'Shogatsu Love'
Searching: Part 3
01/11/06

...-...

"Botan! Botan! Please, Botan! Where are you!" Kurama called, worry evident in his tone. It was getting darker, not to mention colder, and she was alone, without a coat. His first thought was to call Yusuke, Kuwabara, or even Keiko, but who would be home? And he couldn't possibly contact Koenma; Botan would never forgive him if he did.

'Botan... I'm an idiot. But why did she... normally she doesn't cry like that...' Kurama eyes widened 'unless something happened between her and... Koen... I'll kill the bastard! I swear I will. If I find out he even touched my deity... I swear! But first I must find Botan. She's top priority now,' Kurama thought, eyes narrowing in determination, and he was off.

---

Botan walked aimlessly through the streets of Tokyo, looking off in the crowds of happy families and loving couples. Add to that the fact that her hair was bright blue, and the fact that she had no coat, it was no wonder strangers would pause to stare at her. She shivered. It was getting cold.

"Hey girly! You cold?" Called a voice from behind her. There was a man waving at her. He was decently tall with broad shoulders and brown hair. His dark blue sweater matched his eyes. "What? Don't you talk?" He shouted again.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I just wasn't sure whether you were talking to me or not," Botan said, walking up to him.

"Well, it's not everyday I see a pretty lady such as yourself alone and without a coat, especially on New Years Day! Aren't you cold?"

Botan nodded, "A little, I guess."

"How about this. My friend owns a coffee shop not too far away. I'm sure he wouldn't mind setting you up with something to warm you,"

"Really? A-are you sure?"

"Of course. As I said, it's not every day I see such a pretty girl without a coat."

"Well, okay then," Botan replied and followed her newfound friend down the streets. Soon a blinking sign spelling out the word 'coffee' could be seen in the distance and the strong aroma of coffee hung in the air. Suddenly the man in front of Botan stopped, causing her to run into him. "Sorry, there may be a delay in our plans," He said gruffly. "What do you-- mnph! Mmmn!" Botan began to grunt fighting against the gag put on her.

Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!' She thought as the man before her smiled wickedly, eyes glued to her body. Quickly, he pushed her into the darkness of an alleyway and up against a cold brick wall, still surveying her. She began to struggle, desperately kicking and thrashing in a futile attempt to get away. "Aggressive, aren't you?" He asked, "All the better!" His once warm blue eyes were now filled with malice and desire.

She glared one last time before sending a bone crushing kick to his large... groin area. With a yelp he relinquished his hold on her and she jumped away, tearing off the makeshift gag. Nearly out of the dark ally she screamed when the man punched neck and kicked her in the side.

"You bitch! I swear you'll pay for that!"

---

Kurama paused for a moment, sure he had smelt her. She did have a somewhat rare scent after all...datura and irises. It would help if the heavy musk of coffee weren't filling his nose! She had to be close. Suddenly a scream penetrated his ears. It was her! Botan! Eyes closed in concentration he traced her scent and locked onto her position, sprinting towards her.

"You... will leave her to go..." Kurama growled as his fists clenched at the sight in front of him. There was a man, large and stalky, looming over her, beating her mercilessly. At his words the man looked up, glaring in Kurama's general direction. "Oh, another one. You all are just so eager to do me tonight aren't you?" He mumbled, apparently mistaking Kurama's gender in the darkness.

"I assure you," Kurama menaced in a low voice, confirming the fact that he was, indeed, male, "That the only thing I'm eager to do is kill you. And if you lay one more finger on her it won't be quick."

"Oh, a pretty boy, eh? I bet you just want her to yourself. You're no better than me. Deep down you just want to fuck-" He didn't get to finish his sentence as thorny vines crept off of the walls of the ally and curled around his neck, cutting into his flesh. Paying little attention to the gore in front of him Kurama bent down and gently tapped Botan on the shoulder, only to have her wince and shrink away.

"Botan... Botan, it's all right. I won't hurt you. I promise. Botan?" Kurama gently turned her over to see the full damage inflicted upon the poor girl. He gasped. The sides of her face were bruised and swelling in some parts. He neck had red marks, showing where the man had attempted to strangle her. Her kimono was disheveled, the obi nearly shredded. "Oh, Botan..." He whispered, taking the girl into his arms as she began to sob.

"Botan, everything will be okay. I'll take you back to my apartment and get you fixed up, okay. No one, I mean no one, will ever lay a hand on you like this again." He spoke clearly, drawing her deeper into his arms as he stood up and walked out of the alleyway, ignoring the bloody corpse on the ground.

...-...