Sherkoni - Well now that I'm not banned I won't be taking over a week to update! Enjoy! Soooo close to 100 reviews, but not quite - so you'll have to wait until next time to get a 100-review special! That is... if I get 3 reviews O_o;;

Ana - Muahahaha, I tricked someone! O_O No.. Just kidding - Thanks!

Skitzo-phrenick - No...you rock. My gratitude for all your reviews can not be expressed in words. ^^;

silverwings3 - Heh, sorry.... so improfessional... ^_^ Not that I ever was! Hm... I think I would like to see a fight also... dun, dun, dun.

HieilovesBotan - *pulls off of limb* There, now try to not die, I can only type so fast, but I DO hurry for you! And you shall see what 'February' means... though by the looks of it you already guessed it.... -_- Curses.

MystiKoorime - Well hello, nice of you to finally review! (Note sarcasm) ^_^ I'm glad you reviewed at all! Thanks, and I feel so honored!

Silver Priestess - I remember you! (Hally-looya!) -_-o Anyways... My story is all those things? Thanks! Wow... I feel so happy, so now I also update not only for HieilovesBotan's life, and mine - but in the name of the priestess!

Tessi - Yes I shortened your name.. Sorry! But, right - thanks!

Digiqueen-Sinceramon - Thanks! Please, yours do not sound wrong. And of course Botan likes Hiei more, she just hasn't realized it... yet. Muahahaha - and one more thing, stop arguing with me - YOU ROCK!

Inuyashafan98 - Lol, dun, dun, dun! This one is a long 'en (heh, I'm such a hic) so I hope you enjoy!

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Botan-cute-spiritgirl - No! Don't let Kurama eat me! O_o;; *shakily points down* The update is there, I give in!

Moonlight Goddess - Aw, thanks! You're awesome!

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Chapter 10

Night of Many Wonders

THE SAME NIGHT

(in Hiei's POV)

I absent-mindedly stirred my ice cream, making it become a melted mess. But I didn't care. I was too busy thinking about what had just happened. My usual disgusted demeanor was not settling in as it normally would.

I almost felt... happy?

"Hiei! Telephone!"

Kuwabara looked up from straightening his tie. "The shrimp got a phone call?" he snickered. "That's weird..."

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

"Hey - that was important!"

I rolled my eyes and picked up the phone. Who would even know I might be at Kurama's house. "Hello? Who is this?"

"It's me, Botan."

I paused, why was she calling me? "Oh. What do you want?"

"I sort of wanted to....talk," she replied softly.

Oh no... "Okay."

"Well, see me and Nero are sort of like a semi-couple right?"

"Whatever." I growled. I wasn't really in the mood to talk about her and Nero.

"Well-"

Suddenly a thought occurred to me, Botan would never call me to... 'talk'.

"Botan?"

"Hm?"

"Why did you call me."

"Um.."

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

She paused for awhile.

"You're my friend too Hiei."

"Hn."

Silence again.

"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 her voice started to crack as she tried to continue her tale. Soon I could hear her soft tears on the other line. That BASTARD...

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

"Botan?" I asked, trying desperately to hold in my anger.

She 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."

I hung up the phone. Nero was going to pay... Suddenly another thought popped into my mind. Botan still wanted to go the dance. I sighed, I had gotten WAY to soft...

Quickly I pressed the call-back button and waited.

"Hello?"

"Go with me," I said quickly.

"What?"

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

"Hiei? Are you sure?" she asked, almost sounding hopeful.

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

"Really Hiei?" she asked happily.

I felt better about my decision, but she was dragging this out way to long."Get ready, I'll pick you up."

"Um...yeah, sure - of course!"

I hung up. I walked stealthily into the living room. Pausing at the door, I growled when everyone looked up at me. Dangerously I glared at Nero. "You..."

He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

I walked right up to him and punched in the face as hard as I could. He was sent flying, putting a dent in Kurama's wall.

Yusuke, Kurama and Kuwabara were stunned.

"What did you do that for?!" Kuwabara yelled.

I ignored him and turned my anger on Nero again. "You asshole! Who the hell do you think you are doing that to her?!"

Nero's eyes suddenly dawned understanding and he knew I was talking about Botan.

"That's right, you son of a bitch-"

"Hiei!" Kurama interrupted me. "You're just lucky my mother isn't in the house! Will you please try to control yourself and tell us what's going!"

"That ba- jerk is taking some girl to the dance and broke Botan's heart because she thought he would take her, and let me assure you the rest of did too!"

Yusuke, Kuwabara and Kurama shot Nero dirty looks.

"That wasn't cool." Yusuke said bluntly.

Kurama sighed. "But so Nero."

Nero held his face painfully. "You seem to be the only bloody one who cares so much, Hiei! What's your problem?!"

I youki flared violently. "My PROBLEM is I love her and she loves you!"

I stopped immediately, flushing hotly. I can't believe I just said that...

Everyone else was silent too. "Why didn't you say anything?" Yusuke asked quietly.

I just stared at the ground.

And for one time in his pathetic life, the oaf managed to do something helpful and needed at the time.

"Well it's a good thing you're taking her to the dance then!" he said grabbing my shoulders as if it were nothing.

Kurama caught on. "Yes, come on Hiei, let's go pick you out something to wear."

Ten minutes later I had on a simple white shirt and black pants. Nothing extreme - Kurama had tried to get me to wear a suit or something but I told him I'd rather tell Yukina I was her brother.

"How are you picking her up?" Yusuke inquired. "Gonna carry her?"

I ignored his smart comment and pointed outside towards the silver Ferrari that Botan and I had used before.

Yusuke gaped. "You kept that!? You lucky dog..."

I smirked and headed outside.

"We'll see you at the dance Hiei," Kurama called.

I just nodded in response.

A little while later I was at Botan's house. I didn't have to go in and get her, she came running outside, squealing in delight.

"You kept the car?!"

I smirked. "As if I would give it...it...back..." I slowly trailed off. I couldn't create any coherent words... I couldn't even get myself to focus on anything but Botan. She had on a beautiful white dress that flowed around her body as if it were made for her. Her long blue hair softly coursed down covering her bare shoulders and back. I hated to admit to such feelings... but she looked absolutely stunning.

"Um..."

I blushed and looked away. "Sorry.." I took a deep breath, I decided she looked good enough I could maybe manage a compliment. I smiled a little. "You look really beautiful."

She blushed. "Thank you," she murmured softly.

Remembering what Kurama had told me I walked out of the car to open her door for her. She stifled a small gasp and stared at me, her face slowly getting more and more red.

I wasn't stupid.

"Wake up onna, it's not February yet.." I said smirking, putting my hand on her arm to direct her to the door.

"February?" she questioned.

I laughed. Maybe someday I would tell her...

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, Nero quickly avoided my glare and wouldn't look Botan in the eye. I watched her stare at the red mark on his cheek thoughtfully. I simply smirked.

I was quickly pulled out of my thoughts as Keiko grabbed Botan's arm, pulling her away from me. "Botan! Aw, you guys look adorable!" She said giggling.

"Glad you could come." Kurama added.

"I'm glad I could come too," Botan added, seeming to be honestly sincere.

(Author's Brief Interruption:

Sherkoni - Heh, well that took up a lot of space for something that's already happened... ^^;;

But now - Before you continue on! That means - READ THIS PART PLEASE!! You must go grab, a stereo, your discman, or if you're computer can play cds, that's great too! Now, after that you must get (from your cds or files) your favorite song! However it has to be song by a male/males and it has to be somewhat romantic or about love.. Got that? Great - now get it ready to play, but don't press play yet! Okay, I'm done - continue on!)

Normal POV

The dance had already started and Kuwabara had already grabbed Yukina and was teaching her the latest 'human moves'.

Nero kept carefully avoiding both Hiei and Botan. Hiei simply stood there with his arms crossed daring him to try anything, but Botan seemed to be getting more and more uncomfortable.

Kurama noticed and politely walked over to Botan. "Do you think you could honor me with a dance?"

Botan smiled. "Of course."

They carefully made their way onto the dance floor and started dancing.

"Feel alright?" Kurama asked.

Botan nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. To be honest, I wasn't really super-excited to go with Nero anyway.."

Kurama nodded.

"Hey Kurama?"

"Yes?"

"What happened to Nero's face?"

Kurama winced and looked down, not sure if Hiei would want him to share or not. "Well...Hiei sort of.. hit him."

Botan gasped. "Are you serious?"

Kurama nodded, still not looking at Botan. "Well-" he stopped.

Botan had started laughing.

Confused, Kurama just stared at her. He was at least glad she wasn't angry at Hiei...

Botan sighed, rather content. "I'm actually quite flattered.."

Kurama chuckled, now he understood.

"Oh and one more thing. What does February mean?"

Kurama raised an eyebrow. "February? What do mean... it's a month?"

"No... I mean. I don't know. See, when I was kinda looking at Hiei's....outfit, he said 'Wake up onna, it's not February yet'. And I don't-"

She was interrupted as Kurama started laughing.

"What?!" she asked angrily.

He gasped, trying to catch his breath. "I'm...I'm not sure I should tell you!"

Botan stared at him unbelievably. "Of course you should tell me, I have a right to now!" she yelled pulling on his hair.

"Ow-Ow-OW! Okay, okay!" Kurama said, chuckling lightly. He bit his lip. "February is the mating season for demons..."

Botan's face flushed a hot red. "That little hentai!"

Kurama was about to answer, but the dance stopped. "Let's go back," he said smiling.

Botan sighed and then smiled too. "Yeah, let's."

They made it back over to the snack table, where their friends had found a table to sit on. After they had found a seat the principal stood up with a microphone.

"Hello students and welcome to the Spring Festival Dance!"

A couple of people cheered.

"Now for the next hour we are setting up our traditional kareoke bar! Now I know you are all shy, so we are going to pick several chair numbers! If you're sitting in that chair, you must come up an perform... there's music and also a guitar if you know the guitar part to that song! Now then, seat numbers 3, 18, 56, and 32 please come up - starting with number 3!"

A nervous girl made her way to the stage. As she started to sing her rendition of 'Survivor', the Reikai Tentai looked under their chairs.

"Hm... I'm number 19," said Kurama, who was sitting next to Hiei. "Close, but not close enough, thankfully."

"Darn," Shizuru said next to him. "I'd have loved to hear you sing."

Kurama blushed.

Botan, on the other side of Hiei checked her chair. "Well I'm 17..."

Everyone looked at Hiei. He glared back.

Botan rolled her eyes and looked under his chair for him. "You're number 18 Hiei!" she said stating what everyone else already knew.

He glowered. "I'm not singing."

"But you have to!" Keiko said.

"Actually I could just stick it under your chair when they ask for the person."

Keiko let out a small, "Eep."

"Just do it Hiei!" Yusuke said. "You can't sound any worse than her." He pointed the squeaky girl on the stage.

"No."

"Please, Hiei." Botan said.

Hiei's glare faltered. "I...'

Kuwabara, Kurama and Yusuke snickered. The girls didn't get it.

"Will number 18 please come up to the stage now!"

Botan put her hand on Hiei's. "I'll clap really loud, even if no one else does."

"That's reassuring..." he grumbled, but stood up. "Fine. You owe me onna."

Botan grinned.

Kurama whispered something to Hiei as he past.

Hiei smirked. "Hn."

"What'd you say to him?" Kuwabara asked.

"I told him to make sure he uses the guitar."

"He can play?"

Kurama grinned. "You have no idea."

Hiei silently walked up to the stage, lots of girls letting out a few cat calls. He carefully picked up the guitar and tuned it in a matter of seconds. He quickly played a short song to make sure it sounded right and then sat down.

( Sherkoni - You may now press play!!)

He started playing and the electronic music joined him. Then he started to sing. He had a beautiful voice, it carried over the whole room like a sweet wave of sunlight pouring through a valley. Soon he had closed his eyes and let the music over take him as he played with more feeling.

He even started to smile a little as he sang.

Botan could do nothing to stare, she was lost in his voice. Thankfully his eyes weren't open or she'd get lost in them too.

She had thought too soon, for Hiei opened his eyes and stared right at her. 'Why?' She thought hopelessly. 'Please don't be singing to me, please no...'

But it didn't matter what her brain thought, his voice and his eyes told her - he was singing for her.

(Sherkoni - You may now finish the song, and think of whatever your imagination wants!)

When Hiei got done playing the last chord, everyone stood up and applauded him - even the guys were yelling. Botan of course was the loudest.

He silently made his way back to the table and sat down as if nothing had happened.

Botan grinned at him. First he could whittle, and now sing too? She just kept getting more and more amazed by him.

The other two singers weren't necessary because people were getting lined up (most guys, so they could impress people).

"While everyone decides what they want to sing, we'll play one more song!"

Botan grabbed Hiei's hand. "Dance with me."

He stared at her uncertainly. He really didn't want to, but he didn't want to turn down Botan's pleading face either. "Hn."

He let Botan pull him towards the dance floor.

"Botan..."

"Yeah?" she said turning around.

He looked down. "I don't know how.."

Botan smiled reassuringly. "It's easy, it'll come natural to you. C'mon, I'll show you."

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Sherkoni - Another cliff-hanger, I'm sorry! (Heh...no I'm not...) ^^;;

Anyhow... if any of you get bored I would appreciate you reading my poem I wrote, because it has no reviews and well.... I feel stupid. (-_- not a word any of you.)

So if you would like to read it, please do and maybe leave a review... Thanks!