understand pretty early that these incessant admirative stares Hinageshi and Hanako give to her were more than what her two juniors always claimed. Somewhat it was cute.

000

They were just afraid.

Afraid of the gradual fading of butterflies in the stomach and of the cute flushness of their lover's face, afraid of crossing the thin line between love and hate but more than anything they were afraid of seeing their loved one losing themselves and disappearing due to something they had no control over.

Past painful experiences forged this feeling and made both women realize that they were never able to save and support the one they loved for long, and this was painful.

Author's note : Oof my first fanfiction on this site ! I realized that I absolutely love Botan and Shizuru, even more after rewatching Yu Yu Hakusho recently. However the secret planning on their past and personal lives always irked me, I wish to try exploring it a little bit with my fanfics, starting with this one which will be quite short and an introduction for something bigger maybe ?