Disclaimer: I do not claim any of the YYH characters although I wished I do.

Race

Kurama and Botan were both aware of the unfinished conversation, have left it for good. Let alone Botan deal with it so as not to make repeated announcements. They both continuously spend their travel in silence. Climbing the stairs to the temple somehow tempted the girl.

"Kurama," she muttered confirming his presence.

He asked, "Yes, Botan?"

She concentrated her ki on her palm and produced an oar.

He nodded and smiled at her. He approved, "You may use it."

She pointed to the temple and nervously grinned at him. "A race wouldn't hurt us I guess," she proposed hesitantly. He raised his brows scanning her for the valid seriousness in her proposal. And hearing no instant response from him, she heaved a sigh. "I-I guess we need a price for a winner," she stuttered "a-and what do you suggest?"

"I haven't agreed with your proposal yet," he countered.

She was surprised with his reply. Somehow it made her feel rejected but even so, he is very much right. "You're very much right. I'm sorry. I guess it is selfish of me not knowing if you really did agree," she apologized and grinned nervously at him.

He chuckled before looking pensively at their destination and Botan followed his gaze. He told her, "It's okay. They have waited long enough. I guess you are right."

Botan was puzzled for a moment with what he is referring to so she asked, "So you agree to race?" She squeaked, "Wait, let me have some arm stretching."

He nodded and told her, "Okay, go on. You may even go ahead a minute before me. I bet that I can still be the first to reach the finish line."

She smirked, "Well, the last time I checked how fast I can reach that was for 50 seconds. Hey! You sure you will still win against me? Besides, I don't want to be unfair and I don't want to miss the fun."

"And now," he raised his brows, "What do you suggest for it to be fair?"

"Oh, Kurama! The normal race rule," removing her hair tie and fixing it into a bun she continued, "You should only use your normal ki, no Youko Kurama - chan ki even if it is a little. Remember, I can detect that."

"I'm okay with that. But, do you think you could surpass me?"

"In fighting level, no, but in racing, let us see, perhaps it will be yes. Let's see it then!"

"If you continued with the talk, there might not even be a race to start," Hiei said appearing behind them.

"I never thought Hiei is in to racing."

"Hn, stop it Kurama. Let's get over with this tonight so I can return tomorrow in Makai." The irritated tone of his voice was too noticeable for the two not to ignore.

"Okay, as you wish," Kurama said and chuckled. He then looked at Botan who nodded.

"One, two, three!" Hiei counted telepathically sending it to both of them, just enough for them to know the starting signal.

And the race began. It was a close fight. He could see that they have a close fight. Botan is so determined. And Kurama, he is so relax as usual.

Kurama smirked knowing what the result would be. He ran comfortably wearing a smirk. Not long enough, he noticed the sudden spike of ki of his opponent. His eyes widen a bit when she was two steps ahead of him. Realizing, he should not be comfortable, ran on his maximum speed making him ahead of her three steps.

"Not bad," he thought. "The more determined she becomes the more she surpasses her known limits. It has only been 35 seconds. And within 5 more seconds, a winner will be decided," he concluded.

Botan doesn't mind the feels that the wind is giving her. It wanted her to give up. Kurama is three steps ahead and she could tell he might be smirking of his soon winning.

"Nope! I won't let that happen," she encouraged herself. "I just need to focused on my ki on my oar more and then I'm gonna win."

Kurama was surprised to find out that she was beside him again, no more 3 steps ahead. His smirk turned into smile. It was a good decision after all. And so he decided to take it seriously. Either him or her, they were alternating becoming ahead for an inch or two.

"I'm going to win!" Botan shouted focusing more ki on her oar to make it past Kurama.

Three more seconds and one of them is about to win. Sensing that Botan could not control her ki and the oar getting overwhelmed, Hiei decided to make his move. He appeared instantly on the said finish line.