Disclaimer: YuYu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi

It has been resurrected… so I suppose it is possible for me to keep a promise. Yay!

Set during the Hiei vs. Yusuke fight of the Three Dark Treasures arc.

Still no fluff or romance. But it has Kurama. And Botan. And interacting. That qualifies it for Kurama/Botan, right?

Acquaintance

Hiei was a bastard. And although Botan did not know it, it was actually a fairly literal truth.

Someone was shuffling amongst the boxes at the back of the warehouse. As unprofessional as it was, Botan cursed. Judging from his slightly crazed bad-guy banter, there was no way Hiei should be this efficient. Demonifying Keiko, toying with Yuusuke, and then sending pawns to finish Botan off? He should have been too arrogant for that!

"Well, aren't we expressive today."

Odd, but that did not possess the drooling overtone of a zombie goon. In fact, it sounded familiar. "If that's a threat, I hope Keiko-demon bites you." Botan risked a quick glance away from Keiko to verify that it was indeed Kurama and that he was not brandishing some weapon over her head.

She did a double-take.

Kurama. Blood. And most important to register in this situation… "The sword!"

"Oh really?" The grimace of pain reflected as sarcasm in his words. "I hadn't noticed."

He eased the blade out of his stomach, his nose crinkling in a way that might have looked cute if it was not accompanied by the trail of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth. He quickly pressed a hand over the wound as it began bleeding freely again and coaxed it to stop with his energy. A very stupid plan, Botan thought, when he lacked his full energy already. The Youko Kurama, risking his life for someone he barely even knew? Unless he truly believed there was more profit to be had in betraying Hiei and joining Yuusuke, and—

"What were you thinking?" She ignored the Jagan's energy cutting into her hands, letting her anger fuel a second wind.

Kurama struggled in frustration with the blood-slicked sword and paused to search for a clean spot on his uniform to wipe it and his hands. "It would appear I've stolen Hiei's sword. What did you expect from a thief?" He successfully began unscrewing the hilt from the blade.

"And your best plan was to get run through?"

"Hiei would have anticipated it if I had used my energy and done something brilliant," he replied reasonably. The vial of antidote slipped free from its hollow. "Take a break now, I think you could use it."

Botan sat back with a sigh of relief and watched Kurama expertly pour a few drops of the solution into Keiko's mouth. "I don't know why you came back to help us, but I really am glad!" She laughed giddily, her cheerful demeanor returning now that the disaster was averted. "Thanks a bunch, Kurama! I though we were really done for sure."

He nodded in acknowledgement, standing up and recapping the vial. "The eye is closing. She'll be fine." He moved away to collapse against the wall, his own eyes shutting as well.

Botan crept back to the barrier of crates, peering between them for any glimpse of the battle. That was the sound of Yuusuke's spirit gun… surely he had won now. "I think it must be over now," she announced, then examined Kurama a bit more closely when he did not stir. "Please try not to die. I'd feel very bad for repaying you for saving us all with a trip to Spirit World."

"I'd hate to be a burden on your conscience," he replied wryly, one corner of his mouth quirking upward. "Still, Hiei missed all the vital points. It's merely that the adrenaline has now worn off."

She poked his shoulder a final time. "Oh good. Well, just lie there until you perk up a bit more, I guess."

Botan turned and went to the schoolgirl on the floor. Kurama was right, she had recovered fairly well. The eye had shut now, and her face was regaining its normal color.

She glanced back at Kurama, who looked equally as peaceful, if not more bloody. Thoughtfully, she added, "We really have to stop meeting like this."

"Says the grim reaper," he replied easily.

He hardly resembled the fox of legend. Kurama's face was too soft, and his eyes were not nearly as cold, even if they were still unreadable. It might have been the human body he wore, but even his words and actions were less cruel. Almost adorable, she thought. If he simply never opened that smart mouth of his again…

At least this helped his case, if he truly meant to reform.

"Hiei's aura has dimmed tremendously. Your triumphant hero should be returning soon, assuming he hasn't passed out again."

"He does tend to wear himself out," Botan agreed. "But you're the one whose life he saved. I'd say he's your heroic knight." She winked innocently.

And if Kurama behaved, she might just thank Yuusuke personally.

…
to be continued
…

-Windswift