Last time on The Courtship

King Enma reveals to his Jr. that there has been a 'development' in his engagement. Apparently, he had an arranged marriage that fell through, or so they thought. Enma vows to get to the bottom of it, for his own ego and not his son's happiness but does motivation matter in this case? Koenma, being the honest and noble fiancé informs Botan of the situation, who flies off the handle and returns his bracelet. After girl talk, Shizuru tells Botan to get all the facts.

Koenma paced back and forth in his apartment. That could have gone better, he thought. Where did I go wrong? Perhaps father was right and I shouldn't have told her. No, I want to be completely honest with her. She doesn't really think that I treated her like a…he couldn't even say the word. He had lost his temper when she accused him of that. Perhaps I will let her cool down for a day or so, and talk to her again. I need to explain why I didn't tell her.

The truth was, he didn't think there was anything to tell. The arrangement was dissolved, and that was that. Lord Takahiro must have some ulterior motive. He was desperate to find out what it was. He knew his father would take care of it, but he felt that since he had come into his own, he should take care of it. Perhaps I should send Yusuke and Hiei to shake the truth out of him. They are very good at persuasion, he thought darkly with immense pleasure, but dismissed the thought.

There was a knock at the door.

"What?" he snapped.

"Sir," he heard Jorje's voice, "Yusuke and his team are here. You told me to send them down here."

Koenma opened the door. They four detectives strolled in, Yusuke and Kuwabara marveled at the grandeur of it all.

"Wow, some place you got here. Pretty swanky for a toddler," Yusuke commented.

"Shut up. Not in the mood."

"Didn't I tell you to get-"

Koenma silenced him with a fierce glare.

"Alright, alright, don't get your diaper bunched up," Yusuke held up his hands.

"What of the rebellion?" Koenma asked.

"Well we, or Hiei rather, took care of it for Mukuro," Yusuke said, nudging the smaller demon.

"Weak fools," Hiei commented.

"And Yomi's rebellion has been crushed as well," Kurama commented, failing to elaborate.

"That's some good news," Koenma muttered, more to himself that to the others.

"Dude? What's going on?" Yusuke asked, concerned.

"Nothing," Koenma lied.

"Nothing my ass," Yusuke said. "What is it man? You can tell us. We're your friends."

"Yusuke-"

"Perhaps we should drop the issue," Kurama said calmly. "Clearly Koenma does not wish to share it with us."

"No, I will not drop it," Yusuke countered stubbornly. "What is it Koenma?"

"Alright, I tell you." Koenma recounted the story for his friends.

"Holy shit," Yusuke said.

"Really?" Kuwabara asked.

"How unfortunate," Kurama commented.

"Hn."

"Maybe we need to go have a talk with this Lord what's-his-name," Yusuke said.

"That won't be necessary, Yusuke. My father will handle it."

"No offense to daddy dearest," Yusuke said. "But he hasn't exactly had your happiness in mind."

"Perhaps not. But he sees this as an insult to him, so he will work to get it dissolved. He also said I… shouldn't have told her. Maybe he was right-"

"Nah," Kuwabara said. "You should always be completely honest about stuff like that." Hiei shot him a pensive look. Kuwabara hadn't mentioned Touya after their little encounter, was he upset because Hiei hadn't told him?

"I thought so too," Koenma said.

"I don't know," Yusuke said. "Maybe too much honesty isn't good. You want to protect her from certain stuff."

"You sound like my father," Koenma chuckled. "In fact, he told me to seek you out for advice."

Yusuke raised his eyebrow. "Really? That's the smartest thing I heard him say. But seriously, Koenma. We all have a dirty job. I keep all this spirit detective stuff from Keiko. I don't want her involved."

"I try not to involve Shizuru either," Kurama said. "But with her high spirit awareness, that isn't always possible."

"I know, but Botan's a part of the team…"

"I know, but she doesn't know everything," Yusuke insisted. "Look, I'm just saying. It's your choice. Have you talked to her since she went all batty on you?"

"Urameshi!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

"No Kuwabara it's ok. No I haven't. She was very…upset."

"Did she hit you?"

"She did."

"Damn. Well let her cool off for a day or two and then get down on your knees. That usually works for me," Yusuke recommended.

Koenma chuckled again. "Perhaps."

"Hn. Why should you apologize for telling the truth? She should apologize to you. She clearly overreacted."

"Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black," Kuwabara muttered.

Hiei rounded on his mate. "What was that?"

"Nothing," Kuwabara said innocently.

"Perhaps she did overreact," Kurama said. "But she probably won't see it that way. In a relationship, someone usually does most of the apologizing to keep the peace."

Kuwabara's face muscles twitched. Hiei glared at him.

"Women," Hiei snorted. "Such irrational creatures."

Kuwabara raised his eyebrows. Clearly he had something to say on the matter, but chose not to comment…to keep the peace.

Hiei had had enough. "Kazuma? Do you have something to say?"

"Not at all, Hiei."

"You're lying! Look at that damned smirk on your face!"

"Hiei-"

"Um, excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Kuwabara," Yusuke interjected. "This kinda isn't about you. So save your bickering for when you get home."

Hiei opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. He would definitely bring this up with Kazuma later. Kuwabara sighed, knowing what to expect when they got home.

"Well, anyway Koenma if you want us to take care of this dude for you then just say it," Yusuke said.

"I don't want you involved, but thanks."

"Alright, we're out."

When they all arrived at Yusuke's place the girls were on them at once.

"Did Koenma tell you what happened?" Keiko demanded.

"Look, it really isn't our business," Yusuke replied.

"Isn't your business? Koenma is your friend!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, but he told us to stay out of it," Kuwabara spoke up.

"When did you stay out of people's business baby bro?" Shizuru asked. Hiei rolled his eyes. He hated it when Shizuru called him that.

Kuwabara went red in the face. "What? Whad'ya mean?" he demanded.

"I mean that you were never one to overlook a friend in need," Shizuru said.

"But dear," Kurama said calmy. "He specifically asked us not to-"

"Well maybe he shouldn't have gotten involved to get you two out of prison," Shizuru cut him off, laying the trap for a guilt trip.

"That has nothing to do with this situation here," Hiei snapped, knowing Kurama would fall victim to Shizuru.

"Fine." She turned her back on Hiei. "But what about you three?" she asked.

"Look-"Yusuke started.

"Didn't he bring you back to life once?" Keiko demanded. "And stop King Enma from trying to eradicate you? He got in a lot of trouble for that, as I recall." Keiko crossed her arms and fixed Yusuke with the look.

Yusuke knew he was beaten. "Well, we could look into it I guess…"

Keiko threw her arms around her husband. "Good! You can head to spirit world right away!"

"Right away!" Yusuke exclaimed "We just got back!"

The look.

"Look Keiko, seriously. I'm beat."

"Alright," she agreed, albeit reluctantly. "But first thing tomorrow!"

"Yeah. Now get out. You two meet me here at ten tomorrow morning," Yusuke indicated to Kuwabara and Kurama, noting Hiei's look of disdain.

"No need to look at me like that, shorty. You said you weren't coming."

"I'm not!" Hiei snapped.

"Alrighty then," Yusuke said. "But seriously everybody, get out."

When the Kuwabara's arrived home, Hiei started in immediately. "What the hell was that all about?" he demanded.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kuwabara sighed.

"The hell you don't! I saw those expressions you were making. Do you have something to say, Kazuma?"

"Not at all."

"You're lying again! I don't like it when you try to lie to me, Kazuma!" Hiei had his little fists clenched and was breathing heavy.

"I don't know, Hiei. Perhaps you're overreacting?"

"What?" Hiei shrieked. "What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said. Look at you, getting all bent outta shape over nuthin'."

"I AM NOT BENT OUT OF SHAPE!"

"If you say so."

Kuwabara's indifference only served to fuel Hiei's temper tantrum more. Kuwabara could feel the anger pouring off of Hiei in droves.

"What are ya so mad about?" Kuwabara demanded. "We're arguing about nuthin!"

"You know what this is about!"

"No, I don't. You want to yell at somebody, yell at yourself. I'm going to bed." Kuwabara walked toward the bedroom.

Hiei was already there, barring the entrance. "You're not sleeping in here unless you apologize!"

"Well, I guess it's the couch then. I ain't apologizing for something I didn't do, this time," Kuwabara emphasized.

Hiei went into the room and slammed the door. Kuwabara sighed and headed for the linen closet to get blankets and a pillow.

Back in spirit world, Botan paced in her quarters. Perhaps I overreacted, she thought. I just got so mad! I've dreamed about this moment and now it's messed up. And why didn't he tell me? She demanded to herself. I'll ask him tomorrow at our meeting. She loved Koenma so much; she couldn't bear to lose him. She had been so elated this past week, after they confessed their love for each other. And the fun they'd been having…she felt like a fool for that remark about him using her. And he was so angry when I said that. She hoped she hadn't completely ruined it.

Kurama and Shizuru sat up in bed. "So fox, you really gonna help him?"

"Well," he replied, "I normally wouldn't get involved but you make an excellent point."

"I knew you would see it my way."

"I always do."

"So, have you talked to Koenma alone yet?"

"If I had, I would be obligated to maintain absolute discretion."

"If you say so. I see you took our book on kama sutra out of our private collection. Could you be loaning it to someone? Or do you need some review some of our favorites?"

Kurama rolled over on top of his woman. "I need no review. And I believe we were in the middle of something…"

Over at the Urameshi household, Yusuke was feeling refreshed after his nap. He walked into the kitchen where his wife was fixing her favorite late night snack: vanilla ice cream loaded down with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

"A sweet tooth eh?" Yusuke asked.

Keiko grinned. "Something like that."

Her look gave Yusuke pause. She got that look when she wanted to…play. He could feel himself stiffening. Down boy¸ he mentally admonished.

Keiko missed none of it. "So does little Yusuke want to come out to play?"

Yusuke almost hit the floor. "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?" he demanded playfully.

She turned around and bent over the drawer, looking for a spoon. She knew she had Yusuke right where she wanted him. He could never resist her ass. After 10 years, he still drooled at the sight of it.

She turned back around. "Well, if you don't want to…" she trailed off.

"Hell yeah!" he exclaimed, preparing to scoop her up and sprint to the bedroom.

She stopped him. "Why not here? I would hate to get all of this chocolate and ice cream all over my sheets."

He was so shocked from her words and actions that he didn't notice her unzipping his pants until he felt something cold and wet on his cock.

"What the-"

He looked down to see his wife on her knees. "Oh dear, Yusuke. I've made a mess! Let me clean it up for you." She proceeded to lick the sundae off his cock.

"HOLY SHIT!" Yusuke didn't know what had gotten into his wife, but he definitely wasn't complaining.

Kuwabara shifted uncomfortably on the couch. It was a sectional made of plum colored velvet and very expensive, but it was the only one that Hiei liked. The couch had an extra long section at the end for lounging; Kuwabara would often stretch out his legs on it after work with his lover in his lap as they watched television. It was comfortable but not made for sleeping. He wanted his bed, but wasn't going to apologize to Hiei for nothing…at least not tonight. He thought about the advice that Kurama had given Koenma. Kuwabara usually ended up apologizing after arguments to keep the peace. Hiei wasn't as irrational as a woman, he was far worse than a woman. He finally managed to drift off to sleep when he felt something, or someone climbing on top of him. He cracked open his lids and immediately locked eyes with a ruby-eyed demon.

"Kazuma?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry. Can you come to bed please?"

Kuwabara smirked. "Thought you wanted me on the couch tonight."

"I said I was sorry," Hiei pouted. "Do you want be to beg?"

Kuwabara sat up. "Not necessary, shorty. But if you are truly sorry…" he said, pushing Hiei down on the couch and sliding his boxers down. "…you'll prove it." He was positioned behind the little demon on all fours, reaching around to stroke his lover's now erect cock.

Hiei was on fire. He was panting and thrusting into his lover's hand. "Kazuma," he panted.

"What is it shorty?" Kuwabara whispered in his ear, sticking a moistened finger into his tight, hot channel.

"I-I…ohhhh! I don't want to come on the couch!"

"Well, get on the floor."

Awwww poor Koenma! All his friends seem to be getting it, why not him? Will Yusuke and his crew be able to convince Lord what's-his-name to back off? Will Koenma have to go on his knees? Will that be enough? Find out as The Courtship continues!

Ola chicas! (and chicos) Look, I know you thought you were getting a juicy lemon but this is Botan and Koenma's story! And I have NOT abandoned The Cabin. I have a few creative ideas but just can't pull it together. I know SOMEONE is going to be totally pwned, though!

One more thing: I have started an ambitious new project with one of my absolute favorite characters from YYH. Got the first chappie done, just debating over whether to post it or not.