Chapter 5: Finalizing Kurumi
From inside the nice Japanese house, Yusuke spotted Botan's blue ponytail bobbing up to the front door. He jumped to his feet and welcomed them in, "Welllccaahhh!" He leapt back, eyes on Kurama.
"Nice reaction, Yusuke," A vein popped on Kurama's temple.
"Isn't she cute?" Botan giggled.
"Kurumi," Yusuke started to laugh, "You look great!"
Kurama glared in Yusuke's direction, darkness rising behind him. His anger was interrupted when he winced. The demon found a seat and rubbed at his left toes after ridding his tender foot of the shoe.
"What happened to you?" Yusuke asked, raising one eyebrow.
"He's not used to heels," Botan sat beside Kurama, but he soon huffed a sigh and got up, "I'm going to put my stuff in my room."
"He's still a lil' uncomfortable with the whole cross-dressing bit, but I'm sure he'll get used to it." Botan told Yusuke as she watched Kurama leave the living room.
"He got some cute clothes, though. I'm sure he'll trick Tashi perfectly. In the meantime, I'll be hanging around as Kurumi's best friend and search for Tashi's weaknesses. Kuwabara has other things to take care of. Oh! And none of us have any idea where Kurama is."
"Hmm?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow, and got a quick response. "One day Kurama left without saying any goodbyes, leaving you, Kuwabara and Hiei worried, and Kurumi crying." "Sounds good to me."
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Kurama slipped his shoes off and sprawled across his bed. So tired… That is the last time I shop with Botan. I'm surprised she didn't take me through every store... But I do appreciate her help, even if I don't like role playing as my fake sister... This guy, must be real dangerous… Like Shigan...
"O-o-h-Ku-ru-mi!" He heard Botan's voice call from outside his door. "It's time to practice your voice and behavior! Come out, Kuru-chan!"
He stepped out and met the blue haired girl eye-to-eye, "Please don't call me 'Kuru-chan'."
"But it's cute!" She wailed and slipped past Kurama and the door-frame and sat on his bed, "Practice session!"
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Botan's "Practice Session" turned out to be challenging and tiring. Botan opened his window for some fresh air. She poked her head out the window, breathing in happily.
Kurama studied her every move in hopes of learning more about how females moved and acted and responded.
Botan's magenta eyes found Kurama's. She grinned rather maliciously, shut the window and scooted over to Kurama.
"What now?" He asked.
" Hiei's out back!"
"And?"
"And you can try out your new talent!" She pointed a finger to the ceiling.
"Talent?" Kurama squirmed, "I don't think I'm all that good at it yet."
Botan groaned, "Will you just give it a shot? Go sneak up behind him and see if he can recognize Kurumi's voice. Then, once Yusuke is back, do the same to him."
"Where's Kuwabara?" The red-head asked while standing. Botan followed him up, "He's busy. He has his orders."
"He has his orders?" Kurama repeated mentally, "Whoa!" Botan was suddenly jerking him out of his room and down the hall.
"Do I have to do this?"
"Yes, now go!" Botan drug him to the kitchen and pushed him out the back door. Kurama came to a halt before making a face plant into the wood-deck below. He straightened his China dress and cleared his throat.
This going to be so awkward.
The fire spirit seated on a bench seemed deep in thought. Kurama sneakily made his way behind his friend, "Hiei." The fox spirit said lightly behind his comrade.
Hiei's heart skipped a beat as he flipped around, "Kura-a-a-rumi!" Hiei caught his words as quick as he could.
"I'm sorry." Kurama apologized and leaned on the back of the bench, "Is my voice still too rough?"
Hiei looked away, "It's getting better."
"Hey! Hiei! Kuru-chan! Come here!" Botan called, but when they turned backwards to look at her, all they caught was a glimpse of her blue ponytail until it disappeared with the rest of her into the house. Hiei and Kurama exchanged looks before heading in.
"Yusuke bought some stuff for you to drink, Kuru-chan." Botan cheered and handed him a strange green bottle.
Yusuke took a seat, "It softens your throat—go on, drink up."
Kurumi gave a look of uncertainty, "What is it?"
"Just drink it, will ya?" Both Yusuke and Botan snapped.
Kurama knew it wouldn't be anything too harmful and could trust Yusuke, most of the time. He popped the lid and swallowed down a sip of the green liquid.
"Blak!" Kurama choked, "It tastes awful! Oh?" The taste gave sour milk a run for first place, but his voice was much softer.
"It works!" Botan cheered.
TBC Tsuzuku
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