A Twisted Fairytale : Curiosity Killed the Cat

A/N: . Did you miss me? Well, anyway, please review. And to those who think that Kurama and Botan would be a cuter pairing... well... I don't write for them... yet. I might someday. Just in case there is some confusion, Kurama is the candlestick and Yusuke is the clock. R&R!

I

Botan was relieved to see Yukina break out into a smile. She hopped enthusiastically turning to her companions.

"Did you hear that, she's hungry! Get out the plates, heat up the food! Let's get dinner ready!"

Botan smiled as the plates seemed to have a life of their own, filling up with food and setting themselves up on the table. Kurama kissed her hand as he led her to the table, making her blush. She was not used to such attention. She heard Yusuke begin to protest, but he quickly fell into the mood of everyone else.

Jin filled himself up with tea, insisting that she drink. He still laughed as she drank, but she could tell that he was comfortable now. As Botan ate, she felt her sadness fade away. Sure, the fact that her Father was gone hurt, but she was caught up in the love in the room. Not for her, they just met her, but just the friendship that they shared. She had longed for a bond like they had. She didn't have friends back in the village.

"So Botan, what's it like where you lived?"

Jin spoke up, his accented voice drawing Botan's attention to him. She saw that the eyes of all the kitchen and house appliances were focused on her. She took a deep breath.

"Well, I wouldn't really know where to begin, so here it goes." She paused, thinking of interesting information about her village. There wasn't anything in particular. "Well, it's normal, nothing like your castle, but I suppose that people would call it quaint." They seemed to hang on to her every word, encouraging the girl to continue. "My father is an inventor, and pretty much I just help him with his inventions." She laughed bashfully. "I guess I really don't have much of a social life to speak of."

Yusuke and Kurama burst out laughing. Yusuke wiped his eyes, quivering with humor that Botan failed to grasp. The hands on his clock swung back and forth as he spoke bluntly.

"A girl like you with no social life? Yeah right! You're gorgeous!"

Kurama, the candle stick, promptly hit Yusuke over the head. This caused an outburst of confusion and anger from the clock.

"What was that for?"

They wrestled around for a while as Botan tried to contain her embarrassment, but failing miserably as a blush spread across her face. Jin noticed this and laughed merrily.

"Aw, someone's all hot and bothered!"

Botan bit her bottom lip.

"I'm not bothered, it's just that... no one has really ever said to me. I don't have any friends. Only one man has claimed to 'love' me, but he's an ignorant fool." This new bit of information made the room fall silent. The hushed tension and the faces of Botan's new friends made her continue. "Okay, well, there is man in my village named Koenma. He's a handsome fellow alright, but he's so dumb and conceited. I doubt he's ever read a book before... and he proposed to me today. Ugh! I'm glad I had time to push him out of the door."

She smiled uneasily. Yukina broke the startled silence.

"You refused a handsome man? You are more defined by your beauty than I thought."

Botan felt butterflies fluttering around in her stomach.

"You really think I'm beautiful?" There was a loud whoop of affirmative answers, Yusuke and Jin fighting to be the loudest, making Botan giggle, easing her out of her anxiousness. "Well, thank you."

Botan finished her dinner, listening to the normal conversations of the dinner ware. She wanted to wash her dishes, but she was denied. She bit back a yawn as she rubbed her eyes.

"Dinner was lovely, and it was even better with your company." She smiled as she bowed slightly. "I'm glad that you are in this castle. It will make my stay a little more enjoyable."

"Dear, don't worry, things will get better. Just go on to bed."

Botan felt so cared for by Yukina. She smiled and nodded, closing the kitchen door behind her.

II

Botan was all alone in the halls. Her eyes were drooping. That was when a corridor caught her eye. She looked around, making sure that no one was keeping an eye on her. She slipped down the hallway. What she didn't know was that she wasn't alone.

III

Hiei was still slightly angry about the woman's refusal to eat with him. Damn women! Why do they have to be so confusing? His head was reeling, and he happened to pass the kitchen when he heard voices. Curious, the Beast stopped just outside the door. He heard the voices of his servants, Yusuke, Kurama, and Yukina. Even Jin was talking excitedly.

He smirked as the woman talked, and he learned that her name was Botan. She talked about her village, and he felt a spike of jealousy at the handsome man that proposed to her. It amazed him that she saw straight passed his good looks and refused him for being a moron. What struck him as strange was her flustered behavior when she was called beautiful. It was amazing to Hiei that she didn't think that she was perfect.

A man would have to be blind to call that girl ordinary. Your starting to sound soft, Hiei. Hiei shook his head and he quickly darted away when she sounded like she was leaving. He slunk among the shadows as he followed her. She looked like a young child in the nightgown that she was wearing. Her blue hair flowed behind her as she started to go back to her room.

Then she stopped.

Hiei watched her face as she glanced to her door and then down the hall. Towards the West Wing. Her pink eyes lit up with the yearn to know. The desire to seek out adventure. The Beast scowled as Botan looked over her slender shoulders and then walked down the wrong passage way. She started trekking to the West Wing.

IV

Botan felt herself shiver as she neared the end of the hallway. She found two humongous doors leading to a place unknown. Taking a deep breath, the young woman opened the door, wincing at the loud creak emitted. She gasped, her hair flinching when she saw what lay inside.

The room was a mess. The floor was littered with broken items, and the walls were torn by what looked to be claws. Botan shivered. The Beast must have taken his vengeance out on this innocent room. The blue haired girl trembled as she ventured further. Turn around, Botan. You shouldn't be here. Don't you feel that? That tingling at the back of your neck? That means that you should leave if you want to keep your life!

Botan didn't listen to herself as she saw a light emitting from the far side of the room. Her pink eyes widened as she felt the sensation wash over her. The sensation that she had longed to feel for her entire life.

It left her breathless, her heart racing and her cheeks flushed. Her eyes opened as she realized that the world still held mysteries to be solved. She heard angels singing as she gazed upon a magical object that seemed to be sent down from the Gods.

V

Hiei followed Botan and he hesitated from stopping her as she entered a room. His room. He watched as her nightgown swirled around her, her blue hair trailing down her back. That was when he heard her draw in a breath slowly. The Beast's ruby red eyes saw her cheeks turn pink for two reasons. One: She was amazed by what she saw. Two: The pink light was casting color on her face.

His mind snapped when she reached out to touch it.

VI

Botan stared at the glowing pink rose that was floating beneath a glass case. It sparkled and it spun in the air slowly. It was almost as if it were teasing her, wanting her to touch it. Her delicate hands grasped the glass and lifted it slowly so that there would be no barrier between the rose and her. Her pink eyes seemed to dilate as she reached out to touch it.

That was when she heard a lethal growl behind her. It was low, guttural. It was enough to snap Botan back into reality. Oh God... please... don't let it be him...

Botan turned around and saw the green Beast standing before her. All his eyes were focused on her, glaring at her. The woman couldn't move, it was like the eyes had paralyzed her. He stalked over to her, snatching up the glass and putting it over the rose, staring at her. Botan could feel the rage pouring out of him.

"I-I'm sorry... I won't do it a-again."

Her voice cracked in fear as she shook in her spot. The Beast roared, making the young woman flinch.

"DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU COULD HAVE DONE, INSULANT WOMAN?"

VII

A/N: Hey! I'm glad to be back! Thanks for reviewing! You make me feel loved! Please keep it up, I like them a lot! So, review. Now. Lol.

-Mia