She'd be at his house any moment now. Hiei watched as Kurama paced the room.
"You're pathetic, Kitsune," he said, taking a bite from his 5th bowl of ice cream. Kurama smiled.
"And you're so plausible. Practice what you preach, Hiei."
Hiei shrugged.
Kurama turned his attention to the window. He was nervous. Very nervous. He felt sick, almost nauseated, from worry. He checked the mirror again. He was dressed in a black suit with a white collared shirt and black dress shoes. The white shirt was unbuttoned a little at the top.
"She's almost here. Less than 5 minutes away," Hiei stated suddenly.
"How do you-"
"I can see her."
"Oh. Yes, of course..."
Kurama groaned. He felted very alone, and for some reason, scared.
"Hiei, please come with me!"
"What?!"
"Come with me! Just – You don't have to come inside....wait at the window or - "
"Nonsense. Don't be so foolish, Kurama. This isn't the Dark Tournament. It's a dance."
Hiei was right. But why was Kurama so afraid? Botan was his friend: she wasn't scary at all. 'What if she's more than a friend?' Kurama thought. He brushed that thought away quickly. Although he (secretly) had a crush on her, she wouldn't feel the same about him. The only reason she agreed to come was because she was a nice person and she was too amiable to say no. And even if she didn't know him that well, she probably would –
ding dong door bell
Kurama's stomach lurched. He stepped to the door. With a trembling hand, he opened it.
In walked the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Botan in all her glory. Hair pinned up in an elegant bun, curls falling softly around her flawless face; pink dress clinging to her every curve, a slit revealing her long, toned legs. She was absolutely gorgeous....and she was smiling at Kurama.
"You look.....stunning...." Kurama said, exasperated. She took his breath away.
"And you look remarkably handsome!" she replied. H flashed her a famous Kurama smile.
"Thank you. Shall we go?"
"That confirms it," he said, offering Botan his arm (which she graciously accepted), "Avoir, Hiei. Please, restrain yourself from devouring all the ice cream."
"Hn," Hiei snorted.
The ravishing couple walked, arm in arm, out the door. A white stretch limousine (compliments of Koenma) was waiting for them. Kurama was shocked.
"Koenma really went out of his way, didn't he?" Botan said.
"Yes, he did," Kurama replied, opening the door for her. He knew Koenma was going to 'provide transportation', but he never expected this. He crawled in after her.
Inside the limo, it was dark. However, when Kurama shut the door, lights began changing color around them. Red, blue, green, yellow, purple....casting different shades on their faces. A window rolled down.
"Hiddy-ho!" It was George the ogre, who apparently was their chauffeur for tonight.
"Hey George! I think the Northern lights are hidden somewhere in this car...." Botan teased.
"Um....yeah....lights....." (George didn't know a thing about the northern lights) "Are we ready?"
"Yes, please!"
"Ok than!"
They pulled out of the drive way and into the street. Much to Botan's dismay, George rolled up the window. She was tense, scared....lonely. Never had she seen Kurama look so stunning. His hair had a nice, healthy sheen, his taste of clothes was impeccable, and his deep emerald eyes seemed so warm and friendly. They captured her; drowned her in their green sea.
Kurama coughed nervously. "I'm sure Hiei would enjoy this. Not that he relishes limousines, but I think he'd like the lights...."
"Kurama?"
"Yes?"
".....oh, nothing."
"Is something wrong, Botan?"
He watched her with concern. Her lips were glistening with pink lip-gloss, he noticed.
"Would it be alright if we drove around for awhile? I... I'm a little nervous..."
He gave her a reassuring smile. "Certainly." He relayed the message to George. The school was less than a 10-minute walk from Kurama's house, so they were almost already there. The limo swung around.
"Actually, I'm a little reluctant to leave, too," he said with a hint of embarrassment.
"Really?"
He nodded. "I'm sorry for bringing this upon you -"
"Don't be! It's just that.....I-I've never been to a human dance before...."
Kurama chuckled. "There's nothing to be nervous about. Once we take the first steps towards getting there, it won't be as bad as you're letting yourself believe it will be."
"But what if they don't like me? What if they're mean, or they laugh at me, or - "
"I promise you, Botan, I'll never let something like that happen to you."
He stared straight into his eyes, intense and focused. She knew he meant every word.
And she trusted him.
She couldn't hold back her feelings for him any longer.
"Kurama...."
"Yes?"
"Do you think you could......hold me?" she whispered. A warm feeling swarmed over him. It was a happiness excitement flying sweet oh-what-am-I-supposed-to-say/do-now feeling.
"If that is what you wish," he spoke in his softest voice, "then who am I to decline?"
She climbed into his arms, which had been longing for her. He held her close enough to where she could feel his beating heart.
She snuggled into his rock-hard chest. Against that chest, in those strong arms....her fears melted away.
"Botan...." His lips were almost touching her ear, making her heart leap, "....would you be my girl-friend?"