Akihiro smirked as he took another sip from his drink. He was watching the entrance patiently, waiting for Kurama to arrive. So far so good. Fifteen minutes had past since the dance supposedly started, yet guests were still coming. He wasn't moving until he was satisfied that Kurama wouldn't show.
"You look very cute tonight, Akihiro," Kadiri said kindly, trying to start a conversation. He had been ignoring her the entire night.
"So I've been told." She waited for him to return the compliment, but he never did. With a heavy sigh, she turned her attention to the people dancing. She wanted to dance, too! She wanted somebody to tell her how pretty she looked, in her flowing black dress and high-heeled shoes.....wanted somebody to stoke her soft, long hair, which she left down just for the occasion. If only...
Akihiro stood up. For a second, she thought he was going to ask her if she wanted to dance, (oh! That would be nice, Akihiro! Yeah, let's dance!) but then he walked off, leaving her alone at the table.
"If Suichi doesn't show up show up soon, I'll make an announcement," he sneered to one of his friends, "I'll tell them how the great Suichi Minnamino couldn't-"
Kurama strode through the door. He was the most attractive male in the room. And he was alone.
"So, Suichi decided to show up after all," Akihiro shouted, staring at Kurama with amusement. Everyone stopped talking and listened. "But how sad! It seems that he wasn't able to find a date." He laughed wickedly.
Kurama just smiled. Botan stepped out and joined him at his side.
Her beauty lit up the room. She was marvelous; no living creature could ever be compared to her. Akihiro's heart sank. Kurama had won by far.
"Allow me to introduce you to Botan," Kurama announced, taking Botan's hand.
"Hi Botan! My name is Kadiri!"
"Hello Kadiri! Kurama's told me a lot about you..."
"Oh, he has? Nothing bad I hope-" Akihiro pulled her away before she could say another word.
"Don't you dare talk to her," he hissed, "after we lost so badly..."
By this time, people were surrounding Kurama and Botan; introducing, complimenting, and congratulating. After several minutes, the crowd slowly dispersed to the dance floor. Kurama looked at Botan.
"Shall we dance?"
"Sure thing!"
Jet's "Are you Gonna Be My Girl"; Usher's "Let It Burn"; Hoobastank's "The Reason". They danced to them all, having a blast. Botan discovered Kurama could dance as well as he fought, which surprised her. Kurama was equally surprised and impressed by Botan's moves. They sat down at a table while "Super Goddess" was playing in the background.
"This is so much fun!" Botan exclaimed, watching Kurama take off his coat, "It's one of the greatest nights of my life!"
"And it's not over yet," Kurama added. As they continued their conversation, an argument broke out on the other side of the room.
"No, don't want to dance with you!" Akihiro spat, responding to Kadiri's question.
"I...just thought that, since you invited me here-"
"You?! Of all people, why would I want to dance with you? Don't you get it, Kadiri?" he snarled, "You're not good enough for me. You failed. I can't believe I actually invited your ugly, sorry self to even be seen with me! Now get out of here, you stupid bitch!"
Kadiri bent her head in shame, tears flooding in her eyes. She fled to the darkest corner of the room, hurt, dejected, and utterly alone.
Kurama was standing up, preparing to for the next dance, when he heard a knock at the window.
"Hiei?"
"Let me in. Now." He unlocked the seal, letting the jaganshi crawl into the room. "What are you doing here? I mean, I'm glad to see you, but I didn't expect you to..."
Hiei wasn't listening. He seemed upset; angry. The bandana covering his jagan was loosely tied, as if in a hurry. He glanced around the room, spotted something, then disappeared.
He reappeared in front of Akhiro.
"Out of my way, you little troll," Akihiro snapped.
POW
Akihiro went sailing across the room, landing on top of a table and breaking it. All eyes were on him. After deciding that one punch was enough, Hiei walked briskly over to a dark corner. Gently, he grasped Kadiri's hand. She wiped her tears away, astonished.
"Kadiri..." he said delicately, "are you alright?"
She nodded.
"Has anybody told you how magnificent you look?"
She shook her head.
"Well, I will. I think you are completely beautiful." He ran his fingers through her hair, brushing loose strands away from her face. "Do you want to dance?"
"It's as if you read my mind!" she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. He actually smiled, which, for him, was very rare.
Kurama and Botan were shocked.
"....that was a little out of character," Botan remarked.
"I believe so," Kurama agreed. They laughed as they walked to the dance floor.
A slow guitar solo.
It's late in the evening
She's wondering what clothes to wear.
"Oh! I love this song!" Botan said. He enclosed his arms around her waist; she rested her head against his shoulder.
She puts on her make-up
And brushes her long blond hair
And then she asks me, "Do I look alright?"
And I say "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."
They swayed back and forth, in each other's arms.....listening.
We go to a party
Everyone turns to see
This beautiful lady
That's walkin around with me
And then she asks me, "Do you feel alright?"
And I say "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight"
Kurama closed his eyes. The song fit so well with what he was going through right now.
I feel wonderful, because I see the love light in your eyes
And the wonder, of it all to me
Is that you just don't realize
How much I love you...
Out of all the songs that they danced to, this one stayed with Kurama. After it was over, they still danced on. "Killing Me Softly"; "Runaway" by Del Shannon; Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl." They were oblivious to everything but the music and the presence of one another.
It was getting late. Couples began to leave, the music seemed to fade away. Nobody noticed or cared that Akihiro was still unconscious. Hiei and Kadiri walked past his still body on their way out.
"Hiei, you saved me," Kadiri told him, smiling her best smile, "I've had such a great time, all thank to you! I don't know what I'd do if you hadn't been here."
"Allow me to walk you home?" he asked politely.
"Would you really? That would be great!" He followed her out the door. Kurama shook his head in amazement.
"I think it's time we leave, too," Botan said. Kurama sighed with relief.
"That's fine with me. I was starting to form a headache..."
By the time they reached the limo, Kurama's headache turned into a mind-numbing migraine. He winced in pain as George loudly greeted them.
"Take us to Kurama's house, George. Pronto!" Botan said in a hushed voice.
"Okiey-dokey!"
groan
"Not so loud, please!"
"Oh....right." It hurt so badly, he could barely think, let alone speak.
He was more than grateful when they reached his front door.
"Thanks, George!" Botan whispered. Kurama leaned on her arm for support, fumbling for the keys in his pocket.
The house was dark and quiet. He had forgotten that his mother left for a business meeting earlier that morning, and wouldn't be back until tomorrow.
Walking up the stairs was a blur to him. He pointed to his room.
As she searched for aspirin, he took off his shoes and socks.
When she came back into the room, he was sprawled out on his bed. She helped him sit up.
She slid off his coat
And unbuttoned his shirt.
He began taking off his pants, revealing black his boxers; watching her turn her head in modesty.
She pulled back the covers, helping him crawl into the sheets.
"How many aspirins do you want?" He took the whole bottle.
Her cool hands felt good against his forehead. She used some of her magic to help soothe the pain.
He closed his eyes. Chest falling, up and down. She leaned over him and kissed his cheek, then lightly brushed her lips against his. As she was walking to the door, he called to her in a voice hardly above a whisper."
"Botan...."
"Yes, darling?"
"....you were wonderful tonight...."
