Wow, your reviews are so nice, they make me blush a bit Thanks for being so supportive of me and my story, I really love you reviewers! Cause I like you people so much, here's another chapter, so enjoy!

Disclaimer : I Do Not Own Yu Yu Hakusho.

Every Rose Has Its Thorns

Chapter Six : I Don't Wanna Be Broken Anymore

Botan's POV

I opened my eyes. They were puffy and sore from weeping, but, it felt good. I swung my legs out of the bed, a feel of renewal upon my shoulders. I felt free. I stretched and yawned widely, making my way to the kitchen.

"Hello Botan-chan. Feeling better?" Yukina happily greeted me, looking rejuvenated as well.

"I'm fine." I glanced around and maintained my cool composure. "Where's Hiei?"

"He was called off for business." She replied without looking at me, still chopping scallions for the miso soup.

"What kind of business?"

"I don't know."

"I see." I smiled toward her and went to prepare for my ferrying job when Yukina's voice stopped me.

"You know Botan-chan, you look very well today." She smiled brilliantly, and I slowly returned the gesture. After finishing up in the bathroom, I slipped on a kimono, took out my oar and boarded it, taking off through the window.

Normal POV

Botan entered the oh-too-familiar office of the demi-god. He was chatting with Ayame and his assistant orge, Jorge, and didn't notice her silently open the door. She coughed to gain their attention.

"May I have the Book of Enma Koenma-sama?" They all stared oddly at the non-cheery Botan. Her mouth, not in the smile she so often had on, was pursed in a thin line. He nodded pointing to the small black book lying on his desk. Botan picked it up without another word and skimmed the pages with her eyes.

"Um.. Botan? Are you feeling alright?" Ayame asked and the two others nodded from behind. Botan mentally smirked and shut the book.

"Fine."

"Are you sure? I mean, we aren't you smiling?" She sheepishly shrugged to them.

"I guess I don't feel like it today..." They exchanged confused glances.

"Maybe you should take another day off Botan..." Koenma waved at her while she tilted her head in question.

"If you say so Koenma-sama." She threw the book back on his desk and before exiting, she turned to them, showing a smile. They all were left speechless, the lingering gesture still warming them even after her departure. Botan flew on her oar toward the high school of the infamous spirit detective. She spotted the chestnut haired girl that she was searching for, happily on her way home. She swooped down beside her.

"Oh, hello Botan-chan!"

"Hello Keiko-chan." Botan spoke calmly with a content look on her face. Keiko, surprised to see her not so over-cheery, asked her if she would like to go out for a drink and Botan joyfully agreed.

"What would you like to drink?"

"Coffee would be perfect." Keiko nodded, ordering one for herself as well. Everyone in the cafe was staring at Botan. It was a rare site to see in mordern times; a blue haired girl adorned in a traditional kimono. Botan ignored their glances, silently adding cream and sugar to her drink. Keiko was quiet also, watching her friend sitting as poised as a porclein doll.

"Is something wrong?" Botan asked, noticing her gaze upon her.

"Nnno! It's really nothing. It's just odd to see you, not so..." Her finger tracing brim of the ceramic cup as she searched for words.

"Over optimistic?" Botan finished for her chuckling when she nodded quickly. Her face saddened a bit in realization. Tentativly, she asked her question. "Is there something wrong with the way I am now?" Keiko shook her head so quickly, Botan feared she might snap her neck.

"No!" Keiko gazed at the rim of her cup and the brown liquid inside. "It's nice to see you like this. I finally feel like your not hiding anything anymore..." Botan was surprised at first when Keiko calmly smiled, then felt a small swirl of ease and happiness. A smile reached her lips and she beamed brightly with her best friend.

"It's nice to be like this."

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Hiei sighed as he continued to rake the leftover fallen leaves. He had made a neat pile in the corner of the yard and put his rake down, feeling satisfied with the condition of the area. He caught a glimpse of russet of the corner of his eye. The fallen leaf caught on fire and was ashes before hitting the ground.

"I thought Yukina told you not to burn the leaves." Hiei smirked, recognizing the voice automatically. He glanced up at the floating ferry girl, comfortably seated on her oar. He noticed her outfit; a black kimono decorated with white water lilies, and grinned wider. He shrugged in response to her comment.

"Yukina's not here right now anyway. I'll tell her you came by. She's out with-" He cringed and dug his nails into the palm of his hand. "-the oaf." He spat out with disgust as if it was poison in his mouth. Botan tried to stifle her giggles, making him huffed at her. "I don't see what's so funny onna."

"It's nothing," She wiped a little tear in her eye. "You were just so cute." Botan said coyly, waiting for a response from the koorime. He turned his face away from her, so she couldn't see if he was blushing or not. She flashed a triumphant smirk."Well I didn't come to see Yukina." He responded with a questioning gaze. "I came to see you." She smiled causing him stare at her even more.

"Hn...?"

"... How about some sweet snow?"

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They sat in the park, each with an ice cream cone in their hand. People stared and wondered why they would be eating the frozen treat when it was nearly the end of fall. They shivered thinking about it's chilliness. Hiei licked his strawberry flavored treat, Botan watched him savor the sugary dessert. She didn't start her own vanilla delicacy until he was half way done with his. She watched him innocently lick his fingers like a child.

"I just want to say thanks." She broke the long silence. "I didn't get a chance this to morning or last night." Hiei's ruby orbs trailed to her.

"Hn. I was just speaking my mind." He bluntly replied.

"Well, whatever it was, it helped. It helped a lot."

"Hn."

"I just want to know what happened this morning."

"... Mukuro's sick." He said maybe a bit too carelessly and watched her frown.

"Is she alright?"

"While I was gone, some bastard shot a poison dart at her. Because she was careless, the poison is taking over her body." Hiei faced upward to the cloudy sky.

"Will she live?" He looked at her eyes, each sparkling with concern.

"Hai. They poison's strong enough to get her sick, but too weak to kill her. But she's vulnerable right now and-"

"You're her heir and you're the only one she trusts." She had pieced it together. He didn't respond, nor did he look back at her. "That's why, they wanted you back."

"... Hai." She bit her bottom lip and did her best to disguse the grief in her tone.

"How long?" Her voice cracked, but he acted as if he didn't notice.

"I don't know." She glanced at her half eaten ice cream melting in her hands. She could feel the sticky substance slip through her fingers to the bottom of the cone. She was surprised she hadn't dropped the blasted thing, but right now, it was the least of her concern.

"I see..." Her bangs shadowed her eyes. "So you're leaving now, ne?" She inquiried, the obvious sorrow weaved into her words.

"Most likely." Botan watched his eyes slowly trace to her's.

"So am I the last one you're saying bye too? Or have-"

"Hai. I told everyone this afternoon."

"Ah..." He stood up.

"You should get going too... It's getting cold." He took two steps before he felt a tug at his cloak. He turned around to see Botan, her eyes staring blankly at his back. He could also see the tears gathering at the bottom of her eyes. She snapped back into reality.

"G-gomen..." She released him. "Y-you should go... Mukuro needs you." She wiped the small water droplets in her eyes secretively. Botan glanced upward and was met by Hiei's calm face. Her eyes swelled to the point where she thought they would explode. She lifted her hand, attempting to gently cup his cheek, but before she made contact with his flesh, she retreated away. She felt the warmth of his body pressing against her's making the fall chill vanish. She could smell the strong scent of sandalwood on him, not overpowering, but enough to keep her there, breathing the intoxicating aroma. He pulled back to face her fully and she gazed at his whimsical smile. A smile that would put Ren's to shame. Botan grinned widely and shut her eyes, hoping the mental image would be engraved in her mind. He moved closer to her, slowing shutting the distance between them. He was so close, she could feel his breath upon her lips. It lingered there for a moment, teasing her a bit, and moved to her forehead. She felt his lips on her cool skin and couldn't help but feel disappointment. A part of her knew that if he had kissed her, it would have been harder for him to leave, and yet... She opened her eyes to see the empty air. She stared at the unoccupied space, the tears finally slipping down her pale cheeks.

"... You're a real jerk you know that." She curled into a ball on the park bench. And, not caring if anyone saw, she cried silently with a faint smile on her face. "But you're my jerk."

(A/N)Well that's it! ORO? (Dodges knife) I was kidding! Geez. You would kill me and I wouldn't be able to finish the story. So be patient and please wait for the epilouge! In the mean time, it wouldn't hurt if you reviewed!