Author's Note: This had been overly delayed and I apologized. It's just that this chapter took too long to write and I had to re-write it twice because I was not satisfied with the first two versions. Anyway, this is kind of one bond paper longer than the usual so I hoped I made that up with you, guys.

DISCLAIMERS APPLIED!!!





CHAPTER 4: MEET THE FRIENDS



Botan was in awe with how wonderful Kurama's territory is. She could hear the birds chirping happily, she could smell all the different scents of the flowers and she could see how well kept the place is. It was paradise. And she couldn't believe she would be living here.

Kurama, however, had to smirk every time Botan would let go of his hand, which she grasped some time before, to smell another rare flower she found. Such juvenile happiness, easily contented. At this rate, they would reach his house, possibly, next month. So he had to nudge her to get going, hold her hand firmer so that she couldn't run off and smell the next flower and when she pouted at him, telling him he's taking the beauty of the nature for granted, he told her she could easily come back to this place whenever she pleased as long as one of his trusted troops accompany her. She reluctantly agreed and now just stared longingly at the flowers as she continued to walk.

But when they came into a clearing that overlooked the river, Botan suddenly jerked free from Kurama's grasp and took off towards the river with Kurama following her behind, shaking his head. Kami-sama, if she keep on doing this, he'll be too old to consummate their marriage by the time they get back to his home.

"Botan -" he began, but she did not listen to him.

"Konnichiwa, it's beautiful in here, ne?" Botan greeted the stranger fishing by the river and sat down beside him.

"Hai, but my lady -"

"Please, call me Botan."

"Hai, Botan-dono. You shouldn't be here alone," he said as a matter-of- factly and even nodded his head to prove he's serious. He was surprised when Botan laughed.

"Botan-dono?"

Botan blushed. She knew she did not behave in an appropriate manner, well, a manner fit for a wife of the owner of the keep. "Do excuse my behavior, sire, but it's just that Kurama told me the exact same thing," she said nonchalantly.

When she saw that the fisherman paled and his jaw dropped open, she knew she said something wrong and immediately panicked. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

The fisherman cleared his throat before answering. "Milady, are you in any way related to the lord of the keep?"

Before Botan could answer, Kurama came to view behind the tree and stood behind Botan. "Kuronue is waiting for us," Kurama said rather authoritatively.

"Milord," the fisherman stammered and almost tripped on his feet to kneel with all due respect.

"How was the river today, Gindon?" Kurama asked in the same way he talked to his subordinates and nodded at him to say he's already acknowledged.

"It's very good, milord. Tonight, I might bring Noriem-san three large catfish," Gindon said, still kneeling even if he was already acknowledged. He would be damned if he would be accused of disrespect.

"Ah. And how was your family doing?"

"They're fine but my oldest daughter's having a hard time finding work. All the possible opportunities had been occupied by your other followers," Gindon admitted then continued, "she's at home now, spending her time in the garden."

"Fond of plants, ne?" Kurama said then turned to look at the now standing Botan. "Are you fond of plants, onna?"

"Sort of," Botan timidly answered.

"Send her in my home this afternoon. She'll be serving her mistress," Kurama ordered then turned around, taking Botan with him. She alone had heard Gindon's murmur of thanks as he stood up and went to his earlier abandoned fishing pole.

"What was that all about?" Botan inquired as soon as they were out of Gindon's sight and hearing. She is beginning to pant because of her great strides to keep up with his. He hadn't let go of her arm since he'd gotten hold of her when they'd left Gindon to continue his job.

"What do you mean what was that all about?" Kurama asked innocently.

"That," Botan started and took a deep breath, "serving mistress and all."

"You're going to need a maidservant," Kurama stated.

Botan stopped in her tracks. I'm going to need a maidservant, she asked herself incredulously. "Why?"

Kurama turned around to look at her in wonder. Is this woman really that dense? "Of course you would. You would be the mistress of the keep?"

Botan walked towards him. "I'm not used to having a servant," she whispered.

"Of course you aren't," Kurama said rather cheerfully. "That's why you better get used to it now."

"Why can't I not have one? I can take care of myself," she said and started walking briskly again as Kurama's pace gain speed.

"That won't do. It would be a scandal. Besides it would do you good to have a companion. I'm not going to be around with you always," he said.

Botan gritted her teeth in frustration. She's not used to having a servant and she wouldn't have one just because she's getting married to the lord, besides, its slavery and she won't have it. "I don't want a maid tailing me. I won't take her."

Kurama didn't even blinked at her display of stubbornness. "Don't be so mule-headed about it, onna. It was already decided and you can't do anything about it."

Botan gaped at him. "I can't do anything about it?" she shrilled. "It's my personal life we're talking about here."

"Which you're going to share with me since we're getting married," Kurama snapped at her. He couldn't believe he's having an argument with her over the idea of a maidservant.

"And that also mean we're equal when it comes to deciding something that will affect my life!" Botan half yelled.

"No," Kurama said in that dangerous, calm voice of his.

"No? What do you mean no?" she demanded, her eyebrow arching in irritation.

"No, we're not equal. Your authority is way below mine."

Botan gasped, shocked. "That is unacceptable! I'm not asking you equal power when it comes to your holdings and people. All I'm asking is for equal right in my life and you can't give that to me? I only wanted to be allowed not to have a damn maidservant!"

Kurama looked at him impatiently. "And I told you that it's not acceptable! Why can't you understand that?"

"Because it's unfair! It's a form of slavery," Botan said knowingly.

Kurama gaped at her. He's beginning to have a headache with this argument. And he doesn't know how he could win his way out what with his wife's demented thoughts. Slavery? Feh! "It's not slavery, it's companionship."

It's now Botan's turn to snort in disbelief. "Yeah, right. That's why they're called maidSERVANT and not maidCOMPANION. And I won't accept her."

"Don't try my patience, Botan. It is an order and you damn well will follow it." Kurama said.

"And why is that?"

"Because that's the way a proper wife should behave," Kurama said cheerfully.

"So, what's a proper wife to you?" she asked, annoyed.

Kurama smiled, oh, how he loves to lecture her. "First, you would obey my orders and you better understand that you have power over my holdings but it's subordinate to mine. You would not contradict my orders -"

" -even if they're wrong?"

Kurama looked at her sternly. "Oh, that too, I want you to know that I'm always right -"

" -that's unaccept - "

" -and you will never EVER interrupt me again," he said then paused to look at her sternly. "And you would not raise your voice on me again. Did I made myself clear?"

Botan bit her tongue to control her anger. "Do you know what I think?"

"What?"

"You don't need a wife, you daft man. You need a dog!" she yelled and turned to walk as far away from him as possible but was stopped when Kurama's arms encircled her waist.

When she was pressed tightly to him, he almost forgot what he was about to say to her as her scent filled his nostrils. "Didn't I just told you not to raise your voice on me?" he asked in a deep voice that sent shivers in her spines.

Botan frowned at him. "And why should I follow you and you not follow me?" she asked and pulled away from him.

"Because I'm the male," Kurama said arrogantly.

"You overgrown sexist! I can't believe I'm -"

"Konnichiwa!"

Botan yelped and suddenly grabbed Kurama and hide behind him.

"Jesus, Enki, don't scare us like that," Kurama snapped as he wrapped his arms around Botan, their quarrel suddenly forgotten.

"You are friends with THAT creature?" Botan asked as she inched closer to Kurama, making her aware of his hard muscles underneath his clothes.

"What's this? Got yourself a woman inside your keep? You must be being lenient with your guard, huh?" Enki said as he looked at Botan from head to toe, she shivered.

"Cut the crap, Enki. This is your mistress, Lady Kurama," Kurama said and pointedly ignored Enki and Botan's bulging of eyes.

"Mistress? You didn't," Enki stammered, his action not suiting someone as large as he is. "This woman? When did you get hitched?"

"We haven't married yet. Though I would expect you and your wife to be there. Only those high ranking will be allowed in the ceremony, of course," Kurama said.

It suddenly dawned Botan that Enki is not just a subordinate but also an important member of the keep for him to speak like that to Kurama.

"Yes, of course, milord," Enki said and threw a glance at Botan.

"Why are you here, Enki?" Kurama asked, obviously bored. But Botan didn't pay any attention to him and only noticed how tightly he is holding her against him, but when she struggled to get free, he wouldn't budge so she just sighed in acceptance.

"I've already seen Kuronue, the matter has been attended. He would inform you about it as soon as he see you," Enki said.

"I see," Kurama said then nodded.

"I bid you farewell, milord," Enki said then turned to look at Botan who looked miserable as she was pressed tightly against the kitsune rather awkwardly. He tried hard to hide his smile, his lord had obviously chosen well, she doesn't cling to him like all those other women he met during those hunts with the kitsune. "Milady," he said then bowed at her. Though she's not aware of it, she had gained the approval of the big monster.

*-*

"And I told you, NO!!" Kurama's voice echoed across the house as soon as he and Botan entered, still quarreling over the idea of a maidservant.

"Kami, you're impossible. I wouldn't want to marry someone as unreasonable as you," Botan yelled, oblivious to all the attention they're getting. Why oh why did heaven let her be stuck in this situation?

"I'm telling you -"

"It's quite early to be having an argument, what do you say?" a voice said just ten feet away from the quarreling couple and when Kurama turned, he saw Reilan leaning casually against the wall, smirking at him.

"Shut up, Reilan," Kurama said, irritated. He's in no mood to put up with his friend after one morning with her. Of all the women he'd met, why'd he have to choose for a wife someone as illogical and stubborn as her?

Botan turned to look at the youko her future husband is talking to. Nice, real nice, she had to think, he's good looking though not in Kurama's league. He's lean and tall like Kurama but wore his hair as short as possible and wearing a dark blue robe just like Kurama's. She decided to introduce herself.

"So you're Reilan. You must be friends with that baka kitsune (she turned to look at Kurama and almost laughed when he gaped at her), and I'm terribly sorry that you have to put up with the likes of him. I'm very pleased to meet you," she said a little too sweetly.

Reilan chuckled as he reached the hand she offered and kissed the back of it, "Charmed, milady."

"Well, if you're through flirting with my wife, Rei, let go of her hand," Kurama said, still irritated as he pulled Botan towards him. He knew Reilan wouldn't make a move behind his back but he got irritated just the same when someone touched her other than him.

Reilan complied and smiled slyly at him. "Jealous, are we?"

Kurama had to roll his eye. "Shut it, Rei. And if you don't I'll kill you," he added when Reilan's eyes sparkled with mischief.

Reilan burst into laughter. "That's the second death threat I received just today. One from Kuronue."

"By the way, where's Kuronue?"

"In there," Reilan said and pointed at the door leading to the Grand Hall. "Don't mess with him, he's pissed off."

Kurama nodded and encircled his arms around Botan's shoulders and began rubbing it slowly. "He's seldom pissed off, why now?"

Reilan's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I walked in on him and he's ready to grab someone's throat. And I'm sure that someone is you, kitsune."

Botan was about to say something but the look on Kurama's eyes made her change her mind.

"Me? What did I do now?" Kurama asked, bewildered.

"Getting married," Reilan answered and smirked at him.

Kurama's chuckled. "Oh, he's still jealous?" he asked to provoke Botan. He would like to see her reaction.

"What do you mean he's jealous?" Botan asked, unaware of he smile of the two friends shared. Then, in a low voice, "Is he gay?"

The two men burst into laughter and Botan suddenly knew she was a victim of a practical joke and frowned at both of them.

"Gomen, Botan. We always teased Kuronue because of his repulsion in marriage," Kurama said, still smiling and draped his arms on her shoulders.

Botan removed it irritatingly and when she saw Reilan turned to leave, she called out to him. "Where are you going, Reilan?"

"I need to see Noriem, find out how the cubs are doing," he said then continued walking.

"What's a cub?" Botan asked Kurama, her irritation to the joke suddenly forgotten.

"A cub? It's the name my ancestors gave for our new trainees, we got it from the child of the fox, they're called cubs," Kurama said absentmindedly as he got hold of Botan's hand and walked towards the Grand Hall.

"I see," Botan said and opened her mouth but suddenly changed her mind when Kurama opened the door to reveal a very noisy hall full of youkai and Kurama only had to clear his throat to shut them up and every single one of them kneeled with respect, their heads bowed. And though some of them were curious to know what does their mistress looked like, they didn't dare peek as the punishment might be severe.

Only one man remained standing and from Botan's point of view, he really did look a little more than pissed off, she was rooted on the spot. But Kurama nudged her forward and she had no choice but to walk towards the gothic youko. Even frowning, Botan had to admit that Kuronue is good looking and her fear for him disappeared. It dawned her that when together, the trio would be striking, of course, making the kitsune stand out with his silvery hair and blinding white robes in contrast with his two friends dark hair and clothes.

"It's about time you came, kitsune," Kuronue said then glanced at Botan. "Took you so long convincing her?"

Kurama chuckled. "Reilan said you're pissed off because I'm getting married," he said then smiled naughtily, for a while forgetting Botan was there.

"Don't even start it," Kuronue muttered then rolled his eyes.

"Why?" Botan couldn't help but ask.

Kuronue, having missed the fact that Botan was the one who asked the question, said, "Need you ask? I have to put all those damn curtains here. I'm starting to look like a sissy. And I'm a bloody thief, for Christ's sake!"

Botan looked shocked while Kurama laughed hard. It sure looked like a sissy place, Kurama thought, then turned to Botan, "Don't worry sweet, Kuronue's just like that when he's pissed off."

Kuronue rolled his eyes, his irritation forgotten. "Ha! All of us are like that when irritated," he said then looked at Botan, "the kitsune's the worst, though. Oh, forgive me for being so rude, I'm Kuronue, milady, always at your service."

Botan smiled but when Kuronue added, "I'm the one who yelled like a baka while you were bathing by the lake."

Botan froze. She did remember that someone yelled.so that meant he'd seen her naked. She's so mortified. "You were watching me?"

"Aye. It was the kitsune's idea. He's the first one to take a peek," he said and smirked at the kitsune who was shooting him deadly glares.

"You were watching me?" Botan repeated, this time, to Kurama.

Kurama stopped glaring at Kuronue to smile weakly at Botan. "That time, I already decided to make you my wife. It's my right," he said defensively.

"Does that right include your friend having to see me as well?" she asked, glaring at the kitsune who was suddenly stupefied.

"Don't worry, milady, I've seen naked women before you," Kuronue said, smiled and winked at her.

Botan blushed. "I'm sure you did," she grumbled.



Author's note: Hahaha! I especially liked writing the last part, it was enjoyable and funny for me. I know it was crazy but the first two are crazier that even to me, they don't make sense so I decided to drop them. (oh boy, writing is hard). Reviews would be really appreciated as I came to notice that I had received more reviews in this story compared to my first two and I thank you all for reading this story.

Some sort of advertisement: I've updated chapter 12 of Ai Shiteru on my site so to those of you who were reading that, just visit the site, okay? That's it, til the next chapter!