Ahoy, readers! Waves
Today, I bring you the Valentine's special edition! Thank you to my wonderful boyfriend who gave me the idea for this chapter. I love you so much, JD! Happy Valentine's Day, honey. :)
For the rest of you, let me explain a couple of things.
Valentine's Day in Japan is celebrated by women giving chocolates to men. The men respond one month later, March 14, on White Day, when they give woman gifts that are three times the value of what that particular woman gave them. That's why it's only the girls handing out gifts in this fic.
Also, those who read Shakespeare will recognize the flower name in the chapter. For those of you who haven't read A Midsummer Night's Dream... Well, what are you waiting for?! But don't worry, you won't be confused.
Now, without further ado, I present:
Valentine
Kurama x Botan
The halls had been decorated with red and white streamers, and pink paper hearts had been strung together in a cheerful arrangement over the lockers. Couples stood closely together, hand in hand, whispering romantic words, feeding each other chocolate, or just blushing shyly as they basked in the other's presence.
Ah, yes. Love was in the air.
The majority of the female student body of Meiou high were armed to the teeth and prepared for battle. Each wielded a large box of chocolates (homemade, of course) and a six page, heartfelt essay on why each of them loved a certain red-head (oh, you're so beautifulShuichi-kun! You're eyes are as green as a spring meadow! You're so smart! Blah, blah blah.) and why each of them was the most deserving of his affections. (I have loved you since pre-school! I have sworn off all other men because I know that we are meant to be!).
Kurama's fanclub was usually aggressive: following him around school, following him home, filling his locker up with love-letters between classes and, generally, being quite annoying. Today, however, they had a new, restless energy among them. It was Valentine's day, after all, the day of love! Their best chance to get through to the man of their dreams was today. They were certain that he would succumb to the burning passions of one (oooh, or maybe all) of them today. They just knew it!
If only they could find him.
It was the last period of the day and, for the girls who had not yet bestowed their gifts of love on their flaming-haired object of affection, their last chance to convince Shuichi that he really didhave feelings for at leastone of them.
But Shuichi was not in his Biology class! Several girls who had managed to sneak out of study-hall stood crowded around the classroom door, peeking into the window.
"Where is he?" One whined. "I know he was here earlier!"
"Maybe he went home?" Another fretted. "Oh, I hope not! I spent all night making these chocolates for him and I just know once I prove my culinary skills to him he will definitely ask me out!"
One girl laughed rudely, "Oh, please. Like your overcooked truffles are going to get you anywhere! It's going to be my love letter that turns him around." She looked up at the ceiling, blushing. "And he'll take me into his arms and kiss me and tell me how he's been waiting for --"
"Yeah right!" Said the girl holding the chocolates. "You're dreaming! You've been giving Shuichi-kun one letter a day for the past threeyears and he hasn't taken you into his arms yet! In fact, I don't think he's even looked at you!" She lifted her chin smugly. "I however, was his lab partner and --"
The girl with the love-letter rolled her eyes. "That was in seventhgrade, Miyume, has he even talked to you since?"
The other blushed angrily. "Shut up, Kurenai! As we all know, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and, as the girl with the best home-ec grade, I am sure to be victorious today!"
"Whatever!" Kurenai snapped, hands on her hips. "Shuichi-kun is the smartest boy in school! He's going to want someone he can have deep, meaningful and intellectual conversations with! Out of all of us, I --"
"You're screwed!" Miyume, chortled, "I happen to know you failed the last math test!"
Kurenai's eyes narrowed and she took a menacing step toward her friend. It wasn't the first time girls of Mieou high had come to blows over the handsome red-head and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
"Um, excuse me! I'm looking for Kura-- Uh, I mean, Shuichi-san! Do you know where I can find him?"
The two girls and their possy looked up, their eyes falling on a tall, blue-haired girl in a Sarasaki high uniform. She smiled brightly at them, purple eyes sparkling with good humor.
She was very pretty.
Immediately, the girls decided to put their arguments aside and circled the wagons. They had to protect Shuichi from this strange girl who was encroaching on Mieou turf. Didn't she have enough boys at HER school?!
"Who are you?" Kurenai asked suspiciously.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" The blue-haired girl laughed sheepishly. "I'm Botan, Shuichi-san and I are friends."
Miyume stepped up, eying the girl. "Just friends, huh?"
Botan blinked at her. "Um... Yes."
Both of the Meiou girls looked at the small box of chocolates that the strange girl was holding.
"Oh? Are you sure you aren't angling for more?"
Botan cocked her head to the side. "Huh?"
Kurenai and Miyume stepped forward, crossing their arms over their chests and narrowing their eyes at the girl.
"Shuichi isn't here." Miyume said.
Botan smiled awkwardly. Goodness, what an unfriendly bunch!
"Oh, okay! Well, thank you! I guess I'll give these to him later!" She turned and walked off down the hall.
The deity frowned as she turned the corner, looking at the small box of chocolate in her hand. She had stayed up pretty late with Keiko and Yukina last night making the little heart shaped chocolates and had then spent the majority of the day handing said chocolates out.
Apparently, it was the tradition to make chocolates for all the boys you knew, and then to give them out on Valentine's day. Botan wasn't going to complain – she had a lot fun making the little treats (and eating the left-overs!) and spending time with her friends.
Yukina and Keiko had given their Valentine's gifts to Kurama in the morning before school, while Botan had delivered hers to Koenma. She had met up with the girls in the early afternoon and together they had tracked down Hiei, Kuwabara, and then Yuusuke. After the chocolates were exchanged, the students had decided to skip class. Yukina and Kuwabara had wandered off together, followed shortly by Yuusuke and Keiko.
Botan thought it was terribly romantic and hadn't wanted to spoil the couples' time together. So, while the lover's were off (having hot, Valentine's make-out sessions, she giggled) the deity had decided to find the last person on her chocolate list.
She had realized that she would be much to conspicuous if she wandered around in her pink kimono, so she had put on the Sarasaki uniform (Yuusuke's school) and decided to hoof it. Even though it wasn't Kurama's school uniform, it was STILL a uniform and she knew that people would ask fewer questions if she pretended to be another high-school student.
And she was disappointed that she had been unable to find Kurama. She hoped he wouldn't think that she had forgotten about him. Maybe she could find him early tomorrow and give him the chocolates then?
She headed out the back of the school. Since it was the last period of class, the sports fields were empty. Botan figured she could get out of sight and hop onto her oar there. As she wandered down the neatly lined paths twisting between the four greenhouses, a flash of red caught her eye. She looked up, purple eyes bright.
"Kurama!" She beamed.
The ferry girl made her way to the large, glass door. A blast of hot, steamy air hit her as she stepped into the greenhouse. There were plants everywhere! Potted plants, trees, and tropical flowers. There were greens, blues, violets, reds and pinks, each color more exotic than the last. It was beautiful.
There were several leafy trees that reached the ceiling, foliage spread out to cover the glass panels, while vines crept up the walls. Shafts of sunlight peeked through the leaves and the whole place was lit in a soft, green-tinted light. It was ethereal.
"Please go away," A soft voice sighed. "I am busy right now."
Botan blinked, then blushed, embarrassed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Kurama-kun! I didn't mean to interrupt! I'll just see you later." She turned, her hand on the doorknob.
Kurama looked up from the lab table, surprised by the use of his demon-name. Through the thick foliage and flowers, he saw a hint of blue hair.
"Oh, Botan!" He walked around the table. "Wait! I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you."
Botan looked over her shoulder, smiling sheepishly. A pair of bottle-green eyes peered curiously at her from across the room.
"I'm sorry," She said again, "I didn't know you were busy."
Kurama shook his head and smiled, motioning her forward with one hand.
"Not at all, Botan, please come in."
She smiled hesitantly and approached him, ducking branches and gently pushing leaves and flora from her face as she made her way over to where the tall red-head stood. He was wearing a white lab coat and his long hair was pulled back from his face.
"I apologize for snapping," he said, still smiling. "I was afraid you were one of... hmm... the girls that tend to follow me around..."
Botan blinked and tilted her head to the side. "What? You have girls that follow you around?"
Kurama sighed and tapped his fingertips impatiently against the table. "Unfortunately, yes... And they've been more persistent than usual today." He looked up at her, tilting his head to the side. "Which is why I am here rather than in the classroom."
Botan giggled. "Trying to throw them off the scent by hiding out?"
He frowned at her, his brow furrowed. "I am hardly hiding, Botan," He murmured. The ferry-girl grinned knowingly. He sighed and the corner of his lips twitched upward into an unwilling smile.
"Well... maybe just a little," he admitted. "What can I help you with today, Botan-san?"
The girl beamed and held up the small box of chocolates. "Oh! I wanted to give you these! Happy Valentine's Day, Kurama!" She held out the box and the red-head blinked down at her. Gingerly, he took the box from her.
"Thank you, Botan... You didn't have to..." He frowned. Botan peered worriedly up at him. Had she done something wrong? She bit her lip, she was new to this Valentine's thing. What if she had accidentally done something to upset him? She looked around the room, trying to think. She had made the chocolates... Was that the problem? Did Kurama only like store-bought chocolate?
Her eyes fell on a large pile in the corner. Boxes on boxes on boxes of chocolates. Stacks of cards, piles of stuffed animals, even a couple of roses (though those had been placed with more care on the top of the pile). Of course! No wonder he wasn't pleased with her gift! He already had enough chocolate to last him the rest of the year.
"I'm sorry, Kurama!" She said, "I didn't realize... Wow, you have enough chocolate to get you through a lifetime!" She laughed nervously. Why did she feel so embarrassed? A hot blush stained her cheeks and she felt distinctly uncomfortable at the thought of the red-head rejecting her gift. She reached out, trying to gently tug the small box out of his hands.
The boy blinked at her, not releasing his hold on the gift.
"Thank you, Botan."
She glanced up at him, "Hmm?"
The tomato-haired boy smiled at her and she felt hotter than before. "Thank you," He repeated once more. "I am happy that you thought of me." He slowly tugged the box closer and her hands dropped back to her sides. The half-demon leaned back against the desk, examining the brightly wrapped gift. The paper was red, dusted with little silver hearts and the whole package was tied with a neat, red-velvet bow. Tucked under the bow was a small card with 'Kurama' written in pretty kanji. He carefully removed the envelope, opening it and pulling out a small card.
There was a cartoon picture of a Reynard on the front. It was posing playfully against a red background, one green eye winking up at the reader. Kurama smiled and opened the card, blinking at the script.
"You're a fox!" underneath was scrawled a neat, "Love, Botan." He chuckled, looking up at the blue-haired girl who was standing awkwardly before him She relaxed slightly at his reaction.
"Very clever," Kurama grinned. "Youko likes it, too."
Botan giggled and blushed slightly, reaching up to run her fingers through her hair. "I thought of you when I saw it... For, uh, obvious reasons." She smiled.
Kurama chuckled again and set the card on the table, turning his attention to the box. He slowly unwrapped it, smiling at the obvious attention his blue-haired friend had payed to the gift. Setting the gift-wrap aside, he was left with a small, red box. He slipped the lid off and smiled. Piled in the box were pieces of home-made chocolate. The deity had obviously used molds and the box contained two shapes: hearts and... roses. He lifted out one of the rose-shaped chocolates and popped it into his mouth.
"Mmm..." He sighed appreciatively.
The deity fidgeted nervously. "Are they... okay?"
The red-head closed his eyes, sighing in obvious delight. "Delicious," He peered at her from under his lashes. "You are a talented chocolateer, Botan-chan."
Had he just called her -- ? Both of them blinked, then looked away from each other. Kurama straightened and cleared his throat and Botan blushed. He hadn't said it on purpose!
"So, um, what are you working on?"
Kurama frowned at the distraction and tilted his head. "Oh, nothing..." He subtly moved closer to the desk, trying to block her view.
Botan peered around him, her eyes widening at the sight of a large flower. It was shaped like a lily, but the petals glittered iridescently in an enchanting shade of purple. It had a sweet, heady scent and she wondered why she hadn't noticed it before. It was so strong, surely she would have smelled it the second she walked into the greenhouse? Or perhaps... Had it just begun to release its scent? She shook her head. No, that was a silly thought.
Wasn't it?
"Kurama..." She said slowly, her amethyst eyes drifting slowly up to meet with the bottle green ones belonging to her companion. He looked thoughtfully down at her.
"That is a makai flower, isn't it?" She frowned at him.
The half demon frowned as well. "It is... a hybrid." Botan's frown deepened.
"You know it's illegal to bring Makai plants to the human realm..."
At this, the red-head gave her his most charming smile, one that could melt the sun.
"I rather hope that you will keep this between us, and not tell your esteemed lord." He said softly. The blue-haired ferry girl looked unconvinced.
"I think that depends on the nature of your experiment here," She said dryly. Kurama sighed.
"The makai plant is known as love-in-idleness. The nectar, if brushed across the eyes of one who is asleep, will make them fall in love with the next thing they see."
Botan blinked. "A plant can do that?"
Kurama shifted into Biologist mode. "Well, it's not real love, obviously. The nectar stimulates the release of endorphines into the bloodstream, making the victim feel warm and pleasant. The next thing they see becomes a catalyst, causing the endorphines to be released. Therefor, the person associates the good feelings with the thing they see, causing them to believe they are in love."
Botan examined the flower. "I see... Well, it's quite pretty. What are you using it for?"
Kurama smiled. "What you see here is not the true love-in-idleness. This is a hybrid, a cross between the love-in-idleness and the earth lily. I am trying to dilute the nectar."
Botan glanced up at him. "For what purpose?"
Kurama beamed. "I am going to make a truth serum. By diluting the nectar of the love-in-idleness, I can create a liquid that produces the pleasant feelings associated with love, without the need of a catalyst. It will relax the victim and make them forget all inhibitions. You can ask them anything and they will reply truthfully."
Botan smiled. "Impressive! Does it work!"
Kurama frowned. "Well... To be honest... I have not yet been able to create the flower with this property. The love-in-idleness tends to come out too strongly within the hybrids. I cannot seem to dilute the nectar enough."
Botan sighed. "Oh... Well... at least it's pretty." She reached out, her fingers sliding over the silky petals of the flower. The flower leaned into her hand, petals opening. "Oh!" Botan smiled. "Are you making it do that?!"
Kurama's brow furrowed. "No... I can't... quite control these hybrids." Botan blinked up at him. "Youko has control over Makai plants," Kurama expounded, "I merely control ningen plants... And the demonic properties in the hybrid plants are too strong for me." He admitted sheepishly.
"Oh..." Botan began to pull her hand back from the plant, giving it a suspicious look.
"Don't worry," Kurama smiled. "The plant can't attack you. That isn't its purpose."
Botan smiled back at him and reached out, giggling when the plant butted against her palm.
"Well... I won't tell on you then..." She grinned. "Just be careful in the future, and don't breed your plants on school grounds?"
The half-demon nodded. "Of course, Botan-chan."
He said it again! Wasn't that how human boys referred to their girlfriends? She blushed and looked away from him, surprised when plant nuzzled her wrist.
Kurama frowned at the plant. "That's strange..." He murmured.
Botan was giggling at the ticklish sensation. "What?"
"Nothing." But he continued to frown. The damn plant was responding to... his feelings... Before Botan had walked in, the hybrid had refused to bloom. It would not respond to any amount of coaxing from him and had remained stubbornly closed up. After the deity had come, however, he had felt a spike of interest from the flower.
When he had laughed at the card, the petals of the hybrid had opened. When he had eaten the chocolate, the plant had bloomed to maturity. And when he had smiled at Botan, and felt that gentle warmth rise in him... The plant had leaned into Botan's hand.
Oh, dear... maybe the nectar wasn't the truth serum... Maybe it was the plant itself? He couldn't deny his feelings when the hybrid was acting on them, when Kurama had no control.
Botan pulled away and stepped back from the table. "Well, I --" She paused, blinking. The purple lily was reaching for her, petals and leaves outstretched, stem straining in her direction. "Is there something wrong with the plant?"
Kurama blushed. "It appears that... while I cannot actively control it... the hybrid is acting on... my feelings."
Botan looked up the red-head, frowning. "Your feelings?"
The half-demon turned toward her. "It is... acting on my feelings... toward you..."
She tilted her head to the side, then giggled. "What...? Like... It's nuzzling my hand because you want to nuzzle my hand?"
A slight tint of pink had asserted itself in Kurama's cheeks.
"Something... like that..." He murmured.
"Hmm?" Botan was looking at the plant again, frowning as it continued to strain toward her. "It looks... sad..."
Kurama looked at the plant, too, his brow slightly furrowed. "It did look melancholy... it was reaching out for the deity as if starved for her affection. Was that how he felt? He glanced at the ferry girl from the corner of his eye. She was biting her lip, reaching out to the flower. She didn't step closer, and her fingertips barely brushed over the petals but the lily leaned eagerly into her touch. If it leaned any further it would pull itself out of the soil.
Kurama frowned, watching the interaction. He had had more than a... friendly interest in Botan for some time now. But he had not acted on these feelings because he was not sure how she felt toward him. Until today, when Botan had surprised him with the Valentine's gift, he had not realized how much he liked the deity. When she had moved to leave, he had quickly called her back, because... he did crave her company. He wanted her attention.
He wanted her attention. And here his plant was getting all of it. The fox boy's brow furrowed.
"Botan," he said gently, reaching out and pulling her hand from the plant. She looked up at him, smiling.
"Yes?"
He cupped her hands in his, smiling to himself as a soft blush colored her cheeks.
"I was surprised that you gave me a Valentine's gift... Usually, girls only give gifts to boys they are... interested in."
Botan blinked up at him, her blush deepening. "Wh-- what? I thought... that you gave gifts to all the boys you knew..."
Kurama smiled. "Yes, you do... But the gift you gave me was personalized... You put a lot of thought into it... I liked it very much. But the time you spent on it makes me wonder... Are you interested in me, Botan?"
The deity blinked amethyst eyes up at the red-head. Oh my god... Oh my god... He thinks I'm like one of those stalker girls now! She flushed. "Well, um..." What was she supposed to say? And why didn't she just say no? She looked sheepishly up at the gorgeous red-head, floundering.
He chuckled softly and she felt even more mortified. Oh, god, now he was laughing at her!
"I simply wonder, Botan-chan... Because I am interested in you,"
The ferry girl paused, startled. "You... What?"
Kurama smiled at her, leaning down slightly until the tip of his nose brushed against hers.
"I like you, Botan-chan."
Botan blushed deeply. This... Wasn't really happening, right? The most beautiful and sought after boy in all of Japan had NOT just told her that he liked her.
"Please let me take you to dinner tonight."
The deity blinked up the half-demon.
"Kurama?" She murmured.
"Will you go with me?" He prodded, his warm hands enveloping her smaller ones. "Please?"
She continued to blush, looking shyly at up him.
"I... Yes... I would... love to go to dinner with you, Kurama."
The red-head smiled and gently pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her.
"You honor me, Botan," He said sincerely. The hybrid lily was in full bloom, sitting contently in the ceramic plot, quietly filling the hot-house with it's sweet scent.
Kurama pressed his warm mouth down over hers, and Botan reached up, her arms going around his shoulders.
The ningen plants, reacting to their master's silent command, slowly pressed in around them, shielding them from prying eyes should anyone walk by and happen to glance into the greenhouse windows.
Kurama pulled back slightly, smiling at his deity's flushed face and full, kiss-bruised mouth. Gently, he ran his thumb along her plump lower lip.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Botan-chan," He murmured before cupping her cheek and claiming her mouth for himself once more.
I have to say... I'm very happy with how this turned out! I hope you all enjoyed it, too. Please tell me what you think when you review!
I love all of you!
Passes out candy hearts to reviewers