Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho!

Chapter 11: Happiness Can Be Painful
Botan's POV

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and blinked a few times. I threw the covers off me, and got out of bed. I dragged myself toward the bathroom. 'I'm so tired.'

"Ruff!" 'Huh? A dog? No, I'm so tired that I'm hearing things. I better wash up.'

"Ruff, ruff!" 'Wait! Urgh, I can't believe I forgot. Shu-chan!'

I knelt on the floor on my hands and knees calling, "Shu-chan…Shu-chan…where are you?"

I heard paws speeding against the wooded floor, but before I knew it, Shu-chan had leapt at me. I stumbled backward with Shu-chan on top of me, licking my face. "Haha…there you are!" I picked him up, and stood on my feet. "You might be small, but you're sure energetic. Haha…stop! If you keep licking me like that, then I wouldn't need to wash my face."

I placed Shu-chan back on the ground. "Okay, be a good boy while I go fix up and I'll take you over to Yukina."

"Ruff!"

"I take that as a yes, now just give me twenty minutes, okay Shu-chan?"

Twenty minutes later

"Okay, let me put on my jacket, and we'll go. Humm…I don't think you'd like to fly, so I'll walk the old fashion way today. Shu-chan, I'll let you walk for a bit, but don't get lost. I'll carry you when we get to the city and no protest, got it?"

"Ruff, ruff, ruff!"

Shu-chan happily walked down the street while I followed behind him. He seems so carefree. It's sad to think someone would abandon such an adorable puppy. 'Don't worry; I'll always be there for you, Shu-chan.'

The city is up ahead, so I picked Shu-chan up without protest, and cradled him in my arms. "Wow! It's really crowded in the morning. Oh, yeah, it's time for students to go to school. Shu-chan, don't run off, okay? I don't want anyone to step on you."

Off in the distance I notice a certain red-head with a group of girls. 'This scene looks familiar.' "Shu-chan, work with me all right?" Shu-chan tilted his head curiously.

Kurama's POV

"Shuuichi-kun!" I heard some one shouted, and as I turned around, I saw a head of azure wave at me.

"Good morning, Botan."

When she came up and stood beside me, her curious eyes scanned the group of girls.

"Shuuichi-kun, who is that?" The girl with short, curly, orange locks asked with slight irritation.

"Allow me to introduce you all to Botan, she is my…"

"Girlfriend!" Botan had interrupted and winked at me. 'This seems familiar.'

"Botan, this is Minako-san," the girl that spoke earlier.

"Hayami-san," a girl that has dark-green, shoulder length hair and raven-colored eyes.

"Sesame-san," a girl with fiery red, orange hair, and her eyes are deep violet.

"And Kimiko-san," she held a sharp glare toward Botan with those navy-blue eyes, while her raven locks fell to her elbows.

"Ruff!"

"Oh, this is Shu-chan. Shuuichi gave him to me on my birthday. Isn't he adorable?" Botan had said before I could utter a word.

"Shuuichi-kun, we'll see you later in class," Minako kindly said. "Bye, Botan-san," Minako hissed.

When we were no longer able to see the girls, Botan started giggling, and a wave of laughter overtook me. "Hahaha…you're quite the popular one, Kurama. Why do I always find you in these situations?"

"So it seems. I believe you've also earned the crowd's attention."

"Yeah, being the most hated girl in the universe because I'm dating the beautifully handsome, Shuuichi Minamino, that all girls would die to have." With that said a pink shade adorned my cheeks.

Fortunately for me, Botan was too busy playing with the puppy to notice it.

"Where were you headed, Botan?"

"Oh, I was going to see Yukina and give her Shu-chan so that she would have company. I mean you all have school, I have ferry duty, and Yukina just seems so lonely that I thought it'd be perfect."

"It's very considerate of you to buy her a puppy."

"Actually…I found him in an alleyway while walking Yukina home from the mall. I was suspicious and thought that someone was following us, but it was only Shu-chan. He seemed to have been abandoned, so I brought him home." Botan smiled sadly.

"Shu-chan was it? Yukina will definitely appreciate you company." I gently stroked its head, and smiled.

Shu-chan had wagged its tail and barked in agreement.

"I'm sorry Botan; I should head to school now."

Botan glanced at her watch and gasped, "Oh no! I better run, I have to see Yukina before I go to ferry duty. Koenma will have my head if I'm late. See you later Kurama."

Botan's POV

"Shu-chan we're almost there, so don't get lost on me in these forest." I barely took three steps into the forest, when Shu-chan suddenly leapt out of my arms and ran into the forest. "Shu-chan! Shu-chan! Wait!"

I ran after him, but he was too fast. As I ran further, in the distance, I saw Hiei. "Hiei!" I was gasping for breath, "di…did you…se..see a puppy?"

"You are referring to this thing?" I saw Hiei hold up Shu-chan by the fur on the back of his neck. Shu-chan didn't seem afraid; he was just happily wagging his tail.

"Shu-chan! Don't run off like that!" I looked up at Hiei. "Thank you, Hiei."

"How pathetic, you even named that creature."

"Yes, I did, and he's not 'that creature!' He's a puppy and his name is Shu-chan!"

"I could care less about that thing."

"Hiei, you are such a…"

"Ruff!" Shu-chan interrupted before I could finish. He was looking at Hiei with the most innocent eyes.

"Awww…I think he likes you, Hiei."

"He is as foolish as you are. Most would tremble in fear at my presence."

"Aww…come on, Hiei. You're not as bad as you put yourself to be."

"Hn," Hiei said, and disappeared in a flash.

"Hey! I wasn't finished." I looked at my watch, and my eyes almost bulged out. "Oh no! Koenma is going to kill me!"

I carried Shu-chan in my arms and ran to the temple.

'Whatever! I'm already late, and if Koenma is going to chew my head off, I might at well finish what I had intended to do.'

"Yukina! Yukina! Are you home?"

"Good Morning, Botan-san. Would you like some tea?"

"Oh, don't bother, Yukina. By the way, where's Genkai?"

"She's out in the forest, I believe. Would you like to see Genkai-san?

"No, Actually, I'm here to give you something, Yukina."

"What is it that you would like to give me, Botan-san?"

"Here!" I held up Shu-chan with both hands to show Yukina. "I found him last night, and thought he could keep you company while everyone is gone." I smiled brightly toward Yukina.

"He's very cute. Thank you, Botan-san." Yukina gave a genuine smile. "Does he have a name?"

"Yes, I named him Shu-chan, but if you'd like you could give him another name."

"No, it's fine, Shu-chan suits him well."

"Shu-chan, you watch over Yukina, and protect her, all right." I lightly tapped his nose, and smiled at Yukina.

Yukina knelt down and placed Shu-chan on the ground. She stood up again, and faced me. "Thank you, Botan-san" Before I could say anything, Yukina walked up and gently hugged me. "I will take care of him."

"I'm glad you like him. Ahh! Yukina, I'm sorry I have to go on ferry duty now. Tell Genkai I said hi, and I promise I'll visit you tonight, okay?"

"Okay, Botan-san. Thank you, and have a safe trip."

"Yukina, if you really want to thank me then just call me Botan." I winked at her. "Bye!"

"Bye, Botan" I heard Yukina say before I flew off, and a smile crossed my lips. 'Today is such a nice day."

Hiei's POV

That baka acts as if she understands me. 'Not as bad as I put myself to be.' She is underestimating me. If it wasn't for my sentence, those petty humans, her so called friends, would all be dead by now. Why did I even offer my assistance to a fool like her? This Ningenkai is affecting me. I must speak with the kitsune. 'Arrgg…the kitsune has ningen schooling. I don't even understand why the kitsune bothers learning from those insolent humans, when he could easily destroy them all. Whatever, I'll just wait until he returns.'

Botan's POV

After being yelled at by a very angry baby lord about being late, being irresponsible, and leaving him with such a gigantic stack of paper, I finished my ferry duty. 'Yelling at me is one thing, but does he have to spit everywhere. If I didn't know he was a lord, I'd thought he was some spoiled brat.' I sighed; for once there weren't many deaths today. I got off earlier than expected, so now I'm going to visit Yukina.

I reached the top step of the temple only to see Shu-chan lying there. "Shu-chan, don't be so lazy."

(No Answer)

'I thought dogs are very sensitive to sound. Maybe he's just tired. I'm beat myself.'

"Shu-chan, you shouldn't sleep out here, you'll catch a cold." I walked up to scoop him up, but as I put my hands underneath him, I felt something warm and sticky between my fingers. I pulled my hand out only to find a dark crimson liquid that I am way too familiar with. 'Blood!' I picked Shu-chan up and turned him over. I saw a wound across his stomach and I instinctively ran inside the temple.

"Yukina! Yukina, answer me!"

Yukina walked out from her room. "Botan?"

I looked wide-eyes at her, feeling as if me heart was about to leap from my chest. "Yukina, are you all right?" I nearly shouted.

"I'm fine. What's the matter Botan-san? Why do you look so worried?" Yukina asked full of concern. She placed her hand on my shoulder, and gasped. "Botan-san, are you injured? Your clothes are soaked with blood."

"No, it's not me. It's Shu-chan. Shu-chan is hurt, and I was afraid that something happened to you." I was breathing rapidly. "I'm glad you're okay." I would have hugged her if I didn't carry an injured Shu-chan. 'Ah! Shu-chan!' "Yukina, he lost a lot of blood. Can you heal him?"

"Hai" I hurried to the couch and set him down. As Yukina began healing Shu-chan, I began to fear that he might not open his eyes again. 'Please be okay, Shu-chan. Please…'

"Botan…" Yukina had put a hand on my shoulders, and snapped me from my thoughts..

"I-Is he okay?"

"Shu-chan is fine now. He just needs plenty of rest from the amount of blood loss."

I sighed in relief. "He's okay." I quietly sat by him and gently stroke his fur.

"Botan, would you like some tea?"

I slowly shook my head, my eyes never leaving Shu-chan. I heard Yukina leave, and gently laid Shu-chan on my laps. "I'm glad you're okay, Shu-chan," I whispered. I continued petting Shu-chan as if it would sooth his injury, then I noticed a red string tied around his leg. I untied it, and found a folded piece of paper stained with blood attached to the string. Out of curiosity I opened the piece of paper. 'It can't be!' I was consumed by rage. I slammed the paper down on the table, and stood up, ready to storm out the door when Yukina's voice stopped me. "Botan, is something the matter?"

"It's my fault Shu-chan got hurt." I had clinched my fist, and was unable to face Yukina. "I failed to protect those that I care about, in the past, and even now."

"Botan, I don't understand. What…"

"Yukina, please take care of Shu-chan for me." I never waited for Yukina's reply. I summoned my oar, and burst through the door.

Yukina's POV

Botan left abruptly. I am worried about her. What she said confused me. Why must she blame herself for Shu-chan's injury? I didn't understand, but when she said it, I felt like I would never see her again. 'Botan…' I looked down sadly, and set the tea tray down on the table, but then I noticed a bloodstained piece of paper on the table. I opened it, but I didn't understand what it meant. However, this might had been what had upset her. The blood on this paper, and the message, what could it mean? I must notify Genkai-san about this. I ran into the forest thinking, 'Botan please…'

"Genkai-san…"

"Can't even let these old bones stretch in peace." Genkai-san looked up at me and frowned. "What is troubling you, child?"

"It's Botan. She said some things I don't understand, and left. I'm worried about her. I'm scared, Genkai-san. Will Botan be okay?" 'Please…'

"I need to hear the whole story to help you. Why don't we head back to the temple, and then you can explain everything."

I explained the entire situation to Genkai-san. I even explained how Shu-chan is involved. I then handed her the note I found and she immediately called Yusuke-san and the others for a meeting. 'Please come back.'

Kurama's POV

I came home and walked up to my room, ready to finish my homework, when I sensed Hiei's presence outside my window. I opened the window, and looked toward the tree. "I see you've chosen a different tree to nest in, Hiei."

"I'm not here to play games, kitsune. I have some questions."

"If it is within my knowledge, then I'll try my best to provide you with answers."

"I've been disturbed lately."

"What is the cause of this disturbance?"

"My thoughts"

"What might you be referring to?"

"It's about the ba…"

Before Hiei could finish, the phone rang. "Hiei, could you wait one moment?" I hurried downstairs to pick of the phone. I answered to Genkai's alert call, hung up, and went back up. "Hiei, I'm afraid we're going to have to finish this conversation later. There's trouble at Genkai's temple. Botan is missing."

(And cut! Isn't this a great ending spot? Nah! I felt like writing some more, plus if I ended this chapter here I might get scolded to death. Sorry for interrupting, but keep reading because there's more!)

With that said, we both ran full speed, and arrived at the temple within ten minutes. Yusuke and Kuwabara were already present. Even the girls were all there.

"All right grandma, where's Botan?"

"Moron, that's what everyone is here for. Now if you would shut up, I'll explain. According to Yukina, Botan ran in here yelling for Yukina to heal this puppy." Genkai had pointed to the puppy currently occupying the couch, and continued explaining the situation about the puppy and a mysterious piece of paper.

"So she wasn't kidnapped?" Yusuke asked.

"No"

"Wait, I'm confused. If she's not kidnapped, then how could she be missing?" Kuwabara asked.

I understood Genkai's concern. This may appear as a coincidence, but I believe it was planned. The thought of Botan, mentioning earlier that she was being followed yesterday, bothered me. "Genkai, may I take a look at the piece of paper you are referring to." Genkai handed me the piece of paper. I opened it and everyone had leaned in intently to see. It read: Like my gift? And below it was a flower drawn inside a circle.

"What's the big deal about a crappy drawing of a flower?"

"It's a peony to be exact," I answered Yusuke.

"You mean Botan?" Keiko stated more than asked.

"Hai, Botan does indeed mean peony."

"I still don't get it," Yusuke said.

"Um…excuse me Kurama-san. Well, be…before Botan left she blamed herself for Shu-can's wound, and said that she failed to protect those she cared about, in the past, and even now. Then she said to take care of Shu-chan, but…but to me it sounded like a farewell."

Botan's POV

Flashback

A seven year old, azure head ran around a sakura tree, and hid.

Botan, where are you? A fifteen year old, navy blue-haired boy called out.

She giggled and peaked out from her hiding place, but she didn't see anyone. She got scared and ran out. "Nii-san! Nii-san!" She searched frantically, but couldn't find anyone.

"Nii-san, come out! Botan doesn't want to play anymore." No matter how many times she called, no one answered her. "Nii-san, where are you?" She started crying. "Do-don't leave Bo-tan alone."

The boy walked up behind her, feeling guilty. "Botan, don't cry. Nii-san is sorry, don't cry anymore." No matter how the boy begged, the little girl kept crying. The boy looked thoughtful for a while, and then smiled. "If Botan stops crying, nii-san will give her something."

The little girl instantly cheered up. "What? What is nii-san going to give Botan?"

"Follow nii-san" Botan rapidly shook her head and smiled.

The pair walked up to a sakura tree, and the boy started to carve something on the tree.

"Wow! It's a pretty flower inside a circle."

"Close, it's a peony inside a ring. The peony is Botan, and the ring is nii-san. It means that nii-san will always be around Botan, and will never abandon her. Do you like it, Botan?"

"Uh-huh! Does it mean nii-san promises to protect Botan forever?"

"Hai, nii-san promise"

End of Flashback

I had flown to nearly the outskirts of Genkai's forest. I know he has to be somewhere around here. I just know it.

"In a hurry are we?" I heard a deep, teasing voice echo through the forest.

"Come out here, right now!"

"Temper, temper, my dear imouto."

"Shut up! The day you plunged that knife through me heart, my nii-san had died along with my love for him."

"You're a liar, Botan. Your recognition of our symbol is proof that I still reside in you heart, dear imouto. You simply can not erase me from your memory."

I glared hard at him, but he didn't seem to faze.

"What, a cat caught your tongue? Or is it rather, an injured dog stole your mind." He smirked.

"So it really was you? You almost killed him! Why do you always hurt the people around me?"

"You are mistaken, dear imouto. I didn't hurt anyone. I accidentally scratched a dog that you just so happened to have found last night." A glint of amusement gleamed in his eyes.

"You!" I grind my teeth and clinched my fists. "You were spying on me," I hissed.

"Spying?" He shook his head. "I prefer to use the term, protecting."

"Arrrggg…what I need protection from is you! Why don't you just leave me the hell alone?"

"Such foul language, but I'm afraid I can't, dear imouto. You see, I thrive upon your pain, so it is my duty…no…it is my pleasure to torment you." Kuraki had suddenly disappeared, and then I felt weight on my shoulders. I instantly paled. He had rested his arms on my shoulders, and whispered in my ears, sending chills down my neck. I was petrified. "I believe I have found the core for your pain." As those words reached my ears, I snapped out of my fear and focused in front of me. I gasped; they were all pictures of the gang. 'No! My friends…' There were some from the dark tournament, there were some from our holiday gatherings, and others were from our girl's day out. "Happiness can be painful, my dear imouto." My blood instantly ran cold.

"Awww….is my dear imouto scared?" 'I will…' "You see, that puppy was just an experiment to see how you would react. You didn't fail me because if you cared for that puppy enough to come and meet me, then I wonder what you'd do if I coincidentally met with an adorable aqua-haired girl at the temple, and accidentally drove a blade through her chest?" '...protect them.'

(Wham!) My fist had instinctively flown toward his face, and he released his hold on me.

"You caught me by surprise there, my imouto." He rebalanced himself and smirked.

"Next time I will make sure to beat that smirk off your face. If you ever get near anyone of my friends, I will kill you."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up with your little threat."

"If I'm dying, I'll take you with me." I charged toward him with my fist out, I swung my fist at him, but before it hit his face, he caught my wrist. I tried to break loose, but he was too strong. I glared hard at him, and glowered as threateningly as possible.

He smirked at my attempt, but then his expression turned sour. "Don't look at me with those eyes. They remind me of my worthless okaa-san."

"Shut up! You killed okaa-san, so don't you dare call her worthless!"

Kuraki shoved me on the ground and wrapped his hands around my neck. "I said don't look at me with those eyes!" His grip tightened, and stole the air from my lungs. I couldn't breath, and my head was throbbing painfully. My visions became blurry, but I was more sad than scared. 'I wish I could have seen everyone again.'

Flashback

Shizuru, Keiko, Yukina, and I walked around and shopped at the mall while conversations and laughter spread.

Yusuke and Kuwabara argued over the last cookie.

Kurama and I sat peacefully to talk underneath the sakura tree.

Yukina gave me a hug for giving her Shu-chan.

Hiei stopped me, and for the first time didn't threaten to kill me.

I really liked everyone: Yusuke, Keiko, Kurama, Shizuru, Kuwabara, Genkai, Koenma, Yukina, and even Hi…Hiei…

Sorry about my inconsistent updates. The truth is I have thought of the entire story, but haven't written it all out, so I'm just going along with mood. Sorry for taking the smile away from Botan once again, but this chapter is inevitable, and you'll find out why later. I don't really like how I wrote this chapter though because I think I left gaps in lots of places, but I can't seem to find them; It just felt like I've left gaps though. I've been writing and changing it for three days now, but I'm still not satisfied, and I'd be helpful if anyone could tell me what's wrong. Please review and I'd be forever grateful!

MiaHime