Sherkoni - I really am sorry for the wait, but I was suspended! How many times can you be suspended... cuz it happens a lot to me! ^_^o And I got grounded, so I type this as my parents think I am asleep, but I am not - Muahahhaha .... -_-;;;;

Um... since it is so late - I am going to skip review responses for this chapter for the most part! Gomen nasai, I love you all and appreciate it, but I'm sure you would rather have a faster update!

Digiqueen-Sinceramon, you rock (of course) Thank you for the nice, long review! I apologize to silverwings3, it's a nasty habit! I am glad you are at least reading this and semi-enjoying it! You rock!

And goila-chan-1500 and mstheatre - Holy cow, thanks! Such amazing nice compliments, you make me feel so loved!

Plus, I would like to thank everyone cuz people are saying stuff like - 'your fans await you' and my friend told me about this story and stuff like that.. Amazing! Thanks! Now, please enjoy the story!

----------------------------------------------

Chapter 9

Spring Festival Dance: PART II

I walked briskly up my driveway, still blushing up to my ears.

I can't believe I kissed him! I can NOT believe that I KISSED him! WHY THE HELL DID I KISS HIM?!?!

*-*Flashback*-*

Unable to resist him any longer, I softly put my lips on his, kissing him gently.

I felt his shoulders tense beneath my hands, but his firm lips kissed me back a little more firmly than I would have expected. Once again, that exhilarating thrill ran right through my spine, but this time it didn't stop. It continued through my whole body until I gave an involuntary shiver.

Damn, he was a good kisser...

Suddenly Hiei abruptly pulled away, tightly gripping my arms.

I scanned his face for some kind of explanation. "I'm sorry.." I whispered.

He stared at me sorrowfully for what seemed like forever. "It's....alright," he breathed.

I gulped. "Why-"

"I don't know," he answered softly.

I tried to smile. "Well we are pretty good friends right?"

He nodded. "Yes, we are."

"I just got carried away," I fabricated. "I've been getting closer with Nero, I guess it just slipped..."

Hiei's eyes darkened. "Of course."

I stared at him, my hands never dislodging themselves from his cloak. "I-"

"A friendship kiss," Hiei interrupted quickly.

I nodded, managing a weak smile. "Yeah, a friendship kiss....that I still apologize for..."

"Okay," Hiei whispered, leaning towards me. "You should go home..."

"I...will..." I said, now feeling his warm breath on my face. "In....a .... minute..."

Hiei quickly jerked back, that scared aura passing through his scarlet eyes again. "No. Now."

I stopped, surprised and slightly hurt. "I am."

Hiei watched me with interest. "No you're not."

"I will once you let me go!" I replied sharply.

Hiei's eyes softened curiously. "I'm not holding you, onna."

I inhaled sharply and I felt a lump at the back of my throat. Yes you are...

"Oh." I said shortly before turning around and swiftly walked down the street.

*-*End Flashback*-*

I quickly ran up to my room in the house Koenma had bought for me.

Flopping onto my soft bed, I thought about what had just happened. It was so weird, I was starting to feel like I really knew Hiei.

Hiei. Cold, ruthless, quiet, cynical Hiei. I sighed and smiled slightly, not even realizing I was doing it.

BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE I KISSED HIM!!

I angrily buried my face in my pillow and screamed. He's probably completely weirded out, but just isn't saying anything to be polite.

Wait....Hiei polite? That makes less sense then him enjoying the kiss..

Suddenly the phone rang, distracting me from my thoughts. I lazily groped under my bed, looking for the phone, but instead found Hiei's wooden figure of myself.

I silently put it on the pillow in front of me, gazing at it thoughtfully.

A third ring reminded me that I still had to answer the phone. Quickly I stuffed my hand under my bed and yanked out my small, cordless phone.

"Hello?" I gasped.

"Botan?"

"Nero? Hi - what's up?" I asked happily. 'This is probably about the dance..' I thought.

"Um..not much. You know the dance coming up?"

I smiled to myself. "Yeah?" (1)

"Well...you see, my date doesn't have a dress, so I was hoping you could borrow her one."

My throat tightened and I clenched my wooden duplicate tightly. "Ex-Excuse me?"

"I said-"

"I know what you said!"

There was a long pause on the other line. "Oh. Well...um...I figured we could hang out any time in Spirit World.."

"Hang out?" I replied dangerously. "Like we have been?"

"Well...yeah."

I angrily hung up the phone and chucked it carelessly across the room.

Surprisingly, I wasn't that disappointed that I couldn't go with Nero. I was just angry that now I had no one to go with and he actually had the NERVE to hold my hand at school and call it 'hanging out'!

It made me feel so used... I just needed to vent....

Absently, I glanced at the wooden trifle in my hand. Still holding on to it, I walked slowly across the room and grabbed my phone. Silently, I dialed Kurama's number.

"Hello, Minimano residence."

"Hi Kurama, it's Botan."

"Hey Botan!"

"Hey, I know this will sound dumb but... does Hiei happen to be there?

"Well actually - yes. All of the guys are, we're getting ready for the dance."

"I thought Hiei wasn't going to the dance?" (2)

"He's not, he's just here for the ice cream.... which reminds me! Do you know what's wrong with him? He keeps spacing out and -get this- smiling slightly! No joke! It's tot-"

"Kurama? Hiei, phone please."

Kurama's voice softened. "Sorry, of course. Are...are you alright?"

"Peachy."

"Alright," he replied, but he didn't sound convinced. Then his voice got distant as he called for Hiei. "Hiei! Telephone!"

"The shrimp got a phone call? That's weird..." came Kuwabara's voice.

"At least it won't be my mother calling to see if I wore my nice underwear."

"Hey - that was important!"

I sighed impatiently. Finally, Hiei picked up the phone.

"Hello? Who is this?" came his harsh voice.

"It's me, Botan."

His voice softened considerably. "Oh. What do you want?"

"I sort of wanted to....talk."

He paused. "Okay."

I took a deep breath. "Well, see me and Nero are sort of like a semi-couple right?"

"Whatever." Hiei said distantly, apparently annoyed.

"Well-"

"Botan?"

"Hm?"

"Why did you call me."

I blinked. "Um.."

"I mean, why not Keiko or the oaf's sister... they're your friends."

I paused. Why did I call him? I'd known Keiko, especially, a lot longer than him. Did I really want him to even know?

Yes, I did. And apparently, I wanted him to know first. Why, I have no idea - however, I don't feel like arguing with myself.

"You're my friend too Hiei."

"Hn."

I rolled my eyes. Some things never-

"Are you going to finish telling me or what?"

"What? Oh right, so of course I thought he would take me to the dance, but he just barely called me to say that he was taking another girl! He actually asked if she could use one of my dresses! And he was holding my hand in school..and...and...-"

Suddenly I felt all my emotions of anger, confusement and disappointment well up in my throat and I just couldn't hold it anymore. I started crying.

"I..I j-just don't know w-what to dooooooo!" I wailed hopelessly.

"Botan?" Hiei asked sternly, anger dripping off of every word.

I sniffled in response.

"I want you to calm down, it wasn't your fault okay?"

"O-Okay.."

"I'm going to take care of this. Bye."

CLICK

"Bye.." I whispered and gently set down the phone. I did feel a little better.

Suddenly my phone started ringing again. 'What?' I wondered before answering.

"Hello?"

"Go with me."

"What?"

"Go to the dance with me," he repeated.

"Hiei? Are you sure?" I questioned, barely daring to hope..

"Let's go and show Nero what a great thing he's missing."

I felt joy swell up in my chest. "Really Hiei?"

"Get ready, I'll pick you up."

"Um...yeah, sure - of course!" He was being so pushy, as if he really wanted to do something.... Oh well, it's not like I ever understand him...probably why I like him so much....

I blushed at my own random thought before realizing I was listening to a dial-tone.

Not wasting anymore time, I ran quickly to my closet. It was a spring dance so I picked out one of my more lighter dresses. It was a sheer (don't worry, lots of layers!) white one, that went a little past my knees. It was sleeveless, clung to my body except at the bottom which had lots of folds and ruffles.

Picking out a sexy pair of 'lace-around' white sandals I set to work on my hair. I had already taken a shower (because of being soaked in mud) and had thus blew out my hair. I simply brushed it out and let it play around my shoulders.

I've never been big on make-up so I just put on a little mascara to enhance my dark eyelashes, and a little shine to my lips. I sighed. I hoped Hiei would like it.

I mentally hit myself on the head. It's Nero you're supposed to be impressing here, not Hiei... But still, I hope Hiei likes it...

I sighed. I'd given up arguing with myself over 'Hiei matters'. It was always pointless.

Fifteen minutes later, a silver Ferrari pulled into my driveway. I squealed and ran outside. "You kept the car?!"

Hiei smirked inside the driver's seat. "As if I would give it...it...back...."

He lost his trail of thought and stared at me, a dumbfounded, fascinated look on his face.

I shifted uncomfortably. I got lost in his damn eyes as it was, staring at me made it ten times worse! "Um..."

"Sorry..." he muttered blushing, then managed a small smile. "You look really beautiful."

I blushed. "Thank you," I said quietly before walking over to the car.

Hiei got out and walked around to my side to open the door for me.

I barely held in my gasp. He looked sooooo gorgeous! He had a slightly too big for him white, button up shirt which he had conveniently rolled up at the sleeves. It was left untucked and hung carefully over ebony pants which, if possible, made him look even more alluring. His skin seemed tan against the white shirt, and the whole look was just so simple and classy that I felt like I wanted to melt....especially when his red eyes came into view. Black, white, brown and then RED.

I giggled. If we didn't make Nero jealous, we were sure to make a few girls (including Krysta) jealous..

"Wake up, onna, it's not February yet.." he replied smirking leading me to the door.

"February?" I questioned aloud. Hiei just laughed. I shrugged.

The high school was close by, so the drive was short. When we got there, everyone else had already arrived and were waiting for us at the snack table. When we approached, I saw Nero, but he wouldn't look me in the eye. I could see a nasty red mark on his cheek though....

I quickly brushed it off as Keiko latched onto my arm. "Botan! Aw, you guys look adorable!" She said giggling.

"Glad you could come." Kurama added.

"I'm glad I could come too."

-----------------------------------

Sherkoni - Wow...OW. My fingers hurt... Anydoodle - the brackets!

1 - Muhahaha, held ya in suspense there, didn't I? Thought Nero was gonna ask her...

2 - Oh I did it again! Thought maybe Hiei WAS going... with someone else! Muahhaha...

If I didn't trick you.... well, you can't blame me for trying! ^_^o Peace!

Preview - The previous night in Hiei's POV, and then the dance continues - will two people enjoy something they never imagined they would?