AN: Another chapter. Another flashback chapter for some character development. I realize I need more of these. Don't forget to vote in the poll! It'll really help me out.

Disclaimer: Nope, not me. No, no, no. No own.

-Flashback-

Ch 9 Of secrets and apologies

It was P.E. class and Botan was the first to arrive in her gym class. No surprise. This subject seemed to be everyone's least favourite. She can understand but even so. She was almost completely changed when Keiko and Yukina came in laughing. When they spotted her they became completely quiet. When Keiko passed she turned her head, Yukina gave her a sad smile mouthing a sorry and handed her a note. She opened it up and it read. 'I'm incredibly sorry for today. Can you meet me on the rooftop after school? -Yukina.

Botan smiled slightly and hid the note in her pocket. She finished and headed outside. When she was gone Keiko shook her head. "I don't want to do this. But we haven't really got a choice." Yukina snapped her head towards the brunette. She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"What do you mean we haven't got a choice?" She asked. Keiko shrugged her shoulders and continued getting changed.

"Yukina, you know she has an akuma in her. She's dangerous."

"How could you say that?!" Yukina snapped. "She's our best friend isn't she? How can you just change your mind about her just like that?" Keiko looked taken aback by her sudden outburst.

"Yukina..." The girls who had walked in during Yukina's outburst looked slightly afraid. Yukina didn't care and quickly got changed and walked quickly out the door. A blonde walked up to Keiko giving her a questioning look.

"What was that about, Yukimura?" Keiko shook her head.

"Nothing, just a minor disagreement, nothing more." She simply answered as she went back to her bag. 'Why is it always her? It's always her that everybody likes! I hate it! I just hate it!"

xxXxx

-Flashback in Keiko's point of view

The first time I met her was when she first transferred here to Tokyo. She seemed so upbeat and energetic. I was the complete opposite. Always reading books and studying. That's just who I am, I guess. One thing I couldn't stand was that she was always clinging to Shuuichi. There were loads of other things I couldn't stand about her, but that had to be the most irritating thing. Every girl, including myself had a huge crush on him. They still do off course. I admit I still have some feelings for him, but let's forget that for now will we?

He seemed to have grown fond of her rather quickly. Too quickly for my liking. I hated her, I hated her beyond belief.

It was on one day that I found myself reading a rather complicated math book that I noticed her sneaking around. What's someone of her popular status doing sneaking around here for? I don't get it. I kept my eye on her until she was getting on my nerves. I gently put my book down and started packing my things. She was disturbing my lunchtime and I was not going to stand for it. She can sneak around all she wants just as long as it was not around me.

I was about to walk out the door when I saw her eye the book I was reading which was still on the table. When she read it she had this interested look on her face. Don't tell me she understands all those complicated words?! It was just not fair!-

Keiko walked out of the changing rooms and saw Kurama with Jin. They were shaking hands, seeming to greet eachother. She smiled wistfully at Kurama then instantly shook her head. 'No, we wouldn't look good together, and besides I'm with Yusuke.' She feels bad for thinking that way. Yusuke has been nothing but good to her afterall.

xxXxx

"Botan!" Yukina shouted as she was running up to the blunette in the gymnasium. Botan turned around and saw her.

"Yukina? What's the matter hun?" She asked. She was surprised when Yukina gave her a tight hug.

"I am so sorry for everything that has happened today! I didn't want to! Really I didn't."She was about to cry when Botan returned the embrace.

"It's okay Yuki-chan. I know your personality. You find it difficult to say no to people. It's fine." Yukina nodded and gave an appreciative smile.

"Thank you Botan." It was then that Yusuke and Kuwabara entered the gym. Upon seeing Botan and Yukina they ran up to them.

"I'm really sorry Botan! For how we treated you that is. It's hard to explain but can you please forgive us!" Kuwabara almost yelled. When Botan put her finger to her mouth to make them grow quiet they instantly shut up.

"Yes, I'll forgive you, but can you please tell me why you were ignoring me?" This was when Yusuke, Kuwabara and Yukina cleared their throats.

"Well about that."Yusuke said. "As Kuwabara said, it's real complicated, and I mean real complicated. We'll tell you soon, I promise! Oh, and has kur-Shuuichi or Keiko apologise yet?" Botan gave him a look as if saying 'isn't it obvious?' but decided not to voice it.

"Nope, not yet."

"Hey Botan-chan!" Jin yelled as he jumped on her back suddenly. Botan blushed and tried to shake him off.

"Y-yeah, hey. Can you please get off? I'm about to fall over." Jin blinked and did as he was told. "Oh and by the way, this is Yukina, Yusuke and Kazuma."

"Nice ta meet cha! Come ta think o' it I've seen ya in some of my classes, haven't I?" Yusuke nodded.

"You may call me Kuwabara, everyone else does." Kuwabara said.

"Hm, and why is that? Wouldn't it make more sense if we all called you by your first name? I don' get it." Jin said confused.

"Ah, I think it's just out of habit really, Kuwabara sounds better anyway." Kuwabara answered.

"The beautiful Suzuka has arrived!" Suzuka announced to the group. Shishiwakamaru sweat dropped behind the narcisstic blonde.

"Yeah we could do without the loud announcement." He muttered.

"Hm, what was that old friend?" Suzuka asked. The whole group burst into laughters which had drawn the attention of all the other students including Keiko and Kurama. Kurama wanted to join in the conversation too but felt he wouldn't be wanted by Botan. He had felt slightly guilty after everything, 'It's for the best right?' He wondered.

"And what about Botan huh? If I did go without resistance can you promise she won't get hurt?"

Kuronue's words from earlier keep on coming back into his mind. 'I know, I know. And the truth is that I can't guarantee it, I'm afraid.'

Keiko noticed the yearning look in his emerald eyes. 'Do you really love her that much, Shuuichi? Why? Why her?'

-It's so annoying! Everytime I find myself in that library she's always nearby. Looking at a book that is similar to mine! Is she some sort of stalker? I don't blame her for her tastes but I don't swing that way. Of course, she doesn't know that it seems. The most annoying thing is that when she's in the library it's always a lot more noisier. It's a freaking library people.

A few days has gone by that I haven't been in the library. I went to the rooftop where my childhood friend always is. Yusuke Urameshi. The rebellious student that doesn't have many friends. I know he's always had a crush on yours truly. But he's shy, despite how he acts. I sat beside him as I always did when I came up here.

"What book are ya reading?" He asked as usual.

"A math book." I simply replied back. He rolled his eyes and leaned farther against the wall.

"Again, huh?"

"If you know what type of book I was reading, why ask?" I asked as I usually would. This conversation was boring but somehow relaxing. It somehow relieved all of the annoying stress from the day's events. For some reason, the new girl, Botan, wants to be friends with me. As if she has enough friends. I want nothing to do with her. I guess you could say Yusuke is my own personal outlet of stress.

The bell rang and I let out a deep sigh that's been wanting to come out for a while.-

xxXxx

"Hm..." Kuronue was bored again. He was teaching a history class with very uninteresting students. His other history class is always interesting. He went giddy when he would be having that class in about 5 minutes. The students couldn't wait to get to their next class either. The bell rang and the teens rushed out. Kuronue waved goodbye to them and seemed to be in a much better mood.

He heard some laughs a couple of minutes later and saw Jin, Botan, Yukina, Yusuke and Kuwabara enter first. "Oh man, you should have seen your face when you fell over!" Yusuke laughed while pointing at Kuwabara.

"Me? What about you when you were running away from Shishiwakamaru?! Now that was priceless!" He shot back, laughing even more than Yusuke, if that was possible.

"Nah. Your face was even funnier if ya ask me!" Jin spoke in, chuckling.

"Hm, and what's this you're all talking about?" Kuronue asked.

"Hee hee, Kuwabara tripped over while running a few laps. Then Yusuke accidently tripped Shishiwakamru which made him chase Yusuke in anger. It was quite a sight, to say the least." Botan answered giggling.

"Ah, I see, but how can one accidently trip someone else?" He pointed this question towards Yusuke. He simply shrugged due to some embarrassment.

"It's my secret, teach."

"Okay..." He drawled. He saw Keiko and Kurama enter next. It would appear that his old partner had not apologised yet. 'Grr, he's as stubborn as ever.'

When Kurama had passed Botan's desk he left a note before the blunette had gotten to it. Keiko watched him do this. More and more flashbacks kept coming back.

-It wasn't long after that Botan had talked to me for the first time.

"Hey, you're Keiko right?" She asked me. We were in the library of course. I looked up from my book with some irritation. What does she want? I simply nodded my head. She beamed down at me and sat on the opposite chair. "Great. I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Botan Fukuyama."

"I know." I said. I was hoping she would catch the hint that I had no interest in her but off course she did not realize.

"Really? Well anyway, want to be friends?" I blinked. Huh? Such a random question to ask a total stranger. Despite how I feel I felt that I had to say yes, if only to get her to stop talking. Grave mistake. She kept talking and talking, and talking. Mostly asking me questions though. After that whole conversation I hardly knew anything about her! It made me angry that she was so freaking nosy!

The bell rang after what felt like a century and headed immediately out the door. I remember seeing a slightly sad expression on her face. "Tsk." What is her problem?-

"Okay guys, shall we see what we will be learning about today?" Kuronue beamed while looking through a history book. It seemed to be the same history book that Botan had spotted him reading the day earlier. She took out her pen and her history book. It was fun having him as a teacher. He had a peculiar and interesting way of teaching it seemed.

"Oh, I know! How about the Vietnam War?" He went on and on about how the whole war started and some iconic pictures about it. Before long the final bell of the day rang and all the students stretched out their arms and legs.

"Hey, Botan we heard your mother was in the hospital from Kurama. Is she okay?" Yusuke asked approaching her desk. She smiled slightly and nodded. "I see, say Yusuke and the gang wishes her good luck." He said giving her a grin. She grinned back.

"Off course. Oh, that reminds me. I have to be somewhere. I'll see you around!" She said as she went out the door. Keiko saw her go off.

-"Hey Keiko-chan!" Botan called after me. It had been 3 years since she transferred here. Also it was by this time that I met Hiei for the first time after he kidnapped me for the three artifacts. It was also the time that I found out that Yusuke was a spirit detective. During that time I had grown close to Botan, despite my past feelings. But there was always something off about her, at least I know now.

We sat at the Sakura Tree and saw Yusuke and Kuwabara head towards us. This was before Yukina decided to come to school here mind you. "Hey guys. Wasn't P.E. a drag today?" Kuwabara asked, sitting down. Botan nodded her head.

"Mm-hm, absolutely that substitute sure knew how to push us." Yusuke shrugged and lied down.

"Yeah, but it could have been much worse."

"Really Urameshi? Like how?"

"We could have run one hundred laps rather than fifty."

"That's true. But I can't be the only one that thinks fifty is too much! Right guys?" Kuwabara asked Botan and I, and for his sake we just agreed. I guess you could say there wasn't that much history between Botan and I. Our friendship was rather uneventful, like getting into petty fights about petty matters and such. Not much there. There was also nothing keeping us as friends either. She just needed a friend to get through life with and I needed someone to convey my thoughts and feelings too. That's all, right? She was only my friend because she asked me to and I had no reason to object, right? Before I would say yes without hesitation. Now, I'm not so sure. Is she someone I care about? I'm just not sure at all.-

xxXxx

Keiko followed after Botan when the blunette rushed out of the room. 'Where is she going in such a hurry? Her job doesn't start until later right?' The blue-haired girl went towards her locker and put in a few of her books and then proceeded to take some out.

"Hey, your name's Keiko right?" Asked Jin from behind her. She jumped slightly from surprise. Jin chuckled awkwardly. "Uh, sorry abou' that! I didn't mean ta scare ya!" Keiko put a hand over the redhead's mouth and breathed a sigh of relief when Botan didn't seem to notice them. "Wh...y...s..i..b..a?" Jin mumbled under her hand. She took her hand away from his mouth.

"What did you say?" She asked irritated.

"I said, why are ya spying on Botan?" He said again.

"I am not. What would make you think that?" She asked sarcastically.

"Ya haven't been a very good friend to her have ya?" Keiko blinked.

"What? Don't change the subject." Jin shrugged

"Ya know what I mean. You should change your attitude." He giggled and ran towards Botan. "Hey Botan-chan where ya goin? Can I come?!" Keiko stared at his retreating back with surprise.

'How can he tell so much after just meeting me? He looks and acts goofy yet he was able to decipher that? Strange.' She spotted Kurama going up the flight of stairs not too far away from her. 'Where is he going? School has ended.' She shrugged and followed after him in curiosity.

-The news that Botan was the one hosting the Akuma was a rather huge shock to us, to say the least. After Ayame-san left, it was deathly silent between all of us. Hiei had left a while ago I noticed. I doubt anyone else had. "What should we do?" I asked while we were approaching the school gates. Yusuke looked to me.

"What do you mean what should we do? There's nothing we can do until Ayame-san confirms everything. Let's act as if we know nothing. She is our friend, right Kuwabara?"

"Yeah, Urameshi."

"But can we just ignore this, Yusuke? She could be a danger to us!" Now I know why I had this strange feeling about her ever since I first saw her. She isn't human. She's a danger to us.

"Listen to yourself Keiko, you're causing a scene." He said as he looked to his right. I turned around slightly and saw several students eyeing us. I chuckled awkwardly and waved my hand saying everything's okay. They simply shrugged and walked on. I turned around once again to face Yusuke.

"Then what do you suggest Keiko? That we just ignore her?" With my face unfaultering Yukina let out a gasp.

"Keiko-san, I'm surprised at you. You of all people should be defending her. Not the other way around."

"I know, but," I had nothing to say to her. To be truthful I don't understand why I would think such a thing as to ignore her.

"I think she may be right." Kurama said out of the blue.

"Huh?! Not you too Kurama!" Kuwabara shrieked. "You can't be serious!" Kurama gave him a slight glare which shut him up immediately. He turned to Yusuke then.

"I'm not saying we should completely ignore her but that doesn't mean we should do nothing. Do you understand?" I nodded my head in agreement, but Yusuke thought differently.

"Are you even listening to yourselves?! This is Botan we're talking about and besides Ayame-san said so herself that they have yet to confirm it. So just don't go to conclusions, and even if she does have an Akuma in her we should be there for her. Don't you agree?" Yusuke's speech almost got to me but I was too worried about my own safety right at the moment. Kuwabara and Yukina were obviously swayed though.

"Yeah, Urameshi's right. We need to be there for her." Kuwabara exclaimed but another glare from Kurama shut him up again. A dark aura surrounded Kurama then.

"No, I know the Akuma dwells within her. On second thought we'd best stay away from her since you guys are so persistant." Yusuke growled.

"Damn you Kurama." He closed his eyes in defeat. "The last thing I want is to get on your bad side. Fine, we'll do what you want, for a while at least. Let's go Kuwabara, Yukina, Keiko." Yusuke began to walk inside along with Kuwabara and Yukina. I hesitated a bit but followed suite. Why are all of these negative emotions coming up? I don't get it.-

xxXxx

"Huh? So he jus' gave ya a note?" Jin asked. Botan nodded and held it up for him to see.

"I'm not too sure if I should go though. He hasn't talked to me all day. I guess it could be to apologise. He always was sort of shy." Jin gave her a look as if saying 'that guy shy? Seriously?' She chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah...not many people know that."

"Hm? Why not?"

"Well, he doesn't let many people get close to him is all." She shrugged. "I don't know. I have somewhere else to go after this so I better get going."

"Yeah, I'll come with ya!" They were just outside the doors leading upto the roof.

"Well, you might as well since we're already here." Jin sweatdropped at that.

"Oh, ah yeah, you're right. He he he." Botan shook her head with a small giggle and opened the door that lead to the roof. They not only found Kurama but Keiko too. They seemed to be in a heated conversation and Botan and Jin decided to just listen instead.

"You're going to tell her now?!" Keiko more or less shouted.

"Why, that lass certainly moves fast." Jin spoke.

"What do you mean Jin?"

"It's jus' that I found that girl spyin' on ya earlier. It was ratha odd, ta say the least."

"Really? That is strange."

"What are you guys doing up here?" Kuronue asked tiredly behind them. "It's time to go home." He then winked at Botan. When he saw that they didn't move from the door he let ot a sigh.

"Sorry Kuronue-sensei, but they're the ones ya should be dealin' with." Jin whispered.

"Huh? Let's see." Kuronue leaned towards the door also and was kind of surprised to see Kurama and Keiko.

"Yes Keiko. I find it to be appropiate."

"What are they talking about?" Jin and Botan shrugged their shoulders and leaned further against the door.

"But Kurama..."

"Enough, I've made my decision. The sooner Botan knows the better. It's for her own good and you wanted to tell her anyway."

"I know but..." Kurama growled with some annoyance. 'Why did she of all people have to find out first. How annoying.' He thought. When the conversation did not continue the trio went on down the stairs.

"What do they have to tell me I wonder?" Botan asked out loud. She was meant to only think it but it came out.

"I don't know. It must be super important though. And didn't Keiko not call him Kurama? I didn't know he had a nickname."

"Yeah, I've never heard anyone call him that before." Her eyes widened slightly. "Could they be secretly dating?! I wonder." Jin sweatdropped.

"I may not know them very well but I really don' think that's it." Kuronue was silent the whole time. He had an idea of what Kurama had wanted to tell her, but he shrugged it off. It may be best if she learned everything, but not from Kurama, he didn't trust his old partner enough at the moment. With that thought in mind he decided he would tell Botan after their visit to her mother's hospital room. He turned around towards them then.

"Okay Botan, should we leave now?" Botan nodded her head.

"Huh? Where are ya two headed?" Jin asked rather jealously. Kuronue smirked and pulled Botan along with him.

"It's none of your business! Let's go shall we?" Botan giggled and went along with it.

"Hey! Wait fer me!"

Tbc

Kuwabara: It's the review corner!

Botan: A lot has sure happened in this episode eh?

Keiko: Humph!

Botan: (sweatdrops) Anyway... Our first review of the last chapter was from...

Kuronue: Twisted Musalih!

Botan: I know! Some friends...

Yusuke: Hey! I apologised didn't I?

Jin: Don' worry Botan. Jin ere' will always be there for ya!

Kuronue: The second review is from heartluv!

Botan: I know. These friends of mine though...

Kuwabara: We apologised darn it!

Kuronue: Heh, you're not winning any points here buddy. Our last review is from Mina Xu!

Botan: Last, but certainly not least, here's the update. Hope you liked it!

As I'm sure you could tell from this chapter that I'm not the biggest fan of Keiko but I try not to show it in my stories. I don't hate her off course but she's not my favourite either. I also wanted to give her that snobbish attitude in her mind. It's interesting at least. Don't forget to vote in the poll and review! I t really helps me out!