Sorry this has been taking so long. Anyway, before anyone gets offended, all the pop comments are only jokes, don't take it too harsh. I have every one of these songs on my MusicMatch and in my CD case so you know I don't mean it. LOL

One more thing, I know the chapters are getting shorter, that's so I can update faster. This way, you get something to read now, instead of waiting for my schedule to calm down. I'll update again ASAP.

Own nothing. Enjoy!

The wooden door swung inward. The sight beheld by the demons made two sets of eyes widen.

Botan had answered the door, but not the Botan these boys were used to seeing. Her hair was in a long, french-braid, the end of which lay across her shoulders. A few curls had slipped loose, and now framed her face. They noticed she was wearing some kind of pale pink lip gloss and the smell of sweet perfume drifted out to them. Her clothes were of the same pink as her favorite kimono, but their style was definitely different. She wore a pink skirt, one that Kurama found amazingly short, for Botan at least, and a slightly lighter pink shirt.

"Hello boys. Your timing is perfect!"

She ushered the two boys inside and motioned for them to sit. "Yukina is almost ready, I'll be right back," she said, as she started down a small hallway.

"I knew it was too good to be true," Touya said.

"What is that?"

"Two women, both being ready for a date on time. They enjoy making us wait."

"Fashionably late," Kurama smiled, gaining a smile from Touya also.

A door was heard sliding open in the hall, followed by some unknown words that sounded as if they might be coming from a whispering Botan. Footsteps began to sound. The girls must have been ready. Touya saw Botan come back out of the hall followed by "Yukina?"

The ice maiden standing before them was not the same as the one they'd seen earlier that day. She was wearing a blue jumper, the bottom of which was a skirt that came to about mid-thigh, Botan's doing the boys guessed. Underneath, she wore a plain, white, button-up, blouse. Her hair, which she had been keeping pulled in a braid as of late, hung loose. The girl still looked like the picture of perfect innocence, but she also looked older. She no longer looked like a half-grown child. To Touya, she looked like a woman.

Kurama produced a red rose from his hair. Unlike the usual ones he carried, this particular rose was without thorn, apparently brought for this purpose alone. He handed it to Botan. "For you."

"Oh Kurama, a gentleman as always! It's just lovely!" Botan inhaled the rose's sweet scent, then placed it in a vase with the flowers he'd given her earlier that day.

Seeing this, Touya took his cue. A small swirl of energy surrounded his hand. A second later, a sparkling rose made of solid ice appeared in it's place. "For you."

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Yukina gasped. Her cheeks started to redden as she accepted it.

"And you'll never have to worry about water, this one will never wilt...or thaw."

Kurama gave Touya a look that might have said "well done." Touya was not willing to be outdone tonight.

The boys led Botan and Yukina to the foot of the steps, where Kurama had parked his car. He was driving a silver Toyota. It was only a couple years old, 4 door, but it still had a sporty look. Not bad for a first car. They got in and started toward town, Botan riding shotgun, Touya and Yukina in the back.

Botan flipped through radio stations, frowning and saying that there was nothing good on. Most of the stations were in the middle of talk shows or news. She dug through her over-sized purse and pulled out a CD case. "This should work!"

She instered a CD and within seconds, Kurama and Touya were wondering just how far it was back to town. A boy band was blaring in their ears. Botan sensed the displeasure in the boys.

"What's wrong? Everyone loves 'N Sync!"

"Oh, it's nothing Botan. I'm just concentrating on the road. You never know when you might encounter a hazardous situation." Kurama had his excuse, Touya had to think of his...

"Oh, I'm just taking in the scenery. I haven't been able to tour the Human World out in the open before." He hoped that would work...

"Oh, in that case...,"she said as she leaned forward, turning up the song even louder.

Touya wondered why this band had chosen the name "In Sink." Why would a band name itself after the place you put your dirty dishes? He still could not understand these humans. The more he listened, the more he thought of another kitchen item they should have taken into consideration: Trash Compacter...

After a long and miserable car ride, the crew arrived at the restaurant Botan had suggested between songs. It wasn't a fancy place, just a small diner that served hot dogs, hamburgers, fries and the like. Botan and Kurama had each ordered small meals, while Touya and Yukina had been more drawn to the dessert side of the menu. Touya had ordered a sandwich and a milkshake, Yukina had only a banana split. It seemed neither of these two had a taste for anything too hot.

Someone inserted a coin in the jukebox on the other side of the room. The song that came on was almost as annoying as the ones they'd been listening to in the car.

"Oh! Britney Spears! I love this song!" Botan squealed. Kurama and Touya were just ready to squeal. They thought they'd left the world of bubble-gum pop in the car...

Seeing the discomfort on Touya's face, the fox asked him to accompany him to the jukebox. These two had had enough mouseketeer music for one night.

The two eyed the selection. There weren't many songs to choose from, mostly more of the same music they were trying to escape. They almost pushed a Nickelback song entitled "Figured You Out," but thought better of it. They'd not only hear Botan's comments on the song, they'd probably scare the wits right out of a certain ice maiden. They settled on Gavin Degraw's I Don't Wanna Be, agreeing that it was better than what they had been hearing. As the song played, a dressed-up Touya couldn't help but laugh.

A group of boys, who had been laughing rather loudly and harassing a waitress, walked over to the table where the gang sat.

"Hey, ladies. Why don't ya ditch the pretty boys and come have some fun with some real men?"

Touya and Kurama narrowed their eyes, giving two of those death-stares that only demons were capable of giving.

"Uh..O- o- on second thought, looks like you guys got it covered!" The punks took off. As they reached the door, they were heard saying something about the eyes on those two, and that small one, they just didn't look natural. Kurama and Touya exchanged the "well-done" look, both smiling.

"My hero!" Botan laughed, playfully giving Kurama's arm a light squeeze.

"You two certainly know how to make a girl feel safe," Yukina giggled. This forced Touya's smile to broaden even further.

They chatted for a little longer as they finished their dinners, then, on to the theater...

Review time folks! If you haven't noticed, the more reviews, the faster I write. I've stayed up till 4 and 5 AM to write on this because it was getting good reviews lol, let's keep 'em coming!