Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Summary: Best friends separated for seven years are finally reunited to have a grand wedding due to earlier arrangements made by both families. Not bad, right? Especially if the groom to be is a young, handsome redheaded actor who everyone adores, right? WRONG! Now, if only he can get his fiancé to fall for him… Completely AU, featuring the KB pairing.

Couples: Mainly revolving around the red blue couple, Kurama/Botan, but also includes the 'supporting' pairing Kuronue/Shizuru, a bit of Yusuke/Keiko, and mentionings of Kuwabara/Yukina

A/N: Hey, you guys, I'm finally back! I know, I know. Yet another multiple-chapter story. Well, there's no need to worry. This fic is already completed – I took the time of finishing it before posting it here. However, I will not be posting the chapters all at once. Instead, I plan to update this once a week on Friday. I know I should probably just post them all at the same time… but oh well. I'll stop my uninteresting blabbering here. On to the story!

Chapter 1

"Hey, Botan-chan…"

"Hmm? What is it, Shuichi-kun?"

"If I… asked you to marry me, would you?"

"We're still too young, Shu—"

"I know that! I mean, in the future, if… if I were to become a better, stronger man, and asked you to marry me would you?"

"… Yep. Because I like you, Shuichi-kun."

"Then… I'll become a better man and come back to marry you—

—Because I like you, too, Botan-chan."

"Hey, Botan."

The said girl turned to look at her brunette best friend, Keiko Yukimura. She regarded Keiko with a big grin, one that everyone around her had recognized as her trademark smile.

Botan Fukuyama, age 22, occupation: salesgirl, have friends from all walks of life because she apparently has a deep love for traveling, and is described to be cheerful, bubbly, and kind, although a bit of a ditz and temperamental if angered at times. Now you'd think that a pretty girl with long, exotic blue hair and vibrant, beautiful pair of amethyst eyes such as herself would already have a boyfriend, but no. Despite being called one of the sought after girls at her work place, Botan apparently doesn't have any interest in guys other than her customers – which practically meant that all that matters to her, is her job – with the exception of her family and friends, of course. They matter, too, mind you.

Well, that's about to change soon enough.

"What is it, Keiko?" she asked, tilting her head to the side in a questioning manner. She watched as Keiko wrapped the strap of her purse around her shoulder.

"Shizuru's asking if we want to go karaoke after this, and Yukina's going as well. I want to go, too, but do you?" Keiko inquired her with an arched eyebrow. She hoped her friend would say yes, but alas, she would be disappointed.

Botan, after having slipped on her white sandals, clapped her hands together in a form of asking for forgiveness. "Sorry, Keiko, I can't!" she exclaimed, sending the other girl an apologetic smile.

Keiko's mouth formed a pout. "Aw, come on, Botan!" she continued to persuade her, hooking her arms around the bluenette's and rubbing her cheeks against the other's, as if that would be enough to get her to agree.

A laugh began to build in Botan's chest, before erupting from her throat. She almost gave in –after all it was rare to see her best friend making such a childish and adorable display, as she was the one always doing that sort of thing – but quickly remembered the reason she couldn't go.

"I mean it, Keiko, I really can't. I've gotta meet up with my father after this," she explained, studying the brunette with an amused grin as she pulled away, releasing her. Botan could have sworn Keiko was making what seemed like a duck face – again, kinda rare.

"Alright, fine," Keiko relented after a short while of silence. It wasn't as if she could interfere with other people's plans. And Botan wouldn't have let her even if she did, anyway.

"How come he's asking to see you now? I mean, it didn't seem like he particularly cared about you when he didn't bother to contact you – even once – for three months. I mean, does he even know where you live?" she went on, eyeing her friend slinging her backpack over her shoulder.

Botan didn't answer at once, and headed for the door instead. She couldn't resist the urge to grin; she was well aware of the fact Keiko held an understandably high amount of dislike towards her father – her only parent – seeing as he practically prioritized his work than his own daughter, which meant he had abandoned her on more than a few occasions. He wasn't always like that, but he'd changed a lot since her mother's and his wife's death. Botan didn't particularly mind, to be honest, both due to the reasons that she had gotten quite used to it over the years, and also that she didn't give him much thought, either (she figured it would hurt less that way).

"I don't know, but I'm gonna see him, anyway," she answered, opening the door, and without waiting for Keiko to reply – which she was about to, if I might add – Botan looked back from her shoulder and said, "See you later, Kei! I'll treat you lunch sometime to make it up to you," and proceeded to wave goodbye at her best friend. With that, she shut the door behind her, Keiko's "Botan, wait!" going unnoticed by the blue haired girl.

Botan glanced around the restaurant, noting the waiters in tailcoats, and the waitresses in laced, white and black outfits. She took a seat at one of the nice, polished – and shining – glass-surfaced tables, still eyeing the restaurant mutely as she placed her backpack on the chair – which was also shining! – beside her. Apparently her father had not arrived yet, which left her with no choice but to wait.

Speaking of her father, figures he'd choose a fancy restaurant as their meeting place. Botan wasn't entirely certain how to take it. Yes, her family was rich. But, she'd rather not depend too much on her parents' money, that was why she worked as a salesgirl, anyway – and she was damn proud of that fact. Yet, she was also aware of the fact that she had no right to tell her father how to live their lives, even if she was his daughter. Heck, even her mother lived the rest of her life as something that greatly resembled that of a queen; she had no qualms of using her own money, but she didn't force her beliefs of money into Botan's throat like her father seemed to be relentless on doing. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but wish at times that her father would choose… an ordinary lifestyle for at least once in his entire life… Then again, if he had the money, why would he?

Heaving a mental sigh, Botan sat both arms on the table, cupping both palms on her two cheeks as she politely declined a waiter's question of her choice of dinner that night. She wasn't really sure if she could eat with all the nervousness in her system, but then again, her father most likely wouldn't allow her to eat without him. He was that type of man, after all, and Botan was in no mood to be reprimanded by him as being a "sorry excuse of a lady' – not that she was ladylike, in any way at all, but again and again, she pretended to be an exact image of that particular description; poise, elegance and manners never forgotten once she was in her father's presence.

Speak of the devil, she mused with a small smile as she saw the doors slid open to allow a man, 7 ft tall, with dark, trimmed blue hair and equally dark, composed purple eyes, dressed in a black business suit, to enter. Her father, Yukio Fukuyama, reached a hand to fix his tie, before glancing around the restaurant, as if looking for someone. When he had found her, Botan waved a hand, a friendly grin etched on her lips. He didn't smile back – then again, it wasn't as if she expected him to – and merely made his way to her table. Even in the way he walked, he still resembled the perfect image of a perfect gentleman. Perhaps that was why he still managed to attract girls, even younger his age, although he was a man in his 30's, and with a dead wife, no less.

"I see you haven't ordered anything," Yukio murmured, pulling his chair back gracefully before sitting down. He looked at her smiling face, and finally, allowed the corners of his mouth to curl upwards into the softest smile he could pull.

Either he was smiling because he was actually genuinely happy to see her, or if he was just pleased at the fact that she had restrained herself from eating because she had apparently became " a lady he could eventually admit proudly as a good and obedient daughter", Botan wasn't sure. But, she couldn't resist the urge to broaden the quirk of her lips slightly. Well, she appreciated it, anyway. It was rare to see him smile these days, after all.

"I didn't want to eat without you, father," she responded curtly, and nodded her head his way. Shifting her position, Botan leaned back in her chair, and for a moment, couldn't help but think how weird it was the word "father" rolled off her tongue. It still felt odd, for some reason. Probably because she was used to call him "dad"… but she hadn't called him that since she was sixteen.

"I see," He nodded his head, and for a brief second, she could see his smile widening a little, before faltering and reducing to the usual serious thin line. "However, we cannot eat together tonight, as I will be going to America fifteen minutes after for some business to discuss. So, I would have liked it if you had ordered something. Regardless, I am pleased to see that you haven't lost any of your manners during my absence." His tone was monotous, and it took Botan her hardest not to drop her smile.

Of course, he rarely had any time for his daughter.

She tried not to focus too much on that painful thought, and instead, mused over the reason why he would want to see her fifteen minutes before flying to America for his "business", which she already assumed as important – as it always was. He wouldn't waste his time doing such a "preposterous" thing, now would he?

Unless, he had something relevant he needed to talk to her.

"Anyway, I've come here to discuss something of very importance with you," he spoke, when he realized she was unresponsive. Oh, and she was right.

She nodded her head, feigning interest. "Oh? And what could that be?" she forced out the words, despite not really wanting to know what it was. It was probably nothing that important – to her, anyway. She looked down to her hands.

"Do you remember Shuichi?"

At the question, Botan's head shot up again to regard Yukio with a surprised stare. "Shuichi? You mean, Shuichi Minamino?" she questioned to make sure she wasn't hearing things. Surely, he didn't mean…

She earned a nod.

Oh, god…

"Yes, that's him," he answered, brows furrowing as he watched her open and close her mouth like a stupid fish. "He was your best friend, was he not?"

"Was," she echoed the word in a low whisper, and for a moment, the revelation hit her how much she really missed Shuichi. Her redheaded, emerald-eyed, kind and polite, best friend, Shuichi Minamino. She would admit that she had been watching him, albeit only from the television; he was ridiculously famous, not only due to his charming, good looks, but also the fact that he was young and talented. And he was an actor. She was proud and happy for him, of course, but he seemed like a different person. He even felt like it.

Why was her father bringing him up now?

Yukio arched an eyebrow at her, baffled by her silence. "Wasn't he?" he prodded.

For a moment, Botan only gaped at him, eyes wide and utterly dumbfounded… but then, she quickly recovered and found her voice again. "Y-yes, he was," she managed to croak out.

Her hands suddenly felt cold.

He was still bewildered by her weird display of behavior, but decided that it was best if he let it be. She was surprised, is all. Now, just imagine the look on her face if he told her the news…

"Right." Yukio cleared his throat. "Anyway, you are scheduled to meet him tomorrow at his parents' place—"

"Tokyo?!"

"Yes, Tokyo. You will be going to Tokyo. And if I might suggest, you also need to pack some of your private belongings before you go. You should be well prepared, and pack tonight before leaving tomorrow first thing in the morning and—"

Botan suddenly felt dizzy with all the information. For god's sake, let her take a moment to let her sink it in, alright?! "W-wait a second. What do you mean, pack my private belongings? Why would I need to—"

"Because you will be staying with Shuichi in a one of the mansions he owns. It will be your new home from now on—"

"But why?!"

For a moment, her father was silent. And he just stared.

And in that moment, Botan held a breath in her throat, her heart thumping loud in her chest. Good god, please don't let it be…

"You are engaged to him, Botan," he finally said, the words leaving his lips causing the girl to gaze at him blankly.

She blinked once. Twice. Thrice. Then, when the information finally sunk in—

—she fainted.

Fingers tapping impatiently on an elbow.

One leg also tapping impatiently on the floor.

Emerald eyes glared at the man sitting across him at the table.

Shuichi Minamino, also known as Kurama, age 22, occupation: young, talented actor whom everyone – mostly girls, his fan girls – absolutely loves and worships, sat on a soft, comfy red velvet couch with a dark, heated glare in his usually vibrant pools of emeralds. One hand tapping at his elbow, and one leg tapping on the floor – both appendages tapping rather impatiently – he was resembling the exact image of what one would perceive as a very pissed off man. And he was pissed off. Although, in his vocabulary, he would prefer to use more respectable words, such as angry or upset. But then again, pissed off sounded like it definitely hit the jackpot.

His red hair was terribly disheveled, looking as if he had just escaped from a brutal fist fight. Although, it was close. He couldn't imagine how thousands of girls could even think that tackling him to the ground at the same time was a sure way to show him how much they apparently adored him. Fortunately for his bodyguard and best friend, Kuronue, who had just arrived precisely on time and rescued him from his crazy mob of groupies.

He should have them killed one day.

An evil smirk slowly crossed his lips. One day, yes…

Anyway, now you'd think after being tackled by a group of insane fan girls was bad enough, and understandably, he was exhausted and wanted nothing more but a good sleep on his own bed, but one individual had the nerve of disturbing his plans of a well deserved – and not to mention, very, very deep slumber – by barging in to his apartment.

That individual was lucky that he was his father – or, step father, in this case.

"Please stop glaring, Shuichi," Kazuya Hatanaka spoke in a calm tone, as he settled his cup of coffee back to its original place on the wooden table. "You look like you want to burn holes into my head."

"I'm tired," Kurama responded, his voice laced with irritation. "I want to sleep."

Kazuya sent him a sympathetic smile; it would seem he had already been made aware of what had occurred to Kurama earlier, and of course, he pitied his step son. But, he had just the right plan to solve Kurama's ever pain-in-the-ass bunch of loopy groupies.

"I understand," he said, nodding his head. "However, like I had told you before – and will tell you again and again – if you just have a girlfriend, then they would get the idea and leave you alone."

The redhead resisted the urge to groan, and settled with rolling his eyes instead. "I know, I know." How many times did Kazuya have to tell him that? "But, there is no girl out there who is good enough to suit my standards."

"Your standards are ridiculously high," his step father countered, giving out a patient smile as Kurama once again shot him another heated glare, "Of course, there will never be a girl good enough for you, Shuichi."

"Stop calling me that," Kurama grumbled under his breath as he crossed one leg over the other, draping his arms over his couch as he leaned back in it, "I hate it when people call me that. My name is Kurama now."

Kazuya's patient smile was replaced by a bitter one. "Your mother used to call you that before she passed away."

"And she was the only one I allowed to call me by that—that aggravating name," Kurama let out a growl, his eyebrows creased in frustration. Although, one was noticeably twitching. "Only because I love her, and she wouldn't stop no matter how many times I told her not to."

"Why do you despise that name so much?" Kazuya murmured in a barely audible sentence, now fixing his gaze on his coffee. It had gone a little cold, he mentally noted to himself as he reached out to grab it.

Kurama didn't answer.

'Shuichi' was him before he became Kurama. Before he realized how good he is at acting, before he could memorize fifty lines in just five minutes, easy as breathing, and with his eyes closed (don't question him, he literally tried that). 'Shuichi' was the boy he was before he realized his true potential. That boy who couldn't do anything right.

'Shuichi' was dead to him, but for some reason, his family always likes to remind Kurama of the past 'him'. He's been telling them to call him Kurama for two years now, but they've never called him that. Not even once.

Kazuya took the redhead's silence as a cue for him to drop the subject.

"Alright, putting that aside, I have more important matters to talk about with you, Shu—" He bit his lip. He almost slipped out Kurama's real name, and he hoped inwardly that the boy didn't notice. Usually, Kazuya would still call him that, no matter how angry he would get. But tonight, he was reluctant. Kurama was obviously in a bad mood; it was best if he did not worsen it.

Fortunately, Kurama didn't notice – or pretended not to. "What matters, exactly?"

"Well, I was thinking, if you really want to drive your fan girls away, then—"

Kurama rolled his eyes, and this time, he did expel a loud, exasperated groan. "Again with that?!"

Kazuya decided to ignore him. "—I thought it'd be better if you were engaged."

This caught Kurama's attention. He blinked once, before forming a deep frown with his brows. "What?" he nearly screeched. Engaged? Him? One of the most sought after bachelors in Japan? Oh, the poor fan girls' hearts… Nah, not really. He didn't really feel sorry for them. Not even the slightest bit. But still… was this engagement thing for real? Was it just planned, but not done yet? Or was it…

He paled.

"With who?" he asked slowly, sounding an audible gulp as he anticipated the answer. Maya Kitajima? Well, the pretty model was good looking, but she was hardly what he would go for. Juri Hamaya? Then again, the lead singer of the cute girl band, Sugar High – and yes, that's what it's called. Kurama thought it was plain stupid – was quite naïve… Koto Nekohara? Nope. Never. He would never like the ever talkative weather report woman. Plus, she reports weather, for god's sake! So… never! Ruka Akamei? Sexy, but again, not his type. The woman was a sensual actress, but he didn't see her as anything more than another one night stand… so again, nope.

Again, really… who would suit his high standards?!

Kurama reached for his cup of coffee – which was cold by now, for your information – with trembling hands, hoping it was not anyone he could barely stand.

Hmm… coffee always calms his nerves…

Anyway, she'd better be beautiful, smart, talented, presentable, stylish, sexy, cute as hell, mild mannered, polite, poised, elegant, and graceful as fuck, or he'll seriously freaking flip a table—

"It's Botan. Botan Fukuyama. Your best friend from your childhood, remember? She's—"

Kurama spat his coffee straight at his step father's face.