Chapter 28: Depths of the Heart
Tashi Kidari had returned to his domain and had fallen asleep, but had not rested easy. The voice of his brother filled his mind and dreams as he slumbered.
He woke, sweating and aggravated. Something felt wrong. Gently, his hand patted the back of his neck and his fingers traced over the memento of his older brother.
"Shigan…"
Don't be led astray… I must be avenged…
"I mean, I will avenge him. My brother." Tashi sat up, "Kurumi…"
Kurumi… Is she more important than your brother?
"More important?… Shigan is irreplaceable!"
Then why the dawdling around?
"Being with Kurumi is not dawdling!" His fists plummeted into his thighs, "She makes me happy! Her laugh, her voice!… Her smile…"
Then, you choose her over your brother. Everything I did…
"No! No! Shigan, he… No one is…" Tashi's words trailed off and shook his head, "What's wrong with me?"
He fell back, arms crossing over his face, teeth chewing at his lips.
----
"Kuru-chan!" Botan's voice warmly called, "It's morning! How are you feeling?"
Kurama heard small footsteps circled around his bed and stop at his window---and then light pierced into the room. He rubbed his eyes and yawned, sitting up, "Botan…"
Botan suddenly blushed, making Kurama blush in trun.
"Wha-what?" His eyes shook.
"Botan!" She mimicked in her attempt of a masculine voice.
"Ohh!" His hand flew over his mouth.
His closet companion in the mission hurried out of his room, "I'll go get you that… stuff…"
He nodded, despite the fact she had already pit-patted her way down the hall.
A sudden void grew in Kurama's chest and he lay back down, throwing the covers over his face. While he had been resting yesterday he realized that whenever he had a spare thought or lack of a headache, two people came to mind.
What do I do? Things can't go on like this, can they?
----
Yusuke yawned as he stepped into the kitchen, "Mornin' Botan."
"Oh, good morning, Yusuke," Botan smiled over her shoulder to the still drowzy boy.
"Kuru still sleepin'?"
"Uhh, I thought I got her up, but…"
"How about both you and her take a break?" Hiei's voice all of the sudden broke into their conversation, "Yusuke and I can go get us some breakfast."
"What?" Yusuke looked applaud.
"That's okay, I'm sure I can whip something up." Botan all but sighed and started to clean her favorite mixing bowl off in the sink.
Hiei glared at Yusuke, who gulped and quickly put a hand on Botan's arm, "That's okay. Don't. Just rest. We'll be back shortly."
"Are you sure?" Botan didn't sound it, but her eyes glittered with hope.
Yusuke shrugged and grinned self-lovingly, "Haha, yeah, 'sides, I'd like to be the one to decide what we're eating for a change."
"I'll be there, too, you know?" Hiei pointed out lifelessly, but Yusuke only shook him off, "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, see ya later, Bo-bo."
Botan smiled---until her new nickname settled in, BO-BO! She nearly broke the plastic bowl she held in half.
Yusuke laughed as he and Hiei all but ran from the house.
"I swear!" Botan lifted the bowl high, gripped the sides and then stopped herself from bashing in on the counter.
What am I doing? I'm supposed to be working on how to defeat Tashi when the times arises, but…
"Ku… Ku…"
Mist covered her vision and warm tears clouded at her lashes. Seconds later, her knees buckled under her and her hands hid her face.
"Ku… Rama…"
Is it okay to cry?
----
"Man, it's odd not havin' the girls bouncin' around the house!" Yusuke whined, crossing his arms behind his head.
"…." Hiei nodded, "To be honest, I'm feeling useless."
"Huh?" Yusuke's darted over to his friend.
"Kurumi and Botan have been working so hard," Hiei stopped there, trying to be careful. The most I've been able to do was fend off Karasu and guard Kurama's door! Other than that…
"Yeah," Yusuke sighed as his eyes fell, "But, what can we do?"
They both fell silent and stopped walking.
"Hiei,"
"Hmm?"
"Let's do our best. Let's do all we can to keep things happy and easy-going for them." Yusuke smiled and hurried for the store ahead.
Hiei nodded and looked up at the sky, I can do that.
----
"Ohh, Kuru-chan!" The cheery voice of Botan soon vibrated from Kurama's doorway, "I have the bottle of that yummy goo!"
Kurama moaned and peeked out from his covers, "Eeyuck,"
"Open wide!" The bouncy girl flew to his side and held the bottle to his chin.
"Thanks," He said softly, managing a small smile and sipped at the voice-altering fluid---"Uuggk." He graoned.
"Oh, it can't be that bad!" Botan sealed the lid.
"You should try some!" Kurumi retaliated.
"Thanks, but I don't need it," Botan's nose pointed to the ceiling as she gently placed a hand on her chest.
"Eheheh, like I said, try some!" Kurama teased, one hand raised.
"Why you!" Botan gritted her teeth, "Now that I think about it, you don't sound all that well! Maybe I should make you drink s'more of that leek broth!"
"Spare me!" Kurama nearly squealed due to his fake voice.
"Hey!" Botan whined and Kurama laughed.
…Soon, Botan joined in on his laughter…
TBC Tsuzuku
Sorry for the serious/sad chapter! It was a bit depressing, but important!
Ahh! I'm scared because I feel the end is coming! (to this fic, I mean!) Thank you R&Rs! Please stick with KYSK to the very end! And if you have any requests, suggestions or ideas, share them soon! ;)