AN: Quick Note: I would just like to announce that this very short fic is dedicated to Volone, the Queen of Ku/Bo... and Yo/Bo, too!

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Botan stirred fitfully in her bed. Even while sleeping she could sense a small spiritual disturbance. She let out a small child-like whimper before her eyes slowly opened. Upon awakening, she felt the somewhat suppressed ki in her quarters. Her amethyst eyes slowly rolled around the room, peering through the thick darkness. She gasped out of surprise when they met a spectacular green pair in the far corner. She sat up quickly and gathered her sheets against her chest.

"Kurama?" she called. The eyes were unmistakable.

The figure stepped out of the shadowy confines of the corner and into the pathway of the moonlight that shone through her window. It was him, sure enough, clad in his black school uniform. Botan eased up a bit, knowing that her interloper would do her no harm.

"What are you doing here so late at night? How did you get in here?" she whispered sleepily. Kurama eyed her slowly before giving her a sleek smile.

"I apologize for the intrusion, Botan. And also for the time of night I've chosen to appear," he said quietly. Botan rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand then yawned. Kurama smiled wider, taking note of how cute it was. Botan shook her head to clear it of it's sleepiness.

"It's okay. But I must look a horrid fright..." she said, running a slender hand through her curly hair.

Kurama looked her over. Her sheets had slid from chest back down to her waist, revealing her black sheer night top. Her chest was covered, though, by a black strapless bra. He licked his lips and smiled charmingly.

"On the contrary. You look quite delectable," he joked.

She blushed furiously at his compliment, suddenly aware of her bare state. Nevertheless, she smiled gingerly at him.

"Um... how did you get in here?" she said quickly changing the topic. Kurama cocked his head to the side, his bloody locks sweeping across his face.

"Botan...you forget my former profession," he scolded lightly. Botan nodded then slapped a hand to her forehead.

"Oh, yeah! A thief, right, right..."

Kurama shook his head and chuckled. Botan lifted her arms into the air and stretched, yawning again in the process.

"So what are you here for?" she yawned. She closed her mouth and let her arms fall into her lap.

"I came here to talk to you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Botan laid back a little, leaning on her elbows.

"What about?" she asked. He shrugged.

"You'll hear when I hear," he said. Botan's eyebrows furrowed and she shook her head slowly.

"What...?" she said, thoroughly confused.

"Let me rephrase my earlier statement: Youko Kurama would like to speak to you," he clarified.

Botan's eyes widened as she felt her blood run cold. Her heart skipped about two beats and all thoughts flew from her brain. She sat up slowly.

"Oh..." she choked. Kurama took a few steps toward the foot of her bed then stopped.

"Don't worry, Botan. I'll be right here. He won't try anything, but if I sense you becoming frightened, I'll take over again. I'm the more dominant consciousness," he assured her. All became silent as Botan watched his eyes roll upward thoughtfully before he grinned then nodded.

"Why, yes. Yes, I do," he said cheerfully. Botan looked at him inquisitively and he shook his head.

"He asked me if I loved throwing that up in his face all of the time," he said.

"Oh..." said Botan sinking back down on her bed, "So...what does he want to talk to me about?" Kurama shrugged noncommittally and gave her a side-smirk.

"Why don't we find out..." he said, his eyes narrowing meaningfully.

His pupils dilated briefly before shifting a fine golden color. He gave her a small salute then began to walk backwards towards the shadows. Botan sat up once more and squinted into the darkness. Although the shadows hid most definition to his character, Botan could just barely make out silver tresses streaking down his shoulders and chest.

A few moments later, he emerged, and although Botan was fully aware of his arrival, she was still struck with awe. He stepped into the moonlight and began looking around the room, his silver mane shimmering with every movement.

His intensely golden eyes scanned the vicinity of the room before coming to rest on Botan's figure. His eyebrows knotted together and he frowned.

"Are you not going to invite me over...?" he asked.

Botan quickly leaned over and patted the space by her feet. Youko, taking this as his invitation, nodded then walked slowly over to her. He locked eyes with Botan and lowered himself onto her bed.

Botan, feeling her temperature rise from his intense stare, turned her face. Youko noticed this and frowned. A lot of people, humans and demons alike, could not hold his gaze. And for the most part, he liked it that way... but not from her.

He reached over and grasped Botan's chin gently. He turned her face to look at him

"Do you fear me, deity?" he asked curiously. Botan swallowed hard then raised her small hand to grasp his. She gently removed it then brought it to her lap along with her own. She shook her head slowly, her blue coils swaying side to side.

"No... not fear. Respect, I guess," she answered quietly. He searched her face for a moment before his eyes dropped to look at their linked hands.

"I came here to speak with you, deity... about certain things. I'm not seeking advice, nor am I asking for judgment. I just want someone to listen," he said, looking back up to her face.

"Why not speak with Suiichi?" she asked. He turned his head to look out the window, out at the large Reikai moon.

"Some of it concerns him. But then again, how could it not?" he said.

"What about Koenma?" she asked. He turned swiftly to look at her then scoffed.

"I despise the bratling! I can barely withstand his presence," he snarled. Botan pursed her lips then nodded her understanding. It became quiet and Youko suddenly grinned.

"You want to know...why you?" he said. It sounded more like a statement than a question, but Botan still nodded.

"Of course. And why wouldn't I?" she said. Youko smiled briefly then nodded in agreement.

"My close associate Hiei would think me weak to want to express myself in a manner other than slaughter. The rest of Suiichi's friends are mindless and incapable of hosting intelligent conversation," he explained, "so that left you."

Botan smiled and began to scratch the back of her head.

"Um, thank you... I guess," she mumbled. Youko watched her idly for a long while.

"What is your opinion of me?" he asked after a long moment of silence. Botan shrugged.

"I don't...I don't know you, really, to have an opinion of you," she admitted.

"Well, I know that you were once the greatest thief in all of Makai. I know that you escaped me in Death and fled to Ningenkai, and I know you have the gift to will any plant," she said. Youko smiled dimly.

"Yes, in so many words," he agreed, "but there is more to it from my side of the fence."

"Oh?" she said quirking an eyebrow, a gesture for him to continue.

"Plant," he stated simply.

"Excuse me?" she said confusedly. Youko frowned and slowly took his hand from her grasp. He stood from her bed and walked over to the window. He folded his fingers behind his back and stared out into the darkened Reikai sky.

"Do you not think it funny that the same word used to define my specialty also means to place something for the purpose of deception or misplacement?" he asked her. Botan rubbed the side of her face tiredly.

"I don't understand..." she said meekly.

"Much like how someone would plant a piece of incriminating evidence on someone else to point blame, or to plant something dirty in someone's seat to sully their clothing, so did I plant myself into the body of an unborn child...Suiichi, that is. And there I hid, concealing myself in his untouched pureness, taking away his only chance at innocence and driving away the chasteness that comes along with being newly born. He was placed in danger before he even set out of the womb," he said, never once tearing his gaze from the moon. Botan shifted uncomfortably from her place on the bed. She didn't know if he wanted her to talk or to just listen.

"Do you feel guilty for that?" she voiced after a while.

"Not at all," he answered without hesitation, "For the child was born aware to his power... my power. My power that intensified his strength, my power that has heightened his senses, my power that will increase his life span. And because he bares my power, he also inherits my abilities."

"Your abilities?"

"Yes... my abilities. My abilities to grow, to cultivate... to plant at will. My ability to provide life and allow it to thrive and flourish in splendor... or to become a deadly weapon for appropriate destruction. Appropriate destruction to the enemy, of course. My ways of life have altered dramatically since encountering his woman," he said.

"Woman? What woman are you talking about? Are you speaking of Shiori-san?" Botan asked curiously. Youko looked thoughtful for a moment then smiled lightly.

"Yes... I believe that is her name. Suiichi's woman. His... mother. I had never witnessed such a love between two beings before. Never had I seen such a love... a love she so willingly gives, one he so readily accepts. A love that has the power to cleanse the darkest of souls... and cleanse mine, no less. Their love is not fleeting nor is it infatuated. It serves as a bond between gardener and seed, parent and child... mother and son."

Botan bit her lip in a moment's deliberation.

"Are you... jealous of their love?" she asked. Youko let a small, throaty laugh escape his lips.

"I suppose... I am. Especially since I have never experienced love like that myself," he admitted honestly.

"Never?" asked Botan, feeling a bit sorry for the fox. Youko slowly shook his head.

"Companionship, maybe. Lust, yes. But never a binding emotion like theirs," he said.

"Didn't you have a mother?" Botan found herself asking. Youko smiled bitterly.

"Yes, but I never knew her. She abandoned me as a pup. I was fed by an old witch daily until the day she day. She was hunted down by neighboring villagers. By that time, I was old enough to fend for myself. That's when my legacy of thieving began," he said. His face was totally calm, not a hair out of place. But his laid-back facade was contradicted, however, by his thrashing tale behind him.

Botan stared at him for a moment before she decided to speak.

"Why are you telling me this? So openly, I mean," she asked. He turned to look at her then, and Botan almost jumped from the look of mischief in his eyes.

"I believe myself to be an honest man. I know how ironic that sounds coming from a thief, but I never stole more than I needed..." he said. Botan crossed her arms against her chest and looked at him disbelievingly. He grinned.

"...And I always needed more," he said. Botan smiled at him then, and he could see her eyes crinkle with sleepiness. He frowned, realizing how selfish he had been to intrude on her sleep. He turned to her fully and took a few steps toward her bed.

"I apologize for interrupting your rest. I can see you are terribly tired. We can continue this conversation at a more convenient time," he said as he turned to leave.

He had gotten as far as her door when she called out to him. He turned and looked at her, patiently waiting for her to continue. Botan pulled her sheets back and stood from her bed, either oblivious to the fact or not caring that she only had on a sheer night shirt and panties. Youko bit back a lusty growl as she scurried across the room. When she reached him, she put a hand on her neck and grinned sheepishly. Youko crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his weight on his left foot while his long, silky tail swayed softly behind him.

"Yes...?" he asked. Botan jumped, realizing she still hadn't said anything.

"Oh! I'm sorry, but I have to ask you something. It's something I've wanted to ask you since that day I saw you in the Dark Tournament," she said, her face quickly gaining color.

"Go on..." he said slowly. Botan gulped then smiled slowly up at him.

"Um... can I... feel your hair? It's just that I've never seen that grade of hair before, I mean it's so silky and shiny that it makes you just want to run you fingers through it----"

"You may," he answered cutting off her rambling.

Botan licked her lips anxiously before she rose a shaky hand to caress the silver strands that flowed from the side of his head. Her pale, slender fingers fell through them, and she gently combed downward. When she reached the ends of his hair, she rose her hand again to the top of his head and brushed her hand backwards. His hair slid slickly through her fingers then rolled back to the front of his face like a silver wave. She leaned in a little and inhaled deeply, a floral aroma filling her lungs.

"It's beautiful," she sighed, although she hadn't meant to say it aloud. She blinked then lowered her hand, shifting her view to his face. He was surveying her with interest, his eyes twinkling with fondness. She noticed then that his eyes had an almost exotic shape, donned with long, black lashes. His face held a nearly feminine grace, his skin even and flawless, his lips smooth and thin, curled into a delighted grin. He was beauty to the letter.

Botan fidgeted under his gaze, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"Wha-what? What are you looking at?" she whispered. Youko said nothing, only stepped closer to her and slid an arm around her waist. He leaned over her a little, tilting her back a bit. He bent over her and lowered his face to her neck, his silky tresses lightly brushing the side of her face. He licked his lips and placed a soft, warm kiss at the base of her jawbone. He let his lips linger there for a moment before he moved upward and placed another on her cheek. He pulled back and peered into her wide, glistening eyes.

"May I...kiss you?" he asked quietly. Botan opened her mouth, but found that her words were lodged in her throat. She nodded slowly.

Youko looked into her eyes as if searching for something, his pupils darting to and fro. He smiled coyly then leaned down once more. He nuzzled his nose against the tip of hers affectionately then pressed his lips to her soft, rosy ones. Botan's eyes slid closed and her arm made it's way around his neck while the other was stationed timidly on his chest.

Youko tightened his grip on Botan and brought his other hand to rest lightly on the back of her neck. He opened his mouth slightly and skimmed his tongue along the inside of her bottom lip. He closed his mouth and pressed his moist, warm lips to hers once more before he pulled away slowly. Botan opened her eyes and put a hand to her ruddy cheek. She sat there and stared at Youko silently before he grinned deviously.

"My, my... I had no idea Suiichi could use such colorful words. What a long string of curses!" he laughed wickedly. Botan cocked her head to the side.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"My dear lad is furious with me over the brief physical encounter we just shared..." he explained. Botan winced and her shoulders hunched.

"Is he angry with me?" she said. Youko shook his head and reached out to brush some hair out of her face.

"No... but he's got quite a few words for me," he said, disentangling himself from her body. Botan laughed and wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly being chilled from Youko's abrupt dislodging.

"I have to leave now. Suiichi needs his sleep for school in the morning," he told her while slowly backing towards the door. Botan shrugged.

"He has to learn somewhere, right?" she joked. She walked past Youko and opened the door. Youko stepped skillfully around her and out the door. He turned and looked at her, letting his eyes roam her body appreciatively before his face set seriously.

"Arigatou... for listening to me. Not everyone wants to listen to the sap story of a famed Maikai thief," he said crossing his arms over his chest.

"Not a problem. Just..." she said folding her hands in front of her, "...just don't be a stranger. But make sure it's earlier!" she joked. Youko smiled briefly before nodding. Botan closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the door.

"Good night, deity," she heard Youko whisper. She lifted her head and opened her eyes to respond, but he was no longer there. She stepped outside her room and peered down both ways of the hallway before she sighed. She entered her room once more and closed her door, making sure to lock it this time.

Botan smiled to herself as she shuffled slowly towards her bed. She yelped happily and threw herself onto her bed. Then she sighed contentedly as she snuggled up to her pillow and succumbed to her well-deserved slumber.

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AN: This was VERY random. A last minute thing, really. I just thought it was cute and I wanted to share it with ya'll!

I thought this little diddy up while I was on the toilet!

SYKE! I was going to sleep in my bed, where I do most of my brainstorming.

Well, I hope you enjoyed and DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!!! VERY IMPORTANT!!!