Chapter III: Let the Games Begin...




The following day, Botan was in the park when she ran into Yusuke. She hadn't him seen all day. And to be honest, she was trying to avoid him but now there was nowhere to go. Botan plated a cheerful smile on her face and greeted her "boyfriend."

'Hi, Yusuke.'

'Hey, Botan.'

They stay silent for a while before Botan tell him what was on her mind.

'Hey, Yusuke. What do you planned to tell our friends when they asked us about our "so-called" relationship.'

'We'll tell them what we tell everybody else.'

'You mean lying to them.'

'As much as I don't want to. We don't have a choice. And beside, you know Kuwabara can't keep his mouth shut.'

'Okay Yusuke, I'll play it your way for now.'

'Thanks a lot Botan. I really appreciate you helping me.'

'What are friends for?'

He smiled at her and she smiled back.

'So do you want to do anything?' he asked.

'Sure, what do want to do?'

'I don't know. What do couples do?'

'You're asking me?'

'Sure, why not. You are a girl after all. You should know about these things.'

'Oh! Really?'

'Really.'

'Okay, let see. We can hang out at the mall, go to the movies then get something to eat and later check out a night club.'

'Okay, let's do it.'

'Do what?"

'What you just said.'

'Okay, where shall we start?'

'What don't we have a picnic. I'm starving.'

'Okay, why don't we go home and prepared our picnic.'

'Okay.'

They made their way to her apartment. Botan made them some delicious sandwiches and lemonade to drink. She put some crackers and some other sweets in the picnic basket and added a big picnic blanket.

'Well, I think we have everything for our picnic.' said Yusuke

'Not yet, I need to change first.'

'Why, you look just fine.'

'Really.'

'Yeah.'

She was wearing form-fitting blue jeans and a pink t-shirt with white sneakers. Her hair in its usual style.

'Okay, let's go.'

They returned to the park. They decided to have their picnic under a big oak tree. Yusuke help her with the blanket and the food. They started to eat and talk about what they were supposed to do to make this thing between them convincing to other people.

'Don't you think Kurama would find out the truth?'

'Not if we do it what right. We just have to pretend that we are really in love with each other.'

'And how are we going to do that.'

'I have no clue.'

'Well, you better think of something because Keiko is coming this way.'

'What?'

Botan pointed her finger toward the other girl that was coming toward them. Keiko didn't see them yet even thought she was coming toward them. She was talking to another guy. The guy had brown hair and was pretty tall.

The moment Keiko saw Yusuke with Botan; she shot her a murderous look. Botan didn't even flinch at the other girl's challenge. If she wants Yusuke, she's going to work for it. Suddenly, an idea popped out of her mind. She crawled over to Yusuke and kissed him on the lips.

Yusuke was a little shocked at the first touch of Botan's soft lips against his. He hadn't expected her to kiss him just like that. He knew that she was doing it just to make Keiko jealous but she could have given him a heads-up.

'Kiss me back' he heard Botan whisper.

He gladly complied. He kissed her back without restrain. The kiss stared light but quickly deepened to a more passionate one. He couldn't help the moan that came out of his throat when Botan's tongue touched his. He slipped his hand into her hair and massaged her scalp. She purred at the caress. The kiss would have gone on if they weren't interrupted by a voice behind them.

'Get a room.'

They slowly parted and looked at each other. Yusuke didn't know what was going on. He had actually enjoyed kissing Botan. What came as a surprise was that he wanted to do it again.

'Hello, anybody home.' He heard Keiko said.

Yusuke pulled Botan to him and sat her on his lap before he answer Keiko.

'Hi, Keiko.'

'Hello, Yusuke, Botan. I see you guys are having a good time.'

'We're having a great time.' Botan answered.

'Anyway, I wanted to talk to you, Botan. You know a girl to girl talk. I'm sure Yusuke won't mind if I borrowed you for a minute.'

'As long as you bring her back.' said Yusuke.

Botan and Keiko went to sit to a bench about twenty feet from where Yusuke was sitting.

'What do you think you're doing?' asked Keiko in a menacing voice.

'What are you talking about?'

'You were kissing Yusuke.'

'So, what's your point?'

'He's mine.'

'Oh! Really, it was me that he was kissing a minute ago. And Besides why do you care if we're going out? It's not like you're dating him anymore.'

'So you're not denying that you're seeing him?' asked Keiko.

'No, I'm not denying that we're seeing each other. You dumped him right. You said that you didn't love him anymore, that you love someone else. So, if Yusuke decided to have a girlfriend, that's his choice. You have no right in standing in the way of his happiness.'

'And you think you can make happy, Botan? You can love him like he deserves to be loved?'

'I can make happy. And I can certainly love him more than you ever did.'

With that comment, Botan left. She was furious. How dare Keiko challenge her? She knew that they were only pretended to be dating but that didn't give Keiko any reason to say that she was incapable of loving him. She didn't even know what she was talking about. No one knew how much she loved Yusuke. Not even Yusuke himself. But she couldn't prove Keiko wrong without revealing her feelings. She didn't feel ready for that.

By the time she returned, Yusuke had packed everything they had brought for the picnic. He sensed that she was mad so he didn't say anything. They returned to her apartment in total silent. Botan quickly put the things away the dishes and the picnic blanket. Yusuke, who was sitting in the living room, watched her silently. He knew that she wasn't going to tell him anything or why was she mad. He thought it had something to do with Keiko but he didn't know what it was. What could have possibly happened to make Botan mad? He didn't even know if it was possible for Botan to get mad because she was usually so cheerful and bubbly. Her jovial nature was contagious. She always makes you feel better. So what on earth happened? He pondered the issue for a while but when he came up with no answer, he decided to ask Botan herself. He found her in the kitchen.

'Hey, Botan. Are you okay?'

Botan turned her head when she heard his voice. He sounded worried.

'Yes, I'm fine.'

'You seemed upset since we left the park.'

'Don't worry, Yusuke. I'm fine.'

Before he could reply, there was a knock on the door. Botan went to answer the door. It was Ayame, one of Koenma's ferry girls.

'Hey, Ayame. What are you doing here?' Asked Botan.

The ferry girl handed her a folder instead of answering her question. Botan took the folder from her and flipped it open and skim through it. It looked like Koenma had a new mission for them.

'Koenma-sama wants to see you as soon as possible. He said that he has more information about the case and he wanted to talk to you personally about it. So shall we go now?' asked.

'No, I think I'll go later today.'

'Okay. Well, see you later then.'

Botan closed as soon as Ayame left. She went back to the living room where Yusuke was sitting.

'Who was that?' he asked.

'Ayame. Koenma-sama has a new mission for us.'

'Oh!'

She sat next to him and started reading the file Ayame had brought for them.

"Apparently, there is a new demon in town that is making puppets out of human. There wasn't any picture or information about the identity of this demon. Their mission was to find out more about that demon.

'So what are we going to do?' asked Yusuke.

'I don't know yet. I have to go to Rekai to see Koenma.'

'When are you leaving?'

'Now.'

'Well, see you when you came back.'

Botan left for Rekai as soon as Yusuke went home. She hated seeing him worried but she couldn't tell him why she was upset. While she was flying on her oar, she couldn't help remembering the kiss they had shared in the park. It was so sweet and yet so passionate.

She was so lost in thought that she hadn't realized that she was almost at Rekai. Several minutes later, she made her way to Koenma's office. As usual, the toddler was sitting behind the desk with a pacifier in his mouth. A pile of paper in front of him. He looked really frustrated and about to explode.

'Hello, Koenma-sama.' Said Botan as she entered the office.

'Botan, I've been waiting for you. I presume you got the file I've sent you.'

'Yes, I did.'

'As you know, we don't know who this demon is or what power he possesses. I'm counting on you and Yusuke to get to the bottom of this before Father comes here.'

'Of course, sir.'

'Well, that's all. You better get going. The fastest you and Yusuke are done with the case the better.'

'But won't we need the others' help?'

'Nope, you and Yusuke should be able to handle this by yourselves.'

'Of course, Koenma-sama.'

Botan left Koenma's office immediately. Before she went back to Nigenkai, she decided to stop by her room for a minute. She packed up some clothes and went in her way.

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: Don't forget to review. Please and thank you.