"Talking"

Thoughts

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho!

Botan sighed as she bit her bottom lip anxiously waiting what was to come. She was told that Koenma, her boss, wanted to discuss some serious business with her. That only meant one thing- she was going to get fired. She couldn't blame him either. Everything was just falling through the cracks and her work-load didn't seem to help at all. It just widened the gaps allowing the rest of her life to fall down with it. It would start with her job, then her car, then her apartment, and life as she knows it. All right so maybe she was over exaggerating now, but can you blame the girl?

"You can come in now, Botan." Koenma's voice brought Botan out of her thoughts, and back into the real world, where she had to accept her dismissal. There are plenty of other jobs, right? She looked at Koenma sitting in his leather chair, sporting the new navy blue suit that she had helped pick out for him. It was still surprising to see her best friend, one of the biggest jokers around become one of the most prestigious men in the country. The only time he's not joking around is at work, and she certainly didn't want to be his downfall by continuing to do as badly as she did.

"Koenma, I just want to say that I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused. I understand if you want to fire me." Botan looked down at the floor, her bangs covering the pain in her eyes.

Silence filled the room as the blue haired girl waited for her boss to answer her. Ten seconds later she heard something that sounded like… a stifled laugh? "Koenma, are you laughing at me! This isn't funny!"

Koenma's laughter continued to fill the room. "I'm sorry it's just, I wasn't going to fire you Botan. In fact I was going to give you a promotion…"

Her amethyst eyes widened. "P-promotion!"

"But, since you think you deserve to be fired, I guess I could give the promotion to Ayame." Koenma's face was stern, but the taunting manner of his voice gave it all away. He shouldn't be taunting her as her boss, but as her best friend it had to be done. She was just way too hard on herself sometimes.

Botan still couldn't believe it. She was getting promoted? She fought the urge to hug him and pressed on. "Not that I'm complaining, but, why?"

"What do you mean why? You deserve it. Botan, you're one of the most efficient people I know. Jagashi'll be one of the luckiest CEO's in all of Japan, having you as an assistant and all…" Koenma continued to ramble.

Relief seeped through her features as she realized the worst was over. Finally, Botan could breathe easily. She let out the breath she didn't even realize she was holding. I'm going to be promoted, and now I am Mr. Jaganshi's personal assistant. "Wait a minute; I'm going to be Hiei Jaganshi's personal assistant? I'm the assistant of the man who owns everything that's anything in this business!"

Koenma nodded, but before he could say anything else Botan hugged tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She would've jumped up and down, but she was currently gripping Koenma fiercely as if life depended on it.

"Maybe you shouldn't be thanking me yet. You see, Hiei is currently looking for an assistant. Hiei and I go way back, so with my recommendation and your résumé you're a shoe in." Botan's once happy disposition was replaced by apprehension.

"Trust me Botan, he'd only be asking for bankruptcy and liquidation if he didn't hire you. I'm your boss and your best friend; I wouldn't put you in a situation I knew you couldn't handle." Koenma stood up from his chair and began to walk towards the door.

Botan nodded, he was right after all. "So when's the interview?" She followed him and he led her out of his office. Koenma looked down at his watch and smiled sheepishly. "It's in one hour." Before Botan could protest he began to walk away. "I've got to go now, big meeting, you know how it is. Hinageshi's got everything you need and there's a cab waiting out front for you."

"Hinageshi's got everything you need and there's a cab waiting out front for you." Botan mocked as she rolled here eyes. He said everything like it was so easy to accept. That really frustrated her sometimes.

"Hey, Hina over here!" Botan called to the frantic girl across the hall. Her face brightened as she ran up to Botan. "There you are. Here are all the things you'll need for your interview." Hinageshi handed Botan a manila folder with various sheets inside. "Don't look so frustrated Botan-chan; I know you'll do fine. Just use some of your charm on that Jaganshi guy and he won't know what hit him! You know bat your eye-lashes a few times and pout your lips! You'll definitely get the job then." Hinageshi smiled devilishly.

"Hinageshi for all we know he could be some old, ugly, pervert!" Botan blushed.

"Nuh-uh! I've seen him when I was doing some work with Koenma! He's not old or ugly; in fact he's a real looker! I can't guarantee he's not a pervert, but two out of three's not bad! I'm surprised some bimbo didn't marry him for his money yet." Hinageshi shrugged her shoulders.

Botan stifled a laugh. She shouldn't be partaking in gossip about her soon-to-be boss, leave that until you've been employed.

"Call me later so I can hear how everything worked out!" With that said Hinageshi ran off as Botan shook her head.

Koenma had that poor girl working too much lately. She was just an intern, and already she had become a workaholic. Botan would have to talk to Koenma about that later, after she had that interview… speaking of which she was probably running late for.

Pagebreak

Botan was now in an elevator waiting to reach the top floor. That was where Hiei's office was, and that was where the interviews were being held. She sighed. "I hope I'm not too late…"

"…Too late for what?" A polished voice asked.

Botan looked to her left to see a man around her age with emerald eyes, and red hair that went far past his shoulders. He had this debonair sort of feel to him, and looked as though he had knowledge far beyond his years.

Wow, he looks like one of those princes from fairy tales. Botan mentally shook herself out of her reverie and regained her composure after seeing the questioning stare the man was currently giving her. "I'm here for an interview with Hiei Jaganshi."

"Ah, so you're one of the interviewees. I'm Shuichi Minamano, but everyone calls me Kurama." He extended his hand, and Botan shook it.

"Botan." It looked as if Kurama wanted to say more, so she answered for him. "It's just Botan; I've kept it like that for a while."

"I see." Kurama could tell she didn't want to talk about it anymore so he quickly changed the subject. "Not to be discouraging, but you do realize almost three hundred applicants applied for the position? There's a small chance that you will even get the job."

"Well, that may be true but I'll try my hardest on the interview. I've been Koenma Daioh's secretary for the past few years, but I don't think I'll say that on the interview. I mean I want to get the job because of my own abilities, and not my acquaintances."

"Ah, that must mean you've got excellent credentials." Kurama held the elevator for a woman after letting Botan out. Then he too stepped off.

Botan blushed, being the modest person that she was. "I worked hard to be where I'm at now." Despite what other people may think.

Kurama smiled. "I see." They walked down many halls and passed even more cubicles.

"Plus if that doesn't work I can always use my charm on him." Botan winked with a touch of mischief in her eyes. When Kurama's response was a questioning look Botan answer hurriedly, "I'm just kidding, it was a joke! I could never do that!" She watched as Kurama neared two large mahogany doors. He stopped in front of them and looked back at Botan.

"Sure it was." Kurama's eyes held the same mischief that Botan's had.

She looked at Kurama and threw him a harmless glare. It was then that her eyes shifted to a sign on the door which read Hiei Jaganshi. "So I take it this is Mr. Jaganshi's office?"

"Yes, but it seems his meeting is running late. Which means your interview won't be for another ten minutes at most."

"Hey Kurama, who's the hottie?" A voice called out from behind them. Botan turned around to be greeted with a pair of brown eyes. His hair was gelled back and he was wearing dress pants and a white shirt. He didn't look like the business type, in fact he looked as though he'd rather being wearing a pair of jeans and white t-shirt instead.

"Yeah, I bet my sister would get real angry if she knew you were putting the moves on another woman- OW! Hey sis, do you have to embarrass me in work!" The man rubbed his head where his sister hit him. He was taller than Kurama, had orange hair, and small charcoal eyes.

"Trust me bro, you're doing a great job embarrassing yourself without me around." A woman answered looking perturbed. She was tall and lean, with light brown hair that went a few inches past her shoulders. "You did have that one coming, Kuwabara." Kurama told him having lost some of his composure upon hearing Kuwabara's statement.

Botan was just standing there not able to believe that a group of such colorful characters could actually be working here. She'd never expect a young group that consisted of playful banter to be working right under Hiei Jaganshi. If this was his team, she wondered how he would be.

Shizuru smiled. "Hey, forgive these two idiots. I'm Shizuru, the carrot tops- I mean, Kazuma's older sister. The other one's Yusuke."

"Hey, I'm Botan." Botan answered walking towards them. After thirty minutes of non-stop talking they found out Botan fit in quite well with their little group.

Botan learned that Yusuke was somewhat rough around the edges, blunt, and sarcastic, however he did mean well. Kuwabara was loud-mouthed at times and a bit slow on the uptake, but he had a heart of gold and a soft spot for cats. Shizuru was his older sister, who deeply cared for him despite her condescending manner. She was always calm and collected, except when the subject of Kurama came up. That was something she'd have to ask Shizuru about in private. Shizuru was Kurama's assistant, and Kurama was Hiei's partner. Yusuke and Kuwabara were partners that worked under both Hiei and Kurama. Their jobs consisted of persuading potential business partners. Shizuru often aided them with flow charts, bar graphs, pie-charts, company rates, and anything else they might need.

"I wonder how much longer the meeting will be. I'm starting to get nervous." Botan admitted while fidgeting with the papers inside the folder nervously.

"I'll go check," Kurama stated while opening then closing the mahogany doors behind him.

"Hey don't sweat it, Botan! Just flirt with the guy for a few minutes, and show him a few of your assets, if you know what I- HEY!" Yusuke patted his head where Shizuru had hit him while mumbling something about women and their violent tendencies.

"That helps, Yusuke." Botan rolled her eyes. Hinageshi told her the same thing. It was almost uncanny how alike those two were, except Hinageshi wasn't a pervert.

Kuwabara looked down at the distressed girl. "Aw, Botan take it easy. I mean so what if there are a million other girls who might be just as good as or even better than you are. That still doesn't mean you don't have a chance…even if it is a really, really, really small one."

Botan looked at Kuwabara and could see he was really trying. "Thanks Kuwabara."

"What my idiotic brother was trying to say, was that you've got way more experience than any other girl that will come barging through his door. So hold your head up high and show that tycoon why he needs you as his assistant." Shizuru put her hands on Botan's shoulders. "Okay?"

Botan nodded. "Right."

Just then Kurama opened the doors, and allowed Botan to enter. She waved goodbye as she entered the door upon hearing their cheering.

The office was huge, with all sorts of trinkets from all over the world. Polished cabinets lay against the walls, and pictures of beautiful landscapes were posted along with numerous awards and certificates. Everything looked so refined, and distinguished. She couldn't expect anything less from the notorious Hiei Jaganshi.

"Hiei should be out any moment now, ah. Here he comes." Kurama remarked and as if on cue, Hiei walked through a door in the back of the office.

Hina was right. Botan gazed at the man who just walked in. Hiei was a bit taller than her, but just a few inches shorter than Kurama. He had pitch black hair that made a point to disregard the rules of gravity, and his eyes were a deep crimson that seemed to pierce your soul.

"Hiei, here's the first applicant." Kurama nudged the anxious girl, and she walked forward. "Hello pleased to meet you, sir." Botan held her hand out, but he pointedly ignored it.

"Let's just get on with the interview." Hiei all but grabbed the manila folder in Botan's hands. To say the least, he was not having a good day. On top of that he had to interview a bunch of potential assistants, courtesy of Kurama of course.

Hiei sat down behind his desk uninterested, but at the same time eager to get the interview over with. "What's your name?"

"It's Botan, sir."

"Your full name?"

"I go by Botan. It's been like that for a while." Botan looked down.

"Just give me your damn last name already." Hiei was becoming agitated with this girl already.

"I'm afraid that's none of your business, Mr. Jaganshi." Botan kept her resolve. She was entitled to keeping her own secrets, and just because he might be her boss didn't mean her life was an open book.

Kurama decided it would be best for him to intervene now, "Listen, the interview is on her credentials, not her last name. Why don't you take a look?"

"Fine." Hiei grumbled. He didn't have all day to waste on her anyway. "These credentials are mediocre at best," Hiei remarked while flipping through her resume.

"Excuse me, but I think they are-"

"This interview isn't about what you think, it's about these." Hiei held up the folder. "And these, are average. I need someone that's capable of handling everything that comes with this job. Not some girl who knows how to type and file documents."

"I assure you, I'll be able to handle the pressure." Botan was trying to keep her anger in check. First impressions are a big deal after all. Plus, maybe he was just stressed and didn't mean a single word he said. Everybody has their off days, right?

"It says you've got Koenma's recommendations…" Hiei trailed off.

Botan brightened at the turn of events. Even though she didn't want him to know, he did seem the least bit interested. Maybe he was impressed, and the interview would get better from here on out. "Yes. I've worked under him for quite a while now, and I-"

"-I don't want that bastard's leftovers. This interview is over."

Leftovers? The word felt like a blow to her very core. She wasn't Koenma's leftovers! Her fists were clenched in attempt to keep her anger in check. Botan knew she shouldn't say anything but that asshole was pushing it. "I've tried to be patient with you, Mr. Jaganshi, but this is ridiculous! You're the most arrogant person I've ever met!" Botan continued to let out all of her frustrations, "Just because you're the owner of this business doesn't mean you have the right to treat people like dirt. Money and power does not give a person license to belittle others, and I would never want to work for a bastard like you anyway!"

Kurama stood there shocked. Never had anyone spoken like that to Hiei, unless they wanted their death or something. Either this girl was incredibly foolish or remarkably brave. Kurama would like to think it she was the latter. He then saw Hiei's expression, and felt an odd sense of relief for Botan. So that's what he was doing.

Hiei smirked. So she did have some back-bone in her. "You're hired."

"I'm what!" Botan's eyes widened, and her mouth remained ajar. "B-but I just…and you… what?" Botan continued to stammer. Kurama smiled knowingly. He knew Hiei could be brash at times, but he realized it was all some kind of tactic to choose a secretary.

"Do you have a hearing impediment? I said you're hired." Hiei watched the incredulous girl and figured he should elaborate. "I don't want an assistant who takes everything for what it is, and can't think for themselves. If that was the case, they wouldn't be any help at all, and having an aide would be pointless." His ruby eyes lingered on her figure before he turned to Kurama, the smirk not leaving his face. "You can call off all the other candidates now."

Kurama cast a glance in Hiei's direction. "Don't tell me you only choose her so you wouldn't have to go through all the other interviewees."

Botan too stared at Hiei incredulously. That jerk! Who did he think he was? He can't just pick and chose people to fit his own needs. Ok, granted that was the point of an interview, but this was just outrageous. Hiei just stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked into the room behind his office indifferently without giving the two any time to react.

"What a guy…" Botan trailed off as she rolled her eyes. Kurama let out a small chuckle. "He'll grow on you, don't worry about it." She hoped he was right. All these years she had her best-friend as her boss, and now she had some cruel tyrant. It was definitely a change.

She was broken out of her thoughts when she heard beeping. Botan watched as Kurama pulled a little blue… thing, out of his pocket. What is that! Could it be some kind of ancient beeper, maybe? Botan stifled a giggle at the thought. A high-tech industrialist couldn't even manage a cellular phone like the rest of the world?

That was when she heard a voice talking out of the 'ancient beeper.' Curiosity got the best of the girl as she moved to Kurama's side so she could get a better view. There was a screen and she saw Yusuke telling Kurama about how grumpy the applicants were getting. After shutting it Kurama gave her a hurried smile, "I've got to go settle a few things. Congratulations." And with that he left.

Botan decided it would be best for her to leave, instead of standing around Hiei's office like a lost child until he came back out. "Onna."

"It's Botan."

"Hn. I don't seem to remember if I cared."

Botan rolled her eyes. "Is there anything you'd like me to do today? Or am I just supposed to stand around without any instructions?"

"If you read the application form then you would've known," Hiei began as he moved closer to her, "…that you don't start working here until tomorrow."

"Oh." Was all Botan could manage to say. He was a bit too close for her comfort. It did not help that he was good-looking either.

Hiei took note of this and resisted the urge to smirk. Women get flustered too easily. He merely pushed an object in her hand and would've walked away if it weren't for Botan's curiosity.

"What exactly is this thing?" She carefully examined the object, then opened it the same way Kurama previously did. Botan tapped random buttons hesitantly a few times, and Kuwabara's face popped up. "Kuwabara!" Botan chimed, happy that she got it to work. "Huh-…hey Botan! Kurama told us you got the job. Now you're gonna have to work under shorty, although I don't know what there is to be happy about." Kuwabara muttered the last part.

"Oaf, I suggest you shut up before I send you to oblivion," Hiei said curtly while closing the device and closing the connection. Botan was surprised this was how they acted during work. Threatening employees screams law-suit, and Hiei didn't seem to care. "This thing," Hiei emphasized the word distastefully, "is a communication device. I don't particularly like it, but Kurama said it would be best if we all had some way to communicate with each other."

They both began to walk towards the mahogany doors, Hiei opened it for her and she walked through. "This is cool! It's way better than cell phones, and ancient beepers!" Botan exclaimed already falling in love with it.

Ancient beepers? Damn this onna's odd. "This doesn't mean you're licensed to call me whenever you want. In fact I'd prefer if you didn't call at all." Botan's happiness decreased only slightly.

"Why do you have to be so defensive all the time?"

"It's called professionalism; this is work, not some party." His eyes shifted towards his employees, then back to Botan.

"But, it's okay to have some fun, even if it's a little. I mean, you guys seem closer than just acquaintances."

"Hardly. They're just my employees, nothing more." Hiei snorted as he walked up to Yusuke and Kuwabara's cubicles. Shizuru was there too, talking with Kurama. She had all her things with her, and appeared to be waiting for Kuwabara.

Botan just stood there and stared at them all. She watched as they all interacted with each other and smiled. They were all like a family, one that she was proud to be a part of.

Mwuaha finished the first chapter, finally! How'd you like it! I have BIIIIG plans for this fic. Tell me whatchya thought in a review, and Hiei will love you foreverrrr! Haha, okay so maybe he won't, but I will. )