Thanks for the reviews! Here's the next chapter.. Sorry I've been busy with college visits and applications..Gr.
Knock knock
Kurama turned his head toward the sound and proceeded to get up from his couch. Suddenly he froze and decided to sit back down.
"I'll just pretend I'm not home just in case..." he said to himself.
Knock knock
He continued to read his magazine.
"Kurama, are you home?"
He gave a sigh of relief. "Yes. Come in Botan."
"Uhm...Kurama, I can't get through if you locked the door."
He pounced up from his leather couch and sprinted toward the door. Kurama threw open all the "locks" and "safekeeps" he had installed, turned the golden knob and swung the oak door open. Kurama saw a disheveled Botan at his threshold and gave her a knowing look. Her cerulean hair was frizzy and it looked like she hadn't slept in days - dark rings underneath her amethyst eyes. He moved to the side so Botan could enter and she gave a small "Heh" as she stumbled through.
Kurama raised an eyebrow as he remarked "Tax collector?"
Botan gave him a small "o" of surprise and laughed. Relief washed over her as Kurama offered her to sit down while he would boil water for some soothing tea. Botan glanced at his home and thought it was better looking than when she last visited.
"When was the last time I visited?" Botan asked herself.
Kurama strode in with a mug of hot tea. He carefully placed it on the glossy rosewood table and set sugar and milk beside her.
"Do you need anything else?" Kurama asked. It was obvious his question was laced with concern, but Botan hadn't gotten to the difficult part of asking him for the "favor" yet. Botan gulped down her fear and laughed nervously. She lifted the delicate porcelain mug and took a sip. She nearly spit out the steaming tea, but gave a small grimace instead. Kurama laughed at her response and sat down next to her on the leather couch.
"So why did you come, Botan?"
Botan choked and spluttered apologies as droplets of tea stained the table. Kurama gave her an amused smile and held out his hand to tell her that it was okay. "I'll clean it later" his hand said. Botan nodded and blushed furiously. He couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment or frustration though. But he waited until Botan was comfortable to tell him the reason why she was here. He hoped she wouldn't ramble on about "how nice his home had gotten." Instead, he hoped that she would get straight to the point. Kurama patiently sat on his couch for almost ten minutes until Botan spoke.
"Well..."
Kurama turned his head expectingly and tilted his head. Botan turned bright red again and looked away from his gaze. The floor suddenly looked interesting as she continued:
"I-was-hoping-you-would-let-me-borrow-money-so-I-can-pay-my-taxes."
She let it out all in one breath. Botan spoke so fast that Kurama could barely grasp even one word of her sentence but he understood. He turned a little pink at her confession and looked at the ceiling. Kurama pondered at Botan's statement and decided to rethink it.
He had known Botan for almost...Oh, he didn't know. Almost all of his life. Even if Botan knew they had been friends for almost forever, he felt used. "When was the last time she came?" he thought. Right. It was five years ago. She had asked that dreadful question: "Can I borrow money to pay my taxes?" Poor Botan was in serious debt with Kurama. He didn't remember the amount of money he had given her to pay her taxes, but he would never forget the look on her face when he agreed. But Botan had visited him less and less as time passed. He didn't know what she was up to, but he did miss her company. Kurama sighed and placed his hands behind his head as he leaned against the black leather sofa. He wished Botan would be responsible in paying her taxes and realize that she is already in debt with her credit card...and to him. Kurama then realized that Botan had never payed him back. He gave another sigh and looked at Botan. She was still staring at the carpeted maroon floor.
"Botan?"
She looked up and gave him a dazzling grin. He hoped he wouldn't break her heart too much. It would hurt him even worse to see the disappointed look on her face.
"Yes, Kurama?"
The hope in her voice was splitting his heart.
"I'm sorry, Botan. I can't lend you money this time."
Botan's smile didn't falter that much, but he saw the edges of her mouth twitch downwards and then back up again. She laughed nervously as tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Kurama felt his heart painfully throb and he reached out to embrace her. Botan turned away from him and stood up.
"It's okay, Kurama!" She replied.
"But Botan..."
"No, really! It's okay..I remembered the last time I came over and I realized that I haven't been such a good friend at all. I should be more responsible anyway..." Botan trailed off.
He gave a sigh of relief and gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes. It'll be okay."
She gave a small shudder as she recalled the tax collector who had come to her house. "The only thing that's not okay is the tax collector." Botan felt genuine laughter bubble out and Kurama gave her a grin.
"You mean Hiei?"
"How'd you know?"
"Hiei and I are old...friends.."
"Haha, do you think he'll give me a discount for knowing you?"
Botan moved toward the oak door and Kurama followed. He turned the polished knob just as the phone began to ring. Botan walked down the marble porch steps and waved goodbye to Kurama. He smiled and picked up the phone.
"Hello. Kurama here."
"Kurama..." the speaker hissed. "The onna left?"
"Yes she did, Hiei. She's going back home."
"Finally. I've been waiting outside the onna's door for almost one hour," he snarled.
Kurama gave a small chuckle. "Sorry for the wait."
"Hn. Goodbye."
Before Kurama could say goodbye, Hiei had already hung up on him. The phone line clicked and a dead dial tone buzzed.
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As Botan walked home, she swore she could feel eyes drilling into her back. Specifically cold, red eyes. She shivered and tried to force her mind to think of something happier, but to no avail. Botan sighed and took out her keys.
"About time."
Botan nearly jumped five feet into the air. Her face became bright red and she whipped around. He was smirking as if nothing had happened.
"What is that supposed to mean?" she snapped. "You're not supposed to be here until tomorrow!"
He shrugged. "I guess I changed my mind. Money?"
Botan's jaw dropped. "How do you expect me to get the money I owe in less than 5 hours?? I didn't even PLAN to get the money in one day. It's impossible!" But Hiei had already shut her out.
He gave her a sarcasm dripped "please?"
Botan could've slapped him. In her right mind, she would've slapped him. But she had no idea why she did not. Oh, right. She might get charged more money for even touching him.
"With a cherry on top?" Even more sarcasm.
"Hah. You wish," Botan replied. She raced into the open door and slammed it behind her. She rested her aching back on the wooden door and closed her eyes.
"No sleeping on the job. Especially when you owe the government money."
Botan's eyes snapped open and she groaned. Hiei was standing right in front of her. His crimson eyes piercing into her coral ones. Hiei could feel fear radiate off her body and he smirked. He strode in circles, pacing an invisible eight and stopped once again in front of a trembling Botan. Botan could feel her eyes following every movement and she flushed.
"Well Botan, have you decided to hand over the money?"
"I already told you that I don't have..."
"Hn. Pitiful excuse."
"How is it an excuse??" Botan yelled hysterically.
"You've had five years."
Botan sighed defeat. He was right.
"Is there any other way I can repay my debt?"
But it was too late. Botan realized her mistake once she saw the cynical smirk on Hiei's face.
