Closure

(This is closure)

Botan took special care with her appearance. Excitement coursed through her body as the long-awaited trip to Human World had finally come. When Koenma offered up a new job possibility, she jumped at the chance to celebrate the happy news.

Her first stop would be to Kurama's office. Even though this little vacation was a spur of the moment deal, she hoped he would be equally as excited by the visit.

Since they started their relationship four months ago, there never seemed to be much time for either of them to spend together. When one was available, the other had a prior commitment and vice-versa.

Despite all that, once they were able to re-connect, they never left the other one's side. The absence only solidified the feelings they felt for each other.

Hopping onto her oar, Botan made her descent to Human World. Ready to share her surprise good news with him.

Kurama picked up the pace in guilty anticipation. Since there was a 10-minute walk to his destination, his mind had plenty of time to evaluate the current situation.

About a month-and-a-half ago, he bumped into an old classmate, Maya Kitajima. He had been surprised by the fact she had remembered him. Heading to a nearby coffee shop, they sat and became reacquainted again.

He marveled at how much her looks and personality had grown more favorable over time. Kurama also learned that she planned on staying at her parents for a few months before heading back to where she attended college.

With that in mind, the times they got together seemed innocent enough. Maya was able to fill a physical void when Botan couldn't be present. The different places were fun, and Kurama kept those places in mind for future date nights with Botan when she would return to him.

But after the 4th time he and Maya hung out, things began to change. It became a no-strings-attached kind of relationship. Both of them were lonely, yet both had someone they cared about with all their hearts.

Physical contact between each other became prolonged and slightly intimate. Kurama hated how he was acting, yet on the flip side, he tried to justify it by telling himself a rare opportunity had presented itself. There had always been regret by not telling Maya how he felt about her all those years ago.

Approaching the hotel where they were to meet, guilt began to build within him. Kurama reassured his conscience that his time spent with Botan would be forever, while his time with Maya would be brief.

Botan touched down in an area known for its love motels. It was the safest place since it appeared pretty inconspicuous and was not too far from Kurama's building.

Walking down the narrow road, a flash of red caught her attention in the crowd. Kurama?! Making her way over to the place where she spotted him, Botan was just about ready to call out, only to stop when she spied the lovely looking woman stepping back from his embrace.

Locking eyes with her, the mystery woman then said something to Kurama, who turned around to look. His face went from a look of shock to fear, then one of shame.

(I'm shutting the door to the life that I once knew.)

Botan backed away when Kurama reached out and approached her. "Kurama, what's going on? Who is that?" Her voice trembled with pain and confusion.

"Botan? What are you doing here?" He asked, stopping in front of her. Kurama reached out again to make contact but dropped his arm when she back away once again.

(I'm walkin' away...From the love that left me cold)

"Maybe I should be the one asking that, Kurama." She could feel her emotions starting to shut down. "Who is she?"

With a sigh, he confessed. "That is Maya, and she is an old friend of mine. We bumped into each other a little over a month ago."

"I see..." Botan responded in a defeated tone. "In that case, it's better that I take my leave now. I'm sorry for the intrusion." With that, she turned to walk away.

Kurama grabbed her arm, halting her escape. "Botan, I know this looks bad, but please allow me to explain!" He implored.

(To the lies I took for truth, to the life consumed by you)

"What's to explain, Kurama? That you're weren't reconnecting with an old friend at a love hotel? What would you say if Yusuke and I did something like that? Can you look me in the eye and say that the meeting means nothing to you?"

"I...It's not like that at all." Shaking his head, he dropped his eyes down in shame.

(Now I don't hold any hate)

"I get it, Kurama. She's able to give you something that I couldn't, at least before now, that is. You have to do what makes you happy. And if she makes you happy, then so be it." Reaching up, she wiped the tears from her face.

"Botan, what are you saying?" Kurama made another attempt to pull her close.

"That I came down to tell you some news. But now I see that it was all in vain. If that is what you truly desired, then I'm sorry for wasting your time these past four months." Botan backed up again, turning to leave.

Kurama dashed around her, blocking her path. Grabbing her shoulders, he gave her a gentle shake. "What news? What's going on? Is everything okay?" His voice rose in concern.

"Yes, everything was fine. But now..." Shrugging her shoulder in defeat. "Koenma offered me a new job. Said that I couldn't go any farther where I was at and that I would be the perfect candidate."

"That's wonderful news! Please tell me more about it? What will you be doing?" His questions poured from his mouth quicker than he wanted them too.

"I was to be stationed here in Human World as a permanent resident. And that I would act as a liaison for Spirit World. However, given the current circumstances, I now think the job offer and my happiness for it was premature."

His mouth gaped open in shock by what she was implying. "Are you saying that you don't want the position now? I thought it was a secret dream of yours?"

"It was. And so were you. But this...", sweeping her hand back towards the hotel, "crushed that second dream."

Kurama paled at her confession and what it truly meant. In his quest to remove one small regret from his life, a larger one now took its place. "Botan, please let me make this up to you! Tell me what I can do to fix this, and I swear that I will move the Three Realms to do it!"

(This is closure. Farewell to all that bound me now when it's over, this is goodbye)

"I'm sorry, Kurama, but I can't see any way to fix this. At least not right now. I can't live in a world without trust. And you need to find what it is that will bring you the true peace and happiness you so desperately want and deserve. Take care, Kurama. Until we meet again, I wish you the best."

Kurama reached out, hoping to touch those beautiful blue trusses one last time, only to watch as she disappeared from his sight.