FieryIceKitsune (FIK): Yo, forth chappie here, huzza!! Man, last chapter was a huge emotional rollercoaster don't ya think? And yeah, B and H are having BIG mood swings so excuse any... (Ahem) OOC there might be, not too much... As for an example-
- (Quack)
Hiei: Did you just-
- (Quack)
FIK: Uhh.... No, did you?
Hiei: (shake shake) No.
FIK: Then who-
- (Quack)
Hiei: (Opens bathroom door) AHHH!!!!! (Falls to the floor screaming and covering his face) MY EYES, THEY BUURRRNNNN!!!!
FIK: (Stares at him in horror; rolls him into a closet) What in the world?? (Looks into B.R.) EEEIIIKKK!!!! HOLY MOTHER OF BALONIE AND TURNIPS, SOMEONE CALL THE EXTERIMINATOR OF COLONIAL HULA DANCERS!!!!!!
(Faints)
Duck: Quack?
((Ahem... that was the example.... (hint hint) (nudge nudge)....)) (No, I shall not have anyone that... OOC.)
Disclaimer: NOO!!!!!! I SHALL NOT GIVE UP—(Lawyers appear) eh heh.... (Sweatdrop) – I SHALL NOT GIVE UP WRITING THIS FIC!!! (Looks for approval) (Lawyers disappear) Geez, can't a girl dream?
Chapter Four
"It's really quite simple, Yukina-sama. Here, hold out your hand like this... yes, that's right. Now, turn your palm over, bring your index finger downwards and-"
The crackling of grass being iced over alerted Shizuru of Yukina's progress. Glimpsing out the window, she spotted the gleeful form of the said ice koorime hopping excitedly over the ice figure she'd created. Somehow, she'd managed to get it to look like a penguin, but, oddly enough, a familiar-looking pacifier was sticking square out of the side of the beak; it was a perfect reminiscence of how the Reikai prince held his own pacifier.
"Brilliant job, Yukina-sama! That's a wonderful sculpture, well, I don't know about the pacifier it has... let's just say it's a baby penguin, but certainly a fine piece of work. Are you sure you've never done this before?"
Yukina shook her head, cheeks pink in embarrassment from Touya's immense praise. She chuckled to herself, planting a proud pat on the baby penguin's head.
"No, nothing like this. Thank you, though I doubt mine will ever be as amazing as yours, Touya-san." She said in her soft voice, dark pink eyes drifting to the one he had created. A stunningly intricate park seat, vines of pristine ice roses done in a deeper frost blue wrapping around its frame, faced them from the other side of the courtyard. Touya flushed a bit, following her gaze.
"I've had quite a lot more practice at it, much more than you, Yukina-sama. Besides, I learned it from my master, while as, you have not."
Yukina nodded, looking a bit more certain than Shizuru remembered ever seeing her. Just when Shizuru made to speak, a loud yell cut in.
"Just ask her already, Touya!?"
"Yusuke, no!" Touya shouted back, face bright red. Yusuke grinned wickedly; Keiko smacked him on the head moments later, having walked through the door behind him. Yusuke muttered darkly at her, scowling as he ambled over to where Shizuru sat amusedly. Keiko looked apologetically at the flushed ice master, joining Yusuke and Shizuru promptly.
Touya felt Yukina's hand touch his arm gently; a curious sensation of butterflies fumbling in his stomach shortly following. He turned, her cherry eyes gazing at him keenly. His sea green orbs wavered, but steadily held the intent look.
"What did you want to ask me, Touya-sama?"
He swallowed, becoming nervous abruptly. He hadn't planned on asking her today, no, he'd wanted to wait longer and make certain that what he felt was true. 'Damn you, Yusuke...' He thought mentally. That baka never did keep his nose out of what didn't concern him. Bringing his mind back to the ever-patient Yukina, he sighed.
"Yukina, I-I wanted to ask... That is, if you would care to, I mean, I understand if you didn't, it's just that-"
A delicate finger silenced his mumbling lips, his stutters fading rapidly as he looked down at the owner. Yukina's features were glowing, a mixture of acuity and expectation flooding in the back of her demeanor. Touya took a calming breath, a timid grin adorning his striking features, grasping the silencing hand gently in his own. In a smooth, intense tone he queried,
"Yukina... Would you care to join me for dinner?"
Yukina blushed rosily, eyes fluttering excitedly.
"Um... Yes, I'd like to." She answered meekly.
"You... will?" Touya said astonished.
Yukina nodded, a charming smile gracing her lips. "Yes, I would... Touya-kun."
Both smiled gleefully, rather absorbed in one another for the moment. Yusuke took this time to relate back to Shizuru and Keiko about the latest events that had occurred. Each listened earnestly; they looked startled to hear about Botan's dramatic escape when she heard the gruesome details of her predicament. Shizuru leaned against the wall behind her, her gaze half-lidded as Yusuke rattled on about what he had witnessed.
'Poor Botan, she doesn't even know the rest of it yet. Something tells me that the news will all but tear the girl apart if she takes it the wrong way. Then again, Botan has a strong heart, so maybe it won't be too bad. It depends on Hiei mostly; that guy isn't known for his compatibility skills.'
"Kurama say's he won't tell her, so it's up to Hiei. He's crazy thinkin' he can leave that info secret for so long, I mean, Botan's gonna be havin' some changes sometime soon." Yusuke said irritably.
"Yeah, but it's for the best. If he told her now, she'll probably die of despair. Think about Yusuke: she saves Hiei, losses her humanity and gets bonded to the coldest, most insensitive guy to walk the earth. Not to mention the physical changes... she's got it rough and he's not the one you'd look to for help." Shizuru imputed, dragging a hand throughout her hair in a lazy fashion.
Keiko nodded, sympathy reflecting in her chocolate pools as she thought of her friends situation. Yusuke shoved his hands in his pockets, feeling guilty for not getting to the scene on time. If they'd gotten there just a minute earlier... It pained him to think about how bad they'd goofed up this time. If the changes didn't kill Botan and Hiei, being stuck with one another would.
"This brings me to why I'm here. Yukina knows Hiei's her bro now, so it won't be a problem with her helping. We've gotta convince Hiei that Botan's not that bad of a person, you know, get him to accept having her connected to him. From working with him for so long, I can tell you that he would enjoy tearing his own arm off more than dealing with a bubbly girl for all eternity. So... got any suggestions?"
The group sat silently for a minute, pondering their options. Unnoticed to anyone, Touya and Yukina had been listening in, the news surprising Touya greatly. He laughed inwardly, picturing Hiei being dragged around, arms filled with bags of clothing as Botan sprinted to the next store. Momentary picture finished, he followed Yukina across the courtyard, standing staunchly next to her.
"Why don't we invite them to the Reikai Ball?" Yukina questioned softly.
Three pairs of eyes looked at her amazedly, dropped jaws following her quick answer. All of them glanced at one another rapidly, an unvoiced conclusion decided.
"That's a perfect idea! Hiei would have to behave and it's completely unsuspicious since Botan is supposed to go anyways-" Keiko said joyfully, clasping her hands together.
"-And... it's really... romantic." Shizuru suggested, eyes narrowing deviously.
Keiko giggled at the comment, unable to imagine Hiei involved in anything romantic. Yusuke snorted, catching the gist of what Shizuru was implying.
"Oh ho! Shizuru, you really are evil." He laughed. She nodded proudly, a wickedly smirk sliding decisively across her lips.
"Oh... you've seen nothing yet Urameshi."
It wasn't terrible, but.... it had freaked the living daylights out of her.
Botan stood fixedly in front of her bedroom mirror, staring at her image self-consciously. She'd awoken in her bedroom an hour earlier, once again not knowing how she'd gotten there in the first place. She recalled the scenes from the day before, her abrupt departure and Hiei's quick capture. The conversation between the two of them was still fresh on her memory... the strange behavior Hiei had exhibited openly before her. He'd been... nice. To her, of all people. She shook her head, concentrating once more on her reflection.
Her hair was longer and nearly to her lower back; three ebony streaks ran the entire length of the mass, starting at a point from her forehead and widening gradually throughout. Her bangs were straighter and now had a cluster of silver entwined with the normal azure coloring.
Twisting a lock, she examined her pointed ears, which graced her as being nearly like an elf's really. Her face came across as the same fascia; she could hear, smell and see thrice better than she'd ever been able to, however. Her teeth... her fangs... were a tad creepy, but they added an edge to her usual look. A single, dark violet teardrop had been tattooed on the middle of her collar bone, surrounded with a thin, intricate spiraling dragon.
Yes... a dragon. Hiei's most powerful attack included the dragon of the darkness flame, so it registered to her that her changes were connected to him undoubtedly. Somehow, these physical differences that had sprouted during the night did not alarm her after all that had happened. In fact, she was certain that there would be more changes like this to come. If she had some of Hiei's attributes, then certainly his power would also start to develop in her.
She shuddered at the thought of the black flames coming out of her body, a picture of Hiei being enveloped in the deathly blazes scaring her into shrieking. Quivering, she huddled into herself, walking out of her room. She needed answers: what else was going to happen, what was the connection between her and Hiei... and the only person she knew could answer these happened to live a short walk away.
Minutes later, she stood patiently outside of a large, quaintly decorated house. A pathway, surrounded by numerous varieties of plants and flowers, led to a back yard, where Botan had many a time indulged herself in Kurama's wonderful flora. Speaking of the devil, he opened the door just now.
"Botan? I was expecting you to be up and around so early after..." He trailed off, smiling slightly. Botan nodded knowingly, shrugging at his unasked question.
"Yes, I know. I'd like to apologize for yesterday. Gomen nasai, Kurama, I never meant to say what I did like that. It's just that I was upset and-"
"I understand. Do not worry on it Botan-san, you were quite stressed, and it was normal for you to be disappointed by my actions." He said quietly, his emerald eyes showing their sincerity.
Botan chewed her lip for a second, and then said:
"Kurama-san, I need to ask you a few questions. For one thing..."
She pulled off her hat, revealing the hidden attributes that had been concealed beneath it. Kurama looked staggered, caught off guard by the calm way she twiddled with a black tinted tress of hair.
"How many more... changes... am I to expect anytime soon? I know you know about this, so please don't try to hide anything from me."
Kurama flashed a guilty look, closing the door behind him. Taking her elbow, he led her around to the backyard where he then released her, his back facing her as he walked away a short distance. Turning back, his face was serious, eyes now darkened in severity.
"I'm not absolute on how much will change within you, Botan, but I am without a doubt that you will encounter another change besides the physical one right now. I believe that you will inherit some of Hiei's abilities, though not to a too vast extent. You are not becoming a demon if that is what you are wondering. Indeed, you are still a deity, but soon your body is going to have changes in strength, speed, agility and most importantly: power."
Botan nodded again, grinning suddenly.
"Well, as long as I don't get a Jagan, then all that sounds a-okay!"
Kurama chuckled, finding that image to be quite amusing.
"Yes, that would be alarming. No, Hiei's Jagan is not inheritable in the least since he was not born with it." He laughed again at Botan's comical 'whew!!'
Her face darkened a moment later, a worried look taking place of the relieved one that had been there earlier.
"Kurama-san... Where's Hiei?"
Kurama shook his head, his thoughts drifting to the events from the night before...
Hiei had appeared at Botan's apartment an hour after he had taken off, Botan securely held against him. Kurama had watched silently as he'd personally taken the slumbering deity to her bedroom, laying her delicately beneath the covers and then closing the door behind him. Something had been off when he'd addressed him later, his voice strained and eyes distant.
"Kurama," he had said stonily, "I'm leaving. I don't know when I'm coming back." Before he had disappeared he had said, "Don't tell... the onna." And then he was gone, vanishing into the full blown storm that had arisen previously.
"I don't know, Botan-san." Kurama said carefully. "He left after bringing you back to your apartment. He didn't tell me where he was going or when he would return. He told me not to tell you for some reason."
"He's in Makai." Botan said near inaudibly.
Kurama glimpsed at her surprised, "How do you know?"
She looked at him, her face soft with a small, sad smile.
"Because... He's safe there."
"Safe?"
She nodded mysteriously, "Yes... safe from being confused by 'human feelings.' You see, Kurama-san, he can be the coldhearted, conniving demon he's always been in Makai and doesn't need to totter around with bubbly, girls or baka ningens."
Kurama took this in with a feeling akin to awe. So... Botan was aware of the koorime's thoughts, eh? It gave him quite a shock to think about how much more perceptive Botan was, a great deal more than what they gave her credit for.
"He feels the need to an enraged, murderous being at the moment, with all the new sentiments and changes he is enduring. I can understand that: why would anyone like him want to be stuck to a girl like me? Just tell me Kurama-san... what else is there to this connection?"
Kurama was now staring at her in astonishment. Where in the world...? Shaking his head, he passed a hand through his red hair in a way similar to a tall, bronze haired woman.
"You surprise me, Botan-san. I will be honest with you and tell you that I am not the one to ask about your connection. If you want an answer, you'll need to find the 'baka koorime' that has gone astray. I wish you good luck, he's a hard one to find, not to mention stubborn as a mule. Stay safe."
Botan astounded him with a small hug, her face still holding a trace of sadness as she released him. That small smile still tugging at her pastel lips, she strode away and out of sight, leaving Kurama to ponder his advice. Was it right of him to let her go, fully aware of the dangers that lay in Makai? The idea of her roaming those lands on her own had him doubting, but knowing that her powers were now becoming real and strength growing, he felt somewhat self assured. But, to be on the safe side, he decided to inform the rest of the group.
"You WHAT!!!"
Kurama rolled his eyes, fighting an urge to slap his forehead in frustration. He'd told the story twice now and Yusuke was still confused.
"I told you what happened, so what don't you get Yusuke?"
Yusuke ground his teeth together, a dangerous glint to his cinnamon eyes.
"What don't I get!? What were youthinking in letting Botan go to Makai, on her own!! Shit, we've gotta stop her or she'll die, ya idiot!!"
A split second later, Yusuke found himself sprawled on the floor, glaring dazedly up at Shizuru's furious figure. She scowled at him for a moment, fist hanging in the air from where she'd punched him. In a low voice she murmured:
"Don't get stupid now Yusuke. Kurama's not an idiot and of anyone, you should know that. Do you honestly think he'd let her go if he knew she was in any real danger?"
Yusuke thought for a second, and then shook his head with a guilty air.
"That's what I thought. Now, if you wouldn't mind, we've got some plans to discuss and a toddler to disable," and with a flick of her hair, Shizuru sauntered into the house, Yukina and Keiko on her heels.
The minute Yusuke had gotten to his feet; he whirled around, staring fixedly at the stunned looking red head.
"Where in the world did that come from?!?"
Vixen's G-Den
FIK: Yeah I know what your thinking (listens telepathically for a moment) Where's... the pairing... for... Feh and Totum?
Hiei: Idiot...
FIK: (listens harder) Oh!!! O.O'' Where's the pairing for Hiei and Botan!? Duh!! (Slaps forehead) Ooowwwwiiiieeeeee!!
Hiei: T.T '''''
FIK: shuddup... I know, no B/H action, but don't worry, I've got another (counts) 3 chapters planned and like (forgets #) more after that. Chow!! And REVIEW PLEASE!!