A Twisted Fairytale : Magic Never Lasts

A/N: Hey, thanks for all the reviews! Keep on reading and bearing with me! .

I

This was all Kurama's idea. Hiei kept on telling himself that as he squirmed in his ridiculous suit. He hated it. God damn you, Kurama! Hiei fussed over the sleek black material, reminiscing over how this entire ordeal unfolded.

It had started at breakfast. Yukina and Jin were giggling more than usual. Then Yusuke and Keiko seemed to be more quiet, no hitting taking place, but only hushed whispers. It was Kurama who cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. Hiei and Botan seemed to be the only people who were wondering what was going to happen next, all the servants had secretive smiles on their faces.

"Ahem, everyone, everyone, could I please have your attention?" There was a silence. "Thank you. Due to the fact that our wonderful guest Botan is having such a wonderful time, lets throw a party!"

The Beast's eyes widened.

"What?"

Before any outburst of confused rage could befall the candlestick, he chuckled nervously, cutting off the Beast.

"Master, the ballroom hasn't been used in years, and it couldn't hurt to use it. To dance in it." Hiei rolled his eyes, his cheeks turning the lightest, almost undetectable pink as his one clawed hand covered his face. Kurama, could you be any more obvious? "My lady, we have many dresses, I promise, it will be a romantic evening to remember!"

Note to self: Kill Kurama.

II

Botan was looking through dresses. Keiko was her advisor, and on more than one occasion, Yusuke had to be thrown out of the room. Literally. Seeing as how Botan was only in her under garments, it was only appropriate. Botan frowned as she picked up one of the many dresses. This was all Kurama's idea...

"How's this one?"

It was so short, Botan was sure that it wouldn't cover... certain things... Keiko burst out laughing.

"Oh yeah, Botan, that's a real winner."

The two women laughed. Suddenly their antics came to a screeching halt as the blue haired woman's hand fell on a smooth pale yellow material. Botan picked it up slowly, and as she did she heard the angel let out a dreamy sigh.

"Oh, that is the one!"

Keiko was already trying to pull it up Botan's legs before the woman could blink. It was a halter dress, and the bottom wasn't strait and sleek, but it wasn't overly puffy either. It was... perfect. As Botan was finishing adjusting herself, Yusuke practically broke down the door, trying to get in. Once he picked himself up, Botan heard him give a cry of surprise and victory. Victory for what, she didn't know.

"Oh, you look gorgeous! This is gonna be great!"

As dramatically as he arrived, he exited the same way, throwing himself out of the room and yelling excitedly down the hallway. Keiko laughed sweetly as she looked at the doorway. Botan could see the love in her eyes. Her gaze returned to the girl and Botan felt herself wanting to look away.

"You really do look divine, Botan. I'll tell Kurama that you're ready."

III

Hiei was almost tackled by Yusuke. Now, it's something to tackle Hiei. Especially when it's by a clock. Almost two seconds after Yusuke had come barreling in, Kurama was rushing in loudly, a very odd sight to see. His face was slightly flushed with excitement and his voice shook as he spoke.

"Master, your lady awaits."

Hiei squirmed, his green skin being irritated by the tux. He wasn't used to having a shirt on, just his cloak to cover up his bare skin. He felt his eyes widen at Kurama's statement and then narrow angrily.

"She's not mine."

Kurama waltzed dreamily with Yusuke, who was hitting him, trying to get off.

"But after tonight she will be."

Hiei promptly flicked the candle, inflicting enough pain to make him stop.

IV

Keiko and Botan chatted as they waited for Yusuke to return. They talked of friends, family, and even their views on love. It was a very informative.

"What do you believe is right if it's out of love?"

Botan was thrown off course about the question. It required thought and the proper words to get her beliefs across. Oh, what words, what words?

"I think that loving someone out of pity is just wrong, and that goes the same for looks. Love should come out of... well, I don't know yet." Botan smiled bashfully. "You would know, not me!"

The way that the white marble that made the angel's cheeks turned bright red.

"I-uh... what?"

Botan stuck out her tongue playfully as she giggled.

"Come on, now! It's kinda hard to hide the fact that you and Yusuke are a couple."

Botan bit her bottom lip, doing her best to bite down the grin that was fighting to get onto her face. She saw Keiko open her mouth to protest, to deny, but they both knew that it was futile. A sigh was heard in the room.

"You got me. Well, for me, it just sort of... happened. He's rowdy and I'd be there to fix him when he got scrapes and bruises. And then, just like that, he said that he loved me."

Botan's expression was not mocking, but serious as she listened to Keiko. I read all these books about Prince Charming, but would I really want it to happen that way? A man to be perfect in every way? That would be so... so... boring.

V

The Beast was nervous. And he hated that he actually admitted that to himself. Since when to I get nervous? Since when do I care about what happens anyway? Hiei snarled as he tried to untie his tie without ripping it. He tugged on it, and it got even tighter. After wrestling around, trying to get air to his lungs. That was when Kurama popped into the room. He gave the Beast a look. It was time.

As Hiei walked got to the top of the stairs, his breath was taken away from him. There stood the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Botanwas talking to Keiko distractedly, but that just gave Hiei more time to admire her. She wore the palest of yellow dresses that seemed to flow around her like water. Her hair was down, making her look much better. That was when her mouth stopped moving, and her head turned so slightly so her pink eyes were caught with his.

Please let this somehow work out okay...

VI

Botan was nervous. She had never danced before, and never before in a castle. Keiko was talking to her, giving her some confidence. That was when she felt like someone was running a cold finger up and down her spine. She stopped chatting and turned to the other staircase that was directly across from her's. The Beast was looking at her. And, well she soon forgot about that. She was preoccupied with the fact that he was wearing a tuxedo. He didn't look bad at all. In fact... one could say he was... handsome... wait? He's the Beast! Should you be thinking about the Beast like this?

Pushing those thoughts aside, she followed Yusuke and descended the stairs and gracefully as she could. Once she got to the bottom, she stared at the Beast. She smiled at him.

"Shall we go to the ballroom?"

Botan fluttered her eyes as she spoke in a mock snobbish voice. She watched the Beast smirk darkly. He held out his arm, it was bent, so Botan followed his lead. As she slipped her arm into his her heart raced. She had never been this close to a man... or Beast before.

VII

Hiei led her to the ballroom, refusing to let his cheeks turn any color but the green that they were. Don't kid yourself, she would never love you, or like you! Hiei turned and she smiled at him bashfully. Why would she smile if she didn't like you? His raging thoughts were brought to a screeching halt.

"Do you know what to do?"

Hiei saw her cheeks turn red with embarrassment. She doesn't know how to waltz. He dug into the deep burrows of his memories. He had been to ball nights. He had to have them, and he hated them. But now, now it was different.

"You take my hand and the other hand will go on our waists."

He was given an odd satisfaction when he heard the woman squeak as his clawed hand encircled her. Her skin jumped at the contact, but she soon relaxed in his hold. Odd, not one woman I danced with ever relaxed.

Music played. Neither one of them cared where it was coming from. They just danced. Hiei gulped as Botan rested her head on his shoulder. His crimson eyes widened and he watched his friends observe from the sidelines. Yusuke was silently whooping and Kurama was jumping up and down with Yukina. Jin was just snickering playfully.

VIII

Botan felt like she dreaming. She had always read stories, but not one of them compared to this. She was on cloud nine. Somehow the candles dimmed down, and as she wondered about it, she saw Kurama in the corner of her eye shushing his friends.

The Beast stopped dancing and took her out onto a balcony. Botan shivered, the dress not made for warmth. She sat on a stone bench, the Beast sitting beside her. That was when a dimming thought struck her. I'm here enjoying myself when my Father is probably worried about me. Tears filled her eyes, and she felt the Beast stiffen.

"What's wrong?"

Botan looked into his eyes, and for a second, she thought she saw kindness in them.

"I'm worried about my Father. I just want to see him, to know that he's okay."

Botan saw the Beast's eyes flicker with something. A sadness and lost hope.

"Botan, I think you should come with me."

IX

A/N: Bwahahha. It's not really a cliffhanger, I mean, no one is in trouble... yet hehehehhee. Okay, enough evil laughter, please, please review, I spent time on this! Plus, I got this new idea, and man... I can't wait! . You'll see. Okay, review please!