Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho.
K.H.: Wow, 2 chapters in one day. That's a lot of writing & thinking. The special chapter I had planned should be either the next chapter or the chapter after that. Depends on how things work out.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kurama returns around 20 minutes later to find Hiei exploring his room.
"Hiei, just what are you doing?" he asks, towel drying his hair.
Hiei looks at Kurama, "Studying my surroundings, it's a habit of mine."
Kurama smiles, "Ah, I see. That used to be one of my habits when I was still Youko Kurama. It's something that you had to do with a profession like I once had. Any sign of Botan yet?"
Hiei grunts out of disapproval, "No sign of her yet, fortunately."
Kurama chuckles lightly, "Come off it Hiei, Botan was just teasing."
Hiei eyes Kurama, "Why are you defending her Kurama? Is she your mate or something?"
Kurama blushes, but smiles when he thinks of a comeback, "I believe the present day term is girlfriend. Speaking of which, have you & Shizuru gotten together yet? You two seem to have a lot in common, you would make a cute couple."
Hiei's eyes widen & he blushes a deep red, "What are you talking about? Why would I like a human woman?"
Kurama smirks, knowing he had the fire demon against the ropes now, "I don't know, but you both like to beat up Kuwabara. She's also very strong for a human female. Furthermore, you're both hard-headed as well."
Hiei becomes speechless at this & Kurama tries his hardest not to laugh at Hiei's facial expression.
"Good one Kurama."
Kurama & Hiei turn to see Botan just outside the window, grinning.
Kurama blinks, "How long have you been outside my window Botan?"
"Long enough to hear about Hiei & Shizuru," she replies.
"That's too long if you ask me," Hiei says, his cool & calm stature returning again.
She lands just past the window & her oar disappears, "Well, everything's sorted out. I hope that lunch hasn't gotten cold."
"Kurama! Time for lunch!" Shiori calls from downstairs.
Botan smiles, "Well, I guess not then!"
Kurama nods, "Let me just go alert my mother that we will be having two guests."
He disappears out the door, leaving Botan & Hiei alone in the same room together. They separate themselves by heading to opposite corners of the room, so that they can avoid quarreling.
After some time, Kurama pokes his head inside the door, "Sorry to have kept you both waiting, she had been rather excited over seeing me in the process of turning back into my human form. She said that it was perfectly fine though, just be on your best behavior."
Kurama & Botan glance at Hiei, which adds more fuel to Hiei's already fiery temper.
"Alright, no problem," Hiei says coldly.
Botan & Hiei follow Kurama downstairs, casting side glances at one another every few seconds.
Shiori looks up to greet them with a warm smile, "Hello, it's nice of you two to join us for lunch."
Her eyes rest on Botan & her smile grows wider, "Wait, I remember you. You helped me when we were fighting that demon. Kurama talked about you occasionally before, but it wasn't until about a week ago that I actually met you. Thank you Ms...-?"
"Just call me Botan, guide to the spirit world!" Botan replies cheerfully, shaking hands with her.
She looks over at Hiei before looking at Kurama, awaiting an introduction.
Kurama seems to understand, "This is another friend of mine & he's sort of my partner when we're fighting. His name's Hiei."
Hiei hesitantly shakes her hand & forces a smile, "Uh... hello."
"He's not much of a people-person, as you can see," Kurama adds.
Shiori nods, "Yes, it's quite noticeable. Not a problem."
She glances at the table, "Well, I have everything set up if everyone's ready. Just grab a plate & have at it. I'll be glad to fix some more if we run out of anything."
Everyone does as they are told & sits down at the table with their plates laden with food. They begin eating & Hiei glances around on occasion, taking in his surroundings.
After they finish, Botan helps Shiori clean up in the kitchen, "That was a great meal Mrs. Minamino! Much better than some of the food I get in the spirit world."
Shiori smiles, "Thank you Botan, for helping me out in two situations & the compliment on my cooking."
"Can I come eat lunch with you people if I have the time?" she asks, hopeful.
Shiori continues to smile, "Sure, just drop by anytime & I'll make you lunch, or dinner, or breakfast, depending on the time."
Botan claps & smiles brightly, "Oh goodie!"
Meanwhile, Kurama & Hiei clear off the table. Kurama stacks the dirty dishes in Hiei's arms before picking up the utensils.
Hiei looks at Kurama over the pile of dishes, "Where do I go with these plates?"
"To the kitchen & set them down on a counter," Kurama replies, nodding his head in the direction of the kitchen.
Hiei begins walking, being cautious not to trip over anything, "I never thought I would be stuck cleaning up after people, other than in fights."
"I heard you Hiei," Kurama says as he comes up behind him with utensils in his hands. "Be glad, you don't come often enough to eat with us. You don't 'get stuck cleaning up after people' very often. About time you took some responsibility in some area other than fighting."
Hiei mumbles some profane words while glaring at the kitsune, but does not argue.
After everything is cleaned up, Hiei takes his leave, "If I stick around any longer, I might start getting all warm & compassionate like you Kurama."
Kurama smirks as he watches as Hiei disappears to who knows where before returning inside to find Botan & his mother chatting away in the living room.
They stop to look up at him when he enters.
"Kurama, I've decided that I want Botan to ferry my soul when it comes time," Shiori states.
He smiles & nods, "I agree. Botan is more than capable of that task."
"Oh stop! You're making me blush!" Botan says, giggling.
Shiori glances up at the clock & gasps, "I almost forgot! I'm supposed to pick up Shuichi & then go shopping!"
Kurama & Botan watch as she hurries about before finally leaving.
Kurama sits down next to Botan, "Botan...?"
She looks at him, "Yeah?"
"I was thinking about what went on between us last night & what we've been through together. And I was wondering if you would like us to be more than friends..." he says, his fox ears flicked to the side.
Botan's eyes widen, "You're not kidding... are you...?"
He shakes his head, "I'm dead serious."
She smiles, "Yes, I would like that very much then."
He also smiles & hugs her, "Thank you."
She returns the hug & lies her head on his chest, smiling gently, "No, thank you."
They kiss passionately & that officially begins their relationship.
K.H.: Wow, 2 chapters in one day. That's a lot of writing & thinking. The special chapter I had planned should be either the next chapter or the chapter after that. Depends on how things work out.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kurama returns around 20 minutes later to find Hiei exploring his room.
"Hiei, just what are you doing?" he asks, towel drying his hair.
Hiei looks at Kurama, "Studying my surroundings, it's a habit of mine."
Kurama smiles, "Ah, I see. That used to be one of my habits when I was still Youko Kurama. It's something that you had to do with a profession like I once had. Any sign of Botan yet?"
Hiei grunts out of disapproval, "No sign of her yet, fortunately."
Kurama chuckles lightly, "Come off it Hiei, Botan was just teasing."
Hiei eyes Kurama, "Why are you defending her Kurama? Is she your mate or something?"
Kurama blushes, but smiles when he thinks of a comeback, "I believe the present day term is girlfriend. Speaking of which, have you & Shizuru gotten together yet? You two seem to have a lot in common, you would make a cute couple."
Hiei's eyes widen & he blushes a deep red, "What are you talking about? Why would I like a human woman?"
Kurama smirks, knowing he had the fire demon against the ropes now, "I don't know, but you both like to beat up Kuwabara. She's also very strong for a human female. Furthermore, you're both hard-headed as well."
Hiei becomes speechless at this & Kurama tries his hardest not to laugh at Hiei's facial expression.
"Good one Kurama."
Kurama & Hiei turn to see Botan just outside the window, grinning.
Kurama blinks, "How long have you been outside my window Botan?"
"Long enough to hear about Hiei & Shizuru," she replies.
"That's too long if you ask me," Hiei says, his cool & calm stature returning again.
She lands just past the window & her oar disappears, "Well, everything's sorted out. I hope that lunch hasn't gotten cold."
"Kurama! Time for lunch!" Shiori calls from downstairs.
Botan smiles, "Well, I guess not then!"
Kurama nods, "Let me just go alert my mother that we will be having two guests."
He disappears out the door, leaving Botan & Hiei alone in the same room together. They separate themselves by heading to opposite corners of the room, so that they can avoid quarreling.
After some time, Kurama pokes his head inside the door, "Sorry to have kept you both waiting, she had been rather excited over seeing me in the process of turning back into my human form. She said that it was perfectly fine though, just be on your best behavior."
Kurama & Botan glance at Hiei, which adds more fuel to Hiei's already fiery temper.
"Alright, no problem," Hiei says coldly.
Botan & Hiei follow Kurama downstairs, casting side glances at one another every few seconds.
Shiori looks up to greet them with a warm smile, "Hello, it's nice of you two to join us for lunch."
Her eyes rest on Botan & her smile grows wider, "Wait, I remember you. You helped me when we were fighting that demon. Kurama talked about you occasionally before, but it wasn't until about a week ago that I actually met you. Thank you Ms...-?"
"Just call me Botan, guide to the spirit world!" Botan replies cheerfully, shaking hands with her.
She looks over at Hiei before looking at Kurama, awaiting an introduction.
Kurama seems to understand, "This is another friend of mine & he's sort of my partner when we're fighting. His name's Hiei."
Hiei hesitantly shakes her hand & forces a smile, "Uh... hello."
"He's not much of a people-person, as you can see," Kurama adds.
Shiori nods, "Yes, it's quite noticeable. Not a problem."
She glances at the table, "Well, I have everything set up if everyone's ready. Just grab a plate & have at it. I'll be glad to fix some more if we run out of anything."
Everyone does as they are told & sits down at the table with their plates laden with food. They begin eating & Hiei glances around on occasion, taking in his surroundings.
After they finish, Botan helps Shiori clean up in the kitchen, "That was a great meal Mrs. Minamino! Much better than some of the food I get in the spirit world."
Shiori smiles, "Thank you Botan, for helping me out in two situations & the compliment on my cooking."
"Can I come eat lunch with you people if I have the time?" she asks, hopeful.
Shiori continues to smile, "Sure, just drop by anytime & I'll make you lunch, or dinner, or breakfast, depending on the time."
Botan claps & smiles brightly, "Oh goodie!"
Meanwhile, Kurama & Hiei clear off the table. Kurama stacks the dirty dishes in Hiei's arms before picking up the utensils.
Hiei looks at Kurama over the pile of dishes, "Where do I go with these plates?"
"To the kitchen & set them down on a counter," Kurama replies, nodding his head in the direction of the kitchen.
Hiei begins walking, being cautious not to trip over anything, "I never thought I would be stuck cleaning up after people, other than in fights."
"I heard you Hiei," Kurama says as he comes up behind him with utensils in his hands. "Be glad, you don't come often enough to eat with us. You don't 'get stuck cleaning up after people' very often. About time you took some responsibility in some area other than fighting."
Hiei mumbles some profane words while glaring at the kitsune, but does not argue.
After everything is cleaned up, Hiei takes his leave, "If I stick around any longer, I might start getting all warm & compassionate like you Kurama."
Kurama smirks as he watches as Hiei disappears to who knows where before returning inside to find Botan & his mother chatting away in the living room.
They stop to look up at him when he enters.
"Kurama, I've decided that I want Botan to ferry my soul when it comes time," Shiori states.
He smiles & nods, "I agree. Botan is more than capable of that task."
"Oh stop! You're making me blush!" Botan says, giggling.
Shiori glances up at the clock & gasps, "I almost forgot! I'm supposed to pick up Shuichi & then go shopping!"
Kurama & Botan watch as she hurries about before finally leaving.
Kurama sits down next to Botan, "Botan...?"
She looks at him, "Yeah?"
"I was thinking about what went on between us last night & what we've been through together. And I was wondering if you would like us to be more than friends..." he says, his fox ears flicked to the side.
Botan's eyes widen, "You're not kidding... are you...?"
He shakes his head, "I'm dead serious."
She smiles, "Yes, I would like that very much then."
He also smiles & hugs her, "Thank you."
She returns the hug & lies her head on his chest, smiling gently, "No, thank you."
They kiss passionately & that officially begins their relationship.