Sleep had not come willingly to Botan that night. It had been two and a half weeks since she had been "saved" by the mysterious demon named Kuronue.

She had to get home. It wasn't that she was in any trouble. On the contrary, her demonic hosts were very hospitable as well as watchful of her. But it had been seventeen days total since she had arrived on Makai and she just knew Koenma was spilling his brains with worry. Any and all means of communication --aka her compact computer-- had been lost in her bout with the organic monstrosity.

So she was stuck. Her muscles were still weak and Kuronue had pronounced her bones still weak as well. She could get along alright, but she was still too worn out for the ride back to Reikai, this because she had lost her oar. Her oar could only materialize with the will of her spirit. And since it was broken and lost, a large amount of her spirit was weakened. Sure, she would heal completely, but it would be at an immensely protracted pace.

She sighed, rolling over on the high bed of soft pelts to peer into the very tall mirror standing across the room. She noticed that the scratches on her face were receding and the bruises around her neck were barely visible anymore. But still, her physique had seen better days. Better days, indeed. And the worst part of it all was that she had to be seen that way by possibly the most attractive demons she had seen.

An embarrassed blush washed over her face and she scowled at her reflection. When the expression was returned with equal disgust, she growled and flopped over on her back to stare up at the ceiling again.

"Are you hungry?" came a voice from the doorway. It hadn't startled Botan, though. She had become oddly used to their sneaky ways.

"No, thank you," she said, looking towards the doorway. She sat up when seeing that it wasn't her winged savior who had made it his responsibility to check up on her routinely. It was the kitsune, which was odd because he hadn't come to her room once since she'd been there.

"Where's Kuronue?" she asked meekly. Youko shrugged lazily and took a step into her room.

"Out, I presume. I don't make it my duty to ask where he is going when he leaves. He just asked that I keep an eye on you while he's gone," he explained while strolling over to the table near her bed.

He pulled out the chair, the wood screeching against the marble-like ground as he moved it away from the table. He sat down slowly, his eyes never leaving Botan as he seated himself across from her. Botan frowned.

"You don't have to watch me that closely," she told him.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he asked her, his deep voice thick, yet icy as he spoke. Botan fidgeted a bit.

"It's alright. Just... don't stare so much, please," she said politely. She didn't want to be rude.

"Why not?" Youko asked curiously.

"Because... I look horrible," she mumbled. She watched as his bullion tinted orbs slowly roamed the length of her body, then slowly rolled back up to her face.

"You don't look so bad... You know, considering..." he drawled. She didn't know whether he was patronizing her or giving her a compliment, so Botan didn't say anything to that.

"Your bruises are almost gone, I see," he said with a small nod.

"Yeah..." Botan said, lifting her large shirt Kuronue had given her to examine her ribs. She poked at them experimentally at first, then harder, wincing when she felt a sharp pain.

"May I see?" asked Youko politely. Botan looked up at him and nodded hesitantly. It was usually Kuronue who examined her. In fact, it was usually Kuronue who did everything for her. She had hardly spoken to Youko, and she'd seen him even less. He rose from his seat and walked over to her bed.

"Don't prod too harshly..." she warned him. He ignored her as he sat on her bed and leaned in a bit to peer at her abdomen. She rose the shirt a tad higher so that he could see. She bit back a hiss as clawed fingertips glided across her skin intently. He squinted then pressed down gently. Hearing no objection from her, he pressed a little harder. His silver ear flickered then swiveled as he listened closely for any signs of discomfort. Botan squirmed a little, licking her lips as the room seemed to become even more quiet, if it was possible. She nearly jumped when his keen eyes flicked up to her face.

"You seem to be healing finely," he told her, "although your muscles still seem a bit stiff." Botan nodded and rolled her shirt back down.

"I should think so. After the beating your plant friend gave me, I'm surprised there's any muscles left," she said snippily. This seemed to amuse him somewhat; the corners of his mouth began to lift in a nearly mocking manner. But he didn't respond; just stared smilingly at her. It was then that Botan noticed he was still very close to her, even though her shirt was down again. She cleared her throat uncomfortably and furrowed her eyebrows, her cheeks heating at his closeness. He leaned back a little, but not by much, though, and his smile remained in place.

"I make you uneasy," he said. It wasn't a question. He already knew he did, but she nodded anyway.

"Well," he said standing up, "get used to it because Kuronue is usually gone for days."

"Where are you going?" she asked him.

He folded his arms across his chest as his tail flickered behind him, an irate frown pressed to his mouth. She guessed that he didn't like to be questioned by someone he didn't know, but she couldn't help it. She didn't want to be left alone in a place she was very unfamiliar with. And although she didn't know him from atom, he was the closest thing to an acquaintance at that point.

"Why do you ask so many questions?" he asked slowly. Botan sighed. She had gotten him annoyed without even trying.

"Don't be angry with me. I don't know anyone around here! I don't want to be left alone..." she told him. Youko thought for a moment, jutting his pretty bottom lip out in contemplation. After a moment he nodded.

"I suppose I could keep you company. You can't be too much trouble..." he said slyly as he reached his hand out to help her out of bed. Botan grinned, gripping his forearm to pull herself up.

"Not in this state..." she responded.
Once she was on her feet, she swayed a little, the result of a sudden dizzy spell. Immediately, Youko's arm was around her waist to secure her. He leaned over her face, his hoary strands brushing her cheek softly as he did so.

"Are you alright? I think you should lie back down..." he told her. Botan shook her head, a lopsided grin plastered goofily on her face.

"Yes, I'm fine. I've just been sitting for too long! I need some exercise and some fresh air!" she laughed breathily. Youko half smiled, one of his fangs peaking out from underneath his thin top lip and momentarily drawing her attention before she shifted it to the ground.

"I think I know where to take you," he told her as he began to walk her out of the room. Botan looked up at him, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Youko shook his head.

"Don't worry. I think you'll like it."

"So, Botan quit or somethin'? I haven't seen her around this joint in ages..." joked the young Spirit Detective who sat across from Koenma, his arm draped across the back of his chair lazily while he sported his cocky trademark grin. His chocolate eyes gleamed with his usual playfulness, his un-moussed bangs dangling in front of them. He wore a jean outfit, a tight fitting black T-shirt underneath.

Behind his pacifier, the baby frowned, his eyebrows drawing together tautly.

"No, she hasn't. In fact, that's the reason why you're here, Yusuke. It seems... Botan has disappeared," he said grimly. Yusuke frowned.

"What do you mean 'disappeared'?" Yusuke asked slowly, his eyes narrowing on the toddler. Koenma suddenly felt very nervous. He shifted his weight to one foot and began to scratch the back of his head.

"Uh, well... I sent her to Makai as a representative of the Reikai Kingdom. I told her how dangerous it was to land there and warned her not to. I haven't heard from her since the day she left," he said vaguely. Yusuke sat up from the slouch he was in and crossed his legs, trying to reflect an image of calm despite the sinking feeling deep in his gut.

"How long ago was this?" he asked him. Koenma shifted his weight again, beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead. He was afraid to tell him how long ago it was because he knew how Yusuke would react. He'd probably end up little than a smudge on the wall of his royal office.

"Well, er... technically--"

"Cut the stalling, Koenma. I want to know how long she's been gone," Yusuke interrupted, his eyes a clear threat that if he didn't start gabbing soon, he'd end up really hurt. Koenma swallowed, pulling his collar away from his neck as the beads of sweat doubled.

"Well, uh, Yusuke... let me think, um--"

"Koenma..." Yusuke growled rising from the leather seat in front of Koenma's desk.

"Alright, alright, Urameshi! You've got me!" he said, waving his hands in front of him as a sign of forfeiture. He sighed, clasping his hands behind his back and closing his eyes.

"Two and a half weeks. Seventeen days total," he told him, his voice wavering unsteadily. Yusuke lunged forward with the speed of a cheetah, gripping at Koenma's royal clothing and lifting him above his head.

"WHAT?!" he roared. Koenma chuckled nervously, dropping his pacifier in the process. He brought both of his pudgy hands up to hold Yusuke's wrist. He really didn't want to be thrown through his own wall...

"Now, now, Yusuke... calm down. We've been working around the clock to--"

"Why didn't you contact me sooner?!" Yusuke shouted, shaking him a little as he yelled. One of Koenma's slippers fell off and he wiggled his toes fretfully.

"Because we thought she was still at the palace! It was only when their representative contacted us to find out why I hadn't come that I found out she was missing! And that was four days after the assembly!" he explained frantically.

Yusuke gritted his teeth hard, an attempt not to splatter Koenma all over his office. He seethed angrily, breathing quickly and heavily as his eyes glared daggers into Koenma's face, deliberating whether or not he should hit him. Then, with a disgusted growl, he dropped him. Koenma fell onto his desk with a yelp, his bottom thudding softly when he landed. He scowled and began to rub his bum, mumbling as he watched Yusuke pace his office.

"What do you think happened to her? Do you think she got kidnapped? What would they want with her? Are they using her for ransom? Why hasn't she contacted you? Where's her communicator? Did she leave it here? Why would she leave it here?" he asked continuously. Koenma leaned over the desk to open the drawer and fish out another pacifier. He popped it into his mouth then turned back around to watch Yusuke trek a hole into his floor.

"Yusuke, I'm not sure what happened to Botan. But I am sure she isn't dead. Otherwise, her soul would automatically return to Reikai," he told him confidently. Yusuke stopped pacing to look up at Koenma, a thin line imprinted on his mouth.

"I hadn't even thought of that! Thanks a lot, Diaper-Breath!" he yelled as he turned and stalked towards the door.

"Yusuke! We need your help!" Koenma shouted after him. Yusuke reached the door and turned back around to glare at Koenma again.

"No shit! What, you think I'm gonna' leave her there with those filthy demons?! I've got to find her!" he yelled. He opened the door then stopped.

"And you'd better hope I do. I don't care about an eternity of pain or none of that after-death bullshit. If I don't find Botan, I'm gonna' come back here and it won't be good..." he stated without turning around. His voice was low and chilling; Koenma knew he meant business. He swallowed hard.

Yusuke left then, slamming the door behind him. Koenma sighed, his shoulders sagging as his eyes took on the weary form they had been in before Yusuke had arrived. He didn't know the prince was just was worried as he was.

"Botan, I hope you're alright..."

Botan was more than alright, though. She was in her own floral heaven.

It seemed Youko was indeed correct. She loved where he took her, which happened to be a warded garden in the back of the den.

At first, she was a bit skeptical as they passed through the darkened corridors and into an even darker cave. She swallowed hard when he led her into a seemingly endless tunnel, but then they stopped walking and he reached out to move something out of the way and she realized it was a curtain. Bright rays of sunlight bombarded her eyes and her pupils dilated as she scowled and lifted a forearm to shield them. After a moment, they adjusted to the intrusion and she removed her arm to peer around.

"Oh my..." she whispered as her eyes took in the sight before her. It was a dome, a rounded crystal arena filled with plants of which she had never seen, or which she was sure no one else had, either. She looked over at Youko, who was watching her expectantly.

"You did all this?" she asked him. He nodded and Botan continued her gazing. She stepped into the room hesitantly, the plush blades of grass tickling her feet as they slid between her toes.

"Let me show you my most recent addition," Youko said, tugging at her waist gently to lead her around the large, thick trees and the flower studded shrubbery. He stopped in the middle of the dome where there was a small patch of budding flowers. They did look new, the majority of them closed up while the others where just beginning to sprout. He let go of Botan and approached the organic group. He crouched down and began to scan over the bunch as if looking for something.

"What are you searching for?" Botan asked curiously. He didn't answer, though. He just kept searching as if she hadn't said anything. Then after a moment, his honey colored eyes brightened and he smiled.

"Ah, here we go. This one seems about ready..." he said. He turned his head to look at Botan over his shoulder then motioned for her to join him. She pursed her lips cutely, her eyes narrowed on the patch of flowers.

"I don't know about this... the last time I took time out to stop and smell the flowers, I was attacked by one," she said. Youko frowned.

"This one is harmless, I assure you," he told her. Botan swallowed, then stepped forward to join him. She sat down slowly, wincing as she did so. Once she was situated, she crossed her legs Indian style.

"Alright, now what?" she asked him.

Youko held out his hand. Botan watched as he closed it into a fist. Then he uncurled his fingers slowly, opening his hand to reveal his smooth palm. Botan looked up at his face confusedly, her mouth open in silent question. Youko's smile grew as he nodded towards the ground, his eyes watching her expression.

Botan looked down, her eyes widening in surprise. The flower was opening up very slowly, lavender frilly petals busting through as if waking from a long slumber. Then she realized he had willed it to do so. Botan stared in awe as it opened to it's full capacity then looked back to Youko who was watching her intently.

"Wow... it's beautiful," she said to him. He looked down at the flower briefly before looking back at her face, his face setting to one of seriousness.

"They resemble your eyes," he told her. Botan flushed as his intense gaze stayed on her, then she looked back down at the flower and reached out to stroke it. Her hand retracted quickly when his joined it momentarily as he wrapped two slender fingers around it to pluck it from the soil. He held it up to her and she took it.

"Thank you," she told him gleefully and giggled as she put it behind her ear. He watched as she toyed with it, her eyes gleeful and jovial. He shook his head and grinned, his eyes glinting greedily with a hidden secret.

"You're more than welcome," he said softly. After all, she would be giving him so much more...

AN: Yes, it has been a long time, hasn't it? I'm sorry. But you have Volpone to thank for this update, though. We made a deal that if she updated then I would. I'm true to my word so here it is, guys.

If Youko seems a bit soft in this chapter, don't worry. It's an act. He's a cold hearted bastard, in truth. A sexy bastard, but a cold hearted one nonetheless. How messed up would it be if I made him fluffy, huh? He's got an image to protect! And I'm sorry that Kuro-chan wasn't in this one. He'll be in the next one. Promise.

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

RANDOM THOUGHT: Does Spike from CB remind anyone else of Moulder from the X-Files?

No? It's just me then? Okay. Strike that comment.