Chapter II: Karasu…

Two months...

That's how long it had been since she saw Kurama. She missed him extremely. After she left the penthouse, Botan had looked for an apartment to rent. Thanks to her friend Keiko, she hadn't had to look too much. They had found this little but very cozy apartment in the suburb. The neighborhood where she now lived was very quiet. She rarely saw her neighbors but she didn't complain. The first two weeks when she started to live there; she did nothing but stayed inside and cried. Countless time she wanted to go back to him and accepted whatever he offered but she held back. She loved him too much and she knew that Kurama was capable of loving. If he would only let himself. Since she left, she hadn't tried to contact him and she doubt he did either. She wondered how long it would be before she sees him. She didn't think she was ready to face him yet.

"Botan…"

Botan glanced up from her cup of tea. In front of her stood a handsome young man. His skin was paled like it had never been kissed by the harmful rays of the sun. His long back hair looked silky. His silver gray eyes shone. He had a svelte figure that any woman would envy. He gave a new definition to the word beautiful.

"Well, hello Karasu, fancy meeting you here." She said.

"I could say the same for you but tell me what a beautiful woman like you doing here all by herself."

"Still the flirt, huh?'"

He chuckled.

"Mind if I join you

"Oh no, by all mean."

He sat down and signaled the waitress. He ordered a cup of coffee and a slice of coffeecake.

"So what have you been up too? I haven't seen you in ages." She asked.

"Six months actually."

"Not like you've been counting, right?"

They both smiled.

"Well, I've done a few fashion shows, some photo shoots, and I just took a vacation recently."

"Where did you go?"

"I went to the Bahamas."

"You just went to the Bahamas and look so pale. I would think that you might actually get tanned."

"I did try tanning but I only turn red."

She laughed.

'So are you in town for the fashion show?" she asked.

"Yes, are you going to be in it?"

"Yes, the designer asked me to model a few clothes."

"That's great. There's a party after, are you going?"

"Are you asking me out?"

"You could say that."

"You never quit, do you."

"Not when it comes to something I want and I really want you, Botan."

"So you've told me."

"I mean what's not to like. You're beautiful, talented…"

"And totally immune to your charms."

He chuckles.

"You also have a great sense of humor not to mention that you're…"

"The only woman who doesn't fall at your feet."

"Do you think that I only want you for those reasons?"

"I can't really think of any valid reasons."

"Did it ever occur to you that I might be in love with you?"

"Oh! Please don't insult my intelligence."

She took her wallet out of her purse and left thirty dollars on the table.

"I have to go. It was nice seeing you again." She said.

He stopped her before she got into her car.

"What now?" she asked.

"Why do you always do that to me?"

"Do what?"

"Run away from me."

"I try to avoid your type."

"And what's my type, pray tell?"

"Handsome, rich, spoiled and arrogant. Men who think that women are nothing more than accessories."

"That's not true. That's not what I'm all about."

"And what are you all about?"

"Why don't you give me a chance to show you?"

She looked at him. His eyes were placid. She couldn't decipher any emotion from his face. Botan didn't feel ready for another relationship quite yet. She needed some time to heal her broken heart.

"I'll think about it." She said.

"Call me?"

"Yeah!"

She got into her car and drove off. After what happen between her and Kurama, she wasn't ready a relationship especially one that involved physical intimacy. She didn't think she could ever give her body so freely to any man as she had done with Kurama. She was afraid that what happen might repeat itself.

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"Kurama, are you listening to me." His friend asked.

Of course, he wasn't listening but he wasn't about to tell his friend that. Kurama looked at his best friend Hiei Janagashi. They were currently discussing a project for the new hotel Kurama was planning on building. They've been talking about the plans for the last half hour and Kurama had absolutely no idea of what had been said. He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts. His head was filled with thoughts of his ex-girlfriend. He still hasn't got over her. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't forget Botan. He had never been this attached to a woman before. He just couldn't understand why she had dumped him. Sure she said it's because he couldn't love her but that was just a pathetic excuse.

Deep within himself, he felt anger toward her. He had given her everything any woman could possibly want and more. She had access to everything he had, his money, and his stocks, all of his assets. What more could she possibly want? Love? The hell with love. Kurama had learned at a tender age that love was nothing but deception and lies. He was only twenty when he felt in love with a girl that went to the same college as he. He thought that she loved him but he had found out the hard way that she was only after his father's money. All the women he dated since had done nothing but to strengthen his beliefs. He gave them his money, luxury and his body. He swore never to get too close to any female. To him, women only exist to pleasure the opposite sex when they weren't lying and cheating. Women couldn't be trusted with anything especially not his heart. That's what he believed in or rather used to believe until Botan came along. She had seduced her way into his heart. She had won his trust. For once he actually believes that he may have something with a woman. She made him believe that not all women were deceivers and liars. She made him believe that he could open his heart and let someone in but before he could get there, she shattered his dream. She went up and left him. Why he didn't stop her that night, he wasn't sure. Maybe it was because he felt that his feelings for her ran deeper than he thought and got scared. Or maybe because his ego was bruised when she said that he couldn't love. Well she didn't come out and say it but that's what it felt like. His male pride had been hurt. He….

"Kurama, what the hell is wrong with you?" Hiei yelled.

This time he got the attention he wanted for the past half hour.

"Nothing is wrong with me." He answered.

"Are you sure about that? Since you came back from the States, your head's been up in the clouds."

"Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry about me."

"I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about my project and I would really appreciate it if you listen just for a fucking second."

"Alright, I'm listening."

The Minamino Empire was expanding. They were adding a new hotel to the chain. Hiei was responsible for this project. He had drawn up the plans and design for the new hotel. This morning, he had set a meeting with his best friend to discuss the new plan and costs. But the ladder wasn't listening to a word he said. He had been preoccupied to even pay attention to what happen around him.

"I'm hungry. Why don't we get some lunch and you can tell me about your plans." Kurama said.

"Good idea."

They got outside where Kurama's limo was waiting. They got in and in no time they pulled into a respectable and prestigious restaurant. The chauffeur came around to let them out. They had no problem getting in since Kurama's secretary had already made a reservation for them. They were shown to their table in that back of the room. The table was perfectly located since they were going to talk and Hiei was hoping that this time his friend would listen to him. He really didn't feel like telling him the same things three times.

After lunch, the two friends went different way. Kurama went back to his office and Hiei did the same. Later that day, Kurama decided to go back to Botan's penthouse. He hadn't been there in a month. The house was the same as she left it. Her clothes were hanging in their closet. Her shoes were still there. Even her dirty clothes were still in the basket. He knew the maid she had hired to clean up the house when she was away still come but it seems like the maid didn't go in the bedroom because the bed was still unmade. He smiled, Botan never did like when anybody went near her precious clothes but why did she leave them all. Why didn't she take any of them? A walk through the house tells him that she didn't take any of the things he brought her. He felt kind of sad that she would go to this length just so she could forget him. He went back to the bedroom and lay down on the bed, his head on her pillow. Being in her bedroom brought back memories of night filled with lovemaking and passion. He could picture her in here walking around the room or just sitting in front of her dresser brushing her long luxurious, blue hair. He missed her. For the past two months, he had told himself countless time that he was over her but now he knew that he been lying to himself. He wasn't over her. He wanted her back in this room, back in his arms, in his heart, where she truly belongs. But would she take him back if he finds her. More to the point, where would he find her? He hasn't seen her for two months. He had no idea where she could be. What the hell was he going to do? An idea strokes his mind. A small smile formed on his luscious lips.

"I know how to find her and I know exactly the man for this job." He thought.

Twenty five minutes later, Kurama pulled into a parking lot. He was going to see his childhood friend, Yusuke Urameshi. They had been friends forever. They grew up together and went to the same high school and college. While Hiei was his best friend, Yusuke was like his brother. He knocked on the door and a second later his friend answered.

"Hello, Yusuke." He said.

"Kurama, what are you doing here?"

"What a way to greet your friend." He teased.

"Why don't you come in?"

Yusuke moved out of the doorway and let Kurama in. Kurama took in the décor. The apartment was tastefully designed.

"Nice place you got here."

"Yukina designed it."

"Yukina? As in Hiei's sister?"

"Yes, she and Kuwabara came over a month ago. She said that my taste in furniture and decoration left something to be desired. Her words not mine."

Kurama laughed.

"She's right. You were never the one to bother yourself with such trivial things."

"Hey, as long as I'm comfortable. I don't really care what the place look like."

"Huh, you haven't changed a bit."

"But you have. What have you been up too since the last time I saw you."

"Not much. I just saw Hiei this morning."

"How is he? I haven't seen forever."

"Oh, you know Hiei, still stubborn as ever."

"Why isn't that surprising. What about your girlfriend, Botan?"

"That's why I'm here to talk to about?"

"Oh!"

"You see, Botan and I had a fight two months ago. She disappeared and I need your help to find her."

"Hold off a sec…You had a fight with Botan two months ago."

"Yes."

"And why are you looking for her now?"

"Well, I've been in the states for three weeks and I had to go to Rome for a short while."

"You know that's no excuse but I'm going to ask you for your reasons."

"So would you help?"

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Yusuke."

For the rest of his visit, the two friends just catch up with each other.

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Botan finished with her show sooner that expected. The fashion went absolutely perfectly. The clothes she had to model were gorgeous and she had to admit she missed walking down the hallway, parading in gorgeous clothes. After the show, she went backstage to change her clothes. She was almost done when she spotted her friend Keiko. The ladder walked toward her and gave her a hug.

"Hey girl, you were absolutely amazing tonight." Said Keiko

"Thanks. You were pretty awesome yourself."

"So, what's up?" Keiko said.

"Oh! Nothing. How are you?"

"I'm doing great."

"How is Yusuke?"

"He's okay. Have you talked to Kurama lately?"

"No."

"Yusuke told me that he was looking for you."

"Why would he look for me? When I left, he didn't seem to mind."

"Well, I don't know why he's looking for you but I think we're about to find out."

"What?"

"Kurama is coming this."

"What?"
Botan turned her head and truthfully Kurama was heading toward them.

"How did he get back here? I thought only models and staff were allowed back here."

"Oh! Come on. The guy is loaded with money. Don't you think he can get anything he wants?"

"Kurama was never the type to bribe anyone for anything but he's pretty good at talking people into doing things he want."

"Except you."

"Keiko..."

"Well, I'll leave you and lover boy alone. I'll talk to you later and I want a full detailed report of what happen."

Botan rolled her eyes at her friend's noisiness. She so wanted to chastise but right now she had better thing to take care of. With a sigh, she turned to face Kurama.

Author's note: Sorry i took so long to update.Please leave me a review and tell me wyouhat you thought of the chapter. Please and Thank You