A Brother's Love : Party Time!
A/N: I know, I know. It's not an original idea, but the plot will be. Seriously, I understand your pain when it comes to party/shopping themes. I mean, sometimes they're good, but unfortunately, not all the time. But roll with me. And don't forget to review!
"You must have a death wish, baka onna."
Botan trembled. She had experienced gruesome nightmares like this before, though Hiei had never been her murderer. She really didn't want to picture him killing her. She wouldn't be able to look at him the same way again. Botan started bawling.
"Hiei, please! Don't kill me, please!" Her breaths started to get frightened and out of control.
"Please, I'm begging you."
Hiei scowled when she pleaded with him. She should know that she was dreaming. Then she would know that she wouldn't really die. Oh wait, yes she would, Hiei's Jagan Eye was in use. Her tears were starting to bother him. Crying didn't suit the onna. It made her beauty falter... wait... What? Beauty?
Hiei closed his eyes. He had to get back to consciousness. The dreamworld was messing with his mind. Ugh.
"Quiet, onna. This is a dream. I just came in to tell you to not even think about hinting to my sister about who I am."
Botan sniffed and wiped her eyes on her pink sleeves. This... he... he was using his Jagan Eye? Just to tell her that?
"I... you aren't going to kill me?"
Botan watched the Koorime shake his head, his expression remaining in its usual emotionless state. Then, Hiei brought his forehead so it rested on her own. Botan felt her cheeks grow warmer than normal. What was Hiei doing?
"Wake up, baka."
Botan jolted awake. She was breathing heavily, her face pale and a cold sweat forming on her brow. Her heart was pounding. She looked over by her side. Yukina was smiling in her sleep, the covers up to her chin. Botan sighed. She was okay. Everything was okay.
What was that? It's not like I'm an idiot. I would never tell Yukina. Hiei will do that himself. Botan tried to stifle a giggle. Hiei was having trouble resisting the urge to tell her himself anyway. She could tell.
Hn. What urge, onna?
Botan felt her face turn a bright shade of red when she head Hiei's smug voice in her head.
Hiei! GET OUT OF MY HEAD RIGHT NOW!
Botan screeched in her own mind. Her face felt like it was on fire. She didn't find it fair. He was always in her head, but she wasn't able to return the favor. Jerk...
Stop screeching onna. It's not my fault you think too much.
Botan waited for what felt like hours. She didn't hear anything. So, slowly, she lowered herself back onto the mat. She curled up under the blanket. It would be better if she went back to sleep. She would forget all about Hiei in the morning. At least, she hoped so.
"Botan, wake up. It's eight in the morning and Genkai's already making breakfast."
Botan groaned. She blinked the grogginess away. She hadn't gotten much sleep. She was restless the entire night, waking up every hour. She hated it when she did that.
"Okay, Yukina. Let's go help Genkai."
Yukina smiled sweetly and helped Botan drape the sheets over the mat, making it look neat. Botan let her hair down, not wanting for it to get knotty.
"Wow, Botan, you should let your hair down more often. It looks beautiful!"
Botan flushed lightly, her cheeks turning a cute shade of pink. She toyed with a blue curl shyly.
"Thank you, Yukina."
"Oh, I see Death is at our door. More specifically, in our kitchen."
Genkai smirked as she said her sarcastic remark. Botan smiled softly at the old woman. She had a great respect for Genkai. She not only trained Yusuke to become the wonderful fighter he is, but also had evaded death.
"Good morning, Genkai. Do you need any help?"
"Now that you mention it..."
Yukina was mixing the pancake batter while Botan had her eyes on the pans. Genkai was tending to the tea. When they were done, everyone was seated at the table. Yukina and Genkai asked Botan about her work and how she was holding up. Then it was Botan's turn.
"So, Yukina, how are things with you?"
Yukina looked at Genkai, and then down to her hands resting on the table. Botan loved how Yukina was so shy.
"Wonderful, thank you. Genkai had been so generous."
Genkai had been sipping her tea quietly, and the two young girls (well, Botan only looked young) gazed at her.
"It is the least I can do for you, Yukina. In fact, you should throw a party. The both of you haven't seen the gang for a good while, have you?"
And so, it was settled. Yukina and Botan went to work making the house look as spiffy as possible. Botan made all the phone calls to Shizuru, Kurama, Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Keiko. They were all happy to come. Even Shizuru sounded excited.
"What about Hiei?"
Botan almost screamed. She hadn't heard the ice maiden come into the room. It was a good question. Yes, what about Hiei? Botan shivered and turned so Yukina didn't see. She didn't want to die but...
"Here, I'll go ask him myself."
Yukina's face lit up like she had just been graced my Lord Enma himself. Botan felt an emotion rise in her chest. It was strange. It was pride. Now, even Botan herself couldn't tell you why she was proud of the ice demon. Maybe she was proud when Hiei wasn't. Botan returned her smile weakly and summoned her oar, flying out of the temple.
Hiei noticed the onna leave the temple. Not like he cared or anything. It was late in the afternoon, the sky was glowing. That was when Hiei heard the baka onna's annoying voice.
"Hiei! Come out! I want to ask you something."
Yeah, I bet she does. Hiei thought darkly. Fat chance he was talking to that onna. No way in–...
What the hell–?
Botan frowned when she didn't hear anything. She searched her robes, fumbling to find it. Oh, Botan, please don't tell me you left it home... oh! Here it is! Botan grinned with happiness as she found the silver whistle. This should reach him. It reached the highest of frequencies so that only demons could hear it. Painfully.
Thud!
Some day, some day, Hiei would destroy that infernal device. And when he was done, it was the onna's turn. Botan jumped, startled that he was so near. She ran up to him, reaching out to see if he was okay. He grabbed her wrist.
"Touch me and I will break your wrist."
Botan stopped, but Hiei did not release her hand until he stood up. Botan looked at the temperamental fire demon. He glared at her.
"Yukina and I were wondering," Botan almost stopped as the glare intensified to I-want-to-kill, but she found courage, "if you would like to come to a little get together."
"Hn. No."
Hiei started to walk away, but Botan called after him.
"Your sister really wants you to! Please?"
Hiei twitched. Would Yukina really care if he came or not? Why? He was a good for nothing criminal. An angel like her would not want to be associated with a demon like him.
"No."
"I'm sorry, Yukina. You know Hiei. He's, well, he's not exactly the social type."
Botan felt her heart tear in two as the ice maiden looked at the ground, blinking away tears. She looked into Botan's pink eyes.
"Why, Botan? Why does he despise me?"
Botan put a delicate hand on Yukina's shoulder.
"Yukina, Hiei does not despise you. He cares about you a lot. He cares about Kurama and Yusuke too. He just doesn't know how to show it." Botan paused for a moment. "Trust me, Yukina, Hiei worries about you all the time."
Yukina sniffed and nodded. Botan gave a small sigh of relief. She didn't want Yukina to think that her brother was a bad person. Even if she didn't know that they were siblings. Yet.
"Come on, Yukina! Smile! The guests will be here soon!"
Yukina nodded, smiling.
Botan opened the temple doors dramatically as Keiko and Yusuke walked in together, arm in arm. Kurama was talking to Shizuru who was followed by a bounding Kuwabara.
"Yukina! My darling, my sweetest! Prin-cess!"
Botan had to jump out of the way of Kuwabara's little stampede. Botan looked over her shoulder to see the shy ice maiden looking innocently into Kuwabara's eyes as he grabbed her hands.
"Yukina, my love, you have no idea how I've missed you."
Botan put on her nervous cat face. Kurama laughed and Shizuru was already wailing on her brother for being so drastic and idiotic. Botan was suddenly glad that Hiei was not participating in the social event.
After getting caught up on each other's lives, which took a good hour, Yusuke broke out the soda and snacks. He snaked his arm around Keiko's waist, making her blush. Yusuke eyed everyone with a mischievous glare.
"Truth or Dare, anyone?"
A loud cheer echoed throughout the temple. Even Genkai probably heard it, Botan thought. Shizuru muttered something about maturity, but she joined the teenagers in their ring. Yusuke went first.
"Kurama, truth or dare?"
Kurama's emerald eyes widened slightly, but he soon regained his cool composure.
"Dare."
Yusuke grinned malignantly. Botan bit her lip.
"I dare you to kiss Shizuru."
Everyone's eyes shot to Kuwabara's older, more serious sister. Her eyes widened, but then she shrugged. Kurama nodded and took Shizuru's chin into his long fingers. Botan felt like she shouldn't watch, but the she shook her head. It was just a game. Though... they would make a really good couple.
Botan saw Kurama close the space between them. Yusuke smirked and Kuwabara was having a hard time not imagining him doing the same to Yukina. Botan wondered if Shizuru thought anything of the kiss. Then she noticed the pink staining her cheeks. Oh yeah, she did.
The game continued, and Kuwabara had to sing the theme song to Barney, Botan had to talk about Koenam's dating life, and Yusuke had to dance with Keiko while wearing a dress. All things said, the night was... eventful? Educational? I don't know, you tell me.
"Botan, truth or dare?"
Botan already did one truth, so she felt that she was a coward if she didn't do dare at least once. She just hoped she got off with an easy sentence.
"Dare."
Botan did not like the look on Yusuke's face.
"Go outside into the forest wearing this."
Botan had no idea where Yusuke got the sheet from, but she found herself being pulled into the bathroom. Keiko undressed the stressed out ferry girl, earning some shout of protest, but soon, Botan was only in her undergarments. Keiko smiled at Botan reassuringly.
"Here, we're going to fashion a toga out of this, okay?"
Botan nodded, not liking being so exposed.
"Now, we'll call you back with these. More than likely, we'll send Kurama after you."
Botan nodded, staying silent as she slipped on the headset that Yusuke gave her. She didn't trust herself to speak. Then, she saw the pure white blindfold, matching her toga.
"What is that for?"
Yusuke didn't answer as he tied the white cloth over her eyes. Botan heard Kurama's smooth voice.
"Wow. Visual poetry. Innocence in person."
Botan felt her face heat up, but soon she was being pushed out of the temple and into the woods. Botan shivered in her gown. She felt so vulnerable. Then she heard a growl, and then various sounds of demons. Wait a minute. Demons? Botan felt adrenalin shooting through her veins. She heard laughter of the others in her ears.
"Please! Guys, this isn't funny! There's demons out here!"
Botan wanted to cry, but she wouldn't allow it. She continued trekking onwards, scared. Then she heard the screech. Whatever made it sounded dangerous. Botan's overactive imagination produced a huge beast. Botan finally broke down crying.
"Someone! Anyone, come and get me! I don't want to get killed again!"
Yusuke was in her ear now.
"Okay, Botan. Sorry, we'll be right there, just keep still."
Then he was gone. Botan didn't even get to scream when all of a sudden, the growling and snarling stopped.
Hiei smelled tears in the air. He flitted through the trees and saw, well, it was stupid when he thought he saw an angel. But it was only the onna. She was crying, and there was a demon right in front of her. What was she doing? She just stood there, not even looking at the monster.
That was when he saw the blindfold. What? Who would send her out here like this? Surely she was not that big of a baka to do something as stupid as this. It must have been some sort of ritual performed by nigens.
It was about to strike the ferry onna when Hiei sliced it in half with his sword. He looked back at the onna. She sniffed and had gathered her wits back together. She looked directly at him (but of course, when blindfolded you can't see anything). Hiei stood completely still. She really would never last in the Makai. She didn't even know he was there.
"Hiei? Is that you?"