Sherkoni: I enjoyed writing this, so I hope you enjoy reading it! I love you all for your awesome, long reviews!
Tesina Gela Gardener (that was a mouthful): Thank you - here ya go! Tell me if you approve!
Averil Ham - Thanks for reviewing my story, but I would much rather be reviewing yours...*hint, hint* But Nero does something rather.. 'jerk-like' but, don't panic, he's still a good guy! SAT's suck. I think I failed my science one....o_O;;
hieiandbotan4ever - Behold, your life energy - THE UPDATE! Lol, I'm just joking - enjoy!
Mallory - *cries with her* That's so sweet! *gives bonecrushing hug* You rock! Uh...sorry?
MystiKoorime - Thanks! *chest inflates* I am proud of myself! *starts coughing, deflates pathetically* Heh, no I'm not, but thanks anyway! I read your story, BTW....
Jackie and Leslie - *bows* Thank you way much! *blinks* I have number one fans? ^o^ *gives them HieiBotan attachable plushies*
Moonlight Goddess - Hiei: I know, please tell her to stop torturing me this way! Sherkoni: *stuffs him in closet* Thank you, don't listen to him, he's just a hot character!
Kariisme - I share your feelings, but I need a character like that in my story! And you will have to wait for part 2 of this chapter to see what happens...(but I think you'll be satisfied...^_^)
Digiqueen-Sinceramon - I know...I'm mean really. Like, duh. ^^;; Just kidding! Lol... anyhow - muahahhaha, yes I know, I live for Hiei fluff (with anyone, but mostly Botan) Especially in your story! And holy cow, you update fast, like I went to check to see if you had new chapters and you had like 5! 0_0! So I still have to read them, but I decided I would give you an update first, and THEN give a good review! BOTAN - *shoves Sherkoni away* Why are you telling her this?!? You need to write the story! Sherkoni - ^^;; Guess I do! Peace!
Megami Tenshi - Thank you! Arigato! And I am also glad that Sachi and Hotaru like it too! *has no idea who they are* -_-o
Courtney - Hey. Thanks. Cool. Bye. Lol, just kidding - I am not mocking you! Geez, don't jump to conclusions! Kurama - *sweatdrops* Leave the poor girl alone!
Fierian - Thank you! I'm so honored that I was your first and you enjoyed it! P.S. I had fun imaging that out fit....^^;;
Irradesant Angel - *steps up to microphone in front of crowd* Attention! The update has arrived! *crickets* _;; Fine....
Botan-cute-spiritgirl - *sweatdrops* Um... behold! The update! I'm sorry if it's not good!
Skitzo-phrenick - Muhahahaha, maybe he will go with Krysta?! Everyone - Noooooo! Sherkoni - I know! Kidding! Don't worry, you won't know until part 2 of this chapter, but I think you will like the final outcome!
Inuyashafan98 - Thanks - I feel so honored! Enjoy!
Hakusho009 - Pushy you are not! (Obviously you've never met my mom....) (Or my english teacher...) (Or-*clunk*) Hiei - Please enjoy the story without her ramblings.
-------------------------------------------------
Chapter 8
The Spring Festival Dance: PART I
AT LUNCH:
"So, you taking anyone to the dance, Hiei?" Yusuke asked setting his tray down next to the koorime.
Hiei glared at him.
"Right....stupid question," Yusuke said, a silly grin spreading over his face. "Did you happen to see Nero and Botan today?"
Hiei paused, raising an eyebrow questionably.
Yusuke's grin widened. "What? Suddenly you're interested?"
Hiei narrowed his eyes. "Don't patronize me, detective. I'm not in the mood."
Yusuke laughed, holding his hands up in mock defeat. "Chill - it was just a joke. I'll tell ya!"
*=== Yusuke's Flashback ===*
I'm on my usual way to the roof, because it's time for what I like to call the third hour of doom - also known as gym. Sometimes Nero will sluff with me (if he's in the mood) so I headed towards his locker to see if he would be joining me. Sure enough, there he was, leaning nonchalantly on his locker.
I ran up to him. "Sluffing with me today, bon capiton?" I asked in a mock french voice.
Nero grinned. "First of all, I'm not French - and secondly, no, I'm actually waiting for Botan."
"Huh?"
Suddenly Botan came around the corner, gracefully carrying her books.
"I'm walking her to class," Nero replied, walking over to Botan.
Botan gave me a disapproving look. "You should be in class Yusuke."
"Yeah, yeah. Woulda, coulda, shoulda, but I don't."
Botan smirked. "All the woulda, coulda, shouldas ran away and hid-" she paused. "Just because they were frightened of one little DID."
If that made any sense to you Hiei, kindly explain it to me. Anyways, back to the story.
Nero laughed. "And he's burned by the beautiful ferry girl!"
Botan blushed slightly. "We'll see you later, Yusuke."
"Yeah, okay. Bye."
I watched them start to walk down the hall together. Suddenly, Nero grasped Botan's hand and gently let his fingers slide through hers.
I saw Botan's step falter and I knew she was just as surprised as I was. Of course, it might have been surprised delight.
*=== End Flashback ===*
"Can you believe it?!" Yusuke repeated. "Nero is a little girl....h-hound..."
Yusuke quickly trailed off noticing Hiei was gripping his tray so hard his knuckles were white; not to mention he was glaring at his meat loaf as if it had a Kuwabara shaped head.
"H-Hiei? Are you-"
"Drop it." Hiei snapped, standing up and briskly walking out of the lunchroom.
IN THE HALLWAY:
Botan's POV
I sighed feeling Nero's warm hand against mine. Why did I feel like I shouldn't be doing this?
Ever since Nero came to help us I had been hoping something like this would happen. But now that it had, why wasn't I enjoying it more?
My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as I saw Hiei briskly walking through the hallway looking more indignant then usual.
Nero's guiding hand kept me moving down the hall. But I stopped abruptly when I saw the same girl from the bus flounce over to block Hiei's path.
"Hades! I'm so glad I found you! Heard about the dance?"
Hiei actually looked slightly scared as he started to back away.
Nero laughed. "Poor girl, hope he doesn't turn her down too hard. Let's go."
"But s-she's harassing him..." I mumbled, searching for an excuse to stay (I don't know why I wanted to).
Nero looked at me weird. "Even if she was, Hiei can take care of himself."
He tugged again on my arm, but I didn't budge - I was too busy staring at the scene in front of us.
Hiei had backed up into the lockers and the girl just kept getting closer to him. "It'll be fun, Hades..." she purred before pouncing on him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
I unconsciously started walking towards them, but Nero's hand held me back. Lucky for her she got off and stood in front of him again.
She tucked her black hair behind her ear and examined Hiei. "This shirt looks good on you. I shows off your well-shaped arms."
Hiei was attempting to slip away going sideways along the lockers.
"And," she whispered (you know, the kind of whisper everyone can hear) in his ear, stopping his movement. "It shows off your sexy torso." She finished, gripping his waist tightly - Hiei looked like he could've died, however, not before she did.
But before he could strike, she was shoved aside by a very pissed off ferry girl.
"Get off him, you pervert!"
Krysta tumbled to the ground. "Who the hell do think you are?!" she screeched, clambering back to her feet.
"It doesn't matter who I am!" I yelled back. "You're all over the poor guy, and it's disgusting, and he's appalled at your slutty behavior!"
"How would you know?!" Krysta snapped. "He didn't say that!"
I paused. I didn't know that. Could Hiei have actually enjoyed that?
Oh my gosh, what if he did? I mean, I was just hoping he was appalled, and he sort of looked like he was.... "Hiei?" I asked timidly, hoping for reassurance.
He flickered a disoriented glance my way before looking more towards the ground. He sighed. "I wasn't appalled."
I felt my heart catch in my throat when Krysta grinned at me. How embarrassing...... I can't believe he enjoyed that....
Then he turned his glare to Krysta. "I was beyond appalled!"
I cheered to myself. That was the Hiei I knew.
Krysta's grin was swiped off her face and she pouted over to Hiei, latching onto his arm. "You just aren't ready yet, are you Hades?" she said in a pouty voice.
Hiei shut his eyes, and it looked as though he was counting to himself before he turned to Krysta.
"Krysta?"
"Yes?"
"Take a hint!" he yelled before shoving her off him and storming out of the hall.
Nero and I snickered quietly to ourselves and left just as Krysta started into a tantrum yelling something about Hiei kissing her. Yeah right, I thought. Like Hiei would ever be as bold as to kiss a stranger.
AFTER SCHOOL:
"Botan, would you mind helping me sort these papers?" Miss Hangeshi asked.
Botan bit her lip, if she helped then she would miss the bus. She sighed, unfortunately Kurama was starting to rub off on her. "Of course Miss Hangeshi."
After she was done helping her teacher, Botan quickly jogged from the classroom to her locker. After she had grabbed her homework, she ran outside. She would have to walk home because, as she suspected the buses had already left about 15 minutes ago.
Suddenly the sun was blocked from incoming clouds and Botan heard a distant clap of thunder. 'Great,' she thought. She hurried as quickly as she could down the street. 'Maybe I can beat the rain...'
Unfortunately, about two blocks later, she was proven wrong as an entire torrent of water spilled from the sky.
Botan stopped trying to hold her backpack over her head. She was soaked everywhere anyway.
She sighed as she crossed her arms, continuing to trek through puddles. Opening her eyes to see which street to turn on next, she saw a figure in black about ten feet in front of her. 'Who in the world would be out in this weather?' she thought to herself. Then she noticed a spiky matt of black on top of the figure. 'Wow, their hair is staying up even in this rain?' she thought, then mentally slapped herself. Who else?
"Hiei!" she called.
He turned around, looking thoroughly surprised to see her. "What are you doing out here?" he asked in a monotone voice.
"I think that question can fairly go both ways."
Hiei shrugged.
Botan frowned. "Well I was walking home from school because I missed the bus. What is your excuse for subduing yourself to this weather? You could get sick."
"First of all, fire demons don't get colds," he retorted. "And I was. . . . . .just. . . . .thinking, I guess."
Botan smiled and walked over to him. "I don't know why I didn't think of that. Downpours help clear my mind too!"
Hiei glared at her.
Botan laughed. "Okay, sorry, they don't! Bad joke!"
Suddenly a car came speeding around the corner, swerving violently.
"Watch out!" Hiei yelled, jumping in front of her just as the car whizzed past them. A huge wave of water cascaded on him. Hiei looked at himself in disgust, he was covered in muddy, oily water.
Botan gasped and then turned to the car. "Jerks! Get your asses back here - learn how to drive!"
In response the car screeched to a halt and backed up to them.
Botan's eyes widened in fear. "Oops...."
"Damn straight bitch!" someone yelled from inside the car. Then they spun it's tires and water covered Botan instantly before the car sped off again.
She coughed out some water and stretched out her dirty arms. "Oh gross..." she glanced up to see Hiei looking at her. He looked so funny with his cocky smirk, eyebrow raised, mud dripping from his hair - that in spite of herself she laughed.
She was laughing so hard she lost her footing and fell with a plop in the gutter. She winced in pain and embarrassment.
Suddenly she heard a soft chuckle above her. This time Hiei was laughing at her, though he was trying to cover it.
Botan grinned evilly. "I wouldn't be laughing Jaganshi!" she yelled before yanking his feet out from under him. With and embarrassing splash he landed next to her.
He stared angrily at her. "You will regret that, onna."
"Oh I dunno..." she said mildly, pretending not to be interested. Then she casually flicked some water on his face.
Hiei froze and then splashed Botan. And with a demon's strength, it's a bit bigger splash.
Botan gasped and spluttered water out of her mouth. "Oooh!" she cried and tried to tackle him.
Hiei just grinned and grabbed her waist, throwing her legs over his shoulder. Then he held her shoulders in both of his hands holding her face dangerously close to the water.
"It would seem as though I have the upper hand..." he said calmly.
"Don't you dare Hiei!" she cried, going red in the face from being upside down.
"Tell me I am, and will always be, superior to you," Hiei said mysteriously.
Botan giggled. "Never!"
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to this...."
"No don't tickle me!"
Hiei raised an eyebrow. "Tickle you? I don't even fully understand the meaning of 'tickle'..."
Botan blushed (not that you could tell). "Oh..."
"But I can...."
"No! Please- oh man, I'm getting sick...."
Hiei chuckled slightly and put her back on her feet.
Botan swayed slightly and gripped Hiei's shoulders to steady herself. "Uugghh....." she groaned and buried her face in his cloak.
Hiei blushed.
Finally regaining her composure, she looked up, still clinging to Hiei. 'Red is a very contrasting color to all this gray, blue and sea green surrounding it...' Botan thought mildly looking into Hiei's eyes.
Suddenly the dangerous crimson flickered and was set in an unsure scared context.
"Botan...."
"What?" she asked softly, still inching closer.
'I was swimming in a large mist of crimson and ruby and I wasn't coming out....'
Hiei opened his mouth to say something, but a strangled, nervous sound came out instead..
'I could smell pine and a soft minty smoke....all still clothed in red... I wanted to consume it all, claim it all, for my self....'
---------------------------------
Sherkoni - . . . . . .
*soft voice somewhere in the distance* (dun, dun, dun.....peeeeeeeeeeeace out)