Of You, Me, and Us

Summary: "I like you." When those words left her lips, Botan had expected to hear him utter words of apology. After all, she didn't think he felt the same way about her. She didn't expect Kurama looking straight at her in the eyes before leaning closer to kiss her. And although he didn't say anything, one glance at the expression on his face was enough to tell her: she was his now.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Chapter 42: Competition

Kurama looked on, expression neutral but underlying envy evident in his pools of green as Botan deluged all her lovely attention on the furry cat on her lap, a purr resounding from its w-shaped mouth as his fiancee scratched her red-painted nails against a sensitive spot at the back of its head.

'Yume', or as Botan would call the feline, was lying on her back against the comfortable cushions of her thighs, paws curled up into a ball as she bared her white-furred stomach to Botan's eyes. The former ferry girl let out a delighted squeal, a pink blush forming on her cheeks as she gushed over how cute Yume was and proceeded to rub incessantly at the soft surface of Yume's belly.

Outwardly, Kurama blew out of a column of breath from between his lips and watched as a lock of red hair was led astrayed and swayed lazily in the air before he brushed it back to join the rest of his fringe. Inwardly, he sounded an indignant grunt. He pondered over the possibility of the cat claiming victory this time, only to expel a low grunt from the back of his throat at the notion - yes, he was used to fighting over Botan's affections with her pet. One would think he was overreacting but Kurama begged to differ. Yume was out to make his life a living hell as much as possible.

Unwilling to give up on the competition just like that, Kurama decided to put up another fight. He was accustomed to standing back up again if backed into a corner, after all. The gears in his head started grinding against each other as he mused over the possible methods of directing Botan's attention back to him before they clicked as an idea flashed in his mind.

He wasn't sure if he was a believer of God, or if the king of spirit realm Enma-Daioh could even be qualified as such a high-class being - but Kurama mentally thanked whatever higher power that granted him the ability of changing into his fox form at will. He was grateful for the fact that his demon energy was increasing bit by bit everyday, and more than glad that he indulged Hiei in his constant requests for sparring. He had treated it as training though, as opposed to Hiei's misconception of it being a test of strength.

Kurama fluttered his eyes close as he mustered up ample amount of his demon energy to achieve not complete, but only slightly, of his transformation process into Youko. Though not fully, it was enough. Streaks of shiny silver colored the tips of his scarlet hair as furry fox ears began to sprout at the top of his head, an equally fluffy tail growing from the upper area of his rear end.

He slid his eyelids open in time to see Botan admiring his appearance, letting slip a cocky smirk as the girl parted her mouth open to allow a small scream of delight to escape from her. It was the only time he was happy that she really liked his fox ears and tail as she grabbed ahold of Yume and promptly placed the cat at the unoccupied space next to the right side of her hips. Kurama sauntered over towards her and flopped down on the sofa at her left, tilting his head slightly as Botan reached a hand out to glide her fingers over the fur of his right ear. It twitched in her hand and she let out a sound which echoed oddly between a squeal and a gasp.

He shut his eyes and permittef the shocks of pleasure to rack down his spine as Botan continued to lavish vigorous pets on his ears and tail. An uncharacteristic purr leaving through his slightly parted lips as he quelled his inflated ego and male pride, silencing the voice roaring at him for stooping as low as to let her treat him like a mere feline. Really, though her comments at how endearing and illegally cute his ears were, was deemed unneeded, Kurama was more than satisfied with his little sacrifice as he felt a prickle of pain in his left hand, peeking one eye open to see Yume biting into his thumb, digging her fangs deep enough into his skin to draw out blood. He stifled a laugh before he pulled it out of her 'deathly' grip and proceeded to dangle it over Yume's head, tauntingly waving his fingers at the cat's angry view.

A hiss and he nuzzled his nose against Botan's wrist.

Kurama - 18, Yume - 16.


A/N: In case you guys don't remember, this is a continuation of Chapter 28. Lol. And the whole Kurama sprouting out fox ears and tail is also explained in Chapter 10, if anyone's confused.

Guest- Yes, very short indeed. I didn't particularly enjoy the last update, felt like I could have done better - but I'm glad some of my readers think otherwise.

Rad1anceU- Lol, had to come back in full throttle to make up for my long disappearance. Thank you for the support! Hope you will like this chapter as well. :D

lovelyirl- I'm really either a fluff or smut type of gal. Or both lol. I'm sort of a pervert but a hopeless romantic as well. That said, people really do like my smut though XD

P/S: Will be updating Covet next. And maybe Euphoria, followed with either Nirvana (Okikagu) or Love Through Time. Just in case anyone wants to know.