-Delicate Petals-
-You will hear about Hiei telling Yukina he is her brother in this chapter, most definitely. I just didn't feel like making the last chapter as long.-
^I should call this chapter 'Confessions'. n.n^
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Botan and I were sitting on the couch, watching TV. Nothing was on, but I wasn't paying any attention anyway. I was thinking of taking her out to dinner and telling her but.. I just didn't know. I could just tell her right now. My stomach twisted and I got nervous.
'You best do it now.' Youko said to me. 'Better to get it over-with.' I knew he was right, yet I was still nervous. 'She sort of said that she likes you.'
'She did, didn't she? But how do I know that she didn't mean as friends?'
'She blushed, you idiot.' He snapped. I nearly winced. His voice soon faded from my mind and I sighed.
"Botan, I really need to talk to you about something." I blurted out before I could stop myself. She turned the TV off and turned to look at me. I could tell I caught her interest.
"Is it what's been bothering you?" She asked and I nodded. I bit my lip.
"Well.." I began slowly. How should I put it? "You remember that girl I told you about?" She nodded thoughtfully. "She.. was you." She froze.
"You mean that.." She trailed off and looked up at me. I looked away from her. It was hard enough thinking how she felt. Knowing that she didn't feel the same. Especially by her reaction.
"I was devastated when you told us all that you and Koenma.." I trailed off, unable to continue. My face burned and my heart raced. "I.. went through a lot to see you happy." She was staring at me, I could tell.
"Kurama.." She trailed off. I couldn't take this anymore. I turned around to face her.
"I love you, Botan." She made a small sound but that was all.
"I.. don't feel that strongly for you." She said and my heart fell. "I.. really like you. It must've took a lot of courage."
"That I don't have." I said bitterly. I got up. "Its okay. I didn't expect you to feel the same about me." I walked out of the room and went upstairs.
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It was true. I didn't expect her to feel the same way. I would get over her. I heard a gentle knock on my door then it opened.
"Kurama, please. I just need a little time to gather myself together." She said softly. "I don't want a major relationship just yet."
"I understand." I said emotionlessly. I wasn't crying. I didn't cry. She sat down on my bed and looked at me. She put her hand on my arm. I wanted to pull away but didn't. I laid there. She gave me a smile.
"I did have a lot of fun with you. I really hope that this whole conversation can be forgotten and we can try again soon. I just need a little time." I smiled weakly and nodded. "Good. I'll see you in the morning then." She got up and walked out the door, closing it behind her. Forget the conversation? I would like to but it wasn't possible. Maybe I needed time to think about it. I would like to take her out a few times, maybe even get my feelings to grow stronger. I know that wouldn't happen. I know that I don't want that. I want only what is best for her.
"Once again, you failed to give me a proper greeting." A sarcastic voice said with a small sigh. I looked over and gave Hiei a small grin.
"I am sorry, Majesty. How wrong of me." I rolled my eyes. "Did you tell Yukina?" He nodded.
"She took it well, considering how much she seen me and I didn't tell her. She understood my position, she said." He snorted slightly. I stared at him, then blinked.
"So is everything cleared up?" He gave me a look from his seat on my chair.
"Did you not just hear what I said?" I smiled and nodded. "Yes, everything is fine. Except for that moronic ass.."
"Hiei." I tsked and shook my head.
"I hate him so much. Couldn't she pick someone more worthy of her?" He threw a disgusted look at the wall then at the ceiling before his gaze came back to meet mine. "You told her?" I nodded. "Not a good reaction by your mood."
"It was just one of those 'I need more time' speeches." I said with a long sigh. He gave me a look.
"No one can love you, that's why. She just wants to spare your feelings." He said smartly. He picked up his notebook and pencil and started flipping pages. "I guess you didn't cry, hmm?" I shook my head.
"No." I said coldly. He gave me a feigned shock. "Shut up. I don't want to hear that one again." He frowned.
"There you go again. I have no fun around you." He gave me a look and continued to draw. "You suck the fun out of everything, you fun-sucker."
"Well, I'm sorry. Must be a bad habit." I said, frowning.
"Must be. You'll have to stop it." He said distractedly. I rolled my eyes.
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I didn't want to move. I groaned when someone tried to pull me out of bed. When had I fallen asleep? It had been quite early. I pulled the blankets over my head and yelled a muffled 'go away'.
"You haven't eaten since yesterday, Kurama. Get up." Botan said sternly. I yelled out something that not even I understood. I think it was a 'no'. She gave up, so I thought. Until someone pulled me by the foot off the bed.
"This is oddly amusing, Kurama. You fell out of bed. Nice." I looked up with glossy emerald eyes and stared at him.
"Let me sleep." I hissed then took the blanket and pulled it back over me, though I was on the floor. I felt like I had been woken from the dead.
"Hm." He clearly was going to do something drastic. Otherwise, it would be 'hn'. Suddenly, all was quiet and I fell back asleep. Until the blanket flew off me and someone dumped ice cold water on my head. I jumped up and chased Hiei, who was holding the cup. My hair was dripping the cold water down the back of my neck and soaking my shirt.
"Hiei!" He smirked at me then ran downstairs.
"Now this is more like it. You are a ton of fun this morning. I didn't know you were a morning person." He childishly stuck his tongue out at me. He was mocking me for all the times I did that to him, ne? Well, he's going to get it. I stopped running and crossed my arms, serious. He stopped and blinked, staring at me.
"I won't buy anymore ice-cream." His eyes went wide. He then glared at me.
"Go ahead." He said, crossing his arms. "Hope you have fun with it, too. Botan promised me ice-cream if I got you out of bed."
"These people are bribing you, Hiei." I said with a sigh. "They're doing it so you're the one getting your hands dirty." He looked down at his hands.
"My hands are clean." He showed them to me and I smacked my forehead.
"Sheesh.."
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(A few months later. Hope you don't mind me skipping ahead!)
I sat at the park, watching leaves fall off the trees. Autumn snuck up on me, without me knowing. I smiled. Autumn was a beautiful season. All the leave turning different colors and lining the ground with colorful collages and paths. I smiled. This season brought my hopes up. I smelled the scent of flowers around me. I heard someone crunching leaves as they approached me. Keiko waved and ran to sit down next to me.
"Hey Kurama." She said with a smile. She looked radiant and happy. I tilted my head and smiled at her.
"Hey Keiko." I said, once again looking out into the sea of colors.
"What's up? Anything happen lately?" I shook my head, a small smile on my face.
"No, nothing. How about you?" She shook her head. Her smile widened.
"Yuusuke and I are a couple again, that's all. He decided that our relationship was special to him and I agree." She swung her legs over the edge. Her brown hair had gotten a little longer and she was wearing a white scarf and a brown jacket with a brown skirt and knee-high socks with her normal school shoes.
"That's good." I looked back at her. "Botan and I.. just haven't decided." I watched her smile slightly.
"I think you two should give the relationship a try." She said seriously. "Besides, what could it hurt? You have to try or you'll never know."
"I know." I said with a sigh. The crisp evening air was chilly and it woke me up more fully. "I just don't want to force her." I gazed out over the hill. My eyes caught sight of couples, pulling their jackets tighter around them and holding each other close.
"I could talk to her for you." Keiko said with a smile. "She's just confused, y'know? A few months ago might have been too soon."
"I think it was. I knew I shouldn't have said anything." I mumbled miserably. She set her hand on my shoulder.
"You did the right thing. Now she knows how you feel about her. You two are perfect for each other, believe me." She said. I was glad she was there with me. I was glad that she knew how I felt.. even if she never felt it before. We are alike in a lot of ways, Keiko and I. She was in pain when Yuusuke 'died'. I guess she really does know how it feels.
"Thanks, Keiko. I'm happy you're my friend." She smiled and blushed lightly. I gave her a grin. "Will you tell Yuusuke that I said hi and that he should drop by sometime?" She nodded and I turned around. "Thanks. See ya around." She sat there silently, watching me walk away.
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Lovely. School. I'm thrilled. This is the last year for me and I'm more than pleased. A few months ago my reputation was wide-spread. I was feared by half the people in my school, including teachers. I looked over at Ryu. He was in the dark through all of it, but he was still a good friend. I smiled at him and he gave me a grin.
"You have the thugs running, my friend." He said with a shake of his head. "Still, after two months."
"Hn." I had developed some of Hiei's most charming personalities over these few months, as well. Living with him without picking a few things up is damn near impossible with his attitude. I opened my locker and threw a few notes away. That was one thing that would never change. Those damn notes. I pulled out the books for my next class. I figure that later, I'll cut Study and go home. Maybe I shouldn't but who really cares? My grades are the best in almost all of my classes. What would one class matter? I shook my head. Hiei wouldn't be waiting. Well, if I got home early then okaasan would wonder. I'll just sleep, then.
"Suuichi-kun!" Minako called to me from the hall. I turned around and waved to her. She was an okay girl. One that I don't mind. She doesn't leave notes in my locker, bug me about going out with her, or brag about being my friend. I smiled at her and she caught up. "What's up? You don't look happy."
"Look around, Minako. What do you see?" She looked around and sweat-dropped. "I see a prison."
"There aren't any bars." I sighed and shook my head. "They'll probably add those next year." She pouted. She was a pretty one, Minako was. She had long brown hair and pretty sapphire blue eyes.
"I wouldn't doubt it. They have everything else." She smiled and shifted her books. Then she sighed.
"I heard that." She looked around then shifted through the sea of students. "We've got to pick partners for a History project. Can you believe that?" She looked down at the floor then back up at me. I remained silent. "Will you work with me? I don't want Daisuke to work with me again. He was a poor excuse for a partner. I got stuck doing all the work and he flirted with me." She gave an aggravated sigh.
"I don't see why not." I smiled. I didn't like half the people in my class. They were just like Daisuke. I sighed and got ready for an exciting class. Yeah right.
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That's it for now. ~.~ You decide, do I get a cookie? Lol. ^.^;
Kitty - Sorry I stopped it there. Gotta leave ya hangin' sometime, though.
Sana Bubbles - I think you liked this then, ne? I updated, he told her. Don't let the fan club gang up on me!
kuramas kitsune - Thanks for reviewing. I try my hardest on these fics. I hope this chapter was to you guys' liking!
l-Steph-chan-l - Heh, I guess you're right about that. n.n And yes, it would delay the update by a whole week. You don't want Sana Bubbles getting the fan club after you, do you?
passionateangel - I had to put the old lady in there! The traffic thing.. I was miserable that day, don't know why. But, she didn't feel that way. IM me if you see me on!
Kay-san1 - I liked it too! One of my favorites to write.
Silverchild of the winds - To be completely honest, I needed a light-hearted chapter or I was going to go insane. Not really.. but that isn't the point. ^_^
Candace - Thank you.. Kurama's struggle will end soon enough.
Zoutou - Sorry about the suspence! . And thank you for lovin' this fic. I love it too! I think the suspence is getting to me too..
-You will hear about Hiei telling Yukina he is her brother in this chapter, most definitely. I just didn't feel like making the last chapter as long.-
^I should call this chapter 'Confessions'. n.n^
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Botan and I were sitting on the couch, watching TV. Nothing was on, but I wasn't paying any attention anyway. I was thinking of taking her out to dinner and telling her but.. I just didn't know. I could just tell her right now. My stomach twisted and I got nervous.
'You best do it now.' Youko said to me. 'Better to get it over-with.' I knew he was right, yet I was still nervous. 'She sort of said that she likes you.'
'She did, didn't she? But how do I know that she didn't mean as friends?'
'She blushed, you idiot.' He snapped. I nearly winced. His voice soon faded from my mind and I sighed.
"Botan, I really need to talk to you about something." I blurted out before I could stop myself. She turned the TV off and turned to look at me. I could tell I caught her interest.
"Is it what's been bothering you?" She asked and I nodded. I bit my lip.
"Well.." I began slowly. How should I put it? "You remember that girl I told you about?" She nodded thoughtfully. "She.. was you." She froze.
"You mean that.." She trailed off and looked up at me. I looked away from her. It was hard enough thinking how she felt. Knowing that she didn't feel the same. Especially by her reaction.
"I was devastated when you told us all that you and Koenma.." I trailed off, unable to continue. My face burned and my heart raced. "I.. went through a lot to see you happy." She was staring at me, I could tell.
"Kurama.." She trailed off. I couldn't take this anymore. I turned around to face her.
"I love you, Botan." She made a small sound but that was all.
"I.. don't feel that strongly for you." She said and my heart fell. "I.. really like you. It must've took a lot of courage."
"That I don't have." I said bitterly. I got up. "Its okay. I didn't expect you to feel the same about me." I walked out of the room and went upstairs.
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It was true. I didn't expect her to feel the same way. I would get over her. I heard a gentle knock on my door then it opened.
"Kurama, please. I just need a little time to gather myself together." She said softly. "I don't want a major relationship just yet."
"I understand." I said emotionlessly. I wasn't crying. I didn't cry. She sat down on my bed and looked at me. She put her hand on my arm. I wanted to pull away but didn't. I laid there. She gave me a smile.
"I did have a lot of fun with you. I really hope that this whole conversation can be forgotten and we can try again soon. I just need a little time." I smiled weakly and nodded. "Good. I'll see you in the morning then." She got up and walked out the door, closing it behind her. Forget the conversation? I would like to but it wasn't possible. Maybe I needed time to think about it. I would like to take her out a few times, maybe even get my feelings to grow stronger. I know that wouldn't happen. I know that I don't want that. I want only what is best for her.
"Once again, you failed to give me a proper greeting." A sarcastic voice said with a small sigh. I looked over and gave Hiei a small grin.
"I am sorry, Majesty. How wrong of me." I rolled my eyes. "Did you tell Yukina?" He nodded.
"She took it well, considering how much she seen me and I didn't tell her. She understood my position, she said." He snorted slightly. I stared at him, then blinked.
"So is everything cleared up?" He gave me a look from his seat on my chair.
"Did you not just hear what I said?" I smiled and nodded. "Yes, everything is fine. Except for that moronic ass.."
"Hiei." I tsked and shook my head.
"I hate him so much. Couldn't she pick someone more worthy of her?" He threw a disgusted look at the wall then at the ceiling before his gaze came back to meet mine. "You told her?" I nodded. "Not a good reaction by your mood."
"It was just one of those 'I need more time' speeches." I said with a long sigh. He gave me a look.
"No one can love you, that's why. She just wants to spare your feelings." He said smartly. He picked up his notebook and pencil and started flipping pages. "I guess you didn't cry, hmm?" I shook my head.
"No." I said coldly. He gave me a feigned shock. "Shut up. I don't want to hear that one again." He frowned.
"There you go again. I have no fun around you." He gave me a look and continued to draw. "You suck the fun out of everything, you fun-sucker."
"Well, I'm sorry. Must be a bad habit." I said, frowning.
"Must be. You'll have to stop it." He said distractedly. I rolled my eyes.
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I didn't want to move. I groaned when someone tried to pull me out of bed. When had I fallen asleep? It had been quite early. I pulled the blankets over my head and yelled a muffled 'go away'.
"You haven't eaten since yesterday, Kurama. Get up." Botan said sternly. I yelled out something that not even I understood. I think it was a 'no'. She gave up, so I thought. Until someone pulled me by the foot off the bed.
"This is oddly amusing, Kurama. You fell out of bed. Nice." I looked up with glossy emerald eyes and stared at him.
"Let me sleep." I hissed then took the blanket and pulled it back over me, though I was on the floor. I felt like I had been woken from the dead.
"Hm." He clearly was going to do something drastic. Otherwise, it would be 'hn'. Suddenly, all was quiet and I fell back asleep. Until the blanket flew off me and someone dumped ice cold water on my head. I jumped up and chased Hiei, who was holding the cup. My hair was dripping the cold water down the back of my neck and soaking my shirt.
"Hiei!" He smirked at me then ran downstairs.
"Now this is more like it. You are a ton of fun this morning. I didn't know you were a morning person." He childishly stuck his tongue out at me. He was mocking me for all the times I did that to him, ne? Well, he's going to get it. I stopped running and crossed my arms, serious. He stopped and blinked, staring at me.
"I won't buy anymore ice-cream." His eyes went wide. He then glared at me.
"Go ahead." He said, crossing his arms. "Hope you have fun with it, too. Botan promised me ice-cream if I got you out of bed."
"These people are bribing you, Hiei." I said with a sigh. "They're doing it so you're the one getting your hands dirty." He looked down at his hands.
"My hands are clean." He showed them to me and I smacked my forehead.
"Sheesh.."
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(A few months later. Hope you don't mind me skipping ahead!)
I sat at the park, watching leaves fall off the trees. Autumn snuck up on me, without me knowing. I smiled. Autumn was a beautiful season. All the leave turning different colors and lining the ground with colorful collages and paths. I smiled. This season brought my hopes up. I smelled the scent of flowers around me. I heard someone crunching leaves as they approached me. Keiko waved and ran to sit down next to me.
"Hey Kurama." She said with a smile. She looked radiant and happy. I tilted my head and smiled at her.
"Hey Keiko." I said, once again looking out into the sea of colors.
"What's up? Anything happen lately?" I shook my head, a small smile on my face.
"No, nothing. How about you?" She shook her head. Her smile widened.
"Yuusuke and I are a couple again, that's all. He decided that our relationship was special to him and I agree." She swung her legs over the edge. Her brown hair had gotten a little longer and she was wearing a white scarf and a brown jacket with a brown skirt and knee-high socks with her normal school shoes.
"That's good." I looked back at her. "Botan and I.. just haven't decided." I watched her smile slightly.
"I think you two should give the relationship a try." She said seriously. "Besides, what could it hurt? You have to try or you'll never know."
"I know." I said with a sigh. The crisp evening air was chilly and it woke me up more fully. "I just don't want to force her." I gazed out over the hill. My eyes caught sight of couples, pulling their jackets tighter around them and holding each other close.
"I could talk to her for you." Keiko said with a smile. "She's just confused, y'know? A few months ago might have been too soon."
"I think it was. I knew I shouldn't have said anything." I mumbled miserably. She set her hand on my shoulder.
"You did the right thing. Now she knows how you feel about her. You two are perfect for each other, believe me." She said. I was glad she was there with me. I was glad that she knew how I felt.. even if she never felt it before. We are alike in a lot of ways, Keiko and I. She was in pain when Yuusuke 'died'. I guess she really does know how it feels.
"Thanks, Keiko. I'm happy you're my friend." She smiled and blushed lightly. I gave her a grin. "Will you tell Yuusuke that I said hi and that he should drop by sometime?" She nodded and I turned around. "Thanks. See ya around." She sat there silently, watching me walk away.
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Lovely. School. I'm thrilled. This is the last year for me and I'm more than pleased. A few months ago my reputation was wide-spread. I was feared by half the people in my school, including teachers. I looked over at Ryu. He was in the dark through all of it, but he was still a good friend. I smiled at him and he gave me a grin.
"You have the thugs running, my friend." He said with a shake of his head. "Still, after two months."
"Hn." I had developed some of Hiei's most charming personalities over these few months, as well. Living with him without picking a few things up is damn near impossible with his attitude. I opened my locker and threw a few notes away. That was one thing that would never change. Those damn notes. I pulled out the books for my next class. I figure that later, I'll cut Study and go home. Maybe I shouldn't but who really cares? My grades are the best in almost all of my classes. What would one class matter? I shook my head. Hiei wouldn't be waiting. Well, if I got home early then okaasan would wonder. I'll just sleep, then.
"Suuichi-kun!" Minako called to me from the hall. I turned around and waved to her. She was an okay girl. One that I don't mind. She doesn't leave notes in my locker, bug me about going out with her, or brag about being my friend. I smiled at her and she caught up. "What's up? You don't look happy."
"Look around, Minako. What do you see?" She looked around and sweat-dropped. "I see a prison."
"There aren't any bars." I sighed and shook my head. "They'll probably add those next year." She pouted. She was a pretty one, Minako was. She had long brown hair and pretty sapphire blue eyes.
"I wouldn't doubt it. They have everything else." She smiled and shifted her books. Then she sighed.
"I heard that." She looked around then shifted through the sea of students. "We've got to pick partners for a History project. Can you believe that?" She looked down at the floor then back up at me. I remained silent. "Will you work with me? I don't want Daisuke to work with me again. He was a poor excuse for a partner. I got stuck doing all the work and he flirted with me." She gave an aggravated sigh.
"I don't see why not." I smiled. I didn't like half the people in my class. They were just like Daisuke. I sighed and got ready for an exciting class. Yeah right.
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That's it for now. ~.~ You decide, do I get a cookie? Lol. ^.^;
Kitty - Sorry I stopped it there. Gotta leave ya hangin' sometime, though.
Sana Bubbles - I think you liked this then, ne? I updated, he told her. Don't let the fan club gang up on me!
kuramas kitsune - Thanks for reviewing. I try my hardest on these fics. I hope this chapter was to you guys' liking!
l-Steph-chan-l - Heh, I guess you're right about that. n.n And yes, it would delay the update by a whole week. You don't want Sana Bubbles getting the fan club after you, do you?
passionateangel - I had to put the old lady in there! The traffic thing.. I was miserable that day, don't know why. But, she didn't feel that way. IM me if you see me on!
Kay-san1 - I liked it too! One of my favorites to write.
Silverchild of the winds - To be completely honest, I needed a light-hearted chapter or I was going to go insane. Not really.. but that isn't the point. ^_^
Candace - Thank you.. Kurama's struggle will end soon enough.
Zoutou - Sorry about the suspence! . And thank you for lovin' this fic. I love it too! I think the suspence is getting to me too..