Author's note: thank you for the reviews!! here's a new one enjoy. Thanks to Kurmarulez for being a patient beta
Chapter 7 The Ugly Truth
Yusuke's POV
I've been alone in my house for a week. I miss Botan's presence. I don't like coming home early knowing that she won't be there waiting for me. I still do walk her home and spend as much time as I can with her, knowing that she will be gone soon. I know the other boys are taking the time to take her out when they get a chance because that will help them win her.
Kurama's POV
I'm glad that Botan is staying with Master Genkai again; I keep for appearance's sake I pretend that I am there to teach her how to take care of plants and herbal medicines. It's even better that I can flirt with her shamelessly and I like that she returns the favor. I like the innocence that she still doesn't know I'm trying to win her heart, and I feel like I'm a much better man than I ever was before, for her sake and my family's. My family loves and adores her so much. I know that the others are doing the same thing I am. We are all trying to keep her near, wanting her so badly, and needing that attention so much that it hurts to see the others make their way into her life. Even Master Genkai, Yukina and Shizuru notice that we shower Botan with more attention than them. I will win her. I left a few hints that I like her that she just needs to pick up and put together. Yet it seems like she thinks that I'm playing with her. I ask if I have to spell it out for her, so I do, and tell her, "I've fallen for you."
She smiles and says "Thank you!" and gives me a warm hug then a kiss upon my cheek.
I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. The feeling just soars through me and it feels like I have a chance to win her.
Hiei's POV
They are too obvious in showing their affection towards the deity of death. Okay, I'm being sarcastic about all of this, I know I'm here to have some alone time with her and I know she will give time for anyone who wants to spend time with her. She is so nice and yet oblivious to her surroundings. I can't help but love and want her as badly as Yusuke and Kurama do. But she mostly won't show her feelings. I even try to use my power to know what's on her mind but I'm too afraid to find out what she hides behind those lovely lavender eyes. Those small smiles keep haunting me, and I know everyone thinks I hate her bubbly personality but I don't. I know I have called her names yet it's merely a façade, and I know she is scared of me. But this makes me more determined to win her. I know she cares for Yusuke, and I still don't know how to react to that. This situation is giving us all a perspective of what we can be; she makes me want to be a better man for my own sake, my sister Yukina's and even my friends'. Life is changing and I am changing with the tide.
Botan's POV
It's been a week since I got back and today is Saturday Yukina, Shizuru, and I will go to the mall and watch a movie. The funny thing is we're going to watch an American film called "The Ugly Truth." I wonder what it's all about.
I feel like I'm neglecting the girls so I insist on paying for the meal and movie.
Yukina pipes up, "What did you do?"
I turn to look at her with a smile and answer her with a question, "Do I have to do something wrong to treat you both?"
"No, but it seems you're guilty of something," adds Shizuru.
"I don't understand," I say and my voice hitches when I say it. 'How can she know,' my thoughts are interrupted by giggles from the girls and I look at them quizzically.
"Having fun learning with my brother?" Yukina asks, and I can see a gleam of mischief in her eyes.
"I am. I never thought he would be so gentle and really caring and I always thought that he hates me. I'm glad that he and I are getting along," I reply soberly.
"Someone is in love," Shizuru teases.
"Who's in love?" I asked.
They both smile at me with a twinkle in their eyes. I back my chair away a little when their faces come near me.
They just laugh at my reaction.
"You are so funny," Yukina says and adds, "You will also laugh if you see what we're looking at."
Yusuke's POV
As I walk home from work, there's a dull ache of longing that I feel since Botan went back to live with Master Genkai. I open the door expecting her to greet me.
I forget she is no longer staying here. No hugs, no kisses and no more warm meals greeting me. I have not changed the bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets or any other things she used. On a day like today I sleep in the bed she used. I can smell the faint scent of her on the pillow.
'I miss her,' is my last thought before darkness claims me.
Morning can't come so early, I can hear rustling in the kitchen; I know Mom is trying hard to prepare breakfast since she came back, yet she is no Botan.
I just keep repeating to myself that I will spend time with her alone even she asks me to sing a thousand songs and I will do it. I get up, this sunny Sunday, take a bath and change.
As I come near the kitchen Mom is humming and turns to me, "Sit Yusuke, eat some breakfast." I nod and take my seat; she continues humming while I eat.
She stops humming, sits across me and tries her best to talk to me.
I know it's rude not to listen yet my mind is somewhere else.
I heard hear sigh annoyingly, and a harsh whisper comes from her lips, "You know you should at least pretend you're happy to see me or pretend that this conversation is interesting," she says.
"Mom, I'm sorry! I don't mean to blank out on you, I'm just tired that's all."
I know she knows; I'm lying yet she lets it pass, or so I thought.
"Yusuke, if you want Botan then man up!" she leaves without me giving her a response.
Atsuko's POV
I've been back for a week and Yusuke seems lonelier than before. He spent a week with Botan alone at home and a week without her; I feel like I am a replacement that he doesn't want. He spends time studying with her after school with Kazuma, and then he hurries himself to work. I want him to quit that job yet I know he'll hate me for that. I even try to prepare meals that he loves yet he seems more like a child being chided that he has to eat his vegetables. I try to talk to him cheerfully yet he is not listening. I give up, stand up and say, "If you want Botan, then man up!" and I walk away. 'What kind of a mother leaves his son just like that, oh! Yeah that would be me.'
I wish my son will have the courage to tell her. I know Kurama and Hiei are close to confessing their feelings for her. I know for a fact that Kurama already has said his piece, and Botan simply was confused and didn't know what to do. I will not tell Yusuke about this information.
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Two weeks later…..
Friday night the gang goes a nice Mediterranean Restaurant that Hiei found that caters to all their spicy needs for food. Botan is sandwiched between Hiei and Kurama. There's a song playing and Kurama asks Botan quietly, "Can we talk?"
She nods her head and they excuse themselves and walk out to the patio hand in hand. This is not gone unnoticed by the group especially Yukina who is fuming inside and purposely excuses herself to go somewhere. Although both Hiei and Yusuke know, only Hiei goes after his twin sister.
"What did you want to talk about?" Botan asks Kurama.
He takes her hands and simply places them by his heart, "Can you feel my heart beat?"
She nods her head and says, "What about it?"
"Botan, I like you a lot, I even told you I have fallen in love with you, and all you can say is thank you, why?"
"Kurama, don't take it the wrong way, I'm more than flattered, but you see, someone is hurting. You're blind if you do not notice how she looks at you, and I feel guilty taking you away from her, she's been in love with you. I don't want to be the cause of her heart break, if you ask me if I love you, I do as a friend, I don't know much about love, but I do know one thing. I will give up my life for my friends if I have to."
"Botan, what are you saying? You can't be with me because someone is in love with me?" he stares at her waiting for her response, and when none comes, he continues, "I love you Botan is that so hard to see? Does your heart beat for someone else?"
"I don't know, I really don't know. All I know is that I can't live my life without all of you," She hugs him and whispers, "Kurama please understand, don't put me in a situation that I don't know about and make me feel guilty even if there's nothing to be guilty about."
"Okay, but tell me one thing, do I have a chance of winning your heart?"
"When I know how to love like what you're showing me, I'll tell you my answer."
They share a smile and walk back to their table.
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