Merry Christmas! Here's chapter 15, as my present to all of you! ^__^
~*~
Botan's eyelids felt inexplicably heavy as she opened them and gazed blearily at her surroundings. She wasn't in her room… Immediately she felt panicked, blinking franticly to clear her vision and take a better look around.
This was… Karasu's room. She was in his bed. What-?
Oh. The memories came rushing back. Youko appearing before her. Chasing her swiftly to Raven Tower, where she had escaped through Karasu's portal. She remembered landing in Karasu's lap and collapsing, having drained herself from the sprint and the unconventional use of her spirit energy.
So, he'd put her to bed apparently. That was nice of him. She moved slightly under the blankets, checking that all her clothes where still where they were supposed to be. They were, except for her shoes, which she could see where sitting by the edge of the bed.
Botan sat up slowly, wincing as she felt the blood drain from her skull, leaving her with a throbbing headache. Her eyes panned the room slowly, taking in the lack of light filtering through the glass doors of Karasu's balcony. It must be late now. She slumped over and put a hand to her forehead, rubbing in gentle circles in an effort to ease the pain.
"It's about time you woke up."
The soft voice caused Botan to jerk in surprise, her head up in an instant and her gaze darting around the room, in search of the speaker.
It was Karasu. He was sitting in an armchair near the window, one of the stolen books resting in his lap. Though most of his upper body was covered in shadow, Botan could see his burning blue eyes watching her intently. It was rather unnerving. She cleared her throat.
"How long was I out?"
Karasu rose slowly from the chair, and moved gracefully toward her, sitting next to her on the bed.
"About three hours. You looked terrified when you came through the portal. What happened, Botan?"
Botan shook her head and frowned. Karasu arched an eyebrow and rested his weight upon one hand. With the other, he gently reached out and caressed the side of Botan's face. She flinched in surprise and stared at him.
"You were burning up when you got back. I'm glad to see you've cooled down now. I was wondering if you had gotten sick." Karasu knew it was just an excuse to touch her. But he was fairly certain that she didn't know that. His suspicions where confirmed when she nodded.
"I had been running."
Again, Karasu's eyebrow quirked.
"And why were you running? Surely you weren't caught by any guards?!" Botan glowered at the spiteful tone in his voice.
"Of course not!" She frowned and crossed her arms. Karasu chuckled as she looked away from him and toward the door.
"Then what?" She didn't answer. Karasu reached out took her chin between two fingers, coaxing her to face him once more. Botan jerked her head away, but complied with his silent request and locked eyes with him. She wrung her hands nervously.
"I don't know if you'll believe me. I don't know if I believe me!"
Karasu watched Botan fumble with the sheets in agitation. He was surprised by her behavior. He had never seen Botan so affected before. Whatever had happened to her must have been serious.
"Try me, Botan." He said soothingly, reaching out to lay a consoling hand on top of hers, smiling with pleasure when she didn't try to remove it, immediately. She looked up at him and bit her lip in a very enticing manner.
"It's really weird. Like a ghost story or something." Karasu nodded to her to continue. Botan took a shaky breath and ran her freehand through her hair.
"You've heard the stories of Youko Kurama, right?" Karasu was taken aback by her question. He answered her slowly.
"Yes… I've heard the stories. The greatest thief in the three realms and all that?" Botan nodded.
"What does that have to do with anything, Botan?"
Botan looked uncertainly out the window.
"Botan." Karasu said gently, trying to bring her attention back to the conversation at hand. She looked back at him, her face pale.
"I saw him when I was in Maikai."
Karasu stared at her blankly.
"That's impossible, Botan. He's dead."
Botan threw up her hands, dislodging Karasu's grip.
"I know! I know the stories! He's been dead for seventeen years! There's no way I could have seen him. But I did." She looked pleadingly at Karasu.
"I know it's crazy. I know. But I had just got done robbing Riku, and I turned around after climbing down a tree, and there he was. Staring at me, and smiling like we were… I don't know, sharing a secret or something. Then he reached out for my hood and I bolted! He chased me all the way to Raven Tower and if it weren't for the adrenaline high I was on after seeing him, I'm sure he would have caught up with me. As it was, he was right behind me when I made it inside the tower. I had to use my spirit energy to close the door in time. I'm pretty sure he had it open and was on the stairs when I made it to the portal."
Karasu listened to Botan's rapid speech with skeptical look upon his face.
"Botan…" He began quietly. She looked at him hopelessly and bit her lip once more. She cut him off as he began to continue.
"I knew you wouldn't believe me." She said dejectedly, as she folded her arms around herself and looked down at the blankets that were pooled around her waist.
Karasu regarded her for a moment, feeling somewhat guilty. But he had a difficult time believing that Botan had seen someone who had been dead for over a decade now. He would have liked to reach out and hold her, but he doubted her reaction to that act would have been favorable. He sighed. Botan was so blind sometimes. She was lucky he was a patient demon, it took a lot of inner strength not to scream when she ignored what he thought were obvious signs of affection on his part. So he would wait until she was comfortable with him, and then he would claim her. Perhaps if he appeared to believe her about Youko, she'd soften up to him a bit more.
"What did he look like, Botan? Did you get a good look at him?"
Botan glared upward at him, not having lifted her head from its downward angle.
"Of course I got a good look at him. All we did was stare at each other for the first minute or so."
Karasu narrowed his eyes at her tone.
"So?" He asked in annoyance. "What did he look like, then?"
Botan shrugged.
"Just like the stories described him. Tall, with a tail, long hair, and fox ears. And he was all silvery and white. Except…" She wandered off, a thoughtful expression on her face. Karasu waited patiently for her to continue.
"Except for his eyes. They were gold. The most intense gold color I've ever seen."
~*~
Youko searched Raven Tower from top to bottom, several times. He couldn't find the Artful Dodger, another exit, or a secret passage anywhere.
He was baffled at her escape.
Neither Youko nor Shuichi liked it when a situation was beyond their control or when they had no answers.
Youko growled and sat down on the old bed that resided in the room on the thirteenth floor. He sneezed as dust flew into the air. Youko frowned.
Where could she have gone? Who was she?
Youko now had another desire. To find this thief and posses her as well as the blue haired vixen back in ningenkai.
And although Shuichi felt guilty, he wanted the same.
Youko stood from the bed and smirked. It was only a matter of time before he caught the Artful Dodger and discovered her identity.
He wondered if she were a kitsune, like himself. She was clever enough. Quick enough too.
He didn't have time to dwell on the thought, by now, he was sure Riku had begun to wonder where Shuichi had gotten off too. It was time for him to return. He stood and faced the west window.
He closed his molten gold eyes in concentration. When they opened once more, they were bottle green.
~*~
"Gold eyes… Silver ears and tail… Long silvery hair… Yes. That does sound like the descriptions of Youko Kurama that I've read about."
Botan nodded hopefully, looking up at him. Karasu sighed and rose to his feet.
"Well, you saw something, that's for sure. But it might have been another kitsune that was in the area, saw you, and resembles the famed thief."
Botan sighed in frustration, but she was tired of discussing it with Karasu.
"You could be right." She rose to her feet as well, and began to pull on her boots. Karasu tried to make her lay back down, insisting that she needed more rest.
"Look, Karasu. I've had enough for one night. All I want to do is go home and go to sleep in my own bed. Tomorrow is Saturday, I can sleep in late and maybe get some shopping done. Don't plan on another heist for the next few days, alright?" She grabbed her bag and, without waiting for Karasu to respond, walked out the front door and down the hall.
She couldn't feel Karasu's dark gaze on her back as he watched her from his window.
~*~
Kurama was frowning deeply as he made his way down the street to his home.
How could that have happened?
How could Youko have taken over so completely like that?
And, why hadn't he been able to stop him?
Kurama bit his lip in thought.
He'd always been able to keep him down before. Youko had never been able to take over the way he had done earlier without the help of some mystical item.
Kurama was very concerned. Very concerned indeed.
But now, Youko's emergence wasn't the only thing on his mind. The thief was heavily occupying his thoughts as well.
Youko's newest desire. And, admittedly, Shuchi's as well.
Kurama shook his head and looked up the stars. He needed to distract himself from these worries.
He needed to see Koenma in the morning, to give him the 'report'. Kurama wasn't sure what to tell Koenma. Or how much.
What he really needed at the moment was sleep. And Hiei. He wished the fire apparition were here so he could discuss the matter with him, but he was to busy with Muruko. Kurama was almost positive the two were lovers, in their own way, but was reluctant to bring the subject up with Hiei.
He opened the door to his house quietly, hoping that everyone was asleep and he wouldn't have to answer any questions like, "where have you been all night?" because he hadn't taken the time to think up any good excuses. And he was so tired, he doubted that he could come up with one on the spur of the moment.
But luck was with Kurama, everyone in the house was asleep. Even Youko was quiet, deep in the recesses of his mind.
Kurama changed into pajama bottoms and slipped gratefully into bed.
~*~
Botan stared at the phone. She knew what she had seen. She knew that Karasu didn't believe her. She also knew someone who would. But it was late.
Botan bit her lip worriedly and glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was around two in the morning. But… he had told her that she could call anytime. And… She really needed someone to spiel to right now.
She picked up the phone and hesitantly dialed the number. After a few rings, the other picked up.
"Hello?"
His voice sounded tired, and immediately, Botan felt guilty for calling him so late at night.
"Hello, Oliver."
"Dodger?" Oliver's tired timbre became cheerful, then shifted into one of concern. "What's wrong?"
Botan hesitated, unsure of what to say.
"Is it Karasu? Has he done something?"
Botan furrowed her brow. What? Why would he assume-?
"No, no! It's nothing like that."
There was a pause between them.
"What's wrong, Dodger?"
Botan felt her eyes tear up at the concerned tone in his voice. It was so nice. Oliver really was like an older brother to her, and she missed him terribly.
"Oh, Oliver." She sighed.
"It's okay," He soothed, "you can tell me."
"You're not going to believe it."
"Try me."
Hadn't Karasu said those same words to her earlier? Funny, she found herself trusting Oliver to believe her much more than she had trusted Karasu too.
"I saw Youko Kurama in Maikai today."
There was a pause on the end of the line. Botan tensed in anticipation of Oliver's reaction.
"… Are you sure?"
Botan felt herself go limp. She had expected instant acception of her tale.
"Yes." She said, solidly.
"Well then. What do we do about it?"
Botan bucked up. He did believe her.
"I don't… I don't know."
"Tell me what happened."
So Botan commenced to tell him the whole story. When she was finished, she heard him sigh heavily on the other end.
"Dodger, expect to see me in a week or so. I'm going to have to make a special trip out. There's something… There's something I have to tell you. I was going to tell you before, but… Well, trust me, it's a long story. One that I couldn't possibly tell you over the phone. I'll call you soon, we'll come up with a rendezvous point."
Botan sat there, her head reeling. What was this all about?
"Uh… Okay."
"Great. Stay sharp, Dodger. If you see Youko again, give me a call. I'll be on my cell."
"Alright."
The line died and Botan sat still, staring at the receiver. What the-? She was thoroughly confused. Oh well. She shrugged tiredly.
She hung up the phone and sat at the table, staring at the 'demon ring', as she had dubbed it.
She had a lot to think about. But at the moment, she just didn't want to. She didn't want to deal with anything. Not with Youko Kurama's mysterious appearance, not with Karasu's odd behavior, not with Oliver's 'story', and most of all, not with Shuichi. He'd been on her mind a lot recently. She still felt incredibly guilty about standing him and his family up, and had meant to call them and give a formal apology after her 'job' in Maikai tonight, but she'd just gotten back to late. Botan sighed. She'd do it in the morning. After she'd slept for a good nine hours and had a hot shower and pot of hot tea.
Botan blushed. Maybe she'd even ask Shuichi if he wanted to do something with her tomorrow afternoon, to make up for today. That wouldn't be a date… Would it? Because, she was doing it out of guilt. Not because… Because she wanted too. Or that she liked Shuichi or anything. Because she'd promised herself that she'd stay away from attachment. And she would. But… this was something that she was obligated to do.
Botan rose from her seat at the table and walked into her room. She collapsed onto her bed and pulled the covers over her head. She'd think about everything in the morning. When her brain was working.
Botan allowed herself to drift off into a deep and restful sleep.
~*~
AN: Yay, it's done! Okay, I'm sorry that I don't have time to answer all of my lovely reviews, but I'm traveling all over the place and it's a miracle that I found the time to write and post this chapter! So, instead of my usual answers, I'll just list the names of the people who reviewed the last chapter as thanks. I love you guys! 32 reviews! WOOT! Don't worry, after the holidays it will be regular schedule once more!
Thank you to these people who reviewed the last chapter!
Yume Ookami, angel-trump, Frith, Max, Shrioi Hikari, mai-v, crane, The New Girl, Broken_Hope, Dark Chobit, Amber Myst, junyor trakr, Azure Dragoness, FluffyLuver4Eva, SweetKaori, allin656, fireblazie, JD Fielding, KagomeBotan8, Xen003, PassionateAngel, Lady Nightshade, Thundercat, KitsuneGirl, Eunjung, Botan-Rocks721, Kari no Miko, NoneofYourBwax, Tiineji Rin, Snowfall, Dark Anime Chick, Kagome, Rose Jade.
Thanks you guys! I'll answer the reviews next time, I promise! Okay, time for reviewing again! ^__^