'Shogatsu Love'
Prolouge
12/29/05

...-...

'Hayasugiru toki no mabataki ni sarasarete
Hitori de wa todokanai
Negai nante kiesou na kotoba ja

Karamiau netsu no tsutaetai shinjitsu wo
Dare kara mamoreba ii?
Koko de itsuka hoshigatta omoi ga

Kimi ni aru kara... '

The fast beat of the music faintly echoed around the small apartment, gradually fading. Then there was a knock on the door... or, no... the window?

'Hiei? It's not normal for him to stop by without reason. Unless he has a message from Koenma... but... today? Surely it could wait...' Kurama thought as he rose from the couch and made his way over to the window.

"Botan?" He said, moving to the side, allowing the ferry girl inside. "Is everything alright? Nothing has happened?" He asked.

"Oh, no... Nothing like that," Botan replied, shifting her attention from Kurama to the TV in the corner, "What are you watching?" She asked curiously, moving to the sofa.

"Kohaku Utagassen... it's a special they put on every New Year's Eve. I believe that's Yoko Kanno performing right now. But, what brings you here, Botan?"

"Honestly?" Botan said, looking down with a faint blush on her cheeks. "I didn't... I didn't want to go through another New Year's Celebration alone... and well... I hope you don't mind...I uhm... Oh how silly of me! Of course you're spending New Year's with you family! Of course. Why would you... oh never mind. I guess I should go, huh?" Botan mumbled, materializing her oar and heading back for the window.

"No, Botan..." Kurama lightly gripped her wrist. "I'm not staying with family. As you can see" He swept his free hand around, as if to give example "No one is here. In fact, I thought I would find myself to be alone for New Year's as well."

"But... you're mother..." She would have known if something had happened to Shiori, right?

"Hatanaka-San has taken Mother on a sort of vacation. To China, I believe. And Shuuichi is at a boarding school."

"Oh... so... you... don't mind?" Botan asked shyly. "I mean... I don't want to be a burden, and well... I..."

"No, Botan, never. You're welcome to stay. As long as you don't mind the close corners. Affordable apartments aren't exactly spacious." Kurama replied, reassuring Botan with a smile.

"Oh, Kurama! Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu!" Botan exclaimed, throwing her arms around him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

Kurama froze up, blushing. "Uhm, Bo...tan?" He voiced, timid for once in his life. Botan backed away quickly, eyes darting nervously around, her cheeks already 9 different shades of red. "Sumi...sumimasen. I just... hehe... caught up in the moment I suppose."

Eventually the two calmed down, sitting on the white couch and watching what was left of the program, Kurama explaining the names of many of the artists. And then the count down began...

"GO..." (5)

"YON..." (4)

"SAN..." (3)

"NI..." (2)

"ICHI..." (1)

"Ake Mashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!" Kurama shouted to himself, slowly realizing that only one voice was echoing off of the walls of his apartment. "Botan?" He looked to his shoulder to find the girl, all curled up, asleep. "Botan?" He whispered gently, tracing the slender curves of her face with his index finger. Slowly he drew away, coming back with a wool blanket and draping it on her lithe form.

"Rest well, Botan. And Happy New Years..." He whispered, retiring himself to sleep. The morning would bring many festivities.