Standard disclaimers apply. Yu Yu Hakusho and all it's characters are not mine, I'm merely borrowing ^_^ Chapter done in Botan's point of view.
Chapter 2
I was so proud of Yusuke! I couldn't believe he could have done so much in just a few days. He had retrieved two artifacts at such a short time, and only one more to go. My job is not as hard as I thought it was afterall.
I suppose I was so deep in thought about my pride for Yusuke that I had let my guard down. It was only until my overfilling joy subsided when I finally felt his presence. I silenced myself as I felt my heart beat faster, rising in a tremendous speed that I couldn't help myself gasp for breath. I had never been this uneasy for so long.
Finally, I willed myself
to look at the door from where these feelings arose from, and I found myself
staring at one of the most enchanting eyes I have ever set my gaze upon.
I suddenly felt myself tremble as I sat still on my oar. He looked at me
with pure shock in his emerald eyes, his lips slightly parted in a stunned
expression. But despite the curiosity that had build up inside me for his
gaze, I couldn't help the blush that crept to my cheeks as I found myself
admiring his beauty, his evident grace. I wasn't sure what Yusuke had meant
when he said that this man was not an enemy, but as I look at him without
fear now, I might say it probably arose from his looks. He had such a gentle
face that I myself may have doubted he had evil intentions about his stealing
if I hadn't been informed.
The silence that surfaced
between us was mind shattering, and I found myself taking more shallow
breaths now. I wasn't sure what it was in this man that made me so nervous.
"Anou…can I help you?" I finally blurted out to him, abruptly averting
my gaze, but my eyes betrayed me as they looked back at him.
He looked at me a bit longer. He turned his eyes away, his hand finding his head as he shut his eyes, as if in pain. I was about to ask him if he was all right when he opened his eyes again to look at me, opening his mouth as if to say something, but closing it again in mid thought. He bit his lip, the look in his eyes uncertain. He licked his lips before turning away again, leaving me in slight surprise at his actions. Not to mention with a blush. I hated myself for reacting so stupidly because of his actions, graceful actions I must say. But there was something in him that I couldn't quite understand. A mystery that I felt so familiar with. It was almost like…
The sudden beep from inside my kimono crushed the silence that had fallen between us. I saw him watch me pull the small gadget from my obi from the corner of his eyes, making me conscious of my every movement. But despite the uneasiness, I don't want to leave his gaze. "Yes, Koenma-sama?" I answered as Koenma-sama's child face flashed through the screen.
Koenma-sama's expression turned from mellow to angry as he pushed his small fists into the screen. "Botan, where the hell are you!? The second artifact is done, why aren't you returning yet?" he yelled, his high-pitched voice crushing my ears. Suddenly, I missed the silence.
I almost wanted to hit Koenma-sama for saying that. Now I looked like a total idiot. In front of this "Kurama" as well. Baka, baka, baka, Koenma-sama! You should be thankful I still respect you after all these years. I frowned, "Yes, yes, Koenma-sama," I assured him, closing the compact in my fists, feeling the material almost breaking in my hold. Baka, Koenma-sama, of all places to yell at me!
I was about to leave when I caught a glimpse of his figure running up to me. He held up his hands, calling out for me. "W-Wait!" He yelled. Even through a yell, his voice had come out so soft, and all I ever want was to hear him again. I didn't know why I felt like this, but I sure am not hasty to find out. I wanted to cherish it for a while. Although I'm not sure if I can hold on for long.
I looked down at him as I turned my oar, lowering myself a bit to be leveled with him and the roof. "Uhm…is something wrong?" I asked. I wanted to hit myself at the sheer stupidity of that question, but still, I wanted to know whether or not he was feeling all right. I finally found myself near enough for conversation, and I looked at him with patient waiting for him to answer.
He suddenly stepped back again, as if afraid to be so close to me. I almost frowned at that. He hesitated at first, but then he finally spoke, "Can we talk?" he asked, blurted actually. The question was so sudden that I felt myself stumble back. I looked at him in mild surprise. A look of confusion came to me as I shook my head to show my uncertainty. "Please?" he asked again. This time, he was a tad bit bolder, leaning on the edge to look closer at me.
I lowered my gaze, my brows meeting in the mist of all these confusion. We barely even know each other. What would he want from me? Information about Yusuke? About Reikai? Will he cause another case against the other realm? Another threat? But if so, why do I find myself completely trusting him? All I could do was ask. "What about?"
He shook his head. "I just need to ask you something. But not now, next time maybe."
I'm not even sure if there'll ever be a next time, I thought with a frown. But nonetheless, I nodded. That was the first time I saw his smile, and I almost choked at the sight of it. It was as if he became more beautiful than before. At first I doubted it would have been possible, but now I'm looking at the living proof. He was indeed more beautiful now. I had to knock myself out of my own world to really focus on the real one.
"We'll meet again, I'm sure," he said, his voice firm and certain. And I believe him. For a strange reason, I find myself utterly stupid and gullible for all his possible lies. But whenever I look at the depths of his eyes, all doubts leave my mind, leaving me in a state of trance that might even make me jump from my oar if he asks me to. And I knew I had to get away. From him and the possible danger my actions might lead to if I remained.
"I have to go," I told him, lifting myself up as I tried to avoid his eyes. But the sudden warmth of his hand around mine suddenly ceased further movements from me, making me look at him again. If this hold keeps up, I might as well jump from this oar even without him asking me to. The feelings that he had stirred just by looking had made me a complete fool under his command.
But again, all doubts slipped my mind at the worried look he gave me from those mesmerizing eyes. I could only hope he was sincere. "But you would talk to me, won't you?" he asked, his grip tightening its hold.
I stared down at his hands as they held mine. I felt my face flush. I pulled my hand away quickly, holding it in the other in an attempt to warm the cold flesh. He was making me so nervous, I really had to go. And so I nodded slowly. "Yes…but I really have to go," I told him, but voice cracking through my nervousness.
He smiled again, and all of a sudden I almost wanted to change my mind about leaving. "Thank you," he told me, his eyes possessing an interesting sparkle. "Until next time then."
"Where the hell is Urameshi!?" Kazuma Kuwabara yelled at no one in particular as we all sat at a remote area of the park, waiting for Yusuke to arrive. It had been quite a while. I had been able to meet Keiko Yukimura, and she had been a great friend to me after Yusuke had explained that, let's say, what she saw with me and him the first time was not what she was thinking. I met Shizuru, Kuwabara's older sister and Yukina, Hiei's younger sister. Although I know I'll get killed if I told anybody else besides the ones who already know about Yukina and Hiei's relationship.
And speaking of Hiei, we were able to put him on our side with much help from Kurama. He had convinced Hiei to help Yusuke on his next mission, which I might say had been one bumpy ride, but it all turned out quite well. Hiei had turned out to be a very valuable ally to have. And so was Kurama. It turns out that he was someone who was highly intellectual and very much a gentleman. And I find myself thinking about him ever since that meeting in the hospital.
But he had never kept his word of talking to me. I waited, and yet he doesn't seem to be showing much sign to want to talk to me about anything. I kept waiting, sometimes fearing that he might have changed his mind. But I don't want to jump to any conclusion, after all, I was quite certain that he was serious that time.
We barely talk now. We barely even take glances of each other. I could feel a certain wall slowly building up between us, keeping me from getting to him. And it hurts. I was obsessed with him, helpless at the chains he unconsciously wrapped around me after that day. Sometimes, I even want to cry because of him. To cry for his cold ignorance of what I felt.
"Botan?"
The sound of that familiar voice cut through my thought as I suddenly looked up to see Kurama looking at me. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked, his eyes filled with worry as he gazed at me. I was speechless that time, I didn't know what to say.
Okay, so he's not that cold right now, but it was only a friendly concern that he had asked me that. I'm not even sure if he'd care if I say I felt down. I felt everyone's eyes on me, feeling their concerned murmurs as they followed Kurama's lead.
"Oi! I'm here!" Yusuke's voice announced as he threw his bag on the table, knocking a few cups off. His face twisted at the clumsy display. "Oops!"
Keiko stood up abruptly, pulling on Yusuke's ear. "Yusuke, what the hell did you do that for!?" she asked as she pulled Yusuke down on one seat. "You should be more careful!"
I watched Yusuke scowl in pain at Keiko's handling, seeing everyone laugh at the two. Well, maybe not Hiei, whom I've watched looking away from the first time I saw him that day, and until now he kept the same position. My eyes fell upon Kurama then, seeing him chuckle in recognition at the two's display. But it was only a short time when his laughter died down as he looked back at me, his eyes filling with concern again. I shook my head at his silent question, looking down at my hands as I twisted my fingers around.
I couldn't stand it. I had to ask him what he wants from me. If we keep up this pace, I might as well drive myself mad!
End of chapter 2