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.

A/N: Okay, so I realize that I haven't updated Covet for about a week, but bear with me for a moment. This chapter needed to be updated first, because it was simply too cute to keep only in my imagination for a few more days. I swear, I'll give you guys a new chapter of Covet by tomorrow. XD

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Chapter 45: Espousal

It was the 9th of April, the birds were chirping a joyous tune suitable for the day's cheery weather, and the cherry blossom petals fluttered in time with the gentle, pleasant breeze. One pink colored perianth swayed lazily in the air before making its quiet, soft land on a window sill after making its silent entrance through the opened aperture.

Botan was clad in a white, trumpet-style off shoulders wedding dress, the top of the gown accentuating her supple breasts as it was decorated with lace, the material reaching just about her waist. The lower half of the dress was of organza fabric, the hem lengthy and flowy as it obstructed her equally snowy-hued high heels from view. She felt a single, final pull from Keiko's hand on her locks of sky blue before she eventually peered at her own reflection in the full length mirror positioned against the flower-wallpapered wall in front of her. Her long, blue mane was pulled up in a twisted updo, a flower crown of undyed peonies decorating her hair. Keiko seemed to be impressed at her own handiwork, Yukina clapped from beside her and Shizuru expelled an appreciative, teasing whistle at Botan's appearance.

"Nervous?" Shizuru asked as she gestured to Botan's slightly high strung expression reflected in the mirror. "You're not having second thoughts, are you? It's a bit too late to get cold feet now, B," she joked in a playful manner, giving the former ferry girl a friendly nudge of her elbow against the shorter woman's left shoulder.

It seemed to work, Botan's mind slightly put to ease at one of her best friend's successful attempts at humor as a cheeky grin spread on her lips. "It's not that. I just didn't think…" she paused as she took in her mien for the umpteenth time that day. "I didn't think that this day would arrive, especially for lil' old me. It still feels like a dream. A really nice dream." Another moment of purposeful silence, before she muttered, in a low, uncertain voice, "Is it really okay for me to be this happy?"

She felt a gentle pat on her back and spun her head to her right to regard Yukina with a mildly confused blink. "I think if anyone were to deserve this amount of happiness, it should be you, Botan," the koorime reassured her.

"Yes, I second Yukina's opinion. God knows how much emotional baggage you carry on your shoulders," Keiko chimed in, once again fixing the flower crown in her friend's hair when Shizuru stroked the top of Botan's head for the third time since the start of their assistance in helping her get dressed. "You've helped Yusuke and I so much, Botan. Not just us, but plenty of other people. Our friends, people we don't even know, those poor dead souls… You have the right to at least relish this." She placed a hand on the blue-haired deity's right shoulder for emphasis, giving the other woman a consoling squeeze. "It's okay for you to be happy. In fact, we want you to be happy. And Kurama makes you happy. Today is your special day. The beginning of a new life for you. It's a once in a lifetime experience - I would know. Enjoy it."

Botan smiled, a girlish, high-pitched set of laughter leaving her lips as Shizuru made a stupid, unabashed joke about beating the ass of anyone who would dare make a mess of her wedding. King Enma Daioh included.

Yes, she was glad; thankful for the three best friends she had made along the way.


"You look awfully ridiculous in that," Hiei's demeaning scoff sounded in the walls of the room where the men of the group occupied. The fire demon had made his presence known only after slipping quietly into the space through the currently parted window.

Kurama didn't bother to acknowledge him at once, more preoccupied with studying his appearance. When he did, Hiei and Kuwabara were already engaged in another incomprehensible mouth war. Apparently, the Jagan master had blurted out an insensitive comment about the carrot-top's facial features, as per usual.

"Hiei." He wisely chose to ignore his peer's snide remark, the white tie adorning his collar along with the ivory dinner jacket and equally bleached pair of pants hugging his entire form a direct contrast to the ichor-colored strands of his red hair. The only thing that seemed to match with his scarlet mane was the dark, turned down collared buttoned up shirt underneath the jacket. "I see your manners are quite lacking as always. You could have gone through the door like normal people. Anyone could have seen you."

Hiei snorted. "Well, I'm not like normal people, mind you."

"You could have at least tried to make it seem like you are," Yusuke's voice butted in before Kurama could counter with a snarky comment of his own. "And quit that scowling, will ya? You're gonna scare off the other guests when they see you. At least pretend you care."

On the contrary though, the thin, angry line outlined on Hiei's lips only seemed to intensify as he caught on to the scolding edge in the former delinquent's timbre. "I really don't need to be reprimanded by you, of all people, detective. How's your woman, by the way? I suppose she still has you wrapped around her finger?" he questioned, a sly smirk curling at the corners of his mouth when Yusuke's stern frown fell in order to give way to a slightly pink tinge donning his cheeks, blood rushing to his head as he sputtered before grumbling under his breath as he noted the self-satisfied gleam in Hiei's ruby irises.

"Well, at least I'm getting laid, unlike someone," the ex-Spirit Detective muttered in weak retaliation, his arms going to cross over his chest as he turned his head up in a display of arrogance.

"I go at it with Mukuro every day, if you need to know," Hiei said drily, his voice neutral to the point that it made his sudden declaration even funnier. "If there's anyone not having a good sex life, it's this ugly oaf over here," he scoffed as he proceeded to point a thumb over Kuwabara's direction.

The said "ugly oaf" stammered before expelling an offended snarl. Meanwhile, Yusuke doubled over, tears of joy evident at the back of his eyelids as he let out a loud, obnoxious fit of barely controlled chortles at Hiei's choice of words regarding Mukuro. Kurama heaved a deep sigh as he saw Kuwabara begin to manifest his Spirit Sword, already intent to slice Hiei's small stature into half. The fire demon side-stepped just in time for Kuwabara to lunge forward at him in an attempted assault, the carrot-top landing face-first on the vermillion-carpeted floor when Hiei dodged and he tripped on his own feet. Yusuke was already rendered breathless as his howl of laughter reduced him to a convulsing mess on the floor.

God help him, Kurama really only wanted to get through the day unscathed.


It was a little over three years in their relationship when he had first proposed to her, and about five or so months of the two being engaged before they were finally about to be united as spouses. Close friends and family members came to the wedding ceremony, all feasting their eyes in awe at the sight as the pair of doting lovers clasped their hands together in a firm, gentle grasp. They stared at each other, patent love and affection disrupting their pools of lavenders and greens.

Kurama studied his mate's overall appearance, the pink hue coloring her cheeks seemed to appear as a glow more than a blush. The rose-pigmented lipstick embellishing the glossy texture of her lips served to only make her angelic features more prominent as her mouth curved into a warm, pretty smile. She was a gem, a saint and a blessing in his life and Kurama thanked whatever higher power was responsible for bringing her to him.

Botan surveyed the red-haired lad in front of her, his face as handsome as ever as he ogled down at her with an alluring bearing that conveyed the entirety of the unfathomable depths of his feelings for her, the look causing her knees to wobble and her insides to melt. Butterflies waggled in the pits of her stomach as her heart swelled in absolute glee, the white of his tuxedo seeming to spell out his desire to start a fresh beginning with her. Unsullied, untainted and pure. The fox was so many things but above all else, he was the man who showed her what true happiness honestly felt like.

When the priest had finished with his speech and the two exchanged vows, the whole world seemed to freeze over as their lips connected in an innocent, yet passionate kiss. Everything around them apparently stopped for a brief moment until the gears in the space of time seemed to function once again as he pulled apart from her and the loud-sounding claps and cheers of their friends and family resonated in the air. The cherry blossom petals fluttered between them - and as Kurama watched his lover-now-turned-wife slide her eyelashes open to reveal the purple jewels underneath, her mouth tugging into a contented smile, he swore he would keep her by his side for as long as he would live for the umpteenth time since he had met her.

They turned to the rest of their loved ones, matching smiles of rapture outlined on their lips as they discerned Shiori bawling her eyes out with a handkerchief available to wipe her snot away as she blew her nose into the satin fabric. Kazuya, who sat at her right side, laughed as he tried to calm her down, whilst little Shuichi gave his older step-brother a brazen thumbs up, an impertinent grin conspicuous on his face.

Shizuru was already pulling out an alcohol bottle that she had somehow managed to fit in her purse, Keiko halting her just in time before the older woman could even do anything to embarrass herself, her mouth moving in what the couple could only assume was a stern lecture of how to behave oneself in an important event, her words directed towards Shizuru. Yukina seemed to giggle between her bickering two friends before she waved a hand to the currently wedded Botan, Hiei only sporting a genuine smile for a fraction of a second before Kurama's eyes locked with his and he slipped back on his mask of nonchalance, afraid of the fox poking fun at his momentary exhibit of emotions - things he considered a weakness, despite himself obviously harboring them as well. Kurama let slip a smirk and Hiei just knew that he noticed, mind already reeling with the possible jibes his infuriating friend would throw at him once everything was over and done with. Kuwabara seemed to give out the loudest set of claps, not bothering to stop even when the others had and Yusuke seemed to expel an amused laughter at his antics before gesturing a toothy grin at Kurama and Botan.

Atsuko had come by somewhere in between the time the pair had been getting ready, one fist already clutched around a bottle of liquor as she waved it around over Keiko's shoulder, Shizuru sounding out a loud, triumphant cheer as she caught a glimpse of the booze in Atsuko's hands. Genkai ignored all the ruckus around her, genuinely happy for the bride and groom as Yusuke yelled at his mother to keep the intoxicating beverage out of view. Puu fluttered his blue ears over to Keiko, who let out an exasperated sigh as the situation around her proceeded to get more out of hand by the minute. Kaito pushed up his spectacles to the bridge of his nose, sending a friendly smile at the fox's way as Kido humorously snivelled at his side, Yanagisawa seemingly ashamed at his friend's display of tears.

"Yo, it's been a long time," a familiar voice spoke from behind Botan, garnering their attention.

Kurama's emerald eyes widened in surprise as his gaze fell on the tall form looming over her shoulder. A pair of amethyst soon followed his actions as Botan whirled around, a startled gasp tearing out her lips as she was greeted by the sight of Koenma in a black tuxedo, his outfit matching the rest of the boys in the gang. Hinageshi and Ayame stood respectively at his left and right, the former garbed in a mini, pink dress whilst the latter wore a longer, baby blue gown. George gave out an excited wave at Botan over Koenma's shoulder, jocular grins reflected on their respected visages.

"Koenma-sama! And Hinageshi, Ayame, and George too…" Botan spoke, reaching her thumb and forefinger up to her cheek to pinch the soft flesh there in order to assure herself that it wasn't a dream. It stung a little, affirming that none of it was an illusion. "How are you all here? The last time I checked, we still weren't allowed to see one another," she mumbled, unsure if the voice that pronounced the words were hers to begin with as it sounded acutely similar to that of a child on the verge of breaking down. Kurama positioned one hand on her left shoulder as the warmth of his arm sapped through the small of her back, and she seemed to relax.

"Well, first of all, how can I not be here after everyone, even Hiei, badgered me to come here?" Koenma snorted as if none of the abrupt turn of events were bizarre at all, his timbre casual and dripping with its habitual condescending touch. "And also because Yusuke threatened to push a stick eight inches up my ass if I were to be an insensitive jerk and decline the invitation. Those contributing factors aside though, I wouldn't admit it if it were any normal circumstances - but I suppose all of us over at Reikai had missed you very dearly, Botan. The thought of not attending your wedding is simply preposterous."

"But," The girl paused as she bit nervously on the plump skin of her lower lip, "what about Enma-sama? Is he alright with this? I mean…"

"Koenma-sama negotiated the whole deal with him again," Ayame cut her short with a gentle touch in her voice, a shake of her head accompanying the well-articulated elaboration. "Enma-sama was undeterred at first, but the four of us kept pestering him about it and then he just gave in. Still, we only have the permission to see you once a year." An apologetic imbue remained in her tender timbre as the words left her, almost as if she was guilt-ridden for divulging the half-bad half-good news.

Botan shook her head. It was more than enough that she could still see them again, if only for a single day in the duration of twelve months. It was a lenient enough punishment for her when she took into account that it was Enma Daioh who agreed to the terms.

She giggled as Hinageshi leaped into her arms, encasing her into a tight embrace as the shorter ferry girl sputtered over how she had missed her. George was scolded by Koenma when the poor ogre made the accidental mistake of stepping on his feet, Ayame shaking her head with a deep, frustrated sigh coming between parted lips as the prince of Reikai proceeded to roar at the sympathy-inducing George.

Yes, everything was good. Everything was far too good, and Botan and Kurama welcomed it all too well.


"Hey, Shu-nii," Shuichi called out once the pair entered the room where the guests, including Kurama's family members, inhabited. Kurama's nickname left his lips in an inquisitive manner as the redhead in question gestured a single, delicate red eyebrow at him curiously as if in indication to beseech him to go on. Botan peeked over his shoulder, one hand still tucked in the crooked safety of Kurama's inner arm.

"You said that you would show your demon form to me once you got married," little Shuichi reminded the fox, his lips jutting out to form a cute, childish pout. "You promised," he insisted when he detected the hint of hesitation in Kurama's raptured composure, evident in the way one corner of his lips twitched to waver the smile on his well-proportioned features. Botan let out a shocked gasp from behind him and Kurama could already feel the peculiar glances the rest of his family kept shooting at his way.

"Alright," he finally relented after a couple of minutes as Shiori hurried him to oblige. "But full transformation is unachievable at this point of time unless I'm in the Demon World, so you're going to have to bear with simply these." He summoned just an adequate enough amount of Demon energy to force the fox ears currently on the top of his head to sprout. "And this," he gestured as he turned slightly to give the younger male a pleasant view of the bushy tail protruding from the area above his rear end.

Shuichi's cheeks colored pink in barely contained awe, his mouth forming an 'o' of amazement as he took in his brother's appearance. "That's so cool, Shu-nii!" he uncharacteristically squealed, unbeknownst to the reactions of the other members of their family.

Despite having been one of the few who had pushed him to comply, Shiori fainted as soon as she saw Kurama's fox ears and tail, falling off the couch with a dazed smile on her face. Hatanaka prevented her fall in the nick of time, jumping to catch her before her back managed to flop down on the red-carpeted floor. His grandmother, Chika, seemed to be on the verge of a heart attack. He was about to worriedly head his way to his mother before Kazuya shook his head and offered him a reassuring smile as if to show that she was alright.

"I can get used to this," Botan stated fondly from beside him as she tightened the grip she had around his arm, a girlish fit of giggles erupting from her throat at the uncanny yet familiar events that unravelled before them as Yusuke threw an obscene insult at Kuwabara, promptly causing another scene. Kurama turned to look at her, his eyes drinking in the sight of her jovial smile. She was as beautiful as ever.

They were close friends for three years, a couple for a little over three more, and fiancees for about nearly six months before they finally became husband and wife. She was the woman of his dreams and he was the apple of her eyes. After all the hardships they had gone through together, this moment was well-deserving for the two. This day was a long time coming.

And as Botan gently pulled at his collar to tug him down into a chaste, almost feather-like kiss, Kurama responding quickly with equal fervor, they realized nothing could have made them happier.


saillovelypines- Aw, don't be jealous, dear! You already wrote a beautifully done one-shot, in my opinion. You can write a lot more when you're not busy, and I'll be waiting for the updates that I know will be either just as great or more wonderful! I'm not sure if you felt emotional because of the content of the last chapter, or if because you're missing the feeling of typing out your imaginations, though. XD

h114- Yep! Had to get that one out of the way before giving their relationship the leverage to go further. It was what he needed to do, and looking back, I'm actually happy about how I wrote things between the mother and son. Lol, I know, right? Kurama can be quite adorable sometimes when you imagine him looking like a little kid.

Well, yeah, the last chapter WAS kinda short, wasn't it? Lmao, but don't worry, I made it up to you with this (hopefully) lengthy update! Yup, I think that's the most painful part of her being a grim reaper. I felt like it was an entirely possible prospect for her to watch the bad things happen before her eyes but she's incapable of helping her because that would go against the nature of fate itself. Aren't they the perfect match made in heaven though? I think their personalities suit each other very well, despite being polar opposites.

WonderfulDemon123- No worries, this update is a lot longer (I think). Thanks for the support and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Hope you'll like this one as well. :)