Okay folks, I know this one has been a while. I've had drama to the 10th power going on all over the place so I haven't had time to get on and write anything. Didn't really have time to write this one, but I rushed another chapter out anyway. If it isn't all that good, like I said, RUSHED, so you know why. Please be gentle with the reviews lol, and I hope it won't take as long to get the next chappie out.

"Well?" Botan asked.

"We were just chatting. What would make you think that we would be discussing you girls?"

"Well, Touya, you're no fun!" Botan chirped as she headed back to the flowers. "Kurama, I just love these! They're the most beautiful roses I've ever seen!"

"A rare breed from the Demon World. In my haste to get the job done, I mistook the seed for another variety."

"The Demon World? Well I guess that explains why I've never seen them before."

"So, how did things go?" Touya asked Jin, who had now wandered his direction.

"Be tryin' harder next go 'round," he replied, watching Kurama and Botan, who were still engaged in their conversation about the beauty of those roses.

"I'll take that to mean 'not so good.'"

"Quick as a whip, ye are."

"You don't have to take it out on me. I practically gift-wrapped her for you."

"Jus' not in me best spirits. So what about you and the ice-lassie?"

"Well, let's just say you're not the only one having difficulties."

"Been a while since we both went strikin' out in the same day... How long has it been?"

"I don't think we ever have..."

"Oh well, we ain't getting any closer to 'em standin' around here gabbin', now are we?"

Touya recognized Jin's "no guts, no glory" grin as he started to walk forward. This was sure to be a good show, as long as Jin didn't drag him into it. He already had the feeling that Jin was planning to do just that.

"Looks good, Kurama."

"Thank you, Jin."

"Flowers, weddin's, and then there's all the crushes goin' on 'round here. Everybody's been bit by the love bug here lately..." Jin shot a glance at Botan through the corner of his eye.

Kurama was pulled into conversation with Yukina, who was unfamiliar with all of these flowers, and apparently, very curious about what breeds were what, and if Kurama thought she could raise some of them herself outside the temple. Touya had joined them as well, leaving Jin and Botan off in their own little world.

The word "crush" always had a way of grabbing Botan's attention. Gossip? Gossip she hadn't heard? That just couldn't be! She had to hear this!

"Crushes?" she asked.

"Yup."

"Welllll?" She began to tap her foot impatiently.

"Aw c'mon. Don't tell me ye haven't noticed!"

Botan placed a finger to her lips as she thought hard, trying to figure out what Jin was talking about. Just then, a bit of laughter caught her attention. Touya and Yukina were laughing about something Kurama had said... Wait a minute! Weren't they standing a little too close together?

"Touya? And Yukina?"

"Bingo, lassie! Ye figgered one of 'em out," Jin laughed.

"One of them? So there's another big secret around here?" Botan started to frown. How had she missed so much dirt?

"I reckon there's a fella who's takin' a likin' to a certain lassie that hails from Spirit World, too."

After a second of thinking, Botan's hungover brain caught what Jin was saying.

"Someone has a crush.. on... me?"

"Righto."

"Then why hasn't anyone said anything?" Botan managed, still slightly in shock.

"Shy one he is, when it comes to dealins with the ladies."

"Oh? Like who?"

Kurama looked at his watch. Kayko should be arriving to see her flowers any time now. He figured he should remove the demon world flowers he'd placed there by mistake.

"Well, who has a crush on me? Is it someone I know? Or a secret admirer?" she giggled.

"Ye know the fella."

"Is he here at the compound today?" Botan tried to fight back her curiosity, though it was killing her.

"He's here alright. Pretty close to ye right now, he is."

"Oh?"

Jin could tell Botan was completely hooked. She HAD to know. No turning back now. Might as well lay it out there.

"He's a tall fella, with long, red hair..."

Botan's eyes widened, was he talking about...?

"Here Botan, I thought you might like these," Kurama said, handing Botan the Demon World roses that she'd been so fond of. He couldn't use them in the wedding, and it seemed like a shame to let such beauty go without some appreciation.

A bolt of lightning shot in Botan's head. Tall? Long, red hair? She wasn't an expert at romance, but this guy fit the description, and he was giving her roses. Besides, if Jin had been the one with the crush, he would've just came out and said so, right?

Ideas were forming in Botan's brain. Touya likes Yukina... Kurama likes her... DOUBLE DATE! It was perfect! Why hadn't she thought of it sooner? Oh Yeah! Because she had just found out that Kurama liked her a few minutes ago.

Botan walked over to where Yukina and Touya were standing.

"You know, you two would make the cutest couple!"

"Couple?" they said in unison, Yukina sounding a little more surprised than Touya. ' I take that to mean Jin's been working overtime today...'

"Well you two just look so adorable together. Why don't we all go out?"

"Go out?" Yukina looked very confused.

"Oh, you know! A date!"

"But I've never been on a date before. I don't think-"

"Yukina! You've never been on a date? Even more reason to go! You don't know what you're missing!"

"But I've nev-"

"Oh, don't worry about a thing! It's going to be fun!" Botan interrupted again. "And besides, you won't be going alone, I'll be going with you. A double-date! It'll be like a big group of friends just having fun together!" she smiled.

'Score one for Jin, not only did he set up the dates, he got Botan to save us both some work on asking. Maybe he's better at this than he used to be...'

"Um, Botan, this 'double date,' does that mean you're going to have a date also?" Yukina asked innocently. This girl really had been sheltered, Touya was thinking. Botan blushed, but hesitated on answering. Touya decided to help her along...

"Yes, that is the point of a double date. Two couples, both going on their dates together. So who will you be accompanied by, Botan?" 'As if I don't know...'

'Jin' "Kurama."

"What?" the three boys said, looks of complete shock covering all their faces. Jin, who had been floating, cross-legged, fell flat on his behind when he heard this announcement.

"Oh you don't mind do you, Kurama? Wouldn't want to send Yukina on her very first date all alone now would we?" Botan asked the fox, displaying her most innocent face.

"Well... no. But-"

"Good! It's settled then! Pick us up at 8 boys, we'll leave the arrangements up to you. A girl loves a good surprise!" Botan chirped as she grabbed Yukina by the shoulders, and started leading her back to the temple.

"Where are we going?"

"OH, we have so much to do! We have to fix our hair, and do our nails, and find something to wear! That's the hardest part. We'll be trying on clothes for hours to find just the right outfit."

"This sounds like a lot of hard work..." Yukina had no idea that this "dating" business required so much effort. As Botan explained the importance of the "right outfit", the boys looked on, still not quite sure what had just happened.

"Did you tell her to ask me on a date?" Kurama questioned Touya.

"No. I'm not sure if she asked you anyway. Come to think of it, did I ask Yukina on a date?"

"No, I don't think... Was there any asking at all?"

"Not that I recall..."

"Well, what should we do?" the poor, bewildered, fox inquired.

"What else can we do? Be ready at 8."

"I suppose. We'll meet at the top of the steps leading to the temple at 7:45. I guess we can decide what to do then."

"Deal."

Upon receiving Touya's approval of this plan, the fox turned to walk toward the temple. He guessed that he would just have to leave word with Genkai that Kayko's flowers were ready, and to pick the ones she liked and leave them with her. It was a long trip back to the Minamino house, and he had to get ready for his date and be back in time to figure out exactly what kind of date it was going to be. He had to get going if he wanted to be on time. Women got testy if you showed up late, although he was still wondering exactly how he got roped into this date to begin with...

Touya had walked over to Jin, who was sitting on the ground muttering, or stuttering, something. Touya caught the words "How? What the? But he? But I?"

"I thought you were going to ask her out, not set her up with Kurama." Touya looked at his visibly disturbed friend, who began to shake off the shock.

" That's what I thought I did!" Jin pulled himself off the ground and began to rub his aching hind parts.

"Friend, I don't know what you're doing, but evidently, you're doing it wrong."

Jin started mumbling to himself again, ears drooping. "How did this happen? I was that close! Hey! Where are you going?" Jin called to Touya, who had begun to walk back toward the temple.

"I've got to get cleaned up for my date," he yelled back.

And then, there was one.

Jin was left trying to comprehend just what had gone wrong, all by himself. He was also thinking of a way to get back at his "friend" for leaving him like this.

How was he going to fix this mess?

Whatcha think? Remember, I admit this one isn't the best it could've been so pleeeease take it easy on me. The more reviews, the faster I'll squeeze out time for another chappie. ;-)