This chapter is dedicated to Botan and Kurama Lover

Chapter VI: Wicked Girlfriend.

Botan sat in her psychology class, bored to death. The teacher was rambling on and on about the brain. Like she didn't know that already. The first weeks of school have been absolutely boring. All they do was reviewed what they learn in high school. She couldn't wait till they move on to the new things. When they bell finally rang, she was almost dieing of boredom. Botan went to the store and get herself a cup of coffee than went to her locker. She put her book in there. Thank God that that was her last class for the day.

Outside, it was hot. Botan didn't have her car with her. She had to get inspected and checked. She wouldn't get in back till later today. She hoped that one of her friends were home to give her a ride to the car dealer. She was disappointed when she got home. No one was home. They left a note saying where they were and when they might be home. Hiei, Keiko and Yukina had classes. Yusuke had to work. Kurama was out with his girlfriend. None of them were going to be home anytime soon.

"Maybe, I'll just call a cab." She said to herself.

Botan was in the kitchen making herself a sandwich when she heard the door opened. Seconds later, Kurama entered the kitchen.

"Hi, Botan. I didn't expect you to be this early."

"I could say the same for you. I thought you were supposed to be out with Miyuki. And how is she by the way?" she forced herself to ask.

"A pain."

"What do you mean?'

"She's mad at me because I was helping a girl in calculus class."

"Oh!"

Botan was quiet for a few seconds.

"So what are you up to today?" he asked.

"I need to get my car for now. I'm not sure what I'm doing later on."

"Do you need a ride?"

"Sure."

"Then I'll give you one."

"You're sure. I wouldn't want Miyuki to be even madder at you."

"Very funny. Now if you ready we can leave."

Botan finished her lunch and grabbed her bag and left with Kurama. They were both engaged in a heavy conversation. They did not notice Miyuki coming to ward the house. She hid I the bushes and spied on the couple. One could say that she wasn't very pleased.

After dropping Botan off, Kurama drove back to the apartment house. On the way home, he wanted to call Miyuki but decide against it. "She might still be mad at me" he thought. He decided to call Yusuke instead. Hoping that the later might have his phone on.

"Hey, Yusuke. Did you get home yet?"

"Yes, have you seen Botan? I was supposed to give her a ride today."

"I did so don't worry."

"Is she okay? Keiko seems to be worried about her."

"Yes, she seem fine to me."

"So why did you call."

"Next Saturday is Miyuki's birthday. I was planning on having a dinner party for her and I was hoping that you could convince Keiko to help me out."

"Why don't you ask Botan? She's a pretty good cook."

"Yusuke, I have a girlfriend now. You don't have to set me up with Botan anymore."

"I wasn't trying to set you up. Even though, I don't like that girlfriend of yours very much."

"Why not?"

"I can shake the feeling that she's not what she seems."

"What do you mean? She's not what she seems. I don't understand."

"I can't explain it exactly. You know what just forget it. But answer this: are you trying to avoid Botan by getting a girlfriend?"

"What?

"I could have sworn you like Botan.

"I do but just not in the way you are implying."

"Sure, Kurama, but don't get to close of that Miyuki of yours or you'll get hurt"

'

"What's with you people? That's what exactly what Keiko told me."

"Well, look at it this way, Kurama. Your friends care about you and I am sure that Keiko has a good reason for asking you that question."

"Thanks, Yusuke."

"No problem, and don't forget to talk to Botan. She can help you with the cooking. But if you want a romantic environment, Keiko would probably be a great help."

"What kind of cook is she?"

"Well, let just say if you want to know. You'll have to find out.

"Oh! Come on.

"I thought you didn't want help from Botan.

"Well, I just don't know what Miyuki will make out of that move.

"Why would she have to make something out of it?

"Well! I guess you're right. I'll ask Botan tomorrow.

"Okay! See you when you get home."

"Yeah! See you later.

Kurama got home soon after that. He went to his room and made quick use of the shower and got dressed. He was finally ready when the phone rang

"Hello."

"Hi, baby." said a sweet voice.

"Hi, Miyuki. How are doing, sweetheart?"

"I'm okay. I'm sorry I get mad at you today."

"That's okay. So what did you do today?" He asked.

"Nothing really. What about you?"

"I hang out with Botan for a while."

"Botan?"

"Yeah! You remember her?"

There was an awkward silence before Miyuki answered.

"Kurama, is there something between you two that I don't know about?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I am talking about you and Botan."

"Of course not, whatever makes you think there is something going on between us?"

"Maybe the way she looks at you."

"You're just imagining things. Botan and I are strictly friends."

"I saw the way she looks at you, Kurama. There is nothing friendly about it."

"Come on, Miyuki. Don't be silly."

"I know what I saw. And I know she feels more for you than she let know."

"That's ludicrous. "

"Oh! Come now, Kurama. Can you believe that she have feelings for you."

"No, I can't and I don't want to."

"Fine, you don't have to believe me."

"Okay! If it makes you feel better, I'll talk to Botan."

"Okay."

"I'll see you, tomorrow."

He didn't even wait for her to reply before he hangs up the phone. Can she be right? Could it be true that Botan had feelings for him? He lay down on his bed and turned on his stomach and closes his eyes. 'No! That's not possible. Botan doesn't have any feeling for me. Miyuki is only imagining thing.' He promised Miyuki that he'll talk to Botan. 'What am I going to say to her? 'Oh my god! I don't know what am I suppose to do. Why do I have to choose between my girlfriend and my friend'? He was still pondering about that question when he fell asleep.

Botan was arranging her locker when Miyuki stormed up to her. She looks so angry. 'I wondered what Kurama did to her to make her that angry'.

"Oh! Hi, Miyuki what's up?

"You are."

"Excuse me?

She was really surprise that Miyuki was mad at her.

"I'm not sure what you are talking about?"

"You know exactly what I am talking about."

"Is this about yesterday?"

"Yes and some more."

"What do you mean 'some more?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Botan. I know you have feelings for Kurama.

Botan was trying very hard to restrain her anger. Her patience was wearing thin.

"Really? What kinds of feeling are we talking about, here?"

She was glad that her voice remains so calm. She was already in a bad mood this morning . She really didn't have time for this childish game.

"Look Miyuki. I don't have time for this.

"So are you admitting that you have feelings for him?

"Of course, I felt something for him. He's my friend. I care a lot about my friends.

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I meant that you love Kurama. Love him like a woman loves a man."

"Now! That's just plain ridiculous."

"Is it?"

"Yes, it is."

"Fine. Deny it if you want but stay away from him or I'll make your life a living hell. I don't care if you are his friend or not.

She parted with these words and left Botan standing, stung. 'Oh my God! Is my love for him that obvious? How on earth can she tell that I love him? Let's just hope she doesn't say anything to Kurama or I might be in major trouble."

For the rest of the day, Botan avoid all the places she would most likely meet Kurama. She didn't go to the cafeteria. Because he always sit with Keiko and Yusuke and her. Not to mention that Miyuki would be there, too. She didn't think that she has the courage to face him yet. She didn't think she ever be able to face him ever. Her luck didn't stay long when she gets home. Kurama was sitting on the couch.

"Botan, can I talk to you for a second?" he said.

Oh God!

"Hi, Kurama. What's up?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Miyuki."

"You wanted to talk to me about your girlfriend."

"Actually, it's more complicated than that."

"I'm listening."

"Kira told me that you hate her."

She didn't answer him

"I find that very ironic because you told me you like her."

'That was before I know I met her and she took you away from me.' said Botan to herself. 'That was before she found out the secret that you must never know'.

"Does it matter whether I like or not?" she asked.

"Of course, it matters. Miyuki had this silly idea that you love me."

'But I do love you, Kurama more than you know.' she wanted to cry to him.

"Why does it matter?"

"Because you're my friend and I don't want to have to choose between my friend and my girlfriend. It's just not fair."

She was way past angry now. How dare he tell her what is fair.

"Well, let me tell you what's not fair. Your girlfriend told me to stay away from you or she'll make my life a living hell. And God knows I don't need that. I already have enough trouble on my own. I certainly don't have the need for an extra one. And the fact that you just question me, that is not fair.

He was silent for a while. He looks like he was having a dilemma with himself.

"You know what, Kurama. You don't have to believe me. You don't have to choose between our friendship and your relationship with Miyuki."

He was still silent.

"In the last three months that I have known you, your friendship has come to mean a lot to me. I don't want to loose that but I can see that it causing you some problem."

"But our friendship has nothing to do with that."

"No! That's the only reason I can come up with to explain why your girlfriend dislikes me."

"She doesn't dislike you."

"You're right. She abhors me.

He becomes rigid at her comment.

"You know what? maybe I should stay away from the both of you. I certainly don't want to cause any mishaps between you and Miyuki."

"Botan?"

"I don't go where I'm not wanted.

For the next few days, Botan manage to avoid Kurama and his wicked girlfriend. She had to make up lies and excuses for not hanging out with them. She hates lying to Yusuke, Keiko and the others because they had nothing to do with it. She quitted the cheerleading squad and instead enrolled in the school girl magazine. The magazine was called "For Her eyes only" and she was one of the columnists. She spent most of her time working on column and when she was home she locked herself in her room.

Even though, she didn't see Kurama much. She thinks about it a lot, especially at night. When she has nothing to do and her mind is free to wander. Try as she might, she couldn't keep him out of her mind. She was still pondering about him when she heard a knock on her door. Minutes later, Keiko barged in.

"I thought you said you had to study?"

"I do."

Her friend breathes deeply before sitting herself at the end of the bed.

"Okay! Botan quit running. I want to know what's going on."

"What makes you think something is going on?"

"Your staying in your room every day, tell me something is wrong. You're making up excuses for not hanging around with us. Pretending you has other things to do."

"But I do have things to do."

"Every single day?"

She didn't have an answer for her question.

"And you have been avoiding Kurama like the plague."

"That's not true."

"Oh, yeah! Come on Botan. It's not like you to keep secrets from me."

"I am not keeping any secrets from you. It's just I can't tell you what's on my mind right now."

"Does it have anything to do with your fight with Miyuki?"

"He told you that?"

"He didn't tell me."

"But how did you know. I am pretty sure Miyuki didn't tell you herself."

"She didn't either. Kurama told Yusuke and that's how I know. But that's still doesn't explain why you are avoid Kurama."

"His girlfriend told me to stay away from him."

"I know that but why?"

"Because she thinks I am in love with him."

"Well, that's ridiculous."

Keiko must have seen the expression on her face because she asked:

"Are you in love with him?"

"Yes." she responds truthfully.

"What? Botan, how can you do something so stupid?"

Botan couldn't answer her friend because she had burst into tears. Keiko put her arms around her.

"Oh! Sweetie, you know I didn't mean it."

"It's not you. It's me."

"Oh! Botan. What are you going to do?"

"You're the one that told me to ask him out."

"Since do you listen to me?"

"It's not like I made myself fall in love with him."

"I know. But I did this happen so fast."

"I don't know. Since the first time I met him. I fell something for him. Something I couldn't explain. I wanted to be with him. The more time I spent with him, the more my feelings for him grow. I knew that I love him but I was really sure about it until Miyuki forced the issue. And now he hates me."

"He doesn't hate you."

"I hope so."

"So, are you going to tell him?"

"Of course not."

"So how are going to hang with us, if you don't want to run into Kurama. We double date a lot with him and Miyuki."

"Maybe, I should get myself a boyfriend.

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be fair to that person."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're not going out with him because you like but because the one you want is taken."

"So?"

"So it's wrong. What don't you just talk to Kurama?"

"No way, maybe I just stay inside here for the rest of my pathetic life."

"That's stupid."

"You have a better idea."

"No."

Botan stop and think for a minute. There was no way she could avoid Kurama forever. Eventually, she would have to face him. But what would she say to him. In the last few days that she hadn't seen him. She had missed him a lot. She missed talking to him, laughing with him. She missed him a lot.

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