Alright. So there still isn't really any action. But at least it's set up so you know there's going to be some in the next chapter!
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Kurama moseyed down the street, on his way too his own home. The group of girls who normally followed him had given up a few blocks back, and he was alone. The way he liked it. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. He grinned suddenly, in anticipation of pocky and no homework. And maybe inviting Hiei over for some tea.
Wait. Kurama stopped. Didn't he have something to do before inviting Hiei over? Oh yeah. Visiting Koenma to find out what was going on.
What was going on? It had to be something that affected Kurama directly, or else Koenma would have asked to see Kurama himself… So what could be so bad that Koenma had to spy on him?
Oops. He was home. He'd have to think about these things later.
"Shuichi!" It was little Shuichi, his stepbrother. He ran up to Kurama, grinning. Kurama grinned back, and ruffled little Shuichi's hair.
"Hello. Did you have a good day at school little brother?" little Shuichi nodded enthusiastically.
"Guess what?!" He didn't wait for Kurama to guess.
"I got a girlfriend!" He grinned at his older brother. Kurama's grin faltered. His little brother. Had a girlfriend? His. Little. Brother?! Wha? Kurama was slightly taken aback. Best to approach the situation with caution.
"Really? Who is she? What's her name?"
Little Shuichi began to prattle about his girlfriend.
"She's in my class at school. Her name is Lily and she has blue hair –" Kurama stopped listening. Blue hair? Botan. The only girl ever to go one full day without drooling onto his shoes. Even after he'd made sure they ran into each other. Literally.
She hadn't even asked his name. That was rather rude, now that he thought about it.
He smiled softly to himself. But the look on her face after they went tumbling to the ground. Surprised, flushed, lips slightly parted, eyes widened. Scrumptious.
Wait. Wait. He didn't want to think about her. She wasn't important. No, she wasn't, brain, so stop bringing her up!
Kurama realized that his brother was staring at him oddly.
"What is it?" He asked. Little Shuichi gave him a miniscule smile.
"You had this weird look on your face. What were you thinking about?"
"Weird look? Wh-what? I wasn't… I wasn't thinking about anything in particular."
Little Shuichi smiled knowingly.
"Yes you were. What was it?" He prodded.
"Nothing, it was a math problem."
"Math problem?" Little Shuichi asked incredulously.
"Yeah. Let's play Street Fighter." Little Shuichi's face lit up.
"Yeah!"
Kurama grinned, this kid had a short attention span to begin with, and when tempted with video games, he gained a one track mind, and anything had happened before was immediately put on the backburner.
An hour later, after little Shuichi had beaten him about ten times, (Of course, Kurama had let him win… What? It's true!), Kurama decided it was time to stop. Besides, he hadn't had his pocky yet! And he wanted to visit with Koenma before the sun went down. Which left him with about three hours.
He went to the kitchen and grabbed some pocky before he headed out the door.
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Botan wandered into the park, admiring the landscaping on her way in. She looked around, and, not seeing her client anywhere, ran over to a bench and sat down.
She took out her book and read while waiting for her client's arrival.
She didn't have to wait to long. Someone sat down next to her. She didn't look up from her book. Her companion lifted his leg to rest his ankle on one knee. She continued to read. Her companion cleared their throat. She didn't respond. Let him make the first move.
"Nice day, isn't it?" His voice was soft and velvety.
"Hm." She didn't respond, just waited for him to continue. A few minutes passed. Botan was beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"I mean, look at that sky! It's so blue. A lovely day to be in the park… But wait, what are those ominous looking clouds in the distance? They look like thunderheads. Do you think it will storm, Botan?"
Botan frowned.
"I hope you didn't ask me here to talk about the weather, Karasu." She bit out, irritably. "I only showed up because I assumed that there was a job involved." She finally looked over at him, and was extremely miffed to see him regarding her with a calm smile. He leaned back.
"No, you came here because I paid you in advance. You would have come even if you knew there was no job involved. Just because you think I'm interesting." He winked at her. Botan maintained a poker face. Let him think what he wanted too, as long as she got her pay she wasn't going to contradict him. Even if he was wrong.
His smile turned into a jovial grin, and he sat up and leaned close to her, almost nose to nose, as if about to share a confidential secret with her. Which, he was actually.
"There is a job, though. Another artifact." Botan snorted at this.
"You do love your artifacts." Karasu looked slightly offended.
"Why, come now Botan! I am a collector! Of course I like artifacts." Botan narrowed her eyes at him.
"A collector?" He grinned slyly.
"A historian even. Whatever you like." Botan narrowed her eyes.
"I don't think you're either. I've never seen you keep an artifact that I get you. What do you do with them?"
It was Karasu's turn to narrow his eyes.
"What I do with the product after you obtain it for me doesn't matter. I pay you. Isn't that enough?" Botan looked at him suspiciously.
"There's no need to get snippy, I was just curious." Karasu's grin returned.
"Snippy? Me?" He snorted. "You, however, ask an awful lot of nosey questions for a subordinate. Mind your own affairs, please."
Botan really did get angry now.
"Hold on a second! I work damn hard to 'obtain' those items! I think I have a right to know what you're doing with them!"
Karasu's grin deepened.
"As I said, Botan. You would do well to mind your own affairs." Botan settled back against the bench. She regarded Karasu out of the corner of her eye.
"It's illegal, isn't it? What you do with them." At this, Karasu threw back his head and laughed. Then he looked back at her.
"That's rich. Coming from you." Botan scowled. Karasu smiled congenially and leaned back in toward her.
"But enough about me. Let's talk about you. Are you up to the job?" Botan blinked at him.
"Of course." Karasu smirked.
"Even though I might do something illegal with the artifact afterward?" Botan growled, while he chuckled.
"Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, this shouldn't be too difficult. It's a talisman in the house of Taiyoukai. He keeps it in the last room on the left on the third floor. It's small, looks like an ankh made of jade."
Botan immediately became all business.
"How well is it guarded?"
"Not very, he just obtained it, and I doubt he believes anyone even knows he has it yet." Botan raised an eyebrow.
"Then how do you know about it?" Karasu smiled mysteriously.
"I have eyes and ears everywhere, dear Botan." Botan 'Hmphed'.
"What should I expect once I enter the grounds? Will there be any guards? Wards? Barriers? How much do you know?"
Karasu leaned back and pursed his lips.
"I suppose you should expect the usual. I'm sure there will be a few sentries. This is, after all, a rich lord. He'd like to feel he was safe wouldn't he? And I do believe there is one barrier around the whole estate, then one around the house, and of course, one around the room in question. But nothing that you haven't seen before."
Botan nodded smartly as she stored all this information away.
"One more thing though…" Karasu said slowly. " Avoid, if at all you can, the Taiyoukai lord himself. I have heard through very reliable sources that he is a very skilled fighter. Quick, too, and I don't mean just physically. Understand?"
Botan bristled at being questioned like a child. But she was grateful for the extra information.
"Yep. Got it. Thanks." Karasu smiled winningly at her.
"Of course. I have to watch out for you, dear Botan. You are, after all, one of my best investments… I mean, employees."
Botan rolled her eyes.
"And when did you want this job done."
Karasu pursed his lips thoughtfully. After a minute he seemed to make up his mind.
"Tonight. Come to my place around eleven. I'll have everything ready by then." Botan nodded and got up to leave.
"And, Botan?" She looked back at Karasu inquisitively.
"I don't accept failure." He gazed at her pointedly. Botan shivered but managed to hide it and throw him a contemptuous glance.
"Well that's good. Neither do I." She flipped her hair and walked off. But she could here Karasu laughing softly behind her.
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Kurama glanced at his watch for the fifth time in the last twenty minutes, and sighed. He looked over at George, who was sitting at his desk… Filing his nails…Kurama's eyebrow quirked. What a strange ogre…
He settled back in his seat, and stared at the wall. He couldn't believe George had made him wait to see Koenma. What was the toddler doing in there anyway? It must be more than just signing papers, or else Kurama would have been in there already.
Another few minutes passed. This was getting ridiculous. He looked over at George.
"What's taking so long? This is important!" George smiled at Kurama.
"I'm sure it is Kurama, but Koenma sama is busy in a meeting right now. You'll have to wait."
Wait? He'd been waiting for… He checked his watch… Half an hour now. He glared irritably at the floor.
There probably was no meeting. Koenma was probably just hiding from him. In fact… He looked up… That is something he would do… Kurama stood up and walked purposely toward the office door. George looked up too late to stop him.
That didn't stop him from trying however. He leapt from his seat, trying to cut Kurama off before he made it to the door.
"No! Kurama sir! Koenma sama is in a meeting! He's-"
Kurama had opened the door and stepped briskly into the room.
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Koenma sat back in his chair and sighed wearily before looking back up at his guest.
"And, how long have these robberies been going on?"
The demon before him rubbed his temples.
"It's difficult to say. We don't know how many were not reported. At least two years. The earliest we can be sure of took place two years ago, it was the house of Bashin."
Koenma nodded. "And what was stolen?"
The demon looked down at the list in his hand, reading over it carefully before replying, "Just some jewelry. But it was ancient, almost six thousand years old. A family heirloom that was valued to have been worth around two million gold pieces."
Koenma whistled. A task made somewhat difficult by the pacifier in his mouth.
"And most of the things stolen? They've been mostly jewelry right?"
The demon nodded. "Yes, jewelry and other odds and ends. The things normal thieves go for. But this thief stole something much more valuable on his last job."
Koenma nodded to him to continue.
"It was-"
The door opened.
"- In a meeting! He's-"
Kurama stepped into the room, George just behind him.
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Kurama didn't miss the surprised look on the faces of the two occupants of the room as he walked in. Koenma, in his adult form, stared at him from behind his desk, while another man stared at him from a chair in front of Koenma.
The other man was tall. Taller than him. With long fair hair. And claws. And fangs. And… Dog ears. A demon.
Kurama narrowed his eyes. What was a demon doing here? And talking with Koenma. What was going on?
Koenma stood up suddenly, looking miffed.
"Excuse me, I believe I told George to ask you to wait until I was done with this meeting." He sent a withering glare at George, who cringed and backed out of the office.
"I did wait," Kurama began, "For over half an hour."
Koenma gestured to his guest. "This is important."
Kurama squared his shoulders, "So is this." His stance made it clear he wasn't going to leave. Koenma sighed and sat back down. He looked sharply at Kurama.
"Very well Shuichi," he said pointedly, "have a seat." He motioned to a chair, which Kurama sat down in, eyebrow quirked.
"This is Riku, a representative from Maikai." Koenma introduced the guest to him. Riku nodded at Kurama, who nodded politely back.
"This," here Koenma pointed at Kurama, "Is Shuichi Minamino, an employee of mine." Kurama leaned back in his seat, amused. So. This was interesting. Koenma was referring to him with his human name, something he had never done before. What was going on?
"Let me catch you up Shuichi. Apparently, there is a new thief in Maikai. He's very good, as I'm told. In fact, his reputation right now rivals that of Youko Kurama's."
Kurama's amused smile froze. He didn't move.
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Yay! Chapter 3 is out, and I can begin working on chapter four. So, do you all have a guess at who the new thief is? How do you think Kurama is going to react now that he knows about the new thief? And, Karasu is Botan's client?
Heh, actually, I had no clue who I was going to write in for the client. But as soon as I got to that part, plot took over. And you should always listen to plot, and give it candy, because if you don't, it might run away. And then where would you be? No plot, no story! And plot knows it.
Anyway, Karasu is still a demon in this fic, and still has his powers. His personality is a little different though, and he doesn't have to wear that little mask thing.
Actually, Karasu reminds me a little of Xelloss, the way he's always smiling in this fic. And the interaction between him and Botan reminds me how Alex and Jenna act around each other in Golden Sun 2. Play that game, it's good. And you'll understand what I mean.
Thankies to these people who reviewed:
Viciouse Red: Thank you, I love Botan and Kurama too! (Obviously, would I be writing a Botan/Kurama fic if I didn't?) And, oh yeah… There's something special about Botan all right. Although, as far as I know, she is just a human… ::Grins:: I never know what's going to happen until I write it.
Sunshine and Rainbows: Thank you! They do make a great couple don't they? Well, here's what happens next! ::giggles:: And thanks for recommending me, I feel all special and stuff…
Yume Ookami: ::Squee:: Yume chan! Thank you for reading my story (even though I forced you) and I can't wait to see the manga when you draw it. Trust me sweetie, you'll be more than able to do it justice. Actually, I'm more afraid that my writing won't do your artwork justice!
Tellia: Creative? Me? ::Blushes:: Well, you know, I just got this idea into my head one day and… Here's the product. I'm glad you like Kurama acting cocky, I was afraid I was going to be flamed for him being out of character.
Raven Sin: Heh, I'm glad you find him amusing. I sure do. And I'll explain the portal in the next chapter, but at least you got the client, ne? And thank you for not taking that comment personally, I didn't mean it in a bad way. Speaking of updating, I want another chapter of Delusion! Now! ::ahem::
Senshi's Tenshi: No, I know what you mean by Raven Sin's liking my story to be a boost. People will see it on her list and go, "Well, if Raven Sin likes it, then it must be good!" That helps me out a lot! And you're right about Botan's response to James, I know it's not what most people would do. But then again, Botan is not most people. ::wink::
Sarah: Aw, thanks. I didn't think it was that good. What Botan said… She may regret it… She may not… But you picked up on the fact that it was important! I give you a prize…Um… Candy! ::Hands to Sarah::
Alien 9999: It's likely that Kurama will be naughty in all my chapters… I like him that way, don't you? ::Grins::
Oni3: You're welcome for the teddy bear! And I honestly do believe that Kurama would act this way, put in a situation like this. Thank you for agreeing with me!
Don't forget to review you guys! I love all of you.