Author's Note: For old readers from back in the day, chapter 4 is slightly different from what it was originally. I can only hope that it is better than it was back then (of course, for those few who love the original for originality's sake, I hope you can accept this).
What He Said, She Said
The Urameshi home was eerily quiet as two young teenagers silently ate their dinner. Alone they were as Urameshi Atsuko was nowhere in the city to be found (according to the note from the mother/aunt, she was "spending the night" with a "friend"); however, the situation was not new to the cousins and was not the reason for anxiety. And the air was so awkward Yusuke had developed a twitch in his hand. In fact, he would curse every so often because the spasm would make him drop his food. The young man could not stand the tension, the deafening silence that enveloped him and his cousin.
While eating, Yusuke would stare up at Botan across the table every so often, trying to catch her usual social lavender eyes. But every time he gazed at the girl across him, her eyes would be downcast and dazed, her mind obviously someplace else. Even Botan's movements were strangely sluggish. This unfamiliar behavior greatly worried Yusuke.
'Too quiet.'
Finally, after five minutes more of stillness, the Urameshi could not take it anymore. He hated silence and tranquility almost as much as he hated any Meiou thug. He slammed his chopsticks down onto the glossy mahogany table. "Botan, what's wrong?" Yusuke directly demanded.
"Huh?" Botan, her own wooden chopsticks at the edge of her mouth, looked up curiously at a disgruntled cousin. She looked surprised and curious by the abrupt inquisition. "What are you talking about, Yuu-chan?"
'Is it too apparent?'
"That's what you have to tell me," the boy groaned, scratching his head in frustration. Now he knew definitely something was wrong: she had used his pet name. "You're really quiet tonight, and I know for a FACT that you don't shut up like this unless it's really something really bad. So, are you going to tell me what's going on? Or do I have to go around town and find out for myself?"
"It's nothing, Yusuke," Botan replied softly, looking down at her half-eaten rice.
'He knows me too well.'
Urameshi was not so easily fooled. "Oh, please, don't give me that crap, Botan."
Silence once more filled the dinning room, and Yusuke thought Botan had begun ignoring him. An itching irritation filled him as the idea flew by; however, when the young man heard quiet sobs muffling through the blue-haired girl, his expression immediately softened. It was confirmed. Something was definitely amiss.
"What happened, Botan?" Yusuke asked more gently, rising out of his seat and kneeling by Botan's side. His russet pools were now full of sympathy and understanding: he was ready to listen to anything now. "You know you can trust me, Botan."
After tentatively chewing on her rosy lip and deciding her options, Botan murmured through anxiety, "I saw Karasu after school three days ago."
Yusuke jumped at the newly revealed information. No wonder she was in such an uneasy state. "Are you all right, Botan? Did he hurt you? Did he touch you? Should I hospitalize him?"
'Should I make him regret everything he's done to you?'
"No, he didn't do anything to me, Yusuke. You don't have to be so worried." A ready sigh of relief passed through Yusuke when he heard her words. The Sarayashiki student's body became entirely laissez-faire. His blood cooled; his adrenaline withered; his anxiety calmed.
"But he's going to our school."
And at those words, Yusuke visibly flinched.
He remembered the first time he had been informed why Botan had moved in with his mother and him; the story sent chills through his memory. Back in Botan's hometown while she had started attending junior high school, Karasu had began his first year in high school; and how he had met Botan was a mystery all on its own, but the result was not. Karasu had immediately "fallen in love", and for quite a few months, Botan and the enigmatic Karasu had dated (and quite seriously). However, the relationship (all according to Botan) came to a halt when boundaries were crossed and truths revealed. And because of that, Botan's parents had made their daughter move to the main city with their cousins. Yusuke had no idea what had happened between his cousin and her former boyfriend three years ago, but Urameshi was quite sure that he would not allow Karasu anywhere near Botan.
"How did that bastard find you here?" Yusuke inquired gently, placing a comforting hand on Botan's shoulder.
"He heard it from some of the kids back at home," Botan muttered, uneasiness spreading throughout her body. "A month ago, Hinageshi sent me a letter as soon as she knew what was going on. She warned me that Karasu had found out where I was and that he would arrive here soon."
"Thank God for Hinageshi," Yusuke sighed, smiling at the memory of his younger cousin. He adored Botan's little sister just as much as he loved Botan. "So, how are you going to deal with this, Botan?"
"I don't know. I don't know, Yusuke," Botan cried into her hands. "I don't want to be afraid of him, but I know better than to give him the benefit of the doubt. I don't want to hide and run away. For once, right now, I want to stay."
"Don't worry, Botan," Yusuke assured warmly. "You have me here, not to mention Kuwabara, Koenma-senpai, and Genkai-senpai. Add to that, Okaa-san has mob connections. And Keiko-chan and Yukina-san would never allow anyone to hurt you. None of us would." He gripped Botan's hand firmly in his own, squeezing it slightly for confirmation.
"You're right," Botan smiled slightly, squeezing Yusuke's hand in return and grinning away all her tears. "With all of my friends and Oba-san's connections, why should I be worried about some ex-boyfriend?"
"Yeah! That's right! Besides, no boy messes with Urameshi Yusuke's cousin unless he's got a hefty offering to give. And I mean HEFTY." Botan and Yusuke giggled and chuckled away the dark shadows in the room and in their hearts. They made the house echo with their cheery laughter, warding away any negative emotions.
However, although they were thoroughly convinced about their happiness, somewhere deep within their minds, Botan and Yusuke knew Karasu was a larger threat than anyone would suspect. The haunting young man could have been the earthly incarnate of the Fallen Angel himself.
And so the destined night arrived where two strangers would meet and find true love, while another pair of lovers fight to survive through war; however, will Fate be kind to any two and have love triumph all?
"Interesting costume, fox," Hiei smirked amusedly as he noticed an enigmatic figure stealthily entering the party. The young black-haired lad, sporting a cloak of darkness over handsome sable attire, motioned to his taller friend beside him in attention. Kuronue waved jovially at their newly arrived companion.
Kurama grinned, slightly touched by Hiei's remark. "Do you honestly think so, Hiei?" To Kurama, it was a wonder how Hiei was able to see Kurama's costume through the shadows of his black cloak (not to mention the dimmed lighting from the party). The redhead was dressed in loose white robes and white slippers; on top of his head, extruding through the top of his hood, were white fox ears; a white tail could be seen hanging along the bottom of the black cloak; and across Kurama's face was a black mask.
"And what exactly are you supposed to be, Kurama?" a darkly masked Kuronue wondered curiously as he glanced at his friend from head to toe.
"A legendary fox-spirit thief," Kurama laughed at his own silliness and the notions that had spurred this idea. "My mother used to read me a story about him for bedtime stories; it was about a famous demon thief that stole both treasure and maiden hearts until his own heart was stolen by a particular maiden of a foreign village. Of course, the maiden scorned him because of his occupation, but soon grew to care for him passed their dying days. Quite a love story, actually."
"You're such a romantic, Kurama. No wonder women fall so readily at your feet," Kuronue laughed, patting his friend on the back. "But nice costume, nevertheless, considering you made it yourself."
"And what are you, if I may ask?" Kurama poked teasingly at his friend, resisting the urge to punch him instead.
Kuronue grinned as he playfully twirled in front of Kurama, allowing his hood to fall from his head. And beneath the hood revealed a semi-tattered large rimmed hat with a rather shiny golden buckle. Kurama continued his observation and noted Kuronue's costume resembled something a gothic scarecrow would wear, with a batty touch of course. The redhead tried to stifle his laughter when he caught sight of Kuronue's charming chimera wings protruding from is back. But one detail that never changed about Kuronue was his scarlet pendant he always either wore around his neck or carried on his person. Oddly, the jewelry only added to the costume.
"Not a clue," was Kurama's response, chuckling at Kuronue's disappointed frown.
The chimera sniffed indignantly and crossed his arms resentfully. "Hmph, fine then. If you aren't smart enough to figure it out then I'm not going to tell you. Feh, and here I thought you were a genius."
"Where are the others?" Kurama questioned, knowing Kuronue would forget his anger soon.
"Well," Kuronue chuckled, following well to his redhead friend's prediction. "Shishi dragged Suzuki out into town to find some girls to hang with, and Chuu has to go baby-sit his nephew, Link." Laughing unsympathetically, Kuronue continued with pleasure, "Ha, and I heard that the brat's parents just bought him a new set of yo-yos. Heh, Chuu is in for one hell of a night."
Hiei, Kuronue, and Kurama together shuddered, remembering their own experience babysitting the troublesome Link and his yo-yos of terror. Never again would they be roped into helping Chuu watch over his demonic nephew, not as long as they maintained breath in their bodies.
Searching around the room, Kurama pondered inquiringly, "And what about Touya and Jin? Where are they? They came with the two of you, did they not?"
"Feh, as soon as he stepped in, Ayame-san took away Touya to be her errand boy," Hiei muttered, jabbing an indifferent thumb towards another section of the home. "And then that bitch came by like lightning and kidnapped Jin away before he could cry out for help."
"And by 'bitch', I am sure you are referring to Maya-san?" Kurama raised a crimson brow. "Really, Hiei, you should be nicer to Maya-san. She isn't as evil as you make her to be."
"Actually, just about when you came in, Hiei and I were about to go and rescue the poor lout before she could do any brainwashing on him: or anything else, for that matter," Kuronue informed, laughing a little. He started for the next room of the house, dragging Hiei along by his cape. "We'll be going along now. Oh, and Kurama, watch out. Once Kitajima is done with Jin, she's more than likely to look for you."
At those words, Kurama wrapped his cloak more closely around him, a foxy smile tracing his lips. "She'll never catch me."
"We can hope." And with that, Kurama's two good friends made their exits.
"All right, you guys. Remember the rules and try not to get into trouble," Botan begged with her sweetest voice as she and her friends arrived at the front gate. The group of six could hear with clarity the party noises coming from the house.
"All right, all right," Yusuke groaned, securing his own mask over his head with his hooded cloak coming next. Because of the situation they were soon to be in, Botan had made Yusuke promise not to go looking for trouble and jus to let the night pass by without incident. Therefore, as a way to unleash his warrior spirit, Yusuke had dressed himself as an ancient Japanese samurai.
The others nodded at the warning as well, fastening their own masks onto their faces.
Keiko, as she was partnered with her rambunctious boyfriend, decided to dress alike as Yusuke (also, she did not have any costume ideas herself). So with the help of her friends, Keiko was elegantly dressed in traditional kimonos a Muromachi era princess would wear.
Yukina and Kazuma were adorably dressed like a prince and a princess from a European fairytale. Upon Kazuma's request, Yukina (with much help from Shizuru) had arranged a lovely pale blue gown that shimmered like glaciers would beneath an Artic sun: a dress that truly was truly fit for a princess. Kazuma was dressed in matching attire that obviously declared himself Yukina's "prince". Just the thought made everyone sigh in hopelessness.
Koenma, a look of anxiety all over his face, was charmingly disguised as a Chinese noble. Finely fitted in silken robes of azure and gold, Daioh Koenma took the word "noble" and beyond. Aristocracy was his mate.
"Does everyone have their partner?"
In response, Yusuke wrapped a protective arm around Keiko while Kazuma tried to scrunch closer to Yukina without her noticing. Koenma shrugged and sighed with indifference. At everyone's actions, Botan gave a thumbs-up and was glad to know her friends were prepared.
"Hey, why aren't you two partnered?" Kazuma questioned when he noticed Koenma and Botan far apart. "Isn't this the reason we have six people in our party?"
"Huh?" Botan blushed at Koenma. The girl was slightly embarrassed anyone would consider her paired with the upperclassman. "Well, I have some business to attend to before I can party properly, and Koenma-senpai here has someone else to meet."
Worried looks crossed Yukina and Keiko's faces. They did not like the idea having Botan wonder around a Meiou student's house alone. Yusuke (more worried than the rest) made no effort to comment, having lost this battle before. "But then--"
"Don't worry, you guys! I'll be fine." Botan laughed as she pushed the group towards the entrance. She did not want to discuss anything more, with a party waiting and all; and of course, Botan did not want to go into detail she had Meiou ties and be considered somehow a traitor. "Well, here we are, and here we go!"
"Ayame-senpai, exactly why am I here?" Touya wondered with a pout, disgruntled that he was missing the biggest party of the year with his friends. Cool icy blue eyes drooped at the prospect of being left out from his comrades, cohorts he had worked hard to earn. The boy could not, however, complain about the company of a beautiful second-year student.
"I need you to do me a favor, Touya-san, and go find a young man in the party with this symbol on his costume," Ayame instructed as she showed her younger friend an unfamiliar family insignia. At one look, the crest looked like a vertical line with three horizontal lines through it, but if one observed carefully, he would have realized it was the Chinese character for "king".
"One of many friends of yours, I presume?" Touya remarked as he studied the mark carefully.
"Yes," Ayame smiled tenderly, a soft expression gracing her face. And the kindly visage fit perfectly for her regal Chinese costume. She stood before the younger Touya like an ancient empress from the glorious days where dynasties and noble families ruled. And without a doubt did many at Meiou believe Ayame to be an empress reincarnate.
Touya grinned happily at Ayame, happy to be at service of a trusted friend. He looked like a winter sprite ready to run off at the sight of spring. "Well, if the lady wishes it done, so it will be. I'll be back later, Ayame-senpai, with your man friend soon enough."
"Thank you very much, Touya-san." Right then, another project clicked in Ayame's memory. "Oh, and please, while you're doing so, Touya-san, could you tell me where Kurama-san is when you return?"
At that question, confusion set in. "Kurama? I didn't know he would be coming tonight. I thought he had thrown away his invitation from Kitajima-senpai."
"Oh, Kurama-san is definitely here. And no worries, Touya-san, I trust you will find him easily enough. His costume will more likely reflect his inner self." Ayame grinned at her own insight; she knew better than anyone else what Kurama would imitate tonight. With a polite nod and the clue in mind, Touya complied and ran off to fulfill his tasks.
Right then at Touya's hasty departure, another voice called out the dark-haired lady through the merry crowds. "Ayame 'nee-chan!"
The bright chipper voice was quite familiar. And when the noble woman turned around, her memory and presumption was confirmed correct. "Botan-chan. I'm so glad that you made it. And what a lovely costume."
"Thank you, Ayame 'nee-chan, for the compliment and the invitation to this is a huge party," Botan exclaimed with glee and a blush. The masked girl twirled with excitement. "I've never seen a party like this in our district."
"Well," Ayame laughed at Botan's amazement, "not many people in Meiou has seen a party like this either. Maya-san is one of the very few in this district who can pull off such a feat. I can imagine the only person in Sarayashiki than can do this is Koenma-san." The older girl never ceased to be amazed by Botan's innocence and naiveté.
"Thank you very much for your help, Ayame 'nee-chan," Botan muttered with a sincere smile. "My friends and I are sure to have a lot of fun here. And it'll be all thanks to you."
"Your very welcome, Botan-chan: you and your friends," Ayame smiled. About then, Touya reentered the room with a secretive grin. Without taking much notice of Botan (an answer to her prayers), the winter prince immediately gave the Chinese empress her report.
"Ayame-senpai, your stranger of a friend just arrived and promises to be with you shortly; and Kurama is in the other room either looking for Jin like the others or just trying to avoid Kitajima-senpai."
"Thank you, Touya-san, you have been most helpful," Ayame grinned. "I'll be sure to repay you for the favor you've done for me tonight."
"Your welcome, Ayame-senpai. And no, thank you, I don't need a repayment for this. But thank you anyway." Touya smiled sheepishly. "Let me go get drinks for you." And with that, the blue-haired boy pranced off into the party.
"Your boyfriend is here?" Botan gasped in surprise, her amethyst eyes growing wide in anticipation. "Oh, will I get to meet him tonight, Ayame 'nee-chan?"
A small chuckle escaped the Meiou girl's lips. "No, not today, Botan-chan. But you do get to meet someone special to me. You get to meet Kurama-san."
"Kurama-san?"
"I'm sure he will like meeting you too," Ayame assured, a devious expression locked in her brilliant azure eyes. The teenage beauty was definitely planning something, unknown to the unsuspecting innocent Botan.
"HE?" A sledgehammer of shock knocked Botan right into silence and bedazzlement.
"Don't worry Botan-chan, he is quite a gentleman, and you will love his company."
'What am I expecting here at this place?' Kurama wondered as he searched the rooms one by one, dodging avid partiers. 'What is it that draws me here? Why did I agree to come to this party?'
From the day he had requested another invitation from Ayame to this very moment where he stood, Kurama had been questioning his sanity and his own solemn promise to avoid Maya and an unwanted memory. What had happened to his resolve to never invite trouble unless he himself welcomed it? Whatever had happened to his sound, wise judgment about probability and rationality?
But then, Ayame's voice blared in front of Kurama's eyes on a note from the days before: "You'll find her, Kurama-san; but you will probably find her in the least likely of places."
'Hm. 'Least likely of places'? Is Ayame-san referring to this party?' Kurama thought curiously. 'She probably is, since she knows of my discomfort. And who in the world was Ayame-san speaking of? Who is this arcane 'Her'?'
And as Kurama was deeply lost in his reverie, he did not see he was about to cross an intersection of rooms, an innocent person standing directly in his path. The result was inescapable; destiny had made it so. Before either knew it, two people were promptly sprawled on the glassy marble floor, other guests indifferently stepping by them.
"Sorry," Kurama hastily apologized as he picked himself and the lady up. He prayed to God desperately it was not a certain lady. "I hope I didn't hurt you."
Kurama's face broke into a pleased grin when he observed the stranger he had ran into. Indeed, she was not Maya but someone entirely different, someone Kurama did not recognize. The lady was not wearing any type of mask; instead, she had a golden crescent moon painted around her left eye and stars sprinkled across her face, three particular white jewels sparkling like bright stars. Her eyes were a light, sparkling amethyst, and her hair was long, waving locks of sky blue styled in two odolongs. Outlining her curves perfectly, the girl's white strapless dress was also decorated with blanche beads. Kurama nearly laughed out loud; the girl was dressed as the Moon Princess from Sailor Moon! Although the mysterious girl's looks were not nearly as attractive as the other females at the party, Kurama could see there was something different about her.
"No, you didn't, thank you," the mysterious beauty laughed nervously as she dusted off her dressy costume. She apparently was shaken over something, if not the accident. "Oh, I'm sorry for being such a clumsy girl; I should have been watching to where I was going. I'm so absent minded sometimes."
"It's quite all right," Kurama chuckled bemusedly, curious why he was instantly charmed by this girl. "I was not looking where I was going either, so I guess we are both at fault."
"I guess we are. Well, I better go." The mystery girl then hastily melted into the celebrating crowd, leaving Kurama to wonder who she was. Sighing and cursing his powerful sense of curiosity, Kurama stealthy followed after the young lady.
While trying to find Ayame's "Kurama", Botan sensed that she was being eagerly stalked. When she turned around, Botan realized the Meiou student she had ran into only a few moments ago was following her. 'Oh, no, I've been found out already!' The disguised girl tried to lose her red- haired follower, but to no avail. She could not shake off the stranger's sharp eyes; the foxy lad was fixated on this girl.
Finally when Botan was tired of being pursued, she turned and walked right up to her "shadow" for an encounter.
'Great job, Botan. You've gotten yourself in trouble already, running into a Meiou student and getting some attention. Argh, if you make everyone leave the party now, they'll hate you for a good week. Ugh, I guess I'll just have to play this out, for everyone's sake.' Botan sighed. Sometimes she hated her willingness to sacrifice herself for others.
"Is there something you want to say to me?" the girl demanded from the boy, crossing her arms sternly over her chest. "Because if there is, please say so right now instead of constantly following me."
By the stunned look on the boy's face, Botan knew she had startled him. Only, she did not know if she had startled him from her sudden outburst or by her blunt words. Botan felt embarrassed she had overreacted in front of this boy.
"I'm sorry," the young man speedily apologized, his voice sounding very sincere. Although Botan could not determine any features on the stranger's face, she was sure he had the loveliest emerald eyes she had ever seen. "I am really sorry if I bothered you, miss. I was just--I just wanted to--Um--I--Oh, this is really embarrassing to say--"
The words just would not come out of Kurama's mouth. For another rare moment in Kurama's life, he felt like a complete idiot. He just stood there, in front of a curious girl wondering what he had to say to her. He did not even know the reason why he had followed her which resulted in this trouble in the first place. Oh, was Fate exceptionally cruel.
'Lady Fate must truly dislike me to cast me constantly in misfortune. Damn it, idiot, say SOMETHING to the girl.'
After a brief pause of utter silence between himself and the new girl, Kurama speedily searched about the room and discovered an empty secluded table. "Would you like to sit down?" Kurama questioned as he waved a hand towards the table, hoping then he would be able to explain himself.
'What if I'm discovered by this Meiou student? Yusuke would be so angry at me because I messed up the plan and made him fight.' Botan cringed at the thought of the fight that would come between her cousin, Kazuma, and Koenma and this new stranger. But currently, she had no choice; this student was obviously going to follow her until she did something about it. "Um, why not?" Botan smiled weakly as she tailed the young man to the resting spot.
Luckily, for both Kurama and Botan, the table was slightly concealed from the party so no one would really notice them in the corner. Botan sighed thankfully for the secrecy, and Kurama grinned for the privacy.
"Were you having a good time here?" Kurama asked off-handedly as he watched the rest of his classmates dance wildly on the dance floor. "Um, that is, before I clumsily ran into you."
Botan shrugged nonchalantly; she could not allow herself to grow close to this person: not even if made her feel something deep inside of her. "No, not really. Parties like these aren't really my style. I'm just here because my friends wanted me to come."
"I guess we have something in common then," Kurama grinned as he returned his attention to the girl. Although he did not understand why, Kurama instantaneously pleased himself when he stared at his companion's face, especially into her cheery periwinkle pools.
"Really?"
"Heh," Kurama chuckled, "I am not much for these parties either. Actually, I would not be here if it were not for my two friends and their frighteningly stubborn personalities. One of them insisted that I go so I would not have been considered some social outcast who hated everyone."
Giggling, Botan asked intriguingly, "Are these parties that important? I'm surprised that something as frivolous as this party determines your social status at Meiou. I mean this party is amazing, yes, but it shouldn't hold a candle to anything that truly matters for a person. That's sort of shallow, if you ask me."
"We all are a little shallow sometimes, yes," Kurama sighed sadly. 'Unfortunately for Kuronue, he's just as much of a shallow person. That boy honestly needs to get another obsession than the party life.'
"Some more than others," Botan laughed, her cautious air now replaced with a relaxed one. 'Like Koenma-senpai on picture days.'
"Yes, some more than others," Kurama repeated with an amused smile; he had noticed that his mystery person had relaxed around him. "I am sorry if I frightened you earlier while I was following you. I did not mean to scare you; I only wanted to get to know you."
"Well, thank you for the apology. For a moment there, I was scared," Botan confessed shyly. "I thought you were trying to corner me."
"Well, I am glad that we have that cleared up," Kurama chuckled with relief. "Now we just have room to be friends and get to know each other." No matter how hard he tried, Kurama could not keep his eyes off of the unknown girl. She somehow had this magical ability to catch his eye, as if Kurama had been meant to see only her.
Noticing the stranger's brilliant verdant eyes watching her intently, Botan blushed in embarrassment. "So," Botan started, wanting to divert some attention, "how do you like Meiou High?"
"Thanks," Jin muttered gratefully with a large breath as Kuronue handed him a cool non-alcoholic beverage. The first year redhead took it gratefully and downed it in one gulp. "I was afraid that I was going to be stuck with that lass for the entire night. Mighty wonder God answered my prayers."
"Oh, we wouldn't torture a friend of ours like that! That would make us monsters," Kuronue laughed manically, patting his younger redhead on the back hardily. There was a mischievous glint in the eyes of Kurama's right-hand man. "Besides, Kurama would be mad at us if we left you in Kitajima's hands without some resistence."
"Feh, and no man deserves to go through a night with her," Hiei grumbled, watching Jin and Kuronue a little ways off. "Not even if he consented to it. The hottest fiery pits in Hell would be better to endure."
At Hiei's words, Jin looked guiltily down at the ground. His blue eyes narrowed in culpability. "But now, I guess the girl is going to going to be looking for Kurama now and bothering him instead. And that'll be my fault."
"Don't think so less of Kurama," Kuronue chuckled, brushing a tricky hand across the brim of his hat. "If Kurama tries, he can be quite the elusive character. If Kitajima plans on spending the rest of the night with Kurama, then she's in for one lonely night."
"Would you like to dance, with me, that is?" Kurama asked nonchalantly as he offered his poised hand to his arcane partner. Although he appeared to be calm and cool, inside, Kurama truly was a young heart in turmoil with clashing emotions.
The lad and lady had been talking for a long while, and they both enjoyed what each other had to say. Kurama was fascinated with the girl's lighthearted ideals and hopes; but behind her optimism, Kurama could sense a certain darkness that seemed similar to his own. As Kurama was interested in her, her mysterious new friend just as equally captivated Botan. He was charmingly polite and respectful (something like Koenma), but unlike anyone else she had known, this stranger possessed a kindness that demanded delicacy and understanding. And now, after who-knows-how-long of conversations, music in the background had caught Kurama's ear and roused his interest to the dance floor.
Botan nodded to her new partner's request. She knew she should not, but Botan was swimming in confusing sensations that would not allow her to disagree. "I would love to, thank you."
The two, tenderly hand in hand, left their secluded table and then joined the other couples on the dance floor as the lights dimmed and the up beat of the music began to slow down. The slow melodic voice of Utada Hikaru filled the room as she sung "First Love."
"Hm. You know, I do not recognize your face from the second year class or the third year class," Kurama pondered as he and his mysterious partner continued to dance and sway slowly to the deliberate romantic song. "And I know you are too young to possibly be in the fourth year class: which only leaves the first year class. But you just seem so young."
"Are you saying I look like a little kid!" Botan demanded angrily, whipping her livid lavender eyes away from her dancing partner. For some odd reason, the sky-haired girl felt offended by the boy's comment, although she knew not why.
Kurama chuckled as he kissed his adorable companion on the cheek, instantly calming her and earning a blush. "No, you are no child, I know that. You just seem happier than most high school students can be; only a young child with no worries in the world could be so carefree. I have no idea how I never noticed you at our school before."
Botan tensed at that statement; her stomach slightly churned with her next words. Lying or avoiding the truth had never suited her. "Ah, like I've said before, I'm actually new to the school; in fact, I'm new to this district. Anyway, I'm only a first year in high school."
"Oh," Kurama grinned, giving the girl another kiss on the cheek and hoping to calm her nerves once more. "Heh, I guess that would really say a lot about you (and I was right about my observation). That would explain why you do not seem familiar to me at all; I would have introduced myself to you a long time ago if you were in my class."
Silently thanking the masquerade and the slow song, Botan suddenly had a new adoration for the dimmed lights hiding her blush once more. Although he could not see the blush, Kurama could sense his partner's nervousness. He smiled adoringly.
"Hey, Hiei, what's wrong?" a longhaired chimera wondered curiously when he noticed Hiei neurotically twitch somewhat.
"Nothing," Hiei snapped back, walking away from Jin and Kuronue. The second-year's eyes flashed a murderous blood red and sent chills down the boys' backs. "Leave me alone, you idiot."
"Touchy," Kuronue sniffed, only to be sent another dangerous death glare. Shinomori hastily bit his tongue and said no more. Only a few people dared to rouse Jaganshi Hiei's hellish fury, and only one person known had escaped without hospitalization: Minamino Kurama.
"What's wrong with Hiei?" Jin wondered with a pout as he nervously watched Hiei stomp away. "Was it something we said?"
Kuronue shrugged, and neither of them gave chase to the shorter one. The two boys knew far better than to tail Hiei and further arouse his anger; besides, the young Shinomori had already ventured into dangerous waters.
'I must be seeing things,' Hiei scowled as he pushed through the crowds. 'But I know I saw her coming towards here to the dance floor.' The young lad took his memory back while he was with his friends, when a flash of sky blue hair had flown by his sight. And Hiei, no matter how many years had passed him, would know whose hair it was.
"You do not have to be nervous about me, you know," Kurama whispered into Botan's ear, giving her yet another peck on the cheek. He could not help but to grin when the blanche clad maiden once again settled passively in his arms. "I would never dream to do anything to hurt you. There is nothing about me for you to be afraid. I will not do anything to you, I promise."
Pinking even more than before, Botan barely stuttered, "I-I-I'm not nervous at all!"
"Then why are you so tense?" Kurama questioned lightly, holding his mysterious dancing partner closer to him. "You are so still and frozen up. It is like you are frightened of me, which I hope you are not because I feel rather differently about you."
"No, I'm not afraid of you at all; I should be frightened, since you're a complete stranger, but I'm not afraid of you. I just never knew I could feel something this close for a strange person I barely know," Botan murmured with a sheepish smile. "I guess I'm nervous because I'm not familiar with feeling such things."
"Please, do not say that," the redhead fox whispered slowly, sadness hinted in his melodic voice. "Just do not even think of it, please. For some odd reason, I feel like I have known you for a long time. You're like a far off memory that has finally returned to me. Do not think I am strange by saying this, but I feel like we have met before."
"How can that be?"
"I really do not care how, all I know is that this is how I feel." And after those words were whispered, Kurama leaned his face down and tenderly kissed Botan on her sweet rosy lips. And Botan presented no sign of rejection.
There was something incredibly sweet about the kiss, although Botan knew it was utterly against everything she and her friends stood for, especially her school. Before she knew it or could resist, Botan was kissing Kurama as well; the sensation was just too wonderful to deny. She could sense his ardor and wants and her own desires as well. He felt her curiosity and timidity and his own uncertainties. The two could feel themselves beginning to lose themselves in their own world they had created together. But Botan quickly pulled away before she was entirely snared into Kurama's overwhelming passion.
"I--We--I mean--We can't do this--I--I don't even know your name."
"Forgive me," the redhead murmured with a little embarrassment; he should not have forced himself so suddenly on a complete stranger. In fact, the whole time he had been with this unknown girl, Kurama had not been himself; never would he have given a woman, besides his mother, so many pecks on the cheek of adoration. Kurama thought for a moment of which name he should give his new mysterious lover; he decided to give her the name with which he had been born. "Well, since you do not know my name, I will tell you. My name is Kurama, Youko Kurama. What is your name, if I may ask?" Kurama questioned as stared into the lovely pools of amethyst.
The masked girl blushed. "Your name is so beautiful, Kurama. Well, my name is--"
And before Botan could finish her answer, a black haired masked man stepped onto the dance floor; he stared straight towards her and Kurama.