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I think you know who's POV this is by now, right?=^.^= ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ =^.^=
"Hiei, be reasonable!" I exclaimed, backing away from him. I didn't want to get into a fight with my closest friend. "It isn't prudent to kill someone over this!"
He smirked. He sheathed his katana and crossed his arms once more. "Pity. I was hoping to get more out of you. You only backed away. You've got blood lust somewhere under your skin. I've seen it."
I gaped at him, lost for words. "Did…I just miss something here?"
"I wasn't going to kill you over a girl. That's stupid and a waste of time. It would also dull my blade for no reason at all. You aren't worth my katana."
I wasn't sure whether to take that last sentence as an insult or a complement. Nevertheless, I was glad that Hiei was only joking rather than honestly wanting to kill me. "You said you wanted to talk to me about Botan," I said to change the subject.
"Yeah. I was going to tell you this as soon as you woke up but you left before I could."
"What is it?"
"So you know that she's trying to figure out how to be with you without making me feel bad," he continued.
"Me? If she didn't like you as well, I doubt this would have gotten this far. She still has feelings for you."
"Hn. Maybe she should forget her feelings about me." He frowned thoughtfully and gazed up at the trees.
"Are you letting me have her? Intentionally? Don't you care for her as well?"
"I don't get a say in this," he replied in a flat tone. He sighed and held my gaze. "You already marked her, whether Youko took over your better senses or not in the process of doing so—she's still marked."
I fought the urge to look away. "So what."
"So what?! You're about as stubborn as me. No matter what she decides, she belongs to you. Even if she gave her life to the spirit detective, she'd still belong to you and you'd belong to her. You see? I wouldn't have a say."
"Yes you would," I mused. "She could be with you and forget me. She could forget that she 'belonged' to me."
"That's just it. You never had this kind of thing happen to you. There would be some kind internal voice that nags at you to remind you of the person you belong to."
I gave him a smile. "How would you know of this nagging voice? Has this happened to you before?"
"No. I have this remember?" He pointed a finger to his Jagan eye hidden beneath his headband. "I've been in some of the demons' minds and saw what they've been thinking. Pity that it doesn't matter anymore—those that I know of are dead by my hands."
"Mm," I muttered distractedly.
"My point is this: I'm giving to give in and let you be with each other. I'll just be the abandoned child again."
"Don't take it that way if you must do this," I exclaimed.
"I can take this anyway I want to," he retorted. He began to walk off. "You're always optimistic. Maybe you haven't noticed, but I'm the complete opposite of you." He disappeared with the help of his speed.
I bit my lip. Maybe he was right. I did mark her, but what if she didn't want me to be in her life? What if Hiei was really the one she cared about and was only saying those things to make me feel as if I had a chance?
Heh, me optimistic, eh? I don't know where he got that idea. I was as pessimistic as he was—perhaps more than he was. I shoved my hands into my pockets and walked home. I didn't need Mother to worry over me when she had just gotten over her illness.
"Suichi? Where've you been?" my human mother asked.
"To take a walk," I replied. "I'm sorry. I should have told you. Here." I lay a few roses in my mother's lap. I had gathered them from the garden and stripped them of their thorns.
"What…what are these for?"
"To give to you. I'm sorry for everything I've done to you," I murmured.
"You haven't done a thing to me, dear. Are you feeling ill?" She felt my forehead. "No, you're temperature is fine."
"I'm not ill. I've just done a lot of things in my life that I regret."
"You're still young. You're going to make mistakes. How else will you learn?"
I shook my head in an answer and returned her smile. "When was the last time I said that you were turning into a handsome young man?" she continued.
"Just now, Mother."
She chortled and kissed my cheek. "What would you like for dinner?"
"I can cook something. You can relax."
"No, I'm going to cook! I'm your mother. I should be doing this for you!"
I watched with a pained expression as she stood up and hobbled into the kitchen. "Shall I help you prepare?" I asked.
"No! You just sit in there and act lazy for a change. Think about yourself, not me!" she called between clanks of pans.
I didn't want to think of myself. The one thing I wanted was only mine because I had lost myself in the heat of passion. I wonder …I wonder if Botan had simply lost herself as well or had her mind been elsewhere? Yes, thinking of myself wasn't as easy as Mother made it sound. I picked up the roses. I went into the kitchen to get a glass vase.
"Suichi! I told you that I could do this alone!" Mother exclaimed in amused exasperation.
"Yes, but the roses will wither away without water," I explained and held up a rose.
"I'll do it. You're spoiling me if you don't let me work. What would your father say if when he sees a fat, out of shape woman when I meet him in heaven? I'm already growing too old! Now shoo!" She ushered me out of the kitchen after taking the roses from my hands.
"The food's ready, dear!" Mother called an hour or so later.
"Yes, Mother," I answered and stood to go into the kitchen. The phone rang just as I was about to take a step further. "I'll get it!" I announced.
I dashed to the phone stand near the front door. "Hello?"
"Kur—erm, Suichi?"
"Yusuke?" I asked in alarm. "How did you find my phone number?"
"I was beating the snot out of this brat who had his girl with him. He threw his wallet at me and grabbed his girl's purse and threw that too. A piece of paper fell out that had 'Suichi Minamino' written in bright pink and hearts all over it. A number was on it and I decided to try it rather than walk."
I breathed in relief. Nothing had happened. "Oh, is that all? If you want to talk about whatever it is, I'll have to call you back. I'm about to eat."
"Yeah, but it's important!"
"Can it wait?"
"I don't know. Lemmee ask," Yusuke muttered doubtfully. I heard his voice move from the mouthpiece to the background. There was an annoyed scream and Yusuke was back. "Nope. It can't wait. Yep, it's pretty important."
"Can you tell me quickly?" I asked hurriedly as I heard Mother call my name.
"Pacifier breath said something about Botan passing out in the middle of her job. He's got her at Spirit World. You up for a little trip?"
"She's ill?" I repeated.
"That's what I said. Are you too busy? Koenma thinks she might've had an allergic reaction to the ingredients that helped everyone get better. Since you're the plant expert, he figured you could fix up an antidote."
"I'll be there as soon as possible." I hung up before saying farewell. "Mother, something came up. A friend of mine is ill and they wanted me to stay with them through the night. Forgive me, but I must leave quickly."
"That's terrible. What is it?"
"I-I don't know just yet. I appreciate you making me supper."
"Wait, you can take some with you." She hurried into the kitchen and came back with a small bag. "Here. Be home soon. If you need a ride home, here some money for a taxi."
"Thank you." I took the unneeded money and left. My life wasn't getting any easier as I had hoped.
Yup, another boring chapter, but pretty please review!