AN: Quick Note: I know this is unexpected, but I've decided to add another part to this after all. It was s'posed to be a one shot, but... Aw, hell, just read! :)
--blah-- = Suuichi's thoughts
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Botan groaned angrily, having been woken by a light bounce on the end of her bed.
He was back again.
The bed creaked lightly as the weight of the added person shifted some. Botan rolled over with an arm slung over her eyes.
"What are you doing here, Kurama?" she moaned tiredly without opening her eyes.
"You... kissed him," came her reply. She sighed and removed her arm, cracking an eye open to lean up and peer at him.
"What?" she whispered. Kurama sat not a foot away from her in his black slacks and a muscle shirt. She sat up fully, feeling the blood rush to her face. Thank heavens it was dark.
Kurama licked his lips and scooted a little closer. "You kissed Youko. Why?"
Botan eyed him momentarily, watching as his curious Emerald eyes tried to fix on her face through the heavy dimness. He gazed intensely while awaiting his reply, his mouth set in a light frown. Botan smiled slowly.
He's jealous of himself, she mused.
Kurama's frown deepened, having caught her thought without reading her mind.
"It's not like that."
Botan sniggered and wiped a hand over her face.
"Well, why are you here, pray tell?" she said jokingly. Kurama peered at her through the darkness, his eyes narrowed for focus. Then he turned his face to look out the window.
"There is no moon tonight," he whispered. Botan followed his gaze.
"Why not?" she whispered.
"The clouds are concealing it," he responded without looking at her. Sure enough, thick, blackened clouds hung in the air, covering the bright Reikai moon. Botan looked back at him, studying his face curiously.
"You say that as if it's a bad thing," she whispered.
"It would be on Makai," he replied, his eyes still fixed on the shaded sky.
"Why? What would happen on Makai?" Botan inquired.
"A massacre. The moon rules Makai. A demon without the moon can be like a wolf without food. They become crazed, feral. The moon controls blood thirsts, it controls hunting rituals... and mating habits. That is when a demon is at it's most dangerous peak. And all hell breaks loose when those three are thrown out of whack," he explained quietly. Botan swallowed hard.
"It's... really that bad?" she asked. Kurama nodded.
"I kid you not. Youko has been witness to many a blood bath on account of a hidden moon. Fortunately, none of his mating cycles have fallen on those dates," he said. After a moment of silence, Botan glanced out of the window before looking back at him. She shrugged and flopped backwards exhaustedly.
"I'll survive," she yawned. Kurama turned to look at her, watching as she slowly drifted back to sleep.
"I'm still here," he called. Botan shrugged.
"I trust you," she croaked sleepily. Kurama smiled.
"You would trust a thief?" he whispered. Botan's eyes sprang open. She sat back up and glared at him through the darkness.
"Ex-thief," she corrected, her voice carrying a hint of agitation. Kurama threw his head back and laughed, his rich, dulcet voice ringing throughout the room.
"Shh! You'll wake everyone!" she hissed, clamping a hand over his mouth. She felt his soft, thin lips slide upward under her hand and her temperature sky-rocketed. She removed her hand and replaced it in her lap. Kurama licked his lips then shrugged.
"It's not a kiss, but it's just as sweet," he declared quietly. He grinned at her and she couldn't help but smile in return.
Why was he there? He was beginning to make her head spin...
"You still haven't told me why you're here," she told him. He shrugged.
"You still haven't told me why you kissed him," he quipped. His smile fell slowly before he said, "Was it pity?"
Botan's smile fell also and she looked thoughtful for a moment. She had felt a little sorry for him while he spoke, but that kiss was filled with anything but pity. In fact, that kiss surely solidified his manhood with her. Botan scoffed affrontedly.
"Pity? Pity for Youko Kurama? Surely you must be joking. I hardly think Youko would accept it if I did offer him a pity kiss," she said while crossing her arms against her chest.
"So what was it, then?"
"I don't know... the mood was right. He was beautiful. He asked my permission. Who would have known that such a ruthless youkai would be such a gentleman?" she laughed.
She thinks me a gentleman. Why don't you let me show her how much of a gentleman I can be in the bed?
Kurama shook his head lightly, trying to ignore Youko's sudden input.
"You think he's beautiful?" he asked her. Botan blinked rapidly in surprise at his question. She looked down at her fidgeting hands, her long, blue bangs bouncing in front of her face.
"Well, I, uhm..." she said grasping for words. Suddenly she sighed and looked up at him, a lopsided grin pressed to her face.
"Yeah, I do..." she said. Kurama nodded, folding his arms across his chest.
"You don't think me terrible, do you?" she asked him worriedly. Kurama laughed.
"No, of course not. It's your opinion," he chuckled.
"How's your family?" Botan asked quietly.
"Everything's fine," he sighed, "My mother's very healthy, to my relief. My step-father's the same. He's very busy, though, so he's offered me a job working for him." Botan smiled.
"That's wonderful to hear. How's little Shuuichi?" she asked. She almost regretted asking the question, though, when she very barely saw the deep frown that marred his face.
"Shuuichi is... well, he's fine now. His eye is going down," he mumbled. Botan blinked confusedly.
"What? What happened to his eye?" she asked worriedly. Although she hardly knew the young boy, she was highly concerned. She had met him enough times to conclude that he was a very well-mannered, nice lad. On one occasion, having been mistaken for his girlfriend, Shuuichi told his older brother she had a gorgeous face. Botan both thanked and hugged him while Kurama, blushing a bit from the assumption, kindly told him they were just friends.
"He got into a bit of a tousle at school with another young boy. It was over his girlfriend Sumi," he sighed while running a hand through his bloody hair.
"Aww, how romantic. I hope he's okay," she said empathetically.
"He's alright. Sumi's been by everyday since to check up on him. She brings him soup and candy... it's really very sweet," he laughed. Silence crept between the two, but it was an amused, comfortable calm.
"Kurama," Botan asked, breaking the silence, "would you fight for your girlfriend?"
Kurama was a little surprised by her forwardness, but quickly recovered.
"Yes, I would. I believe there is honor in defending your mate," he answered simply. Botan nodded and smiled dreamily.
"Hai... and it's very romantic, ne?" she said. Kurama gave a quick nod, studying her through the darkness.
"What about you, Botan? Would you fight over your man?" he laughed. Botan looked at him as if he were nuts.
"Yes, of course I would!" she exclaimed quickly. Once she realized her outburst, she smiled sheepishly.
"I mean, yes, I would. I may look cute and feeble, but I'm a die-hard Romantic. I'd do just about anything for love," she said with a nod. Kurama laughed softly, his Jade eyes glinting with amusement.
"I don't know about feeble," he said as he scooted a little closer, "...but you are undeniably sweet."
He reached over towards her lap and smiled seductively at her before he raised one of her hands to his mouth and placed a kiss on her soft, light skin. He let his lips loiter there for a moment longer before he moved to another spot, his lips gently grazing the skin between her knuckles. He parted his mouth slightly to give a tiny bite to one of her knuckles before he resumed his kissing.
Botan could only stare at him entranced as he continued to send streams of warmness into the pit of her stomach. She parted her lips once to say something, but closed it quickly, being as her mind was totally stupefied.
Kurama stared unblinkingly at her face, her usually light amethyst eyes appearing deep lavender through the darkness. He smiled against her skin, knowing fully well what he was doing to her.
Botan's eyes began to slowly drift close but she fluttered them open once more. She gently pulled her hand from his grasp and clenched it in her lap. Kurama chuckled, the soft, warm noise rumbling from his chest and delighting her ears. He looked up at her, his eyes flashing a bullion tint before she could notice. Not that she would have anyway; it was too dark.
"I apologize, Botan. That wasn't very 'gentlemanly' of me, was it? I don't know what came over me," he said, scratching the back of his head embarrassedly.
Nothing came over you. I'm just finally beginning to rub off on you, is all, Youko jeered cockily. Kurama frowned mentally.
--Well, it's pretty hard for you not to. You are me, you know.-- he growled sarcastically.
No, we just share a body. In truth, I'm much more good looking than you are, Youko responded. Kurama could just feel the toothy grin he was sporting.
Botan looked up at him and smiled, a light spray of pink tinting her cheeks. Man, thank heavens it was dark.
"No need. You did nothing wrong. I'm just not used to receiving compliments from such a handsome man," she said in almost a whisper. Kurama smiled lightly.
"Honto, you shouldn't say such things lest my face turn as red as my hair," he joked. Botan laughed, which was quickly followed by a yawn. She laid back against her pillows and pulled her sheets up to her chin.
"I'm sorry, Kurama. I'm really tired. Can we continue this conversation tomorrow?" she asked sleepily. Kurama nodded quickly.
He hesitated for a moment before he reached across her and placed his hand on her bed. He leaned over her and smiled. His long, crimson strands framed her picturesque, surprised face. He was so close to her that she could feel his clement breath caress her top lip. He leaned closer and grazed her lips with his. Then he parted his mouth and caught her bottom lip. He gave a small grin then sucked on it softly. He then released it only to press his mouth to hers. Botan responded meekly to his advance at first, then she began to move her lips against his. She opened her mouth and Kurama complied to the invitation gratefully, sliding his tongue into her mouth and brushing it along hers. Botan wrapped an arm around his neck and sighed faintly against his lips.
This is very selfish of you, Suuichi. Very selfish, reprimanded Youko. Kurama mentally shrugged.
--How so? She seems to enjoy it just as much as I.-- he responded.
Be that as it may, she is still the ferry girl to that irritating Daioh youngling. You know fairly well her performance depends on her state of mind. A lot of souls will end up misplaced if you keep her up, responded the kitsune. Kurama sighed against Botan's lips.
--Hai... I guess you're right, fox. But her lips... her mouth is so warm... and sweet. So inviting...-- he sighed. Youko smirked.
You don't have to tell me... I already know this, he gloated.
Very reluctantly, Kurama slipped his mouth from hers. Botan licked her bottom lip and her eyebrows furrowed.
"Why'd you stop?" she whispered croakily. Kurama let his eyes roam her face before he leaned down once more and placed his forehead to hers.
"Youko just scolded me. He says I shouldn't keep you up because of your job. I think he's jealous," he said smiling. Youko snorted indignantly at his remark. Botan smiled.
"Is he always the thoughtful one?" she laughed. Kurama quirked an eyebrow.
"Only to people he likes. And he hardly likes anyone," he told her.
"Well he is right. And Koenma won't tolerate my clumsiness," she said. Kurama frowned.
It wasn't that he didn't like Koenma. On the contrary, he was quite fond of the godly tyke. But it seemed Youko hated his guts. And a lot of times, his emotions were expressed through Suuichi.
"Ugh... what a demanding little prick he is..." he growled. Botan's eyebrows shot up amusedly and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Is that what you think of him?" she laughed. Kurama smiled at the sight of her smiling.
"Sometimes, but merely because he strains you so much. I'd love to see more of you, when you have the time," he whispered. Botan smiled then yawned tiredly.
"That would be great," she yawned. Kurama pulled away and sat up slowly.
"You have to get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow," he said before he leaned down again and kissed her on the lips. He stood to walk away but froze when he felt a small hand grip his own. He turned and shot her a peculiar look. Botan sat up and fidgeted a little, feeling a small burning sensation on her cheeks.
"Would you stay...please? Just for tonight?" she whispered.
Kurama smiled then nodded slowly before he looked over her form. His eyes met her face again and his smile grew wider.
"Of course, if that is your wish," he whispered back. Botan smiled brightly and scooted over. Kurama leaned a knee on her bed then froze.
"Are you... decent?" he asked curiously. Botan looked down at herself then shrugged. All of the important parts of her anatomy were covered up by her underwear, so... why not?
"As decent as I'm gonna' get tonight," she laughed as she looked back up at him. He smiled and then climbed onto her bed. Botan squealed excitedly and lifted her sheets.
"Under," she demanded playfully. Kurama lifted one leg and slid it under the sheets, then the other. He pulled them up to his waist then laid his head against her soft, downy pillow. Botan smiled at him then nodded towards the window.
"The moon's coming back," she said sleepily.
Kurama turned his head to look out the window. As expected, the clouds were slowly parting, beams of bright luminosity spilling through to cross Botan's bed sheets. Once all of the bleak miasma had cleared, Kurama turned to look at Botan, who was already asleep. The moonlight shone through her window and swept across her body, illuminating her creamy skin. It highlighted her flushed lips and had she been awake, her eyes surely would have shifted to a pastel pink color. Her cerulean tendrils were spilled out on her pillow behind her, adding to her angelic appearance. She breathed in deeply and her lips parted as a subtle whimper escaped her lips.
Kurama sat up and looked down at her hopefully.
--Maybe she wants me to hold her...--
Her hand, which was linked to his, flexed lightly and he needed no more convincing. He released her hand to scoot closer to her and wrap his arm tightly about her waist. Botan smiled in her sleep and raised a hand to his bicep. She snuggled her face into his chest and sighed. She mumbled something which was muffled by his chest and Kurama nodded in agreement, having the feeling that she wanted to stay like that. He breathed in deeply, inhaling her sweet scent.
She smelled like cinnamon... and flowers... and it made him feel good. It made him...
...happy...
He liked feeling that way. He liked feeling like he had accomplished something good in making her happy; in filling her request....satiated...
...tired.
He looked down at her sleeping form and made a silent vow.
If it was in his power, he would give her anything she wanted. Whatever she desired, that was within his grasp, would be hers. She deserved to have everything. She deserved to be treated like royalty just because of the burden she had to bare... the burden of Death. That had been his true intentions for coming to her that night. To give her what little happiness he could, to provide her with friendship and love. And though it might not be much, he was going to see to it that she always felt needed, that she always had what she wanted.
Because she was his.
His angel of death.
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AN: Well, there you have it, folks. The third, and final installment to Testimony. I wasn't going to add anymore to this, but Volpone asked me to and I can't dare turn down a request from my master-- er, friend. )
As for the very first chapter to this, it really wasn't meant to go along with the story. As I said before, I was skimming along the Bible and happened to bump into it. I thought it was cute and decided to post it. It was too short to post individually, I'm afraid, so I had to put it as the first chapter to this. Does that clear the confusion, people? :)
Thankies to all of you who reviewed. I'm sorry I can't thank you individually. It's 3:47 A.M and I have to get up for work at 6:30. But please remember: I love all of you!
-Muah!- ;{}