h114 - This story excites me too! I am thrilled that you look forward in reading my story. To be honest, I am looking forward to your reviews also.

sweetcanines - Noooo!!! Such a waste though. There's only few fics that features Hagiri on it... You made me laugh. You're lovely. Xoxo

kyolihk - I didn't expect it too. Yomi just came into my mind. And right now, I'm beginning to think the rationality of my decision. It's hard to think of a complex plot when Kurama and Yomi is involved! It's difficult to outwit my mind when thinking of their dialogs. XD

Guest-san - Awww... Thank you! It means a lot to me that you enjoyed reading this. Please drop a nickname, if you will, so I know who I am sending my regards to.

Chapter VII

"Yomi has requested Botan to be his personal counselor for the upcoming Makai Tournament. She will be stationed in Gandara until the conclusion of the tournament."

The steady typing of his deft and agile fingers stopped when Koenmas' words echoed in his head. Kurama laced his fingers in front of his face as he critically stared at his computer screen. Seemingly deciphering the words in display, belying that his contemplation is for something that is way beyond his current realm could comprehend.

The old habit of Koenma in sending his men without an adept grasp of the situation strikes again. The only difference now is that he sent the one who is not the most proficient in self defense, and alone at that. He loathed the fact that Botan did not even send a word to him before assuming her post this morning. Then again, he was not her keeper, courtesy of his reluctance in accepting her affection. Furthermore, she knew that if he had known, he would have prevented her from fulfilling the task. As much as he cares for the diety, he is still wary of her ability to extract herself from dangerous situations. It did not even help that the current predicament involves his former accomplice, one who is a by-product of a botched assassination that he ordered from his thieving days.

He stood from his seat and walked towards his office window. His sharp green eyes scanning over the tall buildings in his view.

'What are you planning, Yomi?

Kurama is positive that Yomi has something brewing up his sleeves. He would not hire Botan in particular and he wouldn't even be inclined to agree on the Spirit Worlds' proposal if not. It was not important how he knew of his involvement with Botan, it was not unusual for his ex-comrade to spy on him to begin with and he doubted that Yomi requires her to tell him directly for him to follow. More so, being an open book has always been one of the dietys' appealing charms, and apparently a weakness that Yomi may have exploited.

Yomi is obviously taunting him for a reaction, he will not give him the pleasure of his response. Yet, to be honest, the only thing that kept him at bay from dragging the diety out of Demon World is the thought that Yomi will not lay a hand on her for as long as Botan is on her official duty as a representative from the Spirit World. Nevertheless, the other possibilities that could ensue while Botan is out in the minefield and far from his protection would not leave him at rest.

He wanted to see her. He needs to be certain that she is okay. He wants to guage the circumstances. But marching into Gandara without a reason other than to look after her safety is just the same as putting her in harms way. While joining the tournament is knocking on his consciousness, he was still uncertain if the situation warrants that drastic solution. He needs a more plausible and less extreme excuse to be with her while construing Yomis' intention, as soon as possible.

He tore his attention away from his window back to his office, sweeping through the area. His gaze landed on the bonsai at his executive desk. A wistful smile appeared on his handsome face. It was a gift from Botan, in replace of the one she broke on one of her visit -

His smile turned truimphant at a sudden thought. He resumed his position on his desk, typed a brief message to the HR and clicked send. Kurama leaned back on his chair as he work out a scheme. He eyed the plant before him. He finally has a strong alibi.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I have been expecting you."

The window pane reflected the smile plastered on Yomis' face. He did not need to turn around to acknowledge the familiar presence that eventually stood beside him. To say that he was amused was an understatement. Not two days had passed since Botan accepted his proposal, and Kurama has already come up with a feasible excuse to keep the woman within his reach. It just proves his theory that the fox cared for the diety more than he let on. She wouldn't know his preference if he didn't. And judging by the hangker that he sensed in the diety during the course of their exchange, he doubted that she knew the gravity of Kuramas' fondness towards her.

"It seems that you share the same enthusiasm with that regard." Kurama muttered dryly.

"Hn. Enki must be thrilled that you agreed to restore the Okunenju trees. He was rather insistent to utilize the locus since the second tournament." Yomi stated.

"News spreads like wildfire even in Demon World, I see. You can not blame him though. It was an impressive venue to say the least." Kurama responded as he subdued the urge to pan the surroundings with his ki in search for Botan. Try as he might, but the moment he set foot in the borders of Gandara, he knew Yomi has been keeping tabs on him.

"Ah. You are correct on both counts. Enki needs to lead a spectacle. This years' tournament garnered an inexplicable amount of attention, we would not want to disappoint the Spirit World."

"Indeed."

Yomi inwardly smirked. He has been keenly observing the fox for any fluctuations in his heart rate. As expected, Kurama never cease to disappoint him. Then again, the fox only shows what he wanted others to see. How long can you hold it, Kurama?

"I believe you have other matters to discuss with me." Yomi motioned for Kurama to follow as he started walking.

"Yes. Aside from Gandara being the host domain, Enki requests your full sponsorship for the technologies to be used in the tournament. Since the committee has exhausted Yusukes' remaining Rurimaru stones from the last tournament, it woud be difficult for them to handle such a massive event with limited resources." Kurama informed him as they neared the entrance of what he recalls to be the conference room.

"This is rather an unecessary effort. There are other means to inform me of their requests. I am unaware that you take pleasure on such a mundane task, Kurama." Yomi goaded.

"As much as Enki was pleased that you accepted the proposal of Spirit World without prejudice, I am to guarantee your cooperation, Yomi. You are not quite an avid follower so it seems." Kurama wanted to scoff. He is not easily provoked like Hiei. Yomi should do better than that.

Yomi smiled upon hearing his comeback. He is delighted to know that Kurama hasn't lost his touch. He always knew how to play with words.

"I was never fond of following orders, you should know that. As for me accepting, there were unforeseen circumstances that I cannot afford to miss." Yomis' smile turned into a smirk when he felt Kuramas' stare.

Silence passed between the two demons as they stopped in front of the door. Neither showing any indication of reacting to the invisible threat that hovered on both of their elbows.

Yomi punched his code on the reciever before the entrance to the conference room slid open, then came the sweet chime of the voice that Kurama desperately wanted to hear.

"Yomi-san, there yo - err... Kurama?" Botan stood in front of them, clad in Gandaran pink silk kimono. She tilted her head in confusion as she considered the red head. Did he came to see me? She was elated on her thought. Her veiled reaction not lost to the blind demon.

"My apologies, Botan. The meeting ended a bit later than expected and I happen to stumble upon Kurama on my way here. I figured you would want to meet your friend before he is needed somewhere else." Kuramas' eye twitched minutely when he heard his deceitful tone. Yomi had discreetly established his supposed relationship to the diety. But it's alright, it is what he wanted Yomi to think.

Botan threw a skeptic eye at the taller demon. She raised her brow in suspicion as she jabbed a finger in Yomis' chest. "You're not blackmailing him again, are you Yomi-san? Because we're going to have a bit of a problem if you are." This earned her a set of widened green eyes and raised dark eyebrows.

Yomi chuckled at her innocent presumption and candor. The woman is too adorable for her own good. Like a rare gem amidst the soiled surroundings. No wonder Kurama fancies you.

"Botan." Kurama breathed out in exasperation when he saw amusement crossed Yomis' face. He doesn't need Botan to enamor an adversary with her endearing stunts. He shook his head when she looked at him. "I am here to aid in the restoration of the Okunenju trees. It is to be used in the tournament."

"Yes. He is only here for the Okunenju and nothing more." Yomi interjected. Kurama narrowed his eyes at the other demon. What are you implying?

"Oh...I see." Botan said softly, eyes dimming with disappointment. She had hoped Kurama came to see her. It was too good to be true. Why did she even expect anyway.

Direct hit. Yomi smirked, sensing her distress.

The look of dismay on Botan made Kurama clench his jaw in realization. Yomi is playing with her feelings. He spared a glance and saw the other demon smirking arrogantly at him. Bastard.

"Well, you might be busy Kurama, you should run along. I'll come look for you when I have a free time, ne? Eh heh... I suppose we should start with our agenda then Yomi-san, standing on this shoes is killing me." With her cheerful mask in play, she turned to walk inside the conference room. Leaving a smug Yomi and an internally seething Kurama.

Yomi followed the diety inside but not before turning his head slightly to regard Kurama with a sardonic smirk on his face.

Once an idea is planted, it cannot be unsown. Your move, Kurama.

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Botan laid awake on her bed. It was hours after she met with Kurama. She had missed him. It has been months since they last saw each other. Does he miss me too?

She sighed as she turned to her side and stared at the opposite wall. She thought back the incident at the club. They didn't get a single confession out of Kurama, yet he had given her something to think about. She wasn't sure of what he meant back then. His words were very vague coupled by her haze from the alcohol. Does she, being friendly with other men, repels him? Did he expect her to continue courting him? Did he just saw this as a game?

She touched the corner of her mouth where she felt him kiss her before losing consciousness. He had all the opportunity to kiss her square on the lips but settled there. The action confused her even more. Then again, Kurama has always been a gentleman, he was not the one to take advantage of a silly girl who throws herself at him when drunk. She sighed again. Her thought shifted to the hangover that greeted her when she woke up in her room in the Spirit World. She didn't get a chance to ask the others what happened before resuming her ferrying duties, training as attache and assuming her post in Gandara. What really led her to believe that the girls' efforts resulted to something insignificant was when she didn't hear anything from Kurama, not until he went to help in the preparation for the tournament today. Went not to see her.

She can't help but think that, aside from when she was sick because of the Lily, the only time they saw each other was when she made an effort to see him. It has been almost two years already. She's afraid to admit that she is starting to lose faith in her endeavor to woo the fox. She shook her head to rid of her unbidden thoughts. No. I won't give up. Not yet.

But still...

Botan shifted in her bed again and stared at the high ceiling. The vast expanse of her quarters seems to suffocate her. It made her feel like she was drowning. Drowning in her emotions. Is Kurama ever going to pull her out if it? Or is it time for her to swim to the surface by herself?

A/N:

Poor Botan...

That's why never mix romance with alcohol fellas.

Thank you for reading!

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'Til next time! Xoxo