Disclaimer: Don't own it . .blah blah, never will . . .
Anyway, after an overwhelming number of death threats, I decided not to kill Miroku. J/K. Actually Chapters 3&4 were already done when I posted Chapter 3, but I decided to make you wait! ^-^ A story can't be good without suspense!
Hey, do you think I should tone down all the blood and gore in my story? That last chappie was pretty gruesome, headless people rolling around . . .
Anyway, we have reached the big 3-0!!!!! PARTY! I can die happy, I have gotten thirty reviews, if just 4 DAYS!!!! AND THEY'RE ALL GOOD!! ( at least I think so) HOLY CRAP!! *keels over from shock* Let's get to 50! WOOHOO!
*~Chapter 5~*
"I have exorcized your Inn of all of it's demons, you shall have no more trouble with them. In return humbly ask for a few rooms for me and my companions."
"Oh, yes, of course! Anything you ask!" The little man, who was presumably the owner of the extravagant hotel, said with so much sweetness you could have poured it over pancakes. Scurrying down a hall, he showing them three empty rooms, casting a wary eye on Inuyasha, Kurama, and Hiei.
"Please, take these! Free of charge, of course! Help yourself to the bathhouse, also free of charge for our beloved guests. Thank you for protecting us, great and powerful monk!" He gushed, bowing quickly, then straightening his glasses and hurrying off. Miroku had picked one of the finest and largest hotels in the sizeable city, 'exorcizing' it of demons.
"I sensed no demons here." Hiei muttered suspiciously, eyeing the monk.
"Yes, well, that is another one of Miroku's endless talents." Sango muttered sarcastically as Kilala purred in her arms.
"Who cares, as long as we got the rooms?" Inuyasha said as he went inside one, examining it carefully. "It's better than sleeping on the ground, right?"
"I agree!" Botan smiled, making a peace sign, "If we're stuck in the fuedal times, might as well enjoy it, right?" Murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd, and Kagome looked around nervously.
"But who is going to room with who?"
*Well, this is going to be interesting.*
***
Well, after much arguing, it was decided that all the girls would sleep in one room and one of the guys would sleep in there with them, incase someone attacked or something.
"So who's the lucky guy going to be?"
"I'll do it!"
"NO, Miroku." he stuck out his bottom lip, but the girls shook their heads at him dejectedly.
"What about Kurama? I want to play with his hair." Kagome smiled, "It's so pretty!"
"Your leaving the kitsune alone in a room with the women."Hiei said slowly, "When probably half of his past lovers came together and wrote the Karma Sutra? That's intelligent."
All the girls face-faulted as Kurama smiled devilishly, "Uh, no, never mind."
"What's the Karma Sutra?" Shippo asked innocently, and Sango's eyes widened.
"Uh, nothing Shippo, forget we ever said it! Ha ha ha!"
"Um . .okay."
"What about Inuyasha?" Botan asked, and the dog demon and Kagome exchanged a look.
"NO!" they yelled simultaneously , and Botan sweat-dropped, "Oh, alright then."
"Hey, what about me and Kuwabara?!" Yusuke demanded, "We both have girlfriends, or friends that just happen to be girls that we really like, but nothing serious is going on and we don't secretly have a crush on them ha ha ha. ."
"Well, Kuwabara had a crush on me once, and I don't really trust him in a room with me . ."
"Hey!"
"And Yusuke, you're just a peeping Tom!" she yelled, and he blushed bright red.
"Hey, that one time was an accident, okay?!" he looked around, "But then who's left?" A few seconds past, and then one name rang out.
"Hiei!" He looked up at them, horror on his usually blank features. "Oh, no. There is no way I'm going to watch a bunch of human girls paint their nails and gossip and talk about boys and crap like that."
"Please?" All three girl fixed him with irresistible puppy-dog eyes that just screamed give-into-the-cuteness-and-obey-my-every-whim.
"No."
"Please?!"
"No."
"Well then." Botan huffed, "I guess I'll just have to tell Yukina you're little secret . ."
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would."
"I'd kill you before you got the chance."
"I'm already dead, baka." Hiei's eyebrow twitched while everyone stared in utter surprise at Botan's boldness. The fire demon reached for his bandage around his arm, then sighed.
"Hn. Fine. But I'll still send my dragon after you if you tell her, your human form will still be able to feel the pain of death."
"Good, it's settled then!" Botan said happily, "Now the rest of you can separate the rooms amongst yourselves, we're going to the baths!" The three girl started down the hall and were brushed by a dark haired brown eyed human, who smiled and winked at them. All three immediately began to chatter and giggle.
Hiei then began to bang his head against the wall.
"I'm so sorry."
"I hate you all."
"I would happily trade places with you . ."
"No, Miroku."
It was then decided that Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara would share one room, and the others the last. Botan and the other girls got their robes and headed outside, soaking in the steamy hot springs.
"It's so nice here." Botan murmured sleepily as she sank deeper into the steaming, cloudy water, sighing contentedly. Each girl had a towel fastened tightly around them, even if they were in the water. This was a public place after all.
"I don't know." Kagome muttered from her perch on the slick black rock side-railing, looking around nervously. "With so many guys around, I'm kind of worried." She adjusted the pink towel around her more securely, looking as Botan. "Are you sure that Hiei guy won't look in on us?"
Botan giggled, "No, Hiei isn't the type, at least I don't think so . ." She shrugged. "Let's just try and enjoy ourselves, right?"
Sango nodded, slipping into the water, then grasping her hands together and squeezing. A small stream of water spurted up and hit Kagome square in the face.
"Hey!" she jumped in, "This means war!"
***
The boys, mean while, decided to go and get some food. They went to the large, fine dining room, and sat down. They had no trouble fining a seat, as nearly everyone cleared out when they saw the demons enter.
The place was magnificent, silky, velvet cushions for you to sit on as you dined at the polished wooden table with intricate carvings of snarling dragons and roaring tigers as the feet. The china was luminous white porcelain, and even the chopsticks where brightly polished. Red lanterns hung above their heads, giving the place a dark, eerie, yet romantic atmosphere.
The waitresses were dressed in light pink or purple kimonos, rushing about with full and empty trays, never losing their composure. The doors were surprisingly free of Geishas looking for their nightly employment, which just supported the fact that this place was very expensive and very high class.
A waitress came, and Kuwabara and Yusuke ordered nearly everything on the menu for themselves and their companions.
"Hey, it's free, why not indulge."
*Can't fight that logic* Inuyasha smirked as the waitress scurried off. About twenty minutes later she and three others came, carrying trays upon trays of steaming rice, noodles, pork, chicken, tea, chilled sa-ke, and of course, sushi, octopus, squid, and various other fish. The seasonings wafted in the air making, reminding the boys how long it had been since they had a proper meal.
Yusuke grabbed platefuls of everything, covering his rice and vegetables with soy sauce before diving into the first course. He felt his heart pang as he thought about Keiko.
*She would love this place.* They had traveled for two days with little rest due west when suddenly Botan's compass died, reason unknown. She had given it Kurama to tinker with, but he had gotten no results so far. Now there was nothing to do but slowly go west, and hope for a sign to where the girls might be.
A girl came to collect the plates, lifting the one in front of Kurama and placing it on a tray. Brushing her jet black hair back, a bracelet sparkled on her wrist as she was about to stand, balancing the trays delicately. But then she caught the kitsune's eyes, and was immediately drawn into their golden depths.
Only Hiei and Yusuke saw what Kurama was doing with his own hand, and they had to suppress snickers so not as to alert the girl. Realizing she had been staring at a customer for over a minute, she blushed and stood, rushing away embarrassedly.
"You just couldn't help yourself, could you kitsune?" Hiei muttered as Kurama smirked, raising his hand. In it was the girls bracelet.
"When did he get that?" Miroku asked, completely oblivious to the fox's fast hands. Shippo's eyes widened and he gasped.
"Kurama! You shouldn't take things from people! It isn't right!" Kurama laughed at the irony, then examined the bracelet. It was nice, solid gold, worth a bit. His brow furrowed as he felt a flash of something strange.
"Kurama, what's up?" Kuwabara asked, leaning over to look at the bracelet, "Why you staring at that bracelet so hard? Something wrong with it?"
"I don't know." He muttered, tucking it away, frowning. Yusuke shrugged, turning back to his rice bowl.
"Pass the sushi."
***
Hiei went up to his room, which was already covered with girly things. Ek. He snorted and opened a window, smirked with relief when he saw a tall oak tree right outside. Sighing almost happily, he flitted up into it, and watched as the bright sun slowly slid behind the mountains in the far distance.
Kagome's head peeked out, looking around worridly. "Hiei? Hiei? Are you out here?" She called, and received a grunt for a reply.
"Oh, there you are! Do you want to come inside?" she asked, whipping out a flashlight and holding it under her chin, "We're telling scaarryy stoorrriieess!" She moaned as the light shadowed her face, uh, 'scarily'.
"No."
"Fine then!" She yelled, "You're just like Inuyasha!" The window slammed shut as Hiei smirked, settling back against the rough bark as the stars, one by one, began to twinkle radiantly in the dark sky.
"Hiei!" Yusuke hissed as the fire demon's eyes snapped open. He yawned slightly, not realizing he had fallen asleep.
"Come on, we're gonna find out about this bracelet Kurama's been talking about." Judging from the moons position, he had only been asleep for about a half hour. Flitting down from the tree branch, Hiei landed beside Yusuke and the both returned to the hotel, where Kurama and Kuwabara where waiting
"So yo figure out what's wrong with it?" Kuwabara yawned, and Kurama scowled, his golden eyes narrowing in thought.
"No. That's what we're going to find out." Secretly, Kurama had no idea why finding out where this thing came form was important, but it was like this little voice screaming in the back of his head, telling him that it was, indeed, very vital in their situation.
Briskly walking down the hall, he stopped a maid before she entered a random room.
"Tell me, young lady." He said, turning on full you-can't-resist-me Youko charm, he smiled. "It seems one of the waitresses dropped her bracelet at my table, could you perhaps tell me who it belongs to?" The lie sounded genuine, even to Hiei.
"Um, well, yes." The girl stuttered, blushing slightly as she looked away from his bright eyes. "It belongs to Hitaru, she should be in the kitchen . ." Kurama smiled, causing her to flush an even deeper shade of crimson.
"Let's go." Kurama muttered, turning away from the love struck girl, who appeared to be on the brink of fainting.
Passing many a swooning maid, they got to the kitchen without too many disturbances. Kurama poked his head in, once again a sweet smile plastered on his face.
"Excuse my interruption, but could you tell me where a Ms. Hitaru is?" A group of girls broke into squeals of laughter as one stepped forward, Kurama immediately recognizing her.
"T-that's me."
"May I have a word with you?" He said, his words coated with sugar. Kuwabara and Yusuke could hardly keep themselves from rolling around the ground in laughter while Hiei just smirked. *Your talents with women are truly endless, are they not, fox?*
The girl called Hitaru's head bobbed reverently as she stepped jerkily from the other girls and out into the hall, Kurama firmly closing the door behind them. She seemed surprised to see the other boys there, and turned to Kurama, puzzlement on her features.
"Tell me, Hitaru," Kurama said, pulling out the sparkling bracelet, "Where did you get this?"
Her eyes widened in shock as she searched her wrist, then turning back to him when she realized it indeed was hers.
"M-my uncle." she stammered, "He gave it to me, a-as a birthday present." Kurama's hand flew out, grabbing her by the neck and slamming her against the wall.
"Liar!" he snarled, "I can smell it, don't try and deceive me." her hands wrapped around his, trying to tear them away from the crushing grip he had on her neck.
"Kurama, what . . ?" Botan's eyes widened as she came out into the hall.
"Not now woman." he snarled angrily. Botan shadowed a hurt look, biting her lip and regaining her composure.
"I'm telling the truth.!" Reaching back into his hair, Kurama grabbed a single seed, large vines growing sprouting it and arching towards the squirming girl.
"Don't test me."
"Okay, fine!" The girl gasped, "I got it-I got it on the edge of town . .from this blind peddler. His- His name was Kayto Inushiri. He said-he said it would me irresistible! He said. . ." Kurama released her, letting her fall to a heap on the floor.
"If you tell anyone about this, I will kill you." He threatened coldly, turning away from Hitaru's quaking figure before she promptly fainted, "Let's go, we have no time to waste. Get the others and meet me in the front of the hotel." The boys left quickly, and Botan too started for the door when Kurama gently grasped her wrist.
"Botan, I'm sorry for snapping at you . ."
"It's quite alright, Kurama, I knew you were busy, I shouldn't have interrupted . . ." She said, forcing a small laugh and smiling, though she could not seem to meet his eyes. His words had stung more than she thought, and Botan couldn't seem to figure out why.
Kurama reached up and gently tipped her head up, her candy-colored eyes meeting his dark golden ones. She held her breath as she felt herself being pulled into his gaze, his head gently lowering down to hers, their noses touching faintly. His lips dipped down to brush hers gently when Yusuke burst into the room.
"Sorry to interrupt you two." he grinned as Botan and Kurama quickly tore away from each other, the first as red as a tomato, "God, tell me not to waste time. Everyone's waiting outside, but maybe I should just tell them you're busy . . ."
One look from Kurama quickly denounced that as a bad idea, and Botan laughed and began to babble.
"Oh, that won't be necessary Yusuke, Kurama and I were just, uh, talking, yes, talking . . ."
"Oh, yeah, sure looked like it. . ."
"I've seen much worse from you and Keiko." Kurama retorted smugly, turning Yusuke a shade that could compete with Botan's,
"What the Hell is that supposed to mean?! Where just friends okay!"
"Whatever you say, Yusuke." Kurama called as he went out the door, the blushing boy quickly following. Botan felt her lips gently with two fingers, silently recalling the light touching of his lips against hers. They were so soft, like rose petals . . .snapping from her thoughts, Botan smiled secretively, then ran out the door.
"Hey, wait for me!"
***
"A blind peddler?" Miroku cocked his head to the side as they strode through the nearly empty city streets. The few people that were out were nervously scurrying back to hotels or homes, or closing up their various shops or stands. "Sounds suspicious to me."
"Yeah, how do we know we can trust that girl? She could have lied and skipped town by now." Inuyasha grumbled, and Kurama shrugged.
"She was not lying when she spoke of the peddler." Kurama muttered as they came upon a plain, brown wooden door. Not bothering to knock, Yusuke just pushed it open and strode right in like he owned the place. Previously, Kurama, realizing that he had no idea where this 'peddler' lived, went back to the girl and shook her awake, demanding directions. She had babbled out a vague description, then fainted once more.
"May I help you?" An old voice called out, a small man with grey sprouts of hair, a hunchback, and a cane came down the stairs, headed for the group. His eyes were brown, clouded by a milky white haze signifying his sightlessness. He gave then a toothy grin, or lack-of-toothy grin.
"Yes, did you give this to a girl named Hitaru?" His placed it into the old man's wrinkled palm. His withered face crunched in concentration as he stroked the bracelet, then smiled.
"Ah, yes. Hitaru Munoki. Yes, I placed an enchantment on it, makes her irresistible to any man she so desires. Why do you ask?"
"Why don't you drop the disguise, 'old man'." Hiei scowled, the creased face of the elder frowning in response.
"You aren't fooling anyone."
See, a Kurama/Botan moment and a bunch of stuff that doesn't make any sense and seems totally irrelevant! But it will in the next chapter, I assure you! Keep your pants on, and review pplz!
Oh, and sa-ke is a japanese alcoholic beverage, and it's spelled sake. But it looks like *sake* so I put the - there so you wouldn't get confused! ^-^
Anyway, after an overwhelming number of death threats, I decided not to kill Miroku. J/K. Actually Chapters 3&4 were already done when I posted Chapter 3, but I decided to make you wait! ^-^ A story can't be good without suspense!
Hey, do you think I should tone down all the blood and gore in my story? That last chappie was pretty gruesome, headless people rolling around . . .
Anyway, we have reached the big 3-0!!!!! PARTY! I can die happy, I have gotten thirty reviews, if just 4 DAYS!!!! AND THEY'RE ALL GOOD!! ( at least I think so) HOLY CRAP!! *keels over from shock* Let's get to 50! WOOHOO!
*~Chapter 5~*
"I have exorcized your Inn of all of it's demons, you shall have no more trouble with them. In return humbly ask for a few rooms for me and my companions."
"Oh, yes, of course! Anything you ask!" The little man, who was presumably the owner of the extravagant hotel, said with so much sweetness you could have poured it over pancakes. Scurrying down a hall, he showing them three empty rooms, casting a wary eye on Inuyasha, Kurama, and Hiei.
"Please, take these! Free of charge, of course! Help yourself to the bathhouse, also free of charge for our beloved guests. Thank you for protecting us, great and powerful monk!" He gushed, bowing quickly, then straightening his glasses and hurrying off. Miroku had picked one of the finest and largest hotels in the sizeable city, 'exorcizing' it of demons.
"I sensed no demons here." Hiei muttered suspiciously, eyeing the monk.
"Yes, well, that is another one of Miroku's endless talents." Sango muttered sarcastically as Kilala purred in her arms.
"Who cares, as long as we got the rooms?" Inuyasha said as he went inside one, examining it carefully. "It's better than sleeping on the ground, right?"
"I agree!" Botan smiled, making a peace sign, "If we're stuck in the fuedal times, might as well enjoy it, right?" Murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd, and Kagome looked around nervously.
"But who is going to room with who?"
*Well, this is going to be interesting.*
***
Well, after much arguing, it was decided that all the girls would sleep in one room and one of the guys would sleep in there with them, incase someone attacked or something.
"So who's the lucky guy going to be?"
"I'll do it!"
"NO, Miroku." he stuck out his bottom lip, but the girls shook their heads at him dejectedly.
"What about Kurama? I want to play with his hair." Kagome smiled, "It's so pretty!"
"Your leaving the kitsune alone in a room with the women."Hiei said slowly, "When probably half of his past lovers came together and wrote the Karma Sutra? That's intelligent."
All the girls face-faulted as Kurama smiled devilishly, "Uh, no, never mind."
"What's the Karma Sutra?" Shippo asked innocently, and Sango's eyes widened.
"Uh, nothing Shippo, forget we ever said it! Ha ha ha!"
"Um . .okay."
"What about Inuyasha?" Botan asked, and the dog demon and Kagome exchanged a look.
"NO!" they yelled simultaneously , and Botan sweat-dropped, "Oh, alright then."
"Hey, what about me and Kuwabara?!" Yusuke demanded, "We both have girlfriends, or friends that just happen to be girls that we really like, but nothing serious is going on and we don't secretly have a crush on them ha ha ha. ."
"Well, Kuwabara had a crush on me once, and I don't really trust him in a room with me . ."
"Hey!"
"And Yusuke, you're just a peeping Tom!" she yelled, and he blushed bright red.
"Hey, that one time was an accident, okay?!" he looked around, "But then who's left?" A few seconds past, and then one name rang out.
"Hiei!" He looked up at them, horror on his usually blank features. "Oh, no. There is no way I'm going to watch a bunch of human girls paint their nails and gossip and talk about boys and crap like that."
"Please?" All three girl fixed him with irresistible puppy-dog eyes that just screamed give-into-the-cuteness-and-obey-my-every-whim.
"No."
"Please?!"
"No."
"Well then." Botan huffed, "I guess I'll just have to tell Yukina you're little secret . ."
"You wouldn't!"
"Oh, I would."
"I'd kill you before you got the chance."
"I'm already dead, baka." Hiei's eyebrow twitched while everyone stared in utter surprise at Botan's boldness. The fire demon reached for his bandage around his arm, then sighed.
"Hn. Fine. But I'll still send my dragon after you if you tell her, your human form will still be able to feel the pain of death."
"Good, it's settled then!" Botan said happily, "Now the rest of you can separate the rooms amongst yourselves, we're going to the baths!" The three girl started down the hall and were brushed by a dark haired brown eyed human, who smiled and winked at them. All three immediately began to chatter and giggle.
Hiei then began to bang his head against the wall.
"I'm so sorry."
"I hate you all."
"I would happily trade places with you . ."
"No, Miroku."
It was then decided that Yusuke, Kurama, and Kuwabara would share one room, and the others the last. Botan and the other girls got their robes and headed outside, soaking in the steamy hot springs.
"It's so nice here." Botan murmured sleepily as she sank deeper into the steaming, cloudy water, sighing contentedly. Each girl had a towel fastened tightly around them, even if they were in the water. This was a public place after all.
"I don't know." Kagome muttered from her perch on the slick black rock side-railing, looking around nervously. "With so many guys around, I'm kind of worried." She adjusted the pink towel around her more securely, looking as Botan. "Are you sure that Hiei guy won't look in on us?"
Botan giggled, "No, Hiei isn't the type, at least I don't think so . ." She shrugged. "Let's just try and enjoy ourselves, right?"
Sango nodded, slipping into the water, then grasping her hands together and squeezing. A small stream of water spurted up and hit Kagome square in the face.
"Hey!" she jumped in, "This means war!"
***
The boys, mean while, decided to go and get some food. They went to the large, fine dining room, and sat down. They had no trouble fining a seat, as nearly everyone cleared out when they saw the demons enter.
The place was magnificent, silky, velvet cushions for you to sit on as you dined at the polished wooden table with intricate carvings of snarling dragons and roaring tigers as the feet. The china was luminous white porcelain, and even the chopsticks where brightly polished. Red lanterns hung above their heads, giving the place a dark, eerie, yet romantic atmosphere.
The waitresses were dressed in light pink or purple kimonos, rushing about with full and empty trays, never losing their composure. The doors were surprisingly free of Geishas looking for their nightly employment, which just supported the fact that this place was very expensive and very high class.
A waitress came, and Kuwabara and Yusuke ordered nearly everything on the menu for themselves and their companions.
"Hey, it's free, why not indulge."
*Can't fight that logic* Inuyasha smirked as the waitress scurried off. About twenty minutes later she and three others came, carrying trays upon trays of steaming rice, noodles, pork, chicken, tea, chilled sa-ke, and of course, sushi, octopus, squid, and various other fish. The seasonings wafted in the air making, reminding the boys how long it had been since they had a proper meal.
Yusuke grabbed platefuls of everything, covering his rice and vegetables with soy sauce before diving into the first course. He felt his heart pang as he thought about Keiko.
*She would love this place.* They had traveled for two days with little rest due west when suddenly Botan's compass died, reason unknown. She had given it Kurama to tinker with, but he had gotten no results so far. Now there was nothing to do but slowly go west, and hope for a sign to where the girls might be.
A girl came to collect the plates, lifting the one in front of Kurama and placing it on a tray. Brushing her jet black hair back, a bracelet sparkled on her wrist as she was about to stand, balancing the trays delicately. But then she caught the kitsune's eyes, and was immediately drawn into their golden depths.
Only Hiei and Yusuke saw what Kurama was doing with his own hand, and they had to suppress snickers so not as to alert the girl. Realizing she had been staring at a customer for over a minute, she blushed and stood, rushing away embarrassedly.
"You just couldn't help yourself, could you kitsune?" Hiei muttered as Kurama smirked, raising his hand. In it was the girls bracelet.
"When did he get that?" Miroku asked, completely oblivious to the fox's fast hands. Shippo's eyes widened and he gasped.
"Kurama! You shouldn't take things from people! It isn't right!" Kurama laughed at the irony, then examined the bracelet. It was nice, solid gold, worth a bit. His brow furrowed as he felt a flash of something strange.
"Kurama, what's up?" Kuwabara asked, leaning over to look at the bracelet, "Why you staring at that bracelet so hard? Something wrong with it?"
"I don't know." He muttered, tucking it away, frowning. Yusuke shrugged, turning back to his rice bowl.
"Pass the sushi."
***
Hiei went up to his room, which was already covered with girly things. Ek. He snorted and opened a window, smirked with relief when he saw a tall oak tree right outside. Sighing almost happily, he flitted up into it, and watched as the bright sun slowly slid behind the mountains in the far distance.
Kagome's head peeked out, looking around worridly. "Hiei? Hiei? Are you out here?" She called, and received a grunt for a reply.
"Oh, there you are! Do you want to come inside?" she asked, whipping out a flashlight and holding it under her chin, "We're telling scaarryy stoorrriieess!" She moaned as the light shadowed her face, uh, 'scarily'.
"No."
"Fine then!" She yelled, "You're just like Inuyasha!" The window slammed shut as Hiei smirked, settling back against the rough bark as the stars, one by one, began to twinkle radiantly in the dark sky.
"Hiei!" Yusuke hissed as the fire demon's eyes snapped open. He yawned slightly, not realizing he had fallen asleep.
"Come on, we're gonna find out about this bracelet Kurama's been talking about." Judging from the moons position, he had only been asleep for about a half hour. Flitting down from the tree branch, Hiei landed beside Yusuke and the both returned to the hotel, where Kurama and Kuwabara where waiting
"So yo figure out what's wrong with it?" Kuwabara yawned, and Kurama scowled, his golden eyes narrowing in thought.
"No. That's what we're going to find out." Secretly, Kurama had no idea why finding out where this thing came form was important, but it was like this little voice screaming in the back of his head, telling him that it was, indeed, very vital in their situation.
Briskly walking down the hall, he stopped a maid before she entered a random room.
"Tell me, young lady." He said, turning on full you-can't-resist-me Youko charm, he smiled. "It seems one of the waitresses dropped her bracelet at my table, could you perhaps tell me who it belongs to?" The lie sounded genuine, even to Hiei.
"Um, well, yes." The girl stuttered, blushing slightly as she looked away from his bright eyes. "It belongs to Hitaru, she should be in the kitchen . ." Kurama smiled, causing her to flush an even deeper shade of crimson.
"Let's go." Kurama muttered, turning away from the love struck girl, who appeared to be on the brink of fainting.
Passing many a swooning maid, they got to the kitchen without too many disturbances. Kurama poked his head in, once again a sweet smile plastered on his face.
"Excuse my interruption, but could you tell me where a Ms. Hitaru is?" A group of girls broke into squeals of laughter as one stepped forward, Kurama immediately recognizing her.
"T-that's me."
"May I have a word with you?" He said, his words coated with sugar. Kuwabara and Yusuke could hardly keep themselves from rolling around the ground in laughter while Hiei just smirked. *Your talents with women are truly endless, are they not, fox?*
The girl called Hitaru's head bobbed reverently as she stepped jerkily from the other girls and out into the hall, Kurama firmly closing the door behind them. She seemed surprised to see the other boys there, and turned to Kurama, puzzlement on her features.
"Tell me, Hitaru," Kurama said, pulling out the sparkling bracelet, "Where did you get this?"
Her eyes widened in shock as she searched her wrist, then turning back to him when she realized it indeed was hers.
"M-my uncle." she stammered, "He gave it to me, a-as a birthday present." Kurama's hand flew out, grabbing her by the neck and slamming her against the wall.
"Liar!" he snarled, "I can smell it, don't try and deceive me." her hands wrapped around his, trying to tear them away from the crushing grip he had on her neck.
"Kurama, what . . ?" Botan's eyes widened as she came out into the hall.
"Not now woman." he snarled angrily. Botan shadowed a hurt look, biting her lip and regaining her composure.
"I'm telling the truth.!" Reaching back into his hair, Kurama grabbed a single seed, large vines growing sprouting it and arching towards the squirming girl.
"Don't test me."
"Okay, fine!" The girl gasped, "I got it-I got it on the edge of town . .from this blind peddler. His- His name was Kayto Inushiri. He said-he said it would me irresistible! He said. . ." Kurama released her, letting her fall to a heap on the floor.
"If you tell anyone about this, I will kill you." He threatened coldly, turning away from Hitaru's quaking figure before she promptly fainted, "Let's go, we have no time to waste. Get the others and meet me in the front of the hotel." The boys left quickly, and Botan too started for the door when Kurama gently grasped her wrist.
"Botan, I'm sorry for snapping at you . ."
"It's quite alright, Kurama, I knew you were busy, I shouldn't have interrupted . . ." She said, forcing a small laugh and smiling, though she could not seem to meet his eyes. His words had stung more than she thought, and Botan couldn't seem to figure out why.
Kurama reached up and gently tipped her head up, her candy-colored eyes meeting his dark golden ones. She held her breath as she felt herself being pulled into his gaze, his head gently lowering down to hers, their noses touching faintly. His lips dipped down to brush hers gently when Yusuke burst into the room.
"Sorry to interrupt you two." he grinned as Botan and Kurama quickly tore away from each other, the first as red as a tomato, "God, tell me not to waste time. Everyone's waiting outside, but maybe I should just tell them you're busy . . ."
One look from Kurama quickly denounced that as a bad idea, and Botan laughed and began to babble.
"Oh, that won't be necessary Yusuke, Kurama and I were just, uh, talking, yes, talking . . ."
"Oh, yeah, sure looked like it. . ."
"I've seen much worse from you and Keiko." Kurama retorted smugly, turning Yusuke a shade that could compete with Botan's,
"What the Hell is that supposed to mean?! Where just friends okay!"
"Whatever you say, Yusuke." Kurama called as he went out the door, the blushing boy quickly following. Botan felt her lips gently with two fingers, silently recalling the light touching of his lips against hers. They were so soft, like rose petals . . .snapping from her thoughts, Botan smiled secretively, then ran out the door.
"Hey, wait for me!"
***
"A blind peddler?" Miroku cocked his head to the side as they strode through the nearly empty city streets. The few people that were out were nervously scurrying back to hotels or homes, or closing up their various shops or stands. "Sounds suspicious to me."
"Yeah, how do we know we can trust that girl? She could have lied and skipped town by now." Inuyasha grumbled, and Kurama shrugged.
"She was not lying when she spoke of the peddler." Kurama muttered as they came upon a plain, brown wooden door. Not bothering to knock, Yusuke just pushed it open and strode right in like he owned the place. Previously, Kurama, realizing that he had no idea where this 'peddler' lived, went back to the girl and shook her awake, demanding directions. She had babbled out a vague description, then fainted once more.
"May I help you?" An old voice called out, a small man with grey sprouts of hair, a hunchback, and a cane came down the stairs, headed for the group. His eyes were brown, clouded by a milky white haze signifying his sightlessness. He gave then a toothy grin, or lack-of-toothy grin.
"Yes, did you give this to a girl named Hitaru?" His placed it into the old man's wrinkled palm. His withered face crunched in concentration as he stroked the bracelet, then smiled.
"Ah, yes. Hitaru Munoki. Yes, I placed an enchantment on it, makes her irresistible to any man she so desires. Why do you ask?"
"Why don't you drop the disguise, 'old man'." Hiei scowled, the creased face of the elder frowning in response.
"You aren't fooling anyone."
See, a Kurama/Botan moment and a bunch of stuff that doesn't make any sense and seems totally irrelevant! But it will in the next chapter, I assure you! Keep your pants on, and review pplz!
Oh, and sa-ke is a japanese alcoholic beverage, and it's spelled sake. But it looks like *sake* so I put the - there so you wouldn't get confused! ^-^