-Shogatsu Love-
At the Shrine: Part 2
01/03/06

...-...

"Botan, Botan slow down!" Kurama called with a semi-serious, following the Blue haired deity as she pranced down the Torii pathway. How anyone could run that quickly in such an elaborate kimono was beyond him. Gently he picked up his pace until he was running right behind her, playful grin plastered onto his face.

"Aiii!" Botan shrieked as Kurama hugged her from behind successfully slowing her. "Ku...ram...a" She said, in-between her fit of giggles. He was never like this around everyone else.

"I like it when you smile," Botan said bluntly, coupling the statement with a show of her own teeth.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean, you always smile. But never like this. Never because you mean. You're always putting up a smile like you have to, to keep up a facade. And now you're smiling because you want to!" Kurama seemed a bit... dumbfounded, for once in his life. Within two minutes she had seen two sides of Kurama that she never had before. To put an end to the awkward silence Botan pointed to the long wall covered in omikuji.

"Kurama, look! Maybe we'll get a blessing!" Botan shouted as she carefully stared at the white papers, as if this next decision could very well decide the fate for the rest of her life, or at least until her next visit to a shrine. Bending down, she plucked out a small white piece of paper, opening and reading the one-worded fortune. It was then that Kurama walked up to her and bent over her shoulder.

"What did yours say Botan? Mine said 'Dai-kichi' (Great blessing)." He spoke.

"Aren't you lucky? Well, unlike some people I keep my fortunes a secret," Botan said, "It seems more... official if no one knows"

"Oh, in that case we should move on to the well and purify ourselves before approaching the Main Hall," Kurama said, walking down a pathway to his right. At that precise moment a wind picked, blowing away leaves and tears, along with a small white omikuji with the character 'Kyo' (curse) scribed on it.

---

"Ne, Botan, what did you wish for?" Kurama asked referring to the ema they had written on and left at the shrine.

"I already told you Kurama, I keep my secrets," Botan replied, "But what of you, what did you wish for?"

"Um... nothing much really. Good Health, peace in Makai, the usual." He mumbled. What he didn't mention to her was the love of a certain deity.

"I hope your wishes come true. It really would make my job easier as well," Botan said with a slightly solemn look in her eyes.

"Oh... speaking of your job, how did you manage to get New Year's off? Koenma is pretty strict."

"Well, um, you see... I didn't..."

"What do you mean, you didn't?"

"I didn't tell him?" Botan said sheepishly.

"You what!"

"I knew he would never let me! And I just didn't want to be in Reikai, so I snuck away."

"Botan! He must be going mad right now. And scouts could be anywhere, looking for you. You're his head ferry girl, after all."

"I thought you would understand... of all people... I thought at least you would know what it's like to...oh never mind!" Botan exclaimed and turned around, walking away as quickly as she could, ignoring the calls from Kurama. She was so foolish to think that he would be any different from any other man. She just couldn't stand it! He was so... stupid! And mean, and horrible, and irresistible... Kami-sama, why did she have to like him?

"I'm going, Kurama," She said slowly, composing all the emotions whirling about inside of her.

"But Botan..."

"It's alright. I'm just going to go now." And without a moment hesitation there she was flying away from him. And Kurama realized suddenly that there was the scent of salt watery tears in the air. Her tears. And it was entirely his fault.

...-...