Tashio - I really admire your perception of the story. Thank you.
kyolihk - I got over my frustration. I am willing to give Kurama a chance. But I am thinking of making this hard for him..Hmmm
sweetcanines - I was kind of sad while I wrote Botans' lines from the prior chapter. It brought back past heartaches T_T.. Anyhow. Thank you for your enthusiasm! I am excited to read your reviews too. Cheers!
heartluv - I agree. Out of all the written chapters, the last one had a ton of interesting scenes. I hope you find this chapter to your liking.
kyoandyuya - I second the motion. Not that I dislike Maya or anything but it's just not right for me to put Botan and Maya on the same page with Kurama in this fic. It simply doesn't work for me. As for Shura.. Hmmm Let's see.. XD
Chapter IX
"All stories need a good old-fashioned villain, Youko."
Yomi stated nonchalantly, raising a hand to heal the cut on his cheek. He managed a smile amidst the tension. Youko executing a bold move is the least of his expectations.
"You were never part of the story to begin with." Youko replied in a condescending tone, crossing his arms on his chest as he continue to survey the skyline of Gandara from his position by the window.
"On the contrary, Botan went to me first. I just gave her a proposition which she gladly accepted." Yomi countered, resting his hands on his crossed legs. His face unmarred by the earlier assault.
"A proposition that involves using her innocence to get to me." The fox demon interjected without missing a beat.
"I confess. It was unscrupulous to use her, the itch of my old habit got the better of me. Even so, you cannot blame me. It is quite amusing to watch you lose your head over a lady. Not to mention, a high-ranking Reigen. It is ironic to devote yourself to someone of the same kin that got you killed." Yomi sensed a slight shuffle, indicating that the fox shifted to regard him on his seat. He could only imagine the disapproving look on his face.
"I was not killed and she had nothing to do with me being hunted. I do not find your humor amusing. It was not wise to hurt my woman, Yomi. This is worse than what you did when you threatened my human mother." The low pitch of his voice sent a shiver of thrill in Yomis' spine. It still amazes him that even in anger, Youko can still retain the calmness that he himself had wanted to mimic.
"I only sowed the seed, Youko. I believe it would not have sprouted if you had established your relationship with her in the first place. Your qualms brought her confusion. Suffice to say that you were the one who hurt her." Yomi pointed out.
"My patience to your insolence is thinning. Better start saying the words I want to hear." Golden eyes glared at Yomi with contempt. Youko was tempted to summon his apparition-eating plant. If only the blind demon was off the mark.
Yomi smirked. The brewing irritation of the fox is palpable. He knew he had struck a nerve. Who would have thought that a woman would be your undoing, Youko? He thought as he slowly stood from his seat and walked to stand beside the infuriated demon. He faced the window as Youko followed his movements with scrutiny in his eyes. "What did you think was my goal, Youko? Did you think I was planning to kill her?"
"I had covered all the grounds for you to taunt me. However, you killing Botan is not one of them. I do not need to remind you that I am way passed digressing, Yomi." Youko remarked impatienty. He wanted to settle the score with Yomi before devising a course of action to reclaim Botan.
Yomi was pleased that Youko still knows him well. As ruthless as he is from being a former member of the Three Kings, he would not do that to Youko. Not now at least. He values their friendship but he still derives pleasure from provoking the fox nonetheless. "You told me once that my recklessness will get me killed one day. I did not give credence to it, hence, the lost of my eyesight."
Youko raised a brow at the statement. "What does that have to do with Botan?"
"I want to do you both the same verbal favor." Yomi proffered while smiling. He could only guess what the fox will say next.
"I would rather not hear it, considering the audacity of your prior actions." Youko muttered.
"I will say it just the same. Think of it as an absolution for her and my gratitude for gracing me with your presence. It is still up to you if you will make use of it or not. After all, I will not be on the losing side should you insist on being the stubborn one."
"Hn." He prompted Yomi to continue. Curious of what he has to say. This better be good.
"Why are you adamant to bury your past, Youko?" Yomi asked as a streak of lightning illuminated the sky. He can feel the intensity of Youkos' eyes on him. Seemingly contemplating on how he should respond to the personal approach.
"Our old life was full of consequences that I cannot allow to follow me where I intend to be." Youko simply answered.
"Thieving gave us our name. It was our way to gain power and control. We had fun in danger, did we not? And you know that you cannot outrun that forever. It is why you restrain yourself from having her." Yomi surmised.
"Evidently." Youko leaned back on the window pane as he eyed the seat where a feminine scent lingered. The distant smell of Botan teasing his nostrils.
"There is always danger lurking in the shadows and it will not give you a warning when it is about to strike." Yomi said after a brief pause.
"I am always cautious. If that is what you are afraid of." Youko uttered.
"Hn. Exactly. Your thoughts per se has always been your invisible army. You placed great importance in planning. You are always busy thinking first of a clever way to deal with things, rather than affection." Yomi stated as he slightly turned towards the other demon.
"It is essential to our success and the reason why I am still alive." Youko responded while flipping his silver hair to the side.
"Perhaps, but you are losing this time. And it is why it took you a while to intervene. You are not the cold-blooded and merciless Youko you once were, and entering a relationship to treat it like a battle plan proves to be unwise. Your procrastination even got you slapped." Yomi chuckled. He recalled the crisp sound when Botans' hand made contact with Kuramas' cheek, it was one of the most priceless things he ever heard in his entire life.
Youko smirked. His earlier agitation diminishing. He was amused at how the tables have turned. It never occurred to him that he will be receiving advices, much less from Yomi. In spite of this, even if it pains him, he has to admit that Yomi is right. I was too careful with Botan.
"I suppose you being this perceptive is a result of fighting Yusuke, is it not?"
"Hn. I much prefer the fact that Botan excels in counseling better than you do." Yomi answered, quirking his lips in amusement when he heard a deep chuckle erupting from the foxs' throat.
"You would not have lost your light if I did."
The rich baritone voice of Youko echoed as the air shifted and the thrum of his demon energy subsided. Silver slowly recedes and allowed fiery red to coat Kuramas' long mane. They fell into a brief silence as the tension slowly faded away.
"What do you plan to do now, Kurama?" Yomi asked, pocketing his hands. As much as he prefers Kurama to maintain his demon form, he is just pleased to learn that the fox valued his take on the situation.
"I have not decided yet. As you said, I was once cold-blooded and merciless. Thus, dealing with romantic attachment was never my cup of tea." Kurama admitted while letting out a wistful smile. He owes Botan an apology and reparation. Still, he was not sure how to approach her.
"That may be. However, I think it is time for you to veer away from your rule book and be, dare I say, instantaneous." Yomi adviced with a smirk.
Kurama sightly turned his head to look at Yomi, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "You talk like you have a woman with you."
"I have none. Though I find it effective during my interactions with Botan." Yomi chuckled at his own words. He was not over the fact that he had unabashedly risked his acquaintances with Kurama by going as far as intruding in their budding relationship.
"Watch it, Yomi. You sound enamoured already." Kurama chided, albeit amused.
"I will leave it to your imagination, Kurama. Though I am sure there are others who are uninhibited and waiting to strike. Botan is simply not aware of her sway with others, especially with men."
"Indeed. She has a knack of gaining a lot of unwanted attention." Not admitting but also not denying. Kurama was certain that in a short span of time, Yomi felt something akin to fondness to Botan. He may view this as a form of satisfying his sick amusement, but he doubted Yomi would further waste his time with Botan if he is not interested.
"Did it ever occur to you that someone may successfully steal her away while taking your time?" Yomi suddenly asked. Aware of the sharp look that Kurama is giving him.
"I did not become a legendary bandit for nothing. I will get her back one way or another if that happens. Besides, I do not intend to give Botan away to anyone. Not when she already grew on me." Yomi did not miss the silent threat. No matter how hard he hides it, Kurama had figured him out as expected.
"See that you do, Kurama." Or else...
Kurama gently shook his head when he perceived Yomis' underlying message. Conceding as he is right now, he knew Yomi will not miss an opportunity to acquire something precious, he was also a thief after all. Moreover, Yomi succeeded on most part, yet, he knew that it was a futile attempt. Botan still loves him and Kurama will take advantage of that fact to be on her good side once more. With that, he pushed himself off the window pane and sauntered his way towards the door, punching his code on the receiver just as Yomi softly questioned.
"Do you love her then?"
The door slid shut with Kurama not bothering to leave a verbal reply. He did not need to. Because out of the three of them, Yomi was the first one to realize.
A/N:
Ooookkaaayy..This just served as a continuation of the confrontation bet. Kurama and Yomi. It's been sitting on my phone since I posted Chapter 8.
Are you curious what will happen on the next chapter? Me too! XD
I just hope that I could decide what course of action Kurama needs to take, the sooner the better. How do you want to be courted by a drop-dead gorgeous gentleman, Botan? Let's find out!
Thank you for reading.
Leave a review peeps.
'Til next time! Xoxo