Okay, this chapter seems short, but it took me a while to write it! I hope you enjoy. And there are some Kurama/Botan moments! Hurray! Actually, there more like Kurama/ trying to impress Botan moments, but hey, who's complaining? Enjoy!
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Botan stared at the boy in front of her, who still sported a look of confusion on his handsome face. This was Shuichi Minamino?
She felt her face go hot and knew that she was probably the color of a very ripe cherry. She groaned inwardly. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She supposed she should have at least tried to find out whoever Shuichi Minamino was before she started using him as her excuse to ward off amorous boys. That way, if the real Shuichi had ever approached her, she would have been able to avoid an embarrassing situation like this.
And the situation was very embarrassing.
Shuichi blinked at her. He looked as though he was waiting on her to say something. But what should she say? What could she possibly say to explain herself to him? To remedy the situation?
"… You're Shuichi Minamino?" Okay, that wasn't the best thing she could have said. She opened her mouth to try again.
"…." She could only gape like a fish, speechless. And still blushing hotly. She looked at Kurama helplessly, feeling her lower lip begin to tremble.
Kurama's look of confusion softened as he looked down on her. He gave her a small grin, and nodded his head slowly.
Botan felt herself calm down a little in the presence of his smile. She felt the heat slowly retreating from her cheeks.
"I'm sorry." That was better. That was appropriate. That was…easy. She looked tentively at the attractive redhead.
"It's alright. I'm sure… I'm sure you have an interesting story behind it." The blush that had left her face promptly returned. She grinned crookedly at him and nodded. Shuichi's eyes sparkled with laughter and his smile widened. He glanced at his watch.
"Unfortunately, there isn't much time left in the lunch period. Perhaps you would allow me to take you out after school so that you may tell me about how… all this came about?"
Botan's eyes widened. Was he asking her out? But this is what she was trying to avoid! Why she was using his name in the first place! So she wouldn't have to go out with anyone. She began to feel uncomfortable… She opened her mouth to give him some kind of excuse but he cut her off.
"I think you owe me that much. And it isn't a date or anything." Kurama had sensed her fears.
Botan relaxed slightly. He was right; she did owe him an explanation. And as long as there wasn't a chance of attachment why shouldn't she go with him?
"All right, I suppose that's fair." She smiled at him. He grinned back. He opened his mouth to say something more but the bell cut him off.
Students began to leave the cafeteria, and Botan rose to follow them, but Kurama grabbed her gently by the arm and pulled her to him before she could leave the table. She wondered if it were necessary for them to be so close.
"Meet me under the sakura tree by the front of the main building after school lets out." She nodded. He looked into her eyes, as if searching for something. After a moment, he seemed disappointed and let her go, sighing as he did so.
Botan blinked in confusion as he turned away from her and walked gracefully out of the room.
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Kurama leaned against the tree and looked out over the heads of the student body as they left the school. He smiled softly to himself as a flash of blue caught his eye.
Botan. So she was coming after all. Good.
Kurama had been worried that she might not, after he had sensed her fears. And when he had looked into her eyes, there had been no attraction from her. Nothing but embarrassment and confusion.
Not that he could blame her.
Still, he wondered how she could have been so close to him and not felt any kind of desire. He really wasn't used to that. Any other girl would have swooned had he held them like that while looking deeply into their eyes.
But then, obviously Botan wasn't just any other girl.
Kurama's grin became wicked.
Or was she? Maybe she was just naive. He could fix that. If he pretended to be interested in her… Then she wouldn't be able to resist him. Not possibly. Kurama was well aware that he had charm and serious sex appeal. He could use them to get almost anything he wanted. He had before. And right now, he wanted this Botan girl to stop being so…different and just get around to swooning over him like all everyone else. Yes. That's what he wanted.
Well, that, and to catch the thief who was rapidly gaining a reputation that competed with his.
But, right now, Botan was a lot closer than the entrance to Maikai.
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The bell signaling the end of the school rang out, echoing through the halls of the math building. Botan sighed in relief and packed her things up. She was headed out the door and making her way to her locker when someone placed a hand on her arm. She looked up in surprise, half expecting it to be Shuichi. She was surprised at the slight disappointment she felt when she realized it wasn't.
James smiled down at her.
"Hey, Botan! I was just wondering, did Shuichi talk to you today?" Botan blinked up at him in surprise, how had he known…?
"Yes, actually. But how did you-" James waved his other hand in dismissal. He gave her a sympathetic look.
"I hope he let you down easy. I know it's difficult when someone you like expresses disinterest in you. If you'd like, I'll take you out for some ice cream. To help you feel better."
Botan stared blankly at James.
"What are you talking about?" James' smile twisted. He looked slightly confused.
"Didn't Shuichi express… disinterest toward you?" Botan shook her head.
"No." James face fell. He then blushed deeply and let go of her arm.
"Oh." James' voice was small. "Oh. Well. Um. I guess that means you don't need any ice cream on a consoling shoulder to cry on." Botan smiled at him. This James boy was so silly. Slightly annoying, but silly.
"No. But thank you." James cleared his throat.
"Uh… Maybe some other time?" Botan suddenly felt trapped. She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she didn't want to promise this boy something she was pretty sure she wouldn't deliver. She decided to take the noncommittal approach.
"Er… Maybe." James felt hope swell within him. He may have a chance after all. By this time, they had reached Botan's locker. He smiled brightly at her.
"Hey, let me carry your books for you!" He took them from Botan's hands without waiting for her answer. Botan blushed, but decided there was no harm in letting James hang on to them until they met up with Shuichi.
They made their way out of the school building, James talking to her the while. She spotted the tree, and, leaning nonchalantly against it, his vibrant red hair blown about by the slight breeze, Shuichi.
She altered her course to make her way through the crowd of students toward him, James tagging along behind.
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Kurama saw Botan coming nearer toward him through the mass of students and suppressed a grin. He ceased leaning on the tree and stood up strait so that he could get a better view of her.
He frowned. Who was that with her? James? Why was he-
Oh. So, James thought he could win Botan over by acting like a lovesick puppy? Foolish boy. Botan was obviously immune to such tactics. Only he, Kurama, stood a chance at making Botan feel any kind of romantic desire.
He watched as Botan dodged a particularly large group of girls (who Kurama recognized as the group who normally followed him after school) and stopped breathlessly in front him, James following soon after. He continued to chat with Botan until he realized that Kurama was standing not two feet from them. James narrowed his eyes.
"Oh. Hey Shuichi. Why are you here?" Kurama smiled tightly at him.
"I am here to meet Botan. Did she not tell you that we planned on going somewhere… private to speak after school?" James shook his head slowly. Botan's eyes widened.
"Oh, I'm sorry James! I can't believe I didn't tell you. I completely forgot about it until we came outside." James smiled softly down at her.
"It's okay. I understand. Don't worry Botan." Botan smiled apologetically. She reached out for her books and James began to hand them to her.
"I'll take them." Kurama interjected. Now was as good a time as any to turn on the charm. He took them from a bewildered looking James' arms.
Kurama turned to Botan.
"I was thinking, would you like to go to a secluded little ice cream parlor that I know of? It isn't far. And we'd be guaranteed privacy."
Botan rather thought that this Shuichi boy was going through a lot of trouble to be alone with her. She could just as easily tell him about how the whole 'incident' at lunch came about right here, under the tree. It was unnecessary to go anywhere. She was about to tell him so when-
"I find the atmosphere of this parlor to be particularly relaxed and comfortable. I thought it would make you more at ease than, say, just talking about it under this tree."
Botan felt as though Kurama had just read her mind. But she realized he was trying to make her feel comfortable, so she relented. She smiled brightly at him.
"Sounds great!" Besides. She loved ice cream.
Kurama smiled back at her. He shifted her books to a more comfortable position, then nodded to east.
"It's this way."
They walked together down the sidewalk.
James stood under the Sakura tree, forgotten and a little confused, and watched them go. He wasn't the only one. At the corner of the school a tall and slender figure also watched Kurama and Botan walk down the street together.
Karasu frowned. Had Botan forgotten all about the meeting that he had scheduled for them that afternoon? Had this… boy caused her to lose focus of her mission? He growled and watched jealously as Botan smiled and laughed at something the red haired boy said to her. This wasn't right. Botan should be here with him, not some stupid boy from her school.
Karasu's long, dark hair began to blow about dangerously, disregarding the fact that the building he stood next to sheltered him from any breeze. He took a deep breath and tried to get his power back under control. He glared at the back of the red head once more, then turned and made his way back to his apartment.
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Kurama smiled genuinely at the girl across from him, who was currently on her third bowl of ice cream. Botan hadn't been able to decide between strawberry, death by chocolate, and mint chocolate chip, so she ordered one bowl of each. And as she devoured them with a healthy appetite, she had explained to him why she had told everyone she was waiting on him to ask her out.
"So you see, I was just using you as an escape device." She scooped the last bite of strawberry ice cream from the bowl, before looking worriedly up at him.
Kurama was sipping delicately on his pineapple milkshake. He quirked an eyebrow.
"No. I suppose I can understand. However, I am not an unattainable playboy, Botan san." He leaned forward to look into her eyes. Botan stared back at him.
"James and every other person I've talked to seemed to think so. That's why you were the perfect excuse." She plopped the last bite into her mouth. Kurama sighed and leaned back again.
"But I'm not. I just… Don't have those feelings toward anyone at our school." Botan smiled at him.
"There's no need to excuse yourself, Shuichi. I don't mind that you don't have any interest in me, or anyone else for that matter. That's your business. It was just convenient for me to use you as an excuse."
Kurama blinked in surprise. It was true. He was making excuses for himself. He looked back at Botan. She was sadly gazing at her empty bowl. He smiled softly.
"Would you like another one?" Botan grinned up at him.
"Nah! I've hit my ice cream limit for the day. But it was really good. Thank you for inviting me here." Kurama nodded at her, and then went back to nursing his shake and thinking.
Botan wondered if Kurama was angry at her.
"I'm not mad. Actually, I find it rather amusing." He chuckled, deep in his throat. Botan smiled back. She supposed it was funny. She grinned at him.
"You should have seen your face at lunch though. 'But I am Shuichi Minamino!' You looked so lost." Botan began to crack up. Kurama frowned. She looked at him and began to laugh even harder. Kurama couldn't help it. He began to laugh to.
"Well you should have seen your face. I've never seen anyone turn that particular shade of red." Botan blushed deeply, causing Kurama to laugh louder.
After a while he stopped and just looked at her, a bemused smile on his face. She looked back at him, still flushed from laughter and his last comment. He leaned in close to her, his nose nearly touching hers. Botan sweat dropped.
"It's not often that someone catches me by surprise the way you did this afternoon. In truth, I'm really quite impressed." His breath was soft against her cheek. He smelled like pineapples. And something else… Roses? He was looking deeply into her eyes, as if trying to convey something to her without words. Botan began to feel a little creeped out.
Botan stiffened. Speaking of creepy, she'd completely forgotten that she was supposed to meet Karasu after school! She smacked her forehead in irritation.
Kurama noticed her change in posture. What was wrong with her? Was his charm too much for the girl? He inwardly grinned. Aha! So he was finally getting to her. Then she smacked her hand to her forehead. He leaned back in surprise.
"I just remembered I have someplace to be. Sorry!" She stood up. Kurama stood up as well. He was a little confused by her behavior.
"You're leaving? But…where are you going?" She smiled apologetically to him.
"Sorry its - my job! My employer and I were supposed to meet today."
Kurama nodded understandingly, disappointment coursing through him. He dug out his wallet to pay for their ice cream, but Botan threw money on the table for her share of the ice cream. He looked at her in surprise.
"No, Botan san, I invited you, let me get it." She shook her head at and grinned with her eyes closed.
"Please, Minamino san. I can pay for own ice cream." Kurama suddenly felt a little lost. He reached for her notebooks.
"Well, at least let me carry your books for you-" Botan grabbed them from him.
"It's okay! I can do it myself! Thank you Minamino san!" And with a wave she was out the door.
Kurama stood there and watched her race down the street. He couldn't believe it… Botan had just… abandoned him. And she hadn't even let him pay. Or carry her books. And she had resisted his charms…
Seriously, there had to be something wrong with that girl.
He sat back down to finish his shake, looking thoughtfully out the window. Kurama supposed that he would just have to turn the charm up to full throttle to make any kind of impression Botan. Not that he minded. He really could use a bid of a challenge. It had been so long since anyone had resisted him.
All in all he considered himself to be quite lucky. At the moment, he had a thief to catch and a girl to woo. Two challenges simultaneously.
Kurama couldn't help but wonder, which would be more difficult?
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AN: Yay, chapter eight is done! I just realized that this is probably going to be a very long fic. I hope you guys don't mind! I also have a few ideas for another Kurama/Botan fic that I may start writing on very soon. Anyway, didn't you find the ice cream scene adorable? ^_^ Yeah, I can't wait until they actually begin to have feelings for each other, oh the scenes I'll write then! Actually, looks like Kurama's already falling for Botan, he just doesn't realize it! Stay tuned for chapter eight.
Thankies to these people who reviewed:
Xen003: Okay, here's an update!
Candace: ::Blushes:: Awwww. Thanks!
Yume Ookami: ::Huggles the Kurama plushie:: Alright, here's more! And as for the symbols, they separate the parts of the story and the character point of view.
DietyofRoses: Aw, I'm sorry you're confused. I hope this chapter is a little clearer. And thank your for your consistent reviews!
Xiao Xing: Poor Botan, she was embarrassed…
PassionateAngel: Why, thank you so very much! ::Blushes:: Your stuff is great too. And thanks for the long review! I love those!
Frith: ::Blushes until she is purple:: Oh. My. God. I feel so honored that you reviewed my humble fic! You think it's brilliant? ::Blushes again:: Awwww. My stuff's nothing compared to your work. And thank you for recommending me. ::Feels honored:: Okay, okay! Here's what happens next!
Sarah: ::grins:: yeah, I suppose we all knew that was going to happen. I'm glad you're not mad. To make up for it, Here's a chapter without a cliffhanger!
Apryl: ¬.¬ Thanks a lot buddy. Boomstick county? I'm going to have to hurt you for that. Even though it's true. You need to write another fic. I'll chain you to a computer if I must.
Yayo: ^_^' Thank you.
Cheeto: ::Grins:: Thanks! I'm glad you like it. But…. You don't like Karasu? Don't worry, you're not the only one. I guess I am the only one who likes him. But I love Kurama/Botan too! They are just the cutest couple… Anyway, thank you for reviewing, and I hope you like this chapter too!