Hello folks! Sorry it's taken me so long to update, but I'm visiting family out here in beautiful Missouri and I just haven't had much time to write! Well, you know, besides the first chapter to my new fic, Captive (Go read it! Shameless plug!). So, anyway, here's the new chapter, written while I was listening to David Bowie's newest cd, 'Reality'. It's really good! Go get it! (Another shameless plug… Oh well.)
~*~
Botan sighed and kicked off her shoes. She flopped onto the couch and wiggled her toes; relishing the freedom she felt once the tight confinements of the stilettos were gone. The next thing on her list was to get out of the dress. And she would.
In a minute.
Once, you know, she could manage to raise herself up from the stupid couch. Botan leaned back and groaned.
What an evening. It had been fun though, she had to admit. Going out to that swanky restaurant and all. And Karasu had been good company too, after Shuichi had left.
Botan closed her eyes. Shuichi. Now there was an interesting character. Botan wasn't entirely sure how she felt about him. He came off as a nice, polite, and intelligent boy. He was also slightly conceited, though Shuichi himself probably didn't realize that it showed. He was incredibly good looking, which was probably why he had such a large female following at school. Shuichi actually had his own fanclub.
Amazing.
But that was only the surface of Shuichi. Botan could sense that there was more to him. He kept it suppressed, the way Karasu did with his own power. There was a darker Shuichi beneath the sweet façade. And she found it altogether intriguing.
Of course, this was just intuitive on Botan's part. She had no proof, and she didn't know him well enough to say for sure.
Botan yawned. Time for bed. She managed to pick herself up and drag herself to the bedroom where she finally slipped out of the dress and into something more comfortable.
Botan sat on the counter in her bathroom and wrapped her ribs once more, wincing slightly. They were healing quickly, which was good. She'd probably only have to keep wrapping them for a few more days. Botan grinned to herself and slid off the counter to wash her face.
As she stuck her hands under the faucet, something glinted and caught her eye.
The gold ring that she had taken from the Taiyoukai Lord's house… She'd forgotten all about it! She lifted her hand closer to her face and examined it. It really was a fine piece of work. She moved her hand so that the light from the dim bulbs reflected from the ruby. Beautiful.
But she really shouldn't be wearing it around, she should have given it to Karasu so that he could appraise it and sell it for her. She stuck her hands under the sink and soaped them up. She took a hold of the ring and yanked.
Botan bit back a cry of pain.
The ring… Wouldn't come off. She tried again, pulling it gently, trying to coax it slowly off of her finger. But it wouldn't budge.
Botan examined her hand. The ring wasn't a tight fit, there should have been plenty of room to get it off.
Botan tried to remove the ring again. And again. And again.
"Shit."
She began to feel panicked, why wouldn't the ring come off? What was going on? Botan paled and sat down on the tiled floor to think.
Okay… Okay… Maybe the ring was magic or something? Cursed? She took a few deep, calming breaths. Yes, that was probably it. She held her hand close to her face and examined it, trying to sense any magic that was in it.
And there it was, just a spark to her consciousness and then it was gone again. Subtly hidden within the ring was a powerful bit of magic. But what it was she couldn't tell. She yawned again.
Really, it was time to go to bed. She could ask Karasu about it tomorrow.
Botan stood from the floor, washed her face, and went into her bedroom. As she curled up into bed, she thought back on the evening, blushing when she recalled meeting Shuichi's family… His mother seemed very nice, but she'd thought that Botan had been dating her son!
Botan's blush deepened. She'd only known Shuichi for a couple of days! And as good looking and sweet as he may seem, she preferred to get to know someone before she even considered dating them.
Not that she'd ever dated anyone before. She hadn't really had time, what with stealing and all. Not that it mattered much to her, she hadn't really been interested in dating before anyway.
Botan shook her head to clear her thoughts. No more thinking about anything tonight. She was too tired. She curled up and pulled the covers over her head.
She didn't move until her alarm went off the next morning.
~*~
Kurama blushed to himself as he and his family left the restaurant. That had been excruciating.
"Oh, Shuichi, honey! She was even prettier close up! I can't believe you've been hiding her from us."
Kurama sighed in exasperation, before looking imploringly up at his mother.
"But, mother, I've only known her for two days. How could I have been 'hiding' her from you?" Shiori didn't seem to hear her son.
"And she's coming over tomorrow, too! This is great, for you Shuichi, honey. Aren't you glad that I invited her over? Now you can charm her in the comfortable setting of your own home!"
Kurama was mortified. What was his mother suggesting?
"Mother!" Shiori giggled and looked back at her son.
"I'm just kidding, dear. Don't looked so upset!" Kurama leaned back into his seat in the car and shook his head in disbelief.
"I can't believe my own mother is trying to set me up…" He muttered under his breath.
"What was that?"
Kurama grinned, "Nothing, nothing!"
Shiori smiled softly at him.
"You know, Shuichi. If you don't want Botan to come over, you can just tell me. I'll make sure you have some excuse to be out when she arrives tomorrow."
Kurama was about to tell his mother that yes, he did mind. But then realization slapped him. Hard.
He really didn't mind. In fact, he was rather looking forward to it.
Kurama took on a thoughtful expression.
"No, mother… Don't worry about it." Shiori looked at her son. She smiled to herself, but said nothing.
Kurama turned over in his bed once more. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make himself comfortable. His mind was to occupied to rest, and his body was to tired to argue with his mind. So he was stuck in a half-awake state that wasn't getting him anywhere.
That, and his Youko half had decided that it was time to have to a little conservation.
"Wake up Shuichi." Kurama started and nearly jumped out of bed. He looked wildly around the room and, after finding no one there, sighed and got out of bed. He went into his bathroom and began to splash cold water onto his face. He raised his head to inspect his reflection and jumped about a mile.
A cool, golden gaze watched him calmly from behind the mirror's glass. Kurama felt his jaw drop. Youko's visage was clear and crisp. His silver hair cascading down his back and his golden eyes boring back into Kurama's own.
Kurama reached up to touch a lock of his hair. It was still red. He frowned and looked back into the mirror in time to see Youko close his eyes as he smirked.
"Shuichi. We need to talk." Kurama groaned and leaned back against the wall.
"No. No. You… How are you doing that? You're still here! I know you are, I can feel you still inside me…" Kurama looked curiously into the mirror. Youko's molten eyes met his once more.
"I'm still a part of you, yes. But I have become more aware. You must have noticed that your old instincts had become more acute."
Kurama nodded slowly.
"Yes… But… I still had you under control. Or so I thought."
Youko's eyes flashed angrily.
"Under control? You speak as if I were some kind of monster, Shuichi." Youko sighed, and one of his silvery fox ears twitched in slight agitation. "Is that what you think I am, Shuichi? A monster? Do you truly believe that a part of you is a monster?"
Kurama broke the eye contact and gazed a vase of flowers on counter.
"I… I don't know. I've suppressed the dark side of me for so long… I've tried to block you out for so long that I no longer even know what you are. You are the old me. The me that should have been killed by Shiori's love."
Youko smirked.
"Killed? You can't kill me, Shuichi. I'm you. Your very essence. We cannot be separated, and no one can kill me without killing you."
Kurama opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off sharply by Youko.
"I didn't waste my energy in manifesting myself to argue with you. There are things we must discuss."
Kurama drew his lips into a tight line, but nodded. Youko continued.
" First of all. The new thief. I must find him."
Kurama grinned.
"I know. I'm working on it. But Koenma said that he wouldn't be able to get me the Taiyoukai Lord's list of inventory for a few weeks and-"
Youko snorted.
"Inventory? A few weeks?" He paused and glared at Kurama. "What is wrong with you? Take action! Go and snoop around yourself! Don't wait for anyone to give you something! Honestly, I can't believe that we're the same person sometimes…"
Kurama gnashed his teeth.
"Don't you think I want too? But I have no direction! No clues whatsoever to tell me where this 'Artful Dodger' will strike next! I'm not going to search blindly. Be patient, soon I will have more information and then I can move."
Youko regarded him coolly for a moment.
"Very well."
Kurama stretched, and yawned. He glanced up at Youko in the mirror.
"You're draining me of energy for this little encounter, aren't you?" Youko looked offended.
"It's my energy too, and I may use it how I see fit." Kurama rolled his eyes.
"Right. Well, I'm off to bed. I have school tomorrow and since I'm the dominant consciousness, it'll be me that has to be awake. So, if you'll excuse me." He turned to go out the door, switching off the light as he did so.
"Botan."
Kurama froze. He turned back to the mirror slowly.
"What?"
With the light out, Youko looked magically eerie through the glass. He was surrounded by a odd, silvery glow. Even Kurama was not unaffected by the beauty of the scene.
"Botan"
Youko brought Kurama back to reality.
"I heard you. What about Botan?"
Youko gained a hungry look.
"I want her."
Kurama frowned.
"Too bad."
Youko looked curiously at him.
"What? You want her too you know. Our desires are the same. You can't deny me, so why do you try?"
Kurama clenched his fists.
"I may… desire Botan. But I don't… I don't want to hurt her." Kurama sighed and put a hand to his forehead. "This is insane. I've known this girl for two days. Why do we – why do I have this sudden need to posses her?"
Youko's brow furrowed.
"Are you asking me? I know no more than you. All I know is that something about her is what woke my consciousness and brought it up from the depths of your personality. There is something about Botan… You felt it when you first saw her, did you not? She drives you, though you don't want to admit it. Do it, Shuichi. Obtain her somehow."
Kurama felt lost. He knew Youko was right. But he didn't want to accept it. Didn't want to believe that some simple girl could do this to him after only two days. And,
"I don't want to hurt her." Kurama murmured, almost inaudibly.
Youko's hungry gaze softened.
"You think I would?"
Kurama nodded slowly. Youko opened his mouth to speak-
"Big brother? Who are you talking to in there?"
Kurama jumped up in surprise. Little Shuichi was just outside his door. He almost panicked.
"Nothing, don't worry! I was just, um, practicing my soliloquy for drama class."
"With the lights out?"
Kurama thought quickly. "It makes it more dramatic."
A few moments passed, Kurama could still feel his younger brother outside.
"But, it's two in the morning…"
"I know… I couldn't sleep."
"…Okay. Well, could you keep it down then? Some of us are trying to sleep."
Kurama laughed. High and nervous sounding.
"Sure thing, little Shuichi. Sorry about that." Kurama could hear his little brother pad away down the hall, mumbling, "'sall right." He let out a deep breath and turned back to the mirror.
His own, familiar reflection stared back, eyes heavy from lack of sleep, and face drawn and pale.
Youko was gone.
From the mirror, but not from his mind. He could faintly hear Youko's whispers. Kurama concentrated and pushed Youko down, back into his subconcience, where he couldn't do as much damage.
"I won't listen, Youko. You should be dead. I won't let you hurt anyone again."
Kurama crawled back into his room, and sank into a dreamless sleep.
~*~
AN: Okay, I know the whole 'Shuichi talking to Youko in the mirror' thing has been done before. But it just seemed to work for this story, so. Yeah. I used it. Please don't be angry with me! Oh, and thanks everyone who reviewed the last chapter, that the most amount of reviews that I've gotten for any one chapter of this fic! I'm so happy!
Also, I would like to point out that at this moment, I have 118 reviews. Holy Moose! That's a lot of reviews! You guys like me, you really like me! ::Cries:: Well, to show my appreciation, I decided that I'd work on my vacation to give you not only Captive, but also a new chapter to Thief! As well. Because I love you all.
As usual, my thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter:
Frith: ::Blushes:: Jeez, Frith! My biggest fan? Wow… I'm so flattered! ::Does a happy dance:: I can't believe you only have one chapter to go! I'm really going to miss Roses and Peonies. I hope that you can find it within your heart to write a tiny, one chaptered sequel? Just one that's chock full of mush? Because, I for one, would really enjoy it. Really! And, hey! Don't you threaten me with character deaths, missy! I assure you I'll find some way to retaliate! If you kill off Hakuma, then Karasu gets the girl! So HAH! And I would hardly call what you read at the end of the last chapter one of the best Kurama/Botan moments of all time. But thanks for the certificate anyway. I put on my wall, right over my computer so that I can look at it every time I'm writing a K/B fic. Heehee. Do send me details on your Kenshin fic please!
allin656: Wasn't Karasu scary when he got all jealous? But as for when Kurama finds out about Botan… Sore wa himitsu desu! I'm glad you like my fic! ::smiles::
Kari no Miko: ::Blushes:: Wow, thanks! ::sweatdrops:: Don't worry, Hiei will be in it again soon! Don't jump me just yet! I love Hiei just as much as the next otaku!
DeityofRoses: Well what can I say? It was good advice! It helped me with ideas for the next chapter! ::Blushes:: Aw, shucks. Don't thank me, I should be thanking you for the good ideas! ::Hugs Deity:: And wasn't it fun to see Kurama acting like a normal teenager? Hee-hee! J Oh, one more thing, ::Whacks you on the head:: Update Damnable Angel NOW! Or I will be forced to do something drastic. Oh, and I loved your last fic, so cute! I want a sequel with a mushy mushy scene!
Yume Ookami: I know! It's sooo cute! I want a Kurama of my own… Oh well, guess I'll just have to settle for Volpone. Not that I'm complaining mind you. Hey, aren't you happy I wrote your next bit of We Three Thieves? I promised, and dammit, I delivered! Go ME! Okay, I'm alright!
JD Fielding: ::Laughs:: You have no idea how much I loved writing the scene between Kurama and Karasu, even though it was brief. I also enjoy how Karasu and Botan interact. And yeah, again, I loved making Kurama a bit more 'normal' in the last chapter. I thought the way he acted around Botan and his parents was fairly accurate to the way any regular teenage guy would do. And as for Kurama coming around to the notion that Botan could be 'the one'… He's a stubborn little kitsune.
Addendum: Sore wa himitsu desu! J
Miyako-chan: Thank you! Okay, here's the next bit!
Shiroi Hikari: Thank you! So, you picked up on the fact that Youko is starting to emerge… Good for you! ::Evil laughter::
SweetKaori: ::Bows to the clapping:: Thank you, thank you! For my next trick… No I kid! But I'm glad you're liking this so far. Wait until Karasu and Kurama get into it. That will be interesting!
PassionateAngel: I know! Actually, after I wrote her, I noticed that she kind of reminded me of my mom… Go figure. Yeah, Karasu has a few problems. But apparently, drinking ningen alchohol doesn't affect him. Huh. Well, here's another chapter for my constant reviewers. I love you guys!
Cheap Libertad: ::Looks guilty:: Okay, I know I'm a little pushy… Thank you for working on the artwork for me, though! Even though… I've yet to see it… Ah, well. That's how it goes sometimes. And don't presume that you know what my plot is! ::Looks indignant:: I could change it! Just to spite you! (But, you know. I won't. Too damn lazy.)
Lialiakicks: Okay, here's some more! Calm down! J
Sarah: I always love your reviews. I know, Kurama and Botan are just so freakin' cute! Ah. And yes, they will be spending more time together. I think. Wait, I don't know. Let me ask the plot!
Saiyan Under Cover: I hope your computer is okay!
Kagomebotan8: Hah, I agree, Botan and Kurama are simply perfect for each other. WAIT! Don't kill Karasu, I still need him for my story to work! ::Rushes in and saves Karasu just in time:: Ah! Be careful with other people's characters! Hey, when are you going to update your Cinderella story? I want more! I'm hooked on your fic!
inuyashafan98: Why, thank you very much.
Eunjung: ::Blushes deeply:: Wow, that filled my ego inflation quota for the day! Thank you! I'm really glad that you are enjoying this fic. And I'm glad you like my actual style, and not just the plot! That makes me feel so good! Squee! Well, I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations! ::Runs off to try and deflate her ego::
Amber Myst: Here's the next part! I hope you found it alright!
Okay, lets see here, 1….5…. seventeen reviews for the last chapter! That's a record! J And with 118 reviews so far, my ego is now the size of Texas! I blame you all!
Thank you!
Now, review some more! Yay! Let's see if I can get twenty reviews before I update again! That would be pretty darn cool!