h114, heartluv, kyolihk - Thank you for the uplifting words. I promise I'll do my very best to end this fic with a BANG! :)
Chapter XI
"You really did a number in front of the Elders yesterday, candidly defending Yusuke and the others like that. I wouldn't be surprised if they propose to banish you out of Spirit World, Botan."
Koenma chuckled while reaching out for the documents handed by the infuriated blue-haired ferry girl. The young lord was surprised when Botan rendered an assertive approach instead of her usual submissive presence in the meeting. He did not expect Botan to engage in a diplomatic spat with the Spirit World Elders. Heck, the widened wizened eyes of the old men told him that they too were confounded by the shift in character. He wasn't one to complain though, it just saved him from an ample amount of intellectual and sociopolitical stress.
"And I wouldn't mind changing residence if that happens. Serves them right to judge people like that. Those old geezers...Kurama, Yusuke and even Hiei doesn't deserve every bit of ridicule from them. They even mocked Kuwa-chan for being a soft-hearted human! All of my boys deserve a pedestal for everything they've done. Even the esteemed SDF cannot compete with their accomplishments." Botan scoffed, crossing her arms on her chest.
Amber eyes danced with amusement. It is not like he's promoting defiance from his employ, but Spirit World Elders also need to adapt and learn to coincide with other worldly beings, especially since the kekkai barrier has been brought down for years. Not to mention, Yusuke and the gang deserves some slack. They had put their lives on the line to save the three realms from falling in the hands henious individuals countless of times. Yet, it is still difficult to erase a stigma and a social bias that existed in Spirit World conscience from the beginning of time. Then again, he knew where Botan is coming from. Her passion in defending her loved ones is commendable but he knew the real reason. It was all because Kurama was bad-mouthed by the Elders. Could have fooled me. "Judge Kurama, you mean. You weren't like that when they talked about Hiei and Yusuke being unpure. Though I am not adverse to what you did, just so you know."
"They are not unpure. They are just from different kin. And I wasn't just defending Kurama - "
"I can't wait for the elders to learn of your relationship with Kurama. Heh. They would blow a fuse... and they cannot do anything about it." Koenma remarked the last part in a sing-song voice while arranging the stack of papers in his hands. Paying no heed to her rant.
"Relationship? Are they against my friendship with Kurama too???" Botan asked incredulously. She is aware that the elders can be a pain in the ass. But to forbid friendly ties with humans and demons, including halflings, is just absurd. Never mind the fact that she harbored feelings for the fox. After careful thinking the night before, she gradually accepted the sad situation of her social standing with Kurama.
"Friendship? Don't tell me you haven't worked out your thing with Kurama after what happened yesterday?" The toddler commented, reaching for his gavel stamp. Botan raised a slender brow in confusion.
"Yesterday? What do you mean?"
Koenma stopped halfway from stamping a routing document. He returned her reaction but with scepticism. "Don't give me that. I know he pulled a little stunt before you went back here." His brow furrowed when the ferry girl tilted her head in noticeable puzzlement. "I'm afraid you lost me Koenma-sama. I'm drawing a blank here. Kurama and I just talked." She said while racking her brain for anything unusual occurrence aside from her encounter with Kurama in the hallway the day prior. Which reminds her that they still need to finish their conversation when she returns to Demon World.
"For goodness sake! Don't you remember when Kurama tried to kiss you?!" Koenma shrieked, pointing the wooden mallet at the baffled ferry girl.
"K-Kurama what? I-I don't...H-h-ho...W-wait, you saw?" Botan stammered eith a timid voice, eyes widened in disbelief. Her face crimsoned at the notion soon after.
"Of course I saw you ninny! I sent a drone to oversee the meeting before I called you in your compact." Koenma stood on his seat and rested his toddler weight on his hands when he leaned on the table. His brows wiggled mischievously. He will not miss an opportunity to tease his head ferry girl. "You should have seen your faces when he pulled back though. Especially Kurama. He looked like a child caught with his hand on a cookie jar! Hahahaha!" Koenma made a smooching sound while laughing. "It was priceless! Hahaha! But his goofy face when you went against Kaito is still my favorite! Pffffttt... Hahaha! My stomach hurts! Please make it stop! Hahahahahahahahah-eh? B-Botan. I-I was just...what are you doing?! W-wai! OOWW!!!"
"KOENMA-SAMA, YOU JERK!" Botan bawled before marching her way out of the office with a broken oar clutched tightly in her hand. Leaving the spirit lord sprawled across his table with documents splayed around his unconscious form.
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Kurama tried to kiss me?
The thought replayed repeatedly on her head like a broken mantra as Botan walked blindly through the corridors of the Gate of Judgement. Too distracted to care for the strange looks of ogres and other ferry girls who eyed her broken oar.
Is this only a joke? Maybe Koenma-sama is just pulling my leg. She thought, pretending not to feel the prick of disappointment in case it really was untrue. However, she also couldn't feign ignorance to the exhilarating thought of Kurama actually tried to be intimate with her. Things like that only happen on her dreams. Is it true, Kurama? Did you really try to kiss me? She played at the lock of loose hair on the side of her face.The sound of clattering wood fell on deaf ears as she let go of her oar. Her hand traveled upwards to lightly touch her lips. If it was true, then it would be a huge development in their relationship. But how can she prove it ever happened? She needs to know the truth or she won't be able to get some rest. But how can she possibly ask Kurama without embarrassing herself? Koenma-sama said that he saw. But how -
Botan was suddenly hit by a thought. Of course. Jubilation crossing her features as she turned on her heel and walked briskly to her destination.
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"You look pathetic." Hiei remarked, perching himself at the tree branch above the resting red-head. He sensed the weakened flicker of demon energy from the fox and noticed the fatigue in his physique.
"Why hello to you too, Hiei. It's nice of you to visit. Missed me that much, have you?" Kurama said. Eyes still closed and a playful smile on his lips, unmoving from his supine lying position on the grass with his arms cradling the back of his head. His smile broadened when he heard a familiar sharp clicking of tongue.
"Tch. Shut it, fox. Or I will tear your voice box out of your throat." Kurama chuckled in return, peering at the shorter demon. He sluggishly raised his upperbody and rested his weight on his hands splayed on the ground at his sides. Stretching his taut neck from side to side. "So, what brings you here?"
"Mukuro sent me to deliver a confidential message to Enki. We settled a definitive plan for the security layout." Hiei replied.
"I see." The red-head moved to stand and dusted his pants. The slight wobble on his legs not lost to the keen eyes of Hiei. "I do not see you fawning over your ferry girl. She had enough of you already?" Sharp crimson eyes regarded the taller demon who pocketed his hands. The usual graceful visage of Kurama had a little slouch when he sighed.
"Hn. Botan is in Spirit World. She had to attend to something important." The longing and melancholy in his voice, the indirect answer to his gibe and the depleted energy from keeping himself busy could only mean one thing for the fire demon.
"You got dumped." Hiei deadpanned.
It was Kuramas' turn to click his tongue, albeit with a little moderation. "Tch. I was not dumped. It is merely a misunderstanding that I am about to right when she comes back." Kurama defensively uttered as he glanced at his friend from his position. He was suddenly hit by a mild nausea from craning his head upwards. It was hours since he started working on the rest of the Okunenju, resulting to his diminishing demon energy. He was determined to free his schedule for Botan and a simple exhaustion won't stop him from accomplishing the task ahead of time.
"Heh. I wonder what Yusuke will do when he finds out that you unabashedly hurt his secret woman." Hiei crossed his arms on his chest. Smugly smirking at the suspicious red eyebrow raised at him. With Kuramas' earlier reaction, he knew he got under his skin. He would not mind pushing his buttons, it was not everyday that his friend lost his cool.
"Botan is not his secret woman." Kurama said with a frown.
"Oh? His overprotectiveness says otherwise. I even thought that Yusuke wants to mate with her with all the lecherous acts that he did towards the ferry girl." His smirk widened when he felt the sudden flare of Kuramas' dwindling demon energy. He knows when to irk and get his desired reaction from the fox. Kuramas' fastidious self control is difficult to maintain when he is at his state.
The frown deepened on Kuramas' face in annoyance. He knew he shouldn't fall for the goad, but, he is not patient when he is exhausted. Yet, the thought bothered him in his current standpoint. From the first time he met Botan, he also suspected that something was going on between her and Yusuke. That was one of the reasons why he didn't pursue her to begin with, and also the reason why he couldn't believe that she loved him when she confessed. It made him, dare he say, jealous to this day when Yusuke keeps hitting on her and dropping dirty jokes for the oblivious woman. However, it is a subject he'd rather not talk about unless it is with Botan and Hiei is clearly feeding him with insensible ideas. "I very much prefer you to stop, Hiei. Or you will need to layout a plan for your own security yourself." Kurama replied, his tone low and dangerous. Green eyes bore directly into his red ones. If Hiei wasn't himself he probably peed his pants from trepidation.
"Touche. You are not this sensitive before, Kurama. Your humanity makes you vulnerable." He scoffed instead, breaking the eye contact.
"I can be anything I need to be if it means staking my claim to Botan." Kurama indifferently stated while he shifted to look in front of him. The sight of the greenery and the abundance of Makaian peonies calming his nerves. "What about you, Hiei? If a powerful demon made a move on Mukuro would you not have done the same?"
"Hn. He would not have any limbs even before he make his attempt." Hiei answered dismissively, turning to leave. As much as he wants to taunt the fox even further, it is still unnerving for his own relationship to be brought in the surface. He spared a glance at the red-head below as he muttered. "You better find a way to quickly restore your energy, Kurama. You are in Demon World and I will not be around to baby sit when an old foe of yours takes advantage of the situation." The recommendation was followed by a gust of wind and distant crunching of leaves. Kurama smiled when he heard the advice. No matter how stone-cold of a demon Hiei was. He always have a soft spot for his comrades, no matter how hard he denies it.
Weary green eyes fluttered close while Kurama inhaled deeply. His thoughts drifted to Botan when he caught the smell of nearby peonies. He chose this spot to rest because the scent appears to bring him closer to the diety. Is this normal? Only a day has passed since he last saw her and he misses her already. Time seems to stretch while waiting for her return. If not for his exhaustion, he would've made his way to Spirit World to collect her. Just a little more time. Kurama thought as he reminded himself that all good things comes to those who wait. Furthermore, he still needs to recuperate unless he wants to be scolded by Botan for not taking care of himself. He slowly opened his eyes and was about to set forth to his quarters when he heard a set of hurried footsteps approaching.
"Kurama-san! I'm glad I caught you! You need to go to the eastern side of the forest quickly!" A committee member exclaimed, his breath ragged from running. Hands rested on his knees and sweat trickling on his face.
"What is the emergency?" Kurama asked in alarm when he noticed the splinters on the mans' uniform. The committee member gulped a few times to catch his breath before replying in a breathless rushed manner.
"The Okunenju tree - the deformed one. It's collapsing! "
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Oh my god...
Trembling hands concealed the gaping mouth of Botan. Her widened eyes glued to the screen from one of the monitors in the Spirit Worlds' Tape Room. She had hoped for it but she could not believe she missed the action. The video on the screen played out what happened when she closed her eyes during the time Kurama confronted her. His desire was palpable in his eyes for one to miss. She can even see it through an inanimate monitor. Kurama tried to kiss me. And I did not even know. She paused the video to freeze the moment before Koenmas' call. A hand glided across the screen where their lips almost met. We were so close. So intimate...like before.
One of her hands clutch the silk fabric above her frantic heart as she looked back on all his prior actions. The way he touched her. The way he looked at her. The way he talked to her. She is the only one he shares a hug aside from his mother, for goodness sake! It was already there, right under their noses. A shaky laugh escaped her trembling lips while tears sprung from her eyes. Botan stared at the monitor one last time before shutting it down. I need to see him. She thought. Determination crossing her face. A trembling hand wiped away her tears as she scurried out of the room. She almost collided with a fellow ferry girl in her haste.
"Oh! Botan-chan! Easy. What's the hurry?" Ayame called out steadying the blue-haired ferry girl by holding both of her shoulders.
"Ayame-san! Good timing! I need a favor. My oar is broken and it will take hours for me to reproduce one. I need to borrow yours. Please." Botan beseeched, slightly panting. Her flushed face and hurried gait resorted the dark-haired ferry girl to concede in an instant. She lifted an arm on her side to summon her oar. "Here -" "Thank you, Ayame-san! I owe you one!" Botan abruptly grab the flying contraption and sprinted away. Leaving behind a bewildered Ayame.
The diety ran as fast as she could and jump on the ledge of the balcony, maneuvering herself to safely mount the oar. With a flick of her wrist, the oar bolted ahead, it's speed mirroring her rapid thoughts. Botan gripped the oar tightly, steering it to the direction of the nearest portal to Demon World - onto the Okunenju Forest where she suspects Kurama will be. No matter what happens, she will not let this day pass without hearing what Kurama has to say. Some would think that she had gone crazy and resorted to assume things. But with what she saw at the tape room, Botan doubts she is imagining things. Just this once, she is certain that Kurama has been doing things that isn't platonic in nature, involuntarily as it is. Her feelings were already reciprocated way before she got herself into a snafu. Kurama was just too reluctant and she was just too aggressive. Simply put...They were just too naive to realize.
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The tremor intensifies as Kurama neared the collapsing Okunenju. He stopped by a nearby cliff to survey the scene. The main disc is still intact with little breaks on its soil although slightly tilted to the side due to the uneven branches supporting its weight. Huge knotted offshoots began to break and tumble off the gigantic trunk of the tree as the ground shook everytime a fallen wood structure landed on the forest floor. Mammoth roots protrudes in the surroundings while the soil reinforcing the tree began to liquify from the continuous proliferation of the millennia old plant. He inspected the vicinity for any signs of casualties and noticed the group of demon workers safely scurrying away from the unstable area.
I could stop the plant movement by mixing my energy with Yusukes' and Yomis'...But I do not have enough.
Amidst his frustrating thought and the unfolding chaotic event, a distinct spirit energy invaded his senses. Green eyes shot up to the sky in alarm as he began to move. Botan is approaching at high speed. His mind rapidly calculated her trajectory while running past the startled demon workers. She is going to be directly under the fall. He surmised, just when the final branch supporting the main disc snaps. The elevated ground began to break and started falling as numerous gigantic bricks. The fox kept his gaze on the diety while maneuvering around the rubble. He can see Botan struggling to dodge the debris, the fear in her purple eyes forcing him to pump every ounce of his remaining energy through his legs to reach her and keep her safe from harm. His eyes widened in horror as a large piece of compounded soil and wood slammed into the diety, the forceful impact sent her off the oar, leaving her still form in a free fall.
"BOTAN!"
Kurama had never been so terrified in his entire demon and human life.
A/N:
A common struggle of people falling in love...
I plan to make the next chapter final... Hopefully, I could finish the thought asap. I want to update my other fics but I can't seem to move on with Trammel unless it is finished.
Thank you for reading guys!
'Til next time! Xoxo