CHAPTER 15
Botan stood near the ice, waiting for the call to step on. Beside her was Hiei, saying nothing but looking slightly nervous and a little angry. She had to wonder why. Was it because of her or because they would be the last couple to skate that night? The others had already gone so she and Hiei would be called soon. She glanced at the judges but they were still tallying the score from the last couple and it would take awhile. She wished they would hurry up so she could get this over with. She looked back at Hiei. He looked away quickly as if he'd been looking at her.
"Hey," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to be nervous. It won't be that long. Three minutes at most."
"Hn," he shrugged her hand off but said nothing.
Botan couldn't help feeling a little hurt. Ever since what happened yesterday it seemed he wasn't speaking to her. She didn't know why but she hoped that whatever was wrong would be cleared up soon. She'd had enough of strange behavior from him.
About that time their names were called and Botan turned to Hiei. "C'mon," she said, taking his arm. "It's our turn."
He said nothing to her but let her lead him onto the ice.
The two struck a pose and the music began. Even though Hiei had only practiced once and seemed to be avoiding her on the ice too their routine went pretty well, maybe even better than practice; for one thing Hiei didn't fall once. A short time later the music ended and so did their routine. Botan smiled at Hiei to show him she was proud at how well he did but he looked away from her. She sighed and followed him off the ice.
A few minutes later their scores were read and compared. The man annouced the winners and Botan gasped in surprise. They'd won. "Hiei, we won!" she exclaimed turning to him. But he was gone.
She sighed again and went up to get the prize all by herself.
After the competition everyone headed into the lodge ballroom for the party. Botan went out of the way and dressed up a little more than usual, wearing most of her hair down and doting a skirt instead of the usual pants. When she stepped into the ballroom with Shizuru, Keiko, and Yukina she scanned the room for the boys then realized they hadn't arrived yet. She was disappointed. Ever since their little moment in the closet the day before Hiei seemed to be avoiding her. True he'd just skated with her an hour ago but even then he seemed distant, like he'd rather be avoiding her. She started to wonder if he was purposely trying to avoid her.
What did I do now? she thought, looking around herself for the traditional black outfit. Did I do something to make him mad again? She knew that couldn't be true. When she'd hugged him he'd hugged her back. He seemed to welcome her feelings but... where was he now and was he regretting everything?
Yukina noticed Botan's downcast look and asked. "What's wrong, Botan?"
"Oh nothing," the blue haired girl said, making a cat face. "Why would you think anything was wrong?"
"I noticed the look on your face," the ice maidan answered. "And you keep looking around the ballroom."
Botan sighed. "I'm looking for Hiei," she replied. "but I can't seem to find him. I don't think he's coming after all."
"Why would you be looking for Hiei?" Keiko asked. "I thought you didn't like him."
But I do. More than you'll ever know...
"Leave her alone about it," Shizuru told the brown haired girl. To Botan she said. "Don't worry Botan. One way or another he'll be here."
"I hope so," the ferry girl said, slightly depressed. "But I keep getting the worse feeling he won't."
"Maybe he's just being shy?"
Botan shook her head. Shy didn't strike her as Hiei. He was never shy. Just quite, unless there was something that had to be said. Botan knew shyness wasn't making him avoid her. Embarresment maybe but not shyness.
That's when Keiko exclaimed. "There they are!" and pointed toward the french doors.
Botan looked up. She saw the four boys just entering the room. Yusuke and Kuwabara were arguing about something and Hiei glared at everyone and everything as Kurama probed him along.
"Hey guys, over here!" Keiko called, waving.
The boys noticed her and came over. Kuwabara was the first one there. He gushed out compliments to Yukina then grabbed her hand and whisked her onto the dance floor. Keiko and Yusuke walked away next. Shizuru waited for Kurama who was arguing with Hiei.
"You have to do this, Hiei!" the fox hissed in his freind's ear. "She's your fiance!"
"I know. I know!" the fire demon growled, not wanting to be reminded again.
"Then get this over with," Kurama ordered, pushing his friend forward.
The fire demon took some off balance steps forward then regained it before he ran into Botan. He looked up at her and made that "Hn" sound before he took her arm and led her away.
"What was that about?" Shizuru asked Kurama.
"I'm not allowed to say," he replied, taking her arm. "Let's dance."
Hiei and Botan sat down at a table by one of the big floor to ceiling windows that let in the outside view. Hiei looked out the window at the scenery and refused to meet Botan's eyes. She didn't mind too much but it made her wonder what he was thinking and what he was going to do.
"Hiei?" she said after a few minutes.
"I've been thinking about what you said," he spoked up, still refusing to look at her.
"About what?" she'd said many things and wasn't sure what he was talking about.
"In the cave when you said you loved me," he looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "I need to hear it again."
"What?"
He turned to look at her, his face holding a slight blush. "I need to hear you say those words again," he said. "Out of your own mouth not your mind and not because you were making love. I need you to be serious about it. Once. Just once."
Botan said nothing. He knew she liked him, he'd read her mind, but he needed her to admit it without any pressure. She took a deep breath and sighed it out. It couldn't hurt to say it again. "I love you," she said in a voice only he could hear. "I have for awhile but was always afraid to admit it to you or myself."
A slight smile crossed his lips. He'd heard what he needed to hear. The thing he'd pondered since yesterday was finally confirmed. He leaned toward her. She blushed at the closeness of his face. Before she knew what was happening he kissed her right on the lips and this time it had nothing to do with hormones. This was the real thing. Botan put her hand on his cheek and kissed him back. This was a whole lot better than the last time and this time she realized she wanted to kiss him. It didn't feel wrong. This was right and always had been.
When their lips parted Botan smiled and said. "Let's dance!" before she grabbed his arm and pulled him onto the dance floor.
At first he tried to pry himself loose but Botan's grip didn't slacken. He sighed and just let her lead him. It couldn't hurt to do this... just once...
They didn't dance for very long though, just one song, then they headed outside to the lodges back porch. Once outside they leaned against the railing and stared up at the star covered sky for a moment.
"Botan," Hiei said after a few minutes had gone by.
"Yes?" she said, turning her head to look at him.
He turned his head toward her slightly and asked a question that surprised her. "Will you marry me?"
She stared at him. Why was he asking her again? She'd already said she would and had the bite mark to prove it. Maybe he was making sure she'd ment it. Making sure she knew what she was getting into if she did.
"Of course I will, Hiei," she said. "I love you."
He smiled and kissed her again. About that time the sky was covered by clouds and snow started falling. Both noticed and broke away as the flakes stuck to their hair and clothes.
Hiei smiled slightly. "Maybe," he said, looking up at the falling snow. "Snow isn't as bad as I first thought."
She smiled as well as she felt his fingers wrap around hers. "Yes," she said, looking at the scenery. "Maybe you're right."
THE END
A/N
This is it. I'm not completely satisfied with how this ended but I think it was okay. The hardest part for me was the skating competition because I didn't write that part down on paper at all. I hadn't really been planning on doing it but all well. I didn't put much effort into it... Oh brother. It's there. Well thanks for reading my HieixBotan story. I'm sure you'l be reading more fics from me about this couple in the future so keep an eye out for them. Once again, thanks for all the reviews and encouragement. You guys are great.