Dear Readers,

I tried to make this chapter as wonderful and fluffy as possible. Tell me how you like it! And just for a notice, my school is starting real soon so I won't have a lot of time to write but if you have ideas for me, I'll incorporate all ideas.

Also, like Botan and Kurama lover predicted, Botan's true secret will be revealed and with that, a more powerful villain than Hari will arise.

Enjoy!

Love,

Wolf Princess Aya

Lasting Memories

The palace gardens were completely silent, the heavy stillness blanketing the air. With a light fog in the air, flower petals and tree leaves bore small droplets of dew, enough to satisfy their thirst. Although many were at the night's festivities, a single couple ran away here to escape it all.

Hinagashi smiled as she scanned her eyes over the vast beauty of nature. Ever since she was a little orphan, she always sought harmony in places like these.

Successfully, she had convinced Hiei to escape the ball's clutches to relax here. Staring at her watery reflection in the pond, she smiled as a small tadpole swam by her. An idea popping into her head, the red-haired maid sat on the pond's edge, gracefully putting both her legs into the cool, blue water, sighing as she felt free with the water's soft touch to her skin.

Glancing curiously at behind her, Hinagashi managed to see her "date", leaning against a tree, his fiery eyes closed, obviously deep in thought. His calm figure relished the silence, unmoving and undisturbed. The young maid couldn't help but notice how wonderful and peaceful he seemed like that.

Thinking about her prince immediately caused a pain in her heart. Turning back to the waters, she found herself wishing that one day, she could finally find love within him. Just maybe...

'No!' she told herself sadly. No matter how much she loved him, they could never be together. He couldn't love her, a maid. He was a prince, a wonderful prince of the upper class. And her... she was just another commoner...

A gentle hand placed on her shoulder shook Hinagashi out of her reveries. It was a firm hold yet still quite comforting. Looking up, she was surprised to find her love standing behind her with a mysterious facial expression.

"Hiei..." she started but he instantly but her off, his cheeks becoming quite flushed.

"I just came here... to... ask you if you wanted to walk with me," he stated as composed as possible. It had taken all of his courage just to ask her.

When she didn't answer, probably from shock, he turned his face, mentally scolding himself for trying to make things romantic. "It's not like you have to answer, woman..."

"I'd love to." Hiei, now the surprised one, quickly returned his gaze to her, relieved to find her smiling. For his entire life, nothing was as calming as making her smile.

As Hinagashi rose to her feet and started to walk, deep inside her heart, she knew that dreams could come true.

Even for someone like her.

'Just tell yourself, Keiko, not to get to comfortable! It's Yusuke you're dancing with, you know, the jerk, the pervert! Don't fall for him!'

Back at the palace ball, Keiko found it hard to keep stiff in the arms of the kingdom's chief advisor, Yusuke Urameshi. No matter how many times she reminded herself of his horrible habits and how men were so cruel, she always found herself mesmerized by his mischievous brown eyes. She just couldn't resist their hold!

'Don't think about it!'

His soft gentle touch on her hands was comforting and different from his usual ways. And plus, he was surprisingly good at dancing! A boyish smile was placed upon his face, his wandering hands completely gone for the night. It suddenly made the brown-haired maid wonder if this person dancing with her was the Yusuke she knew.

He... was so different! It was a side of him she never knew of... a side that almost made her ... happy...

Yet... this was the dream she always wished for... what she truly wanted... A knight to just treat her ever so kindly... to just sweep her away from a miserable life of loneliness...

"Is their something wrong, Keiko?" His voice snapped her mind back into reality as she met his worried gaze with her own. He seemed so kind and understanding... Keiko mentally slapped herself for thinking about that.

'He's just another guy... just another guy to break your heart...' she thought sadly.

"Um... Nothing... Why?" she lied to him, guilt washing over her as a frown lingered on his lips. "Yusuke?"

"Don't you ever wish for something and sometimes you think you can't have it?" he suddenly asked, his eyes becoming distant and almost sorrowful. The question had clearly taken her by surprise but her answer was an obvious "yes".

Seeing how cheerless Keiko was, Yusuke drew her closer to him, holding her lightly yet was unwillingly to let go. The young maid's eyes grew wide, realizing what he was doing but did not try to escape from his grasp. It felt so wonderful being held by him.

This time, she did not regret her thoughts.

For the rest of the night, they stayed together, in each other's arms, neither one speaking, the silence between them inviting.

You see, there was no need for words. Their hearts spoke a language only they could understand.

Yusuke and Keiko weren't the only couple in the palace ballroom that was beginning to open their love.

Chandeliers with dangling crystal reflected the illuminating, heavenly lights that gave luminosity to the room. Golden curtains hung from the top of sparkling windows, red satin tassels found on the edges of Arabian silk rugs.

And in the midst of all the dancers, in the midst of all the guests were two special lovers, each of their feelings locked away deep inside their souls. And for them, this was a night of judgment... a judgment of their emotions... of their love.

The caped, red-mane prince grinned as he spun his date around, never losing the gaze of her innocent candy eyes. For a moment, his engagement didn't matter. The blue-haired maiden in his arms was all the matter. How heavenly this was!

Everyone around them didn't exist. Their troubles were washed away. They were in their own world... their own sanctuary, only for them.

Yet...

The feeling... this feeling inside of him... how perfectly they danced... it was all so familiar! But they had never danced before...

Ignoring his ponderings, Kurama refocused his attention to the girl before him. Although they were friends, they had never been this close to each other. It made him wonder if it was right be this "friendly" at the moment.

'No... this is the way it should be...' a voice inside told him. Hiding his surprise, the young prince was shocked to even think such a thing. Fortunately, he masked his troubles, making sure Botan didn't notice.

Silence hanged over the two, almost unbearable, neither one dare make a sound, afraid it would break the metaphorical ice. Kurama, no longer able to bare the heavy burden of the tension, decided to make small conversation.

"You dance beautifully, Botan-chan," he complimented, making sure his voice was clear of nervousness. Seeing his date blush, the prince was surprised that she wasn't accustomed to such respect.

"Thank you, Kurama-sama..." she murmured, looking anywhere but his dashing emerald eyes.

"Kurama-kun," he immediately corrected her.

"Huh?"

"I would prefer being called Kurama-kun. We are on friendly terms."

"But... wouldn't it be strange for a maid to call her prince such names?" she asked almost heartbroken. Kurama was thoroughly stunned and quite angry. Since when did Botan worry about status? Why did it matter so much to her?

No matter how upset he was, he just couldn't bring himself to snap at her tonight. She seemed like an angel, fragile, mysterious... so... alone...

"I told you before, no one nor nothing can break us apart," he whispered, pulling her figure closer towards him. He didn't know why he did what he did but something told him it was the right thing to do. "We'll always be together... Botan-chan."

He could feel her loosen, her head on his chest, their figures slowly dancing to the dulcet music. Somehow, they found themselves outside, away from it all.

Away from all the things that tried to keep them separated.

It was the perfect romantic place for the couple, flowers smiling around them as a nearby fountain reflected the silvery moon's radiance that night. The air was filled with an aroma like no other, the distant music of the ball far from them.

The trickling of the water was the only thing they could clearly hear with only a few lanterns to light the surroundings. Winking stars danced in the night sky, celebrating their bliss, the shimmering moon full and complete just like their hearts tonight.

Botan smiled against her prince's built, her arms around his neck, his around her slim waist. She never thought this dream could come true, her wish finally granted. How she longed for his love!

Everything was so perfect, she thought. Nothing could keep her away from her Kurama-kun...

Not even Hari.

Remembering all the torment she had to endure, she drew closer to her love. She didn't want to let him go... she wanted this all to stay... Everything was worth it. All the torture, the pain, the heartaches... it was worth it.

Just for Kurama.

Turning her gaze to her prince's face, she was lost in his emerald pools, mesmerized by his soft gaze.

"This isn't a dream, is it?" she whispered to him, her voice distant and dreamy. At first he didn't answer, only a smile upon his expression but then...

Before she could react, Botan found his lips upon her own, locked into a passionate kiss. Taken back, she was surprised at the action but couldn't help but return the kiss. She could taste the sweet flavor of his lips as her mind and worries disappeared.

For that moment, nothing else mattered.

Seconds later, they broke apart, their eyes staring at one another. Still, they were confused about their love. Did it mean anything?

"Kurama-kun..." she started, about to confess her love but glanced at a moving figure behind her love, a shadow that was watching them this entire time. Her eyes widening at the spectator, her candy eyes started to well with crystal tears.

'No...'

Seeing her terrified expression, Kurama began to worry. Placing a hand on her pale cheek, his mind became troubled.

"Botan-chan?"

"I... I can't..." she stuttered, tears streaming down her face, her heart broken and her love forbidden. "I'm so sorry, Kurama-kun..." Managing to find her strength, Botan kissed her prince one last time before running away into the dark.

"Botan!"

She could hear him calling her name over and over, his cries for her to return. She wish she could... she could only wish to be with him again... no... forever.

But she couldn't... It was prohibited for a maid to love a prince! It was forbidden for them to love one another... She couldn't risk his life. She knew who the onlooker was...

What did he want from her? What did she have that was so special?

Clutching her heart, tear after tear fell as the lavender-eyed maid realized the fate that had befallen her.

She knew she could never be with Kurama.

If she loved him, it would come with a price...

A price she couldn't afford to pay.

A man in the shadows smiled as he saw Kurama desperately call out to the fleeing maid. How pathetic that boy was, he thought, smirking at his new information. This was just the blackmail he needed...

Turning into the bushes, the spy ran into a remote and desolated area of the palace grounds, making sure no time was wasted. His pitch black cape billowed in the wind his demonic aura created, his entire body glowing an ominous gold.

Arriving at his destination, he was met with a young girl sitting impatiently on a stone bench, tapping her seat with long nails. Her face was full of annoyance, her blue-lavender hair in a ridiculous style, her overly pink dress absolutely frilly.

The man bowed lowly in respect, almost mocking though yet the girl paid no attention.

"What is the meaning of this meeting?" she nearly screeched. Still, the man remained unmoved. Slowly, he explained what he had saw, making a sure deal with her. When he finished, the woman's thin frown was turned into a wicked grin.

"Perfect..." she hissed.

DaemonAvatar: Um... Ilyas just for your information... I like Millie and it's a good thing Wolfwood doesn't die. See you at school!

Rayame325: It's a bummer that you haven't got a lot of anime! I sympathize with you... Hope you like my story!

H/B always: Thanx for the review! You're such a great support!

Kuramazlilsis: I love being hyper! And girl, you sound like you are! Hope we can talk soon... And for your question, I don't want to spoil the end!

John Cena's Basketball Star: Sorry... This is another cliffy but hope you liked it!

goila-chan-1500: Arigatou de gozaimasu!

Amaruk Wolfheart(): Well I updated! Enjoy!

Cynthia A.: I'm so glad you're enthusiastic about my story. I will follow my dreams. Thanks for the advice.

PassionateAngel: You really missed me? sniff You're so wonderful!

Fairy Youkai: I'm sure that I'm not that good... I know you have writing talent somewhere!

Volpone: I'm so glad you reviewed! I absolutely, positively love your story! I thank you for the praise!

Lady of Roses: I'm glad you decided to review. You're a great fan!

QT102: You and I should really get together! I love the hyperness!

insaneoveranime(): I agree... More people should love K/B. I love the long review!

crescentmoon-cat: blushes at the applause Thank you! That is so sweet!

Botan and Kurama lover: Hey there! I hope school is doing well for you! And you know what. You're the only person who knows what's going to happen. You're just too good at guessing my plot!

I hope you enjoyed all the feedbacks I've given you all on your reviews! Makes me want to cry... of all the reviews and praise you've given me...

Love you all! And for a big notice, since my birthday is on November 11, I'm going to do more chapters by then for my birthday celebration!

But that's in two months... Oh well!

Hope you had a wonderful summer!

Love,

Your Wolf Princess Aya