h114 - awww... Sending you a virtual hug too..thank you!

heartluv - I'm gonna cut Botan some slack haha 2 years is enough already.

kyolihk - LOL. I want Kurama wanting! Ending it there wouldn't be right since Botan will most likely succumb to Kuramas' irresistable charms and smexiness. I mean, tbh, I would pounce on him too you know regardless of the situation. XD Let's just hope that I can update Baby Boy and satisfy your KB AU cravings.

On to the last Chapter!

Chapter XII

"Botan."

Who is that?

"Botan. Can you hear me?"

Kurama?

"Open your eyes for me."

Botan slowly peered open her eyes revealing a set of disoriented purple orbs. Her glazed vision gradually focused as it settled on the hunched form of Kurama above her. "Hey." His gentle voice pulling her out of her daze. The diety blinked a couple of times before panic crossed her features when she noticed the blood trickling on the side of his head, as well as the cuts on his face and the scrapes and splinters on his forearms. She was about to budge her reposed form when pain shot from her leg and side.

"Stop. You will hurt yourself if you continue to move." Kurama told her, perceiving the motion on her lower extremities pinned in between his knees. He achingly shifted his weight so as not to crush her frail body. It was a good thing that he was able to summon his vines the last minute, encircling her form and allowing him to reach her in the nick of time. However, shielding Botan from the harsh landing and other falling debris made a huge toll on his weakened human body. Nevertheless, he was just grateful that aside from a cut on the scalp, a few bruises, a broken leg and a minor puncture wound on her side, Botan came out as fine as she could be.

"But you're hurt too. Let me heal you, Kurama." Botan raised a hand to touch his bloodied forehead but the red-head shook his head to avoid the contact. She settled her hands on his chest instead, worry lines visible on the caking of dried blood in her brow.

Kurama gave her a reassuring smile. He slightly moved to wipe a splatter of blood off her cheek with the palm of his hand. "I am alright. No need to spend your healing ki on me. Just stay still, Botan. I will get us out of here." He appeased as he closed his eyes and started manipulating his energy. Now that he is certain that Botan is off the hook, he can fully concentrate on his search. The sooner he found what he was looking for, the sooner they can get out of this mess.

"But - " "Please." His entreating tone made her sigh in defeat. Seeing that she can't convince a stubborn Kurama, Botan took this time to observe their surroundings through the curtain of his red hair.

Tons of dirt, stones, woods and soil rubble lay scattered around them, some of the sharp fragments embedded to the ground. The wreckage provided minimal space for movement, thus, their close proximity. She slowly shifted her gaze upwards and followed the streak of light coming from the crack of a chunky boulder. They've been trapped for a little over an hour judging by the hue of the afternoon light, the beam bouncing off Kuramas' hair when it touched his crown. Her gaze moved to the huge broken bough of the Okunenju beyond Kuramas' shoulders. The massive weight supported by his back, preventing it from crushing their bodies. A drop of liquid on her forehead made her look at the red-head. Kurama was sweating profusely with his skin flushed from over exertion. His green eyes obscured by his shut eyelids, brow furrowed in concentration. The creaking sound denoted the dwindling demon energy of Kurama as the hefty wooden structure continue to ruthlessly push him to the ground.

"Kurama." Botan worriedly breathed out while reaching for his cheek. The urge to help him got the better of her as she gradually released her spirit energy.

Kurama opened his eyes to regard the woman beneath him. Her warm breath and the way she uttered his name spurred his desire amidst the dire situation. Bloodied and injured, Botan was still - even more appealing to him. But now is not the time. He thought when he heeded the distress in her features.

Piercing green eyes subsequently widened in astonishment at the sudden burst of strength in his being. The subtle infiltration of her vitality caused a brief surge of energy when it tapped on his reserves. She is giving me her life force. Kurama immediately moved his face away from her hand and fixed her with a stern look. "I would appreciate it if you stop, Botan. I cannot risk you pulling one of your endearing stunts this time." He heaved a sigh when she regarded him pleadingly. "I am just seeking for the remnants of Yusukes' and Yomis' energy. A tendril of my ki is coursing through these woods to touch theirs as we speak." He winced when a blunt twig dug on his back, quickly adding a thought to deviate the attention of the diety from his pained expression. "It is similar to Master Genkais' technique when she absorbed Shishiwakamarus' energy during the Dark Tournament." Botan gave him a slight nod as she reluctantly lowered her hand, understanding crossing her face. He smiled in return and in relief as he cut the damned twig using a thorny vine from his hair.

"Do you think they know what's going on? I mean Yomi-san and Enki-san?" She asked tentatively, innocently caressing the exposed skin of his clavicle with her fingers. Kurama turned his face to the side and examined the rubble, distracting himself from the arousing touch.

"I am certain they are aware. However, this tree is more complex than how we deemed it to be and I doubt if they can do anything about it." Or if they will do anything after finding out that we are both alive. He mentally added. He's been keeping tabs on their surroundings and he was sure that Enki and Yomi are in the vicinity. Obviously taking their time on deciding whether or not to lend a helping hand. If only he has enough demon energy to turn into Youko, he would have gotten themselves to safety and give the conniving demons a piece of his mind.

Botan hummed in reply as she observed him. The angle gave her a perfect view of his attractive profile. Curious purple eyes trailed from his strong jaw to the corner of his mouth; to his aristocratic nose and to his wisdom-filled green eyes. Her fascination came to a halt when her gaze was met by the deep cut on his forehead just beneath his hairline. Botan recalled his panicked expression when she carelessly flew directly on the danger zone. She saw his desperation when she was struggling to navigate under the onslaught of humunguous falling debris. The last thing she remembered was his piercing scream of her name before falling into oblivion. She was certain a lot more had happened which resulted to Kurama getting wounded. Moreover, the fox is obviously withholding his own pain to soothe her worry. Her heart swelled with love and respect at the thought. However, the selfless streak on risking his life to protect others without thinking of his well-being made her feel guilty. It reminded her of the numerous times he pulled her out of harm's way, back when he was an active member of Reikai Tantei. After all this time, she can only be a useless damsel in distress, always needed saving from a knight with crimson hair. Some things never change. She thought ruefully as she averted her gaze.

"I'm sorry, Kurama. You got hurt from saving me." The diety said earnestly while fingering a pearl button of his dress shirt. Avoiding his eyes when he turned to her. She nibbled on her bottom lip nervously, oblivious of its effect on the aroused man on top of her. Nevertheless, the intensity of his gape made her skin prickle in anticipation. It's now or never. "I-I mean. For all the times that you saved me. And I'm sorry if I was impatient. I was looking forward to talk to you because Koenma-sama said that you... tried to uhm...kiss me yesterday." Botan paused while collecting her thoughts, resuming her nervous habit. Kurama pursed his lips. His green eyes darkened when the last of his self-restraint crumbled to dust. "I didn't believe him so I watched from the Tape Room. Then I just...went here and-and when I saw you, I wasn't able to control myself. I wanted to talk to you about it. I uhm...wanted to hear it from you...and I didn't notice the tree until I saw you sprinting towards me...then I realized the tree was about to - "

"Botan." His throaty voice cut through her ramblings. Botan timidly lifted her eyes to look at his face. His impassioned green eyes made her anxious as she bit on her lip to stop herself from trembling. "Keeping my intended safe is an instinctive reflex." Heat formed in her belly when Kurama began lowering his head. His warm breath fanning her face as he huskily spoke, confirming his failed attempt and his current intention. "And I did try yesterday. This time, however, I will kiss you."

Kurama swooped down to claim her lips in a passionate kiss. Widened purple eyes slowly closed on their own volition, mimicking his closed ones as he deepened the lip lock. A small gasp escaped her when Kurama bit on her lip, easing the bite afterwards with a gentle suck before slipping his tongue between her plump orifice. His head slanted to the side to widen the opening, allowing him full access to her glorious mouth. Fervid tongue relentlessly prodded her warm cavern, shamelessly exploring every nook and cranny to bask in her sweet taste. A groan of approval erupted from his throat when Botan experimentally fought for dominance. Her erotic moan muffled when he sucked on her diffident tongue to recompense her daring effort. All rational thoughts flew out of the window as they continue to indulge themselves in the long overdue intimacy. The pounding of their hearts reverberated in their ears as the external world faded when the heat from the sensual brushing of their lips intensified, drowning the sound of the dangerous grating of wood overhead.

It was long moments before Kurama slowly broke the kiss, pecking her lips when she let out an alluring whimper of discontent; maintaining an intimate distance from her as his lustful green eyes stared at her face. The pink staining in her cheeks and the ragged breathing escaping her kiss-bruised lips arousing him even further. All he wanted was to give in to the sweet temptation until they are both satiated. However, he wanted to clarify things first and their current setting doesn't strike him as an ideal location to do what he had in mind.

"Botan." He rasped, his voice gruff and low from his want. Darkened pools of purple orbs peered from half-lidded eyes to stare at him. He almost lost it right then and there but he held himself. Some things are far more important than satisfying his carnal desires.

"Forgive me." Kurama started when the desire on her purple orbs abated, but immediately regretted his words when he saw hurt flashed through her eyes. He quickly gave her a chaste kiss for amends on the implication of his sudden apology. "This is not what I am apologizing for." He mumbled against her lips, then breathe a sigh of relief when she relaxed.

Filament of plant tissue attached itself on his back as it feeds his weakened body with the strived hybrid of demon energy. The lust and fatigue in his eyes slowly faded as its greenness gleamed with focus. Kurama stared directly into her eyes as he began. "I was a fool for taking advantage of what you feel for me but understand that it was never my intention to hurt you. I was engrossed on being too careful with my actions that I overlooked your feelings. It was selfish of me." He moved to replace his hands with his arms on either side of her head, bringing his form closer to the diety. Strands of his healing ki traveled from his body to her injured side and leg. "I was so used on being pursued that I failed to make any initiative to show you how much I care. It did not cross my mind that I would lose you in the process and it broke me when you have had enough." He paused to brush away the tears from her eyes. "I was very anrgy at myself for letting you down that I unintentionally turned into Youko. It bothered me when I reverted back to my old self. It also frightened me how I easily threw my resolve out of the window. However, when I remember you crying and walking away from me; when I saw you looked at me lovingly even when I hurt you; when I saw you falling with your broken body; it made me realize that I am willing to face the ghosts of my past and be anything that is necessary just to be with you." He nuzzled her cheek at this, staying still for a brief moment before pulling back to look at her again. "I apologize for making you wait and for all my misgivings...And for trying to steal a kiss from you." Kurama leaned in when Botan reached for his lips to give him a sweet kiss. He smirked when she gave him a coy smile after. "I cannot live without you, Botan. Specially now that you are stuck on me like a limpet." His smirk turned into a smile when she chortled against his lips.

"If I had known that wounding myself would make you admit that you felt strongly for me, I would have let myself fall off my oar from the beginning." Botan gasped when Kurama forcefully sucked on her bottom lip, then she pouted in mock indignation. Purple eyes sparkled with utter joy and affection, her tears long gone. "And do I seem like a mollusk to you, Kurama? Surely you are aware that even if I am in love with you it still doesn't mean that I find it endearing to be compared to a sea creature other than a mermaid." Botan quipped while poking her finger at his cheek. Kurama chuckled as he tried to bite the prodding appendage, earning him another set of delightful giggle from the woman beneath him. "You know that is not what I meant." He rectified.

"Then what was it that you mean then?" Botan asked, nudging his nose with her own. Kurama gave her a glimpse of his ardent green eyes before he leisurely lowered his face to capture her lips after saying the words that took her years to achieve and him to admit.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So, what's the status?" Enki asked, lowering the binoculars from his eyes. He looked over the blind demon beside him. The demon workers surrounding the two powerful beings share awkward glances, perturbed that their bosses weren't attempting to aid the pair enshrouded by the massive rubble.

"I believe you owe me a portion of your territory, Enki." Yomi stated with an arrogant smirk on his face. He was disgruntled that his divertissement with Kurama came to an end. Nevertheless, nurturing his newly acquired piece of property will keep him preoccupied while devising another scheme to irk the fox.

"He made it to first base already?!" Enki asked incredulously. He never thought Kurama had it in him. The sly fox. Enki was sure that in their current state, the red-head would not find it in himself to engage in any form of intimacy. Kurama just doesn't seem the type to easily give in to his urges mostly under similar predicament. Apparently, he did not know the fox as much as Yomi did.

"Hn. I should have taken your throne as reward from our bet. That way it should have been more interesting." Yomi remarked as he turned his back from the ruins and started to walk towards the city. The demon workers gawked upon hearing their conversation, mouths hung open as some of them scratch the back of their heads in incredulity.

"Wait. What about Kurama and Botan-chan? I don't think it is wise to leave them here. What of the aftershocks?" Enki stated, motioning to the rubble. The blind demon stopped and tilted his head to spare him a glance.

"Kurama stabilized the environment by absorbing and neutralizing the disruptive energy." Yomi chuckled darkly as he resumed walking. "I suggest for you to not worry over them but instead worry over your wife finding out that you lost your land in a foolish bet. I expect the turnover documents tomorrow, king."

Epilogue

Soft shuffling of linen fabric can be heard from a dimly lit room. Discarded jeans, dress shirt, frock and undergarments lay haphazardly on the carpeted bedroom floor. Faint creaking of springs from the thick mattress sounded as two naked bodies tangled and continued to explore one another.

"Kurama uhm..." Botan called out breathlessly as Kurama held onto her smooth thigh, positioning his overheated member at her soaking entrance. He nuzzled on the side of her pale neck, inhaling her addictive scent before humming his reply.

"I know I said that I wanted to be your life mate but I think -ahh.. you're gonna have to convince me into this again." She panted out while he trailed open-mouthed kisses on her throat. He nibbled on her swollen lip before delving his tongue inside, smirking when she moaned against his mouth. Kurama broke the lip lock then regarded her seductively,before resuming his perch on her neck, nipping on the smooth skin. The head of his rigid shaft slightly slipped into her wet folds.

"I uhm.. Can I—what are you thinking right now?" Kurama percieved the nervousness in her voice. He immediately stopped his actions and pulled back slightly to look at her face.

"Did I hurt you, Botan?" He asked worriedly. This is her first time to engage in copulation and it will cause him distraught if he made any discomforting move on her. He wanted this to be perfect that's why he took his time to prepare her. Eventhough what he truly wanted was to claim her completely, to bite on the precious juncture of her neck and to rut with her repeatedly until she is too sore to move from their bed.

"No. Of course not. Uhm... Never mind." The diety appeased when she saw his apprehension. She held his face to bring him down for a burning kiss. It immediately reawakened his desire as he returned the kiss with equal fervor. He rubbed the tip of his manhood against her sex. Groaning when she slightly wrenched away from his sensual assault. Kurama buried his face on the crook of her neck to hide his frustration. His fingers impatiently drummed against the mattress by the side of her head. He needed her. Now.

"How can you be so calm? I-I mean your not saying anything. Is it - is it really supposed to be like this?" Botan gulped when he shifted to look at her with an unreadable expression. The desire leaving his countenance. She nibbled on her lower lip as her fingers drew imaginary circles on his bare chest while her eyes followed the movement. "I'm sorry. I ruined the moment." Her crestfallen expression tugged at his heart. He softly sighed as he regarded her with an affectionate smile.

"Botan." Kurama uttered her name while tilting her chin to look directly in her troubled eyes. He kissed her softly before resting his forehead against hers. "I want to do this with you because I want you to be mine completely. Even so, unless you are ready, I will not push through."

Botan couldn't help but to fall deeper in love with Kurama. He made her his priority ever since they made their relationship official, always minding her needs first before his. As expected, he wasn't flamboyant with his affection. His profound desire to claim her, however, was a different story. It was evident on how he keeps a possessive touch in her person everytime they are out and with the others, specially if Yusuke is around. Botan was no different, of course. Her man has always been subjected to lecherous leers of women from all the realms, some more beautiful and more intelligent than her, but Kurama took no notice. It made her feel so special that a man of his caliber wanted her; wanted them to consummate their relationship and mark her for any and all to see. Love-struck purple eyes stared at irresistable greens.

Botan smiled charmingly while lifting her arms to encircle his neck, adjusting herself to accommodate him between her legs. The smooth glide of her thigh against his heated skin and the scent of her arousal rekindled the fire in his groin. Kurama brushed his lips against hers in a painstakingly slow manner that induced an arousing whimper from her mouth, instantly hardening his member. She broke the kiss for one last time and looked directly in his eyes as he started to sink into her.

"I love you, Kurama."

Kurama let out a loving smile at her declaration before bucking his hips. Burying himself to the hilt, breaking her natural barrier in the process. He hissed as he felt the tight clamping of her slippery walls on his rigid member. Kurama summoned all his willpower to prevent himself from moving until she adopted the sudden penetration. A whimper of pain made him look at his intended with adoration as the metallic scent of blood reached his sensitive nose. Botan closed her eyes in concentration while he showered her face with butterfly kisses, whispering soothing words to alleviate her pain. He captured her lips when she shifted to latch her long legs on his strong waist. Calloused hand traveled to her thigh before he started thrusting. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a fervent desire that urged him to intensify his hedonistic minstrations. Their mouths never wavered from their passionate kiss until sounds of pleasure began to tumble off their lips. She let out lewd moans of delight while he repeatedly rubbed on her sweet spot. Kurama buried his face in the crook of her neck when her walls tightened around him like vice, growling when Botan continuously meet his powerful thrusts. The venereal knot in their bellies reached its maximum threshold before unraveling. He succumbed to his release as he felt her climaxed. Spurting his seed inside her while sinking his teeth on her soft skin, simultaneously releasing a miniscule amount of his energy into the wound. The slight pain on his right shoulder told him that she had done the same.

They remained still while catching their breath. Soon after, their breathing patterns concurred, heartbeats synchronized. Kurama possessed her lips in a breathtaking kiss before pulling back. He was spellbound when he saw the ethereal effects of afterglow on Botan. They gazed at each other in deafening silence, reflecting on their bond and devotion. They could've led separate lives. They coud've been happier apart. They could've been stronger if they're not together. However, as they continue to immerse themselves in one another, Kurama and Botan perceived that they are the only one's who can rid each other of the trammels of their past, present and future.

To boot, Kurama accepted the fact that Botan had proven him wrong when her radiant smile lightened his darkened soul as he uttered his next words. He surmised that he no longer needs to take the lonely path of redemption because he already attained his absolution. Her.

"I love you..."

Fin

A/N:

Ending it like how it began.

Kurama and Botan are now even... Happy? LOL.

Again, I would like to thank you guys for reading and following my story. It has been my pleasure to write and read your witty reviews. I honestly enjoyed writing this fic.

Leave a review if you will.

'Til next time! Xoxo