Thanks for the reviews! =^~^= If you're interested in seeing your name, review! If you've reviewed the last chapter, proceed to the bottom. If you want to see your name up next chapter, then you're going to have to review this chapter!
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Youko lifted his head from beneath the covers. He gazed at the ceiling until the half-asleep feeling left him. He yawned and threw the covers back. "Botan?" he called out.
"Hmm?" The azure head appeared from behind the bathroom door. "What is it?"
"Nothing…I was just wondering where you were." He flashed her a smile. In truth, he had only wanted to know where Botan was to see if it had only been a dream or an event that had truly happened.
He smirked, his mind going back to the night before. Her fingers had wrap themselves into his hair…tugging lightly with each sensual touch of his lips against her skin…and the soft moans that had accompanied them.
'What woman hasn't been able to resist me?' he thought proudly. As this thought registered more fully, he frowned. This wasn't as wonderful as he had thought it would be. Instead of the bliss he expected, he felt slight disappointment. True, the night's actions had been done with love rather than an animalistic need. Even so, he had enjoyed the challenge of having to actually work at getting Botan's attention. Now that the deed had been done…he almost missed the fight for her attention and love.
He sat up and pulled his robe on. The disappointment quickly ebbed away as he looked up at Botan, admiring her beauty in the form-fitting clothes she wore. 'My deity…' he thought with a smile.
"What would you like to do today? No school, it's Saturday." the deity replied.
"What is there to do?"
"We can take a walk I guess."
Youko frowned. "A walk? Why would you want to take a walk? Human weather is far too simple."
"Maybe to you, but I bet you've never seen what it's like on the surface world after the snow has melted." She blushed. "I never have either so…well…if you want to come with me, I'm going to see how it looks."
"I'll go with you. There's nothing else to do in this house…as long as it's not a school function to which we are attending."
"Nah, it's just a walk."
She went to the door and took her shoes out from the shoe shelf. She slipped on her shoes. She opened the door.
"Oh…Good morning. Is this the resident of a Miss Botan…uh…sorry, I can't read my boss's handwriting," the police officer said, scratching his head. He looked at Botan. "So, are you Botan?"
Botan frowned. "Yes, that's me."
"Alright, might I come in? I have a few questions to ask you."
"Uh…I'm kind of busy. I have to be somewhere."
"I'm sure you're a very busy teen, but right now this is more important."
She glanced back, making sure Youko wasn't in plain sight. "O-okay."
The officer sat down on the couch. He held up a small black notebook and flipped through several sheets of paper. "Botan, I am Officer Ioda. From the facts I have been given, you have been dating a boy by the name Matsuo, correct?"
"I broke up with him about a week ago."
Ioda raised an eyebrow. "A week ago, you say? Have you heard from anyone that he has been killed in his very own house Thursday night?"
"Thursday? I wouldn't know. It was only a half day so that the soccer team could get to their game and not miss school."
"You were the last person outside of the family to be with him."
"I went to the dance with him. I stayed at his house for a few moments, and then I left."
"Then maybe you know someone with a reason to want to kill Matsuo?"
"I would kill him if Youko hadn't done it…" the deity thought to herself bitterly, her mind filling once again with the memories of what Matsuo had done. "No," she lied to the officer.
Ioda took out a small, clear plastic bag. Written on the bag was Evidence #1: nonhuman hair. Inside the bag was a strand of silver hair. The silver hue seemed to glow faintly in the light from the window. "Maybe you would know of some kind of animal that would be able to kill him while he was in the shower?"
Botan stood up angrily. "Do you think I would kill him?"
"Everyone is a suspect until the forensics can find everything out or if someone confesses, ma'am."
"I didn't do it!"
Officer Ioda stood up, his hand on the butt of his gun. "Ma'am, I still need to take you into the station to take a lie-detector test."
"I didn't kill him. I don't want to go through all this when I had nothing to do with it."
Youko's ears pricked at the sound of Botan's voice. It was becoming shrill with frustration. He moved from his hiding place and entered the room. "Is someone bothering you, Botan?" he asked in a low voice.
"What?" Amethyst eyes cut across the room. "He…it's nothing I can't handle. I'll just go down and take the test to show you I didn't do it," she said more to the officer than Youko.
Officer Ioda smiled. "Thank you for your cooperation." He glanced back at Youko. For a moment he said nothing. Then it dawned on him. The kitsune ears…the silver mane… "Wait a minute…what the hell are you?!" he sputtered.
The golden eyes flashed. His mouth opened to reply.
Botan stared at him. "Youko, look, I'm just going to go down there and get this over with."
Ioda gaped at Botan. "You know this person? He…he isn't human!" He turned back to Youko. With a trembling hand, he raised his gun at the fox demon. "You were the one who killed the boy! I don't know what you are…but you're going down!"
"You can't shoot anyone in my house!" Botan said.
"Ma'am, if the murderer is within the house than it is my duty to kill the sick bastard here and now."
Youko scowled. In a flash, his Death Plant was out. The vines had already crushed the gun into shrapnel. "Leave peacefully and I will not hunt you down. Speak nothing of this."
Officer Ioda swallowed and nodded. He turned and ran for his life.
Botan smiled at Youko and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You didn't kill him! I was worried about you loosing your temper!"
Youko toyed with her ponytail. He pushed the blood lust away from his mind. He wanted to kill the officer…but he knew Botan would disapprove. "How about that walk now?" he said softly.
The breeze was light with only a faint hint of the chill that had been in the air several nights before. It lifted the crimson bangs from Suichi's face. He sniffed at the fresh air. His lip curled at the human scents in the air. He threw an incredulous look at the deity beside him. The look on her face was sheer bliss. "You find this…refreshing?" he asked.
"Yes. I've never had a chance to just enjoy the outside world."
"You never told me how you were a slave to begin with."
Botan glanced at her watch, checking the time. She held her skirt taught as she sat down so that it wouldn't wrinkle. She smoothed it out over her knees. "I don't really remember. All I know is what Touya, Risho and the rest have told me."
Suichi sat down, assuming a comfortable position against the trunk of the tree.
"From what Touya told me…it was your fault for me being stuck in the yakuza."
"My fault?" Suichi repeated idly.
"Don't you remember what the Hell Rains were?"
"I know what they are! It's from the surface world invading Makai. We fought back, but somehow our demon energy fighting against human Reiki caused the crater to fill with fire. That fire destroyed most of the Makai forests. Only the wastelands were safe. That's where my turf is."
"I know. Before the Hell Rains, one of those humans had a child—me."
~*~FLASHBACK~*~
Even through the dark of the night, she was still able to see her path. The clashing Reiki of the humans and demons were more than enough light.
"I can't go any further," she murmured, gasping for breath.
Her husband beside her took her comfortingly into his arms. "I know, my love, but we need to find the entrance back to the surface world. We need to get away from this madness so that Botan can have a normal life. I don't want her to be a Spirit Detective like we are. She won't get to live a normal life."
"I know…but I don't think I can make it…"
"You have to make it!"
"Forgive me, but as Spirit Detectives, your lifespan is already far too short."
The couple spun to face the hauntingly good-looking fox demon. His silver hair fluttered malevolently behind him, almost highlighting the fact that his heart was only filled with blood lust.
"Youko Kurama!" the male spat. He positioned himself in front of his wife and his young daughter.
Youko smiled. The smile was pure venom. He spoke with a low, velvety purr. "Yes, that is my name. If you know my name then perhaps you would know of my…er…tendency to accidentally kill Spirit Detectives when I am having fun."
"Sadistic bastard!"
The smile grew larger. His Rose Whip was in his hand. "Kindly move out of the way. I wish to kill the weak first." His amber eyes were focused on the woman and the child held tightly in her arms.
"No! You can only get them over my dead body!" the male screamed desperately.
Youko raised an eyebrow. "Is that all?" He laughed. The rose whip cracked once in the air. The male fell to the ground—dead. He turned his weapon on the woman. "I was far too generous, but as you know, I value courage. I killed him without having him suffer. How would you like to die?"
The woman fell at his feet. "Please, I don't care what you do to me! Don't kill my child! That's all I ask!" She knelt, shivering with fear for her daughter.
Youko scowled. "What use would I have for a human child? If she grows to be a Spirit Detective, then I'll only have to kill her later. You're only prolonging her death…"
The woman sobbed. "No…not my Botan…my only child…"
The whip cracked again. The woman fell to her side beside her husband. A small trickle of blood fell from the corner of her lips. Youko lifted the bundle and sniffed it.
'Strange…it smells of peonies…' He separated several folds of silk and peered at its face. He was astonished to find the human child was unafraid of him. His heart softened at the innocence of the child. The emotion quickly faded.
"Dangerous…" he muttered, his features tightened. He moved to throw Botan into the air and kill her.
A blast of chilling air hit him.
"You can't go against a human's dying request," a cool voice said from behind the fox demon.
"I am Youko. I can do as I wish." Youko spun to face Touya.
"If you go against a Spirit Detective's dying wish, then you are only placing yourself in the lowest sublevel of demon there is. You know this." His ice-blue eyes flashed. He held his hand out. "Give me the child. I will provide for her."
"You?" Youko laughed. "You are barely surviving in the yakuza with Risho."
"Shards of Winter!" Shards of ice slashed Youko's face. Touya scowled. "Give me the child."
Youko returned the scowl and ran a hand across the livid cuts on his face, wiping away the blood that welled in the cuts. "Here. Have the brat! Don't think that I am doing this because I am unable to defeat you. You are a worthy opponent…that is the true reason."
Touya nodded once. His heart pounded against his ribcage. He knew that Youko was capable of ripping his flesh into shreds, even if he was fighting his hardest. He was glad that his skills were able to leave any scratch on the kitsune! He held the bundle in one hand.
As he left, he whispered into the bundle. "When you get older, you will aid me in Youko's defeat."
The baby cooed in response and fell asleep despite the bright flashing of the Reiki in the air.
~*~END FLASHBACK~*~
"So you see, Youko, I have a purpose to fulfill." Botan smiled impishly. She buried her fingers in the livid scarlet hair, holding him in place. She held a dagger up to his neck. She kissed him tenderly. Her amethyst eyes flashed with light only Youko could be familiar with. "It's nothing against you…just understand that I have to do this to ensure my keep in the yakuza."
Youko was too stunned to do anything. He could easily strike back…but Botan, the love of his life, his deity… wasn't the chaste girl he had thought he had found. She was quite the opposite.
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Here's the people who reviewed last chapter in their respective orders! This week's acknowledgement goody is cookies!
~~crazy nixie: I appreciate your compliments! How does it feel to back on the computer reading drivel like this? You are the first to review! Cookies for you!
~~Moonlite Goddess: It was Touya. I thought I had it clear that it was…maybe I didn't do so well on saying it. I thought the sudden cold was a good hint. Thanks for your review! Have a cookie!
~~KuramaandHiei4ever: Yep, it was Touya! You'll just have to wait to see if Botan's evil or neutral or good or what. Thanks for your hyper review. ^.^' Cookie anyone?
~~Dark Raxiel: How do you get the upside down question mark? N-e way, you'll have to wait to see what the plans are! Don't want to give too much away, now do I? ^.~ * wink * Here's a cookie.
~~DarkShadowWriter: No, thank you! I'm sure Lost would have a heart attack because in a chapter or so, Touya will emerge to be a more important character! Imagine all the Touya-ness to be had! Thanks for your review! Have a cookie.
~~Botan and Kurama lover: I know it seems like it's not playing out too good, but I can almost promise a happy ending. It's just that the reviewers won't know how the happy ending will occur. Here's a cookie though!
~~Eun-Jung: I know what it's like to want to be the first reviewer! Here's your cookie…didn't I give you one? Ah well! Yep, their emotions are laid out…but as the foreshadowing hinted at…what's really planned in the future? MWAHAHAHA!
~~Tesina Gela Gardner: Don't worry! I'll try to update as soon as I have time! Here's a cookie while you wait for more!
~~maria: I'll update as soon as I can! Thanks for the complements and reviews. Here's a cookie!
~~Anonymous: Well, you're close…really close! But I won't give you any info! It's a secret! I'm glad you find it to be a cool plot! My thing was to not make it a completely mushy fic…but I wanted to mix in some evil, twists and other fun things! Thanks for the review! And Enjoy the cookie!
~~Xen003: Thanks for the complements! * blush * You're fics are really good! You should update more! ^.^ Here's a cookie for your review!
~~miyako14: I'm not sure if foreshadowy is a word, but it is interesting. You're not stupid! And I'm not going to ignore you either! Thanx for taking time out to review and have a cookie!
~~Tyedye/Rin: Yay! UR not going to kill me! Well, I'm sorry, but Botan has to betray Youko. It's part of the plot twist, but I do promise a happy ending…I think. Have a cookie!
~~chocogurl: The Touya thing has been sort of hinted at in this chapter. Pretty soon you'll see more of Touya! Do you like Touya as much as chocolate cookies? Speaking of which… * hands u a cookie * Enjoy!
~~LiLgUrL: Thanx! I'm glad you find both to be a masterpiece, but if you read JDfielding, Volpone or frith, theirs is a lot better than mine! Thanks for your review! Here's a cookie to munch on!
~~Mourning Fox: You can't be too boring…I mean if you find this fic to be interesting then you enjoy cruel and unusual plot twists! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Have another cookie! And milk too if you want some!
~~orange09: Thanks for the complements! Now to answer the question. Yes, the girls are jealous of Botan because she's pretty. I've hinted at the boys at the school thinking Botan to be pretty. Since nearly all the guys think she's hot, naturally that'll cause the preps at the school to be jealous. I hope that explains everything. Here's a cookie for your review.
~~ Lifeless-Kanna: I updated! Thanks for your review and have a cookie.
~~Volpone: I loved your new fic Foxgloves and I'm proud to be an inspiration for it! * sniff * It's really nice of you! UR making me blush! * blush * See? Thanx for your compliments and review. Have a cookie!
~~Nakushita: I know Botan is OOC, it was intentional. It makes the plot more interesting and gives it more of an edge…I hope. I really don't know how to make Touya in character or OOC since we didn't see much of him. I just wanted to stick all of team Masho into a yakuza…dunno why. I was too lazy to come up with characters and it would be easier for the readers to follow along. Thanks, though! I know I need to come up with chapter titles, but I have no imagination…but thanks for taking time to review! Have your cookie!
~~PassionateAngel: The phase was taken a little further in this chapter. I left it at another cliff hanger…DON'T KILL ME! J/k! Glad you enjoyed! Here's a cookie for your review!
~~kawaii Rikku-chan: No prob. I'll read your fanfic! KuramaxBotan is a good couple. Personally, I don't care about what the coupling is as long as it isn't too stupid (like a KuwabaraxHiei coupling I saw once * shudder *). Well, any coupling is okay as long as the fic is well written. Yaoi is ok as long as the writer can make the story line strong. Thanks for your review! Here's another cookie! EAT MORE COOKIES!
That was 22 reviews! I've never got that much for one chapter! Thank you people! Please keep it up!
Like I said, thanks for reviewing and your name will be up again next time if you review this time!