Sherkoni - I apologize for the long wait. My computer was gone. 0_0 Yes I am now mentally deprived. But anyhow, now I don't have my old writing program so the format will be weird, I hope not too weird! ^^o
Digiqueen-Sinceramon - Yes, don't we all love fluffiness ^_~ I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I'm starting to think to myself whenever I start a chapter, 'I wonder if Digiqueen-Sinceramon will like this one?' Heh, probably cuz YOU GIVE SUCH AWESOME REVIEWS!
Master Priestess - Seriously? Wow..... THANKS! That was so cool of you, I now dedicate this chapter to you!
Mallory - Aw, you're so sweet! Sadly this chapter isn't as sweet as the last....but the next one is!
Hieiandbotan4ever - So sorry, hope you didn't die cuz I took so long! JK! (Well he can in this story!)
Hakusho009 - Thank you, here is your update!
Moonlight Goddess - Thanks for reviewing again, glad you liked! Enjoy!
Skitzo-phrenick - I'm glad you liked the chapter, but I'm sorry you're confused. They went to meet some of the members of the Tiluka gang. And Botan's hangover was gone A - Because it was two hours later and B - I'm the writer and I said so! ^^o
19Nina Sakura07 - What, you didn't review before?! Curse you! (Note sarcasm) Heck, I'm glad you reviewed at all. So anyhow, thanks, and though I wish I could write a whole story of just BotanHiei fluff, it would have no plot.
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Chapter 7
Feelings Need to be Denied
Botan's POV
"Thanks..." I muttered awkwardly.
Hiei shrugged it off. "Whatever."
I put my hand on his arm. "No Hiei," I said sternly, waiting for him to look at me. Finally his crimson orbs gazed almost lazily at me. "Really thank you. For everything......that happened tonight..."
He looked away and moved his arm away from my hand. "Don't hurt yourself pondering it..." he muttered quickly.
I was about to retort that I actually got a pleasant feeling pondering it when the door suddenly flew open and Yusuke, Koenma, Nero, Yukina and Keiko burst through - Kurama coming in slowly behind them.
Suddenly ten arms were hugging me and five voices were asking if I was alright.
"ONE AT A TIME PLEASE!" I managed to shout over everyone, laughing slightly. Everyone stopped and stared quizzically at me.
"I'm fine, it was no big deal - easy fix, no harm done!" I replied with a smile.
"No big deal!" Koenma countered. "Nero told me you were shaking, screaming - the whole nine yards!"
I laughed nervously. "Well maybe a little–"
"Her mind was poisoned." Hiei interrupted rolling his eyes.
"Poisoned?" Yukina asked innocently.
Yusuke blinked.
Kuwabara's mouth hung open.
Nero's eyes widened.
Keiko fainted, but Yusuke caught her instinctively still staring at me.
"NO BIG DEAL!!!" Koenma practically screamed in my ear. "YOU COULD'VE DIED!! YOU WERE LUCKY KURAMA KNEW WHAT TO DO!!"
"Actually," Kurama interrupted. "It was just a vague guess, it was really Hiei that knew what to do."
"Yes," I piped up. "Hiei saved me, it was brilliant!"
Koenma cocked an eyebrow at Hiei. "You saved Botan? Willingly?"
I smacked him upside the head with my oar. "You jerk! Why is that so surprising?! Hiei is really a considerate guy!"
It was Koenma's turn to blink and stare with his mouth open. Then his blank look turned into a mischievous twinkle and he smirked. "So sorry, Botan - I didn't know you cared!"
I blushed furiously, ready to kill Koenma. I charged, fists flailing, but Yusuke stopped me.
He grabbed my arms and hit Koenma on the head. "Now children, I'm still not sure what's going on, but I do know that we came here for two reasons - 1 - Check to see if Botan is alright and 2 - Grab Hiei so we can go meet up with this Tiluka leader guy. Again. So before my morning brain gets anymore fighting and surprises crammed into it, can we go?"
Koenma rubbed his sore head. "Owie..."
I sighed. "Of course Yusuke, you'd better hurry too."
He simply nodded and walked out the door, followed by Yukina, Keiko, Kuwabara and a still whining Koenma. Kurama stood up slowly and gave me a curt nod. "I hope you get well soon, Botan."
I smiled. "Of course, I already feel great!"
Hiei followed silently behind him, but Nero paused for a moment to walk up to me. "I'm so glad you're alright," he whispered in my ear, then gave me a chaste kiss on the lips.
My eyes widened, I wasn't expecting that. "Um...see you then...Nero," I said politely, I was actually surprised that I didn't feel too flushed afterwards.
Kurama's POV
I had guessed Nero might have feelings for Botan, but he just walked up to her and kissed her! Oddly, Botan didn't seem to fazed. Had they been seeing each other before? Maybe–
My thoughts were interrupted as I felt Hiei's energy roar to unusual height. He brushed past me looking more pissed off then I'd seen him in years.
'Hiei?' I mused to myself. Then realization dawned on me. Hiei had always had a slight tender spot for Botan. But whenever I confronted him, he just brushed me off or said it was just a slight lustful feeling. This never made sense, so I would in turn ask him if he was in heat or something.
I laughed to myself. Then he would turn red and pick a few choice words to call me before running off again.
Hiei must be jealous of Nero, as I suspected. I sighed, drama, drama drama....
DEEP IN THE FOREST: WHERE THE TILUKA LEADER IS WAITING
(Normal POV)
"So where is he?!" Yusuke whined impatiently.
"I'm right here," came a soft voice.
"Where are ya, you coward!" Kuwabara cried.
"I'm actually at home, I'm speaking to you through a voice portal.."
"Like I said, coward!"
"Well I will tell you why I told Koenma to have his Reikai Tentai meet me here. You see when my thugs told me that "Youko called" for me, I of course didn't believe them. But now two of my best men are dead and the other, who is barely clinging to life, told me that the infamous, Youko Kurama was responsible."
Kurama growled irritably.
"Then I also heard that one of my men's greatest attacks, the mind poisoner, was warded off by another member of their team in mere minutes."
Hiei smirked.
"So here I am thinking I might be stopped by two humans, and two turn-coat demons, and a sea captain when I notice there is something that causes tension between them, maybe causing them to get distracted in battles..."
'Tension?' Yusuke thought, 'What's he talking about?'
'This fool is babbling on about something he knows nothing about,' Hiei thought irritably, 'The only time I even think about something else during a fight is when I'm worried about......'
"Shit."
Kurama turned to look at him suspiciously. "Hiei?"
'Looks like he just had the same thought I did,' Nero thought frowning.
Hiei's POV
I frowned at the fox. "What?" I snapped.
He raised his eyebrow at me, then shrugged not wanting to question me further.
I was getting an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. A very rare feeling, fear.
I was scared that Tiluka could sense feelings for Botan from me, I was scared he knew about the rivalry between me and Nero, and I was mostly scared at what he would do to Botan.
I growled inwardly. If this distracted my fighting in any way, I'd be screwed. If this whole scenario effects our team in any way I'm even more screwed.
I decided to just keep to myself and hope I was wrong about my theory.
The soft voice laughed. "Isn't it strange how the borders of love and hate are so closely intertwined? It's almost scary to know that hating the fact of love could actually make you love more....."
I cursed. I was right, and he knew that I knew. Perfect. A perfect problem, to this perfect mission to go with this whole perfect ordeal.
"What the hell are you talking about!?" Kuwabara demanded.
He laughed again and then all fell quiet.
"Gee, that made perfect sense!" Yusuke said sarcastically.
"Indeed," Kurama said looking at me. "Did you understand it Hiei?"
I scoffed at him. "As if I know anything about love."
"Of course, my mistake..."
AT SCHOOL THE NEXT MORNING
Hiei sat in the back row scribbling absently in his notebook. He was wearing baggy, faded light blue jeans with a tight, form fitting navy blue sweater which went down to his knuckles with a V cut front. He had stolen Nero's fang necklace and it hung casually around his neck.
A girl sitting across from him kept flicking her hair and coughing, trying to get the attention of the solemn fire demon, but to no prevail.
Botan sat in the front row and kept looking back at him. She couldn't figure out what his problem was today, he was so withdrawn. Well that was actually pretty normal for Hiei, but usually she could at least get a 'Hn' out of him in the morning. And lately, if he was in a good mood, she might even catch a slight smile directed her way.
But this morning he hadn't even looked at her. Not that she would've said much anyways, she was quite distracted herself. She was still thinking about the kiss from Nero. She hadn't been as flushed as she thought she might, in fact she kept brushing it off like it was nothing. Did this mean she felt that comfortable around Nero?
Or did it mean she didn't want him to kiss her at all? Botan sighed, she doubted that was it. He was such a debonair model, she'd be dumb to not want that.
Unless there was something better....
She quickly snapped that out of her thoughts. Where did it even come from?
"Hey, new girl!" someone hissed, poking her in the side. She turned around.
"Yes?"
"Do you know that new guy back there?"
"Hiei?"
"Is that his name?" the girl said dreamily, then giggled with her friend. "Do you think you could set us up?"
Botan giggled. "Why?"
"Why?!" the girl asked incredulously. "Can you not see him?! He's gorgeous!"
Botan blushed. He was pretty handsome.... "Yeah, but looks aren't everything..."
"Aw, but he's so shy and mysterious - almost dangerous!" the girl squealed. "And he's got the SEXIEST body!"
Botan blushed even more, this girl was totally infatuated - and what was worse, Botan agreed with her. "I s'pose..."
A girl sitting behind Botan leaned forward. "Are you talking about the new dark guy?"
The first two girls giggled and nodded.
"He's adorable!" the one sitting behind Botan squealed. "He matches right up there with Shuichi!"
"We should go on a double date!"
"But there's three of us."
"How 'bout that charming guy Nero, or whatever..."
Botan rolled her eyes, she was losing interest fast. Maybe she should write Hiei a note asking him what's up. She quickly ripped out a piece of paper and scribbled her message.
HEY, WATZ UP W/U 2-DAY? U SEEM SO DISTRACTED. CAN I HELP?
– BOTAN
Hiei got the note and his eyes widened. Was he that noticeable? Or was he just spending too much time with Botan? If that was the case, it needed to stop.... for her own safety. Her reply went something like this.
STUPID ONNA, WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS BUTTING INTO MY BUSINESS. I AM STARTING TO THINK THAT YOU ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT I LIKE YOU.
Botan huffed. Honestly...
WELL I WOULD THINK THAT SOMEONE WHO MADE A BEAUTIFUL MINIATURE FIGURE OF SOMEONE ELSE WOULD AT LEAST LIKE THAT SOMEONE ELSE.
Hiei smirked.
OR MAYBE I JUST NEEDED A REALLY GOOD TARGET (AKA, SOMETHING I'D WANT TO DESTROY) TO PRACTICE MY BLACK DRAGON ON.
Botan read it and her eyes flashed dangerously, she whipped around to face Hiei. "You jerk!"
The class fell silent.
Botan sweatdropped. "Heh, heh, sorry about that! Please continue!"
She blushed and sank into her seat. Stupid Hiei....
Suddenly the intercom blared. "Just a reminder to all students that the Spring Festival Dance is coming up this weekend, so for those of you who don't have partners - hurry up!"
A few excited squeals escaped a few girls.
Hiei winced. Tiluka was right, Botan was one factor that could rip them apart, and this just made it more complicated. He sighed, determined. And this would be the chance to prove to Tiluka, Kurama, everyone, that he didn't have feelings for Botan.
Besides, he could never imagine himself at a dance.
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Sherkoni - Dun, dun, dun! And I just realized that I didn't do a preview for this chapter, but I will remember to do one for next chapter! Thanks - review if you liked!
Preview - Nero and Botan are starting to seem more like a "couple", so why isn't Botan excited? And when the dance comes around and Nero makes a harsh move, he might have to face the wrath of an angry fire demon and feelings might finally be exposed....
Digiqueen-Sinceramon - Yes, don't we all love fluffiness ^_~ I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I'm starting to think to myself whenever I start a chapter, 'I wonder if Digiqueen-Sinceramon will like this one?' Heh, probably cuz YOU GIVE SUCH AWESOME REVIEWS!
Master Priestess - Seriously? Wow..... THANKS! That was so cool of you, I now dedicate this chapter to you!
Mallory - Aw, you're so sweet! Sadly this chapter isn't as sweet as the last....but the next one is!
Hieiandbotan4ever - So sorry, hope you didn't die cuz I took so long! JK! (Well he can in this story!)
Hakusho009 - Thank you, here is your update!
Moonlight Goddess - Thanks for reviewing again, glad you liked! Enjoy!
Skitzo-phrenick - I'm glad you liked the chapter, but I'm sorry you're confused. They went to meet some of the members of the Tiluka gang. And Botan's hangover was gone A - Because it was two hours later and B - I'm the writer and I said so! ^^o
19Nina Sakura07 - What, you didn't review before?! Curse you! (Note sarcasm) Heck, I'm glad you reviewed at all. So anyhow, thanks, and though I wish I could write a whole story of just BotanHiei fluff, it would have no plot.
---------------------------------------------------
Chapter 7
Feelings Need to be Denied
Botan's POV
"Thanks..." I muttered awkwardly.
Hiei shrugged it off. "Whatever."
I put my hand on his arm. "No Hiei," I said sternly, waiting for him to look at me. Finally his crimson orbs gazed almost lazily at me. "Really thank you. For everything......that happened tonight..."
He looked away and moved his arm away from my hand. "Don't hurt yourself pondering it..." he muttered quickly.
I was about to retort that I actually got a pleasant feeling pondering it when the door suddenly flew open and Yusuke, Koenma, Nero, Yukina and Keiko burst through - Kurama coming in slowly behind them.
Suddenly ten arms were hugging me and five voices were asking if I was alright.
"ONE AT A TIME PLEASE!" I managed to shout over everyone, laughing slightly. Everyone stopped and stared quizzically at me.
"I'm fine, it was no big deal - easy fix, no harm done!" I replied with a smile.
"No big deal!" Koenma countered. "Nero told me you were shaking, screaming - the whole nine yards!"
I laughed nervously. "Well maybe a little–"
"Her mind was poisoned." Hiei interrupted rolling his eyes.
"Poisoned?" Yukina asked innocently.
Yusuke blinked.
Kuwabara's mouth hung open.
Nero's eyes widened.
Keiko fainted, but Yusuke caught her instinctively still staring at me.
"NO BIG DEAL!!!" Koenma practically screamed in my ear. "YOU COULD'VE DIED!! YOU WERE LUCKY KURAMA KNEW WHAT TO DO!!"
"Actually," Kurama interrupted. "It was just a vague guess, it was really Hiei that knew what to do."
"Yes," I piped up. "Hiei saved me, it was brilliant!"
Koenma cocked an eyebrow at Hiei. "You saved Botan? Willingly?"
I smacked him upside the head with my oar. "You jerk! Why is that so surprising?! Hiei is really a considerate guy!"
It was Koenma's turn to blink and stare with his mouth open. Then his blank look turned into a mischievous twinkle and he smirked. "So sorry, Botan - I didn't know you cared!"
I blushed furiously, ready to kill Koenma. I charged, fists flailing, but Yusuke stopped me.
He grabbed my arms and hit Koenma on the head. "Now children, I'm still not sure what's going on, but I do know that we came here for two reasons - 1 - Check to see if Botan is alright and 2 - Grab Hiei so we can go meet up with this Tiluka leader guy. Again. So before my morning brain gets anymore fighting and surprises crammed into it, can we go?"
Koenma rubbed his sore head. "Owie..."
I sighed. "Of course Yusuke, you'd better hurry too."
He simply nodded and walked out the door, followed by Yukina, Keiko, Kuwabara and a still whining Koenma. Kurama stood up slowly and gave me a curt nod. "I hope you get well soon, Botan."
I smiled. "Of course, I already feel great!"
Hiei followed silently behind him, but Nero paused for a moment to walk up to me. "I'm so glad you're alright," he whispered in my ear, then gave me a chaste kiss on the lips.
My eyes widened, I wasn't expecting that. "Um...see you then...Nero," I said politely, I was actually surprised that I didn't feel too flushed afterwards.
Kurama's POV
I had guessed Nero might have feelings for Botan, but he just walked up to her and kissed her! Oddly, Botan didn't seem to fazed. Had they been seeing each other before? Maybe–
My thoughts were interrupted as I felt Hiei's energy roar to unusual height. He brushed past me looking more pissed off then I'd seen him in years.
'Hiei?' I mused to myself. Then realization dawned on me. Hiei had always had a slight tender spot for Botan. But whenever I confronted him, he just brushed me off or said it was just a slight lustful feeling. This never made sense, so I would in turn ask him if he was in heat or something.
I laughed to myself. Then he would turn red and pick a few choice words to call me before running off again.
Hiei must be jealous of Nero, as I suspected. I sighed, drama, drama drama....
DEEP IN THE FOREST: WHERE THE TILUKA LEADER IS WAITING
(Normal POV)
"So where is he?!" Yusuke whined impatiently.
"I'm right here," came a soft voice.
"Where are ya, you coward!" Kuwabara cried.
"I'm actually at home, I'm speaking to you through a voice portal.."
"Like I said, coward!"
"Well I will tell you why I told Koenma to have his Reikai Tentai meet me here. You see when my thugs told me that "Youko called" for me, I of course didn't believe them. But now two of my best men are dead and the other, who is barely clinging to life, told me that the infamous, Youko Kurama was responsible."
Kurama growled irritably.
"Then I also heard that one of my men's greatest attacks, the mind poisoner, was warded off by another member of their team in mere minutes."
Hiei smirked.
"So here I am thinking I might be stopped by two humans, and two turn-coat demons, and a sea captain when I notice there is something that causes tension between them, maybe causing them to get distracted in battles..."
'Tension?' Yusuke thought, 'What's he talking about?'
'This fool is babbling on about something he knows nothing about,' Hiei thought irritably, 'The only time I even think about something else during a fight is when I'm worried about......'
"Shit."
Kurama turned to look at him suspiciously. "Hiei?"
'Looks like he just had the same thought I did,' Nero thought frowning.
Hiei's POV
I frowned at the fox. "What?" I snapped.
He raised his eyebrow at me, then shrugged not wanting to question me further.
I was getting an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. A very rare feeling, fear.
I was scared that Tiluka could sense feelings for Botan from me, I was scared he knew about the rivalry between me and Nero, and I was mostly scared at what he would do to Botan.
I growled inwardly. If this distracted my fighting in any way, I'd be screwed. If this whole scenario effects our team in any way I'm even more screwed.
I decided to just keep to myself and hope I was wrong about my theory.
The soft voice laughed. "Isn't it strange how the borders of love and hate are so closely intertwined? It's almost scary to know that hating the fact of love could actually make you love more....."
I cursed. I was right, and he knew that I knew. Perfect. A perfect problem, to this perfect mission to go with this whole perfect ordeal.
"What the hell are you talking about!?" Kuwabara demanded.
He laughed again and then all fell quiet.
"Gee, that made perfect sense!" Yusuke said sarcastically.
"Indeed," Kurama said looking at me. "Did you understand it Hiei?"
I scoffed at him. "As if I know anything about love."
"Of course, my mistake..."
AT SCHOOL THE NEXT MORNING
Hiei sat in the back row scribbling absently in his notebook. He was wearing baggy, faded light blue jeans with a tight, form fitting navy blue sweater which went down to his knuckles with a V cut front. He had stolen Nero's fang necklace and it hung casually around his neck.
A girl sitting across from him kept flicking her hair and coughing, trying to get the attention of the solemn fire demon, but to no prevail.
Botan sat in the front row and kept looking back at him. She couldn't figure out what his problem was today, he was so withdrawn. Well that was actually pretty normal for Hiei, but usually she could at least get a 'Hn' out of him in the morning. And lately, if he was in a good mood, she might even catch a slight smile directed her way.
But this morning he hadn't even looked at her. Not that she would've said much anyways, she was quite distracted herself. She was still thinking about the kiss from Nero. She hadn't been as flushed as she thought she might, in fact she kept brushing it off like it was nothing. Did this mean she felt that comfortable around Nero?
Or did it mean she didn't want him to kiss her at all? Botan sighed, she doubted that was it. He was such a debonair model, she'd be dumb to not want that.
Unless there was something better....
She quickly snapped that out of her thoughts. Where did it even come from?
"Hey, new girl!" someone hissed, poking her in the side. She turned around.
"Yes?"
"Do you know that new guy back there?"
"Hiei?"
"Is that his name?" the girl said dreamily, then giggled with her friend. "Do you think you could set us up?"
Botan giggled. "Why?"
"Why?!" the girl asked incredulously. "Can you not see him?! He's gorgeous!"
Botan blushed. He was pretty handsome.... "Yeah, but looks aren't everything..."
"Aw, but he's so shy and mysterious - almost dangerous!" the girl squealed. "And he's got the SEXIEST body!"
Botan blushed even more, this girl was totally infatuated - and what was worse, Botan agreed with her. "I s'pose..."
A girl sitting behind Botan leaned forward. "Are you talking about the new dark guy?"
The first two girls giggled and nodded.
"He's adorable!" the one sitting behind Botan squealed. "He matches right up there with Shuichi!"
"We should go on a double date!"
"But there's three of us."
"How 'bout that charming guy Nero, or whatever..."
Botan rolled her eyes, she was losing interest fast. Maybe she should write Hiei a note asking him what's up. She quickly ripped out a piece of paper and scribbled her message.
HEY, WATZ UP W/U 2-DAY? U SEEM SO DISTRACTED. CAN I HELP?
– BOTAN
Hiei got the note and his eyes widened. Was he that noticeable? Or was he just spending too much time with Botan? If that was the case, it needed to stop.... for her own safety. Her reply went something like this.
STUPID ONNA, WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS BUTTING INTO MY BUSINESS. I AM STARTING TO THINK THAT YOU ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT I LIKE YOU.
Botan huffed. Honestly...
WELL I WOULD THINK THAT SOMEONE WHO MADE A BEAUTIFUL MINIATURE FIGURE OF SOMEONE ELSE WOULD AT LEAST LIKE THAT SOMEONE ELSE.
Hiei smirked.
OR MAYBE I JUST NEEDED A REALLY GOOD TARGET (AKA, SOMETHING I'D WANT TO DESTROY) TO PRACTICE MY BLACK DRAGON ON.
Botan read it and her eyes flashed dangerously, she whipped around to face Hiei. "You jerk!"
The class fell silent.
Botan sweatdropped. "Heh, heh, sorry about that! Please continue!"
She blushed and sank into her seat. Stupid Hiei....
Suddenly the intercom blared. "Just a reminder to all students that the Spring Festival Dance is coming up this weekend, so for those of you who don't have partners - hurry up!"
A few excited squeals escaped a few girls.
Hiei winced. Tiluka was right, Botan was one factor that could rip them apart, and this just made it more complicated. He sighed, determined. And this would be the chance to prove to Tiluka, Kurama, everyone, that he didn't have feelings for Botan.
Besides, he could never imagine himself at a dance.
----------------------------------------
Sherkoni - Dun, dun, dun! And I just realized that I didn't do a preview for this chapter, but I will remember to do one for next chapter! Thanks - review if you liked!
Preview - Nero and Botan are starting to seem more like a "couple", so why isn't Botan excited? And when the dance comes around and Nero makes a harsh move, he might have to face the wrath of an angry fire demon and feelings might finally be exposed....