Sherkoni - I'm so sorry for the wait, I was on this stupid forum where people call me Koni-kun o_o. I don't really have a good excuse, and I'm sure you don't want to hear it so let's just get on with it shall we?

WELCOME TO THE 100 REVIEW SPECIAL! I tried to make it particularly long and good, but no guarantees.

Sorry, no review responses - I'm too lazy aaaaaaaand I got 25 reviews for one chapter! And I said to myself awhile ago that if I got over 20, it would take to much space, so congratulations! I love you guys! But there are a few certain ones I want to reply too.

Ana - I will never turn into one of those authors, but I did have you worried huh?

Miyako14 - Wow, I am very honored - it's always cool to here someone like your story who usually doesn't like those types of stories!

Shizuka-Hikari - I wanted to personally thank you for your long and extremely nice review! ^_^

Kariisme - I'm sorry, that was so nice and now I probably killed you.

Thanks to everyone else (of course you DigiQueen- Sinceramon!) And now (hehe, been waiting to do this) THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO SILVERWINGS3!! *giggles evilly* I decided to take you up on your suggestion. ^_~ Yep, you know what I mean....

On to the story!

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

Chapter 11

The Beginning of Tiluka's Plan

Hiei groaned as Botan led him to the middle of the dance floor. He was glad nobody he knew was dancing at the moment to see him...

Botan stopped and turned to face him. She giggled when she saw his sour face. "Don't look so burdened, this is slow dance - it's easy."

Hiei frowned skeptically.

Botan rolled her eyes and grinned playfully. "Don't be such a baby - here, I'll show you."

She gingerly grabbed his hanging hands and set them on her waist. Ignoring his fastly blushing face, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

She paused and looked up at his face. "Now just.....dance, to the music."

Hiei's eyebrows furrowed impatiently.

Botan sighed and lowered her hand to his shoulder. Gently, but surely, she gave him a slight push.

Never letting him recover from his last movement, Botan carefully guided him along to the rhythm of the music.

"Just....sway," she said softly.

Hiei didn't reply, just concentrated on not messing up the soft flow Botan called dancing.

After a few moments, Botan returned her hand to his neck. Feeling his tensed body beneath her hands, she giggled. "You're doing fine..."

"Hn, whatever..." he replied shortly, but Botan felt him loosen up. He even started to lead a little.

She sighed and went to lean into him, but he stopped her. "Hn, look onna - Nero is watching."

Botan blushed and looked away agitated. "I don't care..." she huffed.

Hiei raised an eyebrow. "No?"

Botan narrowed her eyes. "I'm serious Hiei," she muttered, then softened slightly. "I'd much rather just enjoy my time with you."

Hiei looked away, a slight pink tinting his cheeks. Botan smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. Growing more comfortable, she inhaled deeply. "Mm... Hiei, you smell like smoky pine..."

Hiei smirked mischievously. "Nighttime pine?"

Botan blinked. "Yeah.....it's like you can almost-"

"Smell the darkness, sense the darkness, but there's smoky pine mixed with it?" Hiei asked almost mockingly.

Botan gasped. "Exactly! Wow - hey wait......were you reading my mind?!"

Hiei snickered. "No, if I'm remembering correctly, you said the same comment about a car air freshener..."

"I did?" Botan asked airily. "Hm, I don't really....remember."

Hiei just shrugged. No need to get her mad about the whole 'drunk dilemma' again.

Botan didn't think anymore on the subject, just snuggled deeper into his chest. Hiei sighed and wrapped his arms more tightly around her waist, drawing her closer.

For that last stretch of the dance, Hiei forgot his cold exterior and allowed himself to get lost in the sweet smell of her hair that was tickling his face and move to the soft music. As he felt her body swaying in his arms he honestly couldn't think of one thing wrong with her. She was perfect in his eyes and she deserved to know she was loved.

And he loved her.

Suddenly the music stopped and people slowly filtered off the floor getting ready for kareoke.

Botan pulled away smiling. She silently mused at the innocent look on his face. Soft, and very un-Hiei like. What was he be thinking about?

"Botan?" he said grabbing her arms as if afraid he would lose her.

"Yes Hiei?" she asked, slightly taken aback.

"I-"

He never got to finish because five girls suddenly grabbed onto him.

"C'mon Hiei! Teach us to play guitar!"

Instantly, Hiei's face turned a deep scarlet and was quickly replaced by his usual cold shell.

'I can't believe I almost said that,' Hiei thought. 'What the hell's wrong with me?'

Botan cursed to herself. 'Now I'll probably never find out...'

"Get off!" Hiei growled irritably, shoving them off his arms, but they just giggled and tried again. He looked up apologetically at Botan.

She winked. "Don't worry about it, I'll see you later!"

He gave her a 'don't-leave-me' look, but she just chuckled and walked away.

Botan walked calmly outside alone, she didn't really want to dance, or even talk for that matter, to anyone else. She wanted to hold on to her dance with Hiei for as long as she could. It had been so wonderful....

Sighing contently, she sat down on a bench and closed her eyes, inhaling the night air.

Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed her from behind. Thoughts swirling, she didn't realized what has happening until she stopped moving. Everything was dark, she couldn't even make out her own hand in front of her face. 'Oh no, I'm blind!' she thought panicking.

"Don't worry, you're not blind."

Botan inhaled sharply. "Who's there?"

"Don't be scared.....my name is Reiko Tiluka."

"What do you want?"

"Nothing much.... my, I can see why they quarrel over you - you're very beautiful," Reiko purred running a cold, thin finger down her bare back.

Botan jerked away nervously.

He chuckled. "Don't worry, I don't want you. I just need you."

She shuddered.

"Now then, rumor has it that the little fire demon has quite a nasty temper," he paused. "Except when it comes to you."

"I d-don't understand..."

"Think of the reaction if you finally did spark that temper," he replied coyly. "And that, my dear, is what you will do for me."

"But..."

"It's simple really - just make him hate you."

"What?! Never!"

Reiko growled. "I apologize - I must have had wax in my ear, I thought-"

"Then read my lips you pig!" Botan interrupted. "Forget it!"

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this the hard way," he hissed irritably. "But I can kill him."

That was a lie of course, if he was strong enough to just 'kill' Hiei, then he wouldn't need Botan.

Unfortunately, Botan was too worried about her and Hiei's safety to think clearly.

"No!" she cried. "Please don't!"

Reiko's lip curled and he cupped her chin in his hand. "So we're going to be a good girl and do what I say?"

Botan whimpered and nodded.

"Good..."

Suddenly a wind rushed through Botan's ears and she felt herself being lifted. When she opened her eyes, the darkness was gone and she was sitting on the bench again. Panting slightly, her eyes darted around searching for Reiko. How could he have just vanished?

Burying her head in her hands, she pined over her current situation. 'Maybe I can avoid Hiei...' she thought.

"Onna, are you alright?"

Or not.

Suddenly a spine tingling hand rested on her shoulder. "Botan-"

Botan shoved his hand off. "Don't touch me Hiei."

Hiei dropped his hand, startled. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

"What's wrong is Nero doesn't seem affected by our charade," Botan replied coldly. "You aren't cutting it, I need to find someone who is worthy enough to make Nero jealous."

Hiei's eyes widened in shock, but only for a moment - then his shock turned to anger as he glared mildly at Botan. "Excuse me?"

Botan snorted. "You heard me. I've had my fun, you've served your purpose."

Hiei just froze, too piqued and stunned to speak. This wasn't like Botan, even if she DIDN'T like him, she would never be this cruel.

"Liar."

"How adorable," she said curtly, then turned on her heel. "If you'll excuse me, I can't waste even MORE time with you."

Briskly she walked away from Hiei's glare on her back.

He never saw the tears rolling down her cheeks - as soon as she was out of sight, she got away from there as fast as she could.

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

SOMEWHERE ELSE! (Lol...)

"So you are the top shapeshifters in Makai?"

"Yes, of course." replied two dark figures with glowing red eyes.

"Good, now do your job."

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

"Nero!" Botan cried grabbing his arm tightly.

"B-Botan?" Nero said, clearly surprised. "Um... what....what do you need?"

She sniffled. "H-Hiei said he would take me to the dance, but he's spending all his time with Krysta and when I confronted him about it he, he...he told me 'take a hike bitch' and then he said I was too ugly for him anyway!"

Nero's eyes widened in shock. 'I thought Hiei said he loved her?' he thought to himself. Then his fists clenched in anger- he actually had the nerve to tell him off and then do something like this?! He would pay....

Nero brushed by Botan. "Don't worry, I'll take care of this."

Botan smirked, a light red glow in her eyes.....

*^_~-* (SAME MOMENT)

Botan tapped Hiei on the shoulder. He turned around, but as soon as he saw Botan he glared at her and with a short "Hn." he turned to leave again.

"No wait!" she cried, grabbing his turned shoulder. He whipped his head around. Fire blazing in his eyes he whispered dangerously using the same tone she had used before. "Don't touch me Botan."

Shoving her hand off he started to walk away again. Once more, she tried to stop him, but he was stronger than her and easily pushed through. Thinking quickly, Botan ran in front of him stopping his movement and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

Shock still evident in his face, he frowned and grabbed her torso to pull her off.

But before he could, she pulled his head forward and kissed him passionately. Hiei's body went rigid under her demanding kiss.

She pulled away slowly and smirked. He could only stare at her in chock, his lips slightly parted.

Botan closed them with her finger. "Don't do that, it makes me want to kiss you again."

Hiei gulped nervously.

Botan's smirk turned into a more pleasant smile. "You see Hiei, I'm really, really sorry - I was trying to make you jealous, but it didn't work because Nero can never compare to you. I really do love you."

Hiei didn't say anything. His brain told him to tell her he loved her too, but something else inside of him told him it wasn't right. It didn't feel like he would be telling Botan,but..... this was Botan - wasn't it?

"I need to use the little ladies room, alright?" she said stroking his cheek. "Don't go anywhere handsome."

Hiei watched her leave in bewilderment. What was going on?

Suddenly someone grabbed the scruff of Hiei's shirt and he was thrown roughly to the ground.

"What the hell..." Hiei hissed glaring up at his attacker - a very ticked-off Nero.

"You've got a lot of nerve," Nero ground out dangerously. "To hit me for what I did to her, then do something like this..."

'What is this idiot talking about?' Hiei thought angrily. Against his better judgement, he stood up to face Nero. "YOU"VE got a lot of nerve to threaten me."

Nero's lip curled. "Well I'm not a coward."

Suddenly the cool edge of a blade was against his throat. "Don't ever imply that I'm a coward again."

Nero remained still-born under Hiei's sword. 'He brought it with him to the dance?' Nero wondered to himself.

Hiei smirked. "Don't look so surprised baka. I bring my sword everywhere and I'm very good at hiding it."

Instantly his sword was knocked away by another stick of metal.

Nero grinned, twirling his sword in his hand. "You're not the only one."

"Well now I won't feel so bad when I kill you since you can defend yourself." Hiei replied calmly.

"Well then," Nero mused casually. "Engard!"

Hiei scowled (engard? What a baka...)and thrust his sword at Nero. Surprise crossed Nero's face and he barely brought his sword up to block Hiei. 'He's faster than I thought...' Nero mused.

The two never noticed people screaming and running away from them as they continued their heated battle.

"Stop running and admit your low deed!" Nero yelled lunging at Hiei.

"Heh, my lowest low is higher than your high." Hiei countered jumping out of the way - right on the snack table.

Nero jumped up after him.

CLASH! BANG! CLASH! Sparks flew from the impact of the two swords!

"Coward!"

"Baka!"

"Stop running!"

"I'm leading you to where I want!"

People shrieked and ran as food and punch were crushed and thrown everywhere while the two swordsmen sashayed through the table.

"...self-absorbed, arrogant prick!"

"Cocky, self-drawn, sadistic jerk!"

"You have no idea how moronic that was."

Nero just laughed and jumped from the table onto the DJ's stereo. "Sorry Hiei, this is a bit tall - can you reach it?"

Hiei growled. "Reach for this..." he sneered and launched a fireball at the stereo.

Nero's eyes widened in surprise and he quickly jumped off - right before impact.

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

Yusuke and Kuwabara swiftly ran to Kurama.

"What's going on?!" Yusuke yelled.

"Hiei and Nero started fighting," Kurama said through grit teeth as he heard an explosion.

"Over what?" Kuwabara asked.

"Two guesses..." Yusuke muttered.

"Where is Botan?" Kurama asked.

Yusuke's eyes widened. "You mean you don't know?! I haven't seen her since she danced with Hiei."

"Oh no you guys!" Kuwabara yelled. "I can't sense her anywhere around here, not even at her house!"

"Oh dear..."

"Come on!"

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

Nero, panting and sweating now, tried to stab Hiei again, but four arms grabbed him from behind preventing him from his feat.

"What the hell..." he muttered noticing Kurama was holding Hiei.

"Stop it right now!" Yusuke yelled.

"This is pointless and it has to end!" Kurama added.

"Besides, Botan isn't even here!"

"What?!" Nero cried.

"Who cares..." Hiei muttered. "This doesn't concern her."

"Yes it does! I attacked you in the first place because Botan said you were ignoring and insulting her!"

'More like the other way around...' Hiei thought, but he said, "I did no such thing you idiot!" Pausing to think, he raised an eyebrow. "When did this happen?"

"A few minutes before our fight..." answered a confused Nero.

"That can't be, I was talking to her a few minutes before our fight."

"My guess is one of them was a shapeshifter," Kurama said thoughtfully.

Nero sighed. "Probably the one I was talking to...."

Hiei thought to himself for a moment. "They were both shapeshifters. The Botan I was talking to wasn't the real one either."

"How do you know?"

'Because she didn't kiss good enough...' Blushing at his own thought, he quickly said. "I just know."

'But was it the real Botan outside by that bench?' he thought miserably to himself. 'Yes, that had been the real Botan.... I could tell.' He scowled angrily, he was such an idiot...

"Well lets go find her already!" Kuwabara said.

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

Sherkoni - Dun, dun, we're getting closer to the end! Sorry, silverwings3, it wasn't a sword fight to the death, but pretty close!

Well, please review!