A/N: If you want to read the story right away and you don't have any minute
to spare, skip my introduction and disclaimer. Happy reading and I hope
you'll like it! Read and review please. Thanks!
Introduction: Hi there! Max here. Say, being in the love month and all, I feel a little tipsy about making this fiction. ^_^ People tend to overreact when they are in love you know. Hey! I'm not saying I'M in love. Other people! Oh yeah, before I forget, thanks [again] to those who did reviews on chapter 3. Arigatou! Thanks for boosting up my confidence and many thanks to the criticisms. [Read: Lost Prince of Arcadia]. Thanks for reminding me about the character development. Yeah, I tend to exaggerate . . . But my story is in Botan's POV. I can't just write "Hey! I'm over Koenma, you know and since he dumped me, I'll just go over to Kurama's place and do whatever." [See, I'm overreacting again. o_O;;; She didn't get dumped. He never knew in the first place.] No. It's not like that. We can't go straight to the point or else all the excitement will be lost. I sure hope you understand and it's okay to reply regarding this matter. Plus, to those who would like to comment on character development or whatever, feel free to do so. :) I would gladly entertain them. ^_^ Thanks for the patience in reading my story/stories. Bonne nuit Ma cherie! Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Kurama x Botan fans, this one's for you!
Disclaimer: Ara. . . [sweat drops] I do not own YYH! How many times must I have to tell you?!?! Just kidding. Well, I suppose I need not tell you in the following chapters ne? Okay, let's pick up that magic pen [err. . . keyboard] and continue from where we stopped last time.
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Chapter 4: Kurama - Botan
"Oi! Keiko! We're here!!! Now, give me the bowl of ramen you promised." Yusuke pounded the table with his fist.
"Aha! You didn't bring me here to do Keiko a favor!" I laughed.
"Well, who told you I did?" Yusuke grinned.
"Yusu. . . Oh! Hi Botan! Good thing you're here." Keiko clapped her hands.
"Anything wrong Keiko-chan?" I lightly placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Nothing much but today's our school fair and every student must participate. I decided to sell cakes and pastries. You can all come to our fair! It's for free. There will be lots of activities and I'm sure you'll like it! So, can you help me with the preparations?" Keiko had this pleading look making it hard to say no.
"S . . .sure! What are friends . . . for?" I slightly faltered. I remembered that I told Koenma that exact reply. [See Chapter One: Koenma - Botan]
"Are you sure Botan? You suddenly turned pale." Keiko held my hand.
"Oh! Hee-hee. I'm sorry. Did you say anything?" I took my hand away from her grasp.
"Don't worry about her Keiko. She just got a scolding from that little brat with 'jr' tattooed on his forehead!" Yusuke grimaced.
"Ah. I see." Keiko looked at me skeptically.
"Huh? What's that look for Keiko-chan?" I took a step backward. I'm afraid she might get a hint about my real feelings towards Koenma.
"Nothing." Keiko smiled. Something in her smile told me I was right. She already knew what I felt.
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We were quiet as we were making the cake and pastries in Keiko's kitchen. I was about to ask her if she already knows but the new comers interrupted us.
"Gomen ne, Keiko-chan." Yukina blushed. Her voice was a mere whisper. She was wearing a light blue sundress matched with a new pair of blue sandals.
"Wow! Yukina you look fabulous! Who picked that one?" I stared in amazement.
"I did! Pretty good eh?" Kuwabara suddenly appeared behind Yukina.
"I was not aware Kuwabara has a good taste in clothes." I whispered to Keiko.
"Hey! What are you whispering Botan!?" Kuwabara raised an eyebrow.
"Hee-hee! Nothing Kuwabara!" I giggled.
"Sorry for being late Keiko! Are you already finished? I wouldn't be of much help any ways." Shizuru entered the kitchen.
"Shizuru! What a surprise!" I exclaimed.
"Haven't seen you in a while Botan. Finished with today's assignment?" Shizuru lighted a cigarette.
"Ah...hee-hee." I didn't know what to reply.
"Yes. She's free all day." Keiko answered for me. She looked at me and winked.
"Don't tell me you're going to the fair with that regular suit of yours Botan. You'll look out-of-this-world." Kuwabara snorted.
"I'm not asking for your comment Kuwabara!!!" I shot back.
"Oh! I forgot. Sorry Botan. Uhmm. . . You can borrow my clothes if you want." Keiko offered.
"No thanks. I'll just skip this one. I'm not looking forward to the fair anyway. Just have fun and enjoy." I smiled at everyone.
"Why not take time to enjoy and treat yourself?" A voice came from the living room.
"Kuwabara peeked from the open door. "Yo Kitsune! You're here too!" He shouted.
"The name's Kurama." Kurama politely replied.
"Baka, ningen." A low voice called out.
"I bet that's Hiei!" I ran out the door to take a look. I was right. Yusuke sat on the floor watching television while Kurama sat on the sofa reading a newspaper. Kuwabara and Hiei were strangling each other in the background. Kurama raised his head and looked at me. I was stunned for a moment then he glanced back to what he's reading.
"I. . . have to go Keiko-chan. Thanks for inviting me." I tried to skip silently towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going, huh, Botan?" Yusuke blocked my way.
"Do you think we would let you get away that easily?" Kuwabara laughed.
"Sigh. . . Okay. You guys win." I raised my hands helplessly.
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"Do I really have to wear this?" I sank to my knees.
"You look great Botan!" Yukina smiled. I looked at the mirror and studied myself. I was wearing Keiko's knee-length, red strapless dress and red sandals.
"I can't go out looking like this. This is way sophisticated for my taste!!! Keiko, where did you get this in the first place?" I protested.
"It was a gift. It's not fit for me. It's yours now. It's definitely made for you Botan!" Keiko smiled.
"B. . . but still . . ." I tried to disagree but Keiko gave me that please- take-it-look.
"You can top it with this!" Keiko pulled out a white cardigan from her closet. "There! Perfect! So, what do you think?" She added while enveloping me with the fabric.
"There's something wrong." Shizuru walked towards me. "Ah! I know. This one." She pulled my ribbon and my hair hung loose, falling in a long wavy gesture. "See! You're so beautiful!" Shizuru kept my ribbon in her pocket. "I'll just return your ribbon later. Okay?" She walked out of the room. Yukina followed Shizuru.
"Look at what Koenma's missing." Keiko smiled at me. My face turned red.
"Keiko-chan . . . I," I stammered.
"Come now Botan. We're going to be late if we don't move it." Keiko pushed me outside. I took one last glance at the mirror before completely leaving the room.
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Yusuke's mouth dropped open. "Is that really you Botan? You look much your age!" He stared in awe.
"What do you mean by that Yusuke? I'm already hundreds of years old!" I snapped.
"Exactly! You look a hundred years older. No, a thousand years more!" Yusuke laughed.
My eyes began to water. "Stop joking around Yusuke! You don't mean that!" Keiko slapped Yusuke.
"I was just joking! It's not true Botan. Really, you look cute!" Yusuke said while rubbing his cheeks.
"Hey! Kuwabara, wake up silly!" Shizuru nudged his brother.
"Ah...uhmm... Yes?" Kuwabara asked nonchalantly.
"You were staring at Botan for so long now and in Yukina's presence! Have some manners!" Shizuru scolded.
"I'm not staring at her! It's just that I," Kuwabara bit his lips.
"Stop making lame excuses!" Shizuru went on.
I looked at Kurama but he didn't pay any attention to the group's confrontation. He's like lost in his own world. Did he really mean what he told me that cold night? Or, everything was just a lie? [See Chapter Two: Kurama - Botan]
Upon reaching the school's entrance, Keiko dragged Yusuke from the group and went on ahead.
"Enjoy the fair! I'll be heading out on the food corner. See you later!" Keiko waved her hand. "Oh, and Kurama, can you watch over Botan for me? Thanks!" Keiko added then ran off.
"Huh? What the . . .?" I blushed and looked at Kurama. I was surprised to see him blushing as well. "No problem Keiko!" He replied loudly for Keiko to hear.
"Guys, we'll go there by the rides. See you! Come on Yukina!" Kuwabara held Yukina's hand.
I looked at Hiei and his eyes flashed angrily. He disappeared right after Yukina and Kuwabara left. I know he's going to follow them wherever they go. I laughed to myself.
"So, it's just the three of us left. I'll be leaving now. I'm too old for these games. Both of you take care." Shizuru disappeared among the crowd.
We silently walked. "So, where do we start?" He asked calmly. I looked down on my red sandals. Why am I acting like a fool? I can't help blushing? Why? I'm not like this!
"Are you feeling well?" Kurama asked again.
"Oh yeah. Let's try . . . that one." Actually, I didn't know where to point so I picked the first thing I gazed upon. It was the Hall of Mirrors.
"Okay then. Come on." He held my hand and guided me along the crowd.
Introduction: Hi there! Max here. Say, being in the love month and all, I feel a little tipsy about making this fiction. ^_^ People tend to overreact when they are in love you know. Hey! I'm not saying I'M in love. Other people! Oh yeah, before I forget, thanks [again] to those who did reviews on chapter 3. Arigatou! Thanks for boosting up my confidence and many thanks to the criticisms. [Read: Lost Prince of Arcadia]. Thanks for reminding me about the character development. Yeah, I tend to exaggerate . . . But my story is in Botan's POV. I can't just write "Hey! I'm over Koenma, you know and since he dumped me, I'll just go over to Kurama's place and do whatever." [See, I'm overreacting again. o_O;;; She didn't get dumped. He never knew in the first place.] No. It's not like that. We can't go straight to the point or else all the excitement will be lost. I sure hope you understand and it's okay to reply regarding this matter. Plus, to those who would like to comment on character development or whatever, feel free to do so. :) I would gladly entertain them. ^_^ Thanks for the patience in reading my story/stories. Bonne nuit Ma cherie! Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Kurama x Botan fans, this one's for you!
Disclaimer: Ara. . . [sweat drops] I do not own YYH! How many times must I have to tell you?!?! Just kidding. Well, I suppose I need not tell you in the following chapters ne? Okay, let's pick up that magic pen [err. . . keyboard] and continue from where we stopped last time.
# = = = = = = = = = = # @ # = = = = = = = = = = #
Chapter 4: Kurama - Botan
"Oi! Keiko! We're here!!! Now, give me the bowl of ramen you promised." Yusuke pounded the table with his fist.
"Aha! You didn't bring me here to do Keiko a favor!" I laughed.
"Well, who told you I did?" Yusuke grinned.
"Yusu. . . Oh! Hi Botan! Good thing you're here." Keiko clapped her hands.
"Anything wrong Keiko-chan?" I lightly placed my hand on her shoulder.
"Nothing much but today's our school fair and every student must participate. I decided to sell cakes and pastries. You can all come to our fair! It's for free. There will be lots of activities and I'm sure you'll like it! So, can you help me with the preparations?" Keiko had this pleading look making it hard to say no.
"S . . .sure! What are friends . . . for?" I slightly faltered. I remembered that I told Koenma that exact reply. [See Chapter One: Koenma - Botan]
"Are you sure Botan? You suddenly turned pale." Keiko held my hand.
"Oh! Hee-hee. I'm sorry. Did you say anything?" I took my hand away from her grasp.
"Don't worry about her Keiko. She just got a scolding from that little brat with 'jr' tattooed on his forehead!" Yusuke grimaced.
"Ah. I see." Keiko looked at me skeptically.
"Huh? What's that look for Keiko-chan?" I took a step backward. I'm afraid she might get a hint about my real feelings towards Koenma.
"Nothing." Keiko smiled. Something in her smile told me I was right. She already knew what I felt.
# = = = = = = = = = = # @ # = = = = = = = = = = #
We were quiet as we were making the cake and pastries in Keiko's kitchen. I was about to ask her if she already knows but the new comers interrupted us.
"Gomen ne, Keiko-chan." Yukina blushed. Her voice was a mere whisper. She was wearing a light blue sundress matched with a new pair of blue sandals.
"Wow! Yukina you look fabulous! Who picked that one?" I stared in amazement.
"I did! Pretty good eh?" Kuwabara suddenly appeared behind Yukina.
"I was not aware Kuwabara has a good taste in clothes." I whispered to Keiko.
"Hey! What are you whispering Botan!?" Kuwabara raised an eyebrow.
"Hee-hee! Nothing Kuwabara!" I giggled.
"Sorry for being late Keiko! Are you already finished? I wouldn't be of much help any ways." Shizuru entered the kitchen.
"Shizuru! What a surprise!" I exclaimed.
"Haven't seen you in a while Botan. Finished with today's assignment?" Shizuru lighted a cigarette.
"Ah...hee-hee." I didn't know what to reply.
"Yes. She's free all day." Keiko answered for me. She looked at me and winked.
"Don't tell me you're going to the fair with that regular suit of yours Botan. You'll look out-of-this-world." Kuwabara snorted.
"I'm not asking for your comment Kuwabara!!!" I shot back.
"Oh! I forgot. Sorry Botan. Uhmm. . . You can borrow my clothes if you want." Keiko offered.
"No thanks. I'll just skip this one. I'm not looking forward to the fair anyway. Just have fun and enjoy." I smiled at everyone.
"Why not take time to enjoy and treat yourself?" A voice came from the living room.
"Kuwabara peeked from the open door. "Yo Kitsune! You're here too!" He shouted.
"The name's Kurama." Kurama politely replied.
"Baka, ningen." A low voice called out.
"I bet that's Hiei!" I ran out the door to take a look. I was right. Yusuke sat on the floor watching television while Kurama sat on the sofa reading a newspaper. Kuwabara and Hiei were strangling each other in the background. Kurama raised his head and looked at me. I was stunned for a moment then he glanced back to what he's reading.
"I. . . have to go Keiko-chan. Thanks for inviting me." I tried to skip silently towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going, huh, Botan?" Yusuke blocked my way.
"Do you think we would let you get away that easily?" Kuwabara laughed.
"Sigh. . . Okay. You guys win." I raised my hands helplessly.
# = = = = = = = = = = # @ # = = = = = = = = = = #
"Do I really have to wear this?" I sank to my knees.
"You look great Botan!" Yukina smiled. I looked at the mirror and studied myself. I was wearing Keiko's knee-length, red strapless dress and red sandals.
"I can't go out looking like this. This is way sophisticated for my taste!!! Keiko, where did you get this in the first place?" I protested.
"It was a gift. It's not fit for me. It's yours now. It's definitely made for you Botan!" Keiko smiled.
"B. . . but still . . ." I tried to disagree but Keiko gave me that please- take-it-look.
"You can top it with this!" Keiko pulled out a white cardigan from her closet. "There! Perfect! So, what do you think?" She added while enveloping me with the fabric.
"There's something wrong." Shizuru walked towards me. "Ah! I know. This one." She pulled my ribbon and my hair hung loose, falling in a long wavy gesture. "See! You're so beautiful!" Shizuru kept my ribbon in her pocket. "I'll just return your ribbon later. Okay?" She walked out of the room. Yukina followed Shizuru.
"Look at what Koenma's missing." Keiko smiled at me. My face turned red.
"Keiko-chan . . . I," I stammered.
"Come now Botan. We're going to be late if we don't move it." Keiko pushed me outside. I took one last glance at the mirror before completely leaving the room.
# = = = = = = = = = = # @ # = = = = = = = = = = #
Yusuke's mouth dropped open. "Is that really you Botan? You look much your age!" He stared in awe.
"What do you mean by that Yusuke? I'm already hundreds of years old!" I snapped.
"Exactly! You look a hundred years older. No, a thousand years more!" Yusuke laughed.
My eyes began to water. "Stop joking around Yusuke! You don't mean that!" Keiko slapped Yusuke.
"I was just joking! It's not true Botan. Really, you look cute!" Yusuke said while rubbing his cheeks.
"Hey! Kuwabara, wake up silly!" Shizuru nudged his brother.
"Ah...uhmm... Yes?" Kuwabara asked nonchalantly.
"You were staring at Botan for so long now and in Yukina's presence! Have some manners!" Shizuru scolded.
"I'm not staring at her! It's just that I," Kuwabara bit his lips.
"Stop making lame excuses!" Shizuru went on.
I looked at Kurama but he didn't pay any attention to the group's confrontation. He's like lost in his own world. Did he really mean what he told me that cold night? Or, everything was just a lie? [See Chapter Two: Kurama - Botan]
Upon reaching the school's entrance, Keiko dragged Yusuke from the group and went on ahead.
"Enjoy the fair! I'll be heading out on the food corner. See you later!" Keiko waved her hand. "Oh, and Kurama, can you watch over Botan for me? Thanks!" Keiko added then ran off.
"Huh? What the . . .?" I blushed and looked at Kurama. I was surprised to see him blushing as well. "No problem Keiko!" He replied loudly for Keiko to hear.
"Guys, we'll go there by the rides. See you! Come on Yukina!" Kuwabara held Yukina's hand.
I looked at Hiei and his eyes flashed angrily. He disappeared right after Yukina and Kuwabara left. I know he's going to follow them wherever they go. I laughed to myself.
"So, it's just the three of us left. I'll be leaving now. I'm too old for these games. Both of you take care." Shizuru disappeared among the crowd.
We silently walked. "So, where do we start?" He asked calmly. I looked down on my red sandals. Why am I acting like a fool? I can't help blushing? Why? I'm not like this!
"Are you feeling well?" Kurama asked again.
"Oh yeah. Let's try . . . that one." Actually, I didn't know where to point so I picked the first thing I gazed upon. It was the Hall of Mirrors.
"Okay then. Come on." He held my hand and guided me along the crowd.