Hey folks! You'll notice I changed my little scene separators. I got bored with all the little symbols, so now we have flower looking things. Yeah. Real important. Anyway, not much happening this chapter, just a bit more development in Karasu's character. Enjoy!
~*~
Botan jogged swiftly down the street, in the general direction of Karasu's apartment. She couldn't believe that she had forgotten about the meeting that he had arranged. And she knew, she knew he wasn't going to be happy. Not at all.
She visibly cringed. Karasu was not a bad boss. Really. It was just… He took their job very seriously and was very possessive of her time. He seemed to want her around a lot since she had moved into the city a few weeks ago. And at first she hadn't minded, because he'd been so helpful with finding her an apartment, finding her a good school to attend, and providing her a job with excellent benefits.
So, she'd been grateful when he'd shown her around the city and helped her move into her apartment… She even begun to entertain the idea that he and she may have become as close as she and Oliver had been. That would have nice, she still missed Oliver desperately.
But she soon saw that she had been wrong. Because despite Karasu's smiles and his teasing humor, there was an underlying coldness that was always present. And at times, it seemed to consume Karasu so that the smile and humor were gone, leaving a man who was detached and ruthless.
Of course, this was mostly just intuition on Botan's part, because she'd only seen this happen once or twice, but she had the feeling that when he lost the smile, those were the times when his true nature was manifesting. Karasu was, after all, a demon. And demons were not generally known for their good humor.
But Karasu only became cold with her when she was late, or when she didn't take her job as seriously as he did. SO she knew she was in trouble as soon as she had looked at her watch in the ice cream parlor. Karasu was not going to be happy with her.
Botan sped up when she saw Karasu's building come into view.
~*~
Kurama sat in the booth at the parlor, moodily sipping his pineapple shake and staring out the window.
He couldn't believe she hadn't let him pay for her ice cream. He was the male after all, and as such it was his duty. Not to mention that she hadn't let him carry her books for her. Or even open the door. Didn't she appreciate his gentlemanly manner?
Kurama snorted. Apparently not.
] Actually, now that he thought about it, she seemed to be so naive that she probably wasn't even be aware of his charms.
Then again, maybe she was purposely resisting him. He wasn't sure why she would do that, but it was a possibility.
Kurama was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't even notice when Hiei walked into the parlor, cast a surly glance around, and plopped down into the booth seat opposite of him.
Kurama continued to stare out the window.
Hiei glared. No response.
"Ahem."
No response. Hiei quirked a brow. What the hell had gotten into the kitsune? Normally, he couldn't even sneak up behind Kurama without his noticing, he was so in touch with his surroundings.
Hiei reached out and yanked a strand of Kurama's violently red hair.
"Kitsune!"
Kurama's surprised expression was comical as his head was jerked down by the tug on his scarlet locks. Hiei let go and smirked. Kurama rubbed his scalp and pouted adorably at him.
"Was that really necessary Hiei? Surely there is some less painful way you could have gotten my attention…" Hiei chuckled fiendishly.
"Maybe so. But that was more fun." Kurama rolled his eyes.
"You should really learn to control your violent tendencies." Hiei just grinned and gestured to Kurama's shake.
"What's that? It smells funny." Kurama pushed it toward him.
"It's a pineapple milkshake. Have a sip." Hiei regarded the drink carefully, and then took a slow and deliberate drink. His eyes brightened.
"Sweet snow! Good stuff!" Kurama grinned.
"I'll be happy to order you some, if you'd like." He frowned. "I still have plenty of money left, since Botan wouldn't let me pay for her ice cream." He handed Hiei a menu.
"Hn. Who's Botan?" Hiei thumbed through the pages, his mouth watering at all the tasty pictures of different kinds of ice cream.
Kurama sighed and rested his chin on his hand.
"A girl from school. I brought her here today." Hiei started and looked around. Kurama smiled dryly.
"She's not here. She left before you came." Hiei "hn"'d and went back to the menu.
"You sound a little bitter, kitsune. And I didn't think you liked any of the girls at your school."
"I don't." Kurama admitted, slurping up the last of his shake. Hiei had decided on chocolate chip cookie dough and was waving the waitress over.
"They always follow you around though. And watch you. It's kind of disturbing actually." The waitress came and took Hiei's order. Kurama decided he'd have a bowl as well. She took his glass and left them to talk once more.
"How do you know how girls act around me? Have you been spying on me again?" He looked reproachfully at Hiei, who looked offended.
"Do you think I have nothing better to do with my time? Of course I haven't been spying on you. I simply observe the reactions of people around us when we are in public. And that is how all females act when you are around. For example, the booth nearest the door," Hiei made a small gesture to it, " has two girls sitting at it. They are both, at this moment, talking about how 'cute' and 'sexy' you are." Kurama glanced over to the booth, where sure enough, two girls sat talking to one another. One of them caught his eye and he grinned saucily at her. She blushed and looked away.
Hiei snorted in disgust.
"Of course, I didn't come here to inflate your ego." Kurama looked back at him.
"Oh? So this isn't a social call then? What's up?"
The waitress came and set down two bowls of ice cream. Hiei took a large mouthful and choked out, "Koenma wants to see you. There's been another 'incident' he said. Robbery I'm assuming. He wants to see you right away. Looks like he wants your help after all."
Kurama put down his spoon and glanced up at Hiei.
"Really. Well, there's a surprise. I honestly didn't think he'd call on me for anything related to this case. Well, I guess I'd better go then." He looked sadly at his ice cream. Hiei smirked at him.
"I'll take care of that, get to Reikai." Kurama frowned and stood up to leave.
"Oi! I need something to pay for all this!" Kurama rolled his eyes and tossed some money at Hiei before walking out the door.
~*~
Botan knocked on the door of Karasu's apartment. After the soft "Come in!" she walked into the hallway and set her books by the door.
It was darker than usual in the apartment. She made her way to the living room, where the only light was coming from. Karasu was sitting gracefully on the couch, with a cup of tea on the table in front of him. He had an accounting book open in his lap.
The curtains were drawn shut, and only a few strategically placed candles lit the room, giving it a dramatic atmosphere.
Karasu glanced up at her, his brow furrowed and a frown upon his lips.
"I'm happy you decided to join me this evening." He told her coldly, leaning back. Botan shifted her weight from foot to foot uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry, Karasu, it slipped my mind. I went out to get some ice cream with-"
"A boy." Karasu cut her off, and Botan's eyes widened in surprise. Karasu sighed.
"I saw you with him this afternoon. A pretty red head." Botan narrowed her eyes at him.
"Why were you watching me?" Karasu looked up at her through hooded eyes.
"I was going to walk you to my apartment. I thought you'd enjoy the company. I haven't heard you talk of any friends yet. Although I see now you were holding out on me. A boyfriend so quickly Botan? I didn't think you were like that." Karasu sneered.
Botan stiffened at his implications.
"He's not my boyfriend! I hardly know him! And what are you doing snooping into my personal life anyway? It's none of your business!"
Karasu grinned nastily at her.
"It's my business if keeps you from performing your job. We had a meeting today, remember? Oh, wait, no you don't. You were to busy talking to that boy to remember that you have obligations."
Botan gnashed her teeth at him.
"If you knew the situation you would understand why I had to go with him. What the hell is your problem anyway? I remembered and I got here as soon as I could. I'm only half an hour late!" Botan didn't notice how Karasu's hair had gotten lighter, or how his power was barely suppressed. She only saw the dark rage on face.
"My problem? My problem is that you went off with some boy you 'hardly know' and forgot about our meeting." He calmed down a bit. He stood an approached her, frowning as she flinched away from him. He placed a soothing hand on her shoulder.
"No attachments, remember? It just makes you job harder." Botan looked helplessly up at him.
"There's nothing going on between Shuichi and I! We were just talking. Sheesh, Karasu! You sound like my mother." Karasu smiled softly at her, and gently took a hold of her chin, gazing deeply in her eyes. Botan had a slight feeling of déjà vu. Shuichi had looked her the same way that afternoon.
"I am simply watching out for your safety." She rolled her eyes at him.
"Is it unsafe for me to have to friends?" Karasu shrugged. He turned and went back to the couch. He picked up the accounting book and looked up at her.
"Anyway. What I really wanted to discuss with you was our profits on our last heist. It was very good. You get a bonus."
Botan instantly bucked up at the prospect of more money. A bonus? Alright! This was turning out to be a good day after all.
~*~
Kurama sat in Koenma's office, looking strait at the floor. He had come in right after Riku had left, and gotten the report fresh from Koenma.
"So, this thief has struck again has he?" Koenma nodded and rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"And this time it was from Riku's brother. A valuable artifact that he had just obtained. He had three warding spells placed around the estate, which the thief managed to break though, not to mention a rotating sentry. He said that one of the guards caught the thief in the treasure room, but the thief managed to escape. He knows that the artifact is gone, but he's not sure what's missing from his treasure. He's having it inventoried now to find out."
"How long will that take?" Koenma sighed and sat back in his chair, fiddling with his stamp.
"Who knows. A week? Two weeks? He has a lot of treasure."
Kurama blew his bangs out of his face.
"I'd like to see a layout of the house please. And a map of the surrounding area." Koenma sucked thoughtfully on his pacifier.
"I'll see what I can do."
~*~
AN: Hoo. That was short. But I got a chapter out here quickly didn't I? That's right. So don't complain. Sorry this chapter dragged, but I had to set some stuff up for the next few chapters.
Thankies to these people who reviewed: PassionateAngel: I'm glad you thought it was cute. I thought so too. And Kurama is very exited at the prospect of a challenge. I wonder how he'll react when he sees Botan is the thief!
Cheeto: ::Giggles:: Tell me about it. Thos two are so silly!
DeityofRoses: ::Feels special:: I'm an inspiration? I'm so unworthy! I would love to read your new fic! Write it! NOW!
Yume Ookami: I share all my secrets with you. You'll probably know how this fic ends before I even write it…
allin656: Thank you!
Yayo: I know. I'm jealous of her myself. Not only is she a cool thief, she's also got Kurama after her in more ways than one!
Sarah: Thanks for understanding. I totally agree that romance should not be rushed. Which is why this fic is probably going to be fairly long.
Frith: You make me blush… Anyway, I'm glad you enjoy my fic so much. Brilliance? Hardly! ::Goes off to blush some more::
Anichan: Why is it that we enjoy it when our favorite characters squirm like worms on a hook? I also enjoy this slow torture of Kurama. But it won't last forever, he'll eventually get the girl, right?
Review time people! Keep me motivated!