Chapter I

Wands of rising branches became dancing silhouettes of the night as the moon illuminated the surroundings with a bright bold glow. Under the graceful ease of the starlit night, tresses as clear as the day sky luminously billowed like the long silky ribbons of an aspiring kite while a lone soul stood enchantingly at the intricate bow of the building.

An angel amidst the dark in possession of amethysts glistering with covert twinkles of ruby that stared straight into nothingness while she fought to remember. Slender digits from a delicate limb tucked a few errant strands that flitted in front of her face while Botan continue to immerse in introspection.

The recurring instances of consigning the past days into oblivion rattles every cell in her body to the point that she couldn't maintain her cheerful facade even with the acquaintance of her friends.

It started when they went to witness the first demon world tournament - her, together with Koenma and George. Botan could vaguely recall the jolt of eerie familiarity upon stepping foot on demon soil along with the tempestuous mood while being surrounded by the overwhelming stench of sin. The macabre nature of the locus created a nauseating effect on her and she primarily deemed it was because of her initial exposure to the vile atmosphere, with Koenma seconding the notion. However, after months of falling back on her routine, she started noticing things that oddly felt normal yet differ from what was usual. Like having an inexplicable increase of spiritual awareness and energy, heightened intuitive abilities, and her intensifying sentiments towards a certain red-head...

She tried to rationalize the former irregularities and assumed that it was to be expected considering her promotion in Spirit World's leaderboard, but while her acting more of an attaché rather than a simple ferry girl may have contributed to the heightened capabilities, she wasn't sure if it was reasonable to think of it as conducive to her fixation towards Kurama.

It is still uncertain whether she was harboring a stronger connection such as love or a shallow form of infatuation, but the sudden need to be near him and covet his attention was so unbearable that often times led her to believe that she is bordering obsessed with the fox demon, where the former thief became her focus - a cocktail of both audio and aroma that hits every base and gives off sparks of fantasy and passion, leaving her soul astir and shaken to the very core –

Crash!

Stop guzzling the alcohol, Mom!

Botan sighed while shifting from one heeled-foot to another, eye twitching at the noise coming from her dysfunctional set of friends as it invades the secluded spot, disturbing the tranquility of the graphite night, effectively disrupting her line of thought. She was supposed to be celebrating with the newlyweds but opted to just spend the reception in keeping to herself after the reflexivity got the better of her, as well as the strong sense of yearning that gnawed at her heart upon seeing the object of her affections.

So near, yet so far...

The deity mused while chewing on her plump lower lip in frustration. For someone not considered as shy, she isn't capable to be upfront with her feelings when she's not used in dealing with matters of the heart, what's more, with matters concerning fleshly desires.

A sudden flurry of air made her hug herself when it delivered a wraith of chilling embrace while her floor-length gown flutters, the soft cream chiffon folds swaying in time with the gentle zephyr. Along with the passing coolness, a distinct musk fragrance registered in her senses and made her breath hitch in anticipation just when a velvety warmth fell over her bare shoulders followed by the silky baritone that sent a pleasurable shiver down her spine.

"I did not take you for someone who would miss such an exuberance." Kurama put forward with a twinkle of humor in his eyes, looking handsome and debonair in his plum waistcoat, hands buried inside his trousers' pockets as he came to stand beside her in the balcony.

"Not exactly in the mood for fine dining and music." Botan absentmindedly responded before breathing in the soothing scent that enveloped her, trying her hardest in controlling her wayward thoughts and calming the erratic beating of her heart. Is it okay to tell him now?

The former thief gazed at her for a bit, lips slightly lifting upon perceiving her accelerated heartbeat prior to averting his gaze towards the majestic twinkles above.

He would be lying if he was to say that her feelings for him wasn't acknowledged, denying the ego boost it incited whenever Yusuke and the others has anything to say about it. In fact, no matter if it was deliberate or not, he's been positively receiving the subliminal indications of her devotion and surprisingly, he wasn't affronted. To be honest, he felt rather elated that a close confidant grew to fancy him despite the fact that she probably knew his devious history more than the rest of the gang. Yet, however genuine her affections may be, he wouldn't want to seize the opportunity when he hasn't come into terms with his own feelings.

It would be unfair and I do not want to hurt her...

Kurama thought before setting his gaze at the woman by his side, admiring the luminosity that made her skin sparkle underneath the moonlight, feasting on the radiant quality that seems to be exclusively hers to compare.

He'd been aware of her, of course. No matter how becoming they might say he is, he is still a man after all. But being a millenia-old entity that has an exceptional familiarity with the opposite sex, a seasoned philanderer if he's being honest with himself, made him regard the fairer ones with a touchstone that the deity met with flying colors except for a critical facet. He's attracted to aesthetics, wit and power. She was joy and innocence all wrapped in one beautiful bundle and while Botan is in her own league of intelligence, her capabilities are rather inadequate that often times made him see her in a light nearest to a liability than a potential partner.

Nevertheless...

His fingers involuntarily twitched inside his pockets upon perusing her nibbling habit, focus drifting towards the luscious flesh in between her pearly incisors.

For some odd reason, the bubbly deity somehow managed to pique his curiosity ever since the surprise brought about how she dauntlessly flew to his aid after his fateful bout against Shigure from the first demon world tournament. It felt strange to look at her, like there's literally more than meets the eye. What's more, much to his chagrin, her alluring innocence and frequently misplaced but undeniably charming disposition never fails to tame his rising hackles in every attempt at keeping the dust off his sight, leading him to believe that he might have been remotely attached to the lovely deity to be perturbed by such travesty of baseless alarm.

"...Kurama?"

"Hm?"

Green orbs flicked and bore into anxious purples, accompanying his unintelligible reply. Kurama mentally berated himself when it was obvious that she had asked a question while he was too absorbed in his own thoughts, politely urging the flustered deity while giving his full attention. "Pardon?"

At this, Botan averted her timid gaze, biting on her lip before slipping off his coat, handing him the clothing article as she propounded with an ambivalent tone. "I uh - ... Do you want to head back inside?..."

Kurama was skeptic while briefly admiring the porcelain skin of her extended arm before facing ahead, hiding his frustration while being perturbed by the fact that he had missed something important that she has to say. Thinking of a better way to compensate his lack of attention, he started. "I think I will stay for a bit... The night is too wonderful to miss..." He says reverently before regarding the disconcerted deity with a warm slant of his lips, releasing one of his hands from the confines of his pants to gently push the coat in her delicate appendage. "If you'd care to join me... "

Botan stood, tensed with a wildly beating heart while gazing at the ethereal profile of a smiling Kurama before easing her rigid muscles. However he act as if he hadn't heard her confession a few moments ago, she wouldn't want to miss the opportunity of spending a little more alone time with the object of her infatuation should he wish it.

At least he didn't push me away... She mused while slipping her arms inside the sleeves of the oversized coat, giddy while brushing off the strange prick in her head, shifting a bit to stand closer to the fox demon prior to smiling with a blush on her cheeks as she spoke. "I'd love to..."

And when she felt his constant gaze throughout the short while they were at each others' company underneath that starry night, as they shared a laugh when Chu ran to spew his innards in that balcony after a drinking game with Atsuko, when their eyes locked for a moment and their lips tenderly mirrored each other...

They both thought that maybe...

This is okay for now...

A/N:

I honestly have no idea if I am going the right way with this. I have the plot...but I am still unsure how to get to the finale...

I hope I could find time in writing my pending fics now that I am officially on home quarantine since I tested positive for covid19... Sucks, I know. No matter how careful you are, there are those people who just don't give a f*... I got tested because I can't taste or smell anything since three days ago. Like literally nothing, nada. Found out that one of my coworker was sick, and was aware that she is positive but still went to work a few days ago doing girly stuff and all... So... Yeah... Doctor said that my symptoms may or may not become severe in the coming days so pls bear with me on my updates...

Rest assured that even in nasal prongs, I will still write when inspiration kicked better than this virus.

So... That's all folks!

Thank you for reading.

*Edited 4/17/21

Rad1anceU - Thank you for all the love and support dear and yeap...It's kinda herrr??? Sorry I forgot to mention you when I first updated, my mind was kinda wonky yesterday...

kyoandyuya - I hope you come back to this...Anyway...Thank you mate...Though re-reading fics became my past time (and hopefully writing too) since I learned that I contracted the virus. It became an outlet of my frustration, especially now that my father tested positive as well and we're both like 'Okay, this might be the last 14days before cremation' coupled by the mental and emotional baggage that I was the one who infected my dad.. I just... Idk, with all of the s* going around. I want to do the things that I felt I deprived myself while focusing on my career... Btw, it's kinda like I heard my sisters' reprimanding tone when I read your review. So much heart for that...

Xoxo