Dear Readers,

I was looking so hard for more and more Kurama and Botan fanfics but they are so hard to find now! People! Support this wonderful couple and write!

Love,

Wolf Princess Aya

Lasting Memories

Botan hummed quietly as she walked through the halls. She was happy to note that the temperature in the castle had risen slightly, thanks to the weather, and was now at comfortable early summer coolness.

"Hey, Botan!" Botan spun around as three other maids ran up to her.

"Oh! Sasame, Ayame, Sayaka! Hi!" she smiled as her new friends came up to her. Sasame, Ayame, Sayaka and Botan were all maids of the queen, and all four had all met in the kitchens during breakfast a while back.

"What's going on?" Botan asked as the three girls giggled madly.

"Koenma and his little brother Masaru are looking for you!" Sasame giggled, as Ayame whapped her gently across the head.

"Shut up! You weren't supposed to tell her that!" she smiled. She turned to face Botan. "He wanted to surprise you," she added, in a matter-of-fact voice.

"He's got-" Sayaka began, smiling through her fingers, but shut up as the two other maids clamped their hands over her mouth. Botan watched all this with a very confused expression. What was going on . . .?

Kurama walked along the halls of the castle, smiling to himself.

He was bored to death. He was going to die. And he didn't want to be found by anyone of royal status, so he stayed in the servant's halls.

But apart from his lack of excitement and hunger, he was in a very pleasant mood. He was the prince; he was trained all his life not to show through his exterior. He was too proud to take off his "mask" or show how bored he was.

He was going to see if he could find Botan and annoy her for the fun of it, when two boys stepped out of a room in front of him. Curious, he snuck into the shadows to stay out of sight.

"Where are we going, big brother?" the little one yawned, his orange hair tied back in a small bow and his little butler outfit dirty as he toddled along after his brother, who was holding a bouquet of daisies.

"To find Botan, Masaru," the older one replied, smoothing his hair.

"To give her your flowers?" Masaru asked innocently, holding onto the other boy's hand.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Are you giving her flowers, Koenma?"

Koenma smiled to himself. "Well, little brother, when you grow up, you'll find yourself attracted to girls. And you want to impress them. So I'm going to give Botan flowers."

"You like her?" Masaru asked, wrinkling his nose. "But girls have cooties!"

The older butler smiled. "Hm." Kurama followed quietly, growling to himself, feeling Youko snarling in his mind

'What the hell? He's trying to impress Botan!' he thought, the anger rising in his chest as he followed them down the hall. 'Well, let's see how he feels after she rejects him! Ha!' (Kurama doesn't usually swear but this is urgent! And it's mostly Youko)

"What's going on, guys?" Botan asked again, as her friends all just stood around giggling. "Come on! Tell me!"

"You'll find out soon!" Ayame smiled.

"Oh! Here they come!" smiled Sayaka, as Koenma and Masaru walked up behind them. Kurama watched silently from a distance.

"Oh! Hi, Koenma!" Botan smiled at the butler. "Oh! And whose this?" she giggled as she bent down to talk to Masaru.

"I'm Masaru!" the little boy announced proudly. "I'm going to be 5 in two months, an' I don't have cooties!" Botan laughed and Masaru grinned back as she stood.

"So what's going on, Koenma?" the maid asked the brown-haired teen who fingered the flowers he was holding. He grinned in embarrassment as he handed her the bouquet. "Well - - - These are for you, Mitsukai. I hope you like them."

Botan smiled a small smile as the other three girls' giggled. "Oh . . . gee, thanks, Koenma," she blushed as she took the flowers gently. "They're . . . lovely." 'Daisies. . . I bet Kurama would have given me roses- gods Botan! Be more grateful!' From his corner, Kurama clenched his hands into fists.

"Say- um- are you doing anything tomorrow?" the older boy asked suddenly as Masaru crawled into Botan's flower-filled arms.

"Umm . . . why?" Botan replied, looking curiously at the blushing butler.

"I was wondering if, maybe, you and I could do something. Go into town, or something."

"Err. . ." Botan began, unsure of what to say. She liked Koenma, and didn't want to hurt his feelings. . . And. . . . He looked so hopeful.

"Sure," Botan smiled at him.

'WHAT!' the prince growled silently to himself, shaking a fist at Koenma.

"Great!" Koenma beamed, taking Masaru from Botan. "I'll meet you here then, all right?"

"Okay," Botan grinned weakly.

"Bye Botan!" Masaru grinned, waving like a maniac as he and his brother left, Koenma practically skipping.

"Wow! He's so in love with you!" Ayame grinned, and Sasame nodded.

"Yeah. . ." Botan replied; a half smile plastered on her face. "Great. . ."

Kurama stomped angrily through the halls later that night.

'WHY THAT NO GOOD BASTARD! THAT STUPID BUTLER! THAT-" he growled to himself as he went, getting curious looks as he passed other servants. The sound of a clattering cart approaching made him turn around.

Riku was walking down the halls, whistling happily to himself as he pushed a silver food cart.

"Damn it." Quickly hiding in a closet, the prince stood perfectly still as the cook passed him by. 'Now where is he going?' Kurama thought curiously as he poked his head out of the closet, watching Riku's retreating out of his closet, he followed the young chef. He seemed to be heading towards- towards BOTAN'S room!

"Gods, you better not be. . ." the prince growled to himself, silently cracking his knuckles as he quietly crept along. Finally, Riku came to a halt outside one of the doors.

And, low and behold, it was the door to Botan's room. FIRST that slave! NOW- of all of them- that DAMN RIKU. Youko couldn't help but be angry.

"Coming!" Botan called cheerfully as Riku knocked on the door. As she opened it, she failed to see Kurama, and instead smiled at the cook. "Riku! Come on in!"

"Thank you, Mitsukai," Riku grinned, slightly red as he wheeled his cart inside and shut the door behind him.

Kurama stood outside in the shadows, growling quietly, hands clenched, listening to every words spoken inside of the room with his demon ears.

"It's so kind of you to bring my dinner up here every night," Botan smiled at the cook, as she rearranged the bouquet that Koenma gave her. She had been using an old torch bracket to keep the flowers in, but Riku had given her a glass to use a few moments before.

"Thanks," Riku beamed as he cleaned up her plate, "I enjoy spending time with you."

Botan grinned back. "Me too." There was a moment of silence where Botan placed the flowers on her bedside table.

"Where did you get those, anyway?" he asked, indicating the daisies.

"My friend Koenma gave them to me." Riku didn't say anything.

Botan glanced over. "Are you okay?"

"Err- yup!" Riku grinned. "Perfect."

"Good," Botan smiled back.

"Well," the cook said briskly, placing her plates on his cart, "I have to get going. We're starting to plan the wedding feast tonight, and I get to help!" He sounded so thrilled and proud of himself, Botan tried not to let her sadness at the wedding get to her.

"That's great."

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow!" Riku smiled and waved as he walked out of the room, and closed the door behind him. He stood there for a moment, silent.

Then. . .

"Kurama, come out. I know you're there."

Kurama grumbled as he silently slid out of his hiding place- the room across from Botan's room. Which just so happened to be Riku's room.

"What do you want?" Kurama sulked as he glared at his old friend, Youko still occupying most of his mind.

"What do YOU want is the question," Riku glared back. "Why were you listening to me and Mitsukai?"

"Don't call her that! Her name is Botan!" he growled, angry that the cook had given her a nick name.

"What? Call her Mitsukai? Are you jealous, fox? Jealous that for once I have the girl YOU want?" Riku smirked as he began to walk down the hall, towards the kitchen.

"WHAT!" Kurama barely kept himself from yelling as he ran after Riku. "I do not WANT Botan! She's just my friend! I- I- I just don't want you to call her anything as stupid as Mitsukai!"

"Oh? But she likes that name. But would you prefer I call her 'ditz,' like you do?"

Kurama turned red with anger and embarrassment. "Get a grip, Riku!" 'Does she really like that nick name . . .?'

"Please! I don't even have to hear you guys talk to know you call her that on a regular basis," the cook smirked.

"Shut. Up," the prince growled.

"What's wrong? Did I spoil your little secret? Are you afraid I'll tell Hari?"

Kurama glared. "For ONE thing, we're friends! For another, I love Hari, NOT Botan, and for a third, IF YOU DON'T SHUT YOUR GOD DAMN MOUTH- - -!"

Riku grinned to himself. "Such language! And what if I don't want to shut my God damn mouth?"

"I'LL TURN YOU TO THE STREETS, THAT'S WHAT!"

The cook frowned. "Gods, fine. Be that way." The two of them walked in stony silence for a few moments, occasionally glaring at one another. Kurama seethed. What was Botan doing, hanging around idiots like Riku and Koenma! Wasn't hanging around with him enough?

. . . Didn't she like him? And why was he so mad about this, anyway?

They reached the kitchens, and Riku turned to face Kurama.

"Fox, I don't care if you ARE the prince," the cook glared. "If you lay one hand on Botan, I'll kill you." And with that, he swept into the kitchen, leaving Kurama about to explode with anger. .Growling, he looked up to the ceiling.

And before he knew what was happening, his feet were leading him up to Botan's room.

There was a loud knocking on her door. Botan made a quiet cry of frustration as she quickly finished pulling on her pajamas.

Who could it be NOW!

"Coming!" Botan cried, trying to sound cheerful, as she straightened her long navy nightgown and headed for the door. Before she could open it, however, it flew open itself.

"Kurama?" she asked quietly, her head cocked to one side as Kurama glared at her. His face seemed a little red.

"You okay?" she asked, noticing him glaring at the flowers.

"Why were you talking with Koenma!" he growled. "And Riku! Why were you talking with them!"

Botan raised an eyebrow. ". . . What!" Kurama turned red again, but this time it looked like it was from embarrassment. "Err-" What had gotten into him, she thought curiously. Was this his demon side yelling at her?

"Why shouldn't I?" the maid pressed on. "They're my friends!" The prince glared at the wall with golden eyes.

"Why? Can't I be your friend AND their friend?" Botan asked, almost exasperated.

"No," he grumbled, "it's not THAT." He crossed the room and sat at the side of Botan's bed, still glaring into space. "But are they ONLY friends?" Botan looked surprised. Did he know about Koenma asking her out . . .?

"Yeah. . ." she replied, sitting next to him.

". . . You don't hate me, do you?" he asked suddenly. "Is that why you're their friends? You hate me?"

"NO!" Botan cried, laughing. The prince looked at her in shocked surprise, trying to hide it behind his mask.

"Kurama, you can have more then one good friend!" Botan smiled. "It's not against the law!" Kurama muttered something under his breath that sounded like 'it should be,' but Botan ignored it.

". . . Will I see you in the morning?" the prince whispered, looking away wistfully.

"Of course. . ." Botan whispered back. Kurama smiled a small smile, returning to his normal, polite Kurama self. Silently, he got up and headed towards the door.

"You know what?" he said as he reached the door, his hand on the door knob.

"What's that?" Botan smiled at him, leaning back on her bed.

"You're not really such a ditz."

Botan rolled her eyes. "I'm glad you've changed your mind." He chuckled, turned the door knob, and was just about to head out the door when- "Oh! One more thing." He smiled as she looked curiously at him."Sweet dreams, Mitsukai." And he shut the door without a sound. Botan stared at the closed door for a few moments. So he had heard Koenma and Riku.

He even knew their little "nick name" for her now.

'Well,' she thought, smiling, as she lay back down on her bed, "it sounds better when Kurama says it, anyway.' And she fell asleep that night, knowing that she was Kurama's angel.

Awwwww... Love is blooming'! Please review or I will not write (or I'll write anyways)! Ja for now!

Aya-chan