Chapter 2 - Risho/Botan - Fireflies

Requested by - Rad1anceU

She had been running away for a while now. However, it felt like she's hardly moved. She knew exactly where she was, she's been through this way before. She wanted to stop and take a break, but she knew it would be too dangerous. They were nearing in, still chasing her even after all this time. They were persistent, that much she knew. Or, would it be more appropriate to say 'he'?

Speaking of, a shadow suddenly appeared in front of her. The man's menacing gaze bore into her like a lion stalking it's prey, and she was no doubt she was the one being hunted.

"Botan, you're quite far from the base. What, pray tell, gave you the thought to go out this far?" He asked, leering at her. She gulped. Too frightened to give an answer, but the look he gave her forced her to say something.

"Oh, I-I was just out for a long m-midnight walk. Nothing else to report on." As he continued to frown, she felt even more nervous. "And, I thought I would have a look and see the fireflies nearby. T-Touya showed me them the other day, and I was just hoping to get another glimpse of them." She stopped her babbling when she saw that his expression hadn't changed.

"I see, so that is why you were running frantically as if you were running away? You were that excited, hm?"

"Yes! They only come out at night for an hour!" She replied, a huge grin taking over. "And this just so happens to be the only night for this week that they come out! I won't get to see them again for a whole week!" She wasn't telling a lie, the fireflies indeed only come out at around this time once a week. Maybe fate didn't look down at her after-all? Maybe she was just unlucky? Yeah, seemed most likely. At her answer, Risho seemed to contemplate something.

"Well, Touya did seem enthusiastic about these, bugs." A moment later, he nodded his head. "I see, I'm curious now. Why these insects seem to entice the two of you so much, that is. Show me why these fireflies interest you so much, if you will." Botan happily nodded as she led the way forward. What a coincidence that the direction she was running happened to lead towards the lake. Maybe, subconsciously, rather than running away, she really wanted to see the fireflies again? Who can say, but she doubted Risho completely believed her. He wasn't stupid, far from it. He was the leader of the shinobi. They had quite the reputation to uphold, after-all.

They got to a break in the trees, the lake not too far ahead. Already Botan could see a few fireflies. It brought a smile to her face, despite having a very dangerous companion with her. The two made it out of the woods, each staring on at the scene. The girl took a quick, careful glance at her companion. She frowned when his expression hadn't changed. At least he wasn't looking at her, that much she's relieved by. She turned her gaze away from him, and went to sit down. One flew right in front of her and she brought her gaze towards it. They continued to stare in silence, it wasn't particularly comfortable, Botan still felt slightly nervous, but she tried to distract herself with staring at the scenery around her. A moment later, Risho followed her actions and he too sat down. With another quick, careful glance she found that his expression had changed, however slightly. He seemed more relaxed, which made her less nervous, but still on edge.

"I will admit, I can understand why you would run out like you have to be here, despite how much of a foolish choice that was." He said, slightly scolding her. Botan hung her head. It was indeed stupid of her to think she could escape her captivity here. She was nothing but a prisoner. She was the daughter of a village chief, who just so happened to be the shinobi's next target. Unknown to her, her father was not a good man. He had killed many innocent people just to satisfy his bloodlust, and that disgusted her to no end. She was taken because Risho seemed to be interested in her, interested in what way, she still didn't know. It has already been 3 months since she had started to live there, and she still knew next to nothing about him. Perhaps that was the main reason why she felt so uncomfortable with him? Probably...

He was busy being the leader, that much was true. She wasn't lonely though, Jin and Touya were both nice to her and they made her feel welcome. But every time she asked about Risho, the two couldn't answer her.

"Ah, now tha' I think about it, I don know tha' much about em, meself." Jin had replied. Touya nodded in return, arms folded.

"Yes, he doesn't tell us much, I'm afraid. I'd say you should ask him yourself, but that might not be a good idea." That caught the girl's attention.

"Is he really that scary?" Jin tilted his head.

"Would scary be the word fer it?" Hm..." The girl sweat dropped.

"I get it, I get it. I'll stop prying." Touya gave her a small smile.

"That may be for the best. Don't worry yourself over it."

'He's so secretive. How can you expect people to trust you if you don't open up to them?' She realises everyone is different, and so, people deal with things differently, but to be so enclosed... it kind of made her sad. It was silent between them again, and it continued this way for a long while. The fireflies' lights began to dim and soon it became dark. Risho was the first to move and got up.

"Lets's leave. Bakken and I have a mission to do in the morning. Sleep is a necessity." He said as he began the way back. Botan felt kind of bad, but she doesn't know why. Who cares if she runs away and gets killed? One less thing for him to deal with. So why didn't he just leave her?

"Why did you come after me?" She blurted out. It took her a few seconds to realise what he had just asked and immediately covered her mouth. Risho hadn't moved but soon turned around to face her.

"Hm? What a peculiar question you ask. I put in all the effort to keep you alive not to mention let you taste our food. You're also good at cleaning. If you ask me, you are more than helpful around the base. The place was a right trash heap before you came along." He arrogantly replied, smirking. She began to shake in aggravation.

'Is that really all I'm good for? Cleaning?! I'd rather be dead!' He noticed how her shoulders were shaking, and he began to frown once again.

"I don't see why you're so angry." He then came to a realisation. "Don't tell me you actually thought I cared about you? Such foolish thoughts. I only went after you because I didn't want my home to return to a waste bin. You know how messy we are." He turned his back towards her again. "If you really want to run away then go ahead and do it, but I can't promise that one of my men will kill you. After all, if we let you go, how can you promise that you won't tell anyone where we reside? That would be such a risk, would it not?" Botan's expression saddened. At the end of the day, she really didn't want to die, nor did she really want to stay.

"So make your choice, stay, and become a slave of sorts, or die, and go to god knows where, either way doesn't bother me in the slightest." He let her think about it some more until he heard her take a few steps. "So, which is it?" She hesitantly took one of his sleeves in her shaking hand.

"Please, I don't want to die. I'll stay..." She slowly looked up at him and she could have sworn she saw a relieved smile take form, but it lasted no more than two seconds.

"I see, very well. I will forget your little run away tonight."

"I wasn't-"

"Oh please, even Jin could have figured out that you were running away. I merely wanted to make sure you knew the risks of such an action." He growled as he saw her smiling face. "Do not look too deep into it. You had the right to know the risks. I was just letting you know." The slightest blush appeared on his cheeks, which Botan thankfully missed. "Let's leave, I told you that my sleep is a necessity, did I not?"

"Yes, you have told me already." She replied as she let him drag her back home. Home. Was that what that place was? Who could say.

Fin!

An- Okay, after writing that, I may start to like this pairing now! This was my first time writing Risho. I hope it wasn't too ooc.

RBforever - Thank you for reviewing! You keep up your writing too!

CrimsonMaidenXXX - Yep! Shishi is so vain! But it wouldn't be him if he weren't, and yep, Botan is not like his fangirls. (much to my relief). Just imagine if she was.

RadianceU - Thank you for the suggestion! This is such a wtf pairing, but after writing this, I may do more for this pairing!

Thank you to all those who have reviewed! Keep the suggestions rolling! I can't wait to see who I will write next!