Disclaimer: I do not own YYH.

Turning to Gandara

Two days passed and nothing seems to change. It is the third day. Their travel was faster than expected. They are to reach the so called capital before the sunset. There were few attempts from Botan to lighten up the mood but still Kurama is giving her a silent treatment.

"I wonder what is wrong," she thought. "Does he want to go home? Is my presence irritable for him?..."

Her queries were halted by a thunder and unexpected rain. She looked at Kurama and nodded when he pointed the big rock ahead. They both rushed towards it. Kurama made a shade for them. The rain poured down for a long period of time.

"We should have been there. We could have been in the capital as of now. I could have prevented from dragging you into this. I'm sorry."

He placed his pointer finger on his lips. "Shhh... It's fine. Quiet for awhile. It's not your fault. I also need to fill my stomach," he stated calmly. He then sat down beside her.

"Are you tired? I guess we can rest for the time being," she said.

"Hmm..."

She asked with a bit of irritation, "Hmm, what?"

"Nothing to be worry about," he replied. "This rain will not be stopping until evening."

She exclaimed, "What! That is nothing to be worried about? Of course it is!" She panicked upon looking at the watch. She showed it to him.

"It's broken," he confirmed.

She groaned, "Ugh! I'm so careless." She buried her face in her knees. She hated herself for times like this. Then she felt his hand on her shoulder for a brief moment. She heard him whispered, "We will figure it out later."

The sound of the pattering rain calls out to her to succumb in the darkness. It's the first time in two decades that she had a tiring travel for real. Let the problem be put for later and she seized the moment to rest.

oooooooooo

"Botan, wake up! Wake up!" His voice rang up to her ear like an alarm. She banged her head into his chin. Opening her eyes, he was quite in pain.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. She realized that she have fallen asleep in his shoulder.

"You have been asleep longer than I expected," he said standing up. Their shade slowly vanished and revealed the evening. He said without looking at her, "We don't want attention. We need to be cautious and avoid attention. Besides it's too cold for you to continue in shirt and jeans."

"Ahm, Ku-ra-ma," she stuttered. She opened her attache case and took the hooded brown cloak. She asked, "Will this be fine?" He nodded in response. Somehow, she's relieved that they are interacting again compared to the whole day of not replying to her words but only nod or shake of head. It was as if he was ignoring her. Fortunately, he seems not anymore tonight. Less than two minutes, she was ready.

She announced, "Let's go!" Then she noticed him taking few steps in front of her and turned his back to her. She looked at him confusely and found him positioning himself, bending his knees. Her eyes widen in surprise.

"Come on here. We don't need to waste anymore time."

His words sounded like a command but she was ready to refuse. It seems to her that he was making up for his erratic behavior. It was nice of him but taking the offer will mean admitting she can't anymore go on and non-verbally telling him that she is tired as well. She replied, "I can catch up with you. Silly, you don't have to carry me."

"We will not go, I will not move unless you comply," he firmly declared. Already in defeat because she actually feels tired, she went to him and complied. There's no denying that it warms her heart for he doesn't usually act like this. Much as she wanted to embrace the feeling longer, she just cannot. She was still confused of his cold treatment that will then somehow becomes warm and then cold again.

He manipulated plants to cover their things and serve as a bag, placed in front of him. Its strap surrounded both of them and then he began to ran. Unbeknownst to him, she was confused like him. For his part, he was confused as to why he is still bothered by unanswered questions he decided not to pry into. It has affected his relation with Botan from the previous days. He gave her cold treatment. Thankfully, she seemed to act as if he is not cold to her. Still, he asked himself, "Maybe not?" He found the possibility that he is also looking forward for her to confront it. Then, maybe, his questions will naturally be voiced out and it will be answered.

She heard his last thoughts which she caught to have slipped out of his tongue unintentionally. She wonders what is he thinking about and somehow wish to know. Trying wouldn't hurt so she asked, "What do you mean by maybe not?"

He was taken aback by her question but nevertheless answered it, but not as what he really meant from his thoughts. He said, "It's better if we will not anymore go to the capital. I need to warn you that we will encounter different traps. We will go to Yomi's territory."

"What? Why?!"

"We need the watch, fix."

She replied, "Well, I am basically strapped at you." She chuckled. "I don't have a choice in that matter, do I?" All of a sudden, she found herself face to face with him and their things sitting on the ground.

He said trying to be calm as he can, "Now, you do. You can just wait for me in one of the inn and I'll find you as soon as the watch is fixed." He hoped inwardly that she will not choose the latter he had proposed.

She hardly gets him but it should not be a hindrance from accomplishing their mission. She said, "Well, that would work out to me just fine. How-"

Her first few words was more than enough of rejection for him so he butted in, "Head straight the east, you'll arrive there in an hour." He then started to run with their things.

She was surprised and mad. She glared at him and without a second thought, shouted, "Kurama! I'm not yet done! Hear me first! I refused to be alone there because after all that watch is first and foremost my responsibility. No one can fix that but only me!"

He stopped as soon as he heard her. He smirked for he wasn't rejected after all. She put up neutral facade as she waited for him. For the second time, he positioned himself and she placed herself for back ride like before. She sighed to calm herself.

He then started running. Neither one of them wanted to first speak up as they avoided successfully the traps. Both are as if waiting for the other to spark out a conversation but it never came. Instead, they become aware of feeling one another's movement and even heartbeats within the boundaries of Gandara until they reached the gate of Yomi's castle. They were greeted by Yomi himself and Kurama told him the reason for their unexpected coming.

oooooooooo

"The things needed for this watch shall not be ready until tomorrow after the sun is out. I suppose you will be staying for the night and tomorrow's," Yomi stated to them in a calm manner. He raised his hand causing one of the soldier to approach them. Then, he started to leave.

The soldier asked, "Will you be needing two rooms?"

The reply came from Kurama, "One will be fine." This earned a questioning gaze from Botan. He whispered to her, "Didn't it came from you that the following days, will be the same where both of us are to sleep?"

Before she could reply, the soldier interrupted and invited them, "Follow me, I'll walk you there." Both did as they are invited to, trailing behind the soldier. Botan observed the details of the castle and admired how peculiar they are accentuating the darkness. The soldier opened the only door which can be found within the floor. He said, "Your things are already inside. Ring this bell if you need any-"

It was Botan who replied immediately, "We won't be, thank you, mister!" She got a hesitant reply from the soldier, "You're welcome?" Then he disappeared from their sight.

She removed her cloak and asked, "Hungry?" He shook his head in reply. "Same with me, I am not. I guess we should rest." She rummaged through their things and took clothes for changing into something comfortable.

A/N: FinaLLy, done with the overdue chapter updating... but wiLL try to update another again... soon...