Hey ladies and gents, Silver here! I'm glad that some of you have taken a liking to my story, and I thank all my wonderful reviewers, and to those that just read it and didn't review, stop being so lazy!
Oh, and Suzie, thank you so much for your advice! I'll try to make good use of it, and I did use your description pointer in this chapter, but people say I'm already descriptive enough and in this one I put more description into, so those readers who have some trouble understanding the big paragraph explanations, sorry!
Anyway on with the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own YYH.
"Well then, shall we join the men for the feast?" Botan asked, plastering on her trademark smile and heading toward the exit.
Juri quickly followed Botan out of the room, closing the door behind her. They walked down the dim, torch-lit hallway of the keep and headed for the main room.
The two ladies made their way through the crowd of five hundred or so soldiers and servants. Botan headed for the main table, which was in the very the back of the room.
Once reaching their destination, four men were visible. The one closest to her, who had piercing, crimson-red eyes and black hair with blue highlights, was wearing a black robe that had a white dragon embroidered along the side with a white waistband and black, skin-tight pants. He was Hiei, a fire apparition who possessed the power of the Dragon of the Darkness Flame and the Jagan eye, which was currently covered by a white headband.
The man his right also had black hair but instead of red eyes, he had deep chocolate brown eyes that were lit up from joy of being home. He was the life of the keep, Yusuke. He was dressed in a nice, three-quarter sleeved, black metallic coat that revealed his muscled torso and creamy yellow-white baggy pants.
Kuronue, a bat demon, who had previously been engaged in a conversation with Yusuke also stopped short as the women approached. This demon had smooth jet-black hair that was pulled into a loose pony tail and lively indigo eyes. He was dressed in his usual apparel: baggy black cargo pants, a vest which was held together by belt-like parts that stretched across the front of it, and, of course to top it all off, his battered black hat that much resembled a witch's which was, as always, tilted slightly to make him appear even more mysterious and attractive.
And, lastly, was the demon that stood out among the four gorgeous youki the most. He was a fox demon with silky, silvery-white hair and tail and two snow white ears that poked out on top of his head. He was wearing a stunningly white tunic with a champagne colored sash, but the most captivating part of him was his dreamy golden eyes that one could lose themselves in forever, the eyes of Youko Kurama.
All these years and he hasn't changed a bit. He looks just like he did the time we met, Botan thought sadly.
Youko got up from his seat and strode over to his mate.
"Hello, my lady," he purred and kissed her softly on the lips. "I've missed you."
Botan smiled, "I'm glad you're back."
"Aren't you happy to see us too?" asked the cocky co-second-in-command, Yusuke.
"She probably forgot about us. I mean what with her having to worry about the fox, she wouldn't have time to think about us," Kuronue, the keep's other co-second-in-command grinned.
"Actually," Botan remarked smiling and turning to address Kuronue, "I have been missing everyone, except you."
Kuronue put his hands over his heart and put on an expression of fake pain, "That was hurtful Botan. I think I'll crawl into my own little corner now."
Botan laughed merrily. Though her love for Kurama was a façade, her friendship and compassion for each of the four demons was a genuine feeling.
"Come, let us start the feast," Youko said, in what for him, would be considered a joyful way. He took Botan's hand and led her to the head of the table where she sat down next to him.
After helping Botan settle into her seat, Kurama clapped his hands twice, and the hall immediately fell silent.
"My soldiers," Youko started in a commanding, ubiquitous voice, "I am proud to have this feast which is to celebrate one of the greatest heists in the history of this keep."
Wild cheers erupted throughout the room at this, and, after the room quieted down once again, Youko continued his speech, "I understand the hardships many of you have gone through to do this, and you all too should feel proud. So with this toast I hope you will all continue with your diligence and improve at your work."
Youko raised his glass and drank deeply, as did everyone else. The room then broke back into its many discussions of miscellaneous topics and an entire night of feasting.
Youko sat back down and began filling his plate while piling many different delicacies onto Botan's plate. On the top of the various other foods, Youko placed a tart with different fruits smothered with whipped cream.
"There," he said, "your favorite."
Botan stared at the pastry. She could already feel the guilt welling up inside, like it always did. It was clear to anyone that Youko adored her, that he would protect her till her dieing day and even give his life for her if needed. But, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't return his feelings.
"Aw, isn't that sweet?" Yusuke asked in a teasing voice.
"I agree," Hiei, the commander of training, contributed. "It isn't everyday you see the legendary Youko Kurama acting like a love sick fool."
Kuronue and Yusuke laughed. Kurama smiled in what was the slightest sense a bashful way and adverted his eyes to the lovely woman next to him.
Under the spotlight of his eyes, Botan could only muster a small smile and look down.
The mistaken show of embarrassment threw Kuronue and Yusuke into another fit of laughter and even Hiei let out a slight chuckle.
"Well, after you guys are done laughing at us, maybe Kuronue would like to tell us the next place you are planning for us to go to on our next heist?"
"Gee, you're home for a couple hours, and you're already planning on leaving?" Yusuke asked as he feasted on meats, bread, and cheese.
"I agree, how do you think Botan feels? I'm surprised she's stuck around so long, after all you're always dumping her here," Kuronue a chimed in while still chewing food in his mouth. "But to answer your question, I did have my eye set on a castle three days away from here. In three months or so, the lord of the castle will be receiving one-of-a-kind, extremely valuable gems. But if that's too long of a wait, I guess I can find something remotely entertaining for us to do during that time."
"Three months, huh?" Youko said quietly to himself with a glass of sake poised to his lips. "That would be perfect."
Three months? Botan thought. He normally stays for a month, if even that. Botan turned her head slightly to stare at him. What is he planning?
The announcement had kept Botan curious and agitated the entire night. She felt self-conscious the entire time. Not since their wedding day had Botan ever spent more than a couple weeks with him.
Even though Youko had finally decided to marry, he wasn't the settling down type and had continued the practice of his skilled art: robbery. At first Botan had objected to it, back in the day when she still had some moral and cared for him, but now with him away all the time, it made it easier for her to cope with her self-hate and guilt.
Now out of the blue he wanted to come back, and, quite frankly, Botan didn't feel as though she could handle it.
Her nervous fidgeting had finally caught Kuronue's attention while they were sitting around the cave watching some female youkis belly dance.
"What's wrong Botan? You can't stay still for a second, and it's starting to give me a headache," Kuronue joked, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Nothing, I'm fine," Botan chirped gaily as she gradually slipped out of her stupor. "Hey Kuronue, do you know why Kurama is staying so long this time?"
Kuronue turned to look at her in a calculating way. "No idea. Yusuke's been whining. It probably got to him. Yusuke's practically been begging Kurama for more time to spend with Keiko. Why do you ask? Hate the idea of having to spend more time with Kurama?" he joked.
"No, it's not that," Botan lied. "It's just that Kurama's never stayed here this long in a while, and I was just wondering why he decided to this time."
Kuronue looked at her slyly for a while and then chuckled, "I guess I can see your point in that."
And then his expression turned serious, "But Botan, if you ever feel left out, you know you can talk to us about it. Kurama loves you, and so do we."
She smiled slowly, "I know…I know."
"Hey, what's going on here?" Yusuke asked as he and Hiei sat next to the two.
"Nothing, just talking," Botan replied. "Hey Yusuke, where's Keiko?"
Yusuke grinned like a maniac, "You know you could've sent someone to tell me that my wife was pregnant."
"But that would've ruined the object of surprise."
"Hard to believe that in about 7 months Yusuke will be a father," Hiei commented.
"Yeah, well it's hard to believe that you are an uncle already," Yusuke retorted.
"How are Kuwabara and Yukina anyway? I mean they've been on their 'maternity' leave for 6 months already," Kuronue said.
"I know," Botan chimed in, "I miss them so much, and Yukina better get back in time for Keiko's baby shower. We can't do it without her."
"Wo, wo, okay Botan I think you need to slow down. Baby shower? I just found out Keiko was pregnant!"
"Are you guys talking about me?" an incoming voice inquired.
Keiko had worked her way through the crowd and joined them in their little circle after giving Botan a quick embrace. She was dressed in a loose, light pink kimono creatively sewn with red cherry blossoms.
"Hey Kei," Yusuke greeted and then gave Keiko a peck on the lips.
"No, we were just talking about arranging a baby shower for you," Kuronue informed her.
"Oh, that's great, but I think I want to wait until Yukina comes back before me make anything final," Keiko put in.
"You know, you three all think alike. That's exactly what Botan just said," Hiei noted.
"Of course, we're like sisters," Botan replied, while she exchanged a gleaming smile with Keiko, as Yusuke began rubbing her stomach affectionately.
"Well, don't we look like a nice, happy family here?"
Everyone turned to look at the addresser of the voice, who was none other than the Lord of the Keep himself.
"You're late. What's your excuse this time?" Kuronue asked.
"Finishing up business," Youko replied while taking a seat between Botan and Kuronue. He lovingly wrapped an arm around Botan's waist and pulled her closer.
As if on cue, everyone around them exchanged a smile, got up, and started to leave.
"It's getting late, Keiko and I better get going," Yusuke explained as he and his wife left the group.
"Yeah, some ladies at the brothel are missing me," Kuronue excused himself.
Hiei, however, still sat there comfortably, eyes closed, arms crossed over his chest as he drifted off to sleep.
Kuronue rolled his eyes at this and heaved Hiei up to his feet, "Don't you think Shizuru is worried about you?"
At this comment Hiei's eyes snapped open, and he willingly followed Kuronue out of the castle and into the dark night.
Botan and Youko both watched their comrades leave until they were all out of sight.
Kurama turned to look at his mate, "Botan, I've been wanting to talk to you about something."Botan nodded in acknowledgement for him to go on.
He sighed and tried to find the right words, which obviously weren't coming out.
Is he actually nervous? Botan thought dumbfounded. The notorious King of Thieves who wasn't even worried about death was scared to tell his mate something.
"You know…maybe we should talk about this somewhere more private," Yoko concluded at last. He took Botan's hand and led her away from the commotion of the still partying band of thieves.
Well I hope everyone liked it! And it would help me update sooner if I got more tips on my writing ;)
And I just wanted to clear some things up that might have been a little hazy. First, some of you probably thought it was weird that I gave Yusuke and Kuronue second-in-commands, but I was having a hard time deciding which would have been better cause, in this story, Kuronue will be portrayed as the closest to Kurama, but Yusuke will be the stronger one.
Second, I hope none of you thought Botan or Keiko were in anyway "too" friendly, I was just trying to desrcibe the close bond that was between the two, well later on four, of them. And if some of you are thinking that Juri was supposed to be the best friend, I'm not trying to make them sound conceited or anything, but Juri is a maid, so she wouldn't be as close.
Lastly, I wanted to clear up that Hiei and Shizuru are not married, they are just seeing each other, and Kuronue is the bachelor of the group. I haven't decided whether or not he is going to have a mate later on yet, so you'll just have to keep reading ;) So, for now Kuronue is the biggest player among the group.
Well, that's it for now! If anyone has any more questions feel free to ask them! P.S. R&R!