I'm back for more. I'm not even sure where I'm going with the story anymore…I've done about everything I wanted to get in, and I'm trying to figure out how I want the story to end. Until I figure that out, I'll proceed with the story…it will most likely be a boring chapter….…
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The next morning everybody was still asleep, accept Botan. She just couldn't sleep, dreaming over and over again what almost happened in the house of mirrors. The dream always started out the same, but ended different. Botan blushed slightly at the mere thought of it. (the way the dreams ended of course.)
Botan wandered around the house aimlessly, often checking on everyone to make sure they were okay. When she was done with her exploration of Jin's house, Botan made breakfast, and with it left a note. Then she headed out the door.
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"Mmmmm!" Yusuke and Touya woke up at the same time. They followed their noses to the kitchen, where they found breakfast awaiting them. Not waiting for anyone else to get up, they rushed the food, and by the time everyone else was awake, there wasn't a morsel of food left. Not even a crumb.
"Ya snooze, ya loose." That was all Touya and Yusuke had to say to everyone. All that got them was a blow to their heads by none other than Keiko.
"You guys are such pigs!" Keiko reached for a napkin and handed it to Yusuke, "Clean yourself up, you look a mess."
Yusuke reached for the napkin and proceeded to wipe his face with it until he realized it was already dirty. "How do you expect me to clean my face with something that's dirty!" He examined the napkin. "Hey! There's something written on it!"
"Let me see it!" Keiko snatched it out of Yusuke's hands and read it aloud :
Hi guys!
I made breakfast if you're hungry. If you're wondering where I am, I just stepped outside to get some fresh air. I needed to clear my head. I'll be back soon, don't worry! See ya in a bit!
Botan
"Hm, I wonder where she went…"
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The mid-morning air was gently caressing Botan's face. She shivered slightly under it's touch. 'Oh, Touya, why can't I stop thinking of you? Why do you cloud my every thought? When I sleep, you are the center of my dream's focus. Do I do the same to you? If you need to say something can you? Does your breath catch when you see me? I don't know if you know, but that's what you do to me…' Botan laughed at her thoughts.
"Now, if I could only tell you that to your face."
"Tell who what?"
Botan whipped around only to see the center of her current thoughts standing right in front of her. "T-Touya? What are you doing here?"
"Clearing my head and looking for you. You?"
"Same as you, well, except, I'm not looking for me."
"I see. I thought you might need someone to talk to about what's on your mind, and since I'm the only person who could possibly know where you were, I figured I'd catch up with you and we could talk."
Botan's plan to clear her head wasn't working. She just kept thinking more of Touya, and she wanted to tell him everything…but not before he spoke first. And as if he read her thoughts…
"I guess I'll start, since you seem to be content with listening for now. I don't know how to tell you this, but…I…I need you. I need you, Botan. I can't stop thinking of you, I dream of you, when I need to say something, I can't, and when I look at you…I can't breathe. My breath gets caught up in my throat, as if to test whether you're real, or if I'm just dreaming…."
Every question Botan wanted to ask Touya, he had just answered himself. Botan was starting to feel dizzy, and she started to breathe hard. Slowly, she stood up and fell into to Touya…and started to cry. For a minute Touya wondered if he'd said the wrong thing, but when she looked at him with nothing but compassion in her eyes, he knew why she was crying.
"Botan…I love you."
"I love you too, Touya."
(Wow! Things sure are moving fast in this chapter…)
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"Keiko, do you think something happened to Touya and Botan? They have been gone for a long time." Yukina looked really worried.
"They'll be fine, my love. There is no need for you to worry. Did I say that I lo- OW!"
"Leave her alone!" Hiei sounded like he was ready to kill.
"Yes sir!" 'Jeez, what's his problem?'
As always, Keiko was getting impatient waiting for the return of her friends, and she decided to get up and look for them just when…Botan and Touya come bursting through the door.
Botan released Touya's hand and ran over to Keiko and gave her a hug, almost smooshing her. "I'm so happy to see you!" Botan turned to look at everyone, "I'm happy to see all of you!"
Yusuke nudged Touya. "What did say to her?"
"Just wait, she'll tell everybody in a minute….or rather, she'll show everybody"
"What? I don't get it."
"Be patient."
Botan stood in the middle of the room and did a 360. "Anybody notice anything different? And you can't answer, Touya."
"You were spinning too fast. Do it again, slower."
Botan turned again, slower, and still nobody could figure out what was so different, until she ran her fingers through her hair. Then both Keiko and Yukina screamed…very very loudly. Then they ran up and hugged her, and they all started screaming and jumping in circles. Touya just sat back and started to laugh.
"Touya, I'm lost…why are they screaming?" Yusuke scratched his head in confusion.
"Stupid ningen." Hiei turned to Touya. "Congratulations, although I don't know what would possess you to do something like that."
"What! He saw what was different? Tell me tell me!"
"No."
(TBC)
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Care to guess what's happening next in the story. I've finally figured out how to end it, but I'm not going to tell you. If you want you can guess in a review and in the next chapter I'll tell you whether or not you were right (before the story starts, of course). Well, please continue to read the story…it's almost over. It'll probably be only one or two more chapters before it's complete! Catch ya latazzzz!
