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

Surprise!

Botan is aware of what is coming next. She muttered to herself, "I am doomed!". She closed her eyes and felt the oar disappearing in her grasp. She shut her eyes tightly and could only hope that the impact would not hurt that much.

Hiei sighed in defeat and focused his ki to counter Botan's uncontrollable ki. She would surely bang herself and destroy the sliding door if he didn't act upon it. He caught Kurama's eyes glistened and he nodded in letting his friend to do the rest.

She waited and prepared herself for the impact but it seemed that the time has stopped. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Hiei. "Ow," was the only word she could muster to say. She noticed that her feet, no, her body is not touching the ground. She did not hit the ground after all, that's why an arm, a hand in her stomach, then she realized that she was being hold in place. She looked up and saw that it was Kurama.

Kurama looked down on her and smiled. He supported her so she could stand straight on her feet. He commented, "I guess you are fine."

Botan was bewildered but was able to nod. She answered in embarrassment, standing up straight, "Yes! Oh, yes!" She heard Hiei snorted before beginning to walk ahead. Things are getting awkward for Botan but she kept her cheerful face on.

"Let's go Botan!" Kurama invited her and started to trail behind Hiei.

Botan is still bewildered but with Kurama's encouragement, she followed behind him and didn't hesitated. "I guess no one won. Shame on me! I should have not initiated that race in the first place," she mentally slapped herself so as to regain her composure.

Kurama cleared his throat, enough for the shorter one in front of him to acknowledge him. Hiei glared at him. "Woah! Hiei, I didn't know you are interested in racing," Kurama said in happy and teasing tune.

"Shut up, hn!" Hiei opened the door and two following behind.

"Surprise Botan!" Everyone's cheerful voice inside the room greeted. The hassle and effort were worth it as they witnessed her priceless face. They approached her and one by one, gave her a welcoming hug.

"I miss you! We could talk as long as you want tonight."

"Oh, Botan! You should have seen and laugh at Yuusuke on how he deal well with the customers who complain about his ramen."

"Hey!" Yusuke's reaction earned laughters.

"What's up? You can not excuse yourself this time. You are drinking liquor for real! No wine but only hard drink," Shizuru said pointing at the liquor beside her.

"Don't worry about your staying here, the usual, your room."

Botan's heart warmed up seeing and hearing everyone just like good old days.

"Aw, look at you, you should have been here the sooner," Kuwabara said as he approached Botan and gave her a hug.

"Hey! You made me quite impatient back there Botan. If it wasn't for Hiei, I have punched the face of Yuuhei. Sorry, I thought he was lying," Yusuke said quite apologetically before hugging her.

"Yuuhei?" Botan asked and looked at them and search for that face that mocked her this morning. Long black hair in high up pony tail and icy color eyes those surely belongs to him. "Bingo!" To her surprise, he was also here. "What in the world?!" She silently hoped that he would not messed anything up.

"It's about time you realize I'm here," Yuuhei said in a gentle voice. He winked at her and approached her. He opened his arms to welcome Botan and as if on cue, to give her a hug as well. Seeing her stunned made him more curious about Botan so he initiated the contact. Everyone's eyes are on them. He did what Botan hoped he wouldn't continue. He hugged her tightly and whispered into her ear, "Sorry, I didn't, no, it was: I wasn't able to tell you about this plan. You should have at least prepared, you know, lipstick, make up or so. Nonetheless, you are pretty."

Botan is rather irritated, but then, she blushed.

Keiko remarked, "Oh, isn't that sweet Yuusuke?" to divert their attention from them because for sure, Botan is feeling awkward.

Yusuke cleared his throat. He announced, "Alright, let's start this party!"

Everyone settled themselves comfortably at the room and catching up with one another's lives. Hiei, the usual, was on the corner of the room sitting with closed eyes but not sleeping.

"Tea, it's the usual flavor you wished to have when you are here." Hiei opened his eyes and nodded at the polite offer of his twin sister and took the cup. This set up is much fine for him, being in good terms without her knowledge that he is her long lost twin brother. Yukina sat with the girls and helped them make drinks. Kurama excused himself for answering a call.

Kurama went outside really not just to answer the call but also to breathe. He can't process what's happening. After his conversation with his mother, he decided to go and get water from the other room. He entered quietly and sensed Botan with the new guy. Torn between going out or staying, he chose the latter. He needed to know what he needs to. This Yuuhei sure is a warrior but why he was here, he need to know.

Botan told Yuuhei, "You have an explaining to do. Spill it."

Yuuhei raised up his arms to assure her that he don't have any intention of messing up her relationship with them. Yuuhei said, "You didn't even intended to listen in Koenma - sama's last words. I am making known what you should have known in the first place."

She asked, "And that is?"

He sighed and answered, "I'm assigned with you in Makai." He could see her stare at him in disbelief.

Knowing she couldn't do anything about this, she sighed. She turned her back to him and invited him with quite sarcastic tone, "Let's go back and enjoy, I guess." She didn't want this day to have more engagement talk with him so she decided to focus herself catching up with others lives when they return to other room.

He complied and followed closely behind her. "I think, I'm starting to like you," he whispered. He was aware that someone is listening to their conversation and he knew who is that. He made sure he heard him right.

She heard him muttered something under his breath and looked back quizzically at him.

"What? Huh, starting to find me attractive," he asked.

"She replied fast, "Nope!"