heartluv - Yes it does. It's the doubt and insecurity that kills you.
kyolihk - I'm frustrated with Kurama myself. To the extent that I am considering if I will still end this fic with KB xD
Tashio - Hi there! I like the way you think. Might consider this... Though whoever they may end up with, I'll make sure that they both have a happy ending.
Chapter VIII
"Are you certain, Kurama? We may not have enough to accommodate the fights."
Enki eyed the fossilized tree in front of them. They are currently in the Okunenju Forest, finalizing the location of healthy trees to be used on the preliminary rounds of the Makai Tournament.
"Yes. The restoration process is a little bit tricky on this one. There are certain parts of the tree that repels my energy. I recommend to exclude this in the plan. It is too unstable." Kurama stated after giving a brief nod to the huge demon.
"Yusuke and Yomi really did a number on this one, huh?" Enki commented while scratching the side of his cheek.
Kurama chuckled at his remark. "Precisely. A considerable amount of their energy is still coursing through its roots and trunk. Their ki has no benefitting qualities for plants like mine, however, the Okunenju still seems to be using it to reproduce and mutate vegetatively. Hence, its deformity. With Yusuke and Yomis' combined ki, I am afraid that it will be impossible for me to extract it without killing the plant. We might also have to put it down for it not to cause a deterioration of the environment." He explained as he placed a hand on the tree bark.
"Well, that kind of sucks. But we can do that after you restore the rest of the Okunenju. We would not want your energy wasted. We still have a schedule to follow." Enki said motioning Kurama to follow.
"Speaking of which, have you decided when you are to do the final scoping?" Kurama asked, walking alongside Enki.
"We haven't. I still need to talk to Yomi about that one. Mukuro just left everything on our shoulders after pledging her army for the security of the event. Some sponsor that woman is." Enki sighed sharply while shaking his head.
"As expected from a tyrant. In any case, do you think this is the best time? I am meaning to speak with Yomi also." And visit Botan. Kurama mentally added. He heard from other demon workers that she has been looking for him. He just didn't had the time to visit and it took almost all of his energy just to restore a few number of trees.
"Of course. Lead the way, fox!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Shura-sama! Yomi-sama is on a meeting with his counsel. Shura-sama! Shura-sama!" Yoda exclaimed as he scrambled behind the teen demon who is marching his way towards the conference room.
Shura was pissed. Not only because his father left him to train alone but also because he found out that he did so to deal with some shit from the Spirit World. His father is not one to bend on other realms' will. For all he knows, he was being forced to do so. He scrunched his face in distaste as he entered the room.
"Father! What is this nonesense that I heard about couseli -" Shura was silenced when he saw the woman his father was talking to. The young man blushed as he catched the pretty amethyst eyes of the diety. He tore his gaze away towards his father. "Err...Who is she?"
"My apologies, Yomi-sama. I -" Yomi raised his hand to dismiss the old goat who was panting from sprinting to catch the teen. Yoda hastily excused himself out of the room.
"I see you have returned from your training. Botan, this is my son, Shura." Yomi said as he gestured from one person to another. He smiled when he recognized the initial signs of attraction from his son.
Shura cleared his throat before he spoke. Yomi bit back an amused chuckle when he heard his son speak with an unusual lower pitch of voice. "Good morning, Miss Botan. My name is Shura. Pleasure to meet you." He slightly bowed before extending a hand.
Botan stood from her seat as she took the gesture. "I am pleased to finally meet you, Shura. I saw you fight on the first tournament, please allow me to say that you were remarkable." She offered young demon a bright smile.
"Uhm..yes. Right. Thank you." Shura reluctantly retrieved his hand, flustered at her praise. He stared at her smiling face and was snapped out of his trance when Yomi cleared his throat.
"I believe you have something to say to me, Shura?" Yomi said with a knowing smile. He understood his sons' fascination, he was not exposed to the fairer gender quite often. If ever he was, it is with the company of less attractive women.
"Yes. A word with you father. Alone?" Shura implored while stealing glances at Botan.
"This can wait aft -" Yomi was cut off when Botan spoke.
"I will have to disagree, Yomi-san. It is of family matter. I am willing to wait until you finished talking to your son. Please, excuse me." She bowed slightly then immediately proceeded to the door, not giving any room for argument.
Shura did a double take on her, astounded by her guts. Nobody ever dared to cut his father off while speaking, aside from him and the guy that his father had beaten on the first tournament that is. He kept staring at the entrance even after the door slid shut.
"Shura?"
"Father, is she your intended? Because if not... Can I court her instead?" Shura asked innocently as he turned to the older demon.
Yomi could not rememder a similar time when he had laugh out loud.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Botan was standing in the hallway with Yoda when they heard Yomi laugh. She noticed the old demon paled when he heard the gluttural sound. Is it that unusual to hear their leader laugh? She shook her head in mild amusement. Soon after, she thought it was best to leave the scene for the time being.
"Uhm. Yoda-san? I will be in my quarters in case Yomi-san calls for me. I think they might take a while." She left when he nodded mutely.
That was weird. Are they talking about me? Botan thought as she mindlessly wandered through the corridors of the Central Tower. Is it really easy to make fun of me? Is that why Kurama doesn't take me seriously? Botan sighed. She's being pessimistic again. But she can't help it. After all this time, she was getting nowhere with Kurama. He hasn't given even the slightest hint of similar affection in everything he does. Or doesn't do.
It has been days since Kurama began his work. They had not seen each other since his arrival in Gandara because Yomi had requested for longer hours of counseling to finish the course earlier than the start of the tournament. And whenever she sought out Kurama in her free time, he was always working. She wondered what Kurama was doing in his free time. Was he looking for her too? Then again, he was only here to lend his assistance for the tournament. And she'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he could be exhausted with every use of his demon energy from restoring such gargantuan plants. He needs rest. I need rest too.
Botan sighed again as she rounded a corner. She suddenly felt tired from her brooding. She was so lost in her thought that she accidentally bumped into someone. She quickly bowed her head and apologized.
"Oh! I'm sorry I wasn't looking. I -"
"Botan?"
Botan whipped her head up when she heard Kuramas' voice. He was standing in front of her with a gentle smile on his face. Her eyes immediately sparkled with glee, making him chuckle in return.
"Kurama!"
In a usual form of forgetting herself and utter joy, she threw herself at him. Closing her eyes as she relished the feel of having Kurama near her again. She was just thinking of him then he suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Her prior discontent fading away. Thank you, Kami-sama.
"B-Botan." Kurama uncharacteristically stuttered. He reluctantly tried to disentangle himself from the delighted woman. As much as he wanted to prolong the hug, it was still risky to show any form of public displays of affection within Yomis' radar.
Botan snapped her eyes wide open and misinterpreted the gesture. Her world came crashing down on her as she realized what he was doing. She instantly pried herself away from Kurama and looked down in shame just as Enkis' chuckle reached her ear.
"E-Enki-san! It's good to see you!" She side-stepped and made her way to Enki, seemingly avoiding further contact with the red-head. Kurama was alarmed by her sudden change in behavior. Did she just... Damn it!
"Yo! Botan! It's been a while." Enki greeted while patting her in the head. He laughed when she pouted. "I think you should visit Kokou while you're here. She's becoming listless since Natsume is the only woman that she can talk - err drink with."
"Hmm.. Maybe I'll do that one of these days. Well, you're here...Do you need something with Yomi-san?" Botan asked, biting the inside of her cheek afterwards when she felt Kurama stood directly behind her.
"We are to discuss matters with Yomi. Are you done counseling him for today, Botan?" Kuramas' firm tone made her turn to him. She was surprised at how close he was to her. Botan tried her best not to look into his eyes to avoid getting flustered, thus, she focused on his clothed chest instead.
"Uhm...Not yet. Shura came in during our discussion." She was about to step back to gain a decent space when Kurama shoot his hands out and grabbed her arms, pinning her in place. Botan searched his eyes for any indication as to what he was thinking. She instantly tore her eyes from his when she saw its overwhelming intensity. "H-He's in the conference room, in case you're wondering."
"I'll go ahead, Kurama. I can handle Yomi while you guys - uh, catch up. No need to rush." Enki gave the pair a knowing smile before he left. He wasn't offended at the lack of response from the fox. He completely understood the situation. Ah, young love.
"Kurama. Is everything alright?" Botan asked tentatively, troubled amethyst met stormy greens. She was tempted to touch him but was afraid to receive the same treatment as before. "Kurama?" She repeated while attempting to remove herself from his firm hold.
She stiffened when she was suddenly enveloped in his tight embrace.
Kurama buried his face on the crook of her neck and breathed in her distinct scent. He pulled Botan closer to his body, reveling her warmth. He's getting fed up with the constant disappointment he's bringing to her everytime they meet. That's why, just this once, he is willing to bend his defenses. To hell with Yomi. Kurama smiled against her skin when he felt her dainty arms wound around his torso, her hands tightly clutching the fabric of his shirt on his back. She shifted as he tightened his hold on her. He missed her. He wanted to do this since he first saw her in the conference room. This feels so right. She smells so good -
Smack!
Kurama slightly staggered back in shock when she forcefully pushed him away. His eyes wide while one of his hands came up to where Botan had slapped him on his cheek. What the -
"Y-You! I don't know what to do with you anymore, Kurama!" Kurama panicked when he saw that Botan was in tears. Her face flushed with hurt and anger. He tried to reach for her but she swatted his hands away. "You push me away then you hug me! You kiss me and then you disappear! You leave me with ambiguous words and you expect me to understand?! Was it all for convenience?! Do you think this was just a game?!"
"Botan -" He stopped when she stepped back. He clenched his fists on his sides. It was not supposed to be like this. His musings came to a halt when she spoke.
"I understand your reluctance in giving up your resolve but... Is it that hard for you to love me? Am I really not worth it, Kurama?" She sobbed, clasping her hands on her chest to keep her heart from bursting.
She bit on her quivering lip as she searched his expressionless face. Botan gently shook her head and casted her gaze on his chest, allowing a hand to rest over his heart.
"I wanted to rid you of the thorns you embedded in yourself. I- I did everything I could. I gave everything that I could give. I thought I could do it, but in the end...I was the one who got ripped. And it pains me. Because no matter how much I hurt, I know I will never be free from my feelings for you since it is the only thing that is left of me." Botan wiped her cheeks as she sniveled. "It is not my place because I was the one who insisted on it, but waiting for you was like waiting for eternity to end." She let her hand fall to her side before looking up at his handsome face once more. "I gave my best shot. Please forgive me if it - if I wasn't good enough." She gave him a bittersweet smile when he remained impassive.
Kurama stood frozen in place. He can't believe what's happening. His thoughts was bombarded with static. He had thought of all the probabilities but nothing could prepare him for this. The situation spiraled out of his hands. And for the first time, he was completely blank.
It barely registered to him, that Botan had left him alone in the hallway after she spoke the words that unexpectedly tore through his entire being, better than the bullet that caused him to flee from his former life.
"I love you, Kurama. But, I yield."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Kurama, there you are..."
Yomi stopped in his greeting when he sensed the absence of Kuramas' usual calmness. He strained his senses to pick up anything from the fox but was surprised when he had felt nothing. Kurama is totally closed off. His demon energy perfectly muted and veiled by his weak human ki. One would think that he is completely human like this.
"Kurama! Father is talking t -" "Shura."
Shura was immediately silenced when he apprehended the commanding tone of his father. He spared an uneasy glance at Kurama then to Yomi. He knew his father has a lot of unfinished business with Kurama, along with the most recent and most personal issue that involves the pretty lady that his father had told him a while ago. As far as he would like to catch a good fight, he knows it is not wise to get entangled between the two. His father is way stronger but Kurama is more dangerous. Even against one, he wouldn't stand a chance. With that, he clicked his tongue in irritation, stood up from his seat then bolted outside the room.
Yomi steadily regarded Kurama who silently walked towards the window. He knew what happened. Amidst the talk with Enki, he had heard every word from Botan when she poured her heart to the fox a few moments ago. He was expecting for a direct confrontation, but not this soon.
"Enki and I finalized the agreement. He made me sign a blood contract. The committee will have their equipments at first light tomorrow." Yomi stated in his usual authoritative tone.
"..."
"We have scheduled a day to conduct the final scope of the venue before the start of the tournament. Enki expects you to expedite the treatment of the Okunenju trees so you could assist with other matters." The blind demon uttered once again.
"..."
Yomi frowned when he received no response from Kurama. His hands clutched the arm rests of his seat. He's becoming agitated. It was supposed to be the other way around.
"If you do not require anything else, I think it is best for you to carry on in delivering your task. I still have to finish my meeting with Botan - "
"Botan will not be able to deal with you. I am certain that you can make sense of the situation." The deadly calm voice of Kurama sliced through him like heated knife in butter.
"You do not have the authority - " He was silenced when a rose flew past the side of his face, leaving a cut on his cheek. I did not even sense him move.
Yomi wanted to smirk in triumph when he sensed the rising intensity of a familiar demon energy. However, he cannot deny the trepidation that he felt when the earlier assault was followed by a deeper vocal register. It brought him back memories of his impertinent days when he was repeatedly subjected to the wrath of Youko Kurama
"I believe it is my turn to counsel you. Your offense in angering me is a serious one, Yomi."
A/N:
Ta da!!!
Yes. The last sentence was from the time he fought Ura Urashima during the Dark Tournament Saga. Idk. I just find that line very smexy...
I still struggle when I write dramatic scenes. You could only imagine how many times I raped the Backspace, Enter, Copy, Paste, Cut Button etc etc etc...
Thank you for reading!
Leave a review peeps.
'Til next time! Xoxo