A/N: My thoughts and prayers go out to the people on the Gulf affected by the hurricane.
Okay, here we go again. Warning: I only have a vague idea of where this is going (hence the name of the fic), so I apologize in advance for any discrepancies or meandering about. I hope that this story is enjoyable to even those who don't care much for KB. (But I really can't understand why anyone wouldn't. They're so cute together!) Remember to leave me a review! It makes me feel that my writing is worth something.
Reviewer Responses:
Fivercon: Wow, you're my first reviewer EVER! Thanks a bunch. Yeah, those side comments-I can't help it, it's just who I am. You know you wouldn't have it any other way. Hehe. KB ALWAYS!
soulanubious: Thanks for the review. Here it is!
Hanasaki Kaguya: Yeah, Hatsuharu is a pretty awesome character. Right now FB is my second favorite manga/anime. His voice is laid back and cool in English. How is it in Thai? Thanks for the review! Here the next one.
Kitsune of Darkness: Thank you. I'd really like to see how it ends up too! At this point, I'm just happy to churn out chapter two. Hope you like it!
Scarlet Amaranth: Yeah, working at Starbucks really is something. I'm glad you liked it. I love the picture of Hiei drinking hot chocolate too. KB all the way!
KittySand Katie: Thanks for the review. Hatsuharu's voice is like Yusuke's when Yusuke speaks calmly. For the most part, Hatsuharu is pretty mellow, and I thought Justin Cook did a really good job. Some KB in here. Glad you liked the boys going to Sbux. I thought since Japan is a major coffee drinking country…yeah, I liked writing it!
Immi: Thanks so much for your review! Here it is!
yume-chan29:Thank you so much! I'm really honored and flattered! A little more KB stuff in here. I'm slowly working my way up. And yes, the plot didn't advance much-I'm afraid it's still not that far advanced in this chapter. But I promise they're going to do something! Yes! KB always! Love right back at ya! You should write some more KB! Your twoshot was frickin' AWESOME!
A lilmatchgirl: Yeah! Love KB they're so perfect for each other! And yes, now, every time I check a KB C2, the most recent stories were updated 4 days before. There used to be about five updates everyday! I really hope K/B fics don't die out! I'd cry! Anyway, don't mind me. Thanks for your review!
Chapter 2: She's Back and Hair
"Hey guys!" Botan greeted them breathlessly. "I'd never thought this lot, of all people, would be here at Starbucks, indulging themselves!" she pretended to look shocked and shook a playful finger at them. "Don't you have work to do?"
Everyone turned to the newly arrived Botan. Kurama noticed she was a little flushed from the chill of the winter breeze. Of course, only Kurama would notice things like this. Now inside this particular Starbucks, there was a fireplace in the lobby and he was closest to it. Naturally, he offered her his seat and she accepted him gratefully. "Thanks Kurama," she said in a softer voice. A prickling sensation raced through him. "Anytime, Botan." He stood beside her, leaning slightly on her chair.
"What are you going on about, Botan? We just finished one of the missions given to us and we're tired. Give us a break!" Kuwabara turned his attention back to his cold blended beverage.
"This time Kuwabara actually makes sense! I'm totally with him on that." Yusuke returned with Keiko beside him. The other girls weren't too far behind them each holding their respective drinks. Who could resist getting something when Yusuke offers to cover? It was a rare action indeed.
"How nice. Everyone is here." Hiei's tone dripped with sarcasm and irritation. "Why do you always flock together when there's nothing going on? There really is no point." He glared around at everyone and a moment of awkward silence ensued. They reflected on this point that Hiei brought up for ONE MINUTE.
"Wow Hiei. I never really thought about it that way but it's true! Just like the time you guys finished the Dark Tournament." Keiko broke the silence. But she only succeeded in agreeing with the fire demon and managed to inflate his ever-growing ego. He heard her and smirked superiorly.
"Don't gloat Hiei! You were there then just as you are now and you know you are enjoying this time!" Botan argued. His smirk dropped and he was rendered speechless. Nothing came to him to counter Botan and a familiar scowl graced his face as he returned to sipping his hot chocolate.
"Yes. And it looks like you're not leaving anytime soon." Kurama grinned genially. Hiei gave him his look of loathing. In a flash, Kurama and Yusuke were on either sides of Hiei, restraining him from escaping the happy scene.
"Let go of me, you fools!" Hiei struggled uselessly against the two bigger guys. Yusuke gave him one big shove back down onto the chair and held down one arm while Kurama secured the other.
"You're not leaving us now! We just got here! And it's nice that we don't have anything to think about for once. Tsk, tsk, Hiei. One little comment and you're all riled up. Don't you have better self-control?" Yusuke chided him. Yusuke shook his head playfully and ran a head through his coif of hair. Hiei plopped back resignedly. Thankfully, the boys weren't too rough and Hiei, at least, still had what was left of his drink. Again, he resumed the intake of the chocolate goodness.
"Well. Back to me!" Botan chirped merrily, ignoring the others' doubtful looks shooting at her from all directions. (All except Yukina and Kurama of course. Yukina is too nice to notice anything and Kurama too, is nice but…we can only assume that he chooses not to notice Botan's apparent limelight-loving antics for a good reason! Hmmm.) "I come to you not, to dole out more assignments or take someone away, but to grace you with my presence for some FREE TIME!" She was met with silence and she completely understood the quietness (or so she thought)-she took a moment for her statement to sink into everyone's brain.
They're reveling in the fact that they'll be spending quality time with little old me, Botan thought happily as images of being with her friends flashed across her mind. She nodded to herself and then looked around to take in everyone's reaction.
Yukina, Keiko, and Shizuru were having a conversation about hair shampoos and conditioners; Yusuke and Kuwabara were squabbling over a display about the uses of saucers and if they're really necessary for cups; Hiei was now slurping the rest of his drink and concentrated on cleaning off the INSIDE of his lid for any whipped cream he missed.
Botan sighed dejectedly. Did she just imagine the quietness? She half-heartedly listened to Kuwabara arguing that saucers are a necessity and used to steady cups, hold biscottis and other goodies. Then Botan felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and met Kurama's gaze. His expression was a kind one and he gave her a warm smile that made his eyes twinkle. (Not that it doesn't always…there's always something so special about those eyes) "They might not show it, but everyone is glad that you're here with us."
"Thanks Kurama! That means much to me." The dark cloud blew past Botan's thoughts and she was her old self again in not time at all! Eventually, she was amidst the hair product chat. Yusuke and Kuwabara had finished up their quarrel with Yusuke winning. (As soon as he mentioned that only old ladies worry about saucers and uses them to rest their dentures on, Kuwabara squarely accepted defeat.) Hiei had swallowed every drop of his hot chocolate. All the guys sat (well, except Kurama b/c he gave his place to Botan) and stared at each other blankly, waiting for the hair topic to die down.
6 MINUTES LATER
"No, no. I read somewhere that you should change your shampoo every three months or else your hair starts falling out."
"Really? That's weird. But now that I think about it, every time I run a hand through my hair, a lot comes out!" said……..Yusuke! Yes, by now all the boys were, too, in the conversation. Yusuke ran his hand through his hair once more and held up his hand for everyone to see. A few strands were visible. A couple oohs and aahs were scattered about.
"What you need to do is just towel dry your hair. Don't blow dry it." Kuwabara replied knowingly. He patted his curly top. "That's how I have this good bunch up here."
"Sure. Right." Yusuke huffed. "My hair is way more awesome than yours! What do you know anyway?"
"He's right Yusuke. I've read that somewhere too." Keiko flicked her hair over her shoulders. "I can't wait till my hair is long again. You know, I'm really curious, Hiei. How do you get yours to stand up like that?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? I don't do anything with my hair!" Hiei exclaimed. Still, his hand wandered up to his head and he tried patting down his erected locks. It didn't work.
"Well, I think Kurama's hair is the best." Everyone turned to Yukina who had just spoken because it doesn't happen often. "It's unique." Then everyone turned to Kurama.
"Thank you Yukina." Kurama said modestly. He tried to change the focus from his AWESOME tresses but he was unsuccessful. The girls were gathered around him and each was examining some of the longer hair while the guys were tugging at the strands that stick up near Kurama's ears.
"Hey dude! Why are these sticking up?" Yusuke asked, still tugging on them. They continued to defy gravity.
"I don't why they're like that. I surmise that it's just the direction of their growth. Please let go." He said calmly still. (only Kurama…)
"Wow, Kurama! Your hair is so thick and soft, I think your hair is the best too!" Botan squealed. She glided her hand down the length of his hair and though there were several people messing with his hair, it was Botan's tender touch that caused blood to rush to Kurama's cheeks. He quickly tried to check himself.
"Wait. Uh oh. Look at this. I think we found a split end!" Shizuru held up a strand. Everyone else resumed looking at Kurama's hair to find more but there was no more. Kurama had only ONE split end.
"Woman! Let me see that thing." Hiei demanded. Both Kurama and Shizuru had to bend down to show Hiei. In a lightning quick motion, he severed the split end from Kurama and he held it right below his nose. Then he began to split it manually. It gave him some sort of sick pleasure because he then demanded for more.
"Kurama has no more split ends. We looked!"
"Humph." Came the irritated reply from Hiei. Though he eyed Shizuru's and Keiko's hair through narrowed eyes. Then he snickered. Later, he thought.
"Okay guys. We close in a couple minutes so we're giving you a heads-up." The average looking register guy waved.
"Sure! We'll be out of your hair in no time!" Yusuke said. (a little lame for Yusuke-that's what everyone else thought) Keiko and Shizuru shook their heads with pity at him but Yusuke wasn't fazed. He was used to it. "Well, let's get some food-like Ramen Noodles! To Keiko's!"
"Thanks, guys, for coming in! Have a good night!" the barista girl called from the front though it was only 7:00. She stared at their retreating backs until they disappeared in the parking lot. That was a treat. You don't see hot guys like that everyday. Now let me see if I can find some of that gorgeous red hair that they might have dropped…
Endnotes: another one done. Again, I didn't expect it to go this way. Oh well, it's something. I'm sorry if this one wasn't as good as my first. I don't know-my mind comes and goes. But I was inspired because I have a bad habit of picking my hair. Especially at red lights in traffic. I know, it's bad. It's an addiction I tell ya. I'm probably gonna go blind someday. Even though I use loads of conditioner, there's always some split ends or breakage! Sorry to all the GUYS out there! You're probably bored. I promise different stuff next chapter. A little more KB in this one. Hopefully more to come if I get feedback…please review! It's greatly appreciated and it makes me happy.