~*~*~*~*~ Roses and Peonies ~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~ Chapter 3 ~*~*~*~*~

Yusuke watched in horror as the blue haired deity plummeted from the sky. Everything seemed to happen so fast. The monster gave one last roar, a roar that seemed to echo through the very heavens but fell deaf on Yusuke's ears, and fell backward into a snow-covered hill. The crash sent snow spraying many feet in the air. He saw a red speck on the monster's shoulder, which was assumed to be Kurama, leap just as the monster roared. Kurama attempted to catch Botan. Red speck rocketed toward blue speck but all was covered in the white spray of snow. Whether Kurama's attempt had failed or succeeded was left a mystery.

All Yusuke could do was stand there in a dumfounded trance. Awaiting for the wall of snow that impaired his vision to pass. Every second that slipped by seemed to be a hour. Waiting the verdict on his friends' fate seemed to take an eternity.

And then at last the snowy curtain faded and all was clear. Yusuke gritted his teeth and ran toward the site where he assumed his friends had landed. All was white. The colors red and blue were no where to be found. Yusuke turned full-circle. Scanning the area hoping they were still alive. In a last attempt he called out.

"Botan! Kurama!"

Silence.

Panic seized Yusuke. Could they be...? No! Yusuke quickly erased the thought from his mind. They were alive. He knew they were. He tried again and waited.

"Yusuke."

A smile broke on Yusuke's face and he turned round to face the voice. And then the smile faded almost as quickly as it had come.

There stood Kurama. His eyes were tired and sullen and his air was disarrayed. In his arms he cradled Botan's body. She was badly bruised. Yusuke looked from Kurama to Botan. Kurama seemed very weak. Still tired form strangling that monster. It looked as though he was too weak to support Botan's weight.

"I'll take her." Yusuke offered, intending to relieve Kurama of his burden.

"No, she's fine. We need to get her home immediately."

Yusuke nodded and led the way to Botan and Keiko's apartment. They walked as fast as possible. Yusuke looked back often to see if Kurama was changing his mind at all about holding Botan. But each time he was meet with a look of determination and Yusuke said nothing. They reached the elevator and punched the button for floor 7.

Yusuke cursed the dragging speed of the elevator under his breath and wished they had taken the stairs. But then Yusuke remembered Kurama's weakened condition and accepted the elevator's speed.

The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Yusuke and Kurama exited the elevator and sprinted down the hall and came to a screeching stop at the door to the apartment. It was then that they came to a horrible snag in their plan. Here was the apartment, but they had no key.

"Ring the doorbell, maybe Keiko's home."

Yusuke nodded and mumbled a silent prayer that Keiko was not out shopping. He rang the doorbell.

Ding-dong!

Muffled sounds came from inside and at last the long awaited turning of the doorknob. The door swung open and Kurama and Yusuke were greeted with Keiko's surprised face.

"Yusuke! What are you- Oh my God! Botan!" Keiko's hand flew to her mouth and her eyes filled with compassion for her friend. She stepped to one side and let Kurama and Yusuke come in.

Kurama made tracks for the couch and set Botan's sleeping form on the cushions. Botan shuddered and then was silent. Kurama had the faint traces of the frown on his face.

"Keiko, do you perhaps have a blanket?"

Keiko nodded and left.

Kurama watched her leave before collapsing into the nearest chair. His arms felt like Jell-O. After fighting against the snow beast's strength and carrying Botan he wanted nothing more then to let his arms rest. Yusuke just stood there looking towards the hall Keiko and rushed down.

Keiko came back holding a blanket on her arms. She ran to her friend's side and spread the blanket over her.

"What happened?" She asked worriedly.

"Some demon thing in the park attacked us." Yusuke said bluntly.

Keiko gasped, "Oh dear!"

Kurama sighed and sat up as straight as he could manage and said politely, "Keiko, would you be so kind as to make some tea?"

Keiko blinked and nodded. She was actually more than happy to make tea. She desperately wanted to have something to keep her mind of her friend. She walked the short distance to the kitchen and took out her teakettle.

Kurama sat there, his brain a buzz with thoughts. That monster... It seemed so powerful. It had enough energy to break the earth's crust, but how then, was it so easy to defeat? Could it be that it wasn't the monster's energy he sensed? Was there a greater and more powerful thing out there? But why had this thing, whatever it was, send such a weak monster? What was the purpose?

The screeching whistle of the teakettle interrupted Kurama's thoughts. A series of clangs sounded from the kitchen and Keiko appeared with a tray, upon it was three steaming cups of tea.

Kurama graciously accepted the cup offered and then let his vision drift to Botan. He'd assessed the damage done to her before and it wasn't too bad. Only a few bruises but nothing to worry about. All they could do was wait for her to wake up.

~*~*~*~*~

Well, despite the fact that nothing really happened in this chapter I think was okay. And no cliffhanger!

YAY! Sorry to all you Hiei fans but he will appear in the next chapter!

As I was writing this I realized something though. I could easily make this a Kurama/Botan/Yusuke love triangle. It's up to you! In your review say, Yes! I want a love triangle! or No, don't ruin this with a love triangle!

Thanks to all my reviewers! You guys are great! *hugs*

And now I must finish my science project! Which is due Tuesday! -_-;