Chapter 4: Shopping! part 2
As Botan mercilessly drug Kurama through the mall, he sighed, longing to be home. Botan stopped and started rummaging through one of the shopping bags. His head dropped and he groaned, "Bot—" The very girl's finger was pressed at his lips. A taste of salt from her skin washed into his senses.
Angry, he almost spoke, until he realized she obviously had a reason. The look in her eyes told him eve more so.
"That's him, Kurama… That's Tashi." She said, her voice low and strict. Kurama's eyes shined with a glint of anger and worry. He didn't know who or what to look for. There were so many people around as it was, and he sensed to demonic energy ahead.
"Which?—"
"The man who has no aura at all." Botan whispered.
There, Kurama spotted him. The man stood thirty feet ahead of them. His hair was short and dark brown, his eyes light aqua, his skin peach. He was wearing a tight black shirt and denim jeans; black army-boots and a black belt. Two silver hoop earrings were pierced into his left ear and long silver chain in his right ear. Odd he dressed and seemed to act human—and odd that he had no aura.
Botan grabbed Kurama's arm and dashed for the women's restroom. Her hands frantically ran about in the bags. She pulled out the red dress, examined it and handed it to the red-head.
"Put the dresses on now!" She ordered, more worriedly than rude.
Kurama paused, looking at the dress, and then nodded. He snatched the red dress and entered a stall. Less than a minute later he came out. Botan didn't even bother to hold back a laugh, which turned into laughter.
"I'm sorry, Ku-Kurama, b-but," She held her waist, cracking up genuinely, "that is too funny!"
Dark and aggravated, he turned and stomped back into the stall—Botan pulled him back, "Ah-ah! No you don't! Let me show you how to put these on."
"Huh?" He blinked, light pink in the face.
The girl quickly inched down the bunched up sections of Kurama's dress and straightened out any oddities.
"You have to look ready for love, you know?" Botan lectured.
"For love?"
"Yes! You have to—Uhhnn," She smashed her face into her left palm, "Tashi will expecting Kurumi to be like Kurama, you know? Cute, stylish, pretty…"
Kurama nodded involuntarily.
Botan smiled, "You look wonderful! Now," She scrunched up some tissue into round balls and unbuttoned his dress and stuffed his shirt—instantly, Kurama's hands flew to his chest, but before could pull them out, she stopped him.
"No. Kurama, you have to be believable!" She said, sorrow in her words, "This is your life—please!… It's for our lives…"
Kurama gasped, realizing her words were painfully true.
But… I don't… I'd rather pretend to be a woman than let the ones I care for get hurt or worse… I'd rather the world live… Than me… Be…
He sighed and nodded, "I'm sorry Botan. I promise I won't mess this up. I promise to do my best."
Seeing her smile curve her lips made a smile appear on his face.
"Thanks, Kurama." She turned him around and started putting his scarlet hair into a ponytail-braid, and then put the necklace around his neck, the earrings in his ears, and a bracelet on his left wrist. "There, now let's go get you some shoes!"
Kurama and Botan soon reached the shoe store. Botan led Kurama to the dress-shoes and pulled out a box of flat, black, dance shoes. They could both feel they were being watched. Botan looked around, trying not to panic or look like she was panicking.
"These are cute! See if they fit!" She ordered and looked past Kurama and there she spotted Tashi watching them! She gulped, face turning red, "Kurumi, he's right behind you…"
Kurama swallowed hard, resisting a shudder, and slipped his slender foot into the shoe.
"Great! Start to laugh and be silly!" She coached in a whisper.
The boy nodded after taking a deep breath. He paused, fists clenched. Botan just watched quietly, smiling. Kurama snegan to shift his shoulders in a robotic motion, knuckles pressing against his cheeks, "I love these shoes!"
"Good, hahaha," Botan rose a brow, He has a lot to learn. She grabbed another box and opened it, "Look at these, Kurumi!"
"Hmm?" He glanced over.
Botan held up a pair of four-inch, black, sandal heels. "Try 'em on!"
Kurama could then confirm that Botan was having fun torturing him. He gave a small jump of fake glee, sat in the chair behind him, and put his slim foot into tall shoe.
"Aren't they adorable?" Botan laughed, watching him tie the sandals on.
He stood up on it and felt a sharp pain shoot through his leg. He gritted his teeth, "I love 'em!"
Botan laughed and put them back in the box, "Okay, let's pick out a few more…" She trailed off, and peeked over her shoulder—Tashi was nowhere in sight. She a sigh quivered from her lips.
"You're safe, Kuru-chan!" She laughed.
"Kuru-chan?" He implied, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah! That'll be your new nickname! Kuru-chan!" Botan cheered.
Kurama then felt true fear for his life…
TBC Tsuzuku
Notes: Please remember, I don't own YYH. (haha) Anyway, I added more shopping to the shopping chapter!