AN: It's been a while since I wrote anything in-universe for any kind of fandom. Please R&R!
It was hot.
Botan huffed in frustration; while she was glad the uniform wasn't as stifling her kimono, sweat still trickled down the back of her neck. How could the boys stand it?! Their long sleeves, and pants? The word rang through her head and she frowned. This game of taboo was proving to be harder than expected.
Hiei, on the other hand, was pissed. Sure, the heat was normal - didn't bother him - but the sheer arrogance of the fool in front of him? Bothered him to the core.
Despite all the warnings, he wasn't about to let the three letter word control his fate.
Botan let out a noise as she watched Hiei's sword clatter into pieces, before he opened his mouth. The words she wanted to say were caught in her throat; maybe it was the room getting to her. Why would she say anything? Hiei wouldn't listen, certainly not to a ferry girl like herself. She found herself distracted by her thoughts for the split second it took for him to utter the taboo word.
Soon his soul was gone, flying across the room. Did Hiei even try to grab it? Was he aware he could do such a thing with the few miliseconds he had? Botan frowned before Kuwabara started talking, and she was left with a frozen Hiei.
He looked... shocked. It felt unnatural and wrong to see him like this. Was this what he looked like when he slept in the trees? Or were his lips still pressed together in that signature line, eyes wrinkled in the corners from narrowing them too much?
Kuwabara lept forward, causing the frozen Hiei to tip.
This wasn't going to do at all.
Something inside Botan told her to sit on the ground; and so she did, taking Hiei with her. It felt cooler down at this level, even if it was a minute difference. She folded her legs underneath her and pulled Hiei's head into her lap. Was he going to remember this? Would he even know?
Botan shook her head. His soul was currently existing outside his body, there was no way he could even be thinking at the moment. Her hand was unconsciously over where his heart was as she watched Kuwabara stomp off.
Her own heart seized in her chest for a moment when she realized what was going on, looking down at the still Hiei and her own pale hand splayed across his chest.
Lord, what would Koenma say about this! No doubt he was watching in his office, snickering about the whole scenario despite how serious it was. A blush crept up, spreading across her cheeks before she made a note to confront her boss about it.
Thankfully, Kuwabara hadn't really noticed the way they were on the floor, and Botan let out a sigh of relief. Unfortunately that still left Kurama - Botan looked over her shoulder to find him staring at Kaito. Maybe he wouldn't think twice about it. Maybe he didn't even notice the way color filled her cheeks or the concern in her eyes. Her hand gripped at Hiei's shirt for a moment before she snapped herself out of the daze.
The mission was what was important. They were all in danger, despite how hard Kuwabara seemed to be trying. The sweat that sat at the back of her neck rolled down her back and the ferry girl huffed.
It was too hot.