The day of Shizuru and Sakyou's wedding finally arrived.

The ceremony in the shrine was exclusively attended by Team Urameshi, Koenma himself in attendance. Along with a very select few business partners from Sakyou's side.

Kurama can't help but stare at Botan, although her back was turned to him since she was among those seated in the front row which was mostly female.

"You might want to ease up on the intense staring, fox. You're in a place of worship. Behave." Hiei muttered under his breath.

"I'm not staring." Kurama protested.

Yusuke snickered. "Sure."

The ceremony ended and the next item on the schedule was the reception dinner later that night.

Kurama tried to get Botan's attention afterwards, however she was in deep conversation with Koenma. She was nodding earnestly at something the Reikai prince was saying, periodically punching something in her mobile phone.

Koenma nodded politely at Kurama, Hiei and Yusuke as the pair made their way into the chauffered car that would take them back to the hotel.

Yusuke clapped Kurama's shoulder consolingly before they were joined by Keiko and Yukina.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Botan sat in front of the huge mirror of her hotel suite's bathroom, paying careful attention to the curling iron she was using to style the ends of her blue hair.

Her heart won't stop hammering in her chest since she laid eyes on Kurama again that afternoon.

The last time she saw him was...

When you lost your virginity to him after a night of debauchery. Her inner voice said.

Botan sighed, looking at her reflection in the large mirror.

She may have been drunk that night, but she remembers everything.

Everything.

From downing one too many shots at the bar, fuelled by stress at their jobs to dancing wildly to Lady Gaga songs with Keiko and the girls. Then, dragging Kurama on the dance floor - who had a little bit too much to drink himself.

Then, the first of many kisses from Kurama.

The making out on the couch, the ride home to Kurama's apartment. Kurama hastily punching in the security code.

Kurama's bed. The pain. The waves of pleasure that came a few moments later. Then, in the throes of passion, Botan said "I love you.".

No reciprocation from Kurama as they collapsed in a drunken haze and eventually drifted off to sleep.

Botan woke up a few hours afterwards to find Kurama sleeping with his back to her. Feeling miserable, she gathered her clothes that were strewn about and got dressed. Instead of doing a walk of shame, she had summoned her oar and flew to Reikai where she constantly buried herself in work for the next year until she got a promotion and buried herself in more work in an attempt to forget about what happened.

She never received any sort of communication from Kurama since that night. The rare times that he'd set foot in Reikai, Botan always found an excuse to go to Ningenkai.

The only person she confided in was Shizuru, who gladly went out drinking with her when she felt lonely and had time off.

"Well, that was then. This is now." Botan said to her reflection as she removed the hotel-issued robe from her shoulders.

Maybe I wouldn't even bump into him at all tonight. She thought as she got into the dress she'd be wearing for the reception.

Maybe there would be more guests at the reception. Botan rationalized.

Deciding to keep the rest of her face bare, she swiped on Mac Ruby Woo on her lips and slid on her favorite pair of black Christian Louboutin shoes.

"With the right red lipstick, any woman can conquer the world." she said to her reflection.

She sprayed on her signature scent and grabbed the minaudiere she'd be carrying, making sure that her hotel room keycard is in it.

She left her room, thankfully the hallway is empty and made her way to the elevator.

Upon reaching the ground floor, she went to the ballroom where the reception would be held.

The double doors were opened for her and a few more guests were milling about. She quickly scanned the crowd, and didn't find anyone she knew. Shrugging, Botan went straight to the bar.

"Martini, please." she said as she perched on the stool and crossed her legs. Her calves peeking through the long slit in the black gown.

The bartender slid the glass over to her, Botan took out a bill from her minaudiere when the bartender said that it's an open bar for the reception.

Botan smiled at him. "Sounds good." she said as she took out her phone again. Might as well catch up on her work email in case there are updates while waiting for Keiko and the others.

Since she was clad in a high-necked halter backless gown, and her attention was mostly on her phone - Botan was unaware of how many men wanted to approach her.

"Botan! There you are!" Keiko said from behind her.

At the mention of her name, Botan turned around in her stool and came face to face with Kurama.

Immediately plastering on a smile, "Well, I was a bit early. I decided to catch up on my emails while waiting for you guys." Botan said brightly.

"You're such a workaholic, Botan." Yukina said as she giggled.

"Yeah, sorry. Promise, that's the last for tonight." Botan said as she slid off the stool, immediately turning her attention to the adorable ice maiden.

"Selfie!" Yukina said as she brandished her phone out. Keiko and Botan huddled closer for the shot.

"Let's go find our table." Keiko suggested.

Kurama took a deep breath and told himself to keep it cool. He had mixed emotions after seeing that sexy back seated on the bar stool and holding her martini glass elegantly. He wanted to throw his coat to cover her up and simply have her all to himself.

Easy there, stud. Youko Kurama's voice said inside of him, his eyes also following Botan's every move - from the uncrossing of her legs with feet encased in stilettos, her sliding off the bar stool and how distracting her dress was. Up front, it was very prim, but when she turns around - it was dangerously sexy. And he hasn't even started on the high slit at the side.

As the group was shown to their table by one of the wedding coordinators, a lot of women were gawking at Kurama. He is, after all, among Tokyo's most eligible bachelors especially with him becoming CEO at a young age.

Kurama ignored the whispers and the breathless comments. He is not interested in anyone else but the blue-haired deity who kept on flitting away from him.

He had been trying to chase her for eight years now. After that night when they ended up sleeping with each other, Kurama woke up the next morning with a throbbing headache and an empty space next to him in bed, long gone cold. He wanted to apologize about not responding to Botan saying that she loves him.

Kurama even went as far as going to Reikai to see Botan. Only to be told by Koenma that due to a war that broke out in some country, Botan had to pull off double shifts along with all the other ferry girls to make sure that no soul is left behind.

Kurama remembered what Koenma asked him on his fifth visit.

"Is there a message you'd like me to relay to her?" the Reikai prince asked.

"Please tell her that I love her too." he blurted out.

Koenma smiled at him sympathetically.

"Best tell her that in person, Kurama."

Snapping his attention back to the present, they have arrived at their designated table.

Kurama looked at the placecards.

Thank you, Shizuru.

His name and Botan's were placed side-by-side.

The others were already getting settled in their seats. Botan let out a small "Oh" when she found out where she will be sitting.

Ever the gentleman, Kurama pulled out Botan's chair for her.

Shizuru has a lot of explaining to do. Botan thought.

"Thanks." she said looking at Kurama's direction.

Kurama reached for her hand on top of the table, in everyone's view.

Botan tried to quickly pull away, but he held on tight and fast.

"We need to talk, Botan." he said in a hushed voice.

"Can't this wait until after the reception? We're here for Shizuru." Botan said matter-of-factly and was finally able to pull her hand off from his.

TBC...