A Twisted Fairytale : The Variable

A/N: Hey! This time I'll make this chapter longer. I'm still trying to figure a few things out with the plot and all, but it shouldn't be a problem. . Read and Review!

I

Hiei actually flinched. His mouth twitched in annoyance and his eyes narrowed. She laughed nervously, twisting a blue curl around her finger.

"What are you doing here?"

Botan opened her mouth, but then decided against it. The Beast watched as her movements became more uncertain.

"I... uh... I was just taking a walk when I just happened to –"

"Keiko was supposed to look after you. Did she let you come here?"

"No! I came here because I just happened to walk in here! Plus, I had to sneak away from Yusuke and Keiko. They still think I'm in my room!"

There was pause. Hiei licked his arm again, biting it a little this time.

"Go back."

"No." It was a very simple answer. The only reason that the Beast didn't howl at her to get out was because he was too tired. He didn't say anything as he tended to his wound, making Botan's attention focus on him again. "Give me your arm." Hiei obliged hesitantly, and Botan asked him to rip open the blanket she had with her. After pulling out the stuffing, the young woman took the cloth and tied it tightly around his wound. "There. Now, don't scratch or lick it, or you'll get an infection."

"This wouldn't have happened if you weren't an idiot and fell through the ice!"

The Beast hissed darkly, and he watched as Botan's eyes flinched, but then shone with anger.

"Well, I wouldn't have run away if you didn't scare me!"

"Then maybe you shouldn't touch things that don't belong to you!"

"And maybe you should learn to control that temper of yours!" There was another silence until Botan chose to speak again. "Thank you, for saving my life."

II

The two sat in silence. Botan realized a few moments later that it was comfortable. Botan, you could just leave. It's not like you have to be here. Even so, she didn't leave. A sudden noise made her heart jump and whimper involuntarily. Snow had slid off of the glass dome roof. She noticed that the Beast looked at her when she was frightened, but he seemed hesitant to do anything.

Botan observed the Beast. His eyes were hidden by his bangs as he looked up toward the ceiling, the moonlight caressing him like a lover. It's pale light made his green skin more pale looking. Even the eyes that were scattered through it were not a strange in the new light. He almost looks... sad... Botan and the Beast did not talk the rest of the night, but sometimes, words aren't needed in order for an understanding to be reached.

III

Days went by without incident. Yusuke was the first to notice, so he told Keiko, who told Jin, who told Yukina, who told Kurama. They all gathered in the kitchen early in the morning on the third day. The chatter was hushed, but the excitement buzzed through the air.

"Everybody, everybody!" Kurama stood on the high table, everyone else on the floor, a mashed murmur of voices being silenced by his silky voice. "Everyone? Let's discuss this. Now, Yusuke, what has captured your attention?"

All eyes were centered on the clock, who stepped forward after a little nudge was given by Keiko. Yusuke cleared his throat, his hands clasped behind his back, rolling on his heels.

"I don't know if you guys haven't noticed, but the Master and Botan haven't had a fight for three days! Three days!"

Yukina stepped forward.

"I have to agree with Yusuke. Botan's seems much happier now!"

Cheers erupted from the servants. Jin jumped up into the air.

"We're free! The spell is going to be broken! Yes!"

Kurama tried to get his friends under control.

"Come now! We don't know that..." There was a long pause of hushed silence. "Oh hell, yes it is!"

A party was held in the early hours of the morning, and while they were partying, there was another incident that if they had witnessed, their brains would have shattered due to the rapid escalation of their hopes of being released from their spell.

IV

It was early in the morning when Botan decided that she wanted to go to the courtyard. Over the past two days she had worked her way around the castle. It was almost familiar to her now. She happened to love the courtyard. The stone walls didn't let her see what lay beyond the castle, but she didn't like to dwell on that.

She saw the Beast, and she knew that he was aware of her presence. He would pretend that he hadn't heard her open the old wooden door that led to the little hideaway. This made her smile as she snuggled into the coat she was wearing. He sure can act like a child sometimes! Well, if he refuses to acknowledge me, than so be it!

A determined and mischievous grin made its way onto her face as she scooped up some snow in her hands.

V

Hiei smirked as he feigned to have an interest in the clouds. That was when something hit him, and cold liquid seeped into his cloak, which Botan returned graciously. His teeth slammed together as he turned around to hear a sound he had never heard before in his life.

It sounded like tiny high pitched bells. It was... what was it? Botan was laughing as she stuck her tongue out at him. Giggling. That was it. The sound that had never blessed the Beast's ears.

"Aha- good morning, Beast."

She grinned in spite of herself. Hiei wasn't sure whether to be mad or to smile with her. No smiling. I don't do smiling. So, moving so fast that the young women couldn't even see, he threw a snow ball at her, smirking.

VI

Botan stopped laughing as snow splattered on her face. She wiped it off, shaking her hands as she blinked slowly. That was when she heard a dark laughter. She tried to focus as she saw the Beast laughing, his long fangs glistening in the sunlight.

"Okay, if it's a fight you want!"

That was when the battle began.

VII

Hiei found it extremely amusing that Botan actually thought that she had a chance against him, Hiei Jaganeshi. They backed away from each other swiftly, and the snowballs began to fly. Their little game lasted about twenty minutes. It wasn't until that Botan hid behind a tree that things escalated.

"Ha! You'll never catch me now!"

Hiei smirked as Botan yelled out him. He snuck around the other side, licking his lips like a lion that was anticipating his meal. Victory is always so sweet. He was inches away from ending this game as the winner when it happened. Botan sprung out unexpectedly tackling, accidentally knocking their heds together.

They both lay in disarray for a moment. Botan groaned as she clutched her forehead. She was pinned under the short Beast, but then she smiled, looking into his annoyed irises.

"I win!"

Hiei rolled his eyes.

"Hardly, I'm on top."

Then it sank in. Their position. Just how close they were. Almost nose to nose. Botan felt something come over her, her cheeks flushing. Hiei stood up quickly, squashing the warm feeling that pooled at the bottom of his stomach. He crossed his arms as Botan stood up shakily.

"I did win, remember that."

VIII

A/N: Sorry that I had to end it kinda sorta early. Please, please review! I really would love them . Okay, peace out! -mia